Beehive Bulletin - 05 February 2004
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Commission of Inquiry to investigate police handling of complaints
Serious allegations against historical police investigations have led to Prime Minister Helen Clark establishing a
Commission of Inquiry. She says New Zealanders are entitled to have confidence in the police but recent allegations
suggest police officers may have deliberately undermined investigations into complaints against other officers. The
government wants to ensure there is a full, independent investigation into the way in which the police have dealt with
alleged criminal offending within the force. The terms of reference will be designed to ensure the Inquiry not only
examines the process followed in the specific case leading to the current allegations, but will also look at the broader
question of whether any general systemic issues have arisen.
Another record year for New Zealand tourism
New Zealand was the destination of choice for over two million overseas visitors in 2003, up by three per cent on the
record figures of 2002. Tourism Minister Mark Burton says this clearly illustrates the industry's strength and how
strong partnerships fostered between government and the industry underpin these outstanding results. Mark Burton says
tourism is one of the most exciting and potentially valuable industries in New Zealand, already supporting one in eleven
jobs. International expenditure contributes 15.7 per cent to our overall export earnings. Lonely Planet, the largest
independent publisher of travel books, has for the second year put New Zealand as best travel destination in the world.
New youth justice residence helps shortage
A new 46-bed youth justice residence in Manukau, South Auckland will help address a national shortage of youth justice
beds and provide a therapeutic environment for your people who offend, Child, youth and Family Minister Ruth Dyson says.
This brings the nationwide total to 90 beds. The completion of another residence in Christchurch next year will add a
further 12 youth justice beds. The government is concerned that a shortage of beds in youth justice facilities has meant
an unacceptably high number of young people spend time in police custody.
Government seeks Negotiated Greenhouse Agreements
The government is entering talks for Negotiated Greenhouse Agreements with New Zealand Aluminium Smelters and some of
Carter Holt Harvey's key manufacturing operations. The agreements bind a firm to move towards best practice in managing
greenhouse gas emissions. In return, the government provides a full or partial exemption from the emissions charge that
is to be introduced by 2008. Energy Minister Pete Hodgson says these negotiations are a significant step in the
implementation of the government's climate change designed to enable New Zealand to meet its obligations under the Kyoto
Protocol.
Inequalities reducing in New Zealand
Reports released this week to the Maori Affairs Select Committee show improvements in the position of Maori and Pacific
peoples. The reducing Inequalities Monitoring Reports show that Maori household incomes have improved, unemployment rate
has dropped and more Maori school leavers have qualifications. Social Development Minister Steve Maharey says recent
evidence indicates improvements for all New Zealanders and he is delighted to see rapid increases in Maori participation
in tertiary education and Primary Health Organisations.
Now no place for Maori in National Party
There is no longer a place for Maori in the National Party, says Associate Maori Affairs Minister John Tamihere. The
decision by National's leader Don Brash to replace Georgina Te Heuheu with Gerry Brownlee as Maori Affairs spokesman
showed she no longer had the support of the party or leadership, and should resign from the party. John Tamihere says
Mrs Te Heuheu's demotion – for opposing Dr Brash's Orewa speech - broke one of the longest and strongest relationships
National had enjoyed with Maori and there were few skills that Mr Brownlee could bring to the job.
ENDS