Has Uffindell been cleared?

Written By: - Date published: 9:12 am, September 19th, 2022 - 98 comments
Categories: law, law and "order", national, same old national - Tags:

Remember the report that National commissioned from Maria Dew QC into the actions of Tauranga MP Sam Uffindel?

It was originally estimated to take two weeks from August 10, 2020.   Then on August 29 a National Party spokesperson said it would take another couple of weeks which expired some time ago.

The expected return date was some time ago.

Last Week Spinoff reported that the Dew report could be some weeks away.

Sam Uffindell, the MP for Tauranga, was stood down more than a month ago after allegations were levelled at him from a former Otago University flat mate. While Uffindell disputed those claims, they followed earlier reporting that revealed had been a violent bully while a student at King’s College.

A review, to be carried out by Maria Dew KC, was ordered by the National Party into Uffindell’s conduct and was initially expected to be completed within a fortnight.

It was subsequently delayed and Christopher Luxon told TVNZ’s Breakfast today he didn’t know when it would be finished.

“There’s no further update,” he said. “It’s really important that the process is followed properly, they were serious allegations. Maria Dew is a qualified King’s Counsel… I want that process to be robust.”

Luxon admitted that it was “frustrating” and said he would have liked the report to be completed by now. The people of Tauranga deserved to know whether their MP would be reinstated, he said.

But there are recent reports that Uffindell has been campaigning locally in Tauranga for National.  Just check out the photo in this post.

And it has just been reported that the Dew report has been received by National and a statement is pending.

It looks like Uffindell has been cleared.  Which is not surprising.  The events happened a long time ago and people should be given the opportunity to rehabilitate.

But the whole event shows National’s hypocrisy.  The next time they talk about being tough on crime or advocate for tough measures be taken against young offenders remember how they thought that one of their own should be treated differently.

98 comments on “Has Uffindell been cleared? ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. mickysavage 1
    19 September 2022 at 9:16 am

    And what a day to announce the report. The same day as the Queen's burial. Boy is that cynical.

    • observer 1.1
      19 September 2022 at 10:39 am

      "A good day to bury bad news …"

      Especially cynical when it's accompanied by those statements of great respect. So much respect. Florid – and fake.

    • Anne 1.2
      19 September 2022 at 10:47 am

      "And what a day to announce the report."

      My immediate thought too. Under the cover of darkness……

    • tsmithfield 1.3
      19 September 2022 at 2:17 pm

      Yes, the timing of the announcement is "convenient''. In principle though probably no different to what parties have done for years; document dumps on a Friday, or some unpleasant announcement the day before Christmas etc. Just on a grander scale.

  2. Tiger Mountain 2
    19 September 2022 at 9:21 am

    A number of commenters on The Standard as I recall, somewhat cynically said about Mr Uffindel that he represented values–machoism, bullying, misogyny–that many in NZ National deep down felt quite comfortable with.

    “Nothing to see here” will represent NZ Natzos charging on regardless of their motley crew.

  3. Sanctuary 3
    19 September 2022 at 9:21 am

    Let's face it, being a passive-aggressive moralising prosperity Evangelical with an ugly history of bullying is a feature not a bug for the National party these days.

    • Tiger Mountain 3.1
      19 September 2022 at 9:39 am

      Strange for some of us to come to terms with, but true enough.

      In the Far North we have former MPs Mike Sabin and Matt King, ex coppers as beloved by natzo selection committees with demonstrated dodgy records.

    • Gabby 3.2
      19 September 2022 at 10:43 am

      Nor for many voters.

    • newsense 4.1
      19 September 2022 at 3:26 pm

      It shouldn’t be left to Steve Maharey to say this. This is breathtaking moral hypocrisy. ‘Oh not those young offenders!’

  5. Belladonna 5
    19 September 2022 at 9:30 am

    Announcement that the report has been 'received by the National Party', and Luxon will be making an announcement later today.

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/475029/sam-uffindell-report-into-bullying-allegations-handed-to-christopher-luxon

    • Robert Guyton 5.1
      19 September 2022 at 9:54 am

      They shouldn't have hit him with wooden!

      "In early August, Stuff revealed that Uffindell, when he was aged 16, joined with three other teenagers in attacking a 13-year-old in the middle of the night. The victim said they arrived in his dorm room and hit him with wooden, leaving him bruised."

