Minister pleased with anemic economy

Written By: - Date published: 7:57 am, May 18th, 2012 - 38 comments
Categories: class war, housing - Tags:

You have to take your hat off to National’s spin doctors, coming up with the plausible-sounding nonsense line that low interest rates mean affordable housing isn’t needed. But it led to this on RNZ this morning (no links yet)- Phil Heatley: “we’re pleased that we’re managing the economy such that interest rates are so low”. Ten minutes earlier, Tony Alexander: “lower interest rates reflect the weakness of the economic outlook”.

For quite some time, National has beem trying to claim credit for low interest rates but, of course, it is the weak economy causing them as central banks and governments desperately try to lift business investment (btw, economists, is it correct that real return on capital must align with real growth in the long-run?). National can take a lot of blame for the poor performance of the NZ economy – but not all of it.

And, of course, low interest rates don’t make buying a house more affordable.

They actually hinder people trying to save up a deposit because their savings get lower returns.

And they lead to higher house prices. The market for housing will always be shaped by the size of mortgage payments people can afford to service – if interest rates fall, then new buyers will be able to pay more up front and housing remains just as unaffordable to those on low and middle incomes.

That’s precisely what we’re seeing in Auckland, where National says affordable housing isn’t needed.

38 comments on “Minister pleased with anemic economy ”

  1. Carol 1

    I agree with your first paragraph, Eddie. But why do so many on the left respond to the unaffordable housing issue by merely continuing to promote the idea of home ownership for all?

    Good affordable living accommodation shouldn’t be a market, but a right It shouldn’t be necessary to compete in a home ownership housing market that benefits the wealthiest and leaves the least wealthy in an insecure position.

  2. BillODrees 2

    Phil Heatly made a mess of himself on the National Radio this morning. He denied was he had said in a speech when the Hobsonville Point project was launched. The interviewer had the speech to hand. Clearly he got a flea in the ear from Key’s office for letting Annette King upstage him yesterday. Poor Phil, not the sharpest tool in the shed. Off to “How to handle Interviews” school yet again.

    • Socialist Paddy 2.1

      I thought Heatley sounded half cut. If he is like that when he is sober god help the country when he is pissed.

      • deuto 2.1.1

        That was an awful interview by Heatley, even though I was only half-listening. Big fail. I was pleased they had Annette King back on later, who also had Heatley’s various earlier speeches to hand and was able to refute much of what he had said with the support of the interviewer.

        • Brooklyn 2.1.1.1

          Yeah. Being torn apart by Simon Mercep is not exactly career enhancing.

        • AnnaLiviaPlurabella 2.1.1.2

          We should be glad Annette King was not bound by any restrictions regarding public appearances. She came to a New Lynn public event on Policing a few years ago and gave a great speech. She was insightful and entertaining in the Q&A. She took on board our feelings about retaining a Police Stn in the Electorate.
          Time to have her back.

  3. Matt 3

    Not sure I like how the interest issue was phrased. In some obvious ways lower rates do indeed make housing more affordable to purchase, and it certainly makes it easier on anyone who already has a mortgage (since in NZ “fixed” rate mortgages, aren’t). And yes on the other hand low rates can help propel prices upward, but not always, depending on other factors. And of course not everywhere is Auckland and the dynamic may be quite different.

    • Deano 3.1

      people who already have a mortgage aren’t purchasing a house, are they?

      • aerobubble 3.1.1

        Do they live in ChCh?

        The debate is quite tightly defined. Other effects on home ownership include job security and pay after tax, which have only got worse under National if you earn below the median.

      • Matt 3.1.2

        If the only thing that mattered were people buying a house, as opposed to people who might struggle to stay in a house as rates rise, you’d be onto something.

  4. Zeroque 4

    Yep, spin, spin alright and not very effective either. Having said that it has been nice to not have to pay high interest rates on the mortgage. This is through no impact the Govts had as far as I can see.

  5. Bored 5

    Yesterday in Wellington the young lads and lovelies with their graduation gear on were parading along Willis St, smiles and full of hope for the future. So many of them, so much debt and expectation I thought. Degrees in arcane arts such as design, media studies, law, economics, such much supply, so little demand. Where to for their hopes and dreams (and real needs) I wodered, Makkers I thought cynically.

