Foot-shooting the sanctions’ lockstep

Written By: - Date published: 6:41 pm, June 18th, 2022 - 45 comments
Categories: boycott, cost of living, energy, food, Russia, trade, Ukraine, war - Tags:

RNZ’s “The Detail” asked are New Zealand’s sanctions against Russia working? They aren’t, but one detail we learnt that MFAT has 100 staff members assigned to sorting out their complications!!

Our sanctions are minor pinpricks and will have absolutely no impact on Russia. Their full impact will be much greater here, and may not be evident for some time to come.

Biden talked tough at the start of Russia’ incursion, including New Zealand in the group of countries imposing sanctions, which were by no means a majority of those in the world as shown by the map in my previous post. The tone has now changed markedly as the blow-back effects of high fuel and food costs and supply issues fuel inflation in the sanctioning countries. The worst effects will be felt in Europe, heavily dependent on cheap natural gas from Russia. Biden’s boasted unity there is fraying.

Autarchic Russia clearly anticipated these sanctions which have not had their desired effects of crashing their economy. Instead it is the US that looks more likely to crash under the weight of financialised debt, and Europe to suffer through a cold winter.

The law of unintended consequences is once again vindicated. We could instead have been calling for a stop to the war with some credibility.

45 comments on “Foot-shooting the sanctions’ lockstep ”

  1. GreenBus 1

    Sanctions by western countries including us and aussie are a bloody embarrassment, pretty much totally ineffective and causing serious energy problems for many of the western bloc. What a joke all western leaders are showing themselves to be. Every single western response is infantile in it's creation and disastrous for us morons in the west.

    Russia has clearly planned for sanctions and is reaping great profit from our childish efforts to damage Russian economy, and topple Poot's from power.

    Ha!

    Poot's is enjoying 85% support of Russia.

    By comparison, Biden and Boris are despised by the people and Euro leaders are

    totally out of their paygrades and making everthing worse by the day.

    I feel ashamed to be part of these western imperialistic incompetents.

    • Populuxe1 1.1

      It's fairly easy to enjoy 85% support when you make disagreement an imprisonable offence and your political opponents and media critics keep having unfortunate accidents.

      I feel ashamed to be part of these western imperialistic incompetents

      Are you saying Putin is an eastern imperialist competent?

      • GreenBus 1.1.1

        Your talking about Zelenski, minus all the support of course.

        Poots is very competent, unlike western leaders. Far too smart for Biden and Co.

        Imperialist? Don't think so. You must be confusing yourself with uncle sam.

        • Populuxe1 1.1.1.1

          *You're

          No, I was referring to Putin. You know, the fascist klepto-oligargh whose boots you seem intent on polishing with your tongue?

          • GreenBus 1.1.1.1.1

            You keep getting mixed up old boy.

            Zelenski/Biden/Boris are losers, it is plain to see.

            Hope you enjoy yourself polishing them.

    • Jenny how to get there 1.2

      GreenBus

      18 June 2022 at 8:53 pm

      …..Russia has clearly planned for sanctions and is reaping great profit from our childish efforts to damage Russian economy, and topple Poot's from power.

      Ha!

      War, what is it good for?

      Looting and war profiteering.

      Just as you say Green, the Russian Federation is "reaping great profits" from its imperialist adventure in Ukraine. Oil prices are at a record high, Russia the world's biggest grain exporter, has knocked its biggest competitor out of the market.

      The looting of Ukraine is another bonus.

      https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2022/may/27/ukraine-russia-looting-museums

      https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/russian-state-media-confirms-extraction-of-grain-steel-from-ukraine

      And don't forget that another bonus for the Putin regime is the suppression of all internal dissent under emergency war time measures.

      "Ha!"

      Shame on you.

  2. RedLogix 2

    If Smith had the slightest idea on how the world actually worked he would know that his crowing is entirely premature.

    It always takes about a year or more for sanctions to work. It takes at least that long for supply chains to work the deep and enduring effects through.

    • Lettuce 2.1

      Totally agree, Red. MS ain't known for being a wallflower, and he's been awfully quiet of late.

    • GreenBus 2.2

      Red – sanctions take a year to work? Ha!

      Tell that to half of Europe without Russia Gas no heating, industry etc. Europe has

      backed out of those already.

      • RedLogix 2.2.1

        You are not even a useful idiot.

