First year of study free launched by Prime Minister Ardern

Written By: - Date published: 1:09 pm, December 5th, 2017 - 83 comments
Categories: education, jacinda ardern, labour, Politics - Tags:

Free study for everyone from next year, for first year.

No age restrictions.

Apprentices get two years free.

80,000 people starting off a new life, aiming for higher productivity.

Prime Minister Ardern, launching it at Aotea College, said to the 500-odd students in the assembly: “How many of you when you finish up in school plan to do some kind of education or training?

“We can prepare you by giving access to education or training, so we are launching here today, your first year of study will be absolutely free.”

She said the policy would help not only secondary school students, but also factory floor workers about to be replaced by machines.

“This is the beginning of us meeting the challenges of the future, but it’s also about investing in your future. Enjoy your next stage of education.”

My kind of government.

83 comments on “First year of study free launched by Prime Minister Ardern ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Stunned Mullet 1
    5 December 2017 at 1:27 pm

    Any word on the nuts and bolts of how this will be charged/reimbursed.

    • McFlock 1.1
      5 December 2017 at 2:09 pm

      Why? If you need specific advice on how to administer the finances of your tertiary institution, I suggest you ask the ministry of education rather than commenters on a blog site.

      If you are planning on embarking on a course of tertiary study for the first time, your institution of choice will provide you information on the enrolment process.

      • Stunned Mullet 1.1.1
        5 December 2017 at 2:30 pm

        🙄

      • Michael 1.1.2
        5 December 2017 at 4:15 pm

        The devil is always in the details with Labour policies, while it seems the bureaucrats who are supposed to administer the policy don’t know ithose details either. Meanwhile the voracious universities and polytechnics (need to pay their vice-chancellors’ latest [ay increases before Christmas) are happily whingeing that the policy is a cock-up. Meanwhile Nat MPs are retailing middle class whinges along the lines of: “why should next year’s first time students get something for nothing when I didn’t?” Unless theimplementation of this policy is handled flawlessly it will damage Labour among its core middle class constituency. That is a shame because making tertiary education affordable is a worthwhile policy for a government wanting to convince voters that it is keen to repudiate excesses of neoliberalism (but not so far as it will actually cost any of the middle classes anything).

        • McFlock 1.1.2.1
          5 December 2017 at 5:24 pm

          Not all that much devil there. First years are free next year. Currently institutions charge a percentage to the student and the rest to the government. Doesn’t take an advanced degree in accounting to change the percentage.

  2. Sanctuary 2
    5 December 2017 at 1:32 pm

    The middle-class MSM will focus on university for 18-19 year olds. But the real revolution is going to be in trades, diplomas and retraining.

    At last, a concrete step towards raising productivity.

  3. Heather Grimwood 3
    5 December 2017 at 1:52 pm

    This detailed and easily understood policy shows real understanding of the situation of many…a real credit to the instigators.
    Seldom do those who can sail through expenses required for further education comprehend the position of those who can’t.
    For all those who will benefit : make the most of this great opportunity…you are now really privileged….every good wish ( and ensure you vote in 2020!).

  4. Bill 4
    5 December 2017 at 2:07 pm

    “If you’re not a recent school leaver, and you’ve done less than half a fulltime year of education or training, you also qualify.”

    Unfortunately then, for all the mature students who dropped out of study because of debt, or because of age restrictions imposed by the National led government…no way back in.

  5. alwyn 5
    5 December 2017 at 2:15 pm

    Is the policy going to pay for the Students Association levies and so on?
    At most Universities they are pretty well still compulsory I gather.

    Pity I am not eligible. I could almost be tempted to study something new in my old age. Medieval European music or something like that.

    • Stunned Mullet 5.1
      5 December 2017 at 2:32 pm

      I was thinking of some classics papers for a laugh.

    • Nick 5.2
      5 December 2017 at 2:49 pm

      You could study politics alwyn.

      • One Anonymous Bloke 5.2.1
        5 December 2017 at 3:37 pm

        😆

        Burn.

      • alwyn 5.2.2
        5 December 2017 at 3:51 pm

        That is not an academic course.
        It seems to have become a trade course for budding MPs.

        For far to many people it is a Pol Sci degree, a job working for an MP, a place in a Minister’s office, getting onto the party list and then buggering around in Parliament.
        Every Party, in every Parliament is being taken over by those drones.

        Give me someone like Key who had a proper career and then went into politics in his 40’s rather than someone like Hipkins who has never had a proper job in his life.

        • Reality 5.2.2.1
          5 December 2017 at 3:58 pm

          And Bill English has had how many “proper jobs”?

          • alwyn 5.2.2.1.1
            5 December 2017 at 4:05 pm

            Probably only one.
            I don’t know if he worked anywhere other then Treasury before he entered Parliament. He was only about 28 when he went into Parliament.
            I’m not sure I would count summer holidays on the farm although he learned, and hasn’t forgotten, how to shear a sheep.
            Never did manage to get the hang of that myself, although I tried a few times.

