Jane Kelsey: Shane Jones’ AirNZ demands would breach the TPPA

Written By: - Date published: 6:05 am, March 25th, 2018 - 94 comments
Categories: capitalism, Economy, Free Trade, Shane Jones - Tags: , , , ,

Press release from scoop.co.nz

_______________________________________________________________________________

Friday, 23 March 2018, 9:59 am Press Release: Professor Jane Kelsey

Shane Jones’ AirNZ demands would breach the TPPA, which he supports

‘Shane Jones has been an ardent supporter of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA). His latest interventions on Air New Zealand confirm my suspicions that he has no idea what restrictions it places on what New Zealand governments can do’, says Auckland University law professor Jane Kelsey.

The State-owned Enterprises Chapter applies to enterprises, such as Air New Zealand, in which the government owns a majority of shares or can appoint a majority of directors or exercise more than 50 percent of voting rights, potentially including a ‘golden share’.

That chapter is unchanged in the TPPA-11, or CPTPP.

Article 17.4 says the government must ensure that SOEs like Air New Zealand act solely in accordance with commercial considerations, unless there is an explicit public service mandate for services that operate purely within the country. There is no such mandate for Air New Zealand.

Neither National nor Labour sought to exempt Air New Zealand from that obligation in the annex to the SOE chapter.

Professor Kelsey notes that the same constraints, and more, apply to almost all existing and future state-owned enterprises, and potentially foreclose the government’s ability to adopt a different model of state enterprises that serves multiple commercial and non-commercial objectives.

‘This is a wake-up call for Shane Jones and New Zealand First’, says Jane Kelsey.

‘The TPPA-11 imposes exactly the kind of restraints on the sovereignty of governments, at central and local government levels, that Winston Peters has railed against all his political career.’

‘If Shane Jones wants to ensure that government-owned entities serve the needs of the provinces, he and NZ First need to withdraw their support for the TPPA before it is embedded in New Zealand law’.

ends

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94 comments on “Jane Kelsey: Shane Jones’ AirNZ demands would breach the TPPA ”

  1. Ad 1

    Key portion being: “…unless there is an explicit public service mandate for services that operate purely within the country.”

    Winston Peters as Minister of State Owned Enterprises is in the right position to propose precisely such a thing.

    Instead his own Minister Jones does his standard bloviating, achieves nothing, shows he has no desire to do the actual policy and executive and indeed coalition work that would have enabled him to do something about it, and achieves nothing except a few cheap and temporary points from a couple of forgettable tinpot Mayors.

    None of which has anything to do with the CPTPP.

    All of which has to do with simply lazy politics.

    • cleangreen 1.1

      Ad, RE SOE – Air NZ and SOE act.

      “Key portion being: “…unless there is an explicit public service mandate for services that operate purely within the country.”

      Ed; – That is what our NGO has called for the Minister of SOE (Hon’ Winston Peters” to make the changes to our regional Rail services under the SOE act to provide rail services that are considered as “essential services as a “social benefit” like General Manager of NZ Rail Trevor Haywood’s plan to use rail for “social benefit” again as he proposed in 1971.

      http://www.kiwirail.co.nz/about-us/history-of-kiwirail/150yearsofrail/stories/road-transport-regulation.html

      Read below, History of rail.
      In 1971, the Government commissioned United States consultancy firm Wilbur Smith & Associates to look at Railways. It also recommended that road transport meet the “resource costs” incurred and social costs such as accidents, pollution and the loss of utility caused by heavy vehicles.

      We must use these considerations also when restoring Gisborne’s rail freight again.

      Our justification is;

      As we say it is justified that rail services must resume, because Gisborne is the most isolated community of its size in NZ without a rail service; – ministers please note.

    • Carolyn_Nth 1.2

      So, are you suggesting that AirNZ operate solely within NZ? Cease all flights on overseas routes?

      • cleangreen 1.2.1

        Carolyn,

        AIR NZ is firstly a “National “partly owned” carrier for our citizens as shareholders and we expect them to conform/comply to the charter of the SOE Act.

        Any other services ‘provided outside any NZ based centres as has been a internally board planned event/s have other levels of compliance such as global air passenger services agreements.

        We are all discussing how our national air carrier in the case of AIR NZ should operate under the charter of the SOE act.

        • Carolyn_Nth 1.2.1.1

          But we are also discussing whether the TPPA-11 will be in conflict with that act.

          I can’t see how AirNZ fits in with the TPPA exemption for

          services that operate purely within the country.

          My bold.

          • veutoviper 1.2.1.1.1

            That can also be read in a different way whereby the exception applies only to the proportion of their overall services which operate only within the country – ie their domestic services; but not their international services.

            • Carolyn_Nth 1.2.1.1.1.1

              In practice, is it even possible to separate the two?

              • veutoviper

                It certainly used to be when I worked in the govt side of international aviation. Airlines have to have extremely complex accounting systems as they need to keep really detailed monetary and non-monetary records, including breakdowns by domestic vs international:

                – for internal airline accounting purposes;

                – for the proportioning of fares paid for multileg journeys to domestic airlines and all international airlines providing travel over the various legs of the journey (all done through a very complex worldwide accounting system which has to reconcile fares paid in the full range of currencies used throughout the world);

                – legal purposes eg different compensation rules (death, loss of luggage etc) apply to domestic air travel (by country) vs international air travel;

                – for a whole range of other reasons covered by government bilateral and multilateral aviation agreements and conventions; and by airline bilateral and multilateral agreements and conventions.

                The latter cover everything from airspace rights, overflying, routes, provision of air traffic control, airport facilities and charges, right down to agreements on baggage handling and interchange, supply of inflight meals and charging one another for these etc.

            • Graeme 1.2.1.1.1.2

              “ensure that SOEs like Air New Zealand act solely in accordance with commercial considerations”

              In the aviation industry you could drive the whole NZ bovine heard through the phrase “commercial considerations” The price you pay for an individual ticket bears very little relationship to the actual cost of the service provided by that ticket. “Commercial considerations” also includes below cost pricing to establish a route, or drive a competitor off a route, both things Air New Zealand is more than happy to do in the domestic and international markets.

              • veutoviper

                That phase is a well used phrase in many contexts, and has a lot of legal interpretations and precedences associated with it – including in the context of international aviation.

