Open mike 01/05/2011

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, May 1st, 2011 - 44 comments
Categories: open mike - Tags:

Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose.

The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the link to Policy in the banner).

Step right up to the mike…

44 comments on “Open mike 01/05/2011 ”

  1. Carol 1

    So the recent apparent drop in recorded crimes at least in part disguises the real proportion in crime because of changes in the way crimes are recorded, making it hard to compare previous crims statitsics with the present ones:

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/4947289/Odd-crime-stats-valid-say-police

    But it also involved more use of “representative charging”. Previously, a fraudster who made 30 transactions on a stolen credit card would face 30 charges, but now he or she would face only one, with all the counts listed in an attached schedule.

    Auckland police spokeswoman Noreen Hegarty said the drop could, in part, be explained by the fact that as of early last year, those on bail were no longer required to report to police.

    Police national statistics manager Gavin Knight said many breaches of bail, such as curfew violations, were formerly recorded as offences when they should have been recorded as “incidents”. Education of frontline staff was resolving that.

    The two big movers – fraud in Auckland and Manukau, and bail breaches in Auckland and Waitemata – account for 14% of the overall national drop in crime.

    Cosgrove said if there had been a change in the formula of recording crimes, it should be explained to preserve “the integrity of the figures”.

    Kelly said: “The most important message is that crime last year fell in nearly every category, and all districts recorded reductions. It would be extraordinarily difficult to make any case that police somehow conspired to influence the way in which offences were recorded.”

    Collins did not return calls.

    This reminds me of when I lived in the UK in the time of the Thatcher government. The methods of recording unemployment constantly changed over time, disguising the real rise in unemployment.

    • ianmac 1.1

      While it might be a more useful way of reporting data on crime, using for instance “representative charging” for politicians to use the new style to claim a drop in crime is downright dishonest. As Mr Cosgrove said the changes and effect on data should be explained.
      Who decided on the changes in reporting? Police or politicians? Great spotting Carol.

    • Aye Carol. Something smells.

      The statistics do show a decrease across most categories but the biggest decrease was in the Auckland region. Nationwide there were 25,060 fewer offences, while the decrease in Auckland was 5,605, in Counties Manukau it was 4,137 and in Waitemata it was 3,720. So the bulk did come from the Auckland area. If a change of prosecutorial policy was the cause then there is no reason to celebrate.

      The statics are at http://www.stats.govt.nz/tools_and_services/tools/TableBuilder/recorded-crime-statistics/ASOC-offence-calendar-year-statistics.aspx#National.

      • ianmac 1.2.1

        Some statistics are damn lies do you suspect MS?

        • ianmac 1.2.1.1

          By the way interesting that: “The homicide offence category is particularly broad in New Zealand. It includes murder, attempted murder, manslaughter, infanticide, illegal abortion, and aiding suicide. “

    • Deadly_NZ 1.3

      Shhhh or Paula Bennet will find that policy by trolling the Net..

  2. As is to be expected – the corporate media campaign to undermine the new ‘Mana’ Party has begun – by attacking the $500,000 (?) cost of the by-election which will be triggered by Hone’s resignation.

    Just posted this on Kiwiblog – FYI:

    “Let’s have a bit of consistency applied to to the cost of by-elections – shall we?

    National Party ex-MP Pansy Wong caused a by-election in Botany after being effectively forced to resign over her arguably ‘corrupt’ practices?

    This has triggered another by-election – both of which are costing taxpayers AND rate payers money.

    National’s Jami-Lee Ross effectively caused the current Auckland Council Howick by-election when he CHOSE to stand, then won the Botany by-election.

    If Dick Quax were to win the Howick Auckland Council by-election, then would not that cause yet ANOTHER by-election at local board level?

    All triggered by EX- National Party MP Pansy Wong’s arguably corrupt ‘misuse of public office for private gain’?

    (Don’t forget – we’re still waiting for the Office of the Auditor-General to complete their investigation, which should, as I understand it, include the changing of the company address of ‘Shipley & Wong Ltd’ to that of Pansy Wong’s electorate office on 11 June 2010?)

    How much will all this cost taxpayers / ratepayers and who is pointing the finger at National – if we’re looking at the costs of by-elections being a waste of public monies?

