National don’t know and don’t want to know about foreign ownership of housing

Written By: - Date published: 1:09 pm, May 20th, 2014 - 43 comments
Categories: housing, john key, national - Tags:

Following up on yesterday’s post, there have been a couple of interesting bits in the media regarding National’s head-in-the-sand attitude to the housing crisis.

Criticism has come from their base in the form of a surprisingly critical interview that housing minister Nick Smith endured on the Paul Henry Show (about 14 min in, thanks ianmac).

The other is yesterday’s editorial in nzherald which was also critical of Nick Smith’s approach.

The common factor in both criticisms was that the government could find out the degree of foreign ownership of housing but they are simply choosing not to.

Given Orivida et al, it isn’t surprising that once again, National’s natural instinct is to protect the interests of foreign money.

Clearly not all of National’s base are pleased that their party is happy with foreign money buying up the country.

Yesterday I compared Key to Muldoon, which wasn’t really fair. At least Muldoon was trying to do the best for the citizens of New Zealand, misguided as his actions were. In contrast, Key appears only to have loyalty to big money.

43 comments on “National don’t know and don’t want to know about foreign ownership of housing ”

  1. Steve Withers 1

    This reason (and others) is why tend to refer to National as the “Multi-National Party” or – more recently – the “Multi-National 1% Party (NZ Branch)”. If they can screw over a million Kiwis for the benefit of a foreign corporation….whatever it goes straight to the top of their list. Example: Max Bradford’s electricity reforms.

    • Colonial Viper 1.1

      Very insightful…local Tory wealth is trying to gain membership rights to the global elite 0.01% and have to pay their dues – which includes sacrificing the rest of us. (Bearing in mind that to even be considered by the global oligarchic class you need a wealth of US$100M or more; if his $50M wealth estimate is still accurate then John Key is still not that far beyond the category of “well paid lackey”).

      • Chooky 1.1.1

        @CV…but he is very ambitious…and he has a country to play with…or use as a backer

        • Chooky 1.1.1.1

          knowledge and power of a country attract investors and big monied ‘friends’….and investment opportunities….and special relationships …..cf Nationals shenanigans with Oravida

          insider knowledge = power = money making opportunites

    • Chooky 1.2

      +100 Steve Withers

  2. Clean_power 2

    C’mon Mr Withers, you are a wealthy Canadian, part of the 1% yourself.
    How can you say that? Or do you feel guilty for being well-off?

    • JanM 2.1

      Where on earth do you get the idea that the only people entitled to critically examine our government’s policies are the born-in-New Zealand poor?

    • Colonial Viper 2.2

      C’mon Mr Withers, you are a wealthy Canadian, part of the 1% yourself.
      How can you say that? Or do you feel guilty for being well-off?

      Maybe he understands that everyone is harmed by excessive economic inequality.

      Maybe he gets that when things go really bad, the historical example says that the 1% who allowed massive unfairness to build up in society, often ended up swinging from lamp posts and trees.

      Maybe he simply has compassion for his fellow human beings.

  3. fambo 3

    The statistics I heard a while back were that around six percent of house buyers are from China, and 60 percent of them live overseas (although the way it was presented in the media was “40 percent live in New Zealand” which softens it a bit). Also, that they were buying predominantly in certain parts of Auckland, Bay of Plenty and Nelson (may have been a few other places as well). Given that six percent is the overall total for all sales in New Zealand but they are actually concentrating purchases in certain areas, that must mean they make up probably 10 percent and more of the vendors in some localities which inevitably makes them a big player in the real estate market. I always think it is important to point out, that this would be disturbing whatever nationality was involved. It just so happens in this case that they are Chinese.

    • Tracey 3.1

      i understand trips are organised for groups of aussies to come over here for property investment scouting:-)

      • Chooky 3.1.1

        and the Aussies are not the only ones here in groups for property investment scouting.

        …the point is that when there is a crisis housing shortage for New Zealanders the John Key NACT government is Recklessly BETRAYING New Zealanders!

