Employer opposes wage increases – shock!

Written By: - Date published: 9:51 am, February 11th, 2009 - 33 comments
Categories: Media, workers' rights - Tags: , , ,

Yesterday I expressed concern about Unite’s referendum on indexing the minimum wage to two-thirds of the average wage on practical grounds while strongly supporting the idea in principle.

Today in its editorial the Herald takes exception to the principle, complaining that such a move, even phased in over a three year period, would deny people the ‘opportunity’ to be paid low wages and that

“More fundamentally, a minimum wage indexed to two-thirds of the average wage would trigger a ratcheting up of all wages.”

You do have to wonder – why would the Herald object to “racheting up” wages across the board, particularly when we all know how important it is to fix our low wage economy and start closing the wage gap with Australia?

It’s times like this that it pays to remember the Herald and its parent company APN are employers, rather large ones in fact, and their own record on wages is part of the reason we have a low wage economy in the first place. Makes you think, doesn’t it?

33 comments on “Employer opposes wage increases – shock! ”

  1. BLiP 1

    Not only is the New Zealand Fox News Herald a large employer, it is also a foreign owned multinational and, as such, its only moral imperative is maximising return to shareholders. Its every Editorial should be read with this in mind.

  2. Every business’s goal is to maximize return to shareholders, that is the point.

  3. Kerry 3

    Yeah maximise pay off to shareholders while screwing the everyday worker…remember these businesses make shit with out employees…..Those guys are pricks…..no other word for it!

  4. Kerry

    It seems like you got that out of the communist party handbook.

    Screwing the workers?????

    Most people I know, love their job and have a good relationship with their employers.

  5. vto 5

    How could anybody object to all wages ratcheting up? Sounds like a good idea.

    Until the obvious question gets asked – how does this increased cost get paid for? If you think it should simply come out of owners pockets and everything should carry on as before then you live in la-la-land, because that simply would not happen. What would happen is the cost of everything workers produce would rise (so are we not then back to square one?) such is the equilibrium and water-finding-its-own-level nature of investment.

    Anyone got any bright ideas on how to circumvent … ?

  6. Julie 6

    I’d add that the vast majority of their advertisers are also employers.

  7. DeeDub 7

    VTO:

    By your logic one would assume increased profits would lead to higher wages for workers in fairly short order then?

    Who lives in la la land now?

  8. DeeDub 8

    Brett Dale:
    “Most people I know, love their job and have a good relationship with their employers.”

    Can I humbly suggest you get out more?

  9. DS 9

    >>>Until the obvious question gets asked – how does this increased cost get paid for?<<<

    Or we could just let wages rot. Which means people can’t buy as many products, which means businesses have to cut back again. Rinse and repeat, leading to an ever-worsening recession. Sometimes screwing your employees really does come back to bite you.

  10. Deedub:

    Its just the people I know, dont have any employment issues with their employer.

  11. burt 11

    Lets not forget that some of the most “underpaid” people in NZ are state employees.

    DR’s, Nurses, Teachers, Police… The same people the state has trouble attracting and retaining…

    So who’s the real nasty capitalist profit taking scum in socialist nirvana NZ then ?

  12. DeeDub 12

    Burt….

    “So who’s the real nasty capitalist profit taking scum in socialist nirvana NZ then ?”

    The people who moan they are being taxed too much. What do they think those taxes pay for?

  13. vto 13

    deedub, what on earth are you on about?

    seems nobody has a solution then to the problem of how increased wages are paid for. oh well, never mind, back to all the other conundrums in the universe…

  14. SteveR 14

    We are often told that if people want their pay to rise then the number of jobs will have to go down to compensate.

    But, if people want their pay to rise this is *not* the only possibility. Shareholders could get a lower dividend, for example. Executives could take less out in bonuses (for example). It is often said to employees that they have to have their pay fixed “for the good of us all”—but why should not other people involved with the company (as, for example, executives, shareholders etc.) also have “for the good of us all” in mind too?

    So, “pay up, numbers down” is a *choice* companies make—it is not a law of nature than cannot be resisted!

  15. Daveski 15

    It’s clearly worth reading the editorial rather than rely on the spin that inevitably makes its way here.

