GCSB Bill: & Dotcom versus FBI, “NZ Intelligence Community” et al

Written By: - Date published: 10:21 am, May 8th, 2013 - 47 comments
Categories: accountability, activism, capitalism, copyright, democracy under attack, john key, nz first, slippery, Spying, telecommunications, us politics, winston peters - Tags:

You’ve got to hand it to Kim Dotcom for his great choice of timing and ability to make the MSM headlines. John Key is leading the House into unnecessary, and politically motivated urgency to push through his anti-democratic Big brother GCSB surveillance Bill.  Meanwhile, Dotcom’s lawyers have released a 39 page white paper making a range of allegations.

Dotcom’s arrest and the subsequent legal proceedings have set in motion activities that Key has opportunistically used to legally increase the state’s ability to spy on activities of any individual or organisation within the country that they choose.

john key trust me

People should take heed of Chris Trotter’s well-considered warnings; ones based on past evidence of NZ state authorities spying on Kiwis, sometimes for politically and/or commercially motivated reasons.

Using the enhanced powers of surveillance bestowed upon it by the new legislation, and operating entirely within the expanded legal parameters it establishes, the “New Zealand Intelligence Community” (as Rebecca Kitteridge calls it) will very soon have the authority to spy upon organisations as old as the trade unions and as new as the groups determined to prevent New Zealand signing the Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade agreement. Greenpeace’s latest campaign against deep-sea oil exploration could also be targeted. The grounds? That it poses a direct threat to “the economic well-being of New Zealand”.

Protecting the economic well-being of the nation has been one of the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service’s (NZSIS) objectives for nearly two decades. We simply do not know how many times it has been used to secure interception warrants directed at the activities of fair trade and environment activists. (The release of such information would, of course, prejudice New Zealand’s national security!)

my_big_brother_loves_me_sticker

Meanwhile, another clever political operator, who knows how to get his lines into the MSM, Winston Peters, holds his cards close to his chest.  Will he or won’t he support Key’s Stazi-style Spy Bill?  He has said that the law needs to be amended quickly.  However, he is publicly snubbing key’s request for a meeting, by which Key would aim to get Peters’ support for his Bill.

“Why would I do that? We can work this through on the facts and on the legislation, we don’t need to have to go and have a private sitdown like some parties want to do every five minutes.”

He said NZ First had also been offered a briefing on the bill from officials, but said: “Those are the same people who screwed it up in 2003 and screwed it up in 2009 and onwards so we don’t think that’s going to be very helpful.

“It’s better we just work our way calmly through the legislation ourselves and say what we think.”

However, this Bill is too important to rush through quickly.  I don’t understand why Peters sees it as so urgent?  And his suggestions for strengthening oversight of the intelligence services look to be inadequate – papering over some cracks.

The White Paper released by Kim Dotcom’s lawyers today, makes accusations against the FBI, the US motion picture industry bosses, Obama, and the “NZ Intelligence Community.”  This shows how much NZ’s domestic and external intelligence services are cordinated with US state surveillance services.  NZ’s economic, social and political sovereignty is also at stake here.  David Fisher in today’s NZ Herald reports,

Kim Dotcom has called for an investigation into the FBI case against Megaupload in a legal review which accuses Prime Minister John Key of being misled by the United States.

The “White Paper” released by Mr Dotcom last night also alleges the illegal spying by the GCSB went on for 10 days longer than the spy bureau has previously admitted. …

It calls for investigations by US Senate oversight committees, linking the motives for the prosecution to Hollywood studios’ political contributions and support for President Barack Obama….

Dotcom alleges that Obama influenced the proceedings against Megaupload, because the president aimed to,

“… mollify the motion picture industry in exchange for campaign contributions and political support”.

Well, Dotcom probably supports the values of “neoliberal” capitalism, and is no great (US style) Democrat.  So the detailed White Paper, and its legal and political implications need careful consideration.  But so too do any changes to the laws responsible for the gathering of “intelligence” by NZ state authorities.  Note also that Trotter indicates there’s another related Bill on the table:

If you think I’m being alarmist, just take a look at the Government’s next brick in the “national security” wall: the Telecommunications (Interception Capability and Security) Bill.

