NICKY WAGNER MP for Christchurch Central - News

Report highlights Canterbury’s economic opportunities

nospam@example.com (admin) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 11:42:44 +1200

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce today released a never-before-seen insight into the economic performance of New Zealand’s regions, including the Canterbury economy.

The Regional Economic Activity Report pulls together for the first time in one place the available economic data on all of our regions. It also provides a breakdown at the regional level some of the specific initiatives the Government has underway under its Business Growth Agenda.

“The report is designed to encourage more debate about what it takes for a region like Canterbury to be successful, and to more clearly link the decisions that are made by local stakeholders about resource allocation and usage to the number of jobs available in a region,” Mr Joyce says.

“It is my expectation stakeholders will want to use it to compare and contrast the economic fortunes of different regions around the country, and ask themselves what lessons and opportunities there are for growth and jobs in their region.

“The report shows the strengths, challenges and opportunities in the Canterbury economy. Naturally the earthquakes have had a massive economic impact but the region has shown remarkable resilience and an enthusiasm to capitalise on the opportunities the rebuild provides.

“The region has national strengthens in transport, machinery, and food and beverage manufacturing. Other industries, including tourism and international education, will take longer to recover.”

The report shows that Canterbury employs 256,560 people, or 13.3 per cent of jobs in New Zealand, and the average household income is $75,800, below the national average of $80,600. The largest industries in Canterbury are manufacturing, healthcare and social assistance, and retail.

Mr Joyce says the report will be updated annually and the next report will include a new official measure of regional gross domestic product. This will be produced by Statistics New Zealand and initial data up to 2010 will be available in June this year.

“Our Business Growth Agenda is playing an important part in growing the Canterbury economy delivering vital infrastructure upgrades – including faster broadband and better transport connections – promoting more investment in research and development, and supporting the tourism industry’s recovery, through negotiating air services agreements, building a convention centres and promoting export education,” Mr Joyce says.

“Nothing creates jobs and boosts incomes better than business growth. For New Zealand to build a more productive and competitive economy, we need all of our regions to achieve to their potential.

“Each region needs to assess its performance and decide whether it is willing to take the opportunities that exist for jobs and economic growth.”

The report is available at: www.mbie.govt.nz/regions

Hon Dr Nick Smith - Report on housing pressures in Christchurch released

nospam@example.com (admin) — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 15:41:18 +1200

4 April 2013

Today's report on the housing pressures in Christchurch shows that the city faces ongoing challenges in meeting peoples' accommodation needs that will require ongoing Government intervention and assistance, says Minister of Housing Nick Smith.

“The housing situation is challenging, as detailed in the Housing Pressures in Christchurch report released today by the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment. This report reinforces the need for the Government to continue to be active in the provision of temporary, social and permanent housing solutions,” Dr Smith said.

"The housing pressures are a direct result of the net loss of an estimated 11,500 homes from the earthquakes, or 6.2 percent of housing stock, as compared to a net loss of population of 9,200 or 2 percent. This pressure is driving up house prices and rents, and increasing financial pressure on families across the region."

"The housing situation in Christchurch is challenging, but not a crisis. Agencies are doing a good job of managing housing needs for people in the greatest need," said Dr Smith.

"The Government has responded to Christchurch's housing pressures by providing additional accommodation financial assistance for 2,100 households, established the Canterbury Earthquake Temporary Accommodation Service (CETAS) that has assisted over 2,500 households and established three temporary accommodation villages. This is on top of the huge work programme by Housing New Zealand Corporation to fix its 5,000 damaged properties.

"We need to do more in four areas to address the challenges identified in this report. First, we need more temporary accommodation for families while their homes are being repaired, thus today's announcement of the Rangers Park development. Secondly, we need more worker accommodation. That is why the Government is currently making a request for proposals for additional worker accommodation. Thirdly, we need to make faster progress on new community social housing, which is why the Government has committed $24 million which has been complemented by $10 million from the Canterbury Community Trust. The fourth area is in speeding up the repair of Housing New Zealand Corporation's own stock."

"This report helps ensure a well-informed, ongoing response to Christchurch's housing challenges," said Dr Smith.

