Germany Votes: Where To Now

Written By: - Date published: 7:00 am, September 26th, 2021 - 22 comments
Categories: Deep stuff, Europe, leadership - Tags:

Germany is up for Federal election tomorrow and it’s pretty important for the stability of the European Union.

In a more clear-cut version of the New Zealand system, if your party doesn’t get 5% of the vote you just don’t get in. Zero seats.

It will take a few months of argument before they form a new government, in part because there are several stable variations this time that could be formed. There’s a “Jamaica”, a “Traffic Light” and a few more colour-of-your-party variants in play.

It marks the end of Angela Merkel’s remarkable 15-year run as German Chancellor, and bets are hard to pick on who might replace her. There’s still an outside chance that one of the minor party leaders like the Green’s Annalene Baerbock, though unlikely. In fact which coalition the Greens go with is itself one to watch.

Germany’s election is of crucial importance to sustain stability within the German government, which in turn is important to keep the strength of European Union momentum. Germany was one of the leading forces in last years’ decision to issue common European debt to support the bloc during the corona-induced virus. What became known as the Next Generation EU plan was achieved with real speed. This was unusual in the otherwise often sclerotic bureaucracy. The plan is designed to raise up to EU800 billion, and has already been deployed across the 27 nations. Debt is of course the key to forming deep and multi-generational common interest between all nations in the EU. It’s been used really badly before in the aftermath of the GFC, but much more effectively this time around and with much greater support. If the SPD social democrats and the Greens form the basis of government in Germany, that EU debt instrument is likely to continue and to grow.

Angela Merkel’s long and gradualist leadership has generated high trust in many EU nations over time, and that makes her pretty good contender for EU President at some point. Beyond the personalities, Germany’s contribution to the strengthening policy evolution of the EU can only get stronger. Merkel’s gradualist approach has succeeded whereas the bold proposals of France’s Macron haven’t taken root.

Key policy questions for a new German government include:

  1. Sustaining Cosmopolitanism.
    Whether a new government can resist and then overcome the growing sentiment in Germany’s eastern states against immigrants and the stubborn growth of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) Party. I would hope Germany sends much stronger signals of condemnation against Victor Orban of Hungary, for example. But it also needs to show that fine balance between bringing in the right people at the right time to do the right things, and also targeting high social redistribution and very low unemployment in states where resentment remains stubbornly high.
  2. Social Cohesion Under COVID
    The Querdinker (“lateral thinker”) movement has opposed COVID-19 measures and pushed far-right conspiracy theories. The growth of climate change and environmental damage impacts continue to generate tensions with key power nodes in Germany such as coal producers, car producers, labour unions, and different kinds of environmental activist. The new government will need to respect how hard and how important it was for Angela Merkel to sustain political and social cohesion under such a sustained and unplanned crisis.
  3. Germany’s Fresh Role
    I remember being in Paris at midnight 1998 when they changed to the Euro, and there was the biggest fireworks display I’d ever seen and all the bridges were lit up in EU colours, and everyone was running around with gay abandon yelling Bon Annee Bon Annee! Immediately a candle at Notre Dame went from a couple of Francs to a full Euro. But to step back for a bit, from that point where Germany and France felt like co-EU leaders to now, and then Germany shifting its capital from Bonn to Berlin and revolutionising Berlin from the inside out, the strengthening of the EU through successive crises right through to the end of the Merkel era … well that kind of feels like the end of one chapter.

Germany must surely articulate a clear shape to the next chapter. It can’t rely on any other EU country to make the running on that.

What will a bold new government dare to achieve for Germany? Might there be a time to strengthen and unify foreign policy resolve with Germany’s leadership?

Can it rise to meet the challenges of Big Data throughout the economy and clearly regulate social media?

Can a bolder Federal German government show greater skill in supporting Ukraine and other close-by countries facing tyranny?

Can it reassert a stronger role for decarbonised energy production and energy use throughout society? Indeed can it save its forests and river valleys from disease and destruction?

How can Federal government assist an ageing and more diverse German society find common purpose in the next decade?

Will it seek to increase the influence of Germany on the post-BREXIT world stage by encouraging EU membership by Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Turkey? Even Ukraine, again?

The decline of so many democracies world wide means we must take every open election as a great opportunity to celebrate the vote as an exercise in distributing power, momentarily and decisively, into the hands of the millions. But that’s especially the case in Germany, a country that after Brexit takes on a far greater global role than Britain can.

