NZ First conference – Sunday.

Written By: - Date published: 11:03 am, July 20th, 2014 - 40 comments
Categories: nz first - Tags:

I keep walking into the “In Committee” sections of the conference. As a amateur “journalist”, I’m really going to have to start working on that.

Listening to a quite good speech by a 17 year old from Dunedin (must find out his name – Kobe?). It sounds like he has been reading our site. But it is heavily scripted and rehearsed. None the less pretty impressive. Winston in a standup said that NZ First hadn’t been involved in writing it. He isn’t a member – too young?

In the stand up. Winston said that his announcements this afternoon will have monetary policy, tax policy, asset and land sales, and sound economy on issues like dirty dairy. By the sound of it there will be the law and order issues.

Winston really not interested in talking about polls – he just thinks (like me) that they are simply inaccurate. Nor is he interested in talking particularly about other parties.  However he does think that they will get more MPs and that is why NZF has been taking quite a lot of care about candidates.

Speech by Winston Peters at 2pm. Starts as traditional with what NZ First has done in the past.

  • NZ First is committed to a target of 2% of GDP for R&D. Not interested in picking winners, so not willing to have grants. R&D taxes instead. But don’t cheat otherwise you will spend time in prison. Will also figure how to keep technology in NZ.
  • Tax system change to target poverty. Remove GST from the basic foods in the household budget. Cost ~$3 billion per year. Paid by cutting down on tax evasion.
  • Remove GST on rates to get rid of a tax on a tax.
  • Talking on immigration, youth, and Maori issues. Can’t quite see where he is heading with this apart from reducing separatism which has been NZF policy forever. Having ago about one particular immigrant who John Key didn’t know?
  • Will cut immigration, but no particular detail thus far.
  • Superannuation to stay as it is. Changes to superannuation, reduce availability to immigrants. Change section 70 for people with overseas pensions to get superannuation.
  • Legislation to have a full picture of who owns land and homes for non citizen buyers.Non citizens to have capital gains tax.
  • Alcohol or drug addled. Offence to be drunk or drugged on someone else property. Fines up to $2000.
  • Regardless of your position on climate change, overseas buyers will be looking. Need a policy unlike National.  A progressive phase out of fossil fuels is possible. Policy later.
  • Local government, locals have a say on amalgamation.

Looks like he is winding up. Talking about the 21 years of NZ First despite being predicted to be “dog tucker”.

The campaign pitch. Slogan “It’s common sense”

 

 

 

40 comments on “NZ First conference – Sunday. ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Clemgeopin 1
    20 July 2014 at 11:37 am

    Winston is a master politician. I will not be surprised if NZF gets 6% plus at this election. I think its support is much more than what the strange media ‘polls’ are indicating. The recent Ipsos poll put it at 2.6% while for the same period, the RM poll put it at 6%!! Shoes the unreliability of these polls so far away from the election date.

    My vote though will still be for the Labour party.

  2. bad12 2
    20 July 2014 at 12:33 pm

    ”I keep walking into the ‘in committee sections of the conference”, Freud is looking to have a word with you about such ‘accidental intrusions’ LPrent,

    i should imagine that Winston would have had some ‘interesting’ discussions with the behind the scenes power structure of NZFirst after the Brendon Who fiasco,

    i was of the opinion that He of the switch on/switch off smile had been chosen by the Party to be blooded in the Parliament as the future Leader once Winston had relinquished the reins,(and Winston didn’t like the intrusion one little bit),

    On my wireless this morning East Coast Bays got a mention via the will He/wont He question surrounding the gifting of the seat to Colon ‘we are not fucking insane’ Craig,

    Winston of course also got a mention in the small news item, so, whether Peters really intends to follow through and contest the seat or not if it is gifted to Craig, the cunning old so and so has just bought himself one hell of a pile of free air-time via the announcement that He ‘might’, and i imagine that such free media will continue apace while the question of the fate of the East Coast Bays electorate remains open….