    Why does the Herald object in principle?
    * timing – the economic conditions are quite different now and in the foreseeable future
    * practicality – increasing the minimum wage without reference to affordability, productivity or any other consideration will likely result in redundancies and/or price increases which impact on those you are trying to protect

    The problem we have is broader than simply what we pay. It’s what we do. We don’t produce enough high value unique offerings. We work hard but not smart.

    A better question (and far more pragmatic) is if this is so sensible, why didn’t the Labour govt do this during the recent golden years? I will be interested in the answers to this one!

  16. vto 16

    SteveR, that could work in some benevolent cases, and in fact does already happen. However, lower dividends means lower value means less investment means less employment. Investment flows are unfortunately imo a law of nature.

  17. lprent 17

    DS: Or we could just let wages rot. Which means people can’t buy as many products, which means businesses have to cut back again. Rinse and repeat, leading to an ever-worsening recession. Sometimes screwing your employees really does come back to bite you.

    The classic example of that in NZ was the Richardson/Shipley decision in 1991 to drastically reduce benefit payments to reduce the governments outgoings. Obtensibly this was to pay for a relatively minor budget deficit. More likely it was intended to allow tax cuts for the wealthy.

    That hit directly into the minimal disposable income of people who don’t save, in the favor of people who have a choice about saving or consuming. The nett effect was that there was a immediate significant drop in consumer spending. That plus other measures that the National government at the time did caused a major drop in both public and business confidence about the forward look in the economy. So following the example of the government, they retrenched, and increased unemployment dramatically.

    It cut a nascent recovery in the bud and dropped NZ into a recession for about 5 years (at a time when the world economy was booming). It isn’t too hard to screw things up either in the short or long term if you’re on the treasury benches.

    Ask National – they’re very good at it. It is hard to think what else they’re good at…

  18. vto 18

    lprent I don’t think that’s quite right, tho it seems to get repeated here an awful lot. The 1991 recession was due to the massive collapse following the late 80s boom. Recall the property market didn’t fail until some time after the sharemarket crash and it all took some time to flow through. Just as it will this time (probably a lot longer methinks). The 1991 benefit cuts didn’t cause the 1991 depth of the recession which was already well underway by then.

    Thinking wage rises every year are a good thing is exactly like thinking house price rises every year are a good thing. Makes you feel good but the effect is nil because it is all relative. (talking re all wages rising, not just some).

  19. BLiP 19

    Iprent said:

    ” . . . Ask National – they’re very good at it. It is hard to think what else they’re good at . . . ”

    I can think of a few things, like: transferring wealth from the poor to the rich, abdicating state responsibility for the security of its peoples . . . ummm . . . no, actually, that’s about it.

  20. BLiP 20

    vto said:

    ” . . . The 1991 benefit cuts didn’t cause the 1991 depth of the recession which was already well underway by then . . . ”

    If not, then they certainly didn’t help. But the point that fiscal fuck ups come back to haunt is still valid. We are paying now for the benefit cuts as that generation of children who grew up in poverty as a result of National’s behaviour spill over in the justice and health system, having already brought goodness knows what extra costs to education. That’s the legacy.

  21. Ruth 21

    …such a move, even phased in over a three year period, would deny people the ‘opportunity’ to be paid low wages

    Yes – a great line!

    Ideologically many say minimum wages don’t work and cause unemployment, but that is not the case according to most studies I have read. The knock-on effect is negligible.

    Certainly my teenagers don’t want an ‘opportunity’ to be paid low wages – they wouldn’t get out of bed for the minimum wage as it was 12 months ago.

  22. Draco T Bastard 22

    Anyone got any bright ideas on how to circumvent ?

    Make ownership illegal and that the investors are legally only entitled to their money back. Also make it so that the investors have no say in how the business is run – it needs to be run by the employees.

  23. Quoth the Raven 23

    Of course there wouldn’t be this disparity between the interests of workers and owners if businesses were owned cooperatively, but that’s radical thinking.

  24. Quoth the Raven 24

    Ah me and Draco came up with the same thing at the same time.

  25. vto 25

    Draco, bright ideas not daft ones.

    Ownership illegal? That was tried in the USSR.

    Investors have no say in running the business? There would be no investors and hence no businesses.

    I seriously hope you are joking

  26. burt 26

    Would anyone here disagree that if a company is loosing staff because the salaries it pays are not competitive in the market, at the same time that it is posting record profits, that the priorities of the company are completely stuffed up and the company shows no regard for the workers that produce it’s wealth?

