National loses control of Parliament

Written By: - Date published: 8:37 am, September 8th, 2016 - 111 comments
Categories: Abuse of power, accountability, national, national/act government, phil twyford, Politics, same old national - Tags:

It may have been brief and passing but yesterday National lost control of Parliament.

And it was all their own fault.

Two days ago the out of control Nick Smith introduced a bill to do two things, extend the special housing area provisions by a further three years and stop land acquired under the Public Works Act for housing purposes from being offered back to the original owner if the Government decided to flick the land to a private developer rather than develop the land itself.

Fair enough that he should try and change the law but he introduced it as an urgent bill, which means no select committee scrutiny and no chance of public input. It was meant to be done and dusted quickly.

The first part of the bill, extending the SHA provisions was something that Labour could live with. But the second, removing buy back rights under the Public Works Act, should have gone through a select committee process as an absolute minimum. I described the provision as banana republic stuff a couple of days ago and stand by that.  It is extraordinary that National and Act, parties who profess to respect private property rights, should be extinguishing someone’s rights in such an underhand and summary way.

But this created a problem which the Government appear to have overlooked. The two parts meant that the bill was an omnibus bill and this allowed Labour to then put up further parts by way of amendment.

Which they did. For one day plus the housing crisis was debated as the opposition put up measure after measure.

The amendments put up by Labour and the Greens and New Zealand First included:

  • Introduce Labour’s Kiwibuild programme which involves the construction of 10,000 affordable houses a year by the state,
  • Extend the “bright line” test for capital gains on the purchase and sale of a house from two years to five years,
  • Tighten up foreign investment,
  • Introduce a National Policy Statement on urban development,
  • Stopping the taking of a dividend from Housing Corporation and using this money instead to invest in further social housing,
  • Mandating a minimum amount of emergency housing.

Each measure was voted down, usually by the narrowest of margins.

But for one beautiful day the House of the Peoples representatives debated and discussed the housing crisis that inflicts our land and almost enacted policies that would address this most urgent of problems.

Iain Lees Galloway summed up the debate perfectly.

Roll on the elections 2017.

https://twitter.com/PhilTwyford/status/773352211690598400

111 comments on “National loses control of Parliament ”

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  1. Nessalt 1
    8 September 2016 at 9:04 am

    Kind of like one of those days when they allow school children to run a “Model UN”. enjoy your field trip.

    Bit of a stuff up but not exactly government changing

  2. Keith 2
    8 September 2016 at 9:32 am

    And yet the media blame Labour for this.

    Why use urgency? How was urgency going to build any more houses right now, it wasn’t because they way National have everything set up it never will.

    The SHA’s are an abject failure anyway so why the urgency?

    When confronted with a number of excellent alternatives to deal with this housing crisis National vote every one of them down because they don’t want a single thing to change! They love this lords and serfs world they are creating.

    What is the justification for not offering back land to the original owner taken by compulsorily by the Public Works Act? I can’t think of a single good one but it would be bloody handy to flog off such land to your mates wouldn’t it National?

    • One Anonymous Bloke 2.1
      8 September 2016 at 9:39 am

      The developer wants the land urgently, and has paid enough in bribes to have their demands met?

    • dukeofurl 2.2
      8 September 2016 at 9:41 am

      Fletchers has told them there arent enough large blocks of land for development left that are ‘affordable for them’ or they have 3/4 of the site but there are some holdouts.
      This is mostly because of the lifestyle block boom has created hundreds of little blocks in the best sites.
      National wants to be able to go to location that has say 10 owners and take their land, ostensibly for the government to build , but in reality its for Fletchers to development subdivide and build the houses. As their business model is to do larger lots from the bare land to selling to new home owners.

      • Draco T Bastard 2.2.1
        8 September 2016 at 9:47 am

        +1

      • Macro 2.2.2
        8 September 2016 at 11:20 am

        National wants to be able to go to location that has say 10 owners and take their land, ostensibly for the government to build , but in reality its for Fletchers to development subdivide and build the houses. As their business model is to do larger lots from the bare land to selling to new home owners.

        I think that can be the only logical conclusion one can make on this piece of legislated corruption.

        • dukeofurl 2.2.2.1
          8 September 2016 at 12:22 pm

          http://www.fletcherliving.co.nz/

          Its amazing when you think about it- from buying the bare land to handing the keys over to new owners, they control the whole process.
          Theres Fletcher roading, Fletcher timber, Fletcher windows, Fletcher Concrete, Fletcher roofing, they do the lot. ( often they use brands that dont say Fletcher such as Placemakers, Dimond etc)

          The reality means the government should be doing this for the lower income people not doing $900K+ homes that are unaffordable

          • Draco T Bastard 2.2.2.1.1
            8 September 2016 at 1:28 pm

            The building sector in NZ is essentially a duopoly consisting of Carters and Fletchers. Sure, there are a lot of small independent construction firms but they get their materials from those two and are often sub-contracted by them to do the actual work.

          • Michelle 2.2.2.1.2
            12 September 2016 at 3:32 pm

            Don’t forget fletcher cow shit and waste in the rivers but they are allowed to as only the peasant get fined and have their land taken by the crown. Are people starting to see a picture of serfness here or is it selfishness

      • Akldnut 2.2.3
        8 September 2016 at 5:41 pm

        Theres a shit load of land to build on. Just stop playing golf on them and build houses instead, it might alarm a few rich elites……. but who cares!
        The Many before the Few.

        • b waghorn 2.2.3.1
          8 September 2016 at 5:48 pm

          I’ve got a cuzzie who lives in Auckland who has spent 20 years on night shift ,who’s loves a round of golf and sure as hell isn’t rich. I would go so far as to say that two 6 k walks a week are what keep him alive (he likes his grub)
          So this hatred of golf some lefties have just makes them look silly.

          • Andre 2.2.3.1.1
            8 September 2016 at 6:14 pm

            My problem with golf is it’s a huge amount of land locked away from general public use, and used at very low density by golfers. I was a regular user of Craigavon Park, across the road from the Titirangi Golf Course. The park was almost always busy, but there was hardly ever anyone visible anywhere on the golf course. Same with almost all other courses I go past.

            As I understand it, they’re generally not much good as nature reserves either. The grass monoculture and heavy use of chemicals suppresses wildlife on the course and for a surprising distance around it.

