- Farm Monitoring Reports
- Latest Forestry Statistics
- Areas of Forested and Non-Forested land
- Drinking-Water Risk Management Plans
- Forest "Sinks" and the Kyoto Protocol
- Community Development Conference Resources
- Impact of International Students
- Recidivism Patterns - Those Convicted in 1995
- Resources In Brief
Appointments
NZ's next Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Iran will be Niels Holm (he will also be accredited as High Commissioner to Pakistan), our next High Commissioner to Tonga is Warwick Hawker, and our next High Commissioner to the Solomon Islands is Heather Riddell.
Sir Peter Blake has been appointed a Special Envoy to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
Jane Diplock is the new Chairperson of the Securities Commission.
Dr Colin Tukuitonga has been appointed as the Ministry of Health's Director of Public Health.
Craig Norgate has been named CEO of the Global Dairy Company.
Laurie Newhook has been appointed a Judge to the Environment Court.
Professor Tom Barnes has been appointed Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) of the University of Auckland.
Heaton Dyer is the new Head of TVNZ News and Current Affairs.
Margaret Bendall has been appointed to the Board of the NZ Qualifications Authority.
Russell Howie, Heather McConachy, Diane Menzies and Charles Manning are new Members of the Environment Court.
New appointments to the Film and Literature Board of Review are: Claudia Elliot (President), Greg Presland, Mark Andersen, Stephen Stehlin, Marion Orme, Peter Cartwright, Brian McDonnell, and Lalita Rajasingham.
New appointments to the Takeovers Panel are Colin Giffney and David Quigg. Shona Butterfield has been appointed to the Tertiary Education Advisory Commission (TEAC).
Four new lay members of the High Court under the Commerce Act are Kerrin Vautier, Henry Ergas, Martin Richardson, and Michael Copeland (lay members assist the Court in cases involving appeals from decisions of the Commerce Commission and in other matters under the Commerce Act).
Federated Farmers President Alistair Polson and Vice President Tom Lambie have been returned unopposed for another term.
Mary Mountier and Mavis Mullins have been appointed to the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee.
Resources Available
Farm Monitoring Reports
MAF's latest farm monitoring reports have been released. Farm monitoring is a process whereby MAF monitors the production, finance, trends, issues and sector concerns in NZ farms. The expectations of farmers, and those servicing the sector are analysed and presented as a model farm. The report highlights the 2000/2001 season and forecasts the 2001/2002 season. The views reflect those of the sector and not necessarily those of MAF.
There are nine monitoring reports this year. Five of these are sector specific (deer, sheep and beef, arable, and horticulture). Four are regional (South, South Central, North and North Central).
Some of the main findings are:
Sheep and Beef
Farmer morale is very high after a season of record prices for sheep and beef. Profitability levels for 2000/2001 exceeded earlier farmer expectations, with the best farms achieving 10% return or better on opening total farm capital. Lamb returns were up approximately $14/head and cattle to the works were up about $100/head. Farmers report increasingly using new combinations of sheep breeds, with East Friesian and Finn being popular. Composite rams are also being used more. Farmers anticipating the much better farm gate production and returns spent more on repairs, maintenance and fertiliser. They also reduced bank overdrafts and term debts. More capital items such as ATVs, tractors and cars were purchased.
Dairy
Despite climate problems and the Global Dairy Company merger issue, 2000/2001 was a very profitable year for most NZ dairy farmers, with overall production up in all areas. Dairy farmer expectations for next year are high. Most farms are budgeting on similar or greater production than the 2000/2001 season. Payout expectations are for only a slight drop compared with 2000/2001. Overall dairy production was up in all areas, combined with an expected $500/kg milk solid payout, which saw a significant lift in dairy farm profitability. Gross revenue on farms was up 40-50%, compared with the previous season. Spending on-farm has correspondingly lifted, particularly in the areas of feed (especially in the lower North Island and South Island), fertiliser, and repairs and maintenance. Spending on machinery replacements was also up.
Internationally, prices for cheese reached its lowest for 8 years during the 1999/2000 season. Since then, demand and prices for cheese have recovered relatively strongly, aided in part by the BSE and Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) crises in Europe. Demand for NZ milk powders has also increased recently as a result of the FMD crises in Europe, as countries that would normally purchase from Europe have sought product from elsewhere. However, as most of NZ's production is already committed, the potential for selling to these buyers was very limited.
Arable
Weather conditions caused an unseasonal growing environment for arable farmers in all parts of the country, with problems of unscheduled maturity in crops and disease in many of the main brassica crops and squash. Climatic contrasts led to varying economic outcomes. When contracts for the 2001 harvest were filled, the $NZ was considerably higher against the $US than it is now. Predictions were that the $NZ would recover during 2001. However, the $NZ fell to its lowest point in October 2000, from which it has only slightly recovered. Contract product prices were locked in when the $NZ was high, and resulted in lower farm gate prices. However, input prices rose with influences from both the exchange rate and higher global fuel prices. Farmers felt the arable industry continues to be subjected to external pressures, over which individual players have little influence. They said, however, that within this environment there were some very good opportunities, which involved some shift in approach and investment beyond the on-farm production system.