      (from Belladonna's link, above)

  6. Peter 6
    19 September 2022 at 9:41 am

    Cleared of what? Cleared of what he is said to have done about 20 years ago?

  7. Stuart Munro 7
    19 September 2022 at 10:09 am

    Not sure what all the fuss is about frankly – Uffindell seems pretty middle of the road by Gnat standards – crude & stupid, charisma free, habitual bully, without the ghost of a conscience or a clue what public service is.

    This is the hill the Gnats mean to die on, let's give them a decent burial.

    • Mac1 7.1
      19 September 2022 at 12:20 pm

      There's one fuss which will hopefully be clearer later today.

      I acknowledge that change can happen with young adolescents turning into acceptable adults or otherwise I would be denying my 40 years work as a teacher and facilitator.

      Uffindell has however denied the allegations made about his behaviour at Uni towards flat mates.

      The denial was made, not twenty years ago, but this year.

      If he lied, that would in my book mean he still lacked moral authority.

      What if the report is either unclear on those allegations or does not pronounce him clear of them?

      • Stuart Munro 7.1.1
        19 September 2022 at 1:01 pm

        I'm sure the Gnats won't care.

        They won't care to further tarnish their alreay sordid reputations by letting the facts out unless it transpires that Uffindell is still a practicing axe-murderer. And the media will let them.

        • Mac1 7.1.1.1
          19 September 2022 at 1:47 pm

          I think some care. A National MP rolled his eyes when Uffindell's name got mentioned at a meeting I was attending. I did not know what the news was at the stage and wondered why the eye roll. Was it at the poor publicity or at the allegations? This MP had already justifiably rolled the previous MP for poor performance, and here was yet another one……

          I would hope that you are wrong, Stuart, in saying they don't care, for no other reason that these same National MPs will at some stage get another turn. I'll be working to see that doesn't happen, but they'll get there.

          The wisdom is that governments are voted out rather than the opposition voted in. Labour will apply itself to minimising the negatives and promoting the very considerable achievements made on behalf of all.

          Otherwise, those who you so aptly describe- "crude & stupid, charisma free, habitual bully, without the ghost of a conscience or a clue what public service is"- sneak in.

          • Stuart Munro 7.1.1.1.1
            19 September 2022 at 8:07 pm

            I wish it weren't so – but there is little or no hope for our society if we cannot get more constructive people into parliament.

            I live near the Ohau canals these days and cannot help but think:

            "Look on my works ye mighty, and despair

            – since Roger Douglas we've achieved sweet F-all."

            • Mac1 7.1.1.1.1.1
              20 September 2022 at 9:43 am

              Isn't Shelley saying that all political power is ephemeral? Shakespeare wrote in similar vein, as artists who take a longer view do-

              "The scepter, learning, physic, must

              All follow this, and come to dust."

              Like monuments, bodies, rods and orbs all do, as our poets knew and as we have seen recently, in Great Britain.

              The best we do is for now and we need the best people as politicians and leaders to enable us to live our best, now.

              What was left strewn yesterday on The Mall after the procession had passed was horse shit and roses………. for street sweepers to clean up after.

  8. woodart 8
    19 September 2022 at 10:30 am

    its obviously taken weeks to get the whitewash thick enough to stick and cover. anybody who has painted over flyshit on a ceiling knows that.

  9. observer 9
    19 September 2022 at 10:49 am

    The problem is going to be not so much the decision but (as ever) Luxon talking about it to the media.

    We can write the script in advance:

    Reporter: "What does the report say about what Uffindell has done?"

    Luxon: "Oh look, that's confidential, what I'm saying to you is, we front up and we move on …"

    Reporter: "But you're not fronting up, you're not telling us anything."

    Luxon: "Look, let me be clear, what I'm saying to you is …"

    (repeat indefinitely while eyes roll)

    • Bearded Git 9.1
      19 September 2022 at 12:46 pm

      "What does the report say about what Uffindell has done?"

      Luxon in reply: "The problem is the Labour government which hasn't got a clue about how to deal with the cost of living crisis ….blah blah blah ad infinitum"

    • Anne 9.2
      19 September 2022 at 3:23 pm

      @ observer
      laugh Gem.

