Nat smear machine obsessed by Fa’afoi’s ethnicity

Written By: - Date published: 10:03 am, September 29th, 2010 - 49 comments
Categories: by-election, making shit up, racism - Tags: ,

Ever since Kris Fa’afoi put his name forward to be Labour’s candidate in the Mana by-election, the National smear machine has been attacking him on his Tokelaun heritage.

First it was ‘oh, they’re only going to choose him because he has a brown face’. Now, apparently, the problem is that he isn’t Pasifika enough.

The National Party research unit has dug up and passed to Cameron Slater the blurb for a 2003 documentary, Long Lost Sons, in which Fa’afoi and his brother, Jason, go to the home of their parents, Tokelau.

Before departing on what the blurb describes “a heartfelt journey home” the brothers say how they weren’t raised in a strongly Tokelaun tradition with Kris saying “It’s just the box that we ticked when they gave us the census.” That’s a situation many children of immigrants can relate too. During the course of the documentary, the brothers come to have a deeper understanding and appreciation of their heritage.

But the National smear machine doesn’t actually understand the immigrant experience, they’re just after a wedge issue: first the guy’s too brown for National, now he’s not brown enough.

I had hoped we had moved past the time when National used race as a wedge in its election campaigns. It seems we haven’t.

Fa’afoi is going to win in Mana because he is the best candidate, representing the party with the best policies. He hasn’t made a huge issue of his ethnicity and I doubt voters will either. This is the 21st century, after all.

Maybe, someday, National will be able to win elections on their policies rather than with race-baiting and false advertising. I won’t hold my breath.

49 comments on “Nat smear machine obsessed by Fa’afoi’s ethnicity ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. comedy 1
    29 September 2010 at 10:20 am

    “Fa’afoi is going to win in Mana because he is the best candidate, representing the party with the best policies. He hasn’t made a huge issue of his ethnicity and I doubt voters will either. This is the 21st century, after all.”

    Nah Chris will win because the majority of Mana will vote Labour just like they always have same as Remers you could put a turnip up for election wearing a blue rosette and it would be plated in parliamnent for evermore…… politics in NZ which team do you barrack for ………. it doesn’t really matter – game set and match to the sick 120.

    • Blighty 1.1
      29 September 2010 at 10:29 am

      Kris, not Chris.

      Written twice in the article.

      Another sign of why we need to be investing more in education in this country.

    • David McLoughlin 1.2
      29 September 2010 at 3:40 pm

      same as Remers you could put a turnip up for election wearing a blue rosette and it would be plated in parliamnent for evermore

      Actually, Remuera (now the Epsom seat) is held by Act.

      • BLiP 1.2.1
        29 September 2010 at 4:41 pm

        same as Remers you could put a turnip Ferengi up for election wearing a blue anything but red rosette and it would be plated in parliamnent for evermore

        Better?

        • Luxated 1.2.1.1
          29 September 2010 at 9:36 pm

          Well that isn’t surprising, Ferengi laws of acquisition do read like neo-liberal best practice guidelines (although sometimes I wonder if that is incompatible with voting Labour or not!).

  2. Bored 2
    29 September 2010 at 10:23 am

    Fa’afoi looks very much like a New Zealander to me, the 2010 variety (as opposed to the 1960s version of the National core constituency)….

  3. Sweetd 3
    29 September 2010 at 11:19 am

    How long has Kris been a labour party member?

    • grumpy 3.1
      29 September 2010 at 11:22 am

      Before or after he left TVNZ? Seems to me he must have had an “understanding” from Labour HQ

    • Blighty 3.2
      29 September 2010 at 11:35 am

      how about you supply the answer, rather than just making cowardly smears.

      • Draco T Bastard 3.2.1
        29 September 2010 at 1:37 pm

        He wouldn’t know how to find out (He only needs to know what C&T told him to say) and he’s not really asking anyway. He has no more interest in it other than as a way to cast doubt upon someone’s character.

        Typical psychopathic RWNJ.

