The Jones surpremacy

Written By: - Date published: 8:33 am, September 4th, 2013 - 58 comments
Categories: labour, Shane Jones - Tags:

The poor gallery journos. They’ve got to turnout copy each and every day on the Labour leadership race but, well, not that much actually happens. The contenders have laid out their pitches and, now, they’re going around repeating it to members. So, there’s a lot of story invention: ‘twitter rows’ that aren’t, ‘momentum’ stories based on nothing, ‘gaffes’ that ain’t. The latest is the idea of Jones winning, which, funnily enough was also the media jocks’ first idea, which they got bored of for a week.

OK, yes, 2 years ago when the media was bored with the two real candidates and clamoured for the outsider instead, they got what they wanted. Shearer. That won’t happen again. First, members and workers aren’t as stupid or media-driven as caucus. Second, anyone with any brains will have noticed that a number of rightwing pundits are saying that ‘Jones would be the smart choice, but Labour won’t go there’, which is the most transparent bluff in history. Third, there’s an object lesson in why not to listen to the media jocks when they tell you who should lead your party. He’s called Shearer.

Regardless of all that, here’s why it’s pointless even talking about Jones winning. He has, maybe, 4 votes from his caucus colleagues. That means of the 40% up for grabs from caucus, Jones has 5%. That means he has to win more than 45% from the remaining 60% held by the members and the unions. Who thinks that Jones is going to win three-quarters of the members’ votes, let alone the unions’? Yeah, nah.

Even to come second, and so theoretically have a chance of getting through with the second preferences, Jones would need a majority or there abouts from the members and unions. It’s just not going to happen.

Don’t expect the journos to come back to Earth, though. They need a story. A bit of suspense. And they’re very, very willing to listen to clueless righties who imagine they know something about Labour.

58 comments on “The Jones surpremacy ”

  1. geoff 1

    Some of things that Shane Jones says make him sound like he’d feel more at home in the National party.
    He seems to think ‘left’ is a dirty word.

  2. Tracey 2

    Jones is confirming he sees women as two dimensional, either WW or GG readers. I note he made no comment let alone a commitment) to gender equality on his front bench. The other to did (rightly or wrongly). I also believe his GG comment shows he is stuck a few decades ago.

    Calling people “bro” doesnt make you a man of the people.

  3. Sable 3

    Yes Labour a wealth of poor leadership choices but then that’s really nothing new, is it?

  4. Clement Pinto 4

    I agree that Jones is the underdog in this context. However, I think it is silly to characterise Jones in disparaging terms. He is a very valuable and important person to have in the Labour movement for several reasons: A pragmatic moderating influence against any extremist positions, especially in business, economics, race or social issues. Unfair, cheap shot, insulting remarks against him or any of the three candidates is unbecoming, counter productive to the party and stupid.

    Hopefully, whosoever becomes the leader will be prudent, inclusive and genuinely unify the party and take Labour to its traditional base in terms of jobs, fairness in society, progressive and yet a very good economic and social manager. That is the question one must ask before casting one’s vote.

    • Hanswurst 4.1

      “A pragmatic moderating influence against any extremist positions, especially in business, economics, race or social issues.”

      They already have Robertson and Cunliffe for that.

      • weka 4.1.1

        Indeed.

        “He is a very valuable and important person to have in the Labour movement for several reasons: A pragmatic moderating influence against any extremist positions, especially in business, economics, race or social issues.”

        That’s one reason. Got any others?

        “Unfair, cheap shot, insulting remarks against him or any of the three candidates is unbecoming, counter productive to the party and stupid.”

        Unfair, cheap shot, insulting remarks against him or the two geldings he is running against is unbecoming, counter productive to the party and stupid.

        fify.

    • Craig Glen viper 4.2

      True CP the media would love the Candidates to be ripping into each other and their is a fine line I admitt for Party members as well, however I dont think this should stop members from raising valid concerns regarding a Candidates past behaviour/performance. When it comes to past performance only Cunliffe has had the experience to take the Party forward and beat Key. Who ever is leader has to be able to run a very slick election campaign and clearly that has been a problem for Grant Robson and his Caucus supporters.

