States of it – Turei and Shearer

Written By: - Date published: 2:35 pm, January 27th, 2013 - 93 comments
Categories: david shearer, greens, labour, Metiria Turei - Tags:

Metiria Turei and David Shearer have today given their State of the Planet and State of the Nation speeches respectively. There’s a lot of commonality, which is good. A critique of the government is solidifying and it’s centred on jobs, housing, and the environment. The Greens’ policy agenda looks heftier than Labour’s but both are heading the right way.

E rere haere ana ōku mihi ki ngā tangata whenua o tēnēi rohe, ki Ngāti Whātua. He tino nui tō manaakitanga ki a mātou i tēnēi rā.Ki te maunga i tū mai nei, Maungawhau, tēna koe.E kī ana te korero, whāia te iti kahurangi, ki te tuohu koe me he maunga teitei
Our challenge is to build a movement of like-minded New Zealanders who share our vision for a better future. And that work starts today. If we want to change the world we need to build the political machine to deliver it.He hari tō tātou ngākau ki te hui i roto i tēnēi rohe ataahua.I send my greetings to the people of this land, to Ngāti Whātua. You have shown great hospitality to us today.Greetings to the mountain that stands here, Maungawhau.

It is said, pursue that which is precious, and do not be deterred by anything less than a lofty mountain.

Our hearts are happy to meet in this beautiful region.

So how great is it to be here under the beautiful Maungawhau? I’ve spent a lot of time, climbing up and down this maunga, coming here to Tahaki for parties and picnics and late night frolicking.

This maunga has been welcome respite for generations of Māori and Pakeha alike.

Yet, beneath this cool, green surface lies a heart of fire, a powerful force for change waiting to be unleashed.

Today I want to issue a call to action to unleash the passion and the power of the new Aotearoa New Zealand, those who care for our children and their birthright.

There is much to do because our children face real challenges in this 21st century world.

Global Snapshot

The world faces the toughest challenges we have seen in a long time. The effects of the global financial crisis still echo around the world

Income inequality in OECD countries is at its highest level for the past 50 years.

The planet is suffering massive bio-diversity loss. Eco-systems are under more pressure than ever.

The hurt of climate change is biting. Extreme weather events, storms, cyclones, droughts and fires are getting worse.

I want to acknowledge the people of Samoa, Fiji and Australia who have suffered for extreme weather over this summer.

The people of the Pacific can realistically wonder if their islands will even exist in a few years; threatened by a problem they did not create.

It’s terrifying.

But the tide is beginning to turn on the destructive thinking that has led to climate change.

Here in New Zealand the will of the people has turned it already.

Successes of 2012

When you elected a record 14 Green MPs into Parliament in 2011, it was the growing Green movement making its voice heard loud and very clear.

In 2012 our new and bigger team held the Government to account and delivered good green change.

We are still working with Government where we can. The home insulation scheme, a truly transformative legacy from Jeanette Fitzsimons, has insulated about 200,000 homes and we are working to continue it.

We have worked to clean up toxic sites throughout Aotearoa New Zealand and have secured $10 million dollars to clean up the old tui mine near Te Aroha.

And we continue to work on Ngā Haerenga, the Aotearoa New Zealand Cycle Trail, 18 Great Rides that will take cyclists through some of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most iconic and picturesque country.

But you’ve also made it clear that the National Government’s business-as-usual, lazy thinking is facing extinction. You’ve made it clear you want us to tackle that old ostrich thinking head on and be a strong opposition to the Government’s destructive agenda.

Under National over 40,000 manufacturing jobs have been lost.

So we launched a manufacturing inquiry, with the Labour, New Zealand First and Mana parties. It will report on solutions for working people in Aotearoa this year.

Finding ways to get New Zealanders, especially young New Zealanders, back into work is a critical priority for us this year and unlike the Government we are looking at new ideas to do something about it.

We put child poverty on the political agenda while National blames everyone else but their own indifference for the 270,000 kids trapped in poverty.

We have pressured the New Zealand Superannuation Fund into higher ethical standards. We had the Fund drop mining company Freeport-McMoRan Copper&Gold after Amnesty International reported torture and killings in West Papua by the mining company’s security as thousands of mine workers were striking over their wage of less than NZ$2.50 an hour.

We asked the Auditor-General to investigate National’s dirty deal with Sky City for a convention centre. It’s just plain wrong for John Key to get a convention centre paid for with the crime and misery driven by problem gambling.

We held the Government to account over the privacy debacle at ACC, and forced the authorities to investigate the breaches.

We have made Parliament more accessible for those with disabilities and continue to fight for a genuinely accessible Parliament for all citizens.

The Greens belong to what’s been called the ‘new majority’ – the new consciousness of environmental issues, human rights, fairness and the need for good change.

Green is good, and it’s getting bigger and better every day.

The future Aotearoa New Zealand

The future Aotearoa New Zealand will look and feel different to the New Zealand of today.

It will be more ethnically diverse with growing Māori, Pacifica and Asian communities.

It will be older, with more opportunities for older people and more innovative, better educated young New Zealanders than ever.

Our ways of living are changing too.

Women who marry do it later. We work more, parent older, and demand safe homes and relationships.

We are becoming a more tolerant society. While a majority support marriage equality, young New Zealanders do so overwhelmingly. To them the notion that their gay friends and family should be denied their equal rights is unthinkable.

The future Aotearoa New Zealand does not fear diversity – it embraces it.

The future Aotearoa New Zealand values service to our communities and allows everyone to find decent work that pays a living wage.

The future Aotearoa New Zealand doesn’t see one person’s human rights as a threat to another’s.

The environmental challenges and the economic uncertainties that we all face generates a new appreciation of two ideals lost in the last three decades:

• Solidarity – we are all in this together

• Democracy – governing under shared values and through dialogue

These are weft and weave of the fabric of a fair society.

Together they have given us a great school system, fine tertiary institutions, hospitals and community health care, hydropower, roads and trains, communications: the platform for individual achievements, innovation and entrepreneurship.

The political question is; who speaks to this future Aotearoa New Zealand?

To this new, tolerant, diverse majority, to this recognition that we are in this together?

What party speaks to the aspirations of the Aotearoa New Zealand of tomorrow?

The Greens.

The Green Party is an agent of hope for a new Aotearoa New Zealand.

An Aotearoa New Zealand whose smart economy is built from our clean green brand and natural advantages.

An Aotearoa New Zealand that is inclusive and progressive.

An Aotearoa New Zealand where we are environmental champions at home and abroad.

But being just an agent for hope is not enough. We need to back our hope and aspiration with action.

The Greens have always been a thought leader, ahead of the curve on the critical issues of our time. And as a political force we have become better at turning our ideas into action.

At Ratana this week, I announced our Home for Life plan to help families achieve the Kiwi dream of owning their own home, and being more secure in a rental home.

We have offered to New Zealanders a progressive ownership scheme that will get young families on the ladder to home ownership through a deposit and mortgage free rent to own system – affordable and accessible to young families.

We have offered better tenancy security and a warrant of fitness so that those who rent can stay in their homes longer, have greater certainty over rent increases, and know that the homes they pay good money to live in are warm and dry and won’t make their kids sick.

We have made the dream of home ownership into a plan of action for whānau, for families.

But no New Zealander will receive the benefits of this housing plan if we don’t build community support for it and if we don’t get elected.

The challenge I set out today is to redouble our efforts, to make our movement the most effective on the ground political force in Aotearoa New Zealand.

I’m in. Are you?

I’m in – for the future

Today I’m launching our plan to give all Kiwis who care about tomorrow the chance to shape political outcomes today.

Called “I’m in – for the future”, the Green Party will offer anyone who wants to, the opportunity to be part of our campaigns to change Aotearoa New Zealand for the better.

Our challenge is to build a movement of like-minded New Zealanders who share our vision for a better future. And that work starts today.

If we want to change the world we need to build the political machine to deliver it.

We will back ideas with action to make them a reality. Just go to www.greens.org.nz and signup. I’m in and I hope you will join me.

Last year 3264 New Zealanders signed up to be Green Party Asset Keepers in the Keep Our Assets campaign. That is 3264 volunteers around the country working to stop asset sales.

Of those, around two thirds were not our members.

This new model of organising, of giving everyone a political voice and the opportunity to support our campaigns is working.

I am proud to say that the Greens have collected over 185,000 Keep Our Assets signatures – more than half of the coalition total despite being the smallest of the coalition partners.

“Im in – for the future” extends this opportunity across all of our campaigns. In 2013 we will back our ideals with our actions.

I’m in. I hope you are too.

In 2013 more people will have a chance to win on the things they care about and that are important to our country.

Our first priority in 2013 is to stop asset sales.

