Minister: Steven Joyce

SKA decision a breakthrough for Australia-New Zealand science

Admin — Fri, 25 May 2012 22:00:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Economic Development

Australia and New Zealand will remain at the forefront of global radio astronomy after it was announced that the hosting rights for the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) radio telescope will be split between Australia-New Zealand and South Africa. ...

$326m boost for science, innovation, and research

Admin — Thu, 24 May 2012 02:32:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Budget 2012

Budget 2012 delivers on the Government’s commitment to building a more competitive and productive economy, with $250 million of new operating funding and $76.1 million in capital funding over four years for science, innovation, and research. “Science and technological innovation are major drivers of growth and international competitiveness, which is why we have continued to increase funding for them despite tight fiscal constraints,” Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce says. ...

Tertiary savings fund new investment

Admin — Thu, 24 May 2012 02:31:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Budget 2012

Budget 2012 rebalances the Government’s $4.3 billion investment in tertiary education between expenditure on student support and investment in tuition and research, says Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce. “We have one of the most generous student support systems in the world. Rebalancing it allows us to free up money we can reinvest in improving the quality of tertiary education we provide, and help our overall fiscal position,” Mr Joyce says. Key changes include: ...

$159m to strengthen higher-level tertiary education

Admin — Thu, 24 May 2012 02:30:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Budget 2012

Budget 2012 commits $158.9 million over four years to invest in engineering, science, and research-led learning in our tertiary institutions, Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce says. “New Zealand has an under-supply of engineers and we are training about only half the number we require,” he says. ...

3,000 more Youth Guarantee places funded

Admin — Thu, 24 May 2012 02:29:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Budget 2012

Budget 2012 continues the Government’s support for foundation training for young people, with 3,000 more places funded over the next four years under the Youth Guarantee Scheme. “With these extra fees-free places, there will be 8,750 tertiary-based Youth Guarantee places in 2013,” Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce says. ...

$29.5m to stimulate competitive innovation in tertiary sector

Admin — Thu, 24 May 2012 02:28:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Budget 2012

Budget 2012 commits $29.5 million operating spending over four years for Private Training Establishments (PTEs), to create a fairer funding system that rewards competitive innovation across the tertiary sector. The Government is committing the funding to close the gap between the historical differential funding rates of PTEs and public providers of the same service, Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce says. ...

Two MED funds cancelled

Admin — Thu, 24 May 2012 02:27:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Budget 2012

Two Ministry of Economic Development funds with ambiguous aims are being cancelled, with savings returned to the Government, Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce says. The Government is focused on investment that supports the business growth agenda of building a more productive and competitive economy. The Enterprising Partnerships Fund and the Transformational Initiatives Fund, set up by the previous government in 2007 and 2008, are being disestablished. This saves $26.1 million operating over the next four years. ...

Govt uni investment up 13.5% in four years

Admin — Wed, 23 May 2012 02:02:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment

The Government has increased its investment in New Zealand’s universities by 13.5 per cent over the past four years, latest figures from the Tertiary Education Commission show. Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Steven Joyce says New Zealand’s universities continue to sustain strong financial performances that reflect the increasing size of the Government’s investment in them. ...

iPad app for Kiwi businesses goes online

Beehive — Tue, 15 May 2012 03:36:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Economic Development

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce today launched two new online products – including an iPad app for business – as part of the Government’s plan for delivering better public services. The iPad app, available through the business.govt.nz portal, enables small businesses to access tools and tips for growth wherever and whenever they need it. The second product, business calendar B-Cal, provides businesses with technology features to highlight important business requirements. ...

Draft education renewal programme for greater Christchurch released

Admin — Thu, 10 May 2012 02:15:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Education

The Education and Tertiary Education Ministers have today released a draft programme to guide the renewal of the education network in greater Christchurch following the Canterbury earthquakes. “Directions for Education Renewal in Greater Christchurch” is the result of several months of engagement with education leaders, teachers, young people, business leaders, stakeholders, and Ngāi Tahu. It outlines a number of proposals which could change the way education is delivered in the greater Christchurch area. ...