                Re your second paragraph, yes the price you pay bears little relationship to the cost in a lot of circumstance etc. The reality is that the only time you are likely to be paying the same price for the same journey is when you and the people next or around you on the same plane and on the same journey, booked and paid for the flight(s) at the same time and place as you did.

                But realise that Air NZ is operatiing in one of the most complex and competitive businesses in the world. All airlines do these things and you would not survive as an airline if you didn’t. That is the world of international aviation that has developed worldwide over the last 70 years of so.

                I am not saying that I condone or oppose it. It is simply an enormous behemoth – and the task of changing or making it less competitive would be enormous.

                As mentioned in my comment at 1.17pm, I worked in the govt side of aviation (international and domestic) for almost 25 years in the first half of my career before taking a different route for the second half.

        • Ad 1.2.1.2

          Air New Zealand is not a state enterprise.
          Look it up on the interweb.

      • Ad 1.2.2

        Nope.
        Are you?

    • weka 1.3

      “…unless there is an explicit public service mandate for services that operate purely within the country.”

      I wasn’t sure what that bit meant. Does she mean no international flights?

      But if not that, is there a formal process for an explicitly public service mandate? What would that look like? Would Air NZ have to stop being an SOE? Fully nationalised?

      Agree about Jones though.

      • cleangreen 1.3.1

        weka; – yes it is a sticky wicket for sure.

        Under TPP you can bet there will be a raft of legal challenges begin to end up on Government’s desk, the day that toxic agreement takes affect as it will cease all Government plans, for fear of the chilling affect of expensive court hearings and litigation.

        I prefer saveNZ plan on (3) that we need a referendum on this toxic corporate plan firstly and lets all have this ‘agreement go through the proper “due diligence” policy assessment firstly and tell the public what wee will loose if we agree to TPP 11.

      • Ad 1.3.2

        Air New Zealand is a really good example for this government of Shit or Get Off The Pot.

        The government has a 52% holding.

        It can appoint a bare majority of Board members, but they are purely commercial people, and generally it’s at the agreement of the Chair.

        Air New Zealand gets plenty of Commerce Commission oversight, but it’s nowhere near a monopoly that would require really close watching.

        The government doesn’t do anything influential with Air New Zealand.
        52% is a nowhere position, other than making money.

        It should either own it all, or sell it all off.

      • tracey 1.3.3

        I guess as long as they run routes no competitor is on and it does not gain commercially from doingvso then it would be fine.

        But as I wrote elsewhere a subsidy would mean the airline is getting a commercial rate and that can be seen as a breach.

    • paul andersen 1.4

      cant be bothered wading through the bullshit on here. but did read chester burrows column in the herald this week. check it out. he basically backs jones ,and points out that air NZ puts old dungas on these regional flights that are guaraunteed to put off 50% of the paying public. for drones that whinge on about jones, grow up and look past the man and listen to what he says…

  2. Great work Jane!

    Isn’t this just too deliciously ironic!

    • Wayne 2.1

      Except on this issue, Jane is wrong.

      There is no prohibition within CPTPP to prevent government subsides to regional flights, no more than there is nothing to prevent subsidies for passenger buses and trains in Auckland and Wellington, as currently occurs.

      It is not the company in general (ANZ is not an SOE or even a MOM) that is being subsidised it is specific services within New Zealand (assuming that the government actually wants to provide such a subsidy).

      • cleangreen 2.1.1

        Wayne 2.1
        25 March 2018 at 10:17 am
        “Except on this issue, Jane is wrong.”
        Wayne Mapp = all others are wrong says he/she.

        • savenz 2.1.1.1

          I’d prefer the opinion by Kelsey whose expertise is international law, than Wayne’s. She is more qualified to judge it.

          And like in the Philip Morris case, it’s not being right, it is the threat of being sued and the costs of that for a small country by big business that is not acceptable.

          They don’t need ISDS in there. If anyone disagrees they just leave… you know like modern business.. there are risks involved in business, so not sure why business need these ‘money pit safeguards’ if things don’t go their way.

          Times change and progressive business should be changing with it, not suing to keep status quo.

          • Dazzer 2.1.1.1.1

            Except in this instance, Wayne is 100% correct. Air NZ is NOT an SOE so the directors have a legal obligation to act in the best interests of their shareholders. It just happens that the Govt is the majority shareholder.

            I suppose the Govt could choose to nationalise it and turn it into an SOE. But the Govt/s appear to be quite happy to take the dividends which have covered the bailout.

          • Babayaga 2.1.1.1.2

            Jane Kelsey is wrong, and this is not the first time.

            • Tracey 2.1.1.1.2.1

              Except it turns out she is right on this statement and so is Wayne

              I went and read the chapter she referenced. Why didnt you? Or Wayne?

              • Babayaga

                They can’t both be right. And how do you know Wayne or I didn’t read the chapter? The part Jane has wrong is ‘There is no such mandate for Air New Zealand.’ There doesn’t need to be.

                • tracey

                  They can both be right until a court determines the correct interpretation.

                  Kelsey was not saying tgey were under the NZ SOE Act she was referring to the Chapter from CCTTPPTCCTTPCTTP which has criteria for being an SOE.

                  Tell the truth Babayaga you saw some validate Wayne and you quickly typed your sneer. You didnt actually read the chapter she was referencing?

                  And under the definition of SOE in the chapter there does need to be.

                  • Babayaga

                    Yes, I read it. And I know both Jane and Wayne’s credentials, and Jane has been wrong before. Well wrong.

            • dukeofurl 2.1.1.1.2.2

              No shes not.

              Sure Air NZ isnt technically an SOE but the TPPA provisions extend to ‘commercial business which are majority owned by the state.’

              In a way the existing arrangements that such ‘semi SOEs’ act commercially is in line with existing arrnagements

              https://www.tpp.mfat.govt.nz/assets/docs/TPP_factsheet_SOEs.pdf

              • Ad

                The relevant exception within the TPPA noted in your MFAT link is:

                “New commitments for SOEs and monopolies at the sub-central level of government (i.e. local government in New Zealand), though the Parties have agreed to negotiate within five years on whether the chapter’s rules should be extended to sub-central entities.”

                From this carve-out, if Shane Jones wanted to do some actual political work, he could use specific subsidies with local governments to for example subsidize landing charges to smaller airports. This would be attractive to any airline.

