Covid really is a bastard

Written By: - Date published: 10:30 am, June 17th, 2020 - 93 comments
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So our outstanding daily run of ducks for new Covid infections was broken yesterday after it was reported that two visitors, here for the death of a family member, tested positive.

This brings into stark relief a debate that happened just over a month ago.  At the time there were repeated claims that the Government was being too cruel some alleged.  They should be more compassionate.  The Government was being too hard.  It was pushed for all it was worth, despite the visiting of hospitals and the gathering of people in close proximity to each other being clear risks for the spread of the disease.

There was one particular case in early May where a son applied urgently for an order allowing him to see his dying father.  He had arrived in New Zealand on April 23, has no symptoms of COVID-19 and was monitored by health professionals at the facility every two days.  His request was refused by the Ministry of Health.  On Judicial Review the refusal was overturned on May 1, 2020.  The refusal appeared to be really cruel but when you are dealing with a world wide pandemic policy responses are always cruel.

The decision of Judge Walker said this:

[66] I have balanced other material factors in the exercise of my discretion. These are principally the public health and safety concerns and the potential ramifications of the grant of relief. I am satisfied that the restrictive conditions I imposed, which include directing the respondent to stipulate additional reasonable conditions, addresses the question of risk.

[67] I have also considered the question of the appropriate deference to the expertise of the decision makers in a time of unprecedented public crisis. No matter how necessary or demonstrably justified the COVID-19 response, decisions must have a clear and certain basis. They must be proportionate to the justified objective of protecting New Zealand bearing in mind the fundamental civil rights at issue – freedom of movement and of assembly in accordance with the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990.

[68] In this particular case, there is a very strong argument that the permission for Mr Christiansen to visit his dying father was not considered on the correct legal grounds and did not take account of relevant mandatory considerations. It had the hallmarks of automatic rejection based on circumscribed criteria rather than a proper exercise of discretion required by the Health Act (Managed Air Arrivals) Order. Indeed, the respondent responsibly acknowledges that on the face of the documentary record, one of the grounds of review can be made out.

The decision was in legal terms conventional.  It did however have a chilling effect on MoH’s response.  There is nothing that medical people hate more than having to go into court to justify their decisions which on the face of it appear to be cruel given the extenuating circumstances of a family member dying.

So the system was loosened up.

Then we had the news yesterday that we have two new infections.

The screening arrangements appear to be sub optimal.  Why the individuals involved were not tested is clearly something that will be investigated further.  If it was up to me every single person presenting themselves at the boarder should be tested.  And before they are permitted to leave quarantine they should be tested again.

I suspect the stuff up theory applies and an operational mistake was made.  This really does highlight how New Zealand should be protecting its borders.  This is backed up by this article in the Herald by Derek Cheng.  He said:

Leave may be granted to see a dying loved one or to grieve a death in a small group, but only if you’ve been in the country for at least a week and have tested negative for Covid-19.

However the rules were put in place on June 9 and the two women arrived on June 7.  They were tested in Wellington and returned the positive tests.

It seems callous and cruel but the rationale is clear.  There should be no exceptions to the policy.  Otherwise we face the possibility of going back into level 4 lockdown.

Surges of infections in Singapore and more recently China show how pernicious the virus is.  We should be taking no change with it.

National has received a glimmer of hope in the news.  Todd Muller has engaged in the most extraordinary somersault in recent political history and complained about lax arrangements while at the same time he has argued that we should loosen up the boarder to allow students in and a bubble formed with Australia.  Talk about talking out of both sides of your mouth.

It just makes him sound confused.

Fingers crossed that the persons involved were extremely careful and that the steps they have taken were sufficient to stop the spread of the disease.  But if we are going to beat this bastard of a virus we will need our systems working better than they did on this occasion.

93 comments on “Covid really is a bastard ”

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  1. Anne 1
    17 June 2020 at 10:48 am

    I suspect the stuff up theory applies and an operational mistake was made.

    Yes, it is pretty obvious that is what happened.

    Some people, including the Opposition, are making a meal out of this and demanding the minister resign etc. Apart from the politics, it is addled thinking. If every time an operational mistake occurs the relevant minister or CEO has to resign I doubt there would be many of them left.

    Thanks for the clarity of your post ms. Hope the hot heads read it.

    • OnceWasTim 1.1
      17 June 2020 at 2:08 pm

      Agree completely@Anne – and with your comment at 3.2.2 on OM:

      "Put the blame fairly and squarely on the shoulders where it lies – the person or persons who did not follow correct process at the border and/or the person/persons who allowed the women to travel to Wellington even though they had not been tested"

      WHATEVER their rank.

      Because it becomes a problem when the stuff ups are never-ending and nothing gets done about it.

      In this case I doubt it's about Ashley B, as many would like it to be, but rather one or two people being a bit casual.

      Elsewhere, where masters-of-the-universe are at play, fuckups are now so regular they have the potential to put a dent in many of the positive efforts the government has made.

      • OnceWasTim 1.1.1
        17 June 2020 at 3:09 pm

        Oh, AND where the 'correct process' is not working or is no longer fit for purpose – then fucking change it, and make sure both worker-bees and management understand it and actually 'get it'. And nor should master-of-the-universe generic managers be allowed to hide behind any repeated failings of their underlings. After all, it's supposedly what they get paid the big bucks for

  2. Muttonbird 2
    17 June 2020 at 11:07 am

    Allow Kiwis to mourn their loved ones

    The Nats had been using funeral exemptions as a stick with which to beat the government with.

