Getting New Zealand moving again: June 2020
We wrapped up the first half of 2020 with a busy month, taking additional steps to support New Zealanders as we continue with our economic recovery. We rolled out targeted packages to support key industries like tourism and construction, helped create jobs in the environmental and agriculture sectors, and set out our plan to support Kiwis to retrain and upskill with free trades and apprenticeships training. Check out the full list below!
1 June - We introduced new rules to crack down on predatory lenders to ensure mobile traders and truck shops can’t take advantage of people in vulnerable situations, especially as we recover from COVID-19.
2 June - We announced our targeted trades training and apprenticeship package (kicking off tomorrow), to enable Kiwis to train and upskill for free, in industries crucial for our economic recovery.
3 June - Jacinda Ardern met with organisers from The Period Place, Dignity NZ, Nest Consulting, and Wā Collective to announce that we’d be supplying free period products in schools, to support vulnerable young people that would otherwise miss out on school and other activities, due to their period. This will be available to all schools, on an opt-in basis, in 2021.
9 June - Thanks to the hard work of New Zealanders, we were able to safely move into Level 1 and kick-off the next phase of our economic recovery.
10 June - Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern visited Kaikōura to check out one of the key tourism assets we’re protecting with our targeted tourism fund - Kaikōura’s Whale Watch. It will help the company to stay afloat, and support the wider community, as domestic travel picks up.
11 June - Announced funding for the Manukau Health Park. This investment will help to improve health outcomes for South Aucklanders, and reducing pressure on Middlemore Hospital, by upgrading facilities at the clinic, improving cancer treatment services, and increasing surgical and in-patient capacity.
11 June - We announced that hundreds of people were already employed in environmental jobs, funded through Budget 2020.
14 June - Outlined a further boost for our health system in the wake of COVID-19, to provide more support for testing, treatment, pharmacies, hospices, telehealth, and midwives.
15 June - Introduced new amendments to the consenting process that will allow us to fast-track job-rich projects across the country, to get New Zealand moving again.
16 June - Passed Emissions Trading Scheme reforms in the house, which will hold major polluters to account and incentivise them to invest in the transition to a clean, climate-friendly economy.
17 June - Released our Apprenticeship Boost package, with up to $16,000 for companies to take on and keep their apprentices for the first two years. This initiative goes hand-in-hand with our free apprenticeships package and the huge boost to Mana in Mahi, to make sure we’re continuing to build New Zealand’s skilled workforce as we recover together.
17 June - Officially launched our free trade negotiations with the UK. A positive outcome will mean better opportunities for New Zealand businesses, exporters, and consumers
18 June - Additional firearms legislation passed through the House, designed to stop firearms falling into the wrong hands and make our communities safer
18 June - Supported up to 1,000 apprenticeships in the regions, with reprioritised investment from the Provincial Growth Fund
22 June - We adjusted COVID-19 requirements to make sure border workers, airline crew, and staff at quarantine facilities will be tested regularly, to ensure we can continue to keep New Zealand free from community transmission of COVID-19
24 June - Announced funding for GoDairy, a fantastic initiative that helps people, out of work due to COVID-19, to explore the huge range of employment opportunities in the dairy industry. You can see more information about this at godairy.co.nz
25 June - Introduced new commercial fishing rules to improve protection of New Zealand’s endangered Māui and Hector’s dolphins
25 June - Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern attended a very special ceremony, officially reopening Te Raekura Redcliffs School in Christchurch, after the school was irreparably damaged in the 2011 Canterbury earthquakes
26 June - We found out the fantastic news that New Zealand and Australia will be co-hosting the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Great for our sporting sector and our post-COVID-19 economic recovery!
26 June - We waived DOC fees for tourism businesses operating on public conservation land. This initiative will offer some immediate financial relief for about 1,000 operators impacted by COVID-19, and help get New Zealand moving again
26 June - The Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission Bill passed in the House. This will establish an independent commission to keep us on track and ensure we’re delivering better mental health outcomes for Kiwis, especially the most vulnerable members of our community
26 June - Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern visited Queenstown to announce a major infrastructure package for the region that will directly create jobs and support the town’s economic recovery
28 June - We announced the additional measures we’re taking to strengthen our quarantine procedures and contain COVID-19 at our borders, in response to increasing numbers of Kiwis coming home
29 June - We announced funding for a new visitor centre, and other improvements, at the historic Parihaka settlement to support the local economy and provide much-needed jobs
Want to stay up to date as we continue to rebuild New Zealand together? Sign up for email updates here.