Some gentle advice for Labour peeps

Written By: - Date published: 10:08 pm, August 27th, 2013 - 58 comments
Categories: democratic participation - Tags:

The contest for the leadership of the Labour party heralds a new era of democracy for the Labour party, and for New Zealand, and people are quite rightly excited about it.

As I’ve said before, this is a great opportunity to bring unity to the party and to get a head-start on the election campaign.

That said, the right see this as a chance to try to further a narrative of division. Not that they’re doing a very good job of it as they aren’t particularly experienced in democracy, have no experience in this kind of organising opportunity, and thus don’t know how to counter it.

Which is why we’ve seen all sorts of desperate trolling from John Key all the way down to the usual inane suspects. The fact that they are keep changing tack suggests to me that they’re not getting any traction and they probably aren’t getting much joy out of their market research either. It’s very hard to test or focus group to such a specific situation (what are they going to do? Get together a focus group made up of a cross-section of Labour members, test anti-Labour messages and then hope everyone keeps their mouth shut?).

My guess is this means they’re probably scouring teh webz trying to get a sense of where they can put a wedge in. It’s up to you, readers and bloggers, to give them no such chance.

In other words. Don’t. Feed. The. Trolls. This process is about Labour talking to Labour, and simultaneously showing voters just how strong and democratic Labour really is. Whatever the usual right-wing suspects say is irrelevant.

As an aside, any Labour people who think it’s clever to dabble in a bit of under the radar backstabbing should be aware that there is no “under the radar”, and if you damage the democratic process you’ll be assisting the right and it’ll be known. Not that I expect any such thing to happen of course.

And that concludes my gentle word of advice. Now let’s get back to it – what a great time to be in the Labour family!

58 comments on “Some gentle advice for Labour peeps ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Pete 1
    27 August 2013 at 11:08 pm

    The lifeblood of politics is media attention. Labour have guaranteed themselves the lion’s share of this for the next 3 weeks, and beyond as a new leadership team establishes itself. Then there’s the local body elections where right candidates look weak. Then there’s the conference and a by-election in Christchurch East. Then the parliamentary recess for the summer. If the new Labour leader can cultivate good relations with Maori, as David Cunliffe (or Shane Jones, to be fair) has been suggesting, then Waitangi Day should be positive too.

    Unless we send troops to Syria or something, the Nats and their fellow travellers have just lost the media initiative. And they know it.

  2. infused 2
    27 August 2013 at 11:14 pm

    “That said, the right see this as a chance to try to further a narrative of division. Not that they’re doing a very good job of it”

    Clearly they are, for you to post this.

  3. Colonial Viper 3
    27 August 2013 at 11:22 pm

    I would love there to be a closed section of The Standard, open rarely and briefly only for special reasons, where the Trolls weren’t allowed and the rest of us could debate a topic in substance.

    No telling if I would be permitted in myself, of course 😈

    In other words. Don’t. Feed. The. Trolls.

    Ah yes. Loose lips sink ships.

    • lprent 3.1
      28 August 2013 at 12:25 am

      It’d be easy enough to put in place. I’d mostly have to put the user login back on and to ensure that it was set to require full validation.

      Irish has wanted a private bar space for a while. I was intending to try to put one in place for next years campaigning.

      • Colonial Viper 3.1.1
        28 August 2013 at 12:32 am

        Very nice. I’ll imagine up some simple concepts and see if you think they are workable.

        • Lanthanide 3.1.1.1
          28 August 2013 at 8:54 am

          I’d advise caution.

          Allowing the best contributors to cloister themselves away out of the ‘main street’ as it were will see the public area be overrun by trolls and turn to crap.

          • lprent 3.1.1.1.1
            28 August 2013 at 9:28 am

            I was thinking more of an area where campaigners could go and discuss the theory and tactics of running campaigns across the whole of the country. It is something that has been severely lacking for the last 4 elections when it has been feasible to do it.

            Also in a cross-party manner as most activists on the left involved in campaigns will willingly help others (or keep silent as required). Keep the pseudonyms, but allow a place for people to directly message each other if they want to establish personal contact. I wouldn’t anticipate that it’d get large.

            The main area is always going to be my focus.

      • Gruntie 3.1.2
        28 August 2013 at 6:35 am

        I wouldnt rush into a private section for The Standard – Key will put the GCSB onto it – there will be nothing private about it !

