The Mayoral candidates and the living wage proposal

Written By: - Date published: 9:00 am, September 4th, 2016 - 29 comments
Categories: auckland supercity, business, capitalism, cost of living, Economy, jobs, local body elections, local government, minimum wage, supercity, wages, workers' rights - Tags:

Photo (c) Jason Fell

Photo (c) Jason Fell

I attended the Living Wage People’s assembly this week in St Matthews in the City.  The idea behind the meeting was to get Mayoral and Waitemata ward candidates to express their views on the living wage proposal as well as improved public transport services and rental accommodation standards.  The organiser was Living Wage Aotearoa who have been proud champions of the concept.

At the beginning of the meeting Annie Newman laid out the challenge to all candidates and asked them to pledge that all Auckland city staff, whether employed or contracted, should be paid a living wage.

She wanted an indication of political will from the candidates.

She said that paying a living wage is a matter of fairness.  Over the past couple of decades there has been such an overwhelming transfer of wealth away from ordinary working people that something has to be done.

Catriona McLennan was invited to speak.

She talked about how the chief executive of the Council was paid $690,000 per annum and received a $60,000 pay rise last December.  How senior managers paid between $340,000 and $680,000 were all male and mostly pakeha. And how staff below the living wage are predominately female and Pacifica.

She proposed that the people at the top should be paid a bit less so that those on the bottom could be paid more.

She also proposed a variety of slight adjustments in how Council spends its money so that it can pay a living wage.

She concluded by noting that if you want create the world’s most liveable city it has to be a living wage city.  And a city cannot be the world’s most liveable city if it’s workers cannot afford to live there.

Then an Auckland Council cleaner spoke.  She was a Tongan woman called Melina.  She described how  her family came to New Zealand for a better life. She has six children aged between 9 and 19.  Her goal in life is to give her kids a good education so that they can have a better future.

She was the cleaner responsible for cleaning the mayors office.  She worked from 5:30 pm to 3:30 am for $15.60 per hour. She had a recent wage increase of a paltry 0.25c an hour.

She likes the Mayor and the job but she said that the pay is too low.  She called for Auckland Council to do the right thing and pay the living wage.  Hers was the best speech of the night.

It was then time for the candidates to speak.  Each candidate was given two minutes to talk about the issue and then were asked a series of questions and invited to say yes or no to these questions.

The three questions were:

  1. Did they support a living wage for staff and those regularly employed by contractors of Council as well as CCOs,
  2. Did they support requiring the successful tenderer of the 2017 renewal of cleaning services employ staff paid a living wage, and
  3. Did they support the establishment of a sub committee of Council to support implementation of a living wage and that the committee includes members of Living Wage Aotearoa.

First up was Chloe Swarbrick.  She is an impressive young woman who spoke well.  She said that she is standing because she is concerned because only 34% voted at the last election and these were usually older people who are home owners. She referred to the crisis of homelessness and how families are living living in cars. She clearly thought that Council should pay a living wage.

Her answers to the questions were yes, yes and she did not have enough information so no.

Phil Goff was next and he referred to his statement made that day supporting a living wage. In his view the first step has to be for Council and CCOs to pay a living wage. He then wants to have it extended to contractors as a second step.

He said he was conscious that Len Brown wanted to deliver a living wage and could not because of the political realities.

He stated that $4.1 million was required to pay to permanent staff is affordable and this sum could be found through efficiencies.

He was opposed to requiring the cleaning contract to mandate the payment of a living wage as he thought that politicians should not interfere

He was happy to work with Living Wage Aotearoa to implement the policy.

His answers were yes with a qualification, no – will not interfere in process, and yes.

John Palino was next.  He talked about his restaurant business and how it backs onto Bruce Pulman Park. He said how the homeless have been there for a while. And how he has been feeding them and how they do not want soup after 9 pm because the toilets are then shut.

He contended that Auckland’s growth plan is pushing people out to the suburbs and away from work.

He says that he cares about people but how there was more than one way to resolve this problem, more than just paying a living wage.

His answers were that supports it but does not feel we should be involved in other companies business, no and yes.