  4. randal 4
    29 September 2010 at 12:18 pm

    looks like natoinal is going to take a bath and they aint gonna come out smelling like roses.

  5. Blighty 5
    29 September 2010 at 12:22 pm

    see Whale’s tweet?

    “Apparently the pinkos don’t think I know how to use Google”

    I don’t think the guy knows how to tie his shoelaces, to be honest with you.

    • The Voice of Reason 5.1
      29 September 2010 at 12:32 pm

      Hmmm, I reckon he’d be a Warehouse velcro fastened trainer kind of guy, to go with the cheap trackies, Tshirt and eighties perve hairstyle. Mind you, his fashion sense is clearly the least of his troubles, eh?

  6. The Baron 6
    29 September 2010 at 12:30 pm

    Oh my god are we actually running the “National Party feeds Whale” piece of nutty hysteria again?

    You lot, particularly Lynn, wet yourself with angst and anger whenever someone points to a possible link between you and the Labour party. I don’t see a single shred of evidence to back up this LIE again, so have to assume that you lot are the prize hypocrites I always thought you were.

    As for the entire substance of this post, I have heard noone but the certified insane Cameron Slater running any line based on race. But don’t let that stop you from pulling out the “racist old national” card, to back up your own preformed world view of my favourite colour style politics.

    Keep fighting the shadows, Eddie – easier than actually gaining traction in the polls I guess.

    • The Voice of Reason 6.1
      29 September 2010 at 12:37 pm

      National have admitted feeding the C Slug the shit Farrar won’t touch, but don’t let that get in the way of your defence of the them, Barren. They’ll always be the party of Iwi/Kiwi, even if the racist sloganeer who came up with that has abandoned them for even nastier pastures.

      • Pascal's bookie 6.1.1
        29 September 2010 at 12:52 pm

        They fed iwi/kiwi to dpf before it went public too, now that you mention it.

      • The Baron 6.1.2
        29 September 2010 at 2:28 pm

        When was that admission? I must have missed it – but since it is such irrefutable public knowledge, I am sure you have a source?

    • lprent 6.2
      29 September 2010 at 12:54 pm

      You lot, particularly Lynn, wet yourself with angst and anger whenever someone points to a possible link between you and the Labour party.

      Wrong again (you do make a habit of that).

      What I object to is when people start saying or implying that we are run by Labour or the Greens or the unions or any other organization. It is quite obvious to even the most idiotic of troll that individual authors have links to various parties and organizations. However that doesn’t mean that either the authors or the site slavishly allow other organizations to dictate what gets written here.

      We don’t even allow our own trust to dictate what gets written here. When a moderator gets annoyed enough with something that is written then they will deal with it as an individual.

      If you want to see “group mind” in operation – then look to the right wing bloggers who do seem to slavishly follow each other and their respective party lines at various levels of dogwhistling. I personally find that behaviour quite disgusting and it does speak to a major inability of the various people to think for themselves.

      • Tigger 6.2.1
        29 September 2010 at 1:14 pm

        Which is precisely why some of us are here – to hear a variety of views, some of which contradict what we think and contradict each other on occasion…

        And Baron, no one in their right mind would believe for a second that Whale Oil is some lone gunman, FFS.

        • The Baron 6.2.1.1
          29 September 2010 at 2:29 pm

          Oh my god are you serious? All it takes is google to find that video – I’ve just done it.

          As opposed to this frankly nutty conspiracy theory. You guys sound like a left wing version of birthers for gods sake.

          Do you really think the left will win the next election with this frankly insane paranoia?

        • Jim Nald 6.2.1.2
          29 September 2010 at 3:01 pm

          Re Tigger’s comment

          As for me, I am not tied to an organised political party. I am a Democrat. [attrib. Will Rogers]

    • Blighty 6.3
      29 September 2010 at 1:15 pm

      Farrar’s been running the ‘they only want him because he’s brown line’

      and Slater himself admitted to working with the Nat research unit before the last election.

      “Mr Slater said he drew the attention of the National Party research unit to photographs of Mr Keizer, and said it was his understanding that the MPs had identified him off there.

