Foreshore and Seabed debate in context

Written By: - Date published: 5:15 am, November 9th, 2009 - 50 comments
Categories: foreshore and seabed, treaty settlements - Tags:

Te Tiriti o Waitangi is not well understood by most New Zealanders, including most of the politicians that make up our main political parties. It is due to this lack of understanding, as well as populist politicking by some notable politicians, that there is an underlying resentment in our population regarding any policy which adequately honours the Treaty.

I’ve wanted to post on the foreshore and seabed debate for quite some time, however I think it’s important to first put it in context. The injustices done to Maori by the Foreshore and Seabed Act are only a continuation of the Crown’s contempt for the Treaty since it was signed in 1840. Today’s post is kind of a basic history lesson on just some of the Crown breaches of Te Tiriti. Tomorrow I will post on the foreshore and seabed debate and what I want to see happen next.

While this post is intended to put some context around the foreshore and seabed debate, I hope it also helps convince people that while Hone Harawira’s choice of words may have been inappropriate, there was some merit in the sentiment he expressed.

Article 2 of the Treaty provided Maori ‘full exclusive and undisturbed possession’ of their lands so long as they wished to retain them. Article 2 also gave the Crown pre-emption – the exclusive right to buy Maori land, but only with consent. Unfortunately the Crown have, since its signing, continuously dishonoured both the letter and the spirit of the Treaty.

The Waitangi Tribunal have a great analysis of the Waste Lands debate of the 1840’s, showing that even where the Crown followed the letter of the Treaty, they certainly never honoured its spirit. The Crown made use of the pre-emption clause (the Crown’s exclusive right to buy land) as a political tool to control Maori, refusing to buy land from those who opposed the Government. Further, rather than returning to Maori the land stolen with forged titles by the New Zealand Company, they instead forced Maori to accept token compensation, thereby breaching the right of Maori to only sell their land with consent.

In 1863 the Government passed The New Zealand Settlements Act, which enabled them to raupatu (confiscate), without compensation, land from Maori who were active in or in any way supported those active in rebellion against Her Majesty’s authority. It also allowed them to confiscate land from Maori who refused an order to give up their arms. In 1927 there was a Royal Commission of Inquiry into confiscations under the New Zealand Settlements Act. While the Commission’s recommendations were eventually implemented by the Government, the tribes involved were unhappy with both the scope of the findings, and the amount of compensation.

In 1848, the Ngati Toa tribe made an agreement with the Bishop of New Zealand to set aside some land for educational purposes. In 1850, Governor Grey issued a Crown grant of that land to the Bishop, without the consent of Ngati Toa. When by 1877 no school had been established, Wi Parata, Member of Parliament and a Chief of Ngati Toa, took the case to court to try and recover the land for his tribe. Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, James Prendergast ruled that the Crown grant to the Bishop was an ‘Act of State’ that used the Crown’s sovereign* powers to extinguish native title. Prendergast CJ went further, effectively ruling both the Treaty and the Native Rights Act 1865 invalid:

On the foundation of this colony, the aborigines were found without any kind of civil government, or any settled system of law The Maori tribes were incapable of performing the duties, and therefore assuming the rights, of a civilised community.

So far indeed as that instrument [the Treaty] purported to cede sovereignty a matter [with] which we are not here directly concerned it must be regarded as a simple nullity. No body politic existed capable of making cession of sovereignty, nor could the thing itself exist.

The [Native Rights] Act speaks further on of the ‘Ancient Custom and Usage of the Maori people’, as if some body of customary law did in reality exist. But a phrase in a statute cannot call what is non-existent into being.

While the Privy Council later recognised that the Treaty was one of cession and not a “simple nullity”, Prendergast CJ’s main ruling, that the Treaty has no legal standing unless incorporated into statute, still stands.

Prendergast’s reasoning was later incorporated into the Native Land Act 1909, expressly giving the Crown power to extinguish Maori title to “customary land”, and later the Maori Affairs Act 1953, allowing non-occupied Maori land to be declared “waste land” and confiscated by the Crown.

