Left wing twitter is the worst *

Written By: - Date published: 7:42 am, September 1st, 2020 - 69 comments
Categories: facebook, internet, Judith Collins, Media, national, same old national, the praiseworthy and the pitiful, twitter - Tags:

I am surprised that National leader Judith Collins’ husband David Wong Tung has not had his social media thoroughly scrubbed and cleaned.  Because it looks like it could have used a good cleaning.

This appeared yesterday.

https://twitter.com/BobbyMiller202/status/1300231360926236677

And a dive into his social media, which was open to the world, showed some pretty unsavoury items.  Like one reposted item accusing Ardern of “making it easier for unemployed ferals to continue getting the benefit without any sanctions on those who don’t seek work” and describing Māori as “Natives”.

Judith’s response?  Boys will be boys.  From Thomas Coughlan at Stuff:

Collins said the posts were not something she would do herself.

“We have been together for 41 years; I have never been able to get him to do anything I tell him to do,” she said.

“It is not something I would do but he is an adult, he makes his own decisions; I think he gets sick of people having a go at him and me.”

Collins said she did not think the posts were sexist.

“He is one of the least sexist men I know, he is married to me, how could he be sexist?” Collins said.

“He is an adult, he will make his own decisions and let’s put it this way, I don’t have to answer for him because I have not been able to control him in 41 years.

“If you have got the secret to how you control a man who is 64 years old, used to play a lot of rugby and was a policeman, good luck and let me know,” she said.

As much as possible leaders’ spouses should be left out of the media gaze.  But regularly and publicly attacking the opponent with racist misogynist material makes them fair game.  And the response of their spouse will show how ready they are to be leader of the country.

69 comments on “Left wing twitter is the worst * ”

  1. Stuart Munro 1

    I have a feeling Judith is being disingenuous. She enjoyed a long and influential relationship with Slater, and it does not seem that her influence was employed in moderating his baser instincts.

    Disraeli once described the manner of Bishop Wilberforce as “unctuous, oleaginous, saponaceous.” And the good prelate was ever afterward known as Soapy Sam. For every man there is something in the vocabulary that would stick to him like a second skin. His enemies have only to find it. Bierce The Devil's Dictionary

    David Wong Tung seems to be struggling to find that apt putdown.

  2. PsyclingLeft.Always 2

    Well what else could be expected of "Swamp Kauri" Wong-Tung ?

    ( I did link this from ODT elsewhere, but what a True Image…)

    https://www.odt.co.nz/news/decision-2020/collins-husband-criticised-sharing-anti-ardern-memes

  3. Pierre 3

    not enough maoists on the timeline for left-wing twitter

  4. Ad 4

    C'mon team we're just lucky we've had the Partner media thing locked up for three years. Gayford had his own tv show ffs. Plus they are both pretty and have a young baby.

    Ardern has the most massive Facebook and Twitter advantage that this is joust not worrying about.

    Labour have media assets by the truckload.

    And Collin's team will get around him and train him up.

    This isnot a campaign area we need to worry about.

  5. tc 5

    All part of their strategy. Collins doesn't give a F and has the morals to accompany that approach.

    She'll fill the gap Cammy left no worries.

    • Gabby 5.1

      What kind of gap does a moral vacuum leave?

      • Wensleydale 5.1.1

        She's the political equivalent of a quantum singularity — sucking in all light, truth and goodness, and leaving only frigid desolation in its wake. #StrongTeam

  6. Dennis Frank 6

    Mimetics in political theory & application is a topic worthy of theses. When universities catch on (next century) useful elucidation may ensue. Until then:

    Memes can’t be tamed.

    https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/24-08-2020/the-meme-election-a-qa-with-the-minds-behind-two-political-meme-groups/

    So rogue memes and wild memes are different beasts.

    at the end of the day, meme pages like BKM are just for some lols at New Zealand’s little political goings-on. While we aspire to have the cred of influential pages like Shit Towns of New Zealand or Vicdeals, we do not.

