Covering from the 14 to 30 July
Dear friends
I believe it is time that we celebrated the success of the partnership between business and government in lifting the
performance of our economy. We have been working constructively together now for four years and there is no doubt that
it has paid off.
New Zealand's economy has grown by 20.3 percent since March 1999 (to March 2004). Only a small proportion of this is due
to population growth, which was 5.8 per cent over the same period. The major portion of our economic growth can be
attributed to the creative and innovative talents of our businesses, supported by this proactive government. Our annual
growth rate to December 2003 was 3.4 per cent, which was well above the OECD average of 2.2 per cent. In fact, our
annual growth rate has equalled or exceeded the OECD average each year since 1999.
You would have noticed over the past months that this Labour Progressive government has been working hard to address the
potential barriers to economic growth such as infrastructure and compliance costs, along with our review of the RMA
legislation. We are also supporting economic growth by proactively encouraging investment, skills and talent
development, research and the expansion of our international connections in order to support export sales.
All of these activities contribute to unleashing the potential of our talented and creative businesses while
strengthening our business environment and lifting our living standards. It is an exciting and hopeful time to be a New
Zealander.
The strong economy has allowed this Labour Progressive government to further invest in health and education. In this
issue you will note that low cost doctor's visits have now been extended to the whole population through Public Health
Organisations (PHOs). This was a Progressive policy, which I successfully promoted with the Minister of Health and it's
implementation is great news. Other announcements include: the meningitis vaccine, ICT and biotechnology funding,
increasing the quality of early childhood education and reduced fees for 100,000 tertiary students.
Warmest regards,
Jim Anderton Minister of Economic, Industry and Regional Development Associate Minister of Health, Minister responsible
for Public Trust, Leader of the Progressive Party: we're positive about people and jobs
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT and EMPLOYMENT 30 July 2004
Confidence figures encouraging, Hon Michael Cullen, "The latest National Bank Business Outlook showing a stronger than
expected increase in business confidence is encouraging," Finance Minister Michael Cullen said today.
29 July 2004
National napped but Progressive oversees major forestry development, Hon Jim Anderton Progressive leader Jim Anderton
told Parliament today there are nearly twenty forestry added-value projects in the pipeline under the investor-friendly
business environment fostered by the Labour Progressive government, which stands in stark contrast to the nine wasted
years of National administration in the 1990s.
28 July 2004
Do Greens want existing hydro plants to be closed? Hon Jim Anderton Progressive leader Jim Anderton says he is perplexed
by the latest intemperate comments from the Opposition Green Party in opposition to hydro-electricity generation.
28 July 2004
Minister welcomes local government support for RMA review, Hon David Benson-Pope A report on the Resource Management Act
prepared by local government has been welcomed by the Minister leading a review of the Act.
27 July 2004
Government partnership with EDS pays off, Hon Jim Anderton "EDS New Zealand has created over 200 jobs under their Best
Shore Programme and thus achieved the first milestone to which it agreed in order to receive NZ$1.5 million from
Investment NZ's Strategic Investment Fund," Jim Anderton announced today, together with Rick Ellis, New Zealand Managing
Director of EDS New Zealand.
23 July 2004
Going backwards with National, Hon Paul Swain Labour Minister Paul Swain today said Don Brash wanted to drag New Zealand
back to last century with his statements on labour market policies.
22 July 2004
Progressive joins EPMU in combating Brash, Hon Jim Anderton EPMU national secretary, Andrew Little is right to portray a
Brash-led National ACT government as a threat to working people.
21 July 2004
Canterbury project secures $1.7m to close ICT skill gaps, Hon Jim Anderton Major new funding to close skill gaps in the
Canterbury information and communication technologies (ICT) industries was announced today by Economic Development
Minister Jim Anderton and Information Technology Minister Paul Swain.
20 July 2004
Opotiki assisted in investigating all weather harbour, Hon Jim Anderton A social and economic impact study of proposals
to give year round, all weather access and develop commercial boat facilities at Opotiki Harbour, is to go ahead with
part-funding from central government, Industry and Regional Development Minister Jim Anderton said today.
19 July 2004
Government acts quickly to aid flooded region, Rt. Hon Helen Clark The Government has acted quickly to put in place
immediate measures to assist Bay of Plenty areas hit by flooding over the weekend.
16 July 2004
$400,000 invested in biotechnology training programme, Hon Steve Maharey A $400,000 pilot programme to develop industry
training within the biotechnology sector is announced today by Research, Science and Technology Minister, Pete Hodgson.
EDUCATION 30 July 2004
Fees reduced for 10,000 students, Hon Steve Maharey Fees will be reduced for more than 10,000 students next year whose
courses were temporarily exempted from the fee maxima policy in 2004.
30 July 2004
Lifting the quality of early childhood education, Hon Trevor Mallard Education Minister Trevor Mallard says initiatives
to help early childhood education providers meet the 2005 teacher qualification target are well underway as the
government seeks to lift the quality of early childhood education. By next year all teacher-led early childhood
education centres must have at least one registered and qualified teacher designated as a 'person responsible'.
30 July 2004
400 schools receive $100m to improve property, Rt. Hon Helen Clark Four hundred schools are to receive $100 million in
funding to upgrade and modernise existing school buildings, Prime Minister Helen Clark and Education Minister Trevor
Mallard announced today.
SAFER, HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES 29 July 2004
Kids' hotline gets new sponsorship, Hon Ruth Dyson Children and young people are the big winners of an announcement
today that a national phone counselling service for youth, has secured new sponsorship.
26 July 2004
Nationwide Healthline service poised to take off, Hon Annette King All of New Zealand will have access by June next year
to a free nationwide health information phone line that will incorporate PlunketLine and build on that line's success,
says Health Minister Annette King.
19 July 2004
First children receive Meningococcal B vaccine, Hon Annette King Prime Minister Helen Clark and Health Minister Annette
King are today visiting family doctors in Mangere in support of the first day of the $200 million MeNZBT vaccine
programme.
16 July 2004
More affordable primary health care for all in PHOs, Hon Annette King All New Zealanders belonging to Primary Health
Organisations - currently over 3.5 million people - will be entitled to cheaper primary health care such as doctors'
visits and prescriptions by July 2007, up to five years earlier than first anticipated.
ENDS