Displaying 1 - 24 of 98 results.

“Ramping up New Zealand’s innovation potential across the high-tech manufacturing and services sectors will be a major catalyst for New Zealand's future growth,” says Science and Innovation Minster Wayne Mapp.

Dr Mapp and Acting Minister for Economic Development, David Carter, today released Powering Innovation, an independent report looking at how New Zealand can best grow its high-tech manufacturing and services sectors.

  • David Carter
  • Wayne Mapp
  • Economic Development
  • Science and Innovation

Economic Development Minister David Carter today launched the Food and Beverage Information Project, the most comprehensive analysis of New Zealand’s F&B industry ever undertaken.

“The food and beverage industry accounts for more than half of our total exports and employs one in five New Zealanders, directly or indirectly. Full knowledge of the industry and its performance internationally is key to lifting export growth,” says Mr Carter.

  • David Carter
  • Economic Development

Better links between the health technology sector and the health service are behind a plan to establish a national health innovation hub, say Economic Development Minister David Carter and Health Minister Tony Ryall.

The hub will assist with developing health technology ideas generated by clinicians and companies into business propositions, products and services.

“New Zealand’s health technology industry currently generates $1.8 billion in annual revenue but there is plenty of room for growth,” says Mr Carter.

  • Tony Ryall
  • David Carter
  • Economic Development
  • Health

Australia and New Zealand have submitted their written proposal to host the Square Kilometre Array, the most powerful radio telescope ever conceived and one of the most ambitious projects of our time.

The submission of the Australian and New Zealand proposal is an important step in the international decision making process to determine the best place to site the Square Kilometre Array (SKA).

  • David Carter
  • Economic Development

An independent panel has been established to report to Maori Affairs Minister Dr Pita Sharples and Economic Development Minister David Carter with a Maori economic development strategy and action plan by July 2012.

“The panel’s  job is to help raise the rate of return on Maori-owned assets, and to grow the Maori contribution to New Zealand’s economy, by providing a framework for Maori and the Government to work together better,”  the Ministers say.

  • David Carter
  • Pita Sharples
  • Economic Development
  • Maori Affairs

A programme designed to help New Zealand business leaders broaden their international experience and global management skills has been launched today by Economic Development Minister David Carter.

“The Global Executive Leadership Programme is the first of its kind in New Zealand and targets the global management mindset needed by our leading businesspeople to succeed in international markets,” says Mr Carter.

  • David Carter
  • Economic Development

A surge in the number of entrants in this year’s Winter Games is a vote of confidence in New Zealand as a major events destination, says Economic Development Minister David Carter.

Around 1000 athletes representing 50 countries will take part in the New Zealand Winter Games 2011 in Otago and Canterbury over the next fortnight.

Speaking at the launch in Queenstown, Mr Carter said the Games are now one of the largest winter sports events outside the Winter Olympics, reflecting New Zealand’s growing reputation as a major events host.

  • David Carter
  • Economic Development

Economic Development Minister David Carter today welcomed the appointments of Karen Fistonich and Robin Hapi to the New Zealand Trade and Enterprise Board.

Mr Carter also announced the reappointment of Board Chair, Jon Mayson.

Karen Fistonich is currently Chairperson, and a longstanding member of the Villa Maria Estate Board.  She has considerable experience in the wine industry and has been involved in the development of two specialist vineyard companies.

  • David Carter
  • Economic Development

Economic Development Minister David Carter today launched a $30 million venture capital fund established by Wellington investment firm MOVAC, saying growth capital is essential to building export-focused, high productivity young companies.

“The global financial crisis has resulted in limited investment activity in the New Zealand venture capital sector since 2007.

  • David Carter
  • Economic Development

New Zealand needs to consider how it leverages off its clean green brand in global markets and how new technologies can be developed to reduce environmental impacts, Environment Minister Nick Smith and Acting Minister for Economic Development David Carter say.

The Ministers today launched the Advisory Group on Green Growth's discussion paper in Wellington. The eight-member Advisory Group was announced by the Government in January to ensure the Government receives the best advice on green growth initiatives.

  • Nick Smith
  • David Carter
  • Economic Development
  • Environment

The work programme considering government support for the screen sector, including its response to the review of the New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC) by Sir Peter Jackson and David Court, has been released.

“Government initiatives play a significant role in supporting the film and television industries in New Zealand,” Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Christopher Finlayson said. “So we want to ensure our response to the review by Sir Peter Jackson and David Court is part of a work programme looking at government initiatives across the sector.”

  • Christopher Finlayson
  • David Carter
  • Arts, Culture and Heritage
  • Economic Development

Agriculture and Economic Development Minister David Carter will represent New Zealand at the inaugural Global Research Alliance Ministerial Summit in Rome next week, and travel to Milan and London.

While in Rome, Mr Carter will also lead the New Zealand delegation to the 37th meeting of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) where he will deliver New Zealand’s Ministerial Statement and participate in the election of the new Director-General of the FAO.

