Briefings to Incoming Ministers (BIMs) Briefings to the Incoming Ministers (often called ‘BIMs’) were publicly released on the 2nd of February. The purpose of these documents (finalised last December) is to provide an overview to incoming Ministers of (a), the functions and set up of the agency; (b), key policy
Author: admin
On Thursday evening Parliament was extended to progress a number of treaty settlements bills concurrently. The Ngai Tāmanuhiri Claims Settlement Bill, and the Ngāti Mākino Claims Settlement Bill passed their first readings. The Ngāti Manawa and Ngāti Whare Claims Settlement Bill, Nga Wai o Maniapoto (Waipa River) Bill, the Ngāti
On Wednesday High Court Judge, Justice Miller, ruled that the decision by Land Information Minister, Maurice Williamson, and the Associate Minister of Finance, Jonathan Coleman, to consent to the sale of the Crafar farms to Pengxin Group be set aside, and that part of the application be reconsidered. Justice Miller
On Thursday Te Puni Kōkiri released a report showing the impact of the Waka Māori initiative during the Rugby World Cup. The report finds that approximately 180,000 people visited the Waka Māori,[1] and that visitors were ‘very satisfied’, giving an average satisfaction rating of 8.2 from 10. The research also
Yesterday the Families Commission released a research report on financial hardship entitled, One Step at a Time; Supporting Families and Whānau in Financial Hardship. The 120-page report is one of two to be released on this topic, with the second report due out later today. We will consider a broader
Earlier this month the New Zealand Qualifications Authority published a new draft Māori Strategy, Te Rautaki Māori a te Mana Tohu Mātauranga. The proposed strategy is for the period 2012-17, and will be implemented after post-consultation revision processes. The desired outcome is “Māori achieving success as Māori”, and the two
This week’s omnibus brief outlines emerging issues relating to Māori social, economic and treaty matters to 12 noon, 17 February 2012. Key matters to note are: NZQA – Draft Māori Strategy; Families Commission Research on Financial Hardship; Waka Māori – Survey Report; Crafar Farms sale suspended; Six Treaty Settlement Bills
Aotearoa Seafoods, Tohu Wines and Ngātahi Horticulture are now trading under the combined brand name of ‘Kono’ to assist with exporting. A consultation meeting between Ngāti Kahungunu and Government representatives is to be arranged for late February to discuss partial asset sales. On the opening day of parliament, last
Briefings to the Incoming Government (often called ‘BIMs’) were publicly released last Thursday. The purpose of these documents (finalised last December) is to provide an overview to incoming Ministers of (a), the functions and set up of the agency; (b), key policy challenges and sector priorities; (c), key parliamentary processes
On Tuesday the New Zealand Māori Council (the Council) lodged two claims with the Waitangi Tribunal pertaining to the partial sale of State-Owned Enterprises (four energy companies), and water ownership. However the statements of claim have not been made publicly available for detailed analysis. The essence of the first claim
We also advise that on Thursday Statistics New Zealand released the Household Labour Force Survey to 31 December 2011. This shows the unemployment rate is 6.3%. For Māori the unemployment rate remains more than double that at 13.4% (no significant change from last quarter). In whole numbers there are presently
On Tuesday Statistics New Zealand released the Quarterly Employment Survey to 31 December 2011. This report shows the average salary is now $1017 per week – or $52,900 per annum. Following this, on Wednesday the Minister of Labour, Kate Wilkinson, announced that the minimum wage would be increased from $13
On Wednesday media outlets and the Public Sector Association separately reported that Te Puni Kōkiri was to be restructured, in order to reduce costs by $5 million per year, and that this was likely to result in 50 job losses and the closure of some regional offices.
Te Puni Kōkiri also provided a press release that evening which confirmed a role shift, and reduced resourcing going forward (no amount was given). However the agency clarified that no redundancy announcements had been made, nor office closures confirmed. (I.e. the 50 positions mentioned appears to be a loose media estimate, perhaps based off $100,000 in costs per staff position.)
On Wednesday the Government released its consultation document with Māori pertaining to the proposed partial sale of shares in Genesis Power, Meridian Energy, Mighty River Power, and Solid Energy.[1] (The document precedes consultation hui scheduled for the next two weeks.)
The document is approximately ten pages and begins by reiterating the Government proposal:
- that the four energy companies will be listed on the stock exchange, selling up to 49% of shares in each (ensuring the Government retains majority ownership);
- shares will be offered to New Zealand individual investors, and also available for local and international entities to purchase, but no investor (other than the Government) will be able to hold more than 10% of shares; and
- $5 to $7 billion in proceeds are expected from the sale, and this “will be invested in schools, hospitals and public infrastructure”. The Government also believes this action will strengthen the New Zealand Share Market.
In relation to Māori specific interests, the Government reaffirms that provision for land blocks to be returned to the Crown from the companies, if recommended by the Waitangi Tribunal, will be retained in the new legislation. This is to ensure Treaty settlement processes are not interrupted, and that such land is still available for settlement purposes.
Categories
Omnibus Briefing to 3 February 2012
This week’s omnibus brief outlines emerging issues relating to Māori social, economic and treaty matters to 12 noon, 3 February 2012. Key matters to note are: Māori-focused consultation on the partial sale of State-Owned Enterprises; and Te Puni Kōkiri – potential restructuring and focus shift. If you wish to have