Beehive Bulletin - 25 August 2006
KiwiSaver better for workers & employers
Making KiwiSaver scheme even more attractive for workers and employers is the aim of changes to the KiwiSaver Bill
announced this week. Under the voluntary KiwiSaver scheme employees contribute 4 or 8 per cent of their gross salary for
long term savings.
To kick start returns for savers, the government is providing a $1000 contribution and paying some scheme fees. The
scheme also provides up to $5000 for each KiwiSaver to buy their first home. Employers will find the scheme easy to
implement, with extra government support and compliance costs kept to a minimum. The changes announced this week are
detailed on Finance Minister Michael Cullen's website, and at www.treasury.govt.nz/kiwisaver.
Health sector improvements: busier hospitals, better teeth and gums
New Zealand's public hospitals have had their busiest year on record, with hospital inpatient activity now 17.7 per
cent busier than 1999, when the Labour-led government took office. Hospitals are seeing more medical patients and
performing significantly more acute and elective surgical procedures. However, performance would be even better if
hospitals were less pressured by preventable demand on secondary services. Avoidable hospitalisations cause pain for
families and consumes up to one tenth of the health budget. Also, District Health Boards were on target to increase the
number of inpatient elective procedures this past year, but then the junior doctors strike caused thousands of
operations to be cancelled. More details are available in Health Minister Pete Hodgson's media statement.
In other Health news, the government's new four-year, $80.4 million, child health package moves away from the current
school-based dental service in favour of community based clinics, outreach oral health services and population-based
health promotion. Larger, better equipped, longer-opening community-based clinics will provide treatment and oral health
promotion. They'll be a visible part of the community - fixed buildings providing a hub of consistently available
services in some places, while in harder-to-reach areas are more likely to see a mobile dental unit providing care. For
Maori this may mean mobile clinics on site at marae or rural schools. More info is available in Health Minister Pete
Hodgson's media statement and on the Ministry of Health website:www.moh.govt.nz/oralhealth.
New Governor-General sworn in
This week the Honourable Anand Satyanand became New Zealand's nineteenth Governor-General. Prime Minister Helen Clark
says New Zealand is fortunate that people of such distinction and integrity are prepared to accept this role and carry
out its duties and responsibilities ranging from the constitutional and representational to the affirming of NZ's unique
identity and of our people's achievements and contributions. Our country looks to the Governor-General to be a unifying
figure, playing a role in important national events, celebrating New Zealanders' achievements and service, and
undertaking a broad programme in the community.
The Honourable Anand Satyanand is of Indian descent, with close ties to the Pacific; he was born and educated in
Auckland, studied law at Auckland University, and has a deep understanding of the workings of government and the law
from a multi-faceted career as a lawyer, judge, and ombudsman. "On behalf of the government and people of New Zealand, I
welcome you both to your new roles
Tangi of Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu
Te Arikinui, Dame Te Atairangikaahu, passed away last week, only a few weeks after the celebrations for her fortieth
anniversary as Maori Queen and then of her 75th birthday. Respect for Dame Te Ata flowed across our communities; she
brought New Zealanders together at the time of her passing as she did throughout her life. Dame Te Ata made her presence
felt in innumerable ways, involving herself in many activities in her quest for reconciliation between Maori and Pakeha
and for a New Zealand that works for all. Over the week, countless thousands flowed to Turangawaewae to pay their
respects, and Waikato Tainui were outstanding hosts.
"Dame Te Ata will be greatly missed for her friendship to all, her dignity, and her wise counsel. . To the new King, Te
Arikinui Tuheitia Paki, we wish you well as you shoulder the responsibilities of leadership of the Kingitanga," said
Prime Minister Helen Clark in her Parliamentary tribute speech. more beehive documents on the passing of Dame Te Ata are
grouped together here.
Local government rates: independent inquiry on its way
The Government is to establish an independent inquiry into issues around local government rates funding. This important
issue is of concern to central government, local government, and ratepayers. An independent inquiry is the best way to
consider these issues; terms of reference and other details will be released after consultation with other political
parties.
ENDS