OIA on Zero Hours reveals just what an attack on workers it is.

Written By: - Date published: 11:39 am, September 24th, 2015 - 53 comments
Categories: employment, Unions, wages, workers' rights - Tags: , ,

We have the documents leading up to the what can only be described as a dreadful piece of law legalising employment agreements which tie workers to an employer without any of the reciprocity of guaranteed hours of work.

It all started with the spectacular Unite campaign against “zero hour” contracts in fast food.  These 24/7 businesses employ thousands of workers, make loads of money from their efforts but were exploiting shite employment law to engage workers on contracts that forced them to be available any time day and night, but without any guaranteed hours.

Workers told how some weeks they got hardly any  hours and couldn’t pay the rent and how some weeks they got too many hours and were exhausted.  How they couldn’t commit to family events in case they had to work, how sport was out of the question as they never knew what would be demanded of them and how they were punished for any perceived slight by having their hours cut on any whim.  Unite used industrial and community power to win agreements with these employers that these workers would be guaranteed hours based on the recent historical record of what they had been working.  This has meant a massive improvement in the quality of their lives.  It also highlighted a widely experienced issue and the community responded with disgust about the whole situation.

When you take a bigger look atthe whole issue of hours of work and how important it is to working people to get regular hours , it is a crazy situation that unless there are genuine business reasons, hours and working times should be part of all employment arrangements.  The fact they are not is a simple control mechanism and reflective of an exploitative environment where anything goes.  You might remember at the same time, the public were outraged at stories of petrol station attendants having their wages docked for drive offs.  A similar reflection of the arrogance and greed our current weak employment laws encourage.  The Government realised it was at risk of the whole issue of the deregulation of the labour market coming under challenge.

So up steps the knight in shining armour Minister Woodhouse and in a fashion typical of this Government spins a line that he is going to stop this unfair practice and at the same time stop the deductions of workers wages like in the petrol attendants situation.  As usual, they thought they would ease the public concern without having to chuck out the whole project.  But of course now the pressure is off he is not even going to do that.  In fact the new Bill introduced last week and on a very short submission timeframe actually legislates for both – what could currently be illegal in many circumstances (CTU thinks many zero hour contracts will not be lawful in the circumstances many are operated, and the pay deductions are definitely unlawful), will now be made perfectly acceptable.

The new Bill allows for deductions from wages that are not “unreasonable” .  The current law only allows deductions for things that benefit the employee (e.g. rentals on farms, union fees, kiwisaver etc) but not for losses.  This new provision would allow an employer to propose deductions of no benefit to the worker if they can show they are not unreasonable.  The Bill also allows for zero hour contracts or “availability provisions” as they are called. The Bill even allows an employer to restrict second jobs on new and expanded terms much wider than the current law – effectively an employer can offer no hours but still stop you taking other work!

The official documents reveal just how this Government works.

  1.  Officials start off with some proposals banning unconscionable conduct – this is way too much for Government (think about this – imagine banning unconscionable conduct – what would be left?)
  2. Next one out of control Cabinet Cttee suggests that where historical hours show a pattern of work, the worker gains a right to this pattern as guaranteed hours in their agreement – this is rejected of course.
  3. The next proposal is to legislate for zero hours but provide for “reasonable compensation” to be payable to a worker that has a no hours agreement but is required to be available endlessly.  This is rejected by Cabinet;  and
  4. The final Bill simply says a contract can legally have zero hours regardless of necessity and “compensation” (of any amount) be included in an agreement if the requirement is for endless availability of the worker.
  5. An outrageous proposal is then added that will impact on all workers – that the current law that protects workers being restricted from taking second jobs to earn a fair living is amended to allow the employer to restrict this for a wide range of reasons not currently lawful, and which previously might have encouraged an employer to secure you through decent hours.

So the upshot is – the Bill will pass and make these agreements lawful, acceptable and cheap.  It will encourage them, and pay deductions and restrictions on second jobs.  At a time like now – where work in this country is so badly paid, with so little protection – we get this.

 

53 comments on “OIA on Zero Hours reveals just what an attack on workers it is. ”

  1. Detrie 1

    It could be said that ‘we’ only have ourselves to blame, in that too many voters last time simply accepted that a national government would still ‘be kind and fair’ to the most disadvantaged and vulnerable in our society. John Key said as much after his win. We just assumed he would not allow the exploitation of young NZ citizens for the profit motive and protection of corporates. At least this horrid example will [hopefully] provide ammunition for the opposition parties come next election, encouraging young people to become more active politically. See national for what it really is. A deceitful government with no soul.

    • Sabine 1.1

      NO WE, please.

      one million voted for National, the others voted opposition or not at all.

      Unlucky for the country and its young population, we have an opposition that is toothless, idealess, wholesale corporate useless pathic suits the red/purple one as much as the aquamarine ones, that spend more time mediating flags n shite, instead of hammering on the issues that are important.

      But luckily all the poor buggers on 0 hour contracts with 0 income will get to vote for a feather or a triangle. All is well in Aotearoa.

      Sorry.

      • Rosie 1.1.1

        +1 Sabine.

        There is no WE.

        Nor do the people of NZ have themselves to blame. The citizens are not the ones writing such regressive and exploitative law.

        • Draco T Bastard 1.1.1.1

          The citizens are not the ones writing such regressive and exploitative law.

          Yep. There’s no way that the citizens of NZ would write the type of policies that National do. Firstly, they’d be much better at it and secondly they’d be a damn sight fairer.