            • Xianggangadin 2.2.3.1.1.1
              9 September 2016 at 5:59 pm

              Try playing a round. You’ll soon see how busy the golf courses are.
              I like the occasional hack around the course ,but building on them would kill
              Two birds with one stone. More houses and less Chinese immigrants (they are the ones busying up the golf courses) if they can’t get a cheap round of golf they might not come here.

            • Lloyd 2.2.3.1.1.2
              9 September 2016 at 10:36 pm

              And the trees on golf courses are almost always exotics which don’t support native birdlife.

      • North 2.2.4
        8 September 2016 at 9:16 pm

        And Labour way, way back did that so beautifully with Fletchers. It ain’t gonna happen that way again though is it ? It’ll be rape for Fletchers and the government will contract for that. In the Shallow Man’s Brighter Future. Sad !

  3. Brigid 3
    8 September 2016 at 9:39 am

    Did the Maori Party vote against these amendments?

    • Macro 3.1
      8 September 2016 at 11:41 am

      From the fact that this legislation only passed by the narrowest of margins one would have to say that they voted against it. The Dunny and Seymour (Seymour was the main spokesperson for this despicable legislation btw) obviously voted with Nact to deny ordinary NZers any hope of social justice.

      • Lanthanide 3.1.1
        8 September 2016 at 11:50 am

        You mean, the Maori Party voted for the amendments.

        NAT + ACT + Dunne = 61.

        If MP votes alongside the government, they get 63 votes. “Narrowest of margins” would suggest 1 or 2 votes, eg 61 vs 60, not 63 vs 58.

        • Macro 3.1.1.1
          8 September 2016 at 1:28 pm

          I mean that the MP voted against the 2nd part of the legislation and for the subsequent Labour and Green amendments.

          The legislation introduced under urgency Parts 1 (and especially Part 2) passed by the narrowest of margins (61 to 60) so ergo the MP voted against it.
          The amendments sort by Labour and the Greens were not passed (60 to 61) even though the MP voted for them.

          Is that clear enough?

          • Lanthanide 3.1.1.1.1
            8 September 2016 at 1:44 pm

            Yes, except Brigid was talking about the amendments, so saying the Maori Party “voted against it” was confusing.

            • Macro 3.1.1.1.1.1
              8 September 2016 at 2:54 pm

              The legislation passed is an Amendment to the existing Public Works Act

              • Lanthanide …
                8 September 2016 at 3:24 pm

                Yes, but the only time the word “amendment” is used on this post, is talking about the opposition amendments.

                So in context, Brigid’s question is best interpreted as referring to the opposition amendments, for which I presume the Maori Party voted for, not against.

                • Macro …
                  8 September 2016 at 4:27 pm

                  “referring to the opposition amendments, for which I presume the Maori Party voted for, not against.”

                  You presume correctly.
                  And how could they do otherwise?- bearing in mind that they, with Labour and the Greens, are currently conducting an independent inquiry into Homelessness.

                  • Leftie …
                    8 September 2016 at 5:46 pm

                    The Maori party have a conflict of interest, they voted in favour of National’s legislation to sell off state houses.

                    • Macro …
                      8 September 2016 at 9:04 pm

                      That is true – but in their mind they had a sufficient reason to do so;

                      Maori Party co-leader Marama Fox responded strongly.

                      “I come with some frustration at those who want to deride the name of the Maori Party because we dare to have an independent voice,” she said.

                      “This is not a vote for a wholesale sell-off of the housing stock. For us, this is a vote of rangitiratanga.”

                      Iwi had asked the Maori Party to back the bill so they could get into the social housing market, she said.

                      “Housing New Zealand has done an appalling job of looking after our people, and [iwi] believe they can do it better.”

                      When Prime Minister John Key first announced the policy in his 2014 State of the Nation address, the Maori Party expressed some reservations, in particular around rights of first refusal for iwi.

                      The new legislation removes a requirement for Housing New Zealand to offer any land back to its original owner, but does not cut across right of first refusal for Maori.

                      The first tranche of sales are taking place in Tauranga, where local iwi have expressed an interest in buying up to 1000 homes.

                      Now you can agree or disagree with that (- essentially the new amendment cuts across the first principle of first refusal and so Maori could be out of land again). But as you maybe aware, land has deep significance for Maori, and the prospect of regaining land once removed from them in Tauranga was a significant one.

                    • Leftie …
                      8 September 2016 at 10:13 pm

                      Which iwi Macro? The Maori party do not speak for all Maori. Who actually asked the Maori party to support selling off state housing that is contributing to people being made homeless? What has National been doing to Housing New Zealand that rendered it ineffective in doing it’s job properly? Isn’t it Maori that National want to sideline in their sneaky attempt to amend the Public Works Act in favour of their developer mates?

                    • Macro …
                      8 September 2016 at 10:43 pm

                      If you read the link it tells you:

                      “The first tranche of sales are taking place in Tauranga, where local iwi have expressed an interest in buying up to 1000 homes.”

                      So you can see that if they were to be the purchasers, then the local Maori would not necessarily be made homeless. Many sectors of Maori have been advocating strongly over recent years for more self determination citing that the current state providers are not meeting their needs, and there is ample evidence that that is the case. Whanau Ora is the MP response, (which is why they choose to be on the treasury benches) and that move at the beginning of the year was in line with that.
                      However the effect of yesterdays Bill was to remove the provisions of the right of first refusal even for Maori – hence the change of stance.

                    • Leftie …
                      9 September 2016 at 2:08 pm

                      But that actually doesn’t answer any of my questions Macro. National/Maori Party selling off state housing, National/Maori Party demolishing blocks of state houses, not to mention letting state houses sit empty IS making people; both Maori and non Maori, homeless though. Tauranga is just one of National/Maori Party’s test sites. Whanau Ora is being kept purposely under funded and is not in good shape, and is possibly not the model to draw on. Besides any Iwi group that buys into this, are falsely assuming the govt will help them fund it. Self determination is one thing, but still being reliant on government funding is quite another. Why do you think the Salvo’s pulled out? Why do you think the Invercargill deal fell through? National are giving no govt assurances at all. Once National sells, they do not intend to prop up the buyers. Why do you think Maori Party co leader Marama Fox keeps saying “give us the money” ?

                      If the Maori Party has really changed their stance, they would have walked away from the Nats. They haven’t’ and they won’t.

  4. Colonial Viper 4
    8 September 2016 at 9:43 am

    Imagine if Labour hadn’t shitcanned Mana and the Collective Left had +1 MPs in the House in the form of Laila Harre and Hone Harawira, instead of just Kelvin Davis.

