Update

More Eligible for Kiwibank Home Loans

More people will be eligible for a Kiwibank "In Reach" home loan as a result of changes to eligibility criteria. Kiwibank In Reach is a two-year mortgage insurance trial, in partnership with Housing NZ Corporation, to make access to home ownership easier for low to modest income earners.

Changes just approved to the eligibility criteria mean that no-deposit mortgages can now be approved for homes valued at $150,000 (up from $100,000) and the income threshold for one or two people in the same household has been increased from $50,000 to $55,000. Applications are subject to Kiwibank's lending criteria.

To date, 320 In Reach applications have been approved. The average loan value is $104,000. Kiwibank is expected to approve about 1,800 loans as part of the trial. People who had previously missed out on the Kiwibank In Reach home loan may now be eligible and should contact Kiwibank on freephone 0800 272 278.

Population Growth Remains High

NZ's resident population was estimated to be 4,038,900 at 31 December 2003. The estimated population growth in the December 2003 year remained high at 63,000 and was marginally lower than the growth of 63,700 recorded in the December 2002 year. (Both increases represent a rise of 1.6 percent for the respective years.) This compares with an average annual increase of 43,400 (or 1.2 percent) in the December years from 1991 onwards.

Fifty-five percent of the growth in the December 2003 year was due to a net migration gain, with permanent and long-term arrivals exceeding departures by 34,900. This net gain was slightly lower than the net gain of 38,200 during the December 2002 year. The remaining 45 percent of the population growth was due to natural increase (excess of births over deaths). Natural increase was 28,100 in the December 2003 year, an increase of 2,600 when compared with the December 2002 year (25,500).

The NZ resident population of just over four million can be split into four "single million" groups by age. In round terms, the youngest one million NZers are aged 0 to 16, one million are aged 17 to 34, one million are aged 35 to 51 and the oldest one million are 52 years and over. Overall, half of all NZers are now aged over 35 years, compared with a median age of 32 years a decade earlier in 1993.

Births Continue to Rise

There were 56,130 live births registered in NZ in the December 2003 year, 2,110 more than in the December 2002 year (54,020) and the highest number since the December 2000 year (56,600). Annual birth rates for the December 2003 year suggest that NZ women average 1.96 births per woman. This is about 7 percent below the level required for the population to replace itself without migration (2.10 births per woman). However, our fertility rate is at least 15 percent higher than the fertility rate for Canada, Sweden (both 1.6 births per woman), England and Wales, and Australia (both 1.7 births per woman).

The trend toward delayed motherhood is continuing. The median age (half are older than this age, and half younger) of NZ women giving birth is now 30.2 years, compared with 28.3 years in 1993, and 24.9 years in the early 1970s.

A newborn girl can expect to live, on average, 80.9 years, and a newborn boy 76.0 years. This represents a gain of 2.2 years for females and 3.1 years for males since 1990-1992.

During the December 2003 year, Emma was the most popular baby girl's name in NZ, and Joshua the most popular baby boy's name. Other popular girls' names in 2003 included Sophie, Ella, Emily, Jessica, Hannah, Olivia, Grace, Charlotte and Georgia, while for boys, Jack, Benjamin, Samuel, Daniel, Jacob, Ethan, James, Thomas and Matthew completed the top 10.

Smoke-free Environments Regulation Review

NZ's Smoke-free Environments Regulations (1999) are being reviewed. The Ministry of Health-coordinated review is aimed at ensuring domestic regulations meet the requirements of the World Health Organisation's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which NZ has ratified.

The review could result in bigger warnings on tobacco products (30 percent or more of the principal display area) and pictorial warnings showing damage caused by smoking. It would also determine what information should be displayed on tobacco products and whether the use of certain terms should be banned, as they have been in the UK, to protect consumers from being misled. Options for reducing tobacco-related harm, such as regulating cigarette ingredients, would also be covered.

Public consultation on the review will start in July and run to mid-September.