A copy of the Housing Pressures in Christchurch report is available at www.dbh.govt.nz/nz-housing-research.

In Canterbury, 97% children are now attending early childhood education

nospam@example.com (admin) — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 13:18:01 +1300

Nicky Wagner, MP for Christchurch Central welcomes figures showing more young ones are participating in early childhood education

“In Canterbury, 97% children are now attending early childhood education (ECE) services.
Ministry of Education figures show enrolments in ECE increased nationally by 2,400 between 2011 and 2012.

“ECE plays a valuable role in a child’s development and is one of the greatest investments we can make in the future of our children,” says MP Nicky Wagner

“It provides the opportunity for any child from any background to get ahead and make the most of their lives.”

Government funding for ECE subsidies has more than doubled from $617 million in 2006/07 to over $1.3 billion this year.

“One of National’s priorities this term is delivering better public services, and we have set a target of 98 per cent of children starting school will have participated in quality ECE in 2016.

“We are making great progress on this target but we can do better. “We have been focussing on communities where large numbers of children don’t attend ECE. This Government is spending $91.8 million over four years to boost participation among M?ori, Pasifika, and children from lower socio-economic backgrounds.

“In the year to June 2012, 95 per cent of children starting school had participated in ECE – up 0.3 per cent from the previous year. And the rate for M?ori and Pasifika young ones was higher.
“We know what we’re doing is working, and we’re not done yet.”

Foundation pour cements signs of progress

nospam@example.com (admin) — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 12:09:41 +1300

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says a foundation laying project that will get underway in the heart of central Christchurch early tomorrow is another positive step in the city’s rebuild.

“For 13 straight hours almost 750 cubic metres of concrete will be laid on the site of a new office building on the corner of High and Lichfield Streets, starting at 3am on Thursday,” Mr Brownlee says.

“This concrete pour is the largest within the rebuild zone so far and the four story office building going on the site will be completed by December.”

The building is being built by Leighs Construction, who will be a tenant in the new offices.

“This is a great example of a proactive property owner getting their feet firmly under the table and securing a place in the new city centre,” Mr Brownlee says.

“It is one of many construction sites behind the rebuild zone cordon at present, but as that cordon is reduced in the coming months the public will see just how much progress is being made.”

The rebuild zone cordon is on target to be completely removed by the end of June when Defence personnel manning the cordons will withdraw. There will be several progressive cordon reductions between now and then.

$3m boost for social housing

nospam@example.com (admin) — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 11:27:19 +1300

Housing Minister Dr Nick Smith today announced Government grants of $3.11 million have been given to help build 26 new social housing units in Auckland, Nelson and Canterbury.

“These are the first grants from the Government’s new $104 million Social Housing Fund to assist families with acute housing needs,” Dr Smith says.

“It is part of a deliberate strategy to expand the community provision of social housing to complement that provided by Housing New Zealand. These 26 units are targeted at people on low incomes and those with special needs.”

The successful community housing organisations are VisionWest Community Trust in West Auckland, the Nelson Tasman Housing Trust and ComCare Charitable Trust in Canterbury.

These organisations will contribute $3.87 million of their own money, resulting in nearly $7 million in new housing developments.

“The Social Housing Fund is part of a broad programme of reforms to increase the quantity, quality and affordability of homes for New Zealand families.

“It is not a magic bullet, but alongside our initiatives to free up land supply, reduce costs of infrastructure, improve productivity and reduce compliance costs it will help deliver more and better housing.”

The Social Housing Unit, which is responsible for allocating grants from the Social Housing Fund, will open a further funding round later this month.

VisionWest Community Trust, Auckland
VisionWest provides short-term emergency accommodation and long-term supported housing in West Auckland. Its aim is to provide safe, healthy, affordable, quality housing for low-income families along with opportunities and resources for support in all aspects of tenants’ lives. The $1.69 million in funding it has received through the SHF will go towards building 10 homes in the suburb of Massey.

Nelson Tasman Housing Trust, Nelson
The Trust was established as a community response to declining housing affordability in Nelson and Tasman, and improves access to good-quality affordable housing to people on low to mid incomes and those with special needs. It also co-ordinates emergency housing and a bond bank on behalf of 10 agencies in the Nelson region. The $513,000 in funding it has received through the SHF will go towards building four homes in the suburb of Toi Toi.

