Key and crabs

Written By: - Date published: 9:46 am, January 16th, 2008 - 52 comments
Categories: john key - Tags:

Now I know many of us are still in holiday mode for awhile longer but did it strike anyone else as a little odd to see Mr Key speak out against someone earning their living (presumably) – wanting crab pots banned at his exclusive beach resort?

“Mr Key said residents approached him late last month concerned that a fisherman was regularly setting about 40 crab pots…Mr Key said Ministry of Fisheries officials should be able to issue “cease and desist” orders to commercial crab pots on popular beaches as a precaution against attracting sharks.

That’s despite:

“Fisheries Minister Jim Anderton saying his ministry and the Department of Conservation had told him there was no evidence crab pots attracted more sharks than would otherwise be there.”

So here is Mr Key at his exclusive beach house (story below) and fellow moneyed residents wanting to stop someone earning their daily bread? Now this is the party which is supposed to be commerce friendly isn’t it? Or is this type of commerce just small fry?

52 comments on “Key and crabs ”

  1. andy 1

    YES!!

    I commented on the other thread as they used the stock photo.

    As i said strange times when Jim sounds sensible and business friendly and John wants to restrict property rights so he can have a swim…

    between the flags i hope too!

    I think Johns media minders were at the cafe when he answered that particular call from the journo! Once again he opens his mouth to change feet. This is the party of business and they want my vote.

    C- for that effort, must try harder!

  2. Camryn 2

    He seems to have been acting on concerns from the public, including several with greater than average knowledge (a lifeguard, an underwater photographer) and that’s part of a politician’s job.

    However, I agree that he was stupid to make a call for a ban that scientific evidence doesn’t support. It would’ve been smarter to call for a ban to be investigated or considered. Jim Anderton was similarly unwise from a political point-of-view to dismiss considering one.

    My main point is that I think it’s a little unfair that you’ve made it seem that he only wanted them banned at Omaha. The article says that he suggested a ban for all busy beaches. So, it seems he was driven more by a desire to improve public safety than NIMBYism.

    If you want to actually convince anybody to join you in disliking John Key, you’ll have to make convincing arguments on the basis of a reasonable and neutral interpretation of the facts. If you have to take a slanted or unreasonable view to make the story into ‘dirt’ then it convinces no-one.

  3. James Kearney 3

    Read the article, it’s pretty clearly about Omaha with only an afterthought that it may happen in other places:

    “Mr Key, who has a holiday home at Omaha”

    “His call follows an attack this week by a shark on an inflatable boat carrying two lifeguards who were trying to herd it out to sea at Omaha.”

    “They feared this would act as an invitation for feeding sharks to come to Omaha and had noticed an increase in shark reportings during the past two summers when crab pots were set.”

    “It is an accident waiting to happen and my guess is it’s not unique to Omaha. It must happen at other places.”

  4. andy 4

    Camryn:

    The train wakes me up every morning and is dangerous, can we ban that while I am on holiday too…That is the level of his argument.

    Pity no one asked the crab guy what he thought, I bet it would have started with an expletive and ended with “OFF”.

    My point is that john should STFU until he has something substantive to say cause every time he opens his yap, I like him less. Dude wants to stop another guy doing his job, in his peak season (I presume). Smells like regulation of business to me. Wrap it up in yesterdays herald and put more salt on it, but it is still what it is. a dumb thing to say from the party of Business.

    BTW I am getting splinters from this fence sitting.

  5. mike 5

    This is pretty desperate stuff guys. Why are you people so bitter about our next PM having a bach and a bit money?

  6. Sam Dixon 6

    Not surprising Key is not a fan of fishermen. As a currency speculator, he is one of the bottomfeeders of international trade.

    mike – it’s not that he has a bach or even that he got millions by expoliting currency differentials (ever wonder who lost wealth when he aquired it from playing the money markets?)… the first post from from someone who is into architecture critiquing the style of the bach, this one is showing him up as a hypocrite who looks out for himself.

  7. Kimble 7

    “Mr Key said residents approached him late last month concerned…”

    He was approached by the people living at Omaha with a concern. Of course when he is talking about it he will be refering to the original complaint. He said he wouldnt be surprised if this was also an issue elsewhere which is why it would be a national concern.

