Latest Releases

Defence Minister receives UN Housing Allowance report

beehive.govt.nz — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 17:35:48 +1200

Defence Minister Phil Goff has received the final report from the Chief of Defence Force on inconsistencies over UN housing allowance claims by seconded NZDF personnel in New York.

“The Chief of Defence Force has now reported to me on the issue of housing allowances paid to four officers seconded to the UN,” Phil Goff said.

“I am pleased that the Court of Inquiry has confirmed that there was no evidence at all of ‘double-dipping’ of allowances, no corrupt behaviour and no actions which resulted in improper personal gain.

“However, clearly the supplementary allowances were paid in breach of UN rules and senior officers filled out UN forms indicating they were not in receipt of a housing allowance from New Zealand when they were.

“Notwithstanding that other countries’ secondees may have done this and that the senior officers might have thought that this was required of them as a matter of administrative convenience, that was not acceptable behaviour.

“Nor is it acceptable that when the clash between New Zealand and UN requirements came to the attention of the New Zealand Defence Force, its personnel administrators did not address and resolve this problem. That was an institutional failure.

“I welcome the work done by the Court of Inquiry and the Chief of Defence Force’s actions to deal with the problems transparently and to move to resolve them. I am advised by the Chief of Defence Force that the sum of money claimed incorrectly will be paid in full to the UN.

“However to ensure full transparency and an independent assessment of the shortcomings exposed by the Court of Inquiry, I have asked the Auditor General to review the Court’s findings. In particular, I have asked him to report to me on the cause of and actions necessary to address the institutional failure revealed by the Court. I have also asked him to report on whether he deems that any person encouraged or condoned others involved in making a false declaration to the United Nations.

“Because of the independence of the Auditor General, I believe this will add further confidence on the part of the public that this matter has been fully and appropriately addressed,” Mr Goff said.

The report of the Court of Inquiry will be released by the Chief of Defence Force.

NZ committed to a healthy Pacific

beehive.govt.nz — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 17:05:46 +1200

New Zealand will work to help Pacific governments build health systems that deliver quality care to all, Prime Minister Helen Clark announced today at the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting.

"Over the next seven years New Zealand, through NZAID, will spend over $2 billion in development assistance to the Pacific region. The New Zealand Pacific Development Strategy sets the direction for our assistance and prioritises health-related activities and includes greater coordination with other donors," Helen Clark said.

"While life expectancy has increased across the region, infectious diseases like malaria and tuberculosis remain. As well, many babies and children are dying of illnesses which are successfully treated and managed in developed countries.

"Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease and diabetes cause up to 75 per cent of all deaths in the Pacific. The health care costs related to these diseases is formidable, with as much as fifty per cent of the health care budgets in some countries going towards expensive overseas care.

"New Zealand will make a $6 million contribution to regional efforts to prevent and control NCDs. Led by the World Health Organisation and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, this work is focussed on reducing the main risk factors of unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and alcohol and tobacco use.

"Preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS in the Pacific is a focus for New Zealand’s aid efforts. While HIV prevalence is still low outside PNG, unfortunately there is an upwards trend.

"New Zealand will provide $7.5 million to support the region’s own response to this threat, the Pacific Regional Strategy on HIV, which was endorsed at last year’s forum.

"NZAID has also recently committed up to $2.5 million to an International Planned Parenthood Federation programme to build the capacity of Family Health Associations in the Pacific to address sexual and reproductive health issues more effectively, including for young people," Helen Clark said.

More info: www.nzaid.govt.nz

First members appointed to family violence committee

beehive.govt.nz — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 16:15:47 +1200

Associate Health Minister Steve Chadwick today announced the appointment of the inaugural members of the Family Violence Death Review Committee.

"I'm pleased to be able to appoint the first members to this Committee, which will contribute to the prevention of family violence and family violence deaths,” Steve Chadwick said.

“Domestic violence of any sort is unacceptable, and New Zealand levels are alarmingly high – almost half of all reported murders each year are family violence related. This is a significant problem for us as a nation, and it is one that we all must address if we are to successfully overcome it.”

