“National knows that this is our life-line to the north. While we have seen considerable improvements, there is significant work still to be done.

“These projects are an important part of National’s state highways investment programme which is about unblocking key roading arteries around the country in order to improve economic growth and productivity.

“As your local MP I will continue to advocate for continued progress , just as I have been doing over the last three years of my first term,” Mr Young says.

“I’d like to acknowledge those involved including the New Plymouth District Council, the Regional Council and the Road Transport Association. It’s been great to work together with them to see these projects underway.”

Recently Mystery Creek played host to the Fieldays, the largest agricultural showcase in the Southern Hemisphere. It was a great opportunity to look at the contribution of New Zealand’s rural sector, and what the Government is doing to help our primary industries grow. It was a wonderful opportunity to see what New Zealanders with their “can do” attitude can achieve through innovation.

National knows that farming is the backbone of our economy. We rely on our rural sector to help deliver greater prosperity and opportunity for all New Zealanders.That’s why we’re investing in primary industry and working hard for rural New Zealand. We’re improving freshwater management, supporting research and innovation, and breaking down barriers to growth.

While water is New Zealand’s most valuable natural resource, giving us a competitive advantage over other countries in farming and tourism, our water quality is deteriorating in parts of the country and we often face water shortages during summer. The National-led Government’s Fresh Water Package, announced as part of Budget 2011, is about making the most of our economic opportunities to provide more jobs and higher incomes, while fulfilling our environmental responsibilities. The Irrigation Acceleration Fund will help get irrigation projects underway. The Government is also proposing future investment of up to $400 million of equity in regional irrigation projects. The New Zealand Institute of Economic Research (NZIER) suggests this funding could support 340,000 hectares of new irrigation, which could boost exports by $1.4 billion a year by 2018, rising to $4 billion a year by 2026.

After the Budget in 2009 I wrote a column on The Primary Growth Partnership, a government-industry initiative to boost growth through science and innovation. To date in less than two years, the partnership has pledged $477 million to primary sector innovation. It has created the opportunity for those with the “can do” attitude to tackle problems such as: how to develop deterrent grasses, offering an option to restrict birds from certain areas such airports, golf courses, parks and reserves and horticulture enterprises, steep country harvesting where building technical capabilities in harvesting and machinery development could future proof the forestry industry as well as making harvesting jobs safer and more attractive for workers, high performance Manuka plantations. At the moment supply, not demand, limits further industry growth. The programme is looking to use 50,000 hectares of marginal land to be attracted into Manuka plantation.

There is approximately one million hectares of this type of erosion-prone pastoral land potentially available and suitable to develop the plantations These initiatives are being supported by moves to break down barriers to growth, such as improving the tax system, cutting red tape, and building better infrastructure.

National and rural New Zealand share a proud history. We will continue to support and invest in our rural sector, to grow our economy, create jobs, and deliver a brighter future for all New Zealanders.
 

Job Ops Scheme:

The total number of positions listed as at 15 April 2011 – 581
The total number of positions filled as at 15 April 2011 - 563

Helping young people in Taranaki into jobs

Young New Zealanders were hit hard by the recession. In a tight employment market, young people applying for jobs often lose out to older, more experienced candidates.

That’s not the end of the story. The younger a person is when they go on an unemployment benefit, the harder it is for them to come off it. If young people are missing out, they won’t get the skills and experience they need to succeed in the future.

National is helping young people into jobs. Over the past two years, our Job Ops programme has given employment opportunities to 10,000 young Kiwis. Of those completing the programme, 90 per cent have not gone back on a benefit.

In the Taranaki region area, 563 young people have completed Job Ops. It’s great to see our local businesses getting behind young people and giving them a chance.

In the 19 May Budget, National is building on this outstanding success to help even more young people. Our new $55.2 million Youth Employment Package is about getting more unemployed 16- to 24-year-olds into good jobs and training.

The package has three parts. First, we are creating a new Skills for Growth programme. This will provide $5000 for businesses in high-demand industries to employ and train a person. It will set up 1000 young people with a good job and new qualifications.

All 16- to 24-year-olds who have been on a benefit for more than three months will be eligible. Those at high risk of long-term benefit dependency will be eligible earlier.

Second, we are extending the successful Job Ops programme, which gives a $5000 subsidy to businesses that employs low-skilled young people. We are also refocusing the programme so the subsidy can be used for both wages and training.

Third, we are expanding the Limited Service Volunteers programme, which provides a life-changing experience to young people. It is a six-week residential programme, focusing on building young people’s confidence to help them succeed.

The number of young people in work has risen by more than 4200 in the past year, but youth unemployment is still too high at 18.8 per cent.

National’s new Youth Employment Package encourages businesses to take on someone who is starting in the workforce, and lifts youth employment. It will build skills and knowledge and help young people in Taranaki – and around New Zealand - get the brighter future they deserve.