NRT: 28,000 unemployed under National

Written By: - Date published: 2:02 pm, February 3rd, 2016 - 41 comments
Categories: jobs - Tags: ,

From I/S at No Right Turn…

28,000 unemployed under National

The Labour Market Statistics were released today, showing that unemployment has dropped to 5.3%. But while its (finally) a move in the right direction, there are still 133,000 unemployed – 28,000 more than when National took office.

When I started this series, it was out of a sense that unemployment statistics were a basic bullshit check on National’s promises of prosperity. Six years on, its clear that they simply haven’t delivered. There are more people out of work now than there were then. Sure, there was a financial crisis – but that ended four years ago. There were two earthquakes – but we’re meant to be well into the “rebuild”. And meanwhile, high unemployment just continues to drag on and on and on, while all the government does is make excuses.

New Zealanders expect more and deserve more than that. We need a government which will actually get people back into decent, high-paying jobs. National won’t do that. Time for somebody who will.

41 comments on “NRT: 28,000 unemployed under National ”

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  1. Anne 1
    3 February 2016 at 2:51 pm

    I thought the unemployment rate always dropped at this time of the year due to Summer seasonal employment. Come March/April when the seasonal stuff (eg, fruit picking etc.) dries up then unemployment increases again.

  2. Kevin 2
    3 February 2016 at 2:54 pm

    You don’t keep a lid on wages unless you have high unemployment.

    SOP for National.

  3. Enough is Enough 3
    3 February 2016 at 3:16 pm

    National lies about absolutely everything.

    Why would anyone trust their shonkey employment numbers?

    I think they are more likely to be around the 7% mark

    • Hayden 3.1
      3 February 2016 at 4:44 pm

      You are an idiot. The numbers are Stats NZ numbers. If you think they are politically manipulated then you need to take a lesson as to how govt works in this country.

      • DoublePlusGood 3.1.1
        3 February 2016 at 4:58 pm

        Stats NZ have pretty clearly shown in the past couple of years that they’re not above having their independence compromised.

        • Jones 3.1.1.1
          3 February 2016 at 6:17 pm

          By manipulating data? I would expect the compromise coming in the form of what is measured and how it is measured.

    • greywarshark 3.2
      4 February 2016 at 12:22 pm

      Enough…
      I doubt that you are an idiot, more a thoughtful sceptic. And rightly so. The government can massage numbers and methods and targeted people. The Thatcher government if I remember correctly, changed their methods of unemployment measurement a number of times. Comparisons can never be made then on an equal basis, ie the old saying that you can’t compare apples with oranges applies.

      And at the base of all our shonky, supposedly clear statistics on labour in this country, is the one that used to apply (probably still does) that someone doing one hour of paid work in a week is counted as employed. Coldly and statistically yes, though it’s a stretch. As an indication of true levels of unemployment such stats are not useful information of the like that Heyden declares so arrogantly and ignorantly. The numbers are Stats NZ numbers. If you think they are politically manipulated then you need to take a lesson as to how govt works in this country.

  4. Colonial Viper 4
    3 February 2016 at 3:27 pm

    English has kept spending into the economy and has consequently kept a lid on unemployment.

    He will be looking at short term ways to push the number even lower, in the run up to elections in 16-18 months.

    • Ad 4.1
      3 February 2016 at 3:56 pm

      Treasury definitely now gets pump-priming into a low-growth economy. Key understands it principally as a signal to the broader private developer investment community.

      Sooner or later Treasury will get around to figuring out which expenditure onto needed stuff generates the most short-term and long-term jobs, and adjust how they spend accordingly.

      Neo-Keynsians all of them, obviously.

    • Stuart Munro 4.2
      3 February 2016 at 4:02 pm

      Most of the spending has been very poorly targeted however – English is no Keynesian – he lacks the discipline – which is why he never produces real realised growth and jobs.

      ‘14% left the workforce’ in summer – when it is more usual for the workforce to grow.

      This tells us that the austerity driven recession is not relenting at all.

  5. The joker 5
    3 February 2016 at 3:43 pm

    This is why the left are in opposition, you never celebrate good things, instead always looking for the negatives.

    You’re hatred for key, and the right, completely consumes and blinds you.

    • Ad 5.1
      3 February 2016 at 3:57 pm

      I sure don’t hate Key; he’s popular and charismatic.

      I just have higher expectations.

    • Sacha 5.2
      3 February 2016 at 4:00 pm

      Why would people think that irrelevant clown is in charge of this govt anyway? pffft

    • Puckish Rogue 5.3
      3 February 2016 at 4:00 pm

      This.

