A new report on maternal health in the Pacific from the New Zealand Parliamentarians' group on Population and Development (NZPPD) calls on the New Zealand, Australian and Pacific Island governments to take immediate action to improve the maternal health situation in the Pacific.
For full story click Title above.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Bikes in Schools programme
Prime Minister John Key on Monday launched a new programme that aims to give every primary school child in New Zealand regular access to a bike and bike track within the school grounds. A trial of Bike On NZ's 'Bikes in the School' programme has been running since 1 February in St Mary's School, Hastings, and now founder Paul McArdle hopes to secure funding to be able to offer it to any New Zealand primary school that wants it.
For more information, click the title above.
For more information, click the title above.
Seminars Empower Dairying Women to Take Charge of Financial Planning
Empowering dairying women with tips and tools to take charge of their farm’s financial planning will be the focus of a series of practical workshops being held across the North and South Islands in March.
Run by the Dairy Womens Network, the ‘Building Your Farm Budget’ seminars have been developed to provide dairying women with the skills and knowledge to create a budget and cashflow, review their cash situation, and be able to benchmark their business against others.
“When it comes to talking money, budgeting and cashflow need not be dirty words,” says Network General Manager, Lynda Clark.
Former rural banking manager and ex-farm consultant, Rebecca Rowe, is guest speaker at the North Island Dairy Days. While performance improvement and people development specialist, Claire Harvey, is guest speaker at the South Island Dairy Days.
NORTH ISLAND locations include: Cambridge, Woodville, Statford, Rotorua, Whangarei
SOUTH ISLAND location include: Papakaio, South Gore, Invercargill, Nelson, Greymouth, Ashburton
Run by the Dairy Womens Network, the ‘Building Your Farm Budget’ seminars have been developed to provide dairying women with the skills and knowledge to create a budget and cashflow, review their cash situation, and be able to benchmark their business against others.
“When it comes to talking money, budgeting and cashflow need not be dirty words,” says Network General Manager, Lynda Clark.
Former rural banking manager and ex-farm consultant, Rebecca Rowe, is guest speaker at the North Island Dairy Days. While performance improvement and people development specialist, Claire Harvey, is guest speaker at the South Island Dairy Days.
NORTH ISLAND locations include: Cambridge, Woodville, Statford, Rotorua, Whangarei
SOUTH ISLAND location include: Papakaio, South Gore, Invercargill, Nelson, Greymouth, Ashburton
Concern re home support from Age Concern
Stopping home support services isn't 'low risk' and it's counter-productive, says Age Concern New Zealand. "We oppose changes to older people's home support and want Mr Ryall to stop DHBs cutting domestic assitance. Their actions seem contrary to Government's aim of 'improving home-based care and access to front-line health services' and the Health ministry's claim there'll be greater 'emphasis on development of home and community based services'," Age Concern chief executive Ann Martin says.
Monday, February 22, 2010
NZ joint chair of OECD agriculture meeting
Agriculture Minister David Carter will join his Austrian counterpart Nikolaus Berlakovich as co-chair of the OECD Agriculture Ministers’ meeting in Paris this week.
Ministers and senior officials from around 30 countries are attending the two-day meeting, the first at this level since 1998.
“Global population growth means that world food production will need to rise by 50 percent in the next 20 years. This presents major challenges for all countries involved in the business of growing food,” says Mr Carter.
“This meeting is a significant opportunity to discuss ways of confronting food security with new thinking, new approaches and a strong political will.”
Mr Carter will also attend the 25th Round Table on Sustainable Development and hold bilateral meetings with several of his European counterparts.
This will enable further discussion on the Global Research Alliance, which now has 23 member countries on board.
“The agriculture sector is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, so the importance of the commitment shown by these countries to reducing agriculture greenhouse gas emissions, while enhancing food security, cannot be underestimated,” says Mr Carter.
Ministers and senior officials from around 30 countries are attending the two-day meeting, the first at this level since 1998.
“Global population growth means that world food production will need to rise by 50 percent in the next 20 years. This presents major challenges for all countries involved in the business of growing food,” says Mr Carter.
“This meeting is a significant opportunity to discuss ways of confronting food security with new thinking, new approaches and a strong political will.”
Mr Carter will also attend the 25th Round Table on Sustainable Development and hold bilateral meetings with several of his European counterparts.
This will enable further discussion on the Global Research Alliance, which now has 23 member countries on board.