  3. phillip ure 3
    20 July 2014 at 1:11 pm

    rnz is reporting that peters will have policies to attack poverty/inequality..

    ..it will be embarrassing for labour if all these other parties have real-policies to deal with poverty..

    ..and labour doesn’t…

    • Michael 3.1
      20 July 2014 at 4:52 pm

      Labour isn’t interested in poor people any more. Its focus groups tell it the middle classes fear and despise the poor so it abandoned them some time ago and doesn’t want them back. Why else would a Labour government design its flagship income redistribution policy (aka “Working For Families” [sic]) so that children of parents too sick or disabled to work went hungry and cold?

  4. Chooky 4
    20 July 2014 at 2:16 pm

    I hope Winston and NZF gets back in! ( also hope he changes some of his MPs … “cavalcade of stiffs”(Martyn Bradbury’s term)….some of whom are a motley tawdry lot of alley cats, picked up when NZF seemed done for …NZF could do better here!)…but it is the Party vote that counts

    …Winston is NZF !….He has a particular constituency and it certainly is NOT Colin Craig’s religious party , as Bradbury suggests.( dont make me laugh!)

    Nor is Winston a racist as Bradbury suggests…As Minister of Foreign Affairs he was supremely successful in Helen Clark’s Labour Government dealing with Asian politicians/ governments. They understood him and where he is coming from…New Zealand First and New Zealanders First…he represents the interests of New Zealanders and their country, just as they represent their own Asian countries …unlike John Key’s Nactional…who do not represent New Zealand’s interests!

    Nor is Winston about to be one upped by the Dotcom Int Party, as Bradbury hints….Winston’s constituency is entirely different..they are older for a start…and more conservative …but they are also socialist and egalitarian….They are thinking and patriotic New Zealanders, who harken back to a more inclusive and caring and just New Zealand, before Rogernomics and the Neolib onslaught of John Key’s Nactional…many are former National Party members…some are swinging Green voters …some are cynical disenchanted former Labour voters

    Mark my words, Winston the Silver Fox will slinking around New Zealand wooing the constituencies with his brilliance , oratory and flashing smile…he is on the hustings soap box tours…a pleasure to behold in action…and as usual flying beneath the radar of the mainstream media

    • blue leopard 4.1
      20 July 2014 at 2:23 pm

      My two cents worth: I would be very surprised if Peters didn’t make it back in.

    • Visubversaviper 4.2
      20 July 2014 at 8:35 pm

      Winston Peters did bugger all as Minister of Foreign Affairs. Helen gave him a fistfull of airtickets to go and “press the flesh” but had Phill Goff and Chris Carter doing all the real work.

      • Colonial Viper 4.2.1
        20 July 2014 at 8:43 pm

        Winston Peters did bugger all as Minister of Foreign Affairs.

        Yes, that is true. However he did give us the Government which is something worthy in of itself…

        • Populuxe1 4.2.1.1
          21 July 2014 at 2:38 am

          Actually that’s not true – he did much to rebuild post-ANZUS relations with the US. Yes, I’m not suprised you don’t regard this is terribly significant.

      • Chooky 4.2.2
        21 July 2014 at 8:39 am

        @Visubversaviper and CV

        Really?…Phill Goff and Chris Carter would have been better than Winston?…charisma?….mastery of the facts and scope of the arguments?….they are great support backroom boys ( their records speak for themselves)

        I know a senior public servant who said that Winston was the best Minister he had ever worked with…he listened very carefully to the advice and research and analysis from experts…asked probing questions…did his homework ….was well briefed….had a great memory and made his decisions accordingly. He treated his senior advisers with great respect … ( unlike McCully)

        Winston Peters was a pleasure to work with. He is widely acknowledged as a superb Minister of Foreign Affairs

        • Colonial Viper 4.2.2.1
          21 July 2014 at 8:56 am

          Winston was good with conceptual and big picture stuff. A very weak finisher through the grind though – needed people on side good with deliberate hands on detail.