    If you agree with that then think about the massive surpluses that we have recently had in NZ at the same time we have had Teachers strikes & shortages, Doctor strikes & shortages, Radiologists/Nurses leaving in droves for better pay and conditions in Aussie and of course trouble attracting and retaining Police officers?

    Perhaps after thinking about that somebody could explain to me how other than the name “Labour’ how the “Labour’ party claim to be a party representing workers?

    As an aside, it’s a pity the surpluses were spent on non productive liabilities rather than productive assets But hey we would also be quite happy with the private company CEO driving around in his/her new BMW’s saying the money not spent on salaries last year has all been spent elsewhere and there is none left for pay increases this year wouldn’t we .

  27. vto 27

    QtR, cooperatives can work. Good job for the unions – set up a few co-ops and get into it. There is some excellent buying of businesses out there at the moment. Aint nothing to stop people doing that right now. Good job for Tane and Irishbill. Get into it. Major applause would come your way for taking such initiative. (quite different from Draco’s oddball idea)

  28. lprent 28

    vto: The 1991 benefit cuts didn’t cause the 1991 depth of the recession which was already well underway by then.

    I was in an interesting area to see the effect. Was doing the inventory control for Cargo King (the competitor to the warehouse at the time).

    The property downturn didn’t affect us that much in terms of retail. The cranes had pretty well stopped by 1990 and the building industry redundancies had already largely taken place. The sales kept rising at a slower rate.

    The benefit cuts took place. Within a month the sales were well down. Moreover they kept falling for the months following and we started hitting the Cancel button for orders both offshore and local. All retail had the same effect. All local industries reaped the benefit.

    Essentially this was as the result of Shipley using some study out of Otago about the minimum levels for benefits. It assumed that people started to do depression level subsidence (ie growing their own food – in flats?) and ignoring the differences in regional costs, etc etc. She then trimmed money off that minimum and set that as the level for the benefits.

    Turned out the studies numbers and methods were suspect. What she managed to do was in fact cause a major slide in retail confidence by trying to introduce depression level economies into a recessionary environment.

    In short you’re incorrect. We had our longest substained recession because the Nats read what they wanted to see and acted stupidly. From where I was it was pretty plain to see when your sales kept dropping through the floor, wehere previously they’d been rising throughout the property downturn..

  29. Quoth the Raven 29

    vto – Yes, I agree that the left should put more effort into encouraging such alternatives, instead of blithely attacking “the market”. I don’t agree with Draco that ownership ought to be illegal, just that a cooperative, owned by the workers without outside owners (shareholders) is a better business model than the state favoured corporation. With corporations I think shareholders have too little say, but that goes along with the very vague property rights they have- it’s all to do with state’s weird legal framework for the corporation.

  30. vto 30

    co-ops have a long history and generally a pretty good one. Probably only suit certain industries etc but at least it would be a start. I’m sure there would be plenty of experience out there for new co-ops to get advice on dangers and pitfalls from.

    In fact, is this not a way that capitalism and socialism can work under the same roof perhaps?? hmmm…

    lprent, interesting view. I suspect what you saw may have been just one arm of that recession. From where I sat 1991 (which was the bottom of the recession) arose from 80s excess.

  31. burt 31

    Quoth the Raven

    The idea of cooperatives is a good one. There is one problem capital. If the members of the collective all have the same capital to put in to establish a cooperative then great no problem. If they don’t then we are back to a more hierarchical model where owners of capital expect returns on investment as well as a share of operational profits.

    Outside investors are unlikely to invest into structures where profits are minimal because they are shared equally between people who although they provide labour do not provide capital.

  32. Kerry 32

    Bretdale:- Thats right…bring out the old “communist” label…..doesnt worry me mate….infact I would rather me called a commie then a tory!!! Torys without doubt and people who generally are uneducated in the ways of the world…….perhaps you can ask ya mummy and daddy if you can spend some more time on the net and do some “homework” as our old mate winston used to say!!

    Meanwhile I’ll sit back and sharpen my sickle and paint my sunroom red and remember the good old days when we had a COMPETENT government……..just 4 short months ago.