This time it is also by proxy a vote on post-Prexit Europe and its future leadership and scale and ambition. That makes it doubly important in a world where federal and multilateral agreement across states and across nations is, like democracy itself, under sustained attack from all who would strip such powers of resistance away. Even small states like ourselves need Germany to assist with our trade agreements and trade opportunities. As a politics and as a land, New Zealand now has more in common with Germany than it does with England.

Germany, for those reasons, is holding the world’s most important election of 2021.

22 comments on “Germany Votes: Where To Now ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Ghostwhowalksnz 1
    26 September 2021 at 8:23 am

    Germany still can have MPs who gain an electorate seat only

    This current Bundestag has very small partys with 3 electorates and 6 list seats. (They used to be for non german speaking area. Danish or Dutch but dont seem to be in current parliament)

    https://www.bundestag.de/en/parliament/plenary/distributionofseats

    As well the way list seats are distributed by each Federal state means the overhang seats is massive giving 100 or so extra which favours the CDU/CSU ( which in a few states wins all the electorate seats, ie Baden Wurtemberg CDU has 34% of vote but 40% of seats.)

    Also they do exclude some partys from running , DKP the German Communist party amoung them

    https://www.dw.com/en/german-election-officials-exclude-communists-anarchists-from-september-vote/a-58211621

  2. Ghostwhowalksnz 2
    26 September 2021 at 10:18 am

    I think you are right about the 5% rule. I looked back over previous elections . Last election there was no independents elected , so the 9 they have now must be renegades from existing parties.

    Even though the electorate and lists are done by state a party has to get 5% nationally to take up its possible list seats.

    Back in 2002 the PDS ( predeccesor of Die Linke) won 2 electorate seats but wasnt over 5% nationally so thats all they had. They would have had more than 5% in some states.

  3. SPC 3
    26 September 2021 at 2:07 pm

    The big issues in Europe at the moment that Germany has a big say on

    1. high gas prices with less supply from Russia (an irony given the new pipeline to Germany) – and this long before they reach winter.
    2. Macron wanting to establish a European defence force and and enable capability independent of NATO
    3. Germany having committed (as with other NATO members) in 2014 to spending 2% GDP on defence by 2024 and yet still being at 1% levels in 2021.
    4. What to do about Biden not cleaning up the mess Trump made of the WTO (when this is how they trade with the UK and others the EU has no FTA with).
    5. Has German dominance of the determination of the ECB role served Germany well but not the EU so much?
    • Ghostwhowalksnz 3.1
      26 September 2021 at 4:01 pm

      Nordstream 2 is complete but its still in its testing phase – the plant at either end of the connection.

      It consists of twin pipelines from Russia , just outside St Petersburg to Griefswald.

      The earlier Nordstream 1 is twin pipeline roughly in same area of Baltic. They reduce the substantial transit fees paid to Ukraine and Poland especially

  4. Gezza 4
    26 September 2021 at 2:41 pm

    There’ll be lots of coverage – analysis & commentary, & some panel discussions among pundit – on Al Jazeera tv.

    I’ll be taking an interest.

    “Mutti” Merkel has been Deutschland’s mum for so damn long…

  5. Ad 5
    27 September 2021 at 7:41 am

    CDU/CSU (kind-of like National) 24.5%

    SPD (kind-of like Labour) 25.5%

    Greens 13.8%

    FDP (kind of like ACT) 11.7%

    AfD (anti-immigrant party) 10.9%

    Left 5%

    https://www.dw.com/en/top-stories/s-9097

    My bet would be a Grand Coalition of CDU/CSU and SPD.

    • Ghostwhowalksnz 5.1
      27 September 2021 at 10:04 am

      FDP could be described as being like ACT, but its role has sometimes been like NZ First as they have in the past been partner to Union or SPD. I dont know the current leadership but it could be more amenable to the SPD ( remember the german system has union reps on company boards)

      Some other things to consider is Greens are more centrist than here as Die Linke is the furtherest left party-

      The SPD is more centrist than Labour as their left wing faction split off some years ago to merge with then PDS to form Die Linke

      My bet will be SPD-FDP -Green if they can get to 51%

      • Ad 5.1.1
        27 September 2021 at 10:24 am

        They were approximations as I said.

        And the current leader of the SPD is Olaf Scholtz, who has since 2018 been Deputy Chancellor under Merkel and also the Minister of Finance. That makes their arrangements a lot more fluid than ours.

        I'm not sure about your comment on the German Greens. They just lost over 20 points in two months and would have made for a very interesting Federal German government for the first time in a very long time. They want to get rid of all nuclear power, and rely solely on renewables. At 13% they are simply back to their longer-term average. I don't find them that easy to pick ideologically.