The Keep Our Assets petition is close to completion. We want to collect the remaining signatures by the end of February.

I am asking every Green member and every New Zealander who supports public ownership of our profitable and strategically important power companies to sign up now for one final push to force an asset sales referendum.

Throughout February we have collection events planned around the country. We need more volunteers and helpers.

I’m in, and I need you to join me in getting those last signatures now.

New Zealanders oppose asset sales. The Government is in a mad rush to get rid of two power companies this year. We can build an even stronger public campaign to force a referendum and we will deliver a stinging rebuke to this policy when we vote in a referendum.

But we need your help. The signatures won’t magically appear on the petition, the leaflets won’t just arrive in letter boxes, the phone calls to coordinate volunteers won’t be made unless we are all in together.

And once we stop the Government selling our assets we need to turn our energy to building new ones.

In 2013 another priority will be our campaign to get the CBD rail link in Auckland built.

Yes, we need a Mayor and a council elected in Auckland committed to building the rail link.

But we have that already and the link isn’t getting built. We need to build pressure on the Government in Wellington to deliver the public transport Aucklanders want and need.

In 2013 we will campaign for the survival of our public schools. Schools are the hubs of our communities, where the bodies and minds of future New Zealanders are nurtured and set on a path to realise their full potential.

Make no mistake, our schools have never felt so unsupported, so threatened as they do under this Government and this Minister. If the Government keeps attacking schools and kids, they’ve got a fight on their hands.

2014 is election year.

And the Government is going to fight the 2014 election with fear and money.

They will scare monger about the Greens and they will throw every cent from their very deep pockets so they can stay in power to deliver more of the same failures.

And we will fight their fear and money with people and passion.

What we lack in dollars we will make up for with action.

Conclusion

Our coalition of supporters, dedicated to building a modern and progressive Aotearoa New Zealand will be unstoppable because we will be on the right side of history and represent the best of our country.

The Green Party will offer New Zealanders policies full of opportunities to build a better Aotearoa New Zealand, to give everyone a decent start in life, a good job with a living wage and an abundant environment to be proud of.

Together we are powerful and passionate.

Together, we will build a caring country that honours our past, makes good green change in the present and has our gaze set firmly on the opportunities of the future.

This is a rally cry for a new year, crisp with fresh promise.

So, I’m in – are you?

Tēnā koutou katoa.Greetings everyone and thank you for being here together on a Sunday. It’s great to see so many friendly faces.It’s wonderful to see so many of you prepared to give up some of your summer break to talk about the future of our country.There is nothing more important.  And nothing more urgent. I can tell you that today I’m refreshed, I’m fired up, and I’m raring to go.This year will be a big year for Labour – a year where we not only hold the government to account, but also show there’s a better way.A way of hope, where there is a place for everyone and where we fight for a world class NZ that we can all be proud of.

Today I want to lay out the challenges before us, the need for change and our focus for the year.

NEW ZEALANDERS WHO INSPIRE US ALL

A book I was given for Christmas tells the stories of 50 inspiring New Zealanders – artists, scientists, musicians, business people, some well-known, some less so.

Reading about their lives, they share the same passion and pride in their work and in their country. The ambition to be world class.

As scientist Ray Avery says: ‘we have no respect for the status quo’.

These people never say it’s too hard – we’re not big enough, we’re too isolated, we don’t have enough money. Instead they say, “To hell with it, I’m going to do it anyway”.

New Zealanders have always achieved what wasn’t supposed to be possible. Sir Edmund Hillary’s idea of what was possible took him to the very top of the world. Kate Sheppard’s idea of what was possible made New Zealand the first country to give women the vote. Alan MacDiarmid’s idea of what was possible took him from Masterton to winning the Nobel Prize.

We’ve always dreamed big and succeeded.

I see that same attitude in families and schools, businesses and sports teams as I travel up and down the country.

People overcoming adversity, dreaming of something better. When I see a single mum put herself through polytech to build a better future for her kids, I’m inspired. When I meet New Zealanders well into their retirement, who after a lifetime of service are the first to volunteer come Daffodil Day, I’m inspired.

When a kid, who the stats say should fail, becomes the first member of their family to graduate from university, I’m inspired. It’s inspiring because Kiwis don’t lie down.

From the most famous to the most humble, courage and determination is the common bond. They deserve a Government that backs their hopes and inspires them to succeed.

A Government that says: you do your bit, we’ll do ours. That’s what a Labour Government will do. That’s what a government I lead will do.

NATIONAL’S EXCUSES ARE HOLDING US BACK

But this Government’s low expectations are holding us back.

For 4 years we’ve been fed skilfully spun excuses for why we can’t get ahead.

It’s the Global Financial Crisis, the Canterbury earthquakes, the global outlook that is the problem.

We are told we have to accept second best.

There is always an excuse for why we can’t get ahead.  For why we can’t be a leader in this field or that.

For example, the National government aspires to being a fast follower when it comes to climate change.

Hold that thought. What is a fast follower exactly?

Does it mean that if we follow too fast we become … what…an accidental leader?

But a leader with no clue about where they’re going.

That’s not good enough with an issue that is so important to our planet, and our country.

We deserve better than that.

I refuse to accept that for New Zealand.

And so do the Kiwis I meet.

FORGOTTEN NEW ZEALANDERS

But this Government has forgotten the hard-working and inspiring people I come across every day.

In a pub in Napier, a guy came up and said to me “I’m working harder than ever, I pay my taxes, we’re trying to bring up our kids the best we can, but we simply can’t seem to get ahead”.

He went on to say: “I just feel nobody is standing up for me”.

So many others I have met feel the same.

They’re busy helping organise school galas, donating their time to charities, running the sausage sizzle to fundraise for local sports clubs.

They are at the heart of our communities helping make our country the great one it is.

I’ve run into that spirit amongst many small business owners.

They’re the kind of people who pay themselves for 40 hours but work 80 just to keep the doors open.

They’re not asking for an easy ride or a hand-out.

But like thousands of others across this country, they’ve been taken for granted.

They feel the Government has forgotten them.

Kiwis across the country are working harder than ever.

They’re doing their fair share. Playing their part.

We all have that responsibility.

But they feel let down.

My promise to you as Prime Minister is that I will always stand up for the hardworking, forgotten New Zealanders.

You’re doing your bit, it’s time you had a Government that did its bit too.

NEW ERA – HANDS ON GOVERNMENT

We desperately need real leadership now more than ever.

The Global Financial Crisis has exposed the frailties of the old economic wisdom.

The National Party believes the financial crisis is just a blip to get over. Their solution is to apply their failed ideas of the past over and over.

They are wrong.

The hands-off, simply leave it to the market approach has failed all over the world.

We are on the cusp of a new era – when new thinking and leadership is needed to build wealth we can all share in.

The world has changed. National hasn’t. It’s stuck in the past.

We need a government that recognises times have changed.

We need a Government that finds the courage to act, not better excuses for why we can’t.

We need a government prepared to stand up for hardworking forgotten Kiwis.

We need a smart, hands-on Government.

A government that is prepared to be a player, not a spectator.

That will be a Labour Government, and the Government I will lead.

It’s about getting our priorities right, being thrifty about our economy.

Bringing our debt under control.

But being smart about how we tackle the massive challenges ahead.

Above all, this country needs a government that chooses to act.

Let me tell you what I mean.

When a young couple is putting off having kids until they buy a house, and yet despite saving hard, prices always slip beyond their reach, it’s time to act.

That’s why I’m committed to putting 100,000 families into new homes.

It’s ambitious, but New Zealanders can see right through the Government’s hands off approach that leaves it to the market.

They see through the tinkering with the RMA.

They see through the latest excuse – to blame the local Council.

It’s just not credible.

It’s also why Labour will introduce a Capital Gains Tax to move investment into business and away from property speculation that is pushing house prices through the roof.

When a student graduating from university faces 7.3% unemployment and little chance of getting a job, it’s time to act.

They’ve done their bit, we need to do ours.

It’s heart-breaking watching parents waving goodbye to their kids at our airports.

People want to work – they just need the jobs.

Two days ago, John Key had an epiphany: We have a youth unemployment problem – we need apprentices.

Good on him. I thank the focus group that brought that to his attention.

There are now 20 per cent fewer apprentices today than when he took office. We are now importing foreign labour to meet skills shortages in the biggest rebuild in our history in Christchurch.

Is he just waking up to this now? Is this government asleep at the wheel, completely out of touch?

You don’t need to answer that. The answer is obvious.

I have been serious about youth unemployment from the day I was elected leader.

Labour’s plans are out there. I’d be delighted if this government picked them up and ran with them.

