National is investing $144 million in two research and innovation projects under the Primary Growth Partnership (PGP).

The two partnerships involve a DairyNZ/Fonterra-led programme and a Silver Fern Farms, PGG Wrightson and Landcorp Farming programme. They support research, development and ultimately products, jobs and growth. The Government is funding almost half of the $321 million needed for the projects.

This is the kind of business innovation we have identified as one of the six drivers of economic growth.

All New Zealanders stand to benefit from the partnerships, as the dairy and red meat industries are pivotal to the success of our economy.

National is taking primary sector innovation to a whole new level and delivering directly on our economic growth plan.

More information:http://beehive.govt.nz/release/partnerships+deliver+government%e2%80%99s+growth+plan

National is working hard to get more people into work.

Our Future Focus package, which comes into effect on 27 September, rebalances incentives and obligations in our welfare system, and clearly focuses on work. Research shows that children are always better off when parents are in work. Long-term welfare dependency imprisons families to a life of low income with limited choices and outcomes.

Our extension of the 90-day trial scheme for new employees also encourages job opportunities and removes barriers to work. We know the scheme has been a huge success with employers of fewer than 20 people, with nearly 75 per cent of workers trialled under the scheme being taken on permanently.

National is growing a stronger economy, creating more jobs for New Zealanders, and making it easier for employers to take on staff. Delivering on

We’re opening nine Trades Academies around the country next year, providing trades and technology programmes for more than 800 secondary school students.

Trades Academies are an innovative way of keeping 16- and 17-year-olds engaged in education. Students can develop vocational skills and talents through trades and technology programmes.

The academies involve schools, tertiary institutions, industry training organisations, and employers. Students can earn both NCEA credits and a tertiary qualification, while gaining practical skills in the workplace.

Students will have more career choices, and will help grow our economy and productivity. National is delivering on our economic plan to lift education and skills, and investing in the education frontline.
More information: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/nine+trades+academies+confirmed+2011 Employment: A clear focus on work National is

Support this worthy cause at Chisnallwood School starting at 7.00pm (be seated at 6:45pm). Combined performance from Windsor School and Chisnallwood School. Donation at the door.

Queenspark School pupil Mackenzie Smith aged 8, is selling muffins to raise funds for Pakistan’s flood victims. The idea came to Mackenzie after watching the news. He decided he wanted to give some of his pocket money to help the people of Pakistan. He realised what he had to give may not have much impact and so he came up with the idea to sell muffins. Mackenzie’s family contacted the charity Tearfund about his ideas and they were happy to accept the money on his behalf.

Support Mackenzie in his efforts by ordering from Queenspark School.

Muffins – 6 for $5 or 12 for $10.
Flavours – ginger, crunchy lemon, double chocolate or sweet spicy pumpkin.

Muffin orders and payment need to be in by 24 August. Your muffins will be available to pick up from the school’s office on 31 August.

The economy is recovering. But this recovery will be different from those we’ve had before.

It must be built on exports and investment, and not the debt and spending we saw over the past decade. That’s the only way to create the sustainable jobs and higher incomes that hard-working Kiwis deserve.

Because of this, the recovery might appear a bit patchy at times, as the global economy remains uncertain and as households and businesses pay off debt. So although things are looking up, some local families and firms will find the going tough.

On top of that, New Zealand’s recession started earlier than other countries and we have to work harder to shrug it off. Our exporting industries shrank between 2005 and 2010, when New Zealand spent too much and saved too little. 

So it’s going to take a lot to turn things around. And it won’t be a short-term job. It will need a relentless and long-term focus.

That’s why National has a comprehensive economic plan with six drivers to get faster economic growth, create jobs, and boost incomes. These drivers are:

• Strengthening our tax system,
• Providing better, smarter public services,
• Reforming regulations,
• Improving education and skills,
• Promoting business innovation and trade, and
• Investing in smart infrastructure.

We’ve already made good progress.

On 1 October, every earner will receive a tax cut. This will make the average family $25 a week better off after GST changes. Find out how the tax changes will affect you at www.taxguide.govt.nz.

We’re improving the frontline public services that you rely on – such as health, education, and law and order – and the way public assets are funded and managed.

We’re reforming regulations such as the Resource Management Act, the Building Act, and employment law to boost jobs and growth.

We’re lifting achievement in schools with National Standards and more frontline funding.

We’re working with businesses to add value to our exports through the Primary Growth Partnership and other science, research, and development projects.

And we’re unclogging the growth arteries by investing billions in roads, broadband, the electricity network, and rail, as well as upgrading schools, homes, and hospitals.

But this is just a start. You’ll see more announcements from the Government in the months ahead as we make ongoing improvements to get faster growth, create jobs, and boost incomes.

National knows that only a strong economy can provide financial security for families, real opportunity for young people, safer communities, and the high-quality education and health services that all New Zealanders need.

Drink drivers kill and maim innocent people, wreck lives, and destroy families. They leave carnage on our highways and scars on our communities.