          • dukeofurl 2.1.1.1.3

            Mapp has a PhD in an international law and like Kelsey is, was previously a law professor.
            In this case hes wrong that SOE provisions dont extend to public companies which are majority owned by State.

          • Wayne 2.1.1.1.4

            Save NZ

            Actually Jane and I co-taught International Trade Law at Auckland Law School, so this is an area of law (how trade agreements are interpreted) is an area of law in which I am quite knowledgeable. It was my course, but I asked Jane to co-teach it since I considered important that the students had a wide perspective.

            I appreciate that the provision may be interpreted the way Jane says, but in my view it is highly unlikely.

            Jane’s legal view on this point would also be contested by the legal experts in MFAT for whom these kinds of issues are the basics of their job.

            The issue is less about whether Air NZ is an SOE and more about whether a government can subsidise particular flights for domestic regional purposes. Provided it can be clearly seen that the benefit is for the passengers and not the airline then there is no real issue.

            • tracey 2.1.1.1.4.1

              If the govt pays an amount to AIRNZ to enable them to lower the cost to passengers, that is both a benefit to the passengers and the airline isnt it?

              The airline gets their commercial rate and thereby gets passengers it otherwise would not which amounts to a commercial benefit to the airline?

              As a lawyer though you will know that having an arguable case can be enough to enter legal wrangling, associated costs and potential settlement/compromise resulting in a govt policy watered down by the threat of application of a clause?

              You did muddy the waters with your airnz is a company not an soe which sent some of us off on a tangent, of sorts 😉

              • Ad

                By subsidizing flights you are sliding down the slippery slope of turning air flights into public transport.

                As you will be aware, just taking a train from Swanson to Downtown has about $4.00 of taxpayer subsidy for every ticket. That racks up seriously tens of millions of dollars per year, just for the western line.

                So transfer that subsidy to flights.

                Call it $200 per person as a direct subsidy to go from Whakatane to Auckland.

                Or, get in your car, speed down that multi-billion-dollar taxpayer funded motorway from Auckland to Whakatane at the cost of an extra hour, where you pay your own way.

                Exactly why are we proposing to subsidize people to fly to small regions again?

                • McFlock

                  Same reason we subsidise people to take the bus – there’s a public good. It makes the movement of people and goods around the country quicker.

                  It’s all very well if everyone lives in Auckland. What if a specialist from Dunedin needs to get to Whakatane? Fly to Auckland, rent a car, drive through Auckland, drive another hour. Or fly to Auck, connect to Whak. All booked at the same time.

                  • Ad

                    Go ahead and make the case for subsided flights to smaller regions.

                    – How much $$ subsidy per flight? $1? $100? $1,000?

                    – To which centres, and which ones not to?

                    – Just Air New Zealand, or all carriers?

                    – Turboprop, Jet, or both?

                    – What kind of specialists? Drainlayers? Running shoe designers?

                    – What isn’t already covered by the Air Ambulance and Air Chopper?

                    – Why not subsidized air freight as well?

                    – Why not subsidizing tourists as well?

                    – Why taxpayer money into this, as against putting it into say disabled school student subsidies?

                    – Does the $$ come from transport fuel tax, or from airports, or from airlines, or general taxes?

                    – And what, after all, is the point of doing it? Is there evidence that MP’s or businesspeople or tourists can’t afford it at the moment?

                    • McFlock

                      Obviously they can’t afford it because the services are being cancelled. But like that, the rest of your questions apply equally well to public bus or train transport (tweaking the terminology appropriately). Why should we subsidise those?

                    • Ad

                      You see, all of these are the kind of questions that go in to an actual policy, for any kind of subsidy for anything, rather than Minister Jones having a nice long angry arm-wave that achieves nothing.

                      The policy arguments for subsidizing land public transport are pretty well rehearsed – you can see them in any of the Council LTP’s and Council SOI’s, as well as the Government transport GPS – due out this week. Failing that, pop over to the http://www.greaterauckland.org.nz site and you can chew it over there with Matt and Patrick. And none of that has anything to do with CPTPP either.

                    • McFlock

                      The thing is, though, Jones is doing his job as an elected representative, like any city councillor who criticises bus routes or tries to get bus stops changed.

                      The fact is that Jones is expressing his communities’ need for regional air transport. It’s up to the policy analysts to develope a framework and legally-compliant mechanism to meet that need, but without Jones doing his job the communities would lose their air transport.

                      I agree it’s not really a TPP issue – from reading the discussion, Kelsey seems to be concerned that the TPP stops the government doing what is already illegal under the Companies Act.

                      And the easy solution is exactly what my local council does for busses – tenders out the subsidised routes to whatever company wants to do them, as well as tying popular ones into less profitable bus routes (like cable tv packaging channels together). If Jetstar outbid for the Kapiti service, good luck to them.

                    • Tracey

                      Mcflock

                      There must be a reason why Jetstar only does limited routes?

                      Ad seems to have a point about any “help” being directed through local government but I thought local govt is also caught by CCTTPTCCTPCCTPP

                    • McFlock

                      At a wild guess, Jetstar is incrementally coming into the market, whereas AirNZ/MtCook are re-evaluating existing routes that might be decades old.

                    • Tracey

                      Mcflock

                      Jetstar has been here since 2009.

                    • McFlock

                      I know that.
                      But I suspect introducing a new route takes more of a risk than keeping an existing one going. Leasing counter space when you only have projections on what you’ll sell, rather than last year’s actual figures, sort of thing

                    • Monty

                      One of the big cost is landing fees and fuel. Then you have cost of the planes, staff and infrastructure required including the cost of house doing sifficient fuel at source and the storage cost.

                      The landing fee, terminal use fee and storage cost come from the council unless the airport is privately run.

                      These have to spread across the new bed of passengers on the lanes.

                      So to spread the fixed costs across a maximum of stay 20 pax versus 60.

                      What is going to be cheap or more economical.

                      Cargo is a huge equaliser and a bigger plane can carry more it can be preload in units a small turbo prop in most cases struggles to carry any additional cargo unless the plane is not full and then it is bulk loaded.

                      So the cargo doesn’t help reduce cost or make it more economic in regional services.

