7 December, 2007
Beehive BulletinBeehive Bulletin 7 December 2007
A sustainable future for NZ
A new online interactive Sustainability Portal was launched this week by Prime Minister Helen Clark, part of the Sustainability Challenge.
www.sustainability.govt.nz is a new interactive website about giving each of us practical information about what we can do to help.
"The benefits of individuals taking steps for sustainability flow far beyond the environment. Taking steps like insulating our homes, inflating car tyres correctly, and walking short distances can save us money and/or make us healthier or safer," said Helen Clark.
Moving towards sustainability for New Zealand can fit in to everyone's lifestyle. The aim of this challenge is to have as many steps as possible registered on the new online Sustainability Portal in the run-up to New Zealand hosting World Environment Day next June 5.
Helen Clark was the first to register a sustainable step at www.sustainability.govt.nz, deciding to take reuseable bags to the supermarket.
Environment Minister Trevor Mallard also registered a sustainable step of buying products with less packaging, or with packaging that is able to be recycled.
The launch came as the United Nations negotiations on climate change after 2012 get under way in Bali this week.
The Labour-led Government’s move to introduce an emissions trading scheme and other measures to tackle greenhouse gas emissions gives New Zealand international credibility and helps safeguard markets for goods and services -- first world consumers want to know that they are buying is sustainably produced.
New Zealand's proposed Emissions Trading Scheme is an 'impressive piece of policy development' and will form a significant part of New Zealand’s contribution to tackling climate change, according to an independent report released this week. The Motu Report also says the scheme will enable New Zealand to make credible commitments in international negotiations setting new greenhouse gas emission reduction targets for the period after 2012. You can find more information, along with a downloadable copy of the report itself, is here.
Legislation to establish the Emissions Trading Scheme was introduced to Parliament this week. The Climate Change (Emissions Trading and Renewable Preference) Bill:
- establishes the scheme and legislates for the government’s preference for new renewable electricity generation. The Emissions Trading Scheme establishes a market which provides incentives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- maintain economic flexibility, equity, and environmental integrity at least cost in the long term.
You can find more information, including the Bill itself and an FAQ here.
The New Zealand Emission Unit Register went live this week as part of New Zealand’s commitment to the Kyoto Protocol. The NZEUR is the system for issuing, holding, transferring and retiring of Kyoto-related emission units that are monitored by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Information on the register is available on the NZEUR website at www.nzeur.govt.nz.
Savings: KiwiSaver numbers surge
The number of people joining KiwiSaver continues to defy initial expectations with over 316,000 New Zealanders signing up in just the first five months.
As at 30 November, 316,865 New Zealanders were actively saving for their retirement through KiwiSaver. This news comes just a month after KiwiSaver numbers reached the quarter million mark.
New Zealanders are embracing KiwiSaver in huge numbers because they know the scheme makes saving for retirement easier than ever before.
“One of the most encouraging signs is the large numbers of younger New Zealanders who are joining the scheme," said Finance Minister Michael Cullen. “Nearly 20 per cent of KiwiSavers are younger than 25 and over 33,000 KiwiSavers are less than 20 years old."
KiwiSaver is set to build up a substantial pool of domestic capital available for local firms to draw from for investment. The large pool of savings built up as a result of superannuation schemes in Australia has been cited by some commentators as the single most important factor behind the growing wealth across the Tasman.
More information here.
Schools get $22 million for new buildings
Fifty-nine schools around the country will share in extra funding of $22 million this year to help them provide enough space for things like libraries and administration areas.
The funding, from the School Property Guide Deficiencies Programme, enables schools around the country to improve areas where their property has not caught up due to roll increases.
Schools will be able to combine this latest funding with other property budgets they have, such as their five-year capital works programme, to add area and upgrade existing property at the same time. More information here
Briefings to new ministers
Government departments, ministries, and other bodies have begun publishing their briefings to incoming ministers (BIMs) after the reshuffle that occurred in October.
From the afternoon of Monday 10 December, the Beehive website is providing a list of BIMs as and when they are published:
Electoral Finance Bill being debated
- Narrowing the definition of 'publish,'
- Allowing the Electoral Commission and the Chief Electoral Office to decide that an alleged breach of the legislation is so inconsequential that there is no public interest in reporting it to the Police.
- Shortening the period prior to an election during which third parties cannot register with the Electoral Commission
- greater transparency around disclosure of the contributors to 'secret trusts'
- Clarifying that only promoters, and not the general public, need to place a name and address on an advertisement
The amendments make it clear that the bill aims to limit undue influence by people who can afford to buy elections – it does not set out to prevent free speech. Some political commentators and parties are persistently ignoring the worthwhile changes the Select Committee and the Government have made. Fior more info, please click here.