        • keyman 1.1.1.2

          i blame the none voters
          there should be riots over this
          the pay day lenders and loan sharks are going to love this doubling up on the misery get ready for more stress in society and violence ,nationals brighter future is here. bonded labor through poverty not exact 21 century we hoped for the 20th was a lot better

      • Liberal Realist 1.1.2

        “Unlucky for the country and its young population, we have an opposition that is toothless, idealess, wholesale corporate useless pathic suits the red/purple one as much as the aquamarine ones, that spend more time mediating flags n shite, instead of hammering on the issues that are important.”

        Agreed. Labour are mostly useless seat warmers. They’ve been co-opted since ’84 and are part of the neo-liberal consensus, part of the problem not the solution.

        I think Andrew Little should be coined ‘Do Little’ because he’s done fuck all since becoming leader. I still can’t figure out where he stands on a raft of issues, if anything he just tinkers around the edges of prominent issues.

        Labour should be raising hell with all of the ammo provided by National yet a recent example of what we see is stupid meaningless crap like red peak being bandied around.

        Where is the outrage! The Key government is taking us back a century in industrial relations and Labour faff around with flag bullshit!

        • sabine 1.1.2.1

          You can replace Labour with the Names of any of the other Opposition Parties and it would be absolutly the same.

          There is not one opposition Party that has achieved a single thing on their own, and still they refuse to work together. Useless and toothless that is the opposition in NZ, all of them.

          it is the next generation that will pay the price in full for the squabbles of todays polititians.

      • Tim 1.1.3

        We also have a population that is largely toothless. The number of no votes or votes for the legalise cannabis party is partly what allows this to happen (especially when there was a choice for a strong Green party on the rise as well as Labour as well as Mana). But go ahead and blame those who are trying to make a difference.

        • sabine 1.1.3.1

          actually that might be the party i am going to vote for.

          they have one policy,
          have been outspoken about it
          it would be a huge earner for the country
          jobs, taxes etc
          and as colorado has shown, domestic abuse and driving under the influence goes down, arrest on rowdy people go down, less costs to police etc etc
          this would keep people out of prisin
          so less costs for the police, the courts and serco of course in the end would also loose out cause a lot of criminals would not be made.

          compare that to any of the other parties that are essentially only windbags.

          the greens, the labour party ….nothing, they can not work together if their members were begging them. Thanks to their non working together we have Nikki Kaye, and Peter Fucking Dunne in Parliament. So really they are working hard? At loosing and at staying lost?
          heck winston peters at least won the north.
          so why not legalise canabis in aotearoa. We would do somethin good, finally and for once.

  2. Grindlebottom 2

    This government gets away with this sort of assault on workers because too few people have the time or interest to take any notice of what they’re doing. Where are the massive protests?

    Where are the innovative strategies by Opposition parties to force MSM attention on these ongoing assaults on our most vulnerable people? Press releases, and two second sound bytes by Andrew Little or opposition spokespeople don’t even ripple the surface of public attention.

    • Rosie 2.1

      Doesn’t help voices that speak out have been silenced. John Campbell committed quite a bit of air time to covering zero hour contracts, but he is gone from our TV screens – conveniently for Michael Woodhouse.

      Labour did email it supporters and members suggesting people write a submission against the new bill. It’s only now since Helen has put her post up, that we know exactly what’s in it so can form an argument based upon the information.

      But you’re right, a lot goes under the radar in the wider public. Writing a submission is only a small individual action.

  3. Steve Withers 3

    So if ACT and UK and NZF and Maori party dont support it……it won’t pass, right?

    Why would they hate our kids – particularly – as much as National apparently does?

    • greywarshark 3.1

      @GRindlebottom and Steve W
      Why do Nats hate our kids. Because they are not their kids – and they aren’t too sure how they feel about them either.

      Where is the massive protest? Thinking about it over a beer, like in the 1980s.

      • sabine 3.1.1

        they don’t hate your kids, they just don’t want to pay them.

        • greywarshark 3.1.1.1

          Sabine
          Ends up the same result though.

          • sabine 3.1.1.1.1

            i have a young one who works on a 0 hour contract, usually he works 48 hours per week.
            he is gonna work over christmas, and when the company closes shop for vacation he is out of a job.

            they don’t hate them, that would be an emotion they are not capable of. They view them as producing units. they have to produce the time they are needed and when not needed they will switch them off. and you will have to house/feed and take care of them, cause Winz is not gonna make it easy for them.
            And when they need them again, rinse repeat.

            It pisses me off, but I am at the point now where I don’t fault National anymore, the country to a large part does not give a fuck, they either voted for the lot, or they did not vote at all, and the pathetic excuse of opposition is to busy scoring beauty points that are meaningless.

            When the parents of the children stop ;hating; their children, and vote accordingly, or start demanding that their oppostion parties do better, and cajole and bribe by stealth the non voters to go to the poll maybe something will change. Unless then, our young ones are screwed. No jobs, No income, No houses, no nothing. And the whole country stands by and does nothing.

            here have a flag, a panda and fucked up work legislation.

  4. greywarshark 4

    Helen thank you for giving us the details about this neanderthal legislation. Not very good feelings for you. Unbelievable for us all that we have come to this scandalous result. But some day we will overcome, and it won’t be long. Thanks for keeping on, keeping on.

  5. Rosie 5

    Thank you Helen, for getting to the bottom of this horrid bill, and making it clear just how low our government is prepared to go to allow the exploitation of workers.

    I particularly like this bit, 67E, Availability Provision:

    “67E Availability provision unenforceable unless agreed compensation payable
    (1)
    In this section and section 67F, an availability provision means a provision in an employment agreement under which—
    (a)
    the employee’s performance of work is conditional on the employer making work available to the employee; and
    (b)
    there is no obligation on the employer to make work available to the employee; but
    (c)
    the employee is required to be available to accept any work that the employer makes available.”