For example:

We’ll pay employers the equivalent of the dole to take on apprentices.

We’ll back Kiwi businesses to get their slice of the $30 billion dollars the Government contracts out every year – but we will require them to take on apprentices and trainees in return.

We’ll give tax breaks to companies doing world-leading research and development, so the innovations – and the jobs – they create stay right here in New Zealand.

Another thing.

When I see talented people forced to leave their home town because there’s nothing on offer for them, it’s time to act.

That’s why we’ll work with councils on projects that support their provinces. Projects like the Gisborne to Napier rail link to boost economic development and create jobs.

When I hear of high value manufacturers shedding jobs because our high dollar cuts them off at the knees, it’s time to act.

We’ll make changes to monetary policy so that our job-creating businesses aren’t undermined by our exchange rate.

When a 5 year old girl falls asleep in class because she had no breakfast before she left home, it’s time to act.

Labour will put food in schools, to make sure all our kids get the same chance to learn.

When a mum and dad work long hours but still can’t afford healthy food for their kids, it’s time to act.

We’ll lift the minimum wage and champion a living wage to make sure hard work can provide a decent living.

This is what I mean when I say we need a smart Government prepared to act.

A Government that says we will back you if you’re prepared to do your best.

Yes, we face huge challenges, but by being hands on we can turn our biggest challenges into opportunities for the future.

Since we announced KiwiBuild last year, excitement is growing. Architects, construction companies and designers around NZ have been in touch.

They see an opportunity to build affordable, energy-efficient – even energy generating – houses.

Houses that use home grown sustainable materials.

Houses that families will be proud to call home.

This is an idea the country is embracing.

More than 70 per cent of Kiwis support our KiwiBuild programme to build 100,000 first homes.

New Zealanders are also behind our other new ideas and those numbers are growing.

Most people see the need for a Capital Gains Tax on investment properties.

Nearly six in every ten New Zealanders support our idea to make KiwiSaver universal.

And nearly two-thirds of you back our pledge to protect universal superannuation for future generations by gradually lifting the age of eligibility.

The forces of conservatism said that reforming Super wasn’t the right thing to do.

It wouldn’t be popular – so we shouldn’t do it. They were wrong.

New Zealanders are forward thinking and are prepared to do what it takes to create a better future.

National has a big idea of course – it’s to sell our best assets.

And, with them, goes another chunk of our future.

That is their plan.

Most Kiwis hate it. And we are behind them fighting that idea all the way.

HANDS ON – A GLOBAL TREND

Labour isn’t alone in knowing the time has come for active government.

A movement of leaders and people across the world have realised the old hands-off solutions take us nowhere.

It’s a new way of thinking and it’s evolving.

New Zealanders are looking to a government that will roll up its sleeves and back them.

You do your part, and we the government will do ours.

In 2014 that’s the Government I will lead.

AGENDA FOR 2013

Kiwis won’t have to wait until the election to find out what I stand for and what I’ll do about the issues that matter to them.

I’ve already put clear stakes in the ground on housing affordability, quality education, growing jobs and the economy.

There’s more to come.

For Labour, this year is about preparing for Government.

We want New Zealanders to know that we’re ready to govern.

That’s why today I’m setting out my agenda for the year.

Number one is jobs. It is our most urgent priority and cuts across everything we do.

Labour’s plan to build new affordable homes will create thousands of new jobs and apprenticeships.

A job is more than a weekly wage, it’s gives people a purpose and pride in themselves.

That’s why I’m focussed on jobs.

Our housing proposals are at the cutting edge of urban design and energy efficiency.

This year we will bring together the best ideas of architects, designers, urban planners and others to a housing conference.

I want KiwiBuild ready to roll on Day 1 when we take office.

First-home buyers shouldn’t have to wait.

Jacinda Ardern, my Social Development spokesperson, will produce an alternative white paper this year, setting out our direction to help lift kids out of poverty.

There are 270,000 children in hardship in this country, and the government is failing them.

Kids deserve the best chance in life regardless of their parents’ wealth, and with Labour they will get that.

Their best opportunity is from a world-class education system.

We’ve already set out our plan to put food in schools and extend reading recovery so our kids aren’t destined to be drop outs from their first day at school.

This year I’m asking my education team to look at ways to improve transitions from school to further training and high-skill jobs.

85,000 young New Zealanders are not in work, education or training.

It’s a flaw in our system.

I want to see our schools seamlessly connect to further training opportunities.

I want every child to go through school with a purpose and plan of where they’ll end up.

Because every young Kiwi deserves a shot at a career that excites and motivates them.

Without this we’ll continue to see kids, without the right skills to get a job, falling through the cracks.

And our employers will continue to struggle to find the skills they need.

That’s not a future I want for my kids or yours.

I’ve spoken of a clean, green, clever economy many times.

We need our environment to drive our economic success and our economy to keep our environment clean.

The reality is we will not create more better paying jobs by simply exporting more milk powder.

We’ve been talking about it since Mike Moore invented lamb burgers.

Our future prosperity will be carved out by backing the talent of businesses working in high tech, or the innovations of those adding value to our natural resources.

It will be built by those that see the promise and opportunity of a clean, green future.

Great ideas are emerging from organisations like Pure Advantage, and from thousands of innovative can-do Kiwis.

A thriving manufacturing sector is at the heart of my vision. That’s why our manufacturing inquiry that starts tomorrow is an important first step.

But the commitment is lacking from government.

Well I am committed to this future.

There is simply no other option.

That is why I have asked my colleagues to develop a clear plan to diversify our economy.

A plan we can put in front of New Zealanders, not airy fairy concepts.

All of these areas – jobs, education, housing and building a new economy – are critical to rebuilding our second largest city.

I am committed to rebuilding Christchurch from the grassroots up, not the Beehive down.

That’s why I’ll be talking to Cantabrians about how they see their future.

To ensure their voices are heard.

That’s what we’ll work on in the coming months.

These ideas will make a difference.

These are ideas National simply can’t see.

CONCLUSION

The difference between the forces of conservatism and the need for change has never been wider.

Come 2014, New Zealanders will face a choice more stark than any in a generation.

A choice in the direction of their country.

A choice between staying as we are and managing our decline, or being part of a hands-on Government that’s backing hardworking New Zealanders.

A government that chooses action over excuses.

A government that understands the world is entering a new era and we need to change with it.

One that shares the determination and passion of those Kiwis who inspire us most.

That’s the Labour Government I will lead.

But I can’t do it alone.

Today, I am asking for your help.

I want you to be part of my team and play a part in the next government.

I want to hear your hopes for this country and your ideas of how we get there.

I want each of you to take the Labour message out to your neighbours, your co-workers, your congregation, and your friends.

Tell them yes, we in the Labour Party are committed to making a real difference in people’s lives.

We will not accept the status quo.

A tide for change is building.

Change that guarantees everyone gets ahead, not just those at the top.

Change so we once again stand tall as a country.

A country where we strive to be a leader – not a follower.

A country where the Government is hands-on and backs its people.

A country we can be proud of.

Friends, join with me to build that future.

Because, together, that’s what we will do in 2014.

Thank you.

It’s interesting to see the Greens looking to leverage the contacts they’ve gained through the asset sales CIR into a wider movement. Having collected over half the signatures, they’re well placed. If I were to nitpick, I find it strange that Shearer doesn’t even mention the referendum, which will be held this year. And the bit about being a climate change fast follower confuses me. The problem with National on climate is that they’re not even a fast follower, they’re a farce.

While both parties talk about jobs and the need for more government action on the issue, they haven’t really elucidated the bounds of the action that they’re talking about. It’s not that I expect them to give policy detail, but I would like more of a feel for how much they’re prepared to increase the government’s intervention in the economy to create jobs – will they have the government itself do the work that the private sector fails to do, or will they stick to trying to incentivise action from the private sector?

What about investment in upgrading the capital that the Crown already owns – schools, hospitals, state houses, public transport and rail, even roads – surely there’s a lot of work that can be done making that stuff more cost-effective, which will actually save the government money. Or are we just talking tax credits? Again, Shearer seems reticent to actually put any government money behind his words but the Greens, too, have yet to show whether they still think jobs is a ‘market knows best’ thing at the end of the day or whether full employment should be a goal and government investment should be used to achieve it.

93 comments on “States of it – Turei and Shearer ”

  1. alex 1

    Not a very substantive comment, but is anyone else sick of that stock photo of Shearer against the Green background? Something about it rings very hollow. Then again, I suppose its not like he can really claim to be a red.

  2. Bill 2

    As speeches go and as articulating vision goes and as offering promise and being inclusive goes, Metiria’s speech is absolutely streets ahead. And whereas she speaks to me and invites me to agree with her, David’s speaking at me and assigning attitudes and ways of thinking to me. And well, I don’t like feeling condescended to or patronised or any blanket assumptions being made about how I ought to think or perceive things.