    Precisely what part of “You shouldnt throw blood into the water of beaches where people are swimming because it might attract sharks” do you have a problem with?

    He wasnt speaking out about someone earning their living, he was speaking out about real life and death concerns of worried people.

    Why are you so bigoted against anyone with money? Just look at the sneering manner in which you say, “and fellow moneyed residents”.

  8. dancer 9

    i can understand why those defending Mr Key would rather this story was portrayed as envy based, but my question is on whether recreation outvotes income generation. i don’t spend much time up on the northern beaches (ok – none) but every time you enter the water there are dangers.

  9. all_your_base 10

    Not John’s first attack of NIMBYism either.

    This is the same John Key who opposed an affordable housing development in Helensville last year.

    http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0708/S00126.htm

  10. andy 11

    Kimble said:

    ‘He wasnt speaking out about someone earning their living, he was speaking out about real life and death concerns of worried people.’

    john key said:

    ‘National leader John Key has called for limits on commercial crab pots at popular beaches over the summer’

    greg muir said:
    ‘”I fully understand the guy has got to earn a living and has invested in his boat and his pots, but he could make his living in less popular swimming places and at other times.”

    its not the money of the residents, its a property rights issue, can 2-3 week per year residents deny the rights of a 50 week per year business? Would you be happy if it was your crab fishing fleet?

    Come on this is the stuff I criticise Labour about! Is the argument about the EFB and speech similar, one group wants to restrict the rights of another.

  11. Kimble 12

    andy, the residents are concerned with someone throwing blood into the water of a beach where a lot of people are swimming.

    It isn’t a property issue as nobody owns the property. It is about the use of public property. If you want to look at precedence then the putting down of 40 pots sounds like a more recent thing. People have been swimming at Omaha for years.

    You guys should be cheering this. You claim Key is all about business and money. Remember that is YOUR claim. So when he does anything you try to frame it in a property rights, business freedom light, just so you can call him hypocritical.

    The truth is, it’s your original assumption that is wrong. Key ISNT all about unfettered business power and capitalism. What he has done here has proven it.

    What we have here is Key saying the crabber may have a right to earn a living, but he shouldnt be able to do it at the expense of other members of society.

    Not only is he not automatically taking the side of the businessman, he is proposing that Government do something about it!

    What you are doing is exactly the same as if I was to call you lot a fan of hockey. You deny it saying that you dont like hockey. Then I call you a hypocrit for not being true to your own beleifs.

  12. Jum 13

    all_your_base

    A relative of mine in a state house was moved into one of the privately/publicly owned housing developments. She was picked for several reasons in that:

    – she is a pensioner
    – the previous house was a family house and too big for her now
    – she was an excellent tenant, who always paid her rent and kept her place neat
    – she and her husband had never been able to afford to buy a house
    – she’d always paid her taxes
    – ie all round good person who did not deserve to be thrown out of her state house and expected to find private accommodation

    They moved her into a quiet cul de sac of lovely houses and she thinks she is in heaven.

    It’s a perfect idea to have housing developments with some wealthier housing, some affordable housing and some state house tenants who have also done their bit for society and aren’t likely to turn the place into the slum John Key was intimating would happen.

    Obviously, he didn’t look at his bach plan before it got built.

  13. gobsmacked 14

    Key sees a problem, and wants the government to act, by imposing a new ban.

    Is this a) sensible, or b) Nanny State?

    Clearly the answer is a) if it’s nice National, and b) if it’s nasty Labour.

  14. Matthew Pilott 15

    It’s a perfect idea to have housing developments with some wealthier housing, some affordable housing and some state house tenants who have also done their bit for society and aren’t likely to turn the place into the slum John Key was intimating would happen.

    Well Jum, according to Key, building public housing on nice land is economic vandalism.

    Kimble, I’ll respect your argument when Key tries to stop a major business/commercial development from adversely affecting people in a very low decile area.

  15. andy 16

    kimble:

    Good point, but I disagree. There are property rights here, a fishing quota or license is a property right (that they must pay for in some fashion). There are competing interests, the clash of the commons if you will. The division of costs to residents is none vs crab guy (could be huge) and all the benefits go to the residents.

    That is why I think JK should have at least get some facts (about shark habits 🙂 ) and not shoot from the hip. He is prone to it and it is his weakness at present. hence the c-.