        …. especially young New Zealanders who want to buy their first property to live in …..and even worse those New Zealanders who are being priced out of affordable quality rental accommodation because of scarcity …..New Zealand houses are being bought by uncontrolled immigration and overseas investors

        …..it certainly is an election issue and Labour should be whipping it up for all they can….Winnie certainly will be !….and the Greens and Mana!

    • Chooky 3.2

      +100 fambo

  4. Ant 4

    This is a massive wedge issue Labour can make use of, National are massively vulnerable here.

  5. vto 5

    Nick Smith claimed that 11% of the market that is foreign buyers is a small and negligible share.

    This is complete and utter bullshit. 11% is the difference between a rising market and an easing market.

    • Tracey 5.1

      do you know if they make up 11% of total buyers or 11% of total purchase values?

      • vto 5.1.1

        number of buyers.

        and of course that 11% is an average so in certain areas the proportion will be significantly higher while areas like Whangamomona will be near nil.

    • framu 5.2

      some one needs to ask him what effect an 11% rush on buying a companies shares has on the share price

    • Draco T Bastard 5.3

      11% is the difference between a rising market and an easing crashing market.

      FTFY

      It what happens to asset bubbles and National knows it which is why they’re protecting it.

      • vto 5.3.1

        Yes, I know. Just didn’t want to sound too dramatic..

        And yes, National do know it and that rising house prices leads to most voters (especially in the middle) feeling better of and voting in the incumbent. Clark knew it as well and let similar thing happen.

        But I suspect there may be a difference this time around. Namely, that the ‘housing crisis’ really is a crisis and that most people, including middle house owners, know that it is a bad situation. House prices of the level they are today do not even help people already on the property ladder.

        It may well backfire this rime around …..

  6. vto 6

    .
    Foreign ownership of housing (and other land) brings absolutely no benefit to New Zealand.

    People are slowly cottoning onto this.

    • minarch 6.1

      i dont think that was the motive ……

    • Draco T Bastard 6.2

      IMO, People have always known this. It’s never been the peoples will that NZ get sold off. It has only been the will of the rich.

  7. Enough is Enough 7

    Ban foreigners. It is an easy policy.

    You don’t have a New Zealand passport you cannot purchase property.

  8. Stuart Munro 8

    One of the fastest ways to generate robust objective figures on foreign purchasing is a moratorium. Halt sales for a year and see what happens to sales. This will rapidly reveal the extent of the problem – if it is actually trivial it can be reversed with no long term ill effects. But if the problem is significant it has the virtue of doing something serious about it.

  9. ScottGN 9

    The Nats latest panicked lurch on housing is Nick Smith blaming Auckland City Council for the affordability crisis because they’ve stifled supply.

    • vto 9.1

      Yes, and that is also complete and utter bullshit.

      Base cost of land for subdivision and housing development in Christchurch sits around $25 – 40,000. How much lower can that go? Just give the land away? Auckland little different.

      Nick Smith is a complete and utter bullshitter – check his eyes. Anyone who has each eye a different size opening and looking differently is someone to be wary of. Always been this way.

      Nick Smith is a liar.

      • Roy 9.1.1

        Looking at his different-sized eyes and his complexion, I suspect that Nick Smith has had a small stroke and is a heavy drinker.

    • Tracey 9.2

      it is act and national who turned auckland into a single consenting team from 8 different teams. and shrunk the team accordingly.

      on the other hand some of the people who know the least about the building act are in aucklands consenting team. its a bullying and dysfunction group, lording it over homeowners with threats of 200k fines and a ” because i said so” attitude to natural justice.

  10. Tracey 10

    so paul henry and the herald editor attack smith… but not the conductor of the orchestra.

  11. DH 11

    I think National are deliberately underplaying foreign investment because they’re afraid to admit how much trouble we’re in economically. On the path they’re taking us we need foreign investment, the current account deficit is funded by it.

    In our trading with the world the picture is this;

    Exports of goods & services $62.7 billion
    Imports of goods & services $61.9 billion

    Dividends from overseas investments $6.3 billion
    Dividends paid to foreign investors $15.5 billion

    Current account deficit $8.7 billion

    (that’s full year to September 2013)

    In forex terms we’re selling NZ$8.7 billion more than we’re buying back, if we didn’t take in foreign investment our currency would crash (to invest here foreigners have to buy $NZD). The current account deficit is expected to increase to some $15 billion and we need to fund that with even more foreign investment.

