Shane Jones 

Bay of Islands Retirement Village a good project

10.07.2008

The registration of retirement villages is a key requirement of the Retirement Villages Act 2003 where government acted to protect the interests of older people in retirement villages. Before government passed the Act, we received reports of some questionable practices by some retirement village operators. Don't get me wrong - there are some really good retirement villages, but those that were bad were really bad.

Too many older people entering some retirement villages lacked knowledge and information about what exactly they were buying. In some cases, this created financial hardship, and increased vulnerability. Government took action to:

• protect residents' rights
• create an industry... more +

Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers board confirmed

09.07.2008

Building and Construction Minister Shane Jones today confirmed appointments for the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers (PGD) board

"I wish the incoming members well and I acknowledge those who are departing and thank them for their two years of service. I'm sure they will maintain their interest in the industry," Mr Jones said.

Outgoing Board members:
Rodney Miller (Chair), Neil Burrow, Graham Owen, David Coxhead... more +

Views sought on revised retirement villages code

02.07.2008

A new statutory Code of Practice for retirement villages, a document setting out the rights and responsibilities of residents and operators, is currently open for public consultation.

Building and Construction Minister Shane Jones is urging retirement village residents, intending residents, operators of retirement villages, statutory supervisors, lawyers and anyone else with an interest in retirement villages to have their say about the proposed code.

The proposed Code ... more +

Wood products have role to play

10.07.2008

The Wood Processors sector constitutes a critical part of an industry worth billions of dollars to the New Zealand economy.

The timber sector however, needs to be able to identify and take advantage of new opportunities and to adapt to new challenges both internally and offshore.

And I want the Government to be able to help you do this.

You have already heard from John Harper, senior adviser at the Depar... more +