Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce has today announced a project to build a New Zealand-Viet Nam friendship bridge in Ho Chi Minh City to symbolise the relationship between the two countries.
The New Zealand-Viet Nam friendship bridge project arose from the celebrations of 40 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2015.
Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce will travel to Viet Nam and Singapore tomorrow to reinforce New Zealand’s relationships in business, investment and education, and underpin the Government’s commitment to lifting engagement with both countries.
Mr Joyce will travel to Viet Nam on Air New Zealand’s inaugural direct flight between Auckland and Ho Chi Minh City. The new air link will fly three times a week, operating from June to October, and will bolster tourist and business links between Viet Nam and New Zealand.
Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce and Sport and Recreation Minister Jonathan Coleman today announced that the Major Events Development Fund (MEDF) will invest $900,000 to support the Royal Wellington Golf Club in hosting the Asia-Pacific Amateur Golf Championship in 2017.
“The four-day tournament will be broadcast live to more than 150 countries and attract a number of the world’s golf media to New Zealand. The tournament provides a strong platform to showcase New Zealand as a great tourism and golf-tourism destination,” Mr Joyce says.
Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce today announced two appointments to the Tertiary Education Commission board.
Nigel Gould and Christopher Mace have been reappointed as members of the board.
Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce today announced 14 appointments to six tertiary education institution councils, which include appointments to the newly-reconstituted councils of Te Wānanga o Raukawa and Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi.
“I welcome the valuable knowledge and experience that these appointees will bring to these important leadership roles,” Mr Joyce says. “I also wish to recognise and thank the outgoing council members for their service and valuable contribution to tertiary education.”
Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce has announced that shareholding ministers have approved AgResearch’s updated Future Footprint Programme (FFP) business case which will reconfigure the Institute’s operations across four sites with an investment of $133 million in buildings and other infrastructure.
“AgResearch has presented a strong business case for change,” Mr Joyce says. “The FFP will modernise its facilities and co-locate research staff doing complementary work at the Palmerston North and Lincoln campuses.
Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce today announced that entries are open for the 50th annual New Zealand International Business Awards (NZIBA).
The awards celebrate the success of New Zealand businesses around the world and recognise professional excellence and innovative practice.
“We want to hear from New Zealand businesses that are successfully exporting overseas because their success contributes to this country’s achievements in doing business globally,” Mr Joyce says.
Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce has congratulated Emeritus Professor Roy Kerr of the University of Canterbury on receiving the Crafoord Prize in Astronomy, awarded by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.
“The strength of New Zealand’s science system and the international reputation of its scientists has been highlighted by the announcement that Professor Kerr is one of this year’s two recipients of the Crafoord Prize,” says Mr Joyce. “I am pleased to congratulate Professor Kerr on this magnificent award.”
The Government is making a major investment in growing innovation in Budget 2016, through the Innovative New Zealand package to encourage entrepreneurship, skills and economic growth.
“Innovative New Zealand is a series of 25 initiatives that will see $761.4 million invested over the next four years in science, skills, tertiary education and regional development initiatives. These will help diversify the economy, and support more jobs and higher wages for New Zealanders in the decade ahead,” Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce says.
Summary
Budget 2016 will provide $94.4 million of new funding over the next four years for regional economic development initiatives that will boost economic growth and benefit communities across regional New Zealand.
This dedicated regional investment funding is part of Budget 2016’s Innovative New Zealand package, which aims to unlock opportunities for innovation and diversification across New Zealand.
Summary
A total of $256.5 million in operating funding over the next four years will be invested across the tertiary education sector through Budget 2016’s Innovative New Zealand package as the Government continues to incentivise the provision of skills for the 21st century.
This package will encourage training in disciplines such as science, engineering, agriculture and the trades as we continue to grow a high-value, diversified New Zealand economy.
Summary
The Government will significantly increase its investment in science and innovation through Budget 2016’s Innovative New Zealand package, providing a further $410.5 million in operating funding over the next four years.
Investing in the work of our scientists and innovators is hugely important for developing an innovative New Zealand with a truly resilient and diversified economy.
It is estimated a total of 26 additional hotels, above and beyond what is currently planned, will be needed over the next ten years to meet expected tourism demand in our major tourist centres, according to new independent research released today by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.
The research is a key part of “Project Palace”, a programme to accelerate new private sector investment in New Zealand’s hotel infrastructure led by NZTE and the Government’s Investment Attraction Taskforce.
Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce today announced the reappointment of Jennifer Kerr to the New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) Board as well as the appointment of Richard Jones to the New Zealand Story Advisory Board.
NZTE is the Government’s international business development agency tasked with helping companies grow bigger, better, faster – for the benefit of New Zealand.
An additional $9.6 million over four years will provide for more Māori and Pasifika Trades Training (MPTT) as demand for the programme continues to grow, Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce and Maori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell say.
“This funding will provide places for 2,500 young Māori and Pasifika learners in MPTT programmes this year, and 3,400 next year, up from just 1,200 in 2014,” Mr Joyce says.
Budget 2016 will provide $14.4 million over four years for more apprenticeship training, Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce announced today.
“A strengthening labour market, a rebuilt industry training system and improvements in school achievement are resulting in greater demand for apprenticeships, as young people rightly see them as a great way to get into, and stay in, a rewarding career,” Mr Joyce says.
Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce and Sport and Recreation Minister Jonathan Coleman today welcomed a report which highlights the positive economic impact of New Zealand hosting the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2015.
The report shows the tournament boosted New Zealand GDP by $30.4 million. It attracted over 3,600 international visitors, generating 52,650 international visitor nights with an average visitor stay of 14.3 nights. Over 300,000 spectators attended 52 matches across the seven host cities.
Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce and Education Minister Hekia Parata have today announced Careers New Zealand will become part of the Tertiary Education Commission in a reform which will result in better and more consistent careers information for school students.
Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce and Food Safety Minister Jo Goodhew today launched the New Zealand Food Safety Science and Research Centre at Massey University in Palmerston North.
Formed as a partnership between government, industry organisations and research institutions, the virtual centre aims to ensure New Zealand’s food safety system remains among the best in the world.
The Government will increase funding for health research by $97 million over the next four years, Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce and Health Minister Jonathan Coleman announced today.
“The annual amount available for health research through the Health Research Council (HRC) will increase by 56 per cent over four years - from $77 million in 2015/16 to $120 million in 2019/20,” Mr Joyce says.
Entries open today for the 2016 Prime Minister’s Business Scholarships, which offer New Zealand executives the opportunity to improve their skills at the world’s best business schools.
Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce says the scholarships are designed for senior managers, executives and business owners looking to expand their expertise by studying internationally.
Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce today announced $15 million of additional funding over four years for two schemes that speed up the commercialisation of new clever technologies developed by scientists and entrepreneurs around New Zealand.
“Encouraging the development of new export-oriented high-tech businesses is a key part of the innovation stream of the Government’s Business Growth Agenda,” Mr Joyce says.
Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce today announced that 44 projects have been successful in the 2016 round of the Unlocking Curious Minds contestable fund.
The Fund, launched in 2015, has already seen 53 projects deliver science and technology experiences for our young people and communities throughout New Zealand.
Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce and Revenue Minister Michael Woodhouse have welcomed the passing of a Bill which will help Inland Revenue contact more student loan borrowers in Australia.
The Taxation (Residential Land Withholding Tax, GST on Online Services and Student Loans) Bill includes an information sharing agreement with the Australian Tax Office which will ensure that Kiwis fulfil their student loan obligations.