        • Populuxe1 2.2.1.1

          Oh, I dunno. Putin might need his boots polished or something.

        • GreenBus 2.2.1.2

          Truth hurts aye.

          • RedLogix 2.2.1.2.1

            What truth?

            You have brought nothing to the threads. No links, no references, no argument, no engagement beyond pointless abuse and gloating. And sickening embrace of fascist, authoritarian mass murder.

            Which on reflection is what has pretty much always passed for truth among the more deranged on the far left.

      • Tricledrown 2.2.2

        Europe has the Nuclear option plus they will change to more renewables which will put an end to Dirty Oil and the despots who are in charge of much of the worlds supplies.Yes this will be better for the planet .The UK is in the best position having 2 new very powerful Nuclear power stations nearly ready to be commissioned at huge expense.Then global warming will mean Europe won't need as much energy for heating.

    • Mike Smith 2.3

      One winter will do it

  3. Poission 3

    RL

    The markets are very tight with gas due to the US fire at Freeport (force majeure declared for all markets) Now Russia has used the opportunity to limit supply to Europe and create both inventory uncertainty and the need to generate more electricity at present.

    https://twitter.com/SStapczynski/status/1538086444451119105?cxt=HHwWgoDStZvesNgqAAAA

    The high cost of LNG and fuel has already seen Sri Lanka run out of transport fuel on Friday,and Pakistan using most of their foreign reserves down to 2 months now and LNG + 40$ mmbu.

    https://twitter.com/IIF/status/1532428928396279810?cxt=HHwWhIC-ibj_o8QqAAAA

    African countries next on domino list for defaults.

    Europe especially Germany need to use their own resources to limit LNG imports (conservation has been next to nil) and that includes Germany's nuclear fleet.

    • RedLogix 3.1

      Supply chains have considerable inertia. Europe will pay a considerable price for its predictably stupid reliance on Russian gas and it will take at least a year or two to untangle this.

      But once done Europe will do all in its power to shun Russia and any other power seen to be friendly toward them for a generation.

      • Poission 3.1.1

        Europe will have insufficient supplies for the winter,it will have either power and heating cuts along with a doubling of energy costs.

        Globally there is a shortage of LNG,and Australia has now enacted emergency constraints for both Gas and coal exports if required.

        There is no shortage of oil,there is a shortage of distallates,although prices have now dropped due to demand destruction in the US and Europe (with volume sales down 6%)

        The decrease in gas supply from Russia to Europe only forced the price up on lower volumes.

        The emergent markets now have an inability to pay,for both food needs and energy due to the depreciation of their local currencies and FOREX.

        The biggest harm to Russia is low energy prices globally,which would decrease funding of the war.

        • RedLogix 3.1.1.1

          We need to be a realistic here. These sanctions do not exist in a moral vacuum – they are the direct result of Putin's ghastly assault on Ukraine that has caused much of the Western world and Europe in particular, to now regard Russia as an enemy.

          And trading with the enemy was always a terminal offense.

          I agree with you technically – gas supplies will be constrained in the short term. But supplies will respond. Just this week I was working with a QLD based energy company was working toward installing 1000 new wells over the next decade – but now want to bring this forward to about three years.

          People have become so used to having resources available on-tap instantly, power, water, food, transport and so on – that we have forgotten that it typically takes 1 – 3 years get any new industrial plant from first turn of dirt into nameplate production.

          • GreenBus 3.1.1.1.1

            You sure need some realism Red. All those that have made Poot's their enemy are only from the western bloc, specifically the USA warmongers.

            Total western bloc countries all together add up to about 15% of the world.

            What about the other 85%? I'll tell you. They are either neutral or support Russia.

            US Hedgemoney is at stake and the numbers are on the other side.

      • Drowsy M. Kram 3.1.2

        But once done Europe will do all in its power to shun Russia and any other power seen to be friendly toward them for a generation.

        Like Germany, Italy and Japan were shunned for a generation after WWII? Might extended shunning be counterproductive?

        It's tragic that Russia has invaded Ukraine, and I don't like the idea of any other country following them in 'boots and all', but the question (in the Post) of whether NZ is shooting itself in the foot re sanctions against Russia is tricky.

        Our sanctions may well be "minor pinpricks" that will make no difference, but that position seems (to me) similar to those of Groundswell and its predecessors who argue(d) that NZ actions to curb methane emissions wouldn't make a difference.

