Paula Bennett now believes in education for solo parents

Written By: - Date published: 9:27 am, June 11th, 2014 - 70 comments
Categories: benefits, budget 2014, labour, national, paula bennett, welfare - Tags:

For the past five years the left has pilloried Paula Bennett for her hypocrisy.  She is something of a poster child for the National Party, someone to persuade the electorate that National is not full of rich white males wanting to increase their control of our society.  What better person to parade than someone who is female, part Maori, and allegedly someone who improved herself through her own efforts.

The claim of hypocrisy is made because Bennett was able to gain a University degree when she was a solo mum, which is fine, but one of the early things she did as Minister was to prevent other solo mums from doing the same after cuts were made to eligibility to the training incentive allowance, a payment which made education for solo parents easier to attain.  The hypocrisy was palpable as was the stupidity of the decision.  Why would you make it harder for solo parents improving themselves and trying to get themselves off the DPB?

This decision has opened her up to continuous attacks for climbing the state provided ladder and then pulling it up after her and then setting fire to it.  It has been part of a theme relied on by Labour to highlight the difference between the parties.

National is moving to dim the difference.  From the Beehive website:

Budget 2014 will make it much easier for sole parents to move off benefit and into full time study announced Steven Joyce, Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment and Paula Bennett, Minister for Social Development.

The Government is investing between $18 and $24 million over four years to implement three policy changes that will align the student support system for sole parents with the benefit system.

It is estimated the changes will see around 3,000 more sole parents move into fulltime study over the next four years, adding to the 2,400 currently accessing mainstream student support.

From July 2015, sole parents taking up full-time study will receive at least the same level of accommodation support from the student support system as they do with the benefit system.  Currently they may receive up to $165 less per week.

The change is cynical.  It does not return the situation to what it was when National gained office but they can say now that they are improving things.  No doubt they will say that the country could not afford this policy back then but this did not stop National from giving large tax cuts to the already wealthy at the time.

And suddenly Paula is a champion for solo parents receiving education to better themselves.

It makes sense to invest in education for more sole parents.  We know that a sole parent with no qualifications spends on average around 17 years on a benefit at a cost of $230,000 over their lifetime.  That’s compared to a sole parent with a tertiary qualification spending seven and a half years less on benefit, costing $88,000 less over a lifetime.”

If this is the case then why has Paula actively disrupted efforts by solo parents to better themselves during the past five years.  Could it be that National’s internal polling shows that issues relating to poverty and inequality are becoming critically important and they realise that they are especially vulnerable on these issues?

70 comments on “Paula Bennett now believes in education for solo parents ”

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  1. Ant 1
    11 June 2014 at 9:58 am

    They are pretty cynical. The symbolic “just enough to look good” play seems to be working for them with the electorate, which is kind of sad considering it just glosses over real problems that need attention.

    • Tom Gould 1.1
      11 June 2014 at 11:15 am

      “Just enough to look good” only works if their cronies in the MSM write it up that way. Bit like Joyce and his 3 new ICT Grad Schools funded to the tune of $28m … over 4 years … including $11m contingency … so actually about $750,000 for each grad school each year … which hardly pays the rent and power bills … but makes for really cheap headlines to feed the ‘rock star’ narrative that the Tory MSM is so crazy about?

  2. just saying 2
    11 June 2014 at 10:06 am

    Tertiary education incurs many extra expenses. Those beneficiaries with good support will be able to make use of this, those who are without the extras, those most hard-up will be far less likely to be able to benefit from the policy.

    Same old, same old.

    • weka 2.1
      11 June 2014 at 10:29 am

      I agree, this from Bennett is typical obfuscation

      “It makes sense to invest in education for more sole parents. We know that a sole parent with no qualifications spends on average around 17 years on a benefit at a cost of $230,000 over their lifetime. That’s compared to a sole parent with a tertiary qualification spending seven and a half years less on benefit, costing $88,000 less over a lifetime.”

      That takes no account of the other barriers to education. The problems can only be solved by looking at the whole picture.

    • KJT 2.2
      11 June 2014 at 12:51 pm

      Take it away, then give a quarter of it back 4 years later, just before the election. National all over.

  3. Awww 3
    11 June 2014 at 10:16 am

    She might just mean a change to accommodation supplement(???)
    Right now if you are a single parent on a benefit you get a higher amount of AS than if you were on student allowance.

