We will implement the Congestion Free Network including underwriting $1. 3 billion in funding for the Auckland City Rail Link to start immediately, and extending rail to the Airport and the North Shore within 15 years.
3.  Safe walking and cycling.
The Green Party will invest at least $100 million a year in new, safe, separated walking and cycling infrastructure in New Zealand's small towns and big cities.
4.  Resilient regions.
Our switch in spending away from a few motorways in urban areas will result in increased transport funding so regions can contest for projects that will best serve their transport needs.
We will also reverse the neglect of our rail network, and invest significantly in the transport backbone of New Zealand.
5.  Affordable fares. The Student Green Card will give free off-peak travel to all tertiary students and apprentices.
We will investigate options to lower fares for everyone, and implement smart, integrated options for monthly and annual passes.
Situation
New Zealanders spend a disproportionate amount of their income getting around our cities.
Households are currently spending on average $264 per week on transport.
This is relatively high compared to other developed countries.
People who live in cities like Perth in Australia or Portland in the United States can avoid the high cost of driving by using appealing, alternative ways of getting to work or school.
Trains and buses run every few minutes at peak-hours and protected cycle lanes are available for shorter trips.
These two cities are not more densely populated than our own.
What makes them different is a more balanced approach to transport investment; they no longer focus their transport spend solely on roads.
National is not taking a balanced approach to transport.
Over the next decade, National plans to spend less than 2 percent of the land transport budget for new infrastructure on public transport, walking and cycling.
It will spend over $14 billion on a few expensive state highway projects that carry less than 5 percent of vehicle trips.
This will not make it easier for people to get places without a car.
An advanced city is not one where even the poor use cars, but rather one where even the rich use public transport. - Enrique Penalosa, former Mayor of Bogota, Colombia, who transformed the dynamics of public transport in Bogota
No city has ever successfully managed to build their way out of congestion.
Cities like Los Angeles did not solve congestion by building 1,400 kilometres of motorways.
National's plan won't unclog our streets.
It will make things worse.
National's plan won't help our kids walk or cycle to school.
Carbon emissions from transport will continue to grow under National and our air will become more polluted.
Even Los Angeles is now investing heavily in rail, busways and cycleways to address their gridlock and reduce the high costs of getting around. 4
Solution
To build a smart, green economy that benefits all New Zealanders, the Green Party will significantly shift the way we currently invest in transport.
1.  A bus or train every few minutes
The Green Party has been campaigning on critical infrastructure projects that will create an integrated, frequent passenger transport system in our largest cities.
For Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, this will mean a bus or train every few minutes during peak travel times.
New Zealand's other cities will also benefit from similar investments in frequent network planning, and safe walking and cycling.
This is not unrealistic or unaffordable - indeed it is less expensive and has far greater benefits than the National Government's current plans.
Our plan can be entirely implemented within the ten-year transport budget set out in the draft 2015-2025 Government Policy Statement on Transport Funding.
Unlike National, we will subject all projects to comprehensive economic evaluation to ensure that we are prioritising projects that are best value for money over their lifetime.
2.  Unlocking Auckland: Faster, Cleaner, Smarter
Aucklanders have made it clear: they want faster, more convenient transport options,
but the current National Government is not listening.
The Plan
It is time to unlock Auckland's potential
by re-prioritising spending into public transport, cycling, and walking initiatives, and by fast-tracking the City Rail Link.
We plan to reduce congestion, make roads safer, cleaner, and quieter,
and boost Auckland's thriving economy.
Transforming the culture of how we move around this city is not an end in itself, but a means to the end of making the city a better place in which to live. - Metro Magazine on Auckland City, May 2014
We plan to implement the Congestion Free Network (developed by the Transport Blog and Generation Zero) and will deliver safer spaces for cyclists and pedestrians,
making Auckland a more vibrant, liveable city.
We will build a comprehensive transport network with integrated trains, buses, and ferries that will make getting around Auckland faster and easier for everyone.
By 2020, we will:1.  Complete the City Rail Link, cutting train travel times by up to 28 minutes per trip;
2.  Build a rail extension to Mt Roskill (with further rail extensions to the Airport by 2025 and the North Shore by 2030);
3.  Electrify the rail network from Papakura to Pukekohe;
4.  Extend the Northern Busway to Albany and through to Newmarket;
5.  Build a busway on State Highway 16 and establish a new high quality bus service across the Upper Harbour;
6.  Extend the Auckland Manukau Eastern Transport Initiative busway into Ellerslie and Manukau.
By 2025, the Northern Busway will be extended to Silverdale, the North¬western busway extended to Kumeu, and a busway will connect Howick to Panmure and Ellerslie.
By 2030, Dominion Road will be upgraded to light rail, which will connect to the Wynyard Quarter, and our rail network will be extended to the Airport and the North Shore.
Safe walking and cycling in Auckland
We will also invest $34 million a year in Auckland's cycling and walking infrastructure, building a city-wide protected network.
We will increase the number of pedestrian areas, cycle parks, and storage, introduce bus bike racks, and build traffic calming measures like traffic islands, trees, and raised road crossings near shopping centres and schools.
We are also committed to fully funding the SkyPath, so people on foot and on bike can cross the Auckland Harbour Bridge toll-free and safely.
Perth: A city showing the way  Perth has a slightly larger population than Auckland and is also a dispersed city that is forecast to grow significantly. Perth's bold plans for public transport, including inner city light rail, will see A$4. 2 billion (NZ$4. 4 billion) spent on new fleets and infrastructure in the next 15 years. Public transport use will rise to 30 percent of peak-hour journeys from 20 percent. The building of light rail, starting in two years, and linking inner northern suburbs to the CBD will transform transport in the city, according to the state government. Patronage has increased by more than 600 percent since the system was electrified and expanded in the early 1990s. 6 In addition, the city has an extensive cycleway network with park and ride facilities.
3.  Safe walking and cycling
The Green Party will invest $400 million in safe, new separated walking and cycling infrastructure over the next four years.
Safe urban cycling
Cycling is booming throughout New Zealand despite the National Government's failure to fund new cycle lanes to keep people safe.
The number of people riding a bike to work increased by 16 percent between 2006 and 2013, while there was only a 1 percent increase in car commuting.
We will change the way we invest our transport budget to meet the demand for safe cycle lanes.
Although cycling is increasingly popular, National has failed to make it a priority.
It has invested less than 1 percent of the transport budget in cycling.
Only seven of the New Zealand Transport Agency's 1,300 staff work on cycling projects (as a comparison, 21 staff do public relations).
It would cost a tiny fraction of National's current $14 billion spend on motorways to construct safe cycling infrastructure throughout our towns and cities.
National is missing a huge opportunity to enable cycling to be a serious, cost effective transport option for short trips.
Portland: bike capital of AmericaPortland dubs itself 'the bike capital of America with cycle use tripling since 2001.It aims to increase daily bicycle modal share from 7-8 percent to 25 percent.Downtown and near-city neighbourhoods are awash in bikes and bike lanes, delivery bikes dot the urban landscape and bars aren't encased in massive parking lots — they have bike corrals out front," according to a USA Today article.7In Portland 31 percent of kids walk or bike to school as compared to the US national average of 13 percent.Portland's Transportation Bureau has worked to make cycling integral to daily life by:1. Planning, implementing, and maintaining a bikeway network2. Providing secure bicycle parking3. Educating people about the role of cycling.Portland began building its cycle network in 1973 and in 2010, planned to double it to 1,500km by 2016.
Safe walking and cycling to school
The Green Party has announced its plan to spend $200 million over four years to build safe walking and cycling infrastructure around schools. 8
By 2020, we will see half of school kids getting to school under their own steam.
This will be good for our children
and good for our economy.
For every dollar invested, we will recoup up to $20 of health and education benefits. 9
We will also free up our roads.
One in three car trips in the morning rush hour are related to education. 10
That is around a quarter-of-a- million car journeys every morning that involve dropping kids off.
As anyone who uses the roads during school holidays knows, school traffic is a major cause of congestion, which holds up traffic for all road users.
Our plan for schools alone will reduce congestion by around 100,000 car trip-legs each day.
To keep our children safe, we also plan to promote 'walking buses' to school and will reduce speed limits around schools and pedestrian areas.
4.  Resilient regions
While we will be deferring a few of National's big, expensive motorway projects that don't justify investment,
we will invest in safety upgrades to our State Highways - including Project Lifesaver on State Highway 1 north of Puhoi.
Over 10 years we plan to spend $3 billion on state highways to improve safety.
Our transport budget increases Regional Transport funding by more than 50 percent so regions can contest for projects that best serve their transport needs, whether road, rail or port projects.
In addition, we will reverse the decades-long under-investment in our transport backbone, the national rail network.
Rail freight has been growing for the past five years, but the infrastructure needs investment to make rail a much more reliable and fast option.
National has been doing the bare minimum required to keep rail alive.
It has been cutting lines and refusing to invest in required new infrastructure.
For example, a third main line will be needed in Auckland to serve strongly growing freight volumes at Port of Tauranga's Metroport and Port of Auckland's Wiri inland port.
While this is relatively cheap, National has been dragging its feet on investing to grow capacity.
The Green Party will invest at least $4 billion over the next decade on our national rail network - this will help exporters reduce the cost of getting their goods to market, and take pressure off our roads.
We will bring rail funding into the transport budget so rail projects are subject to the same economic evaluation framework as all other transport projects.
5.  Affordable fares
We will make public transport fares more affordable, starting with tertiary students and apprentices who are on tight budgets.
The Student Green Card will allow tertiary students and apprentices free off- peak travel on public buses and trains.
The Green Party will ensure students on a limited budget can use the bus or train,
which will free up the roads for those who have to drive.
For less than the cost of one kilometre of one of National’s Roads of National Significance, we can provide all tertiary students and apprentices with free off-peak transport for a year. - Julie Anne Genter, Green Party transport spokesperson
We will give students greater mobility and choice about how they get around.
The Green Card will be funded by re-prioritised spending and will cost between $20 million and 30 million per year, depending on uptake.
We will look to extend this to all children under 18 and beneficiaries, in addition to making fares more affordable for everyone through integrated monthly and annual ticket options.
Green
Rivers Clean Enough to Swim in Again
Green Party election priority
Love it.
Protect it.
Introduction3Summary4Situation5Solution8Benefits13
Introduction
We love our rivers and beaches and we have a credible plan to protect them.
One of the Green Party's top election priorities is to make New Zealand rivers clean enough to swim in again and keep our beaches safe from oil spills.
Summer in New Zealand means sun, swimming, BBQs, and beaches.
But our rivers and beaches are under threat.
Our beaches are under threat from oil spills while our freshwater is in crisis.
Some of our waterways suffer from toxic algal blooms, many are choking on sediment and faecal contamination, and still others are drying up from over-use.
It has become so bad that, according to the Ministry for the Environment, nearly two-thirds of New Zealand's monitored river swimming spots were unsafe for swimming last summer. 1
National's water policies put our rivers at risk.
When nearly two-thirds of our monitored swimming spots are too polluted to swim in, something is seriously wrong.
This isn't a legacy we want to pass on to our children.
The Green Party has a series of announcements which will outline the specifics of how we will clean up our rivers and keep our beaches safe for swimming.
When nearly two-thirds of our monitored swimming spots are too polluted to swim in, something is seriously wrong. - James Shaw, Green Party Co-leader
Summary
In order to help achieve the nationwide goal of having rivers that are clean enough for swimming, the Green Party will:
1.  Establish a protected rivers network to permanently safeguard our most precious rivers.
New Zealand currently has a network of national parks and reserves to permanently protect the best of our landscapes and habitats but we don't have a similar system for permanently protecting our best rivers.
The protected river network will stop the destruction of rivers from irrigation, dams and pollution, above and beyond the normal protections afforded by minimum standards,
while retaining the full right of all New Zealanders to use the protected rivers for food gathering and recreation.
Iwi and hapu will be involved in the protection plan process at each step, in recognition of their kaitiakitanga and rangatiratanga.
2.  Limit the amount of water being taken from rivers and limit the amount of pollution going into them so that our river water quality is safe enough for swimming.
We will do this by overhauling and strengthening the current weak National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management, implementing a strong National Environmental Standard (NES) for both water quality and water flows in rivers, all of which will be geared to make our rivers clean and healthy enough for swimming.
Situation
Rivers are the cultural, social, and economic lifeblood of New Zealand.
Rivers are a key element of Maori whakapapa,
and important to the identity of all New Zealanders.
We want our rivers to be clean enough for swimming, playing, fishing, and gathering kai, and to remain clean and healthy enough for our children and grandchildren to enjoy in the future.
The Green Party has a vision for Aotearoa New Zealand where families can head down to their local swimming hole and jump right in without worrying about getting sick.
Sadly, more and more families arrive at their local river only to find a "Health Risk Warning" sign posted by their local council or health board.
According to the Ministry for the Environment, nearly two-thirds of New Zealand's monitored river swimming spots were unsafe for swimming last summer. 2
Pollution degrades the vibrance of our rivers and the intimate relationship which iwi and hapu have with the natural environment.
Unfortunately water quality has been declining for years, largely because of intensive agriculture, and isn't set to improve under current policy.
The National Government is only paying lip service to cleaning up our rivers.
In 2009, the National Government started the Land and Water Forum which brought together different sector groups interested in water management. 3
The Green Party supported the Forum, whose goal was to reach agreement on water management rules.
To their considerable credit, the Forum achieved this, yet the National Government has ignored dozens of the Forum's 158 recommendations which would have helped improve water quality in New Zealand. 4
In 2011, the National Government implemented a National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management but it ignores the main source of water pollution - land use changes and agricultural intensification. 5
Then in July 2014, the National Government changed this already weak National Policy Statement by implementing what it is calling the National Objective Framework. 6
Perversely, the Framework sets weak water quality bottom lines, and will permit many of our rivers to become even more polluted than they currently are.
The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment has criticised the Framework, saying that the scale of land use change and its increasing nutrient loads will result in a worsening of water quality in the short to medium term and make the job of improving water quality much harder in the longer term. 7
Former Prime Minister and architect of the Resource Management Act, Sir Geoffrey Palmer, has also criticised the Framework saying: "Critically, there is no guarantee that the existing state of New Zealand's freshwater will actually improve.”
The issue is that, under National, some rivers will be allowed to degrade as long as others in a region are improving.
And the ones that are left to degrade will be allowed to reach quite a polluted state.
For example, the Framework would allow our rivers to have as much nitrogen pollution as the notoriously polluted Yangtze River in China. 9
This National Government has given up on making our rivers safe for swimming.
The Government's 'human health standard' for freshwater in the Framework requires rivers to be clean enough for people to boat and wade in them without getting sick, but does not require rivers to be safe for swimming.
Local government is also dissatisfied.
The Otago Regional Council has criticised the National Government's bottom lines for water quality, saying they would result in water bodies that are: Unsafe for swimming, recreation, and food gathering; potentially toxic; unable to sustain sensitive fish species; unsafe for allowing your dog to swim in; and unsafe for stock consumption. 11
Simply put, National's plan will increase river pollution.
This situation is grim, and it will only get worse.
Not only is the National Government just paying lip service to cleaning up our rivers by implementing weak rules for clean water, but it is actually subsidising pollution.
National has allocated $120 million from the Future Investment Fund - generated by the partial sale of New Zealand state-owned energy companies - to subsidise large irrigation schemes. 12
Large scale irrigation will lead to increasing land use intensification - putting more animals and fertiliser on the land - and the science clearly shows that this leads to increased water pollution.
National's irrigation subsidies will speed up the degradation of our rivers and lakes and groundwater.
When this happens, the taxpayer will end up having to pay for waterway clean-ups.
And clean-ups are expensive.
Already the taxpayer is contributing over $300 million to a small number of freshwater clean-up projects. 13
This is a very small ambulance at the bottom of a very large cliff.
Rather than simultaneously subsidising pollution and paying for pollution clean-up, the Green Party will focus on preventing environmental damage from happening in the first place.
National’s irrigation subsidies will speed up the degradation of our rivers and lakes and groundwater.
Solution
The Green Party will use several policy tools to help achieve the nationwide goal of ensuring our rivers and lakes are clean enough for swimming:
1.  Establish a national network of protected rivers
The Green Party will establish a national network of protected rivers which includes different types of rivers (braided rivers, fast flowing streams, etc).
Rivers with this status will have more stringent controls on damaging activities such as irrigation takes, large dams, and polluting discharges,
while retaining the full right of all New Zealanders to use the rivers for food gathering and recreation.
We respect the kaitiakitanga of iwi and hapu and will work with them in developing the model for this national network of protection.
New Zealand has a network of national parks, conservation parks, and reserves to permanently protect the best of our landscapes but we don't have a similar system for permanently protecting our best rivers. 14
The protected rivers network would be such a system.
The Green Party would task the New Zealand Conservation Authority or a special tribunal to work with hapu and iwi and then the public to choose rivers for an initial list, based on the river's outstanding characteristics, such as natural character, biodiversity, importance to Maori, and cultural and recreational values.
The public would be consulted and evidence of rivers' outstanding characteristics would be robustly tested before implementation.
Protections afforded to the rivers in the network would be developed in conjunction with iwi and hapu and would be compatible with co-governance Treaty models.
Selected rivers would be protected under special legislation or an improved system for water conservation orders.
Better land management practices and stronger rules would be applied to the areas in which the rivers flow.
We would also improve public access to the rivers by providing $2 million to the Walking Access Commission to map and signpost marginal strips and the Queen's Chain - public areas where people are often unaware they are allowed to go.
Our rivers and lakes should be clean enough for swimming.
DOC to manage riverbeds
The Green Party will transfer the management of Crown-owned land in riverbeds to the Department of Conservation.
This will ensure that riverbeds are better managed for conservation purposes.
Currently Crown-owned riverbeds are managed by Land Information New Zealand, creating the perverse situation where some riverbeds in national parks are not protected to the same extent as the land that surrounds them.
No new dams on wild rivers
Wild rivers are rivers that are currently in their natural state, unmodified by dams or major diversions.
The Green Party will protect our remaining wild and scenic rivers from big new dams.
We can meet New Zealand's energy needs without having to dam any more wild and scenic rivers, such as the Mokihinui on the West Coast.
Dams interrupt the normal flow of rivers.
Natural flows are variable with times of high flow that carry sediment away, flush away mats of algae, maintain ecological health and dilute pollution.
New irrigation dams are being proposed on rivers such as the Makaroro in the Hawke's Bay, as well as in the Wairarapa and Canterbury.
Irrigation dams lead to increasing land use intensification - putting more animals and fertiliser on the land - and the science clearly shows that this leads to increased water pollution.
Yet, the Government is currently subsidising the development of new irrigation dams by tens of millions of dollars. 15
Not only will the Green Party stop subsidising the development of new irrigation dams, we will prohibit new dams on wild rivers.
2.  Set robust standards for clean water
Strong National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management
The Green Party will overhaul the current weak National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management (NPS) by implementing the 2011 version written by the Board of Inquiry (16), a group of experts tasked by the Government to consult the public and provide a recommendation on the NPS.
However, we would implement this version with further improvements, including changes recommended by the New Zealand Freshwater Sciences Society, the key professional society for practitioners in freshwater science and management in New Zealand.
The Board of Inquiry version had the goal of ensuring the health of our rivers and lakes by phasing out contamination, phasing out over-allocation, protecting wetlands, and improving the integration of freshwater management.17
The Green Party is committed to the achievement of these important objectives.
Following the recommendations of the New Zealand Freshwater Sciences Society, the Green Party's NPS will ensure that no rivers and lakes are allowed to degrade further. 18
It will reflect that land use affects water quality.
It will also have a human health objective to provide for primary contact recreation, which will make our rivers safe for swimming again.
Strong National Environment Standards for Water Quality
The Green Party will also implement a National Environmental Standard (NES) for water quality that requires councils to ensure that our rivers are clean enough for swimming.
This NES would sit beneath the NPS and help bring it into effect.
It would set maximum levels for nitrate, phosphorus, zinc, cadmium and other pollutants allowed in our rivers and set minimum levels for clarity and dissolved oxygen and the macro-invertebrate community index (a measure of ecological health).
Preventing further pollution would help protect the health and vitality of our rivers.
The National Government recently implemented its National Objectives Framework (19) with bottom lines for water quality that are woefully inadequate.
The National Government's Framework only requires river water quality to be clean and safe enough for boating and wading but not swimming. 20
In other words, they think it's okay for some rivers to be so polluted you can only dip your feet in, but not put your head under.
The Government is also proposing to allow nitrate levels that are higher than those measured in the polluted Yangtze River in China. 21
In contrast, the Green Party will set environmental bottom lines to keep our clean rivers safe for swimming.
In areas where rivers are already polluted, we will ensure that they are cleaned up so that swimming is again safe in the future.
Councils and their communities will have until 2020 to implement the water quality standards.
In catchments with polluted rivers or lakes, we will establish collaborative governance programmes to allow the stakeholders in the area to work out how to curb pollution and meet the national standards for water quality.
This process of collaboration would be inclusive, transparent and with greater recognition of and resourcing for the involvement of tangata whenua and community organisations.
If collaborative governance measures fail to improve water quality in a polluted catchment, then central Government would step in to mandate land use and management changes in order to meet the bottom lines for water quality, set in law.
National Environmental Standard for Water Flows and Levels
The Green Party will work with councils, iwi and stakeholders to create a consistent nationwide environmental standard for water flows and levels in rivers.
Maintaining minimum water flows and levels at the right times of the year is important for the ecological health of rivers as well as for recreation, and also helps maintain water quality by diluting pollution.
The Labour Government drafted a National Environmental Standard (22) that would provide a uniform methodology for setting minimum ecological flows and levels for individual rivers.
However, this Government has done little to progress the Standard.
We will implement an expanded version of the draft Standard which will establish a method for setting flows and water levels to provide enough water for the ecological, tangata whenua and community values of our rivers, and ensure that they are clean enough for swimming, fishing and gathering kai.
This Standard would also prohibit all further drainage of wetlands, which are effectively the kidneys of the land that filter water before it enters our rivers and lakes.
New Zealand has drained over 90 percent of its wetlands and it is important to protect the precious few we have left. (23)
Benefits
New Zealanders value clean water.
Surveys show that water quality is their number one environmental concern. 24
This policy will deliver what New Zealanders want - clean rivers and lakes.
This policy will benefit all New Zealanders who, for generations to come, will get to enjoy the essential Kiwi pastime of heading down to the local swimming hole for a dip - without the fear of getting sick from the water.
This policy will also help protect community supplies of drinking water and help avoid the estimated 18,000-34,000 cases of waterborne illnesses that New Zealanders contract every year. 25
It will also be easier to collect fish and other kai from our rivers.
Rivers that are clean enough for swimming are also healthy for fish and other freshwater species.
Fish, insects and other wildlife killed off by pollution will return to regenerating rivers.
This is good news for the environment and those of us who enjoy it.
Clean rivers will also benefit the long-term health of our economy.
Protecting our rivers is an investment in our clean, green image, and the revenue that our reputation generates.
Over 70 percent of New Zealand's goods and services exports rely on our clean great reputation. 26
The flip side is that if we allow our rivers to continue to degrade we will lose this competitive advantage.
In 2001, a study by the Ministry for the Environment said that if we maintain the status quo and freshwater quality continues to degrade, this could adversely affect our clean green image
and result in a loss of $241-$560 million per year to the dairy industry alone
and a $530-$938 million loss per year to the tourism industry. 27
In short, cleaning up our rivers is win, win, win.
It's good for people, the environment
and the economy.
Green
Fair Reward for Fair Effort
Green Party election priority
Cleaner Environment Fairer Society Smarter Economy
Introduction3Summary5Situation6Solution9Benefits15
Introduction
The Kiwi dream was built on the idea that if you work hard, and do your fair share, your income will rise consistently and you will have what your family needs for a good life.
For many New Zealanders that dream isn't a reality.
But we can change that.
Over the past few decades, the link between the effort people put in and the reward they get back has been broken.
Despite working harder and smarter, workers are getting less and less of the benefits that their work creates.
For at least half of all New Zealanders - those on the bottom half of the income ladder - their incomes have failed to rise at all in the last six years under National.
The upshot of this is that more children are living in poverty as wages fail to keep pace with costs, especially rent.
To make things worse, workers have lost some of the protections that once came along with a good job.
They can be made redundant and have their lives turned upside down without any financial compensation.
Under National, they can be sacked for no reason at all within 90 days of starting a new job.
Their jobs may be dangerous to their health or so insecure that they make planning a good life impossible.
Increasingly workers have little or no say about their conditions at all.
It doesn't have to be this way.
Government decisions eroded working conditions in the late 1980s and 1990s and drove children into poverty.
And Government decisions can improve those conditions now.
The link between effort and reward can be restored, and incomes can improve so children have what they need to thrive.
That is what happens when an economy is designed to work for the benefit of everyone.
The Green Party will restore balance to our workplaces, beginning a shift from a low-wage, low-trust environment to one where people get more of the rewards they have earned and have a say in what happens in their organisation.
This is about ensuring families earn enough for their children to thrive
and that all New Zealanders are rewarded for their efforts.
As part of that we will also address Working for Families abatement mechanisms to ensure that parents keep more of what they earn.
In order to build more work security, we will introduce a minimum redundancy package of four weeks' pay for all workers and other measures to ensure a more stable and secure working life.
As a basic principle of fairness, the wealth New Zealand generates should be shared evenly
and to encourage that we will ensure greater transparency and accountability around the gap between top and bottom pay.
The Green Party will also give workers more control over issues like health and safety and encourage more cooperatives and social enterprises.
We will stop aspects of casual work that exploit workers,
while ensuring the welfare system meets the needs of those who have to work flexibly.
Summary
The Green Party will: /1.  Lift low wages with an $18 minimum wage by the end of our first term and a Living Wage for core Government and contracted workers.
2.  Create a minimum redundancy package of four weeks' pay for all workers.
3.  Bring top pay back into line by opening it up to scrutiny and getting companies to report on the gap between top and bottom pay.
4.  Create measures to boost bargaining power
and make workplaces more democratic.
In Government, we will lift minimum wages to $78 an hour over time, while introducing a Living Wage for core Government and contracted workers
Situation
Over the last few decades, New Zealand's economy has become low-wage, undemocratic, and unbalanced.
The people suffering the most from that are our children.
Incomes in New Zealand have failed to keep pace both with what families need to get by and with the rewards and wealth generated by workers' efforts.
For children, this increasingly means going without.
About half of all children in poverty have parents who work, and about 40 percent of poor kids have a parent in full time work. 1
This trend is increasing under National.
Work should be a solution to poverty, but the problem for families is that the economic settings of the past 30 years have made that less and less likely.
In short, the story of work in New Zealand over the last 30 years is that people are working harder and smarter than ever before but the rewards are going elsewhere.
This is what is wrong with inequality.
If the average hourly wage had increased in line with all the extra value that New Zealand workers have generated since the early 1990s, it would have been $36 today, not $26. 70 as it is, and the average worker would have been $10,000 a year better off. 2
The graph below shows New Zealand's national income (GDP) alongside the average hourly wage. 3
Up until the early 1990s, when workers' rights began to be attacked, we had a relatively fair economy: as national income grew, so did the average hourly wage.
But since then, a huge gap has opened up between the two.
What this shows is that a low-wage economy is not inevitable – it is just that the income is not being shared fairly.
Conversely, salaries for Chief Executives have soared, despite little evidence that they have deserved such high levels of pay. 4
This income inequality is not just bad for workers - it is bad for the economy.
The International Monetary Fund has acknowledged that economies with larger income gaps tend to perform worse. 5
At the company level, big pay gaps demotivate staff, leading to reduced effort and worse performance. 6
And at the national level, unequal economies are dangerously unbalanced, with large numbers of rich people whose spending stimulates asset bubbles. 7
In addition, New Zealand's long-overdue shift to a high-skill, high-value economy will remain unachievable without the full effort of every one of its workers – effort unlikely to be forthcoming when their work is so poorly valued.
For workers, pay levels are only part of the problem.
The erosion of employee rights and conditions over the last 30 years has left many workers with little opportunity to improve their prospects.
For example, for workers with dependants, the 90-days 'sack at will' trial period that comes with any new job can prove too much of a risk for those hoping for better jobs with better conditions.
The effect is that low-wage workers get trapped in jobs with little prospects and bad conditions.
Precarious work poses its own unique problems.
On the limited information available, at least 30 percent - and probably more likely 40 percent - of the workforce is either unemployed or in 'precarious' work (jobs that are badly paid, can be terminated at any time or changed at a few hours' notice, and make it impossible to plan a life outside work). 8
Flexible work that suits both employer and employee is a good thing; precarious work that suits only the employer is not.
Precarious work is so widespread partly because so few workers have much bargaining power.
Just 20 percent of the workforce is covered by a Trade Union. 9
In addition, few workers have any meaningful say in what happens in their workplace.
On key issues, like Health and Safety, ordinary staff have struggled to have their voices heard, and New Zealand has relatively few worker co-operatives and mutual companies. 10
Solution
To restore fairness to our workplaces, the Green Party will introduce policies that will tackle low-pay rates,
restore democracy to our workplaces,
give workers more certainty
and bring top pay back into line.
1.  Lifting low wages
As a first step to restore workplace fairness, the Green Party will increase the minimum wage to $15 immediately, in December 2014.
We will then raise it in $1 steps on April 1 st each year, so that it reaches $16 on April 1 2015, $17 on April 1 2016, and $18 on April 1 2017.
This will help nearly 500,000 workers on low wages. 11
This will be good for workers and good for their employers, since the evidence shows staff who think they are paid fairly work harder and are more productive, increasing company revenue.
The Green Party also supports the Living Wage Movement, which has established that a typical family needs a wage of $18.80 to buy the basics and participate in society.  13
In order to lead by example, the Green Party will pay the Living Wage to all core public service staff (14), and require all relevant Government contractors to pay a Living Wage when their contracts come up for renewal. 15
We will also take immediate action on pay equity, by requiring companies to disclose their pay rates for male and female employees. 16
We recognise there are significant issues with pay equity in particular sectors, including home support, care-giving, disability support, and DHB admin and clerical workers.
We will work with those staff and their unions to establish pay equity over the medium-term.
A significant boost to the minimum wage will also particularly benefit those workers.
We also recognise the structural gender and ethnic pay gaps in the wider state services, and will set targets, once in Government, to address this.
2.  Redundancy payments for all workers
As another major step towards a more stable and secure future for workers, we will implement recommendations from business, Government and unions for a statutory minimum redundancy payment for all staff equivalent to four weeks' pay. 17
The Green Party will also require that all the employment agreements contain some redundancy provision, encouraging employers and staff to negotiate extra payments based on length of service.
These changes will give workers more stability, and discourage unnecessary restructuring.
In the case of large-scale redundancies, we will also fund union delegates to work with staff for 3-6 months to support them through the transition.
3.  Bringing top pay back into line
The gulf between what bosses in New Zealand's big companies earn and what their employees are paid is steadily growing.
In 2002, a Chief Executive's average pay was 15.2 times the national average worker's income.
18 By 2010, when the Dominion Post started tracking the pay gap between the top 34 listed New Zealand companies, CEOs earned 21.9 times as much as their workers.
By 2011, the pay multiple grew to 22. 5 times and by 2012, the average CEO in the top listed companies earned 26. 4 times their average employee. 19
These pay gulfs are symptomatic of a 20-year trend that is seeing employees receive a decreasing share of returns as more goes to employers and investors.
Internationally this is increasingly being seen as a problem as countries wake up to the fact pay gulfs are bad for business.
Many countries have laws creating transparency around pay by requiring organisations to disclose CEOs' salaries and report on pay gaps.
Bigger pay gaps within a company are associated with poor performance for a number of reasons.
They drive a sense of resentment and a lack of engagement among workers that causes staff turnover and causes a lack of engagement from workers who then feel less inspired to work hard.
The best way to ensure that high pay is justified is to increase its openness and accountability, and link it to what other staff are getting.
In Government, the Green Party will require companies to disclose CEOs' salaries more clearly and provide detailed rationale for their pay decisions.
We will also legislate for a staff member to sit on the committees that set executive pay.
The Green Party will require all New Zealand's large (publicly listed) companies to report on the pay ratio between their highest paid staff member and their middle and lowest paid workers.
Also the Green Party previously committed that MPs' pay rises only when the average worker's pay does. 20
We will also incorporate pay ratios into Government procurement policies.
Company performance depends on the work of all staff, so we will take steps to ensure that top pay rises only when all staff do better.
4.  Boosting bargaining power
In the long-term, the most sustainable way to increase most workers' pay (and conditions) is to strengthen their bargaining power.
The Green Party will work with the Union movement to see how the terms and conditions of unionised workers can be extended to others in their industries, whether through the Council of Trade Unions' Extension Bargaining model or other policies.
Alongside industry bargaining, the Green Party wants to increase the number of collective agreements negotiated with multiple employers and to ensure unions have better access to workplaces, among other issues.
The Green Party will also reverse all of National's attacks on workers' rights, including youth (starting-out) rates, the 90-day period and the 'Warner Brothers' law.
5.  Ensuring pay rises are passed through
At present, workers who receive pay rises then see much of that increase lost as their Working for Families and other payments are clawed back by the Government.
Since 2011, National has reduced the number of families who get their Working for Families payments in full without any claw back, increased the rate at which payments are clawed back, and failed to properly adjust for inflation.
This erosion of Working for Families has cost working parents around $1. 1 billion over the last three years, compared to how much they would have had if the scheme's costs had kept pace with inflation. 21
These cuts are particularly damaging to families on low wages who rely on Working for Families to make ends meet.
To ensure families get the full benefit of these minimum wage and Living Wage increases, the Green Party will ring fence any savings the Government makes from abatements to Working for Families payments and ensure families get more of the net increase.
Once in Government, we will establish the best way to implement this and to prevent further erosion of the scheme as described above.
These policy changes, which will involve a careful re-examination of payment thresholds, abatement rates and indexation, will also be the first step in reversing National's under-the-radar attack on Working for Families.
6.  Making the 21st century worker-friendly
In the 21st century, there are far fewer stable, secure jobs than in the past.
Flexibility can be good if both businesses and staff want it, but people still need a base of stability.
In Government, the Green Party will modernise the welfare system so it can respond quickly to changes in people's hours and pay, minimising disruption and ensuring no one is worse off because they are working flexibly.
In many cases, however, the work practices that have evolved are simply unacceptable, as they deny workers control over their lives and allow companies to dodge their responsibilities.
To tackle the unacceptable face of precarious work, the Green Party will introduce laws banning zero-hours agreements, as part of greater regulation of hours of work.
We will also give workers greater ability to obtain rulings deeming them a permanent employee not a contractor or casual employee,
and require companies to take more responsibility for the working conditions of staff employed by their contractors.
Workers often know better than anyone else the dangers of their workplace.
New Zealand's Health and Safety environment, while improving, has too little input from workers.
The Green Party will give workers a guaranteed place on the board of the new regulator, WorkSafe, and strengthen the role of workplace health and safety representatives.
Precarious work particularly affects migrant workers.
The Green Party will ensure that migrant workers who report exploitation will have their visas protected while their claims are investigated, giving them the security they need to be whistle-blowers.
We will also look at better resourcing the Labour Inspectorate and increasing its powers of enforcement.
7.  Democratising work
The Green Party will increase funding for the current High-Performance Work Systems programme, which uses high levels of staff involvement to drive innovation, while ensuring greater union involvement, along the lines of the Public Service Association's Sustainable Work Systems programme.
This extended scheme will become part of Social Workplaces, a Government unit within the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment, dedicated to fostering more cooperative and democratic workplaces.
This will include funding for advice, support and information on setting up a co-operative or social enterprise.
As above, the Green Party will give staff a greater say in workplace Health and Safety.
Boosting union representation more generally will also empower staff to make their voice heard on workplace matters.
8.  The just transition
The move to a more sustainable economy could in the coming decades destabilise carbon-intensive industries, with consequences in particular for low-paid workers.
The Just Transition is a set of policies to ensure that the shift towards a more sustainable society sustains and creates decent jobs and livelihoods for all.
In Government, the Green Party will introduce legislation to ensure a strong voice for workers in the transition, better forecasting and planning around likely economic shifts, and a major investment in jobs retraining for affected workers.
We will also ensure that the skills needed in a green, sustainable economy are part of education and training programmes for young people, as happens in Australia. 22
Benefits
By raising family incomes, improving working conditions and addressing Working for Families abatements we will make a serious dent in child poverty.
Raising the minimum wage to $18 an hour will significantly boost the incomes of nearly 500,000 workers.
A single person on the minimum wage will have $125 a week or $6,400 a year more in the pocket. 23
In the case of a family, we will ensure they get to keep a bigger portion of that wage increase by recalibrating Working for Families.
Moves to boost collective bargaining coverage and otherwise empower ordinary staff will give people a greater say over what happens in their workplace.
Tackling precarious work, while simultaneously supporting positive flexible working, will help ensure that people are able to build the stable, secure lives they need to make a full contribution to society.
Better pay, and more stable work, will make it easier for people to stay healthy, look after their children, and volunteer with local community groups.
While these policies will benefit all workers, they will make the biggest difference to those groups disproportionately represented among low- paid workers, including women, Maori, Pasifika, migrants and people with disabilities.
Maori, for instance, make up 12 percent of the workforce but 16 percent of minimum wage workers. 24
These groups are also more likely to be in precarious work. 25
Increasing fairness around high-pay rates will free up income to reward low and middle paid staff and help motivate workers to do their best.
In general, a more equal economy will make better use of everyone's talent.
Low and middle income families have more money to spend and stimulate the economy, and are better able to invest in their children - the next generation's workforce.
Better paid staff are also more likely to work harder and develop their skills, providing a platform for the shift towards the high-skill, high-pay economy that New Zealand needs.
1.  Costs
Increasing the minimum wage will cost $1.1 billion over three years, owing to higher Government staffing costs, especially in the health sector. 26
However, that will be offset by increased tax revenue from wages of $1.9 billion over three years.
Paying the Living Wage in core Government will cost $23 million in the first year, with small subsequent rises likely as the Living Wage is increased annually, for a total of $70 million over three years. 27
Therefore, the total cost of this package is $1. 2 billion over three years, and the offsetting revenue is $1. 9 billion, meaning that it will increase the Government's revenues by a net $700 million.
Green
Smart Green Innovation
Green Party election priority
Smarter Greener Economics
Introduction 3Summary 5Situation 6Solution 14
Introduction
Innovation lies at the heart of a smart, green economy.
Economies that innovate do better over the long term, creating good jobs that pay well and enable us to live quality lives within environmental limits.
Innovation is also one of the best ways we can add value to our exports.
If we want to be a rich country, with an economy that supports well- paid jobs, protects our environment, and looks after our most vulnerable, we need to export what rich countries export.
That means selling high value-added manufactured goods and services, not just low value commodities.
Under the current National Party Government, our export economy has simplified.
We are becoming ever more reliant on exporting commodities like milk powder, which is rapidly destroying our rivers and lakes, and leaving our economy increasingly vulnerable to the fortunes of one market — China.
But there is an alternative, and that is the Smart Green Economy.
An essential question for the economic future of a country is how innovative it is. - Josh Lerner, Head of Entrepreneurial Management, Harvard University
Innovation creates the know-how that enables us to do more with less, better protecting the natural world we love while allowing us all to live prosperous, fulfilling lives.
We need big, new, socially and environmentally innovative ideas if we are to protect our unique and endangered plants and animals and deal with our high levels of inequality and child poverty.
New Zealanders are renowned for our ability to solve problems, yet we starve our innovators of the resources needed to turn our breakthrough moments into valuable, exportable solutions.
We invest half what most other developed countries do on research and development, we patent relatively few new ideas, and our universities are slipping backwards in the international rankings.
We can do so much better.
In fact, until we make crucial breakthroughs in how we earn our way in the world, we will continue to rely on increasing levels of pollution, debt, and asset sales to support our current way of life.
We can continue down the path of National's short sighted Pollution Economy or we can change course and embrace a Smart Green Economy.
The choice is ours.
Summary
The Green Party will help secure the long-term prosperity of New Zealand by significantly ramping up our investment in innovation and nurturing the innovation ecosystems that will support the successful translation of brilliant ideas into the stuff we can build a rich nation from.
1.  $1 billion of new government funding over three years for research and development, kick-starting a transformational shift in how our economy creates wealth.
2.  Government to take a collaborative partnership approach to innovation with the private sector, which will include:
R&D funding made up of tax credits and grants;
A requirement for firms that go into overseas ownership to repay their grants;
A new voluntary option for large grants, where companies that receive significant taxpayer funds agree to the Government taking an equity stake in their business.
3.  Enhance the incentives to study and teach engineering, mathematics, computer and the physical sciences.
The Green Party will fund an additional 1,000 places at tertiary institutions for students of engineering, mathematics, computer science, and the physical sciences, costing $50 million per year.
Situation
New Zealanders work harder and earn less than most other people in the developed world. 1
While our economy may be growing, we are not all seeing our wages rise commensurately.
In fact, growing inequality has become a defining feature of our economy over the past 30 years.
Along with growing indebtedness, 1973 was the last year when New Zealand recorded a current account surplus, meaning we have been spending more than we have been earning as a nation for the past 40 years.
This is clearly not sustainable.
Successive Governments' response has been, in effect, to work harder, not smarter — to incentivise an economy that extracts more minerals, produces more milk solids, exports more raw logs, and opens up more markets to sell them into.
This short-term strategy has benefited some but ultimately seen our productivity stagnate and our wages fall behind the rest of the developed world.
Finance Minister Bill English now sees our low-wage economy as a potential competitive advantage, rather than a problem, candidly admitting that New Zealand's 30 percent lower wages than Australia's should attract more business here in the next few years. 2
Our productivity performance mirrors our economic performance, and our productivity has underperformed against the rest of the developed world.
Despite having one of the lowest levels of labour productivity in the OECD in the 1980s, labour productivity growth in New Zealand remains among the lowest amongst our peers.
3 New Zealand shows no sign of catching up to high productivity countries, despite radical levels of market reforms throughout the 1980s and 1990s.
Our low productivity means we create relatively less wealth for every hour we work.
New Zealand's weak productivity growth has been driven by a fundamental lack of investment in innovation
along with other factors like weak levels of competition in our home market,
poor business management,
and low levels of employee engagement.
Compared to other small, developed economies — some of the richest countries in the world — our economic complexity significantly trails Finland, Denmark, Israel, and Singapore.
These countries make things, like integrated circuits, cell phones, and medicines that other countries can't make.
This is their competitive advantage that enables them to pay high wages.
By comparison, New Zealand largely produces commodities, which most countries can also produce.
And we're having to produce more and more of them just to get by.
This 'commodity thinking' is about competing on price, which means lower costs, lower environmental standards, and lower wages.
New Zealand, as a nation, is working longer, not smarter.
Innovative activity, as measured by research and development (R&D) and patenting is closely associated with the levels of output and income at a country level.
For technology intensive industries, innovation is the most important determinant of export performance. 4
How much do we as a nation under-invest in R&D?
1.  Investment in R&D
We invest roughly half of what most other developed countries do in research and development, and considerably less than other small, advanced economies.
2.  Patents
On a per capita basis, the average OECD country produces nearly four times as many patentable novel ideas as New Zealand.
3.  Excellence in our universities
Our universities have struggled to keep up with the best institutions overseas.
Our approach to investment in R&D has resulted in a significant knowledge gap opening up between New Zealand and the rest of the developed world.
It will take determined effort to turn this around.
Rather than seriously invest in research and innovation, National has spent the last six years in government focused on restructuring the state innovation system.
The latest round of restructuring has been at least the seventh since 1985 (5), resulting in a significant loss of expertise in science policy and funding areas and leaving a complex funding landscape of National Science Challenges and Centres of Research Excellence — each with its own governance structure but without an overarching national strategy to work to.
Steven Joyce, Minister of Science and Innovation, is on record saying that science and innovation can have a transformational effect on a nation's economy
but is failing to put his money where his mouth is. 6
In real terms, National plans to cut its research investment by 10. 2 percent over the next three years and by 21. 0 percent out to 2023/24. 7
The Government's own 2011 review of the innovation sector recommended "progressive increases in Government investment in R&D to at least match the OECD average". 8
National's plan for innovation will not deliver the step-change we need for our long-term underperforming economy.
Economist David Skilling has studied small advanced countries and shown that these economies can outperform larger advanced economies over the longer term.
Countries like Singapore, Denmark, Finland, and Israel have adopted policies that have more than made up for their lack of size and sophistication.
These small successful states have relatively larger governments and investment in R&D is high.
Niche manufacturing industries make up significant parts of their economies while high-tech exports make up a disproportionate share of their exports when compared to larger developed economies.
In these small and prosperous economies, the Government has played an essential role supporting the innovation ecosystems that underpin their sophisticated, high-wage economies.
The Green Party believes in the vital role an agile, integrated state sector can play.
To overcome the limitations of size and isolation, the government can adopt an active, partnership approach to working with the private sector to build our economic prosperity.
Most of the radical, revolutionary innovations that have fuelled the dynamics of capitalism — from railways to the internet and nanotechnology — can trace even the most courageous, early and thus capital-intensive ‘entrepreneurial’ investments back to the state. - Mariana Mazzucato
Innovation economist Mariana Mazzucato and others have thoroughly debunked the myth that the government is an obstacle to innovation and economic development. 10
Mazzucato uses the example of the Apple iPhone — one of the most sophisticated consumer products ever invented — to illustrate the role the state sector has played in the development of the major technologies underlying the iPhone.
Nearly all of the main technologies that make the iPhone 'smart' were government funded: the internet, Siri voice recognition, GPS, and the touchscreen display.
Governments might not always be best placed to pick what individual projects get developed further
but the evidence supporting government taking a leadership role in the innovation ecosystem is overwhelming.
Why innovation is so importantInnovation, put simply, is the commercialisation of product and process novelty and it lies at the heart of long-term economic prosperity. Innovative countries are the wealthiest.In 1881, New Zealand entrepreneur William Davidson commissioned the refit of the ship Dunedin with a compression refrigeration unit for meat shipment. One year later, the Dunedin sailed for London making history as the first commercially successful refrigerated shipping voyage. This innovation became the foundation of the refrigerated meat industry enabling New Zealand agriculture to thrive.Innovation lies at the heart of a smart green economy. Innovation requires few resources other than clever people working together with supportive business leaders and financiers to add value to what we export and efficiency to how we work. It can allow us to dramatically lower the adverse environmental and social impacts of our economic activity.
Solution
To build a smarter greener economy that benefits all New Zealanders, the Green Party will significantly lift levels of government investment into innovation and education.
A further $1 billion investment into R&D
To help address the underinvestment in research and development, the Green Party in government will invest an additional $1 billion over the next three years into this sector: an additional $100 million in 2015/16, $400 million in 2016/17, and $500 million in 2017/18.
As a nation, we currently invest $2. 6 billion into R&D — split fairly evenly between private and public sector investment — which is 1. 27 percent of GDP.
This level is well below the OECD average of 2. 4 percent. 11
And it gets worse looking forward as the current government's budget projections see the R&D investment dropping in the years ahead.
In time, we can expect the private sector to match an increased investment by government into innovation.
In Finland, for every new dollar the government invested, business expenditure on research and development grew by three dollars. 12
Even a conservative dollar-for- dollar match from the private sector would set the stage for a significant shift in how our economy creates wealth.
Assuming a dollar-for-dollar match, we would see New Zealand's R&D spending increase to 1. 65% GDP by 2017/18.
If the private sector responded by matching the increased government spending three fold, overall R&D spending would increase to over 2% of GDP by 2017/18.
This would begin to put New Zealand on the right track.
Expert innovation working group
The Green Party will establish an expert innovation working group after the election to decide on the best way to deliver this step-change in innovation funding.
The group will include representatives from the science community, universities, business and Maori.
The expert group will review the extensive changes made to the innovation system, keeping it at arm's length from Government ministers.
Their terms of reference will charge them to deliver a R&D funding system that optimises the most effective delivery systems.
The terms of reference of the Working Group would include best way to implement R&D tax incentives.
R&D tax incentives are the easiest way to encourage innovation throughout the economy,
help foster serendipitous discovery,
and don't carry the political transparency risks inherent with direct subsidies.
Increased tax enforcement can lessen the risks that R&D tax subsidies are abused.
Three quarters of all OECD countries use R&D tax credits including two of the most innovative countries in the world — Japan and South Korea.
In its 2007 review of our innovation ecosystem, the OECD recommended, "Given New Zealand's very low levels of business R&D investment, the provision of a tax incentive in this area seems urgently needed.”
Small countries do not succeed because they have lower taxes or smaller govemments … small countries succeed economically when their governments are prepared to invest more in science and innovation. - Shaun Hendy, MacDiarmid Institute
The expert working group will also be tasked with exploring the feasibility of extending any R&D tax credit to management training for medium-sized New Zealand-owned firms.
Managers are crucial in driving innovation and improvements in business processes.
While some of New Zealand's firms are as good as any in the world, there is a large 'tail' of firms that are mediocre.
MED benchmarking research done in 2011 showed that the average New Zealand firm is below the top 59 percent of Australian and the top 75 percent of the US manufacturing firms in management performance. 13
Investing in better management practices can help to improve the New Zealand economy's ability to develop and diffuse technical and operational innovations.
In light of the sustainability challenges facing New Zealand — our declining quality of water, the loss of native biodiversity, and increasing carbon emissions — the expert working group will also focus on how to make sustainability a key criterion for assessing all future industry grants.
Finally, the group will deliver an independent, highly transparent process to evaluate the public investment in R&D grants.
This will help drive much needed openness in government
and help refine our innovation infrastructure.
Future governments will have to accept the inevitable failure that comes with investing in innovation along with sharing in the brilliant successes.
Keeping it Kiwi
When a successful New Zealand grown company is sold offshore, many of the benefits of any public investment in R&D go offshore too.
There are a number of policies we can adopt to help slow the flow of valuable intellectual property offshore.
Under the Greens' plan R&D grants given to successful enterprises will now have to be repaid if the business is sold offshore.
Businesses that benefit from public investment will be required to, at the very least, repay that investment
to assist with the recycling of capital into the next generation of young, innovative businesses.
For companies seeking additional public R&D funding, the Green Party will explore offering innovation grants in the form of a passive investment in the enterprise.
This investment can be written off in the first year but provide windfall profits for the taxpayer if the company is successful and subsequently sold. 14
The current Government is taking baby steps towards the equity approach through its new business incubator programme.
We will expand this approach more generally.
Small countries are particularly vulnerable to the loss of intellectual property offshore.
When our most successful high technology business Fisher & Paykel Appliances was sold offshore, New Zealand taxpayers had invested $16 million of research grants into the firm. 15
Priority industries
New Zealand's history of heavily investing public funds into agricultural research and development has limited our ability to diversify and grow other parts of our economy.
The dominance of the agricultural sector has led to our singular reliance on it.
National have continued to support agriculture's dominance in innovation funding.
Well over 25 percent of government spending on R&D supports agriculture or primary industries. 16
A majority of National's ten new Science Challenges are related to primary industry while National's signature investment in innovation — the Primary Growth Partnership — again is solely focused on the farming, fishing, and horticulture sectors.
The primary sector is important and it is vital that we add further value in the primary sector
and that we protect the clean and green brand that underpins the sector by protecting the natural environment.
But our economy needs to diversify.
The Green Party will assist in that diversification with $1 billion of new R&D funding.
Innovation is path dependent, so the Green Party will establish new grant criteria to ensure greater investment in promising new paths in the ICT, renewable energy, and manufacturing sectors.
Denmark chose to direct much of its public R&D expenditure into ICT, energy, and manufacturing rather than its equally important agricultural sector.
This strategy to fund a broader range of research has seen Denmark's labour productivity soar ahead of New Zealand's, even in its agricultural sector. 1
This happens because the spill over benefits of innovation in the ICT and manufacturing sectors are greater than those in the agricultural or mining industries. 18
Maori innovation
Supporting research and development in the Maori economy gives New Zealand businesses a unique edge in innovation — one that values kaitiakitanga and sustainability.
Maori will share in the boost to government R&D funding to support He Kai Kei Aku Ringa — Maori economic development.
The Green Party recognises the, as yet, unresolved claims of Maori to protect their intellectual property rights under Wai262.
We will continue to support Maori to develop mechanisms to protect cultural knowledge in culturally appropriate ways.
Investing in people & communities of innovation
Highly productive countries empower people to innovate through education.
The National Government has a poor record on education, having cut both the Bright Futures PhD Scholarships and the NZ Science and Technology Post-doctoral Fellowships scheme in their first three years, and not funding education to a level to keep up with inflation and changing student numbers.
Funding for tertiary education will shrink in real terms by 10. 4 percent out to 2018 under National's budget projections.
However, higher levels of research and development activity in New Zealand will require higher numbers of skilled people from a broad range of disciplines.
New Zealand currently has a shortage of graduates in engineering, mathematics, computer and the physical sciences. 19
In engineering for example, our universities graduate 1,500 engineering students, well short of the 2,750 needed each year if New Zealand is to build an innovation-led economy. 20
The Green Party will fund an additional 1,000 places at tertiary institutions for undergraduate and postgraduate students of engineering, mathematics, computer science, and the physical sciences.
This will cost $50 million per year. 21
The money will be made available to universities
but we will respect the autonomy of universities' decision making as to whether they offer the places.
This new funding will not impact those students hoping to study in the humanities.
We value the creativity and the ability to analyse and integrate knowledge that is fostered in the arts and see this as an important part of our vision for an innovative and highly educated society.
As well as creating more spaces at a tertiary level for these skill sets, the Green Party will set aside a further $20 million to adopt some of the key recommendations below from the Government's own Powering Innovation report ensuring we produce a new generation of young people inspired to move into creative and entrepreneurial careers in the sciences and engineering.
The Green Party will: /Launch a major national campaign promoting the benefits of a career in the sciences, maths, and engineering professions to young people;
Re-establish student allowances for post graduate students costing $11. 3 million per year; 22
Establish new government funds for PhD scholarships in the priority areas of engineering, mathematics, computer and the physical sciences for R&D capability building;
Create specific educational incentives for removing barriers to groups who are currently underrepresented to study engineering, mathematics, computer and the physical sciences;
Increase funding for industry-based and co-funded Masters and PhD programmes in applied science and engineering;
Increase funding for industry co-funded work experience for students in science and engineering.
3.  The importance of startups
High technology startup companies and social enterprises are an important part of the innovation story.
Startups are the new companies taking ideas to market.
Many fail, but those that do succeed create a disproportionate amount of new, well-paid jobs in advanced economies.
Since 1980, nearly all net job creation in the United States has occurred in firms less than five years old.
23 New firms have been and are likely to continue to be the real engines of job growth.
Startup companies require conducive 'ecosystems' of talent and support to succeed.
Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch have developed promising startup ecosystems in the technology and social enterprise fields.
Clustering of firms has proven to be successful.
To further support the startup sector, the Green Party will:
Establish a seed fund of $10 million to help kick-start new social enterprises and Maori social enterprises (to be recycled over time);
Simplify the taxation of stock options for qualifying startups, recognising the value of 'sweat equity' and assuming the introduction of a comprehensive capital gains tax (excluding the family home);
Work with tertiary education providers to introduce educational incentives in the sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields including new scholarships and degree holidays for those taking a break from university or polytech to start up new for-profit and social enterprises;
Explore a new legal structure more appropriate for social enterprises;
Create a special officer within Immigration New Zealand to advise and support entrepreneurs who want to move to New Zealand
and include a new points category for immigrants who can attract local venture capital demonstrating a market value for their startup.  24
Two promising startupsBlueskin EnergyScott Willis had a vision to provide his community with cost effective green energy and create a revenue stream to reinvest back into other energy projects within his Blueskin community in Dunedin. Blueskin Energy is a social enterprise — a rapidly emerging new kind of organisation that uses business models and tools for a social purpose. Profits are typically reinvested to advance a social or environmental good, rather than distributed back to shareholders or owners.25After a year of wind testing, Blueskin Energy is now ready to take the next steps to build a community wind turbine cluster: commission an energy yield assessment, submit a Resource Consent Application, and begin capital raising to initiate the development.GoodnatureGoodnature was founded by Robert Greig, Stu Barr, and Craig Bond in 2005 and produce a high-tech, low toxicity, humane trapping solution to protect native birds and plants from predators like rats, stoats, and possums. The self-resetting nature of the traps means they can enhance the productivity of trappers working in the conservation estate by up to a factor of 20.Goodnature's big break came when they secured a Department of Conservation seed grant to develop their brilliant idea into a working prototype that could then be rigorously field tested. As a result of close government collaboration, the traps have been largely perfected - they are amongst the most humane pest traps in the world.Goodnature have grown from a company of three to employ 13 staff and are now exporting their trapping technology to 15 different countries including the USA, Australia, and Sweden.
4.  Price driving innovation
Markets fail when price signals do not reflect the true costs and benefits of production and consumption.
The OECD found that pricing an externality, like carbon, closer to its true cost will incentivise companies to innovate to remain competitive and efficient. 26
CEOs want more government action, particularly in areas where regulation enables business, such as climate change. More than 80 percent of CEOs favour clear, consistent government policies to address climate change.- PricewaterhouseCoopers 12th CEO Survey, 2009
The use of environmental taxes in New Zealand is one of the lowest in the OECD. 27
There is great potential, through ecological tax reform, to shift taxes off productive work and onto waste, pollution, and the use of precious natural resources.
The Green Party introduced a levy on waste in 2008 which successfully incentivised the reduction of waste and the new technologies to support waste reduction and recycling.
In June of this year, we proposed a new carbon tax to replace the ineffective and discredited Emissions Trading Scheme. 28
An effective price on carbon will create an incentive for carbon emitters to find innovative ways to reduce pollution and do business more sustainably.
All revenues raised from the carbon tax will be recycled back to families and businesses through a $2000 income tax-free band
and a one percent company tax cut.
Not only will our Climate Tax Cut leave households and the climate better off, it will give low-carbon businesses a competitive advantage over their currently less efficient rivals.
5.  Smart regulation driving innovation
Smartly crafted incentives and regulations can spur a flourishing market for products and services that help households and businesses achieve our urgent environmental goals.
The state of California has some of the most stringent environmental regulations in the world.
Their ambitious renewable energy targets, for example, have resulted in a big increase in clean energy manufacturing jobs.
In the last decade, green jobs grew three times faster than the job rate in the state as a whole, with high value-added manufacturing accounting for 20 percent of all green jobs created. 29
A Green Government will pass smart regulations that help drive innovation and improve productivity, speeding up the transition to a cleaner, more energy efficient economy.
For example, the Green Party will: /Create long-term enforceable targets for renewable energy production to deliver a 100 percent renewable electricity generation system by 2030;
Implement new National Environmental Standards for water quality, environmental flows, and intensive agriculture;
Phase out farming practices that are cruel or inhumane, such as sow crates and battery chicken cages, to help drive innovation in humane farming systems amongst other things.
If we want to move our agri-food sector away from simple commodities, we need to offer the pull of R&D support
but also the push of environmental regulatory constraints.
It's all very well to tell the dairy sector to innovate but, when there are no limits on water pollution and no price on greenhouse pollution, the simplest strategy is to increase volume production of milk powder.
And that is exactly what they are doing.
Smart regulations and pricing externalities provide incentives to innovate.
6.  Deepening capital markets
Deeper more mature capital markets, a culture of savings, and leveraging the balance sheet of the Government are all necessary complementary policies to nurture our innovation ecosystem here in New Zealand.
The Green Party will: /Implement a comprehensive capital gains tax (excluding the family home) to level the investment playing field;
Establish a public option for KiwiSaver to further incentivize savings;
Establish the Green Investment Bank to act as an independent and expert facilitator of private sector capital to new investment into smart green innovation
Direct the NZ Super Fund and ACC Fund to establish a high technology investment fund equal to at least one percent of their investment portfolios.
Protecting our Beaches from Oil Spills
Green Party election priority
Cleaner Environment Fairer Society Smarter Economy
Introduction3Summary5Situation6Solution10Benefits13
Introduction
We love our New Zealand beaches.
Whether it's the black sands of Taranaki, the blue-green water of Waimarama in the Hawke's Bay or the majestic dunes of Sandfly Bay in Dunedin, we have beaches to be proud of.
Thousands of New Zealanders flock to our beaches in the summer to picnic, BBQ, and swim.
Catching a wave, catching a fish or building a sandcastle on a beach is a Kiwi birthright,
but it is at risk from the National Government's deep sea drilling agenda.
This Government likes to pretend that an oil spill couldn't happen to us in Aotearoa New Zealand, but they can't guarantee it won't happen.
I remember being horrified in 2010 as the Deepwater Horizon rig in the Gulf of Mexico exploded and sank, spilling 600,000 tonnes of oil into the ocean.
I only experienced the Deepwater Horizon disaster by watching it unfold on TV, but when the container ship Rena ran aground on the Astrolabe reef off the coast of Tauranga, suddenly oil on our beaches was a reality.
Watching people in hazmat suits cleaning up oil on Mount Maunganui beach, dead birds washing up along the Bay of Plenty coast, seeing shops closed on Papamoa Beach Road, wasn't something you just saw on TV, it was here and it was real.
This wasn't an American horror story.
It was a New Zealand horror story.
And it isn't over.
Some of the wreckage of the Rena is still on the reef and on the seafloor.
The Rena's owners are trying to get permission to leave the debris in place, forcing local iwi to use legal means to try to get the entire wreck removed. 1
This is a failure of the 'polluter pays' principle.
When a corporation pollutes our oceans, locals shouldn't have to go to the Waitangi Tribunal or fight in court to get the mess cleaned up.
Unfortunately, not only has National done almost nothing to protect New Zealand from another shipping accident like the Rena, it has made an oil spill in New Zealand more likely by opening up most of New Zealand's coastline to the risks of deep sea drilling.
There are smarter, greener ways of creating jobs here in New Zealand.
New Zealanders want our beaches open for swimming, family time, collecting kaimoana, and recreational fishing, not closed for oil spills.Dr Russel NormanGREEN PARTY CO-LEADER
We can protect our environment, economy, climate, and reputation - for this and future generations - by saying NO to deep sea drilling and YES to a clean energy future.
Summary
In order to protect our beaches from oil spills, the Green Party will:
Prohibit deep sea oil drilling;
Implement compulsory shipping lanes for coastal shipping;
Build Maritime New Zealand's oil spill response capability; and
Introduce a stronger legal framework so that when accidents do happen, the New Zealand taxpayer does not have to pay for the clean-up.
Together, these measures will make oil spills less likely to happen and less damaging when they do.
Situation
Petroleum development is a key plank of the National Party's economic agenda, but it is the wrong focus for the New Zealand economy.
With deep sea drilling the Government is pursuing a failed economic agenda that runs totally counter to our real economic advantages and opportunities.
We can create a smart economy that delivers real prosperity for everyone
while protecting the environment.
As the Pure Advantage group of leading New Zealand business people has noted, we have a natural advantage in geothermal energy production and the production of bio-fuels from forestry.
Research has shown that the greener the industry, the faster the job growth (3), yet the National Government is carving up New Zealand's waters for deep sea drilling permits.
Since November 2008, the National Government has awarded 198,967 square kilometres of petroleum prospecting permits and 33,745 square kilometres of petroleum exploration permits in deep water off the New Zealand coast - an area bigger than the South Island.
And the National Government is planning on opening up even more deep water to drilling.
It has proposed drilling in a further 396,000 square kilometres of our ocean, of which 91 percent is in deep water. 5
Deep sea drilling isn't like the drilling that has happened for decades off the coast of Taranaki.
This is a whole different level of environmental and economic risk.
It's a well-established fact that when it comes to offshore drilling, the deeper you go, the greater the risk.
When we look to the Gulf of Mexico, we see that for shallow water oil drilling one in 272 wells has had a spill.
That number increases to one in 35 wells for deep sea drilling and to one in 19 wells for ultra-deep sea drilling. 6
Deep sea drilling is a high-risk economic activity, yet we aren't prepared for a spill.
National is expanding its risky deep sea drilling programme despite knowing that New Zealand does not have the equipment to deal with an underwater leak.
According to papers released to the Green Party under the Official Information Act, Maritime New Zealand, "does not have a subsea response capability".
Most of the response equipment that we have is designed for near-shore sheltered conditions and really there isn’t available internationally any equipment specifically designed to operate in the rough kind of conditions offshore that we have in New Zealand. - Dane Maxwell, Maritime New Zealand's oil spill response planning officer
National and Labour both like to downplay the risk of oil on our beaches by saying that there is equipment that can be flown to Aotearoa New Zealand in the event of a spill.
But the truth is that the equipment would likely take weeks to arrive, and even then it might not work in the rough New Zealand seas.
An employee at Maritime New Zealand has admitted that no equipment exists in the world that is designed for New Zealand conditions
Even the industry itself admits that oil on our beaches is a likely outcome if there were a leak from a deep sea well.
In a particularly candid moment, the former executive officer of the Petroleum Exploration and Production Association of New Zealand, John Pfahlert, said that there is no absolute guarantee that disasters won't happen here, and that the only response to spills such as the Gulf of Mexico disaster would be a beach clean-up.
Deep sea drilling is not worth the risk.
While there are some short-term economic benefits to deep sea drilling, they don't justify risking a huge spill that could cost us billions.
Claims of economic boom don't add up.
Our 'government take' - that is royalties and taxes - for oil is the fourth lowest in the world.
90 percent of profits will go offshore, as predicted by a report commissioned by the National Government in 2012. 12
This is a case of New Zealanders taking the risk while foreign companies take the gains.
Deep sea drilling will create very few jobs for New Zealanders.
The entire oil and gas industry is estimated to employ 7,000 people, including indirect jobs. 13
Deep sea drilling won't add significantly to that number, while putting vastly more jobs at risk.
Imagine the cost to the tourism, fishing, and agricultural industries of oil washing up on 90 Mile Beach, Piha, Raglan, or another of our world famous New Zealand beaches.
Our fisheries, dairy industry, and other food producing industries employ 250,000 people. 14
But an oil spill will destroy our clean, green image upon which many of these jobs rely.
The loss of recreational opportunities from a deep sea oil spill would also be devastating.
Auckland's west coast beaches are postcard New Zealand.
It's where Kiwi families come to swim, fish and holiday.
Yet, the Government is putting these beaches at risk of an oil spill from deep sea drilling.
And what are we taking the risk for?
It's not like the oil found in New Zealand's deep seas will be used to fuel our cars and industries.
Virtually all of the crude oil that is produced in New Zealand is exported, while the oil that New Zealanders use is imported.
This is because New Zealand's only refinery is set up to refine a different type of oil than we produce here. 15
The deep sea oil in New Zealand will further destabilise our climate, and every dollar that continues to be invested in deep sea drilling is another dollar that's not invested in clean, green, renewable alternatives.
The Green Party wouldn't risk our environment, economy, climate, and way of life for the sake of deep sea drilling.
We would create a clean, green economy which benefits everyone, now and into the future.
Solution
1.  Prohibit deep sea drilling
In order to protect New Zealand beaches from oil spills, the Green Party will prohibit deep sea drilling in New Zealand waters.
Deep sea drilling is not worth the risk. 16
We have an alternative plan to deliver high paying jobs that don't cost the earth.
There are no deep sea wells in New Zealand, so now is the time to prohibit the practice.
2.  Implement compulsory shipping lanes for coastal shipping
A clean economy will still rely on coastal shipping, which is why the Green Party will take steps to reduce the risk of future spills from accidents and better prepare for when accidents do happen.
Since the shipping vessel Rena ran aground on the Astrolabe reef off the coast of Tauranga in 2011, there have been 35 'near miss' incidents, including seven container ships, 12 other cargo vessels, and seven tankers.
The term 'near miss' refers to any incident where a crash was avoided by luck or recovery.
That is a disconcerting number of close calls that could have resulted in oil on our beaches.
The Green Party will, in consultation with industry, unions and experts, introduce compulsory shipping lanes - a cheap, effective solution to help avoid Rena-like disasters.
Compulsory shipping lanes are designated channels in the oceans in which ships are allowed to sail.
Compulsory shipping lanes have been created in a number of countries including, the UK (18), Norway (19) and Canada.
The Rena captain himself said that compulsory shipping lanes may have prevented the Rena disaster.
3.  Build Maritime New Zealand's oil spill response capability
The slowness of response to the Rena grounding highlights the necessity of investing in greater levels of personnel and equipment to deal with oil spills and their aftermath.
The Green Party will make a greater investment in our oil pollution response capability and pay for it by increasing the Oil Pollution Levy on the industry it serves.
The Oil Pollution Levy is recovered from the maritime and offshore oil industries to pay for the operational costs of maintaining New Zealand's marine oil spill preparedness and response capabilities and to maintain the Oil Pollution Fund, which is used in the event of an oil spill emergency.
The fund stood at $12 million in 2001, (22) but has now been drawn down to only $1. 7 million. 23
This draw down happened as successive governments allowed yearly operational costs for Maritime New Zealand's oil spill preparedness to be more than Maritime New Zealand was recovering from industry through the oil pollution levy.
In 2013, the National Government increased the Oil Pollution Levy to reverse its $1 million per year overspend, but not enough to boost our oil spill response capability or build up the Oil Pollution Fund.
The Green Party will increase the Oil Pollution Levy enough to increase the operational budget of Maritime New Zealand by $1 million per year and restore the Oil Pollution Fund to its previous level of $12 million, by 2017.
4.  Introduce a stronger legal framework so that when accidents do happen, the New Zealand taxpayer does not have to pay for the clean-up
New Zealanders should not have to pay when corporations damage our beautiful country.
To help ensure that the polluter pays, we will:
Build up the Oil Pollution Fund reserves which can be used in the event that the polluter cannot pay for all the damage caused by an oil spill.
As discussed in the previous section, this will be paid for by the industries which create the risk of an oil spill in New Zealand waters, for example the shipping and drilling industries.
Sign up to the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund's Supplementary Fund Convention, which would allow us to access $1. 392 billion for tanker spill clean-up and compensation costs.
Following calls from the Green Party in 2011, the Government has proposed signing New Zealand up to the Supplementary Fund Convention. 24
However, the National Government has yet to actually sign up.
The Green Party in Government will.
Amend Part 102 of the Marine Protection Rules to require new shallow water offshore oil wells to hold insurance to cover a worst- case scenario spill, and to raise the minimum insurance requirement of existing shallow water offshore oil wells from $26 million to $300 million.
The National Government has proposed - but has not implemented - raising the minimum insurance requirements of all offshore oil wells to $300 million. 25
The Green Party supports this minimum insurance requirement for existing wells, but we will put even greater requirements on new shallow water wells.
The United Kingdom has a system with requirements for insurance that range from NZ$300 to over NZ$800 million. 26
Australia is moving to a regime where insurance requirements are commensurate with the risk posed by the well.
New Zealand taxpayers should not bear the risk of having to pay for a catastrophic oil spill on our shores.
The Green Party will require new offshore wells to have enough insurance to cover a modelled worst- case scenario spill.
Benefits
The Green Party's oil spill protection plan will keep our beaches open for swimming, not closed for oil spills.
Not only that, our oil spill protection plan will safeguard our economy, our climate, our national identity, and our way of life.
New Zealanders are proud of our clean, green reputation and the outdoor lifestyles that our beautiful country offers.
We love a summer day at the beach building sandcastles or swimming in the sea.
Our environment is at the heart of our national identity.
Just as our clean, green image is at the heart of our economy.
We love our beaches and have beaches to be proud of.
An oil spill could have catastrophic consequences.
Not only would it kill precious wildlife, it would tarnish our clean, green reputation upon which our export economy is built.
Protecting Aotearoa New Zealand from oil spills is an investment in our clean, green image, and the export revenue that our reputation generates.
According to PriceWaterhouseCoopers, 70 percent of our export revenue is linked to New Zealand's clean green reputation. 28
But perhaps more importantly, the Green Party's oil spill protection plan helps avoid catastrophic climate change.
The International Energy Agency says two-thirds of known fossil fuels must stay in the ground if we're to keep climate change to a 'safe' increase of 2° Celsius. 29
The oil that might lie beneath deep water off the coast of New Zealand has not even factored into this equation.
We need to keep most of what has already been found in the ground and stop looking for more.
Those that continue to pursue fossil fuels risk having stranded assets in the near future.
Considering the growing movement of universities, churches, local authorities and individuals who are divesting from fossil fuels, National is backing the wrong horse.
Global capital is moving towards clean investment.
We can protect our environment, economy, climate, and reputation - for this and future generations - by saying NO to deep sea drilling and YES to a clean energy future.
Green
Snug and Warm: A Healthy Home for Every Child
Green Party election priority
Cleaner Environment Fairer Society Smarter Economy
Introduction3Summary5Situation6Solution8Benefits11
Introduction
One of the things that makes the biggest difference to a child's life is the house they live in.
For over one million adults and 400,000 children, that home will be a rented one. 1
Whether it is the need for flexible options, or because homes have become unaffordable, it is now a fact of life that more and more children are being raised in rental homes.
But unlike most other developed countries, New Zealand's rental housing situation poses unique threats to the health and well-being of our children.
Our standards for rented housing are among the lowest in the developed world. 2
That means too many children growing up in cold, damp, substandard houses.
For the 260,000 children living below the poverty line - most of whom live in rentals - this is particularly concerning.
These children's parents have less money to compensate for poor quality homes by turning on the heater, for example, or buying good quality curtains.
The upshot is these children are more likely to get sick, more likely to move homes often, and more likely to live in overcrowded rental homes. 3
Every child should have what they need to thrive and that includes a warm, safe and secure home- Metiria Turei, Green Party Co-leader
We want to see a move away from the neglect of rental housing that has allowed it to be a "second class" option for too long.
Whether renting is a choice, or necessity, it should be as good as owning a home.
To ensure renting can be a first class option, we need bold thinking about how to improve the standard of rented housing, and more protections for those who choose this way of life.
Home is important for all of us, but for children it is where they grow up.
Home has a powerful influence on their health and well-being.
Above all, a child's house should be a safe, warm, stable, secure place, a strong foundation for a happy future.
It should be somewhere they can thrive.
Summary
The Green Party will: /1.  Create a Warrant of Fitness for all rented houses, to ensure all children are growing up in warm, healthy homes.
2.  Provide extra funding to help families take action against substandard rental housing.
3.  Provide greater security of tenure.
4.  Insulate another 200,000 homes, at a cost of $327 million.
Situation
Renting is increasingly a reality in New Zealand.
The number of people who rent their house has increased from 25 percent in the 1990s to 35 percent, and rising, today. 4
About 418,000 children - 40 percent of all kids - now live in rental homes.
While it is important that those who want to buy a house can do so - and the Green Party has a Progressive Ownership plan and other policies to address housing affordability
- renting is not, and should not be, a bad thing in itself.
In other countries with great housing and good social outcomes, home ownership rates are low, and renting is a great way to live.
It gives people the flexibility to move more quickly in response to job opportunities - a strong rental sector is essential to an increasingly mobile modern economy.
Renting also allows people to avoid the transaction costs that buying a home involves.
However, at present, renting in New Zealand is distinctly a second-class option.
Here renters face two key problems: little security of tenure and poor quality homes.
1.  Lack of security
New Zealand has some of the least renter-friendly policy settings in the developed world.
5 Lease terms are short, tenants can be asked to move with little notice, leases can be terminated on almost any condition as long as notice is given, and it is difficult for tenants to customise their flat.
The average renting family moves every two years. 6
This turnover is so high because renters often move in order to improve the quality of their housing and the health of their children.
This makes it difficult for families to put down roots and play their full part in their community.
It can also damage their children's health, because connections with doctors who know their health history are continually being broken,
and can affect their schooling, as they find it difficult to form the close relationships with teachers and classmates that are so important for learning.
By contrast, in other countries renters commonly have long tenures and are able to refurbish their rented house or flat.
These countries place high requirements on both tenants and landlords.
2.  Poor condition of rental homes
Over half of renters report one or more major problems with their dwelling, compared to just 28 percent of owner occupiers. 7
A 2010 survey by BRANZ found that only 22 percent of rental properties were in good condition and 44 percent were in poor condition.
Many of these houses are not weather-tight or properly insulated.
The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) estimate that 900,000 homes are poorly insulated.
Often they lack heating or other essential facilities.
Impact of poor housing on children
Poor quality rental housing, which is often damp, cold and mouldy, is a direct contributor to our appalling rates of preventable hospital admissions for infectious diseases, and Third World diseases such as rheumatic fever.
Children are especially susceptible to damp and mouldy housing. 8
These problems affect all children, but especially those in poverty, 70 percent of whom are in rental housing. 9
These children are disproportionately Maori and Pasifika.
Despite all these problems, there are currently few avenues for taking action.
Housing Improvement Regulations (1947) and the Health Act (1956) regulate housing only to very minimal sanitation and safety levels.
The Tenancy Act (1986) requires landlords to maintain properties to a "reasonable" standard, but it is very difficult to define (or enforce) what that means.
Solution
1.  A Warrant of Fitness and star ratings for all rented housing
The Green Party will introduce a Warrant of Fitness and star ratings system for all rented houses, making sure that all homes are up to a basic minimum standard while rewarding landlords who go the extra mile for their tenants.
The schemes will be voluntary for the first two years, to give landlords time to adapt, but will become compulsory from 1 January 2017.
Assessors employed by local councils will check rental properties to ensure they are safe, warm and weather-tight.
This will include: surfaces being clear of mould, decent ventilation, a functional toilet, properly connected drains, safe electrical wiring, floor and ceiling insulation, proper heaters, and no cracks or holes in the building fabric.
Houses that meet these conditions will receive the basic Warrant of Fitness.
A pilot project carried out last year with local councils indicates that over a third of rental houses will already meet these conditions. 10
Landlords who fail to meet these conditions will be given three months to get their properties up to standard.
If they are still unable to do so, they will not be allowed to charge their tenants rent until they can meet the Warrant of Fitness standard.
To reward exceptionally good properties, landlords with houses that go well beyond minimum conditions will be able to apply to have that recognised through a star rating system.
Modelled on the Dunedin Student Tenancy Accommodation Rating Scheme (STARS) pilot, (11) this would see landlords get one to five stars for things such as having solar panels, outside storage facilities (for example for bicycles), and wall insulation.
For most landlords, assessments would be carried out only once every three years, although those with track records of having substandard properties would be inspected more often.
Initial estimates suggest a Warrant of Fitness check would cost around $200-300.
To encourage early compliance, the Green Party will set aside $24 million over three years.
This will partly subsidise the costs of having checks done, as well as funding the cost of employing extra inspectors.
This is on top of over $300 million in subsidies for home owners (including landlords) to insulate their homes.
The Green Party does not expect the Warrant of Fitness to result in significant rent increases, given that few landlords in the pilot programme indicated they would hike rents following alterations to meet the conditions.
12 And while a small number of houses may be taken off the market, this effect is likely to be small.
2.  Helping renters take action on substandard housing
Half of rental properties have significant defects, but many people, especially those dealing with multiple forms of disadvantage, are unlikely ever to complain.
Tenants are likely to be young, on low incomes, and to know little about tenancy law.
As a result, there are very few complaints to the Tenancy Tribunal.
Currently, the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) holds $460 million worth of tenant bonds, earning $19 million a year.
The Green Party will allocate a very small portion of this, around $1 million a year, to increase funding for tenancy advocates, who provide tenants with information on the rights and responsibilities under the law and support them to assert those rights.
By effectively mediating disputes between tenants and landlords, they can also help keep cases out of the Tenancy Tribunal, allowing cases to be solved quickly and cost effectively.
Currently, tenancy advocate organisations exist only in Christchurch, Auckland and the Manawatu, and receive no central government funding.
A modest investment of $1 million a year would enable the creation of advocacy services in other main centres, as well as properly funding existing services.
3.  Providing greater security of tenure
There are currently very few laws that ensure tenants can make a rented house their home with some sense of security and stability.
The Green Party will amend the Residential Tenancies Act to provide tenants with the right of renewal on any tenancy.
We will also ensure tenancy agreements include a formula for calculating future rent increases, and rent increases will be limited to no more than once every 12 months.
In Government, the Green Party will consult with the sector on the details of the formula, which is likely to allow for rent increases in the case of mortgage rate increases, significant improvements made to the house in question, and overall rent increases in the relevant region.
These changes, which reflect practices standard in other countries, will give tenants more security in their homes and help prevent the kind of price-gouging undertaken by some landlords in Canterbury in the wake of the earthquakes.
The right of renewal will not curtail landlords' existing right to evict tenants on grounds provided under the Residential Tenancies Act.
Nor will it prevent landlords from taking back a rental property for their own use.
But for other cases it will give renting families the security that they have the right to renew their lease if they want to continue to live in their home.
As part of improving security for tenants, the Green Party will put a stop to the National Government's "reviewable tenancies" policy of forcing state house tenants out if their incomes improve.
This is particularly likely to disrupt the schooling of children if families are forced to move.
Instead, the Green Party will extend our Progressive Ownership model to state house tenants, so that they can progressively buy their house from the Government.
The proceeds from these sales will be reinvested in providing new state housing.
4.  Insulating a further 200,000 homes
The Green Party will revitalise the hugely successful Warm Up New Zealand scheme, ensuring that all home owners - including landlords - can get generous subsidies for ceiling and underfloor insulation, and for clean heating devices.
The Green Party will restore the ambitious goal of the original Warm Up scheme of insulating all poorly insulated houses and ensuring that no New Zealander lives with avoidable cold and damp in their house.
As a first step towards that goal, it will insulate another 200,000 homes over the next three years, with the same subsidies as the original scheme.
Benefits
The greatest beneficiaries of the Green Party's housing policies will be the 418,000 children in rental housing who will now have a more stable, secure base for their lives.
A Warrant of Fitness will ensure that within three years all rental housing will have to meet tough new standards,
and that every child living in a rented house can be guaranteed a home that is warm, dry and free from mould.
This will be a dramatic change to the quality of our housing stock.
Of the $8 billion a year that child poverty costs New Zealand, some $3-4. 5 billion of that is from health related costs. 13
Those costs will be radically reduced by the improvements to rental housing created by a Warrant of Fitness.
They will also be reduced by the increased insulation generated by restoring Warm Up New Zealand - a programme that has been shown to deliver $4 of benefits for every $1 invested.
Increased funding for tenant advocacy services will mean more renters get the support they need to complain about substandard housing.
It will also ensure a more stable future for tenancy services, such as Christchurch's Tenants Protection Association, which are being forced to appeal to the public for funds in order to continue operating.
Renters will also feel more able to make complaints to the Tenancy Tribunal under our new laws for tenancy agreements, which will give them security of tenure and protection against excessive rent increases.
Our changes to tenancy law will mean that people renting will be able to enjoy the security and stability that is their right.
It will enable tenants to put down stronger roots in a community, knowing that they have some security of tenure.
It will also help address New Zealand's exceptionally high rates of mobility, much of which is driven by people trying to find better quality rental accommodation.
This mobility has particularly damaging effects on children, as it interrupts their schooling and their participation in their community.
1.  Costs
The total new cost of our snug and warm package over three years will be $27 million.
This comprises, over three years: 1.  Funding to support the Warrant of Fitness implementation ($24m)
2.  Increased funding for tenancy advocates ($3m)
Improved child health, resulting from the Warrant of Fitness and increased insulation, will result in significant savings in the health sector over time.
However, the savings have only been modelled over the long term (30 years), and have therefore not being counted here.
The total cost of our Warm Up New Zealand insulation package is $327 million over three years.
This has been previously announced. 14
418,000 children living in rental housing will have a more stable, secure base for their lives. - Metiria Turei, Green Party Co-leader
Green
Cleaner, Cheaper, Smarter Energy
Green Party election priority
Cleaner Environment Fairer Society Smarter Economy
Introduction3Summary5Situation6Solution8
Introduction
How we produce and consume energy is changing right before our eyes.
In the last six years alone, the price of installing photovoltaic solar energy has fallen by 75 percent. 1
In Queensland, where solar power has been incentivised since 2008, power prices have fallen into negative territory during the middle of the day when the sun was shining at its brightest.
Queensland's homes have collectively become the state's fourth largest power supplier and were paid $242 million for the power they supplied last year. 2
Within a decade, households could become net energy producers, reducing their power bills to zero.
By 2040, it's likely that half of all electricity will be sustainably generated in the same place it is consumed. 3
The era of big, centralised, and dirty power is ending.
National are actually standing in the way of our clean energy future. — Green Party Co-leader, Dr Russel Norman
While this is very good news, New Zealanders are yet to see any of the fruits of cleaner, cheaper power.
Under National, power prices have continued to rise, up 27 percent since 2008 despite residential demand falling by 2. 6 percent. 4
National privatised our power companies meaning they now work for the short¬term profits of their shareholders rather than the long-term interests of New Zealand.
Finally, National spends $46 million a year 5 subsidising big foreign oil companies to prospect for oil in our deep seas yet offers no subsidies for any clean energy alternatives.
As a result of National's policy mix, the Ministry for the Environment now projects that New Zealand net emissions will increase by 50 percent by 2020. 6
Rather than turn the climate challenge into something positive for our economy and our environment, National are pushing the costs onto future generations.
This is not a smart way to run the energy sector that powers our economy and secures our quality of life.
Renewable energy and increased energy efficiency are the smart way forward for New Zealand.
They will reduce our emissions, lower long-term costs, and improve the security of our energy supply.
By pioneering the way towards carbon neutrality in 2050, we will create more jobs,
produce higher value-added exports,
and play our part in securing a stable climate for our children.
The Green Party will set in place the drivers to ensure that our electricity is 100 percent renewable by 2030,
household electricity bills are lower by around $300 a year,
and create the infrastructure and incentives to empower New Zealanders to go solar, drive electric, and live more sustainably.
Ours is a cleaner, cheaper, smarter energy plan.
Summary
The Green Party will: 1.   Require that New Zealand's electricity is 100 percent renewable by 2030.
We will reduce families' power bills by around $300 per year through New Zealand Power.
We will provide low-cost loans to enable households to invest in solar panels to enjoy free, sustainable power for decades.
2.  Speed the transition of the private vehicle fleet to electricity by subsidising the roll-out of fast-charging electric car refuelling stations across New Zealand, costing $10 million.
We will replace the Crown car fleet with electric vehicles.
We will offer a $1,000 cash back payment to the first 10,000 New Zealand-new electric vehicles sold, costing $10 million.
3.  Better enable energy conservation and distributed generation through smart grid initiatives including: real time electricity pricing, limited fixed lines charges, and a fair price for surplus renewable electricity.
Situation
New Zealand is starting from a remarkable position when it comes to energy.
We have abundant amounts of wind, water, and sunshine enabling us to produce high amounts of electricity sustainably.
Currently, around 75 percent of our electricity comes from these renewable sources, mainly from hydropower that earlier generations and their governments had the foresight to develop. 7
Unlike the rest of the world, we can make our electricity supply 100 percent renewable and climate friendly in our lifetimes.
Despite our enviable starting point, the National Government's energy strategy has seen a major escalation of oil, gas, and coal mining.
National has invested heavily in mineral surveys, auctioned off blocks of our deep seas for deep sea oil drilling, and opened up our conservation estate for mining.
But it gets even worse.
National has made changes to our Emissions Trading Scheme undermining the price signal for carbon which was designed to drive a step change in the way our economy responds to climate change.
Without a strong price signal on carbon, companies like Fonterra, for example, is planning to start a new opencast coal mine to power three of their Waikato dairy factories rather than a clean energy alternative. 8
Such short-sighted but long-lasting investment decisions are locking New Zealand into a dirty, high carbon energy pathway.
Climate change is the most challenging issue of our time.
How we respond to it will define us, and determine the kind of future our children inherit.
Yet taking action on climate change also presents a unique opportunity to transition our economy to a smarter, cleaner, more prosperous future.
The National Government has a stated goal of 90 percent of our electricity coming from renewable energy by 2025 yet has no plan for getting us there.
The government's latest forecast for the sector is that we'll only get to 80 percent by 2030 (9)— meaning 20 percent of our electricity will still come from dirty coal and gas in 15 years' time.
A goal without a plan is just an empty slogan.
Here is the Green Party's plan to decarbonise our economy by producing 100 percent of our electricity from renewables, building a smart grid to facilitate this, and reducing our reliance on foreign oil by speeding up the transition to electric cars.
Solution
The smart green economy of the twenty-first century will be powered by clean, cheap, renewable energy.
Within our lifetimes, many New Zealand homes will become net energy producers meaning ever-increasing power bills will become a thing of the past.
But this requires government leadership
and the Green Party in Government will remove the current roadblocks to New Zealand families achieving energy freedom.
In doing so, we can secure the financial and environmental benefits of this global economic shift to decarbonise our economy and stabilise our changing climate.
1.  100% Renewable | 100% Achievable by 2030
With the rapidly declining cost of renewable energy solutions, New Zealand can become one of the first countries in the world to secure 100 percent of our electricity supply from renewable resources by 2030, possibly even earlier.
New Zealand is blessed with abundant sources of renewable energy — wind, hydro, solar, and geothermal — all that we are lacking is the political commitment, targets, and policy mechanisms to develop them to their fullest potential.
Mason, Page, & Williamson from the University of Canterbury (10), and Pregger, Simon, Naegler, and O'Sullivan at DLR in Stuttgart Germany (11) have modelled various pathways to achieving a completely renewable supply of electricity in New Zealand — one that offers energy security in dry years and minimises waste.
These pathways all require an integrated, well-planned approach from central government
and will involve greater incentives for energy efficiency,
a smarter grid to enable load-shifting and managing distributed generation,
and building increased amounts of wind and geothermal base load capacity.
Moving to a 100 percent renewable electricity system is well within our sights
and the kinds of solutions we engineer to solve the final difficulties will create the kind of knowledge we can export.
The Green Party will: 1.  Update the New Zealand Energy Strategy to mandate the goal of producing 100 percent of our electricity from renewable sources by 2030.
2.  Restore a strong carbon price signal through our Climate Protection Plan.
We will phase out the failed Emissions Trading Scheme and set an initial price on carbon of $25 per tonne on CO2 equivalent emissions for all sectors (except agriculture and forestry).
All revenues raised from a carbon charge will be recycled back to families and businesses through a $2,000 income tax-free band
and a one percent company tax cut.
3.  Establish the Green Investment Bank to help speed the flow of private capital investment into renewable power generation and energy efficiency.
NZ Power to drive down power prices
Electricity should be affordable for New Zealand families and businesses.
However, since National's 1992 market reforms, the price of our power has kept going up.
New Zealand has had the fifth-largest increase in power prices in real terms among the 34 OECD countries in the past 20 years.
We will do to rising power prices what Pharmac has done to high drug costs, reducing home power bills by $300 per year. — Green Party Co-leader, Dr Russel Norman
A single buyer — New Zealand Power — will pool electricity customers' demand together to enable bulk purchasing and drive down the current high prices charged by electricity generators.
New Zealand Power will pass these savings on to customers in the form of a block of low-cost electricity to each household every month
and lower prices for businesses.
New Zealand Power will deliver more than just cheaper power prices.
A single buyer can also help secure the successful rollout of a fully renewable and smart electricity grid and take the lead in driving energy efficiency in our homes.
New Zealand Power will have a net fiscal cost of $80 million per year.
The Green Party will: 1.  Establish New Zealand Power as a single buyer
and reduce power bills by around $300 a year.
2.  New Zealand Power will deliver lower electricity prices to households by using its market power to negotiate much lower wholesale prices, just as major users like the Tiwai Point smelter do at present.
3.  New Zealand Power will also plan investment in new generation and transmission assets with priority on renewables and resilience, and provide secure cover for dry years by contracting for back-up from stations that might otherwise close or from consumers who are willing to reduce load.
Negotiating demand- side reduction will also be in its mandate.
4.  Price electricity progressively, giving households a block of low- cost electricity each month to ensure every home is warm and dry,
with progressively more expensive prices above that to encourage energy efficiency.
5.  Continue to rollout smart energy-saving initiatives like our Warm Up New Zealand: Heat Smart programme that has funded insulation for 230,000 homes already.
We have announced further funding of $327 million for a further 200,000 homes. 17
Solar homes
Much of New Zealand's generation is in the South Island, yet most of our electricity demand is in the North Island.
This leads to large transmission costs, both in maintaining the transmission grid as well as substantial transmission losses.
To reduce costs and waste, we need renewable generation located close to areas of demand.
With solar power, power can be produced right where it is consumed — on the roof of the home or factory.
The cost of solar panels has fallen rapidly and is now competitive with other generation options.
That means we can support the nationwide rollout of solar without subsidies.
The remaining barriers to solar homes are:1.  The up-front cost of capital.
2.  Contract certainty over the sell back price of excess power produced.
3.  The long-term nature of the payback period.
We can leverage the government's low cost of borrowing and ability to regulate for certainty in an uncertain marketplace to speed the take-up of solar power,
giving families greater energy freedom and lower energy prices. 18
The Green Party will: Provide low-cost loans to families to purchase and install solar power in their homes.
The loans will be for a term of 15 years and at the Crown's low sovereign interest rate, which is currently 3. 9 percent. 19
Families will be able to borrow the full cost of the solar power system installation, up to $15,000, and then repay it via their rates;
The loans will be cost neutral to the Crown, with an estimated administration cost to Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) of less than $1 million dollars a year.
Families will be able to earn money by selling excess electricity back to the grid at a fair price.
We will help schools reduce their power bills by investing $20 million into solar PV systems in schools, allowing schools to benefit from cheaper, cleaner power.  20
2.  Electric cars | Reducing our reliance on foreign oil
Achieving a 100 percent renewable electricity supply will set us up well to begin to address our economy's reliance on oil.
Our private vehicle fleet is large, old, and inefficient by international standards, meaning we consume almost twice as much energy as the average driver in the UK.
Our transport sector is also completely reliant on imported oil.
And it's expensive.
We spend $8 billion per year on foreign oil, which is money we're not spending more productively elsewhere.
Cities like Auckland will never be globally competitive if people living there continue to spend such a large chunk of their incomes on simply getting about.
If we are to achieve our climate goals and reduce our huge reliance on foreign oil, we are going to have to progressively reduce the transport fleet's singular reliance on oil as its main energy source.
In our cities, we can decarbonise our travel most easily by offering attractive alternatives to commuter driving — this includes buses and trains every few minutes and safe, separated cycle ways. 21
We can progressively raise the fuel efficiency of the vehicle fleet
by introducing tougher fuel economy standards for new and used imports.
These two initiatives alone will significantly shift our transportation networks onto a more sustainable and energy efficient pathway.
New Zealand's major energy trump card, however, is our plentiful and cheap supply of renewable energy.
Electric cars offer a way to use this clean energy for transport, saving us money and allowing us to maintain our mobility in a carbon-constrained world.
In the last few years, electric vehicles have entered into mainstream production.
Prices have fallen, the number of models on offer is increasing, and the useful range of electric vehicles is now at least three times the average 33km daily vehicle trip distance travelled per person in New Zealand. 22
Governments around the world are responding to these promising developments by establishing clear deployment goals to speed up the transition to a more sustainable car fleet.
Countries like Norway, Denmark, France, the USA, Japan, Germany, and China have all implemented policies to help drive this step-change in electric car adoption and there are now well over 400,000 electric vehicles on the roads in these countries alone.  23
No road map under National
National has usefully exempted electric vehicle cars from road user charges until 2020 but done little else to encourage the uptake of this clean technology. 24
As a result, there are only 110 registered electric cars on our roads today, representing just 0. 0004 percent of New Zealand's vehicle fleet. 25
There are more Ladas registered in New Zealand than electric cars. 26
We can do so much better.
Would-be owners of electric cars need to have the confidence that their investment in new vehicle technology will be supported by the government for the long-term.
Fast-laning electric vehicle take up
We can encourage higher private ownership of this smart green technology by adopting a clear deployment strategy for electric vehicles — including plug-in hybrids, battery electric, and fuel cell electric vehicles.
The government needs to send a clear signal to drivers that we're backing this technology for the long term by adopting measurable deployment targets over the short, medium, and long term.
The government can also ensure that there is a nationwide network of fast charging stations to extend the range and usability of electric vehicles.
Under National, just one fast-charging station has been installed since 2008.  27
The Green Party in Government will lead by example.
The specifications for the Crown limousine fleet can be met by the new Tesla Model S — a suitable car that seats five, has a range of 425km, accelerates to 100km/h in 5. 4 seconds, has the top five-star safety rating, and produces zero emissions at the tail pipe. 28
The UK Government has announced its intention to purchase 150 electric vehicles across its fleet and the Tesla Model S is among the cars being considered by transport officials.  29
Finally, we can amend electricity pricing rules so electric vehicle owners are encouraged to take advantage of cheaper off-peak rates to charge their vehicles.
Overnight battery charging can help smooth electricity demand, reducing the need to spill hydro-electricity or build expensive new energy storage infrastructure.
Electric cars will complement a completely renewable electricity supply.
A reliable, nationwide network of public recharging stations,
pricing incentives for off-peak charging,
and clear deployment targets will all help incentivise the faster uptake of electric cars.
The Green Party will: Lead by example and replace the Crown fleet (where appropriate) with zero emission electric vehicles, starting with the limousines, and allow work-place charging across the government sector.
Offer a $1,000 cash back payment to the first 10,000 New Zealand-new electric vehicles sold, costing $10 million.
Co-invest in the roll-out of a nationwide network of 30-minute fast-charge stations across New Zealand, costing $10 million to build 30 plus stations. 30
Increase fuel economy standards for vehicle imports.
Set national electric vehicle deployment targets and adaptively manage government policy to ensure the targets are met.
3.  Smart grid
A power system based almost entirely on renewables will require a smarter power system architecture to make it work.
Smart grids can also give consumers greater choice, transparency, and control over their power usage.
New Zealand's hydro system has relatively low storage capacity compared to other countries with hydro-dominated electricity systems.  31
A fully renewable power system will be made up of thousands of small renewable generators in addition to many medium¬sized community generators and a few large, centralised generators.
The natural variability of power supply from these many wind and solar generators will need to be carefully managed (on both the demand and supply side) to ensure plentiful and cheap power and a resilient grid.  32
Power system planning will be more complex and we'll need a "smart grid" to give us more tools to manage it.
Smart meters, demand management, wireless communications, and new energy storage options are all part of the technology mix that will help us manage the increased complexity of the grid.
We have the engineers and scientists to lead the development of this technology globally, but it will require government to work hand-in- hand with business to ensure a successful transition to a sustainable energy future.
The Green Party in Government will establish an expert panel to lead this process along with implementing a number of other overdue reforms to our electricity sector to kick-start the market uptake of renewables and smart grid technology.
The Green Party will: 1.  Strengthen the terms of reference of the Smart Grid Forum and incorporate its recommendations into the New Zealand Energy Strategy.
2.  Use New Zealand Power to drive improvements in demand-side management, energy efficiency, real time electricity pricing, and distributed storage, which will dramatically accelerate the development of a smarter grid.
3.  Ensure greater transparency on electricity customer's bills.
4.  Have an independent umpire set a fair, non-subsidised price to be paid for surplus renewable electricity generated by homes and businesses.
5.  Require EECA labelling of smart appliances.
6.  Review standards on smart meters to provide useful consumer information and ensure privacy.
Saving our Maui’s Dolphins front Extinction
Green Party election priority
Cleaner Environment Fairer Society Smarter Economy
Introduction3Summary4Situation5Solution8Benefits14
Introduction
Maui's dolphins are a source of delight and pride for New Zealand.
These boisterous creatures are the smallest and rarest dolphins in the world and live only on the West Coast of the North Island.
Like the Kiwi, Maui's dolphins are an important part of New Zealand's natural heritage.
New Zealanders love and want to protect the Maui's dolphin, yet the species is on the brink of extinction.
Scientists estimate that there are only 55 adult Maui's dolphins left in the world, and they need our protection in order to survive.
Sadly, National's policies are driving the Maui's to extinction.
National is allowing dolphin-killing fishing methods, dangerous petroleum exploration and mineral exploration within a Marine Mammal Sanctuary that was implemented to protect the Maui's dolphin.
Essentially National's Maui's sanctuary is a sanctuary in name only: it's a sham sanctuary.
The Green Party knows that we can have a prosperous New Zealand without having to put the Maui's dolphin at risk of extinction.
In fact, protecting this unique species will enhance our clean, green brand.
The Green Party has a plan to protect the Maui's dolphin that New Zealanders love.
Summary
The Green Party has an evidence-based plan to protect the Maui's dolphin from extinction.
We will: 1. Protect Maui's from being killed in the sanctuary designed to protect them.
We will prohibit fishing methods lethal to dolphins, new oil and gas exploration, and mineral mining, throughout the West Coast North Island Marine Mammal Sanctuary.
2.  Extend fishing protections (prohibit lethal set nets and trawl nets) to the entire Maui's range, as recommended by expert scientists.
The International Whaling Commission's scientific committee, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, and the Society for Marine Mammology, have all called for set nets and trawl nets to be prohibited throughout the Maui's dolphins' range.
Experts define the Maui's range as being on the West Coast of the North Island from Maunganui Bluff to the Whanganui River, out to the 100 metre depth contour, including harbours.