      When things are going well overall and you have some parties saying how bad everything is the voters will simply stop listening because what you say is not what they’re seeing.

      But then the left would just say the voters are stupid for not voting for them anyway

    • sabine 5.4
      3 February 2016 at 6:33 pm

      so we are to celebrate that ‘only’ 28.000 more people are unemployed since National took office.
      You have a funny way of picking stuff for celebration.

      • greywarshark 5.4.1
        4 February 2016 at 12:29 pm

        PR is just living up to his name – a ‘will o’the wisp’ etc. Puckish means playful, mischievous.

        But – will-o’-the-wisp – is quite suitable as a description of him/her.
        a phosphorescent light seen hovering or floating at night on marshy ground, thought to result from the combustion of natural gases.
        a person or thing that is difficult or impossible to reach or catch.         Google
        Sounds a bit like a fart!

    • b waghorn 5.5
      3 February 2016 at 7:23 pm

      I couldn’t give a flying fuck if he got unemployment down to 2% nationals methods of gaining power and holding power , yes that’s right dirty politics is enough for me to say the barstards are not for for office.
      New Zealanders should hang there head in shame for tolerating it.

    • The Pink Postman 5.6
      4 February 2016 at 3:15 pm

      You are correct as far as I am concerned Joker ,but then in all my life (85) I have never ever meet a decent Tory and that includes National members. They have always been anti worker and have often used the strong arm of the law to simply crush any workers protests. They can never be trusted when it comes to workers conditions. Over the last few years they have destroyed unions and their unemployment policies have made sure unions are kept down. Working people who think National can be trusted are living i cuckoo land.

  6. One Anonymous Bloke 6
    3 February 2016 at 6:32 pm

    I would very much like to know how many who are termed “employed” are receiving income assistance of one sort or another.

    Bill English let the cat out of the bag when he asserted that below a certain income, you don’t pay tax.

    Whether he lied about the threshold or not, so far as I’m aware, if you have one hour a week work you come off the “unemployed” statistics.

    So on the one hand, we have National Party orders creating human rights abuses at WINZ (despite the best efforts of individual employees, the system guarantees it), and on the other we have underemployment being touted as success.

    Slow clap.

    • Muttonbird 6.1
      3 February 2016 at 6:55 pm

      I had to laugh the other day when Blinglish was quoted saying that bottom 50% or so paid no tax at all. It was a part of the usual right wing schtick spouted by the now banned fisiani, and his besotted friends that the top bracket pays all the tax and the bottom bracket pays none. What Blinglish did was an insult to the tens of thousands of hard working families in that bottom 50% who did pay net tax making up for the many tens of thousands of struggling families who couldn’t.

      This is the kind of stats lying the the current government depends on to deliver it’s good news messages.

      Quite frankly I don’t believe the “sharp drop” in unemployment figures is anything other than a restructure of definitions and a shunting of vulnerable souls from one list to another.

      • greywarshark 6.1.1
        4 February 2016 at 3:35 pm

        How can the low income get out of paying tax, whether the Finance Minister declares they don’t or not?

        Maybe it’s not income tax, but 15% on just about everything they buy to eat, for transport, to wear though they might buy from opshops, for repairs. 15% out of every $ is definitely tax, is tax, is actually tax, get it you ACTs (association of consumers and taxpayers who consider yourself special and hard-done-by).
        15% GST is a basic tax and only the rich can afford to find a way around it.

  7. Muttonbird 7
    3 February 2016 at 6:41 pm

    Could someone please explain what 14,000 people leaving the workforce in one quarter means?

    I mean it seems a major, major change so what does that actually look like?

    • Murray Baden Simmonds 7.1
      4 February 2016 at 7:14 am

      it looks like an ageing workforce in which a lot of people chose to retire last year before Christmas, Muttonbird. That, among, no doubt a few other things that are everything to do with demographics and little to do with government policy. But the truth won’t get in the way of Joyce and others crowing endlessly about it.

  8. TheBlackKitten 8
    3 February 2016 at 7:56 pm

    Unemployment may be down but what about wages vs cost of living? It would be interesting to see comparisons over the years. I bet with the rising values of Auckland housing that this would look like shit for Key. Easy to get unemployment down when wages are so pathetically low, the real trick is to get low unemployment with well paying jobs that give a good standard of living. This is where we should be looking.

  9. Redbaiter 9
    4 February 2016 at 3:10 pm

    “You’re hatred for key, and the right, completely consumes and blinds you.”