    However you are still subject to a FT work test on a benefit. Understandably the minions have caused trouble attempting to implement this.

  4. Mary 4
    11 June 2014 at 10:19 am

    This speech by Bennett epitomises so much of what she’s about. Jenny Shipley used to perform the same way. Bennett talks as if what the government is doing will make people’s lives better, but what she’s really saying is that government will do nothing and that if people’s lives don’t improve it’s their fault.

    This performance should be compulsory viewing in every politics/sociology/media studies course in the country, even if only to show the ability of one human being to talk so much shit in a limited space of time. It’s hard going getting through all of it but it does make you stronger.

    • ffloyd 4.1
      11 June 2014 at 11:04 am

      Couldn’t do it. What a load of bullocks! What’s with the swearing? Who was her audience? Might have misheard but I thought I heard her say ‘invasive’ corrected to ‘innovative’ at one stage. Couldn’t bring myself to go back to check. She has obviously been getting tutoring from key, her “political crush” as she once called him. Lot of verbal garbage about nothing. What was she trying to say? Had to stop listening halfway through.

      • Mary 4.1.1
        11 June 2014 at 12:02 pm

        It’s hard going, I know, but you’ll be richer for the experience. Think of it as being similar to a anti-nazi activist reading Mein Kampf.

        • Once was Tim 4.1.1.1
          11 June 2014 at 12:51 pm

          Except that its just hard to warm to feral men or women at times … especially ones that belong to the feral nouveau riche wing of the Natzi parties (growing in number it seems).
          Btw …. I did “sorta” sit through “sorta” three “sorta” quarters of the 1st link, “sorta” skipping through most of the “sorta” repeating herself, and “sorta” repeating the pre-programmed “sorta” mantra, but it just “sorta” became too “sorta painful Eh? ^^^^ ???? squeek!

        • leah 4.1.1.2
          12 June 2014 at 1:02 pm

          Oh MY GOD.

          • Mary 4.1.1.2.1
            12 June 2014 at 8:21 pm

            Precisely, and your reaction says that what she does and what it means deserves total deconstruction, critique and attack. It’s easy to dismiss Bennett’s performance as a bit of sick humour, but exposing what her performance stands for is more important than we think. (It’s similar also, I think, to shining truth on to the Key phenomenon – but I digress.)

    • Richard Christie 4.2
      11 June 2014 at 8:14 pm

      ughh, kinda Ricky Gervais in drag, yeah?

  5. dave 5
    11 June 2014 at 10:57 am

    National won’t look at the
    Big picture its to unpleasant for there rose coloured glasses

  6. Molly 6
    11 June 2014 at 11:12 am

    Had a unusual knock on the door a few weeks ago, apparently my house had been selected for a survey on – Adult Education. Given that I live rurally – this seemed to be a fairly inefficient method of choosing survey respondents. (I do live in the worst house in a fairly well-heeled area though).

    I asked who the survey was for – NZ government – and it was being conducted to find out what people thought of education on offer for adults. I asked how they were choosing survey respondents, and they said a random selection of every eleven houses, and then a series of questions to get to eligibility. It was completely voluntary – though when I declined I was told that I would receive a $50 koha – and had a very interesting and assertive survey man spend up to ten minutes trying to persuade me to participate. I asked how they would apply this data and conclusions, and they said it would be provided to the government to do with what they will.

    I suggested that a random selection of voluntary (paid) respondents in a high decile area, gives a very flawed view of adult education, and given that the government has access to those very details would prefer that they use their wider stats from their statistical department to help draft policy rather than random questions to people who may never have considered the role of adult education. And given the constant changes that have happened over the past five years to our educational system, I did not want to participate in something that may or may not be used to make it worse.

    I’m guessing those who did participate – indicated a change was necessary. Good on them.

    • bad12 6.1
      11 June 2014 at 11:47 am

      Feel free not to answer my little question Molly, but, do you live in a safe National held electorate, safe Labour one, or one that is marginal,

      i am just trying to get an idea of who, i would suggest a private organization being paid from the tax base, are the target of such questions,

      The worry here is this may be a ”novel” means of having the taxpayer cough up the coin to provide the present Government the answers to far more political questions than simply those surrounding adult education,

      What better means of checking out the pulse of the party base,(if the questions are being asked in only National strongholds), than have particular points of past or intended future policy canvassed by other than that which is obviously the political Party,(clever sods if so),

      i cannot really be at all grumpy about the changes intended by Paula, i am pretty sure i heard Her on NationalRadio the other day saying that all that was being done was ensuring that those beneficiaries studying were no worse off financially than those who were not,(the one member of the whanau at present doing so will be chuffed), and of course, ”no worse off” when considered further would make the intricacies of the current Ministers mind as a study in the vein of a comics short guide to madness of interest to those who thrive upon the dissection of such things…

    • Treetop 6.2
      11 June 2014 at 11:49 am

      I was staying with a relative when they were selected for the study. I went to the door to check it out to make sure they were not being scammed.

