Parental leave – did English know or care what he was vetoing?

Written By: - Date published: 7:02 am, June 30th, 2016 - 84 comments
Categories: babies, bill english, families, national, quality of life - Tags: , , , ,

Last night the final act of Sue Moroney’s paid parental leave bill played out in Parliament, as Labour struggled to get a symbolic vote in the face of Bill English’s disgraceful and undemocratic veto.

English vetoed on the grounds of “unaffordability”, but did he actually know the cost?

English admits maths error in bill veto defence

Finance Minister Bill English has admitted he got his numbers wrong when he was defending his decision to veto a Labour Party bill to extend paid parental leave.

Mr English put the nail in the coffin of the legislation when he tabled a financial veto the week before last.

At the time he told RNZ that he did so because the costs of extending the leave to 26 weeks were simply too high.

“The six months paid parental leave would add about, when it’s fully in place, about $280 million a year on top of the current $250m we spend,” he said

Ms Moroney challenged him about the figures in Parliament.

“Does he stand by his statement to Radio New Zealand on 17 June 2016 that extending paid parental leave to 26 weeks would add when it’s fully in place about $280 million a year.”

Mr English admitted he was incorrect and should have used the figures written in the veto certificate he himself had tabled.

Ms Moroney then asked how Mr English got it so wrong.

He replied that he did so because he confused the $280m over four years, with $280m a year….

Yup, that’s how much English knew about the cost of the bill – supported by a majority in Parliament – that he vetoed on the grounds of cost. (Unusual for English he’s usually knows where the last $20 is.) As to whether or not English cared – well – not enough to speak to the debate last night. Shame.

84 comments on “Parental leave – did English know or care what he was vetoing? ”

  1. Incognito 1

    I reckon that the actual cost didn’t matter at all in Bill’s decision to veto the bill and I think it’s obvious that, in Bill’s opinion, already too much is spent on parental leave. It’s the kind of policy that doesn’t sit well with the Nats and the only reason they extended it to 18 weeks was ‘political expediency’ and most certainly not (!) because they care or cared.

    • Draco T Bastard 1.1

      +1

    • Kevin 1.2

      I get the feeling he believes a woman’s place is in the home anyway.

    • mosa 1.3

      Yes , so used to “swallowing dead rats” such as working for families that Key described as “middle class welfare” but its helped him win 3 elections, its all about expediency.
      Cost will be the last thing on their minds a year from now when the money will be there for an extension to 26 weeks to help with the family friendly image for the General election and that must win fourth term.
      As for the cock up with the figures its just pure incompetence and a sign he is Not or ever has been on top of his game.
      Its the same as the mythical surplus and this guy is in charge of the countries finances!!
      My pick is he will retire in 2017 after a lacklustre career.

  2. vto 2

    If it was the Paid Pregnant Farmers Leave Bill then he would have sponsored it himself…

    Recall Bill English fraudulently amended things so he could spend $1,700,000,000 (that’s $1.7billion) on reimbursing incompetent South Canterbury Finance investors…

    These are the priorities of Bill English

    beneath contempt

    • Halfcrown 2.1

      “Recall Bill English fraudulently amended things so he could spend $1,700,000,000 (that’s $1.7billion) on reimbursing incompetent South Canterbury Finance investors…”

      Yeah agree. The rest of New Zealanders ended up with the OBR introduced by this prat. As I said yesterday I would not trust this Double Dipping Dickhead from Dipton with the local Boy Scouts Jamboree money.

  3. Gosman 3

    Major expenditure decisions are the preserve of the government hence the veto. If the main party of government does not approve then it won’t get through. If you want to get this spending convince enough voters at the next election. That is democracy.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 3.1

      Really Gosman? How informative. I’m sure you’re the first person to mention it.

      Do you think the officially stated reasons for vetoing the will of Parliament should be connected to reality in any way?

      • Gosman 3.1.1

        If you don’t like it then work for a different government. It is the prerogative of the government to do this. It is not undemocratic because governments need to be able to control spending and revenue.