    Good grief, what kind of “right winger” would support a party that is virtually a continuation of Helen Clark’s governance except maybe even worse. We owe $100 billion spent to support the socialist illusion and each year about $5 billion comes out of the budget to service this debt. Pandering to Maori much worse than Clark ever did. Spending & interfering with the economy far more than Clark ever did. And she was bad enough.

    Supporters of John Key who flop around the blogosphere imagining they are “right wingers” need their heads read. He even described himself as “progressive”. Look it up and see what that really means.

    As for the unemployment figures, I share the opinion a few have expressed above. I reckon they’re mostly BS, and I say why here.

    As soon as the weak and compromising Key is dumped and we can restore the National Party to what its founders meant it to be, (low tax, small govt, low spending) the sooner we can dig this country out of the hole it is in.

    Stop calling this socialist idiot Key right wing. It only props up the left’s similar delusions.

    • UncookedSelachimorpha 9.1
      4 February 2016 at 3:50 pm

      I followed that link to truebluenz….sicked up in the back of my throat a little and needed to burn all my clothes. yuk yuk yuk

    • UncookedSelachimorpha 9.2
      4 February 2016 at 3:54 pm

      “low tax, small govt, low spending”

      Welcome to the third world.

      • Redbaiter 9.2.1
        4 February 2016 at 4:48 pm

        “I followed that link to truebluenz….sicked up in the back of my throat a little and needed to burn all my clothes. yuk yuk yuk”

        I get the same old “its outrageous that you should say such things”, but for God’s sake, I’m being critical of the National Party.

        No pleasing some of you people.

        • ropata 9.2.1.1
          4 February 2016 at 6:25 pm

          minor quibbles with your pro-slavery, pro-death penalty, anti-union views?

          don’t worry JK is a dead-eyed bankster who shares your anti-social agenda.
          he just does what is pragmatic/politically expedient to stay in power… a very smart politician.

        • UncookedSelachimorpha 9.2.1.2
          4 February 2016 at 9:42 pm

          Critical of the National Party, in the sense that you are complaining that they are not as awful yet as you would like them to be.

    • Colonial Viper 9.3
      4 February 2016 at 4:12 pm

      As soon as the weak and compromising Key is dumped and we can restore the National Party to what its founders meant it to be, (low tax, small govt, low spending) the sooner we can dig this country out of the hole it is in.

      Uh, no, the founders of the National Party intended for National to keep Labour out of power.

      The rest of what you mention is just borrowed political ideology from Thatcher and Reagan.

  10. Colonial Viper 10
    4 February 2016 at 3:52 pm

    ?????

    In Sept 2008, the NZ population was 4.28M

    Late last year the NZ population was 4.60M, and increase of 320K.

    And the population is now growing at its fastest rate in years. We are adding 7K to 8K population PER MONTH.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/71124472/New-Zealands-population-growing-at-its-fastest-rate-in-over-a-decade

    Given this having only 28,000 extra unemployed, especially post GFC (which in reality is not just continuing but actually worsening) is actually a reasonable result.

    Not great, but certainly not bad.

    Basically, English is continuing to spend borrowed money into the NZ economy to keep unemployment well tamped down and things chugging along. And he’s going to continue to feed the economic machine in the lead up to what I suspect will be an early-ish election Aug/Sep 2017.

    • Macro 10.1
      4 February 2016 at 4:24 pm

      CV it’s the “Participation rate” that is the problem. There are more people opting out of the job market altogether in particular in the 25 – 34 year bracket.
      http://www.tradingeconomics.com/new-zealand/labor-force-participation-rate
      http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/295704/what's-behind-the-fall-in-unemployment
      They used to be called “drop outs” and its starting to happen all over again. You know – and I know – that for some the constant struggle with WINZ simply becomes too much and they disappear – onto the streets.

      • Colonial Viper 10.1.1
        4 February 2016 at 6:14 pm

        From that RNZ article

        However, the number of people not participating in the labour market grew – with 14,000 people without jobs not looking for work in the last three months of last year.

        Yes it is a concern, but as I said, the population of the country is at least 300K larger than in Helen Clark’s day. A 14K increase in non-participation out of 300K is not really game changing.