    Problem is we’re running out of things to sell. Ain’t many decent businesses or crown assets left now is there, govt can’t borrow much more either, so we’re down to flogging off property…. residential & commercial.

    • Skinny 11.1

      It’s the biggest mordern day swindle of our time John Key the money trading shyster along with his sidekick Joyce & English have done a con job on far too many gullible Kiwi’s.

      It won’t be till the books are opened after the election that Kiwi’s will findout the true extent of the deceit. Key will be off to a bolt hole in his homeland of America, Joyce will disappear off the map and English will be in retreat in the highlands of Otago.

      All the current Government MP’s should be detained at the airport after the election. They should face treason charges once the books are opened, the whole damn lot of them.

    • dave 11.2

      1984 people its happening again I really hope not we don’t have incomes or saving to weather a major economic hit 1984 was Govt. debt this time its the whole of society private and public drowning in debt

  12. Chooky 12

    that is pretty sobering!…my first instinct was to say “Where is Winnie?….seriously

    …which political party has the best solution to take back our economic sovereignty , assets, democracy and independence as a country?

    ….which political party is exposing John Key’s NACT gross economic incompetence?

    ….should we be taking back the banks?

    …what about a FTT( Financial Transaction Tax) ?

    …what is the best way out of this hole?

    • BM 12.1

      Winston Peters, LOL.

      The silly old prick has lost his marbles.

      Glue works beckon.

      [lprent: You know how I feel about threats of violence… 😈 ]

      • Chooky 12.1.1

        BM !!!…tragically for you….Winnie will swing the Nacts this election…and you know it!

        Winston will bring about the DEFEAT of John Key and the National Government in a few months

        …and Winston Peters will again become the brilliant Minister of Foreign Affairs in a Labour led Government

        EAT YOUR HEART OUT! … BM you silly old fool! (…couldnt resist saying that)

  13. Ad 13

    Both Labour and Greens will easily get boxed with racism if they pursue this. Do they really want to gift the Chinese 15% of the NZ electorate to National? Greens could afford to, but not Labour. And that’s a shit load of donor cash to say goodbye to.

    Only Winston Peters has the record (and the stones) to do the full UKIP/Enoch Powell opera dogwhistle on this one. Maybe there’s a 1% poll shift in it. I think not much more. Our demographics have changed too much – even since 2008.

    • Colonial Viper 13.1

      Ahem.

      Any ethnically Chinese voter who has actually resided in NZ for more than 10 years will most probably have no problem whatsoever with housing foreign ownership restrictions. I don’t, for instance. Potential exceptions would include Mandarin speaking real estate agents working in NZ. It would piss them off big time. But that’s vested interest for you.

      And the ones who have been here for significantly less than 10 years – they understand the rationale as it’s exactly how things are done in heavily Chinese countries like Singapore and China. Neither the Singaporean nor the Chinese governments have any problem with instant snap freezing of property asset bubbles with overnight announcements of increased stamp duties, mortgage limits, development regulations and ownership restrictions.

      In comparison, NZ politicians are totally gutless, overseeing the dismemberment of the productive sectors of the economy over a decade of property price speculation.

      • Chooky 13.1.1

        well said …and it is something Winston Peters understands….as Minister of Foreign Affairs he had a very good rapport with Asian leaders

  14. Fats 15

    “Yesterday I compared Key to Muldoon, which wasn’t really fair. At least Muldoon was trying to do the best for the citizens of New Zealand, misguided as his actions were.”

    Actually, if you want to compare anyone to Muldoon, it would probably best be the Greens. They share his interventionist and centrally-planned ideology, although Labour is moving that way too. It’s ironic that in many ways Muldoon was far more socialist than anyone in National now. He thought Think Big projects and the National Development Act would fix everything – he was wrong. But the Greens and Labour are now his torchbearers.