        • SPC 5.1.1.1
          27 September 2021 at 11:07 am

          The Greens oppose the gas pipeline arrangement that the current coalition supported, which may incline the SDP to choose continuity.

          • Ghostwhowalksnz 5.1.1.1.1
            27 September 2021 at 11:26 am

            The pipeline is finished and is in commisioning stages.. It doesnt really change anything except avoid the gas coming through Poland and Ukraine instead.

            I doubt that Greens would push to get the valves turned off as the gas prices have spiked this last month as it is and winter has yet to come.

            Purists would not want to be in government and maintain the 'full agenda'. Their experience in one state where they lead the government shows they are more practical.

  6. Sabine 6
    27 September 2021 at 12:07 pm

    three options

    Grand Coalition SPD/CDU/CSU – traditionally they don't work well – have not worked well. But would prop be best outcome as least for a while.

    Traffic light coalition SPD/The Greens/FDP could be doomed to fail as generally the Greens and the FDP tend to clash and the SPD well is the SPD.

    Anything goes Coaltion CDU/CSU/FDP/Die Linke also doomed to fail but would be interesting to watch as this would then really be a coaltion that 'wants' to be in government, rather then just get elected. Could also work quite well

    Wildcard the AFG – despite all parties having said that they will not work with them, they have won as expected a good amount of votes and well, will have to be worked with.

    Interesting to see that the Greens however went from a high of almost 25% to now 14% odd in the last six month since March, when a Coaltion between the CDU/CSU and the Greens would have been the winning coalition with the SPD at the time being at barely 15%. One would think that the recent flashfloods that took out a few villages and killed nigh on 200 people would have compelled the numbers of the greens higher but did not. And the very credible accusations of plagiarism against the 'female' co-leader of the green should also not account for a 10% drop. But then that 10% drop might just be Green voters propping up the SPD. lol.

    As my cuzzy said: egal wie, es ist alles voll beschissen und gut fuer keinen.

    We truly live in interesting times.

    • Ghostwhowalksnz 6.1
      27 September 2021 at 1:46 pm

      "Grand Coalition SPD/CDU/CSU – traditionally they don't work well – have not worked well."

      Thats what they have had for last 8 years after 2 elections. No one would say 'hasnt worked well'. The previous one was from 2005.

      So for Merkel it was 1st, 3rd and 4th terms

      The hard part is getting the SPD on board. In 2017 the President disregarded the constitution for a new election after they ran out time to form a new government. The initial Union/FDP/Green proposal, while a majority, didnt finalise.

      • Sabine 6.1.1
        27 September 2021 at 1:57 pm

        I did not say they don't work, i said they do not work 'well'.

        • Ghostwhowalksnz 6.1.1.1
          27 September 2021 at 2:48 pm

          Merkel had 3 and they worked well. Any coalition has its strains , ones that fall apart are the ones that 'dont work out.'

          The Federal coalitions that have fallen apart werent 'Grand'

          Readers might assume 'dont work' means they collapse early.

  7. coreyjhumm 7
    27 September 2021 at 2:43 pm

    Based on the results either another grand coalition just with the parties switching size and nothing changing. Hard right AFD continues to be the opposition abs continues to grow

    Or an SPD/fpp/ g coalition which would be identical in policy to a labour/act/green coalition here. Nothing changing, dysfunction. Cdu/CSU becomes opposition the one good thing about this scenario.

    Sad. I was hoping an SPD/g or SPD/g/DL coalition where nothing much changes. That was the best scenario. A smidgen of change.

    Oh well. I'm happy nz got the nothing much changes scenario last year…

  8. roblogic 8
    27 September 2021 at 2:51 pm

    This was an interesting article. Ich bin ein Berliner.

    The rule [introduced by a left-wing coalition City Council] froze rents for some 90% of Berlin apartments at June 2019 rates for five years. In many cases, existing rents needed to be reduced to conform to the new threshold. …

    A new city government will be elected on Sept. 26, when Germans also will vote for a new national parliament.

    Also that day, Berliners will vote in a non-binding referendum on a call for the local government to expropriate the properties of large corporate landlords. !!!!!!! laughyesheart

    https://twitter.com/labourcartel/status/1442298663569559554?s=20

    • Ghostwhowalksnz 8.1
      27 September 2021 at 3:39 pm

      Apartments are a different value proposition to 'houses'. Eg in inner city Grafton where its mostly apartments and terrace house has median value of $550,000 ( according to Ray White group)

      A house on its own land in Berlin would make Auckland look cheap.