        • One Anonymous Bloke 3.1.1.1

          Gosh, you don’t say. Honestly Gosman, I don’t know what I’d do if you weren’t here to point out the obvious and the mundane.

          Do you think the officially stated reasons for vetoing the will of Parliament should be connected to reality in any way? Or are you going to make yet another vacuity?

      • Gosman 3.1.2

        If you don’t like it then work for a different government. It is the prerogative of the government to do this. It is not undemocratic because governments need to be able to control spending and revenue. If they can’t then a new election should be called.

        • Greg 3.1.2.1

          I wont bother to list the near waste of money English signs of on, its no wonder he went into politics, if he was running a business, it wouldnt be in business very long. But hey guess what, taxpayers are a endless source of money, until they revolt.

    • AmaKiwi 3.2

      @ Gosman

      That is NOT democracy. It is an elected dictatorship, which is why we don’t trust politicians of any stripe.

      In a democracy the people decide directly.

      In a democracy the threat of having a binding binding referendum forces MPs to be much more responsive to what the majority of the people want.

      Imagine the humiliation of Key & Co. having to fight (and lose) binding referendums on TPPA, the Saudi $11 million abattoir giveaway, Sky Casino pokeys, charter schools, tax cuts for the rich, Christchurch rebuild, charter schools, etc., etc.

      • Gosman 3.2.1

        No, it is democracy just one you don’t think is the best form of democracy. It is representative and not direct democracy. If you want to change the form of democracy then campaign for it.

        • AmaKiwi 3.2.1.1

          @ Gosman

          You will be singing a different tune when the next Left government imposes its dictatorial edicts on you.

    • UncookedSelachimorpha 3.3

      Gosman’s sideways statement about democracy is an attempt to distract attention from the real issues raised by the post:

      1) English faked (or cocked up) the numbers to an awful extent and
      2) English is generally opposed to social spending on principle.

      • Heather Grimwood 3.3.1

        to US at 3.3 : I agree with ” English opposed to social spending etc” . In reference to Sue’s bill, he stated at it’s inception, many moons ago, that it would be vetoed. I’ve not noticed any reference in media to that fact ( though may have missed it). To me, that indicates a dictatorial possibly petty frame-of-reference.
        As to his mistaking figures, well it was obvious that the figures he gave were wrong. I wondered too why THAT hadn’t been picked up….or maybe it was and not commented on.

        • UncookedSelachimorpha 3.3.1.1

          Yep, English’s view was already decided by his ideology, irrespective of any actual information.

  4. Lanthanide 4

    Interesting that Grant Robertson is suggesting the standing orders need to be changed so that if the veto is used, the minister doing it must front to parliament to address the chamber.

    But he’s not suggesting the veto itself be removed. Clearly he thinks it is an acceptable and democratic lever of our parliamentary process.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 4.1

      Is anyone suggesting the veto be removed?

    • Hanswurst 4.2

      I’m not sure whether that’s clear at all, actually, Lanth.

    • AmaKiwi 4.3

      @ Lanthanide

      “But Grant Robertson is not suggesting the veto itself be removed.”

      Nope. I vote Labour/Green because I think their dictator will be better than National’s dictator. But I want democracy, not elected dictators of any color.

      • Lanthanide 4.3.1

        Like the Brexit referendum, where “the public” voted, but were very poorly informed and in fact lied to by both sides of the debate?

    • framu 4.4

      i think both veto and urgency need to be reformed –

      fronting to parliament and having the reason for its use go no record feels like a good step

      i see nothing wrong with the veto in theory – but its clear that bill is using it for partisan purposes and using the budget as an election tool (tax cuts)

      • Lanthanide 4.4.1

        If we insisted the government only act in the best interests of all members of society, that would likely rule out all governments we’ve had in the last 50-60 years at least.