In an earlier post, Trotter exposed how Key has been working towards the amalgamation of NZ’s intelligence services under his sole authority since 2009.  This is evident from the Kitteridge Report in which:

The first clue Ms Kitteridge supplies is her reference to something called the New Zealand Intelligence “Community” (NZIC). This new kid on the national security block is the sum arrived at by adding the parts known as The NZ Security Intelligence Service, The GCSB and the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC).

Professors Kevin P Clements and Richard Jackson of the National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Otago express their concern over the proposed Spy Bill.

This is no time to be complacent.  We need to keep watching the watchers, and to actively support those that resist Key’s blatant disregard of democratic processes!

[Update:]

The first reading of the GCSB amendment Bill began in the House this afternoon.

In his speech in the House, Peters appeared to be aiming at a statesmanlike position bringing both sides of the House together. He claims to want adequate security for Kiwis against nasty “terrorists” but also wants adequate insurance that Kiwis’ privacy won’t be breached. He said NZ First will vote against the bill at this stage.

Later today Peters released a statement:

New Zealand First has accused the Government of “bully boy” tactics in trying to stampede the Government Communications Security and Related Legislation Amendment Bill through Parliament. …

“We received a copy of the legislation and a letter from the Prime Minister yesterday morning.

“We studied the legislation, listed our concerns and made a constructive response to the Prime Minister today.

“Our response was ignored – except for a brief phone call – and the legislation was introduced under urgency. It is flawed, draconian and unacceptable in a free, open and democratic society.

“We believe the legislation has been drafted in haste and it should go back to the drafting office before proceeding any further,” says Mr Peters.

47 comments on “GCSB Bill: & Dotcom versus FBI, “NZ Intelligence Community” et al ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. mickysavage 1
    8 May 2013 at 10:25 am

    As has been mentioned by Gordon Campbell (http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2013/05/07/gordon-campbell-on-the-gcsbs-enhanced-role/) this is the ultimate bare knuckled steel bar jack booted example of nanny state that you could ever imagine.

    It puts some of Farrar’s hyperbole into perspective. He apparently said:

    “First they came for our light bulbs, and then they came for our showers!! Is there no limit to the nanny state?”

    Well based on National’s behaviour apparently not.

    • Colonial Viper 1.1
      8 May 2013 at 10:52 am

      Yeah I trust Farrar will be attacking this proposed expansion of state powers any day now. He knows better than most what increased surveillance, interception and recording of internet traffic means.

    • AmaKiwi 1.2
      8 May 2013 at 11:03 am

      @ mickysavage

      You are a lawyer. I am not.

      How great is the risk that Kim Dotcom can sue New Zealand for the destruction of his $1 BILLION company?

      • mickysavage 1.2.1
        8 May 2013 at 1:01 pm

        I am sure he will think about it although the US Government looks like it is in his sights at this stage.

      • King Kong 1.2.2
        8 May 2013 at 1:48 pm

        He will have more on his mind than suing NZ when he is someones girlfriend in a federal penitentiary.
        The man is a thief and it really amuses me that those on the left are championing a stealing billionaire. Any enemy of John Key…

        • karol 1.2.2.1
          8 May 2013 at 2:03 pm

          Dotcom is no more a “thief” than other neoliberal capitalist. He’s just a bit out of step with the dominant capitalists in the way he has found entrepreneurial opportunities via the Internet.

          And, as I said in my post, I do not see Dotcom as a leftie or US style Democrat.

  2. joe90 2
    8 May 2013 at 10:51 am

    Perhaps we’re already there.

    http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/may/04/telephone-calls-recorded-fbi-boston

    “All of that stuff” – meaning every telephone conversation Americans have with one another on US soil, with or without a search warrant – “is being captured as we speak”.

    • muzza 2.1
      8 May 2013 at 11:03 am

      NSA have been working inside of companies like AT&T for a very long time, thats well documented.