    Omaha is named because the americans practised ther beach landing for D-Day on Omaha, so it has a complicated history. I was there for new year!

    I never claimed that Key was for ‘unfettered business’, The Nats position themselves as the party of business and claim that labour/greens are anti business. that is obvious.

  16. Kimble 17

    andy, if they have to pay for a license then they don’t own the resources they are exploiting. As such they dont have unfettered rights to do as they please with them.

    Key is calling for the body that issues the license to be able to restrict the actions of the people that purcahse the license if it endangers other people. Seems like a fair call to me.

    He is not being anti-business. He is being pro-community.

    “The Nats position themselves as the party of business and claim that labour/greens are anti business.”

    No, the Nats are positioned as the party of business by those who think it is a bad thing.

    The Labour party was founded by the labour movement and as such has, at its heart, an us [workers] vs them [owners] attitude. The Green party is even further to the left with many communists who are admittedly anti-business.

    National is a political party for all New Zealanders. They realise that business isnt a seperate segment of society. Business describes the actions of people.

    Thats what people here dont seem to understand. Business is people.

  17. Kimble 18

    “Key sees a problem, and wants the government to act, by imposing a new ban.”

    At least get it right rtard. He wants the ministry to be able to set conditions around where and when people lay crabs pots to protect other people swimming in that area.

  18. andy 19

    Kimble said:

    ‘He is not being anti-business. He is being pro-community.’

    um but isn’t he being pro community by being anti crab guy?

    “if they have to pay for a license then they don’t own the resources they are exploiting. As such they dont have unfettered rights to do as they please with them.”

    um, he owns the right to exploit the resources commercially, how can you reconcile that with oil,gas and mineral extraction…

  19. Kimble 20

    Thats the thing about you labourites; you look at a person and you only see their level of wealth. You think that based on that little piece of information, you know everything you need to know about them.

  20. dad4justice 21

    Once again another Ministry (who are on excessive salaries – $100k plus ) have lost the plot, on what is, clearly a health and safety issue .

    John Key is correct to point the finger out to the endangered public .

  21. Kimble 22

    “but isn’t he being pro community by being anti crab guy?”

    No.

    “he owns the right to exploit the resources commercially, how can you reconcile that with oil,gas and mineral extraction.”

    Organisations that extract oil, gas and minerals have a multitude of restrictions upon their activities.

  22. andy 23

    kimble said:

    ‘Organisations that extract oil, gas and minerals have a multitude of restrictions upon their activities.’

    Yes correct, but my round about way of making a point is that Key is advocating a change in the rules about how crab guy does business. He has an existing agreement in regards his area/quota/license thingy, by changing that crab guy will suffer all the costs and consequences without much facts to prove he is a cause.

    If you restrict prior to making a contract and you accept the terms good luck, by changing the nature of that contract crab guy gets his property rights limited.

  23. Kimble 24

    You need to consider the costs of him carrying on as he has been.

  24. andy 25

    and what have they been?

    nothing, that we can prove!

  25. Tamaki Resident 26

    other “experts” are saying that the warm, calm seas are the reason for the sharks (which is probably good weather for setting crab nets as well).

  26. chris 27

    Just home after the early at fences in south Taranaki and a couple of sightings were made, not close enough to chase anyone out of the water but no doubts about the fact that there’s lots of the “blokes in the gray suits” around.

  27. Craig Ranapia 28

    *sigh* Last time I looked Omaha Beach wasn’t a private ‘resort’ and sharks don’t run credit checks before maiming and killing people.

    Sorry, Dancer, I thought it was a silly season non-story and The Standard is naturally going to reach for any stick it can find to (figuratively) beat John Key over the head with. But really… so lame it should be taken out behind the stables and shot.

  28. Kimble 29

    “and what have they been? nothing, that we can prove!”

    Cost dont have to be realised to exist. Risk is the potential of something happening. Burying a land mine in a playground will not have any cost PROVEN until some kid stands on it, but the risk, of course is still real before that happens.

    Common sense is a term that has been grossly misused of late. But surely throwing blood into the water at public beaches should be considered to add to the risk of shark attacks.

  29. andy 30

    Kimble:

    ‘throwing blood into the water at public beaches should be considered to add to the risk of shark attacks.’