    Further up the street there outside WINZ were the rest of the youth, the huge chunk of under 25s who through no fault of their own are out of work. Some idiots would say they too need to get a degree and a debt, do we really need to get qualifications to be able to wipe our arses?

    This is the depressing picture of an aneomic economy where these people dont matter, all that matters to National is ripping off the assets for their mates benefit. Of cutting everything that costs a rich person a slice of tax. Of denying the young a future unless their parents were lucky enough to be 1%ers.

    • Carol 5.1

      Excellent, real world graphic depiction of the problem, Bored!

      Maybe it’s time to revive the (updated, 21st century version of) workers’ education movement and bring REAL democratic, critical and relevant learning back into “education”?

    • NattyM 5.2

      Actually no they don’t all have degrees in arcane arts subjects. If you look at the colour of the hoods, we are overwhelmed by degrees in business and commerce because students and people advising them think those degrees will make them bucket loads of money.
      If only they did have degrees in history, philospohy, English etc. Then at least theyd be able to spell, use halfway decent grammar and put together some coherent writing without all that ridiculous management jargon – going forward etc. The most meaningless stupid phrase ever invented.

    • Jeremy 5.3

      The inclusion of “design” in your list of “arcane arts” is a good illustration of one reason why the New Zealand economy is failing. All forms of R&D are dangerously undervalued by New Zealand’s employer culture, and the economy will continue to slowly crumble and fail until that changes.

      • Colonial Viper 5.3.1

        Graphic design has very little to do with R&D. Product design, as taught in uni a little bit more, but not much more.

  6. ianmac 6

    Radio and TV have been good at highlighting that this or that Minister was “unavailable” for response, but giving a good opening to the Opposition. Yesterday Heatly would not comment till next month. Annette King had a run yesterday. Today Heatly became “available” after all, made a real mess of his excuses, while another opportunity was given for Annette King to refute.
    Interesting strategy and congratulations to National Radio NZ.

    • BillODrees 6.1

      Aye ianmac, we have a more articulate senior team by a country mile. And we don’t have to defend the un-defensible.
      Never again can we let the screw-up of last weekend happen again: the damage from trying to suppress talent etc etc was too much.

  7. tsmithfield 7

    Interest rates in NZ are relatively high, compared to other major economies such as the US that can’t drop interest rates further, and are having to print money instead. Hence the strength of our dollar which vexes exporters.

    The reason interest rates are relatively high here is because our economy is strong in relative terms compared to many other developed economies in the US and Europe.

    The economy in NZ isn’t great compared against the period immediately preceding the great recession. At that time the world economy was going gang-busters and we reaped the benefits. Now we are in a low growth global environment, and so can’t realistically expect the same levels of growth we previously enjoyed. There isn’t really a hell of a lot the government can do about this.

    Sure we lag Australia at the moment. However, one of the big concerns at the moment is that China is slowing. China has been one of the few bright lights that has kept the world economy growing, although slowly. If China continues to slow, and there demand for commodities reduces, then Australia will be in deep shit.

    We have one great advantage over Australia. We produce food. With an increasing world population, people still have to eat, regardless of the world economy. So we are well positioned strategically.

    I agree that the NZ economy isn’t great. However, it is a hell of a lot better than the likes of the US, where previously well-off families are now living in tents or in drain pipes according to a doco that aired recently, and Europe where there is also a lot of hardship.

    • ghostwhowalksnz 7.1

      Only if you are selling raw materials to China , or luxury goods that are fully imported to China.

      Of course China implemented a massive stimulus from their government earlier in the GFC to keep their economy from slowing down.

      • tc 7.1.1

        As Rudd did in Oz whereas over here……

      • tsmithfield 7.1.2

        “Of course China implemented a massive stimulus from their government earlier in the GFC to keep their economy from slowing down.”

        Yes they did have massive stimulus. Including building ghost cities like this.

        So what happens when China decides it has enough ghost cities?

        • bbfloyd 7.1.2.1

          what happens when TS decides to start saying something useful for once….. the apologist/ naysayer impersonation got very boring a long time ago…. now it’s just sad….

          it wouldn’t be so pathetic if the “points” made had any more than a passing relationship with reality, but that would take thought….. and there lies the fatal weakness with that plan…

          • Lanthanide 7.1.2.1.1

            Seems like an entirely legitimate question to ask to me – what are China gonna do when there’s no more cities to build or the whole thing collapses on itself?

