A hell of a speech

Written By: - Date published: 10:40 am, March 22nd, 2011 - 74 comments
Categories: election 2011, nz first - Tags: , , , ,

Recession

The worldwide recession is not your fault.

It was caused by the greedies in the banking and finance industry.

To make extra profits and to earn huge bonuses, US financiers created a scheme by which they packaged shonky mortgages and sold them as prime investments.

As well, banks and finance houses in many parts of the Western world went on a lending spree that pushed up property prices, creating a big bubble that burst.

Governments and ordinary people were left to clean up the mess. The cleaning up is continuing and it will take a long time.

Not content with crashing the democratic world’s financial systems, the greedies are back in action gambling on the price of commodities.

Food, oil, whatever you can think of is being bought and sold many times before it even gets to the factory that processes it.

It’s a new way for the greedies behind computer screens to suck billions out of the pockets of ordinary people.

You are at the bottom of the food chain.

It’s called “globalisation” and you’ll hear just about every so-called financial expert saying what a good thing it is.

What they really mean is that it is a good thing for them.

The New Zealand economy is the plaything of international currency traders and speculators.

Our currency is one of the most volatile on the planet.

We keep hearing about the virtues of the free market. Trouble is it’s not free to the families trying to make do on low incomes or pensioners facing a long cold winter with big power bills.

Budget

You are being softened up for cuts in social spending in the next Budget.

Every day the Prime Minister and senior cabinet ministers tell the nation how bad things are.

And every day a new figure of ten, fifteen, twenty billion is thrown about as the amount of extra money the government will need.

This is a clear signal that more state assets will be sold than the government is letting on.

Surely someone, somewhere in this government knows the folly of selling state assets.

For example, the state companies that generate electricity are going to be partially privatised.

Now why would anyone of sane mind sell off its only renewable sources of energy.

Make no mistake.

If our power stations are part of a public share float they will end up owned overseas.

Probably by China because China is one of the few countries that are in the black.

Why are they in the black?

Because they are a one party state with a planned economy, a strictly controlled workforce and a forest of factories handed over by industrial leaders in the West.

They’ve gone to China because manufacturing is cheaper where the workers get paid a few dollars and a bowl of rice a day.

So why would we hand over our energy generating resources?

Between 1984 and 1996 Labour and National governments privatised and sold off huge chunks of state owned assets.

They were sold for a song and companies like Telecom have made a killing for their overseas owners.

NZ First

The most important party for senior citizens for the next few years will be New Zealand First.

People in powerful places have decided that our party stands in the way of their grand designs so they have tried to take us out.

If we were gone your pension would be reduced tomorrow and your SuperGold card would be worthless.

As well, the age of eligibility would be lifted.

We are your insurance so don’t forget to pay it!

And remember we are extending the SuperGold card into senior medical care next year when we get back.

There will be a free medical; check each year for over 65s and doctors visits will be capped at ten dollars.

We cannot continue with a situation in which elderly people cannot afford to go to the doctor.

Position For Election

So let me explain what our position is for the election this year.

If you don’t want to vote for National, vote for New Zealand First.

If you don’t want to vote for Labour, vote for New Zealand First.

If you don’t want the others, vote for New Zealand First.

If we have to, and if that is what NZ First decides, we will be pleased to sit on the cross benches guarding the interests of ALL New Zealanders.

We have done it before.

National and Labour can look after themselves.

We will support legislation that’s in line with New Zealand First policies.

And we will always support any policy or idea that’s good for the country – no matter where it comes from.

We have done it before.

In return we will expect support for our initiatives.

This makes our position clear.

No pre-election deals, no nudge-nudge, wink-wink political horse trading before you the voters have spoken.

Those who argue for pre-election deals are trying to weaken your vote.

Don’t let them.

Instead of doing pre-election deals, we will concentrate on the big issues facing New Zealanders.

You were promised before the last election there would be no increase in GST.

That’s right – you will find the clip on YouTube in which John Key says National would not increase GST.

To that we say …yeah right!

If we look back at that exercise in tax fiddles this is what happened.

The wealthy people at the top – the people this government looks after did very well.

Look for example, as the boss of the Australian bank Westpac in New Zealand.

His salary is $5.6 million dollars.

When John Key handed out his tax cuts – the bank boss got more than $5,000 a week extra.

That’s right $5,000 a week extra because of his tax cut.

Now for the unfairness of it all.

National recently lifted the minimum wage by 25 cents an hour to $13 an hour.

That means someone on the minimum wage – and there are thousands of them – now receives just over $27,000 a year.

That amounts to about $437 a week take home pay.

It’s easy to see the people this government is looking after.

