2020 election campaign – 6 days to go

Written By: - Date published: 9:23 am, October 12th, 2020 - 52 comments
Categories: election 2020, jacinda ardern, Judith Collins, labour, maori party, Maori seats, national - Tags:

The campaign is at a very interesting stage.

The country’s love of Jacinda is very evident.  She went to Mangere on Saturday and pretty well everyone turned up to greet her.

At the same time Judith was at Howick and the response was pretty underwhelming.  She had to fend off questions about Alfred Ngaro’s bizarre social media post attacking Phil Twyford.

She also had this unfortunate interaction with a Labour supporter.  From Michael Nielson at the Herald:

Collins also picked up a face mask, bread, sausages, and two packets of shortbread from Gloria Graydon, of Cheltenham Cakes.

“My husband loves shortbread,” Collins told the Herald.

Graydon didn’t quite share the same love for National, though, telling the Herald she was “definitely voting Labour”.

“Judith, she is very lovely. It was so nice of her to stop by and I’ve always wanted to meet her.

“But I’ve always voted Labour, for those who support the working people.”

Yesterday a group of us gathered at the Avondale Market.  The response was uplifting, the best I have experienced during 20 years of campaigning there.  But it was strange that there was no National presence.

Driving back home I realised why.  A huge number of National Activists were on the Great North Road, Rata Street intersection, one of the busiest in West Auckland.

But no one was tooting.  When local Labour does sign waving we get a huge number of toots.  National’s attempt with Judith in the middle fell really flat.

She chose yesterday to go on the offensive about Labour’s tax plans based on Green party policy.  The attacks however suffered from two problems:

  1. Labour has repeatedly ruled out implementing the policy which is Green Party policy.
  2. In yet another example that National is incapable of operating a spreadsheet they have made false claims about the effects of the policy.

Thomas Coughlan has the details:

National has taken down an election attack ad after getting its numbers wrong by about $1.8 million.

The party has kicked off its last week of campaigning with an ad criticising the Green Party’s wealth tax, which alleged the tax would cost an average retired couple in Auckland $140 a week.

That was based on a couple owning the average Auckland home, worth $950,000, mortgage-free, according to REINZ, and that couple having savings a Westpac paper suggests would give them “choices” in retirement.

Those savings would be worth $785,000, giving the couple a net wealth of $1.75 million.

The problem with the ad is this couple wouldn’t actually pay the wealth tax at all, as the Greens tax only applies to individuals wealth over $1 million.

A couple would have to have net wealth of more than $2 million to be hit at all.

The couple in question could double their retirement savings – putting aside a cool $1.5m on top of the mortgage-free home and still only pay $48 a week in the tax.

A corrected ad has been published.  But these guys are meant to be fiscal geniuses.  How can they keep making these mistakes?

National is hanging in there but you get the feeling that the wheels may well and truly fall off at any stage.  A report by Richard Harman in Politik this morning (paywalled) has the details.

Two aspects stood out.  Judith has apparently cancelled a campaign trip to Tauranga so that she can concentrate on campaigning in Hamilton.  I said two months ago that on a good day both Hamilton East and Hamilton West could be vulnerable.  Looks like they are.

The second is that Harman states National has figured out who leaked the Denise Lee email.  And it is someone in their top 20.  Stand by for hostilities to escalate dramatically after Saturday.

In other news Peeni Henare is ahead of John Tamihere in Tamaki Makaurau but not by much.  The Maori Party has this election pledged to support Labour if it is elected to Parliament.

And early voting has been very, very heavy.  Good turnout is always good news for the left.

This is going to be an interesting week …

 

52 comments on “2020 election campaign – 6 days to go ”

  1. Ad 1

    Great to see Auckland's south and west rising strong.

  2. swordfish 2

    .

    I'll just repeat my Open Mike comment:

    To buttress his argument that "a 4% swing from Labour to National or ACT in the last two weeks" of the current election campaign is certainly achievable (and thus "there is a credible path to victory for National") ,David Farrar cites polling evidence from the final stages of the 2002 campaign, suggesting the "Govt (ie Labour) dropped 5% from 46% to 41% in last two weeks".

    What DPF doesn't mention is that in the same Colmar Brunton, the National Party Opposition suffered an even steeper plunge from 27% down 6 points to 21% over those same final 2 weeks.

