Latest news with #Penk
Scoop
29-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Excellence Celebrated At First-Ever Minister For Manufacturing Awards
Press Release – New Zealand Government Manufacturing fuels the economy by contributing over 8.4 percent to New Zealands GDP, generating more than 250,000 jobs and reinforcing our position as a global competitor, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing Chris Penk says. Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing Exceptional Kiwi businesses and outstanding individuals who are driving industry productivity, innovation and job creation have been honoured at New Zealand's inaugural Minister for Manufacturing Awards. 'Manufacturing fuels the economy by contributing over 8.4 percent to New Zealand's GDP, generating more than 250,000 jobs and reinforcing our position as a global competitor,' Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing Chris Penk says. 'The 2025 Minister for Manufacturing Awards celebrated the prosperity this industry drives and most importantly, the outstanding people behind it.' Held yesterday evening at Christchurch's premier industry showcase, SouthMACH, the event was hosted by Mr Penk in collaboration with Advancing Manufacturing Aotearoa. 'The calibre of finalists and winners reflects the strength and diversity of New Zealand's manufacturing sector – from suppliers of sustainably harvested timber, to developers of ground-breaking recycling technologies and producers of life-saving medical equipment,' Mr Penk says. 'These businesses are led by innovative thinkers and powered by skilled, hard-working Kiwis. Their success is something we can all take pride in and shows that manufacturing will continue to play a significant role in shaping New Zealand into a world-class economy.' The awards recognise excellence across four key categories. The winners are: Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year supported by Enztec: Michael Vitale – Pacific Steel Michael is working towards his Mechanical Engineering apprenticeship through Competenz at Pacific Steel. His early completion of theory components and impressive focus on health and safety in example projects shows remarkable dedication, and his success has encouraged the company to open apprenticeships to other operations employees. Excellence in Manufacturing Leadership supported by Lawson Williams Consulting: Nathan Hay – Argus ManuTech Nathan Hay is a passionate manufacturing leader who has championed technology adoption, grown the workforce and empowered his team through focused upskilling. Mr Hays has led impactful partnerships, including med-tech ventures with MARS Bioimaging, that highlight how progressive manufacturing can drive positive social and environmental outcomes. Excellence in Process Innovation supported by Swell Group: Breadcraft Wairarapa Ltd Breadcraft Wairarapa is a fourth-generation artisan bakery that's been proudly baking in Masterton since 1942. Through innovative brands like Rebel Bakehouse, they're combining tradition, sustainability and creativity to lead New Zealand's baking evolution. Manufacturer of the Year supported by BNZ: Douglas Pharmaceuticals Douglas Pharmaceuticals specialises in high-barrier prescription medicines, produced in FDA and TGA-certified GMP facilities. They have grown from a family business into a people-focused industry leader that is continually innovating and delivering strong financial results. Douglas Pharmaceuticals sets the benchmark for NewZealand manufacturing and is a worthy recipient of this award. 'I offer my heartfelt congratulations to the outstanding businesses and individuals honoured at the awards ceremony, and a sincere thanks to everyone who entered and attended,' Mr Penk says 'Your dedication to building a thriving industry inspires the future generations of Kiwi makers and creators. I look forward to celebrating your achievements again at future Minister for Manufacturing Awards.'
Scoop
28-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Excellence Celebrated At First-Ever Minister For Manufacturing Awards
Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing Exceptional Kiwi businesses and outstanding individuals who are driving industry productivity, innovation and job creation have been honoured at New Zealand's inaugural Minister for Manufacturing Awards. 'Manufacturing fuels the economy by contributing over 8.4 percent to New Zealand's GDP, generating more than 250,000 jobs and reinforcing our position as a global competitor,' Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing Chris Penk says. 'The 2025 Minister for Manufacturing Awards celebrated the prosperity this industry drives and most importantly, the outstanding people behind it.' Held yesterday evening at Christchurch's premier industry showcase, SouthMACH, the event was hosted by Mr Penk in collaboration with Advancing Manufacturing Aotearoa. 'The calibre of finalists and winners reflects the strength and diversity of New Zealand's manufacturing sector - from suppliers of sustainably harvested timber, to developers of ground-breaking recycling technologies and producers of life-saving medical equipment,' Mr Penk says. 'These businesses are led by innovative thinkers and powered by skilled, hard-working Kiwis. Their success is something we can all take pride in and shows that manufacturing will continue to play a significant role in shaping New Zealand into a world-class economy.' The awards recognise excellence across four key categories. The winners are: Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year supported by Enztec: Michael Vitale – Pacific Steel Michael is working towards his Mechanical Engineering apprenticeship through Competenz at Pacific Steel. His early completion of theory components and impressive focus on health and safety in example projects shows remarkable dedication, and his success has encouraged the company to open apprenticeships to other operations employees. Excellence in Manufacturing Leadership supported by Lawson Williams Consulting: Nathan Hay – Argus ManuTech Nathan Hay is a passionate manufacturing leader who has championed technology adoption, grown the workforce and empowered his team through focused upskilling. Mr Hays has led impactful partnerships, including med-tech ventures with MARS Bioimaging, that highlight how progressive manufacturing can drive positive social and environmental outcomes. Excellence in Process Innovation supported by Swell Group: Breadcraft Wairarapa Ltd Breadcraft Wairarapa is a fourth-generation artisan bakery that's been proudly baking in Masterton since 1942. Through innovative brands like Rebel Bakehouse, they're combining tradition, sustainability and creativity to lead New Zealand's baking evolution. Manufacturer of the Year supported by BNZ: Douglas Pharmaceuticals Douglas Pharmaceuticals specialises in high-barrier prescription medicines, produced in FDA and TGA-certified GMP facilities. They have grown from a family business into a people-focused industry leader that is continually innovating and delivering strong financial results. Douglas Pharmaceuticals sets the benchmark for NewZealand manufacturing and is a worthy recipient of this award. 'I offer my heartfelt congratulations to the outstanding businesses and individuals honoured at the awards ceremony, and a sincere thanks to everyone who entered and attended,' Mr Penk says 'Your dedication to building a thriving industry inspires the future generations of Kiwi makers and creators. I look forward to celebrating your achievements again at future Minister for Manufacturing Awards.'
