Calvert switches support to Brash

Written By: - Date published: 8:00 am, April 28th, 2011 - 77 comments
Categories: act, leadership, rodney hide, roger douglas - Tags: ,

ACT’s newest MP Hilary Calvert is reported by the Herald this morning to have changed her support from Hide to Brash. That means Brash has the numbers to roll Hide, and the leadership of New Zealand’s most rightwing party will transfer to someone who isn’t currently even a member of the ACT Party. How tin-pot is that?

Apparently Calvert changed her mind after discussions yesterday with Brash and Douglas and was won over by Brash’s racist anti-Maori campaign and policy proposals.

Regardless, with 2 for and 3 against, it’s curtains for Rodney. He’s about to become the sacrificial goat he was always groomed to be: Auckland’s Supershity is now up and staggering, and any dissatisfaction with its inefficient, anti-democratic nature can be blamed on Rodney instead of the Key administration.

The only question now is will Rodney resign in a pantomine of good manners, or will he wait to be voted off ACToid Island?

77 comments on “Calvert switches support to Brash ”

  1. infused 1

    Racist attitude? Yeah finally the end of One law for you lot, one law for Maori. Might have to vote act this year.

    • It sure as hell won’t be the end of One law for rich white guys in bespoke suits and the best lawyers, another law for everyone else.

      • ZeeBop 1.1.1

        Inept duo give election game plan away, Brash ‘incomes higher’ switch and bait, incomes will go higher but will not keep up with oil, food, rates, etc prices. Hide admits they are for rights, except of course economic rights for all citizens, i.e. access to living wage jobs. Key meets the French president and discusses Climate Change, with flooding hitting new 100 year highs, from last couple of years new 100 year highs, with longer warmer summer creating a increase fly problem that means the emergence of a small house fly that loves salt leading to more skin infections for children. All signs climate change is here, waiting for the science to catch up will never happen since the Earth Climate is dependant on the Suns Climate, the more exposed we are to the Suns climate the more inevitable the when the Sun goes into high gear that climate change will be more extreme. So why does Key come home and never talk about the details understanding of obvious climate change? Why can he have a nice chat with the French President about climate change but not the people of NZ. The ineptitude of our right wing elite is staggering, business does not want state asset sales, the ACT party chooses the most inept politician to lead them, like we don’t know nothing has changed, that the right still wants to lower the standards so they can pass them even easier. And now its clear that ACT is just National way of justifying going right wing, no ACT no basis for the rush to the far right.
        And what gives with Bennett? I mean here’s a women who bashing beneficiaries, wants to throw them off the benefit, push them into the criminal sector, and wonders why the budget blows out locking up yet more citizens in jail? The economics of stupid.

    • Carol 1.2

      One Law as decreed by the elitist anti-democratic, rich old white men, and in their interests. One law for all!…. Yeah, right!

      • infused 1.2.1

        blah blah blah. People are sick of this shit Carol. Why do you think there was a massive surge in support back then? Have you been listening to talk back lately? It’s you lot that are out of touch which is why the only way Labour wins is by election bribes.

        • millsy 1.2.1.1

          So infused, you think that a fully functioning public healthcare system is a ‘bribe’?

    • rosy 1.3

      Yeah finally the end of One law for you lot, one law for Maori

      You know you’re talking about Act don’t you? They need to be in power to ‘finally’ end a law. They’re not, and won’t be anytime soon.

    • NickS 1.4

      Because there’s definitely no outstanding Crown obligations under Te Treati O Waitangi at all and nor does Te Treati grant tribes a variety of rights over their land and resources….

      ’tis most ironic that those most likely to talk about the law and how we should follow it are also most likely to ignore it when it comes to Te Treati O Waitangi. But hey, why not be a hypocrite when you can cloak your objections in racism and attract teh fucktard vote or use ignorance as an excuse?

  2. Colonial Viper 2

    Hey, perhaps we could go to one law for all once Maori have the same employment, income, education and incarceration stats as everyone else?

    How we gonna achieve that infused?

    • infused 2.1

      I believe tougher laws on gangs and child abuse would fix a lot of that. Everyone has the same opportunities.