    • lprent 4.3

      Unfortunately after running this site for 6 years, and on average having to apologise for Jones every 18 months; I have neither the time nor *any* respect for the dipshit.

      I’d point out here that my political views tend to generally be to the right of the NZLP. I’m a quite reluctant socialist, forced there because of the awareness of of how ineffective private companies are at providing business infrastructure.

      Just to give you an idea exactly how right-wing I tend to be, just consider that my family background is mostly management with a leavening of union delegates, I have a science degree and an MBA. I’m ex-army, ex-barman, ex-factory worker, ex-farmhand, and currently a high-end computer programmer concentrating on exports (because it is more fun coding than management). I’ve only worked in the private sector for the last 30+ years in a variety of either management or tech-head roles. In theory I should be exactly the type of person that Jones would appeal to according to the jonolists. In practice, I value competence and he does not appear to have any.

      Shane Jones has long since used up any chances I’ve been willing to give him. He appears to me to simply be incompetent. I also don’t consider that he is in anyway “moderate”, rather he seems to be a pretty typical beltway git whose business “experience” relies more on political contacts than any abilities.

    • geoff 4.4

      However, I think it is silly to characterise Jones in disparaging terms.

      Which is precisely what Jones has been doing to Cunliffe and Robertson on the campaign trail, making comments that undermine his colleagues and their politics. Have a look at his performance on Q+A.
      He clearly isn’t interested in the party’s unity, and it shows that he puts himself before the party.

      • Jim_Jam 4.4.1

        I agree, I think He is running for the sake of running and is just enjoying the limelight and spouting out policies that he knows will get traction in the media.

        I am sure he knew from the beginning he chance of being elected was minimal and that people have little time for him (I base this on what people I have spoken to say, no evidence of this) and his antics.

        I don’t think what Labour needs is a funny man who could, at any time bring more media attention of the wrong kind to the caucus and it’s leadership.

        At the end of the day I personally prefer someone who is going to clean out the tired relics and bring in some much needed revitalisation and inspiration to the voting public.

        • amirite 4.4.1.1

          The theory from some commentators is that Jones knows he wont win the leadership but this campaign will give him a high profile and he may snatch the win in Te Tai Tokerau from the Maori Party.

    • Lightly 4.5

      what are the disparaging terms that the post uses to describe Jones?

      • Clement Pinto 4.5.1

        I was not referring to the post, but making a general observation of posters using derogatory language/terms when describing any of the candidates. It not only demeans the candidate, but demeans the party itself.

    • miravox 4.6

      “A pragmatic moderating influence against any extremist positions, especially in business, economics, race or social issues”

      I don’t recognise this Jones.

      I recognise an immoderate man who calls women MPs ‘geldings’ and sings ‘over the rainbow’ after talking about a gay rival.

      I recognise an extremist man with such one dimensional views of women that he can’t comprehend that they may read both the Women’s Weekly and Germaine Greer (shorthand, I suspect for having feminist views – shock, horror).

      Expenses and Yan scandals, and tolerance of Foreign chartered vessels employment and environmental practices to maintain Sealord profits imply a level of pragmatism, but not the innovative, fair and ethical business practices that should be the foundations of Labour’s business and economic policy.

      I heard he did a reasonable job on the building regulations amendment, once. 2008, I think. Damned if I can think of any other newsworthy achievements since.

  5. Greywarbler 5

    Hopefully, whosoever becomes the leader will be prudent, inclusive and genuinely unify the party and take Labour to its traditional base in terms of jobs, fairness in society, progressive and yet a very good economic and social manager. That is the question one must ask before casting one’s vote.

    Well put. And the scrutiny has to be close on the candidates and considered, not indulgent of foibles that will detract from the position and the effectiveness of leadership.