Breast Screening Programme Widened

Younger women from the age of 45 and those up to the age of 70 will be eligible for free screening for breast cancer from July. The programme previously was limited to women aged 50 to 64. However, because screening and treatment services are already struggling to have enough resources to meet current demand, the extended breast screening programme will be rolled out rather than fully implemented at once. Thanks to NewsRoom

NZ Women in Senior Management: A Global Perspective

NZ businesses rank well ahead of Australia and the global average in the proportion of women in senior management positions, according to new findings released from the Grant Thornton International Business Owners Survey (IBOS). Even so, although 70 percent of NZ businesses have women in senior management, women occupy less than one-third (31 percent) of senior management posts on average.

Although 70 percent of Australian businesses also have women in senior management, the proportion of women in senior management posts is only 22 percent in that country. Globally, 59 percent of businesses include women in senior management, but women occupy less than a fifth (19 percent) of the senior management positions available.

Russia has the highest proportion (89 percent) of companies where women occupy a management role, followed by the Philippines (85 percent). Three quarters of businesses in the US, Mexico and South Africa (each 75 percent) and Hong Kong (74 percent) have women in management positions. Bottom of the pack are The Netherlands and Pakistan (both 27 percent), Japan (29 percent), and Germany (33 percent).

IBOS is a survey of 6,900 medium-sized businesses from 26 countries worldwide. The NZ sample of 150 businesses has been included in survey for the first time. Other findings include:

  • NZ ranks ninth equal with Australia in the proportion of companies that have at least one woman in senior management;
  • NZ ranks fourth equal, alongside Taiwan, in terms of women as a percentage of the total in senior management (ahead of it are Russia, the Philippines and Poland, and Australia is 11th equal);
  • Asia-Pacific countries rate well in both measures, with the exception of Japan, where only 29 percent of companies have women in senior management and, on average, women make up only 8 percent of the senior management team; and
  • at the other end of the scale, Russia has 89 percent of companies saying they have women in senior management, and on average 42 percent of management posts held by women.

Cabinet Reshuffle

Following the exit of Lianne Dalziel:

  • Paul Swain became the Immigration Minister;
  • Attorney-General Margaret Wilson took over the commerce portfolio;
  • Paul Swain also became Minister of Labour instead of Ms Wilson, and his transport job went to former Fisheries Minister Pete Hodgson;
  • David Benson-Pope (up to then Chief Government Whip) became Fisheries Minister, associate Justice Minister, and associate Environment Minister; and
  • Education Minister Trevor Mallard takes on a new position as Co-ordinating Minister For Race Relations.

Finally, Jill Pettis took over as senior whip and Labour backbencher Darren Hughes took over her role as junior whip.

Domestic Postage Rates Rising in April

The price of the standard domestic postage stamp will rise by 5 cents to 45 cents from 5 April. The increase is the first since 1991, when the price was originally moved from 40 cents to 45 cents. It was subsequently decreased in 1995. The changes will also involve FastPost, which will increase for the first time since 1989, from 80 cents to 90 cents, while Postage Included Envelopes, BrandPost and FreePost are also affected.

Minimum Wage Increase

NZ's lowest paid workers will receive a 5.9 percent pay increase from 1 April, following changes to the minimum wage. The minimum adult wage will move from $8.50 an hour to $9.00 an hour. The minimum adult wage applies to all workers aged 18 and over. The minimum youth wage will also increase, to keep it at 80 percent of the adult minimum wage. The minimum hourly rate for workers aged 16 and 17 will move from $6.80 to $7.20. The minimum training wage, which is set at the level of the minimum youth wage, will move at the same rate. The increases will directly affect just under 20,000 adult workers. Around 7,000 young workers will be directly affected by the increase in the minimum youth wage.

