Granny hugs the corpse of neoliberalism

Written By: - Date published: 9:11 am, October 15th, 2012 - 59 comments
Categories: capitalism, energy, jobs - Tags:

Here’s Granny Herald’s genius plan for economic development: if Meridian can get more money for its power elsewhere, it should let Tiwai Point close. 3,000 jobs would be lost. Invercargill and Bluff would effectively be killed. But, hey, market forces! Problem is, if Meridian only considers its narrow commercial interests, it ignores the cost to the country as a whole.

But that’s always been the problem with neoliberalism. This quasi-religious belief that what is good for the one must ipso facto be good for the whole (or maybe that should be, what’s good for the one is all that matters, fuck the whole). That logic might be OK for the corner dairy. It might be optimal for small companies in perfect competition. But it isn’t OK for major companies in monopolistic situations. And it definitely isn’t OK for the Government. Remember, that’s what Meridian is – our government, an artificial division of our government, but our government all the same.

So, what Granny Herald is basically saying is that part of our collective wealth (the government) should behave with the logic of a corner dairy and attempt to maximise its own profits even if that hurts the rest of us (ie its owners) more. This is the madness of neoliberalism at its maddest – our company shouldn’t consider our interests when making its decisions.

None of this is to say that the country might not in fact be better off if the smelter closes and the cheap hydro displaces fossil fuel electricity production elsewhere. Point is, the decision should be made on what is best for the country – and the world come to that, if Tiwai closes it’ll just be replaced by coal-powered smelting in China – not what makes sense in the narrow lense Meridian’s books, which is nothing but neoliberal accounting artifice.

59 comments on “Granny hugs the corpse of neoliberalism ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Georgy 1
    15 October 2012 at 9:45 am

    You cannot run a nation as if it is a commercial entity.

    Business people such as Key are the worst type of person to have managing our economy.

    We need people who have a strong sense of governance. Not profit. Good governance will allow and encourage profit in the right quarter. But there is a bigger picture than simply making a profit or running depts as cheaply as possible.

    • Reagan Cline 1.1
      15 October 2012 at 7:37 pm

      Who defines the “bigger picture” and more importantly decides YOUR PLACE in it ?

      • McFlock 1.1.1
        15 October 2012 at 7:51 pm

        Gotta love democracy for that job. It’s a contrary beast of a system, but it’s better than a plutocracy.

  2. tracey 2
    15 October 2012 at 9:47 am

    Hear hear. It is possible to be financially prudent without having a profit motive driving everything.

  3. stopthesubsidies 3
    15 October 2012 at 9:47 am

    We are paying vast subsidies in cheap electricity to keep Tiwai going, about quarter of a million for each worker http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10605697

    Why not tell Rio Tinto to sling its hook, put the $s into creating work for Bluff and save the wasted power for us to use? No need for more electricity generation, kicking out a plank in the ‘reasoning’ for the sell off.

    Seems to me that the Herald is right in this case in wanting to stop giving corporate welfare to a multinational.

    • Gosman 3.1
      15 October 2012 at 10:06 am

      We are in general agreement here.

    • deano 3.2
      15 October 2012 at 11:45 am

      maybe we would be better off if we had the power, rather than the smelter. But that is the question ‘would we be better off?’

      the question the Herald asks is ‘would Meridian be better off?’ That’s stupid. You don’t decide your hand’s actions on whether or not they make your hand better off, you ask whether they make you as a whole better off.

      • Gosman 3.2.1
        15 October 2012 at 12:07 pm

        Are you trying to argue that the major actions of commercial enterprises in NZ need to checked against some sort of arbitary measurement of overall benefit to NZ as a whole?

        • ropata 3.2.1.1
          15 October 2012 at 1:13 pm

          are you trying to argue that multinational corporations have no responsibility to the broader society in which they operate and reap vast profits?

          • Gosman 3.2.1.1.1
            15 October 2012 at 1:41 pm

            Is Meridian a multi-national now? I had no idea.

            In relation to the question, NO I don’t agree that they have no responsibility to the wider society.

            I do think that trying to dictate what their MAJOR responsibility will be will lead to a shed load of negative impacts on the wider economy and society.

            Now, are you going to answer my question?

        • Lightly 3.2.1.2
          15 October 2012 at 2:00 pm

          of course they should be. Corporations exist for the benefit of society, not the other way around.

  4. vto 4
    15 October 2012 at 9:54 am

    Look, the current batch of fools who believe in the free market have shown that they do not in fact believe in the free market at all.

    There was the perfect opportunity in Christchurch to let an entire city develop via the free market. You know, fully hands off. But what did they do? The biggest centrist intervention ever in NZ’s history.

    What they say and what they do are poles apart.

