Articles tagged with Employment

New Flexible Insulation Rules to Cut Costs for Designers, Builders, and Homeowners

1 day ago | 140 views

Overly rigid insulation rules are being removed to ease costs for designers, builders and homeowners, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk has announced. “I’ve heard clearly from the industry that the current one-size-fits-all approach to insulation requirements is needlessly driving-up costs. “The most prescriptive compliance pathway currently available for insulation – known as the Schedule Method – doesn’t allow for design trade-offs that can affect a home’s energy efficiency, like adjusting window size.

Tags: insulation rules designers builders homeowners Chris Penk energy efficiency Building Code Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment Far North

Boosting Employment: Minister Louise Upston Leads Regional Events to Get Kiwis Into Jobs and Grow the Economy

2 days ago | 186 views

Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says a strong turnout for the first in a series of regional employment events reinforces a cross-sector commitment to get Kiwis into jobs, boost employment and grow the economy. Kicking off the MSD-led series in Levin, Minister Upston and officials met with representatives of around 30 employers and other stakeholders, reinforcing job opportunities across the Horowhenua and Kāpiti Coast regions. “It was great to attend this event, acknowledge the commitment of MSD and recognise the partnership with local employers,” Louise Upston says.

Tags: Louise Upston Social Development Employment Minister MSD Kiwis Jobseeker Benefit Horowhenua Kāpiti Coast New Zealanders Gisborne

New Jobseeker Support Policy: Reapply Every 26 Weeks for Improved Accountability and Employment Opportunities

3 days ago | 184 views

From today, people getting Jobseeker Support will need to reapply every 26 weeks (six months), instead of just once a year, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “This previously signalled change increases accountability, while also improving opportunities for jobseekers,” Louise Upston says. “Reapplying for their benefit more often makes sure people receiving Jobseeker Support engage with MSD more regularly.

Tags: Development and employment Louise upston

New Employment Law Allows Employers to Deduct Pay During Partial Strikes for Fairer Bargaining

1 week ago | 243 views

The Government has passed a change to the Employment Relations Act that reinstates the ability for employers to make pay deductions during partial strikes – making the system fairer for all, Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden announced today. “These changes will help both employers and unions to return to the bargaining table and restores the law to what it was before the previous government removed this option in 2018. “I acknowledge the right of workers to strike in support of their collective bargaining claims, the right to strike remains,” says Ms van Velden.

Tags: Brooke van v Defence Employment relations act Workplace relations and safety

Government Funds 46 Innovative Research Projects Driving Economic Growth in New Zealand

1 week ago | 206 views

The Government has reinforced its commitment to science-led economic growth by funding 46 high-potential research projects, says Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Dr Shane Reti. The projects will be funded by the contestable Endeavour Fund, which invests in research that unlocks new knowledge, technologies, and capabilities. The Smart Ideas stream of the fund targets bold, high-risk projects by catalysing and rapidly testing promising, innovative research.

Tags: Endeavour fund Medtech Ministry of business innovation and employment New zealand Science innovation and technology Shane re Smart ideas

New Legislation Ensures Fair Treatment of Boarder and Rental Payments for Housing Subsidies

1 week ago | 204 views

Legislation fixing the inconsistent treatment of boarder and rental payments has been passed into law in Parliament today. The Social Assistance Legislation (Accommodation Supplement and Income-related Rent) Amendment Bill and the supporting legislation of the Social Security (Mandatory Reviews) Amendment Bill has addressed the inconsistent treatment of board and rent payments around housing subsidies. “This has been an unnecessarily complicated and confusing system,” says Minister for Social Development and Employment Louise Upston.

Tags: Amendment bill Louise upston Mandatory reviews Related rent Social assistance legislation Social development and employment Social security Social securitydatory reviews Sulement

New Certification scheme unlocks $200M market for Kiwi cosmetics in China

2 weeks ago | 176 views

Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay and Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson have welcomed a new certification scheme, announced by the Prime Minister in Shanghai today, that unlocks access to China’s $200 million cosmetics and skincare market — a move that will drive stronger returns for New Zealand exporters and boost the economy. “This is a smart, practical step that removes a long-standing trade barrier and opens up valuable new channels for our exporters,” McClay says. “It means more high-quality, innovative New Zealand products on shelves in China - not just online, but in stores across one of the world’s fastest-growing consumer markets.

Tags: Chinese Commerce and consumer affairs Good manufacturing practice Government International aitation new zealand Ministry of business innovation and employment New zealand Scott simpson Shanghai Simpson Todd mcclay Zealand

New Bill to boost labour market flexibility

2 weeks ago | 149 views

Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says amendments to the Employment Relations Act will improve labour market flexibility and help businesses to grow, innovate, and employ with confidence and certainty. “Today I’m announcing the introduction of the Employment Relations Amendment Bill to Parliament, marking a key milestone in this Government’s efforts to help New Zealand businesses employ or contract with confidence and create more and better opportunities for workers,” says Ms van Velden. The changes give effect to several ACT–National Coalition Agreement commitments, including to provide greater certainty for contracting parties.

Tags: Agreement Brooke van veld Coalition Employment court Employment relations act Employment relations amendment bill Employment relations authority National New zealand Relations and safety

Increases to paid parental leave rates to help families

2 weeks ago | 137 views

New parents can expect more support to take time away from work to care for their children from 1 July, with an increase to the maximum weekly rate of paid parental leave up from $754. 87 to $788. 66 per week, Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden announced today.

Tags: Brooke van velden Employment Employment new zealand Paal leave Place relations and safety Protection act