Open mike 18/03/2020

Written By: - Date published: 7:00 am, March 18th, 2020 - 56 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 Policy).

Step up to the mike …

56 comments on “Open mike 18/03/2020 ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. David Mac 1
    18 March 2020 at 9:32 am

    Pull through headline on TV3 breakfast show this morning.

    KIWIFRUIT FARMERS MAY EMPLOY UNEMPLOYED LOCALS AS TOURIST NUMBERS DWINDLE

    I'm a bit confused as to how I feel about that "Gee, that's no good?" or "Won't that stimulate spending in that community?" or "Shouldn't we already be talking with local unemployed before we're bankrolling German 20 something scenic tours of NZ?"

    • David Mac 1.1
      18 March 2020 at 9:34 am

      Ahh I get it, people who find themselves unemployed in coming weeks will be able to find temp work picking kiwifruit, Yep, cool.

      • Kevin 1.1.1
        18 March 2020 at 3:38 pm

        So the kiwi workers are no longer 'too lazy' to pick fruit?

        Looks like the kickbacks will be drying up for a few contractors.

  3. aj 3
    18 March 2020 at 9:50 am

    Can someone explain this. We are meant to sneeze into the elbow area, then greet people by bumping elbows?!?

    Instant transmission of the virus from one persons garments to another, touch your elbow with your hands (e.g. folding arms) then touch your face and bingo! you are infected.

    • bwaghorn 3.1
      18 March 2020 at 9:57 am

      Yeah na we should just go for the good old kiwi raise of the eyebrows are up tilt of the head and chur bro .

    • Anne 3.2
      18 March 2020 at 10:05 am

      Easy to sort. Keep one elbow for polite greetings and the other elbow for sneezing into. The trick will be to remember which is which.

    • mikesh 3.3
      18 March 2020 at 10:16 am

      Blow nose with inside elbow, touch with outside. I can't touch my nose with my outside elbow anyway. I'm not made of rubber.

      • aj 3.3.1
        18 March 2020 at 11:05 am

        It's a cough or sneeze, uncontrolled, and particles are still likely to fly anywhere around the elbow.

        However – each to their own. If people are doing this, even though I don't think it's perfect, they are probably trying to be safe in other areas as well.

    • weka 3.4
      18 March 2020 at 12:42 pm

      Social distancing requires no body touching with someone who is coughing or sneezing. I don't know who is suggesting elbow bumping but please don't. The recommended distance is 2m. I think it's prudent to keep that distance for all interactions at the moment, unless closer is absolutely necessary. We should be doing 2m whether we have symptoms or not.

  4. OnceWasTim 4
    18 March 2020 at 10:17 am

    This virus will be a test of our national values

    (Dame Anne Salmond)

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/120335043/this-virus-will-be-a-test-of-our-national-values

    Soimun has certainly shown us what his values are over the past 24 hours

  5. ianmac 5
    18 March 2020 at 11:33 am

    "Abortion referendum scrapped – public won't decide on law change."

    That is good if the Bill passes in the House as seems likely.

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12317689

    • weka 5.1
      18 March 2020 at 12:43 pm

      Good.

    • Tiger Mountain 5.2
      18 March 2020 at 1:00 pm

      Good decision by MPs on this. 50% of the population should have legislated control over their own bodies and reproductive health, without “tyranny of the majority” type interventions such as NZ First’s proposed referendum. Much of society has moved on with this issue from the 70s, simple as that.

      • Alice Tectonite 5.2.1
        18 March 2020 at 4:17 pm

        Yes. Requiring lies about mental health is not on (especially given NZ's generally crap attitude to mental health issues)

  6. RedBaronCV 6
    18 March 2020 at 1:13 pm

    I'd like to think that the government doesn't wind up borrowing to support the well paid in the workforce. I see the business pages are starting to talk redundancy. Just looked at one company that pays it's 12 or so senior people around $20 million. These are all the employees over $1million – There is another significant bunch between $0.5 mill and $1 mill. Chop this down and 800 people could have $25k for 6 months – instead of redundancy and being pushed onto the dole and borrowings the taxpayer has to repay. Okay this is a company that has a lot of wider issues but it won't be alone.

