Labour’s cautious cabinet reshuffle

Written By: - Date published: 4:27 pm, June 27th, 2019 - 120 comments
Categories: jacinda ardern, labour, megan woods, phil twyford - Tags: ,

The results of Labour’s long awaited cabinet reshuffle has now been made public.  And the results have some political pundits eating their words.

The Herald has the details:

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced that Kris Faafoi has been promoted into Cabinet and will join a “new team of housing Ministers.”

Faafoi – Minister of Civil Defence and a number of other portfolios – was tipped to receive a promotion.

He was what’s called a Minister outside Cabinet – he has Ministerial portfolios but was not a permanent member of the Ministerial Cabinet. 

Ardern today said his promotion will see him join a “new team of housing Ministers.”

Megan Woods will lead this new team of housing Ministers and is now responsible for the KiwiBuild reset.

Faafoi is in charge of public housing and homelessness.

Phil Twyford, who was Housing Minister, will be in charge of urban development.

He will no longer be responsible for housing.

Woods picks up Housing from Twyford, but loses Government Digital Services, Research, Science and Innovation.

She is also no longer the Minister Responsible for the Earthquake Commission.

David Parker’s Economic Development portfolio was given to Twyford.

It will be presented as a demotion for Twyford but his existing obligations were very onerous.  He will still have Transport and Urban Development and picks up Economic Development so will still be busy.  It is more of a sideways shuffle than a demotion.

Big winners are Kris Faafoi who has been promoted into Cabinet and Poto Williams who in a well deserved promotion will now be a Minister outside of Cabinet and responsible for the very important Community and Voluntary Sector as well as Associate Minister for Social Development, Immigration and Greater Christchurch Regeneration.

120 comments on “Labour’s cautious cabinet reshuffle ”

  1. ianmac 1

    It seemed that Twyford spent a lot of time responding to taunts from the Opposition and the Media. Somehow they should have been able to counter the bad news with the enormous positives. Anyway now having a coordinated team to develop Kiwibuild (is it still called that?) will get better positive results. No doubt Bridges will claim it as scalp but he should keep an eye on his own.

    • Kat 1.1

      National's opposition housing spokeswoman Judith Collins said Twyford had "diligently done his best" and it was "a big mistake to split up these portfolios."

      So all those "taunts" were just nonsense and meaningless but here are some more. The problem for national is there is more than one target now. Judith Collins will be busy.

      • Heather Grimwoood 1.1.1

        to Kat at 1.1 : " more than one target now"…….and so surely means that the lessening of huge load Twyford's been carrying in the running of two big portfolios ( not helped I'm sure by eternal barrages at QT ) is only a reasonable move. To my mind, sharing of workload and co-operation of three capable people in one of these portfolios can only bode well for all. I wish them every success.

        • Kat 1.1.1.1

          Heather, yes the PM is all for co-operation and sharing of workloads, sign of a good administrator and confident leader. National had a game plan to knock individual govt ministers over one by one, they may have got one with Clare Curran but no more will be forthcoming. National will have to change tactics now but for a leaderless party bereft of ideas and any real talent they are unable to stop this version of the 'Natanic" from going to the bottom.

          Oh look over there…..another blue deckchair……

      • Dukeofurl 1.1.2

        Did Collins really say it 'was a big mistake to split up [housing ]portfolios'

        Thats exactly what national did around 2015

        " Mr Key said housing would continue to be "a key area of focus for his Government" with a ministerial team of Bill English, Paula Bennett and Nick Smith assembled to lead that work
        "Mr English will have direct responsibility for Housing New Zealand; Ms Bennett will focus on social housing, while Dr Smith will work on housing affordability and construction issues."

        https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11337743

        • Gosman 1.1.2.1

          Did it work splitting them up in 2015?

        • Infused 1.1.2.2

          Which labour and Phil attacked at the time

          • Dukeofurl 1.1.2.2.1

            national wasnt building anything at all.