  10. tsmithfield 10
    19 September 2022 at 10:56 am

    At the very worst, all Unfindell probably needs is some leadership training.

    Very hard for Labour to make much hay out of this, when it appears they are having their own issues with allegations of current bullying. Glass houses and all that…

    • observer 10.1
      19 September 2022 at 11:01 am

      Labour didn't make any hay, then or now. Check the reporting of Uffindell, from day one. Ardern quite explicit: not Labour's issue.

      Contrast Chris Bishop et al piling in on Sharma's side … and then rapidly retreating once it became clear he wasn't an ally they wanted. Oops.

      “Glass houses” is correct.

      • tsmithfield 10.1.1
        19 September 2022 at 11:09 am

        From a strategic point of view it probably made sense for National to amplify Labour's bullying allegations as much as possible due to the Ufindell issue still being in play. The idea being to demonstrate that bullying isn't something isolated to National, historic or otherwise, thus minimising Ufindell's own history.

      • Chris 10.1.2
        19 September 2022 at 3:00 pm

        The hay they'll be able to make will be whenever national bellows its tough of youth crime line.

    • Incognito 10.2
      19 September 2022 at 11:05 am

      This is not a Labour Party or Government issue. It is a problem for, with, and by the National Party. Uffindell was selected and then more dirt rose to the surface, predictably, and the National Party went into panic mode (aka damage control) by hiring a QC and stalling for time, as usual (aka textbook response). The problem hasn’t gone away, only the latest dirt got swept under that bulging carpet under now Luxon’s feet. When you see the National Leader swaggering it is because there’s so much dirt buried under his carpet that he can’t walk or sit straight. There was even a book written about it and it was not for carpet cleaners.

      Your diversion troll tactics are going to fail (you) today.

      • tsmithfield 10.2.1
        19 September 2022 at 11:14 am

        National isn't the only party that has kicked for touch by sending an uncomfortable issue for legal review, I think you will find. So, just good strategy there.

        Just looking at how this has been played, rather than who is right or wrong, it seems to me that National has managed to reframe this as "a plague on both your houses" over the time of the review. So, that is the context the outcome will be viewed in.

        My personal view is that there needs to be a point where current behaviour outshines past transgressions. I have selected people for jobs on that basis, even though in a past life they may have had some serious issues. It all comes down to how historic the behaviour was, and how much, and how permanently the person has reformed in the meantime.

        • Incognito 10.2.1.1
          19 September 2022 at 11:26 am

          National can play its whataboutery tactics and you can think it is good strategy. However, it is not smart to apply the same diversion troll tactics here on TS, as you did. Stick to commenting on the OP, thanks.

          National Party strategy/policy against youth crime could do with some dose of your practical wisdom on people and past transgressions. That nuance and understanding seems to be lacking with National and I can’t see this improving, can you?

          • tsmithfield 10.2.1.1.1
            19 September 2022 at 12:14 pm

            I am thinking strategy in an objective sense. If Labour did similar if the boot was on the other foot, I would still think it is an effective strategy, not necessarily “good” in a moral sense.

            Personally, I think a failure of the right is a bit of a knee jerk reaction towards crime. Being on the board of a trust that works in one of the lowest socio-economical areas of Christchurch has certainly impacted my views in that respect. None of these problems are as simple as "lock them up and throw away the key."

          • Tricledrown 10.2.1.1.2
            19 September 2022 at 7:33 pm

            This shows if you are wealthy and break the law, no consequences if you are homeless and can’t afford a QC/KC you face a lifetime of consequences.National the Natural home of Bullies!

        • Craig H 10.2.1.2
          19 September 2022 at 4:51 pm

          Not sure how that's kicking for touch. If someone is accused of unpleasant conduct which will have a potential impact on their employment and membership of a group, those accusations have to be investigated fairly. Appointing independent investigators happens all the time for bullying and other claims in employment – why and how would we expect National or Labour or any other political party to be different?

  11. AB 11
    19 September 2022 at 12:07 pm

    He'll be in the clear unless something new and much more damaging has emerged. Last thing the Nats want is a drip-feed of new Uffindell victims popping out of the wooodwork.

