• Legislation
• Media Centre
• Publications
• What's New

• International Union Rights Survey
• Taxing Charities - Second Report
• GM Food Labelling Information
• Consumer Guides on Electricity Issues
• Parental Leave Video
• Training to Avoid Illegal Discrimination
• Planning After-ball Parties
• Age Concern Resources
• New Information for Lake Managers

---

Resources Available

International Union Rights Survey

NZ is again recognised internationally as a country that respects union rights as human rights. This is according to an international survey of trade union rights published recently in Brussels by the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU). Across the 132 countries and territories covered in the ICFTU annual report, 223 trade unionists were recorded as killed or "disappeared" in 2001 (14 more than in the previous year) of which 201 occurred in Colombia alone. In addition, nearly 4000 trade unionists were arrested, 1000 injured and 10,000 lost their jobs due to their activities world-wide.

The report notes that NZ is one of the few bright spots in the Asia Pacific, a region which it reports is characterised by virulent and sometimes violent anti-union activity. During the year in the Asia pacific region 371 trade unionists were injured or beaten and four were killed.

Taxing Charities - Second Report

The Working Party on Charities has produced a second report on the tax treatment of charitable organisations, which focuses on improving the definition of a charitable purpose. It also recommends changes to make it easier for individuals to receive tax rebates on donations to charities working overseas, such as the Red Cross. It proposes a new definition of charitable purpose that includes the advancement of health, education, social and community welfare, religion, culture and the natural environment. However, the Government has indicated it isn't keen to change the definition of a charity until other Commonwealth countries have finished reviewing their own.

Thanks to "NewsRoom"

GM Food Labelling Information

Information on the labelling requirements for genetically modified (GM) food is now available. The pamphlets, postcards and posters produced by the Ministry of Health aim to inform people that the new laws for GM food have been introduced to help consumers make informed choices about the food they buy.

Consumer Guides on Electricity Issues

A huge increase in the number of enquiries and complaints about electricity companies has prompted the Citizens Advice Bureaux to launch a guide on consumer rights. The guide, called "Finding Your Way in a Changed Electricity Environment", deals with problems that have arisen since the industry was restructured.

The Bureaux reports that the number of electricity-related enquiries has increased by more than 300% since 1997. Last year, CAB advisers dealt with more than 6500 confused consumers. Most of the complaints were concerned with billing, estimated readings, or with problems that arose when switching suppliers. The pamphlets are available from all branches of the Citizens Advice Bureaux.

Thanks to "NewsRoom"

Parental Leave Video

Educational Resources has been launched to explain to employers the new paid parental leave provision, their responsibilities, and the application process for employees. On the video, NZ businesses will share how they approach parental leave and the business benefits of being a family-friendly workplace for employees returning to work after parental leave.

Training to Avoid Illegal Discrimination

The Equal Employment Opportunities Trust has launched a free training kit to help recruiters work more effectively with discriminatory clients or managers. The kit, called "Tools For Tapping Into Talent", was developed in response to the EEO Trust's Recruiting Talent study in 2000, which showed that many recruitment professionals have been compromised and embarrassed by either managers who require them to behave illegally, unfairly or unethically, or by the discriminatory briefs of their clients.

The study showed that the groups most likely to be discriminated against were:

• older people;
• people with a non-NZ accent;
• people with a disability; and
• people from a different culture.

Such discrimination is illegal and means employers may not be getting the best person to do the job.

Planning After-ball Parties

The Alcohol and Liquor Advisory Council (ALAC) has produced a set of guidelines called Planning Parties to assist adults to work alongside young people to ensure after-ball parties can be fun, safe and within the law.

The guidelines are directed at the adults who work with the young people and they highlight and interpret the legal issues that surround such events. They also offer suggestions to follow in planning the party. These include setting up a working party, establishing a budget, gaining sponsorship, choosing venues, security issues, transport and entertainment. A set of templates is included with sample letters for party organisers to alert and involve police, caregivers, boards of trustees and so on.

Age Concern Resources

Age Concern NZ has a selection of books and videos that are available to be loaned. These resources cover a wide range of issues of particular interest to health professionals and those working with and caring for older people.

If you would like more information or a resource catalogue please contact Age Concern NZ, PO Box 10 688, Wellington, tel (04) 471 2709, fax (04) 473 2504, email, information@ageconcern.org.nz

New Information for Lake Managers

Water quality in our large deep lakes is generally good, but many of the 700 or so shallow lakes in NZ are nutrient enriched and have poor water quality. Managing a lake ecosystem is a complex task. Water levels, run-off from land, and the spread of pest animals and plants are just some of the many factors that need to be considered.

A Lake Managers' Handbook produced in 1987 is still widely used. It has now been updated to take account of increased knowledge about the physical and biological processes in lakes and on lake shores. Four new chapters have been added on lake levels, land-water interactions, fish in NZ lakes, and alien invaders.

Contact for Enquiries

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
Pastoral House
25 The Terrace
PO Box 2526, Wellington

Tel: 0800 00 83 33
Fax: +64 4 894 0720
Contact this person