  • David Carter
  • Agriculture
  • Economic Development

Economic Development Minister David Carter is welcoming negotiations with SkyCity to build a large international convention centre in central Auckland.

Mr Carter says the proposed 3500-seat centre would create around 800 new jobs and inject an estimated $90 million a year of extra spending by international visitors into the New Zealand economy.

“The proposed New Zealand International Convention Centre will give New Zealand an edge in a significant growth market as the venue would compete with other centres in Australia.

  • David Carter
  • Economic Development

Economic Development Minister David Carter and Customs Minister Maurice Williamson today announced changes to wine excise tax regulations which will benefit more than half the country’s wineries.

From 1 July, thresholds for the payment of excise tax will lift tenfold, allowing smaller wineries to shift from monthly payments to six-monthly or yearly payments. 
Currently, only wineries with a tax liability of less than $10,000 are exempted from paying monthly. The new thresholds are:

  • David Carter
  • Maurice Williamson
  • Customs
  • Economic Development

A new temporary entertainment and performance events village to be set up in North Hagley Park will receive $650,000 from the government's Major Events Development Fund, Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee and Acting Economic Development Minister David Carter announced today.

Mr Brownlee said the government had also backed the Christchurch City Council plan to stage a Rugby World Cup 2011 fanzone and festival events in the North Hagley Park events village and a travelling fan zone for east Christchurch.

  • Gerry Brownlee
  • David Carter
  • Economic Development
  • Earthquake Recovery

The completion of the Natural Resources Regional Plan and the successful resolution of all appeals a year after Commissioners were appointed is a major step forward for Canterbury, Environment Minister Nick Smith says.

  • Nick Smith
  • Economic Development
  • Environment

Agriculture and Acting Minister for Economic Development Minister David Carter today welcomed the red meat industry’s goal to grow the sector from $8 billion to $14 billion by 2025.

Mr Carter says the Red Meat Sector Strategy, initiated by Beef + Lamb New Zealand and the Meat Industry Association, is an ambitious plan to lift the performance of the meat industry and to give it clearer direction.

  • David Carter
  • Economic Development

Acting Economic Development Minister David Carter says the Government has considered recommendations on how to enhance New Zealand as an international financial services centre.

The recommendations are outlined in a report by the International Funds Services Development Group (IFSDG), a taskforce established by Cabinet last year.

“The report shows that New Zealand could be a viable funds domicile – essentially a centre for funds accounts and administration – in around 10 to 15 years,” says Mr Carter.

  • David Carter
  • Economic Development

Acting Economic Development Minister David Carter has announced an $850,000 contestable fund to drive further growth of our second-largest export earner, the red meat industry.

The Red Meat Market Development Contestable Fund is a joint initiative between New Zealand Trade & Enterprise and Beef + Lamb, with funding allocated to successful applicants on a 50/50 basis.

  • David Carter
  • Economic Development

Acting Economic Development Minister David Carter today reconfirmed government support for Emirates Team New Zealand’s entry into the 2013 America’s Cup in San Francisco.

Under a commitment made in 2007 by the previous government, the National-led Government is contracted to contribute up to $36 million to support Team New Zealand’s America’s Cup bid.

  • David Carter
  • Economic Development

The $2 million fund launched to help earthquake-affected Christchurch exporters reassure international clients that the region is open for business has been extended.

The Christchurch Market Connections Fund, announced last month as part of the Government’s economic recovery package, is now $4 million.

“More than 180 export businesses are reinforcing their relationships with key customers thanks to the Fund. It is clearly meeting a need, with $2.8 million allocated so far,” says Acting Economic Development Minister David Carter.

  • David Carter
  • Economic Development
  • Earthquake Recovery

The Government today announced it will contribute $3.5 million towards the cost of a new events centre in Greymouth to commemorate those who lost their lives in the Pike River tragedy.

Economic Development Minister David Carter says the purpose of the new events centre is to provide a resource for the local community and to support the local economy.

“The Pike River tragedy had a terrible human cost. In addition to the loss of lives, there was also a significant economic impact as a result of the mine’s closure,” says Mr Carter.

  • David Carter
  • Economic Development

More than 90 Canterbury exporters will be reinforcing their relationships with key customers in the coming weeks thanks to the Christchurch Market Connections Fund, launched 10 days ago as part of the government’s economic recovery package for earthquake-affected businesses.

Over $1.3 million of the $2 million fund has already been approved to support 91 firms seeking to strengthen relationships and reassure customers that Christchurch, and New Zealand, is open for business.

  • Gerry Brownlee
  • David Carter
  • Economic Development
  • Earthquake Recovery

The government has committed $6.85 million to a carefully targeted economic recovery package to help Canterbury businesses severely affected by the two major earthquakes get back on their feet.

The package includes money for business recovery coordinators, international visits for exporters to key clients, a trust fund for those in need following the quakes, and more money for workshops and business training.

  • Gerry Brownlee
  • David Carter
  • Economic Development
  • Earthquake Recovery