    Hone is seeking a mandate from his electorate for the new Mana Party – which has a position of opposition to neo-liberalism and monopoly capitalism.

    (A different position to that of the Maori Party from which Hone resigned.)

    To seek a mandate from his electorate for this new Mana Party with this new, ‘more radical’ platform seems fair enough to me.

    Of course I can understand why supporters of neo-liberalism and monopoly capitalism are pulling out all the stops to undermine a party of this nature getting off the ground?

    (However – I guess it will help take the heat out of the corporate media campaign to undermine support for Labour/ Phil Goff and NZ First /Winston Peters ?)

    (Eeeek!

    SCARY thought!

    What if the Mana Party gets electoral support from a number of those who usually don’t bother voting?

    There are quite a number of them – aren’t there? ………………..

    So what if the Mana Party didn’t necessarily ‘cannibalise’ votes from the Greens or Labour Party – but mobilised a new, effectively ‘forgotten?’ voting base?

    EEEEK!

    Now – that thought must be TRULY scary to a lot of Kiwibloggers?

    Penny Bright
    http://waterpressure.wordpress.com

    • Colonial Viper 2.1

      Penny, I think your analysis is astute. Harawira is going to pull in a lot of supporters that do not normally bother to get out and vote, and further, those supporters are not going to mind in the least that he is forcing a by-election. The people who will look down on the by-election are people who were never going to support Mana anyways.

      So a solid, high risk, high return strategy by Hone and his team.

      Good to see some guts on the field of play this year; compare that to the painfully choreographed dance around sinking Rodney Hide and installing the Right Wing undead from the 1990’s.

    • Deadly_NZ 2.2

      Careful Penny or that clown DPF will give you 10,000 demerit points and tell you off, for being off topic. What a Joke, but after I have scanned their posts I usually feel like a shower, what a nasty bunch of trolls they are.

    • Thomas Forrow 2.3

      Yes its interesting reading the attack lines on Kiwiblog
      Apparently its OK to force a by election a year out from an election as was the case with a certain Maori co leader ,but not OK when its 7 months, I wonder which , 8 9 10 or 11 months would be acceptable?
      I guess that is why we have a law that gives an exact time, namely 6 months.

      I as a tax payer would much rather fund an an MP actually getting a mandate when they changed sides
      then helicopter trips for photo ops or Camper vans from hell. But hey that’s just me

      The Mana Party being formed is great . It might give a few on the left somewhere to go that are uncomfortable in the Greens or are just not bothering, now that Labour has lost the plot

      Having a Party to the left of the Greens I would think is a good thing, let the Greens have a more environmental focus and mop up a few Blue/Greens in the process.
      It should be said that the Greens will always have a strong focus on Social Responsibility as
      their charter states
      “Unlimited material growth is impossible. Therefore the key to social responsibility is the just distribution of social and natural resources, both locally and globally.’

      Interesting times methinks

      • Anthony 2.3.1

        The funny thing is that they can cry and cry and peddle all the lines they like, but it won’t effect Mana’s support.

        They will most probably try and paint Goff into a corner about working with Mana, but as long as he echoes John Key’s vague “Brash will not be finance minister” arms-length rhetoric he should be fine. But no doubt Espiner and Garner will be a lot more aggressive in trying to get Goff to categorically rule out working with Mana.

        • Jasper 2.3.1.1

          Goff shot himself in the foot, yet again, when he said that Hones by election was nothing more than posturing.

          A clever leader would have made noises about how it’s good he’s exercising the democratic option and giving people the opportunity to ensure that Hone has a MANDATE to continue to operate in Parliament as a leader of a new party.

          Of course, no one ever accused Goff of being a clever leader.

  3. todd 3

    Obama Moves Against Oil Subsidies

    http://thejackalman.blogspot.com/2011/05/obama-moves-against-oil-subsidies.html

    After many years of complacency concerning climate change, America under the leadership of Barack Obama has finally started to make sounds about changing their behaviour. Far be it from me to be disparaging about such statements as the one the White House sent out today, but after Americas influence has destroyed every agreement under the sun concerning emission reductions, I’m not holding my breath. Until there is evidence to the contrary, I will take whatever they say with a grain of salt.

