National starts political year beneficiary bashing

Written By: - Date published: 11:14 am, January 22nd, 2019 - 70 comments
Categories: benefits, Carmel Sepuloni, national, paula bennett, Politics, same old national, Simon Bridges, the praiseworthy and the pitiful, welfare - Tags:

National started off the year doing what National does and launched into an attack on beneficiaries. Same old same old.

But at a time when unemployment is low and things are going well it was somewhat predictable. Not to mention cynical.

Simon Bridges kicked things off with this claim:

Good to be back at it kicking off the year this morning. Unemployment’s down, there are plenty of jobs out there, but there’s 11,000 more people on the Jobseeker benefit than this time last year. We predicted this would happen under this Government, because they’re not enforcing the penalties on the books for those who aren’t making a good faith effort to get into a job.

Paula Bennett backed it up and said this on Facebook:

It makes no sense that with unemployment so low and with jobs for the taking there’s literally over 10,000 more people on the Jobseeker benefit than this time last year. The Government’s gone soft. There’s absolutely no reason why we should give up on the expectation that people put serious effort into finding a job.

And clearly there was an attempt to make this the news story of the day.

Simon’s visit to the AM show was reported by Dan Satherley in this way:

Simon Bridges has blamed a rise in the number of Kiwis receiving Jobseeker Support on the Government’s easing of sanctions.

At the end of December there were 134,000 on what used to be called the unemployment benefit, up 11,000 on the year before – even as the official unemployment rate hit a decade-low of 3.9 percent.

“It’s an outrage,” the National Party leader told The AM Show on Monday. “I warned this would happen – it has.”

Last year the Government told Work and Income case managers to ease up on penalties and sanctions against its clients. In December 8500 sanctions were applied, down from 14,500 the year before, RNZ reported.

Bridges ended with an ominous comment that benefit sanctions would be enforced more rigorously if National regained power.

The reporter, Dad Satherley did something naughty and tried to understand what was actually happening and described the situation in some detail:

Unemployment did drop from a high of 6.7 percent in 2012 to 4.7 percent under National, but that obscures a rapid rise in unemployment in the early years of John Key’s Government, as the global financial crisis tore through the New Zealand economy. Unemployment hit a record low 3.3 percent in June 2008, before that year’s general election.

Since the Labour-New Zealand First coalition formed in mid-2017, the official unemployment rate has dropped further to below 4 percent.

The unemployment rate and Jobseeker Support numbers can appear to be heading in different directions because they’re measured differently, and at different times. The Jobseeker Support figure is from the end of December, and is a snapshot in time, while the unemployment rate is measured quarterly and was last updated in November.

“This timing difference is particularly important when there are substantial seasonal rises in unemployment, for example towards the end of December,” according to Statistics NZ.

Ministry of Social Development statistics show a rise in the number of people receiving Jobseeker Support every December, but the rise this most recent December was slightly higher than usual. But it’s fewer than 4000 people more than were receiving the benefit in December 2013, despite record population increases.

Basically there is no crisis, overall the situation has improved significantly since the change of Government, and the number of people on jobseeker always goes up in December. Most importantly there is absolutely no proof of any correlation between people receiving the jobseeker benefit and the less inhumane treatment of people on benefits that this Government is seeking to introduce.

Bridges and Bennett know this, or at least they should do.  But beneficiary bashing is one of their most potent weapon, for their base this is the equivalent to talking to lefties about climate change or discrimination.

And as Carmel Sepuloni has pointed out the overall change is minuscule, with the proportion of working age adults on a benefit being 9.9% compared to 9.8% in the December quarter last year.

Expect more of this to happen as National looks to shore up its support. Fear and loathing of beneficiaries is regrettably a potent weapon for right wing politicians.

70 comments on “National starts political year beneficiary bashing ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Morrissey 1
    22 January 2019 at 12:21 pm

    Here’s one bludger they might be interested in checking closely….

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/2910957/Bill-English-buckles-over-housing-allowance

  3. One Two 3
    22 January 2019 at 12:34 pm

    11…10…

    Bridges has fallen into the outrage trap

    Those who willingly give in to emotion through moral outrage…are on thin ice when calling others out…

  4. Cinny 4
    22 January 2019 at 12:35 pm

    How long was the summer break for simon & co?

    No new ideas then?

    Say’s it all really.