                      So should I pay for half full flight out of stay kapiti that is less than 50km from Wellington with trains or my sister that lives orewa who is roughly the same distance to Auckland airport and no train service. So by this argument orewa should have a regional airport.

                    • McFlock

                      Why shouldn’t it have a small airport? Costs of establishing a new one would be prohibitive, but if it had been already there why close it?

                      Yes, some costs remain fixed. But I doubt landing a cessna at Alex or Kaikoura incurs the same fees as landing a 737 at Christchurch.

                  • Babayaga

                    “Same reason we subsidise people to take the bus – there’s a public good.”

                    Indeed. But this is where Jones is being spiteful. Or ignorant. If he genuinely wants Air NZ to support the provincial routes, he should be lobbying for more subsidies or for the government to buy back the remaining shares and run in with a different commercial imperative. Attacking the Board for doing their job is just stupid.

                    • McFlock

                      Really? We’re talking not just about regional services, but the problem with all those harmless partial asset sales from the previous government. Even you are raising the concept of renationalisation.

                      Seems useful to me.

                    • Babayaga

                      “We’re talking not just about regional services, but the problem with all those harmless partial asset sales from the previous government.”
                      They aren’t a problem. They were the right thing to do, and the government signalled them before an election and were returned with a substantial mandate. As a country we do very well out of the corporate model for partial owned enterprises, far better than if those assets are nationalised (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11508152)

                      “Even you are raising the concept of renationalisation.”
                      Ahgggg no! Air NZ has been a massively successful company under its current model. What I’m saying is that Jones is being dishonest. If he really wants more provincial services, lobby to increase government funding….perhaps use some of the dividend the government receives!

                    • McFlock

                      Hey, you brought it up.

                      Sure, you’re a tory who thinks it’s a bad idea, but you still raised it in response to my comment. I didn’t. If the government wanted the government airline to work in the interests of the public good rather than the shareholders, under the companies act it would have to be the sole shareholder. This was raised at the time of the asset sales. Now we see it in reality.

                      As you point out, one of the few ways around that is renationalisation. Simple fact. Don’t back away from it now. Be happy that I agree with one of your statements for once. If he genuinely wants Air NZ to support the provincial routes, he should indeed be lobbying for more subsidies or for the government to buy back the remaining shares and run in with a different commercial imperative.

                    • Babayaga

                      .”If the government wanted the government airline to work in the interests of the public good rather than the shareholders, under the companies act it would have to be the sole shareholder. “

                      Not so. The government could simply contract uneconomic routes from Air NZ as a commercial subsidy.

                      The issue of nationalisation is a very real option. It isn’t a sensible one, but that wouldn’t preclude Jones advocating for it. But attacking individuals who are just doing their job is about as stupid as JAG’s ageist, racist and sexist attacks on other Board members.

                    • McFlock

                      And yet if he hadn’t we wouldn’t have had such a wide-ranging discussion.

                      Not all bad.

                • tracey

                  I dont get it either. It stinks of Mr Jones pandering to a particular audience and misleading tgem to think he can provide an air service for them

                  • Babayaga

                    To say nothing of the disgusting attacks on Board members, who most likely are unable to respond. Jones simply has no idea.

                    • Zorb6

                      Luxon has unwisely responded to Jones attacks.There is as much a case for regional air services as there is for accomodation subsidies and bus service operators.Cheap efficient transport,people and freight should be a core economic priority.

                    • Babayaga

                      “There is as much a case for regional air services as there is for accomodation subsidies and bus service operators.“

                      You’re missing my point. If Jones wants to make that case, then make it. But the Air NZ Board currently operate under a set of criteria that places the onus for funding uneconomic services on the government. Jones should be lobbying his own government, not attacking the Board.

            • savenz 2.1.1.1.4.2

              highly unlikely is not “not possible”.

              I think people want to see more provisions that are NOT possible in trade agreements not highly unlikely.

      • tracey 2.1.2

        My understanding is the same as Wayne’s. That AirNZ comes under companies act not soe.

        I do think that public companies ought to have an additional ogligation to its overriding one to provide returns to shareholders. There should be a social contract element too. This would take SOME drafting but would mean Directors have to look at more than just the financial bottom line.

        I have digressed

      • tracey 2.1.3

        Under the CCPTTPCCTP an SOE is not defined as being under our SOE Act it has its own criteria

        Air NZ certainly appears to meet the CCPTTPCCTP criteria fotr SOE

        “A state-owned enterprise is defined as an enterprise that meets three criteria:
        (i) The government owns more than 50% share capital in an enterprise or can appoint
        a majority of members of the board or equivalent management body or controls
        the exercise of more than 50% of voting rights.
        Comment: SOEs in which government controls a minority share or appointments
        are not covered A SOE in which the government controls voting rights over
        certain key decisions through a golden share is not explicitly addressed. The
        transparency obligations include disclosure of such shares, which implies that
        they are seen as a form of ‘control’, but that is debatable. 15
        and
        (ii) Such an enterprise must principally engage in ‘commercial activities’,
        16 which are
        defined as activities that are undertaken with an ‘orientation to profit-making’.
        Comment: The chapter applies to entities that perform a mixture of commercial and non-
        commercial functions. ‘Orientation’ is not a familiar term in international trade law.
        Dictionary definitions are unhelpful – they suggest an expectation that the principal
        activities of the SOE should look to make a profit. The SOE doesn’t need to actually make
        a profit, provided that is its orientation. Where a mixed-purpose SOE has profit making
        as an explicit statutory obligation or directive it will clearly be covered. Where it is not
        explicit, the status of the enterprise may be contested.
        There is an important clarification in footnote 1 that ‘orientation to profit-making’
        does not include an enterprise that operates on a not-for-profit or on a cost-
        recovery basis.
        Comment: This footnote refers to the entire enterprise, not to selected activities. If it is
        deemed to have an overall orientation to profit making but has some non-profit activities,
        it is appears to be covered by the chapter. The meaning of ‘cost-recovery’ is also
        debatable. The government may require a SOE to achieve surpluses as a buffer to future
        downturns. Many entities also recover more than immediate costs and retain earnings
        for contingencies against shifts in government funding. Some enterprises may earn profits
        from certain activities to make up for shortfalls in government funding of other activities;
        if they comprise a growing proportion of income as government support declines, there
        will be questions about which activities are its ‘principal’ function. Retained earnings to on future borrowings might also be challenged, raising arguments about standard
        accounting practices.
        and
        (iii) The commercial activities of the enterprise involve the production of goods or
        services that are sold to a consumer and the enterprise determines how much it
        produces and the price.
        Comments: This means an enterprise where government sets the prices or production
        levels of its activities is not treated as an SOE, but will be a state enterprise or designated
        monopoly.”

