Articles tagged with Dan
Government Invests $5M in Eastland Port to Boost Gisborne's Economy
1 week ago | 77 viewsAssociate Transport Minister James Meager announced a $5 million Government investment in new container-handling equipment for Gisborne’s Eastland Port to boost economic opportunities and regional connectivity. This funding, from the Coastal Shipping Resilience Fund, aims to support local businesses, improve freight resilience, and enhance the region’s ability to handle disruptions like those caused by Cyclone Gabrielle. The investment is expected to attract new trade, create jobs, and help double the value of exports from Tairāwhiti over the next decade.
Tags: James Meager Dana Kirkpatrick Eastland Port Gisborne Tairāwhiti Cyclone Gabrielle Associate Transport Minister Government Policy Statement Coastal Shipping Resilience Fund New Zealand freight systemBoosting School Attendance: Insights from Education Minister David Seymour
3 weeks ago | 151 viewsAssociate Education Minister David Seymour expressed disappointment over a drop in attendance rates in the last week of Term 3, attributing it to strike action disrupting learning. The decline in attendance was significant, with almost 20,000 students leaving early, prompting the need for schools to have an attendance management plan in place. Interventions outlined in the plan include escalating responses for declining attendance, with a focus on improving data monitoring and case management to ensure all students have the opportunity for positive educational outcomes.
Tags: David Seymour Education Minister Attendance Term 3 Strike action AMP Education and Training Amendment Bill Daily attendance reporting Frontline attendance servicesNew Education Bill Mandates Attendance Plans for Schools in 2023
3 weeks ago | 178 viewsAssociate Education Minister David Seymour is pleased with the passing of the Education Training Amendment Bill (No 2) at third reading, which mandates attendance management plans starting from Term 1 next year. The new STAR system, meaning Stepped Attendance Response, will provide escalating responses for declining attendance, with schools developing their own systems based on a standard framework. The government's focus on improving school attendance is showing positive results, with rising attendance rates and additional funding allocated to enhance attendance services and support students in returning to school.
Tags: David Seymour Education Minister Attendance Management STAR system Education Training Amendment Bill School Attendance Education Review Office Frontline Attendance Services Budget 2025 Educational OutcomesEducation Reform: Enhancing Student Achievement, Attendance, and Freedom of Expression with New Bill
3 weeks ago | 141 viewsThe Education and Training Amendment Bill (No 2) has passed its third reading in Parliament, focusing on lifting student achievement, improving education workforce governance, and upholding freedom of expression in universities. Key changes include prioritizing educational achievement for school boards, extending notice period for strike action, implementing attendance management plans, strengthening teacher education requirements, and requiring universities to develop freedom of expression statements. The legislation aims to improve outcomes for young people, enhance academic freedom, and promote critical thinking and diversity in universities.
Tags: Government schools student achievement attendance education workforce governance freedom of expression Education and Training Amendment Bill Erica Stanford unions universitiesHon. Justice Timothy Brewer Appointed as New Inspector-General of Defence, Natalie Pierce as Deputy
1 month ago | 132 viewsThe House has approved the appointment of High Court Judge Hon Justice Timothy Brewer as the next Inspector-General of Defence and barrister Natalie Pierce as the Deputy. Justice Brewer, a former Brigadier in the NZ Army, will retire on November 15 and assume the IGD role on December 1. Ms. Pierce, with expertise in criminal law and human rights, will start her role on November 10. Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith also acknowledged the contributions of Brendan Horsley, who held the IGD role concurrently with his role as Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security, in establishing the office and providing oversight.
Tags: High Court Judge Justice Timothy Brewer Natalie Pierce Deputy Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith Barrister Brendan Horsley Intelligence and SecurityInnovative Autism NZ Education Hub to Open in 2026: A Personalized Approach for Neurodivergent Students
1 month ago | 236 viewsAssociate Education Minister David Seymour announced the opening of the Autism NZ Education Hub in Term 3, 2026, as a charter school, providing a tailored education option for autistic and neurodivergent secondary school students in Wellington and Auckland. The hub will offer personalized learning plans focusing on students' strengths, interests, and needs, aiming to address the high rates of absence and school rejection among neurodivergent and disabled students. The charter school model aims to bring innovative education options to communities, with a focus on flexibility, accountability, and student success, with plans for more charter schools to open in the future.
Tags: David Seymour Autism NZ Education Hub Charter School Autism NZ Dane Dougan Education Minister Education Review Office Alternative Education Charter School Agency Authorisation BoardStrengthening Nordic-New Zealand Partnerships: Shared Values and Future Collaborations
1 month ago | 312 viewsThe speech delivered to the Swedish Institute for International Affairs on October 28, 2025, highlighted the historical and current ties between New Zealand and the Nordic countries, emphasizing shared values and experiences dating back to the 18th century. The discussion focused on the strength of partnerships, shared challenges in a complex world, and the need for collaboration on international law, resilience-building, and innovation to address global issues. The importance of unity, cooperation, and principled values-based partnerships in shaping a positive global order was underscored, emphasizing the potential for small and medium nations to influence world affairs through collective action.