        • framu 4.4.1.1

          well yeah – but im not getting the link there

          im just in favour of MPs having to explain themselves when they use such measures

          • Lanthanide 4.4.1.1.1

            My point is that you said English was just doing this for “partisan reasons”. My response is that every government has done various things for partisan reasons, ie things that weren’t in the best interests of *all* members of our society.

            Now obviously when you’re distributing resources around, there will be winners and losers, and while I think Labour governments are generally fairer to more people than National ones, I’m sure you can find examples of Labour governments doing things they ought not to have, for political/partisan purposes.

            • Crashcart 4.4.1.1.1.1

              I think you are arguing a point that isn’t being made. Yes all parties will make decisions based upon “partisan reasons”. That is not necessarily wrong. They should however have to make it clear that this is the case so that when election time comes the electorate can make decisions based upon their record.

              Using the Veto and putting out false information as to why, then not fronting up to explain is unacceptable. Forcing the government to do so would only help democracy.

              • Draco T Bastard

                I think you are arguing a point that isn’t being made. Yes all parties will make decisions based upon “partisan reasons”. That is not necessarily wrong.

                Yes, that’s wrong. The only thing that decisions should be based upon is fact and reality.

                That pretty much precludes modern economics as it’s almost pure delusion.

              • Lanthanide

                So you’re arguing that some partisan actions are acceptable, and others aren’t?

                What general rule should we use to determine which partisan actions are acceptable, and which aren’t?

                • framu

                  its a veto solely for economic and budget reasons, that can overturn a bill that has votes to pass

                  pretty sure that would qualify as something that shouldnt be used for partisan reasons

                  • Lanthanide

                    “its a veto solely for economic and budget reasons, that can overturn a bill that has votes to pass”

                    Yes, that’s the definition of “financial veto”.

                    “pretty sure that would qualify as something that shouldnt be used for partisan reasons”

                    It’s being used for economic and budget reasons.

                    • Draco T Bastard

                      It’s being used for economic and budget reasons.

                      I’d call bollocks on that. It’s being done because National don’t want to increase PPL and the reasons for that will be partisan and have nothing to do with the budget. After all, spending can be increased as it will be next year when National give more tax cuts.

                    • framu

                      then “fronting to parliament and having the reason for its use go no record feels like a good step”

            • Draco T Bastard 4.4.1.1.1.2

              Now obviously when you’re distributing resources around, there will be winners and losers

              Doesn’t have to be.

            • framu 4.4.1.1.1.3

              yeah – your arguing against a point im not making

      • McFlock 4.4.2

        cabinet manual
        urgency
        now the financial veto.

        These are all things that this government has abused so hard that they need reform.

        • Lanthanide 4.4.2.1

          I’m not convinced the financial veto has been “abused”.

          It’s never been used to veto an entire bill before, but was used several times by the last Labour government. I don’t recall any outcry about it then.

          • McFlock 4.4.2.1.1

            There’s your answer.

            It was used to shitcan an entire bill because that’s the only way they could shitcan the bill. The bill was popular inside and outside of parliament, the nats have been dragging their feet for years on it, and so they use staffing projections to act as the excuse for the veto.

            • Lanthanide 4.4.2.1.1.1

              So if you have a long bill that has lots of individual spending proposals, it’s ok to veto parts of them.

              If you have a short bill that has one single spending proposal, it’s not ok to veto that?

              I mean, he could have just vetoed the clause where additional money was paid, and left the rest of the bill intact. What would be the sense in that?

              • McFlock

                It wasn’t actually a “spending proposal” as such.
                What it did do was put obligations on everyone, including the crown, that might have resulted in increased costs.

                Reading up on the veto, it seems that the previous uses have been largely the minimum remainder after compromise and negotiation. In this case they could have put in a exclusion for government employers. They could have phased it in to lower the impact. They could have done many things to mitigate the alleged financial impact on crown expenses. But they didn’t. The only thing they said was “we’ll veto it”. Bam.

                That’s an abuse of power, in my book.

                • Lanthanide

                  You realise that Paid Parental Leave is paid by the government to private individuals, right?