        fund future infrastructure and expansion or make provision for depreciation and interest

        15 Article 17.10.3(b). 16 Article 17.1.

        https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://tpplegal.files.wordpress.com/2015/12/soe-chapter-analysis.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwiKy93hlYbaAhUDnpQKHUwjA4YQFjAAegQICBAB&usg=AOvVaw1DS4_p8DTbJm-E8AF7HDM2

        • dukeofurl 2.1.3.1

          MFAT factsheet specifically mentions Air NZ as covered by SOE regs
          https://www.tpp.mfat.govt.nz/assets/docs/TPP_factsheet_SOEs.pdf

          • RedBaronCV 2.1.3.1.1

            Well we are already at Stage 1.
            Wasting time and resource over having to an argument over whether or not this is covered by TPPA –
            stage 2 – some one can sue the country to find out & we taxpayers put dollars into it. And this is supposed to BE GOOD FOR US?? I’d hate to see some thing that was deemed bad for us.

            • Tony Veitch (not etc) 2.1.3.1.1.1

              Quite right Red Baron. Whether or not AirNZ comes within the SOE category or not, the CHILLING effect of a potential law suit will still apply – reference the Philip Morris case against Australia delayed our introduction of plain packaging by months!

          • Tracey 2.1.3.1.2

            So does the CCTPPTPCCTPPCCTP Chapter on SOEs.

            2 separate issues here.

            Wayne is right that AirNZ is not an SOE under our SOE Act.

            Kelsey is right that Air NZ meets the 3 criteria of an SOE under the relevant Chapter.

            I can only assume Wayne, lije me, hadnt read the relevant chapter Kelsey was referring to

          • cleangreen 2.1.3.1.3

            Thanks for this dukeofurl.

            https://www.tpp.mfat.govt.nz/assets/docs/TPP_factsheet_SOEs.pdf

            “MFAT factsheet specifically mentions Air NZ as covered by SOE regs”

            AIR NZ now are covered under the SOE act then they must “act in the best interests of all it’s shareholders” and that includes us NZ citizens who own half the company so they could now be challenged to operate real provincial air passenger services as many share holders live there requiring air services.

          • tracey 2.1.3.1.4

            I dont see AIRNZ specifically mentioned in that fact sheet but it does meet the criteria of the chapter wording. Perhaps I coukdnt see for looking?

            • Incognito 2.1.3.1.4.1

              The SOEs provisions apply with respect to large and commercially focused SOEs: those with an orientation towards profit, rather than those which operate on a not-for-profit or cost-recovery basis. For New Zealand this includes companies subject to the New Zealand StateOwned Enterprises Act 1986 and other commercially focused companies in which the Government owns a majority share, including Air New Zealand. [my bold]

          • Monty 2.1.3.1.5

            Wrong

  3. savenz 3

    The reality is a bunch of politicians who don’t even understand what they are signing should not be allowed to screw up an entire country and place governance on practically everything from environment to ecommerce, in an international business kangaroo court run by a handful of lawyers in an agreement they haven’t read and don’t understand.

    Surely the revelations of Cambridge Analytica should be a wake up call. Increasingly ‘somehow’ decision making is being narrowed and people’s perceptions skewed by billionaires who want a new social order and norm. This seems to be based on changing perception to deregulation of human and national rights down to theform of money and rights for international corporation that somehow sits above governments and people who pay taxes in it.

    Essentially Labour and NZ First were against TPPA prior to the election.

    TPPA-11 is exactly the same agreement with a few pages added that do little to void the toxicity in the original agreement. So what changed post election? Clearly a group think at work and with 75% of NZ public wanting independent analysis of any risks (because their appear to be little to be gained and only those with money for items like vineyards and everything to lose for everyone else and with the risks massive).

    Something that big, should have a referendum at least. You know democracy???

    • cleangreen 3.1

      Yes we need a referendum on this as this TPP agreement now as it will affect our lives and that of our children for decades from that time because our power to change for “our benefits” will be lost entirely and the power is handed sorely to big global Corporations to run this country only in “their benefit” and not ours as taxpayers.

  4. savenz 4

    Noticed this comment by a person on the TPPA site which sums it up.

    “David Parker said to me at the MFAT meeting “we have never been sued” I replied “Using that theory, I have never had a car accident so I don’t need to worry about wearing a seat belt or insurance” “You have a point” he said. Labour is now using the same arguments that the Natz were spouting off 4 years ago.”

    • savenz 4.1

      Of course we have never been sued, NZ politicians are only too keen to lower wages, all standards, environment and award overseas and local business what ever they desire.

      The point is, that’s not really sustainable long term. And already major cracks are appearing in every sector post NZ desire to take the Rogernomics and Globalism approach because for whatever bizarre reason, Kiwis are selling these ideas overseas and are the ones driving the TPPA type deals.

      Pike river shows we are already at rock bottom when it comes to safety standards and compensation and ways for corporates to avoid responsibility.

      The legacy of NZ Rogernomics followed by Globalism, iis taxes are down but social service spending is up. Surprise, surprise as people get paid less wages, and have to spend more and more cash on things like power and goods that the profits go offshore, there are less taxes coming in. The competition model and privatisation model is lowing educational standards as well as productivity and pretty much giving away resources like water for anyone who wants a permit and can spin a good story for the councils or be networking with government. We are creating a precariat society with increasingly mental illness and physical sickness that comes with that approach.

      The banks are having a bonanza so that’s all good. Plenty more people with cash to come to NZ and keep the Ponzi scheme afloat and pretend it’s all working well.

      But more money is needed for the amount of people who need more and more government support from wage top ups to health to super to accomodation supplements to more roads, schools and hospitals being built.

      Adding more and more low wage people or people being encouraged to speculate and buy up NZ businesses so taxes are going overseas, is only making things worse!

      • cleangreen 4.1.1

        save NZ

        Your comments make perfect sense in a corporate generated world of mindless dribble.

