Serco should be sacked

Written By: - Date published: 4:50 pm, July 21st, 2015 - 46 comments
Categories: crime, national, prisons, privatisation, same old national - Tags: ,

Kelvin Davis’s speech today during the urgent debate in Parliament today.

And Peseta Sam Loto-Iiga’s rather strange response.

And some twitter response to the debate.

https://twitter.com/bsidebeats/status/623332490002825216

46 comments on “Serco should be sacked ”

  1. dukeofurl 1

    Hes including the ‘independent office of the ombudsman’ in the investigation.

    That would be the overworked and under resourced ombudsman whos supposed to act for the public and its dealings with the bureaucracy.

  2. G C 2

    Serco Fight Club = Torture
    Serco + Torture = Investigation of Public Prisons

    1 + 1 must equal 3

  3. Clemgeopin 3

    “Serco should be sacked

    What about the idiot inefficient Minister? Why not him?

    • G C 3.1

      My thoughts exactly Clemgeopin. Labour has truly failed to fire over this issue. Oh how I longed for Helen Clark in Parliament today. She would have led a brilliant attack. She would have made mince-meat of them!

      After seeing Andrew Little’s lack-lustre performance, I even longed for David Cunliffe – who ironically sat behind him.

      Also remember, prisoners don’t have the right to vote so, it’s imperative their right to safety is insured. This issue is so serious that if capitalised on well will send National into a tail spin.

      Conclusions:
      – National have dropped the ball big-time.
      – Labour need to work on Andrew Little big-time and bring Cunliffe back in from the cold.
      – Serco obviously need to go.

  4. One Anonymous Bloke 4

    I agree with the headline. Sacked, burnt to the ground, and their fields sown with salt. There is no alternative.

    Unless the National Party’s owner/donors lose their shirts every single time they buy policy here, they will continue to get away with it.

  5. alwyn 5

    Poor old Toby Manhire.
    He clearly is pretty dumb if he still thinks that John Campbell is still on TV isn’t he?
    Someone put the poor chap out of his misery.

  6. Pat 6

    this from a company aware it is under the microscope and trying to demonstrate they are capable of running all our prisons…..hate to think how they would perform 10 years on if they did.

  7. Nordy 7

    Alwyn – you just demonstrated that he isn’t the one who is ‘pretty dumb’ ….

  8. dukeofurl 8

    Wow.

    “Labour MP Kelvin Davis has claimed that a prisoner who was thought to have died from a superbug had severe injuries that could only have been caused by violent abuse within jail.”

    He told a story of a prisoner named only as Evans who arrived at Ngawha prison in Northland with a punctured lung.

    “He was in such bad shape that almost immediately the guards at Ngawha transferred him to Whangarei Hospital where he subsequently passed away,” Mr Davis said.

    I’m told on good authority that there is a practice in Mt Eden Correctional Facility that is called ‘dropping’, where … new prisoners … are sized up by gangs, they’re bashed up, and they’re dropped off the balconies onto the concrete below for good measure.

    “That’s what happened to prisoner Evans. He was dropped off the balcony, his lung was ruptured, but then he was transferred out of Mt Eden Correctional Facility and sent north to Ngawha.”

    Mr Davis also cited another case in which an inmate was transferred to a Whanganui prison with two broken legs after being dropped off a landing at the Mt Eden prison.

    Sorry for the cut and paste job- its in the speech above !

    [Duplicate comment deleted] – Bill

    • AmaKiwi 8.1

      By transferring injured Serco/Mt. Eden prisoners to public prisons, Serco managers are doing what they are required to do by law: maximize shareholder profits.

      By law, company managers CANNOT do anything for the good the community, the environment, public health, their employees, or their clients if that action is not the most profitable course of action for the company’s shareholders.

      Are you getting some idea why privatization is destroying civilization and the planet?

    • G C 8.2

      Shocking just Shocking

  9. maui 9

    Mass walkout by most of National’s MPs at the start of Davis’s speech – good to see they care.