            English was selling off State Houses

            Bennett was lieing about the homeless in their cars

            Nick Smith was pointing out pieces of vacant land , and repeating 'new houses'

        • Chris T 1.1.2.3

          I think it was a joke as Labour slagged them off for doing it.

          Subtle reminder more than reality

        • Muttonbird 1.1.2.4

          And the results from Key's housing restructure was the worst housing crisis this country has seen. That's because as always Key instructed his ministers to do nothing.

          I hope this time will be different.

      • The Chairman 1.1.3

        The problem for national is there is more than one target now.

        But is that really a problem for National, Kat?

        Ponder this:

        The target is the poor number of houses being built, so instead of pointing the blame at one Minister National can now try to pin it on the whole new team.

        • Drowsy M. Kram 1.1.3.1

          Two questions for The "more left than most" Chairman:

          1. Was it wise to allocate more ministerial heft to tackling the 10+ year-old housing crisis? Consider the 'achievements' of singleton Ministers of Housing over the last 10 years – does NZ really need more of that?

          2. Does the National party have any significant problems?

          The second question should be fairly easy for one who is "more left than most", i.e. easy to list half a dozen serious problems currently facing the National party – care to give it a go?

          You could start here: https://thestandard.org.nz/nationals-reshuffle/

          Relentlessly soggy, transparent, and (frankly) dishonest. And, honestly, its the dishonesty, the “more left than most” misrepresentation, that really rankles – everything else would be fine if you could just be honest (or at least not dishonest) about your motives.

          #TheChairman"MoreLeftThanMost"

          • The Chairman 1.1.3.1.1

            Was it wise to allocate more ministerial heft to tackling the 10+ year-old housing crisis?

            It would be wise for Labour to get on with the task and start to deliver more. Whether they require a team at the top to do that is their call.

            The question voters will be asking is whether or not a team of Ministers taking part will make much difference improving the problems the scheme is having on the ground?

            And by the way, it is more left than most that post on here. Not more left than most full stop.wink

            • Drowsy M. Kram 1.1.3.1.1.1

              The Chairman
              "Don't be paranoid, I'm more left than most of you. But here we are again, talking about me. Funny that." https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-29-05-2019/#comment-1622332

              "Funny that" indeed. Who would be more left, Chair? Someone who is more left than most who post on The Standard, or someone who is more left than most full stop?

              Tbh I don't understand why you're still talking up your "lefty" (!) credentials – we've moved on. cheeky

    • Gosman 1.2

      What positives were there from Kiwibuild?

      • Dukeofurl 1.2.1

        National has thrown everything at Kiwibuild , including the kitchen sink, and yet hasnt made any difference to their polls apart from 1% extra for Collins.

        Its good politics for the opposition to waste their energy on something which most of the public doesnt see as directly affecting them.

        • Gosman 1.2.1.1

          LOL! I must remember that next time National is in power with a very popular leader and you criticise some of their policies.

          • Charlie 1.2.1.1.1

            LOL! Gee you will have to have a very good memory waiting for next time!

            • Dukeofurl 1.2.1.1.1.1

              Its his way of forgetting Nationals disaster policies.

              Super City anyone !

        • Siobhan 1.2.1.2

          so..KiwiBuild…this transformative Governments Flagship policy was all about distracting the opposition?

          Not actually about giving people the dignity of either owning their own home..or being the lucky recipients of the supposed trickle down housing affordability/availability that this policy was supposed to create.

          The right for every human in this country to live in an affordable place they can call home for more than one year at a time…"something which most of the public doesn't see as directly affecting them."..spoken like a true modern day NZ Labour voter who is desperately hoping that the homeless can be 'looked after' while making sure nothing actually changes in the housing market.

    • alwyn 1.3

      "Somehow they should have been able to counter the bad news with the enormous positives".

      Thinks very hard. I am unable to think of a single positive from Twyford's performance in housing. What have they got to after about 20 months in Office? About 150 houses of which only half have been sold. It's something like that anyway. They have managed to buy houses off developers who built them and couldn't find anyone except Twyford who wanted to buy them.

