Page 44 - Dom Thomas News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

Tourism operators voice concern about bureaucracy post-industry review Tess Brunton © RNZ / Dom Thomas Tourism operators are worried they will being bogged down by bureaucracy following a review of adventure activities near natural hazards. Today, the first findings from the review - triggered by the Whakaari eruption - were revealed. WorkSafe has come under increased scrutiny for not providing enough oversight of the sector. Adventure Consultants chief executive Guy Cotter did not want to see safety become more of a box ticking exercise that was more focused on punishing co...

Tourism alliance funding to highlight events across North Island regions The government has given a green light to invest $3.75 million in a North Island tourism alliance aimed at developing events for visitors. Waikato, Rotorua, Lake Taupō and Ruapehu regional tourism organisations have been working together under the Thermal Explorer Highway banner. Tourism Minister Stuart Nash said it was the first investment to be confirmed from the $50 million Regional Events Fund which was part of the government's tourism recovery package. "The route has stunning visitor attractions such as glow worm c...

Speaker Trevor Mallard under scrutiny at Select Committee for costly defamation case © RNZ / Dom Thomas The former Parliamentary staffer who sued the Speaker Trevor Mallard for defamation has an ongoing employment case at taxpayers' expense. © RNZ / Dom Thomas © Provided by Radio New Zealand Speaker Trevor Mallard being questioned at a Select Committee on 16 December, 2020. Speaker Trevor Mallard being questioned at a Select Committee on 16 December, 2020. Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas Speaker Trevor Mallard has come under intense questioning at a Select Committee meeting into a costly de...

Minimum wage hike will boost local economy - minister © RNZ / Richard Tindiller From 1 April 2021, the minimum wage will rise to $20 - up from $18.90. The boost is expected to lift the incomes of almost 200,000 people. For someone working 40 hours on minimum wage, the boost means $44 extra in the bank each week. Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Michael Wood said the minimum wage rise would boost wages across the economy by $216 million. He said signalling the minimum wage increases over three years helped give businesses much-needed certainty. He told Morning Report government looke...

Climate change: New Zealand not on track to meet Paris obligations - MBIE © RNZ / Dom Thomas The new minister for economic development has been delivered a blunt message about New Zealand's lack of progress on climate change and the potential price tag that could result in. The ministerial briefing from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) says New Zealand is not on track to meet its Paris Agreement obligations, creating a "large fiscal risk to the government if they are required to bear the cost of purchasing international units". "New Zealand's gross emissions have r...