    In other words, far from the gap closing .. Labour's lead over the Nats during those final few weeks in 2002 actually opened up a little by 1.4 points. There was no "5% swing" from Govt to Oppo.

    https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2020/10/over-interpreting_a_sarky_tweet.html

    # Lies, damned lies, and statistics

    • froggleblocks 2.1

      Also that it looks like 50-60% of the vote is going to be ahead of election day this year. There would have been barely any early votes in 2002.

      So even if there is a swing in the 'last week' of the campaign of such magnitude, the die is already cast.

    • Chris 2.2

      It was a different kettle of fish in 2002. No matter what English did or said he just couldn't get cut-through.

      However, it may be that this time it's the number of young people voting that could widen the gap further than what the polls say right now.

      • swordfish 2.2.1

        I don't think we'll see the same enormous plunge for the Nats as in 02 … Crusher is more popular with the base than Bill was (though maybe not by quite as much as some Pundits imagine) … but I wouldn’t rule out a milder echo of that Death Spiral down to the Gates of Hades that our close & endearing chums in the Blue team suffered on that cold, bleak election evening, all those long 18 years ago.

    • Andre 2.3

      In 2002, where did those votes from Labour and the Nats go? To the Hairdo from Ohariu Plus Cling-ons, and WinnieFirst. Who are both complete non-entities this time around. Also, a few Lab went Green, and a few Nats went yellow.

      image from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opinion_polling_for_the_2002_New_Zealand_general_election

      • Uncle Scrim 2.3.1

        Yes and this time it is National who seem more vulnerable to losing votes to smaller parties, obviously Act but also NCs and the various christian parties. Labour may lose a few to the Greens but there are no credible centrist parties like NZF and United were back then.

      • swordfish 2.3.2

        .

        All over the bloody place … it was a complete lash up … mayhem everywhere … blood was spilt … but, yes, over those final 2 weeks the votes swung first & foremost to the Winstonians & the Dunnites.

      • Chris T 2.3.3

        I couldn't bring myself to vote for a dude that spent years nagging that all cops should be armed with holsters.

        Then suddenly no when he joined Labour.

        The bloke is basically just two faced.

    • Chris 2.4

      This applies equally to collins. Psychopathy, narcissism, likely multiple personality disorders. Would be good if the media began analysing her behaviour a bit more. Perhaps a new gig for Nigel Latta?

      https://www.stuff.co.nz/world/americas/donald-trumps-america/300130033/theres-one-headline-about-donald-trump-that-has-not-been-printed-but-makes-the-most-sense-of-all

  3. Sacha 3

    How can they keep making these mistakes?

    Deliberately, that's how.

  4. Sacha 4

    The Maori Party has this election pledged to support Labour if it is elected to Parliament.

    I can't imagine Labour formally agreeing to that given some of the stuff Tamihere has been coming out with lately.

    • froggleblocks 4.1

      No, but they can be a thorn in Labour's side. At this election if they get 1-2 seats, they may prevent Labour from governing alone (not likely anyway, but this would cement it).

      At 2023 they may force Labour to actively court the Maori vote and come up with their own versions of MP policy, and assuming Labour wins the 2023 election, by 2026 the Maori Party could have real influence over Labour policies if they want to win 2026.

      If MP get into Parliament then they'll certainly be outspoken about Labour's Matariki policy as well.

      • Pat 4.1.1

        the personal relationships between the MP co leader and Labour may be an issue however…no love lost either way

    • Stuart Munro 4.2

      It will play far better to their base than a longing for a seat at Judith's table.

    • ken 4.3

      after what happened last time, Maori need to distance themselves from National to have any hope at all.

      • Chris T 4.3.1

        Kind of ironic really, given the jack shit Maori have got from Labour over the years.

        National did more Treaty Settlements and without the Nats there would be no Whanau Ora.

        Can see why they have been forced to side with Labour though.

        Pragmatism and that.

        Reminds me a bit f the Greens ruling out working with the Nats

        • Sacha 4.3.1.1

          The Māori Party were closer to the Nats with a focus on ‘self-determination’ for individuals and families than the Greens ever have been (though the latter did manage to reach common agreement for a while on home insulation).

          • Chris T 4.3.1.1.1

            I'd actually forgotten that. Between the Greens and the Nat's they probably insulated more houses via subsidy than any other govt can or will do.

            The Nat's after each of their election wins didn't actually need the Maori Party to become govt.

