Check the polls – we’re off to war!

Written By: - Date published: 8:13 pm, October 9th, 2014 - 63 comments
Categories: uncategorized - Tags:

“It all depends on the question  you ask” – this was John Key’s response to a question as to whether he had concerns about the SAS identifying air-strike targets that might kill civilians.

If you ask whether they are comfortable with identifying targets people might not be happy with that, but if you ask them whether they think innocent people being beheaded is right, people would say no.

I’ve no doubt Curia will be in the field as we speak asking questions to find out how to make New Zealanders comfortable with SAS identifying targets.

An eye for an eye is not going to stop this war. Pollsters don’t do statesmanship; and nor do poll-driven politicians. Somebody else picks up the pieces.

63 comments on “Check the polls – we’re off to war! ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. In Vino 1
    9 October 2014 at 8:26 pm

    Yep – another widely reported atrocity, and as a result, more people will die.

    Unfortunately, it will mostly be the wrong ones, and our ‘wise’ leaders, having ignored many other relevant atrocities because they did not suit the agenda, will have seeped our hands in the blood.

  2. Bill 2
    9 October 2014 at 8:42 pm

    Okay. Point one. The ISIS guys are basically criminals – nothing more and nothing less. Why elevate them to being something other than that?

    Point two. All this shit about air strikes and what-not has no end point; no plan that points to achieving peace.

    Point three (made before). When you encourage a wipe out legitimate political opposition over decades through the deliberate traumatising of populations (ie, put in ‘our’ dictator and supply the means to establish a brutal ‘police state’)… then stack drones and ‘total domination’ invasion scenarios on top of that when ‘our’ guys over step the mark… well, seriously, what the fuck is to be expected?

    • Ron 2.1
      9 October 2014 at 8:44 pm

      But it is so good for munitions makers and their shareholders /sarc

      • Colonial Rawshark 2.1.1
        9 October 2014 at 9:49 pm

        Govts have to elevate ISIS to the level of a major military and moral threat, or they wouldn’t be able to justify the multi-billion dollar, multi-year western waged war that is now being launched.

        It also saves US embarrassment trying to justify the results of the last 10 years of training and US$25B spent on the Iraqi Army.

      • halfcrown 2.1.2
        10 October 2014 at 9:35 am

        “But it is so good for munitions makers and their shareholders /sarc”

        EXACTLY You don’t make bombs and bullets just to “sit on shelves”

        Two things happen

        If you can’t sell and use you get overstocked

        There is no profit in over stocked goods sitting on shelves.

        Have you noticed that it is always rightwing fucking governments who are all for letting a few bangers off and although they are always crying “austerity” for some, always have the money for the odd bomb or two.

        I wonder how much the fucking spiv expects us to pay to support his mates in the White House , now he says he might/will send support troops.

    • Murray Rawshark 2.2
      10 October 2014 at 5:55 am

      I can’t remember where, but I read ISIS were basically a social welfare organisation until the Iraqi Security Forces captured and tortured one of their leaders. Then all hell broke loose. Anyone know anything about that?

    • GregJ 2.3
      10 October 2014 at 6:10 am

      There was an interesting letter in the Bahrain published Gulf Daily News that picked up the theme of your first point. It referred back to ant-terrorist doctrine of the 60s, 70s & 80s.

      3 points made in the letter I found interesting:

      “The key insight was this: Terrorist movements always want you to over-react, so don’t do it. Terrorists usually lack the popular support to overpower their opponent by force, so they employ a kind of political jiu-jitsu: they try to use the adversary’s own strength against him. Most domestic terrorism, and almost all international terrorism, is aimed at provoking a big, stupid, self-defeating response from the target government.”

      and:

      “Rule one in the old anti-terrorism doctrine was don’t over-react and it still applies. That means as little bombing as possible, and only of strictly military targets. Preferably, it would mean no bombing at all except in specific areas where IS troops are on the offensive.

      It means not letting yourself be lured into more extreme action by the public beheading of innocent hostages and the other atrocities that IS stages to attract a certain kind of recruit. Indeed, it means not launching a major ground offensive against IS (for which the troops are not available anyway), and waiting for events to take their course within the ‘Islamic State’.”

      and

      “Regimes as radical and violent as this one rarely survive for long.

      The revolution will eat its children, as so many have before, and it will happen a lot more quickly if they don’t have a huge foreign military threat to hold them together.”