        Any price NZ pays for its sanctions indicates the seriousness of our opposition to the Russian invasion. Imho sanctions should end (not to long) after the invasion ends.

        • RedLogix 3.1.2.1

          Like Germany, Italy and Japan were shunned for a generation after WWII? Might extended shunning be counterproductive?

          The difference is that after WW2 all three nations had been defeated and occupied. The result in both Germany and Japan was a thorough going purge of not just the fascist regimes politically – but socially as well. To the extent that even today in Germany anything to do with the Nazi era – even the most harmless item of memorabilia – is either deplored or frankly illegal.

          This will not be the case with Russia. There will never be NATO boots in Russia – or at least not in any foreseeable circumstances at this time. I have no strong opinion on what will happen in Ukraine this year. Obviously I hope they might push the invader back over the border, but this is not a given at all. Thus there is no obvious short-term endpoint, short of Russia collapsing internally, to this war.

          In the long run the outcomes will be determined by resources, demography, geography and industrial capacity. These factors favour Russia for the moment, but time is not on their side. This is the best deep dive on the topic I have seen yet – an hour long but comprehensive:

          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEpk_yGjn0E&

          • Drowsy M. Kram 3.1.2.1.1

            These factors favour Russia for the moment, but time is not on their side.

            Thanks for the YouTube link – might watch later, but time isn't on my side.

  4. Populuxe1 4

    We could instead have been calling for a stop to the war with some credibility.

    We did. Unfortunately Putin's tanks keep rolling.

    • GreenBus 4.1

      The Tanks will keep rolling while Zelenski and Biden/Boris want war, which they do.

      Remember the 50 Billion? That's not a peace offer, is it?

      Biden/Boris are not in any way allowing Ukraine to negotiate, they want to hurt Russia.

      Well, good luck with that, it's backfiring spectacularly.

      • Populuxe1 4.1.1

        Ah yes, the old "her skirt was too short" but applied to geopolitics.
        Nice.

      • Tricledrown 4.1.2

        The Russian tanks are exploding and killing the highly trained occupants.Putin has a bot army feeding his pyscohpants . Even the Romans ran out of money to fight wars Russia couldn't even maintain its occupation of Afghanistan when its military was much larger its manufacturing capability was much larger.

  5. Tricledrown 5

    Corrupt dictator Putin's military has been exposed and weakened seriously.Russian military is antiquated in equipment and leadership.NZ has to stand behind all its allies.While NZ sanctions will have no effect directly we have to show unity.NZ farmers will benefit from global food shortages the NZ public will suffer more inflationary pressure,especially on grain based foods bread flour beer etc. The whole world will feel the effect of Russia's invasion for many years to come along with climate change food security .One good thing is Russian military exports will decline as their hardware maybe good at killing civilians but doesn't cut the mustard against modern western military equipment.Russian tanks are still the same as those used against Israel in the 60"s and 70's when they were easily picked off by Israeli tanks of that era. Now cheap shoulder launched missiles that only require a few days training have destroyed nearly 1/3rd of all Russian armoured vehicles up to 50,000 of his army dead many more seriously injured he can't continue with this rate of attricition .It takes years to build modern equipment as we see it can take on average more than 5 years between ordering then delivery .So Russia has painted itself into a corner then training of tank personal takes years Russia has expended its best personal dying in their death trap tanks it will take years to rebuild that capacity if ever.This is Russia's new Afghanistan .Putin thought that the US retreat from Afghanistan ,Brexit, Le Pen and a general move to Nationalism spurred on by the likes of Trump that he would just march into the Ukraine blitzcrieg style and no one would say boo.Now Putin is bogged down he can't afford to loose face he is trapped in his own self made mire. No way out for him but like Boris Yeltsin he could be expendable if the Russian people face more hardship and losses continue to mount. NZ helping militarily will help the Ukraine as we have some of the best howitzer gunners in the world. These modern computer guided howitzers are far more accurate than the antiquated Russian Howitzers.Russian guns need ten times the ammunition to have the same desired effect so that’s a logistical nightmare and the modern western howitzers can take out the Russian positions easily being way more accurate.

    • RedLogix 5.1

      While I obviously agree with most of these hopeful factors – it is too soon to be optimistic about the outcome in Ukraine.

      For a start that 10:1 artillery ratio still hurts, and is killing at least 100 Ukrainian soldiers per day. Taking many more than this out of the fight. This cannot be sustained and effective, capable soldiers are the one resource the west cannot replace for the moment. At least not without pressing the escalation button very hard.