    Ah well.

    • Muttonbird 4.1
      8 September 2016 at 10:36 am

      This from the man who wants to charge $6.90/L of 91.

      • DoublePlusGood 4.1.1
        8 September 2016 at 10:48 am

        How about addressing his point, instead of throwing a dead cat at it?

        • Muttonbird 4.1.1.1
          8 September 2016 at 11:18 am

          All CV’s ideas should be held up for inspection, imo.

          He talks here of the collective left but spends most of his time on The Standard undermining that very idea.

          I can’t take any of CV’s solutions seriously when placed alongside his advocating for a 350% increase in fuel prices. I’m all for brainstorming, but not brainless-storming.

          Also, Mana has recently aligned itself with National’s pet poodle, The Maori Party. They can’t be trusted as a party concerned with social justice.

          • Leftie 4.1.1.1.1
            8 September 2016 at 11:45 am

            Heap loads of +1’s Muttonbird.

          • Colonial Viper 4.1.1.1.2
            8 September 2016 at 12:55 pm

            Yep carbon fuel prices need to go up to represent the destruction it causes to the globe.

            Also, Mana has recently aligned itself with National’s pet poodle, The Maori Party. They can’t be trusted as a party concerned with social justice.

            Fuck aligning with Labour who backstabbed them.

            Yet another example of Labour shortsightedly driving political parties into the arms of National.

            • marty mars 4.1.1.1.2.1
              9 September 2016 at 12:36 am

              Except it isnt true. Mana are not going right, not even slightly. You dont know your right from your left cv.

              What examples are you thinking of, these other parties driven by labour into the gnat clutches?

          • Jackal 4.1.1.1.3
            10 September 2016 at 12:57 pm

            Also, Mana has recently aligned itself with National’s pet poodle, The Maori Party. They can’t be trusted as a party concerned with social justice.

            I have to agree with that. Unfortunately most politicians these days are only concerned with feathering their own nests. That’s the main reason National et al. are dragging their feet on the housing crisis debacle!

            The Maori and Mana parties are no exception to this rule. It simply serves their current purpose to appear to give a fuck, when in fact they don’t.

            The collective left would be better served by placing their trust in politicians who will actually work towards social equality, not just talk about it.

        • McFlock 4.1.1.2
          8 September 2016 at 11:54 am

          Fair call.

          CV is pretending that Labour were the only factor in mana’s implosion and that everything else would remain equal, i.e. if Labour had done a deal with harawira.Com then everyone’s party vote would have remained the same.

          Of course, if the “+1” seat for harawira had been matched by Labour dropping to 24% because of whom they associate with, then CV’s navel-gazing is utter horseshit.

          • Leftie 4.1.1.2.1
            8 September 2016 at 12:00 pm

            +1 McFlock

          • Colonial Viper 4.1.1.2.2
            8 September 2016 at 12:53 pm

            CV is pretending that Labour were the only factor in mana’s implosion and that everything else would remain equal

            implosion? What justifies that BS phrase McFlock?

            Harawira got more votes in his electorate in 2014 than in 2011. Fact.

            • McFlock 4.1.1.2.2.1
              8 September 2016 at 1:04 pm

              Ok, implosion might have been the wrong word. Fizzle, maybe? Rapid deflation into a cloud of hot air? Moment of Blah? The Unvotable Likeness of Being Divisive?

              So yay, he got more electorate votes. That’s neither here nor there, because, as I pointed out, your assertion is that if he’d been gifted TTT then that would have meant one more MP for the left. However, that, as I said, relies on the party votes remaining constant in the face of this deal.

              Fact: Harawira got roughly 800 more votes in 2014 than he did in 2011.
              Fact: Davis got roughly 3,000 more votes in 2014 than he did in 2011.
              Davis fought the better campaign. Harawira just wasn’t that palatable to the voters.

              • Colonial Viper …
                8 September 2016 at 2:48 pm

                Fact: Davis got roughly 3,000 more votes in 2014 than he did in 2011.

                Yep that’s what happens when National and NZF work together with Labour.

                • McFlock …
                  8 September 2016 at 3:37 pm

                  lol

                  So now it’s National’s fault too…
                  2011: it was lab vs Hone vs maori party and an ALCP candidate.
                  2014: it was lab vs Hone vs maori party and an independent candidate.

                  Fucking ALCP was in on the conspiracy against Harawira, too.

                • Matthew Whitehead …
                  9 September 2016 at 5:25 am

                  Davis didn’t get enough votes to have captured all of the Nats and NZF voters’ electorate votes. He got about enough that you could claim he got all the Nats’ votes and some spare change, but the likely outcome is that all of the electorate candidates got their respective party’s votes, and Hone got a bit more of the floating party votes, with Kelvin scooping up enough more on top of the Labour voters to make his win convincing, and the Maori Party candidate barely grabbing more than their own party vote.

                  In all likelihood plenty of centrists and right-wingers voters for Hone, as he couldn’t have got the votes he did even combining all the left-wing party voters into his electorate vote. (Or I suppose you could argue that many Labour voters voted for Hone (He would have grabbed about 25% of them if he didn’t get any centre-right voters) and Davis swept practically all of the centrists and right-wingers to make up for it, leaving only a couple hundred for the Maori Party)

    • dukeofurl 4.2
      8 September 2016 at 11:13 am

      I see Harawira is back in the nest with the MP- all the better to keep Key in power.

      With the new MP leadership of Flavell, Mana would just be another version of Brand Key .

      • Leftie 4.2.1
        8 September 2016 at 11:46 am

        Yes, and one would have thought Hone would have learnt his lesson last time.

      • Chris 4.2.2
        8 September 2016 at 12:06 pm

        I think you’re underestimating the strength of Hone’s disdain for Key and the nats. Any cosying up between Mana and the Maori Party must mean that the Maori Party are gearing up to cut Key loose. Makes sense too, because there’s no way the Maori Party are neo-libs. They supported Key et al and for that reason sold Maori down the river. I think the Maori Party are seeing the error of their ways and want to come home.

        • Leftie 4.2.2.1
          8 September 2016 at 12:22 pm

          The Maori party have shown no signs that they are intending to cut their umbilical cord from the Nats. The party is down to just 1 seat now, I think they are panicking because they are facing the very real possibility of being ousted from parliament next year.

      • Matthew Whitehead 4.2.3
        9 September 2016 at 5:38 am

        Hone refused to entertain any outright talk of alliance. Think more that Mana and the Māori Party won’t run candidates against each other, so Davis would have a much harder time holding onto TTT and the Maori Party might manage to hold on to their seat, too.