    At the start of the day at the end of the day seems rather tired and the contagion may be a spent force. Shit towns, on the other hand…

    Sometimes politics is hard to understand

    Only because it isn't taught in schools, eh? C'mon you kids, there's more to life than social media banality, nudge that penny & it may drop! Syllabus reform!! Get it??

    the meme scene in 2020 is a dog-eat-dog world

    Gah! Stuffed by traditionalism already when it's hardly even born!

    It’s hard to balance the reality that we just set up this stupid meme page for fun with the responsibility of preventing this kind of platform from being used for rumours or slander.

    Ah, moral responsibility, not part of the syllabus. Learn via social darwinism.

    The prime minister won’t change. Ever.

    Quite a negative view for Labour youngsters to have. Still, mindless recycling of conservatism is indeed how the establishment operates, so they've learnt something!

    Just in case it isn’t apparent to readers, the husband was reproducing the artistry of the young Nat meme support group. Spinoff interviewed them plus the Labour same…

  7. Patricia Bremner 7

    We need to know what role Judith Collins sees for her husband in the future.

    He would have to be the most obnoxious partner of any leader, with scant respect for many aspects of New Zealand life apparently. Intent on breaking trust in the covid fight. A very Trumpish attitude.

    I think that is a truly toxic group, David Wong Tung Judith Collins Gerry and Slater???!!!

    Not just National Policies are "Back to the Future" it is Dirty Politics all over again.

    Why am I not surprised??

    Someone said Jacinda Ardern is tough and will weather this, but this is personal and nasty, it is aimed at her not the Labour Party.

    I hope people pour scorn on Judith Collins' silly rejoinder.

  8. Anker 8
    • I think it will back fire on Collins.
    • Gabby 8.1

      Her farmer constituency will think he's a great bloke to have a beer with and then go bash some scarfies.

  9. Reality 9

    Surely there are decent, upright normal National supporters who cringe at Judith and her husband and their behaviour over a good many years. At 64 he should be mature enough not to engage in childish pathetic behaviour. He is not 16.

  10. AB 10

    If you regard the world and other people as a set of resources to be utilised to your advantage – all this ' kindness' stuff from the PM must drive you up the wall with rage and frustration. It might even lead you to do silly things – so silly that even if you are a supposedly uncontrollable 64-year old, rugby playing bloke, your powerful wife is going to give you a total bollocking.

    There is only one question worth asking of Collins before swiftly moving on – "are you and your husband ideological soul-mates?" However she answers it, the question itself does the damage.

  11. Anne 11

    Well, Barry Soper thinks its all Much Ado About Nothing.

    And anyway, says Barry, Labour do it too – referring to Clarke G once calling a journo a bottom feeder. How that is supposed to equate to the sexist and demeaning comments about the prime minister I don't know.

    We haven't got a sense of humour says dear Barry. We're supposed to laugh at the man’s wittery. (my word) 🙄

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12361092

    • PsyclingLeft.Always 11.1

      Barry and Heather are the print medias Hosking and Hawkseby…bluuurgh

    • Gabby 11.2

      Got to wonder what rumours Soapy Baz has been responsible for generating over the years.

    • woodart 11.3

      so is soper giving us the greenlight to gaslight his partner?

    • Wensleydale 11.4

      Clarke wasn't talking about Soper, was he? If so, I didn't know Barry was such a sensitive soul.

      • anker 11.4.1

        Clarke was referring to a "Journo" whose name escapes me now who said Clarke's name with an E really bothered her. What an absolute irrelevance that article was. She later apologized. I am sorry I can't remember her name, well maybe I am not. Hopefully she has faded into the oblivion

    • georgecom 11.5

      I will laugh Barry, if something is funny. The stuff Mr Collins shared was political in nature and political in timing (during an election campaign). It is not simply a joke or a bit of 'tomfoolery'.

      Question, are such cartoons/memes covered under electoral law and requiring some form of political authorisation or attribution toward someones electoral spending?

  12. Byd0nz 12

    The Nats are in a tragic state. They have never been above a low blow, but to show how desperate they are, they released the beast that is Judith Collins, for years and years they kept her well away from leader, but to their demise they let her off the chain and that must surely be the last straw for any decent support within or out of the National fold.