    And…I would have really liked to have seen an up front and unequivocal acknowledgement of Green Party initiatives and some indication that the Labour Party was going to stop trying to assign itself the role of ‘appropriate adult’ in the Green/Labour political relationship.

    But hey.

  3. Jenny 3

    Sorry to be a pain EDDIE. But I couldn’t help noticing that in your summing up of both party’s policies you never mentioned Climate Change.

    (I hope you don’t mind me pointing this out. I previously copped a lot of swearing, verbal abuse and threats of deletion of my comments for doing so for pointing out a similiar omission by QoT.

    (But I think it is important that the Left engage in this issue relentlessly. In the coming years and decades it will be the one issue that all political parties or commenters will be judged on.)

    What comparison do you make of the respective two leaders remarks on this issue?

    • Eddie 3.1

      Metiria talks about it extensively. Indeed, it’s the first thing she really talks about because it’s the biggest problem in the world.

      As I mentioned, Shearer made a passing comment that I didn’t really understand

      • Jenny 3.1.1

        Metiria talks about it extensively……

        Shearer made a passing comment…..

        EDDIE

        I have gone to the trouble of extracting their comments possibly relating to the climate, to compare them. (Unfortunately I don’t know how to set them side by side like you have done with the full transcripts.)

        When set out like this, EDDY can you tell if your above statement is still correct.

        For added interest I have omitted to identify who said what. Without referring back;

        1/ Who is the speaker?

        2/ Who in your opinion talked more “extensively“?

        3/ Who in your opinion made “a passing comment“?

        There is always an excuse for why we can’t get ahead. For why we can’t be a leader in this field or that.

        For example, the National government aspires to being a fast follower when it comes to climate change.

        Hold that thought. What is a fast follower exactly?

        Does it mean that if we follow too fast we become … what…an accidental leader?

        But a leader with no clue about where they’re going.

        That’s not good enough with an issue that is so important to our planet, and our country.

        We deserve better than that.

        I refuse to accept that for New Zealand.

        And so do the Kiwis I meet…….
        ……I’ve spoken of a clean, green, clever economy many times.

        We need our environment to drive our economic success and our economy to keep our environment clean.

        The reality is we will not create more better paying jobs by simply exporting more milk powder.

        We’ve been talking about it since Mike Moore invented lamb burgers.

        Our future prosperity will be carved out by backing the talent of businesses working in high tech, or the innovations of those adding value to our natural resources.

        It will be built by those that see the promise and opportunity of a clean, green future.

        Great ideas are emerging from organisations like Pure Advantage, and from thousands of innovative can-do Kiwis.

        A thriving manufacturing sector is at the heart of my vision. That’s why our manufacturing inquiry that starts tomorrow is an important first step.

        But the commitment is lacking from government.

        Well I am committed to this future.

        There is simply no other option.

        That is why I have asked my colleagues to develop a clear plan to diversify our economy.

        A plan we can put in front of New Zealanders, not airy fairy concepts.

        The planet is suffering massive bio-diversity loss. Eco-systems are under more pressure than ever.

        The hurt of climate change is biting. Extreme weather events, storms, cyclones, droughts and fires are getting worse.

        I want to acknowledge the people of Samoa, Fiji and Australia who have suffered for extreme weather over this summer.

        The people of the Pacific can realistically wonder if their islands will even exist in a few years; threatened by a problem they did not create.

        It’s terrifying.

        But the tide is beginning to turn on the destructive thinking that has led to climate change.

        Here in New Zealand the will of the people has turned it already……

        …..The ***** Party will offer New Zealanders policies full of opportunities to build a better Aotearoa New Zealand, to give everyone a decent start in life, a good job with a living wage and an abundant environment to be proud of.

        Together we are powerful and passionate.

        Together, we will build a caring country that honours our past, makes good green change in the present and has our gaze set firmly on the opportunities of the future…..

        Put your pens down, and bring your paper with your answers to the front of the class.

        • xtasy 3.1.1.1

          Jenny – You will well know that NZ, no matter what past government, has largely only paid lip service to climate change, environmental and alternative energy issues.

          I would recommend every Kiwi, to make a trip to Central Europe, to Germany, Holland, Denmark and other places, and see with their own eyes, what highly industrialised and developed countries there are doing in that regards.

          Sadly few are able to, few know what goes on (even in other countries, incl. the UK, yes even Mainland China now), so we have this endless continuation of the buy and turf mentality, use and abuse mentality, of driving cars everywhere, so actually NZ is one of the highest per capita carbon emitters in the whole world. Education may help, information may help, but sadly governments and the people in general, they do not seem to be much aware, concerned and do not give a damn about the future.

          It is always someone else’s fault, and it would not make a difference, if little NZ may do more, is the common excuse. Others flatly deny it, along the thinking of the flat earth society minded.

          NZ though could be a stunning success, also for developing, and exporting, environmentally friendly technology and services. It would be seen in the world as a great example for the better change, for enlightenment and progress. Sadly, too few here in NZ are aware, interested and care.

          So no wonder Shearer only makes some comments in passing. Metiria is more sincere and committed, as that is what a Green Party member bloody should be. I only wish they push more for the economic and business feasibility of projects, and then it will take off something huge. Ideas are good, but without realising them, to put them into practice, there is a risk of losing credibility.

          I though give Shearer little credit, he does NOT convince me. Someone else wrote his speech for him anyway. He is just like one of the old men on the balcony of the Muppets Show.

    • Coronial Typer 3.2

      Apart from relatively oblique comments from the Greens leader about home insulation and cleaning up toxic waste sites, it was stark that New Zealand’s environmental political party barely mentioned New Zealand’s environment at all.

      The best environmental example Helen Clark made to environmental awareness, quite oddly, was Nordic skiing. She showed she was ready to push into the environment herself – notably hunkered in a snow cave for a few days. That did more for her environmental positioning than bunches of speeches.

      Mere allusion from either Greens or Labour to “clean” or “green” in any variant seem to miss how we are viewed by the world. Our entire economy now depends on that. I’m not asking for more holiday snaps of course, I’m merely expecting the Greens to show why their environmental policies are important to New Zealand. Otherwise, as Metiria does in this speech, the Greens are merely positioned like Anderton and New Labour did; simply Labour with stronger policies and a higher moisture content.

      Labour’s Shearer went for populist allusions to more mythical hard done by workers; good. The Greens need to speak as the Lorax said, for the trees.

    • handle 3.3

      “I couldn’t help noticing”

      Please try harder. For all our sakes. Reducing every discussion to the same topic is not helpful.

    • QoT 3.4

      Sorry to be a pain, Jenny, but you “copped” a warning for derailing my post and telling me what I should write about. That’s probably why you didn’t provide a link, because once again your allegations don’t stand up to the evidence.

      • Jenny 3.4.1

        I am far to civil to air your foul mouthed abuse and uncalled for threats. And if I may say without having to endure another threatening and foul mouthed response. In my genteel and humble opinion, such behaviour exposes the weakness of your position.

        • QoT 3.4.1.1

          In my opinion, attacking a woman’s use of unladylike language is a bullshit patriarchal derail, and trying to make yourself out as superior because you’re “genteel” is wonderfully classist, which puts your continuing crusade to demand that everyone pay attention to your favourite issue and ONLY your favourite issue into a fucking interesting context.

  4. Coronial Typer 4

    Shearer has made clear that merely exporting milk powder is not enough. But if National are prepared to become shareholders in irrigation companies, will Labour propose to be a shareholder in milk processing companies? Each step deeper into the commercial world gets more fraught and hotter as taxpayer funds compete more directly against private investors. This is the right fight to have; what is the nature of agency and intervention into promoting higher value from New Zealand products. I sincerely hope Shearer has the team to to it – this challenge was largely absent in the Greens address.

    Shearer has laid a major challenge at the feet of Jacinda Ardern there with Social Welfare. The policy generation beyond Working for Families is one which needs to aggregate into the public mind all social welfare – including retirement welfare – as the full sum of what a collective progressive government can afford from what we all collectively provide. This does not divide us into “makers”and “takers”, but summarises precisely the ambit and affordability of a new and much smaller state than even the one Clark left.

    In that sense, he was fully right to direct attention beyond state agency to local heroes who have inspired and changed this country for good. Transformation will take far more than the state itself can foreseeably ever do.

    If housing construction itself is Shearer’s one great roll of the dice for the first term, however, he consigns our urban economies into yet another sugar-rush, culminating in yet another economic binge-purge cycle. Whether Labour’s tax modelling shows a government can simultaneously temper real estate capitalism and redirect the productive economy remains, of course, to be seen. Big horses need strong reins.