Throughout the 20th century, Maori land continued to be confiscated under the Public Works Act. There are also examples where Maori gifted land to the Crown for specific purposes (such as schools), and didn’t have it returned when the original purpose was fulfilled. The New Zealand History Online site has highlighted maps showing Maori land loss between 1860 and 2000.

It must be noted that the amount of compensation awarded in Treaty settlements is only a tiny fraction of the value of what was wrongfully taken from Maori. That Maori are willing to negotiate full and final settlements on this basis negates any claims by the likes of the National party of a ‘treaty gravy train’.

Both Labour and Nationals’ policies** post 2004 to set an end date for lodging historical Treaty grievances pose problems not just for compensating for past actions, but also for ensuring New Zealand history is recorded. In the words of Professor M P K Sorrenson:

So long as the Tribunal retains its retrospective jurisdiction to 1840, it will continue to recover a hitherto largely submerged Maori history of the loss of resources and mana, supposedly protected by the Treaty. The Tribunal’s findings may not be palatable to many New Zealanders, but it would be perilous to ignore them.

Finally, following the 2003 ruling by the Court of Appeal in the Ngati Apa case that Maori had the right to have their claim for title of the foreshore and seabed heard in the Maori Land Court, the Labour Government legislated away that right to have their claim heard. The justification used was that it was necessary to protect New Zealanders’ rights of access to beaches. Tomorrow I will show that no such threat to access existed, and that there were and still are many alternative remedies available.

* Te Tiriti is very clear that while Maori grant the Crown the right to Kawanatanga (Governorship), their rights to Tino Rangatiratanga (Sovereignty) are reaffirmed. But that’s a debate for another day.
** Legislated in the Treaty of Waitangi Amendment Act 2006, from the 1st September 2008 claims to the Waitangi Tribunal can only be made for events occurring after 21st September 1992.

50 comments on “Foreshore and Seabed debate in context ”

  1. Squirrel 1

    Awesome post!

    I only hope the rest of the labour movement is as well versed in treaty issues as you 🙂

  2. vto 2

    “It is due to this lack of understanding, … , that there is an underlying resentment in our population regarding any policy which adequately honours the Treaty.”

    Really Rocky? You sure that is the only reason?

    And where is your evidence for this assumption you make?

    • rocky 2.1

      I didn’t say it was the only reason.

      I have no evidence for my “assumption” except to say that it is more than an “assumption”, it is an opinion formed after speaking to many people about the issues, and finding that most people I spoke to have very little understanding of Te Tiriti. Of course I can’t prove that is the cause of resentment in the population, however that too is an opinion formed by speaking to people and finding that those I spoke to who did have a better understanding of Te Tiriti didn’t seem to hold those prejudices.

      Do you have any evidence to prove that the public is well educated on Ti Tiriti, or what other reasons there might be for the resentment within the population as stirred up by Don Brash in 2004?

  3. Matthew Hooton 3

    This is a very good post. I look forward to your post tomorrow showing that the issue did not represent any real threat to access to the beaches. You may be interested in my NBR column on this from Friday, which built on my comments here last week, and which Busted Blond typed up at http://roarprawn.blogspot.com/2009/11/shakin-tree.html Interestingly, I have received very positive feedback for the column from across the political spectrum, including from Don Brash. What a difference a few years and a few more deep breaths can make on an issue. The heat is gone so there can be a bit more light.

    • amazing what breathing through one’s nose can achieve

      • r0b 3.1.1

        Amazing what political expediency can achieve (both Iwi Kiwi then, and flip flop now).

        • So Bored 3.1.1.1

          Eeekkkkk….Hoots being agreeable (till tomorrow), I feel an ambush coming on.

        • rocky 3.1.1.2

          Including Labour’s flip flop on the issue of course.

          • Ron 3.1.1.2.1

            I agree, Rocky, that Labour are flipping and flopping.

            As much as I think the F&S Act was a terrible injustice and it lost Labour my vote, it was a response to the incredible beat up that National and then the media and then National did on the issue.

            It was National that started the “our access to the beaches is in jeopardy” refrain and the public response – driven by some of the most uniformed reporting we have ever seen in this country. Every time someone tried to explain the real issues they got shouted down and I think Labour was left with no (political) choice. I would have preferred they acted on principle but it would have lost them the election.

