Jobless, Homeless, Clueless

Written By: - Date published: 1:40 pm, August 17th, 2010 - 25 comments
Categories: Economy, housing, jobs - Tags:

In the last seven days a triple-conjunction of political portents has publicly demonstrated just how bankrupt of imagination and policy this current government truly is. The lack of direction and paucity of creative ideas is breath-taking. A “caretaker-government” would be a polite euphemism in this context.

JOBLESS

Unemployment  rose 19,000 during the June quarter to 159,000 – a rise from 6% to 6.8%. There are over quarter of a million jobless Kiwis (the unemployed plus those who have given up actively looking for a job) and another 100,000 who want more hours than they can get. The effects of the Recession are still being felt, and is taking its toll amongst workers and their families.

Social Welfare Minister Paula Bennett’s response?

”No-one wants to see a jump in unemployment. And I think that we have got to put it in perspective – where it’s 7.1 per cent in December last year and now it’s 6.8…We’d sort of see it as an evening out now.”

This government’s response thus far to our growing unemployment? That would be… the cycleway.

Total number employed under this project: a staggering… 70.

Instead of addressing this worsening situation, this government has spent tax dollars on a “working group”, led by former Commerce Commission head Paula Rebstock.

It’s conclusion? “Most people on a benefit have little or no focus on paid work, with a growing number “locked into” the system for years. ”  And, according to Ms Rebstock, “we have concluded the current benefit system ignores the importance of paid work to the well-being of New Zealanders,”

When in doubt; when there’s nowhere left to turn; and when embarrassed by lengthening dole queues – reset  National Government Default Setting #1: blame it  on the “dole bludging beneficiaries and solo-mums”.

In the last twenty years, National has found iself taking office during two full-blown recessions; 1990 and 2008. Their knee-jerk reaction on both occasions was/is attack the beneficiaries. (Most of us remember the cruelty of Ruth Richardson’s “Mother of all budgets”.) True to form, this government attacks those New Zealanders who – until a couple of years ago – were employed in enterprises from Kaitaia to Bluff; earning money to feed their families; and not foreseeing that, because of events in Wall Street, they would soon be losing their jobs. I struggle to understand how workers in New Zealand were able to effect the collapse of Lehmann Bros on September 15, 2008, thereby sparking the worst recession since the Depression of the 1930s. And by causing that Recession, destroying their own jobs in some Lemming-like pursuit of a dole-funded Nirvana.

The Rebstock report is not a re-analysis of how social welfare works in this country. Instead it is little more than a none-too-subtle attempt at blaming beneficiaries for this current government’s laziness and ineptitude in addressing increasing growing  numbers of unemployed.

Remember that prior to the Recession, our unemployment rate was a mere 3.9%. And while no one is blaming National for the Recession that nearly doubled that figure over two years – they are responsible for their abysmal response to it.

Remember: we  have 357,000 people who are looking for work.

This government is sitting on it’s collective, well-padded backside; on equally well-padded ministerial seats; fiddling with dubious reports whilst our economy burns to the ground.

Which brings us to…

HOMELESS

Yet another government quango, established by Housing Minister Phil  Heatley, has complained that “22,000, or 32 per cent of Housing New Zealand tenants, had been in the same state houses for at least 10 years.” They were evidently portrayed as taking up room – room required by just over 10,000 people on Housing NZ’s waiting lists;

Current Housing NZ waiting list:

As at 31 July 2010 there were 10,153 people on the waiting list. Of this:

* 334 were A priority (severe housing need)
* 4,160 were B priority (significant housing need)
* 3,093 were C priority (moderate housing need)
* 2,566 were D priority (lower level housing need)

Ten thousand-plus people on a waiting list. What does the government do? What policy does it embark on? The following is a multi-choice option:

A. Build more houses?

B. Criticise New Zealanders for daring to  live long-term in their homes?

It is with considerable unease that I note that  Housing Minister Phil Heatley (who has his accommodation paid for by the taxpayer) said, “We want to ensure this significant asset is utilised to the best effect. We also want the system to be fairer and to work better for those families most in need.”

This government’s idea of “fairness” seems predicated on the suggestion that one family is booted out, to allow another to take up residence.

By no stretch of the imagination can such a policy be even remotely seen as imaginative or creative. Or fair.

It is an undeniable fact that there are many families in dire need of decent, affordable, accommodation. But rather than evicting families, and uprooting them from their communities (which in itself would create even more dire social problems), it strikes me that this government has alternatives it has not bothered to consider…

CLUELESS

Fact #1: we have 255,000 jobless fellow New Zealanders, looking for work and a further 100,000 needing more work.

