Does National actually have any policy?

Written By: - Date published: 9:00 am, July 6th, 2020 - 66 comments
Categories: health, labour, national, same old national, tertiary education, todd muller, tourism - Tags: , ,

National has recently been upping the campaign rhetoric but there is a disturbing lack of policy detail.

During her Congress Speech Jacinda Ardern reviewed the Government’s response so far and set out a five point plan including the following:

  • Investing in trades and apprenticeships.
  • A $1.1 billion Jobs for Nature package that was announced at Budget 2020.
  • Investments in waste management and energy generation.
  • A package of 23 projects across the country that will clean up our waterways and deliver over 2,000 jobs
  • Extension of the Small Business Loan Scheme to the end of the year
  • A $150 million fund to provide loans to R&D-intensive businesses to address climate change.

While on the weekend National announced:

  • A new road that has been announced twice before.

In fact the new road, from Cambridge to Piarere in the Waikato was previously a road of National Significance that went from Cambridge through Piarere to Tirau.  It was a previous project announced again but scaled back.  How ambitious can you get?

Early in the current term there was a claim earlier on that National with its 56 MPs was going to be a policy factory.  There is precious little evidence of this.  When you look at National’s website there are a bunch of policy papers full of rhetoric and nice pictures.  The two policy announcements I could find are these:

  • “National would allow tertiary education providers to bring international students into New Zealand, under strict quarantine and testing protocols, to support our education sector and economic recovery.”
  • “The closure of New Zealand’s borders and ongoing domestic business restrictions due to Covid-19 are posing an enormous challenge to the tourism industry. Struggling tourism operators need immediate relief to stay afloat and to ensure the industry can rebuild.”

Melbourne’s experience of using cheap security labour to enforce quarantine shows what a potential disaster the first policy is.  The Age has some of the details:

When the Victorian government decided in late March to put private security contractors in charge of hotel quarantine in Melbourne, it was putting the lives of its constituents in the hands of an industry known for shady operators, wage theft and opaque contracting practices.

The lightning decision was made during the first alarming spread of COVID-19 and just 24 hours after the national cabinet on March 27 had decided to detain returning travellers in hotels for two weeks. From then on three private security operators – selected without a tender – would guard the people at the highest risk of carrying the coronavirus.

Victoria’s decision was different to that in NSW, the other state where a significant number of travellers also returned to compulsory hotel quarantine. In that state, police and the defence forces were heavily involved alongside private security. The system has had far fewer problems with outbreaks.

Infection numbers have surged and parts of Melbourne have gone into strict lockdown.

As for relief for tourism operators I struggle to understand why.  With the pandemic raging overseas the prospects of us opening up the borders to major markets in the near or even medium future are low.

What National does have is three slogans that it is going to use again and again and again.  These are:

  • Labour is shambolic.
  • Labour will increase taxes.
  • A strong National Government to deliver more jobs.

Muller should be careful with his rhetoric.  There is more than a sneaky suspicion that there is a National supporter within Health leaking information to Michael Woodhouse.  The disclosure during the weekend that personal information of infected people had been leaked to media appears to be a response to the ridicule that Hamish Walker received after claiming that potentially infected people from India, Pakistan and Korea were going to be staying in Queenstown hotels may have prompted them to release the personal details.

Hipkins is throwing a lot of resource at finding the leaker.  This could be interesting.

And Muller should be embarassed at the rhetoric he is throwing around.  About the leak he said “[i]s it a deliberate leak or is it accidental? It doesn’t really matter at a level … it’s loose, it’s shabby and it’s a reminder these guys can’t manage important things well”.

Leaks from the public service are not a new thing and happen all the time.  And if leaks are a sign of incompetence then the National Caucus are exceedingly incompetent.

66 comments on “Does National actually have any policy? ”

  1. dv 1

    Don't forget the bonfire of regulations and Tax cuts!!!!

