The country’s books are in remarkably good shape

Written By: - Date published: 8:44 am, December 16th, 2021 - 79 comments
Categories: Budget 2021, Economy, grant robertson, national, same old national, treasury - Tags:

The traditional mantra that the right are better economic managers than the left is in tatters following the latest half yearly Economic and Fiscal Update.  As noted yesterday by Grant Robertson in Parliament:

While Treasury is forecasting a decline in GDP in the September quarter, due to the Delta outbreak, it predicts a bounce-back in the December quarter of 3.7 percent, and annual growth is forecast to average about 3 percent a year from 2023 to 2026. Unemployment is forecast to fall further, to 3.1 percent in the March quarter next year, while wages are forecast to grow 4.4 percent a year, on average, across the forecast period. The strength of the New Zealand economy means that the books will be back in surplus earlier than expected in 2023-2024; net debt will peak at 40.1 percent of GDP, lower than the 48 percent that was forecast at the Budget; and core Crown expenses will drop from their current level of 35.3 percent to 30.5 percent next year, and track at a similar level across the forecast period.

The associated Budget Policy statement also released yesterday indicates that the Government is getting ready to spend big.  As noted by Richard Harman the Budget Operating Allowance, essentially money for new spending, has increased from $2.6 billion to $6 billion for next year.  This gives the Government plenty of headroom for climate change initiative spending.

There is a real argument about how much the Government should be doing to alleviate poverty and the threats to our environment.  But no one can accuse the Government of being reckless with the economy.  And the orchestrated tales of woe from sectors of the business community do not appear to reflect reality with tax collected exceeding forecasts and a predicted deficit of $15.1 billion is now a much more modest $4.6 billion.

There can be no argument that Robertson is a careful and competent manager of the country’s finances.

79 comments on “The country’s books are in remarkably good shape ”

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  1. Enough is Enough 1
    16 December 2021 at 9:08 am

    I'm sorry, an economy funded by Fonterra, hyper-inflation in the housing market, and quantitative easing is not in good shape and certainly not sustainable.

    The rich are doing better now then they ever have. The rest are hurting badly.

    From an accountant’s perpsective the books might be in good shape. But that’s the type of thing only a National government should be proud of if there is still widespread poverty in society – as there is.

    • Nic the NZer 1.1
      16 December 2021 at 10:12 am

      As a result of the QE policy the government owes itself about 30% of its total debt and pays lower interest rates on that (partly to itself) as well. Can you explain why this is a bad thing (and hurting people economically) for those of us for who its not obvious that this is a bad thing?

      • Enough is Enough 1.1.1
        16 December 2021 at 10:16 am

        Its a good thing from an accounting perspective – as I noted.

        But if the end result is the current society we have then who cares. It is National governments that are supposed to be proud of those sorts of things, while kids are hungry. Not Labour governments.

        • Nic the NZer 1.1.1.1
          16 December 2021 at 10:22 am

          Didn't follow. Kids are hungry because of QE? Surely they are hungry because they lack nutrition?

          • GreenBus 1.1.1.1.1
            16 December 2021 at 10:42 am

            Kids go hungry because of low wages.

          • Enough is Enough 1.1.1.1.2
            16 December 2021 at 10:42 am

            Bingo.

            So why would anyone be proud of the books when kids are hungry, and housing is out of reach for anyone who doesn't have a 200k deposit?

            • Nic the NZer 1.1.1.1.2.1
              16 December 2021 at 11:02 am

              But the question is how QE has contributed to that surely. Maybe it assisted with the governments finances and allowed them to engage in fiscal policy to address these things (within their own terms), but that was insufficient. So maybe its not a bad thing itself, but obviously doesn't address every ill of the economy by itself either.

              • Cricklewood …
                17 December 2021 at 6:06 am

                Essentially it lowered the cost of borrowing money, that and a relax of LVR ratios allowed large sums to be leveraged off existing and newly found equity to use housing as an investment vehicle. Once the sugar rush starts it becomes a pile on, Values increase, creating more equity which creates more headroom for more borrowing and the cycle continues. Money from thin air if you will…

                Banks of course are very happy with these scenarios as bigger mortgages equal bigger profits.

      • Blazer 1.1.2
        16 December 2021 at 11:01 am

        It's a bad thing when inflated housing costs and food costs mean Joe Lunchbox has hardly anything left over ,after paying the rapacious landlord most of his…wages.

        But GDP looks good,so all is…well.

      • DukeEll 1.1.3
        16 December 2021 at 5:25 pm

        Ah yes, the rationalisation of the situation by someone who owns their own house and quite possibly works in the bureaucratic sector.

        "there can't be any harm as price inflation through printing money has done to debt what hard work and savings normally would"

        • ghostwhowalksnz 1.1.3.1
          17 December 2021 at 1:37 pm

          price inflation isnt from printing money. Indeed other major countries have had QE for nearly a decade with hardly any (CPI) inflation. Yes asset prices of shares have rocketed up directly from that.

          NZ has only had QE for a little other a year , ending in July this year.

          You are only repeating an ACT party talking point.

          House prices have been climbing, in Auckland first then the rest of country since 2012.