    The process of clearing him will include "a review of our candidate selection policies" and "ensuring that our mentoring processes for new MPs are as robust as we believe them to be". Or some such guff. It's bollocks of course – character affects the political ideologies we are all attracted to and it can't be changed. (i.e. what Stuart said at 7 above)

    • tsmithfield 11.1
      19 September 2022 at 12:19 pm

      A lot of it will come down to what he disclosed at the time of selection. I don't think any of us have full knowledge of that. But, if he has given adequate disclosure, and has been accepted on that basis, then the selection committee should take it on the chin if they got it wrong.

  12. kejo 12
    19 September 2022 at 12:28 pm

    According to the photo National are least concerned about employment ,housing, and the environment

    • Muttonbird 12.1
      19 September 2022 at 6:19 pm

      Social media meme right there. Do a big red/green arrow between the rosette and the four lonely blue dots next to Environment.

      "This is what National thinks of the environment."

    • woodart 13.1
      19 September 2022 at 2:50 pm

      well, this is a surprise..not. but smart people will instantly see that this is a huuuge tactical blunder by the nats, as they have just let off a long term grenade in their tent. they now either have to swallow their tongues over reformed youth crime, or swallow their pride over bullying in the better (in)bred . either way he's a lame duck. if the lower classes had kept their mouths shut, this whole mess wouldnt have rattled the bone china.

    • Drowsy M. Kram 13.2
      19 September 2022 at 2:52 pm

      And, the answer appears, unsurprisingly, to be "Yes"

      Belladonna, why "unsurprisingly“, in your opinion?

      • Belladonna 13.2.1
        19 September 2022 at 6:12 pm

        Political management, mostly.

        I think, that if Luxon had had an inkling that the answer was 'no' (i.e. there had been lots more skeletons found in the closet by the QC), that Uffindell would have already 'resigned' to 'pursue other challenges' for the 'good of the Party'

        Announcing a result in the way it has been done pretty much presupposes that it's not a negative result (or at least not negative from the National perspective) Certainly all of the media signalling has not been 'blood in the water' go in for the kill – and they do get things leaked to them (not for attribution, of course)

        • Drowsy M. Kram 13.2.1.1
          19 September 2022 at 7:00 pm

          I think, that if Luxon had had an inkling that the answer was 'no' (i.e. there had been lots more skeletons found in the closet by the QC), that Uffindell would have already 'resigned' to 'pursue other challenges' for the 'good of the Party'

          Does that mean you think Luxon had an inkling that the answer was 'yes', prior to the completion of Maria Dew KC's report?

          Was heartening to hear that Luxon believes "in forgiveness and second chances" –
          "Be kind" smiley

          • Belladonna 13.2.1.1.1
            19 September 2022 at 7:08 pm

            No. I mean exactly what I said.

            I'm quite certain that Luxon (and/or the senior National Party team) were kept briefed under a 'no surprises' policy of any significant findings. [Just, as I'm equally certain that the Labour senior team were kept briefed about other inquiries relevant to Labour]

            There was no inkling that the answer was 'no' at any point.

            • Drowsy M. Kram 13.2.1.1.1.1
              19 September 2022 at 7:44 pm

              I'm quite certain that Luxon (and/or the senior National Party team) were kept briefed under a 'no surprises' policy of any significant findings.

              Could you provide more info about this "'no surprises' policy' that you are "quite certain" ensured Luxon was "kept briefed" "of any significant findings" of Maria Dew KC's independent (and unexpectedly protracted) investigation?

              There was no inkling that the answer was 'no' at any point.

              Do you mean that Luxon had "no inkling that the answer was 'no' [i.e. that there are more skeletons in Uffindell's closet] at any point" (of the enquiry)?

              What might cause you, a self-declared "respectful centrist", to believe that Luxon had this “no inkling“? Surely it would have been prudent to keep an open mind prior to the (delayed) completion of the KC's independent report.

              • Belladonna …
                19 September 2022 at 8:41 pm

                Really no point in discussing further.

                I gave an opinion. I don't have anything else to add.

                • Drowsy M. Kram …
                  19 September 2022 at 8:49 pm

                  I gave an opinion. I don't have anything else to add.

                  Agreed, you gave an opinion – I’m just trying to make sense of it.

                  If you’re reluctant and/or unable to provide more info about the "'no surprises' policy' that you are "quite certain" ensured Luxon was "kept briefed" "of any significant findings" of Dew's protracted independent investigation, then I quite understand.

