Law changes kicking in today
A rise in the cost of petrol is just one change taking place from today. Here are some others:
Petrol prices and road user charges
Kiwi motorists will be paying a little extra to fill up their tanks from today, when the rate of petrol excise duty increases about 3.5 cents to about 70c per litre.
The cost of a road user charges distance licence for a light vehicle (a car, van, ute) will be $76 (up from $72) per 1000km, including GST.
Money from petrol excise duty, road user charges and from registration and motor vehicle licensing goes into the National Land Transport Fund, which helps fund the building, maintenance and operation of the country’s land transport system.
Parental leave
And it’s good news for expecting Kiwi parents with paid parental leave increasing from 22 weeks to 26 weeks.
On Monday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the additional leave would help pull down financial barriers for parents.
‘‘As of this Wednesday, the Coalition will have increased by two months the amount of paid time new parents get to spend with their babies, demonstrating our commitment to families by removing economic barriers to parents spending those all important early months with their children.’’
Those whose babies are due on July 1 2020, or are born on or after that date, will get 26 weeks of paid parental leave from the Government. Employees are eligible to get $585.80 each week before tax.
Free trade and apprenticeship training
As part of the Government’s Budget announcement, targeted vocational training courses will be free from July 1 for all ages, not just school leavers.
This includes courses in building and construction, agriculture, manufacturing, electrical engineering, road transport, and also vocational courses like community health, counselling and care work.
The $1.6 billion Trades and Apprenticeships Training Package aims to give the economy a boost by opening up opportunities for those who lost jobs during the Covid-19 crisis, or who need to upskill for a new career. The fund will cover fees from July 1 2020 until December 31 2022.
Education Minister Chris Hipkins said in many cases people will save between $2500 and $6500 per year.
Reduced building levy
There’s also good news for people involved in a building project.
Today the building levy rate will reduce from $2.01 to $1.75 (including GST) per thousand dollars of consented building work, for all work that is over the $20,444 threshold (including GST).
According to MBIE’s website this will lower building consent costs by around $80 for the average new build, and by $5200 for a $20 million commercial project.
Pay rise for ECE teachers
Teachers working in early education centres get a pay rise today.
In May, the Government announced funding to bring minimum pay for early childhood education (ECE) teachers outside the kindergarten sector, in line with those in it.
Their minimum salary will increase to $49,862.
Changes to Family Court
The Family Court (Supporting Families in Court) Legislation Bill takes effect today.
It forms part of the $62 million package announced at the Budget. It will restore the right to legal representation at the start of a care of children dispute in the Family Court, and allow parties to those proceedings, where eligible, to access legal aid.