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Labour stands by 6A

Written By: - Date published: 8:12 am, July 25th, 2013 - 97 comments
Categories: class war, labour, national, workers' rights - Tags: , ,

The Employment Relations Act Part 6A ensures that jobs are transferred to a new contractor, on the same terms, if a firm is restructured. It is one of the few protections that vulnerable workers have – workers such as the cleaners who protested at Parliament yesterday:

Cleaners protest employment law changes

Cleaners converged on Parliament this afternoon to protest against proposed employment law changes. Beating red buckets with wooden spoons they chanted: “Hands off 6a.”

The Government wants to scrap the clause of the Employment Relations Act, which protects low-paid workers when their jobs are restructured. …

Parliamentary cleaner Mareta Sinoti told the crowd, of about 50, scrapping the clause would cause “suffering”. … “We work hard on low wages … part 6a is the only job security we have.” …

Under the plans, announced in October, businesses with fewer than 20 staff will no longer have to keep on those employees. Labour Minister Simon Bridges says the bill will provide greater “fairness, flexibility and clarity” in employment law.

So what is Labour’s position?

Labour leader David Shearer and Council of Trade Unions president Helen Kelly also addressed the crowd. Shearer said Labour would repeal the changes if elected next year.

After the protest, he said there was “very little hope” the Government would listen. “Why pick on the most vulnerable? It’s a pretty mean and insensitive government that has to stick the boot in to the lowest paid workers in our country.”

Good to see Labour doing the right thing. They will have plenty of damage to repair when the Nats are gone, this is yet another item to add to the list.

97 comments on “Labour stands by 6A ”

  1. AmaKiwi 1

    What would your neighbors say? Would the majority of them say, “Retain 6A,” or would they vote to dump it? I would not have difficulty convincing 90% of the people I know that retaining 6A is a matter of fairness.

    Binding referendums are a deterrent.

    Helen Kelly would be able to say to the Nats, “If you cut 6A, before you can chill your Chardonnay we will have the 25,000 signatures for a referendum. Then we will convince the voters to overwhelmingly veto this crap legislation.”

    “Shearer said Labour would repeal the changes if elected next year. After the protest, he said there was “very little hope” the Government would listen.”

    So it won’t be until 2018 at the earliest that there is any chance to reinstate 6A. How about direct democracy instead of, “In 5 years Prime Minister Cunliffe will fix it.”

  2. BM 2

    I don’t see what the fuss is all about, Seems quite fair when you read this

    http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1210/S00509/changes-to-part-6a-approved-by-cabinet.htm

    • framu 2.1

      “seems quite fair when you read the press release from the person pushing it”

      yeah that really stands up to scrutiny

  3. Darien Fenton 3

    BM this is a big deal. You should go talk to the cleaners involved. And so should Simon Bridges.

    Others : please like this : https://www.facebook.com/pages/Standing-Up-For-Workers/441471685960209

    We are all in this together.

    • Santi 3.1

      I disagree with you, Darien. The legislation is very fair.

      • framu 3.1.1

        why should a contract be subject to change because one party shifted their part of the existing contract to another person?

        why are you righties so keen on changing the rules you supposedly champion as soon as its the average worker using them?

        • BM 3.1.1.1

          The contract is with the company not the workers.

          From what I understand if company B wins a contract off company A, company B has to take on company A workers.

          What happens if there isn’t enough work for company B staff?, do they miss out because the cleaning jobs have to be done by company A workers.

          Seems bizarre to say the least.

          • One Anonymous Knucklehead 3.1.1.1.1

            Yeah, the dumbarse management should have done their sums better, eh. What kind of a fuckwit takes on more staff than they have work for?

            Edit: silly me, that would be a right wing fuckwit.

          • McFlock 3.1.1.1.2

            But that’s stupid: your worst-case scenario is that company B workers are in the exact same position as they were before the won contract. So are company A workers. If they have too many workers and natural attrition isn’t solving it, maybe they should look to expanding the market, say going into domestic cleaning.

            • BM 3.1.1.1.2.1

              LOL, what a tool.
              You have no idea about what’s involved in operating a business, do you?

              • McFlock

                Fuck, you’d be awesome to watch when someone takes a pg out on you. From overly-simplistic analysis to abuse in one iteration. ka-ching!

                • BM

                  Maybe you should go run a service based business for a while or get yourself into a position so you can see first hand what’s involved and experience how small businesses operate.

                  Get out of that cloistered public service environment and experience life in the real world, it’ll do you good.

                  • One Anonymous Knucklehead

                    I avoid doing business with toxic idiots. Who wants to listen to tiresome bigotry at work?

                    • King Kong

                      If your business doesn’t already have a slogan, could I suggest “run for limp dicked fuck knuckles by limp dicked fuck knuckles”

                      It will help you avoid contact with the toxic idiots.