  5. Clemgeopin 5
    20 July 2014 at 3:42 pm

    Just saw this on TV3 news site:

    NZ First’s key election policies:

    Remove GST from basic household food
    Remove GST from rates on residential property
    Measures to deal with the exchange rate to encourage export growth
    At least 2 percent of GDP for research and development, with targeted tax incentives
    Cut down on immigration – only people New Zealand needs
    Superannuation shouldn’t be “free for all”
    Government-run KiwiSaver provider KiwiFund to buy back assets
    Laws to clamp down on binge drinking and drugs.

    Read more: http://www.3news.co.nz/NZ-First-Remove-GST-from-food/tabid/1607/articleID/353385/Default.aspx#ixzz37ybpY6BV

    • bad12 5.1
      20 July 2014 at 4:16 pm

      Lolz, Winston is a cunning old so and so, i described Him thus in my comment above as well, and, will keep on doing so,

      From my wireless, RadioNZ National, those policies come with one rather large codicil, an IF, writ in large bright colors across the whole policy platform,

      That IF?, IF Winston LEADS the next Government!!!, i call snake-oil on the whole policy platform…

      • Clemgeopin 5.1.1
        20 July 2014 at 4:41 pm

        Remove GST from basic household food——-Labour friendly policy
        Remove GST from rates on residential property…….National/Labour
        Measures to deal with the exchange rate to encourage export growth……National/Labour
        At least 2 percent of GDP for research and development, with targeted tax incentives………Labour
        Cut down on immigration – only people New Zealand needs…………Labour
        Superannuation shouldn’t be “free for all”………..Possibly National
        Government-run KiwiSaver provider KiwiFund to buy back assets…..Labour
        Laws to clamp down on binge drinking and drugs……National/Labour

        Labour friendly policy…….4
        National friendly policy……1
        National and Labour friendly policy……3

        Labour gets 7 ticks
        National gets 4 ticks

        Yes?

        • Kiwiri 5.1.1.1
          21 July 2014 at 4:10 pm

          NZF’s super policy about keeping the age at 65 and no mean-testing does resonate.

          But there is a fine print (NZ residency-based):

          Introduce Pro Rata Entitlement (PRE) to New Zealand Superannuation based on residency in New Zealand between the ages of 20 and 65 (45 years) so that a person with:
          – Residency of 10 years would get 10/45th of NZS
          – Residency of 25 years would get 25/45th of NZS
          – Residency of 35 years would get 35/45th of NZS

          I do not think that is very fair. If NZF wishes to go down that path of differentiating NZ-born from NZ residents, the PRE should also take into account years of working life in NZ, i.e. those who have been at a job for most/all of the working life in NZ should not have their super reduced.

          NZF has also indicated they will:

          • “Ensure that all applicants for NZS with overseas pensions will retain their overseas pensions without any deduction from their NZS or from their spouse’s NZS under Section 70 of the Social Security Act 1964.
          • “Bring the labyrinth of bureaucratic complexities and unfairness caused by existing reciprocal agreements with other countries to an end, and will not interfere with or inquire into the overseas pensions held by applicants for NZS.
          • “Allow New Zealander Superannuitants from the Cook Islands, Tokelau and Niue to keep their pensions should they wish to return home to live on their heritage island.”

          Updated 20 March 2014.
          Further updates in the 2014 election campaign.

          Source: http://nzfirst.org.nz/policy/superannuation

      • Clemgeopin 5.1.2
        20 July 2014 at 7:56 pm

        Watch this interview to see what a clever and wily old master of politics he is !
        http://tvnz.co.nz/q-and-a-news/nz-first-announce-soon-if-peters-stand-in-electorate-video-6032838

    • karol 5.2
      20 July 2014 at 5:26 pm

      Clem: Superannuation shouldn’t be “free for all”

      Does that mean NZ First will make it means tested rather than universal.

