Everybody got together on that day as one brother

Written By: - Date published: 8:45 am, August 27th, 2020 - 32 comments
Categories: law, law and "order", terrorism, uncategorized - Tags: ,

I thought that the sentencing of the Christchurch Mosque mass murderer would be something of a circus and do nothing but open up old wounds and allow the person in the dock to spread his message of hate.  But so far it has been a cathartic event and has given the victims the ability to vent their feelings.  And it has provided a chance for us to reinforce our solidarity with our Muslim brothers and sisters.

The messages delivered to the murderer have run the full gamut.

Jana Ezat, whose son Hussein Al-Umari was one of those murdered, found it within her heart to forgive the killer.

From Radio New Zealand:

I decided to forgive you … because I don’t have hate. I don’t have revenge,” she said directly to the terrorist.

In our Muslim faith we say . . . we are able to forgive, forgive.

I forgive you. Damage was done and Hussein will never be here so I have only one choice to forgive you.”

Others chose to ridicule him.

Abdul Aziz Wahabzadah was the person who grabbed an eftpos machine and ran after the killer.  He drew gunfire but the bullets missed.  He then grabbed a discarded gun and speared the side window of the killer’s car with it and forced him to flee.

After the arrest he asked the police to allow him to spend 15 minutes in a cell with the defendant to “see how much guts he has without a gun”.

From the Herald:

On Wednesday, he told … that his idea to breed hate between religions has failed.

“Everybody got together on that day as one brother,” he said.

He felt sorry for his family but felt nothing for the killer, saying he should feel grateful he didn’t catch him that day.

“It would’ve been a different story. The government would’ve saved a lot of money,” he said.

Wahabzadah ended by telling him: “Never forget these two eyes you ran from.”

As he left the courtroom, Justice Cameron Mander stopped him.

“Before you go,” the judge said, “I’ve seen the video and I want to acknowledge what courage.”

It prompted a spontaneous round of applause in the public gallery.

I have chosen these two examples as the most exceptional examples of the sorts of responses that have been given.  But every single victim has contributed to the hearing.  And I hope that this process has helped them with their healing.

There are reports this morning that the killer will not make any submissions.  Maybe the outpouring of grief and emotion have made him reflect.  If he does not speak this will be best.

The Sentencing Act provides that the Judge must impose the maximum penalty prescribed if the offending is within the most serious of cases for which that penalty is prescribed, unless circumstances relating to the offender make that inappropriate.  The maximum sentence for murder is life without parole.  I do not think that determining whether the killer’s actions can be categorised as the most serious of cases will be too difficult.

Update: he has been sentenced to life imprisonment without parole.

32 comments on “Everybody got together on that day as one brother ”

  1. Ad 1

    Total respect for all those I heard on RNZ yesterday giving their view directly to the killer.

  2. gsays 2

    I was mightily impressed with Jana Ezat's statement, that she was able to forgive her son's killer.

    The compassion and strength she showed, moved me to tears when I heard her speak.

  3. Anne 3

    Maybe the outpouring of grief and emotion have made him reflect.

    Oh, it made him reflect alright but more likely when it came to the crunch he is too much of a coward to make a submission.

    Always easy to be full of bravado before an event…

  4. anker 4

    Amazing testimonies. My heart goes out to all victims of this unthinkable event.

  5. Patricia Bremner 5

    The testimony which stayed with me was "Who is the other now?'

    May they all gain strength and peace.

  6. Enough is Enough 6

    [The killer] is evil personified.

    After today he will spend every living breath stuck in a grey dreary cell in Paremoremo isolated from the general prison population for his own safety.

    That existence is too good for him.

    [As a policy the site does not mention him by name – MS]

  7. bwaghorn 7

    We really should have a death penalty for extreme cases like , we put down dogs that bite .

    • Andre 7.1

      To me there's one argument against the death penalty that overwhelms any and every possible argument for it: places that have the death penalty sometimes apply it to innocent people. It's simply not possible to have enough safeguards against that happening.

      As it turns out, even in places with a justice system as rabid as the US that nevertheless still have some semblance of due process, it's cheaper to keep someone in prison for life than to go through the rigmarole of all the steps to actually legally execute someone.

      Then there's the consideration that locking someone up for life is actually likely to be a harsher punishment than a humane execution.

      • Chris 7.1.1

        Mander said “Your crimes are so wicked that even if you are detained until you die, it would not exhaust the requirements of punishment and denunciation.”

        Not sure if it's up to the judiciary to comment on the adequacy of maximum sentences, which he must be doing because he imposed the maximum sentence. What can Mander be implying here? That we do need a death sentence? Or if a death sentence, as you’re suggesting, could be less severe than life without parole, then torture as well? Hard labour?

        https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/christchurch-shooting/122577663/christchurch-mosque-gunman-jailed-until-his-last-gasp

        • Andre 7.1.1.1

          What I'm getting from Mander's comment is that there is no conceivable punishment that matches the heinousness of the fuckwit's crimes. Which I fully agree with. Life in prison is inadequate to express the revulsion at his acts. As would be applying a death penalty. I don't intend to exercise my imagination as to whether something dreamed up by Saudis or Pootee's poisoners might adequately express my feelings.

      • greywarshark 7.1.2

        As Andre says – the availability of the death penalty just takes those inclined to abuse their position that step further. Innocent people get it dumped on them. We can't afford to give that power out in civil society and it is bad enough when there is defence and attack personnel in some small or large war.

        It would be a good quick way to rid ourselves of people who have turned against humanity. But then again why? Babies are born innocent, it is the affect of being brought up in a coarse society where respect for each other and oneself is absent. If there is little caring between people and children, and there is no regular patterns of good social behaviour, erratic parenting being perhaps the worse approach, then the behaviour patterns set down are negative.