“The agriculture sector is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, so the importance of the commitment shown by these countries to reducing agriculture greenhouse gas emissions, while enhancing food security, cannot be underestimated,” says Mr Carter.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
ANZAC Day Memorial Services with a difference
Maori Television is keen to hear from anyone planning to hold their own memorial service for ANZAC Day 2010. For full details click on the Title above.
Friday, February 19, 2010
New code of welfare for dairy cattle released
Agriculture Minister David Carter has today issued a new code of animal welfare which sets down minimum standards for the farming of dairy cattle.
Mr Carter says the Animal Welfare (Dairy Cattle) Code of Welfare 2010 provides clear guidelines about the handling and management of dairy cattle and leaves farmers in no doubt about the standards of welfare they should meet.
The new code covers all areas of dairy cattle management from stockmanship and husbandry practices, to food and water, shade and shelter, and health. This is the first time such a code has been issued.
“It aims to encourage all those involved in the farming of dairy cattle to adopt the highest standards of handling and care,” says Mr Carter.
“Like all codes of animal welfare, this is particularly directed at the worst players in the industry, not the best ones.”
Failure to comply with minimum standards may lead to prosecution under the Animal Welfare Act.
The new code has been developed by the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) in consultation with the dairy industry and animal welfare and veterinary groups. Submissions were also sought from the public.
“The dairy industry has been instrumental in drawing it up and I applaud its proactive approach on animal welfare. Its continued leadership is vital to ensuring that the standards in this code are met,” says Mr Carter.
The Minister acknowledges that one area not covered is the long-term or permanent housing of dairy cattle, such as recently proposed in the Mackenzie Basin.
“The 2010 code was not developed with this in mind because the issue had not arisen. Long-term housing of dairy cattle in New Zealand is a relatively new concept and the animal welfare aspects are not yet fully known. I have asked NAWAC to provide me with separate advice on this matter.”
Mr Carter says that in the interests of ensuring immediate animal welfare gains for the majority of dairy cattle in New Zealand, he is issuing the new code as it stands.
Mr Carter says the Animal Welfare (Dairy Cattle) Code of Welfare 2010 provides clear guidelines about the handling and management of dairy cattle and leaves farmers in no doubt about the standards of welfare they should meet.
The new code covers all areas of dairy cattle management from stockmanship and husbandry practices, to food and water, shade and shelter, and health. This is the first time such a code has been issued.
“It aims to encourage all those involved in the farming of dairy cattle to adopt the highest standards of handling and care,” says Mr Carter.
“Like all codes of animal welfare, this is particularly directed at the worst players in the industry, not the best ones.”
Failure to comply with minimum standards may lead to prosecution under the Animal Welfare Act.
The new code has been developed by the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) in consultation with the dairy industry and animal welfare and veterinary groups. Submissions were also sought from the public.
“The dairy industry has been instrumental in drawing it up and I applaud its proactive approach on animal welfare. Its continued leadership is vital to ensuring that the standards in this code are met,” says Mr Carter.
The Minister acknowledges that one area not covered is the long-term or permanent housing of dairy cattle, such as recently proposed in the Mackenzie Basin.
“The 2010 code was not developed with this in mind because the issue had not arisen. Long-term housing of dairy cattle in New Zealand is a relatively new concept and the animal welfare aspects are not yet fully known. I have asked NAWAC to provide me with separate advice on this matter.”
Mr Carter says that in the interests of ensuring immediate animal welfare gains for the majority of dairy cattle in New Zealand, he is issuing the new code as it stands.
Animal welfare bill begins first reading
A bill aimed at significantly raising penalties for cruelty to animals began its first reading in Parliament last night.
Agriculture Minister David Carter said the Animal Welfare Amendment Bill is intended to send a clear message that serious offending against animals is unacceptable to our society.
The bill proposes increasing the maximum sentence for wilful ill-treatment of an animal from three years to five years. In addition the maximum fine will double to $100,000 for an individual and $500,000 for a body corporate.
“Curbing animal cruelty is a priority for this Government,” said Mr Carter. “People who are capable of cruelty to animals are also capable of violence to their families and others.”
The bill seeks to change the way some offences are described. It intends to expand the threshold for the offence of wilful ill-treatment – the most serious welfare offence – and it adds a new offence of reckless ill-treatment to the Animal Welfare Act.
This will apply where it can be proved that a person knew or appreciated that serious harm to an animal could occur, and unreasonably ran the risk anyway.
Penalties will also increase for a range of other neglect and ill-treatment offences in the Act and changes are proposed to the laws relating to forfeiture of animals and disqualification from having custody of animals.