3.  Help protect the livelihoods of affected fishers by supporting them to adopt dolphin-safe fishing methods.
In recognition of the hardship that fishers will face as a result of the new fishing rules, the Green Party will spend up to $20 million over three years to help them.
The money will be spent in consultation with the affected fishers but it is anticipated that the money will be used as transitional support to alternative dolphin-friendly fishing gear, including support for technology-led research and appropriate permitting.
Situation
Maui's dolphins - the world's most endangered marine dolphin - are found only in New Zealand, and they need greater protection immediately.
The Maui's population was around 2,000 dolphins in the 1970s (1), but this dropped to an estimated population of just 55 adults by 2012. 2
Scientists across the world are united in their call for greater protections for Maui's dolphins.
The International Whaling Commission's scientific committee, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, and the Society for Marine Mammology with 2,000 scientists, have all called for greater protections for Maui's dolphin.
But the National Government has largely ignored their scientific advice.
In 2012, the Government convened an expert panel of domestic and international dolphin experts who estimated that five Maui's dolphins were dying in New Zealand fishing nets each year. 3
Following this assessment, National implemented some weak additional protections for Maui's dolphins which lowered the estimated number of human- caused dolphin deaths to three to four per year. 4
The sustainable level is one human-caused Maui's dolphin death every 10-23 years.
In June 2014, the International Whaling Commission published a report that concluded that National's management changes are inadequate to stop Maui's extinction saying, the "current management situation falls short of that required to reverse the Maui's decline. " 6
This conclusion is not surprising when you consider that National is allowing lethal fishing methods, as well as new petroleum exploration (7) and mineral exploration (8) within the Marine Mammal Sanctuary that was established in 2008 to protect Maui's dolphins. 9
Despite being the main threat to Maui's dolphins, National is allowing commercial trawl fishing in 80 percent of the sanctuary and commercial set net fishing in roughly 40 percent of the sanctuary.10
Set nets are anchored to the bottom of the ocean with weights and have floats at the top of the water, creating a 'wall' of netting.
Trawl nets are made from heavier duty materials and are pulled through the water behind a boat.
Both of these fishing methods can kill Maui's, because when the dolphins swim into the nets, they can get trapped and then die of suffocation.
A critically endangered Maui's dolphin
Although the main threat, fishing isn't the only threat to Maui's dolphins.
The National Government is opening up over 3,000 square kilometres of the Maui's sanctuary to new petroleum exploration and drilling. 11
This is concerning because petroleum exploration includes seismic surveys that involve shooting intensely loud blasts of compressed air towards the ocean floor every 15-20 seconds, around the clock, for weeks or months on end.
Seismic surveys can harm dolphins' hearing and drive them into unprotected areas where they are more exposed to deadly fishing nets.
National is also ramping up the risk to Maui's dolphins by embarking on a major new mineral exploration programme within the Maui's dolphin habitat.
The Government has issued mineral exploration permits in one third of the endangered Maui's dolphin sanctuary.
All of this shows that the current situation is dire for the Maui's dolphin, and getting worse.
We can't afford any more human-caused Maui's dolphin deaths, which is why the Green Party has a plan to protect the last 55 Maui's dolphins and grow the population.
A precautionary approach, would remove all dangerous fishing gear from the habitat of a critically endangered dolphin, and work towards a solution of how to re-introduce dolphin safe methods. - Marine Biologist Milena Palka
Solution
To save the Maui's dolphin from extinction, and grow their population, the Green Party will:
1.  Protect Maui's from being killed in the sanctuary designed to protect them.
In order to protect Maui's dolphins from being killed within the West Coast North Island Marine Mammal Sanctuary, the Green Party will:
Prohibit the commercial and recreational use of set nets and trawl nets throughout the dolphin sanctuary, because these fishing methods are known to kill Maui's dolphins.
This does not mean that all fishing will be prohibited in the sanctuary; there are still numerous commercial and recreational, dolphin-friendly methods of fishing that will be allowed, as the table below shows.
Prohibit new oil and gas exploration within the dolphin sanctuary.
We will allow existing production wells to continue to produce oil,
however, we will not allow new seismic surveys or new exploratory wells to be drilled.
Conservation Minister Nick Smith has claimed that seismic surveys and oil exploration has not harmed Maui's dolphins.
But the world's leading expert on how marine life is affected by seismic surveys, Dr Lindy Weilgart, disagrees.
She said: "Seismic surveys have been strongly tied to fatal whale, dolphin and giant squid strandings, and deaths at sea.
Of course, if you don't look, you won't see.
Oil and gas companies do not undertake thorough surveys for whale and dolphin carcasses.
Even if they did, only about 3 percent of dolphin carcasses are ever detected, as they sink or are eaten by predators.
Immediate deaths are not the only concern.
Seismic surveys can cause dolphins to avoid important habitat, can interfere with their food-finding, reproduction, resting, and hearing sounds vital to their survival, and can cause stress effects.
All these can have serious impacts on the welfare of these populations and the welfare of their prey".
Prohibit mineral mining within the dolphin sanctuary.
With Maui's dolphins on the edge of extinction we can't be adding new threats to their survival.
Yet, the National Government is seemingly willing to allow mineral mining in their habitat.
Since 2008, National has granted five mineral exploration permits within the Maui's dolphin sanctuary.
While mineral exploration itself may not be very harmful to dolphins, companies will be hoping to mine the area if they find commercially viable mineral deposits, and the mining phase poses potentially significant risk to Maui's.
A report commissioned by the Department of Conservation says: "The level to which this activity may impact upon the recovery of this dolphin is unknown although the findings of this review suggest that detrimental effects could be significant...
The cumulate stress associated with mineral mining in an already restricted habitat is likely to further restrict population recovery. " 13
Given that the Maui's dolphin population cannot withstand more than one human-caused death every 10 to 23 years, the Green Party will take a precautionary approach and prohibit mineral mining within the Maui's sanctuary.
2.  Extend fishing protections (prohibition of lethal set nets and trawl nets) to the entire Maui's range as defined by expert scientists.
Set net and trawl fishing are the biggest threats to Maui's dolphins.
Scientists are calling for these dolphin killing methods of fishing to be banned, not only in the West Coast North Island Marine Mammal Sanctuary, but throughout the Maui's dolphin's entire range.
Expert scientists have defined the Maui's range as being on the West Coast of the North Island from Maunganui Bluff to the Whanganui River, out to the 100 metre depth contour, including harbours. 14
According to the Government the annual revenue lost by closing these fisheries is $13. 5 million per year 15, which is less than one percent of New Zealand's $1. 5 billion annual seafood exports. 16
It doesn’t have to be a jobs-versus-dolphins argument. A successful approach to managing the recovery of a critically endangered population will encompass the following policy principles: a closure of the fisheries central to preventing extinction, a shift to alternative gear and revenue streams, a significantly large protected area, and achieving compliance close to 100%. -Marine Biologist Milena Palka
This $13. 5 million per year loss of value does not account for the ability of fishers to move to another area, fish species, or transition to alternative fishing gear.
The Green Party is not downplaying the hardship that set net and trawl fishers will face with these new rules in place.
That is why we will provide financial and research assistance to help transition them to dolphin-friendly methods of fishing.
3.  Help protect the livelihoods of affected fishers by supporting dolphin-safe fishing methods.
In order to establish a comprehensive package of solutions that works for both Maui's dolphins and the affected fishers, an important issue needs to be addressed: our quota system makes it hard for fishers to simply stop set netting and trawling and adopt dolphin-friendly methods.
For example, at the moment it isn't feasible for many fishers off the West Coast of the North Island to long-line for their target species because their efforts would result in a greater catch of snapper which they don't hold quota for.
The Green Party will spend up to $20 million over three years to assist with the transition to dolphin-safe fishing methods.
The money will be spent in consultation with the affected fishers
but it is anticipated that the money will be used as transitional support to alternative dolphin-friendly fishing gear, including support for technology-led research and appropriate permitting.
For example, the Government funding could be used to develop and trial alternative gear which helps avoid snapper, in conjunction with the granting of specific exemption permits to allow catch of non-target and non-quota held species during these trials.
Further, it's possible that trawlers could transition to the use of 'Precision Seafood Harvesting' gear if trials that are currently under way prove it is dolphin-safe.
Internationally there are examples where strong fishing restrictions have been implemented in order to save a critically endangered marine mammal without the drastic loss of jobs or income for affected fishers.
Precedent for strong fishing regulations coupled with support for affected fishersGulf of California shrimp fishery:In the Gulf of California, the critically endangered Vaquita porpoise was dying in set nets used by the blue shrimp fishery. With around 200 porpoises left in the world, the Mexican Government, NGOs and the international community took action. The Government banned the use of set nets in an area of their habitat, but also helped develop dolphin friendly fishing methods.The Government, NGOs and the international community teamed up to develop several varieties of Vaquita-safe trawls that are now in use.17Australian gummy shark fishery:In Southern Australia, the Australian sea lion is threatened with extinction. When the Australian Fisheries Management Authority identified gillnetting for gummy shark as a significant threat to the sea lions' survival, they developed a management strategy that banned the use of gillnets in areas around Australian sea lion colonies. They also had 100 percent monitoring of adjacent waters and triggers for additional fishery-closures.Despite these measures, only two of the initial 15 gillnets boats stopped fishing altogether. Of the 13 boats still in business, three switched to hook fishing, five continued trawl fishing for gummy shark outside the prohibited area, and five moved to other areas outside of Southern Australia.
Benefits
The benefit of this plan is that we will save the Maui's dolphin from extinction, and New Zealanders can continue to be proud to have the world smallest dolphin swimming in our ocean.
Maui's dolphins are a taonga, a treasured species that New Zealanders love.
Like the Kiwi, these majestic marine mammals are part of our national identity.
Saving the Maui's dolphin preserves our pride and our identity.
Saving the Maui's dolphin is the right thing to do for the environment.
When our Maui's dolphin is struggling for survival, it means the health of our ocean is suffering.
When the Maui's dolphins flourish, that is a sign that we are protecting our oceans and that the ecosystem is working well.
Not only that, saving the Maui's dolphin is also good for the economy.
Stopping lethal fishing methods in the Maui's habitat means forgoing less than 1 /100 of our total yearly value of fish, but it protects our clean, green brand that the rest of the New Zealand fishery relies on.
Furthermore, by protecting our clean, green brand, we protect other industries which rely on our 100% Pure image, such as agriculture and tourism.
About 70 percent of our export revenue is linked to New Zealand's clean green reputation.
If we don't implement this evidence-based plan to save the Maui's dolphin, scientists say the species is likely to go extinct in the next 20-30 years.
19 But the Green Party knows the Maui's are worth protecting, for our environment, economy and national identity.
Green
Disability in New Zealand: Access and Inclusion for All
Green Party election priority
Cleaner Environment Fairer Society Smarter Economy
Introduction3Summary4Situation5Solution7Benefits11
Introduction
Nearly one in four people in New Zealand live with a disability.
1 The Green Party is committed to building a fully inclusive society where disabled people have the same ability to participate and contribute as anyone else.
Currently, disabled people face significant barriers to participation in many areas including employment, housing, transport and information.
As a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the New Zealand Government has a specific responsibility to ensure disabled people can participate and contribute to society.
A fully inclusive, accessible society benefits disabled people, their whanau and friends and society as a whole.
Creating an inclusive society where disabled people are not blocked from participating
will require political will and commitment at all levels.
The Green Party values disabled people's participation in society and places a high priority on inclusion and access - whether it is watching TV or being employed.
The steps we are proposing here will help build a fairer, more inclusive society that benefits everyone.
Summary
The Green Party will: /1.  Improve employment outcomes for disabled people.
We will increase Job Support and Mainstream funding by $6. 8 million
and require the public sector to provide leadership in employing people with disabilities.
2.  Amend the Broadcasting Act and Telecommunications Act to require targets for phasing in captioning for all broadcast and on-demand TV.
We will set a target of 100 percent captioning for Television New Zealand (TV1 and TV2) by 2017 and TV3 by 2020.
3.  Support disabled people into home ownership.
We will extend the Green Party Home for Life Progressive Ownership package to disabled people who are first home buyers.
4.  Invest up to $3. 5 million into the Total Mobility scheme.
We will increase mobility and access to independent travel for disabled people and undertake a full review, with the view of implementing a nationally consistent and available scheme.
Access and inclusion for people with, disabilities is vital to building a fairer society for everyone. - Metiria Turei, Green Party Co-leader
Situation
Disabled people face systematic and casual barriers that prevent their full participation in society.
This affects not only people with disabilities but also their families, friends and the wider community.
Employment
Disabled people are seriously under-represented in paid employment with a 59 percent employment rate compared to non-disabled New Zealanders at 76 percent. 2
While a majority of people with disabilities need no extra assistance with workplace modifications and support, about 19 percent do. 3
Many disabled people enter the workforce via part-time or temporary work.
Currently job support funding is restricted to full-time work (20 hours or more a week) which restricts disabled people attempting to enter the workforce via part-time, temporary or voluntary employment.
The public sector is the biggest employer in New Zealand with over 36,000 front line staff.
Currently, most government departments do not have specific departmental initiatives for actively identifying and recruiting people with disabilities into the potential candidate pool.
That means many disabled people find themselves excluded before the interview stage. 4
A survey of the public service sector by the Human Rights Commission, in 2013, showed that of the 25 departments who collected disability data (out of 29), eight had no staff who said they had a disability.
The average rate of employment with a disability was 3. 7 percent and ranged from 0 to 10 percent. 5
In other countries, the public service is instead taking a leadership role.
The Australian Public Service through the 2012 policy 'As One' seeks to target, recruit, employ and retain talented disabled Australians. 6
The New Zealand public service, by not taking action on this issue, is losing out on an opportunity to tap into the skills and talents of disabled New Zealanders.
Captioning
Currently 380,000 New Zealanders are deaf or hearing impaired. 7
This is over 8.5 percent of the population.
For many, accessing information on television is a significant challenge as a large proportion of programmes on television are not captioned.
Many countries have mandatory requirements for captioning but New Zealand does not.
Of the 1232 hours per week available of free to air television, only 250 hours are captioned. 8
While this accounts for about 25 percent of all programmes, captioning varies widely from channel to channel; between 0-70 percent captioning for free to air television. 9
At present, despite the increasing importance of accessing digital information on-line, no on-demand services are captioned. 10
Most existing captioning is publicly funded by taxpayers to the tune of $2.4 million a year. 11
Most other countries including the United Kingdom, the United States of America and Australia have much higher rates of captioning (99 percent, 99 percent and 85 percent respectively). 12
All of these countries have legislation that requires broadcasters to be responsible for providing captioning.
Home Ownership
Home ownership is another area where disabled people face significant barriers.
In New Zealand, only 52 percent of disabled adults own or partly own a home. 13
The rate of home ownership for those with disabilities from birth is even lower at 27 percent. 14
This is significantly less than the 64. 8 percent for the average population. 15
Independent Travel
Some disabled people have limited access to travel independently and safely.
Independent access to transport is essential to be able to function effectively in society.
The Total Mobility Scheme provides subsidised taxi services for those who are not able to easily use the public transport system. 16
However, 70 percent of disabled adults and 78 percent of parents or caregivers of disabled children had no knowledge of the scheme. 17
Further, while the scheme provides some relief, many were still finding it unaffordable to use the service given the rising costs of taxi services. 18
Solution
The Green Party places a high priority on removing barriers to participation for disabled people.
1.  Improving employment outcomes and public sector employment
While a majority of disabled people do not require specific workplace modifications or support in order to be employed, about 19 percent need access to support funds.
Mainstream funding provides subsidies, training, and other support to help people with significant disabilities get work.
As of July 2014, Mainstream funding has been rolled into Improved Employment and Social Outcomes Support Multi-Category Appropriation.
Job Support funding provides support funds for disabled people going into, and already in, employment to cover costs such as New Zealand Sign Language interpreters and electronic note-taking.
The Green Party will reinstate Mainstream as a standalone package and increase funding to Mainstream by $2. 4 million to $6 million a year, and to Job Support funding by $4. 4 million to $12 million a year.
The total increase of funding in this package will be $6. 8 million a year.
Eligibility for Job Support funding will be expanded to cover part-time, temporary and volunteer work to open up new pathways to employment for disabled people.
The Green Party will also review funding arrangements for vocational support organisations to ensure that such contracts are fair, and are regularly adjusted to cover cost of living increases.
The public sector needs to lead the way in being a positive employer for disabled people.
We will amend the State Sector Act to place a stronger emphasis on the responsibility of the state sector to give disabled people an equal chance to get a job.
In order to increase employment of people with disabilities within the public sector, the Green Party will:
Instruct the State Services Commission, in conjunction with the Office for Disability Issues and Disabled Person's Organisations, to work with government departments and employers holding government contracts to develop best practice guidelines and identify pathways to employment and retention for people with disabilities.
Require public sector employers to set internal targets for employment and retention of people with disabilities in consultation with the Office for Disability Issues.
Pathways to employment and employment targets will be reviewed after three years to assess progress.
Improving employment, social participatior, home ownership and mobility are just the first steps in the right direction. - Mojo Mathers, Green Party disability issues spokesperson
2.  Captioning
Current levels of captioning across a range of media are far too low, limiting access to information, news, sports and popular culture for many New Zealanders.
The Green Party will amend the Broadcasting Act and the Telecommunications Act to ensure regulations are introduced for mandatory captioning by broadcasters of both broadcast and on- demand TV.
These regulations will establish a quota system, phased in over time, for broadcasters to provide captioning with the goal of achieving 100 percent captioning by 2017 for state-owned Television New Zealand (TV1 and TV2) and by 2020 for TV3.
All other broadcasters will have targets and time-frames set out on a case by case basis as a proportion of their profits.
We will also introduce quotas for audio-description and New Zealand Sign Language content.
Once 100 percent captioning has been achieved for TVNZ and TV3, current funding for captioning for the networks will be phased out.
The funding will instead be used for monitoring of captioning for quality control.
The Green Party will also require any film, TV programme, video or DVD resource produced with public funding (whether from NZ on Air funding or via departmental grants) to be tied to a requirement to provide closed captioning - whether on-air or other mediums.
3.  Home Ownership
In 2013, the Green Party launched its 'Home for Life' package, which gives families more security around housing.
Part of this package, Progressive Ownership, provides a pathway to home ownership for families who do not have a deposit or income for a commercial mortgage.
Progressive Ownership is open to families with dependent children.
The Green Party will extend eligibility to include disabled people who are first home buyers.
This will work in conjunction with other criteria such as income levels to ensure it benefits disabled people who need the help the most.
This package will see the Crown build affordable accessible homes worth around $300,000 on average.
Disabled people will enter into an agreement where the Crown owns all the equity in the house.
They will pay a basic payment to cover the Crown's cost of capital ($200 per week on a $300,000 house at a Government bond rate of 3. 5 percent) and make additional, variable purchases of equity in the property from the Crown at the value of the house when the agreement was signed.
Over time, the entire equity in the property could be bought by that person and they will own it outright.
Or they can cash-up that equity at any time by selling it back to the Crown.
Operational costs will be minimal.
For example, Housing New Zealand, currently, spending $1,000-$2,000 per house on administration, and rates are another $2,000 per house on average. 19
4.  Increase to Total Mobility
The current Total Mobility scheme provides subsides for taxis for people with disabilities.
It is funded in part by regional councils and in part by Government.
The current Government contribution, which totals $14 million, can range anywhere from 40-60 percent in each region. 20
The Green Party will increase the Government contribution by 25 percent; adding another $3. 5 million into the scheme.
Improving participation is just a first step in the right direction - Mojo Mathers.
An increase in funding will be tied to a commitment to review the scheme.
The review will aim to implement a nationally consistent and available scheme.
There will also be a focus on increasing awareness and usability of the scheme.
The Green Party is also committed to improving accessibility of public transport.
Benefits
There is a significant cost to society if we continue to lock disabled people out of full participation.
This cost will only increase as our population ages.
The opportunity cost of workforce exclusion of people with disabilities alone is $11.7 billion in New Zealand. 21
There is a large pool of talent that is currently untapped and New Zealand needs to provide the required support to help people with disabilities gain meaningful employment.
A best practice model from government will serve as encouragement for the private sector to follow suit.
Access to information, news and popular culture is vital to participation and social and mental well-being and a sense of belonging.
This affects educational and employment prospects as well as social interactions.
For far too long New Zealand captioning levels have lagged behind other countries.
Captioning also benefits the wider community as 80 percent of those who use captioning do not have a hearing loss. 22
Owning one's own home provides for security and stability.
This is especially important for disabled people who are often in paid employment for shorter times and may have specific housing needs.
Public transport is often not accessible in many regions and many disabled people are not able to drive their own cars.
Access to private transportation is vital to supporting active participation in our community.
Green
Greener Christchurch
Green Party election priority
Cleaner Environment Fairer Society Smarter Economy
Introduction3Summary5Situation6Solution10Benefits17
Introduction
The Canterbury rebuild provides a unique opportunity for genuine partnership between central and local government to create a better, more resilient and sustainable city.
The Green Party stands for a greener, fairer and smarter rebuild
that puts the needs of Christchurch people first.
We stand for communities making decisions about priority projects and spending on them.
We stand for public ownership of Christchurch assets.
The National Government has got its priorities for Christchurch wrong.
Cantabrians need better transport,
warmer houses,
and rebuild projects they can afford,
rather than to be shut out of local decision-making
and have unaffordable vanity projects imposed on them.
The Green Party will prioritise the things that matter to Cantabrians.
We have already announced an investment of $60 million to warm up Christchurch homes through insulation and clean heating solutions,
combined with a service to help Canterbury residents navigate the rebuild process. 1
Our vision for Christchurch is for a liveable, accessible city with a sense of identity, and strong, connected communities.
We will prioritise smart transport solutions,
a greener rebuild,
a return of local democracy,
and projects that put the needs of Christchurch people first.
This is the Green Party's plan for a greener, fairer and smarter rebuild, and for a vibrant, accessible, and resilient Christchurch
where democracy thrives.
We can have a greener, fairer, smarter and more democratic Canterbury. - Metiria Turei
Summary
For a greener, fairer, smarter, and more democratic Canterbury rebuild, the Green Party will: 1.  Prioritise smarter transport solutions to get Christchurch moving again.
With an investment of $462 million over five years, we will establish Canterbury Transport - a single body responsible for transport strategy, planning and delivery across Greater Christchurch - accelerate investment in safe cycling, and make a considerable investment in public transport.
2.  Work in genuine partnership with the Christchurch City Council, Ngai Tahu and the community to put Christchurch first.
We will remove any pressure on the Council to sell strategic assets
by delaying some of the anchor projects
and instead prioritise the rebuild of suburban facilities.
3.  Restore local democracy.
We will restore regional democracy, remove the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority's (CERA) emergency powers, and return power to the City Council.
4.  Green the rebuild with a commitment to green spaces and climate change resilience.
We will progress the Avon-Otakaro River Park and work with local councils to ensure that climate change resilience is incorporated into the rebuild.
Situation
Nearly four years on from the first of the devastating earthquakes in and around Christchurch, the region is still undergoing a major rebuild.
The effects of the earthquakes are still felt by most residents on a daily basis, whether it is the state of their house, the worry that another day of rain might bring flooding, or the day-to-day battle of navigating roads and transport in and around the city.
The National Government has got its priorities for Christchurch wrong.
Rather than addressing these day-to-day issues and focusing on the infrastructure that Cantabrians need, National is prioritising its vanity anchor projects, putting the Christchurch City Council under huge financial pressure.
National is imposing its will on the region through CERA and its draconian powers, while failing to engage with the real needs of Canterbury residents.
The Government is not paying attention to public views, to what is affordable, or to what will create a liveable, adaptable, accessible, and resilient city.
We value local democracy and will put the needs of Christchurch people first. - Metiria Turei
Transport is one of the biggest issues facing Canterbury residents.
Congestion in Christchurch has reached a critical point: (2) roads are clogged with cars, travel times are at an all-time high, commuters are stressed, public transport is in a state of flux with services being cut, and cyclists' lives are being put at risk.
Some of this is the predictable result of earthquake repair work, but it is made worse by on-going under-investment in public transport and cycling infrastructure.
The National Government transport policy is to invest in motorways and feed our ever-growing reliance on the car, rather than seeing the bigger picture.
The Green Party will turn this around by making the most of the unique opportunity presented by the rebuild.
A more balanced and future- proofed approach to transport implemented now, before it is too late, will make all the difference in making Christchurch a liveable and accessible city.
We also need a more balanced approach to the rebuild
that puts the needs of Christchurch people first.
Currently, the Christchurch City Council is under immense financial pressure due to the $4. 8 billion cost- sharing agreement between the Council and the Crown, which commits the Council to fund, or partially fund, many of the large anchor projects.
Meanwhile, National will not open the books on the real costs of these anchor projects or whether there is a sound business case to justify them.
The cost-sharing agreement was negotiated under the previous Council, before a clear picture of the Council's financial position was known.
We now know that the Council's under-insurance means there is a big gap between the cost of the rebuild and the insurance pay-outs.
A recent independent audit of the Council's finances by KordaMentha (3) and a report into the Council's financial challenges by Cameron Partners (4) show that the city's financial position is much weaker than previously thought.
The long-term financial health of the city must come first.
Pushing ahead with the costly vanity anchor projects at the expense of much- needed investment in basic infrastructure and community facilities, or selling the city's strategic assets to fund the shortfall, does not have the long-term interests of the city at heart.
The National Government has also undermined the democratic rights of the people of Canterbury by removing their right to elect their own regional councillors at Environment Canterbury (ECan) 5 and through CERA's draconian emergency powers, which have restricted the City Council's role and decision making powers.
When CERA and Government Ministers are making decisions instead of the Council, the priorities are wrong. 6
National is denying Cantabrians and elected councillors input into many critical decisions about their city, their region and their rebuild.
ECan spends around $75 million of rates each year (7) without elected representatives determining how or where this money is spent.
Instead, the Government's hand-picked commissioners have made major policy decisions about how Canterbury's land, air, water and coast are managed.
These commissioners report to Government Ministers, rather than being accountable to Canterbury residents.
Meanwhile, the post-earthquake emergency is over and the winding back of CERA's sweeping emergency powers is long overdue.
These powers have pushed aside the City Council as decision-maker and denied Cantabrians the right to participate in decisions about the demolition of numerous heritage buildings, to challenge planning rules for new development, to have input on the anchor projects, or in the design, scale and location of major new building developments as happens everywhere else in New Zealand.
Cantabrians need their power back.
They and their elected representatives on the Christchurch City Council and the regional council have the right to have a say in the major decisions affecting them and their region, and they need to get their right to vote back.
Democracy with community participation and transparent and accountable decision-making is the basis for a resilient and adaptable city and region. 8
We also need a greener approach to the rebuild.
The devastating damage to the residential red zone in Christchurch has created an opportunity for green shared spaces for everyone to enjoy.
The red zone land close to the iconic Otakaro-Avon River provides the perfect landscape for this sort of project.
The National Government's current plan is to spend $89 million on the extravagant beautification of a short 3.2km stretch of the Avon River in the central city.
This plan misses the greater opportunity to connect the central city to easternChristchurch and the sea, by creating the Avon-Otakaro River Park along the length of the river.
Climate resilience is a necessary part of future-proofing our city and towns,
yet the National Government and CERA are letting Cantabrians down by failing to plan properly for climate change in the rebuild.
Christchurch is the biggest city built on a floodplain in New Zealand.
Earthquake related damage, which has changed land levels, the bed of rivers, and the estuary, has increased the flooding risk in parts of the city, and land slips and rockfall are natural hazards on the Port Hills.
ECan has recently released new maps of coastal hazard zones but has left it to local councils to address sea level rise.
Around 75 percent of the $1. 5 billion insurance pay-out for damages from natural hazards in New Zealand over the past 40 years (prior to the Christchurch earthquakes) has been for weather related hazards. 9
This is likely to increase in the future because of climate change (10) and may include more extreme weather events.
Residents need a durable solution for climate change adaptation and local authorities need a clear mandate and guidance from central government to take account of, and plan for, more frequent extreme weather events, and for rising sea levels.
Despite this, in the last three years National has spent a total of $2,016 on providing councils with advice on the impacts of climate change and dealing with the impacts of climate change. 11
Solution
The Green Party will prioritise transport solutions,
community decision-making,
and a green rebuild to create a vibrant, sustainable, accessible, and more resilient Christchurch,
where democracy thrives.
1.  Smarter transport solutions to get Christchurch moving
The Green Party will prioritise smart transport solutions for Greater Christchurch to free residents from congestion, provide true transport choice, and create a modern and liveable city, accessible to everyone.
All money provided by the Crown will come through reallocating spending from the National Land Transport Fund.
Establish Canterbury Transport
The Green Party will establish Canterbury Transport: a single body responsible for transport strategy, planning and delivery across Greater Christchurch.
Similar to Auckland Transport, Canterbury Transport will be an integrated transport agency, responsible for administering the region's transport budget.
Canterbury Transport is expected to deliver cost savings by removing duplication between the various agencies that currently undertake this work.
Responsibility for transport strategy, planning and delivery in Greater Christchurch is currently spread over six different agencies,12 each with its own plans and priorities.
This complex approach has produced multiple transport plans, but a poor record of delivering coordinated outcomes for the people of Canterbury.
Right now, as the rebuild is under way, is the perfect time to address this problem.
Canterbury Transport will work in partnership with the existing agencies and others in the Greater Christchurch Urban Development Strategy 13 to achieve integrated transport and land use planning across Greater Christchurch.
Canterbury Transport will also work alongside the Stronger Christchurch Infrastructure Rebuild Team (SCIRT) as it undertakes a major programme of repair work to roads and other infrastructure across the city.
By adopting an approach of road betterment at the time of repair, there is the opportunity for cost effective improvements to roading around Christchurch, including cycleways and bus lanes.
Accelerate Investment in Safe Cycling
The Green Party will invest $52 million over the next three years in immediate and longer-term projects to speed up and extend the scope of cycleways in Christchurch.
Christchurch is an ideal city for cycling, and it is becoming increasingly popular as a transport choice in the city.
The most recent census figures show that nearly 10,000 people bike to work in Christchurch,14 which is an almost 8 percent increase since 2006.  Cycling safety in Christchurch is not good enough, with recent reports that a cyclist is injured every three days by a motor vehicle in Christchurch. 15
Safe, separated cycleways are essential for all cyclists, including making sure kids and commuters can get to school and work safely.
To achieve this, the Green Party, alongside Canterbury Transport, will work with the Christchurch City Council to speed up and improve the Major Cycleways network,16 a network of 13 connected cycleways planned for Christchurch.
We are committed to completing the Major Cycleways network in three years, rather than the five years currently proposed, at a cost of $68 million, half of which will be funded by central government through the National Land Transport Fund.
Immediate steps are also needed to improve cycling safety along the routes of the proposed Major Cycleways network, which we will achieve through funding temporary low-cost separators, such as using planters and painting lines.
These steps will make these routes safer now, while construction is completed on these routes.
A complete cycle network for the city will also include working with local communities to ensure that cycleways are integrated with school- centred cycling networks as a part of the Green Party's existing Safe Walking and Cycling to School policy. 17
This will see modern and safe walking and cycling facilities developed around schools, at a cost of approximately $8 million a year, half of which will be funded by the central government through the National Land Transport Fund.
Our Safe Walking and Cycling to School policy will also free up Canterbury roads.
A large percentage of car trips in the morning rush hour are school drop-offs, so encouraging more children to walk and cycle to school will help to relieve congestion.
Improved Bus Services
The Green Party will make public transport in Greater Christchurch more convenient and affordable for everyone by increasing investment in the Metro Bus Service, with $10 million a year going towards a bus prioritisation programme.
With smart investment, we can have a better bus service for Christchurch.
Instead of discontinuing services, the Green Party will focus on what can be done to increase use of bus services around Christchurch, including the prioritisation, speed, routes and frequencies of the services, as well as the pricing mechanisms.
This will include ensuring more frequent buses, especially across the five core bus services identified in the Metro Review. 18
Rapid Transit Network
The Green Party has earmarked $250 million over five years towards investigation and implementation of a rapid transit solution for Greater Christchurch
that will support a resilient, energy efficient and people- friendly city.
Canterbury Transport will be tasked with leading an investigation into the best options for a long-term integrated plan that would direct investment to the places where it will have the greatest value for money
and would support the greatest environmental and social benefits.
Urgent action is needed to improve commuter transport options between Christchurch City and the Selwyn and Waimakariri districts because the impacts of the earthquakes have resulted in high car dependence and increasing congestion, due to more residents shifting from Christchurch city to Rolleston, Rangiora, and other towns in Selwyn and Waimakariri.
2013 census data shows an increase of 20. 1 percent in people commuting into Christchurch City from the Waimakariri district and an increase of 44 percent from the Selwyn district19, along this key transport corridor.
Several studies 20 have highlighted the opportunity in Christchurch to leverage existing infrastructure to provide a relatively low cost commuter rail service for Cantabrians.
Utilising the existing lines between Rolleston, Addington and Rangiora, using the rolling stock that is being freed up as a result of the electrification of the Auckland rail system, will provide the foundation for this service.
The Green Party will improve commuter transport options between Christchurch and the Selwyn and Waimakariri districts by introducing an interim commuter rail service between Rolleston, Addington and Rangiora.
This will also include integrated feeder bus services.
This would be an interim, positive solution for Canterbury residents.
We have allocated $10 million a year over five years, which should be more than enough to cover indicative capital and operating costs. 21
Student Green Card
The Green Party recently announced our Student Green Card policy, which will give all tertiary students and apprentices in New Zealand free off-peak travel on buses, trains and ferries. 22
This policy is set to benefit around 43,000 people in Canterbury who are in tertiary education or training.
A Student Green Card will help students who are facing rising costs, as well as encourage smarter transport use and ease congestion for all travellers.
It will help to shift cars off our roads,
while making life easier for lower income students.
By increasing student use of our public transport network, we can cost effectively provide improved services for everyone.
As more people take the bus or train throughout the day, we can increase the number of services, which in turn will make public transport a convenient option for even more people.
2.  Keeping Christchurch Assets
The Green Party will put Christchurch people first
by working closely with the Christchurch City Council and local communities to ensure that the city keeps its strategic assets.
This includes ensuring that investment is prioritised for basic infrastructure and community facilities that mean the most to local residents, before big anchor projects that are financially stretching a Council already under pressure.
The Green Party will work in partnership with the Christchurch City Council and the public to prioritise investment in basic infrastructure
and community facilities,
not on some of the Government's vanity anchor projects like the super-sized $243 million covered stadium that risks being an expensive white elephant.
The focus for the Council needs to be on what it can afford and what Cantabrians need,
not on projects that are putting it under pressure to sell their well performing assets.
Selling strategic assets, such as shares in the airport and port companies, or energy company Orion, to meet the current shortfall facing the Council is short-term thinking.
These assets have strategic and regional importance and provide important dividend and revenue streams to the Council.
More flexibility around the implementation of the $4. 8 billion earthquake cost-sharing deal between the Council and the Crown is a much sounder option.
The Green Party will commit to working with the Council on the cost-sharing agreement to remove any financial pressure on the Council to sell their strategic assets.
As a part of a more flexible approach, the Green Party will open up the books on the anchor projects, including proposed costings, business cases, and how the projects stack up when considered against similar facilities in other centres, much of which is being kept secret by the National Government. 23
Postponing construction on some of these projects, particularly the covered stadium, will be a major saving for the Council and help balance the Council's budget without needing to sell assets.
3.   Restoring democracy
To put Christchurch people first, the Green Party will restore democracy in Canterbury to give power back to the people.
The Green Party will give Cantabrians back their right to elect regional councillors by repealing the Environment Canterbury Act (Temporary Commissioners and Improved Water Management), including its provisions weakening the law around water conservation orders in Canterbury.
We will commit to hold elections for a new ECan by October 2015 at the latest, and for all councillors to be elected.
The Green Party will also repeal CERA's emergency powers and wind CERA down, restoring the role of the City, District Councils, and an elected ECan, as the major decision-makers on the recovery and rebuild for the region.
Pre-quakes, the Greater Christchurch Urban Development Strategy was achieved by councils working with central government agencies, which is a model for continued cooperation.
4.  Greening the rebuild
The Green Party will work to ensure there is a smart, green rebuild, with green spaces in the red zone and by ensuring climate resilience is included in the rebuild.
Avon-Otakaro River Park
Like Hagley Park and the Port Hills, the Avon/Otakaro and Heathcote/Opawaho Rivers and estuary are iconic natural assets.
They contribute to Christchurch's identity and attractiveness.
The Green Party is committed to making the Avon-Otakaro River Park a reality.
The park will connect the city centre to the eastern suburbs and the sea, and strengthen Christchurch's identity as a beautiful, creative and enjoyable city for both residents and tourists.
We will allocate $20 million to the Christchurch City Council to progress planning and community consultation on the river park, construct interim cycle and walking trails, facilitate community gardens, restore mahinga kai 24 sites, better recognise and respect waahi tapu, and undertake feasibility studies on other proposals.
There has already been extensive consultation through the Evo::Space initiative, 25 the work of the Avon/Otakaro Network 26 and other community consultation, which have generated a host of ideas for the future use of the residential red zone.
Working alongside the Council, the Green Party will engage with and listen to the community in deciding the future of this area.
Climate Resilience
The Green Party will take the lead in assisting local bodies by developing a national framework for climate resilience,
taking into account local regional variances in future temperature increase, extreme weather events, and sea-level rise.
At a local level for Canterbury, the Green Party will work with the Christchurch City Council, District Councils and ECan to incorporate climate adaptation into city planning and the Christchurch rebuild.
We can help make Greater Christchurch a more resilient city if the location and design of commercial and residential development and infrastructure takes better account of sea level rise and more extreme weather events.
To help achieve this, the Green Party will reallocate $15 million within the Crown's existing $1. 8 billion contribution to the Christchurch rebuild for research, planning and community engagement by local Councils and science agencies to promote and implement climate change adaptation.
Christchurch will be a model for the development, implementation and sharing of best practice for the rest of New Zealand.
This will include identifying areas where a managed retreat may be desirable because of the risks from natural hazards such as flooding and sea level rise, and the costs of mitigation.
Benefits
The Green Party's vision for Christchurch will see the needs of Christchurch people put first.
Greater investment in smart transport solutions will get Christchurch moving again.
Investing in transport now is making the most of the unique opportunity presented by the rebuild.
This is a chance to make Christchurch a vibrant, liveable and accessible city.
Re-prioritising spending in Christchurch away from the Government's costly anchor projects to ensure no pressure is put on the City Council to sell their strategic assets is smart, long-term thinking for the city.
Rather than putting at risk the valuable dividend and revenue streams for the Council provided by these strategic assets, we can put on hold on some of these anchor projects and allow the Council to get back on its feet financially.
The Green Party wants to see strong local democracy and community decision-making in Christchurch and Canterbury.
Cantabrians deserve a say in the major decisions affecting them and their city and region through an effective City Council and their right to vote in regional elections.
Community involvement in these important decisions and effective local councils will build the platform for a strong, resilient and adaptable region.
Ensuring green spaces and climate change adaptation are included in the rebuild is also about building a more resilient Christchurch.
Christchurch can be a model for the rest of New Zealand about how to adapt to the threat of climate change.
We are also committed to an accessible rebuild, to make Christchurch accessible for everyone everywhere.
Getting access right in Christchurch will help ensure we get it right for the rest of the country too.
These policies, teamed with our previous announcement of $60 million to invest in Christchurch homes will give Cantabrians what they need and deserve - better transport,
warmer houses,
a say in local decision-making,
and resilient rebuild projects the city can afford.
Canterbury can have a greener, fairer and smarter rebuild,
with strong local democracy,
and the Green Party will deliver it.
Green
Student Green Card
Green Party election priority
Cleaner Environment Fairer Society Smarter Economy
Summary3Situation4Solution7Benefits9
Summary
The Green Party wants liveable and accessible cities with smart transport options.
This means helping people to get around easier,
without costing the earth.
The Green Party has a smart solution to improve public transport,
take cars off roads in congested cities,
and make life a little easier for tertiary students and apprentices - a financially stressed group who are currently forced to spend a disproportionate part of their income on transport.
We will give all tertiary students and apprentices in New Zealand free off-peak travel on buses, trains and ferries, through a Student Green Card.
Free off-peak travel for those in education and training is good for students' back pockets and good for all commuters.
Increased uptake of public transport will help relieve congestion,
provide environmental benefits, but most importantly,
make it more affordable for students to get around.
This is smart green economics in action.
Situation
Students are doing it tough under National.
This Government has incrementally chipped away at the tertiary education sector, narrowing access to student support and making it more difficult for students to access education.
These changes have made it that much harder for students to get by, and have left many under significant financial stress.
Students are the only sector in New Zealand society expected to borrow to live.
Rather than making life easier for students and encouraging greater access to education, this Government has made ongoing cuts to student support and access to tertiary education that have left many students struggling to get by, and for some, forced them to give up study altogether.
Research shows just how hard it is for students.
A 2013 survey on the financial health of Massey University students found that 40. 8 percent agreed their finances were a significant source of worry. 1
A 2013 survey of 17 student organisations, conducted by the New Zealand Union of Students' Associations (NZUSA), found that the number of students relying on food banks was at a crisis point, with more than 4000 food parcels or grocery vouchers distributed to students in 2012 and as much as $4 million distributed to students in emergency assistance. 2
For many in training, low wages also make it difficult to get by.
16-19 year olds in a recognised training course can be given the 'starting-out' wage, which is only 80 percent of the minimum wage - currently $11. 40 an hour.
Trainees aged 20 or over must be paid at least the adult minimum wage rate - currently $14. 25 an hour.
We should be investing in students, education and those in training.
A well-educated population is vital for the well-being of a country.
Affordable and accessible education is a great way to ensure that all New Zealanders have a good life and the opportunity of a fair future.
For many students and apprentices on low incomes, the cost of transport is a barrier to education.
Some students are forced to miss classes simply because they can't afford the transport costs of getting to campus each day.
For others, their study options are limited by what the closest campus offers.
A NZUSA survey from 2011 on the income and expenditure of university and polytechnic students found that 67 percent of students were spending money on public transport, with an average spend of $35. 40 per week.
In Auckland, tertiary students were spending an average of $40.50 per week.
Driving to study isn't that much cheaper.
For example, parking on campus at Auckland University costs $5 per hour,3 and public parking in the central city typically costs from $8 to $16 a day. 4
For many, this represents a significant portion of their weekly income.
For example, a single student under 24 years of age living away from home is only eligible for up to $171. 84 net a week through a student allowance. 5
Students ineligible for the allowance who are reliant on borrowing livings costs from Studylink are limited to borrowing $175. 96 per week. 6
A New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) research paper from 2013 7 describes university students as a concentrated market of travellers who are dependent on public transport and highly sensitive to transport costs.
Making transport affordable for those in education and training is a smart solution to the financial pressures facing students,
as well as encouraging better transport choices amongst a large sector of society.
Some regions have already recognised the benefits of free public transport for students.
Palmerston North, through the Massey University Unlimited Access Scheme and the UCOL Unlimited Access Scheme, has provided free unlimited travel on all Palmerston North urban bus services for students and staff since 2004.
The schemes have resulted in a 38 percent rise in student patronage of buses, 8 and car journeys have dropped by more than half since the introduction of these schemes. 9
In Auckland, tertiary students receive discounted travel on trains and selected buses and ferries.
This scheme, which has been in place since 2008, gives tertiary students up to a 35 percent discount off selected fares, and has an uptake of 70 percent.
And just this year, the 25 percent discount on buses in Dunedin for University of Otago and Otago Polytechnic students has been extended after a successful trial.
NZTA research states that these schemes have proven to be successful in increasing patronage of public transport systems, which in turn benefits all students as those who need to continue to drive face less congestion and find it easier to park.
Smart, affordable transport solutions mean a cleaner, fairer and smarter New Zealand. - Russel Norman
Solution
The Green Party will make off-peak public transport free for tertiary students.
1.  Student Green Card
All tertiary students will get free off-peak 12 travel on buses, trains, and ferries with a Student Green Card.
All students attending universities, wananga, polytechnics and Private Training Establishments, as well as those training through New Zealand Apprenticeships, 13 will be eligible for the Green Card.
This could benefit around 325,000 students studying at universities, wananga and polytechnics around the country, as well as approximately 28,000 people training under the New Zealand Apprenticeship scheme. 14
Where there is smart card technology, like the HOP card in Auckland, the discount will be applied through the existing card.
For other areas, students and apprentices will receive a Student Green Card, similar to the Gold Card.
The Student Green Card will cost between $20-30 million per year, based on independent costings.
The costings are based on an increase in trips of 30 percent in response to the free travel on the Green Card, and would cost the Crown between $1. 70-2. 20 per passenger trip.
This will be funded by re-prioritised spending from the National Land Transport Fund.
For less than the cost of one kilometre of one of National’s Roads of National Significance, we can provide all tertiary students and apprentices with free off-peak transport for a year. - Julie Anne Genter, Green Party transport spokesperson
A student Green Card will help relieve some of the burden of rising costs facing students,
as well as encourage smarter transport use and ease congestion for all travellers.
It will help to shift cars off our roads,
while making lower income students more mobile.
Increasing the patronage on our buses and trains means we can also cost effectively provide improved services for everyone, increasing the frequency of buses and trains on existing routes.
We will investigate extending the Green Card to primary and secondary school students
and beneficiaries,
as well as reducing public transport fares for everyone.
Increased investment in public transport
We will complement the Student Green Card with investment in the public transport network to enable better, more frequent services.
A smart, green integrated transport plan will create a cycle of being able to offer more and better services, which will then attract new users as more people will find public transport options a convenient and affordable way of getting around.
The Green Party wants a modern, world-class public transport system.
For years we have been campaigning on critical infrastructure projects that will create an integrated, frequent passenger transport system in our largest cities.
For Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, this will mean a bus or train every few minutes during peak travel times.
New Zealand smaller cities will also benefit from similar investments in frequent network planning, and safe walking and cycling.
We will be announcing the details of our plans for Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch in the coming weeks.
Benefits
The Student Green Card will help those in education and training,
help the economy
and help the environment.
The Student Green Card will ensure that students on a limited budget can use the bus, train, and ferry,
which will free up the roads for those who have to drive.
It will give students greater mobility and choice about how they get around and save them money.
By increasing patronage on our public transport network, we can cost- effectively provide improved services for everyone, as increased patronage will lead to increased demand, increasing the frequency of buses and trains on existing routes.
The Student Green Card will also help the environment.
A well utilised public transport system is a vastly more efficient way to get around,
and one that improves air quality and reduces carbon emissions.
This is what a cleaner, fairer, smarter New Zealand is about.
Green
Supporting Families, Extending Free ECE
Green Party election priority
Summary2Situation5Solution8Benefits13
Summary
1.  The Green Party will extend the 20 Hours free early childhood education subsidy to cover two-year-olds, at an initial cost of $297 million, rising to $367 million in four years' time.
As the benefits of this successful scheme are opened up to at least another 40,000 children, more kids will get a good start in life
and the burdens on their families will be eased.
2.  The Green Party will also provide $32 million a year to restore funding for 100% qualified teachers, as part of an ambitious plan to boost the quality of early childhood education and make sure every child gets the right care and support.
The first years of a child's life are crucial.
Their brains are developing rapidly and their personalities are being shaped in ways that will determine their happiness and well-being for the rest of their lives.
But these early years can also be the most stressful for their parents, as they balance the demands of raising young children with the need to be back in the workforce.
And in doing so, they face very high childcare costs.
All this makes subsidising early childhood education (ECE) one of the most powerful and effective forms of investment we can make in our children and their future success.
And we all benefit: for every dollar spent now on ECE, society saves anywhere between $3 and $16 down the track.
Subsiding high-quality ECE is a powerful equaliser, helping compensate for the harder start in life that many children face, and making a bigger difference to low-income families.
It also smooths the path for families that have both parents in work because they cannot afford to have one at home fulltime with their child.
According to a 2010 OECD study, New Zealand working families pay 28 per cent of their net income on childcare - the fourth highest percentage of family income in the group of 32 industrialised nations belonging to the organisation.
Extending ECE subsidies addresses a shortfall in the support provided to some young families.
Paid parental leave, for some families at least, helps those with very young children, and children aged under two get significant ECE subsidies.
Children aged three to five, meanwhile, benefit from the flagship 20 Hours ECE policy.
But two- year-olds receive relatively little support.
Widening the 20 Hours pledge to cover two-year-olds therefore plugs a major gap in our system of support for young families.
Strengthening the quality of that support ensures it will provide lasting benefits to children.
Extending the benefits of high-quality ECE to children in their most formative years therefore marks a major step towards a comprehensive and joined-up 'from cradle to 18' system of support for our nation's next generation.
Widening the 20 Hours pledge to cover two-year- olds plugs a major gap in our system of support for young families. - Metiria Turei
Situation
The system of family support has a big gap for parents of two-year-olds.
Many parents of younger children benefit from paid parental leave, the parental tax credit or other forms of support (even if these schemes are too short and discriminate against beneficiaries).
Children under two also attract generous ECE subsidies of $12 per hour.
Once children reach three, they become eligible for high levels of ECE subsidies.
New Zealand spent $1. 64 billion on ECE in 2012, up from $540 million in 2002.   The bulk of this spending, some $800 million, goes on the 20 Hours guarantee, which provides extra subsidies to ECE providers that offer 20 hours of nominally free ECE per week to parents of three to five- year-olds.
Around 60,000 three-year-olds and 60,000 four-year-olds are enrolled in ECE.
The standard subsidy for two-year-olds, however, is $6.70 per hour, around half the rate for children under two.
Work and Income provides support to families with younger children through the Childcare Subsidy Scheme (CCS), which operates independently of the 20 Hours policy.
But the CCS is highly targeted according to work hours, family size and income.
It is normally available for a maximum of nine hours of ECE a week.
The subsidy also has to be applied for rather than being available as standard, meaning take-up is likely to be poor and the support is delivered inefficiently.
Despite this relatively low level of subsidy, around 40,000 two-year-olds are enrolled in ECE, significantly more than a decade ago.
This reflects the fact that many parents either want or have to return to work once their children are two years old (or indeed earlier).
In two-parent families, having both parents in work is increasingly the norm.
In addition, a number of parents will be studying or want to be studying.
Two-year-olds in ECE are typically placed there for around 21 hours a week, the same as for three to five-year-olds.
Being able to have their child in high-quality ECE makes it easier for parents to resolve the competing demands of home life, transport and work or study.
However, the childcare fees parents face can be very high.
At an average of $9. 55 an hour (based on 2011 data), parents would be paying on average $200 a week for 20 hours childcare, or $400 a week full¬time, creating a major financial strain and reducing the extent to which work actually pays.
Subsidising that care, through extending the 20 Hours scheme, is essential to ease the burden on those families.
There are, however, financial issues with the 20 Hours scheme as it currently applies to three to five-year-olds.
In many cases parents are unable to access truly free ECE because centres require extra 'donations' or insist that parents enrol their children for more than 20 hours.
As well as financial problems, there are issues with the quality of ECE services, including undesirably high child-to-teacher ratios, limited professional development for teachers, and the Government's decision to only fund ECE centres to have 80 percent qualified teachers.
These issues limit the benefits that children will derive from being in ECE.
Indeed, the evidence is that being in poor-quality ECE has a negative effect on children's development.
Evidence shows that having too percent qualified teachers makes a “significant” difference to children's learning - and even their succesi in later life.
Solution
The Green Party will extend the 20 Hours scheme to two- year-olds, helping at least 40,000 extra children - and probably significantly more.
Modelling shows that an extra 30 percent or 12,000 children could eventually be enrolled, taking the total to over 50,000.
As with the current 20 Hours scheme, the extension will be available to all ECE centres that choose to provide it, whether kindergartens, private centres, Playcentres or kohanga reo.
The administration of the scheme will be relatively straightforward, as it simply extends an existing policy.
Parents of two-year-olds will only need to fill out an enrolment agreement, as they currently do for three to five-year- olds, to ensure that their ECE centre receives the subsidy for their child.
And to help centres with the change to providing 20 hours for two-year- olds, the Green Party will provide $10 million in transitional funding, to be allocated in consultation with the sector.
This extension will make a huge difference to the lives of parents juggling work, study and childcare.
But to ensure that children get the full benefit from the extension, the Green Party will accompany it with an ambitious plan to further raise the quality of ECE services.
Key policies to improve quality include having more qualified teachers, lowering staff-child ratios and group sizes, and improving professional development opportunities.
As a starting point, the Green Party will restore funding (scrapped by this Government) to centres to employ 100 percent qualified staff, rather than just 80 percent as at present.
(Centres, such as kindergartens, that continue to employ 100 percent qualified teachers have to bear the cost of having the remaining 20 percent be qualified.)
There are clear benefits to having 100 percent qualified teachers, because only a fully trained teacher can respond to the variety of learning and developmental needs that different children have, and bring to bear the full range of the profession's knowledge, skills and strategies for working with children.
Recent evidence shows that having 100 percent qualified teachers makes a "significant" difference to children's learning - and even their success in later life.
As well as making it easier for centres to voluntarily lift their qualified staffing levels, the Green Party will also raise the mandatory level for qualified staff.
Currently, the mandatory level is just 50 percent, so half of all staff in a centre can be unqualified.
There is widespread opinion that this level is too low, and indeed the average level is already over 70 percent.
The Green Party will therefore look to make having 80 percent staff qualified mandatory by 2016,
subject to government finances.
In Government we will also consider other incentives for centres to raise quality.
And we will re-start the inquiry, halted by the current Government, into widespread problems with the quality of home-based ECE services.
The Green Party supports a more joined-up approach to the ECE sector.
To that end, we will be willing to work with the Labour Party on ideas for encouraging centres to become part of a public ECE system.
We will also ensure that new ECE centres can be set up only where a network review showed a genuine need for a new centre in that area, so as to ensure ECE subsidies are spent in the most efficient manner possible.
A range of other issues affect the quality and availability of ECE provision, but are beyond the scope of this policy.
In Government, the Green Party will establish a ministerial review committee to examine these issues, which could include staff-child ratios and group sizes, the costs to parents of the current 20 Hours scheme, the ways in which parents can split up the 20 hours, and the opportunities for ECE teacher professional development.
The extension of the 20 Hours guarantee will build on existing Green Party policy to construct at least 20 new ECE centres onsite at low-decile primary schools, and develop a long-term plan for onsite ECE in more schools.
This targeted assistance complements the universal nature of the 20 Hours extension.
1.  The Costs
The total cost of this policy is $297 million in the first year, rising to $367 million in four years' time.
This is made up of$255 million for extending the 20 hours ECE subsidy in the first year, rising to $335 million over 4 years due to increased enrolments.
$32 million a year over 4 years to restore 100 percent qualified teachers.
$10 million as a one off transition cost to assist the sector in the first year.
In 2012-13, the Government spent $805 million on 20 Hours ECE, to cover 125,400 enrolments of three to five-year-olds.
In the same period, the number of two-year-olds enrolled was 39,900.
Extrapolating the data on the 20 Hours subsidy available to 3 and 4 year olds, and extending it to cover the 39,900 two-year-olds in ECE, assuming the same subsidy rates, will therefore cost approximately $255 million in the first year.
With the extension of 20 Hours, the increase in ECE enrolments is likely to be in the order of 30 percent over a period of several years, based on past experience and projected enrolment increases.
This will over time add an estimated $80 million to the cost of the policy over four years, taking the cost in the fourth year to $335 million (the one off $10 million transition cost is deducted from the baseline cost after year 1).
We have budgeted for the full cost of the additional 20 Hours subsidy, and have not factored in significant savings that will be made from not having to pay the current amount of Childcare Subsidy (CCS) to two-year-olds whose parents choose to participate in 20 Hours, rather than access the current childcare subsidy.
The CCS is at the moment available through Work and Income.
As is the case with three and four year olds, parents and caregivers will be able to choose between receiving CCS or 20 Hours ECE or, in some cases, a combination of both payments.
Due to a lack of information from the Government about the exact amount of CCS provided to 2 year olds in ECE we have not been able to adequately calculate the full savings.
A significant reduction in CCS payments is likely to offset the overall cost of this policy by tens of millions of dollars, therefore the overall costs will be able to be revised down once we have that additional information.
It is not anticipated that increased demand for ECE will require significant additional spending on teacher training, given that large numbers of ECE staff were already trained in anticipation of the 100 percent qualified teachers policy being maintained.
How early should 20 Hours ECE Go?
The Green Party's decision to extend the 20 Hours subsidy to two- year-olds, but no further, is based on practical and financial reasons.
On a practical level, two-year-olds are largely treated the same as three to five-year-olds in policy terms: they are expected to have the same teacher to children ratios, for instance.
In contrast, ECE centres are expected to provide different teacher to children ratios for children aged under two, and a range of other policy settings are different for those children.
Extending the 20 Hours subsidy for children aged under two would therefore add significant administrative complexity to a sector already dealing with major change.
On a financial level, extending the subsidy to children aged under two would likely be extremely costly, especially given the ratio issues mentioned above.
The Green Party is committed to managing government spending within reasonable limits.
Extending ECE subsidies also raises the question of whether children should spend their earliest years at home with their parents or in ECE.
The Green Party believes that parents are best qualified to make the crucial decisions that concern their children.
We absolutely support those parents who decide that the best place for their young children is with them, at home.
It is not, however, the role of politicians to make judgements about these kinds of decisions that families make,
especially when the evidence suggests that it is the quality of ECE, not the time spent in it, that determines its effect on children's development.
In extending subsidies to two-year-olds, the Green Party is simply responding to the reality of parents' lives, which is that very large numbers of them are already enrolling their two-year-olds in ECE, but struggling with the financial burden that imposes.
These families need immediate and practical support, and extending ECE subsidies is the simplest and most effective means of providing it.
Benefits
The benefits of extending 20 Hours to two-year-olds will be significant for both families and their children.
Families with young children will benefit from a major increase in government support, one that allows them to move back into work or study knowing that they will be better off financially from doing so and that their children will be well looked after.
The financial burden on families will be significantly eased,
especially in households where both parents need to work.
This is increasingly the reality for families, especially as wages continue to lag behind general economic growth and it remains difficult for families to support themselves on a single income.
The first years of a child's life are crucial for their future happiness and well-being.
The 20 Hours policy is already very popular among families, and as a well- recognised scheme will have high take-up.
Being universal and simple to administer, it will be an efficient and effective means of providing support to young families.
Children, meanwhile, will benefit from being in a high-quality learning environment that sets them up well for the rest of their lives.
Good-quality ECE helps children reach their full potential, both in education and in leading healthy and productive lives.
It can even make the difference, according to recent research, between being in or out of poverty in later life.
Finally, society benefits from this collective investment in our children's health, well-being and development.
Detailed cost-benefit evaluations of ECE spending suggest they provide long-term returns of $3 to $16 further down the track, in reduced health and justice costs and increased productivity.
This makes investment in ECE one of the best possible uses of government spending.
The policy will also be an important piece in the jigsaw puzzle of support for young families.
Building on Green Party policy to extend paid parental leave, and other initiatives, it will be a vital step towards creating a genuinely comprehensive and joined-up system of family support for young children.
Green
Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand
Smart Green Innovation
Blueprint for the future
A Digital Manufacturing Strategy for New Zealand
Green Solutions3Introduction4What is 3D printing?4Advantages of 3D printing5Environmental benefits7The future of 3D printing7Challenges8Economic benefits8What are other countries doing?9NZ’s opportunity12Digital manufacturing in NZ?13Conclusion14
This component of the Green Party’s plan for smart green innovation offers a proposal to help New Zealand embrace digital manufacturing; a blueprint for the future.
The Green Party will: 1.  Develop a Digital Manufacturing Strategy
• Develop a national digital manufacturing strategy with Government departments, academia, business, unions, the maker community and the public,
• Establish a Digital Manufacturing Taskforce, to investigate the opportunity, identify any gaps or barriers, recommend how to encourage additive manufacturing, and investigate regulatory and intellectual property implications,
• Consider hosting a national conference to bring together stakeholders and experts to discuss the next steps for New Zealand, and engage the public through, for example, a series of regional workshops similar to the Australian 'Factory of the Future' series in 2010.
2.  Support and develop
• Consider the recommendations of the Digital Manufacturing Taskforce, which may include:
• establishing a National Digital Manufacturing Centre of Research Excellence (CORE),
• providing support funding for community-run digital manufacturing workshops,
• supporting and empowering universities to make their equipment more widely available for community and commercial printing and prototyping.
3.  Educate and empower
• Investigate how to support schools to familiarise students with digital manufacturing tecnologies,
• Institute a 3D printing prize or scholarship for secondary and tertiary students,
• Work with tertiary education providers to ensure graduates have the skills that industry needs.
Introduction - the digital manufacturing revolution
In recent years 3D printers have grabbed the headlines, and many commentators have noted that it is a potentially revolutionary technology.
While various methods of 3d printing have existed for thirty years and long been used commercially for prototyping, it is only in the last few years that expiring patents and greater Internet access coupled with rapidly dropping costs have seen it expand from a handful of industries and universities to homes, schools, and 'maker/hacker' spaces.
It has seen phenomenal growth with annual global sales up 28% in 2012 and a UK Government report predicting it could eventually become a $100 billion market by 2020, given the right tech-nological breakthroughs. 1
Hod Lipson, an associate professor and the director of the Creative Machines Lab at Cornell University, said that "3-D printing is worming its way into almost every industry, from entertainment, to food, to bio and medical-applications." 2
3D printing is an exciting emerging digital manufacturing technology which has the potential to transform the global manufacturing industry and economy, and deliver prosperity and jobs to countries like New Zealand.
This paper looks at the state of the technology, its applications and advantages; current worldwide trends; government, industry, and community initiatives; and the economic opportunities that 3D printing offers.
In light of this, an analysis is provided of the state of 3D printing in New Zealand, along with a series of recommendations for the New Zealand Government.
This paper argues New Zealand needs to start work on a national digital manufacturing strategy and consider a number of practical steps such as developing a National Digital Manufacturing Centre of Research Excellence (CORE), encouraging Fab Labs or maker-spaces and fostering greater experimentation and familiarisation in the educational sector to make sure we maximise the economic opportunity.
New Zealand is well placed to take advantage and build a niche in this field but with other countries investing significant sums in developing 3D printing we risk being left behind.
3D printing is something the New Zealand Government seriously needs to consider.
The Economist says it may have as profound an impact on the world as the coming of the factory did. 3
A recent report from the Atlantic Council asserts that 3D printing "has the potential to be as disruptive as the personal computer and the Internet.”
A 2011 Australian Government commissioned report found that, "The future for additive manufacturing is bright.
The overall economic impact of the technology is believed to be in the billions of dollars worldwide.4”
What is 3D printing?
While public awareness is relatively new, the technology which underpins 3D printing is over thirty years old: the first published account of a printed solid model was made in 1981.
The term 'stereolithography' (defined as "system for generating three-dimensional objects by creating a cross-sectional pattern of the object to be formed) was patented in 1984. 5
3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is a process of creating three-dimensional objects in a variety of materials using a computer-aided design (CAD) digital file.
Other digital manufacturing technologies, including laser-cutting, CNC milling and digital textiles production, incorporate elements similar to 3D printing and are considered digital manufacturing methods but for the purposes of this paper the focus is on 3D printing.
Unlike traditional subtractive manufacturing processes that cut the desired object or part from a piece of material such as a block of wood or steel, or inject a substance like plastic into a mould, 3D printing is an additive technology that builds the object 'piece by piece' from a digital design with an X-Y-Z axis printer.
A broad range of materials can be printed ranging from plastics, metals such as titanium, clay, concrete, chocolate and even living embryonic stem cells.
Already devices exist that can print conductive materials, simple semi-conductors (for fully printed electronics), or bio-active materials. 6
Its unique characteristics see it currently used as part of the manufacturing process in specialised industries such as aeronautics where Boeing uses it in jet engines and in Formula 1 racing cars.
Its major current commercial use is rapid prototyping.
3D printing allows designers to rapidly and affordably produce a product to test or trial modifications on before employing traditional manufacturing techniques on a final product version.
The ability for each printed product to be customisable sees it used in a number of sectors from film making; where Weta Workshops use it for prop making 7 and in health care, for example in Siemens and Phonak's hearing aids or Align Technology's custom orthodontic braces. 8
Due to the increased public awareness in the last decade, new 3D printing businesses such as printing bureaus Shapeways and the New Zealand company Ponoko, have emerged to cater to the growing demand.
A thriving 'maker' community has built up around the world printing products in sheds, community 'makerspaces' and numerous MIT-inspired 'Fab Labs.’
One reason for the recent uptake in 3D printers is the rapidly dropping cost of the printers themselves.
Printing units range from less than a one thousand dollars to over a million dollars for the most advanced printers.
Costs have dropped substantially and lower resolution printers are now similar to the price of paper printers twenty years ago, making them relatively affordable for households.
At the home or school level, popular brand Makerbot sells replicators within the range of $1500 to $3000 and self-built printers can cost less than $1000.
Writing in the New York Times blogger Nick Bilton points out that "the price of 3-D printers has also dropped sharply over the last two years, with machines that once cost $20,000, now at $1000 or less.
That's partly because Chinese companies are driving down prices." 9
Another driver of dropping prices is the expiration of patents (normally a length of twenty years) on original printer designs that has stimulated the growth of open source printers and designs such as the RepRap project developed at the University of Bath in 2007.
Increased competition and printer production is likely to see unit costs continue to drop in coming years, further aiding the uptake.
Advantages of 3D printing
3D printing has a number of advantages over traditional manufacturing techniques that is driving its growth.
Printing ‘layer by layer’ allows incredible complexity, detail or difficult production, such as objects-within-objects that would be hard or impossible to achieve using traditional processes.
Each printed object can be individualised for its intended use; for example, designing for customer preferences, or even coupled with scanning technology to produce a perfect-fitting prosthetic device.
Instead of producing and assembling parts to build a device, 3D printing allows ‘one-build fabrication’ such as printing interlocking gears in one go saving time and costs.
An assembly which comprises of multiple parts can be fabricated in one build, eliminating fasteners and more complicated assembly labour.
More importantly, when the parts that go into that assembly are no longer needed, the costs of designing, fabricating, inspecting, documenting, and certifying them are also eliminated.
3D printing is seen as a ‘disruptive technology’ because it changes the way business is done.
Traditional manufacturing businesses rely on developing a product, tooling-up, and producing efficiently using economies of scale.
Yet, the costs of 3D printing are the same for the first print as they are for the thousandth.
Printed objects can be customisable or offer a wide variety of choice that would be prohibitively expensive if each required specific tools or moulds to produce.
As The Economist says, "Three-dimensional printing makes it as cheap to create single items as it is to produce thousands and thus undermines economies of scale.” 10
It also changes the speed of business.
With a 3D scanner and 3D printer, a physical object could be emailed half way around the world almost as quickly and easily as the process of taking a photo in one location and emailing it to be printed in another. 6
Current business models depend on inventory storage or just in time management, and 3D printing will allow some businesses to print on demand eliminating storage costs.
Similarly 3D printing may benefit isolated or mobile operations where carrying spares is difficult or expensive.
Plumbers may for example print a needed part instead of carrying it or ordering and waiting for it to arrive.
It is no surprise a 3D printer is due to join the International Space Station this year, and a host of applications for 3D printing in space are currently being explored. 11
Perhaps the most profound change is that 3D printing decentralises production and ideas from large companies with research units and factories, toward individuals and small businesses.
If people can design and create, or download and print their own parts or products, the traditional manufacturing divide between producers and consumers merges towards more of a 'pro-sumer economy' where people are both producers and consumers.’
3D printing also moves some manufacturing away from heavily industrialised areas into homes and communities.
Benefits of 3D manufacturing
•Allows complexity at no extra cost
•One-build fabrication
•Speed of idea diffusion
•Mass customisation
•Produce close to demand
•Decentralises production
• Removes need to have large inventory of spares
•Print instead of carrying parts
•Small print runs equally economic
•Safety
•Environmental benefits
While cheaper, lower quality printers may not print to acceptable consumer quality they could still print a needed part for a toy or device or prototype an idea before printing on a higher-quality professional printer at a regional printing hub or through an online service like Ponoko.
This would be similar to the way that some projects like books are still published on higher-quality printers despite ubiquitous desktop printers.
Currently, Shapeways - the largest 3D printing company - operates a service where users can pick a design online or upload a CAD file which is printed centrally and delivered.
It is feasible local print hubs will be established where a user can choose an object and have it printed at their local shop or delivered to them within hours.
Some products and sectors will always be suited to large scale centralised production and distribution, but 3D manufacturing will find rapid uptake among innovative, complex, and small-run products.
In terms of retailing, much like the slow demise of the large generic bookstore from the growth in e-books, we could see a changing pattern in retail from big box stores toward web services and local manufacturers who can print and courier in a single town or city.
Environmental benefits
3D printing has many environmental benefits in terms of efficient raw materials use; reducing waste and energy and reducing transport-related greenhouse gas emissions.
The nature of additive manufacturing is that minimal raw materials are wasted unlike in subtractive manufacturing processes.
The US Department of Energy reports "By eliminating production steps and using substantially less material, 'additive' processes could be able to reduce waste and save more than 50 percent of energy compared to today's 'subtractive' manufacturing processes, and reduce material costs by up to 90 percent. "12
The global economic system uses huge amounts of raw materials and finished products traverse the world on ships and planes, but 3D printing will allow more products to be produced where they are needed without the cost and greenhouse gas emissions from transport.
Print runs can be calculated exactly and products can be produced on demand reducing wastage and storage costs.
3D printing may even challenge the current 'throw away' mindset.
Until now, economic forces have seen it cheaper to throw away a cheap item rather than fix it.
3D printing will allow a new or replacement part to be printed at home or the local printing hub, saving a huge amount of products from the tip.
Deloitte's Duncan Stewart anticipates one of 3D printing's most useful applications to be cranking out spare parts for appliance repair.
He says,"Rather than carrying hundreds of parts, [repair workers will] have a printer in the back of the van, pay a $2 licensing fee, and your washing machine is fixed. “13
While there is a range of materials than can be printed, ranging from plastics to metals, each with its own lifecycle environmental impact there is a potential for 'green' or biologically-based printing materials.
There is also scope for extensive recycling of materials to use in printing, for example, students at Victoria University of Wellington's School of Design built a solar-powered printer that used recycled paint as its sculpting material, and the company Filabot sells a plastic recycling system that turns household waste into 3D printing material.
The future of 3D printing
3D printing will give rise to new businesses, new business models, and products we cannot yet anticipate.
The Atlantic Council says it is on track to move beyond a mere emerging technology into a truly transformative technology. 8
Much like how MP3s changed the music industry, 3D printing and other digital manufacturing techniques can potentially change business models and systems.
As well as having an enormous impact on current supply and distribution models, 3D printing is already bringing about an attitudinal shift in production and design.
Its advantages lie in producing unique products, rapidly prototyping ideas, and changing distribution models.
Manufacturing limitations will be more due to the designers' imagination and material science, not confined by technical capability.
3D printing will accelerate innovation.
The ability to rapidly design, print, and test a prototype will radically change the speed at which products move, and will allow a popular idea to be spread almost immediately without waiting for the historic production line lag.
The ability to rapidly prototype and diffuse an idea allows faster innovation and even international crowd-sourcing of designs to occur.
Challenges: Intellectual property questions & disputes
3D printing challenges existing intellectual property regimes of copyright and patent law.
Confusion or prolonged legal wrangling over these issues may slow implementation and pose complex questions for law makers.
Much like sharing music or movie files over the Internet, 3D printing allows a design to be shared and an object to be replicated the world over almost instantaneously.
Coupled with a 3D scanner, it would be possible to scan and print an object such as a patented tool or an artistic object covered under copyright.
Existing popular repositories of designs such as Shapeways offer a rapidly growing 'library of things' that people could print at home or have delivered from a printing hub.
There are many complex questions to be asked in the area of intellectual property given differences in scope, application and length of patent and copyright law and the practise of uploading and downloading files from the Internet to printers.
For example if someone designs and prints a spare part to a broken object covered still within its patent term, would that be a breach?
If someone printed a popular toy such as a specific Lego piece design, would this be considered copying an artistic sculpture and therefore a breach of copyright?
How will current copyright exemptions like those for purposes of criticism, or possible fair use provisions of parody or satire apply towards 3D printed objects?
How countries and the international community approach these issues will play a big role in 3D printing practices and uptake.
A DLA Piper legal briefing paper says, "Just as the risk of digital copying had a profound transformative effect on the markets in music and video, the rise of 3D printing and 3D scanning is likely to do the same for the production and sale of physical objects.” 6
The music and movie industries have responded to disruptive digital technologies with a punitive approach encouraging numerous governments, including New Zealand, to implement a 3-strikes punishment regime, but also have encouraged legal sharing through sites such as the iTunes store or streaming content providers like Spotify or Netflix.
A balance will need to be struck so that 3D designers and producers can profit from their creations
and innovators can flourish without the intellectual property (IP) regime stymying this nascent industry with punitive or cumbersome IP protection laws.
Economic opportunities
The 3D printing sector has seen large scale growth in recent years but from a low base.
According to a recent study by the leading 3D printing industry analyst Wohlers Associates, it took the 3D printing industry 20 years to reach $1 billion in size, five years to reach $2 billion and is estimated to double again in only two years. 8
The report anticipates that the sale of additive manufacturing products and services will reach US$3. 7 billion by 2015, rising to over US$10. 8 billion by 2021.  This estimate does not account for the value of all the parts being printed by the likes of Boeing and G.E. in aerospace, and other manufacturers in orthopaedics (hip replacements and the like) so the wider economic benefits are likely to be considerably higher.
A UK Government report predicted it could eventually become a $100 billion market by 2020 given the right technological breakthroughs. 14
The Wohler report found that the market for 3D printing of all products and services worldwide grew 28. 6% in 2012, outstripping the 25. 4% growth rate of the industry over the past 25 years.
Looking at the low-cost (under $5,000) "personal" 3D printer market segment averaged 346% growth each year from 2008 through 2011.
In line with the overall growth of the industry, new jobs are being created in the 3D printing sector.
In the annual report of the world's largest job survey, conducted by Freelancer. Co.uk, they found that 3D design jobs take off as 3D printers like MakerBot start to go mainstream.
Powered by open-source software, this surge in interest in 3D printing has resulted in a surge of growth, with 3D Modeling up 21%, 3D Rendering up 13%, and 3D Animation up 6% in the last year.
While 3D printing currently is only a drop in the global GDP bucket, investors are not perturbed, and have been bullish about investing in companies like 3D Systems, and Stratasys, sending the share price of Stratasys in particular soaring 479% in the course of one year. 15
Considering that manufacturing accounts for about 16% of global GDP there is massive potential for 3D printing to take a slice of this $11 trillion market. 15
A 2010 Ganter report identified 3D Printing as transformational technology in the Technology Trigger phase of the Hype Cycle (i.e. , only 5-10 years from mass adoption), suggesting that this proportion is likely to grow. 16
The Economist writes: "Just as nobody could have predicted the impact of the steam engine in 1750—or the printing press in 1450, or the transistor in 1950 — it is impossible to foresee the long-term impact of 3D printing.
But the technology is coming, and it is likely to disrupt every field it touches.
Companies, regulators and entrepreneurs should start thinking about it now.
One thing, at least, seems clear: although 3D printing will create winners and losers in the short term, in the long run it will expand the realm of industry — and imagination.”
What are other countries doing?
Other countries are investing large amounts of money and attention into advanced manufacturing and 3D printing.
The United States
US President Obama raised the profile of 3D printing by including it in his 2013 State of the Union address saying: "There are things we can do, right now, to accelerate this trend.
Last year, we created our first manufacturing innovation institute in Youngstown, Ohio.
A once-shuttered warehouse is now a state-of- the art lab where new workers are mastering the 3D printing that has the potential to revolutionize the way we make almost everything.
There's no reason this can't happen in other towns.
"The US Government has embraced 3D printing, and the 'once-shuttered warehouse in Ohio,' Obama referenced has now been transformed into the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute and has also recently announced a $200 million package.
From the first Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Fab Lab (community technology and equipment hubs housing 3D printers amongst other advanced tools) roughly 200 international Fab Labs now exist, including in New Zealand, and US Congressman Bill Foster has introduced legis-lation that would develop a national Fab Lab network throughout the US.
President Obama has also called on Congress to enact a proposal for a one-time $1 billion investment to create a network of 15 manufacturing innovation institutes across the country. 18
China
Despite risks to its low-cost manufacturing dominance, the Chinese government is investing in this new technology.
The China 3D Printing Technology Industry Alliance in May this year announced the development of ten 3D printing innovation centres at a cost 500 million RMB or $USD80 million.
The United Kingdom
The United Kingdom Government is investing in a number of initiatives and research support.
Notably in June 2013, Business Secretary Vince Cable announced UK businesses will be given a £14. 7 million boost to develop 3D printing projects.
In October 2012, the UK Universities and Science Minister announced a £7 million Government investment in research and development.
Grants for collaborative research and development projects in additive manufacturing will be awarded through the 'Inspiring New Design Freedoms in Additive Manufacturing' competition opening on 3 December. 19
The UK Government has also recently announced a requirement for 3D printers to be used in design and technology lessons, after major revisions to the subjects' curriculum. 20
Australia
At a state level, Australia is also recognizing and investing in the potential impact of 3D printing.
In November 2012, the Australian Network for Art and Technology established in an Adelaide Fab Lab funded by the South Australian Government's Department of Further Education, Employment, Science, &Technology. 21
Additionally, the NSW Trade & Investment Centre in Sydney recently hosted an event with industrial designer Scott Summit on innovative business opportunities available from "additive manufacturing" or 3D printing. 24
Further, Business Victoria is investing $3 million to establish a Victoria Direct Manufacturing Technology Centre for developing alternative direct manufacturing technologies - also called additive manufacturing, solid freeform fabrication, layered manufacturing, and 3D printing.
Singapore
Singapore's Government will invest $500 million over five years to boost the country's skills in advanced manufacturing, including in the rapidly emerging 3D printing industry.
Announced in Budget 2013, this funding is part of government's Future of Manufacturing (FoM) programme aimed at getting Singapore's manufacturing firms to embrace disruptive technologies such as 3D printing and robotics as well as new business models such as mass customisation.
In September 2013 Nanyang Technological University opened a new US $30 million additive manufacturing centre.
The New Zealand digital manufacturing opportunity
New Zealand has a unique chance to position itself at the forefront of an emerging new technology that The Economist says may have as big an impact as the coming of the factory.
As the late professor Paul Callaghan said, New Zealand's path to prosperity lies in technology niches, and 3D printing offers a growing economic niche for the country.
There may be big first mover advantages for countries that adopt 3D printing early.
Other countries are clearly investing significant sums into this technology and it is important New Zealand does not miss out.
New Zealand currently suffers from a dependence on a few commodity exports, large distances to markets, declining manufacturing activity, graduates and skilled workers emigrating and limited availability to raise domestic capital for new investment.
3D printing can help mitigate some of these challenges.
We neither can nor should ever compete with Chinese or Indian factories for mass producing low-cost products, however, there are boundless opportunities for designing products, rapidly prototyping them on domestic printers and exporting the products, designs and services online.
If we can apply Kiwi ingenuity to computer-aided design product development, there is no limit to our export sales potential.
If we can apply 'number 8 wire' innovative thinking with new digital tools we can position to benefit from the 3D manufacturing revolution.
Professor Gideon Levy, a world expert on additive manufacturing said of the technology for New Zealand it was "… good for New Zealand's small volume, high complexity product manufacturing and opens up huge potential with almost unlimited design potential."25
New Zealand has a well-regarded education system, a high percentage of the workforce with tertiary qualifications, and is noted for its design expertise.
It is imperative that New Zealand capitalise by applying these strengths to the 3D printing industry.
Surveying NZ’s 3D printing scene
Currently, New Zealand has pockets of excellence and innovation in 3D printing
but is lacking in Government leadership.
Many would not know that the world's second largest 3D printing services bureau, Ponoko, is headquartered in New Zealand.
Ponoko describe themselves as "the world's easiest making system" and they allow customers to buy, sell, and make 3D printed or laser cut products from their website.
They say, "We're reinventing the future of products by making it easier to make things.
We see a future when you download your products from the Internet and make them locally.”
Commercially 3D printing is being used by a number of New Zealand companies.
Plastic Design Technologies is using it for manufac-turing hearing aids; The Titanium Industry Development Association (TIDA) produce a range of commercial products from Team NZ boat knives, to heart valves, and marine equipment parts; and Oceania Defence Ltd are exporting lightweight suppressors.
In Wellington, Fraser Engineering use 3D printing to produce prototypes and parts for the fire appliance market. 26
Research, experimentation and commercial services are currently being undertaken or provided at Victoria University's School of Architecture and Design, Massey University's School of Design and its Fab Lab, Auckland University's Innovative Manufacturing and Materials Programme and AUT's Rapid Prototyping Lab.
Victoria University's 3D model workshop was recently highlighted as one of only five international university projects in the NMC Horizon Report: 2013 Higher Education Edition, 'New Zealand's universities have seen the value of 3D printing, and are already placing themselves at the forefront of the international research on its uses.’
New Zealand has a handful of makerspaces or Fab Labs such as the Wellington Makerspace, a commercial space offering equipment for use, courses, and prototyping support.
Several other such hubs have been set up around the country, including: Tangleball, an Auckland-based creative space; Mindhive, another Auckland-based technology consulting space; CoLab181 and Dspace in Wellington; and Dunedin based shared workshops.
New Zealand 3D printing product designers have garnered widespread international media coverage for their innovative designs.
Kiwi student Jake Evill received international media attention for his innovative idea to create 3D printed exoskeleton casts inspired by the spongy latticed form of bone tissue in what appears as a thin honeycomb,27 programmer Ivan Sentch has received global acclaim for his on-going project to 3D print a rare Aston Martin car, and Olaf Diegel is exporting his 3D printed electric guitars internationally.
Despite some excellent work, the advances of 3D printing currently undertaken in New Zealand are occurring in a vacuum of governmental leadership.
3D printing was identified as an "opportunity" at a 2012 National Science Challenges Workshop; however the New Zealand Government does not appear to have a 3D printing strategy and has been conspicuously quiet on the opportunity for additive manufacturing in New Zealand.
The highest profile public comment by a Minister on the topic was by Maurice Williamson who, in a much derided interview on Radio NZ, warned against homemade printing of guns and drugs.
A 2012 report to the Minister of Science and Innovation, Hon Steven Joyce, recommended 3D printing equipment in relation to the establishment of the Advanced Technology Institute;
however implementation has been slow.
This raises questions about how seriously the issue is being handled at the national strategic level.
Some small funding grants have been however and to promote a range of innovative manufacturing technologies $12. 7m was allocated for 6 years for the NZ Product Accelerator, across 9 organisations primarily universities to research a range of materials and processes, including additive manufacturing28 and Callaghan Innovation recently agreed to invest in a second 3D metals printer at the Tauranga-based TIDA.
The New Zealand digital manufacturing opportunity
There is little information publicly available on current uptake of 3D printing in the education system.
In response to a written question, the Ministry of Education said it did not have information as to which schools, if any, had 3D printers available for students' use.
A media search revealed only Scots College had publically talked about 3D printing, as part of a new $15m technology and arts block. 29
This suggests that the future focus on innovative and transformative technologies, a future which will be the reality for this generation of school children, is being ignored by both the Government and the education sector.
New Zealand needs a Digital Manufacturing Strategy
If we fail to develop a national strategy to embrace and foster this technology, New Zealand risks missing out on the additive printing economic opportunity.
Like other global technological advances leading to economic transformations, such as refrigerated shipping which New Zealand embraced and prospered from, New Zealand needs to be agile and future-focused.
Other Governments are actively prioritising and supporting this growing industry yet in New Zealand we lack even a public conversation about the technology or where it could take the country.
The Government has a crucial role to provide leadership, outlining a vision and encouraging a debate.
On an economic, social and environmental level we should be discussing:
• How are digital manufacturing technologies currently being used by manufacturers, researchers and hobbyists?
• How could New Zealand capitalise on these technological developments?
• How well are we placed to take advantage?
• What are the barriers to adoption?
• Do we need a national 3D printing centre like the US, or a series of hubs?
Or, do we leave it to universities and the Callaghan Institute?
• Are we adequately training the next generation of designers and printers at school to be able to prosper in the coming decades?
• How can existing manufacturers take advantage for prototyping?
• Can we lead in a specific product category, a part in the 3D printing chain exporting CAD designs, or in research in advanced greener printing materials?
• What needs to be done to get a head start on other countries?
There are also tricky questions surrounding intellectual property, legal responsibility of products, safety and regulatory issues such as faced by printing weapons.
New Zealand should be asking how it can play a constructive role internationally in dealing with these issues.
There must also be an informed public debate about genuine regulatory, legal, and safety issues surrounding 3D printing.
At present, there is virtually no discussion on the economic opportunities facing New Zealand and the little media coverage there has been has primarily focused on the threat of printing guns.
The New Zealand Government needs to provide leadership
and start work immediately to develop a 3D printing policy with input from stakeholders, business, experts, schools, communities and the wider public.
Digital manufacturing in NZ?
3D printing could become a major area of wealth creation in the future, as well as a driver of productivity growth.
A national strategy developed at an early stage with a focus on support and education would be highly beneficial for New Zealand.
New Zealand imports around $11 billion of manufactured products each year, around a quarter of our total merchandise exports.
Producing more products domestically would have a positive impact on New Zealand's balance of payments and stimulate economic development. 30
New Zealand is unlikely to ever ship a large number of 3D printed products from our shores to foreign markets, but we can take a lead in transporting ideas electronically and near-instantaneously as well as capturing a significant portion of wealth from new sales.
New Zealand's real opportunity could be focusing on designing products, owning the intellectual property and providing services.
There is no limit to the number of design files we could export instantaneously over the Internet.
New Zealand could further focus on specific and foster niches for example in health care, agricultural or marine 3D printed products.
New Zealand could adopt the strategies used by other countries and develop a National Digital Manufacturing Innovation Centre in either a central location or spread between Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch to provide leadership, drive research and assist in commercialising 3D printed products and designs.
Additionally a national innovation centre could be assisted through a network of community run maker spaces or regional Fab Labs to promote experimentation, familiarisation and product development.
The ability to relatively inexpensively 3D print a product for testing or establishing market demand before large quantity manufacture could be a big benefit for start-ups.
Traditional manufacturing methods involve high set-up costs to produce a run of lower-cost products.
Thanks to 3D printing, the start-up costs are low and the production costs from then on are uniform.
This could be a boon to inventors and start-ups because trying out new products will become less risky and expensive. 31
A national centre or regional Fab Lab could assist New Zealand companies and start-ups to develop new products and exports growing jobs and regional economic development.
In the last few decades, New Zealand has suffered from a declining manufacturing sector.
3D printing offers new opportunities and potentially cheaper ways of doing existing manufacturing.
Manufacturing GDP as a percentage of total GDP dropped from 25. 8% in 1972 to 12. 4% in 2010. 32
As a percentage of total filled jobs, manufacturing-filled jobs dropped from 26.1% in 1975 to only 15. 7% in 2005. 33
3D printing offers an opportunity to grow jobs in a new growth industry, making up for many of these lost jobs.
This point was identified in a 2010 Australian Government commissioned report which found that "Additive manufacturing is an enabling technology that can help the Australian manufacturing industry achieve [its] goal"4 and we can do likewise.
3D printing offers New Zealand a new future-focused manufacturing niche.
Possibly the most important role the Government could play in encouraging 3D printing starts at schools.
Much like the U.K. Governments intention to incorporate 3D printing into the educational curriculum, our Ministry of Education could be driving greater usage, experimentation and familiarisation at an early level.
To prepare for digital manufacturing opportunities students could be encouraged to learn the basics of computer-aided design and experiment printing their own designs.
To encourage this, the Government could adopt an aspirational goal of a 3D printer in every school or access to a mobile Fab Lab or partner with regional maker spaces or tertiary institutions to provide their students with access to this technology.
Conclusion
3D printing and wider digital manufacturing technologies are potentially transformative technologies and it is important New Zealand considers the impact and opportunities.
This paper has surveyed the international and do-mestic 3D printing scene and concludes the technology will have an impact on the way the world and business works and argues New Zealand needs to be at the forefront embracing the technology and profiting from it.
This paper suggests a path forward for the Government that starts with a compressive investigation and public discussion
that leads to a support strategy that may include a national innovation centre
and support for start-ups through maker spaces or Fab Labs
and that lastly looks to the future, skilling students with the skills needed for the digital manufacturing economy.
New Zealand needs to put in places steps now to make sure in the future we are the ones profiting from designing the products not just importing designs and printing them.
Green
Solar in Schools
Smart Green Innovation
Green Party election priority
Introduction3Summary5Situation6Solution11Benefits15
Introduction
Solar power from photovoltaic (PV) cells is one of the smartest and cleanest forms of electricity generation available.
Getting power from the sun rather than buying it from the big electricity companies means energy independence.
It's the difference between renting power and owning it.
Thanks to a solar revolution around the world, solar electricity is now cheaper and more efficient than ever 1, and because it comes with no ongoing fuel costs, solar helps protect against future price rises.
The Green Party will help New Zealand schools install solar, so they too can benefit from cheaper, cleaner power.
Solar makes so much sense for schools. Not only is it the right thing to do, it’s the affordable thing to do. - Jason Tane, Principal of Peria School in Northland, which is saving $6,000 a year with solar.
Schools are a focal point of our communities.
Under our Solar in Schools policy, they'll be able to save money on power and invest that money directly into teaching and learning instead.
Our schools are a perfect candidates for solar PV because the majority of their power usage is during the day.
It's effectively increasing schools' operations budget,
but in a smart, green way.
Solar in Schools has the added benefit of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and educating students, staff and the wider community about environmental sustainability and clean energy.
Many people say we need to leave a better planet for our children - we say we need to leave better, more informed children for our planet. - Roger Hornblow, Principal of solar-powered Pegasus Bay School in Canterbury
Solar in Schools is part of the move towards a smarter electricity grid
with more distributed renewable generation
and more power in the hands of schools and households.
It's about energy freedom.
Summary
The Green Party's plan for cleaner, cheaper power for New Zealand schools:
1.  $20 million over three years to kick start solar in New Zealand schools
2.  Lower power bills for schools
3.  Savings redirected to teaching and learning
4.  Reduced fossil fuel use
5.  New green jobs and a boost to regional economic development
6.  Kiwi kids knowledgeable about the benefits of clean energy
Situation
Electricity prices have risen sharply in New Zealand, leaving many homes and businesses struggling with high power bills. 2
Schools in particular have high power costs because they use so much energy.
Some larger New Zealand schools are paying close to $85,000 a year for power 3 and these costs are expected to keep increasing.
Some rural schools are paying up to $0.38 cents per kilowatt hour of power, which they say is not sustainable. 4
Historically the Ministry of Education picked up the tab if a school went over its energy budget.
But a change in the funding structure which took effect in 2010 means schools are now given a set amount and if they go over this limit they must pay for the overshoot themselves. 5
Green Party Co-leader Dr Russel Norman with Charlie and Izzi Maria, pupils at Peria School in the far North.
Charlie (right) says she likes solar because it "doesn't waste money".
This is an added financial pressure for schools, but it also provides a strong incentive for schools to generate some of their own power and cut energy costs.
Schools are a prime candidate for solar power in New Zealand because they use the bulk of their power during the day.
We have 2,400 hours of sunlight that we can capture for nothing. - John Armstrong, principal of Nelson's Henley Primary, which has a 15kW/60-panel solar PV system.
Solar is one of the best and most cost-effective ways schools can save money.
Because schools use so much energy, big savings can be made by tapping into a free and abundant energy source like the sun.
A Federal Government initiative in Australia has seen solar installed in more than 60 percent of Australian primary and secondary schools. 6
The systems installed in these schools are already generating enough electricity to power the equivalent of 4,600 average households, every day.
Solar power is not only about making electricity affordable; it's also about reducing the environmental footprint of the electricity industry by cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
The National Government is not on track to meet its target of 90 percent renewable electricity generation by 2025.
In fact, between 1990 and 2012, New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions from electricity generation rose by over 80 percent. 7
The electricity generation sector now produces 6,303,000 tonnes of C02 equivalent every year. 8
We can do better.
We have an opportunity to create an electricity system that emits no greenhouse gases at all.
We can make our electricity generation 100 percent renewable and use that to bolster the clean green brand we sell to the world.
But we need the right policies in place to do it.
Despite a roll of only 37, Peria School, a decile 2 school in the far North, was paying $900 a month for power. A 10kW solar PV system they installed in June will pay for itself in less than four years and save the school around $6,000 annually - money that can now be spent on a school pool upgrade and hiring a music teacher.
By giving proper backing to solar through a range of policies, the Green Party will allow households, businesses and schools to be small-scale generators, which means more energy freedom and more control over power use.
The cost of solar has fallen dramatically in New Zealand in recent years 9.
Installation costs have dropped 60 percent over the last two years alone.
As a result, more and more people are saying yes to solar.
There was a corresponding 370 percent jump in solar installations in those two years. 10
The value of the New Zealand solar industry is now double what it was in 2011, and valued at about $42 million per annum.
This has meant green jobs and cheaper power for thousands of households.
But New Zealand's uptake of solar is still low by international levels.
In America, one home or business goes solar every four minutes. 11
More than a million Australian homes now have solar installed - more than one in 10 houses. 12
Australia's installed capacity per capita is 130 watts.
Germany has 440 watts per person.
At the end of 2013, New Zealand had only 1. 9 watts per person. 13
The Green Party is committed to getting New Zealand up to speed.
Most parts of New Zealand are blessed with high sunshine hours.
It's time to start harnessing this and turning it into cleaner, cheaper power.
There are already some great solar in schools projects in New Zealand.
Genesis Energy has installed small systems (mostly 2kW) into over 50 schools, as part of its Schoolgen programme. 14
With 336 solar PV panels on its roof (generating 110,000kWh a year), Pegasus School in Christchurch recently became New Zealand's first net-zero-energy school 15.
The system will provide all the electricity required by the school over the course of a year, and in summer, excess will be exported to the grid and consumed by homes near the school.
In February this year, Henley School in Nelson installed a 60 panel system totaling a 15kW on its classrooms, which is expected to save the school up to $5,000 a year - money that can now be spent on teaching and learning.
In June, Peria School in the far North installed a 10kW system, which it says will save it $6,000 a year - money that will go into upgrading the school pool and hiring a music teacher.
The system will have paid for itself in less than four years.
The Green Party wants to give more Kiwi schools the opportunity of going solar.
Our Solar in Schools policy will provide a national, integrated approach and assist hundreds more schools to install enough solar power to meet a significant portion of their overall energy needs.
Young people are our future leaders and decision makers. It’s important they inderstand the role renewable energy will play in their future - Genesis Energy
Solution
The Green Party has a range of policies to make energy more affordable for New Zealanders.
Our NZ Power plan will save families around $300 a year by creating a single buyer to eliminate the monopolistic profits of the power companies and pass the savings on to consumers.16
Our Solar Homes policy will help thousands of New Zealand households install solar, so they can generate their own power and save on bills. 17
We'll fix the regulatory framework to make plugging into the grid easier, and by amending the Electricity Industry Act we will ensure that people get a fair, dependable price for power they sell back to the grid.
As well as making solar an affordable option for New Zealand households with our Solar Homes policy,
the Green Party will ensure every Kiwi school is able to benefit from free power from the sun.
Thanks to solar, our savings on electricity will enable me to double the amount of money I allocate to literacy. This policy will benefit the environment and improve student achievement. The school plans to install 10kW of solar this year. - Principal Martyn Weatherill of Laingholm Primary School in West Auckland.
We will help New Zealand schools install solar, so they too can benefit from cheaper, cleaner power.
Schools are a focal point of our communities.
Under the Green Party's Solar in Schools policy, they'll be able to save money on power, and invest that money in other areas instead.
Solar in Schools has the added benefit of cutting greenhouse gas emissions and educating students, staff and the wider community about climate change and clean energy solutions.
Young people are our future leaders and decision makers.
The more they understand how energy is used and where it is sourced, the better placed they'll be to be part of a smarter, cleaner New Zealand.
Russel Norman celebrating the installation of a 10kW solar PV system at Peria School in the far North.
As students and teachers become connected with the source of their power, they start to value and conserve it.
An online use monitoring resource means schools will be able to compare their energy use with other schools'.
Already, pupils at schools in New Zealand with solar are taking some of their learning home and encouraging their parents to be more energy conscious.
Since installing solar through Genesis' Schoolgen programme, Clifton Terrace School in Wellington has not only enjoyed reduced power costs, but also improved energy efficiency, leading to less overall power usage and a further drop in costs. 18
Solar in Schools is part of the move towards a smarter electricity grid with more distributed renewable generation and more power in the hands of schools and households.
It's about energy freedom.
How It Works
1.  Under Solar in Schools, the Green Party will invest $20 million over three years to kick-start solar power in New Zealand schools.
2.  According to the Sustainable Electricity Association of New Zealand (SEANZ), a $20m investment in solar will result in:
Total installed capacity of 6.7MW.
Annual savings of $1. 64million+GST over the 25 year lifespan of the panels installed.
Total savings of $41 million+ GST over the 25 year lifespan of the panels installed. 19
3.  The size of a school will help determine the size of each grant and solar PV system.
A large school would require a larger system, but a 10kW array in a small rural school could supply over half the school's electricity requirements.
4.  The Ministry of Education's Infrastructure Service will oversee the issuing of grants.
We would expect them to consult with EECA.
A school's decile rating, current electricity outlay, and annual number of sunshine hours will be taken into account when determining which schools receive grants.
5.  Solar won't work for every school - they may not have suitable roof space for example - and not every school will be eligible for a grant.
6.   As an indication, a $50,000 investment in a school with a roll over 600 pupils would result in generation of approximately 23,333kWh of electricity each year, saving the school $4,667 on annual power costs. 20
7.  For schools with rolls under 600 pupils, a $30,000 investment would buy a 10 kW system, generating approximately 14,000 kWh a year and saving the school $2,800 annually. 21
8.  Solar panels have an average lifespan of 25 years, so after systems are paid for through energy savings, the school will be generating free power for many years to come.
9.  The Ministry of Education already has a policy of replacing old building stock in schools in the coming years.
The Green Party will require school buildings being replaced to be assessed for solar capability.
10.  The Ministry of Education will be required to work with approved solar installers only.
The Green Party will also ensure that schools can sell any excess power back into the grid,
so they're not only saving money; they're making money as well.
We'll do this by amending the Electricity Industry Act.
At the moment, the price is set month-by-month and is not enough of an incentive or guarantee for the greater uptake of small-scale renewable energy generation.
Schools are only used for around 200 days per year - solar PV systems can work during the remaining 165 days of the year feeding power back into the grid and earning money for the school.
This will be especially important over the Christmas holidays, when the sun is at its best.
Under Solar in Schools, not only will schools save money by buying less expensive power from the grid, but they can also make money by feeding into the grid during holidays and weekends.
This, combined with renewed energy efficiency, will add up to a significant effective increase in schools' operating budgets and free up money for investment elsewhere.
Benefits
1.  Financial/ Economic
Reduced energy bills for schools
Overall savings of $41 million+ GST over the 25 year lifespan of the panels installed
Protection against rising electricity prices
Low ongoing maintenance costs
Schools empowered to generate and sell their own electricity as an alternative to buying from the electricity giants
New green jobs around the country and a boost to regional economic development
2.  Educational
Web-based application allows classrooms to monitor power use
Kiwi kids knowledgeable about the benefits of renewable energy
School staff, parents and wider community educated about clean energy
Power savings mean more money available to spend on students' learning
3.  Environmental
Schools' carbon footprint reduced
Reduced fossil fuel use by increased renewable generation
Schools contribute to emerging smart grid in New Zealand
Schools help reduce the costs and waste that come with a centralised energy supply and instead use power right where it's generated
Reduced need for environmentally damaging power generation projects
Schools at the Heart
School Hubs; ensuring education is a route out of poverty.
“all persons, whatever their ability, rich or poor, whether they live in town or country, have a right as citizens to a free education of the kind for which they are best fitted and to the fullest extent of their powers. So far is this from being a mere pious platitude that the full acceptance of the principle will involve the reorientation of the education system"- Clarence Beeby 1939
Introduction4A Green School Hub solution5Inequality and the role of school hubs 7The New Zealand school system 8How low income impacts on education 9The benefits of a school hub10Case study11Schools at the HeartThe four core components 12School Hub Coordinators12Free after-school and holiday care14School nurses16School lunch18Onsite ECE 20Community Hubs Fund and Resource Centre22Summary 23
Introduction
Education remains the most effective route out of poverty.
But school only works for children if they are in a position to be able to learn.
For almost a century New Zealanders regarded our education system as the foundation of our free society.
Education was the great equalizer.
It allowed all of us, whether we were rich, or poor, to be all we were capable of being.
Education remains the most effective route out of poverty.