    Omaha is a shallow cresent about 1.5km long, the swimming area (between the one set of flags) is at best 50m wide. I think that may be misleading at best! Its a massive space, I think the residents should get together and get a shark net!

    they should show some initiative and not try to rely on the blunt force of the state or move if they don’t like it. They are like those people who live next to eden park and complain about the rugby and cricket.

    Craig: I agree thats why I have said that john needs to keep his trap shut at times, he shot from the hip and looks slightly foolish as a result. Wouldn’t the local MP be better at this type of issue!

  30. andy 31

    captcha: inhabitants screen

  31. Matthew Pilott 32

    But really. so lame it should be taken out behind the stables and shot.

    Look Craig, I don’t like John Key either but you can’t go around wishing death and violence upon everyone you oppose.

    Seriously though, this seems to be one of the few, if only, times that JK has said something not pre-planned and scripted, so it’s interesting to see the reaction he gets, don’t you think? Not to mention worth judging the comment on its merits, or lack thereof.

    Anderton, of course, reacted like a bit of a plonker.

  32. J 33

    National is a political party for all New Zealanders.- Kimble

    Oh yeh, their track record is just so inclusive.I remember last time when ruthy richardson made the whole nation sandwiches and cakes.

    Key is allowed to be concerned but his kneejerk banning statement
    really should have been followed by a just a little bit of science .
    That’s a poor way to handle an issue for a guy who wants to lead this nation into what will be an increasingly complex future.

  33. Kimble 34

    “I think the residents should get together and get a shark net!”

    Thats a good idea. But if this is a problem at other beaches, say, in poorer areas, would you suggest the same?

  34. Kimble 35

    “Key is allowed to be concerned but his kneejerk banning statement really should have been followed by a just a little bit of science.”

    First of all, he never called for the banning of anything.

    Secondly, exactly what science do you need to figure out that sharks are attracted by blood, sharks have been known to attack people, so spreading blood where people swim may lead to an increase in the risk of a shark attack?

    Which part of this logic do you want to attack with science?

  35. andy 36

    sorry Kimble, never suggested there was a problem. Accept for crab guys property rights…

    I surf, I have seen heaps of sharks, I am very wary of them and treat them with the respect they deserve. we all should. Not try to ban some dude catching crabs for 2-3 weeks of the year like the residents want.

    The problem came from the lifeguards getting to close, the boat got bit! they need to learn a lesson from that. Not blame it on crab guy…

    I am still firmly undecided as to elction 2008!

  36. Kimble 37

    Look the efforts of one person to make money shouldnt override the safety of hundreds, if not thousands, of other people.

    In essence, this is the principle behind what Key is saying. As I said, this is something you should be applauding.

    andy, would you let a farmer move 40 beehives on the fenceline next to a primary school?

  37. andy 38

    ‘would you let a farmer move 40 beehives on the fenceline next to a primary school?’

    poor analogy! what predator eats bees and is dangerous to humans pooh bear? We have not conclusively determined that crab guy is bringing in the sharks. There may be a relationship.

    ‘Look the efforts of one person to make money shouldnt override the safety of hundreds, if not thousands, of other people.’

    so you hate capatilism?? People do it every day, just by driving to work. there is nothing to stop me running that red light except me!

    No I don’t applaud stopping crab guy from doing his job on the gut instinct of john Key and the others involved. There are sharks all around look at the herald another photo of sharks and no crab guy in sight.

    Sorry kimble agree to disagree!

  38. J 39

    “Mr Key said Ministry of Fisheries officials should be able to issue “cease and desist” orders to commercial crab pots on popular beaches as a precaution against attracting sharks. -‘

    “cease and desist” not banning according to kimbo.

    “Secondly, exactly what science do you need to figure out that sharks are attracted by blood, sharks have been known to attack people, so spreading blood where people swim “may lead” to an increase in the risk of a shark attack.”

    So science is based around what joh key and the pumkin patch guy think may happen. This is fundamental to all your “sound rightwing” assertions Kimble,
    an inability to approach any subject with intellectual rigour and depth.

  39. Craig Ranapia 40

    Not to mention worth judging the comment on its merits, or lack thereof.

