Trying to get the truth out of a Nat

Written By: - Date published: 10:44 am, March 27th, 2015 - 44 comments
Categories: climate change, ETS, global warming, russel norman - Tags: , ,

Russel Norman tries to get the truth out of Simon Bridges. Bridges really really doesn’t want to admit that NZ’s emissions have increased by 20% from 2008 to 2012. 5 minutes and 10 seconds of painful nonsense to get an answer…

44 comments on “Trying to get the truth out of a Nat ”

  1. johnm 1

    The Nats couldn’t care less about climate change and emissions. Compared with Australia selling coal like there’s no tomorrow, China building new coal fired power stations every month, and the huge vehicle fleets of the rest of the World little old NZ doesn’t make a difference one jot. So? roll on BAU!

  2. saveNZ 2

    The flatulence from the Nats alone is contributing to the 20% increase…

  3. saveNZ 3

    I guess he did not have minder Joyce in the background to tell him what to say.

  4. This government is depressing with regard climate change. It’s like they want to ignore it, in the hope that it goes away.
    Interesting, expenditure on climate change (explicitly) ended in 2012. That is telling.
    http://www.treasury.govt.nz/budget/2014/data
    (see expenditure excel file, and data contained in the “Appr Type by Vote” tab).
    Regarding Simon Bridges in that exchange with Norman, it is clear he is trying to emulate Key. I really love Norman’s consistent, dogged and calm questioning in Parliament.

  5. Old Mickey 5

    Keep going Russel, don’t stop & don’t step down as leader ! You will ensure Greens never end up on the government benches….never, ever !

  6. ianmac 6

    It is lucky that ultimately Mr Speaker manages to protect Mr Bridges though anyone listening can but be dismayed at the non-answers, deflections and the bluster. Mr Norman on the other hand is persistent, polite and deliberate.

  7. Murray Simmonds 7

    Years ago John Cleese did a very memorable comedy sketch on the British Parliament – which portrayed their “Ministry of Silly Walks” in the inimitable Cleese style.

    Here we have our very own minister whose befuddled thinking and inability to answer plain, straightforward questions shows that he’s not only totally unfit to be a minister, but he’s unfit even to be in parliament.

    I have referred to him before, with his mindlessly inarticulate antics as NZ’s own MINISTER OF SILLY TALKS.

    What a total waste of taxpayers’ money.

    And the Speaker left a lot to be desired in his one-eyed rulings as well.

    • Pat 7.1

      Murray…sadly if the inability to answer plain straightforward questions indicated lack of fitness for parliamentary representation the house would be virtually empty….and the Speaker would be amongst the first to depart.

    • ianmac 7.2

      I like that Murray. “Bridges is Minister of Silly Talks.” Very true.
      But you do know that he is apparently on National’s list of next leaders because he is young and active. (Active plonker?)

      • saveNZ 7.2.1

        As long as he can take direction from Washington and Crosby Textor his lack of intelligence doesn’t matter, on second thoughts lack of intelligence is a bonus.

        Having independent ideas are dangerous.

        Bridge’s has got the puppet looks but can he be trained to follow an autocue, play golf, speculate for private wealth and BBQ a meat patties while lying and smiling like a deadly assassin?

        It’s worked for John Key!

      • Murray Simmonds 7.3.1

        Thanks Anne!

        I really enjoyed seeing that clip again . . . . after all these years!

        And it still seems as apt as ever (in not more so).

    • Lanthanide 7.4

      I hope Bridges is National’s next leader…

    • Agree Murray S.Most likely the worst Mr Speaker ever. Somehow we must have him out . Democracy demands that the speaker remains neutral ,This guy is so biased its dangerous. The public must demand his unseating.

  8. Nicholas O'Kane 8

    Is that 20% increase in gross emissions or net emissions?

    • BLiP 8.1


      Nett Emissions . . . as you would have learned had you actually watched the video of Simon Bridges’ petulance and contemptuous display.