      Lynn: Changes to superannuation, reduce availability to immigrants. Change section 70 for people with overseas pensions to get superannuation.

      Not sure what this means.

      Currently if a person gets a state pension from overseas, it gets deducted from their NZ super entitlement. That includes for many of us Kiwis who have worked overseas.

      If a person worked overseas for over a year in places like Aussie and the UK, we are pressured to apply for super/state pensions in those countries, under threat of losing any NZ super we might have been entitled to. And the Aussie application form is a confusing, detailed test of perseverance.

      • Poission 5.2.1
        20 July 2014 at 5:38 pm

        Policy is here,

        very succinct summary of the policy, (a mechanism which should be used by other parties,rather then delve through great tomes of indecipherable rhetoric ruminations)

        http://nzfirst.org.nz/sites/nzfirst/files/new_zealand_first_superannuation-immigration_policy_-_summary.pdf

        • karol 5.2.1.1
          20 July 2014 at 5:45 pm

          OK Thanks. Actually that does simply it.

          Making me apply for Aussie super seemed like a time consuming exercise in futility – it’s means tested. I have doubts I’ll be given it, and I only worked there a couple of years anyway. And I have a little money in another work-based scheme there that was compulsory to pay into when I worked there.

          The UK Pension I get is the result of money I paid into the scheme while working there. It gets deducted from my NZ entitlement.

          Doing a pro rata adjustment based on years resident in NZ is a much simpler way of working it.

  6. Leachy 6
    20 July 2014 at 4:11 pm

    Winston is showing the way. God bless him.

  7. Skinny 7
    20 July 2014 at 4:39 pm

    Some sound policy coming forward from NZF well done!
    Be interested to see if Labour come out with a positive reinforcement of the GST off food policy and the scrapping of the raising of the retirement age? We all know National won’t have a bar of any of these policies so Labour need to react swiftly in particular to the GST policy. It will show just how Left the LP really are won’t it?

    • Clemgeopin 7.1
      20 July 2014 at 7:06 pm

      Sound policy or not, I am guessing that it will help him get public support to take him over the 5% threshold as follows:

      Remove GST from basic household food [1%]
      Remove GST from rates on residential property [Plus 1%=2%]
      Measures to deal with the exchange rate to encourage export growth [Plus 0%=2%]
      At least 2 percent of GDP for research and development, with targeted tax incentives[Plus 0%=2%]
      Cut down on immigration – only people New Zealand needs[Plus 2%=4%]
      Superannuation shouldn’t be “free for all”[Plus 1%=5%]
      Government-run KiwiSaver provider KiwiFund to buy back assets[Plus 2%=7%]
      Laws to clamp down on binge drinking and drugs.[Plus 1%=8%]

  8. deep throat 8
    20 July 2014 at 4:45 pm

    somebody has to pay for public spending.
    this election is all about the patronage that goes with it.
    Labour showing the nats how to do it properly or the nats doing their best to loot the treasury and make off with as much of the public purse as they can before they get chucked out..
    Impeach john keys.

  9. Colonial Viper 9
    20 July 2014 at 5:04 pm

    Jessica Williams thought that the young 17 yr old speaker was actually Young Labour…joked about him being the newest Labour defector

  10. karol 10
    20 July 2014 at 5:51 pm

    I’m not keen on the “binge drinking” and drug punishment – fines.

    It would be no deterrent to people with addictions, and probably would just make their lives more difficult, and the addictions harder to manage.

    GST off fruit & veges is fine with me.

    Tax to deal with poverty is only part of the answer. Social Security needs a major overhaul. There should be no tax on benefits, and the amounts need to be raised. Also, need more state houses, etc.

  11. Draco T Bastard 11
    20 July 2014 at 6:07 pm

    NZ First is committed to a target of 2% of GDP for R&D. Not interested in picking winners, so not willing to have grants. R&D taxes instead.