If you are a bank boss on $5.6million, helping cause a recession, you get an extra five thousand a week.

If you are on the minimum wage – you get an extra 25 cents an hour.

And hope you don’t have too far to walk to the local foodbank.

This policy also hits the pockets of those people receiving the pension.

If pay rates are kept down, your superannuation payments are kept down as well.

And here’s something else to think about. How can a single pensioner live on just over $330 a week in these times of explosive food prices, rising power costs, rising petrol costs and government charges that go up every time you look at them?

Times are tough through no fault of your own. And we commend those thousands of New Zealanders who look after each other and help each other out.

You paid your dues while in the workforce. You raised your kids, did work for the community and kept your side of the bargain.

Now you are regarded as a public expense when you really are a public asset. Each and every one of you.

Your parents and their parents tried to make this country special. WE led the world in social advances.

It is our duty to restore our country to the caring egalitarian society they were proud of.

WE CAN do it again. Help us make it happen.

Speech by Winston Peters, NZF, to Ashburton Grey Power, 21 March 2011.

74 comments on “A hell of a speech ”

  1. ianmac 1

    Laid out in very clear simple terms. As an ordinary not economics sort of chap I can get this. Perhaps Mr Goff could get lessons on how to present clear unequivocal messages.
    Anyway whose speech was this? Winston’s? I wonder why Key sees Winston Peters as a threat? Mmmmm……

    • lprent 1.1

      Ummm. Putting in who gave the speech would help. Perhaps whoever posted this would oblige.

      But at a guess I’d say that it is Winston Peters… Bugger I was hoping we were quit of him. But this is exactly the type of thing that I suspect will bring him back into the house.

      [I didn’t post it. I wondered if not mentioning Peters in the post was a deliberate strategy? I read it thinking damn, good speech, then had the slowly dawning horror as I gradually worked out who it was! But I’ll add the details in at the end. — r0b]

      • Pat 1.1.1

        Perhaps a Who, When and Where would help.

      • Marty G 1.1.2

        I wasn’t going to mention who gave it until the end, for exactly the effect r0b got. But I guess I thought the pic and the tags gave the game away without need for anything else. 🙂

        Simply, it’s the best speech I’ve seen in years, I didn’t think it needed any analysis from me and I wanted to leave the debate wide open, so I put it up under the standard

        • Richard 1.1.2.1

          I agree it is a great speech.

          It certainly is superior to anything Labour has produced recently. Peters had a speech similar to this a month or so previously, too.

          If I didn’t know who Winston Peters was, or had forgotten his past, I would vote for him on the basis of speeches like this.

          • the sprout 1.1.2.1.1

            Indeed an excellent speech, and by providing such an example to compare with – yet another sad reminder of the resounding hopelessness of the current Labour leadership and its comms and strategy team.

            If he stands in Epsom, as I’ve been suggesting for over a year now, I’ll be sorely tempted to help with his campaign. That’s from a founding and still current Century Fund member, someone whose given thousands of volunteer hours campaigning for Labour, from someone whose campaigned against NZF in the past because many of their policies I detest. But honestly, I think NZF will be more effective in removing Key than Goff will ever be.

            Believe me, it feels very odd to think Peters offers more of something I can believe in than Labour.

            • Richard 1.1.2.1.1.1

              Believe me, it feels very odd to think Peters offers more of something I can believe in than Labour.

              Yeah.

              I’m not sure that I can quite believe that he has any intent/capability to substantially following through on this rhetoric.

              But the rhetoric itself I like.

          • LynW 1.1.2.1.2

            This is a superb summary of events delivered simply and clearly so a wide audience of New Zealanders can understand and relate to it. A wonderful speech. Why has this not come from Labour?! Well I do know who Winston Peters is, and the past I mainly remember him for is the Winebox enquiry and I have to say I admired his tenacity through that. The later stuff was so confusing to me that I didn’t link him with dishonesty, just political fallout! I am not as well informed as you political commentators are but I will now look further into NZ First’s policies because I am sitting up and LISTENING! I know my elderly parents have been listening to him for a while and this will probably cement their support for him. Note for the first time in my fathers life he didn’t vote last election (usually Labour, definite left leaning voter) such was his disappointment with Labour ( at least he didn’t vote for Key! ) and my Mum has always supported Labour. Funnily enough my brother-in-law who voted Act last election has already been saying he will vote for Peters. His appeal should not be underestimated.

          • Salsy 1.1.2.1.3

            Agreed, its almost as good as his trip to the third world speech, given in greymouth last year. Winston has an incredible ability to write simple speeches that threaten and terrify almost all of New Zealand. I had a realisation some time ago that Winston is a wild card indeed, far too radical for for many of us – but just radical enough to terrify those swing voters back into the safe pens of Labour.. Look out Key, Winston can already smell the blood.

