Biggest energy efficiency steps in 30 years

New insulation requirements and moves to make it easier and cheaper to install solar water heating systems are part of major changes to the Building Code and Building Compliance Documents announced this week by Prime Minister Helen Clark and Building and Construction Minister Clayton Cosgrove.

The changes are the most significant improvements to the energy efficiency of buildings in 30 years and the latest steps in the Labour-led government's sustainability agenda. 

"The Labour-led government believes that New Zealand should strive to be the world's first truly sustainable nation," Helen Clark said.  “Creating more efficient houses and commercial buildings is a triple win for New Zealanders’ health, our environment and our power bills.”

The changes will see:

• Tougher insulation requirements (including double glazing in most climates) will result in new homes using about 30 per cent less energy to achieve healthy average indoor air temperatures
  
• A new Compliance Document making it easier to install solar water heating systems across New Zealand, cutting the price of installation by as much as $500
  
• New requirements for energy efficient lighting in new and refitted commercial buildings, a move expected to save building owners around $8 million a year in energy costs nationally

"A home built under the new standards will save anywhere from $760 to $1800 a year on power bills, quickly making up for any additional up front costs associated with the regulations.  We also know that warmer and dryer homes are much healthier homes," Helen Clark said.

Largest-ever investment in health of older people

The largest-ever investment in care and support of the elderly will see $150 million over four years invested in residential care and another $81.2 million in helping them stay in their own homes if they wish, Health Minister Pete Hodgson says.

Budget 2007 builds on last year's Budget which introduced a fair travel policy for home-based carers and this year's Budget is designed to continue efforts to raise pay levels in the aged care sector while providing quality care and positive choices for older people.

"The Government recognises the need to raise the level of pay for workers who provide valuable support to our senior citizens and we know that low pay and high staff turnover are a major workforce issue in aged care," Pete Hodgson says.

Providing quality residential care is a key focus of this budget, the Minister said.  "I am pleased to announce this major investment to ensure our older citizens can access safe, quality residential care when they need it," Pete Hodgson says.

Funding support for tertiary education reforms

Tertiary Education Minister Dr Michael Cullen this week announced that the Labour-led government was providing significant funding to support the tertiary education reforms currently underway. 

"It is vital we have a tertiary education sector capable of driving economic transformation and meeting our environmental and social challenges ," said Dr Cullen. "A highly skilled workforce in particular is essential if we are to develop a more resilient and flexible economy to meet the challenges we face in the global marketplace.  

"Budget 2007 therefore provides a significant boost of $36.8 million of operating funding over four years and $90 million of capital funding over the next two years (all figures GST exclusive) for the Institutes of Technology and Polytechnic (ITP), Industry Training Organisation (ITO) and wananga sectors.  

"The new tertiary education system being put in place allows a far more strategic view to be taken.  Funding is being aligned with what tertiary education organisations and the sector as a whole need to provide to meet the education and training needs of a wider range of stakeholders, including the government.

"The changes in particular reinforce the Labour-led government's strategy to create a more resilient and flexible economy.  A highly skilled workforce coupled with our policies to encourage greater savings, build world class infrastructure, expand business investment and provide other assistance for exporters will help New Zealand better meet the challenges of today and tomorrow."

New plan to improve TV food advertising to children

Education and Broadcasting Minister, Steve Maharey and Health Minister Pete Hodgson have agreed with major television broadcasters on a new five-point plan aimed at improving food advertising to children.

The plan will make it easier for parents and children to recognise healthy food and make better choices.  The voluntary agreement was proposed by the New Zealand Television Broadcasters' Council (NZTBC), representing CanWest TVWorks (TV3 and C4) and Television New Zealand (ONE and 2).

"The whole of our society has a responsibility to address obesity, as it is perhaps the most serious public health issue facing New Zealand.  I am delighted that our two biggest free-to-air television companies support the Government’s Healthy Eating Healthy Action and Mission-On strategies," said Pete Hodgson

The Chairman of the NZTBC, Brent Impey and CEO of CanWest Mediaworks said that the both CanWest and TVNZ are committed to make significant advances in advertising, funding and programming to help fight obesity.

$12 million to boost excellence in schools

170 schools are to receive $12 million to develop high standards and share their experience of best practice with other schools, Education Minister Steve Maharey announced Monday.

"The Extending High Standards initiative is designed to promote excellence across schools by identifying highly effective schools and allowing them to pass on their tips to others," Steve Maharey said.  "The initiative will drive improvement in areas including numeracy, literacy, effective teaching, and making use of new technology to improve student achievement. More than 70,000 students at 169 schools will benefit.

"By working together, rather than in isolation, schools can share their most successful teaching practices with other schools – leading to an overall improvement in student learning.

"This is the second round of funding for the Extending High Standards initiative. The first has been operating since April 2006."