        Corporates win by dumbing down the consumer and media to advantage their own agenda to rape & pillage us all without our knowledge, that’s the grand plan they have waiting for us inside the TPP 11.

      • tracey 4.1.2

        The other danger is that a corporation sends a letter to a govt to oppose a policy it is proposing and states that under the TPP it can sue the govt. The cost of that litigation must be considered by that govt in its cost benefit analysis??

        • cleangreen 4.1.2.1

          Yes tracey,

          tracey 4.1.2
          25 March 2018 at 1:14 pm
          “The other danger is that a corporation sends a letter to a govt to oppose a policy it is proposing and states that under the TPP it can sue the govt. The cost of that litigation must be considered by that govt in its cost benefit analysis??”

          My response; –

          That was what is termed as “The chilling effect” countries are afraid of now.

          Canada has already faced the most challenges this way during NAFTA agreement between Canada/US and mexico.

          Hence then Canadians then fought hard to protect their position at TPP whereas NZ did not.

    • Ad 4.2

      We got pretty close the last time we had a full command-and-control government i.e. when Muldoon proposed putting an aluminum smelter on the Aramoana peninsula.

  5. CHCOff 5

    Build the free community public sports clubs with subsidized sports tv and the community voices will rise and sing as one:

    New Zealand! New Zealand! New Zealand! New Zealand! New Zealand!

  6. Monty 6

    Airnz is not an SOE. It’s a listed company. Mr and Mrs Kapiti can take the train or Uber home from Wellington or Palmerston North Airport. Focus on the real issue, those who live in Whangaparoa; 72 k from Auckland airport. Those are the real ‘victims’.

  7. RedLogix 7

    Chris Hitchens interviews very well on the Skripal episode:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFdGogalR3s

  8. Ross 8

    With respect to Jane Kelsey, I think she is missing the point.

    As Tracy Watkins says:

    The images of Obama teeing up at some of the world’s most exclusive and beautiful golf clubs might play well in the overseas markets that Air New Zealand targets. But back home the overall impression of the trip read like something out of lifestyles of the rich and famous as Obama and a coterie of rich men were choppered in and out of luxury resorts, out of the range of prying eyes.

    The contrast between the glossy publicity shots and the airline’s cutbacks in regional New Zealand – ironically, including Northland, where Obama was flown by helicopter for his golf round – was stark. Jones’ assault on the airline for corporate arrogance and abandoning the “real” New Zealand couldn’t have been timed better.

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/opinion/102544218/barack-obamas-nz-trip-may-have-backfired-for-airline

    I’m not sure it’s in the “best interests of the company” to bring Obama and his hangers-on to NZ to wine and dine while ignoring potential fare-paying customers.

    Air New Zealand, of course, sponsors the All Blacks…and wines. Again, I’m not sure how this is in the best interests of the company. It does beg the question: if the company can subsidise the rich and famous, the All Blacks and wineries (among others), might it also be able to subsidise flights to the regions?

    https://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/sponsorship

  9. Ross 9

    Another point is that the Government presumably receives dividends from Air NZ. I’m not aware that the CPTPP prevents the Government from using those dividends to subsidise regional flights. Is Air NZ competing with a foreign airline on domestic routes? Not that I’m aware of. In other words, CPTPP is irrelevant in this context as no foreign companies are involved. If foreign companies were being disadvantaged by Government policy, that of course would be a different story.

  10. Ross 10

    On a slightly separate note, I took an Air NZ flight recently from Wellington and was amazed by the (large) number of people who flew to Palmerston North. The flight was delayed by at least 20 minutes and by the time we landed it had taken about an hour from the scheduled departure time. Driving there wouldn’t have been much slower. 🙂 I note that there was no explanation for the late departure and arrival.

  11. Delia 11

    Just support your local airline who filled the breach, if you live in the provinces..I gave AirNZ the bird when they abandoned Westport.

  12. Sparky 12

    In Canada NAFTA is being used to stifle attempts to place health labels on junk food like candy bars…..

    The fact any govt that claims to be on the left is pushing for this tells us plainly they are in fact right wing neo libs and no amount of acolyte fawning will change that fact……

    • tracey 12.1

      Why anyone thinks provisions would be fought for with no intention to be used is beyond me. Unless tgeir mere presence is designed to deter govts from even entertaining anything that might be construed as a breach. Win win for those who want the clause

