Monday, 29 March 2004
Beehive Bulletin
26 March 2004
Beehive Bulletin - 26 March 2004
Thousands more students to benefit from literacy
This week Education Minister Trevor Mallard announced a major extension of literacy programmes in schools. 133
primary/intermediate schools and their 1360 teachers are part of targeted professional development, aimed at lifting the
literacy skills of some 35,000 students. The secondary project involves an additional 30 secondary schools nationwide.
Teachers receive professional literacy training, aimed at helping them lift the literacy standards of students. Trevor
Mallard says that strengthening the capability of teachers is crucial to raising literacy standards. The government's
annual investment in literacy programmes is $43 million.
More veterans to Monte Cassino
The ballot had been drawn to select veterans to join the official delegation to Italy on an RNZAF Boeing to attend the
60th commemorations of the Battle of Monte Cassino. Prime Minister Helen Clark this week asked officials to review
planning to see whether more could go on the plane. A review of the configuration of the plane means there's now
provision for 50 veterans. Other veterans who want to attend the commemorations are eligible for a $2000 subsidy from
the government to help pay for their trip
Review of government policies/programmes getting underway
Terms of Reference for the government's review of targeted policy and programmes have been released. Coordinating
Minister, Race Relations Trevor Mallard says the review is a priority for the government. It will cover: targeted policy
- what was intended and the reasons for it; and targeted programmes - how the policy is delivered and its impact. The
review's objective is to give ministers and the public assurance that policy is being developed on the basis of need,
not race. The State Services Commission would coordinate the review. A work plan will be developed in consultation with
relevant departments and sent to the government in mid-May 2004 for consideration, says Trevor Mallard.
Straight 2 Work scheme launched
The government has launched a new Job Partnership programme between Work and Income and the New Zealand Retailers
Association. The new partnership with retailers is called 'Straight 2 Work' and is the third formal agreement between
Work and Income and industry under the Government's Job Jolts employment programme. Associate Social Development
Minister Rick Barker says Straight 2 Work is a pilot training programme for jobseekers in Christchurch, Manawatu and Bay
of Plenty. This builds on the success of a retail programme that has operated in Wellington and Auckland for the past
two years. The goal is to place 160 jobseekers across the five regions in the next three years.
Problem gambling strategy released
The government's proposed problem gambling strategy has the potential to make New Zealand a world leader in addressing
gambling harm, says Associate Health Minister Damien O'Connor. The Ministry of Health this week released its
consultation document, "Preventing and Minimising Gambling Harm." Damien O'Connor says New Zealand's seen an alarming
increase in problem gamblers and in subsequent gambling-related harm. >From 1 July, the Ministry assumes
responsibility for the funding and coordination of problem gambling services, as well as for public health initiatives
to minimise gambling harm. Consultation document available at www.moh.govt.nz/problemgambling .
Parliament supports Waitaki legislation
Majority support in Parliament for the Waitaki catchment legislation has been welcomed by Environment Minister Marian
Hobbs. The Resource Management (Waitaki Catchment) Amendment Bill was given a second reading in Parliament with the
Greens, New Zealand First and United Future supporting the government. The bill proposes to establish a Water Allocation
Board to develop a water allocation framework for the catchment and a Panel of Commissioners to decide the significant
resource consent applications. Marian Hobbs says National and ACT are playing party politics in opposing the bill.