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Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce today welcomed the announcement by Team New Zealand it would challenge for the 35^th America’s Cup and had secured money from private funders to last it until the end of the year.

“While they didn’t win the America’s Cup in San Francisco last time, Team New Zealand were excellent ambassadors for New Zealand throughout what became an epic contest,” Mr Joyce says.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce today announced that the Government will invest NZ$1.75 million to fund New Zealand-Singapore collaborative research projects on the development of food products with validated health benefits. 

New Zealand’s investment will be matched by Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), bringing the total investment amount to approximately NZ$3.5 million over two years.

The Government today appointed Professor Linda Tuhiwai Smith to the Māori Economic Development Advisory Board. 

The Advisory Board, established in May 2013, monitors and evaluates the implementation of He kai kei aku ringa, the Crown-Māori Economic Growth Partnership.

“He kai kei aku ringa has six goals and education is a central part of three of these goals.  The Government believes an additional member with experience in this field is important to advise on the implementation of He kai kei aku ringa,” Mr Joyce says.

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce and Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Christopher Finlayson today announced the formation of the Screen Advisory Board.

The Screen Advisory Board, announced by the Government in December 2013, will help the New Zealand screen sector create the skills and connections to be able to generate their own intellectual property, compete internationally and attract overseas finance.

The latest five groups selected for the Māori and Pasifika Trades Training initiative were today announced by Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce and Associate Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Tariana Turia.

The joint initiative by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and the Tertiary Education Commission will fund 3,000 places by 2015 to encourage young Māori and Pasifika people to gain qualifications, New Zealand apprenticeships and employment.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce today announced the appointment of Dr Charlotte Marewa Severne to the Science Board for a term of three years.

The Science Board is responsible for making independent decisions on the allocation of funding used predominantly by research organisations for science, technology, research, and related activities.

Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce today announced the reappointment of Mr Charles Finny to the position of Chair of the Education New Zealand board for a further term of one year from 1 September 2014.

“Mr Finny is the inaugural Chair of the ENZ board and has been an effective contributor since ENZ was established in 2011,” Mr Joyce says.

Minister for Small Business Steven Joyce today announced two appointments to the Small Business Development Group. 

Frances Valintine and Sharon Henderson will replace departing members Matthew Jones and Rhonda Kite.

“Ms Valintine and Ms Henderson are both outstanding business leaders who have many years’ experience in starting and growing small businesses,” Mr Joyce says.

Small Business Minister Steven Joyce today launched a new SME Research Hub in Wellington, which pulls together important information in one place for small business owners, researchers, government officials and policy makers.

“This new research centre underlines the importance of small business to New Zealand and the New Zealand economy,” Mr Joyce says.

Fifteen top Indian students will study programmes directly related to the Christchurch rebuild under the latest round of international scholarships, Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce announced today.

Scholarships worth NZD$150,000 have been awarded to Indian students studying postgraduate courses in skill shortage areas at Canterbury’s most reputable tertiary institutions.

Joint research grants worth $460,000 have been awarded to seven collaborative research projects between New Zealand and Indian universities, Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce announced today.

The winning themes range from research into health and migration patterns in the South Pacific to managing India New Zealand institutional challenges and the impact of climate change.

Mr Joyce says the joint research projects will enhance bilateral cooperation and develop stronger links between higher education institutions.

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce and Trade Minister Tim Groser today announced the reappointment of Karen Fistonich and Robin Hapi to the New Zealand Trade and Enterprise Board.

“I would like to thank Karen and Robin for their work on the board since they were first appointed in 2011, and look forward to their continued contributions to the work of NZTE,” Mr Joyce says.

International student numbers in New Zealand look set to grow again following the worst effects of the global financial crisis and the Christchurch earthquakes, Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce and Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse say.

The International Education Snapshot: 2013 full year report, released today, provides a snapshot of the trends in New Zealand’s international education industry for the 2013 academic year.

Budget 2014 will make it much easier for sole parents to move off benefit and into full time study announced Steven Joyce, Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment and Paula Bennett, Minister for Social Development.

The Government is investing between $18 and $24 million over four years to implement three policy changes that will align the student support system for sole parents with the benefit system.

The Government’s comprehensive Business Growth Agenda is delivering greater business investment, more jobs and higher wages for New Zealanders, Finance Minister Bill English and Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce say.

The two lead ministers today released the Business Growth Agenda – Future Direction 2014 report which outlines the significant progress the National Government has made in creating the conditions for businesses to invest for jobs and growth.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce and Health Minister Tony Ryall today announced a total of $78 million in health research funding as part of the 2014 Health Research Council (HRC) of New Zealand’s funding round.

The funding will cover 50 new Projects ($56 million), 4 new Programmes ($20 million), and 14 Emerging Researcher First Grants ($2.02 million), and has increased significantly from last year due to the release of funds from maturing contracts.

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce and Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy today announced a new study to evaluate opportunities for increasing investment, employment and incomes in the Bay of Plenty.

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce today released the 2014 Regional Economic Activity Report, which highlights the importance of the natural resources sector to New Zealand’s regional economies.

The report, produced by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, brings together comprehensive economic data on New Zealand’s 16 regions in one place. It also identifies specific initiatives under way in each region through the Government’s Business Growth Agenda. It is the second report in an annual series.

The Government will invest $28.6 million operating funding (including $11.8 million of contingencies) over the next four years in three Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Graduate Schools to help address significant high-level skills shortages in the rapidly growing ICT industry, Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce says.

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee and Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce today released the spatial framework for the Christchurch Innovation Precinct and announced that Vodafone's new South Island headquarters will anchor the precinct.

The Innovation Precinct will bring together businesses, innovators, and an ICT graduate school, alongside residential, retail, hospitality and professional service providers to create a vibrant and exciting new part of Christchurch.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce today released the Government's first draft National Statement of Science Investment (NSSI), which sets out the current settings and proposed future priorities for Government’s science investment, for public feedback.

56 per cent of study by New Zealanders was at degree or postgraduate level in 2013 compared to 48 per cent 10 years ago, Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce says.

The Tertiary education enrolments 2013 report released today shows there was continued growth in enrolments in higher qualifications by younger students, while enrolments fell for older students as employment prospects improved.

Mr Joyce says demand for tertiary education remains high with 418,000 students enrolled in formal study programmes last year.

New enrolments in apprenticeship training have grown by 24 per cent since 2012 following the introduction of the Apprenticeship Reboot scheme last year, Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce says.

The Apprenticeship Reboot was announced in January 2013 by Prime Minister John Key alongside an overhaul of the apprenticeship scheme to get more apprentices qualified, especially in construction trades.

Innovative businesses are invited to apply for funding to hire students for internships and work experience as part of Callaghan Innovation’s R&D Student Grants scheme.

R&D Student Grants, administered by Callaghan Innovation, are available to R&D active companies in New Zealand to employ up to 70 Masters and PhD graduates and 200 undergraduate, honours, and postgraduate diploma or certificate students with science, technology, engineering, design, or business qualifications.