The Government has joined the West Coast region to launch the Tai Poutini West Coast Economic Development Action Plan in Hokitika today.
The Action Plan identifies five priorities for lifting economic growth - better economic development support, growing the West Coast visitor economy, making it easier to invest and do business, supporting economic diversification, and improving connectivity and infrastructure.
Māori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell says more young Māori will get help to obtain essential documents to help set them up for their futures after an additional $8 million was allocated in Budget 2017 for Passport to Life.
“This extra $8 million over four years is in addition to the $4 million announced in May,” says Mr Flavell.
Economic Development Minister Simon Bridges and Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy have announced $17.7 million in funding over the next two years for the Regional Growth Programme as part of Budget 2017.
This is further to the $50 million announced by Prime Minster Bill English in Hawkes Bay today to help the most at-risk young people in regional New Zealand into sustained employment, a key part of the Government’s plan to support the regions.
The Government has announced a comprehensive strategy to reduce the number of at-risk young people not in employment or training in regional New Zealand.
Economic Development Minister Simon Bridges, Social Development Minister Anne Tolley and Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Paul Goldsmith joined Prime Minister Bill English who made the announcement at Mr Apple in Hawke’s Bay today.
Whānau need to play a bigger role in tackling family violence if its scourge is to be removed from communities, Māori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell says.
“We are struggling to win the fight against family violence and we need to change our approach. We can’t carry on with the same old methods – we’ve got to make changes,” says Mr Flavell.
“Family violence impacts far wider than those who are the victims – it affects the whole whānau. But whānau must be part of the solution.
Applications are now being accepted to a fund set up to support commemoration events for Ngā Rā Maumahara – New Zealand Wars, says Māori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell.
“Te Pūtake o te Riri - Wars and Conflicts in New Zealand Fund, has opened to support iwi, hapū and whānau commemorate the wars and conflicts between various iwi and the Crown which took place from the late 1840s to the 1870s,” says Mr Flavell.
Those wishing to apply for funding for national and regional events up until June 2018, have until 8 August to apply.
Economic Development Minister Simon Bridges, Sport and Recreation Minister Jonathan Coleman and Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry have applauded the successful DHL New Zealand Lions Series after the final test last night at Eden Park.
“Last night’s dramatic stalemate capped off a hugely successful ten-match tour that has taken the British and Irish Lions the length of New Zealand and had a significant impact on our economy,” says Mr Bridges.
The Outer Space and High-Altitude Activities Bill has passed its third and final reading.
Economic Development Minister Simon Bridges says it marks a new phase in the development of a safe, responsible and secure space industry in New Zealand.
“It’s vital we provide a regulatory framework for the space industry which encourages innovation and industry development, while ensuring all activities are run safely and securely,” Mr Bridges says.
The Government will invest $5 million in Emirates Team New Zealand to ensure it can retain key staff while planning is underway for the next America’s Cup regatta, Economic Development Minister Simon Bridges and Sports and Recreation Minister Jonathan Coleman announced today.
“Emirates Team New Zealand displayed incredible talent and innovation during the 35th America’s Cup campaign,” says Mr Bridges.
Economic Development Minister Simon Bridges and Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy have today launched the latest investor guides to New Zealand’s Food and Beverage Industry, showing a strong and diversified sector.
The guides contain analysis of trends and opportunities within the industry which can be used to attract investment, assist with business strategy and guide government policy.
Māori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell is encouraging more Māori to register and cast their vote after launching a programme aimed at boosting electoral participation.
“The programme is targeting Māori aged 18-29. At the last election, only 55 percent of Māori in this age group voted,” says Mr Flavell.
“They have the lowest rate of participation in our elections, so more has to be done to get them to enrol and vote, and more done to help young people understand the value of their vote.”
The Tarawera ultramarathon will receive an investment of $300,000 over the next two years to support the expansion of the internationally successful event, Economic Development Minister Simon Bridges says.
The funding will support the Tarawera 100 Miler – a 100 mile running race which adds to the existing portfolio of Tarawera Ultramarathon events that take place every February.
Economic Development and Transport Minister Simon Bridges has announced an integrated approach to transport planning and infrastructure investment in Canterbury which will see central and local government working closely together.