    • millsy 4.1

      Old attitudes never change, dont they?

      Mind you these rednecks are all talk. They dont seem to have the courage to actually take their gun, and actually have a go at shooting Obama…

  4. PeteG 5

    I thought Phil Goff had a reasonable interview on The Nation yesterday. But it highlighted a contrast.

    When Goff is talking about something he believes in he sounds very reasoned and even a bit passionate and comes across very well.

    His response to other questions was a launch into the same old electioneering slogans, one tacked onto another, and that is a real roll-your-eyes turn-off. I don’t know when he’s just slipped into robot mode and when he’s avoiding answering the question – it may often be both.

    • Campbell Larsen 5.1

      At least Phil can be reasoned and passionate and actually answer questions sometimes – unlike Nationals bimbo MP’s (you know who they are) who can’t seem to utter anything but spin and slogans, and only seem to be there because they approximate (vaguely) a pretty face.

      • PeteG 5.1.1

        unlike Nationals bimbo MP’s (you know who they are) who can’t seem to utter anything but spin and slogans, and only seem to be there because they approximate (vaguely) a pretty face.

        The same could often be said of Goff (except the bimbo tag).

        • Campbell Larsen 5.1.1.1

          Dodging questions and resorting to T.V. soundbites is just plain ugly, no matter who is doing it – The practice is quite widespread and most politicians are guilty of it theses days – Should we accept it? NO – does it work? YES – not for people interested in the question perhaps but for the rest certainly – otherwise the technique would not be so widely used.

          Selecting your MP’s and your party leader on the basis of looks (and yes I am pointing the finger at National) is a very cynical and calculated move to prey upon rudimentary psychology in order to win votes.

          Another cheap trick is spinning like you have just done in your post:

          When talking about the opposition:

          1. Start with an assertion that you think so and so did well in such a such context
          ‘I thought Phil Goff had a reasonable interview on The Nation yesterday. But it highlighted a contrast.’
          2. Further qualify it with by limiting the scope of your praise.
          ‘When Goff is talking about something he believes in he sounds very reasoned and even a bit passionate and comes across very well.’
          3. Then make the statement(s) that you wanted to all along
          ‘His response to other questions was a launch into the same old electioneering slogans, one tacked onto another, and that is a real roll-your-eyes turn-off. I don’t know when he’s just slipped into robot mode and when he’s avoiding answering the question – it may often be both.’

          Your real intent – to portray Goff as a robot or evasive. Yawn. If you want an evasive robot look no further than your great (mis)leader Smoozer Shonky

          • PeteG 5.1.1.1.1

            The point of my post was to point out the contrast – when he looks good, and when he doesn’t. It’s not spin, it’s observation.

            Something else that stood out from the interview – it was highlighted how Goff was a seamless successor to Clark, there was no examination of what would best suit Labour going forward, it was a tidy continuation of the past. That’s how it still appears – and I don’t have a problem with Goff or anyone else keeping in touch with Clark, I’d be surprised if they didn’t.

            This “same old” is running parallel to Goff’s talking point slogans about what needs to improve, most of which is little changed from when Labour were in government except for a bit of recessionary accentuation. Nothing is being offered about what Labour would do different to the Clark years, so the slogans can only be compared to memories which showed that not a lot of gains were made in things like fights against poverty, and disparities in education, health and justice.

            Goff will continue to look like old Labour until there is some sign of what a new Labour might do differently.

          • MrSmith 5.1.1.1.2

            Thanks Campbell, Perfect assessment of PeteG’s behavior.

            • Colonial Viper 5.1.1.1.2.1

              yeah, follows the scripted sales process designed to hook the listener in, build a bit of credibility then deliver the actual sales message. Perfected by Crosby Textor, applied by PeteG.

              • ianmac

                And like Hootten on National Radio. He sounds quite reasonable at times but wait there is the attack line coming and repeated X3.

    • felix 5.2

      I agree with Pete. When Goff is fired up about something he believes in he’s a force to be reckoned with, but when he’s not and reverts to slogans he could put a meth head to sleep at midnight.