      Still, he's now got the whole economy to wreck. Minister of Economic Development for crying out loud. What do you have to do to be fired in this lot of losers? Helen would have demoted him to position 47 in the Caucus. Yes I know there are only 46 MPs but the invisible man is doing a better job than Twyford.

      • Gosman 1.3.1

        To be fair he has probably done some other stuff that may well have been positive but it is all drowned out by his hanging his hat on the success or failut of Kiwibuild and it being a right royal cock up.

        • Observer Tokoroa 1.3.1.1

          Hi there Gosman

          Why did your brilliance and that of Paula and Simon so hopelessly loose the Election ?

          You have let everybody down. And yet you act as if you are God's gift to mankind.

        • lprent 1.3.1.2

          Well as far as I can tell he is far more successful that any National housing minister.

          Of course that is an extremely negative bar. Nick Smith's success in housing comes to mind.

          Phil is actually building some housing….

          • Gosman 1.3.1.2.1

            As you rightly point out that isn't a very high standard to measure oneself against.

            By the way how MANY houses did Phil Twyford “build”?

          • Enough is Enough 1.3.1.2.2

            Why is it a comparison with National though? This partisan, we are better than you, bullshit, is so tiresome.

            We voted those clowns out. Now lets put some pressure of this current lot to actually deliver.

            The current government made a stupid promise to save a useless leader in David Shearer. Rather than using their time in opposition to plan and refine the policy objective, they doubled down, and repeated the idiotic promise of 100,000 affordable homes.

            Now 2 years down the track they have failed, but the criticism, From those who used to scream "housing crisis" is almost muted. Why was anyone who claimed their was a housing crisis three years ago, not hammering this government in the same way.

            Hey they may have labelled 100 odd houses (that would have been built anyway) as "kiwibuild homes'. However in terms of solving the housing crisis, it has been a total (and predictable) failure.

      • McFlock 1.3.2

        Housing? Stopped the sale of state houses. Hundreds more state houses added to stock, where the nats just sold them. More than just kiwibuild's slow start.

        • Formerly Ross 1.3.2.1

          Not forgetting that house sales to foreigners have taken a big hit. Tories seem to have poor memories.

          https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/388317/foreign-house-sales-drop-80-percent

          • Ankerrawshark 1.3.2.1.1

            Ok. One of the first things twyford did was ask the PMs science advisor to report about method testing. As a result of this that bogus industry was stopped.

            I think he did well, but media went for him. Hacienda handled the reshuffle very well. Very savvt

            • ankerawshark 1.3.2.1.1.1

              Profuse embarrassment about the typos in the above post. I often have trouble posting from i pad, so used phone and obviously its time to go to spec saves.

              Corrections = methods should be meths,

              Hacienda should be Jacinda

              savvt should be savvy

              • alwyn

                I'll admit that your correction makes a great deal more sense.

                I thought the original was much funnier though. And at least as thought provoking. I did, finally, work out what you meant but it took some imagination.

      • Peter 1.3.3

        Credit Twyford with the lunatics, who for years said there wasn't a housing crisis, now thinking there's a crisis to sort out.

      • ianmac 1.3.4

        "Somehow they should have been able to counter the bad news with the enormous positives".

        When the big build was started by Labour in the 1930s it was two years before the first house was built. There have been about 2,000 State house and social houses built under Twyford's care.

        Their mistake was setting a target like 1000 houses in a short time. Poor old Judith can not see beyond such simple arithmetic.

      • Psycho Milt 1.3.5

        What have they got to after about 20 months in Office? About 150 houses of which only half have been sold.

        You should stop listening to Nat propaganda that pretends Kiwibuild is the entirety of the government's housing policy. This from Newsroom in January:

        HNZ built 1036 new homes in the 2017/18 financial year, up from 466 the year before. As of December 2018 it had 2099 homes under construction, 1704 in procurement, and 2000 in the early stages of planning.