    This housing bubble is serious but you can’t blame it on Key, although it IS tempting. Helen Clark bears a lot of the blame. When she tweaked personal taxes she left a shedload of loopholes so that property investment was an easy way for the well-off to ensure that their tax bill didn’t go up. And sometimes fell. I’m sure the fact that she’s reportedly got an investment portfolio of six properties wasn’t a factor in her thinking.

    There are a number of measures that the Reserve Bank could take to let the steam out of this property market, but middle NZ (those who have mortgages) would scream, banks would suddenly start worrying about loan quality etc. It’s not an easy problem to fix, no matter what demagogues like John Minto etc would have you believe.

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    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • 2500-3000 more healthcare staff expected to be fired, as Shane Reti blames Labour for a budget defic...

    Long ReadKey Summary: Although National increased the health budget by $1.4 billion in May, they used an old funding model to project health system costs, and never bothered to update their pre-election numbers. They were told during the Health Select Committees earlier in the year their budget amount was deficient, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    4 days ago
  • Might Kamala Harris be about to get a 'stardust' moment like Jacinda Ardern?

    As a momentous, historic weekend in US politics unfolded, analysts and commentators grasped for precedents and comparisons to help explain the significance and power of the choice Joe Biden had made. The 46th president had swept the Democratic party’s primaries but just over 100 days from the election had chosen ...
    PunditBy Tim Watkin
    5 days ago
  • Solutions Interview: Steven Hail on MMT & ecological economics

    TL;DR: I’m casting around for new ideas and ways of thinking about Aotearoa’s political economy to find a few solutions to our cascading and self-reinforcing housing, poverty and climate crises.Associate Professor runs an online masters degree in the economics of sustainability at Torrens University in Australia and is organising ...
    The KakaBy Steven Hail
    5 days ago
  • Reported back

    The Finance and Expenditure Committee has reported back on National's Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Bill. The bill sets up water for privatisation, and was introduced under urgency, then rammed through select committee with no time even for local councils to make a proper submission. Naturally, national's select committee ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Vandrad the Viking, Christopher Coombes, and Literary Archaeology

    Some years ago, I bought a book at Dunedin’s Regent Booksale for $1.50. As one does. Vandrad the Viking (1898), by J. Storer Clouston, is an obscure book these days – I cannot find a proper online review – but soon it was sitting on my shelf, gathering dust alongside ...
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell On The Biden Withdrawal

    History is not on the side of the centre-left, when Democratic presidents fall behind in the polls and choose not to run for re-election. On both previous occasions in the past 75 years (Harry Truman in 1952, Lyndon Johnson in 1968) the Democrats proceeded to then lose the White House ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    5 days ago
  • Joe Biden's withdrawal puts the spotlight back on Kamala and the USA's complicated relatio...

    This is a free articleCoverageThis morning, US President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the Presidential race. And that is genuinely newsworthy. Thanks for your service, President Biden, and all the best to you and yours.However, the media in New Zealand, particularly the 1News nightly bulletin, has been breathlessly covering ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    5 days ago
  • Why we have to challenge our national fiscal assumptions

    A homeless person’s camp beside a blocked-off slipped damage walkway in Freeman’s Bay: we are chasing our tail on our worsening and inter-related housing, poverty and climate crises. Photo: Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Existential Crisis and Damaged Brains

    What has happened to it all?Crazy, some'd sayWhere is the life that I recognise?(Gone away)But I won't cry for yesterdayThere's an ordinary worldSomehow I have to findAnd as I try to make my wayTo the ordinary worldYesterday morning began as many others - what to write about today? I began ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • A speed limit is not a target, and yet…

    This is a guest post from longtime supporter Mr Plod, whose previous contributions include a proposal that Hamilton become New Zealand’s capital city, and that we should switch which side of the road we drive on. A recent Newsroom article, “Back to school for the Govt’s new speed limit policy“, ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Monday, July 22 are:Today’s Must Read: Father and son live in a tent, and have done for four years, in a million ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Monday, July 22, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:US President Joe Biden announced via X this morning he would not stand for a second term.Multinational professional services firm ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #29

    A listing of 32 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, July 14, 2024 thru Sat, July 20, 2024. Story of the week As reflected by preponderance of coverage, our Story of the Week is Project 2025. Until now traveling ...
    6 days ago
  • I'd like to share what I did this weekend

    This weekend, a friend pointed out someone who said they’d like to read my posts, but didn’t want to pay. And my first reaction was sympathy.I’ve already told folks that if they can’t comfortably subscribe, and would like to read, I’d be happy to offer free subscriptions. I don’t want ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • For the children – Why mere sentiment can be a misleading force in our lives, and lead to unex...