ComCare Charitable Trust, Canterbury
ComCare helps people with mental illness and addictions live well in the Canterbury community. The Trust provides a range of social housing and mental health support services to the local community and also offers advice and guidance nationally. The $900,000 in funding it has received through the SHF will go towards building 12 homes in Christchurch.

New visa rule to help New Zealanders into Canterbury rebuild jobs

nospam@example.com (admin) — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 14:28:09 +1300

28 January 2013

A new visa rule coming into effect today will help ensure New Zealanders are first in line for job vacancies created during the Canterbury rebuild, says Immigration Minister Nathan Guy.

“The new rule means visa applications to fill most jobs in Canterbury won’t be processed until a check has been done to ensure there are no suitable New Zealanders to fill the vacancy,” says Mr Guy.

“The rule also benefits employers because it streamlines the visa process. Employers will know sooner if a visa application for a migrant worker is likely to succeed.”

From today employers must register vacancies for trades, clerical and manual occupations in Canterbury with the Canterbury Skills and Employment Hub before they support a visa application for a migrant to fill the vacancy.

“If there are suitable New Zealanders available to do the job, the Skills Hub will help put the employer in touch with these candidates.

“If there are not, the Skills Hub will confirm this in a letter that can be sent to Immigration New Zealand along with a visa application for a migrant to be considered to fill the vacancy. The letter means Immigration New Zealand will no longer perform a labour market check (including a referral to Work and Income) as this job will already have been performed by the Skills Hub.

“This will speed up the visa processing time for employers and help towards the rebuild effort,” says Mr Guy.

The rule change affects most jobs in Canterbury, including trades, clerical and manual jobs. It does not affect highly skilled occupations, or occupations on the Canterbury Skills Shortage List.

Employers can register their vacancies online at www.opportunitycanterbury.org.nz.

Contact with the Hub may be made by calling 0800CanHub (0800226482) or emailing canty_skillshub@msd.govt.nz.

Staff at the Canterbury Skills Hub and Immigration New Zealand branches worldwide will work with employers to help them adapt to the new rule.

Further information is available here.
Media contact: Phil Rennie 021 405 443

THE BUSINESS GROWTH AGENDA : Building Natural Resources Dec 2012

nospam@example.com (admin) — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 15:10:24 +1300

The Building Natural Resources work stream of the Business Growth Agenda aims to make better use of New Zealand’s abundant natural resources so we can continue to grow our economy and look after our environment.

The Building Natural Resources progress report sets out actions the government is taking to improve the way we manage these resources. It encourages businesses to become more innovative in order to get the best returns for the economy and environment.

Read the report here

Draft Transport Plan open for public consultation

nospam@example.com (admin) — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 15:53:05 +1300

Traffic will be slowed and pedestrians given greater priority in the new central Christchurch under a draft transport plan the public is now invited to have their say on.

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee has today released the Accessible City draft Transport Plan and is inviting the wider community to make their comments and contributions.

Transport was excluded from the Christchurch Central Recovery Plan when it was launched in July, allowing for a comprehensive plan to be developed. Mr Brownlee says the draft plan prioritises streets for buses, cycles, pedestrians and private vehicles as a way of improving travel across the city.

“What we now have is a very detailed outline of the way transport will work in the new CBD, with changes to roads, public transport, pedestrian areas and cycleways.

“Our aim is to ensure the new central city area is attractive for people to live and work in, and visit, and is easy to get to by car, bike, bus or on foot,” Mr Brownlee says.

“We have worked with our transport partners to take a closer look at creating efficient and integrated links between the central city and other key activity centres in the city, as well as the rest of the region, in a new and innovative way.”

The draft plan prioritises streets for buses, cycles, walking, and private vehicles, as a way of improving travel across the city.

Cathedral Square would become largely pedestrian only, and the overall speed limits within the CBD’s core would be reduced to a maximum of 30 km/h.

Mr Brownlee says the speed reduction in this central area will improve safety for both pedestrians and cyclists.