  2. Blazer 2
    16 December 2021 at 9:19 am

    Treasury and banking commentators forecasts seem very unreliable….especially about house prices.

    The supposed drop due to covid became a huge ramping of over 25% in 1 year.

    • Blazer 3.1
      16 December 2021 at 9:38 am

      Glaringly obvious graphs…low mortgage rates=high house prices.

      Orr has worked it out now…or been told!

      • Nic the NZer 3.1.1
        16 December 2021 at 10:18 am

        I think its actually this graph you wanted regarding the high house prices,

        https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/statistics/key-graphs/key-graph-house-price-values

        But it doesn't seem obvious at all relating the two graphs together. The sharpest house price rises by percentage were around 2003 when interest rates were much higher and so were servicing costs. So if Orr is being told your model he may have found he has quite a lot of working out to do from there.

        • Blazer 3.1.1.1
          16 December 2021 at 10:53 am

          If I recall correctly ,Orr said it was not his…problem.

          So a 500k mortgage @8% equates to a million $ mortgage @4%.

          My understanding is there was a slump in prices 2000-2002 at least.

          You are cherry picking 2003,so no one would have confidence in your conclusion either.

          • Pat 3.1.1.1.1
            16 December 2021 at 11:03 am

            I believe the phrase Orr used was "first class problem"….or a good problem to have….it depends on your perspective.

          • Nic the NZer 3.1.1.1.2
            16 December 2021 at 11:05 am

            What started in 2003 (when I apparently cherry-picked it) continued until 2007/2008.

          • Craig H 3.1.1.1.3
            16 December 2021 at 9:48 pm

            House prices are only Orr's problem in how they impact the stability of the banking system, and potentially how they impact the prices of goods and services – asset prices including houses, are not part of Orr's remit.

    • Patricia Bremner 3.2
      16 December 2021 at 10:30 am

      Thank you Pat.

      When money supply is loose asset prices rise, as is happening in NZ Australia and the UK as well. People invest in houses as a "Stable" asset lol. Over and over until, as is happening now, auction figures indicate the "Market" has turned. The up side is money flow and higher tax take results in a shorter cycle. Most Governments also advantage first home buyers with schemes to aid with rising prices.

      A large shock is best dealt with by loosening money policy to meet the costs, this does cause inflation, but austerity causes massive retractions and the resulting lack of spend reverberates through the system for years because of lower tax takes. imo

      • Pat 3.2.1
        16 December 2021 at 10:48 am

        indeed…..the problem with viewing the statistics in aggregate is it fails to account for where the costs land….those who have (largely) increased the debt are not the same group required to service it (i.e rental properties).

        Added to that we have the effect of proportionality…or base effect…a 300 basis point rise in interest rates has a larger effect when rates are very low (as they have been).

        Our private debt levels are now at record highs (168% of GDP) even while the Gov have increased their level of debt on our behalf….hit from both sides.

        We have 'loosened' to the point of no return.

  4. woodart 4
    16 December 2021 at 9:34 am

    what a shambles; need a businessman at the helm; typical labour; moan whinge grizzle;..actually, its bloody amazing , and we should be looking forward to a third term for this VERY competent minister of finance…but whingeing is far easier …

    • Blazer 4.1
      16 December 2021 at 9:40 am

      Luxona won't put figures on anything.

      Robertson can handle him and Bridges together,with ease.

      They'll just beat the gangs/law and order drum…harder.

      • woodart 4.1.1
        16 December 2021 at 9:58 am

        yes blazer. think you have nailed it. if labour can get ahead of the typical nat go-to and throw $$$ at the police , it will make not-john look toothless.

        • Gezza 4.1.1.1
          16 December 2021 at 11:44 am

          Tru dat. Poto Williams has even managed to make remarks clearly in support of the police in some recent interviews & answers to Questions in the House. Now a bit more money thrown their way for extra police officers would stand her & Labour in good stead.

          Ordinary folk I talk to are pissed off about the growth in gang numbers, gang shootings, and cops getting shot at.

      • tc 4.1.2
        16 December 2021 at 2:53 pm

        Bring it on.

        A good opportunity for their 3 terms of police numbers and funding to get an airing.

        Great to see luxon kept JC on to help respond on that.

    • Patricia Bremner 4.2
      16 December 2021 at 10:31 am

      yesdevil

  5. Dennis Frank 5
    16 December 2021 at 9:49 am

    Beware the illusion factor though, as delineated by an ex-RB expert:

    to illustrate that inflation is a big part of the picture note that in this year’s Budget Treasury forecast that inflation for the year to June 2021 would be 2.4 per cent, for the year to June 2022 1.7 per cent, and for the year to June 2023 1.8 per cent. In the HYEFU, those numbers (2021 now known) are 3.3 per cent, 5.1 per cent, and 3.1 per cent. The total increase in the price level over those three years was expected to be 6.0 per cent, and is now expected to be 11.9 per cent.

    So of course the government needs to put more money (quite a lot more) in the operating allowance just to maintain real spending at the levels they intended only a few months ago. A lot of it is simply an inflation illusion.

    https://croakingcassandra.com/

    • Patricia Bremner 5.1
      16 December 2021 at 10:36 am

      Yes Dennis, But tell us about the reverse… Where assets lose value, businesses can't access loans, there is no money in the system and fire sales are an "Op shop" for the rich.

