National’s Dirty Politics Machine Attacks Complainant

Written By: - Date published: 6:43 am, June 28th, 2017 - 85 comments
Categories: bill english, David Farrar, Dirty Politics, national - Tags: , ,

While Bill English has “nothing to add” except the “this just an employment dispute” lie, the National Party’s Dirty Politics Machine has been fired up. Yesterday it was feeding its social media troll army a nasty talking-point to pass around in order to discredit the worker who Todd Barclay – allegedly – illegally spied on.

Hollow Man Matthew Hooton fabricated the framing on Monday’s Radio New Zealand Nine-to-Noon show when he told the audience . . .

. . . Todd Barclay came to believe – one way or another – that they [Barclay’s staff] were saying things about him that are outrageous . . . There was a huge cultural conflict between these people and this led him, I believe, to think it’s a good idea to tape these people . . .

. . .  thus leveraging his RNZ spot to broadcast that Barclay’s – alleged – criminal behaviour was – one way or the other – justified.

Yesterday, newsroom.co.nz ‘s Melanie Reid reported, inter alia, that NZ Police had re-opened its investigation, that the compainant had been re-interviewed, and that contents of one of the conversations – allegedly – illegally recorded by Todd Barclay had involved a discussion about “sex and drugs”.

Nek minit –

Then up pops John Key’s favourite fluffer –

. . . essentially, a variation of “she deserved it” and a sick distraction from the fact that it is a crime to intentionally intercept private communications you are not a party to regardless of the content of those communications.

Unless Hollow Man Hooton and Fluffer Farrar have heard Barclay’s – alleged – recording(s) or been told the content, upon what basis do they feel entitled to state by innuendo that Barclay’s – alleged – victim had been so unprofessional and out-of-control as to be accusing Barclay of being a drug dealer?

NZ Police need to speak to both of them. And soon. It’s possible these Dirty Politics Machine principals could confirm the recording(s) exist and/or that the content has been widely shared. Does their associate Cameron Slater have copies? Has the material for their innuendo come from the 9th Floor? Did it come from Ministerial Services? More likely, Hooton & Farrar have “nothing to add” to the investigation and have been deliberately spreading a lie. In which case, NZ Police need to remind them of the possible consequences of using their public platforms to maliciously attack a complainant in a criminal investigation. It amounts to intimidation.

Of course, this assumes that NZ Police is actually serious about its investigation. As unlikely as that may be, if it is true, its not beyond the realms of possibility that Hooton and Farrar could, potentially, find themselves in the dock alongside National Party Board Member Glenda Hughes facing a charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice.

85 comments on “National’s Dirty Politics Machine Attacks Complainant ”

  1. Ed 1

    How Farrar and Hooton are treated as civilised commentators, I do not know.
    Quite repulsive people.
    It’s amazing what people will do for money.

    • tc 1.1

      A sure sign RNZ is compromised by griffin allowing itself to be a DP soapbox for fluffer and hollow hypocrite hootsman.

      A half decent broadcaster would purge these leeches from its programs.

      • Ed 1.1.1

        Sadly you are so accurate.
        Even John Campbell succumbed to 90 minutes of flag waving, rather than doing any investigative journalism last night.

        • tc 1.1.1.1

          yes and why proper public broadcasting is urgently required if truth is to be valued above the agenda of wealthy powerful entities and the people/parties in power they own.

          English is now owning DP behaviour so this PM gig is working well for him so far as a legacy of the shonky one.

      • Gosman 1.1.2

        Once again who would your prefer to be the commentator from the right on that particular segment if not Hooton?

        • Muttonbird 1.1.2.1

          Josie Pagani.

        • left_forward 1.1.2.2

          It doesn’t matter who – as long as they have values that honour and dignify people.

          • Gosman 1.1.2.2.1

            Except you as a hard core leftist likely think most right leaning people are excluded then.

            • McFlock 1.1.2.2.1.1

              That’s not our problem. If you guys can’t put forward a right wing commentator who thinks about more than their personal paycheque, perhaps you should reconsider your position.

              • Gosman

                That’s not how free speech or giving differing perspectives air time works. As much as you may dislike Hooton and Farrar their views are shared by a significant section of society. These people’s views should be heard especially on a State funded media outlet.

                • Muttonbird

                  Ironic that their position undoubtedly is to scrap all public broadcasting. Where then would these two send their invoices if not to the NZ taxpayer?

                • weka

                  “As much as you may dislike Hooton and Farrar their views are shared by a significant section of society.”

