23 October 2004
More than 100 people interested in moving to NZ leave their names and addresses with the NZ
Immigration Service at the Opportunities New Zealand worker recruitment expo in London.
27 October 2004
Most of Skellmax's Flomax factory in Auckland will be relocated in China. The move could affect
18 staff.
Some parents at Fraser High School in Hamilton are working off their children's school fee
"donations" by doing work around the school rather than paying cash. At Otumoetai College in Tauranga,
some students are doing odd jobs at the school to pay their fees.
US Airways temporarily cuts the pay of its union members by 21% in a bid to keep the airline solvent.
The British opposition Conservative Party says it has plans to cut 19,000 Treasury jobs.
28 October 2004
The University of Auckland is seeking an exemption that would allow it to raise tuition fees for
medical students more than the government's 5% fee maxima.
The NZ Medical Students Association says the University of Auckland is attempting to raise their
fees by 10%, forcing more graduates to head overseas.
725 NZ scientists have signed a petition urging the government to make science funding more
long-term. Many of them say they would not recommend a career in science to their children. Some say
they are leaving science due to massive funding and employment uncertainty, or are leaving NZ because
they see the best place for their skills is overseas.
30 October 2004
The Managing and Retaining an Ageing
Workforce conference will be held in Sydney on
November 18. It will examine the key issues employers, governments and unions need to consider regarding
the ageing workforce. Register here
31 October 2004
One in 10 doctors surveyed at Auckland public hospitals has severe psychological disturbance
and 29% say they are psychologically distressed. The study finds that health workers have a two to
three times higher rate of psychological distress than the general population.
1 November 2004
The NZ workforce will grow to 2.34 million by the early 2020's from a base of just over 2
million today, according to Statistics NZ. Half of the increase is expected to have occurred by 2006.
After 2021, the workforce will stabilise as number of new workforce entrants is expected to match
those retiring.
2 November 2004
The income gap between NZ and Australian wage earners is widening, according to figures released
by the National Party. Australian wages have grown three times faster than those of NZ'ers over the
past four years. After-tax wages in New Zealand in the latest year were only 3.1% higher than in
1999-2000 while in Australia they rose 9.8%.
Workers who care for disabled people in their own homes are facing two years of what will
essentially be a wage freeze as the government plans to roll over existing contracts with care giving
contractors. The average hourly rate for care workers is $10.50/hr. HealthCareNZ caregiver coordinator Sue
Smith: "If it's the philosophy of this government to promote community care, then they need to put their
money where their mouth is. It's slave labour and I think it's disgusting. If the shortage of suitable care
workers in the community continues then one day one of us will end up in the coroner's court with a
`please explain why this tragedy happened'".
Minister of Disability Issues Ruth Dyson says she is concerned about the problems facing the
home support sector, but the Minister of Health "simply didn't have enough money to boost funding for
care of disabled people".
A large number of people in Marlborough are leaving rest home work and heading to work in
vineyards because the resthome work is so poorly paid. Spokesperson for the region's rest home operators
Chris Stokes says that at current funding levels operators just can't retain staff. Stokes: "We can't pay
them what they are worth because we are not paid enough."
There appears to be a glut of primary school teacher graduates in NZ. In 2003, just 35.7% of
primary teacher graduates got jobs in the profession. There are 2,700 primary teacher graduates each
year coming out of 21 training providers. NZ Principals Federation says this is too many training providers.
3 November 2004
Government minister John Tamihere resigns his ministerial portfolios. Tamihere concedes he took
a golden handshake from Waipareira Trust after saying he wouldn't and that he didn't inform the
Prime Minister of his action. He says he has done nothing illegal but made an error of judgment for which
"I will do my time".
Niue begins plans to develop itself as an "eco-nation" growing organic products and catering for
eco-tourists. It hopes to develop a nonu plant (health juice tonic) and vanilla industries with Biogrow
NZ certification. Businessman Kim Gordon says if the country builds up its industries Niueans living in
NZ will return home. About 20,000 Niueans live in NZ leaving less than 2,000 living on the island.
4 November 2004
The government blacklists 12 community groups in Christchurch because they cannot account
for Community Organisations Grants Scheme funding they received. All up, at least $40,000 is
unaccounted for.
Minister of Immigration Paul Swain says changes that will take effect from December 1
will include: increasing the number of points allocated to those with qualifications and work
experience; expanding the definition of skilled employment; allowing permanent residency to be approved
upfront; and recognising a broader range of qualifications. For those who are using their previous work
experience to gain points towards qualifying for immigration, there is a list of 29 countries which are
considered as being in a "comparable labour market", for which the work experience will be counted.
The latest workINSIGHT features Department of Labour research into the history of
Maori employment and what pathways Maori are now taking through education, training and work. The
report looks at what areas Maori are making progress in and what challenges remain, emphasizing that
the participation of Maori in highly skilled work needs to continue to increase and is a priority not only
for Maori but for all New Zealanders.