    Time to put in place some rules around redundancies having to be signed off by the labour department (any rules around redundancy now are largely ignored) – which can only happen if the upper level has taken the big hit. Maybe also look at hefty tax increases for the well paid. And don't be sucked by the "we are earning it in a crisis" – the implication is that they don't really earn it the rest of the time?

    Lower level staff are going to get hammered as are a lot of investors through their kiwisavers etc – I can see any reason why some who are drawing large salaries can't share the pain.

    • gsays 6.1
      18 March 2020 at 1:31 pm

      Time for a maximum wage perhaps.

      Say no more than 12 times the lowest paid in the company.

    • Adam Ash 6.2
      18 March 2020 at 1:42 pm

      Classic Black Swan event eh! In accord with Parkinson's Law, those earning $1 mill will probably have mortgage and loan repayments of $900,000 and they will collapse just as fast, if not faster, than a household earning $60,000 a year paying $20k pa on their house. Almost everybody lives up to their means. It won't be pretty.

    • Ad 6.3
      18 March 2020 at 3:49 pm

      In Feb they announced borrowing $12billion for infrastructure projects.

      All those engineers and design teams are suitably recompensed. There's tens of thousands of subbies kept going from it as well.

    • Fireblade 7.1
      18 March 2020 at 1:40 pm

      Don't Panic!

    • McFlock 7.2
      18 March 2020 at 3:38 pm

      All recently returned from overseas.

      When the reverse-diaspora gets tallied, we'll see what happens. Got a colleague flying back into iso in a few days, actually.

  8. Andre 8
    18 March 2020 at 3:41 pm

    As expected, Biden wins Florida in a blowout and wins Illinois solidly. Arizona results expected to start coming in after 4pm out time.

    A special ray of sunshine in the safe Dem Illinois 3rd Congressional District, where solidly progressive Marie Newman appears to have successfully primaried the incumbent anti-abortion centrist Dan Lipinski.

    However, even in this safe Dem district, Biden is beating Sanders 3:2. Looks like progressive ideas are popular there but Sanders personally is not.

    • Bill 8.1
      18 March 2020 at 4:17 pm

      Looks like progressive ideas are popular there but Sanders personally is not.

      The power of homogenised propaganda coming in at people from all angles, no matter which way they turn, aye?

      Sanders was the most popular member of congress by far in polls over these past few years, no?

      You might remember how corporate media blanked him when they weren't discounting him before they got on to maligning him and back to blanking him (haven't seen much of him on msm of late being interviewed about topics of the day).

      It works.

      And when powerful corporate interests (that includes msm) have symbiotic relations with politicians then, y'know, it's pretty easy to bolster an anti-Sanders message by getting a slew of those politicians to say Biden is "the man", and have msm ignore the fact those self same politicians voiced very serious reservations about Biden's capabilities only a few months back.

      Shame Sanders doesn't have any "fuck you" attitude and, like Corbyn, seems to suffer from the middle class malaise of "reasonableness". He could have done far worse than photocopy a page from Trump's book when it comes to confronting vested interests. But no.

      "Let me tell you, Joe is a good friend of mine" 🙄

      • alwyn 8.1.1
        18 March 2020 at 7:03 pm

        "Sanders was the most popular member of congress".

        How do you come to that conclusion. What Polls are you relying on?

        • joe90 8.1.1.1
          18 March 2020 at 7:11 pm

          With voters in his own state.

          Sen. Bernie Sanders maintained his position as America’s most popular senator, with 64 percent of voters in his state approving of him. As he considers a second run for the presidency, the Vermont independent tops the list for the 11th quarter in a row

          https://morningconsult.com/2019/01/10/americas-most-and-least-popular-senators-q4-2018/

          • alwyn 8.1.1.1.1
            19 March 2020 at 10:33 am

            I wondered if that might have been the Poll that was being used. Bill hasn't confirmed it of course but replies to requests like mine for confirmation of claims are often ignored. Moderators sometimes miss people who don't attempt to justify there claims.

            The poll you quote seems an awfully thin reed to justify a claim that Sanders is "The most popular member of Congress" wouldn't you think? It covers only Senators. The majority of members of Congress are of course the members of the House of Representatives, who outnumber the Senators by 435 to 100. Do you know how popular the most liked of them are?

