Later Nick

Written By: - Date published: 7:58 am, June 1st, 2021 - 48 comments
Categories: Dirty Politics, jacinda ardern, Judith Collins, national, nick smith, religion, same old national - Tags:

So Nick Smith is leaving Parliament.  This is not a planned exit and the circumstances are from his view unfortunate.  But leaving he is.

The cause?

A leaked report on an employment dispute where it is alleged that Smith verbally abused a young staff member.

Claire Trevett has some of the details:

In a statement, Smith said he would leave Parliament on June 10, and revealed Parliamentary Service was investigating “a verbal altercation in my Wellington office last July that has not concluded”.

“I was advised on Friday that the inquiry and its details have been leaked to the media for release tomorrow. It is inappropriate for employment disputes to be litigated in public.

“I will put on the record that I regret the incident, I apologised at the time and I apologise again today.

“I have decided the best course of action for the parties involved, the National Party, my family and myself is to retire now.”

It is understood the altercation was with a young staff member who had worked there for less than a year prior to the incident.

It followed Parliament’s review into bullying and harassment in the workplace – the Francis Review – which was completed in 2019 and led to Parliament adopting a code of conduct for MPs and Parliamentary managers and staffers.

Smith said he had decided to retire after losing the Nelson electorate in 2020, but that inquiry had prompted him to leave now.

He also said that he wanted to spend more time with his family.  If that was the case then he should have gone earlier.

The main story containing the details has not broken yet.  One wonders if Tova O’Brien will be the author.  And if so was the leak a hit job on Smith from within his party?

A motive is not hard to find.

Smith’s replacement will be Harete Hipango.  This is a win for Judith as Hipango is said to be a loyal supporter.

She will give National’s caucus a more diverse feel although it appears the status quo in terms of race baiting will continue.  From Henry Cooke at Stuff:

She would not be drawn on National’s current campaign against alleged Māori separatism, saying she hadn’t read the He Puapua report and was not sure that a Māori health authority was the best way to get better outcomes.

She is another very conservative Christian who told lies during the abortion debate and posted on Facebook a made up statement attributed to Jacinda Ardern.  She refused to take it down even when it was pointed out to her that the claim was false.

Clearly she will fit right into National’s caucus.

Stand by today as the details emerge.  And wonder in amazement how National managed to keep quiet a potential story about bullying during an election campaign but managed somehow to lose control of the details at a time that suited it best.

48 comments on “Later Nick ”

  • Comments are now closed

  2. Muttonbird 2
    1 June 2021 at 8:53 am

    Heather Duplicity-Allan and her soulmate Brian Soper were claiming suggesting this was a deliberate leak by Mallard.

    Hard to believe, but I’m sure they have evidence. Meh.

    • Stuart Munro 2.1
      1 June 2021 at 9:06 am

      I imagine their real grievance is that it wasn't leaked to them.

      • ghostwhowalksnz 2.1.1
        1 June 2021 at 11:37 am

        Mr and Mrs Soper have long had a jihad against Mallard.

        Seems strange that Soper who has his close contacts inside Parliaments bureaucracy didnt release this ages ago, unless Smith who like him has been around forever, is one of Sopers long time sources.

        • greywarshark 2.1.1.1
          1 June 2021 at 12:28 pm

          Mallard can duck that one. Mr and Mrs Soper must put vinegar on their porridge instead of maple syrup or perhaps, brown sugar. You would think that people of their fine sensibilities would have better taste.

          • ghostwhowalksnz 2.1.1.1.1
            1 June 2021 at 12:48 pm

            They are both transaction journalists- you do something for me, I do something for you.

            • greywarshark 2.1.1.1.1.1
              1 June 2021 at 1:25 pm

              Maybe if I give therm some sugar they will give me all their vinegar – I need some to clean the drains.