  6. Pasupial 6

    Bomber’s take had me LOLing:

    “I like Shane, he’s funny, brilliant and an incredible speaker who could make a real impact on the front bench, but he has so many skeletons in the closet he could start his own zombie army. ”

    http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/09/03/why-shane-jones-cant-be-leader-of-the-labour-party/#sthash.ur3nmlNS.dpuf

  7. bad12 7

    i wouldn’t entirely write off Shane Jones, 40% of the union members who get to cast a vote or have a delegate cast a vote for them in the leadership contest are Maori or Pasifika people,

    Maori have a bad habit of voting for Maori candidates, no matter how abysmal they actually are at their job simply on the basis of they being Maori,

    While that may get many going ???, its not an unusual human trait, many commenters here at the Standard will vote Labour no matter what, and i will be voting solidly Green in the upcoming local body elections even tho i have never heard of most of the candidates who will be on the ballot,

    i don’t think Jones has got enough support but he will probably do better than many will expect…

    • Raymond a Francis 7.1

      Maori have a bad habit of voting for Maori candidates, no matter how abysmal they actually are at their job simply on the basis of they being Maori,

      I guess you don’t think that is a racist statement

      Like pakeha have never done the same thing

      • felix 7.1.1

        “Like pakeha have never done the same thing”

        I don’t think many pakeha would be consciously factoring that into the decision, but it’s very common among maori.

        Ask your maori friends. I don’t think it’s racist to say so, it’s not exactly a secret or anything.

      • bad12 7.1.2

        Funnily enough Raymond Francis i do not think that that is a racist statement, i only have to ask the Maori in my family to know that in many cases the above is a statement of fact,

        The Maori Party being a a case which goes to prove the point, my nieces were out on the streets of Wellington in support of the original ‘take’ that saw the formation of the Maori Party and they voted accordingly despite the fact that their uncle pointed out what has happened was going to happen,

        i think your knee began to jerk long befor you had considered the comment above in it’s entirety, but the subject of my racism will certainly make a good topic of discussion next time my lot get together and should generate lots of laughs…

    • Murray Olsen 7.2

      I don’t know a single Maori who openly supports Jones, and the further north they are from, the less time they have for him.

  8. Chooky 8

    Great photo of Jones!…lol

    ….maybe the geldings got too frisky

  9. tracey 9

    Bad12

    I get your point and note that so do pakeha which seems to be why key is still popular

    • Greywarbler 9.1

      I don’t think your comment has weight Tracey. Key’s popularity doesn’t come from being pakeha, it’s more from having been a top guy in finances in the Home Country of all the USA adherents, and having a lot of money and confidence which suits those who are servicing the wealthy in professional or trades roles, accountants, lawyers, Peter’s Principle Management types, and many who like his non-serious way of putting things that suits the laid-back she’ll be right types common here.

  10. Craig 10

    Some of Jones’ individual policies seem quite reasonable, but I do disagree with his overall excessive fiscal conservatism. Added to which, his Labour caucus supporters are slightly dodgy insofar as I’m concerned as a gay man.

  11. Craig Glen viper 11

    I get your point Bad12 except I dont think Union Pasifica will vote Jones it seems more likely they will be voting Cunliffe from what I have heard and seen. Cunliffe has had a large turnout of Pasifica folk at meetings held in New Lynn recently and the SFWU woman are definatly swing in behind Cunliffe.

  12. tc 12

    I thought Jones was allowed into the tent on the basis he’d help with the maori vote and add some business savvy etc.

    This was a judgement error as once in he’s gorged himself at the trough, not cared about his perception/performance and generally been a liability to Labour.

    Labour’s done a fair bit of this with list and electoral candidates since MMP.

  13. hush minx 13

    My take on Shane is that he has a type of charm and charisma – but ironically is probably more divisive and polarising that anything you’d find on Cunliffe except for the ABCers. In my ideal world Labour has the diverse talents, and finds a way to use them (including Shane) -as long as they can operate with a degree of respect and self-awareness. Shane might need to practise his listening skills a little to make that a viable prospect I think. But if he can, then all strength to Labour.

    • Tracey 13.1

      he has the type of charm and charisma some grandad’s had… you kind of laughed but felt sorry for them behind their backs for being outdated

  14. Winston Smith 14

    I like the way the picture used for Jones is unflattering and the picture used for Cunliffe is flattering 🙂

    • felix 14.1

      Yeah? Try to find a picture of Jones where he doesn’t look like a bag of shite then.