    For me the main virtue of the Greens speech was to call out the NGOs who have been inspired by the Referendum petition. There is more to politics in this country than the Beehive and parliament. Progressive movements need to aggregate in order to sustain positive change beyond one (maybe two) heroic interventionist term. Auckland’s government is now the second government of New Zealand, even though Christchurch is getting full and deserved attention. Auckland’s social welfare, transport, and housing needs will shortly be 40% of New Zealand’s needs, by population.

    I would have liked either of them to say properly whether they could work together; every poll says they are going to need each other. A little generosity is not hard.

    I also wanted something deeper out of them: why are they in this fight as people, what drives them on, how are they inspired, what is their grounding. Thank God neither of them went for cheap jokes. Neither reached like Obama, but they were a country mile from the facile Mr Key.

    • Shearer has made it more than clear that he is going to attack primary industry. This will kill off Labour. How the fuck can you get votes by attacking the basis of what made New Zealand great, Talk about a clusterfuck. Historically I was a Labour voter and the puppets that follow Helen Clark just would make me want to cry if I wasn’t the type to have a strong whisky instead.
      http://nowoccupy.blogspot.com/2013/01/shearer-wages-war-on-primary-industry.html

      • millsy 4.1.1

        So you think that farmers should be given free reign to poison our water ways then. Fucking bitch.

        IF I SEE YOU TRY AND POLLUTE OUR WATER WAYS I WILL MAKE SURE YOU ARE PUNISHED. I WILL MAKE YOU DRINK THE WATER

      • handle 4.1.2

        How does investing in more modern industries mean “attacking” older ones?

      • Pete 4.1.3

        There are four industrial sectors. Historically the primary sector was – and remains – important to this country. We also have a large tertiary sector providing services. But there’s scope for growth in the secondary sector, processing primary products and in the quaternary sector creating valuable intellectual property and doing the R&D to create a better return in the other sectors.

        Sticking to our knitting in the primary sector is not going to serve us well in the long run, especially when volatile commodities prices and the high dollar means that the prosperity generated in the primary sector is unpredictable. Diversification of our economy into a 21st century entity, rather than a 19th century one, offsets those risks and it also makes use of the surplus of human capital we have at our disposal.

      • Coronial Typer 4.1.4

        Yes there was that strange comment a while ago by Nash about whether farmers pay their dues in taxes. Shearer should be razor-focussed that the primary industries are where we are economically set (supported together with some creative and niche manufacturing) for the foreseeable future. Can’t see any from the full set of blue regional seats won back yet.

      • xtasy 4.1.5

        This is an idiot comment, excuse me. Shearer only made clear that a focus on primary industry, which happens to now largely be dairy production, cannot be enough to move NZ into better economic circumstances. That is a fair statement by Shearer, and while I do not think much of him, I must defend him on that.

        We are experiencing an intesification of agriculture, that is resulting in levels of pollution, due to intensive fertiliser use, pesticide and herbicide use, increased affluents from more intense use of cattle farms, and so forth. There are natural limits to what the environment can handle. I come from a farming background myself, and I witnessed the radical changes due to intensification of industrialised farming in Europe. Wildlife largely disappeared, insects and flowers and so forth disappeared, that used to be around for centuries, and the increased monoculture destroyed heaps.

        Only over the last 10 to 20 years have governments in Europe slowly started to realise the immense damage to nature there, so they are now all pro environmental measures, which shows positive results.

        It utterly dismays me, that NZ wants to go down a way, that has done so much environmental damage overseas, and intensify, so that we have more cows, cattle, more dairy production, to earn dollars for farmers and exporters, but that ruins the land, rivers and lakes. It is insane and bloody stupid. I also think you live overseas, in California, and the Central Valley agriculture there has also led to immense environmental damages.

        It seems you are all for high incomes, exports, no matter what, and that is while only a selected few will benefit anyway. You better get a reality check and have a look at intensive farming, horticulture and fisheries to learn what is really going on, before you slag off with cheap comments here, dear Monique.

        • xtasy 4.1.5.1

          Further to my comment, what NZ must do is to develop quality products from primary farming products. You can do much more with milk solids and ingredients, than to turn it into milk powder and baby formula. I suggest NZ dairy industry do a study tour around various contries in Europe, the Middle East and elsewhere, to see what else can be produced.

          Although there has over years been a good improvement in dairy production, diversification and better quality, I think much more needs and can be done, to produce highest quality end products here, which could and should develop quality brands and could earn top dollars overseas.

          What about Emmental Cheese, other cheeses common in Europe, about curd, custards of different kinds, cheeses of many facets and types, better, more diverse yoghurt ranges, milk that also includes “butter milk”, and so forth. There are dairy products in Easter Europe and Russia that are not even known here. There are markets that can be gained access to, but without the product and quality, they will not even look at NZ.

          OK we got further from the 3 types of cheddar and the blocks of fake Edam here, but most is produced at inferior levels, highly expensive and is not meeting the international demand. So wake up, dairy sector, get cracking, talk to overseas specialists, hire them and produce stuff that is sellable and earns us.

          Asia is growing, and I am sure they want more than baby formula.

          With quality rather than quantity, NZ would become a Switzerland of dairy production, rather than a US type mass production of low and basic level products. That is what I can see and expect. But does anybody in government or for that sake the opposition have such vision???

          • Foreign Waka 4.1.5.1.1

            A++++ So glad that someone is saying what needs to be said. Unfortunately, with the parochial attitude that is the same as 100 years ago, we have to wait for the next generation to get things rolling. “good things take time”

    • karol 4.2

      CT: I also wanted something deeper out of them: why are they in this fight as people, what drives them on, how are they inspired, what is their grounding.

      We’ve already heard that sort of thing on more than one occasion from Turei – her working class background, her father etc. The latest mention was at Ratana this week:

      My dad would bring us to Ratana every year…

      I can see my dad now, leaning against the verandah, in his shorts and jandals, watching the politicians and saying “they talk a lot but they don’t say much”.

      He was not a learned man, but he had a strong view about politics. For him politics was about whether or not there was enough work, enough housing, a decent school for his kids. It was about whether his whānau had enough to eat. His politics was the politics of the whānau. And all the talk in the world meant nothing if his whānau still struggled for those basics.

      But he’d be proud to see me stand here, alongside you, to be part of this celebration still and to be talking on this paepae to the morehu.

      As long as I held to the kaupapa of whānau politics.

      In my work over the past few years, I have put child poverty at the centre of everything I do.

      Central to whānau politics is the right of our tamariki to a good life and a fair future. Central to whānau politics is the right of our tamariki to a strong and healthy whānau. Central to that vision is the rightful implementation of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and a return to the values of love and compassion in politics. This was the life’s work of the prophet.

      Many of us here will remember our parents and grandparents using the family benefit to buy their home, or maybe the old Māori Affairs loans. Loads of kids in my generation and earlier generations grew up in their own home because their parents had access to a low interest mortgage, with no deposit needed. It is still considered by thousands of New Zealanders as the single most critical support that a government can give to a young family – a secure affordable home.

      I’ve yet to hear anything from Shearer that indicates what drives him, or what his core values are.

  5. Tombstone 5

    The more I hear from the Greens, the more I like them. I’m trying hard to like Labour but the message still isn’t quite resonating with me although I do agree with a lot of what they’re proposing. I guess I feel as though I need Labour to show a little more mongrel and bear its teeth more often than not to send a message to Key and his cronies that being smug is as good as poking the angry mutt with a stick and that it probably aint such a good idea. I don’t know if I articulated that point very well but I guess I expect to see a little more menace in Labour and a greater sense of determination to tear the mask from Key’s true face and expose the wolf behind the sheep’s clothing once and for all. Compared to Key’s speech the Greens speech was leagues ahead as was Labour’s but the Greens had this one hands down – easily.

    • Coronial Typer 5.1

      And why would you not instead expect this mythical “mongrel” from the Greens, who as a permanent minority party have the width to be more radical? Or have the wild Greens wilted?

  6. Pete 6

    They are both good speeches and I think the parties will complement each other. I’m not awfully keen on the hints at austerity from Shearer, but Labour is going to have to find a way to counter the meme that they are spendthrifts that Key will inevitably use as a cudgel.

    • I don’t think they are spendthrifts, I just think they hate the idea of a successful New Zealand. Daft wankers

      • millsy 6.1.1

        No Monique. They want to tax rich bitches like you so people who aren’t rich bitches like you can have schools, housing and hospitals so fuck off back to the filthy stinking dirty shithole you came from. Why do you want the poor on the streets????!!!!!!