Solar Water Heating Grants

The Government, through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA), is making grants of $450 available for loans taken out by purchasers of solar water heating units. A total of $200,000 has been made available to support this incentive for solar water heating. The grants are available on a first-come first-served basis, with each supplier having a maximum number available.

The grants are intended to provide an interest free period on a loan to purchase and install a solar water heater. The grants are available only through suppliers that have met solar water heating accreditation standards. Individual suppliers have established relationships with their own loan providers and consequently loan terms may be different for each supplier.

The grants are only available for units installed before 30 June 2004, and must be associated with a loan with a minimum term of 12 months, and a minimum value of $2,500.

Further information is available on www.solarsmarter.org.nz or by phoning 0800 SMARTER (0800 762 7837)

Survey Shows GPs Dissatisfied

A survey of doctors in general practice is suggesting full time independent GPs may be a declining breed. About half the 268 GPs who responded to the recent survey carried out by the Royal College of General Practice, report being full-time and self-employed now. However, only 73 intend to be working this way in four years' time.

Many of the respondents say what happens with their annual income will influence their workforce intentions, while others are unhappy with their working conditions. Nearly half of the respondents plan to change their working arrangements in some way in the next four years with most wanting to reduce their working hours, retire, or leave general practice.

Thanks to "NewsRoom"

New HIV Cases in NZ

One hundred and eighty-eight new cases of HIV were reported in 2003. This exceeds 1985 as the highest year ever in the epidemic in NZ. There have been increases in all categories with the largest group being men who have sex with men (MSM). Of the new reports, 71 were men who have sex with men (MSM), and 46 of these men thought they were infected in NZ. Their average age is 39. Fifty-two of the new cases were from heterosexual contact, and in most cases it was contracted overseas.

The Ministry of Health is starting to plan for a safer sex media campaign for the Summer of 2004/05, and this follows the release of the HIV/AIDS Action Plan as part of the Ministry's Sexual and Reproductive Health Strategy in December 2003.

Health Screening Net for Migrants Widened

Overseas students will be the first to face tougher health screening designed to disqualify people with tuberculosis and costly conditions like HIV-Aids, severe kidney disease, haemophilia and disabilities from staying in NZ. From March all foreign students from high-risk countries wanting to stay in NZ for six months or longer must be tested for Tb, and by the end of the year the new rule will extend to all visitors from high-risk countries wanting to stay six months or longer. At the moment, Tb testing is only required for people staying two years or more. As well, full health and disability examinations will be extended to visitors staying 12 months or more, instead of the current two years. Thanks to "NewsRoom"

Boarding Bursaries to Increase for Rural Students

The Ministry of Education provides boarding assistance to school pupils who need to live away from home in order to receive their education. A living allowance is available to primary and secondary school pupils who live beyond a certain distance from the nearest state school or school bus stop. Boarding bursaries may also be awarded to assist students who are seriously at risk due to unsatisfactory conditions in their home or social environment.

Currently 2,650 students receive this bursary. The bursaries are to increase by 17 percent ($350) to $2,340 annually per student. The increase is the first since 1994. The new funding level is seen as an interim contribution, and the Minister has promised a review to investigate how effective it is.

Students' Drinking Habits

A study of Otago University students has shown that some 84 percent of those surveyed had experienced a negative effect from other students' drinking. A tenth of the women surveyed and a fifth of the men were assaulted at least once in the four weeks preceding the survey, and one fifth of the students had their property damaged.

As part of the ongoing study into hazardous drinking by the Injury Prevention Research Unit (IPRU) of Otago University researchers estimated the incidence of second hand effects of alcohol consumption among tertiary students. The survey invited 1910 students aged 16 to 24 to complete an Internet based questionnaire. Eighty two percent responded. The research was partially funded by ALAC. Second hand effects are the negative experiences that result from someone else's drinking.