      • Blazer 5.1.1
        16 December 2021 at 10:55 am

        Heads we win,tails you lose has been neo liberal policy since…forever.

      • Dennis Frank 5.1.2
        16 December 2021 at 10:59 am

        surprise No way can I tell you more than you already know! I barely even managed to guess that you meant the reverse of inflation is deflation. We've never had that in Aotearoa to my knowledge – but I'm not an economic historian & am willing to be corrected if I'm wrong about that.

        • Blazer 5.1.2.1
          16 December 2021 at 11:06 am

          Not forgetting-Stagflation

          • 'Since the 1970s, rising price levels during periods of slow or negative economic growth have become somewhat of the norm rather than an exceptional situation.'
  6. Pat 6
    16 December 2021 at 11:11 am

    And GDP down 3.7% Sept quarter….

    https://www.interest.co.nz/business/113775/country-sees-second-largest-ever-quarterly-fall-gdp-result-shows-increasing

    GDP still below 2019 levels.

    From certain perspectives that may not be a bad thing, but when the entire system is predicated on 'growth' it is systemically challenging.

    • Tricledrown 6.1
      16 December 2021 at 11:33 am

      Pat cherry picking season in full flight when you read through the full story it says growth was up 2.1% annually.

      The main reason for a decline in GDP was the shut down in the tourism sector.

      The predicted Decline in gdp was supposed to be more than double at -7.4% but came in at only 3.7 % the economy grew at 2.1 % for the year.

      Much better than all the dooms sellers .

      Given Tourism was our largest single earner before the Pandemic our economy is doing much better than anyone expected.

      So all the attack lines by the bald faced liar and simple Simon are backfiring.

      • Pat 6.1.1
        16 December 2021 at 11:37 am

        Cherry picking?…..is the economy larger or smaller than it was in 2019?

        And highlighting Treasury's appalling projection record isnt a positive.

        We are more indebted than ever, in a shrinking economy with rising global interest rates….and thats supposed to be positive?….well excuse me.

    • Ad 6.2
      16 December 2021 at 11:33 am

      A challenge we are meeting easily.

      It's not the growth: the thing to watch is the quality of the growth.

      The sectors that have lost growth are in areas like: restaurants and travel; retail; accommodation and anything to do with tourism; and export education.

      The sectors that had temporary hits but long term booms are construction and anything in food, fibre, and horticulture.

      That looks like a massive shift in increased productivity for New Zealand.

      • RedLogix 6.2.1
        16 December 2021 at 11:40 am

        It's not the growth: the thing to watch is the quality of the growth.

        Finally someone says this out loud. For all the pissing and moaning that goes on here, NZ is still one of the best governed nations and still one of the best places in the world. Anyone who thinks otherwise really needs to live and work in a few other places in the world.

        But it is also true that we have fallen short of our potential for this fundamental reason, low quality economic activity that delivers crap jobs, insecure and badly paid. One economic commentator after another has been saying this for decades, yet no govt has really found the lever to shift this. Maybe COVID will accidentally deliver it to us.

      • Pat 6.2.2
        16 December 2021 at 11:44 am

        As stated whether 'growth' is a positive is open to debate….never mind agreeing on 'quality'

        You may think that the listed sectors will suffer a "temporary" hit but the evidence is those sectors will not recover to previous levels anytime soon (if ever)…and construction (a boom bust industry) is struggling through constraints on labour, materials and now finance.

        As to hort and ag, well our major market is in the throes of property crash and a major slowdown in growth.

        But hey, its all good

        • Ad 6.2.2.1
          16 December 2021 at 12:23 pm

          Construction is now underpinned by infrastructure jobs – which are government funded ad long term. Even a (highly unlikely) international property market collapse would see those builders readily absorbed.

          Also you may not have noticed but we are at 3.4% unemployment heading for 3.1%. They are the constraints of a sustained boom that will continue as long as there is a housing shortage here.

          Cite evidence of this property crash, and then cite how they are affecting our horticultural, meat, wood, and wine exports.

          All NZ and Au forecast reports out in the last 6 weeks show you are simply wrong.

          • Pat 6.2.2.1.1
            16 December 2021 at 12:37 pm

            "Construction is now underpinned by infrastructure jobs – which are government funded ad long term. Even a (highly unlikely) international property market collapse would see those builders readily absorbed."

            Wrong…residential is twice the value of non currently…and the skill sets are not easily transferable.

            "Also you may not have noticed but we are at 3.4% unemployment heading for 3.1%. They are the constraints of a sustained boom that will continue as long as there is a housing shortage here."

            Cant build without labour, materials and finance…and the housing shortage is not a physical shortage

            "Cite evidence of this property crash, and then cite how they are affecting our horticultural, meat, wood, and wine exports."

            Too many to list, google Evergrande, chinese growth or even just China economy.

            "All NZ and Au forecast reports out in the last 6 weeks show you are simply wrong."

            Care to cite one?