Horticulture
Provisional figures for the year ended March 2001 estimates the value of horticulture exports to be $1.9 billion, which is up 9% on the previous March year but around 26% higher than 1996 estimates.
Climate continues to have a significant impact on the performance of various crops. However, unlike most seasons where climatic affect tended to be more regional or crop specific, this year it impacted nationally on almost all crops. Prices received have increased significantly for crops such as summerfruit and some vegetables, but overall profitability has generally decreased across the range of crops due to reduced yields.
Producer Board Reforms continue to be a hotly debated issue for the sector. For most, the Government's move to deregulate has generally been accepted as inevitable.
Venison
NZ venison sale price was the highest since 1997. Farmed deer numbers in NZ at June 2001 was estimated to be 2,572,000, 14% up on June 2000 estimate, which was up 13% on the previous year. Deer numbers are projected to rise more slowly over the next few years due to improved returns for sheep and beef. By June 2004 total deer numbers should reach 3,310,000.
Total deer velvet production is estimated to have increased by 500,000 kg over the year to June 2001. A further increase of 62,000 kg is expected in the 2001/2002 season. This will take deer velvet production to 562,000 kg.
Deer farmers report that issues they are concerned about include the impact of deer on the environment, disease control, quality assurance, food safety and traceability. The industry is also concerned about consumer perceptions.
| The reports can be found on the MAF website at www.maf.govt and they can be purchased (in hard copy) from the MAF Information Bureau, PO Box 2526, Wellington, tel (04) 894 0100 |
Latest Forestry Statistics
NZ Forestry Statistics 2000 has just been released by MAF. Fifth in a series of statistical publications, it contains the latest (year ended December 2000) data currently available. It is the only source of time-series data on the key elements underpinning the growth of the forestry sector in NZ. Charts and tables on resources, production, consumption, trade and finance are included. The spiral binding and clear, easy-to-read graphics make this a handy, yet comprehensive, reference.
Areas of Forested and Non-Forested land
| NZ Forestry Statistics 2000 is available in hard copy ($49.95) from the MAF Policy Information Group or the MAF Information Bureau, PO Box 2526, Wellington, and also from any of the MAF regional offices. The complete publication can be downloaded, free of charge, from http://www.maf.govt.nz/statistics/primaryindustries/forestry/index.htm, and most tables can be downloaded into Excel. Enquiries may be made by e-mail to stats_info@maf.govt.nz |
Drinking-Water Risk Management Plans
The Ministry of Health has published a set of Public Health Risk Management Plan Guides (PHRMPG), designed to cover the supply, treatment and distribution of water. They are, in essence, a supplier's "toolkit" for producing risk management plans to control water contamination leading to diseases from pathogens like giardia, cryptosporidium and campylobacteria.
Some of the requirements in a Risk Management Plan Guide include:
- · identifying anything that could go wrong in the catchment of a water supply, its treatment or its distribution, and ranking those risks in order of seriousness;
- · identifying preventive actions that should be taken if any of the risks exist;
- · a timetable and budget for managing any identified risks; and
- · a publicly available copy of the Risk Management Plan so consumers can be well informed about their local water supply.
In time the Ministry hopes changes to the Health Act 1956 will make it compulsory for water suppliers to adopt the Risk Management Plans. If this happens, suppliers will have 2-5 years to prepare risk management plans and comply with the legislation.
| An overview of the Public Health Risk Management Plan Guides is available from libraries, local authorities, and health protection officers. The guides themselves are available on the Ministry of Health website at www.moh.govt.nz, and from health protection officers |
Forest "Sinks" and the Kyoto Protocol
A recently released information document on forest sinks and the Kyoto Protocol is part of an effort to improve understanding of climate change issues. A forest sink is a growing or expanding forest that absorbs and stores carbon. Sinks help lessen the effects of climate change because CO2 is removed from the atmosphere, where it would otherwise contribute to global warming.
Under the Kyoto Protocol NZ would receive "sink credits", based on the carbon in forests planted since 1 January 1990 on previously non-forested land. NZ's "Kyoto forests" are expected to remove about 113 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent over the protocol's first commitment period of 2008-2012. Sink credits could generate significant revenue for NZ in international carbon trading.