    This was Bridges' strategy of course.

    They should be heavily criticised for uttering so much as a peep about their policy which has caused risk and annoyance for 5 million hardworking Kiwis.

    You can be very sure that if Bridges or Muller were in charge there would be 20 cases like this every single week.

  3. bwaghorn 3
    17 June 2020 at 11:08 am

    A simple fucking test the day before they went would have stopped this happening,

    Not good enough

    This one ain't the nats fault.

    • Chris 3.1
      17 June 2020 at 12:25 pm

      It wouldn't have happened if we'd had a nat government because if we had a nat government we’d have 5000 cases, 300 deaths and still well and truly in lock down.

    • Naki man 3.2
      17 June 2020 at 8:35 pm

      True, one of the women even had symptoms and still no test.

      There has been a series of fuck ups, it was just a matter of time.

      Someone needs to be sacked.

  4. observer 4
    17 June 2020 at 11:13 am

    The whole debate in NZ is really weird. It's as if we've all beamed down from another planet with zero understanding of human beings.

    Basic maths: It is certain that the greater the number of people involved, the greater the risk of human error. One option is to increase the number of people (more visitors arriving = more officials monitoring them, more interaction between the arrivals and the "system", which is people). Those new people could be students, tourists, workers, family in Queensland, anybody really. Every exception has a reason.

    It's arguable that the economic and social benefits make the greater risk worthwhile. It's arguable that the human benefits (AKA compassion) make the greater risk worthwhile.

    But nobody is saying "You know what, let's increase the risks, and accept the consequences, because we can handle a number of cases now, with contact tracing etc." That would not be popular – but it would be honest.

    No, the fantasy is that we should now significantly increase the risk of the virus AND expect to live without the virus. And then act "outraged' when the entirely predictable happens.

    • bwaghorn 4.1
      17 June 2020 at 11:36 am

      What contact traceing? I'm yet to notice a q code . Usually it's a voluntary scratching of ones ph number in the occasional book that provided.

      • roblogic 4.1.1
        17 June 2020 at 12:09 pm

        The annoying thing is the fragmented approach, several QR codes floating around. Good that most places provide hand sanitiser, though

        • bwaghorn 4.1.1.1
          17 June 2020 at 3:29 pm

          It needs to really big and obvious, if I've got something I'm thinking on ( these cogs never stop) I dont realy see little flyers on doors ,once I've been trained by repetition I would remember to look .

          • In Vino 4.1.1.1.1
            17 June 2020 at 8:14 pm

            Thank you Observer for the best comment so far. Unfortunately, it requires sustained attention.

    • mauī 4.2
      17 June 2020 at 12:13 pm

      I don't see it as a human error, it's a systemic error. We've been loose with arrivals since Corona began and relied on handing them a leaflet at the airport and then trusting that they "self-quarantine" at home. The safeguards haven't been there – like immediate test on arrival into the country.

      • observer 4.2.1
        17 June 2020 at 12:26 pm

        That description of what happens at the airport is months out of date.

        "If you have symptoms of COVID-19 or you are waiting for the results of a COVID-19 test, you will go to the quarantine hotel. Otherwise, you will go to one of the hotels being used for managed isolation.

        While in quarantine or managed isolation, you will be tested for COVID-19."

  5. Reality 5
    17 June 2020 at 11:19 am

    MS – how refreshing to read something sensible and reasoned. All too often in the last few weeks there has been pressure from the usual headline hunters to relax the rules. We don’t know at this stage, but the two women may have been very persuasive at getting the official to agree to their request to leave quarantine early.

    As for Todd Muller wanting to open up to students etc, most may follow the rules, but some young people notoriously also break the rules.

  6. Sabine 6
    17 June 2020 at 11:50 am

    Consider the likelihood that we won't be 'beating this' any time soon. That in fact it will be with us for many years, not because of anything we (NZ) does / do wrong, but because the rest of the world can't get it under control, or as is the case in the US might not even want to get it under control.

    What can and what should be done to allow people to be human in the presence of death and other lifetime events.

    How can people be transported across the country within the measures of quarantine to see their loved ones for hte last time? Be present at the funeral? Or even something like a baptism, a wedding etc. Or maybe just be able to go to an old folks home and give Mum/Dad a hug. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-brazil-hugs/in-brazil-the-elderly-and-loved-ones-reunite-with-a-little-ingenuity-idUSKBN23926A

    At some stage it might make more sense to start looking longterm at the future rather then just act on a week to week basis.

    This virus is mutating, it does many different things to different people, it affects the young, the very young, the not so young, and it kills quite indiscriminatly and considering that one may have it more then once it might be a silent killer just taking its time.

    Short of locking the doors and throwing away the keys – and keeping everyone in NZ without fault in and letting no one from the outside in (inclusive the suits in parliament) there is currently no way we can stay 'free' of this a hundred percent.

    So we might just get used at getting used to it and to manage it without going to complete lockdown every few weeks.

    • common sense 6.1
      17 June 2020 at 12:55 pm

      I think your correct with all of the above.

      I feel exactly the same.. People are so invested now with the decisions that have been made that i think the hardest part is not pointing the blame stick at someone everytime theres a problem. There is going to be mistakes , i think we all need to accept this.

      So do we behave as humans and offer compassion to others , or do we sit in fear and lash out at those that may impact our safety?