Fact #2: we require several thousand new NZ Housing units (commonly referred to as “homes”) for people in need.

Fact #3: the economic recovery has been uneven, and has mainly benefited exports such as dairying and unprocessed logs. The rest of the economy has not picked up – evidenced by the sharp rise in unemployment. Indeed, ANZ New Zealand chief executive officer Jenny Fagg said that “the New Zealand economy has stabilised in a number of areas although the recovery is somewhat uneven at this early stage. There are signs of a lift in business conditions although growth remains subdued.”

Taken in conjunction, the three facts above would seem to point to an obvious conclusion.  The answer is not to bash beneficiaries for daring to accept tax-payer support in feeding themselves and their families. The answer is not to evict families from their state homes. Nor is the answer to guilt-trip solo-mothers or those with disabilities who haven’t a hope in hell in competing with 159,000 other unemployed people to scramble for non-existent jobs.

The answer is to utilise the resources we have and by doing so, give people the opportunity to find work.

In case I need to spell it out to this clueless government: build more bloody houses!

The flow-on effects of a crash building-programme to build five thousand new state houses would create thousands of new jobs – not just 70. There would be a demand for architects; builders; electricians; plasterers; roofers; drainlayers; glaziers; tilers; apprentices; and other tradespeople;  raw materials purchased from building retailers; additional staff at each retail outlet; transport operators; increased demand from the timber industry, creating new jobs in forestry; and support businesses every step of the way. Each tradesperson; truckie; forestry worker would take home a wage. That wage would be spent at local supermarkets, which would then have to hire one or two extra staff-members as well as  purchase more stock. Even the companies that rent out jumbo-bins to cart away the detritus from building sites would find their turn-over increasing. Or the local pie-shop that would sell food to nearby building-sites.  That is what flow-on is.

The government would recoup much of the outlay for the building programme by way of GST, PAYE, ACC,  and provisional tax receipts; rent collected from the new homes; and less spent on unemployment benefits.

This is the sort of bold initiative we require from a  government with any claim to having a vision.

Instead, we are seeing a cruel bullying and calculated persecution of those at the bottom of the heap.

If this is the best that  National can offer us, then it is simply not good enough. We deserve better than a caretaker government.

Frank Macskasy

25 comments on “Jobless, Homeless, Clueless ”

  1. Lanthanide 1

    Right time, right place for Phil Goff: http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/4032012/2700-applicants-for-150-jobs

    “2700 applicants for 150 jobs

    When a new supermarket opened today in Auckland it created 150 new jobs, but that was a small comfort for the 2550 people who applied for jobs there and missed out.

    Labour leader Phil Goff arrived in Wellington mid-morning today because he had been opening a New World supermarket in his Mt Roskill electorate.

    The owner operator told Mr Goff 2700 people had applied for the 150 positions created in the new store.

    “I had to ask the question – where is John Key’s recovery for the ordinary people in my electorate?” “

  2. tc 2

    The evidence is growing like a nasty infection and can’t be fobbed off or ignored anymore.

    Especially with such personas as Holmes whining about soft demand for his Olive oils (aww diddums)/Armstrong getting tetchy with his idols and the shonky tax cuts for the rich/GST rise about to hammer home.

    On top of unecessary manufactured increases in ACC/power prices/ETS etc due to comical handling by the likes of Smith/Browncoal.

    Time for the big guns like Basher/Trolley/Crusher to save the day….haven’t they all been quiet lately.

  3. Bill 3

    In the last seven days a triple-conjunction of political portents has publicly demonstrated just how bankrupt of imagination and policy this current government truly is. The lack of direction and paucity of creative ideas is breath-taking. A “caretaker-government’ would be a polite euphemism in this context.

    This is true.

    But only from the perspective of an expectation that government initiates policies that are somehow connected to or concerned with the well being of society. But this government isn’t coming from that perspective. And it’s displayed ample imagination in areas connected to pulling the wool over our eyes and in transferring wealth from the poorer to the richer and also in running down state provisioning in order to introduce profit driven private provisioning.

    And from being highly critical and even caustic of the ‘no show’ Labour Party, I’m starting to wonder whether silence on their part was a deliberate strategy designed to deny this government the opportunity of appearing reasonable.

    If Labour suggest a policy, all National need do is echo it. And if National get to be perceived as reasonable in relation to Labour, ie not much different, then they will get back in on the back of policies that they don’t have to think about or actually give a toss about.