      Secondly the initiative in any war always lies with the aggressor during the early phases. They get to do all the preparation and engage battle on their terms. while the defender has to respond under unfavourable conditions.

      Thirdly Russia will do all they can to undermine NATO unity, especially by cranking hard on their weaponisation of the gas trade. Europe will pay a very high price for this stupid mistake (and incidentally this was yet another thing the very controversial Trump was right about) – and the recapitalisation and rebuilding of their energy networks will take several years. They are in for at least two very tough winters, but the estimated costs are in the order of 1 -2% of GDP. This is unpleasant but very doable.

      The most extraordinary thing however is the absurdly high price Russia is paying to make slow incremental gains – just a few kms a day – into villages and cities they have reduced to rubble. For instance they have claimed Sievierodonetsk on the map, but it is no longer a functional city, there is no economic gain. And over time the cost of occupying these contested territories will bleed them dry.

      NATO now understands with crystal clarity that Putin will not stop at invading Ukraine. Kremlin hawks now openly gloat about creating an empire from Lisborn to Vladisvostok – and Europe understands that stopping this horde in Ukraine, as ugly and tragic as this will be for the Ukrainians, it will be far less traumatic than facing Putin on their own borders and territory.

      • Scud 5.1.1

        The Russian Military ie the Army has gone back to what it knows works for them & that unfortunately is the Red God.

        Which is the use of mass Artillery including Rocket Artillery on a Narrow front & literally flattened place so their Infantry units can advance across the Battlespace.

        Russia knows it's Armoured Units can't match it with the Ukranian Armoured Corps nor the Ukranian Army's Mobile Light Infantry Anti Tank Teams on the Open Battlespace because it can't even gain Air Parity & let alone Air Superiority over the Battlespace.

        The Ukranian Army really needs those long range mass fires (Artillery & Rocket Artillery) to provide Counter Battery Fire (Counter Artillery Strikes) on the Russian Artillery & the ability to hit the Russian Army Logistics Hubs & supply chain.

        If the Ukrainian Military has a hope in hell at blunted the Russian Army. The Ukranian Counter Battery Surveillance Capability is better than anything that the West has atm, but the UkR Army are lacking the necessary long range mobile/ self propelled fires that the West has to be truly effective at stopping Russia in its tracks.

        • Scud 5.1.1.1

          P.S,

          I've been following Mick Ryan on Twitter, who is a an Ex Oz Army Officer & his tweets on the UkR Conflict have been very reading & is probably the best analysis on the Conflict so far.

          This is his latest tweet, I haven't read it.

          https://twitter.com/WarintheFuture/status/1538335853860118528?t=jN-u5JHvlL2xfVDV1CucGg&s=19

          • RedLogix 5.1.1.1.1

            Thanks, looks good. The worst thing about the damn war is that I've been compelled to dabble with Twitter. But there are people with worse stories I guess … heart

        • RedLogix 5.1.1.2

          Exactly. If NATO cannot deliver what is really some fairly basic military hardware in a useful time-frame – inside their own continental operational range – some hard questions need asking.

          • Tricledrown 5.1.1.2.1

            Red Logix Europe has stockpiled plenty of hardware and the likes of France have a very large military who are on continual alert after living their I can attest to that.In Italy i wizzed past a very large tank storage facility with thousands of Nato tanks ready for action. Strategically Nato doesn't want to deplete stock piles as your commentator points out industrial capacity being able to manufacture and deliver on time. nearly impossible.So China are the most dangerous military on the earth today .They have sided with Russia which could be very scary.New empires flexing their muscle.We need the US like it or not they need more voices to help them.

            • RedLogix 5.1.1.2.1.1

              Interesting. I do not doubt that NATO does have a great deal of hardware stockpiled. But it serves no useful purpose stockpiled when NATO is confronting it's greatest crisis since WW2.

              I agree with you however that in a war of attrition – which all the Russians seem to be capable of – the end game is determined by industrial capacity. On paper NATO is by far the superior force in that game. But as this excellent article (ht Scud) suggests – there is a lot more to it than measures of GDP. It concludes – much as you do:

              Conclusion

              The war in Ukraine demonstrates that war between peer or near-peer adversaries demands the existence of a technically advanced, mass scale, industrial-age production capability. The Russian onslaught consumes ammunition at rates that massively exceed US forecasts and ammunition production. For the US to act as the arsenal of democracy in defence of Ukraine, there must be a major look at the manner and the scale at which the US organises its industrial base.