            • Pete 1.1.2.1.3.1

              Ah, so Labour are going to try and safely sloganise their way to the election, and rely on National to lose the election and for Winston to win it for them. All they have to do is line up afterwards and a compliant willing bunch will fall in behind them.

              A cunning strategy that relies on everyone else and all they have to do is to wait for their rightful (leftful?) place at the head of the table.

              • Salsy

                Yes you hit the nail on the head. Almost as sneaky & effective as the old Labour-Lite trick huh?

        • lprent 1.1.2.2

          …I didn’t think it needed any analysis from me and I wanted to leave the debate wide open, so I put it up under the standard

          Oh I agree. The Standard is exactly right. Damnit the speech stands on its own without analysis.

          What r0b has done is exactly right. I came into the post from the side navs rather than from the front page so I didn’t see the picture. Like r0b, I was thinking good speech and then had a horrible sinking feeling when it said “NZ First” a fair way down.

        • The Baron 1.1.2.3

          I’d agree that it is the best speech in years in terms of how it is written and how effective it is. no surprise though – this is winston, and this has always been his strongest suit.

          but the ideas in here about supergold benefits and pensions are truly fucking frightening. we already face a demographic timebomb, and all winston seems to want to do is shorten the fuse.

          don’t get me wrong – the elderly aren’t on the streets in my world. but funding the current suite of entitlements for the elderly is already an emerging problem. these would make it far worse.

          • the sprout 1.1.2.3.1

            funding the current suite of entitlements for the elderly

            classic Baron, ‘suite of entitlements’. 😆

            that is so true – and now National have stopped pre-funding national superannuation there won’t be any such things for my and subsequent generations come retirement.

            much better instead to fund the current ‘suite of entitlements’ for the rich.

    • Anne 1.2

      Yes ianmac I agree with you. It’s not only Phil Goff who needs to learn how to present clear unequivocal messages but some of his senior colleagues as well. Perhaps they need to place themselves (mentally) at the head of Jo and Mary Bloggs’ dinner table when doing interviews and responding to reporters’ questions, instead of a university lecture theatre?

      And if WP continues to make speeches like that watch out! He will take votes roughly equally from Labour and National and… whoever gets to form the next govt. will have to include NZ First whether they like it or not.

      • Bored 1.2.1

        Too right, the buggers are still mentally “managing” things really well, being good little parliamentarians doing committee work etc. Post Geoff Palmer they are all “professionals” who follow a proscribed management style. can you imagine Norm Kirk tamely following this model? He prefered to prop up the bar with real working people. Labour wont rock the boat too much, just provide a respectable grey boring alternative, must not frighten the horses too much.

        Winston meanwhile, love him or loathe him understands that the job is not about managing, its about rhetoric and debate, getting the message across. Who in Labour will thump the tubs?

        • Shane Gallagher 1.2.1.1

          Matthew Hooten (and I am choking whilst writing this) actual said something I agree with… that the Labour caucus don’t think they are going to win – don’t want to really fight to win because it is risky – and are quite content to hang on to their seats. It is bloody depressing but I think explains their behaviour… They are too comfortable and out of touch of the reality of most people’s daily struggle to survive. There are some exceptions but they do not have the hunger to win – nothing like it.

          • the sprout 1.2.1.1.1

            i get the distinct impression the Labour caucus doesn’t want to win, or certainly don’t want to risk anything to attempt winning.

            • Bored 1.2.1.1.1.1

              Shane / Sprout, cant deny your comments, it is pretty depressing from that viewpoint. We are at an apex of history, peak bloody everything and a challenge to our societies survival….and neither side really think that the crisis is real. If our democracy as represented by the Nats and Labs fails to rise to the challenges of managed economic contraction and social distribution something else will. Its not only depressing, its fekkin dangerous.

  2. Yeah yeah… it’s a pity we can’t trust Uncle Winnie to look after our interests first before his own though eh ?

    NZ first party should be called, ‘Winston First, NZ second party.’

    • Bored 2.1

      Gooday Polly, you dont expect transparency and honesty really do you? OK I thought not, so lets phrase it another way…”Can we trust Winston First more than Labour or Nact to look after our pension etc?”

      (PS Winston First and Horitocracy…pretty good monickers methinks, excellent).

  3. grumpy 3

    He is “The Master”, like him or loath him, his speeches are superb.

    The perfect Opposition leader, why don’t Labour and NZF join forces and make Winston leader, they could even win!

