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Doofus of the week May 12, 2018

Written By: - Date published: 12:00 pm, May 12th, 2018 - 62 comments
Categories: by-election, doofus of the week, elections, labour, national, paula bennett, phil twyford, Politics, public transport, same old national, the praiseworthy and the pitiful, transport, you couldn't make this shit up - Tags: , , ,

There were two strong contenders this week.

One was Paula Bennett for her attack on Jacinda Ardern for trying to compile a Spotify list. Bennett claimed that the only thing she ever did when she was a Minister was work but there some who disagreed …

I suspect that a Spotify list is something that she does not have. Or comprehend.

Toby Manhire had an exquisite response:

Others kicked in.

And Spotify and Neale Jones nailed it.

But there was someone in the political world whose performance was even worse than Paula’s. Dan Bidois who wants to become an MP gave this train crash of an interview to Simon Wilson of the Herald.  Wilson was extremely naughty and reported a number of Bidois’s comments verbatim.

When asked about his thoughts he thought lots.  But there was no coherent links between his various thoughtses.

For instance he thought that Teachers should be valued much more in society but he did now want to comment on how much they should be paid.  He thought maybe there should be an Auckland allowance for teachers but did not commit to supporting nurses and police officers.  And “good” teachers should be paid more than “bad teachers”.

His view on local issues was interesting.  He seemed to say that Northcote’s T3 lane, which handles 70 per cent of peak-time commuters on Onewa Rd, was a good idea and riders do not get stuck in traffic. But Auckland Transport has ignored the feedback from residents.

Previously he has advocated for the T3 to become a T2 but he realises this would not solve congestion issues.  He says that Northcote needs more parking.  Maybe on those pesky T3 lanes.

In Danworld Buses are good but how are people meant to get to the bus if they can’t park.  And there should be clearways even though there already are clearways.

He is a figher.  He will fight for Northcote and bang on Phil Twyford’s door and achieve more than Coleman, who was a Minister in Government, managed to achieve.

On a rather contentious local issue, Skypath, he says he supports it but thinks there are better things to do with taxpayers’ money.  He says that Skypath has to link to SeaPath even though that has already been agreed to.

He also complained that Skypath parking poses privacy issues.  Yes that does not make any sense no matter how many times you read it.  And he thinks that the people of Northcote are unanimously against Skypath even though surveys have suggested many locals are in favour.

He also thinks that the value of SkyPath is not as great as more roading projects, and public transport and more Park and Rides.  But he does support it and it is a good initiative.

And he will always tell the truth …

I can’t figure out if he did not understand the issues or he was trying to talk out of both sides of his mouth at the same time or both.  But if this is indicative of his quality then National is in trouble and Labour may cause an upset.

Time will tell …

But for now for maybe the first and only time in his political career Dan Bidois is the Standard’s Doofus of the week.

62 comments on “Doofus of the week May 12, 2018 ”

  1. Sacha 1

    How does Bidois function in a strategy job when he is unable to string together even a few coherent thoughts?

    • Incognito 1.1

      Some people call them “thoughts”, others call them “brain farts”.

      It is not quite on par with the Nobel Peace Prize but becoming Doofus of the Week on TS is an achievement not to be sneezed at especially when fighting stiff competition from within his own party (it is his party, isn’t it? It’s so hard to tell with Danny Boy but the signs are there …).

    • paul andersen 1.2

      donald trump………

  2. Tracey 2

    Phil Twyford must have run close, misspeaking the cost of a 1 bdrm home 3 or 4 times.

    Hopefully the level of coverage tv3 gave this will extend to utterances from Nat MPs mouths… Does anyone know if Garner tore strips off Bennett for her short memory and spite this week?

  3. lprent 3

    I pity you having you make a choice between these two doofus candidates. But I suspect you are right in your pick.

    Besides we really want to keep Paula Bennett opening her mouth on behalf of all of the National party members and supporters. She represents them so well – especially the younger generations. Self-interested, self-entitled, and so incredibly ignorant.

    • Ed 3.1

      “Self-interested, self-entitled, and so incredibly ignorant.”

      Brilliant.

    • Babayaga 3.2

      No choice required. Twyford surely wins for his continuing screw ups over kiwi build.

      • adam 3.2.1

        desperate much…

          • Ed 3.2.1.1.1

            Are you for real?
            You come on this site it would appear to pimp for the super rich.
            Is that your plan?
            Is that what you want NZ to become?
            A paradise for the 1%?