But school only works for children if they are in a position to be able to learn.
Many Kiwi kids come with a complicated mix of social, health and family issues, often related to low income, that need to be addressed before they can get the most out of school.
Children can be blocked from a good education and become trapped in poverty unless barriers such as hunger and sickness are addressed.
This paper outlines a significant reshaping of New Zealand schools in order to meet these challenges.
It proposes equipping schools as hubs, or 'one stop shops', which function as the anchor for a range of health, education, and welfare services, and offer cultural and other opportunities.
By bringing services to schools we ensure every child is ready to learn, their family is included and is better able to support their learning, and we free up teachers to do what they do best - teach.
Schools are already the heart of their communities and, with additional support, they can play an even greater role in engaging families and ensuring a great education is accessible to all children.
A Green School Hub solution
Schools at the Heart: four core services ensuring education is a route out of poverty.
We propose establishing community hubs, or health, welfare and education 'one stop shops' in all decile 1 to 4 primary and intermediate schools.
We will do this by providing four new core services at every decile 1 to 4 primary and intermediate school.
We will also build new early childhood education/community centres onsite at decile 1 to 4 schools where there is a need.
The four core services will be:1.  A dedicated School Hub Coordinator in all decile 1 to 4 primary and intermediate schools.
The Hub Coordinator will work for the school to recruit adult and community educators, early childhood, social and health services and explore other opportunities to develop a unique hub in conjunction with the community.
2.   Free afterschool and holiday care programmes.
We'll provide free after-school care and holiday programmes for every child at decile 1 to 4 schools, and we will expand access to Out of School Care and Recreation (OSCAR) low income subsidies to children at decile 5-10 schools.
3.  A national school lunch fund.
The fund will make lunch available to those that need it at all decile 1 to 4 primary and intermediate schools, but will be available to other schools based on need.
4.  Dedicated school nurses.
School nurses at all decile 1 to 4 schools will deliver primary health care to children and their families in the school environment where they are known and trusted.
We will also: Build at least 20 new Early Childhood Education Centres onsite at low decile primary schools.
These Early Childhood Education (ECE) Centres will be built onsite at schools in communities that need them over the first two years of our Schools at the Heart programme and we'll develop a long-term plan for onsite ECE in more schools.
• Establish a community hub resource centre.
We will set up a resource centre within the Ministry of Education to collect evidence, provide expertise and eventually produce best practice guidelines and templates for the further development of school hubs
Work with secondary schools to devise a hubs plan.
We can ensure medical, social and special education support is delivered more effectively in a centralised hub model at secondary schools, by working closely with the secondary sector.
Ultimately we would ensure every school, regardless of decile, has the support they need to establish hubs on site.
Communities can define their own problems and aspirations and come up with their own solutions, knowing they will have the resources they need to back that up.
Inequality and the role of school hubs
Childhood in New Zealand has changed dramatically over the last 30 years, but the school system has not kept pace with this change.
"Health, environment, security, prosperity: all are linked by education.
Not only is education a human right - it is also the best route out of poverty. " Background to the Millennium Development Goals
Childhood in New Zealand has changed dramatically over the last 30 years, but the school system has not kept pace with this change.
The percentage of New Zealand children living in poverty has increased from 11 per cent in 1986, to 25 per cent in 2011 using the same measure 1.
Parents are working longer hours, often in two or more jobs, but low incomes and hugely increased housing costs (2) mean many are spending longer at work and are struggling to make ends meet with less money.
For children, the combination of less parent time and less family income means less access to healthcare, good food and safe housing, and fewer opportunities to do sports, music and other activities which can boost their learning.
This, combined with a much greater concentration of deprivation in lower decile schools, leaves schools in those communities facing unique challenges.
In decile 1 to 4 schools, for example, about one in every 11 kids goes to school hungry.
Children in these schools are three times as likely as other children to end up in hospital suffering from preventable diseases.
This means days and weeks off school, which can put them permanently behind their peers.
While most countries have become more effective at mitigating the impact of poverty on education, equity is deteriorating further under the National Government.
Many schools manage to mitigate poverty remarkably well, but successive Governments have failed to keep pace with such huge societal change, and inequality is becoming entrenched.
One way to meet these new challenges is to bring health, welfare and family services to the places where kids learn - in schools.
This is called a school hub.
It's not hard to see that a child who is healthy and well fed, who has access to extracurricular activities, and whose family is engaged in their education, is in a better position to get the most out of school.
The New Zealand school system does not do well for poorer kids
In New Zealand the chances of a child escaping poverty through education are more limited than in other developed countries, because our system is less equipped than others to mitigate the impact that poverty has on their learning.
While New Zealand has one of the top performing education systems in the world, it is also one of the least equitable and has the widest achievement gap between the top and bottom performers in the OECD.
While most countries have become more effective at mitigating the impact of poverty on education, equity is deteriorating further under the National Government. 3
How low income impacts on education
For the quarter of Kiwi kids living in poverty, material hardship means they start school behind their peers and each year they slip further and further behind
There are three main ways that poverty reduces a child's educational outcomes.
These are:The effect that stress from poverty and hardship has on parents, their relationships, mental health and parenting ability.
The long term impact of stress on a child's health, including damage to their nervous, immune and metabolic systems which not only causes them to have days off school, but has lifelong impacts on their health and work prospects.
The fact that poorer families can't afford to access the books, resources and experiences such as music and sport that wealthier families can, so their child's education suffers as a result.
For the quarter of Kiwi kids living in poverty, material hardship means they start school behind their peers and each year they slip further and further behind. 4
Last year, 25 per cent fewer children in the lowest three deciles achieved Level 1 NCEA in year 11 than those in the top three deciles. 5
Knowing this, it's not good policy to simply demand results of schools, as the National Government has, without giving them the means to address the reasons their pupils are unable to meet those standards.
We agree with Victoria University Professor Jonathan Boston: "If our policy goals include raising average educational performance, reducing the attainment gap and enhancing equality of educational opportunity, it would be misguided for policy makers to ignore child poverty".
The benefits of a school hub
By providing health care, after-school activities, early childhood education and food, hubs can mitigate the impact poverty can have on a child’s education.
Around the world there is growing evidence that families will access the help they need if they know what is available and can physically get to it.
When schools become community hubs, kids health and welfare needs can be met earlier, while evidence shows parents involved in a hub feel more welcome, see schools as more relevant and they engage more with their children's learning. 6
This engagement is crucial to a child's success at school.
By providing health care, after-school activities, early childhood education and food, hubs can mitigate the impact poverty can have on a child's education.
International research has found that a 'one stop shop' model can have a significant impact on educational opportunities for young people 7, among other benefits including 8:
• reduced family violence
• increased access by families to preschool and child care
• improved school enrolment and less roll turnover 9
• improvement in service collaboration and coordination
• introduction of bilingual workers in hubs
• increased levels of participation by parents in school activities
Recent work on child poverty by The Early Childhood Taskforce, the PPTA and the Children's Commissioners' Expert Advisory Group on Child Poverty recommended hubs based at schools and ECE centres
as a way to ensure more equitable access to education by mitigating the negative impact of poverty.
Becoming a hub brings other benefits to schools including: additional space and resources, extra income from sharing their facilities, teacher time focused on teaching and learning, better use and sharing of the costs of school facilities, and having parents engaged in education, such as English as a second language and job skills training.
We think all schools could become hubs in the future.
But we are first targeting those communities most likely to benefit from a hub approach.
Case Study - Victory SchoolVictory School is a decile 1 school in the community of Victory in Nelson, which is probably regarded as New Zealand's most well known and successful school community hub.After partnering with the Victory Health Clinic, which moved to the school in the mid 2000s, Victory Community has grown to host a range of social service providers at a community centre adjacent to the school, including the Victory health centre, adult and community education, language teaching, budgeting advice, a Kohanga Reo, a creche, neighbourhood police and a large community garden.Over ten years, school roll turnover at Victory has dropped from 65 per cent to 10 per cent, and student achievement has increased from 50 per cent to 90 per cent.By enrolling the family along with the child, and purposefully choosing to be the heart of their community, schools like Victory have not limited their successes to improved academic results.More than 2500 people are now actively involved in the Victory Community.10We believe hubs like Victory work because the community has been able to define its own problems and aspirations and specifically tailor its own solutions.
Schools at the Heart, the four core components
The Green Party will provide funding for a School Hub Coordinator to be employed directly to develop and coordinate an integrated hub or Learning Community at their school.
School Hub Coordinators
The Green Party will provide funding for a School Hub Coordinator to be employed directly by the average decile 1 to 4 school, or with two or three smaller schools, to develop and coordinate an integrated hub or Learning Community at their school.
The Coordinators will be the initial backbone of their school hub.
A School Hub Coordinator will work with the school board and principal to establish what's needed in their community and liaise with community organisations and groups who might want to be part of a school based hub.
They'll help ensure the school welcomes and supports all whanau including those students with learning disabilities.
Some of the expectations of hub coordinators include:
Establishing and managing the network of community services that are based on the school site and oversee the hub's on-going development.
Establishing a relationship with nearby community ECE services, and advocating with the Ministry for new services onsite at the school if there is a need.
Managing the school food programme.
Recruiting OSCAR services for the school if there is no approved after-school care programme in place.
However, these services will be independently managed as will all other community services that work in the school.
Working with outside agencies such as budgeting services, parent educators, fitness providers, adult educators, maternity providers, health and welfare organisations, disability organisations and Maori and Pacific cultural groups to form a hub that serves and builds their unique school community.
We envisage these Coordinators will be familiar with the community they are working in and will have experience in teaching, social work, public health nursing or community development.
Our funding estimates are based on salary and basic admin costs as we envisage the coordinators will, in most cases, work from existing spaces in the school. 11
Education Ministry data shows low decile schools have, on average, 25 per cent unused building space at each school. 12
By using that space schools could become more financially sustainable, earn income through occupancy arrangements, while invigorating their school community leading to sustainable roll growth.
Total Cost:
School Hub Coordinators: $26. 75m per annum based on employing 350 Coordinators 13 plus $5000 per coordinator for administration costs.
Free after-school and holiday care
The Green Party will provide free, good quality after-school and holiday care programmes for all children at decile 1 to 4 primary and intermediate schools.
Our plan will support working parents by providing after-school and holiday care for children in low decile schools that's free, fun, educational and reliable.
Parents who work need after school care they can trust.
But the benefits of good quality after school and holiday care go beyond minding kids while parents work; it can also give poorer children an opportunity to get involved in sports, cultural and music activities, and the space to do homework which they might not have at home.
Improving access to these opportunities has been identified by the Children's Commissioner's Expert Advisory Group on child poverty (EAG) as a key way of improving a low income kid's chances at school.
For this reason we will extend eligibility for OSCAR subsidies to the children of families who are not in work and training.
This will mean the children of beneficiaries who attend decile 5 to 10 schools can also get access to high quality after-school care and holiday programmes. 14
Low income kids have the most to gain from quality after school and holiday programmes.
A lack of access to after-school enrichment opportunities is one of the reasons why low family income impacts on educational achievement.
The EAG found that 40 per cent of children from families with the lowest incomes were missing out on music, sport and cultural activities because of the cost and many did not have a computer or space in their home to do homework.
Over summer, the lack of exposure to learning opportunities among poorer children is particularly damaging to their education.
New Zealand research at a decile 1 school found children reading at below average levels went backwards by a further 5.8 months over summer, and that this loss was compounding and enduring. 15
This is known as the summer holiday slip, where a lack of exposure to books, trips and other learning opportunities over the summer holidays leads these kids to fall behind and lose some of the progress they have made at school during the year.
All kids need a break from school and time to relax and have fun over summer, but all kids also deserve the opportunity to have fun and learn together and retain the educational gains they made over the school year.
Improving the quality and training of OSCAR services, and making them free or affordable for low income children,
would support parents,
make enrolment at low decile schools more sustainable
and provide powerful opportunities for children which limit the impact of poverty on their education.
The Green Party will:  Provide free, quality, after school and holiday programmes at all decile 1 to 4 schools.
Extend eligibility to OSCAR subsidies to all other children.
Extend eligibility for the OSCAR holiday supplement to the children of families not in work or training for a maximum of three weeks over summer.
Improve the quality of OSCAR services by making OSCAR training compulsory for all OSCAR caregivers, and following that up with regular audits and review.
Total cost: Approximately $10 million per annum,
with training, monitoring and auditing funded from existing baselines.
The Green Party will employ a dedicated school nurse to work in all decile 1 to 4 primary and intermediate schools to ensure children who need basic healthcare get it when they first need it.
The Green Party will employ a dedicated school nurse to work in all decile 1 to 4 primary and intermediate schools to ensure children who need basic healthcare get it when they first need it.
School nurses intervene earlier to ensure children get the healthcare they need to stay well,
attend school and keep learning.
In June 2013 the Green Party released a discussion paper on our proposal for a nurse in every decile 1 to 3 school.
The feedback from schools, parents and nurses was overwhelmingly positive.
As a result of this feedback we're convinced there is also need for a dedicated school nurse in decile 4 schools and we have extended our nurse in schools proposal to include these schools.
The entire programme will involve employing up to 350 new school nurses, based on a ratio of one nurse for every 400 pupils.
That will be enough for one nurse per school for a typical large urban primary or intermediate school, while smaller schools will share a nurse.
Children who live in the most deprived areas, where families have the lowest ten percent of incomes, are three times more likely to be hospitalised for preventable illnesses than children from the least deprived areas. 16
For the child, it means time away from school, an inability to learn when they are there, and sometimes a lifetime of health  problems that prevent them from reaching their full potential.
Kiwi kids with asthma, for example, lose around 550,000 school days per year.
Yet effectively managed, most asthma does not need to have such a devastating effect on a child's education.
School nurses won't replace doctors, but could help provide a gateway to health care from a GP, as well as provide health education and illness prevention to children and their whanau.
Basic nurse-based care and disease prevention works to stop minor illnesses such as a sore throat from becoming life threatening later on.
Studies show that school-based health interventions have long term economic benefits to society, from improving health over a child's lifetime, in that child's ability to earn more because they are better educated, and even an improved IQ.
Total cost: $40m per annum 17
It is our intention to extend school based health services to all schools over time.
For more information on our Nurse in Schools proposal go to: https://www.greens.org.nz/education/healthy-kids-ready-learn- proposal-put-nurses-schools
School lunch
The Green Party will provide funding for all decile 1 to 4 primary and intermediate schools to provide a lunch programme, and we will make lunch funding available to other schools based on need. 4
The Green Party will provide funding for all decile 1 to 4 primary and intermediate schools to provide a lunch programme, and we will make lunch funding available to other schools based on need.
It is a parent's responsibility to feed and look after their children,
but where a lack of food is getting in the way of a child's education the state should step in and ensure they have what they need to learn.
There is plenty of evidence that family incomes are often too low to provide the basics.
A survey of low income families in Dunedin and Wellington found nearly half regularly run out of food. 18
About 9% of kids at low decile schools are likely to be without lunch at school on any given day. 19
When children go to school hungry they are less able to learn.
Kids whose families regularly run out of food have lower academic achievement, difficulty concentrating and are more likely to take time off school. 20
We think that allowing kids to be hungry at school is not only unfair to that child, but a waste of teacher time, and most importantly a waste of each individual child's potential.
This is a loss for all of us.
Most political parties now agree that the Government has a role to play in providing healthy food in school.
However, the Green Party doesn't agree that schools should need to rely on corporate generosity to provide that food.
This is not sustainable long-term, and our research suggests a breakfast programme alone risks missing those kids who get to school too late to participate.
We believe a better, and more sustainable idea is to equip schools to provide lunch, to all children who need it, based on agreed national nutritional guidelines.
Why lunch?
Lunch is the only meal time kids spend at school.
It may be the only time many children get to sit down and eat a meal with others.
Eating lunch together helps build relationships, teach children about food, health and nutrition and creates a sense of community.
Another way to express this is as whakawhanaungatanga.
There is also evidence that some parents don't send their kids to school if they have run out of food because they are ashamed to send them to school with empty lunch boxes.
How would school lunch work?
School food programmes work best if they're delivered in a way that suits the individual school.
Through our lunch programme, School Hub Coordinators would apply for funding, then each individual school would develop a unique lunch programme that suits their pupils' needs.
For some schools this may mean food prepared by pupils or parents from produce from a community garden, for others, it may mean working with existing school food charities, while others may team up with other schools in the district in a different scheme.
Funding
Decile 1 to 4 schools would automatically qualify for funding for a lunch programme to feed children in need at their school.
We estimate the average urban low decile school will receive about $520 a week for lunches based on $3 per hungry child. 21
The number of children funded will be 9 per cent of the school roll, based on KidsCan figures that estimate that amount of children are likely to be without lunch.
Higher decile schools could apply based on their individual needs.
We know, for example, that in some larger decile 5 to 10 urban schools there can still be large numbers of children who would benefit from the scheme.
We would work with officials to develop criteria for those schools based on a high trust model, which would not require means testing of individual families.
Total cost: $11. 6 million per annum. 22
Onsite ECE
We will build 20 new early childhood centres onsite at low decile schools where they are needed.
The Green Party will build 20 new early childhood centres onsite at low decile schools where they are needed.
These new centres would be owned by the public and operated as community based, non-profit centres, such as kohanga reo and kindergartens.
They will be funded to employ 100 per cent trained staff.
The centres are designed to start filling the gap in the availability of ECE centres in lower socioeconomic areas.
A lack of services in low income areas means Maori, Pacific and poorer kids are much less likely to attend ECE than other children, 89 per cent versus 95 per cent in the general population. 23
The National Government's response to this problem has been to threaten beneficiary parents with cuts to their benefits if they don't enrol their children in ECE.
We have a number of concerns with this:
It is contrary to Health Ministry advice which states that sanctions will hurt children;
it encourages the proliferation of lower quality home based care services to fill a gap in supply,
and it doesn't deal with the reasons why low income, Maori and Pasifika children are less likely to attend ECE in the first place, which is a lack of suitable services in their area.
Research shows that Maori, Pacifika and low income kids have the most to gain from participating in a good quality early childhood programme. 24
New Zealand research shows that kids who attend good quality ECE are better prepared for school, and go on to achieve higher academic results which in turn increase their chances of having a good job and ultimately a happier life. 25
But the opposite is also true.
When ECE is not available to these children their educational disadvantage is compounded, making learning harder at every stage, pushing them further and further behind.
Getting families involved in good quality ECE has benefits for the child's wider family and community.
New Zealand researcher Cathy Wylie found that parents involved in ECE services experienced better relationships with their children, less stress, upgraded their own qualifications and training and went on to have better, more reliable jobs. 26
We believe it makes sense to provide ECE onsite at schools and that evidence shows that this, rather than sanctions, will increase participation in ECE.
Our building programme would be in addition to the existing Targeted Assistance Participation Fund, which provides full and partial funding for new ECE centres.
These new onsite early childhood centres would also become some of the first purpose built community hubs, with the potential to have their first real impact on large scale new school building projects such as in Christchurch.
Alongside our ECE building programme we would establish a comprehensive network review of ECE to ensure that new centres are not established where they would damage the roll of existing not for profit, quality ECE centres.
We would also amend the Education Act to ensure that quality, not for profit ECE centres, would have priority over other centres for any occupancy arrangements on site at state primary schools.
Total cost: 20 purpose built ECE centres onsite at low decile schools: $25 million. 27
Case Study - Owhiro BayExperience by learning communities such as Owhiro Bay, near Wellington, is that an onsite kindergarten built in the grounds of the school has dramatically improved rates of ECE attendance among its new entrants, improved school readiness, increased parental participation and led to an increase in the school roll. 27
Community Hubs Fund and Resource Centre
We propose a unit be established, where schools could apply for seed funding to establish a hub.
We propose a unit be established, jointly funded by the Ministries of Health, Social Development and Education, where schools could apply for seed funding to establish a hub, receive the food in schools funding and on-going financial support and training for their school Hubs Coordinator.
The unit would monitor and collect information about the first school hubs and develop shared principles and guidelines that will eventually help future schools learn from early experiences to develop their own purpose fit hubs.
It would also coordinate supportive policy between the Ministries of Education, Health and Social Development to enable joint ventures on school sites such as joint ownership and after-hours access to schools.
The unit would provide expertise to School Hub Coordinators and school boards, as well as training, mentoring, templates and guidelines that would form the basis for future funding models and hubs frameworks.
Total costs: The unit will be funded out of existing baselines.
Summary
In a country as rich as ours every child deserves the opportunity to fulfil their potential, no matter what family they're born in to or what school they go to.
All Kiwi kids deserve the right to be safe after school,
to be cared for and inspired during the holidays, to play
and to be part of their community.
Every New Zealand child deserves the right to the best possible education
free of the distraction from being too hungry, sick or tired to learn.
Making the school hubs programme work as part of an overall child poverty reduction strategy, including measurements and clear targets for eradicating child poverty
, is a smart step to ensuring all our kids have the chance to learn.
The best investment this country can make in its future is to invest in the capabilities of its children and to allow those in poverty to escape it through education.
By drawing on the good will and energy of communities and bringing that to schools through hubs
we could transform the lives of 270,000 children in poverty.
By feeding the approximately 24,000 primary school aged children who are regularly hungry at school, we will put them in a much better position to be ready to learn.
By ensuring kids in low income communities get access to primary health care at school, we could make a serious dent in the 10,000 avoidable hospital admissions each year that are associated with poverty.
By taking parents on their children's educational journey with them, we not only improve the child's chances at an education, but can give their parents an opportunity to improve their own eduction.
Schools are already the hearts of their communities.
But too many schools and teachers are filling the void left by a failure of successive Governments to realise what's really holding kids back.
The Green Party's Schools at the Heart policy is about supporting communities and investing in children, so their lives can be transformed, and we can unleash their potential for the benefit of us all.
Safe Walking and Cycling to School
Green Party policy paper
Summary3The situation5Why kids don’t walk or cycle as much as before 5Congestion on our roads 5Kids miss out on exercise 5Kids aren’t as ready to learn 5The current approach6The solution7Cycleways 7Road crossings 8Traffic-calming measures 8Support for walking buses and cycle skills training 8How it works for schools9Benefits10Benefits for children 10Benefits for the community 10
Summary
$50 million a year for four years, totalling $200 million, to build modern, convenient walking and cycling infrastructure around schools; separating kids and other users from road traffic, giving a safe choice for families
Set a target to get more than 50 percent of kids walking or cycling to school by 2020; reducing congestion, improving health and learning, saving families time and money
Integrate school-centred networks with longer commuter cycleways
Up to $20 of benefits for every dollar invested,
paid for by reprioritising money away from low-value projects
Walking and cycling to school is good for kids
and good for road users.
Walking or cycling increases children’s health, makes them happier, and improves their ability to learn.
When kids walk or cycle, it means that parents save time and money on driving,
and it means fewer cars on the roads, which eases congestion.
Our kids need to be able to get to and from school easily and safely.
In the past, most kids walked or cycled to school but nowadays only a third of them do.
Parents tell us that they would be happy for their kids to walk or cycle to school if it were safer.
The Green Party's Safe Walking and Cycling to School plan will give parents that choice.
We will provide $50 million a year for four years from the transport budget for communities to invest in safe walking and cycling facilities in and around schools.
This package is a targeted effort to reduce school traffic and to bring back two simple Kiwi traditions: walking to school and riding a bike.
It will save parents time and money.
It will help decongest our roads
and it will help our kids be healthier, happier, and ready to learn.
We will also make major investments in safe and convenient walking and cycling infrastructure for commuters on arterial routes.
These will be integrated with school- centred cycle paths and other infrastructure, creating city-wide networks.
These investments will build networks for walking and cycling comparable to what exists in many towns and cities overseas.
The $50 million a year Safe Walking and Cycling to School fund will be part of a total investment of $100 million a year on walking and cycling that the Greens will make under the National Land Transport Programme.
This money will be freed up by reprioritising money in the transport budget away from low-value transport projects.
The situation
Since the 1980s, there has been a dramatic fall in the number of children who walk or cycle to school.
In 1989, half of our kids cycled or walked to school and a third came by car.
Today, those numbers have reversed. 1
Parents are more likely to drive their kids to school, mostly because they are worried that walking and cycling isn’t safe. 2
Why kids don't walk or cycle as much as before
The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) has looked at the reasons why walking and cycling to school has become less common.
It concluded safety as well as the perception of safety were the crucial issues:
"It may be that an extremely low crash rate is needed before parents feel that walking or cycling to school is deemed inherently safe and even then, it is the perception of it being unsafe that is likely to be the biggest barrier". 3
NZTA says that there is a "missing link" because there is no national strategy for creating optimal travel systems around schools that keeps cyclists and walkers from being exposed to danger from traffic. 4
Congestion on our roads
One in three car trips in the morning rush hour is related to education. 5
That's around a quarter of a million car journeys every morning that involve dropping kids off.
As anyone who uses the roads during school holidays knows, school traffic is a major cause of congestion, which holds up traffic for all road users.
Kids miss out on exercise
A third of New Zeland children are overweight. 6
That means ill-health, shortened life-expectancy, and greater health costs.
Regular exercise, including walking and cycling, is an effective way to help children to stay healthy.
Studies also show that people who engage in physical activity like walking or cycling to school or work are less likely to have sick days because their overall health is better. 7
Kids aren't as ready to learn when they get to school if they travel by car
Any exercise, especially walking or cycling, is mentally stimulating.
Studies show improvement in academic achievement when kids participate in physical activity.
A Danish study found walking or cycling to school boosts a child's ability to concentrate throughout the morning, to the level of a child half a year older. 8
The current approach
New Zealand's existing school transport programmes demonstrate high returns on investment.
However, funding has been very limited.
New Zealand's existing school transport programmes demonstrate high returns on investment.
However, funding has been very limited.
Auckland's Travelwise programme works with schools and their communities to implement walking school buses, road safety lessons and information for parents.
The programme has reduced the number of peak-hour car trips by 12,000 every morning.
Participating schools have halved pedestrian injury.
The programme returns a benefit-cost ratio of 9. 5 to 1. 9
The Bikes in Schools programme uses government funding to provide bikes for kids to ride within school grounds and learn cycle safety.
The programme has reported improved fitness and decreased obesity among pupils at participating schools.
However, bikes cannot be used for travelling to and from school under this programme. 10
These existing schemes do not fix the infrastructure deficit around schools.
Councils have significantly boosted their investment in walking and cycling infrastructure in recent years.
Christchurch has made a commitment of $68 million over five years to separate cycleways for commuters as part of the rebuild. 11
Wellington has proposed tripling its cycling budget to $4. 3 million next year 12 and Auckland has announced plans to increase its annual cycling budget to $8. 7 million in the next year. 13
We see the Safe Walking and Cycling to School package working alongside council investments and filling in the gaps.
The solution
Work with communities to build modern and safe walking and cycling facilities
Set a target to get more than 50 percent of kids walking or cycling to school by 2020
Improve health and educational achievement in our children
Reduce congestion by eliminating around 100,000 car trip-legs each day
Different solutions will be appropriate for different schools and neighbourhoods.
Dictating solutions centrally would be inappropriate.
The Green Party will create a $50 million per annum pool that local authorities, in consultation with their schools, will be able to apply for funding from.
The NZTA will work with local authorities to allocate funding to create the best choices for their circumstances
and ensure standards are consistent across the country.
Options will include:
Cycleways
Cycleways separate kids from traffic and prevent major causes of accidents, like opening car doors.
Cycleways can be simple lanes on low-speed roads, fully protected paths with light-controlled intersections on busy streets, and shared paths for people walking or on bikes through parks or alongside roads.
These cycleways will link into community-wide networks.
Road crossings
Improved cycling/pedestrian road-crossing facilities can be established around school routes.
This can include more zebra crossings, kerb extensions to improve pedestrian visibility, intersection layouts designed for people on bikes, and light- controlled mid-block crossings.
Traffic-calming measures
A variety of road shaping adjustments and features help to make driving safer around kids and schools.
Trees, traffic islands, and raised crossings help calm traffic near schools.
Some neighbourhoods may wish to implement a reduced speed limit around schools.
Support for walking buses and cycle skills training
Funding can be allocated to support walking buses to school, and for teaching kids walking and cycling safety.
Schools will also be able to use the Community Coordinators announced in our Schools at the Heart policy to support these activities. 14
These options provide schools and communities with real flexibility and will create infrastructure that is useful to everyone, not just school children.
The $200 million over four years of funding for Safe Walking and Cycling to School will be sufficient to make significant upgrades for walking and cycling facilities around most medium and large-sized urban schools.
15 All schools will be able to apply for funding.
We envision the programme expanding to more schools in subsequent years.
How it works for schools
1.  Schools and their local authorities will come together to develop a plan for walking and cycling, and identify the infrastructure needed.
Schools are often close together, so it makes sense for the local authority to coordinate and for the infrastructure to serve multiple schools.
A plan might include, for example:
Several main roads in the community where protected cycleways separated from traffic would be warranted
Side-streets where lower-cost painted cycle lanes or shared pedestrian/cycle spaces are more suitable
Parks that could be used for walking or cycling if they had a sealed path
Road-crossing points for kids walking or on bikes that need lights, zebra crossings, or kerb extensions
New covered bike stands at the schools
Walking and cycling safety skills training programmes at schools
2.  The plan is submitted to the NZTA, which assesses the plan against the national guidelines and allocates funding from the $200 million, four-year pool.
3.  The local authority contracts the work to be carried out and assesses its effectiveness.
4.  Further funding can be sought for additional improvements if needed
to achieve the goal of more than 50 percent of kids walking or cycling to school.
Benefits
Benefits for children
The benefits of more kids walking and cycling to school are widespread:
Improved safety: School-friendly streets with improvements such as protected cycleways and improved pedestrian crossings will help separate kids from traffic, which will make these options more attractive.
Increased numbers of people walking and cycling creates better driver awareness. 16
Better learning outcomes: Exercise in the morning has been shown to lift children's moods, boost attentiveness and help them retain information. 17
Health: Regular, moderate exercise by cycling or walking is a great way to improve kids' health.
Studies show children have reduced waistlines and better cholesterol counts when they walk or cycle to school 18
Benefits for the community
New research from the University of Auckland shows the kind of infrastructure the Greens will build for walking and cycling will produce up to $4 billion of benefits over 40 years for a $200 million investment - a 20 to 1 return. 19
The indicative benefits from this study include:6 billion kilometres less driving, saving $1. 2 billion on fuel
29 fewer road deaths, 25 fewer pollution deaths, 1,270 fewer deaths due to better overall health
36,000 fewer person/days lost to ill-health
8 million tonnes fewer greenhouse gas emissions, saving $330 million
In addition to those benefits, Safe Walking and Cycling to School will mean:
Better walking and cycling options for all: Safe Walking and Cycling to School is centred around schools but the infrastructure will be available to everyone and integrated with councils' investment on arterial routes, making commuting to work easier and safer
Less congestion: Achieving the target of 50 percent of children walking and cycling to school would remove around 100,000 car trip legs per day. 20
The infrastructure will also be used by commuters, further reducing congestion for people who drive
Reduced road damage: Local road maintenance costs hundreds of millions of dollars a year.
The wear on roads from a bicycle is negligible compared to the impact of a car.
Safe Walking and Cycling to School will reduce the length and number of car journeys, helping to reduce road maintenance costs
Green
Every Child Thriving: Education for Every Child
Green Party election priority
Cleaner Environment Fairer Society Smarter Economy
Introduction3Summary5Situation6Solution13
Introduction
Every child has a right to an education at their local school that meets their individual needs and allows them to reach their full potential.
That's what it means to have an inclusive education system.
Our schools should meet the needs of all children,
regardless of their family background, culture, or disability.
For disadvantaged children, education is the most effective route out of poverty.
And for children with disabilities and learning difficulties, education frees them to reach their potential.
Right now, thousands of our children are not getting the help they need to thrive at school, largely because of underfunding.
Schools are left plugging the gap by taking money from other areas or letting the children who need additional help go without.
Teachers are also not being supported to identify special needs.
The upshot is that our children are missing out, they're falling behind, and feeling like they don't belong.
As a result of these pressures, teachers can spread themselves too thin and all children miss out.
The Green Party will ensure every child is included at school and has the opportunity to reach their potential and thrive.
Earlier this year, we announced our School Hubs policy to put schools at the heart of communities and offer wrap around services.
In this paper we add an inclusive education spoke to our hub wheel.
In Government, the Green Party will provide the Ongoing Resourcing Scheme (ORS) to twice as many children,
increase funding for the Early Intervention service to identify and support preschool children with special needs,
and offer extra funding to help after school and out of school care services cater for children with special needs.
We'll also review the entire special education funding and delivery system to ensure that every child gets the right support they need to learn.
Our education system should give all children the best chance in life.
By designing it so that poverty, disability, and learning difficulties can't stand in the way, we can transform the lives of our children and ensure all of us get to benefit from everything they have to offer.
Summary
The Green Party will:Double the number of children who receive the Ongoing Resource Scheme by providing an additional $95 million each year
Increase funding for the Early Intervention service by $15 million a year so preschool children with special needs are given the support they need
Provide an additional $5 million each year for our school hubs' free after school and holiday programme fund to increase services for children with special needs
Undertake a comprehensive review of the design, delivery, and funding of special education in New Zealand
Situation
Not all of our children are getting the same chance to thrive and reach their potential.
Thousands of children are missing out because of a severely underfunded special education sector.
And it's not just those who have special needs who are not getting the support they need to learn.
When a teacher is overstretched, all children miss out.
Children, teachers and families are feeling the pressure of this underfunding, and the system seems designed to block access rather than provide it based on need.
Special education in New Zealand is complex, difficult to navigate, and underfunded - it's just not set up to allow our children to thrive.
The Government is not transparent about special education funding.
Support is funded centrally through the Ministry of Education as well as directly and variably by schools, and there is little data on how many staff are employed in a role that provides special education support.
Clear information that enables the achievement of special needs students to be compared with those without special needs is unavailable. 1
Despite the poor information from the Ministry, we know that the needs of these students are not being met.
Only 30,000 children receive support of any kind through the Ministry of Education's group Special Education, and a further 50,000-70,000 children are estimated to receive funding through their schools. 2
Even though this number seems large, the entire sector reports that it's still not enough to ensure every child can access an appropriate education.
When the New Zealand Principals' Federation surveyed schools last year, it was common to find children who needed ORS funding but couldn't get it because of the narrow criteria and difficult verification process. 3
In fact, schools on average reported having 18 students with moderate to severe learning needs, most of whom were either underfunded for the support they needed or weren't funded at all. 4
Missing out on support has a very real impact on tamariki and whanau.
Parents tell us that they are "counselled out" of enrolling their children at local schools by principals who don't think they'll be able to spare the resources the student needs.
Some children are forced to leave school at lunchtime as their teacher aide hours run out for the day. 5
Many children miss out on the ordinary joys of being children, like going to the same school as their brother or sister, or going on school trips.
It's not only children with special needs who miss out when proper support isn't provided.
When the right supports are there, teachers are able to focus on the classroom as a whole.
The administrative burden on teachers is also lifted, meaning that they have more time to teach.
All children can thrive when we provide for those who need it.
My children don’t have the connection of attending the same school that most siblings have. If both have school activities on the same day, their schools aren’t even in the same town, so being able to attend both things is virtually impossiblt, one child has to miss out- Parent of child with special needs 6
Special education in New Zealand needs to be rethought.
Fundamental issues were identified in the Ministry of Education's 2010 Review of Special Education but that review turned out to be false hope for the sector as the findings went nowhere. 7
Political will is needed to change the system, and the Green Party has that will.
We will review the entire system of special education in New Zealand and base it on the principles of inclusion and provision for need.
It's important that we do this because every child has a right to attend their local school, regardless of whether or not they have a disability or learning difficulty.
This right is affirmed in New Zealand law 8 but, more than that, we have a moral obligation to ensure that disabled people are valued in our society.
New Zealand should be a place in which all people with impairments can access their full rights, actively participate in their communities, are valued for their abilities and gifts, and lead rich and satisfying lives. 9
For children, that means schools that are welcoming, inclusive, and encourage them to thrive.
In the interim, there is more that can be done.
Last year, the Education Review Office found that the two major barriers to inclusive education were funding levels for support and school-wide professional development. 10
The Ongoing Resource Scheme (ORS)
One of the key sources of funding for support in special education is the Ongoing Resource Scheme (ORS).
It is intended to support the learning of 'high' and 'very high' needs students based on learning, hearing, vision, physical, and language use and social communication criteria. 11
Currently, ORS funding is capped to 1 percent of the student population.
Schools nationwide report that many more children need ORS funding - at the moment children who just miss out are "then left without recourse or the resourcing they need". 12
The 1 percent cap is not enough to reach children with severe ADHD and autism, for example, who can fail to meet the criteria.
There are wider problems with the way the Government currently administers and funds ORS.
For example, some families bear the cost of specialist assessments to determine whether their child meets the narrow ORS criteria.
Waiting lists at DHBs are lengthy, which means assessments are not happening in a timely manner and children can't get help when they need it.
Some schools don't have the ability or inclination to engage in the complex ORS application process, meaning some children miss out entirely. 13
Quite simply, the ORS funding is not enough to cover the actual costs of the support students need, and it's declining. 14
The 2010 Review of Special Education found that schools are forced to try "to balance strong (sometimes overwhelming demand) for special education support and services against capped, finite budgets". 15
Less than one third of schools are provided with funding to cover the amount of extra teaching time required for their ORS children. 16
This means that around 40 per cent of schools have to find up to an extra $5,000 to fill the shortfall from elsewhere in their budget while, even more seriously, another 32 per cent have to take out $5,000-$10,000 from their Operations Budget or other sources. 17
And that's just to cover the extra costs associated with teacher aides.
It’s important that children understand that people come from different backgrounds and experiences. You can’t do this if it’s not possible for some children to even be present. We all miss out when government policy excludes people. - A principal
The Special Education Grant
The Special Education Grant is provided to schools on the basis of population and socioeconomic status.
It is intended to give schools flexibility in providing services to students with special needs in ways that best suit their schools and the needs of individual children.
One of the biggest concerns is that the Special Education Grant isn't apportioned to schools on the basis of how many children with special needs children they have enrolled.
That means some schools are overfunded while others aren't getting enough.
The cost of the Special Education Grant is variable, but in 2013 the Ministry spent approximately $36,540,000. 18
There has been criticism that the Special Education Grant is being used to 'top-up' support for underfunded high-needs students. 19
One advantage of providing more ORS funding is that it frees up money available through the Special Education Grant to support children with moderate needs.
For example, Special Education Grant funding could be better used for systematic screening across schools to identify children with dyslexia and ADHD if it did not have to be diverted for higher needs children.
Centrally funding teacher aides, as the Green Party has previously committed to, will also mean moderate needs children are guaranteed the professional in-class support and resources they need.
The Government should better support the estimated 8-14 percent of children who have moderate learning needs. 20
Centrally Funding Support Staff
The Green Party, along with others, have previously committed to the central funding of school support staff.
The majority of these work as teacher aides.
Currently, staff who work with special needs children are funded from a variety of streams, so there is poor oversight of what support staff are doing nation-wide.
Central funding would mean that schools don't have to dip into their Operations Grant to fund teacher aides.
In Government, the Green Party will ensure that there is job security, better training, and fair pay for staff working alongside special needs children.
We will also ensure there are clear pathways for professional development available.
The Education Review Office found that professional development was one of the most important changes we could make to improve special education in New Zealand. 21
The Green Party will ensure that there are well-trained staff working with the children who need their help.
Support staff are a vital part of schools and the Green Party is committed to ensuring they and the children they work with are able to work together with security and continuity.
It's what's best for both children and staff.
Early Childhood
Early intervention is important to make sure children get the best start.
The Education Review Office found that early childhood education centres faced significant challenges in providing the best for children because of delays in assessment and funding, as well as the lack of resources and professional development provided. 22
Early childhood education centres report to us that the delays are at crisis point as the Ministry cannot provide the support and advice the centres and children need.
They tell us that it can take almost a year to get a service provided by the Ministry.
They're often told to wait until the child starts school to seek help.
When that child starts school, there's a further six month delay to see how the transition goes.
That means that instead of a child getting support at age two, they get it at age six. 23
One of our children had serious psychological and violence issues - he was a danger to others. His family wanted psychological help and the teaching team also needed advice. We were unable to get support because of the waiting list. He went to school before he was able to access special education support. - ECE Teacher 24
Currently, the Ministry of Education's Early Intervention programme provides services for children with significant learning and behaviour needs, which they estimate to be around 4 percent of the population. 25
Government spends approximately $39 million on Early Intervention services 26 but, as reported by the sector, this just isn't enough to meet demand.
Children are facing such long delays that it's no longer 'early' intervention.
We need to address the ECE sector's concerns so that children with special needs don't start school at such a disadvantage, and so that their transition to schooling can be carefully managed.
After-School and Holiday Care
There are many whanau with children who have significant disabilities and are in need of specialist after-school and holiday care.
When these services are available, it enables families to participate in our society by, for example, being able to have a full time job or having their child be able to engage in new recreation and creative pursuits just like other children.
Attending an art class, visiting a park and simply playing with other children are things all children should have the chance to do.
In addition, school-based Out of School and Recreation Programmes (OSCAR) should be set up so that children with special needs are able to attend.
This is not always the case now.
OSCAR programmes are partly funded by the Ministry of Social Development.
Parents can also apply for a childcare subsidy to cover all, or some, of their OSCAR costs.
OSCAR providers are given some guidance around "accommodating" children with special needs.27
But families tell us that services are often not equipped to provide the care that disabled children need.
Other more specialist after school services are contracted out by DHBs to private institutions and paid for through the individualised health funding allocated to each child.
In recent months, three such services have been closed because of insufficient funds, leaving these families without any support. 28
We Can Make a Difference
The experience of numerous schools around the country that are doing great work shows that valuing children with special needs as part of their school community, ensuring the right support is provided, and making sure every child can thrive is possible.
Government can work with schools and take the lead on this issue, and the Green Party will do that.
Solution
1.  Double the number of children who receive ORS funding
In Government, the Green Party will double the number of children who receive ORS funding by widening the criteria.
We estimate that will enable nearly 8,000 more children to get the support they need. 29
We have used Ministry of Education figures but, because of the variable needs of each individual child, there may need to be some adjustment.
We will work with experts and the sector to determine the new, widened criteria and also look at whether there is scope for increasing the level of funding provided for each child in our wider review.
Figures provided by the Ministry of Education show that ORS funding in 2013/14 cost $92,284,564. 30
The Green Party will double the number of children who can receive ORS by providing an additional $95 million per year to the fund.
This will ensure that 16,000 children will have the support they need at school.
Doubling the number of children who receive ORS funding would make a huge difference to communities, schools, and tamariki.
2.  Increase funding for Early Intervention services
We can make the biggest difference the earlier we start.
That's why early identification and support matters.
We will boost funding to the Early Intervention services by $15 million per year.
That will mean a total spend of $54 million per year on assessment and support for preschool children.
As part of that increase, we will instruct the Ministry of Education to work towards ensuring pre-school aged children are given an assessment within two weeks in order to get them support as soon as possible.
3.  Increase provision and funding of out of school care for children with special needs.
Ensuring that children with special needs can access the benefits of out of school care will mean that they can have more opportunity to be involved in sports, music, art, or to focus on their homework.
It has huge effects on whanau as well, in that parents and siblings of high needs children can do things others take for granted, like having a parent attend a soccer game or working full time.
In Government, the Green Party will commit an additional $5 million to our School Hubs policy to help provide inclusive free after school and holiday programmes as well as fund specialised services where needed.
We will work with both the Ministry of Social Development and DHBs to help with the provision of specialist services for children with special needs.
Doing this will help children with special needs have equal access to what they need to live rich and diverse lives
, while parents can be reassured that their children are safe and well-cared for.
4.  Undertake a comprehensive review of the special education framework.
In Government, the Green Party will undertake a comprehensive review of the entire special education framework.
We'll do that with a view to ensuring it is based on the principle of 'provision for need' - that children have the funding, resources, and services they need to thrive.
As part of that comprehensive review, we would ensure:
That the funding process is simple, fast, fair and easy to understand, and that assessments are done within a short timeframe.
That funding criteria are broad enough so that children in need are not blocked from getting the help they need and that there are enough staff to work with them.
That teacher training for ECE, primary, and secondary teachers includes how to identify and provide for special needs children.
We would also look to ensure that there is ongoing school-wide training.
That Government consider the impact of wider issues in the education sector, such as class sizes, on special needs children.
Costs
The three component parts of this policy will cost $345 million over three years.
This is made up of:Additional funding for the Special Education Grant and Ongoing Resourcing Scheme: $285 million
Additional funding for Early Intervention Services: $ 45 million
Additional funding for appropriate after-school and holiday care: $15 million
Healthy Teens, Healthy Futures
Green Party policy paper
Summary3The Situation5The Solution7The Benefits9Sources 10
Summary
Extending free GP visits to young people aged 13-17 will allow us to address the very real health needs that this age group experiences.
$21 million a year to extend free GP visits to the 290,000 teenagers aged 13-17 and abolish their prescription charges, so they get the help they need at a crucial time in their lives.
A further $8 million a year (making $29 million in total) to help GPs deal with the extra workload from making visits free.
A commitment to developing new ways to deliver healthcare to teenagers, so that they can get medical advice where and how they want it.
Adolescence can be an exciting time, as children turn into adults and discover who they are and want to be.
But it is also one of the most difficult periods, when the increasing complexity of life brings a whole new set of problems.
Many of the health issues that develop then - especially in mental and sexual health - can continue throughout later life.
Unless they are tackled early, they will create long-lasting damage to individuals' health and the country's finances.
The onset of these problems makes it vital that teenagers and their families can afford to see their GP.
And yet too often cost is a major obstacle.
GP consultation fees for young people can be as high as $56, with prescription charges a further burden. 1
The Green Party will extend free health care until a young person’s 18th birthday - ensuring that both the critical periods of early childhood and adolescence are covered.
The Green Party will build on the previous Labour-led government's successful policy of free healthcare for children aged 0-6.
But unlike the current Government, which would extend free healthcare just to age 13, the Green Party will take it right through until a young person's 18th birthday - ensuring that both the critical periods of early childhood and adolescence are covered.
The Green Party will also work with GPs to make sure they have the funding they need to deal with this extra workload, rather than expect them to do more on already stretched resources.
And it will embed free GP visits in a network of other Green Party policies to improve the healthcare available to teenagers.
The situation
In the 2014 Budget, the Government proposed to extend free GP visits (including after¬hours care) to children aged 6-13, from July 2015, at a cost of $30 million a year.
But this step, while welcome, ignores the fact that children aged 13-17 have some of the most pressing health needs.
Removing cost barriers for healthcare is a key way to ensure New Zealand kids have a good life and a healthy future.
The first steps towards this were taken by the Fifth Labour Government, which made free GP visits available to children aged 0-6 from 2008.
The scheme operates by offering GPs increased subsidies in exchange for free consultations.
While GPs operate independently and can elect not to take up the subsidy, around 95 percent of GPs have opted into the scheme. 2
Since 2012, after-hours visits for children aged 0-6 have also been free in theory, although in practice coverage is far from universal and there are ongoing problems with its implementation. 3
Further targeted subsidies exist for the most high-need patients. 4
These policies, however, eliminate the cost of seeing a GP for only a small number of young people.
In the 2014 Budget, the Government proposed to extend free GP visits (including after-hours care) to children aged 6-13, from July 2015, at a cost of $30 million a year.
But this step, while welcome, ignores the fact that children aged 13-17 have some of the most pressing health needs.
The social and emotional changes during adolescence heighten risks for behavioural problems such as substance abuse, self-harm and socially disruptive behaviours. 5
Half of all mental health disorders in adulthood have started by the teenage years, though most cases are undetected and untreated.
Depression is a major cause of illness among teenagers.
Both alcohol use and obesity in early adolescence often lead to similar problems in later life, with serious implications for public health.
These and other issues can jeopardise not only teenagers' current health but often their health for years to come, hindering their ability to grow and develop to their full potential.
Promoting healthy practices during adolescence, and taking steps to better protect young people from health risks, are vital to prevent health problems in adulthood, and for a country's future health and social infrastructure.
Adolescence is one of the most rapid phases of human development, and the adolescent brain has significant 'neural plasticity' - that is, it is still able to change.
This means that there is the potential in adolescence to ameliorate the impact of negative experiences earlier in life and to promote positive developments. 6
These issues are particularly relevant to New Zealand, which has some of the developed world's worst rates of teenage suicide and death. 7
The causes of these problems are numerous, and are likely to include insufficient and fragmented adolescent and youth mental health services. 8
Significant numbers of young people have not been to see a GP recently, many of them for cost reasons. 9
This is part of a wider pattern - nearly 500,000 New Zealanders are currently failing to see a GP because of the cost. 10
GP consultation fees for young people can be as high as $56, with prescription charges a further burden.
Cost is a particularly important factor for teenagers with sensitive sexual/mental health issues, as they may not want their families to know about these issues and may therefore be unable to get their parents to pay for a GP visit.
In addition, parents with children aged 13-17 face higher immediate costs than parents of younger children (even if they are more likely to be back in work by that stage), making the cost of seeing a GP especially relevant.
The Green Party also acknowledges that, in addition to cost, there are other barriers to teenagers seeing a GP.
Privacy and confidentiality, and the setting in which they see a health professional, are especially important.
The Green Party support giving young people access to a range of health services, including school-based clinics and youth one-stop shops.
Extending free GP visits is also consistent with the important principle that everyone is entitled to good health, and people should not be prevented from getting healthcare because of a lack of income.
Removing the barriers for our young people - which also sets them up to lead healthy lives as adults - is the best possible way to begin addressing this issue.
The Solution
Free GP visits
As with the current system, the government would offer GPs an increased subsidy to extend free visits to children aged 13-17.
There are currently 287,000 children aged 13¬17 in the New Zealand health system.
Around 8% of them are in practices where they are not charged any fees.
That leaves the vast majority (92%) of young people aged 13-17 being charged for seeing their GP - some of them as much as $56. 11
Around 30% of these young people are in practices that charge between $0 and $17. 50, with the remainder (over 60%) in practices charging over $17. 50.
The mean charge for the whole 13 to 17-year-old population is $22.
Prescription charges add further to that cost.
Extending free GP visits to this group would mean, firstly, providing GP practices with a subsidy equal to these charges.
This would cost an estimated $14 million a year, on the basis that the mean fee is $22 and young people currently visit the doctor on average 2-3 times a year.
Removing prescription charges for this group would cost a further $6.5 million a year.
Extra workload
If services were free, young people would be more likely to use them, resulting in additional consultations.
GPs argue that, with the zero fees for under-6s, the new subsidy rates were based largely upon consultation rates prior to the price reduction, and that much of the cost of any additional visits has to be absorbed by the GPs themselves, possibly through increased fees for older population groups.
To address this issue, the Green Party would fully fund the extension to 13 to 17-year-olds by providing a further $8 million to cover the expected increase in the number of consultations GPs would have to provide if fees were removed.
The Green Party would roll out the extension to 13 to 17-year-olds from July 2015 so that it dovetailed with the planned extension to age 13.
This would still allow time to negotiate the details of the funding and other arrangements with primary healthcare organisations.
After-hours care
After-hours care is a vital part of the health system, especially for working parents who cannot take their child to the doctor during normal working hours.
This care is, as above, theoretically free for under- 6s as part of the current free GP visits policy.
There is, however, no information on the use by children aged 13-17 of after-hours services, which makes it impossible to estimate the cost of making it free for that age group.
The Green Party is committed to only putting forward policies that are robustly costed.
Furthermore, the Government has not explained how or whether it has properly costed the after-hours component of its extension to age 13.
However, given the significance of this part of the healthcare system, the Green Party would make it an urgent priority in government to work with health providers to establish the cost of after-hours care
and make the case for it to be free for all children up to 17.
The Government estimates the cost for free after-hours care for the under-6s at about $7 million.
We would anticipate it would be more affordable to provide free after-hours care for the the 12 to 17 year group.
Other youth services
The Green Party is committed to supporting existing youth health initiatives, many of which are in a financially fragile state.
We will also support primary care professionals to find more proactive ways to deliver care, for example by strengthening the school-based GP clinics that are occurring in some schools.
In our recently launched 'Schools at the Heart' policy package, the Green Party also committed to funding school nurses in all decile 1 to 4 primary and intermediate schools, to ensure children who need basic healthcare get it when they first need it.
If services were free, young people would be more likely to use them, resulting in additional consultations.
More broadly, the Green Party will negotiate with primary health organisations and pharmacists about how best to improve access to services for young people.
At the same time, we will look at how funding can be adjusted to ensure cheaper access to primary health care for all New Zealanders on low incomes, so that the Government's subsidy is as effective as possible.
Further details on these initiatives will come in the Green Party's full launch of our healthcare policies later in 2014.
Benefits
The benefits will be felt not just in the better health of those young people, but also in improvements to their lifetime health.
Extending free GP visits to young people aged 13-17 will allow us to address the very real health needs that this age group experiences.
This is part of the Green Party's wider commitment to youth health and wellbeing - doing what we can to ensure every child and young person thrives and reaches their full potential.
The benefits will be felt not just in the better health of those young people, but also in improvements to their lifetime health
- and therefore in the savings to us all of a reduced draw on the public health budget.
Extending the scheme will also help reduce avoidable (ambulatory sensitive) hospital admissions - another major drain on health budgets.
In addition, if free GP visits extend only to the age of 13, they will do nothing to address the fact that teenagers often disengage from the health system during a crucial period in their mental, physical and emotional development.
In contrast, extending the scheme until their 18th birthday increases the chances that the health system will be able to provide a seamless transition for them into adult primary healthcare.
Extending free GP visits up to 17-year-olds sends the message that the Green Party will support all young people and has the courage of its convictions to go beyond a smaller extension to age 13, as the current Government proposes.
It will ensure that no child misses out on seeing a GP because their parents cannot afford the fees, and that we catch illness early before it racks up major costs for individuals and the whole of society.
This is a key part of ensuring we have a system that delivers good lives and a healthier future for all.
Climate Protection Plan
Green Party policy paper
Love it.
Protect it.
Preface  3Summary 4The biggest challenge of our time 5New Zealand's leadership role 6The Climate Protection Plan 7Step 1: The New Zealand ClimateCommission 8Step 2: The Climate Tax Cut 9Step 3: Complementary Measures  17Sources 20
Preface by Dr Russel NormanClimate change is the most challenging issue of our time. How we respond to it will define us, and determine the kind of future our children inherit.There are many voices that say that New Zealand must not act because we are too insignificant and it's too hard, or because there may be costs involved.The Green Party says we must act. We have a moral responsibility to do so. But this is not just a question of morality. Taking action on climate change presents a unique opportunity to transition our economy to a smarter, cleaner, more prosperous future.The Green Party will tackle climate change in a fair and responsible way.We are proposing a suite of measures that will put New Zealand on track to being carbon neutral by 2050. Such a goal is not only necessary but also achievable. We can secure a safe, stable climate and, in the process, create new jobs in a smart green economy.This is what responsible governments do when faced with the climate change threat.The current Government has consistently downplayed the threats we face, saying we're too small to make a difference. But it's not in our national character to sit on the fence and watch others get the job done. We're known for our innovation and for our big-heartedness; for embracing the big vision, and working out the means to get there.When we follow others, we feel insignificant; when we stand up for something, we can inspire the world.Climate change will define us as a people, just like being nuclear free did in the 1980s or standing up against apartheid did in the 1970s. We can do it again, this time on the climate. Dr. Russel Norman
Summary
The Green Party’s Climate Protection Plan
“Those who would have us delay have to argue they’re confident the risks are small. It would be an astonishing statement to make in light of all this evidence.” - Lord Stern
Set New Zealand on the path to be carbon neutral by 2050.
Establish a Climate Commission to provide expert and independent advice to the government on: carbon prices, carbon budgets, and complementary measures to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
Phase out the failed Emissions Trading Scheme and set an initial price on carbon: $25 per tonne on CO2 equivalent emissions for all sectors except agriculture and forestry.
Dairy emissions will pay $12.50 per tonne.
Forestry will be credited at $12.50 per tonne.
Recycle all revenues raised from a carbon charge back to families and businesses through a $2,000 income tax-free band
and a one percent company tax cut.
A Climate Tax Cut.
Households will be better off.
Introduce a suite of complementary measures to support the rapid transition to a carbon neutral economy.
The biggest challenge of our time
The Earth's climate is changing.
Human emissions of greenhouse gases for the past two centuries have caused an increase in the concentration of gases in the atmosphere, resulting in an increase in global temperatures, more frequent and intense storms and droughts, and a rise in sea levels.
The first report of the UN's climate-science panel in 1990 drew these conclusions with a confidence level of 90 percent.
In its most recent fifth report in 2013, that confidence level increased to 95 percent.
The temperature rise to date has been 0.85°C.
The extreme weather events we are seeing around the world - Hurricane Sandy in New York, Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, the forest fires in Australia and Russia - are going to become more frequent as a result of these modest temperature increases.
If we continue on our current path, we can expect mean temperature rises of between 1. 0°C and 3. 7°C by 2100.
The international scientific community has specified 2. 0°C as the threshold for averting 'dangerous' climate change.
We can leave our children a planet with a safe, stable climate.
To achieve it, we must reduce our annual global emissions and stabilise the atmospheric concentration of carbon at a safe level.
To stay within the 2°C threshold, the world needs to stay within a 500 billion tonne global carbon budget. 5
This will require massive reductions in emissions, especially from developed countries like New Zealand.
We have a responsibility to play our part.
But New Zealand's greenhouse emissions have increased by 25 percent between 1990 and 2012 - a period when they should have been declining. 6
Even worse, under a National-led government, the Ministry for the Environment projects that New Zealand's net emissions will increase by 50 percent by 2020. 7
New Zealand’s leadership role
To date, New Zealand has failed to commit to our fair share of emissions reductions globally.
Our record is not a proud one.
We are one of a small group of developed countries that have refused to commit to the Kyoto CP-2 framework for negotiating a binding international agreement on climate change.
We are now no longer part of the solution; we are part of the problem.
The Green Party in Government will return to the negotiating table and work tirelessly to achieve a workable, binding global agreement on climate change.
Our bargaining position around that table will be enhanced by our own commitments made here at home - commitments to live within a carbon budget that secures a stable global climate.
At present New Zealanders are amongst the highest per capita emitters in the world.
On average, each one of us emits about 17 tonnes of greenhouse gases per year. 8
Doing nothing will, at the very least, leave New Zealand with a huge carbon liability to pay to offset our emissions.
The world is moving to put a price on carbon and nations will be responsible for their net emission increases.
Treasury estimated that the 2009 changes to weaken the ETS would cost New Zealand around $900 million per year by 2030. 9
If New Zealand continues on its current trajectory of big increases in net emissions above 1990 levels then, when a global agreement on carbon pricing is agreed, the cost to New Zealand will be large.
We estimate the cost at $1. 1-$6. 3 billion per year from 2020, rising to $2. 7-$8. 0 billion per year from 2030. 10
The current Government policy of doing nothing to cut emissions will become very expensive for everyday New Zealand families and businesses.
We need to establish a credible action plan to dramatically lower our emissions - one that will demonstrate our collective commitment to rising to the climate challenge.
The Green Party in Government will ensure that New Zealand will play a leading and constructive role in achieving a fair, effective, and binding agreement.
The Climate Protection Plan
The Green Party has a strategy and action plan to transition our economy to a (net) zero-emission economy by 2050.
New Zealand has a unique carbon profile in the developed world.
Agriculture accounts for half of our emissions, with the dairy sector being the main driver of agricultural emissions growth.
Dairy emissions have more than doubled since 1990.
Transport fuels and deforestation are the other two key drivers of emissions growth here.
However, every country faces a unique set of emissions challenges and opportunities.
We can no longer continue to use our 'uniqueness' as an excuse to opt out.
We must transition our economy to become much more carbon efficient by, amongst other things, adapting our farming practices, our transport networks, and our forestry settings to address climate change.
Step 1
The New Zealand Climate Commission
“Whatever policy mix we cook up, it has to be one that leads to the complete elimination of emissions to the atmosphere from the combustion of fossil fuels in the second half of the century.” - OECD Secretary-General, Mr. Angel Gurria
The Green Party will establish an independent Climate Commission, composed of recognised experts on the subject of climate change and macro-economic policy.
The Commission will become New Zealand's foremost authority on climate change.
The Commission's role will be to advise government on:The emission targets for 2020, 2030, and 2040;
A National Carbon Budget, its component five-year budgets, and the amount that can be carried over between them;
The price and price path settings for carbon;
Complementary measures designed to reduce domestic emissions; and
A national adaptation strategy.
Like the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, the Climate Commissioner will advise government through annual reviews and self-initiated reports.
The Climate Commission will cost $2 million to establish and can be easily funded from the $19 million yearly administrative savings made from phasing out the ETS. 11
Step 2
“Without placing a clear and explicit price on emissions we are, as they say, just ‘pushing at a piece of string’ when it comes to changing consumer, producer and investor behaviour. " - OECD Secretary-General, Mr. Angel Gurria
The Climate Tax Cut - a revenue neutral carbon tax
Credible and consistent carbon pricing must be the cornerstone of government actions to tackle climate change, according to the OECD. 12
Carbon pricing gives firms, farms, and households clear signals around their emissions and the ways to reduce them.
New Zealand's primary mechanism for addressing climate change - the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) - has failed to drive a significant shift to a low-carbon economy.
In the words of New Zealand's first climate change ambassador, "The ETS was designed to incentivise emission reductions, investment in clean technology, and the planting of trees… it is doing none of these things."13
The absence of agriculture in the ETS, a one- for-two surrender obligation, the gifting of free allocations of NZUs (New Zealand carbon credits) to industry, and the lack of limits on cheap foreign credits, have all undermined the ETS and resulted in deforestation and projections of a dramatic rise in emissions in the short-to-medium term.
But it gets worse.
Energy companies have been caught out charging their customers a carbon charge of $25 per tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) while actually paying considerably less. 14
Even the Government's own review of the ETS found that firms have been charging customers a much higher carbon price than the firms themselves are having to pay under the ETS. 15
The lack of transparency around the ETS means that consumers are being forced to pay a carbon charge which polluting firms have been profiting from.
Likewise, some foresters have been gaming the system too.
Questions in Parliament have confirmed that other firms are using the price difference between NZUs and questionable offshore carbon credits to effectively get paid to pollute via the ETS, courtesy of the New Zealand taxpayer. 16
Phasing out the ETS and dealing with existing carbon credits
To ensure a clean start to the carbon tax shift, the Green Party will ensure that current holders of NZUs are treated fairly and transparently.
From June 1, 2014, industrial NZUs will be treated separately from forestry NZUs.
NZUs will no longer be able to be traded across sectors.
Industrial NZUs can be used to pay for carbon emissions redeemable at the current market price of $5 per tonne of CO2e.
We estimate the redemption of industrial NZUs will reduce the amount of carbon tax revenue by $98 million in the early years, so we will introduce a mechanism to stagger the surrender of NZUs.
Those closely involved in the ETS question its validity.
Not one forester recently surveyed believed that the ETS drives any new planting; two thirds of carbon traders believe the ETS does not help New Zealand to reduce its overall emissions; and two thirds of emitters said that the ETS had caused no emission reductions in their company to date. 17
The survey could not find a single trader or emitter who thought the ETS was helping New Zealand transition to a greener economy in the future.
The Emissions Trading Scheme no longer has integrity or legitimacy.
It is time for a clean start.
Forestry NZUs can continue to be traded within the sector and be redeemed on a tonne-for-tonne basis to offset future carbon emissions from deforestation, effectively valuing them at $12. 50 per tonne of CO2e.
Again, to manage any immediate risk of deforestation, we will negotiate a fair mechanism with the sector to discourage hasty cutting.
For example, this could include an NZU redemption moratorium or a phased price transition from the current $5 unit value to $12. 50.
Forestry NZUs currently represent a $469 million liability on the Government's books.
The Green Party will unwind this obligation in a progressive way so that future generations are not left with a potentially unaffordable liability.
The Green Party believes a revenue-neutral carbon tax is a more credible and transparent way to price carbon.
We will transition from an ineffective Emissions Trading Scheme to an effective carbon tax that provides a greater degree of certainty over the price on emissions, creates improved transparency, and provides far stronger incentives for emissions reduction.
The charge on carbon will:Send a consistent price signal to consumers and businesses to encourage them to reduce their carbon footprint;
Send a transparent pricing signal;
Ensure that polluters pay;
Reward businesses and households that are carbon efficient;
Drive innovation, making low-carbon clean technology alternatives more attractive financially;
Generate revenue that will be recycled into income tax cuts to ensure that households are better off financially; and
Generate revenue that will be recycled into company tax cuts to enhance productivity and competitiveness - the 'double dividend' of environmental tax shifts. 18
The Green Party's policy is to set the price of carbon at $25 per tonne of CO2e emissions excluding biological emissions (methane and nitrous oxide) and forestry.
While the Climate Commission will be responsible for the ongoing review of carbon prices, New Zealand's elected leaders must take political responsibility for setting the initial prices on polluting.
For biological emissions, we will set the starting price at $12. 50 per tonne CO2e initially only covering dairy.
This would be matched by a forestry sequestration credit of $12. 50 per tonne of CO2e
with a tax of $12. 50 per tonne for deforestation.
In setting these prices, we considered international comparisons as well as asking economic consultancy BERL to model a variety of scenarios for us.
BERL's full final report can be found on our website at: www. greens. org. nz/climateplan
BERL found that, after recycling some of the carbon tax revenue into income tax cuts, households will be better off as a result of the carbon tax.
"Households will pay more for some of the commodities they consume, but income tax reductions would more than compensate for any price rises.”
The average household will be better off by $319 per year, on average.
Not only will the carbon tax shift benefit families, the climate will be better off too.
Studies in 2009 have estimated that a $25 per tonne carbon tax would reduce emissions by 5. 5 percent across the whole economy. 19
This figure did not account for the additional impact of complementary measures in reducing emissions.
The results in British Columbia have been similar.
BERL's analysis showed that the resulting increase in the costs of fuel and electricity will likely be passed on to consumers with little impact on the bottom lines of these industries.
Carbon tax shift in British Columbia
OECD Secretary-General, Mr Angel Gurria, described the implementation of British Columbia's carbon tax "as near as we have to a textbook case, with wide coverage across sectors and a steady increase in the rate".
British Columbia's centre-right political party, the Liberal Party, implemented a broad-based low rate carbon charge in 2008 of C$10 per tonne of CO2e emissions.
(The proposal took only four months to implement in law.)
The rate has increased annually by C$5 per tonne until reaching its final rate of C$30 per tonne in 2012.
The tax is revenue neutral, meaning every dollar collected is returned to British Columbians through reductions in other taxes and tax credits.
This amounted to a C$1. 2 billion redistribution in 2013/14.
British Columbia's carbon tax shift was reviewed in 2013 to consider the impact the charge was having on the economic competitiveness of the state, especially on agriculture and food production.
The charge was found to have had a small negative impact on GDP.
The review, however, confirmed the current policy settings would remain. 20
How effective has the charge been?
British Columbia's consumption of petroleum fuels has fallen by 16. 4 percent compared to the rest of Canada's since 2008.
Per capita greenhouse gas emissions have fallen 5. 3 percent faster than in the rest of Canada.
Economically, British Columbia has slightly outperformed the rest of Canada.
Ongoing polling shows the charge has remained popular.
No major political party now opposes the tax shift.
However, the carbon tax will have a more significant impact on agriculture, even after some of the revenue is recycled into a reduction in the company tax rate.
A carbon tax set at half the price that households are paying recognises this fact.
For the dairy sector, a $12. 50 per tonne CO2e price is the equivalent to a reduction in the Fonterra pay-out of 8 cents per kilogram of milk solids.
While this is significant, it pales in comparison with the fluctuations in the pay¬out price due to other factors.
While the dairy sector has been enjoying bumper pay-outs, BERL found that even a levy set at $12. 50 per tonne CO2e would have a significant economic impact on sheep and beef farms.
Given this impact, and the fact that sheep and beef greenhouse gas emissions are below 1990 levels, we have decided to temporarily exempt all other biological emissions from the levy except for dairy emissions.
The agriculture sector has some options for reducing biological emissions, in ways that are sustainable,
many of which are also cost effective for farmers.
The Green Party believes that there should be an early and measured phase-in of a levy on greenhouse gas emissions for the whole sector.
This will ensure that the market rewards those farmers who actively reduce their emissions and are more efficient.
A recovery in the profitability of the beef and lamb sector could be one trigger for bringing in sheep and beef.
The Climate Commission will make a recommendation for when all biological emissions will come into the scheme.
To help farmers manage the transition, a system of certification will be developed
to provide incentives for on-farm mitigation, forest management and, in future, other forms of on-farm sequestration.
Fencing and riparian planting done to a certain standard will also be eligible for carbon payments to the extent that they sequester carbon at the same rate as forestry.
Emissions intensive trade exposed businesses believing they are in need of a subsidy will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Any resulting subsidy will be transparent, unlike those issued under the current ETS.
What does a carbon tax mean for a farmer?
Green innovation on the New Zealand farm will be one of our most valuable contributions to global emissions reduction.
Nearly half of our greenhouse gases come from agriculture.
To ignore agriculture's contribution to climate change would be irresponsible.
Putting a price on carbon is in line with Fonterra's recent commitment to biodiversity, as restoring biodiversity on farms is one of the mechanisms available to farms to reduce their net emissions.
We recognise many beef, sheep, and deer farms are financially fragile and have therefore left it to the Climate Commission to give advice on when to bring this group into the system.
(The Climate Commission will have agricultural expertise on it.)
We have also recognised that farmers compete internationally and can't pass on increased costs.
Therefore we have set the agricultural rate at half the base rate faced by other polluters.
Currently there is little farmers can do to cut methane emissions from cows, but there are measures farmers can take with feedstock, manure control, stocking intensities, and riparian planting to lower their carbon footprint.
We will reward farms that have taken mitigating actions through a certification scheme.
The Ministry of Primary Industries will independently certify low emission farmers enabling them to claim a tax rebate.
The carbon tax will lower the average dairy farm pay-out by 8 cents/kg of milk solids.
Dairy NZ's analysis shows the profitability of low intensity farms is highest due to lower input costs. 21
With a carbon tax, that trend will become stronger, driving better environmental outcomes on our farms and cleaner rivers and lakes as a result.
Furthermore, a price on carbon emissions will nudge the dairy sector towards a more value added strategy and away from a simple volume strategy.
All revenues to be recycled
To ensure the carbon tax benefits are shared fairly, all revenue raised will be returned to households and businesses through tax adjustments.
No household will be financially worse off as a result of the levy
while businesses will receive the benefits of a company tax cut to help them better adjust to a price on carbon.
Households will be significantly better off.
Businesses will enjoy a tax-cut
and low- carbon businesses will enjoy a competitive advantage over their high-carbon competitors who will face increased costs under the plan.
With a carbon tax set at $25 per tonne of CO2e ($12. 50 per tonne for dairying), BERL forecasts a likely initial revenue stream of $1. 1 billion.
After adjusting for forestry credits, enough revenue will be available to introduce a new income tax-free threshold of $2,000
and provide for a one percent cut in the company tax rate.
The Green Party will establish a transparent Climate Fund to ensure all revenues from the carbon tax are recycled into income tax reductions for all taxpayers and businesses.
The Climate Commission will regularly review the tax-free threshold settings to ensure it is commensurate with the revenues being generated from the carbon tax.
Step 3
Complementary Measures
“A purely market- driven process will not be able to deliver the changes needed at the scale and speed demanded by the climate crisis. ” - United Nations Environment Programme
To help accelerate the technological change required by farmers, businesses, and consumers to adapt to a low-carbon future, we will implement a suite of complementary measures to ensure we meet our emission reduction targets.
Many of these measures will have far- reaching co-benefits in terms of job creation, human health, business innovation, and environmental remediation.
The Green Party will introduce the following measures to complement a price on carbon:
1.  Green Energy
• Set a renewable electricity generation target of 100 percent by 2030;
• Introduce NZ Power to lower household electricity prices by $300 per year
and progressive pricing giving a low-cost block of electricity to households each month, while retaining the marginal retail price signal for energy efficiency;
• Through our Solar Homes plan, offer households low-cost loans from the government to pay for solar power installation, to be repaid via their rates, enabling them to enjoy free, sustainable power for decades;
• Require electricity retailers to pay a fair price for those feeding-in electricity with grid-connected renewable generation;
• Create incentives to help the fledgling biofuel industry develop its $6.1 billion economic potential sooner; 24
• Strengthen the Resource Management Act so that no new coal mines will be permitted.
(Existing coal mines can run their course. ); and
• Extend the Heat Smart home insulation programme to a further 200,000 homes.
2.  Green Transport
• Reprioritise transport spending to low- carbon alternatives like fast and reliable buses and trains and safe, separated walking and cycling facilities;
• Remove the regulatory barriers to high quality, compact urban development;
• Set average fuel-economy standards for light vehicles entering New Zealand;
• Introduce a 'feebate' market mechanism to make it more affordable to buy electric and hybrid cars, which are cheaper and cleaner to run;
• Invest in low carbon freight transport infrastructure,
increasing the competitiveness of rail and coastal shipping to move goods; and
• Support alternative fuels for trucks
and smart operational management tools that increase the efficiency of freight moved by road.
3.  Green Finance
• Establish the Green Investment Bank to partner with the private sector to accelerate the funding and investment in low carbon, resource efficient projects;
• Remove National's current subsidies for oil and raise oil drilling royalty rates to international averages;
• Green government procurement and certification processes to drive the rapid commercialisation of clean technologies and manufacturing processes; and
• Boost government funding for R&D.
4. Green Farms & Forests
• Introduce a certification system for on- farm mitigation of agricultural emissions and associated environmental farm improvements enabling farmers to claw back some of the costs arising from a carbon tax;
• Credit back the carbon captured from riparian planting and fencing on farms done to a national standard.
Planting and fencing our rivers and streams will have significant co-benefits for water quality, biodiversity protection, and erosion control;
• Negotiate a special agreement with the Iwi Leadership Forum to strengthen the financial base for forestry schemes established under Treaty of Waitangi settlements;
• Strengthen the East Coast Forestry Project, the Afforestation Grants Scheme, and the Permanent Forests Incentive Scheme; and
• Enhanced financial support for pest control schemes in native forests.
A carbon certification scheme for farms
The biological emissions levy on dairy production will impact on the net profit of dairy farmers.
For simplicity, the levy is likely be applied at the processor level rather than the farm-gate, meaning that the individual farmer will face the $12. 50 per tonne CO2e levy in proportion to the amount of milk solids produced irrespective of good farm practice.
To ensure the levy incentivises on farm emission reductions, the Green Party will establish an on-farm certification scheme designed to allow income-tax credits for innovative green dairying practices and techniques.
That way, good farmers can claw back a part of the levy.
Riparian planting, better manure management, better fertiliser application, reduced nitrate run-off, improved feedstock practices, and lower more profitable stocking rates are examples of what might qualify for credit under the certification scheme.
Smart Farming for Clean Rivers
Green Party election priority
Cleaner Environment Fairer Society Smarter Economy
Introduction3Summary6Situation7Solution10Benefits16
Introduction
We love our rivers.
That is why one of the Green Party's top election priorities is to make New Zealand rivers clean enough to swim in again.
Farmers have an important role to play in making this become a reality.
This paper is about smarter farming for clean rivers.
New Zealand families should be able to head down to their local swimming hole or beach and jump straight in the water without worrying about getting sick.
Sadly, latest figures show that nearly two-thirds of our monitored recreational river sites are too polluted for swimming 1, one-third of our lakes are unhealthy, 2 and three-quarters of our native freshwater fish are threatened or at risk of extinction. 3
Successive governments have allowed significant deterioration of our freshwater quality.
Our rivers are now in crisis.
In July 2014, we launched our Green Party plan for clean rivers 4 which includes:
Establishing a protected rivers network to permanently safeguard our most precious rivers similar to the permanent protection given to national parks;
Implementing new standards and rules for water quality that ensure our rivers and lakes are clean enough to swim in, rather than National's weak rules that mean you can only safely dip your toe in.
Our rules will apply to all rivers, and will impact on all polluting activities including industry, farming, and the discharge of urban waste water.
Historically, the main source of water pollution in Aotearoa New Zealand was end-of-pipe type pollution from industry and council waste water systems.
New Zealand has significantly reduced this type of pollution,
but these gains have been erased by an increase in diffuse agricultural pollution that comes from having put too many animals and too much fertiliser on our farmland.
Pollution from dairying is no longer about farmers breaching rules, rather it is a matter of weak rules and intensification.
Pollution from dairying is no longer about farmers breaching the rules and putting their effluent into streams.
Nowadays most farmers care about the environment and work very hard to farm within the rules.
The problem now is a matter of weak rules and too much land use intensification.
In some places there are too many livestock for the plants and soil to absorb all the nitrogen in their urine and pathogens in their faeces.
The National Government's weak National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management, its lack of controls on polluting land uses, and weak bottom lines for water quality, combined with National's push for more irrigation and intensification, mean that water quality continues to decline.
In too many areas stock still have access to waterways because they're not fenced off.
It is time to ensure that livestock don't trample and pug up the banks of our rivers, contribute to soil erosion and increased sediment levels, or foul the rivers with their excrement.
It is also time to put a price on irrigation water.
Our rivers, lakes, and groundwater are part of the commons, and those that use this resource for private profit should pay for this privilege.
Summary
Our smart farming for clean rivers policy has two key elements.
We will:Implement a National Environment Standard for Fencing of Livestock and Riparian Strips.
Our standard will require livestock to be fenced out of all waterways, lakes, and permanent wetlands.
Riparian strips will be required, meaning that the fences must be set back from waterways, leaving a buffer zone of vegetation.
Intensive agricultural operations will be required to permanently fence their waterways to a set standard with setbacks by 1 July 2017.
Non-intensive cattle operations will be required to exclude stock from waterways by 1 July 2017,
but that can be done with temporary fencing in the first instance, with a deadline for permanent fencing to be determined by an expert panel in consultation with industry.
This expert panel will also determine the fencing requirements and deadlines for other types of non-intensive livestock farming.
Farmers will be able to get carbon credits for the CO2 sequestered by planting on their riparian strips and we will give them an incentive to get started with a $100m fund over three years.
Introduce a resource rental charge on the use of water for irrigation.
This charge will be determined with stakeholder consultation,
and the revenue generated will be ring-fenced for water clean-up initiatives.
A resource rental charge on the use of water for irrigation will drive more efficient use of this precious resource and the funds generated will be used for water clean-up.
Situation
A decade ago, the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, Dr J Morgan Williams, investigated the impact of intensification of dairying in New Zealand.
He described New Zealand's farming systems as “financially and environmentally brittle.” 6
This has never been truer than it is today.
In the time since the Commissioner's observation, the total amount of land in dairying has increased by another 18 percent, 7 and on each of those hectares we are squeezing in more cows than ever before.
This land use intensification is the main cause of water quality decline.
An article published by National Institute of Water and Atmosphere (NIWA) says: "There is no doubt that our declining river water quality over the last 20 years is associated with intensification of pastoral farming and the conversion of dry stock farmland to dairy farming, particularly in Waikato, Southland, and Canterbury.
For example, between 1992 and 2002, the number of cows in Waikato increased by 37 percent; during the same period nitrogen levels in the region's streams increased by 40 percent and phosphorus levels went up by 25 percent.” 8
Many of our rivers are in bad shape, and the situation is only going to worsen under National.
National had the chance to put controls on intensification with its National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management (NPS), but it chose not to, against expert advice.
Furthermore, National is making water quality worse by subsidising the development of irrigation schemes.
National has allocated $120 million from the Future Investment Fund - generated by the partial sale of New Zealand state-owned energy companies - to subsidise large irrigation schemes. 9
If elected, National will spend $280 million more. 10
National's irrigation subsidy is a perverse price signal; it's an incentive to pollute.
Large-scale irrigation will lead to increasing land use intensification - putting more animals and fertiliser on the land - and the science clearly shows that this leads to increased water pollution.
Sadly, the taxpayer will have to pay twice for this government handout.
Under National, not only will the taxpayer contribute money to irrigation schemes, the taxpayer will foot the bill for the pollution that the irrigation schemes create.
We are already contributing over $300 million to a small number of freshwater clean-up projects,11 however, this is just a fraction of what is needed to fix the mess.
Rather than subsidising pollution, and pollution clean-up, the Green Party will prevent the pollution in the first place.
Not only will this protect the environment, this will help safeguard New Zealanders' health.
Last year, the Canterbury medical officer of health Dr Alistair Humphrey expressed concern about high levels of nitrate in rural drinking water, blaming intensive farming and irrigation. 12
The regional public health watchdog was worried that the high levels of nitrates found in Canterbury groundwater could cause blue baby syndrome, a potentially fatal condition.
If a newborn is fed bottle formula using water with high levels of nitrate, the nitrate can bind to haemoglobin, starving the newborn of oxygen, and turning their mouth, hands, and feet blue.
But water pollution isn't just a threat to the health of newborns.
Every year, New Zealanders contract 18,000-34,000 cases of waterborne illnesses. 13
Under National, these statistics are likely to get worse.
The problem is that National is going about agriculture the wrong way; they are still looking at maximising profits in the dairy industry by maximising production volumes.
Now that we are reaching the limits of the land and water, this strategy will fail.
Firstly, in the process of maximising production, we are undermining a key component of our profitability, which is New Zealand's clean, green brand.
Secondly, as stocking intensities increase, so do input costs (like feed), which cut profit margins.
Thirdly, with New Zealand's relatively higher land and labour costs, other countries are likely to undercut a high-volume commodity strategy over time.
To get the most from our agricultural sector the Green Party won't seek to produce ever increasing amounts of milk power.
New Zealand can create products with greater value than those currently produced.
Rather than supplying anonymous bulk commodities to the world, we can develop new food products, products with longer shelf-lives, products with low allergy properties, pharmaceutical products,
or products that can fetch a premium because of the ethical or environmentally friendly way in which they are produced.
We can offer food that customers want - food with a story of environmental protection, animal welfare, safety, and traceability.
We can use our expertise to develop modern agricultural methods and technology that can also be exported,
helping other countries to reduce their environmental impact and ensure clean food.
Essentially, the Green Party's vision for agriculture is a strategy about maximising value, not volume.
We can help achieve that value-add strategy through brand protection, which is what our Smart Farming for Clean Rivers policy is about.
Solution
Our Smart Farming for Clean Rivers policy has two key elements.
We will:Introduce a National Standard for Fencing of Livestock and Riparian Strips
Fencing
The Green Party will implement a National Environment Standard (NES) for Fencing of Livestock and Riparian Planting that will require fencing to keep livestock out of all waterways, lakes, and permanent wetlands, and encourage riparian planting.
Fencing off streams to keep stock out of water is the first step in preventing diffuse pollution from farms.
It stops direct deposits of urine and faeces in our waterways and stops erosion of riverbanks.
Currently, the dairy industry has voluntarily committed to fencing all streams that are larger than one metre wide and deeper than 30 centimetres, by 2017.
When pollution enters a small stream, it is carried all the way to where it joins larger streams.
So it makes no sense to leave these smaller streams unfenced.
The dairy sector recognises this too.
According to Fonterra, farmers have already voluntarily fenced 8,000km of streams that are smaller than one metre wide.
We will appoint an expert advisory group to consult with scientists, regional councils, industry, other stakeholders, and the public to determine the definition of waterway to which the fencing standard will apply.
However, we know that the definition of a waterway needs to be more stringent than that of the voluntary standard of the dairy industry, in order to protect our rivers and lakes.
Riparian strips
Our fencing standard will require fences to be set back from the waterway in order to provide the space for a buffer zone of vegetation, called a riparian strip.
Ideally a riparian strip is covered with a range of plants, including dense ground cover, grasses, shrubs, or trees whose roots take up nutrients from runoff as they grow. 14
With consultation, our expert advisory will also determine the detailed rules about the size of setbacks.
Science dictates that the best practice requirements for setbacks will differ depending on the size of the stream, and the intensity of the farming operations in the surrounding area.
The benefits of riparian strips are well documented.
As the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment has noted: "A well- designed riparian strip with actively growing dense ground cover will typically reduce the phosphorus that would otherwise get into the water by about 60 percent.
Well-designed riparian strips that have deep-rooted plants are most effective for nitrogen removal and typically will remove about 40 percent of the nitrogen in water that flows through them.” 15
This nutrient uptake is important because nitrogen and phosphorous that reach our rivers and lakes act as pollutants that can lead to algal blooms and related detrimental effects which impact fish and other wildlife.
Timeframes
Intensive agricultural operations16 will be required to permanently fence their waterways with setbacks by 1 July 2017.
"Grandfathering" will apply to existing permanent fences;
this exemption will be reviewed in 10 years.
Non-intensive farms will be required to exclude cattle from waterways by 1 July 2017.
This can be done with either temporary or permanent fencing.
However, a later deadline for introducing permanent fencing for non-intensive cattle will be determined by our expert panel,
in consultation with industry and other stakeholders.
Our expert panel will also consult and then determine the fencing requirements and deadlines for other types of non-intensive livestock farming.
When the NES comes into effect, there will be an immediate requirement for all intensive and non-intensive operations to use and maintain existing fences where they already exclude stock from waterways (i. e. no leaving the gate open).
Support for farm businesses
Planting of the setback areas will not be mandatory under the NES,
however, planting of riparian strips is beneficial for stream health.
As an incentive, the Green Party will assist with the cost of planting riparian strips by contributing $100 million over three years.
These funds will be administered by regional councils
with landowners being expected to match the Government contribution in kind, or dollar-for-dollar.
A further incentive to plant riparian strips is that emissions reductions resulting from the planting will be eligible to receive payments under the Green Party's Climate Protection Plan. 17
Payments would be in line with the forestry sector, which will initially receive $12. 50 per tonne of CO2 sequestered.
A positive spinoff of our NES for Fencing of Livestock and Riparian Strips is that it will create new jobs in the regions.
The Raglan Story 18
In 1990 the Whaingaroa Harbour was in bad shape.
Sediment from the land was building-up on the flats that had once been sand, fish stocks had declined to the point where snapper catches were the lowest in the North Island, and surfers complained that their scrapes were getting infected.
To improve the ecology and water quality of the Harbour, the Raglan community started the Whaingaroa Harbour Care (WHC) project in 1995.
WHC began by fencing livestock away from the harbour, and out of some of its tributaries.
They encouraged farmers to fence and plant their streambanks, to restore wetlands, and retire and plant their erosion prone land.
This project has had enormous benefits to the ecology of the harbour.
But the project also had other benefits, including:
Economic benefits for farming operations.
Farmers lose fewer stock in wet areas, have smaller vet bills, reduced costs for digging drains, reduced costs of weed control in riparian areas, reduced fertiliser costs as a result of retiring unproductive land, increased land values, and better pasture quality.
Economic benefits for local businesses.
Kayaking and motels started using the clean harbour as a draw card.
Benefits of a more healthy fishery.
In 1990, a Ministry of Fisheries' survey showed that, on average, recreational fishers were taking one fish every 18 hours, but that improved to one fish every two hours by 2006; In 1990, the local fishery supported just three commercial fishers, but within 15 years supported eight.
Increased employment and training.
WHC has provided work and training for over 70 people.
Increased cohesion and social capital.
Increased environmental skills and awareness.
2.  Implement a charge on irrigation water
The OECD recommended in its Economic Survey of New Zealand 2010 (19) that we use market-based instruments to allocate water more efficiently.
In 2011, officials from the New Zealand Treasury 20 and the Ministry for the Environment 21 recommended that the Government consider a price on water
to drive water use efficiency.
In line with these recommendations, the Green Party will implement a charge on the use of irrigation water.
This charge will apply to irrigation water and not other uses such as hydro or municipal use because irrigation is a consumptive use for private profit.
Hydro schemes should not be charged because generally they do not "use up" water, meaning the water they use can be used by others downstream, and domestic use should not be charged because people are not profiting from the use of water in their houses.
We would consult industry and other stakeholders on the level and methods of charging, whether volumetric, valumetric, or a combination of both, whether on consented allocation, actual use, or a combination of both, and to determine whether the charge is best levied by central government or regional councils.
Consultation with stakeholders is important because we want to get the price right, perhaps phasing in the charge over time; our aim is to positively affect business behaviour and drive more efficient water use,
without putting farmers out of business.
There are outstanding Te Tiriti issues relating to freshwater and a price on irrigation water is in no way intended to prejudice those Treaty negotiations.
A charge for the use of water for irrigation will not confer ownership or the privatisation of water.
Simply put, the charge on irrigation water will reflect that freshwater is a common good, and that the use of this public good for private profit should result in a direct benefit going back to both the environment and the wider community.
Ring-fence revenue for river clean-ups
We will ring-fence the money generated by the irrigation charge for water pollution clean-up initiatives.
Clean-up initiatives are expensive and currently it is largely the taxpayer that pays the bill.
Already we are contributing over $300 million to a small number of freshwater clean-up projects. 22
However, this is just a fraction of what is needed.
Rather than the taxpayer contributing the lion's share of the money used for water clean-up projects, the Green Party will use the revenue generated from the irrigation levy to fund water clean-up initiatives.
Story: charging for irrigation water in IsraelIn Israel, a charge for the agricultural use of water has driven innovation and efficiency gains that has seen agricultural producers maintain or even increase their profits while using far less of the country's scare water supply.In response to an extended drought in the early 1990s, the Israeli Government increased the price of water supplied to agriculture while reducing water supply quotas. Although farmers were affected in the short¬term, there has been no long-term negative impact on production, and in some sectors production has grown. This is because farmers adapted to the new regulations by investing in highly efficient computerized and drip irrigation technologies that reduced their water demand. Farmers also focused on replacing marginal plantations with drought-resistant trees such as olive and almond, capturing storm runoff, and inventing technologies to improve the reuse of wastewater.Water use optimisation technologies are now big business: In 2009, more than 200 of Israel's 400 water companies exported their technology, worth NZ$3.8 billion.
Benefits
Smart Farming for Clean Rivers will help make our rivers clean enough for swimming,
while protecting farmer profitability in the long term.
The current trend of trying to maximise agricultural profits by maximising production volumes is impacting on our water quality and undermining the clean, green brand upon which our exports depend.
Our Smart Farming for Clean Rivers policy is about protecting our brand and looking to maximise value, not volume.
Protecting our rivers is an investment.
In 2001, a study by the Ministry for the Environment noted that if we maintain the status quo and freshwater quality continues to degrade, this could adversely affect our clean, green image
and result in a loss of $241 -$560 million per year to the dairy industry
and a $530-$938 million loss per year to the tourism industry. 24
The benefit of clean rivers goes beyond the benefit to our economy.
This policy will benefit all New Zealanders who, for generations to come, will get to enjoy the Kiwi birth right of being able to head down to the local swimming hole for a dip without the fear of getting sick from the water.
This policy will also help protect community supplies of drinking water and help avoid the estimated 18,000-34,000 cases of water-borne illnesses that New Zealanders contract every year. 25
It will also be easier to collect fish and other kai from our rivers.
Rivers that are clean enough for swimming are also healthy for fish and other freshwater species.
Fish, insects, and other wildlife killed off by pollution will return to regenerating rivers.
This is good news for the environment and everyone who chooses to spend time in it.
In short, cleaning up our rivers is win, win, win.
It is good for people,
the environment,
and the economy.
Green Investment Bank
Green Party policy paper
Smarter Greener Economics
Summary3What is the Green Investment Bank? 5How much will it cost?7Not the first of its kind8Priority cleantech sectors for investment • 9 Sources 10
Summary
The Green Investment Bank is one of a number of initiatives that will support the rapid and successful transition of the New Zealand economy onto a more sustainable footing,
lowering our carbon emissions,
and creating clean, well-paying jobs.
Decoupling our economic prosperity from environmental damage and resource depletion is the single largest economic and environmental challenge of our time.
Countries around the world have responded to this challenge with policies and pricing mechanisms that nudge their economies towards a smarter, greener pathway.
The potential economic gains from low carbon development are too significant to be ignored… with the right policies, the clean technology sector in New Zealand could be worth between NZ$7. 5 billion and NZ$22 billion to the economy by 2015. – PricewaterhouseCoopers
1.  Establish a government-owned for-profit Green Investment Bank
to act as an independent and expert facilitator of private sector capital
to help lead the transition to a smarter, greener economy.
2.  Cost: $120 million over three years to be paid for by raising oil royalty rates to international averages and reprioritising government spending.
3.  In time, see billions of dollars of (mainly) private sector finance funding new renewable energy plants, solar panel installations, energy efficiency retrofits, the development and production of significant volumes of biofuels, and clean technology projects.
Institutional investors have an important role in decarbonising and transforming our global economy. - UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon
The cleantech sector has been taking off internationally.
The global market for clean technology is forecast to reach NZ$8. 8 trillion by 2015.
Forecast compound annual growth rates are as high as 84 percent for clean road transport and 28 percent for building efficiency materials.
Geothermal energy has a projected compound annual growth rate of 18 percent to become a NZ$5. 8 billion market by 2015. 1
Here at home, the National Government has neglected the potential of this sector in favour of the oil and gas industry.
Without the right policies, price signals, and supportive partner institutions in place, private capital has continued to fund carbon and resource intense investments in New Zealand while starving the emerging cleantech sector of the capital it needs to take off.
This is not a smart or sustainable way to run our economy for the long term.
To achieve a step-change towards our smarter, greener future - and the job rich opportunities that a clean economy delivers - our capital markets need revitalising to create the right incentives to redirect capital into the sustainable economy.
The Green Party has already proposed a suite of measures to help lead this redirection of capital and put our economy on a low-carbon pathway and will announce further measures throughout the year.
The key policies announced to date include establishing a fair price on carbon
and a comprehensive tax on capital gains
(excluding the family home).
To further nudge the flow of private capital investment into green infrastructure and industry, the Green Party will establish a Green Investment Bank that specialises in the financing of new, currently unfunded opportunities in the green economy.
Development banks have proven that smart public financing can spur. . . private sector investments and meet the growing demand for energy and climate resilience. - UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon
What is the Green Investment Bank?
The Green Investment Bank is one of a number of initiatives that will support the rapid and successful transition of the New Zealand economy onto a more sustainable footing,
lowering our carbon emissions,
and creating clean, well-paying jobs.
Billions of dollars need to be invested into New Zealand's cleantech sector over the next decade if we are to meet our greenhouse gas reduction targets and decouple our economy from oil and coal.
The Green Investment Bank (the Bank) will primarily act as an independent and expert facilitator of green capital.
It will match funders to projects that produce financial and environmental dividends providing additional capital, where needed, and cleantech investment expertise.
The Bank will specialise solely in sustainable investment, attracting capital to projects that need the specialist financial knowledge to succeed and that are not currently being funded.
The Bank will start with an initial line of government credit and deploy a majority of its capital in the priority areas of carbon reduction and energy and resource efficiency.
Qualifying projects must be on the cusp of being mainstream investible.
The Bank will be run as a for-profit investment bank, acting as a catalyst for private sector investment into the green economy
- not a competitor.
It will seek private sector capital for cleantech investments
until a time when these investments become mainstream commercial.
Case Study: BioJouleBioJoule was a New Zealand hi-tech company developing technology to convert shrubby willow grown in the Taupo area into ethanol for transport fuel and lignin for high- value plastics applications.BioJoule was unable to raise sufficient capital in New Zealand to take the patented technology to market. In 2007, the intellectual property was sold to Vertichem - an overseas-based company. BioJoule CEO Stephen Hall said at the time: "It has been difficult to raise capital or grant funding in New Zealand so international involvement is required."
"
The Green Investment Bank will apply a commercial filter to investment decisions.
It will focus on projects and technologies at the later stages of development.
It will invest responsibly and manage risk so it is financially self-sufficient and achieves a target rate of return at or above the government's bond rate.
The filter will be more flexible than the private sector equivalent, as the Bank has a public policy purpose and values any positive externalities being generated.
It will be vital for the Bank to be seen making good returns
to ensure an enduring shift of private sector capital into the cleantech economy.
Like the New Zealand Superannuation Fund, the Bank will be entirely independent of government, partnering with private sector lenders and investors aiming to "crowd-in" capital,
rather than crowd it out.
Any lending will be new money not otherwise able to be raised from the traditional capital markets.
The Bank complements Green Party measures already announced, like a capital gains tax and a fair price on carbon, which will make available increasing amounts of private sector capital seeking more productive investment outcomes.
The Bank will be required to run in a transparent and responsible manner, committing to the United Nations Principles of Responsible Investment, which embed best practice environmental, social, and governance concerns into investment decision-making.
To promote best practice reporting, the Bank will produce a full set of environmental reports alongside its financial statements.
How much will it cost?
An independent working group will first be appointed to determine the final size, shape, and institutional form the Green Investment Bank takes.
There will be negligible cost in year one.
In year two, we expect to set up the Bank along the lines recommended by the expert group.
The Clean Energy Finance Corporation in Australia cost A$18 million to establish while the Green Investment Bank in the UK - established by the Conservative Government led by David Cameron - cost £8. 2 million to set up.
By year three, the Bank would have a government line of credit open to it to lend on an as-needed basis.
We envision up to $100 million could be lent out in its first full year of operation.
By ending fossil fuel subsidies and raising the overall tax take from oil companies from 46 percent to the global average of 70 percent, we'll have more than enough to cover this initial outlay of capital. 2
By 2020, the Bank could have investments valuing $1 billion.
Based on the experience of green banks in the UK and Australia, a capital outlay of $1 billion would attract a further $3 billion in private sector funding to secure almost $4 billion of new capital for green investment in New Zealand within six years. 3
The Bank will be expected to cover the on¬going running costs from investment returns.
The Clean Energy Finance Corporation in Australia currently employs 50 staff and spends $20 million each year on running costs - equivalent to one percent of its capital deployed.
The Corporation's total yield on its investment portfolio is 7. 33 percent which is 4. 22 percent over its cost of funds. 4
The fact that the government enjoys a reduced cost of borrowing and is able to deploy 'patient' capital enables more potential green investment projects to be considered.
It is expected that some investments will be sold off in time to recycle the capital into more productive uses.
The Kiwibank storyKiwibank was founded on November 29, 2001 with an initial capital injection of $80 million in its first year of operation. As the bank grew, more capital was injected on an as-needed basis. Total capital injected to date stands at $360 million of share capital, $150 million of bond capital, and $412 million of accumulated profits. Kiwibank today controls assets worth $16.1 billion dollars.Kiwibank's success benefits the wider economy. Additional competition lowers the cost of borrowing and, being New Zealand owned and controlled, means greater amounts of capital stay in New Zealand for reinvestment.
Not the first of its kind
The idea for a Green Investment Bank is not new.
The state-owned and self-financing KfW Development Bank in Germany has successfully operated since 1948.
Since this time, KfW has grown to become one of the world's most successful development banks, financing €73 billion of investments, one-third of which involve an environmental or climate protection dimension. 5
Green development banks are common through Europe and are also found in Japan, Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates.
Three states of America - California, New York, and Connecticut - have newly established green banks.
Both the UK and Australia have established green banks, although the newly-elected Abbott Government has announced the imminent closure of Australia's Clean Energy Finance Corporation.
The world's major green banks are mobilising more than $NZ450 billion of capital for investing into the green economy. 6
Bonds tied to green investments are booming too.
Twenty-five of the world's largest banks - including Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Citi, JPMorgan, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs, HSBC, and Morgan Stanley - recently released the governance framework for a green bond market. 7
US$11 billion of green bonds were issued in 2013.  World Bank President, Jim Yong Kim, predicts $50 billion of green bonds will be issued in 2015. 8
Biofuels future in a smart green economyNinety-nine percent of New Zealand's transport energy comes from oil. Electric cars offer some opportunities but will not replace the 206 petajoules of non¬renewable energy annually used by the transport sector.9 Anticipated savings from complementary energy efficiency measures, like more fuel-efficient vehicles, will only get us so far. Biofuels will be a key component of decoupling transport from carbon.Biofuels from forestry waste products in particular offer a viable alternative to oil imports but the technology and infrastructure required is currently not being funded by the private sector. We can reduce oil use in the transport sector by up to 50 percent by 2050 by using New Zealand's vast energy resources in our exotic forests.10The commercialisation of technology to turn forestry wood waste into biofuels for transport will have significant co-benefits for jobs and reduce our reliance on oil imports. Business and Economic Research Ltd (BERL) estimates 27,000 new jobs can be created in the bioenergy sector throughout rural New Zealand while saving more than $7 billion in oil imports each year.11
Priority cleantech sectors for investment
The Green Investment Bank will operate at arms-length from government
but will operate under a mandate to prioritise investment in decarbonising our economy and making our economy more resource and energy efficient.
This will likely include securing new investment in renewable energy plants, solar panel installations, energy efficiency retrofits, the development and production of significant volumes of biofuels, and a wide range of clean technology projects.
The National Government's weakening of the Emissions Trading Scheme and its renewed emphasis on oil and gas exploration has delayed the necessary transition our economy needs to make to achieve a low carbon/stable climate future.