MoU to boost international student numbers

Beehive — Tue, 08 May 2012 04:43:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Immigration

A Memorandum of Understanding signed by Immigration New Zealand and Education New Zealand will improve visa processing times for international students wanting to study in New Zealand. International students who use a New Zealand Specialist Agent (NZSA) will have their visa applications processed within 10 working days. There will also be a dedicated point of contact within Immigration New Zealand branches for NZSA members – education agents recognised as New Zealand education specialists. ...

Govt to save $60 million on mobile voice and data

Admin — Mon, 07 May 2012 23:56:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Economic Development

The government is expected to save around $60 million over the next five years after signing all-of-government procurement contracts for mobile voice and data services, Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce says. The new contracts are part of a public-sector wide Government Procurement Reform Programme aimed at making government buying as efficient as possible and reducing costs. It includes all public sector agencies, councils and up to 2500 schools. ...

Govt welcomes Transmission Gully draft decision

Beehive — Fri, 04 May 2012 05:45:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Transport

Acting Transport Minister Steven Joyce today welcomed the draft approval of Transmission Gully by an independent Board of Inquiry under the Government’s national consenting process with the Environmental Protection Authority. “The Board of Inquiry's draft decision to approve the regulatory consents applications for the nearly $1 billion Transmission Gully project is a very good step forward,” Mr Joyce says. ...

Speech notes: Investing in tertiary education in Budget 2012

Beehive — Thu, 03 May 2012 07:50:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Budget 2012

In Budget 2012 the Government will be focused on rebalancing our overall spend in tertiary education between expenditure on student support and investment in tuition and research. We have one of the most generous student support systems in the world. Rebalancing it a little will free up some money that we reinvest in the quality of tertiary education we provide, and help our overall fiscal position. ...

HLFS underlines gradual job growth

Admin — Thu, 03 May 2012 00:15:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment

The Household Labour Force Survey released today underlines the gradual, steady growth in the number of jobs, Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce says. The HLFS for March 2012 shows an increase in the number of people employed with 9000 new jobs in the quarter, the highest labour force participation rate in three years, but also the unemployment rate lifting from 6.4 per cent to 6.7 per cent. ...

Food & beverage report highlights real opportunities

Beehive — Tue, 01 May 2012 23:25:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Economic Development

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce has welcomed a new report that provides wide-ranging insights into the food and beverage industry. “The Food and Beverage Information Project’s Industry Snapshot is the definitive outline of the state of the industry in New Zealand,” Mr Joyce says. ...

MBIE to proceed from 1 July

Admin — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 23:36:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Economic Development

The Government has today confirmed its plans to establish the new Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment on 1 July this year. The Ministry will bring together the existing functions of the Ministry of Economic Development, Ministry of Science and Innovation, Department of Labour and Department of Building and Housing. Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce says the new Ministry will assist the Government drive forward its business growth agenda and make it easier for businesses to engage with the Government. ...

Closing remarks to the International Exhibition & Conference on Higher Education

Admin — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 23:06:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment

Salam alaykum Tena koutou katoa Greetings to you all First, can I say what an absolute privilege it is to be asked to provide the concluding remarks to this wonderful event: the International Exhibition & Conference on Higher Education. I come from a small country from the other end of the world. New Zealand is a good 17 or 18 hours flight from Riyadh but it is a testament to how truly international that international education is today that every year 7000 Saudi students study in my country. ...

Joyce to visit Oman, Qatar & Saudi Arabia

Beehive — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 04:29:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment

Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce will today travel to the Gulf states of Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia to raise New Zealand’s profile as a destination for international students and to support education companies seeking to grow their business in the region. “Since 2008 students from the Gulf States studying in New Zealand have grown by 33.4 per cent and are now approaching 7500. This makes the Gulf States our fifth largest source of international students,” Mr Joyce says. ...

Govt backs emerging Kiwi researchers

Beehive — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 03:58:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Science and Innovation

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce has today announced the results of a review into the Rutherford Discovery Fellowships. Following feedback from the sector, changes have been made which will help ensure young researchers are supported in establishing their careers in New Zealand. A review of the scheme was undertaken last year seeking the views and insights from New Zealand’s science community. ...