1News
23-05-2025
- Politics
- 1News
Kororāreka marae plea to restore original name for Russell denied
A submission to change the Bay of Islands town of Russell's name to the traditional Māori name of Kororāreka has been declined. More than 1800 submissions were received — 52% in support of the name change and 48% against it. Minister for Land Information Chris Penk said he consulted with colleagues across the Government to make his decision "given the close margin and the historical weight of the decision". "Through that process, it became clear there was insufficient support to proceed with the proposal," Penk said. Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa New Zealand Geographic Board publicly consulted on the proposal from the Kororāreka Marae Society, which lodged a name-change application in September 2021. The board considered three options: An outright change to Kororāreka; the dual name Kororāreka/Russell; or the alternative names option where both had equal standing. Kororāreka marae Society chair member Deb Rewiri expressed disappointment at the decision. "We [Tangata Whenua and Tangata Tiriti] are frustrated and astounded at this current coalition Government and their divisive behaviour when faced with doing the right thing." Rewiri said the board supported the name restoration along with most of the submissions; however, the opposing submissions "were for dual names to be carried, and that wasn't a consideration for the Minister". "We will continue to call our village by its rightful name." Rewiri told Breakfast in July 2024 that Kororāreka was "the only town in the Far North that did not carry its original name". Kororāreka Marae Society chairperson Debra Rewiri said the historical context of the traditional name is 'really significant' for Māori in the region. (Source: Breakfast) "There's something unusual about that when Paihia is Paihia and Waitangi is Waitangi … all the traditional names that were part of our history and in terms of Russell, it wasn't there. "Even though when our people, our Māori people, [came] into the village, that's all they'd call it, Kororāreka," Rewiri said. Penk said he wanted to "acknowledge the important work of the Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa New Zealand Geographic Board and thank everyone who took the time to make a submission".
NZ Herald
23-05-2025
- Politics
- NZ Herald
Historic Northland town Russell will not be called Kororāreka, minister decides
The marae applied to the Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa New Zealand Geographic Board to have the name of Russell changed - or restored, as Rawiri describes it - to Kororāreka in 2021. Public consultation was held in 2023 and the change was supported by high-profile Bay of Islands residents, such as former Prime Minister Dame Jenny Shipley. The debate allowed people to learn more about the name Kororāreka, which records how an unwell Māori chief was revitalised by a sweet penguin broth from the area, Rawiri said. But Penk said there was insufficient support to change the name to Kororāreka, due to Russell's historic legacy. 'The township of Russell holds significant historical importance through its connection to the first capital of New Zealand. In light of this legacy, I believed it was important to give full and thoughtful consideration to the proposal to officially name the township Kororāreka,' he said in a statement. The consultation process attracted more than 1800 submissions, with 52% in support of Kororāreka and 48% opposed. 'Given the close margin and the historical weight of the decision, I consulted with colleagues across government. Through that process, it became clear there was insufficient support to proceed with the proposal,' Penk said. He thanked everyone who made a submission and Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa New Zealand Geographic Board for its 'important work'. Rawiri said she would continue trying to get the name restored to Kororāreka, which is already used by numerous businesses and organisations. She believed the name restoration to Kororāreka had the support of the Geographic Board, who gave its recommendation to the overseeing minister, then Labour's Damien O'Connor. But O'Connor was unable to make a decision before the election in 2023. Rawiri said she understood Penk made his decision on May 8 but only released the decision on Friday. While many people think of Russell as New Zealand's first capital, the capital was actually based nearby in the town of Ōkiato, also known as Old Russell. This town was named Russell in 1840 after the then-leader of the British House of Commons, Lord James Russell, who never set foot in New Zealand. But the capital was transferred to Auckland in 1841 and much of Old Russell was destroyed by fire the following year. Kororāreka, about 8km north of Ōkiato, was part of the Port of Russell and gradually assumed the name of the destroyed town. Kororāreka records how an unwell Māori chief was revitalised by a sweet penguin broth from the area, with kororā being the name for blue penguin and reka meaning sweet.
