Portfolio: Economic Development

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. ...

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. ...

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. ...

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. ...

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. ...

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. ...

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 Ministry to drive business growth agenda

Admin — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 23:30:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Economic Development

The new Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment will help the Government’s business growth agenda by implementing integrated policies to build a more competitive and internationally-focused economy, Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce says. Prime Minister John Key today announced that Cabinet had agreed in principle to establish the new Ministry, which will absorb the functions of the Ministry of Economic Development, the Department of Labour, the Ministry of Science and Innovation, and the Department of Building and Housing. ...

Business success at heart of Govt growth plan

Admin — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 00:34:00 +0000

Bill English | Economic Development

The Government will focus on six key areas over the next three years to help companies grow and to build a more productive and competitive economy, Finance Minister Bill English and Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce say. Building a more competitive economy is one of four main priorities the Prime Minister has outlined for the Government in this term. ...

Green Growth Report released

Beehive — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 22:27:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Economic Development

The report of the Green Growth Advisory Group was released today at the annual Bluegreens Forum at Lake Pupuke, North Shore, with 26 recommendations for the Government to consider. “This is a useful report for bringing together policies that will help the Government build a more productive and competitive economy, while meeting environmental objectives,” Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce says. ...

Collaboration helping recruit health ICT workers

Admin — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 22:22:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Economic Development

A new project designed to attract highly skilled workers to New Zealand is a great example of collaboration between the Government and the private sector, Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce says. ...

Further investment in NZ tourism

Beehive — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 03:16:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Economic Development

The opening of a new $10.5 million high-tech water ride in Rotorua is a further commitment to the local economy and an investment in New Zealand tourism, Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce says. Mr Joyce today opened the “Big Splash” ride at Rainbow Springs conservation park developed by Ngai Tahu Tourism. Around 300 people were involved in its construction. ...

New $70m plant shows commitment to investing in NZ

Admin — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 23:19:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Economic Development

Construction of a new $70 million gas plant to supply New Zealand Steel is another strong sign of confidence in the New Zealand economy, Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce says. Mr Joyce today marked the start of work to construct the new BOC gas facility at a ground breaking ceremony at New Zealand Steel’s site at Glenbrook. The construction will create 120 jobs over two years. “The new contract for BOC Gases to build a plant to supply air gases to New Zealand Steel for at least another 20 years is excellent news,” Mr Joyce says. ...

Government welcomes jobs and growth in Taranaki

Beehive — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 03:57:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Economic Development

The Government is welcoming a likely $250 million a year increase to exports and the 500 additional construction jobs as part of the agreement announced this afternoon by the Todd Corporation and Methanex New Zealand to increase methanol production in Taranaki. Methanex is entering into a 10 year contract with Todd that enable it to restart the second methanol manufacturing train at its Motunui facility, north of New Plymouth. ...

Govt to save $178m in legal & air travel costs

Beehive — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 01:16:00 +0000

Steven Joyce | Economic Development

New all-of-Government contracts for air travel and external legal services will save the Government $178 million over the next six to seven years, Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce announced today. The new contracts include all public sector agencies, councils and up to 2500 schools. “The contracts we are announcing today will mean we have achieved a total saving to the Government of $293 million from the six contracts that have been completed to date in the Government Procurement Reform Programme,” Mr Joyce says. ...