The Minister has appointed:

Wendy Davis (Wellington) as chair of the Committee and
Dr Patrick Kelly (Auckland),
Dr Alison Towns (Auckland),
Ngaroma Grant (Rotorua),
Rob Veale (Wellington),
Vaoga Mary Watts (Auckland),
Brenda Hynes (Wellington) and
George Ririnui (Hamilton) as members.

“The Committee is well-balanced, with members having extensive experience and understanding of family violence issues.”

The appointed members have expertise in mortality review systems, social science research, family violence law, child abuse and protection issues, and service provision in the social sector.

“The Committee will look at why family violence deaths occur and identify changes to systems, policies and services that may prevent family violence and related deaths.”

It will identify trends, review circumstances surrounding deaths, conduct specific reviews of clusters/subgroups of family violence deaths and participate in local family violence death reviews.

“Establishing this committee is a significant step towards addressing family violence in New Zealand, and I am looking forward to seeing the Committee’s ideas and solutions.

“Family violence is a problem that affects all parts of our society, and it is an issue that we need all New Zealanders to take responsibility for.”

The Committee's first meeting is scheduled to take place in October.

Background information.

In July 2007, the Taskforce for Action on Violence within Families agreed to the establishment of an ongoing interagency, multidisciplinary family violence death review system under the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act 2000.

The Family Violence Death Review Committee (FVDRC) was established in June 2008. Its primary function is to review and report on family violence deaths, with a view to informing collective efforts to reduce and prevent family violence deaths in New Zealand.

The Committee's functions include:

collecting data and information from relevant sources on circumstances leading up to and surrounding family violence deaths
reviewing the circumstances surrounding family violence deaths, including system and agency practice interventions/processes
conducting specific reviews/investigations into clusters/subgroups of family violence deaths
monitoring the number, categories and demographics of family violence deaths
identifying patterns and trends in family violence deaths over time.

More information: www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexmh/familyviolence-deathreviewcommittee

Govt backing of America’s Cup team pays dividends

beehive.govt.nz — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 11:32:08 +1200

The government’s $33.75 million investment in Emirates Team New Zealand boosted the New Zealand economy by around $2 for every dollar of public funding, Associate Finance Minister Trevor Mallard said today.

An independent report on the government's 2003 investment in the team’s challenge for the 2007 America’s Cup shows a significant impact on the New Zealand economy.

Just as importantly, the Market Economics report shows there were less tangible but significant benefits from the event in terms of New Zealand’s marine industry.

"The report shows the America’s Cup continued to provide an ideal opportunity to showcase New Zealand’s boat-building, sailing and design talent and it’s also good to know the projected return on the government’s investment was better than we expected," Trevor Mallard said.

The report shows the kiwi team’s cup preparation, which began in April 2003, and the subsequent race to be the challenger in August 2007, added an extra $62.2m-$74.4m to New Zealand’s gross domestic product (GDP).

The challenge for the America’s Cup meant 750-900 more full-time-equivalent jobs over the America’s Cup campaign nationwide.

The direct and total return to government in the form of additional tax revenue from the campaign was between $32.4 million and $39.4 million.

The return on the government’s investment in Emirates Team NZ was greater than a 2003 estimation of $35-$53m, partly because a greater share of the team’s funding ended up coming from overseas.

The report found the team’s 2007 campaign helped sustain the momentum of America’s Cup activity in the marine sector and meant expertise stayed in New Zealand instead of transferring to overseas syndicates.

A copy of the report can be found at www.tourismresearch.govt.nz/amcup

Q & A

How was the economic impact measured?
The economic impact measures the net additional contribution to New Zealand’s GDP from the extra expenditure in this country by Emirates Team NZ. It is measured in terms of additional expenditure, the value added component of that expenditure and the employment effects.

How was the taxation impact measured?
The taxation impact measures the net additional contribution to New Zealand’s tax revenue from the extra expenditure by Emirates Team NZ, including GST on goods and services consumed, Customs GST paid by the Team, GST on goods and services consumed by the crew community, the PAYE on syndicate wages and salaries, the ACC contribution by Emirates Team NZ, and the company tax generated from the additional turnover of businesses selling goods and services to Emirates Team NZ and from contractors earning income in New Zealand. In addition, as the Emirates Team NZ expenditure effects flow on through the economy, more tax of each type is generated.