            Now that the rednecks’ favourite smiley face is talking about repeal it’s safe for Labour to come out, that’s all.
            Capcha = adjust

  4. Pascal's bookie 4

    “including from Don Brash”

    Care to share? I only ask because I found his ‘apology’ rather self serving. As I read it, he apologised for the policy on the grounds that he now thinks there was a good chance the courts would have ruled his way in any case. He stood by the iwi/kiwi billboards which claimed the FSA gave the beaches to iwi.

    It’s similar to DPF the other day saying much heat could have been avoided if Labour had appealed the initial court case, which again seems to completely get it wrong. Such a course of action would have been just as wrong to Maori, and National would still have had a field day, given how far they painted the FSA as political pandering to the treaty gravy train. It just would have been Labour caving in and handing the fate of Kiwi’s access to sctivist judges etc.

    • Matthew Hooton 4.1

      Just that he liked the column and that he now believes that it in denying Maori New Zealanders access to the courts to establish their rights, National and Labour negated the principle of one rule for all.

      I disagree with you that had Margaret Wilson (the losing party in Ngati Apa v AG) appealled to the Privy Council that would have been just as wrong. As the losing party, she had a right to appeal if she disagreed with the decision and Ngati Apa would have accepted that. What was appalling was her immediate declaration that seeing she disagreed with the decision in a case she had just lost, she was going to change the law in her favour. I am sure you are right, though, that National would have gone on and on about activist judges. But that wasn’t really an excuse for Labour taking the course it did.

      • Pascal's bookie 4.1.1

        “Just as wrong” I think, in that such an appeal would have been denying the existence of indigenous title. Appealing that decision and winning would have been having the courts rule that Brash’s then policy was correct. Iwi would not have the right to even ask if such ownership existed for any given area. Wouldn’t it?

        Appealing that decision would have better than legislating Brash’s position, and better than the FSA in many respects, but not as good as allowing the next phase of court claims to proceed, or just opening negotiations between the crown and iwi on claims outside the courts.

        I agree that Labour’s actions were appalling, (I was on the parliamentary forecourt when the PM preferred to talk to a sheep), but Im not all as keen to minimise the role National played as you seem to be. National could not legislate that’s true. But politicians operate within the window of political acceptability, and the opposition defines the boundary of that window just as much, if not more-so, than the government does. The fact that the FSA was the policy of the mainstream party successfully painted as being ‘soft’ on Iwi claimants shows just how bad the electorate was on this issue. The FSA was arguably the best deal available given that electorate.

        If high profile Nat’s had, ahem, spoken a bit more sensibly at the time, perhaps that window may have been prettier, who knows?

  5. It’s an interesting debate and there’s a lot I can agree with in Rocky’s post although i’m sure it’s the future posts that get interesting.

    While I understand the point of the native language version having precedence, there are still issues around interpretation that make the Treaty, while laudable, difficult to apply in other areas.

    However, with respect to this specific issue, i’m interested in the problem this poses for the left. The post and the treaty strongly support Maori property rights yet earlier last week we had a provocative post arguing that no one had any individual rights to property ownership per se – that the land should be made available to all.

    It’s an interesting crossroads politically. I’ve always argued that in terms of property rights, the Nats and MP have natural common ground. In terms of “class warfare”, Labour argues otherwise (although it makes assumptions of Maori I’m not comfortable with!).

    And no mention of John Key either – bravo!!

    • Pascal's bookie 5.1

      You don’t have property rights ‘per se’ Daveski. They are socially constructed by things like, umm, ‘treaties’ and ‘laws’.

      • vto 5.1.1

        and ‘wars’ and ‘conquest’ and ‘whoever has the biggest guns’.

        unfortunately.

        • Pascal's bookie 5.1.1.1

          yeah, it’s an ongoing process,

          fluid, if you like,

          like blood.

          • So Bored 5.1.1.1.1

            Property rights equal ability to hold onto what you have by way of deliberate social constructs backed up by force…..just love it when somebody expects you to respect the expression “property rights”..

            • Daveski 5.1.1.1.1.1

              So you’re saying what I’m saying – this puts you and those from the left who believe that property rights don’t exist in complete and total opposition to core Maori values and aspirations?