        In other words, parenting is very important and I am always on about having support for all parents, regular workshops where problems can be discussed and information be given, and actual classes for the very young, the lone parents, and those who have had problems. It would reduce the fallout from society.

  8. Cinny 8

    Much, much love and respect to all the brave people who stood up and spoke their truth via victim impact statements over the last few days. Our thoughts are with you all.

  9. Patricia Bremner 9

    This terrorist event is a reminder of how we need to increase the inclusiveness of communities and cultures, and support victims. Society has to always be aware and on guard to out the behaviours which lead up to this.

    Thanks to those who stood outside the court with heart posters and open arms to greet the survivors after the sentencing.

    May their faith and fellowship bring them comfort on the long road ahead.

    Thank you for the sensitive reporting, it has been appreciated.

  10. Ad 10

    Can anyone else remember where they were on that day?

    One of our broader company team was shot. He recovered, slowly.

    In the late afternoon of that day our whole construction crew of over 200 gathered for a shared dinner, and our sole devout Muslim called the prayer.

    It was the first sacred moment I've seen in any private sector workplace.

    We had no problem just letting our guy go to support the community in Christchurch for several weeks.

    • mickysavage 10.1

      I spent the morning at the School strike for the climate protest downtown and caught the train back to work. When I tuned into the interweb all hell was braking loose.

      The next morning I went to Ethkick, a local soccer tournament involving teams from different ethnic communities. It was really surreal. There were cops there with guns. But everyone insisted on celebrating our diversity.

      It really was one of those where were you when you first heard …

  11. bwaghorn 11

    @Andre the guy was caught in the act it's an open and shut case , the same as that wetherston scum bag .

    If you had fro only those caught red handed it is fail proof.

    • Andre 11.1

      Who else in the last fifty years in New Zealand do you think should have got the death penalty?

      • mickysavage 11.1.1

        The trouble with open and shut cases is sometimes they turn out to be not so open and shut. Although this one seems to be clear.

        • Andre 11.1.1.1

          Indeed.

          The Innocence Project have uncovered some real shockers. And given the limited scope of what they take on, I'm sure what they've shown is just a glimpse of the iceberg viewed through heavy fog.

  12. bwaghorn 12

    Only those two spring to mind

    • joe90 12.1

      This fucker's a candidate, too.

      As proof of his attempt to dominate the relationship, 23-year-old Bromley had written chilling lists about how Ford could improve herself.

      But it wasn't enough for him.

      She died in a flat near the university's Palmerston North campus on March 13, 2015.

      Ferris-Bromley was originally charged with murder but the charge was changed to the less serious charge of manslaughter, and he pleaded guilty.

      He also pleaded guilty to two charges of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to injure – fracturing ribs in the month before she died, and causing bleeding on the brain in the four days leading up to her death.

      The fatal incident was a severe impact that ruptured her duodenum and caused peritonitis.

      She might have been saved if he had called for help immediately.

      Instead he wiped away the blood coming from her eyes and waited until she stopped breathing before calling for an ambulance

      […[

      He said Ferris-Bromley had sought to dominate and control Ford, and became increasingly violent.

      Ferris-Bromley had written two lists about how Ford could improve herself, such has "sort out and admit mistakes", and "think about what Jesse says".

      They were chilling evidence of the dominance he tried to impose on her, the judge said.

      After she died the pathologist counted 55 bruises on her front, back and arms.

      Her right kidney was torn and there had been bleeding on her brain.

      She had cracked ribs that would have been very painful in the weeks before her death but she continued her daily routine and going to lectures.

      A pharmacy assistant remembered Ford buying bruise cream, and seeing the bruises under heavy make-up she wore.

      https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/79186783/jesse-ferrisbromley-sentenced-for-palmerston-north-manslaughter

    • Andre 12.2

      So, leaving aside all the moral and ethical considerations and the risk that once it's on the books the eligibility criteria get expanded, do you think it's worth keeping all the physical and legal structures in place to be able to execute someone, just for the satisfaction of being able to bump off an indisputably deserving arsehole once every two or three decades? Set against being able to picture the fuckwit sitting in his cell rotting forever, every time you're unfortunate enough to think of him again?

      Legalised execution really is a big business by the time you add up all the layers of lawyers involved, and just the simple mechanics of doing the deed get awfully involved. That's a substantial part of why most states eventually got rid of the death penalty, and why there's only a few dozen executions carried out annually in the barbaric states that still have it.

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capital_punishment_in_the_United_States

  13. Pingao 13

    Apart from any other considerations, I think people would be more reluctant to find someone guilty if there were a possibility that the death penalty would be imposed.

  14. bwaghorn 14

    The expansion thing is a risk so you'll be voting against euthanasia for the same reason.

    I'll admit I'm completely ignorant to how hard/easy it is to have an operating death penalty on the books .

    The cost would struggle to be the $5k a day its going to cost to keep this shit heal in jail for 40 years .

  15. Patricia Bremner 15

    I always worry that the inhumanity that someone has to have to kill another human in cold blood causes the whole society to question their values when there is a death penalty.

    We know violence gets violence. We need to do more to educate the young about respect for others in situations of anger and sexual arousal.

    Recognising whether you can delay responses or whether you are triggered easily, is often a first step., and having a coping strategy.

    This was something else.!!! Who among us could do that, then walk through the bodies to shoot a terrified three year old?? A sadist. That is who.

    Let us now forget him and support the survivors through the difficult years ahead. Kia kaha.

  16. Ad 16

    Great to see Australian PM Scott Malcolm happy to take that Aussie murderer to serve out his time there.

    Might be 'too early' for Ardern, but not for Winston or the Australian PM.

  17. Obtrectator 17

    My prediction: he'll find a way of topping himself. I give it three years at most.

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    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
    23 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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