✨ Government Policy and Economic Strategy
28 AUGUST
NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE
Security is at least as important for people in work. The modern economy cannot guarantee a job for life, either in a single occupation or a single firm. But in a civilised society an appropriate employment relations framework will continue to emphasise the dignity of labour, and recognise the important role unions can play in promoting the interests of workers.
In particular, my government believes that work is but one dimension of living and should not crowd out and distort family life, recreation and personal development. An integrated and balanced family-friendly work/life programme will be developed and employers and unions encouraged to have regard to its basic principles when negotiating collective agreements and designing work practices. This reflects the policy positions of the government coalition partners.
My government will also review the operations of the Employment Relations Act to identify if any fine-tuning is needed either in the law or in the administrative supports that operate to implement the law.
Other legislative matters will include amending the Holidays Act to provide for an additional payment for those who work on statutory holidays, separating out rights to sick and special leave, and to bring the provisions of the Act into line with the realities of modern employment practice.
The Paid Parental Leave Scheme will be comprehensively reviewed after one year’s operation, with a view to expanding the scheme as resources permit. Priorities will include extending coverage to those with more than one employer in the previous year, the self-employed, and extending the period of leave.
Comprehensive measures will be taken to ensure there is protection of employment conditions and continuity of employment in the event of the sale of a business, transfer of undertakings, and contracting out.
Honourable Members,
In this Parliament you will be asked to consider constitutional changes with the proposal to establish a final court of appeal in New Zealand. My government sees this as a crucial affirmation of New Zealand’s sovereignty and national identity and self-reliance.
The basis of constitutional government in this country is to be found in its founding document, the Treaty of Waitangi. My government values and remains committed to strengthening its relationship with tangata whenua. That means fulfilling its obligations as a Treaty partner to support self-determination for whanau, hapu and iwi.
In this parliamentary term the issue of fisheries allocation must finally be settled. Work will also be progressed on the Crown forests. The process for Treaty settlements will be improved while recognising that the integrity of the process must not be compromised by speeding it up beyond the capacity of those involved.
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Online Sources for this page:
VUW Te Waharoa —
NZ Gazette 2002, No 125
Gazette.govt.nz —
NZ Gazette 2002, No 125
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Government Policy and Economic Strategy
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🏛️ Governance & Central AdministrationEmployment relations, Work/life balance, Family-friendly policies, Unions, Employment Relations Act, Holidays Act, Paid Parental Leave Scheme, Business transfers, Constitutional changes, Court of appeal, Treaty of Waitangi, Māori self-determination, Fisheries allocation, Crown forests, Treaty settlements