        The MP is likely to sit on the cross benches if Labour appears to have the numbers to form a government, or be another side-party for National if they have the numbers. Essentially whatever happens they’re largely irrelevant as far as forming a government, but their votes could be useful for key policies.

        I’m more worried about Winston supporting the Nats than I am about the MP, and I think Winston’s relatively unlikely to jump back into bed with them.

    • Leftie 4.3
      8 September 2016 at 11:15 am

      Mana shitcanned themselves Colonial Viper, even Hone Harawira admits that teaming up with Dotcom backfired on him. If Hone Harawira had of stood independently like he had done previously, I have no doubts whatsoever that he would have retained his seat.

      A few months ago Laila Harre endorsed Labour.

      “What I think with Labour’s announcements in the weekend which was so important it may well start to drive the behaviour itself, I mean I’ve certainly said to people I know in that house buying generation that rather than work longer hours to pay an excessively high mortgage and put their deposit out there in an overheated market that they would be better to invest their time and any additional money in helping Labour to change the government it’s a far better investment for them make in getting their first home than anything else. “

    • TopHat 4.4
      8 September 2016 at 11:16 am

      What about if Mana hadn’t jumped into bed with [KDC]?

      [Fatphobia is unnecessary – weka]

      • billmurray 4.4.1
        8 September 2016 at 11:26 am

        But unfortunately they did, we all now suffer however [KDC] is still on the pigs back and with a young girlfriend to boot.
        He is still taking the piss out of NZ.

        [ok, we get that you have problems with body shape/size, but it’s unnecessary to spread your fat phobia throughout a thread in order to make political arguments. Repeatedly using a body-shaming insult to refer to someone is no more politically reasonable than repeatedly referring to a woman as a slut. Check your prejudices – weka]

      • Siobhan 4.4.2
        8 September 2016 at 11:48 am

        Every time I think of the self hijacking stunt with Glenn Greenwald a little part of me dies. What a mistake Mana aligning with Dotcom, and possibly even worse, Glenn Greenwald, and Assange, getting sucked into the debacle at a time when the two of them could have dealt a real blow to Keys credibility.

        • billmurray 4.4.2.1
          8 September 2016 at 11:53 am

          [KDC] will tie our Government, who-ever they may be, up for years in expensive litigation which the taxpayers of NZ will have to pay.
          The pox on [KDC] and all who supported him.

          [see moderator note above – weka]

          • DoublePlusGood 4.4.2.1.1
            8 September 2016 at 12:07 pm

            Uh, if you want to blame someone for the expensive legal action, blame those who are tying Dotcom up in court, not Dotcom. He’s not the one trying to extradite someone for something they can’t be extradited for, nor is he the one illegally seizing assets.

            • Leftie 4.4.2.1.1.1
              8 September 2016 at 12:08 pm

              Well said DoublePlusGood.

            • TopHat 4.4.2.1.1.2
              8 September 2016 at 12:14 pm

              Agreed!

            • billmurray 4.4.2.1.1.3
              8 September 2016 at 1:04 pm

              [KDC] has allegedly stolen intellectual property, from in the main, American interests to the tune of billions of dollars if he was so innocent why does he not simply go to America and defend the charge’s.
              Most New Zealanders know why and he is one of the most hated men in NZ, unfortunately their are some who have received his largesse or others who are so blind in their detestation of the National government that they would allow this piece of dog-shite to remain here.
              Hone and Mana made a big mistake in joining with him and many on the left including Russell Norman visited and feted him.
              The piece of lard exclaimed publicly that Australians are just as stupid as NZrs, that’s his true feelings to NZ and its peoples, I repeat,
              The pox on [KDC] and all those that supported him

              [see moderator note above – weka]

              • DoublePlusGood …
                8 September 2016 at 2:21 pm

                If he goes to the US to defend the charges, they’ll just run a kangaroo court and chuck him in jail. To pretend otherwise is naïve.
                All of that is entirely irrelevant to the fact that the people wasting tax-payer money here are our justice system, not Dotcom.

              • framu …
                8 September 2016 at 3:25 pm

                “why does he not simply go to America and defend the charge’s.”

                for the simple fact that he has the same legal rights as any other perm resident or citizen of this country.

                i wouldnt trust the guy as far as i could spit – but im not going to insist that he should be subjected to a different set of legal standards and expectations just because of who he is

              • Matthew Whitehead …
                9 September 2016 at 5:40 am

                One cannot “steal” intellectual property.
                And what he’s actually being accused of is basically being insufficiently co-operative with takedown requests, which arguably isn’t even his job.

                I don’t have much love for KDC, but not only hasn’t he done anything that qualifies for extradition, I’m not even sure he’s done anything that’s even arguably illegal.

              • JonL …
                12 September 2016 at 12:31 pm

                The word is allegedly!

                ” if he was so innocent why does he not simply go to America and defend the charge’s.”

                How bloody naive are you? And why the vicious hate-fest – did KDC personally steal all your marbles?

          • Leftie 4.4.2.1.2
            8 September 2016 at 12:07 pm

            Explain Billmurray why is it that the crown, that appears to have unlimited funds, is representing America, which has no jurisdiction in this country, against a New Zealand resident, (which Dotcom is), that is costing the New Zealand tax payer millions of dollars?

            Why aren’t the Americans funding their own representation and legal costs themselves? Why is John key forcing the NZ tax payer to foot that bill?

            • billmurray 4.4.2.1.2.1
              8 September 2016 at 1:45 pm

              The NZ government had a request from the US government to extradite [KDC] to the US to stand trial for intellectual property theft, the NZ government agreed and the legal proceedings are being duly processed.
              How final accounts for the process will be allocated is yet to be seen.

              Why are you in love with [KDC], he thinks that NZrs are stupid and presumably that means you!.

              [see moderator note above – weka]

              • Leftie …
                8 September 2016 at 1:54 pm

                That is still not a case for the NZ tax payer to foot the bill Billmurray.

                It’s not a matter of being in love with Dotcom, it’s a matter of how John key and the US broke this country’s laws in regards to Dotcom.

                Why are you so infantile?

        • TopHat 4.4.2.2
          8 September 2016 at 11:58 am

          Not forgetting that Dotcom was a financial supporter of Right Wing politicians previous to his entrance into the political arena. The cynical, conspiracy theorist side of me thinks Dotcom staged that weak side show as sleight to aid Jonkey’s re-election. Didn’t he do well? !