                  You think that a significant section of society think that Dirty Politics is a valid and useful political tool? What are you basing that opinion on?

                • McFlock

                  Is that what I said? No.

                  All I said was that if you can’t nominate a right wing commentator who isn’t a corrupt fuckwit, maybe you’re on the side of the baddies.

            • left_forward 1.1.2.2.1.2

              No, not at all. We have seen throughout history, ‘Dirty Politics’ occurring on the left and the right.

              • Gosman

                I’m curious about what you regard as dirty politics on the left.

                • left_forward

                  Some exponents through the ages… Stalin, Mao, Blair – I’m sure you know this.

                  • Gosman

                    You’re comparing the excesses of Mao and Stalin to what Tony Blair and the current government does are you?

                    Also as far as I was aware Tony Blair is regarded as right wing by leftists like you.

                    • left_forward

                      No, just some examples – the degree of excess is irrelevant – and yeah Blair is probably more right. But I concede to Carolyn’s more accurate view below. Dirty Politics probably doesn’t exist on the left.

                  • Carolyn_nth

                    Nah. The Hager definition of “dirty politics” as practiced under John Key, was a two track thing: talk positive in public; have a well-oiled smear machine operating at a distance from the PM, but linked to his office.

                    Stalin and Mao were all one track of nasty stuff as policy as far as I’m aware. Blair was just a deluded fool linked to the MSM and populist politics, trying to balance neoliberal and some weak social welfare policies.

                    I’m not sure there is a two track approach on the left.

                    • weka

                      +1

                      in this case, we have Bill English trying to appear like everything’s good, while the henchmen run damage in the background. It doesn’t even matter now whether there is direct communication out of the PM’s office to the cabal, their lines are well rehearsed enough.

                    • Gosman

                      There is. You are just too biased to see it.

                    • In Vino

                      No bias – just no evidence. For once in your internet life, Gosman, can you actually provide convincing proof of one of your assertions? Proof of that two track approach on the right?

        • ankerawshark 1.1.2.3

          Glenys Dickson or Mr Davey……they would be good right wing commentators….

          I am impressed particularly with Mr Davey’s ethics and code of conduct (there is more known about how he proceeded rather than Glenys at this stage which is not to cast any aspersions on her.

        • Brigid 1.1.2.4

          Glenys Dickson

    • Jack P 1.2

      IT’s the right wing media portraying them as commentators. It is like CNN, CBS, MSNBC, ABC, Fox which is successful. The states are loaded with mainstream media hype (fake news) and it is very prevalent in New Zealand unfortunately because kiwis are a trusting sort and the wool is being pulled over their eyes. I haven’t watched TV in 4 years since the last election because Key got off the hook with Dirty Politics because of the media. Sorry guys, but its the media that will try to sway the public by telling only half truths or not giving any coverage at all. A true investigative journalist could have kicked Key out after the South Canterbury Finance debacle. Instead he was protected by the media.

  2. riffer 2

    Indeed.

    Certain websites should surely be expecting a Netsafe HDCA warning? That’s how it works isn’t it?

    Sauce for the goose, and all that…

  3. Tamati Tautuhi 3

    The Slime Element and a Stasi like approach has entered the National Party over the past 9 years ?

    Hooton, Farrar and Slater are part of the National Party’s Slime Network spreading propoganda and misinformation.

    • tc 3.1

      Via taxpayer funded outlets as paid gigs, you gotta hand it to national that’s a pretty sweet deal.

      • Ed 3.1.1

        The employment of Griffin and Hosking are an affront to a democratic media.

        • Tamati Tautuhi 3.1.1.1

          Honkin Hoskings is a National Party deseminator of information, party policy and thoughts on various issues even though he is not a card carrying member of the National Party.

          • Tamati Tautuhi 3.1.1.1.1

            Hoskings and TV One the State Broadcaster do not give a balanced view of NZ Politics and Issues.

            • mpledger 3.1.1.1.1.1

              I happened to switch to tv from a dvd to look at the tv guide for that evening and was unfortunate to land on tv1 and Hoskings. He was happily saying about how there should be no food regulations and people should learn what restaurants to avoid by getting sick at them (never mind thinking through the cost that would give to the health system, ACC and lost employee days). I guess tv1 values shallow, reactionary dribble.

    • Gosman 3.2

      They are invited on specifically to discuss topics from a right wing perspective just as left wing commentators are invited on to discuss things from a left wing perspective. Why is this wrong?

      • left_forward 3.2.1

        Because their values are shit – different political perspectives can be given in a manner that dignifies people and truth.