                  • Belladonna …
                    19 September 2022 at 9:06 pm

                    I shall do better next time. And refrain from responding to you.

                    • Drowsy M. Kram …
                      20 September 2022 at 1:36 am

                      I shall do better next time.

                      Maybe you will, and maybe Uffindell's OK – we can all do better!

                      And refrain from responding to you.

                      Ah, the ol' "no comment" gambit – you're doing 'better' already smiley

                      Luxon not keen on Uffindell report seeing light of day
                      After refusing to release any details of an investigation into National MP Sam Uffindell, it seems Christopher Luxon would rather deal with a negative news cycle than throw sunlight on the reports’ findings.

                      It is almost impossible to form a view on whether National leader Christopher Luxon made the right call reinstating Tauranga MP Sam Uffindell back into his caucus.

                      While the independent report conducted by KC Maria Dew over the last five weeks concluded Uffindell “did not engage in the serious behaviour alleged in the media”, it is impossible to know what other behaviour may or may not have been raised during the investigation.
                      …
                      If the National Party truly believes Tauranga voters should have known about Uffindell’s past before casting their votes in June, then surely logic follows that they deserve to know why his name has now been cleared by the party.

            • Incognito 13.2.1.1.1.2
              19 September 2022 at 9:01 pm

              Nope.

              Asked whether he’d been given a new finish date, Luxon said he had not been in contact with Maria Dew so as to ensure the process was “truly independent”.

              https://thespinoff.co.nz/live-updates/14-09-2022/national-leader-admits-frustration-over-delayed-uffindell-investigation

  14. observer 14
    19 September 2022 at 2:41 pm

    No surprise there.

    Luxon always says "as the father of a daughter". He seems to think it sounds persuasive and relatable. I don't think he even understands how badly it comes across.

    He has just told "the father of a daughter" that his daughter's experience didn't happen.

  15. Shanreagh 15
    19 September 2022 at 2:47 pm

    Re-run of Winston peters and I am happy being the MP for Tauranga. Not very impressed with Luxon not responding to whoever it was calling out to get a question in.

    Impressed, not in a good way though, by how like Muldoon Luxon is in mannerism and looks.

    Don't know what I think about the CE of the National Party, slick, smooth and hiding things.

    The less than stellar Nat candidate selection processes put this into the public arena…..people who should have known about Uffindell's declaration did not seem to. The comment I made earlier that in Luxon's office there seem to be a dearth of people who are encouraged to speak about the look or perception, still stands. perhaps that is not encouraged.

    Intrigued by the words ‘serious behaviour’…….the usual phrase is ‘serious misbehaviour’. Spin is evident.

    Uffindell does seem to lack judgement – having to reflect publicly on holding up a rosette before the report was in. I don't feel he would be judged as a safe pair of hands for the future.

  16. newsense 16
    19 September 2022 at 2:48 pm

    Given there hypocrisy over this the party and MP deserve to be hounded. This is much worse than anything Winston Peters has done, yet look at his treatment.

    There are two issues: one is the behavior, but the most important seen here is the way at all steps in the process from the school to the selection to this report it has been covered for without genuine remorse, without genuine self awareness, without genuine desire to provide information to voters, be they public or party, and again to hide the report and rehabilitate once more with no public acknowledgment of the problem or any genuine hope that the party has heard or improved.

    If this is left by the media they are complicit in an elitist bullying culture and a racist forgiveness culture in which money buys prospects and outcomes at the time of reckoning.

    If they hear another National MP claptrap about families not having values and let it lie they are complicit in low standards and these transgressions. They fail poor youngsters at a time when across the country youth crime is down and the ‘tough on crime’ dog whistle is harmful and risks reversing great progress.

    Don’t let them get away with it. Culture review 2.0. Nothing to see.

  17. Tiger Mountain 17
    19 September 2022 at 2:56 pm

    Nothing to see here! Uffindel Report to remain private, Selection Panel workings to remain confidential, staff member under the bus for not telling Mr Luxon, and Party President did not inform Mr Luxon either, about Mr Uffindel’s Candidate declaration about assaulting an individual with a group when at school.

    Which is a little mystifying given that we are told Sam Uffindel mentioned the assault in his declaration, others are then fingered for not passing this on, including Todd McClay, to what would be considered the appropriate people, and then nothing more from the selection process is to be known by the public.