                    • One Anonymous Knucklehead

                      Your call is important to us. Please hold.

                  • McFlock

                    Maybe you should pull your head out of your arse and stop assuming that you’re the only one with any “real world” experience. It’s that sort of arrogance that must make you a fucking goldmine for any unionised employee.

                    • BM

                      Going by some of the responses I’ve read in this thread the chances of anyone else having any “real world”experience are distinctively low.

                      BTW I don’t employ staff any more, not worth the hassle.

                    • framu

                      yes – i wonder why you found it a hassle?

                      you know the old saying about pointing i hope

                    • BM

                      Moved onto a different type of business, no need for staff, thank Christ.

                    • One Anonymous Knucklehead

                      BM has human resource management issues. Why am I not in the least bit surprised?

                    • McFlock

                      BTW I don’t employ staff any more, not worth the hassle.

                      really? I found it okay. Only had one person who was trying to take me for a ride, but he was quite manageable when boundaries and expectations were (politely) made clear and it was apparent that I wasn’t an absentee manager, even if I wasn’t as qualified as him (downside of employing highly proficient specialists). Worked out okay in the end. But then I tend to roll with things pretty well.

          • framu 3.1.1.1.3

            do the workers have a contract or not?
            Should the terms of the contract which is still in effect be honored or not?

            note – this is a separate issue to redundancy which can be enacted as a clause of an employment contract

            note: mods, this is meant to be a reply to BM above @ 10.55am – but the delete wont function for some reason

          • framu 3.1.1.1.4

            Part 6A of the Act (Part 6A) provides employment protection for employees when an
            employer’s business undergoes restructuring and the employee(s)’ work is assigned to a new employer.

            its got nothing to do with companies competing for contracts and its got everything to do with the contract between the employer and the employee.

            you understand wrong, both on this and redundancy

            If your going to crow about your business smarts it would help if you knew employment law basics as well

  4. tricledrown 4

    blind monetarist yeah as usual trying to hide the full story of Nationals policies creating more poverty by allowing employers to lower wages the tax payer will have to top up more on working for families !
    Undermining hard one improvements in conditions and pay!
    Hopefully when you right wingers retire you get to go to a retirement home where they pay the minimum wage its not a pretty site!
    when people get paid a pittance they just don,t care!
    thats why the warehouse has figured its better to pay a living wage then their customers and shareholders will benefit from people who put their heart and sole into their work!

  5. srylands 5

    The solution is to get rid of 6A entirely. If I win a contract because my company is more efficient, why on earth should I have an obligation to take on the loser comapny’s employees? It is bizarre.

    • McFlock 5.1

      because you’re obviously such a good manager that you can get the best out of your new employees when the “loser company” couldn’t. And if that’s an issue, you can competently manage the employment disputes process. Oh, and you factored in such transition costs when you made the tender for the contract, because you’re such a brilliant manager.

      • One Anonymous Knucklehead 5.1.1

        Ka-ching!

      • srylands 5.1.2

        “because you’re obviously such a good manager that you can get the best out of your new employees when the “loser company” couldn’t. ”

        Yes exactly. It is called competition.

        “Oh, and you factored in such transition costs when you made the tender for the contract, because you’re such a brilliant manager.”

        “Transition costs” aka “deadweight hand of government labour market regulation”. And no I didn’t because there shouldn’t be any.

        • One Anonymous Knucklehead 5.1.2.1

          Reality isn’t the right shape for you? Fucking cry-baby.

        • framu 5.1.2.2

          Part 6A of the Act (Part 6A) provides employment protection for employees when an
          employer’s business undergoes restructuring and the employee(s)’ work is assigned to a new employer.

          its nothing to do with competing companies

          • Tracey 5.1.2.2.1

            Is it possible for a new company to be formed and ownership transferred to that company and workers for the previous company retained in smaller numbers?

            I would like to see claims for constructive dismissal extended to 12 months following an employee being made redundant. It is usually a few months after a fake redundancy that evidence is actually available. I have digressed. I apologise.

            • framu 5.1.2.2.1.1

              no digression as i see it – perfectly valid point/question

              to be honest i dont know – but i wouldnt be surprised if simply making a new company is in fact allowed

              But there does seem to quite a few comments that have gotten the basics of this law wrong from the get go on this thread

              (im not an employment lawyer – so if anyones reading this who can provide some informed clarification please do)

              • DavidC

                framu. (and others)

                Correct me if I am wrong.

                Company A is unhappy with existing service supplier so it tenders its cleaning services.

                Employer X is the incumbent with 10 staff , tenders for $100,000/yr.

                Employer Y is new kid on block and tenders $90,000/yr.

                Employer Y wins and must hire the 10 staff from X at existing conditions/pay.

                Is this incorrect?

