NZTE UPDATE

Yesterday we blogged on NZTE and its supposed horror nite at the International Business Awards in Auckland this week. We linked the resignation of CE Tim Gibson to the untidy proceedings - apparently there was a technical hitch and MC Carol Hirschfield showed she gets a bit flustered without an autocue.

Anyway - we had quite a few mates there in various capacities, including some captains of industry. Apparently our NZTE snout must have had his nose out of joint over something because, despite the general feeling that Mr Gibson's reign had run its course - he actually resigned a couple of days before the awards ceremony. The Ministers concerned were well aware of his departure on the night of the awards.
So we were wrong. Perception is all, and it seems our informant had a very different view of the evening than most of the others we know who were in attendance as they say it was not near as bad as we painted it.

Anyway we can tell you that there were many soirees around Auckland that night following the awards and in each venue good times were had by all, in one case,till 5am in the morning. Hair of the dog or oyster?

However we still think that NZTE is still a fat govt department. Our money is on the new boy John Allen at MFAT, leaving the diplomatic boys to the schmoozing and grooving and will concentrate his efforts on increasing trade opportunities. To do that it seems very logical to wrap NZTE into the MFAT fold sooner than later.

THE WINNER OF THE BEST SELF PROMOTION AWARD GOES TO........

NZTE - New Zealand Trade and Industry. The gloaty government agency is widely regarded around the Wellington public sector traps as the department of puffery. They spend heaps on crap , less on measuring it and look real flash poncing around in the name of increasing trade opportunities. Now it hasn't all been bad - there have been a few good initiatives. However they have generally been held in contempt by the doing departments, for nearly a decade.

And it was expected that this government would look at folding some of their functions into MFAT.
So it no surprise that we see that NZTE boss Tim Gibson resign today... we wonder if this slightly earlier departure than expected had something to do with the fact that the NZTE New Zealand International Business Awards last night were not flash. Apparently the night was plagued by technical glitches and was as one insider said - not a good look for the department famous for creating good looks.

So with the departure of Gibson will the Government seize the opportunity to make NZTE the MiniMe of MFAT?

SINGLE WOMEN BECOME BATTLE AXES.

Its nearly fifty years since this was written and boy has a heap changed. Its is some old bastarrd whinging about the percieved downsides of employing women as trade commissioners.

We particularly like his belief that women trade commissioners would be okay if there was trade in "clothing and accessories."

We especially like the assumption that single women "spinsters" turn into "battleaxes" while men mellow with age.

DFAT 1960s

NATS LOOK AFTER THOSE WHO CANT

In the past few weeks Murray McCully has taken a few hits for trying to bring some accountability to NZAID and refocus it into economic development. Today McCully announced a big fat donation to fund the Fred Hollows Foundation one of the great charities started by Kiwi Doctor Fred Hollows. Just goes to show that the Tories really do help poor people in the best possible way despite all the spin by Labour.

New Zealand is contributing $5.6 million to a trans-Tasman project that will improve eye health, and treat blindness in the Pacific, Foreign Minister Murray McCully announced today.“It is estimated that there 80,000 blind people and a further 250,000 with impaired vision in the Pacific,” Mr McCully said.

“Up to 75 percent of blindness is preventable, and the economic and social impact of poor eye health in our region will continue to grow if not addressed.“The government’s funding will allow the Fred Hollows Foundation New Zealand, over the next three years, to train and equip at least 45 eye nurses and eight eye doctors throughout the Pacific and in Timor-Leste.

“After training, each new eye doctor will be able to perform at least 200 cataract operations and see over 1000 new patients a year in their own country.

“The Foundation – which has an excellent reputation for the quality of its work in treating eyesight problems in developing nations – will also establish a regional surgical and training facility in Suva; initiate a new diabetes eye program, and establish locally-run eye testing and glasses supply services throughout the Pacific,” Mr McCully said.

The Australian government is contributing $11.2 million to this project.

The government’s aid and development agency, NZAID, has supported the Fred Hollows Foundation New Zealand to train eye health professionals, including doctors, ophthalmologists and nurses since 2002.

Brings a tear to BB's eyes.