Open mike 11/11/2012

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, November 11th, 2012 - 49 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…

49 comments on “Open mike 11/11/2012 ”

  1. AwakeWhileSleeping 1

    The People’s Bailout = OWS goes to the mattresses!

    Quote:
    “Now OWS is launching the ROLLING JUBILEE, a program that has been in development for months. OWS is going to start buying distressed debt (medical bills, student loans, etc.) in order to forgive it. As a test run, we spent $500, which bought $14,000 of distressed debt. We then ERASED THAT DEBT. (If you’re a debt broker, once you own someone’s debt you can do whatever you want with it — traditionally, you hound debtors to their grave trying to collect. We’re playing a different game. A MORE AWESOME GAME.)”

    http://wilwheaton.tumblr.com/post/35309150177/the-peoples-bailout

    • Cricklewood 1.1

      If that is actually feasible in NZ we need to go for it. Forgiving debt like this gives families the opportunity to get out of the poverty trap which is imposible on low wages if you have a debt millstone around your neck. It only takes one dentists bill to screw you over for a very long time… we also need to sort out some sort of dental subsidisation I know too many people with screwed teeth and no way to afford the work…

    • marsman 1.2

      AWS. Sounds awesome!

    • Colonial Viper 1.3

      Wow. Sometimes it is possible, when creditors have given up, to buy a collection of debt for only a few cents on the dollar.

      However, the difficulty is ensuring understanding the detail of the underlying debt that efforts go to helping the right people…eg not a millionaire property developer who has walked away from his leaky building project…

    • weka 1.4

      How does this work? If I buy someone’s debt, doesn’t the person who the debt is owed to just now come after me?

      • Colonial Viper 1.4.1

        Using a hypothetical example.

        When you buy the debt, you buy the ownership title to that debt. You now own it instead of say, the bank’s credit card division which used to own the debt.

        And the credit card indebted person now owes the money to YOU not to the originator of the debt (the bank’s credit card division in this example).

        If you can understand this, and that debts can be collected together in bundles, and then be considered as cashflow generating assets which can be bought and sold, you’ll also start to understand how the Mortgaged Backed Securities (MBS) subprime crisis happened.

        • Descendant Of Smith 1.4.1.1

          Often too businesses sell debt at a portion of it’s value.

          I’m owed $500-00. I can spend $ and time chasing this up or sell it too someone else (say a debt collector) for $200-00. I get some of my money back which helps my cash flow, write off the rest and the debt collector carries the cost of the time and the risk he won’t get his money back.

          It’s also why lots of times you can’t pay the money owing back to the firm you owed it too.

          The debt no longer belongs to them.

  2. AwakeWhileSleeping 2

    I had no idea about the law around this issue so really glad I came across this story.

    Tumeke exclusive: Did police tactics kill Steven McIntyre? (Below is the link to Part 1)

    http://tumeke.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/tumeke-exclusive-did-nz-police-tactics.html

    Quote:
    “In his later years, Stephen had moved from campaigning for the decriminalization of marijuana to focussing on medical cannabis. Green Cross was the realization of that activism. It provided medical quality marijuana to patients with a doctor’s prescription. NZ law allows for doctors to prescribe synthetic marijuana and the 2010 Law Commission review called for that to be widened to organic marijuana as well.

    That’s where Green Cross came in. They had a list of patients with doctor’s prescriptions whose illnesses ranged from those with chronic pain to cancer. Synthetic product did not work for many of these people.”

    • weka 2.1

      “Did police tactics kill Steven McIntyre?”
       
      Don’t think Bradbury has made his case yet. Will see what he comes up with in parts 2 and 3. There is more background to why someone kills themselves than Bradbury has presented, and to make the case that the police tactics pushed McIntyre to take his own life would involve the police knowing about the background.
       
      I can understand Bradbury’s anger and sadness at the loss of his friend, and am sure that the police’s actions were bullying and unnecessary.

  3. marsman 3

    Everything John Key’s crappy administration touches turns to shit for ordinary folk:-
    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/7933869/Security-fears-in-teachers-pay-leak

    • Dv 3.1

      The way the article reads
      The admin privileges
      – allow alteration of teachers bank accounts numbers.
      – may allow access to teachers bank account to remove money.
      So you could divert the teachers salary to your account, or just remove money.