  33. Quoth the Raven 33

    burt – If there were outside investors than it wouldn’t be a “pure” cooperative. Even so an impure cooperative is preferable to a corporation. Getting capital is no more a problem for a cooperative than any small business, its easier than a sole proprietor as they can pool their capital. Also multiple cooperatives could pool their captial. Better access to credit without usurous interest rates would be something, but that would require the smashing of the big banks instead of bailing them out. Mutual credit is the answer. The whole legal and regulatory framework needs to be changed to break the state-corporate plutocracy and I can’t see that happening. Even if when their would be unequal capital investment than workers would still be getting a much greater share of the profits than they already do as they have some ownership and the business would be less hierachical for it.
    vto – In fact, is this not a way that capitalism and socialism can work under the same roof perhaps?? hmmm In a way, but I wouldn’t say capitalism as that’s anti-free market. It’s fairly mutualist.

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    There’s been a change in Myers Park. Down the steps from St. Kevin’s Arcade, past the grassy slopes, the children’s playground, the benches and that goat statue, there has been a transformation. The underpass for Mayoral Drive has gone from a barren, grey, concrete tunnel, to a place that thrums ...
    Greater AucklandBy Connor Sharp
    4 days ago
  • A major milestone: Global climate pollution may have just peaked

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections Global society may have finally slammed on the brakes for climate-warming pollution released by human fossil fuel combustion. According to the Carbon Monitor Project, the total global climate pollution released between February and May 2024 declined slightly from the amount released during the same ...
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Tuesday, July 23 are:Deep Dive: Penlink: where tolling rhetoric meets reality BusinessDesk-$$$’s Oliver LewisScoop: Te Pūkenga plans for regional polytechs leak out ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Tuesday, July 23, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Health: Shane Reti announced the Board of Te Whatu Ora- Health New Zealand was being replaced with Commissioner Lester Levy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • HealthNZ and Luxon at cross purposes over budget blowout

    Health NZ warned the Government at the end of March that it was running over Budget. But the reasons it gave were very different to those offered by the Prime Minister yesterday. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon blamed the “botched merger” of the 20 District Health Boards (DHBs) to create Health ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • 2500-3000 more healthcare staff expected to be fired, as Shane Reti blames Labour for a budget defic...

    Long ReadKey Summary: Although National increased the health budget by $1.4 billion in May, they used an old funding model to project health system costs, and never bothered to update their pre-election numbers. They were told during the Health Select Committees earlier in the year their budget amount was deficient, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    4 days ago
  • Might Kamala Harris be about to get a 'stardust' moment like Jacinda Ardern?

    As a momentous, historic weekend in US politics unfolded, analysts and commentators grasped for precedents and comparisons to help explain the significance and power of the choice Joe Biden had made. The 46th president had swept the Democratic party’s primaries but just over 100 days from the election had chosen ...
    PunditBy Tim Watkin
    5 days ago
  • Solutions Interview: Steven Hail on MMT & ecological economics

    TL;DR: I’m casting around for new ideas and ways of thinking about Aotearoa’s political economy to find a few solutions to our cascading and self-reinforcing housing, poverty and climate crises.Associate Professor runs an online masters degree in the economics of sustainability at Torrens University in Australia and is organising ...
    The KakaBy Steven Hail
    5 days ago
  • Reported back

    The Finance and Expenditure Committee has reported back on National's Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Bill. The bill sets up water for privatisation, and was introduced under urgency, then rammed through select committee with no time even for local councils to make a proper submission. Naturally, national's select committee ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Vandrad the Viking, Christopher Coombes, and Literary Archaeology

    Some years ago, I bought a book at Dunedin’s Regent Booksale for $1.50. As one does. Vandrad the Viking (1898), by J. Storer Clouston, is an obscure book these days – I cannot find a proper online review – but soon it was sitting on my shelf, gathering dust alongside ...
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell On The Biden Withdrawal

    History is not on the side of the centre-left, when Democratic presidents fall behind in the polls and choose not to run for re-election. On both previous occasions in the past 75 years (Harry Truman in 1952, Lyndon Johnson in 1968) the Democrats proceeded to then lose the White House ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    5 days ago
  • Joe Biden's withdrawal puts the spotlight back on Kamala and the USA's complicated relatio...