Then Mark Thomas was up.  He is clearly seeking the mandate of the right and has been spending his time chipping at Phil Goff clearly in an attempt to try and create a headline.  He got off the wrong foot by saying that this was the most political non partisan meeting he has been there.  In his view a mayor has to be mayor for everyone and that he wants progress on transport and housing.

This is why he will not support a living wage. He wants wage increases for everyone but wants to fix Council costs and these will improve living conditions.

His answers were predictably, no no and no.

The there was the opposite extreme.  Penny Bright received the biggest cheer of the night by describing herself as the Bernie Sanders of the Auckland Mayoral race. She railed against the corporate 1% and stated that contracting out is more expensive than employing staff.

She received another huge cheer by advocating that Council should bring services back in house, and do away with contractors and consultants.

Her answers were categorical.  Absolutely yes, absolutely yes and yes.

David Hay then spoke.  He stated how he had enjoyed working at Manukau Council with its flat management structure and its philosophy of looking after its workers.

He proposed that Council’s Chief Executive should be paid a multiple of the living wage, and suggested 10 times. He believed that a living wage could be achieved by having fewer managers and paying them less.

His answers were yes, yes and absolutely yes.

Vic Crone and Bill Ralston had been invited but not were not there.  Photographs of them adorned the seats set aside for them.

Mike Lee spoke last.  He said how Auckland has major challenges, housing, transport, infrastructure and social equity.  He thought that our unequal society is a cancer eating away at the heart of the city.  He noted how over the past few decades there has been a major flow of money to the top portion of the population.  He thought it unconscionable that 1800 council employees are on less than the living wage, and noted how 60% are women and most are young.

His answers were yes, yes, and yes.

The second part of the meeting sought candidates’ commitments to supporting a comprehensive transport system and a review of night and weekend services to support workers as well as questions relating to Council initiating a voluntary scheme for warrant of fitness for rental properties and interest free loans being made available to land owners.

The order was reversed and Mike Lee spoke first.  He thought that transport was an important issue. When he was chair of the Auckland Regional Council he had led drive to electrify trains and supported City Rail Link. He also said that as a board member he had voted against every fare increase proposed by Auckland Transport. In his view AT does not understand what a fare increase means to working people who rely on public transport.

His answers were yes, yes, yes and yes to the four questions.

David Hay was next.  He started by noting that to get to a carbon neutral city we need rapid transit which is electrically powered.  If he was elected Mayor housing would be a priority, especially emergency housing for the homeless. He said that he would sell the airport shares to do this.

His answers were absolutely, yes, yes, and yes with a caveat on the value of the home.

Penny Bright said there was no such thing as public transport, there are ten private bus companies, four private ferry owners and a French company running the trains. If Mayor she would make the system truly public.

In relation to housing she was totally opposed to sell off of state or public housing to private groups, even churches.

Her answers were yes, yes, yes and yes.

Mark Thomas said that transport and housing costs are some of the biggest problems. The living wage request should be addressed to the Government.  He supports the busway being extended further north and out west. He thought however that light rail was gold plated.

His answers – the principle is right but since the organisers could not tell him how much it would cost he would not commit so no, no, yes, and no.

Phil Goff mentioned how his grandad drove trams around Auckland. In the 1950s each year trams carried more people on public transport than occurred last year. He believed that there needs to be comprehensive and improved PT. And he thought that housing is a basic human right. If you want your kids to grow up healthy and educated how are they going to do this without adequate housing?

His answers were yes, no, yes even compulsory, and not across the board.

John Palino gave a similar response to his original response and said that a city has to have jobs located where people live.

His answers were yes, no, yes and no I think.

Chloe Swarbrick said that she does not own a home or a car and that she regularly uses public transport. This gives her a completely different perception to the others. She is worried about homelessness and that housing is increasingly unaffordable and where this is leading us.

Her answers were absolutely, yes, yes but should be compulsory, and no because of universality.

Then the meeting concluded and with a song which was beautifully rendered it was over,

My impressions of the candidates?