      Foss said he had been advised it was “not possible” to confirm that funds had not been diverted.
      HUH

      “The principal then contacted Novopay who took those admin rights away for that school and gave her admin rights for another school, again.”

      HUH

      Novopay business owner Rebecca Elvy said the system was rigorously tested to ensure it is a secure online service.

      “We take the security of payroll data and employees’ personal information very seriously,” she said.
      SURE

      • Colonial Viper 3.1.1

        This is what happens when you starve the public service and give private providers carte blanche to do clumsy lazy incompetent shit.

      • mickysavage 3.1.2

        Rigorously tested … blah blah blah 

        Secure online service  … blah blah blah

        “We take the security of payroll data and employees’ personal information very seriously” … blah blah blah

        Bullshit detector is working overtime … 

      • Vicky32 3.1.3

        Novopay business owner Rebecca Elvy said the system was rigorously tested to ensure it is a secure online service.
        “We take the security of payroll data and employees’ personal information very seriously,” she said.
        SURE

        I am so glad to work for PTEs, now!

    • Bill 3.2

      We have escalated the issue at Marshall Laing Primary school to Talent2 to urgently investigate and resolve.

      Codenames and numbers. Fucking great. What’s ‘Talent3?..or 1?…or whatever? Calling in a drone strike?

  4. higherstandard 4

    Lest we forget.

    • joe90 4.1

      On the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month.

    • muzza 4.2

      Quite something that we are expected to pay rememberance on a date and time representing the number 11, it being a “key” in satanic numerology!.

      Using the war, deaths/injuries, physical, mental or otherwise, being remembered, is simply another ritual for the sicko’s in charge!

      Least we forget, indeed!

    • joe90 4.3

      Least we forget, indeed!

      Fuck yeah, the suffering of these men, this boy or this boy all wrapped up muzza in a glib reference to your own lunacy…. false flag and you’d have had the double.

      • muzza 4.3.1

        Joe people died and suffered, absolutely they did/do, but like fcuk, should people not want to learn and understand that those who suffered and died, just like we see in the ME and other parts of the world now, have been and are being used.

        That includes family members of mine who served and died!

        • prism 4.3.1.1

          Why is it that we only care about war fighters and workers after they are dead? They go to war and fight for some obscure reason, that has an outcome more uncertain than a USA presidential election.

          It seems that we assuage our callousness as human beings with this token Anzac Day and other remembrances, a good chance to see guns fired and uniforms. And the people running the commemoration do not like anti-war protests. Says a lot.

          My birth father did his best and now lies underground in France. He had principles and would be shocked to see what has happened to us all since the War to end all Wars.

          And now we are going to spend millions of dollars on some new symbolic edifice to the dead and gone. Let’s instead invest the money into Scholarships, a Trust in their name helping their grandchildren’s children and the country under whose banner they went forth.

  5. Colonial Viper 5

    Anti-Iran Stuxnet computer virus infects US corporations

    You can’t make this shit up.

    http://rt.com/usa/news/stuxnet-chevron-cyber-virus-348/

    In other news, there has been a massive surge in the number of Americans on foodstamps, now 47.1M people.

    Yes, they delayed the release of these AUGUST statistics until AFTER the Presidential Elections.

  6. Jackal 6

    Banks not off the hook

    I’m hopeful that John Banks will have a fair and unbiased trial, which will eventuate in a guilty verdict for a corrupt practice. A prosecution and conviction for such an offense would undoubtedly mean an end to Banks’ political career, and force a by-election in Epsom…

  7. Draco T Bastard 7

    This is actually a fairly good article:

    The Royal Commission finding that there was a culture of production before safety is damning.

    The company’s failures are unforgivable. But it would have been comforting if the inquiry had found at least one hero within officialdom, a quiet but determined whistle blower, someone who spoke up, but who was either shushed or ignored.

    There used to be a time when you could rely on that. No more.

    The culture which has percolated from the top down is built around a fear of repercussions. Reports to the minister are carefully framed. Stark warnings about death and destruction go down like a cup of cold proverbial.