    • Matt 3.1

      The problem with that idea is that Labour has been overun in the past couple of years by Liberal pushover members who are more prepared to want a smiling goon like Key then someone like Phil or Winston who will stand up and speak out even if the PC media dont like what they are saying

  4. apples are yum 4

    So that’s the outline of the trojan horse, what’s inside?

    • Bored 4.1

      A cardboard box bereft of bottles (but with a full audit trail of commercial criminality that when put before the courts proved the active connivance of the system to protect its “own”).

  5. Pete 5

    Speech subtitle – buying old people’s votes first.
    With the aim of following with by Baubles First.

  6. Alwyn 6

    I see Winston left out one bribe being considered for the Oldies.
    I have been told that he has been trying to decide whether offering free Viagra to everyone over 65 would be a vote winner.
    The other three members of the NZF party can’t make up their minds.
    One claimed it would get all the men’s votes.
    One said it would lose all the women’s votes.
    The third apparently wanted to know what Viagra was.

  7. Lanthanide 7

    I want to vote for the things he’s talking about. But I don’t trust him.

    I wish Goff would say these things so then I’d have no problem voting for him.

  8. higherstandard 8

    Look you’re a grumpy bunch of old twats therefore let me list a whole lot of things to moan about.

    Waffle waffle blah blah blah, they’re all evil I’ve got great hair and I’m very charming so vote for me.

    • grumpy 8.1

      Please don’t use the words grumpy and twats in the same sentance – I’m having a hell of a time on another thread 🙂

  9. Rich 9

    Racism and bigotry isn’t the answer. If people like Peters get traction, they’ll be coopted by the very people he’s attacking.

    • Draco T Bastard 9.1

      Racism and bigotry isn’t the answer.

      Didn’t see either in the speech so WTF are you talking about?

      • Rich 9.1.1

        It’s Winston Peters we’re talking about here.

        Just because he didn’t come up with his usual attacks on “asians” at this juncture, doesn’t mean he doesn’t still believe it.

        • Draco T Bastard 9.1.1.1

          Is it because he’s racist against Asians or just doesn’t want NZ owned by anyone other than NZers and thus using “Asians” as a hot button due to their growing economic clout?

      • mcflock 9.1.2

        to be fair, Winston has played that card before.

        He needs to atone for it in the same way that Labour need to atone for Rogernomics.

  10. Colonial Viper 10

    Yeah this speech is a corker.

    Winston leans a bit hard on the old folk, but does enough to get support from a much wider range of New Zealanders.

    He’s stuck in a few lines about – possibly – not chasing Ministerial baubles as well 🙂

    Damn fine Left leaning rhetoric, a perfect mix of past and present. Nice. (Given that it’s Winston of course).

    And hey, thanks John Key, by ruling him out, you’ve given Winston permission to go WWAAAAAYYYYY Left. He’s got nothing to lose by doing so lol 😀

    • Lanthanide 10.1

      “And hey, thanks John Key, by ruling him out, you’ve given Winston permission to go WWAAAAAYYYYY Left. He’s got nothing to lose by doing so lol”

      I think he’s really capitalising on Labour and Goff’s poor showing, as well. If you don’t want National (because they branded themselves as Labour-Lite last time and you’re a sucker), but also don’t want Labour (because they seem to have no vision or solutions), then vote NZFirst!

    • Matt 10.2

      Yeah and he has also given Winston the chance to attract the Conservative(on social views that is) vote from National so together with going more “Left” on economic policy Winston stands a good chance of stealing votes from BOTH National and Labour

  11. Kenny 11

    You can mock him all you like but there will be thousands out there taking all this in! People have had enough of all the bullshit.

    Come November don’t be surprised when he holds the balance of power

    • grumpy 11.1

      …”balance”….????

    • MrSmith 11.2

      I agree kenny, I have this picture in my head as I guess a lot of people do of Hide going after Winston for his dishonesty, but after the David garret affair Hide just has no credibility any more.
      I will take anything but another 3 long years of the Nacts stealing from the Poor and giving to the rich.

  12. Afewknowthetruth 12

    Peters is just about the slimiest liar of the whole lot.

    He will unbdoubtedly fool plenty people, YET AGAIN..

    What we are experiencing is not a ‘recession’: we are experiencing the early stages of the collpase of corrupt and inefficient system that has been transferring wealth upwards for over four hundred years; the system is now running out of energy and resources, and is polluting the planet to death.

    Most people prefer to ignore such realities and stick with their delusions about recovery and a ‘better brighter future’. Ha!