            • Tricledrown 6.2.2.1.1.1
              16 December 2021 at 12:52 pm

              Pat you know nothing of the building industry NZ is struggling to meet housing demand that will continue as workers from abroad are needed in just about every sector except the tourism sector they need accomodation

              NZers returning home and bolthole seekers will need to live somewhere to live.

              Construction workers have most of the skill set to build infrastructure.Millions of tons of Concrete needs form work the same skills that builders use.Digger drivers ,drainlayers electricians.concrete placers etc etc.

              Pat I sense desperation in your frivolous envy argument.

              • Pat …
                16 December 2021 at 12:58 pm

                "Pat you know nothing of the building industry NZ is struggling to meet housing demand that will continue as workers from abroad are needed in just about every sector except the tourism sector they need accomodation"

                If you say so….didnt know you knew me personally

                "NZers returning home and bolthole seekers will need to live somewhere to live."

                Ah, that old (discredited) chestnut….go and look at the stats….they never showed up.

                "Construction workers have most of the skill set to build infrastructure.Millions of tons of Concrete needs form work the same skills that builders use.Digger drivers ,drainlayers electricians.concrete placers etc etc."

                Glad you qualified that statement…SOME workers, have SOME of the skills required to move between the two….and even then they generally require oversight and training.

                • Tricledrown …
                  16 December 2021 at 1:28 pm

                  Pat not much building intricate form work is virtually identical to building a house.

                  Measuring timber cutting to length following plans very straight forward. Tying steel the same pouring concrete and finishing the same.

                  Once borders open up there will be a.massive influx to fill labour shortages in most areas of the economy.

                  Expats can't get back to NZ in the present environment because of our cautious approach but once those restrictions ease their will be a massive influx.

                  You can hear them all screaming why can't we come home now.

                  Theirs a global pandemic so you will have to que.

                  Employers in just about every sector are screaming for migrant Labour.

                  So your dreaming if you think the building industry is going to collapse.If it did it would be good for state House construction as it would be able to take up the slack.

                  • Pat …
                    16 December 2021 at 1:55 pm

                    "Once borders open up there will be a.massive influx to fill labour shortages in most areas of the economy."

                    There may be a massive influx of workers (define massive) equally there will likely be an exodus of NZ experienced workers, when the borders open……or the Gov may determine that with an election due the following year it may be politically expedient to restrict the numbers…yet to be determined, but even if they do that only potentially solves one of the problems….theres still materials and finance.

                    Materials, or the lack of are in the short to medium term outside the control of the domestic market/government….how long do you think the average construction related firm can carry their current costs while waiting?….the answer is not even until now for some.

                    So time will tell who is dreaming .

  7. Sabine 7
    16 December 2021 at 11:52 am

    Well it seems that the government makes good on some property gains? Are these 'fictional' gains included in his 'surplus'? This from October this year:

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/surplus-inches-closer-as-government-books-billions-of-dollars-on-rising-property-values/YD4F7N3P3D7P6TKQGAZGFVEKEI/

    The Government booked billions of gains from a booming property and share markets. Like many home-owning households, the Government is now significantly wealthier than it was before the pandemic.

    The Government's net worth – that means everything the Crown owns, minus everything it owes – is now $151.4b, a huge $41b increase on where it was a year ago.

  8. Gypsy 8
    16 December 2021 at 12:03 pm

    I don't buy into the narrative that one party is better than another at managing the economy. In my lifetime I've lived through both good and bad economic management from both of the main political parties. Frankly there was very little difference between the economic management of the Clark and Key governments, except for the times when politics overrode common sense (e.g. the interest free student loans bribe). This government has some serious problems that go to the core of who we are as a society. Homelessness, housing affordability, gun crime, and a host of other societal problems stalk this country in a way they should not. These are problems that have been in the making for (in some cases) decades. But this government has, if anything, made a number of key societal measures worse.

  9. Blazer 9
    16 December 2021 at 1:30 pm

    Treasury's sobering house price prediction for 2022 (msn.com)

    All five major banks now expect house prices to fall in 2022 | interest.co.nz

    I think it was Galbraith who….'economics exists so economists …can be employed'..or similar.

  10. Corey Humm 10
    16 December 2021 at 1:37 pm

    Who is the economy going well for at ground level?

    Everytime we time go to the supermarket the items cost a little more than before… Couples with in their late twenties and early thirties on the average wage of fifty something k each are struggling to make ends meet and will never be able to own a house.

    apocalyptic house prices means rents are becoming so expensive that the media will soon be talking about "renting being out of reach for the average New Zealanders"

    Power prices are way up.

    If this keeps up we'll have grandma and grandad living with mom and dad and the grand kids at great grandma and great granddad's house and the rest of us in trailer parks , motels and cardboard boxes or tents.

    If the governments books are so great how about they actually do something on housing with the urgency they gave COVID.

    Sorting housing sorts poverty.

    As for poverty… They are going to need to double the winter energy payment and double that increase next year just for people to get by because housing is so expensive.

    NZ has 1.9 million houses 200 thousand of those sit empty and the pm has repeatedly said that she doesn't think having nearly 10% of our houses empty is an issue. Jfc

    50% of nzers own less than 2% of the wealth and it's getting worse.