        • McFlock 5.2.2.2
          5 December 2017 at 4:01 pm

          Funnily enough, politics is the only profession where actually being trained in its nuances is somehow worse than being a rich dilettante. We expect our doctors to be trained and sober, yet apparently prefer our politicians to be drunk and incompetent. OK, I added “drunk”. Adds a certain style.

          God forbid a politician would know how legislation is formed, policy areas interact, and so on.

          • Psycho Milt 5.2.2.2.1
            6 December 2017 at 4:18 pm

            Ha! For the kind of person who’s had a “proper” job facilitating currency speculators’ attacks on his own country’s dollar, those things are trivial matters unworthy of attention. That’s what you have flunkies for.

        • odysseus 5.2.2.3
          5 December 2017 at 4:04 pm

          “Give me someone like Key who had a proper career…”. What? Like currency dealing???!!

        • One Anonymous Bloke 5.2.2.4
          5 December 2017 at 4:16 pm

          This notion of ‘proper’ jobs is interesting.

          “He said, ‘If I put you in a room, Clive, you couldn’t do anything’.

          Morris Hayes.

          For “Clive” read “Dr. Sir John Key”. If you want to go judging people’s careers, that is.

        • Drum 5.2.2.5
          5 December 2017 at 7:14 pm

          And shifting currency is a proper job?

    • Ad 5.3
      5 December 2017 at 3:18 pm

      Would be good to see you do a post here on the prospects for the New Zealand economy. You can insert classical references.

    • Draco T Bastard 5.4
      5 December 2017 at 3:28 pm

      I could almost be tempted to study something new in my old age. Medieval European music or something like that.

      Do it. You’ll probably enjoy it and also get to become an art director/critic/auctioneer/…

      I do find it amusing when you RWNJs come out with what you think are worthless courses that often have careers with pay-checks far more than what you’re getting now.

      • alwyn 5.4.1
        5 December 2017 at 3:44 pm

        “come out with what you think are worthless courses”.
        What do you mean “worthless”?
        That was a perfectly serious comment. I think it would be interesting, regardless of any earning potential.

        ” with pay-checks far more than what you’re getting now.”
        I don’t know quite how to judge that. I retired nearly 25 years ago and haven’t had an actual “pay-check” since then.
        Since that time I have only earned money from our investments and from a variety of consulting jobs I am offered. They are not long term work and what I charge varies greatly depending on how interesting it seems. I don’t really care any more what I am paid. How much can you spend once you are past 70?

        What does an art critic or director earn anyway?

        • Draco T Bastard 5.4.1.1
          5 December 2017 at 5:14 pm

          Since that time I have only earned money from our investments…

          Ah, so you’re a professional bludger.

          • One Anonymous Bloke 5.4.1.1.1
            5 December 2017 at 5:26 pm

            Only in the sense that Capitalism bludges by nature.

          • alwyn 5.4.1.1.2
            5 December 2017 at 7:01 pm

            “earned money from our investments…”
            Why did you leave out the rest of the sentence? Did it spoil your image to find that I was actually in demand sometimes?
            Even from a Labour Government on a number of occasions in the past.
            I merely did what the sainted Sir Michael Cullen wanted me to do of course.
            Saved to help provide for my own retirement.
            I take it you never save anything, and never invest in anything?
            And, incidentally why didn’t you tell me what the arty types can earn?

        • Ad 5.4.1.2
          5 December 2017 at 8:18 pm

          Art critics are usually paid by the column, and it’s a hobby.

          Art directors of a dealer gallery do all right.

          I did a PhD in art history with dump loads of Frankfurt Marxism, ritual theory, and German phenomenology.

          Fair to say I don’t use a lot of it now. In fact I got out fast because no one told me the pay was crap and the curators made the neuroses of Handbag Labradoodles look like the Dalai Lama on Kaitaia’s finest hash brownies.

          • alwyn 5.4.1.2.1
            5 December 2017 at 9:08 pm

            Well that certainly destroys any illusions I might have got from DTB’s comment at 5.4.
            That is information that was what Stephen Joyce wanted tertiary institutions to provide to their prospective students. He wanted them to be told what the course they were committing so much time and money to would mean to their future. Seemed a good idea to me.
            At my stage of life it wouldn’t matter of course. Any Music study I did would be purely for my own enjoyment.
            The image you offer in the final sentence is certainly a striking one though. I think it will make me check that I have a clear unobstructed path to the outside door when I visit any Gallery. Charles Manson may have had a brother running an Art Gallery.

    • Tricledrown 5.5
      5 December 2017 at 3:50 pm

      Why are you not eligble Alwyn.