    Nothing to see here!

  18. mary_a 18
    19 September 2022 at 2:59 pm

    Luxon has reinstated Sam Uffindell.

    According to Luxon and the National President (can't remembet her name), there is not enough evidence to prove aggressive behaviour from him continued after high school, or during his uni days, despite claims to the contrary!

    The report will NOT be made public. Wonder why? I can smell the whitewash!

    Yet Uffindell did not apologise for his brutal behaviour until 20 years later. Obviously hoping it would be swept away into his dark past. A hint of deception? We will wait and see how he responds, when things don't go his way in politics.

    • Johnr 18.1
      19 September 2022 at 4:22 pm

      Well knock me down with a feather. Why am I not surprised.

      What I find curious is that no discussion has surrounded the fact that Duffus was expelled and the other 3 participants were suspended. Which says to me that Duffus was the ring leader.

      Do the Natzos consider this a sign of leadership qualities.

  19. Shanreagh 19
    19 September 2022 at 3:03 pm

    I don't understand why Luxon had to dismiss a question about the Nat response to youth crime by saying the issue of Uffindell and the issue of youth crime were being conflated.

    The question was exactly on point.

    It could have given rise to a welcome rejigging and reflection.

    The point is that when Uffindell offended he and his family had options and these options were open to him because his family had money. Money gives access to options. What do we do about young ones who offend who don't have those options? In Natland we obviously just throw them away.

    I cannot help but think that had the Nat 'lawgiver' Ralph Hanan been around he would have been able to work something in about youth crime that did not yield to this black and white view that is around now in the Nats.

    https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/5h6/hanan-josiah-ralph

  20. Muttonbird 20
    19 September 2022 at 3:22 pm

    Luxo woulda got Jon Keys on the phone pronto. Find out what to do. Keysey woulda said, stare ‘em down and laugh in their faces.

  21. tsmithfield 21
    19 September 2022 at 4:22 pm

    Fair result. People wanting to join any party should not be excluded on the basis of what they did when they were young and stupid, unless they are still young and stupid.

    And, it is rare for these types of reports to be released publicly. So no surprise that it wasn't. Amongst other things, there are considerations of privacy for those who have complained for a start.

    I can think of a number of high profile reports from both sides of the house that haven't been released. There is one particularly high profile report from a couple of years ago that wasn't released that I won't mention, in case it is viewed as trolling.

    • rod 21.1
      19 September 2022 at 4:53 pm

      Your love and devotion to the National party is well documented, nothing to see here.

    • Nic the NZer 21.2
      19 September 2022 at 6:00 pm

      What if they were young or stupid? And the case for young xor stupid?

    • Muttonbird 21.3
      19 September 2022 at 6:23 pm

      Not fair to the person Ufindell beat with a chair leg, is it?

    • Incognito 21.4
      19 September 2022 at 8:49 pm

      There’s a difference between making a relevant (political) point or argument in the context of a discussion thread and diversion trolling. If you must engage in whataboutery and theydidittoo then OM is your first and last port of call.

  22. Kat 22
    19 September 2022 at 4:41 pm

    There is a general election in twelve months, lets see how the voters in blue rinse Tauranga respond, Uffindell could even increase his majority.

    • Bearded Git 22.1
      19 September 2022 at 5:16 pm

      Kat-the election has to be held by 13 January 2024, so it could be as long as 16 months away, though more likely 15 months.

      • Belladonna 22.1.1
        19 September 2022 at 6:21 pm

        While it's true, that it has to be held before then, it would be a truly extraordinary set of circumstances which would cause the Government to set an election date for December or January. September and October are the traditional months (absent snap elections, which we need not consider) – although Ardern might extend to November (which also has precedent – though not recently). As we're now in September, we're most probably 12, maybe 13 months out.

        • Muttonbird 22.1.1.1
          19 September 2022 at 6:26 pm

          Getting a few more weeks of spring weather in before the election date would be an advantage for the the governing Labour Party.

        • Kat 22.1.1.2
          19 September 2022 at 6:42 pm

          Barring natural earthly events out of human control Jacinda is bound to play it by the book with regards election date. Barring usual events of right wing grubby politics and media sycophancy Jacinda should remain the PM, whenever the exact election date.