Do these impacts relate solely to the government funding contribution?
No. Government funding was not the only source of funds for Emirates Team NZ but it was a critical key or trigger to attract other funding for the challenge. Therefore, the economic and tax effects arise from the total Emirates Team NZ expenditure, and are the combined effect of both government and sponsor funding.

What was the timeframe for the impact study?
The study measured impacts between April 2003 and August 2007.

What did the 2003 study into potential sponsorship impacts indicate?
The 2003 study estimated that the total value added arising from the Emirates Team NZ campaign would range between $35-$53m.

Why were the actual impacts, as outlined in the 2008 report, higher than those predicted in 2003?
The 2008 report indicates total value added of $62-$74m. This is higher partly because a greater share of funding came from overseas than originally estimated. The key benefit of this is that, once overseas expenses are paid for, there is a greater amount of net additional offshore funding available for expenditure in the New Zealand economy.

RSE Scheme extended to Solomon Islands workers

beehive.govt.nz — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 18:44:19 +1200

The New Zealand Government is establishing a scheme to provide training in New Zealand for Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme workers from the Pacific, and is inviting Solomon Islands to join the five other nations which already have kick start status under the scheme, Prime Minister Helen Clark announced from Niue today.

“The first year of the RSE scheme has been a success. Over 4500 workers have come to New Zealand, working for more than 100 employers. On average, over summer and autumn, these workers spent four months in New Zealand and were each able to send several thousand NZ dollars home to benefit their families and communities,” Helen Clark said.

“The Labour-led Government is committed to getting the RSE working even better. We are therefore undertaking several new initiatives to enhance the benefits of the scheme to the Pacific.

“NZAID is working to establish a scheme to offer basic education and training to RSE workers, focused on areas such as basic literacy, numeracy, and financial literacy, with the aim of having a pilot in place by early 2009.

“These types of initiatives will help expand the benefits of the RSE scheme to workers and employers. This will help ensure that it delivers on the dual objectives to provide a secure labour supply for New Zealand employers while sparking genuine development opportunities for Pacific peoples.

“More than 200 workers have come to New Zealand this year under the RSE scheme. Our government has decided to extend status to Solomon Islands to boost support for workers engaged under the scheme,” Helen Clark said.

Relief from high remittance costs

beehive.govt.nz — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 18:42:26 +1200

The cost to Pacific workers of remitting money from New Zealand will drop when proposed regulatory changes are made, Prime Minister Helen Clark announced today at the Pacific Islands Forum in Niue.

“Many Pacific people living permanently or working temporarily in New Zealand, regularly remit money home to their families,” Helen Clark said.

“Currently the average cost of remittances to the Pacific is between fifteen and 25 per cent of the monetary value of the remittance, thus greatly reducing the value of their earnings.

“The Labour-led Government wants remittance transfer services between New Zealand and the Pacific region to be transparent, lower cost, safe, and efficient. Spearheaded by work undertaken by the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs, NZAID, and the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, the goal is to reduce the transaction cost of remittances to between five and seven per cent by 2009,” Helen Clark said.

“This month our government is releasing a discussion document on a proposal for a remittance card facility regulation. The new regulation would make it possible for mainstream financial institutions to offer a two-card remittance transfer facility using international ATM and EFTPOS networks. This facility would allow people to load money on to a remittance card account in New Zealand and then have family or friends withdraw that money in the Pacific. This process would incur much lower transaction fees than do current arrangements.

“The new regulation could be in force by the end of September, paving the way for commercial products to come on the market,” Helen Clark said.

Remittances to the Pacific region tripled over the past decade to reach US$425 million, according to recent figures from the World Bank. New Zealand is one of the main source countries. The World Bank says unofficial or unrecorded remittances could add at least another fifty per cent to the official estimate.