    National: The Party of ‘Law and Order’ IntroductionThis weekend, the Government formally kicked off one of their flagship policy programs: a military style boot camp that New Zealand has experimented with over the past 50 years. Cartoon credit: Guy BodyIt’s very popular with the National Party’s Law and Order image, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • A friend in uncertain times

    Day one of the solo leg of my long journey home begins with my favourite sound: footfalls in an empty street. 5.00 am and it’s already light and already too warm, almost.If I can make the train that leaves Budapest later this hour I could be in Belgrade by nightfall; ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • The Chaotic World of Male Diet Influencers

    Hi,We’ll get to the horrific world of male diet influencers (AKA Beefy Boys) shortly, but first you will be glad to know that since I sent out the Webworm explaining why the assassination attempt on Donald Trump was not a false flag operation, I’ve heard from a load of people ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • It's Starting To Look A Lot Like… Y2K

    Do you remember Y2K, the threat that hung over humanity in the closing days of the twentieth century? Horror scenarios of planes falling from the sky, electronic payments failing and ATMs refusing to dispense cash. As for your VCR following instructions and recording your favourite show - forget about it.All ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Bernard’s Saturday Soliloquy for the week to July 20

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts being questioned by The Kākā’s Bernard Hickey.TL;DR: My top six things to note around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the week to July 20 were:1. A strategy that fails Zero Carbon Act & Paris targetsThe National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government finally unveiled ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Pharmac Director, Climate Change Commissioner, Health NZ Directors – The latest to quit this m...

    Summary:As New Zealand loses at least 12 leaders in the public service space of health, climate, and pharmaceuticals, this month alone, directly in response to the Government’s policies and budget choices, what lies ahead may be darker than it appears. Tui examines some of those departures and draws a long ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 week ago
  • Flooding Housing Policy

    The Minister of Housing’s ambition is to reduce markedly the ratio of house prices to household incomes. If his strategy works it would transform the housing market, dramatically changing the prospects of housing as an investment.Leaving aside the Minister’s metaphor of ‘flooding the market’ I do not see how the ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    1 week ago
  • A Voyage Among the Vandals: Accepted (Again!)

    As previously noted, my historical fantasy piece, set in the fifth-century Mediterranean, was accepted for a Pirate Horror anthology, only for the anthology to later fall through. But in a good bit of news, it turned out that the story could indeed be re-marketed as sword and sorcery. As of ...
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā's Chorus for Friday, July 19

    An employee of tobacco company Philip Morris International demonstrates a heated tobacco device. Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy on Friday, July 19 are:At a time when the Coalition Government is cutting spending on health, infrastructure, education, housing ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 8:30 am on Friday, July 19 are:Scoop: NZ First Minister Casey Costello orders 50% cut to excise tax on heated tobacco products. The minister has ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Roundup 19-July-2024

    Kia ora, it’s time for another Friday roundup, in which we pull together some of the links and stories that caught our eye this week. Feel free to add more in the comments! Our header image this week shows a foggy day in Auckland town, captured by Patrick Reynolds. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Climate Wrap: A market-led plan for failure

    TL;DR : Here’s the top six items climate news for Aotearoa this week, as selected by Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent Cathrine Dyer. A discussion recorded yesterday is in the video above and the audio of that sent onto the podcast feed.The Government released its draft Emissions Reduction ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Tobacco First

    Save some money, get rich and old, bring it back to Tobacco Road.Bring that dynamite and a crane, blow it up, start all over again.Roll up. Roll up. Or tailor made, if you prefer...Whether you’re selling ciggies, digging for gold, catching dolphins in your nets, or encouraging folks to flutter ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Trump’s Adopted Son.

