General Publications
Department of Labour Annual Report 2006
Working towards a better New Zealand
We Work in the Labour market – With people and the places they Work.
> it is the value created by the two that makes the New Zealand economy Work.
When people and firms Work efficiently, productively and responsibly, our Country prospers.
> there is a simple way of looking at it.
When We connect With the World and have the right people, and those people have the right skills and can choose to Work in a Way that’s right for them, and We can improve Where they Work and how they Work, then they Will Work smarter and Better and produce more.
the smarter and Better We Work and the more We produce, the more We earn.
And the more that our firms and people earn, the Better off New Zealand is as a country.
> that is What We do. We help New Zealand Work Better.
that is What this annual report is about.
Working towards Better connections
New Zealand will prosper through its connections with the rest of the world.
New Zealand is a country of migrants. Migrants bring new skills and international connections. Visits by tourists, students and temporary workers supplement our labour force and strengthen connections between New Zealand and other countries.
The increasing mobility of people globally means we have to develop and protect the attractiveness of New Zealand as a place to live and work. Protecting New Zealand from risk is a critical part of that.
So too are the international, humanitarian and trade connections the Department manages – Pacific migration programmes, international labour and trade arrangements, refugee and settlement programmes.
Working towards Better Workplaces
New Zealand workplaces will lead the world in maximising the value of work while providing a high-quality working life.
The Department is actively working with sector groups and industry to increase productivity. Our emphasis is on collaboration and customer-focussed activity because we know good relationships are the key to successful workplaces.
We want successful firms that adopt best practices and have excellent health and safety records.
We want workplaces where good staff are recruited, developed, rewarded and retained.
Our work helps employers and their staff work together to increase productivity in ways that benefit everyone. It can be in areas as simple as providing tools to evaluate productivity or as complex as looking at all the issues that will make a sector work better.
Working towards Better skills
The skills of our workers will ensure New Zealand enterprises are leaders internationally.
The Department works with industries, educators and training providers to help with skill development and utilisation.
We help industries, sectors and regions balance the demands for skills with supply of the workforce.
We actively promote changes to industry and work-place practices that will help with the recruitment and retention of a skilled and motivated workforce.
And where the needs of the economy can’t be met from within New Zealand, we work to attract skilled people from overseas and facilitate their participation in productive work.
Working towards Better participation
All New Zealanders will be able to grow and develop through access to well-paid and meaningful employment.
Paid work is how most people earn their income, and the Department works across a range of areas that help people participate in work.
We also recognise that there’s life outside of work.
The Department is helping employers and workers find practical ways to meet individuals’ differing needs.
We implemented changes to paid parental leave, enabling parents to stay attached to the workforce while caring for young children.
We’re working on pay and employment equity and driving a voluntary standard to address gender bias.
And we’re developing tools to help employers and workers achieve a practical work-life balance.