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Posted at 5:32pm Sunday 19th May, 2013
 Budget 2013 is investing in growing New Zealand’s exports markets and boosting our overseas profile and international competiveness, Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce says.
“Under our Business Growth Agenda the Government has a specific goal of lifting our exports to 40 per cent of GDP by 2025.
“To help achieve this and create...
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Posted at 5:31pm Sunday 19th May, 2013
Bill English can try to rewrite history all he likes, but the truth is that inequality is getting worse under National and Thursday’s Budget does nothing to fix that, says Labour’s Finance spokesperson David Parker.
“Both income and asset inequality have worsened under the current government, and will continue do so.
“On Q and...
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Posted at 10:01am Sunday 19th May, 2013
The National government’s “upside” forecast is an even more unbalanced two-speed economy, says Labour’s Finance spokesperson David Parker.
“The Government’s central projection in its Budget shows just modest growth. But their so-called “Upside Scenario” is in reality even worse. ...
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Posted at 3:19pm Saturday 18th May, 2013
Associate Tourism Minister Chris Tremain has praised the efforts of the Waka Tapu crew for successfully completing a return voyage to Rapanui (Easter Island).
After spending nearly 200 days at sea, the two waka hourua (traditional double-hulled sailing canoes) arrived back in Auckland today to an enthusiastic welcome from family, friends and supporters. ...
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Posted at 7:31am Saturday 18th May, 2013
The New Zealand Public Health and Disability Amendment Bill (No 2) has passed through Parliament today.
New Zealand is only the third country in the world, after Sweden and the Netherlands, where some family carers can be paid a wage to care for their disabled family member, according to the Ministry of Health.
Health Minister Tony Ryall...
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Posted at 2:58pm Friday 17th May, 2013
Education Minister Hekia Parata and Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye today announced the Government will invest $136 million over the next four years to complete the School Network Upgrade Project (SNUP) by 2016 - two years ahead of schedule.
Of this funding, $50million is new money and comes from the Future Investment Fund to pay for new public...
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Posted at 2:56pm Friday 17th May, 2013
A bill to create the right environment to support the growth of the social housing sector and ensure housing assistance is focused on those with the highest need passed its first reading in Parliament today.
“The Social Housing Reform (Housing Restructuring and Tenancy Matters Amendment) Bill facilitates the development of a more diverse range...
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Posted at 2:52pm Friday 17th May, 2013
Contrary to Green Party claptrap that more and better roads don’t reduce congestion, Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee today welcomed further evidence they do.
“And what’s more, private and commercial vehicle operating costs are falling along with emissions.”
He was commenting following the release of NZ Transport...
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Posted at 1:06pm Friday 17th May, 2013
New Zealand First says that cuts to Customs and Biosecurity in the Budget will create gaping holes in New Zealand’s defences against foreign pests and diseases.
Customs and Biosecurity spokesperson Richard Prosser says the reduction in funding of more than $35million for Customs, and nearly $8million across border Biosecurity agencies, is "staggering"...
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Posted at 4:37pm Thursday 16th May, 2013
Budget 2013 reinforces the Government’s commitment to schools with an extra $215 million over four years to further lift student achievement, says Education Minister Hekia Parata.
As a result of the extra funding, the Government’s total investment in schools (excluding early childhood education) will increase to $6.3 billion in 2013/14.
The...
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