            • Baba Yaga 3.2.1.1.1.1

              Address the point. Twyford has lied/manipulated/obfusgated his way into a mess of his own making. Are you seriously defending his incompetence and dishonesty?

              Here’s more of his lies exposed by the Sallies:

              http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/shows/2018/05/a-third-of-new-social-housing-ready-despite-govt-claims-most-were-available.html

              • Ed

                I can’t be bothered addressing the point if the only reason you are here is to shill for the rich.

              • dukeofurl

                Jenna Lynch is just recycling Nationals anti Twyford tirades.

                She wouldnt know a latte from a transitional emergency housing place !

                Housing is hard , really hard but National is desperate to ‘create the impression’ that nothing will change after their 9 years of inaction.
                Its an illusion.

                • Baba Yaga

                  The current housing problems began under Labour. National were woefully slow in addressing it, but belatedly took action which has calmed the market considerably. What we don’t need is a lying Minster who is totally out of his depth. Move over Twyford, Labour have better people to take over.

                  • One Anonymous Bloke

                    Thus, he spaketh the litany, and the people were in awe, apart from the multitude who looketh at one another and rolleth their eyes.

                    • Baba Yaga

                      Multitude?

                    • One Anonymous Bloke

                      Multitude?

                      Missed opportunity there Mordecai. I was expecting you to affect that “he” in my comment is Twyford, as opposed to you, Don Brash, and the other members of the queue.

                    • Baba Yaga

                      Oh I took the opportunity. You claim a ‘multitude’. I say you’d have trouble filling a phone booth.

                    • McFlock

                      hundreds of millions, probably…

                • dukeofurl

                  Remember John Keys blatant lie
                  “”On I think Tuesday or Wednesday night MSD and the Sallies went around and knocked on I think eight cars that they could find, all eight of those people refused to take support either from Sallies or from MSD.”

                  Divisional commander Ian Hutson said it declined an offer by MSD officials to accompany them, as many of the people there had a deep distrust of government officials.

                  So it never happened but Key and Bennett were keen to get the boot in, as usual kicking down not up.
                  https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/305550/pm's-homeless-remarks-untrue-sallies

                  Whats happened to newshubs Lloyd Burr ? Kicked upstairs( Europe) because national wont work with him?

                  • Baba Yaga

                    They’re all liars. I just get a huge laugh when lefties try to pretend their darlings don’t do it too.

                    • One Anonymous Bloke

                      They’re all liars.

                      How do you suggest we proceed? I’m a big fan of real world data and falsifiability, myself.

                    • Baba Yaga

                      “How do you suggest we proceed? I’m a big fan of real world data and falsifiability, myself.”

                      We proceed as follows:

                      1. All politicians lie.
                      2. Some are more capable for running the country, and therefore have to be tolerated.
                      3. We should elect those who are more capable, even though they are most likely liars.

                      Depressing, isn’t it.

                    • One Anonymous Bloke

                      We can measure competence. For example, judicial review can help weed out policy that is based on false premises or ignores relevant science.

                    • Baba Yaga

                      “We can measure competence. For example, judicial review can help weed out policy that is based on false premises or ignores relevant science.”

                      True, but only when that option is explored. All too often it is not. Closure of Partnership Schools to appease the unions. Funding of rich kids tertiary education while not having enough money for far more worthy causes. Providing a coalition partner with a slush fund in the name of ‘regional development’. Who will call for JR’s on these nonsensical policies?

          • adam 3.2.1.1.2

            feel like I’m repeating myself, but

            desperate much….

            • Baba Yaga 3.2.1.1.2.1

              So you’re a supporter of Twyfords shenanigans? Or you just like the lies of the left being exposed?

              • Incognito

                So, Twyford’s lies are now the lies of the left!? And all lefties who disagree with you are by definition complicit? I’m just asking because it can be a fine line between being simplistic and delusional and I think you’re standing right on top of that fine line so it’s hard to tell …

                • Baba Yaga

                  “So, Twyford’s lies are now the lies of the left!? ”
                  Yep.

                  • Incognito

                    You’re now so far away from that fine line you can’t even see the other side and we know which side that it is.

                  • Incognito

                    Odd question. In what capacity does he represent the left; as MP or as Minister?