    Thirty odd years ago the grown ups in the room should have done everything they can to get kiwi's investing out of housing and into productive aspects of the economy but every government for thirty years has encouraged and ignored this problem.

    Im starting to think all cabinet ministers for the last thirty years should be in prison for how they have allowed this economic and social and inequality , poverty and human rights catastrophe of housing and that includes ministers of this government.

    Labours ideology is not up to the job. They need to change or be replaced.

    And considering their email on Tuesday night to all us former members literally begging for money for 2023, it's safe to say all labour will be focused on from now till 2023 is an election in two years rather than doing anything with their unprecedented power to seriously address the issues. They just wanna stay in power rather than doing anything with that power.

    But Yay… I'm glad to hear the economy is going well on paper

    • tc 10.2
      16 December 2021 at 3:04 pm

      I'm prepared to give benefit of doubt as election funding is crucial given they're not backed by the hollowmen as others are.

      Having said that agree with most of your points and the clocks ticking down to use that majority to do great work.

      Great work that can’t be reversed easily is the trick given nationals track record.

      • Gezza 10.2.1
        16 December 2021 at 3:10 pm

        They really need to get off their arses and start sorting these problems now. Not leave it until election year, the time-honoured voter bribing time.

  11. Cricklewood 11
    16 December 2021 at 7:02 pm

    An economy with unaffordable housing and thousands of people in emergency accommodation is a failing economy imo.

    • Blazer 11.1
      16 December 2021 at 7:53 pm

      Dead right …but people seem to have accepted it and are desensitivised about it.

    • ghostwhowalksnz 11.2
      17 December 2021 at 3:03 pm

      Unaffordable housing ?

      Every single new house ( many are apartments/terrace/townhouses) being built this year is sold before its built or soon after.

      Some ones buying them ….obviously not you but doesnt figure that they are 'unaffordable'

      I think Ive read that the median household income for Auckland – who are working- is over $130k pa

      Even in the 90s young single people often had to band together to buy a house as its never been cheap

      • Blazer 11.2.1
        18 December 2021 at 6:31 pm

        Are you SERIOUS?

        Historically house prices were 3-4 times average annual income.

        Even now when its household income =2 people working…in Auckland it is around 9-10…

        Young people are …fucked.

        NZ has a population of apx 5million, and has plenty of land.

        It's an absolute ripoff …blame lies with weak Govts in awe of the FIRE sector.

        • ghostwhowalksnz 11.2.1.1
          18 December 2021 at 8:19 pm

          Apartments or townhouse.

          My place in central isthmus isnt worth anywhere near say $900k

          • Blazer 11.2.1.1.1
            18 December 2021 at 8:42 pm

            '

            Even in the 90s young single people often had to band together to buy a house as its never been cheap'

            This is nonsense.

            • ghostwhowalksnz 11.2.1.1.1.1
              20 December 2021 at 5:47 pm

              You like the other pontificators only 'read about buying in Auckland'

              My first place was 4x my then annual income and I needed help from parentsand 2nd Mortgage via State Advances….and flatmates.
              1993

              Interest rates were extremely high by modern standards and so were income tax rates

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    Completed reads for April: The Difference Engine, by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling Carnival of Saints, by George Herman The Snow Spider, by Jenny Nimmo Emlyn’s Moon, by Jenny Nimmo The Chestnut Soldier, by Jenny Nimmo Death Comes As the End, by Agatha Christie Lord of the Flies, by ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    1 day ago

  • At a glance – Clearing up misconceptions regarding 'hide the decline'
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 day ago

  • Road photos
    Have a story to share about St Paul’s, but today just picturesPopular novels written at this desk by a young man who managed to bootstrap himself out of father’s imprisonment and his own young life in a workhouse Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 day ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Paula Bennett’s political appointment will challenge public confidence
    The list of former National Party Ministers being given plum and important roles got longer this week with the appointment of former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett as the chair of Pharmac. The Christopher Luxon-led Government has now made key appointments to Bill English, Simon Bridges, Steven Joyce, Roger Sowry, ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    1 day ago

  • NZDF is still hostile to oversight
    Newsroom has a story today about National's (fortunately failed) effort to disestablish the newly-created Inspector-General of Defence. The creation of this agency was the key recommendation of the Inquiry into Operation Burnham, and a vital means of restoring credibility and social licence to an agency which had been caught lying ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago

  • Winding Back The Hands Of History’s Clock.
    Holding On To The Present: The moment a political movement arises that attacks the whole idea of social progress, and announces its intention to wind back the hands of History’s clock, then democracy, along with its unwritten rules, is in mortal danger.IT’S A COMMONPLACE of political speeches, especially those delivered in ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 day ago

  • Sweet Moderation? What Christopher Luxon Could Learn From The Germans.
    Stuck In The Middle With You: As Christopher Luxon feels the hot breath of Act’s and NZ First’s extremists on the back of his neck and, as he reckons with the damage their policies are already inflicting upon a country he’s described as “fragile”, is there not some merit in reaching out ...
    Bowalley Road
    2 days ago

