News from Around MBIE

New research on firms’ demand for skills and recruitment difficulties

New Zealand businesses can avoid skills shortages if they plan ahead, new research has found.

Implementing recommendations of the Royal Commission on the Pike River Coal Mine Tragedy

The Ministry is proposing significant change to the health and safety regulations for mining in order to implement the recommendations of the Royal Commission of the Pike River Coal Mine Tragedy.

New GIS-based product informs understanding of New Zealand’s sedimentary basins

New Zealand Petroleum & Minerals welcomes the release of the first systematic GIS-based compilation and interpretation of geological data, leading to improved understanding of the structure and distribution of sedimentary basins in the New Zealand region.

INZ uncovers immigration adviser scam

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has declined more than 50 applications from India for permanent residence after discovering that they were submitted through an unlicensed immigration adviser.

Telecommunications (Interception Capability and Security) Bill

Regulatory impact statements relating to the Telecommunications (Interception Capability and Security) Bill have been published on the Ministry’s Economic Development website.

Rise in online job vacancies in April

Online job vacancies increased in April following a fall in March, according to the latest Jobs Online report from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

Chinese visitor spend continues to grow

Expenditure by Chinese visitors to New Zealand continues to grow, according to the latest International Visitor Survey produced by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

ANZ Flying Start Business Plan Competition opens

The 2013 ANZ Flying Start Business Plan Competition is now open, giving Kiwi entrepreneurs the chance to develop an effective business plan and win some fantastic prizes.

Latest clarifications and updates to the guidance Repairing and rebuilding houses affected by the Canterbury earthquakes

These updates are aimed at professional engineers and others implementing the guidance and should be read in conjunction with the guidance itself.

Vineyard fined for worker’s quad bike injury

Craggy Range vineyard in Martinborough has been fined $36,000 after a contract worker was injured in a quad bike accident on 12 May last year.

Applications open for Prime Minister’s Business Scholarships

Applications are now open for the annual Prime Minister’s Business Scholarships.

Petroleum conference gets under way

New Zealand Petroleum & Minerals, a branch of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, will host the Advantage NZ: 2013 Petroleum Conference. The conference will run across three days, from today, Monday 29 April, to Wednesday 1 May.

New Zealand and Australia agree to jointly manage overseas immigration physicians

New Zealand and Australia have agreed to align the management of an offshore network of panel physicians to improve the quality of health examinations visa applicants receive.

Convictions entered against Pike River Coal Ltd (in receivership)

At the Greymouth District Court this afternoon, Judge Jane Farish convicted Pike River Coal Ltd (In Receivership) on all nine charges laid by the former Department of Labour.

New Zealand Cycle Trail recognised with international award

Nga Haerenga, the New Zealand Cycle Trail has been recognised as one of the best cycle trails in the world.

Fall in online job vacancies in March

Online job vacancies decreased in March following a fall in February, according to the latest Jobs Online report from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

Royal Commission of inquiry into building failure caused by the Canterbury earthquakes: Final recommendations

The Government's formal response to the Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission, released today, sets out a large and critically important work programme for MBIE.

Independent investigation report released

Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) Chief Executive David Smol today released the findings and recommendations of the independent investigation he commissioned following the report of the Royal Commission on the Pike River Coal Mine Tragedy.

New agreement to encourage Chinese tourism

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) and Air New Zealand have reached an agreement to make it easier for high-value Chinese tourists to visit New Zealand.

Review of China visitor market

The Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE) welcomes the release of a report on the China visitor market by the Prime Minister and Tourism Minister John Key.

New Zealand's oil ticket contracts for 2013/2014

New Zealand has secured ticket contracts from Japan and the Netherlands to help meet its international oil stockholding obligations for 2013-2014.

China Southern Airlines agreement the way forward

An agreement to make it easier for high-value, low-risk Chinese tourists to visit New Zealand is being hailed a success by the head of Immigration New Zealand (INZ).

Economic linkages within Auckland research

Auckland is New Zealand’s dominant economic centre, leading national population and productivity growth.

Fall in online job vacancies in February

Online job vacancies decreased in February following a rise in January, according to the latest Jobs Online report from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

Pacific Quota registrations open

Citizens of Samoa, Tonga, Kiribati and Tuvalu are encouraged to register for this year’s Samoa Quota and Pacific Access Category from 1 to 30 April 2013.

The 12th annual Migration Trends and Outlook report released

The 12th annual Migration Trends and Outlook report shows that India has overtaken the United Kingdom to become the largest source country of skilled migrants to New Zealand.

