E-Business Letter
Hi there, this is my first e-business letter for 2007 and I hope it provides you with a greater insight into activities that may impact on your business this year.
4 Weeks Leave
The beginning of April sees minimum annual leave increased to four weeks. To help in determining an employee’s leave entitlements, an online tool has been developed. This can be accessed at www.ers.govt.nz/holidays-online-tool/ This tool will also help with bereavement leave and public holiday entitlements.
Minimum Wage
Another change from 1 April is an increase in the minimum wage. Youth rate (aged 16 or 17 years) will increase to $9 per hour and adult rate (aged 18 years and over) will increase to $11.25 per hour.
National supports a fair minimum wage and will not roll back the recent increases. For businesses to absorb these wage increases productivity needs to increase and we will look to reduce compliance costs.
Kiwi Saver
National believes that the key to improving savings is by improving incomes. National will support Kiwisaver, but will watch closely how costs and complexity affect the uptake, and consider whether the scheme can be improved. Our broader focus will be on revitalising the economy so that people can have better jobs, better incomes and as a result, higher savings.
Information on the scheme can be found at www.kiwisaver.co.nz
Paraparaumu Airport
New owner, Noel Robinson, is pledging to invest a large amount of money, time and energy into developing Paraparaumu Airport.
His plans for the airport will create growth, jobs and much needed investment in our community. The growth of the airport business will benefit the wider community over many years. Kapiti needs investment and business growth to provide sustainable jobs longer term.
While there may be some concerns and misunderstandings with Mr Robinson’s proposal, the public have a right to be heard through Kapiti Coast District Council (KCDC) submissions.
I feel it’s great that the new owner is listening and keen that this long term project benefits our region at large.
Transit
Transit has apologised for delays caused with the unannounced chip resealing between Paraparaumu and Waikanae. The State Highway network in our region is inadequate for the large volume of traffic it now carries and the Western Link Road is critical to providing an alternative.
I recently helped organise a public meeting in Otaki with Transit, KCDC and the Otaki Community Board to discuss traffic congestion through the town. The issue is finely balanced between keeping Otaki businesses accessible to destination shoppers and ensuring that through traffic can pass without too much of a hold up.
We can expect to see the double laning of the Otaki roundabout, splitting the pedestrian crossing, and better signage for off-street parking this year.
National’s New Charities Policy
Last month John Key announced our new policy on tax deductions for charitable donations. This policy seeks to promote a culture of generosity and giving.
A National government will remove the cap on tax rebates for private donations to charities and allow all businesses, such as small companies, sole traders and partnerships, to claim deductions on donations.
This policy will benefit groups providing social services, also cultural groups, the arts and international aid organisations. You can access a copy of the policy on the National Party website www.national.org.nz
Thanks for reading my e-business letter.
Regards
Nathan Guy MP