      Mr Slater said he worked with the taxpayer-funded National Party research unit at identifying the spy by going through the Facebook sites of Young Labour members.”

      • The Baron 6.3.1
        29 September 2010 at 2:33 pm

        Rock solid evidence. Slow clap.

        Youy really see that as irrefutable evidence of a racist national party? And you don’t think that that is an awfully paranoid, low bar for such a call? The rantings of someone who you all, nay who everyone, recognises is nuts?

        Wow Eddie, and you criticise the right for dog whistling. What is this post? I said it before, and I’ll say it again – this post smacks of an incredible amount of hypocrisy and hysteria. So much for the principles of the left.

        • Blighty 6.3.1.1
          29 September 2010 at 3:31 pm

          What do you mean ‘rock solid evidence?’

          you want it on tape do you, sonny?

          Slater works with the Nat research unit. He admits it himself.

          Do you think Slater personally trawled through all the online references to Fa’afoi to find that comment?

          • Gosman 6.3.1.1.1
            1 October 2010 at 11:23 am

            Funny then that the last time this came up on this site he denied that he does work for the National Party research unit.

            The claim is that he is passed on lines of attack from National to post on his blog as part of an organised campaign.

            Now where is the EVIDENCE that this happens?

            Please note that stating he once helped them a few years back identify someone does not qualify as evidence that he is being passed on information as part of a co-ordinated line of attack against National Party opponents.

            Trying to do so would be intellectually dishonest. We all know that people from the left of the political spectrum are incapable of that so I don’t expect anyone to try 😉

            • Colonial Viper 6.3.1.1.1.1
              1 October 2010 at 11:28 am

              I guess being paid through an intermediary would technically mean that he doesn’t work for the National Party research unit 🙄

              • Gosman …
                1 October 2010 at 11:45 am

                So no evidence then that he is being fed information as part of a coordinated attack plan then?

  7. Lats 7
    29 September 2010 at 1:07 pm

    This sort of rubbish is a hangover from the 2 party FPP electoral system IMO. Both major parties are guilty of this sort of immature point scoring. Why? Because they feel compelled to be in “opposition” with each other. It would be so refreshing if one of the big 2 acknowledged a good idea coming from the other side of the house. I feel sickened when I occasionally listen to debating time on the radio or catch it on parliament tv; there is no attempt to rationally debate policy, the members are worse than a bunch of petulant school children.

    Maybe, someday, National will be able to win elections on their policies rather than with race-baiting and false advertising. I won’t hold my breath.

    Well said, but I think your concerns about electoral tactics apply to all parties, not just the Nats. Rather than attempts to discredit the opposing candidate(s), how about standing on a decent policy platform.

  8. gobsmacked 8
    29 September 2010 at 2:20 pm

    Sweetd asks:

    How long has Kris been a Labour party member?

    No idea. But a much more interesting question is:

    Why did John Key quit the National Party, in the 1990’s? Did he only rejoin the National Party, because he was ‘headhunted’ to enter Parliament?

  9. outodbed 9
    29 September 2010 at 2:47 pm

    The National and Lab party vote was similar last time around in Mana
    And the Greens will run a strong campaign with their candidate Jan Logie
    I just wonder if he is a shoe in?
    And if he loses what then Goff?

    [lprent: typo in the name? or identity theft.. Nope – looks like outofbed.. releasing. ]

  10. Jeremy Harris 10
    29 September 2010 at 4:42 pm

    My problem with Fa’foi is that he stated he only first thought about becoming an MP a few months ago… I want someone who has followed the issues closely and has had a desire for public service for some time before entering Parliament…

  11. nzfp 11
    29 September 2010 at 5:20 pm

    Fa’afoi is going to win in Mana because he is the best candidate, representing the party with the best policies

    Hey Eddie,
    Labour represents neo-liberal monetarism. Are you sure neo-liberal monetarism is the best economic policy for our nation?