  • A clear warning
    The unpopular coalition government is currently rushing to repeal section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act. The clause is Oranga Tamariki's Treaty clause, and was inserted after its systematic stealing of Māori children became a public scandal and resulted in physical resistance to further abductions. The clause created clear obligations ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago

  • Poll results and Waitangi Tribunal report go unmentioned on the Beehive website – where racing tru...
    Buzz  from the Beehive The government’s official website – which Point of Order monitors daily – not for the first time has nothing much to say today about political happenings that are grabbing media headlines. It makes no mention of the latest 1News-Verian poll, for example.  This shows National down ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago

  • Listening To The Traffic.
    It Takes A Train To Cry: Surely, there is nothing lonelier in all this world than the long wail of a distant steam locomotive on a cold Winter’s night.AS A CHILD, I would lie awake in my grandfather’s house and listen to the traffic. The big wooden house was only a ...
    Bowalley Road
    2 days ago

  • Comity Be Damned! The State’s Legislative Arm Is Flexing Its Constitutional Muscles.
    Packing A Punch: The election of the present government, including in its ranks politicians dedicated to reasserting the rights of the legislature in shaping and determining the future of Māori and Pakeha in New Zealand, should have alerted the judiciary – including its anomalous appendage, the Waitangi Tribunal – that its ...
    Bowalley Road
    2 days ago

  • Ending The Quest.
    Dead Woman Walking: New Zealand’s media industry had been moving steadily towards disaster for all the years Melissa Lee had been National’s media and communications policy spokesperson, and yet, when the crisis finally broke, on her watch, she had nothing intelligent to offer. Christopher Luxon is a patient man - but he’s not ...
    Bowalley Road
    2 days ago

  • Will political polarisation intensify to the point where ‘normal’ government becomes impossible,...
    Chris Trotter writes –  New Zealand politics is remarkably easy-going: dangerously so, one might even say. With the notable exception of John Key’s flat ruling-out of the NZ First Party in 2008, all parties capable of clearing MMP’s five-percent threshold, or winning one or more electorate seats, tend ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Bernard’s pick 'n' mix for Tuesday, April 30
    TL;DR: Here’s my top 10 ‘pick ‘n’ mix of links to news, analysis and opinion articles as of 10:30am on Tuesday, May 30:Scoop: NZ 'close to the tipping point' of measles epidemic, health experts warn NZ Herald Benjamin PlummerHealth: 'Absurd and totally unacceptable': Man has to wait a year for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Why Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating in the country
    Bryce Edwards writes – Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Worst poll result for a new Government in MMP history
    Luxon will no doubt put a brave face on it, but there is no escaping the pressure this latest poll will put on him and the government. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Pinning down climate change's role in extreme weather
    This is a re-post from The Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler In the wake of any unusual weather event, someone inevitably asks, “Did climate change cause this?” In the most literal sense, that answer is almost always no. Climate change is never the sole cause of hurricanes, heat waves, droughts, or ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago

  • Serving at Seymour's pleasure.
    Something odd happened yesterday, and I’d love to know if there’s more to it. If there was something which preempted what happened, or if it was simply a throwaway line in response to a journalist.Yesterday David Seymour was asked at a press conference what the process would be if the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago

  • Webworm LA Pop-Up
    Hi,From time to time, I want to bring Webworm into the real world. We did it last year with the Jurassic Park event in New Zealand — which was a lot of fun!And so on Saturday May 11th, in Los Angeles, I am hosting a lil’ Webworm pop-up! I’ve been ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago

  • “Feel good” school is out
    Education Minister Erica Standford yesterday unveiled a fundamental reform of the way our school pupils are taught. She would not exactly say so, but she is all but dismantling the so-called “inquiry” “feel good” method of teaching, which has ruled in our classrooms since a major review of the New ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago

  • 6 Months in, surely our Report Card is “Ignored all warnings: recommend dismissal ASAP”?
    Exactly where are we seriously going with this government and its policies? That is, apart from following what may as well be a Truss-Lite approach on the purported economic “plan“, and Victorian-era regression when it comes to social policy. Oh it’ll work this time of course, we’re basically assured, “the ...
    exhALANtBy exhalantblog
    2 days ago

  • Bread, and how it gets buttered
    Hey Uncle Dave, When the Poms joined the EEC, I wasn't one of those defeatists who said, Well, that’s it for the dairy job. And I was right, eh? The Chinese can’t get enough of our milk powder and eventually, the Poms came to their senses and backed up the ute ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Why Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating in the country
    Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is higher than for any other mayor ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    2 days ago

  • Justice for Gaza?
    The New York Times reports that the International Criminal Court is about to issue arrest warrants for Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, over their genocide in Gaza: Israeli officials increasingly believe that the International Criminal Court is preparing to issue arrest warrants for senior government officials on ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • If there has been any fiddling with Pharmac’s funding, we can count on Paula to figure out the fis...
    Buzz from the Beehive Pharmac has been given a financial transfusion and a new chair to oversee its spending in the pharmaceutical business. Associate Health Minister David Seymour described the funding for Pharmac as “its largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff”. ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago

  • FastTrackWatch – The case for the Government’s Fast Track Bill
    Bryce Edwards writes – Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Bernard’s pick 'n' mix for Monday, April 29
    TL;DR: Here’s my top 10 ‘pick ‘n’ mix of links to news, analysis and opinion articles as of 10:10am on Monday, April 29:Scoop: The children's ward at Rotorua Hospital will be missing a third of its beds as winter hits because Te Whatu Ora halted an upgrade partway through to ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on Iran killing its rappers, and searching for the invisible Dr. Reti
    span class=”dropcap”>As hideous as David Seymour can be, it is worth keeping in mind occasionally that there are even worse political figures (and regimes) out there. Iran for instance, is about to execute the country’s leading hip hop musician Toomaj Salehi, for writing and performing raps that “corrupt” the nation’s ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    3 days ago

  • Auckland Rail Electrification 10 years old
    Yesterday marked 10 years since the first electric train carried passengers in Auckland so it’s a good time to look back at it and the impact it has had. A brief history The first proposals for rail electrification in Auckland came in the 1920’s alongside the plans for earlier ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    3 days ago

  • Coalition's dirge of austerity and uncertainty is driving the economy into a deeper recession
    Right now, in Aotearoa-NZ, our ‘animal spirits’ are darkening towards a winter of discontent, thanks at least partly to a chorus of negative comments and actions from the Government Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Disability Funding or Tax Cuts.
    You make people evil to punish the paststuck inside a sequel with a rotating castThe following photos haven’t been generated with AI, or modified in any way. They are flesh and blood, human beings. On the left is Galatea Young, a young mum, and her daughter Fiadh who has Angelman ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • Of the Goodness of Tolkien’s Eru
    April has been a quiet month at A Phuulish Fellow. I have had an exceptionally good reading month, and a decently productive writing month – for original fiction, anyway – but not much has caught my eye that suggested a blog article. It has been vaguely frustrating, to be honest. ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    3 days ago

  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #17
    A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 21, 2024 thru Sat, April 27, 2024. Story of the week Anthropogenic climate change may be the ultimate shaggy dog story— but with a twist, because here ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago

  • Pastor Who Abused People, Blames People
    Hi,I spent about a year on Webworm reporting on an abusive megachurch called Arise, and it made me want to stab my eyes out with a fork.I don’t regret that reporting in 2022 and 2023 — I am proud of it — but it made me angry.Over three main stories ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    3 days ago

  • Vic Uni shows how under threat free speech is
    The new Victoria University Vice-Chancellor decided to have a forum at the university about free speech and academic freedom as it is obviously a topical issue, and the Government is looking at legislating some carrots or sticks for universities to uphold their obligations under the Education and Training Act. They ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Winston remembers Gettysburg.
    Do you remember when Melania Trump got caught out using a speech that sounded awfully like one Michelle Obama had given? Uncannily so.Well it turns out that Abraham Lincoln is to Winston Peters as Michelle was to Melania. With the ANZAC speech Uncle Winston gave at Gallipoli having much in ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • 25
    She was born 25 years ago today in North Shore hospital. Her eyes were closed tightly shut, her mouth was silently moving. The whole theatre was all quiet intensity as they marked her a 2 on the APGAR test. A one-minute eternity later, she was an 8.  The universe was ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Fact Brief – Is Antarctica gaining land ice?
    Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park in collaboration with members from our Skeptical Science team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Is Antarctica gaining land ice? ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago

  • Policing protests.
    Images of US students (and others) protesting and setting up tent cities on US university campuses have been broadcast world wide and clearly demonstrate the growing rifts in US society caused by US policy toward Israel and Israel’s prosecution of … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    5 days ago

  • Open letter to Hon Paul Goldsmith
    Barrie Saunders writes – Dear Paul As the new Minister of Media and Communications, you will be inundated with heaps of free advice and special pleading, all in the national interest of course. For what it’s worth here is my assessment: Traditional broadcasting free to air content through ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: FastTrackWatch – The Case for the Government’s Fast Track Bill
    Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its arguments for such a bold reform. ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    5 days ago

  • Luxon gets out his butcher’s knife – briefly
    Peter Dunne writes –  The great nineteenth British Prime Minister, William Gladstone, once observed that “the first essential for a Prime Minister is to be a good butcher.” When a later British Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan, sacked a third of his Cabinet in July 1962, in what became ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • More tax for less
    Ele Ludemann writes – New Zealanders had the OECD’s second highest tax increase last year: New Zealanders faced the second-biggest tax raises in the developed world last year, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) says. The intergovernmental agency said the average change in personal income tax ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Real News vs Fake News.
    We all know something’s not right with our elections. The spread of misinformation, people being targeted with soundbites and emotional triggers that ignore the facts, even the truth, and influence their votes.The use of technology to produce deep fakes. How can you tell if something is real or not? Can ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • Another way to roll
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.Share ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • Simon Clark: The climate lies you'll hear this year
    This video includes conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Simon Clark. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). This year you will be lied to! Simon Clark helps prebunk some misleading statements you'll hear about climate. The video includes ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • Cutting the Public Service
    It is all very well cutting the backrooms of public agencies but it may compromise the frontlines. One of the frustrations of the Productivity Commission’s 2017 review of universities is that while it observed that their non-academic staff were increasing faster than their academic staff, it did not bother to ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    5 days ago

