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Funding for the Government's $3.2 million SAGES programme, which includes our own Wairarapa Supergrans, will now be available nationwide.
SAGES involves older people providing one-on-one life and home skills to young families in need. The initiative's first round of funding was available in Northland, Bay of Plenty, Manawatu-Wanganui and Otago and the next funding round will be open to groups throughout the country.
The SAGES initiative recognises that many young families do not have access to supportive older mentors. Older New Zealanders are a valuable source of wisdom and the Government is keen to have young families benefit from their knowledge.
SAGES volunteers provide information, encouragement, practical advice and support to families in areas such as budgeting, nutritious cooking, positive parenting and networking.
Already, eight organisations in the original four regions have been selected to receive funding to deliver SAGES, including Supergrans Wairarapa.
Applications for the second round of SAGES funding will be available this month.
Application forms will be available on the Family and Community Services website www.familyservices.govt.nz and will close on 15 July 2005.
The Government has announced the scale of the pilot grants, training and education package to help energy intensive small and medium size enterprises take up energy saving technologies to offset the impact of the carbon tax.
$4.45 million will be made available for the pilot programme over the next three years.
The Government realises that there are a number of energy intensive small and medium sized enterprises that might be adversely affected by the tax. While many larger companies are applying for Negotiated Greenhouse Agreements, the transaction costs involved for individual smaller companies might be prohibitive.
That is why we are piloting a programme to help them overcome the barriers to adopting energy efficient technologies and practices.
The package is being developed in partnership with representatives of energy intensive businesses. It will be rolled out from 1 July this year and closely monitored to ensure that it is developed in a way that meets the needs of business.
For more information see http://www.beehive.govt.nz/ViewDocument.aspx?DocumentID=22724
Good news for our own Wairarapa community radio and TV stations is that $4.4 million will be invested in non-commercial radio and regional television over the next four years as part of Budget 2005.
Nearly $900,000 will be allocated for non-commercial radio while $3.5 million will be invested in the first-ever government funding of regional television.
Broadcasting Minister Steve Maharey made the announcement last week on-air at Wellington Access Radio - New Zealand's first access radio station - and said the funding recognised the important role of community and regional broadcasters.
Regional broadcasters serve their local communities in ways no other media outlets can. They provide forums for local and minority voices.
Running a community radio or television station is tough work - stations are often reliant on dedicated volunteers and part-time programmers. This new funding will ensure local broadcasters can continue to provide quality programming to their communities.
Over the past few years the Government has been working hard to develop public broadcasting at the national level with the Radio NZ and TVNZ Charters and Māori TV. This funding will allow us to promote public broadcasting at a grass-roots level.
The Budget allocation will be made to NZ On Air, who will talk with local broadcasters about the development of a funding framework.
I join the Prime Minister Helen Clark in encouraging people to enrol for this year's general election.
Personalised Enrolment Update Packs are being processed by New Zealand Post and have been delivered by posties to 2.75 million people.
Every voter who is currently enrolled should have received their personal Enrolment Update Pack. Each pack contains information about how people can ensure that they are correctly enrolled to vote.
Those who have not got an Enrolment Update Pack in the mail are probably not enrolled. People do not get enrolled automatically at age 18, or when they become eligible as new New Zealanders. For new voters to be enrolled, an enrolment form must be completed.
The Electoral Enrolment Centre is running the Enrolment Update campaign to maximise enrolment for this year's general election.
Enrolment forms can be obtained either by calling 0800 ENROL NOW (0800 36 76 56), or by free texting your name and address to 3676, or by visiting any Post Shop, or by going online to www.elections.org.nz. People can also check and update their enrolment details online at the website.
Please remember it is a requirement for every eligible voter to be on the roll. I am an optimist so I would like to see 100 percent voter turnout for this year's election in our electorate.
As I write this we head into the second show of Dancing With The Stars. Obviously I don't know the outcome of voting over the past week but I would like to take the opportunity to thank all who voted for Michael and I.
It is not easy getting up there out of your own comfort zone in front of the nation but I have always raised money for charity whenever I can and this was an ideal opportunity to do that.
Again my thanks to those who voted for us - I am sure the funds raised will be put to good use.
Finally congratulations to all the Young Achievers in Carterton. I was pleased to be able to spend time with you all last week.
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