            Yes, I realise they were a handy tool to have for certain bills, but they were invited in.

  5. Peter 5

    If Act get more MPs than National will Seymour be the Leader of the Opposition or Collins' replacement? wink

  6. Draco T Bastard 6

    But these guys are meant to be fiscal geniuses. How can they keep making these mistakes?

    They're not fiscal geniuses or, in fact, geniuses at all. They're making these mistakes because they don't know any better and they fail at basic logic.

    That's always been true. They go on about how great they are but such grandstanding has always been the action of those who are bad at what they say that they're good at. It's unfortunate that the MSM has always repeated those lies as if they were gospel.

    The Maori Party has this election pledged to support Labour if it is elected to Parliament.

    After the last fiasco of them helping National make things worse it is probably the only way that they could get anyone to vote for them.

    • PaddyOT 6.1

      " After the last fiasco of them ( the Māori Party ) helping National make things worse it is probably the only way that they could get anyone to vote for them."

      National's fiasco was National's own plans with a couple of too small, thin blankets traded off. Seems to be that fear inducing comments need some examination.

      Perhaps the Māori Party's close allignment in social inclusion and education policy would invalidate your disparaging " anyone" . To my mind addressing inequality in these policies are for the long term betterment of all NZ society.

      • Replace the youth benefit with the standard benefit
      • Establish a mokopuna Māori care entity
      • Provide free digital devices and internet for all children from year 4 to year 13
      • Fund free breakfast and lunch programmes in all low-decile primary and intermediate schools
      • Ban conversion therapy
      • Fund hapū and iwi-led youth employment initiatives
      • Double Māori and Pacific trade training and cadetships placements
      • Create more tertiary education pathways for Māori and Pacific students who have not achieved entrance requirements
      • Establish taskforce to reform teaching and support for Māori students with disabilities
      • Remove fees from apprenticeships
      • Increase funding for whānau, hapū and iwi education and training initiatives
      • Develop advanced apprenticeships schemes in certain sectors
      • Double the student allowance and make it universal
      • Restore full student allowance eligibility for post-graduate, part-time and long course students
      • Write off living costs from student loan debt
      • Aim to write off student loan debt for those who work in NZ for five years
      • Provide free public transport for all tertiary students
      • Allow people to earn more before student allowances are reduced

      • Draco T Bastard 6.1.1

        Establish a mokopuna Māori care entity

        Māori only or open to everyone?

        Create more tertiary education pathways for Māori and Pacific students who have not achieved entrance requirements

        Wouldn't that be what apprenticeships are for?

        And why only make it for Māori and Pacific students?

        Establish taskforce to reform teaching and support for Māori students with disabilities

        Again, why only Māori?

        Increase funding for whānau, hapū and iwi education and training initiatives

        Only as long as those education facilities are open to everyone and are part of the state system.

        Develop advanced apprenticeships schemes in certain sectors

        Which sectors?

        What we’re seeing here is why identity politics fails.

        • RobbieWgtn 6.1.1.1

          What we're seeing here is woke racism.

        • PaddyOT 6.1.1.2

          I focused on your disdain for the Māori Party and your emphasised " anyone" who would vote for them. Focused on was the allignment of similar policy of Labour and with Green's policy when addressing inequality issues.

          However, nicely spun and flipped there DTB twisting my message as one of asking for what you view as racist seperatist policy rather than see solutions.

          I thought it was ACT and the Conservatives pushing for 'one nation; put cotton wool in ears and cover eyes and wish that NZers should just meld into your one ideal vanilla cloned Sneetch.

          How has blanket, non specific, one size policy worked so far over time for enacting social justice? Has poverty, educational achievement, living standards, justice statistics changed in a positive direction for all ? It's All of these interconnected areas that we measure our society's wellbeing by, so a big fat NO on how endeavours so far have failed Māori overall.

          Is it time to focus at grassroots level and be truly transformative by locating who are drowning ?

          https://maori.salvationarmy.org.nz/our-community/faith-in-life/soul-food/MMGoal4

          I am not the first nor will I be the last to say that a society is only as great as to how it treats its most vulnerable.

          Even from 2013 what's changed after the CPAG report. We are now standing in a position in 2020 where visible now are the lifecourse outcomes of ineffective same old, same old token policy which embeds misery.

          https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/news/2016/10/poverty-and-crime

          'He manga wai koia kia kore e whitikia’
          It is indeed a big river that can not be crossed. Open mindedness, divergent thinking, utilising more diverse approaches to find solutions and willingness are key to change.

