National has lots of questions

Written By: - Date published: 8:30 am, January 12th, 2019 - 38 comments
Categories: Abuse of power, democracy under attack, Gerry Brownlee, Judith Collins, national, Parliament, Politics, same old national - Tags: , ,

Answers to written questions in Parliament have a very specific role. Questions are meant to be concise and answers are meant to be provided within 6 working days.

But for some time National has engaged in what can only be described as a full scale fishing expedition and have stretched Ministerial resources to their limits in answering thousands of questions. From Jason Walls at the Herald:

Opposition MPs asked ministers more than 40,000 written question in 2018, with just three National MPs contributing more than a quarter of that total figure.

National’s Alfred Ngaro, Melissa Lee and Paul Goldsmith asked a combined almost 12,000 written questions over the course of 2018.

Asking roughly 4500 questions, Ngaro – National’s children, community and voluntary sector and Pacific peoples’ spokesman – lodged the most questions in the year.

Almost a quarter of all Ngaro’s written questions were lodged on just one day.

Just 300 questions behind Ngaro’s total annual question count was Paul Goldsmith, spokesman for economic and regional development. Many of his questions related to the Provincial Growth Fund.

Lee, spokeswoman for broadcasting and ethnic communities, asked roughly just over 3000.

Judith Collins, Gerry Brownlee and Todd Muller all asked roughly 2000.


National claims that it is because the Government is not being sufficiently transparent. But the questions being asked would tend to refute that.

For instance Ngaro asked a thousand questions in just one day. How do you do that? How much do you want to know?

It appears this happened because Ngaro asked a separate question for each day during a given period. Why not ask one question for a period of time? Asking one question for each day seems somewhat excessive.

And if you have a look at the sort of questions being asked I am sure that you would agree that this is a colossal waste of time.

Maybe Labour should do what the Greens have implemented and proactively release all ministerial diaries to show who they’ve met with and why. And while they are at it they should confirm that they will not accept corporate hospitality, such as free tickets to events unrelated to their work.

And maybe the Taxpayers Union should look into this. Clogging up Ministerial Services with a whole load of make work questions seems rather weird for a party that claims to be opposed to the waste of Government resources.

38 comments on “National has lots of questions ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Pat 1
    12 January 2019 at 8:50 am

    So many questions and no answers

    • Robert Guyton 1.1
      12 January 2019 at 9:03 am

      So many questions, so few reasons for asking them.

      • Pat 1.1.1
        12 January 2019 at 9:08 am

        Id suggest not a few. there is only one overriding reason for asking, one motivation.

        • Dennis Frank 1.1.1.1
          12 January 2019 at 10:24 am

          Yeah, obviously a political strategy. Ask so many questions that civil servants spend most of the time looking for the answers instead of doing their job. Or perhaps it is designed to provoke the govt into creating a new class of public servants: question answerers.

          Perhaps we need an Information Ministry? To stymie the strategy, the govt ought to engage gear with their best propagandist. If Winston, then he ought to call for public debate on the cost of that. Getting public service advice on the annual cost of answering National’s 2018 questions seems like the essential basis upon which to proceed. He could, at the press conference, call upon the Taxpayer’s Union to provide an independent audit to provide comparative costing!

          • greywarshark 1.1.1.1.1
            12 January 2019 at 11:33 am

            But. says the wondering child, do National Party ever learn anything from the Answers to their Questions?

            • alwyn 1.1.1.1.1.1
              12 January 2019 at 12:21 pm

              It was very hard to learn anything from the Minister’s answers. You see they simply refused to give any answer at all.
              Brett Hudson, a National MP commented on this in November 2017. I realise that it was on Kiwiblog but if you actually have a genuine interest in the subject you will go there and read it in full.
              An extract of what he said is.

              “The volume of questions is purely being driven by Ministers and their offices refusing to answer more generalised questions, such as something along the lines of ‘Who has the Minister met with since being sworn in?’
              A very reasonable question. It not only helps to identify who might be influencing government, it also helps to target further information requests.
              Ministers’ offices have been responding along the lines of ‘The minister meets with many people on many topics. We can respond to more specific questions.’”
              https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2017/11/hipkins_crying_over_what_he_used_to_do.html#comment-2085533

              Thus the questions have to be made ever more specific.
              Micky knows this of course but some people reading this probably aren’t aware of the tactic.
              So much for “Open and Transparent” eh?