    Certainly, Andy. I really thought Helen Clark’s comment about her neighbourhood coming to resemble downtown Kandahar around Guy Fawlkes was (to put it mildly) rather silly, and verging on the downright tasteless. (There might be a few Afghans who’d be royally chuffed if neighbourhood was anything like the rather pleasant corner of Mount Albert Miss Clark lives in, but that’s a whole other discussion.)

    But was that proof that Clark — and anyone else in the neighbourhood who has similar concerns — is a rich bitch NIMBY? Think that might be a rather OTT response.

    As I said, I’d be rather surprised if The Standard ever had anything complimentary to say about John Key. About the same odds as various partisan right blogs doing the same for Helen Clark.

    But really: Junping on a rather lightweight ‘silly season’ story in the New Zealand Herald for a weak attack blog post. Give me a break.

  40. Robinsod [moderator] 41

    Ah, Craig Ranapia – the blogosphere’s expert on everything. You might like to tally how many complimentary things the standard has had to say about Helen. Yes bro, the standard does some lighter posts but I’m interested you always seem to turn up to comment on how “lame” they are while avoiding the posts with more muscle. Perhaps dear Craig, you prefer not to have your intellectual pose taxed by having to address issues that may see you shown up as a fool?

  41. Matthew Pilott 42

    And for all that, Craig wrongly attributed that quote to andy.

    Craig, in an auditory sense, her neighbourhood may have resembled downtown Kandahar but no, it wasn’t the best comment.

    Contrast it with, say, JK saying that ‘frankly, the war in Iraq is over’ seeing as you are on the topic of leaders’ quotes on foreign conflicts.

    Every time he’s not scripted he cocks it up.

    I don’t recall Helen then lying to try and deflect attention of her comment, do you?

  42. andy 43

    1st try was lost…

    Craig: He he, Helen is my Local MP, it was Kandahar over my back fence! Some little bastard burnt the Plunket rooms down that night.

  43. Craig Ranapia 44

    Robinsod:

    Dear me, someone’s a little touchy at what I thought was some entirely civil and good natured criticism. I thought it was Farrar and the other tools of the right who got all catty at the merest hint of disagreement?

    As for the ‘posts with more muscle’, one of my new year’s resolutions was to try staying out of on-line pissing matches between bores of the loony left and the rabid right. They tend to be neither illuminating or entertaining, and as useful as trying to discuss theology with a fundie.

    Sorry if the truth offends, but I don’t intend to waste time or energy on faux outraged blog posts fuming that Helen Clark and Peter Davis (gasp!) own a rather more expensive house and (shock! horror!) take more overseas holidays than I do. Fair enough?

    Matthew Pilot:

    Well, in the spirit of civil blogging, I apologise to both you and Andy for the misattribution. As for the rest of you comment, it reminds me that socialist playwright George Bernard Shaw one wrote that newspapers seemed unable to distinguish between a bicycle accident and the end of civilization civilization. I doubt he’d have taken a materially different view of the political blogisphere.

  44. Robinsod 45

    Craig – I’ve gotta say mate it’s not so much what you say as the smarmy way you say it that pisses me off. I guess I’m kinda like all those folk who fucked off from Public Address after getting a whiff of your snide idiocy. Sorry mate, I know you don’t say anything really bad but there’s something about your naff mediocrity coupled with your “faux” erudition that makes my skin crawl. It’s not your fault bro, it’s me.

  45. Robinsod 46

    Oh and craig, your second and third pars constitute a non sequitur. That means that one does not logically follow the other. Sorry if the truth offends, dear.

  46. Matthew Pilott 47

    Well, in the spirit of civil blogging, I apologise to both you and Andy for the misattribution. As for the rest of you comment, it reminds me that socialist playwright George Bernard Shaw one wrote that newspapers seemed unable to distinguish between a bicycle accident and the end of civilization civilization. I doubt he’d have taken a materially different view of the political blogisphere.

    No biggie,wasn’t sure if you were actually talking to me or andy with the subsequent comment.

    I know what you mean though, something like the EFA comes along and suddenly we’re back to Zimbabwe/Stalinist USSR/The Third Reich!

  47. Phil 48

    Matthew, I see that you’re still on about the “War in Iraq is over” comment.

    Putting aside the fact that Clark and Goff have both made similar statements previously (also “unscriped cock-ups” perhaps?) I think you’ll find that, in millitary lexicon, the “War” in Iraq is indeed over – and has been for some time – while the “occupation” of Iraq is ongoing.