Privy Council Judgment: Crown Forestry Rental Trust

The Privy Council has delivered its judgment that the Crown Forestry Rental Trust is a charitable trust, thus upholding the Trust's appeal. The effect of the decision is that the Trust is exempt from paying income tax for the past and future. Over $40 million of the tax that the Trust has paid since the dispute arose should be returned to it shortly, enabling it to further assist claimants in their Treaty claims. This decision ends a lengthy legal dispute between the Trust and the IRD that began nearly a decade ago when the IRD changed the tax status it had originally given the Trust.

Fund to Underwrite Chinese Cultural Projects

The Government has acted on its 2002 apology to the NZ Chinese community for the way it treated their forebears by launching a $5 million fund to underwrite Chinese cultural projects. Early Chinese immigrants had to pay a 100-pound poll tax to enter the country, then faced regulations that other immigrants did not. The trust will pay for the restoration of historic sites in Otago, programmes to promote the Chinese language, and school resources to teach about the hardships faced by Chinese settlers.

Thanks to "NewsRoom"

Arrivals/Departures: 2003

In the year ended December 2003, there were 2.106 million visitor arrivals, up 61,300 or 3 percent on the previous December year. This is the 2nd year that NZ has passed the 2 million milestone. Holidaymakers accounted for 51 percent of the overseas visitors, while 27 percent came to visit friends and relatives and 10 percent came for business reasons. There were more visitors from Australia (up 69,700), the UK (up 27,800), the US (up 6,300), Germany (up 3,600) and Korea (up 2,700), compared with the year ended December 2002.

In the year ended December 2003, there was a net migration gain of 34,900 - 9 percent lower than the net inflow of 38,200 people in the previous December year. Compared with the December 2002 year, NZ citizen arrivals were up 2,300 and NZ citizen departures were down 3,300. In contrast, non-NZ citizen arrivals were down 5,600 and non-NZ citizen departures were up 3,300.

There were net inflows from China (11,300), India (4,900), Japan (2,200), Fiji (1,900), South Africa (1,600) and the United States (1,200) in the year ended December 2003. There was also a substantial net inflow from the UK (10,100), up 71 percent on the December 2002 year figure (5,900). Conversely, there was a net outflow to Australia of 10,200 in the December 2003 year, compared with net outflows of 12,100 in the December 2002 year and 23,800 in the December 2001 year.

The 2003 Tourism Year

2003 was a year of considerable uncertainty for the NZ tourism industry. SARS, weak economic performance of key markets, terrorism, the Iraq war and an appreciating NZ currency were a significant set of negative influences to be grappled with by the industry during the course of the year. Opposing these negative influences has been NZ's very positive position in international markets.

As it has turned out, 2003 was another successful year with international arrivals increasing by 3 percent to 2.1 million. By comparison, preliminary figures indicate that total world international travel in 2003 was 1.2 percent down on the previous year, and Australia arrivals were down 2 percent. In this context, a 3 percent increase is a very good result for NZ.

The pattern of international arrivals during the course of the year provides an indication of the impact of SARS in particular. There was a strong start and finish to the year, but a marked decline in the height of the SARS period as Asian markets contracted sharply.

One thing that the yearly figures do show is that NZ's diverse market base insulates the industry from major regional swings in demand. For instance, over the year Asian arrivals fell significantly (down 10.1 percent), but Australia (up 11 percent) and the UK (up 11.7 percent) performed very well, and so resulting in the net gain.

The outlook for 2004 is encouraging. The World Tourism Organisation, in its "World Tourism Barometer", sets out a positive outlook for world tourism and for tourism in the Asia/Pacific region. Specifically, it comments that Australia and NZ can expect to catch some pent-up demand from Asian source markets and to benefit from the emergence of several new low-cost carriers in the region. Potential risk factors are clearly the value of the NZ dollar in relation to origin markets and continued unrest in parts of the world.