“Most New Zealanders expect the animals in people’s care to be healthy, comfortable and properly fed. We expect animals to receive a reasonable standard of humane treatment and not to suffer unnecessarily,” said Mr Carter.
“The amendments will strengthen the Animal Welfare Act’s provisions and enable serious offending against animals to be dealt with more effectively.”
Agriculture Minister David Carter said the Animal Welfare Amendment Bill is intended to send a clear message that serious offending against animals is unacceptable to our society.
The bill proposes increasing the maximum sentence for wilful ill-treatment of an animal from three years to five years. In addition the maximum fine will double to $100,000 for an individual and $500,000 for a body corporate.
“Curbing animal cruelty is a priority for this Government,” said Mr Carter. “People who are capable of cruelty to animals are also capable of violence to their families and others.”
The bill seeks to change the way some offences are described. It intends to expand the threshold for the offence of wilful ill-treatment – the most serious welfare offence – and it adds a new offence of reckless ill-treatment to the Animal Welfare Act.
This will apply where it can be proved that a person knew or appreciated that serious harm to an animal could occur, and unreasonably ran the risk anyway.
Penalties will also increase for a range of other neglect and ill-treatment offences in the Act and changes are proposed to the laws relating to forfeiture of animals and disqualification from having custody of animals.
“Most New Zealanders expect the animals in people’s care to be healthy, comfortable and properly fed. We expect animals to receive a reasonable standard of humane treatment and not to suffer unnecessarily,” said Mr Carter.
“The amendments will strengthen the Animal Welfare Act’s provisions and enable serious offending against animals to be dealt with more effectively.”
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Wool Taskforce: asking the right questions
Agriculture Minister David Carter has congratulated the Wool Taskforce on its report Restoring Profitability to the Strong Wool Sector, released today.
“The report asks the right questions and identifies strategies to restore profitability to a sector that has been in decline for decades,” says Mr Carter.
“Everyone knows that the only way to raise price is to raise demand. Rather than generically marketing New Zealand wool, the report says the industry needs to work across the supply chain to boost demand for clothing, carpets and other wool products.
“The Taskforce makes it clear that this will only come about through unity and leadership, essentially having one voice for the sector. I’m encouraged to hear this challenge from a group formed from within the industry.”
Mr Carter established the Taskforce and called for the report following the ‘no’ vote on Wool Levy payments in October 2009.
He says that, given the group had only four months to address 40 years of decline in the sector, there was a surprisingly strong level of consensus across the Taskforce.
“I congratulate the Taskforce for delivering a quality majority report to such a tight timeframe. It has done everything I asked of it.
“I am conscious that previous reports on the wool industry have dropped like a stone, and I don't want to see that happen with this one. It is now up to the industry, and its leaders to ensure it doesn’t,” says Mr Carter.
To view a copy of the report, click the Title above.
“The report asks the right questions and identifies strategies to restore profitability to a sector that has been in decline for decades,” says Mr Carter.
“Everyone knows that the only way to raise price is to raise demand. Rather than generically marketing New Zealand wool, the report says the industry needs to work across the supply chain to boost demand for clothing, carpets and other wool products.
“The Taskforce makes it clear that this will only come about through unity and leadership, essentially having one voice for the sector. I’m encouraged to hear this challenge from a group formed from within the industry.”
Mr Carter established the Taskforce and called for the report following the ‘no’ vote on Wool Levy payments in October 2009.
He says that, given the group had only four months to address 40 years of decline in the sector, there was a surprisingly strong level of consensus across the Taskforce.
“I congratulate the Taskforce for delivering a quality majority report to such a tight timeframe. It has done everything I asked of it.
“I am conscious that previous reports on the wool industry have dropped like a stone, and I don't want to see that happen with this one. It is now up to the industry, and its leaders to ensure it doesn’t,” says Mr Carter.
To view a copy of the report, click the Title above.
Agriculture Minister moves to unify wool industry
Agriculture Minister David Carter is to appoint an independent expert to work on forming a single body for the New Zealand wool industry.
A meeting today of 35 sector leaders agreed to adopt the recommendations of the Wool Taskforce report Restoring Profitability to the Strong Wool Sector.
This included a proposal to form a ‘single voice’ to act on behalf of the industry.
“There was robust discussion at the meeting but everyone agreed that this was a vital first step in ensuring the future of the strong wool sector,” says Mr Carter.
“The group agreed unanimously that the answer to this doesn’t lie with any of the existing organisations, but rather with a clean slate approach.