        That compares to the previous government's approach of selling state houses and building fewer new ones, and is all by itself an excellent reason to vote Labour or Green rather than National at the next election. It's also an indication that Twyford isn't getting the credit he deserves.

      • SHG 1.3.6

        I blame large numbers of people with Chinese-sounding names

  2. observer 2

    IanMac has nailed it. Twyford isn't bad at government. He's bad at media. That's a very different thing.

    He takes questions in good faith, and accepts the premise of the question, even the "gotcha" ones, which don't deserve good faith at all. This makes him look defensive. And the Beehive media scent blood.

    A sharper political operator would have a response like shrugging it off, or making a joke, or counter-attacking viciously. Key did all of those things at various times. So he was good at the political game, but it isn't a game. You can't house your family under a roof made of spin.

    I'd prefer Twyford any day of the week. Key's the one who gave us the f***ing housing crisis in the first place.

    • Infused 2.1

      Dude. No thought was put into kiwibuild at all. It was called out at the start. Phil attacked national doing the same thing and has failed him self.

      • observer 2.1.1

        All you need to do is imagine the alternative: National's 4th term.

        Everything from the offshore buyer ban to the brightline extension to state housing to tenants' protection and so on … none if it would have happened.

        The homeless wouldn't just be in cars, they'd be rioting in the streets. Along with half of Auckland. We dodged a horrible bullet.

        • higherstandard 2.1.1.1

          laughI doubt many outside political tragic would notice much difference between a Nat 4th term and the current mob.

          • observer 2.1.1.1.1

            Counter-factuals are never tested, so you can believe whatever you want about non-reality.

            That's why I gave you reality instead: National's policies in government, and their opposition now to the current policies.

            This evidence is verifiable, and the conclusion is clear.

        • SHG 2.1.1.2

          imagine the alternative: National's 4th term.

          Don’t have to imagine it, I can just pick up a paper.

      • Dukeofurl 2.1.2

        National had no house building strategy.

        Once they came in 2008 , they stopped new state houses completely.

        And even at 2017 election National was promising 'more houses' – but those were to be built by private firms.

  3. Michael 3

    Getting rid of Twyford was a sensible move. It will be interesting to see whether Megan Woods can do any better though.

    • Kat 3.1

      It is not a question of "doing better" more about sharing the workload and keeping on producing the goods for NZ. Something in housing that hasn't been achieved since the 1970's.

      Megan Woods will shut the Judith Collins taunts down very quickly.

      • In Vino 3.1.1

        It sounds to me like Michael is actively hoping for failure..?

        • Kevin 3.1.1.1

          I struggle to understand the mentality of those who take some sort of perverse delight in NZers not having a suitable home to live in. I am assuming it is some form of mental illness.

        • Michael 3.1.1.2

          I'd love to see more social houses built to meet our housing crisis. I just don't believe this government is able to do it. I also question whether it is willing to alleviate problem, in anything more than a cosmetic sense, when it resolutely refuses to raise the necessary funds.

      • Heather Grimwoood 3.1.2

        to Kat at 3.1 : Wholeheartedly agree on all points. The fact that so much vitriol has appeared above ( Gosman,Alwyn etc) makes one suspect purveyors of it secretly agree with the sharing of a huge workload as being a good move, thus compelling their necessary denigration.

    • They "got rid of Twyford?" Fuck, what's he going to do now?

  4. Observer Tokoroa 4

    Dear Gosman

    Why are you not answering Questions?

    You have let the whole sad national mob down, and you don't care tuppence. You have spent your daily life trying to shake the new Coalition – while you get dragged down into oblivion.

    You are not much value – are you !
    did you knock off the Embargoed Papers? The ones Paula and Simon collared ?

    • Charlie 4.1

      Hey OT Gosman is really John Key and he is going to shut your bank account down. So man no more pension. Don't worry only joking! National are fucked and Gosman knows it. Like a crushed cockroach the ants will finish them off.