    • patricia bremner 4.1
      22 January 2019 at 1:30 pm

      Cinny they pretend that Bennett and her cohorts in the previous Government did not concern themselves too much with homelessness, and many had no address to supply Winz, they then could not get ‘Job seeker allowance’,
      A larger number now qualify as the current government removes gnats mean mealy mouthed rules, bit by bit. Yes their mantra was ‘We”re rich you”re poor.”

  5. Ross 5
    22 January 2019 at 12:36 pm

    An increase in employment is not inconsistent with an increase in unemployment. The working age population goes up, some find work and some don’t. That the Tories could be so ignorant of this shouldn’t come as a surprise. But I suspect they aren’t that thick, they’re simply trying to appeal to voters who maybe don’t know any better.

    • Draco T Bastard 5.1
      22 January 2019 at 2:44 pm

      There’s a reason why National and other RWNJs always use absolute figures rather than proportional ones. It allows them to say that things are more or less without getting into the complexities of other changes that also apply.

      Unemployment has gone up by 11,000 under this government has a much different connotation than Unemployment has decreased from 4.7% under the previous government to less than 4% now.

      Both statements are true but the first gives the wrong impression.

      In other words, it allows them to lie.

  6. rata 6
    22 January 2019 at 12:38 pm

    By 1975 I believed there were not enough jobs.
    My solution then and still is to share the work out.
    Under all Govt’s unemployment has risen continuously.
    Half the superann’s would work if there were jobs. So add 300k.
    Kids staying at school longer. Add 50k.
    Tertiary students. 150k.
    Sickness. Add 40k.
    Those with working partners. 30k
    Part time counted as working. Add 30k
    Add 650k to the 100k = 700k.
    So true unemplyment is at least 700,000.
    The answer is to share the work out.
    Work as much as you need.
    Every one gets what they need.
    So Simple.

    • Brutus Iscariot 6.1
      22 January 2019 at 12:45 pm

      What you’ve just proposed is a perfect example of the “lump of labour” fallacy.

      • Draco T Bastard 6.1.1
        22 January 2019 at 3:00 pm

        Personally, I think the Lump of Labour Fallacy is also a fallacy.

        Consider, NZers average 43.3 hours per week. If we limited it so that people could only work 40 hours then either some of that work that is presently done won’t be or more people would be employed. I know people who do 60 hour weeks while being paid a 40 salary. That’s actually enough hours to warrant having two people doing those jobs and doing that would decrease stress on those people, improve their living standard while also resulting in having the jobs done better.

        The Lump of Labour Fallacy becomes a fallacy when its used to ignore all the work that’s done by too few people.

      • rata 6.1.2
        23 January 2019 at 10:19 am

        No its sound common sense because what I said is true.
        Where are your answers?

  7. Ross 7
    22 January 2019 at 12:46 pm

    National should stop talking and start listening.

    “an OECD report published last year says 29,000 New Zealanders reported being laid off, made redundant, or dismissed from their previous job”.

    https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/in-depth/365540/why-being-made-redundant-in-nz-is-so-tough

  8. WeTheBleeple 8
    22 January 2019 at 1:01 pm

    Bludgers everywhere. The ones in suits are the worst.

    Hows the ones in suits pointing their fingers at others in suits hoping to stop pesky R&D and innovation, and to bring it down to who’s got the biggest pile.

    https://www.taxpayers.org.nz/no_more_corporate_welfare

    How’s that for some insidious shit. The layers of dishonesty are staggering.

  9. Tamati Tautuhi 9
    22 January 2019 at 1:19 pm

    Problem is most of the jobs are in Rural Areas where there is a population shortage, I am picking most of the unemployment is in our major cities ?

    • Draco T Bastard 9.1
      22 January 2019 at 3:11 pm

      Problem is most of the jobs are in Rural Areas where there is a population shortage

      ahhahahahahahahahahaha

      deep breath

      hahahahahahahahahahaha

      The amount of work in the rural sector continues to decline as productivity increases. The rural sector used to employ 25% of the population. Now it doesn’t even employ 7%.

      So, how many jobs need filling in agriculture compared to how many unemployed?
      And WTH aren’t farmers increasing wages so as to encourage people to move to the rural sector as the free-market demands that they do?

      • Robert Glennie 9.1.1
        22 January 2019 at 4:49 pm

        Most are probably fairly decent, but as with any sector there will be employers who will refuse to be decent.

        Hypocritical because that refusal of common decency results in the current attrition rates experienced across the farming sector.