            I guess it depends on the real purpose of these cities. If they are building them with the expectation that cheap oil has a very limited shelf-life and they’re building these things now when it’s ‘cheap’ to do so, then they’re going to set themselves up very well.

            But I suspect that’s not what they’re doing, and if it was, they could have built things on much the same scale but with a far larger sustainable bent than what they have; cities with built-in public transport, lots of cycleways, district heating and other such things. These cities just look like bog-standard business as usual. Which in fact means they might even be more vulnerable to oil scarcity: not only do they have to deal with the oil price, but deal with the fact that they wasted all that money on stuff that ultimately doesn’t cope with the new normal.

        • mike e 7.1.2.2

          tsm {the silly monetarist} excuses excuses The US and Ireland have ghost cities as well but to fix the problem the free marketers bulldoze the buildings to create demand. while China plans long term and will just wait for the next growth period.

        • Jeremy 7.1.2.3

          Hate to ruin all your fun but that story in the Daily Mail is a pretty bad hoax. I’m not sure whether the fact they used fictional place names makes it a better hoax or a worse one.
          None of the pictures are what they seem either. You can make similar pictures yourself by finding a place with wide enough roads and zooming out on Google earth until all the cars vanish. The ground shot is also deceptive: it’s the main road leading from Hong Kong airport to the city, taken when traffic had been diverted for maintenance.
          I actually spent a weekend last year in one of the two places named in the story that actually exists: good place to buy cooked river snails! (oh, and when you sit in the restaurant eating them you can watch more people walking past than you could in Auckland)

    • Matt 7.2

      You watch too much TV, and no you’re not well positioned strategically when you have a tiny, one-trick pony commodity economy and your strategic assets will soon be owned by someone else.

  8. Georgy 8

    Phil Heatley would have absolutely no idea how the economy and interest rates are related.

  9. Roger 9

    I sometimes wonder if some people even realise that there is a world wide depression out there! Think Greece for a minute….. So many people want government to spend, spend, spend and to hell with the idea that the money has to come from somewhere. We already have interest free student loans and working for families that we couldn’t even afford when they came in and certainly can’t afford now. I have yet to hear Labour say just where they would cut spending-oh yes tax the rich they scream- as if that would actually solve anything. The so called ‘rich’ (just recall that Labour in government said that it was people earning over $60,000 pa) would just find ways to avoid it paying and would in the case of the very rich, leave the country.
    Time for some realism surely.

    • Draco T Bastard 9.1

      oh yes tax the rich they scream- as if that would actually solve anything.

      Yeah, actually it would. It would stop the over accumulation that was the primary cause of the GFC.

      The so called ‘rich’ (just recall that Labour in government said that it was people earning over $60,000 pa) would just find ways to avoid it paying and would in the case of the very rich, leave the country.

      Nobody has called $60k rich it’s only the RWNJs have used it as a spin line. Avoiding paying tax needs a minimum 20 year prison sentence, confiscation of all wealth and a minimum of five years after sentence of not being allowed to own or manage a business. That said, just because some people will try to steal from the rest of us is not a viable excuse not to do something that needs to be done.

      • Roger 9.1.1

        In the nine years under Labour the people earning over $60,000 were taxed extra and no adjustment to their tax rate was made during that time. Michael Cullen said that there was no need to adjust their tax as they were ‘rich’. The fiscal creep was allowed to continue. When National adjusted that they were accused to giving tax cuts to the ‘rich’. Lets put the blame where its is due.

        • Colonial Viper 9.1.1.1

          Tax those earning more than 10x the average income @ 91%.

          And implement a 0.5% asset tax on assets held over $1M.

        • Draco T Bastard 9.1.1.2

          Michael Cullen said that there was no need to adjust their tax as they were ‘rich’.

          Really? Prove it. It shouldn’t be hard to back that up with newspaper links.

          Tax brackets don’t determine if people are rich but their ability to pay tax and, no, they’re not perfect.

          When National adjusted that they were accused to giving tax cuts to the ‘rich’.

          That’s because that’s what they were.

    • Jackal 9.2

      I wouldn’t mind if a few rich pricks toddled off. New Zealand has a low to moderate corporate tax rate and lots of tax breaks for the wealthy, so they might get a wake up call elsewhere. The regressive GST changes of 2010 ensured those on the low end of the scale are paying comparatively more while rich people are paying less. It’s no real surprise then that New Zealand’s inequality has recently increased faster than any other OECD country. What we need is a progressive income tax system… not more neo-liberal bullshit!

