“NZSL is central to Deaf culture and identity, and is crucial to Deaf people’s ability to communicate and fully participate in society,” Ms Wagner says.

“The second round of the NZSL Fund seeks proposals for NZSL community-led projects that strengthen NZSL, especially in the home, within whānau, hapū and iwi, and within the Deaf community.

“Up to $1 million in NZSL Fund grants are available for the second round of funding. These grants will support community-based and community-led projects that promote and maintain NZSL.

“Focusing the Fund on community-led projects will help the NZSL community to ensure both the language and the culture continues.

“The support of local and national projects through the NZSL Fund will help create a vibrant, healthy, and prosperous Deaf culture, for current and future generations of Deaf people and NZSL users,” Ms Wagner says.

Applications are open until 19 February 2016. Further information about the NZSL Fund, including how to make an application, can be found here: www.odi.govt.nz/nzsl-fund

“NZSL is central to Deaf culture and identity, and is crucial to Deaf people’s ability to communicate and fully participate in society,” Ms Wagner says.

“The second round of the NZSL Fund seeks proposals for NZSL community-led projects that strengthen NZSL, especially in the home, within whānau, hapū and iwi, and within the Deaf community.

“Up to $1 million in NZSL Fund grants are available for the second round of funding. These grants will support community-based and community-led projects that promote and maintain NZSL.

“Focusing the Fund on community-led projects will help the NZSL community to ensure both the language and the culture continues.

“The support of local and national projects through the NZSL Fund will help create a vibrant, healthy, and prosperous Deaf culture, for current and future generations of Deaf people and NZSL users,” Ms Wagner says.

“The funding will address cost pressures from the greater than expected prison population growth and enhancements to electronic monitoring,” Ms Collins says.

“Despite significant progress in reducing crime and improving public safety, the number of prisoners has been increasing at a rate consistently above forecasts.

“In October 2015 the prison muster was 800 higher than at the same projected point in the 2011 Justice Sector forecast. This is equivalent to a large sized prison.

“The number of prisoners reached a record high of 9,171 on the 30 November 2015 and currently sits at 8,968.”

The funding will provide $15 million to address the prison population growth. A further $2.6 million is being provided for improvements to the electronic monitoring system.

Corrections has established a 24 hour GPS Immediate Response Team as well as an Electronic Monitoring Assurance Team.

The funding for the monitoring of returning offenders from Australia will be considered as part of the 2016 Budget process

A total of 13 initiatives will receive a share of the $5.105 million made available in the latest round of funding under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act.

Details of the funding were announced today along with the release of the latest Indicators and Progress Report for the Government’s Methamphetamine Action Plan.

“The efforts undertaken by our law enforcement agencies and the health sector to address the scourge of methamphetamine have been immense and delivered real results,” Mr Key says.

Today’s report shows seizures of the drug almost tripled in the past year, with Customs and Police intercepting 293kg compared with 105kg the year before.

It also shows the average age of P users has increased, suggesting fewer young people are taking up the drug, while use rates remain below 1 per cent.

The availability of treatment and the number of associated convictions have also increased and the price of the drug remains high.

“As a result of the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act we are able to seize the proceeds of crime and use it against those responsible for it,” Mr Key says.

“The new funding will boost efforts to stop drugs at the border and clamp down on production and distribution in New Zealand, as well as broader drug and alcohol treatment and enforcement initiatives,” Mr Key says.

“It brings the total invested under the Act in anti-drug programmes to $17.2m since 2013.

The initiatives to be funded from the seized assets are:

$1m for a package aimed at preventing, identifying and responding effectively to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
$976,893 to purchase FirstDefender substance identification instruments to help Customs officials better detect drugs at the border.
$880,000 to help police recover costs under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act.
$721,000 for more police anti-cannabis surveillance flights.
$483,604 for more staff and equipment at the Police Northern Electronic Crime Laboratory to provide forensic and mobile phone investigative support for organised crime and drug investigations.
$300,000 to strengthen education, intelligence and enforcement around drugs in sport, with a focus on youth.
$220,000 to allow for wastewater analysis to test for illicit drug use.
$210,000 for the Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Court to fund another coordinator for two years.
$150,000 to develop screening and intervention services for young people with alcohol issues.
$63,677 to develop a standard for the remediation of properties with methamphetamine-related contamination.
$60,000 to support prosecutions relating to psychoactive substances.
$40,000 for police to develop an app to screen and refer offenders with alcohol disorders and smoking addiction to health services.
“Prenatal exposure to alcohol is one of our leading preventable causes of birth defects and intellectual disability – part of the broader issue of drug and alcohol abuse in New Zealand – and this $1m will help us address that,” Mr Key says.

“Supporting these projects will also help with the Government’s wider efforts to combat methamphetamine.

“These efforts are working, making our communities safer and I have no doubt that, supported by the kinds of new initiatives we are backing today, that progress will continue.”

The money comes from the Office of Ethnic Communities’ Settling In fund, which is available for projects or initiatives that seek to support successful settlement for refugee and migrant communities in New Zealand.