                • framu

                  im pretty sure thats wrong – ive never heard of any law anywhere on the planet that requires you to take on a competing companies staff

                  c’mon, think about it – thats plain crazy

                  the company offering the tender isnt the employer of the cleaning staff

                  its the contract provider to the company. That company is who employs the staff. not the contract provider

                  section 6a applies only to the relationship between the company and the staff – not the tender provider as they arent the employer of said staff

                  like i said – im not a lawyer so happy to be proven wrong on this.
                  But it does concern me that there appears to be quite a few people who claim employer status who dont seem to know for sure

                  • DavidC

                    framu. I agree its weird but see srylands example down the bottom of the thread. I think its a cut and paste from the rule book!

                    new employer must hire the staff of the old employer that wish to be retained in existing positions!

                    weird!

                • RJL

                  This is basically right, but the details depend on the circumstances.

                  The essential idea of 6a is that if somebody is doing a job then despite whatever restructuring/re-contracting between contractors/employers goes on, as long as substantially the same job needs doing, then the original person must be offered the opportunity to do that same job at their original conditions.

                  The new employer is then perfectly able to dismiss his new employees, for non-performance, or other legitimate reasons, and is able to renegotiate new contracts with those employees (when the existing contracts expire), with a starting point of the original contracts.

                  The intention is that while contractors can compete, they cannot compete on the basis of their capability to screw their workers. In your example, therefore, the 10% saving that makes Y the more competitive contract can’t be due to paying the workers less.

                  The devil is whether or not new jobs under the new employer are substantially the same as the jobs under the previous employer.

        • DavidC 5.1.2.3

          The best and most important choice you make with staff is who you hire.

          Afterall you cannot squeeze gold out of a turd.

        • Draco T Bastard 5.1.2.4

          And no I didn’t because there shouldn’t be any.

          Really? And just where were you going to get the employees to do the job if it wasn’t going to cost you anything? Did they just happen to fall off the back of a truck perchance?

      • DavidC 5.1.3

        How do you factor in those transition costs unless you are privy to the contract conditions of your oppositions staff?

        • One Anonymous Knucklehead 5.1.3.1

          Perfectly legitimate question to ask the person awarding the contract: “any existing circumstances I should know about?”

          That’s what all this is about, isn’t it? Right wingers have such low IQs they want everyone else to pay for their due diligence failures.

          • DavidC 5.1.3.1.1

            WTF ?

            Why would the company that is awarding the tender have any knowledge of the oppostions staff employment condition?

            • infused 5.1.3.1.1.1

              Because OAK is a moron.

            • One Anonymous Knucklehead 5.1.3.1.1.2

              “Existing circumstances? Part 6A of the ERA will apply.”

              Srylands’ “due diligence” is to whine like a baby about us having laws. What’s yours? Whine like a baby and make sure you have enough resources to cover your legal obligations?

              • DavidC

                OAK ….. is that meant to be an answer?

                • One Anonymous Knucklehead

                  Why would I bother addressing your strawman question?

                  I said “circumstances” not “existing employment conditions”. There’s a difference. An English dictionary and sufficient cognitive capability will help.

                  • DavidC

                    OAK

                    Well the “circumstance” that would affect a newly employed but unwanted staff member would be redundancy and that “circumstance” would also affect the new employer possibly at great cost.

                    You can shuffle sideways as much as you like but it was a simple question that you should be able to give a straight forward answer to without reverting to abuse.

                    • One Anonymous Knucklehead

                      We don’t know the existing employment terms and conditions, therefore we know nothing, right? It’s a meaningless question.

                      If there’s a way to find out what those terms and conditions are, you bet I’m going to try and find out, but whether or not, planning that there will be some beats the hell out of whinging about having to obey the law and then pretending it’s the government’s fault when something goes wrong.

                      The problem you have here is that you think everyone else should bend over for your business whims, whereas I think you should be the one bending over in gratitude at the society that provides you with such opportunities, instead of being such a wingnut ingrate.

                    • DavidC

                      OAK.
                      You are ranting.

                      I dont think anyone should bend to my business whims. I just want to be able to win a tender and use my own staff, that I chose, that I value, that I respect, for work that I have selected as being suitable to my workforce.

                      If I choose to underbid another company that may be because I wish to keep my existing staff employed. Having to hire that last companies duds will not help my staff at all.

                    • One Anonymous Knucklehead

                      All so reasonable, all very responsible, until the last sentence, when you show your prejudice and ignorance.

                      “Duds”, eh? No wonder some people think all employers are scum.

                    • DavidC

                      OAK

                      You disagree that there are dud employees out there?

                      Everyone is golden in your book. Only Managers are scum huh?

                      oh wait…what happenes when the Manager is also an employee?

                      I am beginning to think infused is right!