    • rosy 9.3

      I sometimes wonder if some people even realise that there is a world wide depression out there!
      There’s not a world-wide depression out there. Countries that are undergoing ‘austerity’, especially Greece, are in recession.

      See for example

      The EU actually had positive growth last quarter – powered by Germany… a country that thinks austerity is for others. And the EU is barely a trading partner – Asia, the U.S and Australia are much more important to NZ in terms of GDP growth

  10. captain hook 10

    the thing is what more can you expect from someone who charges up hamburgers on a credit card.

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  • What happens after the war – Mariupol
    Mariupol, on the Azov Sea coast, was one of the first cities to suffer almost complete destruction after the start of the Ukraine War started in late February 2022. We remember the scenes of absolute destruction of the houses and city structures. The deaths of innocent civilians – many of ...
    2 days ago
  • Babies and benefits – no good news
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – Ten years ago, I wrote the following in a Listener column: Every year around one in five new-born babies will be reliant on their caregivers benefit by Christmas. This pattern has persisted from at least 1993. For Maori the number jumps to over one in three.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • Should the RBNZ be looking through climate inflation?
    Climate change is expected to generate more and more extreme events, delivering a sort of structural shock to inflation that central banks will have to react to as if they were short-term cyclical issues. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours, as of 9:16 am on Thursday, April 18 are:Housing: Tauranga residents living in boats, vans RNZ Checkpoint Louise TernouthHousing: Waikato councillor says wastewater plant issues could hold up Sleepyhead building a massive company town Waikato Times Stephen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the public sector carnage, and misogyny as terrorism
    It’s a simple deal. We pay taxes in order to finance the social services we want and need. The carnage now occurring across the public sector though, is breaking that contract. Over 3,000 jobs have been lost so far. Many are in crucial areas like Education where the impact of ...
    2 days ago
  • Meeting the Master Baiters
    Hi,A friend had their 40th over the weekend and decided to theme it after Curb Your Enthusiasm fashion icon Susie Greene. Captured in my tiny kitchen before I left the house, I ending up evoking a mix of old lesbian and Hillary Clinton — both unintentional.Me vs Hillary ClintonIf you’re ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago
  • How extreme was the Earth's temperature in 2023
    This is a re-post from Andrew Dessler at the Climate Brink blog In 2023, the Earth reached temperature levels unprecedented in modern times. Given that, it’s reasonable to ask: What’s going on? There’s been lots of discussions by scientists about whether this is just the normal progression of global warming or if something ...
    2 days ago
  • Backbone, revisited
    The schools are on holiday and the sun is shining in the seaside village and all day long I have been seeing bunches of bikes; Mums, Dads, teens and toddlers chattering, laughing, happy, having a bloody great time together. Cheers, AT, for the bits of lane you’ve added lately around the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Ministers are not above the law
    Today in our National-led authoritarian nightmare: Shane Jones thinks Ministers should be above the law: New Zealand First MP Shane Jones is accusing the Waitangi Tribunal of over-stepping its mandate by subpoenaing a minister for its urgent hearing on the Oranga Tamariki claim. The tribunal is looking into the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • What’s the outfit you can hear going down the gurgler? Probably it’s David Parker’s Oceans Sec...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point  of Order first heard of the Oceans Secretariat in June 2021, when David Parker (remember him?) announced a multi-agency approach to protecting New Zealand’s marine ecosystems and fisheries. Parker (holding the Environment, and Oceans and Fisheries portfolios) broke the news at the annual Forest & ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Bryce Edwards writes  – Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Matt Doocey doubles down on trans “healthcare”
    Citizen Science writes –  Last week saw two significant developments in the debate over the treatment of trans-identifying children and young people – the release in Britain of the final report of Dr Hilary Cass’s review into gender healthcare, and here in New Zealand, the news that the ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • A TikTok Prime Minister.
    One night while sleeping in my bed I had a beautiful dreamThat all the people of the world got together on the same wavelengthAnd began helping one anotherNow in this dream, universal love was the theme of the dayPeace and understanding and it happened this wayAfter such an eventful day ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Texas Lessons
    This is a guest post by Oscar Simms who is a housing activist, volunteer for the Coalition for More Homes, and was the Labour Party candidate for Auckland Central at the last election. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    3 days ago
  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links at 6:06 am
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours as of 6:06 am on Wednesday, April 17 are:Must read: Secrecy shrouds which projects might be fast-tracked RNZ Farah HancockScoop: Revealed: Luxon has seven staffers working on social media content - partly paid for by taxpayer Newshub ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Fighting poverty on the holiday highway
    Turning what Labour called the “holiday highway” into a four-lane expressway from Auckland to Whangarei could bring at least an economic benefit of nearly two billion a year for Northland each year. And it could help bring an end to poverty in one of New Zealand’s most deprived regions. The ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago
  • Bernard's six-stack of substacks at 6:26 pm