    • mickysavage 2.2
      1 June 2021 at 9:50 am

      Aye leak the information now so that it helps Judith and not leak it during an election campaign when it would have hurt National. Makes perfect sense …

    • gypsy 2.3
      1 June 2021 at 12:38 pm

      I'm glad to see the back of Smith, but to be fair I wouldn't put anything past Mallard. He is a most unpleasant individual in a most unpleasant business. So the perfect fit, perhaps.

      • Sacha 2.3.1
        1 June 2021 at 2:27 pm

        As others have noted, if it was Mallard why would he wait until now? Red herring. Trevett has already published more details than other journos..

        • gypsy 2.3.1.1
          1 June 2021 at 3:44 pm

          Mallard is a mean and vindictive individual. I doubt he would be thinking through the timing with any degree of foresight. I have no idea whether it's him or not, and frankly if it is him, he's done us all a favour.

          [This kind of commenting opens the way for other people to make defamatory comments about Mallard or others, which could put the site owners at risk. Please stop now (!) making these unsubstantiated accusations or provide a link to support your rubbish allegations – Incognito]

          • Incognito 2.3.1.1.1
            1 June 2021 at 3:53 pm

            See my Moderation note @ 3:44 pm.

            • ghostwhowalksnz 2.3.1.1.1.1
              1 June 2021 at 8:37 pm

              It seems the news media is now reporting that the original complaint wasnt made by person subject to the personal abuse, but another staffer who made a recording and then a formal complaint.

              The national party is a bed of knives for Smith

            • gypsy 2.3.1.1.1.2
              1 June 2021 at 8:48 pm

              I would have thought that falsely accusing someone of rape (which is not a matter of conjecture because he later apologised), and then his later conduct in the house, which the PM herself expressed 'serious concerns' over (https://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/pm-has-serious-concerns-about-mallards-conduct) would qualify someone as mean and vindictive?

              By the way, since when is calling someone ‘mean and vindictive’ defamatory?

              [You seem to be suffering from reading comprehension deficit disorder and might want to re-read the Moderation note again. In any case, this is not about Mallard, but about your behaviour here, which others may take as an invite to follow and copy. In any case, you failed to produce a link as requested. In any case, you’re doubling down and digging in with your smearing of Mallard. In any case, the story about Nick Smith is evolving – MickySavage just put a Post up. Since you’re relatively new here, I’ll let you off with a warning – Incognito]

  3. Hunter Thompson II 3
    1 June 2021 at 8:55 am

    Smith has been around for far too long in my opinion. His legacy to the nation appears to be the freedom camping problem.

    But at least he canned the crazy idea of a tunnel and monorail in Fiordland national park back in 2012.

    Note that if that project went ahead, it opened up the way for Ngai Tahu to put roads etc up the Greenstone and Caples valleys. See https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/concerns-over-fiordland-monorail-flow-ons

    Sheer lunacy, but money is colour blind.

    • Janice 3.1
      1 June 2021 at 10:48 am

      He also took away the protection of urban trees unless they were specifically named in the District Plan. This opened the way to the destruction of many Auckland trees where prior to that you had to get Council permission to remove a tree of a certain size. He also removed the tax break for R & D as his accountant brother told him it was open to exploitation. I'm sure others can think of many more examples of his meddling Come in Cinny we miss you.

      • gypsy 3.1.1
        1 June 2021 at 12:46 pm

        Well said on Auckland's trees. As someone who has followed that space closely, we are also being badly let down by our Council, who could be doing so much more to protect mature trees across the city.

      • Lettuce 3.1.2
        1 June 2021 at 11:14 pm

        How about gutting ACC and directing it to refuse funding for thousands of shoulder operations its "clients" were legally entitled to?

  4. Clive Macann 4
    1 June 2021 at 8:56 am

    I'm saddened by Nick leaving.

    Insert TUI ad here.

  5. Incognito 5
    1 June 2021 at 9:04 am

    I was wondering why National had gone quiet all of a sudden. Even enfant terrible Simon seemed to have gone underground. I guess they were sharpening the daggers and that poor old Nick was pushed backwards into a few sharp objects. National needs another JC loyalist like NZ needs Covid-19; plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose. I look forward to Nick’s memoir and it’d better be a political one; I bet he’s got a few stories to tell.