            It also assumes that only the single number of approvals being considered. Would you not think a number for net approvals might be more rational? Approval minus disapproval say?

            That would show that Bernie is the least popular Senator in his own State wouldn't it? Leahy on a net +39% is ahead of Bernie on +36%.

            However the point I would make is that a measure like this, looking only at the numbers for Senators in their home state is hardly relevant is it? We could make equally wide extrapolations to make claims like the following.

            "Jacinda Ardern is the least popular Prime Minister in New Zealand"

            "Donald Trump is the most popular President in the US"

            Just as true aren't they, and the supporting evidence is just as flimsy?

      • sumsuch 8.1.2
        18 March 2020 at 11:25 pm

        A great man of democracy.

    • AB 8.2
      18 March 2020 at 5:41 pm

      There is no reason to believe that Sanders is personally unpopular. The fact is that the 'electability' propaganda from the Democratic Party has been very successful. Paradoxically, Trump's awfulness has made it harder for Sanders to win – Democratic party voters have been persuaded to vote against the person who best represents their interests and opinons (Sanders) in order to get rid of Trump.

      God knows whether it will pan out that way. How bad do the effects of Covid-19 need to be before Trump loses? If the pandemic is still biting in November – whose voters won't turn up out of fear? Maybe the ones who know they'll have to queue for 5 hours due to Republican voter suppression tactics in poor neighbourhoods? Can Trump outflank Biden on the left with issues like NAFTA and the Iraq war, and win the mid-west swing states again? We have no idea.

      From here it looks like a terrible lost opportunity. It matters because the only global institution capable of stamping on corporate power and delivering a green new deal is the US federal government. And now the best we can hope for is Sleepy Joe – a very conservative democrat with a record of serving his corporate masters. Bad days for humanity and the planet.

      • Andre 8.2.1
        18 March 2020 at 5:59 pm

        Maybe popular wasn't the best word. Maybe "think Biden would do a better job as president to advance the things they want" might be a bit closer.

        I'm kinda relieved I voted for Warren before the choice narrowed to Biden or Sanders. I really don't know which way I'd choose. I really prefer the space where Bernie centres his ideas, but his record of actually achieving anything significant from his decades in Congress is negligible. Then when it comes to being a politician with a chance of winning the Electoral College, he frequently self-sabotages.

        Such as the way he torpedoed any chance of he may have had of winning Florida by doubling down on his "Castro done good" comments, rather than grab the opportunity to go after Trump for his cosying up to dictators for his personal benefit. Or when asked about responding to coronavirus, he defaulted to replaying his exact same message he's been playing for forty years with zero tailoring to the specific circumstances at hand. It comes across as old man yelling at the sky, rather than someone that can read a novel situation and has the cognitive adaptability to come up with an appropriate customised response.

        • Andre 8.2.1.1
          18 March 2020 at 6:26 pm

          btw, for any mods with itchy ban-hammers, the quote marks in the comment above indicate paraphrasing rather than literal direct quotes.

        • Bill 8.2.1.2
          18 March 2020 at 8:05 pm

          Hmm. Medicare for All is very popular and something people want advanced, yes? But your argument is that people will vote for the guy who says he'll veto Medicare for All if he's President, because he's the guy who will advance their interests.

          I kinda suspect a similar story would unfold for other popular "wants" of Americans.

          And maybe that's why, in spite of an unprecedented boost in the polls he got off the back of all the 'heavy wieght' brouhaha after he won S. Carolina, his poll numbers are already heading south. And maybe…just maybe…that soft support for Biden is why Perez stuck it to Democratic voters and ignored public health advice in order to get another three states under Biden's belt while the spell of Biden's "electability" lasts…just maybe.

      • The Al1en 8.2.2
        18 March 2020 at 6:43 pm

        the 'electability' propaganda from the Democratic Party has been very successful.

        This line of defence for Sanders tanking is wafer thin. If you haven't fallen for it, why should the actual democrat voters?

        • AB 8.2.2.1
          18 March 2020 at 7:43 pm

          I'm at the advantage of not actually living in the place where the thing is going on. I'm not subject to the same direct anxieties about Trump. I am absolutely not suggesting that my judgement is any better than theirs – though your seem to be insinuating that I am. And it isn't a 'defence', it's an observation, offered without the same snide absolutism of your response.