Economic growth focus for NZ development efforts

beehive.govt.nz — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 18:39:49 +1200

Prime Minister Helen Clark said today that building an environment conducive to economic growth in Pacific Island countries is a focus for New Zealand’s development assistance programme in the region.

“Over the next seven years New Zealand, through NZAID, will spend over $2 billion in development assistance to the Pacific. The New Zealand Pacific Development Strategy launched recently sets the shape and direction for our assistance to the region.

“Our strategy centres on helping Pacific partners to create an environment which supports sustainable economic growth delivering long-term benefits.

Helen Clark spoke from Niue where she is attending the 39th Pacific Islands Forum: “New Zealand has made forward commitments of more than $70 million to assist Pacific countries build wharves, public facilities, and schools. It is also important that Pacific governments are supported to improve their capacity to manage infrastructure assets.

“At this year’s Pacific Island Forum we are announcing our joint commitment with Australia, the World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank to the new Pacific Regional Infrastructure Fund (PRIF). The PRIF will co-ordinate donor assistance and work directly with Pacific island countries to develop and maintain infrastructure for transport, water, sanitation, waste management, energy and communications, in both rural and urban areas.

“New Zealand has made an initial commitment of $1 million to the design of the facility and is likely to make a significant further contribution once the design is finalised.

”Another example of New Zealand’s aid programme contributing to income growth in the Pacific is our support to reinvigorate the pearl-farming industry in the Cook Islands. This work is part of a wider project to strengthen the marine resources sector and is helping get the pearl industry back on its feet after its near collapse in recent years.

New Zealand is supporting the Cook Islands Government’s work with marine farmers to develop sound business frameworks and again access to research and marketing expertise.

“Grass-roots assistance like this is central to New Zealand’s approach,” Helen Clark said.

Women’s empowerment in the spotlight

beehive.govt.nz — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 14:26:59 +1200

A torch accepted by Women’s Affairs Minister Steve Chadwick today symbolises New Zealand’s ongoing commitment to an international campaign for gender equality and the empowerment of women.

“It is an honour to receive this torch and I am pleased to announce the government’s increased financial support for international development work that promotes women’s rights,” Steve Chadwick said.

“We are increasing our annual contribution to the United Nations Development Fund (UNIFEM) by $500,000 this year and next, which is a trebling of New Zealand’s support in recent years, and our contribution to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) will increase from $4.5 million to $6 million in the coming year.

“Through NZAID, this government supports a range of important initiatives in the Pacific, including improving sexual and reproductive health services and a programme to improve the quality of nursing – the majority of whom are women.

“Today we add New Zealand’s voice to the international call for increased attention and investment in the third Millennium Development Goal (MDG3).”

The MDG3 was one of eight United Nations’ goals agreed to by 189 countries and leading development institutions. These goals range from providing universal primary education, to halving extreme poverty, and halting the spread of HIV/AIDS.

“Women are the backbone of families, villages, communities and nations, but they are much more likely than men to be poor, malnourished, illiterate and denied access to basic health services.

“Advancing women’s rights has a direct link to the attainment of economic growth, sustainable development, good governance and peace.

“The MDG3 seeks to promote gender equality and empower women at all levels. By accepting this torch, and joining the Global Call to Action, we are committing to ‘do something extra’ to achieve the Goal.

“New Zealand has always been a strong supporter of women’s rights and I am proud to be able to say that ‘we commit to do more’ for gender equality and the world’s women.”

Background information.

Millennium Development Goal 3

The Global Call to Action on MDG3 is a Danish Government-led initiative. At least 100 torches are travelling the world and those who accept them commit to ‘do something extra’ for gender equality and the empowerment of women.

World leaders will come together in New York on 25 September 2008 to renew their commitment to achieving the Millennium Development Goals by 2015 and to set out concrete plans and practical steps for action. At this meeting the United Nations’ Secretary-General will be invited to accept the last torch.

United Nations Development Fund (UNIFEM)

UNIFEM is the women’s fund at the United Nations. It provides financial and technical assistance to innovative programmes and strategies to foster women’s empowerment and gender equality.