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    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Will the rental tax cut improve life for renters or landlords?
    Bryce Edwards writes –  Is the new government reducing tax on rental properties to benefit landlords or to cut the cost of rents? That’s the big question this week, after Associate Finance Minister David Seymour announced on Sunday that the Government would be reversing the Labour Government’s removal ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: What Saudi Arabia’s rapid changes mean for New Zealand
    Saudi Arabia is rarely far from the international spotlight. The war in Gaza has brought new scrutiny to Saudi plans to normalise relations with Israel, while the fifth anniversary of the controversial killing of Jamal Khashoggi was marked shortly before the war began on October 7. And as the home ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    5 days ago
  • Racism’s double standards
    Questions need to be asked on both sides of the world Peter Williams writes –   The NRL Judiciary hands down an eight week suspension to Sydney Roosters forward Spencer Leniu , an Auckland-born Samoan, after he calls Ezra Mam, Sydney-orn but of Aboriginal and Torres Strait ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • It’s not a tax break
    Ele Ludemann writes – Contrary to what many headlines and news stories are saying, residential landlords are not getting a tax break. The government is simply restoring to them the tax deductibility of interest they had until the previous government removed it. There is no logical reason ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • The Plastic Pig Collective and Chris' Imaginary Friends.
    I can't remember when it was goodMoments of happiness in bloomMaybe I just misunderstoodAll of the love we left behindWatching our flashbacks intertwineMemories I will never findIn spite of whatever you becomeForget that reckless thing turned onI think our lives have just begunI think our lives have just begunDoes anyone ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago
  • Who is responsible for young offenders?
    Michael Bassett writes – At first reading, a front-page story in the New Zealand Herald on 13 March was bizarre. A group of severely intellectually limited teenagers, with little understanding of the law, have been pleading to the Justice Select Committee not to pass a bill dealing with ram ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on National’s fantasy trip to La La Landlord Land
    How much political capital is Christopher Luxon willing to burn through in order to deliver his $2.9 billion gift to landlords? Evidently, Luxon is: (a) unable to cost the policy accurately. As Anna Burns-Francis pointed out to him on Breakfast TV, the original ”rock solid” $2.1 billion cost he was ...
    6 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 14
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Jonathon Porritt calling bullshit in his own blog post on mainstream climate science as ‘The New Denialism’.Local scoop: The Wellington City Council’s list of proposed changes to the IHP recommendations to be debated later today was leaked this ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • No, Prime Minister, rents don’t rise or fall with landlords’ costs
    TL;DR: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said yesterday tenants should be grateful for the reinstatement of interest deductibility because landlords would pass on their lower tax costs in the form of lower rents. That would be true if landlords were regulated monopolies such as Transpower or Auckland Airport1, but they’re not, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • Cartoons: ‘At least I didn’t make things awkward’
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Tom Toro Tom Toro is a cartoonist and author. He has published over 200 cartoons in The New Yorker since 2010. His cartoons appear in Playboy, the Paris Review, the New York Times, American Bystander, and elsewhere. Related: What 10 EV lovers ...
    6 days ago
  • Solving traffic congestion with Richard Prebble
    The business section of the NZ Herald is full of opinion. Among the more opinionated of all is the ex-Minister of Transport, ex-Minister of Railways, ex MP for Auckland Central (1975-93, Labour), Wellington Central (1996-99, ACT, then list-2005), ex-leader of the ACT Party, uncle to actor Antonia, the veritable granddaddy ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    6 days ago
  • I Think I'm Done Flying Boeing
    Hi,Just quickly — I’m blown away by the stories you’ve shared with me over the last week since I put out the ‘Gary’ podcast, where I told you about the time my friend’s flatmate killed the neighbour.And you keep telling me stories — in the comments section, and in my ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • Invoking Aristotle: Of Rings of Power, Stones, and Ships
    The first season of Rings of Power was not awful. It was thoroughly underwhelming, yes, and left a lingering sense of disappointment, but it was more expensive mediocrity than catastrophe. I wrote at length about the series as it came out (see the Review section of the blog, and go ...
    6 days ago
  • Van Velden brings free-market approach to changing labour laws – but her colleagues stick to distr...
    Buzz from the Beehive Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden told Auckland Business Chamber members they were the first audience to hear her priorities as a minister in a government committed to cutting red tape and regulations. She brandished her liberalising credentials, saying Flexible labour markets are the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • Why Newshub failed
    Chris Trotter writes – TO UNDERSTAND WHY NEWSHUB FAILED, it is necessary to understand how TVNZ changed. Up until 1989, the state broadcaster had been funded by a broadcasting licence fee, collected from every citizen in possession of a television set, supplemented by a relatively modest (compared ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Māori Party on the warpath against landlords and seabed miners – let’s see if mystical creature...
    Bob Edlin writes  –  The Māori Party has been busy issuing a mix of warnings and threats as its expresses its opposition to interest deductibility for landlords and the plans of seabed miners. It remains to be seen whether they  follow the example of indigenous litigants in Australia, ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • Government moves to quickly ratify the NZ-EU FTA
    "The Government is moving quickly to realise an additional $46 million in tariff savings in the EU market this season for Kiwi exporters,” Minister for Trade and Agriculture, Todd McClay says. Parliament is set, this week, to complete the final legislative processes required to bring the New Zealand – European ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 hours ago
  • Positive progress for social worker workforce
    New Zealand’s social workers are qualified, experienced, and more representative of the communities they serve, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “I want to acknowledge and applaud New Zealand’s social workers for the hard work they do, providing invaluable support for our most vulnerable. “To coincide with World ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    12 hours ago
  • Minister confirms reduced RUC rate for PHEVs
    Cabinet has agreed to a reduced road user charge (RUC) rate for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. Owners of PHEVs will be eligible for a reduced rate of $38 per 1,000km once all light electric vehicles (EVs) move into the RUC system from 1 April.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    14 hours ago
  • Trade access to overseas markets creates jobs
    Minister of Agriculture and Trade, Todd McClay, says that today’s opening of Riverland Foods manufacturing plant in Christchurch is a great example of how trade access to overseas markets creates jobs in New Zealand.  Speaking at the official opening of this state-of-the-art pet food factory the Minister noted that exports ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago
  • NZ and Chinese Foreign Ministers hold official talks
    Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Wellington today. “It was a pleasure to host Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his first official visit to New Zealand since 2017. Our discussions were wide-ranging and enabled engagement on many facets of New Zealand’s relationship with China, including trade, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Kāinga Ora instructed to end Sustaining Tenancies
    Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities has been instructed to end the Sustaining Tenancies Framework and take stronger measures against persistent antisocial behaviour by tenants, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Earlier today Finance Minister Nicola Willis and I sent an interim Letter of Expectations to the Board of Kāinga Ora. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber: Growth is the answer
    Tēna koutou katoa. Greetings everyone. Thank you to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Honourable Simon Bridges for hosting this address today. I acknowledge the business leaders in this room, the leaders and governors, the employers, the entrepreneurs, the investors, and the wealth creators. The coalition Government shares your ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Singapore rounds out regional trip
    Minister Winston Peters completed the final leg of his visit to South and South East Asia in Singapore today, where he focused on enhancing one of New Zealand’s indispensable strategic partnerships.      “Singapore is our most important defence partner in South East Asia, our fourth-largest trading partner and a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister van Velden represents New Zealand at International Democracy Summit
    Minister of Internal Affairs and Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon. Brooke van Velden, will travel to the Republic of Korea to represent New Zealand at the Third Summit for Democracy on 18 March. The summit, hosted by the Republic of Korea, was first convened by the United States in 2021, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Insurance Council of NZ Speech, 7 March 2024, Auckland
    ICNZ Speech 7 March 2024, Auckland  Acknowledgements and opening  Mōrena, ngā mihi nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho.  Good morning, it’s a privilege to be here to open the ICNZ annual conference, thank you to Mark for the Mihi Whakatau  My thanks to Tim Grafton for inviting me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Five-year anniversary of Christchurch terror attacks