    So, in essence, suck it up workers. Not comforting reading for jobseekers and those already coping with exploitative work conditions, at all. Sighing for the days when your hours were cut and dried and you could plan your life, or even have a life!

    • Keith 5.1

      “The employee’s performance of work is conditional on the employer making work available to the employee;” So then, not peformance based incentives, oh no, performance based employment. You only get work if you perform, like a slave perhaps?

      You have to hand it to National. Armed with the knowledge that if you pay a worker shit money on shit conditions you can pretty much expect a shit employee, they have legislated in the ultimate invasive state exmple possible to ensure a worker works like a well paid well treated worker. You can lead a horse to water National but you can’t pass a law to make it drink.

      This is seriously fucked up legislation!

  6. Draco T Bastard 6

    This legislation is National to ‘T’ – pure bloody psychopathy.

    This legislation effectively makes slavery legal because that’s what being available for work but not being paid means.

    But, but, you’re not doing any work cry the RWNJs as they conveniently forget that people on these contracts can’t actually go out and work while not being paid to be available.

    If the psychopaths business people want these contracts then they need to be paying for forty hours per week and then they can expect people to be on call for them. If they don’t want to pay that then they can get a temp in – who’s actually paid significantly more per hour because of the fact that they don’t often get 40 hours per week.

  7. One Anonymous Bloke 7

    Is there any way to document the link(s) between these legislative changes (which are another clear and present threat to national security) and Cabinet Club?

    Why is the National Party so intent upon pitchforks and lamp-posts? Who are they working for?

  8. One Anonymous Bloke 8

    Why are good business owners being forced to compete with human-rights-abusing National Party prospects?

    • Draco T Bastard 8.1

      Because the National Party voting business people are so stupid that they can’t compete any other way than driving their workers into poverty.

      • Ch-ch Chiquita 8.1.1

        It’s not just driving workers into poverty. Its even preventing them from being human; like scheduling a doctor appointment. Oh, wait! Maybe its a way to save on the health budget; get people on zero hours, they can’t schedule an appointment because they don’t know when they will work and they must be available so they will not go to the doctor and ta-da! Less expanses on health.
        Can’t these proposed changes be classified as human rights violation?

        • sabine 8.1.1.1

          this is a good point, how disruptive or how much influence can an employer have ont he life chocies of his / her workers.

  9. Keith 9

    So in essence and reality workers have NO rights.

    Of course it was as predictable as night following day that Michael Woodhouse told the public he was going to get rid of these oppresive conditions only because it had actually made it into the media but he never ever intended on honouring his word. I mean after all this kind of duplicty is the hall mark of this government.

    Why did they not campaign on this?

    How can you legislate to make someone work in shit conditions or else by preventing them working for someone else. No free market here is there?

    How can you allow employers to deduct money as they see “reasonably” fit? What badly paid under employed worker is going to challenge Uncle Bully who is raping their bank accounts?

    All that this will do is drive crap wages down even further and increase employee churn which is wholly unproductive which in turn will hinder the economy even further.

    What scum idiots the National Party are!

    • Craig H 9.1

      The word ‘reasonable’ appears a lot. The Employment Court will make strong use of that to blunt the impact of the worst of the excesses. Better not to pass it at all, but will be interesting to see if UF and MP can wring concessions before passing it, and what changes the Select Committee makes.

  10. My comments to the select committee which I posted before – or thought I did:

    “I am opposed to the proposed changes to the legislation governing zero hour contracts as laid out in the Employment Standards Legislation Bill because the bill entrenches these unfair and retrograde employment arrangements.
    If enacted as drafted, this law will put already economically vulnerable New Zealanders in the untenable position of having to be on-call without pay, being unable to take another job, and being sent home without notice.
    The lack of any minimum standards for financial compensation for such contracts will encourage their use by employers and will drive down standards of living even further, leaving the State to pay the balance of the costs of subsistence.
    The proposed law runs counter to all the protestations of modern employers that they value their ‘human resources’ and turns the clock back to employment arrangements more typical of the early industrial revolution than a 21st century first world democratic nation.
    Given the disproportionate effects these zero-hours contracts are likely to have on women, Maori and Pasifika people, they may be proved to be unfairly discriminatory.
    I urge the select committee to amend the legislation to match the Government’s original promise to ban zero hour contracts completely.”

    • Rosie 10.1

      +1 TeWhareWhero. Well said.

      Good point too about the state then be required “pay the balance of the costs of subsistence”. In the same breath Richard Christie points out below that there is likely to be a stand down period before any assistance arrived. He mentions the case of a worker being dismissed but the worker could also be mucked around with WINZ as a result of the uncertainty around their work hours.

      Either way, they’re screwed.

  11. ianmac 11

    I think that the Farrar polling shows that the only ones who would give a damn are not likely to vote National.
    So nothing to loose and probably some pro-Key would agree with him. “If you don’t like the conditions, get a better job.”

  12. Richard Christie 12

    Not pointed out strongly is that if an employee on zero hours is dismissed for non compliance e.g. taking a secondary job then they are ineligible for immediate unemployment benefit and face draconian stand down periods.

    This has hallmarks of a feudal system.

    You are owned.

    • greywarshark 12.1

      Actually as I understand it in a feudal system there were reciprocal expectations from peasant to lord and vice versa.

      These however could be overridden as in The Highland Clearances in Scotland where people were turfed out of their crofts, because their lord and lady wanted the turf under their feet, no reciprocal arrangement there.

      All the enlightened treatment of people which advanced nations in the modern world have adopted and built into their economies and culture is being stripped back to that of primitive times.

  13. Kevin 13

    My local supermarket has just put in automatic checkout terminals and the Macdonalds now has the touchscreen ordering system.

    With even the shit, worse paid jobs disappearing to automation, what hope is there for young people looking for a start in employment?