    They are a gun to the minister’s head. They are brown envelope fodder, a leak waiting to happen. That’s why they are never sent.

    The only documents leaked these days seem to concern pay and conditions. Maybe it’s time to bring back the cardigan wearers.

    So part of the the problem within the government sector that was responsible for regulating the mine was that the people feared speaking truth to power.

    That is indicative that our democracy is a sham.

    • Jackal 7.1

      Well it’s not a democracy then is it? It’s a dictatorship in order to protect those at the top. Don’t speak the truth about problems because they could be used politically against various politicians just shows what a total sham the us against them system is… And the result in this case is lost lives. Don’t expect the government to identify and fix the problem though. What a bunch of culpable idiots!

  8. Draco T Bastard 8

    Minister keeps a lid on boot camp failure figures

    So far, the only information released has been about the two “concept camps” run at the end of 2010, which showed all but two of the 17 teens on the programme went on to reoffend. Requests for information about the 78 participants in the seven camps run since were refused by both the Ministry for Social Development and its Associate Minister Chester Borrows, who said making public the information about the “nature of offences or offending” could identify the youth involved.

    Which is a load of bollocks because offenders are identified in court anyway unless they’re under-age in which case their identities are rightly protected but in that case naming the offences won’t identify the perpetrators.

  9. Rogue Trooper 9

    Sunday (melancholy and the infinite sadness)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USR3bX_PtU4

  10. Logie97 10

    Caption time???

    http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/royals-remember-new-zealand-s-fallen-5208854

    What on earth are Joky Hen and the chap behind him so interested in while HRH and his wife seem to be unfazed by?

    Have they both squeezed one out and trying to look innocent?

  11. Jenny 11

    Naomi Kline tells it like it is.

    http://www.commondreams.org/view/2012/11/06-1

    ….But the prize for shameless disaster capitalism surely goes to right-wing economist Russell S. Sobel, writing in a New York Times online forum. Sobel suggested that, in hard-hit areas, FEMA should create “free trade zones—in which all normal regulations, licensing and taxes[are] suspended.” This corporate free-for-all would, apparently, “better provide the goods and services victims need.”

    Yes that’s right: this catastrophe very likely created by climate change—a crisis born of the colossal regulatory failure to prevent corporations from treating the atmosphere as their open sewer—is just one more opportunity for more deregulation. And the fact that this storm has demonstrated that poor and working-class people are far more vulnerable to the climate crisis shows that this is clearly the right moment to strip those people of what few labor protections they have left, as well as to privatize the meager public services available to them. Most of all, when faced with an extraordinarily costly crisis born of corporate greed, hand out tax holidays to corporations…..

    ……..For a long time, climate change was treated by environmentalists as a great equalizer, the one issue that affected everyone, rich or poor. They failed to account for the myriad ways by which the superrich would protect themselves from the less savory effects of the economic model that made them so wealthy. In the past six years, we have seen the emergence of private firefighters in the United States, hired by insurance companies to offer a “concierge” service to their wealthier clients, as well as the short-lived “HelpJet”—a charter airline in Florida that offered five-star evacuation services from hurricane zones. “No standing in lines, no hassle with crowds, just a first class experience that turns a problem into a vacation.” And, post-Sandy, upscale real estate agents are predicting that back-up power generators will be the new status symbol with the penthouse and mansion set.

    It seems that for some, climate change is imagined less as a clear and present danger than as a kind of spa vacation; nothing that the right combination of bespoke services and well-curated accessories can’t overcome. That, at least, was the impression left by the Barneys New York pre-Sandy sale—which offered deals on Sencha green tea, backgammon sets and $500 throw blankets so its high-end customers could “settle in with style”. Let the rest of the world eat “social strategies, formal or informal.”

    ……there are changes we can make that actually have a chance of getting our emissions down to the level science demands. These include relocalizing our economies (so we are going to need those farmers where they are); vastly expanding and reimagining the public sphere to not just hold back the next storm but to prevent even worse disruptions in the future; regulating the hell out of corporations and reducing their poisonous political power; and reinventing economics so it no longer defines success as the endless expansion of consumption.