              Funnily enough, the only way that property rights can be exhausted is through force eg Russia post revolution, Zimbabwe, etc which undermines your point about force.

    • rocky 5.2

      While I understand the point of the native language version having precedence, there are still issues around interpretation that make the Treaty, while laudable, difficult to apply in other areas.

      The Maori version has to take precedence – it’s a general principle of contract law that where there is any ambiguity around the meaning, any evidence to show the intent of the parties will be taken into account, but if still ambiguous, it favours the party that did not write the contract.

      As for the interpretation of the Treaty – the Treaty principles in law are those determined by the Court of Appeal in New Zealand Maori Council v Attorney General 1987. The courts, in the present day are the most appropriate body to determine Treaty issues (especially the Waitangi Tribunal who record history before making recommendations). The common law works well in general to apply the law to specific cases while retaining consistency. Though in the words of Jane Kelsey:

      In the process [of treaty litigation] Maori litigants had conceded the authority of the court to define the Treaty of Waitangi, and to subordinate it to the economic, political and ideological requirements of colonial capitalism.

      As for property rights, I think you’re wrong about the right being more closely aligned with the Maori Party. Maori attitudes of property are very different to westernized views of property. Your talk of individual property rights are irrelevant, as that isn’t how Maori view property. Property belongs to the collective, not the individual. I could say more on Maori views of property but that would require a whole other post!

      And no mention of John Key either bravo!!

      I await the decision on the foreshore and seabed before I make up my mind. Though his decision on Maori seats in the supercity doesn’t give me much hope.

      • Daveski 5.2.1

        Hi Rocky

        A topical post and an excellent one too. I realised that the issues of property rights have different connotations – I think I was careful not to use the word individual for that reason.

        Still, it was a bizarre politics (at the time) when the party of the Left was seen to be screwing Maori out of potential rights and the party of the right was voting opposed to Maori exploring their rights.

        The broader issue of course is that some here believe that there are no property rights – collective or individual.

        The Treaty Principles is another thing entirely. My beef is more with govt departments (or their officials) who put this into documents and strategies without any meaning or understanding. But this is a separate issue.

        The point of the native language is missed by many and I thought your explanation was excellent.

        Will wait with some interest on the next post!

        • rocky 5.2.1.1

          Agreed that both the left and right (oddly except for the far left and sometimes the far right depending on which view Act took on the day you check) screwed Maori on the foreshore and seabed. It’s wonderful to see that both National and Labour have changed their position 5 years on – though by how much we are yet to see.

          The broader issue of course is that some here believe that there are no property rights collective or individual.

          I don’t think that’s true in the context we are looking at. Some people will argue with the idea of “ownership” rather than rights to say kaitiakitanga (guardianship) or particular uses. Maori concepts of property are also very much more about connection with property (belonging to the land) rather than ownership (the land belonging to a person).

          Talk of Maori “property rights” in the modern day is more a discussion of what rights Maori should have in the context of the current capitalist system rather than actually legitimising that system.

          My beef is more with govt departments (or their officials) who put this into documents and strategies without any meaning or understanding.

          That’s actually not true. While the “Treaty Principles” were put into section 9 of the State Owned Enterprises Act 1986 without definition, that definition was well defined by the Court of Appeal in 1987, and still remains the current legal definition.

    • lprent 5.3

      I suspect that the ‘left’ is divided on this issue as the ‘right’ is.

      Look at the contrast between the rabid racists (give them nothing, the state should legislate against the treaty) and the uber-liberals (test it in the courts, the state should not be involved).

  6. BLiP 6

    Seems a shame to me that in 2009 Pakeha are still in need of education on Treaty issues. Still, great post Rocky. I look forward to tomorrow’s post.

    • gitmo 6.1

      Shouldn’t that be

      ‘Seems a shame to me that in 2009 people are still in need of education on Treaty issues. …..”

  7. Chen 7

    “I hope it also helps convince people that while Hone Harawira’s choice of words may have been inappropriate”

    Why do people not see that his words were racist? Not simply inappropriate, expletive laden, inflammatory, or offensive, but flat out racist. If he were white he would be resigning or at least issuing a series of apologies.

