The problem with third way policies

Written By: - Date published: 8:40 am, October 6th, 2012 - 93 comments
Categories: capitalism - Tags: ,

Let me be clear right now. Feeding hungry kids at school is a GOOD THING. That said, it’s a band-aid to deal with one of the symptoms of poverty, low wages, unemployment, and general structural inequity while you fix these bigger problems. If you don’t do that then it just becomes another classic third-way policy.

So when David Shearer announced it I was surprised that it wasn’t picked up by National. After all it represents a small outlay of taxpayers’ money and would deliver National a much needed PR reprieve. As I commented at the time:

The nat’s political nous seems to have deserted them this year. They could have just pinched the food in schools policy and run with it. It costs bugger all and would’ve made them look a) like they were able to act in a bipartisan manner b) have seemed like they cared (and helped shore up the female vote) and c) taken the (albeit limited) wind out of Labour’s sails on the issue. It’s exactly the kind of thing Key would have done a year ago

It seems the leader’s office has finally cottoned on to this with the Herald reporting increased funding to food in schools programmes is being considered:

[Bill English] said he was “quite open” to considering a national food strategy for low-decile schools as proposed by an expert group appointed by Children’s Commissioner Russell Wills.

I certainly hope they implement this strategy.

What’s interesting about this, however, is the fact that since Labour’s announcement they’ve done sod all to highlight and own their own policy. The result has been that the policy of food in schools is now seen as one driven by John Campbell (and kudos to him – he’s done a superb job) and the children’s commissioner. In the Herald article Labour and David Shearer aren’t mentioned even once.

The context of the issue is barely touched on either. In fact Bill English manages to partially shift it toward the right-wing “personal responsibility” frame of government having to pick up where irresponsible parents fail (as an aside, I’ve noticed an increased use of this distorted version of the social contract argument turning up a lot – and not always from the mouths of (blue) tories).

While I’ll be immensely pleased if the government makes sure the kids get fed, we’ve lost the opportunity to have an hugely significant discussion about why they are hungry in the first place.

That’s the problem with third way policies.

93 comments on “The problem with third way policies ”

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  1. mickysavage 1
    6 October 2012 at 8:52 am

    My first response to the Herald announcement was that they really need to get Dotcom off the front page!

    My second was surprise that Bennett had not been dragged out to do some more bene bashing.

    But I agree they could own the poverty issue by bashing and then adopting Labour policy and showing a bit of kindness. It would give Labour no where to go on the issue.

    Unless as you say the real causes of poverty then become part of the discussion.

  2. ianmac 2
    6 October 2012 at 9:49 am

    Every kid getting fed and getting full health treatment is the bipartisan norm in schools in Finland.

    • Reagan Cline 2.1
      6 October 2012 at 10:52 am

      Finland is less ethnically diverse than NZ.

      I assume that means it is easier to get bipartisan agreement on social policy.

      There are two large groups of people with obviously different cultural and historical beliefs living in NZ. I don’t accept that the same social, educational and health policies will apply well to both.

      There needs to be discussion towards reforming the NZ state into a federation that recognises the two groups and each group legislates for their own people on social, educational and health and shares responsibility for defense and foreign policy.

      It will be important to foster mutual respect and to accept that on the deepest level we are one people because we are human beings and share the same country and the seas and climate.

      There must never be a system that could be perverted towards oppression of one group by the other and civil war.

      • ianmac 2.1.1
        6 October 2012 at 11:05 am

        Finland has had a large influx of immigrants. Decades ago they had a largely monoculture. Not so now. Yet the Education system caters for them all in a Universal Needs based way. Listen to Pasi Sahlberg when he comes on Kim Hill’s Replay radio. Then adjust your ideas Reagan.

    • David C 2.2
      6 October 2012 at 6:29 pm

      So lets be like Finland with nuke energy and slash and burn forestry?

  3. TheContrarian 3
    6 October 2012 at 10:01 am

    What’s interesting about this, however, is the fact that since Labour’s announcement they’ve done sod all to highlight and own their own policy.”

    It was Labours policy?

    http://johnkey.co.nz/archives/23-Tory-charity-gaffe-cold-and-out-of-touch.html

    • Draco T Bastard 3.1
      6 October 2012 at 5:28 pm

      You’ll note the difference between Labour’s policy and that of the businesses. One comes with a government guarantee, the other is voluntary and can be taken away just as easily as it was given. One will reach all schools while the other will only reach some.

      So, yeah, calling it ‘Tory charity’ is exactly what it was. You’ll note that it didn’t have anything to do with National either – it just had National complaining that a Labour MP called it for what it was/is.

      • TheContrarian 3.1.1
        6 October 2012 at 6:40 pm

        This wasn’t the right kind of food in schools program so fuck that. Better kids go hungry than have the ‘tory’s’ provide it.

        • TheContrarian 3.1.1.1
          6 October 2012 at 7:06 pm

          “You’ll note the difference between Labour’s policy and that of the businesses. One comes with a government guarantee, the other is voluntary and can be taken away just as easily as it was given”

          Firstly the government is just as able as any business to taketh away what it giveth. You naivety in the benevolence of government is astounding. Secondly “One will reach all schools while the other will only reach some.” It isn’t schools in Remuera being targeted here. Finally, it was that awful business man, Owen Glenn, who donated $80M to help fight poverty this year.

          Look at yourself Draco. I’m a cynic but you take cynicism to so far as to be ideological blindness.