    Waiting In The Wings: For truly, if Trump is America’s un-assassinated Caesar, then J.D. Vance is America’s Octavian, the Republic’s youthful undertaker – and its first Emperor.DONALD TRUMP’S SELECTION of James D. Vance as his running-mate bodes ill for the American republic. A fervent supporter of Viktor Orban, the “illiberal” prime ...
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 19, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:The PSA announced the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) had ruled in the PSA’s favour in its case against the Ministry ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • The Hoon around the week to July 19

    TL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers last night features co-hosts and talking with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent talking about the National-ACT-NZ First Government’s release of its first Emissions Reduction Plan;University of Otago Foreign Relations Professor and special guest Dr Karin von ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #29 2024

    Open access notables Improving global temperature datasets to better account for non-uniform warming, Calvert, Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society: To better account for spatial non-uniform trends in warming, a new GITD [global instrumental temperature dataset] was created that used maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) to combine the land surface ...
    1 week ago

  • Joint statement from the Prime Ministers of Canada, Australia and New Zealand

    Australia, Canada and New Zealand today issued the following statement on the need for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and the risk of expanded conflict between Hizballah and Israel. The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The human suffering is unacceptable. It cannot continue.  We remain unequivocal in our condemnation of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    16 hours ago
  • AG reminds institutions of legal obligations

    Attorney-General Judith Collins today reminded all State and faith-based institutions of their legal obligation to preserve records relevant to the safety and wellbeing of those in its care. “The Abuse in Care Inquiry’s report has found cases where records of the most vulnerable people in State and faith‑based institutions were ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    19 hours ago
  • More young people learning about digital safety

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government’s online safety website for children and young people has reached one million page views.  “It is great to see so many young people and their families accessing the site Keep It Real Online to learn how to stay safe online, and manage ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    19 hours ago
  • Speech to the Conference for General Practice 2024

    Tēnā tātou katoa,  Ngā mihi te rangi, ngā mihi te whenua, ngā mihi ki a koutou, kia ora mai koutou. Thank you for the opportunity to be here and the invitation to speak at this 50th anniversary conference. I acknowledge all those who have gone before us and paved the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago
  • Employers and payroll providers ready for tax changes

    New Zealand’s payroll providers have successfully prepared to ensure 3.5 million individuals will, from Wednesday next week, be able to keep more of what they earn each pay, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Revenue Minister Simon Watts.  “The Government's tax policy changes are legally effective from Wednesday. Delivering this tax ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago
  • Experimental vineyard futureproofs wine industry

    An experimental vineyard which will help futureproof the wine sector has been opened in Blenheim by Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson. The covered vineyard, based at the New Zealand Wine Centre – Te Pokapū Wāina o Aotearoa, enables controlled environmental conditions. “The research that will be produced at the Experimental ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    24 hours ago
  • Funding confirmed for regions affected by North Island Weather Events

    The Coalition Government has confirmed the indicative regional breakdown of North Island Weather Event (NIWE) funding for state highway recovery projects funded through Budget 2024, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Regions in the North Island suffered extensive and devastating damage from Cyclone Gabrielle and the 2023 Auckland Anniversary Floods, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Indonesian Foreign Minister to visit

    Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi, will visit New Zealand next week, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.   “Indonesia is important to New Zealand’s security and economic interests and is our closest South East Asian neighbour,” says Mr Peters, who is currently in Laos to engage with South East Asian partners. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Strengthening partnership with Ngāti Maniapoto

    He aha te kai a te rangatira? He kōrero, he kōrero, he kōrero. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the aspirations of Ngāti Maniapoto, Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka says. “My thanks to Te Nehenehenui Trust – Ngāti Maniapoto for bringing their important kōrero to a ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Transport Minister thanks outgoing CAA Chair

    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has thanked outgoing Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority, Janice Fredric, for her service to the board.“I have received Ms Fredric’s resignation from the role of Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority,” Mr Brown says.“On behalf of the Government, I want to thank Ms Fredric for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Test for Customary Marine Title being restored