  13. ianmac 13

    And it is amazing that this speech given in little old Ashburton should resonate here?
    And imagine how Garner and Ralston will react. Garner became explosively obsessed with Winston in 2008 as did Hooten. And smugly Key. Perhaps Winston is really a threat should he become “born again.”

  14. sweetd 14

    Whose money is he spending for election? Is NZ First eligible for any monies? Not being on telly will be the killer come election time.

    • marco 14.1

      If he stands in either Key or Hide’s electorate he will get all the TV he needs.

      I like Winston, but have always steered clear of him because of his borderline racist rhetoric. If he can distance himself from that, as well as keeping Michael Laws at arms length, he may just pull this off.

      National have moved further towards the rich, Labour have moved further left. Whilst middle NZ can relate to unions and business owners, they struggle with the self righteousness of the academic left. The middle is there for the taking and only NZ First are speaking their language. It’s going to be an interesting election.

  15. vto 15

    Peters often makes some good sense.

    Unfortunately he is his own worst enemy. He is bound to make all the same mistakes again like lying and hypocrisy and baubles and on it goes.

    Mind you if he can help tip Key out then perhaps he could be tolerated in a minor way.

    • Colonial Viper 15.1

      The main question is – who is the team he has around him? That is what could make all the difference in his performance this year.

    • ianmac 15.2

      vto. “lying and hypocrisy and baubles and on it goes.” I’m interested in religion but am not an atheist. I am interest in politics but am not a Winston voter.
      I am therefore curious about the constant repetition of comments like yours. The accusations and the evidence seems to me to be about the same as for Key or Hide or whoever yet the moment that Peters is mentioned out comes the oft quoted “lying and hypocrisy and baubles and on it goes.” Peters posed a huge threat to NAct and are we so gullible that we still buy their “lying and hypocrisy and baubles and on it goes?”

      • vto 15.2.1

        Well I completely agree with you ianmac. They are all the same – they twist the truth, display blatant hypocrisy, and line their pockets with the baubles of office. I don’t have an answer. Perhaps it is simply that Peters has done it more? Or more loudly? Or more blatantly?

        For me personally I can’t stand the twat because imo he has displayed simply more of those characteristics than anyone else. He is the worst, though the others are chasing his heels.

        • the sprout 15.2.1.1

          not surprising the right are worried about him

        • logie97 15.2.1.2

          And the perk buster, who spent an inordinate amount of his time in opposition (in harness with Judith Collins) on his character assassination of Peters – pursued him with an unhealthy vengeance – has certainly enjoyed the baubles of office. (Ultra expensive European jaunts on the tax payer? And he is so proud of what he has achieved, and so proud of how he managed Garrett and so proud of the way Garrett resigned. Oh he is so proud. And what is it they say about pride…?

          • Swampy 15.2.1.2.1

            Who was the first perk buster (along with everything else buster i.e. Whistleblower extraordinaire)? Winston way back in the 80s, Wikileaks had nothing on him. Those days are long gone though aren’t they. And Winnie is very fond of the baubles as we all know. Which is about all he has a clue about in office.

  16. tc 16

    This gap in position exists because Phildo and Labour have allowed it to, this speech is exactly the type of speech I’d expect from Goff but all you get is waffle and a snooze rendering delivery.

    The NACT/MP have sown the seeds of their demise but Labour appear incapable of raising those seeds into the flowering plant of victory for themselves..I genuinely despair at Goff’s pathetic leadership, best he can do is let some young blood take it on like Parker/Cunliffe and focus on Sideshow John. Less is more Phildo, step aside as you’ve lost the plot/energy and drive.

  17. logie97 17

    Now THIS is a speech of substance… Mustafa Kemel Ataturk – 1934 ANZAC Memorial at Gallipoli, Turkey

    Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives..
    you are now lying in the soil of a friendly country.
    Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies
    and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side here in this country of ours.
    You the mothers who sent their sons from far away countries wipe away your tears.
    Your sons are now living in our bosom and are in peace.
    Having lost their lives on this land they have become our sons as well.

  18. chris73 18

    I’d sooner vote Labour then this short-arse liar

  19. gobsmacked 19

    I wouldn’t vote for Winston because of his previous record – the appeals to bigotry, racist dog-whistles.

    But here’s the thing. He spouted nasty rhetoric in opposition – and then once he got his baubles (under both National and Labour) he quietly changed his tune.

    Whereas ACT are beating the racist drum now, and they’re in government.. Which is much worse. And of course Don Brash is joining in.

    (note – for the benefit of National-voting amnesiacs … Orewa Brash was your hero, even though you now pretend he doesn’t exist. Loyal bunch, aren’t you?).

