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Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson today announced the appointment of two new Members of the Employment Relations Authority and the reappointment of two others.

The new members - each appointed to a three-year term - are Kerikeri lawyer Tania Tetitaha, to Auckland and Wellington lawyer Patricia MacKinnon to the Wellington office. These appointments fill vacancies in the Authority.

Two current members, Paul Stapp and Greg Wood have been reappointed to Wellington.

16 August 2012, Queens Wharf (Dockside restaurant)

Thank you, David for your kind introduction.

It is great to see a wide cross-section of the fishing industry here for what is a very important piece of work.

We are here to officially launch the Fishing Sector Action Plan – and it has a very important purpose – to address the high rate of injury and death in the fishing sector.

Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson and Associate Transport Minister Simon Bridges have launched a new action plan to bring down the unacceptable number of workplace injuries experienced by the fishing sector.

The Fishing Sector Action Plan identifies concrete actions for reducing this rate of harm, including implementation of a proposed new Maritime Operator Safety System (MOSS) and Qualifications and Operational Limits Framework (QOL).

Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson and Taupō MP Louise Upston have met with iwi, community and tourism industry leaders at Tongariro National Park today to discuss last week’s volcanic eruption.

Ms Wilkinson said it was important to fully understand the science behind the eruption and appreciate the cultural and economic significance of the event.

“This will help us support local iwi, community and business leaders in the future,” Ms Wilkinson says.

Main Road North, Belfast, Christchurch
11 August 2012

Kia ora, it's great to be back here in Christchurch to celebrate the second year of the Living Legends project. It's also great to see so many people here today to help get these trees in the ground and to honour our local Rugby Legend, Tane Norton.

Firstly I'd like to acknowledge the organisations that continue to work hard to make the Living Legends projects happen - Project Crimson, The Tindall Foundation, Meridian and of course DOC.

Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson was in Whanganui today to celebrate the completion of the Whanganui National Park Management Plan.

The plan sets out the philosophy and priorities for the management of the park for conservation and recreation purposes, and provides strategic direction and day-to-day guidance on the management of Whanganui National Park.

10 August 2012

Good morning and thank you for such a warm welcome.  It's fantastic to see so many people here today to celebrate this significant occasion.

I would particularly like to acknowledge the chair of the Whanganui River Māori Trust Board,  Dr Te Tiwha Puketapu and kaumātua John Maihi, the Taranaki-Whanganui Conservation Board and its chair, Mr Darryn Ratana, and Whanganui Mayor Her Worship Annette Main.

Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson and Energy and Resources Minister Phil Heatley today launched the new Code of Conduct for Minimising Acoustic Disturbance to Marine Mammals from Seismic Survey Operations.

The new code is a set of operational requirements that aim to protect marine mammals from potential impacts of seismic survey work used in oil and gas exploration, seabed minerals prospecting and scientific research.

Good afternoon. I’m pleased to welcome so many of you here today for the launch of the Code of conduct for minimising acoustic disturbance to marine mammals from seismic survey operations.

There’s no doubt that conservation is important to New Zealanders as a whole. This is a fantastic attribute – it means we take a keen interest in conservation matters and also means that there is no shortage of challenging issues that gain a high profile in the media and around dinner tables across the country.

I am very pleased to be here at the signing of the Taranaki Biodiversity Forum Accord. This is a big step forward and sees a range of agencies and parties working together to better protect the special values of the region.

First of all though, I want to congratulate you on recognising the importance and value of biodiversity. Often people ask - what is the importance of biodiversity? Why do we need to worry about it?

Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson was in Taranaki today to witness the signing of an historic accord.

The Taranaki Biodiversity Forum Accord is a regional response to protecting native plants, animals and habitats.

Signatories include the Department of Conservation, Taranaki Regional and District councils, as well as community groups including the East Taranaki Environment Trust, Taranaki Kiwi Trust, Forest and Bird and the Rotokare Scenic Reserve Trust.

Acting Immigration Minister Kate Wilkinson and Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce have welcomed today’s operation by Immigration New Zealand to take action with a number of people who are in New Zealand as a result of student visa fraud.

“This fraud was uncovered in a regular audit by Immigration New Zealand. It’s pleasing to see this kind of illegal activity detected and acted on quickly,” Ms Wilkinson says.