In fact, the most recent report to the United Nations on climate change shows that New Zealand's emissions are set to climb steeply in the next 20 years.
Under current policy settings, our net emissions are projected to rise to almost 85 Gg of CO2 by 2030 which is 160 percent above 1990 levels.
We are dramatically failing to step up and play our part in addressing the climate change challenge.
One of our priorities in Government will be to establish a fair price on carbon.
A fair price on carbon will also support green investment.
The Bank will offer the necessary expertise to facilitate the redirection of significant amounts of private sector capital into the nascent cleantech sector in New Zealand.
Smart Green ICT
Green Party election priority
Cleaner Environment Fairer Society Smarter Economy
Introduction2Summary3Situation4Solution7Costs11
Introduction
Innovation lies at the heart of a smart, green economy.
A smart economy is one which has well-paying jobs
and allows the environment to thrive.
A smart economy is jobs-rich,
fair,
and innovative.
It produces less pollution, uses fewer resources,
is mostly New Zealand owned,
and is in good financial balance with the rest of the world.
The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector can make a significant contribution to a thriving, smarter New Zealand.
The ICT sector can have an operating environment in which it can flourish.
We can invest in talent, championing local industry and supporting ICT as a core part of the smart green economy.
The ICT sector is a high wage sector
which has a light environmental footprint.
Exporting ideas and bytes is a great way to overcome the constraint of isolation that New Zealand faces.
Investment in ICT also has paybacks in other sectors of the economy.
For example, a United States study has found that well connected rural regions performed better economically. 1
By promoting a greater exchange of ideas and increasing the adoption of new farm technology, the internet will enhance New Zealand's agricultural competitive advantage.
This paper focuses on the ICT sector, but the benefits will spill over to the whole economy.
The Green Party has a proven track record when it comes to ICT.
We led the way calling for the much needed second undersea fibre optic cable, a chief technology officer, internet rights and freedoms as well as work on copyright and software patents.
Summary
The Green Party will help secure the long-term prosperity of New Zealand by supporting investment and innovation in the Information, Communications and Technology sector.
We will nurture the innovation ecosystems that support successful translation of bright ideas into successful companies.
The Green Party will:Help address the skills shortage by working alongside industry to support internship programmes to grow New Zealand's pool of talent  providing more funding for PhD and Masters scholarships in disciplines that support ICT
Create a Game Development Fund to support New Zealand's game development industry to grow
Help provide an operating environment for business to thrive by ensuring Government ICT procurement supports local businesses
increasing funding of R&D via tax credits
Create a Chief Technology Advisor to provide independent advice to government on technology issues
Situation
A thriving ICT sector brings many benefits to the New Zealand economy - from more well paid jobs to increased overseas export earnings.
New Zealand can benefit from this internationally high growth area.
The Government's sector report produced by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment 2 identifies the ICT sector as contributing five percent of GDP and employing 73,392 New Zealanders.
That's double the equivalent figure of GDP contribution and about ten times as many people employed as in mining. 3
The number of people employed in Information Technology (IT) Services in New Zealand had an annual growth of 3.4 percent over the last ten years. 4
Looking at the companies categorised as Computer System Design, this increases to 5.2 percent, 5 and wages and salaries in Computer Systems Design are twice the New Zealand average and are growing more rapidly.
While there is a deficit of exports of computer and information services compared to imports, exports have grown faster than imports.
Exports of IT services have grown at ten percent per annum since 2002. 6
While there are already many success stories there are still barriers to the sectors growth.
We can only see a short distance ahead, but we can see plenty there that needs to be done. - Alan Turing, father of modern computer science
The skills shortage
The National Government's own reports identify the skills shortage in the ICT sector as one of the sector's main challenges. 7
This is also backed by evidence from the sector, 8 and is reflected in the fact that ICT jobs are included on the long term skill shortage list. 9
Businesses face difficulties recruiting staff.
The Statistics New Zealand Business Operations Survey 201210 found half of Computer Systems Design companies found it difficult to recruit managers and skilled staff.
The cost and the lack of appropriate personnel and management resources were two of the main barriers to exporting cited by businesses.
While the digital economy contributes between $1 billion and $2 billion of exports to the New Zealand economy, we can do better by reducing the barriers, like the skills shortage, that many firms face.
More exports means more jobs for New Zealanders.
Lack of Government Support
Two main areas where support is lacking are government procurement and government use of Open Standards.
Current procurement policies are indifferent to the local ICT sector, resulting in the purchasing of proprietary software from foreign companies.
The Government's approximate $2 billion annual IT spend could play a key role in developing the local industry.
Local IT companies are cost effective, with a 25-35 per cent cost advantage over Australian companies and larger cost advantages compared to the United States or United Kingdom. 11
The opportunities of Open Standards and Open Source
Open Standards mean that data is stored and formatted in a way that is clearly defined and accessible, and preserves access to the data.
In contrast, a proprietary format allows one company to control the data, reducing the ability of competitors to offer solutions.
For example, the US's federal courts' online public access system has recently removed access to many case files due to a software upgrade, leaving some cases filed as recently as 2012 inaccessible via the web. 12
The use of Open Standards facilitates breaking contracts into smaller components, reducing barriers to local companies competing for government contracts.
The UK is currently undergoing a process identifying challenges users of government services face and how Open Standards can help to break down barriers to solving these problems. 13
In the US the White House has just implemented a new US Digital Service which advocates open standards by default. 14
Open Standards also enable easier opening up of data to enable more value to be derived from it.
Innovation that adds value to existing government data sets also provides valuable information to New Zealanders.
Whether it is GeoNet making available seismic data, or local councils making available public transport information including real time data - making it easier for people to catch a bus.
Open Standards are only part of the solution.
Open Source solutions can enable local companies to benefit
but can also result in cost savings.
The French Government has issued guidance to all government administrations on how to identify situations where utilising free and Open Source software solutions can lead to significant cost savings. 15
By structuring government contracts to enable local ICT companies to benefit,
and facilitating access to government datasets,
we can build a base for companies to grow more exports.
Connectivity
New Zealand is reliant on a single fibre optic cable system connecting us to the rest of the world.
This vulnerability is an issue for the entire New Zealand economy, not just the ICT sector.
Reliance on a single provider for our internet means higher prices, 16 data caps, and less innovation for services. 17
In time, international capacity will also become an issue.
And a single cable system means that our link has less resilience.
If the cable breaks or a technical fault occurs (as it did on November 9, 2012) then New Zealand may remain disconnected from the rest of the world until the connection is repaired.
Solution
1.  Addressing the skills shortage
We need to enable more people to pursue a career in IT, and support education and retraining.
The Green Party will:allocate $15 million over three years to support internship programmes in partnership with industry and the tertiary sector18
provide new funding for PhD scholarships in Computer Science and Information Technology
increase funding for industry-based and co-funded Masters and PhD programmes
create a special officer within Immigration New Zealand to advise and support entrepreneurs who want to move to New Zealand
and include a new points category for immigrants who can attract local venture capital demonstrating a market value for their startup.
Tech Internships
Working with ICT companies a Green Government would assist businesses by funding Tech Interns to assist in developing real world, business-ready skills to contribute to growth of the sector.
Internships will focus on providing work-ready graduates, making it easier for the sector to access talented developers.
We will work to ensure the programme promotes diversity in the sector.
Summer of TechFounded in Wellington in 2006 the Summer of Tech programme provides students with real world skills and helps businesses source top talent from local tertiary institutions.Two out of three students end up hired, and the programme has extended beyond software development to manufacturing businesses looking to incorporate technology into their products.The programme involves a ten week internship between November and February as well as CV clinics, site visits and boot camps throughout the year. Students receive at least $20 an hour. Since 2006, Summer of Tech has created over 300 IT jobs.
Entrepreneur Internships
The Green Party will establish a pilot internship programme supporting students to capitalise on their ideas and develop them.
The scheme will partner with the tertiary sector and industry to provide opportunities for students to explore creative new ideas while gaining experience in the real world.
The pilot programme will focus on fostering new startups and give students the opportunity to take a semester out of formal training to gain experience.
Students will receive a basic income equivalent to the student allowance, and be partnered with an industry mentor.
Additional funding will be available to students meeting agreed project milestones.
In return for the state support, criteria for acceptance will include preference for projects with a public good.
Investing in Graduate Students
As previously announced in the Green Party's Smart Green Innovation plan, the Green Party will fund additional places at tertiary institutions for students of engineering, mathematics, computer science, and the physical sciences.
The money will be made available to universities
but we will respect the autonomy of universities' decision making as to whether they offer the places.
2.  Game Development Fund
The Green Party will establish a Game Development Fund.
The Fund will support New Zealand's game development industry to grow further.
While the sector has done well to date, it is facing constraints.
The Fund will ensure that New Zealand doesn't miss out on lucrative weightless exports
and help provide an environment for the sector to thrive.
Like the Premiere Pathways and the previous Premiere Shorts programme support for building talent within the Film Industry, the Fund will ensure that more Game Developers make an effective transition to commercialising their products.
The Fund will initially be capped at $1 million, increasing to $5 million annually.
Funding will be finalised in consultation with the sector.
This fund will play a role in supporting a healthy ecosystem for innovation and will be in addition to the already announced $10 million to provide seed funding for social enterprises.
New Zealand's games developing successNew Zealand made games earned over $80 million in 2013. 200 new hi-tech jobs have been created in the last three years in the industry. 90 percent of earnings from export of games are exported via the internet.Access to capital is a key growth constraint for new interactive game productions, as well access to skilled staff.Source: New Zealand Game Developers Association
The Fund will support creative projects, including but not limited to interactive multimedia productions/games, development of mobile applications and other projects utilising interactive multimedia.
3.  Championing local business
A Green Government will be a champion of local business. The Green Party will:
require government agencies to report on how much of their current IT spend is going to local companies
ensure government ICT contracts consider the wider benefits to New Zealand of supporting local businesses
require all projects to use vendor neutral, royalty-free Open Standards, and encourage the use of Open Source where appropriate
We propose that government agencies be required to consider the wider economic benefits to New Zealand of supporting the local ICT industry when making purchasing decisions.
As a first step towards developing awareness, government agencies will have to measure how much of their current ICT spend is going to local companies and report on it.
Government agencies will be required to use Open Standards for new projects and use Open Source software, where possible.
Open Standards support interoperability and cloud computing. 21
Open Source software can be cheaper and more secure,
and empowers smaller New Zealand providers to bid for the work.
4.  Chief Technology Advisor
The Green Party will create the new role of a Chief Technology Advisor.
This will mirror the Chief Science Advisor role and will be a champion for technology and the Internet economy.
The Officer will research future challenges, opportunities and risks facing New Zealand's digital future;
recommend strategies for bridging the digital divide;
promote sustainable ICT products and services;
increase access for disadvantaged groups
and recommend best practice guidelines for the ICT industry.
5.  Research and Development
As previously announced in our Smart Green Innovation plan, the Green Party will invest a further $1 billion into Research and Development.
This investment will both benefit companies in the ICT sector directly and companies that play a role providing infrastructure and capacity for other New Zealand businesses who harness this funding for innovation.
Along with the investment in Research and Development, the Smart Green Innovation plan includes a package of measures to support startups.
6.  Second Undersea Fibre Optic Cable
It's important that New Zealand is not constrained by the lack of a second fibre optic cable.
If the private sector is not able to ensure New Zealand is able to complete a second cable the Green Party will explore how the Government could support the construction of one.
Fiscals
Green Party election priority
Cleaner Environment Fairer Society Smarter Economy
Our Economic Values3Summary5Bigger Surpluses, Lower Debt6The Big Picture8Summary of New Costs and Revenues11Tax Implications13Major Policies with Fiscal Implications14
Our Economic Values
Economic sustainability lies at the very heart of environmental sustainability.
We cannot live well in the long term if we are living beyond our means today.
Living within our limits is one of the most profound values the Green Party brings to the national political conversation.
Running net fiscal surpluses over the economic cycle is as important as running consistent ecological surpluses if we want to thrive and our children to thrive after us.
The Green Party will be fiscally responsible, running strong surpluses, repaying debt, while making our economy work for everyone, especially our children. - Russel Norman
Ensuring that every child in New Zealand has enough to thrive is one of the biggest moral and economic challenges of our times.
One in four children now live in poverty: 205,000 Kiwi kids are living in severe poverty.
Six years of National has failed to bring any meaningful relief to these kids.
Yet National borrowed $4 billion to cut the taxes of the wealthiest 10 percent of New Zealanders.
National says bringing every child out of poverty is a nice-to-have, but one that it is ultimately incompatible with their free-market economic agenda.
They have failed to see the faces that stand behind our awful child poverty statistics and use the practical tools available to them to respond compassionately.
It doesn't have to be this way.
We can change the way we talk about our economy because New Zealanders are resourceful and generous enough to build a society where every child has enough to thrive.
To get there, we'll need our scientists to make remarkable discoveries,
Our nurses to deliver the best care,
our teachers to inspire a generation,
and our software engineers to start new companies.
And we'll need a Government working in service to its people, one that can help make all this happen.
We are all in this together.
A Green Government is committed to living within our means — running surpluses and paying down debt
— but we will also ensure that the government works to alleviate child poverty,
provide social housing and cheaper power,
and drive the transition to a smarter, greener economy.
We will emulate the success of other small countries like Denmark and Finland, where government works in a constructive partnership with businesses and workers, and the families who depend on them.
Poverty is not inevitable in a decent society.
Solving poverty is not impossible; it's entirely possible.
This is our fiscal plan to support our vision for a cleaner, fairer, and smarter economy.
Summary
The Green Party will:Run bigger surpluses than National.
Pay down debt sooner than National.
Use the current fiscal headroom to maintain real levels of spending in health,
education,
and environmental protection.
Use new savings and revenues to reduce inequality and lift thousands of children out of poverty by 2017.
Use new savings and revenues to make rivers and lakes clean enough to swim in again.
Use new savings and revenues to invest $1 billion into kick- starting the transition to a smarter, greener innovation economy.
Bigger Surpluses, Lower Debt
The Green Party has produced a fully costed and independently audited plan to ensure we can deliver on our election priorities, while running strong surpluses to pay down National's record debt.
We are offering more detail and greater transparency into our spending and revenue raising plans than ever before; greater than the National Government.
The first part of this paper outlines how the Green Party's election priorities will impact upon the Government's operating balance, debt, and total net worth.
Infometrics — an independent economic consultancy — has provided this information in conjunction with Treasury's Fiscal Strategy Model. 1
Its report is attached as an appendix.
Infometrics found that not only will the Green Party run bigger surpluses than National,
we will do this while also taking significant steps to advance our election priorities: reducing child poverty,
making our rivers and lakes safe enough to swim in again,
and creating a smarter, greener economy.
While other political parties have offered only minor tweaks to address child poverty and inequality, we will make the major changes needed to deal with these challenges
while being fiscally responsible.
We can do this by raising new revenues and finding new savings from low-value government expenditure.
New revenues will be raised through new income, trust, and capital gains taxes.
Our spending priorities are all detailed in the second part of this paper.
They include a provision for spending on policies yet to be announced.
Where cost and revenue impacts cannot be properly modelled or quantified, or impact on other budgets like the National Land Transport Fund, we have identified these in the footnotes.
A Christmas our children will never forget
If the Green Party successfully forms a government following the September 20 election, we will seek to pass a number of our most important election priorities before Christmas, providing immediate relief to children living in poverty and those on low wages.
This 'mini-Budget' will include implementing a new top income tax and trust rate
and paying a new Children's Credit of $60 per week to families currently missing out.
The fiscal impacts of these initiatives are reflected in the figures for 2014/15 and have a net positive impact on the return to surplus.
The Big Picture
The Green Party will run bigger surpluses than National and Labour enabling us to pay down debt faster while increasing spending in priority areas.
The proposed Green Party policies lead to moderately higher operating balances, lower debt, and higher net worth outcomes than forecast in the BEFU. - Infometrics
We plan to restrain spending below the PREFU operating allowance for additional spending while also raising some new revenues.
As a result, we will return to surplus more strongly than National.
Lower debt will help lead to lower interest and exchange rates, and lower inflationary pressure on prices.
Lower debt levels also give us more flexibility when it comes to responding to economic downturns and the longer-term demographic challenges New Zealand faces with an aging population.
In a similar way, our capital gains tax changes and carbon tax changes will also help shift the economy onto a more resilient, productive, and low-carbon pathway.
Using Treasury's Fiscal Strategy Model, Infometrics has found that the Green Party will run surpluses $2. 2 billion larger than National by 2017/18.
Gross Sovereign-issued Debt will be $6. 6 billion lower while total Crown net worth will be $5. 5 billion higher.
In addition to running stronger surpluses and paying down debt faster, we are committed to maintaining the quality and reach of core government services in health,
education,
and environmental protection.
We asked independent economic consultancy BERL to calculate the size of National's cuts to real levels of expenditure in these areas.
BERL found that National will cut real levels of health expenditure by 9. 8 percent out to 2017,
real levels of education expenditure by 1. 7 percent,
and real levels of environmental protection expenditure by 13. 9 percent over the same period. 2
BERL's research is attached as an appendix to this document.
The Green Party is committed to reducing National's record levels of debt,
but we will not compromise the standard of healthcare,
education
and the environment in order to achieve this.
We have set aside some of the existing Budget provisions for new spending to maintain real funding levels in health,
education,
and conservation.
More details can be found in the second part of this document, which details the fiscal impacts of our specific election priorities announced to date.
Tax Implications
The Parliamentary Library has provided a summary of how Green Party income tax changes will affect take- home pay.
Our climate tax cut reduces the income tax most people will pay while our new top tax rate will impact taxpayers earning more than $143,000.
We will also reduce the company tax rate by 1 percent.
Major Policies with Fiscal Implications
1.  New top tax rate
The Green Party will raise the top tax rate on any income earned over $140,000 to 40 percent.
This will have an impact on 3 percent of all taxpayers.
Poverty is not inevitable in a decent society.
Solving poverty is not impossible; it's entirely possible.
We will redirect all new revenues raised into measures that will directly alleviate the causes of child poverty in New Zealand.
And it's only fair that those who earn more, progressively pay more.
This is what countries with low rates of child poverty do.
Even with a new top tax rate of 40 percent, we will still have one of the lowest top tax rates in the OECD, much lower than Australia and the UK (47%), the USA and Norway (48%), Canada (50%), Denmark (56%), and Finland (57%).
2.  Trust tax rate harmonised with top tax rate
To limit the possible tax avoidance opportunities that come with raising the top tax rate, the trust tax rate will be raised in line with the new top tax rate.
3.  Investing in increased tax compliance
It is hard to estimate the exact size of economic activity taking place outside of the tax system.
Estimates of the size of New Zealand's 'hidden' or 'black' economy vary but are anywhere between $10 billion and $20 billion.
That amounts to a lot of lost tax revenue — more than enough to offset the amount National raised selling our assets.
Inland Revenue is achieving a return of $6 for every $1 spent on tax compliance and enforcement. 4
The Green Party will progressively strengthen IRD's capacity to enforce current tax law to ensure everyone is paying their fair share.
4.  Removing tax-free capital gains
New Zealand is unusual in that we do not have a comprehensive tax on capital gains.
As a result, our tax structure encourages a disproportionate level of investment into non-productive assets like housing, which enjoy tax-free capital gains, instead of investment into the productive sector.
This has helped fuel rising house prices,
while exacerbating inequality as greater wealth enables greater access to tax- free capital gains.
The OECD has found that:The tax benefits [of property investment] increase with income and are thus regressive.
House price increases redistribute income from new entrants in the housing markets to existing homeowners and lead to a growing market segment that cannot afford to buy a home.
Indeed, widening inequalities in the distribution of net worth have been observed across New Zealand households.
A tax on capital gains (excluding the family home) is the fairest, most effective way to encourage private savings and investment into the productive sector.
5. Maintain real levels of spending on health, education, and environmental protection
Unlike National, which plans to cut real levels of expenditure in health, education and conservation, the Green Party will commit to maintaining the quality and reach of core government services.
New analysis by BERL shows that the National Government will cut real levels of health expenditure by 9. 8 percent out to 2017,
cut real levels of education expenditure by 1. 7 percent,
and cut real levels of environmental protection expenditure by 13. 9 percent over the same period. 6
The Green Party is committed to reducing National's record levels of debt,
but we will not compromise the standard of healthcare,
education,
and the environment in order to achieve this.
We have set aside some of the existing Budget provisions for new spending 7 to maintain real funding levels in health,
education,
and conservation.
Not only will we protect real levels of spending in conservation, we will reallocate savings from ending the ETS to enable increased funding for the Department of Conservation (DOC).
Funding for DOC will increase by $330 million over three years to 2017.
6.  Climate tax cut
In June, we announced our Climate Protection Plan 8 — our plan to address climate change through a revenue neutral carbon tax.
All revenues raised from a charge on carbon will be recycled back to families and businesses through a $2,000 income tax-free band
and a 1 percent company tax cut.
The plan will set New Zealand on a path to be carbon neutral by 2050.
The initial price on carbon will be $25 per tonne on CO2 equivalent emissions for all sectors except agriculture and forestry.
Dairy emissions will pay $12. 50 per tonne.
Forestry will be credited at $12. 50 per tonne.
For more details, refer to: www. greens.org.nz/climateplan
7.  New Zealand Power
Our power bills are too high.
While average power prices in the OECD have decreased in the past 20 years, in New Zealand they have gone up over 70 percent. 9
Kiwi families and businesses are paying too much while the electricity company shareholders make big profits.
In 2013, we jointly announced our plan with the Labour Party to reduce power bills by around $300 a year
and increase our use of renewables.
Cutting power prices across the board will have a stimulatory effect on the economy, resulting in higher GST and company tax revenues for the Government.
However, we estimate that NZ Power will have a net fiscal cost of $80 million per year.
That's a small price to pay to release $750 million of savings to families and businesses.
8.  Raising royalties on oil
According to the OECD, the royalties charged for taking minerals that belong to us all are extremely low in New Zealand.
10 We will raise all current royalty and access charges to international averages, removing all the concessionary tax treatment for the petroleum and mining sectors.
9.  Loss ring-fencing
Landlords will no longer be able to offset rental property losses against other income for tax purposes.
10.  New savings
The Green Party has identified savings in current government spending that will be reprioritised within the votes.
We do not support National's new spending on 'executive principals'
or their work on weakening the Resource Management Act through the Ministry for the Environment.
Super Gold Card and rail funding will be shifted to the National Land Transport Fund.
11.  Smart green innovation
Innovation lies at the heart of a smart, green economy.
Economies that innovate do better over the long term,
creating good jobs that pay well
and enable us to live quality lives within environmental limits.
We invest roughly half of what most other developed countries do in research and development, and considerably less than other small, advanced economies like Denmark, Finland, or Israel.
To help secure the long-term prosperity of New Zealand, we will significantly ramp up our investment in innovation.
We will invest an additional $1 billion of new government funding over three years for research and development, kick-starting a transformational shift in how our economy creates wealth.
We will take a collaborative partnership approach to innovation with the private sector that will include: R&D funding made up of tax credits and grants;
a requirement for firms that go into overseas ownership to repay their grants;
a new voluntary option for large grants, where companies that receive significant taxpayer funds agree to the Government taking an equity stake in their business.
Finally, we will enhance the incentives to study engineering, mathematics, computer and the physical sciences.
The Green Party will fund an additional 1,000 places at tertiary institutions for students of engineering, mathematics, computer science, and the physical sciences, costing $50 million per year.
12.  Green Investment Bank
The Green Party will establish a Green Investment Bank to accelerate New Zealand's transition to a greener economy.
The Green Investment Bank will be a government-owned, for-profit bank.
It will partner with the private sector to fund new projects ranging from renewable energy and biofuel production to new clean technologies.
The Bank's final shape will be decided by an expert group but we have set aside $120 million over three years to establish the Bank and set it up with a $100 million line of credit.
13.  Student Green Card
We will fund free off-peak travel for tertiary students and apprentices on all buses, trains and ferries, through a student Green Card.
This will cost up to $30 million per year and be funded entirely from the National Land Transport Fund.
Free off-peak travel for those in education and training is good for students' back pockets and good for all commuters.
Increased uptake of public transport will help relieve congestion, provide environmental benefits,
but most importantly, make it more affordable for students to get around.
14.  Safe to school
We will invest $200 million over four years from the National Land Transport Fund into new transport infrastructure so kids can cycle and walk to school safely and to ease congestion on New Zealand's roads.
Our aim is to get most kids walking or cycling to school again by making it a safe and pleasant experience.
A generation ago, most kids walked or cycled to school.
Today, only a third do.
When kids walk or bike or ride their scooter to school, it's good for their health, it's good for their learning, it eases congestion and it's good for the environment.
The transport investment has a cost benefit ratio of 20:1. 15
That's a billion dollars of gains for each year's $50 million investment.
15.  Solar in schools
As a part of our comprehensive plan for cleaner, cheaper power for all New Zealanders, the Green Party will invest $20 million of capital into solar PV systems in schools, allowing them to benefit from cheaper, cleaner power.
Schools can expect lower power bills for schools ($1. 6 million per year) yielding total savings of $41 million + GST over the 25- year lifespan of the panels installed.
Solar PV is one of the smartest, cleanest forms of electricity generation available.
We can reduce electricity demand by powering our schools with the sun.
Our schools are a perfect candidate for solar PV because the majority of their power usage is during the day.
Solar in Schools has the added benefit of reducing greenhouse gas emissions,
creating new jobs,
and educating students, staff, and the wider community about environmental sustainability and clean energy. 16
16.  Healthy homes
Insulation and clean heating are the most powerful ways to reduce the cold and damp that bedevils so many New Zealand houses and leaves thousands of people, especially the elderly and the very young, with serious health problems.
Insulating homes is one of the most effective uses of government money, returning around $4 in benefits for every $1 spent and reducing asthma, circulatory diseases, and respiratory illnesses. 17
We will invest $300 million ($100 million a year for three years) to restore the highly successful Warm Up New Zealand insulation scheme to its original ambition of covering all poorly insulated homes, with $35 million ring-fenced for Canterbury.
We will also establish a special fund of $27 million over two years to help Christchurch residents insulate their house if they are still doing major repairs — turning crisis into opportunity, and allowing residents to rebuild their homes better than ever before.
Progressive Ownership will give families that are otherwise locked out of the housing market a pathway to home ownership by leveraging the Government's low cost of capital. 18
For the million or so people living in rental accommodation, we'll deliver healthy homes for some of our poorest children by improving the quality of rental accommodation and rights of tenants.
We'll implement a Warrant of Fitness programme for all rented houses, to ensure all children are growing up in warm, healthy homes, we'll provide greater security of tenure for families, and we'll provide $3 million of extra funding over three years to help families take action against substandard rental housing. 19
17.  Healthy life
The Green Party is committed to providing free healthcare for all young New Zealanders from birth until early adulthood.
One in four teenagers report not going to the doctor when they need to and cost is a common barrier.
By removing a barrier to healthcare, we will reduce hospital admissions, help prevent unwanted pregnancies, and give teenagers the support they need to help them navigate young adulthood.
Our $29 million plan will improve the health of young people aged 13 to 17, by making GP visits and medicines free for this group.
The package includes: $21 million a year to extend free GP visits to the 290,000 teenagers aged 13-17 and abolish their prescription charges; a further $8 million a year to help GPs deal with the extra workload from making visits free for 13-17 year olds.
Finally, we will provide every newborn baby with a Wahakura Welcome Pack that includes some of the essentials needed by every baby from the day they are born.
The pack will include a wahakura (flax woven sleeping pod), bedding, blanket, sheets, a towel, clothes, bibs, beanies, socks and reusable nappies, valued at $295 each, meaning a $15 million investment in our youngest children each year. 20
18.  School hubs; ensuring education is a route out of poverty
Education remains the most effective route out of poverty.
But school only works for children if they are in a position to be able to learn.
Many Kiwi kids come with a complicated mix of social, health and family issues, often related to low income, that need to be addressed before they can get the most out of school.
We will establish community hubs, or health, welfare and education one stop shops in all decile 1 to 4 primary and intermediate schools.
We will also build new early childhood education/community centres onsite at decile 1 to 4 schools where there is a need. 21
19.  Family and whanau life
One quarter of all New Zealand children are growing up in severe poverty. 22
That's 205,000 children — through no fault of their own — living in poverty in New Zealand at this moment.
We can act now to take proper care of our children and bring them out of poverty, for their sake and for our country's future.
The Green Party will address the immediate needs of the poorest children by giving their families an extra $60 a week,
extending the $220 a week new born payment to those currently missing out,
and by boosting subsidies for key expenses like early childhood education.
We will extend the 20 hours early childhood education subsidy to cover two-year-olds at a cost of $235 million per year.
Another 40,000 kids will get a good start in life.
As part of this package, we will provide $32 million a year to restore funding for 100 percent qualified teachers to make sure every child gets the very best care and support.
20. Disability in New Zealand
An inclusive, accessible society benefits disabled people, their whanau and friends, and society as a whole.
People with disabilities are more likely to be excluded from the work force than able-bodied people.
There is a significant lost opportunity cost to New Zealand through this exclusion.
This is why it is vital for these barriers to be addressed and sufficient support to be provided for people with disabilities to gain meaningful employment.
The Green Party will provide assistance to help people with disabilities gain access to employment by increasing the amount and access to funding for workplace assistance.
21.  Greener Christchurch
After the devastating earthquakes of 2010 and 2011, we plan to invest specifically in the Canterbury region to ensure a smart rebuild.
The Green Party will invest over $300 million of new funding for Canterbury transport infrastructure (over five years),
$15 million for climate change resilience measures,
and $20 million to progress the Avon-Otakaro River Park green spaces in the city.
We can future-proof the region and make Christchurch a liveable, accessible, and beautiful city.
22.  Maui's Protection Plan
To ensure the protection of the last remaining Maui's dolphins, the Green Party will prohibit fishing methods lethal to Maui's and all new oil, gas and mineral mining throughout the West Coast North Island Marine Mammal Sanctuary.
We will extend fishing protections to the entire Maui's range, as recommended by expert scientists.
The International Whaling Commission's scientific committee, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, and the Society for Marine Mammology, have all called for set nets and trawl nets to be prohibited throughout the Maui's dolphins range.
To help protect the livelihoods of affected fishers by supporting them to adopt dolphin-safe fishing methods, the Green Party will spend up to $20 million over three years to help them.
The money will be spent in consultation with the affected fishers but it is anticipated that the money will be used as transitional support to dolphin-friendly fishing gear, including support for technology-led research and appropriate permitting.
23.  Strong clean water rules
The number one environmental priority for us this election is making our rivers clean enough to swim in again and keeping our beaches safe from oil spills.
The Green Party will establish a protected rivers network to permanently safeguard our most precious rivers similar to the permanent protection given to national parks.
The protected rivers network will stop the destruction of rivers from irrigation, dams and pollution, while retaining the full right of all New Zealanders to use the rivers for food gathering and recreation.
The Green Party will overhaul and strengthen National's weak National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management, implement a strong National Environmental Standard for water quality and implement a National Environmental Standard for water flows in rivers, all of which will be geared to make our rivers clean and healthy enough for swimming.
Finally, we will keep our wild rivers wild by not building any new dams on them.
24.  Workers
Workers will get a better, fairer deal under the Green Party.
We will lift low wages by progressively moving the minimum wage $1 per year to $18 an hour by 2017.
We will show government leadership on wages by introducing a Living Wage for workers in the core Government sector.
Raising minimum wages will have strong income effects lifting many families out of poverty, reducing inequality,
and result in higher government income tax revenues.
25.  Smart farming for clean rivers
Our Smart Farming for Clean Rivers policy is the final component of our election pledge to make all New Zealand rivers clean enough to swim in.
The policy comprises two key elements: A National Environment Standard for Fencing of Livestock and Riparian Strips and a charge on water used for irrigation.
The standard will require livestock to be fenced out of all waterways, lakes, and permanent wetlands.
Riparian strips will be required, meaning that the fences must be set back from waterways, leaving a buffer zone of vegetation.
Intensive agricultural operations will be required to permanently fence their waterways to a set standard with setbacks by 1 July 2017, while non-intensive farms with cattle will have the same deadline but for temporary fencing.
Farmers will be able to get carbon credits for the CO2 sequestered by planting on their riparian strip and we will give them an incentive to get started with a $100 million matching fund over three years.
A charge on water used for irrigation will be determined
with stakeholder consultation,
with all revenue ring-fenced for water clean-up initiatives.
Finally, we will invest $20 million per year for ten years to help small towns and communities upgrade sewage treatment systems.
26.  Education for every child
We're proud to support inclusive education programs so every child can thrive.
We will invest $115 million a year in support for special education services in schools including a doubling of the number of children who can access the highest levels of learning support
and more help for pre¬school children.
More specifically, we will double the number of children who receive the Ongoing Resource Scheme by providing an additional $95 million each year,
increase funding for the Early Intervention service by $15 million a year so preschool children with special needs are given the support they need,
and provide an additional $5 million each year for our school hubs' free after school and holiday programme fund to increased services for children with special needs.
27.  ICT
Innovation lies at the heart of any smart, green economy.
Our ICT (Information Communications and Technology) plan is the seventh component of our economic priority this election.
We will create a Chief Technology Advisor to provide independent advice to government on technology issues.
To support more game developers to create and commercialise their products, we will establish a $5 million Game Development Fund by 2017.
We will champion local business by requiring reporting on how much government ICT spend goes to local companies and reduce the barriers to local companies competing for contracts.
Finally, we will help address the skills shortage by growing local talent here, funding internship programmes in partnership with industry and the tertiary sector to give hundreds of additional New Zealanders the opportunity to develop skills and experience in the industry.
28.  Smarter, cleaner, cheaper energy
The Green Party will set in place the drivers to ensure that our electricity is 100 percent renewable by 2030,
household electricity bills are lower by around $300 a year,
and create the smart infrastructure and incentives to empower New Zealanders to go solar, drive electric, and live more sustainably.
We will provide low-cost loans through our Solar Homes scheme to enable households to invest in solar panels to enjoy free, sustainable power for decades.
We can speed the transition of the private vehicle fleet to electricity by subsidising the roll-out of 30-minute fast-charging electric car refuelling stations across New Zealand and by offering a $1,000 cash back payment to the first 10,000 New Zealand-new electric vehicles sold.
We will replace the Crown car fleet with electric vehicles.
Finally, we will better enable energy conservation and distributed generation through smart grid initiatives inHcluding: real time electricity pricing, limited fixed lines charges, and a fair price for surplus renewable electricity produced by homes and businesses.
29.
30. Other measures still to be announced
The Green Party are still to announce several major new policies in the run up to the election.
31. Changes to the National Land Transport Fund
The Green Party will invest over $10 billion in new public transport projects and rail infrastructure over the next decade, transforming how New Zealanders get around in our largest cities.
Our ten-year transport plan will cost less than National's corresponding ten-year transport plan,
create more jobs,
and invest in the transport projects that New Zealanders have said they want.
By reprioritising low-quality spending, the Green Party will:
Invest $10. 4 billion in new public transport projects and rail over 10 years delivering buses and trains every few minutes at peak hour in major cities, decongesting our cities' roads, and reversing the neglect of our rail network;
Invest $2. 2 billion in seven key public transport projects in Auckland, including $1. 3 billion in funding for the Auckland City Rail Link to start immediately;
Increase funding for walking and cycling infrastructure by 300 percent — a $100 million per year investment in new safe, separated walking and cycling infrastructure in New Zealand's small towns and big cities;
Create a $423 million fund for regions to contest for projects that will best serve their transport needs;
Fund a Student Green Card to provide free off-peak travel to all tertiary students and apprentices.
Green
Fast Tracking Wellington
Green Party election priority
Cleaner Environment Fairer Society Smarter Economy
Introduction3Summary5Situation6Solution7Benefits11
Introduction
The Green Party wants to make it easier for Wellingtonians to get around cheaply and quickly, with smarter, cleaner transport choices.
Wellington is a cool, compact and lively capital, and a big part of what makes the city so vibrant is its good public transport.
But Wellingtonians still get stuck in traffic jams, our roads are dangerous for cyclists, and noisy out-dated buses are filling our lungs with dirty diesel fumes.
With the right investment, Wellington could be even cooler; a congestion-free, zero public transport carbon emissions city, where people commute to work in clean, reliable buses and trains or make their own way with safe cycle and walking paths.
But instead of making life easier for Wellingtonians and helping the city to thrive, National is siphoning the bulk of the transport budget for a few very expensive stretches of motorway, which do nothing to reduce congestion or the cost of getting around.
The reason Lonely Planet called Wellington "the coolest little capital in the world" had nothing to do with National's fly-overs and motorways.
It is about the city's vibrant cafe culture, its night life, its walkability and its people.
We will enhance Wellington's cool, compact feel with cleaner, quieter city spaces, and cycle lanes to make it easier for people to get around.
We will also build a smart light rail network, as over 170 attractive, modern cities of Wellington's size have successfully done.
We will make buses frequent, comfortable and affordable, with new electric buses running on rapid, priority access bus lanes.
We will get kids walking and biking to school again, and make it safe to cycle to work.
Wellington, is the coolest little capital in the world. -Lonely Planet
We will make Wellington's transport as cool as the capital. Russel Norman
Summary
Quieter, cleaner streets;
electric trams, trains and buses.
We will install a modern light rail network from Wellington railway station to Newtown and Kilbirnie by 2020 with extensions to the Airport, Island Bay and Miramar by 2025,
and we will replace Wellington's polluting diesel buses with smart, electric alternatives.
A bus or train every few minutes with affordable fares.
Getting around will be cheaper, faster and easier with free off-peak fares for tertiary students,
integrated timetables between buses, trains and light rail, and a single card usable on all services, with free transfers between routes.
Putting people first; safe walking and cycling.
We will invest $47 million over five years in safe, protected paths so more people can walk and cycle.
Situation
Under National, Wellington's transport system has stagnated.
Roads are still congested and dangerous for cyclists and pedestrians, buses are noisy, dirty and unreliable, and Wellington's best chance to have a 21st century transport system, with a smart light rail network, has been ruled out by National.
Instead of investing in crucial, smart transport initiatives, the National Government has chosen to pour billions of dollars into a few very expensive and counter-productive motorway projects like the Kapiti Expressway and the Basin Reserve Fly-over.
These projects have poor business cases and will actually increase peak hour congestion, as adding road capacity generates more car trips into the city. 1
Wellington has the opportunity to invest in options that will make it easier for more people to get around without a car, thereby reducing pressure on our roads.
Transport is still one of the three main contributors to carbon emissions in the Wellington region,2 and research has shown that diesel vehicles like our present bus fleet release carcinogenic particles into the air.
3 The time has come for us to replace our polluting, diesel bus fleet with modern, cleaner alternatives that will be better for Wellington and its residents.
We will prioritise better public transport, safe cycling, and road safety upgrades.
Our solutions will move more people and goods,
make roads safer,
boost the economy
and enhance Wellington's cool capital brand.
Solution
The Green Party will make Wellington a world-class city, with a modern light rail network, electric buses and safe cycle ways so we can get around Wellington faster and more easily.
1. Cleaner, quieter streets; electric trams, trains and buses
Our plan to implement modern trams, trains and electric buses will make getting around easier, faster and more attractive with buses and trains leaving every few minutes throughout the day.
By 2020, we will:Build a modern light rail network from the Wellington Railway Station to Newtown and Kilbirnie
Keep and upgrade our trolley buses
Commence a phased programme to replace old diesel buses with a new electric fleet
Support Council efforts to replace the ageing vehicles in our train fleet with new Matangi trains
By 2025, we will:
1.  Extend the light rail network out to the Airport, Island Bay and Miramar
These changes will transform downtown Wellington into a quieter, safer place for pedestrians,
and will make it faster and easier to get around for everyone.
Modern, electric buses and trams will also reduce congestion, take pressure off our roads, and will keep our city air clean.
Lausanne: a model for Wellington light rail?Switzerland's city of Lausanne is comparable to Wellington in many ways, it is a waterfront town with mountainous terrain and a central city population of 140,000. But Lausanne has a world-class public transport system, including two light rail lines, which virtually all commuters use."It is so convenient and pleasant that everybody uses it," wrote Globe & Mail correspondent Michael Vaughan in a review of the city's transport.4Lausanne's newest light rail line was built in 2008. It is roughly the same distance as from Wellington railway station to Newtown,5 and runs up Lausanne's steep hillside. It is fully automated using driverless trains, connecting 14 stations spaced at short intervals. Two carriage trains take up to 220 passengers and run every three minutes. The line replaced three bus routes and carries more than 55,000 passengers a day.
2.  A bus or train every few minutes with affordable fares
Our plan for an integrated transport network will mean Wellingtonians will find it much cheaper and easier to get around on buses and trains.
This network will include:
A new Student Green Card, which will allow free off-peak travel for all tertiary students and apprentices
Integrated ticketing, allowing passengers to use all buses and trains with a single card
More priority lanes and traffic signals for buses, making services faster and more reliable
A funding boost for rail network upgrades to make sure trains are reliable and on time, including double tracking the bottleneck at Trentham on the Hutt Valley line
We will also retain the Capital Connection rail service so that commuters living in Palmerston North continue to have a simple and convenient way to travel into Wellington every day.
These changes will make all services more frequent and reliable, easier to use and more affordable.
3.  Putting people first; safe walking and cycling
Walking and cycling is good for road users, good for our kids and good for our environment - that is why we plan to invest over $45 million over five years towards cycling and walking infrastructure.
By 2020, we will:Build a comprehensive safe cycleway network throughout Wellington, Porirua and the Hutt Cities
Make Wellington more pedestrian friendly with new traffic calming measures like traffic islands, trees and raised road crossings near shopping centres and schools
Promote 'walking buses' to schools and support local councils to reduce speed limits around schools and pedestrian areas.
These changes form part of our $200 million nationwide Safe to School project, which aims to get more than 50 percent of kids walking or cycling to school by 2020. 6
We will identify a number of key locations for the construction of traffic calming measures and cycle paths through consultation with the city councils, and will provide the rest of the funding through consultation with Wellington's 250 schools, which will be able to bid for funding for specific projects.
Finally, we will fast-track the completion of the much- delayed Great Harbour Way, which will allow people to enjoy Wellington's entire 72 km coastline by foot or by bike. 7
Benefits
The Green Party's transport plan for Wellington will ensure people can rely on buses, trains and trams that are clean, fast and reliable to get around.
Our plan will make sure that students can afford to get around,
and that Wellington's bus, train and tram services are integrated and streamlined.
We will make sure that everyone has the freedom to cycle or walk to school or work safely every day, and that the city centre is a quiet, safe and vibrant place to explore as a pedestrian.
We will put Wellington on track to achieve a world class, zero emissions public transport system.
This will not only mean the city is doing its bit to protect the environment, but will be an attractive selling point of Wellington's brand, attracting both visitors and businesses.
But most importantly, having a 21st century public transport system will give Wellingtonians the choices and transport they want.
A Wahakura Welcome for Every Newborn
Green Party election priority
Cleaner Environment Fairer Society Smarter Economy
Introduction3Summary4Situation5Solution6Benefits8
Introduction
Our children are precious.
There is nothing more important than ensuring they have what they need to thrive, especially in the first few months when they are at their most vulnerable.
The Green Party will help every New Zealand child get off to a good start by providing every new baby born with a special welcome package to help in the first few weeks of life.
This will include their first bed - a lovingly woven wahakura sleeping basket, filled with a few essentials.
This wahakura welcome is a practical response to the needs of babies for a separate safe sleeping environment, and it demonstrates our commitment to ensuring every child has what they need to thrive at every stage of their childhood.
Parents have the most important job in the world.
Our wahakura welcome will sit alongside the Green Party's other initiatives to bring children out of poverty - the non-discriminatory Parental Tax Credit and the new Children's Credit.
These three packages, taken together, are our way of showing that we value parents, by helping to make life with a new baby a little bit easier for all of them.
Society has a stake in ensuring that every single one of our babies has the best possible start to life and by giving babies the best start, we set them on a course to thrive for the rest of their lives.
Summary
The Green Party will:Provide every New Zealand child with a Wahakura Welcome Pack.
The key component of the Pack is a wahakura - an authentically New Zealand safe sleeping device.
A wahakura is a small, portable flax woven sleeping basket that can be put down anywhere, including in an adult's bed, to ensure a safe night's sleep for a child.
2.    As well as the wahakura, the Green Party's Welcome Pack will include a range of essentials for newborns, including a blanket, sheets, a towel, clothes, bibs, beanies, socks and reusable nappies.
3. This package would be universally available, with an expected uptake of 40,000, or around two-thirds.
Ensuring every child has enough to thrive is key to building a faire4 society— Metiria Turei, Green Party Co-leader
Situation
A new baby is an enormous adjustment to make for any new parent.
As well as a precious new person to love and look out for, babies often mean a serious drop in income for parents, less sleep and less time for themselves or for any other children.
Anything we can do to help ease the burden on new families is good for children and that's good for all of us.
For families already struggling to make ends meets, a small amount of help can make a big difference to the outcomes for their children
Officials from the Ministry of Social Development this year warned that babies born into the poorest homes could experience higher negative health outcomes. 1
Research has also shown that the costs on a child and on society are exacerbated when poverty occurs in early childhood. 2
Raising a child is expensive.
In 2009, the Inland Revenue Department estimated that it costs up to $14,000 a year.
For essentials in the first year of a baby's life, parents spend an average of $6,574. 3
All parents want to provide the best for their children, but for some, even the basics are out of reach.
Advice from the Ministry of Health states that babies should have their own sleeping environment. 4
However, Ministry of Social Development data shows more than a quarter of all children born into our poorest families do not have a separate bed of their own. 5
Poverty means poorer health outcomes for our kids.
Children in poverty are 1. 4 more times more likely to die in childhood and are more likely to die of Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI). 6
New Zealand has the highest SUDI rate in the industrialised world, and it is the main cause of post neonatal mortality in infants up to one year old.
7 Both poverty and bed sharing are contributing factors to SUDI and groups that experience higher rates of poverty also experience higher rates of SUDI.
About 60 percent of SUDI deaths are Maori babies.
While bed sharing is a cultural choice for some families, other families have no choice.
For example, after the Christchurch earthquake, some parents were forced to share their bed with their babies. 9
Wahakura are both a health intervention tool, and a practical way of relieving the financial burden of having a new baby on families.
Not only do they relieve material stress and poverty, they help give the very best gift to our youngest New Zealanders - a safe and healthy start to life.
Solution
The Green Party will provide every newborn with a 'Wahakura Welcome Pack'.
The key component of this package is a flax-woven wahakura with bedding which can be used up until about six months of age.
The wahakura is portable and can be used on an adult bed too.
Wahakura were originally designed as a safe-sleeping option that is culturally appropriate for Maori families, but their beauty and practicality has universal appeal.
The Green Party's Welcome Pack will also include a blanket, sheets, a towel, clothes, bibs, beanies, socks and reusable nappies.
Over time, these items will be reassessed based on feedback from families.
The pack will be administered by the Ministry of Health.
This will be confirmed after consultation with stakeholders including the College of Midwives, Plunket and Lead Maternity Carers.
Modelled off the highly successful Finnish Maternity Package, which has been in place for over 75 years, the Wahakura Welcome Pack will be universally available to the approximately 60,000 babies born each year in New Zealand.
It is anticipated there will be a similar uptake in New Zealand as Finland, and each year 40,000 babies will benefit.
The wahakura will be made in New Zealand.
For cost reasons, initially at least, the other items will be sourced as cheaply as possible,
and may come from overseas suppliers.
We will, over time, look to source as many of the items as possible locally,
using the bulk purchasing power to keep costs down.
The cost of delivering the above items, at current prices, is around $295 per package.
This comprises $150 for the wahakura and $145 for the other items.
However, with bulk purchasing, we expect to reduce the cost of these items by at least 15 percent, leaving the cost of the package at $251 - equivalent to the cost of the same package in Finland.
Finland's package provides a wider range of items, and with further gains from bulk purchasing, we expect to be able to provide further items in future years.
The total cost of this package will be around $15. 06 million.
The Wahakura Welcome Pack will be available to all babies born from 1 June 2015.
Every child is born with the right to the basics for good health— Kevin Hague, Green Party Health Spokesperson
Benefits
The Wahakura Welcome Pack is a great way to welcome a baby and to ensure they have the best possible start to life.
No child will be born without the basics, and every new parent will know that they have our love and support.
This package will provide the most help to babies born to low income and vulnerable households.
Newborns living in poverty are our most fragile citizens.
No child chooses the circumstances they are born in to, but we can choose that no child goes without clothing or a safe bed.
The growing use of wahakura in New Zealand maternity programmes has been linked to a decrease in SUDI, and provides the ideal tool to promote safe sleeping in practice and engage new parents with the 'rules' for safe-sleeping.
The other items in the maternity package will ensure every child starts life with warm clothing, a blanket and other essentials.
Having a new baby is often a time of great change and significant stress.
For all parents, providing these basic items all in one go will be a weight off their minds at a highly stressful time.
For many parents, it will provide a welcome financial relief right when it is needed most.
It is a commitment to all of our children that no matter who they are or where they are in New Zealand, we are supporting them and their families to have a decent quality of life right from day one.
Delivery of the package to new parents will provide a further opportunity for health services to engage early with parents and ensure enrolment in schemes such as WellChild/Tamariki Ora.
This policy, along with extending free ECE to two year olds, free GP visits for all children and the Green Party's billion dollar children poverty alleviation plan; which includes a non-discriminatory Parental Tax Credit and a new Children's Credit, will ensure that all children can thrive in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Work
Labour is the party of jobs.
We believe every New Zealander deserves a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work.
We believe that every Kiwi who can work should be able to find work.
Those jobs should pay well and be secure, so our families and communities can flourish.
Work has been hard to come by for many New Zealanders in the last six years.
There are now around 150,000 unemployed Kiwis, and another 100,000 people have jobs but cannot get as many hours as they want.
Nearly half of all Kiwi workers got no increase in their payrate last year.
Wages are falling behind for far too many working families.
We will raise the minimum wage by $2 an hour to $16.25
to ensure working people share in the benefits of a growing economy.
We will also champion the Living Wage.
Labour will get unemployment down to 4% by the end of our first term,
and aims to get every young person earning or learning.
The current government’s Fire at Will law hasn’t created more jobs
and is grossly unfair.
It will be abolished
LABOUR’S COMMITMENTS
Reduce unemployment to 4% because when we are all working, we are all winning
Increase the minimum wage to $16.25 in two stages in our first year
Scrap the Fire at Will law so workers approach a new job with confidence
Offer the equivalent of the dole to employers willing to offer an 18/19 year old an apprenticeship
Every person under 20 in work, education, or training
Economy
An innovative, growing economy underpins Labour’s vision for New Zealand.
Our economy should deliver a fair go for all New Zealanders.
Labour will meet the challenges of today and tomorrow to deliver a prosperous
and fair society.
We are all worse off when the gaps are wider.
And they are.
Wages are stagnant, child poverty is up and home ownership rates are the lowest in fifty years.
We need smart economic policies that help businesses grow,
and that ensure working New Zealanders get their fair share of the wealth they create.
Our economy is too focused on housing speculation
and a few commodity exports.
We don’t produce enough to pay for our imports and overseas debt.
For sustainable growth, we need an economy built on a diverse range of sophisticated, jobs-rich exports.
That’s why Labour has developed a series of policies to upgrade our economy.
We’ll support industries like forestry, ICT, and manufacturing
to create more high quality, well-paying jobs,
especially in the regions.
Our fairer tax system, with a Capital Gains Tax (excluding the family home)
and tax credits for research and development
will improve the productive economy.
Monetary policy will be brought into the 21st century so that exporters aren’t undermined by an overpriced exchange rate and higher interest rates than overseas.
These policies are built on solid fiscal foundations.
Labour will run surpluses and pay off National’s record debt.
Universal Kiwisaver will help Kiwis save for their future and build a stronger economy.
LABOUR’S COMMITMENTS
A fairer tax system
to drive investment into the productive economy
Support industry through research and development tax credits
Grow our national savings to improve our economy
and give Kiwis a nest egg
Stabilise the NZ dollar so that exporters can compete overseas
Champion the regions through our $200m regional development fund
Children
The first years of a child’s life are the most important.
Labour is determined to ensure all our children get the best start in life.
Under National the number of children in poverty has gone up by 40,000, reaching 285,000 this year.
This is a blight on New Zealand, and Labour will take action.
Best Start is Labour’s plan to give every New Zealand child the best start in life, starting before they’re born and moving through early childhood and into primary education.
Labour will ensure all parents have access to free antenatal classes, with a focus on first time mums and those who would benefit from them the most.
We all know those first months are crucial for bonding with a new child.
Labour will provide access to more Well Child visits from organisations such as Plunket, to help new parents support and care for their baby.
Labour also will give new parents the opportunity to stay at home longer by extending Paid Parental Leave to six months.
Labour’s Best Start Payment is $60 per week during a baby’s first year of life for most New Zealand families.
This commences as soon as baby arrives, or after Paid Parental Leave finishes.
This payment will continue up to age 3 for families on low and modest incomes.
We’ll invest in early childhood education and increase free ECE to 25 hours a week - because every child should have the best start in life.
LABOUR’S COMMITMENTS
Free antenatal classes and more Well Child visits, to help new parents do what is best for baby
More Paid Parental Leave
so babies and their parents have more time to bond
A Best Start payment to help families meet the cost of bringing up a young child
25 hours free ECE, because kids who learn early are kids who do well
Schools
Schools are the heart of our communities.
Labour is committed to a New Zealand where all people can reach their full potential through education.
For many years, New Zealand had an education system comparable with the best in the world.
But maintaining that standard requires constant vigilance — and a willingness to keep pace with changing needs and new challenges.
The current government has failed to put enough funding in to deliver the quality education our kids deserve.
In four of the past six budgets, inflation adjusted education funding has dropped.
National endlessly tinkers and experiments with the education system, while our kids’ test results are falling in the international rankings.
We owe our children much more than funding cuts by stealth.
Labour is committing sufficient in advance to make sure that the per-person level of services in health and education is maintained.
Education should be a race to the top on quality, not a race to the bottom on cost.
Education also has to keep up with changing times.
Labour is moving learning into the digital age by putting a portable computer into the hands of every student.
On top of those commitments, we will employ 2,000 additional teachers to reduce class sizes, because parents know that smaller classes serve our children better.
What is good for our kids is good for all of us.
LABOUR’S COMMITMENTS
Increased funding per student, to maintain quality schools
Smaller class sizes to get our children more of the personal attention they need to learn
Computers available for every child so they can learn for the 21st century from an early age
Provide extra funding to schools to stop the demand for “voluntary” donations
Homes
Every New Zealander has the right to a warm, dry, healthy, and affordable home.
Home ownership has become unaffordable for many families.
It is the lowest it has been in fifty years.
Today, just 43% of 30-39 year olds own their own home, compared to 55% in 2001.
Tax advantages for property speculation have helped drive house prices up at an unsustainable rate in recent years, far outstripping incomes.
Rents are increasing and rentals are often in such poor condition that they are causing health problems.
There is no excuse in a country like New Zealand for any child to sleep in a bedroom that makes them sick.
Successive Labour governments have invested in government home-building programmes so families have a decent place to live.
The next Labour government will continue this proud tradition.
A stable and healthy home is vital to the health and well-being of our families and children.
Labour’s policies are about making quality housing affordable for New Zealand families,
while shutting speculators out of the market.
A Capital Gains Tax, excluding the family home,
and the prohibition on overseas investment in housing will help stabilise house prices.
With Labour, more New Zealand families will have a house they can call their own,
and anyone who doesn’t will be guaranteed a warm, dry home.
LABOUR’S COMMITMENTS
100,000 new affordable homes with KiwiBuild,
because when the market doesn’t deliver, we do
Stopping overseas speculators, so they don’t bid up housing costs
A Healthy Homes Guarantee, so that all rental properties are warm and dry
A Capital Gains Tax on investment properties, to help keep a lid on home prices
Identity & environment
New Zealand has so much to offer the world through our unique identity and our environmental stewardship.
Labour recognises the unique contribution of Māori to our national identity.
We will work as partners with iwi and hapū to support and enhance their ability to thrive in a post-settlement environment.
Our environment is also critical to our national identity.
We cannot have a healthy economy without a healthy environment.
Our environment is part of our birthright as New Zealanders.
When our environment is damaged, we all lose part of our common wealth.
It is not a choice.
We can have both a clean environment and a strong, vibrant economy.
We must enforce rules to ensure all our rivers are clean enough to swim in.
Currently, too many are not.
Labour will, as a top priority, begin the transition away from an economy heavily reliant on fossil fuels to one that is based on clean, affordable energy, green technology, and is low-carbon.
We will stop the rorts of the ETS
, support the renewable and low-carbon energy sector,
focus on energy efficiency
and support climate change and clean energy Research and Development.
New Zealand will once again play a proud role in international negotiations on climate change issues
and help our Pacific neighbours and other developing nations adapt to climate change.
Labour will ensure our farms are not priced out of the reach of New Zealanders by stopping sales of rural land to overseas buyers in all but the rarest of cases.
LABOUR’S COMMITMENTS
Uphold our Treaty of Waitangi obligations because partnerships are enduring
Clean up our rivers so they are healthy for swimming
Move to a low-carbon economy so we adapt to climate change with sustainable, well paid jobs
Promote Māori economic development so that iwi, hapū and whānau benefit from our growing economy
Health
Labour believes health outcomes should not be predetermined by location, ethnicity or ability to pay.
Good healthcare is the right of all New Zealanders.
We are committed to ensuring New Zealanders are able to live longer and healthier lives with the support of a strong and adequately funded public health system.
Labour will ensure the health and education budgets keep up with rising costs and the growing population by setting aside a billion dollars of new spending every year, in addition to any new health spending announcements.
Our priority will be to make sure all New Zealanders have access to affordable primary healthcare.
To achieve this, we will increase funding for GPs to make doctor visits more affordable and free for more people.
We will also cut prescription charges for everyone.
Labour will make sure all families have access to a warm, dry home so they don’t get sick in the first place,
and we’ll be investing in our kids to make sure they get the best start in life
— because a healthy childhood sets the course for a healthy life.
LABOUR’S COMMITMENTS
Increased funding to maintain and improve health services
Boost primary health funding by $60m a year, giving two million Kiwis access to heavily discounted doctor visits
Make doctor visits and prescriptions free for children under 13, pregnant women and people aged 65 and over
A 10-year plan to make dental care affordable for everyone, starting with free care for pregnant women
Canterbury
Labour has a comprehensive and ambitious plan to kick-start the recovery.
The Canterbury earthquakes destroyed lives and devastated communities.
Nearly four years on, the recovery is still far too slow and messy.
The future of many homes is still in doubt,
over 10,000 insurance cases have not been settled,
homes are being flooded every few weeks,
repairs are far behind schedule,
and the Christchurch CBD looks like a war-zone.
The people of Canterbury are, rightly, sick of waiting and sick of being told that things eventually will get better.
Labour has a comprehensive and ambitious plan to kick-start the recovery.
We are determined that a new and better Christchurch will rise from the devastation.
But, to do that, government needs to roll up its sleeves and do the work, not just leave it all to the market.
Labour will work with Councils and communities to build a vibrant city.
We’ll give families the tools to take on the insurance companies and get a fair deal.
We’ll start work immediately to protect homes from flooding and rockfall.
Red-zone property owners will get a fair deal.
We’ll build 10,000 affordable houses
so families have a decent place to live,
while also stabilising house and rent prices.
LABOUR’S COMMITMENTS
A special earthquake court to cut the four year backlog of insurance claims at no cost to claimants
Fair 100% payouts on red-zone land, because the earthquake was not anyone’s fault
10,000 new homes in Canterbury,
including 3,000 new, affordable rentals
Upgrade Canterbury health facilities, including two new health hubs and more mental health support
Democracy
Free and fair elections are at the heart of our democracy.
MMP has delivered a more diverse and representative Parliament,
but public faith is being eroded by electoral rorts and the influence of big money.
Labour believes we can do better.
We want a positive and open democracy, not more politics as usual.
Labour will close loopholes that let parties make dirty deals.
We will lower the threshold from 5% to 4% so that Parliament is more representative, in line with almost all the public submissions and the Electoral Commission’s recommendations.
We’ll tighten up the rules around donations, to make sure Parliament serves all New Zealanders, not just those who can afford to pay.
We’ll champion an open government policy so that government is transparent and open to all New Zealanders — because democracy is about people, not politicians.
We’ll also rein in the government spy agencies to protect New Zealanders from mass surveillance and intrusion into their personal lives
and we’ll protect your privacy online through a Digital Bill of Rights.
Labour’s foreign policy is proudly independent.
We will only send New Zealanders into harm’s way on the basis of what is most helpful for peace.
LABOUR’S COMMITMENTS
Abolish coat-tailing, bringing Cup-of-Tea deals to an end
Lower the MMP threshold for a more representative Parliament
Review our security agencies to ensure they serve NZ interests
A Digital Bill of Rights to protect Kiwis’ freedom and privacy online
An independent foreign policy
so New Zealand can support peace and humanitarian support
Living costs
People deserve a fair go when they pay their bills.
New Zealanders pay too much for their electricity, especially residential customers.
60% of our electricity is hydro power.
It is amongst the cheapest electricity in the world to produce.
It is made using public rivers.
Excessive prices are charged for our hydro power.
Now the power companies have been sold off, a large share of those excess profits have been privatised.
NZ Power will stop the overcharging for our electricity, in a similar way as Pharmac has done for our prescriptions.
We will also set up KiwiAssure to bring new standards of customer focus and service to the insurance industry.
KiwiBank was set up to make the Australian-dominated banking industry offer fairer prices.
It has been very successful, attracting more than 800,000 customers.
Labour’s KiwiAssure will work like the KiwiBank of insurance, making sure there’s a company offering New Zealanders a fair deal.
LABOUR’S COMMITMENTS
NZ Power will lower New Zealanders’ power bills by hundreds of dollars a year, by using bulk -buying to keep prices low
KiwiAssure will raise insurance standards
A supermarket Code of Practice will increase transparency and protect consumers.
The Commerce Commission will be given resources and powers to  promote the interests of consumers
Budget
Solid accounting underpins all of our policies.
Labour will run surpluses every year unless there is another significant global downturn or natural disaster.
We ran surpluses when last in government, and we will do it again.
This will allow us to pay down National’s record debt
while building up savings for future superannuation.
And, for the first time, we will put aside money to make sure the real value of spending in health and education isn’t eroded by inflation and population growth.
At the same time, we’ll make the tax system fairer by taxing speculators and clamping down on tax dodgers
while giving tax breaks on innovation
and getting everyone into KiwiSaver.
Be part of the movement to change the government
Together we can change the government, restoring hope and opportunity to New Zealand.
Things are going to be close and it’s shaping up to be the biggest, most energetic campaign ever.
And the more of us who get involved, the more we can achieve.
Are you in?
Visit labour.org nz/volunteer to find out more.
POLICIES
We’re striving for a progressive, vibrant New Zealand
that encourages individual choice, responsibility and excellence.
A nation with a strong economy
where hard work is rewarded, not taxed away.
We believe the current role of government is far too large and should be limited on a principled basis.
Clearly defining the government’s function would achieve the outcomes New Zealanders desire - a more fair, prosperous and dynamic society.
Our policies are designed to create the right conditions for people to reach their full potential and build successful families, businesses, and lives.
Your efforts should make a difference!
ACCConstitutionCrime and JusticeEconomy and TaxationEducation: School and Pre-schoolEducation: TertiaryEmissions Trading Scheme and Global WarmingEmploymentEnergyEnvironment and ConservationFishingForeign Affairs, Defence and TradeHealthHonesty for TaxpayersHousingImmigrationLocal GovernmentPrimary IndustryRed Tape and RegulationResource Management ActRoadsSuperannuationTreaty of Waitangi and Race RelationsWaterWelfare and Family
ACC
ACT believes that the one-size-fits-all compulsory, government-owned monopoly insurance provider is not only delivering poor results because it is badly managed, but that the failings are endemic to the model.
Throughout its history the organisation has been subject to political interference, lurching between spending largesse and corrective restraint leaving nobody enduringly happy.
Its monopoly status leads to inefficiency due to a lack of competition.
Pursuing political prerogatives has also led to unclear and unjust coverage definitions.
These include an absurdly broad definition of accident, whereas unfortunate people in some categories find themselves without cover they might have bought absent the scheme.
Where the legacy of ACC has created a long tail of liabilities that justice requires be delivered upon, ACT believes that the government should fund these out of general tax revenue
and move immediately to a paradigm wherein New Zealanders can purchase insurance of their choice off a competitive market.
In so doing, the government should review the removal of the right to sue and litigation rules in general.
CONSTITUTION
ACT supports decreasing the size of Parliament and changing the way that electorates are defined.
Election law needs to be reformed - especially around the broadcasting rules.
The role of the Treaty of Waitangi should be restricted to the text
and we also support enhancing the Bill of Rights to cover property rights
CRIME AND JUSTICE
ACT believes that protecting person and property is the first and most important job of the state.
While ACT fully supports rehabilitation and compassion for those who have done wrong, and supports improving efforts in these areas, the primary responsibility of the state is to put innocent victims first.
ACT generally favours tough and principled sentencing that is a proportionate deterrent to the crimes it focuses on.
ACT has identified several areas where this is currently not the case, and recommends revising the sentencing laws.
Burglary is the crime that New Zealanders are most affected by, both in perception and in reality.
ACT advocates the British approach of a three strikes law for this crime.
The reparation scheme has become dysfunctional in New Zealand and ACT advocates lump sum payments to victims by the state, which should then take responsibility for collection rather than letting victims suffer from non-payment.
Murder is not currently sentenced by degree, leading to injustices when one sentencing regime is applied to varying circumstances.
ACT believes that there should be a degrees-of-murder sentencing regime.
Livestock theft is the rural counterpart to urban burglary and is not dealt with in proportion to the hardship it creates.
ACT supports tougher sentences as well as confiscation of weapons and vehicles used for livestock theft, in line with sanctions applied to fish poachers.
THREE STRIKES & JAIL FOR BURGLARY
The state’s principal job is to protect citizens from personal harm and provide for the secure enjoyment of their property.
To deter crime, the state must ensure that it is detected and punished.
This requires an adequately funded police force, a court system that delivers justice promptly and penalties that are properly enforced.
New Zealand has made good progress in reducing crime over recent years, partly on account of ACT’s three strikes legislation, which makes a career of serious crime impossible.
Nevertheless, law and order policies can still be improved.
Burglary is the crime New Zealanders are most likely to suffer, with about 55,000 reported annually.
However, because uninsured victims typically do not report this crime, the actual number of burglaries is much higher.
A 2006 Treasury report put the real number at 2.2 times the reported rate: that is, about 120,000 burglaries a year.
Burglary is a serious crime.
Burglars do not merely steal their victims’ property; they invade their homes.
Many victims suffer a sense of violation far more distressing to them than the loss of their property.
Preventing burglary should be a priority for the state.
Unfortunately, burglary has a notoriously low “clear-up rate”; in only about 15% of cases do the police apprehend the burglars.
Because burglars face a low chance of being caught, deterring them requires stiff penalties for those who are apprehended.
Yet only 40% of convicted burglars now receive a prison sentence.
And, despite the maximum sentence for burglary being 10 years, the average sentence for those imprisoned is only 16 months, with most leaving prison on parole having served only 8 months.
To our knowledge, no burglar has received the maximum 10 year sentence in the past 10 years.
A career criminal with 388 convictions for burglary recently received a sentence of just two years and nine months for his latest addition to this total.
ACT therefore advocates adopting a variant of the UK “three strikes” policy for burglary.
This will reduce the rate of burglary by deterring people from committing the crime and by incapacitating burglars who are not deterred by holding them in prison.
POLICY DETAILS
Three strikes for burglary will be a separate regime from the current three strikes regime for violent crime (introduced by ACT in 2010).
Burglary convictions will not be counted as “strikes” within the violent crime regime and vice versa: violent crime convictions will not be counted as strikes within the burglary three strikes regime.
The one exception is aggravated burglary, which will count as a strike offence in both regimes.
Unlike the violent crime regime, where a third strike earns the maximum sentence for the crime without parole, a third strike for burglary will earn a minimum three year prison sentence with no parole (the unused maximum already being 10 years).
Burglary convictions that pre-date the introduction of the legislation will count as prior offences as they do now.
Any person who commits burglary after the law commences and has two prior convictions or more will be subject to the new minimum sentence.
However, the legislation will impose no retrospective penalties; only new convictions for burglary will be counted as third strikes with mandatory three-year minimum sentences (that is, no previously imposed sentences will be extended to three years).
The mandatory minimum sentence does not apply to offenders under 18.
However, convictions obtained when under 18 count as priors.
Judges need not apply the minimum three year, non-parole sentence when doing so would be manifestly unjust.
"By increasing the cost of committing burglaries, the three strikes policy will decrease the number of burglaries that appear profitable to burglars and decrease the number of burglaries committed."
COSTS AND BENEFITS OF THE POLICY
Imprisoning someone for a year costs $90,000 on average (though less for prisoners in low security prisons, where most burglars are held).
So the cost of the policy to taxpayers is about $90,000 times the difference it makes to the prison population.
If it increased the prison population by 100, for example, it would cost taxpayers $9 million a year – or about $3 each.
What difference, then, will this three-strikes-for-burglary policy make to the prison population?
The answer cannot be known with certainty because it depends on the deterrence effect of the policy.
If the policy strongly deters burglary, as expected, then it will reduce the number of burglaries, the number of convictions and the number of burglars in prison.
It would then reduce the cost of our penal system and save taxpayers money.
If it has only limited deterrence effect, however, it will increase the prison population as burglars who would have spent less than a year in prison instead spend 3 years there.
The three strikes policy will certainly have a deterrent effect.
Unlike some “spontaneous” crimes, burglaries are planned.
If only unconsciously, burglars weigh the likely benefit (in the value of stolen goods) against the likely cost: that is, the penalty for the crime multiplied by the probability of being convicted.
By increasing the cost of committing burglaries, the three strikes policy will decrease the number of burglaries that appear profitable to burglars and decrease the number of burglaries committed.
Since a three-strikes-for-burglary policy was introduced in the England in 1999 the number of burglaries has declined by 35%.
Some of this decline is surely due to the three strikes policy and generally tougher sentencing introduced in the 1990s.
The policy is likely to be more effective in New Zealand because our version does not allow for parole (which the English policy does) and because, unlike England, we are not vulnerable to “burglary tourism” from foreigners whose previous convictions are difficult to determine.
New Zealand’s experience of the three strikes policy for violent crime also suggests a significant deterrence effect of such policies.
About 4,000 New Zealanders are sitting on a first strike but only 32 have a second strike.
Since the policy was introduced in 2010, no one has been convicted of a third strike offence.
Claims by opponents that the policy would result in a sharp rise in the prison population have proven false.
Of course, some will not be deterred, especially those using burglary to fund addictions to alcohol or other drugs.
Incarcerating these burglars for longer gives the state a better opportunity to assist them with their addictions and will benefit those who they would have burgled if not incapacitated by imprisonment.
This is the main reason concern about the cost of imprisoning burglars is misguided.
The cost of imprisoning burglars is small compared with the cost that burglary imposes on society.
By deterring burglary and incapacitating burglars while they are imprisoned, the three strikes policy will significantly reduce the costs that burglars impose on their victims.
"By deterring burglary and incapacitating burglars while they are imprisoned, the three strikes policy will significantly reduce the costs that burglars impose on their victims."
In a 2006 report, the Treasury estimated the average cost of a burglary to be about $9,000 (in 2014 dollars): over $1 billion in total.
(The method used to assign a monetary value to the emotional cost borne by the victims is likely to undervalue their anguish but, to avoid needless dispute, we accept the Treasury’s estimate.)
If our three strikes policy reduces the number of burglaries by 30% – or 12,000 a year – it will reduce the annual cost of burglary by more than $320 million.
The policy would deliver a net benefit unless it more than quadrupled the number of people imprisoned for burglary from the current 1,200 to 4,800.
Which it certainly will not.
Because of the policy’s deterrent effect, we expect the policy to cause no significant increase in the prison population.
By trying to save money on the penal system, opponents of this policy impose far greater costs on the victims of burglary.
That amounts to a dereliction of the state’s principal duty.
ECONOMY AND TAXATION
ACT believes that New Zealanders have been let down by successive governments that have retreated from the productivity enhancing reforms put in place during the period 1984-1993.
Lower productivity growth over the past decade has seriously damaged New Zealand’s ability to compete in the global talent market, which has been met by a continuing exodus of its own people.
The government must review its asset ownership, expenditure, tax structure, and regulatory environment with new zeal.
It short, the country must reverse its policy stagnation to reverse its economic stagnation.
Short to medium term goals should include reducing the level of government expenditure below 28 per cent of GDP and lowering the top tax rate to 24 cents.
ACT’s Regulatory Responsibility Bill should be passed,
and assets exposed to actual or possible commercial competition should be divested.
EDUCATION: SCHOOL AND PRE-SCHOOL
ACT believes that education at this level is an investment in human capital that the government rightly makes.
However, the delivery of the service has been captured, at the primary, intermediate, and secondary levels at least, by a providing bureaucracy that limits choice and innovation for the purpose of self-preservation.
ACT believes that state education funding should be seen primarily as an asset of the parent and child, to be used at a school, public or private, of their choice.
ACT would diminish the role of the Ministry of Education in allocating resources,
separate the property ownership role of the Ministry from the operations role,
make Boards of Trustees more autonomous in their governorship of schools,
introduce better mechanisms for State and Integrated schools to expand and contract according to demand,
and increase the subsidy to private schools
to the extent that it is expenditure neutral.
EDUCATION: TERTIARY
ACT believes that the government’s role in funding education has become poorly focussed leading to inefficient outcomes.
Students have been given a greater range of educational choice, which is to be applauded,
but mollification of the funding formula has meant that too much of what the government spends on tertiary education is either poorly allocated or leaks from the country when graduates depart.
ACT advocates steps that would increase the incentives for students to make sound choices and increase the return on investment that taxpayers receive.
These steps include the removal of price controls that distort educational choices,
and more contestable research funding on the non-teaching side of tertiary education
and putting interest on student loans.
EMISSIONS TRADING SCHEME AND GLOBAL WARMING
New Zealand’s stated position has been that it would be a ‘fast follower’ in the global effort to reduce emissions.
In the event, few other nations have made significant efforts to reduce their emissions and yet New Zealand has become more of a leader than a follower by introducing the world’s only all all-sectors, all-gases scheme.
This has been followed by an impasse where the government has moved to mitigate the costs of the ETS while leaving the infrastructure in place.
ACT believes that this is a situation that satisfies no one.
New Zealand has a cumbersome infrastructure in place that does little, if anything, to reduce emissions even to the extent that such a tiny global emitter could hope to do so.
ACT supports dismantling the Scheme.
If the country ever decides to put a mitigation scheme in place, it should be a simple and transparent carbon tax.
EMPLOYMENT
The Employment Relations Act is a heavy cost on business and is preventing job creation.
ACT will extend the probationary period to a year and abolish reinstatement as a remedy.
ENERGY
ACT believes that an efficient supply of energy is essential to economic growth.
Currently the government’s conflicting roles as an owner and regulator in energy markets is undermining New Zealanders’ ability to obtain energy at least cost.
ACT would have the government divest its ownership of electricity generators and relax regulatory restrictions on the building of new generation capacity.
In the non-electricity energy sector, ACT supports more openness to exploration and extraction of coal and oil,
with the goal of increasing revenues and business activity, and lowering local prices.
ENVIRONMENT AND CONSERVATION
ACT believes that New Zealand’s environment is extremely valuable and faces real threats.
However the government’s current approach of introducing regulation to fix problems has substituted regulatory compliance for sound environmental custodianship.
New Zealand’s environment would be better managed with fewer and clearer regulations, and stronger property rights.
Property owners would have a greater incentive to be good environmental custodians because they would benefit more from their ownership.
Such a regime requires a prima facie assumption of compensation for regulatory takings.
More generally, environmental policy should recognise that markets, in themselves and through the prosperity they bring, are the most important institutions for protecting the environment.
New Zealand’s tradable fishing permits are one example of this while water markets, if implemented, would be another.
FISHING
Recreational fishers are frustrated by rules that appear to differ to those applying to the commercial quota holders and are concerned about how commercial fishing techniques affect their inshore fisheries.
Commercial fishers are concerned about protecting their property rights where they have invested in good faith.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS, DEFENCE AND TRADE
ACT believes that the Government's first and most important task is to defend the nation, its people and their property.
To do this effectively we need strong and stable alliances.
International trade should be fair and free and governed by the rule of international law.
Aid to foreign countries should go to those states with good governance
and a willingness to help themselves.
HEALTH
Healthcare is an inherently difficult area for policy design.
The trade-offs between offering competition and choice on the one hand and incentivising consumers to make good use of funding on the other require careful analysis.
Nevertheless ACT believes that in recent years government policy has made matters worse than they need to be.
Competition and choice have been unduly suppressed and hospital productivity has actually decreased, while patients have been left frustrated.
ACT believes that the government should state the service levels that it will provide in a transparent way
and introduce greater funding contestability wherever possible in order that these levels are met more efficiently.
Performance should be better monitored and made more available to the public.
Where they have the ability to pay, consumers should be required to make co-payments in order to ration the use of care.
HONESTY FOR TAXPAYERS
Click here to view Dr Jamie Whyte's speech
Taxpayers fund the government’s activities.
ACT believes that taxpayers should know the price of any new policy that the national government or a local council is considering in a metric that is relevant to them.
To this end, ACT proposes an Honesty for Taxpayers policy.
Under this policy, regulatory impact statements, cabinet submissions and ministers’ introductory speeches for bills in Parliament will need to state clearly that “but for this proposal, your income tax rate would be X percentage points lower”.
When taxpayers visit the website of any government agency or local council and any programme of that agency, they should have a clear idea of the price of that agency in their taxes or rates.
Government departments and agencies should be required to declare on their home webpage “but for this agency, your income tax rate would be X% lower”.
Similar rules should apply to local governments.
They should be required to reveal how much lower rates would be if not for a particular new policy proposal or existing service of the Council.
HOUSING
ACT believes that housing has been made unnecessarily unaffordable by government regulation, primarily by restrictions on land use.
This unaffordability has multiple social and economic impacts, and leads to unjust wealth transfers.
At the same time any sudden reform risks a socially disruptive transfer away from those who have invested in the current market.
What is required is a relaxation of land use restriction that will return New Zealand to greater housing affordability over a period of time.
Primary to this relaxation is reform of the Resource Management and Local Government Acts, reinstating the rights of property owners to develop their land as they see fit.
At the same time it is important that government policy avoids ‘symptom-treating’ remedies such as subsidies to home buyers, taxes aimed at reducing demand, and greater direct government participation in the housing market.
IMMIGRATION
ACT is and always has been the pro-immigration party.
ACT believes that immigration is a part of our natural heritage, and should continue to be so.
However, ACT also believes that government policy should seek to ensure that immigration remains a good deal for the domestic population.
To this end ACT supports the points system for new immigrants,
ensuring that immigrants have readier access to work and do not have easy access to welfare,
and lowering the tax burden so that the best immigrants may be attracted.
ACT is also committed to monitoring the emerging literature that suggests immigration may make the domestic population poorer through a process of capital widening.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
ACT will reduce the rates burden on households and businesses and lower the costs by repealing the RMA and replacing it with a property based regime (see RMA).
Remove the power of general competence and limit increases in local authority spending to inflation plus population growth
unless the local authority can obtain the prior approval of a majority of voters in that jurisdiction.
Remove the requirement for the Auckland Council to have a Maori Statutory Board.
Ensure that roads and piped water are supplied on a fully commercial basis.
PRIMARY INDUSTRY
With the majority of New Zealand’s overseas earnings derived from the Primary sector, ACT observes that over time expansionary governments have applied more costly legislation to each unit of production – costs that are unrecoverable from any marketplace.
ACT knows that to be competitive, adaptable and resilient to evolving consumption trends, the primary sector needs much less government legislated impediment in production, processing, marketing and distribution.
RED TAPE AND REGULATION
ACT believes that relieving the regulatory burden placed on New Zealanders and their businesses is one of, if not the most urgent, objectives that any government should have.
Previous periods of deregulation greatly improved economic efficiency and overall welfare, however great regulatory uncertainty and poor quality regulations continue to stifle wealth creation.
The law making process simply is not robust enough to produce predictable and sensible regulation.
ACT would have passed the Regulatory Responsibility Bill as recommended by the regulatory taskforce in 2009.
This Bill would raise the standards for law making.
Over time it would be applied retrospectively to the existing stock of regulation.
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ACT
ACT believes that the Resource Management Act is a case study in poor regulation, with major economic impacts.
If red tape and regulation is the most urgent reform area, then the RMA is the most urgent piece of legislation to reform.
It is beyond redemption by small changes, in fact much of its current deficiency is the result of two decades worth of attempts to improve upon a base of fundamental flaws.
Specifically, the RMA does not seek to remedy clear market failures, but rather introduce a central planning approach to the use of resources.
ACT will rescind the RMA.
It will be replaced by the restoration of a greater role for common law actions and remedies.
ACT will set up an expert taskforce to determine what planning laws New Zealand does need relating to public goods, such as flood control, border protection and problems of non-point source pollution.
Any new law will start with the premise that protects private property rights and makes property owners liable for any nuisance they cause.
ROADS
ACT believes that Roads, and the public and private transport that they facilitate are one of the most important infrastructural assets that New Zealand has.
Unfortunately regulatory restrictions and poor funding models have restricted road building below optimal levels, imposing large time costs on personal and business trips.
ACT supports reducing the regulatory restrictions on road building, particularly by way of RMA reform.
ACT believes that road user charges should be implemented so that roads are used more efficiently,
so that more direct price signals are provided for the building of additional roads,
and so to provide revenue for public private partnerships.
SUPERANNUATION
ACT believes that retirement is a predictable expense for which the vast majority of citizens are able to save independently, given clear signals about what the government will and will not be providing.
Under the Status quo, superannuation is an enormous fiscal cost that is subject to political manipulation.
In the short term, the government should abandon the unproductive policies of saving (the so-called ‘Cullen fund’) and subsidising Kiwisaver while in the government itself is in debt and running deficits.
In the medium term it should reduce the fiscal costs of superannuation by raising the age of entitlement to reflect increases in life expectancy and then index it to reflect further increases.
Over the long term, the government should send clear signals to younger New Zealanders that superannuation in the future will be a safety net for those genuinely unable to provide for themselves.
TREATY OF WAITANGI AND RACE RELATIONS
ACT believes that equality before the law is a cornerstone of a free society.
Even with the noblest of intentions, legally privileging some New Zealanders over others with parliamentary seats and other government appointed positions is an erosion of that freedom.
Furthermore, such policies undermine the dignity and independence of the very people whom they are supposed to help.
ACT supports the vision of a free society
and would seek to remove all race-based appointments.
ACT would also seek to ensure that the Waitangi Tribunal process ends on the basis of full, fair, and final settlements.
WATER
ACT believes fresh water is a valuable resource.
Before measures are taken we need more research.
The best way to manage a scarce resource is with tradable permits.
WELFARE AND FAMILY
ACT believes that the welfare system New Zealand developed from the 1970s onward has been a social and economic disaster.
While the intention of reducing hardship was noble, the incentive effects of the system have overwhelmed the resource provision effects.
The policies have led to dependency and indignity for hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders, with an intergenerational dimension.
ACT supports the current government’s initiatives to shift welfare from a paradigm of open-ended provision and resulting dependence to one of mutual obligation.
ACT would continue this process by reducing effective marginal tax rates for those shifting from welfare to work,
outsourcing rehabilitation functions to private providers,
putting lifetime limits on Sole Parent Support,
cracking down on benefit fraud,
and scrapping the minimum wage.
ECONOMY & INFRASTRUCTURE POLICY
ACC
New Zealanders value the reliability and universality of the ACC system and UnitedFuture is committed to the maintenance of this system.
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Support the continuation of the ‘no-fault’ regime and mandatory workplace accident insurance,
but support competition in the provision of accident compensation services;
  Continue ACC’s focus on injury prevention
as the best long term solution to reducing levies and claims;
  Introduce more significant discounts on employer levies for those who undertake workplace safety regimes,
and give more responsibility to industry sector groups to ensure safe practices (such as the independent forestry safety review panel);
  Prioritise measures to improve worker safety in those industries with the highest rates of serious harm, such as forestry and mining, through pro-active enforcement by Worksafe NZ;
  Ensure that ACC genuinely attempts to rehabilitate long-term claimants before they exit the scheme;
  Establish a truly independent process to review appeals against ACC decisions.
This process would also have the power to make recommendations to the government on potential changes to ACC legislation should it find flaws that regularly lead to unfair decisions;
  Make it easier for businesses to assess their levies once they have been set for the coming year, increasing certainty as to what their obligations will be;
  Support the statutory requirement of achieving full funding for all residual (pre1999) claims by 2019, or earlier if possible.
BROADCASTING, COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Broadcasting
UnitedFuture is committed to a broadcasting system that is inclusive, responsive and broad-based for all New Zealanders.
Broadcasting is a comprehensive medium for promoting democracy and an essential social and cultural tool to transmit New Zealand’s cultural and national identity.
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Ensure a particular focus on improving quality, accountability and transparency within all publicly funded broadcasting services;
  Support NZ On Air as a mechanism for encouraging local content on television and radio, since it is available to all networks and it encourages creativity and diversity by allowing independent producers to flourish;
  Reform the Broadcasting Standards Authority to enable it to fulfil its ombudsman role, including: streamlining procedures and providing extra resources to ensure complaints are dealt with expeditiously, broadening its scope so that it can be proactive in raising issues, and empowering the BSA to defend its rulings from network challenges;
  Reduce the compliance costs of regulations for bands on airwaves for regional broadcasters, to allow new players to enter the market
and ensure that local voices have access to the airwaves;
  Maintain Radio New Zealand in public ownership;
  Support Radio New Zealand’s transmission to the greater Pacific region;
  Ensure the New Zealand sound and film archives are protected and digitally recorded;
  Ensure the Broadcasting Act recognises the importance of Community Access Radio and ensures their continued access to FM and AM frequencies;
  Undertake a review of options for the future of public service broadcasting in NZ including consideration of sustainable funding for Radio NZ,
whether TVNZ should be sold and its public functions transferred to a new public television service, and/or potentially merged with RNZ;
  Increase Radio NZ funding at the rate of inflation until the findings of this review are implemented, rather than continuing the current freeze on funding.
Communications and Information Technology
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Support the national partnership involving telecommunications companies and the government for the extension of broadband services into rural areas and hard to service urban areas;
  Create a national "Do Not Call" register, allowing people to list their home phone numbers so they are legally protected from receiving calls from telemarketers;
  Ban telemarketers from calling anyone between the hours of 6pm and 8am, in any 24 hour period;
  Lower the cost of cell phone usage by ensuring New Zealand has an open competitive modern telecommunications infrastructure,
backed by a sound regulatory framework to protect the public interest;
  Take further steps to safeguard children from harmful internet material, working with organisations such as NetSafe and the ICT industry to ensure that filtering software and other appropriate safety measures, including effective Codes of Practice, are effective.
THE ECONOMY
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Support a broad-based low rate tax system;
  Support the retention of the Reserve Bank Act, the Fiscal Responsibility Act, the Public Finance Act in their current form;
  Support recurring regulatory responsibility reviews;
  Improve transport infrastructure, giving priority to areas where ports, roading and rail investment constraints are holding back economic growth and development;
  Ensure that the opportunities presented by the Canterbury Rebuild, both for the economy and for the true revitalisation of a city, are not lost;
  Strongly support the Better Public Services targets as a way to ensure that government spending is efficiently targeted towards measurably improving outcomes;
  Support free and fair trade and embrace free trade agreements and pacts
where there is a reasonable opportunity for New Zealand to benefit, and where New Zealand's unique comparative advantages are preserved.
Tax
UnitedFuture believes the tax system should work in the interests of those raising families
and it should empower family and community self-sufficiency rather than creating dependency.
Under the present tax system people who have no dependents pay exactly the same amount of tax as people with dependents.
Couples who are self-employed in farming or business and retired couples are already able to split their income for tax purposes but this is not available for those on PAYE incomes.
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Oppose the introduction of a capital gains tax;
  Introduce Income Sharing for couples with dependent children, to reflect the fact that the family is generally the economic unit and not an individual earner in a family.
Income Sharing means that, for tax purposes, the income of both parents is combined and then divided equally.
Under our progressive taxation system this would result in a reduction in combined income tax paid where there is a significant difference in income between partners.
It attributes equal value to the different roles each parent plays, whereas our current tax system does not recognise the contribution of parents who spend all or part of their time at home with children.
Income Sharing will give couples with children the option of having a parent work fewer or more flexible hours, be at home raising their children, and able to retain more of their combined after-tax income.
Since the government subsidises childcare for those returning to paid work, it should also acknowledge the contribution of those who have decided to forego their income, in whole or in part, to stay at home with their children.
Legislation to put Income Sharing into effect has already been introduced into Parliament by UnitedFuture.
Savings
UnitedFuture believes that savings are an integral part of wealth and asset creation that helps strengthen families in the long term.
It is UnitedFuture policy to  Introduce compulsory Kiwisaver, which will increase the saving rate of New Zealanders,
deepen the investment pool
and provide financial security and certainty in retirement;
  Seek to have a portion of KiwiSaver funds re-invested in NZ innovation and infrastructure assets;
  Re-introduce savings schemes to children at school, in partnership with the banking industry, and promote the purpose of savings as a core feature of the ‘life skills’ curriculum.
Small Business
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Further simplify the tax system to relieve the compliance burden on SMEs;
  Encourage entrepreneurial activity, especially export orientation, assistance in export introductions, pooling of expertise through business incubators and mentoring schemes, and introduction to investors all through a regionally-available MBIE co-ordinated service that has minimal bureaucracy attached to it;
  Move towards a single point of contact for SMEs seeking advice on a range of government policies,
including the development of a single business identification number for ease of reference.
Employment Relations
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Improve workplace literacy through shared funding of providers by business and government;
  Review employment law to ensure that it reflects the reality of workplace relations in small businesses and gives greater flexibility to small employers (under 20 staff);
  Ensure that advice and information is available to businesses to support them in hiring migrants to fill skill shortages;
  Support the Recognised Seasonal Employer Scheme;
  Support continuation of the 90 day probationary period, as it gives the opportunity for people, particularly youth and new migrants, to enter the workforce.
ENERGY AND RESOURCES
Security of supply and competitive pricing are UnitedFuture’s key policy goals.
We support the current regulatory structure.
Line companies should have the ability and incentive to build new generation capacity.
In the interests of security of supply, we support the maintenance of reserve electricity generation capacity.
The best generation is that which is the most reliable and can be consistently delivered at the lowest cost
within full compliance with New Zealand’s high environmental standards.
Electricity
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Develop a National Energy Strategy;
  Invest in significant NZ inventions of new sustainable energy forms to ensure the innovation is not lost to NZ and is implemented as soon as practicable;
  Invest in small-scale localised electricity generation projects, reducing reliance on the national transmission grid;
  Adopt a national strategy, including private sector funding, to insulate all NZ homes,
prioritising the homes of those on low and fixed incomes;
  Support the construction of more sustainable generation capacity as the way to reduce domestic electricity prices;
  Continue to upgrade the national grid to ensure security of supply;
  Convert Transpower NZ Ltd to a public utility, rather than a profit-driven SOE,
with the sole objective of transporting power through the National Grid at the lowest possible long-term cost to the consumer;
  Make it easier and cheaper for micro-generators to connect directly to local electricity networks (including a requirement for lines companies and electricity retailers to trade with micro-generators at 'fair' market rates);
  Encourage the development of NZ owned and operated alternative energy schemes;
  Resist new big-scale hydro-electricity schemes that require the damming of untouched ‘wild rivers’ as almost occurred with the Mokihinui (and continues to threaten other rivers such as the Waitaha).
Oil and Gas
UnitedFuture believes every effort should be made to encourage rapid exploration and development of New Zealand's potential oil and gas reserves
(within current environmental standards).
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Oppose a standard royalty rate on new offshore oil discoveries being fixed in advance.
We believe that the general policy should be a zero royalty rate with the government reserving the right to apply a royalty, on a case-by-case basis, for any medium to large oil field discovered;
  Ensure there are more stringent environmental protections for all offshore drilling.
This should include building the capability of Maritime NZ, greater resourcing for inspections (health & safety and environmental) to ensure regulations are strictly adhered to and the appropriate strengthening of legislation;
  Continue to allow "fracking" and offshore oil exploration
as long as the environmental risks associated with these activities can be managed effectively, by ensuring that operational best practices are implemented and enforced through regulation.
PRIMARY INDUSTRIES
UnitedFuture New Zealand recognises the importance of primary industries to the security and prosperity of New Zealand.
At a time when there are strong opportunities in the international marketplace, the importance of innovative, resilient and responsive primary industries is paramount.
They must be supported so the opportunity for diversification and added value is identified and encouraged.
Our policy is more than just an economic prescription for our primary industries.
It is about ensuring that often-neglected rural communities receive fair and reasonable access to educational and health services.
Agriculture, Aquaculture, Forestry
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Promote a strong and viable economic policy framework
to underpin the role of primary industries as our major export earners;
  Undertake an immediate review of all legislation and regulations that impose coercive powers and administrative burdens on farmers to ensure their impact is minimised, consistent with the overall public interest;
  Oppose any changes to the principles of the Resource Management Act, but support changes to improve the processes within the Act;
  Continue to ensure that the Resource Management Act is a balanced piece of enabling legislation by requiring a biennial review of its operation with regard to the costs, delays and uncertainty faced by users;
  Support free and fair trade and embrace free trade agreements;
  Continue to increase agricultural workforce skills by encouraging more people into industry training, e.g. through modern apprenticeships in the agriculture and horticulture sectors;
  Establish a global online service that matches potential skilled migrants with job opportunities in New Zealand to help fill critical skill shortages;
  Ensure that advice and information is available to businesses to support them in hiring migrants to fill skill shortages;
  Continue the ‘no-fault’ regime and mandatory workplace accident insurance,
but support competition in the provision of accident compensation services;
  Actively support the role of research and development into the sustainability of primary industries and the ongoing development of new niche industries,
with a particular emphasis on adding value;
  Ensure that biosecurity remains a top Government priority;
  Promote the planting of native trees and bush along or close by all inland waterways where practical in order to limit soil erosion and reduce agricultural runoff (via Government subsidy);
  Encourage landowners to return non-viable farming land to native regenerating forest, possibly with assistance from the QEII National Trust and carbon credits allocated through New Zealand’s Kyoto obligations;
  Boost funding for Crown Research Institutes to conduct research into the health, wellbeing and productivity of New Zealand soils, to develop new techniques for remedying any deterioration that has occurred over time, and establish targets for the quality of soil in which crops are grown;
  Support the current policy of allowing the application of GE and GM technology to proceed – but with caution;
  Support, through Government subsidy, voluntary environmental codes of conduct such as the Clean Streams Accord;
  Accelerate the position of declaring Aquaculture Management Areas around NZ so that aquaculture investment can take place in a climate of certainty;
  Assist the forest sector to move up the value-added chain through research and development and industry partnerships, so that value-added products derived from our forests, rather than unprocessed chips or logs, are exported to the greatest extent possible;
  Balance the need for viable primary industries with environmental sustainability;
  Work closely with the forestry industry and other interested parties, such as recreational users, to maintain a strategic overview of issues affecting or impacting on outdoor recreation, such as sambar deer and public access;
  Ensure that NZ producers of sustainably-harvested timber products are not undercut via the “dumping” of imported timber and products that have been harvested without regard to sustainability criteria;
  Introduce more significant discounts on employer levies for those who undertake workplace safety regimes, and give more responsibility to industry sector groups to ensure safe practices (such as the Independent Forestry Safety Review Panel);
  Prioritise measures to improve worker safety in those industries with the highest rates of serious harm, such as agriculture, forestry and mining, through pro-active enforcement by WorkSafe NZ;
  Establish legal guidelines for drug-testing in the workplace, to ensure there are no barriers to implementing testing.
see also UnitedFuture Policy on Climate Change: Forestry and Agriculture
Rural Services
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Support the family farm concept;
  Emphasise community-based social programmes, together with contestable regional development funding, to assist the revitalisation of rural communities;
  Increase the Financial Assistance Rate (FAR) that is paid by central government to local authorities for the construction and maintenance of local roads to up to 80% of their total costs as a first step to reducing the rates burden faced by many rural communities;
  Support Rural GP services by:o  encouraging medical students to consider rural general practice,
o  supporting the professional development of rural GPs,
o  providing sufficient funding for locum cover,
o  increasing financial incentives for rural GPs,
o  supporting Rural Nurse Practitioners as a new field of practice for senior nurses, and by
o  establishing appropriate practitioner to patient ratios that will ensure quality of care and reduce the risk of burnout;
  Ensure that ambulance and air rescue services are maintained at a level that does not compromise public safety;
  Extend Mobile Surgical Services and support the extension of Mobile Dental Clinics;
  Recognise the importance of schools in rural communities, beyond their educational function,
and ensure that their operations grants are sufficient to meet the costs to schools of providing the learning opportunities that government expects, including sustainable, high-speed broadband;
  Allow rural schools that are difficult to staff to pay more to attract quality teachers;
  Establish ‘families’ of schools to improve coordination between pre-school, primary and secondary schools in a given area, with a view to sharing resources such as computers and sporting equipment, and holding quarterly meetings of representatives from boards of trustees;
  Ensure that school bus services are sufficiently resourced to meet the needs of rural communities;
  Establish a network of ‘rural education posts’ to serve as adult and community education information centres and meeting places, utilising existing educational facilities;
  Ensure that the Tertiary Education Commission recognises the importance of education for the development of the agricultural workforce, and funds vocational courses that meet the needs of the sector;
  Ensure adequate police coverage of rural areas;
  Establish community safety plans with police, local bodies and communities, building on local knowledge and community relationships, and ensure that all households can receive information about local policing issues.
RESEARCH, SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
It is important that New Zealand maintains a strong Research, Science and Technology (RST) sector, now more than ever.
With significant issues such as climate change facing our energy, primary and export sectors, it is imperative that scientific research is given the long-term certainty of funding to successfully meet those challenges.
New Zealand also has an opportunity to help lead the revolution in technological innovation which enables the smartest, and not necessarily the most wealthy, countries to prosper.
UnitedFuture believes that one of the key elements to New Zealand's ongoing economic and environmental sustainability will be our ability to maintain a skilled and experienced RST workforce.
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Develop a National Science Strategy that identifies New Zealand’s resource and capability needs, international trends, and the medium and long term direction;
  Increase government funding of Research, Science & Technology (RST) as a proportion of GDP to at least the OECD average;
  Investigate ways to increase the amount of privately-funded RST.
Current government policy is to reduce public funding of research that benefits industry, assuming that producers will contribute directly, but it can be difficult to attract industry funding for projects with a longer-term horizon from private enterprise, as they often seek more immediate benefits in productivity;
  Simplify the different funding mechanisms for research.
These have been allowed to develop in an ad hoc manner over a period of time to fill perceived gaps, but the result is a system that has become inefficient and difficult to navigate;
  Ensure the scope and operation of the current range of Crown Research Institutes (CRIs) maintain a balance between public good activity and commercial applications;
  Increase the attractiveness of research and science as a career option by reducing the costs of study through our zero tuition fees policy,
expanding current bonding schemes for teachers and medical professionals to scientists in return for a continuous period of work in New Zealand,
and by establishing a system of research scholarships between tertiary providers and the private sector;
  Encourage national research specialisation, bearing in mind New Zealand's size, as well as specialisation by institution, including a focus on:
o  agriculture and horticultural efficiency
o  biotechnology
o  nanotechnology
o  energy efficiency and substitution
o  aquaculture
o  bio-security and environmental degradation
  Support a national expo and awards event for science and technology, to celebrate achievement, attract investment in innovation, and raise the profile of science and technology in New Zealand.
TOURISM
Tourism is a major contributor to the New Zealand Economy.
Tourism not only offers obvious economic benefits to New Zealand but it also has the potential to make a sustainable contribution to our quality of life and our economic, social and cultural development.
Consequentially, tourism benefits and strengthens our communities and families.
New Zealand’s image as a scenic, environmentally-conscious nation provides us with an important marketing edge for promoting tourism in overseas markets.
Therefore, tourism should be based on sustainable, eco-friendly industries
and infrastructural development should be encouraged to support primary tourism ventures.
Flexible economic policies and business-friendly cost structures are also essential to ensure that tourism can prosper and benefit New Zealanders in the greatest possible way.