      • Robert Guyton 1.1.2
        12 January 2019 at 9:08 am

        Simon whatsisname asks a lot. He’s the Kweschiner in Chief. Each of his are fresh and new; he makes them that way, not by changing the wording, but by subtle inflections in his voice; first, he croaks them, then he gurgles them; lastly, well down the track, he chokes on them. He’s KiC.

        • OnceWasTim 1.1.2.1
          12 January 2019 at 11:00 am

          Then there’s all those ‘Poynaordas Mr Spoika’ from the backup team.
          It’s no wonder Chris Finlayson began to look utterly disinterested during the last Parlyarmint season and left most of it to that brick of principle and ethics Gerry and the pompous stuffed shirt Wodehouse. Meanwhile Nafe was finding it a bit hard to keep up, Smith was forever lamenting what might have been, and Paul was focused on her next re-imaging project. Oh and Crusha was wondering what the best knife to use might be or whether to just go for broke and use a machete

          • Tricledrown 1.1.2.1.1
            13 January 2019 at 10:41 pm

            Fillibustering technique. National are well behind on MP numbers so this is all they have got.

        • greywarshark 1.1.2.2
          12 January 2019 at 11:30 am

          Perhaps Bridges is pretty much NZs Tom Waits.

          (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TDSDRb-I6Y

          This is good video – nice art work.
          (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBiR2PGiBPc

        • mary_a 1.1.2.3
          12 January 2019 at 1:54 pm

          Ha ha thumbs up to that Robert (1.1.2)

  2. James 2
    12 January 2019 at 9:04 am

    Funny how quick you forget.

    Labour asked 4000 questions in a single day right before Xmas.

    https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2009/12/more_question_abuse.html

  3. Blazer 3
    12 January 2019 at 9:09 am

    there is only one question=why?

  4. JustMe 4
    12 January 2019 at 9:29 am

    So many written questions i.e more than 40,000 by National MPs makes me want to ask them some environmental questions and they are: Was the paper National wrote their ridiculous questions on made from re-cycleable paper???!!!! If not then did National add to the air pollution in our environment by having the paperwork burnt?

    It is obvious National MPs are overpaid and underworked if the best they can do is ask repeated questions again and again and again with absolutely no intent of looking at problems which are MORE important to NZers than the National MP obsession(lets call it OCD)on asking the same question too many times!

    The Day of the Repeat Question by say 1000 as had by Alfred Ngaro; is a waste. Asking mostly same questions albeit 1000 times or 40,000 times shows National don’t have any significant let alone credit worthy policies in mind as we head towards Election 2020. Instead they are intent on silly and childish point scoring(aka Upmanship). And so National MPs asking the same question again and again up to say 1000 time is, in my opinion, a indication that the question should have been consigned to the National Party Furnace after the question had been asked 5 times over say one year.

    Why don’t we ask National MPs these questions: Did the previous National government decide against a Register in regards to overseas mostly Chinese/Asian millionaires who entered into NZ and received residency due to a ‘donation’ made to NZ? Where did these ‘donations’ really go? Did they go into say a political party bank account instead? Will National MPs ever admit they have made mistakes whilst in government or will they, as per usual, blame everyone else but themselves for THEIR mistakes???!!!!

    So many questions NZers would like to ask National but be assured we will never ever get any intelligent answers from them. They will waffle on and on and confuse everyone with their verbal gymnastics aka avoiding telling the truth.

    • Kevin 4.1
      12 January 2019 at 11:43 am

      For what it’s worth, pretty much all paper these days is either recycled or from FSC sustainably harvested sources. When it comes to your garden variety photocopy type paper, I would be very surprised if there was any imported that was not 100% recycled.

  5. her 5
    12 January 2019 at 10:13 am

    Does the member stand behind every statement they have ever made?

  6. Draco T Bastard 6
    12 January 2019 at 12:16 pm

    And if you have a look at the sort of questions being asked I am sure that you would agree that this is a colossal waste of time.

    Many of those questions could be easily answered – if the government published them on a decent website that everyone could view.