  10. Gruntie 10

    The Nats walk out because they are embarrassed

    • Molly 10.1

      The Nats walk out because they are embarassed not to have at hand the appropriate Crosby/Textor response.

      They still don’t care.

  11. Ad 11

    Minister Sam looks like he’s peaked in Cabinet – and Corrections is only above Racing and Consumer Affairs.

    Good mid-level story with lots and lots to run.

    Key’s “renewed” bench is looking worse than the Wallabies.

  12. ropata 12

    John Roughan and DPF will find a way to
    a) minimise the problem
    b) praise national
    c) blame Labour

    (i.e. bullshit the public again…)

  13. Dan1 13

    Don’t forget SERCO will be in the frame for privatisation of schools in NZ. Do a Google search for SERCO +education + England. You will be inspired by the vision the Nacts have for public education in NZ. The public private partnerships as espoused by Hekia and education planners will end up with the same results as Mt Eden prison and some of the charter schools in NZ, as well as New Orleans in the States and Bradford in England.

  14. Sable 14

    The Americanization of our public services with the inevitable results. Just wait till the little traitors sign the TPPA, it will be 1000 times worse again.

  15. mpledger 15

    Why isn’t the media asking “how bad does serco have to perform for their contract to be invalidated?” and “What have corrections put in place is serco’s contract is invalidated (or they walk away)?”.

  16. Crashcart 16

    What amazes me is that he accuses Davis of denegrating Corrections department staff then straight away lists shoddy stats to try and say Serco is way better than sitty corrections staff. Ignoring the initial point that they believe Serco is not recording incidents.

  17. Allyson 17

    I heard of a vicious prisoner assault at a Christchurch prison today. But for some reason the report did not state if the prison was run by the State or by a private company. Can someone enlighten me please?

    • Pat 17.1

      there may well have been but a) youve heard about it and b) the incidents wernt ignored and hidden for months and publicly denied and c) the victim is unlikely to have been sent to hospital via another prison….so what was your point?

      • DoublePlusGood 17.1.1

        Uh, why are you jumping on Allyson for asking a simple question requesting a clarification that is relevant to the topic at hand?

        • Pat 17.1.1.1

          you are right , my apologies Allyson I misinterepted the post…Serco only run Mount Eden and South Auckland currently though it is envisaged that should they perform to an acceptable level the opportunity to run other facilities within NZ will present itself….assuming there is no change in policy.

  18. Jo 18

    People in the UK and other countries have been aware of problems with Public Private Partnerships (PFPs in the UK) and the massive outsourcing companies contracted to run them, for a very long time. More about Serco’s UK variant, here:

    http://weownit.org.uk/privatisation-doesn%E2%80%99t-work/whats-problem-outsourcing-companies

    and here

    http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/why-were-sick-serco-1447774

    ‘People are well and truly sick of Serco. Not just because Serco is under criminal investigation by the Serious Fraud Office for defrauding the taxpayer. Not just because Serco has been accused of all number of scandalous things – from allegations of abuse and deaths at detention centres to lying on NHS records.

    […] Our polling, carried out by Survation, about what the public thinks of outsourcing companies shows people are deeply uncomfortable with Serco. They use words like ‘self-interested’, ‘greedy’ and ‘unaccountable’ to describe the company. Governments and businesses ignore those kinds of reactions at their peril.’

    Could we do with our own version of We Own It, perhaps?

  19. http://willnewzealandberight.com/2015/07/22/renationalizing-our-prisons/

    I wholly agree that Serco need to be sacked. I think New Zealand’s corrections system needs to be renationalized. Whilst there might be a place for the private sector in terms of ensuring services are delivered in an economically responsible way, where you are dealing with victims of crime and the future of prisoners as people as well as (HOPEFULLY)reforming prisoners, there is none.

    • Clean_power 19.1

      Sorry, but your line of argument does not make sense.
      Robert, what sector would you consider off-limits to the private sector? Or should the state own it all?

      • McFlock 19.1.1

        the bits dealing with victims of crime, the future of prisoners and reforming prisoners, obviously.

