If you are a retailer or service based business gearing up for a bumper Christmas season, now’s a great time to polish up on your knowledge of your responsibilities under the Fair Trading and Consumer Guarantees Acts. Go to http://www.business.govt.nz/news-and-features/fair-holiday-trading-what-you-need-to-know Ten new oil and gas exploration permits have been awarded as a result of Block Offer 2013. The permits include five onshore permits across Taranaki and the East Coast and five offshore permits across the Reinga-Northland, Taranaki, and Great South-Canterbury Basins. More the permits awarded and the Block Offer 2013 process is available at http://www.nzpam.govt.nz/cms/petroleum/block-offer/2013-awards I kid you not: Paid Friends - weary of genuine relationships, rich New Yorkers hire stand-ins. Go to http://observer.com/2013/11/paid-friends/ A deadly disease could travel at jet speed around the world. How do we stop it in time? Go to http://www.theguardian.com/science/2013/nov/12/deadly-disease-modern-global-epidemic The global transportation energy and climate roadmap evaluates the historical and potential impact of transportation policies on global oil consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Go to http://www.theicct.org/globaltransportation-energy-and-climate-roadmap 30 projects commemorating the centenary of the First World War have been granted $2.7 million in funding by the New Zealand Lottery Grants Board. Go to http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/diverse-funding-world-war-one-centenary New Zealand holidaymakers might see Thailand as a relaxing tropical destination, but Kiwi exporters should carefully consider its significant benefits as a manufacturing hub that can be part of the NZ supply chain, and a staging point for doing business in the ASEAN region. More is at http://www.nzte.govt.nz/en/news-and-media/blogs-andcommentary/2013/11/19/tapping-into-thailand/ Are you worried whether your mother-in-law will like the expensive present you plan to buy her for Christmas? What are her or your rights for getting a refund from the shop if she doesn’t like your present? Find out more at http://www.consumeraffairs.govt.nz/news-1/word-of-advice/2013/refunds-for-those-unwanted-christmas-gifts/view Solar cell efficiency can get a boost from some good old rock 'n' roll, according to UK researchers. Scientists attached a layer of zinc oxide to a polymer solar cell and exposed it to noise, as well as light, finding that it generated more current than with just light alone. The energetic beat of rock and pop music gave the cell the biggest burst of power, scientists said. Go to http://news.discovery.com/tech/alternative-power-sources/power-chords-pump-up-solar-cell-efficiency131106.htm The State Services Commission’s Performance Improvement Framework (PIF) is a review of an agency's fitness-forpurpose today and for the future. It looks at the current state of an agency, then how well placed it is to deal with the issues that confront it in the medium-term future. It looks at the areas where the agency needs to do the most work to make itself fit-for-purpose. The PIF for Careers NZ has been released, and it can be found at http://www.ssc.govt.nz/pifreports-announcements US research suggests that 90 companies across the world are the top emitters of harmful greenhouse gases. The list includes oil companies Chevron, Exxon and British Petroleum and coal producers such as British Coal Corp, Peabody Energy, and BHP Billiton. All but seven of the 90 companies were energy producers, and the balance were cement producing companies. Go to http://www.upi.com/Science_News/Blog/2013/11/20/90-companies-account-for-two-thirds-ofglobal-man-made-emissions/1481384972407/#ixzz2lbd7Tlo7 According to Atlantic Magazine, these are the 50 greatest breakthroughs since the wheel (number 1: the printing press). Go to http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2013/11/innovations-list/309536/ Back to top
Bulletin Aotearoa December 2013
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