      • Leftie 4.4.3
        8 September 2016 at 12:11 pm

        Tophat and Billmurray, I think it’s childish and immature to refer to Dotcom in that derogatory name calling manner.

        • TopHat 4.4.3.1
          8 September 2016 at 12:24 pm

          And I think it’s juvenile of you to take pain to point that out.

        • billmurray 4.4.3.2
          8 September 2016 at 1:11 pm

          LOL. Yes you may think that but I will refer to that piece of dog-shite in what I consider to be a fitting and proper manner.
          This is the piece of lard who in talking about Australians said” they are as stupid as New Zealanders”.

          Please Leftie don’t prove him right.

          • Leftie 4.4.3.2.1
            8 September 2016 at 1:34 pm

            No need to continue to show your stupid immaturity Billmurray. It was alleged that Dotcom said that, but there was no proof that he did.

            • billmurray 4.4.3.2.1.1
              8 September 2016 at 1:56 pm

              Leftie, September 29 NZ Herald, Robb Kidd, if it was good enough for the Herald to print and take the risk of litigation then after reading the article many times and looking at context and the personality of [KDC], I believe the veracity of the article.

              [see moderator note above – weka]

              • Leftie …
                8 September 2016 at 3:11 pm

                In the NZ Herald article you are referring to, Rob Kidd used the word “allegedly.” Therefore, by your own admission that you believe what was printed in the article, you must accept that this allegation was made without proof.

                And since when did National’s NZ Herald have any credibility anyway?

              • Anno1701 …
                8 September 2016 at 3:33 pm

                “Piggy Pig”

                are you like 12 or something ?

    • Colonial Viper 4.5
      8 September 2016 at 12:51 pm

      Seems none of you guys can handle the truth.

      Harawira got more votes than in 2011, and lost his electorate by just ~700 votes.

      Dotcom had nothing to do with that, just a gang up by Labour, National and NZF, who each saw benefits from getting Mana out of Parliament and out of Northland.

      • Cinny 4.5.1
        8 September 2016 at 1:10 pm

        Hoping for wisdom to prevail next year and the left use current MMP laws to their advantage.

        • billmurray 4.5.1.1
          8 September 2016 at 1:32 pm

          Cinny, Labour and the Greens have clearly indicated that they will, starting in the by-election of Mt Roskill should Goff get the Mayors job.
          I think they should have done this at last election, the LabGreen MOU is starting to show coherence.

      • TopHat 4.5.2
        8 September 2016 at 1:19 pm

        Two truths are;
        Harawira made a huge tactical error in teaming up with the + sized gentlemen with questionable business etiquette.

        Harawira lost.

      • billmurray 4.5.3
        8 September 2016 at 1:23 pm

        You are wrong, many Maori folk, particularly in the West Auckland part of the Mana seat, did not like the Mana join up to internet party which was [KDC’s] personal party. All votes for all parties slanted towards defeating Hone because of the arrangement he had with [KDC].
        Hone’s vote may have increased but so did Labours by a bigger degree than Hone’s
        [KDC] himself said that he caused Hone to lose the seat.

        [KDC] was the main cause of Kelvin Davis’s victory.

        [see moderator note above – weka]

        • Leftie 4.5.3.1
          8 September 2016 at 1:46 pm

          Pity you remained so stubbornly infantile Billmurray, because written intelligently, the few points raised in your post, would have been made more credible, but it got lost in the noise of a petty mentality of a 4 year old.

          • billmurray 4.5.3.1.1
            8 September 2016 at 1:59 pm

            My My Leftie ,you are bundle of joy to-day, have you shit your pants, again!.

            [Please read moderator comments up thread. I suggest that you also read the site Policy, esp the bit about wasting moderators’ time, and think carefully about your next move. I’m not impressed at having to spend time editing your bigotry, let alone finding you are now trying to wind people up. Pull your head in. – weka]

      • Leftie 4.5.4
        8 September 2016 at 1:36 pm

        You’re in denial Colonial Viper. Dotcom had a lot to do with Hone losing his seat.

      • te reo putake 4.5.5
        8 September 2016 at 2:10 pm

        Not according to Hone. He now cheerfully admits Dotcom was toxic. Anyway, blame the voters. They’re the ones that ganged up on him, not the other parties who were just doing what parties do in elections. Y’know, standing candidates, trying win votes etc. It’s the voters who reckoned Hone wasn’t up to the job.

        Time to end the disastrous experiment with democracy and just let haters on blogs choose our representatives, I reckon.

      • North 4.5.6
        8 September 2016 at 10:02 pm

        You know CV part of me agrees with you about the bizo of Dotcom and then a part of me agrees with Leftie down below.

        I’m in the North, not a bastard right wing pig, reasonably close to it when it was happening and all I can say is this……it was a gamble, but who can blame ?

        And we don’t know whether Dotcom was more damaging than the obviously destructive every-party-hating on Hone. I go the latter actually.

        But anyway……there’s a ‘Reckoning’ coming. Whatever Shallow Man Key says. I want Hone Harawira to be at the forefront of that ‘Reckoning’. For the reason that shit times for the people requires pono leadership.

    • North 4.6
      8 September 2016 at 9:32 pm

      Always said that CV. One Maori MP for North is better than two FFS?……like Hone AND Davis is a fuck-up FFS? Like Davis only and therefore not Hone nor Laila, that was a win for Maori and progressiveness? And the voice of the poor? It’s the one aspect in which I was really disappointed with David Cunliffe. That he performed in that dirty cynical beneath us circus about Hone…….I suspect that in his heart he really, really respected and still respects Hone. So why ?

  5. save nz 5
    8 September 2016 at 10:08 am

    This country is going to the dogs.

  6. Leftie 6
    8 September 2016 at 11:04 am

    Iain Lees Galloway was awesome!!!

  7. jean brookes 7
    8 September 2016 at 11:07 am

    I listened to the whole thing! Amazing experience as the government sent a succession of MPs to sit ‘in the chair’ who said nothing, apart from short appearance from the Housing Minister…….. A Lot of the time, the few government speakers showed they simply did not have their facts right……Fantastic passion and evidence-based’ input from Labour, Greens and NZF. Astonishing contradictory speech from David Seymour attacking the second part of the government proposal then voting for it.
    How will Labour and the Greens use their proposals and the supporting speeches out into the public arena?