      Maybe Labour should keep him in a box and poke him with sticks and just let him out to feed.

  5. Draco T Bastard 6

    Sharples may work with Brash

    The Maori Party may work with a National-led Government that is backed by Don Brash.

    Speaking on TVNZ’s Q and A Maori Party Co-leader Pita Sharples refused to rule out working with the new ACT Party leader.Sharples may work with Brash.

    Sharples added the secret of Maori development is to be part of the government.

    Well, I think that will prove beyond any doubt that the Maori Party is just for the rich and powerful the same way that National and Act are. In other words, they’re out to screw over the poor.

    • millsy 6.1

      The Maori Party just lost all the Maori seats.

      All the Mana Party needs to do is replay that clip over and over again, and the Matua Toms are finished.

    • ianmac 7.1

      Pascal. I had a momentary pang for Hide but then had a recollection of the Hide assassination of Peters in 2008 and the relish it gave Rodney. What goes around …….
      They were talking on Media about the sub-editing as a panel dislocated from journalists who actually write the stuff.

  6. Draco T Bastard 8

    US so wanted s92 implemented that it offered advice on how to write it, advice on spin to sell it and to offer advice on enforcing it.

    During this hiatus we’ve proposed holding DVC(s) between NZ and U.S. interlocutors to possibly help with drafting and as a public diplomacy tool to dispel public misperceptions about proper role of IPR protection. U.S. agencies have the benefit of 10 years worth of experience in enforcing the U.S. Digital Millennium Copyright Act that may serve useful to New Zealand officials in their effort to implement section 92A.
    KEEGAN

    Can we tell these meddlesome arseholes to fuck off yet?

  7. marsman 9

    Here’s one for Bill English, Obama balancing the Budget and talking about ‘nice to haves’ ,for some:
    http://www.myvidster.com/video/1551132 /Weekly_Address_Ending_Taxpayer_Subsidies_for_Oil_Companies

  8. felix 10

    I’ve been wondering lately how Peter McCaffrey’s fruity little club will deal with being led by Brash.

    Here’s an organisation advocating things like liberal drinking laws for young people, the legalisation of drugs, gay marriage, and they’re nominally pledging support to Brash, a man so conservative he couldn’t even bring himself to vote for civil unions let alone gay marriage.

    What a terrible position to be in I thought, but as it turns out they have a solution. Unfortunately it consists entirely of denial and bare-faced lying.

    ACT On Campus, folks. The liberal liberal party party.

    Oh and guess what else. John Banks. lol.

  9. ianmac 12

    “THE MINISTRY of Justice has suggested that provisions in the Criminal Justice (Reform and Modernisation) Bill will mean that 300 to 600 fewer cases will proceed to trial by jury, as they will be dealt with by a judge alone.

    Originally, Justice Minister Simon Power claimed that there would be a saving of 1100 trials.

    All of the above claims are untrue.” And “Not so. The ministry’s own figures put the number at 140 per year. So the maximum “saving” would be 140.”

    So is this a case of Simon Power claiming a clever major cost saving process which is really a very very minor fiddle around the edge. And the cost of the Select Committee in acting on faulty info? Priceless. http://www.stuff.co.nz/sunday-star-times/opinion/4894373/Errors-in-jury-trial-reforms

    • MrSmith 12.1

      Talking to a couple of Lawyers the other day about Power, they and many in there profession are starting to get very pissed off with Simons meddling in our justice system.

      • Colonial Viper 12.1.1

        Wait until Power sets up his own law practice using all the ins and outs he knows from his time as A.G., and starts cornering clients for himself using those advantages.

        Your lawyer mates will be wearing real frowns then I bet.

  10. joe90 13

    Colour me surprised, a lucid, interesting Russell Brand is interviewed by Jeremy Paxman about celebrity, fame and life.

    • M 13.1

      Nice one Joe90.

      He’s very animated but seems to ponder things many celebrities would never give thought to.

  11. Carol 14

    The last segment of Mediawatch section on RNZ this morning has some very good stuff about the state of NZ journalism. It starts at about 20 or 21 minutes into the audiofile:

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/sunday/20110501

    There’s a guy with a facebook page, and Brent Edwards (the RNZ political editor), speaking about, and on behalf of, the journalists’ union (or print and media council) that he is involved in.