  6. Ad 6
    1 June 2021 at 9:11 am

    I liked him. Sure, he'd been passed over often enough and was jaded.

    But National will certainly miss him with the climate mitigation debates that hit once the Commission's plan comes out on the 9th.

    It certainly cements Boyack in Nelson.

    • ghostwhowalksnz 6.1
      1 June 2021 at 11:45 am

      "cements Boyack in Nelson."

      Doesnt actually, for the simple reason the Nats used to win on a minority against a split Labour- Greens votes

      in 2020 the Green vote dropped 19% and Labour won on 48%. Usually Smith would win on 40% or so

      The highest vote Smith ever got was 60% when the won the seat in 1996, its been declining ever since

      • Ad 6.1.1
        1 June 2021 at 12:04 pm

        National wont recover his huge voter loyalty. Boyack will take that wavering vote.

        I don't see the Greens recovering for some time beyond 10%.

        • ghostwhowalksnz 6.1.1.1
          1 June 2021 at 12:47 pm

          You would think so. But its wishful thinking that the Greens vote wont recover, this is Nelson after all.

  7. mac1 7
    1 June 2021 at 9:32 am

    Folk in Marlborough and Golden Bay have known for some time that Nick Smith was over the hill.

  8. Tiger Mountain 8
    1 June 2021 at 9:38 am

    NZ National Party members and MPs so thoroughly debased themselves in numbers during 2020–from “Merv” to Ms Boag, the “sexter”, Mr Muller, Mr Woodhouse, Messrs “COVID road trip” Bridges & Bishop, Matthew Hooton and so forth, that Nick Smith almost just merges into the motley crew. Almost…he could be as nasty as any of ’em.

    Unfortunately few leave Parliament with their heads held high, whether shattered dreams, exhaustion or scandal. The exception being some Greens who seem able to leave and genuinely get a life, but not too many others.

    • Bearded Git 8.1
      1 June 2021 at 10:03 am

      If Smith had had any integrity he could have pushed himself forward as the leader of the left-wing faction of the National Party, and could have become leader and PM.

      Unfortunately, like the rest of the National front bench, he is integrity-free. As such, as you say Tiger, he ended up blending in with the other motley crew.

      In response to Hunter above: Canning the Fjordland monorail was a no brainer-it was a crazy idea that would have been fought tooth and nail by locals. Smith (and National) spun a blindingly obvious decision as a win for the environment.

      • ianmac 8.1.1
        1 June 2021 at 11:26 am

        Nick Smith was Deputy Leader about 15 ? years ago but only lasted about a week and resigned in panic.

        • ghostwhowalksnz 8.1.1.1
          1 June 2021 at 11:49 am

          "pushed" ?

          Smith , even though he trained and worked as a civil engineer never joined the familys bridge building business -Smith Bridge. You have to wonder why he didnt join his brothers for something 'where he could be the smartest guy in the room'

        • Bearded Git 8.1.1.2
          2 June 2021 at 6:27 am

          Ah yes I had forgotten that Ianmac.

          Very odd….maybe the party's right made it clear to him they wanted him out….behind closed doors of course.

  9. AB 9
    1 June 2021 at 10:23 am

    A 'junior staffer' eh? Who was emotional, who was tired, and who was both?

  10. mac1 10
    1 June 2021 at 10:27 am

    Interesting that family reasons get cited so often for explaining why MPs resign. So much so, I'm starting to doubt the veracity of their statements especially when terminating under a cloud.

    Some would say that they are only leaving in the same way as they conducted most of their political business.
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Smith_(New_Zealand_politician)

    Lies, half-truths, obfuscation, weasel words…….

  11. tc 11
    1 June 2021 at 12:44 pm

    What a bunch of beltway suck ups we have for a press gallery. Smith's no saint who knows where the skeletons are.

    IMO another party and this would've 'leaked' all over the joint to see if national could gain from it as we've seen time and again when it suits them.