    And if that happens and they are able to keep on rolling out their pro-corporate, anti-society and anti-state policies, then those core policies will, over time have a deleterious effect on the ‘feel good’ – “Look how moderate we are!” – pesky policies they have initiated as mere echo responses in their bid to hold on to power.

    So maybe Labour should say little or nothing. Which means that the government will be saying and doing nothing and probably continuing quite high in the polls. Until the election period when labour starts saying a lot and the government has no time to construct ‘echo chamber’ popularity.

    And then there is the possibility that I’m just way over thinking matters.

    • Zaphod Beeblebrox 3.1

      Labour’s job is to champion causes it believes in. If it is too chicken to talk about equality, fairness and human rights they are failing in their job. When was the last time these issues were part of the public discourse?

      You can’t just believe people will somehow self-educate in these matters and suddenly see the light the day before the election. Instead of advocating and taking the flak, Labour are so scared of being called PC they simply run away and hide in the corner whilst talkback radio, Laws, Hide at all spew out their views.

  4. Rex Widerstrom 4

    Building more homes is an obvious (to everyone but the government) solution. But it will take time.

    And Heatley is right – there are people living in state houses who don’t need them. Either because the size of their families have shrunk over the years as children have left home, or because their circumstances have changed, they’re now earning a good income and they’re paying market rents.

    Given the 10,000 people in need it becomes a question of balancing conflicting needs and rights and I’d argue those on the waiting list have a need which outweighs the right to keep a home you no longer need.

    I’m not sure what the relative proportions of housing stock in NZ are, but I know that in WA there is a sizeable problem of mostly elderly people living in 3 or 4 bedroom homes as singles or couples while one bedroom apartments remain unfilled. They understandably don’t want to move because they’ve lived in the same home for perhaps decades, but meanwhile mothers with children are sleeping in cars and garages.

    Yes, there need to be a long term solution (building more houses). But while the situation remains that anyone doesn’t have a roof over their head, a pragmatic reallocation of resources might be harsh, but it’s also necessary.

    • bbfloyd 4.1

      rex.. have you seen any figures on the number of people living thus?
      there was a concerted campaign in the ninties by housing nz to weed out just that kind of tenant. added to the thousands of houses sold in that period(mostly older 3_4 bedroom). how many do you think were left in oversized homes after that?
      add to that the fact that market rents are charged. and yes i know there are subsidies, but when you apply for them you have to supply all relevant info. such as, how many bedrooms,how many family members are residing there, and whether they are earning enough to qualify for subsidy.
      after all that, how many can there really be? considering that hnz won’t hesitate to downsize their tenants the minute they can. this has been standard practice for a little while now.

    • Frank Macskasy 4.2

      “Yes, there need to be a long term solution (building more houses). But while the situation remains that anyone doesn’t have a roof over their head, a pragmatic reallocation of resources might be harsh, but it’s also necessary.”

      Being evicted from your home is somewhat more than just “harsh”, Rex. It is downright abhorrent.

      I think we have the resources; the nous; the determination to do something more positive than simply “a pragmatic reallocation of resources”.

      It might not be quite so “pragmatic” if it was you or a family member who were evicted from their home.

      • Rex Widerstrom 4.2.1

        I’ve been evicted before Frank, so I kow what it’s like. In fact I’m effectively being evicted as we speak, since my lease ends in a fortnight and the lanlords are moving in themselves. So I do appreciate what it’s like to be uprooted… but if I was being moved so that a mother and kids could move out of their car and into my home (as long as I was getting housed too) I’d do so happily.

  5. Tanz 5

    The camera loves him though, and he it, or maybe not. Superficial? Yep, he comes across as a little bit plastic.

  6. Great post Frank! I can’t say I’m surprised at National’s actions, or the lack of them. The problems go back to the 1990’s and the inane policies to sell off well over 10,000 housing units and the even more inane policy to let anybody who wanted to, rent state houses; that is the reason there are many people renting state houses who shouldn’t qualify – those who have sufficient income to rent privately. National cannot turn around change the rules mid game. Those on income related rents pay the same for three, two or one bedroom homes, units or flats. Many two bedroomed units were sold; these are the type that many older tenants with grown-up children could downsize to, if they were available.

    Yes, Labour would be well advised to keep quiet about the state of the nation.

    http://peter-petterson.blogspot.com DOWN BY THE HUTTRIVER

    PETER

    • Frank Macskasy 6.1

      Thanks, Peter.

      It is becoming more apparent that the Emporer has No Clothes – and this Guvmint Has No Policies. When the gst increase hits, the middle class is going to have a real shock. Especially when gst-liable imposts such as rates, ACC, and other government charges are affected.

