Foreshore legislation has its first reading
The Foreshore and Seabed Bill was introduced to Parliament this week and passed with a 65-55 majority. Introducing the bill, Deputy Prime Minister Michael Cullen said it delivered four square on the government's promise to protect public access and clarify ownership. A number of changes have been since earlier proposals were released in December. The result is a clearer, more transparent and less bureaucratic framework that is well-balanced and will simultaneously guarantee access, recognise customary rights and interests, and manage effects on the environment. Michael Cullen says the Bill will not satisfy everyone but goes a long way to addressing the concerns that have been raised. He hopes New Zealanders take the time to examine and discuss the Bill, and suggest improvements to the Select Committee.

Cullen and Horomia meet the hikoi
Deputy Prime Minister Michael Cullen and Mäori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia led a group of Ministers and Government MPs who met this week's foreshore hikoi when it arrived at Parliament. Parekura Horomia later told Parliament that although some people on the hikoi were hell-bent on being destructive, the majority conducted themselves well. He acknowledged their strong feelings but said he had spent a lot of his life trying to make sure Mäori got the best shot and that was why he was supporting the foreshore and seabed legislation. Parekura Horomia said Labour governments have always been there for Mäori. During this term in office, 40,000 more Mäori were in work, Mäori unemployment had reached a 16-year low, almost 900 Mäori were involved in Modern Apprenticeships and the government had delivered on Mäori television.

New Support for Parents
Parents raising preschoolers will get more support from a new $10.8 million initiative launched by Social Development and Employment Minister Steve Maharey. The Strategies with Kids - Information for Parents (SKIP) campaign will work with community groups to provide resources and training for parents and caregivers of children up to five years old. The new parental support programme has developed following extensive consultation with community groups. The government believes strongly that making an investment in the health and capability of our children today is vital for the wellbeing of New Zealanders tomorrow. Mr Maharey says SKIP will give parents practical advice and support on society's most important job.

Best practice for heritage properties
Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Helen Clark has announced the introduction of a "best practice" approach to the management of heritage properties owned by government departments. Helen Clark says it's important that the government leads by example in the way it cares for its heritage. Government departments have in their care a large number of heritage places and properties ranging from courthouses and police stations to archaeological sites. The Ministry for Culture and Heritage will be overseeing the development of a policy for the implementation of best practice by each department that holds heritage properties.

Mapua Deed signed
The 'deed of funding' between the Crown and Tasman District Council for the remediation of the former Fruitgrower's Chemical Company property at Mapua was signed this week. Environment Minister Marian Hobbs says that once remediation work is completed, New Zealand's worst contaminated site will become a safe local attraction. The signing of the deed allows the full remediation of the site to start, with completion expected in 2006. Agreement was reached earlier this year between the Ministry for the Environment and Tasman District Council that 40 percent of the site will be set aside by the council for public open space.

New teen parent unit for Linwood College
Education Minister Trevor Mallard has announced funding of almost $1 million to establish a new teen parent unit at Christchurch's Linwood College. The unit is the first of its kind in Christchurch and will eventually cater for up to 30 parents. Trevor Mallard says initiatives such as the Linwood unit ensure teenage parents can continue with their education while their children can access quality early childhood education. Christchurch's young parents will now have a learning environment with suitable childcare facilities attached and teaching staff that understand the need to balance study with child-raising commitments.

Windows XP and Microsoft Office 2003 to be developed in Te Reo
Microsoft is committed to developing te reo Mäori versions of Windows XP and Office 2003. Microsoft will be working with Mäori through the Mäori Language Commission to develop a community glossary of terms. The glossary will hold all of the technical terms to describe the different features of the programs. Small Business Minister John Tamihere says Mäori business plays an important role in New Zealand's economic development and will benefit from these business tools being developed. The initiative is in line with some of the themes in the Government's soon to be released Digital Strategy.