Government agencies will be able to easily select the suppliers and services they want based on their business needs. The All of Government contract will save taxpayers at least $20-$30 million within the first two years

“Agencies will be able to purchase these services on demand easily, with no minimum terms or volumes. This means they can focus on creating services that their customers want, rather than having to worry about owning, operating and maintaining large amounts of telecommunications equipment and running costly procurement processes. This approach will drive cost-savings across government,” says Mr Joyce.

The list offers a choice of providers and services to best meet agencies’ business requirements now, and the flexibility to change to take advantage of service innovations.

“These services will be delivered through a standardised technology approach, supplied and managed by several providers. That will remove technical barriers and allow for greater collaboration between agencies. This will make it simpler to integrate customer services across agencies, and easier for people to interact with government,” says Mr Dunne.

The adoption of this model reflects the way Government now wants to purchase and use ICT services.

The list of providers is open to allow services and membership to evolve as technology, delivery models and requirements change. This will allow services and the providers to remain innovative, relevant and competitive. They are;

Agile Integration Limited
Aura Redshield Security Limited
CityLink Limited
Cogito Group Pty Limited
Datacom Systems Wellington Limited
Dimension Data New Zealand Limited
Fujitsu New Zealand Limited
Mobile Mentor NZ Limited
SMX Limited
Spark New Zealand Trading Limited
Two Degrees New Zealand Limited
Vodafone New Zealand Limited
Development of the list of providers has been jointly managed by the Department of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment with significant involvement of eight other agencies, including -

Department of Conservation
Inland Revenue
Ministry of Primary Industries
Ministry of Social Development
New Zealand Police (also representing the emergency services sector)
New Zealand Trade and Enterprise
New Zealand Defence Force
Statistics New Zealand
These agencies are committed to taking up this range of services as soon as possible, along with many other agencies.

“This is a great example of agencies working together to achieve outcomes in line with the goals of the Government ICT Strategy and Action Plan, part of the government’s drive to achieve better public services,” Mr Joyce says.

The Ultimate Waterman seeks the world’s best all-round waterman across various disciplines including surfing, stand-up paddle board, waka-ama, water skill and endurance events.

The Major Events Fund invested $300,000 in the inaugural event in March this year, and the additional investment will support the 2016, 2017 and 2018 events.

“The $1.2 million investment will build on the success of this year’s event, which has been viewed online more than three million times and has aired in the United States to a household audience of more 40 million,” Mr Joyce says.

“This is an opportunity to showcase New Zealand’s coastlines and cities to the world, and attract a large international viewing audience through multiple TV, online and social media channels.”

The invitation-only contest will be based in Auckland, with competitors travelling across the country to compete in the best surf and water conditions on the day for each discipline.

There will also be opportunities for spectators to take part by competing in mass-participation events, visiting the fan zone that will be established on Auckland’s waterfront, and watching the competitors as they travel around New Zealand.

“The Government is committed to working with New Zealand’s major events sector to help attract and grow high-quality major events around the country that deliver economic, social and cultural benefits and promote New Zealand to the world,” Mr Joyce says.

“Today’s announcement is the culmination of years of planning and collaboration between the Crown and SkyCity,” Mr Joyce says.

“SkyCity estimates that this important national facility will now bring 2140 new jobs – 1000 during the construction phase and about 1140 people in the NZICC, the new hotel, the new retail outlets and the additional gaming and hospitality areas that are being constructed. That’s 340 more jobs than originally estimated.

“The NZICC agreement covered the cost of land and construction for the NZICC only. That agreement was for a $402 million centre that would create 1000 jobs during construction and an additional 800 new jobs once the NZICC was operational.

“As part of today’s announcement, SkyCity has agreed to invest an additional $69 million in the International Convention Centre over and above its contracted commitment, and it will build the new hotel, laneway and extra carparks at the same time. That takes the total building project to $700 million.