“I will be seeking an independent convenor who will begin the task of unifying an industry that has been fragmented for far too long. I appreciate that this will not be an easy task and I urge all sectors of the industry to engage constructively in this process.
“Today’s meeting saw an encouraging step forward and I am hopeful that this marks the beginning of a new chapter for the New Zealand wool industry,” Mr Carter says.
Media contact: Vanessa Rawson 021 245 9773
A meeting today of 35 sector leaders agreed to adopt the recommendations of the Wool Taskforce report Restoring Profitability to the Strong Wool Sector.
This included a proposal to form a ‘single voice’ to act on behalf of the industry.
“There was robust discussion at the meeting but everyone agreed that this was a vital first step in ensuring the future of the strong wool sector,” says Mr Carter.
“The group agreed unanimously that the answer to this doesn’t lie with any of the existing organisations, but rather with a clean slate approach.
“I will be seeking an independent convenor who will begin the task of unifying an industry that has been fragmented for far too long. I appreciate that this will not be an easy task and I urge all sectors of the industry to engage constructively in this process.
“Today’s meeting saw an encouraging step forward and I am hopeful that this marks the beginning of a new chapter for the New Zealand wool industry,” Mr Carter says.
Media contact: Vanessa Rawson 021 245 9773
Friday, February 12, 2010
New Zealand Lamb campaign launches in UK
A new campaign to promote New Zealand lamb in the UK has been launched by Meat & Wool New Zealand this week.
Meat & Wool New Zealand General Manager, Market Development, Craig Finch said the campaign signals the start of the new lamb season and it highlights the attributes valued by consumers in the UK.
“We know from our research that British consumers love that our lamb is raised on green grass year-round and in natural farming systems.
“The advertising takes a humorous view of the lengths to which New Zealand sheep farmers go in raising the world’s finest free-range lamb.”
Using the theme of “A National Obsession” the advertising shows a lifeguard - renamed a lambguard - looking after sheep which are grazing close to a running stream.
The campaign to promote New Zealand lamb will have a presence on television through food channel sponsorships, although the major focus is on print and online media.
“Increasingly we are using online communications to reach consumers. For instance, using consumer e-newsletters containing recipes, competitions and tips, almost a quarter of a million British households are receiving information about New Zealand lamb in every issue.”
Mr Finch said the advertising campaign can be viewed on the website targeting British consumers www.national-obsession.com. This site contains a range of material promoting New Zealand lamb including recipes, webcasts by New Zealand celebrity chef, Peter Gordon, showing three of his favourite lamb dishes, webcasts of New Zealand farmers and a competition to win flights to New Zealand in association with Air New Zealand.
This campaign is funded by New Zealand sheep farmer levies to keep the New Zealand lamb brand in front of consumers in this important market. Last year 73,321 tonnes of New Zealand lamb, worth $656 million, went into the UK - New Zealand’s largest single market.
For more information please contact; Meat & Wool New Zealand General Manager Market Development 04 474 0846.
Meat & Wool New Zealand General Manager, Market Development, Craig Finch said the campaign signals the start of the new lamb season and it highlights the attributes valued by consumers in the UK.
“We know from our research that British consumers love that our lamb is raised on green grass year-round and in natural farming systems.
“The advertising takes a humorous view of the lengths to which New Zealand sheep farmers go in raising the world’s finest free-range lamb.”
Using the theme of “A National Obsession” the advertising shows a lifeguard - renamed a lambguard - looking after sheep which are grazing close to a running stream.
The campaign to promote New Zealand lamb will have a presence on television through food channel sponsorships, although the major focus is on print and online media.
“Increasingly we are using online communications to reach consumers. For instance, using consumer e-newsletters containing recipes, competitions and tips, almost a quarter of a million British households are receiving information about New Zealand lamb in every issue.”
Mr Finch said the advertising campaign can be viewed on the website targeting British consumers www.national-obsession.com. This site contains a range of material promoting New Zealand lamb including recipes, webcasts by New Zealand celebrity chef, Peter Gordon, showing three of his favourite lamb dishes, webcasts of New Zealand farmers and a competition to win flights to New Zealand in association with Air New Zealand.
This campaign is funded by New Zealand sheep farmer levies to keep the New Zealand lamb brand in front of consumers in this important market. Last year 73,321 tonnes of New Zealand lamb, worth $656 million, went into the UK - New Zealand’s largest single market.
For more information please contact; Meat & Wool New Zealand General Manager Market Development 04 474 0846.
