Border clearance levy to be introducedThe levy is expected to take effect from 1 January 2016, and will be around $16 for arriving passengers and around $6 for departing passengers – although the exact amounts will be subject to public consultation. The Ministry for Primary Industries and the New Zealand Customs Service together spend around $100 million a year on border clearance for passengers and crew. “In the past, these costs have been met by taxpayers. The Government considers it is fairer for the costs to fall on passengers travelling internationally,” Mr Guy says. Read more here.
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Govt splashes out on 'game changer' Rotorua spa investmentThe government will invest $350,000 towards a multi-million dollar spa development which is expected to be a "game changer" for Rotorua. Speaking at the tourism industry TRENZ conference in Rotorua on Wednesday, Key said the investment from the Tourism Growth Partnerships fund into the World Spa development would provide a boost to the New Zealand economy and create additional jobs.
Read more here.
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Information and Communications Technology ReportThe report investigates the increasing digitisation of the New Zealand economy. Key points of interest from the report include: - Highly innovative, with the sector driving growth in New Zealand business
expenditure on R&D,
- An analysis of the different ways in which the sector is adding value to the New Zealand economy,
- Increasing number of firms exporting and establishing off-shore sales and marketing offices,
- An analysis of the digitisation of the New Zealand economy, with rapid uptake mobile devices and broadband connectivity,
- Case studies on the use of digital technology.
Read more here.
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100% Pure New Zealand hits sixteen with new look and an even richer storyThe latest evolution of Tourism New Zealand's 100% Pure New Zealand campaign has further defined the country's unique offer to travellers with a focus on the range and closeness of New Zealand's attractions. The new strategy and 100% Pure New Zealand commercial comes as one of the world's longest running destination campaigns turns 16 making it among the world's most
successful. It will showcase how New Zealand's diverse range of unique experiences are all within easy reach and can all be experienced with ease. Read more here.
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New Māori business masters unveiledUniversity of Auckland Business School senior lecturer Chellie Spiller said consultation was underway to get the programme ready for launch, which will see universities co-deliver the programme titled the Masters of Māori and Indigenous business.
She said courses taught would focus on core areas of business but be infused with a kaupapa Māori focus. Read more here.
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More Air Services A Hugh Boost To The South Island EconomyThe leading airline in Taiwan, China Airlines, has just announced its first season of flying to
Christchurch has been so successful, it will expand the service for the entire upcoming summer. The airline says the increased services - and thousands more seats - are a direct result of a
successful three-month service operated last December, January and February. China Airlines New Zealand Branch General Manager, Shirley Yang, says "Our inaugural service last summer was a huge success for us. The Taipei - Sydney- Christchurch service last summer was our most successful sector on our global network at that time, so it was an easy decision to expand the service next summer. Read more here.
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Deloitte 2015 Budget commentaryIn this first year of the Government’s third term in office, Finance Minister Bill English has delivered Budget 2015 to the nation. How does Budget 2015 position New Zealand’s economy for success in an increasingly uncertain world?
Deloitte’s team of experts has analysed this Budget’s major announcements and their likely impact on New Zealand business and the wider economy. Read the full commentary and analysis here.
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Sounds Air flights links wine centres of Blenheim and NapierAfter demand from wine lovers and workers in the industry, Sounds Air will begin flying its nine-seater Pilatus aircraft between Napier and Blenheim, two days a week, starting in August. It will only take about 35 minutes to fly from Napier to Blenheim. The pressurised plane is superpowered to fly at 30,000 feet, cruising at 500km per hour.
Read more here.
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Where are the domestic tourism ads?Each day as I drive or cycle to work, I'm bombarded with tourism ads. On the backs of buses, on the walls of buildings and on the sides of bus stops, I'm encouraged to fly to the Gold Coast, Rarotonga, Sydney, Hawaii, Hong Kong and LA. All great places. But where are the ads encouraging me to spend my holiday money on these shores? With the honourable exception of the Bay of Islands, you could be forgiven for thinking
the rest of the country doesn't want Aucklanders to visit. Read more here.
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Growing the Māori economy crucialThe recently released Bay of Plenty Regional Growth Strategy stresses the importance of growing the Māori economy and the contribution Māori can make to overall regional growth. "There's a desire by Māori to move into new areas of commerce. I think the community has to recognise that we are big players - we don't want to just be sitting at the side," said Te Ururoa Flavell, at the strategy's
launch. Read more here.
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