    This is a free articleCoverageThis morning, US President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the Presidential race. And that is genuinely newsworthy. Thanks for your service, President Biden, and all the best to you and yours.However, the media in New Zealand, particularly the 1News nightly bulletin, has been breathlessly covering ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    5 days ago
  • Why we have to challenge our national fiscal assumptions

    A homeless person’s camp beside a blocked-off slipped damage walkway in Freeman’s Bay: we are chasing our tail on our worsening and inter-related housing, poverty and climate crises. Photo: Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Existential Crisis and Damaged Brains

    What has happened to it all?Crazy, some'd sayWhere is the life that I recognise?(Gone away)But I won't cry for yesterdayThere's an ordinary worldSomehow I have to findAnd as I try to make my wayTo the ordinary worldYesterday morning began as many others - what to write about today? I began ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • A speed limit is not a target, and yet…

    This is a guest post from longtime supporter Mr Plod, whose previous contributions include a proposal that Hamilton become New Zealand’s capital city, and that we should switch which side of the road we drive on. A recent Newsroom article, “Back to school for the Govt’s new speed limit policy“, ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Monday, July 22 are:Today’s Must Read: Father and son live in a tent, and have done for four years, in a million ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Monday, July 22, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:US President Joe Biden announced via X this morning he would not stand for a second term.Multinational professional services firm ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #29

    A listing of 32 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, July 14, 2024 thru Sat, July 20, 2024. Story of the week As reflected by preponderance of coverage, our Story of the Week is Project 2025. Until now traveling ...
    6 days ago
  • I'd like to share what I did this weekend

    This weekend, a friend pointed out someone who said they’d like to read my posts, but didn’t want to pay. And my first reaction was sympathy.I’ve already told folks that if they can’t comfortably subscribe, and would like to read, I’d be happy to offer free subscriptions. I don’t want ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • For the children – Why mere sentiment can be a misleading force in our lives, and lead to unex...

    National: The Party of ‘Law and Order’ IntroductionThis weekend, the Government formally kicked off one of their flagship policy programs: a military style boot camp that New Zealand has experimented with over the past 50 years. Cartoon credit: Guy BodyIt’s very popular with the National Party’s Law and Order image, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • A friend in uncertain times

    Day one of the solo leg of my long journey home begins with my favourite sound: footfalls in an empty street. 5.00 am and it’s already light and already too warm, almost.If I can make the train that leaves Budapest later this hour I could be in Belgrade by nightfall; ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • The Chaotic World of Male Diet Influencers

    Hi,We’ll get to the horrific world of male diet influencers (AKA Beefy Boys) shortly, but first you will be glad to know that since I sent out the Webworm explaining why the assassination attempt on Donald Trump was not a false flag operation, I’ve heard from a load of people ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • It's Starting To Look A Lot Like… Y2K

    Do you remember Y2K, the threat that hung over humanity in the closing days of the twentieth century? Horror scenarios of planes falling from the sky, electronic payments failing and ATMs refusing to dispense cash. As for your VCR following instructions and recording your favourite show - forget about it.All ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Bernard’s Saturday Soliloquy for the week to July 20

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts being questioned by The Kākā’s Bernard Hickey.TL;DR: My top six things to note around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the week to July 20 were:1. A strategy that fails Zero Carbon Act & Paris targetsThe National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government finally unveiled ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Pharmac Director, Climate Change Commissioner, Health NZ Directors – The latest to quit this m...

    Summary:As New Zealand loses at least 12 leaders in the public service space of health, climate, and pharmaceuticals, this month alone, directly in response to the Government’s policies and budget choices, what lies ahead may be darker than it appears. Tui examines some of those departures and draws a long ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 week ago
  • Flooding Housing Policy

    The Minister of Housing’s ambition is to reduce markedly the ratio of house prices to household incomes. If his strategy works it would transform the housing market, dramatically changing the prospects of housing as an investment.Leaving aside the Minister’s metaphor of ‘flooding the market’ I do not see how the ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    1 week ago
  • A Voyage Among the Vandals: Accepted (Again!)