  13. Reality 13

    Barry Soper thinks we all need a sense of humour. Fair enough, but given the nasty attacks Jacinda has had over the years I wonder if thinks they were funny and we should all laugh. Can't recall him springing to her defence.

    I can vouch that he was in a state of extreme apoplexy when his 'entitled' presence in a particular spot was questioned by a junior security officer at parliament. No sense of humour to be seen.

  14. JohnSelway 14

    Wait – how is it racist and misogynistic?

    • JohnSelway 14.1

      Edit to the above^
      Wait – how are the three tweets racist or misogynistic?

      (I don't know what he may have tweeted in the past so only referring to 3 tweets here)

  15. Anne 15

    Collins in her stand-up just now referred to Taiwan's fantastic response to Covid 19 and how they did it without the help of the WHO.

    Seeding the meme that NZ's response has been very poor in comparison, and that the Ardern government was too incompetent (that word again) to handle the crisis without the WHO holding their hands?

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/424934/judith-collins-conducts-post-caucus-briefing

    (starts @ 7:28 mins – Covid response 14 mins)

    • Gabby 15.1

      Praising Taiwan? Codger's business associates will love that.

    • Sacha 15.2

      without the WHO

      Really can't stop themselves borrowing lines from the Chump.

    • Leighton 15.3

      Perhaps Taiwan's fantastic response was helped by the fact that they already had an specific public agency whose sole task was to address infection disease outbreaks and/or their health system hadn't spent the last 30 years being ground back to the bone by neoliberal ideology?

      • Anne 15.3.1

        Excellent points.

        If I have it correct, Taiwan was seriously affected by the SARs virus and they learnt from the experience. Much of the rest of the world has a lot of catching up to do.

        And anyone not blinded by ideology knows now that neoliberalism and its attendant memes are cloud cuckoo land stuff.

  16. Red 16

    Agree, the I need to be offend on behalf of tribe need to get a grip, they are actually quite funny, cartoonist are taking the piss out of politicians every day, You live with it being a politician. I am sure the PM doesn’t give a monkeys The need to rabidly defend any attack on the PM only plays to what you are arguing against, ie poor Jacinda she can’t handle it like a normal politician, I suggest she can and does not need people to be offended on her part

    • JohnSelway 16.1

      The 3 tweets at the top of the page are incredibly tame. I'm not sure what the problem is…?

    • Patricia Bremner 16.2

      Is that right!! David "Wrong Tongue" has been asked to stop using the covid response sign. I am sure he will find my name for him funny. Not!!

  17. Robert Guyton 17

    The un-holy trinity: Collins, Wong Tung and Slater.

  18. Bob – [a different Bob] 18

    Dirty politics is the default for the Nat Rats – evidenced again!

    [This user handle is already in use here. Could you please use a different one to help distinguishing between different commenters? This is the second time I’ve asked you this question – Incognito]

  19. satty 19

    Once into dirty politics… always into dirty politics.

    So predictable. She doesn’t have many “friends” anymore, so husband has to help with the dirty work nowadays.

  20. Muttonbird 20

    I think David Wong-Scum has been forced to take down the "Unite against CINDY-20" meme. Presumably for using Covid related material.

    See, he can be controlled.

  21. RRM 21

    David Wong-[deleted]

    Nice! I can always count on The Standard to remind me that John Key and his Tory voters are the real awful people in NZ society.

    Just for the avoidance of doubt, how many of the following gems of left wing kindness do you think apply to the leader of the opposition's husband?

    [Deleted. You don’t need to repeat the vitriol from others; your own is good enough for us here – Incognito]

  22. woodart 22

    collins wants to run-control the country, but cant run-control her household. cant tell her 64 yr old ex cop rugby player what to do, but expects all others to obey.

  23. EE 23

    Collins: “If you have got the secret to how you control a man who is 64 years old, used to play a lot of rugby and was a policeman, good luck and let me know.”
    Translation: “He’s a chauvinistic a-hole.”

    • Shanreagh 23.1

      Collins explanation is a glorious example of a non sequitur/logical fallacy 'a conclusion or statement that does not logically follow from the previous argument or statement'.

