Portfolio: Economic Development

Opposition determined to manufacture a crisis

Beehive — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 23:53:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Economic Development

The Opposition’s so-called ‘Manufacturing Crisis’ inquiry remains nothing more than a failed political stunt with a bunch of re-tread solutions and a lack of knowledge of the measures the Government is already implementing, Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce says. ...

Timeframe extended for final Convention Centre agreement

Beehive — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 21:19:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Economic Development

The Government and SkyCity Entertainment Group have extended the timeframe for negotiation of the final agreement to design, build and operate the $402 million New Zealand International Convention Centre. The Heads of Agreement signed by both parties on May 12 sought the completion of a full agreement by June 14, or at a later date by mutual agreement. It set out the contribution that each side would make to building the NZICC and was negotiated by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment on behalf of the Government, with approval by Cabinet. ...

NZ has potential to become a fruit bowl for Asia

Beehive — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 04:57:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Economic Development

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce today released a new report showing opportunities for further growth in the New Zealand fresh fruit sector, including into Asia. The Coriolis Research report, Driving Growth in the Fresh Fruit Sector, says that New Zealand’s fruit exports are shifting towards Asia and away from traditional markets like Europe and North America. ...

New NZTE board appointment

Beehive — Thu, 30 May 2013 03:25:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Economic Development

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce and Trade Minister Tim Groser today announced the appointment of Jennifer Kerr to the New Zealand Trade and Enterprise Board. Ms Kerr has been appointed for a three-year term from June 2013. Ms Kerr was formerly Group Director Human Resources at Fonterra and has worked in human resources in the oil industry in the United States and Europe and the leisure industry in the United Kingdom. ...

Māori Economic Development Advisory Board Established

Admin — Wed, 29 May 2013 23:35:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Economic Development

The Ministers of Economic Development and Maori Affairs have appointed a five member Advisory Board to assist in the implementation of the recently adopted Māori Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan, He Kai Kei Aku Ringa. The strategy and action plan, prepared by the independent Maori Economic Development Panel, provides a blue print for Māori economic development through to 2040. The Advisory Board’s responsibilities are on-going stewardship, monitoring and evaluation of the strategy and how it will be implemented. ...

New advertising services contract for Govt announced

Admin — Wed, 29 May 2013 01:33:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Economic Development

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment is in the process of finalising contracts with 37 advertising agencies that will make up the All-of-Government advertising services, Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce announced today. 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. ...

Denniston mine decision good news for jobs & growth

Admin — Thu, 23 May 2013 01:46:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Economic Development

The decision today by Conservation Minister Nick Smith to approve the access agreement for Bathurst Resources’ Escarpment Mine near Westport is good news for jobs and economic growth on the West Coast, Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce and Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges say. The announcement follows an interim decision by the Environment Court in March that it was likely to grant resource consent to the open-cast mine subject to appropriate conditions being agreed. ...

Budget 2013: $2m for ‘New Zealand Story’ project

Beehive — Sun, 19 May 2013 06:06:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Budget 2013

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce today announced $2 million in new funding to launch the New Zealand Story project – an initiative to help New Zealand companies gain a competitive advantage from the use of the New Zealand brand in international markets. The funding forms part of the $400 million internationally focused growth package which is a centrepiece of Budget 2013. ...

Budget focuses on export growth

Beehive — Fri, 17 May 2013 06:10:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Economic Development

Budget 2013 is investing in growing New Zealand’s exports markets and boosting our overseas profile and international competiveness, Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce says. “Under our Business Growth Agenda the Government has a specific goal of lifting our exports to 40 per cent of GDP by 2025,” Mr Joyce says. “To help achieve this and create more and higher paying jobs for New Zealanders, the Government is investing a further $100 million a year over the next four years as part of our Internationally Focussed Growth Package.” ...

Govt & SkyCity agree to $402m Convention Centre

Beehive — Sun, 12 May 2013 20:19:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Economic Development

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce today announced the Government and SkyCity have signed a Heads of Agreement to build a $402 million international-standard convention centre in Auckland. The New Zealand International Convention Centre will cater for 3500 international conference delegates at any one time. It will be built for a total estimated project cost of $402 million, made up of $315 million in construction and fit-out costs and $87 million in land costs. ...