  5. higherstandard 5

    A richly deserved promotion for Chris Faafoi easily the best performer of the Labour caucus, quietly getting things done without much fanfare.

  6. CHCoff 6

    While the hostile media environment is a barrier to gender equality in some ways i would guess BUT as that is not really a factor in larger/medium-large corporate decision making trees, with better value signal chains & forms of wealth appreciation in making sustainability to prosperity more culturally widespread; there is surely space to differentiate between public and political relations in advancing gender equality leadership for the corporate world with the Govt. ministries at some point.

  7. Chris T 7

    Chuffed for Faafoi.

    Probably their best performing Minister alongside Little (not having the pressure of leader anymore)

    Twyford was untenable, so good move.

    The rest is duct tape, and ignoring a fair amount of miss steps

    • New v 7.1

      Congratulations. One of the few commenters here that can make a sensible statement about the article. Most here have ignored the possible discussion that could be had about the coalition reshuffle and have reverted back to criticising the opposition. Either the reshuffle was totally boring or it’s easier to mindlessly keep poking at the opposition. Just an observation. My casual opinion of the housing situation is that by splitting the housing portfolio will mean no one minister will have to take the fall if the problems persist but there is certainly plenty of resources being used now. Will the left hand know what the right hand is doing. The whole of NZ will be expecting some good progress.

      • Louis 7.1.1

        "no one minister will have to take the fall" that's a line Seymour is spinning. Each minister is accountable for the porfolio they hold, are they not?

        • alwyn 7.1.1.1

          I suspect, when it comes to question time in the House and there is a question about Housing the response will be, to every question.

          "Reply by Minister A.

          That is not the my responsibility. The question should have been addressed to the Minister for B"

          And on the next day.

          "Reply by Minister B.

          That is not the my responsibility. The question should have been addressed to the Minister for C"

          And on and on and on and on.

          • ankerawshark 7.1.1.1.1

            Alywin, couldn't give a flying ………….as long as they build more houses and try to solve the housing crisis, even if there are mis steps along the way, I am happy. That is why I voted them in.

            Really aren't you and your colleagues super embarrassed about criticizing Labour over housing, when National allowed the crisis (quoting John Key here in 2008) grow like a rampant weed……..

          • Louis 7.1.1.1.2

            The ministers roles are clearly defined Alwyn. Its up to the questioner to direct the question to the appropriate minister. Quite simple really

            • alwyn 7.1.1.1.2.1

              Your opinion of Minister's always answering relevant questions when they don't want to, impresses me greatly. Have you ever listened to them when they really try to avoid doing so? Anything goes and saying it isn't your responsibility is just one of their ploys. Even the PM tries it on occasionally and her role is to be responsible for everything that the Government does.

              Trevor allows her to get away with it as well. Can't have the young lady getting flustered of course.

              (And yes, so did John Key so don't bother with the "But National did it too" excuse.)

              • Louis

                I wasnt going to and it looks like you didnt understand what I actually said. The speaker is particularly tough where the government is concerned, he's lifted the bar considerably in question time compared to what it was under Carter.National have enjoyed being allotted extra questions as a consequence.

                • alwyn

                  I really think you should take note of the Specsavers' ads. You really aren't seeing very clearly if you think Trevor is "particularly tough" on the Government.

                  Carter wasn't very good either, and certainly not a patch on Lockwood Smith. Parker was rather like Jonathon Hunt. Trevor is like that harridan Margaret Wilson. Bloody awful.

    • Muttonbird 7.2

      There it is again. They've all got a thing for Faafoi. It's not just a thing on this site; across all sites the RW clap like seals for Kris.

      Does he hold some right wing beliefs? Is he one of those they think 'should be a Nat'?

      It is quite peculiar.

      • Chris T 7.2.1

        No

        He is just a good Minister who has performed well in comparison to a lot of others who speaks his mind and actually has a personality.