      So her husband puts up an offensive meme. How is this explained by

      his age – 64

      his former occupation – policeman

      the sport he played when younger – rugby

      If you answered 'it is not' to all three statements then you are correct. The fact of putting some thing offensive in the public sphere is neither explained, justified nor excused by his age, his former occupation or the sport he played when younger.

      He is just plain stupid, pig ignorant……..

      As to the ones saying we have no sense of humour, this phrase is well remembered by feminists in the 1970s/80 wave of feminism. It was a commonly used tactic then to justify the unjustifiable.

      • Shanreagh 23.1.1

        Actually just been thinking and wondering why JC did not reference the gun lobby and then she will have encapsulated significant parts of the Nats audience: older, lauranorder, rugby lovers and gunowners. Perhaps 'hubby' is not a shooter?

        Also the word 'pig' should not have been included as pigs are sentient animals and Wong-Tung is just ignorant.

        But isn't it amazing how much of the Nats 'humour' is based on putting heads of Labour people on different notices (Wong-Tung), heads on different bodies (text allegedly sent from Andrew Falloon to a supporter), heads on toilet seats (Woodhouse prize). I can remember being convulsed with laughter doing cut-outs as an 8 year old when someone in the class put a pic of a ballerina on rugby players legs. It did not last much longer than that one time more than half a century ago.

        Are they stuck somewhere?

        Though I guess Nats won't have puerile humour to themselves and there may be some lefties indulging.

  24. karol121 24

    Hey, you guys and gals. Why the gripes?

    He is entitled to publicly rant on social media platforms and to publish annoying or even sickening rant or commentary if he pleases, is he not?

    We do, and we consider it to be our privilege.

    Hey. I sure ain't any sort of Jacinda groupie, but politics is dog eat dog is it not?

    There was a time when most benefiting either directly or indirectly from (current or historical) taxpayer pool funding were often quite shy in relation to public rant and attacking the many who, through the taxation system contributed to their fine clobber, their feasts and their toys.

    Is a smartphone to twit with not so often considered to be just a toy? Many would suggest that it sure beats viewing pics on it and physically masturbating.

    These days, people can virtually masturbate through such activity without losing too much energy and without being accused of sexting type offences. They don't have to go anywhere near their midriffs.

    In the 21st century, brothers sand sisters of both objective and subjective rant (taxpayer funded or otherwise) holding public office or holding on to either political or contrived foreign trade apron strings are coming out of both the woodwork and closets, and doing it for themselves by ranting it how they feel.

    Take a look at "Mr Tongues" business history and associations and you will see a clearer picture in relation to how he and others have become very successful indeed off the backs of people like you and I. Even Johnkey figured it out and stated it in so many words that, "New Zealand is open for business". This includes both monkey business and dirty business, does it not?

    Wake up. This is healthy, New Zealand. Can you not take a joke in relation to your economy and your political system, more especially the old school "Goodfellow" Party of NZ? None of you on this kumara republic farm, in your urban prisons or on your one eighth of an acre maraes are starving, are you?

    Please DO NOT leave either of them alone. If anything, true to our Kiwi heritage we should be supporting their aggression.

    Neither David Wong Tong nor JC should ever walk alone in relation to the enjoyment and fulfillment associated with cuss, insult and even demeaning commentary spuriously presented as politicking.

    For sure, I do not intend missing such opportunities myself.

    After all, as JC herself has stated in so many words, he is a 64 year old who isn't controlled by her.

    Are we not being a little sanctimonious or far too sensitive here?

    Firstly, he is a described as being a former rugby player, and it is considered that Kiwis see "AO" (NZ) and Pacifica rugby players as heroes. Can you not treat him like a word rant hero as well?

    Remember that these are the men who risk life and limb on the rugby field in times of spectator sport war that we experience perpetually, so that our national pride can be defended and preserved?

    He's a former (Counties-Manukau was it?) cop, and New Zealanders are very much aligned to the concept of worshiping various Mr or Ms "Polici" types who present as authoritative and either culturally or politically dominant.