        • Monique Angel 6.1.1.1

          You daft cunt. The filthy stinking shithole I came from was abject poverty where my Mum fed four children out of a food bank. Ever eaten from a foodbank, fuckwad?

          • millsy 6.1.1.1.1

            Thats the thing about people like you. You rise from poverty and then when you get to the top, you do your best to kick the poor people. You support cutting the DPB, and americanising our health care, dismantling labour protections, holding wages down, getting rid of state housing (so you can have bigger returns for your ‘portfolio’).

            People like you should have empathy for those at the botton, and have no objection for paying taxes for things like state housing hospitals, working for families, etc, but oh no, you want to get rid of it all lock stock and barrell.

            Plus you hate rail.

            You are just like Key and Bennett.

            List of hospitals you want to close please. Right here, right now.

            • Monique Angel 6.1.1.1.1.1

              No I don’t kick poor people. I don’t support cutting the DPB. I don’t support dismantling labour protections. You can’t hold wages down in a free market with worker protections and I don’t know fuck all about state housing. Anything else?

              • millsy

                Your blog suggests otherwise.

                Anyway, im done with arguing with you. Im too hot. Been slogging my guts out all afternoon building a fishpond in my back yard in the 30 degree heat.

              • Um Monique I am really confused. Are you a communist?

                • xtasy

                  No, she is a professional opportunist, who chooses what benefits her, when it is convenient. So when Labour may have given her the “perks” she wanted and needed, she was happy with that. When she was not qualifying, the turned nasty on them.

                  That is what you call an opportunistic, self serving “swing voter”.

                  She left NZ for that reason, to have a better life and make more money, and she resents the thought of being associated with a country and goverment, that may ask her to contribute.

                  Sometimes those from tough, poor background turn right against others in similar circumstances, as they judge them, seeing themselves as “strugglers” and survivors, having no mercy for the ones less resilient and capable.

                  To judge on it is difficult, as much subjectivity and also a difficulty to understand all details of individuals may fog capability to judge fairly.

                  Rest my case on this.

          • xtasy 6.1.1.1.2

            You feel really angry and inferior about your background, aye? I have cousins like that, I know where you come from. To rubbish the ones that are there where you come from is not a good look though. Grow up, dear lady, that is my advice. Those that cannot accept where they come from, they carry a huge chip on their shoulders all their lives.

            Best of luck though, while you may enter a learning curve.

        • CV - Real Labour 6.1.1.2

          relax mate, Monique’s just taking the piss. I hope.

      • Coronial Typer 6.1.2

        Take no mind of Millsy – completely inappropriate language and tone.

  7. It is all bullshit and it is all fucked up

    And we got the theme song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sdn3O6aaMNc

  8. millsy 8

    From Monique Watsons blog
    ……….””I’ve spoken of a clean, green, clever economy many times.
    We need our environment to drive our economic success and our economy to keep our environment clean.”
    That is a rubbish statement first off. China has not needed their environmental record to drive their economic success. “………….

    Monique Watson fully endorses the lowering of environmental standards. This will include:
    1) The discharge of toxic waste into our rivers
    2) The discharge of toxic fumes into our air, causing smoking thick smog and respitory illnesses
    3) The destruction of our national parks for mining

    [deleted]

    Fucking [deleted] why does she want to rob the earth from our children, perhaps she should dump toxic waste in her back yard
    She also wants to get rid of state housing and public healthcare

    MEAN HORRIBLE NASTY PERSON

    • CV - Real Labour 8.1

      That is a rubbish statement first off. China has not needed their environmental record to drive their economic success. “………….

      Monique, I think you should take a swim in some Chinese rivers, feed your children a meal cooked with produce grown next to a Chinese industrial park, and go for a run in Beijing on a smoggy day.

      In summary, Chinese and international corporations have made money through destroying the environmental commons of that country. Not a good example for NZ to follow.

      • “Economic success is not driven by an environmental record.” I stand by that statement. This is not the same as saying I believe in polluting rivers. In fact I think Fed Farmers should be ashamed of it’s track record I am merely pointing out the inconsistencies in Shearers speech. Fuck you’re a touchy bunch.

        How many children do you have Millsey?

        • Robert Atack 8.1.1.1

          How many children do you have Millsey?

          Having children, especially under 10, just makes you out to be another fool who leaps before looking.

    • Nah I’m a caring person. I volunteer 20 hours a week of my time to non profit initiatives and sponsor five children through world vision. Doe that blow your mind sweetheart?

      • CV - Real Labour 8.2.1

        You should volunteer more time

        You clearly have too much on your hands still

          • xtasy 8.2.1.1.1

            Real angry women are a turn on to some. Monique you may appeal to some, keep it up, let off your steam. I disagree with a lot you comment, and I do not think that most here are too touchy, so do not turn against TS, there are many of us here, and even if we firmly disagree with you, it is always good to hear another view or side of the story. We surely can “handle” you.

            Have a nice bath in your spa tonight, and we will hear from you again. That means also, we will tell you what we think!

  9. millsy 9

    [deleted]

    • Pete 9.1

      Steady on millsy. If I spewed ad hominem invective at every Randroid I encountered on the forums I visit, I’d give myself a heart attack. I’m sure every reader of the comments here is dismissing her but threats of violence – even in jest – reflect badly on the rest of us.

      • millsy 9.1.1

        Calmed down now. I think I’m going to exiled for a bit for that particular outburst.

        [B: – Glad to hear it. Was just in the process of moderating you then. Caps? nah. Bold caps? Definately no. And the level of abuse… You might notice that your comments have been reformatted and subjected to some deletions. That took time. yYu’ve pissed me off no end and I’m suggesting you pull your head a long, long way in.

        • AmaKiwi 9.1.1.1

          Lunatic: (historic definition) a person who is emotionally affected by the full moon.

          The moon was full at 5:39 pm today.

          Maybe that explains this series emotional diatribes and personal attacks. For me, they contributed nothing to intelligent discussion.

          A note for the moderators. Our next full moon will be at 9:27 a.m. on Tuesday, 26 February. Hopefully people will be at work so we won’t have this scene again.

  10. Afewknowthetruth 10

    Drivel, drivel, drivel.

    “We are going to protect the environment by chopping down trees, building houses and stimulating manufacturing.”

    Plus a bit of ‘better, brighter future’ borrowed from National.

    They must think we are as stupid as they are.

  11. bad12 11

    The above did get a little ‘intense’ didn’t it, my view of the speeches to day from Labour and the Green Party,

    Here i will stick my neck out and give Dave Shearer a ++ now your talking from within a framework that us lot on the left can appreciate,

    National are weak on both jobs and housing and your speeches as Leader should center around exposing these weaknesses both of which are at the heart of economy and society,

    I used to play rugby league years ago and my team mates reckoned that i never quite switched on and played to my full potential until the opposition put a low or high shot on me, perhaps Dave Shearer like Phill Goff befor Him performs at His best when He is provoked to anger,

    I do tho think that Dave should lay off of the Dairy industry until He has got that message into a full narrative that the average middle class voter can understand, having said that the message is correct but needs a bit more polish,

    The Green Party speech, good to see the Green Leaders having a day in the sun, well earned and when the OneNews at 6.00 starts airing praise for the Green Party i need say no more except that it looks like a good Green year,

    In conclusion, pluses all round for both Party’s and a good weekend for the left…

  12. coolas 12

    Shearer says, ‘A Government that says: you do your bit, we’ll do ours. That’s what a Labour Government will do. That’s what a government I lead will do.’

    I am so, so inspired.

    • bad12 12.1

      John Kirwan reckons that a good swim as part of an exercise regime is good for depression…

    • xtasy 12.2

      Yeah, I forgot to mention: It reminds me of the “sickness benefit roof painter story” all along once again.

      Now Paula Bennett chose a similar tone when justifying her welfare reforms, read:

      http://www.beehive.govt.nz/speech/speech-medical-professionals

      So where does Shearer stand on Bennett and her comments?

      He NEVER makes any excuses or statements on his roofpainter story, so I do NEVER trust the man either, nor his caucus.

  13. karol 13

    I am pleased to see that Shearer is giving some support for Jacinda Ardern working on policies to lift children out of poverty. Shearer links that to education and food in schools – all very important areas, and provisions.

    I hope also Shearer gives Ardern scope to work on returning social security to it’s original form and doesn’t continue down NAct’s punitive, service and benefit-cutting path. Ardern’s performance so far has been mixed. however, there have been times when she has passionately expressed a desire to end NAct’s nasty policies and do something more beneficial for those on low incomes. i’ll be interested to see if she can become a more consistent performer on such issues.