  10. Tamati Tautuhi 10
    22 January 2019 at 1:23 pm

    Simon is trying to blame the current Coalition for something which is not actually a problem, he must have been a little whinger as a kid, as he hasn’t changed and has carried these behavioural patterns through into adulthood IMHO

  11. BWK 11
    22 January 2019 at 1:26 pm

    Probaly a fair percentage of those number are people that got browbeaten out of applying for a benefit with the mean punitve regime where you had to reapply for a benefit every year. And making it much harder for people with permanent severe disabilioty to apply for the Supported Living Payment because Winz made the final decision instead of a medical professional and they make people reapply every two years.

  12. NZJester 12
    22 January 2019 at 1:33 pm

    I bet 10 to 1 that the new portfolio of drug reform National created and put Paula Bennett in charge of is just going to be another front for benefit bashing and not for

    Bridges said he had created the new drug reform portfolio because New Zealand needed a well-thought through and evidence-based approach to drug reform that balanced public safety with the need to help vulnerable people.

    as they are saying in the media.

    Remember all those random drug tests as National said a lot of beneficiaries apparently could not get jobs as they were on drugs that statistics showed to be a lie?

    • Psycho Milt 12.1
      22 January 2019 at 2:16 pm

      Bridges says: …New Zealand needed a well-thought through and evidence-based approach to drug reform that balanced public safety with the need to help vulnerable people.

      Well, yes. But National is the party least-suited to offer that approach, by both history and temperament. I assume this will be like their approach to climate change, ie find ways to pay lip service to evidence-based approaches while quietly working hard to ensure that as little as possible actually changes, to avoid upsetting their constituency.

    • patricia bremner 12.2
      22 January 2019 at 3:17 pm

      The ‘contamination’ hysteria which was false and made people homeless.

    • Tamati Tautuhi 12.3
      22 January 2019 at 3:39 pm

      Like legalizing synthetic cannabis ?

  13. Sabine 13
    22 January 2019 at 1:42 pm

    the raise of increase in unemployment numbers in december is in large part due to temps/part time worker being on forced unpaid vacation while many businesses close for he summer holiday, and considering that they receive no pay they are fully entitled to apply for unemployment benefits. After all they fund that service via their tax contribution. Maybe someone should teach civics to the leader of the no mates party.

    As for the bene bashing, i believe that is all the no mates party has got.

    • WeTheBleeple 13.1
      22 January 2019 at 1:52 pm

      There’s also students going in and out of the dole via ‘student hardship allowance’ over this time. The reporting and intent is blatantly dishonest.

      • Sabine 13.1.1
        22 January 2019 at 2:07 pm

        agree, the reporting is to whitewash numbers and not to give an accurate reflection of what is happening in the job market.

        anyways, my friend who is on a benefit is happy she can now go to the doctor (it appears that fees have been cut for people on the benefit), in saying that she still has no chance of finding a job where she is with her age and her health issues (it does not get better with aga :))

        and that is the matter of the crux, we are not creating jobs. we are not growing decent jobs. And so far Labour has done little to nothing – from where i can see it – that would grow jobs outside of Auckland.

        • patricia bremner 13.1.1.1
          22 January 2019 at 3:21 pm

          Whoa Sabine, apparently the regions are doing better than Auckland at present

          • Sabine 13.1.1.1.1
            22 January 2019 at 4:42 pm

            as i said, my friend (who does not live in AKL) is happy to the reduced doctor fares as it actually allows her to go regularly and thus she can control her thyroid issues (she had throat cancer) better. But jobs for her? Nope. Her son, part time in sales, studying but again, unless he moves to AKL later for further studies or maybe a job ………..:)

            Here in Rotorua the seasonal jobs have finally been picking up. And they will dry up in about 2.5 – 3 month. Then it is back to casual for all the hotel cleaners, waitresses, line cooks etc etc etc.

            Same for Taupo, Turangi, Tokoroa, Whakamaru, Mangakino etc etc etc. These places have only full time jobs for maybe 50% of the working population living there if that, the rest lives of various forms of wellfare and casual/temp/seasonal jobbies.

            So if the regions to better, please let me know where, cause it ain’t here.

            Also don’t try to find a rental in Taupo, Turangi, Mangakino, Tokoroa if you are a min wage worker or a single income family. You can’t compete with those that have bought up cheap to put the house on the Batch Rental market from the 25/12 – 28/02. the rest of the year these houses are empty cause it beats having to deal with actual tenants. And besides you can fetch up to a grand for a week on summer tourists. and i hear its not taxed as income.