    Sure Labour will have us believe that they have a social conscience, but they still haven’t repealed all of the neo-liberal reforms introduced by the 1984 Treasury economists through the then Labour Finance Minister – Sir Roger Douglas under the Labour Government of David Lange.

    Lets be honest now Eddie, Clarke and Cullen had many years to fix the problems the Labour party introduced – instead all they did was window dressing – they didn’t change anything at the core – afterall we still have GST instead of a socially fair progressive land or economic rent tax don’t we?

    It was the Labour party under Helen Clarke that introduced the Terrorism Suppression ACT that led to the human rights violations of Peace activists and the Tuhoe Iwi (Ruatoki valley specifically).

    Kris may or may not be a good candidate – I’m sure Kris will prove himself. However it is rich to suggest that Labour is the party with the best policies.

  12. randal 12
    30 September 2010 at 2:36 pm

    Kris will make a very good MP and spokesman for his electorate.

    • pollywog 12.1
      1 October 2010 at 9:09 am

      based on what ?

      what a fine press sec or reporter he was ?..if you ask me, he was shit at both and pretty much keeps jumping up a rung on the social/political ladder just before he’s pushed.

      I’d say that shows he has good political instincts and a nose for the brown stuff in being in the right position to captialise on any opportunities but i’d question his real world experiences and contacts that would say he’d be a good and fine anything.

      Does anyone know what he stands for, what his opinions are on a range of issues and can link to some speeches he’s made to show he’s not just another Uncle tom in a suit paying lip service to his ethnicity ?

Links to post

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • 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
    4 hours 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
    5 hours 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
    7 hours 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
    7 hours 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
    10 hours 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
    11 hours 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
    15 hours ago

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

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

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

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

  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day 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
    2 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
    2 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    4 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
    4 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
    6 days 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
    6 days 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
    6 days 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
    6 days 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
    6 days 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
    6 days 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
    7 days 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
    7 days 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
    7 days ago

  • Government redress for Te Korowai o Wainuiārua
    The Government is continuing the bipartisan effort to restore its relationship with iwi as the Te Korowai o Wainuiārua Claims Settlement Bill passed its first reading in Parliament today, says Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith. “Historical grievances of Te Korowai o Wainuiārua relate to 19th century warfare, land purchased or taken ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Focus on outstanding minerals permit applications
    New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals is working to resolve almost 150 outstanding minerals permit applications by the end of the financial year, enabling valuable mining activity and signalling to the sector that New Zealand is open for business, Resources Minister Shane Jones says.  “While there are no set timeframes for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Applications open for NZ-Ireland Research Call
    The New Zealand and Irish governments have today announced that applications for the 2024 New Zealand-Ireland Joint Research Call on Agriculture and Climate Change are now open. This is the third research call in the three-year Joint Research Initiative pilot launched in 2022 by the Ministry for Primary Industries and Ireland’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Tenancy rules changes to improve rental market
    The coalition Government has today announced changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to encourage landlords back to the rental property market, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “The previous Government waged a war on landlords. Many landlords told us this caused them to exit the rental market altogether. It caused worse ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Boosting NZ’s trade and agricultural relationship with China
    Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay will visit China next week, to strengthen relationships, support Kiwi exporters and promote New Zealand businesses on the world stage. “China is one of New Zealand’s most significant trade and economic relationships and remains an important destination for New Zealand’s products, accounting for nearly 22 per cent of our good and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Freshwater farm plan systems to be improved
    The coalition Government intends to improve freshwater farm plans so that they are more cost-effective and practical for farmers, Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay have announced. “A fit-for-purpose freshwater farm plan system will enable farmers and growers to find the right solutions for their farm ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • New Fast Track Projects advisory group named
    The coalition Government has today announced the expert advisory group who will provide independent recommendations to Ministers on projects to be included in the Fast Track Approvals Bill, say RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones. “Our Fast Track Approval process will make it easier and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Pacific and Gaza focus of UN talks
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters says his official talks with the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York today focused on a shared commitment to partnering with the Pacific Islands region and a common concern about the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.    “Small states in the Pacific rely on collective ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-04-18T08:18:20+00:00