                    • One Anonymous Knucklehead

                      Yes, of course criticising your baseless destructive generalisation is exactly the same as believing there are no bad employees, and the fact that that some people think all employers are scum means I must think that. Your logic is “so bad it’s not even wrong”.

                      New Zealand is one of the easiest countries in the world in which to do business, and yet there is an endless queue of whinging wingnuts who can’t seem to make it. Personally I think it’s the low IQ.

                    • DavidC

                      OAK.
                      Have a nice afternoon.
                      I need to take my 223 for a walk as it is feeling lonely and underappreciated afterall guns need loving too 🙂

        • RJL 5.1.3.2

          Because sub-part 2 of Section 6A states that any transition costs associated with staff transfers must be disclosed as part of the tender process.

          • DavidC 5.1.3.2.1

            Is a termination cost a transition cost?

            • RJL 5.1.3.2.1.1

              Yes, if there are termination costs that will be triggered, that must be disclosed as part of the tender process.

            • McFlock 5.1.3.2.1.2

              Even if it weren’t, if you’re pretty sure you’ll want to make the current workers redundant because you have a different organisational model (or if it’s pretty obvious that the current workers are going to have some disciplinary issues due to the culture that’s been allowed to evolve), you can still factor in a fair estimate based on the industry. E.g. cleaners aren’t likely to be on seven figures.

    • framu 5.2

      correct me if im wrong – this isnt about different companies competing for contracts

  6. Tracey 6

    I kept scrolling down to find reasoned argument… and got to the bottom.

    It seems recently the language and behaviour on this site has plunged. I don’t point a finger at any “side” just the tone of posts generally.

    [lprent: The standard of comments varies quite a lot over time and on a daily basis. Depends on the posts, topics, moderation levels, and where discussions move to

    But it is always at it’s lowest in the dead of winter for some reason (along with the page views). Both pick up in August.

    Comments appear to become more personal in the middle of the election cycle – probably because there is a reduction in the numbers of new people incoming that we see in the year running up to the election.

    Ummm will have been running for 6 years in another few weeks.. ]

    • infused 6.1

      Since ages ago. Mods let any lefties get away with murder here. Anytime someone disagrees, it’s the banstick.

      OAK just trolls the shit out of this site and low and behold.

      [lprent: Nope. There are particular behaviours we’re looking to prevent from spreading. Most of them are listed in the policy. If you ever look at what people get banned for, they are usually in accordance with those. These days most people respond to a warning on most things.

      Currently I have the following listed.

      Yes 2013/08/21 – copied a large list from kiwiblog and pasted here without quoting, a link or even an explanation. Doubled up because he clearly didn’t read the response to that comment and commented while banned.
      rhinocrates 2013/07/28 – threatening someone.
      millsy 2013/07/27 – threatening people
      bigbruv 2013/07/27 – attempting to start a irrelevant flamewar about unions after being threatened by millsy
      SHG 2013/08/12 – trying the pwned tactic and deciding to get really offensive in response?

      Permanents (from memory)
      KP – being a boring troll who couldn’t argue
      Mark – responding to a amnesty by being thoroughly offensive to authors and myself

      Perhaps you could point out how they fit your thesis. Personally I view it more as people acting like dicks on someone elses site. ]

      • Ben 6.1.1

        This post has broken the formatting on posts below it, for me anyway (FireFox 20).

        All the text below this one is in bold and the indenting is all screwed up. I suspect there’ll be a missing close bold tag on the bottom of your edit comment lprent.

    • Santi 6.2

      Correct. Too many personal attacks, low-flying insults and no attempt to argue the points of discussion. Some supporters of the Left prefer the easy way out and even ask for outright bans.

      • King Kong 6.2.1

        Fuck you

      • Sable 6.2.2

        I’m not sure this is such a bad thing. People are rightly angry and fed up with these scumbags. The last two PM’s we have had have behaved liked dictators and those who came before them were no gems either. Does anyone actually remember a time in recent memory when we had decent , reasonable and ethical government in this country?

        So call the swine names by all means if its eases your pain and rebuke those who think voting for the same cretins will somehow make things better because it wont.

        • Draco T Bastard 6.2.2.1

          Does anyone actually remember a time in recent memory when we had decent , reasonable and ethical government in this country?

          Nope, can’t say that I do.

      • tricledrown 6.2.3

        grinch

    • DavidC 6.3

      Tracey. I agree.
      I blame the Shearer/Cunliff spat, I think a lot of moderates have taken a break as its a bit nasty and some that are left (ha ha 🙂 ) here wear their undies a bit too tight.

  7. Sable 7

    Keys is really looking to slowly move back to the bad old days of the Employment Contracts Act (ECA) where each employment agreement is individual between an employer and employee and no rights are effectively binding.

    What I find hard to understand is how the economy is going to be sustained if the people who buy goods and services are deprived of a meaningful wage? What does this mean for employers over the longer term?