    The Government is proposing legislation to overturn a Court of Appeal decision and amend the Marine and Coastal Area Act in order to restore Parliament’s test for Customary Marine Title, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says.  “Section 58 required an applicant group to prove they have exclusively used and occupied ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Opposition united in bad faith over ECE sector review

    Regulation Minister David Seymour says that opposition parties have united in bad faith, opposing what they claim are ‘dangerous changes’ to the Early Childhood Education sector, despite no changes even being proposed yet.  “Issues with affordability and availability of early childhood education, and the complexity of its regulation, has led ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Kiwis having their say on first regulatory review

    After receiving more than 740 submissions in the first 20 days, Regulation Minister David Seymour is asking the Ministry for Regulation to extend engagement on the early childhood education regulation review by an extra two weeks.  “The level of interest has been very high, and from the conversations I’ve been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government upgrading Lower North Island commuter rail

    The Coalition Government is investing $802.9 million into the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines as part of a funding agreement with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), KiwiRail, and the Greater Wellington and Horizons Regional Councils to deliver more reliable services for commuters in the lower North Island, Transport Minister Simeon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government moves to ensure flood protection for Wairoa

    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced his intention to appoint a Crown Manager to both Hawke’s Bay Regional and Wairoa District Councils to speed up the delivery of flood protection work in Wairoa."Recent severe weather events in Wairoa this year, combined with damage from Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023 have ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • PM speech to Parliament – Royal Commission of Inquiry’s Report into Abuse in Care

    Mr Speaker, this is a day that many New Zealanders who were abused in State care never thought would come. It’s the day that this Parliament accepts, with deep sorrow and regret, the Report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.  At the heart of this report are the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges torture at Lake Alice

    For the first time, the Government is formally acknowledging some children and young people at Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital experienced torture. The final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care “Whanaketia – through pain and trauma, from darkness to light,” was tabled in Parliament ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges courageous abuse survivors

    The Government has acknowledged the nearly 2,400 courageous survivors who shared their experiences during the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State and Faith-Based Care. The final report from the largest and most complex public inquiry ever held in New Zealand, the Royal Commission Inquiry “Whanaketia – through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Half a million people use tax calculator

    With a week to go before hard-working New Zealanders see personal income tax relief for the first time in fourteen years, 513,000 people have used the Budget tax calculator to see how much they will benefit, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “Tax relief is long overdue. From next Wednesday, personal income ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Paid Parental Leave improvements pass first reading

    Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says a bill that has passed its first reading will improve parental leave settings and give non-biological parents more flexibility as primary carer for their child. The Regulatory Systems Amendment Bill (No3), passed its first reading this morning. “It includes a change ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Rebuilding the economy through better regulation

    Two Bills designed to improve regulation and make it easier to do business have passed their first reading in Parliament, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. The Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Bill and Regulatory Systems (Immigration and Workforce) Amendment Bill make key changes to legislation administered by the Ministry ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • ‘Open banking’ and ‘open electricity’ on the way

    New legislation paves the way for greater competition in sectors such as banking and electricity, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Competitive markets boost productivity, create employment opportunities and lift living standards. To support competition, we need good quality regulation but, unfortunately, a recent OECD report ranked New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Charity lotteries to be permitted to operate online

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says lotteries for charitable purposes, such as those run by the Heart Foundation, Coastguard NZ, and local hospices, will soon be allowed to operate online permanently. “Under current laws, these fundraising lotteries are only allowed to operate online until October 2024, after which ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Accelerating Northland Expressway

    The Coalition Government is accelerating work on the new four-lane expressway between Auckland and Whangārei as part of its Roads of National Significance programme, with an accelerated delivery model to deliver this project faster and more efficiently, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “For too long, the lack of resilient transport connections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Sir Don to travel to Viet Nam as special envoy

    Sir Don McKinnon will travel to Viet Nam this week as a Special Envoy of the Government, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.    “It is important that the Government give due recognition to the significant contributions that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made to New Zealand-Viet Nam relations,” Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Grant Illingworth KC appointed as transitional Commissioner to Royal Commission