      • Carol 2.1.1

        Everyone has the same opportunities.…. Yeah right! Rightist fantasy & spin.

        I believe that a fairer society, more equal opportunities to get jobs earning a fair wage & more equal opportunities to get vocational and academic qualifications will go some ways to fix the gang, problems, crime problems, and child neglect & abuse problems.

      • Colonial Viper 2.1.2

        I believe tougher laws on gangs and child abuse would fix a lot of that. Everyone has the same opportunities.

        You think this because tougher laws have worked so far?

        Didn’t know you were a fan of the anti-smacking legislation until now mate.

      • south paw 2.1.3

        Yes, lets throw even more Maoris in prison, its worked liked a charm so far!

        “Everyone has the same opportunities.”

        No they don’t.

        Typical hysterical nonsense from a member of hypocritical “I’m not racist but…” White New Zealand.

        • g_man 2.1.3.1

          Okay, this is something I’m genuinely curious about (as opposed to just stirring 🙂 )

          Why do you say that not everybody has the same opportunities?

          • Colonial Viper 2.1.3.1.1

            Because poverty and low educational levels perpetuate themselves across generations, while wealth and high educational levels perpetuate themselves across generations.

            The Right Wing explanation for this is that some people (the poor, the uneducated) tend to be intrinsically inferior to others and that most of them will never make anything worthwhile of themselves, and hence deserve all the suffering that they get from the rest of society, due to their general laziness and inferiority.

          • Shane Gallagher 2.1.3.1.2

            Because if you are one of the quarter of children who live below the poverty line you will not have
            – enough food to eat so you will be distracted and anxious at school
            – enough proper clothes to wear so you will not have shoes all the time or be warm enough
            – a stable home environment because poor people suffer food insecurity and that doubles your parents\’ chances of psychological disorders and distress
            – a stable home environment where you get to do your homework and be taught at home
            – a stable emotional environment so that you do not grow up stressed and worried out of your young mind and all that goes with that
            – a healthy home so you may well end up suffering third world diseases which NZ leads the OECD in by a long shot, all of which are totally preventable, like rheumatic fever, which then affects your health for the rest of your life
            – any of the social networks that other kids have to help them build up emotional and psychological support away from their family and for helping them in school, sport and getting work
            – knowing that you are dirt poor and the effect that all by itself has on your chances in life

            Hope that helps a shine a bit of light on what should shame the whole of New Zealand.

          • fraser 2.1.3.1.3

            it not just oppourtunities – its also access to resources

      • Lanthanide 2.1.4

        Yip, punishing people harder for abusing their children is going to change their mind.

        At the moment they’re like “hmm, lets see, I can smack my kid up within an inch of his life and go to jail for 6 years for it. Sounds like a good deal, lets roll!” and with harsher penalties they’ll be like “hmm, lets see, I can smack my kid up within an inch of his life and go to jail for 12 years for it. Not worth it. Maybe I’ll just psychologically torture him instead and only go to jail for 4 years! Deal!”.

        I mean, seriously, do you really think punishing people harsher is going to change people’s behaviour?

        • calltoaccount 2.1.4.1

          Thanks Shane and Lan, well put. Infused, can you directly answer the points these two people make, otherwise just piss off.

  3. vto 3

    Well from what I can see it is one law for Maori, one law for the rich, one law for the honkies… on it goes. May as well have a whole bunch of separate laws and regulations for each group with different skin, different race, different eyes and noses, different socioeconomic groups. Everyone, just everyone.

    Then nobody could complain.

    When did the dream of egalitarianism die in our land?

    • Carol 3.1

      When did social, cultural and economic elitist-driven colonisation end in Aotearoa?

      When did our dream of an egalitarian land become a full reality?

      • higherstandard 3.1.1

        “When did the dream of egalitarianism die in our land?”

        When a variety of different lobbyists, politicians and various other troughers decided they could make more dosh out of dividing and ruling.

  4. lprent 4

    Obviously the big story today is going to be the ongoing soap opera amongst the actoids. Best piece so far about the implications has been Gordon Campbells take. Although IrishBill is consistently the most accurate in predicting events.

