As advised last week, Statements of Intent for Government ministries and departments were published following the Budget. These are three-year strategic and business plans commencing 1 July (although they are produced annually). This week we have reviewed the statements of five major economic-focused entities.1 Our review focuses on how well
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Last Friday we advised the Statement of Intent for Te Puni Kōkiri contained a line-item indicating that a review of Te Ture Whenua Act was planned. On Saturday, the Associate Minister of Māori Affairs, Chris Finlayson, formally announced this review. The review will be undertaken by an independent panel. The
Debbie Packer has been appointed to the Local Government Efficiency Taskforce. The Taskforce will focus on efficiency issues of local government consultation, planning and financial reporting practices. A report is due to the Minister of Local Government, David Carter, in October 2012. Mavis Mullins has been appointed to
Following the Government’s Budget, Statements of Intent have been published for Government departments and ministries. These documents are effectively three-year strategic plans, annual business plans, and their funding agreements with the Government. The statements come into effect from 1 July, and performance is then measured through annual reports. 2012 statements
This week New Zealand First leader, Winston Peters, questioned the validity of Whānau Ora funding of $60,000 being allocated to the Rahui Rugby Football and Sports Club in Ōtaki – to study whānau connectedness and community leadership. Mr Peters indicated that this grant did not result in whānau research or
On Sunday an inquiry report on equal employment opportunities in aged-care provision was released by the Human Rights Commission, titled, Caring Counts. Overall the inquiry found there are significant issues relating to low remuneration, difficult working conditions, and marginalisation of workers in this sector. Amongst other items, the report recommends
As advised last week, the second report of the Land and Water Forum was recently released by the Minister of Primary Industries, David Carter, and the Minister for the Environment, Amy Adams. (The report was completed in April and is titled Setting Limits for Water Quality and Quantity: Freshwater Policy
The New Zealand Māori Council has indicated that they are preparing a Waitangi Tribunal Claim on behalf of thirty hapū in relation to the Māori ownership interests of water. The Council has indicated that the government exerts ownership interests, via regional councils etc, but affected hapū receive no payment from
The Budget is based on a Government deficit of $13.5 billion for the year ahead, 2012/13. This is down from the record deficit of $18.4 billion last year. A further deficit budget is forecast for 2013/14, before a balance budget in 2014/15. The 2014/15 surplus has been adjusted down to
The Māori Affairs Select Committee will hear evidence on its inquiry into The Determinants of Wellbeing for Māori Children next month. Meetings are scheduled for Wellington and Auckland on June 6, and Christchurch on 7 June 2012 (further details not yet available). We provided a briefing on this inquiry, and
On Monday Statistics New Zealand published agricultural production tables from a survey of farms owned by 140 members of the Federation of Māori Authorities (the Federation) as at 30 June 2011. Key findings show the average size of a collectively Māori owned farm is circa 2,000 hectares (ha) approximately eight
On Wednesday Primary Industries Minister, David Carter, and Labour Minister, Kate Wilkinson, announced that legislation would be introduced to ban commercial fishing in New Zealand by foreign charter vessels (FCVs). Accordingly, when enacted, all fishing will be undertaken by New Zealand flagged boats. This means the full New Zealand legislative
Sir Wira Gardiner has been appointed to the Wellington Regional Governance Review Panel. The Panel will assess governance options for councils across the greater Wellington region and will provide their recommendations in October. Last Saturday Nelson and Wairoa voters rejected a proposal to establish a Māori ward on their respective
Debbie Packer (Ngāti Ruanui, Ngā Rauru) has been appointed to a new Board being established to monitor the implementation of the Government’s welfare reforms. The Board has six members and will advise the Minister for Social Development, the Minister of Finance and the Minister of State Services on the performance
The Māori Land Court has granted an injunction against the Tataraakina C Trust (Hawkes Bay) which prevents the Trustees from appointing an Executive Officer or Project Manager. The injunction was sought by a former Trustee, on the grounds that recruitment and decision-making processes were flawed. It is alleged the present