      Was the approach we took ever likely to lead to success in a world that relies on international travel. Our futures economy is heavily reliant on tourisim , we had to open the borders sooner or later

      We have already let a large crew in for the avatar movie. Is it likely that someone slipped through the net ? possibly

      Maybe as a collective we need to decide our future movements. The status quo at the moment makes no sense to me.. either lock it down or dont because this indecisive shit letting dribs and drabs through is never going to work

  7. AB 7
    17 June 2020 at 11:52 am

    Muller has been given an opening to play the 'çompetence' card. Yeah – the myth of Tory competence is utterly infuriating and unjustified, but extremely difficult to kill. Which is why it must never be given a chance to rise from the crypt where it belongs.

    Muller is effectively saying that National is so much more competent than Labour, that even with tens of thousands of additional foreign students arriving, they could implement a system so much better, that no leakage or stuff-ups would occur. This is obviously bollocks – but he has dressed it up in the aspirational gibberish of the corporate meeting room, e.g. "being ambitious". Some interviewer needs to tell Muller that he's not in 'business' now, he's actually out in the real world.

    • observer 7.1
      17 June 2020 at 12:03 pm

      It was frustrating listening to him get a free pass on students' quarantine. National's policy specifically states that the universities and institutions will be responsible for this.

      Anybody who's ever encountered uni bureaucracy will be laughing hysterically, and taking bets on the next cluster.

      • Tony Veitch (not etc.) 7.1.1
        17 June 2020 at 1:13 pm

        Canterbury University even left a body in a student room for weeks last year!

        Perhaps the fault of the sub-contractors, but those same people would, under the Natz plan, be responsible for the pastoral care of the quarantining foreign students.

    • Chris 7.2
      17 June 2020 at 12:57 pm

      What's even more frustrating is that Ardern's chosen style and approach prevents her, in a strange kind of way, from responding with the most accurate analysis.

  8. Policy Parrot 8
    17 June 2020 at 11:59 am

    The fault of this breach lies with these two women, not the health professionals, or those monitoring them.

    They asked for a compassionate exemption to the quarantine knowing full well that one of them had COVID like symptoms. However, they downplayed it as something else knowing full well that if they had of been more honest/open, that their exemption would not been granted.

    NZ Healthcare professionals took them at their word and let them go. The only thing that can realistically change is that there shouldn't be any exemptions, fullstop. They literally took the mickey out of us. I am sorry that their parent died, but how many more parents may potentially die because of their choice?

    • Muttonbird 8.1
      17 June 2020 at 12:15 pm

      +1. I'm pretty angry about this. Everyone in this country spent 9 weeks being ultra careful, self aware and compliant.

      But here are these two swanning in from England, where Covid 19 response has been woeful, political, confused, loose and diluted. Result 41,969 dead.

      I feel like those who are here, and did what we did, deserve better than being hijacked by a couple of ex-pats who like to slide through the system when they can.

    • Enough is Enough 8.2
      17 June 2020 at 12:15 pm

      So you think we should have a system of everyone just being honest. And if people aren't honest then its their fault?

      This is too fucking important to simply rely on people's honesty.

      Quarantine is quarantine. The government must ensure that people returning from covid countries are fully isolated from the public for two weeks and are not released until negative tests are returned. That is the price you must pay for coming to New Zealand.

    • roy cartland 8.3
      17 June 2020 at 12:17 pm

      I agree. Compassionate grounds, my arse. I had to miss a very close funeral as it would have pushed the gathering over 100; and that was just between Auckland and Wellington. I'm far from the only one.

      Now these people who have chosen to live as far away as humanly possible from their 'loved one' are suddenly all about compassion. How about some of that flowing the other way, i.e. towards everyone they've put at risk.

      People will always have a bias towards their own interests, especially in times of distress, so the policy needs to be airtight.

    • joe90 8.4
      17 June 2020 at 1:12 pm

      An acquaintance was unable to attend the very difficult birth of his twins yet these blow-ins deliberately misled authorities in order to attend to a corpse.

      He's incandescent and everyone else I've talked to this AM are livid.

      • mpledger 8.4.1
        17 June 2020 at 6:35 pm

        To be fair, it was probably more about the other parent. And I don't think they knew they had covid-19 because they have exposed their parent to covid-19. If the older one is 45 ("in their fourties") and their parent had that child at 25 that would make that parent 70. There is no way you are going near a 70 year old knowingly with covid-19.

        • joe90 8.4.1.1
          17 June 2020 at 7:37 pm

          To be fair, it was probably more about the other parent.

          To be fair, a young woman didn't endure difficult first time births without the support of her partner and family so that two entitled, typhoid Mary shit-birds could go swanning about the country because of a parent's feelings.

          //

          .

          • In Vino 8.4.1.1.1
            17 June 2020 at 8:25 pm

            Simmer down. Are you on a high sugar intake? That 'protests too much' Shakespearian line comes to mind.

            • joe90 8.4.1.1.1.1
              17 June 2020 at 8:57 pm

              I'm entitled to be as filthy as I fucking like about this shit fight.

              Your sanctimonious gibbering does little to quell my rising bile.

  9. Ian James 9
    17 June 2020 at 12:21 pm

    Well written and to the point. Totally agree with everything said.

    Just one distracting point, you should use the correct spelling of border.

    Perhaps your spell checker has let you down!

  10. Sanctuary 10
    17 June 2020 at 12:25 pm

    Slightly off topic, but a report on the eugenics approach in Sweden from a Swedish doctor. The Swedish approach is criminal.

    Worth watching all the way through.

    • RedLogix 10.1
      17 June 2020 at 12:44 pm

      The world's first feminist government eh?