  • Luxon’s demoted ministers might take comfort from the British politician who bounced back after th...
    Buzz from the Beehive Two speeches delivered by Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters at Anzac Day ceremonies in Turkey are the only new posts on the government’s official website since the PM announced his Cabinet shake-up. In one of the speeches, Peters stated the obvious:  we live in a troubled ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • This is how I roll over
    1. Which of these would you not expect to read in The Waikato Invader?a. Luxon is here to do business, don’t you worry about thatb. Mr KPI expects results, and you better believe itc. This decisive man of action is getting me all hot and excitedd. Melissa Lee is how ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago

  • The Waitangi Tribunal is not “a roving Commission”…
    …it has a restricted jurisdiction which must not be abused: it is not an inquisition   NOTE – this article was published before the High Court ruled that Karen Chhour does not have to appear before the Waitangi Tribunal Gary Judd writes –  The High Court ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • Is Oranga Tamariki guilty of neglect?
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – One of reasons Oranga Tamariki exists is to prevent child neglect. But could the organisation itself be guilty of the same? Oranga Tamariki’s statistics show a decrease in the number and age of children in care. “There are less children ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • Three Strikes saw lower reoffending
    David Farrar writes: Graeme Edgeler wrote in 2017: In the first five years after three strikes came into effect 5248 offenders received a ‘first strike’ (that is, a “stage-1 conviction” under the three strikes sentencing regime), and 68 offenders received a ‘second strike’. In the five years prior to ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • Luxon’s ruthless show of strength is perfect for our angry era
    Bryce Edwards writes – Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesn’t normally happen in politics. That’s refreshing and will be extremely ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • 'Lacks attention to detail and is creating double-standards.'
    TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the two days to 6:06am on Thursday, April 25:Politics: PM Christopher Luxon has set up a dual standard for ministerial competence by demoting two National Cabinet ministers while leaving also-struggling ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • One Night Only!
    Hi,Today I mainly want to share some of your thoughts about the recent piece I wrote about success and failure, and the forces that seemingly guide our lives. But first, a quick bit of housekeeping: I am doing a Webworm popup in Los Angeles on Saturday May 11 at 2pm. ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago

  • What did Melissa Lee do?
    It is hard to see what Melissa Lee might have done to “save” the media. National went into the election with no public media policy and appears not to have developed one subsequently. Lee claimed that she had prepared a policy paper before the election but it had been decided ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago

  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #17 2024
    Open access notables Ice acceleration and rotation in the Greenland Ice Sheet interior in recent decades, Løkkegaard et al., Communications Earth & Environment: In the past two decades, mass loss from the Greenland ice sheet has accelerated, partly due to the speedup of glaciers. However, uncertainty in speed derived from satellite products ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago

  • Maori Party (with “disgust”) draws attention to Chhour’s race after the High Court rules on Wa...
    Buzz from the Beehive A statement from Children’s Minister Karen Chhour – yet to be posted on the Government’s official website – arrived in Point of Order’s email in-tray last night. It welcomes the High Court ruling on whether the Waitangi Tribunal can demand she appear before it. It does ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    7 days ago

  • Who’s Going Up The Media Mountain?
    Mr Bombastic: Ironically, the media the academic experts wanted is, in many ways, the media they got. In place of the tyrannical editors of yesteryear, advancing without fear or favour the interests of the ruling class; the New Zealand news media of today boasts a troop of enlightened journalists dedicated to ...
    Bowalley Road
    7 days ago

  • “That's how I roll”
    It's hard times try to make a livingYou wake up every morning in the unforgivingOut there somewhere in the cityThere's people living lives without mercy or pityI feel good, yeah I'm feeling fineI feel better then I have for the longest timeI think these pills have been good for meI ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    7 days ago

  • “Comity” versus the rule of law
    In 1974, the US Supreme Court issued its decision in United States v. Nixon, finding that the President was not a King, but was subject to the law and was required to turn over the evidence of his wrongdoing to the courts. It was a landmark decision for the rule ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago

  • Aotearoa: a live lab for failed Right-wing socio-economic zombie experiments once more…
    Every day now just seems to bring in more fresh meat for the grinder. In their relentlessly ideological drive to cut back on the “excessive bloat” (as they see it) of the previous Labour-led government, on the mountains of evidence accumulated in such a short period of time do not ...
    exhALANtBy exhalantblog
    1 week ago

  • Water is at the heart of farmers’ struggle to survive in Benin
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Megan Valére Sosou Market gardening site of the Itchèléré de Itagui agricultural cooperative in Dassa-Zoumè (Image credit: Megan Valère Sossou) For the residents of Dassa-Zoumè, a city in the West African country of Benin, choosing between drinking water and having enough ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago

  • At a time of media turmoil, Melissa had nothing to proclaim as Minister – and now she has been dem...
    Buzz from the Beehive   Melissa Lee – as may be discerned from the screenshot above – has not been demoted for doing something seriously wrong as Minister of ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 week ago

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Speech – Eid al-Fitr
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