Maori Party to quit Govt?

Written By: - Date published: 2:04 pm, January 31st, 2012 - 86 comments
Categories: maori party, national/act government, privatisation - Tags: ,

News in on the Herald says the Maori party are talking the talk over National’s latest insult to Maori.

As we approach Waitangi Day and the Maori Party are faced with visiting Hone’s constituency they are looking to protest National’s move to remove Treaty obligations from the State Assets that are to be sold.

Will they quit the Government?  Or will the smell of those limo seats  mean another backdown in a couple of weeks?

86 comments on “Maori Party to quit Govt? ”

  1. Clashman 1

    They wont quit they will come to an agreement with National and screw thier people over again,

  2. ak 2

    She’s said it. Back to a single-seat governement with a high ratio of flakes no matter what happens after this. Delectable.

  3. insider 3

    Does the clause extend to Air NZ? If not, has there been any bother over that?

  4. tc 4

    I see your MP ‘show of discontent’ and raise you;
    1. an ACT MP with more skeletons in his closet than waikumete cemetary and a loose tounge.
    2. W Peters with protection from prosecution via parliamentary priviledge ready to take aim at his least liked folk….Key and his dealing room.
    3. A continuing asleep at the wheel, deceive, plunder the public assets, treat the electorate as ignorant peasants by kay and his ministers (Watch Heatley in his new role as an example)
    4. Growing awareness by the sheeple via Euro/USA as to how serious the stakes are by seeking non MSM sources.

    It’s well setup for a cracker that may just be exploding in their faces rather than what goes under that SOE sell-off sauce for some tasty taxpayer funded nibbles they plan to devour.

  5. The Voice of Reason 5

    Well, this does get intersting. A one seat majority, which will be entirely dependent on none of Key’s MP’s being forced to resign this term. On past performance, that’s going to be a big ask.
     
    Mind you, I still think Bunji is right and the transports of delight will win out. This what I think I overheard Turia and Sharples say on the matter on the news*:
     
    “If they remove Section 9 there will be no reason for them to consult with Maori about issues such as heated seats so they would actually be denying that the BMW exists.”
    The Party had to be very clear about who they represented, Turia said.
    “It’s really in the German’s hands, the BMW people will have to stand firmly on this issue because we’re here representing their interests and our personal interests.”
    The issue would cause tension at Waitangi Day commemorations over the weekend and at least one iwi leader had suggested Maori hold a drive by in protest of the move, she said.
    Co-leader Pita Sharples said the party was not in government to ignore the real issues, such as how good it feels to have pakehas in suits clap when he enters a room.
    “This clause is about New Zealand. It’s not just about how good my arse feels in the seat. The seat is all of our seats and this clause protects us and our natural resources, particularly the hand tooled indiginous chamois deer leather industry and that’s really really important to me.”
     
    *I wasn’t listening that closely and I can’t vouch for the complete accuracy of the transcript.
     
     
     

    • Lanthanide 5.1

      “A one seat majority, which will be entirely dependent on none of Key’s MP’s being forced to resign this term. On past performance, that’s going to be a big ask.”

      When as the last time any by-election resulted in a seat going to the opposition? I can’t remember any.

      Then again, when a government is in the balance, the public interest could be quite a lot higher, especially if it’s in a marginal blue seat.

      • The Voice of Reason 5.1.1

        Well, technically, it was only a few months ago, Lanth, when Hone Hariwira resigned from the Government and forced a by-election in Te Tai Tokerau. The next previous example is, … wait for it … Tariana Turia resigning from Labour and winning the seat for the Maori Party.
         
        But, realistically, it requires a seat held by a couple of thousand votes or less to make it interesting. Ak Central, Chch Central? Waimak, Waitakere? Hmmmm, Waitakere. That’d be a doozy!

        • Lanthanide 5.1.1.1

          Those are special cases as it was the same candidate that won the seat after the by-election.

          What are the chances of a National MP resigning and then standing for Labour (or any other party, for that matter)?

          • Lanthanide 5.1.1.1.1

            Damn broken edit function.