          ( btw- non Māori have always been able to attend māori kura, wānanga or able to learn the reo or tikanga or take measures to learn concepts from māori world views on any kaupapa . FOMO )

          • Draco T Bastard 6.1.1.2.1

            However, nicely spun and flipped there DTB twisting my message as one of asking for what you view as racist seperatist policy rather than see solutions.

            I didn’t spin at all as it is racist, separatist policy.

            How has blanket, non specific, one size policy worked so far over time for enacting social justice?

            A hell of a lot better than than the division that identity politics brings about. It is, after all, why we're no longer warring tribes living a brutal and short life.

            so a big fat NO on how endeavours so far have failed Māori overall.

            It hasn't just affected Māori and your ignoring of the damage done to others is a large part of the problem that we need to address.

            I focused on your disdain for the Māori Party and your emphasised " anyone" who would vote for them.

            The MP sold out to National and so are worthy of disdain.

            • PaddyOT 6.1.1.2.1.1

              Whoa! you took 1 minute between my post and your reply. Supersonic speed reading of articles to enhance your knowledge or willful inability to define things any other way than your own assumptions.

              " I didn’t spin at all as it is racist, separatist policy."

              That pretty much writes off and F#s up voting for Labour and the Green's too.

              Under your view policy for LGBTQ equality, or gender equity is seperatist too.

              Again DTB, a very fantastic, complex machine is going to need to be invented to coerce many diverse kiwis to give up the whole core of their identity to fit your fictional, ideal human being.

              • Draco T Bastard

                Under your view policy for LGBTQ equality, or gender equity is seperatist too.

                Legally, it already exists. Its going to take awhile until the culture meets with that legality. Its really on of those things where we have to wait for the old culture to die off.

                Again DTB, a very fantastic, complex machine is going to need to be invented to coerce many diverse kiwis to give up the whole core of their identity

                Nope.

                Couldn't care less about identity. People can do whatever they want with it as long as what they do doesn't affect others.

                I do care about people being treated differently in law which is what you, and others, are demanding.

                Whoa! you took 1 minute between my post and your reply.

                I suggest you check your maths.

          • PaddyOT 6.1.1.2.2

            We can even indecently commidify Māori as a monetary value to drive change for social justice. In 2016, $ 2.6 billion loss…

            https://i.stuff.co.nz/business/102643651/inequality-depriving-maori-and-the-economy-of-26b-every-year

            ” And so if we continue to pretend these education outcomes and this income gap is somebody else’s problem then we’re fooling ourselves because it is actually New Zealand that’s losing out, not just Māori.”

            • RedLogix 6.1.1.2.2.1

              Interestingly it was the period immediately after WW2 that NZ (and most of the rest of the world) experienced the greatest equality. We were all more or less poor together. The trivial way to achieve it is to level the entire system to the ground.

              Now after a sustained period of relative stability and growth inequality is now at a peak. Viewed from this admittedly simplified perspective, inequality may well be mostly a natural consequence of peace and prosperity.

              The really interesting challenge is how to achieve both at the same time. It's never really been done before.

              • PaddyOT

                "The really interesting challenge is how to achieve both at the same time. It's never really been done before."

                That's the transformative bit.

                " …inequality may well be mostly a natural consequence of peace and prosperity."

                A natural consequence???

                • RedLogix

                  The word 'natural' may not the be the best word, perhaps 'normal' might have been a better choice.

                  The historic correlation between peace and prosperity is a very strong one, all wealthy societies over time have become more unequal not less. And this has occurred almost regardless of political or economic system, which strongly suggests these are not the primary drivers in inequality.

                  Yet like you I do not see gross extremes of wealth and poverty as either desirable or inevitable … just a more difficult problem that may well be of a different nature than we usually assume. Yes the outcome of the problem can be measured in monetary and social terms, but the root causes of inequality may well be quite resistant to crude 'silver bullet' interventions.

    • I Feel Love 6.2

      I voted MP that term, never again.

  7. Michael 7

    I agree with @NoRightTurn: Labour's refusal to even discuss taxing unearned wealth when it knows it cannot afford to fund essential public goods speaks volumes for its true priorities.

    • Ad 7.1

      Hardly any need when Reserve Bank has an appetite to keep effectively funding the government with endless bond purchases.