      9,000 participants from NZ are required and it is an international study of 150,000 participants.

      In the area (provincial) I stayed in, every fifth house was selected. When it came to who was eligible there was a gap in the first initial of the christian name and the surname was the same. It had to be the right christian name initial.

      I think the programme used was from Germany.

      A $50 note was given at the end of the survey, I thought that the survey payment would need to be deposited. The survey took over two hours.

      I like your suggestion of who the participants should be.

      • Molly 6.2.1
        11 June 2014 at 4:15 pm

        Different survey I suspect, this one was from NZ, and the selection criteria went down to a random number that was applied to the adults in the household not the initials of the christian names.

        • Treetop 6.2.1.1
          12 June 2014 at 3:54 pm

          The questions were on education and employment during the adult years and some general background was asked for e.g. school qualifications.

          • greywarbler 6.2.1.1.1
            12 June 2014 at 7:47 pm

            And the money. When I was doing surveys of a marketing type, we didn’t offer money. People were asked and one might try to coax them but no money. They weren’t supposed to take longer than say 20 minutes though.

  7. fisiani 7
    11 June 2014 at 11:29 am

    As you can see there is a “rolling maul” of good news coming from the government. This rolling maul will continue to spread the good news for the 100 days. The people know that the country is heading in the right direction and the investments in getting people off a lifetime of benefits is plain to see. National is spending money on getting solo mums a decent education and thus a better paid job. Labour is offering cheap cookery classes to the middle class.
    National is building 4 lane highways.
    Labour wants trucks banned from the fast lane.
    90 day chance to prove yourself has been a raging success.
    Labour fought it tooth and nail.
    National are winning hearts and minds and votes across every portfolio.
    Manufactured goods on the rise, terms of trade best in decades, primary produce growing. House price rises slowing. Wages up 3.2%
    This is what the Brighter Future looks like. It will only get better with JK at the helm.

  8. Treetop 8
    11 June 2014 at 11:30 am

    I want to see a grah since National became government in 2008 of how many receiving the sole parent benefit are doing tertiary study.

    Will those who take up the study offer be reclassified so the sole parent stats decrease?

    How many sole parents were in teriary education under the last two terms of the Labour government?

  9. xtasy 9
    11 June 2014 at 11:43 am

    Hah, I suppose the drive to pressure more sick and disabled into part time work is “saving” WINZ and MSD money, so they can throw back a few morsels to sole parents wishing to study to get better chances to return to work.

    This is just another election year carrot, and by looking closer at it, it does not look that great at all.

    While the media may allow Paula to “window dress” her policies and her own “efforts”, the cold fist of welfare reform is hammering down in other areas. I hear of thousands now being re-assessed, gradually that is, and doctors now finding a high number of them “fit” to do at least 15 or so hours of work a week, persons who were NEVER BEFORE seriously considered to be so for years:

    ‘WORK ABILITY ASSESSMENTS DONE FOR WORK AND INCOME – PARTLY FOLLOWING ACC’s APPROACH: A REVEALING FACT STUDY’

    http://accforum.org/forums/index.php?/topic/16092-work-ability-assessments-done-for-work-and-income-%E2%80%93-partly-following-acc%E2%80%99s-approach-a-revealing-fact-study/

    Also essential material to study is found here:

    http://accforum.org/forums/index.php?/topic/15463-designated-doctors-%e2%80%93-used-by-work-and-income-some-also-used-by-acc/

    Wait until after the election, if the Nats win and get their third term, they will drive all this further, and more ruthlessly as they have done so far. Sadly too few are aware of what is happening, and the silent majority is too busy working and looking after themselves. Beneficiaries have a bad reputation, thanks for many years of bashing and stigmatising, and we can thank the NatACT governments, even the last Labour government, and the oh so “helpful” media for it.

