Latest news with #HDC
RNZ News
30-05-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Health and Disability Commission says operating budget $1.9m less than previous years
The Health and Disability Commission lost nearly 10 percent of its funding in this year's Budget. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone The Health and Disability Commission cannot yet confirm whether it will have to make any staff redundant after losing nearly 10 percent of its funding in this year's Budget. A spokesperson for the consumer health watchdog said the total operating budget was $1.9 million less than in previous years. "This is due to the end of time-limited funding ($2.9m) that was provided in 2021 and extended for 2024/25." That has been "partly offset" by an extra one-off $1m for the 2025/26 year to help the HDC clear a backlog of complaints. When asked whether any jobs would be lost as a result, the commission said no decisions had been made. "We are not in a position to comment any further until we have completed engagement with our staff. "We remain committed to fulfilling our critical function to uphold people's rights and manage complaints." The $2.9m in time-limited funding was introduced by the Labour Government in 2021, to ensure the HDC had capacity to protect the rights of patients using assisted dying services. The new government axed the funding in its 2024 Budget, but subsequently extended it for another year. According to its 2024 annual report, the number of complaints to the HDC increased 52 percent over five years. The 3628 complaints received by HDC in 2023/24 was the highest number of complaints ever received in a single year, which placed significant pressure and led to delays in resolving some of them. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Malay Mail
28-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Tengku Zafrul: Miti yet to name new Halal Development Corp chairman as merger discussions continue
KUALA LUMPUR, May 28 — The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) has yet to appoint a new chairman for Halal Development Corporation Bhd (HDC) following the end of former chairman Khairul Azwan Harun's contract. Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Aziz said MITI also wants to observe the progress of the proposed merger between HDC and the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE). 'The HDC chairman's contract has ended ... we want to see how this merger involving the Halal Commission proceeds, and whether it will be approved by the Cabinet or not,' he told reporters after the Asean-GCC Economic Forum 2025, held here today. Tengku Zafrul also expressed his appreciation to the former chairman and HDC management for their service to the development of the halal industry in Malaysia. 'I would like to thank the chairman of HDC and the HDC management as well. The HDC chairman's contract has ended, and I want to thank him for his dedication over the past two years,' said Zafrul. Earlier, MITI announced via a post on X (formerly Twitter) that Khairul Azwan had ended his service as HDC chairman effective May 17, 2025. The ministry said Khairul Azwan held the position beginning May 18, 2023. Khairul Azwan holds a master's degree in management from the Open University Malaysia and previously attended a global leadership course at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, United States. He currently serves as chairman of VSolar Group Bhd and was formerly chairman of mTouche Technology Bhd and Malaysia Debt Ventures Bhd (MDV). — Bernama
Barnama
28-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
MITI Studying Proposal To Merge HDC And MATRADE
BUSINESS Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz speaks to the press after attending the ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Economic Forum 2025 today. KUALA LUMPUR, May 28 (Bernama) -- The Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry (MITI) is studying the merger of the Halal Development Corporation (HDC) and the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE). Its Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Aziz said the matter is under discussion because there were several other proposals put forward such as strengthening the country's halal industry. "We want to strengthen the halal industry by focusing on halal development and do not want any overlap in terms of halal trade. "We want MATRADE to focus more on halal trade in terms of providing access to halal products, while we want to ensure that HDC focuses more on halal development," he told reporters after the ASEAN-GCC Economic Forum 2025 here today. Tengku Zafrul said the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) would focus on investments involving the halal industry. MITI announced recently that MATRADE and HDC would be merging to form a stronger and more cohesive halal trade and industry ecosystem. The ministry said a pro-tem committee for the strategic merger has been established to align resources and operational frameworks while ensuring that the consolidation of functions and jobs is equitably managed. 'The merger aims to enhance Malaysia's leadership and competitiveness in the global halal market, which is projected to reach US$5 trillion by 2030," MITI said in a statement. Meanwhile, Tengku Zafrul said the Malaysian Halal Council secretariat has proposed the establishment of a Halal Commission, which will be brought to the Cabinet's attention soon.