    2% isn’t enough for such a small country – needs to be at least double that and probably a lot higher. Personally, I’d go for around 25%. R&D Tax credits almost invariably don’t work and the most successful economies in the world have the government picking, and backing, winners. Quite simply, the private sector doesn’t have the long term interest in doing the research that actually produces winners.

    • Colonial Viper 11.1
      20 July 2014 at 6:18 pm

      No, that big money has to go into low carbon infrastructure which uses proven robust low energy tech.

      • Draco T Bastard 11.1.1
        20 July 2014 at 8:14 pm

        No, not really. Robust high technology is a far better idea.

        • Colonial Viper 11.1.1.1
          20 July 2014 at 8:32 pm

          High tech is fragile and hard to repair. A 1980’s F&P washing machine or fridge freezer has a life span far longer than a 2014 one.

          • Murray Olsen 11.1.1.1.1
            21 July 2014 at 3:03 am

            Does that have anything to do with the level of technology, or is it a combination of planned obsolescence plus cutting costs on materials? I don’t see any reason why high tech needs to be fragile at all.

          • Draco T Bastard 11.1.1.1.2
            21 July 2014 at 7:00 am

            Nope. A high tech washing machine lasts longer and requires less repair over it’s lifespan than a 1980s machine. And it won’t be any harder to repair than a machine from the 1980s – take out the old part and replace it with a new part.

  12. Disraeli Gladstone 12
    20 July 2014 at 8:54 pm

    “Winston really not interested in talking about polls – he just thinks (like me) that they are simply inaccurate.”

    At this rate, either the polling industry is shot come the 21st September or Karl Rove’s meltdown and “is this maths you do as a Republican” is going to apply for the whole of the political left of New Zealand.

    I just have a bad feeling that it’s the latter.

  13. greywarbler 13
    20 July 2014 at 9:06 pm

    AColonial viper 8.32
    You can say that again. Am I sick of new frig design and my washing machine is limited by its technology not expanded. I can’t tweak water temperature by turning a knob, and the automatic water level is skew wiff.? And other miscellaneous complaints about design that should be basic on machinery that is old tech. really.

    My car windows can’t be moved without the key, which is very inconvenient if it rains and their open as I have to go and get or find the key and the car gets soaked.

    • Colonial Viper 13.1
      20 July 2014 at 9:44 pm

      high tech depends on complex inter-dependencies between multiple systems. A single minor failure in one system can cascade unpredictably into a catastrophic and total failure. It’s the very definition of fragile.

      Similar to your electric window tale, I once had a faulty $5 oxygen sensor electronically disable an otherwise perfectly working car so that it wouldn’t even turn over.

      And as you say, in many of these systems, the ability to manually fine tune system performance has been eradicated. So much so that the line between “working” and “irretrievably broken” is becoming a very fine one.

  14. Clemgeopin 14
    20 July 2014 at 11:11 pm

    His election slogan, “It’s common sense” is pretty cunning too. Dunne must be fuming thinking of the leaping ‘worm’ that saved him a few years ago on a leaders TV debate!

    • Phil 14.1
      21 July 2014 at 3:56 pm

      The campaign pitch. Slogan “It’s common sense”

      Given that ‘common sense’ is shown time and again to be neither common, nor particularly sensible, I cannot think of a better slogan for a political party supported almost exclusively by senile old busy-bodies and the eternally racist.

  15. dave 15
    21 July 2014 at 6:50 am

    polls are rubbish peters will be well over 5 percent media even understate there numbers at there conferences

  16. Jenny 16
    21 July 2014 at 8:24 pm

    “Its Common Sense”

    New Zealand First leader Winston Peters throws Labour a major lifeline.

    Will they pick it up?

    Or is Labour determined to cling to Right wing neo liberal experiment, even if it sinks their chances of unseating Key?

    All it will take, to guarantee New Zealand First as a coalition partner is for Labour to take their own shelved GST off food scheme back off the shelf.