      • alwyn 5.5.1
        5 December 2017 at 3:54 pm

        Far, far too many years of study already. You aren’t allowed to have had more that six months prior post-school study or suchlike.

    • Tricledrown 5.6
      5 December 2017 at 3:52 pm

      Alwyn student association levies have long gone.

      • alwyn 5.6.1
        5 December 2017 at 3:59 pm

        What I was thinking of was this fee. From Auckland University they mention

        “In addition to the tuition fees below, there is a Student Services Fee of $6.78 per point, estimated at $813.60 for full time study (120 points).”
        https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/study/fees-and-money-matters/tuition-fees/undergraduate-domestic-fees.html

        That is the equivalent of the old Student Association Isn’t it?

        • Tricledrown 5.6.1.1
          5 December 2017 at 5:14 pm

          Democratically elected service provider cheap healthcare student job search sports career advice counselling and many buildings cheap at $15 pw.
          Helping students stay in education.

          • alwyn 5.6.1.1.1
            5 December 2017 at 6:53 pm

            In other words yes it is the old Students Association Levies.
            It was the University’s way of helping the Students Association get round the voluntary membership of the Association.
            Just make the fee compulsory and hand the money over to the left wing Labour MPs in training to practice on.
            It is certainly not cheap if you don’t want to use ANY of the facilities is it?

    • red-blooded 5.7
      5 December 2017 at 6:56 pm

      Yes, alwyn, the policy covers SA fees.

      • alwyn 5.7.1
        5 December 2017 at 9:11 pm

        Thank you for the info.
        It doesn’t apply to me of course but I was curious whether it was all inclusive.
        I have grand-children who may be affected in a few years.

  6. marty mars 6
    5 December 2017 at 4:35 pm

    What does this term ‘raising or aiming for higher productivity’ mean in the context of this initiative? Is it that people won’t be sitting on their bums or that they’ll get better jobs and make more money potentially, or something else? I can’t quite fathom it sorry.

  7. savenz 7
    5 December 2017 at 4:59 pm

    I can already see a hitch if the aim is to get Kiwi citizen’s trained up.

    People on work visas entitled to fees-free apprenticeships and industry training

    http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2017/12/people-on-work-visas-entitled-to-fees-free-apprenticeships-and-industry-training.html

  8. James 8
    5 December 2017 at 5:02 pm

    Looks like it’s limited to 12k – but that’s got to be a good help.

    • Cinny 8.1
      5 December 2017 at 5:14 pm

      Far out yes 🙂 Such good news for those who want to be educated but simply can’t afford it.

  9. David Mac 9
    5 December 2017 at 8:59 pm

    I think it’s a positive move towards addressing what the future holds for us. The menial jobs are disappearing. Google are coding us up taxi drivers.

    • BM 9.1
      5 December 2017 at 9:30 pm

      The future will be no children unless approved by the state.

      Breeding people to sit around and do nothing is pointless and will lead to the collapse of society unless controls are put in place.

      Probably got about 10-15 years before some seriously hard calls need to be made.

      • David Mac 9.1.1
        5 December 2017 at 9:40 pm

        Yep, that’s one visualisation of the future.

        I’m reluctant to subscribe. I’m frightened that if I was to over visualise a dire future I’d arrive at the conclusion: “Why bother getting there?”

        I’d rather get through the day with a zing in my step. Hope springs eternal.

        • BM 9.1.1.1
          5 December 2017 at 9:44 pm

          It’s not dire, it’s just a natural progression.

          People living far far longer, most work done by computers and cyborg units, we’ve sort of made breeding a bit redundant.

          • David Mac 9.1.1.1.1
            5 December 2017 at 9:51 pm

            You seem to be throwing out the apocalypse welcome mat BM.

            i’d prefer to see us poised to enter a new age of human civilisation.

            Once were taxi drivers, today ridding Alzheimer’s.

          • McFlock 9.1.1.1.2
            6 December 2017 at 4:55 pm

            Well, two points argue against that.

            The first is that birth rates drop as standards of living increase. A society of great inequality where there are many poor people will have a population growth problem, but a developed society with no poor people would actually have an aging population problem.

            Secondly, if automation does all the work, why should the owners of the robots keep all the profits? Either they voluntarily recirculate the profits throughout the land, or their capitalist system collapses. It’s interesting that you went to “cull the population” long before you considered a non-capitalist, even currency-less, society.

      • Draco T Bastard 9.1.2
        6 December 2017 at 6:48 pm

        Breeding people to sit around and do nothing is pointless and will lead to the collapse of society unless controls are put in place.

        1. We already have people breeding others to do nothing – it’s the rich and they are destroying society.
        2. There’s actually a hell of a lot for people to do if we remove jobs – there’s research and development, care giving, health services and numerous other work that requires higher education and people being well looked after.
        3. The Earth is already over-populated due to the capitalists and their idea that they can always make more profit if there’s more people to sell to.