    • bad12 13.1

      Yeah definitely agree with you there karol, unemployment as far as i am concerned is simply the score card of the effectiveness or not of Government economic policies and if there’s jobs out there for other than the university educated they are snapped up real quick so punishing the unemployed is just pathetic bullshit employed by politicians that have no other policy and such punishments simply take the place of actually trying to increase the number of jobs in the economy,

      ‘Child poverty’ the next biggie on the social policy agenda for me at least is in fact not a hard fix at all, as a minimum a comprehensive food in schools program starting with the lower decile schools and serving a bit of breakfast plus a comprehensive nutritious lunch along with the removal of income tax from those beneficiaries with dependent children would be a great start,

      i can’t help when supporting calls for food in schools programs feeling like i am buying into the nutjobs narrative of the beneficiaries blowing all their cash on the pokies and then having none left over to feed the kids, but, that couldn’t be further from the truth, my actual wish is for the Working for Families tax credit to be extended to all beneficiary families who have children,

      i cannot tho see middle class Labour having the will to make amends with WFF so being a realist would settle for the lessor of the amounts and while i decry the bad parent slur used against beneficiary parents i will happily admit there are the odd ones just as there are bad parents at all levels of economy within society, so ‘food in schools’ means that we all ‘know’ that all the kids are getting a couple of meals a day….

    • xtasy 13.2

      Karol: Child abuse and child poverty have become the “pet topic” of Bennett and even some on the opposition benches (Ardern and Shearer for example). What the root cause is is disputed. Bennett denies poverty is the reason for child abuse.

      What pisses me off something HUGE is, that nobody talks about the lot of sick and disabled! As if they either do not exist, do not deserve attention, and are just mainly maligners. That is to my impression where Bennett comes from. Shearer with his “roof painter bene” speech is not much different, I am afraid.

      So people that have serious health issues, unless it is terminal or wheel-chair stuff, are just dodging work, it seems. I wonder what is going on in Labour on this, and I am furious about what Labour do not answer to, as I and others raised their introduction of a system of Health and Disability Advisors (we know highly biased Dr David Bratt!) in 2007.

      I see a Grand Coalition of agreement between Labour and National, and if that is so, I would want to be dead soon, rather than face yet another medical review under either government. I narrowly survived the last harassment, honestly!!!

  14. Ken Noes Aye 14

    There is nothing new from the Shearer chap. It all the same as the Goff chap was offering.

    The nation said nae.

    • Jane 14.1

      Suspect this is caused by having the same expert team of advisors in Mallard, King, Hippkins, Goff etc, if changes aren’t made then nothing changes!

  15. Saarbo 15

    Labour needed to announce another big Policy. Shearer needed to build on the momentum from the Housing policy announcement, he needed something to grab the headlines. This was a wasted opportunity, this speech of Shearers is similar to his other speeches earlier last year. A wasted opportunity in my opinion….but I’m sure his advisor’s know what they are doing.
    .

    • xtasy 15.1

      Saarbo: Instead Shearer has exposed the initial announcement on housing as a bit of a “sell line”, not based much on fact and truth.

      Now the $ 300 k homes are no longer “houses” anymore, while after the original speech he and Goff and King and Sua went around ground level, basically quarter acre section style homes in Mangere and other areas, suggesting that is what voters can expect.

      Shearer has been disingenious, to be honest, he misled the public and media.

      Now the story is that those homes are likely to rather be apartments or town-houses (on shared land). And for those that want a 3 or 4 brm family home the price is now about 550 k.

      That seems to be for such in remote suburbs, far away from public transport and even motorways.

      Now David Shearer has proved to be as dodgy as can be, and his speech, more a general repetition of what Labour propagated during the last election, must be seen as a bit of a hollow exercise.

      I am NOT impressed at all, but then I did not expect anything else. Shearer talked about being “fired up”, but he looked very much like talk not action on that.

      Labour is lost with this leader, it is a dismal situation, and the members must see to it, to rid themselves of this lot at at the top. Do you want to wait for another 2 terms for a chance and change, I ask?

      • Saarbo 15.1.1

        Yes agree Xtasy, my view is that Shearer doesnt do the mahi required before announcing policies, I get the impression he isnt the sort of person that can get his head around a lot of detail. He needed the stuff he is now releasing on the Housing Policy, in November. Now National/NZ Herald are on a mission to dis-credit the Policy and in most peoples eyes they are doing a reasonable job. Labour have to work a lot harder than National because National have the backing of much of the MSM, personally I dont understand why…because National are not only a hopeless government they are also hopeless at running the economy, you only have to look at our Unemployment figures to work that out.

  16. Naki nark 16

    A few days ago I posted that I do not know if David Shearer is being used or if he is just a Nat in a mustache disguise.

    I am sad that I have my answer. I will not be delivering pamphlets for a while now!

    Mr Shearer should have manned up and called a leadership election.

    Shearer can not pretend that he does not know what members have been saying on blogs because the sprout has told us that Mike Smith who writes articles on The Standard is PAID by Shearer.

    GUTLESS.

  17. Tiresias 17

    D. Shearer:-

    “New Zealanders have always achieved what wasn’t supposed to be possible. ….. We’ve always dreamed big and succeeded ….. People overcoming adversity…. &tc.” So if you tried and failed, or didn’t get a chance to try, you’re a loser ‘cos you didn’t try hard enough or dream big enough.

    “It’s about getting our priorities right, being thrifty about our economy. Bringing our debt under control.” Ah yes, IMF song-sheet page 4. Clearly our priorities cannot be counter-cyclical Government spending to create jobs and repair/boost the infrastructure.

    “We’ll give tax breaks to companies doing world-leading research and development,..” Gonna be interesting to read the Tax regulation that defines ‘world-leading research and development’. And the regulation that stops any company with an office overseas utilising its research overseas, although presumably any international company that sees this as a problem won’t do the research here in the first place.

    “My promise to you as Prime Minister is that I will always stand up for the hardworking, forgotten New Zealanders.” Show me any politician from any party in the last 50 years that has said he wouldn’t.

    “It’s also why Labour will introduce a Capital Gains Tax to move investment into business and away from property speculation that is pushing house prices through the roof.” Now that is real news. I wonder if anyone else in the Labour caucus knew that. ‘Course a capital gains tax would generally also capture gains on shares and business investments, too, and so push investment overseas although you can try to limit it to bricks and mortar – as long as you also plug the myriad of loopholes tax specialists come up with the help the professional investor.

    “Labour will put food in schools, to make sure all our kids get the same chance to learn.” That’s more than a tid-bit, too. Most kids don’t need it and it hasn’t worked very well where it’s been tried unless you’re going to do cooked meals, which means kitchens and staff. Or is it just a return to free school milk?

    “Most Kiwis hate it. And we are behind them fighting [asset sales] all the way.” Can’t say I’ve noticed, but maybe that’s just me. But if you really meant ‘all the way’ you could kill asset sales dead today by announcing you’ll renationalise them at cost immediately after being elected.

    “New Zealanders are forward thinking and are prepared to do what it takes to create a better future.” Link, please? Certainly assumes that “New Zealanders” will all agree with you about what it will take.

    “We’ll make changes to monetary policy so that our job-creating businesses aren’t undermined by our exchange rate.” Didn’t work the last time the Central Bank tried to intervene whle bigger, richer countries than us have failed to manipulate their exchange rates and lost fortunes trying. talk to the Governor of the Bank of England about their 1993 experience. Or are you suggesting the Chinese model of subsidising your job-creating businesses? In any case, bringing the exchange rate down is going to have very nasty effects on the debt you’re so worried about. That’s why National isn’t doing very much about it.

    Didn’t bother analysing any more. Platitudes, meaningless feel-good phrases and general politician’s kiss-the-baby crap.

    5/10. Must try harder.

  18. Green machine UpandComer 18

    I heart Meteria. She is so good. I can’t wait for NZ’s main export to be windmills for wind farms. I can’t wait to get a house for $300k in Auckland. I cannot wait for our macroeconomic woes to be cured by printing money. I’m really looking forward to all the job growth that will come from a ‘clean green economy’. I’m stoked that a Wellington lawyer is going to ‘pick all the winners’ in our economy. It will be great when the DPB is ramped up, I might quit my job, why bother, I’ll do some fishing in Gizzy. I can’t wait for a capital gains tax, I mean, what a boost for small investors who can’t afford a house but who might buy some shares. It will be excellent when an oz union representing a few dozen members can derail an entire NZ industry. It will be great when the next transmission Gully gets held up another 25 years because a local taniwha didn’t like the smell of cordite. It will be so good not having to employ migrant workers because kiwis won’t do a job that me and my family did for years. I’m looking forward to a return to 1970’s industrial law, because boy that was excellent. I look forward to the repoliticisation of the public service – and my, the job growth that will come from this! I’m buying shares in Fletcher building, because 100000, or was it one billion? houses practically for free is going to need a bit of investment I suppose. I can’t wait for the status quo to be maintained in education – talking to people from Hamilton will be wonderful. They’ll use complete sentences that don’t involve the All-Blacks.