      NSA are also building the worlds largest data centres, all for your safety course.

      Amazing how many *conspiracy theories*, are turning into conspiracy reality!

      Problem, Reaction, Solution!

      • Ben 2.1.1
        8 May 2013 at 3:51 pm

        Thank god for AES encryption.

        As far as is currently known there’s no way to break it in a meaningful period of time, but as touched on in the referenced article, this may be changing very quickly.

        I’m seeing a need for a method of encrypting all communication with AES very soon, because if it’s encrypted when it’s captured, it’s likely to stay that way for the foreseeable future. Applying that to SMS and regular email, etc, may prove problematic, and there’s still the problem of protecting the key.

        • Colonial Viper 2.1.1.1
          8 May 2013 at 6:36 pm

          Yeah except you’ll be flagged quick smart if you start using strong encryption on a regular basis.

          • infused 2.1.1.1.1
            8 May 2013 at 9:54 pm

            As far as I know, it’s legal here. It’s not legal in the us to use anything above 128bit.

          • Ben 2.1.1.1.2
            9 May 2013 at 1:14 am

            In my view that’s basically another way of saying “nothing to fear, nothing to hide.” I take my privacy a lot more seriously than that. To suggest everyone who uses encrypted email must be guilty of something is bordering on paranoid.

            I encrypt most of my data because it’s sensitive *to me*, not because it’s illegal (to be abundantly clear, it isn’t illegal – it’s family pictures etc which, if I lost the device, I wouldn’t want anyone else to have access to). To me it’s no different to having a lock on your front door, or your diary.

            I know there are laws about exporting certain types of encryption technology outside US borders – I’ve come up against it with various distributions of Linux. I don’t know the exact details, but I’ve never been in a situation where AES simply isn’t available.

            Now if governments were to make encryption itself illegal, that would be very interesting indeed.

            • Colonial Viper 2.1.1.1.2.1
              9 May 2013 at 1:23 am

              Uh, my comment had nothing to do with the contents of your communications, your reasons for using encryption or the legal status of your communications.

              All I said was that if you use encrypted communications on a regular basis, it will be noticed.

      • Paul 2.1.2
        8 May 2013 at 6:21 pm

        The words ‘conspiracy theory’ are used to stop dissent, by linking perfectly reasonable and rational questioning of the official stories presented to extreme positions and ideas without any rational evidence to back them up.

  3. Ugly Truth 3
    8 May 2013 at 11:07 am

    Intelligence gathering based on telephone traffic was part of Israel’s espionage activities when the 9/11 attacks took place.

    http://whatreallyhappened.com/WRHARTICLES/spyring.php

    What Israel has done in return was to set up government subsidized telecommunications companies which operate here in the United States. One of these companies is Amdocs, which provides billing and directory assistance for 90% of the phone companies in the USA. Amdocs’ main computer center for billing is actually in Israel and allows those with access to do what intelligence agencies call “traffic analysis”; a picture of someone’s activities based on a pattern of who they are calling and when. Another Israeli telecom company is Comverse Infosys, which subcontracts the installation of the automatic tapping equipment now built into every phone system in America.

    • AmaKiwi 3.1
      8 May 2013 at 12:44 pm

      I return to my previous question to micky savage (and anyone else out there with professional legal knowledge):

      “How great is the risk that Kim Dotcom can sue New Zealand for the destruction of his $1 BILLION company?”

      If Dotcom can sue us (NZ) for destroying his business, this is the elephant in the room. Dotcom won’t mention it because he wants to remain popular with the NZ public and judges.

      If it is a possibility, this is part of the conversations between governments today. “We pulled off this stunt to get your president re-elected. It has put us in deep political shit with our voters and we could have a huge budget blow-out. Why? Because we did your dirty work for you. Make us an offer or we do a deal with Dotcom now.”

      • veutoviper 3.1.1
        8 May 2013 at 12:52 pm

        Dotcom is currently on a Live Chat hour on the Herald online and this is the answer to a question on this very issue:

        “When you are acquitted, are you still adamant that you will not seek compensation at the expense of the NZ taxpayer?