    Stuff you, Paula Bennett, go to fricking hell, where you belong, “my dear”!

    • bad12 9.1
      11 June 2014 at 11:56 am

      X, in this life you can only feel stigmatized if you have the slightest belief that the portrayal of those that dish such, for want of a better word, shit out has a shred of veracity…

    • Treetop 9.2
      11 June 2014 at 12:07 pm

      A bit like leaky homes, when you go to the Supreme Court the smile gets wiped off the Auckland City Council.

      At some point I have minimum two years of litigation against ACC and the DHB and that will be my 15 hours a week, even though I am not being forced to be assessed or trained. I always pulled my weight when I was able to.

      Yes, this is one reason why the government has to change. If using coat tailing does it, then it has to be done.

      • Tracey 9.2.1
        11 June 2014 at 2:00 pm

        look how long it took til someone could afford to take such a crucial issue to the sc.

        In a proper system such a question as built date vs limitation should be able to be sent straight to the sc, at taxpayers cost for a judicial interpretation.

        • Treetop 9.2.1.1
          11 June 2014 at 2:12 pm

          And now the fight for the compensation to be paid.

          The best of luck to them.

        • Draco T Bastard 9.2.1.2
          11 June 2014 at 7:16 pm

          The entire justice system needs to be funded by the government because if some one can’t afford to go to court then we don’t have a justice system, we have a system catering to the rich only.

    • greywarbler 9.3
      12 June 2014 at 8:09 pm

      xtasy
      I had a suspicion that the medical man Mansel Aylward would be the Brit who was driving people with ME to despair over there with a regime based on the idea that one can become habitually idle after recuperating from illness, and then apathetic and all that is needed is some exercise and cognitive work.

      And indeed it is him over here now and he is peddling his psychological approach everywhere. Brits seem to specialise in allowing certain fervent medical believers, where there is room to insert their prejudices, and an opportunity to save money, to take over the discourse on illness.

  10. geoff 10
    11 June 2014 at 12:30 pm

    2014 – The year of token socialism from the National party.

    No principles, no morality, no brains, just greed and hunger for power.

    • KJT 10.1
      11 June 2014 at 12:54 pm

      Just goes to prove that the left is winning the idealogical battle. National has to pretend to be more left wing to keep in power. So they can continue the great NZ, asset strip!

      • geoff 10.1.1
        11 June 2014 at 1:10 pm

        here’s how i see it….(very broadly)
        In the 70’s and 80’s it became unacceptable to be publicly sexist.
        In the 80’s and 90’s it became unacceptable to be publicly racist.
        In the 90’s and 00’s it became unacceptable to be publicly homophobic.

        Now that, publicly, at least everyone is considered equal (i know i know, there’s still a looong way to go) on those terms, now the target of equality is focusing on economic equality.

        I think it all started in the counter-culture of the 1960’s. Powerful stuff.

    • greywarbler 10.2
      11 June 2014 at 1:54 pm

      geoff (contd)
      And baubles, and status objects, and comfort, and expensive stylish things, and the latest machinery and technology and everything new except where something is desirably old or rare, which is covered by the category of expensive stylish things.

    • Tiger Mountain 10.3
      11 June 2014 at 3:57 pm

      There can be a fine line between people reinventing themselves, genuine epiphanies and opportunism.

      When that person is a politician however the change in belief is highly likely to be about–vote for me! With tory politicians the opportun-o-meter rapidly hits 100%.

      Pullyer Benefit did not take long to shed her animal skin prints and leave her West Auckland 9 vote majority behind in her rush to grasp a new electorate. This woman seems to detest beneficiaries and gleefully went along with Paula Rebstocks ‘war on the poor’.

  11. greywarbler 11
    11 June 2014 at 1:50 pm

    Education is amazing. Paula was bound to learn something one day. All you have to do is to be keen to know new things, and conquer (or conk her) understanding of the material.
    Like Manuel – she can learn – to allow others to learn.

  12. Tracey 12
    11 June 2014 at 2:03 pm

    Mickey

    What is the comparisson between what paula tooketh away and what she now proposes to giveth back?