          • McFlock 3.1.1.1.1
            6 October 2012 at 7:18 pm

            you mean the frustrated monte carlo diplomat who offered the electorate that money if national got reelected has donated $80mil?
                 
            Partial repayment of a proffered bribe, as far as I’m concerned. And offset by the millions if not billions lost in the continued tax cuts for key, glenn and their mates.

            • TheContrarian 3.1.1.1.1.1
              6 October 2012 at 7:26 pm

              Yeah fuck that, what a dick. $80M? Pffft, what an asshat.

              • McFlock …
                6 October 2012 at 7:34 pm

                You really don’t know the difference between private charity doing a half-assed job of throwing a few crumbs to the peasants, and a government running a long-term nationally-coordinated programme to alleviate poverty for all, do you. 

                • TheContrarian …
                  6 October 2012 at 7:36 pm

                  You’re right, he shouldn’t have even bothered.

                  • McFlock …
                    6 October 2012 at 7:44 pm

                    No, if you offer a bribe you should pay it – otherwise that’s adding fraud to the bribery mark on your character.
                       
                    What he should have done was shut the fuck up in the first place. And, if he truly gave a shit about poverty rather than baubles and honours, still donated the money.

                    • TheContrarian …
                      6 October 2012 at 7:46 pm

                      I’m going back to my Pink Floyd now. Shine on McFlock, shine on you crazy polished piece of glass.

                    • Jokerman …
                      6 October 2012 at 9:11 pm

                      Oh Contrari-wise (yes that was me at my friends),
                      “Where do you go to my lovely, when you’re alone? in your bed,
                      Tell me the thoughts that surround you…”

                    • TheContrarian …
                      6 October 2012 at 9:14 pm

                      The gold road’s sure a long road
                      Winds on through the hills for fifteen days
                      The pack on my back is aching
                      The straps seem to cut me like a knife

                    • Jokerman …
                      6 October 2012 at 9:31 pm

                      an it’s 2-4-6-8 Motorway, me and my radio (in my head) truckin on thru the night…:)

              • mickysavage …
                6 October 2012 at 7:45 pm

                Um TC source please. I am aware of links suggesting he will donate $100 mil but there was no time limit. This would no doubt be spread over many years.

                Besides if he paid tax on what he has he would be paying a significant amount each year.

                If Glenn invested his (say) business interests in NZ, had a 6% return and paid 30% of this in tax he would be contributing $18 million a year in tax. It would not take long for that amount to exceed his purported generosity which I am sure has a tax break attached.

                Ordinary people pay their tax and do not get cudos. Why should the rich be different?

            • higherstandard 3.1.1.1.1.2
              6 October 2012 at 7:30 pm

              I’ll think you’ll find that Owen Glenn has put more into NZ than he has ever got back in terms of decreases in tax paid.

              No doubt you would be fawning over him if he was still in the red team.

              • McFlock …
                6 October 2012 at 7:37 pm

                I think you’ll find that he was quite happy to do his little bit to make life worse for the poor of this country by supporting nact simply out of envy at being denied a diplomatic bauble. 
                       
                 

                • TheContrarian …
                  6 October 2012 at 7:40 pm

                  Wow, you’re not a bitter old cunt at all.

                  Donated $80M? Fuck ‘im! He voted National.

                  What a sad old piece of shit you are.

                  • McFlock …
                    6 October 2012 at 7:49 pm

                    balancing the benefit of his donation against the cost of his offering the bribe in the first place. 
                         
                    If the reality of his actions makes me sound bitter, then that’s down to his actions. If someone steals $100 and puts $20 of it in the food bank, he still shouldn’t have nicked the $100 in the first place, even though that means the food bank would be down $20.

                    • TheContrarian …
                      6 October 2012 at 8:26 pm

                      So if Owen Glenns $80M is like $20 to $100 then you are accusing Glenn of ‘stealing’ $400M.

                    • McFlock …
                      6 October 2012 at 8:31 pm

                      No, it was an illustrative example. I think the main motivating factor for glenn’s [what I think of as a] ‘bribe’ was simple pique at being denied a bauble. He’s probably not used to not getting what he wants, and packed a paddy. Rich people can throw expansive tantrums.
                           
                      Of course, the cost to the country (and benefit to the 0.05%) of continued nact rule would be in the billions. But whether glenn himself ended up quids in from the deal, I don’t think he cares.

                    • TheContrarian …
                      6 October 2012 at 9:12 pm

                      “Rich people can throw expansive tantrums.”

                      So you think Glenn gave $80M to charity because he was having a wobbly? Wow, wish he was here so I could make him angry. I’d run around him with a bucket while he threw money in the air with rage.

                      “Of course, the cost to the country (and benefit to the 0.05%) of continued nact rule would be in the billions.”

                      So Owen Glenn is responsible National’s policies? Didn’t see his name on the ballot.

                    • McFlock …
                      6 October 2012 at 9:32 pm

                      Given the election was so close between national needing MP approval vs having act/dunne rubber stamps, it’s perfectly plausible that the offer he made on a prime time tv show weeks from the election might have nudged the polls just a touch. Otherwise he wouldn’t have made the offer.
                          
                      Hell, either the argument is that he made the offer of $100mil (if national and act with the 2011 election) with no resulting effect on the election while at the same time not being prepared to spend tens of millions on a wobbly; or the two events are part of one and the same deal. 
                           