                    I think you don’t know the meaning of “representative” so your premise is flawed.

                    Let me run this by you: if my local MP, whom I may or may not have voted for, which in any case does not alter that fact that they are my local MP and representative in Parliament, lies then by your reasoning I’m lying too!? Or does this only apply if I’ve voted for them? You seem to think that the Left is or has some kind of hive-mind or something … As I said, your logic seems a little off …

                    • Baba Yaga

                      “Odd question. In what capacity does he represent the left; as MP or as Minister?”

                      He is overseeing an alleged program by the state to allegedly build large numbers of houses. I realise he is failing, but does that objective not qualify as left wing?

              • adam

                You mean Tweety Twyford over reached, yeap he’s prone to that. Get over it, at least he is trying to help, which is more than your lot did in 9 years.

                • Baba Yaga

                  Is ‘overreached’ the new euphemism for ‘lied through his teeth’?

            • Incognito 3.2.1.1.2.2

              It does feel like Groundhog Day …

              • One Anonymous Bloke

                😆

                Take three steps to the right and try not to become acrophobic.

              • adam

                Sadly, some can’t accept that the Muppets they support are just dim, without all the money they poured into a race, they’d never stand a chance.

                But then again, money in politics always makes the right feel smug and a have modicum of self worth.

  4. tracey 4

    Last time we had an MP assure us all he woukd always be honest and answer questions that werent even asked we got John Key

  5. Stunned Mullet 5

    Come come now these are very poor examples, to really shine as a doofus one should learn from a master.

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10654759

    • The Fairy Godmother 5.1

      Don’t bother clicking on this it’s an article about the scrutiny that went on Len Brown. He was no doofus and did heaps for Auckland getting some transport solutions for Auckland. Perhaps you were referring to the doofuses who raved on about his private life maybe Palino not sure the reference is a bit obscure. Could do better in my opinion.

      • In Vino 5.1.1

        Agreed. Stunned Mullet really had to be stunned (concussed?) to try to bring up that old drivel.

      • Ed 5.1.2

        Don’t bother clicking.
        It’s in the Herald.

      • Stunned mullet 5.1.3

        ‘Len brown did heaps for Auckland’.

        Have you had a peyote pizza? The man oversaw a vast rise in rates combined with little to no increase in services or infrastructure and a burgeoning local bureaucracy, combine that with his buffoonery about town and you have a doofus for the ages.

        • The Fairy Godmother 5.1.3.1

          City rail link. Huge

        • The Fairy Godmother 5.1.3.2

          He didn’t create the supercity which was the cause of the rise in bureaucracry. You can thank your ACT friend Rodney hide for that. Not sure what you mean by buffoonery about town unless you are referring to an ill judged affair with a woman who was friends with his opposition. Rates pay for services and Auckland has been seriously underfunded for years which is why we have so much congestion and ugly run down facilities. I don’t remember a vast increase in rates I think a citation is needed for this. I say we need to pay more rates.

  6. Ah, so many candidates, so hard to choose!

    What about Soimon – I ticked a like on Whaleoil, which I only visit rarely. by accident – but I deleted it in a second. And I’m ready to apologise to Clarke if required.

    That’s real doofus material!

    • Wensleydale 6.1

      You can’t expect too much of young Simon. He studied at the foot of the master — John “Yeah, I touched up that waitress repeatedly after she’d asked me not to, but it was all a bit of harmless japery and I gave her a bottle of plonk as an apology!” Key. The bar has been set so low it’s virtually subterranean.

  7. JustMe 7

    I am sure that if he even gets voted in as a representative of the population of Northcote that Mr Bidois will be consigned to a back-bench and will hardly be able to get a word in edgeways for Northcote voters.
    None of the older National MPs will want to bother listening to him. Also he looks far too smarmy. In other words a Yes-man like Simon Bridges.
    I work in Northcote and the traffic congestion problems along Onewa Road is just deplorable.
    Looking at Bidois opinion about there being good and bad teachers I do wonder under what category he would place National Minister Gerry Brownlee who was once a woodwork teacher and told his students to read say page 200 of a one hundred page book. Gerry Brownlee is a perfect example of what a bad teacher looks like.
    The population of the Shore need a better connection from the Shore to Auckland. All they have is one aging bridge called the Auckland Harbour Bridge and two limited forms of public transport i.e buses and ferries. Hence the need for them to use their vehicles to commute around the place and across the bridge. But the problem for many Shore commuters is even when they park at an area that is designated for parking they have to pay enormous(lets call it extortionist)amounts for that park.
    The Skypath is a good idea and I do hope it happens in our life-time.