    As previously noted, my historical fantasy piece, set in the fifth-century Mediterranean, was accepted for a Pirate Horror anthology, only for the anthology to later fall through. But in a good bit of news, it turned out that the story could indeed be re-marketed as sword and sorcery. As of ...
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā's Chorus for Friday, July 19

    An employee of tobacco company Philip Morris International demonstrates a heated tobacco device. Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy on Friday, July 19 are:At a time when the Coalition Government is cutting spending on health, infrastructure, education, housing ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 8:30 am on Friday, July 19 are:Scoop: NZ First Minister Casey Costello orders 50% cut to excise tax on heated tobacco products. The minister has ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Roundup 19-July-2024

    Kia ora, it’s time for another Friday roundup, in which we pull together some of the links and stories that caught our eye this week. Feel free to add more in the comments! Our header image this week shows a foggy day in Auckland town, captured by Patrick Reynolds. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Climate Wrap: A market-led plan for failure

    TL;DR : Here’s the top six items climate news for Aotearoa this week, as selected by Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent Cathrine Dyer. A discussion recorded yesterday is in the video above and the audio of that sent onto the podcast feed.The Government released its draft Emissions Reduction ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Tobacco First

    Save some money, get rich and old, bring it back to Tobacco Road.Bring that dynamite and a crane, blow it up, start all over again.Roll up. Roll up. Or tailor made, if you prefer...Whether you’re selling ciggies, digging for gold, catching dolphins in your nets, or encouraging folks to flutter ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Trump’s Adopted Son.

    Waiting In The Wings: For truly, if Trump is America’s un-assassinated Caesar, then J.D. Vance is America’s Octavian, the Republic’s youthful undertaker – and its first Emperor.DONALD TRUMP’S SELECTION of James D. Vance as his running-mate bodes ill for the American republic. A fervent supporter of Viktor Orban, the “illiberal” prime ...
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 19, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:The PSA announced the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) had ruled in the PSA’s favour in its case against the Ministry ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago

  • Joint statement from the Prime Ministers of Canada, Australia and New Zealand

    Australia, Canada and New Zealand today issued the following statement on the need for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and the risk of expanded conflict between Hizballah and Israel. The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The human suffering is unacceptable. It cannot continue.  We remain unequivocal in our condemnation of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago
  • AG reminds institutions of legal obligations

    Attorney-General Judith Collins today reminded all State and faith-based institutions of their legal obligation to preserve records relevant to the safety and wellbeing of those in its care. “The Abuse in Care Inquiry’s report has found cases where records of the most vulnerable people in State and faith‑based institutions were ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago
  • More young people learning about digital safety

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government’s online safety website for children and young people has reached one million page views.  “It is great to see so many young people and their families accessing the site Keep It Real Online to learn how to stay safe online, and manage ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago
  • Speech to the Conference for General Practice 2024

    Tēnā tātou katoa,  Ngā mihi te rangi, ngā mihi te whenua, ngā mihi ki a koutou, kia ora mai koutou. Thank you for the opportunity to be here and the invitation to speak at this 50th anniversary conference. I acknowledge all those who have gone before us and paved the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    24 hours ago
  • Employers and payroll providers ready for tax changes

    New Zealand’s payroll providers have successfully prepared to ensure 3.5 million individuals will, from Wednesday next week, be able to keep more of what they earn each pay, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Revenue Minister Simon Watts.  “The Government's tax policy changes are legally effective from Wednesday. Delivering this tax ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Experimental vineyard futureproofs wine industry

    An experimental vineyard which will help futureproof the wine sector has been opened in Blenheim by Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson. The covered vineyard, based at the New Zealand Wine Centre – Te Pokapū Wāina o Aotearoa, enables controlled environmental conditions. “The research that will be produced at the Experimental ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Funding confirmed for regions affected by North Island Weather Events

    The Coalition Government has confirmed the indicative regional breakdown of North Island Weather Event (NIWE) funding for state highway recovery projects funded through Budget 2024, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Regions in the North Island suffered extensive and devastating damage from Cyclone Gabrielle and the 2023 Auckland Anniversary Floods, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Indonesian Foreign Minister to visit

    Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi, will visit New Zealand next week, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.   “Indonesia is important to New Zealand’s security and economic interests and is our closest South East Asian neighbour,” says Mr Peters, who is currently in Laos to engage with South East Asian partners. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Strengthening partnership with Ngāti Maniapoto

    He aha te kai a te rangatira? He kōrero, he kōrero, he kōrero. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the aspirations of Ngāti Maniapoto, Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka says. “My thanks to Te Nehenehenui Trust – Ngāti Maniapoto for bringing their important kōrero to a ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Transport Minister thanks outgoing CAA Chair

