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Auckland gets major share of new homes
Budget 2004 provides $128.9 million for acquisition of a further 500 new homes in the Auckland region, says Housing Minister Steve Maharey. With existing funding, this will enable Housing New Zealand Corporation to add 2,406 homes in Auckland through its build, buy or lease programmes by 2007. That's nearly 80 per cent of the 3,000 homes the government plans to acquire over the next three years. Steve Maharey says Auckland is the priority area for new home acquisition because it is where the need is greatest, with the remainder being spread through other priority communities.
A good budget for business
Finance Minister Michael Cullen says it is wrong to suggest there is nothing in Budget 2004 for business. He says the budget continues the solid financial management of the government. In spite of a mixed economic outlook, growth is forecast to continue and government debt to reduce. Michael Cullen says the Working For Families package will give mild stimulation to the domestic economy and combined with increases in education spending, provides an investment in the future workforce. Increased childcare support is likely to assist with shortages in semi-skilled labour. Budget 2004 also included $500 million over four years for economic development initiatives. Michael Cullen says the most successful economies had the highest levels of workforce participation and skills and the smallest gaps between rich and poor.
Teachers at 7000 schools to get laptops
Additional government funding of $12 million will see some 7000 primary school teachers benefit from a further extension of the Laptops for Teachers scheme. Education Minister Trevor Mallard says all permanent, full-time primary teachers of Years 4 to 6 students in about 2300 schools will be eligible for the laptops. Already more than 17,000 principals and intermediate and secondary teachers throughout the country have already received laptops through the scheme. The extension is a further step in the Labour-led government's commitment to encouraging the use of information technology in schools, helping both teachers and students. The scheme reimburses schools for two-thirds of the cost of leasing a laptop, with schools or teachers paying the remaining cost. Teachers can register on the Ministry of Education website: www.minedu.govt.nz/goto/tela
Agreement on Maui gas
The Crown has reached an agreement with other parties to the Maui gas contracts that will ensure gas reserves from the Maui field are maximized. Energy Minister Pete Hodgson says it is a welcome result that will improve New Zealand's energy security by reducing the uncertainties that have shrouded Maui gas supply in recent times. Negotiations have been under way since early last year between the Maui mining companies, the Crown and downstream gas users. Peter Hodgson says the new arrangements are designed to maximize recovery of gas reserves from the Maui field and facilitate security of supply for both gas and electricity generated from gas.
New package for high country tenure review
A $79m package will fund the evolution of a new network of conservation parks and reserves from Crown pastoral leases in the South Island High Country. Conservation Minister Chris Carter says this will properly resource tenure review, a process that promises to create new recreation opportunities for the New Zealand public and new economic opportunities for high country farmers. Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) will receive $15m to fund the process of tenure review, and up to $46m to cover the costs of settlements negotiated with farmers. The Department of Conservation gets $18m to fund its involvement in tenure review, and administration of new conservation lands.
Water allocation model for Waitaki proceeds
The government has decided on a way forward with its special Waitaki Catchment legislation. Environment Minister Marian Hobbs says a statutory framework is needed to guide water allocation in the Waitaki Catchment and the government will proceed with establishing a Water Allocation Board. The withdrawal of Project Aqua removes the need for a special panel of commissioners but there are still substantial competing demands for water in the catchment. The bill will be amended to simplify the matters the Water Allocation Board must consider when preparing the water allocation framework."
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