    • Cinny 7.1

      “Gerry Brownlee is a perfect example of what a bad teacher looks like.”

      A close friend was taught by brownlee, he strongly agrees with you, brownlee would bully all of those boys and leave them to teach themselves while he read about politics, true story.

      • dukeofurl 7.1.1

        I know. Brownlee was pushed out of the family timber business and seemed to land on his feet at a secondary school – I think it was first as ‘woodwork teacher’ – which might have made sense, but before long he was teaching Maori !!
        This from someone who failed UE twice.
        https://www.noted.co.nz/archive/listener-nz-2011/the-power-of-one/

        “In one town hall meeting of the PPTA, involving most of the city’s teachers, only one voice called out “no” on an important vote. It was Brownlee. He then loudly called for a division, meaning every vote in the hall had to be counted.”

  8. mary_a 8

    Geeze is this guy for real? Somehow I think his brain is stuck up his bum, covered in crap and he’s speaking through his sphincter ring!

    And this is the best Natz has to represent it in a byelection … ha ha love it.

    • Cinny 8.1

      ROFL Mary, you nailed that 🙂

      Dan the donut, geez that interview, how embarrassing.

    • Lettuce 8.2

      Actually Mary, the joke’s on us. Our taxes will probably end up paying this complete moron a handsome salary to loll about on the back benches of parliament for the next 20 years at least.

  9. cleangreen 9

    interview by Simon Wilson on the National Candidate wins as the prize.

    The National Candidate looked like a proper plonker.

    God help NZ!!!

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12049120

  10. You_Fool 10

    Having re-read and thought about it, I think the problem for Dan Bidois is that he knows that what Labour and the Auckland Council are doing is the correct thing to do, and that there needs to be more spending on education, health and public transport because it has been underfunded over the past 9 years, but he can’t say that because he is on the team that made things the way they are, and want to keeps doing that. He also knows that the majority of Northcote want those things done, so he has to sort of support it but not at the same time… However he hasn’t had the media training to do that so he is all over the place….

    Really he should just drop the National lines and go with what he knows is the right things to do

  11. cleangreen 11

    Yes You- Fool 100%

    Dan Bidois is simply an “academic” and as such has no “common sense” grounding as we in the real world have so he is way out of his sphere of knowledge here.