Thanks to "Tourism Monitor"

Redeployment of Troops to Middle East

Around fifty NZ Special Air Service (NZSAS) personnel are being redeployed to Afghanistan. The main body of this contingent will be deployed for up to 180 days from 1 April. They will specialise in the planning and execution of long-range reconnaissance and direct action missions inside Afghanistan and will operate with other special forces from countries contributing to coalition forces in Afghanistan. In addition:

  • the commitment of two NZDF non-commissioned officers to provide command and leadership training to the Afghan National Army will be extended to June 2005;
  • one Navy frigate is to be redeployed to the Maritime Interdiction Operation for four months from April 2004 (the frigate will operate within the Gulf region as far west as the Horn of Africa); and
  • if required, re-deploy one Air Force P-3 Orion aircraft will be redeployed to the Maritime Interdiction Operation for six months, from July 2005 (the Orion will operate in the same region as the RNZN frigate).

Dead Employment Zones Announced

A list of low-employment zones, where unemployment beneficiaries will not be able to move without losing the dole, has been released. The Ministry of Social Development named 259 localities deemed limited employment locations - ranging from Spirits Bay and Cape Reinga in the Far North, to Ohai and Nightcaps in Southland. To keep their benefit, people moving to the named areas will have to have a job lined up, or be able to commute to a place not on the list.

If people need to care for sick relatives, other benefits such as care and assistance payments will be available. Unemployment beneficiaries already living in the no-go zones will not lose their dole.

The list of locations, downloadable as a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, can be accessed from www.msd.govt.nz

Agreement on Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research

The Government and agricultural sector groups have signed a partnership agreement on research into agricultural greenhouse gas emissions. The agreement is underpinned by an industry-led research strategy, which aims to develop safe, cost-effective greenhouse gas abatement technologies that will seek to reduce methane and nitrous oxide emissions from livestock by at least 20 percent by 2012.

Consistent with its climate change policy, the Government will bear the cost under the Kyoto Protocol of the agricultural sector's non-carbon dioxide emissions. It will also maintain at least its current level of investment in agricultural greenhouse gas abatement research. In return the sector will undertake and fund its research strategy, coordinated by the Pastoral Greenhouse Gas Research Consortium. The research will seek to identify, establish and develop practical on-farm technologies for reducing emissions, with particular emphasis on technologies that will also improve productivity.

The agricultural sector parties to the partnership agreement are the Pastoral Greenhouse Gas Research Consortium, Fonterra, Dairy InSight, DEEResearch, Meat NZ, the NZ Fertiliser Manufacturers Association and Wrightson. AgResearch is a member and science provider to the consortium.

Pilot Scheme to Cut Court Waiting Times

A one-year pilot scheme aimed at reducing waiting times started at the Wellington District Court recently. About 150,000 people nation-wide attend the District Court each year to respond to charges ranging from disorderly behaviour, to excess breath alcohol and murder. They enter the court system through what is known as the "criminal list" court, and the Wellington pilot will test a new way of streamlining this part of the legal process.

The pilot will involve the Court Registrar, Duty Solicitors and Solicitors, Police Prosecutor, Legal Services Agency and the Community Probation Service working closer together to speed up the flow and management of defendants at their first appearance. Matters such as receiving legal advice from a duty solicitor or solicitor, making an application for legal aid, or getting bail conditions agreed by consent will all be taken care of on the spot, so defendants get the right information at the right time from the right people. They will then appear before a judge, with all the preliminary issues completed.

The current practice of remanding most defendants after their first appearance to appear before a judge on another day to allow time for their issues to be dealt with will end. The few people unable to be dealt with on the same day will be given appointment times to attend court at a specific time on another day.

New Fines Payment Campaign

A campaign targeting one of the worst groups of fines defaulters in the country started recently. The campaign is targeted at the about 50,000 young men aged 20 to 30 who owe in the region of $150 million of overdue reparation and fines. If someone fails to pay overdue fines, their car can be seized to pay the outstanding amount

The greatest proportion of overdue fines is for driving and vehicle licence offences, but enforcement will also target unpaid Court-ordered reparation owed to victims. Young men aged 20 to 30 owe around half of overdue reparation by value and make up half of all those owing it.