  2. Sacha 2

    The PM seems to realise that countering the Nats is as simple as focusing on tangible jobs this government can actually deliver – as opposed to Muller's hand-wavy fantasy ones.

    I'd also suggest the left adopts desperate as a widespread response to Hooton's 'shambles'.

    Every time one of these pale relics opens their mouth, it sounds like the 90s all over again. No wonder they don't want to lead with policy.

  3. Sabine 3

    yes, tax cuts and open the border.

    lol. same as it ever was.

  4. Just Is 4

    How could anyone vote for these cretins.

    I watched Mullers responses on the news last night, his use of the word " Shambolic" for the situation where a returnee in isolation had climbed a 1.8mtr high fence in the smoking area to gain freedom pretty much describes his election policy in a nutshell.

    Why didn't the reporter ask him what his solution would be, cos they new that National don't do solutions, everything is Ad Hoc.

    Scaremongering is the main policy, there is no detailed policies on anything, reactionary scaremongering will cover all topics, Health, Education, Infrustructure, Economics, they're only interested in winning at any cost.

    Certainly for voters, his display of politisizing an escapee that made significant effort to escape was very telling, he showed no concern for the potential risks, shifted the blame to the Govt rather than the offender and had no solution himself. How could anyone vote for him or his party with so little to offer in terms of reality where he and party have been able to offer a suitable alternative to current Isolation practices to minimise risk, he's a hollow man with absolutely nothing to offer everyday Kiwis.

    Last nights display was also a copy of what we would have expected from Bridges, and Bridges was dumped for that type of retoric and now we have Muller copying it, it's a joke really.

    I don't see Muller lifting National any further up the popularity scale than they were under Bridges, in fact I think Bridges has a few more brain cells than Muller, and that's not saying much.

    Roll on election, National are going to be sidelined by the voting public, but elevated by the blind media, my faith is in the NZ voting public.

    • tc 4.1

      It is that hollowing out of policy for 2 elections running, a reflection of dysfunction within.

      You don't employ hoots for an intelligent open discourse. You're after some alternative tactics which we've seen from the likes of woodhouse etc.

      • Just Is 4.1.1

        They've got nothing to offer, every statement, remark is aimed at the rusted on supporters that will always vote for them regardless on any policy vacuum, but the swinging voters have been supporting the current Govt as displayed in polls on responses to the pandemic.

        92% aproval rating at the height of the pandemic, is almost unheard of in our lifetimes, many will return to the default setting, but many more will in favour of the status quo

        Better the devil you know.

        • tc 4.1.1.1

          A lot of those rusted on supporters would be very pleased we have a govt committed to rebuilding rather than the flogging off and selling out having seen it's impacts over the last few decades.

          • Just Is 4.1.1.1.1

            Quite true.

            I still see National getting the mid 30s in the election, well down from 45.

            Doubt it will be enough to keep the current top seat warmer there though

  5. observer 5

    "When you look at National’s website there are a bunch of policy papers full of rhetoric and nice pictures. The two policy announcements …"

    I thought I'd better check this, as Micky S is hardly an unbiased source. So I went to the website, and not only is this statement true – it's actually worse. They have a section marked "policy" and there is none. At all. Only "Have your say" – asking US what National stand for. Bridges did have policies, but they seem to have been erased.

    But they do have a link to Todd Muller's speech, the day he took over from Simon. He proclaimed:

    "First and foremost – I'm about what's best for you and your family – not what's wrong with the Government. And I'm not interested in opposition for opposition's sake. We’re all tired of that kind of politics."

    Yes we are tired of it, Todd. But it turns out you really aren't.

    • Sacha 5.1

      If you're tired of that sort of politics, you don't hire a Hooton.

    • Just Is 5.2

      Your quote of Mullers first statement did not age well, not well at all.