    Meanwhile I am chasing aroung looking at the anti spam issue, trying to get a problem that I can see.

    • Carol 4.1

      Yes, it’s the end of Hide, for sure, and the strengthening of joined-at-the-hip NAct, and onward with their plan to sell what’s left of NZ to local and international wealthy elites.

      And come the weekend, the focus should be on Mana & Harawira.

      Still getting anti-spam issues today & a need to repost quickly to get it recognised.

  5. Sam 5

    Brash told campbell last night that he was intending on running the same policy framework he ran in 2005 – he rightly pointed out that National under this framework recieved 39.10% of the vote.

    Keeping this in mind, i think the Left have every reason to be worried about a Brash-Led Act party and the eventual Key-Brash led NAct coalition that will have a strong mandate for economic reform.

    I’ll be watching this with interest.

    • Colonial Viper 5.1

      Keeping this in mind, i think the Left have every reason to be worried about a Brash-Led Act party and the eventual Key-Brash led NAct coalition

      Contrarily, I really hope Brash gets the leadership and the possibility of a Key/Brash coalition becomes a very real one to the electorate 😀

  6. Sam 6

    CV – You make the mistake of assuming the electorate has changed their position in the last two terms. I wouldn\’t be so sure – there is a very strong argument for economic reform currently, and the mantra “borrowing 300m a week!” is ringing loud in peoples ears.

    People will be more inclined come november to vote for a party with a real and clear economic reform policy which will curtail current borrowing and spending.

    Unless the left come up with something solid, then that really only leaves two options..

    • Colonial Viper 6.1

      People will be more inclined come november to vote for a party with a real and clear economic reform policy which will curtail current borrowing and spending.

      I think good stuff is coming down the pike as we speak…but yeah it’s taking simply ages.

    • Draco T Bastard 6.2

      and the mantra “borrowing 300m a week!” is ringing loud in peoples ears.

      And the reason why it’s ringing loudly in everyone’s ears is because of John Key and Acts tax cuts and give-aways to the rich and austerity for the poor.

  7. RedLogix 7

    On the contrary CV. My reading is that white NZ is quietly disturbed about the privatisation of the S&F to corporate iwi… while ordinary Maori will see nothing.

    I’m predicting that this combination of letting Brash lead with the ‘tired old racist’ agenda, while Key keeps his brand clean… will be a landslide winner.

    And Trotter is right. Working NZ is not going to vote for a Labour Party that continues to dislike their values and condescend down to them.

    This election is going to be a massive loss to the centre left…. as never seen before… unless something dramatic happens between now and the election. Just swapping Goff for another leader is not the right answer, it would be seen as desperate and would fail to address the root issues anyhow.

    My gut feeling is that the right answer is for the entire left, Labour and the Greens need to collaborate openly and clearly on a fresh new strategy, focussed on social inequality, environmental issues and equality of opportunity for all people in this country… without getting sidetracked by special interests.

    We need to start articulating ideas that actually connect with the many… rather than the few.

    • Colonial Viper 7.1

      +1

      Doubly so for this:

      My gut feeling is that the right answer is for the entire left, Labour and the Greens need to collaborate openly and clearly on a fresh new strategy

      However I see problematic signs that the Greens see their opportunity as picking up votes bleeding from Labour, and that they are not interested in increasing the overall Left vote as a whole.

      I’m predicting that this combination of letting Brash lead with the ‘tired old racist’ agenda, while Key keeps his brand clean… will be a landslide winner.

      although I am not sure how Key can keep his brand “clean” while simultaneously bedding a “tired old racist” Brash.

    • Carol 7.2

      Where exactly, in the current Labour Party and it’s so far stated policy directions, is it catering to special interest groups? … which, in this thread, seems to mean Maori. In goff’s rejection of working with Hone?… in its NO ASSET SALES campaign? In it’s targeting of the need to support and work for families struggling to put food on the table? on the need to create more jobs and education opportunities for all?… etc.