    • Gosman 4.1
      15 October 2012 at 9:57 am

      Are you stating you don’t believe in free markets? Is this the policy of any of the political parties represented in parliament because as far as I was aware they all believe in free markets. It is just the degree of freedom they disagree on.

      • vto 4.1.1
        15 October 2012 at 10:13 am

        Classic gosman. Avoid the point made. Why did the free market disciples not push to have a go at the biggest opportunity in the country’s history to prove that the free market works? They all ran like widdle scaredy cats …

        Why not gosman?

        • Gosman 4.1.1.1
          15 October 2012 at 10:25 am

          Ummmmm… which free market ‘disciples’ are you meaning here?

          The National party is certainly not the home of libertarian free market ideologues.

          Even ACT believes in regulation and co-ordination by elected officials. The Auckland supercity was implemented under the auspices of a previous leader of the party for example.

          I think you are attempting to set up a strawman argument here so you can feel good knocking it down.

          • vto 4.1.1.1.1
            15 October 2012 at 12:15 pm

            ummmmmm…. let’s see ….. how about the free market disciple that has left the Christchurch red zone residents up to the free market. The market will solve the problem, said free market (when it suits) disciple Minister Gerry Brownlee.

            So why not the same approach with commercial interests as with residential?

            Or you can dodge this very simple question again ….

            • Gosman 4.1.1.1.1.1
              15 October 2012 at 12:48 pm

              Because, like all mainstream political parties in NZ, the current National led Government believes in a mix of State intervention/co-ordination and letting market forces determining outcomes.

              You might like to see more involvement from the State but that is a matter of degrees I would suggest. If a person sharing such views were in power I could ask an equally asinine question about why won’t they advocate for the State to sort EVERYTHING out. Unless that is what you do advocate for. If so, more power to you Comrade.

              • vto …
                15 October 2012 at 12:52 pm

                Specific question dodged again.

                Useless

                • Gosman …
                  15 October 2012 at 12:58 pm

                  Ah no.

                  The question asked was “So why not the same approach with commercial interests as with residential?”

                  and my answer was because the current Government believes in a mix of State and private sector approaches to problems.

                  Just because you don’t like an answer doesn’t mean it isn’t an answer.

                  • vto …
                    15 October 2012 at 1:01 pm

                    bull.

                    specific.

                  • McFlock …
                    15 October 2012 at 1:02 pm

                    lol
                       
                    the point is the fundamentally different “balance” the government has taken vis: rehousing poor people vs rebuilding the business district for its donors capitalist friends.

                    • Gosman …
                      15 October 2012 at 1:07 pm

                      Or perhaps the Government has decided there are greater economic benefits to be had of taking a more interventionist approach in relation to Commercial enterprises in Christchurch than the Residential sector.

                      You say Po-tah-toe…

                    • vto …
                      15 October 2012 at 1:16 pm

                      You say potato, I say pathetic apologist.

                      If your hunch is right then it is despicable that money gets put before people, in these circumstances. But not surprising as this government is filled with wankers and arseholes (try not to picture it folks).

                      Further, the fact that intervention is deemed to be required to achieve a better outcome is an admission that the free market would not be able to similarly provide. Thanks for the support for my initial contention.

                    • McFlock …
                      15 October 2012 at 1:17 pm

                      either interpretation is what vto said in the first place.
                             
                      Fuck you’re a waste of time. 

                    • Gosman …
                      15 October 2012 at 1:18 pm

                      Depends once again on your viewpoint. I have seen any number of decisions made by left leaning Governments supposedly to benefit ‘The people’ , (whatever that term actually means), that have had unintended consequences arguable much worse than the supposed problem they were put in place to resolve.

                    • McFlock …
                      15 October 2012 at 1:32 pm

                      “lefties did it too” = irrelevant;
                      “unintended consequences” = irrelevant;
                      “viewpoint” = irrelevant.
                           
                      Relevant: the government which claims to support free markets and has embarked of a programme of privatising schools and prisons realises that the market cannot rebuild a commercial centre. That nactoids are hypocritical cocks.
                            
                      Do you have any relevant comment to make on that point, gos?
                           
                       

                    • Gosman …
                      15 October 2012 at 1:35 pm

                      I’ve already answered that point. No main stream political party, (including ACT), advocates for a completely free market approach to all issues. Just as no mainstream political party advocates for a completely statist approach top all issues. To take such an absolutist position exposes your argument to ridicule.

                    • McFlock …
                      15 October 2012 at 1:42 pm

                      So you see nothing inconsistent between National’s rhetoric and increased use of outside contractors in everything from analysis to prison operation, versus their behaviour when crap performance outcomes would adversely affect the corporate sector?