      • Stuart Munro 3.2.2

        A genuine vox pop would be better.

        Neither left nor right reactionary is particularly original – what matters more is how it affects people on the ground.

        These opinion panels are not diverse or interesting; their role is to persuade not to discover or to inform.

      • Skinny 3.2.3

        Hooton got rightfully called out over his snake oil about the foreign student scheme on RNZ yesterday. But still he went off on a tangent making shit up.

        How Barclay wasn’t disciplined at the time for recording his staffer is beyond me. How he got selected after this totally unacceptable situation just shows the influence of big money (tobacco) that is bringing down our democracy.

        An insight into the rotten goings on within the National party.

        I now fully expert English to be replaced by Bennett or Mr Fix It Joyce as caretaker Pm till after the election in the best interests of democracy.

        • Gabby 3.2.3.1

          More the organisation skills of the Barclay family who seemed to be in the right places to cast votes for their Wee tousled Toddy.

      • weka 3.2.4


        They are invited on specifically to discuss topics from a right wing perspective just as left wing commentators are invited on to discuss things from a left wing perspective. Why is this wrong?

        Because both of them are aligned with Dirty Politics. I have zero problem with the media using RW commentators alongside LW ones. But I do have a problem with them using ones where there are such conflicts of interest. Better to use actual RW commentators not spin doctors.

    • Red 3.3

      Stasi where left wing support group where they not

  4. ianmac 4

    Would Farrar be liable for defamation charges? He does not name but it is pretty clear who he is denigrating.

  5. Muttonbird 5

    Aren’t Barclay, Hooten, Farrar, and Graham all bought and paid for by the tobacco lobby? Water finds it’s own level, I guess.

    • tc 5.1

      Whoever has the dosh and a ‘worthy’ cause gets to employ their skills.

      Hooten is a professional spin doctor with questionable morality as his behaviour over Hagers details showed.

      You dont get to be too choosy when you peddle spin and bs.

  6. Keith 6

    It does RNZ no credit whatsoever this have either of these cockroaches on their station

    Why do they seek their warped and horribly tainted opinions?

  7. Anne 7

    Like a lot of right wing “sociopoaths” they can ooze charm and goodwill. Heard Farrar on RNZ’s The Panel yesterday and he sounded like your friendly, helpful next-door neighbour. I wonder if these radio and TV hosts or their producers ever read the crap they write online, or their often sordid little twitter comments. They paint a different picture of their personalities altogether.

    If Glenys Dickson learned of Barclay’s conduct involving “sex and drugs” she would not have been doing her job if she hadn’t expressed her concerns. Having been through a similar experience I can imagine how her detractors are getting at her. The spreading of lies and innuendo is only part of it. There are methods of harassment and intimidation that are almost impossible to prove because they occur when there are no witnesses. It is the victim’s word against the protagonists’ and since they usually have the power or seniority… their word is always believed.

  8. Pete 8

    I don’t know what the “Fluffer” in Farrar meant. When we were kids a ‘fluff’ was a fart.

    My observations suggest Farrar is far more solid that that.

  9. weka 9

    Unless Hollow Man Hooton and Fluffer Farrar have heard Barclay’s – alleged – recording(s) or been told the content, upon what basis do they feel entitled to state by innuendo that Barclay’s – alleged – victim had been so unprofessional and out-of-control as to be accusing Barclay of being a drug dealer?

    Yes, very odd that they went there so quickly after the initial Newsroom report.

    On the other hand, it’s possible that Barclay was dealing drugs and that the staff in Gore had legitimate concerns. Who would know?

    • Penny Bright 9.1

      In my view, Glenda Dickson was a ‘whistle-blower’ NOT a ‘snitch’.

      IF Todd Barclay’s activities were affecting his ability to do his job as MP for Clutha/Southland – then Glenda Dickson was right, in my opinion, to ‘blow the whistle’.

      Penny Bright
      2017 Independent candidate for Tamaki.

      • Draco T Bastard 9.1.1

        RWNJs really don’t like people who point out that they or their leaders are wrong and so will attack them mercilessly as we’ve seen over this and other incidences by National over the last few years.

      • Anne 9.1.2

        Precisely Penny Bright @9.1. She was a whistle-blower.

        I guarantee it was the first time in her life she found herself in a position where she felt she had to do it. And for her efforts she has been denigrated and obviously ‘sent to Coventry’ by those she once trusted and respected. The sense of betrayal must be profound.