      • rosy 7.2.1

        Agree Carol. It seems to me that Labour is doing all it can to talk to the middle-income group with no plans at all for anything like a liberal or Maori agenda.

        • grumpy 7.2.1.1

          No. not especially Maori but according to Damien O\\\’Connor also gays and unionists, plus tired old has been feminists.

          The core Labour values are being taken over by National and leaving Labour as a party of identity politics.

          • rosy 7.2.1.1.1

            Grumpy, can you outline a policy that Labour is promoting for Maori, feminists or gays this year? (Union-friendly policies I’d expect)

            • Colonial Viper 7.2.1.1.1.1

              I think RL is right about Trotter’s comments.

              Large sections of the working class feel like that many of their attitudes and behaviours are looked down upon by Labour.

              National killed Labour with their brilliant Iwi/Kiwi message and that message still resonates with the electorate. (rosy – a lot of voters don’t care about specific policies, they only care about the image and reputation of a party)

              The basic fact is that we are in such miserable economic conditions for workers/unemployed, with a Govt which is walking around in circles of ever increasing debt, yet Labour still sits on just 31-32% approval ratings. Lower than in 2008.

              A major disconnect between Labour and the electorate still exists.

              • Carol

                So, CV, are you talking about perception, rather than reality, about inability to communciate accurately and/or appropriately with a large section of the electorate, rather than about the policies Labour are working on?

                • Colonial Viper

                  Perception/image is a huge part of it, also Labour have been slow to release policy so far this year (part of it is deliberate as they don’t want the Blues lip sync’ing it) which makes it hard to get traction on specifics.

                  As an example of substance, a lot of unions don’t think Labour went far enough to advantage workers and unions in their 9 years in power for instance. Better than National? Definitely. But that’s not a ringing endorsement in itself.

              • rosy

                It seems to me that by abandoning a liberal agenda and not resonating with the working class (Key seems to be much better at this) that Labour is shedding the votes of both groups.

                • Colonial Viper

                  A liberal agenda will not move Labour ahead because it is too easy for Key to shadow it with their own moves.

                  And there are also far too few votes in it. Labour burnt through political capital with prostitution law reform and with civil unions. It did not create political capital with those moves.

                  • Pascal's bookie

                    “And there are also far too few votes in it.”

                    maybe true, but they are the votes labour has got at the moment. Do you want to risk losing them?

                    Why not trying to offer those ‘large sections of the working class’ something positive to vote for?

                    Why the need to blame liberals for Labour’s failure to have offered that something?

                    If labour makes a play of signalling that they are moving away from liberalsim. that will lose them votes, and it may well not gain them any.

                    • Colonial Viper

                      A “let’s not put at risk what we already have” approach is a recipe for electoral failure. It failed for Helen Clark in 2008 and if used again will fail again this year.

                      For the next 10 years Labour has got to put economic and worker policies first. Does that mean that Labour moves away from social liberalism? I suggest only in terms of what the headlines are, in the background much can be done to continue social liberal progression. It is strong Left leaning economic + worker policies which are going to win the votes needed to gain power. That’s got to be the priority, the emphasis.

                      Why not trying to offer those ‘large sections of the working class’ something positive to vote for?

                      Yes this should be done.

                    • Draco T Bastard

                      It is strong Left leaning economic + worker policies which are going to win the votes needed to gain power.

                      And those policies resonate across the identity politics that caused Labour to lose their way.

            • grumpy 7.2.1.1.1.2

              What CV said…….it’s not the policies, it’s the perception and the fact that last time Labour implemented all it’s “social” changes without going to the electorate with it’s policies for a mandate.

    • Draco T Bastard 7.3

      +1

      And, yes, the entire left needs to put together a viable and sustainable vision that provides for everyone and that the majority can agree with.

  8. ianmac 8

    Quite frankly and I must be very frank about this , er because Frank told me that if I am very frank when talking to the media this will quite frankly boost my chances of taking over the frankly deficient National Government and once I have taken over then it will be one step more to abolish the stupid waste of money spent on pointless elections and frankly only I or the royal we will lead the country to overtake Australia and the World.
    “Hail Sir Frankly Brash Donald His Royal Highness Emperor of the World!”