                  It doesn’t matter if they’re employed by the government or not – it’s the government that pays the money.

                  http://www.ird.govt.nz/yoursituation-ind/parents/parents-paid-parental-leave.html

                  “We’ll pay PPL payments directly into your bank account each fortnight. “

                  • McFlock

                    d’oh

                    fair call. I’d confused it with holiday pay, which is from the employer.

                    Even though it was still a small-minded decision and they could have put it in for subsequent years so that this year’s budget still added up, I’ll just wander into the corner now.

                    • Lanthanide

                      Yes, you’re right in that there was still compromises they could have made, to delay the implementation and scale it in over a longer period of time. Presumably the opposition would have agreed to that, while grumbling about it.

                      But at the end of the day, it is the Government that decides what the budget is, and what areas are going to be prioritised for funding. Bill English’s point that they spent a similar amount of money on increasing the benefits for everyone by $25/week is quite a fair one. They’ve decided that they want to keep their future budgets open for other spending that may be of higher priority than PPL is. They might increase spending on Pharmac for example.

                      Now, we all know that National are saving up a war chest to offer tax cuts, so the likelihood in this case is that the money is simply being saved up so it can be squandered on the public at large instead of those with new babies who could benefit more greatly from targeted spending. But that’s really beside the point – it’s the government that sets the budgets for future spending in the manner they see fit.

                      If we don’t like the government’s spending plans, the democratic avenue open to us is to change the government.

                    • Lanthanide

                      On the matter of compromises, did the opposition actually offer any compromises themselves? Like when English threatened the veto, did they say “ok, well what if we phase this in over 5 years then?”

                    • McFlock

                      They might do this that or the other.

                      But I’m not sure they’ll do any of it – the benefit increases have quite possibly been matched by kicking other people off benefits, for example. This government is masterful at getting the headlines while not really delivering improvements for people (fisi’s delusions notwithstanding).

  5. Greg 5

    Confused, he’s the Finance Minister of the Government, he should’nt get confused.
    If he can get confused over something as basic as simple costing timeframe, then he is no longer fit for his job.
    What else will he get confused with.

    • Gosman 5.1

      If you have problems with his costings in the budget then point them out. However that would tend to suggest his support from Treasury may be lacking.

      • Armchair Critic 5.1.1

        The best counter point you have is “he was allowed to do it”? That’s very weak, and shallow, though it’s also sadly consistent with your support for a finance minister who lacks a grasp of simple detail and can’t do basic maths.
        I see no reason for anyone to read any more of your comments on this thread until you can improve.

    • Gosman 5.2

      If you have problems with his costings in the budget then point them out. However that would tend to suggest his support from Treasury may be lacking.

    • AmaKiwi 5.3

      @ Greg

      “What else will the finance minister get confused with?”

      He’s confused about whether government is a business or meant to serve the best interests of all the people.

      • Greg 5.3.1

        National love to preach how Government isnt a business, at least when their in the opposition seats. Then its all game on when they have the Treasury credit card.
        Which is why English will be out next year, and leave the card maxed out to 150 Billion.

    • M. Gray 5.4

      Telling porkies as he is good at it

  6. Sabine 6

    Mathing for a living is hard work and besides he does not care.

    National shit at Math since ages ago.

  7. M. Gray 7

    Bill English the man who got free rent on the tax payer and is now selling our state houses to the wealthy .

  8. mac1 8

    English’s parsimony and motivation is one thing.

    I’d like to see some discussion on whether the Government should have the power to over-ride the will of Parliament as expressed in an Act of Parliament. Which is sovereign? Government or Parliament?

    Since members of the government, the minor party/parties which supported the Bill to become an Act, voted for it, this potentially forces a prospective wedge between partners in government. This could be inherently a destabilising action, as the only way it seems for a minor government partner to get the will of Parliament carried through is to leave the government and thereby force an election, or at least use the threat of such destabilisation. Am I right in this?