  13. NZJester 13
    11 June 2014 at 3:15 pm

    Nationals new plan seams to be to take most of Labors popular policies and put in a half assed versions of them so they can claim in debates that they are already doing something about them and that those Labour policies are no longer of any importance.
    I just hope Labour is able to point out how these policies put in place by National do not go far enough and are likely to be pulled again as part of a deal with coalitions partners if National wins the election.
    They are trying to claim they are moving to the left to attract votes from left of center with these policies while in the back rooms doing secret deals with the far right. You can bet all these left like policies are being offered up to the extreme right as things they will remove again if those coalition partners wish.

  14. Tracey 14
    11 June 2014 at 3:24 pm

    Was this in the budget? Am assuming it was otherwise where is the money coming from? If it was in the budget the opposition, and media must have known it was coming.

  15. greywarbler 15
    11 June 2014 at 5:00 pm

    Nick Smith in Nelson has got some more publicity puckering his lips to a toddler he is holding in his arms while his young attractive blonde mother looks on. Helping teenage mothers with further education has suddenly been found to be a Good Thing. (Was running well with good results since 1994 and possibly before that.)

    Inspiring Kiwi: Susan Baragwanath
    For many Kiwi teens, an unplanned pregnancy can signal the end of formal education. Our Air NZ Holidays Inspiring Kiwi this week is a woman who challenged that discrimination head-on, when she established He Huarahi Tamariki, a school in Wellington for young parents. http://www.hht.school.nz/
    Susan Baragwanath’s school opened in 1994, and moved to several different locations including a disused tavern, before finally constructing a purpose-built premises complete with adjacent daycare facility.

    He Huarahi has helped hundreds of parents over the years – mainly women – to gain their secondary school qualifications while simultaneously supporting them as mothers. One such woman is Helen Woolner, who is currently an MA student at Victoria University majoring in chemistry. TV1 item undated.

    At the end of 2004, after 37 years of teaching, Baragwanath retired from He Huarahi Tamariki.Having built a new school complex in 2003, she left an institution with abundant assets, no debt, $50,000 in a scholarship fund, and $100,000 in the bank.And she can say, “My former students, who had been consigned to the rubbish heap, are now in the New Zealand police, social workers, teachers, nurses, electricians, car mechanics, university students, or working in jobs with prospects.

    http://www.zoominfo.com/p/Susan-Baragwanath/6473423

  16. dimebag russell 16
    11 June 2014 at 8:22 pm

    paula bennet doesn’t give a hoot about lurning to reed. all she wants to do is grandstand while she hands out patronage. this woman is a fraud and she will go in september. It will be very interesting to watch these tory party hacks who make it back into parliament dealing with being in opposition. Bennet for one wont be able to hack it. I’ll lay money on that.

    • greywarbler 16.1
      11 June 2014 at 9:54 pm

      I think that Poorer Benefit will be back in parliament. She is a quick learner and we have noticed how good she is at a chameleon act. She is now a model of a perfect major National, and may be disassembled so she can be studied and reverse engineered so they can get more like her.

  17. RedBaronCV 17
    11 June 2014 at 9:09 pm

    Wow Paula at her most underwhelming. The quick read I had in the MSM suggests this policy is coming in in 2016 – so plenty of time to decide that it won’t be done. Secondly, look at the numbers,
    there used to be around 100,000 single parents on a benefit. So we currently have 2% studying (2000) and it is intended to add another (3000) making 95000 who are not going to have the chance of further study.The whole policy is just in the margin of error not a sea change.
    Lipstick on the pig – those polls must be showing a zero female vote.

  18. felix 18
    11 June 2014 at 9:19 pm

    Hey! Paula was never a bogan beneficiary!

    She’s a well dressed professional North Shore Girl™ and always has been, mkay?

  19. Mr Oh Well 19
    11 June 2014 at 10:28 pm

    A letter to Paula Bent It, Parata-Fritata and Keys Fees.

    Dear Paula and co, so you stole my Skoda, forgot that you stole it, then for some reason rummaged around in your man bags giving me back my fluffy dice. I bet you can’t even recall why you gave me back my fluffy dice. Except for some latent subconscious nagging in the back of your tiny widigitless mind that maybe, just maybe you did or were part of some evil empire that steals from people, and you kinda feel a teeny weenie bit guilty (only cause its election year). Your kind of an inverse Robin Hood a Paula Hood et al who steals from the poor, then patronizes them by giving less back than what she stole from them in the first place.

    Bugger off Paula et al, I want my Skoda back (ok its only a Skoda but its better off than not owning one), oh and my fluffy dice. Oh, and stop pretending to be my mate. Everyone use to have been entitled (rich, poor, unemployed) to a good low cost, low debt eduction.