“Pedestrians will have priority on the streets throughout the city’s core, and there will be an emphasis on the development of attractive walkways within the frames and Te Papa Ötäkaro, linking to Hagley Park.

“Separate cycleways will also be developed in the frame area, as well as cycle-priority streets in the CBD.”

More public off-street parking facilities will be encouraged, but not in the traditional sense.

“We are interested in seeing parking buildings adjacent to streets prioritised for cars, rather than those that have a cycle or pedestrian focus,” Mr Brownlee says.

“Ideally these will be built mid-block, rather than on a corner, to minimise their visual impact.”
Mr Brownlee says new off-street car parking buildings could be designed to achieve an active ground floor and with the potential for a range of uses.

The overall concept is to have at least one public parking building within five minutes’ walk of anywhere in the CBD’s core.

Mr Brownlee says accessibility is the plan’s priority.

“We want an environment that is easy for everyone to access, including those with disabilities, the older generation and those who have young children too.

“An accessible city will create an economically prosperous city and offer accessible tourism opportunities, and once our new city is back up and running this will ensure it can be enjoyed by everyone.”

The draft plan is now open for consultation and people have until Friday 1 February 2013 to make submissions through the CCDU website at www.ccdu.govt.nz

Physical submission forms are also available for download from the website or from the Christchurch City Council offices.

High praise for HNZC Canterbury team

nospam@example.com (admin) — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 10:06:34 +1300

Housing Minister Phil Heatley has congratulated Housing New Zealand’s Canterbury tenancy services team on its success at the annual Australasian Housing Institute Awards in Sydney.

The Canterbury team received the Australasian Centre Practice Award for Professional Excellence in Housing and was highly commended for its achievements at a time when team members were themselves affected by the major earthquakes that occurred between September 2010 and December 2011.

“This is on top of their earlier successes, winning two awards from the Institute’s New Zealand section for their work during and after the earthquakes,” Mr Heatley said.

After the 22 February earthquake, the most vulnerable tenants were all contacted within 48 hours and clients with special needs were given the highest priority. Where necessary, tenants were moved and within a week staff had generated more than 3,000 offers of temporary accommodation, including places for non-Housing New Zealand families.

Tenancy services teams co-ordinated their rescue work with other agencies during the most difficult and traumatic periods.

“This was just the immediate response. This year, the corporation’s commitment to the Canterbury rebuild has seen 212 damaged properties repaired on schedule and within budget. They are now being re-tenanted.

“The accolade from the Australasian Housing Institute to the staff who worked so hard right after the earthquakes is very well deserved,” Mr Heatley said.

Other corporation projects in Christchurch include building 200-350 new houses on land it owns around Christchurch, the Minister said. The first round of tenders has closed and construction of the first homes through this programme is expected to start in mid to late 2013.

This is in addition to housing provided by the mixed tenure development initiative announced recently, which will begin with the corporation's property at 399 Manchester Street.

The corporation is also providing 17 of its houses on TC3 land for a series of trials to find quicker and more affordable options for repairing property foundations, to start within the next two months.

Media contact: Geoff Davies 04 817 9566 or 021 243 9566

Further $28m approved for Skills for Canterbury

nospam@example.com (admin) — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 11:49:02 +1300

The Government is committing an extra $28 million to maintain the expanded training pipeline for trades people for the Canterbury rebuild, Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce announced today.

“Over the next few years, Christchurch will need thousands of builders, plumbers, landscapers, electricians and engineers. The Government’s funding of trades training under the Skills for Canterbury programme is helping meet this demand,” Mr Joyce says.

In 2011 under the $42 million Skills for Canterbury contingency, the Government drew down $8 million for trades training initiatives including the M?ori and Pasifika programmes nationwide.

In addition to this, $16.7 million of additional funding was sourced from TEC baselines, and $11.7 million was reprioritised by ITPs to trades training from other programmes.

“The total $36.4 million in funding to date has provided 1187 additional training places in 2011 and 2660 in 2012.

“The extra $28 million will ensure that additional trades training and student support provided in 2011 and 2012 can be maintained in 2013,” Mr Joyce says.

“In total $36.8 million has now been committed from the $42 million Skills for Canterbury contingency.

