NEW ZEALAND FIRMS EXPORTING TO THE WORLD

Exporting is about more than arms-length trade – Export Year 2007 has been all about developing long-term relationships in international markets. New Zealand businesses will find it easier to grow their new offshore markets under a $100 million scheme announced by Economic Development Minister Pete Hodgson this week. Export Year 2007 has set new levels of export ambition for us. Part of that is removing barriers faced by businesses taking Kiwi enterprise to the world:

• The New Zealand Export Credit Office is to offer two new products: a broader contract bond guarantee and a targeted short-term working capital guarantee – supporting growth of successful export companies. More info: www.nzeco.govt.nz.
• The Export Year Private Sector Reference Group will continue to operate beyond Export Year, championing the ongoing work of the private sector

Also this week, it became easier for Kiwi businesses to develop export markets. The Labour-led Government is halving the amount businesses need to invest in their international market activities to $10,000 before they qualify for a 50 per cent reimbursement under the Market Development Scheme. The Prime Minister made the announcement during her speech at the 2007 New Zealand Export Awards. "Export Year 2007 has seen many events and initiatives involving the government and the private sector to improve New Zealand's competitiveness in the global marketplace," said Helen Clark. "These include addressing our skill levels, the capability and capacity of enterprises, technology, productivity, creativity and innovation."

Nearly 600 companies around New Zealand have signed up for the Labour-led government’s Market Development Assistance Scheme over the past year, taking advantage of new business opportunities overseas. In the last 12 months, $48 million of co-funding has been approved to 594 companies.

The recent trade mission to North America’s Pacific north-west region, led by Trade Minister Phil Goff, has resulted in significant value for the specialised manufacturing sector in New Zealand. Twenty representatives from leading New Zealand specialised manufacturing companies, including in aviation, electronics, engineering, marine and plastics, doing deals worth over US$23 million. The also secured agency agreements, alliances, marketing agreements, new clients, and potential new contracts.

TE REO

Revitalising the Maori language is vital to Maori cultural development and to New Zealand’s unique national identity. The government's commitment to Maori language revitalisation is paying dividends.

A report by the Office of the Auditor General shows that Maori Language Strategy is contributing to significant increases in the number of Maori adults who can speak, read, write and understand Te Reo Maori. The 2006 Maori Language Survey found 52 per cent of Maori adults had some level of Maori language speaking proficiency – up 10 percent from 2001; and 67 per cent had some level of Maori language listening proficiency – an 8 per cent increase.

The draft curriculum for Maori-medium schools Te Marautanga o Aotearoa was launched this week by Maori Affairs and Associate Education Minister Parekura Horomia and Education Minister Chris Carter. Te Marautanga is a world-leading curriculum with a truly indigenous perspective, setting the direction for teaching and learning for the 17,500 students in New Zealand’s 350 primary and secondary Maori-medium schools -- schools that use te Reo Maori for all communication, including teaching. Te Marautanga is a partner document to the New Zealand Curriculum, launched by the Prime Minister in early November.

EASTER

The government is encouraging public discussion on Easter trading restrictions – an issue that attracts a range of opinions held by a wide variety of organisations and individuals with different beliefs and preferences. The new discussion document considers the laws that affect Easter trading and proposes a number of options for addressing three key points:

• what should happen to the Shop Trading Hours Act Repeal Act 1990 and Sale of Liquor Act 1989, particularly in regard to Easter Sunday
• what should happen with the status of Easter Sunday
• whether the enforceability and penalty regime for the Shop Trading Hours Act Repeal Act 1990 needs amendment, and the issue of adequate employee/leaseholder protection against the compulsion to work/trade on Easter Sunday.

None of the options proposed reduce the holiday weekend. The full discussion document is available now at www.dol.govt.nz/consultation/shoptrading

ENVIRONMENT

Prime Minister Helen Clark and Environment Minister Trevor Mallard this week announced the first four areas in New Zealand to trial recycling facilities in public places under the Labour-led Government's Recycling in Public Places Initiative. The first councils to receive government support to set up recycling bins in public places will be Wellington City Council, Far North District Council, Kaikoura District Council and Christchurch City Council.

The aim is to help improve tourist experiences and give more substance to our clean and green reputation. This initiative is one of many sustainability initiatives being progressively rolled out, as part of a broader work programme to lead New Zealand to greater sustainability in our use of resources and our way of life.

One of the key goals in the New Zealand Tourism Strategy 2015 is to ensure environmental sustainability. It is our natural environment and the associated selection of outdoor activities available that make our country such a major attraction for visitors.

In the same vein, a report announced this week by Associate Environment Nanaia Mahuta shows New Zealand industry is listening to peoples’ concerns and helping to reducing waste to protect the environment. The New Zealand Packaging Accord, run partly by the Environment Ministry, plays a crucial part in helping everyone to waste less and be more efficient when making, using and recovering packaging materials reducing packaging waste. The overall recovery of packaging has hit 57 per cent, which is significantly higher than last year.

PM ON THE WORLD STAGE

Prime Minister Helen Clark will represent New Zealand at international summits in Singapore and Uganda, address a sustainable development conference in Germany, and open New Zealand’s embassy in Egypt in the latter part of November.

• The East Asia Summit, in Singapore will focus on climate change and environmental sustainability
• The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) occurs in Kampala, Uganda, from 23 – 25 November. New Zealand expects CHOGM to send a clear message in support of the restoration of constitutional and democratic government in Fiji and Pakistan.
• At the German Sustainable Development Council’s annual conference in Berlin on 27 November, Helen Clark will meet Federal Chancellor Dr Angela Merkel and Federal Foreign Affairs Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
• In Egypt on 28 November the Prime Minister will attend the official opening of the New Zealand embassy in Cairo, meet President Mubarak, the Prime Minister and other ministers, host a meeting for New Zealand and Egyptian businesspeople, and visit the New Zealand Defence Force contingent in the Multinational Force and Observers deployment in the Sinai.