“This is a tremendous result for New Zealand, made even more so by the fact that it has been achieved without any direct financial contribution from the Government.”

SkyCity is now very close to starting construction on what will be a world-standard facility for Auckland and New Zealand, Mr Joyce says. The centre will be able to host 3,150 conference delegates at any one time. Plenary capacity will be 2,850, and the total floor area of the NZICC will be more than 32,000m2.

“The NZICC will drive a significant increase in tourism expenditure in the city and around New Zealand through an estimated 33,000 more international convention delegates and the $90 million in expenditure they are expected to bring each year.

“We will now be able to compete effectively to attract high-value business visitors from across the Asia-Pacific region, and all of New Zealand will benefit from the anticipated $49 million annual increase in GDP.

“The NZICC will be a world-class facility that will put New Zealand on the international convention centre stage.”

Building is expected to commence by Christmas.

“It has been more than 25 years since government banking services have been put out to tender,” Mr English says. “Over this time there has been considerable evolution in the banking and financial services sector.

“The new contracts will deliver cost savings for government agencies and all New Zealanders. They will ensure that banking services are fit for purpose and provide value for money.”

The contracts have been awarded in four subcategories:

Crown Transactional Banking: Westpac New Zealand Limited
Foreign Exchange Transactions: ANZ Bank New Zealand Limited; ASB Bank Limited; Bank of New Zealand; Citibank N.A. – New Zealand Branch; and Westpac New Zealand Limited
Payment Services: ANZ Bank New Zealand Limited; ASB Bank Limited; Bank of New Zealand; Kiwibank Limited; and Westpac New Zealand Limited
Card Services: ASB Bank New Zealand; Bank of New Zealand; Citibank N.A. – New Zealand Branch; and Westpac New Zealand Limited.
“The financial benefits for the government from the AoG Banking Services solution are significant – negotiated price benefits and innovation commitments of more than $120 million have been secured over the life of the contracts,” Mr Joyce says.

“The AoG Banking Services solution will develop innovative banking products and solutions that will extend to the way government works with third parties and intermediaries, such as financial professionals, to generate efficiencies and improvements in the services provided.

“The new contracts provide government agencies with a choice of providers that have undergone a rigorous procurement process, and support the implementation of innovative banking solutions for all New Zealanders. These will make doing business with government easier and promote better ways of working, which are key objectives of the Better Public Services programme.”

The 35 core government agencies are required to use the Crown Transactional Banker. Other agencies can choose to use Westpac, or another provider, for their transactional banking needs.

The new contracts will run for up to eight years.

“The New Zealand-China Partnership Forum is an important platform for deepening and strengthening the economic and political relationship between our two countries. This Forum will build on the successful inaugural Forum held in 2013, which I attended alongside Prime Minister John Key and several of my ministerial colleagues,” Mr Joyce says.

The Forum, which will include sessions on food safety, tourism, investment and people-to-people links, will showcase the deepening strategic economic and trade partnership between New Zealand and China. Participants from both countries, from the public and private sectors, will explore the opportunities and challenges at the forefront of the relationship, and help pave the path for future collaboration.

Mr Joyce and Mr McClay will both speak at the Partnership Forum Opening Plenary today.

“New Zealand and China have strong, innovative businesses that can achieve a lot on their own, but they can achieve much more in partnership,” Mr Joyce says.

He will also speak at an investment session, which will explore the changing face of two-way investment, and which has attracted significant interest within New Zealand. His focus will be on the mutually beneficial aspects of the investment relationship.

Mr McClay will also travel to Shanghai for the second leg of the Partnership Forum focusing on ‘disruptive change’. The Forum will look at ways of positioning New Zealand for change and dynamism in its relationship with China.

“It is important that we remember our relationship with China is about more than just trade and economic issues,” Mr McClay says. “It’s about the interaction of our people, cultures and language.”