  • Phil Goff performed strongly although his answer concerning the cleaning contract would not have won friends.  He is clearly the front runner with huge experience and it is hard to see him losing.
  • Penny Bright had a good night and gave possibly the clearest most unequivocal commitments.
  • Mark Thomas would not have won any votes that night and appeared to be intent on picking a fight with Goff.
  • John Palino was an odd combination of humanitarian thoughts mixed up with rather right wing beliefs and also would have picked up no votes.
  • Mike Lee was principled and direct and I hope he is returned to Council.
  • David Hay was pretty good but somewhat crowded out on the left.
  • And Chloe Swarbrick performed remarkably well and is doing something really important, expressing the hopes and aspirations of our young people.

All in all it was an enjoyable evening.  And it underlined the importance of voting.  Particularly if you want to live in the world’s most liveable city.  One that pays a living wage.

Reprinted from www.gregpresland.com

29 comments on “The Mayoral candidates and the living wage proposal ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Stephanie Rodgers 1
    4 September 2016 at 10:20 am

    Goff’s answers are really disappointing. He’s got such an obvious advantage in the race it would be no skin off his nose to take a strong, progressive stance on the living wage.

    As to not mandating that the council cleaning contract involve a living wage – businesses already do this! No, they can’t demand that a particular contractor pay all its staff a living wage all the time, but you can at least ensure the people who are cleaning up your office are being paid a living wage to do so.

    His continued focus on “efficiencies” is sadly buying into the rightwing mindset that the only thing that matters in local body politics is the rates bill. As the Living Wage and Jobs That Count campaigns show, it’s about so much more, and the mayor of our largest city should know that.

    • Matthew Whitehead 1.1
      4 September 2016 at 5:42 pm

      To take a progressive stance you have to believe being a progressive is the right thing, (or at least a politically advantageous thing) and unfortunately Goff has proven that he’s a centrist at heart that deeply believes in triangulation.

      While it’ll be great to limit the damage he can do in Parliament it’s sad to see more centrists inflicting themselves on local government, it looks like Labour is going to sweep our two biggest cities this year despite the Greens virtually owning Wellington because of Celia’s late withdrawal, too.

      • Chris 1.1.1
        4 September 2016 at 7:12 pm

        “While it’ll be great to limit the damage he can do in Parliament it’s sad to see more centrists inflicting themselves on local government,”

        Yes, it’s a shame about local government, but for every Goff Labour loses it can always boost numbers by dredging up a Nash or a Davis.

  2. Keith 2
    4 September 2016 at 10:34 am

    The irony is the amount set for the living wage no longer applies to Auckland. Its out of control property prices have destroyed that hope and are now doing an imitation of a bull in a china shop to our economy. And even now attracting high skilled people on far more money to fill vacancies is increasingly a non starter for the same reason.

    As for PT I am wondering why Goff thought no to improved weekend and night services. What is wrong with that?

  3. Anne 3
    4 September 2016 at 10:45 am

    Chloe Swarbrick was on Waatea Fifth Estate several times and made an excellent impression. Articulate and clued up for one so young – 21/22 years of age. I think she could turn out to be a leader for the future.

  4. The Real Matthew 4
    4 September 2016 at 1:26 pm

    Which Living Wage are the candidates committing too?

    The original calculation plus 5% or the real Living Wage calculation which came to over $22 an hour?

    • Chris 4.2
      4 September 2016 at 4:52 pm

      Where/who did the “real Living Wage calculation which came to over $22 an hour” come from?

      • Stephanie Rodgers 4.2.1
        4 September 2016 at 6:38 pm

        Probably David Farrar – he’s persistently tried to undermine the work of the Living Wage movement by pulling numbers out of thin air.

        There are a lot of ways to calculate what a living wage would look like but Living Wage Aotearoa set their baseline in 2014 and I think adjust annually to meet the CPI.

        The really sad thing about all the rightwingers who try to derail conversations about the living wage is that they seem to think this is some kind of game they can win by “disproving” the Living Wage campaign’s calculations. And all they really do is make it clear they don’t care about people, and they don’t believe that people who work should be paid enough to feed their kids and keep a roof over their heads.

        • In Vino 4.2.1.1
          4 September 2016 at 6:56 pm

          Well said, Stephanie. How many of these hypocrites would seriously consider working long-term themselves for the pittances they advocate?