    Or government might resign because its will has been over-ridden by its partners in Parliament thereby causing a loss of confidence issue.

    It may be a good thing to destabilise and end this government early but in terms of the practice of our democracy, not desirable.

    I’d appreciate some constitutional wisdom from a competent commentator on this.

  9. He vetoed it as payback – he didn’t care what the bill was, didn’t care about the money – he wanted to show spite and vindictive smallness and he went for it – and now the pettiness of english is there for all to see – shit he’ll get as bad a rep on pettiness as finlayson soon if he keeps this up – just joking – ain’t NO one taking that crown off chris’s head

    • Greg 9.1

      They need the money for another big IRD extra payment when Key changes the rules for zero rate company trusts.
      Will the opposition get a detailed breakdown of where and how the IRD wasted 205 million in April, all for a Key fantasy financial hub, that just returns a profit of 23 million.
      How isnt this Racketeering, a law that Americans so like to get crooked elected politicians, and crime bosses, time in jail for.

      http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=11665089

    • M. Gray 9.2

      Yeah I heard him (Bill) mumbling on RNZ he was being interviewed by Guyon he sounded just like all the others, arrogant and full of it and no one has a right to question me type of attitude. I cant believe so many NZers got sucked into voting this mob in again after all the damage they did last time they were in.

  10. dv 10

    Dosent that mean he has misled parliament?

    • Lanthanide 10.1

      No, his statement was to RNZ. The documents he tabled in Parliament were accurate.

      • Sabine 10.1.1

        so he just misled err lied to the public listening to the Radio? I guess its all good then.

        • Lanthanide 10.1.1.1

          It’s up to the opposition to hold him to account. The Speaker doesn’t have to.

  11. save nz 11

    I guess double dipper, does not have either care or knowledge of what he is voting for. He just does what he is told. Must be great to be a Natz MP, just sit on the mat, do what you are told, bully your oponents and cash your pay cheque.

  12. Draco T Bastard 12

    The financial veto and the constitution(2012)

    But our Parliament grew again, with MMP shifting power from the executive to the legislature. In recognition of this – and the fact that the government no longer had an inbuilt majority to vote down spending – the Standing Orders were changed, introducing the “financial veto”. This reflected the law at the time. But then, in 2005, the law was repealed. So now we have a financial veto with no underlying statutory authority.

    An interesting point. Parliament is supreme – not the government.

    • Lanthanide 12.1

      “So now we have a financial veto with no underlying statutory authority.”

      This was already addressed in the 2014 review of standing orders, and they found that not to be the case:

      From the outset it was recognised that the financial veto procedure was “not consistent” with section 21 of the Constitution Act 1986, which required bills involving appropriations or charges on the public revenue to have the consent of the Crown. The Standing Orders Committee proposed remedying this inconsistency by repealing or modifying section 21; this recommendation was reiterated in 2003, and section 21 was repealed in 2005. However, this repeal does not justify the removal of the financial veto procedure—it was predicated on the procedure remaining intact

      In other words, the repeal only happened on the basis that the financial veto stay in place, or another slant: these two things were incompatible with each other, so one of them had to go. They chose to keep the veto and remove the legislation that contradicted it.

      https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/sc/reports/document/50DBSCH_SCR56780_1/review-of-standing-orders-2014-i18a

  13. Richardrawshark 13

    How did they turn Peter Dunne, I wonder?

    After several question to Bill on Tuesday I think it was, Bill actually gave his reason during question time,

    The fact he’d already given 25 per week to the most needy of poor families by an increase in benefit, and that they already extended paid parental leave, he didn’t think it wise to go that extra distance of paid parental leave. Was pretty much my recall of his reply.

    When he finally mumbled the truth it sounded more plausible than the stupid figures and silly buggers he was playing.

    Why he never came out and just said that to start with is beyond me. It’s like they want to look nasty. perhaps they are feeling the pressure and want to retire to their three term pension. Fuck knows with this lot. logic is not how they roll.