        • bwaghorn 9.1.2.1

          whistle blower huh? her first response was to take the money , she’s just scrambling up a slippery pole now trying to look good

          • Anne 9.1.2.1.1

            Actually most of it was severance pay bwaghorn. I’m assuming she was working under a specific contract with Parliamentary Services.

            She also received a “top up” which came from the former PM’s Parliamentary Service fund. That was the hush money bit. I know from experience the way superiors effectively bully a whistle-blower into submission. In my case, the managers took out a caveat preventing me from discussing the matter with anyone. In Glenys Dickson’scase they paid her off. I expect she was given no other option.

            • bwaghorn 9.1.2.1.1.1

              ” I expect she was given no other option.”
              whistle blowing is standing up to the bullies and burning the house down as you leave , not going for severance pay

              • weka

                This is a pretty clear case of standing up to bullies. I’m sure if National had done the right thing she would have taken the settlement and left it alone. They didn’t and so she took the matter further much later. I wouldn’t call it whistleblowing, but it was still a good stand.

              • Anne

                You have no idea bwaghorn. If you stand up to those kind of bullies they chop your head off. No-one stands by you. Your peers run for cover fearing the same will happen to them. Bizarre things start to happen and you begin to fear for your safety. You have a mortgage to pay off and maybe other debts so you stick it out for as long as you can. There comes a time when you have no choice but to accept a severance pay-out for the sake of your sanity.

                And if you are a woman then the harassment is worse because they know they can more easily get away with it. If you call them out they use the… “she’s just a neurotic female who is making up stories” line of defence. And they are almost always believed.

      • Cinny 9.1.3

        x infinity Penny

  10. Penny Bright 10

    ‪The RULES covering the Leader’s Budget.

    Speaker’s Directions which sets out the amounts for Leader’s funding, and what it can and can’t be used for.‬
    ‪ ‬
    ‪https://www.parliament.nz/media/3661/speakers-directions-2014-including-amendment-directions-2015-and-2017.pdf‬

    (Haven’t yet studied this information – just got it.

    See what YOU can find! 🙂

    Penny Bright

    2017 Independent candidate for Tamaki.

  11. I have to admit to suffering complete consternation at this. The Nats ask Hooton and Farrar to do something to get this seemingly never-ending daily shit-fest off the media’s radar. Hoots and Farrar come up with the so-cunning-you-could-etc plan of putting it out there that Barclay is also an alleged drug dealer. Wouldn’t somebody among the Nats look at that plan and go “Er, what? You’re suggesting what, now? Maybe you misunderstood – we want you to make this go away, not fuel it! What’s wrong with you, man?” Well, apparently not, because here are Hooton and Farrar giving the media today’s fresh dip-the-Nats-in-shit topic. I give up, it just makes no sense.

    • tc 11.1

      Its not about sense its about muddying the waters with spin and bs.

      Todds expendable as hes no longer standing. You can see how they miss eades command post to set the tone and direct traffic.

    • weka 11.2

      That’s pretty much what I thought. They want to spin that Barclay’s a drug dealer, what are they on?

      However they may also be conceding that this won’t go away, so plan B is to smear Dickson and co even if that damages Barclay further (although at this stage it’s moot whether his reputation can be further damaged. I guess it might affect employment prospects).

    • KJT 11.3

      But! But. Barclay is a drug dealer. He worked for a tobacco company.

  12. North 12

    Think I heard somewhere that today’s guests at 4.00 pm on The Panel RNZ are Grande Dame Boagy of the National Party and her bestie Brian Edwards. Presumably Barclaygate will rate a mention.

  13. Et Tu Brute 13

    I’m of two minds. It is against the law. He was wrong. He handled it badly. I don’t like him. But also, I do get the argument about being in his shoes. Not an excuse, but as the victim of harassment I get it. You know someone has a grudge and are making your life hell with unwarranted accusations. You don’t have enough to take it to court. Do-gooders want to ease the tension by saying you’re imagining it. Stirrers want to tell you what’s being said, but not go on record. Random people suddenly turn hostile. I’d like to say I’d ignore it and try to get on with life as everything falls apart, and hope it didn’t effect me. But I also am not sure I would take the high ground. Barclay could have just fired his staff and cleaned house. For an MP that is easy. He stuffed up by making it complicated. For people who aren’t MPs, we can’t get rid of ex’s, employees, bosses, neighbours etc… nearly as easily.