        The US and Hollywood are responsible for what happened. Our expectations is that down the road there will be lawsuits filed in the US. But of course I also have legal bills in the millions in NZ and will seek orders here to be able to pay those. I don’t want to burden the NZ taxpayer and anything that is awarded to us in NZ (beyond legal fees) will go to charities like Starship Children Hospital which I have supported in the past.

        The Live Chat (still going on) can be viewed here

        http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10882223

        • AmaKiwi 3.1.1.1
          8 May 2013 at 2:34 pm

          Please pause for a moment of prayer:

          “We pray Dotcom does not change his mind.”

          Amen

      • Ugly Truth 3.1.2
        8 May 2013 at 1:34 pm

        “Make us an offer or we do a deal with Dotcom now.”

        NZ politicians are in no position to threaten the US. Key’s “misstatement” about the Christchurch earthquake being man-made is significant given the US officials who were visiting at the time.

        http://www.guerillamedia.co.nz/content/was-christchurch-earthquake-terrible-natural-disaster-or-was-it-terrible-man-made-disaster

        • One Anonymous Knucklehead 3.1.2.1
          8 May 2013 at 1:42 pm

          🙄

          • Ugly Truth 3.1.2.1.1
            8 May 2013 at 2:01 pm

            1. 9 members of US Congress were in Christchurch for a summit meeting on Feb 21 & 22 but left Christchurch 2.5 hours before the earthquake hit and relocated to Wellington even though the meeting was not due to finish until the evening of Feb 22nd. (http://chemtrailsnorthnz.wordpress.com/2011/02/24/report-nine-us-congressmen-left-christchurch-right-before-quake-hit/)
            2. The US Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano, was supposed to be visiting Christchurch and speaking at the summit meeting on Feb 22, but on Feb 18 announced she was cancelling her visit
            3. The Deputy Administrator of FEMA (US Federal Emergency Management Agency), Timothy Manning, just happened to be in Christchurch at the time with a US delegation. (http://voices.washingtonpost.com/federal-eye/2011/02/fema_official_in_new_zealand_w.html) All of the rest of the delegation left Christchurch shortly before the quake hit except for Mr Manning who stayed behind, and then after the quake hit he assisted with directing the emergency response. Exactly the same thing happened with FEMA delegates with the Haitiearthquake. In Haiti , the FEMA delegates just happened to be there at the time conducting training exercises for responding to major earthquakes.
            4. Recently retired US Admiral Thad Allen just happened to be in Christchurch at the time of the earthquake. Admiral Allen directed the US federal response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and the Gulf Oil disaster. (http://chemtrailsnorthnz.wordpress.com/2011/02/24/admiral-thad-allen-in-christchurch-at-time-of-earthquake/)
            5. 116 members of the Singapore army just happened to be in Christchurch at the time for training exercises and were also able to assist with the response operation
            6. Venezuela President, Hugo Chavez stated on Fox News shortly after the Haiti earthquake in 2010 that ‘the United States apparently possesses an earthquake weapon that set off the catastrophic quake in Haiti’ and also said that ‘the Haiti quake was caused by a US test of an experimental shockwave system that can also create weather anomalies which cause floods, droughts, and hurricanes (our Australian and Queensland cousins may be interested in that last piece of information)
            7. Following the Haiti earthquake, Venezuelan news also reported ‘the US government’s HAARP program may also be to blame for the 7.8 earthquake in China in 2008’, and said ‘the cataclysmic ruin in Haiti was only a test run for a much bigger game: the coming showdown with Iran’

            http://chemtrailsnorthnz.wordpress.com/2011/03/04/was-the-christchurch-earthquake-a-terrible-natural-disaster-or-was-it-a-terrible-man-made-disaster/

            • One Anonymous Knucklehead 3.1.2.1.1.1
              8 May 2013 at 2:04 pm

              We’re having trouble sourcing really high quality drivel, but this is just the thing.

              More drivel please.