“This funding allows local organisations help these communities overcome challenges and settle successfully in New Zealand,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

“New Zealand is culturally diverse and our government is committed to supporting our migrant and refugee communities. The quality and quantity of applications during this round were very impressive and I look forward to seeing the positive impact the Settling In-funded projects have on our communities.”

The funding has gone to a variety of projects which include access to services such as maternity care, employment, cultural and sporting activities designed to promote integration and cultural understanding.

The grants, which range from about $2500 to around $25,000, will be distributed before Christmas.

“Treasury forecasts solid economic growth over the next five years, averaging 2.7 per cent per annum – picking up from a weaker performance in the first half of 2015.

“The positive outlook for the economy over the next few years is driven by the Canterbury rebuild, supportive monetary policy, construction in Auckland, export growth supported by a lower dollar and migration.”

Treasury expects unemployment to drop to 4.5 per cent after peaking at 6.5 per cent in March 2016. 195,000 jobs are expected to be created by mid-2020, and the average wage is forecast to increase by $6,000 to $63,500.

After successfully meeting its surplus target in 2014/15, the Government’s five fiscal priorities have been updated.

“This does not signal a change in direction – we will continue to focus on keeping a tight rein on spending, running surpluses and paying down debt,” Mr English says.

The revised Operating Balance Before Gains and Losses (OBEGAL) and net debt priorities are:

maintaining rising OBEGAL surpluses over the forecast period so that cash surpluses are generated, and
reducing net debt to around 20 per cent of GDP in 2020 and, in the medium term, to within a range of 0 to 20 per cent of GDP.
The OBEGAL is expected to be broadly balanced over the next few years, before rising rapidly in 2018/19 – although Treasury forecast a small deficit in 2015/16 due to the recent weaker economic outturn.

“The books are broadly in balance – so in the immediate future we will not distinguish between forecasts of a small negative or small positive OBEGAL.

“The 2014/15 surplus demonstrates how things can change in a short time, with a $572 million forecast deficit at HYEFU last December turning into a $414 million surplus by the end of the fiscal year.”

The Budget Policy Statement confirms the operating allowance remains at $1 billion for Budget 2016, $2.5 billion for Budget 2017 and $1.5 billion in Budget 2018 – although some rephrasing between Budgets is possible.

Net debt is expected to be 21.9 per cent of GDP in 2020/21, after peaking at 27.7 per cent in 2016/17.

The capital allowance for Budget 2016 has been increased by $1 billion, given the Future Investment Fund has now been fully allocated – although the Government is looking at ways to reprioritise existing capital to cover at least some of this increase.

“Given the pipeline of high quality investment priorities, we consider it is an appropriate time to provide additional funding,” Mr English says.

The Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update and Budget Policy Statement are available at: www.treasury.govt.nz/budget/2016/bps and www.treasury.govt.nz/budget/forecasts/hyefu2015

SUMMARY OF ECONOMIC AND FISCAL FORECASTS

THE GOVERNMENT’S FIVE FISCAL PRIORITIES

Maintaining rising operating surpluses (before gains and losses) over the forecast period so that cash surpluses are generated and net government debt begins to reduce in dollar terms
Reducing net government debt to around 20 per cent of GDP in 2020 and, in the medium term, reducing net debt to within a range of 0 to 20 per cent of GDP
Implementing a new funding policy for the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC), following previous levy reductions
If economic and fiscal conditions allow, beginning to reduce income taxes from Budget 2017, and
Using any further fiscal headroom – including from positive revenue surprises – to reduce net debt faster.

The Ministers will discuss a range of regional and international security issues, including international efforts to counter Da’esh and deployments such as the Multinational Force and Observers in the Sinai, and Operation Resolute Support in Afghanistan. The respective New Zealand and Australian Defence White Papers will also be a topic of conversation.

“I welcome Senator Payne to New Zealand,” Mr Brownlee says.

“Although I have met with Senator Payne before, this will be our first formal bilateral meeting and will provide a timely opportunity to discuss mutual defence and security issues.

“Australia is our closest security and trade partner, and it is important that we stay closely in touch on key issues that impact us both.”

This follows last week’s announcement of an $8.5 million redevelopment of Kelburn Normal School in the capital.

“These two latest redevelopments will help address roll growth and a range of building and site issues, including weathertightness and structural strengthening, and will create exciting new innovative learning environments for students,” says Ms Kaye.

“An $8.9 million redevelopment of Newtown School will see temporary buildings at the school replaced with new flexible learning spaces, including a new Maori immersion unit.

“A two-storey block at the school was demolished in 2011 following a seismic review, and the school has since been using a number of temporary learning spaces.

“The redevelopment will see a new two-storey block built, along with sheltered outdoor recreation areas and safe drop-off areas.

“Plans for the redevelopment aim to make the most of the school’s small compact site, and also allow for future roll growth.

“At Ngaio School, $3.4 million will be invested in five new learning spaces. These will replace existing buildings affected by structural and groundwater issues, which will be demolished.

“This project will complement the recent completion of eight new learning spaces at the school, which were needed to keep pace with roll growth

“The latest new building at the school will be more appropriately situated to provide more outdoor learning space.