    This reflects the insanity and lack of logic inherent in neo-liberalism which is largely responsible for the current economic crisis. The question that remains to be answered is if these hard hearted measures continue will the crisis ever abate?

  8. srylands 8

    Yes this is about independent companies competing for contracts.

    The ERA has this example in Part 6A

    Example E
    An airport operator enters into an agreement with an independent contractor to provide food catering services at the airport.

    Some time later, the agreement under which the independent contractor provides those services expires or is terminated.

    The airport operator then enters into an agreement with a second independent contractor to provide food catering services at the airport.

    Employees of the first independent contractor to whom section 69F applies may elect to transfer to the second independent contractor.
    _________

    Why should government interfere with the market outcome by forcing a successful company to take on dud workers from the loser company? If teh loser company has good workers they will be retained.

    Thsi is labour market protectionism pure and simple. And it has teh same dire effect as product market protectionsim via tariffs and quotas. Thanks to R. Douglas they are now part of history. Labour market protectionism will just go down the same route. In 20 years our kids will look back and have a laugh just like we look back on NZ manaufacturing motor vehicles and have a laugh.

    We really need to see teh big picture here!

    • One Anonymous Knucklehead 8.1

      Why should the government interfere in the market to protect you from me?

    • framu 8.2

      interesting – i suspect theres reasons for this. and it is but one example after all.

      perhaps its been written that way because of historical cowboy behaviour from employers?

      ” to take on dud workers from the loser company?” – who says their duds?

    • McFlock 8.3

      Because the old company didn’t have dud workers. It had dud managers. What you’re saying is that if a team loses a car race, it is always and without exception the fault of the car(worker), not the driver (manager). Actually, it’s almost always the opposite.

      In 20 years our kids will look back and have a laugh just like we look back on NZ manaufacturing motor vehicles and have a laugh.

      Mostly because people like you turned them into soulless little parasites with a sense of entitlement and no concept of ethics.

    • Draco T Bastard 8.4

      If teh loser company has good workers they will be retained.

      That’s got to be some of the worst libertarian BS yet. The contract and the negotiation of it had nothing to do with the workers. What it will have been about is price and the only way that a company can get a contract over an existing holder of the contract is to go in with a lower price and as they can’t lower anything else they must have to lower wages and the only way they can do that is by employing either new people who have to be trained or the same people on lower wages. 6A prevents them from hiring the same people on lower wages which is why this government is changing the law.

      And it has teh same dire effect as product market protectionsim via tariffs and quotas.

      Yeah, full employment and rising living standards were such dire problems.

    • DavidC 8.5

      sryland, can you give us a link?

  9. srylands 10

    “What it will have been about is price and the only way that a company can get a contract over an existing holder of the contract is to go in with a lower price”

    You obviosuly have no experience in running a business. Low prices are ruinous if the standard is unacceptable. I recently sacked my cleaner because she was doing a crap job. I employed a new cleaner at 20% higher cost who does a briliant job. I am happy. New cleaner is happy.

    Whenever I hear David Shearer talk about “hands on” government I feel sick.

    • One Anonymous Knucklehead 10.1

      Good. Take some time off, we’re sick of your whining about how hard done by you are.

    • RJL 10.2

      You obviosuly have no experience in running a business. Low prices are ruinous if the standard is unacceptable.

      Exactly. I recently won a contract, my company’s bid was 20% higher than our nearest competitor, but we won the bid because the company awarding the tender judged that we will do the best job.

      • DavidC 10.2.1

        Awesome. There should be a lot more like that.

        But obviously the tender wasnt for work at a Uni, Hospital or Council.

        Lowest price wins for those guys no matter what.

        • RJL 10.2.1.1

          But obviously the tender wasnt for work at a Uni, Hospital or Council.

          Lowest price wins for those guys no matter what.

          In the absence of other information, of course lowest price wins. Which is why the person writing a tender bid needs to provide other information in the form of a cogent argument about why her bid is the best one, despite not being the cheapest.

          Governmental and quasi-governmental organisations like you suggest (and large corporations) are in my experience actually the easiest to win tenders under with high performance (rather than low cost) bids. This is because such organisations have readily available information about their policies and decision making processes, so a professional bid writer can ensure that her bid is seen in the best possible light by the decision makers.

          Small and medium sized businesses are the worst, because it is often unclear who the decision makers are, and the decision makers are often owners who (due to personal investment) are sometimes too distracted by price and / or some unexpected detail.