  8. BobInAkl 8
    8 September 2016 at 11:42 am

    A thought occurs, by putting up the amendments and having them defeated does it mean that any members bill that gets drawn from the ballot that proposes the same can be struck out as already having been decided on and defeated by the house? Applies for the rest the parlimentry term, or is it the calendar year?

    Snookered themselves?

  9. Takere 9
    8 September 2016 at 2:03 pm

    And 12 iwi in Tamaki Makaurau having the FRoR (First Right of Refusal) on land that was confiscated under the Works Act to be offered to iwi at Market rate and paid for by iwi on account… how the fuck is that redress? SHA. Shite Housing Areas.

  10. Observer Tokoroa 10
    8 September 2016 at 4:49 pm

    .
    .Hi Leftie

    Bill Murray is a strange writer on here. Not worth a second of your time.

    The Americans do everything they can to hold onto copyright. One Corporation even fraudulently for a number of years made people pay up for singing “Happy Birthday” claiming they owned the copyright on the song.

    American avarice coupled with a gullible Legal system work together to make any real or imagined case against another business man forfeit his rights.

    John Key is the worlds most renowned lackey, and supports USA for his own selfish reasons. He is totally self centric.

    As you have said, the treatment of KDC by Key and his Police Force as well as his despicable Spies, is absolutely contrary to New Zealand justice.

    Bill Murray who doesn’t wish to endorse New Zealand Justice, is not worth a wit of your time Leftie.

    .

    • Leftie 10.1
      8 September 2016 at 6:09 pm

      Well said, and Hello Observer Tokoroa 🙂
      Yes, I remember reading about that “Happy Birthday” scam that Warner/Chapell ran, corporate greed holds no bounds and more often than not, the law doesn’t even feature, when it comes to ripping people off, does it?

    • North 10.2
      8 September 2016 at 9:42 pm

      “Me and Malcolm Love One Another Forever, Aye.” says John Key.

      Fuck me what an embarassment is that man ?

      I wanna see Gina Rinehart bluster and shove her staggeringly ugly being in there……and fuck them both ! Guess who’d love it most……

  11. Lloyd 11
    10 September 2016 at 12:21 am

    Whatever.
    All I know is that the Parliament channel was by far the best, happiest and funniest channel on Freeview that night.

  12. Justme 12
    10 September 2016 at 4:25 pm

    Here is a scenario: A child once asked his/her father as to what is the point of a National MP in NZ. The father responds with ‘A good question my child. A National MP is there for the photo opportunities, the pay packet, the perks of the job and whatever else there is.”
    The child says: What the ‘whatever else there is’ means?
    The father patiently explains the “whatever else there is” is whatever is in the best interest of the National MP in the relevant area that MP happens to be in. For example he(she)may be an MP in the Christchurch region and we all know a National MPs’ property/properties in such a region are repaired in record time compared to what ordinary Canterbury residents can expect. There is an industry in the Canterbury region called CERA where former National MPs are paid more a day or a week than what low income NZers can expect in a fortnight or a month. There is one fellow who loves being addressed as Prime Minister who cannot even cope with whatever is happening in NZ and must head off overseas using his very own Air Force One whenever he can. A National MP(and PM) makes promises especially when close to an election that is not kept to once the votes have been counted in favour of that MP/PM. These are the qualities of a National MP.
    And so the child responds with “Then we are pretty well fucked aren’t we?”
    Father: My child. Even though I hate hearing such words from you you have narrowed it down well into a nut-shell.

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  • Claims and Counter-Claims.

    Whose Foreshore? Whose Seabed? When the Marine and Coastal Area Act was originally passed back in 2011, fears about the coastline becoming off-limits to Pakeha were routinely allayed by National Party politicians pointing out that the tests imposed were so stringent  that only a modest percentage of claims (the then treaty ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 week ago

  • New Zealand Honours Maori King ...
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    1 week ago
  • The Principles of the Treaty

    Hardly anyone says what are ‘the principles of the treaty’. The courts’ interpretation restrain the New Zealand Government. While they about protecting a particular community, those restraints apply equally to all community in a liberal democracy – including a single person.Treaty principles were introduced into the governance of New Zealand ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    1 week ago
  • The Only Other Reliable Vehicle.

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    Bowalley Road
    1 week ago
  • A Big F U to this Right Wing Government

    Open to all - deep thanks to those who support and subscribe.One of the things that has got me interested recently is updates about Māori wards.In April, Stuff’s Karanama Ruru reported that ~ 2/3 of our 78 councils had adopted Māori wards in NZ.That meant that under the Coalition repeal ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 week ago
  • Climate Change: James Shaw’s legacy keeps paying off

    One of the central planks of the previous Labour-Green government's emissions reduction policy was GIDI (Government Investment in Decarbonising Industry). This was basically using ETS revenue to pay polluters to clean up production, reducing emissions while protecting jobs. Corporate welfare, but it got the job done, and was often a ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago
  • Gravity

    Oh twice as much ain't twice as goodAnd can't sustain like one half couldIt's wanting moreThat's gonna send me to my kneesSong: John MayerSome ups and downs from the last week of August ‘24. The good and bad, happy and sad, funny and mad, heroes and cads. The week that ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Ditch the climate double speak and get real

    Long stories short, here’s the top six news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above between Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent Cathrine Dyer:The Government announced changes to the Fast-Track Approvals Bill on Sunday, backing off from the contentious proposal to give ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • The Hoon around the week to August 30

    The podcast above of the weekly ‘Hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers on Thursday night features co-hosts and talking about the week’s news with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent on the latest science of changing sea temperatures and which emissions policies actually work; on the latest from Ukraine, Gaza and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • This Govt’s infrastructure strategy depends on capital gains taxes & new road taxes

    Billions of dollars in value uplift was identified around the Transmission Gully project, but that was captured 100% by landowners and not shared to pay for the project. Now National is saying value capture should be used for similar projects. Photo: Lynn Grieveson/ Getty ImagesMōrena. Long stories short; here’s my ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Roundup 30-August-2024

    Kia ora and welcome to the end of another week. Here’s our regular Friday roundup of things that caught our eye, in the realm of cities and transport. If you enjoy these roundups, feel free to join our growing ranks of supporters by making a recurring donation to keep the ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 week ago
  • Table Talk: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.