NZ ready for business at the America’s Cup

Admin — Mon, 06 May 2013 02:18:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Economic Development

Construction of the Emirates Team New Zealand (ETNZ) base for the America’s Cup has begun in San Francisco signalling the start of a series of events to showcase New Zealand businesses. ...

Govt report gives new insight into regional economies

Admin — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 22:45:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Economic Development

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce today released a new Government report into the economic performance of New Zealand’s 16 regions. 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 of some of the specific initiatives the Government has underway under its Business Growth Agenda. ...

Labour becoming the 'Anti-Growth Party'

Beehive — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 12:47:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Economic Development

Labour is fast becoming the Anti-Growth Party by pursuing polices that would hurt households and damage the New Zealand economy, Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce says. ...

Govt streamlines procurement rules

Admin — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 23:02:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Economic Development

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce today announced the release of new rules on Government procurement that will make it easier for smaller New Zealand companies to tender for Government contracts and provide better value for money for taxpayers. The new rules are the culmination of a major reform programme the Government launched in 2009 to introduce a more user-friendly procurement policy. ...

Labour-Greens power ‘plan’ economic sabotage

Admin — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 23:52:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Economic Development

The façade behind the Labour-Greens power plan is crumbling as it becomes clear their electricity nationalisation ‘plan’ is nothing more than deliberate economic sabotage for attempted political gain, Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce says. “Comments made in recent days by Grant Robertson, David Parker, and Russel Norman show they don’t care about the damage to KiwiSaver accounts, mum and dad investors and the wider New Zealand economy,” Mr Joyce says. ...

Progress on Pike River Implementation Plan

Admin — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 23:02:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Economic Development

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce and Labour and Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges today released an update on the Pike River Implementation Plan. The plan lays out the actions the Government is taking to implement the recommendations of the Royal Commission of Inquiry on the Pike River Coal Mine Tragedy. “The Government has made a commitment to the families of the victims of Pike River to ensure we follow through on every recommendation of the Royal Commission. ...

Greens & Labour would cost household power bills and jobs

Beehive — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 04:21:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Economic Development

Claims that households would save money on power under a Greens-Labour Government are demonstrably false, Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce says. “When National was elected to Government in November 2008, Labour’s Emissions Trading Scheme was estimated to cost an average family of four around $330 a year based on a carbon price of $25/tonne,” Mr Joyce says. ...

Labour-Greens electricity threats would destroy savings & jobs

Admin — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 23:24:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Economic Development

Reckless threats by Labour and the Greens to nationalise the electricity industry have already wiped hundreds of millions of dollars off New Zealanders’ hard-earned savings, Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce says. “The more than 2 million New Zealanders in KiwiSaver will have watched with great concern yesterday as the value of their retirement nest-eggs fell sharply within hours of the opposition parties announcing their half-baked nationalisation plan,” Mr Joyce says. ...

Opposition loses the plot on economy

Beehive — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 03:57:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Economic Development

Labour and the Greens have jumped the shark with a half-baked Soviet Union-style nationalisation “plan” for electricity in New Zealand, Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce says. “This is truly wacky and desperate stuff obviously made up in the last minute in the Koru Lounge between comrades Norman and Shearer,” Mr Joyce says. ...

Speech to the New Zealand China Partnership Forum

Admin — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 21:49:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Economic Development

Good morning distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. The inaugural New Zealand-China Partnership Forum is an historic event. This session presents a rare opportunity for a frank and useful exchange on bilateral investment between public and private-sector leaders from both our countries. The New Zealand Government sees attracting new investment as crucial for New Zealand’s growth and prosperity. New investment creates jobs and grows incomes. Foreign investment is a key part of increasing overall investment in our economy. ...

Emerging economies driving growth in food & beverage sector

Admin — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 01:43:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Economic Development

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce has today released a report showing growth in the New Zealand food and beverage sector is being driven by the Asia-Pacific region and other emerging economies. The report, an Investor’s Guide to the New Zealand Food & Beverage Industry 2013, says that Asia is now New Zealand’s largest export country destination, accounting for more than 40 per cent of export value. ...