Tags: State Secretary Hartelius Tobias Billstrom Ambassadors Daniel Solander Hermann Sporring Ditlev Monrad Helen Lahtinen Jon Johansson Captain Cook Te PapaRemembering Jim Bolger: A Tribute to a Dedicated Leader and Statesman
1 month ago | 210 viewsJim Bolger's life and political career are honored, with gratitude expressed for his service and achievements. His leadership as New Zealand's Prime Minister is highlighted, with a focus on his role in important reforms and Treaty settlements. Bolger's enduring legacy includes economic reforms, foreign relations initiatives, and his dedication to public service.
Tags: Jim Bolger Joan Dan Paul Brian Stephen Bernadette Fiona Rachael MatthewAirways Corporation of New Zealand Announces New Leadership Appointments
1 month ago | 218 viewsState-Owned Enterprises Minister Simeon Brown announced leadership changes at the Airways Corporation of New Zealand. Darin Cusack will become Chair effective October 31, 2025, succeeding Denise Church, with Danny Tuato’o appointed as Deputy Chair. Both Cusack and Tuato’o have been reappointed for extended terms, bringing valuable experience in aviation systems and safety, financial acumen, and risk management to help Airways navigate industry challenges.
Tags: Simeon Brown Darin Cusack Denise Church Danny Tuato'o Airways Corporation of New Zealand aviation sector leadership appointments air navigation services safety systemsGovernment Saves $915 Million on Consultants, Boosts Frontline Roles
2 months ago | 263 viewsIn the past two years, the New Zealand government has reduced spending on contractors and consultants by $915 million, exceeding their savings target of $400 million. This reduction has been accompanied by a decrease in the size of the public service by nearly 5%, with a focus on increasing frontline roles while cutting back-office positions. The emphasis has shifted towards prioritizing savings in back-office functions to protect and enhance frontline services, resulting in 1533 redundancies and $80.4 million in redundancy payments in the past year.
Tags: Public Service Minister Judith Collins frontline roles public service contractors consultants savings Government redundancies New Zealanders restructureImproving School Attendance: ERO Report Shows Positive Trends Under Government
2 months ago | 278 viewsAssociate Education Minister David Seymour welcomes the Education Review Office's report on improved parent and student attitudes towards school attendance under the current Government. The report, based on a survey of 14,600 stakeholders, reveals a significant increase in school attendance rates since 2022. Schools and school leaders play a crucial role in setting clear expectations around attendance, with a focus on the importance of education for students' future success.
Tags: David Seymour Education Minister ERO report school attendance students parents teachers school leaders education attendance management planTransforming School Attendance Services for Better Student Engagement and Support
2 months ago | 253 viewsAssociate Education Minister David Seymour has revamped the Government's school attendance services contracting system to enhance support for chronically absent students. Budget 2025 allocated $140 million over four years, with $123 million designated for frontline services, leading to the awarding of 83 contracts to Attendance Service Providers (ASPs) nationwide. The new model emphasizes reaching more absent students, understanding their reasons for non-attendance, collaborating with families and schools, addressing students' basic needs, and escalating cases of chronic non-attendance, with a goal to achieve 80% student attendance by 2030.
Tags: David Seymour Ministry ERO Attendance Service Providers Budget 2025 School attendance Education Minister Contracts Students ServicesRaukūmara Pae Maunga: $6 Million Investment Boosts Indigenous Conservation Efforts
2 months ago | 414 viewsA $6 million investment in the Raukūmara Pae Maunga restoration project aims to strengthen local employment and iwi-led conservation efforts against destructive pests, supported by Conservation Minister Tama Potaka. The project, a collaboration between Ngāti Porou, Te-Whānau-ā-Apanui, and the Department of Conservation, focuses on large-scale pest control, forest regeneration, community engagement, and species protection in the Raukūmara Range. Through innovative approaches like DNA surveying and aerial hunting, the project is enhancing conservation efforts and developing a new generation of indigenous conservation leaders, with funding secured until 2028 from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy.
Tags: Tama Potaka Ngāti Porou Department of Conservation Raukūmara Pae Maunga Conservation Minister Dana Kirkpatrick Caleb Wharepapa Te Papa Atawhai Raukūmara RangeChallenges of Political Leadership in the Global Arena
2 months ago | 245 viewsThe speech emphasizes the importance of political leadership in addressing international challenges, restoring trust in institutions, and navigating the changing global order. New Zealand expresses concern over humanitarian crises in various countries and advocates for bold reforms within the United Nations. The government deliberates on the recognition of Palestinian statehood, highlighting the complexities of the situation and the need for conducive conditions for peace negotiations.
Tags: Madam President New Zealand United Nations Security Council Anwar Sadat Gaza Ukraine Democratic Republic of Congo Syria SudanEmpowering Intelligence Professionals for National Security
3 months ago | 280 viewsThe content emphasizes gratitude for the opportunity to address intelligence professionals, highlighting the importance of their work in providing crucial insights for decision-makers. It discusses the evolving landscape of intelligence work, including the need to expand the reach of intelligence services to support a wider range of stakeholders and adapt to technological advancements. Additionally, it touches on the importance of early action, collaboration domestically and internationally, and adopting an integrated approach to national security to ensure New Zealand's safety and prosperity.
Tags: Dan Wildy New Zealand Police intelligence professionals New Zealanders national security GCSB NZSIS Five Eyes artificial intelligence security provisions