Week That Was: More apprenticeships for young people
We're backing New Zealanders to succeed through education, training, and apprenticeships. And that's only one of many things we've been delivering on this week...
1.
We're getting more people into training and apprenticeships
To mark the one year anniversary of our Mana in Mahi: Strength in Work programme, we're extending the places available from 150 up to 2000.
That's 2000 young people who will get an opportunity to gain skills and qualifications and start a career.
Mana in Mahi - Strength in Work programme is a proven, effective way to get young people the skills and training they need to find meaningful employment. That's good for young people, good for New Zealand businesses and good for the economy.
Getting young people into training and work is just another way this Government is delivering for New Zealanders.
2.
We're building more classrooms
We want New Zealand to be the best place in the world to be a child.
This week, we took another step towards that by announcing new classrooms for around 2,500 students at 42 schools and kura in the Waikato and Hawke’s Bay/Tairāwhiti regions.
These classrooms are part of our plan to build new schools and classrooms for 100,000 extra school students by 2030.
New Zealand kids deserve every chance to succeed – making sure they're learning in warm, modern classrooms is just one way we're making that happen.
3.
We're setting up more electric car charging stations
We’re making it easier for Kiwis to own electric cars by working alongside business to roll out more charging stations in more locations than ever before. Over 10,000kms of the State Highway Network are now covered by public chargers.
Smart investments like this are just one of the ways we’re taking action on climate change while making sure Kiwis can get to where they need to be. 
4.
We're looking out for our Pacific neighbours
We're working with our Pacific neighbours to take action on climate change.
Some of the projects we're supporting include building a desalination plant for water security in Kiribati, mapping out a coastal risk study and plan for Tokelau, helping to improve the management of marine fisheries in Fiji, Tokelau and Kiribati, and creating an electricity roadmap with the Marshall Islands.
We're proud that New Zealand stands with our Pacific neighbours to deliver ongoing practical support. The catastrophic cost of doing nothing to tackle climate change is no longer an option.
5.
We're supporting sustainable tourism and conservation
From 1 July 2019, most international visitors entering New Zealand will be charged a levy of $35. This money will be invested back into New Zealand, towards boosting conservation and making tourism more sustainable.
Conservation projects funded by the International Tourist Levy include a recovery plan for the critically endangered kākāpō, and giving nature a much needed helping hand with plans to eradicate cats, pigs and mice on the Maukahuka/Auckland Islands. In the Mackenzie Basin and Aoraki National Park, we are taking strides towards achieving a predator-free New Zealand.
In tourism, funds will go towards innovative ways of managing our iconic destinations, and towards building a skilled tourism workforce.
Both of them are great examples of how visitors will directly contribute to the natural environment they enjoy, and the infrastructure they use.
It's just another example of smart, practical solutions to the long-term challenges we face in tourism and conservation.