    • McFlock 13.1

      Even if the rumours put about by hooten and farrar are true, there’s still the point that someone with a degree in commercial law, corporate experience, and previous experience in the offices of multiple ministers should have:
      a) known that unlawfully intercepting a communication is highly illegal and immediately endangers your position in any employment dispute; and
      b) been competent enough to resolve the issue in a legal and upstanding manner.

      As it is, any doubts his electorate official had about his suitability and competence to be an MP have been thoroughly validated.

    • Red 13.2

      First time ever ETB I agree with you, albeit that’s not a ringing endorsement on this site, so take cover 😀

      • weka 13.2.1

        The difference between what ETB just wrote and what you write (e.g. the comment I just moderated, see OM for the warning), is that ETB wrote a considered argument based on their experience and opinion. Nothing there that is even remotely on a moderation radar, and in terms of commenting I’d rate it highly in terms of contribution to the site. You on the other hand look like you are running round take pot shots at lefties. Not only is it boring, you will eventually get the attention of a moderator. I don’t mind short, sharp witticisms so long as they’re not a pattern of trolling. You’ve been here long enough to know these differences.

    • Sacha 13.3

      Barclay could have easily and quickly got rid of his staff under parliamentary services rules rather than spy on and complain about them. The power in that relationship goes strictly one way.

      There seems to be a basic clash of expectations between him and others in his local party apparatus about what an MP does. Like treating constituents with respect when they visit your office. Like turning up to events you’re the keynote speaker at rather than going out partying then calling in sick.

      Otherwise, who cares what the guy got up to in his own time.

      • dukeofurl 13.3.1

        Yes they do when you are an MP. Hes in the wrong job if he thinks he can be just like any other late twenties successful executive who isnt in a steady relationship.
        Rightly or wrongly he choose mainly rural conservative farming electorate, and he has to meet their expectations.
        Once the coverup began…

  14. David Mac 14

    Hootie and the Blowfish pitching Todd as a drug dealing sex fiend is odd. I can’t see how any upside isn’t swamped by the suspicions it arouses.

    They’re saying: ‘How would you feel if your PA was spreading drug/sex allegations about you?’

    Personally, I’d knock on her office door and ask “What the hell is this rumour all about?” Just like Matt and Dave would. To click a dictophone onto ‘Record’ is still just plain creepy.

    I smell a spin trap. I just haven’t worked out what way it’s going to spin yet.

  15. patricia bremner 15

    For someone to say one day
    ” Bill English should shut the f…k up”
    to come forward on another day with suggestions is odd!!
    Muddy? or “Look over here!!”
    Distraction or diversion perhaps?
    I thought….. What do they want us to NOT to look at? KEY????
    Our household is highly suspicious of their motives!!

  16. JustMe 16

    I have been wondering if Todd Barclay or Bill English have ever heard of Watergate. Because it looks like they both do not remember what happened to President Nixon sometime afterwards(the Watergate scandal).
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watergate_scandal
    But then it’s likely Bill English will typically respond that US laws are totally different to NZ laws. And if he does so then I will say that is a lousy cop-out/excuse.
    We must remember however that in his love affair of the United States John Key whilst pm of NZ would have happily had laws changed that favoured the US legal system(s).
    And in regards to the National government attacks on the complainant; well it does seem that whenever they are caught in a corner of their OWN making they(National)have a go at anyone and everyone else around them. It looks like a well trodden track record of bullying and intimidation.
    To date we have seen on more than one occasion Bill English blatantly lying and when he gets caught out lying he refuses to admit he has lied. He has ruined any credibility he ever had to begin with.
    Now I don’t want to get too personal about Bill English but I can only guess he doesn’t lie to the Catholic church but because he is a MP he is all fine and happy to lie to New Zealanders many of whom are not Catholics. If the entire population of NZ was Catholic then I am sure he wouldn’t happily lie to kingdom come.
    Todd Barclay probably thought that whilst an mp he could boss and bully everyone around him. But for him to feel that need to tape his staff shows he was truly insecure about himself, his position and of course the people that worked with him.
    In conclusion there is one important matter that mps no matter what political party they hark from that must know and remember and that is bullying and arrogance must never have any part in a government. That is what a future government after September 2017 needs to remember. But if they want to travel down the same path as the current government then no matter how many of us vote in time arrogance and bullying will always become part of the mixture.

    • David Mac 16.1

      Rather than Watergate, I think we’ve got a Goregate going on.

      Glenys worked for Bill for 17 years in their little community. I think it’s safe to assume they became mates. In my little community the one place I bump into people I haven’t seen for ages is the local 4 Square. Its where I catch up on the latest gossip. The Barclay family operate their local 4 Square. Bill was saying ‘G’day’ to Todd when he was an 11 year old boy topping up the Coke fridge.