            The only ones who would have the political clout and charisma to resign and create a new party that was then against the government (at least on asset sales) are senior nats who would never do it.

            • The Voice of Reason 5.1.1.1.1.1

              Just looked up the list of NZ by-elections. Interesting stuff. The last upset looks to be Labour losing Timaru in 1985. But under MMP, the default option for pissed off maori MP’s seems to be quitting and setting up your own party (Hone, Tariana and Winston). None of the other by-elections seem to be in marginals and most appear to be as a result of senior MP’s moving on (eg. Mt Albert, Mana).

          • Draco T Bastard 5.1.1.1.2

            Doesn’t need to be a National MP. If Peter Dunne resigns for any reason and the MP no longer supports NAct then the government will collapse as the seat will go to Labour. Of course, that’s the Pie in the Sky scenario as I can’t imagine PD resigning for any reason. He may be a toady little brown-noser but I doubt if he’s done anything that would force him to resign.

            • Hami Shearlie 5.1.1.1.2.1

              Pete ain’t no toady -Toads have more spine than Dunnie-Brush! But wouldn’t it be great if Peter Dunne did have a skeleton in the closet – or, way better than a skeleton , a whole lot of frou-frou dresses with high heels to match? LOL

        • Hami Shearlie 5.1.1.2

          Waitakere – I’m salivating at the very thought!!

    • Hami Shearlie 5.2

      We mustn’t be ungenerous!! Pita NEEDS his limo – he gave his self-drive car to his whanau, and he needs to stay being a minister – he has a big mortgage so I’ve heard. And Auntie T was quoted as saying “I’m a big spender!” So ditto for her!!

  6. randal 6

    its a funny thing but Iwi never got to bid on the crafar farms.
    why not?

  7. VERY early indication is that they will leave government (but those interested in trading, please read fine print – any change of the Confidence & Supply Agreement pays $1): https://www.ipredict.co.nz/app.php?do=contract_detail&contract=MAORI.NAT.1MAR12

    • The Voice of Reason 7.1

      Is there a book on which Nat electorate MP will caught with their hand in the till or trousers at half mast this term, Matthew? Because either one of those things will gift NZ a referendum on asset sales, by way of a by-election, which could be terrific fun!
       
      Actually, a few bucks on Key not lasting till Xmas could be a nice little earner. Are there odds on that?

      • Lanthanide 7.1.1

        Any by-elections were going to be about asset sales anyway, because the MP were against asset sales already.

      • Spot on, VoR.

        There were four by-elections in the 2008-11 term. Key must be holding his breath that any by-election either doesn’t happen, or if it does, it’s in a blue-ribbon seat.

        Otherwise, there goes Dear Leader’s one-seat majority. *sound of toilet flushing*

    • I’m not surprised, Mathew.

      The public backlas against farm sales to overseas investors (regardless of nationality) and partial asset sales is going to taint-by-association any Party in coalition with National. The streesess and frictions of public pressure and differing policies is going to result in coalition stresses similar to the National-NZ First Coalition in the late 1990s.

      Those stresses (which were sparked by asset sales as well, if I recall correctly) ripped NZ First in half.

      If the Maori Party remembers that part of our history, then they’ll be looking very warily at their relationship with National.

      By the way; interesting comments from you and Josie Pagani, yesterday on Radio NZ.

      • Pete George 7.2.1

        It will be hard to rip Act or UF in half.

        You’re presuming that the general public feel as strongly about asset sales and farm sales to overseas investors as a few bloggers and bloggees. The election result suggested that the feeling out there is being overestimated by some, or else they hope they can still manage to talk up a storm of protest if they keep trying.

        • Lanthanide 7.2.1.1

          “It will be hard to rip Act or UF in half.”

          Is that because they only have 1 seat each?

        • Frank Macskasy 7.2.1.2

          It will be hard to rip Act or UF in half.

          ???

          I wasn’t referring to ACT or UF. I was referring to the Maori Party.

          You’re presuming that the general public feel as strongly about asset sales and farm sales to overseas investors as a few bloggers and bloggees.

          I think that several reputable polls last year all pointed to the general public being opposed to state asset sales.