  9. ak 9

    It’s the same tired old formula – talkback and hacks whipping up hate and division while Pilate Key keeps his distance (coincidence on the timing?) and rides the wave of filth with clean hands. Last time blatant femina*i misogeny, this time the Maori Party is already lost so pure racist hatemongering gets a free rein.

    Only hope for the future and reputation of this country is that it’s population has matured: and that, as in 2004, 7 months out is another case of premature race-hate-ulation.

    It’s Hatemonger and Conquer all over again.

  10. GINA 10

    If Brash gets the NOD then Labour must make lots of noise re this been engineered by Roger Douglas and how this shows that National and Douglas are joined at the hip. Brashes comments on Campbell live last night made it clear they are two branches of one party. Differnet Names, same real agenda.

  11. infused: The Treaty is a property agreement. The people who think it;s about race ARE racists…..as they focus on the fact one party to the property agreement is – in their view – not white. The problem they face these days is all the growing number of blond haired, blue-eyed people descended from the Maori signatories to the property agreement. These people highlight that it isn’t about race…it’s about being heirs to parties to an agreement regarding land, sovereignty and stewardship. The “racists” have focused on race in order to avoid dealing with the property rights issues as they tend – from 1840 to today – to uphold property rights……unless the people are brown. They can’t keep the two separate if they admit that race is irrelevant for the purposes of the treaty…as it is fundamentally a property agreement securing the property rights of those who lived here before the Crown arrived.

  12. bbfloyd 12

    So now we wil be treated to the national party campaignining as “act light” rather than labour light. sounds like the sort of thing any warner bros marketing manager would have been proud to have dreamed up.

    Now all they need is an endorsement from Sarah Palin.

    • Draco T Bastard 12.1

      Considering the gift of $30m taxpayer dollars to WB perhaps it was dreamed up by them.

  13. korero 13

    Celia Wade-Brown recently found herself undermined at Wellington City Council when a group of councillors decided to hold a meeting to approve NZTA highway projects without telling her. It also killed her election promise for light rail between Wgtn Central and the airport.

    Today we learn that road safety and public transport funding will be cut to fund national highway construction.

    We also hear that a member of the National party has gained enough support to take over the Association for Consumers and Taxpayers.

    The common factor is Steven Joyce, List Member of the National Party, Campaign Manager in 2008.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/sunday-star-times/features/719263

    With an international rugby tournament and an election six months away we are seeing a mobilisation of grumpy old men now that the immediate phase of the Pike River and Ōtautahi (Christchurch) disasters seems to be over – although aftershocks continue.

    How are proponents of road safety, public transport, and light rail to respond ?

    (1) Emotively. Anyone who has had to attend a crash scene where a car-load of youngsters has impacted the back of a flat-bed truck at speed, the tray shearing off the tops of their skulls leaving them wedged dead in a sitting position with grey matter dribbling down their faces will find themselves much more aware of the importance of road safety and public transport. Blathering away in a radio station never will.

    (2) Rationally. With oil prices on an inexorable upward curve road transport haulage becomes increasingly uneconomic increasing the impetus for rail, light rail, and public transport.

    I have attached a few more links below.

    Joyce has done some good stuff in banning mobile phones while driving and bringing NZ\’s right-hand-rule in line with the rest of the world (wikipedia link, below), but I think Mike Lee is right ..

    >Mike Lee today labelled transport minister Steven Joyce’s thinking “fairly
    >basic small-town red neck stuff – standard roads first and pro urban-sprawl.”

    Kia Kaha !

    http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/claims-fuel-tax-deferral-stunt-4143041

    http://tumeke.blogspot.com/2011/03/is-steven-joyce-corrupt.html

    http://transportblog.co.nz/tag/steven-joyce/

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Joyce

    http://www.westernlinkroad.co.nz/2011/03/23/steven-joyce-close-up-tvnz/

    http://www.aucklandtrains.co.nz/2010/12/01/lee-blasts-joyce-over-cbd-link/

    • Colonial Viper 13.1

      Celia Wade-Brown recently found herself undermined at Wellington City Council when a group of councillors decided to hold a meeting to approve NZTA highway projects without telling her.