People can check if they have a fine or arrange to pay one by calling 0800 4 FINES (0800 434 637) or by visiting Fines Online at www.fines.govt.nz

Workplace Productivity Working Group Formed

A Workplace Productivity Working Group (WPWG) has been formed to advise the Government. The group aims to raise awareness and debate on workplace productivity. It will look at successful methods already developed by businesses, and find ways to promote the issue to government and the community.

Dr James Buwalda, Chief Executive of the Department of Labour, will sponsor the working group. The members are:

  • a representative from Business NZ;
  • Peter Conway, NZ Council of Trade Unions;
  • Owen Harvey, Director, Innovation and Systems Limited;
  • George Lafferty, Professor of Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations, Victoria University;
  • Jan Mottram, HR Director, Vodafone;
  • Katherine Percy, Chief Executive, Workbase;
  • Craig Ellison, Deputy Chair, Treaty of Waitangi Fisheries Commission; and
  • Greg Miller, Chief Executive, TranzLink.
  • from the Department of Labour, Treasury, Ministry of Economic Development, and NZ Trade and Enterprise will also be included. The WPWG will report to a Ministerial Reference Group of the Ministers of Labour, Finance and Economic Development by the end of July 2004.

Trans-Tasman Building Council Formed

A recently announced Trans-Tasman Building Regulatory Reform Council aims to improve building control systems in both countries. The Council has been formed in recognition of the increasing Trans-Tasman trade in building related products and services and a growing number of building-related firms operating on both sides of the Tasman.

Council members will be drawn from the Australian Building Codes Board and the NZ Building Industry Authority, the Australian Government Department of Industry Tourism and Resources and the NZ Ministry of Economic Development.

The Council's activities will include:

  • developing and putting in place consistent product certification and appraisal schemes in Australia and NZ;
  • promoting consistency in the education, training and accreditation of industry professionals to uphold the building regulatory regimes;
  • where appropriate, pooling of resources to aid research and development of components of performance-based building regulatory systems;
  • promoting a common understanding of, and a framework for, further development of performance-based building regulatory systems; and
  • promoting closer trade in goods and services within the building and construction industry.

"Letter From America" Signs Off

Legendary BBC broadcaster Alistair Cooke has retired after 58 years of his revered radio programme "Letter from America". The BBC says the 95-year-old has decided to quit the show on advice from his doctors. "Letter from America" is the world's longest-running speech radio programme. Cooke joined the BBC in 1934 as a film critic and began reporting three years later. "Letter from America" began in 1946, when Cooke was asked to give a weekly snapshot of life in America.

Thanks to "NewsRoom"

Finnish Heir Faces Hefty Speeding Fine

One of Finland's richest men was fined $300,000 after he was caught speeding in the centre of the capital, Helsinki. Jussi Salonoja was doing twice the allowed speed in a 40 km an hour zone. Finnish traffic fines are levied as a percentage of people's incomes. Twenty-seven-year-old Salonoja is heir to his family's sausage business and his earnings last year were almost $13 million. The final penalty could still change when the case is eventually heard by a Helsinki court. Thanks to "NewsRoom"

The Mother of All Diamonds

Twinkling in the sky is a diamond star of 10 billion trillion trillion carats, astronomers have discovered. The cosmic diamond is a chunk of crystallised carbon, 1,500 km across, some 50 light-years from the Earth in the constellation Centaurus. It weighs 2.27 million trillion trillion kg, which translates to about 10 billion trillion trillion carats, or a one followed by 34 zeros.

The huge cosmic diamond - technically known as BPM 37093 - is actually a crystallised white dwarf. A white dwarf is the hot core of a star, left over after the star uses up its nuclear fuel and dies. It is made mostly of carbon. Astronomers have decided to call the star "Lucy," after the Beatles song, "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds."

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