    • Rosie 13.1

      Refuse to use them. I do. I also let the manager know that the machines don’t get paid so I won’t use them.

      Also, do these businesses expect their customers to do the work of serving themselves? Nobody pays you to work the self service till, so its another reason not to use them.

      Keep people working by allowing yourself to be served by an actual worker.

      • left for deadshark 13.1.1

        +100 % Rosie

        • sabine 13.1.1.1

          Ditto, if they ask me why i won’t use the self check out, i usually ask them if they like to keep their jobs. Its sometimes appears as if they have not even thought that they might be replaced.
          anyways, not using self check outs.

          • RedLogix 13.1.1.1.1

            In Aus Woolworths is chucking the self-checkouts.

          • Rosie 13.1.1.1.2

            Yes, it’s quite interesting how when you give your reasons for not using the self service checkout, they are really quite surprised.

            Our local supermarket which I only use in absolute emergencies has more self service checkouts than actual checkouts, and no express lane. Even in the busiest times they won’t even fully staff the checkouts.

            I wrote to New World head office about self serve checkouts and why I won’t use them and they never replied.

      • Kevin 13.1.2

        Absolutely 100% Rosie. I am happy to stand in line for the remaining served checkouts. You get some funny looks when they try to usher you to an automated checkout but I refuse and tell them I am doing my bit to keep them in a job.

    • Craig H 13.2

      I use the self-service checkouts – at my locals, they have the same number of people on checkouts as before, but more total checkouts open.

      Besides which, the work is poorly paid and provides insecure hours for most staff. If crap work like this is automated, we as a society find other options, or we move to a UBI.

      Also, truck drivers look like they’ll be obsolete in 10 years or less, and I could see buses and taxis following suit. Best we start planning…

  14. Rosemary McDonald 14

    Sterling work Helen, and how fortunate we are to have someone of your calibre bringing these atrocities into the light.

    ” 5. An outrageous proposal is then added that will impact on all workers – that the current law that protects workers being restricted from taking second jobs to earn a fair living is amended to allow the employer to restrict this for a wide range of reasons not currently lawful, and which previously might have encouraged an employer to secure you through decent hours.”

    This is already entrenched in law for those paid family carers of adult disabled people under MOH:DSS.

    http://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/disability-services/disability-projects-and-programmes/funded-family-care-notice-and-operational-policy

    The Funded Family Care policy was this government response to over a decade of legal wrangling which culminated in the Appeal Court agreeing with the Human Rights Review Tribunal that not allowing a disabled person the choice of a trusted family member to provide the care that they had been assessed as needing was a breach of NZBORA.

    FFC allows for the family carer to be paid the minimum wage for a maximum of 40 hours per week.

    This does NOT constitute a living wage.

    The paid family carer is not allowed to undertake ANY paid work above the forty hours at minimum wage.

    If the disabled person has been assessed as needing more than forty hours of care per week….the extra hours can be done by an outside carer who can be paid about $20 per hour, and is under no restrictions to how many hours they can work in one week.

    The Public Health and Disability Amendment Act 2013 specifically removes the right of complaint about this policy….

    “(2)On and after the commencement of this Part, no complaint based in whole or in part on a specified allegation may be made to the Human Rights Commission, and no proceedings based in whole or in part on a specified allegation may be commenced or continued in any court or tribunal.”

    http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2013/0022/latest/whole.html

    First they came for the cripples…..

    Kia Kaha, Helen.

  15. Keith 15

    Personally I think the opposition should quietly let this monster pass in its true horrific unedited state. Why, because National will have to wear the bitterness that will spring from the draconian filth that it is.

    Don’t allow them to say they listened, like they always do, and tinker with it, leave all of this offensive crap as it is, let them be blamed for all of it!

  16. Red delusion 16

    Yawn mountain out of a mole hill , how many people does this really effect to the extent indicated, bugger all ! Likewise gets people into employment and then they can move on

    • One Anonymous Bloke 16.1

      Yeah, fuck them, you’re alright trash.

    • Kevin 16.2

      Move on to what? Indentured servitude?

    • Paul Campbell 16.3

      Oh come on – if it effects more even one person, one person who has a job that pays them 0 some weeks, who can’t take a second job and can’t collect the dole then it’s an evil bill, something from the Victorian sweatshops

    • JeevesPOnzi 16.4

      It affects heaps. Including you.

    • Rosie 16.5

      It affects a huge amount of people who work in hospitality, service and caring roles. Something like 30% of NZer’s are now working weekends (read that somewhere, not sure where). It’s these 7 day a week operations that demand workers be on call.

      I’m looking for part time retail work at the moment. Every ad says “must be flexible with hours”. I posted a job ad on Open Mike a last week, pointing out this type of zero hour exploitation. The ad said guaranteed hours were 20 per week but you must be on call 7 days. I’ve seen several ads like this. They are usually chain stores or big box retailers who have the most draconian expectations.

      Have a read of Sabine’s post about her son and his work life.

      There needs to be clear boundaries between work life and private life, anything less and you are totally owned by your employer. Do you think that is ok?

      As for “moving on”. Clearly you have no idea of the job market at the moment. It is the worst I’ve ever seen it. You simply can’t move on because there isn’t another job to go to.
      I know so many people who are stuck in unrewarding unsuitable work, right up to corporates level work, who can’t get other work. It just isn’t there. This is causing psychological problems for them.

      Things must be sweet for you, if you have no idea about the NZ workplace. Good for you. Keep up the blissful ignorance.

    • Tricledrown 16.6

      Bluelusion bonded labour.
      The same methods used to keep former slaves on very low wages from moving to better areas better jobs.
      In our case we are heading toward slavery away from a livable wages.