“It is crucial that we have sufficient skilled trades people trained and available to help in the rebuilding of Christchurch and this funding is an important means of increasing these numbers.

“The Government’s infrastructure programme detailed in the Building Infrastructure progress report underlines the contribution the Government is making to the training sector and to supporting jobs.

“Investing in quality infrastructure and in skills training will benefit New Zealand now and in the future.

“I strongly encourage anyone who is interested in learning one of these trades, or up skilling in their existing trade, to contact their local training provider and find out what opportunities are available to them.”

Media contact: Simon Beattie 021 243 8271

New Christchurch offices for Housing NZ Housing

nospam@example.com (admin) — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 15:18:23 +1300

New Zealand’s new offices in central Christchurch have been officially opened by Housing Minister Phil Heatley.

“This is quite a milestone in the rebuild of Christchurch,” Mr Heatley said. “It’s important the Corporation’s earthquake recovery team is located in the central city. It’s actually 12 years since the Corporation had a presence in the central city, and its return is a key part of the city’s revitalisation.

“These new offices are amongst a whole range of Housing initiatives coming together as part of the Government’s response to Canterbury’s housing issues.

“First, I’d like to acknowledge the great progress that HNZC has made repairing its earthquake-damaged houses.

“More than 95 per cent of the Corporation’s housing stock was damaged in the three major earthquakes, with about 27,000 health and safety works alone. To date 138 of the 212 seriously damaged houses throughout the city have been repaired. This is well on track to meeting the Corporation’s deadline to repair all 212 houses by the end of this month.

“This is a significant achievement and I congratulate the Corporation.”

Social Allocation System

The Government has also decided to suspend elements of the Social Allocation System – the “ability to access and sustain alternative housing” aspect of Housing New Zealand’s eligibility criteria in Christchurch.

“This means that individuals or families who meet all other eligibility criteria won’t have to provide evidence they can’t access alternative housing,” Mr Heatley said. “Having to provide this evidence has placed additional stress on families already in difficult circumstances. When the housing market down here is clearly so unique and challenging, these requirements are not as applicable."

Redevelopment programme

Over the next 18 months the Corporation plans to build 200-350 new houses on land it owns around Christchurch, the Minister said. The new homes will include state rentals, and houses suitable for first-home buyers and others needing affordable housing, including community housing providers. Construction of the first homes through this programme is expected to start in mid to late 2013.

Repairing foundations

The Minister also announced a series of trials to find quicker and more affordable options for repairing property foundations. Several thousand of the Corporation’s houses are on land that has been zoned TC2 and TC3, and it will provide a selection of houses on TC3 land for the trials, to start within the next two months.

“The results will be available to the wider community and industry. It’s a simple

Canterbury Earthquake Heritage Buildings fund exhibition opening, ‘Building a Sense of Place’

nospam@example.com (admin) — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 11:57:19 +1300

October 17th 2012

The beauty and grace of Christchurch’s architecture is something we are all very proud of. Not only do our heritage buildings embody significant history, they also contribute to the unique character of our city.

Sadly, the earthquakes took a great deal of this heritage from us. In the aftermath of a disaster so profound, heritage can only be one of many considerations going forward, and although there are buildings we would all love to save – and Cranmer Courts would be one of them – some have proved to be just too damaged for anyone to be able to take the project on.

However, The Canterbury Earthquake Heritage Buildings Fund was established to help save buildings that are feasible to repair.

I congratulate the efforts of the Canterbury Earthquake Heritage Buildings Trust in raising funds for this important work so far.

As you will know, the initial capital for the Fund came from grants from the Christchurch City Council, the Selwyn and Waimakariri District Councils, the New Zealand Historic Places Trust and private donors those monies are matched by the Government dollar for dollar.

The Government and local body contributions were made in recognition that the surviving heritage buildings of the region are important, not just to their owners, but to the general public too. A cityscape is, by nature, something everybody shares.

The Fund is specifically targeted at those buildings in private ownership but whose preservation has something of the nature of a public good – buildings that make a significant contribution to the historic identity and visual character of the region.