      He's a puppet on strings, just not completely sure whose pulling the strings

    • new view 5.3

      Observer. The election is in September. I suspect National will have policy by then. Muller hasn’t had three years to generate his own policy surely. Labour sold us a list a mile long of policy at the last election. We’re still waiting. Oh that’s right they are intentions. Please!! I’m sure you and Mickey are happy to wait another three years. We might get a few aircraft to Rarotonga by then. You’re right we must be patient. 🥱

      • Incognito 5.3.1

        When he finally cracked that safe in his new office there were no policies in there. Simon Bridges had shredded all five bullet points. Poor Todd had to start from scratch and he’s still scratching.

  6. Tiger Mountain 6

    Nashnull got nuffink…

    Except–snitches galore in the public sector, a surly ‘born to rule’ entitlement disorder, a substantial dirty tricks IT department who rifle through people’s backstories to almost Primary School level it seems at times in their desperation. And of course, a lacklustre bal’head coot in a suit for leader.

    My worry is decades worth of historic voting patterns show a hard wired tory vote exists in New Zealand for various reasons–will that change sufficiently in September?

  7. That_guy 7

    This is unfair. National actually has four slogans, not three. The fourth one is "CRAZY GREENS, SOCIALIST VENUEZUELA , TAXES BAD, WHY CAN'T THEY STICK TO THE ENVIRONMENT LIKE THEY HAVE NEVER DONE, SOMETHING SOMETHING COMMUNISM". Or variations of the above.

  8. Muttonbird 8

    We will never know the identity of the National Party plant inside the Ministry of Health. If the person is found a deal will be done, and they will leave the public service quietly with no further media attention. Whatever penalty that person might have been subject to will be wiped in return for no redundancy package.

    The Nats themselves will be part of this deal and we the public will be kept in the dark once again.

    • Sacha 8.1

      You don't get to make that sort of deal when you are not in government. Hence their desperation to get back there.

    • Anne 8.2

      We will never know the identity of the National Party plant inside the Ministry of Health.

      No, we might not know his/her identity but I have confidence Chris Hipkins on behalf of the government will be only too happy to reveal all the circumstances around the person responsible – assuming of course it was done with malicious intent.

      What puzzles me is the fact that… surely the culprit would have known that the government would leave no stone un-turned in order to identify them given the seriousness of the leak.

      • Sacha 8.2.1

        The person who grabbed the information is not likely to be the one who spread it to media. The former is easier to identify.

    • Gabby 8.3

      Why not? What's to protect?

      • Draco T Bastard 8.3.1

        For some strange reason both business and government have taken to hiding their criminals. Something about image I suspect.

        They all seem to have forgotten that Justice needs to be seen to be done.

  9. FAB mouse 9

    I wasn't really paying attention but there was a statement I heard that sounded like a policy to stop the regional fuel tax.

    I didn't hear them challenged on the effect of this policy so stopped listening.

    • observer 9.1

      Yes, they have announced that before. It is their policy, along with a "congestion charge" and other options to claw back the lost revenue, details of which are … under discussion.

      So it's a good example of their policy-not-policy. Against something, sure. Alternative? No.

  10. satty 10

    The problem with having policies, especially if they are not overly well thought through, is that people might ask questions about it. You would have to know all the policies, including the details, and how they fit into a bigger picture.

    This requires a big brain to come up with them in the first place and to talk about them in all those interviews afterwards. So it’s a lot easier not to have any of those ideas and simply have some stupid slogans – see Boris Johnson – and just call everything out you don’t like about the other parties and their policies over and over again. The media in NZ is more than happy to amplify this bullshit for you.

  11. KJT 11

    National has a plan. They are just waiting for their owners to tell them what it is.

  12. KJT 12

    National's plan.

    Build more roads.

    Sell something.

    And. Tax cuts. (User charges, GST and fees "are not taxes", apparently).

    Same plan they had since 92.

    • Just Is 12.1

      kjt

      NZers didn't buy the Tax cuts in the last election, so offering them up again in these unusual times with no identifial method of compensating the shortfall shows how shallow they are.

      Interestingly, the only party that voted against the Tax cuts that Bill English introduced to Parliament prior to the election was the Labour Party, every other party voted for them.