                    • TheContrarian …
                      6 October 2012 at 9:47 pm

                      Wish I could just make up my own assertions about peoples motives and relay them as fact.

                      Your talking out your ass McFlock. Cynicism about Glenn’s does not a fact make. Your just making it up based upon nothing more than “That’s what I think”

                    • McFlock …
                      6 October 2012 at 9:53 pm

                      Is it a fact that he used to support labour and discontinued that support after the monte carlo BS?  
                         
                      Is it a fact that he offered to spend $100mil on youth and poverty if NACT won the election?
                           
                      Is he spending similar amounts of money to the offer on similar areas after that election outcome?
                              
                      Fuck, rewatch that interview where he made the bribe (sorry, “conditional offer”). He expresses his motives pretty clearly.
                           

                    • TheContrarian …
                      6 October 2012 at 9:57 pm

                      McFlock, fact remains, the guy pledge $80M to poverty causes and you, as distinct from those charities he worked with, are saying “Fuck it, I don’t like him. Fuck his money”

                      What horrific cynicism from a bitter old prick. Think outside your narrow preconceptions, old man.

                      “Is he spending similar amounts of money to the offer on similar areas after that election outcome?”

                      Errrr, this WAS after the election:
                      http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/owen-glenn-commits-80-million-family-violence-4973756

                    • McFlock …
                      6 October 2012 at 10:05 pm

                      Yep, fuck him and fuck his money. 
                             
                      Fuck the government that refuses to do the job he is barely approaching looking at with that money.
                         
                      Fuck the media that refuses to call it what it is: payment of a bribe.
                         
                      Fuck tories like you that support tory charity in place of a government that works for all people, not just the rich.
                         
                      And fuck the horse you rode in on, too.  

                    • TheContrarian …
                      6 October 2012 at 10:11 pm

                      “Is he spending similar amounts of money to the offer on similar areas after that election outcome?”

                      YES:
                      http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/owen-glenn-commits-80-million-family-violence-4973756

                      But all you have done is just rage impotently

                      “Fuck the government that refuses to do the job he is barely approaching looking at with that money.”

                      Yep, fuck the government…which has nothing to do with Owen Glenn..

                      “Fuck the media that refuses to call it what it is: payment of a bribe.”

                      Bribe? You mean the money he pledged in July 2012

                      “Fuck tories like you that support tory charity in place of a government that works for all people, not just the rich.”

                      No you are just being an obstinate angry old man. GET OFF MY LAWN!
                      Sad. Particularly as you are using ‘tory’ as a pejorative towards me who isn’t even a Tory yet because I disagree with your wild ravings I must be.

                      Sad, sad, bitter old man

                    • McFlock …
                      6 October 2012 at 10:19 pm

                      “Bribe? You mean the money he pledged in July 2012”
                           
                      You should work in a petrol station forecourt: everybody being so nice to you, giving you money all day. Nothing to do with what they were doing at the pumps earlier. Yes, “bribe”, as in the spending he flagged prior to the election, conditional on a particular election result.
                             
                      And if the government has nothing to do with owen glenn, why did he announce that his pre-election off was conditional on which government was elected if not to influence the outcome in some small way?    
                              
                      “rage”
                      You wish. Just like you wish you weren’t a tory. And yet you always seem to be arguing their corner.

                    • TheContrarian …
                      6 October 2012 at 10:25 pm

                      “as in the spending he flagged prior to the election, conditional on a particular election result.”

                      Citation needed.

                      “And if the government has nothing to do with owen glenn, why did he announce that his pre-election off was conditional on which government was elected if not to influence the outcome in some small way? ”

                      Citation needed

                      “You wish. Just like you wish you weren’t a tory. And yet you always seem to be arguing their corner.”

                      Arguing against the gibberish that falls out off McFlocks mouth =/= supporting NACT. I am extremely disappointed with National. But National being wrong in no way makes McFLock right.

                      But come one big fella, tell me again how Owen Glenn put aside $80M before the election in 2011, kept it to himself until 2012 then paid it to a charity all while calling our rates of poverty a ‘national shame’ all to swing an election.

                      Sad, sad, old man McFlock
                      Tried to make a point but he went half cocked
                      Now he rages and spews with bile
                      all because he lacks youth and guile

                    • McFlock …
                      6 October 2012 at 10:38 pm

                      Citation needed.

                      The last 2 minutes of the interview I linked to here, you doofus. Or is that too vague for you?
                       

                      Citation needed.

                      Same one as above.
                       

                      Arguing against the gibberish that falls out off McFlocks mouth =/= supporting NACT.

                      Sometimes. But when you desperately claim that a promise made conditional upon an electoral outcome, followed by that promise being fulfilled after the outcome occurs, in no way counts as a bribe – well, it’s pretty fucking close.
                         
                       Watch the last two minutes of the interview. 

                    • TheContrarian …
                      6 October 2012 at 11:10 pm

                      I’ll have to do it tomorrow (I have no readily available source of sound right now).

                      But I will, I can promise you that. Then we can talk further.

                      Poor old McFlock, such an angry old man

                    • TheContrarian …
                      6 October 2012 at 11:17 pm

                      Without utilising sound it is a real shame that text shows he was going to donate it no matter who won, some days later:

                      http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10749644

                      “Entrepreneur and philanthropist Owen Glenn says his commitment to donate $100 million to New Zealand youth is not contingent on National and Act winning the November 26 general election.”