            I thought Auckland was bad, but believe me the regions are as bad. And i don’t see government here. I don’t hear about government here. But yeah, i am pleased for my friend. She can finally afford to go see her doctor for her prescriptions.

  14. Peter 14
    22 January 2019 at 1:42 pm

    They are going to go full ‘fear factor’ this year to embed elements they can rekindle and get burning next year.

    Of course they mightn’t get very far into the programme this year before we all fall down the $20 zigillion hole Steven Joyce found or the world ends as promised by the losers when the coalition came about.

  15. Ad 15
    22 January 2019 at 1:46 pm

    With the National bench reshuffle announced today, Paula Bennett will be focussing more on drugs and drug legalisation than social welfare.

    This is smart to go for those who oppose drug liberalisation, many of whom will be older and can tilt towards National anyway. A natural 2020 platform that should impale Labour on the fence of democracy, similar to Corbyn over Brexit.

    Her portfolio of tertiary education, skills and employment has been assigned by leader Simon Bridges to Shane Reti, a large increase in responsibility for the 40th ranked MP for Whangarei. Reti is as far as I can see the most Labour-leaning of National’s caucus, but surely he would have been better in health. He’s a qualified doctor with certs in obstetrics and dermatology.

    Bridges has also made finance spokeswoman Amy Adams the shadow attorney-general, with the retirement from politics of Chris Finlayson. Just in case this government needed effectively no opposition in either Finance or Justice, National has delivered for the government once again.

    Nick Smith becomes spokesman for Crown-Maori relations, and Mark Mitchell becomes spokesman for Pike River Re-entry.

    Go for it Nick.
    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12194251

    • Michelle 15.1
      22 January 2019 at 2:17 pm

      This will be a ding dong argument cant wait old versus old and young versus old conservatives the latter has had its way for far too long

    • Tamati Tautuhi 15.2
      22 January 2019 at 3:43 pm

      Te tangata whenua and iwi’s around New Zealand should get some entertainment out of Dr Nicholas Smith.

      • Michelle 15.2.1
        23 January 2019 at 10:11 am

        just shows how much the gnats care about Maori issues when they have him in charge, they don’t.

    • Sabine 15.3
      22 January 2019 at 5:48 pm

      oh i can’t wait for Nick Smith running around on his knees cause he’s got his feet in his mouth.

      and will Mrs. Benefit receive a whip to go with her new job? Cause the no mates party is not known for health care so i can only see her whip people into submission rather then help them get of the sauce.

  16. AB 16
    22 January 2019 at 1:51 pm

    Seems strange – National love the idea of people getting money for doing nothing. Think of all their supporters gorging on capital gain from residential property speculation – all un-taxed too, unlike earning money from actually working.
    Managing to be both authoritarian scum and hypocrites at the same time takes a special kind of ethical deficit.
    Or, to channel Once Was Tim – it takes “persnill ikslince, going forward”.

    • Draco T Bastard 16.1
      22 January 2019 at 5:51 pm

      National love the idea of people getting money for doing nothing.

      Of course they do but they also realise that for all the people that get money for nothing there needs to be a lot more people actually working for nothing. Adam Smith said that there needed to 500 workers for every rich person.

    • OnceWasTim 16.2
      22 January 2019 at 11:15 pm

      Yep, sorry about that.
      It’s just that I sometimes need a bloody interpreter to understand some of them. Key, Bridges, Bennett and Mitchell in ptikyala. And Bennett could be set to music at times when she goes off on a spin.

  17. johnm 17
    22 January 2019 at 2:41 pm

    Simple Simon, can’t go wrong here. Ask him anything remotely challenging and he throws his toys out of the pram.

  18. patricia bremner 18
    22 January 2019 at 3:35 pm

    The big beneficiaries are farmers. 870 million for an industry caused disease.

  19. Kay 19
    22 January 2019 at 4:04 pm

    Time for another media blackout for a while then. Doesn’t even matter they’re in opposition, just sick to death of being reduced to an ongoing political point scorer 🙁

  20. rachael 20
    22 January 2019 at 5:15 pm

    There is also no sickness benefit now, there is only job seekers, so people previously on sickness are now on job seekers, with the increase in mental health issues alone, many from stress over the lack of housing etc, it’s really not accurate anyway. And it’s all well and good for pb to talk about people going and picking apples, but is there housing there? How does a person uproot their whole family to go and pick apples for a few weeks / months? Then what? There is no easy transition back onto job seekers at the end of it, there is a stand down period, what are families to do? If people are lucky enough to have a roof over their heads right now, they’re not going to jeopardise it or their family’s well being to chase anything temporary.