    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has thanked outgoing Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority, Janice Fredric, for her service to the board.“I have received Ms Fredric’s resignation from the role of Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority,” Mr Brown says.“On behalf of the Government, I want to thank Ms Fredric for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Test for Customary Marine Title being restored

    The Government is proposing legislation to overturn a Court of Appeal decision and amend the Marine and Coastal Area Act in order to restore Parliament’s test for Customary Marine Title, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says.  “Section 58 required an applicant group to prove they have exclusively used and occupied ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Opposition united in bad faith over ECE sector review

    Regulation Minister David Seymour says that opposition parties have united in bad faith, opposing what they claim are ‘dangerous changes’ to the Early Childhood Education sector, despite no changes even being proposed yet.  “Issues with affordability and availability of early childhood education, and the complexity of its regulation, has led ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Kiwis having their say on first regulatory review

    After receiving more than 740 submissions in the first 20 days, Regulation Minister David Seymour is asking the Ministry for Regulation to extend engagement on the early childhood education regulation review by an extra two weeks.  “The level of interest has been very high, and from the conversations I’ve been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government upgrading Lower North Island commuter rail

    The Coalition Government is investing $802.9 million into the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines as part of a funding agreement with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), KiwiRail, and the Greater Wellington and Horizons Regional Councils to deliver more reliable services for commuters in the lower North Island, Transport Minister Simeon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government moves to ensure flood protection for Wairoa

    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced his intention to appoint a Crown Manager to both Hawke’s Bay Regional and Wairoa District Councils to speed up the delivery of flood protection work in Wairoa."Recent severe weather events in Wairoa this year, combined with damage from Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023 have ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • PM speech to Parliament – Royal Commission of Inquiry’s Report into Abuse in Care

    Mr Speaker, this is a day that many New Zealanders who were abused in State care never thought would come. It’s the day that this Parliament accepts, with deep sorrow and regret, the Report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.  At the heart of this report are the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges torture at Lake Alice

    For the first time, the Government is formally acknowledging some children and young people at Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital experienced torture. The final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care “Whanaketia – through pain and trauma, from darkness to light,” was tabled in Parliament ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges courageous abuse survivors

    The Government has acknowledged the nearly 2,400 courageous survivors who shared their experiences during the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State and Faith-Based Care. The final report from the largest and most complex public inquiry ever held in New Zealand, the Royal Commission Inquiry “Whanaketia – through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Half a million people use tax calculator

    With a week to go before hard-working New Zealanders see personal income tax relief for the first time in fourteen years, 513,000 people have used the Budget tax calculator to see how much they will benefit, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “Tax relief is long overdue. From next Wednesday, personal income ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Paid Parental Leave improvements pass first reading

    Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says a bill that has passed its first reading will improve parental leave settings and give non-biological parents more flexibility as primary carer for their child. The Regulatory Systems Amendment Bill (No3), passed its first reading this morning. “It includes a change ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Rebuilding the economy through better regulation

    Two Bills designed to improve regulation and make it easier to do business have passed their first reading in Parliament, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. The Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Bill and Regulatory Systems (Immigration and Workforce) Amendment Bill make key changes to legislation administered by the Ministry ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • ‘Open banking’ and ‘open electricity’ on the way

    New legislation paves the way for greater competition in sectors such as banking and electricity, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Competitive markets boost productivity, create employment opportunities and lift living standards. To support competition, we need good quality regulation but, unfortunately, a recent OECD report ranked New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Charity lotteries to be permitted to operate online

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says lotteries for charitable purposes, such as those run by the Heart Foundation, Coastguard NZ, and local hospices, will soon be allowed to operate online permanently. “Under current laws, these fundraising lotteries are only allowed to operate online until October 2024, after which ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Accelerating Northland Expressway

    The Coalition Government is accelerating work on the new four-lane expressway between Auckland and Whangārei as part of its Roads of National Significance programme, with an accelerated delivery model to deliver this project faster and more efficiently, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “For too long, the lack of resilient transport connections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Sir Don to travel to Viet Nam as special envoy

