2021

October 2021 Inquiry into the future of the workforce needs in the primary industries of New Zealand

RWNZ_Increasing Sick Leave Bill_2021

  • RWNZ made a submission on the Holidays (Extending Sick Leave) Amendment Bill which took a balanced approach.

 

2018

March 2018 Tax Working Group Submission:

  • This submission strongly supports the role of taxation in funding public services but only if
    contributions are fair and equitable. However, RWNZ was disappointed to see a lack of representation of the rural sector in the composition of the group.

March 2018 Submission: Sentencing (Livestock Rustling) Bill:

  • This submission urges members of the Select Committee to ensure New Zealand’s rural communities are returned to a safe, enabled, and empowered space. This legislation needs to reflect this.

August 2018 Submission of Farm Debt Mediation Bill:

  • This submission supports this bill and the need for mandatory mediation. This will allow these services to be offered to all farmer clients prior to any decisions being made.

August 2018 ACC Amendment Bill:

  • This submission asks that a rural impact assessment is carried out on the Bill, to ascertain if there are any detrimental effects to New Zealand’s rural communities. Additionally, a gender impact analysis should also be carried out.

August 2018 Submission on Consumer’s Right to Know Bill:

  • This submission supports the bill, in support of consumers making their own informed choices when purchasing food.

 

2017

August 2017 Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill (No 2.):

  • This submission supports the amendments proposed in this bill. Paricltul, the changes to the current law that provide greater protection for landlords where tenants are responsible for careless damage. However, RWNZ recognises that the amendments insufficiently respond to the issues that the Bill seeks to address.

August 2017 Digital Technologies Submission:

  • This submission supports the transition to greater use of digital technology in education. However, the Ministry of Education needs to be aware of poor and inadequate internet connectivity in rural New Zealand. In order for rural students to have the same opportunities as urban students, they must be provided with the same educational resources and services.

 

 

2016

September 2016 RWNZ Submission on the Review of the Telecommunications Act 2001:

  • This submission strongly supports a review of the Telecommunications Act 2001. The current regulatory framework is not supporting efficient investment in rural areas and is not achieving the Government’s aspirations for all New Zealanders to access a high‐quality and affordable broadband experience.

June 2016 Exposure Draft of the Incorporated Societies Bill:

  • RWNZ supports the introduction of updated legislation to govern incorporated societies. The current Act is outdated in many ways and is silent on a number of important governance matters. However, there a few specific comments to be made on some of the key clauses in the Bill.

June 2016 Changes to the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act 2001 and Regulations 2016:

  • This submission supports the removal of the current sunset provisions. There are some amendments, however, which RWNZ does not recommend.

July 2016 RWNZ submission on Local Government Reform Bill:

  • This submission discusses strong concerns regarding this Bill. Primarily, RWNZ is concerned that the Bill attempts to force councils into shared council-controlled organisations, with no requirement for community consultation and no guarantee of any community benefit.

July 2016 RWNZ Submission on Charities Amendment Bill:

  • RWNZ does not support the proposed amendment to section 61. We think there must be a fuller process of consultation and some explanation as to why this change is being made. We note that there has been little or no consultation to date, as this amendment has been progressed as a technical change under statutes amendment omnibus legislation.

 

2015

July 2015 MBIE ROI Blackspot Submission:

  • This submission supports the Rural Broadband Initiative 2 and Mobile Black Spots Programmes. Rural Women New Zealand advocates for a Rural Impact Assessment on the advantages of using that funding to increase cellphone and broadband coverage to rural New Zealand.

 

2014

April 2014 Building Amendment Bill:

  • This submission is in support of New Zealand Federated Farmers submission on the Building (earthquake-prone buildings) Amendment Bill to the Local Government and Environmental Select Committee.