    • Descendant Of Smith 20.1
      22 January 2019 at 7:48 pm

      And no widows benefit many of whom are now on Job Seeker Benefit and all those sole parents who are now on Job Seeker Benefit because either their youngest child is 14 or they have given birth while on a benefit.

      Duncan Garner was particularly fatuous in talking about the Job Seeker numbers as if they were the same as the old unemployment numbers.

      What Labour should do as a starting point is put all the sole parents back on a sole parent benefit and start giving some clarity to who is actually on benefit.

      Still if in 9 years the media researchers were so useless that they couldn’t call the national party on its claims that sole parent numbers were the lowest they have ever been by pointing out that many of them were just on a different benefit now its a bit much to expect them to understand it now.

      Fools like Duncan Garner would have sole parents with 3 month old babies planting trees.

      Also in the latest WINZ sheets there seems to be quite a regional variation – increases seem to be Canterbury as the rebuild work reduces down and Auckland for whatever ungodly reason Auckland would be going up – construction down-turn, internal migration?

      Of course labours researchers are just as crap as the medias cause they can’t coherently explain anything either.

      It’s time the government released the data daily in real time and let researchers with a clue such as Alan Johnson is the Salvation Army do the analysis for them. The media if they had any brains would demand this instead of this quarterly controlled release bullshit that’s too late to consider what is happening now.

  21. WILD KATIPO 21
    22 January 2019 at 8:54 pm

    [ Basically there is no crisis, overall the situation has improved significantly since the change of Government, and the number of people on jobseeker always goes up in December. Most importantly there is absolutely no proof of any correlation between people receiving the jobseeker benefit and the less inhumane treatment of people on benefits that this Government is seeking to introduce. ]

    Well said, MICKEYSAVAGE.

    ———————————-

    The far right wing ChiNational party at it again with lies and bullshit.

    Over 100 years ago we fought these kind of bastards , and again a few decades later…

    Lest we forget…

    John McCormack – It’s A Long Way To Tipperary – YouTube

    • ropata 21.1
      22 January 2019 at 10:02 pm

      To say the Nats are “right wing” would imply that they have some kind of principles. No they are simply a PR machine for foreign business interests seeking to pillage NZ, and privatise (steal) as much of our taonga as they can before anyone notices.

      • WILD KATIPO 21.1.1
        22 January 2019 at 10:52 pm

        Hence the play on words , the ‘ Chi – National ‘ party.

        They are neither ‘nationalists’ who believe in a nations sovereignty , – whether that be of either the Left or Right persuasion. They observe no political standing or ideology barring self enrichment and a global world govt.

        They are , in fact , nothing more than opportunistic ‘globalists’ .

        As were the pirates of old in the 17th century who cared not what govt was in power as long as they enriched themselves. Basically , anarchists at heart. Without the latter day political sanitizing of the definition.

        Who play on the fact that as society has progressed , they can rest easily in the fact that there will be no penalty of death at all for their subversion’s when they are called out for who they are.

        Gibbet – YouTube

  22. Tricledrown 22
    23 January 2019 at 12:25 am

    They treat their own no better Jamie Lee Ross has laid a complaint against a National MP. Who texted “go kill yourself” which is a very serious offence.
    Then the serial Dirty politician who posted to Lprent”hurry up and die” Toxic behaviour has come home to roost and it explains National’s pathetic distraction attempts knowing the spotlight is going to be on their daliances’s

    • Ross 22.1
      23 January 2019 at 6:02 am

      I don’t believe the MP said go kill yourself to JLR. The MP’s text is quoted as saying “you deserve to die” which is quite different to the spin JLR is putting on it. And of course we don’t have any context for the MP’s text. JLR could provide the context but hasn’t.

      “The woman sent him messages asking if he was okay and had support but when no contact could be made, the police were called to help search for him.”

      If she was asking him if he had support, it appears she was concerned for him. Indeed she may have called police such was her concern. I have no idea why JLR would go to police if he is trying to put this matter behind him.

      https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12194471

  23. Jackel 23
    23 January 2019 at 1:44 am

    Simon Bridges and Pulla Benefit looking down on the unemployed again. Life must be very tedious on the opposition benches when you’re the unemployed party formerly known as the john’s party.