        And he is also not afraid to admit when things go wrong, which is more than you can say for the majority of politicians in all the parties

      • New view 7.2.2

        I don’t give a shit about Faafoi. Just the comment related to the article. And Louis, hard to prove a fail on housing development or what ever they’re calling Twyfords new job description.

      • Anne 7.2.3

        By making Faafoi out to be such a fantastic minister (bearing in mind he's only just become a minister inside Cabinet which is where all the action occurs), they are effectively saying all the rest of them are crap including of course the PM, Jacinda Ardern.

        Derivations of this theme will continue through to the next election by which time they hope many voters will have turned away from these "crappy" ministers mumbling to themselves… there's only one who is any good and that is Kris Faafoi.

        Kris will be a fine pair of steady hands along with all the other steady hands, but many voters are just too darned stupid to comprehend they are being manipulated.

        • peterh 7.2.3.1

          Or mybe its you that is stupid

          • Anne 7.2.3.1.1

            No.

            • New view 7.2.3.1.1.1

              So there’s tens of thousands of voters that are possibly stupid and we should hold your opinion above theirs

              • Anne

                So there’s tens of thousands of voters that are possibly stupid…

                Well it stands to reason doesn't it. At any given time, up to half the population are below the average IQ level. It looks like you are one of them.

  8. michelle 8

    ju death said on RNZ they ( national & the govt) should be on the same page but ju-death denied for 9 yrs there was a housing crisis now she wants to be on the same page her and her fucken government oversaw the selling of how many of our state homes and land to private developer and they sold SHA land to the wealthy Chinese.

    • Muttonbird 8.1

      Yep. It is hugely insulting for Collins to seek a seat at the government table when her government created the mess. And why indeed should low income and vulnerable Kiwis trust her on this when all policy before actively ignored them while enriching others?

      As eve, the issue is high immigration coupled with poor infrastructure planning and funding which delays housebuilding.

      Perhaps those who benefitted most, and frankly disproportionately, could fund the infrastructure required to accomodate all the people who are contributing to their windfall!

      • Herodotus 8.1.1

        the housing issue raised in head when Helen was PM, John campaigned using this crisis. Perhaps many here need a course in history. National did little to resolve this , just like labour’s welfare for those poor who can afford $650k for a 3 bedroom house.

        We now have a PM who after being in opposition for 9 years and PM for 18 months comes out that it is harder than she thought . What were you doing in the time of preparation To be in govt ?

        • Muttonbird 8.1.1.1

          JA while in opposition was not involved with housing. You know this.

          Interesting you cite Key's campaign. His was an unconscionable lie because after campaigning on it, he deliberately produced policy which made it far, far worse.

          And you won't get an argument from me about the government leaving behind households earning between $60k and $120K. That is quite disgraceful and I've said it many times on this very forum.

          • Herodotus 8.1.1.1.1

            The housing policy was in place well before the change in leadership. Was the Labour policy so dependant upon a leader to implement ? IMO no matter who is the PM a strategy should have been in place to be implemented. That was what my 9 years in opposition was aimed at – Labour MP's in general.

            We have a dichotomy of MPs based on political party lines

            Nation – Business experience but limit social appreciation

            Labour – Unv students with no business experience and protected from the real world. There are a few that have real world experience (Māori and PI) BUT they are a minority and appear to have little cabinet power.

            And selling HNZ land for Kiwibuild and to other developers is a shame. In doing so we are diminishing the land area that could be used for those in need that the govt can support, Sell land less land and dwellings for HNZ to build.

            I have said this many times and have not had my opinion changed- Get housing fixed and many other social, health, ed, crime etc issue will as a by produced fade away

            • Muttonbird 8.1.1.1.1.1

              Get housing fixed and many other social, health, ed, crime etc issue will as a by produced fade away

              Absolutely. Importantly, stable communities. Higher home ownership rates help but where that is difficult, higher tenure security for renters and healthy homes.

              A sense of belonging and stability help communities thrive and so children thrive, make long term friendships and get the most out of school.