  9. Ghostwhowalksnz 9
    27 September 2021 at 3:02 pm

    The right partner to CDU, the CSU who only stand in Bavaria ( they have their own ministers in a 'Union' government) have had a big loss. This is likely to cement the SPD as largest party /faction

    'The Christian Democrats' Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU), saw its worst election performance since 1949, winning 31.7% in Bavaria, which is more than seven percentage points down from its 2017 performance.'

    Die Linke is hovering just under the 5% level but may be saved by the provision that winning 3 electorates allows you to keep your under 5% list seats. Last time they were over 5% but had 5 electorates in their strongholds in the east.

    • Sabine 9.1
      27 September 2021 at 4:50 pm

      yep they bled to the AFD.

      One day, everyone in Germany will have to come to understand that this party is there to stay. They can try to 'include it' in their coalitions and thus 'moderate' them, or they can pretend it does not happen.

  10. Ghostwhowalksnz 10
    28 September 2021 at 9:35 am

    Preliminary list seat results are out. The overhang is even bigger than before with 137 extra seats to give Bundestag of 735 .

    Also is 1 list seat for SSW a group representing the Danish and Friesian speaking minority who dont have to get 5%.

    Die Linke fall just short of 5% nationally but they got the minimum of 3 seats to also be eligible for list seats for 4.9%

    A majority is when 368 seats are reached.

    SPD gets 206 seats, Greens 151 and The Left 39 gives 363 , just short of majority

    Swapping out Left for FDP 92 gives 416 for a majority

    Another Grand Coalition with CDU/CSU 196 would 402 seats

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • 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
    16 hours 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
    19 hours 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 day 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 day ago

  • PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ ties
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.  During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Antarctica New Zealand Board appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has made further appointments to the Board of Antarctica New Zealand as part of a continued effort to ensure the Scott Base Redevelopment project is delivered in a cost-effective and efficient manner.  The Minister has appointed Neville Harris as a new member of the Board. Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Finance Minister travels to Washington DC
    Finance Minister Nicola Willis will travel to the United States on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Five Finance Ministers group, with counterparts from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.  “I am looking forward to meeting with our Five Finance partners on how we can work ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Pet bonds a win/win for renters and landlords
    The coalition Government has today announced purrfect and pawsitive changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to give tenants with pets greater choice when looking for a rental property, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Pets are important members of many Kiwi families. It’s estimated that around 64 per cent of New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being considered
    State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the Government has also asked NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to consider and provide advice on a Long Tunnel option, Transport Minister Simeon Brown ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • New Zealand condemns Iranian strikes
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel.    “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says.    "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plans
    Hundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand Chair
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board.   “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti.  “I have asked her to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Roads of National Significance planning underway
    The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Navigating an unstable global environment
    New Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States.    “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • NZ welcomes Australian Governor-General
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Pseudoephedrine back on shelves for Winter
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced that Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Pharmaceutical suppliers have indicated they may be able to supply the first products in June. “This is much earlier than the original expectation of medicines being available by 2025. The Government recognised ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • NZ and the US: an ever closer partnership
    New Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Joint US and NZ declaration
    April 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • NZ and US to undertake further practical Pacific cooperation
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced further New Zealand cooperation with the United States in the Pacific Islands region through $16.4 million in funding for initiatives in digital connectivity and oceans and fisheries research.   “New Zealand can achieve more in the Pacific if we work together more urgently and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Government redress for Te Korowai o Wainuiārua
    The Government is continuing the bipartisan effort to restore its relationship with iwi as the Te Korowai o Wainuiārua Claims Settlement Bill passed its first reading in Parliament today, says Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith. “Historical grievances of Te Korowai o Wainuiārua relate to 19th century warfare, land purchased or taken ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Focus on outstanding minerals permit applications
    New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals is working to resolve almost 150 outstanding minerals permit applications by the end of the financial year, enabling valuable mining activity and signalling to the sector that New Zealand is open for business, Resources Minister Shane Jones says.  “While there are no set timeframes for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Applications open for NZ-Ireland Research Call
    The New Zealand and Irish governments have today announced that applications for the 2024 New Zealand-Ireland Joint Research Call on Agriculture and Climate Change are now open. This is the third research call in the three-year Joint Research Initiative pilot launched in 2022 by the Ministry for Primary Industries and Ireland’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Tenancy rules changes to improve rental market
    The coalition Government has today announced changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to encourage landlords back to the rental property market, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “The previous Government waged a war on landlords. Many landlords told us this caused them to exit the rental market altogether. It caused worse ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Boosting NZ’s trade and agricultural relationship with China
    Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay will visit China next week, to strengthen relationships, support Kiwi exporters and promote New Zealand businesses on the world stage. “China is one of New Zealand’s most significant trade and economic relationships and remains an important destination for New Zealand’s products, accounting for nearly 22 per cent of our good and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Freshwater farm plan systems to be improved
    The coalition Government intends to improve freshwater farm plans so that they are more cost-effective and practical for farmers, Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay have announced. “A fit-for-purpose freshwater farm plan system will enable farmers and growers to find the right solutions for their farm ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • New Fast Track Projects advisory group named
    The coalition Government has today announced the expert advisory group who will provide independent recommendations to Ministers on projects to be included in the Fast Track Approvals Bill, say RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones. “Our Fast Track Approval process will make it easier and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Pacific and Gaza focus of UN talks
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters says his official talks with the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York today focused on a shared commitment to partnering with the Pacific Islands region and a common concern about the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.    “Small states in the Pacific rely on collective ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Government honours Taranaki Maunga deal
    The Government is honouring commitments made to Taranaki iwi with the Te Pire Whakatupua mō Te Kāhui Tupua/Taranaki Maunga Collective Redress Bill passing its first reading Parliament today, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “This Bill addresses the commitment the Crown made to the eight iwi of Taranaki to negotiate ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Enhanced partnership to reduce agricultural emissions
    The Government and four further companies are together committing an additional $18 million towards AgriZeroNZ to boost New Zealand’s efforts to reduce agricultural emissions. Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says the strength of the New Zealand economy relies on us getting effective and affordable emission reduction solutions for New Zealand. “The ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • 110km/h limit proposed for Kāpiti Expressway
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed news the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) will begin consultation this month on raising speed limits for the Kāpiti Expressway to 110km/h. “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and this proposal supports that outcome ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • New Zealand Biosecurity Awards – Winners announced
    Two New Zealanders who’ve used their unique skills to help fight the exotic caulerpa seaweed are this year’s Biosecurity Awards Supreme Winners, says Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard. “Strong biosecurity is vital and underpins the whole New Zealand economy and our native flora and fauna. These awards celebrate all those in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Attendance action plan to lift student attendance rates
    The Government is taking action to address the truancy crisis and raise attendance by delivering the attendance action plan, Associate Education Minister David Seymour announced today.   New Zealand attendance rates are low by national and international standards. Regular attendance, defined as being in school over 90 per cent of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • World must act to halt Gaza catastrophe – Peters
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has told the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York today that an immediate ceasefire is needed in Gaza to halt the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe.    “Palestinian civilians continue to bear the brunt of Israel’s military actions,” Mr Peters said in his speech to a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Speech to United Nations General Assembly: 66th plenary meeting, 78th session
    Mr President,   The situation in Gaza is an utter catastrophe.   New Zealand condemns Hamas for its heinous terrorist attacks on 7 October and since, including its barbaric violations of women and children. All of us here must demand that Hamas release all remaining hostages immediately.   At the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government woolshed roadshow kicks off
    Today the Government Agriculture Ministers started their national woolshed roadshow, kicking off in the Wairarapa. Agriculture Minister Todd McClay said it has been a tough time for farmers over the past few years. The sector has faced high domestic inflation rates, high interest rates, adverse weather events, and increasing farm ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • PM heads to Singapore, Thailand, and Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will travel to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines this week (April 14-20), along with a senior business delegation, signalling the Government’s commitment to deepen New Zealand’s international engagement, especially our relationships in South East Asia. “South East Asia is a region that is more crucial than ever to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Prime Minister launches Government Targets
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced further steps to get New Zealand back on track, launching nine ambitious Government Targets to help improve the lives of New Zealanders. “Our Government has a plan that is focused on three key promises we made to New Zealanders – to rebuild the economy, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Natural hydrogen resource should be free of Treaty claims entanglement
    Natural hydrogen could be a game-changing new source of energy for New Zealand but it is essential it is treated as a critical development that benefits all New Zealanders, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones is seeking to give regulatory certainty for those keen to develop natural, or geological, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government responds to unsustainable net migration
    ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • New Zealand on stage at global Space Symposium
    Space Minister Judith Collins will speak at the Space Symposium in the United States next week, promoting New Zealand’s rapidly growing place in the sector as we work to rebuild the economy. “As one of the largest global space events, attended by more than 10,000 business and government representatives from ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-04-16T15:41:06+00:00