Mr Bridges is in Christchurch with other Government Ministers today to co-launch the refreshed Canterbury Regional Economic Development Strategy.
The Government is investing $170,000 in a Canterbury initiative that connects secondary students with businesses who can transition them into further education, employment or training.
The funding will also extend Christchurch’s Educated Job Ready Programme to Timaru.
Economic Development Minister Simon Bridges and Social Development Minister Anne Tolley announced the funding in Christchurch today at the launch of the Canterbury Regional Economic Development Strategy refresh.
Tourism Minister Paula Bennett and Economic Development Minister Simon Bridges today announced that the Government will provide $160,000 to support tourism strategy projects in Canterbury.
The announcement was made as part of the refresh of the Canterbury Regional Economic Development Strategy.
“The region is also developing a visitor strategy that will help grow a sustainable tourism industry that ensures Canterbury becomes the gateway to the south,” Mrs Bennett says.
Economic Development Minister Simon Bridges, Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy and other Government Ministers are in Christchurch today to co-launch the refresh of the Canterbury Regional Economic Development Strategy.
The strategy aims to position the region so that economic growth can continue off the back of earthquake recovery and the rebuild to drive economic activity and employment.
“Since the 2010 earthquake, Government investment in Canterbury has been significant,” Mr Bridges says.
Economic Development Minister Simon Bridges has today launched a new guide for potential investors highlighting opportunities in the Māori economy.
Speaking at the He kai kei aku ringa – E RERE Māori economy conference in Rotorua, Mr Bridges told the audience that Māori have huge potential to lift the New Zealand economy.
Economic Development Minister Simon Bridges and Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry say the Whangarei Art Museum Trust will receive up to $3 million towards its bespoke project to build a Hundertwasser Art Centre in Whangarei.
This is further to the $4 million the Government contributed towards its construction through the Northland Economic Action Plan.
“The Northland community has worked hard to get this project off the ground and I’m delighted that the Government has been able to provide funding to get this project across the line.
Māori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell is thrilled that more than 100 residents at Minginui Village in the Bay of Plenty are a step closer to living in warm and healthy homes.
“The Māori Land Court on Wednesday confirmed the occupation and home ownership status of 57 houses in the village at a special hearing in Murumurunga Marae,” says Mr Flavell.
“The legal declaration clears the way for whānau to access support to upgrade or replace their homes”.
Economic Development Minister Simon Bridges has acknowledged the innovation of teams which presented solutions to challenges of dealing with government at a Wellington event today.
The R9 Accelerator 3+ Demo Day is the culmination of three months’ intensive work by teams of entrepreneurs, innovators, and government specialists, each of which devised a solution to a particular challenge. They presented their solutions to potential private sector and government investors.
Māori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell is welcoming a partnership with the Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) to build entrepreneurship and business skills with rangatahi.
A series of five entrepreneurship workshops for Year 10 and 11 Māori students will be held under He kai kei aku ringa (HKKAR) – the Crown-Māori economic growth partnership.
Economic Development Minister Simon Bridges, Sport and Recreation Minister Jonathan Coleman and Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry welcome the kick-off of the DHL NZ Lions Series 2017.
The New Zealand Lions Series 2017 will take place from 3 June to 8 July 2017, and will see the British & Irish Lions rugby team play ten matches against New Zealand in seven host cities, including three test matches.
The series starts tomorrow night when the Lions take on the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians at Whangarei’s Toll Stadium.
Māori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell along with the Whakarewarewa Joint Trust, initialled a vesting agreement today that will ultimately transfer ownership of the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute from the Crown, to the iwi.
“This is an important step in strengthening the relationship between the Crown and Ngāti Whakaue and Wāhiao-Tūhourangi,” Mr Flavell says.
“Iwi members have been instrumental in the operation and success of Te Puia and the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute.
Māori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell is welcoming the inaugural meeting of an advisory panel to oversee a fund to commemorate Ngā Rā Maumahara – New Zealand Land Wars.
The five-member advisory panel met in Wellington on Monday to work on the guidelines for the $4 million fund which will support commemoration events across Aotearoa over the next four years.