1News
08-05-2025
- Politics
- 1News
'Cooked alive': Ventilation rules to be revamped
Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says the government is planning to increase ventilation requirements in new homes, to address the problem of sweltering townhouses. Auckland homeowners have complained of 30 degree Celsius temperatures overnight and huge air-conditioning bills because of over-sunny and poorly ventilated buildings. Penk said changes were needed to avoid people being "cooked alive in their own house". Meanwhile, the Minister has pulled back from wanting to repeal recent upgrades to energy efficiency requirements. The government is now proposing relaxing some aspects of the home efficiency standard, known as H1, as well as improving ventilation to keep homes cooler. The minister told a housing conference he was disappointed that the issue of hot houses had been raised and debated through the media rather than being foreseen when upgraded energy efficiency standards were put in place. Building and construction groups have said it's misguided to blame the problem of overly hot houses on increased levels of insulation that is being installed as a result of new energy efficiency standards. They say insulation should help keep a house cool when the weather outside is hot, and the real issue is poor design, lack of shading and cross-ventilation. Penk was asked at the Housing Summit in Auckland if he would be raising ventilation regulations and requirements for new builds. He said the short answer was "yes". Penk said the recent upgrades to energy efficiency standards had got "out of whack" with requirements to ventilate homes. "It seems to me that the ventilation part of the Building Code needs an update and obviously the insulation or rather energy efficiency element has been addressed in the sense of the H1 rules," he said. "It seems to me there's a bit of a mismatch there, certainly in terms of ventilation having got out of whack. "I will say at the risk of being a bit provocative that I'm surprised and disappointed that the public discourse for this has gotten underway ... as far as I can tell with news items about how this is a problem and now reactively as a country how we've got to move to fix it," he said. "It seems to me that with all the expertise that's available this is something that New Zealand Inc could have contemplated and considered and actively avoided," he said. "We've got to see a regime where people aren't being cooked alive in their own house." The government appears to have pulled back from wanting to scrap upgraded energy efficiency standards, which critics blamed for hot homes and increased building costs. RNZ revealed in July 2024 that Penk had asked building officials to begin work on rolling back changes to the H1 part of the Building Code. The H1 upgrades to insulation and glazing requirements took effect in May 2023 and were the first significant improvements to insulation standards in New Zealand in more than a decade. They were designed to save a new home an estimated 40% on heating bills. However, builders complained that the higher standards were increasing building costs by tens of thousands of dollars per house. Officials at the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) told Penk the old standards were "significantly lower" than other countries with similar climates. However, emails showed Penk asked them to start work on scrapping the upgrades and returning the standards to what they used to be. At the time, he told MBIE he had decided that returning the Building Code to a "known prior state is the lightest possible touch in terms of making change….I am keen to move forward in any case". But the government appears to have since backed down on making drastic H1 changes, in favour of smaller amendments. Decisions on H1 are made by MBIE, not the Minister. Many in the construction sector slammed Penk's plan to roll back the H1 changes, saying poor implementation was the reason for high costs and overhot houses. MBIE appears to have agreed that drastic changes weren't required. In February, MBIE consulted the industry on a range of smaller amendments aimed at lowering compliance costs and increasing flexibility while keeping energy efficiency gains. This week, Penk told the Housing Summit the government was intending to relax H1 - but said any changes were ultimately MBIE's call to make. He agreed with several industry commentators that one of the major problems was over-reliance on the so-called schedule method, where builders and designers work from a list of individual requirements for windows, insulation and other aspects to comply with the standards, rather than modelling the performance of the building as a whole. That can lead to more high-cost elements being included than are needed, as well as over-heating if the overall building's temperature performance isn't modelled. "Anecdotally at least, but a lot of anecdote, a lot of people building a lot of houses are telling me that there is a huge amount of additional cost," Penk said. "It seems to me - and I emphasise me because it is an MBIE decision - that the schedule method, the blunt instrument that's so prescriptive, has been the cause of a lot of a lot of designers and therefore builders adding a lot of cost unnecessarily, whereas if the calculation or, better still, modelling methods are used you can take account of regional variation. "I think we will get to a more nuanced place," he said. Penk received applause when he announced to the conference that New Zealand would be the 71st country to sign a global declaration on buildings and climate change. The Declaration de Chaillot was signed by 70 other countries in Paris in March, 2024. Countries agreed to work together on a "swift transition" to lower carbon emissions from buildings and make housing more resistant to climate change. Among other things, signatories agreed to move towards carbon-neutral buildings, to use regulatory tools to increase the share of resilient, near-zero emission, and affordable buildings; promote the adoption of green labels, standards, and certifications and lead by example by adopting ambitious policies regarding public procurement. Andrew Eagles of the Green Building Council said joining the declaration was an "important step forward" and "very positive". He said it would give the government an opportunity to meet regularly with other governments "to hear of the mahi happening around the world". However, since the election the government has taken a number of steps in the opposite direction from the accord's roadmap. It scrapped plans to bring in carbon measurements into the building code, will stop requiring Kainga Ora to build homes to top energy efficiency standards in order to save money, and proposed scrapping the use of Green Star ratings when the government is building or leasing larger buildings.