    BTW, linking to the top of the question list probably isn’t going to show what you want. When they’re asking ~100 questions per day it’s going to be fairly active and they will get round to asking some good questions.

  7. JustMe 7
    12 January 2019 at 12:16 pm

    Perhaps we should congratulate ALL the National MPS for demeaning the NZ National Party further and further especially merit goes to those who repeatedly ask questions in a feeble attempt at say ‘upmanship’ or looking important to the NZ voting public.

    Now I don’t know how many National MPs bother to read The Standard. But because The Standard is considered a Leftest media outlet then it’s unlikely any National MPs would read postings because they(National)just don’t like being questioned indepth especially by journalists like John Campbell(and the former Campbell Live team).

    And so whilst National MPs will ask the most silliest, childish, immature and repeat questions I doubt we can have ever had any transparency let alone accountability by National MPs especially whilst they were in government.

    Mentally I don’t think any National MPs or their supporters in the main stream NZ media are capable of answering questions rationally. They resort to ‘waffle, waffle and more waffle’ in the hope their ‘answers’ come across as being intelligent.

  8. WILD KATIPO 8
    12 January 2019 at 12:55 pm

    The ChiNational party.

    Water and swamp kauri theft , river pollution , slave immigrant labour , rampant housing speculation , impoverished rural community’s , trade union suppression , children dying in moldy cold homes , stagnant unrealistic wages , American style population surveillance , endorsing having an ex Chinese trained spy in their cabinet , – AND admittance to donations buying their way into their party ,…

    Oh yes , I’m sure there’s many , many questions to be asked of the ChiNational party…

    4 – Under the News Radar 2018 – China tried to buy 2 MPs on …
    https://thedailyblog.co.nz/…/4-under-the-news-radar-2018-china-tried-to-buy-2-mps-…

  9. cleangreen 9
    12 January 2019 at 1:41 pm

    Yes to all that Micky,

    As myself not a green party member, I still are ready to applaud the Greens for being first to show r-e-a-l transparency here and all parties should do so also.

    Our 20yr old volunteer Community NGO, has sent 64 emails over the last 13 months to eight of the cabinet Ministers seeking answers for responses and requests for a meeting.

    Since then we have to date NO responses to our questions or a meeting with any ministers except other than the ” PA for Minister of Transport Phil Twyford who said he was to busy”

    So are National just ‘jamming up the system for many thousands of phony questions’?

    Is this in an attempt to make Labour hated by the public?

    Are National wanting to cause labour Coalition to become ineffective at working with community groups and public volunteer agencies???

    Jacinda Ardern and her cabinet now must now act before her labour coalition becomes more unpopular micky.

    I requested in late November a request under the OIA for Phil Twyfords office for them to confirm that Mr Twyford has been in receipt and review of those 64 emails and that this has actually made!!!!!!

    As of at 12/1/2019 today our NGO has still not received any response.

    In August 2014 we requested the same OIA request for receipt and review from PM John Key’s office and 28 days later we got an official response from PM John Key’s “Chief of Staff” Wayne Eagleson 18th September 2014 which said; quote;

    Wayne Eagleson; “Please find the attached list of emails identified as being received by this office to the scope of your request”

    Sadly he omitted the second part of our (most important) request which was; – “did PM John Key receive all our 105 emails and review or respond to any of them.”

    We have asked the same question of Phil Twyford also, and have not received any reply to date after request from 19th November 2018!!!

    So you can see that the dramatic affect of the complete “loss of public interest communication is now affecting the Government,”

    Labour coalition now must make it a priority to stop this “political terrorism going on by the National Party against the people of NZ and their elected government.

    “Maybe Labour should do what the Greens have implemented and proactively release all ministerial diaries to show who they’ve met with and why. And while they are at it they should confirm that they will not accept corporate hospitality, such as free tickets to events unrelated to their work.

    And maybe the Taxpayers Union should look into this. Clogging up Ministerial Services with a whole load of make work questions seems rather weird for a party that claims to be opposed to the waste of Government resources.”

  10. Chris T 10
    12 January 2019 at 2:33 pm

    I heard on the radio Mallard alone asked 20,000 in 2010.

    Not that I think Nationals are fully justified.

    Just stones and glass houses and all that.