    These are approaches to the crisis would help rebuild the real economy at a time when most of us have had it with speculative bubbles. They would create lasting jobs at a time when they are urgently needed. And they would strengthen our ties to one another and to our communities— goals that, while abstract, can nonetheless save lives in a crisis.

    Just as the Great Depression and the Second World War launched populist movements that claimed as their proud legacies social safety nets across the industrialized world, so climate change can be a historic moment to usher in the next great wave of progressive change. Moreover, none of the anti-democratic trickery I described in The Shock Doctrine is necessary to advance this agenda. Far from seizing on the climate crisis to push through unpopular policies, our task is to seize upon it to demand a truly populist agenda.

    The reconstruction from Sandy is a great place to start road testing these ideas. Unlike the disaster capitalists who use crisis to end-run democracy, a People’s Recovery (as many from the Occupy movement are already demanding) would call for new democratic processes, including neighborhood assemblies, to decide how hard-hit communities should be rebuilt. The overriding principle must be addressing the twin crises of inequality and climate change at the same time. For starters, that means reconstruction that doesn’t just create jobs but jobs that pay a living wage. It means not just more public transit, but energy efficient affordable housing along those transit lines. It also means not just more renewable power but democratic community control over those projects.

    But at the same time as we ramp up alternatives, we need to step up the fight against the forces actively making the climate crisis worse. Regardless of who wins the election, that means standing firm against the continued expansion of the fossil fuel sector into new and high-risk territories, whether through tar sands, fracking, coal exports to China or Arctic drilling. It also means recognizing the limits of political pressure and going after the fossil fuel companies directly, as we are doing at 350.org with our “Do The Math” tour. These companies have shown that they are willing to burn five times as much carbon as the most conservative estimates say is compatible with a livable planet. We’ve done the math, and we simply can’t let them……

    ……. The good news is that this is a crime in progress; it is still within our power to stop it. Let’s make sure that this time, the good guys win.

    • Colonial Viper 11.1

      A combination of Free Trade Zones and Free Fire Zones would be the ultimate American dream!

    • Jenny 11.2

      The reconstruction from Sandy is a great place to start road testing these ideas. Unlike the disaster capitalists who use crisis to end-run democracy, a People’s Recovery (as many from the Occupy movement are already demanding) would call for new democratic processes, including neighborhood assemblies, to decide how hard-hit communities should be rebuilt. The overriding principle must be addressing the twin crises of inequality and climate change at the same time. For starters, that means reconstruction that doesn’t just create jobs but jobs that pay a living wage. It means not just more public transit, but energy efficient affordable housing along those transit lines. It also means not just more renewable power but democratic community control over those projects.

      Naomi Kline

      Christchurch should also be a place for road testing new forms of democracy like neighborhood assemblies, to decide how hard hit communities should be rebuilt.

      Unfortunately the disaster capitalists are in the saddle in Christchurch and are determined to use the crisis as end run on democracy in the region. The exact opposite of what should be done. You can guarantee that rather than rather than pay a living wage to the workers actually doing the rebuild. the big contractors will be using the disaster as an excuse break down wages and conditions to line their own pockets. These same big contractors, favorites of the National Party, will be awarded huge pork barrel contracts from the taxpayer account, which will all be hidden from public scrutiny and democratic oversight by Brownly and others on the grounds of “commercial sensitivity”. With the huge fortunes that are going to be made in Christchurch by the disaster capitalists with the compliance of their anti-democratic political supporters in National, the Christchurch Earthquake was not bad news just different kind of good news.

      • Jenny 11.2.1

        We have already seen the scandalous waste of taxpayers money that results when a favourite of the Government was paid an undisclosed amount to provide camper vans for temporary accommodation that was never used by those who needed it because the rentals were way too expensive.

        I forgot to mention the disaster capitalists opportunistic use of the Christchurch earthquake disaster to attack social provision in the region, starting it seems with the schools and the school children and families they serve. Whoo hoo, if we can keep this up, a chance of more tax cuts for the rich folk.

  12. PlanetOrphan 12

    Anyone remember the Libertarian movement?
    We need too shred those beliefs …… moronic anarchy.