    Many New Zealanders loved JC herself as a crusher, a no holds barred mouth wrestler with a keen lust for boxing people out and and down or encouraging others to do so, and drawing blood also, I've no doubt.

    Biff, biff, smash, smash, punch and punch any opponent DOWN and OUT must surely be the Kiwi catchphrase for the current era.

    Come on Kiwi. Live the blood sport!

    • Sacha 24.1

      guys and gals. Why the gripes?

      yo, daddyo!

      • karol121 24.1.1

        Whew!

        When I get going, like Lurch from the Addams Family TV series, sometimes I just don't want to stop.

        Let's dance this political dance right around and sort the real wheat out from the chaff in relation to genuine, sincere, realistic political candidates with the general well-being of new Zealanders at heart, as opposed to free loading rants and their sidekicks making big, and laughing all the way to the bank or the resort for the mayhem they cause.

    • Enough is Enough 24.2

      Because that what politics is. Being outraged and offended by the other side for something which doesn't really matter, is what twitter and blogging was invested for.

      Heaven forbid anyone ever debate what the fuck National's policy is for the next covid outbreak, or how they intend to reduce the deficit, without austerity.

      • karol121 24.2.1

        Well put.

        So why simply gripe when you can be assertively reactive in relation to your anger and everybody else's?

        Respond to people like "tongue"wonton with the same b*llsh*t that they are trying to ram down our throats, and try not to be diplomatic about it, nor polite.

        My view. Neither he nor JC (who is quietly referred to as a bush pig) actually represent the Chinese nor any other superpower within the region. They are simply ingratiating bottom feeders, just as Simon Bridges is, and just as so many of the other cronies are.

        Twitter, sites such as this one, or wherever, it matters not. Just as long as the message gets through to them.

        That is BOTH politics and democracy.

        So, thank you for raising the point about politics, which for many candidates is simply money for jam in relation to spewing out idealist rant and convenient narrative rhetoric.

  25. Peter 25

    The good thing about the debate is how it shows that it is a 'no holds barred' world.

    Many want nothing to do with standards, norms, tradition, propriety, manners, convention, civility. It is the 'do what you want' age.

    To be consistent of course all children being raised from the time they are born should be raised to reflect those attitudes and values.

    Come back in 60 years and see how that worked.

    Back to the beginning. When leaders have scummy ways of acting and encourage it we are well and truly stuffed. Wong Tung and his wife think it's funny and inconsequential.

    Their smart arse attitude is just about the worst thing. There are going to be morons, lowlife thickheads who are going to explode on social media with their shit. Leaders justifying their own shit behaviour and their followers excusing it on the grounds of what moronic, lowlife thickheads are doing, is the worst leadership.

    To use the old political slogan: "New Zealand the way you want it?"

    • Draco T Bastard 25.1

      When leaders have scummy ways of acting and encourage it we are well and truly stuffed.

      QFT

      Nations tend to follow their leaders. Germany followed Hitler, the USSR followed Stalin.

      What will NZ look like if we followed the behaviour as set out by National?

  26. Tricledrown 26

    Crushless Collins married to Trump doppleganger

    • Shanreagh 26.1

      Actually I think it is Collins that is the Trump doppelganger. The phrasing of JC's justification is eerily like Hillary Clinton's 'He's a hard dog to keep on the porch' I felt sad for Hillary Clinton as she said it ruefully. JC said her 'justifications' in a smarmy self satisfied 'Aren't I a smarty?' way.

  27. Brigid 27

    I do hope these two didn't breed.

    • Anne 27.1

      They produced a son who is now grown up and has apparently sworn he will never have anything to do with politics.

      • Dennis Frank 27.1.1

        Oh, you mean like Justin Trudeau did? 😊 I read it in his autobiography. To Justin's credit, he maintained that view for quite a few years. And when he eventually shifted, the time was right, it felt like the right thing to do. I was impressed by his lengthy account of the shift & the reasons in relation to the political context. Authenticity can't be faked, so I developed some respect for him…

    • Westykev 27.2

      Children of politicians get a hard enough time as it is and don't need such f@#ked up comments by yourself adding to it.

  28. … he is married to me, how could he be sexist?” Collins said.