  3. oarSum 3
    9 October 2014 at 8:45 pm

    Valid poll question:
    Do you approve of the SAS helping the USA to kill people if it means we can have a few more years of cheap oil?

  4. cogito 4
    9 October 2014 at 8:47 pm

    I’m all for sending Key and his gang of 60 off to war. They can leave right now.

  5. adam 5
    9 October 2014 at 8:55 pm

    SO the economy is tanking and these idiots have one solution “war economy”. God Bless these United States Of New Zealand.

    Funny one song from the 80’s seems to be on constant repeat. Thethe Sweet bird of truth. Sorry younger ones very 80’s.

    • Colonial Rawshark 5.1
      9 October 2014 at 9:51 pm

      War is not the only thing western countries are doing to boost the all important GDP measure. Including prostitution and drug dealing as legitimate economic activities included in GDP are other steps being taken to boost “growth.”

      • AmaKiwi 5.1.1
        9 October 2014 at 10:53 pm

        Yes, I saw that a few weeks ago and thought, “These politicians are really scraping the bottom of the barrel manipulating statistics to try to convince us the economy is not collapsing.”

        Next step: Include political bribes as part of GDP. Those numbers should be a lot more accurate than the estimates for illegal prostitution and drugs.

  6. adam 6
    9 October 2014 at 9:37 pm

    If someone goes and fights or offers medical support in the Kurdish Autonomous Areas, will they be treated as a terrorist by this government?

    • Colonial Rawshark 6.1
      9 October 2014 at 9:53 pm

      Such volunteers are OK while the Kurds are considered friendly and allies. But in a couple of years time when that changes and they are the new bad guys, you’re fucked.

  7. Richard AKA RAWSHARK 7
    9 October 2014 at 9:42 pm

    There is only one song, in my head lately, still going strong to stir the best emotions for parallels to todays radically right amalgamated corporation called

    …The National Party.

    and adam that was far too light, try War Pigs by Sabath if you want to get heavy on war 🙂

    try a little

  8. Picard101 8
    9 October 2014 at 9:45 pm

    So, what do we do about ISIS murdering all these people then?

    Nothing?

    • Colonial Rawshark 8.1
      9 October 2014 at 9:56 pm

      You get the US and their allies to continue to provide them with money, weapons and training.

      And you get the US to keep supporting the Shia government in Baghdad which has spent the last 5 years marginalising and fucking off Sunni communities. So that these communities now prefer to have ISIS running things than the Iraqi Government in Baghdad.

      What are you going to do about that?

      BTW your Star Trek namesake “Picard” would probably be asking better questions than you are.

      • Picard101 8.1.1
        9 October 2014 at 9:57 pm

        Providing Isis?

        • Colonial Rawshark 8.1.1.1
          9 October 2014 at 10:04 pm

          To be more precise – you keep feeding the parts of ISIS attacking Assad with money and weapons, while trying to bomb the parts of ISIS taking ground in Iraq and acting against Kurds.

          Stupid yeah, but that’s the kind of US strategic thinking that has brought us to this point.

          • blue leopard 8.1.1.1.1
            9 October 2014 at 10:11 pm

            *cough* immoral but not stupid if you are involved in an industry profiting from such behaviour *cough*

          • Picard101 8.1.1.1.2
            9 October 2014 at 10:14 pm

            Hmmmmm, yes. America does seem to have its head up its backside over that little conundrum. That’s what happens when everything you do is about money.

            John Stewart did a very good bit on the hypocrisy of the US government funding everyone.

      • wekarawshark 8.1.2
        9 October 2014 at 10:06 pm

        “BTW your Star Trek namesake “Picard” would probably be asking better questions than you are.”

        Indeed and each time 101 posts,

        http://stream1.gifsoup.com/view6/2709062/picard-double-facepalm-o.gif

        • Picard101 8.1.2.1
          9 October 2014 at 10:12 pm

          Troll elsewhere Weka. Not my fault you cannot back up what you say.

          • wekarawshark 8.1.2.1.1
            9 October 2014 at 11:18 pm

            Ooh look the trole calls someone he can’t debate with a trole.

            My record in ts stands for how I debate, including backing up statements I make (which I did in the other thread and which you continue to ignore). You are just establishing your record, which so far shows you to not be very good at debating.

        • Richard RAWSHARK 8.1.2.2
          9 October 2014 at 10:42 pm

          Picard was no James, T, small pause Kirk. There is only one Star Trek, true, star trek originals will never bare their souls for another version, Klingon spinoff, Romulan subplot or even Q’s trickery.