  10. adam 10
    5 December 2017 at 10:33 pm

    I for one am glad apprentices got a break. Would have liked them to get it totally free so they feel they can stay in NZ without debt around their necks.

    But on the whole, a good move by this government.

  11. Antoine 11
    6 December 2017 at 12:04 am

    Nice to see a bit of targeting (apprentices and trainees)

    A.

  12. Antoine 12
    6 December 2017 at 12:19 pm

    Question. Does the Govt:
    (a) forbid tertiary institutions from charging fees to students using a free year? (if so, how can it do this?) – Or,
    (b) allow them to charge, but pay the fees itself? (if so, how can it make the institution keep the fees down to a reasonable level?)

    A.

    P.S. I am not concern trolling, I am genuinely interested because I don’t know how this works.

  13. Sparky 13
    6 December 2017 at 6:07 pm

    We used to have three years free tertiary education before Labour took it away. Still a step in the right direction but not a big enough step and don’t be surprised if the Nats take it away at some point in the future.

    • Ed 13.1
      6 December 2017 at 6:08 pm

      They may find it hard to repeal.

    • solkta 13.2
      6 December 2017 at 6:11 pm

      It was National!

      • Draco T Bastard 13.2.1
        6 December 2017 at 6:28 pm

        It was the 4th Labour government that started the reforms in the 1980s:

        In the late 1980s, as had happened earlier in other areas of the public sector, the tertiary education sector was opened up to the forces of the free market. A series of competitive policies were introduced by the Labour government with the intention of making tertiary institutions more financially self-sufficient. Increasing demand for places at tertiary institutions, and pressure to expand the tertiary education system meant that the government could not be relied upon for a significant chunk of the funding required by tertiary institutions. Tertiary education in New Zealand, from 1990 onwards—in simple terms—operated on a “user pays” basis. The student loans scheme was introduced to assist students with their fee payments. Students were not happy, and mass protests, complete with banners, placards and arrests, ensued.

        • solkta 13.2.1.1
          6 December 2017 at 6:41 pm

          Oh. OK.

          • McFlock 13.2.1.1.1
            6 December 2017 at 10:21 pm

            Yep.

            Lockwood Smith signed a pledge in 1989/1990 to repeal the student loans system and lower fees again if National won the 1990 election.

            Instead they doubled down.

            The pisser is that students’ and university unions totally predicted the outcome: massive debt inflating professional fees, and keeping the disadvantaged poor and uneducated. Money that could go on education goes on marketing competitive institutions against each other. Some institutions inflate student numbers and lower course difficulty, others restrict entry to people who have had the advantage of better schooling and private tutors (sorry, “restrict academic progression to preferred courses based on academic achievement”).

            But worst of all, an education is now just a tool to get a better job. We lose blue-skies study in favour of just doing what you need to do to get a qualification that current employers think they want.

  14. Angel Fish 14
    7 December 2017 at 1:18 pm

    An education system is ONLY free when it’s CURRICULUM is made free!
    What Labour is doing is not free education, it’s tax payer funded education!
    Call it as it is! As long as the curriculum is behind curtains, education will not cannot be free!

    • Ad 14.1
      7 December 2017 at 8:07 pm

      Would it be easier for you if I said “free to the student.”

      As in, when you drive on New Zealand roads, you should say “Free to the driver”

      Or, taking out a library book, you should say “Free to the borrower”

      Or, a citizen getting an examination at a hospital, you should say “Free to the patient”

      Rather than using your actual common sense and saying “First year of education is free”
      Like an actual logical person.

      On the other hand, you can add useless words into the sentence if you like.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 14.2
      7 December 2017 at 8:12 pm

      The NZ curriculum.

      I think tax-payers should get down on their filthy knees and beg to fund education.

  15. SSG 15
    7 December 2017 at 1:46 pm

    The funny thing is that when these kids graduate, most of them are
    going to whine about Labour policy and will vote for National because
    of promise of less taxes. They won’t care to pay a fee to pass the benefit that
    they received.lol. Well I guess, it’s sad more than funny…

    • Ad 15.1
      7 December 2017 at 8:08 pm

      It’s a free country. They can, thanks to Labour, think and express what they like, and we should all just let them.

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Supporting better financial outcomes for Kiwis
    The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Trade relationship with China remains strong
    “China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says.   Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • PM’s South East Asia mission does the business
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • $41m to support clean energy in South East Asia
    New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder list
    The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Judicial appointments announced
    Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
    Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa.  The summit is co-hosted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
    A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Anzac commemorations, TĂźrkiye relationship focus of visit
    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.    “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
    Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners.  “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government backing mussel spat project
    The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government focused on getting people into work
    Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
    Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
    Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
    Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector.    "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
    The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
    Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-04-25T05:16:46+00:00