Removing red tape for gym crèches
The Government is to remove unnecessary red tape for crèches at gyms and shopping malls, Education Minister Anne Tolley said today. "We are taking away the requirement for Limited Attendance Centres (LACs) to be licensed as an early childhood education provider," said Mrs Tolley. Click Title for more information.
Emerging leaders sought for Fulbright Fellowship
Fulbright New Zealand and the Harkness New Zealand Trust invite applications for the new Fulbright-Harkness New Zealand Fellowship, which offers the opportunity for an emerging New Zealand leader in any field of study or vocation other than health care* to study or research in the US for a minimum of six weeks. Successful grantees will receive NZ$15,000 (plus basic health and accident insurance) towards a short fellowship programme of their own design at any US university or institution. Click Title for further information.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Fonterra Bond Offer Opens 18 February 2010
Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited announced today that it is offering up to NZ$100 million of bonds, with the ability to accept up to NZ$50 million oversubscriptions. The Offer will open on Thursday 18 February 2010 and will close on 3 March 2010.
The unsecured fixed rate senior bonds will have a six year maturity (to 4 March 2016). The minimum investment is $5,000 and multiples of $1,000 thereafter. The interest rate for the bonds will be announced on Wednesday 17 February, the day before the Offer opens.
A Simplified Disclosure Prospectus for the offer has been registered and is available for download at
http://www.fonterra.com/. Applications for bonds will not be accepted until the Offer opens.
Fonterra has mandated ANZ, part of ANZ National Bank Limited; BNZ; and Westpac Institutional Bank, a division of Westpac Banking Corporation, as Joint-Lead Managers for the bond Offer.
On 20 January 2010, Fonterra announced it was considering a bond offer of up to $250 million. The offer size has been scaled back to a maximum of $150 million as Fonterra has been able to cover part of its financing requirements overseas at a very attractive funding cost .
As previously advised, Fonterra intends to use any money raised for general business purposes, including partial replacement of a €300 million Euro Medium Term Note (EMTN) maturing in April 2010.
The unsecured fixed rate senior bonds will have a six year maturity (to 4 March 2016). The minimum investment is $5,000 and multiples of $1,000 thereafter. The interest rate for the bonds will be announced on Wednesday 17 February, the day before the Offer opens.
A Simplified Disclosure Prospectus for the offer has been registered and is available for download at
http://www.fonterra.com/. Applications for bonds will not be accepted until the Offer opens.
Fonterra has mandated ANZ, part of ANZ National Bank Limited; BNZ; and Westpac Institutional Bank, a division of Westpac Banking Corporation, as Joint-Lead Managers for the bond Offer.
On 20 January 2010, Fonterra announced it was considering a bond offer of up to $250 million. The offer size has been scaled back to a maximum of $150 million as Fonterra has been able to cover part of its financing requirements overseas at a very attractive funding cost .
As previously advised, Fonterra intends to use any money raised for general business purposes, including partial replacement of a €300 million Euro Medium Term Note (EMTN) maturing in April 2010.
The National Bank Young Farmer Contest
The National Bank is continuing its support for farmers in 2010, building on the more than $2 billion advanced to the rural sector during the credit crisis last year, The National Bank managing director of rural banking Charlie Graham said today.
“The National Bank is positive about the medium term outlook for agriculture and as the rural sector emerges from the downturn we will continue to deepen and refine our programme of support through additional new lending, competitive interest rates and our banking and business expertise.
“The National Bank is also working hard to help lay the groundwork for the next generation by helping to transition young farmers into farm ownership – a significant challenge facing the sector as the older generation moves into retirement.
“We have the official launch of The National Bank Young Farmer Contest in Waimumu, Southland today, with the regional competitions to roll out later this month (dates below).
“There will also be a programme of Future Farmers seminars to help young farmers set goals and financially plan for the future. These are run in partnership with NZ Young Farmers,” Charlie Graham said.
“The National Bank knows that in farming communities across New Zealand inter-generational succession is a significant challenge, especially as the older generation retires.
“Young farmers are critical to the future success of the rural sector, which in turn flows through to the future success of New Zealand, and The National Bank is committed to helping ensure that this next generation gets a chance to contribute.
“That is why The National Bank feels so strongly about supporting The National Bank Young Farmer Contest, which profiles the agricultural sector as a place to have an exciting and fulfilling career. Through this event, we hope more young people are attracted into this industry, while giving existing young farmers the opportunity to develop skills that will help them in their future endeavours.
“The National Bank has supported New Zealand farmers for more than a century and our commitment continues to this day with 40 per cent of the rural market share.