          • Picard101 8.1.2.2.1
            9 October 2014 at 10:46 pm

            Lol. I was never much of a Kirk fan. Too much of a dumb jock for my liking. Not a thinking man.

            • Richard RAWSHARK 8.1.2.2.1.1
              9 October 2014 at 11:09 pm

              Then you must not have rushed home from school for every episode when it first aired on NZ TV. It looked so realistic as a kid, later in life you look at it, fake as, but still I watch it now and enjoy each one, even forbidden planet and Robbie the Robot.

              • Picard101 …
                9 October 2014 at 11:17 pm

                I may not have even been alive when it first aired in NZ.

                When was that?

                And I did enjoy it as a kid, but I was never a fan of Kirk. More a Spock fan.

          • GregJ 8.1.2.2.2
            9 October 2014 at 11:32 pm

            Meh. Fuck Star Trek. If you want some kick ass get a woman on the job.

    • joe90 8.2
      9 October 2014 at 10:06 pm

      The same as what we do about those Mexicans murdering all those people . Nothing.

    • cogito 8.3
      9 October 2014 at 10:44 pm

      ISIS are a product of generations of regional religious and ethnic hatreds worsened by years of poorly judged Western interference. What makes you think that Key sticking his nose in it will help? NZ should stay out of it, except for providing humanitarian assistance.

      • AmaKiwi 8.3.1
        9 October 2014 at 10:59 pm

        @ cogito “What makes you think that Key sticking his nose in it will help?”

        It depends on your goals. If your goal is to be best buddies with the Imperial Empire of America, it will be very helpful.

        • cogito 8.3.1.1
          9 October 2014 at 11:35 pm

          Oh yes, Key still owes the President for that round of golf…. and for stuffing up the raid on Dotcom, and for putting a halt (if he did) on the NSA tap on the Southern Cross cable…. He’s got some ground to make up….

    • halfcrown 8.4
      10 October 2014 at 11:15 am

      “So, what do we do about ISIS murdering all these people then?”

      The same when the yanks murder Pakistani children with their Drones, or the Jews murdering children in the that concentration camp called Gaza.

      Nothing.

  9. DirtyDeedsNZ 9
    9 October 2014 at 10:08 pm

    Expect to see increased reports of NZ people “linked” to people “potentially linked” to terrorism.

    Expect to see increased blogging by WO & Farrar on reasons why we need to intervene etc.

    WO already doing his bit to promote prejudice in NZ, todays “DailyDumbDown” has a picture on a persons car window which is clearly a Sikh figure with a spear, but because it looks slightly “Arabic” with a dark man, long beard, turban, and a spear he put the image up stating “pretty overt”.

    There has already been a massive Western media turn around to viewing PKK (designated terrorist group in West and NZ) as heroes now, along with child soldiers etc.

    If we think ISIS are bad, then what will arise from us getting involved in bombing and more war in 10 years time will be 1000x worse.

    • Richard RAWSHARK 9.1
      9 October 2014 at 11:04 pm

      I hear you DD, Healthy scepticism is required with the media today.

      I think I just had an epiphany, I think he’s asking to send troops to save that village on TV and front line of the invading Islamic state. That’s what I thought was happening. He’s not sending us to join the global war on freaking bullshit terrorism is he.

      OH FFS please respond it’s fucking not is it!!!!

  10. Richard RAWSHARK 10
    9 October 2014 at 10:33 pm

    In my opinion contrary to most here, I welcome our limited as it Is, involvement.

    Wrong or right, that many of us, if we new the horrors and atrocities the innocent people there have and are facing imminently, would want to assist, knowing what was about to happen,

    But sitting far away and having ideologies, it’s a case of it’s right but not john Key, or other frankly pointless excuses in the face of babies, kids, women, men and anything else in the path of IS being murdered, raped beaten, sold, tortured, beheaded. etc.

    The question becomes, should we, and why don’t they, just like the united nations.

    From a common sense point of view isn’t just going in and doing whatever we can to help just the right thing to do to a human, or anything else that thinks, lives, breathes, laughs, cry’s, loves, and dies if we all stand around with our ideological hands in our pockets.

    Sometimes I think the old adage of if you cannot control the outcome don’t worry about it, focus on what you can control. It’s about time we led, not asked to join.

    To lead requires a country brave enough to go to an atoll and fight the French but to suffer a bombing, to say no to nuclear warships and weapons. That also requires that when needed, we have the leadership to say in this case we know there is a wrong happening, we are going to help. Let the other countries figure out what they are up to that’s their problem.