    “That’s the sort of constitutional reform he favours: conceived in secret; revolutionary in intent; implemented incrementally without fanfare; and under no circumstances to be placed before the electorate for democratic ratification.”TO SAY IT WAS RAINING would have understated seriously the meteorological conditions. Simply put, it was pissing down. One of ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 week ago
  • Big Norm and Chris Hipkins

    It’s 50 years ago today that “Big Norm” Kirk died of a heart attack in Wellington’s Home of Compassion. Home of Compassion. Although he was Prime Minister for only 623 days, he has an iconic place in New Zealand history, particularly Labour history. When Labour leaders like Jacinda Ardern recite ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 week ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #35 2024

    Open access notables Arctic glacier snowline altitudes rise 150 m over the last 4 decades, Larocca et al., The Cryosphere: We mapped the snowline (SL) on a subset of 269 land-terminating glaciers above 60° N latitude in the latest available summer, clear-sky Landsat satellite image between 1984 and 2022. The mean SLA was extracted ...
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    1 week ago
  • Unravelling the String of State: New Zealand Sovereignty and the Treaty of Waitangi

    Oh dear. Sometimes people just need to prod the sleeping dog. We currently have a parliamentary dispute over the nature of the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi, as signed between the British Crown and New Zealand Maori: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/526451/sovereignty-debate-split-on-party-lines Specifically, the National Government takes the traditional view that Maori ceded sovereignty ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    1 week ago
  • Rigour, PLEASE

    You may have noticed I have been taking my time getting home. You may have wondered if that might have anything to do with our brave little nation being constitutionally and morally abused by this woeful excuse for a government. It does. I have enjoyed being able to turn the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 week ago
  • Making A Difference.

    The Jacinda and Ashley Show: Before the neoliberals could come up with a plausible reason for letting thousands of their fellow citizens perish, the Ardern-led government, backed by the almost forgotten power of an unapologetically interventionist state, was producing changes in the real world – changes that were, very obviously, saving ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 week ago

  • Government progresses response to Abuse in Care recommendations

    A Crown Response Office is being established within the Public Service Commission to drive the Government’s response to the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care. “The creation of an Office within a central Government agency was a key recommendation by the Royal Commission’s final report.  “It will have the mandate ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Passport wait times back on-track

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says passport processing has returned to normal, and the Department of Internal Affairs [Department] is now advising customers to allow up to two weeks to receive their passport. “I am pleased that passport processing is back at target service levels and the Department ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • New appointments to the FMA board

    Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister has today announced three new appointments and one reappointment to the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) board. Tracey Berry, Nicholas Hegan and Mariette van Ryn have been appointed for a five-year term ending in August 2029, while Chris Swasbrook, who has served as a board member ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • District Court judges appointed

    Attorney-General Hon Judith Collins today announced the appointment of two new District Court judges. The appointees, who will take up their roles at the Manukau Court and the Auckland Court in the Accident Compensation Appeal Jurisdiction, are: Jacqui Clark Judge Clark was admitted to the bar in 1988 after graduating ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Government makes it faster and easier to invest in New Zealand

    Associate Minister of Finance David Seymour is encouraged by significant improvements to overseas investment decision timeframes, and the enhanced interest from investors as the Government continues to reform overseas investment. “There were about as many foreign direct investment applications in July and August as there was across the six months ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • New Zealand to join Operation Olympic Defender

    New Zealand has accepted an invitation to join US-led multi-national space initiative Operation Olympic Defender, Defence Minister Judith Collins announced today. Operation Olympic Defender is designed to coordinate the space capabilities of member nations, enhance the resilience of space-based systems, deter hostile actions in space and reduce the spread of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government commits to ‘stamping out’ foot and mouth disease

    Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says that a new economic impact analysis report reinforces this government’s commitment to ‘stamp out’ any New Zealand foot and mouth disease incursion. “The new analysis, produced by the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research, shows an incursion of the disease in New Zealand would have ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Improving access to finance for Kiwis

    5 September 2024  The Government is progressing further reforms to financial services to make it easier for Kiwis to access finance when they need it, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says.  “Financial services are foundational for economic success and are woven throughout our lives. Without access to finance our ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Prime Minister pays tribute to Kiingi Tuheitia

    As Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII is laid to rest today, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has paid tribute to a leader whose commitment to Kotahitanga will have a lasting impact on our country. “Kiingi Tuheitia was a humble leader who served his people with wisdom, mana and an unwavering ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Resource Management reform to make forestry rules clearer

    Forestry Minister Todd McClay today announced proposals to reform the resource management system that will provide greater certainty for the forestry sector and help them meet environmental obligations.   “The Government has committed to restoring confidence and certainty across the sector by removing unworkable regulatory burden created by the previous ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • More choice and competition in building products

    A major shake-up of building products which will make it easier and more affordable to build is on the way, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Today we have introduced legislation that will improve access to a wider variety of quality building products from overseas, giving Kiwis more choice and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Joint Statement between the Republic of Korea and New Zealand 4 September 2024, Seoul

    On the occasion of the official visit by the Right Honourable Prime Minister Christopher Luxon of New Zealand to the Republic of Korea from 4 to 5 September 2024, a summit meeting was held between His Excellency President Yoon Suk Yeol of the Republic of Korea (hereinafter referred to as ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Comprehensive Strategic Partnership the goal for New Zealand and Korea

    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Republic of Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol. “Korea and New Zealand are likeminded democracies and natural partners in the Indo Pacific. As such, we have decided to advance discussions on elevating the bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • International tourism continuing to bounce back

    Results released today from the International Visitor Survey (IVS) confirm international tourism is continuing to bounce back, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Matt Doocey says. The IVS results show that in the June quarter, international tourism contributed $2.6 billion to New Zealand’s economy, an increase of 17 per cent on last ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Government confirms RMA reforms to drive primary sector efficiency

    The Government is moving to review and update national level policy directives that impact the primary sector, as part of its work to get Wellington out of farming. “The primary sector has been weighed down by unworkable and costly regulation for too long,” Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says.  “That is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Weak grocery competition underscores importance of cutting red tape

    The first annual grocery report underscores the need for reforms to cut red tape and promote competition, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “The report paints a concerning picture of the $25 billion grocery sector and reinforces the need for stronger regulatory action, coupled with an ambitious, economy-wide ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Government moves to lessen burden of reliever costs on ECE services

    Associate Education Minister David Seymour says the Government has listened to the early childhood education sector’s calls to simplify paying ECE relief teachers. Today two simple changes that will reduce red tape for ECEs are being announced, in the run-up to larger changes that will come in time from the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Over 2,320 people engage with first sector regulatory review