It is appropriate that local and central government play a part in supporting private owners to ensure Canterbury’s built heritage is saved where feasible. It is also, of course, vital not just to save buildings but to make them safe for people – but that’s the only way to make sure thye wil be used.that will always be the key priority. The work of the Trust is helping to build confidence in the ability to do this for our old buildings.

The Fund is an example of how well, shared responsibility between Government and community can work. It reflects the generosity of individuals, heritage groups, grant-making organisations and corporates, starting with a very generous $1 million pledge from Fletcher Construction for the façade of the McKenzie and Willis building.

As a result, many of our heritage buildings are being preserved for future generations, including the Christchurch Arts Centre, Wood’s Mill, the stone cottage at Orton Bradley Park and a number of the Victorian/Edwardian facades in High Street – including McKenzie & Willis and the Billons buildings.

It is a great start but the Trust has identified more buildings in need of assistance. Nearly $3 million of the Government’s pledge remains to be used, but can only be used if more donors can be found – so this is what we are here to encourage tonight.

I hope the exhibition we are opening today raises public awareness of the still pressing need to raise funds for Canterbury’s heritage buildings.

I congratulate photographers Richard Mahoney and Kristina Pickford who have done an excellent job capturing these buildings and putting together the exhibition.

I also take this opportunity to acknowledge the sponsors who have made this exhibition possible: Warren and Mahoney – whose Managing Director Peter Marshall will be speaking shortly – Woods Bagot, Sheppard and Rout, Boffa Miskell and Populous.

Everything has changed since February 22, 2010 . One effect of the earthquakes in Canterbury is that they have made us think – and think in all sorts of innovative and new ways. They have also brought home to us that natural disasters can and do happen – and given new urgency to the task of preparing to protect first and foremost the people, and the buildings, we hold most dear.

Households and workplaces all over the country have built up their emergency supplies and refined their procedures. And at government level too a number of initiatives are underway – some of which directly affect the built heritage of the country as a whole.

One such development is a proposal for a National Historic Landmarks List, which is something they’ve done in a number of other countries like Australia and the United States.

The List would contain fifty or so of the most important places or precincts that express New Zealand’s history – buildings like the National War Memorial or precincts like the Christchurch Arts Centre might be on it, for example. It would provide a framework to help us, as a nation, prioritise buildings for conservation and strengthening before, rather than after, a national disaster.

Another important piece of work is a review of New Zealand’s earthquake-prone buildings policy. The review is looking at the huge and difficult issue of how to ensure buildings are strengthened against further earthquakes nationwide. Officials from the Ministry for Culture and Heritage are closely involved in this work and heritage values will be a key factor taken into account.

Christchurch people are generally very positive about the future of our hometown, and we have enthusiastically embraced the new Blueprint for the rebuild of Central Christchurch,
We want the city centre to be proud of – at least as proud as we were of the pre-earthquake city.

The task now is to create a stronger, safer and more sustainable new Christchurch, but one that still has in it the threads of the old Christchurch. Surviving heritage buildings and places will be the landmarks that orientate us in this new environment, helping retain a sense of history and highlight Christchurch’s unique identity.

This exhibition is about looking forward as much as looking back. It focuses on the hope: that well-loved heritage buildings that have been or can be saved. And the understanding that taking care of these buildings is an essential part of Christchurch as once again our city becomes a great home for residents and an exciting vibrant destination to do business and for tourists.

I thank the Canterbury Earthquake Heritage Buildings Trust, and wish it all the best for the role it will continue to play in ensuring Christchurch’s heritage contributes to its successful future.

Skills and Employment Hub for Christchurch

nospam@example.com (admin) — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 11:34:25 +1300

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett and Immigration Minister Nathan Guy have today announced a further boost to recruitment for the Christchurch rebuild through a new Canterbury Skills and Employment Hub.

“Helping people into work on the Christchurch rebuild is a key priority for this Government and a streamlined business friendly recruitment process is vital,” says Mrs Bennett.

The Hub will be a one-stop shop for employers to list vacancies and recruit from Work and Income, the various rebuild training programmes, or where needed bring in skilled labour from overseas.

It will include a physical presence in central Christchurch and an online register of job opportunities which job seekers can access nationwide.