    Does anyone have any idea what Collins might have supposed that to mean? Or is it just random noise masquerading as a sentence?

    • Dennis Frank 28.1

      The latter. But you can imagine how it gets the tiny wee brains of journos whirring. And in politics, that's all that really matters. Think of it as a corollary of the old rule `any publicity is good publicity' (regardless of the screw-up factor).

      • Shanreagh 28.1.1

        Yes makes as much sense as the reasons why her 'hubby' cannot be reasoned with to act as an adult: age, being a policeman and playing rugby. I think the eyes glaze over as the journos are totally mesmerised by what she says – a sort of Emperor has no clothes effect.

        There are no 'But Mummy it doesn't mean anything' in that lot…….

        But
        ‘random noise masquerading as a sentence’ is a very good description.

  29. Austringer 29

    Hey Jude, you and yer man jump on Donald!s team sounds like a good fit.

    • karol121 29.1

      I believe that she thought she had joined him, or that she piggy backed her way to his door using somebody else's assets, but she's such an embarrassment, I doubt that even he would want her.

      I'm beginning to think that she and others have outstayed their welcome with most of anybody who is anybody among the political and business elite within the People's Republic of China also. This, despite various whispers and assertions that she and many of her cronies are "in" with them.

      She really needs to get on her bicycle quick smart, before she causes irreversible damage to New Zealand.