    Regulation Minister David Seymour says there has been a strong response to the Ministry for Regulation’s public consultation on the early childhood education regulatory review, affirming the need for action in reducing regulatory burden. “Over 2,320 submissions have been received from parents, teachers, centre owners, child advocacy groups, unions, research ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Government backs women in horticulture

    “The Government is empowering women in the horticulture industry by funding an initiative that will support networking and career progression,” Associate Minister of Agriculture, Nicola Grigg says.  “Women currently make up around half of the horticulture workforce, but only 20 per cent of leadership roles which is why initiatives like this ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Government to pause freshwater farm plan rollout

    The Government will pause the rollout of freshwater farm plans until system improvements are finalised, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds and Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard announced today. “Improving the freshwater farm plan system to make it more cost-effective and practical for farmers is a priority for this ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Milestone reached for fixing the Holidays Act 2003

    Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety Brooke van Velden says yesterday Cabinet reached another milestone on fixing the Holidays Act with approval of the consultation exposure draft of the Bill ready for release next week to participants.  “This Government will improve the Holidays Act with the help of businesses, workers, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • New priorities to protect future of conservation

    Toitū te marae a Tāne Mahuta me Hineahuone, toitū te marae a Tangaroa me Hinemoana, toitū te taiao, toitū te tangata. The Government has introduced clear priorities to modernise Te Papa Atawhai - The Department of Conservation’s protection of our natural taonga. “Te Papa Atawhai manages nearly a third of our ...
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    5 days ago
  • Faster 110km/h speed limit to accelerate Kāpiti

    A new 110km/h speed limit for the Kāpiti Expressway Road of National Significance (RoNS) has been approved to reduce travel times for Kiwis travelling in and out of Wellington, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • IVL increase to ensure visitors contribute more to New Zealand

    The International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) will be raised to $100 to ensure visitors contribute to public services and high-quality experiences while visiting New Zealand, Minister for Tourism and Hospitality Matt Doocey and Minister of Conservation Tama Potaka say. “The Government is serious about enabling the tourism sector ...
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    5 days ago
  • Delivering priority connections for the West Coast

    A record $255 million for transport investment on the West Coast through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will strengthen the region’s road and rail links to keep people connected and support the region’s economy, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “The Government is committed to making sure that every ...
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    5 days ago
  • Road and rail reliability a focus for Wellington

    A record $3.3 billion of transport investment in Greater Wellington through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will increase productivity and reduce travel times, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “Delivering infrastructure to increase productivity and economic growth is a priority for our Government. We're focused on delivering transport projects ...
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    5 days ago
  • Record investment to boost economic and housing growth in the Waikato

    A record $1.9 billion for transport investment in the Waikato through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will create a more efficient, safe, and resilient roading network that supports economic growth and productivity, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “With almost a third of the country’s freight travelling into, out ...
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    5 days ago
  • Building reliable and efficient roading for Taranaki

    A record $808 million for transport investment in Taranaki through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will support economic growth and productivity, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “Taranaki’s roads carry a high volume of freight from primary industries and it’s critical we maintain efficient connections across the region to ...
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    5 days ago
  • Supporting growth and resilience in Otago and Southland

    A record $1.4 billion for transport investment in Otago and Southland through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will create a more resilient and efficient network that supports economic growth and productivity, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “Transport is a critical enabler for economic growth and productivity in Otago ...
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    5 days ago
  • Delivering connected and resilient roading for Northland

    A record $991 million for transport investment in Northland through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will strengthen the region’s connections and support economic growth and productivity, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “We are committed to making sure that every transport dollar is spent wisely on the projects and ...
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  • Top of the South to benefit from reliable transport infrastructure

    A record $479 million for transport investment across the top of the South Island through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will build a stronger road network that supports primary industries and grows the economy, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “We’re committed to making sure that every dollar is ...
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    5 days ago
  • Government delivering reliable roads for Manawatū-Whanganui

    A record $1.6 billion for transport investment in Manawatū-Whanganui through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will strengthen the region’s importance as a strategic freight hub that boosts economic growth, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “Delivering infrastructure to increase productivity and economic growth is a priority for our Government. ...
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  • Restoring connections in Hawke’s Bay

    A record $657 million for transport investment in the Hawke’s Bay through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will support recovery from cyclone damage and build greater resilience into the network to support economic growth and productivity, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “We are committed to making sure that ...
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    5 days ago
  • Transport resilience a priority for Gisborne

    A record $255 million for transport investment in Gisborne through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will support economic growth and restore the cyclone-damaged network, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “With $255 million of investment over the next three years, we are committed to making sure that every transport ...
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    5 days ago
  • Prioritising growth and reduced travel times in Canterbury

    A record $1.8 billion for transport investment Canterbury through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will boost economic growth and productivity and reduce travel times, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “Christchurch is the economic powerhouse of the South Island, and transport is a critical enabler for economic growth and ...
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    5 days ago
  • Supporting growth and freight in the Bay of Plenty

    A record $1.9 billion for transport investment in the Bay of Plenty through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will boost economic growth and unlock land for thousands of houses, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “Transport is a critical enabler for economic growth and productivity in the Bay of ...
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    5 days ago
  • Getting transport back on track in Auckland

    A record $8.4 billion for transport investment in Auckland through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will deliver the infrastructure our rapidly growing region needs to support economic growth and reduce travel times, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “Aucklanders rejected the previous government’s transport policies which resulted in non-delivery, phantoms projects, ...
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  • Record investment to get transport back on track

    A record $32.9 billion investment in New Zealand’s transport network through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will create a more reliable and efficient transport network that boosts economic growth and productivity, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “New Zealanders rejected the previous government’s transport policies which resulted in non-delivery, ...
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  • Consultation is open on gambling harm strategy

    Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey has welcomed the start of Gambling Harm Awareness Week by encouraging New Zealanders to have their say on the next three-year strategy to prevent and minimise gambling harm.  “While many New Zealanders enjoy gambling as a pastime without issue, the statistics are clear that ...
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  • JOINT STATEMENT FOR THE OFFICIAL VISIT OF NEW ZEALAND PRIME MINISTER CHRISTOPHER LUXON

    1.    Prime Minister YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim hosted Prime Minister Rt. Hon Christopher Luxon on an Official Visit to Malaysia from 1 to 3 September 2024. Both leaders expressed appreciation for enduring and warm bilateral ties over 67 years of diplomatic relations. The Malaysia – New Zealand Strategic Partnership 2.    The ...
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    5 days ago

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