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Ensure tourism is a strategic economic priority for government;
  Develop effective training programs that ensures higher levels of service standards and take into account the job-rich potential of the industry;
  Review all legislation and regulations that impose coercive powers (e. g. Resource Management Act, Health and Safety in Employment Act) to ensure that the impact on business is minimised yet is consistent with the overall public interest;
  Review the vast array of regulations specifically impacting on the tourism sector;
  Promote self-regulation in the industry, where appropriate;
  Incorporate cultural and community values into industry initiatives, ensuring that cultural protocols are respected;
  Encourage private and public sector tourism bodies to work closely together to produce more coordination across the industry;
  Ensure that labour legislation is not a disincentive to business development and job creation;
  Support working holiday programmes for young tourists;
  Support initiatives to improve the returns from tourism down the value chain, including opening up regional tourism opportunities;
  Investigate the current backpacker tourism market to ensure that it is not devaluing the New Zealand tourism brand and revenue potential through ‘free-riding’ behaviour;
  Support the establishment of the "Great Harbour Way" around Wellington Harbour.
TRANSPORT
UnitedFuture recognises that an efficient transport sector is an essential component of national infrastructure and economic and community wellbeing.
We will work towards an integrated national transport system that meets the needs of industry, commerce and the wider community at a reasonable cost.
Cycling, Walking, & Public Transport
  Encourage greater use of cycling and walking as alternative transport methods, through better cycle lanes and walking paths in urban/suburban areas and in the countryside,
to discourage the use of cars for shorter trips;
  Encourage Councils to increase off street parking spaces and remove on street parking to make room for better cycling infrastructure;
  Encourage cities and towns to introduce bike share schemes in order to increase use of cycling in inner cities;
  Encourage car parks to be developed on the edge of CBDs, where land is cheaper, accompanied by more cycle lanes, walking paths, low cost buses or trams, and bike share schemes to take people the last mile or two into CBDs;
  Initiate a full review of the effects (negative and positive) and the overall benefit of the compulsory helmet law;
  Support the continued use and upgrading of commuter buses and rail;
  Improve the school bus system to assist de-congesting roads at peak times in the major cities;
  Encourage Walking Buses within a two km radius of every urban school.
Roading & Freight
  Support public private partnerships (PPPs) and other investment options for urgently-needed, high cost highways for which there is significant community support, but continue to treat the National Land Transport Fund as the primary source of funding;
  Increase the Financial Assistance Rate (FAR) that is paid by central government to local authorities for the construction and maintenance of local roads up to 80% of their total costs;
  Complete the Roads of National Significance programme, across New Zealand (including the construction of the Transmission Gully highway);
  Improve traffic flow and road safety by road straightening along State Highway 1;
  Encourage the use of electric and hybrid motor vehicles;
  Implement policies to reduce the average age of New Zealand’s vehicle fleet, thereby reducing average fuel consumption and vehicle emissions;
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  Promote research into alternative energy sources for transport, such as fuel cells;
  Promote barging and coastal shipping services where economically viable as an alternative to land-based freight movement;
  Support fair and free competition between air travel providers.
Road Safety
UnitedFuture believes that a number of simple measures can make a big impact on the unacceptably high road toll in New Zealand.
We aim to institute a licensing regime that will help young drivers gain more experience,
while also making sure that dangerous drivers face tougher penalties in line with the irresponsibility of their actions.
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Legislate for compulsory third party insurance;
  Maintain the age by which someone may obtain a learner drivers licence at 16;
  Implement driver education in schools;
  Institute elements of compulsory practical defensive driving course into the driver licensing system;
  Toughen penalties for driving while disqualified or without a licence, alcohol or drug-impaired driving, and driving at excessive speeds;
  Promote the use of technology to generate a rapid response to accident investigations and to help minimise congestion;
  Support the labelling of cars for sale to denote their safety ratings.
OUTDOORS & ENVIRONMENT POLICY
CLIMATE CHANGE
UnitedFuture does not pretend to be able to predict precisely all the consequences or outcomes of climate change, but through the growing scientific and economic evidence we understand the risks and the need for a timely response.
Climate change is a global challenge that through international and domestic cooperation can be managed to mitigate the risks
whilst, in a New Zealand context, presenting a range of opportunities for environmental sustainability and social and economic development.
It is UnitedFuture’s opinion that the benefits of responsible and practical action now will be realised in the long-term health and prosperity of New Zealand’s environment and its people.
The environment is our basic life support system and must remain in good health.
If people want to use the environment for outdoor recreation, economic development, or to simply admire and appreciate it, then it must be used in ways that do not cause permanent widespread damage or compromise the needs of future generations to meet their own needs – i.e. in ways that are sustainable.
See also UnitedFuture Policy on Housing
Forestry and Agriculture
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Support the Permanent Forest Sinks Initiative.
While creating an opportunity for further carbon sinks, the trees will also prevent soil erosion, the leaching of nitrates and the intrusion of stock into rural waterways;
  Continue to encourage more riparian planting, moving towards a requirement to have river and stream banks planted, in order to act as carbon sinks, limit soil erosion and reduce agricultural runoff;
  Encourage landowners to return non-viable farming land to native forest in order to create carbon sinks;
  Require the purchase of ETS credits when forested areas are converted to other use.
For example, where forested land is converted to dairy farming the landowner would be required to buy ETS credits to account for the loss of the carbon sink,
rather than leave those costs to the taxpayer;
  Ensure that New Zealand producers of sustainably-harvested timber products are not undercut via the “dumping” of imported timber and products that have been harvested without regard to sustainability criteria;
  Support the investment which is being made in scientific research by both the Government and the agricultural sector, in respect of methane emissions from ruminant animals;
  Ensure that farmers bear the cost of other (non-ruminant animal) greenhouse gas emissions arising from their activities,
but allow these to be offset by planting trees, on their own property or elsewhere (thus gaining offsetting carbon credits).
Industry
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Remove regulatory barriers, including legislation, to encourage new sustainable electricity generation using hydro, geothermal, wind and tide, where it is also economically sustainable;
  Make EECA the central funding agency for contestable funding programmes aimed at reducing long term energy consumption in small and medium enterprises (SMEs);
  Boost research and development funding through GNS Science for carbon sequestration from thermal electricity generating plants.
International
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Consider joining other multilateral international efforts to reduce greenhouse gases;
  In addition to attempts to limit greenhouse gases, investigate a humanitarian resettlement plan for the thousands who will be physically displaced by rising sea levels in the Pacific region, such as the Tokelaus, Tuvalu and Kiribati.
Emissions Trading
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Support the current CO2 emissions trading mechanisms to provide economic incentives to reduce greenhouse gases and boost carbon capture;
  Oppose the introduction of a carbon tax;
  Ensure the pricing of carbon on the ETS remains at a level high enough to reduce emissions, and consider minimum pricing if necessary;
  Work to reduce particulates from car exhaust emissions.
see also UnitedFuture Transport Policy
ENVIRONMENT
Our Environmental Values:
Sustainable use
We understand that if people want to use the environment for outdoor recreation, economic development, or to simply admire and appreciate it, then it must be used in ways that do not cause permanent widespread damage or compromise the needs of future generations to meet their own needs – i.e. in ways that are sustainable.
Sharing the environment
The interests of a huge variety of outdoor user groups, including conservationists, recreational groups, and tourists, must be recognised, fostered and respected.
The law must explicitly acknowledge that all outdoor user organisations have equal rights to practice their individual pursuits and promote their own interests.
It is important to ensure that the imposition of laws and regulations do not favour one type of group over another – all are to be regarded as equal stakeholders.
Decisions to be based on empirical evidence
We believe that when environmental decisions are made, they should be based on robust scientific data – both in terms of identifying a “problem”, and in terms of projecting what the actual outcome of a particular policy or remedy might be.
We are concerned at the ideological, knee-jerk claims that appear to dominate current environmental debate, often with little evidence to support them.
UnitedFuture believes that if this trend continues New Zealanders may be shut out from interacting with and enjoying the environmental diversity and recreational opportunities that this country has to offer.
Education is the best tool for protecting the environment
UnitedFuture believes that balanced environmental education programmes in schools, as well as programmes targeting the general public, are a good method for ensuring quality environmental outcomes.
If people act in an environmentally responsible manner of their own accord, there will be less need for cumbersome red tape and more emphasis on personal responsibility.
Shutting people off from the environment through over-protection will lead to long-term apathy and a greater disregard for the environment.
Regulatory framework
It is UnitedFuture Policy to:  Seek greater use of multi-stakeholder decision-making processes and voluntary agreements over all aspects of environmental management (including on the Conservation estate);
  Support the ‘Friends of the Court’ (Amicus Curiae) system for Environment Court hearings.
A ‘friend of the court’ provides independent and objective advice to assist the court in making a decision.
This makes it easier for community groups and NGOs, relieving them of some of the cost of court proceedings and having to employ expert consultants;
  Continue to push for the establishment of National Environmental Standards on key environmental factors such as water quality that will protect the environment
as well as giving local councils, businesses and individuals certainty as to what is required on a consistent nationwide basis.
Land Management
It is UnitedFuture Policy to:  Promote the planting of native trees and bush along or close by all inland waterways where practical, in order to limit soil erosion, reduce agricultural runoff and generally improve rural water quality;
  Encourage landowners to return non-viable farming land to native regenerating forest, possibly with assistance from the QEII National Trust;
  Conduct an assessment as to the environmental impact of particular activities on specific land and soil types, and use the RMA to zone and manage activity accordingly
(e. g. certain pumice soils in the central North Island and certain alluvial flood plains in the South Island are not suitable for dairying);
  Boost funding for Crown Research Institutes to conduct research into the health, wellbeing and productivity of New Zealand soils, and to develop new techniques for remedying any deterioration that has occurred over time.
Pollution Reduction
It is UnitedFuture Policy to:  Provide additional funding to Regional Councils for a programme to clean up all of New Zealand’s lakes and rivers that are suffering from accumulated pollution such as agricultural runoff;
  Promote initiatives to reduce the use of dependent pesticides;
  Speed up the clean-up of contaminated sites around New Zealand;
  Assist poorer communities and local authorities with the improvement (or provision) of wastewater and sewerage treatment scheme facilities.
Resource Management Act
It is UnitedFuture Policy to:  Oppose any changes to the principles of the Resource Management Act,
but support changes to improve the processes within the Act;
  Continue to ensure that the Resource Management Act is a balanced piece of enabling legislation by requiring a biennial review of its operation with regard to the costs, delays and uncertainty faced by users;
  Require the Ministry for the Environment to monitor and benchmark regional authorities’ administration of the Resource Management Act.
Genetic Modification
It is UnitedFuture Policy to:  Proceed with caution on all aspects of genetic modification technology using the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) robust case-by-case assessment regime.
see also UnitedFuture Policy on Freshwater
OUTDOORS AND OUTDOOR RECREATION
What we’ve achieved: the Game Animal Council
The establishment of a sensible management regime recognising the historical, cultural, nutritional and recreational value of big game animals (deer, chamois, tahr and wild pigs),
while not neglecting the environmental responsibilities that come with managing such a resource, has been achieved with the enactment of the Game Animal Council legislation in 2014.
This statute was achieved by United Future under Confidence and Supply Agreements with successive Labour and National–led governments.
Under the legislation the basic permit to hunt on public conservation land will remain free of charge.
A new classification of animals has also been introduced under the Act allowing the Minister of Conservation to designate herds of special interest to hunters and in specific locations.
The broad functions of the Council are to:  Advise and make recommendations to the Minister of Conservation;
  Undertake management functions to improve the hunting experience for herds of special interest to hunters and in specific locations designated by the Minister;
  Undertake hunting research;
  Provide information to hunters;
  Promote safety initiatives for the sector;
  Represent the views and interests of the sector;
  Liaise between hunters, sector groups, local authorities and private landowners, the New Zealand Conservation Authority, conservation boards and government to improve hunting opportunities;
  Provide other services to hunters by agreement, where it is compatible with the Council’s other functions.
Department of Conservation Reform
UnitedFuture believes that the Department of Conservation should be responsive to the interests of all stakeholders when administering the conservation estate – including outdoor recreation groups, environmental organisations, the business sector, and New Zealanders in general.
We are particularly concerned at the apparent attitude of the Department towards recreational users such as large game hunters and fishers.
As a consequence, UnitedFuture wants to ensure that the Department of Conservation is required to consult with, and genuinely take into account the views of, all relevant stakeholder groups in a fair, balanced and transparent way.
Such a process may not significantly change land management outcomes on the conservation estate, but it will at least mean that everyone is able to receive a fair hearing and have their views taken properly into consideration.
With regard to pest control, UnitedFuture believes that more time and money should be allocated for this important task.
The exponential increase in exotic pest populations, such as rats and mustelids in the southern beech forests, or other pests such as the Australian Brush Tailed opossum and German wasps, need to be properly and scientifically managed.
These pests, among others, are rapidly destroying large populations of New Zealand’s native fauna and flora.
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Keep a watching brief on the new structure for the Department of Conservation to ensure that recreation doesn’t fall between the cracks of the two new divisions;
  Ensure that the interests of all conservation estate stakeholders are taken properly into account when decisions are made
(including the “national interest”);
  Review the Department of Conservation’s advocacy responsibilities to ensure that they do not waste taxpayer’s money to waste ratepayer’s money in unnecessary appeals against local authorities in the Environment Court;
  Establish transparent public application and decision-making procedures for decisions regarding use of the conservation estate;
  Provide additional funding for 1080-free pest control measures that target the most noxious and destructive pests (e. g. possums, rats, and mustelids),
once thorough consultation has taken place with relevant local community and recreational groups;
  Introduce elected members on to Conservation Boards in addition to Government appointees;
  Provide capital and other resources for use by community groups (e.g. recreational clubs) who have entered into partnerships with DoC to maintain backcountry huts, and actively encourage more of these partnerships for the approximately 1,000 huts on the conservation estate;
  Prioritise the assessment and classification of stewardship land, which comprises 30% of the conservation estate, to provide more protection for areas of high conservation and recreation value
and potentially transfer areas of low conservation value out of DoC management;
  Continue to engage in partnerships with private enterprise to achieve conservation goals such as preserving native species and maintaining recreational facilities (e.g. Dulux sponsorship of hut painting).
Pest Control
New Zealand has been attempting to eradicate selected mammals by poisoning with 1080 for over sixty years.
Vast amounts of research have been undertaken to measure its effectiveness but the target species (rats, stoats and possums) are still here, perhaps in greater numbers than ever.
The inevitable by-kill of non-target species by spreading such an extremely hazardous toxin as 1080 continues.
The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment’s Report on 1080 (June 2011) concluded that in order for 1080 to be effective it must be used in large amounts and in perpetuity.
However, increasing the frequency of deployment has been shown to reduce its effectiveness, possibly due to bait-shyness.
To all intents, therefore, 1080 has become the “opium of conservation”.
The prioritisation of eradicating rats and mustelids using 1080 has also diverted focus away from other threats to our native fauna: Magpies, myna birds, weasels, ferrets, hedgehogs and feral cats for instance displace or kill birds, insects and amphibia.
UnitedFuture therefore believe the wholesale aerial dispersal of 1080 is a failed pestmanagement strategy and must be reconsidered.
It is UnitedFuture policy to:Impose a five year moratorium on the aerial dispersal of 1080, and redirect funds towards:
o  establishment of a commission or collaborative group, akin to the Land and Water Forum, to establish a consensus on long-term alternative pest control strategies;
o  community-based initiatives, such as bounty payments, to increase ground-based trapping of rats and mustelids;
o  initiatives to maximise possum trapping and exploit the fur and meat export markets;
o  planning and executing an extensive monitoring and reporting programme of our threatened species and their predators during the period of the moratorium.
United Future’s intent is to create the opportunity and environment for individuals, communities of interest and businesses to establish viable alternatives to aerial 1080 dispersal and measure and monitor the effectiveness of this approach during the period of the moratorium.
Practical Access to Public Land
UnitedFuture believes that all New Zealanders have a birthright to enjoy our unique, diverse landscape.
Our strong outdoor heritage is central to what it means to be a Kiwi.
By working with successive governments we have advocated strongly for an access policy that protects and enhances access to public land
without unduly impinging on the property rights of landowners.
UnitedFuture, while welcoming the establishment of the Walking Access Commission, does not consider the Commission has sufficient legislative authority to protect the right of access to public land.
Our interest lies in maintaining and, where possible, enhancing public access to public land.
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Extend the powers of the Walking Access Commission so that it can:
o  secure appropriate public access to, public resources like rivers;
o  advocate for public access rather than purely act as a mediator in relation to access negotiations;
o  negotiate specific access corridors across private land with landowners on a case-by-case basis (these corridors could in many instances be based on the ‘paper roads’ and easements that already exist on many legal property titles but are not always acknowledged by landowners);
o  enforce the terms of access corridors on landowners once they have been established;
  Maintain and strengthen the New Zealand Outdoor Access Code (via the Walking Access Commission) that protects property rights and the rights of landowners from people trespassing beyond a legally established corridor, littering, leaving gates open or other nuisances;
  Make further enhancements to the Walking Access mapping system so that members of the public can contact landowners to obtain access permission;
  Close the loopholes within our public access law that allow situations of ‘exclusive capture’ to arise, and actively prosecute landowners who continue to sell exclusive access rights to our public resources.
For example, we do not oppose commercial access to fisheries (in the form of guiding, etc)
but will only allow it if the same access is available to others who want to access fisheries (in the same way that a concession for private guides operating on tramping tracks does not prevent 'freedom walkers');
  Ensure that the Queen’s Chain is formally enshrined in statute;
  Ensure the access regime applies to all private land (including Maori land) for the purposes of ensuring access to public land for all legal pursuits;
  Replace the existing and arbitrary four-hectare rule in relation to subdivision derived esplanade reserves with a less arbitrary trigger for creating new access;
  Require recreational clubs to adopt the New Zealand Outdoor Access Code and deal with any complaints directed at their members;
  Establish a clear set of guidelines for applying to set up new access corridors;
  Ensure adequate funding is available to cover any costs (such as track maintenance) that the establishment or maintenance of an access corridor may entail –
under no circumstances should the landowner incur any costs associated with public access corridors on their land;
  Establish a fund to compensate landowners up front for any damage that members of the public cause to their property (the land access agency can pursue offenders to recover the cost of fund payouts separately).
Freshwater Policy
United Future recognises the social, cultural, recreational and economic benefits of keeping our rivers, streams and lakes full of clean water for current and future generations.
UnitedFuture believes that the environmental value of our freshwater must be considered paramount.
This is the only way to assure both the future health and wealth of our nation.
United Future considers the amenity value of freshwater is fundamental to the Kiwi way of life.
Our rights to swim, fish, gather food and enjoy all of our rivers and lakes in their natural state are essential.
These waters belong to the people of New Zealand.
However, if left unchecked, increasing agriculture intensification, private ownership schemes, insensitive land practices, and increasing urbanization will pollute and dewater our rivers, streams and lakes to a point whereby they will degrade to being no more than toxic drains.
Our Policy is therefore to Keep Freshwater Fresh by:
  Vesting the ownership of all freshwater, its beds and margins to the Crown and placing its management in public hands for its protection and perpetual benefit, interest and enjoyment of the New Zealand public.
The Crown will lease water takes while prohibiting the private ownership, sale or trading of freshwater such as tradable water rights;
  Continue to oppose proposed changes to the Resource Management Act (1991) to ensure that the ecological, environmental, scenic, wilderness and recreational values of freshwater systems have primacy when assessing proposals to dam, divert, abstract, append, change or in any way modify the flow, quality or characteristics of that waterway;
  Completely revise the National Policy Statement (NPS) on Freshwater Management and National Objectives Framework, to ensure more rapid resolution of over-allocation, and to set more stringent quality levels to reduce pollution and improve the ecological health of freshwater ecosystems.
In addition, append and strengthen the NPS with a National Environmental Standard for Freshwater to set flow and quality criteria;
  Create a National Environmental Standard for Land Use, which sets out rules to determine the ecological sustainability of that land use and to ensure it has no adverse effect on any water bodies;
  Re-allocate the Irrigation Acceleration Fund towards contestable grants which promote sustainable and environmentally positive on-farm operations, such as water use reduction, pasture improvement, soil and effluent management;
  Encourage environmental innovation and sensibility by introducing user pays for all water-takes and polluter pays for any individual or entity who introduces point or non-point polluting discharges into rivers or lakes;
  Amend the Environmental Reporting Bill to recognise the sensitivity of salmonids (trout and salmon) to degraded freshwater systems (pollution, low flows and elevated water temperatures), by including the reporting of their quantity and condition within the freshwater domain;
  Move the prohibition of the sale of trout flesh into legislation and make all species of trout ”recreational fish only” and not to be farmed other than to stock recreational fisheries;
  Retain the Fish and Game management model and extend its powers to allow full (non-Ministerial) control over differential licence categories (such as overseas and guides’ licences), and by mandating that all Councils seek the approval of Fish and Game on all decisions which affect the habitat of freshwater fish;
  Close legal loopholes which allow the “exclusive capture” of access to, and participation in, any freshwater fisheries by commercial interests, by amending relevant legislation and extending the powers of the Walking Access Commission so they can advocate for and, if necessary, secure appropriate public access to, public resources such as rivers;
  Create “helicopter -free“ zones on selected wilderness rivers to protect the quality of fishing and access by Kiwis, to be administered by Fish and Game NZ;
  Create a new role within the Ministry for the Environment to hold local authorities accountable where they have not adequately or promptly addressed any adverse impact on freshwater, such as illegal gates or polluters;
  Impose a moratorium on new hydro and irrigation schemes for rivers without existing dams and still regarded as ‘wild’;
  Make it easier for recreational fishers to access information pertaining to their daily catch limit and the penalties for non-compliance through more numerous and comprehensive information boards at boat ramps and popular on-shore fishing spots;
  Provide targeted funding for research into didymo with the intention of exterminating it from our rivers;
  Develop a rapid response unit within Biosecurity New Zealand to respond to future reported potential threats similar to didymo with the mandate to immediately ‘close’ a waterway from public use.
Marine Recreational Fishing
UnitedFuture believes recreational fishing must come before commercial profits
because it is the birth right of every New Zealander to head to the beach to catch kahawai or snapper to feed their family.
Kiwis’ birthright to catch and eat fish should not be compromised by companies that catch and sell too many of our recreational species of fish to foreign countries.
Under our policy minimum fish stocks will be enforced
ensuring our children and children’s children can go fishing, just like we have for generations, and catch fish for their dinner.
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Amend the Fisheries Act to create “Recreational Only Species”, giving recreational fishers priority over commercial fishers for specific species of fish.
The Ministry of Primary Industries will establish a biomass bottom line for these species, setting a permanent minimum tonnage of fish.
Recreational bag limits will be set within the minimum biomass tonnage of fish ensuring that overfishing by commercial operators won’t affect recreational limits.
If commercial operators overfish and cause the biomass to fall below the minimum permanent tonnage they will be required to cease fishing that species until the fish returns above the minimum tonnage.
Initially we will include species such as Kahawai, Snapper, Kingfish, and Blue Cod as “Recreational Only Species” while reserving the right to adjust that list as circumstances require;
  Introduce a type of new marine reserve named “recreational reserves”.
These reserves will be for recreational fishers and iwi to fish in; commercial fishing in these reserves will be banned.
This gives the dual benefit of increasing the available fish for the recreational fisher
and providing a greater area of net free zones for the fish to live;
  Substantially increase the level of funding available for robust scientific monitoring of the impact that specific catch limits and fishing methods are having on fish populations and the marine environment, in order to ensure sustainability of the resource.
This funding will be made available to universities, Crown Research Institutes, and other relevant institutions;
  Work with the recreational fishing sector to establish a public consultation process regarding the future of inshore fisheries management.
Our intention is to preserve the ability for future generations of New Zealanders to have access to the recreational fishing opportunities that we, and previous generations, have enjoyed.
Marine Reserves
UnitedFuture believes that no-take marine reserves should only comprise one component of a graduated and comprehensive plan to protect and ensure the sustainability of the entire marine environment.
In addition, the process for deciding where to establish no-take marine reserves should be more transparent and should ensure that the views of all relevant stakeholders – including recreational fishers – are taken into account (i.e. so they cannot simply be ‘listened to’ on a pro forma basis and then ignored).
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Establish a graduated and comprehensive system of marine protection for the entire marine environment whereby no-take marine reserves are one of several available categories of protection (the category that affords the maximum level of restrictions);
  Establish a marine protection category below no-take marine reserves where commercial fishing is prohibited
but responsible recreational fishing is allowed (similar to the taiapure and mataitai concepts);
  Ensure that in order for a new marine reserve to receive approval it must have a clearly-established and achievable purpose that will be of benefit to all New Zealanders (such as preserving a particularly unique and vulnerable species or ecosystem) and, in addition, require that it must be demonstrated that a notake marine reserve is the only practicable way of achieving that purpose;
  Ensure that statutory Treaty of Waitangi fisheries management requirements, such as those within the framework of the Fisheries Act, will continue to be met (e. g. via the implementation of Taiapure and Mataitai type reserves) as part of any new marine protection arrangements;
  Seek to abandon the percentage approach to marine reserves and other protected areas as it is too arbitrary and is not necessary or useful as a marine management tool;
  Ensure that marine reserves are not used as a fisheries management tool for harvestable species – the existing QMS (in conjunction with more scientific research) is the best means for achieving this;
  Ensure that recreational interests are properly consulted regarding any regulatory changes to allowable marine activities;
  Provide additional scientific funding so that small ecologically-sensitive areas that require the protection of a no-take marine reserve can be objectively identified and prioritised.
Commercial Fishing
The focus of UnitedFuture’s commercial fishing policy is the “New Zealandisation” of our fisheries.
We want to level the playing field so that New Zealand vessels with New Zealand crews are competitive when it comes to harvesting this resource.
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Require two compulsory fisheries inspectors to be present on foreign charter vessels, at the expense of the New Zealand company contracting the charter, to ensure QMS compliance;
  Require at least one compulsory labour inspector to be present on foreign charter vessels, at the expense of the New Zealand company contracting the charter, to ensure compliance with New Zealand minimum wage laws and labour conditions;
  Require that all foreign charter vessels are to remain outside a 25-mile limit;
  Require that a certain percentage of all fishing quota that is leased out by “paper” fishermen must go to New Zealanders;
  Ensure that New Zealand fishing operators can purchase fuel at the same price that international vessels can;
  Fund a comprehensive scientific study to ascertain how much damage is being caused by bottom trawling in New Zealand’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and what are the best ways to mitigate or prevent future damage;
  Review procedures for charging “deemed values” on fish caught without a corresponding allocation of “by catch” quota, to ensure that charges are set at levels that achieve a balance between discouraging illegal fishing
without being overly burdensome on legitimate fishing operations.
Recreational Risk Management
At present many outdoor events are being put under pressure or cancelled by the increasing application of health and safety regulations that were originally designed, quite appropriately, for commercial and industrial environments.
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Ensure that health and safety and related regulations recognise the inherent risk in outdoor activities, which forms part of their very appeal;
  Clarify the law relating to the liability of event organisers;
  Legislate to enable outdoor recreation event participants to sign a binding organiser’s liability waiver to take effect in the event that something not easily foreseeable goes wrong;
  Generally work to ensure that schools, sporting organisations and individuals are free to organise and participate in outdoor events without fear of legal reprisal if something not easily foreseen goes wrong;
  Ensure that access rules are clarified (see Practical Access to Public Land policy) in conjunction with health and safety related regulations to ensure that liability concerns cannot be used as an excuse for landowners to refuse access to their land for outdoor recreation events and activities;
  Enable industries and NGOs to work more closely with schools to develop educational programmes.
For example, the fisheries industry and organisations such as Fish and Game could trial the development and delivery of programmes to teach children about fishing, sustainability and water safety;
  Enable all schools to have a regular outdoors education programme, where outdoor recreational experts and clubs can support teachers in educating students.
Heli-hunting
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Prohibit heli-hunting, herding or hazing from helicopters except for legitimate animal management operations when numbers warrant it.
FAMILY & SOCIAL POLICY
DISABILITY
UnitedFuture supports the intentions and direction of the current NZ Disability Strategy, but believes that there is an unacceptable gap between policy and practice in many service areas.
It is UnitedFuture Policy to:  Establish community-based advocacy services to ensure that every disabled person and their family have a case manager who ensures that clients have access to every support to which they are entitled;
  Support the development of “family governance groups” to oversee life-long care arrangements for individuals with disabilities;
  Commission an independent review of current audit and monitoring provisions for disability care providers;
  Promote a client-driven, rather than provider-driven, disability support sector.
Better collaboration between what clients want and what services are available may require changes to funding and contracting arrangements, with the client having a stronger voice in decision-making;
  Develop standards for group housing that provide residents with a greater voice;
  Support home ownership for people with disabilities through rent-to-buy and shared equity mechanisms and the use of State Housing stock for this purpose;
  Ensure wage rates are transparent in all government contracts with providers, and that there is provision for ongoing training of the workforce;
  Ensure that appropriate respite care is available in every region.
see also UnitedFuture Policy on Special Education
DRUGS
UnitedFuture’s approach to drug policy is to concentrate on the drugs that cause most harm to New Zealand communities.
We believe that drug policy should be based on expert medical evidence and social sector advice rather than knee-jerk media hysteria.
It is often overlooked, but it must be remembered that the two most harmful substances in New Zealand are alcohol and tobacco.
Drugs and Health
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Maintain the current legal status of cannabis (including medicinal cannabis) until there is robust evidence to show that any benefits obtained through cannabis use outweigh the harm to an individual’s health (noting that it is up to the applicants -i.e. drug companies -rather than the government to initiate testing of cannabis for medicinal purposes);
  Continue to support the full implementation of the Psychoactive Substances Act 2013, which regulates the sale, manufacture, and importation of New Psychoactive Substances or drugs commonly referred to as ‘legal highs’;
  Maintain funding for drug treatment programmes, and ensure that residential treatment centres are available and properly funded in each region;
  Review the use and availability of methadone with the intention of reducing methadone reliance;
  Place greater emphasis on increased funding and co-ordination between alcohol and drug services and mental health services to ensure appropriate, accurate assessment with correctly directed treatment.
Drugs and Education
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Support public education campaigns that highlight the negative health effects of smoking, alcohol and substance abuse;
  Work with schools to ensure they remain drug-free by promoting treatment options in conjunction with punishment for drug offences;
  Encourage schools to implement anti-drug policy programmes in consultation with the police and other agencies such as DARE and Life Education Trust.
Drugs and the Law
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Focus resources to deal with the most socially harmful drugs
as identified through scientific research and the assessments of justice, education and health experts;
  Regularly review the classification of drugs to ensure they accurately reflect their health, behavioural and social effects;
  Provide drug offenders with treatment options, through initiatives such as the trial Drug and Alcohol Courts;
  Raise penalties for drug dealers who supply to people under the age of 18;
  Raise penalties for receiving income from the proceeds of drugs;
  Require prisoners to undergo full toxicology testing on admission to prison to establish the level of drug use
and provide them with a clean start through targeted detection, deterrence, treatment and education programmes;
  Focus on the elimination of drug use within all prisons and youth correction facilities,
and ensure treatment options are available;
  Ensure that re-integration and parole services for inmates who have previously tested positive for the use of drugs include mandatory drug-testing and drug treatment options;
  Ensure that Customs are sufficiently funded to stop the importation of drugs;
  Increase police resources to prevent underage alcohol sales and introduce stronger penalties for supply alcohol to minors.
EDUCATION
Early Childhood
Parents are the drivers of their children’s education, implicitly and explicitly, and we want to support them in this role, by giving them the skills to be their child’s first teacher.
It means we will allow parents, and not the government, to choose the most appropriate provider of pre-school education for their child.
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Encourage more men to join the teaching profession at all levels, including ECE;
  Support the concept of parents as first teachers and expand access to programmes like PAFT and HIPPY to families other than those deemed to be at-risk;
  Endorse the role of parent-led early childhood education centres, such as Playcentre, to empower parents to lead their children’s education
and encourage the parent-child bond;
  Promote an increase of funding for early identification of children with special needs and disabilities with targeted systematic, intensive and high quality interventions;
  Ensure that government funding of early childhood centres is reflected in the fees passed on to parents by requiring them to disclose what proportion of fees are taxpayer-funded;
  Pilot the use of early childhood education centres as contact points for family support services, such as parenting courses, budget advice, health and counselling services;
  Simplify, with a view to reducing, the quantity and complexity of compliance requirements that early childhood education and care providers must fulfil.
National Standards
UnitedFuture is broadly supportive of a system of National Standards as long as outcomes for children are the top priority.
UnitedFuture wants to keep teachers, parents, schools and the Ministry of Education on task to ensure that the overall objective of improved primary education is kept at the forefront.
In  keeping with this, UnitedFuture is particularly keen to improve the clarity of standards information provided to parents about their child’s performance.
Primary Schooling
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Increase funding for, and access to, Reading Recovery;
  Set a minimum number of hours for the core teaching of literacy and numeracy;
  Work towards reducing the teacher/pupil ratio, with a particular focus on reducing class sizes for Years 4-8;
  Work on introducing at least one teacher aide per primary school classroom to help with behavioural and developmental issues (beginning in low decile schools).
Secondary Schooling
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Introduce a minimum number of standards for each subject that must be externally assessed;
  Investigate initiatives to address the problem of boys continuing to fall behind girls in achievement and completion rates for NCEA;
  Establish nationally consistent policies on internal and external reassessment opportunities;
  Ensure that the time allotted to complete externally assessed exams is appropriate to the number of standards that students are sitting;
  Support the raising of the school leaving age from 16 provided:
o  it is accompanied by a range of options for students to use their years 12 and 13 for more career-focused learning options like trade training; and
o  universities are prepared to allow students to attain first year university credits in year 13;
  Ensure that senior students have sufficient access to advice and information about career choices and opportunities for further education and training.
Effective Teaching
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Encourage more men to join the teaching profession;
  Ensure that entry requirements to teacher education are rigorous;
  Ensure that student teachers possess both the competencies and the disposition to work with children and young people before they can graduate;
  Clarify the processes available to Principals and Boards of Trustees for dismissing an incompetent teacher;
  Support changes to the Teachers’ Council (or the proposed ‘Education Council of Aotearoa New Zealand’) to give it greater powers to discipline and de-register those who are unfit to teach;
  Increase the amount of time student teachers spend in school-based placements;
  Expand Teach First NZ, a programme that takes top university graduates, puts them through short but intensive teacher training, and places them in challenging schools.
Engaging Parents and the Community
Research shows that families and whānau who monitor their children’s progress at school are more likely to have children who are successful learners.
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Ensure that information about the characteristics, facilities and performance of all New Zealand schools is available to parents on the internet;
  Pilot programmes aimed at increasing parent involvement in schools literacy programmes;
  Target Maori and Pacific Communities for closer involvement in school life and student learning to improve achievement rates;
  Provide additional support to schools catering for extremely diverse communities to engage better with parents.
Often schools positioned in the middle of the decile rankings are the most in need of this support.
Effective School Leadership & Governance
School leadership is a critical factor in determining the tone and effectiveness of schools.
Principals and their senior staff oversee curriculum delivery, assessment, the professional development of staff, timetabling, reporting to parents and the wider community, the pastoral care of students and much more.
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Assess whether the same governance structure for schools as small as 9 students in remote rural locations as for large schools of over 2000 students, despite widely varying needs and pools of potential trustees, is appropriate;
  Review the role and effectiveness of the Board of Trustees model, specifically succession planning, training, financial management, recruitment and retention, professional appointments, the development of special school characteristics and issues identified by managers during a statutory intervention;
  Offer more management training to primary teachers, to reflect the additional responsibilities beyond the walls of their classroom that many teachers carry out;
  Improve the provision of professional development for school leaders.
Curriculum
Success in the future will require people to be more adaptable to change both personally and collectively.
Accordingly, United Future would like schools to have greater ‘all round’ education focus.
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Ensure that years 7 – 13 at school take an integrated approach to life skills by establishing it as a separate subject, including segments on career planning, budgeting advice, and parenting skills;
  Enable industries and NGOs to work more closely with schools to develop educational programmes.
For example, the fisheries industry and organisations such as Fish and Game could trial the development and delivery of programmes to teach children about fishing, sustainability and water safety;
  Enable all schools to have a regular outdoors education programme, where outdoor recreational experts and clubs can support teachers in educating students;
  Ensure that character education programmes, also known as values education and life-skills education, are established in full consultation with parents and staff and operate in all of New Zealand’s schools.
Character education is about incorporating universal values such as honesty, respect for others and the law, tolerance, fairness, caring and social responsibility into a school’s culture;
  Ensure that assessment tools be developed that would provide teachers with greater clarity in observing oral skill development – not just students’ confidence levels when talking, but also their ability to negotiate, articulate and participate in conversations through effective listening;
  Encourage the use and teaching of Te Reo in all schools;
  Expand the range of languages available for study at secondary levels, drawing on the resources of Correspondence School where necessary.
See also UnitedFuture Policy on Civics and Citizenship
Funding and Achievement
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Fund a base level of Support Staff salaries separately from schools’ general Operations Grant;
  Review funding available for ICT initiatives;
  Improve security options for school campuses;
  Prepare for the impact of changing modes of learning on school facilities (e.g. the use of flexible spaces for team teaching);
  Increase resources for ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) programmes, to ensure that our newest residents can participate fully in education
and integrate into our society as soon as possible after their arrival.
Creating a Safe Learning Environment
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Support restorative justice disciplinary programmes in schools to combat bullying and other misbehaviour, requiring the student to understand the implications of his/her actions, involving the parents, and arriving at a punishment (e.g. community service) that is an alternative to suspension or expulsion;
  Include parents where possible in developing and enforcing agreements between students with disruptive behaviour and the school prior to resorting to exclusions and/or stand-downs;
  Develop alternative education provision for suspensions longer than five days;
  Make discipline a key factor in evaluating school performance;
  Resource alternative education providers to work with at-risk youth who have dropped out of mainstream schooling;
  Work with schools to ensure that they remain drug-free by promoting treatment options in conjunction with punishment for drug offences;
  Undertake a campaign to promote academic role models amongst youth, but particularly targeted at boys;
  Expand the Social Workers in Schools programme beyond decile 1-3 schools.
Boys Education
Boys make up close to three-quarters of referrals for literacy help, speech/language therapy and behavioural difficulties.
At the other end, women make up nearly 60% of our university graduates and this percentage appears to be growing.
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Address the growing achievement gap between male and female students;
  Encourage more men to join the teaching profession at all levels;
  Investigate the use of single-sex classrooms within coeducational schools;
  Find other ways to adapt teaching methods and educational environments for boys
without discriminating against female students.
Special Education
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Increase funding to the Ongoing Reviewable Resourcing Scheme (ORRS).
Currently 1% of students receive some ORRS funding even though we know that one in five New Zealanders have some sort of disability;
  Review the guidelines used to determine if a student still qualifies for ORRS funding to ensure that future progress isn’t hampered by a reduction in allocation because the student has made progress;
  Allow schools to transfer unused ORRS funding in a particular year to other students in need within the school;
  Develop compulsory content for all teacher trainees regarding teaching students with disabilities;
  Increase funding for Resource Teachers of Vision and Resource Teachers of the Deaf to improve teacher-student ratios;
  Ensure that the professional development of teachers and staff working with special needs students is funded separately, rather than having to come out of the Special Needs Grant to schools as this reduces the amount available for direct support for students;
  Review the workload of Special Education staff within the Ministry of Education and out-of school offices to ensure teachers and students are being appropriately supported;
  Promote an increase of funding for early identification of children with special needs and disabilities with targeted systematic, intensive and high quality interventions;
  Fund support staff such as teacher aides centrally rather than from operational grants.
Gifted Students
UnitedFuture acknowledges that gifted children may not be nurtured in the school environment due to the perception that they will succeed regardless.
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Better educate student teachers and current classroom teachers on how to identify and respond to the needs of gifted children;
  Ensure that funding and resources for gifted children are regionally managed in collaboration with other schools, in recognition of the small number of affected children;
  Fund specialist education programmes for children assessed as requiring such provision, such as "One Day School";
  Provide regional resource teachers to support the learning of gifted students and their classroom teachers.
The Correspondence School
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Enable all New Zealand students to access and benefit from dual enrolment, so that those who are primarily Correspondence School students can take classes at local schools as well as the reverse scenario (e.g. where a school does not teach a particular subject);
  Offer Correspondence School students the chance to have face-to-face interactions and participate in school camps, school days and/or workshops in order to develop co-operation, competition, physical & social skills;
  Fund the Parents Association annually through the Ministry of Education;
  Ensure that Distance & Itinerant students’ needs are ring-fenced and protected and open up funding streams such as ORRS for students with disabilities and special needs;
  Develop an NZQA qualification for teaching by correspondence;
  Review supervisor payment rates.
Tertiary Education
UnitedFuture proposes a bold new approach to tertiary education policy, which would see New Zealand finally offer free education to its citizens from the age of 3 years old, right through to university and beyond.
We propose a zero-fees policy for tertiary education in New Zealand in place of Student Allowances,
accompanied by a push to increase the quality of tertiary education and protect the value of New Zealand degrees.
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Ensure that entrance standards remain high for universities to ensure they are internationally competitive.
Australia has six universities ranked in the top 50 in the world, but we only have one in the top 100, and this needs to change;
  Promote greater awareness amongst young people of the opportunities afforded by vocational training, such as apprenticeships;
  Encourage all young people under 25 who are not at school to either be “earning or learning” (i.e in some form of education/training or work)
and support initiatives such as the Mayoral Taskforce for Jobs.
  Encourage networks and co-operation between tertiary providers and industry to ensure that skills taught are relevant and required in the future labour market;
  Ensure that tertiary education instructors undergo a minimum amount of training in teaching, and require teaching performance to be monitored and included as a factor in promotion decisions;
  Ensure that degree courses are taught by staff actively engaged in relevant research;
  Ensure that the intent of the University Act is not diluted by external audit of compliance areas, especially in non-relevant research.
Student Support
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Remove tuition fees for tertiary education in New Zealand,
accompanied by a push to increase the quality of tertiary education and protect the value of New Zealand degrees.
The zero fees policy would mean that students would only borrow living costs, rather than the crippling loans which are currently being incurred to cover fees as well.
A zero fees policy also addresses one of the illusions of the current policy, where it is assumed that tuition fees cover all or most of the costs of study, when in fact the taxpayer already covers the majority of tuition costs;
  Abolish the Student Allowance, as a way to help fund the zero fees policy.
The student allowance system has become patently unfair, relying on means testing of parental income until a student turns 24, and enabling the wealthy to receive allowances where their parents are able to reduce their taxable income;
  Support the NZ Union of Students' Association's proposal for a “First in Family” scholarship, which covers living and course related costs for first year university students who are the first in their immediate family to undertake tertiary study.
Additionally, the programme requires participating universities to extend support to secondary schools to select and encourage prospective First in Family applicants and support them to succeed once they are at the tertiary institution;
  Increase the focus on repayment compliance and monitoring of overseasbased student loan holders;
  Ensure all tertiary students unable to find work over the summer period have access to the Emergency Unemployment Benefit.
Adult Continuing & Community Education
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Develop a strategy for adult and community education that determines the most appropriate provision of learning opportunities in both urban and rural settings;
  Establish a network of ‘rural education posts’ to serve as adult and community education information centres and meeting places, utilising existing educational facilities;
  Increase funding for adult literacy programmes, including those in workplaces, and ensure that every community education centre runs such programmes;
 Increase funding for budget advice programmes, and ensure that every community education centre runs such programmes.
FAMILIES AND CHILDREN
UnitedFuture has always believed that the family is the core unit of our society, from which all values and skills for living harmoniously in a modern society emanate.
Our family-specific policy specifically relates to families with dependent children and, far from being exhaustive, simply addresses issues that are not covered in other policies.
Issues:  Children are more likely these days to experience a number of different family arrangements than in the past;
  Fatherlessness is regarded as the biggest predicator of delinquency in youth;
  Parents are older;
  An increasing number of children are being raised by family members other than their parents;
  There is more pressure on both parents to work full time;
  There is a lack of core parenting skills.
Policy Principles:  We need relevant measures across all government sectors to monitor family success in quality of life indicators;
  Family resilience is reliant on both the internal skill set and strengths of the parents and the health of the local community in which they are based.
Therefore policy needs to be focused on both the individual family and their communities;
  Policy should be based on credible research, robust consultation, and the use of trials/pilots.
What we have done so far:
  Established the Families Commission to research issues relating to families and provide evidence-based advice to government and the NGO sector on policy development;
  Pushed to establish family tax credits as part of Working for Families;
  Ensured KiwiSaver schemes will be able to be used as a deposit subsidy for a house, subject to criteria;
  Increased the Unsupported Child Benefit to match the Foster Care Allowance, so that grandparents raising grandchildren get the same as foster carer rates;
  Developed the 2010 Budget tax package, which saw the biggest reductions in income taxes across the board for families since the 1980s.
Supporting parents supporting children
UnitedFuture not only places children and parents firmly at the centre of all our policies – we exist as a party to keep Government focused on the family in all its shapes and sizes.
Our main principle is that we believe that investing in those on whom children rely for their wellbeing – namely parents – is key.
Although this is the thread running through our entire platform, the policies listed below specifically target the well-being of the relational family unit and the choices parents can make regarding the care of their children and their work/life balance options.
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Introduce Income Sharing for couples with dependent children, to reflect the fact that the family is generally the economic unit and not an individual earner in a family.
Income Sharing means that, for tax purposes, the income of both parents is combined and then divided equally.
Under our progressive taxation system this would result in a reduction in combined income tax paid where there is a significant difference in income between partners.
It attributes equal value to the different roles each parent plays, whereas our current tax system does not recognise the contribution of parents who spend all or part of their time at home with children.
Income Sharing will give couples with children the option of having a parent work fewer or more flexible hours, be at home raising their children, and able to retain more of their combined after-tax income.
Since the government subsidises childcare for those returning to paid work, it should also acknowledge the contribution of those who have decided to forego their income, in whole or in part, to stay at home with their children.
Legislation to put Income Sharing into effect has already been introduced into Parliament by UnitedFuture;
  Extend paid Parental leave to 13 months, as originally recommended by the Families Commission.
In addition to the current 14 weeks' leave for mothers (which is able to be transferred to her partner upon application), a father or other partner would be able to take up to four weeks' paid leave in their own right, either at the same time as the mother or on their own.
An additional 38 weeks' 'family leave' would be available to either parent, adding up to 56 weeks in total.
The full package would be phased in over time with the aim of providing the full entitlement within 5 years;
  Support flexible working hours;
  Create one-stop shop Family Service Centres, building on the current 'Heartland Services Centres' model used in rural areas, to meet community needs in a coherent and family-friendly way.
These centres would offer parents information on opportunities that exist for them and their children, and would be a point of contact for government and NGO-provided services demanded by the community, such as:
o  health checks
o  early childhood education and care options
o  relationship counselling
o  working for Families entitlements, other benefit information and budget advice
o  parent education opportunities and support;
  Fund a public education campaign to provide couples with the tools to improve their relationships, followed up by access to resources and counselling services;
  Improve access to effective parenting programmes for a wider range of parents and parenting stages;
  Improve access to relationship counsellors and courses for families;
  Ensure that schools years 7–13 at school take an integrated approach to life skills by establishing it as a separate subject, including segments on career planning, budgeting advice, civic education, relationship and parenting skills;
  Target infant health by concentrating on the appropriate support for parents before and after birth and ensuring high-quality extended care and support, including home visits, by lead maternity carers and Plunket;
  Treat child obesity as a parenting issue and use parent education as the first line of attack to reduce obesity rates;
  Take further steps to safeguard children from harmful internet material, working with organisations such as NetSafe and the ICT industry to ensure that filtering software and other appropriate safety measures, including effective Codes of Practice, are effective;
  Make the Children's Commissioner part of the refocused Families Commission;
  Support the ongoing funding and development of the longitudinal programme, "Growing Up in New Zealand" and the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study and the Christchurch Health and Development Study.
See also UnitedFuture policies on Education and Health
Separated Families and the Care of Children
Close to one in three children in New Zealand are growing up in a house without both their biological parents.
Some children have never lived under one roof with both their parents.
Many other children and parents have had to adjust to family life after separation and divorce.
A significant number of grandparents have also found themselves raising children that, for various reasons, their own children have been unable to parent themselves.
It is UnitedFuture Policy to:  Amend the Care of Children Act to make explicit the presumption of shared care when determining the care arrangements for children when parents separate,
as long as both parents are competent, and it is in the child’s best interest to continue to have regular contact with both parents after divorce or separation;
  Support all moves to introduce mediation services into the Family Court system to reduce the need for lawyers and judges when settling disputes;
  Introduce compulsory DNA paternity testing to determine parentage in cases of disputed fatherhood.
UnitedFuture knows that many grandparents who have been left to look after their grandchildren provide a selfless service that is of great benefit to society and the children themselves.
Although these New Zealanders are fiercely independent and loathe asking for help, UnitedFuture thinks it is only fair that this contribution is acknowledged by the state.
It is UnitedFuture Policy to:  Raise carer rates for grandparents to the same as that enjoyed by foster parents, including additional assistance and support in the form of respite care, grants for sports gear, legal aid and other such expenses or other help in areas to be determined by grandparents themselves.
Child Support
Over the past two parliamentary terms UnitedFuture has led a review of the child support scheme to make it more responsive to factors such as shared care, the income levels of both parents and the costs of raising children.
UnitedFuture wants to continue to improve the child support system, to look at ways in which the system can be made fairer
and enable and encourage both parents to stay involved in the lives of their children.
It is UnitedFuture Policy to:  Allow payments to separating parents on a benefit to be split at the ratio the parents decide is best for the child, and to reflect the contribution that both parents are making to that child’s upbringing;
  Require one nominated parent, in the situation where both parents are on a benefit, to continue to seek work once the child reaches 3 months of age, in the same way they would as if they had no child.
Once that parent has found work the then the child support payment should go to the other parent in full or a split amount decided by the family.
HEALTH
Principles:
  UnitedFuture believes that maintaining wellness is fundamental to the quality of life of all individuals and families;
  Health policy should be as focused on prevention as much as cure – UnitedFuture therefore encourages healthy lifestyle choices;
  Access to treatment should happen in a timely manner and include access to all health facilities and services across New Zealand.
Key issues
  The current public health system struggles to keep up with the demands being placed on it and will continue to do so, particularly with the increase in New Zealand’s aging population.
At the same time there is underutilised capacity in the private surgical sector;
  The cost of health care continues to rise at a rate of about twice that of inflation.
The aging population increases the demands on the health system and the decreases the proportion of tax payers;
  Particular ethnic groups have major health issues affecting their quality of life and lifespans;
  Planning for our medical workforce is not undertaken in a sustainable manner;
  New Zealand has increasing rates of obesity and its related problems such as diabetes, the full force of which is yet to hit home;
  Alcohol, tobacco and drug abuse are significant contributors to poor health outcomes in NZ and we have a high incidence of sexually transmitted infections;
  There are part charges for primary health care but not for secondary care;
  The high cost of illness is felt at every level, personally, in families, in lost productivity, in communities and in government expenditure.
The Health System
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Retain the current basic structure of the health system, rather than restructuring it, to provide stability for health professionals and consumers and to give it an opportunity to deliver;
  Commit to the public health model so that it continues to assume the key role in the provision of vital health services;
  Ensure that the health system is characterised by a climate of certainty by clearly defining core services, so that New Zealanders know where the public system covers them and where there is limited cover;
  Continue to reduce waiting lists for elective surgery for those who are likely to wait longer than 6 months by requiring DHBs to contract out work to Private Hospitals;
  Investigate the feasibility of a national health insurance scheme, as an extension of the existing ACC scheme, for non-trauma based disability such as elective surgery for the elderly;
  Extend Mobile Surgical Services;
  Continue the rollout of mobile dental clinics;
  Review the administrative and policy compliance burden facing hospitals and GPs, to free up resources currently dedicated to management which should instead be directed towards actually making people better;
  Require greater collaboration between DHBs to reduce management and operational costs particularly in the supply of goods and services, with the view to amalgamating some boards in the future if efficiency gains are not achieved;
  Ensure that ambulance and air rescue services are set and maintained at a level that does not compromise public and crew safety;
  Increase funding for health research to bring New Zealand’s funding up to at least the OECD average as a proportion of GDP;
  Encourage the development of integrated electronic medical records and prescription systems to reduce medical errors, remind patients and physicians about preventative and follow-up care, and facilitate the sharing of integrated records and information across sites of care;
  Expand the role of PHARMAC in the prioritisation and procurement of hospital medicines and vaccines as part of the National Medicines Strategy;
  Ensure that every community has good after-hours medical services separate from Emergency Departments in hospitals.
Enhanced Preventative Services
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Reassess the efficacy of the national vision and hearing screening programme in schools, and expand access to optometrist tests for children with learning difficulties during primary school years;
  Target infant health by concentrating on the appropriate support for parents before and after birth and ensuring high-quality extended care and support, including home visits, by lead maternity carers and Plunket;
  Support effectively targeted cervical, breast, and skin cancer screening programmes, and establish a new prostate cancer screening programme for men.
When fiscal conditions allow develop a national bowel cancer screening programme;
  Increase funding for sexual health/contraceptive programmes;
  Treat child obesity as a parenting issue and use parent education as the first line of attack to reduce obesity rates;
  Develop and fund programmes focussing on better nutrition, particularly for children and youth;
  Expand the prevention work of the Public Health Office;
  Establish a national register for Type 1 Diabetes, a diabetes research fund, and increase funding for Type 2 Diabetes testing;
  Expand the development of strategies to reduce non communicable diseases;
  Support the use of "green prescriptions" through the development of safe and convenient venues for physical activity, such as walking paths and bicycle lanes;
  Establish minimum standards of cleanliness for waterways;
  Establish targets for the quality of soil in which crops are grown.
Our health depends on the quality of the food we ingest which in turn depends on the quality of the soils in which it was grown.
If the soils lack essential nutrients then so do we;
  Boost funding for Crown Research Institutes to conduct research into the health, wellbeing and productivity of New Zealand soils, and to develop new techniques for remediation of any deterioration that has occurred over time;
  Continue the national strategy, including private sector funding, to insulate all New Zealand homes to at least 1977 standards.
This also has benefits for climate change
and family finances;
  Work to reduce particulates from car exhaust emissions;
  Make no change to the legal status of cannabis for medicinal use until a robust regulatory testing regime is developed that proves cannabis use causes minimal harm to an individual’s health.
Public education and personal responsibility
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Improve public education regarding the safe and effective use of quality prescription medicines, as part of Medicines New Zealand -national Medicines Strategy;
  Support public education campaigns that emphasise the importance of nutrition and exercise and the consequences of poor nutrition such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer, and premature aging;
  Support public education campaigns that highlight the risks of smoking, alcohol and substance abuse;
  Support community-based education campaigns that empower parents and extended families to take responsibility for healthy eating and lifestyles;
  Encourage employers to offer healthy lifestyle incentives (such as a gym membership) as a supplement to sick day provisions in an employment contract negotiations;
  Investigate the feasibility of a national health insurance scheme, as an extension of the existing ACC scheme, for non-trauma based disability such as elective surgery for the elderly;
  Introduce a free annual health check-up to all over 65s;
  Set aside funding for a public health campaign to promote organ donation and to encourage family discussion about what it means to be an organ donor.
Health workforce
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Zero tuition fees for those studying medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and nursing;
  Provide first class working conditions for health professionals as the key to recruitment and development, through the accreditation of workplaces such as the American “magnet” hospital status;
  Develop apprenticeship-style training for caregivers, allowing them to acquire qualifications while working in residential or home care environments, to ensure that they can develop a career path in this field;
  Localise the review of GP co-payments rather than the current expensive centralised review process;
  Support the ongoing development of Nurse Practitioners with scopes of practice for senior nurses;
  Introduce a sabbatical scheme that would allow health professionals to take a year out of work every five years to update their skills and knowledge;
  Embark on a pro-active overseas recruitment campaign, and develop the concept of bonded “working holidays” for health professionals;
  Ensure that funding for the aged care sector covers staffing costs in both residential services and in-home care, and strive for better pay and conditions;
  Support pay parity between nursing staff across all nursing sectors.
Improve Child and Youth Health
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Ensure that evidence-based information about immunisation is widely circulated, including the latest international developments, to promote informed decisions by parents;
  Supplement the work of Social Workers in Schools with health clinics where appropriate;
  Develop and fund programmes focussing on better nutrition, particularly for children and youth;
  Improve dental services for primary and secondary school aged children by:
o  increasing the number of dental therapists trained;
o  ensuring DHBs secure sufficient contracts with local dentists for the provision of services to secondary students and additional services to primary age students;
o  continuing the roll-out of Mobile Dental Clinics;
  Improve workforce development and funding available for youth-focused counselling services as the first line of defence, rather than over-prescribing pharmaceuticals for mental health problems;
  Ensure DHBs plan for secure facilities for treatment of young people with mental health problems;
  Promote more research to address youth related health problems such as suicide, alcoholism, and bulimia.
Seniors Health and Aged Care
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Investigate the feasibility of a national health insurance scheme, as an extension of the existing ACC scheme, for non-trauma based disability such as elective surgery for the elderly;
  Introduce a free annual health check-up to all over 65s;
  Ensure that older people are fully consulted about their health care and are empowered to make informed choices;
  Ensure that resources focused on the acute health needs of the elderly are balanced by attention to those ailments that impact on their quality of life;
  Ensure there are sufficient community nurses and other welfare agencies so that people can be treated at home where possible;
  Ensure that funding for the aged care sector covers staffing costs in both residential services and in-home care, to improve certainty and transparency, and quality of care;
  Provide better incentives for the nursing, rehabilitation and treatment of the elderly in non-medical institutions, such as rest homes, at home and in retirement villages;
  Support pay parity between nursing staff across all nursing sectors;
  Re-assess the way in which the government funds aged care services, as part of a broader inquiry into future health care costs;
  Ensure that hospices are properly funded so that high quality compassionate palliative care is available;
  Develop apprenticeship-style training for caregivers, allowing them to acquire qualifications while working in residential or home care environments, to ensure that they can develop a career path in this field;
  Investigate the introduction of a carer’s allowance for those who stay at home to look after elderly relatives, from the starting point of providing a limited period of paid leave for those who take time off work to care for their parents in the final stages of their life.
Mental Health
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Encourage government agencies to work together on early intervention, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation in mental health;
  Ensure that the right balance is struck between inpatient and community care to prevent people becoming a danger to themselves and society, but with recovery within the community remaining the goal;
  Increase resources for mental health professionals to ensure that those patients who may pose a risk to others or themselves are adequately assessed and treated;
  Increase the number of community-based mental health workers to ease high caseloads;
  Fund child and youth mental health inpatient beds at a level sufficient to achieve the objectives set out in Rising to the Challenge – the Mental Health and Addiction Service Development Plan 2012-2017 and the Prime Minister’s Youth Mental Health Project;
  Tackle the issue of the lack of accommodation and employment support options for people recovering from mental health problems in the community;
  Increase drug, alcohol and mental health treatment programmes for prison inmates.
HOUSING
UnitedFuture shares the kiwi dream of home ownership.
We will work to achieve affordable, secure, warm, dry housing.
We are acutely aware of the difficulties that first-time buyers face in purchasing their first home, and are committed to pursuing policies to help people into their own homes.
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Encourage home ownership by allowing families to capitalise their Working For Families entitlements for a year as a lump sum to help purchase their first home, extend existing homes, or increase equity in a home;
  Investigate alternative local body funding arrangements with the aim of abolishing rates on domestic and commercial properties;
  Continue to sell state houses with very high valuations (some are over $1 million), or those properties that are not configured for those who need them (e.g. too few or too many bedrooms),
and use the proceeds to purchase other properties for use as state houses;
  Focus on increasing affordable housing for families with children as a priority;
  Extend the provision of community housing;
  Work in partnership with iwi to develop former Crown land, including land returned through Treaty settlements, for housing;
  Review Housing NZ tenancies on an annual basis to ensure that the occupants still meet the criteria
and to ensure that housing stock is fairly allocated,
and encourage long-term tenants into home ownership (either on the private market or rent-to-buy their state house);
  Strengthen legislation to allow Housing NZ to evict problematic tenants more easily;
  Extend the existing scheme in which Work and Income NZ deducts Housing NZ rentals directly from benefits to include private sector rentals;
  Promote co-housing as an option for older people to join together to create and manage their own accommodation;
  Continue to promote energy efficient homes and technology via the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA);
  Continue to fund EECA for a comprehensive nationwide programme of retrofitting existing homes with energy saving improvements (including better insulation, low-flow shower heads, solar water heating etc);
  Require all existing dwellings sold or advertised to rent to be assessed for energy efficiency (e.g. insulation, double glazing, heating methods, and use of solar energy) and given a standardised energy efficiency rating;
  Require all new homes to be given a standardised energy efficiency rating based on insulation, double-glazing, heating methods, use of solar energy, etc.
These ratings can be similar to the ratings seen on cars or household appliances.
SENIOR CITIZENS
The aim of UnitedFuture’s seniors policy is to continue the full involvement of people 65+ in society: at work (should they choose it), with good health, secure income and strong involvement in the community.
Superannuation
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Introduce FlexiSuper, which gives people the option of choosing to receive New Zealand Superannuation at reduced rates from age 60-64 or at increasingly enhanced rates if they hold off until ages 66-70;
  Introduce compulsory Kiwisaver, which will increase the saving rate of New Zealanders,
deepen the investment pool
and provide financial security and certainty in retirement;
  Change the formulation of NZ Super, by calculating it based upon the anticipated forecasted changes to the consumer price index and increases in the average wage for the following 12 months.
The current formulation creates a lag that cheats our over 65s of their full entitlement.
Any unforeseen changes to inflation or wages will be adjusted at each April, in favour of superannuitants.
Social Security Act 1964 Section 70
Section 70 of the Social Security Act 1964 requires the rate of any New Zealand benefit or pension to be reduced by the amount of any overseas benefit or pension that:
  are administered by or on behalf of an overseas government; and
  form part of a programme providing benefits, pensions and periodical allowances for the same circumstances for which New Zealand benefits and pensions would be paid (for example old age/retirement, invalidity and survivors pensions)
In UnitedFuture’s view, the provisions of Section 70 should only apply where the overseas pension in question has been fully funded from general tax revenues.
Overseas pensions that are based on either a compulsory individual contribution, or are in the form of a national insurance scheme, or which may be a combination of both and are deemed to be equivalent to a national pension, should be exempted from the requirements of Section 70 and therefore should be paid in full to the recipient without impacting on the entitlement to New Zealand Superannuation.
This would mean that the only pension arrangements to be captured by the provision of Section 70 would be national tax-payer funded pension schemes in other countries.
Contributory pensions, regardless of whether they are on a compulsory national basis or not, and private pensions, should, in our view, be exempted from the provisions of Section 70.
The Cost of Living
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Subsidise the power bills of over-65s by $50 per month for the three coldest months of the year -June, July and August -so seniors can afford to keep warm;
  Adopt a national strategy, including private sector funding, to insulate all NZ homes,
prioritising the homes of those on low and fixed incomes, including superannuitants;
  Promote co-housing as an option for older people to join together to create and manage their own shared accommodation.
Involvement in the Community
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Ensure that our seniors continue to be actively engaged in the community by promoting business mentoring by retired & semi-retired professionals;
  Increase the assistance available to Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, and ensure that Work and Income caseworkers are aware of these entitlements;
  Undertake a campaign to raise expectations of older workers and break-down any negative attitudes of employers and the broader community towards them.
The government can lead by taking steps as an employer to retain older public servants and to give them flexibility in their working lives;
  Fund training programmes that are specifically targeted at up-skilling older New Zealanders who find themselves out of work due to the use of new technologies.
see also UnitedFuture Policy on Seniors Health and Aged Care
SOCIAL SERVICES & EMPLOYMENT
UnitedFuture believes that work is a good, both for society and for individuals.
Having a job boosts self-esteem and a sense of personal dignity, and provides a role model for children in the family.
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Encourage all young people under 25 who are not at school to either be 'earning or learning' (i.e in some form of education/training or work);
  Ensure that sickness and invalids beneficiaries seek treatment for their incapacity where this is appropriate as a condition of their benefit,
and make funding available to provide treatment where it is likely to hasten their return to work;
  Closely monitor the effectiveness of current initiatives for moving domestic purposes recipients into appropriate employment as their children get older;
  Establish regional employment initiatives that arrive at local solutions to the specific causes of unemployment in communities, with a clear focus on getting people into jobs;
  Ensure that jobseekers have access to vacancies in other regions,
and increase relocation grants for those who have to move to take up employment;
  Increase funding for adult literacy programmes, and ensure that every community education centre runs such programmes;
  Fund training programmes that are specifically targeted at up-skilling older New Zealanders who find themselves out of work;
  Support a campaign aimed at employers to break-down any negative perceptions of older workers, migrants and those with disabilities;
  Prioritise funding for those vocational courses that develop skills and provide qualifications in fields facing shortages;
  Establish a specific employment placement service for refugees;
  Ensure that advice and information is available to businesses to support them in hiring migrants to fill skill shortages,
and support migrants with workshops and training to learn about the Kiwi work environment;
  Develop a global online service that matches potential skilled migrants with job opportunities in New Zealand to help fill critical skill shortages,
and develop regional immigration programmes allowing regions to meet skill needs where positions cannot be filled within New Zealand;
  Apply intensive case management to those beneficiaries who struggle to budget and pay for the basics, to ensure that their basic needs are being met, especially for households with children;
  Ensure that people receive their appropriate entitlements, by funding the Citizens Advice Bureau and other similar legal and community assistance services to give independent advice and advocacy on such issues.
see also UnitedFuture Policy on Families and Children
GOVERNMENT & COMMUNITY POLICY
ANIMAL WELFARE
UnitedFuture has become increasingly concerned with the number of serious and fatal dog attacks that have occurred throughout New Zealand over the last few years.
Equally, the perpetrators of animal cruelty must face consequences that give weight to the brutality of the crime rather than the status of the victim.
In terms of animal welfare in primary industries, UnitedFuture supports measures that inform consumer choice and confidence.
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Continue to put dangerous dog breeds on a ban-list and require neutering for dogs on that list as well as placing a ban on new animals.
No one will have to give up their current pet, but over time the number of dangerous dogs will decline until such breeds no longer exist in New Zealand;
  Promote mandatory standardised labelling with regard to the use of animals in food production (e.g. to prevent misleading advertising which blurs the distinction between battery and free-range eggs);
  Increase the number of Animal Welfare Inspectors from the current 11;
  Support measures that move us in the direction of outlawing practices in New Zealand such as sow stalls and battery caged hen, farrowing crates, and the like,;
whilst ensuring that this doesn't result in New Zealanders buying products from offshore markets where the restrictions aren’t the same
  Support the phasing out of the sale and use of gin traps.
ARTS, CULTURE AND HERITAGE
As New Zealanders enjoy and recognise their cultural diversity; the celebration of those cultures, their histories and the arts associated with them has risen to be of great importance.
UnitedFuture is committed to promoting an environment where the cultural identities of a diverse people are recognised and actively upheld.
It is UnitedFuture’s position to:  Recognise the special place of Maori and Pacific culture in New Zealand society;
  Review the funding of Creative New Zealand with a view to increasing accountability,
and require ‘simple English’ explanations of all public monies allocated for cultural purposes;
  Require Creative New Zealand to 'bring art to the people' through increased community involvement;
  Strengthen community participation at all levels in Heritage New Zealand and provide adequate resourcing for its work;
  Encourage government and community involvement in the preservation of historic places;
  Support the work of the New Zealand Film Commission;
  Acknowledge the contribution of artistic and cultural activities to the economy through funding assistance;
  Encourage all television and radio channels to raise the profile of local content in programming and productions through NZ on Air.
AUCKLAND ISSUES
Amalgamation is but one step towards an Auckland that runs better and can be seen as a powerhouse for the country rather than a problem that needs to be solved.
There are at least three measures in the fields of transport, housing and planning that should be prioritised to move the city forward.
It is UnitedFuture’s position to:  Make a rail link to the airport, at first from Papatoetoe, as the first transport priority, with 50% of funding from central government, ahead of the Central Rail Loop which costs four times as much;
  Simplify the process of converting cross-leased sections to freehold title, by legislation if necessary, rather than focusing primarily on continuing to reduce the size of subdivided properties;
  Ensure there is widespread support for the Auckland Unitary Plan (and the focus on CBD development) by requiring a referendum to be held at the time of the next local authority elections.
COMMUNITY & VOLUNTARY SECTOR
UnitedFuture supports the vital role that volunteer and community agencies play in our society.
These agencies often have the expertise, networks and strong community focus to deliver services more effectively than government.
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Work with the community and voluntary sector to create a forum for leaders of the sector, with the same function and gravitas as the Iwi Leaders Forum.
This will help ensure:o  greater coordination between government and NGOs, as well as within the voluntary sector, building a stronger consensus for decisions that affect those using agencies’ services;
o  a focus on developing supportive and mutually beneficial partnerships between the Government, the community, and voluntary agencies, including greater cooperation between agencies at a local and regional level;
o  government departments keep voluntary agencies up to date with policies that affect their work, and foster policy development networks with voluntary and cultural groups; and
o  the development of long-term and sustainable funding pathways for the sector, including the development of social lending and social entrepreneurship schemes;
  Pay premiums to not-for-profit agencies who find sustained employment for the long-term unemployed, with higher rates available for placing clients who face the greatest barriers to employment;
  Establish Family Support Service Co-ordinators, located in Family Service Centres wherever possible, who help families to access government and NGO-provided services such as budget advice, addiction treatment, parenting education, anger management courses, counselling, employment training, and maternity, child care, mental health and child health services;
  Initiate a review of the Charities Act to ensure that it fosters the vitality and success of the voluntary sector and encourages philanthropy and generosity by New Zealanders;
  Establish overseas aid at 0.5% of GDP immediately and reach the accepted international millennium goal of 0. 7% by 2020;
  Explore further ways of encouraging greater social participation in voluntary organisations, e.g. seek the active involvement of employers and unions to loan employees out to voluntary organisations in need of specialist skills;
  Encourage young people to become involved in voluntary activities;
  Review the compliance costs imposed on voluntary agencies by legislation, such as occupational health and safety regulations;
  Expand on our previous initiatives of making all charitable donations tax deductible, introducing payroll giving to include gift aid, and extension of access to imputation credits.
CONSTITUTION AND CITIZENSHIP
Building on the work of the Constitutional Advisory Panel
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Continue the public conversation on constitutional matters, as recommended by the Constitutional Advisory Panel,
with the aim of developing reform options on issues such as a written constitution and the role of the Treaty of Waitangi
in time for a referendum in 2017;
  Prioritise a public debate on the glaring omission from the terms of reference for the Constitutional Advisory Panel, namely consideration of whether New Zealand should move to a republic within the Commonwealth in the future;
  Establish a New Zealand Day, separate from Waitangi Day, to celebrate our nation’s history, multicultural society, and to discuss the potential for the future;
  Introduce a Multicultural Act, similar to legislation in Canada, for the preservation and enhancement of multiculturalism in New Zealand;
  Consider making the Constitutional Advisory Panel a permanent or long term institution, with administrative support from the Ministry of Justice or Ministry of Culture and Heritage, to ensure the conversation about our Constitution arrangements continues;
  Review the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990, with particular reference to the use and effectiveness of section 7.
The Electoral System
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Investigate an extension of the Parliamentary term to four years, with a fixed election day;
  Re-introduce the "waka-jumping" legislation to require list MPs who leave the parties under whose banner they were elected to also resign from Parliament.
Civics and Citizenship
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Ensure that young New Zealanders understand their civic rights and responsibilities by introducing compulsory and comprehensive civics education from years 1-13, including information about elections, our electoral system, our Parliament, central and local government, courts, the Head of State and other institutions;
  Create a fund – available to lower decile schools and schools with disadvantaged students – to bring their students to Wellington to visit institutions such as Parliament, the Treaty of Waitangi, National Library, Te Papa, and to meet MPs, Ministers, the Governor-General, and Judges;
  Require immigrants to take a civics course as part of becoming a New Zealand citizen, to promote civic understanding and the norms and expectations of New Zealand society;
  Investigate the introduction of a graded system towards citizenship, to develop the idea that citizenship is a privilege and not a right, as well as investigating the introduction of a citizenship test.
EMERGENCY & CIVIL DEFENCE SERVICES
UnitedFuture's Emergency Services Policy unifies the emergency services on a policy and funding level, yet enables them to keep their distinct individual roles.
Services will be better able to work jointly or individually, as required, in times of local emergency.
They will also co-ordinate more effectively during a major national emergency.
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Establish a new Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA), responsible to the Minister of Internal Affairs, to replace the Fire Service Commission and the present Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management;
  Ensure that the new Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA):
o  assumes responsibility for funding, auditing, and purchase and contract agreements;
o  develops policy and establishes and monitors national operational standards to ensure the better co-ordination of emergency services;
o  funds the establishment of three common communication centres nationwide to handle all emergency calls;
o  integrates and co-ordinates under a single authority the different emergency services, including the armed services, on both national and local levels to deal with civil emergencies;
  Introduce more flexibility for EQC claims procedures;
  Ensure that public donations to national disaster relief are at least matched dollar for dollar by the government;
  Promote co-operation between community groups, such as Neighbourhood Support and Community Patrol groups, and Police and local councils.
Encourage these groups to share information, develop community safety initiatives in line with Police crime reduction strategies,
and to also function as Emergency Readiness teams, providing a street-level infrastructure for civil defence assistance;
  Establish a dedicated non-emergency phone line to deal with less urgent incidents, operated at the local level;
  Ensure that ambulance and air rescue services are maintained at a level that does not compromise public safety.
ETHNIC AFFAIRS
The world today is increasingly interconnected.
As a result, people of different cultures and religious beliefs have converged together.
New Zealand has long since welcomed people of diverse ethnic background to its shores.
Diversity has made our New Zealand society culturally rich
yet it has also presented us with challenges that must be taken seriously so we are able to create social harmony and peaceful coexistence.
In keeping with the guiding principles of the UnitedFuture Party, we affirm that we are interested in creating a modern multicultural society which encourages social harmony and unity through respect for individual differences and cultural diversity.
New Zealand is a multi-racial and multi-religious society.
Being critically aware of the crippling effect of communal tensions around the world, the UF Party will ensure that our policies are geared towards New Zealand giving importance to promoting and maintaining racial and religious harmony.
Our Ethnic Affairs policy will ensure that the provision of equality of opportunity for all New Zealanders to progress will continue unabated
so that it will provide the broader context for the growth of social cohesion.
We will continue to advocate for tolerance and respect for different cultures and religious beliefs
allowing them to express freely
without impinging on our laws and social norms.
We will ensure that the core principles of multiculturalism, tolerance and equal opportunity for all will be the shining beacons of our nation.
We want a country where everyone can hold their head up high, irrespective of religion, faith, belief, ethnicity, and social origin.
UnitedFuture will endeavour to listen to all ethnic groups in New Zealand and work together in ensuring that their valuable representations are heard on various issues.
It is UnitedFuture Policy to:  Accept the recommendations of the Constitutional Advisory Panel to continue the "constitutional conversation".
UnitedFuture will work with the government to ensure that ethnic communities are given opportunities to have a deeper understanding of the Treaty of Waitangi and tangata whenua;
  Allocate more resources to provide support for new migrants as they settle in New Zealand, so that they are able to integrate themselves well with the mainstream population.
A steady stream of diverse ethnic communities have arrived in New Zealand by way of family/business migrations and through refugee intakes and made New Zealand their home (approximately 13% of the total population);
  Continue to advocate for equal employment opportunities for ethnic minorities, who are under-represented in public service, media and private businesses;
  Offer appropriate training and re-training for new migrants in relevant fields of work (e.g. nursing, child care and elderly care);
  Allocate funding to provide appropriate English classes for migrants to help them participate in civil society;
  Facilitate and support ethnic communities to initiate targeted programmes to educate their youth about their cultural roots and traditions;
  Advocate for government agencies and NGOs to engage with the different ethnic communities and provide them with culturally appropriate services to address family violence;
  Oppose the current Government's proposal to abolish the specific title and office of the Race Relations Commissioner.
This will result in a loss of advocacy to question racially motivated actions, and runs counter to our commitment to promoting tolerance and understanding amongst the ethnic communities of New Zealand;
  Recognise that an aging population generates specific issues for ethnic communities (such as the need to integrate elderly migrants into the wider community),
and work with communities on programmes and initiatives to help seniors feel valued in our society;
  Overhaul the various programmes and funding arrangements to assist migrant settlement to ensure they are appropriately targeted to the needs of ethnic communities,
identify service gaps,
and encourage integration and social cohesion.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS, DEFENCE AND TRADE
UnitedFuture is committed to an ethical foreign policy, based on the principles of international justice, human rights, human security and democracy.
Our policy is therefore built on the principles of our country’s constructive multilateral engagement with other states to build a safe and globally connected world, and to promote the freedom and equality of all its peoples as follows.
Key issues:
  Contributing to successful peacekeeping and peace building operations
  Encouraging economic development and political stability in the Pacific region
  Securing Free Trade Agreements with important trading partners
Human Security
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Promote international peace and human security in international affairs
– the freedom from want and fear, oppression, hunger, disease and war;
  Retain New Zealand's nuclear-free status and international leadership on disarmament issues, actively striving to achieve a world free from nuclear weapons;
  Continue to advocate for disarmament and non-proliferation of chemical, nuclear and biological weapons and technologies and anti-civilian munitions such as cluster bombs and land mines;
  Monitor and fulfil New Zealand’s obligations under human rights conventions;
  Continue to work towards the Millennium Development Goals and The International Development Targets;
  Establish overseas aid at 0. 5% of GDP immediately and reach the accepted international millennium goal of 0. 7% by 2020;
  Encourage young New Zealanders to volunteer overseas, including tasking MFAT to work with the US State Department on New Zealanders being able to have some involvement in the Peace Corps;
  Encourage the promotion and strengthening of democracy throughout the international community;
  Play an active role in the fight against violent terrorist organisations, corruption, money laundering, cyber-crime and drug and people trafficking;
  Reach a multi-party accord on ten year defence and capital equipment funding for the New Zealand Defence Force so that it is well equipped to meet peacekeeping, peace building, humanitarian and disaster relief operations.
We believe the focus should be on ‘the best small integrated defence force in the world’;
  Fulfil New Zealand’s commitment to refugees and encourage inward immigration of key workers and international students,
whilst developing incentives for New Zealanders to stay in New Zealand.
Institutional and Multilateral Engagement
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Promote reform of the United Nations through broadening the membership of the Security Council, and the abolition of the veto;
  Play an active role in and support the United Nations and its agencies as the primary international organisation for resolving disputes, conflict and finding solutions to global problems;
  Actively promote the rights of new and emerging democracies to participate fully in the work of international organisations;
  Support the contribution of NGOs in issues of international development;
  Support free and fair trade and embrace free trade agreements and pacts
where there is a reasonable opportunity for New Zealand to benefit, and where New Zealand's unique comparative advantages are preserved;
  Pursue Free Trade Agreements with key trading partners, with a particular focus on India, Japan, the US and Korea;
  Lobby for a better deal for NZ businesses and exporters, including the agricultural sector, with the expanded European Union;
  Fully support regular international and regional meetings (e.g. APEC and CHOGM)
and support a bid for New Zealand to host the World Trade Expo within the next ten years;
  Emphasise our developing relationships with Asia and the Pacific Rim, while recognising historical links with the Commonwealth and other parts of the world;
  Continue to support the cancellation of third world debt.
Investment by these nations in human development should take priority over debt repayments;
  Support the right to self-determination of the people of Taiwan and Tibet.
The Pacific
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Encourage the democratisation and development of Pacific nations;
  Assist in the peaceful resolution of Asia-Pacific issues by offering intermediary facilities, resources and expertise;
  Promote regional agreement on transnational law and order issues across the South Pacific;
  Support the Pacific Islands Forum in encouraging good governance, economic development and political stability in the Pacific Region.
IMMIGRATION
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Develop a 10-year population strategy to identify the impact of demographic changes on our society, the economy, and other areas of government policy, and to develop policies to minimise the costs and capitalise on benefits that these changes may bring;
  Prioritise the residency applications of those who have skills we need and a job offer that is relevant to those skills, and regularly update the priority occupations list;
  Devise comprehensive and integrated immigrant settlement programmes, in consultation with the Federation of Multicultural Councils, to ensure that all new immigrants receive full information and ongoing support on all aspects of New Zealand society, including language, customs, job placement programmes, health and social services;
  Focus efforts on ensuring that those who arrive in New Zealand under the family or humanitarian quotas are supported into viable training and employment opportunities,
to enable them to obtain financial independence faster
and to counter negative stereotypes about some migrant groups;
  Establish a one-stop Business Development Agency to help migrants in setting up their own businesses;
  Encourage all migrants to consider themselves as New Zealanders, by encouraging participation in community activities and pursuits amongst migrant groups,
while supporting ethnic associations and providing positive opportunities for all New Zealanders to express their cultural heritage;
  Establish a retirement visa to allow parents of permanent residents and citizens to be sponsored to settle in New Zealand, provided the majority of immediate family members are already resident in New Zealand;
  Allow siblings of permanent residents and citizens more easy access to short-term visitors and limited purpose visas;
  Provide additional staffing resources to the Immigration Service to meet customer demand and speed up the applications process, especially in Auckland and at pressure points overseas;
  Increase resources for ESOL programmes to ensure that our newest residents can participate fully in education and life in New Zealand.
Improving English language skills is a major factor in making friends outside migrants’ own ethnic groups.
Move away from classroom-based delivery to home tutoring or work-based lessons and give intensive English training for teachers already in immigrant communities so they can set up their own classes;
  Review the operations of NZQA to ensure that the process of formally recognising migrants’ skills is effective and efficient;
  Ensure that advice and information is available to businesses to support them in hiring migrants to fill skill shortages,
and support migrants with workshops and training to learn about the Kiwi work environment;
  Develop a global online service that matches potential skilled migrants with job opportunities in New Zealand to help fill critical skill shortages;
  Establish a specific employment placement service for refugees;
  Establish a nationally coordinated “mentor” programme whereby all those accepted for migration to New Zealand are put in touch with a trained volunteer mentor prior to arrival in New Zealand.
The mentor will be able to discuss settlement issues and direct migrants to necessary specialist resources throughout the process of preparing to migrate and for the first 12 months in New Zealand;
  Increase the current refugee quota to 1,000 from the current 750 per annum.
  Allocate more resources to provide support for new migrants as they settle in New Zealand, so that they are able to integrate themselves well with the mainstream population;
  Continue to advocate for equal employment opportunities for ethnic minorities, who are under-represented in public service, media and private businesses;
  Offer appropriate training and re-training for new migrants in relevant fields of work (e.g. nursing, child care and elderly care);
  Allocate funding to provide appropriate English classes for migrants to help them participate in civil society;
  Facilitate and support ethnic communities to initiate targeted programmes to educate their youth about their cultural roots and traditions;
  Advocate for government agencies and NGOs to engage with the different ethnic communities and provide them with culturally appropriate services to address family violence;
  Overhaul the various programmes and funding arrangements to assist migrant settlement to ensure they are appropriately targeted to the needs of ethnic communities,
identify service gaps,
and encourage integration and social cohesion.
JUSTICE, POLICE AND CORRECTIONS
UnitedFuture believes that strong local communities are the building blocks of a successful nation.
For this reason we will work to ensure that New Zealand communities are safe and considerate places where one can confidently raise a family free from the threat of violence and property damage or loss.
Police
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Ensure adequate police coverage of rural areas;
  Establish community safety plans with police, local bodies and communities, building off local knowledge and community relationships, and ensure that all households can receive information about local policing issues;
  Ensure that police target and monitor the persistent criminals in our communities, particularly gangs;
  Ensure that police co-ordinate closely with social service and child protection agencies in each community, including automatic referral of any criminal activity that involves children, to improve responses to domestic violence and child abuse;
  Establish a transparent Police staffing formula that ensures a minimum presence in all areas, yet allows for extra police to be re-deployed where the crime rate exceeds the national average;
  Encourage volunteer and community agencies to take a role in promoting a crime free society.
Support for Victims
When it comes to dealing with crime in New Zealand often the plight of the victim is overlooked.
UnitedFuture is committed to upholding the rights of victims
and putting in place a system that ensures the victims of crime are compensated for the emotional, physical and financial harm they have suffered.
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Fully support victim restoration programmes for non-violent crimes to ensure those offenders and their families compensate victims for their losses and face up to the people they have hurt;
  Ensure that offenders complete their commitments under restorative justice contracts,
and ensure that victims are kept informed of progress if they wish to be;
  Ensure that victims are informed about an offender’s criminal history before they participate in restorative justice programmes such as family group conferences;
  Ensure that Courts make the welfare and safety of victims, their families and the public paramount when considering bail applications;
  Recover reparation to victims through a restitution order at sentencing that would automatically deduct at least 10% of an offender’s earnings;
  Ensure that the Parole Board consider the impact on victims and the community when considering the conditions placed on parolees (e.g. restrictions on where they will be located);
  Ensure that Parole Board decision-making processes are made available for scrutiny, and are subject to appeal by victims;
  Support moves to allow the Parole Board discretion to decide when offenders can re-appear for parole proceedings and allow them to defer hearings for up to five years;
  Consider parole applications for non-violent offences through a restorative approach with direct involvement of the victim;
  Promote greater public understanding of the law surrounding self-defence so that people know what they can and cannot do to protect themselves, their families and their property.
Early Intervention
UnitedFuture strongly believes in the theory of having ‘a fence at the top of the cliff rather than an ambulance at the bottom’ when it comes to dealing with young offenders or at-risk youth.
It is a fact that most violent and serious crime in New Zealand is committed by people who are young or have previously been convicted at a young age.
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Improve access to effective parenting programmes for a wider range of parents and parenting stages;
  Ensure that character education programmes, also known as values education and life-skills education, are established in full consultation with parents and staff and operate in all of New Zealand’s schools.
Character education is about incorporating universal values such as honesty, respect for others and the law, tolerance, fairness, caring and social responsibility into a school’s culture;
  Get tough on truancy by establishing a national, centralised database to track student enrolment and attendance;
  Enable education authorities to seek ‘parenting orders’ requiring the parents of chronic truants to attend parenting classes, as well as ‘parenting contracts’, whereby the parent and the school agree on steps they will take to improve the child’s behaviour;
  Expand the Social Workers in Schools Programme beyond decile 1-3 schools;
  Use reparations, electronic monitoring and work on community projects (e.g. removing graffiti, house construction) as initial sentencing options for youth offenders, established through contracts drawn up between the police, the offender and their family, and backed up by harsher supervision for compliance failures;
  Support NGO mentoring programmes, such as the Buddy programme, whereby at-risk youth lacking responsible role models are in regular contact with others in the community who can have a positive influence on their behaviour, and the behaviour of their families;
  Increase the number of truancy officers, especially in areas with persistent high rates of truancy;
  Resource alternative education providers to work with at-risk youth who have dropped out of mainstream schooling;
  Ensure that schools implement anti-bullying strategies, safe classroom programmes and anti-drug policies in consultation with the police and other agencies;
  Increase funding for appropriate early intervention supervision and diversionary programmes for youth at risk;
  Extend that any reparations, apologies or punishment agreed to by a child or youth at family group conferences are enforced;
  Establish links with the business community to mentor and support at risk young people;
  Foster co-operation and information sharing between police, courts, schools, community groups and social services when dealing with at-risk families and youth;
  Increase funding for adult literacy programmes, and ensure that every community education centre runs such programmes;
  Increase resources for mental health professionals to ensure that those who may pose a risk to others or themselves are adequately assessed and treated.
See also UnitedFuture Policy on Education – Creating a Safe Learning Environment
Providing a Co-ordinated Response to Offending
Smooth running of our court, prison and probation systems is crucial if we are to successfully manage the implementation of justice in New Zealand.
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Allow treatment options to be incorporated into sentencing, combined with the use of further sanctions for continued abuse of drugs and other re-offending;
  Actively promote non-judicial case resolution (mediation or arbitration) for civil cases, making it a compulsory first step prior to court action;
  Develop the concept of community courts for low-level criminal cases, as advanced by the Law Commission,
to put the victim back in control of the process,
and seek to bring about mediated resolutions between offender and victim
while ensuring that the need for societal condemnation of actions (the punitive element) is factored in;
  Continue to tender prison management to both state and private providers,
and ensure that prison construction costs are minimised;
  Ensure that prison inmates undertake employment while inside at ‘normal’ pay rates
with deductions for tax, cost of board and keep, restitution to victims, fines, and their own family;
  Ensure that prison inmates participate in educational programmes for literacy, numeracy, employment skills and character;
  Ensure that prison inmates are provided with co-ordinated re-integration services upon release, including stricter supervision regimes, mandatory drugtesting and drug treatment options, mandatory community work for those without paid work, and access to suitable and stable accommodation, with accountability mechanisms for enforcement failures;
  Increase the resources available to Environmental and Scientific Research (ESR) to ensure the speedy analysis of evidence;
  Ensure that offenders are brought before a court within 48 hours of being charged;
  Ensure that courts are presented with all information relevant to the case, including inviting the accused to give his or her version of events or risk an adverse inference being drawn;
  Introduce stronger penalties for failure to disclose all relevant evidence in civil cases;
  Monitor the television viewing of prison inmates to ensure that it is non-violent and educational;
  Ensure that the Community Probation Service is sufficiently staffed to enforce release conditions and enhance public safety;
  Ensure that there are sufficient secure places in Youth Justice facilities;
  Establish a taskforce to consider the management/treatment of people with mental illness in the criminal justice system;
  Improve co-operation between New Zealand and Australia to manage citizens that commit crime overseas, including notification at sentencing, and legislative co-operation to ensure that parole and post-sentencing regimes may be enforced on repatriated nationals;
  Ensure that all residents without New Zealand citizenship who are found guilty of a violent offence are deported as soon as possible;
  Support the ‘Friends of the Court’ (amicus curiae) system for Environment Court hearings.
The ‘Friends of the Court’ provides independent and objective advice to assist the court in making a decision.
This makes it easier for community groups and NGOs, relieving them of the cost of court proceedings and having to employ expert consultants.
Reducing Recidivism
It is a fact that the vast majority of inmates in New Zealand prisons are repeat offenders or are future repeat offenders.
UnitedFuture is committed to working with NGO organisations to reduce the rate of recidivism in New Zealand.
This does not mean that we are soft on crime, rather, we want to stop more crime from being committed.
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Make drug and alcohol rehabilitation courses available for inmates who have been identified with drug or alcohol addictions;
  Make literacy programmes available for those inmates who have been identified as having difficulty with reading and writing, in an effort to more successfully integrate inmates back into society upon release;
  Introduce tougher minimum penalties for child abuse and neglect, child sexual offences and child pornography;
  Concurrent sentences are not to be a default position, with Judges to use their discretion to recommend concurrent or cumulative sentences;
  Make suitable employment and accommodation integral components of the parole process.
One of the major causes of recidivism is the lack of opportunities available to inmates once they leave prison.
Financial stability, job prospects and adequate accommodation are prerequisites for ‘a new start’;
  Introduce minimum sentences that more accurately reflect the nature of offending, the impact on victims, and the social denunciation of crime;
  Encourage the use of creative and individualised parole provisions (e.g. curfews, weekend detainment, community work) to assist in the rehabilitation of the offender;
  Ensure that parole conditions for sex offenders include monitoring, curfews, residential assessments and ongoing treatment.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
UnitedFuture recognises that it is through local government that communities can provide for their social, environmental, economic and cultural needs in the first instance.
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Review the funding and purpose of Local Government;
  Reduce the number of Territorial Authorities where practical by incentivising local government councils to work together;
  Incentivise the increased use of shared services amongst Local Authorities;
  Require the Ministry for the Environment to take a more active role in ensuring that Regional Councils perform their environmental monitoring and enforcement responsibilities under the Resource Management Act;
  Conduct regular reviews of the Resource Management Act's operation, and ensure that local authorities are given the necessary resources and administrative support to carry out their statutory role;
  Progressively align the electoral boundaries for all other elected bodies, such as District Health Boards, with those of Regional Councils;
  Collect EQC and fire levies as a component of property owner's rates instead of their insurance premiums (to prevent 'free riding' on the system by the uninsured);
  Initiate a programme of citizenship and civics education in schools and communities, including some consideration of local government,
to address low voter participation;
  Continue to support the Mayors' Taskforce for Jobs so it can continue addressing the local employment needs of youth.
Localism
It is time for a fundamental review of the relationship between local and central government, about the extent to which local authorities are able to set their own policy targets and aims.
New Zealand has few checks on central executive power, and for all of the talk of devolution, the reality is that since the early 1990s successive governments have centralised more and more activity at the expense of local communities.
Although MMP has improved the checks and balances, "localism" can also help diffuse power whilst keeping the system efficient and effective for citizens and taxpayers.
United Future is strongly committed to promoting debate about a localist agenda, that would enable local communities to take more responsibility for their own actions and priorities, with central government in a supporting, not dictating, role.
That means central and local government working together in a new partnership of equals to achieve regional potential, and welding that together into the overall national interest.
It means flattening out the top down approach of the last couple of decades, and recognising that both central and local government have equally important but quite distinct role to play.
There are a number of policy areas where local authorities could have a greater role in decision-making, including:
 Education: planning for the number of schools, teacher/student ratios, local policies on how to achieve national standards;
 Social Development: local welfare policies and goals, provision through national policies such as Whanau Ora;
 Transport: local petrol levies, more input on which projects are prioritised, greater devolution of national transport funding;
 Environment: national bottom lines able to strengthened locally, local environmental priorities;
 Housing: make it easier for local authorities to develop own housing areas, alternatives to rating, more say over state housing design and location.
TREATY OF WAITANGI
UnitedFuture recognises the Treaty of Waitangi as the founding document of New Zealand and believes it still has an important role to play.
The Treaty provides the framework for a unique relationship between tangata whenua and the many other people of diverse cultures who make New Zealand their home.
UnitedFuture is committed to addressing Treaty of Waitangi issues in a way that benefits everyone
and believes that the first step is the fair and reasonable settlement of legitimate Treaty grievances.
This needs to be accompanied by a process which will lead to achieving together a common understanding of the future role of the Treaty in our nation.
The Claims Settlement Process
UnitedFuture supports the current process of resolving genuine historical Treaty grievances.
While there has been considerable progress towards the resolution of the many claims that have been lodged with the Waitangi Tribunal, we believe this process needs to be completed as soon as possible.
It is UnitedFuture policy to:  Commit to the settlement of outstanding historical grievances, and resource the claims process to ensure that this becomes a reality;
  Ensure that settlements fit within the norms of a modern liberal democratic society – i.e. they should not give one class of citizens’ greater rights than others
but should recognize the unique place that hapü, whänau and iwi have had in our country;
  Ensure that settlements with iwi and other large natural groupings recognise hapū and whānau structures where appropriate;
  Ensure that, as a pre-requisite to treaty settlements, robust governance structures are established by iwi and urban trusts for the long term benefit of the recipients;
  Ensure that all Crown agencies are aware of the need to assist Chief Crown Negotiators and the Office of Treaty Settlements in developing redress options;
  Speed up the process of ascertaining iwi interest in surplus or abandoned Crown property (e.g. closed school sites) to enable the future of these properties to be resolved;
  Encourage iwi to obtain financial advice to help manage settlement redress assets and cash so they can achieve their goals for their members;
  Work in partnership with iwi to develop former Crown land, including land returned through Treaty settlements, for housing;
  Establish a new national day on which all New Zealanders celebrate the unique gift we possess by being part of this nation.
This will be separate from Waitangi Day,
which will also be retained and celebrated.
ACCIDENT COMPENSATION
IMPROVING REHABILITATION AND INJURY PREVENTION
National will continue to support ACC to meet the needs of New Zealanders, both as levy payers and as claimants.
ACC plays an important part in New Zealander's lives by providing comprehensive, no-fault personal injury cover.
POLICY HIGHLIGHTS
Reducing ACC levies, with more to come.
Focusing on injury prevention.
Better managing claimants who have been off work due to an injury.
Each year, ACC processes around 1.8 million claims, and spends $2.6 billion a year funding injury treatment and earners compensation.
National has turned ACC around.
We inherited a scheme where claim costs were blowing out, ACC was losing money and levies on workers, employers and motorists were being forced up.
That has all changed for the better.
We are improving rehabilitation and injury prevention,
and are streamlining ACC's processes
while maintaining high levels of service.
Reducing levies
Good management of ACC, together with favourable economic factors, sustained over a number of years, means the levy-funded accounts are now all fully funded
and we are continuing to reduce levies on households and businesses.
Over the four years from 2012/13 to 2015/16, levy reductions will have put $1.5 billion back in the pockets of New Zealand households and businesses each year.
On top of this, we are committed to further reductions of between $700 million and $900 million, starting 1 April 2016.
NATIONAL IS. . .
REDUCING LEVIES
- Dropping levies significantly
while maintaining stability and service levels.
- Reduced ACC levies by $630 million in 2012/2013 and a further $387 million in 2014/2015,
focusing on levies paid by workers
and employers (including the selfemployed).
FOCUSING ON INJURY PREVENTION & REHABILITATION
- Doubling the budget for injury prevention to $40 million.
- Developing a safety rating system for workplaces, the fleet saver programme for heavy trucks, and a savety rating for motor vehicles so levies can better reflect safety records.
- Better managing claimants who have been off work due to an injury.
- Returning more long term claimants to independence
IMPROVING SERVICES AND RESULTS
- Getting results - employees in the Accredited Employer Programme have 12 per cent fewer accidents and 15 per cent lower treatment costs compared to those who are not in the programme.
- Improving the way ACC funds services for claimants with hearing loss, effectivly doubling expenditure in this area.
Improving systems to ensure claimants' privacy.
- Investing in online tools to support goals such as injury prevention,
new driver training
and alcohol abuse.
OUR RESULTS SO FAR...
FULLY FUNDED ACCOUNTS
All three levied accounts - Earners' Account, Work Account and Motor Vehicle account - are now fully funded, and we are confident that ACC is on a stable track.
This means there is enough money in the accounts to cover the ongoing cost of claims
and levies will be able to come down even more.
WHAT WE WILL DO NEXT...
1.REDUCE LEVIES NEXT YEAR
Reduce ACC levies in 2015 by $480 million - that's $480 million in reduced costs for New Zealanders, including families
and businesses.
Most of the reductions will be directed at motor vehicle levies.
Reduce motor vehicle levies from 1 July 2015.
The average levy on a vehicle will fall from $330 a year to $195 - that's an average of $135 a year returned to vehicle owners.
This reduction includes a drop in the petrol levy of 3 cents a litre and a reduction in ACC's portion of the annual vehicle licence fee.
The licence fee reduction also incorporates new safety ratings for cars, so motorists will pay an even lower fee if they have a safer car that's expected to have lower costs to the ACC scheme.
Reduce the employers and self-employed levy from 1 April 2015.
The average levy paid by employers and self-employed people into the Work Account will also fall next year, to 90 cents per $100 of liable earnings, down from 95 cents.
2. REDUCE LEVIES EVEN FURTHER, BEGINNING IN 2016
Further reduce ACC levies on households and businesses starting on 1 April 2016.
ACC is in good financial health and – without significant levy reductions – would be unjustifiably overcharging households and businesses.
We will therefore cut levies on all ACC accounts by an average of around 30 per cent, which amounts to between $700 million and $900 million a year.
This is the equivalent of a tax cut for households
and businesses.
We are also reviewing the residual levy, as this is effectively completed.
Final decisions on the timing and size of ACC levy reductions will be made after public consultation.
3. CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON PREVENTION
Ensure ACC works closely with WorkSafe New Zealand - the new stand-alone agency dedicated to workplace health and safety.
Greater use will be made of incentives
to get safer workplaces.
4. FURTHER IMPROVE SYSTEMS AND PROCESSES
National will: Review all forms and processes to ensure they are fair and user friendly.
Continue to put the privacy of claimants at the forefront of the scheme.
Work to ensure that claimants and providers find the ACC scheme as user- friendly as possible.
DON'T PUT IT ALL AT RISK
Labour and the Greens would... - Waste money - under Labour, ACC made losses of $7.2 billion in two years
- Lose the focus on getting claimants back to independence
- Move away from the insurance-based approach for ACC
and disestablish experience rating.
- Ignore the responsibility to deliver value to levy-payers as well as claimants.
ARTS, HERITAGE AND BROADCASTING
FUTURE-PROOFING OUR CREATIVE SECTOR
National will continue to provide an environment for our internationally successful creative sector to grow and become more sustainable.
We will do this by promoting New Zealand content and intellectual property,
and by making arts, heritage and broadcasting accessible to communities across New Zealand.
We will build on the successes of our screen sector, which has seen the announcement of numerous major international projects in the past year.
The arts have a strong role to play in social and personal development.
That is why we have invested in schemes such as the highly successful Sistema Aotearoa, which has brought the opportunity to learn a musical instrument and play in an orchestra to children across South Auckland and other areas.
National wants New Zealanders to be able to receive and view broadcasting content when they want, and on the platform of their choice,
while at the same time respecting copyright law.