    • Lanthanide 13.1

      Well in the interview with RNZ, which is where he very clearly on the record got the numbers between 4 years and 1 year mixed up, he did in fact also say that line about $25/week for benefit increases and not thinking it was prudent to extend PPL further.

      So I think it’s rather a case of the media not reporting the whole story, rather than English/National changing their tune over time.

      • Richardrawshark 13.1.1

        OK I never heard the RNZ interview, concur about media, painting it as they see fit as usual to fit there agenda.

        Still think he’s a cock was an extra 120 mil, he knew the figures, did it out of spite or of a dislike for Maroney more the issue.

        Or the most numerically illiterate finance minister of all time.

        He’s a fkn Joke, and was as PM, as a person he’s a complete stuck up cock.

        In any civilized European government i saw he’d have been sacked 5 years ago

  14. Geoff K 14

    The veto was signaled, and part of the National manifesto BEFORE the 2014 General Election. To say, the majority of NZ agreed with 26 weeks paid parental leave is playing fast and loose with the Truth. It was presented to the Country Democratically, voted-on Democratically, and rejected BY THE ELECTORATE, Democratically.
    Most people don’t understand our system of government. The party elected holds the Treasury benches -meaning they alone control the expenditure. If the opposition parties can muster enough votes they can mount a vote of no confidence and then the governing party gives up the treasury benches. This has not happened here and so the governing party has the right to refuse any expenditure not in the budget which they control.

  15. Richardrawshark 15

    If someone you dislike says your power mad, how do you get back at them?, by doing the one thing that pisses them off.

    So when crying over the draconian use of powers in CHCH and emergency Parliament sessions to implement everything under the sun did Sue Moan much?

    Do you think it may have been filed away latter on like,

    When you take away the tin hats and conspiracies you usually find the meaning for most things lies in the human being themselves, simple things like hate, revenge, jealousy, love, etc.

    Bill is just a sicko who did a get back at Maroney either for someone for all of them or for himself.

    Fuck him. Shallow prick.

  16. Thinkerr 16

    Now, if the government proposes new spending of the same or greater amount (could happen) the opposition can point to this veto and raise a question in the house.

  17. Dave Jennings 17

    it’s very clear that Mr ,English is not so good at maths.He shows he is incompetent to be minister of finance .In my opinion his mistake is deliberate.