              Where home ownership is low then don't make communities transient by encouraging amateur landlords to flip houses for capital gain and complain about insulation costs. Encourage larger professional investment groups to take these houses who will bring them up to scratch and maintain them as permanent assets.

          • James 8.1.1.1.2

            when in opposition she was not involved in anything of note.

    • New view 8.2

      She said there was a housing crisis for some people. Can’t argue with that. It’s not just the shortage of housing (most notably in Auckland ) but the cost of housing. This Government is struggling with that just like previous Governments. You are also assuming that if National had won the election they wouldn’t have upped the number of houses being built under their stewardship. I’m picking that with the on going CRSIS they would have. Agreed they were desperately slow to get the magnitude of the problem.

      • Muttonbird 8.2.1

        It's quite simple. Collins need to spell out what National would do to fix housing stress for so many Kiwis.

        If the lower-middle who are currently being screwed sideways on this see no progress on housing then they will vote for someone with more clear ideas.

        So far National have produced nothing but volumes of criticism (and now cynically attempting to cuddle up). Other than entitled, wealthy RWNJs, most people don't want that.

      • Drowsy M. Kram 8.2.2

        Fair comment – the National-led government were indeed "desperately slow" to even acknowledge the problem, which is mystifying given that 'honest' (and now Sir) John Key was campaigning on the housing crisis well over a decade ago. In this 2007 address, Key used "crisis" 14 times.

        http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0708/S00336.htm

        Yet, in 2016, Key said there was no housing crisis in Auckland, ruling out a "misplaced building programme".

        https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/80320513/john-key-defends-govt-housing-action-rules-out-misplaced-housebuilding-programme

        Thankfully, NZ will never know what a further three years of National-led 'government' might have 'achieved' on the housing front.

    • ankerawshark 8.3

      Ju death, wanting to be one of the cool kids who get things done

  9. tsmithfield 9

    In my opinion Twyford was thrown a hospital pass from the outset.

    There was never a snowball's chance in hell of 100000 houses being built within a ten year time frame.

    I don't think Labour actually expected to be elected, hence thought they could throw around all sorts of promises they would never have to impliment. But now they have been hoisted by their own petard over this.

    Watch out for the reset now. I anticipate there will be a new target announced considerably less than the original 100000 promise.

    • Anne 9.2

      Yep tsmithfield, it is obvious that is what happened.

      With the benefit of hindsight, it would have been better if they had owned up to their pre-election hyperbole (let's face it all political parties do it before every election) and reduced their expectations to a more realistic level. It would have caused initial embarrassment but the punters would have forgiven them in time.

      I personally know Phil Twyford and he is the eternal optimist. He takes the "glass half full" meme to another level altogether. 🙂

      Edit: Having said the above, I have huge admiration for Phil. He is highly talented and hopefully will be able to prove as much now he has a more reasonable workload.

      • alwyn 9.2.1

        I wonder what the cost for each KiwiBuild house, or flat, or studio apartment would turn out to be if they were to simply scrap the useless scheme right now?

        Would it come in at less than $10 million apiece? Given how few they have managed to arrange, and even ignoring the fact that they can't even sell half of them, then when you allow for the enormous organisation they set up in the Department and the tens of thousands of contracts and purchase guarantees they claim to have issued I suspect it would be at least that number.

        I wonder if there is an Accountant with thre time and interest to actually work it out?

        • KJT 9.2.1.1

          So. Around about the cost of motel accommodation, needed to replace the State houses National sold.

          This Government is already thousands of net houses up on National's score, after 9 years.

          Give them time. It took two years to even make a start on the postwar State houses.

  10. mosa 10

    No time to be cautious as the neo liberal disaster and its victims need urgent help.

    You wimped out on a fairer tax system so show you are serious.

    C'mon Adern you wanted to be like Norm Kirk and he would have said be BOLD and let's do this now !

  11. Jimmy 11

    Ian Lees-Galloway should have been demoted after the embarrassing Sourbek debacle.