          If you have information pointing to something else, feel free to share.

          • Pete George 7.2.1.2.1

            There was a reputable election that suggested that people didn’t feel strongly about asset sales as National campaigned on. The lack of strong opposition outside a few losing political parties also suggests most people saw other things as more important.

            I guess unless many were strongly opposed but they were even more strongly opposed to CGT and putting the Super age up and strongly thought the 2×100,000 policies lacked credibility.

            • Draco T Bastard 7.2.1.2.1.1

              There was a reputable election…

              Actually, there wasn’t. When only ~67% of the voters vote then the result is, at best, indeterminate.

              • Try NZ Democracy 101.

                Based on your logic we would never have voted in a functioning government.

                • Is democracy fully functioning when few and fewer people are bothering to vote?

                  Personally, I think not. The alienation of people from the voting process suggests serious problems with our system.

                  Mind you, if the reduction of voting favours the incumbent government, I guess that’s not a problem for them…

                • Draco T Bastard

                  You do realise that we can have a functioning government without the equivalent support of their policies don’t you? Polls show about ~70% of the population oppose partial asset sales which means that a lot of people voted for NAct despite that opposition.

                  If we had democracy they wouldn’t be able to pass those policies but we’re still in an elected dictatorship rather than a democracy.

  8. ianmac 8

    Hone was pretty clear on Morning Report today about the implications for the Treaty of pushing through the asset Sales.
    Mind you the Maori Party would “consider” withdrawing. Not bluddy likely mate

    • Jim Nald 8.1

      Quite.
      One bullshit artiste holding another bullshit artiste to account.
      Replace your popcorns with bullshit. And smile.

  9. Maui 9

    I will believe it when I see it.

    OTOH, Turia and Sharples must be considering the legacy they leave – both in the eyes of
    whanau and party supporters as well as NZ political history.

    “.. this could be an attempt by Iwi interests to simply up the ante in the bidding war. The Nats could even conclude a deal (independently of the Maori Party) with some iwi to ensure that they get first option on any share floats. But this won’t sit well with many National supporters, even those who favour privatisation, on the grounds of the racist ‘one law for all’ mantra.”

    http://www.voxy.co.nz/politics/chris-ford-if-maori-party-walks-government-then-act-becomes-powerful/1273/113602

    In short, more brinkmanship.

    • Lanthanide 9.1

      Hence ACT, if its nemesis the Maori Party departs government, will have more influence over the government. And that won’t mean just partial asset sales – the Nats (at ACT’s behest) will flog off all of its shareholding in Air New Zealand and the power companies. National, in doing so, will break its central election promise not to sell more than 50 percent of each of these enterprises.

      Um, no. That’s just ridiculous. The only reason National won in 2008 was promising not to sell any state assets in their first term. The only reason they won in 2011 was promising to only sell 49% and not touch Kiwibank.

      Going back on those promises will be electoral suicide and would result in huge calls for a snap election from the general public and media.

      More likely the MP leaving will give more power to the Greens on any left-leaning policy that National need to pick up votes for if Act votes against. They’re highly likely to end up with cabinet positions in whatever government forms after 2014, the question is whether it’ll be blue-green or red-green.

      • Pete George 9.1.1

        Not just National’s election promises (and there’s no good reason to doubt them sticking to them) – but they are also bound by the United Future Confidence and Supply agreement which rules those out as well. Those claiming National will go much further with asset sales this term are either scaremongering or they are ignorant.

        • Colonial Viper 9.1.1.1

          Those claiming National will go much further with asset sales this term are either scaremongering or they are ignorant.

          National won’t go further because of their razor thin majority, but will wish every second that they could.

        • McFlock 9.1.1.2

          Regardless of whether the Maori Party leave or not, the only reason we will have any asset sales this term is because United Fiefdom have no policy of their own, so they do whatever the boss of the day says.
             
          The United Fucktard isn’t preventing asset sales, pete – he’s enabling them.
              

          • Pete George 9.1.1.2.1

            Wrong. The UF position before the election was clear and the C&S is clear.