    • rocky 7.1

      Why can’t you see his comments in context? Can you argue rationally against the sentiment he expressed?

      • gitmo 7.1.1

        What like people argued rationally against Paul Henry’s comment …… “that was a lady with a moustache”

        • rocky 7.1.1.1

          Indeed gitmo, Paul Henry was rude and offensive just as Harawira was. It doesn’t diminish the fact that there was some merit in what Harawira said. And the comparison with Paul Henry isn’t totally fitting, as Henry intentionally made his comments on national television, while Harawira said his words in a private email.

          • gitmo 7.1.1.1.1

            Strange I didn’t find either of their comments offensive, all in the year of the beholder I s’pose.

            IMO Hone was just engaging in a “pissing competition” by email to justify his troughing and Paul Henry was being his usual shock jock self.

            Of the two comments though I’d have to say that Henry’s was the most truthful.

            • rocky 7.1.1.1.1.1

              BTW gitmo, I realise I banned you from commenting on my posts last week (after your really offensive comment), but you seem to have calmed down a bit since then and are managing to write non-offensive comments. Keep it up.

  8. George D 8

    A great post Rocky, you’ve explained the issues clearly and succinctly. I hope you distribute it among Labour MPs and office-holders – they need to be reminded.

  9. JD 9

    “Care to share? I only ask because I found his ‘apology’ rather self serving.”

    As self serving as Labour’s apologies at their recent conference? Doesn’t seem to have worked though.

  10. Chen 10

    “Why can’t you see his comments in context? Can you argue rationally against the sentiment he expressed?”

    His comments didn’t really bother me, I was just referrring to the collossal difference in reaction by the media. Next time a white politician says something that could be construed as racially tinged I will watch the reaction with interest. Will they refer to the comments as racist – something they seem to have avoided doing here. Will there be calls for resignation on the basis of the racial aspect of the comments, not simply the offensive language? How will Joris de Bres react?

    In terms of his sentiment, that comes as no surprise & you point out a number of injustices above.

    Will be interested to see why you think access was never at risk in your next post.

    • rocky 10.1

      I didn’t think Hone’s comments were racist. He referred essentially to the system of white people, not whites as individuals. If comments stereotype individuals from a particular race I will condemn the comments as racist, whatever race they are directed at. I didn’t feel threatened personally as a white person by Hone’s comments as I didn’t feel they referred to me or generally other individuals.

      • vto 10.1.1

        I’ll go along with that. Comments which stereotypically degrade an entire race or its culture are sweet as, just dont make it personal.

        Fucking idiot.

        [rocky: you’re getting close to the line with that personalised comment. Try to frame your arguments without abusing me or I’ll delete it next time.]

        • rocky 10.1.1.1

          He didn’t degrade an entire race – he degraded the political system of a race. In any case I’m happy to degrade the entire culture of whites, and I am white!

          [lprent: degrade – you mean denigrate ? Have you been picking up the wingnut habits? ]

          [rocky: I was replying to vto and used his word.]

          • vto 10.1.1.1.1

            You sure you not the famous rocky balboa? Cause you got a lotta balls but not much brains.

            [rocky: now you’re banned from commenting on my posts. Further comments by you will be deleted.]

            [lprent: and a site ban for a week. Had a read of the thread and that statement was unwarranted. I get the impression that you need to learn a bit more to argue with rocky. It is difficult – I know. ]

      • vto 10.1.2

        [lprent: deleted – banned]

  11. JD 11

    Harsh.

    If Hone posted here and called you white mofos would he get banned too?

    • rocky 11.1

      Yes, anyone would be banned for writing personalised and nasty attacks. Hone’s comments were in the context of the political system, not against individuals.

      • Gitmo 11.1.1

        Can we still belittle gingas and women with moustaches or is that a banable offence as well ?

        • rocky 11.1.1.1

          Depends on the context – it’s very subjective. You’re probably fine if you steer clear of comments along the lines of the one you made last week about beastiality.

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
    10 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
    10 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
    12 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
    14 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
    14 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
    17 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
    17 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
    17 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
    18 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
    18 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
    19 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    7 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
    7 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
    7 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
    7 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 2024-03-28T14:11:34+00:00