      Let me clear on this, I think Ardern has done a brilliant job with COVID and I'm incredibly proud of how she's led NZ to an outstanding outcome so far.

      But to my mind the credit for this must go to who she is as a person, and much less to any 'ism label we're so fond of attaching to people.

      • solkta 10.1.1
        17 June 2020 at 2:05 pm

        WTF?

        • RedLogix 10.1.1.1
          17 June 2020 at 2:52 pm

          Well Sanctuary called it a 'criminal response' and I linked direct to a Swedish govt website claim. Making the connection is something no-one on the far left wants to do, but it's there lying in the open like a dead cat done bouncing.

  11. Paaparakauta 11
    17 June 2020 at 12:54 pm

    There is nothing like a brush with death to awake survival instincts. We have to assume the virus is here and adopt realistic preventive measures without losing our common sense and social integration.

    • common sense 11.1
      17 June 2020 at 1:32 pm

      Perhaps its time to ask US as a country how we tackle this problem instead of being told.

      We are the ones wearing the consequences , Its the collective future that is at stake, perhaps the collective should decide on the rules?

      Referendum?

      I dont think our current approach can work sustainably unless a cure presents itself in the short term, How do others feel?

      We were told we had done the right thing . Now we are back where we started..

      Did those 2 new cases stop for food, stop for gas , interact with the public? do we take their word for it?

      Will there now be an explosion cluster pop up because people have let their gaurd down?

      Do we concede that this is not beatable and just carry on life as usual? Nz was supposed to be the beacon of light that showed the world it was beatable..

      If the gov still lets people through the border for any reason we will always be vulnerable

      my ultimate path forward would be a public debate on the issue , televised so that the public can make an informed decision , Then a referendum with the right questions to take the country forward united in a true sense. There would need to be a law passed that if any person involved in the discussion gave misinformation knowingly in the public forum then there must be consequences of incarceration

      • Paaparakauta 11.1.1
        17 June 2020 at 2:05 pm

        .. so Napoleon and Wellington should have fought via referendum ?

        • common sense 11.1.1.1
          17 June 2020 at 2:27 pm

          I cant see your context sorry?

          We live in the greatest information age of recorded history with an infrastructure that can easily support collective progression.

          Are you saying that we shouldnt have a say in our future. I respect your right to your own opinions and perceptions but i think that is a little self rightous if thats what you are saying

          wars are deception , the people that normally fight them are doing the bidding of people that wont personally enter the battlefield . Lusitania , gulf of tonkin, 911 weapons of mass destruction? An informed public making its own decisions can at least hold itself responsible for childrens blood on its hands.

          • In Vino 11.1.1.1.1
            17 June 2020 at 8:29 pm

            Your optimism is refreshing. We do NOT have a well-informed public, in case you had not noticed. Sorry..

      • anker 11.1.2
        17 June 2020 at 4:20 pm

        common sense, many many polls have shown that the public hugely support the response.

        Lets not give up yet

        • common sense 11.1.2.1
          17 June 2020 at 4:54 pm

          Im not giving up..

          Polls have their purpose. So does public debate..

          Im just not sure we are making the right decisions. I used to play rugby league, i didnt train for my strengths , i tried to remove the holes in my game.. sometimes i couldnt see the holes in my game and had to rely on outside council to see them.

          I also have a fetish for parachutes , This activity allows me to look at emotional fear and logical fear in a way that i have to be honest with myself. It is very easy to allow emotional fear to override ones better judgement

          This to me is a multi facet decision that isnt as simple as one definitive decision or direction. To me we are stumbling through the darkness with a candle , only able to see a few feet into the darkness.

          There are so many contradictions in the official narrative that baffle me. An example is we borrow billions to keep the country locked down then in the same breath allow a film crew come in for bussiness reasons that are peanuts in the grand scheme of things.

          To me this is a slap in the face for those that sacrificed their time and resources. so that some impatient people who cant wait for us as a country to get our affairs and priorities in order can have their way like spoilt little children

  12. observer 12
    17 June 2020 at 1:36 pm

    No new cases today. Phew.

    (Todd Muller kicks the furniture … "Not fair, I can't catch a break").

  13. joe90 13
    17 June 2020 at 1:42 pm

    First night out at the pub after a three month lock-down and 16 friends contracted C19.

    https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2020/06/15/woman-15-friends-test-positive-for-coronavirus-after-night-out-at-lynchs/

  14. anker 14
    17 June 2020 at 2:53 pm

    Yes a big mistake, but actually the plan around them coming to Wellington was good and if they are to be believed then only one other potential transmission sadly to their relative in Wellington. Here's hoping not. I am still bemused that these women didn't consider the possibility they were infected. I travelled to London in mid Feb and returned on 28th to visit a sick relative. Covid was nothing like now, but I was completely mindful that I could pick it up and bring it back and was scrupulous about hand hygiene social distancing etc. I offered to have a test on arrival and on return, when I had very minor symptoms……

    If the women are true to their word it will be contained in Wellington (hopefully neither of them will need hospital care. All the others in Ak being tested would have had to be tested anyway when it was discovered they had covid as surely a test would have been done before they left quarantine. Something for the military to look into.

  15. Peter 15
    17 June 2020 at 2:55 pm

    Question time had the Nats orgasmic about the quarantine error. This was to be their big moment with the help of the ET (Epsom Twerp).

    If they're relying on some health worker stuffing up to be the big game changer they're well and truly stuffed themselves.