            If people wanted UF to have a bigger say they could have voted for us. Even just one more seat would have made quite a diference.

            Those who instead voted for Winston Peters’ Labour, Mana and Greens, seem to have chosen whining on the sideline, so it’s not suprising there is so much whining from the sideline.

            • Frank Macskasy 9.1.1.2.1.1

              Policy on asset sales, Pete?

            • McFlock 9.1.1.2.1.2

              Funnily enough, what passes for UF “policy” is simply
               “We need a conversation that is more detailed and drills down into what New Zealanders really think are acceptable bottom lines.” Oh and not seppling RNZ, kiwibank or water companies (which is dither, because most water supplies aren’t up to central govt).
               
              You are so full of shit, your boss is going to let the NACTs remove government-instructed disctretion from SOE directors and you’re sitting there pretending he’s not doing anything. 
                
              All it takes for sociopaths to triumph is for hairstyles to do nothing. 

            • fender 9.1.1.2.1.3

              Welcome back PG, hope you have learnt your lesson and will refrain from your whining from the sidelines.
              Read your kiwiblog sad sack whining y’day regarding comments on thestandard, and how people don’t swollow your dribble as gospel but take you to task on it. Perhaps you could make that your home where the sympathy vote may be more forthcoming.

            • Draco T Bastard 9.1.1.2.1.4

              The UF position before the election was clear and the C&S is clear.

              Apparently not

            • Frank Macskasy 9.1.1.2.1.5

              If people wanted UF to have a bigger say they could have voted for us. Even just one more seat would have made quite a diference.

              What difference might that be?

              Peter Dunne has stated his support for the part-privatisation of Solid Energy, Genesis, Meridian, Mighty River Power, and further sell-down of Air New Zealand.

              Dunne has stated he “gained concesssions” of not privatising Kiwibank or Radio NZ.

              Yet… National never campaigned on selling either Kiwibank or Radio NZ. In fact, Key categorically stated that KB would “never be sold” whilst he was PM. (Which, I guess, is problematic considering his penchant to change his mind when it suits him.)

              So the “concession” of stopping KB or RNZ from being privatised was a bit of a red herring.

              So, what, precisely, would an “extra seat” for UF have gained us?

              • One more seat would have taken a deciding vote away from Act. That would have had more actual moderating influence on government than 8 NZF seats.

                • Matt

                  What a fairy tale.

                • The Voice of Reason

                  Yeah, like we’d really be better off with the Hair calling the shots. That’s not even the tail wagging the dog, its the dag clinging to the tail wagging the dog.

                • McFlock

                  Bull. ACT are not the socially liberal economic liberals they once were – Banksie will follow the national playbook. Dunne will set firm lines of principle as long as it’s okay by national.
                   
                  NZ1 and in particular winston, on the other hand, are going to have tremendous fun eviscerating nact and the hair all through the next parliament. Which is far more productive than limply agreeing with key at every turn.

            • Colonial Viper 9.1.1.2.1.6

              If people wanted UF to have a bigger say they could have voted for us. Even just one more seat would have made quite a diference.

              Exactly. More people need to appreciate the value of additional Quislings in Parliament.

        • Draco T Bastard 9.1.1.3

          Not just National’s election promises (and there’s no good reason to doubt them sticking to them)

          You mean beside them being a bunch of lying psychopaths?

  10. John Dalley 10

    I feel a Tui’s slogan coming on.

  11. Draco T Bastard 11

    I suppose the question is: Will this government survive a year in power?

  12. randal 12

    well hootons in bed with the nashnil gubmint so you can bet he will fudge the figures on this one.

    • Your comment betrays how myopic you are – its not possible for anyone to “fudge the figures” which is why it is always so accurate.

      • Colonial Viper 12.1.1

        Sorry mate, applying numerical values to peoples opinion does not make them any more scientific than the original opinions themselves. Collective forecasting is barely more accurate than individual forecasting.

  13. rod 14

    Maori Party to quit Govt? If you believe that load of old bollocks, you’ll believe anything

    • McFlock 14.1

      I tend to agree – nothing like a bit of loud sabre–rattling to pretend you’re something other than a lapdog. 
       