      • Pat 7.1.1

        and how long do you think that is a viable option?

        • Draco T Bastard 7.1.1.1

          Permanently.

          The government is the issuer of our currency and so doesn't need an income to pay for stuff.

          • Pat 7.1.1.1.1

            I know how long you think its viable…I was curious as to how long Ad thought it was

            • Draco T Bastard 7.1.1.1.1.1

              It's not how long I think its viable but how long it is actually viable in the real world.

              As all the evidence shows, if the government didn't create the money in the first place the economy would collapse.

              You, like many others, just don't want to believe that but no amount of denial can change the truth.

  8. Bearded Git 8

    More than 453,000 voted on Saturday and Sunday….WTF!

  9. ken 9

    I got in early in case there was another lockdown.

  10. Brian Tregaskin 10

    Newshub poll Monday or Tuesday night

    Roy Morgon poll -about to drop

    Id be surprised if National has a thirty something points with such an epic fail in their campaign.

    Finger in the air to Nationals campaign advisors –they are amateurs

  11. Good to see Jacinda is apparently so popular. But I do wish to goodness one could be reasonably certain the Greens will still be in Parliament after Saturday.

  12. NZJester 12

    I will not be voting this Saturday, because like over 1 million NZ voters I went and voted early.

  13. georgecom 13

    I liked page 10 of the NZ Herald today. 'Luxon Launches Charm Offensive' reads the headline.

    "A woman with 2 enthusiastic dogs is walking past Nationals Chris Luxon……Please tell me this man is going to solvethe National Party's problem….You're right. If you can't manage your team, your party, why should people trust you to manage the country".

    The truth told, Luxon starts his campaign to become National Party leader.

  14. Why don't we all shut up until post 7pm on on election day? There are other things to discuss. The natz are gone burgers.

    Ad will dissent.

    • millsy 14.1

      Im waiting till 10pm on election night to verify that before I celebrate.

      Then at work the the following Monday, I am going to rub it all in the faces of the people in my office that hate Jacinda.

  15. Scud 15

    As usual with NZ politics at election time no debates or questions raised on Defence, Veterans,Foreign Affairs, Trade, Antarctic or International Aid/ Humanitarian And Disaster Relief from either Party. Heck Labour has only its Foreign & Trade Policy at its website and sweet bugger all on the rest I’ve mentioned.

    As there is to massive Defence acquisitions planned for the parliamentary term the new Southern Ocean Patrol Vessel and the first of 2 new purpose design Landing Ships with a docking well inside the Ship. These two ships won’t come cheap either and you would be lucky to get any change out of 1.5B NZD before we even start looking such things as extra Helicopters design to operate of these ships. Also there is a RFI’s (Request For Information) for the Boeing 757 replacement this term as well.

    Then you’re got the question around the future of NZND at Devonport as the next lot of Ships including the newly arrived fleet support ship about to enter RNZN service will be to big for the existing dry dock and current shore facilities not including the two new Cook Ferries as well for KiwiRail which will have go somewhere to do its maintenance. This will be the biggest Government Infrastructure Projects probably since Think Big under old Piggy Muldoon and where are you going to a new Naval Dockyard? My guess it will be Northland as putting in the Sounds would be a risky option from the Environmental, Fishing industry concerns & geological POV etc.

    Then we have, Antarctic, International Aid/ HADR funding due to CC before I even get round to discussing Veterans and the new lot of veterans of my age group coming through the system.

    A lot of big questions to ask, but as usual most people don’t care about these policies as it doesn’t usually effect them until it’s to late.

  16. PaddyOT 16

    " Its really on of those things where we have to wait for the old culture to die off."

    Jeepers !

    Found and read one of the long dead father- in- laws old books last week. The whole theme was that phrase of yours DTB.

    Dr. Albert Schweitzer, ' On the Edge of the Primevak Forest.' He writes his accounts of his time in Equatorial Africa in 1910s trying to wipe identity out to fit his ideal human by preventing the blacks their " unsuitable freedom" . At the same time he acknowledges that social problems that never existed came from the white colonists in the first instance.