National is future-proofing the distribution of TV, radio and movie content through the digital switchover and roll out of ultra-fast broadband.
We will maintain public ownership of Television New Zealand and Radio New Zealand,
and encourage them to adapt to the digital distribution of content.
National is working to develop a stable and sustainable domestic creative sector
that provides fulfilling and high- value jobs.
POLICY HIGHLIGHTS
-> Roll out the Sistema Aotearoa programme to more communities in New Zealand.
-> Investigate the feasibility of creating a National War Museum in Wellington, and Te Papa North in Auckland.
-> Continue our work to grow the New Zealand screen sector.
-> Make New Zealand television content more accessible.
NATIONAL IS...
BUILDING ON THE SCREEN SECTOR'S SUCCESS
Providing certainty for producers, cast and crew through changes to the Employment Relations Act formalising years of industry practice and ensuring the filming of the Hobbit movies in New Zealand.
Encouraging the production of foreign and domestic films, television and other format productions in New Zealand through screen production grants.
A new screen advisory board - including James Cameron and Jon Landau - is providing advice and guidance to New Zealand screen and film makers looking to succeed internationally.
SUPPORTING THE ARTS IN NEW ZEALAND
Reforming the Arts Council to remove layers of governance
so the focus can be on artists.
Teaching orchestral music to children across South Auckland through the highly successful Sistema Aotearoa Programme.
This is now into its fourth year with a total of 240 children and a retention rate of 92 per cent.
Enhancing support for orchestras nationwide, including the designation of the Auckland Philharmonic as a metropolitan orchestra.
New Zealand's participation at the Frankfurt Book Fair resulted in 68,000 visitors to our pavilion and a ten-fold increase in the sale of New Zealand books into Germany
COMMEMORATING WORLD WAR I
Making major progress for the centenary of World War I:
The National War Memorial Park in Wellington is on track for completion by ANZAC day 2015.
A temporary First World War museum has been established in Wellington, developed by Sir Peter Jackson.
Lotteries funding of $17 million is enabling many community and national projects commemorating the centenary of the First World War.
PROVIDING MORE DIGITAL CONTENT
Increased opportunities to view more New Zealand content online by rolling out ultrafast broadband.
TVNZ On Demand streams, for example, now average more than 1 million per week.
More New Zealand television and movie content can be viewed online through NZ on Screen and the NZ Film Commission.
Ensured households have access to more content through more channels, with better picture quality and sound, as a result of the successful digital switchover.
SUPPORTING PUBLIC BROADCASTING
Spending over $200 million a year on public broadcasting, of which $128 million is for NZ On Air to fund Radio New Zealand and promote New Zealand content.
Increasing captioned content for hearing- impaired New Zealanders - over the past decade it has gone from 70 hours per week to 250 hours per week.
WHAT WE WILL DO NEXT...
1. BUILD ON THE SUCCESS OF SISTEMA AOTEAROA
-  Expand the highly successful Sistema Aotearoa programme, with the eventual goal of nationwide coverage.
An evaluation of the programme in November 2012 concluded that: "Sistema Aotearoa is making a difference in the lives of the children and the families participating in the programme...
Given sufficient time and resources, indications are that Sistema Aotearoa will have a long-lasting and transformative influence on the lives of participating children, their families as well as the wider community. “
2. CONSIDER A NATIONAL WAR MUSEUM AND TE PAPA NORTH
- Investigate the feasibility of creating a National War Museum in Wellington.
The museum would be a commemorative legacy from the 100th anniversary commemorations of World War I, the 75th anniversary commemorations of World War II and the 150th anniversary of the Land Wars.
- Investigate the creation of a Te Papa North exhibition, education and storage facility in South Auckland.
A Te Papa North exhibition would make the national collection more accessible to the population of our largest and most diverse city.
3. MAKE MORE TELEVISION CONTENT AVAILABLE ONLINE
-> Put more archived material online.
We are making New Zealand television content more accessible by unlocking the TVNZ archives.
This is content made with the help of taxpayer money - it should be available to, and enjoyed by, all New Zealanders.
National will make this archived material available online, providing a valuable resource for teachers, students and those with an interest in New Zealand heritage.
4. CONTINUE INCREASING THE AMOUNT OF CAPTIONED CONTENT
-> Continue to work with broadcasters to use digital technology to increase the amount of captioning both on television and online.
Over the past decade the amount of captioned content has greatly increased but we believe more can be done.
5. ENSURE BROADCASTING RULES FIT THE DIGITAL AGE
> Examine the current legislative framework to ensure it is appropriate for the digital age.
Our current broadcasting model was set up 25 years ago.
It was developed before the digital media environment our broadcasters and regulators now operate in.
Television content can now be viewed multiple times on a variety of platforms.
Content can also be produced and shown online by non-traditional broadcasters.
The legislation needs to reviewed and updated to ensure it is appropriate for the digital age.
DON'T PUT IT ALL AT RISK
Labour and the Greens would: Cripple the film industry by repealing the legislation National passed to ensure blockbuster movies such as Avatar and The Hobbit were made in New Zealand.
Prioritise arts bureaucracy over front-line practioners
Disrupt the current settled broadcasting environment, creating uncertainty for broadcasters and the public alike.
CANTERBURY EARTHQUAKE RECOVERY
REBUILDING CHRISTCHURCH
The Christchurch rebuild is going ahead full steam.
We have a rare opportunity to build a new, vibrant and exciting city while recognising the things that have always made Christchurch a great place to live, work and raise a family in.
A re-elected National government will continue to ramp up construction in the central city, led by key anchor projects such as the Convention Centre, Justice Precinct, and Bus Interchange.
Investment in these projects is encouraging businesses and retailers to return to the central city in force.
Our vision is for Christchurch to become one of the most liveable, innovative, and modern cities in the world.
We will harness the opportunity to build state-of-the-art classrooms, tertiary facilities, hospitals, justice and emergency service facilities, and transport links.
We will also use the chance to create something special in the red zone,
taking into account public feedback and ideas.
As the role changes, the commitment remains
As we move further through the recovery phase, the role of Government's agencies will change, but our commitment remains the same.
We will move the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority within the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet from 1 February next year as a department agency.
Housing CERA within DPMC will enable its functions to be wound back gradually.
CERA will continue to operate in Canterbury beyond April 2016, when the earthquake recovery powers granted by the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Act 2011, are due to expire.
We will also review the Canterbury earthquake legislation to decide what provisions are not required and what may need to continue beyond April 2016.
National will also establish a group to advise on what CERA's functions should be after April 2016, and plans for the transfer of roles and functions to other agencies.
The stable leadership of the National Government,
and the resilience of Cantabrians,
has kept the regional economy strong, with high levels of business and consumer confidence.
We will stay the course and finish rebuilding Christchurch into a thriving city,
standing by Cantabrians all the way.
POLICY HIGHLIGHTS
The Government has committed more than $15 billion to the rebuild - the biggest economic undertaking in New Zealand's history.
National has progressed the central city rebuild, with key anchor projects underway.
Rebuilding and repair of schools underway with 1,200 new classrooms planned, and world-class hospital facilities planned.
Horizontal infrastructure rebuild now halfway through.
Nearly 60,000 EQC repairs complete.
Key decisions made on post-2016 governance arrangements.
NATIONAL IS...
COMMITTING THE RESOURCES NEEDED
Moved from the demolition phase to construction in the central city.
Completed 1,000 demolitions in the central city so new construction can take place.
Released the Central City Blueprint Plan outlining kez anchor projects for the central city.
Began the $650 million redevelopment of Christchurch and Burwood Hospitals and created the Health Precinct
Started construction on: -A state of the art Bus Interchange in the central city
-Avon River Precinct and Margaret Mahy Playground
-Justice and Emergency Services
Kickstarted the Innovation Precinct bringing together businesses, Callaghan Innovation and an ICT graduate school, with Vodafone as an anchor tenant.
Kathmandu will also locate its new worldwide head office within the precinct.
Driven progress on the Performing Arts Precinct, starting with the construction of a $12 million Music Centre.
Committed $284 million to the new Convention Centre and selected the developer and operator.
Chosen the site for an Earthquake Memorial on the Otakaro/Avon River
and sought public input on the memorial's  design.
LISTENENING TO CANTABRIANS
Incorporated key ideas from the "Share an Idea" campaign into the central city blueprint.
Ran the Amazing Place playground competition to give school students a say, with more than 6,000 taking part.
Opened consultation on the future use of the Waimakariri Red Zone, and launched "Ideas to Remember" to consult the public on design of the Earthquake Memorial.
KEEPING JOBS AND SKILLS IN CHRISTCHURCH
Immediately established wage subsidies following the Februarz 22, 2011 earthquake, with a $6. 5 million business support package to keep businesses in Christchurch
Supported the Re:Start Mall to keep retailers in the CBD, and its recent shift to make way for permanent developments in the Retail Precinct.
Committed $260 million to the $107. 5 million to the redevelopment of Canterbury  University, $107. 5 million to Lincoln University and $118 million to CPIT.
Established the Skills for Canterbury programme and injected a further $18.9 million for CPU to expand its trades training capacity.
Offered beneficiaries $3000 to cover the cost of moving to Canterbury if they find a job.
"Our vision is to make CHRISTCHURCH one of the best small cities in the best small cities in the world to live, work and raise a family in"
SUPPORTED CANTABRIANS  THROUGH THE TOUGH TIMES
- Established the Residential Advisory Service to provide free, independent help to property owners facing challenges getting their homes repaired or rebuilt.
- Assisted property owners with more than 5,000 calls taken and held more than 1,000 meetings between homeowners and insurers.
- Established the Earthquake Support Coordination Service, 0800 Canterbury Support Line, and free counselling.
- Further funding support services with $13.5 million in Budget 2014 to help those who are struggling.
- Providing school-based mental health programme in 24 schools to support young people.
REPAIRING AND IMPROVING INFRASTRUCTURE
- Established the successful SCIRT alliance of five contractor companies to rebuild and repair roads and pipes, and committed $1.8 billion.
- Began construction on the $53 million, state-of-the-art Bus Interchange as the city`s public transport hub.
- Released the Accessible City transport plan to make inner Christchurch accessible and people-friendly to drivers, walkers, cyclists and public transport.
- Fast-tracked reclamation of Lyttelton Port and directed development of the Lyttelton Port Recovery Plan to allow quicker repair of port facilities.
REBUILDING, REPAIRING HOMES
Repairing tens of thousands of homes
- Completed more than 60,000 full EQC repairs, with the repair programme 86 per cent complete.
- Completed 47,000 emergency repairs and installed 18,740 heating units.
- Committed over $1 billion to repairing 5,000 and replacing 700 state homes.
Enabling new homes to be built quickly
- Enabled up to 40,000 new sections to be consented through the Land Use Recovery Plan.
- Signed a Housing Accord with the new Mayor of Christchurch to address pressures in social and affordable housing.
- Progressed 275 homes through the Awatea/Carrs Road Housing Development.
- Advanced the development of 180 units at Colombo Street and Welles Street.
Partnered with the Canterbury Community Trust to provide $31 million for new social and affordable housing.
Tackling red tape
- Installed a Crown Manager to ensure council building consent processes are quick and effective.
- Proposed significantly streamlined planning rules for the central city living zone.
- Fast-tracked the review of the District Plan
so planning rules are up to date and do not hinder development.
Giving certainty to homeowners through red and green zoning
- Purchased more than 7,300 of the most badly damaged homes from red zone property owners, enabling them to move forward to their lives.
- Extended the deadline for homeowners in the Port Hills red zone to consider the Crown offer, from August 2014 to February 2015.
- Gave certainty to green zone homeowners to allow them to get on with rebuilding.
Providing temporary accommodation to those most in need
- Established the Canterbury Temporary Accommodation Service that helped 3,500 people to find suitable accommodation.
- Provided $33 million to assist 2,300 people with the Temporary Accommodation Allowance.
- Made the Temporary Accommodation Allowance available for flood victims.
- Built four temporary accommodation villages at Linwood Park, Kaiapoi Domain, Rawhiti Domain and Rangers Park, and partnered with the private sector on providing temporary worker accommodation.
THE CANTERBURY EARTHQUAKE APPEAL TRUST
SUPPORTING COMMUNITY FACILITIES
- Raised $100 million through the Prime Minister's Earthquake Appeal for new sport, youth, education, spiritual and faith, heritage and cultural projects.
- Supported the new Youth and Community Centre for Aranui, Pines Beach Kairaki Community Hall, Music Centre of Christchurch and Hagley Oval pavilion.
- Contributed to restoration of the Isaac Theatre Royal, Provincial Council Buildings, Riccarton House, and Arts Centre clocktower and Great Hall.
- $6.5 million for water attractions at the new Christchurch City Council Recreation and Sports Centre in the eastern suburbs.
- Funding for 58 sports clubs and projects.
OUR RESULTS SO FAR.
INSURANCE PROGRESS
EQC has made good progress, resolving more than 148,000 dwelling claims.
The vast majority of EQC's dwelling claims will be settled by Christmas.
Fletcher and EQC staff have worked 35 million hours on the Flome Repair Programme, which has provided high quality repairs to tens of thousands of homeowners.
Private insurers have fully settled 80 per cent of commercial claims and 66 per cent of residential claims.
NEW HOMES ARE BEING BUILT
Residential building consents have exceeded the highs from 2007.
As at March 2014, $613 million of residential building work was in place.
More than 11,500 new homes have been consented in greater Christchurch since 2012.
HORIZONTAL INFRASTRUCTURE IS BEING REPAIRED
The SCIRT alliance has made huge progress on infrastructure repair, with 50 per cent of its programme complete, including 68 per cent of central city work.
By Christmas, central city infrastructure repairs will be 90 per cent complete.
SCIRT has completed the repair of:- 306 km wastewater pipe (46 per cent of total)
- 14 km storm water pipe (52 per cent of total)
- 48 km fresh water pipe (69 per cent of total)
- More than 355,000sq metres of roading (27 per cent of total)
- 94 bridges and culverts (62 per cent of total)
NEW BUSINESSES ARE OPENING
With the economy steaming ahead, Christchurch is an attractive place to open new shops, cafes and restaurants.
11,000new companies have registered in Christchurch since the earthquakes, and 1200 existing New Zealand companies have moved to Christchurch.
158 new restaurants and cafes have opened since the earthquakes, and 720 reopened.
Many are in central Christchurch, bringing life and activity back to the city.
MORE JOBS AND HIGHER INCOMES
Employment and labour force participation rates are at their highest since data began.
Unemployment is 2.8 per cent in Canterbury - the lowest since March 2008 - compared to 5.6 per cent nationally.
In the year to June 2014:- 37,200 more people were employed in Canterbury (11 per cent increase);
- Unemployment dropped 1.6 percentage points to 2.8 per cent;
- 12,400 more jobs were created in retail trade, accommodation, and food services;
- 6,100 more jobs were created in public administration and safety;
- 10,300 more jobs were created in construction.
Household income increased by 16.6 per cent between 2008 and 2013 - more than double the national increase.
NEW BUILDINGS ARE GOING UP
Developers are flocking back to central Christchurch, attracted by the Anchor Projects and our clear vision for the city.
More than 200 private sector sites are built, reinstated or under construction within the four avenues.
These include the state of the art Vodafone Building, Triangle Centre, 151 Cambridge, and UniMed building.
More than 16,000 consents have been issued for new buildings in Greater Christchurch since the earthquakes.
THE CANTERBURY ECONOMY IS GROWING STRONGLY
Latest statistics show that GDP growth over the last year was 4.9 per cent in Canterbury, compared to 4.1 per cent nationally.
Canterbury's economy has expanded in every quarter since the earthquakes.
Exports going out of Lyttelton have increased by 21 per cent in the year to May 2014, and the number of consumer transactions has grown by 9 per cent.
WHAT WE WILL DO NEXT.
1. BUILD A VIBRANT, THRIVING CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT
By 2015
- Open the Bus Interchange to reconnect people to the city through public transport.
- Complete the Avon River precinct to create an attractive public space at the heart of the city.
- Establish the Innovation Precinct with an ICT graduate school, Callaghan Innovation, and Vodafone as anchor tenants.
By 2016
- Establish central city housing in the East Frame.
- Re-establish The Square as the heart of Christchurch city.
- Create an Earthquake Memorial on the banks of the Avon River as a place of reflection.
- Complete stage one of the Accessible City transport plan.
- Return 1,700 government employees to the CBD.
By 2017
- Open a world class convention centre to attract high value  business and events tourism.
- Complete the Metro Sport Facility, equipped to host international events with a 50m pool and indoor stadium as well as recreational facilities.
- Open the new Central Library.
- Complete the Justice and Emergency Services Precinct bringing a further 1,100 government employees to the CBD.
2. REPAIR AND REBUILD HOMES, SCHOOLS AND HOSPITALS
- Continue to repair 5,000 state houses and rebuild another 700 at a cost of over $1 billion.
- Continue our $1 billion Education Renewal Programme to rebuild and renew classrooms in 115 Christchurch schools.
80 per cent of classrooms in greater Christchurch will be upgraded over the next ten years, and 1200 brand new classrooms will be built.
We are building 13 completely new schools, and rebuilding 10 schools on their current sites.
A further 34 school are being full redeveloped.
- Continue the world-class redevelopment of the Christchurch and Burwood hospitals.
The $650 million investment in Canterbury health facilities is the biggest ever investment in public health facilities in New Zealand.
3. HARNESS THE OPPORTUNITIES IN THE RESIDENTIAL RED ZONE
- Continue public engagement on the future use of the Waimakariri red zone through the "Canvas" consultation programme.
Once decisions are made on horizontal infrastructure and flood mitigation, we will extend this consultation to include the Christchurch city red zone.
Decisions on how this land will be used therefore need to honour the past while also creating a legacy for the future.
We have an opportunity to make this land great for future generations
and we want to hear as many ideas as possible from Christchurch residents.
4. ENSURE A SMOOTH TRANSITION AS CERA'S ROLE CHANGES
- Move CERA into the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) on 1 February 2015, to provide continuity by placing CERA within a permanent organisation.
We will gradually wind down CERA's role as required, rather than have CERA close for business on a certain date.
CERA will continue to operate after April 2016, with functions that reflect its long term-role in recovery.
We will review the CERA legislation, and remove any provisions that are not required for long term recovery.
Within DPMC, CERA will be located alongside the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management, ensuring the lessons of the recovery are retained in the long term.
5. CONTINUE WORKING CLOSELY WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENT
- Work with Christchurch City Council to review the shared costs of the rebuild, as already planned, by December 2014.
We will:-  Co-fund area wide solutions for mass land movement on the Port Hills;
-  Continue working with the Crown Manager for building consents to ensure the City Council is re-accredited as a Building Concent Authority;
- Support the City Council to ensure it has the clarity it needs to address its financial options;
-  Establish an Advisory Group of local councils and Ngai Tahu to seek their advice on any changes to CERA's functions and powers.
DON'T PUT IT ALL AT RISK
Labour and the Greens would...
- Back a risky state owned insurance business, with taxpayers liable for the bailout if it goes under.
- Create a lawyers' field day by driving more insurance cases to court rather than having them settled.
- Put the anchor projects at risk and put taxpayers up for an unknown expense through a wholesale review of the Cost Sharig Agreement with the Christchurch City Council.
- Bypass public consultation on the future arrangements for ECan elections.
- Make an unelected board accountable for the Government's $15 billion plus spend in Christchurch.
- Grind the rebuild to a halt by removing the powers which enable the Recovery Plans and a faster District Plan review.
CHILDREN & FAMILIES
HELPING CHILDREN & FAMILIES
New Zealand is a great place to raise a family and get ahead.
National's strong economic plan and careful management of the Government's books gives us the ability to invest in the things that really matter to Kiwi families.
During the last six years in Government we have supported families through difficult times
and maintained our assistance to the most vulnerable.
We've continued to invest more in health and education, despite tough financial times because we recognise how important those two things are.
Our next step is to further boost support to those who need it -
something we can only do because we have a strong and growing economy which gives us choices.
National will expand free GP visits and prescriptions to children under 13,
and extend paid parental leave by four weeks to 18 weeks.
We will continue to support the most vulnerable with housing, breakfast in schools and initiatives to reduce child abuse.
We will remain focused on getting more New Zealanders off welfare and into work
with our successful welfare reforms
and with targeted support for young people including teen parents.
We will work to further increase participation in early childhood education because we know that when a child gets a good start in life they have the opportunity to make the most of their potential.
And we will improve the quality of education in our schools by investing in teaching and leadership so that all of our schools raise children's achievement.
National will support families to get ahead
and give their children a great start to life.
National continues to stand with NZ families, and is investing in strong public services to help families and children.
POLICY HIGHLIGHTS
- Free GP visits and prescriptions for children under 13.
- Four weeks extra paid parental leave, and extending it to more people.
- Parental tax credits increasing to a maximum of $220 a week.
- Ten children's teams working with at-risk children and their families.
- $156 million boost to early childhood education to help lift participation towards our 98 per cent target.
- $359 million to raise the quality of teaching and leadership in our schools.
NATIONAL IS...
SUPPORTING FAMILIES THROUGH DIFFICULT TIMES
- Maintained entitlements to Working for Families through the recession.
- Provided across-the-board income tax cuts in October 2010.
- Lifted the minimum wage every year we've been in government
Introduced the Restart redundancy support package to help people laid off during the recession.
- Partnered with BNZ, the Salvation Army and Good Shepherd to provide low and no-interest loans to families so they can avoid loan sharks
BOOSTING FAMILY HEALTH
Increased spending on health by an average of $500 million each year since we have been in government.
Spending in 2014/15 will be a record $15.6 billion.
- Provided 1500 more doctors, 3300 more nurses and midwives, and 1000 fewer back office staff.
- Set targets to: - Fully immunise 95 per cent of eight- month-olds by the end of 2014.
- Reduce the incidence of rheumatic fever by two-thirds by June 2017.
- Halt the ten-year rise in children experiencing physical abuse and reduce current numbers by 5 per cent by 2017.
- Funded free after hours GP visits for children under six.
PROVIDING MORE SUPPORT FOR NEW MUMS
- Invested $20 million extra a year to strengthen maternity services and WellChild services for new mothers and their babies.
- Increased the number of WellChild visits from three to five for new mothers in need.
Fully funded Plunket Line for a 24-hour seven-days service.
- Increased the number of nurses and midwives working in our District Health Boards by 3,300.
- Invested $18 million a year in dedicated maternal mental health beds and new specialist community services for around 650 new mothers and their babies.
SUPPORTING VULNERABLE CHILDREN
- Developed the Children's Action Plan to combat child abuse and neglect.
- Passed the Vulnerable Children Act, requiring vetting for staff working with children, and banning people with serious convictions from working in core children's workforce roles.
Vulnerable Children Act
Known abusers now have to prove they are safe to parent any future children.
CHILDREN & FAMILIES
- Expanded Social Workers in Schools to all Decile 1-3 schools.
- Expanded Kickstart Breakfast to all primary and secondary schools that want it.
- Increased sentences for crimes against children.
- Introduced police safety orders to help prevent family violence.
- Invested more in Child, Youth and Family so it can continue to improve the way it works with the most vulnerable children.
- Recruiting 80 new social work staff for Child, Youth and Family.
BOOSTING EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
- Raised participation in early childhood education (ECE), with more children than ever before attending, including more Maori and Pasifika children.
- Set a Better Public Services target of 98 per cent of new entrants in school having participated in ECE by the end of 2016.
- Extended 20 hours free ECE to playcentres, kohanga reo, and to include five-year-olds.
- Committed $92 million to make an extra 3500 places available for Maori, Pasifika and children from low-income families in high-needs areas such as Kaikohe, Waitakere, Manukau, South Auckland, Flamilton and Porirua,
as well as new bilingual and immersion centres in Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Porirua.
RAISING ACHIEVEMENT IN EDUCATION
- Set a Better Public Services Target of 85 per cent of 18-year-olds achieving NCEA Level 2 or an equivalent qualification in 2017.
- Introduced National Standards in primary and intermediate schools, and ensured that parents receive plain English reports on their child's progress.
Schools report their progress against the standards each year.
- Invested over $1 billion to connect schools to Ultra-Fast Broadband.
INCREASING OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
- Introduced and expanding the Apprenticeship Reboot subsidy to 20,000 places to support apprentices into work- based training.
- Developed vocational pathways with industry, which list useful subjects for young people to set them up for careers in construction, manufacturing, the primary sector, services or community services.
Introduced the Youth Guarantee Scheme to provide free school-level skills training for 16- and 17-year-olds
Bed in our vocational changes and lift our target for achievement of level 4 and above from 55 per cent of 25-34 year olds to 60% of 25-34 year olds by 2017
Introduced voluntary 90-day trial periods to encourage employers to take on new staff.
Introduced the Youth Service to provide wrap-around support to teen parents and beneficiaries to get them engaged in education and training.
Offered young beneficiaries $3000 to cover the costs of moving to Christchurch if they find a job there.
IMPROVING HOUSING
Insulated more than 250,000 homes through our Warm Up New Zealand: HeatSmart and Healthy Homes scheme.
Insulated every state house that can be insulated.
Extended income-related rents to the community housing sector.
Agreed Housing Accords with Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch Councils to fast-track new housing developments
TACKLING WELFARE DEPENDENCY
Investing $576 million in welfare reform to help jobseekers and sole parents into work.
Requiring sole parents on welfare to look for work when their youngest child turns five.
Introduced welfare obligations to help ensure beneficiaries who can work are work ready and drug free.
Simplified benefit categories to increase the focus on work
Stopping benefits to those on the run from the law
Supporting teen parent beneficiaries with:- Teen parent units and additional support for childcare.
- Money management and direct payment for rent and utilities.
Budgeting and parenting obligations in return for payments.
SUPPORTING CHRISTCHURCH FAMILIES
Completed repairs on over 60,000 homes and paid out more than $7 billion in claims
Committed to the $650 million rebuild of Christchurch hospitals – the largest and most complex building project in the history of our public health service.
Embarking on a $1.1 billion school building programme to make Christchurch's schools fit for the 21st Century.
Committed over $15 billion for the government's share of the rebuild costs.
WHAT WE WILL DO NEXT.
1.PROVIDE FREE GP VISITS AND PRESCRIPTIONS FOR CHILDREN UNDER 13
- Extend free GP visits to all children under 13.
From July 2015, National will extend free doctors' visits for children aged under six to all children aged under 13.
National extended free GP visits for children under six to include free after-hours visits.
Thanks to our prudent management of the health budget, and a strong economy, we are extending this policy to all children under 13.
National will offer this scheme to general practices from 1 July 2015
This is an important preventative health measure, as parents will be more likely to take their child to the doctor for treatment before their condition becomes severe.
It will also help reduce the number of children presenting at our busy hospital emergency departments with an illness that a GP could have treated.
- Provide free prescriptions for children under 13.
From July 2015, National will extend free prescriptions to all children aged under 13.
- Invest $90 million over three years from 1 July 2015 to fund these changes.
National will invest $90 million to ensure primary school-aged children can go to a doctor for free, any time of the day or night, and get their prescription free as well.
More than 400,000 primary school-aged children and their families are expected to benefit from this investment.
Parents shouldn't be put off getting medical assistance for their young children because of the cost, and we are making sure of that.
2. EXPAND PAID PARENTAL LEAVE
- Increase the length of paid parental leave to 18 weeks, up from the current 14 weeks.
This will happen in two steps - to 16 weeks on 1 April 201 5 and then to 18 weeks on 1 April 2016.
Financial pressures are the main reason parents go back to work earlier than they would like after having a baby.
Increasing the length of paid parental leave makes it easier for parents to take more time off work to spend with their newborn child if they wish to.
Each year, around 26,000 people take paid parental leave.
This initiative will cost $141 million over four years.
- Extend paid parental leave to 'Home for Life' parents and others with similar permanent care arrangements such as those with parenting orders.
Family structures have become more diverse since paid parental leave was first established.
Permanent guardianship arrangements, for example Home for Life (a Child, Youth and Family programme that involves providing a home to a child as a permanent fostering arrangement) have become more common than formal adoption.
This change means that up to 600 more families will be eligible for paid parental leave.
It will cost $12.1 million over the next four years.
- Extend parental leave payments to more workers - in particular, to people who have recently changed jobs, seasonal and casual workers, and workers with more than one employer.
Some workers currently miss out on parental leave payments beacuse haven't been working regularly for the same employer.
Under the extension, this group of workers will not automatically have their job held open for them, but will be able to get parental leave payments if they work a minimum number of hours over a specified period.
This change means that up to 800 more parents will be eligible for paid parental leave.
It will cost $18.7 million over the next four years.
- Make paid parental leave more flexible.
Current rules prevent a person on parental leave from coming back to work for activities like training and planning days.
Making parental leave more flexible will mean people could, for example, work an occasional day during their leave period without jeopardising their entitlement.
Flexibility promotes connection to the workplace and encourages employees to maintain skills, which can be beneficial to both the employee and employer.
Changes around flexibility, as well as the extension of eligibility for paid parental leave, will be finalised after public consultation.
These measures will help to improve outcomes for families and children,
while also being fiscally responsible and recognising current economic conditions.
3.INCREASE PARENTAL TAX CREDITS
- Increase the parental tax credit from its current maximum amount of $150 a week to $220 a week.
The parental tax credit is available to working families with a newborn child, if they are not on a benefit and do not receive paid parental leave.
A baby can mean significant financial stress for many families.
These changes, along with other family initiatives in Budget 2014, will provide targeted support for some families to help alleviate those stresses and improve child outcomes.
The Government takes its responsibility to support families just as seriously as the responsibility to manage the economy.
- Increase the period for which the tax credit is paid, from eight to 10 weeks, following the birth of a child.
Extending the parental tax credit will help support parents during a time of extra financial responsibility.
- Change the parental tax credit abatement formula to better target the payment towards lower- and middle-income families.
For example, a couple having their second child will not receive any payment if, together, they earn more than $99,847.
4.INCREASE SUPPORT FOR VULNERABLE CHILDREN
- Establish ten children's teams around the country to work with vulnerable children and their families.
Good progress is being made implementing the Government's Children's Action Plan, with three children's teams up and running in Rotorua, Whangarei and Horowhenua/Otaki.
We're committing $16.4 million in 2014/1 5 to continue developing new ways of working together, implementing new children's services, and ensuring greater monitoring of at-risk children and young people.
The new funding will see a further seven children's teams, which work with at-risk children and their families to ensure they get access to important social services, rolled out over the next financial year.
- Implement the Vulnerable Children's Act.
This legislation makes the heads of five government departments accountable for protecting and improving the lives of vulnerable children.
The legislation introduces the screening and vetting of people who work with children so we can ensure those children are safe.
It also bans people with serious convictions from working with children and makes it harder for a person who has killed or seriously injured their child to keep custody of any subsequent children.
- Boost funding for Child, Youth and Family.
As we build a new child protection system, National is investing heavily in improving services and support for children in care, with new funding of $13.7 million in 2014/15 for Child, Youth and Family (CYF).
Increased funding will provide more one-to-one therapeutic placements for young people with high needs, and greater support for caregivers.
CYF's extra funding will allow it to trial a new approach to understand what services work best for which children and to identify measureable outcomes.
It will support modelling of earlier investments to prevent the financial and social fallout of failing children in care.
Taking an investment approach in welfare is paying dividends in identifying where best to focus to make the most difference in people's lives.
We are putting millions of dollars into child protection and services for vulnerable children because we know serious abuse imposes enormous costs, both personal and financial.
5.INCREASE PARTICIPATION IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
- Invest a further $155.7 million over four years in early childhood education services to help give all children a great start in life.
National is focused on making sure all young children can get access to quality ECE services.
We have almost doubled spending on ECE since coming into government and participation is rising.
Importantly, more Maori and Pasifika children are attending than ever before.
A $53.6 million boost to the subsidy rates will help keep fees affordable.
Keeping fees as low as possible is vital if we are to further increase early childhood participation, especially for children from low-income backgrounds.
This will support an estimated 5,800 more of our youngest children to access quality ECE by June 2018.
- Continue working towards our target of 98 per cent participation in ECE.
Regular participation in quality early childhood learning significantly increases a child's chance of future educational success, particularly those from vulnerable families.
That is why we have set a target of increasing participation in early childhood education to 98 per cent of children starting school in 2016.
This additional funding for ECE services will help to achieve that target.
6.IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION IN OUR SCHOOLS
- Invest $359 million to improve the quality of teaching and leadership in schools.
National is working hard to ensure our education system is delivering the best education for all New Zealand children.
We've brought in National Standards so we can help parents see how their child is doing and where we need to direct resources to help those who need it.
Our next step is to raise achievement across the whole education system by creating new leadership and teaching roles to keep the best teachers teaching, and the best principals sharing their expertise across schools.
By strengthening school leadership and teaching quality we will lift the overall performance of the education system and raise the achievement of young New Zealanders.
- Support children with special needs by providing up to 800,000 more teacher aide hours a year over four years.
National recognises that there are students who need assistance at school, but who do not meet the criteria for higher levels of special education support.
Their learning conditions might include, but are not limited to, ADHD, ASD, Asperger syndrome and dyslexia.
We will help the children who currently struggle to cope in the classroom, because of learning disorders, and who need more individual time than classroom teachers may have to give.
We will raise the number of teacher aide hours and focus on supporting those whose needs have been identified by their schools.
By doing this, we will also ensure all students benefit through a less disruptive environment and a teacher aide to support the teacher.
7.ADDRESS FAMILY VIOLENCE
- Strengthen efforts across Justice, Police, Corrections and Courts to help reduce family violence.
National will:- Establish a Chief Victims Advisor to the Minister of Justice to advise on the needs and views of victims of crime.
- Test an intensive case management service, which would provide specialist support for family violence victims at high risk of serious harm or death.
- Establish a nationwide home safety service to help victims who want to leave a violent relationship.
- Review the Domestic Violence Act 1995 to ensure the system keeps victims safe and holds offenders to account.
- Explore the possibility of a conviction disclosure scheme which could allow people to ask whether their partner has a history of violence.
- Introduce legislation to allow courts to stipulate GPS monitoring on high-risk family violence offenders.
- Trial mobile safety alarms with GPS technology for victims so they can immediately notify Police of an emergency, and their location.
- Develop a comprehensive, long-term approach to break the cycle of family violence through changing attitudes and behaviours towards family violence,
and using early interventions for drug and alcohol addiction.
DON'T PUT IT ALL AT RISK
Labour and the Greens would: - Focus on bureaucracy rather than people and results.
- Have more committees, strategies and working groups rather than programmes that get results.
- Remove the requirement for schools to report their students' progress against National Standards - leaving parents in the dark about how their children are doing at school.
COMMERCE & CONSUMER AFFAIRS
HELPING BUSINESSES THRIVE WHILE PROTECTING CONSUMERS
National is determined to ensure New Zealand's regulatory environment is world class, so businesses can thrive and consumers are protected.
We want to see New Zealand businesses maintain their competitive advantage and consumers benefit from competitive pricing.
Changes we have made in government are encouraging the confident and informed participation of businesses, investors, and consumers in our financial markets.
That participation is essential for driving business growth, exports and jobs in New Zealand.
National will complete the implementation of our world-best financial market legislation, which will provide better information to investors and streamline capital raising for businesses.
We will continue to make it easier to do business in New Zealand by removing unnecessary reporting requirements and cutting red tape.
We are also making it easier to do business with Australia through progressing New Zealand's commitments to a Single Economic Market.
National has updated and improved consumer law to protect vulnerable New Zealand families from loan sharks and protect consumers who purchase goods online.
Our next step is to develop a Responsible Lending Code to provide guidance on how lenders should behave.
We're lowering fees for people in KiwiSaver default schemes and ensuring standardised reporting for all KiwiSaver funds.
There is more to do, because our regulatory environment is key to driving competition and innovation in the marketplace, as well as supporting an environment where well-informed consumers can participate with confidence.
POLICY HIGHLIGHTS
- Lifting confidence in New Zealand's financial markets.
- Introducing new ways for businesses to raise capital.
- Reducing financial reporting requirements, unnecessary compliance and red tape to support New Zealand businesses.
- Strengthening New Zealand's reputation as a good place to do business.
- Providing more protection to vulnerable families and consumers through tightening rules around loan sharks and financial advice.
NATIONAL IS...
LIFTING CONFIDENCE IN OUR FINANCIAL MARKETS
Established the Financial Markets Authority, creating a single regulator with a sharper focus on monitoring and enforcing securities law.
Introduced new standards and requirements for financial service providers and financial advisers.
Brought in the licensing and monitoring of trustees and auditors.
Passed the Financial Markets Conduct Act to better regulate how financial products are offered, promoted, issued, and sold, and to support confident and informed market participants.
EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR INVESTORS
Making it possible to raise capital without a prospectus or investment statement (equity crowd-funding and peer-to-peer lending), to help early-stage and growth companies access much-needed capital.
Allowing alternative stock exchanges with simpler listing and disclosure rules, which could assist more small and medium-sized enterprises to list and raise capital.
Making it easier for businesses to offer employee share schemes.
Enabled Fonterra's Trading Among Farmers scheme.
MAKING IT EASIER TO DO BUSINESS
Removing the requirement for small and medium sized companies to produce complex and unnecessary financial statements.
Reducing the costs for businesses dealing with government agencies through use of the New Zealand Business Number, which is currently being used by 550,000 companies.
Launching an integrated Employer Registration service, making it easier for newly-formed companies to communicate with government.
Modernising New Zealand's patent laws so that Kiwi inventions enjoy world-class intellectual property protection.
Reducing red tape - repealed 20 Acts and 18 sets of regulations in the areas of commerce and consumer affairs.
MAKING IT EASIER TO DO BUSINESS IN AUSTRALIA
Accelerating the creation of a Single Economic Market between Australia and New Zealand.
Committing, with Australia, to making real progress over a range of areas in business law.
MAINTAINING NEW ZEALAND'S GOOD GLOBAL REPUTATION
Improving the transparency of New Zealand's company registration system and reducing the risk of New Zealand entities being used for money laundering, fraud, tax evasion and other criminal activity.
Requiring all New Zealand registered companies and limited partnerships to have a director or general partner who lives in New Zealand or is a director of a company in a prescribed enforcement country.
New Zealand is rated equal first in global anti-corruption by Transparency International and third by the World Bank in ease of doing business.
IMPROVING KIWISAVER RULES
Ensuring KiwiSaver funds report in a consistent and comparable format, so people can better compare funds and make more informed decisions.
Reducing the fees that KiwiSaver default funds can charge, particularly for smaller fund balances.
PROVIDING MORE PROTECTION FOR CONSUMERS
Protecting vulnerable families from aggressive loan sharks by passing legislation requiring lenders to act responsibly and be completely open about the terms of the loan.
Ensuring consumers have the same rights when purchasing goods and services regardless of whether they buy online, in a store, by auction, over the phone, or at home.
WHAT WE WILL DO NEXT.
1. COMPLETE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FINANCIAL MARKETS CONDUCT ACT
Introduce new disclosure requirements to improve investor literacy, confidence and participation in financial markets.
Disclosure will be standardised, simplified and tailored for retail investors - enabling easier comparison of managed funds across providers.
2. ENSURE COMPETITION RULES PROTECT CONSUMERS AND ENCOURAGE INNOVATION
New Zealand's competition rules are designed to promote competition for long-term benefit of consumers and to enable innovation to occur.
Pass legislation to strengthen competition laws by cracking down on serious cartel behaviour and better enabling pro- competitive collaborative arrangements.
Allowing collaborative arrangements will be a welcome development for many of New Zealand's export industries.
Review the misuse of market power prohibition in response to the Productivity Commission's inquiries.
The review will also explore options for overhauling regulations that may no longer be necessary or working effectively, including those for resale price maintenance and the cease and desist regime.
3.IMPROVE REGULATIONS THAT GOVERN BUSINESS
National is constantly seeking to improve the environment that businesses operate in.
There are a number of pieces of legislation that National has introduced and will look to pass in the next term.
Pass the Accounting Infrastructure Reform Bill to help make the accounting and audit industry more efficient and effective.
A more competitive and efficient accounting market will ensure better business practice and advice for New Zealand firms.
A robust audit industry provides improved assurance for users of financial statements, building confidence in our financial markets.
Progress changes to maintain and strengthen the development of New Zealand Standards by passing the Standards and Accreditation Bill.
Give credit unions improved legal status, promote innovation in the industry, and reduce unnecessary operating and compliance costs.
Credit Unions play a valuable role in our communities and financial sector.
5. CONTINUE TO INFORM AND PROTECT CONSUMERS
Develop a Responsible Lending Code to provide guidance on how a responsible lender should behave.
This will help to better protect consumers, especially those who are vulnerable and at risk of exploitation by lenders.
We will also undertake a review of the Financial Advisers Act, to ensure this is working to give consumers confidence and hold advisers accountable.
We will explore opportunities to promote financial literacy and savings advice in schools and workplaces.
And we are introducing a voluntary health star food labelling system to help New Zealanders make informed and healthy food choices.
6. EXTEND THE USE OF THE NZ BUSINESS NUMBER
Extend the use of the New Zealand Business Number to reduce costs for businesses dealing with government agencies.
All key government agencies that work regularly with businesses will be required to recognise and use the NZBN by the end of 2017.
The NZBN will be extended beyond registered companies to all New Zealand business entities, such as sole traders, partnerships, trusts and not-for profit entities.
This means businesses will no longer have to keep updating their data with a myriad of different government databases.
The NZBN will enable innovative time-saving administration solutions between businesses, their suppliers and government, giving them more time to spend on growing their business.
7.PROGRESS NEW ZEALAND'S COMMITMENTS TO A SINGLE ECONOMIC MARKET
Further progress a Single Economic Market with Australia.
Creating a Single Economic Market will enable businesses, consumers, and investors to operate on both sides of the Tasman in a seamless regulatory environment.
Of the work programme we have developed with our Australian counterparts - covering areas like business reporting, intellectual property law and competition policy - we have already completed 14 of the agreed outcomes, and we are on track to deliver another six.
DON'T PUT IT ALL AT RISK
Labour and the Greens would: Impose additional costs on New Zealand businesses through policies such as:
- A capital gains tax on all businesses and farms.
- An irresponsible increase to the minimum wage that will force employers to cut back on staff and future recruitment.
- Scrapping 90-day trial periods.
- Big increases in employer KiwiSaver contributors
- A much more expensive ETS.
- New taxes on water use.
- A national award pay system that would require small regional businesses to pay the same wage rates as large big-city businesses.
COMMUNITY & VOLUNTARY SECTOR
VOLUNTEERS ARE THE BACKBONE OF OUR COMMUNITIES
National values the contribution of volunteers and the voluntary sector to the wellbeing of our communities.
The work they do makes New Zealand a better place.
New Zealanders like to muck-in and help out.
Around a third of adults contribute at least 10 hours a month to their communities.
That amounts to millions of hours given freely each year.
They are the backbone of our sports and social groups and the arts and cultural sector, to name just a few areas where they contribute.
Charities could not survive without the efforts of volunteers.
National is supporting our volunteer workforce, and the voluntary and charity sector, to get on with the job.
POLICY HIGHLIGHTS
-> Foster Social Enterprise in New Zealand by working with the sector to establish a blueprint for new initiatives.
-> Empowered communities to identify and respond to their own unique needs through the Community-led Development pilots.
-> Launched a new, more user- friendly, on-line grant application system.
-> Rolling out new financial reporting standards.
-> Cleared the charity registration backlog.
-> Significantly sped up the charity registration process.
NATIONAL IS...
INSPIRING CONFIDENCE IN THE CHARITABLE SECTOR
Established the Charities Registration Board - as independent body which makes decisions on registrations.
Introduced a new set of financial reporting requirements, which will provide greater consistency.
These come into effect next year.
Continued to support the Kia Tutahi Relationship Accord, which sets expectations over how government and communities should work together to achieve social, economic and environmental outcomes.
DEVELOPING AND UPDATING ONLINE RESOURCES
Developed and launched NZ Navigator, an on-line assessment tool that helps community organisations build their capability.
This project was done in collaboration with ANGOA, Platform Trust, Social Development Partners and the Bishop's Action Foundation and Rabid Technologies.
Revamped the CommunityNet Aotearoa website - a hub of practical online resources for community groups.
Simplified the booklets and guides published for charity and community groups to ensure they are reader-friendly.
Community and voluntary sector - key facts
There are approcimately 27,000 registered charities as at February 2014.
The non-profit sector is estimated to contribute 4.9 per cent of GDP.
Proportionately, New Zealand has the seventh larges non-profit sector workforce in the world.
ENCOURAGING SOCIAL  ENTERPRISE
Released the Government Position Statement on Social Enterprise, which promotes commercial strategies to further the social and environmental aims of charities and community groups.
Invested $1.27 million over two years in the Akina Foundation, a not-for profit organisation dedicated to growing social enterprise, to deliver an accelerator pilot and incubator for social enterprise
SUPPORTING GRASS ROOTS INITIATIVES
Adopted a new approach towards community based projects by establishing the Community-led Development pilot.
The pilot is looking at how we can better support communities to collaborate and develop and action a vision for their area.
The four-year-long pilot is running in four different communities and supported by five Community Advisors.
To date, $2.5 million has been committed to these pilot programmes.
The groups are being evaluated at regular intervals to learn from the pilot in real-time.
OUR RESULTS SO FAR
Cleared the charity registration backlog.
Significantly sped up the charity registration process.
We have almost halved the average time for processing applications, going from 70 in 2011 to 40 days in 2013.
•Successfully transferred the Charities Commission's functions into the Department of Internal Affairs.
This has improved resource sharing of community expertise across Government.
•Increased funding to Volunteering New Zealand by $100,000 to further develop the volunteering sector.
•Administered around $20 million in Crown grants to community organisations each year.
- The Community Organisation Grants Scheme provides $12.5 million in grants through 37 local committees - 4,528 grants approved in 2013/14.
- The Community Development Scheme has $2.56 million to provide salaries for local community development project workers - 32 projects are funded each year.
- The Community Internship Programme has $231,000 to enable community groups to employ skilled professionals as interns - seven projects have been funded in 2013/2014.
- The Youth Worker Training Scheme has $200,000 a year to fund non-formal training opportunities for youth workers.
- Digital literacy has $ 3. 723 million in funding for High Tech Youth Academy and 20/20 Communications Trust.
The Support for Volunteering Fund has $502,000 a year to promote and support volunteering in New Zealand
Supported the Canterbury rebuild through the Canterbury Earthquake Appeal Trust.
Raised $100 million through the Prime Minister’s Earthquake Appeal for new sport, youth, education, spiritual and faith, heritage and cultural projects.
Supported the new Youth and Community Centre for Aranui, Pines Beach Kairaki Community Hall, Music Centre of Christchurch and Hagley Oval pavilion.
Contributed to restoration of the Isaac Theatre Royal, Provincial Council Buildings, Riccarton House, and Arts Centre clocktower and Great Hall.
$6. 5 million for water attractions at the new Christchurch City Council Recreation and Sports Centre in the eastern suburbs
Funding for 58 sports clubs and projects
•    Amended the Gambling Regulations 2004 so a greater proportion of money from noncasino pokies machines can be distributed to community groups.
The minimum rate of return has increased from 37 per cent to 40 per cent this year, and will rise to 42 per cent by 2018.
This will lead to an extra $10.8 million a year going back into the community
• Administered over $160 million in Lottery funds to community organisations each year.
- Regional Lottery Community Committee distributed $55,524,978 to 2,437 applicants.
- Lottery Community Facilities Fund Committee distributed $16,361,780 to 128 applicants.
- Lottery World War One Commemorations, Environment and Heritage Committee distributed $31,409,534 to 279 applicants.
- Lottery Community Sector Research Committee distributed $546,494 to nine applicants.
- Lottery Health Research Committee distributed to $3,889,117 to 263 applicants.
Lottery Individuals with Disabilities Committee distributed $5,911,980 to 1,037 applicants.
Lottery Marae Heritage and Facilities Committee distributed $8,806,140 to 52 applicants.
Lottery Minister’s Discretionary Fund distributed $449,214 to 99 applicants.
Lottery Outdoor Safety Committee distributed §9,958,323 to 17 applicants.
Lottery Significant Projects Fund Committee distributed $28,374,786 to 12 applicants.
WHAT WE WILL DO NEXT.
SUPPORT COMMUNITY GROUPS AND VOLUNTEERS
-> Continue to support and encourage Social Enterprise in New Zealand.
We will review the accelerator pilot and an incubator initiative being developed by the Aina Foundation with a view to establishing a blueprint for start-up enterprises.
-> Continue to work alongside the Community-led Development pilots.
The four year trial is due to be completed by 30 June 2015.
The results of this pilot will help us better empower communities to identify and address their own needs and priorities.
-> Introduce a new on-line grant application system, which will be more informative and user-friendly.
-> Roll out new financial reporting standards.
-> Work with Statistics NZ to update its official measure of the not-for-profit sector.
The update will give a more accurate picture of the size, structure and economic contribution of non-profit institutions, including how many there are, how many people they employ, and the level of volunteer input.
DON'T PUT IT ALL AT RISK
Labour and the Greens would:
Have no clear plan to support this vital sector.
Burden communities with bureaucratic paperwork.
Tell communities what's good for them, what they want and what they need, rather than encouraging local solutions to local issues.
Drain resources from the frontline services by adding to the workload of the back office.
CONSERVATION
A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH TO TACKLING CONSERVATION CHALLENGES
New Zealand's flora and fauna are an integral part of our national identity and must be protected for future generations.
National is working hard to conserve the natural environment that makes New Zealand special,
while also supporting a growing economy.
Good science is at the core of our policymaking, particularly in the area of conservation.
To be successful, conservation policy needs to actively involve businesses and community groups in partnership with government, both in development and implementation.
National has deliberately introduced a more collaborative approach to engage stakeholders in conservation challenges.
National has a very practical approach to conservation and has made real progress in the past six years, ensuring treasured birds like the kiwi are there for future generations,
that our ocean management is equal to the best anywhere in the world
and that New Zealand can continue to offer a world-class outdoor recreational experience.
New Zealanders put a high value on their access to our unique natural environment, as do millions of international tourists, and we want to protect and maintain it.
POLICY HIGHLIGHTS
Continuing to develop our outward-looking approach for DOC, by establishing partnerships with business, individual benefactors, international groups and volunteers interested in our conservation values.
Introducing a new Marine Protected Areas Act to include a range of marine protected areas, from notake marine reserves, recreational fishing parks, species-specific sanctuaries and seabed reserves.
We will ensure decisions about marine protection reflect the views of communities through our Bluegreen collaborative approach model.
Recognising the distinctive conservation values of the Waipoua Forest to create the first National Park north of Rotorua, and working with Te Roroa on developing a new visitor centre for this natural treasure.
NATIONAL IS...
FOSTERING A COLLABORATIVE / APPROACH
Expanding partnerships with business, individual benefactors, international groups and volunteers interested in our conservation values.
This approach has seen tens of millions of dollars contributed to improve New Zealand's conservation outcomes.
Established a Community Conservation Partnership fund of $26 million to assist community-led conservation groups.
Just over 100 local conservation groups were helped this year alone.
Established collaborative marine planning forums in Auckland and Otago.
CONSERVING MARINE WILDLIFE
Created a record number and area of new marine reserves this year, with five on the West Coast, three in the Sub Antarctic Islands, Akaroa and Kaikoura.
Doubled the area of set net protection for Maui's dolphin, introduced a ban on shark finning, introduced compulsory seismic survey regulations for protecting marine mammals, and created new whale and seal sanctuaries at Kaikoura.
INTRODUCING SAFEGUARDS FOR FLORA AND FAUNA
Initiated New Zealand's largest-ever species protection programme, 'Battle for our Birds', to control rats, stoats and possums on over one million hectares of conservation land.
Tightened laws and toughened penalties for wildlife, conservation and biosecurity offending,
and passed new freedom camping laws to prevent New Zealand's outdoors being abused.
Committed over $30 million to containing and controlling kauri dieback.
PROTECTING AND IMPROVING OUR LANDSCAPE FOR TODAY AND FUTURE GENERATIONS
Expanded protected areas by adding 380,000 ha to public conservation land and adding 460,000 ha to Schedule 4 (including marine reserves), and introduced a new Great Barrier Island (Aotea) Conservation Park.
Maintained our balanced approach to environmental protection and economic development when considering tourism projects in conservation areas, resulting in the rejection of the Fiordland Tunnel and Monorail projects.
Created the Game Animal Council, giving hunters an effective voice in their recreation.
Adopted the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement and protected 17 nationally significant surf breaks.
Developing a national network of cycle ways,
opened the Heaphy Track to winter mountain-biking,
and funding a major programme of upgrading New Zealand's network of campgrounds, huts and tracks.
WHAT WE WILL DO NEXT.
1.PASS A NEW MARINE PROTECTED AREAS ACT
Provide for a range of marine protected areas, from no-take marine reserves, recreational fishing parks, species-specific sanctuaries and seabed reserves.
The Marine Protected Areas Act 1971 is outdated and needs reform.
National's new Marine Protected Areas Act will broaden the purpose to include conservation and recreation outcomes
and allow for marine protected areas in the Exclusive Economic Zone.
It will provide local iwi and communities with a stronger role in decision-making
and improve the processes for establishing reserves, parks and sanctuaries.
This reform is part of National's ambition for New Zealand to be a world leader in the responsible use, management and conservation of our ocean environment.
We have established record numbers of new marine reserves this year and passed new laws for managing activities in our Exclusive Economic Zone.
A new Marine Protected Areas Act is the next logical step.
Create two new recreational fishing parks in the inner Hauraki Gulf and the Marlborough Sounds
by excluding commercial finfishing.
National will collaborate with all stakeholders on these new recreational fishing parks, and marine protected areas legislation, to enhance the management of New Zealand's ocean environment.
2. CREATE A WAIPOUA NATIONAL PARK
National believes the distinctive and special conservation values of the Waipoua Forest should be preserved as a National Park, making it the first National Park north of Rotorua.
We will work with Te Roroa to fund a high- quality upgrade of the visitor facilities to help grow tourism in Northland.
This is part of National's commitment to our regions to help grow stronger regional economies
and provide jobs for hardworking New Zealand families,
while recognising the special environment in Northland.
DON'T PUT IT ALL AT RISK
Labour and the Greens would: /Reject any private sector involvement in conservation and lose tens of millions of dollars of conservation investment as a result.
Return DOC to an inward-looking approach that excludes consideration of economic impacts,
restraints on business
and involvement of iwi in policy development.
Undermine special protection programmes by ignoring scientific evidence and allowing objections to 1080 to block effective protection for our most vulnerable iconic species
Adopt an impractical approach to tourism, mining, farming and forestry that will impact negatively on regional New Zealand
and cost jobs.
A perfect example was their opposition to harvesting thousands of cubic metres of wind-blown timber on the West Coast.
Reverse National's collaborative and inclusive approach to conservation and revert to polarising communities in important areas like marine conservation and management resulting in years of conflict and inaction.
DEFENCE AND SECURITY
STRENGTHENING NEW ZEALAND'S DEFENCE FORCE
With one of the largest exclusive economic zones in the world and with a long history of international engagement, New Zealand's Defence Force is critical to maintaining our security and protecting New Zealand's interests at home and abroad.
In our first term, the National Government issued a Defence White Paper, the first time a Government had formally set out New Zealand's defence strategy in 13 years.
The NZDF has an important role to play in delivering a safe and secure New Zealand,
a rules-based international order
and a strong global economy underpinned by open trade routes.
Over the last three years the Government has brought three major deployments to a successful conclusion.
Our focus now is on ensuring the right balance of funding, policy and capabilities is established to meet strategic demands through to 2035.
An ongoing programme of equipment purchases and capability upgrades will ensure that our personnel have the state-of- the-art tools they need to need to get the job done.
National inherited a multi-billion dollar defence funding black hole from the previous Labour Government.
Through back office savings, organizational reforms and injections of new money, the Government has delivered a financially sustainable plan which ensures the NZDF can deliver on the strategy in the White Paper.
National is also committed to a strong security and intelligence community
which operates within a clear legal framework
and with the security of New Zealanders at its heart.
"The NZDF has an important role to play in delivering a safe and secure New Zealand, a rules-based international order and a strong global economy underpinned by open trade routes. “
POLICY HIGHLIGHTS
Boosted defence spending in Budget 2014 by $535 million over the next four years.
Announced more than $1 billion of investment on new and upgraded capabilities for the Defence Force in the last year.
Significantly increased the percentage of total defence spending that is transacted with New Zealand businesses.
Retained all Defence camps and bases, and will continue to do so.
NATIONAL IS...
STRENGTHENING THE NEW ZEALAND DEFENCE FORCE
Increasing defence spending by $535 million over the next four years, providing funding certainty for the NZDF.
Reformed NZDF operations and structure to shift resources from the back office to frontline capabilities.
Purchased a new, enlarged fleet of naval helicopters with upgraded avionics and wweapon systems.
Took delivery of new Army trucks capable of deploying across a wider range of operational theatres.
Ordered a new pilot training system, including new training aircraft.
Working on an upgraded battle training facility for the SAS which will lift the combat capabilities of our elite soldiers even further.
Focusing the NZDF on delivering a Joint Task Force, where all three services operate as one effective force in order to rapidly deploy in the Pacific region.
Reformed procurement processes to deliver the assets and equipment the NZDF requires.
ENSURING NEW ZEALAND CONTRIBUTES TO GLOBAL SECURITY EFFORTS
Successfully concluded the NZDF's major operational deployments in Afghanistan, Timor Leste and the Solomon Islands.
Strengthening our relationships with friends and partners, especially Australia, the United States, and nations across the Asia Pacific region.
LOOKING AFTER OUR PEOPLE
Focusing on the wellbeing of NZDF personnel and families through pay rises and attention to housing needs.
Reformed the health and safety standards of the NZDF and taken steps to ensure it is a welcoming environment for female personnel.
Supporting the growth of the New Zealand defence industry, ensuring Kiwi businesses have the best possible chance to provide equipment and services.
OUR RESULTS SO FAR...
A STRONGER DEFENCE FORCE
We have worked towards ensuring all three armed services can function as a Joint Task Force capable of deploying at short notice and protecting New Zealand's interests around the world.
Some $205 million has been reallocated from back office functions to frontline capabilities.
We have delivered a significant increase in the NZDF's strategic and tactical airlift capabilities through upgraded Hercules aircraft and new NH90 helicopters.
As well, the operational strength of the Army has been significantly improved with a range of new weapons, tactical camouflage uniforms and network-enabled technologies.
We have strengthened our Navy by upgrading and modernising a number of Royal New Zealand Navy ships including the multi-role vessel HMNZS Canterbury and the Frigate HMNZS Te Kaha, with more upgrades to come.
The NZDF's ability to monitor and protect our Exclusive Economic Zone has also been greatly enhanced with state-of-the-art upgrades to our P3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft.
A DEFENCE FORCE THAT LOOKS AFTER ITS PERSONNEL
We've improved the working conditions of Defence Force personnel by delivering an average 5 per cent pay increase in 2012, further pay increases this year and ensured NZDF housing costs have increased no faster than the rate of inflation since 2013.
We have protected our people by working to ensure a 'safety always' culture is fundamental to all Defence Force activities.
A DEFENCE FORCE ENGAGED WITH THE COMMUNITY
We've backed local industry by increasing the proportion of defence spending on equipment, goods, services and other work sourced from New Zealand businesses from 50 per cent in 2006 to 66 per cent today, injecting an extra $800 million into the New Zealand economy.
The Government has supported regional economies and ensured a rapid Defence Force response to natural disasters by keeping all camps and bases operating, and cancelling the previous Labour Government's base closure plans.
WHAT WE WILL DO NEXT
1. STRENGTHEN OUR DEFENCE FORCE
Complete the Individual Weapons Replacement Project by purchasing 8,000 new weapons to replace the Steyr rifles.
National has already provided upgraded light support weapons, shotguns and marksman rifles.
We will complete the weapons replacement project with a state-of-the-art primary individual weapon to replace the Steyr rifles, which were purchased in 1988 and are approaching the end of their service life.
Upgrade the self-defence systems on the RNZN Frigates Te Mana and Te Kaha ensuring they can safely deploy in any maritime theatre.
Up to 90 per cent of New Zealand's exports travel by sea, so safe and open sea-lanes are of critical importance to New Zealand's economy.
Modern and capable Navy Frigates help ensure our sea-lanes are protected from increasingly sophisticated threats and enable New Zealand to contribute to multinational efforts such as antipiracy operations.
This upgrade will provide our Navy with the ability to protect its ships from a full range of modern threats.
Replace the aging supply ship HMNZS Endeavour with a new supply ship capable of providing support to a Joint Task Force operating anywhere in the Pacific.
With HMNZS Endeavour approaching the end of its service life, the Government has begun the process of purchasing a replacement.
National will ensure the Navy has a modern vessel capable of supporting joint operations in a range of maritime environments.
Upgrade and modernise the LAVs to ensure they remain capable of dealing with modern threats.
The LAVs were critical to the success and safety of NZDF operations in Afghanistan and will remain an important tool in any future deployments to high-threat environments.
The Government will begin a technology upgrade programme which will ensure that the LAVs remain fit for use in any future conflicts.
Upgrade the Air Force Orions.
In order to safely deploy our personnel across the Pacific the Defence Force needs to be able to protect its vessels from a full range of threats.
National will upgrade the P3 Orions' ability to detect and deter underwater threats to New Zealand's maritime operations.
This upgrade will ensure operations are fully protected from increasingly sophisticated submarine threats.
2. SUPPORT OUR REGIONS AND BUSINESSES
Support New Zealand's regions
and ensure a rapid NZDF response to natural disasters.
The NZDF's camps and bases play a crucial role in a number of regional economies around New Zealand.
The Canterbury earthquakes demonstrated the value of having NZDF personnel close at hand after a natural disaster.
National will ensure that all NZDF camps and bases around New Zealand remain open and operational.
Support the New Zealand defence industry.
The NZDF is more reliant than ever on local businesses for a wide range of equipment, supplies and services.
We will improve the tender process to make it easier for New Zealand businesses to participate in defence contracts.
3.TAKE CARE OF DEFENCE FORCE PERSONNEL
Continue to focus on the wellbeing of NZDF personnel.
National recognises that capable and committed personnel are the most important asset the NZDF has and that our people have to be looked after.
National will continue to focus on service conditions and place on ongoing emphasis on health and safety.
4.CONTINUE TO DELIVER EFFECTIVE OVERSIGHT OF OUR INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES
Bed in recent reforms to oversight and accountability.
National has passed legislation which will commence a review of the intelligence and security agencies, their legislation, and their oversight, by 30 June 2015 and require regular reviews every five to seven years thereafter.
We will maintain our policy requiring the Directors of the NZSIS and GCSB to make public appearances before an oversight committee annually, and continue to fund the strengthened oversight of the intelligence community.
DON'T PUT IT ALL AT RISK
LABOUR AND THE GREENS WOULD PUT NEW ZEALAND'S SECURITY AT RISK
The Green Party's policy of slashing the NZDF's combat capabilities and replacing them with civilians "trained in active non-cooperation rather than military force" would end New Zealand's ability to make serious contributions to international actions in support of peace and leave the NZDF powerless to protect our territory, exclusive economic zone and sea lanes.
In its Defence election policy, Labour refuses to commit to any specific capability upgrades or the new capability purchases which National is committed to.
This is a sure sign that Labour would return to its practice of funding its unaffordable spending promises by making savage cuts to Defence Force capabilities as they did with the Air Force Strike Wing when last in Government.
Labour would undermine the ability of the Navy and Air Force to contribute to operations in defence of New Zealand's trade routes by opposing the self-defence upgrades of the Frigates, upgrades to the P3 Orion aircraft and the purchase of new Seasprite naval helicopters.
Labour has been historically indifferent to the importance of a number of the NZDF's camps and bases and has promoted base closures.
Labour refuses to outline its plans for NZDF camps and bases.
Labour has refused to rule out closing Burnham, Trentham and Papakura Army Camps, Woodbourne Air Force Base and the Devonport Naval Base.
Closing any of these camps and bases would jeopardise the operational effectiveness of the NZDF
and damage regional economies.
EDUCATION: 21ST CENTURY SCHOOLS
PROVIDING MODERN LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS
National's focus is on providing modern learning environments that meet the needs of 21st century students.
We have invested over $1 billion connecting schools to ultra-fast broadband which means students anywhere in New Zealand can have access to the best teachers and online resources in the world.
We will build on that investment by making sure all schools are connected to the Network for Learning, a dedicated nationwide network which provides educational content and resources to schools and students.
School property is one of our biggest assets with a book value of $10. 7 billion.
As our population grows, school property must adapt to support it.
The more cost-effective we can be in building new schools and new classrooms, the more money we can free up to spend on quality teachers and learning to benefit your child.
Over six years, we have built 24 schools to support roll growth.
With population growth in Auckland we want to get ahead of the demand, so will invest $350 million to build up to nine schools and at least 130 new classrooms in the Auckland region over four years.
We are also committed to rebuilding the education sector in Christchurch and are investing $1.1 billion over 10 years to rebuild, repair and renew 115 schools.
National is working hard to ensure your children are learning in modern, flexible and digitally-connected classrooms.
“We can improve the education of all young New Zealanders by ensuring they are learning in modern classrooms with modern technology”
POLICY HIGHLIGHTS
Invest $350 million over four years to build up to nine new schools, at least 130 classrooms, and complete major redevelopments of up to eight existing schools in the Auckland region.
Continue rebuilding schools in Christchurch.
Build new schools and new classrooms in areas of high growth.
Cluster schools in high growth areas to develop better education strategies for students and communities.
Ensure new schools meet high energy efficiency standards.
Continue to connect schools to the Network for Learning's managed network.
NATIONAL IS...
CONNECTING OUR SCHOOLS WITH THE WORLD
Investing more than $700 million in digital infrastructure to schools.
This includes establishing the Crown Company Network for Learning, with $211 million allocated to build and maintain a managed network for all schools.
Upgrading school networks through the School Network Upgrade Project.
Launched the online portal, ‘Pond’, to provide schools with access to trusted, high-quality learning resources for safe online collaboration for students and teachers.
Providing more computers in homes and digital literacy training for low-income families.
Investing $35 million in Professional Learning and Development specifically targeted at learning with digital technologies.
Developed the e-Learning website to provide better information and support for schools to succeed in a digital world.
Improved guidelines to schools to enable the establishment of digital hubs in schools to benefit students, families and communities.
PROVIDING MODERN NEW CLASSROOMS
Investing over $1.1 billion over 10 years to restore and renew 115 schools in Christchurch.
Investing over $400 million in the last two years to build new schools, new classrooms, and new facilities for existing schools.
Investing approximately $500 million per year in capital funding to support and grow our school infrastructure.
Creating an infrastructure support service to give schools the option to reduce their involvement in property management.
Revised school property management so we get the best facilities more efficiently.
Continuing to investigate Public-Private Partnerships as a way to build new school property and buildings.
Secured settlements and pursued litigation to help address leaky building issues in schools.
Targeting funding to schools requiring major developments.
Partnering with Land Information New Zealand to dispose of unneeded school buildings faster.
OUR RESULTS SO FAR
MORE CHILDREN HAVE ACCESS TO ONLINE LEARNING AND FASTER CONNECTIONS
Over 1,800 schools are now connected to fibre under the government's ultra-fast broadband scheme.
Every school in New Zealand has been invited into the government's School Network Upgrade Proramme, and all schools will have their digital infrastructure upgraded by the end of 2105.
Over 780 schools connected to the N4L managed network, with a projected 900 to be conneced by the end of this year.
WHAT WE WILL DO NEXT
1. INVEST IN AUCKLAND SCHOOLS
Implement our $350 million plan to build as many as nine schools and at least 130 new classrooms in the Auckland region over the next four years
The new schools will be spread across different parts of Auckland, with four likely in the northern part of the region, three in South Auckland, and two in West Auckland.
The investment will be paid for with the proceeds of the Future Investment Fund, and other sources.
2. REBUILD CHRISTCHURCH SCHOOLS
Continue to implement the Greater Christchurch Education Renewal Programme
Over the next 10 years National is committed to investing over $1.1 billion in renewing, repairing and rebuilding 115 schools in greater Christchurch, while continuing to fund business- as-usual works in other schools.
We will:-» Construct 13 schools on new sites.
-» Rebuild completely 10 schools on their existing sites.
-» Redevelop 92 schools.
Over 80 per cent of teaching spaces in the Greater Christchurch area will be modern learning environments resulting in one of the most modern schooling networks in the country.
Students will learn in flexible, digitally connected classrooms, and teachers will have up-to-date facilities and teaching tools available.
Schools will be working together in learning community dusters, providing students with more flexible, personalised learning options.
3.DELIVER MORE FUTURE-FOCUSED LEARNING
Given every school high-quality ultra-fast broadband will ensure every student can benefit from technology to achieve their best,
no matter where they live in New Zealand.
National will:Continue the rollout of the managed network to New Zealand schools.
We will connect 900 schools by the end of 2014, and all registered schools will be connected by the end of 2016.
Ensure the rollout of the online portal, 'Pond', to student teachers in teacher education institutions.
Pond will provide schools with access to trusted, high-quality learning resources for safe online collaboration for students and teachers.
Giving trainee teachers this tool means that they can hit the ground running when they enter the profession.
Encourage schools to develop 'Bring your Own Device' (BYOD) programmes to give students access to personal digital devices.
Investigate ways to provide devices to students and families that struggle to access them.
Invest $5 million over two years to retrofit wireless capability in approximately 420 schools that have already received a School Network Upgrade.
Establish an ICT advisory service to provide schools with high quality ICT advice and support.
Work with businesses and communities to enable learning outside school hours through digital hubs in libraries and community facilities, and support for affordable internet access for households with dependent children.
4. COMPLETE THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION'S FACILITIES MANAGEMENT PILOT
Empower schools to step away from day- to-day management of school property.
We will complete our facilities management programme pilot exercise so we can take on board what we have learned, and offer the programme to all schools that want it.
5. ENCOURAGE COMMUNITY SCHOOL PROPERTY PLANS
Create conditions that encourage neighbouring schools in densely populated areas to work together as clusters to share facilities, infrastructure and capacity
We know schools can offer better outcomes for students and families when everyone can work together.
6. DELIVER MORE GREENSTAR SCHOOLS
Ensure all new schools and major developments will be designed and built to, at minimum, a four star green standard.
That means lower energy usage, higher air quality, more efficient water efficiency and improved waste management and recycling.
DON'T PUT IT ALL AT RISK
LABOUR WOULD... /Spend more money for less return
by refusing to use PPP arrangements for new schools.
Public Private Partnership arrangements enable us to build new schools at a reduced price,
while providing high-quality buildings and facilities management that our teachers and principals don’t need to spend time worrying about.
If our teachers can spend less time worrying about how to fix a broken sink, they can spend more time teaching.
Underspend drastically on property.
Labour has said it will spend just $104 million to build new classrooms.
We will invest $350 million over the next four years in Auckland alone through the Future Investment Fund and other sources to build new schools, new classrooms and complete major redevelopments of existing schools to provide more teaching spaces and more 21st century schools.
ENSURING EVERY CHILD GETS THE BEST POSSIBLE START
Early childhood education (ECE) plays a valuable role in a child's development.
It is one of the greatest investments we can make in the future of New Zealand children.
National recognises that regular participation in quality ECE significantly increases a child's chance of future educational success, particularly children from vulnerable families.
Quality education is vitally important.
It provides the opportunity for any child from any background to get ahead and make the most of their lives.
Children who start behind, too often stay behind.
That's why we have set a Better Public Service target of 98 per cent of all children starting school havening participated un ECE 2016.
We have increased ECE funding,
and at the same time targeted it to help children from our most vulnerable communities.
Internationally, New Zealand ranks in the top group of OECD countries in terms of the money we spend on each child in ECE, and the total amount of public money we spend on ECE.
National has a comprehensive, successful, and sustainable education plan which includes a focus on raising achievement for five out of five children and young people.
POLICY HIGHLIGHTS
Continue to invest significantly in ECE.
National has invested more in ECE than ever before, almost doubling spending from over $800 million in 2007/08 to $1.5 billion in 2013/14.
Continue to progress towards our Better Public Service target of 98 per cent of children starting school having participated in quality ECE in 2016.
Bed in the Early Learning Information (ELI) system, allowing us to track how many children are attending ECE and for how long.
NATIONAL IS...
INVESTING MORE THAN EVER IN ECE
Almost doubled spending on ECE, from over $800 million in 2007/08 to $1.5 billion in 2013/2014
Spreading ECE funding more equitably to get more children participating, while working hard to raise the quality of provision where necessary.
Supporting 20 Hours ECE, which recent research shows more than meets the average cost of delivering quality ECE.
Extended 20 hours ECE to playcentres, kohanga reo, and five-year-olds.
TARGETING RESOURCES TO AREAS THAT NEED IT MOST
Providing better information for parents in areas of low participation about the benefits of ECE for their children.
Funding new Maori and Pacific bilingual and immersion ECE services.
Developed new strategies, such as supported play-groups and play days in local communities, to increase participation in hard-to-reach areas.
OUR RESULTS SO FAR
MORE CHILDREN THAN EVER ARE PARTICIPATING IN ECE
The number of children starting school each year having participated in ECE has increased to 96 per cent.
ECE participation for Maori children has increased from 89 per cent in 2008 to 93 per cent in 2014.
Pasifika participation has increased from 84 per cent in 2008 to 90 per cent in 2014.
INCREASED THE NUMBER OF EARLY CHILDHOOD PROVIDERS
From 3,923 providers in 2008 to 4,284 in 2013.
Created over 6,000 new child places in priority areas since 2010, through targeted grants for quality providers.
WHAT WE WILL DO NEXT
Continue to aim for 98 per cent of children starting school having participated in ECE in 2016.
Additional funding will support an estimated 5,800 more children to attend ECE by June 2018, which brings us closer to our Better Public Service target.
A $53. 6 million boost to the subsidy rates for ECE providers to reflect rising costs and to help keep fees affordable for parents.
Ensure funding is fair and sustainable.
National will do this by: -» Retaining 20 Hours ECE.
-» Working with ECE providers to reduce bureaucracy
so they can dedicate more time to your child.
Implement the Early Learning Information (ELI) system
National will collect a range of data from ECE providers so we can track how many children are attending ECE and for how long.
This will provide valuable information over time and help inform future policy developments focused on maximising learning outcomes.
Create better transitions from ECE to primary school
National will work with the sector to improve implementation of the curriculums to ensure continuity of early learning from ECE to primary school.
DON'T PUT IT ALL AT RISK
Labour would... Fail to deliver on its expensive promises.
We are currently investing more than $800 million per year in the 20 hours ECE policy
and Labour is suggesting it can expand it by another five hours a week for only $60 milion.
That doesn’t add up.
Go "Back to the Future" with their ECE policy and unpick what we are already doing, and unpick what we are already doing, and what is already working.
National is already targeting ECE in areas of need, and has already introduced new approaches to providing ECE to better meet the needs of vulnerable families.
EDUCATION: SCHOOLING
LIFTING ACHIEVEMENT IN SCHOOLS
National is working hard to ensure our education system is working for all New Zealand children.
Despite tough financial times National has invested more in education than ever before.
We have focused on providing parents with information, like National Standards data, so parents can see how well their child is doing.
The data also allows us to see where we need to direct resources to help children who need support.
We've focused on achievement by setting a target of 85 per cent of 18-year-olds having achieved at least NCEA Level 2 in 2017.
Our plan is working.
Last year almost 79 per cent of 18-year-olds achieved at least NCEA Level 2.
There were also stand-out improvements in Maori and Pasifika achievement.
We know the single most important thing we can do to lift student achievement is improve teaching quality and leadership.
That's why our next step is to implement a $359 million initiative to keep the best teachers teaching,
encourage schools to work together
and strengthen school leadership.
We are committed to every New Zealand child getting the best possible education so they can be successful here at home and around the world.
“Ensuring every child gets a great education is on of the most important things we can do.”
POLICY HIGHLIGHTS
Implement our $359 million initiative to improve the quality of teaching and leadership in schools.
Support children with special needs by providing up to 800,000 more teacher aide hours a year over four years.
Support deaf and hearing-impaired children, their families and their schools by providing more sign language resources.
Grow Asian languages in our schools through a new $10 million contestable fund.
NATIONAL IS...
INCREASING FUNDING IN DIFFICULT FINANCIAL TIMES
Investing $10.1 billion in education - the highest amount ever.
Increasing schools' operational grants in line with inflation.
Strengthening the teaching profession by investing $37.5 milion in the quality teaching agenda.
HELPING PARENTS BECOME MORE INVOLVED IN THEIR CHILD'S LEARNING
Introduced National Standards and ensured reports are in plain language so parents can see how their child is doing.
Made more data available so parents and communities can see how their school is doing and how their region is performing.
Increased funding to support Boards of Trustees so parents have a stronger voice in school governance.
Establishing Partnership Schools to give parents more options for their child's learning.
PROVIDING CLEAR INFORMATION ON STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
Required schools to publish annual plans, provisional targets, and achievements by 28 February each year.
Provided a template for clearer school reports as part of school annual plans.
Proactively engaging with schools that are struggeling.
SUPPORTING CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL EDUCATION NEEDS
Increased funding for special education by 26 per cent to $530 million, since 2008.
Developed a new Intensive Wrap Around Service which supports young people to live successfully in their home community.
Created joint boards to govern special schools for the deaf and hearing impaired, and for residential special schools to provide a national approach.
Ensuring special needs support is spread equitably throughout the country through the Resource Teachers of Learning and Behaviour by creating 40 clusters across New Zealand.
SUPPORTING SAFER SCHOOLS, BETTER ATTENDANCE & ENGAGEMENT
Invested $145 million in Positive Behaviour for Learning programmes in schools - to support parents, teachers and schools to address problem behaviour, improve children's wellbeing and increase educational achievement.
Introduced a new $9.6 million Integrated Attendance Service to help target children at serious risk of disengagement in education.
Supporting young people through the Prime Minister's Youth Mental Health Project which helps schools identify and deal with students who have mental health problems.
Worked with schools to develop guidelines to manage bullying, and search, surrender and retention of unsafe items.
SUPPORTING VOCATIONAL TRAINING
Making it easier for local schools, tertiary education providers, and local businesses to work together and set up trades or service academies.
Opened eight new Service Academies.
Expanded Trades Academies places to 4500.
Expanded the Youth Guarantee to 10,000 places.
Established six vocational pathways to help students make more informed choices about how their learning choices relate to future employment possibilities.
DEVELOPING MORE OPTIONS FOR AT-RISK YOUTH
Established teen parent units in centres of high need and ensured there are links between schools and accessible early childhood education.
Providing education plans in youth courts, and education provision in youth justice facilities.
STRENGTHENING AND CELEBRATING THE TEACHING PROFESSION
Established the Ministerial Cross Sector Forum on raising achievement - the first ever coalition of leaders - involving all professional associations, unions, practitioners, academics, Iwi and Pasifika.
Introduced legislation to establish an independent 21st century professional body - the Education Council of Aotearoa New Zealand (EDUCANZ).
Introduced post-graduate qualifications to raise the bar for entry into teaching.
Held the first ever education festivals in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch to profile school best practice to the public.
Launched the inaugural Prime Minister's Education Excellence Awards.
OUR RESULTS SO FAR
KIDS ARE DOING BETTER, AND MORE ARE LEAVING SCHOOL WITH AT LEAST NCEA LEVEL 2
Almost 79 per cent of 18-year-olds are achieving at least NCEA Level 2.
Maori achievement at NCEA Level 2 has improved from 44 per cent in 2008 to 63 per cent in 2013, and Pasifika from 51 per cent to 71 per cent - the biggest lifts ever.
Since 2006 there has been an almost 40 per cent increase in the number of students sitting New Zealand Scholarship examinations in at least one subject.
National Standards reporting has allowed us to better target support to schools and pupils who need it.
KIDS ARE MORE ENGAGED IN LEARNING
Stand-down, suspension, exclusion and expulsion rates are now at their lowest in 13 years.
Eighty one per cent of students remained at school to their 17th birthday.
WHAT WE WILL DO NEXT
1. FURTHER LIFT ACHIEVEMENT IN SCHOOLS
Implement our $359 million initiative to raise teaching quality and school leadership
This is the next step in National's plan to raise achievement across our whole education system.
It will lift achievement by:Keeping the best teachers teaching;
Strenghtening school leadership;
Raising the quality of teaching and leadership across all schools by establishing new teaching and leadership roles;
Improving engagement with parents and communities; and
Fostering new and effective teaching practices which can be shared throughout schools.
“A mountain of evidence shows that the quality of teaching is the biggest influence on kids’ achievements. “
2. IMPROVE SPECIAL EDUCATION
Provide more in-class support to special- needs students
National recognises that there are students who need assistance at school but do not meet the criteria for higher levels of special education support.
Their learning conditions might include, but are not limited to, ADHD, ASD, Asperger syndrome and Dyslexia.
These are the kids that currently struggle to cope in the classroom due to learning disorders and need more individual time than classroom teachers may have to give.
We will:-» Support children with special needs by providing up to 800,000 more teacher aide hours each year, at a cost of up to $18 million per year, over four years.
-» Focus on supporting those whose needs have been identified locally by their school.
-» Ensure all students benefit by having a teacher aide in the classroom to support the teacher.
3.SUPPORT DEAF AND HEARING- IMPAIRED CHILDREN
Provide $11 million to support deaf and hearing-impaired children and their families to help them achieve the same levels of educational success as their hearing peers.
We will continue to fund:-» Sign Language Facilitators to work with families of newly identified deaf children aged 0-5.
-» Access to "in-class" sign language support, including interpreters.
-» Sign language learning resources in schools, including online resources.
This is likely to include online access to information, advice and learning resources, and interactive learning spaces, for families and whanau, and for students.
4.SUPPORT MORE SCHOOLS TO OFFER ASIAN LANGUAGES
Grow Asian languages in schools through a new $10 million contestable fund.
National believes that learning a second language is a valuable skill for our young people and for New Zealand.
In addition to this, National is focusing on equipping our young people with the skills they need to be successful at home and abroad.
That's why we are promoting the learning of Asian languages in our schools to reflect New Zealand's ongoing relationships in that region of the world.
We will:-» Create a $10 million fund for schools to establish or enhance Asian language programmes, especially focussing on Mandarin.
-» Prioritise Mandarin, as the trading relationship between New Zealand and China has grown exponentially in recent years, with trade quadrupling since 2008 and China now our second largest export market.
-» Invest in programmes where primary and secondary schools work together so that kids can continue to learn languages throughout their school life.
This might include sharing teachers and resources, or even sharing classes online.
5.IMPROVE INITIAL TEACHER TRAINING, & MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP TRAINING
Work with the sector to assess what is required for 21st Century teaching and learning, and consider what the best investments will be for teaching at entry level, mid-career, as well as senior leadership.
Raising the quality of teaching and leadership across the education system relies not only on investing in those already in the profession, but it also relies on those whom we are able to attract.
National wants the best and the brightest to consider entering the profession, whether to become teachers, or to specialise over time in education leadership.
There are a wide range of courses and providers offering training, qualifications, and professional development.
DON'T PUT IT ALL AT RISK
Labour would: Go back to the same old policies they had when they were last in government six years ago.
Those policies failed one in five Kiwi kids.
Cancel National Standards which is helping more Kiwi kids learn and succeed.
They have no plan to monitor progress and lift achievement.
Take away the option of parents choosing partnership schools for their child.
Fail to deliver on its expensive promises.
ENERGY & RESOURCES
SAFELY DEVELOPING OUR NATURAL RESOURCES
New Zealand has an abundance of natural resources - hydro, geothermal, wind, oil, gas and minerals.
These give us a range of energy options - some well-established, some at a relatively early stage of development.
The energy sector is also a major source of exports, with petroleum already New Zealand's fourth-largest export earner.
National will continue its balanced and responsible approach to realising New Zealand's energy potential
while adhering to the strong environmental and safety provisions we have developed during our term in office.
Future development can create high-paying jobs,
raise living standards and build a more productive economy
for all New Zealanders.
The resources sector employs more than 7,000 people, who typically earn more than twice the average New Zealand salary.
New Zealand receives around $800 million in taxes and royalties from the sector each year, which helps to pay for public services like health and education.
National has made sensible reforms to the electricity market to improve security of supply and bring runaway prices under control.
Much-needed investment has been made in the electricity network,
and New Zealand now generates three-quarters of its power from renewable sources like hydro and geothermal.
Competition is the best way to keep downward pressure on the retail price of electricity.
We will continue to promote competitive and innovative measures in the market to improve competition even further, and provide a broad range of choices to consumers.
POLICY HIGHLIGHTS
-> Encouraging responsible energy exploration, including through new data acquisition projects.
-> Major improvements to health and safety requirements in the minerals sector, and in the oil and gas sector.
-> Instituted a successful competitive tender system for oil and gas permits and minerals.
-> Increased competition in the electricity market
and invested in electricity infrastructure.
-> Over 250,000 homes have been insulated so far through Warm Up New Zealand home insulation schemes.
NATIONAL IS...
REALISING OUR ENERGY POTENTIAL, SAFELY AND RESPONSIBLY
Promoting investment in New Zealand for oil and gas exploration through New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals.
Competitive tender systems introduced for minerals, and for oil and gas permits.
Made seismic data freely available to help companies looking to invest in New Zealand.
Strengthened health and safety requirements, including mining regulations to world's best standard.
Implemented new petroleum health and safety regulations, the first overhaul in 15 years, bringing us into line with the United Kingdom and Australia.
PROTECTING NEW ZEALAND'S OCEANS
Passed Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) legislation to protect our oceans from the potential environmental risks of activities like petroleum exploration activities, seabed mining, marine energy generation and carbon capture developments.
Introduced regulations to support the EEZ legislation.
The regulations reinforce National's commitment to world's best practice for environmental protection and reducing marine pollution.
Made the Environmental Protection Authority responsible for consenting, monitoring and enforcing activities that impact on the EEZ environment, such as petroleum exploration, seabed mining, deepwater aquaculture and marine energy development.
ESTABLISHING A COMPETITIVE, SECURE AND SUSTAINABLE ELECTRICITY MARKET
Introduced electricity market reforms in 2010 to slow down the runaway price rises seen during Labour's term in office and put a stop to dry-year emergencies where consumers had been asked to switch off their lights and conserve power.
Ensuring more competition and transparency in the electricity market, through initiatives such as What's My Number.
Ensuring security of electricity supply through up to $5 billion of investment in transmission infrastructure.
Established the independent Electricity Authority to promote competition, efficiency and a reliable supply of electricity.
Encouraged renewable electricity generation growth through changes to the Resource Management Act and a National Policy Statement on Renewable Electricity Generation.
SUPPORTING ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Insulating homes through the Warm Up New Zealand home insulation programmes, now extended
and targeted at low-income households with high health needs
Encouraged business productivity and carbon emissions reduction through energy efficiency initiatives in transport and industrial heat.
OUR RESULTS SO FAR
MORE EXPLORATION
Last summer saw unprecedented oil and gas exploration in New Zealand, with the industry spending up to $1 billion here.
MORE COMPETITION IN THE ELECTRICITY MARKET
National has promoted the benefits to consumers of switching between electricity retailers to get the best deal - nearly 400,000 switches took place in 2013, the highest level ever seen.
On average, consumers who switch save $155 a year on their electricity bills and we are now seeing unprecedented discounting being offered by retailers.
New entrants have joined the market - there are currently 14 independent retailers operating 25 brands, and the market share of the big retailers is decreasing.
More than halved the runaway price rises seen during Labour’s term in office.
RENEWABLE ELECTRICITY GENERATION GROWING
75 per cent of electricity was generated from hydro, geothermal and wind in 2013, up from 65 per cent in 2008.
We remain committed to our target of 90 per cent renewable generation by 2025.
All generation currently being built is renewable, as is the majority of consented generation.
New Zealand's proportion of renewable electricity puts us in the top five in the OECD.
WARMER, DRIER, HEALTHIER HOMES
Over 250,000 homes are warmer, drier and healthier due to our Warm Up New Zealand: programmes.
This compares to just over 50,000 homes insulated after nine years of the previous Labour Government.
WHAT WE WILL DO NEXT.
1. ENCOURAGE RESPONSIBLE ENERGY EXPLORATION
-> Continue to encourage oil, gas and mineral exploration.
We will encourage petroleum and mineral exploration
while adhering to the strong environmental
and safety provisions developed during our term in office.
National believes we can realise the economic benefits of New Zealand's energy potential
and still maintain the highest possible environmental standards.
In particular, we are investing $8 million over four years in a range of new data acquisition projects, such as aeromagnetic surveys and petroleum basin analysis.
These projects will contribute significantly to the understanding of geological prospectivity and further attract investors to exploration opportunities in New Zealand.
2. MAKE HOMES WARMER, DRIER, AND HEALTHIER
-> Continue our home insulation programme to make New Zealand homes warmer, drier and healthier.
The extension of the Warm Up New Zealand programme will insulate 46,000 homes - specifically targeting low-income households with high health needs.
This will come at no cost to the household thanks to support from Government and third-party community funding.
3.ENSURE COMPETITION AND INNOVATION IN THE ELECTRICITY MARKET
-> Ensure a high level of competition among electricity retailers and transparency in the electricity market.
The successful What's My Number switching campaign will continue with improved price and consumption data for consumers.
A project is also underway to provide information to consumers to help them understand the components of their power bills more fully.
We will continue to support the work of the Smart Grid Forum to help advance the development of smart electricity networks in New Zealand.
This will empower consumers by giving them more information about their energy usage,
and help ensure New Zealand is well placed to capture the benefits of emerging technologies, like solar energy, electric vehicles and advanced meters.
4.IMPROVE ENERGY EFFICIENCY
-> Promote and develop projects to encourage energy efficiency and carbon reduction.
We will encourage and assist businesses and households to become more energy efficient and reduce their carbon footprint, especially in transport and industrial heat.
We will continue with our commitment of more than $5 million over three years to improve heat processes and fuel efficiency through the energy efficient meat and dairy plant initiative, the Southland heat hub initiative, the expansion of the heavy vehicle fuel efficiency programme, and the fuel efficient tyres initiative.
These will save around 30,000 tonnes of carbon emissions per year.
DON'T PUT IT ALL AT RISK
Labour and the Greens would... /Put the whole petroleum and minerals sector and thousands of jobs at risk, not to mention the hundreds of millions of dollars New Zealand receives each year from the industry in royalties and taxes.
Bring in a highly experimental electricity system for which there is essentially no international precedent
- New Zealand would be the only country in the world to move towards less competition in its electricity market.
It would do nothing to lower prices,
and would be a threat to both security of supply
and the continued growth of renewable generation.
ENVIRONMENT
PROTECTING & MANAGING OUR ENVIRONMENT
National is managing the environment carefully
so New Zealanders can continue to enjoy both the high standard of living they expect from a strong economy
and the recreational and cultural opportunities they value.
National has put in place significant reforms in the past six years to improve water quality,
streamline and simplify our resource management system,
bring environmental protection to our Exclusive Economic Zone,
and introduce robust and independent state of the environment reporting.
“New Zealand’s environment is at the core of our quality of life, our national identity, and our competitive advantage. “
National has a plan to ensure that New Zealanders can continue to enjoy the benefits of our natural resources,
while improving the way our town and cities are managed through reforms to the Resource Management Act.
We are providing real leadership on environmental issues to strike the right balance between our environmental responsibilities
and our economic opportunities.
POLICY HIGHLIGHTS
-> Adopted a National Policy Statement on Freshwater Management.
-> Brought in national standards for freshwater and national bottom lines to protect our freshwater quality.
-> Streamlined and simplified the Resource Management Act.
-> Passed Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) legislation to protect our oceans.
-> Introduced the Environmental Reporting Bill to provide robust independent information to New Zealanders.
-> Ninety seven per cent of consents were processed on time in 2012/2013, compared with 69 per cent in 2007/08- meaning thousands more consents were processed on time.
NATIONAL IS...
IMPROVING FRESHWATER MANAGEMENT
Developing proposals to deliver generational reform of freshwater management through a scientifically backed national framework to help councils and communities work together to improve water bodies.
Protecting freshwater quality by implementing national bottom lines.
Spent $103 million on water clean-ups in the past five years.
Committing a total of $350 million to cleaning up iconic water bodies like the Rotorua Lakes, Lake Ellesmere and the Waituna Lagoon.
Established the Land and Water Forum, a collaborative approach to freshwater management, and begun implementing their recommendations.
Brought in regulations to improve monitoring of compliance with water consents, double penalties for noncompliance, and require metering of 98 per cent of water takes.
Introduced a requirement on councils to account for how much water is taken from water bodies and any contaminants that are discharged into them.
INCENTIVISING BETTER WASTE MANAGEMENT
Announced a comprehensive work plan to clean up New Zealand's most contaminated sites, costing $30.5 milion.
Completed the clean-up of Tui Mine, on time
and under budget.
Distributed nearly $100 million through the Waste Disposal Levy to support projects that minimise waste.
Invested $1. 3 million in a hazardous substances safety campaign.
Established the Waste Minimisation Board to expand recycling.
Consulting on mandatory product stewardship to reduce key waste streams going into landfills.
IMPROVING INFORMATION ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT
Introduced the Environmental Reporting Bill to provide robust, independent information to New Zealanders.
Passed legislation to standardise the way in which environmental data is collected and provided by councils to central government.
DELIVERING CLEANER AIR
Improved the National Environmental Standard for Air Quality
Phased in tougher vehicle emission standards to improve air quality.
PROTECTING OUR OCEANS
Passed Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) legislation to protect our oceans from the potential environmental risks of activities like petroleum exploration activities, seabed mining, marine energy generation and carbon capture developments.
Introduced regulations to support the EEZ legislation.
The regulations reinforce National’s commitment to world’s best practice for environmental protection and reducing marine pollution.
Made the Environmental Protection Authority responsible for consenting, monitoring and enforcing activities that impact on the EEZ environment, such as petroleum exploration, seabed mining. deepwater aquaculture and marine energy
EASIER & QUICKER RESOURCE  MANAGEMENT DECISIONS
Streamlining and simplifying the Resource Management Act.
Introduced legislation to ensure council decisions on medium-sized projects are made within six months.
Required an assessment of the opportunities for providing or reducing economic growth and employment that councils must undertake
before putting in rules that restrict the way we use our land and resources.
Set up a streamlined process for the Auckland Unitary Plan to enable an efficient plan process.
Prevented rules that required resource consents to trim trees, particularly prevalent in Auckland
Removed frivolous, vexatious, and anti-competitive objections that can add thousands of dollars to consent applications.
Formed the Environmental Protection Authority.
Set a nine-month time limit for consenting projects of national significance.
OUR RESULTS SO FAR
CLEANER WATERWAYS
Lake Rotorua and Lake Rotoiti have reached their water quality targets and Lake Rotoiti has the best water quality since monitoring began in the 1990s, with other Rotorua Lakes close to approaching their targets.
Lake Taupo is 89 per cent of the way towards reaching its nitrogen reduction target.
103 of the Land and Water Forum's recommendations are being progressed, with a further 30 to be considered as part of future work.
Indicator reports on river conditions and swimming suitability show water quality is generally improving at most monitored sites, with overall concentrations of nutrients and bacteria either stable or improving.
Over 23,000kms of waterways fenced to exclude stock.
Water storage schemes are beginning to be built, which help us to conserve water in areas facing pressure.
TACKLING WASTE
103 projects funded through the Waste Minimisation Fund, with over $100 million distributed to help reduce waste.
Introduced 12 voluntary product stewardship shemes, diverting 34,000 tonnes of waste from landfills each year.
Remediated the Tui Mine, New Zealand's worst contaminated site.
Set a national environment standard for contaminated soil.
BETTER INFORMATION AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT
•Introduced the Environmental Reporting Bill, which will provide for mandatory independent Environmental Reporting.
•75 projects funded through the Community Environment Fund.
CLEANER AIR
•Air quality at best levels since comprehensive reporting began.
•Reduction of nearly 20 per cent of estimated premature deaths attributable to air quality problems.
•New Zealand ranked in the top 10 countries in the OECD for air quality.
IMPROVED RESOURCE CONSENTING
•Thirteen nationally significant projects, representing billions in investment, progressed through the nine-month consenting process.
•Oversaw significant improvements in consenting timelines,
resulting in multibillion dollar projects being consented in just nine months.
•97 per cent of consents were processed on time in 2012-2013, compared with 69 per cent in 2007-08 - meaning thousands more consents were processed on time.
WHAT WE WILL DO NEXT...
1.REFORM WATER MANAGEMENT
Water is the centrepiece of our environmental policy and National has a strong plan in place to ensure our water quality meets the needs of New Zealand, as both an economic resource,
and an important part of our cultural and social identity.
-> Buy and retire selected farmland next to important waterways
There are some strips of land that are particularly sensitive to intensive farming.
We will spend $100 million to buy and retire areas of selected farmland next to important waterways to create an environmental buffer which will help improve water quality.
This fund will add an option for councils to help manage freshwater by enabling these sensitive areas to be retired for environmental purposes
and/or community recreation.
Retiring the land will bring benefits to the waterway, with the potential for additional benefits if the establishment of wetlands is possible.
This fund will complement existing measures to covenant land, and current practice from Ministers responsible for the Overseas Investment Office for relevant land sales to overseas investors to vest ownership of beds of waterways with the Crown as part of the sale process.
-> Introduce a requirement for dairy cattle exclusion from waterways by 1 July 2017
The dairy industry has made significant progress in voluntarily addressing some of the key environmental issues their industry faces.
However, to provide greater confidence to New Zealanders, we will make meeting this environmental protection a mandatory requirement for dairy farmers.
We will work constructively with dairy farmers when developing the legislation to ensure practical solutions in areas of difficult terrain and/or which are subject to extreme weather events.
National will work with industry to exclude other cattle from waterways over time on intensively- farmed lowland properties.
-> Advance the Land and Water Forum's recommendations
National will continue water reform by advancing the Land and Water Forum's recommendations, including addressing efficient use and allocation of freshwater.
We have taken significant steps to ensure New Zealand has a sufficiently rigorous system for managing freshwater quality, including a scientifically-backed national framework.
National is implementing over 100 of the Land and Water Forum's recommendations to improve the way New Zealand manages freshwater, and has begun the multi-generational reforms required.
2. REFORM RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
There is widespread agreement that the system that has developed over the past 22 years is not serving New Zealand well.
Our reforms are focused on taking away much of the uncertainty, time and cost from the RMA and creating a system that enables growth
while ensuring important environmental standards are maintained.
-> Improve resource management planning
-» Require more upfront, clear decisions to be made in plans to reduce the need for consent-by-consent planning so communities can move ahead with certainty.
-» Introduce a national planning template to standardise planning documents,
while still allowing for specific local issues to be addressed through local content.
-» Require a single resource management plan per district or other agreed area to increase the accessibility of plans to the public without having to consult multiple documents.
Require compulsory pre-hearing mediation to more quickly resolve environment court hearings.
Improve Maori participation to specify clear requirements for councils to involve iwi/hapu in early stages of planning.
Provide greater national consistency and guidance
-» Change sections 6 and 7 of the Act to improve their relevance and balance in regard to broader social, environmental, and economic outcomes.
-» Improve the way we develop National Policy Statements and National Environmental Standards to ensure timely direction about emerging issues of national interest.
-> Improve the efficiency and effectiveness of resource consents
Provide more proportionality to allow reductions in regulatory requirements for minor and less complex projects, to better reflect their scale and environmental impact
Require clearer rights and responsibilities for consents in terms of notifications and objections, and who is considered an affected party.
Incentivise a greater emphasis on plan making by not requiring consents where an activity has already been allowed through the planning process.
-> Improve council accountability
Require councils to publish fixed fees for many consents and report on consent charges and costs.
Develop a performance expectation system to complement council monitoring requirements.
3. PROVIDE MORE ROBUST AND INDEPENDENT ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION
-> Put in place comprehensive environmental reporting
The Labour Government undermined confidence in State of the Environment reports by removing information they didn’t like.
National is committed to independent, arms- length reporting to ensure that New Zealanders have a better understanding of key environmental information.
-> Publish and regularly update a national list of priority public sites for contamination remediation
New Zealand has a legacy of contaminated sites.
We are cleaning these up through the Contaminated Sites Fund, and ensuring that high priority sites are identified so these can be addressed.
CLIMATE CHANGE
National takes climate change seriously and we are committed to making sure New Zealand does its fair share.
New Zealand produces just 0.15 per cent of global emissions, but we have one of only two comprehensive nationwide emissions trading schemes
New Zealand faces unique domestic challenges in reducing emissions.
About three-quarters of electricity is already from renewable energy, we have a growing and dispersed population, and around half of our emissions are from agriculture.
Our opportunities to reduce emissions are more expensive than in other developed countries.
The New Zealand ETS is a long-term tool and it is expected that its impact will increase over time, and with progress being made on international negotiations for a new post-2020 global agreement.
New Zealand is actively involved in climate change efforts, particularly when it comes to reducing emissions from farm animals, and assisting our Pacific neighbours.
