Displaying 25 - 44 of 44 results.

The new Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment commences operations on Monday and will ensure New Zealand has clear, co-ordinated and focused government policy leadership with a commitment to economic growth and innovation, Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce says.

  • Steven Joyce
  • Economic Development

Smart new online services will make it easier for the New Zealand public and businesses to interact with the Government, Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce and Internal Affairs Minister Chris Tremain say.

Targets set for the Government’s planned one-stop online shop for businesses (Better Public Services Result 9) and for New Zealanders to complete transactions with government easily online (Result 10) were released today by Prime Minister John Key.

The targets are:

  • Chris Tremain
  • Steven Joyce
  • Internal Affairs
  • Economic Development

The Government today welcomed the announcement by the Office of the Auditor-General that it has decided to carry out an inquiry into the expressions of interest process for proposals to establish an international convention centre.

“The Government is very relaxed about the Office of the Auditor-General having a look at the EOI process for the National Convention Centre,” Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce says.

“We are confident the EOI process was transparent and each application was assessed on its merit.

  • Steven Joyce
  • Economic Development

Economic Development and Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce is encouraging New Zealand’s top scientists and upcoming executives to make applications to the 2012 Prime Minister’s Science Prizes and Business Scholarships.

The Prime Minister’s Science Prizes, presented annually, are New Zealand’s most prestigious and high-value science awards with prize money of $1 million. Entries for four of the Prime Minister’s Science Prizes can be lodged up until 24 July 2012.

  • Steven Joyce
  • Economic Development
  • Science and Innovation

Australia and New Zealand will remain at the forefront of global radio astronomy after it was announced that the hosting rights for the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) radio telescope will be split between Australia-New Zealand and South Africa.

  • Steven Joyce
  • Economic Development
  • Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment
  • Science and Innovation

Two Ministry of Economic Development funds with ambiguous aims are being cancelled, with savings returned to the Government, Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce says.

The Government is focused on investment that supports the business growth agenda of building a more productive and competitive economy.

The Enterprising Partnerships Fund and the Transformational Initiatives Fund, set up by the previous government in 2007 and 2008, are being disestablished. This saves $26.1 million operating over the next four years.

  • Steven Joyce
  • Budget 2012
  • Economic Development

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce today launched two new online products – including an iPad app for business – as part of the Government’s plan for delivering better public services.

The iPad app, available through the business.govt.nz portal, enables small businesses to access tools and tips for growth wherever and whenever they need it. The second product, business calendar B-Cal, provides businesses with technology features to highlight important business requirements.

  • Steven Joyce
  • Economic Development

The government is expected to save around $60 million over the next five years after signing all-of-government procurement contracts for mobile voice and data services, Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce says.

The new contracts are part of a public-sector wide Government Procurement Reform Programme aimed at making government buying as efficient as possible and reducing costs. It includes all public sector agencies, councils and up to 2500 schools.

  • Steven Joyce
  • Economic Development

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce has welcomed a new report that provides wide-ranging insights into the food and beverage industry.

“The Food and Beverage Information Project’s Industry Snapshot is the definitive outline of the state of the industry in New Zealand,” Mr Joyce says.

  • Steven Joyce
  • Economic Development

The Government has today confirmed its plans to establish the new Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment on 1 July this year.

The Ministry will bring together the existing functions of the Ministry of Economic Development, Ministry of Science and Innovation, Department of Labour and Department of Building and Housing.

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce says the new Ministry will assist the Government drive forward its business growth agenda and make it easier for businesses to engage with the Government.

  • Jonathan Coleman
  • Steven Joyce
  • State Services
  • Economic Development

The Government is investing $1.8 million over the next three years to support the development of a high-tech business hub in central Christchurch, Minister for Economic Development Steven Joyce announced today.

Mr Joyce said the Ministry of Science and Innovation and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise were working in partnership with Christchurch City Council and the private sector to establish the Enterprise Precinct and Innovation Campus (EPIC) on the corner of Tuam and Manchester Streets.

  • Steven Joyce
  • Canterbury Earthquake Recovery
  • Economic Development

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce today announced that United States investor Peter Thiel has established a New Zealand venture capital fund alongside the New Zealand Venture Investment Fund and private investors.

The Valar Ventures Fund is a $40 million fund which involves NZVIF committing $20 million, $15 million from Peter Thiel, and $5 million from other New Zealand investors, including Wellington investment company Rangatira.

  • Steven Joyce
  • Economic Development

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce has congratulated Orion Health for winning the Supreme Award at the New Zealand International Business Awards ceremony in Auckland last night.

“Orion is an internationally-recognised health information technology vendor and New Zealand’s largest privately-owned software exporter. Its major projects around the world have made it a significant global player in electronic health recording,” Mr Joyce says.

  • Steven Joyce
  • Science and Innovation
  • Economic Development

The new Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment will help the Government’s business growth agenda by implementing integrated policies to build a more competitive and internationally-focused economy, Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce says.

Prime Minister John Key today announced that Cabinet had agreed in principle to establish the new Ministry, which will absorb the functions of the Ministry of Economic Development, the Department of Labour, the Ministry of Science and Innovation, and the Department of Building and Housing.

  • Steven Joyce
  • Economic Development

The Government will focus on six key areas over the next three years to help companies grow and to build a more productive and competitive economy, Finance Minister Bill English and Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce say.

Building a more competitive economy is one of four main priorities the Prime Minister has outlined for the Government in this term.

  • Steven Joyce
  • Bill English
  • Economic Development
  • Finance

The report of the Green Growth Advisory Group was released today at the annual Bluegreens Forum at Lake Pupuke, North Shore, with 26 recommendations for the Government to consider.

“This is a useful report for bringing together policies that will help the Government build a more productive and competitive economy, while meeting environmental objectives,” Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce says.

  • Nick Smith
  • Steven Joyce
  • Environment
  • Economic Development

A new project designed to attract highly skilled workers to New Zealand is a great example of collaboration between the Government and the private sector, Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce says.

  • Steven Joyce
  • Economic Development

The opening of a new $10.5 million high-tech water ride in Rotorua is a further commitment to the local economy and an investment in New Zealand tourism, Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce says.

Mr Joyce today opened the “Big Splash” ride at Rainbow Springs conservation park developed by Ngai Tahu Tourism. Around 300 people were involved in its construction.

  • Steven Joyce
  • Economic Development

Construction of a new $70 million gas plant to supply New Zealand Steel is another strong sign of confidence in the New Zealand economy, Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce says.

Mr Joyce today marked the start of work to construct the new BOC gas facility at a ground breaking ceremony at New Zealand Steel’s site at Glenbrook. The construction will create 120 jobs over two years.

“The new contract for BOC Gases to build a plant to supply air gases to New Zealand Steel for at least another 20 years is excellent news,” Mr Joyce says.

  • Steven Joyce
  • Economic Development

The Government is welcoming a likely $250 million a year increase to exports and the 500 additional construction jobs as part of the agreement announced this afternoon by the Todd Corporation and Methanex New Zealand to increase methanol production in Taranaki.

Methanex is entering into a 10 year contract with Todd that enable it to restart the second methanol manufacturing train at its Motunui facility, north of New Plymouth.

  • Phil Heatley
  • Steven Joyce
  • Energy and Resources
  • Economic Development