  17. Vaughan Little 17

    could be a good law for uniting the opposition. there could be a bunch of great campaigning around this.

  18. the pigman 18

    Fantastic work Helen; you’re a treasure of the Labour movement.

    This is the press release that opposition parties should be sending to their media contacts (if indeed they still have any).

    Alas, poor country!
    Almost afraid to know itself. It cannot
    Be call’d our mother, but our grave; where nothing,
    But who knows nothing, is once seen to smile;
    Where sighs and groans and shrieks that rend the air
    Are made, not mark’d; where violent sorrow seems
    A modern ecstasy; the dead man’s knell
    Is there scarce ask’d for who; and good men’s lives
    Expire before the flowers in their caps,
    Dying or ere they sicken.
    (Mac. 4.3.2031-2040)

    Hey, but at least Uncle Keys is giving us a new flag for Christmas!

  19. save NZ 19

    +100

    If only the opposition would unite on this instead of throwing lifelines regarding the flag and concentrate on what is actually IMPORTANT!

    Labour is supposedly pro worker – where are they?

    Greens stop worrying about the flag and damp houses, there is a possibility people can’t actually afford to rent a house at all and they don’t have a ‘real’ job with the draconian measures being introduced by this government on a weekly basis, while providing lying sound byte faithfully reported by MSM.

    WAKE UP!

