Beehive Bulletin - 29 August 2003
NZ's regional economies doing well
Encouraging economic news came this week in the National Bank's June Quarter Regional Trends report, which boils down to
another vote of confidence in New Zealand's future – despite adverse international economic conditions. Also,
International ratings agency Fitch Ratings last week up-graded New Zealand's foreign- currency rating from AA to AA+.
Regional Development Minister and Progressive leader Jim Anderton said the National Bank report showed that economic
activity rose in eleven of the fourteen regions in the three months to the end of June despite the fact that business
confidence weakened across the country and the New Zealand dollar strengthened against the U.S$ and Euro. Every region
experienced economic growth in the year to June, and there was quarter-on-quarter growth in 11 of the 14 regions, led by
Wellington, Bay of Plenty and Nelson- Marlborough.
Digital television – the way forward
The rollout of digital television in New Zealand will be the focus of a planning group that the Government wants New
Zealand's TV industry to set up. Broadcasting Minister Steve Maharey says digital TV can provide more programmes,
greater interactivity and better picture quality than traditional analogue broadcasting. But rollout of digital TV is
hampered by a lack of industry consensus – for example there is no unity on the technology that customers would use to
decode the signal, so there could be any number of 'set-top boxes'. Associate Communications Minister David Cunliffe
says the government has decided on broadcasting spectrum allocation and wants to work with broadcasters on developing a
digital television platform. More information can be found at Steve Maharey's website www.beehive.govt.nz/maharey.
Compliance cost survey helpful, positive
Business perceptions of compliance costs were the focus of a report released this week by Small Business minister John
Tamihere. It found 'minimal and declining' business concerns with tax related compliance requirements and general
comfort with regulatory compliance costs – with most firms saying they "deal readily" with compliance requirements. This
is a positive sign that the government's efforts in reducing compliance costs are making a difference. Government
efforts to tackle compliance costs include tax simplification, the Department of Labour's Good Regulation Project and
Small Business Assistance Active Pilot. More details are at www.med.govt.nz/buslt/compliance.html
Biosecurity Planning
Biosecurity Minister Jim Sutton this week responded to the Biosecurity Strategy proposed by Biosecurity Council. The
Government will now work to put its recommendations in place. The Strategy sets out a framework for a well- coordinated
biosecurity operation for New Zealand –- vital for an isolated island nation reliant on primary production. The
Government is funding staff training for the screening all sea-shipping containers, and has started work on other
recommendations. In particular, a special unit will be set up at the Ministry of Agriculture and Foresetry to lead the
biosecurity activities of MAF, the Department of Conservation, Ministry of Health, and Ministry of Fisheries. A copy of
the Strategy is available at: www.biostrategy.govt.nz
Support from investors for Government-promotion of stable tenancies
Housing Minister Steve Maharey says the government is working with the NZ Property Investors Federation to promote
positive relationships between landlords and tenants. A package of initiatives for people renting private sector
accommodation includes more support for creditors who've received orders in their favour through the Tenancy Tribunal
but can't locate the debtor; more help for Work and Income clients who want to keep their rented home, but are being
taken to the Tenancy Tribunal; better public records access help landlords and tenants making tenancy decisions; and
educating landlords about best practice. For more information please see the Ministry of Housing website
The GM debate: Softly, softly but we must move ahead
In an opinion article in the New Zealand Herald, Environment Minister Marian Hobbs reminded people that the government
set up the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification, hearing all sides of the debate. The government is following the
commission's advice to proceed with caution, preserving opportunities for future generations. Parliament's Education and
Science Select Committee is considering the New Organisms and Other Matters Bill, which implements commission
recommendations. It's expected to pass before the 29 October expiry of the time the moratorium on applications for
general release of GM organisms. New Zealand's framework for regulating genetic modification includes the conscientious
and rigorous efforts of the Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA) and Food Standards Australia New Zealand. An
ERMA survey shows that a flood of applications for GM release or to grow GM crops is very unlikely. GM is a complex
scientific process, a technology that is evolving all the time. So we should move cautiously whilst accepting that it
may bring benefits to medicine, science and agriculture. More information can be found at the Beehive website.
ENDS