      • RedLogix 8.2.3
        18 March 2020 at 7:53 pm

        I do agree with your overall sentiment, but it's tempered by events today in the USA where the Trump administration has stepped up to the crisis in a dramatic fashion. Trump is the master of exploiting a crisis to his own benefit and I recall Ad writing a good post to that effect about a month ago.

        Too soon to tell which way it may go.

        • Bill 8.2.3.1
          18 March 2020 at 8:14 pm

          Dylan Ratigan was shitting on the irony of Trump getting a landslide campaigning on Medicare for All and a UBI 🙂

          What we do know is that his rhetoric will curve to Biden's left, just as it did with Clinton.

          • RedLogix 8.2.3.1.1
            18 March 2020 at 8:19 pm

            Exactly. A major part of his political genius is that he’s the least ideological POTUS I can ever recall and he’ll take whatever cards he’s dealt and play them win, whatever it takes.

            Here's another irony; the left loves bemoaning how the system has thrown up three old white guys, yet if you want to find out about the last woman standing in the race you will only hear about it from Tucker Carlson.

            • Andre 8.2.3.1.1.1
              18 March 2020 at 8:28 pm

              The difference is now the bilious fake-bronze baboon has a record of actual actions. Which are mostly incompetent renditions of bog-standard Repug priorities.

              It's not like 2016 where he could spout nonsense all over the entire ideological spectrum and fantasists would cherry-pick the one thing he said that met their desires and kid themselves that that was what he would do.

              • RedLogix …
                18 March 2020 at 10:37 pm

                Do me a favour and stop wasting the rabid rants on me. I know he's a total goat of a man, I personally can't stand even listening to him dribble on. But there is no question he's also done at least a dozen 'impossible things' from winning the 2016 nomination onward; it's worth understanding why.

                You know like the left is supposed to be bigly on social context.

  9. Ad 9
    18 March 2020 at 8:58 pm

    Anyone else's workplace going ridiculously HUT HUT HUT! over this whole thing?

    It just feels like a bunch of meaningless and largely pointless risk plans to make up and keep busy with.

    Fuck me if I have to lead another workshop on messaging and risk.

  10. sumsuch 10
    18 March 2020 at 11:15 pm

    The Stephen Mills Labour Party is over. An interventionist Govt for the people is needed. No more transferring power to the strong like what Labour believes since 1984. This activist govt is the model for climate change where 95 % can die unlike the small percent for this flu.

    Dominance over the powerful or they will impose their interests to the 95 %'s detriment.

    The best thing about Labour is the rich were never an ideal, just a stoppage they believed couldn't be passed. I'm sure Clark believes in the full recovery of the benefits Shipley cut.

  11. Eco Maori 11
    19 March 2020 at 6:30 pm

    Kia Ora Newshub.

    Doctors using Skype to advise cancer patients who are most vulnerable to the virus is Ka pai.

    Ka kite Ano

  12. Eco Maori 12
    19 March 2020 at 6:51 pm

    Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News.

    One of the New virus cases is in Rotorua.

    Our government redeployment program was needed.

    Gardening and self sestanable living is the way to go.

    Ka kite Ano

  13. Eco Maori 13
    20 March 2020 at 8:32 am

    Kia Ora The Am Show.

    The traffic jams are gone for now the road workers will be able to get more mahi achieved.

    I still seem to have a few cars around me.????. There is even a silver van with black windows that parks in front of me when I'm walking my dog and takes off when I get close to it been seeing it on the road constantly.?????

    Yes the Rangatahi need to take this virus seriously and do thing to minimise them selves from catching it and spreading it.

    That's is good the endangered Black Rinos population is rising.

    I have confidence that Aotearoa can control the virus.

    The difference between Climate change and the virus is the virus is short term deaster Climate change is long term.

    Ka kite Ano

  14. Eco Maori 14
    20 March 2020 at 6:30 pm

    Kia Ora Newshub.

    Air New Zealand getting a government bailout.

    One would think the police would go and talk to a person who didn't obey the law.???. about the virus.

    Ka kite Ano

  15. Eco Maori 15
    20 March 2020 at 6:49 pm

    Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News.

    That's good that Te Tairawhiti is getting 28 million to keep tangata in mahi. One doesn't sell the whare to keep a business going.