    How come they gave you a Free, yes that right folks free Eisenhower Scholarship to the states, why? (Rhetorical question people)

    Amazing, how people forget, we had an education/university system that use to be relatively cheap and easy to access (for all, even the unemployed). People were not in debt. I wonder where oh where is the money all bleeding to and what the effects of high student loans and who benefits by them.

    Its amazing how under Nationals mind control policies student debt and headlines such as the below are the new normal, you would a thunk, that with that over the years, with all these education, social, and government cuts we would be a super efficient society. Yet still we plunge deeper and deeper into the abyss. Huummmmmmm,

    • Student loans face timebomb, says Labour http://m.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-26705164
    • $1tn student debt crisis crushes home-buying dream http://m.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-26893131
    • Total student loan debt sits at more than $13 billion, and is projected to hit $14b by next year. http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/opinion/9809500/Student-loan-plan-likely-to-miss-target

    You know bloody well even after getting there nice new shinny degree, certificate or whatever, the chances of getting a well paid job in the exact area they studied are, well, not very high. Particularly when you have been poorly educated in the first place.

    So why are students, the poor and middle class funding our chums at the top, just how did this happen again, I forgot, I or did I?
    Recent asset sales: $100 million a year more flowing offshore every year (could have went to the education/university sectors) https://www.greens.org.nz/koa-why
    Student loans

    Isn’t it odd, that we were averaging about $20 billion of debt per year between 1933-2008 (see https://fmacskasy.wordpress.com/tag/2010-tax-cut/).

    This was through WWII and 16 world recessions and never getting above $30 billion.
    http://www.stocktradingtogo.com/2008/07/18/timeline-of-all-recessions-and-world-crises-since-great-depression/ (17 world recessions)

    Now we are spiking toward $60 Billion with National? (see below for the reasons0
    https://fmacskasy.wordpress.com/tag/2010-tax-cut/

    A few reasons why our debt skyrocketed from 2008 onwards…
    1. The Global Financial Crisis, which reduced corporate turnover and export receipts, thereby lowering the company tax take;

    1. Two tax cuts (2009 and 2010) reduced government revenue, thereby necessitatingborrowing more from offshore to make up the difference. In essence, we borrowed from other peoples’ saving to put more money in our (mostly top incomer earners) pockets.
      Using Parliament Library information, the Greens have estimated that this involvedborrowing an extra couple of billion each year.
    2. National could have kept Debt down by investing in job creation. Key’s cycleway project was promised to create 4,500 new jobs – it failed spectacularly.

    Gee National, I wonder what we could have spent that 1 billion dollar yearly tax cut on, education and universities?

    Watch the Documentary: Who Gets The Best Jobs (BBC).

    Bascially, its the top tier families children. Its getting worse in the UK and sure as night will follow day, it will get worse here to.

    Who Gets the Best Jobs – BBC Documentary 2011

    “Britain is a less equal society than at any time since World War One. In Who Gets the Best Jobs, Richard Bilton investigates access to the professions – and finds that the best jobs are being snapped up by an increasingly small gene pool of privileged, well-connected families.

    Getting a good degree matters more than ever – and those from low income families can no longer easily work their way up from the bottom without the qualifications, contacts and social skills that their more fortunate counterparts make full use of.  Show less

    Britain is a less equal society than at any time since World War One. In Who Gets the Best Jobs, Richard Bilton investigates access to the professions – and finds that the best jobs are being snapped up by an increasingly small gene…

    Yeah, go National, you maybe winners in the PR space where as people have stated that you are getting major PR for sweet FA, but really, can you sleep at night?”

    • greywarbler 19.1
      12 June 2014 at 10:27 am

      Basically the neo libs have broken the society they started work on, and have no intention to rebuild it for the people who need it. They are just looting the notable artifacts and structures like Natis stealing art works and treasures to take them away and gloat over them. And we know what Natis thought about the ‘ordinary’ people who weren’t considered art works or up to standard.

  20. hellonearthis 20
    11 June 2014 at 10:50 pm

    Will Nationals next trick be to reduce GST to the level is was before they increased it, after they had said they would increase GST.
    What a cunning plan, to get elected then cut great scheme only to reinstate them when a close election looms.