        • mickysavage 4.2.1.2
          4 September 2016 at 7:09 pm

          Yep the basic premise of their argument is that no one can say exactly what the figure should be so therefore there is no problem whereas anyone grounded in reality, particularly in Auckland, knows there is a crisis.

        • Macro 4.2.1.3
          4 September 2016 at 7:26 pm

          And all they really do is make it clear they don’t care about people, and they don’t believe that people who work should be paid enough to feed their kids and keep a roof over their heads.

          QFT

          And the really sad thing is that there appears to be so many of them.

        • mosa 4.2.1.4
          5 September 2016 at 10:05 am

          “Pulling numbers out of thin air” sound like Key has been giving advice again on how to deceive the masses, its worked bloody well up till now.

  5. UncookedSelachimorpha 5
    4 September 2016 at 3:19 pm

    Goff’s statement that ‘efficiencies’ are the only potential source of funding to correct inequality and poverty shows that he is stuck in a neoliberal mindset – or at least he doesn’t want to challenge the neolib lie that tax and redistribution are inherently bad.

    We are a very wealthy country and the truth is that we simply need to redistribute some of the wealth owned by the very wealthy. Saying that inequality and poverty in NZ can be solved with efficiency savings is cowardly, divorced from reality, a red herring and a lie.

    • In Vino 5.1
      4 September 2016 at 6:58 pm

      Agreed

    • Macro 5.2
      4 September 2016 at 7:30 pm

      Yes his calculation of an extra $4m is a pittance spread over all rate payers in Auckland (and yes I am one of them) I would gladly pay a little extra in rates to ensure that all workers were paid a living wage. I also think the CEO’s and upper management might look to themselves a little more as well.

    • Chris 5.3
      5 September 2016 at 1:05 am

      But could we really expect anything better from him? Really? Just look at where he’s come from, and what that somewhere represents. Goff’s always been in the thick of it. Ain’t no changing now.

    • dave 5.4
      5 September 2016 at 6:17 am

      no hes not hes correct there is colossal waste 10 people required make decisions consultants being brought in to avoid responsibility duplication of bureaucracy across the whole organization lets take one example community art galleries are run by council staff not the community ,there 250 people involved in hiring out community halls that bugger all people use projects that never get to tender because the entire budget has been eaten up by staff and consultants taking the entire budget no i think goff will find a right mess if he looks .
      theres been no money for the low paid contract staff while the fat cats on staff at the council have been paid well

  6. Open mike 6
    4 September 2016 at 5:05 pm

    Unbelievable that candidates, Ralston and Crone, who expect to be taken seriously by voters, choose to not attend such a meeting. No regards for their disrespect . Although I may not support some of the reported views at least the people who have them showed respect by attending.

  7. dave 7
    4 September 2016 at 5:42 pm

    most people who need the living wage are on contracts if council staff are going get the living wage contract staff should get it to

    • Craig H 7.1
      4 September 2016 at 9:07 pm

      Agreed, even if it’s by increasing the contract payments accordingly, or by making it among the tender requirements going forward.

  8. Craig H 8
    4 September 2016 at 9:06 pm

    I did a budget exercise about saving for a house for a family on median income recently. Here’s another living wage effort for a family of 4 with 2 working parents working 60 hours per week between them (in line with Living Wage guidelines) – I will assume one is doing 40, the other 20, and that the 2 children are in school, so no childcare is required. Since we’re saving for a house, I will assume both partners will avail themselves of Kiwisaver of 3%, and that the matching employer contributions are extra to the salary (rather than a TRP). I will further assume both parents have student loans.

    Annual budget:

    Gross (before tax) Income = $20,592 + $41,184 = $61,776
    PAYE = $2,909.40 + $6,799.52 = $9,708.92
    Student Loan deductions = $180.96 + $2,652 = $2,832.96
    Kiwisaver deductions = $617.76 + $1,235.52 = $1,853.28
    Net wages = $47,380.84 = $911.17 per week.

    Working for Familes = $6,136 = $118 per week.
    Accommodation supplement = $1,144 = $22 per week.