              This situation is especially critical because behind the Russian invasion stands the world’s manufacturing capital – China. As the US begins to expend more and more of its stockpiles to keep Ukraine in the war, China has yet to provide any meaningful military assistance to Russia. The West must assume that China will not allow Russia to be defeated, especially due to a lack of ammunition. If competition between autocracies and democracies has really entered a military phase, then the arsenal of democracy must first radically improve its approach to the production of materiel in wartime.

          • GreenBus 5.1.1.2.2

            Zelenski is demanding 1000 artillery pieces to replace all those destroyed so far.

            The good old USA doesn't have that many in their entire military. Most of the EU have sweet fa also.

            Russia has 3 and a half thousand artillery guns of which most still across the border ready for business.

          • Scud 5.1.1.2.3

            Unfortunately, the West incl in NZ has salami slice it's Military Capabilities over the last 30yrs since the end of the Cold War & the Capacity to scale up production of Ammunition & or weapon platform Production as there was no longer an identified enemy/ potential enemy threat.

            Now that Tsar Poot's is running around trying to re-enact Peter the Great or old mate Stalin, everyone has been caught with their pants down & are now trying to rebuild lost capabilities & or both capacity to build those tools of war before it's to late.

      • GreenBus 5.1.2

        Ukraine and it's mercenaries are being slaughtered at the rate of over 1000 per DAY.

        Many of the wounded are dying from shortages of blood and medical equipment.

        Russian losses are less than 10% of Ukraine due mainly to artillery barrages to soften up / kill or shell shock before engaging with troops to mop up grid by grid.

        Very slow progress for Russia but loses are minimal in men and machines.

        Maps of the frontline situation all one direction – west.

        Lots of Ukrainians surrendering, deserting and or shot in the back for either by National units forcing their troops to remain in situ as cannon fodder.

        • Tricledrown 5.1.2.1

          greenbus you are just reheating Putin propaganda so if casulties are so high how come Russia has not Taken the Ukraine and is bogged down.If casualties were a 1,000 a day as you claim that would mean the Ukraine army would have been wiped out by now and Russia would have won. Your including civilian casualties.Who are mostly Russian speaking Ukrainians who don't want to be part of Russia otherwise they would have surrendered.

  6. Stuart Munro 6

    As part of the sanctions regime, now is a good time for rigorous scrutiny of all those trusts enabled under the Key administration. Though only a fraction were Russian, the Panama papers highlighted the preponderance of criminal and quasi criminal entities taking advantage of our naive lack of regulation. It's better for Ukraine, better for us, and in the long run it is even better for Russia if their kleptsiarchs have nowhere to hide their ill-gotten gains.

  7. Just Saying 7

    The US is now a senile, dying power and the much of the West is trying to keep both the US and its fantasies propped-up. It strikes me as a desperate insecurity. 'What are we going to do without our security blanket?'

    Here's an idea, – grow up before it's too late. The world can't afford this acting out. Many nations, aware of the deadly cost of the sanctions – to its own people – have backed out. This action fantasy has further destabilized already shaky energy networks.

    Instead of playing dolls. action figures, but with real lives, shedding real blood, it is time to wake and grow the fuck up.

  8. Tricledrown 8

    Red Logix Europe has stockpiled plenty of hardware and the likes of France have a very large military who are on continual alert after living their I can attest to that.In Italy i wizzed past a very large tank storage facility with thousands of Nato tanks ready for action. Strategically Nato doesn't want to deplete stock piles as your commentator points out industrial capacity being able to manufacture and deliver on time. nearly impossible.So China are the most dangerous military on the earth today with their massive manufacturing base .They have sided with Russia which could be very scary.New empires flexing their muscle.We need the US like it or not they need more voices to help them.

  9. Tricledrown 9

    greenbus you are just reheating Putin propaganda so if casulties are so high how come Russia has not Taken the Ukraine and is bogged down.If casualties were a 1,000 a day as you claim that would mean the Ukraine army would have been wiped out by now and Russia would have won. Your including civilian casualties.Who are mostly Russian speaking Ukrainians who don't want to be part of Russia otherwise they would have surrendered.

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

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

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-03-28T15:00:44+00:00