    Let me give you another example; If we judge WWII by the same standards as you judge Jonkey’s comment, then technically that war did not end until the last Russian troops left Berlin (in great pomp and ceremony) only a few years ago

  48. Matthew Pilott 49

    Phil, I was comparing it to a comment Helen Clark made – the most interesting thing about it is that Key lied about the context afterwards, as I mentioned.

    What you raise about military lexicon is interesting though. Given the overwhelming imbalance in forces in Iraq, the ‘war’ as you mention, was a steamrolling of regular forces, most of whom did not actually fight. The ‘occupation’ is seeing the same conflict intensity as the ‘war’, minus the Tomahawks, as there’s no major fixed targets for the US to annihilate.

    To most people, the ‘occupation’ was merely an extension of the ‘war’ and the two are indistinguishable. That might explain to you the reaction to Key’s comment.

    Do you think his minders would have let him say that, however, if they were there to protect him from himself?

  49. Matthew Pilott 50

    Hey Phil, the other day we were discussing how much time DPF spends blogging – the argument was whether he was paid to blog (I disagreed, but thought he spent a whole lot of time on it, and wondered how he could be doing any other work).

    You suggested that he set up blogs on a time release so they don’t come out all at the same time, but he’s just said “I have to suddenly fly up to Hamilton in an hour or so to help fix an IT problem. Back on last flight tonight. Doubt I will be online during that time much, so prob no more posts today.

    Wonder how he fits in his Curia contract for National 😉

  50. Phil 51

    I’m going to assume your closing question on Jonkeys “minders” is rhetorical
    =)

    In terms of war vs occupation, simply because “most” people find the two indistinguishable doesnt mean that they actually are… perhaps their understanding of the situation is the naive part, and not Jonkey’s thinking out loud. The lying about it afterward (and a general lack of straight answers) is something he’s going to have to work on; John Key is no Wintson Peters.

    As for DPF, I was only going by a comment I recall him posting some time ago… but, how much polling gets done in January anyway?