    Probably that, and a promise not to rise the age of Super entitlement and Winston Peters will have absolutely no excuse to go with National.

    Will Labour do it?

    Will it require David Cunliffe to take strong decisive action against those in the Labour’s caucus that he has labeled “Strike breakers”?

    Or will he choose to sit on his hands and take responsibility for this train wreck?

    Common Sense is rarely common.

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

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

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

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

  • Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.   Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ ties
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.  During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Antarctica New Zealand Board appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has made further appointments to the Board of Antarctica New Zealand as part of a continued effort to ensure the Scott Base Redevelopment project is delivered in a cost-effective and efficient manner.  The Minister has appointed Neville Harris as a new member of the Board. Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Finance Minister travels to Washington DC
    Finance Minister Nicola Willis will travel to the United States on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Five Finance Ministers group, with counterparts from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.  “I am looking forward to meeting with our Five Finance partners on how we can work ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Pet bonds a win/win for renters and landlords
    The coalition Government has today announced purrfect and pawsitive changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to give tenants with pets greater choice when looking for a rental property, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Pets are important members of many Kiwi families. It’s estimated that around 64 per cent of New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being considered
    State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the Government has also asked NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to consider and provide advice on a Long Tunnel option, Transport Minister Simeon Brown ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • New Zealand condemns Iranian strikes
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel.    “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says.    "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plans
    Hundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand Chair
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board.   “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti.  “I have asked her to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Roads of National Significance planning underway
    The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Navigating an unstable global environment
    New Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States.    “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • NZ welcomes Australian Governor-General
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Pseudoephedrine back on shelves for Winter
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced that Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Pharmaceutical suppliers have indicated they may be able to supply the first products in June. “This is much earlier than the original expectation of medicines being available by 2025. The Government recognised ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • NZ and the US: an ever closer partnership
    New Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Joint US and NZ declaration
    April 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • NZ and US to undertake further practical Pacific cooperation
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced further New Zealand cooperation with the United States in the Pacific Islands region through $16.4 million in funding for initiatives in digital connectivity and oceans and fisheries research.   “New Zealand can achieve more in the Pacific if we work together more urgently and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Government redress for Te Korowai o Wainuiārua
    The Government is continuing the bipartisan effort to restore its relationship with iwi as the Te Korowai o Wainuiārua Claims Settlement Bill passed its first reading in Parliament today, says Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith. “Historical grievances of Te Korowai o Wainuiārua relate to 19th century warfare, land purchased or taken ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Focus on outstanding minerals permit applications
    New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals is working to resolve almost 150 outstanding minerals permit applications by the end of the financial year, enabling valuable mining activity and signalling to the sector that New Zealand is open for business, Resources Minister Shane Jones says.  “While there are no set timeframes for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Applications open for NZ-Ireland Research Call
    The New Zealand and Irish governments have today announced that applications for the 2024 New Zealand-Ireland Joint Research Call on Agriculture and Climate Change are now open. This is the third research call in the three-year Joint Research Initiative pilot launched in 2022 by the Ministry for Primary Industries and Ireland’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Tenancy rules changes to improve rental market
    The coalition Government has today announced changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to encourage landlords back to the rental property market, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “The previous Government waged a war on landlords. Many landlords told us this caused them to exit the rental market altogether. It caused worse ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Boosting NZ’s trade and agricultural relationship with China
    Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay will visit China next week, to strengthen relationships, support Kiwi exporters and promote New Zealand businesses on the world stage. “China is one of New Zealand’s most significant trade and economic relationships and remains an important destination for New Zealand’s products, accounting for nearly 22 per cent of our good and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Freshwater farm plan systems to be improved
