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Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce has today announced New Zealand will contribute $4 million to a four-year dairy development partnership with Peru.

“The New Zealand Peru Dairy Support Project will use our expertise to improve the profitability of up to 90,000 dairy farmers in the Peruvian Sierra,” Mr Joyce says.

“The project will focus on assisting Peruvian farmers with New Zealand technologies to improve milk and cheese production, handling and processing practices, and more effective research and extension.

New Zealand has been ranked 13th in the Global Competitiveness Index 2016/17 – up three places since 2015/16 and up ten places since 2012/13.

The index, which ranks a range of economic and social indicators, assesses the competitiveness of 138 economies and provides insight into the drivers of productivity and prosperity.

Economic Development Minster Steven Joyce today opened New Zealand’s first orbital launch site, Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, on the Mahia Peninsula on the North Island’s east coast.

“I congratulate Chief Executive and founder Peter Beck and his team who have worked hard to achieve this,” Mr Joyce says. “It is their innovation and perseverance that has made this day possible.

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce and Sport and Recreation Minister Jonathan Coleman say the Government is investing $3 million via the Major Events Development Fund to showcase Kiwi culture, arts, innovation and hospitality during the DHL New Zealand Lions Series 2017. 

“This investment will help New Zealand and the seven host regions to showcase what the country has to offer and to capitalise on the expected 20,000 international visitors,” says Mr Joyce. 

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce and Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy today released a detailed report on the economy of the West Coast that outlines significant potential to attract new investment and diversify the economy of the West Coast region.

As part of the Government’s Regional Growth Programme, the Tai Poutini West Coast Regional Growth Study identifies and explores opportunities to achieve growth in investment, incomes and employment in the region.

The Government has today signed a contract authorising Rocket Lab’s space activities from New Zealand, Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce says.

Rocket Lab, founded by New Zealander Peter Beck, intends to start its launch operations from the Mahia Peninsula later this year. These operations will include the first commercial space launches from New Zealand.

“This contract is an important milestone in the work the Government is doing to support the development of a New Zealand-based space industry,” Mr Joyce says.

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce and Communications Minister Amy Adams today launched a new guide to attract more investment in New Zealand’s fast growing technology sector.

The Investor Guide to the New Zealand Technology Sector has been brought to life by the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) and the Technology Investment Network (TIN). It provides investors with the most recent data and insights to encourage them to make informed investments in New Zealand’s thriving technology sector.

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce and Transport Minister Simon Bridges today announced the Government will seek to include additional electric vehicle providers in the All-of-Government (AoG) Vehicles contract to help further enhance the availability of electric vehicles in New Zealand.

“Electric vehicles are a growing industry and New Zealand should benefit from technological advances as they come onto the market,” Mr Joyce says.

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce leaves for Japan and Korea today for a four-day trip to advance New Zealand’s business, innovation and education interests and promote New Zealand as an investment destination.

Mr Joyce will visit Tokyo, Seoul and Busan to meet with Japanese and Korean ministers, officials and business leaders. 

“Japan and Korea are huge economies and important partners for New Zealand – both feature in our top six export destinations,” Mr Joyce says.

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce and Transport Minister Simon Bridges have announced the next stage in the development of a rural ring road for Palmerston North.

The project is highlighted in the Accelerate 25 Manawatu-Whanganui Economic Action Plan which was launched today.

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce today announced the Government will invest $500,000 in partnership with the Whanganui District Council to develop a comprehensive plan to revitalise the Whanganui Port Precinct.

The plan will form the blueprint for a new marine services centre, an expanded boat-building industry and visitor services and recreational area.

“Revitalising the Whanganui Port and port lands is a key priority identified in the Manawatū-Whanganui Economic Action Plan launched today,” Mr Joyce says.

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce and Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy have today announced a detailed action plan to boost the Manawatū-Whanganui regional economy.

The Manawatū-Whanganui Economic Action Plan is part of the Government’s Regional Growth Programme, which is increasing jobs, incomes and investment in regional New Zealand.

Māori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell is welcoming the ‘Accelerate 25’ Manawatū-Whanganui Economic Action Plan, launched today, which aims to increase jobs opportunities, incomes and investment across the region.

Mr Flavell says he is pleased to see the collaborative efforts between iwi, businesses, and local and central government in finalising the plan.

“This is a plan that will help tāngata whenua realise their economic aspirations and enable better utilisation of their land,” he says.

Māori landowners and honey producers will be buzzing in Rotorua over the next two days (4/5 August) as they attend the He kai kei aku ringa National Māori Mānuka Hui. 

Associate Minister for Economic Development Te Ururoa Flavell, who is opening the hui this morning, says there are major opportunities for Māori landowners in mānuka honey because of rising demand and prices.

“New Zealand exports more than $220 million of honey a year and volumes have more than doubled in the last 10 years in response to rising prices. 

A $25 million package of three road access improvements to Napier port has today been announced by the Government as one of the first actions of Matariki – the Hawke’s Bay Economic Development Strategy.

Improving access to the port has been identified through the development of the strategy and its accompanying regional action plan as a key contributor to Hawke’s Bay’s economic growth.

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce today announced Government support for a proposal to expand the National Aquarium of New Zealand in Napier to include marine research and create high-skilled, science-based employment.

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce and Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy have today launched a comprehensive plan to diversify and grow the Hawke’s Bay economy, increasing jobs, income and investment in the region.

Matariki – Hawke’s Bay Regional Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan 2016 aims to make Hawke’s Bay the most innovative region in New Zealand, the leading exporter of premium primary produce and a hub for business growth.

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce and Sport and Recreation Minister Jonathan Coleman today announced up to $1.35 million will be invested, through the Major Events Development Fund (MEDF), to help New Zealand co-host the Rugby League World Cup 2017 with Australia.

“The Rugby League World Cup 2017 is expected to deliver strong economic benefits for New Zealand, particularly as New Zealand will host a home semi-final game,” Mr Joyce says.

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce and Communications Minister Amy Adams today welcomed a report showing the technology sector’s value to the New Zealand economy. 

The report, Digital Nation New Zealand: From Tech Sector to Digital Nation, provides analysis of the nature and size of the technology sector and its impact on the New Zealand economy.

Māori Development and Associate Economic Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell is this weekend leading a Māori business delegation on a six-day culture and trade mission to South Korea and Japan. 

It will be New Zealand’s first trade mission to South Korea since a free trade agreement between the two countries entered into force in December 2015.

Mr Flavell says Aotearoa-New Zealand’s $42 billion-Māori economy has huge potential to boost New Zealand’s prosperity, with trade missions playing a big part in unlocking foreign markets.

Māori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell is today announcing the release of an insightful report into Māori use of information communications technology. 

Speaking from an economic development hui in Gisborne, Mr Flavell says a key finding of the Māori me te Ao Hangarau 2015: Māori in the ICT sector report is that Māori, particularly those aged 15-24, are high users of mobile technology to access the internet.

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce and Foreign Minister Murray McCully today announced that an agreement has been reached between the Governments of New Zealand and the United States of America covering the safeguards associated with the use in New Zealand of controlled U.S. rocket technology.

The Government is putting in place a new regulatory regime to enable safe, secure and responsible space launches from New Zealand, Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce says.

“New Zealand is rapidly building a more diversified hi-tech economy, and one of the companies at the very leading edge of technology is our own home-grown start-up, Rocket Lab,” Mr Joyce says.

Over $3 million has been allocated in Budget 2016 to help accelerate the development of commercial procurement skills across government through the Procurement Functional Leadership Programme, Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce announced today.

“The government’s procurement programme has a proven track record of creating significant value for taxpayers,” Mr Joyce says.