      The interesting thing is that they might find themselves backed into a corner, given Keyster doesn’t play well. Between what I suspect is his inclination to do nothing so there is no palpable effect from their bluster, and folk like winston trying to goad them into saying something stronger, the MP might end up actually having to act on principle.
        
      I’m sure they’ll get the hang of it. 

  14. randal 15

    so tell us all hooters old chap just how do you “fix’ the results of ipredict?

    • I don’t understand your question. I’m not sure it has any meaning. Do you have any understanding at all of how it works?

    • felix 15.2

      I can help, Matthew.

      Randal, it’s called a Pump & Dump, and it doesn’t take much effort to shift the price in a relatively small market like iPredict with a couple of well placed bloggers/PR people.

      • That must the reason that, for all of election year, iPredict was reporting (as was I through the weekly update) that National would get only 47% of the vote (compared with the polls saying National would get well over 50%) and that Labour would get in the high rather than middish 20s. Whoever was “pumping and dumping” was doing so in the interests of accurate forecasts. You dick.

        • McFlock 15.2.1.1

          News Flash: Hooten announces that election campaigns, horse-race polls and cups of tea don’t affect elections. The exact percentage is predetermined 11 months before the election.
           
           

        • felix 15.2.1.2

          So what? Who said anything about that particular stock? Who said anything about your weekly update? Who said anything about you for that matter?

          Oops, think I touched a nerve.

        • Lanthanide 15.2.1.3

          Matthew, you’d be wise not to talk about manipulation of the stocks on iPredict, given what happened around NZFirst with trades up over 5% being deemed to be “manipulations” and somehow resulting in the traders being suspended, while simultaneously greatly overstating the share that Act would win.

  15. MrSmith 16

    You have to wonder how much research Key and Co did before they decided to sell off Our assets, “Oh shit we forgot the treaty” and it gets worse we signed an agreement with the party that represent a far chunk of the people that treaty represents.
     
    These guys are loose, they just come up with an idea then throw it around over the BBQ, now there running our country or should that read sitting around waiting for the next fire to start, they are a laughingstock and parliament hasn’t even sat yet, roll on Waitangi day that should be fun.

    • yeshe 16.1

      Um .. doesn’t the Treaty represent us all ?

      • MrSmith 16.1.1

        As I understand it the Treaty is between the Crown and Maori so no it doesn’t represent all of us, but it might just save the sale of Our assets. The more coverage this gets the better we will see if they crack.

  16. randal 17

    ooooh.
    hooters is blowin goff a bit of steam.
    ipredict that he has a very short temper and if you met him in real life he would pop his cork in less than 47% of five minutes.

  17. Hateatea 18

    Actually, I think that there may be a very real chance that this could be the deal breaker for the Maori Party. There are only a handful of the current members of parliament who were in the House during the successful challenge by the NZ Maori Council against the State Owned Enterprise legislation but both Pita Sharples and Tariana Turia know very well that this has been an important piece of legislation in treaty settlement processes and in relationships with a succession of governments of both stripes.

    Of course, given that our current Prime Minister has been in Parliament for a relatively short period of time (2004), he may profess to be unaware of the strategic importance to Maori of that legislation but I am cynical enough to think that he may feel that he can take a chance that the Maori Party will stick with him in the long run. I personally hope he is wrong

  18. Mark 19

    Here’s an idea to reconnect people with the voting process.. we could spend taxpayer money on KFC and buy their votes, then retroactively change the law to make that legal.
    Or.. we could stand up and campaign on a policy..partial float of SOE’s, that the  voting electorate on the whole sees as a pragmatic, viable and intelligent solution to the woes foisted upon us by the GFC, an out of control State Sector, and an entrenched gimme culture with good people convinced they are oppressed and downtrodden.
    We could also send a few of our best troughers over to the UN, they don’t pay tax over there and I am sure they will be paying off some of their debt to NZ society voluntarily –  CGT anyone? give up the taxpayer funded perks anyone?
    What should we do if UN Personnel on the ground (workers aren’t they?) get killed on duty.. jail Mr Klark or Ms Carter? surely if good enough for Whittal..
    Cue howls of outrage and vitriol from anonymous cowards on this site, who never fess up to their own occupations, circumstances or good deeds.  

