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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    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
    2 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
    2 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
    2 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
    2 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
    2 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. ...
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    8 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
    10 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
    10 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
    11 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
    11 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
    12 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
    14 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    2 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
    2 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
    3 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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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