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  • Will it make the boat go faster?
    Ele Ludemann writes – The Reserve Bank is advertising for a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion advisor. The Bank has one mandate – to keep inflation between one and three percent. It has failed in that and is only slowly getting inflation back down to the upper limit. Will it ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    13 hours ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Is Simon Bridges’ NZTA appointment a conflict of interest?
    Last week former National Party leader Simon Bridges was appointed by the Government as the new chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). You can read about the appointment in Thomas Coughlan’s article, Simon Bridges to become chair of NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi The fact that a ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    13 hours ago
  • Is Simon Bridges’ NZTA appointment a conflict of interest?
    Bryce Edwards writes – Last week former National Party leader Simon Bridges was appointed by the Government as the new chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). You can read about the appointment in Thomas Coughlan’s article, Simon Bridges to become chair of NZ Transport Agency ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    13 hours ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' at 10:10am on Tuesday, March 19
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Gavin Jacobson talks to Thomas Piketty 10 years on from Capital in the 21st Century The SalvoLocal scoop: Green MP’s business being investigated over migrant exploitation claims Stuff Steve KilgallonLocal deep-dive: The commercial contractors making money from School ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    13 hours ago
  • Bernard's six newsy things on Tuesday, March 19
    It’s a home - but Kāinga Ora tenants accused of “abusing the privilege” may lose it. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The Government announced a crackdown on Kāinga Ora tenants who were unruly and/or behind on their rent, with Housing Minister Chris Bishop saying a place in a state ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    15 hours ago
  • New Life for Light Rail
    This is a guest post by Connor Sharp of Surface Light Rail  Light rail in Auckland: A way forward sooner than you think With the coup de grâce of Auckland Light Rail (ALR) earlier this year, and the shift of the government’s priorities to roads, roads, and more roads, it ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    15 hours ago
  • Why Are Bosses Nearly All Buffoons?
    Note: As a paid-up Webworm member, I’ve recorded this Webworm as a mini-podcast for you as well. Some of you said you liked this option - so I aim to provide it when I get a chance to record! Read more ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    18 hours ago
  • Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6.06 pm on March 18
    TL;DR: In my ‘six-stack’ of substacks at 6.06pm on Monday, March 18:IKEA is accused of planting big forests in New Zealand to green-wash; REDD-MonitorA City for People takes a well-deserved victory lap over Wellington’s pro-YIMBY District Plan votes; A City for PeopleSteven Anastasiou takes a close look at the sticky ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Peters holds his ground on co-governance, but Willis wriggles on those tax cuts and SNA suspension l...
    Buzz from the Beehive Here’s hoping for a lively post-cabinet press conference when the PM and – perhaps – some of his ministers tell us what was discussed at their meeting today. Until then, Point of Order has precious little Beehive news to report after its latest monitoring of the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 day ago
  • Labour’s final report card
    David Farrar writes –  We now have almost all 2023 data in, which has allowed me to update my annual table of how  went against its promises. This is basically their final report card. The promise The result Build 100,000 affordable homes over 10 ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • “Drunk Uncle at a Wedding”
    I’m a bit worried that I’ve started a previous newsletter with the words “just when you think they couldn’t get any worse…” Seems lately that I could begin pretty much every issue with that opening. Such is the nature of our coalition government that they seem to be outdoing each ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Wang Yi’s perfectly-timed, Aukus-themed visit to New Zealand
    Geoffrey Miller writes – Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on Dune 2, and images of Islam
    Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture ...
    2 days ago
  • New Rail Operations Centre Promises Better Train Services
    Last week Transport Minster Simeon Brown and Mayor Wayne Brown opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre. The new train control centre will see teams from KiwiRail, Auckland Transport and Auckland One Rail working more closely together to improve train services across the city. The Auckland Rail Operations Centre in ...
    2 days ago
  • Bernard's six newsy things at 6.36am on Monday, March 18
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson said in an exit interview with Q+A yesterday the Government can and should sustain more debt to invest in infrastructure for future generations. Elsewhere in the news in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 6:36am: Read more ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: Wang Yi’s perfectly-timed, Aukus-themed visit to New Zealand
    Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. It is more than just a happy ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    2 days ago
  • The Kaka’s diary for the week to March 25 and beyond
    TL;DR: The key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to March 18 include:China’s Foreign Minister visiting Wellington today;A post-cabinet news conference this afternoon; the resumption of Parliament on Tuesday for two weeks before Easter;retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson gives his valedictory speech in Parliament; ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Bitter and angry; Winston First
    New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters’s state-of-the-nation speech on Sunday was really a state-of-Winston-First speech. He barely mentioned any of the Government’s key policies and could not even wholly endorse its signature income tax cuts. Instead, he rehearsed all of his complaints about the Ardern Government, including an extraordinary claim ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
    2 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
    2 days ago
  • Out of Touch.
    “I’ve been internalising a really complicated situation in my head.”When they kept telling us we should wait until we get to know him, were they taking the piss? Was it a case of, if you think this is bad, wait till you get to know the real Christopher, after the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • The bewildering world of Chris Luxon – Guns for all, not no lunch for kids
    .“$10 and a target that bleeds” - Bleeding Targets for Under $10!.Thanks for reading Frankly Speaking ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.This government appears hell-bent on either scrapping life-saving legislation or reintroducing things that - frustrated critics insist - will be dangerous and likely ...
    Frankly SpeakingBy Frank Macskasy
    3 days ago
  • Expert Opinion: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.
    It hardly strikes me as fair to criticise a government for doing exactly what it said it was going to do. For actually keeping its promises.”THUNDER WAS PLAYING TAG with lightning flashes amongst the distant peaks. Its rolling cadences interrupted by the here-I-come-here-I-go Doppler effect of the occasional passing car. ...
    3 days ago
  • Manufacturing The Truth.
    Subversive & Disruptive Technologies: Just as happened with that other great regulator of the masses, the Medieval Church, the advent of a new and hard-to-control technology – the Internet –  is weakening the ties that bind. Then, and now, those who enjoy a monopoly on the dissemination of lies, cannot and will ...
    3 days ago
  • A Powerful Sensation of Déjà Vu.
    Been Here Before: To find the precedents for what this Coalition Government is proposing, it is necessary to return to the “glory days” of Muldoonism.THE COALITION GOVERNMENT has celebrated its first 100 days in office by checking-off the last of its listed commitments. It remains, however, an angry government. It ...
    3 days ago
  • Can you guess where world attention is focussed (according to Greenpeace)? It’s focussed on an EPA...
    Bob Edlin writes –  And what is the world watching today…? The email newsletter from Associated Press which landed in our mailbox early this morning advised: In the news today: The father of a school shooter has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter; prosecutors in Trump’s hush-money case ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • Further integrity problems for the Greens in suspending MP Darleen Tana
    Bryce Edwards writes – Is another Green MP on their way out? And are the Greens severely tarnished by another integrity scandal? For the second time in three months, the Green Party has secretly suspended an MP over integrity issues. Mystery is surrounding the party’s decision to ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Jacqui Van Der Kaay: Greens’ transparency missing in action