Fence post company fined after workplace accident

Dunedin fence post producer Juro Corporation Limited (JCL), trading as Great Southern – Milton, has been fined $52,550 and ordered to pay reparations of $40,000 after an accident which resulted in a worker losing his leg.

Companies fined after window cleaner falls 15 metres

Two companies have today been fined a total of $29,800 after an 18 year old industrial abseiling window cleaner fell 15 metres suffering serious injuries.

Independent research reports released on competitiveness of NZ and Auckland

Independent research reports on lifting New Zealand and Auckland’s international competitiveness have been posted on our website.

Finalists announced for ‘Breathe’ - Christchurch urban design competition

The Minister for Building and Construction Hon Maurice Williamson has announced the winners of stage one of Christchurch urban design competition ‘Breathe’.

BGA capital markets progress report released

The latest Business Growth Agenda progress report, Building Capital Markets, outlines 50 initiatives to strengthen New Zealand’s capital markets so they can support businesses to grow and create jobs.

New workplace health and safety agency to be established

The Government is to establish a new, stand-alone workplace health and safety agency to significantly improve New Zealand’s workplace health and safety record.

Plan your cycling adventure with our new website

The Nga Haerenga, New Zealand Cycle Trail website has been given a fresh new look and enhanced user experience.

Rise in online job vacancies

Online job vacancies increased in January following two consecutive falls in November and December, according to the latest Jobs Online report from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

Marine company fined after boat explosion

A Mangawhai-based marine engineering company has today been fined following a boat explosion which left a customer, a contractor and company director injured in January last year.

Pulpmill fined after fall left worker in wheelchair

A North Island pulpmill has been fined nearly $50,000 after a serious fall from height at its Tangiwai site left a worker seriously injured and in a wheelchair.

MBIE acknowledges OAG findings on proposed International Convention Centre

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) accepts the Deputy Auditor-General’s findings that some processes used by the former Ministry of Economic Development (MED) to seek expressions of interest in building an international convention centre did not meet best practice procurement standards.

Decrease in international visitors' spend recorded

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s quarterly International Visitor Survey, released today, shows a six per cent drop in spending by international visitors since 2011.

Immigration fraudsters sentenced

A Djibouti couple who obtained residence in New Zealand by providing fraudulent information to Immigration New Zealand now face possible deportation.

Occupation Outlook report launched

The Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce today launched the Occupation Outlook Report by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) which examines 40 selected occupations to help students and parents better understand what jobs are needed in New Zealand.

International interest in Christchurch inner city residential design competition

Almost 60 entries, many from overseas, have been received for stage one of ‘Breathe', a competition to design and build a new housing complex in central Christchurch.

Trans-tasman roaming report released

Prime Minister Key and Prime Minister Gillard have announced joint action to address the high cost of mobile roaming rates between the two countries.

Worker’s fall costs company $62,750

A worker’s five-and-a-half metre fall at work, which resulted in a broken pelvis and facial injuries, has resulted in Wellington company Ebert Construction Limited being fined $33,750 and being ordered to pay $29,000 in reparations to the worker.

Home detention and reparation order for unlicensed immigration adviser

A woman who took cash from people and falsely promised them jobs was sentenced today to 10 months home detention and ordered to pay $70,630 reparation to 16 victims.

Charges laid over Paritutu Rock deaths

The Taranaki Outdoor Pursuits and Education Centre (TOPEC) has been charged over the August 2012 Paritutu Rock incident in which three people died.

New Zealand Cycle Trail a step closer to new governance model

The New Zealand Cycle Trail Establishment Advisory Board that has been set up to oversee the transition of the Nga Haerenga, The New Zealand Cycle Trail, to a new governance entity, met for the first time last month.

Positive changes reducing harm on farms

New research shows that farmers are making positive changes to reduce their chances of having a quad bike accident.

Day one for Callaghan Innovation

Callaghan Innovation was established on 1 February 2013. It takes over the current role of Industrial Research Limited, the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment’s business investment team and the Auckland Foodbowl.

Fraud pair sentenced

Two British citizens have been jailed for fraudulently obtaining UK passports and subsequent applications for entry to New Zealand.

Unsafe power plug adaptor banned

A power plug adaptor has been banned in New Zealand after complaints that the devices fall apart, exposing people to the risk of electrocution.

Employers urged to remember sun safety responsibilities

With New Zealand having one of the highest rates of melanoma in the world, people who work outdoors are being reminded to protect themselves as they have a higher risk of developing skin cancers.

Home detention in unlawful migrant case

The sentencing of a contractor in the horticulture industry for hiring unlawful migrant workers who were all paid below the minimum wage sends a strong message to employers who may contemplate employing migrants who are not entitled to work in New Zealand.

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