    Net income = $1051.17 (was $1,551 under the 2 x median income budget)

    11543
    Expenses:
    Rent = $23,400 ($450 per week)
    Internet = $624 ($52 per month)
    Cell Phone plan = $384 ($16 x 2 per month – 2 prepaid bundles)
    Power + Water = $2,760 ($200 + $30 per month)
    Groceries = $11,960 ($200 food, $30 other groceries, total $230 per week)
    Transport = $7,800 ($150 per week – assumes 2 cars, 2 children in school, fuel, WOF, registration, maintenance)
    Insurance = $1,200 ($100 per month – contents, car x 2, life x 2)
    Clothing = $1,040 ($20 per week, includes footwear and school uniforms)
    Medical/dental = $520 ($10 per week)
    Education – $2,000 (2 children, includes stationery, school donation, camps/trips/discos etc.)
    Childcare (OSCAR) – $1,000 (2 children, assumed some school holiday programmes only and $4 per child, per hour subsidy, as the part-time parent can arrange school transport during term time and they can use some leave to care for the children)

    Total expenses = $52,688

    Total available to save = $1,972.84 = $37.94/week.

    This assumes no contingencies, no holidays/entertainment, no other debts to repay, no replacing appliances or cars etc for 5 years. Some of the figures may be a bit high, some may be a bit low, some expenses are probably missing, but hopefully they even out. I made some economies from the first time I did this as well by opting for Skinny broadband and prepaid for the internet and cellphone plans and cutting back on groceries a bit (I also found an error in my original budget as the internet cost was accidentally calculated as $90/week, not $90/month), and childcare is a lot cheaper as explained above.

    The only real deposit saved here will be Kiwisaver, and that will be less than the full amount as the part-time worker does not get the full government contribution as they are not contributing $1042/year ($617.76 as above). Total Kiwisaver savings after 5 years will be:

    $13,879.12 (full timer) + $7,182.06 (part timer) + $10,000 first home grant + $1000 investment returns = $32,061.18. If they enrolled in KS earlier, they will also have another $1000 each from the government.

    May be a bit more if they opt to contribute extra to part timer’s KS to maximise the government contribution ($3000 or so over the 5 years). Realistically, even if they did manage to use a Welcome Home Loan for a cheap house, there’s no room in the budget for rates + insurance anyway.

    Also, the amount of taxation subsidy going to this couple is large, so even at what are seen as reasonable wages, there are still some serious top ups required to raise a family.

    • Bob 8.1
      6 September 2016 at 2:41 pm

      Thanks for this Craig, I actually think this is one of the more accurate (‘real world’) budget assessments of the Living Wage I have seen.

      This would leave the above family needing to find a 3 bedroom house to buy for $260,000 to fit within their budget (this would leave interest repayments at $400 / week if interest rates went up to 7%, with the additional $50 / week currently spent on rent going to rates and insurance).
      This means a family on a Living Wage could reasonably expect to purchase a house…as long as they don’t live in Auckland, Hamilton or Tauranga.

      “Also, the amount of taxation subsidy going to this couple is large, so even at what are seen as reasonable wages, there are still some serious top ups required to raise a family”
      Simple solution, scrap the subsidies and introduce a UBI.

      • Craig H 8.1.1
        9 September 2016 at 7:12 pm

        Thanks!

        I’m a fan of UBI, so definitely a longer term option. I’m not opposed to tax subsidies anyway, but was really just making the point that for a Living Wage, it’s still tough going. Interestingly, the accommodation supplement is only paid in Auckland and Wellington for this income level.

        The rent would be $100 a week cheaper in Christchurch, or $200 a week cheaper in Invercargill, so the wage is more workable elsewhere.

        Incidentally, an unsubsidised living wage would be around $30 per hour.

  9. Penny Bright 9
    5 September 2016 at 7:27 am

    Looking forward to your vote Greg 🙂

    PS: I have a Union background in the Electrical Workers Union, Engineers Union and ASTE, (which includes being the Vice-President of the Wairarapa Trades Council when I was 27), and knew your Dad when he was President of the Engineers Union, knew Helen Kelly’s Dad, Pat Kelly….

    None of the other Auckland Mayoral candidates has my background in helping to better the lot of working people by organising on the factory floor.

