Committee notes
Commerce
The committee met on 5 April 2012 to consider the 2010/11 financial review of Meridian Energy, and consider and hear evidence on the 2010/11 financial reviews of Mighty River Power, Genesis Power and Solid Energy. Due to a vacancy, Jonathan Young was elected chairperson of the committee.
The committee will next meet on 3 May to further consider the 2010/11 financial reviews of Meridian Energy, Radio New Zealand, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, the Electricity Authority, the Broadcasting Commission, Mighty River Power, Genesis Power, and Solid Energy, and to consider the Financial Markets Conduct Bill and the Consumer Law Reform Bill.
Education and Science
The committee met on 4 April 2012 to hear evidence on the 2010/11 financial review of Career Services, and consider the 2010/11 financial review of AgResearch, the report from an Ombudsman on Complaints Arising out of Bullying at Hutt Valley High School in December 2007, and the petition of Judy Taligalu McFall-McCaffery and John McCaffery and 6686 others.
The committee will not meet next week.
The committee has initiated an inquiry into 21st century learning environments and digital literacy. The term “learning environment” suggests learning happens in a place and space such as a school, a classroom, or a library. However, while much of 21st century learning takes place in physical locations, in today’s technology driven world, a learning environment can also be virtual, online or remote. The purpose of this inquiry is to investigate and provide recommendations on the best structures, tools, and communities, in both rural and urban New Zealand, that could better enable students and educators to attain the knowledge and skills, such as digital literacy, that the 21st century demands of us all.
The terms of reference for the inquiry are to:
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investigate possible options for the best facilities that support teaching and learning in 21st century schools. In particular, investigate more flexible teaching spaces
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investigate possible changes to the timing of when learning can occur, given the spread of handheld devices
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investigate possible options for the best technological infrastructure that supports teaching and learning in 21st century schools
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consider how the rollout of ultra-fast broadband (UFB) will affect teaching techniques and processes, and whether additional resources or training may further enhance the positive effect of UFB on teaching and learning outcomes. In particular, investigate the role and efficiency of the Network for Learning
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consider whether current generations of learners more readily adopt new technology, and whether increasing base levels of technological proficiency may promote independent learning
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investigate the opportunities for technology to increase collaboration between neighbouring schools, and between distance learners
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investigate issues of equity of access to technology in New Zealand schools, which includes establishing the current extent of New Zealand’s digital divide
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investigate the impact of increased digital literacy on learning.
The committee has called for submissions, with a closing date of 11 May 2012.
Finance and Expenditure
The committee met on 4 April 2012 to receive a briefing on the Estimates process, and to consider the report of the Controller and Auditor-General on The Treasury: Implementing and managing the Crown Retail Deposit Guarantee Scheme.
Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade
The committee met on 5 April 2012 to hear evidence on the briefing on major defence projects from the Ministry of Defence and the New Zealand Defence Force.
The committee will not be meeting next week.
Government Administration
The committee met on 4 April 2012 and heard evidence on the Electronic Identity Verification Bill. It also considered the Members of Parliament (Remuneration and Services) Bill and called for public submissions with a closing date of 18 May 2012.
The committee will next meet on 2 May.
Health
The committee met on 4 April 2012 to receive a briefing on the report of the Controller and Auditor-General on New Zealand Blood Service: Managing the safety and supply of blood products.
The committee also heard evidence on the 2010/11 financial reviews of the New Zealand Blood Service, Capital and Coast, Hutt, and Wairarapa District Health Boards.
The committee also considered the petition of Lyn Polworth.
The committee will next meet on 24 April to further consider the Natural Health Products Bill.
Justice and Electoral
The committee met on 5 April 2012 to hear evidence on the 2010/11 financial review of the Human Rights Commission, the Victims of Crime Reform Bill, and the Privacy (Information Sharing) Bill.
The committee will next meet on 3 May when it will consider the Victims of Crime Reform Bill, and the Privacy (Information Sharing) Bill. It will also hear evidence on the 2010/11 financial review of the Abortion Supervisory Committee.
Law and Order
The committee met on 4 April 2012 to consider the report of the Chief Ombudsman and the Ombudsman on the Investigation of the Department of Corrections in relation to the Provision, Access and Availability of Prison Health Services.
The committee will meet next on 2 May when it will consider the Corrections Amendment Bill. Public submissions on this bill close on 12 April 2012.
Local Government and Environment
The committee met on 5 April 2012 to hear a briefing from the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment on Water quality in New Zealand: Understanding the science, and to consider two reports from the Controller and Auditor-General: Managing freshwater quality: Challenges for regional councils, and Local government: Improving the usefulness of annual reports. Consideration was also given to the 2010/11 financial review of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority, as well as the Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) Bill, the Manukau City Council (Regulation of Prostitution in Specified Places) Bill, and the Game Animal Council Bill.
The committee will next meet on 3 May.
Māori Affairs
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The Maori Affairs Committee did not meet this week.
Primary Production
The committee met on 5 April 2012 to consider the Dairy Industry Restructuring Amendment Bill. The committee set a closing date for the receipt of submissions of Tuesday, 24 April 2012. The committee will commence hearing oral evidence in the week beginning Monday, 30 April.
Regulations Review
The committee met on 4 April 2012 to hear evidence on the Complaint regarding the Legal Services Regulations 2011 (SR2011/44).
The committee will next meet on 3 May to consider a number of statutory regulations, and the complaint regarding the Legal Services Regulations 2011 (SR2011/44).
Social Services
The committee met on 4 April 2012 to further consider the Social Security (Youth Support and Work Focus) Amendment Bill, and to consider and hear evidence on the 2010/11 financial reviews of Housing New Zealand Corporation, the Children’s Commissioner, and the Families Commission. The meeting was open to the public for the hearings of evidence.
The committee will not meet next week.
Transport and Industrial Relations
The committee met on 5 April 2012 to receive a briefing from the Office of the Auditor-General on its work in the transport sector, and to consider the 2010/11 financial reviews of the Accident Compensation Corporation and the New Zealand Transport Agency.
