e-policy bulletin
E-Policy Bulletin May |
7 May 2008 |
POLICY/GOVERNMENT/SUBMISSIONS
New Zealand – China Free Trade Agreement
The following is a link to a FTA think piece written by Wayne Mulligan of FOMANA Captial Ltd. It is not an explanation or analysis of the virtues of the NZ-China FTA. If you wish to study the details of the NZ-China FTA then go to www.chinafta.govt.nz. The think piece can be read from http://www.fomana.co.nz/news.htm.
The FoMA submission will be available on our website http://www.foma.co.nz/panui/hot_topics.htm at the end of this week.
Walking Access Bill
This may be known to some as the Bill connecting the Queens chain and has been on the Governments agenda for a very long time, finally a Bill establishing a access committee who will assist with the negotiation of access across private lands has been introduced into the house. In summary the main provisions of the bill are to establish a commission with the powers to
- Determine if public land should be declared a walk way
- Negotiate with private land holders a walkway or easement over their land
- Details of powers of accessibility, facilities, charges etc.
The bill also establishes liabilities of the public whilst using walkways/easement The Walking Access Bill and the Bills digest are available from http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Legislation/Bills/0/9/3/00DBHOH_BILL8481_1-Walking-Access-Bill.htm
FoMA has been heavily involved in this issue from the start. Our main principle on the issue was that we opposed land access across or on Maori Land, and General Land owned by Maori without consultation, negotiation and agreement from the land owners concerned. Our 2006 submission is available from www.foma.co.nz/archive/OutdoorWalkingAccesssubmission28.07.06.htm. The 2008 Bill submissions are due 21 May 2008
Maori Trustee and Development Bill
The Maori Trustee and Development Bill is now open for submissions, the closing date for these is the 14th May 2008.
This bill amends the Maori Trustee Act 1953, it primarily makes the Maori Trustee and the Maori Trust Office a stand alone organisation and amends the way that the Maori Trustee is appointed and removed.
Also, it sets up a new “independent” statutory corporation the Maori Business Aotearoa New Zealand (MBANZ) for the furthering of Maori economic development, with a $35m contribution from the Maori Trustee’s general purpose fund.
Although this bill is timely and a review process of the Maori Trustee is needed FoMA considers that this bill has some serious flaws, such as the appointment of the Maori Trustee by the Minister of Maori Affairs and the use of the monies for the establishment of the MBANZ. FoMA has submitted a one pager on this issue which is available to view from http://www.foma.co.nz/panui/documents/MTOConsultationSubmission0907.pdf
Central North Island Forestry Collective
The FoMA Executive are encouraged by the process and progress of the Iwi and the crown in their consensus to reach an agreement on the CNI forests, this is a nice media release from the Maori Party http://www.maoriparty.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=
view&id=1678&Itemid=2. Further information on the CNI agreement is available from http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/terms+agreement+central+north+island+iwi
Elections 2008
The Central Government Elections are to be held this year and the level of knowledge among Maori and Pacific is very low, you can read an article from http://www.elections.org.nz/files/Research%20NZ%20info%20for%
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Meat Industry Action Group
The meat industry action group will be holding Taking control of our industry and securing our future meetings throughout the motu over the coming months. This is a ground up organisation, focusing on taking control of your industry from a Farmers point of view, the organisation is not new, however strategic steps are being taken to secure a place for farmers. This is an invite to all that would like to be involved, FoMA members are especially invited to participate, and recommended to do so. The panui is available from http://www.foma.co.nz/panui/documents/MeatIndustryActionGroupMay08.pdf
And more information of this group can be found at http://www.farmnews.co.nz/miag/
7th Annual Maori Legal Forum
The 2008 Maori Legal Forum will be held in Te Papa - Wellington, on 28 & 29 July 2008. The theme this year is Collaboration and Relationship Building between Iwi and the Crown. A separate bookable 3rd day on the 30th July: Examining Maori Property Rights – Wai 262 and its implications on the property rights of Maori. For more information please contact (09) 912 3616; or email info@conferenz.co.nz
OTHER INFORMATION
Maori Asset Base Factsheet
Total Mäori-owned commercial assets increased by 83% to $16.5 billion between 2001 and 2005/06. This fact sheet analyses the increases in value of different types of commercial assets owned by Mäori between 2001 and 2005/06. Want to know more? Check out Te Puni Kokiri’s Fact Sheets on their new website http://www.tpk.govt.nz/in-print/our-publications/fact-sheets/maoriassetbase/
Tax Credits for Businesses undertaking Research and Development
A new 15% research and development (R&D) tax credit takes effect from the start of the 2008-09 income year (1 April 2008 for most businesses). For more information go to http://www.ird.govt.nz/aboutir/media-centre/media-releases/2008/media-release-2008-03-31.html. Information businesses need to consider their eligibility for the tax credit is now available at http://www.ird.govt.nz/rd-tax-credit/.
TOHU FoMA Member wine discount
Tohu wines are offering a discount to FoMA members, and those who read the e-panui. Check it out from http://www.foma.co.nz/panui/hot_topics.htm.