                    • Gosman …
                      15 October 2012 at 1:47 pm

                      How can it be inconsistent when they generally take a horses for courses approach to most things in Government? It isn’t as if they get in to power and decide to privatise everything in sight. Even their asset sales programme they are attempting to implement is to sell minority stakes only. You could equally argue that this is inconsistent with your view that they are some ideologically pure right leaning party that favours the private sector over the State all the time.

                    • McFlock …
                      15 October 2012 at 1:53 pm

                      not plausibly, especially given their “voting shares” sale debacle.
                                   
                      But anyway, your basic counter to vto’s point is that the nacts aren’t lying hypocrites, they just have no coherent economic philosophy or indeed economic plan?
                                
                       

                    • Gosman …
                      15 October 2012 at 2:14 pm

                      That position is only valid if you think ALL mainstream political parties in NZ don’t have a coherent economic plan as they all support a mix of free market and State intervention to resolve perceived problems in the economy.

                    • McFlock …
                      15 October 2012 at 3:54 pm

                      Maybe on planet key.
                           
                      In the real world it just seems funny how NACT see intervention as the best way to help their mates in the corporate sector, yet poor people have to go it alone. 

                    • Gosman …
                      15 October 2012 at 4:25 pm

                      In your obviously biased view of the world. As previously stated the Government may well have decided that there were better economic returns from intervening in the commercial area in relation to Canterbury rather than supporting everybody. This is entirely consistent with National, (if not ACT), party philosophy.

                    • McFlock …
                      15 October 2012 at 5:24 pm

                      It’s not consistent with their “smaller government” rhetoric and assault on the public service. Apparently the civil service is incapable of running anything in Wellington, but is the only mechanism capable of rebuilding a commercial centre (but not the accompanying residential suburbs).
                                
                      That’s not running different horses on their appropriate courses.  That’s having three horses in the same damned race, and switching numbers at the end to pretend that the one with the longest odds won.

                    • vto …
                      15 October 2012 at 5:36 pm

                      Exactly McFlock.

                      I have heard nobody explain the point in this wee mini-thread and gosman has made a hash of it too. That is because there is no defence.

                      And here is another for non-Christchurch folk to ponder when considering the politics of post-earthquake Chch and its reflection on the realities of the wanker and arsehole-filled National Party…..

                      The red zoned residential property owners of Christchurch get paid out by rateable value whereas the central city commercial property owners get paid out by market value.

                      WHAT THE FUCK?

                      Explain that one gosman. There is a pin in your granny’s sewing basket for you to dance on I’m sure.

                    • vto …
                      15 October 2012 at 5:58 pm

                      In fact, the lack of explanation around these issues is EXACTLY the same as how nobody has been able to explain how having foreign landlords is good for New Zealand (note – not reference to foreign investment, just foreign ownership).

                      Nobody has explained.

                      Nobody.

                      Nup.

                      Nada.

                      Nought.

                      Nothing.

                      No.

                      Not.

                      Never.

          • starlight 4.1.1.1.2
            15 October 2012 at 1:27 pm

            Gosman, Act holds no credibility,roy morgan poll act are 0%.

          • thatguynz 4.1.1.1.3
            15 October 2012 at 2:10 pm

            Hate to break it to you Gosman but the true “free market” is likewise a strawman…
             
            It exists in theory and fancy – not in practice.  Just like pure “socialism” and many other “ism’s”…

            • Gosman 4.1.1.1.3.1
              15 October 2012 at 2:15 pm

              Good oh. Then you agree with my point. All we are really discussing here is degrees of free market versus State intervention.

              The current Government clearly favours a more free market approach in some areas but is comfortable with the State playing a leading role in others. Shock horror.

              • thatguynz …
                15 October 2012 at 2:51 pm

                As shocking as it may be – yes I do agree.
                 
                I don’t of course agree with the current government’s approach 🙂
                 

  5. Gosman 5
    15 October 2012 at 9:55 am

    I thought many of you lot were against corporate welfare, especially for a large foreign owned multi-national.

  6. tracey 6
    15 October 2012 at 9:56 am

    I just read tjis from kiwiblog in 2006.

    ” To put it baldly, Don’s major failing was that he was a very bad liar. Helen on the other hand is a first class liar. Now I should explain – I don’t mean deliberate totally incorrect falsehoods – MPs (including Helen) avoid those sort of lies as much as possible. It’s more the ability to obfuscate, to confuse, to even deceive the questioner. Don had the annoying habit of actually answering the questions people put to him, rather than answering the ones he wanted them to ask. The rare time he tried not to answer the question (often necessary), it was obvious – he was not skilled at such obfuscation. I don’t mean this quite as cynically as it sounds. MPs every day get asked questions which they don’t want to answer, and part of the skills required is to not give an answer which is unhelpful. For example if hypothetically a journalist asks what the Caucus position on nuclear ships is, the answer should be “no change to the current policy is contemplated”, rather than “Well we think the ban is daft, but its popular so 18 out of 29 MPs voted to keep the ban” The other weakness was, in my opinion, trying to be overly fair, and not not pragmatic enough. I don’t mean pragmatic policy-wise (The 2005 policy was relatively moderate) but pragmatic politically. The example here is the Exclusive Brethren, After it was revealed that some Brethren members had hired a private detective, the obvious political response was to use it as an opportunity to say one will not meet with the Brethren again.