      A mayor without the political nous to get the strong support of a significant block of councillors behind her is pretty much dead in the water.

    • millsy 13.2

      Compare and contrast with the Auckland Council, which has support for public transport across the board.

      Its all good making promises, but you need a bunch of councillors to support you when you wish to implement them.

      Thats why the major parties need to contests local body elections.

  14. Colonial Viper 14

    I wonder what plum $$$ job Hide will be given after November.

  15. Marina777 15

    I think Brash wanting everyone to accept the notion that Maori, Asian and Pakeha are all the same as a ‘whole’ regardless of their ethnicity is unrealistic. I see how he ‘as a front’ is purposely making out that it is rational and ‘modern’ to treat all New Zealanders as equal regardless, and that all New Zealander’s should be classed in this fashion.
    But people aren’t that simple, he his clumping people into one category and treating all people as part of one big heap. When in ‘reality’ he should ‘know’ that people are actually all individual, with feelings, and depth, and with a great sense of pride for their heritage.
    I believe that Maori (the everyday Maori folk) do need a step up, not because I believe they aren’t capable, on the contrary, but after years and years, and an extensive history, of being ripped off by the Pakeha and being treated like second-rate citizens, this effect rubs off on the psyche and this affects their whole surroundings.
    And because of this there is a lot of anger there.

    To have a good future for New Zealand the government need’s to ‘understand’ the individual more. I don’t believe Maori need extra special attention but their culture needs to be upheld, so future generations, of Maori, can grow up to be proud and filled with sense of honour from where they have come from. Then the psyche changes, anger subsides and soon as ‘acceptance’ prevails, for all, for all cultures at hand, then all people from different ethnicities learn and grow to accept one another.

    Because in the end the true goal is- to love one another, and to do that human beings must respect each other.

  16. ianmac 16

    The call from Frankly Don Brash is one law for all. He says that this is not so at the moment. Wondering if there is any NZ Law which is not the same for all? Anyone?

  17. randal 17

    Doctor don is doing this for the good for the country.

  18. millsy 18

    What are the consitutional implications of having a governing party’s supply and confidence partner’s leader outside of parliament?

    Where’s Edgler when you need him?

  19. Carol 19

    Well, there you see it, without Act, according to Rodney, Clark would still be PM, as he hands over leadership to Brash.

  20. MikeG 20

    Why should Key stick with Hide as a Minister when it appears that he hasn’t even got the support of his caucus?

    • Carol 20.1

      The RNZ reporter has raised the possibility of a snap election, with Hone possibly going to a by-election etc.

      • NickS 20.1.1

        The elephant in the room though is Christchurch. Since things are still stuffed in much of the eastern city, and Brownlee’s doing little it seems to speed up reconstruction and housing the needy, a snap election has the potential to bring these and other issues to the forefront and backfire on National.

    • Colonial Viper 20.2

      Part of the deal to get Hide to move along quietly. $$$

  21. NickS 21

    Muwahahahaha.

    Hides gone and Brash has just inherited one of the most dysfunctional parties in Parliament next to United Future. Which given his past inability to deal with the National caucus is going to lead to drama, even if he tries to bribe them.

    • Pascal's bookie 21.1

      (an)Other funny bit is how Brash was saying yesterday that Hide has no future in ACT with Brash as leader, and Hide pipes today saying that he realised Brash is the man for the future of ACT and told him so last night. But he’ll stick around on a minister’s salary till nov KTHNXBAI

      • NickS 21.1.1

        Wodders truly is an exemplar for all on how not to be an MP in Parliament.

        • Draco T Bastard 21.1.1.1

          I hoping he becomes the exemplar of how NACT work to maintain their hold on power and the Treasury benches. It’s obvious, after all, that Brash was placed into Act by command from National/Act backers so that Epsom voters would be happily bring Act back into parliament.

