This edition of NewsRoom_Digest contains 5 media release snippets and 4 links of the day from Tuesday 26th May.
Top stories in the news cycle today – other than a wayfaring seal in Papakura – include coverage of the fightback against Islamic State in Iraq and concerns about NZ troops on the ground there and the announcement of the NZ International Convention Centre deal (snippet below).
SNIPPETS OF THE DAY
Smaller Convention Centre: Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce today announced that the Government and SkyCity have agreed a revised preliminary design for the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC). The new design will provide for a slightly smaller centre to be built without any construction costs being met by the Crown. SkyCity has also agreed to increase the minimum amount it will invest in the centre from $402 million to at least $430 million, and the company says it could spend in the range of $450 million to $470 million.
Education Success Indicators: Education Minister Hekia Parata has welcomed the development of new measures of educational success to be used for both internal and external evaluation of schools. The indicators have been developed by the Education Review Office in conjunction with key academic experts and make use of evidence from high-performing schools. They are being trialled over the next few months and will be formally adopted by ERO from July next year.
Black-Market Psychoactive Substances: Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne is concerned at the use of untested and unapproved black-market psychoactive substances in the Auckland area, following recent reports of adverse reactions. Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) test results suggest the substance in question may be MDMB-CHMICA, previously unknown in New Zealand, but responsible for numerous serious adverse effects reported overseas.
NZ First: Medical Students Loan Service: The government’s continued refusal to give loans to students studying longer than seven years shows just how out of touch they are, says New Zealand First. “It takes a third of all medical students up to nine years to complete their degrees,” says New Zealand First Health Spokesperson Barbara Stewart. “Without access to student loan services, half of those students have no way of paying for their final year of study.
Labour Party: Seven KiwiSaver cuts in seven years: National’s campaign of KiwiSaver cuts has reached seven in seven years as it dismantles KiwiSaver block by block, Labour Leader Andrew Little says. “KiwiSaver is critical to establishing a savings culture in New Zealand but National has taken a jenga-style approach, removing block after block and undermining its foundations. “After being the only party to vote against KiwiSaver at its final reading, National has made seven stealth cuts to the scheme, reducing its effectiveness, lowering savers’ confidence in it and making it less attractive for people to enter it.
LINKS OF THE DAY
DAIRY PRICE FALL CAUSES EXPORT DROP: Total goods exports fell $240 million (5.5 percent) to $4.2 billion in April 2015 compared with April 2014, Statistics New Zealand said today. For more information about these statistics: http://www.stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/industry_sectors/imports_and_exports/OverseasMerchandiseTrade_HOTPApr15.aspx
NZ SATISFIED: The majority of New Zealanders say they’re highly satisfied with their lives, and slightly more rate their sense of purpose highly, Statistics New Zealand said today. These are the first results from Statistics New Zealand’s survey of nearly 9,000 people. For more information about these statistics: http://www.stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/people_and_communities/Households/nzgss_HOTP2014.aspx
VENISON PGP PROGRAMME: Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy has welcomed the formal start of a new Primary Growth Partnership (PGP) programme involving the deer industry. More information is available at:http://www.mpi.govt.nz/funding-and-programmes/primary-growth-partnership/
HEALTH TARGET RESULTS: Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says the latest quarterly health target results show the shorter stays in emergency departments target has been met for the first time. The quarter three (January-March 2015) results can be found at http://www.health.govt.nz/new-zealand-health-system/health-targets/how-my-dhb-performing/how-my-dhb-performing-2014-15
And that’s our sampling of the day that was on Tuesday 26th May 2015.
Brought to EveningReport by Newsroom Digest. –]]>