    • James 10.1
      12 January 2019 at 2:58 pm

      As I linked to before labour asked 4000 questions in a single day right before Christmas- but so many on here a blinded by their politics that they refuse to see that and it’s all national “bad”.

      • Dennis Frank 10.1.1
        12 January 2019 at 3:09 pm

        Well, I agree with you guys on this. Nobody ought to be doing this crap. Hard enough to make democracy work well as it is, without the system getting constipated as a result of gratuitous question overload.

      • cleangreen 10.1.2
        12 January 2019 at 3:18 pm

        “Two wrongs don’t make it right” –

        National must learn this; – as they are now just harming the NZ public now with their jamming the communication with these ‘frivolous’ attempts to impede the NZ voters and public interest to communicate with the government.

        So if national keeps on and persists!!!! – then labour must wipe the thousands of those frivolous questions off the front of the list; – and place the public questions in front to provide a reasonable service the voters requests and not play the games that national wants firstly now.

        • Chris T 10.1.2.1
          12 January 2019 at 4:01 pm

          No

          They just have to answer all the pointless questions in a timely manner like National had to do and Labour before them.

          I ain’t like they lack the staff

          • Robert Guyton 10.1.2.1.1
            12 January 2019 at 4:15 pm

            Key gave pointless answers, it’s true but hardly a genuine question was answered, let alone answered in a timely manner, consequently National Party lackeys like you, Chris T, wouldn’t recognise a real answer if one alighted on the tip of your nose and sang Sweet Adeline.

  11. Kat 11
    12 January 2019 at 9:00 pm

    National……..well, questions arn’t really questions if you know the answers too.

  12. Bryan 12
    12 January 2019 at 10:45 pm

    Recently I was searching for some information and Google gave the answer to one of the Nat’s written questions. When I reviewed the answers to all similar questions about briefings etc received I found that the Minister’s responses went from full and detailed very early on to now contain many “A paper the title of which is not in the public interest to disclose at this time”
    Open Government – bollocks!!!
    Labour needs some transparency lessons. The junior coalition partner can no doubt help them.
    If you wish to have a look yourself at some less than satisfactory answers and of course the undeniable huge number of questions being asked in these opposition fishing expeditions they are available on:

    https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/order-paper-questions/written-questions

    • Sacha 12.1
      13 January 2019 at 2:39 am

      “the Minister’s responses went from full and detailed very early on to now contain many “A paper the title of which is not in the public interest to disclose at this time””

      It’s almost like they are .. retaliating.

  13. Ant de Villiers 13
    13 January 2019 at 7:18 am

    Who knows the answers?

  14. Liminal 14
    13 January 2019 at 12:04 pm

    This is a deliberate policy by National to try and overwhelm ministries and agencies with work so that they can also say at some point how “inefficient” they are at doing their main tasks. My wife has worked as a contractor for the last couple of years specializing in OIA work in several ministries and it is common knowledge that this is National’s game. Even when important ministerial briefings are developed and presented (under tight deadlines) these were sometimes ignored by the honourable [sic] minister. Indeed, it has been noted several times that one of the Natszi crew, who was in charge of the agency my wife currently works for, just used to chuck them in his bin unread! Charming.

  15. Rob 15
    13 January 2019 at 12:19 pm

    Quck , alert the press – news break “Political Opposition asks many questions of current Govt and presents them in a series that Govt nor its supporters are happy with!”

  16. Jenny - How to get there? 16
    13 January 2019 at 6:02 pm

    This extraordinary amount of requests seems to indicate that National are deliberately engaging in an organised and malicious analogue, real world version, of a Denial of Service attack

    From Wikipedia;

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denial-of-service_attack

    Denial of service is typically accomplished by flooding the targeted machine or resource with superfluous requests in an attempt to overload systems and prevent some or all legitimate requests from being fulfilled.[1]

  17. Jenny - How to get there? 17
    13 January 2019 at 6:37 pm

    Because of the deliberate abuse of the parliamentary Questions and Answers, by the National Opposition Party, the Green Party, need to rescind their granting of extra question time to National, as a gentle warning, not just for this, but also for Todd Muller’s unprovoked lying attack on the Government.

    https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/on-the-inside/352880/what-the-greens-national-deal-reveals

    National now has an extra question each day to hold the Labour and NZ First Ministers to account.