“As New Zealand emerges from recession we continue to seek out and support quality farming business proposals, using the expertise of our 380-strong rural team, consisting of rural managers who are tertiary qualified in agriculture and agricultural commerce,” Charlie Graham concluded.
The National Bank Young Farmer Contest 2010 Regional Finals
East Coast: Dannevirke, 27 February; Northern: Dargaville, 13 March; Waikato/Bay of Plenty: Te Kuiti, 21 March; Taranaki/Manawatu: Levin, 27 March; Otago/Southland: Middlemarch, 5 April; Aorangi: Methven, 17 April; Tasman: Blenheim, 24 April;
“The National Bank is positive about the medium term outlook for agriculture and as the rural sector emerges from the downturn we will continue to deepen and refine our programme of support through additional new lending, competitive interest rates and our banking and business expertise.
“The National Bank is also working hard to help lay the groundwork for the next generation by helping to transition young farmers into farm ownership – a significant challenge facing the sector as the older generation moves into retirement.
“We have the official launch of The National Bank Young Farmer Contest in Waimumu, Southland today, with the regional competitions to roll out later this month (dates below).
“There will also be a programme of Future Farmers seminars to help young farmers set goals and financially plan for the future. These are run in partnership with NZ Young Farmers,” Charlie Graham said.
“The National Bank knows that in farming communities across New Zealand inter-generational succession is a significant challenge, especially as the older generation retires.
“Young farmers are critical to the future success of the rural sector, which in turn flows through to the future success of New Zealand, and The National Bank is committed to helping ensure that this next generation gets a chance to contribute.
“That is why The National Bank feels so strongly about supporting The National Bank Young Farmer Contest, which profiles the agricultural sector as a place to have an exciting and fulfilling career. Through this event, we hope more young people are attracted into this industry, while giving existing young farmers the opportunity to develop skills that will help them in their future endeavours.
“The National Bank has supported New Zealand farmers for more than a century and our commitment continues to this day with 40 per cent of the rural market share.
“As New Zealand emerges from recession we continue to seek out and support quality farming business proposals, using the expertise of our 380-strong rural team, consisting of rural managers who are tertiary qualified in agriculture and agricultural commerce,” Charlie Graham concluded.
The National Bank Young Farmer Contest 2010 Regional Finals
East Coast: Dannevirke, 27 February; Northern: Dargaville, 13 March; Waikato/Bay of Plenty: Te Kuiti, 21 March; Taranaki/Manawatu: Levin, 27 March; Otago/Southland: Middlemarch, 5 April; Aorangi: Methven, 17 April; Tasman: Blenheim, 24 April;
Friday, February 5, 2010
Bow Ties will make the WORLD Of difference
New Zealand's leading fashion house WORLD is supporting the Muscular Dystrophy's Association (MDA) 2010 Bow Tie Campaign by designing a limited edition bow tie and a bow tie pin. MDA Patron and recently awarded NZOM, Judy Bailey along with MDA member six year old Liam Gleeson who has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy will front this year's campaign. The bow ties will be used during The Muscular Dystrophy Associations Annual Bow Tie Campaign, to be held February 20 -28 2010.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Government adopts animal cruelty bill
A member’s bill raising the penalty for animal cruelty is to be adopted as a Government bill.
Agriculture Minister David Carter says he will introduce the Animal Welfare Amendment Bill 2010 into Parliament for referral to Select Committee.
The bill, calling for an increase in the maximum sentence for animal cruelty from three to five years, had been advanced by Tauranga MP Simon Bridges.
“I will also be considering whether we can widen the scope of the bill to make the Animal Welfare Act work better,” says Mr Carter.
“The adoption of this bill will complement a range of work that the Government already has underway in the animal welfare area.
“Increasing incidences of animal cruelty are horrifying many New Zealanders and the National Government wants to see stronger measures in place to deal with this issue,” says Mr Carter.
Agriculture Minister David Carter says he will introduce the Animal Welfare Amendment Bill 2010 into Parliament for referral to Select Committee.
The bill, calling for an increase in the maximum sentence for animal cruelty from three to five years, had been advanced by Tauranga MP Simon Bridges.
“I will also be considering whether we can widen the scope of the bill to make the Animal Welfare Act work better,” says Mr Carter.
“The adoption of this bill will complement a range of work that the Government already has underway in the animal welfare area.
“Increasing incidences of animal cruelty are horrifying many New Zealanders and the National Government wants to see stronger measures in place to deal with this issue,” says Mr Carter.
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