  9. BLiP 9

    Simon Bridges’ petulance is nothing compared to John Key’s point blank refusal to answer the original question about New Zealand’s nett greenhouse gas emissions on 17 March —> http://www.inthehouse.co.nz/video/36073

    What National Ltd™ is trying to do is avoid culpability for the massive increase in nett emissions since it came to power. Its position is that the increase was caused by the cyclical harvesting of forestry and will be ameliorated by subsequent planting to replace the felled trees. Surprise, surprise . . . this is bullshit. The massive harvesting of the forests was due to National Ltd™ gaming the ETS so as to fabricate a very low price for carbon. The result is that there has been much more harvesting that would normally take place. The other issue is that much of the forestry land which National Ltd™ says will be replanted has actually be turned into dairy production.

  10. Bill 10

    Flat versus a 20% increase in net emissions is academic nonsense at this stage in the game.
    Shifting emissions off-shore through trading schemes isn’t doing a damned thing. The problem is global.

    Globally – not peaking emissions by 2020 and reducing at 3.5% per annum down to zero (from energy sources) – while going hell for leather on other sources – means we probably over-shoot +4 degrees C on global average surface temperatures and possibly in the lifetime of many reading this. (2050-ish. Maybe sooner, maybe later)

    And countries like NZ have to reduce far faster than the figures above to ensure those figures pan out on a global scale.

    And still sugar coating is sprinkled on everything. Seen this?

    Over the past decade the loss of ice shelf volume in Antarctica increased from 25 cubic km to 310cubic km every year.

    And incredibly – a wee calming Valium of info coming up, so sit back and relax.

    It is unclear whether the loss of ice is directly related to man-made climate change or a cyclical change in ocean currents

  11. Al66 11

    That is not an example of democratic process – Carter is clearly in the government’s pocket and an ineffectual Speaker – pity he can’t be sacked eh! Virtually none of his comments about question length etc. are accurate – how did he get the job – even Lockwood Smith seems reasonable in comparison

    • tc 11.1

      lockwood smith was reasonable for a nat that’s why he got shipped off to the cushy london gig where he gets to do SFA on the taxpayers dime as he ackshully held a few of the wrecking crew to a form of account.

      • Macro 11.1.1

        Yes. Carter is so obviously biased its appalling. We need a better way to determine who is to be Speaker of the House and it should not be left up to the politicians to select the Speaker. It should be an independent appointment chosen by a non-partisan panel. The Speaker would have all the powers of the current Speaker but be quite independent from Politics. Holding any party membership would be an automatic disqualification to the position.

  12. infused 12

    So what, have we gone from 0.02% of world emissions to 0.03%?

    • Sans Cle 12.1

      I think NZ has 0.2% of world emissions, and even a increase of 0.01 (as you inferred) is significant on a per capita basis (given NZ has 0.0056% of world population approximately).
      Try and fudge it over with misleading statistics……but climate change will not go away; and it is up to us in high-energy economies to do our bit.

      • Colonial Rawshark 12.1.1

        More than that, if we don’t reduce our reliance on oil fuelled systems, we will be fucked in 20 to 30 years when it goes away for good.

        • Sans Cle 12.1.1.1

          Personally, I think “we” as humans have gone past the tipping point. 2 generations from now will bear the brunt of it. Because that is too far into the future for most people to envisage, people (like infused @12) shrug their shoulders and say “so what?”
          Also, when we have to switch away from oil, where do we get the energy to overhaul ALL the capital and infrastructure that will become obsolete (due to its reliance on oil).

          • Colonial Rawshark 12.1.1.1.1

            In essence, every kid in today’s primary school and pre-school system is utterly screwed. It’s like the richest wealth owning, most senior positioned powerful Kiwis today – who are mostly 50 plus years of age – don’t give a toss about their grandkids.

            • Sans Cle 12.1.1.1.1.1

              Yup – and these people are ruling the country.
              Young people want to be part of creating a future for themselves, hence they have energy to try to make change.
              Older people have a finite perspective on their lifespan, and make very different choices, more insular, protecting their own interests, satisfying their own needs (huge generalisation here, but the psychology of how we view time is fascinating).

          • Tracey 12.1.1.1.2

            When it was discovered there was an issue with the ozone over NZ and Aussie… did the rest of the world do anything (genuine question)?