      • McFlock 10.2.2

        One thing I’ve noticed over the years in venue security is that every few years a new player enters the market paying their staff a few dollars/hr more, or a pub revamps and improves staff (training, staff levels, and equipment). After five years or so the staff haven’t had a pay rise, the experienced doorstaff have moved on to real$$, the equipment is tatty and frequently unserviceable, and staffing levels have been reduced because there was never any trouble (because security were doing their job well). Then things finally come to a head, there’s a serious incident on-premises (or a “fuck that was really close to making BBC headlines” call), and the security is reorganised, upstaffed, new radios bought, etc.

        The cleaning equivalent is that the contractor starts out quality-based with a few clients, vacuuming and wiping down surfaces every night, but they end up stacking so many jobs on the list that they’re basically only emptying bins at a sprint because they now have 15 minutes to do the entire floor, rather than 45mins.

    • Draco T Bastard 10.3

      And that would be hiring a cleaner, not an entire contract for services. You’re obviously still contracting out the cleaners services for far more than what you’re paying the cleaner. 20% extra on the contract would have meant that the business that already had the contract would still have it.

      EDIT:
      And somebody broke it. Looking at the flow it seems that it was LPrent when he was adding the admin comments to 6.1

  10. srylands 11

    “You’re obviously still contracting out the cleaners services for far more than what you’re paying the cleaner.”

    No I am not.

  11. srylands 12

    I don’t

    • Draco T Bastard 12.1

      Right, so after complaining that others don’t know how to run a business you admit that you have NFI how to do so at all.

      • DavidC 12.1.1

        what is wrong with running a business for no profit?
        For many years I competed against a family owned business that only stayed afloat to provide jobs for the massssssive family unit. It worked for them and hurt me a lot.

        • Draco T Bastard 12.1.1.1

          what is wrong with running a business for no profit?

          In the capitalist environment and with srylands libertarian beliefs? Everything.

          For many years I competed against a family owned business that only stayed afloat to provide jobs for the massssssive family unit. It worked for them and hurt me a lot.

          I suspect that the problem you had there was that they were free-hold while you were trying to make profits for yourself and the bank (with the bank getting more profit than you).

          • DavidC 12.1.1.1.1

            You are quite wrong.

            The family busi would just work for wages, I (and partner) started doing what we did so that we didnt have to just get wages, we always had great cashflow and a freehold building.
            I would just rather spend a week sucking on SCUBA rather than working for half rates just to keep busy.
            In the end we just expanded our market enough so that they became irrelevent, time and retirement too care of their management. Sorted.

