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NZ government acts on situation in Lebanon
On Thursday, the New Zealand Government issued a statement deploring the Israeli bombing of a United Nations post in Southern Lebanon, which killed four UN peacekeeping personnel. New Zealanders in Lebanon include two Defence Force personnel serving as Military Observers and a UN contractor working on demining operations. The two military personnel will remain in their postings for the time being, but the situation is being closely monitored and the UN is evacuating non-essential staff. NZ joins the UN in calling on Israel to "conduct a full investigation into this very disturbing incident and demand that any further attack on UN positions and personnel must stop". NZ urges all sides to pull back from violence, observe international law and allow international facilitators and mediators a chance to put a peace process together. www.beehive.govt.nz/clark
Business Tax Review Discussion Document released
Improving the ability of business to grow and compete in the global economy is behind options in a new business tax review discussion document now open for submissions. The government's goal is to help transform the New Zealand economy through internationally competitive business tax rules. Building a high wage, high skill, knowledge-based economy depends on business tax rules that encourage innovation, support business investment, encourage exporters to break in to new markets and help to build a more skilled workforce. The discussion document, suggests options including a reduction in the company tax rate, tax base changes and measures to reduce the cost of complying with tax rules. The World Bank already recognises NZ for ease of doing business, but more can be achieved, and the document aims to provoke meaningful debate rather than an ill-thought out, politically driven lolly scramble. Submissions must be made by 8 September this year. The document is available at www.taxpolicy.ird.govt.nz.
$50 million plan for e-Learning in schools
Making learning more exciting and innovative is the focus of a new $50 million-a-year e-learning action plan launched this week. Under the trial, students complete classwork and homework on Tablet computers (compact laptops). The plan delivers the most up-to-date tools for teachers to foster learning in the most exciting environment, and makes it easier for teachers to fit in with the way different students learn. Almost all NZ children now have access to the learning opportunities of information and communication technology, including broadband access to every school gate, and over 100 ICT clusters. www.beehive.govt.nz/maharey
2000th Modern Apprentice completes training
Two thousand Modern Apprentices have completed their training and are now reaping the benefits of their hard work. New figures released by Tertiary Education Minister Michael Cullen show continuing growth in structured workplace learning. As at 31 March 2006, there were close to 9,000 Modern Apprentices (up 14 per cent on March 2005), and almost 120,000 industry trainees in structured workplace training (up 12 per cent). Also, a new report shows the Modern Apprenticeship programme is increasing participation by young people in employment and well-focussed training, and showed employers would recommend the programme. The scheme is helping the economy by improving achievement, building a skilled workforce and lifting business productivity. Budget 2006 allocated an extra $34.4m to expand the number of Modern Apprenticeships to 14,000 by December 2008. More information is available on the Tertiary Education Commission website at www.tec.govt.nz.
Government improving tertiary education
The government this week unveiled plans to fund tertiary institutions on the basis of three year plans that specify how they will meet the education and training needs of students, employers and communities. This is the government's first set of decisions after extensive consultation, begun in March, aimed at enhancing the tertiary sector's role in transforming NZ into a high wage, high skill, knowledge-based economy and contributing to our social and cultural development. Tertiary education should produce more of the type of graduates that the economy needs, and deliver greater value for the government's investment. Further consultation in the months ahead will ensure a robust funding framework that strikes a better balance between the choices of students and our economic and social priorities. The government will introduce more reforms incrementally across the sector from January 2008. www.beehive.govt.nz/cullen
Fruit in Schools programme making a difference
Results from an interim evaluation of the Labour-led government's Fruit in Schools programme are very promising, says Health Minister Pete Hodgson. As part of a wider Health initiative, Fruit in Schools distributes free fruit for three years to encourage schools to commit to policies encouraging healthy eating and physical activity. Fruit in Schools is having a positive impact, with students showing a more positive attitude to healthy food and being more physically active. According to the latest evaluation, 85 per cent of students and 70 per cent of staff support the programme. The vast majority of schools rated the quality of the fruit high or very high. Around 27,000 children in 114 low decile schools are in the programme. www.beehive.govt.nz/hodgson
NZ and ASEAN agree on relationship roadmap
A new plan has been agreed to guide New Zealand's relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. This is the first time there has been a formal document setting out how we see our relations with ASEAN developing," said Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters. Southeast Asia is vital to NZ's political, security and economic interests, and the roadmap sets out further cooperation with ASEAN countries in counter- terrorism, disaster management, human resource development, and NZ's aid programmes. Mr Peters was at ASEAN meetings in Kuala Lumpur this week, including the annual ASEAN Regional Forum. www.beehive.govt.nz/peters
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