M.I.A.
OPINION: The previous government spent too much during the Covid-19 pandemic, despite warnings from officials, according to a briefing released by the Treasury.
The Government has announced a massive $12.1 billion scheme to protect businesses and workers amid the Covid-19 outbreak.
Under the scheme, businesses hit worst by coronavirus may be given a wage subsidy of up to $585.80 a week for each full-time worker and up to $350 per week for each part-time worker.
Making up almost half of the scheme, the $5.1 billion wage subsidy takes a central focus in the Government’s coronavirus response.
Businesses wanting to take part in the wage subsidy will have to prove they are losing a large amount of income due to the pandemic.
The wage subsidy, which kicks in today, will enable businesses to receive up to $150,000 over the next 12 weeks.
$126 million has also been allocated for Covid-19 sick leave and self-isolation.
The funding will enable employees to be paid for the entire time they are sick with Covid-19.
Businesses will also benefit from a $2.8 billion package of tax changes.
A higher provisional tax threshold will kick in, interest will be waived on some late tax payments, depreciation deductions will be allowed for commercial and industrial buildings, and businesses will be able to take more deductions for low value assets.
A $2.8 billion package will also go towards beneficiaries and superannuitants.
Focal to the package, is an increase in weekly benefit payments.
Beneficiaries will get an extra $25 in their pocket each week and the Winter Energy Payment will be doubled for both beneficiaries and superannuitants to $900 for singles and $1400 for couples.
The health and aviation sectors are also getting a boost, with $500 million and $600 million respectively.
Environment Southland's catchment improvement funding is once again available for innovative landowners in need of a boost to get their project going.
The team meeting at the Culverden Hotel was relaxed and open, despite being in the middle of calving when stress levels are at peak levels, especially in bitterly cold and wet conditions like today.
A comment by outspoken academic Dr Mike Joy suggesting that dairy industry leaders should be hanged for nitrate contamination of drinking/groundwater has enraged farmers.
OPINION: The phasing out of copper network from communications is understandable.
Driven by a lifelong passion for animals, Amy Toughey's journey from juggling three jobs with full-time study to working on cutting-edge dairy research trials shows what happens when hard work meets opportunity - and she's only just getting started.
The New Zealand Fish & Game Council has announced a leadership change in an effort to provide strategic direction for the sector and support the implementation of proposed legislative changes.