National will focus on four key areas: Adaptation: we need to ensure our ability to adapt to the changing climate over the next 100 years is fit for purpose;
International Negotiations and Research: we have to play our part in international efforts to reduce emissions;
Managing New Zealand Emissions: we need to make a fair contribution to that global effort in terms of New Zealand's share of global emissions (0.15%);
Climate Change Assistance in the Pacific: we need to help the small island states of the Pacific, in particular, adjust to climate change
and move to renewable energy.
POLICY HIGHLIGHTS
-> National has amended the ETS and taken responsibility for the country's emissions in a way that doesn't impose unreasonable costs on households, families
and businesses.
-> New Zealand is playing an international leadership role through the Global Research Alliance, where we can make the greatest contribution.
-> Continued to provide climate-related support to Pacific nations.
-> On target to meet our commitment under the Kyoto Protocol First Commitment Period of stabilising our net emissions from 2008 to 2012 at the level of our total emissions in 1990.
NATIONAL IS…
SENSIBLY MANAGING NEW ZEALAND'S EMISSIONS
Amended the ETS and taken responsibility for our emissions in a way that doesn't impose unreasonable costs on households
and businesses.
Agreed to a minimum unconditional target to reduce our emissions to 5 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020 - representing a reasonable and fair share of climate change action.
Set a conditional 10-20 per cent target by 2020 and a target of 50 per cent reduction by 2050.
These are very ambitious targets given the nature of our economy.
Working towards a goal of 90 per cent renewable electricity generation by 2025.
With 75 per cent of our electricity generation already renewable, we have fewer low-cost options to reduce emissions compared with most other developed countries.
Committed to exploring innovative and technical solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture.
We have developed multiple initiatives including: The Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre, which is a consortium of nine research organisations led by AgResearch and based in Palmerston North.
The Sustainable Land Management and Climate Change research programme, which covers all aspects of climate change in the land-based sectors.
The Primary Growth Partnership, a government-industry investment initiative, for research and innovation to boost the economic growth and sustainability of New Zealand's primary, forestry and food sectors.
LEADING INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS
Working towards a binding agreement under the Convention Framework, which accounts for 85 per cent of global emissions and includes many major economies (US, China, India, Brazil, Russia, Japan, Canada), and participated in on-going international climate change negotiations.
Advocated for an international agreement that requires all major emitters to reduce their emission levels over time.
Established the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Emissions, which brings countries together to work on reducing emissions from livestock, cropping and rice production.
New Zealand, which is a co-chair of the Alliance and runs its secretariat, has committed a total of $45 million (out to 30 June 2019) to support the Alliance's work.
Joined the Climate and Clean Air Coalition, which brings together countries committed to taking action on short-lived climate pollutants (such as black carbon and Methane).
Initiated the Friends of Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform, a group of small and medium sized countries to support reform of inefficient fossil fuel subsidies.
Pledged more than $80 million over the next three years in climate-related support to the Pacific,
including $65 million for renewable energy initiatives.
Working alongside the EU Commission, we raised over $650 million in funding for such developments in the Pacific.
NATIONAL IS…
EASING PRESSURE ON FAMILIES AND BUSINESSES
Extended the transitional implementation phase for the electricity, industrial and transport sectors.
Maintaining a fixed-price option until at least 2015.
Removed the 2014 legislated entry of agricultural emissions into the ETS.
SUPPORTING ADAPTATION
Committed around $100 million on research projects relating to climate change adaptation.
For example, we commissioned research under the Sustainable Land Management and Climate Change Research programme, and the Natural Hazards Research Platform.
OUR RESULTS SO FAR
ON TRACK TO MEET OUR INTERNATIONAL COMMITMENTS
We are on target to meet our commitment under the Kyoto Protocol First Commitment Period of stabilising our net emissions from 2008 to 2012 at the level of our total emissions in 1990.
CONTINUING TO WORK TOWARDS OUR FUTURE COMMITMENTS
We have set a target of 5 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020 while over 100 countries have yet to indicate they will do anything in the second period.
Our offer of 5 per cent is roughly comparable to Australia (-4 per cent), the US (-3 per cent).
OUR FARMERS ARE BECOMING MORE CARBON EFFICIENT
New Zealand pastoral agriculture is the most carbon-efficient in the world in producing dairy and meat products.
The emissions intensity of agriculture product is reducing.
Between 1990 and 2011, real agriculture GDP increased 48 per cent.
Over the same period, agriculture emissions increased by just 12.1 per cent.
Improvements in agriculture efficiency are due to improved livestock genetics, pasture quality, farm management and research.
WHAT WE WILL DO NEXT.
1. SEEK INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT
Work with international partners to put in place a comprehensive new Global Agreement by the end of 2015.
New Zealand supports a global response to lower the growth rate of global emissions.
Under National, New Zealand has stepped up its efforts to contribute to international climate change negotiations and research.
Our negotiators have played important facilitator roles in the formal negotiations.
2. CONTINUE TO PLAY OUR PART INTERNATIONALLY
Help New Zealand scientists and experts contribute to other international climate change research efforts.
National will assist NZ scientists, both within the formal UN negotiating process and associated research efforts such as in Antarctica.
Continue to support highly vulnerable small island states in the Pacific.
Other countries are aware of New Zealand's unique circumstances.
They recognise New Zealand's contribution in international forums towards an effective, global agreement on climate change and our work with our Pacific neighbours to adapt to a changing climate.
3. INVEST $22. 5 MILLION TO SUPPORT NEW FOREST PLANTING
Re-boot the Afforestation Grant Scheme, investing $22. 5 million over five years to encourage and support the planting of new forests.
The grant will help landowners establish forests of between five and 300 hectares.
In return for the grant, grantees will forfeit carbon credits to the Crown for up to a decade.
The removal of carbon by forests plays an important role in helping New Zealand meet its long-term climate change commitments.
Planting new forests contributes positively to reducing New Zealand's net emissions.
DON'T PUT IT ALL AT RISK
Labour and the Greens would:
Damage our regional economies by placing unreasonable expectations on local authorities for freshwater management.
Under the last Labour government, difficult water issues were put in the 'too hard' basket
and our waterways were allowed to deteriorate.
Not seek a balance in the Resource Management Act, but would look to increase its role as a handbrake on economic growth.
Drive an extreme climate change agenda dictated by the Green Party.
Add costs to households and put the brakes on the economy through their, and the Green Party’s, ETS policies.
Introduce policies to reduce the dairy sector, which would not influence international demand for dairy.
It would simply mean that less carbon-efficient dairy producers in other countries would fill the gap.
That would hurt our exports, reduce jobs, reduce incomes and force us to borrow more from overseas to maintain our living standards.
ETHNIC AFFAIRS
CONTINUING TO EMBRACE DIVERSITY
People of all ethnicities make valuable contributions to New Zealand's communities and to our economy.
New Zealand has over 200 ethnicities and a quarter of our population were born overseas - there is no such thing as a typical Kiwi.
This diversity has a significant role to play in our future culturally, socially and economically.
Our population holds a wealth of cultural, language, and foreign market knowledge and experience that can help us expand our businesses overseas and offer fresh and innovative ideas and perspectives in many areas of life.
Working hand-in-hand with ethnic communities
National is committed to ensuring every New Zealander has the ability and the motivation to participate in our economy, in governance roles and in our communities.
Our success relies on us encouraging and growing this potential.
We continue to work hand-in-hand with ethnic communities to provide the tools needed to get started, get ahead and contribute to New Zealand's national goals.
Part of this is ensuring we continue our proud heritage as a nation that respects and embraces diversity.
POLICY HIGHLIGHTS
Expanded Language Line to provide telephone interpreting in 44 languages to 90 public sector organisations and more recently to the private sector.
Networking events that help build relationships between ethnic businesses and other small and medium enterprises, such as the Ethnic People in Commerce (EPIC) and EthnicA conferences.
Expanded the Building Bridges programmes to create better inter-cultural understanding and respect between our Muslim communities and wider society.
The World Muslim Forum was held here in 2014.
Improved the effectiveness of the Settling In grants programme by moving it from the Ministry of Social Development to the Office of Ethnic Affairs, in order to better target refugee services where they are most needed.
NATIONAL IS...
PROMOTING GREATER UNDERSTANDING AND HIGHLIGHTING THE BENEFITS OF DIVERSITY
Introduced workplace and organisational workshops on managing diversity.
Introduced leadership training for ethnic youth and ethnic women to harness their leadership potential.
Revamped the Office of Ethnic Affairs nominations database to encourage more ethnic people into leadership roles.
Creating better networks and sharing of skills, information and talent.
Expanded the Building Bridges programme to address issues facing New Zealand's Muslim communities and build a positive relationship between Muslim communities and wider society.
SUPPORTING SKILLED WORKERS
Introduced a two-tier immigration family policy to help attract and retain skilled migrants,
ensuring their wellbeing
and self-sufficiency.
Established a new Entrepreneur Work Visa to encourage business-savvy migrants to invest, settle, and create jobs and businesses across New Zealand.
Invested $7 million to helping prevent cases of migrant exploitation, and prosecuting where such exploitation occurs.
Budgeted more than $7 million over the next four years to boost the number of labour inspectors and immigration officers tackling migrant exploitation in the Canterbury rebuild.
Enhanced the Recognised Seasonal Employer Scheme for workers in the horticulture and viticulture industries.
Invested $5 million to ensure visa application information is available in languages other than English through the new Immigration Online IT system.
KEY FACTS
# New Zealand has more than 200 ethnicities.
# A quarter of the population was born overseas.
The three most common countries of birth are (in order) UK, China and India.
# By population, Asian ethnicities rank fourth behind NZ European, Maori and Pacific.
# Chinese is the largest of the Asian ethnicities, followed by Indian.
# Hindi is the 4th most behind English, Maori and Samoan.
BOOSTING NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES
Established networking events that help build relationships between ethnic businesses and other small and medium enterprises, such as the EPIC and EthnicA conferences.
Encouraged exporters to utilise the skills and deep knowledge of ethnic New Zealanders with understanding of foreign markets.
Hosted New Zealand's first Muslim World Forum in Auckland.
Started the Connecting the Regions programme to foster relationships between ethnic and mainstream businesses to promote growth in the regions.
IMPROVING SERVICES FOR NEW AND ESTABLISHED ETHNIC COMMUNITIES
Improved Settling-ln Grants by moving them from the Ministry of Social Development to the Office of Ethnic Affairs to better target refugee services where they are most needed.
Made sure there is proper leadership, oversight and synergy in the overall refugee resettlement strategy.
The Immigration New Zealand Refugee Resettlement Strategy involves refugee communities and NGOs and government agencies, and has been commended as world-leading by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
Boosting funding for refugee support by $5. 6 million over four years in Budget 2014
and we will continue working to help more refugees into paid employment.
Committed to funding the rebuild of the Mangere Refugee Resettlement Centre, where all Quota Refugees spend their first six weeks in New Zealand.
OUR RESULTS SO FAR
BETTER LANGUAGE SERVICES
Expanded Language Line to provide telephone interpreting in 44 languages to 90 public sector organisations and more recently to the private sector.
This helps ethnic communities communicate better with essential service providers such as banking and power companies.
The Language Line handled a record 54,822 requests in the 2013/14 year.
Published SuperGold card information in Chinese, Hindi, Punjabi, Gujarati, Korean, Samoan and Tongan.
BRINGING KIWIS TOGETHER
The number of registered users of the EPIC NZ website has more than doubled over the past 12 months, lifting from 299 to 704.
400 attendees at the EPIC NZ Go Global conference in Auckland this year.
EPIC in Wellington attracted 140 attendees.
EMPLOYMENT AND LEADERSHIP
More workplaces are taking part in the Office of Ethnic Affairs intercultural awareness and communication programmes including City Councils, DHBs, University faculties, government departments and private sector companies.
In addition to Office of Ethnic Affairs actively seeking opportunities for greater ethnic representation, it has received more requests from agencies looking to fill government board, committee and advisory group positions - 76 in the last financial year.
As a result, more suitable candidates from ethnic communities have entered nomination and vetting processes.
The Office of Ethnic Affairs' EthnicA conference, Ethnic Women in Leadership conference and the Ethnic Youth leadership programme are now available in four cities - Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Hamilton.
A STRONGER ECONOMY
Achieved 3.8 per cent economic growth in the year to 31 March - higher than most other developed countries.
Kept interest rates lower for longer
through responsible spending and economic management.
Created 83,000 new jobs across the country in the past year.
SAFER STREETS AND COMMUNITIES
New Zealand has the lowest crime rate for 35 years.
From June 2011 to March 2013: Overall crime has reduced by 16 per cent against a 2017 target of 15 per cent.
Violent crime has reduced by 11 per cent against a target of 20 per cent.
Youth crime has reduced by 30 per cent against a target of 25 per cent.
Re-offending has reduced by 12.2 per cent against a target of 25 per cent
More than 5,000 victims received support from the Victims Offender Levy in 2012/2013 financial year.
Increased the number of prisoners graduating through employment and education training from 136 in 2007/2008 to 3,160 in 2012/2013.
Created half a million additional frontline Police hours each year, the equivalent to 354 extra officers, by investing in mobile technology for frontline Police staff.
WHAT WE WILL DO NEXT…
SUPPORT ETHNIC COMMUNITITES
National is working to unlock greater potential for ethnic businesses in New Zealand by programmes.
Explore new and innovative ways to attract the world's talent to our shores,
and to retain those who are already here.
Ensure strong community-based settlement support and language training.
Encourage nominations of ethnic leaders to community and national boards.
Introduce tough new penalties for migrant exploitation - including up to seven years imprisonment, and potential deportation through the Immigration Amendment Bill.
Work with schools to promote inter-cultural awareness programmes and opportunities, as well as involve ethnic communities in events of national significance.
DON'T PUT IT ALL AT RISK
Labour would: Make it too restrictive for foreign investors to contribute to jobs and our economy.
Make immigration a complete shambles.
First they said they would cut net migration to 5000, then they said 20,000, then backtracked further and refused to talk about any numbers whatsoever.
Introduce policies that discourage ethnic communities reaching their full potential and independence.
Add extra layers of bureaucracy.
FINANCE
RESPONSIBLY MANAGING A GROWING ECONOMY
National's clear economic plan is successfully supporting higher wages and more jobs,
and ensuring government spending is invested wisely to deliver better results.
If we stick to our plan, New Zealand will continue to enjoy sustainable and consistent economic growth into the future.
The Government is on track to surplus this year and increasing surpluses in following years.
This will allow us to repay net debt to 20 per cent of GDP by 2020,
further invest in delivering better public services to New Zealanders,
and reduce taxes when there is room to do so.
We will achieve this while restricting discretionary new spending and revenue measures to no more than $1.5 billion a year - around $1 billion for new spending and $500 million per Budget for tax cuts and debt repayment.
This will help keep interest rates lower for longer and support private investment in the economy.
Supporting more jobs and higher wages
National is also working hard to ensure the economy grows sustainably into the future, supported by more savings, productive investment and exports.
This will provide opportunities for Kiwi families to get ahead here in New Zealand.
The Treasury forecasts average wages to grow by around $6,600 to $62,000 by mid-2018 and expects around 150,000 new jobs to be created in that time.
National's economic plan will make those forecasts a reality.
POLICY HIGHLIGHTS
Keep discretionary new spending and tax reduction measures to an average of $1.5 billion a year over the next three years.
Within this: Around $1 billion a year in new spending, including $600-$700 million extra for health and education.
Around $500 million per Budget for modest tax cuts and debt repayment.
This will allow us to:Return to surplus this year and build larger surpluses in subsequent years.
Reduce net debt to 20 per cent of GDP by 2020 and start repaying debt in dollar terms.
Further reduce ACC levies.
Modestly reduce income taxes, when fiscal conditions allow.
Use revenue surprises to reach our 20 per cent debt target sooner than 2020.
Further invest in new public assets and infrastructure
using capital from Government share offers.
Deliver better public services - health, education, law and order, and welfare.
Support higher wages and more jobs.
NATIONAL IS ...
National is delivering a successful economic plan to build a more competitive and productive economy
capable of supporting more jobs and higher incomes.
RESPONSIBLY MANAGING THE GOVERNMENT'S FINANCES
On track to post a Budget surplus this year.
On track to reduce net government debt to 20 per cent of GDP by 2020.
The Government borrowed to support vulnerable families through the domestic recession and global financial crisis, and to support the people of Christchurch following the earthquakes.
From 2017 we will start to repay that net debt.
Turning around ACC's finances,
with reduced levies for households
and businesses of nearly $1.5 billion since 2011/12.
BUILDING A MORE COMPETITIVE & PRODUCTIVE ECONOMY
Building on our Business Growth Agenda to help Kiwis companies compete, invest, and provide new jobs through around 350 initiatives.
Investing billions of dollars in modern infrastructure such as better roads, public transport, and ultra-fast broadband.
Freeing up $4.7 billion of capital through the share offer programme
to invest in new public assets such as schools and hospitals.
Boosting capital markets by successfully floating minority shares in three energy companies and Air New Zealand.
Supporting a stronger economy - New Zealand's economy grew by 3.8 per cent in the year to March - one of the world's five fastest growing developed economies.
REBUILDING CHRISTCHURCH
Committed more than $15 billion to Christchurch's recovery and rebuild, including homeowner support through EQC,
and rebuilding local hospitals, schools, housing and infrastructure.
DELIVERING BETTER PUBLIC SERVICES
Investing in public services to deliver better results in welfare, education, health, and law and order.
TAX CHANGES-REWARDING WORK & SAVING
Providing incentives for New Zealanders to work hard, save and get ahead through across-the-board tax cuts in 2010,
and through welfare reforms
supporting more New Zealanders into work.
Making the tax system fairer:Two-thirds of the value of the 2010 income tax cuts went into reducing the bottom two tax rates.
We raised the effective tax rate on property investment.
We increased funding for Inland Revenue to target property speculators and others avoiding tax.
We brought in stricter rules to ensure multi-national companies contribute their fair share of tax in New Zealand.
OUR RESULTS SO FAR...
National's economic plan is helping Kiwis get ahead . . .
. . . WITH A STRONGER ECONOMY.
New Zealand's economy grew by 3.8 per cent in the year to March 2014- one of the five fastest growing economies in the developed world.
Economic growth is forecast to reach around 4 per cent this year
– a far cry from the recession National inherited in 2008.
. . .  MORE JOBS.
An extra 83,000 job have been created in the year to June and Treasury forecasts around 150,000 more jobs will be created by mid-2018.
Budget 2011 forecast 171,000 new jobs by mid-2015 and we're on track to achieve that.
…AND LESS UNEMPLOYMENT.
New Zealand is doing better at reducing unemployment than most developed countries - including Australia.
New Zealand's current unemployment rate - 5.6 per cent, is lower than then the 6.4 per cent rate in Australia.
Treasury forecasts it will fall to 4.5 per cent by mid-2018.
WAGES ARE RISING…
The average wage has increased from $47,000 in 2008 to $55,000 this year, and is forecast to grow to $62,000 by 2018.
…FASTER THAN INFLATION.
Cost of living increases are low.
Inflation was just 1.6 per cent in the year to June,
well below average weekly wage increases of 2.7 per cent.
THE BALANCE OF PAYMENTS DEFICIT HAS COME DOWN…
The balance of payments deficit - the difference between what New Zealand earns and spends around the world - narrowed to 2.8 per cent of GDP in the year to March 2014.
Helped by record exports, this is less than half the deficit six years ago.
…AND WE'RE LIVING WITHIN OUR MEANS…
The Government is on track to budget surplus this year, and to post increasing surpluses in subsequent years, so we will have choices about repaying debt, further reducing ACC levies, investing more in priority public services, and beginning to reduce taxes.
. . . WITH DEBT UNDER CONTROL.
Net Crown debt will fall to 20 per cent of GDP by 2020 if we stick to the Government’s plan – well below the 60 per cent of GDP debt level projected under policies inherited from Labour in 2008.
MORTGAGE RATES ARE LOWER…
Mortgage interest rates will remain lower for longer under National's plan than they did under Labour in 2008, when they reached nearly 11 per cent.
…AND MORE KIWIS ARE VOTING WITH THEIR FEET.
Net outward migration to Australia was close to zero in July for the second consecutive month.
On an annual basis, net migration to Australia is the lowest since 1995.
WHAT WE WILL DO NEXT.
National's clear economic plan for the next three years
RETURN TO SURPLUS
Return to surplus this year and stay in surplus so we can start repaying debt, rebuild our fiscal buffers and help to keep interest rates lower than they would otherwise be.
Budget 2014 set out operating allowances of $1.5 billion a year (rising at 2 per cent each Budget) for discretionary new spending and tax reduction measures over the next term.
It confirmed there is room to move some of the allowances between Budgets, provided they average around $1.5 billion a year and economic conditions permit.
National will keep to this overall envelope.
Allow around $1 billion each Budget for further spending, including $600-$700 million extra for health and education.
This is consistent with the level of new spending in our last two Budgets.
And it is well below that of the last Labour government, which spent between $2 billion and $3 billion extra each Budget.
Reserve around $500 million per Budget (the remainder of the overall allowance) for tax reductions and further debt repayment, depending on economic and fiscal conditions at the time.
This $500 million portion of the overall allowance will be moved between Budgets and accumulated as necessary.
Therefore, by the third year there will be around $1.5 billion available for tax cuts and debt repayment.
DELIVER FISCAL PRIORITIES
Within these parameters, our fiscal priorities are, in order:
Return to surplus in 2014/15 and maintain surpluses over subsequent years.
Consistent and growing surpluses will enable us to meet the Government's capital requirements and reduce debt.
Reduce net government debt to 20 per cent of GDP by 2020, including starting to repay net debt in dollar terms in 2017/18.
Reducing government debt puts New Zealand in a better position to cope with the next economic shock or natural disaster.
Further reduce ACC levies on households and businesses starting on 1 April 2016.
ACC is in good financial health and – without significant levy reductions – would be unjustifiably overcharging households and businesses.
The Government will therefore cut levies on all ACC accounts by an average of around 30 per cent, which amounts to between $700 million and $900 million a year.
This is the equivalent of a tax cut for households
and businesses.
Final decisions on the timing and size of ACC levy reductions will be made after public consultation.
Begin to reduce income taxes from 1 April 2017,
if economic and fiscal conditions allow.
Any tax reduction will be modest, given the headroom available, and will focus on low and middle income earners.
Our concern is that as wages are rising, people are being taxed more.
The average wage, for example, has gone up from around $47,000 when we came into government in 2008, to $55,000 now, and is expected to reach $62,000 by 2018.
So we want to make sure the tax system continues to reward New Zealanders' hard work and enterprise by modestly reducing income taxes, if we can first achieve the three fiscal priorities above.
Use any further fiscal headroom - including from positive revenue surprises - to get debt to 20 per cent of GDP sooner than 2020.
Once that target is reached, we will resume contributions to the New Zealand Superannuation Fund.
As a result of National's fiscal discipline
We will support monetary policy and allow interest rates to be lower than they would otherwise be.
This will help to sustain the recovery,
create better conditions for investment
and reduce the pressure on households with mortgages.
It will also reduce pressure on the exchange rate, supporting the tradable sector and helping tilt the economy towards savings, investment and exports.
Core Crown spending is on track to fall to 30 per cent of GDP by 2017/18 - down from 34.4 per cent in 2008/09 under the previous Labour government.
We are also continuing to target that spending where it delivers better results for New Zealanders.
CONTINUE RESPONSIBLY MANAGING THE GOVERNMENT'S ASSETS
Continue improving management of taxpayer-owned assets.
We will use the remaining $1.7 billion of proceeds from the Government share offers to reinvest in new public assets like schools, hospitals and regional roads
– without having to borrow this money.
Continue using private-sector capital and disciplines where appropriate.
Examples include public-private partnerships for Hobsonville schools and Wiri prison, and developing a market for social housing.
More actively monitor Crown-owned entities.
These include State-Owned Enterprises and Crown Financial Institutions, to improve their performance and reduce risks for taxpayers.
KEEP GENERATING NEW JOBS
National will share the benefits of a growing economy fairly among New Zealanders.
Build on policies that are forecast to support 150,000 new jobs by mid-2018, and lift the average wage to around $62,000 by 2018.
The New Zealand economy added 83,000 new jobs in the past year alone.
Continue and update our Business Growth Agenda.
The Business Growth Agenda is helping New Zealand companies compete, invest and provide more jobs.
It includes around 350 initiatives across:Exports markets
Capital markets
Innovation
Skills and safe workplaces
Natural resources
Infrastructure
Support business investment and jobs through ongoing reductions in red tape and keep business taxes below those of many of our trading partners.
Reduce costs on businesses, including further reducing ACC levies.
Manage economic risks from the housing market.
National will increase housing and land supply, helping 90,000 first home buyers into affordable homes.
CONTINUE TO DELIVER BETTER PUBLIC SERVICES
What is good for communities by delivering better public services is also good for the Government's books by reducing costs for taxpayers
That's why National believes the best way to manage spending pressures over the long-term is to deliver better services to the most vulnerable in our communities.
Progress the Better Public Services programme.
This programme is tackling some of the most challenging issues facing New Zealanders, including:Reducing long-term welfare dependency
Supporting vulnerable children
Boosting skills and employment
Reducing crime
Improving interaction with the Government.
Extend two of our Better Public Services targets.
National will extend our targets for tertiary qualifications
and reducing total crime
– because of better-than-expected results so far.
Measure success by better results, rather than how much more we are spending.
DON'T PUT IT ALL AT RISK
Labour and the Greens would:Stall the economy with risky, unpredictable and unproven policies that would impose extra taxes and costs on New Zealand households and businesses.
They have already committed to a massive $30 billion in extra spending between them over the next four years.
Push up mortgage interest rates, which went to almost 11 per cent when Labour was last in power six years ago.
Ramp up the Emissions Trading Scheme, adding $500 a year to household power and energy costs.
Introduce a state-run monopoly electricity system, which would push up electricity prices and lead to blackouts.
Bring in an expensive and complicated capital gains tax on every New Zealand business and farm and 2.3 million KiwiSavers - but only a quarter of the housing market.
Add between them five extra taxes, including a carbon tax, personal income tax increases, regional fuel taxes, water user taxes, and the capital gains tax, which together would stall our economy and cost jobs.
Go soft on inflation by watering down the Reserve Bank Act, which would push up the cost of living for households - especially those on low and fixed incomes.
Force everyone into KiwiSaver, even those who do not want to join, and even when contributing to KiwiSaver would put some people into hardship.
Create a big spending, big borrowing bureaucracy that would push up interest rates and run everything including the power industry, the insurance industry and the housing industry.
With a strong, growing economy and with the Government's books on track to surplus, the only reason to impose higher taxes on New Zealanders would be to pay for Labour and the Greens' expensive spending promises.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
CONFIDENTLY PURSUING NEW ZEALAND'S INTERESTS
National is ensuring that New Zealand remains an outward facing, independent, open country, confidently pursuing New Zealand's interests and promoting our values on the world stage.
Over the past five years, the Government has significantly strengthened New Zealand's international footprint,
enhanced our international reputation
and established a base for long-term prosperity based on stronger trade and economic partnerships.
We are also strengthening New Zealand's leadership role in the Pacific
and making New Zealand a formidable candidate for election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2015-16 term.
POLICY HIGHLIGHTS
Expanding our international footprint.
Strengthening our important relationships.
Making New Zealand's case for a seat on the UN Security Council.
NATIONAL IS...
EXPANDING OUR INTERNATIONAL FOOTPRINT
Achieving significant efficiencies in the back office
that have made it possible to open six new posts, establish 35 new accreditations and 29 new honorary consuls while returning significant savings to the Crown.
Opened new posts in Abu Dhabi, Addis Ababa, Myanmar, Barbados and Honolulu.
A new Consulate General office will soon open in Chengdu, China.
Strengthening our ASEAN relationships including with the establishment of a new ASEAN Ambassador in Jakarta, separate from our Ambassador to Indonesia.
STRENGTHENING IMPORTANT RELATIONSHIPS
Strengthening the relationship with our key partner, Australia.
Transforming our diplomatic and security relationship with the United States.
Building a close partnership with ASEAN which is about to bloom into a period of unparalleled trade and economic growth.
Reinforcing China as our largest trading partner, backed by strong diplomatic and cultural ties.
Enhancing New Zealand's leadership profile in the Pacific, now the focus of 60 percent of our development budget.
Boosting relationships with the oil rich Gulf States which see New Zealand as a natural partner in their quest for food security.
Strengthening New Zealand's relationship with Africa through a new post in the African Union capital of Addis Ababa.
Sowing the seeds of a new framework for relations with the European Union as it emerges from its economic challenges.
SEEKING A SEAT ON THE SECURITY COUNCIL
Early in the next term of Government, New Zealand will face a contest for election to a two-year term on the UN Security Council - a role we last held over 20 years ago.
Our country has a strong international brand recognised for fair-minded and constructive behaviour.
The National Government is working hard to build a case for New Zealand's election to the Security Council through a campaign designed to provide lasting benefits for our reputation and influence overseas.
WHAT WE WILL DO NEXT
1. USE A TERM ON THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL TO ENHANCE NZ'S REPUTATION
New Zealand's long campaign to win a non permanent seat on the UN Security Council will be determined soon after the 2014 election.
This is an office New Zealand seeks approximately every 20 years.
A re-elected National Government will ensure that New Zealand's term on the Council is used to:Enhance our reputation as a fair-minded and constructive contributor in international affairs.
Maintain the reinvigorated relationships achieved as a result of the campaign.
Promote workable and achievable reforms to the Council.
Work to restore confidence in UN institutions.
2. MAXIMISE THE VALUE OF RELATIONSHIPS IN THE ASIA PACIFIC
The first two terms of the National Government have been characterised by the spectacular growth in our trade and economic relations in our region, especially with China.
In the next term a National Government would: Maintain the extraordinary trajectory of trade growth with China
and ensure that it is underpinned by strong diplomatic relations, growing sporting and cultural links and logistical connections.
Lift our relationship with ASEAN to a new level as the ASEAN Community takes shape from 2015 through stepped-up trade initiatives, more comprehensive diplomatic efforts and improved logistical connections.
Invest in the regional architecture brokered by ASEAN that seeks to promote the stability and security of the region (e.g. the East Asia Summit and ASEAN Regional Forum).
Bolster links with key regional countries like Korea and Japan
as we seek fairer trading conditions with those nations.
Work to unlock the undoubted potential in New Zealand's relationship with India.
3. BOOST FOREIGN LANGUAGE TRAINING FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF KIWIS
Invest an extra $10 million over four years to increase the provision of Asian languages in schools.
The Government recognises that the next generation of Kiwis needs to be able to work in different cultural environments and communicate in different languages as our international trading links grow and change.
This funding will provide a contestable fund for schools to apply for new Mandarin language programmes, or support existing Asian language programmes.
This new programme will substantially increase the number of schools teaching Mandarin from the current low number of 40.
The funding will also be used to invest in programmes that encourage online provision of Asian languages and increase collaboration between schools on Asian language provision.
4. CONTINUE TO STRENGTHEN TRADITIONAL PARTNERSHIPS
Maintaining strong partnerships with traditional friends has been a key objective of the National Government.
Strengthen traditional relationships with Australia, the UK and Canada, and enhance the new partnership that has been constructed with the US.
Work to establish a new framework agreement with the European Union, building into an FTA
and promote New Zealand's Commonwealth membership as a key element of our international identity.
5. MAINTAIN THE EMPHASIS ON THE PACIFIC
National has prioritised New Zealand's relationships in the Pacific as a core part of our international identity.
Maintain a leadership role within the region including maintaining a strong role within the Pacific Islands Forum, and ensuring the Forum provides representation for the region.
Prioritise initiatives that create sustainable economic opportunities within the region.
Continue to target the major part of our development budget into the region.
6. INVEST HEAVILY IN NEWER RELATIONSHIPS THAT WILL PROVIDE NEW ZEALAND WITH CORNERSTONE PARTNERSHIPS IN THE FUTURE
As part of building a strong and balanced set of relationships for the future the National Government has invested heavily in creating new partnerships with emerging nations.
Expand our footprint with states in the Gulf Cooperation Council who, with their strong economies and overriding need for food security, are natural partners for our country.
Work to expand our interests with the increasingly powerful economies of Latin America and Africa through bilateral initiatives and organisations like the Pacific Alliance.
7. MAKE STRATEGIC DECISIONS ABOUT OUR INTERNATIONAL FOOTPRINT
From a reduced budget, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has opened new posts in Abu Dhabi, Addis Ababa, Myanmar, Chengdu, Barbados and Honolulu, whilst closing only one (the Stockholm mission opened by the Labour Government).
Keep our international footprint under regular review to ensure it meets the needs of a vibrant trading nation.
8. CONTINUE OUR SUCCESSFUL WORK IN DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE
Having held the development budget at around $550 million a year as the country copes with the twin impacts of the global financial crisis and the Christchurch earthquake, there is now room for future growth.
The 2014 budget shows capacity for steady increases from 2015.
Key features of development policy under a reelected National Government would be:Maintain a focus on the Pacific with over 60% of the development budget committed to our region.
Recognise the importance of using partnerships to ensure that our funds are leveraged, as is the case with the Pacific Renewable Energy Programme.
Seek more flexible instruments to add to the toolkit to ensure strong development outcomes.
Create strong working relationships between the aid programme, other Government agencies, New Zealand businesses and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise to ensure an "NZ Inc" approach.
HEALTH: AGED CARE
SECURING THE FUTURE OF QUALITY CARE
National is committed to ensuring older New Zealanders have the security and wellbeing they deserve.
National has a comprehensive plan to secure the future of quality care for older New Zealanders.
It is built on improving standards and accountability
– not bureaucracy.
National will continue to progress changes to home-based support
to help older people maximise their independence and continue to be safe and self-sufficient living in their own homes.
Over the next ten years, one of the challenges facing the public health service will be the increase in the population aged over 80.
The Government has been preparing for this demographic change by investing over $200 million more in services to care for older New Zealanders.
We have expanded the availability of support available in the home,
increased the number of dementia beds available by 25 per cent,
boosted funding for aged care nursing,
and improved the quality of auditing and monitoring of rest homes.
POLICY HIGHLIGHTS
Increase the rest home bed subsidy rate by five per cent, effective from 1 October 2014.
This means an increase of $10 million a year in public funding for rest home providers.
Put in place a new model of care for older people.
NATIONAL IS...
INVESTING MORE FUNDING IN AGED RESIDENTIAL CARE
Increased spending on aged residential care from $744 million in 2008/09, to $985 million this year - a 30 per cent increase.
IMPROVING QUALITY OF CARE FOR OLDER PEOPLE
Improving the monitoring and auditing of rest homes.
Improving the transparency of rest home audits by making both full and summary audit reports available through an easy-to-use website.
Continued support for older New Zealanders to be healthier and more independent in their own homes.
Introduced regular reporting of district health board performance against key health quality and safety markers to drive improvements in patient safety.
These markers track the level of harm and cost associated with a particular health issue and promote simple, proven measures to reduce the risk of patient harm.
OUR RESULTS SO FAR
LIFTING ACCESS TO DEMENTIA CARE
Increased the number of dementia beds across the country by over 25 per cent since 2008.
Introduced dementia care pathways which encourage all health and social services to work together to provide seamless and integrated care.
IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF REST HOME ASSESSMENTS
On track to have all older people receiving home support or in aged residential care assessed at least twice a year using a standardised clinical assessment tool.
This assessment looks at 22 aspects of health care, and enables personalised care plans to be updated and modified as required.
MORE ELDERLY BEING SUPPORTED IN THEIR OWN HOMES
Providing thousands more elderly New Zealanders with both home support and personal care to enable them to remain living independently in their own homes.
Lifted the number of hours of home support from 9.3 million hours in 2008/09, to 10.9 million this year.
BETTER HOSPITAL SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY
Reduced waiting times for cancer patients ready for chemo or radiation treatment to 4 weeks – the world gold standard.
21,000 extra patients over the age of 65 are now receiving elective operations each year.
WHAT WE WILL DO NEXT...
1. FURTHER SUPPORT REST HOME CARE
Increase the rest home bed subsidy by 5 per cent, from 1 October 2014.
This is an equivalent $10 million a year increase in public funding for rest home providers.
Roll out regular comprehensive clinical assessments of each of the 32,000 older New Zealanders living in rest homes.
This investment will provide ongoing support and training for nurses and rest homes from July 2015.
Continue to work closely with the sector to deliver the best possible care for residents.
2. PUT IN PLACE A NEW MODEL OF CARE FOR OLDER PEOPLE
Work to improve services for rest home residents by better integrating care between GPs, pharmacies, hospitals, and rest homes.
A new model of care is being progressed across New Zealand's 20 DHBs, packaging together an older person's home help funding with healthcare funding, to deliver a new, more flexible package that's tailored to the individual.
DON'T PUT IT ALL AT RISK
Labour would: Deliver more bureaucracy, committees, strategies and working groups, at the expense of frontline health services.
HEALTH: HEALTHY COMMUNITIES
KEEPING COMMUNITIES HEALTHY
National is investing strongly in primary care, screening, early intervention and disease prevention to keep New Zealanders healthy.
And we are supporting people with long-term conditions to get the support and independence they need to lead fulfilling lives.
This is part of our commitment to deliver better, sooner, more convenient healthcare for New Zealand families.
We've increased funding every year for GP visits and home support services.
We're introducing free GP visits and prescriptions for children aged under 13, so cost isn't a barrier to children getting the medical assistance they need.
As a result, parents will be more likely to take their child to the doctor for treatment before their condition becomes serious.
We're ensuring more young children are immunised, expanding rheumatic fever prevention programmes, and establishing a new evidence-based, anti-obesity programme - Healthy Families NZ.
We're expanding screening and care for people with diabetes and other long term conditions.
The sooner clinicians can detect, treat or prevent these conditions, the better they can reduce the significant burden these conditions put on patients and the health service.
We have introduced new disability models of support, which are seeing more people access individualised funding and personal budgets.
National is also focused on better integrating primary care with other parts of the health service, to provide improved management of long-term conditions and better care for patients.
We are using new technology to improve people's access to information and provide better, more joined-up services for patients.
POLICY HIGHLIGHTS
Free GP visits and prescriptions for children under 13.
Better care for people with long-term conditions.
Reducing the incidence of rheumatic fever.
Rolling out Healthy Families NZ.
Better use of information technology.
NATIONAL IS...
INCREASING FUNDING FOR THE PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM
In tight financial times, National has protected and grown our health service with average increases in health investment of around $500 million a year.
Increased funding for GP visits by $150 million.
Increased total funding for disability services by over $200 million, with another $112 million over the next four years announced in this year's budget
IMPROVING SCREENING AND DISEASE PREVENTION
Set a national health target, and invested $15 million, to ensure that 90 per cent of the eligible population are screened for heart disease and diabetes risk, to reduce the incidence of these chronic diseases.
Running a four-year bowel screening pilot, at a cost of $24 million, to help identify bowel cancer at an early stage.
Completed a $10 million digital upgrade of mammography screening.
Setting up Healthy Families NZ - a new, locally-driven anti-obesity programme in ten communities across New Zealand, to address some of the underlying causes of poor health including obesity and unhealthy eating.
SUPPORTING NEW, COMMUNITY-BASED CARE
Supported the development of over 30 integrated family health centres, which are health “one stop shops”, including GPs, nurses, pharmacists, midwives, dentists, physiotherapists, podiatrists, and visiting medical specialists under one roof.
Providing more funding for pharmacists to offer a broader range of services, like managing patients with long-term conditions such as diabetes.
Introducing new disability models of support, which is seeing more people access personal budgets, where they can choose how to spend their funding to best suit them.
TACKLING SMOKING
Increased tobacco tax to discourage smoking, which is the leading cause of disease and early deaths in New Zealand.
Set a national health target to ensure that almost all smokers who are seen by a health practitioner are offered brief advice and support to quit smoking.
INVESTING IN IMPROVING CHILDREN'S HEALTH
Children under six can see a GP for free, any time of the day or night, after National introduced free after-hours GP visits.
Investing $65 million to better detect and treat rheumatic fever through throat swabbing in at risk communities, providing improved access to primary care, improved housing, and improving community awareness.
Set a national health target to ensure that 95 per cent of eight-month-olds are fully immunised by the end of 2014.
Fully funded PlunketLine to operate 24 hours a day.
Ensured that children with profound hearing loss can receive two funded cochlear implants rather than just one.
OUR RESULTS SO FAR
BETTER RESULTS IN CHILD HEALTH
98 per cent of children under six can now see a GP any time of day or night, and get their prescriptions for free.
5,200 children most at risk of developing rheumatic fever have had their sore throat checked at a free drop-in clinic.
Immunisation rates are increasing to record levels – 92 per cent of eight-month-old babies are now fully immunised.
BETTER COMMUNITY-BASED CARE
Over a million New Zealanders (84 per cent of the eligible population) have had a heart and diabetes risk assessment completed over the last five years.
Thousands more patients are getting faster access to x-rays, ultrasounds, and CT and MRI scans without having to see a hospital specialist first.
Since the Government funded 12 months of Herceptin in 2008, 1095 women have received approval for 12 months treatment – the international standard.
REDUCED SMOKING RATES
Over 400,000 people have been offered advice and support to quit smoking by hospitals and GPs in the last year.
Only 15 per cent of people now smoke- the lowest smoking rate ever recorded in New Zealand and ahead of almost every other country in the world.
WHAT WE WILL DO NEXT...
1. PROVIDE FREE GP VISITS AND PRESCRIPTIONS FOR UNDER CHILDREN UNDER 13
Extend free GP visits and provide free prescriptions to all children under 13
From July 2015, National will extend free doctors' visits and prescriptions for children aged under six to children aged under 13.
Parents shouldn't be put off getting medical assistance for their children because of the cost, and we are making sure of that.
This is an important preventative health measure, as parents will be more likely to take their child to the doctor for treatment before their condition becomes severe.
It will also help reduce the number of children presenting at our busy hospital emergency departments with an illness that a GP could have treated.
National will invest $90 million over three years to fund these changes.
More than 400,000 primary school-aged children and their families are expected to benefit from this investment.
2. CONTINUE TO IMPROVE CARE FOR PEOPLE WITH LONG-TERM CONDITIONS
National will: Continue to increase the numbers of New Zealanders having a heart and diabetes check.
Continue to invest in nutrition and activity programmes for those at risk of diabetes.
Increase the number of specialist diabetes nurses.
Continue to expand the role of community pharmacists in managing long term conditions.
Increase the number of renal transplants performed.
Give more people with disabilities access to personal budgets and advance the priority areas in the Disability Action Plan 2014-2018
3. EXPAND THE RHEUMATIC FEVER PREVENTION PROGRAMME
Expand free drop-in sore-throat clinics to target a further 90,000 children and young people who are at risk of getting rheumatic fever.
The clinics are being rolled out in the Northland, Waikato, Lakes, Bay of Plenty, Tairawhiti, Hawke's Bay and Hutt Valley regions.
Over 200,000 children and young people in high-risk areas will have access to prompt care and treatment for sore throats.
Five million dollars is being invested to raise awareness of the rheumatic fever, including television and radio campaigns.
4. ROLL OUT HEALTHY FAMILIES NZ
Under the Healthy Families NZ programme, a local, community-based provider will arrange health promotion, and work with schools, early childhood education centres, workplaces and sport clubs to encourage and support people tomake healthy lifestyle choices.
These lifestyle choices include making good food choices, being physically active and sustaining a healthy weight.
Providers will work in communities that are home to around 900,000 New Zealanders in total.
Healthy Families NZ initiative has been given funding of $40 million, announced in the 2014 Budget.
5. INVEST IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TO IMPROVE SERVICES FOR PATIENTS
Continue to encourage and support the use of information technology to improve people's access to information and provide better, more joined-up services for patients.
This includes:Allowing people to securely access information from their GP practice, like seeing laboratory test results, ordering repeat prescriptions and sending messages directly to their GP, all from home – our goal is to have 90 per cent of people able to do this online by the end of 2015/16.
Giving pregnant women access to shared information entered by their lead maternity carer, GP, laboratory and maternity facilities.
Completing the roll-out of the NZ ePrescription Service, to reduce prescription errors that result from manual processing.
By the end of this year most GP practices and community pharmacies should be using this service, which currently processes around 240,000 prescriptions a month.
Using tele-health to deliver health services to people in remote places.
DON'T PUT IT ALL AT RISK
Labour would:Deliver more bureaucracy, committees, strategies and working groups at the expense of front line health services.
HEALTH: HIGH-QUALITY SERVICES
PROVIDING WORLD-CLASS HEALTH SERVICES
Good health is hugely important to families.
A strong public health service gives families peace of mind - knowing that the care they need will be there, when they need it.
In tight financial times, when many countries have frozen or reduced their funding of public health services, National has protected and grown our health service with average increases of around $500 million a year.
National's unrelenting commitment to building a strong economy over the last six years means we have been able to invest in maintaining and improving our health services.
Continuing to invest more in world-class health services
We remain committed to strengthening our economy so we can continue to invest more in providing world-class health services for New Zealanders.
We're focused on key areas where we are making real progress:Improved access to elective procedures, with 44,000 more elective operations now than in 2008.
Shorter waits for cancer treatment, with patients ready for chemotherapy or radiation treatment receiving it within a maximum of 4 weeks - the world gold standard.
Shorter stays in emergency departments, with 94 per cent of patients seen within the six hour target - the best result ever.
As a result of our careful financial management, the country is returning to surplus
and we now have the opportunity to invest even further in our public health service.
POLICY HIGHLIGHTS
-> $50 million extra over 3 years to reduce pain in bones, muscles and joints, and provide more operations.
-> A new cancer target - 90 per cent of patients will receive their first cancer treatment within 62 days of being referred by their GP with a high suspicion of cancer.
-> Increased funding for hospices of $20 million a year.
NATIONAL IS...
DELIVERING MORE ELECTIVE OPERATIONS
Increased elective surgery by 44,000 operations –from 118,000 a year to 162,000.
Building more operating theatres to help increase delivery of elective surgery.
Staffing numbers continue to increase and we now have 1,500 more doctors and 3,300 more nurses working in our district health boards.
DELIVERING MORE SPECIALIST ASSESSMENTS
Increased the number of patients getting assessed by hospital specialists to see if they need surgery or other treatment.
Reduced the waiting times for these appointments.
Invested more than $100 million extra into improving cancer services over the last 6 years
Invested in providing ten new linear accelerators.
Providing more personalised medical support for cancer sufferers.
Expanding the role of nurses in cancer care.
INVESTING IN DIAGNOSTICS
Investing an extra $11 million to deliver more colonoscopies and improve waiting times for diagnostic tests.
Commencing centralised collection of colonoscopy data for the first time in our history.
BOOSTING HOSPICE FUNDING
Already provided an extra $15 million a year to hospices across the country.
Increased the proportion of average hospice funding provided by the Government from 50 per cent to 70 per cent, enabling hospices to continue delivering high-quality services to those who need them.
OUR RESULTS SO FAR
ELECTIVE SURGERY NUMBERS HAVE HIT RECORD LEVELS
An extra 44,000 patients are now getting elective surgery compared to 2008.
Reduced the number of patients waiting over six months for their surgery to nil, through more operations.
FIRST SPECIALIST ASSESSMENTS AT RECORD LEVELS
An extra 45,000 patients are getting First Specialist Assessments, with the total number of assessments reaching 306,000.
Reduced the number of patients having to wait over six months for their First Specialist Assessment to nil, because of this increased number of appointments.
CANCER PATIENTS TREATED FASTER, AND IN NEW ZEALAND
No patients have had to fly to Australia for cancer treatment because of capacity delays,
as they did under Labour.
All patients ready for radiation or chemotherapy treatment, now commence that treatment within a maximum of four weeks.
Since the Government funded 12 months of Herceptin in 2008, 1,095 women have received approval for 12 months treatment - the international standard.
CANCER PATIENTS ARE GETTING MORE PERSONALISED SUPPORT
Providing 59 new dedicated cancer nurses to give patients personalised and dedicated care across the country.
Providing each of New Zealand's six cancer centres with an additional specialist psychologist to help meet the needs of patients.
Up to 20 cancer support workers funded for major hospitals to provide more counselling services for patients.
WHAT WE WILL DO NEXT.
1.REDUCE PAIN, INCREASE PREVENTION
-> Invest to reduce pain, increase prevention
Orthopaedic surgery is amongst the fastest growing areas of health demand.
This includes pain associated with, but not exclusive to arthritis, lower back pain, hips and knees.
And up to a quarter of GP consultations are related to arthritis, lower back pain, orthopaedic or other bone, muscle and joint conditions.
National will invest $50 million over three years to reduce pain in bones, muscles and joints, and provide more operations.
National will:-» Invest $30 million to further lift the number of orthopaedic operations, including an increase in hip and knee operations.
-» Invest $6 million to create new multidisciplinary early intervention teams to address pain, and improve the quality of life for New Zealanders in relation to pain in bones, muscles and joints.
-» Invest $14 million for extra general surgeries.
This new funding will include a focus on areas such as hernia, gallstone and vein conditions.
-» Continue to increase funding for elective surgery and First Specialist Assessments, and increase the number of people receiving these services.
2. SPEED UP CANCER TREATMENT
-> Set a new cancer treatment target
Under National, cancer services have improved significantly.
We have invested over $100 million extra to provide more and faster services to patients with cancer.
Our focus is now on speeding up diagnostic tests such as MRIs, X-Rays, CT scans and blood tests - all of which deliver critical information to specialists.
We also want to give patients the confidence that from their GP's first suspicion of cancer, they will be seen by a specialist quickly, and treated sooner.
National will:-» Set a new cancer treatment target for the maximum time patients will wait for their first cancer treatment, starting from the time they are first referred to the hospital because their doctor suspects they may have cancer.
-» The target is that 90 per cent of patients will receive their first cancer treatment within 62 days of being referred by their GP with a high suspicion of cancer.
This is an international benchmark.
-» Commit $41 million from the existing health budget to the cancer treatment programme over the next three years, to achieve the new target by July 2017.
3. INCREASE HOSPICE FUNDING BY $20 MILLION A YEAR
-> Expanding services and resources for hospices
The country's 29 hospices have become centres of excellence for palliative care, supporting people as they approach the end of their lives whilst caring for their family/whanau as well.
Extra funding will allow hospices to expand their care and services across the wider health system to better support people with life limiting illnesses who are living in rest homes or being cared for by primary care and home-based support services.
National will:-» Invest $13 million to help hospices expand their community palliative care services into better supporting terminally ill people at home and in aged care facilities.
-» Expand hospice-based palliative care teams involving physicians, nurses, pharmacists, counsellors and social workers to provide support and advice across the health system.
-» Invest $7 million of new funding to create 60 new nurse specialist palliative care educator and support roles at hospices to provide training, mentoring and hands-on support for staff across rest homes, primary care and home-based support services.
HEALTH: MENTAL HEALTH
PROVIDING WORLD-CLASS MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
National is committed to providing New Zealanders with high quality mental health services as part of a stronger public health service.
Good mental health and wellbeing are important for all New Zealanders and their families.
Thousands of people and their families live with the burden of mental illness.
National believes these people deserve our support.
We are focused on improving access to mental health services so that more people get the support they need and get it faster.
Funding for mental health services has increased every year since the National-led Government took office, with a total funding increase of over $200 million.
We are improving access to services through family doctors to help people cope with conditions such as depression.
We are improving access to alcohol and drug treatment services,
and focusing resources on young people, as this is a time of life when mental health issues often arise.
The Prime Minister's $62 million Youth Mental Health Project is expanding primary mental health services, reducing waiting times for child and adolescent mental health services, and has established an online e-therapy tool.
National will continue supporting better mental health services for New Zealanders and their families.
National will continue to improve mental health and addiction treatment services for New Zealanders.
POLICY HIGHLIGHTS
-> Continue to provide New Zealanders with quality mental health services.
-> Continue to implement the Rising to the Challenge: Mental Health and Addiction Service Development Plan 2012-2017.
-> Continue to implement the Suicide Prevention Action Plan 2013-16.
-> Provide better mental health support for those with cancer.
NATIONAL IS...
INVESTING IN MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT
Increased total mental health funding by over $200 million.
Investing $62 million in the Prime Minister's providing better and earlier help for young people suffering from mental illness.
Developed the Suicide Prevention Action Plan 2013-16.
Developed Rising to the Challenge: Mental Health and Addiction Service Development Plan 2012-2017.
Investing $18 million in perinatal and infant mental health services, aimed at women experiencing acute mental illness in the 12 months after they have had a baby.
Increasing investment in school-based health services by $10 million.
Investing $11.3 million to expand primary mental health services to more young people through GPs, school-based health services and Youth One Stop Shops.
Doubled funding for the National Depression Initiative to $5 million.
Added mental health nursing staff to National's voluntary bonding scheme.
Investing $33 million in youth forensic mental health services.
OURRESULTS SO FAR
BETTER MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
Online support is now available for young people with mental health needs.
Young people with mental health or addiction problems are receiving treatment faster than ever before.
Nine out of ten young people, under twenty, who need non-urgent mental health or addiction treatment are being seen within eight weeks.
Improved access to more services
Extra resources and support are available for early intervention in mental health services.
WHAT WE WILL DO NEXT...
1. IMPROVE MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION TREATMENT SERVICES
Continue to implement the Rising to the Challenge: The Mental Health and Addiction Service Development Plan 2012-2017
The plan, which was developed in consultation with mental health and addiction service providers, and with consumers of mental health services
, sets out actions to improve the delivery of mental health services for New Zealanders.
These are:Increase the amount of time mental health workers spend with patients.
Increase access to primary care for people with mental health and addiction problems.
Further reduce waiting times for mental health specialists
Increase access to specialist services for youth offenders.
Further reduce waiting times for child and youth services.
Increase access to child and youth services.
2. IMPROVE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT FOR THOSE WITH CANCER
National recognises that being diagnosed with cancer is a difficult time for patients and their families.
National announced new cancer initiatives in the last Budget to better support the emotional needs of cancer patients.
This included providing specialist psychological staff and up to 20 cancer support workers in the major centres to support cancer sufferers.
This more personalised service means better treatment and a less stressful experience for patients.
DON'T PUT IT ALL AT RISK
Labour would:- Talk about making mental health a priority, as they did in their last term in government, but still not do anything about it.
- Deliver more bureaucracy, committees, strategies and working groups, at the expense of frontline health services.
HEALTH: HEALTH WORKFORCE
A STRONG AND ENGAGED HEALTH WORKFORCE
New Zealand's public health service relies on the quality health professionals who work within it
National values them, and is giving doctors, nurses, and other professionals a greater say in our public health service.
Health professionals are no longer heading overseas in droves.
Under National, staffing numbers continue to increase and we now have 1,500 more doctors and 3,300 more nurses working in our district health boards (DHBs).
Over 3,000 health graduates are part of the voluntary bonding scheme we introduced in 2009.
Under this scheme, the Government writes off student debt or makes cash payments to doctors, nurses and midwives agreeing to work in hard-to-
We're expanding the role of nurses, pharmacists and other health professionals, and keeping them involved as we're making changes to the public health service.
POLICY HIGHLIGHTS
-> Continuing increases in doctor and nurse numbers.
-> Expanded the voluntary bonding scheme to include different health professions and hard-to-staff regions as required.
-> 60 new palliative care specialist nurses and educators.
-> Increased the number of places available on the Nurse Entry to Practice programme to 1,300.
-> Increased nurse scholarships to work in general practices.
NATIONAL IS...
EXPANDING THE ROLE OF NURSES
130 Nurse Practitioners are now working across New Zealand.
These highly qualified nurses can, amongst other services, assess, diagnose and prescribe medicines for specific groups.
500 clinical Nurse Specialists are covering a wide range of specialties including diabetes, cardiology, respite care, wound care, care of the elderly, mental health and addiction.
INCREASING MEDICAL TRAINING PLACES
An additional 170 medical places are now available at our two medical schools, including more positions earmarked for rural students.
Investing $18 million for postgraduate education and training of doctors as a result of funding in Budget 2014.
Funding 170 GP and primary care training places - up from only 74 places in 2008.
INCREASING NURSING TRAINING PLACES
Investing $2.8 million to bring the total number of places available on the Nurse Entry to Practice programme to 1,300.
This programme offers professional and educational support for graduate nurses in their first year of practice.
EXPANDING THE ROLE OF PHARMACISTS
Pharmacists are now able to better harness their clinical skills and provide a broader range of services, like managing patients with long term conditions and help them to keep taking their medicines.
OUR RESULTS SO FAR
MORE FRONTLINE STAFF
There are now 1,500 more doctors and 3,300 more nurses working in DHBs.
At the same time we have capped growth in the health bureaucracy.
There are now 1,000 fewer management and administration positions in DHBs and at the Health Ministry.
And we have reduced the number of Primary Health Organisations from 81 to 32.
MORE TRAINING PLACES
We are educating more doctors in medical schools, and training more of those doctors to become GPs.
3,000graduates are working in hard-to-staff specialties or areas thanks to our volontary bonding scheme.
WHAT WE WILL DO NEXT.
1.CONTINUE TO INCREASE DOCTOR AND NURSE NUMBERS
-> Work to further increase doctor and nurse numbers
and keep a lid on back office costs.
Our focus on frontline health services is delivering higher staffing numbers than ever before.
This means more operations, faster treatment, and a better opportunity for a healthier life.
2. EXPAND THE VOLUNTARY BONDING SCHEME
-> Expand the voluntary bonding scheme to include different health professions and hard-to-staff regions as required
Voluntary bonding has proven to be a useful tool to help address workforce shortages in certain regions and specialties.
We'll continue to make changes to the scheme to ensure New Zealanders can rely on having the health professionals they need, where they need them.
3. PROVIDE NEW PALLIATIVE CARE SPECIALIST NURSES AND EDUCATORS
-> Invest $7 million to create 60 new palliative care nurse specialist and educator roles.
These nurses will provide training, mentoring and hands on support for staff across aged residential care, GP practices and home-based support services.
4.EXPAND OPPORTUNITIES FOR NURSES
-> Invest an extra $1.5 million to give 25 graduate nurses a scholarship to work in general practice in a high-need community next year.
Specialist nurses will also be trained to perform colonoscopies, a diagnostic test which can identify whether a person has bowel cancer and can find and remove pre-cancerous growths.
DON'T PUT IT ALL AT RISK
Labour would:- Deliver more bureaucracy, committees, strategies and working groups, at the expense of frontline health services.
HOUSING
MORE AFFORDABLE HOMES
Good quality, affordable housing is important for the health and wellbeing of families,
and the strength of our communities.
National in government has had an on-going programme of action to encourage construction of more affordable housing based on the recommendations of the Productivity Commission Report on housing affordability.
This includes continuing to focus on freeing up more residential land,
reducing compliance costs,
improving sector productivity,
and facilitating competition in the building materials market.
We continue to support young Kiwis saving to buy their own home and recognise the value of home ownership in providing stability for families, strength for communities, and security in retirement.
A boost for first-home buyers
We are providing a boost for tens of thousands more first-home buyers through the introduction of KiwiSaver HomeStart which replaces the KiwiSaver first home deposit subsidy scheme.
The changes are projected to help about 90,000 first home buyers achieve their dream of home ownership over the next five years.
That is an increase of 40,000 compared to the current programmes.
This new policy will see the KiwiSaver first home deposit subsidy renamed KiwiSaver HomeStart.
In the new package, first home buyers will be able to access double the current grant allowing an eligible couple up to a maximum of $20,000 towards their deposit for a newly-built home in addition to their savings.
Price thresholds across the country will be adjusted to better reflect current market prices and KiwiSaver will be changed to allow the member tax credit to be withdrawn for a deposit.
In addition the Welcome Home Loans mortgage insurance scheme, house price thresholds will be aligned to KiwiSaver HomeStart, giving first home buyers the opportunity to secure a mortgage with a minimum 10 per cent deposit.
POLICY HIGHLIGHTS
Continue to focus on increasing the supply of residential land where areas face housing affordability issues.
Increase assistance for tens of thousands of first home buyers by introducing Kiwisaver HomeStart grants, and allowing access to KiwiSaver member tax credits.
Continue support for Canterbury residents with severely damaged homes by providing extra temporary accommodation while housing levels in Christchurch are restored to pre-quake levels.
Insulate 46,000 more homes, targeting low-income households with high health needs in addition to the more than 250,000-plus homes already insulated.
NATIONAL HAS...
ADDRESSED HOUSING SUPPLY AND AFFORDABILITY
Commissioned a Productivity Commission Inquiry into Housing Affordability, which reported in 2012.
We have been progressively implementing its recommendations since then.
Worked to increase housing land supply by passing the Housing Accords and Special Housing Areas legislation to fast-track residential development in areas where housing affordable is an issue.
Signed a Housing Accord with Auckland Council to deliver 39,000 homes and sections over the next three years.
Signed a Housing Accord with Christchurch to address the challenging housing pressures in the city, particularly in social and affordable housing.
Signed a Housing Accord with Wellington to deliver 7,000 homes and sections over the next three years,
Signed accords with Western Bay of Plenty and Tauranga councils and agreed, subject to council ratification, an accord with Queenstown.
Passed legislation limiting the infrastructure costs councils can include when setting development contributions.
Passed legislation suspending tariffs on building products and removing antidumping duties to increase competition.
Carefully managed the Government’s finances to keep interest rates lower for longer.
Assisted the construction sector to become more productive
by expanding the Apprenticeship Reboot to a total of 20,000 places
and reducing compliance costs.
Reformed the Resource Management Act to reduce unnecessary costs and red tape
and free up residential land.
MADE HOMES WARMER, DRIER, AND HEALTHIER
Completed our $347 million Warm Up New Zealand: Heat Smart scheme to provide insulation and/or clean heating to.
Launched a new programme to insulate an additional 46,000 homes - called Warm Up New Zealand: Healthy Homes.
This programme targets low-income households with high health needs.
HELPED FIRST HOME BUYERS
Doubled the number of people able to access the KiwiSaver first home deposit subsidy by increasing house price and income thresholds, and trebling the number of Welcome Home Loans from 845 to 2,500.
Gave first home buyers preference in buying surplus Housing New Zealand homes in provincial areas, including gifting a 10 per cent deposit.
SUPPORTED HOUSING NEEDS IN CANTERBURY
Established the Canterbury Temporary Accommodation Service that helped 3,500 people to find suitable accommodation, as well as provided $33 million to assist 2,300 people with the Temporary Accomodation Allowance.
Built four temporary accommodation villages at Linwood Park, Kaiapoi Domain, Rawhiti Domain and Rangers Park, and partnered with the private sector on providing temporary worker accommodation.
Enacted the Land Use Recovery Plan to fast-track more intensive housing developments
Signed a housing accord with Christchurch that will promote public private partnerships to build new homes on council and government owned land.
The first two projects will deliver around 500 new homes for sale and rent.
The accord aims to address the challenging housing pressures in the city, particularly in social and affordable housing.
OUR RESULTS SO FAR
BOOSTED HOUSING SUPPLY
Through our Housing Accord with Auckland Council we have designated 63 Special Housing Areas.
These areas will provide 33,000 new residential sections and developments, and we are well on track to meet the target of 39,000.
Accords have also been signed with Wellington, Christchurch, Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty councils and we have agreed, subject to council ratification, an accord with Queenstown.
We have continued the development of Hobsonville, which has to date delivered around 500 new homes,
of which over 20 per cent are within a price range considered to be at the more affordable end of the market.
KEPT INTEREST RATES LOWER FOR LONGER
We have kept interest rates lower for longer
through responsible management of the  Government's finances.
INSULATED MORE HOMES
Over 250,000 homes are warmer, drier, and healthier due to our Warm Up New Zealand: Heat Smart programme and other government grant schemes.
We extended the successful Warm Up New Zealand: Heat Smart programme in Budget 2013 to insulate an additional 46,000 homes through Warm Up New Zealand: Healthy Homes
– a scheme which targets low-income households with high health needs.
National's home insulation programme compares well with Labour, which managed just over 50,000 homes insulated during nine years in government.
WHAT WE WILL DO NEXT…
"NATIONAL VALUES HOME OWNERSHIP.
WE BACK YOUNG KIWIS WHO ARE DISCIPLINED, SAVE UP AND WANT TO PUT A DEPOSIT DOWN ON A HOUSE. “- PM John Key
1. BOOST SUPPORT FOR FIRST HOME BUYERS
Replace the KiwiSaver First Home Deposit Subsidy with a KiwiSaver HomeStart Grant, doubling the support for buying a new home and increasing the house price limits.
This new policy will see the KiwiSaver first home deposit subsidy renamed Kiwisaver HomeStart.
Under the new package, first home buyers will be able to access double the current grant allowing an eligible couple up to a maximum of $20,000 towards their deposit for a newly-built home, in addition to their savings.
Currently, first home buyers are eligible for a grant of $3000 after three years in KiwiSaver, $4000 after four years and $5000 after five years.
Under HomeStart, this grant will double to $6000 after three years, $8000 after four years and $10,000 after five years for the purchase of a newly-built home.
Enable larger KiwiSaver First Home Withdrawals by including the member's tax credit.
First home buyers will now be able to withdraw all of their KiwiSaver savings except the $1000 kick-start.
The changes to the KiwiSaver First Home Withdrawal in enabling access to the member's tax credit will increase the maximum withdrawal amount by $512 per year for each year a member has contributed.
The KiwiSaver First Home Withdrawal is limited to members buying a first home, who have been contributing for a minimum of three years.
Expand eligibility for Welcome Home Loans by aligning the house price limits with the new KiwiSaver HomeStart grant.
The house price limits for HomeStart and Welcome Home Loans will be $550,000 in Auckland, $450,000 in Wellington, Christchurch and other similarly priced housing markets, and $350,000 for the rest of the country.
MORE INFORMATION
The KiwiSaver HomeStart Grant and Welcome Home Loans have additional criteria of people having an income below $80,000 for an individual and $120,000 for a couple, and the house being purchased must be below the regional house price limits.
This new package will help an estimated 90,000 lower and middle income first home buyers over the next five years.
It will ensure more New Zealanders are able to attain the dream of owning their own home,
giving families greater security
and building stronger communities
The focus of this package is to increase the supply of new housing
and to encourage housing companies to build homes in a price range affordable for first home buyers.
This new package extends the help for all first home buyers who are in KiwiSaver although the amount of extra help depends on the amount they earn, the number of years they have contributed, and whether the house they are buying is new and whether it is within the regional house price caps.
The support is targeted to people on modest incomes buying modest homes.
This is the most significant Government support for first home buyers in more than a generation and will come into effect on 1 April 2015.
HomeStart will cost an additional $218 million over the next five years.
2. BOOST HOUSING SUPPLY
Boost housing supply in areas where affordability is an issue.
Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty councils and agreed, subject to council ratification, an accord with Queenstown
The accords provide for special housing areas to be established that will allow fast-tracked development of new housing.
In Christchurch the particular focus is on boosting supply of social and affordable housing.
The Auckland accord provides for Auckland Council to deliver 39,000 homes and sections over the next three years.
The Wellington accord is intended to deliver 7,000 homes and sections over the next three years.
National will continue reforming the Resource Management Act to cut red tape
and free up more residential land for future development,
including new guidance to councils through the introduction of national templates
that will reduce unnecessary building costs.
3. CONTINUE INSULATING HOMES
Continue to target those most in need through the Warm Up New Zealand: Healthy Homes scheme.
What we learnt from the first programme - Warm Up New Zealand: Heat Smart - is that people on low incomes with higher health risks benefit the most from insulating their homes.
An independent evaluation showed the benefits from insulation average $850 per year for a Community Services Card holder, compared to only $330 per year for non-card holders.
The new programme, Warm Up New Zealand: Healthy Homes, was announced in Budget 2013 and will insulate 46,000 low income homes at no cost thanks to funding from Government, as well as community third party funding.
DON'T PUT IT ALL AT RISK
Labour and Greens would:Push up interest rates.
Labour intends to increase wasteful government spending, putting pressure on interest rates and mortgage rates.
Labour’s irresponsible economic management when last in government, particularly their very large spending increases, saw interest rates spiral towards 11 per cent, hurting homeowners.
Introduce a Capital Gains Tax on residential properties.
This will simply increase rents for our most vulnerable
and adversely impact the traditional retirement investment of ordinary kiwis
Undertake a large government house building project that would create huge risk and massive cost to taxpayers and crowd out the private sector.
Private sector builders and tradespeople are much better at building houses than governments.
Promise to do something about house prices when their recent track record is the opposite.
Under the last Labour government, the median house price went up 96 per cent, compared to only 23 per cent under National.
COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
TRANSFORMING NEW ZEALAND'S FUTURE
The ICT sector is one of the fastest-growing in our economy and offers incredible opportunities for New Zealanders in the way we interact and do business, at home and across the world.
We are seeing whole new industries grow, such as cloud computing, data analytics and mobile applications,
and we are seeing ICT transform almost every area of our lives.
National is encouraging the growth of the ICT industry.
The foundations for a strong ICT sector are infrastructure, innovation, skills
and access to capital and international markets.
National is backing the ICT sector across all of these areas through our Business Growth Agenda.
We are building broadband infrastructure to transform New Zealand's future.
We are making sure our broadband speeds are up there with the fastest in the world.
This allows our children to have access to world-class educational resources, no matter where they live.
It gives all New Zealanders the ability to reach out to our leading healthcare experts, and it means our businesses can sell to the world with ease.
Our original goal was to see 75 per cent of the population have access to Ultra-Fast Broadband by 2019.
With the rollout ahead of schedule, National will now extend UFB to 80 per cent of the population.
Our geography and low population density make this the most ambitious fibre rollout in the world.
National wants to make sure smaller New Zealand towns don't miss out and we are investing $450 million to enhance and extend broadband and mobile connectivity.
Of that $450 million, $300 million is being invested in the first phase of the Rural Broadband Initiative, and $150 million in the second phase of upgrading rural connectivity and the creation of a Mobile Black Spot Fund.
National is backing the training of more ICT specialists,
funding more of our innovative ICT start-ups
and helping our growing ICT businesses export to the world.
POLICY HIGHLIGHTS
Supported ICT through one of New Zealand's largest infrastructure projects, which will deliver faster broadband to 97.8 per cent of New Zealanders, with over 75 per cent able to access Ultra-Fast Broadband over fibre.
Expand world-class connectivity by extending the Ultra-Fast Broadband programme from 75 per cent to 80 per cent of New Zealanders.
Invest in a $150 million extension to the Rural Broadband Initiative, through two contestable funds
Over 2,200 schools now have fibre installed and ready for service.
$28.6 million for three ICT graduate schools.
Opened up the 700MHz frequency for 4G mobile technologies, and ensured that 90 per cent of people will have access to 4G within five years.
Made it cheaper to roam on mobiles phone when travelling across the Tasman.
Reformed the way government procures and uses ICT,
and strengthened the mandate of the Government Chief Information Officer.
Provided 152 ICT companies with R&D grants from Callaghan Innovation.
NATIONAL IS...
GETTING NEW ZEALANDERS ONLINE AND CONNECTED
Rolling out the Ultra-Fast Broadband initiative ahead of schedule, so more than 500,000 homes, businesses, schools and health premises are now able to connect to the network.
Rolling out the rural broadband initiative, so nearly 250,000 rural homes businesses have access to faster, more reliable broadband.
Arranging free installations for over 99 per cent of homes within the Ultra-Fast Broadband area.
Quadrupled the number of Ultra-Fast Broadband connections within 12 months.
Allocated $64 million to be an anchor tenant on a second Trans-Pacific communications cable.
BEEFING UP COMMUNICATIONS A FOR REMOTE COMMUNITIES
Forty-one of the most remote rural schools now have access to broadband speeds of about 10 megabits per second, and will be able to connect to the Network for Learning.
Funding nearly $3 million of telecommunications infrastructure for the Chatham Islands to reduce reliance on more expensive satellite services.
Undertaken a review of the Telecommunications Service Obligations to ensure basic telecommunications services are available to all New Zealanders.
INVESTING IN ICT SKILLS TRAINING
Committing $28.6 million for three ICT graduate schools.
Increased the number of advanced-level ICT places at tertiary institutions by 19 per cent since 2010.
Providing research and development grants through Callaghan Innovation to employ around 330 new postgraduate and undergraduate students in some of New Zealand's top research facilities.
LEVERAGING OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR ICT SECTOR
Supporting local start-ups through $31.3 million of repayable grants made available to start-up companies in technology- focused incubators.
Enabling companies to raise capital through crowdfunding and peer-to-peer lending, making New Zealand one of the international leaders in this field.
Helping our entrepreneur-driven ICT companies become investment-ready through a $1 million accelerator programme.
Providing 152 ICT companies with R&D grants from the Callaghan Innovation Growth, Project, and Student grants.
TAKING ACTION ON CYBER SECURITY
Supported Cyber Security Awareness Week each year to ensure New Zealanders know how to keep themselves safe online.
Introduced a robust security regime for our network operators.
IMPROVING MOBILE CONNECTIVITY
Completed switching television from analogue to digital, freeing up the 4G spectrum to mobile operators and ensuring 90 per cent of New Zealanders will have access to 4G within five years.
Worked with Australia to cut mobile roaming rates when travelling between the two countries.
SUPPORTING NEW ZEALAND BUSINESSES
Overseeing the Government's five-point plan to encourage the education, health, business, community, and government sectors to make the best use of the internet.
Providing funding for digital enablement training to help local businesses get the most out of online technology and increased connectivity.
Supporting free trade agreements to ensure our companies can export to the world.
IMPROVING THE WAY GOVERNMENT USES AND PROCURES ICT
Reformed the way government procures and uses ICT,
and strengthened the all-of-government mandate of the Government Chief Information Officer.
Created two Better Public Services targets specifically focused on improving the way government interacts with the public.
Enabling New Zealanders to easily and securely prove their identity online
through the development of the award-winning RealMe service.
Launched an updated "Govt. nz" website to provide a one-stop-shop for government information and services.
IMPROVING 111 SERVICES
Reviewed the 111 service to ensure our emergency services are able to connect with the thousands of New Zealanders who call each year.
Directed the preparation of a business case for the development of a smartphone app that will allow emergency services to pinpoint the exact location of a 111 caller.
OUR RESULTS SO FAR
CONNECTIVITY
Over 500,000 end-users now can connect to Ultra-Fast Broadband.
The Ultra-Fast Broadband roll-out is about seven per cent ahead of schedule.
The project has delivered over 2,000 jobs,
and is estimated to deliver GDP growth stemming from the programme of $5.5 billion over 20 years, and $33 billion of economic benefits to New Zealand end-users of high-speed broadband applications.
Nearly 250,000 rural homes and businesses now either have access to fast wireless broadband with over 250 towers upgraded, or improved copper broadband services.
300 people with hearing impairments have taken up the Captel service, which provides closed captioning telephone calls.
0Retail service providers are beginning to use faster broadband to provide video content.
ICT SECTOR
The ICT sector is contributing five per cent of New Zealand's GDP.
There are four times as many ICT firms investing in R&D than the average for all sectors.
The sector has strong employment growth, with wages and salaries twice the New Zealand average.
New Zealand was ranked the best country in the world for spectrum management at the last Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.
GOVERNMENT ICT
Online services being offered from eight monitored agencies have increased from 29.9 per cent in 2012 to 42 per cent at the end of March 2014.
Since November 2012 over 220,000 people have chosen to renew their passport online - nearly a quarter of all passport applications.
WHAT WE WILL DO NEXT...
EXTEND ULTRA-FAST BROADBAND
Expand world-class connectivity by extending the Ultra-Fast Broadband programme from 75% to 80% of New Zealanders
Faster broadband is key to driving business productivity growth as well as improving outcomes in government, education, health, and the not-for-profit sector.
Our extended UFB programme will provide 80 per cent of New Zealanders with access to highspeed internet, so our country can benefit from the incredible opportunities that better connectivity can bring.
Our additional investment of between $152 and $210 million will bring fibre to an additional 200,000 New Zealanders.
The list of additional towns to receive fibre to the home, and the order of roll-out, will be determined following a competitive bid process, which will take into account the cost of deployment, strength of consumer demand, and regulatory and other assistance from local authorities.
Based on the methodology used for the original roll-out, this could see a number of towns be strong contenders for inclusion in the UFB extension, including: Te Puke, Motueka, Morrinsville, Kerikeri, Huntly, Thames, Matamta, Ōtaki, Kawerau, Waitara, Kaitaia, Picton, Foxton, Kaikohe, Marton, Te Kuiti, Katikati, Temuka, Waihi, Waipukurau, Warkworth, Carterton, Dargaville, Opotiki, Snells Beach, Te Aroha, Wairoa, Paeroa and Westport.
The extension to UFB will be paid for out of the Future Investment Fund, which was created to fund modern infrastructure, schools and hospitals.
PROVIDE A $150 MILLION BOOST TO RURAL BROADBAND
Invest $50 million towards a Mobile Black Spot Fund
Mobile phone coverage is an essential form of connectivity, and can be even more important in rural and remote New Zealand, where it has benefits for public safety as well as the ability to help grow productivity in our regions.
This fund will enable companies and communities to nominate their black spots and key tourist areas, and work together to make cases for funding.
Any companies receiving mobile black spot funding must offer colocation to other operators on reasonable commercial terms.
Criteria for selection will include the case made by the community and company involved, financial contribution, and importance of the site in New Zealand's overall mobile coverage network.
Invest $100 million to enable more rural New Zealanders to benefit from faster broadband
We are going to make funding available for communities to improve their connectivity with a $100 million contestable fund for extending fixed broadband connectivity to homes and businesses outside the UFB footprint.
Service providers, councils, and communities can make applications to the fund.
The fund is designed to be deliberately flexible in terms of technology to deliver better services.
This may include additional wireless broadband towers, upgrading cabinets to be VDSL or ADSL2 capable, building new cabinets in areas with very long lines which are currently incapable of receiving a broadband service, and adding extra ports in cabinets where customers are currently unable to get connections.
This extension will mean a greater number of rural New Zealanders will be able to improve their connectivity.
DON'T PUT IT ALL AT RISK
Labour: Has taken every opportunity to criticise and oppose Ultra-Fast Broadband and the Rural Broadband Initiative.
Was very slow at improving telecommunications in government, taking seven years to deliver any progress at all,
and failing over nine years to regulate mobile phone termination rates.
Would stall our momentum in ICT
and take us backwards with policies that promise review after review, but no action.
Has no plan and no vision for our Communications and Information Technology sectors.
IMMIGRATION
SEEKING THE RIGHT MIX OF SKILLS AND INVESTMENT
New Zealand's economic success is built on our openness to new ideas,
our welcoming of new people,
and making sure our businesses have access to new and emerging markets.
National is working to ensure that immigration continues to contribute to New Zealand's strong economic growth by providing the right mix of skills and investment.
National will set up job fairs for New Zealand employers in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane to recruit skilled Kiwis to contribute to New Zealand's economic growth.
Our stable and sensible immigration policy is helping to attract international capital and business know-how
that provides opportunities and creates jobs for New Zealanders.
Immigration recruits workers for important industries such as horticulture and viticulture, where there are labour shortages, and to maintain the pace of the Canterbury rebuild.
Immigration also underpins tourism and export education, our two biggest service export industries.
National has also overseen dramatic reductions in the number of people illegally over-staying in New Zealand, who take jobs away from law-abiding New Zealanders.
POLICY HIGHLIGHTS
Hold Australian Job Fairs to recruit expat Kiwis for jobs in New Zealand.
Net migration from New Zealand to Australia has reduced to nearly zero.
Continue to attract migrants with the right skills and capital to invest in New Zealand.
International student numbers are increasing, providing valuable investment in the export education industry.
The number of overstayers is reducing dramatically.
The Immigration Online service makes visa applications and processing quicker, easier and cheaper for New Zealand taxpayers.
NATIONAL IS...
TARGETING IMMIGRATION TO BENEFIT NEW ZEALAND
Attracting migrants with the skills and talent we need to grow the economy.
Attracting investment into New Zealand through the new Entrepreneur Work Visa and improved investor categories.
Attracting international students to study in New Zealand.
Immigration New Zealand is working with businesses and education providers to streamline visa processing for priority applicants.
The Canterbury Skills Shortage List is helping provide the necessary skills to support the rebuild of Christchurch.
ADDRESSING PEOPLE SMUGGLING
Providing authorities with the legal framework and other tools they need to manage a mass arrival of asylum seekers should one occur.
People smuggling is a regional issue that requires a regional solution, and New Zealand is increasingly being seen as a possible target by people smugglers operating in Asia.
PROVIDING BETTER REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT
Resettling the interpreters who supported our troops in Afghanistan before New Zealand's withdrawal.
Better outcomes for the 750 refugees we take each year, under the world-leading Refugee Resettlement Strategy.
OUR RESULTS SO FAR.
A lot more Kiwis are voting with their feet and staying in New Zealand, rather than going to Australia.
And more are coming home.
In late 2008, over 3,000 people a month in net terms were leaving for Australia.
Now, net migration to Australia is only 80 a month.
ATTRACTING SKILLS AND INVESTMENT
More than 4,000 overseas workers have been recruited to help in the construction industry for the Canterbury rebuild, including more than 1,000 carpenters and joiners.
In the last year New Zealand played host to nearly 2.8 million visitors, and total visitor spend was up 11 per cent to over $7 billion.
International student numbers increased 8 per cent in the first academic semester this year, which translates to a $100 million increase in value to the export education industry.
REDUCING THE NUMBER OF OVER-STAYERS
We have brought down the number of over-stayers by nearly 23 per cent since 2008,
while at the same time reducing the amount that is spent on enforcement.
IMPROVING IMMIGRATION NEW ZEALAND'S PERFORMANCE
National has dramatically improved the performance of Immigration New Zealand.
A 2014 customer survey showed 86 per cent were satisfied or very satisfied with the service they received, up significantly from 67 per cent in 2009.
WHAT WE WILL DO NEXT...
1. HOLD JOB FAIRS IN AUSTRALIA
Set up job fairs for New Zealand employers in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, to recruit skilled Kiwis to contribute to New Zealand's economic growth.
There is now a real need to boost the supply of skilled workers in many areas of the New Zealand economy,
and Kiwis returning from Australia will form part of the answer.
These areas include the construction trades, engineering, manufacturing and ICT.
Employers are telling us they are keen to participate in a concerted recruitment drive for skilled staff down the eastern seaboard of Australia, to complement our skills training efforts here in New Zealand.
More than 700,000 Kiwis currently live in Australia, while at the same time we have skilled labour shortages.
The unemployment rate in New Zealand is lower than in Australia, and wages rose faster here over the last year than they did across the Tasman.
2. CONTINUE TO STREAMLINE THE IMMIGRATION SYSTEM
Roll out the Immigration Online service, which will see all visa applications moved online.
This $80 million investment will result in a much easier process for applicants
and significant savings for the taxpayer.
3. SUPPORT TOURISM, EXPORT EDUCATION, BUSINESS LINKS AND INVESTMENT
Continue to look at ways to encourage high value tourism, international students, and business visitors to New Zealand through sensible immigration policies.
National is committed to forging closer economic and cultural ties with people around the world
Together with Australia, we are helping facilitate international visitors between our two countries enabling fans to visit both countries with only one visa.
4. IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR REFUGEES
Support refugees through resettlement and into jobs.
We're increasing funding for refugee support and will continue working to help more refugees into paid employment.
We have committed to funding the rebuild of the Māngere Refugee Resettlement Centre, where all quota refugees spend their first six weeks in New Zealand.
5. KEEP REDUCING OVER-STAYER NUMBERS AND COMBAT PEOPLE SMUGGLING
Continue to reduce the number of overstayers in New Zealand and work with regional partners to deter people- smuggling.
We are working smarter to reduce the number of would-be over-stayers arriving, while encouraging more people to leave voluntarily
- saving money on costly deportations.
National will also continue to work with our regional partners through the Bali Process and other means to deter, detect and disrupt potential people-smuggling operations.
DON'T PUT IT ALL AT RISK
Labour and the Greens would...Cut migration for the sake of politics,
even when that is against New Zealand’s best interests.
Labour doesn't know whether it's pro-migration or anti-migration and this changes every week depending on the audience.
LAW & ORDER: CORRECTIONS
PROTECTING THE PUBLIC; HOLDING CRIMINALS TO ACCOUNT
National is committed to a Corrections system that protects the public from criminals and holds them accountable for their actions.
We have tightened parole and sentencing laws, overhauled the probation service and are making use of new technology to monitor dangerous offenders in the community.
Since coming into office in 2008, National has halted the relentless growth in the number of prisoners inherited from Labour.
The prison population has now stabilised and is forecast to drop in the coming years.
Breaking the cycle of imprisonment and reoffending
National is also committed to breaking the cycle of imprisonment and re-offending.
Reducing re-offending is all about preventing future crime and creating fewer victims.
We know why offenders go on to commit more crime - they have serious drug and alcohol problems,
no job skills
and little education.
Two-thirds of prisoners have substance abuse problems and over 50 per cent of crime is committed by people under the influence of alcohol.
As many as 90 per cent of prisoners have difficulty reading and writing,
and 60 per cent were unemployed prior to their arrest.
To reduce re-offending, we need to get prisoners off drugs and alcohol,
put them into intensive rehabilitation programmes,
give them an education,
and provide them work skills so they can hold down a job.
Since coming into office in 2008, National has halted the relentless growth in the number of prisoners inherited from Labour.
POLICY HIGHLIGHTS
Achieved the lowest crime rate in 35 years.
Re-offending rates have fallen 12 per cent in the past three years.
Our approach to re-offending means around 2,300 fewer reconvictions each year, about 9,000 fewer victims, and now over 80 fewer offenders returning to prison every year.
Worked with Courts on a $27.8 million upgrade of the audiovisual link system between prisons and courts, which means better safety and security for the public, prison officers and court staff.
Put thousands of prisoners through drug and alcohol rehabilitation programmes.
NATIONAL IS...
STRENGTHENING DRUG & ALCOHOL TREATMENT
Significantly increased drug and alcohol treatment,
work training and education programmes in prisons and in the community
to reduce re-offending.
Expanded the number of specialist Drug Treatment Units in prisons from six to nine and increased the number of prisoners participating in them.
Introduced a mental health screening tool, which sees every male prisoner assessed for mental health issues on arrival at prison so they get the treatment they need.
IMPROVING EDUCATION AND JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Established an Independent Education Advisory Group to support a new education strategy for prisoners.
Introduced an education assessment for every prisoner entering prison to develop an individual learning and training plan.
Introduced three working prisons, where prisoners do a 40-hour week of work, rehabilitation, education, and employment training.
TOUGHENING SENTENCES FOR THE WORST OFFENDERS
Introduced maximum prison sentence with no parole for the worst serious violent offenders under the Three Strikes law.
Strengthened sentences for crimes against children and for membership in a criminal gang.
MODERNISING THE PRISON SYSTEM
Introduced private sector expertise into the prison environment through the contract management of Mt Eden Corrections Facility, exposing our prison service to new ideas and innovation.
Started construction of a new 960-bed prison in South Auckland to address a shortage of prison beds in the greater Auckland region.
Committed to upgrading our oldest prisons to improve safety and security,
and provide better facilities for prisoner rehabilitation and training.
IMPROVING SECURITY
Introduced GPS monitoring of high-risk offenders in the community and low-security prisoners working outside the prison perimeter.
Improved security by expanding the use of audio-visual technology between courts and prisons, allowing prisoners to attend their hearing from prison.
Passed laws to give Corrections greater powers to search for contraband.
Improved the safety of Corrections Officers by introducing pepper spray, batons, spit-hoods and stab-resistant vests to staff working in high-risk areas.
Trialing on-body cameras for staff working in high-risk areas as part of a pilot to improve staff safety.
OUR RESULTS SO FAR
MORE PRISONERS COMPLETING REHABILITATION & EDUCATION
3,700 prisoners had access to treatment for their addictions in 2013/14, up from just 234 in 2007/08.
The number of prisoners gaining qualifications increased by 830 per cent, up from 197 in 2008/9 to 1,833 in 2012/13.
FEWER ESCAPES
Escapes from prison are at record lows.
The amount of contraband getting into prisons has reduced.
The number of prisoners returning positive drug tests fell from 13.3 per cent in 2008 to 4.3 per cent in 2014 - at the lowest levels on record.
Mental healthcare in prisons is improving, with the number of self-harm threat to life incidents falling nearly 80 per cent since 2008.
LESS REOFFENDING
Re-offending rates have fallen 12 per cent in the past three years.
National has halted the relentless growth in prisoner numbers inherited from Labour, with the prison population now stabilised and forecast to drop in the coming years.
Total crime is down by 16 per cent and violent crime down by 11 per cent.
Total crime is now at its lowest rate in 35 years.
WHAT WE WILL DO NEXT...
1. MAKE EVERY PRISON A WORKING PRISON
Make every publicly managed prison a working prison by the end of 2017.
In a working prison, every eligible prisoner will have a structured timetable and be engaged for a minimum of 40 hours per week in rehabilitation and reintegration activities-education, employment and programmes - or constructive activity that supports reducing reoffending.
The majority of prisoners have poor education
and very limited work histories.
Working prisons provide prisoners with the skills they need to remain offence-free following release.
The activity at each prison would be tailored for the type of prisoner held at the site.
For example, maximum and high security prisoners would have a structured day of activity securely within the prison perimeter,
while lower security prisoners would have access to a wider range of work programmes, including outside the prison.
Working prisons can be established through a reprioritisation of resources.
National would not seek additional funding to roll out the next four working prisons in 2015.
A major work programme is already underway to improve rehabilitation and employment training infrastructure at older prisons.
2. SUPPORT DRUG & ALCOHOL REHABILITATION
Deliver after-care for prisoners who have undertaken a drug treatment programme in prison following their release
Two-thirds of prisoners have substance abuse issues and many receive intensive alcohol and drug addiction treatment in prison.
But many face challenges to remain substance-free following release from prison.
After-care will provide them with the support they need following release to keep off drugs and alcohol, and away from crime.
Prisoners who have attended a three- or six- month drug treatment unit programme will be required to attend a specialist after-care programme following release from prison, and while they are on parole or released on conditions.
Around 1,000 prisoners start a programme per year and about 75 per cent successfully complete it.
Currently these prisoners only receive an end-of-programme report, which includes recommendations on where they can gain support in the community following release (such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous).
Under this policy, these prisoners would be required to attend a Corrections-funded after-care programme following their release.
Corrections would require new funding to provide after-care for prisoners.
The costs are likely to be between $2 million and $6 million a year, based on similar Alcohol and Other Drugs initiatives.
3. FURTHER REDUCE REOFFENDING
Achieve our Better Public Services target of reducing re-offending by 25 per cent by 2017.
Achieving this target will result in 600 fewer re-imprisonments, 4,000 fewer re-convictions and 18,500 fewer victims a year.
Re-offending rates have already fallen 12 per cent in the past three years.
To achieve our goal, we will dramatically increase the number of rehabilitation programmes in both prisons and the community to give offenders the skills they need to turn away from a life of crime.
4. INTRODUCE ALCOHOL- MONITORING BRACELETS FOR HIGH-RISK OFFENDERS
Pass legislation to introduce alcohol- monitoring bracelets for high-risk offenders in the community.
Alcohol is a major driver of crime,
and this is another tool to increase public safety and reduce re-offending.
Ankle bracelets detect the presence of alcohol through the skin and will act as a deterrent to high-risk offenders to stop them from drinking, making it less likely they will commit more crimes.
5. LEGISLATE TO EXPAND EXTENDED SUPERVISION ORDERS
Pass legislation to expand the use of Extended Supervision Orders beyond child sex offenders to adult sex offenders and violent offenders, and make them renewable.
Extended Supervision Orders allow Corrections to apply for and monitor conditions of child sex offenders for up to ten years following an offender's release from prison.
New legislation will make these orders renewable and expand their use to a greater range of high- risk offenders to better protect the community.
6.  UPGRADE PRISONS
Complete an $81.3 million upgrade of New Zealand's oldest prisons.
National will complete upgrades of Invercargill, Whanganui, Tongariro-Rangipo, Waikeria and Rolleston Prisons to improve their safety and security,
and to provide better facilities for prisoner rehabilitation and training.
Rebuild Auckland Prison's maximum security wing to provide a secure, safe and modern facility,
which will deliver improved mental health services.
This facility will put staff safety first
and will include a mental health unit for prisoners with moderate to severe needs.
DON'T PUT IT ALL AT RISK
Labour and the Greens would: Return to a Corrections system where decisions are based on ideology and "state knows best" rather than focusing on what works and being open to new ideas and innovation.
Believe re-offending can be reduced by talking about rehabilitation and increasing the number of back office bureaucrats to write strategies rather than actually delivering programmes that work.
Re-introduce failed policies.
National inherited a Corrections system that was broken.
Our prisons were overflowing, prisoners were driven around in the back of vans, violent criminals were released on parole and the probation service was underresourced and failing.
LAW & ORDER: JUSTICE AND COURTS
KEEPING COMMUNITIES SAFER
When National came into Government in 2008, Labour had left the Justice system in a mess, and law and order in disarray.
Violent crime was rising,
the criminal justice system lacked accountability
and a focus on victims,
and the legal aid budget was blowing out.
Police were struggling to get on top of crime because they didn't have enough officers.
National has regained control over law and order
by focusing on crime prevention,
backing the Police,
improving the responsiveness of the Justice system
and putting victims first.
We have increased the penalty for breaching protection orders,
improved non-violence programmes for offenders,
established Children's Teams to reduce abuse and neglect,
and are training Probation Officers to work with family violence offenders.
National is focusing on the tough areas to assist the country's most vulnerable.
That hard work is paying off.
Over the past three years violent and youth crime levels have fallen dramatically, the crime rate is at a 35-year low, and public confidence in Police is at a record level.
National is committed to putting victims at the heart of our criminal justice system.
That's why we will increase support for victims to reduce re-victimisation by expanding the services of the Victims Centre, and appointing a Chief Victims Advisor to the Justice Minister.
New Zealand's courts have a proud reputation for fairness and impartiality, but courts also need to run on time.
While the quality of our justice system is well regarded, there is an urgent need to improve the transparency, speed and efficiency with which courts operate.
National is making major changes to court processes, to remove unnecessary delays and to ensure the way courts work reflects the 21st Century.
Over the past three years violent and youth crime levels have fallen dramatically, the crime rate is at a 35-year low, and public confidence in Police is at a record level.
POLICY HIGHLIGHTS
Achieved the lowest crime rate in 35 years.
Since the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act came into force in December 2009, the Police have obtained forfeiture orders for assets worth around $49 million, over 60 per cent of which are related to methamphetamine offences.
More parents are resolving their disputes outside of court only months after the Government's family justice reforms came into effect.
Reformed alcohol law to give communities a say on alcohol in their neighbourhoods.
Tightened laws around supplying alcohol to minors.
Tougher sentences for crimes against children, and for involvement in gangs.
Maximum jail sentences with no parole for the worst serious violent offenders under the Three Strikes Law.
NATIONAL IS...
GETTING AGENCIES WORKING EFFECTIVELY TOGETHER TO FIGHT CRIME
Brought together Justice sector agencies (Justice, Courts, Police, Corrections, Crown Law and Serious Fraud Office) to work together collaboratively with cross-sector Better Public Services targets, to reduce crime and re-offending.
SUPPORTING VICTIMS
Introduced a comprehensive set of initiatives to protect survivors of family violence.
Introduced the $50 Victims' Offender Levy, which has collected $17 million from offenders since the levy began in July 2010,
creating 13 new grants and services for victims of crime.
Increased funding and support to victims of crime through the expanded safe@home programme for women and families at high risk of serious injury or death from family violence;
grants to assist families of homicide victims;
and additional support for victims of sexual violence.
Increased funding for restorative justice programmes.
Reviewed and upgraded domestic violence programmes to make them more effective.
Increased the penalty for breaching Protection Orders from two to three years' imprisonment.
Passed the Victims of Crime Reform Bill to improve the rights and services for all victims, and provided for the introduction of a Victims Code to ensure victims are given information about their rights and the duties and responsibilities of government agencies.
Passed the Victims' Orders Against Violent Offenders Bill to create a new restraining order to protect victims of serious violent or sexual crimes from unwanted contact from their attackers.
Introduced the Harmful Digital Communications Bill to protect victims of cyber-bullying by providing a mechanism for removal of harmful content from websites,
making it an offence to send messages and post material online with intent to cause harm,
and creating a new offence of incitement to commit suicide even when a person does not attempt to take their own life - punishable by up to three years imprisonment.
CLAMPING DOWN ON CRIME
Passed the Bail Amendment Bill to tighten up on bail and introduced electronically monitored bail.
Increased penalties for child abuse and neglect from five to 10 years.
Made it an offence for an adult not to take reasonable steps to protect a child or vulnerable adult knowing they are at risk.
Strengthened the Crimes Act to make it an offence to stay silent when it is known that a child or adult is at risk of death.
Introduced the Public Safety (Public Protection Orders) Bill to better protect New Zealanders from the worst serious and violent offenders.
Introduced the Objectionable Publications and Indecency Legislation Bill to create tougher penalties for sexual abuse of children online,
and creating a new offence of indecent communication with a child by texting, online and verbal communication.
Increased the maximum penalty for breaching a protection order from two to three years’ imprisonment.
REFORMING ALCOHOL LAW; CONTINUING TO BE TOUGH ON P & OTHER DRUGS
Passed and implemented the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012, which introduced restrictions on the sale and supply of alcohol to curb alcohol harm.
Police report a drop in alcohol-related offences since the new laws took effect.
Confiscating criminal proceeds and using these through the Methamphetamine Action Plan to hit the drug trade and reduce harm from drugs.
Over $10 million has been used so far to fund initiatives to break the methamphetamine supply chain,
and expand alcohol and drug treatment programmes.
Piloting Alcohol and other Drug Courts in Auckland, offering defendants with severe substance abuse issues an opportunity for treatment before they are sentenced.
Brought in tougher penalties for serious and repeat drink drivers, and the ability for courts to order offenders to use alcohol interlocks.
BRINGING IN STRONGER BAIL LAWS
Extended the reverse burden of proof to more crimes through the Bail Amendment Bill.
Extended adult tests for bail to 17- to 19-year-olds if they have previously served prison time.
Introduced a power for judges to impose electronic monitoring when granting bail.
REFORMING THE PRIVACY ACT
Passed the Privacy (Information Sharing) Bill to facilitate improved information sharing between, and within, agencies delivering public services.
Amended the Privacy Act to allow the use and disclosure of personal information when there is a serious threat to health or safety.
IMPROVING OUR COURTS
Implemented Family Court reforms to encourage parties to family disputes involving children to reach agreement without resorting to formal court processes.
Brought increasing legal aid costs under control.
Implemented the Criminal Procedure Act changes to speed up and simplify criminal cases to deliver more timely justice to victims, defendants and the community.
Introduced the Judicature Modernisation Bill to streamline our Courts,
allow for more electronic court processes,
require written court judgments to be published online,
extend the District Court’s jurisdiction to $350,000,
establish a commercial list in the High Court
and require the Judiciary to publish information on outstanding judgments.
Improved security by expanding the use of video links between courts and prisons, allowing prisoners to attend their hearing from prison.
OUR RESULTS SO FAR
WE HAVE THE LOWEST CRIME RATE IN 35 YEARS
From June 2011 to March 2014:Total crime fell by 16 per cent, surpassing a 2017 target of 15 percent.
Youth crime is down by 30 per cent, surpassing a 2017 target of 25 per cent.
Reoffending is down by 12 per cent against a 2017 target of 25 per cent.
Violent crime is down by 11 per cent against a 2017 target of 20 per cent.
The number of children and young people being charged in court is the lowest in 20 years - down 45 per cent since the peak in 2007/08.
SPED UP THE COURTS PROCESS AND IMPROVED FINES COLLECTION
The number of criminal cases is down by 38 per cent since 2009, with 86,000 fewer new criminal cases each year.
Installed video links to prisons in 16 courts, saving time and the costs of transporting prisoners,
removing escape risk
and speeding up courts hearings.
In just four months, $4.6 million in unpaid fines were collected thanks to the introduction of Driver Licence Stop Orders.
PUT VICTIMS FIRST
More than 5,000 victims received support from the Victims’ Offender Levy in 2012/13.
BROUGHT THE LEGAL AID BUDGET UNDER CONTROL
From 2006/7 the cost of legal aid leapt by 13 per cent a year to $173 million in 2009/10, and was forecast to grow to over $220 million by 2013/14.
Under National the cost of legal aid has fallen to $144 million in 2013/14 - about $29 million less than in 2009/10.
WHAT WE WILL DO NEXT...
1. BUILD ON OUR SUCCESS IN REDUCING THE CRIME RATE TO A 35-YEAR LOW
Introduce a new Better Public Services target to reduce crime by 20 per cent by 2017.
From June 2011 to March 2014, total crime fell by 16 per cent, surpassing a 2017 target of 15 per cent.
We will build on that by introducing an ambitious target of reducing the total crime rate by 20 per cent from June 2011 to June 2017.
This will be challenging, but National has ensured law enforcement and justice agencies have the right capabilities to achieve the new target.
