新西兰英语 106 Parliament in Session

　　Parliament began again yesterday after the Christmas break. Two important matters made the news today from Parliament.
The first matter was to put more money into the economy and provide jobs. The government is putting $500,000 in to economy for major infrastructure¹ projects. Infrastructure includes electricity, roads, water, and so on. This time, the money is for more roads, school buildings, and a bridge at the south end of the Coromandel peninsula. There is also money to build new state houses and improve old ones, especially to make them warmer by putting in insulation². New Zealand is just doing the same as many other countries such as the US and Australia, only the amount of money that our country can spend is much less.
The other important matter which took place in the Parliament buildings was a Treaty of Waitangi settlement for three groups of iwi (tribes) made up of eight smaller iwi. This matter has taken two and a half years to settle. These iwi come from the upper South Island and the lower North Island. Between them, they will receive around $300 million in cash and forest land. This is compensation³ for land which was taken from them between 1840 and 1860. This settlement will give the iwi the chance to use this money to help their people.

1 infrastructure   

n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施

参考例句：

• We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
• We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。

2 insulation   

n.隔离；绝缘；隔热

参考例句：

• Please examine the insulation of the electric wires in my house.请检查一下我屋子里电线的绝缘情况。
• It is always difficult to assure good insulation between the electric leads.要保证两个电触头之间有良好的绝缘总是很困难的。

3 compensation   

n.补偿（或赔偿）的款物，补偿，赔偿

参考例句：

• Workers who have been unfairly dismissed may claim compensation.被无理开除的工人可以要求补偿。
• Equal compensation should be given to men and women for equal work.男女同工应同酬。