Marsden Fund Council convenors appointed

Beehive — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 03:36:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Science and Innovation

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce today announced the appointment of three new convenors to the Marsden Fund Council. The Marsden Fund was established by the Government in 1994 to fund excellent fundamental research. It is a contestable fund administered by the Royal Society of New Zealand on behalf of the Marsden Fund Council. ...

Exhibition shows importance of science to NZ

Admin — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 00:52:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Science and Innovation

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce is encouraging the public to visit the Science in the City exhibition which opens tomorrow on Auckland’s waterfront. For the first time, government scientists from all the Crown Research Institutes are coming together to show the Auckland community how their science, and the innovative work they do, benefits all New Zealanders. “This is a unique opportunity to see how key research and technology institutes are helping to answer the world's science questions,” Mr Joyce says. ...

Govt helps give Chch high-tech sector new home

Admin — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 22:39:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Canterbury Earthquake Recovery

The Government is investing $1.8 million over the next three years to support the development of a high-tech business hub in central Christchurch, Minister for Economic Development Steven Joyce announced today. Mr Joyce said the Ministry of Science and Innovation and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise were working in partnership with Christchurch City Council and the private sector to establish the Enterprise Precinct and Innovation Campus (EPIC) on the corner of Tuam and Manchester Streets. ...

Govt boosts international education support for Chch

Admin — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 01:02:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Canterbury Earthquake Recovery

The Government is boosting its support for the Christchurch international education sector with a dedicated $5 million fund that will promote the city overseas as an education destination over the next four years, Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Steven Joyce announced today. “Christchurch is normally our second largest destination for international students and the city has an international reputation for very high-quality education,” Mr Joyce says. ...

Student Allowance parental income threshold frozen in 2012

Admin — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 21:46:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment

Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce has announced today that there will be no increase to the student allowance parental income threshold this year. Student allowance rates and student loans living costs will be increased by 1.77 percent on 1 April 2012 as part of the 2012 Annual General Adjustment. “Freezing the threshold at current levels is the first step in curbing the major expenditure increase in student allowances over the last few years as we look to better target this support to students who need it most,” Mr Joyce says. ...

International student numbers show impact of Chch quakes

Admin — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 00:56:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Canterbury Earthquake Recovery

Christchurch’s earthquakes have had a big impact on the number of international students studying in the city with a 37% drop in 2011, latest figures from the Education Ministry show. Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Steven Joyce says the results were not unexpected. “The earthquakes in Canterbury have severely impacted the number of people from overseas wishing to study in Christchurch,” Mr Joyce says. ...

Govt pays tribute to Sir Paul Callaghan

Beehive — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 03:00:00 +0000

Bill English | Prime Minister

Acting Prime Minister Bill English and Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce say they are deeply saddened by the news that Sir Paul Callaghan has died in Wellington. "Sir Paul Callaghan was an outstanding New Zealander who made his mark as a world-leading scientist. He fought a valiant battle with cancer, and has been taken from us far too early," Mr English says. "Our thoughts are with Sir Paul's family at this time. ...

NZ tech companies to benefit from Facebook investor

Admin — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 22:38:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Economic Development

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce today announced that United States investor Peter Thiel has established a New Zealand venture capital fund alongside the New Zealand Venture Investment Fund and private investors. The Valar Ventures Fund is a $40 million fund which involves NZVIF committing $20 million, $15 million from Peter Thiel, and $5 million from other New Zealand investors, including Wellington investment company Rangatira. ...

Govt congratulates Business Awards winners

Admin — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 20:44:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Economic Development

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce has congratulated Orion Health for winning the Supreme Award at the New Zealand International Business Awards ceremony in Auckland last night. “Orion is an internationally-recognised health information technology vendor and New Zealand’s largest privately-owned software exporter. Its major projects around the world have made it a significant global player in electronic health recording,” Mr Joyce says. ...

New university council appointments made

Beehive — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 03:01:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment

Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Steven Joyce today announced three new appointments to the councils of the University of Auckland and Victoria University. The new appointees are former Fonterra Chief Executive Andrew Ferrier to the University of Auckland Council, and lawyer Victoria Heine and accountant John Selby to the Victoria University of Wellington Council. ...