      Just a reminder for everyone

      • Draco T Bastard 12.1.1

        Interestingly, the only party that voted against the Tax cuts that Bill English introduced to Parliament prior to the election was the Labour Party, every other party voted for them.

        [citation needed]

        • Just Is 12.1.1.1

          Sorry, I thought it was common knowledge, it was certainly banded around by the media prior to the last election.

          I hope your concern is not related to the Fact the Greens voted in favour of those Tax Cuts.

          I use my phone for making comments, it is imposible for me to provide a link, which is generally why I try to avoid the need for a link.

          Your welcome to prove me wrong of course, I'm happy to graciously appologise if I'm proven wrong

          • Draco T Bastard 12.1.1.1.1

            mikeinauckland:

            The Greens are apparently only voting in favour of the family tax part of the Budget, which is presently being debated in Parliament, you can watch it live on Parliament TV, channel 31 on Freeview.

            While this raises some eyebrows, it appears that the Greens feel there are some benefits in this part of the Budget, that offer some income improvements for families, so they rather support it, as these are overdue. This does not come without criticism though, and it appears the Greens still oppose other parts of the Budget.

            It seems that you were exaggerating.

            • Just Is 12.1.1.1.1.1

              Sorry, they (The Green Party) voted for the Tax cuts, that is the family tax part, just not the rest of the economic plan, on the basis that low income families would benefit from it. The statement also concludes "raised eybrows" from those wathching proceedings.

              I will reiterate, the Labour party was the only party to vote against the Tax cuts, your link simply proves that the Greens voted for the Tax cuts, but not for the balance of the economic plan.

              I don't really see it as an exaggeration, when the article you've provided clearly states the Greens voted for the Tax cuts only, which what I stated originally.

              I've only made the claim cos I remember it clearly and was extremely surprised, it also rang an alarm bell that the Greens haven't been CONSISTENT on messaging, something I have a lot of issues with.

              Tax cuts DO NOT SUPPORT LOW INCOME FAMILIES.

              They screw the whole economy as we saw first hand in 2011, the then Govt would have you believe the GFC was responsible, 3 yrs after the rest of the world.

              Most here in NZ say the economy never really recovered.

              It's not first time the Greens have cosied up to National, during the Rugby world cup, the Nats wanted licensed clubs to be allowed to open at unusal hours so punters could watch, again the Grens supported the move, Labour didn't, again, I was surprised the Greens would support this move, I feel is was about popularity rather than smart politics, it also indicated inconsistencies in the messaging.

              By the way, I wish that I'd been wrong about this, it certainly would've given me more respect for the Greens, don't get me wrong about this though, I like the Greens, they have a very important role to play in the future of NZ, I'd just like to SEE MORE CONSISTENCY, and less popularity competing

          • Enough is Enough 12.1.1.1.2

            Mickeysavage got very upset over it at the time

            https://thestandard.org.nz/what-the-feck-greens/

            • Just Is 12.1.1.1.2.1

              Yes, so did I, which is why I remember it so clearly.

              Inconsistencies in messaging, really, really importatant.

              • Incognito

                Inconsistencies in messaging, really, really importatant. [sic]

                Luckily, they have come a long way angry

  13. gsays 13

    Typical National, they stand for very little but stand against things.

    That is how they came into existence, to be against the Labour party.

    I suppose when you are against things, opposition is where you belong.

    • Draco T Bastard 13.1

      Typical National, they stand for very little but stand against things.

      National stands against things that prove capitalists are superfluous such as good governance.

  14. RedBaronCV 14

    Is there policy that we are not going to be really told about?

    I wonder if things like this are on a black list

    -sell anything that Labour has invested in in the last term like social housing

    -tweak the health report which advocates centralisation so that there is a nice health package to privatise

    – give all those students extra work rights to increase the number wanting to come here to be milked for profit.

    -decrease annual and sick leave entitlements and employer kiwisaver because business can't afford it you know.