  24. Al 24
    23 January 2019 at 7:16 am

    If the Gnats want to chase those not meeting their obligation to society why not all their mates who find all sorts of ways of avoiding paying tax – e.g. land banking due to nil CGT. Their attacks on the most vulnerable are nothing to do with obligation to work (similar to the failed drug testing) rather their own open hatred of a selection of their fellow man.

  25. Nic the NZer 25
    23 January 2019 at 8:12 am

    Totally agree with Si and Paula. Its too many people looking for work and unable to actually find it. The government should introduce a job guarantee and instead of signing them up for jobseekers, sign them up for a job guarantee role immediately and until they find other employment.
    (They should also reintroduce invalids and solo parents benefits). Probably the Green party has some low skill, low carbon ideas for how to employ these people towards greening the economy (though other public interests could be persued).

    The optimum time to set this up politically is when unemployment is low.

  26. woodart 26
    23 January 2019 at 3:36 pm

    now that slater is just another bludging beneficiary, hopefully his former friends give him a kicking as well, on the way up the ladder.

  27. Chris 27
    23 January 2019 at 4:07 pm

    Bridges and Bennett need to think about the number of people wrongly sanctioned by MSD because of how ridiculously complex the sanctions rules are. MSD stop a benefit at the drop of a hat, if a person misses a meeting, for example. Whether a sanction’s been imposed “correctly” is very seldom investigated. The number of wrongly imposed sanctions is bound to very large indeed.

    Perhaps MSD’s been forced to comply a little more than usual by this decision? Not very often these sorts of cases get the attention of the High Court.

    https://forms.justice.govt.nz/search/Documents/pdf/jdo/9c/alfresco/service/api/node/content/workspace/SpacesStore/76cf873c-8bc5-4562-aaec-7a2267563cd3/76cf873c-8bc5-4562-aaec-7a2267563cd3.pdf

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • Transforming how our children learn to read
    Structured literacy will change the way New Zealand children learn to read - improving achievement and setting students up for success, Education Minister Erica Stanford says.  “Being able to read and write is a fundamental life skill that too many young people are missing out on. Recent data shows that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 hour ago

  • NZ not backing down in Canada dairy dispute
    Trade Minister Todd McClay says Canada’s refusal to comply in full with a CPTPP trade dispute ruling in our favour over dairy trade is cynical and New Zealand has no intention of backing down. Mr McClay said he has asked for urgent legal advice in respect of our ‘next move’ ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 hours ago

  • Stronger oversight for our most vulnerable children
    The rights of our children and young people will be enhanced by changes the coalition Government will make to strengthen oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, including restoring a single Children’s Commissioner. “The Government is committed to delivering better public services that care for our most at-risk young people and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 hours ago

  • Streamlining Building Consent Changes
    The Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says.      “The coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    10 hours ago

  • Minister acknowledges passing of Sir Robert Martin (KNZM)
    New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago

  • Speech to New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, Parliament – Annual Lecture: Challenges ...
    Good evening –   Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    22 hours ago

  • Accelerating airport security lines
    From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    24 hours ago

  • Community hui to talk about kina barrens
    People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Kiwi exporters win as NZ-EU FTA enters into force
    Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Mining resurgence a welcome sign
    There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill passes first reading
    The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government to boost public EV charging network
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure.  The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Residential Property Managers Bill to not progress
    The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Independent review into disability support services
    The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Justice Minister updates UN on law & order plan
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Ending emergency housing motels in Rotorua
    The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Trade Minister travels to Riyadh, OECD, and Dubai
    Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Education priorities focused on lifting achievement
    Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • NZTA App first step towards digital driver licence
    The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say.  “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Supporting whānau out of emergency housing
    Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Tribute to Dave O'Sullivan
    Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Speech – Eid al-Fitr
    Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Government saves access to medicines
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff.    “Access to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwis’ lives. We’ve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Pharmac Chair appointed
    Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Taking action on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
    Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says.  “Every day, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • New sports complex opens in Kaikohe
    Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Diplomacy needed more than ever
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges.    “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address, Buttes New British Cemetery Belgium
    Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service.  It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address – NZ National Service, Chunuk Bair
    Distinguished guests -   It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders.   Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address – Dawn Service, Gallipoli, Türkiye
    Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia.   Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • 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
    1 week 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 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-05-02T03:18:05+00:00