            • Sans Cle 12.1.1.1.2.1

              The Montreal protocol was signed in 1987, but not sure if it was a response to what was being observed over Antartica rather to Aus and NZ specifically. But, IDK for sure.
              http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montreal_Protocol
              The EU banned CFCs.
              Bit more history here:

              So yes, the rest of developed world (who were the perpetrators) responded.

            • Poission 12.1.1.1.2.2

              When it was discovered there was an issue with the ozone over NZ and Aussie… did the rest of the world do anything (genuine question)?

              The Montreal protocol (which was em placed) to mitigate ozone depleting chemicals (ods) has had both a direct effect (stabilization of the o3 column) and a substantive indirect effect on global warming potential eg summary for policy makers o3 assessment 2014.

              The Montreal Protocol and its Amendments and adjustments have made large contributions toward reducing global greenhouse gas emissions. In 2010, the decrease of annual ODS emissions under the Montreal Protocol is estimated to be about 10 gigatonnes of avoided CO2-equivalent emissions per year, which is about five times larger than the annual emissions reduction target for the first commitment period (2008–2012) of the Kyoto Protocol

              MFE on NZ contribution

              http://www.mfe.govt.nz/sites/default/files/environmental-reporting/atmosphere/levels-stratospheric-ozone-indicator/figure-2.gif

    • Tracey 12.2

      Let’s all go to infused’s house and shit in his bed. he doesn’t mind, cos it’s nothing compared to the shit in the rest of the world.

      • Sans Cle 12.2.1

        We have solutions to the “Tragedy of the Commons”, but need a solution to the tragedy of the future. Same root of problem (selfish individuals who don’t give a damn about the consequence of their actions) but difficult to find a solution when these selfish individuals are in positions of power and money, and removed from the consequences, as they are too far into the future.

    • Macro 12.3

      Try telling that to the people of Port Villa.

      And while we are at it here is another sorry little tale from across the ditch.
      http://www.weatherzone.com.au/news/its-slow-and-insidious-drought-conditions-leave-businesses-struggling-in-outback-queensland-towns/264969

      Climate change is happening here and now and its going to get worse.

      I’m currently living for a few month in Perth. This really is a doomed City, living like you in lala land. Rainfall has declined over recent decades to the point where there is no prospect of this City ever becoming self sufficient in water again. It is relying on a massive aquifer and desalination plants to water itself. That cannot last forever.

  13. If you promote Kiwi Saver, then you promote increased emissions. To have your Kiwi Saver investments increase in value, there has to be an increase in emissions.
    What part of the above don’t people get?
    Why did the Green Party vote for this emissions increasing scam?
    Why aren’t they telling people it is GROWTH that is turning your grandchildren into toast?
    Well actually everyone with a current life expectancy of over about 5 years is heading for a toasty future.
    Not forgetting Russel was calling for an inquiry into the loss of 30,000 manufacturing jobs ?
    Like Albert Bartlett says
    http://old.globalpublicmedia.com/transcripts/645

    The fact that CO2 emissions supposedly did not increase in 2014 (it was only the same as 2013) goes to show how little growth there is in the global economy, When you take into account all the extra CO2 emissions coming from ‘nature’ (positive feed back stuff) then the global economy is just playing smoke and mirrors with us. Meaning it is next to valueless. No $ = no consumers.
    Make sure if you ever get your KS shares, get them printed on soft paper, you may find a use for them.
    Unless your KS shares are in munitions, having a few AK47s (or whatever the gun de jour is?) under the mattress might prolong things for a few days.

    • Tracey 13.1

      …Also if you voted for Dunne, MP, Nats or ACT you promote emissions.

      • Robert Atack 13.1.1

        I agree Tracey, that’s why I vote for the ban 1080 party, they were the only people not going on about growth, it was the most selfless vote you could cast, as it wasn’t about what ‘they’ could do for me. For me is was about stopping critters from suffering.
        It was kind of sad seeing the Internet party and their X factor promo photos of their young candidates, all going on about fair distribution of wealth etc, which is just another fast track to our extinction.
        In about 2005 ish I helped distribute over 200 copies of Dr. Albert A. Bartlett’s lecture on growth https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sI1C9DyIi_8 to every sitting MP, The Maori party handed out 50 copies, even Kerry Prendagast (?) watched it.