    Penny Bright

    2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate.

    ‘Activists – get things done’.

    • Scott 9.1
      5 September 2016 at 9:03 am

      When are you going to pay your share of the rates burden instead of freeloading off the rest?

    • indiana 9.2
      5 September 2016 at 2:45 pm

      ‘Activists – get things done’.

      If that is the case how come union membership in NZ has continually declined? Don’t blame the legislation because according to you “Activists” get things done, so no matter what the circumstances, you should be getting things done.

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill passes first reading
    The Coalition Government’s Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill, which will improve tenancy laws and help increase the supply of rental properties, has passed its first reading in Parliament says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “The Bill proposes much-needed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 that will remove barriers to increasing private ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 hours ago

  • Montecassino Commemorative Address, Cassino War Cemetery
    Standing here in Cassino War Cemetery, among the graves looking up at the beautiful Abbey of Montecassino, it is hard to imagine the utter devastation left behind by the battles which ended here in May 1944. Hundreds of thousands of shells and bombs of every description left nothing but piled ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 hours ago

  • First Reading – Repeal of Section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989
    I present a legislative statement on the Oranga Tamariki (Repeal of Section 7AA) Amendment Bill Mr. Speaker, I move that the Oranga Tamariki (Repeal of Section 7AA) Amendment Bill be now read a first time. I nominate the Social Services and Community Committee to consider the Bill. Thank you, Mr. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 hours ago

  • First reading of 7AA’s repeal: progress for children
    The Bill to repeal Section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act has had its first reading in Parliament today. The Bill reaffirms the Coalition Government’s commitment to the care and safety of children in care, says Minister for Children Karen Chhour.  “When I became the Minister for Children, I made ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 hours ago

  • China Business Summit 2024
    Kia ora koutou, good morning, and zao shang hao. Thank you Fran for the opportunity to speak at the 2024 China Business Summit – it’s great to be here today. I’d also like to acknowledge: Simon Bridges - CEO of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce. His Excellency Ambassador - Wang ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    8 hours ago

  • Assisted depatures from New Caledonia
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed a New Zealand Government plane will head to New Caledonia in the next hour in the first in a series of proposed flights to begin bringing New Zealanders home.    “New Zealanders in New Caledonia have faced a challenging few days - and bringing ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago

  • Assisted departures from New Caledonia
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed a New Zealand Government plane will head to New Caledonia in the next hour in the first in a series of proposed flights to begin bringing New Zealanders home.  “New Zealanders in New Caledonia have faced a challenging few days - and bringing them ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago

  • Government to rollout roadside drug testing
    The Coalition Government will introduce legislation this year that will enable roadside drug testing as part of our commitment to improve road safety and restore law and order, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “Alcohol and drugs are the number one contributing factor in fatal road crashes in New Zealand. In ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Minister responds to review of Kāinga Ora
    The Government has announced a series of immediate actions in response to the independent review of Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “Kāinga Ora is a large and important Crown entity, with assets of $45 billion and over $2.5 billion of expenditure each year. It ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Pseudoephedrine back on shelves
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour is pleased that Pseudoephedrine can now be purchased by the general public to protect them from winter illness, after the coalition government worked swiftly to change the law and oversaw a fast approval process by Medsafe. “Pharmacies are now putting the medicines back on their ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • New Zealand-China Business Summit
    Tēnā koutou katoa. Da jia hao.  Good morning everyone.   Prime Minister Luxon, your excellency, a great friend of New Zealand and my friend Ambassador Wang, Mayor of what he tells me is the best city in New Zealand, Wayne Brown, the highly respected Fran O’Sullivan, Champion of the Auckland business ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • New measures to protect powerlines from trees
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced that the Government will make it easier for lines firms to take action to remove vegetation from obstructing local powerlines. The change will ensure greater security of electricity supply in local communities, particularly during severe weather events.  “Trees or parts of trees falling on ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Wairarapa Moana ki Pouakani win top Māori dairy farming award
    Wairarapa Moana ki Pouakani were the top winners at this year’s Ahuwhenua Trophy awards recognising the best in Māori dairy farming. Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka announced the winners and congratulated runners-up, Whakatōhea Māori Trust Board, at an awards celebration also attended by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Finance Minister ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • DJ Fred Again – Assurance report received
    "On the 27th of March, I sought assurances from the Chief Executive, Department of Internal Affairs, that the Department’s correct processes and policies had been followed in regards to a passport application which received media attention,” says Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden.  “I raised my concerns after being ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • District Court Judges appointed
    Attorney-General Judith Collins has announced the appointment of three new District Court Judges, to replace Judges who have recently retired. Peter James Davey of Auckland has been appointed a District Court Judge with a jury jurisdiction to be based at Whangarei. Mr Davey initially started work as a law clerk/solicitor with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Unions should put learning ahead of ideology
    Associate Education Minister David Seymour is calling on the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) to put ideology to the side and focus on students’ learning, in reaction to the union holding paid teacher meetings across New Zealand about charter schools.     “The PPTA is disrupting schools up and down the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Craig Stobo appointed as chair of FMA
    Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly today announced the appointment of Craig Stobo as the new chair of the Financial Markets Authority (FMA). Mr Stobo takes over from Mark Todd, whose term expired at the end of April. Mr Stobo’s appointment is for a five-year term. “The FMA plays ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Budget 2024 invests in lifeguards and coastguard
    Surf Life Saving New Zealand and Coastguard New Zealand will continue to be able to keep people safe in, on, and around the water following a funding boost of $63.644 million over four years, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Associate Transport Minister Matt Doocey say. “Heading to the beach for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • New Zealand and Tuvalu reaffirm close relationship
    New Zealand and Tuvalu have reaffirmed their close relationship, Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters says.  “New Zealand is committed to working with Tuvalu on a shared vision of resilience, prosperity and security, in close concert with Australia,” says Mr Peters, who last visited Tuvalu in 2019.  “It is my pleasure ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • New Zealand calls for calm, constructive dialogue in New Caledonia
    New Zealand is gravely concerned about the situation in New Caledonia, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.  “The escalating situation and violent protests in Nouméa are of serious concern across the Pacific Islands region,” Mr Peters says.  “The immediate priority must be for all sides to take steps to de-escalate the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • New Zealand welcomes Samoa Head of State
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon met today with Samoa’s O le Ao o le Malo, Afioga Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II, who is making a State Visit to New Zealand. “His Highness and I reflected on our two countries’ extensive community links, with Samoan–New Zealanders contributing to all areas of our national ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Island Direct eligible for SuperGold Card funding
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has announced that he has approved Waiheke Island ferry operator Island Direct to be eligible for SuperGold Card funding, paving the way for a commercial agreement to bring the operator into the scheme. “Island Direct started operating in November 2023, offering an additional option for people ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Further sanctions against Russia
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters today announced further sanctions on 28 individuals and 14 entities providing military and strategic support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.  “Russia is directly supported by its military-industrial complex in its illegal aggression against Ukraine, attacking its sovereignty and territorial integrity. New Zealand condemns all entities and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • One year on from Loafers Lodge
    A year on from the tragedy at Loafers Lodge, the Government is working hard to improve building fire safety, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “I want to share my sincere condolences with the families and friends of the victims on the anniversary of the tragic fire at Loafers ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Pre-Budget speech to Auckland Business Chamber