    Sir Don McKinnon will travel to Viet Nam this week as a Special Envoy of the Government, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.    “It is important that the Government give due recognition to the significant contributions that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made to New Zealand-Viet Nam relations,” Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Grant Illingworth KC appointed as transitional Commissioner to Royal Commission

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says newly appointed Commissioner, Grant Illingworth KC, will help deliver the report for the first phase of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons, due on 28 November 2024.  “I am pleased to announce that Mr Illingworth will commence his appointment as ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ to advance relationships with ASEAN partners

    Foreign Minister Winston Peters travels to Laos this week to participate in a series of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-led Ministerial meetings in Vientiane.    “ASEAN plays an important role in supporting a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” Mr Peters says.   “This will be our third visit to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Backing mental health services on the West Coast

    Construction of a new mental health facility at Te Nikau Grey Hospital in Greymouth is today one step closer, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “This $27 million facility shows this Government is delivering on its promise to boost mental health care and improve front line services,” Mr Doocey says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ support for sustainable Pacific fisheries

    New Zealand is committing nearly $50 million to a package supporting sustainable Pacific fisheries development over the next four years, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones announced today. “This support consisting of a range of initiatives demonstrates New Zealand’s commitment to assisting our Pacific partners ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Students’ needs at centre of new charter school adjustments

    Associate Education Minister David Seymour says proposed changes to the Education and Training Amendment Bill will ensure charter schools have more flexibility to negotiate employment agreements and are equipped with the right teaching resources. “Cabinet has agreed to progress an amendment which means unions will not be able to initiate ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Commissioner replaces Health NZ Board

    In response to serious concerns around oversight, overspend and a significant deterioration in financial outlook, the Board of Health New Zealand will be replaced with a Commissioner, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti announced today.  “The previous government’s botched health reforms have created significant financial challenges at Health NZ that, without ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister to speak at Australian Space Forum

    Minister for Space and Science, Innovation and Technology Judith Collins will travel to Adelaide tomorrow for space and science engagements, including speaking at the Australian Space Forum.  While there she will also have meetings and visits with a focus on space, biotechnology and innovation.  “New Zealand has a thriving space ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Climate Change Minister to attend climate action meeting in China

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts will travel to China on Saturday to attend the Ministerial on Climate Action meeting held in Wuhan.  “Attending the Ministerial on Climate Action is an opportunity to advocate for New Zealand climate priorities and engage with our key partners on climate action,” Mr Watts says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Oceans and Fisheries Minister to Solomons

    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is travelling to the Solomon Islands tomorrow for meetings with his counterparts from around the Pacific supporting collective management of the region’s fisheries. The 23rd Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Committee and the 5th Regional Fisheries Ministers’ Meeting in Honiara from 23 to 26 July ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Government launches Military Style Academy Pilot

    The Government today launched the Military Style Academy Pilot at Te Au rere a te Tonga Youth Justice residence in Palmerston North, an important part of the Government’s plan to crackdown on youth crime and getting youth offenders back on track, Minister for Children, Karen Chhour said today. “On the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Nine priority bridge replacements to get underway

    The Government has welcomed news the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has begun work to replace nine priority bridges across the country to ensure our state highway network remains resilient, reliable, and efficient for road users, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“Increasing productivity and economic growth is a key priority for the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Update on global IT outage

    Acting Prime Minister David Seymour has been in contact throughout the evening with senior officials who have coordinated a whole of government response to the global IT outage and can provide an update. The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has designated the National Emergency Management Agency as the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New Zealand, Japan renew Pacific partnership

    New Zealand and Japan will continue to step up their shared engagement with the Pacific, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “New Zealand and Japan have a strong, shared interest in a free, open and stable Pacific Islands region,” Mr Peters says.    “We are pleased to be finding more ways ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New infrastructure energises BOP forestry towns

    New developments in the heart of North Island forestry country will reinvigorate their communities and boost economic development, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones visited Kaingaroa and Kawerau in Bay of Plenty today to open a landmark community centre in the former and a new connecting road in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • 'Pacific Futures'

    President Adeang, fellow Ministers, honourable Diet Member Horii, Ambassadors, distinguished guests.    Minasama, konnichiwa, and good afternoon, everyone.    Distinguished guests, it’s a pleasure to be here with you today to talk about New Zealand’s foreign policy reset, the reasons for it, the values that underpin it, and how it ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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