        • Sans Cle 13.1.1.1

          Thanks for the link Robert. It’s fascinating. Haven’t watched it all, but first 10 min worth watching, and the question posed at 22.20min into recording: At what point does an individual realise they are running out of space (or time!), during growth periods. Of relevance in context of RMA reform and paradigm of growth, just because we have economic development potential; and in context of extending the rural urban boundary in Auckland.

  14. Sorry to harp on.
    But it is not the CO2 anyway, its the CH4 that is going to get us.
    http://robinwestenra.blogspot.co.nz/2015/03/methane-levels-reached-2619-ppb-in.html
    The CO2 is the gun powder, the CH4 is the bullet. And it left the barrel several years ago.

    • tracey 14.1

      I was using CO2 as an example of where the rest of the world could have gone “what the hell, it’s only Australia and NZ)…

  15. Murray Rawshark 15

    Bridges reminds me of a little kid dressed in his father’s clothes. He’s utterly hopeless and ethically compromised.

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    Ele Ludemann writes  – The government is omitting general Treaty references from legislation : The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last Government in a bid to get greater coherence in the public service on Treaty ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • The Ghahraman Conflict
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    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 15
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Climate Scorpion – the sting is in the tail. Introducing planetary solvency. A paper via the University of Exeter’s Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.Local scoop: Kāinga Ora starts pulling out of its Auckland projects and selling land RNZ ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The day Wellington up-zoned its future
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    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Weekly Roundup 15-March-2024
    It’s Friday and we’re halfway through March Madness. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week in Greater Auckland On Monday Matt asked how we can get better event trains and an option for grade separating Morningside Dr. On Tuesday Matt looked into ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    4 days ago
  • That Word.
    Something you might not know about me is that I’m quite a stubborn person. No, really. I don’t much care for criticism I think’s unfair or that I disagree with. Few of us do I suppose.Back when I was a drinker I’d sometimes respond defensively, even angrily. There are things ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • The Hoon around the week to March 15
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:PM Christopher Luxon said the reversal of interest deductibility for landlords was done to help renters, who ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Labour’s policy gap
    It was not so much the Labour Party but really the Chris Hipkins party yesterday at Labour’s caucus retreat in Martinborough. The former Prime Minister was more or less consistent on wealth tax, which he was at best equivocal about, and social insurance, which he was not willing to revisit. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #11 2024
    Open access notables A Glimpse into the Future: The 2023 Ocean Temperature and Sea Ice Extremes in the Context of Longer-Term Climate Change, Kuhlbrodt et al., Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society: In the year 2023, we have seen extraordinary extrema in high sea surface temperature (SST) in the North Atlantic and in ...
    5 days ago
  • Melissa remains mute on media matters but has something to say (at a sporting event) about economic ...
     Buzz from the Beehive   The text reproduced above appears on a page which records all the media statements and speeches posted on the government’s official website by Melissa Lee as Minister of Media and Communications and/or by Jenny Marcroft, her Parliamentary Under-secretary.  It can be quickly analysed ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago
  • The return of Muldoon
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    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Will the rental tax cut improve life for renters or landlords?
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    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: What Saudi Arabia’s rapid changes mean for New Zealand
    Saudi Arabia is rarely far from the international spotlight. The war in Gaza has brought new scrutiny to Saudi plans to normalise relations with Israel, while the fifth anniversary of the controversial killing of Jamal Khashoggi was marked shortly before the war began on October 7. And as the home ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    5 days ago
  • Racism’s double standards
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    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • It’s not a tax break
    Ele Ludemann writes – Contrary to what many headlines and news stories are saying, residential landlords are not getting a tax break. The government is simply restoring to them the tax deductibility of interest they had until the previous government removed it. There is no logical reason ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • The Plastic Pig Collective and Chris' Imaginary Friends.