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says newly appointed Commissioner, Grant Illingworth KC, will help deliver the report for the first phase of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons, due on 28 November 2024.  “I am pleased to announce that Mr Illingworth will commence his appointment as ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ to advance relationships with ASEAN partners

    Foreign Minister Winston Peters travels to Laos this week to participate in a series of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-led Ministerial meetings in Vientiane.    “ASEAN plays an important role in supporting a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” Mr Peters says.   “This will be our third visit to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Backing mental health services on the West Coast

    Construction of a new mental health facility at Te Nikau Grey Hospital in Greymouth is today one step closer, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “This $27 million facility shows this Government is delivering on its promise to boost mental health care and improve front line services,” Mr Doocey says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ support for sustainable Pacific fisheries

    New Zealand is committing nearly $50 million to a package supporting sustainable Pacific fisheries development over the next four years, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones announced today. “This support consisting of a range of initiatives demonstrates New Zealand’s commitment to assisting our Pacific partners ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Students’ needs at centre of new charter school adjustments

    Associate Education Minister David Seymour says proposed changes to the Education and Training Amendment Bill will ensure charter schools have more flexibility to negotiate employment agreements and are equipped with the right teaching resources. “Cabinet has agreed to progress an amendment which means unions will not be able to initiate ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Commissioner replaces Health NZ Board

    In response to serious concerns around oversight, overspend and a significant deterioration in financial outlook, the Board of Health New Zealand will be replaced with a Commissioner, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti announced today.  “The previous government’s botched health reforms have created significant financial challenges at Health NZ that, without ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister to speak at Australian Space Forum

    Minister for Space and Science, Innovation and Technology Judith Collins will travel to Adelaide tomorrow for space and science engagements, including speaking at the Australian Space Forum.  While there she will also have meetings and visits with a focus on space, biotechnology and innovation.  “New Zealand has a thriving space ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Climate Change Minister to attend climate action meeting in China

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts will travel to China on Saturday to attend the Ministerial on Climate Action meeting held in Wuhan.  “Attending the Ministerial on Climate Action is an opportunity to advocate for New Zealand climate priorities and engage with our key partners on climate action,” Mr Watts says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Oceans and Fisheries Minister to Solomons

    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is travelling to the Solomon Islands tomorrow for meetings with his counterparts from around the Pacific supporting collective management of the region’s fisheries. The 23rd Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Committee and the 5th Regional Fisheries Ministers’ Meeting in Honiara from 23 to 26 July ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Government launches Military Style Academy Pilot

    The Government today launched the Military Style Academy Pilot at Te Au rere a te Tonga Youth Justice residence in Palmerston North, an important part of the Government’s plan to crackdown on youth crime and getting youth offenders back on track, Minister for Children, Karen Chhour said today. “On the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Nine priority bridge replacements to get underway

    The Government has welcomed news the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has begun work to replace nine priority bridges across the country to ensure our state highway network remains resilient, reliable, and efficient for road users, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“Increasing productivity and economic growth is a key priority for the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Update on global IT outage

    Acting Prime Minister David Seymour has been in contact throughout the evening with senior officials who have coordinated a whole of government response to the global IT outage and can provide an update. The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has designated the National Emergency Management Agency as the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New Zealand, Japan renew Pacific partnership

    New Zealand and Japan will continue to step up their shared engagement with the Pacific, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “New Zealand and Japan have a strong, shared interest in a free, open and stable Pacific Islands region,” Mr Peters says.    “We are pleased to be finding more ways ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New infrastructure energises BOP forestry towns

    New developments in the heart of North Island forestry country will reinvigorate their communities and boost economic development, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones visited Kaingaroa and Kawerau in Bay of Plenty today to open a landmark community centre in the former and a new connecting road in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • 'Pacific Futures'

    President Adeang, fellow Ministers, honourable Diet Member Horii, Ambassadors, distinguished guests.    Minasama, konnichiwa, and good afternoon, everyone.    Distinguished guests, it’s a pleasure to be here with you today to talk about New Zealand’s foreign policy reset, the reasons for it, the values that underpin it, and how it ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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