                      Better luck next time

                    • McFlock …
                      7 October 2012 at 1:26 pm

                      Seriously?
                           
                      “nanananana can’t hear what he said, nananana here’s a back-pedal a few days later”.
                           
                      The dude made an explicit offer on condition of a nact govt. Watch the vid.

                    • TheContrarian …
                      7 October 2012 at 3:30 pm

                      I actually couldn’t hear it at the time but whatever. The sort of blind, accusatory assertions you throw down about others has become the norm from you now so I am not surprised a bitter swine like yourself would resort to such a thing.

                      “the dude made an explicit offer on condition of a nact govt”

                      And then recanted and stated otherwise mere days later with:

                      “Entrepreneur and philanthropist Owen Glenn says his commitment to donate $100 million to New Zealand youth is not contingent on National and Act winning the November 26 general election.”

                      Then he made the donation (which isn’t his first donation to a cause, regardless of politics) and you still sit and claim, I assume straight faced, that he did it all to swing an election? Even though it was quite publicised days later that it didn’t matter who won he would do it any.
                      Seems a strange way to swing an election, no?

                      Face it, your bitter because he threw his lot in with National. If he had said otherwise, if he was a Labour supporter we wouldn’t be having this conversation. Because you don’t care about someones actions, only that they agree with you. Otherwise, fuck ’em.

                      Sad, man, sad.

                      Poor McFlock,
                      An unfortunate cock.
                      Replete with hate
                      scared of his fate

                    • felix …
                      7 October 2012 at 4:01 pm

                      I put it to you that once such an offer is made, it’s made.

                      You can’t just un-say things, and trying doesn’t change the fact that he did it, and it doesn’t mean that the message he sent didn’t affect anyone’s decision.

                      Looked to me like he backpedaled because people were accusing him of trying to buy our democratic process.

                      That’s all just my subjective reading of it though, and I don’t claim to know his mind. I do have a serious question for you though: If you don’t believe that he tried to influence the election (or he did it accidentally or whatever) then what does “he threw his lot in with National” mean?

                    • TheContrarian …
                      7 October 2012 at 4:31 pm

                      “You can’t just un-say things, and trying doesn’t change the fact that he did it, and it doesn’t mean that the message he sent didn’t affect anyone’s decision.”

                      Well, because we are adults and we aren’t on a playground then yes, you can clarify, back-track, amplify and adjust your statements and if you are going to take someone as read on an initial statement then it stands to reason you should take them as read on their second because all we have to go on is the mans words and anything outside of that is speculation. If you want to be cynical about then do so but it it would be your own assertion and as such does not stand to scrutiny.

                      “If you don’t believe that he tried to influence the election (or he did it accidentally or whatever) then what does “he threw his lot in with National” mean?”

                      Firstly I would add I think it is arrogant to believe that NZ voters are so stupid as to be bought by the promises of Owen Glenn, particularly, as you say he ‘backtracked’ quite publicly.
                      ““he threw his lot in with National” mean?” He publicly supported them is what I mean. If he publicly supported a left wing cause I doubt we’d be having this conversation and it illustrates the negation of action and judging someone purely by political opinion.

                    • McFlock …
                      7 October 2012 at 5:32 pm

                      So if I, say, said to a cop “I am prepared to give you $50 but only if you do not give me a ticket”, and then “clarified” or “amplified” in the station that the offer of $50 was in no way contingent on said ticket not being issued, in your ideal legal system that’s perfectly okay.
                         
                      Good to know.
                              
                       

                    • felix …
                      7 October 2012 at 5:41 pm

                      “Firstly I would add I think it is arrogant to believe that NZ voters are so stupid as to be bought by the promises of Owen Glenn, particularly, as you say he ‘backtracked’ quite publicly.”

                      Then don’t say it. I didn’t. I said he tried it on – which he definitely factually absolutely did.

                      You don’t dispute that part, do you?

                      Because that part is a yes or no question – and as we have video of him saying it, the answer is yes he did. You could speculate on whether he was joking, having a brain seizure, or any number of other things but it would only be your assertion and as such won’t stand up to scrutiny, right?

                      All we have to go on are his words, after all. Right?

                      “He publicly supported them is what I mean.”

                      I guess you mean some other time then. I wasn’t aware he had made much of publicly supporting them apart from the offer of money if they were elected.

                    • TheContrarian …
                      7 October 2012 at 6:26 pm

                      I think we should all meet for a beer and hash this out.

                      “and as we have video of him saying it, the answer is yes he did. You could speculate on whether he was joking, having a brain seizure, or any number of other things but it would only be your assertion and as such won’t stand up to scrutiny, right?”

                      Yes but we have a later statement of clarification.

                      “I guess you mean some other time then. I wasn’t aware he had made much of publicly supporting them”

                      Apart from when he did.

                      But this is hopeless. Completely hopeless. Another 24 hour conversation where no one wins, I say ‘fuck this” and McFLock and Felix run away to the coop to proclaim victory because opponent resigned in frustration. Go for it.

                    • felix …
                      7 October 2012 at 6:50 pm

                      “Yes but we have a later statement of clarification.”

                      No, we have a later statement saying the opposite of the first one. Hardly a clarification.

                      But regardless of him changing his mind (or whatever), are you denying that he made the offer or not?

                      And can you point to this other public support for National that you’ve mentioned twice now or not?

                      ps “no one wins, I say ‘fuck this” and McFLock and Felix run away to the coop to proclaim victory because opponent resigned in frustration.”

                      lolz, when you can’t answer your opponent’s charges, someone has won. You just have trouble admitting when you can’t answer.