  4. Nick 4
    27 August 2013 at 11:46 pm

    There has been a focus on democracy within the party since the reforms to the leadership selection process were proposed. The catch cry of the Cunliffe faction has been that the current dominance of the ABC faction was unfair due to it coming about as a result of processes which did not involve a democratic selection of the leader. However it’s clear that dissatisfaction with Labour and factional infighting still exist independently of the lack of democracy.

    The question is this: Will everyone be happy with the result just because it has been arrived at through a more democratic process? I think not.

    • Colonial Viper 4.1
      28 August 2013 at 12:04 am

      The question is this: Will everyone be happy with the result just because it has been arrived at through a more democratic process? I think not.

      To me, the “Result” is the top 10 seats in Labour’s line up, not just who is Leader.

    • weka 4.2
      28 August 2013 at 12:14 am

      However it’s clear that dissatisfaction with Labour and factional infighting still exist independently of the lack of democracy.

      The question is this: Will everyone be happy with the result just because it has been arrived at through a more democratic process? I think not.

      When NACT won the last election, should the left have been happy with the result just because it was via a democratic process?

      • Colonial Viper 4.2.1
        28 August 2013 at 12:24 am

        you’ve been punching hard and fast lately, great to see in action.

      • Nick 4.2.2
        28 August 2013 at 12:40 am

        Exactly.

        That’s the point many people are making. This democratic process, while no doubt having benefits such as promoting open debate as to the direction of Labour, will also air many of the conflicts between Labour’s factions whilst not solve the problem of factional infighting and undermining once a final, democratic, result is arrived at.

        This is especially true if Cunliffe wins IMO. His faction has no natural leader other than himself, and the ABC’s will figure that losing 2014 is worth it if it creates the opportunity to challenge him post election and reclaim the leadership, with a goal of victory in 2017.

        • David H 4.2.2.1
          28 August 2013 at 8:58 am

          Except that the rhetoric coming out of the Nats camp is ramping up so we already know they are starting to shit the proverbial bricks and these have the sharp Labour Corners.
          So the winning/losing of the election in 2014 has now become real of those in blue, especially if Cunliffe wins.

          As for the ABC faction. I think a few may not even bother (having now seem the writing on the wall) or their LEC’S will say Naaa sorry not this time (or they should).

        • McFlock 4.2.2.2
          28 August 2013 at 12:56 pm

          This is especially true if Cunliffe wins IMO. His faction has no natural leader other than himself, and the ABC’s will figure that losing 2014 is worth it if it creates the opportunity to challenge him post election and reclaim the leadership, with a goal of victory in 2017.

          Except that this is exactly my visceral impression of some vocal cunliffe supporters, too – especially if he wins in the labour membership sector but loses overall because of unions+caucus.

          But realistically, I don’t think anyone significant in Labour is prepared to shaft the left and the country in 2014 just so their candidate will have a shot in 2017 (maybe one or two fringe zealots on either side, but I think to get to higher levels in a party one needs a certain amount of pragmatism and intellectual distance). Anyway, a victory for the left does not automatically exclude a leadership challenge.

    • felix 4.3
      28 August 2013 at 6:56 am

      Nick, no-one is expecting everyone to be happy with the result. That’s not even really a democratic ideal anyway.

      The key is for everyone to be happy with the process. Then the result stands.

  5. George D 5
    27 August 2013 at 11:54 pm

    Tautoko that. Though I’m not Labour (obviously), I think there’s a time for unifying around a process which is inclusive, and getting back to the policies and objectives that give us the future we need. This is such an opportunity.

    Key and his lot haven’t worked out a coherent working narrative, despite having had several days to do so. Spinning this as division is the best they’ve got, and it’s not making traction.

  6. Hanswurst 6
    28 August 2013 at 12:35 am

    “The fact that they are keep changing tack suggests to me that they’re not getting any traction and they probably aren’t getting much joy out of their market research either.”

    To me it suggests more that they’re just knee-jerking all over the place. The idea that they would have a good idea within 100 hours or so of how much traction or otherwise they were getting just doesn’t seem credible. They’re spooked, otherwise they would know their lines, stick to them and wait for several days to see how far they were getting.

    • Colonial Viper 6.1
      28 August 2013 at 12:47 am

      The idea that they would have a good idea within 100 hours or so of how much traction or otherwise they were getting just doesn’t seem credible.

      National (their corporate serfs) will have a couple of standing focus groups/survey groups on call. Politically aware people from across the spectrum but otherwise basically ordinary Kiwis.

      12-24 hours to formulate the questions, 24 hours to carry out the polling/focus grouping, 12-24 hours to analyse the results.

      Less than 3 days to get the results back, if they worked quick. It’s Tue night so they will be getting the feedback from Saturday. That’s before anyone announced.