  12. Tricledrown 12
    1 June 2021 at 1:25 pm

    Smith sacked the democratically elected Ecan board which had limits on dairy farming in Canterbury.Allowing unfettered destruction of Canterbury rivers and the rest of NZ followed Smith and National are responsible for one of the biggest environmental disasters in modern times.

    Also with his brothers company benefiting from the withdrawal of a prosecution over pollution.

    Smith carried a stench of Dirty politics throughout his career.

    • tc 12.1
      1 June 2021 at 2:33 pm

      Most of them still do which's totally expected given the current leaders MO and all that pre selection work under shonkys reign to place the likes of Mitchell and others

  13. Sacha 13
    1 June 2021 at 2:30 pm

    Don't we also have Smith to thank for whipping up the foreshore and seabed conflict that started in his electorate?

  14. ghostwhowalksnz 14
    1 June 2021 at 4:43 pm

    I tried getting the online stories about Nick Smiths conviction by 2 High Court judges over his trying to dissuade a witness in a court case.

    But it seems hard to find, as its is vaguely described as contempt of court, when it was really based on him influencing case by putting 'pressure on a witness'. For obvious reasons I will provide the details in a source

    "The most recent case in New Zealand involving scandalising was Solicitor-General v Smith (Smith).252 The Hon Dr Nick Smith MP had become involved in a custody dispute involving constituents in his electorate. He twice spoke to the litigant caregiver who was seeking custody of a child in proceedings against the child’s biological parents, asking her how she felt about “stealing” her sister’s child and telling her that Parliament was “the highest Court in the land”

    "The Court found Dr Smith made his media releases and gave the interviews on television and radio with the intention of persuading the litigant to give up on her custody case"

    From the NZ Law Commission

  15. mosa 15
    1 June 2021 at 5:46 pm

    " He also said that he wanted to spend more time with his family. If that was the case then he should have gone earlier.

    Yes but like all long serving parliamentarians Smith would have decided that personal gain is more important than resigning much earlier when he knew he should.

    Smith is a product of a party and attitude that no longer has a place in Nelson. There will be many in the electorate not sorry that he will be gone.

    How appropriate that as soon as he faced the fire without protection he ran away !

    That says it all.

  16. peter sim 16
    1 June 2021 at 8:46 pm

    After 30 years in the bear pit "family reasons" suddenly become important?

    Every single public resignation, in or out of parliament, sports organisation, religious group etc cites "family". It is PR (smirk) BS.

    Family probably means there has to be some complicated explaining to do.

  17. Rapunzel 17
    2 June 2021 at 5:50 am

    Judith? Really? Was ILG not enough for you you will take down your own when it suits?

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • PM announces changes to portfolios
    Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 hours ago

  • New catch limits for unique fishery areas
    Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    10 hours ago

  • Minister welcomes hydrogen milestone
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Urgent changes to system through first RMA Amendment Bill
    The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Overseas decommissioning models considered
    Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Release of North Island Severe Weather Event Inquiry
    Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Justice Minister to attend Human Rights Council
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order.  “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Patterson reopens world’s largest wool scouring facility
    Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Speech to the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective Summit, 18 April 2024
    Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing  At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin    Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho    Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today.    I am delighted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government to introduce revised Three Strikes law
    The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • New diplomatic appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions.   “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says.    “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Humanitarian support for Ethiopia and Somalia
    New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today.   “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Arts Minister congratulates Mataaho Collective
    Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale.  “It is good ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Supporting better financial outcomes for Kiwis
    The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Trade relationship with China remains strong
    “China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says.   Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • PM’s South East Asia mission does the business
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • $41m to support clean energy in South East Asia
    New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder list
    The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Judicial appointments announced
    Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
    Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa.  The summit is co-hosted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
    A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.    “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
    Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners.  “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Government backing mussel spat project
    The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Government focused on getting people into work
    Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
    Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
    Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
    Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector.    "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
    The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
    Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
    Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-04-24T07:13:54+00:00