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Tourism's role as the number one export dollar earner makes sense for Wairarapa.
Tourism industry data shows the partnership between the Government and Wairarapa tourism operators is paying off, with foreign and domestic visitors generating extra income.
Around 73 tourism accommodation providers report data in the areas covered by the Wairarapa councils and the number of local reported guest nights has increased by 18 percent, from around 203,164 in the year to May 2000, to around 240,000 in the year to this May.
International visitors last year spent nearly $7.5b in New Zealand - an average of more than $3300 each - earning more foreign exchange than the dairy industry.
Spending across the Wellington region by international visitors is forecast to increase by 85 percent from $431m in 2002 to $797m by 2009.
Every dollar spent by a visitor, be they Kiwi or Korean, helps create extra jobs and boosts returns across our region.
The growth of tourism from big fish to whale is no fluke.
In 2001, the Government got the public and private sectors working together for the first time on a vision for the future. We want to balance economic gains with preserving our environment - that's a prime drawcard for international visitors.
The just-launched Tourism Planning Toolkit helps local authorities to evaluate and plan tourism opportunities.
We're encouraging visitors to come year round and to visit lesser-known areas. More than three million international visitors are predicted by the end of the decade. Our challenge is to continue to attract our share - and ensure visitors leave only their footprints and with a wish to return.
Family Court users and members of the public will now find more information about the Court in a user-friendly and updated website.
The content of the website has been updated to provide more information for people about Family Court proceedings. A wide cross-section of the community have an interest in the operation of the Family Court and the Government, by delivering strong public services, is keen to meet the demand for straight forward information.
The aim of this website is to help demystify the Family Court and how it works by presenting practical information in everyday language. This website is now less formal and easier to navigate around. So many use the net now for information, so it makes sense for people to log-on to the Family Court site.
People can now view pictures of a typical courtroom to see who the key people are and what they do, this will remove some of the "scariness" of going to court.
The pages for children and young people on how the Court works are colourful and in plain language. Children can find the separation of their parents really frightening and confusing. The government recognises this and is investing in making information more accessible to them.
Other features of the site are an updated glossary, a summary of key pieces of Family Court legislation, on line forms and links to Family Court publications. The site also links to a wide number of organisations that support the work of the Family Court and provide additional information useful to court users.
The website doesn't replace the expertise of Court staff, however, who will continue to provide information and help to court users.
So check out the website at www.courts.govt.nz/family/.
High speed internet for isolated areas is a step closer with a preferred supplier chosen for the Project PROBE satellite option and three rural Wairarapa schools are expected to benefit.
Project PROBE (Provincial Broadband Extension) is a multi-million dollar government investment to boost education and economic development through the delivery of broadband technology to regional New Zealand.
ICONZ has been selected to provide the satellite service to supply high-speed broadband to some 60 remote New Zealand schools and their communities, including Akitio, Mangamaire and Wainuioru schools, and a contract will be signed as soon as practical.
This Government sees Project PROBE as a critical infrastructure investment, ensuring students and families, businesspeople and workers have the same opportunities in education and in economic development, regardless of where they live and work. It's an important part of our strategy to grow a more innovative economy.
This is a real plus for remote schools giving them access to digital resources, discussion forums and online classrooms that can link teachers and students across the country. This means there's a wider curriculum choice and expansion of e-learning opportunities.
Fourteen geographical regions have been set up throughout New Zealand, with a 15th region to provide national satellite coverage for those schools where a terrestrial solution would be impractical.
The 14 regions are: Northland, Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Waikato, Hawkes Bay/Gisborne, Taranaki, Manawatu/Wanganui, Wairarapa, Wellington/Kapiti/Horowhenua, Nelson/Tasman/Marlborough, West Coast, Canterbury (including Chatham Islands), Otago, and Southland.
Three regions - Southland, Wairarapa and Northland - chose to go ahead with independent tendering processes with the understanding that, provided government objectives for Project PROBE were met, funding from the PROBE project would be available to meet at least some of their costs.
Preferred suppliers have been selected for all the Project PROBE regions and the satellite option. Final contracts with the two independent regions Wairarapa and Northland and for the satellite option are expected to be signed as soon as practical.
For more information see www.probe.govt.nz
Finally those in the southern end of the electorate might be interested in the news that to coincide with the exhibition Harpies and Heroines, opening on September 19, Aratoi will be holding cartooning workshops for children these school holidays.
Wellington-based cartoonist Brent Harpur, known for his work with school groups, libraries, galleries and corporate groups, will take the sessions.
There will be a morning session (10-11.30) and an afternoon session (2-3.30) on Thursday 30 September, Friday 1 October and Saturday 2 October.
Places are limited to 20 children per session, so bookings are essential.
The cost is $10 per child - contact Aratoi.
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