    Edwards talks about how when he starteed in journalism, journalists stood up and told their bosses when they thought stories were not being treated properly. Now he says jour nalists, especially younger journalists are afraid to put their heads above the parapet.

    • Vicky32 14.1

      Edwards talks about how when he starteed in journalism, journalists stood up and told their bosses when they thought stories were not being treated properly. Now he says jour nalists, especially younger journalists are afraid to put their heads above the parapet.

      That relates to a book I am just not (re)-reading – John Pilger’s ‘Hidden Agendas’ published 1998. It’s quite weird how well it relates to today!
      The chapters about Rupert Murdoch and the media, especially the one called Cultural Chernobyl are particularly relevant to your comment..

  12. aj 15

    Seeing the light

    http://www.unmultimedia.org/tv/unifeed/d/17442.html

    Dominique Strauss-Kahn, Managing Director, International Monetary Fund:

    “We have learned that unemployment and inequalities can undermine the achievements of the market economy and, therefore, sowing the seeds for instability and crisis. And when we look how dangerous this cocktail of unemployment and inequality can be, while also associated with sometimes, often, some political tension, we can see how it’s playing out in Middle East and North Africa.”

    “For the recovery is here, but growth, at least in advanced economies, is not creating enough jobs and clearly it’s not the recovery we want. Many people in many countries are facing a social crisis that is every bit as serious as the financial crisis.”

    “The job crisis is hitting the young especially hard. What should have been a brief spell in unemployment is turning into a life sentence. And we are facing, really, the risk of a lost generation.”

    “Stability depends a lot on a strong middle class that can propel demand. And, we will not see this if growth does not led to decent jobs. So, we will not see this if growth rewards the favored few over the marginalized many.”

