Welcome > Haere Mai
Despite the colder weather recently it’s good to know that the Winter Solstice is almost here. This year, the longest night and the shortest day happens on 21 June. And from then on the light begins to return. In this issue of Worksite Watch we bring you the latest news and information to do with work and careers, and update you on the recent Budget 2008 announcements.
Budget 2008
What does it mean for you?
Budget 2008, delivered on 22 May, announced changes to personal income tax and the Family Tax Credit. These have now been passed into law and the changes take effect from 1 October 2008. The changes include:
- A reduction of the bottom tax rate to 12.5%
- Increases to the personal tax rate income thresholds, to be phased in over the next three and a half years
- The Working for Families Family Tax Credit rates and income abatement threshold are to increase, to take account of inflation
- Changes to the multi-rate fringe benefit rates.
If any of these changes effect you or someone you know, the Inland Revenue website has more information.
Worksite Watch
Create your CV online
Career Services has a clever interactive CV tool on their website. CV 4 ME can help you create and format a professional CV in less than 30 minutes.
Helping your business is their business
Biz Information is a free service that provides help to people starting or running a business. They can help you access the information and resources you need to develop and grow your business.
Wage growth at a record high
Annual wage growth remained at 3.4% for the March 2008 quarter. This is the equal highest rate recorded since the Labour Cost Index (LCI) began in 1992.
Just the job
Just the Job is a TV series and DVD resource that gives high school students practical insight into a range of careers and occupations available in New Zealand. The 10 half-hour programmes provide a firsthand experience of what happens 'on the job'.
Take me there!
Gain new skills on the job
Know a young person keen to get started on a career path? Modern Apprenticeships are work-based education programmes designed especially for young people aged 16-21.
Simple tool unlocks information on occupations
A new interactive tool is the key to getting information and facts on over 550 occupations, from Accountant to Zoologist. Find out more about the Department of Labour's free Occupational Indicator tool.
Opportunity in the Public Service
Work options and opportunities in the Public Service can be interesting, varied and challenging, and right now there are more than 500 vacancies listed on www.jobs.govt.nz.
Settling in New Zealand
The results of a 2007 survey of skilled migrants that have recently settled in New Zealand have been published in the report 'Life in New Zealand – Settlement Experiences of Skilled Migrants'.