    National have shown that they can’t be trusted not to abuse this gift.

    https://thestandard.org.nz/new-zealand-needs-a-government-that-understands-climate-change/#comment-1570854

  18. Jenny - How to get there? 18
    13 January 2019 at 7:19 pm

    How can we explain the bloody-mindedness of the Nats?

    Steve Bannon, care of Mike Moore, gives us an insight into the mind set of Right Wingers.

    “…..Our side, we go for the head wound. Your side, you have pillow fights.’ ”

    https://pagesix.com/2018/09/14/steve-bannon-was-supposed-to-appear-in-michael-moores-fahrenheit-11-9/

  19. Tricledrown 19
    13 January 2019 at 10:45 pm

    A lot of Fundamentalist Christians in the National Party want to take us back to the Dark Ages Inquisitions!

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • Modern insurance law will protect Kiwi households
    The Government is modernising insurance law to better protect Kiwis and provide security in the event of a disaster, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly announced today. “These reforms are long overdue. New Zealand’s insurance law is complicated and dated, some of which is more than 100 years old. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 hours ago

  • Government recommits to equal pay
    The coalition Government is refreshing its approach to supporting pay equity claims as time-limited funding for the Pay Equity Taskforce comes to an end, Public Service Minister Nicola Willis says.  “Three years ago, the then-government introduced changes to the Equal Pay Act to support pay equity bargaining. The changes were ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    9 hours ago

  • Transforming how our children learn to read
    Structured literacy will change the way New Zealand children learn to read - improving achievement and setting students up for success, Education Minister Erica Stanford says.  “Being able to read and write is a fundamental life skill that too many young people are missing out on. Recent data shows that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    10 hours ago

  • NZ not backing down in Canada dairy dispute
    Trade Minister Todd McClay says Canada’s refusal to comply in full with a CPTPP trade dispute ruling in our favour over dairy trade is cynical and New Zealand has no intention of backing down. Mr McClay said he has asked for urgent legal advice in respect of our ‘next move’ ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    12 hours ago

  • Stronger oversight for our most vulnerable children
    The rights of our children and young people will be enhanced by changes the coalition Government will make to strengthen oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, including restoring a single Children’s Commissioner. “The Government is committed to delivering better public services that care for our most at-risk young people and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    14 hours ago

  • Streamlining Building Consent Changes
    The Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says.      “The coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    19 hours ago

  • Minister acknowledges passing of Sir Robert Martin (KNZM)
    New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Speech to New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, Parliament – Annual Lecture: Challenges ...
    Good evening –   Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Accelerating airport security lines
    From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Community hui to talk about kina barrens
    People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Kiwi exporters win as NZ-EU FTA enters into force
    Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Mining resurgence a welcome sign
    There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill passes first reading
    The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government to boost public EV charging network
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure.  The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Residential Property Managers Bill to not progress
    The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Independent review into disability support services
    The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Justice Minister updates UN on law & order plan
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Ending emergency housing motels in Rotorua
    The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Trade Minister travels to Riyadh, OECD, and Dubai
    Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Education priorities focused on lifting achievement
    Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • NZTA App first step towards digital driver licence
    The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say.  “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Supporting whānau out of emergency housing
    Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Tribute to Dave O'Sullivan
    Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Speech – Eid al-Fitr
    Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Government saves access to medicines
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff.    “Access to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwis’ lives. We’ve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Pharmac Chair appointed
    Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Taking action on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
    Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says.  “Every day, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • New sports complex opens in Kaikohe
    Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Diplomacy needed more than ever
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges.    “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address, Buttes New British Cemetery Belgium
    Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service.  It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address – NZ National Service, Chunuk Bair
    Distinguished guests -   It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders.   Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address – Dawn Service, Gallipoli, Türkiye
    Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia.   Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • PM announces changes to portfolios
    Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • New catch limits for unique fishery areas
    Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Minister welcomes hydrogen milestone
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Urgent changes to system through first RMA Amendment Bill
    The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Overseas decommissioning models considered
    Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Release of North Island Severe Weather Event Inquiry
    Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Justice Minister to attend Human Rights Council
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order.  “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Patterson reopens world’s largest wool scouring facility
    Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-05-02T12:22:10+00:00