Search

A bill that makes the most significant changes to the Biosecurity Act in 15 years has passed into law.

The Biosecurity Law Reform Bill makes a wide range of amendments to the Act, along with related amendments to four other Acts.

“New Zealand has a highly effective biosecurity system which is recognised as world-leading, but the legislation has not kept pace with the way the system has had to evolve to meet ever-growing challenges,” says Primary Industries Minister David Carter.

Local Government Minister David Carter has announced proposed changes to the donation provisions of the Local Electoral Act.

Mr Carter says the proposed amendments reflect growing public concern about transparency and accountability in relation to candidate donations, and in particular anonymous donations.

“The amendments will limit the size of anonymous donations a candidate can keep to $1500, revise the definition of “anonymous”, increase disclosure, reporting and recording obligations and introduce penalties for non-compliance.

Commissioners will continue to govern Environment Canterbury after the 2013 local authority elections, Local Government Minister David Carter and Environment Minister Amy Adams announced today.

Commissioners were appointed in 2010 following a critical external review of Environment Canterbury’s performance. Legislation empowering the governance arrangements states that their term was to end at the local government elections in 2013.

Local Government Minister David Carter today released a report into the Kaipara District Council and announced the appointment of four commissioners to replace the elected councillors.

The review of Kaipara Council’s performance by the government-appointed Kaipara Review Team led to the Council requesting commissioners take over governance of the district. Appointing commissioners under the Local Government Act was also the review team’s central recommendation.

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully and Primary Industries Minister David Carter today announced a new convention to manage fisheries across the South Pacific.

The convention establishes the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (SPRFMO), which will manage waters from Western Australia to South America, including the Tasman Sea and South Pacific Ocean.

“This is the culmination of six years of work by the New Zealand Government,” Mr McCully says. New Zealand co-sponsored the negotiations, alongside Chile and Australia.

Commissioners are to be appointed to run Kaipara District following a request from the Council, Local Government Minister David Carter has announced.

The Kaipara District Council resolved today to request the appointment of independent commissioners after being briefed by the government-appointed review team on an interim report due to the Minister this week.

The Government is asking New Zealanders for their feedback on proposed changes to the animal welfare system.

Primary Industries Minister David Carter says the proposals set a strategic direction for animal welfare and improve the way the Animal Welfare Act operates.

"Animal welfare matters. It matters because how we treat animals says something important about us as a society.

Primary Industries Minister David Carter will travel to the United States tomorrow for a primary industries summit, and talks with agriculture sector political leaders and officials.

The Minister will meet with a range of agricultural organisations, including the Tri-Lamb Group and US Cattlemen’s Association to discuss common New Zealand–US primary industry interests.

I have been asked to speak today about the Government’s reform agenda which is a very wide brief, but particularly pertinent to my two portfolio areas of Primary Industries and Local Government.

But I want to start with a few comments on Antarctica and the Ross Sea as I understand you’ve just had a session with documentary film-maker Peter Young.

I haven’t seen Peter’s documentary, but I did watch the recent story on TV1’s ‘Sunday’ programme.

Primary Industries Minister David Carter says updated scientific research has played a key part in his decision on management measures for the Auckland Islands squid trawl fishery (SQU6T).

Mr Carter today announced the maximum number of accidental fishing related sea lion deaths for the 2012/13 fishing season is to remain at 68.

“Improved scientific research shows Sea Lion Exclusion Devices (SLEDs), that enable sea lions accidentally caught in fishing gear to escape, are working. 

It’s great to be here to have the opportunity to talk about the important contribution that agri-food sectors make to the New Zealand economy.

Agri-food accounts for:
• more than $24 billion of exports
• about 10 per cent of total employment in New Zealand
• over two-thirds of New Zealand’s merchandise export earnings; and
• more than half of New Zealand’s manufacturing.

That doesn’t include the significant contribution our fibre industries – wool and timber - also make to New Zealand’s economy.

A Bill that delivers a more transparent and efficient dairy market passed its third and final reading in Parliament today.

Good morning ladies and gentlemen.

Thank you Andrew and thank you Horticulture New Zealand for inviting me to speak with you today.

I want to use this as a good opportunity to talk about the one issue that is a genuine concern to many people in this room – New Zealand’s biosecurity system.

It’s also a good opportunity to challenge some of the exaggerated allegations about our biosecurity system.

A number of key proposals in Auckland Council’s first Auckland Plan are broadly aligned with the Government’s priorities, but there are still some areas of concern, says Local Government Minister David Carter.

Senior Ministers met with the Auckland Mayor and Councillors today for the annual Auckland Central Government/Local Government Forum to discuss a range of issues, including the Government’s response to the Auckland Plan.

Primary Industries Minister David Carter was on hand today for the graduation of the first labradors to become biosecurity detector dogs.

It’s a pleasure to be here in Queenstown to speak with you all today about the Better Local Government reform programme.

I’d like to explain what we are aiming to achieve, where we have got to so far, and where to next.

Primary Industries Minister David Carter today paid tribute to Hawke’s Bay businessman Graeme Lowe who has passed away following a long illness.

“Graeme was a true pioneer of the meat industry, leading Lowe Corporation from its inception in 1964 to become a major animal by-product processor and exporter.

“He was a hugely respected figure whose contribution to the industry was recognised just a fortnight ago when he was inducted into the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame.

Primary Industries Minister David Carter has welcomed today’s announcement of a major investment partnership for New Zealand’s export beef sector.

The Government’s Primary Growth Partnership (PGP) is to fund half of a $23.7 million programme led by Brownrigg Agriculture and Firstlight Foods to produce high-value marbled beef for premium markets.

Primary Industries Minister David Carter has welcomed immediate action on the recommendations of an independent review of import requirements and border clearance processes.

“I asked the Director-General of the Ministry for Primary Industries to commission an independent review of the relevant import health standards and border clearance processes in light of the outbreak of the kiwifruit vine disease, Psa,” says Mr Carter.

Welcome to the New Zealand Institute of Forestry Conference.

It’s a pleasure to be opening your conference here in Christchurch and thank you, delegates, for attending and supporting Canterbury’s economy.

Looking around the city, you will see that we are entering a major rebuilding phase.

I would like to acknowledge your President Bruce Wills, Vice-President William Rolleston, Chief Executive Conor English, provincial presidents and delegates.

I am going to touch on topics across both my Primary Industries and Local Government portfolios and I am happy to take questions from you shortly.

I know you’ve just had a session on Local Government but I’d like to explain briefly what’s driving the reforms from the Government’s point of view.

New Zealand agriculture marks a significant milestone on 1 July when the National Animal Identification and Tracing scheme (NAIT) goes live, says Primary Industries Minister David Carter.

“NAIT is an important partnership between industry and the Crown which began eight years ago in recognition of the growing need for better animal identification and tracing systems.”

The scheme is mandatory for cattle from 1 July 2012 and for deer on 1 March 2013.

Primary Industries Minister David Carter has today announced further measures to protect Maui’s dolphins.

Following a public consultation process, the existing recreational and commercial set net ban will be extended along the Taranaki coast from Pariokariwa Point south to Hawera, and out to two nautical miles.

In addition, the use of commercial set nets between two and seven nautical miles in this area will be prohibited without an observer on-board.

Farmers and growers impacted by a biosecurity incursion may be eligible for recovery assistance under a new Biosecurity Recovery Framework, Primary Industries Minister David Carter announced today.

The new framework will sit alongside existing support measures provided to farmers and growers affected by significant climatic events, such as droughts and floods.