    His wish was to have the people of the Ogowe river region see that his colonists' ways were superior ,that " they bow and acknowledge his master" . All the while mass exploitation of labour and mass deforestion of hardwood timber for the western world took place. But poor Schweitzer with his black servants, and doctoring the illnesses his own missionaries bought, it was so hard going for him, exhausted after his efforts to indoctrinate the negro he commented , " That it is so hard to keep oneself really humane ( in his drive to make one ideal identity ), and so to be a standard bearer of civilisation, that is the tragic element of the relations between white and coloured men….wonderfully noble characters can result.. to become a more reliable man in our sense…. they need to become thoroughly moral personalities as the white man is."

    Oh the paradox ! How things have changed as the old culture dies off.

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • Decisions on Wellington City Council’s District Plan
    The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop, today released his decision on twenty recommendations referred to him by the Wellington City Council relating to its Intensification Planning Instrument, after the Council rejected those recommendations of the Independent Hearings Panel and made alternative recommendations. “Wellington notified its District Plan on ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 hours ago
  • Rape Awareness Week: Government committed to action on sexual violence
    Rape Awareness Week (6-10 May) is an important opportunity to acknowledge the continued effort required by government and communities to ensure that all New Zealanders can live free from violence, say Ministers Karen Chhour and Louise Upston.  “With 1 in 3 women and 1 in 8 men experiencing sexual violence ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 hours ago
  • Smarter lunch programme feeds more, costs less
    Associate Education Minister David Seymour has today announced that the Government will be delivering a more efficient Healthy School Lunches Programme, saving taxpayers approximately $107 million a year compared to how Labour funded it, by embracing innovation and commercial expertise. “We are delivering on our commitment to treat taxpayers’ money ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 hours ago
  • Report provides insights into marine recovery
    New research on the impacts of extreme weather on coastal marine habitats in Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay will help fishery managers plan for and respond to any future events, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. A report released today on research by Niwa on behalf of Fisheries New Zealand ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 hours ago
  • NZ to send political delegation to the Pacific
    Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters will lead a broad political delegation on a five-stop Pacific tour next week to strengthen New Zealand’s engagement with the region.   The delegation will visit Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and Tuvalu.    “New Zealand has deep and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 hours ago
  • Low gas production threatens energy security
    There has been a material decline in gas production according to figures released today by the Gas Industry Co.  Figures released by the Gas Industry Company show that there was a 12.5 per cent reduction in gas production during 2023, and a 27.8 per cent reduction in gas production in the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    11 hours ago
  • Defence industry talent, commitment recognised
    Defence Minister Judith Collins tonight announced the recipients of the Minister of Defence Awards of Excellence for Industry, saying they all contribute to New Zealanders’ security and wellbeing. “Congratulations to this year’s recipients, whose innovative products and services play a critical role in the delivery of New Zealand’s defence capabilities, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    19 hours ago
  • Speech to the Minister of Defence Awards of Excellence for Industry
    Welcome to you all - it is a pleasure to be here this evening.I would like to start by thanking Greg Lowe, Chair of the New Zealand Defence Industry Advisory Council, for co-hosting this reception with me. This evening is about recognising businesses from across New Zealand and overseas who in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago
  • Speech to the Sixth Annual New Zealand Government Data Summit
    It is a pleasure to be speaking to you as the Minister for Digitising Government.  I would like to thank Akolade for the invitation to address this Summit, and to acknowledge the great effort you are making to grow New Zealand’s digital future. Today, we stand at the cusp of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago
  • Ceasefire agreement needed now: Peters
    New Zealand is urging both Israel and Hamas to agree to an immediate ceasefire to avoid the further humanitarian catastrophe that military action in Rafah would unleash, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “The immense suffering in Gaza cannot be allowed to worsen further. Both sides have a responsibility to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Daily school attendance data now available
    A new online data dashboard released today as part of the Government’s school attendance action plan makes more timely daily attendance data available to the public and parents, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour.  The interactive dashboard will be updated once a week to show a national average of how ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Ambassador to United States appointed
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced Rosemary Banks will be New Zealand’s next Ambassador to the United States of America.    “Our relationship with the United States is crucial for New Zealand in strategic, security and economic terms,” Mr Peters says.    “New Zealand and the United States have a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • New permit proposed for recreational gold mining
    The Government is considering creating a new tier of minerals permitting that will make it easier for hobby miners to prospect for gold. “New Zealand was built on gold, it’s in our DNA. Our gold deposits, particularly in regions such as Otago and the West Coast have always attracted fortune-hunters. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • NZ and the UAE launch FTA negotiations
    Minister for Trade Todd McClay today announced that New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will commence negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA). Minister McClay met with his counterpart UAE Trade Minister Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi in Dubai, where they announced the launch of negotiations on a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • New Zealand Sign Language Week an opportunity for anyone to sign