  7. quartz 7
    15 October 2012 at 10:38 am

    The taxpayer is subsidising Rio Tinto’s electricity and emissions to a greater annual dollar value than Rio Tinto spends each year on labour. It would be sensible to tell them to f**K off and to use those subsidies to promote green growth in Southland along the lines that the WWF and BERL have suggested.

    Hell, the subsidies are so large you could offer every worker three years govt-funded redundancy (circa $300k) to soften the blow and still come out well ahead financially. With the added environmental bonus that you’d lose a large emitter and have a sh*tload of green electricity come on line. We’d probably all have to pay less on our power bills for a while too.

    • tc 7.1
      15 October 2012 at 12:29 pm

      +1, this is exactly what should happen.

      Aluminium is a commodity under threat from cheap chinese gov’t backed supply, time to move on and sweep away another Muldoon ‘think big’ project that’s done nothing except feather Rio’s nest more so than NZ’s as a whole.

  8. Richard Down South 8
    15 October 2012 at 11:21 am

    Wonder how the herald would feel about a 1000% increase in the cost of paper (it’s possible in a free market)

    • Gosman 8.1
      15 October 2012 at 12:09 pm

      If the NZ Herald was getting a reduced costs of newsprint and was only commercially viable as a result then they should seriously think about getting out of the Newspaper business.

      • tc 8.1.1
        15 October 2012 at 12:30 pm

        They’re in the newspaper business ? I thought it was part of the NACT PR machine, gosh no wonder they’re struggling that explains alot Gossie.

        • Gosman 8.1.1.1
          15 October 2012 at 12:54 pm

          Yeah, that would explain the series they ran on Poverty in NZ. All part of the cunning NACT plan to screw with your minds.

  9. captain hook 9
    15 October 2012 at 12:54 pm

    maybe the the bonamia virus in Foveaux straight might go away now.

  10. Populuxe1 10
    15 October 2012 at 1:39 pm

    A minor point: closing Tiwai wouldn’t kill Invercargill – it’s the hub for Southland farming. Bluff would suffer badly, true. I know South Island geography is fairly abstract to a lot of you, but at least try to be accurate.

  11. captain hook 11
    15 October 2012 at 6:00 pm

    and where is this Free Market that you believe in?
    show me.

    • vto 11.1
      16 October 2012 at 8:03 am

      It’s in the fine print in the documentation around the loan given by little old lady ratepayers in the Selwyn District by their Council to the very large and wealthy dairy sector in Canterbury for an irrigation project to turn unirrigated farms into dairy farms worth 5 times as much.

      You see, the free market wouldn’t stump up to assist with this Central Plains Water scheme so instead they force a loan from little old lady ratepayers.

      It is also in the documentation of the NZX, the stock exchange, surely the final bastion of free market enterprise, whereby their failure to attract enough investment in the last 80-plus years to make a viable and successful trading place for businesses, that they have to take electricity companies from the taxpayer (cf ratepayer) to bolster their shortcomings.

      The free market ethos has failed in the sense and scale that disciples have believed. It will take them a while yet to either realise this or to wake up.

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • Community hui to talk about kina barrens
    People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 hours ago

  • Kiwi exporters win as NZ-EU FTA enters into force
    Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 hours ago

  • Mining resurgence a welcome sign
    There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 hours ago

  • Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill passes first reading
    The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago

  • Government to boost public EV charging network
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure.  The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago

  • Residential Property Managers Bill to not progress
    The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago

  • Independent review into disability support services
    The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Justice Minister updates UN on law & order plan
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Ending emergency housing motels in Rotorua
    The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Trade Minister travels to Riyadh, OECD, and Dubai
    Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Education priorities focused on lifting achievement
    Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • NZTA App first step towards digital driver licence
    The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say.  “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Supporting whānau out of emergency housing
    Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Tribute to Dave O'Sullivan
    Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Speech – Eid al-Fitr
    Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government saves access to medicines
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff.    “Access to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwis’ lives. We’ve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Pharmac Chair appointed
    Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Taking action on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
    Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says.  “Every day, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • New sports complex opens in Kaikohe
    Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Diplomacy needed more than ever
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges.    “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address, Buttes New British Cemetery Belgium
    Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service.  It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address – NZ National Service, Chunuk Bair
    Distinguished guests -   It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders.   Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

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

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

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

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-05-01T01:43:16+00:00