A technology framework for the East Midlands 2008-2011

This provides a framework for targeting support for technology development by focusing on a limited number of priority areas and demonstrates a clear understanding of the region's technology strengths to investors, collaborators and policymakers

Green fingers

The core team of TILMAN-ORG, Drs Paul Mäder, Christophe David and Julia Cooper, discuss their aims to develop organic farming and conservation agricultural practices through the TILMAN-ORG project, and what challenges must be overcome

2011 Strategic roadmap for Australian research infrastructure

The 2011 Roadmap articulates the priority research infrastructure areas of a national scale (capability areas) to further develop Australia’s research capacity and improve innovation and research outcomes over the next five to ten years. The capability areas have been identified through considered analysis of input provided by stakeholders, in conjunction with specialist advice from Expert Working Groups   It is intended the Strategic Framework will provide a high-level policy framework, which will include principles to guide the development of policy advice and the design of programs related to the funding of research infrastructure by the Australian Government. Roadmapping has been identified in the Strategic Framework Discussion Paper as the most appropriate prioritisation mechanism for national, collaborative research infrastructure. The strategic identification of Capability areas through a consultative roadmapping process was also validated in the report of the 2010 NCRIS Evaluation. The 2011 Roadmap is primarily concerned with medium to large-scale research infrastructure. However, any landmark infrastructure (typically involving an investment in excess of $100 million over five years from the Australian Government) requirements identified in this process will be noted. NRIC has also developed a ‘Process to identify and prioritise Australian Government landmark research infrastructure investments’ which is currently under consideration by the government as part of broader deliberations relating to research infrastructure. NRIC will have strategic oversight of the development of the 2011 Roadmap as part of its overall policy view of research infrastructure

The Small Business Sector report 2014

The Small Business Sector Report 2014 is a government publication that provides a factual source of information in an accessible format on the small businesses that make up a large part of the New Zealand economy. New Zealand needs to encourage firms of all sizes to operate at their peak potential to meet the goals of our Business Growth Agenda. The report includes international comparisons, international trade, innovation, and a summary of small businesses from the perspective of different industries nationally. Its aim is to provide an overview of New Zealand’s small business sector for business people, policy makers, media commentators, economists, academics, students and anyone with an interest in New Zealand’s economic development. See Related Content below: Small Business factsheet 201

Vulnerable temporary migrant workers: Canterbury construction industry

Based on semi-structured interviews with key informants from government agencies, businesses, and other organisations including non-government organisations and community advocates. It brings these interviews together with analysis of administrative data to better understand the nature and extent of migrant vulnerability in the construction industry. Introduction In 2013, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) commenced a programme of research on vulnerable temporary migrant workers. The first phase involved a review of New Zealand and international literature on the vulnerability of temporary migrant workers (Yuan, Cain and Spoonley, 2014) and an analysis of existing data sources. The second phase focused on temporary migrants in the Canterbury construction sector and is the subject of this report. This report is based on semi-structured interviews with key informants from government agencies, businesses, and other organisations including non-government organisations and community advocates. It brings these interviews together with analysis of administrative data to better understand the nature and extent of migrant vulnerability in the construction industry in Canterbury and effective interventions to address the issues and reduce exploitative practices in the industry. The research shows rapid growth in Filipino migrants working in the Canterbury construction industry. While it is difficult to determine the extent of exploitative practices, the research shows that some migrants were experiencing exploitative situations. Most commonly mentioned were the excessive fees paid to recruitment agencies, but other breaches of employment standards and poor employment practices were evident. Workers particularly vulnerable to exploitative practices were Filipino migrants and those working for labour hire companies and small businesses

Māori in the labour market – June 2015

This fact sheet provides information on national employment by industry, occupation, and regional employment for Māori. All data is sourced from the Household Labour Force Survey (HLFS) released quarterly by Statistics New Zealand (SNZ). Data is annualised to address sampling error and seasonal variation concerns.  Māori in the Labour Market is updated quarterly following the release of the HLFS results. Highlights Labour market outcomes for Māori improved over the year to June 2015: Employment was up 5,700 workers to 271,100 workers over the year Participation increased to 66.6 per cent, up 0.2 percentage points from a year ago Unemployment was steady at 12.5 per cent, with 38,500 Māori over the year The annual average NEET rate fell from 21.3 per cent to 20.9 per cent in the year to June 2015. The gains (up 5,700) in employment coincided with 6,300 more Māori entering the labour force, and a steady unemployment rate of 12.5 for the June 2015 year. The increase in employment was driven by higher employment in the public administration and safety, health care and social assistance, and other services over the year. Māori continue to have an unemployment rate higher than the national average for June 2015. The annual average NEET rate fell from 21.3 per cent to 20.9 per cent in the year to June 20

Regional economic activity report 2014

Provides consistent information for each of New Zealand’s 16 regions. This allows us to compare the regions’ economic performance, distinguish their attributes and specialisations, and understand the different roles they play in the New Zealand economy. Summary The 2014 regional economic activity report report shows that nearly all of New Zealand\u27s 16 regions have made good economic progress over the last 12 months, reflecting New Zealand’s recovery after the global financial crisis. Each region provides a different contribution to the New Zealand economy and, while there is diversity, all regions have the potential to attract further investment, improve their living standards and generate high-value economic growth. Most regions experienced job growth over the last year. This is despite the 2013 drought which particularly affected primary production in the North Island. Canterbury has been the fastest growing region over the last two years, driven by the Christchurch rebuild and supported by its primary sector. Actions to enhance regional economic activity and outcomes need to be underpinned by a sound knowledge of each region’s historical trends and its strengths and weaknesses.This report provides comprehensive and comparative information about economic outcomes and the drivers of those outcomes across all regions. In addition, the government, in partnership with local decision-makers, is this year undertaking in-depth economic growth studies of regions such as East Coast, Northland, Bay of Plenty, and Manawatū-Wanganui. Those studies will help the regions prioritise opportunities for growth and identify how to overcome any barriers to that growth. This report highlights several key findings. First, each region has industry specialisations which have developed historically due to natural resource and infrastructure endowments, geographic location and skills. Those specialisations are the chief contributors to the different economic outcomes seen across the regions. Some sectors, such as dairy farming and milk processing, are benefiting from high commodity prices and market growth while others, such as horticulture, have lower returns. Secondly, the report identifies a regional dimension to the economic disparity between Māori and non-Māori. Some of the regions with poorer outcomes are also regions that have a higher proportion of Māori in their populations. The Crown and Māori have entered into an economic growth partnership to improve economic outcomes for Māori and to build economic growth from Māori assets and Māori Inc. This partnership will be delivered regionally and will include Business Growth Agenda actions such as the Māori and Pasifika Trades Training programme. Thirdly, the report shows there is significant diversity in demographic trends across regions, partly in response to relative economic opportunities. New Zealand, like all developed countries, has an ageing population but in some regions and sub-regions the population is ageing at a significantly faster rate than others. There is also disparity in regional shares of international migrants. Local decision-makers face the need to anticipate today how their projected population profiles will impact infrastructure and services demand