Nikki’s News - February 2010
Hello. I hope you had a lovely Christmas and New Year period. It has been great getting back in to the swing of things after a bit of time off. 2010 is shaping up to be a very productive year.
I am pleased to see the high number of constituents that have contacted my office as a result of receiving my mailout at the end of last year. Before receiving my letter, many were not aware of the different issues that they could raise with me, so it is great to be able to help even more people through my office.
Over the last two months I have been working hard on a few key local projects that I feel strongly about. I would like to take this opportunity to give you an update on my progress with the Arts, the cycle trails, and Fort Stony Batter, as well as include some of the recent Government initiatives.
Following the Arts Sector meeting I attended on the 20th of November, I chaired the follow up meeting held last Wednesday, 27 January. These meetings are a great opportunity for me to engage with local stake holders in the Arts sector, to receive feedback on Government initiatives or policy, and to take suggestions and comments to Parliament.
I’ve been delighted to be significantly involved with three cycle trail applications for Auckland Central. Applications have been lodged for Auckland, Great Barrier Island, and Waiheke to be included in the National Cycle Trail, and this would be an immensely positive step forward.
As part of my continued campaigning for these three cycle trails, last Saturday 23 January I cycled the current Waiheke cycle track in an attempt to gain some support. Many Islanders have really got behind the idea and we will continue to lobby for a successful outcome.
Please contact my office if you would like to get involved in supporting any or all of these applications.
Government Initiatives
Below are some recent announcements that we have made:
There’s a balancing act between the ability for businesses and consumers to pay an increase, and the potential loss of jobs.
The increase in the minimum wage to $12.75 is in line with the Consumer Price Index.
We don’t want to see people losing their jobs or having their hours reduced because employers can no longer afford to pay their workers.
We don’t want to see workers priced out of the market, but we also don’t want to discourage businesses from taking on new staff.
Last year we raised the minimum wage from $12 to $12.50. This further increase shows our commitment to helping people who are on low incomes to tackle rising living costs.
In the current fiscal climate, raising the minimum wage by $2.50 an hour would have put thousands of jobs at risk.
Labour increased the minimum wage by $5 over nine years of global economic growth, but they wanted us to increase it by $2.50 in one year during tough times, which was unrealistic.
All New Zealanders have the right to feel safe in their homes and in their communities.
One reason National was voted into office was because people trusted us to take a hard line on criminals.
We are delivering on our law and order promises. In our first year we passed a raft of legislation designed to protect law-abiding Kiwis while cracking down on the people, and criminal activities, which cause the most harm to our families and our communities.
We start our second year with legislation that will ensure the worst repeat offenders receive the maximum allowable sentence.
The Sentencing and Parole Reform Bill will uphold National’s election pledge of no parole for the worst repeat violent offenders, and incorporates significant aspects of ACT’s three-strikes policy.
National is determined to hold serious repeat offenders to account. We are determined to improve public safety. And we are determined to provide a greater measure of justice and closure for victims.
The new sentencing regime will target the small number of repeat violent offenders who show continued disregard for the law and contempt for society.
Offenders who commit violence and sex crimes with a maximum jail term of seven years or more will come under the new regime.
The first offence will bring a standard sentence and warning. The second offence will bring a jail sentence – in most cases – with no parole and a further warning. On conviction for a third offence, the offender will receive the maximum sentence in jail for the crime with no parole.
We have allowed for a rare occasion when such a sentence would be regarded as manifestly unjust. If the court believes it would be unjust not to allow parole, then it can make an order for parole.
Three strikes will only apply to serious crime offenders aged 18 and over. And it will not be retrospective – it will only apply to offences committed after the law comes into force.
The new regime will help keep the worst repeat offenders behind bars for longer. It will also deter criminals from committing further crime by escalating the severity of their sentences.
National is determined to make communities safer for Kiwi families, reduce the number of crime victims, and make life tougher for violent criminals. This new law is yet another step towards that goal.
As New Zealand emerges from recession the National-led Government’s focus for 2010 has firmly shifted towards significantly lifting our economic performance.
Economic growth matters because it creates jobs, lifts incomes, and improves the living standards of New Zealand families. Only through lifting our economic growth can we close the gap with our trading partners and create new jobs to replace those lost during the recession.
Heading into 2010, we have a good platform. Economic growth is stronger than expected and unemployment lower, thanks to a more stable global economy and the Government’s success in managing New Zealand through the recession.
New Zealand is on the road to recovery, but we still face risks. Global growth may yet weaken again and there are multiple challenges in our own economy.
Unless we can create the right environment for New Zealand businesses to compete on the world stage, we will not achieve the sustained increase in incomes to which National aspires.
We have identified six key areas as potential drivers of growth. These are investment in productive infrastructure; removing red tape and improving regulation; supporting business innovation and trade; improving education and lifting skills; lifting productivity and improving services in the public sector; and strengthening the tax system.
Budget 2010 will feature initiatives across these areas.
We have also set some of the best minds in the country the task of coming up with ways to lift growth. Among the groups to report back to the Government recently is the Tax Working Group. This report on ways of improving New Zealand’s tax system will contribute to our Budget decision making.
Equity and fairness for households and the economy will guide our consideration of options identified by the tax group. The only thing we have ruled out is a capital gains tax on the family home.
In considering any significant changes to the tax system National believes the benefits must clearly outweigh any potential difficulties. We will consider proposals that are fiscally neutral.
National believes tax policy can play a role in increasing growth and productivity. We want to ensure our tax system rewards people for hard work, encourages them to save, and helps Kiwi families to get ahead.
A message from the organisers:
Did you know it can take 1000 years for the plastics in your old running shoes to break down in your local landfill? It’s time for you to do your bit to keep you and your planet healthy.
Dig out your old sports shoes from the back of the wardrobe and bring them to the Great WORKOUT| ZONE Sports Shoe recycling project run in conjunction with the Ports of Auckland Round the Bays on Sunday March14th 2010.
WORKOUT|ZONE- skin care for active people is packaged in minimal and recyclable packaging. With us you get exactly what you see and feel- great skin care and minimal waste. Which is why, we have organised this initiative in association with SAVEMART, NIKE Re-Use a Shoe, Les Mills Auckland and stuff.co.nz. Working together we can do something big!
We want you to drop off your old shoes (tied together) to Les Mills, Victoria Street………before the event, but if you forget bring them, (tied together) to the marked bins at the start of the Ports of Auckland Round the Bays.
Your shoes will be sorted by SAVEMART and the wearable shoes will be sent for re-use to Papua New Guinea. NIKE Re-Use-a-Shoe will collect the “Completely-Past-It” shoes for grinding down to make sports ground surfaces.
For more information go to www.workoutzone.co.nz and click on the icon.
For all other news, photos and updates on my work around the electorate, keep an eye on my website www.nikkikaye.co.nz which is updated regularly.
My website is also an easy way to make contact with me. If you have any issues, let me know through the “Have Your Say” link on the homepage.
Best wishes,