    • chris73 19.1

      Actually I regret the tactical errors he made (not keeping his trousers on, not being upfront with the bretheren etc etc) which kept him from winning the election

      I believe he would have made a fine leader of this country

      Ah well such is life

      • Pascal's bookie 19.1.1

        tactical errors. Good one.

        Also, he was pretty upfront with the bretheren chris, it was everyone else that he bullshitted to.

  20. Armchair Critic 20

    Great rhetoric, it will attract votes. Thing that springs to mind is that the enemy of my enemy is not neccesarily my friend. I don’t trust Winston.

    • M 20.1

      Agreed AC, but I do have to salute Winston on his clear and direct points. The one thing I can remember where he did some good was the scheme where doctors’ visits for the under sixes were free which was a real boon at the time as it seemed that I almost had a weekly standing appointment for the kids at the time.

      Anti-spam: manipulation

  21. Daveosaurus 21

    I’m disappointed to see this old crook being given the oxygen of publicity. He’s just making a pitch for some of the racist vote that National has been haemorrhaging since they got into government and into coalition with the Maori Party. Currently it looks like Peters is picking up the anti-Asian vote and ACT is picking up the anti-Maori vote. Let’s hope both of them get 4.5% of the vote in November, and that Hide loses his seat.

  22. burt 22

    The privileges committee finding you guilty of telling lies is not your fault.

    It was caused by the rich pricks who lent you money refusing to lie about it…

    Yip it was Winston.

    • Steven 22.1

      the Privileges Committee found him guilty wow really? and yet following the 2008 election both the serious fraud office and the New Zealand police found that he had done nothing wrong. wow the privileges committee which is/was made up of members of parliament (including national party members) must be more accurate than the serious fraud office and the New Zealand Police. I cant believe i ever thought that the serious fraud office is in some way a more authoritative source than a group of MP’s. thank you for enlightening me Burt.

  23. Swampy 23

    Yawn, it’s the same old Winston Peters golden oldie rhetoric for the only group of voters blind or senile enough to support him. Everyone else has seen how useless he actually is when he gets into office.

    Let’s admit it, his party is more and more a one man band every day, they must have long since given up the pretence of being broad based or anything like it. Is there any kind of party machine behind Winnie these days or is it like Jim Andertons outfit.

  24. Samuel Hill 24

    Every politician has lied to the public at some point.

    Winston Peters is currently the greatest political opponent to John Key because he is the Western political-economic ideological opposite. If Peters is able to get enough people together he could get his party big enough to challenge Labour as the second party in the country. I doubt NZ First has the people power to provide such a grassroots operation, but Peters’ message has been consistent since the late 1980s, and it seems that in these times we certainly are going to be subject to direct central command from Wellington. It is already happening. Best we get as many disruptive people in opposition and making as much noise as possible to bring down National. Maybe in 6 years there will be a big enough group on the left of Labour, Greens, NZ First and Maori supporters to form a new coalition. And yes we all know how interesting they can be, but it is exactly what will have to happen to keep the balance of things.