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    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago
  • It’s Raining Congestion
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    3 days ago
  • Checking The Left: The Dreadful Logic Of Fascism.
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    3 days ago
  • Good Friends and Terrible Food
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    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    3 days ago
  • At a glance – What evidence is there for the hockey stick?
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    4 days ago
  • Carry right on up there, Corporal Espiner
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    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • This smells
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    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Major issues on the table in Mahuta’s  talks in Beijing with China’s new Foreign Minister
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    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    4 days ago
  • Inside TOP's Teal Card and political strategy
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    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Make Your Empties Go Another Round.
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    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on how similar Vladimir Putin is to George W. Bush
    Looking back through the names of our Police Ministers down the years, the job has either been done by once or future party Bigfoots – Syd Holland, Richard Prebble, Juduth Collins, Chris Hipkins – or by far lesser lights like Keith Allen, Frank Gill, Ben Couch, Allen McCready, Clem Simich, ...
    4 days ago
  • CHRIS TROTTER:  Te Pāti Māori’s uncompromising threat to the status quo
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    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Shining a bright light on lobbyists in politics
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    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago
  • Auckland Council Draft Budget – an unnecessary backwards step
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    4 days ago
  • Talking’ Posey Parker Blues
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    5 days ago
  • More Māori words make it into the OED, and polytech boss (with rules on words like “students”) ...
    Buzz from the Beehive   New Zealand Education Minister Jan Tinetti is hosting the inaugural Conference of Pacific Education Ministers for three days from today, welcoming Education Ministers and senior officials from 18 Pacific Island countries and territories, and from Australia. Here’s hoping they have brought translators with them – or ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago
  • Social intercourse with haters and Nazis: an etiquette guide
    Let’s say you’ve come all the way from His Majesty’s United Kingdom to share with the folk of Australia and New Zealand your antipathy towards certain other human beings. And let’s say you call yourself a women’s rights activist.And let’s say 99 out of 100 people who listen to you ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago
  • The Greens, Labour, and coalition enforcement
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    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • This sounds familiar…
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    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Letter to the NZ Herald: NCEA pseudoscience – “Mauri is present in all matter”
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    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • So what would be the point of a Green vote again?
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    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Gas stoves pose health risks. Are gas furnaces and other appliances safe to use?
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    5 days ago
  • Genetic Heritage and Co Governance
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    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • BRIAN EASTON: Radical Uncertainty
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    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: New Zealand’s Middle East strategy, 20 years after the Iraq War
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    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    5 days ago
  • The motorways are finished
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    5 days ago
  • Kicking National’s tyres
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    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago
  • As long as there is cricket, the world is somehow okay.
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    6 days ago
  • So much of what was there remains
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    6 days ago
  • 2023 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
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    6 days ago
  • Financial capability services are being bucked up, but Stuart Nash shouldn’t have to see if they c...
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    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    7 days ago
  • Things that make you go Hmmmm.
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    7 days ago
  • The hoon for the week that was to March 19
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    The KakaBy Peter Bale
    1 week ago
  • Saving Stuart Nash: Explaining Chris Hipkins' unexpected political calculation
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    PunditBy Tim Watkin
    1 week ago
  • Radical Uncertainty
    Two senior economists challenge some of the foundations of current economics. It is easy to criticise economic science by misrepresenting it, by selective quotations, and by ignoring that it progresses, like all sciences, by improving and abandoning old theories. The critics may go on to attack physics by citing Newton.So ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    1 week ago
  • Jump onto the weekly hoon on Riverside at 5pm
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    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • The Dream of Florian Neame: Accepted
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    1 week ago
  • Snakes and leaders
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    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 week ago
  • This station is Karanga-a-Hape, Chur!
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    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Greens don’t shy from promoting a candidate’s queerness but are quiet about govt announcement on...
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    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 week ago
  • Ask Me Anything about the week to March 17
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    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
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  • Slow consenting could create $16b climate liability by 2050
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    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago

  • District Court Judges appointed
    Attorney-General David Parker has announced the appointment of Christopher John Dellabarca of Wellington, Dr Katie Jane Elkin of Wellington, Caroline Mary Hickman of Napier, Ngaroma Tahana of Rotorua, Tania Rose Williams Blyth of Hamilton and Nicola Jan Wills of Wellington as District Court Judges.  Chris Dellabarca Mr Dellabarca commenced his ...
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    19 hours ago
  • New project set to supercharge ocean economy in Nelson Tasman
    A new Government-backed project will help ocean-related businesses in the Nelson Tasman region to accelerate their growth and boost jobs. “The Nelson Tasman region is home to more than 400 blue economy businesses, accounting for more than 30 percent of New Zealand’s economic activity in fishing, aquaculture, and seafood processing,” ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • National’s education policy: where’s the funding?
    After three years of COVID-19 disruptions schools are finally settling down and National want to throw that all in the air with major disruption to learning and underinvestment.  “National’s education policy lacks the very thing teachers, parents and students need after a tough couple of years, certainty and stability,” Education ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Free programme to help older entrepreneurs and inventors
    People aged over 50 with innovative business ideas will now be able to receive support to advance their ideas to the next stage of development, Minister for Seniors Ginny Andersen said today. “Seniors have some great entrepreneurial ideas, and this programme will give them the support to take that next ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government target increased to keep powering up the Māori economy
    A cross government target for relevant government procurement contracts for goods and services to be awarded to Māori businesses annually will increase to 8%, after the initial 5% target was exceeded. The progressive procurement policy was introduced in 2020 to increase supplier diversity, starting with Māori businesses, for the estimated ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Continued progress on reducing poverty in challenging times
    77,000 fewer children living in low income households on the after-housing-costs primary measure since Labour took office Eight of the nine child poverty measures have seen a statistically significant reduction since 2018. All nine have reduced 28,700 fewer children experiencing material hardship since 2018 Measures taken by the Government during ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Speech at Fiji Investment and Trade Business Forum
    Deputy Prime Minister Kamikamica; distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. Tēnā koutou katoa, ni sa bula vinaka saka, namaste. Deputy Prime Minister, a very warm welcome to Aotearoa. I trust you have been enjoying your time here and thank you for joining us here today. To all delegates who have travelled to be ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government investments boost and diversify local economies in lower South Island
    $2.9 million convertible loan for Scapegrace Distillery to meet growing national and international demand $4.5m underwrite to support Silverlight Studios’ project to establish a film studio in Wanaka Gore’s James Cumming Community Centre and Library to be official opened tomorrow with support of $3m from the COVID-19 Response and Recovery ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government future-proofs EV charging
    Transport Minister Michael Wood has today launched the first national EV (electric vehicle) charging strategy, Charging Our Future, which includes plans to provide EV charging stations in almost every town in New Zealand. “Our vision is for Aotearoa New Zealand to have world-class EV charging infrastructure that is accessible, affordable, ...
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    3 days ago
  • World-leading family harm prevention campaign supports young NZers
    Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment Priyanca Radhakrishnan has today launched the Love Better campaign in a world-leading approach to family harm prevention. Love Better will initially support young people through their experience of break-ups, developing positive and life-long attitudes to dealing with hurt. “Over 1,200 young kiwis told ...
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    3 days ago
  • First Chief Clinical Advisor welcomed into Coroners Court
    Hon Rino Tirikatene, Minister for Courts, welcomes the Ministry of Justice’s appointment of Dr Garry Clearwater as New Zealand’s first Chief Clinical Advisor working with the Coroners Court. “This appointment is significant for the Coroners Court and New Zealand’s wider coronial system.” Minister Tirikatene said. Through Budget 2022, the Government ...
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    3 days ago
  • Next steps for affected properties post Cyclone and floods
    The Government via the Cyclone Taskforce is working with local government and insurance companies to build a picture of high-risk areas following Cyclone Gabrielle and January floods. “The Taskforce, led by Sir Brian Roche, has been working with insurance companies to undertake an assessment of high-risk areas so we can ...
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    3 days ago
  • New appointment to Māori Land Court bench
    E te huia kaimanawa, ko Ngāpuhi e whakahari ana i tau aupikinga ki te tihi o te maunga. Ko te Ao Māori hoki e whakanui ana i a koe te whakaihu waka o te reo Māori i roto i te Ao Ture. (To the prized treasure, it is Ngāpuhi who ...
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    3 days ago
  • Government focus on jobs sees record number of New Zealanders move from Benefits into work
    113,400 exits into work in the year to June 2022 Young people are moving off Benefit faster than after the Global Financial Crisis Two reports released today by the Ministry of Social Development show the Government’s investment in the COVID-19 response helped drive record numbers of people off Benefits and ...
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    3 days ago
  • Vertical farming partnership has upward momentum
    The Government’s priority to keep New Zealand at the cutting edge of food production and lift our sustainability credentials continues by backing the next steps of a hi-tech vertical farming venture that uses up to 95 per cent less water, is climate resilient, and pesticide-free. Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor visited ...
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    4 days ago
  • Conference of Pacific Education Ministers – Keynote Address
    E nga mana, e nga iwi, e nga reo, e nga hau e wha, tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou kātoa. Warm Pacific greetings to all. It is an honour to host the inaugural Conference of Pacific Education Ministers here in Tāmaki Makaurau. Aotearoa is delighted to be hosting you ...
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    4 days ago
  • New $13m renal unit supports Taranaki patients