Chilean Economy, Development & Tourism Minister visiting NZ this week

Beehive — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 19:49:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Economic Development

Chilean Economy, Development and Tourism Minister Pablo Longueira is visiting New Zealand this week to carry out discussions on education, Māori economic development and tourism. Minister Longueira, who was invited to visit New Zealand by Prime Minister John Key during his recent Latin America trip, arrives today for a four-day visit. He will be accompanied by a 21-strong delegation including the Governor of the Araucania, business representatives and Chilean media. ...

Fonterra launches Mainland Cheese in Malaysia

Admin — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 10:39:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Economic Development

Fonterra Brands Malaysia’s launch of Mainland Cheese in Malaysia signals the strengthening trade links between New Zealand and South-East Asia, Minister for Economic Development Steven Joyce says. Minister Joyce today launched the Mainland Cheese brand at a New Zealand Gala event in Kuala Lumpur. “Over the last five years, Fonterra Brands Malaysia’s business in South East Asia has doubled, which shows the increasing demand for New Zealand dairy products, and the growing opportunities for New Zealand export companies in the region,” Mr Joyce says. ...

East Coast oil & gas study shows economic opportunity

Admin — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 22:43:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Economic Development

A joint economic development study has highlighted the potential of developing an onshore oil and gas industry and thousands of new jobs on the North Island’s East Coast. The East Coast Oil and Gas Development Study, released today in Napier by Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce and Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges, was commissioned to look at the benefits, impacts and risks of petroleum development. ...

Business Growth Agenda Building Capital Markets progress report

Beehive — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 04:36:00 +0000

Bill English | Commerce

Business Growth Agenda Building Capital Markets progress report Business Growth Agenda – Building Capital Markets The sixth and final Business Growth Agenda report outlines more than 50 initiatives to show how the government is strengthening New Zealand’s capital markets, so they can support businesses to grow and create jobs. ...

Govt provides $60m underwrite for NZVIF

Admin — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 21:24:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Economic Development

Minister for Economic Development Steven Joyce today announced a further $60 million underwrite for the New Zealand Venture Investment Fund’s programme to encourage more private investment into new venture capital funds. “Capital markets are the growth engine for the economy but some parts can be strengthened. There is a role for Government to partner with private investors in developing the venture capital part of our capital markets, as is the case in the United States and other economies with strong innovation sectors,” Mr Joyce says. ...

Building growth & jobs through stronger capital markets

Admin — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 21:17:00 +0000

Bill English | Economic Development

The sixth Business Growth Agenda progress report, Building Capital Markets, which is being released today, outlines 50 initiatives to strengthen New Zealand’s capital markets, so they can support businesses to grow and create jobs, Finance Minister Bill English and Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce say. The report also sets a goal of reducing the real interest rate premium on New Zealand debt, compared with the United States and Australia. ...

Additional Hobbit documents released

Beehive — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 00:21:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Economic Development

The Government has today released further Hobbit documents under the Official Information Act as recommended by the Ombudsman. Further information contained in 18 documents form part of the correspondence relating to the filming of the Hobbit movies in New Zealand. The Government originally sought to keep some of the information confidential in order to protect information that was provided in confidence and was commercially sensitive. ...

Govt welcomes OAG convention centre report

Admin — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 01:09:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Economic Development

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce today welcomed the release of the report by the Office of the Auditor-General (OAG) into the expressions of interest process for an international convention centre in Auckland. “The report dismisses the Greens’ claim that SkyCity was given an unfair advantage in the bidding process. The OAG makes it clear it has seen nothing to suggest the final decision to negotiate with SkyCity was influenced by any inappropriate considerations,” Mr Joyce says. ...

Government and Tairawhiti leaders join forces

Admin — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 23:03:00 +0000

Gerry Brownlee | Economic Development

Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee and Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce have today announced the Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) will join forces with the local authorities of the Tairawhiti Region – Gisborne, Wairoa and Napier and Hastings – to deliver a broad and deep study of the region’s economic potential over the next 30 years and appropriate transport infrastructure that would service that. ...