Links to post

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • EV road user charges bill passes
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the passing of legislation to move light electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) into the road user charges system from 1 April.  “It was always intended that EVs and PHEVs would be exempt from road user charges until they reached two ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 hours ago
  • Bill targets illegal, unregulated fishing in international waters
    New Zealand is strengthening its ability to combat illegal fishing outside its domestic waters and beef up regulation for its own commercial fishers in international waters through a Bill which had its first reading in Parliament today. The Fisheries (International Fishing and Other Matters) Amendment Bill 2023 sets out stronger ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 hours ago
  • Reserve Bank appointments
    Economists Carl Hansen and Professor Prasanna Gai have been appointed to the Reserve Bank Monetary Policy Committee, Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced today. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is the independent decision-making body that sets the Official Cash Rate which determines interest rates.  Carl Hansen, the executive director of Capital ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 hours ago
  • Stronger protections for apartment owners
    Apartment owners and buyers will soon have greater protections as further changes to the law on unit titles come into effect, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “The Unit Titles (Strengthening Body Corporate Governance and Other Matters) Amendment Act had already introduced some changes in December 2022 and May 2023, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    9 hours ago
  • Travel focused on traditional partners and Middle East
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to Egypt and Europe from this weekend.    “This travel will focus on a range of New Zealand’s traditional diplomatic and security partnerships while enabling broad engagement on the urgent situation in Gaza,” Mr Peters says.   Mr Peters will attend the NATO Foreign ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    9 hours ago
  • Keep safe on our roads this Easter
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown is encouraging all road users to stay safe, plan their journeys ahead of time, and be patient with other drivers while travelling around this Easter long weekend. “Road safety is a responsibility we all share, and with increased traffic on our roads expected this Easter we ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    12 hours ago
  • Cost of living support for over 1.4 million Kiwis
    About 1.4 million New Zealanders will receive cost of living relief through increased government assistance from April 1 909,000 pensioners get a boost to Superannuation, including 5000 veterans 371,000 working-age beneficiaries will get higher payments 45,000 students will see an increase in their allowance Over a quarter of New Zealanders ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    12 hours ago
  • Tenancy reviews for social housing restart
    Ensuring social housing is being provided to those with the greatest needs is front of mind as the Government restarts social housing tenancy reviews, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. “Our relentless focus on building a strong economy is to ensure we can deliver better public services such as social ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    12 hours ago
  • Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary plan halted
    The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary will not go ahead, with Cabinet deciding to stop work on the proposed reserve and remove the Bill that would have established it from Parliament’s order paper. “The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill would have created a 620,000 sq km economic no-go zone,” Oceans and Fisheries Minister ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago
  • Cutting all that dam red tape
    Dam safety regulations are being amended so that smaller dams won’t be subject to excessive compliance costs, Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on reducing costs and removing unnecessary red tape so we can get the economy back on track.  “Dam safety regulations ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago
  • Drought support extended to parts of North Island
    The coalition Government is expanding the medium-scale adverse event classification to parts of the North Island as dry weather conditions persist, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced today. “I have made the decision to expand the medium-scale adverse event classification already in place for parts of the South Island to also cover the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago
  • Passage of major tax bill welcomed
    The passing of legislation giving effect to coalition Government tax commitments has been welcomed by Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “The Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill will help place New Zealand on a more secure economic footing, improve outcomes for New Zealanders, and make our tax system ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Lifting economy through science, tertiary sectors
    Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins and Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds today announced plans to transform our science and university sectors to boost the economy. Two advisory groups, chaired by Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, will advise the Government on how these sectors can play a greater ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Government announces Budget priorities
    The Budget will deliver urgently-needed tax relief to hard-working New Zealanders while putting the government’s finances back on a sustainable track, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.  The Finance Minister made the comments at the release of the Budget Policy Statement setting out the Government’s Budget objectives. “The coalition Government intends ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Government to consider accommodation solution
    The coalition Government will look at options to address a zoning issue that limits how much financial support Queenstown residents can get for accommodation. Cabinet has agreed on a response to the Petitions Committee, which had recommended the geographic information MSD uses to determine how much accommodation supplement can be ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government approves extension to Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care
    Cabinet has agreed to a short extension to the final reporting timeframe for the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care from 28 March 2024 to 26 June 2024, Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says.                                         “The Royal Commission wrote to me on 16 February 2024, requesting that I consider an ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • $18m boost for Kiwis travelling to health treatment
    The coalition Government is delivering an $18 million boost to New Zealanders needing to travel for specialist health treatment, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says.   “These changes are long overdue – the National Travel Assistance (NTA) scheme saw its last increase to mileage and accommodation rates way back in 2009.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • PM’s Prizes for Space to showcase sector’s talent
    The Government is recognising the innovative and rising talent in New Zealand’s growing space sector, with the Prime Minister and Space Minister Judith Collins announcing the new Prime Minister’s Prizes for Space today. “New Zealand has a growing reputation as a high-value partner for space missions and research. I am ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Concerns conveyed to China over cyber activity
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government.     “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity, attributed to groups sponsored by the Chinese Government, targeting democratic institutions in both New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry
    Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry Education Minister Erica Stanford today announced the appointment of three independent reviewers to lead the Ministerial Inquiry into the Ministry of Education’s School Property Function.  The Inquiry will be led by former Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully. “There is a clear need ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Brynderwyns open for Easter
    State Highway 1 across the Brynderwyns will be open for Easter weekend, with work currently underway to ensure the resilience of this critical route being paused for Easter Weekend to allow holiday makers to travel north, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Today I visited the Brynderwyn Hills construction site, where ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Speech to the Infrastructure Funding & Financing Conference
    Introduction Good morning to you all, and thanks for having me bright and early today. I am absolutely delighted to be the Minister for Infrastructure alongside the Minister of Housing and Resource Management Reform. I know the Prime Minister sees the three roles as closely connected and he wants me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Parliamentary network breached by the PRC
    New Zealand stands with the United Kingdom in its condemnation of People’s Republic of China (PRC) state-backed malicious cyber activity impacting its Electoral Commission and targeting Members of the UK Parliament. “The use of cyber-enabled espionage operations to interfere with democratic institutions and processes anywhere is unacceptable,” Minister Responsible for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • NZ to provide support for Solomon Islands election
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced New Zealand will provide logistics support for the upcoming Solomon Islands election. “We’re sending a team of New Zealand Defence Force personnel and two NH90 helicopters to provide logistics support for the election on 17 April, at the request ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • NZ-EU FTA gains Royal Assent for 1 May entry to force
    The European Union Free Trade Agreement Legislation Amendment Bill received Royal Assent today, completing the process for New Zealand’s ratification of its free trade agreement with the European Union.    “I am pleased to announce that today, in a small ceremony at the Beehive, New Zealand notified the European Union ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • COVID-19 inquiry attracts 11,000 submissions
    Public consultation on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons has concluded, Internal Affairs Minister Hon Brooke van Velden says.  “I have been advised that there were over 11,000 submissions made through the Royal Commission’s online consultation portal.” Expanding the scope of the Royal Commission of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Families to receive up to $75 a week help with ECE fees
    Hardworking families are set to benefit from a new credit to help them meet their early childcare education (ECE) costs, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. From 1 July, parents and caregivers of young children will be supported to manage the rising cost of living with a partial reimbursement of their ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Unlocking a sustainable, low-emissions future
    A specialised Independent Technical Advisory Group (ITAG) tasked with preparing and publishing independent non-binding advice on the design of a "green" (sustainable finance) taxonomy rulebook is being established, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says.  “Comprising experts and market participants, the ITAG's primary goal is to deliver comprehensive recommendations to the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Chief of Army thanked for his service
    Defence Minister Judith Collins has thanked the Chief of Army, Major General John Boswell, DSD, for his service as he leaves the Army after 40 years. “I would like to thank Major General Boswell for his contribution to the Army and the wider New Zealand Defence Force, undertaking many different ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders
    25 March 2024 Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders Small Business, Manufacturing, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly will travel to Australia for a series of bi-lateral meetings and manufacturing visits. During the visit, Minister Bayly will meet with his Australian counterparts, Senator Tim Ayres, Ed ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government commits nearly $3 million for period products in schools
    Government commits almost $3 million for period products in schools The Coalition Government has committed $2.9 million to ensure intermediate and secondary schools continue providing period products to those who need them, Minister of Education Erica Stanford announced today. “This is an issue of dignity and ensuring young women don’t ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Speech – Making it easier to build.
    Good morning, it’s great to be here.   First, I would like to acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of Building Surveyors and thank you for the opportunity to be here this morning.  I would like to use this opportunity to outline the Government’s ambitious plan and what we hope to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Pacific youth to shine from boost to Polyfest
    Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti has announced the Government’s commitment to the Auckland Secondary Schools Māori and Pacific Islands Cultural Festival, more commonly known as Polyfest. “The Ministry for Pacific Peoples is a longtime supporter of Polyfest and, as it celebrates 49 years in 2024, I’m proud to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • 2024 Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships announced
    ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Speech to Breast Cancer Foundation – Insights Conference
    Before moving onto the substance of today’s address, I want to recognise the very significant and ongoing contribution the Breast Cancer Foundation makes to support the lives of New Zealand women and their families living with breast cancer. I very much enjoy working with you. I also want to recognise ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Kiwi research soars to International Space Station
    New Zealand has notched up a first with the launch of University of Canterbury research to the International Space Station, Science, Innovation and Technology and Space Minister Judith Collins says. The hardware, developed by Dr Sarah Kessans, is designed to operate autonomously in orbit, allowing scientists on Earth to study ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Speech to the New Zealand Planning Institute
    Introduction Thank you for inviting me to speak with you today and I’m sorry I can’t be there in person. Yesterday I started in Wellington for Breakfast TV, spoke to a property conference in Auckland, and finished the day speaking to local government in Christchurch, so it would have been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Support for Northland emergency response centre
    The Coalition Government is contributing more than $1 million to support the establishment of an emergency multi-agency coordination centre in Northland. Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced the contribution today during a visit of the Whangārei site where the facility will be constructed.  “Northland has faced a number ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Celebrating 20 years of Whakaata Māori
    New Zealanders have enjoyed a broader range of voices telling the story of Aotearoa thanks to the creation of Whakaata Māori 20 years ago, says Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka. The minister spoke at a celebration marking the national indigenous media organisation’s 20th anniversary at their studio in Auckland on ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Some commercial fishery catch limits increased
    Commercial catch limits for some fisheries have been increased following a review showing stocks are healthy and abundant, Ocean and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The changes, along with some other catch limit changes and management settings, begin coming into effect from 1 April 2024. "Regular biannual reviews of fish ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-03-28T09:29:08+00:00