    The coalition Government intends to improve freshwater farm plans so that they are more cost-effective and practical for farmers, Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay have announced. “A fit-for-purpose freshwater farm plan system will enable farmers and growers to find the right solutions for their farm ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • New Fast Track Projects advisory group named
    The coalition Government has today announced the expert advisory group who will provide independent recommendations to Ministers on projects to be included in the Fast Track Approvals Bill, say RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones. “Our Fast Track Approval process will make it easier and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Pacific and Gaza focus of UN talks
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters says his official talks with the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York today focused on a shared commitment to partnering with the Pacific Islands region and a common concern about the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.    “Small states in the Pacific rely on collective ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government honours Taranaki Maunga deal
    The Government is honouring commitments made to Taranaki iwi with the Te Pire Whakatupua mō Te Kāhui Tupua/Taranaki Maunga Collective Redress Bill passing its first reading Parliament today, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “This Bill addresses the commitment the Crown made to the eight iwi of Taranaki to negotiate ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Enhanced partnership to reduce agricultural emissions
    The Government and four further companies are together committing an additional $18 million towards AgriZeroNZ to boost New Zealand’s efforts to reduce agricultural emissions. Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says the strength of the New Zealand economy relies on us getting effective and affordable emission reduction solutions for New Zealand. “The ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • 110km/h limit proposed for Kāpiti Expressway
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed news the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) will begin consultation this month on raising speed limits for the Kāpiti Expressway to 110km/h. “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and this proposal supports that outcome ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • New Zealand Biosecurity Awards – Winners announced
    Two New Zealanders who’ve used their unique skills to help fight the exotic caulerpa seaweed are this year’s Biosecurity Awards Supreme Winners, says Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard. “Strong biosecurity is vital and underpins the whole New Zealand economy and our native flora and fauna. These awards celebrate all those in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Attendance action plan to lift student attendance rates
    The Government is taking action to address the truancy crisis and raise attendance by delivering the attendance action plan, Associate Education Minister David Seymour announced today.   New Zealand attendance rates are low by national and international standards. Regular attendance, defined as being in school over 90 per cent of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • World must act to halt Gaza catastrophe – Peters
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has told the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York today that an immediate ceasefire is needed in Gaza to halt the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe.    “Palestinian civilians continue to bear the brunt of Israel’s military actions,” Mr Peters said in his speech to a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Speech to United Nations General Assembly: 66th plenary meeting, 78th session
    Mr President,   The situation in Gaza is an utter catastrophe.   New Zealand condemns Hamas for its heinous terrorist attacks on 7 October and since, including its barbaric violations of women and children. All of us here must demand that Hamas release all remaining hostages immediately.   At the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government woolshed roadshow kicks off
    Today the Government Agriculture Ministers started their national woolshed roadshow, kicking off in the Wairarapa. Agriculture Minister Todd McClay said it has been a tough time for farmers over the past few years. The sector has faced high domestic inflation rates, high interest rates, adverse weather events, and increasing farm ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • PM heads to Singapore, Thailand, and Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will travel to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines this week (April 14-20), along with a senior business delegation, signalling the Government’s commitment to deepen New Zealand’s international engagement, especially our relationships in South East Asia. “South East Asia is a region that is more crucial than ever to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Prime Minister launches Government Targets
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced further steps to get New Zealand back on track, launching nine ambitious Government Targets to help improve the lives of New Zealanders. “Our Government has a plan that is focused on three key promises we made to New Zealanders – to rebuild the economy, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Natural hydrogen resource should be free of Treaty claims entanglement
    Natural hydrogen could be a game-changing new source of energy for New Zealand but it is essential it is treated as a critical development that benefits all New Zealanders, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones is seeking to give regulatory certainty for those keen to develop natural, or geological, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government responds to unsustainable net migration
    ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • New Zealand on stage at global Space Symposium
    Space Minister Judith Collins will speak at the Space Symposium in the United States next week, promoting New Zealand’s rapidly growing place in the sector as we work to rebuild the economy. “As one of the largest global space events, attended by more than 10,000 business and government representatives from ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-04-16T17:56:02+00:00