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Lead Coordination Minister Judith Collins have expressed their deepest sympathy on the five-year anniversary of the Christchurch terror attacks. “March 15, 2019, was a day when families, communities and the country came together both in sorrow and solidarity,” Mr Luxon says.  “Today we pay our respects to the 51 shuhada ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024
    Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024  Acknowledgements and opening  Morena, Nga Mihi Nui.  Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Thanks Nate for your Mihi Whakatau  Good morning. It’s a pleasure to formally open your conference this morning. What a lovely day in Wellington, What a great ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Early visit to Indonesia strengthens ties
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters held discussions in Jakarta today about the future of relations between New Zealand and South East Asia’s most populous country.   “We are in Jakarta so early in our new government’s term to reflect the huge importance we place on our relationship with Indonesia and South ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • China Foreign Minister to visit
    Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has announced that the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, will visit New Zealand next week.  “We look forward to re-engaging with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussing the full breadth of the bilateral relationship, which is one of New Zealand’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister opens new Auckland Rail Operations Centre
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has today opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre, which will bring together KiwiRail, Auckland Transport, and Auckland One Rail to improve service reliability for Aucklanders. “The recent train disruptions in Auckland have highlighted how important it is KiwiRail and Auckland’s rail agencies work together to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Celebrating 10 years of Crankworx Rotorua
    The Government is proud to support the 10th edition of Crankworx Rotorua as the Crankworx World Tour returns to Rotorua from 16-24 March 2024, says Minister for Economic Development Melissa Lee.  “Over the past 10 years as Crankworx Rotorua has grown, so too have the economic and social benefits that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government delivering on tax commitments
    Legislation implementing coalition Government tax commitments and addressing long-standing tax anomalies will be progressed in Parliament next week, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The legislation is contained in an Amendment Paper to the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill issued today.  “The Amendment Paper represents ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Significant Natural Areas requirement to be suspended
    Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard has today announced that the Government has agreed to suspend the requirement for councils to comply with the Significant Natural Areas (SNA) provisions of the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity for three years, while it replaces the Resource Management Act (RMA).“As it stands, SNAs ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Government classifies drought conditions in Top of the South as medium-scale adverse event
    Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has classified the drought conditions in the Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts as a medium-scale adverse event, acknowledging the challenging conditions facing farmers and growers in the district. “Parts of Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts are in the grip of an intense dry spell. I know ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Government partnership to tackle $332m facial eczema problem
    The Government is helping farmers eradicate the significant impact of facial eczema (FE) in pastoral animals, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced.  “A $20 million partnership jointly funded by Beef + Lamb NZ, the Government, and the primary sector will save farmers an estimated NZD$332 million per year, and aims to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • NZ, India chart path to enhanced relationship
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has completed a successful visit to India, saying it was an important step in taking the relationship between the two countries to the next level.   “We have laid a strong foundation for the Coalition Government’s priority of enhancing New Zealand-India relations to generate significant future benefit for both countries,” says Mr Peters, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Ruapehu Alpine Lifts bailout the last, say Ministers
    Cabinet has agreed to provide $7 million to ensure the 2024 ski season can go ahead on the Whakapapa ski field in the central North Island but has told the operator Ruapehu Alpine Lifts it is the last financial support it will receive from taxpayers. Cabinet also agreed to provide ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Fresh produce price drop welcome
    Lower fruit and vegetable prices are welcome news for New Zealanders who have been doing it tough at the supermarket, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Stats NZ reported today the price of fruit and vegetables has dropped 9.3 percent in the 12 months to February 2024.  “Lower fruit and vege ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Statement to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the sixty-eighth session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Speech to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68)
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Government backs rural led catchment projects
    The coalition Government is supporting farmers to enhance land management practices by investing $3.3 million in locally led catchment groups, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced. “Farmers and growers deliver significant prosperity for New Zealand and it’s vital their ongoing efforts to improve land management practices and water quality are supported,” ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber
    Good evening everyone and thank you for that lovely introduction.   Thank you also to the Honourable Simon Bridges for the invitation to address your members. Since being sworn in, this coalition Government has hit the ground running with our 100-day plan, delivering the changes that New Zealanders expect of us. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Commission’s advice on ETS settings tabled
    Recommendations from the Climate Change Commission for New Zealand on the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) auction and unit limit settings for the next five years have been tabled in Parliament, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “The Commission provides advice on the ETS annually. This is the third time the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government lowering building costs
    The coalition Government is beginning its fight to lower building costs and reduce red tape by exempting minor building work from paying the building levy, says Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk. “Currently, any building project worth $20,444 including GST or more is subject to the building levy which is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Trustee tax change welcomed
    Proposed changes to tax legislation to prevent the over-taxation of low-earning trusts are welcome, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The changes have been recommended by Parliament’s Finance and Expenditure Committee following consideration of submissions on the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill. “One of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister’s Ramadan message
    Assalaamu alaikum. السَّلَام عليكم In light of the holy month of Ramadan, I want to extend my warmest wishes to our Muslim community in New Zealand. Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, renewed devotion, perseverance, generosity, and forgiveness.  It’s a time to strengthen our bonds and appreciate the diversity ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister appoints new NZTA Chair
    Former Transport Minister and CEO of the Auckland Business Chamber Hon Simon Bridges has been appointed as the new Board Chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) for a three-year term, Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced today. “Simon brings extensive experience and knowledge in transport policy and governance to the role. He will ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Speech to Life Sciences Summit
    Good morning all, it is a pleasure to be here as Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology.  It is fantastic to see how connected and collaborative the life science and biotechnology industry is here in New Zealand. I would like to thank BioTechNZ and NZTech for the invitation to address ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Progress continues apace on water storage
    Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says he is looking forward to the day when three key water projects in Northland are up and running, unlocking the full potential of land in the region. Mr Jones attended a community event at the site of the Otawere reservoir near Kerikeri on Friday. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government agrees to restore interest deductions
    Associate Finance Minister David Seymour has today announced that the Government has agreed to restore deductibility for mortgage interest on residential investment properties. “Help is on the way for landlords and renters alike. The Government’s restoration of interest deductibility will ease pressure on rents and simplify the tax code,” says ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister to attend World Anti-Doping Agency Symposium
    Sport and Recreation Minister Chris Bishop will travel to Switzerland today to attend an Executive Committee meeting and Symposium of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Mr Bishop will then travel on to London where he will attend a series of meetings in his capacity as Infrastructure Minister. “New Zealanders believe ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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