Links to post

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • EV road user charges bill passes
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the passing of legislation to move light electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) into the road user charges system from 1 April.  “It was always intended that EVs and PHEVs would be exempt from road user charges until they reached two ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago
  • Bill targets illegal, unregulated fishing in international waters
    New Zealand is strengthening its ability to combat illegal fishing outside its domestic waters and beef up regulation for its own commercial fishers in international waters through a Bill which had its first reading in Parliament today. The Fisheries (International Fishing and Other Matters) Amendment Bill 2023 sets out stronger ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago
  • Reserve Bank appointments
    Economists Carl Hansen and Professor Prasanna Gai have been appointed to the Reserve Bank Monetary Policy Committee, Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced today. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is the independent decision-making body that sets the Official Cash Rate which determines interest rates.  Carl Hansen, the executive director of Capital ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    22 hours ago
  • Stronger protections for apartment owners
    Apartment owners and buyers will soon have greater protections as further changes to the law on unit titles come into effect, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “The Unit Titles (Strengthening Body Corporate Governance and Other Matters) Amendment Act had already introduced some changes in December 2022 and May 2023, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    24 hours ago
  • Travel focused on traditional partners and Middle East
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to Egypt and Europe from this weekend.    “This travel will focus on a range of New Zealand’s traditional diplomatic and security partnerships while enabling broad engagement on the urgent situation in Gaza,” Mr Peters says.   Mr Peters will attend the NATO Foreign ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    24 hours ago
  • Keep safe on our roads this Easter
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown is encouraging all road users to stay safe, plan their journeys ahead of time, and be patient with other drivers while travelling around this Easter long weekend. “Road safety is a responsibility we all share, and with increased traffic on our roads expected this Easter we ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Cost of living support for over 1.4 million Kiwis
    About 1.4 million New Zealanders will receive cost of living relief through increased government assistance from April 1 909,000 pensioners get a boost to Superannuation, including 5000 veterans 371,000 working-age beneficiaries will get higher payments 45,000 students will see an increase in their allowance Over a quarter of New Zealanders ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Tenancy reviews for social housing restart
    Ensuring social housing is being provided to those with the greatest needs is front of mind as the Government restarts social housing tenancy reviews, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. “Our relentless focus on building a strong economy is to ensure we can deliver better public services such as social ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary plan halted
    The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary will not go ahead, with Cabinet deciding to stop work on the proposed reserve and remove the Bill that would have established it from Parliament’s order paper. “The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill would have created a 620,000 sq km economic no-go zone,” Oceans and Fisheries Minister ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Cutting all that dam red tape
    Dam safety regulations are being amended so that smaller dams won’t be subject to excessive compliance costs, Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on reducing costs and removing unnecessary red tape so we can get the economy back on track.  “Dam safety regulations ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Drought support extended to parts of North Island
    The coalition Government is expanding the medium-scale adverse event classification to parts of the North Island as dry weather conditions persist, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced today. “I have made the decision to expand the medium-scale adverse event classification already in place for parts of the South Island to also cover the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Passage of major tax bill welcomed
    The passing of legislation giving effect to coalition Government tax commitments has been welcomed by Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “The Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill will help place New Zealand on a more secure economic footing, improve outcomes for New Zealanders, and make our tax system ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Lifting economy through science, tertiary sectors
    Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins and Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds today announced plans to transform our science and university sectors to boost the economy. Two advisory groups, chaired by Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, will advise the Government on how these sectors can play a greater ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government announces Budget priorities
    The Budget will deliver urgently-needed tax relief to hard-working New Zealanders while putting the government’s finances back on a sustainable track, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.  The Finance Minister made the comments at the release of the Budget Policy Statement setting out the Government’s Budget objectives. “The coalition Government intends ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government to consider accommodation solution
    The coalition Government will look at options to address a zoning issue that limits how much financial support Queenstown residents can get for accommodation. Cabinet has agreed on a response to the Petitions Committee, which had recommended the geographic information MSD uses to determine how much accommodation supplement can be ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government approves extension to Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care
    Cabinet has agreed to a short extension to the final reporting timeframe for the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care from 28 March 2024 to 26 June 2024, Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says.                                         “The Royal Commission wrote to me on 16 February 2024, requesting that I consider an ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • $18m boost for Kiwis travelling to health treatment
    The coalition Government is delivering an $18 million boost to New Zealanders needing to travel for specialist health treatment, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says.   “These changes are long overdue – the National Travel Assistance (NTA) scheme saw its last increase to mileage and accommodation rates way back in 2009.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • PM’s Prizes for Space to showcase sector’s talent
    The Government is recognising the innovative and rising talent in New Zealand’s growing space sector, with the Prime Minister and Space Minister Judith Collins announcing the new Prime Minister’s Prizes for Space today. “New Zealand has a growing reputation as a high-value partner for space missions and research. I am ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Concerns conveyed to China over cyber activity
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government.     “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity, attributed to groups sponsored by the Chinese Government, targeting democratic institutions in both New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry
    Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry Education Minister Erica Stanford today announced the appointment of three independent reviewers to lead the Ministerial Inquiry into the Ministry of Education’s School Property Function.  The Inquiry will be led by former Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully. “There is a clear need ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Brynderwyns open for Easter
    State Highway 1 across the Brynderwyns will be open for Easter weekend, with work currently underway to ensure the resilience of this critical route being paused for Easter Weekend to allow holiday makers to travel north, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Today I visited the Brynderwyn Hills construction site, where ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Speech to the Infrastructure Funding & Financing Conference
    Introduction Good morning to you all, and thanks for having me bright and early today. I am absolutely delighted to be the Minister for Infrastructure alongside the Minister of Housing and Resource Management Reform. I know the Prime Minister sees the three roles as closely connected and he wants me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Parliamentary network breached by the PRC
    New Zealand stands with the United Kingdom in its condemnation of People’s Republic of China (PRC) state-backed malicious cyber activity impacting its Electoral Commission and targeting Members of the UK Parliament. “The use of cyber-enabled espionage operations to interfere with democratic institutions and processes anywhere is unacceptable,” Minister Responsible for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • NZ to provide support for Solomon Islands election
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced New Zealand will provide logistics support for the upcoming Solomon Islands election. “We’re sending a team of New Zealand Defence Force personnel and two NH90 helicopters to provide logistics support for the election on 17 April, at the request ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ-EU FTA gains Royal Assent for 1 May entry to force
    The European Union Free Trade Agreement Legislation Amendment Bill received Royal Assent today, completing the process for New Zealand’s ratification of its free trade agreement with the European Union.    “I am pleased to announce that today, in a small ceremony at the Beehive, New Zealand notified the European Union ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • COVID-19 inquiry attracts 11,000 submissions
    Public consultation on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons has concluded, Internal Affairs Minister Hon Brooke van Velden says.  “I have been advised that there were over 11,000 submissions made through the Royal Commission’s online consultation portal.” Expanding the scope of the Royal Commission of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Families to receive up to $75 a week help with ECE fees
    Hardworking families are set to benefit from a new credit to help them meet their early childcare education (ECE) costs, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. From 1 July, parents and caregivers of young children will be supported to manage the rising cost of living with a partial reimbursement of their ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Unlocking a sustainable, low-emissions future
    A specialised Independent Technical Advisory Group (ITAG) tasked with preparing and publishing independent non-binding advice on the design of a "green" (sustainable finance) taxonomy rulebook is being established, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says.  “Comprising experts and market participants, the ITAG's primary goal is to deliver comprehensive recommendations to the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Chief of Army thanked for his service
    Defence Minister Judith Collins has thanked the Chief of Army, Major General John Boswell, DSD, for his service as he leaves the Army after 40 years. “I would like to thank Major General Boswell for his contribution to the Army and the wider New Zealand Defence Force, undertaking many different ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders
    25 March 2024 Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders Small Business, Manufacturing, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly will travel to Australia for a series of bi-lateral meetings and manufacturing visits. During the visit, Minister Bayly will meet with his Australian counterparts, Senator Tim Ayres, Ed ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Government commits nearly $3 million for period products in schools
    Government commits almost $3 million for period products in schools The Coalition Government has committed $2.9 million to ensure intermediate and secondary schools continue providing period products to those who need them, Minister of Education Erica Stanford announced today. “This is an issue of dignity and ensuring young women don’t ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Speech – Making it easier to build.
    Good morning, it’s great to be here.   First, I would like to acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of Building Surveyors and thank you for the opportunity to be here this morning.  I would like to use this opportunity to outline the Government’s ambitious plan and what we hope to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Pacific youth to shine from boost to Polyfest
    Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti has announced the Government’s commitment to the Auckland Secondary Schools Māori and Pacific Islands Cultural Festival, more commonly known as Polyfest. “The Ministry for Pacific Peoples is a longtime supporter of Polyfest and, as it celebrates 49 years in 2024, I’m proud to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • 2024 Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships announced
    ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Speech to Breast Cancer Foundation – Insights Conference
    Before moving onto the substance of today’s address, I want to recognise the very significant and ongoing contribution the Breast Cancer Foundation makes to support the lives of New Zealand women and their families living with breast cancer. I very much enjoy working with you. I also want to recognise ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Kiwi research soars to International Space Station
    New Zealand has notched up a first with the launch of University of Canterbury research to the International Space Station, Science, Innovation and Technology and Space Minister Judith Collins says. The hardware, developed by Dr Sarah Kessans, is designed to operate autonomously in orbit, allowing scientists on Earth to study ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Speech to the New Zealand Planning Institute
    Introduction Thank you for inviting me to speak with you today and I’m sorry I can’t be there in person. Yesterday I started in Wellington for Breakfast TV, spoke to a property conference in Auckland, and finished the day speaking to local government in Christchurch, so it would have been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Support for Northland emergency response centre
    The Coalition Government is contributing more than $1 million to support the establishment of an emergency multi-agency coordination centre in Northland. Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced the contribution today during a visit of the Whangārei site where the facility will be constructed.  “Northland has faced a number ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Celebrating 20 years of Whakaata Māori
    New Zealanders have enjoyed a broader range of voices telling the story of Aotearoa thanks to the creation of Whakaata Māori 20 years ago, says Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka. The minister spoke at a celebration marking the national indigenous media organisation’s 20th anniversary at their studio in Auckland on ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Some commercial fishery catch limits increased
    Commercial catch limits for some fisheries have been increased following a review showing stocks are healthy and abundant, Ocean and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The changes, along with some other catch limit changes and management settings, begin coming into effect from 1 April 2024. "Regular biannual reviews of fish ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-03-29T00:10:21+00:00