    Tonight’s six-stack includes: launching his substack with a bunch of his previous documentaries, including this 1992 interview with Dame Whina Cooper. and here crew give climate activists plenty to do, including this call to submit against the Fast Track Approvals bill. writes brilliantly here on his substack ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • At a glance – Is the science settled?
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    3 days ago
  • Apposite Quotations.
    How Long Is Long Enough? Gaza under Israeli bombardment, July 2014. This posting is exclusive to Bowalley Road. ...
    4 days ago
  • What’s a life worth now?
    You're in the mall when you hear it: some kind of popping sound in the distance, kids with fireworks, maybe. But then a moment of eerie stillness is followed by more of the fireworks sound and there’s also screaming and shrieking and now here come people running for their lives.Does ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • Howling at the Moon
    Karl du Fresne writes –  There’s a crisis in the news media and the media are blaming it on everyone except themselves. Culpability is being deflected elsewhere – mainly to the hapless Minister of Communications, Melissa Lee, and the big social media platforms that are accused of hoovering ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Newshub is Dead.
    I don’t normally send out two newsletters in a day but I figured I’d say something about… the news. If two newsletters is a bit much then maybe just skip one, I don’t want to overload people. Alternatively if you’d be interested in sometimes receiving multiple, smaller updates from me, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Seymour is chuffed about cutting early-learning red tape – but we hear, too, that Jones has loose...
    Buzz from the Beehive David Seymour and Winston Peters today signalled that at least two ministers of the Crown might be in Wellington today. Seymour (as Associate Minister of Education) announced the removal of more red tape, this time to make it easier for new early learning services to be ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. Our political system is suffering from the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago
  • Was Hawkesby entirely wrong?
    David Farrar  writes –  The Broadcasting Standards Authority ruled: Comments by radio host Kate Hawkesby suggesting Māori and Pacific patients were being prioritised for surgery due to their ethnicity were misleading and discriminatory, the Broadcasting Standards Authority has found. It is a fact such patients are prioritised. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • PRC shadow looms as the Solomons head for election
    PRC and its proxies in Solomons have been preparing for these elections for a long time. A lot of money, effort and intelligence have gone into ensuring an outcome that won’t compromise Beijing’s plans. Cleo Paskall writes – On April 17th the Solomon Islands, a country of ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Climate Change: Criminal ecocide
    We are in the middle of a climate crisis. Last year was (again) the hottest year on record. NOAA has just announced another global coral bleaching event. Floods are threatening UK food security. So naturally, Shane Jones wants to make it easier to mine coal: Resources Minister Shane Jones ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Is saving one minute of a politician's time worth nearly $1 billion?
    Is speeding up the trip to and from Wellington airport by 12 minutes worth spending up more than $10 billion? Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me in the last day to 8:26 am today are:The Lead: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Long Tunnel or Long Con?
    Yesterday it was revealed that Transport Minister had asked Waka Kotahi to look at the options for a long tunnel through Wellington. State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the ...
    4 days ago
  • Smoke And Mirrors.
    You're a fraud, and you know itBut it's too good to throw it all awayAnyone would do the sameYou've got 'em goingAnd you're careful not to show itSometimes you even fool yourself a bitIt's like magicBut it's always been a smoke and mirrors gameAnyone would do the sameForty six billion ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • What is Mexico doing about climate change?
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections The June general election in Mexico could mark a turning point in ensuring that the country’s climate policies better reflect the desire of its citizens to address the climate crisis, with both leading presidential candidates expressing support for renewable energy. Mexico is the ...
    4 days ago
  • State of humanity, 2024
    2024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?When I say 2024 I really mean the state of humanity in 2024.Saturday night, we watched Civil War because that is one terrifying cliff we've ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago
  • Govt’s Wellington tunnel vision aims to ease the way to the airport (but zealous promoters of cycl...
    Buzz from the Beehive A pet project and governmental tunnel vision jump out from the latest batch of ministerial announcements. The government is keen to assure us of its concern for the wellbeing of our pets. It will be introducing pet bonds in a change to the Residential Tenancies Act ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago
  • The case for cultural connectedness
    A recent report generated from a Growing Up in New Zealand (GUiNZ) survey of 1,224 rangatahi Māori aged 11-12 found: Cultural connectedness was associated with fewer depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms and better quality of life. That sounds cut and dry. But further into the report the following appears: Cultural connectedness is ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Useful context on public sector job cuts
    David Farrar writes –    The Herald reports: From the gory details of job-cuts news, you’d think the public service was being eviscerated.   While the media’s view of the cuts is incomplete, it’s also true that departments have been leaking the particulars faster than a Wellington ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell On When Racism Comes Disguised As Anti-racism
    Remember the good old days, back when New Zealand had a PM who could think and speak calmly and intelligently in whole sentences without blustering? Even while Iran’s drones and missiles were still being launched, Helen Clark was live on TVNZ expertly summing up the latest crisis in the Middle ...