  22. Frank Macskasy 22

    I’m not surprised that Calvert ‘turned’. She has always been attracted to the Dark Side, and finally succumbed. She will make a fine acolyte for Darth Brash…

    • Colonial Viper 22.1

      Huh, becoming an MP for ACT isn’t enough to be considered as going to the Dark Side in itself? 😯

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    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    19 hours ago
  • Drought support extended to parts of North Island
    The coalition Government is expanding the medium-scale adverse event classification to parts of the North Island as dry weather conditions persist, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced today. “I have made the decision to expand the medium-scale adverse event classification already in place for parts of the South Island to also cover the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago
  • Passage of major tax bill welcomed
    The passing of legislation giving effect to coalition Government tax commitments has been welcomed by Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “The Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill will help place New Zealand on a more secure economic footing, improve outcomes for New Zealanders, and make our tax system ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Lifting economy through science, tertiary sectors
    Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins and Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds today announced plans to transform our science and university sectors to boost the economy. Two advisory groups, chaired by Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, will advise the Government on how these sectors can play a greater ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government announces Budget priorities
    The Budget will deliver urgently-needed tax relief to hard-working New Zealanders while putting the government’s finances back on a sustainable track, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.  The Finance Minister made the comments at the release of the Budget Policy Statement setting out the Government’s Budget objectives. “The coalition Government intends ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government to consider accommodation solution
    The coalition Government will look at options to address a zoning issue that limits how much financial support Queenstown residents can get for accommodation. Cabinet has agreed on a response to the Petitions Committee, which had recommended the geographic information MSD uses to determine how much accommodation supplement can be ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government approves extension to Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care
    Cabinet has agreed to a short extension to the final reporting timeframe for the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care from 28 March 2024 to 26 June 2024, Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says.                                         “The Royal Commission wrote to me on 16 February 2024, requesting that I consider an ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • $18m boost for Kiwis travelling to health treatment
    The coalition Government is delivering an $18 million boost to New Zealanders needing to travel for specialist health treatment, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says.   “These changes are long overdue – the National Travel Assistance (NTA) scheme saw its last increase to mileage and accommodation rates way back in 2009.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • PM’s Prizes for Space to showcase sector’s talent
    The Government is recognising the innovative and rising talent in New Zealand’s growing space sector, with the Prime Minister and Space Minister Judith Collins announcing the new Prime Minister’s Prizes for Space today. “New Zealand has a growing reputation as a high-value partner for space missions and research. I am ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Concerns conveyed to China over cyber activity
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government.     “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity, attributed to groups sponsored by the Chinese Government, targeting democratic institutions in both New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry
    Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry Education Minister Erica Stanford today announced the appointment of three independent reviewers to lead the Ministerial Inquiry into the Ministry of Education’s School Property Function.  The Inquiry will be led by former Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully. “There is a clear need ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Brynderwyns open for Easter
    State Highway 1 across the Brynderwyns will be open for Easter weekend, with work currently underway to ensure the resilience of this critical route being paused for Easter Weekend to allow holiday makers to travel north, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Today I visited the Brynderwyn Hills construction site, where ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Speech to the Infrastructure Funding & Financing Conference
    Introduction Good morning to you all, and thanks for having me bright and early today. I am absolutely delighted to be the Minister for Infrastructure alongside the Minister of Housing and Resource Management Reform. I know the Prime Minister sees the three roles as closely connected and he wants me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Parliamentary network breached by the PRC
    New Zealand stands with the United Kingdom in its condemnation of People’s Republic of China (PRC) state-backed malicious cyber activity impacting its Electoral Commission and targeting Members of the UK Parliament. “The use of cyber-enabled espionage operations to interfere with democratic institutions and processes anywhere is unacceptable,” Minister Responsible for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • NZ to provide support for Solomon Islands election
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced New Zealand will provide logistics support for the upcoming Solomon Islands election. “We’re sending a team of New Zealand Defence Force personnel and two NH90 helicopters to provide logistics support for the election on 17 April, at the request ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • NZ-EU FTA gains Royal Assent for 1 May entry to force