  16. Anne 16
    17 June 2020 at 3:00 pm

    I caught the question time of Jacinda Ardern's special press conference. She was superb.

    mickeysavage is correct. The protocols were in place… the staff on the ground in this case did not follow proper procedures as laid down by the Govt. back in March. She's called in the Deputy Chief of Defence to oversee all future protocols are carried out in accordance with instructions.

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12340651

    • te reo putake 16.1
      17 June 2020 at 3:07 pm

      I've got a mate who is really lovely, but who, sadly, is already convinced that NZ is a Marxist dictatorship. You wanna see the state of him now the army is involved!

    • OnceWasTim 16.2
      17 June 2020 at 6:37 pm

      Probably the best thing she could have done. Hopefully it'll make people realise just how serious things are (and by people, I mean members of Parly armint, 'officials' and mere plebs alike)

  17. Reality 17
    17 June 2020 at 4:06 pm

    Jacinda has again shown what a natural leader she is. Superb response to all that has happened in the last day.

    Despite no blame being laid at the actions of the two women, they seem to have taken advantage of the procedure in Auckland. One would think they should have abided by the well known quarantine time. Was the official persuaded, or pleaded with to allow them to leave. Or that person felt in a good mood and cheerfully told them to go early.

  18. Adrian 18
    17 June 2020 at 4:20 pm

    I have a suspicion as to what has happened here, as the military has now been called in to run quarantine and isolation its my bet that this is a private contractors fuck-up., someone like Armourgard staffed by people who never really paid attention in school.

    I'm pretty sure DOH doesn't have enough staff to do this sort of security.

    Private enterprise eh, who would have thought they could possibly fuck up.

    • mac1 18.1
      17 June 2020 at 4:28 pm

      Adrian, someone made a comment that if Muller had his way and we had lots of overseas students quarantined in Queenstown, that the same authorities/contractors who allowed a body to lie for weeks in a hostel bed would be in charge of their security.

      Probably Todd Muller is touting another little earner for private security companies. Never waste a crisis….. who said that?

    • RedBaronCV 18.2
      17 June 2020 at 4:30 pm

      Likely Outsourced contract private security creaming it at the top and not bothering to supervise the minimum wage staff at the bottom. What could go wrong ?

      • Adrian 18.2.1
        17 June 2020 at 4:43 pm

        If the military have been brought in immediately it is almost certain that this isn't the first failure of process. I hope there are really big penalties for these failures and of course the loss of what almost certainly as you say, is a grossly overpriced contract.

        The poor buggers at the bottom will be out of a job but the lesson there is pay more bloody attention in school. Mind you, I can't talk,my record there was patchy at best.
        I see Todd being caught out on this one too, Mac.

  19. RedBaronCV 19
    17 June 2020 at 4:22 pm

    Isn't it time that dedicated quarantine facility's are organised? According to a RNZ story the hotels being used are also still being used for other guests ( much as the wellington hotel is) so everybody has to be much more vigilant. If we used some total dedicated hotels then they could be split into wings with appropriate outdoor areas and separated out by date of arrival in the country with site entry controlled so the couriers had somewhere to drop off the shopping. And the testing crew could visit daily. I've stayed in places close to the airport that would be ideal – have large grounds and lots of car parks. It has to beat trotting people around busy Auckland central streets on a daily walk. And minimise the staff at the premises by delivering meals in bulk from airline kitchens, and deep cleaning only as people leave. They can do their own day to day stuff?

    Brook Sabin made a very good point in stuff. The economic, social and emotional costs from lockdown or covoid resurgence are gong to be large and borne by others in the community.

    Lastly is the management of these facilities outsourced. That never seems to be mentioned.One of the epidemic specialists was saying it was complicated because so many different groups where involved.

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/419184/covid-19-isolation-and-quarantine-facilities-to-be-inspected

  20. anker 20
    17 June 2020 at 4:25 pm

    I also think the guy who took the govt to court and won to get to see his dying relative has some responsibility here……I cannot believe people's selfishness. Many of us don't get to funeral's see our loved ones in their last hours etc under the best of circumstances…….

    Many NZders made these sacrifices during lockdown. If there's one thing I have learnt about Covid it is how f…g selfish some people are.

  21. observer 21
    17 June 2020 at 5:04 pm

    Questions for Michael Woodhouse (which won't be answered):

    Mr W, you are National's health spokesman.

    When you were told about stranger(s) having close physical contact with these positive cases of Covid-19, did you advise your informant to self-isolate?

    Did you also advise your informant to get tested? and to inform relevant health authorities? and to inform their own close contacts, to assist tracing?

    Did you take any other action, to protect public health? If not, why not?

    • mary_a 21.1
      17 June 2020 at 6:34 pm

      Well said Observer (21).

      As this is a very serious public health issue with far reaching consequences, perhaps Mr Woodhouse could produce some form of evidence to support his claim.

      • Anne 21.1.1
        17 June 2020 at 6:52 pm

        I am not normally a conspiracy theorist but I have some suspicions about this story. It has the smell of a set-up about it and Woodhouse has been taken for a ride.

        It would be hilariously funny if it turned out to be true. 😀

          • Anne 21.1.1.1.1
            17 June 2020 at 9:04 pm

            Yes. I have just seen the article and it has a nasty smell about it.

            It doesn't seem likely the acquaintances who lent the two women a car would have contacted Woodhouse but somebody did.

            It looks to me like this person – plus Woodhouse – have behaved in an irresponsible manner and tried to make political capital out of a deadly serious situation. I hope it backfires on them big time.