    Sorry big opinion but I had to get my side across, I know there are probably a lot of peace loving hippies with big bags of weed going WTF? War! Outrageous. Ethel, get me crash helmet, and protest sign out of the closet. That’s Richard fella’s a War Pig.

    I’m not

    • Murray Rawshark 10.1
      10 October 2014 at 6:09 am

      Why don’t we send the SAS to stop the atrocities committed by the police in Rio de Janeiro? Apart from the beheadings, they do everything else you’ve mentioned.

      Why aren’t we helping stop the violence in Mexico and Colombia? Why didn’t we intervene in Sri Lanka against the torturers and murderers of the Tamil population? Why wasn’t the SAS dropped in the Negev to defend Gazan schools and hospitals?

      Sorry Richard, but I’m not like Pavlov’s dog to get excited every time Uncle Sam rings a bell. Not even one of Skinner’s pigeons.

      • Richard RAWSHARK 10.1.1
        10 October 2014 at 7:21 am

        Because why they havn’t done this or that, why did they do this and that is another question that should be separate from the current problem.

        Fair enough criticising the USA, they cause most of the bloody conflict.

        However that’s some issue that should be explored under a different context.

        here I’m focused on saving these lives, not solving the USA’s lack of accountability.

    • Draco T Bastard 10.2
      10 October 2014 at 9:16 am

      From a common sense point of view isn’t just going in and doing whatever we can to help just the right thing to do to a human…

      Nope. It’s actually the exact opposite. We really need them to sort their own shit out and not for us to keep going in there pretending to be Knights on White Horses. By going in fixing things as we see it we’re preventing their own development and encouraging even more of the terrorism and bloodshed as more people there try to force things back the way they were before Western Intervention.

  11. Richard RAWSHARK 11
    9 October 2014 at 10:34 pm

    3 tries to print that, could not edit it, had to delete it 3 times edit and paste and send again ED.

  12. ropata mako shark 12
    9 October 2014 at 10:41 pm

    The USA is doing all it can to make the bloodthirsty visions of biblical prophets come to pass

    http://youtu.be/Pg2snxX3p0A?t=1h21m10s

  13. DirtyDeedsNZ 13
    9 October 2014 at 10:44 pm

    Intervening is not going to stop those horrors Richard… its just going to lead to the next cycle of sectarian violence and next round of terrorist groups that the West and Gulf States will fund in power plays against each other.

    Western intervention into Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, and now Syria has never been about Humanitarian needs. If military interventions were about saving people and humanity we would be intervening right now in West Africa with Ebola – a real threat, which poses a real and imminent threat to the whole world including the west.

    Everything the West touches with its intervening hand turns to shit. Show me one large scale military intervention that hasn’t led to mass civilian casualties, sectarian violence, and more guns, money, power in the hands of terrorists?

    • Richard RAWSHARK 13.1
      9 October 2014 at 10:52 pm

      @13, did you read it, the crux is lets stop making any excuses eh?

      There are a million reasons not to go. But one reason we must.

  14. Richard RAWSHARK 14
    9 October 2014 at 10:50 pm

    Perhaps a tactic would be to send in transports to evacuate, let them approach with no people there, and the Turkish army in tanks on the hill passively doing squat. Dumb Isis are bound to march on? Heading into Turkey might be bad for them.

    Just an idea don’t shoot the turkey.

    • Murray Rawshark 14.1
      10 October 2014 at 6:12 am

      Turkey hates the Kurds almost as much as they hate the Armenians. The Turkish tanks are there to stop Kurds seeking refuge in Turkey.

      • Richard RAWSHARK 14.1.1
        10 October 2014 at 6:31 am

        Are the kurds the arabs versions of gippsies or something. FFS poor buggers. All the more reason to rescue them and let Turkey face ISIS.

  15. finbar 15
    9 October 2014 at 10:55 pm

    I.S.I.L. is like a banker holding your homes debt.Who is the winner,your debt.

    • Richard RAWSHARK 15.1
      9 October 2014 at 11:17 pm

      How is the Islamic state whatever they are now, linked to my mortgage i presume you imply, or any other debt I suppose.

      Arabs? Prime lenders? I would not think it’s anything the world could not soak up like a big sell on the currency markets, or whatever else the pro Islamic fronts supporters try.