    The European Union Free Trade Agreement Legislation Amendment Bill received Royal Assent today, completing the process for New Zealand’s ratification of its free trade agreement with the European Union.    “I am pleased to announce that today, in a small ceremony at the Beehive, New Zealand notified the European Union ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • COVID-19 inquiry attracts 11,000 submissions
    Public consultation on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons has concluded, Internal Affairs Minister Hon Brooke van Velden says.  “I have been advised that there were over 11,000 submissions made through the Royal Commission’s online consultation portal.” Expanding the scope of the Royal Commission of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Families to receive up to $75 a week help with ECE fees
    Hardworking families are set to benefit from a new credit to help them meet their early childcare education (ECE) costs, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. From 1 July, parents and caregivers of young children will be supported to manage the rising cost of living with a partial reimbursement of their ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Unlocking a sustainable, low-emissions future
    A specialised Independent Technical Advisory Group (ITAG) tasked with preparing and publishing independent non-binding advice on the design of a "green" (sustainable finance) taxonomy rulebook is being established, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says.  “Comprising experts and market participants, the ITAG's primary goal is to deliver comprehensive recommendations to the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Chief of Army thanked for his service
    Defence Minister Judith Collins has thanked the Chief of Army, Major General John Boswell, DSD, for his service as he leaves the Army after 40 years. “I would like to thank Major General Boswell for his contribution to the Army and the wider New Zealand Defence Force, undertaking many different ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders
    25 March 2024 Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders Small Business, Manufacturing, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly will travel to Australia for a series of bi-lateral meetings and manufacturing visits. During the visit, Minister Bayly will meet with his Australian counterparts, Senator Tim Ayres, Ed ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Government commits nearly $3 million for period products in schools
    Government commits almost $3 million for period products in schools The Coalition Government has committed $2.9 million to ensure intermediate and secondary schools continue providing period products to those who need them, Minister of Education Erica Stanford announced today. “This is an issue of dignity and ensuring young women don’t ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Speech – Making it easier to build.
    Good morning, it’s great to be here.   First, I would like to acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of Building Surveyors and thank you for the opportunity to be here this morning.  I would like to use this opportunity to outline the Government’s ambitious plan and what we hope to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Pacific youth to shine from boost to Polyfest
    Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti has announced the Government’s commitment to the Auckland Secondary Schools Māori and Pacific Islands Cultural Festival, more commonly known as Polyfest. “The Ministry for Pacific Peoples is a longtime supporter of Polyfest and, as it celebrates 49 years in 2024, I’m proud to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • 2024 Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships announced
    ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Speech to Breast Cancer Foundation – Insights Conference
    Before moving onto the substance of today’s address, I want to recognise the very significant and ongoing contribution the Breast Cancer Foundation makes to support the lives of New Zealand women and their families living with breast cancer. I very much enjoy working with you. I also want to recognise ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Kiwi research soars to International Space Station
    New Zealand has notched up a first with the launch of University of Canterbury research to the International Space Station, Science, Innovation and Technology and Space Minister Judith Collins says. The hardware, developed by Dr Sarah Kessans, is designed to operate autonomously in orbit, allowing scientists on Earth to study ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Speech to the New Zealand Planning Institute
    Introduction Thank you for inviting me to speak with you today and I’m sorry I can’t be there in person. Yesterday I started in Wellington for Breakfast TV, spoke to a property conference in Auckland, and finished the day speaking to local government in Christchurch, so it would have been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Support for Northland emergency response centre
    The Coalition Government is contributing more than $1 million to support the establishment of an emergency multi-agency coordination centre in Northland. Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced the contribution today during a visit of the Whangārei site where the facility will be constructed.  “Northland has faced a number ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Celebrating 20 years of Whakaata Māori
    New Zealanders have enjoyed a broader range of voices telling the story of Aotearoa thanks to the creation of Whakaata Māori 20 years ago, says Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka. The minister spoke at a celebration marking the national indigenous media organisation’s 20th anniversary at their studio in Auckland on ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Some commercial fishery catch limits increased
    Commercial catch limits for some fisheries have been increased following a review showing stocks are healthy and abundant, Ocean and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The changes, along with some other catch limit changes and management settings, begin coming into effect from 1 April 2024. "Regular biannual reviews of fish ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

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