        • Macro 10.1.1.1
          4 February 2016 at 6:56 pm

          Oooops CV that’s 14,000 in the last 3 months – not last 6 years. 🙂

          • Colonial Viper 10.1.1.1.1
            4 February 2016 at 7:25 pm

            The sentence actually makes it sound like the numbers grew to 14,000 people in total, not that the numbers grew by 14,000…

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    Right now, in Aotearoa-NZ, our ‘animal spirits’ are darkening towards a winter of discontent, thanks at least partly to a chorus of negative comments and actions from the Government Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Disability Funding or Tax Cuts.
    You make people evil to punish the paststuck inside a sequel with a rotating castThe following photos haven’t been generated with AI, or modified in any way. They are flesh and blood, human beings. On the left is Galatea Young, a young mum, and her daughter Fiadh who has Angelman ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • Of the Goodness of Tolkien’s Eru
    April has been a quiet month at A Phuulish Fellow. I have had an exceptionally good reading month, and a decently productive writing month – for original fiction, anyway – but not much has caught my eye that suggested a blog article. It has been vaguely frustrating, to be honest. ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    3 days ago

  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #17
    A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 21, 2024 thru Sat, April 27, 2024. Story of the week Anthropogenic climate change may be the ultimate shaggy dog story— but with a twist, because here ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago

  • Pastor Who Abused People, Blames People
    Hi,I spent about a year on Webworm reporting on an abusive megachurch called Arise, and it made me want to stab my eyes out with a fork.I don’t regret that reporting in 2022 and 2023 — I am proud of it — but it made me angry.Over three main stories ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    3 days ago

  • Vic Uni shows how under threat free speech is
    The new Victoria University Vice-Chancellor decided to have a forum at the university about free speech and academic freedom as it is obviously a topical issue, and the Government is looking at legislating some carrots or sticks for universities to uphold their obligations under the Education and Training Act. They ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Winston remembers Gettysburg.
    Do you remember when Melania Trump got caught out using a speech that sounded awfully like one Michelle Obama had given? Uncannily so.Well it turns out that Abraham Lincoln is to Winston Peters as Michelle was to Melania. With the ANZAC speech Uncle Winston gave at Gallipoli having much in ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • 25
    She was born 25 years ago today in North Shore hospital. Her eyes were closed tightly shut, her mouth was silently moving. The whole theatre was all quiet intensity as they marked her a 2 on the APGAR test. A one-minute eternity later, she was an 8.  The universe was ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Fact Brief – Is Antarctica gaining land ice?
    Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park in collaboration with members from our Skeptical Science team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Is Antarctica gaining land ice? ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago

  • Policing protests.
    Images of US students (and others) protesting and setting up tent cities on US university campuses have been broadcast world wide and clearly demonstrate the growing rifts in US society caused by US policy toward Israel and Israel’s prosecution of … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    5 days ago

  • Open letter to Hon Paul Goldsmith
    Barrie Saunders writes – Dear Paul As the new Minister of Media and Communications, you will be inundated with heaps of free advice and special pleading, all in the national interest of course. For what it’s worth here is my assessment: Traditional broadcasting free to air content through ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: FastTrackWatch – The Case for the Government’s Fast Track Bill
    Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its arguments for such a bold reform. ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    5 days ago

  • Luxon gets out his butcher’s knife – briefly
    Peter Dunne writes –  The great nineteenth British Prime Minister, William Gladstone, once observed that “the first essential for a Prime Minister is to be a good butcher.” When a later British Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan, sacked a third of his Cabinet in July 1962, in what became ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • More tax for less
    Ele Ludemann writes – New Zealanders had the OECD’s second highest tax increase last year: New Zealanders faced the second-biggest tax raises in the developed world last year, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) says. The intergovernmental agency said the average change in personal income tax ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Real News vs Fake News.
    We all know something’s not right with our elections. The spread of misinformation, people being targeted with soundbites and emotional triggers that ignore the facts, even the truth, and influence their votes.The use of technology to produce deep fakes. How can you tell if something is real or not? Can ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • Another way to roll
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.Share ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • Simon Clark: The climate lies you'll hear this year
    This video includes conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Simon Clark. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). This year you will be lied to! Simon Clark helps prebunk some misleading statements you'll hear about climate. The video includes ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • Cutting the Public Service
    It is all very well cutting the backrooms of public agencies but it may compromise the frontlines. One of the frustrations of the Productivity Commission’s 2017 review of universities is that while it observed that their non-academic staff were increasing faster than their academic staff, it did not bother to ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    5 days ago

  • Luxon’s demoted ministers might take comfort from the British politician who bounced back after th...
    Buzz from the Beehive Two speeches delivered by Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters at Anzac Day ceremonies in Turkey are the only new posts on the government’s official website since the PM announced his Cabinet shake-up. In one of the speeches, Peters stated the obvious:  we live in a troubled ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago

  • This is how I roll over
    1. Which of these would you not expect to read in The Waikato Invader?a. Luxon is here to do business, don’t you worry about thatb. Mr KPI expects results, and you better believe itc. This decisive man of action is getting me all hot and excitedd. Melissa Lee is how ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • The Waitangi Tribunal is not “a roving Commission”…
    …it has a restricted jurisdiction which must not be abused: it is not an inquisition   NOTE – this article was published before the High Court ruled that Karen Chhour does not have to appear before the Waitangi Tribunal Gary Judd writes –  The High Court ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • Is Oranga Tamariki guilty of neglect?
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – One of reasons Oranga Tamariki exists is to prevent child neglect. But could the organisation itself be guilty of the same? Oranga Tamariki’s statistics show a decrease in the number and age of children in care. “There are less children ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • Three Strikes saw lower reoffending
    David Farrar writes: Graeme Edgeler wrote in 2017: In the first five years after three strikes came into effect 5248 offenders received a ‘first strike’ (that is, a “stage-1 conviction” under the three strikes sentencing regime), and 68 offenders received a ‘second strike’. In the five years prior to ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • Luxon’s ruthless show of strength is perfect for our angry era
    Bryce Edwards writes – Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesn’t normally happen in politics. That’s refreshing and will be extremely ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • 'Lacks attention to detail and is creating double-standards.'
    TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the two days to 6:06am on Thursday, April 25:Politics: PM Christopher Luxon has set up a dual standard for ministerial competence by demoting two National Cabinet ministers while leaving also-struggling ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • One Night Only!
    Hi,Today I mainly want to share some of your thoughts about the recent piece I wrote about success and failure, and the forces that seemingly guide our lives. But first, a quick bit of housekeeping: I am doing a Webworm popup in Los Angeles on Saturday May 11 at 2pm. ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago

  • What did Melissa Lee do?
    It is hard to see what Melissa Lee might have done to “save” the media. National went into the election with no public media policy and appears not to have developed one subsequently. Lee claimed that she had prepared a policy paper before the election but it had been decided ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago

  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #17 2024
    Open access notables Ice acceleration and rotation in the Greenland Ice Sheet interior in recent decades, Løkkegaard et al., Communications Earth & Environment: In the past two decades, mass loss from the Greenland ice sheet has accelerated, partly due to the speedup of glaciers. However, uncertainty in speed derived from satellite products ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago

  • Maori Party (with “disgust”) draws attention to Chhour’s race after the High Court rules on Wa...
    Buzz from the Beehive A statement from Children’s Minister Karen Chhour – yet to be posted on the Government’s official website – arrived in Point of Order’s email in-tray last night. It welcomes the High Court ruling on whether the Waitangi Tribunal can demand she appear before it. It does ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • Who’s Going Up The Media Mountain?
    Mr Bombastic: Ironically, the media the academic experts wanted is, in many ways, the media they got. In place of the tyrannical editors of yesteryear, advancing without fear or favour the interests of the ruling class; the New Zealand news media of today boasts a troop of enlightened journalists dedicated to ...
    Bowalley Road
    7 days ago

  • “That's how I roll”
    It's hard times try to make a livingYou wake up every morning in the unforgivingOut there somewhere in the cityThere's people living lives without mercy or pityI feel good, yeah I'm feeling fineI feel better then I have for the longest timeI think these pills have been good for meI ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    7 days ago

  • “Comity” versus the rule of law
    In 1974, the US Supreme Court issued its decision in United States v. Nixon, finding that the President was not a King, but was subject to the law and was required to turn over the evidence of his wrongdoing to the courts. It was a landmark decision for the rule ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago

  • Aotearoa: a live lab for failed Right-wing socio-economic zombie experiments once more…
    Every day now just seems to bring in more fresh meat for the grinder. In their relentlessly ideological drive to cut back on the “excessive bloat” (as they see it) of the previous Labour-led government, on the mountains of evidence accumulated in such a short period of time do not ...
    exhALANtBy exhalantblog
    1 week ago

  • Water is at the heart of farmers’ struggle to survive in Benin
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Megan Valére Sosou Market gardening site of the Itchèléré de Itagui agricultural cooperative in Dassa-Zoumè (Image credit: Megan Valère Sossou) For the residents of Dassa-Zoumè, a city in the West African country of Benin, choosing between drinking water and having enough ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago

  • At a time of media turmoil, Melissa had nothing to proclaim as Minister – and now she has been dem...
    Buzz from the Beehive   Melissa Lee – as may be discerned from the screenshot above – has not been demoted for doing something seriously wrong as Minister of ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 week 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
    8 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
    8 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
    11 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
    16 hours 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
    16 hours 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
    18 hours 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    2 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
    2 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
    2 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
    2 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
    5 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
    6 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
    6 days 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

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

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

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

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

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