              • Ugly Truth …
                8 May 2013 at 7:18 pm

                Born in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, Nicola Tesla is one of this century’s greatest scientists. A prodigious inventor of electronic devices and pioneer of free energy, Tesla never gained the recognition he deserved because his scientific breakthroughs were deemed to ‘sensitive’ by the ruling corporate and government powers of the day. Thus much of his research was suppressed and stolen.

                In a book entitled Tesla – The Lost Inventions, a section is titled “Man-Made Earthquake”. It discloses Tesla’s fascination with the power of resonance and he experimented with it not only electrically but on the mechanical plane as well. In his Manhattan, USA lab, Tesla built mechanical vibrators and tested their powers. One experiment got out of hand.

                Tesla attached a powerful little vibrator driven by compressed air to a steel pillar. Leaving it there, he went about his business. Meanwhile, down the street, a violent quaking built up, shaking down plaster, bursting plumbing, cracking windows, and breaking heavy machinery off its anchorages.

                Tesla’s vibrator had found the resonant frequency of a deep sandy layer of subsoil beneath his building, setting off a small earthquake. Soon Tesla’s own building began to quake. It is reported that just as the police broke into his lab, Tesla was seen smashing the device with a sledge hammer, the only way he could promptly stop it.

                In a similar experiment, on an evening walk through the city, Tesla attached a battery powered vibrator, described as being the size of an alarm clock, to the steel framework of a building under construction. He adjusted it to a suitable frequency and set the structure into resonant vibration.

                The structure shook, and so did the earth under his feet. Tesla later boasted he could shake down the Empire State Building with such a device. If this claim was not extravagant enough, he went on to say a large-scale resonant vibration was capable of splitting the earth in half.

                An article from the 11 July, 1935 issue of the New York American entitled ‘Tesla’s Controlled Earthquakes’, stated Tesla’s “experiments in transmitting mechanical vibrations through the earth – called by him ‘the art of telegeodynamics’ – were roughly described by the scientists as a sort of controlled earthquake.”

                The article quotes Tesla as stating:

                The rhythmical vibrations pass through the earth with almost no loss of energy. It becomes possible to convey mechanical effects to the greatest terrestrial distances and produce all kinds of unique effects. The invention could be used with destructive effect in war…

                http://globalresearch.ca/articles/JEF401A.html

                • infused …
                  8 May 2013 at 10:01 pm

                  That stuff about Tesla was actually pretty interesting.

                • Murray Olsen …
                  8 May 2013 at 11:07 pm

                  Tesla was a very interesting guy, who was responsible for a number of breakthroughs. Almost none of the rubbish on the internet about him has any relation to anything he actually did.

                • Clockie …
                  9 May 2013 at 1:28 am

                  I’m a sure any vibratory device that can “make the earth move” as much as that has a real commercial future. Coming to an adult store near you soon.. 🙂

                  • ghostrider888 …
                    9 May 2013 at 2:06 pm

                    that was a long the lines of my thoughts Clockie, although…

                    • Clockie …
                      9 May 2013 at 2:12 pm

                      although.. might be a bit much? 🙂

                    • ghostrider888 …
                      9 May 2013 at 2:16 pm

                      i do value Tesla’s contributions, buy other people? not so much 😀 (although U T can be Infectious sometimes).

                • One Anonymous Knucklehead …
                  9 May 2013 at 6:20 am

                  Now mention the Templars.

      • Colonial Viper 3.1.3
        8 May 2013 at 10:03 pm

        “How great is the risk that Kim Dotcom can sue New Zealand for the destruction of his $1 BILLION company?”

        I hear that the Crown very recently gained a billion or so, so maybe it could go to Dotcom.

    • McFlock 3.2
      8 May 2013 at 1:01 pm

      Similar allegations have been made about Huawei, and of course Roosevelt got his buddies (not even govt services) to read trans-atlantic signals via the exchange pre-US involvement in WW2.

      Your focus on Israel and 9/11 seems a bit random.