            • Herodotus 21.1.1.1.1.1
              17 June 2020 at 9:13 pm

              Really !!!! – These 2 from leaving the Novotel in Ellerslie 50m from a motorway on ramp got lost. Their actions have stuffed it up for many others who are in a similar situation with sick family, funerals etc. You blame Woodhouse for this – He wasn't the one who got us in this position.
              And did the car or their phones not have google maps or some other travel mapping ?
              As the story grows the PM, Minister, MOH and others have been "unknowingly" telling an incomplete story. Someone needs to get the full story and take ownership to this.

              • Anne …
                17 June 2020 at 9:42 pm

                You blame Woodhouse for this –

                I did nothing of the sort. My gripe is he sat on information he received and didn't do the responsible thing and advise either the minister or someone in the MoH response unit. Instead he sits on it and then uses it in the House in an attempt to undermine the Health Minister and the Director General of Health, Ashley Bloomfield.

                What a pathetic little man.

                • Stunned Mullet …
                  17 June 2020 at 9:50 pm

                  I don't think the Minister of Health needs any help to be undermined.

                  It's the one and only area he's been proven to have a special skill, certainly he's the most incompetent Minister of Health we've had in NZ for many years.

                  • observer …
                    17 June 2020 at 10:00 pm

                    Apart from the ones who ran down the public health system, i.e. the ones immediately before him.

                • Herodotus …
                  17 June 2020 at 9:54 pm

                  How do you know he sat on it for so many days ? and if he came out immediately without checking imagine the outrage of an unsubstantiated accusation and wasting MoH and others time, from my reading below this has only been 4 days brewing.

                  Min of Heath needs no help to be undermined.

                  "According to a Facebook post by Felicia Alkin, the owner and founder of Highland Park's Lioness Gym for Women, the unnamed member was in contact with the two women on Saturday."

                  https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12340830

                  • Anne …
                    17 June 2020 at 10:03 pm

                    Because I read an article that he sat on it for up up to two days. That may have been an exaggeration but he sat on it for quite a while.

                    Why don’t you go to Kiwiblog. Your reckons are far more in tune with them.

                    • Herodotus …
                      17 June 2020 at 10:26 pm

                      Any link that would help to your claim of 2 days ?
                      interesting when challenged you suggest me to go elsewhere especially as the initial commentary was that this was Made up 😉 which I note you were willing to accept.

                      perhaps you should visit TDB many of my concerns are mirrored there. Interesting that !!

            • Maggy Wassilieff 21.1.1.1.1.2
              17 June 2020 at 9:13 pm

              It's not Woodhouse at fault.

              Folks just need to check their facts..

              and other folks just need to check that their minions are performing the tasks they are paid to perform.

              It's not rocket science.

              • observer …
                17 June 2020 at 9:56 pm

                No, it's medical science.

                And the facts are that the man who wants to be Minister of Health put a "gotcha" ahead of public health.

                I note you have not addressed any of the questions I listed above. Maybe you – and Woodhouse – think they don't matter … politically. But for public health they certainly do.

    • Adrian 21.2
      17 June 2020 at 8:25 pm

      Why did Woodhouse wait over 18 hours to do the big reveal ?. Because I don't think even he trusts the story and needed Parliamentary Privilege to tell it so he didn't get sued.

      A very manipulative shit.

  22. Anker 22
    17 June 2020 at 5:46 pm

    Did these women lie about having no contact with anyone between the hotel an Wellington?

    woman speaking to Lisa own on checkpoint who is currently in the hotel the women were. We were offered a test on the third day but we didn’t want one ffs. Bloody selfish

    • Leighton 22.1
      17 June 2020 at 6:33 pm

      Given the mood of the nation you would have to be a special kind of stupid to voluntarily appear on national radio to declare that you've swanned in to the country at level 1 and are refusing to take a test.

  23. Ad 23
    17 June 2020 at 5:51 pm

    Until about this point I saw Ardern as 'all heart no spine'. Just way too moist.

    But calling the military down on the Police and the MoH after this fuckup, going full Command and Control on their ass.

    Now she's showing something.

  24. anker 24
    17 June 2020 at 6:40 pm

    I agree Leighton, but that is what the woman said on the interview with Checkpoint.

    I am astounded that nurses would only ask "are you o.k.?" Was it nurses or hotel staff?

    I am livid at the possibility these women may have lied. I am livid they were so stupid as not to report symptoms!

    I am really livid about the whole thing…………………

  25. Pat 25
    17 June 2020 at 6:44 pm

    Covid is a bastard…but what is a bigger bastard is MoH staff who fail to do the basics of their job.

    there is no way to excuse this lack of competence by those on the ground.

    • Anne 25.1
      17 June 2020 at 6:56 pm

      If it was MOH staff Pat. Bloomfield is currently investigating what actually happened so I guess we need to be patient and wait for the findings.

      • Pat 25.1.1
        17 June 2020 at 7:01 pm

        No testing (contrary to direction)…if thats not the responsibility of MoH then id be bloody surprised

  26. RedBaronCV 26
    17 June 2020 at 7:45 pm

    And the advice to aircrew updated 16 June:

    If the aircrew have been in a "high Risk" situation overseas

    On return
    • Complete arrivals health assessment.

    • Must complete self-isolation at home for 2 nights (48
    hours) after their arrival, have a COVID-19 test and continue
    to self-isolate at home until the result of their test is known.

    • Guidelines for self-isolation can be found here:
    https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-andconditions/
    covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-healthadvice-
    general-public/covid-19-self-isolation-closecontacts-
    and-travellers

    • May fly domestically to their home to complete the self isolation.