    New Zealand Sign Language Week is an excellent opportunity for all Kiwis to give the language a go, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. This week (May 6 to 12) is New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) Week. The theme is “an Aotearoa where anyone can sign anywhere” and aims to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Next stop NASA for New Zealand students
    Six tertiary students have been selected to work on NASA projects in the US through a New Zealand Space Scholarship, Space Minister Judith Collins announced today. “This is a fantastic opportunity for these talented students. They will undertake internships at NASA’s Ames Research Center or its Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), where ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • $1.9 billion investment to keep NZ safe from crime
    New Zealanders will be safer because of a $1.9 billion investment in more frontline Corrections officers, more support for offenders to turn away from crime, and more prison capacity, Corrections Minister Mark Mitchell says. “Our Government said we would crack down on crime. We promised to restore law and order, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • OECD reinforces need to control spending
    The OECD’s latest report on New Zealand reinforces the importance of bringing Government spending under control, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The OECD conducts country surveys every two years to review its members’ economic policies. The 2024 New Zealand survey was presented in Wellington today by OECD Chief Economist Clare Lombardelli.   ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Agreement delivers Local Water Done Well for Auckland
    The Government has delivered on its election promise to provide a financially sustainable model for Auckland under its Local Water Done Well plan. The plan, which has been unanimously endorsed by Auckland Council’s Governing Body, will see Aucklanders avoid the previously projected 25.8 per cent water rates increases while retaining ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Gaza and the Pacific on the agenda with Germany
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters discussed the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and enhanced cooperation in the Pacific with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock during her first official visit to New Zealand today.    "New Zealand and Germany enjoy shared interests and values, including the rule of law, democracy, respect for the international system ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Decision allows for housing growth in Western Bay of Plenty
    The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop today released his decision on four recommendations referred to him by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, opening the door to housing growth in the area. The Council’s Plan Change 92 allows more homes to be built in existing and new ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Speech to New Zealand China Council
    Thank you, John McKinnon and the New Zealand China Council for the invitation to speak to you today.    Thank you too, all members of the China Council. Your effort has played an essential role in helping to build, shape, and grow a balanced and resilient relationship between our two ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Modern insurance law will protect Kiwi households
    The Government is modernising insurance law to better protect Kiwis and provide security in the event of a disaster, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly announced today. “These reforms are long overdue. New Zealand’s insurance law is complicated and dated, some of which is more than 100 years old. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Government recommits to equal pay
    The coalition Government is refreshing its approach to supporting pay equity claims as time-limited funding for the Pay Equity Taskforce comes to an end, Public Service Minister Nicola Willis says.  “Three years ago, the then-government introduced changes to the Equal Pay Act to support pay equity bargaining. The changes were ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Transforming how our children learn to read
    Structured literacy will change the way New Zealand children learn to read - improving achievement and setting students up for success, Education Minister Erica Stanford says.  “Being able to read and write is a fundamental life skill that too many young people are missing out on. Recent data shows that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • NZ not backing down in Canada dairy dispute
    Trade Minister Todd McClay says Canada’s refusal to comply in full with a CPTPP trade dispute ruling in our favour over dairy trade is cynical and New Zealand has no intention of backing down. Mr McClay said he has asked for urgent legal advice in respect of our ‘next move’ ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Stronger oversight for our most vulnerable children
    The rights of our children and young people will be enhanced by changes the coalition Government will make to strengthen oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, including restoring a single Children’s Commissioner. “The Government is committed to delivering better public services that care for our most at-risk young people and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Streamlining Building Consent Changes
    The Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says.      “The coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Minister acknowledges passing of Sir Robert Martin (KNZM)
    New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Speech to New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, Parliament – Annual Lecture: Challenges ...
    Good evening –   Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Accelerating airport security lines
    From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Community hui to talk about kina barrens
    People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Kiwi exporters win as NZ-EU FTA enters into force
    Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Mining resurgence a welcome sign
    There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill passes first reading
    The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government to boost public EV charging network
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure.  The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Residential Property Managers Bill to not progress
    The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Independent review into disability support services
    The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Justice Minister updates UN on law & order plan
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Ending emergency housing motels in Rotorua
    The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-05-08T03:41:42+00:00