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Changes to a Transport Rule regulating the size and weight of vehicles could allow truck and bus companies to import newer, safer, more innovative and environmental responsible vehicles, Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss says.

A consultation document released today proposes amending the Vehicle Dimensions and Mass (VDAM) Rule 2002 to increase some axle and total vehicle mass limits.

Other proposals include:

Students are to be given the chance to earn NCEA credits by obtaining driver licences, Education Minister Hekia Parata and Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss announced today.

“Too many young people are missing out on jobs because they don’t have a licence and too many others are entering the courts system because they are driving without licences,” says Ms Parata.

Statistics Minister Craig Foss is welcoming the release of Cabinet papers on the future of the census and appointments to the working group of the Data Futures Partnership.

Statistics New Zealand has published the Census Transformation paper and a Cabinet paper of the appointments made to the Data Futures Partnership Working Group.

“New Zealand needs the information from the census to enable communities to plan for things like schools, health needs and roads,” says Mr Foss.

A leap forward in the use of existing tax data means Statistics New Zealand has been able to halve the number of businesses being surveyed for important economic information, Minister of Statistics and for Small Business Craig Foss says.

Until now, 1800 businesses around the country have been surveyed for the manufacturing, wholesale trade, and services information.

But an improved survey design made possible by better use of existing tax data means that number has been trimmed to 900.

Veterans’ Affairs Minister Craig Foss is welcoming changes that will provide more support, and more services, to more veterans than ever before.

The Veterans’ Independence Programme (VIP), established under the Veterans’ Support Act 2014, begins on 7 December 2015. The VIP allows Veterans’ Affairs to offer a range of support and assistance designed to help veterans maintain their independence in their own home.

Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss is welcoming the NZ Transport Agency’s $25 million boost to visiting driver safety initiatives.

“For more than six months the Government and Visiting Driver Signature Project (VDSP) partners have been continuously rolling out initiatives to help visiting drivers keep themselves and others safe on New Zealand roads,” Mr Foss says.

“This significant funding boost is yet another demonstration of the Government’s commitment to improving safety for all road users.”

New Zealanders who want to understand the similarities or differences between Sandringham and Three Kings, Brooklyn and Vogeltown, or Sydhenham and Beckenham can have their say about how these areas and more are defined for statistical purposes, Statistics Minister Craig Foss says.

Statistics New Zealand is reviewing its Statistical Standard for Geographic Areas (SSGA) for the first time in over 20 years.  The review aims to improve how statistical geographies are defined and used in statistical data.

Proposed changes to a Land Transport Rule will allow buses to carry more passengers between New Zealand’s main centres and pave the way for hybrid diesel-electric buses, Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss says.

A consultation document released today proposes amending the Vehicle Dimensions and Mass (VDAM) Rule 2002, which regulates the size and weight of vehicles, to extend axle mass limits of high-capacity urban buses.

Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss is welcoming the completion of important safety work on state highways 6 and 94 between Queenstown and Milford Sound.

NZ Transport Agency contractors have completed more than 50 kilometres of rumble strips in the area as part of the Visiting Driver Signature Project (VDSP) — a partnership between central government, local government and the private sector.

In addition to the rumble strips, yellow and white centrelines have also been re-sprayed. 

Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss is welcoming a new report exploring New Zealanders’ daily travel patterns.

The report, 25 years of New Zealand Travel: New Zealand Household Travel 1989-2014, celebrates two and half decades of the NZ Household Travel Survey and collates its results.

Mr Foss, who is speaking at the Transport Knowledge Conference in Wellington this morning, says the survey provides a better understanding of transport in people’s daily lives.

Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss is welcoming an Automobile Association (AA) initiative to help visiting drivers keep themselves and others safe on New Zealand roads.

The AA launched its Visiting Drivers Training Programme — an online driving simulator — at Parliament today.

“This programme puts visitors in the driver’s seat of a car and asks them questions about New Zealand road rules and conditions. It will help inform visiting drivers, improve safety and save lives,” Mr Foss says.

Small Business Minister Craig Foss and Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Paul Goldsmith are urging consumers and small businesses to keep themselves safe online this Fraud Awareness Week.

Fraud Awareness Week 2015, which runs from 15 – 21 November, is part of an international initiative to raise awareness of scams and promote safe online practices.

