Unemployment Benefit numbers drop 35 per cent in one year

The number of people receiving an unemployment benefit has dropped by a further 35 per cent, or some 16,000, since March last year, Social Development Minister David Benson-Pope has announced. The number of people receiving an unemployment benefit is now at a 27 year low at 28,845.

“In December 1999, when the Labour-led government came into office, 161,000 people were receiving an unemployment benefit. 132,000 have come off this benefit since then.  In addition, this government has radically reduced youth unemployment numbers.  In 1999 there were nearly 16,000 18 and 19 year olds on an unemployment benefit.  Now that number stands at around 1500.  In the last year alone, there has been a 62 per cent reduction for this age group,” said Mr Benson-Pope.

Long-term unemployment has also continued to drop with an 83 per cent reduction since 1999, where there were some 70,000 people on an unemployment benefit for longer than one year.

PM promotes NZ during America's Cup events

Prime Minister Helen Clark is taking part in trade, cultural, tourism, and sports promotional activities during America's Cup events in Valencia, while on an official visit to Spain this week.

“The staging of the America’s Cup in Valencia provides a unique opportunity to promote New Zealand in Spain.  I am looking forward to supporting Team New Zealand as racing in the Louis Vuitton Cup gets under way,” Helen Clark said.

Helen Clark will hold talks with Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, and will call on King Juan Carlos.

OECD report confirms NZ is on path to sustainability

An independent international report indicates that New Zealand is well on the way to become a sustainable nation. The OECD’s Environmental Performance Review for New Zealand was released this week, and found that government efforts to limit pollution, protect nature and biodiversity, and make economic development more environmentally sustainable have resulted in clear improvements.

“This review provides additional impetus to this government’s aspiration to be the first country to be fully sustainable," said Environment Minister David Benson-Pope.

“The OECD says more work needs to be done and I am pleased to say that work to fulfil many of the Review's 38 recommendations is already underway, and where we are unlikely to fulfil the OECD recommendations, alternative actions are in place."

The environmental strengths identified by the OECD include New Zealand’s management of water resources and the value placed on its protected areas and conservation lands. Over 32 per cent of New Zealand’s land area and 7.5 per cent of territorial sea is protected – more than twice the OECD average.

"The Review is very encouraging but government acknowledges that much more needs to be done before we can lay claim to being the first country to be sustainable across the four pillars of environment, economy, society and nationhood," David Benson-Pope said.

Protecting cultural treasures during war

Prime Minister and Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Helen Clark has released a discussion paper about New Zealand's ratification of a key international treaty set up to protect significant cultural treasures in time of war.

While New Zealand signed of the Hague Convention on the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, it has yet to ratify the original Convention and First Protocol, or the Second Protocol signed in 1999.

"The Convention and its two important protocols are the key international documents seeking to protect cultural heritage during armed conflict. New Zealand's forces overseas already operate in broad accordance with the Convention. Ratification will make this high standard of conduct by our military more visible," Helen Clark said.

An initial list of New Zealand cultural property that will qualify for protection is presented in the discussion document, with wider input available through the consultation process .

The consultation period would run over eight weeks, beginning in mid April, and ending on 15 June.

"I encourage museums, libraries, iwi, archives, heritage organisations, scientific institutes, and others to participate in this important exercise," Helen Clark said.

Copies of the consultation paper are available on the Ministry for Culture and Heritage's website at www.mch.govt.nz/hagueconvention.

Fair, transparent system aim of electoral finance reforms

Justice Minister Mark Burton this week said that electoral finance law reforms will be introduced to Parliament in the near future to clean up New Zealand's electoral system and protect it from abuse.

"All New Zealanders must be able to clearly see who is involved in our politics and have a fair opportunity to participate in our democracy. There's a clear choice facing New Zealand: an open and fair electoral system or a continuation of the current system," Mark Burton said.

"In an environment of greater financial accountability and transparency, it will be important to ensure that parties are able to continue to carry out their normal democratic activities. As the Royal Commission that gave us MMP recommended in 1986 state funding is one of the things that could help achieve this," said Mark Burton.

The government is currently consulting with other parties on the range of options for the reform package, with the overall aim to provide a fair, open, and accountable electoral system.