      Seriously, the guy would be a neanderthal embarrassment in the National party, he has no place in the modern Labour movement.

    • mickysavage 14.2

      If you look at the photo used in http://thestandard.org.nz/labour-leadership-campaign-day-five/ I believe you could describe this as being flattering.

    • lprent 14.3

      The one of Cunliffe was literally the first one that I found in our library when I was doing the final setup. However we have 28 shots of David Cunliffe, none of them are particularly “interesting”, all in a similar vein.

      I didn’t do the one of Shane Jones, however there are only three images in the library. One looks exactly like the one of Cunliffe, one is a publicity photo from quite a while back, and that rather interesting image. I guess Eddie or whoever did the image felt like the latter expressed their post the best.

      We don’t restrict authors on their images or their content unless it causes damage to the site. It is a restriction on me and the editors from within the about. No doubt eventually David Cunliffe will wind up with an unflattering image and some authors will use it, because there is simply a range of authors with a range of views. He will inevitably irritate one of the authors.

      But after looking at the images on file I suspect that it is going to be hard finding one for David Cunliffe because he obviously has what Lyn would call “a strong camera awareness”. Best bet would be a caricature from a cartoonist.

      BTW: I will change images for purely operational reasons is I have to. For instance if they don’t scale (ie when we stick then at the top of the site) or they are too large. I’ll clip if I can or I’ll find an equivalent image. For instance the class diagram on “Enough for us all, but they want it all for themselves” which was too small when it was used for top of the site.

      Any editor will drop in an image if there isn’t one provided by an author.

  15. Tracey 15

    Should Jones lose will he;

    a. fall in behind the leader and work really hard around his electorate mobilising Labour support; or
    b. do nothing and rely on his list ranking;
    c. go drinking with tamihere to discuss ways to undermine the Labour Party

    • Mary 15.1

      I just hope his attempt at the leadership hasn’t gained him a senior post. Cunliffe’s already alluded that it has. It’d be a monumental stuff up if Jones is given anything short of a sacking. The guy’s a disgrace.

      • weka 15.1.1

        “Cunliffe’s already alluded that it has.”

        Whereabouts Mary?

        • Mary 15.1.1.1

          In a televised debate where all three were there, perhaps the Q & A one? Was certainly some time in the last three or so days.

  16. Plan B 16

    Media really just want to run “What John Key thinks/says about the Labour Leadership Contect” But this competition is brilliant in that it gives Labour much needed media oxygen- the life blood of politics.

  17. Rodel 17

    Please stop referring to ‘media jocks’. As in ‘shock jocks’ the term is ‘ media dicks’.. with apologies to the female versions.

  18. gobsmacked 18

    Shane Jones is Labour’s answer to Bob Clarkson (remember him?).

    http://www.thecivilian.co.nz/50-million-dollar-gorilla-was-best-porn-film-shane-jones-ever-saw/

    But in fact he’s done Labour a favour. If it was only Robertson and Cunliffe in the contest, there would be much more media focus on the lazy false dichotomies (Wellington vs Auckland, ABC vs C, Gay vs Straight etc). Jones keeps the Jonolists amused and distracted, while their brains are struggling to process the concept of “three”, one too many for their infantile view of politics.

    He’ll lose badly, and quit Parliament at the next election … win-win.

  19. coge 19

    The thing about Shane Jones is he’s taking votes away from Cunliffe, not Robertson. So who benefits from that?

    • Colonial Viper 19.1

      Don’t worry about that mate, the preferential voting system means Cunliffe will collect those votes on the second round.

  20. millsy 20

    I doubt that Jones will get the leadership.

    Though I think he should get a senior portfolio. Someone has to ensure buisness doesnt try and organize a coup.

  21. North 21

    I don’t believe Jones will accept the outcome. His very candidacy is the product of a fantastic ego and an innate taste for mischief. With a seasoning of teenage “Fuck You !”

    Not a quality number that man. Shane’s all about Shane.