  21. Mr Oh Well 21
    11 June 2014 at 10:57 pm

    Oh, the bit about
    Isn’t it odd, that we were averaging about $20 billion of debt per year between 1933-2008 (see https://fmacskasy.wordpress.com/tag/2010-tax-cut/).

    The 1933 should read 1993…

    So this statement

    This was through WWII and 16 world recessions and never getting above $30 billion.
    http://www.stocktradingtogo.com/2008/07/18/timeline-of-all-recessions-and-world-crises-since-great-depression/ (17 world recessions)

    Now we are spiking toward $60 Billion with National? (see below for the reasons0
    https://fmacskasy.wordpress.com/tag/2010-tax-cut/

    Is complete crap.

    Sorry.

  22. Draco T Bastard 22
    11 June 2014 at 11:50 pm

    Changing Education Paradigms
    By Sir Ken Robinson

  23. logie97 23
    11 June 2014 at 11:55 pm

    … was beginning to wonder where the Petulent Bean had got to.
    Currently MP for Waitakere but obviously keen to relocate to Hobsonville.
    Of course she has sorted all the problems of the West out. I remember the
    huge fanfare when she eyeballed some hoonish behaving girls in the
    West City centre, and all her followers thought that was just the ticket.
    “Good on ya Paula,” was the call. “You show them you mean business
    in their own manner. That should learn ’em!”

    Yeah right.

    Westie – who’s a Westie? Not my patch or problem anymore.

  24. NzJackson 24
    12 June 2014 at 3:51 am

    Nationals time is up

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  • Speech to the 2024 Infrastructure Symposium
    Introduction Good morning. It’s a great privilege to be here at the 2024 Infrastructure Symposium. I was extremely happy when the Prime Minister asked me to be his Minister for Infrastructure. It is one of the great barriers holding the New Zealand economy back from achieving its potential. Building high ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 hours ago

  • $571 million for Defence pay and projects
    Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced the upcoming Budget will include new funding of $571 million for Defence Force pay and projects. “Our servicemen and women do New Zealand proud throughout the world and this funding will help ensure we retain their services and expertise as we navigate an increasingly ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    11 hours ago

  • Climate change – mitigating the risks and costs
    New Zealand’s ability to cope with climate change will be strengthened as part of the Government’s focus to build resilience as we rebuild the economy, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “An enduring and long-term approach is needed to provide New Zealanders and the economy with certainty as the climate ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    11 hours ago