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    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • Who is responsible for young offenders?
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    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on National’s fantasy trip to La La Landlord Land
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    5 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 14
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    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • No, Prime Minister, rents don’t rise or fall with landlords’ costs
    TL;DR: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said yesterday tenants should be grateful for the reinstatement of interest deductibility because landlords would pass on their lower tax costs in the form of lower rents. That would be true if landlords were regulated monopolies such as Transpower or Auckland Airport1, but they’re not, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Cartoons: ‘At least I didn’t make things awkward’
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    5 days ago
  • Solving traffic congestion with Richard Prebble
    The business section of the NZ Herald is full of opinion. Among the more opinionated of all is the ex-Minister of Transport, ex-Minister of Railways, ex MP for Auckland Central (1975-93, Labour), Wellington Central (1996-99, ACT, then list-2005), ex-leader of the ACT Party, uncle to actor Antonia, the veritable granddaddy ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    5 days ago
  • I Think I'm Done Flying Boeing
    Hi,Just quickly — I’m blown away by the stories you’ve shared with me over the last week since I put out the ‘Gary’ podcast, where I told you about the time my friend’s flatmate killed the neighbour.And you keep telling me stories — in the comments section, and in my ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    5 days ago
  • Invoking Aristotle: Of Rings of Power, Stones, and Ships
    The first season of Rings of Power was not awful. It was thoroughly underwhelming, yes, and left a lingering sense of disappointment, but it was more expensive mediocrity than catastrophe. I wrote at length about the series as it came out (see the Review section of the blog, and go ...
    6 days ago
  • Van Velden brings free-market approach to changing labour laws – but her colleagues stick to distr...
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    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • Why Newshub failed
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    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Māori Party on the warpath against landlords and seabed miners – let’s see if mystical creature...
    Bob Edlin writes  –  The Māori Party has been busy issuing a mix of warnings and threats as its expresses its opposition to interest deductibility for landlords and the plans of seabed miners. It remains to be seen whether they  follow the example of indigenous litigants in Australia, ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • There’s a name for this
    Every year, in the Budget, Parliament forks out money to government agencies to do certain things. And every year, as part of the annual review cycle, those agencies are meant to report on whether they have done the things Parliament gave them that money for. Agencies which consistently fail to ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago
  • Echoes of 1968 in 2024?  Pocock on the repetitive problems of the New Left
    Mike Grimshaw writes – Recent events in American universities point to an underlying crisis of coherent thinking, an issue that increasingly affects the progressive left across the Western world. This of course is nothing new as anyone who can either remember or has read of the late ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Two bar blues
    The thing about life’s little victories is that they can be followed by a defeat.Reader Darryl told me on Monday night:Test again Dave. My “head cold” last week became COVID within 24 hours, and is still with me. I hear the new variants take a bit longer to show up ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 13
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Angus Deaton on rethinking his economics IMFLocal scoop: The people behind Tamarind, the firm that left a $500m cleanup bill for taxpayers at Taranaki’s Tui oil well, are back operating in Taranaki under a different company name. Jonathan ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • AT Need To Lift Their Game
    Normally when we talk about accessing public transport it’s about improving how easy it is to get to, such as how easy is it to cross roads in a station/stop’s walking catchment, is it possible to cycle to safely, do bus connections work, or even if are there new routes/connections ...
    6 days ago
  • Christopher's Whopper.
    Politicians are not renowned for telling the truth. Some tell us things that are verifiably not true. They offer statements that omit critical pieces of information. Gloss over risks, preferring to offer the best case scenario.Some not truths are quite small, others amusing in their transparency. There are those repeated ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago

  • Positive progress for social worker workforce
    New Zealand’s social workers are qualified, experienced, and more representative of the communities they serve, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “I want to acknowledge and applaud New Zealand’s social workers for the hard work they do, providing invaluable support for our most vulnerable. “To coincide with World ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 hours ago
  • Minister confirms reduced RUC rate for PHEVs
    Cabinet has agreed to a reduced road user charge (RUC) rate for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. Owners of PHEVs will be eligible for a reduced rate of $38 per 1,000km once all light electric vehicles (EVs) move into the RUC system from 1 April.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 hours ago
  • Trade access to overseas markets creates jobs
    Minister of Agriculture and Trade, Todd McClay, says that today’s opening of Riverland Foods manufacturing plant in Christchurch is a great example of how trade access to overseas markets creates jobs in New Zealand.  Speaking at the official opening of this state-of-the-art pet food factory the Minister noted that exports ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 hours ago
  • NZ and Chinese Foreign Ministers hold official talks
    Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Wellington today. “It was a pleasure to host Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his first official visit to New Zealand since 2017. Our discussions were wide-ranging and enabled engagement on many facets of New Zealand’s relationship with China, including trade, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago
  • Kāinga Ora instructed to end Sustaining Tenancies
    Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities has been instructed to end the Sustaining Tenancies Framework and take stronger measures against persistent antisocial behaviour by tenants, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Earlier today Finance Minister Nicola Willis and I sent an interim Letter of Expectations to the Board of Kāinga Ora. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    24 hours ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber: Growth is the answer
    Tēna koutou katoa. Greetings everyone. Thank you to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Honourable Simon Bridges for hosting this address today. I acknowledge the business leaders in this room, the leaders and governors, the employers, the entrepreneurs, the investors, and the wealth creators. The coalition Government shares your ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Singapore rounds out regional trip
    Minister Winston Peters completed the final leg of his visit to South and South East Asia in Singapore today, where he focused on enhancing one of New Zealand’s indispensable strategic partnerships.      “Singapore is our most important defence partner in South East Asia, our fourth-largest trading partner and a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister van Velden represents New Zealand at International Democracy Summit
    Minister of Internal Affairs and Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon. Brooke van Velden, will travel to the Republic of Korea to represent New Zealand at the Third Summit for Democracy on 18 March. The summit, hosted by the Republic of Korea, was first convened by the United States in 2021, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Insurance Council of NZ Speech, 7 March 2024, Auckland
    ICNZ Speech 7 March 2024, Auckland  Acknowledgements and opening  Mōrena, ngā mihi nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho.  Good morning, it’s a privilege to be here to open the ICNZ annual conference, thank you to Mark for the Mihi Whakatau  My thanks to Tim Grafton for inviting me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Five-year anniversary of Christchurch terror attacks
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Lead Coordination Minister Judith Collins have expressed their deepest sympathy on the five-year anniversary of the Christchurch terror attacks. “March 15, 2019, was a day when families, communities and the country came together both in sorrow and solidarity,” Mr Luxon says.  “Today we pay our respects to the 51 shuhada ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024
    Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024  Acknowledgements and opening  Morena, Nga Mihi Nui.  Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Thanks Nate for your Mihi Whakatau  Good morning. It’s a pleasure to formally open your conference this morning. What a lovely day in Wellington, What a great ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Early visit to Indonesia strengthens ties
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters held discussions in Jakarta today about the future of relations between New Zealand and South East Asia’s most populous country.   “We are in Jakarta so early in our new government’s term to reflect the huge importance we place on our relationship with Indonesia and South ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • China Foreign Minister to visit
    Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has announced that the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, will visit New Zealand next week.  “We look forward to re-engaging with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussing the full breadth of the bilateral relationship, which is one of New Zealand’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister opens new Auckland Rail Operations Centre
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has today opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre, which will bring together KiwiRail, Auckland Transport, and Auckland One Rail to improve service reliability for Aucklanders. “The recent train disruptions in Auckland have highlighted how important it is KiwiRail and Auckland’s rail agencies work together to ...
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    5 days ago
  • Celebrating 10 years of Crankworx Rotorua
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    5 days ago
  • Government delivering on tax commitments
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    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Significant Natural Areas requirement to be suspended
    Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard has today announced that the Government has agreed to suspend the requirement for councils to comply with the Significant Natural Areas (SNA) provisions of the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity for three years, while it replaces the Resource Management Act (RMA).“As it stands, SNAs ...
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    5 days ago
