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Hon Kate Wilkinson

14 May, 2012

Improvements to employment law announced

Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson has announced a package of measures that will extend workers’ rights to request flexible working hours and ensure a fair and flexible collective bargaining environment.

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12 May, 2012

Conservation Board Chairperson’s Conference

Conservation Boards are an important link between DOC and the community - you are independent and whilst you do not have a formal function to represent or be your community’s voice in conservation management – you are representative of your communities .

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9 May, 2012

Minister welcomes passing of secret ballot bill

Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson has welcomed the passing of a new bill that will make it compulsory for unions to use secret ballots when workers vote whether to strike.

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9 May, 2012

Data on work stoppages released

Work stoppage figures for last year reveal an encouraging downward trend, Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson says.

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4 May, 2012

Tougher penalties for gecko smugglers

Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson has welcomed the conviction of an endangered gecko smuggler but says tougher penalties are needed.

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2 May, 2012

Workplace safety to get funding boost

Workplace health and safety will get a $37 million boost over the next four years, Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson has announced.

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28 April, 2012

Workplace deaths remembered on Memorial Day

Today is International Workers’ Memorial Day - a time for New Zealand workers and employers to reflect on the importance of health and safety on the job, Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson says.

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27 April, 2012

Whanganui cycle trail now completed

Minister of Conservation Kate Wilkinson joined with a group of cyclists today to celebrate the completion of the Mountains to Sea Cycle Trail.

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23 April, 2012

Action plan to reduce farm injuries announced

Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson has launched a new action plan to bring down the “unacceptable” number of workplace injuries in the agriculture sector.

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20 April, 2012

Minister welcomes new tourism - conservation partnership

Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson has welcomed the signing of a new commercial partnership with the Department of Conservation (DOC) and Air New Zealand working together to protect and promote our unique wildlife and special landscapes.

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19 April, 2012

New guidelines to reduce workplace falls

Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson has told the construction industry there’s no longer any excuse for failure to work safely at height.

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18 April, 2012

16th Occupational Health and Safety conference

Health and safety within New Zealand workplaces is something the Government takes very seriously and is a key focus area for me personally, so I am pleased to be able to come and talk to you about the issues and our priorities for the next three years.

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17 April, 2012

Food Bay of Plenty & Tauranga Chamber of Commerce

I am delighted to have the opportunity to talk to you this evening and thank you for organising such an interesting day.

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15 April, 2012

Minister welcomes flight of the kakapo

The transfer of seven critically endangered kakapo to Little Barrier Island is a significant move to help secure the species’ survival, Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson says.

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30 March, 2012

Review favours extension of flexible work rights

A review of workers’ rights to ask for flexible work arrangements has found strong support for extending the power to all employees.

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28 March, 2012

Minister welcomes Million Dollar Mouse campaign

Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson today warmly welcomed the announcement of the ‘Million Dollar Mouse campaign’ to rid New Zealand’s sub-Antarctic Antipodes Islands of the pests.

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13 March, 2012

26th Annual Industrial and Employment Relations Summit

Thank you for the opportunity to speak to your conference today about my government’s priorities for employment relations for the next three years.

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13 March, 2012

Government moves to further protect dolphins

The Government is considering further measures to protect Maui’s dolphins as a new study points to a decline in numbers of the critically endangered species.

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13 March, 2012

Action plan to reduce manufacturing injuries

Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson today launched a new plan to bring down the number of injuries and deaths in the manufacturing industry.

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9 March, 2012

Non-resident angler licence considered

The Government is considering a proposal to establish differential fishing licences for overseas anglers, Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson announced today.

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6 March, 2012

Minister urges New Zealanders to get involved in marine conservation

Seaweek is all about inspiring New Zealanders to celebrate and learn from the sea, Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson said at the national launch of Seaweek last night.

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5 March, 2012

Welcome addition to Nelson’s conservation land

Public conservation land around Nelson has been given a boost with the Government purchasing 333 hectares of private land beside Kahurangi National Park.

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1 March, 2012

Minister praises partnership for whio breeding result

Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson has praised Genesis Energy Ltd for their work with the Department of Conservation (DOC) to increase numbers of the rare native whio (blue duck).

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1 March, 2012

Foreign Charter Vessels Inquiry report released

The Government has resolved to take a stronger line on the operation of foreign charter vessels (FCVs) in New Zealand waters, say Primary Industries Minister David Carter and Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson.

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24 February, 2012

Foreign Charter Vessels Inquiry report

Primary Industries Minister David Carter and Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson today received the report of the Ministerial Inquiry into the use and operation of Foreign Charter Vessels (FCVs).

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23 February, 2012

Minister concerned at Hectors dolphin deaths

Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson was shocked to learn of the discovery of a pair of endangered Hectors dolphins that washed up inside a marine sanctuary.

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21 February, 2012

Trust to help restore Abel Tasman National Park

Minister of Conservation Kate Wilkinson has praised the generosity of a private family trust which has launched a multi-million dollar conservation project in Abel Tasman National Park.

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16 February, 2012

High Hazards Unit now at full strength

The Department of Labour’s High Hazard Unit (HHU) is now running at full strength, Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson announced today.

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12 February, 2012

Private initiative helps save kiwi

Minister of Conservation Kate Wilkinson has applauded a private kiwi breeding project for its important contribution to conservation.

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8 February, 2012

Minimum wage increased to $13.50

The Government will increase the minimum wage from $13 to $13.50 an hour, Minister of Labour Kate Wilkinson announced today.

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