A trans-Tasman ministerial meeting focused on workplace health and safety will be hosted in Christchurch later this year, Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson has announced.

Thenew Select Council on Workplace Relations, which brings together Australian and New Zealand ministers involved in workplace relations and health and safety, met for the first time in Melbourne today.

Minister Wilkinson has invited the Select Council to Christchurch for their next meeting in November.

The ministerial responsibility and funding for the National Advisory Council on the Employment of Women (NACEW) is being transferred from Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson to Women’s Affairs Minister Jo Goodhew, the two Ministers announced today.

“NACEW is an important advocate for women in the workplace. Since its establishment in 1967, the council has had an instrumental role in influencing changes to legislation and policy to recognise and develop women’s employment in New Zealand,” Ms Wilkinson says.

New research showing the Government’s 90-day trial period is encouraging business to take a chance on new employees has been welcomed by Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson.

The study, undertaken by the Department of Labour, shows that more employers had used trial periods (60 per cent) and 40 per cent of employers who hired someone on a trial period would not have taken that person on without it.

The majority of employers – 80 per cent – retained their staff once the trial period was over.

Tena koutou, Tena koutou Katoa (Greetings to you all)

Thank you to the Chairperson, Director General, and Regional Directors for your opening remarks.

It is an opportune time to be discussing youth unemployment at this Conference as it is clear that the numbers of our young people out of work has been rising in both developed and developing economies, even where general unemployment rates are stabilising following the global recession.

Tena koutou, Tena koutou katoa (Greetings to you all).

Mr President, fellow delegates. I’m very pleased to be able to address this session, to acknowledge the contribution Director General Juan Somavia has made to the ILO, and to congratulate and welcome our new Director-General, Guy Ryder, who we have elected to lead this organisation over the years to come.

Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson will take part in discussions, with a focus on youth employment, at the International Labour Conference in Geneva.

Ms Wilkinson will address the meeting of Asia Pacific Labour Ministers on Tuesday, as part of the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) discussion on the global youth employment crisis.

“Youth employment is a growing problem around the world. It is a very complex issue and demands comprehensive responses from Governments and the international community.

Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson has announced the membership of an independent taskforce that will undertake the first wide-ranging strategic review of the workplace health and safety system in 20 years.

“New Zealand’s workplace death and injury rates are not improving and are poor in comparison to countries like Australia and the United Kingdom,” Ms Wilkinson says.

“The Government is taking action to ensure we get better results and see a 25 per cent reduction in workplace deaths and serious injuries by 2020.

Food Safety Minister Kate Wilkinson has welcomed a decision by the trans-Tasman Legislative and Governance Forum on Food Regulation that could help innovative food businesses develop new foods for health.

Health claims on food packaging was top of the agenda at the Forum’s meeting in Canberra yesterday, which Ms Wilkinson attended.

The Forum previously considered proposals requiring all health claims to be pre-market assessed, but yesterday the group decided to explore additional options for ‘general level health claims’.

An increase to parental leave payments will put more money in the pockets of young families, Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson says.

On 1 July the maximum parental leave payment available to eligible employees and the self-employed will increase from $458.82 to $475.16 a week.

The minimum parental leave payment for the self-employed will also increase, from $130.00 to $135.00 a week.

“Any increase in financial support for new parents is always helpful,” Ms Wilkinson says.

Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson and Environment Minister Amy Adams will consider a new report that challenges law makers to think about issues such as the trade-offs between renewable energy and wild and scenic rivers.

Sky City Convention Centre, Auckland
31 May 2012

I would like start by congratulating the award winners from last night. The breadth and imagination in their winning programmes was very significant. We can all learn from the entrants – whether winning or not.  

This morning I've been asked to give you a Ministerial perspective of health and safety. It's something I take very seriously and we all must take very seriously.

Sky City Convention Centre, Auckland

30 May 2012

Can I start by saying how pleased I am to be back to address the Business Leaders' Health and Safety Forum once again. The idea of a health and safety leadership group for Chief Executives was floated back in May 2009 - so to stand in front of you in your third year is a real honour.

It's also exciting as there are some really big initiatives happening in the health and safety sector in terms of investment and strategy.