You can comment on the information document by 10 August 2001.
| Copies of the information document are available from www.maf.govt.nz and www.climatechange.govt.nz |
Community Development Conference Resources
About 500 people came to the International Community Development Conference in Rotorua at the beginning of April. A hundred of them came from overseas, from more than 20 countries. The overall conference theme "Investing in Community Development" had three sub-themes: putting people first, protecting the environment, and rebuilding local economies. In total 130 presentations were given, including 16 workshops, four panels, three symposia and six keynote speeches. Two keynote speeches were:
- "Racism and Globalisation: the Community Development Response" by Professor Gary Craig, Chair of the International Association for Community Development; and
- "The Necessary Foundations for Human Community" by former US lecturer Dr Eric Ryan.
In keeping with community development principles, the conference was organised in a partnership between the Department of Internal Affairs, the Confederation of Tribes of Te Arawa, Rotorua District Council, Rotorua Ethnic Council, and the Pacific Island Development Charitable Trust. They were supported by the International Association for Community Development, the Community Development Society, the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs, the Community Employment Group of the Department of Labour, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Commonwealth Foundation, and the Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust.
The International Association for Community Development (IACD) is an international not-for-profit, non-government membership organisation for people working in or supporting community development. It promotes community development across international policies and programmes; it networks with and supports practitioners; and it encourages the exchange of information and knowledge of community development practice.
| Conference papers can be obtained from Hugh Young, Community Development Group, Department of Internal Affairs, Box 805, Wellington, tel (04) 495 9301, email hugh.young@dia.govt.nz |
Impact of International Students
A new report "The Impact of International Students on Domestic Students and Host Institutions", reviews the impact of international students on domestic students and the community. The report says that if we want to become recognised as a world leader in the field of export education, we need to provide more guidance and support to those education institutions in NZ which have international students.
The report goes on to say that the presence of international students - even in large numbers - is, by itself, not enough to promote interactions between people of different cultures, to develop friendships and to result in international understanding. Structures need to be in place to foster those processes.
| The report can be found on-line at www.minedu.govt.nz |
Recidivism Patterns - Those Convicted in 1995
Findings from a research paper on the recidivism patterns for people convicted in 1995 include:
- about a quarter of the people convicted in 1995 were first offenders;
- those convicted had an average of 12 prior convictions (although the median figure - the middle figure - was nearer four);
- 30% of those people convicted had more than 10 previous convictions;
- just under 40% of people convicted were reconvicted within one year, with 51% being reconvicted within 2 years;
- Maori offenders tended to have a more extensive offending history than Europeans and both of these groups had much more extensive offending histories than Pacific peoples;
- the number of prior convictions increased with the age of the offender, for offenders aged less than 30;
- over 70% of 17-19 year olds were reconvicted within 2 years, compared with only 29% of people over 40 being reconvicted in that time;
- only 6% of people imprisoned in 1995 were first offenders, compared with 36% of those given a monetary penalty or who were convicted and discharged (35%);
- 80% of people imprisoned in 1995 were reconvicted within 2 years of their release from prison;
- the more extensive the offending history of a person before 1995, the greater the likelihood that the person would be reconvicted within 2 years;
- those people with a greater number of prior convictions had a faster rate of reconviction;
- the average age of first conviction for males was 20.9 years, whereas for females it was 24.4 years;
- the average of first conviction for Maori was 18.7 years, for Europeans 19.9 years, and for Pacific peoples 22.3 years;
- most convicted burglars have extensive histories of offending, with burglars convicted in 1995 having an average of 22 previous convictions; and
- burglars were slightly more likely to be reconvicted for a violent offence than people who were convicted of a violent offence in 1995 (24% and 32%, respectively).
| A copy of this report cab be found at www.justice.govt.nz/pubs/reports/2001/recidivism/index.html |
Resources In Brief
- Occupational Therapy and Rehabilitation Services - Directory 2001. Produced by the NZ Association of Occupational Therapists, the directory has two lists, one for occupational therapy services, and one for rehabilitation services. Each list is broken down by geographical area. Available free of charge from the NZAOT, PO Box 12 506, Wellington, tel (04) 473 6510, fax (04) 473 6513, email nzaot@paradise.net.nz
- NZ Charter of Health Practitioners 2001 Practitioner Directory. Contains a comprehensive listing of chartered health practitioners, what sort of things they do, and affiliate member organisations broken down by regions. Available at no cost from the NZ Charter of Health Practitioners PO Box 36 588, Northcote, Auckland, tel (09) 443 6255, fax (09) 443 2336, email email@healthcharter.org.nz
- Cardiac Care Rehabilitation Directory (November 2000). This directory is in two parts: the first part contains an alphabetical geographical location guide from which the most appropriate programme can be selected. The second part lists hospitals and centres offering cardiac rehabilitation programmes and support groups. Available free of charge from the national Cardiac Club Co-ordinator, National Heart Foundation, PO Box 17 160, Greenlane, Auckland, tel (09) 571 9195, fax (09) 571 9190, email GlenisH@nhf.org.nz
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