      • Ugly Truth 3.2.1
        8 May 2013 at 1:25 pm

        The reason that I focus on Israel is because of the strong role of religion within terrorist activity. The Zionist state of Israel was largely a product of WW2, both from Hitler’s overt support of Zionism and from the Balfour Declaration in response to Nazi judenhass. Hilter was nominally a Catholic, and Germany was predominantly a Christian nation.

  4. js 4
    8 May 2013 at 12:58 pm

    The Waihopai appeal is going on as well today. Cases linked.
    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/8647335/Spy-base-trio-use-Dotcom-defence

  5. BLiP 5
    8 May 2013 at 4:05 pm

    ‘

    Whew! John Key has had a busy week and its only Wednesday . . .

    – Wellington City is dying.

    – the GCSB has been prevented from carrying out its functions because of the law governing its functions

    – because the opposition is opposed to the GCSB law ammendments, parliamentary urgency is required

    – the increasing number of cyber intrusions which I can’t detail or discuss prove that the GCSB powers need to be extended to protect and work with private enterprise

    – it was always the intent of the GCSB Act to be able to spy on New Zealanders on behalf of the SIS and police

    – National Ltd™ is not expanding the activities of the GCSB with this new law

    – National Ltd™ has been working on a number of things with New Zealand First one of which has a financial component but I can’t talk about it

    – the best way to get growth in the economy is to reduce public debt

    . . . moar items for the list. Keep it up, John, I’m lovin’ it.

  6. karol 6
    8 May 2013 at 5:30 pm

    The first reading of the GCSB amendment Bill began in the House this afternoon.

    Peters’ speech was delivered with gravitas, and with strong rhetorical emphasis on some points.

    He appears to be aiming at a statesmanlike position bringing both sides of the House together. He pointed out the parts of the Bill he doesn’t agree with, to do with inadequate oversight of the GCSB. He stressed what he wants to see in the Bill and said that, at this stage NZ First would be voting against the Bill.

    He claims to want adequate security for Kiwis against nasty “terrorists” but also wants adequate insurance that Kiwis’ privacy won’t be breached.

  7. Paul 7
    8 May 2013 at 6:11 pm

    So the GCSB and the police will start trawling through the Standard and other threats to the free market.

    • Anne 7.1
      8 May 2013 at 6:47 pm

      @ Paul
      What makes you think the GCSB (especially under the present Director, Ian Fletcher who answers personally as well as professionally to John Key) hasn’t already charged his minions with the task of checking us all out. After all we are far left (Johnny boy says so) and therefore dangerous subversives in the making. 🙂

  8. fear all 8
    12 May 2013 at 10:37 pm

    the worst I suppose that can happen to any offending Kiwi is death by some US agency hopefully it will only be our money and lively hood
    I WILL CHECK my bank balance in the next 24hrs and wait for a raid by some govt agency
    Yes enough reason to be worried

Links to post

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • PM announces changes to portfolios
    Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    22 hours ago

  • New catch limits for unique fishery areas
    Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Minister welcomes hydrogen milestone
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Urgent changes to system through first RMA Amendment Bill
    The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Overseas decommissioning models considered
    Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Release of North Island Severe Weather Event Inquiry
    Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Justice Minister to attend Human Rights Council
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order.  “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Patterson reopens world’s largest wool scouring facility
    Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Speech to the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective Summit, 18 April 2024
    Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing  At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin    Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho    Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today.    I am delighted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Government to introduce revised Three Strikes law
    The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • New diplomatic appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions.   “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says.    “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Humanitarian support for Ethiopia and Somalia
    New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today.   “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Arts Minister congratulates Mataaho Collective
    Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale.  “It is good ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Supporting better financial outcomes for Kiwis
    The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Trade relationship with China remains strong
    “China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says.   Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • PM’s South East Asia mission does the business
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • $41m to support clean energy in South East Asia
    New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder list
    The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Judicial appointments announced
    Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
    Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa.  The summit is co-hosted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
    A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.    “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
    Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners.  “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Government backing mussel spat project
    The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Government focused on getting people into work
    Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
    Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
    Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
    Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector.    "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
    The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
    Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
    Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-04-24T22:28:12+00:00