Mr McClay will lead a breakout session on tourism, one of the fastest growing areas of mutual benefit in New Zealand’s relationship with China. Visitor numbers from China exceeded 315,000 in the year ending July 2015, up 30% year on year.

The ‘Canterbury Regional Economic Development Strategy’ identifies ways to attract, upskill and maintain skilled workers, and how to position the region for long term growth. The report was released this morning in a collaboration between the region’s 11 local authorities, with input from local iwi, the Canterbury Development Corporation, the Canterbury Employers Chamber of Commerce and the Committee for Canterbury.

“This is the right time to be looking beyond the post-earthquake rebuild to the broader economic future of Canterbury. I’m pleased to see local authorities working alongside local businesses on a plan for long-term sustainable growth,” Mr Joyce says.

“Canterbury has the lowest unemployment rate in the country at 3.3 per cent, compared with 5.9 per cent nationally, but the region needs to make sure it continues to thrive after the rebuild has reached its peak,” says Steven Joyce.

“This region has a strong can-do attitude. Many doubted we could collectively pull together a big enough workforce for the rebuild but we’ve done that and now we are committed to ensuring Canterbury remains the engine room of the South Island economy,” says Mr Joyce.

“Government recently announced the development of a new ICT Graduate School in Christchurch, we’ve opened the Innovation Precinct in the CBD to support new and emerging businesses, and last week we opened the city’s Bus Interchange.

Around the region, water storage is being developed, fibre broadband is being laid, wireless broadband is being expanded, and roading links are being improved,” Mr Joyce says.

“I’ve always said that Canterbury will emerge after the earthquakes as a stronger, economically vibrant, more resilient region. This strategy, executed well, will help ensure that future.

The Government looks forward to continuing to work with local industries and local authorities to make sure our collective vision for the future comes to pass.

About 360 delegates from around the world are taking part in the international gathering, including 41 member countries from the Asia-Pacific region and international organisations such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the United Nations.

“New Zealand is taking a leading role in global efforts to tackle money laundering and terrorist financing, and our commitment is further demonstrated as host and co-chair of the meeting,” says Ms Adams.

“This meeting is an opportunity for us to share our knowledge and ideas with other countries, as well as learn about what more we can do to improve our compliance with international obligations and best practices.”

“Money laundering is an insidious crime, and it’s becoming more challenging to detect, with international criminal networks increasingly using modern technologies and communications,” says Ms Adams.

Ms Adams says the Government has already taken steps to strengthen New Zealand’s anti-money laundering and countering financing of terrorism laws in an effort to crack down on these crimes and improve our compliance with international obligations and best practices.

Recent Government reforms include the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act, which helps authorities to better detect and deter money laundering and the financing of terrorism.

The Organised Crime and Anti-corruption Legislation Bill, which is currently before Parliament, will also help authorities tackle money laundering and other related illicit activities including bribery and drug-related crime.

“NZVIF plays an important role in developing the start-up and growth capital markets for New Zealand-originated companies with high-growth potential,” says Mr Joyce.

“It has been instrumental in building up New Zealand’s angel and venture capital investor markets from small beginnings to the point where private and public venture capital investment since 2003 has reached $1.1 billion. The angel investment formal market has provided a further $353 million since it started in 2006.

“The $100 million underwrite facility from the Crown will be extended until 2018, and will then continue at a reduced figure of $60 million until 2022, as returns to NZVIF from earlier investments become available for reinvestment.”

This will give NZVIF the flexibility and confidence to continue to make co-funding commitments into new venture capital funds and partnerships, Mr Joyce says.

To meet high demand for NZVIF’s Seed Co-investment Fund, the Government is also transferring $12 million within NZVIF from the Venture Capital Fund to the Seed Co-investment Fund, which has helped to start more than 115 companies.

“NZVIF has made and continues to make an important contribution towards the diversification of the New Zealand economy, and the development of exciting new companies and industries,” Mr Joyce says.