“These redevelopments will help create innovative learning environments, with flexible learning spaces that can provide an open-plan layout or be closed off into traditional classrooms.

“This will allow students to learn in groups or independently, and help them develop skills such as collaboration as well as independent problem solving.

“Acoustics, lighting, heating and air quality will be high-quality, to help students concentrate on learning, and facilities will also be equipped with the latest IT infrastructure to support digital learning.

“The Government is committed to ensuring that students all over New Zealand can learn in an environment that inspires and supports them to achieve to the best of their potential.

“Over $83 million of school redevelopments have been announced in the Wellington area since early November. These redevelopments include Newtown School, Ngaio School, Kelburn Normal School, Wellington East Girls’ College and Aotea College in Porirua.

“Over the last seven years, we’ve invested more than $4 billion in school property maintenance, growth and modernisation nationwide. This is more than a 30 per cent increase on the previous seven years.”

Construction at Newtown and Ngaio Schools is expected to start late in 2016.

Funding of $1.1 million is being provided to KidsCan to deliver the programme to 111 schools and 24,000 children.

“As a mother and grandmother I know all families will be aware that nits can quickly infest a household and can be an expensive nuisance to eradicate,” says Mrs Tolley.

“Through Nitbusters we are supporting families who need help in dealing with the costs involved, by providing free treatments for as long as is required to stamp out the problem.

“The Government first began funding Nitbusters in 2014, and on average 1,400 children are checked each week for head lice.

“In November 2014, 43 per cent of children who were checked required treatment for nits. By July 2015 there had been a 16 per cent reduction in the number of kids needing treatment.

“I’m also advised that schools are reporting increased attendance, as fewer children are having to stay at home or be sent home due to head lice.

“I’m delighted that Nitbusters is working for the children and families at these schools, and I look forward to further excellent results in the year ahead.”

As with previous funding, the $1.1 million for Nitbusters in 2016 is being delivered through an underspend in the Kickstart Breakfast programme.

Since the Government funded an expansion of Kickstart in 2013, around 5.5 million breakfasts have been served. The scheme is open to all schools, with 841 currently involved, and breakfasts served to around 27,000 children.

“This rebuild of the current school will see at least 80 per cent of the existing teaching spaces replaced entirely. The other teaching spaces will be upgraded.

“In addition, a new gymnasium will be built, and the existing hall and administration block will be upgraded.

“This is great news for the college and local communities. Western Springs is one of our highest-performing schools and it’s in a strategic location, servicing the Western Bays and surrounding areas.

“The school has faced considerable challenges due to the geotechnical challenges of the site it was built on, which is a former quarry and landfill. That combined with ageing buildings and weather-tightness issues has made this one of the most complex school redevelopments undertaken in New Zealand.

“This is reflected in the investment announced today, which is the equivalent of the cost of building two new secondary schools.

“I want to thank the Board and acknowledge the patience of the school and local communities as we worked towards a solution that will see the school provide modern facilities for generations to come.

“It’s taken a bit longer to get to this point, but the scale and complexity of the issues involved meant we needed to do things properly. It was important we achieved a solution that works for the community and ensures good health and safety.

“The redevelopment will see two brand new teaching blocks built, comprising 64 teaching spaces.

“As part of the package agreed by the Government, one of these blocks, containing 12 teaching spaces, will be for Nga Puna o Waiorea, the college’s Maori immersion-Rumaki unit.

“It’s great that this important cultural asset, including its wharenui, will continue to retain its unique identity within the school.

“The rebuild will see innovative and sustainable learning environments across the school.

“The two new blocks will take the total number of teaching spaces at the college to 81, including the 17 existing teaching spaces that will be upgraded. Depending on the final design, more of these upgraded teaching spaces may be replaced.

“This represents a significant increase in capacity from the current total of 60 teaching spaces. Providing roughly 25 per cent extra capacity will allow for roll growth from over 1300 to around 1700 students, consistent with the Government’s commitment to get ahead of demand in high-growth areas of Auckland.

“The Government recognises the importance of TAPAC as a performing arts centre and community asset. This is why around $4 million will be invested to address weather-tightness issues and ensure this facility can continue to support arts and culture at the school and within the community.

“With the decision on broad plans for the rebuild approved, the Board, school, community and Ministry of Education can now work together to finalise the school design.

“Today’s announcement means the Government has announced investments of around $150 million in four school redevelopments over the last two and a half weeks. This includes around $24 million at Balmoral School and $26 million at Takapuna Grammar School, in Auckland, and $24 million at Aotea College in Porirua.

“These projects are further steps in the Government’s commitment to invest in improved school facilities across New Zealand.

“Over the last seven years, we’ve invested more than $4 billion in school property maintenance, growth and modernisation. This is more than a 30 per cent increase on the previous seven years.

“Work at Western Springs is expected to start in late 2016 and be completed by the end of 2018.

“Due to the complexity of site issues and the scale of the project, the Ministry has advised me that health and safety specialists and additional project support will be used to complete the rebuild.”