    Yay for the left in NZ.

  19. xtasy 19

    FYI

    See ‘Monique Angel’ aka ‘Monique Watson’, and what she posted on Kiwiblog yesterday ato 05:10 pm on 27 January:

    http://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2013/01/shearers_state_of_the_nation_speech.html#comments

    She is only here to do some “stirring”, for those that do not know her!

      • the pigman 19.1.1

        By the looks of it, Monique had “had a few” before that post, QoT. A bit of a pattern from what I’ve seen of her posts on “left” blogs (here, Red Alert and elsewhere).

        No doubt, despite her professed AD&D alignment, she was feeling passed over on Tumeke… nary a mention, even after the charming backstory she spun one hazy frisco mid-afternoon of having once been a homeless P addict.

        What I really can’t handle though, even more than the Cameron Slaters off the world, are those who position themselves as “centrists” but then espouse right-wing rubbish, because it allows them to shift the political goalposts for the whole political conversation.

    • Pete 19.2

      I’m not sure it matters why she’s here. I didn’t read her comments as trolling. And if she was trolling, the number 1 rule of the internet is “Do not feed the trolls”. A lot of people bring baggage with them if they have built up an identity online. It’s far better just to address their comments – not of the baggage they carry, rather than try to shut them down in such an objectionable fashion. Heck, I even regret calling her a “Randroid” upthread. I’m sorry for that, Monique.

      I get the same feeling when Matthew Hooten comes on here too. I know he can handle it, but it derails discussion. We’re supposed to be a compassionate movement of ideas. The best way to counter positions we object to is by detailing better ideas, not by brow-beating people in the hopes they’d just go away.

  20. Afewknowthetruth 20

    The trouble is Turei and Shearer are just shills for the destruction of the planet we live on by corporations and money-lenders, shills for the maintenance of the slave state. That is the REAL state of the nation……. a nation that is a slave of the international money-lenders and corporations (both overseas and local). And the people are just the slaves who wreck the environment on their behalf. Political parties are just the overseers and facilitators of the destruction of the planet we live on.

    Obviously this despotic system will keep going till there is insufficient fossil fuel to run the machines,, insufficient soil or water to feed the people, air so polluted people drop like flies, an epidemic of preventable disease (preventable by having a healthy environment, clean air and water), nutritional foods etc.). Of course that is already happening around the world but not yet in NZ……so it must all be rosy.

    This despotic system certainly won’t end by people waking up to reality in time to prevent catastrophe. Most people would rather die a horrible way and destroy their children’s future than become informed and do something to save themselves. Most people look to someone else, i.e. a party leader, to do something for them. And it’s not going to happen because, as I said at the start, party leaders are just shills for corporations and money-lenders.

    See ya all at the bottom of the cliff. By the way, the cliff edge is now crumbling.

  21. Sore Eyes 21

    It hurts my eyes trying to read this.

  22. I find the two speeches in combination very promising. It appears that the 2 parties (or parties’ strategists) are working together. It appears that Labour are aiming to target small business owners (a very forgotten constiuency) and farmers, hence the repetitive use of “hard-working”; having met these types they do pride themselves on their “hard-working” characters. The Greens are targeting a different range of people, [obviously] those with environmental awareness, urbanites, the younger generation (well done!!), probably Labour’s traditional supporters, and [hopefully] some of the non-voters.

    Based on these speeches, I would fit in much more to the Greens target audience, and therefore the approach in their speech “works” more for me than Labour’s. (n.b. I have to date never voted Greens) Having noted my bias, and even taking account of it, I view the Greens speech as stronger. They were able to list what they have DONE recently including the tangible opposition they have [consistently] applied toward this [joke of a] Government. Labour was unable to do this because their opposition has been weak. This gave Greens the edge because it wasn’t all about “we will do…”, “we promise to do…”; it was “this is our stance, here is our aim, look, we can show we mean it because we have already achieved this”

    Yeah, so Mr Shearer may not be reading the blogs, yet I would consider it foolhardy that his strategists would turn down the free source of feedback that blogs can be, so Strategists reading this, I suggest you pay some attention to creating clearer, louder and thus more effective opposition to this crazy government this year, not doing so is creating doubts in many as to what Labour’s real stance is, and whether they are capable of acting on their aims. Without doubt Labour will be losing potential votes if this weak opposition carries on. Let’s not forget there is a duty (and a purpose to that duty) to oppose a government, when in opposition and this government provides you unbelievable opportunities to do so, so please get to it.

    • CV - Real Labour 22.1

      I think your scenario of high level tactical co-operation between the Greens and Labour is a nice one to have, but from what I hear, the two parties have difficulties getting together on even basic operational matters. For that a small number of staffers on either side are to blame.

      What I think you are actually seeing is Labour staying appealing to a centrist, pragmatic swing voting constituency and the Greens deliberately targetting Labour’s traditional working class, Left Wing constituency. So it looks and smells like side by side co-operation, but isn’t really. They’ve picked their markets and are pitching at them. Labour (the NZ Liberal Party) has vacated the Left and the Greens see a gap to grow into, one which includes the 800,000 non-voters from 2011.

  23. Lets pretend Turei and Shearer are good honest people who have a clear understanding that at some stage in the life of the average young Kiwi Saver, the fund is going to go tits up.
    This blog has some very aware contributes, my question is to them
    I’m sure most of you would say the KS will not be around in 47 years, yet Turei and Shearer are telling all 18 yo’s that KS is a sure bet, I think telling 50yo’s is way to hopeful, so at what stage should these honest upright ‘leaders’ come clean?
    Is it right for these so called honest people to keep this lie alive?
    Are they trustworthy?

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    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
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  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 15
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  • The day Wellington up-zoned its future
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    4 days ago
  • Weekly Roundup 15-March-2024
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    4 days ago
  • That Word.
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    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
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  • The Hoon around the week to March 15
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    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Labour’s policy gap
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  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #11 2024
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  • 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
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    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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  • Racism’s double standards
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  • It’s not a tax break
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    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • The Plastic Pig Collective and Chris' Imaginary Friends.
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  • 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
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  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 14
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    5 days ago
  • No, Prime Minister, rents don’t rise or fall with landlords’ costs
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    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Cartoons: ‘At least I didn’t make things awkward’
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  • Solving traffic congestion with Richard Prebble
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  • I Think I'm Done Flying Boeing
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  • Invoking Aristotle: Of Rings of Power, Stones, and Ships
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  • 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
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  • Why Newshub failed
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    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
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  • 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
  • There’s a name for this
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    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
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  • Echoes of 1968 in 2024?  Pocock on the repetitive problems of the New Left
    Mike Grimshaw writes – Recent events in American universities point to an underlying crisis of coherent thinking, an issue that increasingly affects the progressive left across the Western world. This of course is nothing new as anyone who can either remember or has read of the late ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Two bar blues
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    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Angus Deaton on rethinking his economics IMFLocal scoop: The people behind Tamarind, the firm that left a $500m cleanup bill for taxpayers at Taranaki’s Tui oil well, are back operating in Taranaki under a different company name. Jonathan ...
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    6 days 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 ...
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    5 hours ago
  • Minister confirms reduced RUC rate for PHEVs
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    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 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
    7 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, ...
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    21 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. ...
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    1 day ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber: Growth is the answer
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    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 ...
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    4 days ago
  • Minister van Velden represents New Zealand at International Democracy Summit
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    4 days ago
  • Insurance Council of NZ Speech, 7 March 2024, Auckland
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    4 days ago
  • Five-year anniversary of Christchurch terror attacks
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  • Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024
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    4 days ago
  • Early visit to Indonesia strengthens ties
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    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • China Foreign Minister to visit
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    5 days ago
  • Minister opens new Auckland Rail Operations Centre
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    5 days ago
  • Celebrating 10 years of Crankworx Rotorua
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    5 days ago
  • Significant Natural Areas requirement to be suspended
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  • Government partnership to tackle $332m facial eczema problem
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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
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
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  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
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    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)
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    6 days ago
  • Government backs rural led catchment projects
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  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber
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    7 days ago
  • Commission’s advice on ETS settings tabled
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    1 week ago
  • Government lowering building costs
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  • Trustee tax change welcomed
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  • Minister’s Ramadan message
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    1 week ago
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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
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    1 week ago
  • Pacific Language Weeks celebrate regional unity
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    1 week ago

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