    – remove all overseas investment criteria because it hinders the offshore truly wealthy buying the country up

    Do National ever tell us what they really intend to do in office- nope.

  15. Treetop 15

    National always has a policy but they are misguided in who their policy helps. That is why it has taken the government 3 years to address the social damage that National caused and this is ongoing.

    Poverty in NZ is collateral damage and the mindset is the same when it comes to Covid-19. I am unable to trust National on these issues.

  16. Peter 16

    Looking at various appearances of Muller makes me think of a truck. Everyone's piled into the cab to travel down the golden highway. The signage on the sides promises there's a load of leadership and charisma on board. They make a stop, someone opens the back door to look inside to see the chokka cargo. It is starkly empty.

    • Sacha 16.1

      A richly-worded manifest though. As much chaos, shambles, and custerfluck as you could ever want.

  17. observer 17

    Todd Muller did announce a policy on May 26:

    "The trans-Tasman bubble needs to be an absolute priority, because, at the moment, we've pushed this COVID threat down to basically zero… Our next-door neighbour Australia has had similar success in terms of their COVID response."

    https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/05/todd-muller-calls-for-innovative-plan-to-reopen-new-zealand-s-borders-post-covid-19.html

    Today's news: the border is being closed inside Australia – between Victoria and NSW.

    Todd Muller probably blames Ardern for not ruling Australia properly.

  18. Adrian 18

    Mickey, your sneaky suspicion made my ears prick up as I vaguely remember reading or hearing around the time that Woodlouse was lamely defending his "homeless sponger " allegation that he let slip that the info came from a "trusted ( yeah, right ) source high up in health " or words to that effect. Start looking at who missed out on Dr Ashley's job.

    • Gabby 18.1

      It would be such a Gormless thing to do, it would pretty much confirm that passing the gormless one over was the right decision.

  19. cathy-o 19

    National never has any policy that they are prepared to talk about. we know that most of their policies are designed to benefit their wealthy mates.

    but they are very good at winning elections. take nothing for granted

  20. Maurice 20

    Getting tired of being talked down to while trying to inform my group of Labour's achievements.

    Keep having Kiwibuild and the cut and run ex-Minister of Health thrown in my face.

    They keep saying – NONE of the incumbents are of any use National or Labour – the Greens and NZ First do not even get a mention just:

    Vote for the NEW Team – Party Vote ACT

    It also looks like firearms people have totally deserted NZ First and now see ACT as their only hope.

    It is all going to be very interesting soon!

    • Sacha 20.1

      Selfishness will have an even more strident voice at the table. Interesting times.

    • observer 20.2

      It also looks like firearms people have totally deserted NZ First and now see ACT as their only hope.

      So National will have to decide if they stand by their own vote in Parliament, or cave, to appease ACT voters. Everyone except Seymour supported the first package of gun laws.

      Yet another question for Todd, and a chance to show leadership ("er look, that's a conversation we can have …").

  21. Brian Tregaskin 21

    "

    We will never know the identity of the National Party plant inside the Ministry of Health. If the person is found a deal will be done, and they will leave the public service quietly with no further media attention. Whatever penalty that person might have been subject to will be wiped in return for no redundancy package.

    The Nats themselves will be part of this deal and we the public will be kept in the dark once again."

    This time its different if found they will be charged and if proven that money exchanged hands for information or even if payment was in form of a job the proceeds of crimes act may apply in addition to the standard charges.

  22. Pat 22

    The election period dosnt start for 2 weeks…..and a week is a long time in politics.

  23. georgecom 23

    someone started calling Todd Muller "Todd Muddler". I laughed at the time seeing it as a bit of humour. However it does seem to be coming true. Todd is muddling his way toward an election. Keeping the chair warm for that Luxon guy?

  24. Lucy 24

    But you need to realise National has hired the guys who gave Scomo his victory against all odds. If you are prepared to play super dirty you have a chance and National is prepared!

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

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

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-03-28T22:18:11+00:00