    Ka nui te mihi kia koutou. Kia ora and good afternoon, everyone. Thank you so much for having me here in the lead up to my Government’s first Budget. Before I get started can I acknowledge: Simon Bridges – Auckland Business Chamber CEO. Steve Jurkovich – Kiwibank CEO. Kids born ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • New Zealand and Vanuatu to deepen collaboration
    New Zealand and Vanuatu will enhance collaboration on issues of mutual interest, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “It is important to return to Port Vila this week with a broad, high-level political delegation which demonstrates our deep commitment to New Zealand’s relationship with Vanuatu,” Mr Peters says.    “This ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Penk travels to Peru for trade meetings
    Minister for Land Information, Chris Penk will travel to Peru this week to represent New Zealand at a meeting of trade ministers from the Asia-Pacific region on behalf of Trade Minister Todd McClay. The annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers Responsible for Trade meeting will be held on 17-18 May ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Minister attends global education conferences
    Minister of Education Erica Stanford will head to the United Kingdom this week to participate in the 22nd Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers (CCEM) and the 2024 Education World Forum (EWF). “I am looking forward to sharing this Government’s education priorities, such as introducing a knowledge-rich curriculum, implementing an evidence-based ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Education Minister thanks outgoing NZQA Chair
    Minister of Education Erica Stanford has today thanked outgoing New Zealand Qualifications Authority Chair, Hon Tracey Martin. “Tracey Martin tendered her resignation late last month in order to take up a new role,” Ms Stanford says. Ms Martin will relinquish the role of Chair on 10 May and current Deputy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Joint statement of Christopher Luxon and Emmanuel Macron: Launch of the Christchurch Call Foundation
    New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and President Emmanuel Macron of France today announced a new non-governmental organisation, the Christchurch Call Foundation, to coordinate the Christchurch Call’s work to eliminate terrorist and violent extremist content online.   This change gives effect to the outcomes of the November 2023 Call Leaders’ Summit, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Panel announced for review into disability services
    Distinguished public servant and former diplomat Sir Maarten Wevers will lead the independent review into the disability support services administered by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. The review was announced by Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston a fortnight ago to examine what could be done to strengthen the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Minister welcomes Police gang unit
    Today’s announcement by Police Commissioner Andrew Coster of a National Gang Unit and district Gang Disruption Units will help deliver on the coalition Government’s pledge to restore law and order and crack down on criminal gangs, Police Minister Mark Mitchell says. “The National Gang Unit and Gang Disruption Units will ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • New Zealand expresses regret at North Korea’s aggressive rhetoric
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today expressed regret at North Korea’s aggressive rhetoric towards New Zealand and its international partners.  “New Zealand proudly stands with the international community in upholding the rules-based order through its monitoring and surveillance deployments, which it has been regularly doing alongside partners since 2018,” Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • New Chief of Defence Force appointed
    Air Vice-Marshal Tony Davies MNZM is the new Chief of Defence Force, Defence Minister Judith Collins announced today. The Chief of Defence Force commands the Navy, Army and Air Force and is the principal military advisor to the Defence Minister and other Ministers with relevant portfolio responsibilities in the defence ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government puts children first by repealing 7AA
    Legislation to repeal section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act has been introduced to Parliament. The Bill’s introduction reaffirms the Coalition Government’s commitment to the safety of children in care, says Minister for Children, Karen Chhour. “While section 7AA was introduced with good intentions, it creates a conflict for Oranga ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Defence Minister to meet counterparts in UK, Italy
    Defence Minister Judith Collins will this week travel to the UK and Italy to meet with her defence counterparts, and to attend Battles of Cassino commemorations. “I am humbled to be able to represent the New Zealand Government in Italy at the commemorations for the 80th anniversary of what was ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Charter schools to lift educational outcomes
    The upcoming Budget will include funding for up to 50 charter schools to help lift declining educational performance, Associate Education Minister David Seymour announced today. $153 million in new funding will be provided over four years to establish and operate up to 15 new charter schools and convert 35 state ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • COVID-19 Inquiry terms of reference consultation results received
    “The results of the public consultation on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons has now been received, with results indicating over 13,000 submissions were made from members of the public,” Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says. “We heard feedback about the extended lockdowns in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • The Pacific family of nations – the changing security outlook
    Foreign Minister, Defence Minister, other Members of Parliament Acting Chief of Defence Force, Secretary of Defence Distinguished Guests  Defence and Diplomatic Colleagues  Ladies and Gentlemen,  Good afternoon, tēna koutou, apinun tru    It’s a pleasure to be back in Port Moresby today, and to speak here at the Kumul Leadership ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • NZ and Papua New Guinea to work more closely together
    Health, infrastructure, renewable energy, and stability are among the themes of the current visit to Papua New Guinea by a New Zealand political delegation, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “Papua New Guinea carries serious weight in the Pacific, and New Zealand deeply values our relationship with it,” Mr Peters ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-05-21T12:56:04+00:00