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Communications and Information Technology Minister, Steven Joyce, announced today that three of the five Rural Broadband Initiative (RBI) proposals received on 12 November had been short-listed.

The three short-listed proposals are: Torotoro Waea, FX Networks/OpenGate and Telecom/Vodafone.

“The short-listed proposals demonstrate that they merit further evaluation based on an their plans to deliver the RBI objectives and provide open access to government-subsidised infrastructure,” says Mr Joyce.

The Minister for Tertiary Education, Steven Joyce, today announced new Council members for six of New Zealand’s Universities and all three Wānanga.

The new appointments are as follows:

The cities of Hamilton, Tauranga, Whangarei, New Plymouth and Wanganui will be among the first to benefit from the government’s rollout of ultra-fast broadband (UFB), says the Minister for Communications and Information Technology Steven Joyce.

Crown Fibre Holdings has concluded negotiations with two partner companies, following shareholding ministers’ approval of the deals over the weekend. 

The partners are:

From next year the NZ Qualifications Authority (NZQA) will assume direct responsibility for quality assurance of Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics, taking the role from ITPNZ which has had the responsibility through ITPQ since 1993.

The Minister for Tertiary Education, Steven Joyce, says the change has come about as a result of discussions with the ITP sector about the international trend towards independent quality assurance for both public and private providers.

ITPNZ has voluntarily returned the delegation for quality assurance to NZQA.

Cabinet has accepted a proposal that will see the Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT) and Tairawhiti Polytechnic merge as of 1 January 2011.

Tertiary Education Steven Joyce says the new institution – which will be one of New Zealand’s largest - is an exciting opportunity for the Hawkes’ Bay and Gisborne.

“The merger will create one institution with a strong base to support and expand vocational education and skills development across the East Coast.

It’s great to be here with you this afternoon.

As well as being Minister for Tertiary Education, I’m also Minister of Transport so it’s like the stars have aligned for me today.

We’re here to discuss two things that I am particularly passionate about – adult literacy and improving Auckland’s transport network, specifically through the construction of the Victoria Park Tunnel.

On the face of it they might seem unrelated.

They’re not. 

The Minister for Tertiary Education, Steven Joyce, has today confirmed the initial operating rules for the recently established New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF), which he says will provide more meaningful information for students and employers.

Mr Joyce says the changes announced today follow a review which found that the New Zealand qualifications system at certificate and diploma level had become complex and difficult to understand for both learners and employers.

The approval of funds to build the Ngaruawahia section of the Waikato Expressway is an important step towards completing the Road of National Significance, says Transport Minister Steven Joyce.

The NZ Transport Agency Board has confirmed the $169 million required to fund the Ngaruawahia section.

Mr Joyce says construction of the 10 kilometre section will create up to 300 local jobs directly, with many more downstream.

Cabinet has agreed to a change to the postal deed so that postal workers can have a four day Christmas break each year and have Easter Saturday off.

The Minister for Communications and Infor

Construction on the Tauranga Eastern Link Road of National Significance is under way, with physical works beginning - six months earlier than originally planned.

Cabinet has accepted a proposal that will see Lincoln University and Telford Rural Polytechnic merge as of 1 January 2011.

Changes to the oversight of private training establishments (PTEs) involved in export education will result in greater accountability and higher standards in the export education sector, says Terti

Transport Minister Steven Joyce says the NZ Transport Agency is making good progress on the Puhoi to Wellsford Road of National Significance - the least-developed of the seven RoNS projects.

The availability of funding for the government's priority road safety initiatives - which are part of the Safer Journeys road safety strategy - has been confirmed with an amendment to the go

Transport Minister Steven Joyce says good progress is being made on Auckland's Waterview Connection - part of the Western Ring Route Road of National Significance.

Statistics showing that 72 percent of all alcohol-related deaths on our roads are caused by drivers who have either a prior drink driving conviction or are more than 50 percent over the current adu

Five final proposals for the Rural Broadband Initiative have been received by the government, Communications and Information Technology Minister Steven Joyce announced today. 

The number of international students enrolled to study in New Zealand is continuing to increase, says Tertiary Education Minister Steven Joyce.

Tertiary Education Minister Steven Joyce has today announced the awarding of scholarships to 10 top international scholars who will study at New Zealand universities next year.

Communications and Information Technology Minister Steven Joyce today invited applications for access to radio spectrum in the 2.5 GHz band, which will assist deployment of wireless broadband servi

Transport Minister Steven Joyce has welcomed news today that construction on the Tauranga Eastern Link will start later this month - more than six months ahead of schedule.

Education Minister Anne Tolley and Communications and Information Technology Minister Steven Joyce have announced that the government is to cover the costs associated with providing the physical fi

Good morning.  Thank you Chris and Connor for your warm welcome.  It is a pleasure to be invited to speak here at the fourth TUANZ Rural Broadband Symposium 2010. 

Transport Minister Steven Joyce is urging Kiwis to stay safe on the roads this Labour Day weekend.