“It’s imperative for small business owners to get up to speed — and stay up to speed — on the types of scams doing the rounds,” Mr Foss says.

Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss is welcoming progress on the Low Volume Vehicle (LVV) certification review, with some changes already underway.

“This review is about making the certification process for scratch-built or modified vehicles more responsive to innovation, while ensuring it is run as effectively and transparently as possible,” Mr Foss says.

As part of the review, the NZ Transport Agency commissioned an independent survey of LVV system users. 

New Zealanders are being invited to have their say about proposed topics under the new national environmental reporting system, Environment Minister Dr Nick Smith and Statistics Minister Craig Foss announced today.

Small Business Minister Craig Foss today announced one new appointment to the Small Business Development Group (SBDG) and 10 reappointments. 

Alaina Teki-Clark, from Whanganui, has been appointed to the SBDG to replace departing members Jonathan Flett and Frances Valintine. The group’s remaining members have been reappointed for a term of 18 months.

“Ms Teki-Clark is an outstanding business leader with many years’ experience starting and growing small businesses,” Mr Foss says.

Small Business Minister Craig Foss today congratulated the team behind Business.govt.nz for winning the government category at the 2015 AUT Excellence in Business Support Awards.

“This is the second time in four years Business.govt.nz, the Government’s website for small business, has won this award. It’s a reflection of the talented people we have working on the site and the quality content they produce for the benefit of all small New Zealand businesses,” Mr Foss says.

Veterans’ Affairs Minister Craig Foss today announced a $150,000 grant for the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services Association’s (RNZRSA) support services.

Mr Foss made the announcement during his opening address to the RNZRSA’s 99^th National Council meeting in Wellington this morning.

“The Government appreciates how hard the RNZRSA works for the care and welfare of our veterans.

The NZ Household Travel Survey is going digital, meaning more data can be collected faster, Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss says.

“Moving the survey online makes it easier and more convenient for participants. It also means it can be expanded — surveying seven days’ travel instead of two,” Mr Foss says.

“The NZ Household Travel Survey, running since 1989, gives transport planners important information about when, where and how Kiwis travel.  It will now be more accurate and more cost-effective.

Live to see summer by taking care on the roads this Labour Weekend, Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss says.

“Labour Weekend signals that summer is just around the corner — I want everyone to live to see it, which means we all need to take care on our roads,” Mr Foss says.

“Sadly, this year’s road toll is likely to be higher than last year’s. It’s important to remember each and every number in the road toll represents a lost life — a parent, child, brother, sister or friend who will be greatly missed. 

Revenue Minister Todd McClay and Small Business Minister Craig Foss have welcomed a new initiative dedicated to helping small businesses better understand tax and finance.

“Business.govt.nz has created a new section of the website called Tax and Finance, which covers everything from tax types to payroll dedications, and offers sound advice on topics such as how to reduce your tax bill, setting budgets and getting paid on time,” Mr Foss says.

Police Minister Michael Woodhouse and Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss today announced stronger penalties for fleeing drivers and those who withhold information on fleeing drivers.

“Failure to stop when required by a police officer represents a calculated and deliberate attempt by offenders to evade punishment. They deliberately put the public at risk and too often their actions result in serious consequences,” Mr Woodhouse says.

Publication of the first comprehensive, independent and nationwide set of statistics on the environment today is an important step in strengthening the integrity of New Zealand’s clean green brand, Environment Minister Dr Nick Smith and Statistics Minister Craig Foss say. 

Statistics Minister Craig Foss is celebrating World Statistics Day today with a new infographic explaining how better data leads to better lives for all New Zealanders.

“World Statistics Day is an opportunity to reflect on the enormous value of data and whether we — as a government, business, family or individual — are making the most of the opportunities it presents,” Mr Foss says.

Finance Minister Bill English and Statistics Minister Craig Foss today named the working group responsible for leading the new Data Futures Partnership.

“The Data Futures Partnership is an exciting opportunity to potentially deliver economic and social value for New Zealand by solving issues that limit trusted data-use and innovation,” Mr English says.

“I’m confident this diverse group of people has the knowledge and experience necessary to understand the issues and look for innovative solutions.”