    Chris Fafoi deserves the promotion, as although the bar is set pretty low, he is one of the best performing ministers.

  12. Philj 12

    Kiwibuild will go the same way as Kiwi share, remember that? How long does fairy dust last?

    • mosa 12.1

      How long does fairy dust last?

      As long as she does her job of being popular and maintaining the economic staus quo.

      • New view 12.1.1

        Now that’s the truth as I see it also. Not as easy to achieve as is quick to say. She better hope that Grant the money man does what is required to maintain the economy because she wouldn’t have a clue. Wanting a socially just society and being able to afford it are two different things.

    • observer 12.2

      It lasts as long as her opponents keep telling themselves it's fairy dust.

      They are oblivious to the irony. 'Know your enemy' is Politics 101. If you can't see a very capable politician, you can't hope to defeat her. Or him. See also: John Key.

      "Like" =/= "Understand".

      • mosa 12.2.1

        Observer the " enemy is NEO LIBERALISIM that is enforced by Labour – Adern and Bridges – National with help from all the current parties in the New Zealand parliament , media and public service departments.

        There will be no change to the symptoms that all we suffer in this country and all the outrages that The Standard keeps highlighting if you are middle class , working poor or a welfare beneficiary until there is a counter movement against the current economic framework.

        We need a genuine socialist approach that U.K Labour and Bernie Sanders are advocating to remedy decades of capitalist influence that have marginalized so many people and their families.

  13. Dennis Frank 13

    I felt it was a good reshuffle. Megan Woods always seems on the ball & gets to the point fast. Worth a try. The splitting of policy responsibilities is sensible delegation, sharing the load.

    Twyford's optimism may have set him up for the fall – unless the unrealistic numbers promised at the start were provided by public service economists. His career shows no prior learning from industry experience of delivering on target goals (production systems). From his beehive bio:

    "After studying politics at Auckland University, Phil worked as a journalist and union organiser before becoming the founding Executive Director of Oxfam New Zealand. Phil’s strong belief in justice led to him becoming Oxfam’s Global Advocacy Director, based in Washington DC. Upon returning to New Zealand, Phil was elected to Parliament for the Labour Party in 2008. In Opposition, he held the portfolios of Housing, Transport, Auckland Issues, and Disarmament and Arms Control."

    Operating as a cheerleader is entirely predictable given his track record. Does Labour even have a senior minister with industry management experience? Does the coalition?? If not, someone with experience in managing organisations that produce material outputs would be the only sensible next choice. Wikipedia: "Woods was a business manager for Crop & Food Research (2005–08) and its successor organisation Plant and Food Research (2008), based at Lincoln." Better than nothing.

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  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 13
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Angus Deaton on rethinking his economics IMFLocal scoop: The people behind Tamarind, the firm that left a $500m cleanup bill for taxpayers at Taranaki’s Tui oil well, are back operating in Taranaki under a different company name. Jonathan ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • AT Need To Lift Their Game
    Normally when we talk about accessing public transport it’s about improving how easy it is to get to, such as how easy is it to cross roads in a station/stop’s walking catchment, is it possible to cycle to safely, do bus connections work, or even if are there new routes/connections ...
    6 days ago
  • Christopher's Whopper.
    Politicians are not renowned for telling the truth. Some tell us things that are verifiably not true. They offer statements that omit critical pieces of information. Gloss over risks, preferring to offer the best case scenario.Some not truths are quite small, others amusing in their transparency. There are those repeated ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days 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
    4 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
    5 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
    6 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
    20 hours 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
    24 hours 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    5 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
    5 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
    5 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
    5 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
    6 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
    6 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
    6 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
    7 days 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
  • Pacific Language Weeks celebrate regional unity
    This year’s Pacific Language Weeks celebrate regional unity and the contribution of Pacific communities to New Zealand culture, says Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti.  Dr Reti announced dates for the 2024 Pacific Language Weeks during a visit to the Pasifika festival in Auckland today and says there’s so ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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