        Robert wrote it quite clearly.

        • Clean_power 19.1.1.1

          Based on what? Why don’t you extend the prohibition to schools or hospitals? I repeat: based on what? Ideology?

          • dv 19.1.1.1.1

            Principle> CP

            • Clean_power 19.1.1.1.1.1

              And the principle is?: Aversion towards private enterprise? Dislike of profits and private ownership? Preference for big state ownership? Love of socialism?

              • McFlock

                Well, in the case of Serco and the MECF, the principle in question seems to be the principle of gravity as applied from the perspective of a balcony.

              • dv

                Would you allow private armies CP?

              • Colonial Viper

                Clean_power – to stop the dead weight loss of private profit and rentier behaviour on society.

          • McFlock 19.1.1.1.2

            Well, the apparent state of MECF under Serco seems to be a pretty good basis to start with. I.e. the demonstrated incompetence of the apparent best bidder from tprivate sector.

            But Robert merely expressed an opinion, one which I happen to agree with and think to be quite reasonable in the light of current events. I’m sure Robert has a different rationale to mine for holding that opinion. Whether they can be bothered engaging with you is up to them.

          • Colonial Rawshark 19.1.1.1.3

            of course based on the ideology that same functions should be in the service of the public, and that every dollar for those functions should be used in the service of the public, and not diverted to private profit.

          • Naturesong 19.1.1.1.4

            Private sector, must by design maximise profits on a given income.
            Public sector, must by design, maximise service on a given budget.

            Also, only one of these things is democratically accountable (although National are clearly committed to disproving this).

            A short list would be, all natural monopolies that underpin the economy; roads, rail lines, power infrastructure, communications infrastructure, postal service, healthcare, state housing, education system.
            An easy way to separate this group is to include all the infrastructure New Zealanders built as country via the state.
            The ones that private sector is only interested in after we built and paid for these things with taxes, blood and sweat.
            So they can charge rent.

            Also, any institution that has the power to deprive a person of their liberty, or provide other sanctions on New Zealand citizens; courts, penal system, IRD etc.

            And any national service that deals with people who are vulnerable to being exploited; WINZ, CYFS, Health Services, State housing etc., etc.

            For me, thats the core of it.

            • Clean_power 19.1.1.1.4.1

              Are you against a private postal service, private hospitals and schools?

              • McFlock

                How is that relevant, whichever way I answer?

                Private enterprise can’t run prisons. Serco can’t run a prison. MECF was supposed to showcase the efficiency of the private sector. Well, it’s certainly showed the outcomes.

              • I am not against private hospitals, private schools or private freight/courier/document delivery companies from operating.
                Why would I be?
                Private companies will compete, and those who can afford the higher fees they charge will use them.

                What I am against is kneecapping our public postal service, education and health systems in order to create or expand a market for the private sector to fill.
                Accountability, economical use of resource, and ensuring a healthy and educated populace are core government functions.

                Here’s a mental exercise for you.
                Imagine if you will, every five year old currently in their first year of school.
                Should I meet any of them in 15 years’ time, I want to maximise my chances that it’s over a beer, or a trade, or a sports game, rather than the end of a knife or a gun.

                People who say, “They’re not my kids, why should I pay for their schooling or health care” are idiots, pure and simple. The sort you beat at chess in 7 moves because they are unable to visualise the future result of their actions.

            • Colonial Rawshark 19.1.1.1.4.2

              and more relevant overseas but also here: police and defence

      • Molly 19.1.2

        Housing.
        Health – including mental health, ACC.
        Education.
        Defence and Police.
        Corrections.

        To start.