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    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago
  • Education Ministers from across the Pacific gather in Aotearoa
    Education Ministers from across the Pacific will gather in Tāmaki Makaurau this week to share their collective knowledge and strategic vision, for the benefit of ākonga across the region. New Zealand Education Minister Jan Tinetti will host the inaugural Conference of Pacific Education Ministers (CPEM) for three days from today, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago
  • State Highway 5 reopens between Napier and Taupō following Cyclone Gabrielle
    A vital transport link for communities and local businesses has been restored following Cyclone Gabrielle with the reopening of State Highway 5 (SH5) between Napier and Taupō, Associate Minister of Transport Kiri Allan says. SH5 reopened to all traffic between 7am and 7pm from today, with closure points at SH2 (Kaimata ...
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    1 day ago
  • Special Lotto draw raises $11.7 million for Cyclone Gabrielle recovery
    Internal Affairs Minister Barbara Edmonds has thanked generous New Zealanders who took part in the special Lotto draw for communities affected by Cyclone Gabrielle. Held on Saturday night, the draw raised $11.7 million with half of all ticket sales going towards recovery efforts. “In a time of need, New Zealanders ...
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    2 days ago
  • Government delivers a $3 million funding boost for Building Financial Capability services
    The Government has announced funding of $3 million for providers to help people, and whānau access community-based Building Financial Capability services. “Demand for Financial Capability Services is growing as people face cost of living pressures. Those pressures are increasing further in areas affected by flooding and Cyclone Gabrielle,” Minister for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Education New Zealand | Manapou ki te Ao – new Chair and member
    Minister of Education, Hon Jan Tinetti, has announced appointments to the Board of Education New Zealand | Manapou ki te Ao. Tracey Bridges is joining the Board as the new Chair and Dr Therese Arseneau will be a new member. Current members Dr Linda Sissons CNZM and Daniel Wilson have ...
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    4 days ago
  • Scholarships honouring Ngarimu VC and the 28th (Māori) Battalion announced
    Fifteen ākonga Māori from across Aotearoa have been awarded the prestigious Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships and Awards for 2023, Associate Education Minister and Ngarimu Board Chair, Kelvin Davis announced today.  The recipients include doctoral, masters’ and undergraduate students. Three vocational training students and five wharekura students, ...
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    4 days ago
  • Appointment of Judge of the Court of Appeal and Judge of the High Court
    High Court Judge Jillian Maree Mallon has been appointed a Judge of the Court of Appeal, and District Court Judge Andrew John Becroft QSO has been appointed a Judge of the High Court, Attorney‑General David Parker announced today. Justice Mallon graduated from Otago University in 1988 with an LLB (Hons), and with ...
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    4 days ago
  • NZ still well placed to meet global challenges
    The economy has continued to show its resilience despite today’s GDP figures showing a modest decline in the December quarter, leaving the Government well positioned to help New Zealanders face cost of living pressures in a challenging global environment. “The economy had grown strongly in the two quarters before this ...
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    4 days ago
  • Western Ring Route Complete
    Aucklanders now have more ways to get around as Transport Minister Michael Wood opened the direct State Highway 1 (SH1) to State Highway 18 (SH18) underpass today, marking the completion of the 48-kilometre Western Ring Route (WRR). “The Government is upgrading New Zealand’s transport system to make it safer, more ...
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    4 days ago
  • Briefings to Incoming Ministers
    This section contains briefings received by incoming ministers following changes to Cabinet in January. Some information may have been withheld in accordance with the Official Information Act 1982. Where information has been withheld that is indicated within the document. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Teaming up for a stronger, more resilient Fiji
    Aotearoa New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta reaffirmed her commitment to working together with the new Government of Fiji on issues of shared importance, including on the prioritisation of climate change and sustainability, at a meeting today, in Nadi. Fiji and Aotearoa New Zealand’s close relationship is underpinned by the Duavata ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Investment in blue highway a lifeline for regional economies and cyclone recovery
    The Government is delivering a coastal shipping lifeline for businesses, residents and the primary sector in the cyclone-stricken regions of Hawkes Bay and Tairāwhiti, Regional Development Minister Kiri Allan announced today. The Rangitata vessel has been chartered for an emergency coastal shipping route between Gisborne and Napier, with potential for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Next steps developing clean energy for NZ
    The Government will progress to the next stage of the NZ Battery Project, looking at the viability of pumped hydro as well as an alternative, multi-technology approach as part of the Government’s long term-plan to build a resilient, affordable, secure and decarbonised energy system in New Zealand, Energy and Resources ...
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    5 days ago
  • Statement from the Prime Minister on Stuart Nash
    This morning I was made aware of a media interview in which Minister Stuart Nash criticised a decision of the Court and said he had contacted the Police Commissioner to suggest the Police appeal the decision. The phone call took place in 2021 when he was not the Police Minister. ...
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    6 days ago
  • CPTPP Trade Ministers coming to Auckland
    The Government’s sharp focus on trade continues with Aotearoa New Zealand set to host Trade Ministers and delegations from 10 Asia Pacific economies at a meeting of Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) Commission members in July, Minister for Trade and Export Growth Damien O’Connor announced today. “New Zealand ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt approves $25 million extension for cyclone-affected businesses
    $25 million boost to support more businesses with clean-up in cyclone affected regions, taking total business support to more than $50 million Demand for grants has been strong, with estimates showing applications will exceed the initial $25 million business support package Grants of up to a maximum of $40,000 per ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • More than 160,000 new Kiwis to call NZ home
    80 per cent of 2021 Resident Visas applications have been processed – three months ahead of schedule Residence granted to 160,000 people 84,000 of 85,000 applications have been approved Over 160,000 people have become New Zealand residents now that 80 per cent of 2021 Resident Visa (2021RV) applications have been ...
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    6 days ago
  • New Zealand to attend regional security meeting in Australia
    The Lead Coordination Minister for the Government’s Response to the Royal Commission’s Report into the Terrorist Attack on the Christchurch Mosques travels to Melbourne, Australia today to represent New Zealand at the fourth Sub-Regional Meeting on Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Security. “The Government is committed to reducing the threat of terrorism ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Health and safety action plan for ports