UNIFEM is one of a number of UN agencies charged with helping countries move forward on the Millennium Development Goals, but it has the only specific mandate to advocate for gender equality. The fund assists efforts to monitor progress on the goals from a gender perspective, analyse steps to achieve them and spread awareness to encourage women’s participation

United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)

UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, is an international development agency that promotes the right of every woman, man and child to enjoy a life of health and equal opportunity.

UNFPA supports countries in using population data for policies and programmes to reduce poverty and to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every birth is safe, every young person is free of HIV/AIDS, and every girl and woman is treated with dignity and respect.

NZ to Participate in Five Nation Training Exercise

beehive.govt.nz — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 15:10:34 +1200

A 172 strong contingent from the 2/1st Infantry Battalion based at Burnham will head for Europe next month to participate in an army training exercise with forces from Australia, Britain, Canada and the United States, Defence Minister Phil Goff said today.

Exercise Cooperative Spirit will take place in Hohenfels, Germany in September.

“The exercise is an opportunity for the New Zealand Army to engage in training and to test interoperability with partners across a range of current conventional military and peace-keeping operations,” Phil Goff said.

“The exercise will both enhance our skill levels and allow the New Zealand Defence Force to share its experience and knowledge gained from peacekeeping operations in Afghanistan, Timor-Leste, Solomon Islands and Bougainville.

“Exercise Cooperative Spirit will include a series of activities which involve peacekeeping and security/combat operations.

“This includes provision of humanitarian assistance, escort of convoys, field patrols, driver and medical training, counter IED training, base security provision and conventional combat and support operations.

“Cooperative Spirit will offer significant opportunities to train with other countries and to enhance the NZDF ability to deploy forces and operate in diverse environments”, Phil Goff said.

“It will add to the benefits of current exercises New Zealand engages in, including ‘Lion Spirit’ with the Singapore Armed Forces. New Zealand also exercises regularly with a number of countries including members of the Five Power Defence Arrangements, France, Korea and Japan.

It will also shortly have its helicopter pilots training on new NH-90 aircraft with the German Air Force,” Mr Goff said.

New chair of the Copyright Tribunal announced

beehive.govt.nz — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 10:07:29 +1200

Associate Commerce Minister Judith Tizard today announced the appointment of Professor Susy Frankel as Chair of the Copyright Tribunal for a term of one year.

“I am very pleased to announce Susy Frankel as the new Chair of the Copyright Tribunal”, Judith Tizard said.

Susy Frankel succeeds Judge David Harvey as Chair, a position he had held for over five and a half years.

“I consider Susy Frankel to be an appropriate candidate to succeed Judge Harvey,” said Judith Tizard. “As an intellectual property academic, she has a very strong knowledge of copyright and intellectual property issues, combined with experience as an Assistant Commissioner of Trade Marks, Patents and Designs for the Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand."

Judith Tizard also thanked Judge Harvey, for his significant contribution as the previous Chair of the Copyright Tribunal.

Background on Susy Frankel

Susy Frankel is a Professor of Law at the Victoria University of Wellington and an Assistant Commissioner of Trade Marks, Patents and Designs for the Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand. She is also an Arbitrator and Mediator under the World Intellectual Property Organization Arbitration and Mediation Centre in Geneva, and a consultant expert to the Waitangi Tribunal regarding the WAI 262 flora, fauna and indigenous intellectual property claim.

Background on the Copyright Tribunal

The Tribunal is a statutory body established under the Copyright Act 1994. The role of the Tribunal is to resolve disputes between licensing bodies, or proposed licensing bodies, and those who hold or seek licenses in respect of works of copyright.

Organisations or individuals who wish to use copyright works may apply to a licensing body, who establish licensing schemes on behalf of copyright authors, to grant a license to use such copyright works. Where a dispute arises between these parties, usually with respect to royalties, the matter can be referred to the Copyright Tribunal. The Tribunal can choose whether to hear the case, and has the jurisdiction to confirm or vary the scheme as it sees fit.

The Tribunal consists of a Chair and two members, who are appointed by the Governor-General on the recommendation of the Minister of Commerce (the Associate Minister of Commerce has delegated authority on intellectual property matters, including appointments).