                    • McFlock …
                      7 October 2012 at 7:04 pm

                      lol
                           
                      It’s just been fun watching you bend over backwards to defend what tory charity really is: the payment of a small bribe to keep enough peasants happy with the status quo that change doesn’t happen. 

                    • TheContrarian …
                      7 October 2012 at 7:33 pm

                      “lolz, when you can’t answer your opponent’s charges, someone has won. ”

                      Well done on your victory. You and McFlock have truly vanquished your opponents.

                      Toast to your victory with your home made liquors. I have been bested by the learned alphas of the standard.

                    • felix …
                      7 October 2012 at 7:54 pm

                      Yeah but best not make a big thing of it.

          • Draco T Bastard 3.1.1.1.2
            6 October 2012 at 9:34 pm

            Firstly the government is just as able as any business to taketh away what it giveth.

            No it’s not. It’s constrained, to some degree, by public opinion.

            You naivety in the benevolence of government is astounding.

            I’m highly sceptical of government – there was that conversation we had a while back about it being an elected dictatorship.

            It isn’t schools in Remuera being targeted here.

            And the charity run by businesses won’t reach all the schools that need it. There will be some, possibly the most needy, that miss out. Another option being that the schools won’t get enough or a combination of the two.

            Charity shows up the existence of failure within society but it cannot address that failure nor will it be able to raise enough to cover what’s needed in the sphere that it’s staked as it’s own.

            • TheContrarian 3.1.1.1.2.1
              6 October 2012 at 9:45 pm

              “I’m highly sceptical of government”

              Funny, you seem to always argue for greater government involvement.

              “No it’s not. It’s constrained, to some degree, by public opinion.”

              That notwithstanding, what one government giveth the next can taketh away. Whether or not charity is a systemic failure is not what is at discussion. You repudiation of National at offering something while labour scoffed at it is also astounding.

              • Draco T Bastard …
                6 October 2012 at 11:41 pm

                Funny, you seem to always argue for greater government involvement.

                Actually, I tend to advocate for more democracy.

                You repudiation of National at offering something while labour scoffed at it is also astounding.

                Go back and re-read the link you provided – you’ll find that National didn’t offer anything.

            • TheContrarian 3.1.1.1.2.2
              6 October 2012 at 9:55 pm

              Pffft, fucking tory charity

              • mike e …
                7 October 2012 at 1:37 pm

                In the side bar of that article Contra the super cynic(UF fence sitter in drag)it says that NZ employers are finding it virtually impossible to attract the right talent as they have gone overseas! brighter future!

  4. Dr Terry 4
    6 October 2012 at 10:05 am

    Though encouraged by Bill English words, the reason for the possible change in attitude is because public pressure has become strong on the issue and no longer to be dismissed. It is not a matter of National suddenly changing its spots to show “kindness”. English could not sound more grudging about it, and reverts to type by blaming parents who reside in poverty for not feeding their kids.

    However, we must be thankful these days for the slightest improvement in government attitude.

    • The Woodpecker 4.1
      6 October 2012 at 11:20 am

      I wonder how much Campbell live had to do with this? Kind of like Fair Go companys seem to come around when they get bad press.

      • Kotahi Tāne Huna 4.1.1
        6 October 2012 at 2:31 pm

        One thing is absolutely crystal clear: if it were left up to Bill English it wouldn’t be happening. On the other hand, if we took the purse strings off Bill English and gave them to someone competent it mightn’t need to be happening in the first place.

        The OP makes a very valid point – charity is a poor substitute for good policy.

        • Draco T Bastard 4.1.1.1
          6 October 2012 at 5:33 pm

          The OP makes a very valid point – charity is a poor substitute for good policy.

          QFT

          If society was being run for the benefit of everyone rather than just a few we wouldn’t need charity.

  5. AsleepWhileWalking 5
    6 October 2012 at 10:37 am

    Yeah, loved the quote from the Hearld, which now appears to be softened. In the original I read this morning Bill English came across as a real prick saying something like they look at feeding children who’s parents refused to take responsiblity. Could have been my sleep deprived brain but I swear the one now there is written differently to the one I read.

    The more polished version is below.

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10838730

    • BloodyOrphan 5.1
      6 October 2012 at 12:08 pm

      Sleep deprivation is an evil thing, I met a guy in Aus that hadn’t slept for 20years.
      I myself have times when I can’t sleep for weeks.
      But it’s much better these days, since I kicked them witches in the head?
      Need a hand AsleepWhileWalking ?

    • Pascal's bookie 5.2
      6 October 2012 at 12:19 pm

      You’re right, they have changed the way they are quoting him, and it does soften the quote>

      Fuller version of the quote can be seen in this excellent post:

      http://t.co/hjhB8C9m

      “There’s no doubt that there are kids in homes where there is not a strong sense of responsibility. It’s the obligation of the rest of us to do something about that.”

  6. deuto 6
    6 October 2012 at 11:56 am

    I wonder whether Bill English has told Key?

  7. Ad 7
    6 October 2012 at 1:35 pm

    Why did Labour’s leader Shearer launch an easy and populist policy 2 years out from an election?

    And anyone surprised National nicked it and dominates the biggest newspaper today and not even mention Labour’s almost identical policy launched only 21 days previously?