  16. travellerev 16
    10 October 2014 at 10:06 am

    I spoke yesterday at a small meeting at a Marae with a gentleman who told me his two sons already had their marching orders. They had left last Saturday. He told me they were off to Australia first and Singapore next. What came next they didn’t tell him but it was clear he was extremely worried about his sons ending up in Iraq/Syria

  17. Chookyrawshark 17
    10 October 2014 at 10:31 am

    I would hate it if my son were going off to this war…it is such a mess of Western intervention, greed for oil , strategic chess playing colonialism, Islamic fundamentalism in retaliation…..i cant pretend to understand it but some of the links below show just how perfidious this war is!

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alastair-crooke/isis-wahhabism-saudi-arabia_b_5717157.html

    http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article39603.htm

    http://www.countercurrents.org/mithiborwala130914.htm

    The only course of action imo is to expose the causes and refuse to fight in it…(unless your country is directly threatened or in support of a UN Peace mandate to limit violence) ….to support it is to give it oxygen and waste young men’s lives to no good purpose

  18. RRM 18
    10 October 2014 at 1:06 pm

    bahahaha – Farrar’s living in your head, rent free.

    He doesn’t even have to say or do anything, and you get hot under the collar about him, all by yourself…

    • Andrea 18.1
      10 October 2014 at 7:04 pm

      RRM: I know. I know.

      It’s stress.

      You know: “The confusion created when one’s mind overrides the body’s basic desire to choke the living daylights out of some jerk who desperately deserves it.”

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Driving ahead with Roads of Regional Significance
    The coalition Government is launching Roads of Regional Significance to sit alongside Roads of National Significance as part of its plan to deliver priority roading projects across the country, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “The Roads of National Significance (RoNS) built by the previous National Government are some of New Zealand’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • New Zealand congratulates new Solomon Islands government
    A high-level New Zealand political delegation in Honiara today congratulated the new Government of Solomon Islands, led by Jeremiah Manele, on taking office.    “We are privileged to meet the new Prime Minister and members of his Cabinet during his government’s first ten days in office,” Deputy Prime Minister and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • New Zealand supports UN Palestine resolution
    New Zealand voted in favour of a resolution broadening Palestine’s participation at the United Nations General Assembly overnight, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “The resolution enhances the rights of Palestine to participate in the work of the UN General Assembly while stopping short of admitting Palestine as a full ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Speech to the 2024 Infrastructure Symposium
    Introduction Good morning. It’s a great privilege to be here at the 2024 Infrastructure Symposium. I was extremely happy when the Prime Minister asked me to be his Minister for Infrastructure. It is one of the great barriers holding the New Zealand economy back from achieving its potential. Building high ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • $571 million for Defence pay and projects
    Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced the upcoming Budget will include new funding of $571 million for Defence Force pay and projects. “Our servicemen and women do New Zealand proud throughout the world and this funding will help ensure we retain their services and expertise as we navigate an increasingly ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Climate change – mitigating the risks and costs
    New Zealand’s ability to cope with climate change will be strengthened as part of the Government’s focus to build resilience as we rebuild the economy, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “An enduring and long-term approach is needed to provide New Zealanders and the economy with certainty as the climate ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Getting new job seekers on the pathway to work
    Jobseeker beneficiaries who have work obligations must now meet with MSD within two weeks of their benefit starting to determine their next step towards finding a job, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “A key part of the coalition Government’s plan to have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Accelerating Social Investment
    A new standalone Social Investment Agency will power-up the social investment approach, driving positive change for our most vulnerable New Zealanders, Social Investment Minister Nicola Willis says.  “Despite the Government currently investing more than $70 billion every year into social services, we are not seeing the outcomes we want for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Getting Back on Track
    Check against delivery Good morning. It is a pleasure to be with you to outline the Coalition Government’s approach to our first Budget. Thank you Mark Skelly, President of the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce, together with  your Board and team, for hosting me.   I’d like to acknowledge His Worship ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • NZ – European Union ties more critical than ever
    Your Excellency Ambassador Meredith,   Members of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassadors from European Union Member States,   Ministerial colleagues, Members of Parliament, and other distinguished guests, Thank you everyone for joining us.   Ladies and gentlemen -    In diplomacy, we often speak of ‘close’ and ‘long-standing’ relations.   ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Therapeutic Products Act to be repealed
    The Therapeutic Products Act (TPA) will be repealed this year so that a better regime can be put in place to provide New Zealanders safe and timely access to medicines, medical devices and health products, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello announced today. “The medicines and products we are talking about ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-05-19T12:55:11+00:00