National backs the Police to do their job.
We are improving the responsiveness of the Justice system
and putting victims first,
and we are focusing on crime prevention.
We are making real changes to the Justice system.
We have increased the penalty for breaching protection orders,
improved non-violence programmes for offenders,
established Children's Teams to reduce abuse and neglect,
and are training Probation Officers to work with family violence offenders.
That hard work is paying off for New Zealanders.
2. DEVELOP A STRONGER RESPONSE TO FAMILY VIOLENCE
Strengthen efforts across Justice, Police, Corrections and Courts.
National will:Establish a Chief Victims Advisor to the Minister of Justice to advise on the needs and views of victims of crime.
Test an intensive case management service, which would provide specialist support for family violence victims at high risk of serious harm or death.
Establish a nationwide home safety service to help victims who want to leave a violent relationship.
Review the Domestic Violence Act 1995 to ensure the system keeps victims safe and holds offenders to account.
Explore the possibility of a conviction disclosure scheme which could allow people to ask whether their partner has a history of violence.
Introduce legislation to allow courts to stipulate GPS monitoring on high-risk family violence offenders.
Trial mobile safety alarms with GPS technology for victims so they can immediately notify police of an emergency, and their location.
Develop a comprehensive, long-term approach to break the cycle of family violence through changing attitudes and behaviours towards family violence,
and using early interventions for drug and alcohol addiction
3. CONTINUE TO BE TOUGH ON CRIME AND PUT VICTIMS FIRST
Take further legislative action to protect victims.
National will: Reform the Privacy Act to improve the management of privacy by agencies holding private information and improve processes for the Privacy Commissioner to deal with complaints.
Progress the Harmful Digital Communications Bill to address cyber-bullying.
Progress the Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Bill to strengthen New Zealand's financial system against serious crime
Progress the Parole Amendment Bill to reduce unnecessary parole hearings.
Introduce Public Protection Order Bill to protect New Zealanders from a small number of the worst serious violent offenders.
Progress the Objectionable Publications and Indecency Legislation Bill to increase penalties for child sexual abuse online.
4. INCREASE FUNDING FOR THE PRIVACY COMMISSIONER
Provide an additional $7 million to the Privacy Commissioner's funding.
This funding will allow better protection of New Zealanders' private information especially in the current technology-driven environment.
5. INVESTIGATE THE POTENTIAL FOR BETTER INFORMATION-SHARING BETWEEN AGENCIES
Investigate the potential for information sharing between the criminal and family courts and the Parole Board.
We would like to see if it is possible for the Parole Board to have more, relevant information when considering parole applications.
DON'T PUT IT ALL AT RISK
Labour and the Greens would: Be soft on crime.
During Labour's last term in government, violent crime skyrocketed, growing 47 per cent in the decade to 2008.
Under Labour, the criminal justice system lacked accountability
and a focus on victims,
and the legal aid budget was blowing out.
Police were struggling to get on top of crime because they didn't have enough officers, and there was a critical shortage of prison beds.
Offer no coherent strategy for delivering better support for victims of crime.
Under the previous Labour government, there was no improvement in services for victims.
National has continually improved victim support services
and is committed to further improving the rights of victims.
Seriously damage our criminal justice system by introducing an inquisitorial system for sexual violence offences in our courts.
Offer no commitment to modernising our courts.
Under Labour our courts became increasingly sluggish and inefficient.
Legal Aid costs were out of control.
National has a plan for modernising our justice system to make it accessible for the users, transparent and efficient.
LAW & ORDER: SAFER COMMUNITIES-POLICING
LESS CRIME, SAFER STREETS
National is protecting our communities with a relentless focus on crime prevention, a speedier Justice system, and by putting victims first.
New Zealanders are benefiting from the lowest crime rate in 35 years.
Violent and youth crime levels have fallen dramatically and public confidence in Police officers is at a record high.
National has shifted the focus of Police from just reacting to crime to preventing it occurring in the first place.
With 600 extra officers on the frontline and a huge surge in the number of foot patrols, Police are now more visible in our communities and have the resources so they are better placed to prevent crime before it occurs.
We have disrupted organised crime and the illegal methamphetamine trade.
We've toughened prison sentences for gang members,
stopped the worst repeat violent criminals being released on parole
and have nearly halved the number of street-racing offences since new laws took effect in 2009.
National has also reformed alcohol law to give communities a say on alcohol in their neighbourhoods,
and tightened laws around the supply of alcohol to minors and the display and promotion of alcohol.
Serious and repeat drink drivers now face tougher penalties, and the courts have the ability to order offenders to use alcohol interlocks.
National has strengthened safeguards for our most vulnerable, with more intensive support for victims of crime,
and stronger child protection measures.
We will continue to confront violent and sexual abuse of children, family violence, and the dysfunctional cycle of misery and deprivation caused by gangs, in order to build on our strong record of crime reduction and the safety of New Zealanders in their homes and communities.
POLICY HIGHLIGHTS
Achieved the lowest crime rate in 35 years.
600 extra Police officers on the frontline.
Introduced 34 Neighbourhood Policing Teams to ensure a dedicated and strong Police presence in New Zealand's most vulnerable communities.
Overseen a 155 per cent increase in the number of Police foot patrols in the two years to 2013.
Rolled out smartphones and tablets to 6,500 officers to save more than 500,000 Police hours every year - equivalent to about 354 extra Police officers.
Opened 16 new Police stations since 2009.
Introduced Police Safety Orders to prevent domestic violence and protect families.
Nearly 40,000 of these orders have been issued since July 2010.
Continued to make life tough for those involved in the P trade, and distributed over $10 million to fund anti-P initiatives through the Criminal Proceeds Recovery Act.
Passed laws making it harder for illegal street racers to disrupt neighbourhoods.
NATIONAL IS...
PUTTING MORE POLICE ON THE FRONTLINE
Funded the recruitment of 600 extra Police officers and placed 300 on the beat in Counties-Manukau.
Freed frontline officers from paperwork by providing smartphones and tablets, allowing more time on the beat and delivering over 500,000 extra frontline hours a year - equivalent to 354 extra officers.
GIVING POLICE MORE CRIME- FIGHTING TOOLS
Used money and assets seized from criminals to fund crime-fighting initiatives, like 10 extra investigators to work on organised crime syndicates and drugs cases, and software to help Police extract and recover data from devices held under warrant.
Funded the placement of a Police attache in China so they can work with Chinese enforcement agencies to identify criminals responsible for trafficking illicit drug and precursor chemicals into New Zealand.
Given Police a wide range of options, like pre-charge warnings, so they can deal more effectively with low-level offending
while still holding offenders to account.
MAKING SENTENCES AND PAROLE TOUGHER
Introduced maximum jail sentence with no parole for the worst serious violent offenders under the Three Strikes Law.
Toughened sentences for crimes against children.
It's now a crime to stay silent if you know a child or vulnerable adult is at risk.
Toughened sentences for involvement in gangs.
Brought in 24-hour GPS monitoring for highest-risk and child sex offenders out on release in the community.
REFORMING ALCOHOL LAW; TACKLING P & OTHER DRUGS
Passed and implemented the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012.
This restricts the sale and supply of alcohol to curb alcohol harm.
Police report a drop in alcohol-related offences since the changes.
Criminal proceeds have been confiscated and used through the Methamphetamine Action Plan to hit the drug trade and reduce harm from drugs.
Alcohol and Other Drug Courts are being piloted in Auckland, offering defendants with severe substance abuse issues an opportunity for treatment before they are sentenced.
Brought in tougher penalties for serious and repeat drink drivers, and the ability for courts to order offenders to use alcohol interlocks.
OUR RESULTS SO FAR...
MORE POLICE ON THE BEAT
The number of Police foot patrols has increased from by 155 per cent from 2011 to 2013.
LESS REOFFENDING
Since 2008, there has been:3,700 prisoners having access to treatment for their addictions in 2013/14, up from just 234 in 2007/08
A 155 per cent increase in the number of prisoners starting literacy and numeracy programmes.
An 830 per cent jump in the number of prisoners gaining qualifications.
Re-offending has reduced by 12 per cent in the past three years, meaning every year there are now around 2,300 fewer offenders, about 9,000 fewer victims and over 80 fewer offenders returning to prison.
THE CRIME RATE IS DOWN
From June 2011 to March 2014:Total crime fell 16 per cent, surpassing our 2017 target of 15 per cent.
Reoffending is down 12 per cent against a 2017 target of 25 per cent.
Violent crime is down 11 per cent against a 2017 target of 20 per cent.
The crime rate is now at a 35-year low.
FEWER YOUNG PEOPLE BECOMING INVOLVED IN CRIME
The new Youth Crime Action Plan was released in October 2013.
Youth crime is down by 30 per cent, surpassing a 2017 target of 25 per cent.
The number of children and young people being charged in court is the lowest in 20 years - down 45 per cent since the peak in 2007/08.
CRIME PROCEEDS ARE BEING SEIZED AND USED FOR GOOD
Since the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act came into force in December 2009, the Police have obtained forfeiture orders for assets worth around $49 million, 60 per cent of which are related to methamphetamine offences.
Over $10 million in criminal proceeds have been used to target the drug trade and help those affected by it get treatment.
Initiatives funded include $1.8 million to double existing support for mothers of young children, and pregnant women, who have alcohol and drug issues;
$300,000 to help offenders with alcohol or drug issues reintegrate into their communities;
and $490,000 to help Police crackdown on cannabis growers.
LESS BOY-RACING
The number of illegal street-racing offences has reduced by nearly 50 per cent since introducing new laws in 2009.
WHAT WE WILL DO NEXT.
1.CRACK DOWN ON GANGS
Create a multi-agency Gang Intelligence Centre to combine intelligence on realtime gang activity and support, investigation, prevention, and enforcement.
Support families and members to turn away from the gang lifestyle.
Establish two multi-agency Dedicated Enforcement Taskforces to target drug trafficking networks and disrupt new gangs trying to enter New Zealand, and to strengthen asset recovery efforts.
Allow courts to require 24-hour GPS monitoring of high-risk gang members out of prison.
Explore measures such as Firearm Prohibition Orders and drug detector dogs at domestic ports and terminals.
2. ADDRESS FAMILY VIOLENCE
Establish a Chief Victims Advisor to advise the government on the needs and views of victims.
Test intensive case management to provide specialist support for family violence victims at high risk of serious harm or death.
Establish a nationwide home safety service to help victims who want to leave a violent relationship.
Review the Domestic Violence Act to ensure the system keeps victims safe and holds offenders to account.
Explore the possibility of conviction disclosure which could allow people to ask whether their partner has a history of violence.
3. CONTINUE TO PUT VICTIMS FIRST
Introduce 'non-contact orders' to reduce the risk of unwanted contact between offenders and victims.
Support more victims with the Victims' Offender Levy.
Modernise courts to speed up trial processes and reduce unnecessary parole hearings to minimise stress for victims and witnesses.
Develop a Victims Code.
4. TARGET HIGH-RISK OFFENDERS
Continue 24-hour GPS monitoring for the highest risk offenders out on release in the community.
Allow the High Court to order that the highest-risk offenders stay behind bars with Public Protection Orders.
Introduce a Child Protection Offender Register to help Police and Corrections reduce the risk of harm to children.
5. CONFRONT CYBER-BULLIES
Tackle cyber bullying and its devastating impact with new measures including a civil enforcement regime, a new agency, and new offences.
DON'T PUT IT ALL AT RISK
Under the previous Labour government, crime was rising, public confidence in Police was falling and staff engagement had hit rock bottom.
Labour and the Greens would: Tie Police up in paperwork and bureaucracy and prevent them being out on the streets stopping crime.
Not back our Police.
They think talking about crime prevents it
and make excuses for offenders,
believing their rights are more important than the rights of genuine victims.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
WORKING WITH COMMUNITIES
National is working with local government to bring about positive change in New Zealand's cities and regions.
We will continue to work constructively and in about positive reforms to focus, not only on the powers of local government,
but on the way they deliver services to New Zealanders.
National will focus on the interests of ratepayers and communities.
We will continue to make local government more accountable for the decisions it makes, and provide better and more easily understood information to the public, so they can make informed decisions.
POLICY HIGHLIGHTS
National is creating the Rules Reduction Taskforce in partnership with local government to work closely with the public to weed out pedantic and unnecessary rules that frustrate property owners and councils.
Rolling out Ultra-Fast Broadband to a further 200,000 New Zealanders; and investing in a $150 million extension to the Rural Broadband Initiative, through two contestable funds.
National will continue to undertake comprehensive Resource Management Act reforms,
and provide greater national direction.
National will consult the public on the future of Environment Canterbury,
and will propose a range of options from a return to full elections,
to a mixed model of elected and appointed members.
NATIONAL IS...
REDUCING BUREAUCRACY & RED TAPE
Setting out to reduce bureaucracy and red tape in local government
to make life easier for ratepayers
Establishing the Rules Reduction Taskforce in partnership with local government toweed out pedantic and unnecessary rules that frustrate property owners and councils alike.
Made consultation procedures in the Local Government Act more flexible.
Removed duplication between annual plans and long-term plans, so councils don't need to waste time restating information that is already public
ENSURING BETTER VALUE FOR RATES MONEY
Making sure rate-payers are receiving the right information about a council's finances.
Requiring councils to provide transparent information about their financial pperformance
Comparing councils' finances against benchmarks for affordable and sustainable spending
Requiring councils to disclose additional information about their rating bases and long-term asset management.
ADDRESSING HOUSING SUPPLY & AFFORDABILITY
Working to increase housing land supply by passing the Housing Accords and Special Housing Areas legislation last year to fast- track residential development in areas where housing affordability is an issue.
Signed a Housing Accord with Auckland Council to deliver 39,000 homes and sections over the next three years.
Signed a Housing Accord with Christchurch to address the challenging housing pressures in the city, particularly in social and affordable housing.
Signed a Housing Accord with Wellington to deliver 7,000 homes and sections over the next three years.
Signed accords with Western Bay of Plenty and Tauranga councils; and agreeing, subject to council ratification, an accord with Qeenstown.
Limiting what councils can charge development contributions for, so new home builders are not funding local amenities,
and ratepayers have more say in what their rates are spent on.
Tasking the Productivity Commission to investigate ways to improve the means by which local authorities regulate
to make land available for housing.
REDUCING DELAYS AND COSTS OF RESOURCE MANAGEMENT DECISIONS
Improving resource management decisions by streamlining and simplifying the Resource Management Act.
Introduced legislation to ensure council decisions on medium-sized projects are made within six months.
Required an assessment of the opportunities for providing or reducing economic growth and employment that councils must undertake
before putting in rules that restrict the way we use our land and resources.
Set up a streamlined process for the Auckland Unitary Plan to enable an efficient plan process.
Prevented rules that required resource consents to trim trees –particularly prevalent in Auckland.
Removed frivolous, vexatious, and anticompetitive objections that can add thousands of dollars to consent applications.
LETTING REGIONS DECIDE THE FUTURE OF THEIR LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Changed the legislation to simplify the process for re-organisation of local councils, leaving it up to local people to determine how they want their local authorities organized.
Decisions are solely up to regions, and there is no intention of imposing amalgamation on any specific region.
SUPPORTING CHRISTCHURCH AND CANTERBURY
Installed a Crown Manager to overhaul building consent processes in Christchurch and ensure the rebuild is not held up by delayed consents.
Supporting the Christchurch City Council as it works through options to address financial pressures.
Significantly improved water management in Canterbury by appointing the Environment Canterbury Commissioners.
Working in partnership with local government to repair the region's infrastructure.
ADDRESSING EARTHQUAKE-PRONE BUILDINGS WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Engaged in a positive manner with local government throughout the progress of legislation in Parliament.
Engaged directly with mayors and Local Government New Zealand, and agreed to establish a ministerial-mayoral governance group, and a central government-local government officials working group.
WHAT WE WILL DO NEXT...
1. CONTINUE TO ENSURE BETTER VALUE FOR RATEPAYERS
-> Get the Rules Reduction Taskforce up and running.
A website will let people send in examples of will hear submissions from the public on areas ripe for change.
In partnership with local government, National will have the Rules Reduction Taskforce up and running by October 2014.
As well as central and local government experts, it will include specialists from the building and trades sectors.
2. ENABLE AND ENCOURAGE BETTER PARTICIPATION IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT
-> Consider the report of the Online Voting Working Party on local body elections.
We will consider the report of the Online Voting Working Party and examine carefully the associated costs, particalities, and most importantly the security, of online voting, along with other tools to increase voter participation and engagement.
3. CONSULT THE PUBLIC ON THE FUTURE OF ENVIRONMENT CANTERBURY
-> Seek the public's view on the next steps for Environment Canterbury.
We are committed to seeing elections happen,
but we do not want to lose the gains made by the ECan Commissioners.
The options we will propose range from a return to full elections,
to a mixed model of elected and appointed members.
4. CONTINUE TO INVEST IN TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE
-> Invest in important regional roading projects, and support public transport with subsidies and investment in new and upgraded infrastructure.
We are committed to continuing improvements to our transport infrastructure.
We have funded the electrification of rail in Auckland and Wellington, confirmed our support for the City Rail Link in Auckland,
and created a fund of $212 million for important regional roads, plus a contestable fund for regional roads of up to $90 million a year.
5. UNDERTAKE COMPREHENSIVE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ACT REFORMS
-> Improve resource management planning.
Require more upfront, clear decisions to be made in plans to reduce the need for consent-by consent-planning so communities can move ahead with certainty.
Introduce a national planning template to standardise planning documents,
while still allowing for specific local issues to be addressed through local content.
Ensure there is a single resource management plan per district or other agreed area to increase the accessibility of plans to the public without having to consult multiple documents.
Ensure faster resolution of Environment Court hearings through requiring compulsory pre-hearing mediation.
Improve Maori participation to specify clear requirements for councils to involve iwi/hapu in early stages of planning.
-> Provide greater national consistency and guidance.
Change sections 6 & 7 of the RMA to improve their relevance and balance in regard to broader social, environmental, and economic outcomes.
Improve the way National Policy Statements and National Environmental Standards are developed to ensure timely direction about emerging issues of national interest.
-> Improve efficiency and effectiveness of resource consenting.
Provide more proportionality to allow reductions in regulatory requirements for minor and less complex projects, to better reflect their scale and environmental impact.
Clarify rights and responsibilities for consents in terms of notifications and objections, and who is considered an affected party.
Incentivise a greater emphasis on plan making by not requiring consents where an activity has already been allowed through the planning process.
-> Improve council accountability.
Require councils to publish fixed fees for many consents and report on consent charges and costs.
Develop a performance expectation system to complement council monitoring requirements.
6. EXPAND WORLD-CLASS CONNECTIVITY BY EXTENDING ULTRA-FAST BROADBAND AND THE RURAL BROADBAND INITIATIVE
-> Invest between $152 and $210 million more to extend Ultra-Fast Broadband from 75 per cent to 80 per cent of New Zealanders, bringing fibre to an additional 200,000 people.
The final list of towns to receive fibre, and the order of roll-out, will be determined following a competitive bid process, which will take into account the cost of deployment, strength of consumer demand, and regulatory and other assistance from local authorities.
-> Invest $150 million to extend the Rural Broadband Initiative, through two contestable funds:
Invest $50 million in a Mobile Black Spot Fund.
The Mobile Black Spot Fund will help improve mobile connectivity in various areas around the country, particularly in rural areas and in key tourist areas.
This fund will enable companies and communities to nominate their black spots and key tourist areas, and work together to make cases for funding.
Invest $100 million to enable more rural New Zealanders to benefit from faster broadband.
We are going to make funding available for communities to improve their connectivity with a $100 million contestable fund for extending fixed broadband connectivity to homes and businesses outside the UFB footprint.
Service providers, councils, and communities can make applications to the fund.
7. BOOST THE HOUSING SUPPLY AND CONTINUE TO INSULATE HOMES
-> Ensure the housing supply is boosted in areas where affordability is an issue.
We have signed Housing Accords with Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty councils and agreed, subject to council ratification, an accord wih Queenstown.
The accords provide for special housing areas to be established that will allow fast-tracked development of new housing.
In Christchurch the particular focus is on boosting supply of social and affordable housing.
The Auckland accord provides for Auckland Council to deliver 39,000 homes and sections over the next three years.
The Wellington accord is intended to deliver 7,000 homes and sections over the next three years.
National will continue reforming the Resource Management Act to cut red tape
and free up more residential land for future development,
including new guidance to councils through the introduction of national templates
that will reduce unnecessary building costs.
-> Continue to target those most in need through the Warm Up New Zealand: Healthy Homes scheme.
National's first home insulation programme - Warm Up New Zealand: Heat Smart - showed people on low incomes with higher health risks benefit the most from insulating their homes.
An independent evaluation showed the benefits from insulation average $850 per year for a Community Services Card holder, compared to only $330 per year for non-card holders.
The new programme, Warm Up New Zealand: Healthy Homes, was announced in Budget 2013 and will insulate 46,000 low income homes at no cost thanks to funding from Government, as well as community third-party funding.
8. REBUILD CHRISTCHURCH
-> Continue to progress the rebuild of Christchurch.
We will continue public engagement on the future use of the Waimakariri red zone through the "Canvas" consultation programme.
On February 1 we will move CERA into the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC).
We will gradually wind down CERA's role as required, rather than have CERA close for business on a certain date.
We will review the CERA legislation, and remove any provisions that are not required for the long term recovery.
We will work with Christchurch City Council to review the shared costs of the rebuild, as already provided for in the cost-sharing agreement, by December 2014.
We will:Co-fund area-wide solutions for mass land movement on the Port Hills.
Continue working with the Crown Manager for building consents to ensure the City Council is re-accredited as a Building Consent Authority.
Support the City Council to ensure it has the clarity it needs to address its financial options.
Establish an advisory group of local councils and Ngai Tahu to seek their advice on any changes to CERA's functions and powers.
DON'T PUT IT ALL AT RISK
Labour and the Greens would:Increase taxes on regions, by allowing councils to hit New Zealanders with a regional fuel tax.
Return us to a local government sector burdened with spiralling debt, no accountability and unaffordable increases in rates, ultimately forcing up cost and inflation.
Continue to burden ratepayers with increased compliance and nanny state politics,
decrease housing affordability,
and decrease competitiveness and innovation for services.
MAORI AFFAIRS
SUPPORTING WHANAU TO SUCCEED
National is working hard to support whanau and communities.
Under National, more Maori students are doing better at school and in tertiary education.
We are also providing fees-free places for eligible teens at tertiary institutions and at trades and services academies,
so young Maori can gain practical qualifications that will set them up for a range of career options.
Our new Maori and Pasifika Trades Training Initiative is giving young Maori a clear and supported pathway into a trades career.
National is providing a mix of options, so no young person is left without a pathway to a career when they reach adulthood.
Our commitment to giving Maori children the best start in life is just as relevant in the health sector as in education.
Maori children are being immunised against childhood illnesses at a high rate.
Through National's sensible spending and sound economic management, we are able to expand free GP visits and prescriptions to all children aged 13 and under from 1 July 2015.
We are making significant progress in Treaty settlements.
Since National started settling Treaty claims in the 1990s, 67 deeds of settlement have been signed - 46 of these in the past six years.
Virtually all iwi willing and able to settle are engaged with the Crown, which is a huge achievement.
National will continue to encourage Maori enterprise through investing in skills, increasing financial literacy and savings, and working with Maori
to responsibly realise the economic potential of natural resources.
We will also improve the performance and productivity of Maori land, which has the potential to contribute around $8 billion to the economy and create around 4,000 jobs over the next 10 years.
We will do this by completing essential reforms to Te Ture Whenua Maori Act.
National will reform Te Ture Whenua Maori Act, strengthen Crown and iwi relationships, and support whanau to get ahead.
POLICY HIGHLIGHTS
Working with Maori to update Te Ture Whenua Maori Act to help unlock the potential of the 80 per cent of the 1.5 million hectares of Maori -owned land not being fully utilised.
Signed 46 Treaty of Waitangi Deeds of Settlement in six years.
Expanding free GP visits and prescriptions for all children aged 13 and under from 1 July 2015, benefiting around 90,000 Maori children.
Immunisation rates among Maori children are high,
and rates of educational achievement are rising.
NATIONAL IS...
SUPPORTING MAORI ENTERPRISE
Delivering $21.5 million in innovation and science funding in Budget 2014 to raise the productivity of Maori Iand,
increase export growth
and improve market positioning.
Investing $15 million in Budget 2014 into initiatives under the Maori Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan, including a Maori Innovation Fund and supporting Maori tourism.
Delivered the Maori Commercial Aquaculture Settlement
and supported the growth of the aquaculture industry.
Invested more than $35 million over the past five years in Maori land development and initiatives.
Reviewed the role of the Maori Land Court, with focus on development opportunities for Maori landowners.
PROGRESSING SETTLEMENT OF HISTORIC GRIEVANCES
Engaging with virtually all iwi willing and able to settle.
Settling claims four times faster than the previous Labour government.
BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH IWI
Set annual priorities with Iwi Chairs in various policy areas, including freshwater objectives and Maori educational achievement.
HELPING VULNERABLE WHANAU
Providing free doctors visits to all children under 13
Over 250,000 homes are warmer, drier and healthier due to our Warm Up New Zealand: Heat Smart programme and other government grand schemes.
Invested around $140 million in Whanau Ora to support whanau and families to take control and responsibility for their own lives.
Created three Whanau Ora commissioning agencies to deliver services to whanau – Te Pou Matakana, Te Putahitanga o Te Wai Pounamu and Pasifika Futures.
Investing $67 million to fight rheumatic fever
Maintaining universal subsidies for GP visits.
Investing $20 million in the Maori Health Innovation Fund.
IMPROVING SOCIAL HOUSING
Increasing the number of houses built on ancestral Maori land through Kainga Whenua infrastructure grants.
Developed a Maori Housing Strategy and establishing a Maori Housing Unit to look after housing needs for Maori
LIFTING MAORI EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES
Expanded 20 hours early childhood education to five-year-olds,
and extended it to kohanga reo and play centres.
Committed $92 million to early childhood education participation projects with community support, to make available an additional 3,500 places for Maori, Pacific and low-income families.
Providing an extra 150 places for initial teacher education in early childhood and Maori-medium schools.
Delivering National Standards in schools to ensure every child learns the basics in literacy and numeracy.
Introduced Nga Whanaketanga Rumaki Maori, Maori-medium National Standards, to improve literacy and numeracy and raise achievement among students in Maori language immersion classes.
Investing an extra $2.4 million to expand the “Reading Together” family-based literacy programme to more than 140 decile four and five schools, as well as all decile one, two and three schools.
Investing more than $31 million to accelerate Maori secondary school student achievement, under the new Building on Success programme, which extends the progress made through current Maori achievement programmes such as Te Kotahutanga, He Kakano and Starpath.
Working with iwi and iwi-based organisations to design and implement education solutions through a network of 62 Iwi Education Partnerships to raise Maori student achievement.
Supporting greater participation by Maori in the education, health and disability workforce through 30 new teacher scholarships and Hauora Maori scholarships.
Invested in 3,000 more fees-free places in Maori and Pasifika Trades training.
Expanded our Youth Guarantee scheme to 18- and 19-year-olds, giving more young adults the opportunity to achieve NCEA Levels 1 and 2
SUPPORTING MAORI CULTURE AND LANGUAGE
Funding Te Matatini, the National Maori Performing Art Committee
Supporting Maori broadcasting, including Maori TV, the Iwi Radio Network, and Te Mangai Paho.
Reformed the Waitangi National Trust Board and granted $5.75 million towards the development of a new museum and education centre at the Treaty Grounds.
Overseen the creation of Te Matawai, a new governance body for te reo Maori.
OUR RESULTS SO FAR
SETTLING HISTORICAL GRIEVANCES
• Completed 46 full and final Treaty of Waitangi settlements in just six years.
ROLLING OUT WHANAU ORA
• By the end of 2013, close to 2,000 families involved in Whanau Ora had whanau plans.
There were nearly 700 involved whanau in Auckland alone.
Another 550 were in Whangarei and the Far North, and nearly 300 in the Bay of Plenty region.
HEALTHIER WHANAU
• Raised the number of Maori children who are fully immunised to 87 per cent by March 2014.
• By the end of 2014, over 200,000 children will be able to get their sore throats checked and be provided with free medication, as part of our efforts to combat rheumatic fever.
MORE OPPORTUNITIES
• More Maori children in early childhood education - 93 per cent in 2013 compared with 88 per cent in 2008.
• The number of Maori 18-year-olds achieving NCEA Level 2 rose from 44 per cent in 2008 to 63 per cent in 2013.
• The Maori achievement rate for NCEA Level 2 or equivalent is improving
at a faster rate than the overall rate.
• The number of Maori students studying at a university rose by 10 per cent between 2008 and 2013.
OUR NEXT STEPS...
1. COMPLETE REFORM OF TE TURE WHENUA MAORI (MAORI LAND)
-> Improve the performance and productivity of Maori land.
Maori land has the potential to contriute around $8 billion to the economy and create around 4,000 jobs over the next 10 years.
National will complete reform of Te Ture Whenua Maori Acti 1993, ensuring Maori land can be governed effectively and profitably for all its owners.
We will work with Maori to update Te Ture Whenua Maori Act to help unlock the potential of the 80 per cent of the 1.5 million hectares of Maori-owned land not being fully utilised.
Eleven per cent of the North Island is governed by the legislation.
2. CONTINUE TO HELP MAORI GET AHEAD
-> Improve educational achievement.
National will invest a further $155.7 million over four years in early childhood education to help give all children a great start in life and target areas where participation is low.
We will continue to work towards our Better Public Services target of 98 per cent of all children starting school having participated in early childhood education by 2016.
We will invest $359 million in new teaching roles to lift student achievement and continue to aim for 85 per cent of all 18-year-olds having achieved NCEA Level 2 or an equivalent qualification by 2017.
We will implement Ka Hikitia – Accelerating Success 2013-17 to work with whanau on improving the way we respond to the educational needs of young Maori.
National will also continue to lift the proportion of 25- to 34-years-olds with a Level 4 or higher qualification
and the number of Maori students attending university.
We will invest $30 million over four years to increase the number of Maori and Pasifika Trades Training places from 3000 to 5000
and expand the scheme to include agricultural trades.
This will bring our total investment in the programme to $73 million.
We will assist Maori to leverage the benefits from new technology, and promote Maori language, culture, innovation and enterprise through the $30 million Maori ICT Fund.
This  will stimulate Maori participation across the ICT sector, as employees, entrepreneurs, managers, governors, owners and investors.
National will support Maori engagement with the roll-out of rural broadband, particularly to rural marae and schools.
3. STRENGTHEN CROWN AND IWI RELATIONSHIPS
-> National will continue to support constructive engagement between the Crown and iwi.
National recognises government is there to help local communities develop their own solutions.
We will continue to support communities and regions by assisting with co-ordination between iwi, local councils and government agencies and departments.
National will support the work of Te Matawai as an independent statutory entity to oversee the development of the Maori Language Strategy.
National will continue to work with Iwi Leaders to complete Freshwater and RMA reforms.
National will ensure Maori institutions are fit-for-purpose in the 21st Century and as we move forward into a post-settlement environment.
4. GET MORE PEOPLE INTO THEIR FIRST HOME
-> Provide extra help to tens of thousands more people looking to buy their first home.
National will introduce KiwiSaver Homestart, overhauling the KiwiSaver deposit subsidy scheme.
We will increase the deposit grants for those wanting to purchase a newly built first home, and raise the house price threshold across the country.
The changes include bigger grants for those wanting to buy a newly built first home.
People will also be able to withdraw their KiwiSaver member tax credit to put towards their deposit.
The policy changes are predicted to help around 90,000first home buyers over the next five years, 40,000 more than would be helped under current policy.
5. SUPPORT MAORI FAMILIES
-> Provide free GP visits and prescriptions for children under 13.
National brought in the policy of free GP visits for children under six, including free after-hours visits.
From July 2015, National will extend free doctors visits and prescriptions for children aged under six to all children under 13,
helping up to 90,000 more Maori children.
We will continue to combat rheumatic fever through a $67 million intervention programme, and improving housing.
-> Building on the success of Whanau Ora
National recognises the important role Whanau Ora plays in bringing together health and social services, and empowering the whanau as a whole rather than focusing separately on individual family members and their problems.
To support this work National is investing $180 million in Whanau Ora this year, and over the next three years, to enhance wrap-around, whanau-led services.
These will help to further increase the number of whanau achieving greater independence and improve health, education and employment options.
We will also establish a Whanau Ora Partnership Group to monitor achievement of agreed outcomes, targets and priorities, and identify policies, resources and initiatives that support and enable Whanau Ora to be successful.
DON'T PUT IT ALL AT RISK
Labour would:De-prioritise Treaty settlements.
Under the previous Labour government only 16 deeds of settlement were signed over nine years, despite a commitment to do better for iwi.
Under Labour, settlements would not have been completed until 2060, if at all.
Fail to reform Te Ture Whenua Act
and improve utilisation of Maori land.
Drive New Zealand's economy downwards through high taxation, low growth and anti-job policies.
Waste public money on backroom bureaucracy.
Roll back the welfare reforms, which have seen 15,000 fewer people on benefits in the last year.
MAORI ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
RAISING MAORI ECONOMIC ACHIEVEMENT
Maori are succeeding alongside a National Government that has charted a responsible course for New Zealand through the toughest of economic times.
As we move out of the Global Financial Crisis and into a period of growth and opportunity, Maori, like all New Zealanders, will see a tangible improvement in their opportunities and living standards
provided we keep with the economic plan that is working for New Zealand.
Maori face unique opportunities and challenges in maximising their economic potential.
That's why National is working with Maori to unlock the full potential of their land holdings with the most extensive reforms to Te Ture Whenua Maori Act in a century.
We're focused on lifting Maori educational achievement, with a 46 per cent increase in the number of Maori gaining tertiary qualifications since 2008,
so the next generation of Maori workers and businesspeople can flourish.
In Government, National is working with Maori businesses to help them innovate, export and grow.
Our unrelenting focus has seen 46 historic Treaty claims settled, giving a huge economic boost to iwi and hapu so they can drive the Maori economy in their area.
Growing the Maori economy isn't about hand-outs and platitudes.
It needs to be a genuine partnership to take advantage of opportunities and overcome obstacles, while embracing the unique place of Maori in the world and their way of approaching business.
That's what National is delivering for Maori.
POLICY HIGHLIGHTS
Working with Maori to update Te Ture Whenua Maori Act to help unlock the potential of the 80 per cent of the 1.5 million hectares of Maori-owned land not being fully utilised.
Developed the Maori Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan, He Kai Kei Aku Ringa, which provides a blueprint for a productive, innovative, and export- orientated Maori economy that will support better-paying jobs and higher living standards.
Providing an extra 150 places for initial teacher education in early childhood and Maori-medium schools.
Completed 46 Treaty of Waitangi settlements in six years.
Created a $30 million Maori ICT Development Fund to stimulate Maori participation across the ICT sector, as employees, entrepreneurs, managers, governors, owners and investors.
Created the Maori and Pasifika Trades Training Initiative, a unique collaboration between employers, trainers, iwi, and the community to give Maori and Pacific young people a seamless pathway into a trades career.
INCREASING VALUE FROM MAORI LAND
Working with Maori across New Zealand to update Te Ture Whenua Maori Act to help unlock the potential of the 80 per cent of the 1.5 million hectares of Maori-owned land not being fully utilized.
It´s estimated lifting productivity on 1.2 million hectares of Maori freehold landto average industry benchmarks could result in an additional $8 billion in gross output, and around 4,000 jobs for the primary sector.
In 2010, Maori held an estimated $10.6 billion in primary sector assets.
These assets are held in agriculture, horticulture, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture.
The increased progress made on completing historical Treaty settlements will also further increase the value of these assets.
Partnering with Maori to overcome some of the challenges of developing their primary sector assets.
These challenges include consolidating multiple owners, achieving economic scale and developing capability.
Working alongside regional stakeholders in Northland, such as the local and regional councils and the economic development agency, to deliver a broad study of the region's economic potential.
WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH IWI
Completing Treaty of Waitangi settlements, with 46 settlements in six years.
Set annual priorities with Iwi Chairs in various policy areas, including freshwater objectives and Maori educational achievement.
Consulting with iwi on key government policies like the government's freshwater and RMA reforms.
INVESTING IN MAORI EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT
Establishing Maori and Pasifika Trades Training, investing $43 million to assist young Maori and Pacific students to gain qualifications in their trade of choice.
Providing an extra 150 places for initial teacher education in early childhood and Maori-medium schools.
Delivered National Standards in schools to ensure every child learns the basics in literacy numeracy.
Introduced Nga Whanaketanga Rumaki Maori, Maori Medium National Standards, to improve literacy and numeracy and raise achievement among students in Maori language immersion classes.
Invested more than $31 million in our 'Building on Success' programme to draw together support to specifically target Maori success at school, including developing the way school leaders work with Maori communities and helping schools help young Maori to succeed.
Expanding our Youth Guarantee scheme to 18 and 19 year olds from 1 January 2014, giving more young people the opportunity to achieve NCEA Level 1 and 2.
Investing $18 million in Te Kotahitanga, a high-quality, better teaching practice programme practice targeting an additional 17 schools, 7,000 more Maori students and 900 teachers.
Establishing a Centre of Research Excellence focused on Maori research.
SUPPORTING MAORI ENTERPRISE
Implementing the Maori Economic Development Strategy Action Plan, He Kai Kei Aku Ringa, which provides a blueprint for a productive, innovative, and export-orientated Maori economy to support better paying jobs and higher living standards.
The plan provides a practical pathway to life Maori achievement and living standards and has both things we can do now to lift Maori performance
as well as longer-term “generational” changes, such as lifting educational achievement.
Investing $1 5 million in Budget 2014 into initiatives under the plan, including a new Maori Innovation Fund and supporting Maori tourism.
Appointed a Maori Economic Development Board to implement the recommendations of the plan.
SUPPORTING MAORI INNOVATION
Developed the Maori Innovation Fund to help Maori businesses build the capability, the knowledge and the skills to get the most out of their business
without compromising their unique way of operating.
Investing $8 million over four years to help with growing commercial experience and networks, to grow the Maori economy.
Created a $30 million Maori ICT Development Fund to stimulate Mairi participation across the ICT sector, as employees, enterpreneurs, managers, governors, owners and investors.
It will support enhanced use of ICT in Maori economic development through enabling better use of ICT and research and development.
Since 2009 Callaghan Innovation (and its predecessor organizations) has directly funded about $1.5 million of contracts with Maori- and iwi-controlled organisations, and is currently working to establish a Maori Advisory Board to guide and support Callaghan Innovation's Maori Innovation initiatives.
Investing $5 million over two years through the Vision Matauranga Capability Fund, in the science and innovation potential of Maori resources and knowledge.
$1.8 million has been confirmed for 13 successful projects, spread across a number of iwi, science and tertiary institutions.
GETTING ALL KIWIS, INCLUDING MAORI IN RURAL AREAS, CONNECTED
Rolling out the Ultra-Fast Broadband initiative ahead of schedule, so more than 500,000 homes, businesses, schools and health premises are now able to connect to the network.
Rolling out the Rural Broadband Initiative, so nearly 250,000 rural homes and businesses have access to faster, more reliable broadband.
Arranging free installations for over 99 per cent of homes within the Ultra-Fast Broadband area.
Quadrupled the number of Ultra-Fast Broadband connections within 12 months.
Forty-one of the most remote rural schools now have access to broadband speeds of about 10 megabits per second, and will be able to connect to the Network for Learning.
Funding nearly $3 million of telecommunications infrastructure for the Chatham Islands to reduce reliance on more expensive satellite services.
OUR RESULTS SO FAR
The proportion of Maori 18-year-olds with NCEA Level 2 has risen from 44 per cent in 2008 to over 63 per cent in 2013.
The number of Maori students studying at a university rose by 10 per cent between 2008 and 2013.
More Maori are getting bachelor's degrees, up by 62 per cent since 2008 (3,178 Maori completed bachelor's degrees in 2013, up by 62 per cent since 2008 (3,178 Maori completed bachelor´s degrees in 2013 , up from 1,961 in 2008)
More Maori are getting tertiary qualifications, up by 46 per cent since 2008 (31,835 Maori completed tertiary qualifications in 2013, up from 21,741 in 2008)
More young Maori are in work, training or education - up from 83.3 per cent in June 2010 to 87.5 per cent in June 2014.
Maori buiseness is thriving, with Maori authority-owned businesses growing their exports by 39 per cent since 2012, including a 147 per cent increase in exports to China.
WHAT WE WILL DO NEXT...
1. FURTHER RAISE MAORI EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES
Long-term economic success comes through education - that's why National is committed to helping young Maori succeed through education.
Boost Maori and Pasifika trades training.
We will invest $30 million over four years to increase the number of Maori and Pasifika Trades Training places from 3,000 to 5,000,
and expand the scheme to include agricultural trades,
getting more young people successfully through trades training and into apprenticeships and stable employment, while meeting the skills needs of regional employers.
This will take our total investment in this programme to $73 million.
Implement Ka Hikitia - Accelerating Success 2013-17.
We will work with whanau to improve the way we respond to the educational needs of young Maori.
Continue to work with schools to increase NCEA Level 2 achievement and help students into tertiary study, training or employment,
with a specific focus on ensuring Maori don't get left behind.
2. CONTINUE TO RESOLVE OUTSTANDING TREATY SETTLEMENTS
Resolve outstanding Treaty settlements.
Resolving Treaty settlements is a crucial element of Maori economic development.
Treaty settlements give iwi an important economic base, and a stake in the development of their region.
Under National, 46 Treaty settlements have been completed in just six years, compared with only 16 settlements in nine years under Labour.
In our next three years we'll keep up this momentum, so that by 2017 all willing iwi should have deeds of settlement.
3. REFORM OF TE TURE WHENUA MAORI ACT
Complete reform of Te Ture Whenua Maori Act 1993.
National will ensure Maori land can be governed effectively and profitably for all its owners.
We will work with Maori to update Te Ture Whenua Maori Act to help unlock the potential of the 80 per cent of the 1.5 million hectares of Maori-owned land not being fully utilised.
Eleven per cent of the North Island is governed by the legislation.
4. WORK WITH MAORI TO REALISE THE VALUE OF THEIR LAND
Improve the performance and productivity of Maori land.
Maori land has the potential to contribute around $8 billion to the economy and create around 4,000 jobs over the next 10 years.
In Government, we've taken a hands-on role in working with Maori to develop this potential.
Through the Ministry of Primary Industries, we've launched a programme to unlock the value of Maori land in Northland, partnering with the Omapere Rangihamama Trust to accelerate the transformation of 278 hectares of Maori-owned land from grazing to high-productivity diary farming.
We´re working with collectively owned Maori  kiwifruit orchards in the Bay of Plenty, Northland and Gisborne to lift their productivity and profitability.
We'll scale up the Ministry of Primary Industries' Maori agribusiness programme and partner with Maori enterprises to realise the potential of their land.
5. PARTNER WITH MAORI ENTERPRISE THROUGH THE MAORI INNOVATION FUND
Invest $8 million in a Maori innovation fund.
Post-settlement collectives often have sizeable financial portfolios but face challenges determining how best to invest and evaluate investment opportunities.
Due in part to the nature of the ownership structure, iwi and other Maori collectives face unique challenges in realising the economic potential of their asset base.
To assist Maori, over the next four years we´ll invest $8 million in a Maori Innovation Fund to help iwi and other Maori organisations.
Iwi and other Maori organisations will be encouraged to work with New Zealand Trade & Enterprise, Callaghan Innovation and other government agencies to lift innovation and exports, and grow the Maori economy.
6. ENCOURAGE MAORI PARTICIPATION IN ICT
Establish a $30 million Maori ICT development fund.
For a successful and innovative New Zealand economy it's important all New Zealanders have the opportunity to utilise emerging technologies.
National will establish a $30 million Maori ICT Development fund to support Maori economic development
by encouraging Maori participation across the ICT sector.
The fund will support enhanced use of ICT as an input into Maori economic development through enabling better use of existing ICT and through research and development.
DON'T PUT IT ALL AT RISK
Labour would: Slow down the Treaty settlement process
Treaty settlements empower iwi and haputo develop and support their communities.
At their 2008 pace Labour were averaging fewer than two settlements a year
National has completed 46 in six years.
Tax away Maori success
Iwi have shown they can make smart use of settlements to build their economic potential.
The five new taxes a Labour/Greens government is promising will reward this success by taxing it away.
Slow Maori growth
Labour has opposed or promiced to undo almost every aspect of National's dear economic plan for New Zealand.
Labour and their coalition would stall economic growth
and destroy jobs for all New Zealanders, including Maori.
PACIFIC AFFAIRS
SUPPORTING PACIFIC COMMUNITIES
National is working hard to support Pacific families and communities to succeed.
New Zealand's Pacific population is growing.
By 2026, it is projected that Pacific people will comprise 10 per cent of all New Zealanders, compared to 6.5 per cent in 2001.
Under National, there are more Pacific people in work than a year ago,
more students are doing better at school and in tertiary education
and more Pacific people are having elective surgery in our hospitals.
Education is the key to unlocking the success of Pacific people.
National is focused on more Pacific people attaining higher qualifications so that they can achieve their potential.
POLICY HIGHLIGHTS
Created 83,000 new jobs across the country in the past year.
18,000 were filled by Pacific people.
90 per cent of Pacific children are now starting school having participated in early childhood education - up from 84 per cent in 2008.
At secondary school level, 71 per cent of Pacific students left school with at least NCEA Level 2 last year - up from 51 per cent in 2008.
The number of Pacific students gaining tertiary qualifications has increased from 7,400 in 2008 to 12,700 last year.
Invested $43 million in the Maori and Pasifika Trades Training Initiative.
By 2015 there will be 3,000 fees free places.
Increased the number of Pacific people having elective surgery from 6,047 in 2008 to 7,463 in 2014, up 23 per cent.
SUPPORTING YOUNG PACIFIC NEW ZEALANDERS INTO WORK
Investing $43 million in the Maori and Pasifika Trades Training Initiative.
By 2015 there will be 3,000 fee free places.
Invested $1. 1 million into Pacific young people into jobs and training in Budget 2014.
Funding more Youth Guarantee places
- 15 per cent are filled by Pacific students.
Investing $148 million in wrap-around support services to support teens who are not in education, employment, or training.
Introduced the Starting-out Wage in 2013 to help more young New Zealanders get on the employment ladder.
Set up the Apprenticeship Reboot - we are on track to have 14,000 new apprentices starting training over the next five years.
SUPPORTING PACIFIC CULTURE IN NEW ZEALAND
Developed a Pacific Languages Framework guideline to focus on community-led initiatives and early childhood education participation-
Promoted seven Pacific language weeks.
These are Sampan, Cook Island, Tongan, Tuvaluan, Fijian, Niuean and Tokelauan.
Partnered with Pasifika Futures to provide Whanau Ora health and social services to Pacific communities.
INVESTING IN NEW ZEALAND'S FUTURE
Providing an extra $155.7 million to help early childhood education remain accessible and affordable, meet demand pressures, and lift participation towards our 98 per cent target.
We've nearly doubled funding for early childhood education.
Investing $359 million in new teaching roles to lift student achievement.
Maintaining interest-free student loans.
Combating rheumatic fever through interventions such as throat swabbing and improving housing.
Insulated more than 250,000 Kiwi homes as part of our Warm Up New Zealand: Heat Smart and the Warm Up New Zealand: Healthy Homes programmes.
Passed laws to prevent loan sharks from taking advantage of our most vulnerable people,
and boosted funding for budgeting services.
Connecting 75% of households, businesses, schools and health centres to the Ultra-Fast Broadband network by 2019, with 500,000 able to connect so far.
BUILDING A SAFER NEW ZEALAND
Achieved the lowest crime rate in 35 years.
Put 600 more Police on the front line around the country, including 300 in Counties Manukau.
Introduced 34 Neighbourhood Policing Teams to ensure a dedicated and strong Police presence in some of New Zealand's most vulnerable communities.
OUR RESULTS SO FAR
MORE JOBS
The economy is growing at 3.8 per cent - faster than most other developed countries.
Created 83,000 new jobs across the country in the past year.
18,000 were filled by Pacific people.
Overseen an increase in the average wage by $3,000 in the past two years.
The average wage is forecast to grow by around another $7,000 to $62,300 by 2018.
Unemployment is coming down.
It's currently sitting at 5.6 per cent, and it is predicted to fall to 4.5 per cent by mid-2018.
Encouraged 15,000 people off the benefit in the past year, including 8,600 sole parents.
Helped over 400 Pacific young people into employment and placed over 200 into training through the Pacific Employment Support Service.
FEWER BENEFICIARIES
Between December 2010 and June 2014, the number of Pacific people on a:Working age main benefit down 18%
Jobseeker benefit down 23%
Sole parents support benefit down 19%
HIGHER ACHIEVEMENT IN EDUCATION
Increased the number of Pacific children participating in early childhood education, from 84 per cent in 2008 to 90 per cent this year.
Encouraged more teaching staff who identify as Pacific into early childhood centres.
The rate has increased from 1,477 in 2008 to 1,920 in 2013, up 30 per cent.
Lifted the number of 18 year-old Pacific students to achieve at least NCEA Level 2 from 51 per cent in 2008 to 71 per cent in 2013.
Increased the number of Pacific students gaining tertiary qualifications from 7,422 in 2008 to 12,740 in 2013, an increase of 72 per cent.
Supported the number of Pacific students completing bachelor's degrees to increase from 980 in 2008 to 1,530 in 2013, a 56 per cent rise.
71% of 18-year-old Pacific students achieving NCEA Level 2 up from just 51% in 2008
94% of Pacifika 2-year-olds fully immunised up from just 63% in 2007.
HEALTHIER FAMILIES
Increased the number of Pacific people having elective surgery from 6,047 in 2008 to 7,463 in 2014, a rise of 23 per cent.
Around 313,000 Pacific New Zealanders - 75 per cent - have access to low cost GP visits.
Increased the number of people having heart and diabetes checks by 6 per cent - over a million checks were completed in the past five years.
Lifted immunisation rates, with 94 per cent of Pacific children now immunised by their second birthday, compared to just 63% per cent in 2007.
WHAT WE WILL DO NEXT...
1. GET MORE PEOPLE INTO THEIR FIRST HOME
-> Provide extra help to tens of thousands more people looking to buy their first home.
National will introduce KiwiSaver Homestart, which overhauls the KiwiSaver deposit subsidy scheme.
We will increase the deposit grants for those and raise house price threshold across the country.
The changes include bigger grants for those wanting to buy a newly-built first home.
People will also be able to withdraw their KiwiSaver member tax credit to put towards their deposit.
The policy changes are predicted to help around 90,000 first home buyers over the next five years, 40,000 more than would be helped under current policy.
2. SUPPORT PACIFIC COMMUNITITES
-> Fund Polyfest, New Zealand's largest Maori and Pacific Island cultural festival.
National will invest $200,000 over three years into the annual event.
This funding boost will help organisers mark the event's 40th anniversary in 2015.
-> Ensure the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs better connects with Pacific communities.
The ministry's priority is to achieve better outcomes for Pacific individuals, communities, and businesses.
This will be done by focusing on education, employment, leadership and Pacific languages and culture.
The aim is to further grow the economic and social contribution of Pacific communities in New Zealand.
To help achieve these goals, the Ministry is increasing its presence in Auckland, home of two-thirds of New Zealand's Pacific population.
3. CONTINUE TO HELP PACIFIC PEOPLE GET AHEAD
-> Raise participation in ECE
National will invest a further $155.7 million over four years in early childhood education to help give all children a great start in life and target areas where participation is low.
We will continue to work towards our Better Public Service target of 98 per cent of all children starting school having participated in ECE by 2016.
-> Lift achievement in schools.
We will invest $359 million in new teaching roles to lift student achievement and continue to aim for 85 per cent of all 18-year-olds having achieved NCEA Level 2 or an equivalent qualification by 2017.
-> Boost tertiary qualifications
National will also continue to lift the proportion of 25 to 34 year olds with a Level 4 or higher qualification and the number of Pacific students attending university.
We are committed to establishing 3,000 fees free places in the Maori and Pasifika Trades Training Initiative by 2015.
4. SUPPORT PACIFIC FAMILIES
-> Provide free GP visits and prescriptions for children under 13.
From July 201 5, National will extend free doctors' visits and prescriptions for children aged under six to all children under 13, helping up to 40,000 more Pacific kids.
National brought in the policy of free GP visits for children under six, including free after-hours visits.
Thanks to our prudent management of the health budget,
we are extending this policy to all under-13s.
We will continue to combat rheumatic fever through interventions such as throat swabbing and improving housing.
DON'T PUT IT ALL AT RISK
Labour and the Greens would:Drive New Zealand's economy downwards
Roll back the welfare reforms, which have seen 15,000 people come off the benefit in the last year
Waste public money on backroom bureaucracy.
Throw money at young parents
without providing the wrap-around support they need.
See our Police tied up in paperwork and bureaucracy
and not out on the streets preventing crime.
PRIMARY INDUSTRIES
STANDING BY OUR REGIONAL COMMUNITIES
National stands by regional communities
and will help the primary sector create jobs and keep driving the New Zealand economy.
National has set an ambitious goal of doubling the country's primary sector exports by 2025 - from $32 billion to $64 billion.
We're negotiating free trade agreements with some of the biggest economies in the world, to help make this a reality.
We will continue to ensure the regions and the primary sector have high-quality infrastructure such as water storage, irrigation, modern roads and enhanced broadband.
We will maintain our focus on investment in research and development to lift productivity and boost skill levels in the primary sector.
National has significantly increased spending on biosecurity to ensure the primary sector is protected from pests and diseases that could threaten New Zealand's economy.
National will continue to strengthen the country's world-leading food safety system.
We're responsibly managing New Zealand's fisheries
and we're backing recreational fishers.
Alongside farmers, National believes that a strong primary sector goes hand in hand with high quality water and environmental standards.
That's why we will spend $100 million over 10 years to buy and retire areas of selected farmland next to important waterways to create an environmental buffer that helps improve water quality.
POLICY HIGHLIGHTS
Helping boost primary sector exports
Strengthening New Zealand's borders by investing in new biosecurity technology and staff on the country's frontlines.
Partnering with industry to invest over $700 million in the Primary Growth Partnership.
Supporting new forest planting.
Investing in irrigation projects that will deliver economic and environmental benefits for New Zealand.
Committing an extra $150 million to enable more rural New Zealanders to benefit from faster, more reliable broadband, and create a mobile black spot fund.
Managing New Zealand's fisheries
and backing recreational fishers.
GROWING THE EXPORT SECTOR
Primary sector exports are now worth almost $38 billion a year - a record high.
Seafood industry exports are worth $1.4 billion per year and are forecast to increase to $1.6 billion by 2018, with aquaculture the key driver of this growth.
New Zealand Trade and Enterprise is helping New Zealand exporters compete in overseas markets.
We're boosting New Zealand's overseas footprint with more Ministry for Primary Industries staff in key markets like China, Indonesia and the Middle East.
SUPPORTING INNOVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY
Committing over $700 million with industry into 18 innovation projects through the Primary Growth Partnership.
Investing $44 million into regional Sustainable Farming Fund.
BOOSTING BIOSECURITY
Increasing investment in biosecurity with new technology and new staff.
125 more biosecurity staff and 12 new X- ray machines in the past 18 months
A new $65 million high-containment biosecurity laboratory in Upper Hutt.
Significantly strengthening New Zealand's preparedness for foot and mouth disease, including an agreement signed with Australia to bring closer cooperation.
INVESTING IN THE REGIONS
Investing $120 million so far in Crown Irrigation Investment Ltd to work as an independent investor to help kick-start regional water infrastructure projects.
Investing $28 million in 15 projects through the Irrigation Acceleration Fund to support the investigation, design and funding stages of regional irrigation projects.
Rolling out the Rural Broadband Initiative to boost connectivity in the regions.
Around 250,000 rural homes and businesses now have access to better, more reliable internet.
Investing in a $212 million accelerated regional roading package.
Increased veterinarian placements in the regions through voluntary bonding schemes.
BOOSTING THE PRODUCTIVITY AND PROFITABILITY OF AQUACULTURE
Investing in the Precision Seafood Harvesting Programme, which allows fish to be caught live and reduces waste.
This is a $52 million project with funding coming from both industry and government.
Investing in a $26 million programme to breed high-value shellfish, with half the funding coming from government.
RESPONSIBLY MANAGING NEW ZEALAND'S FISHERIES
Increasing monitoring and tough new rules for commercial fishers in the Snapper 1 area.
As fish stocks increase, the recreational share will grow to around 50 per cent.
Requiring all commercial fishers in this area to report all catch under the commercial legal size, trialling the use of cameras to record and measure fish returned to the sea, and introducing a “move on rule”,  where commercial fishers will move from fishing spots where a significant portion of catch is small juvenile fish.
Mandatory Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) to be on all commercial vessels in the Snapper 1 area by the end of the year, and camera or observer coverage to be on all trawl vesses by 1 October 2015.
All foreign-owned vessels operating in New Zealand waters are now required to carry the New Zealand flag from 1 May 2016, and operate under full New Zealand legal jurisdiction.
Cracking down on poachers, including an increase in the number of frontline fisheries officers.
Kept paua resources in areas around Otago and Southland dosed to commercial activity
- recognising that these are greatly valued by recreational and customary fishers.
Approved 4 mataitai reserves across the North and South Islands
– providing benefits to recreational and customary fishers as commercial fishing is banned in these areas.
IMPROVING ANIMAL WELFARE STANDARDS
Progressing the Animal Welfare Amendment Bill, which will provide more protection for animals.
Banned the use of blunt force to euthanise Bobby calves.
Shark finning to be banned from 1 October 2014.
WHAT WE WILL DO NEXT
1. BOOST PRIMARY SECTOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
- Establish a Food Safety Science and Research Centre, as recommended by the Government inquiry into the whey protein contamination incident.
The Centre will ensure delivery of excellent food safety science and research while also minimising the risks of foodborne illness and maximising economic growth opportunities.
It will be funded by at least $5 million per year made up of contributions from government and industry.
The centre will help to ensure that New Zealand's food safety system remains the best in the world, and will focus on cutting-edge, internationally recognized research into key aspects of food safety.
- Ensure that publicly funded R&D spending supports innovation and jobs in the primary sector.
We will continue to invest in primary sector R&D programmes, including the Primary Growth Partnership and the Sustainable Farming Fund.
These programmes help to ensure New Zealand's primary sector maintains its competitive and sustainable advantage.
The Primary Growth Partnership has the potential to deliver returns of up to $ 11 billion by 2025.
2. INVEST IN WATER STORAGE
- Continue our commitment to provide up to $400 million from the Future Investment Fund to help kick-start regional water infrastructure projects.
We don't have a shortage of water in New Zealand, we have a water storage problem.
We only capture and store around 2 per cent of our annual rainfall.
Research suggests that by irrigating a further 420,000 hectares, exports could be boosted by around $4 billion a year by 2026,
as well as providing positive environmental outcomes
and boosting jobs and productivity in our regions.
3. ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF OUR WATERWAYS
Spend $100 million over 10 years to buy and retire selected areas of farmland next to important waterways.
This will create an environmental buffer that helps improve water quality.
Require dairy cattle to be excluded from waterways by 1 July 2017.
The dairy industry has made significant progress in voluntarily addressing some of the key environmental issues their industry faces.
However, to provide greater confidence to New Zealanders, we will make meeting this environmental protection a mandatory requirement for dairy farmers.
We will work constructively with dairy farmers when developing the legislation to ensure practical solutions in areas of difficult terrain and areas which are subject to extreme weather events.
National will also work with industry to exclude other cattle from waterways over time on intensively-farmed lowland properties.
4. EXTEND THE RURAL BROADBAND INITIATIVE
- Deliver enhanced ICT infrastructure to New Zealand's regions.
We will invest a further $150 million to enable more rural New Zealanders to benefit from better, more reliable broadband through two contestable funds:
$100 million will enable more rural New Zealanders to benefit from faster broadband.
We are going to make funding available for communities to improve their connectivity with a $100 million contestable fund for extending fixed broadband connectivity to homes and businesses outside the UFB footprint.
$50 million will go towards a mobile black spot fund.
This fund will enable companies and communities to nominate their black spots and key tourist areas, and work together to make cases for funding.
Criteria for selection will include the case made by the community and company involved, financial contribution and importance of the site in New Zealand's overall mobile coverage network.
5. SUPPORT THE FORESTRY INDUSTRY
Re-boot the Afforestation Grant Scheme, and invest $22.5 million over five years to encourage and support the planting of new forests.
The grant will go some way to alleviating the start-up costs of new planting.
Grant recipients will meet the long-term costs associated with developing and sustaining a forest.
Forests have a number of environmental benefits.
New planting will help property owners address soil erosion, water quality and biodiversity.
6. WORK TO INCREASE EXPORTS
Continue to progress free trade agreements.
National supports free trade.
We will continue to progress free trade deals such as the Transpacific Partnership to ensure our exporters can compete in major markets like Japan, the USA, India, South Korea, and the Gulf Council region in the Middle East.
Continue our successful programme of trade missions.
National Ministers will lead agricultural trade delegations to open up more new markets and opportunities for New Zealand exporters.
7. GROW OPPORTUNITIES FROM MAORI FREEHOLD LAND
Give more control to Maori landowners to unlock the potential of the Maori land estate
and deliver significant benefits for Maori economic development.
Research suggests that over 1 million hectares of Maori freehold land is not being used to its full potential.
Improving the productivity of this land has the potential to create up to 3,600 extra jobs
and increase exports by $8 billion.
This represents an opportunity for Maori,
the wider primary sector
and New Zealand as a whole.
8. CONTINUE TO CAREFULLY MANAGE NEW ZEALAND'S FISHING STOCKS
- Set responsible catch limits that protect our valuable fish stocks.
Sustainable fishing is the only way we can protect our fisheries for future generations to enjoy.
- Continue our unrelenting effort to combat poaching and illegal taking of high-value species, such as paua and crayfish.
We will work hard to protect our fisheries from poachers and those who are eroding our sustainability efforts.
9. INTRODUCE TWO RECREATIONAL FISHING PARKS
- Introduce two recreational fishing parks covering areas of the inner Hauraki Gulf and the Marlborough Sounds as part of a wider reform of marine protection legislation.
These areas will be predominantly for recreational fishing and will enhance the opportunity for Kiwi families to catch fish in areas like the inner Hauraki Gulf and the Marlborough Sounds
They would be managed for a range of recreational activities by an advisory board of local users,
and would exclude most commercial fishing.
DON'T PUT IT ALL AT RISK
Labour and the Greens would: Bring in 5 new taxes:
A higher top personal income tax rate.
A capital gains tax on all businesses and farms.
A tax on water use.
A carbon tax.
Regional fuel taxes.
Impose additional costs on New Zealand farms and businesses through policies such as:
An irresponsible increase to the minimum wage that will force employers to cut back on staff and future recruitment.
Big increases in employer KiwiSaver contributions.
A national award pay system.
Introduce climate change policies which would put New Zealand's primary sector at a massive competitive disadvantage against most major agricultural exporting nations.
Stop free trade negotiations, including the TPP.
RACING
SECURING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR RACING
The racing industry makes a significant contribution to the economy by supporting 17,000 jobs and contributing around $1.6 billion to the economy.
It's important that the industry continues to foster the public's interest in the sport to maintain that position.
The past year has seen some encouraging results.
Racing revenue is up, and there have been record returns of $142 million to the three racing codes.
National's priority is to secure the sustainable future of the racing industry.
We are making sure the New Zealand Racing Board has a broad membership capable of realising the industry's potential.
Although the racing industry has its challenges, National is determined to see racing flourish, and to ensure that the industry is defined by the passion and commitment of the people involved at every level.
NATIONAL IS...
Maintaining the Racing Safety Development Fund which provides $1 million a year to race clubs around the country.
Ensuring that revenue from non-casino gaming machines can still benefit the racing industry, by around $8 to $12 million a year.
NATIONAL HAS.
Appointed a new Racing Board and Chair who have taken a fresh approach to revitalising racing in New Zealand.
Supported a wide ranging industry review of animal welfare for greyhounds, which has resulted in a new animal welfare position being created and a database recorded of all dogs.
This will help enhance the reputation of animal welfare in the racing industry.
Hosted the Australasian Ministers Racing conference in Wellington this year.
WHAT WE WILL DO NEXT
1. ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF GAMBLING LEAKAGE
Work closely with the industry to seek a workable solution to betting on offshore websites.
More and more New Zealanders are gambling on offshore websites.
But betting on New Zealand race meetings through offshore websites means the racing industry here misses out on much-needed revenue and the Government doesn't collect the tax.
National will work closely with the industry to seek a workable solution to this complex and difficult issue.
In particular we will draw on the experience of the Australian racing industry and Australian racing ministers.
2. WORK TO PROVIDE MORE CERTAINTY ON TAX RULES
Ensure that Inland Revenue works with the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders' Association to clarify the interpretation of taxation issues.
The racing industry will benefit from more certainty on the tax rules that apply to it.
3. ENSURE GOOD GOVERNANCE
Ensure that the Racing Board carries out a comprehensive review of all internal costs.
SCIENCE & INNOVATION
AN INNOVATIVE AND COMPETITIVE ECONOMY
Science and innovation are cornerstones of a stronger economy.
Boosting science and innovation is critical to driving productivity, increasing output, creating more and higher paying jobs, and building strong and sustained economic growth.
National has made science and innovation a priority in government, boosting funding very significantly despite tight financial times.
Government investment in science will total $1.5 billion next year.
National established Callaghan Innovation, a new high-tech HQ to help innovative Kiwi businesses get ideas out of the lab and into the market.
Developing smarter and better products and services helps Kiwi businesses compete internationally and command premium prices on the world stage.
Our efforts have helped business-led research and development (R&D) expand by almost 25 per cent between 2010 and 2012.
National will invest an additional $20 million a year in business research and development, to further grow private sector investment in R&D.
This 14 per cent increase in Callaghan Innovation's R&D Grant funding is one measure we'll take in our quest to nearly double business spending on R&D to 1 per cent of GDP by 2018.
We will establish a Food Safety Science and Research Centre, as recommended by the Government inquiry into the whey protein contamination incident.
We'll also establish four additional Centres of Research Excellence,
with one of the Centres focused on Maori research.
We've established the National Science Challenges, which are helping direct science investment at the biggest issues confronting New Zealand.
Over the next three years we'll continue to grow our investment in science in the regions and across New Zealand, and create the right environment to allow the business sector to boost their expenditure in research and development.
POLICY HIGHLIGHTS
Increased government investment in science and innovation by 70 per cent.
Set up Callaghan Innovation to help Kiwi businesses turn their ideas into marketable and successful products.
Established the Primary Growth Partnership to coinvest with industry in research programmes across the primary sector.
Investigate establishing up to three private sector Regional Science Institutes around New Zealand.
Establishing a Food Safety Science and Research Centre.
Establishing four additional Centres of Research Excellence,
with one of the Centres focused on Maori research.
Rolling out the Science in Society project.
NATIONAL IS...
LIFTING GOVERNMENT INVESTMENT IN SCIENCE AND INNOVATION
Lifting cross-government science investment by 70 per cent in eight years, to $1.5 billion in 2015/16.
Increasing investment in the Marsden Fund from $36 million annually in 2008/09 to $52 million in 2014/15, to encourage more investigator-led, blue-skies research.
Increasing the Performance Based Research Fund from $231 million in 2007/08 to $300 million in 2016/17, to encourage university-based research.
Through Research and Educational Advanced Network New Zealand, entering into a $65 million anchor tenancy contract with Hawaiki Cable Ltd for its proposed new international telecommunications
ENSURING SCIENCE IS AT THE HEART OF GOVERNMENT
Establishing the National Science Challenges, to tackle some of the biggest science-based issues and opportunities facing New Zealand.
Preparing a new National Statement of Science Investment, which enlists the science sector to help determine future priorities for the Government's $1.5 billion investment in science.
Launching the Science in Society project, to encourage engagement with science and technology across all sectors of New Zealand.
ENCOURAGING AND SUPPORTING BUSINESS-LED R&D
Establishing Callaghan Innovation, a new high-tech HQ to help innovative Kiwi businesses get ideas out of the lab and into the market.
Callaghan Innovation is already helping hundreds of companies with research and technical projects, establishing itself as the high-tech HQ for New Zealand businesses.
Investing $566 million over four years in research and development grants to encourage and accelerate innovation by firms in New Zealand.
Assisting new start-up companies to launch and grow through the recently established Accelerator Programme and a new network of Technology Incubators throughout New Zealand.
These technology-focused incubators will provide start-up companies with repayable grants from a fund totalling $31.3 million over four years.
The technology incubators are designed to get more high-growth startups off the ground more quickly, to boost the pipeline of companies into the hi-tech sector.
Encouraging primary sector innovation by linking up with industry in the Primary Growth Partnership, a series of co-funded research programmes that are boosting innovation and productivity across our important agricultural sector.
Establishing the Christchurch Innovation Precinct, securing Vodafone as the anchor tenant and attracting other innovative private sector companies like Kathmandu.
OUR RESULTS SO FAR
R&D spending by New Zealand businesses expanded by nearly 25 per cent between 2010 and 2012 and is now equivalent to 0.58 per cent of GDP.
The number of people working in R&D in New Zealand grew 7 per cent between 2010 and 2012 and is now up to 25,700.
568 companies are being helped by our R&D incentive schemes.
This includes 106 high-tech Kiwi companies who receive 20 per cent of their R&D spending back through R&D Growth Grants.
Around 330 new postgraduate and undergraduate students will work this year in an innovative New Zealand business through Callaghan Innovation's R&D Student Grants.
ICT and high-tech and medium high-tech manufacturing exports are growing, and account for just under 9 per cent of New Zealand's goods and services exports
(with dairy being around 22 per cent).
WHAT WE WILL DO NEXT...
1.INCREASE BUSINESS-LED R&D
-> Invest an additional $20 million per year in business R&D.
Increasing business spending on R&D is critical to New Zealand's future prosperity, creating valuable products and services that drive economic growth.
We've already committed to spending $566 million over four years in R&D Grants to grow business research and development.
Our work is paying off.
Business-led R&D grew by nearly 25 per cent between 2010 and 2012.
National will invest an additional $20 million per year to further grow business R&D.
This new investment, equivalent to a 14 per cent increase in Callaghan Innovation's R&D Grant budget, will encourage innovative companies to invest more, developing world-leading, high-value products,
and creating more jobs for New Zealanders
and a stronger economy.
-> Help lift business spending on R&D to 1 per cent of GDP.
In 2012 New Zealand businesses spent 0.58 per cent of GDP on R&D.
This represents an increase in spending, but is still well below the OECD average of 1.62 per cent of GDP.
National will provide the right environment and incentives to lift business sector expenditure on research and development to 1 per cent of GDP by 2018.
-> Set the right tax environment.
Part of lifting business-led R&D is providing the right tax environment.
National will allow tax deductibility for R&D black-hole expenditure and allow start-ups to cash-out their R&D tax losses.
This is estimated to return more than $58 million to innovative businesses over the next four years, and encourage investment in R&D.
-> Ensure R&D infrastructure is in place
National will further develop the Christchurch Innovation Precinct, the Lincoln Hub, Food HQ and innovation parks around New Zealand.
2. INVESTIGATE REGIONAL SCIENCE INSTITUTES
-> Investigate private sector Regional Science Institutes around New Zealand.
While significant research and development is undertaken outside of the main centres - in Palmerston North, for example - more can be done to encourage private sector investment in R&D in regional areas.
National will investigate the establishment of up to three Regional Science Institutes around New Zealand - similar, for example, to Nelson's Cawthron Institute - to engage in short and long term R&D
with a tight focus on regional economic growth.
These new independent entities, awarded on a competitive basis, would be co-funded by local industry and private donations, to reflect market demand for research in the region.
3. BOOST PRIMARY SECTOR R&D
-> Establish a Food Safety Science and Research Centre.
National will establish a Food Safety Science and Research Centre, as recommended by the Government inquiry into the whey protein contamination incident.
The centre will help to ensure that New Zealand's food safety system remains the best in the world, and will focus on cutting-edge, internationally recognised research into key aspects of food safety.
It will be funded by at least $5 million per year made up of contributions from government and industry.
-> Ensure that publicly funded R&D spending supports innovation and jobs in the primary sector.
National will continue to invest in primary sector R&D programmes, including the Primary Growth Partnership and the Sustainable Farming Fund.
These programmes help to ensure New Zealand's primary sector maintains its competitive and sustainable advantage.
The Primary Growth Partnership has the potential to deliver returns of up to $11 billion by 2025.
4. SET UP FOUR NEW CORES
-> Establish four additional Centres of Research Excellence,
with one of the Centres focused on Maori research.
Centres of Research Excellence are an important tool for lifting research quality and encouraging networking and collaboration across the tertiary sector.
National will establish four new Centres of Research Excellence.
This represents an increase in CoRE funding from $35 million in 2013/14 to more than $50 million in 201 5/16, and demonstrates our support for excellent research in areas that are important to New Zealand's future development.
5. ENSURE THE PROMINENCE OF SCIENCE
-> Roll out the Science in Society project.
To give young New Zealanders the best possible opportunity to achieve educational success, we'll roll out the Science in Society project to encourage more students to study science, technology, engineering and mathematics in our schools and tertiary institutions.
This will help to ensure New Zealand's ability to respond to the challenges and opportunities presented by science in the 21st century.
-> Finalise the National Statement of Science Investment and use it to further grow and structure New Zealand's science investment to maximise results.
Following the introduction of a number of new initiatives including the National Science Challenges, the Primary Growth Partnership, and the establishment of Callaghan Innovation, it is important we test the current settings and proposed future priorities to ensure science continues its contribution to New Zealand's growth and prosperity.
DON'T PUT IT ALL AT RISK
Labour and the Greens would: - Abolish targeted R&D grants and replace them with tax credits, allowing firms to reclassify existing expenditure as R&D.
This is a very expensive way to achieve little or no additional R&D in New Zealand.
- Set up five new taxes, including a carbon tax at five times the current price, a capital gains tax on all productive businesses and farms, and new water taxes, which would reduce the ability of businesses to invest more in R&D.
- Put up personal tax rates for our top researchers, re-starting the brain drain overseas.
SENIOR CITIZENS
SECURING THE FUTURE YOU HAVE WORKED FOR
Older New Zealanders are living longer, healthier and increasingly independent lives.
National is committed to ensuring older New Zealanders have the security, wellbeing, and respect they deserve.
Older New Zealanders have worked hard and should enjoy their retirement.
Ensuring they are able to do so with dignity is important for all Kiwis.
Better, Sooner More Convenient Care
Despite tight financial conditions which have seen many countries freezing or even reducing funding for health services, National has:
- Invested in 1500 more doctors and 3300 more nurses, including in hard-to-staff regions and specialities.
- Prioritised health funding to frontline services.
We're making each dollar go further
and getting great results.
- Improved access to elective procedures, with 21,000 extra patients over the age of 65 are now receiving elective operations each year.
- Shorter waits for cancer treatment, with patients ready for chemotherapy or radiation treatment to 4 weeks - the world gold standard.
- Shorter stays in emergency departments with 94 per cent of patients seen within the six hour target - the highest result since records began.
POLICY HIGHLIGHTS
-> National will keep the eligible age for Superannuation at 65.
-> Maintain the link between Superannuation and 66 per cent of the average wage, which means Super increases faster than inflation over time.
-> Continue to grow the SuperGold Card scheme by further expanding the number of businesses offering the discounts that senior citizens want.
-> Continue our policy of responsible spending and economic management.
-> Further reduce waiting times for surgery.
District health boards will need to provide surgery to patients accepted onto their elective surgery lists within four months.
-> Speed up cancer care.
We want patients with a high suspicion of cancer to see a cancer specialist within a maximum of two weeks and commence their first treatment within 62 days.
-> Increase support for hospices through an extra $20 million a year.
NATIONAL IS...
INCREASING INCOMES & EXPANDING SUPERGOLD CARD
- Continuing to increase all rates of Superannuation far ahead of inflation.
Since 2008 the married rate is up by $249 a fortnight, and the single living alone rate is up by $162 a fortnight.
- Increasing funding for the SuperGold Card public transport scheme for 2015 by $8 million, taking the total to $26 million.
- Expanding the SuperGold Card - growing the programme from 876 businesses in 2008 to around 7,200 this year and counting.
- Growing the value of the SuperGold Card outside of the main city centres.
More than half of new businesses over the last two years come from outside of the main city centres.
Running SuperGold business recruitment campaigns focused on getting more law firms and health related discounts, including; optometrists, dentists, pharmacies, audiologists, physiotherapists, gymnasiums and sports retailers.
52. 5 million trips on public transport have been taken by SuperGold cardholders since the scheme was introduced in 2008.
IMPROVING AGED CARE
Despite tight financial times, which have seen many countries freezing or even reducing funding for health services, National has increased funding to aged residential care by over $240 million.
Introducing dementia care pathways which encourage all health and social services to work together to provide seamless and integrated care.
The number of dementia care beds has increased by 25 per cent since 2008.
- Improving the monitoring and auditing framework for rest homes by adding spot audits and third party accreditation of audit agencies.
- Improving the transparency of rest home audits by making both full and summary audit reports available through an easy to use website.
Increasing funding for home support by 29 per cent since 2008 - to support older New Zealanders to be healthier and independent in their own homes.
- Introducing regular reporting of district health boards' performance against key health Quality and Safety Markers to drive improvements in patient safety.
SHINING THE SPOTLIGHT ON ELDER ABUSE
By passing the Crimes Amendment Act which makes it an offence not to intervene when vulnerable adult is being abused.
- Working with Age Concern to identify locations which could benefit from a greater level of support addressing and dealing with elder abuse and neglect.
Establishing two new Elder Abuse and Neglect Prevention services covering Wairoa, Rotorua, and Kawerau - taking the total number of services across the country to 26.
Running a year-long information campaign highlighting the benefits of Enduring Powers of Attorney after a review found that many people didn't realise these could help prevent financial abuse.
BUILDING A SAFER NEW ZEALAND
By achieving the lowest crime rate in 35 years.
Putting 600 more Police on the front line around the country.
Introducing 34 Neighbourhood Policing Teams to ensure a dedicated and strong police presence in New Zealand's most vulnerable communities.
Investing in mobile technology for frontline Police staff, so they can spend less time behind desks and more time on the frontline preventing crime.
Passing laws making it harder for boy racers to terrorise our communities.
Cracking down on gangs and organised crime.
Passing the Bail Amendment Act to tighten up on bail and introduced electronically monitored bail.
More than 5,000 victims will receive support from the Victims Offender Levy in the 2012/2013 financial year.
IMPROVING SERVICES FOR SENIORS
Maintaining a single dedicated line for Senior Citizens call centre operations, 0800 552 002.
Enhancing the SuperGold Card online business directory to make it more user-friendly
- Working with the Volunteer Community Coordinators, which is a network of older people throughtout the county, who carry out projects to provide older New Zealanders perspective for communications and service development.
INVESTING IN NEW ZEALAND'S FUTURE
New Zealand's growing economy has created 83,000 new jobs across the country in the past year, with more than 150,000 more jobs forecast by 2018.
-Introducing free doctors' visits and prescriptions for children under 13 from 1 July 2015.
Targeting more than 90,000 school children in Rheumatic Fever Prevention Programme.
Increasing immunisation - we are on track to have 95 per cent of 8-month-olds fully immunised by December 2014.
Continuing to support early childhood centres to remain accessible and affordable.
Ninety-six per cent of children start school each year having participated in early childhood education - rates have increased for Maori and Pasifika to their highest levels.
Investing $359 million in new teaching roles to lift student achievement and teacher quality.
Maintaining interest-free student loans.
Rolling out ultra-fast broadband to 1.420,000 homes, schools, businesses, and health centres by the end of 2019.
MAKING BROADCAST CONTENT A MORE ACCESSIBLE
Over the past decade the amount of captioned content has increased from 70 hours per week to 250 hours per week.
32.000 households switched from analogue to digital television with the help of the Targeted Assistance Package.
To be eligible a person had to be receiving Superannuation, Veteran's Pension, Invalid's Benefit, or be aged over 75 years.
WHAT WE WILL DO NEXT...
1.MAINTAIN NZ SUPERANNUATION
Maintain the link between Superannuation and 66 per cent of the average wage, which means Super increases faster than inflation over time.
Older New Zealanders have worked hard and deserve to enjoy their retirement.
Having financial security is a huge part of this.
National will keep the eligible age for Superannuation at 65.
National has got the government's accounts into surplus
- one of the few developed countries to do so.
National will build on this good work,
and keep the government's accounts in surplus.
We are committed to resuming payments to the NZ Superannuation Fund when government debt falls below 20 per cent of GDP.
2. EXPAND THE SUPERGOLD CARD
Continue to grow the SuperGold Card scheme by further expanding the number of businesses offering the discounts that senior citizens value and want.
There was a time when the SuperGold Card wasn't worth much to older New Zealanders, particularly in the parts of the country with minimal or no public transport.
This has changed under National.
The number of businesses taking part in the scheme has more than quadrupled in the last two years, and there are now over 7,100 businesses representing over 11,000 outlets.
We will continue to grow the value of the SuperGold Card outside of the main city centres.
We will also continue to sign up more businesses which can offer discounts on the goods and services relevant to older New Zealanders.
Continue to invest in the SuperGold free off peak public transport scheme.
52.5 million trips have been taken since the card was introduced in 2008.
These trips help connect older New Zealanders to their family, friends and the wider community.
3. IMPROVE HEALTHCARE
Invest more in health than ever before to reduce waiting times, increase elective operations and ensure older New Zealanders get the healthcare they need.
National will continue to deliver better, sooner and more convenient care.
We are focused on further reducing waiting times for surgery.
District health boards must currently provide surgery to patients accepted onto their elective surgery lists within five months.
This will drop to four months by December 2014.
Speed up cancer care.
National will establish a new national health target that will have patients with a high suspicion of cancer see a cancer specialist within a maximum of two weeks and commence their first treatment within 62 days.
This is the world gold standard of care.
Continue commitment to aged care
New Zealand's population is ageing.
In recognition of this, National has increased health spending to aged care at a higher rate than the overall health spend.
Despite tough economic times, which has seen many countries freezing or even reducing funding for health services.
National has increased district health board spending on aged residential care from $744 million in 2008/2009, to $975 million this year.
This extra $231 million now being spent on aged care is a 30 per cent increase over National's six budgets.
National will continue to increase investment in aged residential care, as strongly as can be afforded.
We will continue to work closely with the sector to deliver the best possible care for residents.
We are on track to have all older people receiving home support or in aged residential care assessed at least twice a year using the standardised clinical assessment tool interRAI.
This assessment looks at 22 aspects of health care, and enables personalised care plans to be updated and modified as required.
As our population ages, the number of people living with dementia is projected to increase.
It is estimated that around 48,000 New Zealanders have dementia.
This expected to triple to nearly 150.000 by 2050.
National will launch a dementia position statement, which will include a nine-point action plan to be completed over the next three years.
This plan will continue to build upon the improvements made in this area.
Increase support for hospices.
National will invest an extra $20 million a year to provide more hospice palliative care services.
Last year more than 15,000 people received care and support from hospice services throughout New Zealand and hospice staff made over 145.000 visits to people in their homes.
Just over 20 per cent of people using hospice services were aged under 60 and three-quarters had a cancer related disease.
As our population ages, more and more people will need palliative care.
This funding boost includes $13 million to help the country’s 29 hospices expand their community palliative care services into better supporting terminally ill people at home and in aged care facilities.
We will also invest $7 million to create 60 new palliative care nurse specialist and educator roles.
These nurses will provide training, mentoring and hands on support for staff across aged residential care, GP practices and home- based support services.
4. FOCUS ON THE VICTIMS OF CRIME
We are staying tough on criminals
and ensuring the justice system focuses on the rights of victims.
Pass the Public Safety (Public Protection Orders) Bill
National is committed to protecting New Zealanders from the worst serious violent offenders.
Introduce a Child Protection Offender Register.
The register will require child sex offenders released from prison to register with the Police.
Continue to put victims at the heart of the justice system.
National will establish a Victims Code to ensure improved access to information and services for victims.
We will also appoint a Chief Victims Adviser to the Minister of Justice to better support victims of crime and improved promotion of the Victims Centre.
5.ADDRESS SOCIAL ISOLATION
Build a toolkit for communities
National is committed to addressing social isolation amongst older New Zealanders.
International research shows loneliness can impact negatively on a person's health, likening it to smoking 15 cigarettes each day.
We will build a toolkit for communities based on the successful Napier Connects programme which fostered grassroots initiatives to help connect older New Zealanders.
We are on track to connect rural public libraries to ultra-fast broadband by 2016, and have homes and businesses all linked up by 2020.
6.UNLOCK NEW ZEALAND CONTENT
Continue to work with broadcasters to utilise digital technology to increase the amount of captioning on television and online.
National is committed to funding television content and interesting New Zealand stories which are accessible for the hearing impaired.
We understand that archived material is part of New Zealand's cultural heritage, the people and places recorded in our archive collections, the histories and stories told, and the collection objects themselves -  all as types of taonga.
Increase access to RNZ and TVNZ archives, by unlocking 550,000 hours of television and radio content.
Over time we will make this archived material available online, providing a valuable resource for teachers, students and those with an interest in New Zealand heritage.
DON'T PUT IT ALL AT RISK
Labour and the Greens would: - Make people work another two years before qualifying for NZ Superannuation
- Drive New Zealand's economy downwards through low growth and anti-job policies.
- Waste public money on backroom bureaucracy.
- Offer no coherent strategy for delivering better support for victims of crime.
Under the previous Labour government, there was no improvement in services for victims.
- Seriously damage our criminal justice system by introducing an inquisitorial process for sexual violence offences in our courts.
- Impose a capital gains tax on productive businesses, family farms and investment properties, endangering jobs and economic growth
- See our Police tied up in paperwork and bureaucracy
and not out on the streets preventing crime.
- Let waiting lists balloon
and end up needing to send patients to Australia for cancer treatment again.
SMALL BUSINESS
PROVIDING SMALL BUSINESS WITH THE CONFIDENCE TO GROW
Small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) are the lifeblood of our economy - 97 per cent of New Zealand businesses are SMEs.
Under National, small businesses have recovered from the Global Financial Crisis and are investing and adding jobs.
The September MYOB small business survey reports that SMEs across New Zealand are currently seeing the highest growth levels in five years.
National is working hard to keep providing small businesses with the confidence to grow.
We have reduced both company and personal tax rates.
We are reducing costs to small businesses by removing unnecessary reporting requirements,
cutting red tape
and improving infrastructure.
We have introduced 90-day trial periods which are giving SMEs the confidence to take on new staff
and give them a chance.
We are working to help more companies internationalise and sell their products in overseas markets
and we are encouraging business-led research and development (R&D).
National is committed to making it easier and quicker for New Zealanders to meet their tax obligations by investing in a more modern, efficient and flexible tax system that will simplify the way businesses pay tax.
This year we released the first Small Business Sector Report to provide detailed information on the 459,000 small businesses that make up such a large part of the New Zealand economy.
POLICY HIGHLIGHTS
Lowered company and personal taxes and continue to reduce tax compliance costs
Helped keep interest rates around the lowest levels in nearly 50 years.
A voluntary 90-day trial period for new employees
and a starting-out wage for 16 to 19 year olds.
Reducing financial reporting requirements,
strengthening capital markets
and providing better infrastructure to support New Zealand businesses
Supporting business investment in R&D by introducing new tax measures and other support programmes.
Investigating how we can make it cheaper and easier for creditors to enforce civil court decisions and recover money they are owed.
NATIONAL IS...
REDUCING THE BURDEN ON SMALL BUSINESSES
Good fiscal management has helped to keep interest rates around the lowest levels in nearly 50 years.
Lowered the company tax rate to 28 per cent and lowered all personal income tax rates, as part of the major tax reforms in 2010
Removing the requirement for small and medium sized companies to produce complex and unnecessary financial statements.
Making tax compliance easier for businesses and individual taxpayers through initiatives such as myIR online accounts, the Voice ID service and the IR4U Save Time Campaign.
Reducing costs for businesses dealing with government agencies through use of the new New Zealand Business Number, which is already being used by 550,000 companies.
Launching an integrated Employer Registration service, making it easier for newly-formed companies to communicate with government.
Reducing red tape - repealed 20 Acts and 18 sets of regulations in the areas of commerce and consumer affairs.
MAKING DOING BUSINESS EASIER
Making it easier for smaller New Zealand companies to tender for government contracts with new rules on government procurement.
Providing better infrastructure, for example through the Roads of National Significance programme, ultra-fast broadband and the Rural Broadband Initiative.
Making it possible to raise capital without a prospectus or investment statement (equity crowd-funding and peer-to-peer lending), to help early-stage and growth companies access much-needed capital.
Helping get more apprentices qualified by providing assistance to employers for training and tool costs.
Modernising New Zealand's patent laws so that Kiwi inventions enjoy world-class intellectual property protection.
Attracting migrants with the skills, talent and investment needed to grow the economy.
IMPROVING EMPLOYMENT LAW
Encouraging business to take on workers they may not otherwise have employed - with the voluntary 90-day trial period and the starting-out wage.
A third of employers who used trial periods in 2012 said they would not have hired new staff without it.
Responsibly and steadily increased the minimum wage
so small businesses could retain, and if possible increase, staff numbers.
Reformed the personal grievance system to reduce delays, costs and vexatious claims.
Increased flexibility in the Holidays Act to give employees more choice.
83,000 jobs were created in the last year and unemployment has dropped to 5.6 per cent
- lower than in Australia
INVESTING IN R&D AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Set up a new SME Research Hub, which relating to SMEs for business owners, researchers, and government.
Supporting business research and development through Callaghan Innovation
Set up the Regional Business Partner Network around the country so that regional Chambers of Commerce and Economic Development Agencies can help small businesses grow and innovate with expert advice and access to funding.
Changed tax rules so loss-making start-up companies can cash out all or part of their tax losses from R&D expenditure.
Developed rules allowing tax deductibility for R&D "black-hole" expenditure currently neither deductible nor able to be depreciated.
WHAT WE WILL DO NEXT...
1.REDUCE TAX COMPLIANCE COSTS ON SMALL BUSINESSES
Help businesses meet their tax obligations easier and faster so they can get on with making profits and creating jobs.
We will invest in making tax compliance faster and easier for small businesses
through the major overhaul of IRD's business systems and information technology.
As part of this major overhaul we will reform the PAYE and provisional tax systems to reduce compliance costs and get as close to real-time reporting as possible.
We will maintain New Zealand's broad-based, low-rate tax system that minimises economic distortions and provides a fair environment for business.
National has also set up the Taxpayer's Simplification Panel to further explore how to make tax compliance simpler for small businesses.
2. STREAMLINE CIVIL COURT PROCESSES
Investigate how we can make it cheaper and easier for creditors to enforce civil court decisions, and close loopholes that let people dodge their debts.
Small businesses should be able to depend on the civil courts to help them enforce their contracts, rather than wasting time and money chasing people who refuse to pay what they owe.
3. EXTEND THE USE OF THE NZ BUSINESS NUMBER
Extend the use of the New Zealand Business Number to reduce costs for businesses dealing with government agencies.
All key government agencies that work regularly with businesses will be required to recognise and use the NZBN by the end of 2017.
The NZBN will be extended beyond registered companies to all New Zealand business entities, such as sole traders, partnerships, trusts and not-for profit entities.
This means businesses will no longer have to keep updating their data with a myriad of different government databases.
The NZBN will enable innovative time-saving administration solutions between businesses, their suppliers and government, giving them more time to spend on growing their business.
4. IMPROVE NEW ZEALAND'S BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT
Continue to improve the regulatory environment that small businesses operate in.
National will: Pass the Employment Relations Amendment Bill to increase flexibility and fairness in the labour markets, and exempt SMEs from the provisions of Part 6A of the Act relating to continuity of employment.
Pass the Accounting Infrastructure Reform Bill to make the accounting and audit industry more efficient and effective.
A more competitive and efficient accounting market will ensure better business practice and advice for New Zealand firms.
Complete the implementation of the Financial Markets Conduct Act, including new disclosure requirements to improve investor literacy, confidence and participation in financial markets.
Pass legislation to better enable pro- competitive collaborative arrangements between businesses - a welcome development for many of New Zealand's export industries.
DON'T PUT IT ALL AT RISK
Labour and the Greens would... - Bring in 5 new taxes:
A higher top personal tax rate.
- A capital gains tax on all businesses and farms.
- A tax on water use.
- A carbon tax.
- Regional fuel taxes.
- Impose additional costs on New Zealand businesses through policies such as:
- An irresponsible increase to the minimum wage that will force employers to cut back on staff and future recruitment
Scrapping 90-day trial periods
- Big increases in employer KiwiSaver contributions
- A national award pay system that would require small regional businesses to pay the same wage rates as large big-city businesses
- A requirement for Kiwi businesses to pay an even higher minimum 'living wage' if they want to participate in government procurement tenders.
The MYOB election survey on small businesses showed that 63 per cent of small businesses trust National to provide appropriate management of the economy, while only 8 per cent trust Labour.
It is no wonder when you look at the long list of things Labour would do to small businesses.
SOCIAL HOUSING
ENSURE A FIT-FOR-PURPOSE SOCIAL HOUSING SECTOR
Good quality housing and targeted support is important for the health and wellbeing of New Zealand families and communities,
and National's reforms of the social housing sector are an important part of that.
National has been busy working to make social housing better provide for New Zealanders most in need.
National passed the Social Housing Reform Act to address the issues raised in the report Home and Housed: A Vision for Social Housing.
This has included integrating the social housing needs assessment with our overarching social policy, and allowing registered community housing providers to access the same income-related housing subsidies as Housing New Zealand.
This means more tenants will be able to access discounted rents.
We have also initiated regular tenancy reviews to ensure social housing is provided to those most in need
for the time of their need,
and that the house allocated meets their needs over time.
In order to achieve a fit-for-purpose social housing sector, we have agreed in principle to establish a new entity to facilitate the development and growth of the social housing sector.
In addition we have committed to investing a record $2.9 billion into upgrading and redeveloping existing state houses,
and have allocated $143 million through the contestable Social Housing Fund to help community housing providers build around 1,000 new social houses nationwide.
POLICY HIGHLIGHTS
Reformed social housing sector to ensure it is fit-for- purpose including passing legislation to facilitate a shift from state housing to a range of new social housing providers.
In 2013, we committed a record $2.9 billion to upgrading and redeveloping Housing New Zealand properties in areas of greatest needs.
Granted $143 million through the Social Housing Fund to help community housing providers build new homes nationwide.
Committed over $1 billion to repair 5,000 damaged state houses and build 700 new state homes replacing those lost in the Christchurch earthquakes.
The repairs and new homes are expected to be completed by the end of 2015.
Developed a Maori Housing Strategy and establishing a Maori Housing Unit to look at housing needs for Maori.
NATIONAL HAS...
REFORMED THE SOCIAL HOUSING SECTOR
Commissioned Home and Housed: A Vision for Social Housing report, with organisations like the Salvation Army, Auckland City Mission and others involved in housing issues, and are now implementing its recommendations.
Passed the Social Housing Reform Act that enabled community housing providers to receive income-related rent subsidies.
Transferred the social housing needs assessment role from Housing New Zealand to the Ministry of Social Development.
Extended reviewable tenancies to all tenants to ensure social housing is provided to those most in need
for the time of their need.
Expanded the community housing sector through a $143 million Social Housing Fund, and budgeted a further $30 million over three years.
Developed a Maori Housing Strategy and establishing a Maori Housing Unit to look at housing needs for Maori.
UPGRADED STATE HOUSES
Committed to invest a record $2.9 billion into upgrading and redeveloping Housing New Zealand properties in areas of greatest need.
Insulated every state house that can be insulated.
Committed $30 million over four years to install fences, gates, speed humps and mirrors to 13,000 state homes to make driveways safer for children.
Trialled a housing Warrant of Fitness on all HNZC properties to evaluate the quality of state rental accommodation.
Prioritised the state housing waiting list to families at risk of rheumatic fever, as part of our plan to reduce the incidence by two- thirds by 2017.
SUPPORTED SOCIAL HOUSING IN CANTERBURY
Committed over $1 billion to repair 5,000 damaged state houses and build 700 new state homes replacing those lost in the Christchurch earthquakes.
The repairs and new homes are expected to be completed by the end of 2015.
Established the Canterbury Temporary Accommodation Service and provided $33 million to assist people with the Temporary Accommodation Allowance.
Built four temporary accommodation villages at Linwood Park, Kaiapoi Domain, Rawhiti Domain and Rangers Park,
and partnered with the private sector on providing temporary worker accommodation.
Agreed with the Mayor of Christchurch on a Housing Accord that focuses on public private partnerships to facilitate the repair and upgrade of council-owned social housing, and the provision of more affordable housing on government and council-owned land.
OUR RESULTS SO FAR
UPGRADING STATE HOMES
Insulated every state house that can be insulated.
EXPANDED THE SOCIAL HOUSING SECTOR
1,000 extra homes in the community housing sector.
SUPPORTED CANTERBURY
Building 700 new state houses to replace those lost in the earthquakes.
Repairing 5000 damaged state houses.
3,500 people have found suitable accommodation through the Temporary Accommodation Service.
2,300 people assisted with the Temporary Accommodation Allowance.
WHAT WE WILL DO NEXT...
CONTINUE HELPING THOSE IN MOST NEED
National will continue our good record in providing quality state houses for those with the highest housing needs.
Support a growing role for community housing providers in delivering social housing through the Social Housing Fund and Housing New Zealand.
Continue to investigate other ways to improve the community provision of quality social housing.
Agreed in principle to establish a new entity to facilitate the development and growth of the social housing sector.
Continue to invest in upgrading and redeveloping state houses in areas of greatest need.
Complete the repairs of 5000 earthquake-damaged state houses and the building of 700 new ones in Canterbury by the end of 2015.
SPORT & RECREATION
ADVANCING THE PROFILE OF NEW ZEALAND SPORT
Since 2008, National has significantly advanced the profile of New Zealand sport.
At the heart of National's sport policy is a two pronged strategy:
The development of a world-class high performance sport system consistently delivering world leading results, both to boost New Zealand's international brand and to provide role models encouraging young New Zealanders to participate in sport.
A solid base of community sport making it possible for all New Zealanders, especially young people, to develop their sporting potential.
The London Olympics and Glasgow Commonwealth Games have both clearly demonstrated that New Zealand athletes in priority sports, supported with a world-class training environment, can outperform competitors from any country in the world.
Through High Performance Sport New Zealand, National has focused on delivering world-class infrastructure and support to sports identified as providing proven prospects for international success.
National is committed to providing ongoing support to bring major events to New Zealand.
Next year both the Cricket World Cup and the FIFA Under-20 World Cup will be held here.
These international events draw tens of thousands of people to the country and inject millions of dollars into the economy.
POLICY HIGHLIGHTS
Creating a world-class high performance system to help Kiwi athletes succeed on the world stage.
Supporting sport during the Christchurch rebuild.
Continuing our investment in grassroots sport.
Supporting the successful hosting of major sporting events in New Zealand.
NATIONAL IS...
SUPPORTING A WORLD-CLASS HIGH PERFORMANCE SYSTEM
Set up High Performance Sport New Zealand to develop high performance athletes and further develop world-class training facilities in partnership with the private sector.
Investing in the National Training Centre on Auckland's North Shore, which brings the nation's top sporting talent, coaching, sports science and medicine under one roof in a hot house environment.
The centre is currently completing the construction of a second Olympic Pool which, along with other facilities will equip New Zealand's high performance athletes with a training environment that is the equal of anything in the world.
Developed a major sport satellite near Cambridge where sportspeople from some of our key disciplines can train under one roof, including:
- the Avantidrome velodrome, a world class venue for our top cyclists
- the high performance rowing centre at Lake Karapiro, with plans for a similar centre for kayaking
- a national centre for triathlon at the same location.
ADDRESSING SPORT AS PART OF CHRISTCHURCH'S RECOVERY
Improving our sporting infrastructure with commitments to projects such as AMI Stadium and Hagley Park in Christchurch.
Opened the Apollo Centre, a temporary high performance training facility, to support sport in Canterbury while we work with other agencies and local authorities on plans to replace QEII.
INVESTING IN COMMUNITY SPORT
Investing in Kiwisport, which is making a significant contribution to expanding opportunities for New Zealand schoolchildren to get involved in sport.
Created the Pathway to Podium programme.
Building on the success of the established Prime Minister's Scholarships and Performance Enhancement Grants, the programme is extending support to young talented athletes and providing a more effective transition into high performance
Increased the amount of Lottery Grant money being released into the community to support clubs and other sporting
SUPPORTING MAJOR SPORTING EVENTS
Building on the legacy of the 2011 Rugby World Cup, we have brought world class events to New Zealand such as the 2015 Cricket World Cup and 2015 FIFA Under-20 World Cup.