    Can Shearer still not see Key is at his weakest ever and all he has to do is keep attacking, attack like a pit bull in a meat truck rip out his guts and feed his political bones to the pigs?

    Who the hell is running the strategic plays in the Leader’s office when they can’t even figure out the basic difference between attack and defend?

    • QoT 7.1
      6 October 2012 at 3:00 pm

      If Labour had made any kind of decent response to this I might be tempted to suspect some actual strategy was going on – i.e. announce policies which it’s really easy for the Nats to pick up, then spend the next 2 years appearing on Campbell Live on a weekly basis to say “Well, you can see, John, the Government continues to borrow our policies, but we’re okay with that because it means kids aren’t going hungry.”

      But … apparently not.

      • Ad 7.1.1
        6 October 2012 at 3:30 pm

        Clearly there’s no Malcolm Tucker in there calling the plays, or we wouldn’t have the sight of the wretched hypocrisy of some Labour MP’s experimenting with cheap publicity on the poverty income diet while being able to pop back every day to their taxpayer subsidised flats and Parliamentary gym like clueless Congolese aid workers.

        The only redeeming feature out of this week is child poverty will stay on the news cycle as a distinct kind of story, all the way to the election.

        I would have thought Shearer, with his globally renowned expertise in poverty alleviation, would have more deft management over such a sensitive policy area than is being demonstrated.

        But … As you say QoT

        • Draco T Bastard 7.1.1.1
          6 October 2012 at 5:43 pm

          I would have thought Shearer, with his globally renowned expertise in poverty alleviation,

          Last time I looked poverty throughout the world was getting worse. This would indicate that Shearer doesn’t have that much expertise in reducing poverty. Probably has a lot organising getting resources, for money raised as aid and charity, from rich nations and giving it to poor countries though.

          • McFlock 7.1.1.1.1
            6 October 2012 at 7:24 pm

            that’s a bit low – like arguing that because people die in house fires and traffic crashes, fire-fighters don’t have much experience in saving lives.
             

            • Draco T Bastard 7.1.1.1.1.1
              6 October 2012 at 9:35 pm

              My point was that he’s got experience in BaU but has NFI how to actually address the problems caused by BaU.

          • Jokerman 7.1.1.1.2
            6 October 2012 at 9:34 pm

            Third Way? No Way.(procrastination)

    • The Woodpecker 7.2
      6 October 2012 at 3:43 pm

      Phil Goff offered a non partisan idea to Shonkey during the debates and David Shearer after he became leader. Both times Shonkey dismissed it. But now with pressure from where-ever English has relented.

  8. Fortran 8
    6 October 2012 at 1:37 pm

    Shame that feeding hungry children at schools has only just arisen under Nats – could have thought that this may have been going on for some years before Nats got elected.

    • IrishBill 8.1
      6 October 2012 at 2:38 pm

      That’s about all we’ll ever agree on.

    • Criag Glen Eden 8.2
      6 October 2012 at 2:43 pm

      Well Im sure there were kids who didnt get breakfast when Labour was in power, but National have not implemented any policy to address the issue. If National was concerned about child poverty before they came into power they have had four long years to do some thing about it but have done nothing. National have of coarse spent four long years blaming Labour for all sorts of thing s but again have not resolved the issues like for example the brain drain to Aussie and Children going hungry
      While many posters here at the Standard have always known that National had no policy to to take NZ forward, a lot of National voters are now also finding out that the Prime Minister is a deceitful liar who’s only excuse is he has amnesia at the wheel. You cant blame Labour for the current levels of Child poverty Fortran at some time National and those who voted for it, have to take some personal responsibility for the shit National have created.

  9. Steve Wrathall 9
    6 October 2012 at 5:02 pm

    Great, more spending money we don’t have, in order to do for people what they should be doing themselves. The ratchet effect will of course drive other parties to promise to extend this to decile 2…3…any advance?

    • Dv 9.1
      6 October 2012 at 5:41 pm

      >>Great, more spending money we don’t have, in order to do for people what they should be doing themselves.

      Lets see.

      SCF, 1 Billion
      Corporate welfare to polluters
      Corporate welfare to hollywood
      1 Billion a year tax breaks

      60m on Nat std that tell us nothing we didn’t know before

      $8000 on a new wall for Grocer?

      For starters Steve.

      • David C 9.1.1
        6 October 2012 at 6:38 pm

        or you could talk about Cullens trainset.
        $6 billion sofar? and its no where near over.

        • Colonial Viper 9.1.1.1
          6 October 2012 at 9:25 pm

          Rail rocks.

          Rail is a key infrastructure that NZ was built on. Its fuel efficiency and ability to transport loads far more effectively with far less subsidies than road will be a boon for NZ in an oil depleting future.

        • mike e 9.1.1.2
          7 October 2012 at 1:49 pm

          Silly Wanker Economic stimulus acshually helps in recessions!
          And unlike SCF it has a long term benefit!
          Rail infrastructure had been neglected for 60 years so we are playing catch up idiot!
          Rail is carrying more tonnage than ever before putting that back on the roads would stuff our economy god you RWNJ’s can’t see beyond the ends of your noses!
          Scientific Research proves that conservatives supporters look for simplistic answers don’t look to far into the future are emotionally aloof more likely male and suffer from mild autism!
          Which backs up the short term thinking!

  10. tracey 10
    6 October 2012 at 5:05 pm

    Interestingly the only public opinion they are not following is the asset sales sentiment?