Links to post

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • EV road user charges bill passes
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the passing of legislation to move light electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) into the road user charges system from 1 April.  “It was always intended that EVs and PHEVs would be exempt from road user charges until they reached two ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Bill targets illegal, unregulated fishing in international waters
    New Zealand is strengthening its ability to combat illegal fishing outside its domestic waters and beef up regulation for its own commercial fishers in international waters through a Bill which had its first reading in Parliament today. The Fisheries (International Fishing and Other Matters) Amendment Bill 2023 sets out stronger ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Reserve Bank appointments
    Economists Carl Hansen and Professor Prasanna Gai have been appointed to the Reserve Bank Monetary Policy Committee, Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced today. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is the independent decision-making body that sets the Official Cash Rate which determines interest rates.  Carl Hansen, the executive director of Capital ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Stronger protections for apartment owners
    Apartment owners and buyers will soon have greater protections as further changes to the law on unit titles come into effect, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “The Unit Titles (Strengthening Body Corporate Governance and Other Matters) Amendment Act had already introduced some changes in December 2022 and May 2023, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Travel focused on traditional partners and Middle East
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to Egypt and Europe from this weekend.    “This travel will focus on a range of New Zealand’s traditional diplomatic and security partnerships while enabling broad engagement on the urgent situation in Gaza,” Mr Peters says.   Mr Peters will attend the NATO Foreign ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Keep safe on our roads this Easter
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown is encouraging all road users to stay safe, plan their journeys ahead of time, and be patient with other drivers while travelling around this Easter long weekend. “Road safety is a responsibility we all share, and with increased traffic on our roads expected this Easter we ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Cost of living support for over 1.4 million Kiwis
    About 1.4 million New Zealanders will receive cost of living relief through increased government assistance from April 1 909,000 pensioners get a boost to Superannuation, including 5000 veterans 371,000 working-age beneficiaries will get higher payments 45,000 students will see an increase in their allowance Over a quarter of New Zealanders ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Tenancy reviews for social housing restart
    Ensuring social housing is being provided to those with the greatest needs is front of mind as the Government restarts social housing tenancy reviews, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. “Our relentless focus on building a strong economy is to ensure we can deliver better public services such as social ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary plan halted
    The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary will not go ahead, with Cabinet deciding to stop work on the proposed reserve and remove the Bill that would have established it from Parliament’s order paper. “The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill would have created a 620,000 sq km economic no-go zone,” Oceans and Fisheries Minister ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Cutting all that dam red tape
    Dam safety regulations are being amended so that smaller dams won’t be subject to excessive compliance costs, Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on reducing costs and removing unnecessary red tape so we can get the economy back on track.  “Dam safety regulations ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Drought support extended to parts of North Island
    The coalition Government is expanding the medium-scale adverse event classification to parts of the North Island as dry weather conditions persist, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced today. “I have made the decision to expand the medium-scale adverse event classification already in place for parts of the South Island to also cover the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Passage of major tax bill welcomed
    The passing of legislation giving effect to coalition Government tax commitments has been welcomed by Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “The Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill will help place New Zealand on a more secure economic footing, improve outcomes for New Zealanders, and make our tax system ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Lifting economy through science, tertiary sectors
    Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins and Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds today announced plans to transform our science and university sectors to boost the economy. Two advisory groups, chaired by Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, will advise the Government on how these sectors can play a greater ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government announces Budget priorities
    The Budget will deliver urgently-needed tax relief to hard-working New Zealanders while putting the government’s finances back on a sustainable track, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.  The Finance Minister made the comments at the release of the Budget Policy Statement setting out the Government’s Budget objectives. “The coalition Government intends ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government to consider accommodation solution
    The coalition Government will look at options to address a zoning issue that limits how much financial support Queenstown residents can get for accommodation. Cabinet has agreed on a response to the Petitions Committee, which had recommended the geographic information MSD uses to determine how much accommodation supplement can be ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government approves extension to Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care
    Cabinet has agreed to a short extension to the final reporting timeframe for the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care from 28 March 2024 to 26 June 2024, Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says.                                         “The Royal Commission wrote to me on 16 February 2024, requesting that I consider an ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • $18m boost for Kiwis travelling to health treatment
    The coalition Government is delivering an $18 million boost to New Zealanders needing to travel for specialist health treatment, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says.   “These changes are long overdue – the National Travel Assistance (NTA) scheme saw its last increase to mileage and accommodation rates way back in 2009.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • PM’s Prizes for Space to showcase sector’s talent
    The Government is recognising the innovative and rising talent in New Zealand’s growing space sector, with the Prime Minister and Space Minister Judith Collins announcing the new Prime Minister’s Prizes for Space today. “New Zealand has a growing reputation as a high-value partner for space missions and research. I am ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Concerns conveyed to China over cyber activity
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government.     “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity, attributed to groups sponsored by the Chinese Government, targeting democratic institutions in both New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry
    Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry Education Minister Erica Stanford today announced the appointment of three independent reviewers to lead the Ministerial Inquiry into the Ministry of Education’s School Property Function.  The Inquiry will be led by former Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully. “There is a clear need ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Brynderwyns open for Easter
    State Highway 1 across the Brynderwyns will be open for Easter weekend, with work currently underway to ensure the resilience of this critical route being paused for Easter Weekend to allow holiday makers to travel north, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Today I visited the Brynderwyn Hills construction site, where ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Speech to the Infrastructure Funding & Financing Conference
    Introduction Good morning to you all, and thanks for having me bright and early today. I am absolutely delighted to be the Minister for Infrastructure alongside the Minister of Housing and Resource Management Reform. I know the Prime Minister sees the three roles as closely connected and he wants me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Parliamentary network breached by the PRC
    New Zealand stands with the United Kingdom in its condemnation of People’s Republic of China (PRC) state-backed malicious cyber activity impacting its Electoral Commission and targeting Members of the UK Parliament. “The use of cyber-enabled espionage operations to interfere with democratic institutions and processes anywhere is unacceptable,” Minister Responsible for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • NZ to provide support for Solomon Islands election
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced New Zealand will provide logistics support for the upcoming Solomon Islands election. “We’re sending a team of New Zealand Defence Force personnel and two NH90 helicopters to provide logistics support for the election on 17 April, at the request ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ-EU FTA gains Royal Assent for 1 May entry to force
    The European Union Free Trade Agreement Legislation Amendment Bill received Royal Assent today, completing the process for New Zealand’s ratification of its free trade agreement with the European Union.    “I am pleased to announce that today, in a small ceremony at the Beehive, New Zealand notified the European Union ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • COVID-19 inquiry attracts 11,000 submissions
    Public consultation on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons has concluded, Internal Affairs Minister Hon Brooke van Velden says.  “I have been advised that there were over 11,000 submissions made through the Royal Commission’s online consultation portal.” Expanding the scope of the Royal Commission of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Families to receive up to $75 a week help with ECE fees
    Hardworking families are set to benefit from a new credit to help them meet their early childcare education (ECE) costs, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. From 1 July, parents and caregivers of young children will be supported to manage the rising cost of living with a partial reimbursement of their ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Unlocking a sustainable, low-emissions future
    A specialised Independent Technical Advisory Group (ITAG) tasked with preparing and publishing independent non-binding advice on the design of a "green" (sustainable finance) taxonomy rulebook is being established, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says.  “Comprising experts and market participants, the ITAG's primary goal is to deliver comprehensive recommendations to the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Chief of Army thanked for his service
    Defence Minister Judith Collins has thanked the Chief of Army, Major General John Boswell, DSD, for his service as he leaves the Army after 40 years. “I would like to thank Major General Boswell for his contribution to the Army and the wider New Zealand Defence Force, undertaking many different ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders
    25 March 2024 Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders Small Business, Manufacturing, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly will travel to Australia for a series of bi-lateral meetings and manufacturing visits. During the visit, Minister Bayly will meet with his Australian counterparts, Senator Tim Ayres, Ed ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Government commits nearly $3 million for period products in schools
    Government commits almost $3 million for period products in schools The Coalition Government has committed $2.9 million to ensure intermediate and secondary schools continue providing period products to those who need them, Minister of Education Erica Stanford announced today. “This is an issue of dignity and ensuring young women don’t ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Speech – Making it easier to build.
    Good morning, it’s great to be here.   First, I would like to acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of Building Surveyors and thank you for the opportunity to be here this morning.  I would like to use this opportunity to outline the Government’s ambitious plan and what we hope to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Pacific youth to shine from boost to Polyfest
    Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti has announced the Government’s commitment to the Auckland Secondary Schools Māori and Pacific Islands Cultural Festival, more commonly known as Polyfest. “The Ministry for Pacific Peoples is a longtime supporter of Polyfest and, as it celebrates 49 years in 2024, I’m proud to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • 2024 Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships announced
    ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Speech to Breast Cancer Foundation – Insights Conference
    Before moving onto the substance of today’s address, I want to recognise the very significant and ongoing contribution the Breast Cancer Foundation makes to support the lives of New Zealand women and their families living with breast cancer. I very much enjoy working with you. I also want to recognise ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Kiwi research soars to International Space Station
    New Zealand has notched up a first with the launch of University of Canterbury research to the International Space Station, Science, Innovation and Technology and Space Minister Judith Collins says. The hardware, developed by Dr Sarah Kessans, is designed to operate autonomously in orbit, allowing scientists on Earth to study ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Speech to the New Zealand Planning Institute
    Introduction Thank you for inviting me to speak with you today and I’m sorry I can’t be there in person. Yesterday I started in Wellington for Breakfast TV, spoke to a property conference in Auckland, and finished the day speaking to local government in Christchurch, so it would have been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Support for Northland emergency response centre
    The Coalition Government is contributing more than $1 million to support the establishment of an emergency multi-agency coordination centre in Northland. Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced the contribution today during a visit of the Whangārei site where the facility will be constructed.  “Northland has faced a number ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Celebrating 20 years of Whakaata Māori
    New Zealanders have enjoyed a broader range of voices telling the story of Aotearoa thanks to the creation of Whakaata Māori 20 years ago, says Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka. The minister spoke at a celebration marking the national indigenous media organisation’s 20th anniversary at their studio in Auckland on ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Some commercial fishery catch limits increased
    Commercial catch limits for some fisheries have been increased following a review showing stocks are healthy and abundant, Ocean and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The changes, along with some other catch limit changes and management settings, begin coming into effect from 1 April 2024. "Regular biannual reviews of fish ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-03-29T06:15:44+00:00