  • Getting new job seekers on the pathway to work
    Jobseeker beneficiaries who have work obligations must now meet with MSD within two weeks of their benefit starting to determine their next step towards finding a job, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “A key part of the coalition Government’s plan to have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Accelerating Social Investment
    A new standalone Social Investment Agency will power-up the social investment approach, driving positive change for our most vulnerable New Zealanders, Social Investment Minister Nicola Willis says.  “Despite the Government currently investing more than $70 billion every year into social services, we are not seeing the outcomes we want for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Getting Back on Track
    Check against delivery Good morning. It is a pleasure to be with you to outline the Coalition Government’s approach to our first Budget. Thank you Mark Skelly, President of the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce, together with  your Board and team, for hosting me.   I’d like to acknowledge His Worship ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • NZ – European Union ties more critical than ever
    Your Excellency Ambassador Meredith,   Members of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassadors from European Union Member States,   Ministerial colleagues, Members of Parliament, and other distinguished guests, Thank you everyone for joining us.   Ladies and gentlemen -    In diplomacy, we often speak of ‘close’ and ‘long-standing’ relations.   ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Therapeutic Products Act to be repealed
    The Therapeutic Products Act (TPA) will be repealed this year so that a better regime can be put in place to provide New Zealanders safe and timely access to medicines, medical devices and health products, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello announced today. “The medicines and products we are talking about ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Decisions on Wellington City Council’s District Plan
    The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop, today released his decision on twenty recommendations referred to him by the Wellington City Council relating to its Intensification Planning Instrument, after the Council rejected those recommendations of the Independent Hearings Panel and made alternative recommendations. “Wellington notified its District Plan on ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Rape Awareness Week: Government committed to action on sexual violence
    Rape Awareness Week (6-10 May) is an important opportunity to acknowledge the continued effort required by government and communities to ensure that all New Zealanders can live free from violence, say Ministers Karen Chhour and Louise Upston.  “With 1 in 3 women and 1 in 8 men experiencing sexual violence ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Smarter lunch programme feeds more, costs less
    Associate Education Minister David Seymour has today announced that the Government will be delivering a more efficient Healthy School Lunches Programme, saving taxpayers approximately $107 million a year compared to how Labour funded it, by embracing innovation and commercial expertise. “We are delivering on our commitment to treat taxpayers’ money ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Report provides insights into marine recovery
    New research on the impacts of extreme weather on coastal marine habitats in Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay will help fishery managers plan for and respond to any future events, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. A report released today on research by Niwa on behalf of Fisheries New Zealand ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • NZ to send political delegation to the Pacific
    Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters will lead a broad political delegation on a five-stop Pacific tour next week to strengthen New Zealand’s engagement with the region.   The delegation will visit Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and Tuvalu.    “New Zealand has deep and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Low gas production threatens energy security
    There has been a material decline in gas production according to figures released today by the Gas Industry Co.  Figures released by the Gas Industry Company show that there was a 12.5 per cent reduction in gas production during 2023, and a 27.8 per cent reduction in gas production in the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Defence industry talent, commitment recognised
    Defence Minister Judith Collins tonight announced the recipients of the Minister of Defence Awards of Excellence for Industry, saying they all contribute to New Zealanders’ security and wellbeing. “Congratulations to this year’s recipients, whose innovative products and services play a critical role in the delivery of New Zealand’s defence capabilities, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Speech to the Minister of Defence Awards of Excellence for Industry
    Welcome to you all - it is a pleasure to be here this evening.I would like to start by thanking Greg Lowe, Chair of the New Zealand Defence Industry Advisory Council, for co-hosting this reception with me. This evening is about recognising businesses from across New Zealand and overseas who in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Speech to the Sixth Annual New Zealand Government Data Summit
    It is a pleasure to be speaking to you as the Minister for Digitising Government.  I would like to thank Akolade for the invitation to address this Summit, and to acknowledge the great effort you are making to grow New Zealand’s digital future. Today, we stand at the cusp of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Ceasefire agreement needed now: Peters
    New Zealand is urging both Israel and Hamas to agree to an immediate ceasefire to avoid the further humanitarian catastrophe that military action in Rafah would unleash, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “The immense suffering in Gaza cannot be allowed to worsen further. Both sides have a responsibility to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Daily school attendance data now available
    A new online data dashboard released today as part of the Government’s school attendance action plan makes more timely daily attendance data available to the public and parents, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour.  The interactive dashboard will be updated once a week to show a national average of how ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Ambassador to United States appointed
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced Rosemary Banks will be New Zealand’s next Ambassador to the United States of America.    “Our relationship with the United States is crucial for New Zealand in strategic, security and economic terms,” Mr Peters says.    “New Zealand and the United States have a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • New permit proposed for recreational gold mining
    The Government is considering creating a new tier of minerals permitting that will make it easier for hobby miners to prospect for gold. “New Zealand was built on gold, it’s in our DNA. Our gold deposits, particularly in regions such as Otago and the West Coast have always attracted fortune-hunters. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • NZ and the UAE launch FTA negotiations
    Minister for Trade Todd McClay today announced that New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will commence negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA). Minister McClay met with his counterpart UAE Trade Minister Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi in Dubai, where they announced the launch of negotiations on a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • New Zealand Sign Language Week an opportunity for anyone to sign
    New Zealand Sign Language Week is an excellent opportunity for all Kiwis to give the language a go, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. This week (May 6 to 12) is New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) Week. The theme is “an Aotearoa where anyone can sign anywhere” and aims to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Next stop NASA for New Zealand students
    Six tertiary students have been selected to work on NASA projects in the US through a New Zealand Space Scholarship, Space Minister Judith Collins announced today. “This is a fantastic opportunity for these talented students. They will undertake internships at NASA’s Ames Research Center or its Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), where ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • $1.9 billion investment to keep NZ safe from crime
    New Zealanders will be safer because of a $1.9 billion investment in more frontline Corrections officers, more support for offenders to turn away from crime, and more prison capacity, Corrections Minister Mark Mitchell says. “Our Government said we would crack down on crime. We promised to restore law and order, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • OECD reinforces need to control spending
    The OECD’s latest report on New Zealand reinforces the importance of bringing Government spending under control, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The OECD conducts country surveys every two years to review its members’ economic policies. The 2024 New Zealand survey was presented in Wellington today by OECD Chief Economist Clare Lombardelli.   ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • 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
    5 days 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
    6 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week ago

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