    For the last few years, the Green Party has been the party that has managed to avoid the plague of multiple scandals that have beleaguered other political parties. It appears that their luck has run out with a second scandal which, unfortunately for them, coincided with Golraz Ghahraman, the focus ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago
  • Bernard’s Dawn Chorus with six newsey things at 6:46am for Saturday, March 16
    TL;DR: The six newsey things that stood out to me as of 6:46am on Saturday, March 16.Andy Foster has accidentally allowed a Labour/Green amendment to cut road user chargers for plug-in hybrid vehicles, which the Government might accept; NZ Herald Thomas Coughlan Simeon Brown has rejected a plea from Westport ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • How Did FTX Crash?
    What seemed a booming success a couple of years ago has collapsed into fraud convictions.I looked at the crash of FTX (short for ‘Futures Exchange’) in November 2022 to see whether it would impact on the financial system as a whole. Fortunately there was barely a ripple, probably because it ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    4 days ago
  • Elections in Russia and Ukraine
    Anybody following the situation in Ukraine and Russia would probably have been amused by a recent Tweet on X NATO seems to be putting in an awful lot of effort to influence what is, at least according to them, a sham election in an autocracy.When do the Ukrainians go to ...
    4 days ago
  • Bernard’s six stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15
    TL;DR: Shaun Baker on Wynyard Quarter's transformation. Magdalene Taylor on the problem with smart phones. How private equity are now all over reinsurance. Dylan Cleaver on rugby and CTE. Emily Atkin on ‘Big Meat’ looking like ‘Big Oil’.Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15Photo by Jeppe Hove Jensen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Buzz from the Beehive Finance Minister Nicola Willis had plenty to say when addressing the Auckland Business Chamber on the economic growth that (she tells us) is flagging more than we thought. But the government intends to put new life into it:  We want our country to be a ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • National’s clean car tax advances
    The Transport and Infrastructure Committee has reported back on the Road User Charges (Light Electric RUC Vehicles) Amendment Bill, basicly rubberstamping it. While there was widespread support among submitters for the principle that EV and PHEV drivers should pay their fair share for the roads, they also overwhelmingly disagreed with ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Government funding bailouts
    Peter Dunne writes – This week’s government bailout – the fifth in the last eighteen months – of the financially troubled Ruapehu Alpine Lifts company would have pleased many in the central North Island ski industry. The government’s stated rationale for the $7 million funding was that it ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Two offenders, different treatments.
    See if you can spot the difference. An Iranian born female MP from a progressive party is accused of serial shoplifting. Her name is leaked to the media, which goes into a pack frenzy even before the Police launch an … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    4 days ago
  • Treaty references omitted
    Ele Ludemann writes  – The government is omitting general Treaty references from legislation : The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last Government in a bid to get greater coherence in the public service on Treaty ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • The Ghahraman Conflict
    What was that judge thinking? Peter Williams writes –  That Golriz Ghahraman and District Court Judge Maria Pecotic were once lawyer colleagues is incontrovertible. There is published evidence that they took at least one case to the Court of Appeal together. There was a report on ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 15
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Climate Scorpion – the sting is in the tail. Introducing planetary solvency. A paper via the University of Exeter’s Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.Local scoop: Kāinga Ora starts pulling out of its Auckland projects and selling land RNZ ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • The day Wellington up-zoned its future
    Wellington’s massively upzoned District Plan adds the opportunity for tens of thousands of new homes not just in the central city (such as these Webb St new builds) but also close to the CBD and public transport links. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Wellington gave itself the chance of ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Weekly Roundup 15-March-2024
    It’s Friday and we’re halfway through March Madness. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week in Greater Auckland On Monday Matt asked how we can get better event trains and an option for grade separating Morningside Dr. On Tuesday Matt looked into ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    5 days ago
  • That Word.
    Something you might not know about me is that I’m quite a stubborn person. No, really. I don’t much care for criticism I think’s unfair or that I disagree with. Few of us do I suppose.Back when I was a drinker I’d sometimes respond defensively, even angrily. There are things ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • The Hoon around the week to March 15
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:PM Christopher Luxon said the reversal of interest deductibility for landlords was done to help renters, who ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Labour’s policy gap
    It was not so much the Labour Party but really the Chris Hipkins party yesterday at Labour’s caucus retreat in Martinborough. The former Prime Minister was more or less consistent on wealth tax, which he was at best equivocal about, and social insurance, which he was not willing to revisit. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #11 2024
    Open access notables A Glimpse into the Future: The 2023 Ocean Temperature and Sea Ice Extremes in the Context of Longer-Term Climate Change, Kuhlbrodt et al., Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society: In the year 2023, we have seen extraordinary extrema in high sea surface temperature (SST) in the North Atlantic and in ...
    5 days ago
  • Melissa remains mute on media matters but has something to say (at a sporting event) about economic ...
     Buzz from the Beehive   The text reproduced above appears on a page which records all the media statements and speeches posted on the government’s official website by Melissa Lee as Minister of Media and Communications and/or by Jenny Marcroft, her Parliamentary Under-secretary.  It can be quickly analysed ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago
  • The return of Muldoon
    For forty years, Robert Muldoon has been a dirty word in our politics. His style of government was so repulsive and authoritarian that the backlash to it helped set and entrench our constitutional norms. His pig-headedness over forcing through Think Big eventually gave us the RMA, with its participation and ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Will the rental tax cut improve life for renters or landlords?
    Bryce Edwards writes –  Is the new government reducing tax on rental properties to benefit landlords or to cut the cost of rents? That’s the big question this week, after Associate Finance Minister David Seymour announced on Sunday that the Government would be reversing the Labour Government’s removal ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: What Saudi Arabia’s rapid changes mean for New Zealand
    Saudi Arabia is rarely far from the international spotlight. The war in Gaza has brought new scrutiny to Saudi plans to normalise relations with Israel, while the fifth anniversary of the controversial killing of Jamal Khashoggi was marked shortly before the war began on October 7. And as the home ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    5 days ago
  • Racism’s double standards
    Questions need to be asked on both sides of the world Peter Williams writes –   The NRL Judiciary hands down an eight week suspension to Sydney Roosters forward Spencer Leniu , an Auckland-born Samoan, after he calls Ezra Mam, Sydney-orn but of Aboriginal and Torres Strait ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • It’s not a tax break
    Ele Ludemann writes – Contrary to what many headlines and news stories are saying, residential landlords are not getting a tax break. The government is simply restoring to them the tax deductibility of interest they had until the previous government removed it. There is no logical reason ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • The Plastic Pig Collective and Chris' Imaginary Friends.
    I can't remember when it was goodMoments of happiness in bloomMaybe I just misunderstoodAll of the love we left behindWatching our flashbacks intertwineMemories I will never findIn spite of whatever you becomeForget that reckless thing turned onI think our lives have just begunI think our lives have just begunDoes anyone ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • Who is responsible for young offenders?
    Michael Bassett writes – At first reading, a front-page story in the New Zealand Herald on 13 March was bizarre. A group of severely intellectually limited teenagers, with little understanding of the law, have been pleading to the Justice Select Committee not to pass a bill dealing with ram ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on National’s fantasy trip to La La Landlord Land
    How much political capital is Christopher Luxon willing to burn through in order to deliver his $2.9 billion gift to landlords? Evidently, Luxon is: (a) unable to cost the policy accurately. As Anna Burns-Francis pointed out to him on Breakfast TV, the original ”rock solid” $2.1 billion cost he was ...