    The new renal unit at Taranaki Base Hospital has been officially opened by the Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall this afternoon. Te Huhi Raupō received around $13 million in government funding as part of Project Maunga Stage 2, the redevelopment of the Taranaki Base Hospital campus. “It’s an honour ...
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    4 days ago
  • Second Poseidon aircraft on home soil
    Defence Minister Andrew Little has marked the arrival of the country’s second P-8A Poseidon aircraft alongside personnel at the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s Base at Ohakea today. “With two of the four P-8A Poseidons now on home soil this marks another significant milestone in the Government’s historic investment in ...
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    4 days ago
  • Further humanitarian aid for Türkiye and Syria
    Aotearoa New Zealand will provide further humanitarian support to those seriously affected by last month’s deadly earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria, says Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta. “The 6 February earthquakes have had devastating consequences, with almost 18 million people affected. More than 53,000 people have died and tens of thousands more ...
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    4 days ago
  • Community voice to help shape immigration policy
    Migrant communities across New Zealand are represented in the new Migrant Community Reference Group that will help shape immigration policy going forward, Immigration Minister Michael Wood announced today.  “Since becoming Minister, a reoccurring message I have heard from migrants is the feeling their voice has often been missing around policy ...
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    4 days ago
  • State Highway 3 project to deliver safer journeys, better travel connections for Taranaki
    Construction has begun on major works that will deliver significant safety improvements on State Highway 3 from Waitara to Bell Block, Associate Minister of Transport Kiri Allan announced today. “This is an important route for communities, freight and visitors to Taranaki but too many people have lost their lives or ...
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    4 days ago
  • Ginny Andersen appointed as Minister of Police
    Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has today appointed Ginny Andersen as Minister of Police. “Ginny Andersen has a strong and relevant background in this important portfolio,” Chris Hipkins said. “Ginny Andersen worked for the Police as a non-sworn staff member for around 10 years and has more recently been chair of ...
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    5 days ago
  • Government confirms vital roading reconnections
    Six further bailey bridge sites confirmed Four additional bridge sites under consideration 91 per cent of damaged state highways reopened Recovery Dashboards for impacted regions released The Government has responded quickly to restore lifeline routes after Cyclone Gabrielle and can today confirm that an additional six bailey bridges will ...
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    5 days ago
  • Foreign Minister Mahuta to meet with China’s new Foreign Minister
    Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta departs for China tomorrow, where she will meet with her counterpart, State Councillor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang, in Beijing. This will be the first visit by a New Zealand Minister to China since 2019, and follows the easing of COVID-19 travel restrictions between New Zealand and China. ...
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    5 days ago
  • Education Ministers from across the Pacific gather in Aotearoa
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    5 days ago
  • State Highway 5 reopens between Napier and Taupō following Cyclone Gabrielle
    A vital transport link for communities and local businesses has been restored following Cyclone Gabrielle with the reopening of State Highway 5 (SH5) between Napier and Taupō, Associate Minister of Transport Kiri Allan says. SH5 reopened to all traffic between 7am and 7pm from today, with closure points at SH2 (Kaimata ...
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    5 days ago
  • Special Lotto draw raises $11.7 million for Cyclone Gabrielle recovery
    Internal Affairs Minister Barbara Edmonds has thanked generous New Zealanders who took part in the special Lotto draw for communities affected by Cyclone Gabrielle. Held on Saturday night, the draw raised $11.7 million with half of all ticket sales going towards recovery efforts. “In a time of need, New Zealanders ...
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    6 days ago
  • Government delivers a $3 million funding boost for Building Financial Capability services
    The Government has announced funding of $3 million for providers to help people, and whānau access community-based Building Financial Capability services. “Demand for Financial Capability Services is growing as people face cost of living pressures. Those pressures are increasing further in areas affected by flooding and Cyclone Gabrielle,” Minister for ...
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    1 week ago
  • Education New Zealand | Manapou ki te Ao – new Chair and member
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  • Scholarships honouring Ngarimu VC and the 28th (Māori) Battalion announced
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    1 week ago
  • Appointment of Judge of the Court of Appeal and Judge of the High Court
    High Court Judge Jillian Maree Mallon has been appointed a Judge of the Court of Appeal, and District Court Judge Andrew John Becroft QSO has been appointed a Judge of the High Court, Attorney‑General David Parker announced today. Justice Mallon graduated from Otago University in 1988 with an LLB (Hons), and with ...
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  • NZ still well placed to meet global challenges
    The economy has continued to show its resilience despite today’s GDP figures showing a modest decline in the December quarter, leaving the Government well positioned to help New Zealanders face cost of living pressures in a challenging global environment. “The economy had grown strongly in the two quarters before this ...
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    1 week ago
  • Western Ring Route Complete
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  • Briefings to Incoming Ministers
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  • Teaming up for a stronger, more resilient Fiji
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    1 week ago
  • Investment in blue highway a lifeline for regional economies and cyclone recovery
    The Government is delivering a coastal shipping lifeline for businesses, residents and the primary sector in the cyclone-stricken regions of Hawkes Bay and Tairāwhiti, Regional Development Minister Kiri Allan announced today. The Rangitata vessel has been chartered for an emergency coastal shipping route between Gisborne and Napier, with potential for ...
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