“The Government expects NZVIF to become self-sustaining over time, and the extension of this guarantee will give the fund the time to make that adjustment.”

Mr Joyce today also announced the reappointment of directors Roger Bridge and Richard Hughes to the Board.

Since its establishment as a government-owned and funded company, NZVIF has invested $147 million, alongside private investors, into 187 of New Zealand’s most promising growth companies including Xero, Orion Health, PowerbyProxi, Vend and Booktrack.

Those companies have raised total investment capital of more than $1.4 billion. Four NZVIF-backed companies have market capitalisations of more than $50 million and seven have listed on stock exchanges.

The current contract has been in place for five years and has generated savings of approximately $30 million for 264 government agencies. The new contract has been broadened and includes operational vehicles for New Zealand Police and the VIP transport fleet for the Crown.

In the 12 months to March 2015, agencies spent $128 million on 4550 vehicles and associated purchases, Mr Joyce says. “Purchase levels under the new contract are expected to produce savings of $10 million a year compared with market rates.”

All agencies that are part of the New Zealand public sector are eligible to participate in AoG contracts.

“This new contract aims to provide fit-for-purpose, safe vehicles for government at the lowest total cost of ownership,” Mr Joyce says. “It also reduces the complexity and cost of procurement for agencies and suppliers, while providing continuous improvement in technology, service delivery, cost-effectiveness and performance.

“Three of the vehicles in the new contract are hybrids – the Toyota Prius and the Toyota Camry plus the plug-in Mitsubishi Outlander PHeV. This new contract is future proofed to accommodate additional hybrids and electric vehicles as the demand for these vehicles and their cost-efficiency continues to develop.”

Negotiations have recently concluded with seven suppliers shortlisted from the AoG Vehicles Request for Proposal (RFP) process and continue with two further suppliers, including the preferred supplier for the VIP fleet. The Department of Internal Affairs will announce the decision on the supplier for the VIP fleet in due course.

Contracts have been awarded to:

Ford Motor Company of New Zealand Limited
Holden New Zealand (also the preferred supplier for operational vehicles for New Zealand Police)
Hyundai Motors New Zealand Limited
Mazda Motors of New Zealand Limited
Mitsubishi Motors New Zealand Ltd
Suzuki New Zealand Limited
Toyota New Zealand
Contracts are for an initial term of five years, with an option to renew for a further five years.

The GDP figures for 15 regions for the year ended March 2014 were released by Statistics New Zealand today, revealing a national increase of 6.7 per cent.

“Today’s nominal GDP data, combined with the Household Labour Force data last month showing employment growth of 80,000 jobs in the last year, paints a strong picture of a broad-based economic recovery,” Mr Joyce says.

“Strong sustainable economic growth is the only way to create more jobs and increase incomes.”

Several regions grew strongly above the national average, including Southland (11.0 percent), Canterbury (10.6 percent), Marlborough (10.3 percent), Waikato (10.1 percent) and Northland (7.8 percent).

The Auckland and Wellington regions had the smallest increases of 5.1 percent and 4.4 percent respectively.

“The strength of growth in some South Island regions, particularly Southland, Canterbury and Marlborough, is particularly notable,” Mr Joyce says. “In the North Island, the Waikato, Northland and Taranaki stand out.

“Overall, the South Island has experienced stronger growth than the North Island over the last five years. The South has grown 27 per cent while the North has grown 21 per cent in five years. That’s another signal, alongside lower unemployment rates, that there are significant job opportunities in the South Island.”

New Zealand’s total GDP was $229.7 billion for the year ended March 2014. The North Island contributed 76.6 percent to total GDP, compared with 23.4 percent from the South Island.

“The Government is continuing to focus on economic policies that encourage business investment right across New Zealand,” Mr Joyce says.

“It is only when businesses have the confidence to invest that we achieve the sort of job growth that we are now seeing in the New Zealand economy.”