      Interesting comments about state housing.

      Regarding the Jobless, and WINZ benefits, the “Dominion Post” recently published this letter from me…

      “Welfare Minister Paula Bennet has announced the support package for parents to provide a ”home for life” for a child in care. Foster parents will recieve various packages including $130 p/w to assist in costs to foster a child. She is quite enthusiastic about the programme, saying,

      ” ‘We have more than 5000 children in Child Youth and Family custody and every one of those kids deserves a secure home. ‘There are over 2000 foster carers currently, many of who may be able to offer a child permanency, this package supports them to do that.”

      This is a great idea. Anything that gets children into caring, loving, supportive homes is definitely the right step to take.

      But one thing niggles me…

      This government has hardly been supportive of solo-mothers and beneficiaries. In fact, Bennet has been vociferous in her condemnation of people on welfare,

      [“If we don’t do something in MSD you know in the best of times, and you know in the mid 2000s we saw still sort of quarter of a million New Zealanders reliant on welfare.” – editted out.]

      So why would anyone want to foster a child; becoming a recipient of a WINZ benefit; and become a target for bene-bashing ignoramuses and politicians???”

  7. Frank Macskasy 7

    We can add another 100 unemployed to the growing numbers…

    “Jobs to go at Education Ministry: union ”
    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/4045553/Jobs-to-go-at-ministry

  8. When will babies be taken off mothers after birth?

  9. Deborah Kean 9

    @Rex Widerstrom : “And Heatley is right there are people living in state houses who don’t need them. Either because the size of their families have shrunk over the years as children have left home, or because their circumstances have changed, they’re now earning a good income and they’re paying market rents.”
    I am in that position – sort of! I was ready to move out from the State house where I’d raised my son when he left home – and then the company I worked for went under and I lost my job. Now, I can’t afford to move out! I’d happily give this house over to a family, but I can’t afford to rent privately on a single UB.
    People on UB are automatically barred from working for the Public service, we unemployed were informed at a ‘job hunting’ seminar. That was actually good news, as it explained why every application I’d make to any government department was never even acknowledged. (How many unemployed people are aware of that, that every time they apply for a government job, the HR person checks their benefit status and bins their application?)
    Yet I would be a better call centre person at HCNZ than the dimwits I talk to because I live in an uninsulated hell hole that needs constant repair.
    Deb

    • Draco T Bastard 9.1

      People on UB are automatically barred from working for the Public service, we unemployed were informed at a ‘job hunting’ seminar. That was actually good news, as it explained why every application I’d make to any government department was never even acknowledged. (How many unemployed people are aware of that, that every time they apply for a government job, the HR person checks their benefit status and bins their application?)

      I’m pretty sure that would be discrimination and against the law. Is there any proof of that?

      • Vicky32 9.1.1

        Proof? No, inasmuch as she said to about 40 of us, but none of us, being ‘long-term unemployed’ would be considered credible witnesses…
        Apparently, if anyone applies to any government department for any job, the receiever of the application immediately enters their name into the WINZ site and checks their benefit history, then excludes them on that basis…
        I am sure it is discrimination – but as I have discovered by going to the HRC about another instance of clear and obvious discrimiation, the HRC actually has no powers, unless the person discriminated against is already employed. So if you want to discriminate whilst hiring, knock yourself out!
        Deb

    • What do you mean people on the Unemployed Benefit are automatically excluded from the Public Service? Who said so?

      • Vicky32 9.2.1

        A WINZ employee conducting a compulsory job seminar that I attended in June. She informed us of that fact and advised us not to waste our time applying…
        Deb

  10. Deborah Kean 10

    “A home for life” – does she mean that kids will be forcibly adopted away from solo mothers who can’t afford to care for them, and then given to the middle-class married foster carers? That’s sick!
    I read on another thread (sadly comments were closed or I’d have made one) the assertion that solo mothers on benefits neglect their kids so the kids become criminals. What utter rubbish! Michael Moore (the NZ former PM, not the American doco maker) showed that most solo mothers on DPB are not teen never-marrieds, but 30 something former-married, so taking children away from “bennies” and giving them for a adoption to the middle class foster carers is a solution to a non-existent problem.

  11. There is no crisis in welfare. The National government is delivering the same old crap it did in vast quantities back in the 90’s.

  12. Visit my blog and see how I feel about things.

  13. The Jobless Claims report from last week will likely be revised. 9 state governments were closed for the holiday, so the reports are not accurate. Don’t get your hopes up.

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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    1 week ago
  • 2024 Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships announced
    ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-03-29T05:05:35+00:00