    Who dreamed this lot up? A crew can go overseas be exposed in a high risk situation then come back here fly domestic to their home ( and infect the rest of the flight) and then self isolate. After the large loan that AirNZ has they should be able to rotate and quarantine all crews. Yes it would cost more but a lot less than the billions spent on covid relief so far. An overseas aircrew should just go to quarantine & return back to their plane. And I hope they blue light all these Planes before anyone even steps onto them to try cleaning them or remove rubbish

  27. Muttonbird 27
    17 June 2020 at 8:49 pm

    Something is up with this case.

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/419252/ministry-confirms-women-with-covid-19-did-stop-on-trip

    The Novotel Ellerslie is literally on top of the Southern motorway jammed hard up against the Greenlane interchange. Apparently they got lost between the hotel and the motorway, a drive less than 500m…yeah, right.

    Someone is still lying.

    • RedBaronCV 27.1
      17 June 2020 at 9:20 pm

      One supposes that if they are citizens they may have been to Auckland at some previous point and could therefore find their way to the motorway. Even if they checked up on the sun I'm sure they could have found their way south without a map.

      At this point I think they need to be stuffed back into this magic long range car to drive themselves back to Auckland under police escort and shoved into isolation and then be charged with whatever offences are appropriate.. If they have lied about this then I imagine their version of self isolation consists of having all the friends and family around to their place. Not to mention that both Ash and Jacinda put their credibility on the line by saying they had followed the rules. Another 100 contacts no doubt. Not people that can be trusted obviously.

  28. Peter Barrett 28
    17 June 2020 at 8:52 pm

    So here they are, two digital natives driving out of the Novotel Ellerslie with freshly charged phones and Google Maps at the ready, and they've gone around the Greenlane roundabout and oops headed for the city and what…? They call a mate they haven't seen for years but whose number they have and say "We're terribly lost!" and they reply "Stop where you are!" and get into their car and some minutes later, maybe 10 or 15, turn up like Roadside Rescue to the point where they dropped a pin and say to the bewildered pair "Sorry to hear about your Mum|Dad, turn around and take the on-ramp next to the off-ramp you came off and follow the signs to Hamilton!", then get a hug and a kiss from the relieved siblings and off they go. A vital rescue mission for two New Zealanders returning from the UK unable to find the Southern Motorway that's been out their hotel window for days, involving close physical contact? Come on. Noddy and Big Ears could do better than that.

    • Muttonbird 28.1
      17 June 2020 at 9:56 pm

      If they have deliberately broken the agreed travel plan (can't believe there is such a thing!) to drop in on friends in Auckland, they are in serious trouble.

    • Leighton 28.2
      18 June 2020 at 2:26 pm

      Check Google Street view. The approach from the Novotel Ellerslie onto the south-bound Southern Motorway is a direct left turn from the far left lane. Nothing complicated at all about it. You don't even need to go around the Greenlane roundabout, the turn-off is just before that.

      Not knowing how familiar they were with Auckland and taking into account that they were probably not firing on all cylinders given their parent had just died, it is possible that they had no idea where they were going and got themselves stuck in the inside lane from which the only option is to get onto the northbound motorway. But given the incorrect information which has been provided to date I wouldn't bet my house on that being the explanation (I will be needing my house for the next lockdown).

  29. RedBaronCV 29
    17 June 2020 at 9:30 pm

    Apparently diplomats and their families are exempt and don't have to quarantine either. FFS.

    Just dis accredit them

  30. Maggy Wassilieff 30
    17 June 2020 at 9:48 pm

    Not much pressure on Gang affiliates to return to quarantine on time, either..

    https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/hamilton-runaways-fled-authorities-after-attending-funeral-of-mongrel-mob-member/

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    Barrie Saunders writes – Dear Paul As the new Minister of Media and Communications, you will be inundated with heaps of free advice and special pleading, all in the national interest of course. For what it’s worth here is my assessment: Traditional broadcasting free to air content through ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: FastTrackWatch – The Case for the Government’s Fast Track Bill
    Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its arguments for such a bold reform. ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    5 days ago

  • Luxon gets out his butcher’s knife – briefly
    Peter Dunne writes –  The great nineteenth British Prime Minister, William Gladstone, once observed that “the first essential for a Prime Minister is to be a good butcher.” When a later British Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan, sacked a third of his Cabinet in July 1962, in what became ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • More tax for less
    Ele Ludemann writes – New Zealanders had the OECD’s second highest tax increase last year: New Zealanders faced the second-biggest tax raises in the developed world last year, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) says. The intergovernmental agency said the average change in personal income tax ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Real News vs Fake News.
    We all know something’s not right with our elections. The spread of misinformation, people being targeted with soundbites and emotional triggers that ignore the facts, even the truth, and influence their votes.The use of technology to produce deep fakes. How can you tell if something is real or not? Can ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • Another way to roll
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.Share ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • Simon Clark: The climate lies you'll hear this year
    This video includes conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Simon Clark. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). This year you will be lied to! Simon Clark helps prebunk some misleading statements you'll hear about climate. The video includes ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • Cutting the Public Service
    It is all very well cutting the backrooms of public agencies but it may compromise the frontlines. One of the frustrations of the Productivity Commission’s 2017 review of universities is that while it observed that their non-academic staff were increasing faster than their academic staff, it did not bother to ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    6 days ago