Current policies are not working. Last year 36,000 New Zealanders were convicted of drink driving.  On any given day, around 100 drivers are caught over the legal limit.

It’s clear we have a big drink driving problem in New Zealand.  If we can get it under control, we’ll see a lower road toll.

That’s why, last week (July 26) the National-led Government announced a package aimed at making our roads safer by cracking down on drink-driving.

We’ll put legislation in place by early next year to set a zero drink-drive limit for repeat drink drivers and for drivers under 20, and to introduce alcohol interlocks for repeat drink-drivers.

We’re also strengthening the penalties for offences including:

-        Drink or drug driving causing death

-        Dangerous or reckless driving causing death

-        Illegal street racing causing death

-        Failure to stop after a crash when someone is killed.

Tougher sanctions will bring these penalties in line with other serious offences, reflect the serious nature of these crimes, and help make our roads safer. By targeting those most likely to break the law we’re confident we’ll have a significant impact.

We’re also considering lowering the blood alcohol limit from 0.08 to 0.05.  We‘ll make a final call after conducting New Zealand research on the risks posed by drivers with a blood-alcohol limit between 0.05 and 0.08.

Part of the research will tell us the actual number of serious and fatal crashes caused by drivers with a blood alcohol level between 0.05 and 0.08.  This research will be done over two years.

We need to ensure New Zealanders understand the difference between 0.05 and 0.08, and what impact a change is likely to have on the road toll.

Road safety measures only work if they have the broad support of road-users.  We want to be sure New Zealanders understand the benefits of a change and fully support it before proceeding.  We need to take the people of New Zealand with us on this issue.

National is committed to addressing New Zealand’s drink driving problem.  A zero drink drive limit for young drivers and repeat offenders, tougher penalties for reckless and dangerous driving, and new research into lowering the blood alcohol limit will help clamp down on drink drivers, reduce the carnage on our highways, and make our roads safer for all New Zealanders.

Tiddlers are small duathlon and running races specifically designed for children aged between 2 – 7.  The next race is on Sunday 8 August at the Rawhiti Domain, New Brighton.

The races are short, fun and allow children to participate at their level either on bikes, trikes or training wheels.

All participants receive a plastic medal, certificate, banana and juice at the finish line.

To enter please go to: www.tiddlersmultisport.co.nz.

As we continue to grow out of the recession, we need to have the right environment to create more jobs.  Economic growth happens when a business sees an opportunity and is prepared to invest, expand, take risks, and hire new workers.

The National-led Government is committed to giving businesses of all sizes the confidence to do these things.

We introduced the 90-day trial period in 2008 to encourage employers with fewer than 20 employees to take on new staff, and to expand job opportunities for people who often struggle to get work. 

It is working extremely well.  A Department of Labour report found that the vast majority of people employed on a trial period have remained employed.

The report said most employers viewed dismissals during the trial period as an unfavourable outcome, and actively tried to avoid them.

The voluntary 90-day trial is a win-win situation for employers and employees.  That’s why we’re extending the trial period to all employers so that every business and new employee can benefit from it.

Extending trial periods is just part of the package of employment law improvements we’re making.

National is committed to maintaining a fair and equitable system that protects the rights of New Zealand workers. 

We’re changing the personal grievance process to resolve employment problems more quickly, discourage poor practices, reduce costs, and improve confidence in the system.

We’re also looking at changing the law around sick days.  Employers will be able to require a medical certificate from employees who take one sick day.  This will be at the expense of the employer.

Employers aren’t going to waste their time and money asking every employee for a medical certificate when they take a day off sick.  This option is about the ability to question those who may be abusing their sick leave.  Common sense tells us it will be used sparingly, and good workers aren’t going to see any difference.

There will also be changes to the Holidays Act.  This will include giving employees the ability to trade one of their four weeks’ annual leave for cash.  Cashing in the fourth week of leave can’t be raised in salary negotiations and can only be at the employee’s request.  Maximum penalties will double for employers who don’t comply with the Holidays Act.

National’s employment law package is pragmatic, credible, and effective.  It’s one more step on the road to a growing economy and more jobs.

The National-led Government has agreed on a new approach to ownership of the foreshore and seabed. We are determined to resolve the foreshore and seabed issue for once and for all.

Our new approach is in the best interests of all New Zealanders. We are making sure the foreshore and seabed cannot be sold, protecting public access, and restoring iwi’s ability to test their customary rights through the courts.

The 2004 Foreshore and Seabed Act will be repealed and replaced with new legislation which will:

• Remove Crown ownership of the public foreshore and seabed, and replace it with a non-ownership model.
• Ensure that the foreshore and seabed cannot be sold.
• Protect public access, and existing navigation and fishing rights.
• Restore the ability of iwi to test their customary rights to the foreshore and seabed through the courts.
• Exclude privately-owned land.

National wants to settle the foreshore and seabed issue, so it does not remain as a weeping sore that would have to be addressed by a future government.

Click here for more information.