    Its good to see all the health packs being delivered to Tangata Whenua.

    Ka kite Ano

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • Agreement delivers Local Water Done Well for Auckland
    The Government has delivered on its election promise to provide a financially sustainable model for Auckland under its Local Water Done Well plan. The plan, which has been unanimously endorsed by Auckland Council’s Governing Body, will see Aucklanders avoid the previously projected 25.8 per cent water rates increases while retaining ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago

  • Gaza and the Pacific on the agenda with Germany
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters discussed the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and enhanced cooperation in the Pacific with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock during her first official visit to New Zealand today.    "New Zealand and Germany enjoy shared interests and values, including the rule of law, democracy, respect for the international system ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Decision allows for housing growth in Western Bay of Plenty
    The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop today released his decision on four recommendations referred to him by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, opening the door to housing growth in the area. The Council’s Plan Change 92 allows more homes to be built in existing and new ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Speech to New Zealand China Council
    Thank you, John McKinnon and the New Zealand China Council for the invitation to speak to you today.    Thank you too, all members of the China Council. Your effort has played an essential role in helping to build, shape, and grow a balanced and resilient relationship between our two ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Modern insurance law will protect Kiwi households
    The Government is modernising insurance law to better protect Kiwis and provide security in the event of a disaster, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly announced today. “These reforms are long overdue. New Zealand’s insurance law is complicated and dated, some of which is more than 100 years old. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Government recommits to equal pay
    The coalition Government is refreshing its approach to supporting pay equity claims as time-limited funding for the Pay Equity Taskforce comes to an end, Public Service Minister Nicola Willis says.  “Three years ago, the then-government introduced changes to the Equal Pay Act to support pay equity bargaining. The changes were ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Transforming how our children learn to read
    Structured literacy will change the way New Zealand children learn to read - improving achievement and setting students up for success, Education Minister Erica Stanford says.  “Being able to read and write is a fundamental life skill that too many young people are missing out on. Recent data shows that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • NZ not backing down in Canada dairy dispute
    Trade Minister Todd McClay says Canada’s refusal to comply in full with a CPTPP trade dispute ruling in our favour over dairy trade is cynical and New Zealand has no intention of backing down. Mr McClay said he has asked for urgent legal advice in respect of our ‘next move’ ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Stronger oversight for our most vulnerable children
    The rights of our children and young people will be enhanced by changes the coalition Government will make to strengthen oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, including restoring a single Children’s Commissioner. “The Government is committed to delivering better public services that care for our most at-risk young people and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Streamlining Building Consent Changes
    The Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says.      “The coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Minister acknowledges passing of Sir Robert Martin (KNZM)
    New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Speech to New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, Parliament – Annual Lecture: Challenges ...
    Good evening –   Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Accelerating airport security lines
    From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Community hui to talk about kina barrens
    People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Kiwi exporters win as NZ-EU FTA enters into force
    Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Mining resurgence a welcome sign
    There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill passes first reading
    The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Government to boost public EV charging network
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure.  The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Residential Property Managers Bill to not progress
    The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Independent review into disability support services
    The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Justice Minister updates UN on law & order plan
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Ending emergency housing motels in Rotorua
    The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Trade Minister travels to Riyadh, OECD, and Dubai
    Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Education priorities focused on lifting achievement
    Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • NZTA App first step towards digital driver licence
    The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say.  “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Supporting whānau out of emergency housing
    Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Tribute to Dave O'Sullivan
    Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Speech – Eid al-Fitr
    Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Government saves access to medicines
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff.    “Access to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwis’ lives. We’ve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Pharmac Chair appointed
    Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Taking action on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
    Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says.  “Every day, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • New sports complex opens in Kaikohe
    Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Diplomacy needed more than ever
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges.    “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address, Buttes New British Cemetery Belgium
    Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service.  It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address – NZ National Service, Chunuk Bair
    Distinguished guests -   It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders.   Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address – Dawn Service, Gallipoli, Türkiye
    Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia.   Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • PM announces changes to portfolios
    Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • New catch limits for unique fishery areas
    Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Minister welcomes hydrogen milestone
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Urgent changes to system through first RMA Amendment Bill
    The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-05-05T19:42:59+00:00