  20. Smilin 20

    But how do you stop TPPA ? we are seeing it in action now with this fiasco NZ will be bankrupt, morally, financially
    Who will have the power to oversee these corporations then.
    How much is this going to be for ACC to pay

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    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Government funding bailouts
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    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Two offenders, different treatments.
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    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
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    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 15
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    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The day Wellington up-zoned its future
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    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Weekly Roundup 15-March-2024
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    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    5 days ago
  • That Word.
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    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • The Hoon around the week to March 15
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    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Labour’s policy gap
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    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #11 2024
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    5 days ago
  • Melissa remains mute on media matters but has something to say (at a sporting event) about economic ...
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    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago
  • The return of Muldoon
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    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Will the rental tax cut improve life for renters or landlords?
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    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: What Saudi Arabia’s rapid changes mean for New Zealand
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    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    5 days ago
  • Racism’s double standards
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    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 ...
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    5 days ago
  • Who is responsible for young offenders?
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    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’
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    6 days ago
  • Solving traffic congestion with Richard Prebble
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    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    6 days ago
  • I Think I'm Done Flying Boeing
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    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...
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    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • Why Newshub failed
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    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
    10 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
    11 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
    1 day 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. ...
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    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
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    5 days ago
  • Celebrating 10 years of Crankworx Rotorua
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    5 days ago
  • Government delivering on tax commitments
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    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Significant Natural Areas requirement to be suspended
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    5 days ago
  • Government classifies drought conditions in Top of the South as medium-scale adverse event
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    5 days ago
  • Government partnership to tackle $332m facial eczema problem
    The Government is helping farmers eradicate the significant impact of facial eczema (FE) in pastoral animals, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced.  “A $20 million partnership jointly funded by Beef + Lamb NZ, the Government, and the primary sector will save farmers an estimated NZD$332 million per year, and aims to ...
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    5 days ago
  • NZ, India chart path to enhanced relationship
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    6 days ago
  • Ruapehu Alpine Lifts bailout the last, say Ministers
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    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
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    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
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    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Fresh produce price drop welcome
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    6 days ago
  • Statement to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the sixty-eighth session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
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  • Speech to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68)
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
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    6 days ago
  • Government backs rural led catchment projects
    The coalition Government is supporting farmers to enhance land management practices by investing $3.3 million in locally led catchment groups, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced. “Farmers and growers deliver significant prosperity for New Zealand and it’s vital their ongoing efforts to improve land management practices and water quality are supported,” ...
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    6 days ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber
    Good evening everyone and thank you for that lovely introduction.   Thank you also to the Honourable Simon Bridges for the invitation to address your members. Since being sworn in, this coalition Government has hit the ground running with our 100-day plan, delivering the changes that New Zealanders expect of us. ...
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    1 week ago
  • Commission’s advice on ETS settings tabled
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    1 week ago
  • Government lowering building costs
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    1 week ago
  • Trustee tax change welcomed
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    1 week ago
  • Minister’s Ramadan message
    Assalaamu alaikum. السَّلَام عليكم In light of the holy month of Ramadan, I want to extend my warmest wishes to our Muslim community in New Zealand. Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, renewed devotion, perseverance, generosity, and forgiveness.  It’s a time to strengthen our bonds and appreciate the diversity ...
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    1 week ago
  • Minister appoints new NZTA Chair
    Former Transport Minister and CEO of the Auckland Business Chamber Hon Simon Bridges has been appointed as the new Board Chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) for a three-year term, Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced today. “Simon brings extensive experience and knowledge in transport policy and governance to the role. He will ...
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    1 week ago
  • Speech to Life Sciences Summit
    Good morning all, it is a pleasure to be here as Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology.  It is fantastic to see how connected and collaborative the life science and biotechnology industry is here in New Zealand. I would like to thank BioTechNZ and NZTech for the invitation to address ...
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    1 week ago
  • Progress continues apace on water storage
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    1 week ago
  • Government agrees to restore interest deductions
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    1 week ago
  • Minister to attend World Anti-Doping Agency Symposium
    Sport and Recreation Minister Chris Bishop will travel to Switzerland today to attend an Executive Committee meeting and Symposium of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Mr Bishop will then travel on to London where he will attend a series of meetings in his capacity as Infrastructure Minister. “New Zealanders believe ...
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    1 week ago

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