  11. lefty 11
    6 October 2012 at 5:50 pm

    No mention of Mana but one of their key election slogans was ‘Feed The Kids’.

    • IrishBill 11.1
      6 October 2012 at 6:00 pm

      I prefer “make sure people can feed their kids”.

      • David C 11.1.1
        6 October 2012 at 6:43 pm

        and its 22 cents to feed your kid porridge for brekky?
        you could go flash and feed em weetbix for 40 cents!

        • tracey 11.1.1.1
          6 October 2012 at 9:01 pm

          Where can you buy weetbix ibdividually. If you belueve that most parents of those kids struggling for food are irresponsible then you need to take a break from your life and visit some whose lives are nothing like yours.

        • Rhinocrates 11.1.1.2
          6 October 2012 at 11:34 pm

          And that will feed them for one day. And the next? And the day after, and the next week, and the next month and continually?

          Hell, why worry about Weetbix, let them eat cake, right?

          Oh let me guess, it all gets wasted on beer and pokies, right? It’s all the fault of those strawmen parents, right? Of course it is. Phew, thank insertdeityhere for that, because then we’d have to care about the children instead of finding someone to hate, which is so much easier.

  12. TheContrarian 12
    6 October 2012 at 10:35 pm

    “That’s great news for the kids but gives the government the chance to brush the question of why they were hungry in the first place under the carpet.”

    Right, I get it – so kids weren’t hungry before National came in power?
    Yes you can argue it has gotten worse under National – and I’d agree it has. But this quote is straight dishonesty. It suggests it was never a problem before and National are to blame in totality.
    Which is untrue.

    • Rhinocrates 12.1
      6 October 2012 at 11:42 pm

      Oh, blame, so easy, isn’t it? It’s a problem, but right, it’s not that National government’s fault. They didn’t start it.

      OK, now get this: they may not have caused it but they’re in a position to stop it if they wanted to.

      So why aren’t they making it their priority?

      OK, so Labour won’t stop it, can’t stop it and is useless. That’s right. They’re useless, and aren’t in a position to do so anyway. They’re useless arseholes and Shearer can’t find enough mango rinds. We know that.

      However, why won’t the National government stop it when they’re in a position to do so? Enlighten us.

      Or is it that the only thing that matters to you is to “prove” that critics of the National government aren’t the saints that those paragons of realism and common sense are?

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  • Seymour is chuffed about cutting early-learning red tape – but we hear, too, that Jones has loose...
    Buzz from the Beehive David Seymour and Winston Peters today signalled that at least two ministers of the Crown might be in Wellington today. Seymour (as Associate Minister of Education) announced the removal of more red tape, this time to make it easier for new early learning services to be ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. Our political system is suffering from the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago

  • Was Hawkesby entirely wrong?
    David Farrar  writes –  The Broadcasting Standards Authority ruled: Comments by radio host Kate Hawkesby suggesting Māori and Pacific patients were being prioritised for surgery due to their ethnicity were misleading and discriminatory, the Broadcasting Standards Authority has found. It is a fact such patients are prioritised. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • PRC shadow looms as the Solomons head for election
    PRC and its proxies in Solomons have been preparing for these elections for a long time. A lot of money, effort and intelligence have gone into ensuring an outcome that won’t compromise Beijing’s plans. Cleo Paskall writes – On April 17th the Solomon Islands, a country of ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Climate Change: Criminal ecocide
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    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • Is saving one minute of a politician's time worth nearly $1 billion?
    Is speeding up the trip to and from Wellington airport by 12 minutes worth spending up more than $10 billion? Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me in the last day to 8:26 am today are:The Lead: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Long Tunnel or Long Con?
    Yesterday it was revealed that Transport Minister had asked Waka Kotahi to look at the options for a long tunnel through Wellington. State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    3 days ago

  • Smoke And Mirrors.
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    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • What is Mexico doing about climate change?
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    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago

  • State of humanity, 2024
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    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Govt’s Wellington tunnel vision aims to ease the way to the airport (but zealous promoters of cycl...
    Buzz from the Beehive A pet project and governmental tunnel vision jump out from the latest batch of ministerial announcements. The government is keen to assure us of its concern for the wellbeing of our pets. It will be introducing pet bonds in a change to the Residential Tenancies Act ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • The case for cultural connectedness
    A recent report generated from a Growing Up in New Zealand (GUiNZ) survey of 1,224 rangatahi Māori aged 11-12 found: Cultural connectedness was associated with fewer depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms and better quality of life. That sounds cut and dry. But further into the report the following appears: Cultural connectedness is ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Useful context on public sector job cuts
    David Farrar writes –    The Herald reports: From the gory details of job-cuts news, you’d think the public service was being eviscerated.   While the media’s view of the cuts is incomplete, it’s also true that departments have been leaking the particulars faster than a Wellington ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell On When Racism Comes Disguised As Anti-racism
    Remember the good old days, back when New Zealand had a PM who could think and speak calmly and intelligently in whole sentences without blustering? Even while Iran’s drones and missiles were still being launched, Helen Clark was live on TVNZ expertly summing up the latest crisis in the Middle ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    4 days ago

  • Govt ignored economic analysis of smokefree reversal
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    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • True Blue.
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    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • Who is running New Zealand’s foreign policy?
    While commentators, including former Prime Minister Helen Clark, are noting a subtle shift in New Zealand’s foreign policy, which now places more emphasis on the United States, many have missed a key element of the shift. What National said before the election is not what the government is doing now. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago

  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #15
    A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 7, 2024 thru Sat, April 13, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week is about adults in the room setting terms and conditions of ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • Feline Friends and Fragile Fauna The Complexities of Cats in New Zealand’s Conservation Efforts

    Cats, with their independent spirit and beguiling purrs, have captured the hearts of humans for millennia. In New Zealand, felines are no exception, boasting the highest national cat ownership rate globally [definition cat nz cat foundation]. An estimated 1.134 million pet cats grace Kiwi households, compared to 683,000 dogs ...