  • Government classifies drought conditions in Top of the South as medium-scale adverse event
    Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has classified the drought conditions in the Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts as a medium-scale adverse event, acknowledging the challenging conditions facing farmers and growers in the district. “Parts of Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts are in the grip of an intense dry spell. I know ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government partnership to tackle $332m facial eczema problem
    The Government is helping farmers eradicate the significant impact of facial eczema (FE) in pastoral animals, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced.  “A $20 million partnership jointly funded by Beef + Lamb NZ, the Government, and the primary sector will save farmers an estimated NZD$332 million per year, and aims to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • NZ, India chart path to enhanced relationship
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has completed a successful visit to India, saying it was an important step in taking the relationship between the two countries to the next level.   “We have laid a strong foundation for the Coalition Government’s priority of enhancing New Zealand-India relations to generate significant future benefit for both countries,” says Mr Peters, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Ruapehu Alpine Lifts bailout the last, say Ministers
    Cabinet has agreed to provide $7 million to ensure the 2024 ski season can go ahead on the Whakapapa ski field in the central North Island but has told the operator Ruapehu Alpine Lifts it is the last financial support it will receive from taxpayers. Cabinet also agreed to provide ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
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    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Fresh produce price drop welcome
    Lower fruit and vegetable prices are welcome news for New Zealanders who have been doing it tough at the supermarket, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Stats NZ reported today the price of fruit and vegetables has dropped 9.3 percent in the 12 months to February 2024.  “Lower fruit and vege ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Statement to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the sixty-eighth session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
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    6 days ago
  • Speech to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68)
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Government backs rural led catchment projects
    The coalition Government is supporting farmers to enhance land management practices by investing $3.3 million in locally led catchment groups, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced. “Farmers and growers deliver significant prosperity for New Zealand and it’s vital their ongoing efforts to improve land management practices and water quality are supported,” ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber
    Good evening everyone and thank you for that lovely introduction.   Thank you also to the Honourable Simon Bridges for the invitation to address your members. Since being sworn in, this coalition Government has hit the ground running with our 100-day plan, delivering the changes that New Zealanders expect of us. ...
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    7 days ago
  • Commission’s advice on ETS settings tabled
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    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government lowering building costs
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    1 week ago
  • Trustee tax change welcomed
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    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister’s Ramadan message
    Assalaamu alaikum. السَّلَام عليكم In light of the holy month of Ramadan, I want to extend my warmest wishes to our Muslim community in New Zealand. Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, renewed devotion, perseverance, generosity, and forgiveness.  It’s a time to strengthen our bonds and appreciate the diversity ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister appoints new NZTA Chair
    Former Transport Minister and CEO of the Auckland Business Chamber Hon Simon Bridges has been appointed as the new Board Chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) for a three-year term, Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced today. “Simon brings extensive experience and knowledge in transport policy and governance to the role. He will ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Speech to Life Sciences Summit
    Good morning all, it is a pleasure to be here as Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology.  It is fantastic to see how connected and collaborative the life science and biotechnology industry is here in New Zealand. I would like to thank BioTechNZ and NZTech for the invitation to address ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Progress continues apace on water storage
    Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says he is looking forward to the day when three key water projects in Northland are up and running, unlocking the full potential of land in the region. Mr Jones attended a community event at the site of the Otawere reservoir near Kerikeri on Friday. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government agrees to restore interest deductions
    Associate Finance Minister David Seymour has today announced that the Government has agreed to restore deductibility for mortgage interest on residential investment properties. “Help is on the way for landlords and renters alike. The Government’s restoration of interest deductibility will ease pressure on rents and simplify the tax code,” says ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister to attend World Anti-Doping Agency Symposium
    Sport and Recreation Minister Chris Bishop will travel to Switzerland today to attend an Executive Committee meeting and Symposium of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Mr Bishop will then travel on to London where he will attend a series of meetings in his capacity as Infrastructure Minister. “New Zealanders believe ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Pacific Language Weeks celebrate regional unity
    This year’s Pacific Language Weeks celebrate regional unity and the contribution of Pacific communities to New Zealand culture, says Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti.  Dr Reti announced dates for the 2024 Pacific Language Weeks during a visit to the Pasifika festival in Auckland today and says there’s so ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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