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • EV road user charges bill passes
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the passing of legislation to move light electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) into the road user charges system from 1 April.  “It was always intended that EVs and PHEVs would be exempt from road user charges until they reached two ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 hours ago
  • Bill targets illegal, unregulated fishing in international waters
    New Zealand is strengthening its ability to combat illegal fishing outside its domestic waters and beef up regulation for its own commercial fishers in international waters through a Bill which had its first reading in Parliament today. The Fisheries (International Fishing and Other Matters) Amendment Bill 2023 sets out stronger ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 hours ago
  • Reserve Bank appointments
    Economists Carl Hansen and Professor Prasanna Gai have been appointed to the Reserve Bank Monetary Policy Committee, Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced today. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is the independent decision-making body that sets the Official Cash Rate which determines interest rates.  Carl Hansen, the executive director of Capital ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 hours ago
  • Stronger protections for apartment owners
    Apartment owners and buyers will soon have greater protections as further changes to the law on unit titles come into effect, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “The Unit Titles (Strengthening Body Corporate Governance and Other Matters) Amendment Act had already introduced some changes in December 2022 and May 2023, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    8 hours ago
  • Travel focused on traditional partners and Middle East
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to Egypt and Europe from this weekend.    “This travel will focus on a range of New Zealand’s traditional diplomatic and security partnerships while enabling broad engagement on the urgent situation in Gaza,” Mr Peters says.   Mr Peters will attend the NATO Foreign ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    9 hours ago
  • Keep safe on our roads this Easter
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown is encouraging all road users to stay safe, plan their journeys ahead of time, and be patient with other drivers while travelling around this Easter long weekend. “Road safety is a responsibility we all share, and with increased traffic on our roads expected this Easter we ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    11 hours ago
  • Cost of living support for over 1.4 million Kiwis
    About 1.4 million New Zealanders will receive cost of living relief through increased government assistance from April 1 909,000 pensioners get a boost to Superannuation, including 5000 veterans 371,000 working-age beneficiaries will get higher payments 45,000 students will see an increase in their allowance Over a quarter of New Zealanders ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    11 hours ago
  • Tenancy reviews for social housing restart
    Ensuring social housing is being provided to those with the greatest needs is front of mind as the Government restarts social housing tenancy reviews, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. “Our relentless focus on building a strong economy is to ensure we can deliver better public services such as social ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    12 hours ago
  • Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary plan halted
    The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary will not go ahead, with Cabinet deciding to stop work on the proposed reserve and remove the Bill that would have established it from Parliament’s order paper. “The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill would have created a 620,000 sq km economic no-go zone,” Oceans and Fisheries Minister ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    12 hours ago
  • Cutting all that dam red tape
    Dam safety regulations are being amended so that smaller dams won’t be subject to excessive compliance costs, Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on reducing costs and removing unnecessary red tape so we can get the economy back on track.  “Dam safety regulations ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago
  • Drought support extended to parts of North Island
    The coalition Government is expanding the medium-scale adverse event classification to parts of the North Island as dry weather conditions persist, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced today. “I have made the decision to expand the medium-scale adverse event classification already in place for parts of the South Island to also cover the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    14 hours ago
  • Passage of major tax bill welcomed
    The passing of legislation giving effect to coalition Government tax commitments has been welcomed by Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “The Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill will help place New Zealand on a more secure economic footing, improve outcomes for New Zealanders, and make our tax system ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Lifting economy through science, tertiary sectors
    Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins and Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds today announced plans to transform our science and university sectors to boost the economy. Two advisory groups, chaired by Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, will advise the Government on how these sectors can play a greater ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Government announces Budget priorities
    The Budget will deliver urgently-needed tax relief to hard-working New Zealanders while putting the government’s finances back on a sustainable track, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.  The Finance Minister made the comments at the release of the Budget Policy Statement setting out the Government’s Budget objectives. “The coalition Government intends ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Government to consider accommodation solution
    The coalition Government will look at options to address a zoning issue that limits how much financial support Queenstown residents can get for accommodation. Cabinet has agreed on a response to the Petitions Committee, which had recommended the geographic information MSD uses to determine how much accommodation supplement can be ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government approves extension to Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care
    Cabinet has agreed to a short extension to the final reporting timeframe for the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care from 28 March 2024 to 26 June 2024, Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says.                                         “The Royal Commission wrote to me on 16 February 2024, requesting that I consider an ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • $18m boost for Kiwis travelling to health treatment
    The coalition Government is delivering an $18 million boost to New Zealanders needing to travel for specialist health treatment, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says.   “These changes are long overdue – the National Travel Assistance (NTA) scheme saw its last increase to mileage and accommodation rates way back in 2009.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • PM’s Prizes for Space to showcase sector’s talent
    The Government is recognising the innovative and rising talent in New Zealand’s growing space sector, with the Prime Minister and Space Minister Judith Collins announcing the new Prime Minister’s Prizes for Space today. “New Zealand has a growing reputation as a high-value partner for space missions and research. I am ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Concerns conveyed to China over cyber activity
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government.     “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity, attributed to groups sponsored by the Chinese Government, targeting democratic institutions in both New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry
    Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry Education Minister Erica Stanford today announced the appointment of three independent reviewers to lead the Ministerial Inquiry into the Ministry of Education’s School Property Function.  The Inquiry will be led by former Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully. “There is a clear need ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Brynderwyns open for Easter
    State Highway 1 across the Brynderwyns will be open for Easter weekend, with work currently underway to ensure the resilience of this critical route being paused for Easter Weekend to allow holiday makers to travel north, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Today I visited the Brynderwyn Hills construction site, where ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Speech to the Infrastructure Funding & Financing Conference
    Introduction Good morning to you all, and thanks for having me bright and early today. I am absolutely delighted to be the Minister for Infrastructure alongside the Minister of Housing and Resource Management Reform. I know the Prime Minister sees the three roles as closely connected and he wants me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Parliamentary network breached by the PRC
    New Zealand stands with the United Kingdom in its condemnation of People’s Republic of China (PRC) state-backed malicious cyber activity impacting its Electoral Commission and targeting Members of the UK Parliament. “The use of cyber-enabled espionage operations to interfere with democratic institutions and processes anywhere is unacceptable,” Minister Responsible for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • NZ to provide support for Solomon Islands election
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced New Zealand will provide logistics support for the upcoming Solomon Islands election. “We’re sending a team of New Zealand Defence Force personnel and two NH90 helicopters to provide logistics support for the election on 17 April, at the request ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • NZ-EU FTA gains Royal Assent for 1 May entry to force
    The European Union Free Trade Agreement Legislation Amendment Bill received Royal Assent today, completing the process for New Zealand’s ratification of its free trade agreement with the European Union.    “I am pleased to announce that today, in a small ceremony at the Beehive, New Zealand notified the European Union ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • COVID-19 inquiry attracts 11,000 submissions
    Public consultation on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons has concluded, Internal Affairs Minister Hon Brooke van Velden says.  “I have been advised that there were over 11,000 submissions made through the Royal Commission’s online consultation portal.” Expanding the scope of the Royal Commission of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Families to receive up to $75 a week help with ECE fees
    Hardworking families are set to benefit from a new credit to help them meet their early childcare education (ECE) costs, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. From 1 July, parents and caregivers of young children will be supported to manage the rising cost of living with a partial reimbursement of their ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Unlocking a sustainable, low-emissions future
    A specialised Independent Technical Advisory Group (ITAG) tasked with preparing and publishing independent non-binding advice on the design of a "green" (sustainable finance) taxonomy rulebook is being established, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says.  “Comprising experts and market participants, the ITAG's primary goal is to deliver comprehensive recommendations to the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Chief of Army thanked for his service
    Defence Minister Judith Collins has thanked the Chief of Army, Major General John Boswell, DSD, for his service as he leaves the Army after 40 years. “I would like to thank Major General Boswell for his contribution to the Army and the wider New Zealand Defence Force, undertaking many different ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders
    25 March 2024 Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders Small Business, Manufacturing, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly will travel to Australia for a series of bi-lateral meetings and manufacturing visits. During the visit, Minister Bayly will meet with his Australian counterparts, Senator Tim Ayres, Ed ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government commits nearly $3 million for period products in schools
    Government commits almost $3 million for period products in schools The Coalition Government has committed $2.9 million to ensure intermediate and secondary schools continue providing period products to those who need them, Minister of Education Erica Stanford announced today. “This is an issue of dignity and ensuring young women don’t ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Speech – Making it easier to build.
    Good morning, it’s great to be here.   First, I would like to acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of Building Surveyors and thank you for the opportunity to be here this morning.  I would like to use this opportunity to outline the Government’s ambitious plan and what we hope to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Pacific youth to shine from boost to Polyfest
    Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti has announced the Government’s commitment to the Auckland Secondary Schools Māori and Pacific Islands Cultural Festival, more commonly known as Polyfest. “The Ministry for Pacific Peoples is a longtime supporter of Polyfest and, as it celebrates 49 years in 2024, I’m proud to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • 2024 Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships announced
    ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Speech to Breast Cancer Foundation – Insights Conference
    Before moving onto the substance of today’s address, I want to recognise the very significant and ongoing contribution the Breast Cancer Foundation makes to support the lives of New Zealand women and their families living with breast cancer. I very much enjoy working with you. I also want to recognise ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Kiwi research soars to International Space Station
    New Zealand has notched up a first with the launch of University of Canterbury research to the International Space Station, Science, Innovation and Technology and Space Minister Judith Collins says. The hardware, developed by Dr Sarah Kessans, is designed to operate autonomously in orbit, allowing scientists on Earth to study ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Speech to the New Zealand Planning Institute
    Introduction Thank you for inviting me to speak with you today and I’m sorry I can’t be there in person. Yesterday I started in Wellington for Breakfast TV, spoke to a property conference in Auckland, and finished the day speaking to local government in Christchurch, so it would have been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Support for Northland emergency response centre
    The Coalition Government is contributing more than $1 million to support the establishment of an emergency multi-agency coordination centre in Northland. Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced the contribution today during a visit of the Whangārei site where the facility will be constructed.  “Northland has faced a number ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Celebrating 20 years of Whakaata Māori
    New Zealanders have enjoyed a broader range of voices telling the story of Aotearoa thanks to the creation of Whakaata Māori 20 years ago, says Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka. The minister spoke at a celebration marking the national indigenous media organisation’s 20th anniversary at their studio in Auckland on ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Some commercial fishery catch limits increased
    Commercial catch limits for some fisheries have been increased following a review showing stocks are healthy and abundant, Ocean and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The changes, along with some other catch limit changes and management settings, begin coming into effect from 1 April 2024. "Regular biannual reviews of fish ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-03-28T08:45:43+00:00