    The health and safety practices at our nation’s ports will be improved as part of a new industry-wide action plan, Workplace Relations and Safety, and Transport Minister Michael Wood has announced. “Following the tragic death of two port workers in Auckland and Lyttelton last year, I asked the Port Health ...
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    6 days ago
  • Bikes and scooters to be exempt from FBT
    Bikes, electric bikes and scooters will be added to the types of transport exempted from fringe benefit tax under changes proposed today. Revenue Minister David Parker said the change would allow bicycles, electric bicycles, scooters, electric scooters, and micro-mobility share services to be exempt from fringe benefit tax where they ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Foreign Affairs Minister to reaffirm our close relationship with Fiji
    Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta will hold bilateral meetings with Fiji this week. The visit will be her first to the country since the election of the new coalition Government led by Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sitiveni Rabuka. The visit will be an opportunity to meet kanohi ki ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • New legislation to streamline Cyclone recovery
    The Government is introducing the Severe Weather Emergency Legislation Bill to ensure the recovery and rebuild from Cyclone Gabrielle is streamlined and efficient with unnecessary red tape removed. The legislation is similar to legislation passed following the Christchurch and Kaikōura earthquakes that modifies existing legislation in order to remove constraints ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Cost of living package: More bread and butter support for Kiwi families
    Approximately 1.4 million people will benefit from increases to rates and thresholds for social assistance to help with the cost of living Superannuation to increase by over $100 a pay for a couple Main benefits to increase by the rate of inflation, meaning a family on a benefit with children ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Freeing up more government bandwidth and money to focus on the cost of living
    $1 billion in savings which will be reallocated to support New Zealanders with the cost of living A range of transport programmes deferred so Waka Kotahi can focus on post Cyclone road recovery Speed limit reduction programme significantly narrowed to focus on the most dangerous one per cent of state ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • State of National Emergency to end for Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay
    The remaining state of national emergency over the Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay regions will end on Tuesday 14 March, Minister for Emergency Management Kieran McAnulty announced today. Minister McAnulty gave notice of a national transition period over these regions, which will come into effect immediately following the end of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government delivers on Dawn Raids commitment
    The Government is today delivering on one of its commitments as part of the New Zealand Government’s Dawn Raids apology, welcoming a cohort of emerging Pacific leaders to Aotearoa New Zealand participating in the He Manawa Tītī Scholarship Programme. This cohort will participate in a bespoke leadership training programme that ...
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    1 week ago
  • New plan to increase productivity and high wage jobs across advanced manufacturing sector
    Industry Transformation Plan to transform advanced manufacturing through increased productivity and higher-skilled, higher-wage jobs into a globally-competitive low-emissions sector. Co-created and co-owned by business, unions and workers, government, Māori, Pacific peoples and wider stakeholders. A plan to accelerate the growth and transformation of New Zealand’s advanced manufacturing sector was launched ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Aotearoa New Zealand supports Pacific countries to combat animal disease 
    New Zealand will provide support for Pacific countries to prevent the spread of harmful animal diseases, Associate Minister of Agriculture Meka Whaitiri said. The Associate Minister is attending a meeting of Pacific Ministers during the Pacific Week of Agriculture and Forestry in Nadi, Fiji. “Highly contagious diseases such as African ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • Government delivers better public transport for Christchurch
    The Public Transport Futures project will deliver approximately: 100 more buses providing a greater number of seats to a greater number of locations at a higher frequency Over 470 more bus shelters to support a more enjoyable travel experience Almost 200 real time display units providing accurate information on bus ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • Minister praises education heroes in cyclone damaged regions
    All but six schools and kura have reopened for onsite learning All students in the six closed schools or kura are being educated in other schools, online, or in alternative locations Over 4,300 education hardpacks distributed to support students Almost 38,000 community meals provided by suppliers of the Ka Ora ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • Government investments drive health and business outcomes in the Bay of Plenty
    A new health centre has opened with financial support from the Government and further investment has been committed to projects that will accelerate Māori economic opportunities, Regional Development Minister Kiri Allan says. Community health provider QE Health will continue its long history in Rotorua with the official opening of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • UK NZ Working Holiday Scheme upgraded
    The new three year NZ UK Working Holiday Visas (WHV) will now be delivered earlier than expected, coming into force by July this year in time to support businesses through the global labour shortages Prime Minister Chris Hipkins says. The improved WHV, successfully negotiated alongside the NZ UK Free trade ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • 2023 Offshore Renewable Energy Forum, New Plymouth
    It seems like only yesterday that we launched the discussion document Enabling Investment in Offshore Renewable Energy, which is the key theme for this Forum. Everyone in this room understands the enormous potential of offshore wind in Aotearoa New Zealand – and particularly this region.  Establishing a regime to pave ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • Milestone reached in crack down on gangs
    Police has reached a major milestone filing over 28,000 charges related to Operation Cobalt. “I’m extremely proud of the fantastic work that our Police has been doing to crack down on gangs, and keep our communities safe. The numbers speak for themselves – with over 28,000 charges, Police are getting ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • New funding for Cyclone waste removal
    The Government will provide $15 million in the short term to local councils to remove rubbish, as a longer-term approach is developed, the Minister for Emergency Management Kieran McAnulty announced today. “Several regions are facing significant costs associated with residential waste removal, which has the potential to become a public ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • Government working faster and smarter to support response and recovery
    $15 million of immediate reimbursement for marae, iwi, recognised rural and community groups $2 million for community food providers $0.5 million for additional translation services Increasing the caps of the Community and Provider funds The Government has announced $17.5 million to further support communities and community providers impacted by Cyclone ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • More Māori getting access to mental health and addiction services
    The Government’s approach of using frontline service providers to address inequities for Māori with mental health and addiction needs is making good progress in many communities, a new report says. An independent evaluation into the Māori Access and Choice programme, commissioned by Te Whatu Ora has highlighted the programme’s success ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

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