    • Colonial Viper 19.1

      Cue howls of outrage and vitriol from anonymous cowards on this site, who never fess up to their own occupations, circumstances or good deeds.

      Cue howls of laughter more like. Didn’t your momma ever teach you? It’s better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and confirm it.

  19. Unfortunately we have heard this, Māori Party consultion with Māori and do what the people say, spin before over the Foreshore and Seabed and they didn’t listen then and didn’t do what the people wanted then and this will go the same way.

    http://mars2earth.blogspot.co.nz/2012/01/heard-it-all-before-and-didnt-believe.html

    key has said he is extremely confident they won’t walk and that is telling.

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10782403

    • ak 20.1

      Ae Marty, and he was extremely confident that we’d be “coming aggresively out of recession in 2010” and that Winnie didn’t have a dog’s show.

      But you’re right – this time the relaxation looks almost genuine for once (as it did with “I’d be stunned if they don’t support the govt” post-election) which means either a) he holds serious dirt on individuals; b) the promises this time were even bigger than the 08 billions that never came; or c) the election hurt bad, he sees his fate and really doesn’t give a squirt any more; or d) bits of all of the above.

      Either which way, we can finally see a brighter future. And glorious entertainment in the interim.

    • Hateatea 20.2

      Personally, I am f****ing sick of being consulted but I will, if at all possible, go to the consultation hui and tell Hekia’s husband just what I think of the proposals. I will also be writing to all the Maori Party mp’s as well as Rino Tirikatene, the Tai Tonga mp.

      Consultation is too often lip service. For it to be meaningful, non-Maori need to stand up and be counted too. 

  20. Jenny 21

    Is history repeating?

    The Maori Party was formed over exactly the same issue.

    The Labour Government wished to sell prospecting rights to parts of the seabed and foreshore to foreign mining interests.

    Just as putting these mineral rights into private hands required legislation for the removal of Maori treaty rights as regard to the Seabed and Foreshore.

    The Nats privatisations requires legislation for the removal of treaty rights as regards SOEs.

    Since this was the raison d’etre for the Maori Party’s formation, it is highly unlikely that they would let it repeated.

    I see Tariana Turia is calling for another Hikoi to parliament.

    I think that would be something that the whole country would get behind.

    Who knew?

    I remember at the time of the first Hikoi that Maori tried to argue that their treaty rights were a last protection for the seabed and fore shore for everyone. They failed to win that argument that time.

    I imagine that they would get a much better hearing this time round.

    However it all just talk at the moment. Let’s see if Tariana Turia follows through.

    Interesting times, interesting times.

  21. Jenny 22

    I think if Turia did follow through and called for another Hikoi,….. and we all got behind it. It would dwarf the schedule 4 protest that forced the government to backdown then.

    • Drongo 22.1

      Be great if you were right. Only problem is that the Maori Party are too gutless and naive. They should realise not only what Key’s doing to them (abolishing the Maori seats is a priority on the agenda) but that their survival as a party doesn’t sit with staying in government. The Maori Party are way too gutless to walk away from National. They’ll be there till the end, signing off on everything Key dupes them with, all the while sell-out Pita telling us all “we’ve made real gains for Maori”. Watch him sign off on the Maori seats. I’ll put money on it. Pathetic lap-dog Pita – you sold your own people out a long long time ago.

  22. millsy 23

    The Maori party wont leave this government. Turia wants to be be bracketed alongside Maui Pomare and Apriana Ngata (who both opposed things like public healthcare, education, welfare and state housing — apparently they thought that Maori children growing up in one bedroom shacks with dirt floor is some how ‘good’).

    Anyway, buried in the C and S agreement with National and the MP is a plan to hand over large amounts of state housing to the iwi elites. The thought of iwi aristocrats getting state houses and kicking the tenants out on the street is very tempting..

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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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
    7 days ago
  • 2024 Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships announced
    ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 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
    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

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