      One problem they might be having with all this small group stuff is that they are not getting any internal agreement in terms of responses and that the reactions of the people they are sampling are all over the map. Or that just about everyone likes what they are seeing from Labour at the moment.

  7. tracey 7
    28 August 2013 at 5:31 am

    Key is showing vulnerability under pressure. His outburst today at red zoners is appalling. Cf his donation to rio tinto and warner bros.

  8. chris73 8
    28 August 2013 at 7:20 am

    Yes because Labour is so clearly united National needs to create division…ever consider that the Labour party themselves make it just so easy for the right?

    • Colonial Viper 8.1
      28 August 2013 at 8:23 am

      1.8% swing against National and they are gone.

    • Tracey 8.2
      28 August 2013 at 9:02 am

      actually that gets discussed here often chris73.

    • millsy 8.3
      28 August 2013 at 9:35 pm

      Dont you worry Chris.

      When John Key buggers off to NYC, and Winston retires to a Karaka stud (leaving his supporters to go back to the National fold), and urban liberal will line up against rural conservative, wealthy corporate against small business owner, and 10 generation farmer v Chinese speculator, Labour’s contest will be long forgotten.

  9. geoff 9
    28 August 2013 at 7:25 am

    Irish: Seems your gentle advice has antagonised Shane Jones. Apparently he has declared he is going on the attack against twitter trolls and ‘as god as his witness, it will end in tears’.

    hmm…

  10. Skinny 10
    28 August 2013 at 7:36 am

    The Right the Pot and the kettle.. So what the likes of Peter Goodfellow and Gibson & their fellow rich list donators don’t have a huge say in what goes on within the Rights political party’s? Give us a break, oh wait the captains of industry have lobbied to take smoko breaks away from the surfs! The benefits Unions get from support to any candidate & propping up cash strapped left partys is a mere drop in the bucket compared to what Nact leaders & their party’s get.

    I really hope the Labour leadership contenders take this slur on Unions to task and expose to the gullible public what’s really happening in this Country!

    Let’s not get overly PC about this Irish Bill.

  11. Tigger 11
    28 August 2013 at 7:46 am

    I wonder how many of those twitter trolls are DPF?

  12. Takere 12
    28 August 2013 at 8:16 am

    Well yesterday…looks like Jones came out on top again! Cunliffe got caught out in the media for plagiarism and Grant got owned by PinoKeyo over unemployment numbers plus 1 and 3 MP’s applying for Shearers old job! Go Shane!

  13. vto 13
    28 August 2013 at 8:41 am

    Some 2c says that steeping the LP in this new democratic process is brilliant…

    It gives the members a stake.
    It values the members stakes.
    It, together with the Greens similar approach, inspires the use such stakes in the wider political environment.
    It exposes the lack of similar structures in the nats and other parties.
    It makes people feel a part of the process.

    Well done.

    The result will be good and it will strengthen the labour party.

  14. Takere 14
    28 August 2013 at 10:49 am

    We need a George Galloway type leader. Not a pasty god like pretender phoney like cunliffe. Working class, my arse.

    • vto 14.1
      28 August 2013 at 10:56 am

      you come across like someone with a heavily vested interest takere…

      .. care to disclose?

      • Chooky 14.1.1
        28 August 2013 at 11:38 am

        @ vto

        Shane Jones is an advocate for the oil industry which also likes to spurt forth

        ….and Takere is Jones’ PR man on ‘The Standard’….more spouting forth

      • Takere 14.1.2
        28 August 2013 at 3:08 pm

        I would like the labour of old, pre 2000 not the latte & chardonnay set thats ruined the party. Get some grassroots union advocates up front, not the bunch of lightweight parasites they have now.

    • Tracey 14.2
      28 August 2013 at 11:01 am

      You’re kind of Shane Jones Ken Davitian aren’t you Takere.

      • Takere 14.2.1
        28 August 2013 at 11:16 am

        Nah sista I’m not a fat bastard. Implying that George is a fat bastard too isn’t nice. Unity??

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • 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
    2 hours 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
    18 hours 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    2 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
    2 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
    2 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
    2 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
    2 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
    2 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    4 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
    5 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
    5 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
    5 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
    5 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
    5 days ago

  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye 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
    5 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
    5 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
    6 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
    6 days 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
    6 days 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
    6 days 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
    6 days 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
    6 days 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
    6 days 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
    6 days 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
    7 days 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
    7 days 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
    7 days 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

  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
    Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.   Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-04-23T23:27:32+00:00