    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    5 days ago

  • Or is that just they want us to think?
    Nice guy, that Peter Williams. Amiable, a calm air of no-nonsense capability, a winning smile. Everything you look for in a TV presenter and newsreader.I used to see him sometimes when I went to TVNZ to be a talking head or a panellist and we would yarn. Nice guy, that ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • Fact Brief – Did global warming stop in 1998?
    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. Did global warming stop in ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago

  • Arguing over a moot point.
    I have been following recent debates in the corporate and social media about whether it is a good idea for NZ to join what is known as “AUKUS Pillar Two.” AUKUS is the Australian-UK-US nuclear submarine building agreement in which … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    6 days ago

  • No Longer Trusted: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.
    Turning Point: “What has turned me away from the mainstream news media is the very strong message that its been sending out for the last few years.” “And what message might that be?” “That the people who own it, the people who run it, and the people who provide its content, really don’t ...
    Bowalley Road
    6 days ago

  • Mortgage rates at 10% anyone?
    No – nothing about that in PM Luxon’s nine-point plan to improve the lives of New Zealanders. But beyond our shores Jamie Dimon, the long-serving head of global bank J.P. Morgan Chase, reckons that the chances of a goldilocks soft landing for the economy are “a lot lower” than the ...
    Point of OrderBy xtrdnry
    6 days ago

  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.    “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    49 mins ago

  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
    Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 hours ago

  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago

  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago

  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago

  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners.  “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago

  • Government backing mussel spat project
    The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    24 hours ago

  • Government focused on getting people into work
    Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
    Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
    Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
    Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector.    "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
    The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
    Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
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    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.   Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ ties
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.  During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Antarctica New Zealand Board appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has made further appointments to the Board of Antarctica New Zealand as part of a continued effort to ensure the Scott Base Redevelopment project is delivered in a cost-effective and efficient manner.  The Minister has appointed Neville Harris as a new member of the Board. Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Finance Minister travels to Washington DC
    Finance Minister Nicola Willis will travel to the United States on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Five Finance Ministers group, with counterparts from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.  “I am looking forward to meeting with our Five Finance partners on how we can work ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Pet bonds a win/win for renters and landlords
    The coalition Government has today announced purrfect and pawsitive changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to give tenants with pets greater choice when looking for a rental property, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Pets are important members of many Kiwi families. It’s estimated that around 64 per cent of New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being considered
    State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the Government has also asked NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to consider and provide advice on a Long Tunnel option, Transport Minister Simeon Brown ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • New Zealand condemns Iranian strikes
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel.    “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says.    "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plans
    Hundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand Chair
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board.   “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti.  “I have asked her to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Roads of National Significance planning underway
    The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Navigating an unstable global environment
    New Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States.    “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • NZ welcomes Australian Governor-General
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Pseudoephedrine back on shelves for Winter
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced that Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Pharmaceutical suppliers have indicated they may be able to supply the first products in June. “This is much earlier than the original expectation of medicines being available by 2025. The Government recognised ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • NZ and the US: an ever closer partnership
    New Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Joint US and NZ declaration
    April 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • NZ and US to undertake further practical Pacific cooperation
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced further New Zealand cooperation with the United States in the Pacific Islands region through $16.4 million in funding for initiatives in digital connectivity and oceans and fisheries research.   “New Zealand can achieve more in the Pacific if we work together more urgently and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government redress for Te Korowai o Wainuiārua
    The Government is continuing the bipartisan effort to restore its relationship with iwi as the Te Korowai o Wainuiārua Claims Settlement Bill passed its first reading in Parliament today, says Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith. “Historical grievances of Te Korowai o Wainuiārua relate to 19th century warfare, land purchased or taken ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Focus on outstanding minerals permit applications
    New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals is working to resolve almost 150 outstanding minerals permit applications by the end of the financial year, enabling valuable mining activity and signalling to the sector that New Zealand is open for business, Resources Minister Shane Jones says.  “While there are no set timeframes for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Applications open for NZ-Ireland Research Call
    The New Zealand and Irish governments have today announced that applications for the 2024 New Zealand-Ireland Joint Research Call on Agriculture and Climate Change are now open. This is the third research call in the three-year Joint Research Initiative pilot launched in 2022 by the Ministry for Primary Industries and Ireland’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Tenancy rules changes to improve rental market
    The coalition Government has today announced changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to encourage landlords back to the rental property market, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “The previous Government waged a war on landlords. Many landlords told us this caused them to exit the rental market altogether. It caused worse ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Boosting NZ’s trade and agricultural relationship with China
    Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay will visit China next week, to strengthen relationships, support Kiwi exporters and promote New Zealand businesses on the world stage. “China is one of New Zealand’s most significant trade and economic relationships and remains an important destination for New Zealand’s products, accounting for nearly 22 per cent of our good and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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