    6 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 14
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Jonathon Porritt calling bullshit in his own blog post on mainstream climate science as ‘The New Denialism’.Local scoop: The Wellington City Council’s list of proposed changes to the IHP recommendations to be debated later today was leaked this ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • No, Prime Minister, rents don’t rise or fall with landlords’ costs
    TL;DR: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said yesterday tenants should be grateful for the reinstatement of interest deductibility because landlords would pass on their lower tax costs in the form of lower rents. That would be true if landlords were regulated monopolies such as Transpower or Auckland Airport1, but they’re not, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • Cartoons: ‘At least I didn’t make things awkward’
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Tom Toro Tom Toro is a cartoonist and author. He has published over 200 cartoons in The New Yorker since 2010. His cartoons appear in Playboy, the Paris Review, the New York Times, American Bystander, and elsewhere. Related: What 10 EV lovers ...
    6 days ago
  • Solving traffic congestion with Richard Prebble
    The business section of the NZ Herald is full of opinion. Among the more opinionated of all is the ex-Minister of Transport, ex-Minister of Railways, ex MP for Auckland Central (1975-93, Labour), Wellington Central (1996-99, ACT, then list-2005), ex-leader of the ACT Party, uncle to actor Antonia, the veritable granddaddy ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    6 days ago
  • I Think I'm Done Flying Boeing
    Hi,Just quickly — I’m blown away by the stories you’ve shared with me over the last week since I put out the ‘Gary’ podcast, where I told you about the time my friend’s flatmate killed the neighbour.And you keep telling me stories — in the comments section, and in my ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • Invoking Aristotle: Of Rings of Power, Stones, and Ships
    The first season of Rings of Power was not awful. It was thoroughly underwhelming, yes, and left a lingering sense of disappointment, but it was more expensive mediocrity than catastrophe. I wrote at length about the series as it came out (see the Review section of the blog, and go ...
    6 days ago
  • Van Velden brings free-market approach to changing labour laws – but her colleagues stick to distr...
    Buzz from the Beehive Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden told Auckland Business Chamber members they were the first audience to hear her priorities as a minister in a government committed to cutting red tape and regulations. She brandished her liberalising credentials, saying Flexible labour markets are the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • Why Newshub failed
    Chris Trotter writes – TO UNDERSTAND WHY NEWSHUB FAILED, it is necessary to understand how TVNZ changed. Up until 1989, the state broadcaster had been funded by a broadcasting licence fee, collected from every citizen in possession of a television set, supplemented by a relatively modest (compared ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Māori Party on the warpath against landlords and seabed miners – let’s see if mystical creature...
    Bob Edlin writes  –  The Māori Party has been busy issuing a mix of warnings and threats as its expresses its opposition to interest deductibility for landlords and the plans of seabed miners. It remains to be seen whether they  follow the example of indigenous litigants in Australia, ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • Government moves to quickly ratify the NZ-EU FTA
    "The Government is moving quickly to realise an additional $46 million in tariff savings in the EU market this season for Kiwi exporters,” Minister for Trade and Agriculture, Todd McClay says. Parliament is set, this week, to complete the final legislative processes required to bring the New Zealand – European ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 hours ago
  • Positive progress for social worker workforce
    New Zealand’s social workers are qualified, experienced, and more representative of the communities they serve, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “I want to acknowledge and applaud New Zealand’s social workers for the hard work they do, providing invaluable support for our most vulnerable. “To coincide with World ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    11 hours ago
  • Minister confirms reduced RUC rate for PHEVs
    Cabinet has agreed to a reduced road user charge (RUC) rate for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. Owners of PHEVs will be eligible for a reduced rate of $38 per 1,000km once all light electric vehicles (EVs) move into the RUC system from 1 April.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago
  • Trade access to overseas markets creates jobs
    Minister of Agriculture and Trade, Todd McClay, says that today’s opening of Riverland Foods manufacturing plant in Christchurch is a great example of how trade access to overseas markets creates jobs in New Zealand.  Speaking at the official opening of this state-of-the-art pet food factory the Minister noted that exports ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    14 hours ago
  • NZ and Chinese Foreign Ministers hold official talks
    Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Wellington today. “It was a pleasure to host Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his first official visit to New Zealand since 2017. Our discussions were wide-ranging and enabled engagement on many facets of New Zealand’s relationship with China, including trade, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Kāinga Ora instructed to end Sustaining Tenancies
    Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities has been instructed to end the Sustaining Tenancies Framework and take stronger measures against persistent antisocial behaviour by tenants, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Earlier today Finance Minister Nicola Willis and I sent an interim Letter of Expectations to the Board of Kāinga Ora. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber: Growth is the answer
    Tēna koutou katoa. Greetings everyone. Thank you to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Honourable Simon Bridges for hosting this address today. I acknowledge the business leaders in this room, the leaders and governors, the employers, the entrepreneurs, the investors, and the wealth creators. The coalition Government shares your ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Singapore rounds out regional trip
    Minister Winston Peters completed the final leg of his visit to South and South East Asia in Singapore today, where he focused on enhancing one of New Zealand’s indispensable strategic partnerships.      “Singapore is our most important defence partner in South East Asia, our fourth-largest trading partner and a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister van Velden represents New Zealand at International Democracy Summit
    Minister of Internal Affairs and Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon. Brooke van Velden, will travel to the Republic of Korea to represent New Zealand at the Third Summit for Democracy on 18 March. The summit, hosted by the Republic of Korea, was first convened by the United States in 2021, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Insurance Council of NZ Speech, 7 March 2024, Auckland
    ICNZ Speech 7 March 2024, Auckland  Acknowledgements and opening  Mōrena, ngā mihi nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho.  Good morning, it’s a privilege to be here to open the ICNZ annual conference, thank you to Mark for the Mihi Whakatau  My thanks to Tim Grafton for inviting me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Five-year anniversary of Christchurch terror attacks
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Lead Coordination Minister Judith Collins have expressed their deepest sympathy on the five-year anniversary of the Christchurch terror attacks. “March 15, 2019, was a day when families, communities and the country came together both in sorrow and solidarity,” Mr Luxon says.  “Today we pay our respects to the 51 shuhada ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024
    Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024  Acknowledgements and opening  Morena, Nga Mihi Nui.  Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Thanks Nate for your Mihi Whakatau  Good morning. It’s a pleasure to formally open your conference this morning. What a lovely day in Wellington, What a great ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Early visit to Indonesia strengthens ties
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters held discussions in Jakarta today about the future of relations between New Zealand and South East Asia’s most populous country.   “We are in Jakarta so early in our new government’s term to reflect the huge importance we place on our relationship with Indonesia and South ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • China Foreign Minister to visit
    Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has announced that the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, will visit New Zealand next week.  “We look forward to re-engaging with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussing the full breadth of the bilateral relationship, which is one of New Zealand’s ...
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    5 days ago
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