    5 days ago
  • Govt ignored economic analysis of smokefree reversal
    Costello did not pass on analysis of the benefits of the smokefree reforms to Cabinet, emphasising instead the extra tax revenues of repealing them. Photo: Hagen Hopkins, Getty Images TL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me at 7:26 am today are:The Lead: Casey Costello never passed on ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • True Blue.
    True loveYou're the one I'm dreaming ofYour heart fits me like a gloveAnd I'm gonna be true blueBaby, I love youI’ve written about the job cuts in our news media last week. The impact on individuals, and the loss to Aotearoa of voices covering our news from different angles.That by ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • Who is running New Zealand’s foreign policy?
    While commentators, including former Prime Minister Helen Clark, are noting a subtle shift in New Zealand’s foreign policy, which now places more emphasis on the United States, many have missed a key element of the shift. What National said before the election is not what the government is doing now. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 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
    12 hours 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
    15 hours 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
    15 hours 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
    16 hours 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
    16 hours 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
    17 hours 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
    19 hours 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
    1 day 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
    2 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
    2 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
    2 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
    2 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
    2 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
    2 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
    2 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
    2 days 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
    3 days 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
    3 days 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
    3 days 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
    3 days 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
    4 days 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
    4 days 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
    4 days 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
    4 days ago
  • Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.   Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ ties
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.  During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Antarctica New Zealand Board appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has made further appointments to the Board of Antarctica New Zealand as part of a continued effort to ensure the Scott Base Redevelopment project is delivered in a cost-effective and efficient manner.  The Minister has appointed Neville Harris as a new member of the Board. Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Finance Minister travels to Washington DC
    Finance Minister Nicola Willis will travel to the United States on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Five Finance Ministers group, with counterparts from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.  “I am looking forward to meeting with our Five Finance partners on how we can work ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Pet bonds a win/win for renters and landlords
    The coalition Government has today announced purrfect and pawsitive changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to give tenants with pets greater choice when looking for a rental property, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Pets are important members of many Kiwi families. It’s estimated that around 64 per cent of New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being considered
    State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the Government has also asked NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to consider and provide advice on a Long Tunnel option, Transport Minister Simeon Brown ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • New Zealand condemns Iranian strikes
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel.    “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says.    "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plans
    Hundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand Chair
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board.   “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti.  “I have asked her to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Roads of National Significance planning underway
    The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Navigating an unstable global environment
    New Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States.    “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • NZ welcomes Australian Governor-General
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Pseudoephedrine back on shelves for Winter
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced that Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Pharmaceutical suppliers have indicated they may be able to supply the first products in June. “This is much earlier than the original expectation of medicines being available by 2025. The Government recognised ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • NZ and the US: an ever closer partnership
    New Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Joint US and NZ declaration
    April 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • NZ and US to undertake further practical Pacific cooperation
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced further New Zealand cooperation with the United States in the Pacific Islands region through $16.4 million in funding for initiatives in digital connectivity and oceans and fisheries research.   “New Zealand can achieve more in the Pacific if we work together more urgently and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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