Scoop
28-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Providers Named After Failing To Meet HDC Recommendations
Decisions 22HDC03019 and 23HDC01424 The Health and Disability Commissioner (HDC) has taken the unusual step of naming two providers who have not complied with recommendations made in decisions issued by the HDC. HDC promotes and protects the rights of people using health and disability services, as set out in the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers' Rights (the Code). Two consumers (Mr A and Mrs B) complained to HDC about services they had received from Nicholas Stoneman and the New Zealand Disability Trust (NZDAT). Mr Stoneman was chairman of the NZDAT at the time. Mr A and Mrs B' complaints raised concerns about poor organizational processes, a lack of policies and procedures, Mr Stoneman and the NZDAT's exploitation and treatment of vulnerable consumers, and their poor engagement with the complaints process. HDC undertook an investigation. In October 2024, Mr Stoneman and NZDAT were found to have breached the Code and not provided Mr A and Mrs B with an appropriate standard of service. In her decision, HDC Deputy Commissioner, Rose Wall, recommended Mr Stoneman provide both complainants with a written apology and comply with a number of other recommendations. Despite repeated follow up from HDC, Mr Stoneman and NZDAT have not complied with any of the recommendations. "In failing to meet any of my recommendations, Mr Stoneman and NZDAT have failed to comply with their legal obligations under the Health and Disability Commissioner Act 1994. They have demonstrated a lack of commitment towards improving their practice. "In the circumstances, I consider Mr Stoneman and NZDAT pose a risk to other vulnerable consumers. I have therefore decided to re-issue the decision and name them." Ms Wall said anyone who had received substandard treatment from a practitioner should contact HDC if they wished to submit a complaint.
Scoop
28-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Regional Council Shapes 2025–26 Annual Plan With Community Input
The Hawke's Bay Regional Council has today made decisions on its draft Annual Plan 2025–26, following public consultation between 31 March and 2 May this year. Regional Council Chair Hinewai Ormsby acknowledges the contributions of the 99 people and groups who made formal submissions, as well as those who provided feedback via social media. 'Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their views through submissions. Your feedback reinforced that affordability is what matters most to our communities.' The Regional Council has made some tough decisions and trade-offs to reduce costs across some services, she says. 'We've cut the average rates increase to 9.9 percent — a significant reduction from the 18.3 percent originally forecast for 2025–26. (Please note - this excludes the new targeted rate for the Mangarau Stream for some Hastings district ratepayers). ' This plan is about more than the next year, says Chair Ormbsy, it's about building long-term resilience for our region. 'We're preparing for the bigger conversations around future investments needed to strengthen our flood defences, and water supply resilience and support erosion control. We will engage with our community on these key priorities, with a focus on building a stronger future for Hawke's Bay.' Key decisions from consultation topics: Mangarau Stream flood resilience Regional Council will collect a new targeted rate over three years for flood resilience work for Mangarau Stream in Havelock North, following Cyclone Gabrielle. This will impact about 27,000 ratepayers in the Hastings district. We are collecting this rate to secure Crown funding as part of a regional recovery package and will pass the money collected on to Hastings District Council (HDC). HDC is responsible for the management of streams in Havelock North and are undertaking the work. Passenger transport funding Following public feedback, Regional Council will adjust the way the passenger transport service is rated. Regional Council provides the bus service, goBay and the Total Mobility scheme which provides essential services for people with permanent disabilities. The new model better reflects who has access to these services and standardises a large proportion of the amount paid by households. Upper Tukituki flood control scheme To ensure a more equitable distribution of costs among those who benefit from the scheme's protection, Regional Council will introduce a revised rating method for the Upper Tukituki Flood Control Scheme. The Regional Council also undertook consultation on the Draft Regional Public Transport Plan 2025-2035. The Regional Transport Committee are meeting on 6 June 2025 to deliberate on proposed changes. The Regional Council will formally adopt the Annual Plan 2025–26 and Regional Public Transport Plan 2025-2035 at the Council meeting on 25 June 2025.