    • Merrial 21.1

      @North: yup, that’s how it looks to me, too.

      If he were elected leader, he’d be a colossal liability: his fat ego, misogyny, and lack of insight into his own motivations collectively mean that sooner or later, there’ll be another pratfall. Bill Liu may not be the worst, either. He may be able to make people laugh, but he’d need more than that for effective leadership. Besides, Labour’s been down that road: David Lange had them rolling in the aisles, but he wasn’t an effective prime minister.

  22. amirite 22

    Watched that little sycophantic piece on 3rd degree last night. I really don’t get it how people seem to get an impression of Shane as an approachable and a likeable person.
    To me he seems to be chronically bored and terminally lazy. (can’t be bovvered…)

    • Maureen 22.1

      I agree it was sycophantic but part of me felt sorry for Jones. He must be bright enough to know how far he has fallen in people’s esteem. His eyes looked sad; I thought he squirmed there once or twice.

  23. Aotearoean 23

    Jones obvious ploy is not to win but to become an acceptable brown faced second place.

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • EV road user charges bill passes
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the passing of legislation to move light electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) into the road user charges system from 1 April.  “It was always intended that EVs and PHEVs would be exempt from road user charges until they reached two ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 hours ago
  • Bill targets illegal, unregulated fishing in international waters
    New Zealand is strengthening its ability to combat illegal fishing outside its domestic waters and beef up regulation for its own commercial fishers in international waters through a Bill which had its first reading in Parliament today. The Fisheries (International Fishing and Other Matters) Amendment Bill 2023 sets out stronger ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    8 hours ago
  • Reserve Bank appointments
    Economists Carl Hansen and Professor Prasanna Gai have been appointed to the Reserve Bank Monetary Policy Committee, Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced today. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is the independent decision-making body that sets the Official Cash Rate which determines interest rates.  Carl Hansen, the executive director of Capital ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    9 hours ago
  • Stronger protections for apartment owners
    Apartment owners and buyers will soon have greater protections as further changes to the law on unit titles come into effect, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “The Unit Titles (Strengthening Body Corporate Governance and Other Matters) Amendment Act had already introduced some changes in December 2022 and May 2023, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    11 hours ago
  • Travel focused on traditional partners and Middle East
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to Egypt and Europe from this weekend.    “This travel will focus on a range of New Zealand’s traditional diplomatic and security partnerships while enabling broad engagement on the urgent situation in Gaza,” Mr Peters says.   Mr Peters will attend the NATO Foreign ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    11 hours ago
  • Keep safe on our roads this Easter
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown is encouraging all road users to stay safe, plan their journeys ahead of time, and be patient with other drivers while travelling around this Easter long weekend. “Road safety is a responsibility we all share, and with increased traffic on our roads expected this Easter we ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    14 hours ago
  • Cost of living support for over 1.4 million Kiwis
    About 1.4 million New Zealanders will receive cost of living relief through increased government assistance from April 1 909,000 pensioners get a boost to Superannuation, including 5000 veterans 371,000 working-age beneficiaries will get higher payments 45,000 students will see an increase in their allowance Over a quarter of New Zealanders ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    14 hours ago
  • Tenancy reviews for social housing restart
    Ensuring social housing is being provided to those with the greatest needs is front of mind as the Government restarts social housing tenancy reviews, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. “Our relentless focus on building a strong economy is to ensure we can deliver better public services such as social ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    14 hours ago
  • Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary plan halted
    The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary will not go ahead, with Cabinet deciding to stop work on the proposed reserve and remove the Bill that would have established it from Parliament’s order paper. “The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill would have created a 620,000 sq km economic no-go zone,” Oceans and Fisheries Minister ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago
  • Cutting all that dam red tape
    Dam safety regulations are being amended so that smaller dams won’t be subject to excessive compliance costs, Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on reducing costs and removing unnecessary red tape so we can get the economy back on track.  “Dam safety regulations ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 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
    16 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    2 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
    2 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
    3 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
    3 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
    6 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
    6 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

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-03-28T11:18:48+00:00