          Hopefully Labour are prepared for the lies, disinformation, devious and relentless mud slinging to come………

        • Bearded Git 22.1.1.3
          20 September 2022 at 11:04 am

          What is wrong with an election in early December? That is 14.5 months away.

  23. Muttonbird 23
    19 September 2022 at 6:03 pm

    Good to see Grant keep the message clear that the National Party are disrespectful and cynical. It's important to re-enforce this whenever they try pull a fast one.

    • Alan 23.1
      19 September 2022 at 7:01 pm

      Great to see that labour is all in for co-governance etc. but “forgot” to mention that during the election campaign , transparent as mud.
      Fast one doesn’t even begin to describe it.

      • Shanreagh 23.1.1
        19 September 2022 at 8:41 pm

        Warning: includes/sarc later in the post. .

        Not sure why co-governance is mentioned in the Uffindell thread. Perhaps 23.1 and my response 23.1.1 should go to OM

        Co-governance as a concept and reality has been around for many years starting in earnest in modern times with various treaty settlements where land was handed back to Maori, then handed over to a new body to administer with Maori having a place on the administering bodies, challenges by the NZ Maori Council to some of the actions proposed by various neo-lib govts in the 1980s/90s. It has also been implemented in the Maori ward concepts in local govts.

        Even before many Treaty settlements Maori co governance had been a fact in say some of the administration of areas such as National Parks, then region-wide National Parks and Reserves Boards.

        So just because you had not heard of co governance did not mean it was not happening. As it was already happening and had been for many years in some cases one could ask why it needed to be something mentioned in an election manifesto?

        Now if you had said the Three Waters concept and the bringing of this back under closer scrutiny by central govt had possibly not been explicitly mentioned then I might have agreed with you. Though some of the water and sewage woes that seemed to be compounding (Havelock North, Wellington, ageing infrastructure and poor water quality readings in many local auth water supplies) would have meant, to an astute or big picture observer, that something had to be done.

        But no……you are happy to be thought to be lacking in knowledge and dog-whistle to cover it.

        Funny you should mention mud as we are coming up for the yearly edition of that long running Southland saga called 'Mud Farming' where we see breath taking shots of cows up to their knees in mud and eating baleage or winter crops etc as well as heart breaking shots of the same cows giving birth to calves also while knee deep in mud. That is the kind of mud we should ban rather than fretting about some thing like co-governance that has been with us in various forms for many years.

        Rushes outside, its dark but I can see that the sky has not fallen even though we have had forms of co-governance.

    • Finn McCool 23.2
      20 September 2022 at 11:03 am

      Grant should have kept his mouth shut. If you can't understand why, you will when we lose the election.

  25. Christopher Randal 25
    19 September 2022 at 7:26 pm

    This does not show the KC in a very good light

    • Shanreagh 25.1
      19 September 2022 at 8:08 pm

      Probably had the tightest brief you could imagine together with the most rigid definition of 'bullying' and what constituted concerning events It must have been rigid if it could dismiss a person saying that they were scared/frightened/concerned when there were loud voices and bashing of doors in a flat so bad they had to lock the door, get out the window, ring the parent and never go back to the flat again.

      There will have been to-ing and fro-ing I am picking between legal people in Nats and the KC. The KC would need to be able to satisfy themselves they could investigate against the brief as written. Then there is the discussions after a draft was put forward, some would even discuss prior to a draft even being written to alert those who paid for the investigation that this was the thinking.

      That they have been able to dismiss the Otago flat incident points to an investigation that had a tight definition of bullying possibly involving violence, then asked someone to see if other later events matched this. Of course they would not, they only showed an out of control person doing scary things.

      Of course the failure and the sad thing for Uffindell and him being the fall guy, despite the report, is that the blame for the shock, horror lies elsewhere in the Nats with those who did not alert those who needed to know of what Uffindell had said and the implications it might have had.

      What amazes me, and I am all for giving a person a second go is that Uffindell, even with these possible character flaws or things to give selectors 'pause' was still found to be the best of the four runners for the position. What were the others like? Perhaps their skeletons were worse though this is hard to imagine.

  26. Patricia Bremner 26
    19 September 2022 at 7:45 pm

    OK… Scottish decision. "Not Proven "… He will be closely watched by his own and us

  29. observer 29
    20 September 2022 at 12:56 pm

    Everything you need to know about National in one perfect sentence:

    Bay of Plenty MP Todd Muller said Maria Dew’s report had “vindicated” Uffindell, but he said he hadn’t seen her report or its executive summary.