Four experienced and well-connected skills brokers will be seconded to the Hub to work with businesses and help match job seekers to these positions, referring them to skills or industry training where needed.

“This Government is focused on skills and pre-employment training to support people into work and help break the cycle of long term benefit dependence,” says Mrs Bennett.

“The new Hub will build on current initiatives and make the most of existing relationships with businesses in the region,” she says.

If New Zealanders aren’t available to fill advertised positions then the Hub will be able to facilitate visa applications for migrant labour.

“The Canterbury Skills and Employment Hub will also pilot a new approach to the migrant work visa process between Immigration and Work and Income,” says Mr Guy.

“This will give New Zealanders the first crack at jobs in the rebuild and save employer’s time if they have to apply to Immigration for a work visa for new staff,” he says.

The Canterbury Skills and Employment Hub pilot is expect to go live in mid-November this year.

Lifting achievement in our schools

nospam@example.com (admin) — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 15:02:22 +1300

As an ex-teacher and someone who is vitally concerned with educational outcomes I am very keen to make sure all our kids get the best possible education.

We have an education system that is among the best in the world. It gives our students a platform to compete here and internationally.

Four out of five kids are successfully getting the qualifications they need, and we must celebrate their success and the professionals in our system who make that possible every day. But National’s education plan is about getting five out of five.

To achieve that we’ve set an ambitious better public services target of 85 per cent of 18 year-olds achieving NCEA Level 2 or equivalent in 2017.

This is the first year we have reported the results of all 18-year-olds and we are delighted that 74.3 per cent attained NCEA Level 2 or an equivalent qualification last year.

At school level, nearly 72 per cent of school leavers achieved at least NCEA Level 2, compared with 66.4 per cent in 2009.

51 per cent of Maori students achieved NCEA Level 2 in 2011, up from 44 per cent in 2009, and Pasifika achievement has risen from 55.7 per cent to just over 63 per cent.

These are great results, but we still need to work harder to ensure all children leave school with the skills they need to reach their potential.

Until now we’ve had to rely only on NCEA data – at the end of compulsory schooling – to provide us with a picture of our education system. The introduction of National Standards has allowed us to support all learners and target those who are falling behind much earlier and give them the help they need.

The information gained from this first set of National Standards data is powerful for identifying and providing support for all learners.

Schools have put considerable effort into their reporting of National Standards and we’d like to thank them for the work they’ve done in this. It helps to raise achievement for all learners.

National Standards data is now available online at www.educationcounts.govt.nz. For parents to get a complete picture of their child’s school they need to look at schools’ ERO and annual reports - also available on the Education Counts website. They also need to talk to principals, teachers, schools trustees and other parents.

The Education Review Office has also produced a booklet to help parents ask schools about how their child is doing. It is available at http://www.ero.govt.nz/Review-Process/For-Parents/ERO-Guides-for-Parents/How-is-my-child-doing-Questions-to-ask-at-school

Education renewal in greater Christchurch

nospam@example.com (admin) — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 15:52:40 +1200

Education Minister Hekia Parata has today announced she will meet with school leaders in Christchurch next Thursday to discuss the approach for education renewal in the greater Christchurch area.

"The priority is delivering a network that will meet changing community needs and deliver better outcomes for learners. It is vital that the investment we make translates into improved educational performance and service delivery," says Ms Parata.

"Through this process people have recognised the unique opportunity we have to do something different and innovative. Our announcements for the schooling sector on Thursday will reflect that.

"The approach we are taking will foster closer connections across the education system. It will support children as they move from early childhood education into schooling and smooth the transitions into secondary schooling, and tertiary or further education, and encourage more young people to go on and gain higher qualifications.

"I would like to thank the sector and the wider Christchurch community for their patience. I appreciate the uncertainty has been difficult but given the scale of the challenge ahead of us, it is important we take the time to get this right."

Ms Parata also announced the establishment of three Advisory Boards to provide on-going community input and expertise to the renewal process - an Education Advisory Board, a Waitaha Advisory Board and Pasifika Advisory Board. The Ministry of Education is currently contacting potential members and further details will be released shortly.

"On-going community engagement and detailed discussions with schools and other education services and bodies will be a key feature of the work ahead," Ms Parata says.