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

  • Government moves to quickly ratify the NZ-EU FTA
    "The Government is moving quickly to realise an additional $46 million in tariff savings in the EU market this season for Kiwi exporters,” Minister for Trade and Agriculture, Todd McClay says. Parliament is set, this week, to complete the final legislative processes required to bring the New Zealand – European ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 hours ago
  • Positive progress for social worker workforce
    New Zealand’s social workers are qualified, experienced, and more representative of the communities they serve, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “I want to acknowledge and applaud New Zealand’s social workers for the hard work they do, providing invaluable support for our most vulnerable. “To coincide with World ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    8 hours ago
  • Minister confirms reduced RUC rate for PHEVs
    Cabinet has agreed to a reduced road user charge (RUC) rate for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. Owners of PHEVs will be eligible for a reduced rate of $38 per 1,000km once all light electric vehicles (EVs) move into the RUC system from 1 April.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    9 hours ago
  • Trade access to overseas markets creates jobs
    Minister of Agriculture and Trade, Todd McClay, says that today’s opening of Riverland Foods manufacturing plant in Christchurch is a great example of how trade access to overseas markets creates jobs in New Zealand.  Speaking at the official opening of this state-of-the-art pet food factory the Minister noted that exports ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    10 hours ago
  • NZ and Chinese Foreign Ministers hold official talks
    Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Wellington today. “It was a pleasure to host Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his first official visit to New Zealand since 2017. Our discussions were wide-ranging and enabled engagement on many facets of New Zealand’s relationship with China, including trade, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    24 hours ago
  • Kāinga Ora instructed to end Sustaining Tenancies
    Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities has been instructed to end the Sustaining Tenancies Framework and take stronger measures against persistent antisocial behaviour by tenants, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Earlier today Finance Minister Nicola Willis and I sent an interim Letter of Expectations to the Board of Kāinga Ora. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber: Growth is the answer
    Tēna koutou katoa. Greetings everyone. Thank you to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Honourable Simon Bridges for hosting this address today. I acknowledge the business leaders in this room, the leaders and governors, the employers, the entrepreneurs, the investors, and the wealth creators. The coalition Government shares your ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Singapore rounds out regional trip
    Minister Winston Peters completed the final leg of his visit to South and South East Asia in Singapore today, where he focused on enhancing one of New Zealand’s indispensable strategic partnerships.      “Singapore is our most important defence partner in South East Asia, our fourth-largest trading partner and a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister van Velden represents New Zealand at International Democracy Summit
    Minister of Internal Affairs and Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon. Brooke van Velden, will travel to the Republic of Korea to represent New Zealand at the Third Summit for Democracy on 18 March. The summit, hosted by the Republic of Korea, was first convened by the United States in 2021, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Insurance Council of NZ Speech, 7 March 2024, Auckland
    ICNZ Speech 7 March 2024, Auckland  Acknowledgements and opening  Mōrena, ngā mihi nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho.  Good morning, it’s a privilege to be here to open the ICNZ annual conference, thank you to Mark for the Mihi Whakatau  My thanks to Tim Grafton for inviting me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Five-year anniversary of Christchurch terror attacks
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Lead Coordination Minister Judith Collins have expressed their deepest sympathy on the five-year anniversary of the Christchurch terror attacks. “March 15, 2019, was a day when families, communities and the country came together both in sorrow and solidarity,” Mr Luxon says.  “Today we pay our respects to the 51 shuhada ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024
    Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024  Acknowledgements and opening  Morena, Nga Mihi Nui.  Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Thanks Nate for your Mihi Whakatau  Good morning. It’s a pleasure to formally open your conference this morning. What a lovely day in Wellington, What a great ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Early visit to Indonesia strengthens ties
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters held discussions in Jakarta today about the future of relations between New Zealand and South East Asia’s most populous country.   “We are in Jakarta so early in our new government’s term to reflect the huge importance we place on our relationship with Indonesia and South ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • China Foreign Minister to visit
    Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has announced that the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, will visit New Zealand next week.  “We look forward to re-engaging with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussing the full breadth of the bilateral relationship, which is one of New Zealand’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister opens new Auckland Rail Operations Centre
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has today opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre, which will bring together KiwiRail, Auckland Transport, and Auckland One Rail to improve service reliability for Aucklanders. “The recent train disruptions in Auckland have highlighted how important it is KiwiRail and Auckland’s rail agencies work together to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Celebrating 10 years of Crankworx Rotorua
    The Government is proud to support the 10th edition of Crankworx Rotorua as the Crankworx World Tour returns to Rotorua from 16-24 March 2024, says Minister for Economic Development Melissa Lee.  “Over the past 10 years as Crankworx Rotorua has grown, so too have the economic and social benefits that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government delivering on tax commitments
    Legislation implementing coalition Government tax commitments and addressing long-standing tax anomalies will be progressed in Parliament next week, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The legislation is contained in an Amendment Paper to the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill issued today.  “The Amendment Paper represents ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Significant Natural Areas requirement to be suspended
    Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard has today announced that the Government has agreed to suspend the requirement for councils to comply with the Significant Natural Areas (SNA) provisions of the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity for three years, while it replaces the Resource Management Act (RMA).“As it stands, SNAs ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government classifies drought conditions in Top of the South as medium-scale adverse event
    Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has classified the drought conditions in the Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts as a medium-scale adverse event, acknowledging the challenging conditions facing farmers and growers in the district. “Parts of Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts are in the grip of an intense dry spell. I know ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
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  • Government partnership to tackle $332m facial eczema problem
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