  • Luxon’s demoted ministers might take comfort from the British politician who bounced back after th...
    Buzz from the Beehive Two speeches delivered by Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters at Anzac Day ceremonies in Turkey are the only new posts on the government’s official website since the PM announced his Cabinet shake-up. In one of the speeches, Peters stated the obvious:  we live in a troubled ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • This is how I roll over
    1. Which of these would you not expect to read in The Waikato Invader?a. Luxon is here to do business, don’t you worry about thatb. Mr KPI expects results, and you better believe itc. This decisive man of action is getting me all hot and excitedd. Melissa Lee is how ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago

  • The Waitangi Tribunal is not “a roving Commission”…
    …it has a restricted jurisdiction which must not be abused: it is not an inquisition   NOTE – this article was published before the High Court ruled that Karen Chhour does not have to appear before the Waitangi Tribunal Gary Judd writes –  The High Court ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • Is Oranga Tamariki guilty of neglect?
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – One of reasons Oranga Tamariki exists is to prevent child neglect. But could the organisation itself be guilty of the same? Oranga Tamariki’s statistics show a decrease in the number and age of children in care. “There are less children ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • Three Strikes saw lower reoffending
    David Farrar writes: Graeme Edgeler wrote in 2017: In the first five years after three strikes came into effect 5248 offenders received a ‘first strike’ (that is, a “stage-1 conviction” under the three strikes sentencing regime), and 68 offenders received a ‘second strike’. In the five years prior to ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • Luxon’s ruthless show of strength is perfect for our angry era
    Bryce Edwards writes – Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesn’t normally happen in politics. That’s refreshing and will be extremely ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • 'Lacks attention to detail and is creating double-standards.'
    TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the two days to 6:06am on Thursday, April 25:Politics: PM Christopher Luxon has set up a dual standard for ministerial competence by demoting two National Cabinet ministers while leaving also-struggling ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • One Night Only!
    Hi,Today I mainly want to share some of your thoughts about the recent piece I wrote about success and failure, and the forces that seemingly guide our lives. But first, a quick bit of housekeeping: I am doing a Webworm popup in Los Angeles on Saturday May 11 at 2pm. ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago

  • What did Melissa Lee do?
    It is hard to see what Melissa Lee might have done to “save” the media. National went into the election with no public media policy and appears not to have developed one subsequently. Lee claimed that she had prepared a policy paper before the election but it had been decided ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago

  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #17 2024
    Open access notables Ice acceleration and rotation in the Greenland Ice Sheet interior in recent decades, Løkkegaard et al., Communications Earth & Environment: In the past two decades, mass loss from the Greenland ice sheet has accelerated, partly due to the speedup of glaciers. However, uncertainty in speed derived from satellite products ...
    Skeptical Science
    7 days ago

  • Maori Party (with “disgust”) draws attention to Chhour’s race after the High Court rules on Wa...
    Buzz from the Beehive A statement from Children’s Minister Karen Chhour – yet to be posted on the Government’s official website – arrived in Point of Order’s email in-tray last night. It welcomes the High Court ruling on whether the Waitangi Tribunal can demand she appear before it. It does ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    7 days ago

  • Who’s Going Up The Media Mountain?
    Mr Bombastic: Ironically, the media the academic experts wanted is, in many ways, the media they got. In place of the tyrannical editors of yesteryear, advancing without fear or favour the interests of the ruling class; the New Zealand news media of today boasts a troop of enlightened journalists dedicated to ...
    Bowalley Road
    7 days ago

  • “That's how I roll”
    It's hard times try to make a livingYou wake up every morning in the unforgivingOut there somewhere in the cityThere's people living lives without mercy or pityI feel good, yeah I'm feeling fineI feel better then I have for the longest timeI think these pills have been good for meI ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago

  • “Comity” versus the rule of law
    In 1974, the US Supreme Court issued its decision in United States v. Nixon, finding that the President was not a King, but was subject to the law and was required to turn over the evidence of his wrongdoing to the courts. It was a landmark decision for the rule ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week 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
    5 hours 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
    16 hours 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
    16 hours 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
    18 hours 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
    24 hours 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
    24 hours 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 day 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days ago

  • Trade Minister travels to Riyadh, OECD, and Dubai
    Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Education priorities focused on lifting achievement
    Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • NZTA App first step towards digital driver licence
    The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say.  “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Supporting whānau out of emergency housing
    Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Tribute to Dave O'Sullivan
    Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Speech – Eid al-Fitr
    Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Government saves access to medicines
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff.    “Access to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwis’ lives. We’ve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Pharmac Chair appointed
    Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Taking action on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
    Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says.  “Every day, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • New sports complex opens in Kaikohe
    Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Diplomacy needed more than ever
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges.    “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address, Buttes New British Cemetery Belgium
    Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service.  It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address – NZ National Service, Chunuk Bair
    Distinguished guests -   It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders.   Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address – Dawn Service, Gallipoli, Türkiye
    Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia.   Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • PM announces changes to portfolios
    Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • New catch limits for unique fishery areas
    Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Minister welcomes hydrogen milestone
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Urgent changes to system through first RMA Amendment Bill
    The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Overseas decommissioning models considered
    Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Release of North Island Severe Weather Event Inquiry
    Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Justice Minister to attend Human Rights Council
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order.  “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Patterson reopens world’s largest wool scouring facility
    Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Speech to the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective Summit, 18 April 2024
    Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing  At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin    Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho    Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today.    I am delighted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government to introduce revised Three Strikes law
    The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • New diplomatic appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions.   “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says.    “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Humanitarian support for Ethiopia and Somalia
    New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today.   “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Arts Minister congratulates Mataaho Collective
    Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale.  “It is good ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

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