  13. Draco T Bastard 13

    Now these should put to rest all the BS about the left being big spenders of other peoples money:

    http://www.johnpemberton.co.nz/html/government_debt.html
    http://www.johnpemberton.co.nz/html/new_zealand_government_debt_eom.html

    The facts are in, it’s the right that are the big spenders of other peoples money.

  14. WONDERS WILL NEVER CEASE!

    AM ABLE TO POST AGAIN ON CAMERON SLATER’S ‘WHALEOIL’ BLOG! 🙂

    http://www.whaleoil.co.nz/2012/11/serial-troublemaker-alleged-blackmailer-graham-mcready-is-at-it-again/

    “Do you, Cameron Slater, agree that both John Banks and Don Brash should have both been charged as former fellow Directors of Huljich Wealth Management (NZ) Ltd, for signing Huljich Kiwisaver Scheme registered prospectuses dated 22 August 2008 and 18 September 2009 which contained untrue statments – a STRICT LIABILITY offence under s.58(3) of the Securities Act?

    Yes or no?

    Kind regards,

    Penny Bright

    ‘Anti-corruption campaigner’

    http://www.dodgyjohnhasgone.com
    ______________________________________________________________________________

    PS: If anyone has contact details for Graham McCready – I’m rather keen to have a chat about his private prosecution of John Banks over allegations that he filed a false electoral return for his 2012 Auckland mayoral campaign.

  15. Draco T Bastard 15

    This government’s Track Record:

    Key has repeated the same pledge every year since 2008. It has become a mantra, “raise wages, raise wages, raise…”.

    But words are easy. What has been Key’s actual track record? How does Dear Leader’s words reconcile with his actions? What have been the results?

    The following chapters give an insight into the rhetoric and reality of the National Party and it’s leader, John Key.

    • Colonial Viper 15.1

      The wages of the top 1% have gone up pretty good, so Key and English have delivered.

      • Draco T Bastard 15.1.1

        Well, they delivered to their actual base. They just haven’t delivered anything that they promised to anyone else.

  16. Jackal 16

    Brian Edwards excuses for cronyism

    Perhaps it was the pervasive right wing stench of Duncan Garner that was clouding his thoughts, or perhaps he is truly that deluded…

  17. idegus 17

    very lolworthy, tv3 just called john keys wife ‘the first lady’, jeez, little america. (i know, i shouldnt watch that crap but im always curious to what they show & dont show (for e.g. no mention of the novapay scandal))

    • Vicky32 17.1

      very lolworthy, tv3 just called john keys wife ‘the first lady’, jeez, little america

      TV3 always are Little America! For years   when we lived in Mt Eden/Albert, we couldn’t get TV1, so I got used to 3 News, and apathy means I don’t change, and so I am familiar with their quirks. Good thing I don’t rely on only them for news!
      They have never referred to Bush or Obama as ‘the American President’ but just ‘the president’… also, there are other little things they do. Like Leighton Smith, they report what Steve Wright on the BBC WS used to call ‘bizarre news stories’ from the USA, as if they are local, very misleadingly sometimes.

  18. Draco T Bastard 18

    And it looks like this government’s anti-democratic ways are now starting to get official notice:

    Axing Environment Canterbury elections until at least 2016 is a breach of the Government’s commitment to democracy, New Zealand’s Human Rights Commission says.

    Chief human rights commissioner David Rutherford yesterday hit out at the Government for introducing the Environment Canterbury (Temporary Commissioners and Improved Water Management) Bill, during a Local Government and Environment Select Committee meeting.

    Rutherford said the bill breached some of the international human rights commitments the Government had made.

    Now, I wonder if the government can be taken to court over those breach of rights.

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
    5 hours 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
    6 hours 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
    7 hours 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
    9 hours 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
    9 hours 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
    12 hours 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
    12 hours 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
    13 hours 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
    13 hours 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
    14 hours 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
    15 hours 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    2 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
    2 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
    2 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
    2 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
    2 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
    2 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    6 days ago
  • 2024 Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships announced
    ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days 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
    6 days 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
    6 days 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
    6 days 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
    7 days 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
    7 days 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
    7 days ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-03-28T09:36:21+00:00