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/129935278/national-mps-werent-shown-sam-uffindell-report-or-summary

    • Sacha 29.1
      20 September 2022 at 3:12 pm

      Trust me.

      Although Dew has not responded to questions about her investigation, Luxon said she was comfortable with the way his party was portraying it.

      “All the statements that Sylvia, myself and Sam read out yesterday were actually all run through Maria Dew as well. They were a faithful representation, and she was comfortable we were communicating the findings of her report,” he said.

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    4 days ago

  • What’s a life worth now?
    You're in the mall when you hear it: some kind of popping sound in the distance, kids with fireworks, maybe. But then a moment of eerie stillness is followed by more of the fireworks sound and there’s also screaming and shrieking and now here come people running for their lives.Does ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Howling at the Moon
    Karl du Fresne writes –  There’s a crisis in the news media and the media are blaming it on everyone except themselves. Culpability is being deflected elsewhere – mainly to the hapless Minister of Communications, Melissa Lee, and the big social media platforms that are accused of hoovering ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Newshub is Dead.
    I don’t normally send out two newsletters in a day but I figured I’d say something about… the news. If two newsletters is a bit much then maybe just skip one, I don’t want to overload people. Alternatively if you’d be interested in sometimes receiving multiple, smaller updates from me, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • Seymour is chuffed about cutting early-learning red tape – but we hear, too, that Jones has loose...
    Buzz from the Beehive David Seymour and Winston Peters today signalled that at least two ministers of the Crown might be in Wellington today. Seymour (as Associate Minister of Education) announced the removal of more red tape, this time to make it easier for new early learning services to be ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. Our political system is suffering from the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago

  • Was Hawkesby entirely wrong?
    David Farrar  writes –  The Broadcasting Standards Authority ruled: Comments by radio host Kate Hawkesby suggesting Māori and Pacific patients were being prioritised for surgery due to their ethnicity were misleading and discriminatory, the Broadcasting Standards Authority has found. It is a fact such patients are prioritised. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • PRC shadow looms as the Solomons head for election
    PRC and its proxies in Solomons have been preparing for these elections for a long time. A lot of money, effort and intelligence have gone into ensuring an outcome that won’t compromise Beijing’s plans. Cleo Paskall writes – On April 17th the Solomon Islands, a country of ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Climate Change: Criminal ecocide
    We are in the middle of a climate crisis. Last year was (again) the hottest year on record. NOAA has just announced another global coral bleaching event. Floods are threatening UK food security. So naturally, Shane Jones wants to make it easier to mine coal: Resources Minister Shane Jones ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago

  • Is saving one minute of a politician's time worth nearly $1 billion?
    Is speeding up the trip to and from Wellington airport by 12 minutes worth spending up more than $10 billion? Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me in the last day to 8:26 am today are:The Lead: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • Long Tunnel or Long Con?
    Yesterday it was revealed that Transport Minister had asked Waka Kotahi to look at the options for a long tunnel through Wellington. 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 ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    4 days ago

  • Smoke And Mirrors.
    You're a fraud, and you know itBut it's too good to throw it all awayAnyone would do the sameYou've got 'em goingAnd you're careful not to show itSometimes you even fool yourself a bitIt's like magicBut it's always been a smoke and mirrors gameAnyone would do the sameForty six billion ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    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 ...
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    15 hours 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 ...
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    17 hours 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 ...
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    18 hours 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
    19 hours 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
    19 hours 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 ...
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    19 hours 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 ...
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    21 hours 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
    1 day 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
    2 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
    2 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
    2 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 - ...
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    2 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
    2 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
    2 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
    2 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 ...
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    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 days 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
    3 days 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
    4 days 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
    4 days 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 ...
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    4 days 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 ...
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    4 days 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 ...
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    4 days 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
    5 days 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
    5 days 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
    5 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
    5 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
    5 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 ...
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    5 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 ...
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    1 week 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
    1 week 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 ...
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    1 week 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 ...
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    1 week 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
    1 week 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 ...
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    1 week 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 ...
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    1 week 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 ...
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    1 week 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
    1 week ago

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