      I think this has turned into the mess it has because the poo has settled in our PM’s tiny home nest and Bill has been torn between allegiances, his human fragility exposed.

  17. Tautoko Mangō Mata 17

    Move over, the “Evil Six”

    The Dirty Politics machine 2017 : “Rima Rūpahu”
    Matthew Hooton, David Farrar, Jordyn Williams, Cam Slater, Mike Hosking,

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    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government to consider accommodation solution
    The coalition Government will look at options to address a zoning issue that limits how much financial support Queenstown residents can get for accommodation. Cabinet has agreed on a response to the Petitions Committee, which had recommended the geographic information MSD uses to determine how much accommodation supplement can be ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government approves extension to Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care
    Cabinet has agreed to a short extension to the final reporting timeframe for the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care from 28 March 2024 to 26 June 2024, Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says.                                         “The Royal Commission wrote to me on 16 February 2024, requesting that I consider an ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • $18m boost for Kiwis travelling to health treatment
    The coalition Government is delivering an $18 million boost to New Zealanders needing to travel for specialist health treatment, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says.   “These changes are long overdue – the National Travel Assistance (NTA) scheme saw its last increase to mileage and accommodation rates way back in 2009.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • PM’s Prizes for Space to showcase sector’s talent
    The Government is recognising the innovative and rising talent in New Zealand’s growing space sector, with the Prime Minister and Space Minister Judith Collins announcing the new Prime Minister’s Prizes for Space today. “New Zealand has a growing reputation as a high-value partner for space missions and research. I am ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Concerns conveyed to China over cyber activity
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government.     “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity, attributed to groups sponsored by the Chinese Government, targeting democratic institutions in both New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry
    Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry Education Minister Erica Stanford today announced the appointment of three independent reviewers to lead the Ministerial Inquiry into the Ministry of Education’s School Property Function.  The Inquiry will be led by former Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully. “There is a clear need ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Brynderwyns open for Easter
    State Highway 1 across the Brynderwyns will be open for Easter weekend, with work currently underway to ensure the resilience of this critical route being paused for Easter Weekend to allow holiday makers to travel north, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Today I visited the Brynderwyn Hills construction site, where ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Speech to the Infrastructure Funding & Financing Conference
    Introduction Good morning to you all, and thanks for having me bright and early today. I am absolutely delighted to be the Minister for Infrastructure alongside the Minister of Housing and Resource Management Reform. I know the Prime Minister sees the three roles as closely connected and he wants me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Parliamentary network breached by the PRC
    New Zealand stands with the United Kingdom in its condemnation of People’s Republic of China (PRC) state-backed malicious cyber activity impacting its Electoral Commission and targeting Members of the UK Parliament. “The use of cyber-enabled espionage operations to interfere with democratic institutions and processes anywhere is unacceptable,” Minister Responsible for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • NZ to provide support for Solomon Islands election
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced New Zealand will provide logistics support for the upcoming Solomon Islands election. “We’re sending a team of New Zealand Defence Force personnel and two NH90 helicopters to provide logistics support for the election on 17 April, at the request ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ-EU FTA gains Royal Assent for 1 May entry to force
    The European Union Free Trade Agreement Legislation Amendment Bill received Royal Assent today, completing the process for New Zealand’s ratification of its free trade agreement with the European Union.    “I am pleased to announce that today, in a small ceremony at the Beehive, New Zealand notified the European Union ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • COVID-19 inquiry attracts 11,000 submissions
    Public consultation on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons has concluded, Internal Affairs Minister Hon Brooke van Velden says.  “I have been advised that there were over 11,000 submissions made through the Royal Commission’s online consultation portal.” Expanding the scope of the Royal Commission of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Families to receive up to $75 a week help with ECE fees
    Hardworking families are set to benefit from a new credit to help them meet their early childcare education (ECE) costs, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. From 1 July, parents and caregivers of young children will be supported to manage the rising cost of living with a partial reimbursement of their ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Unlocking a sustainable, low-emissions future
    A specialised Independent Technical Advisory Group (ITAG) tasked with preparing and publishing independent non-binding advice on the design of a "green" (sustainable finance) taxonomy rulebook is being established, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says.  “Comprising experts and market participants, the ITAG's primary goal is to deliver comprehensive recommendations to the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Chief of Army thanked for his service
    Defence Minister Judith Collins has thanked the Chief of Army, Major General John Boswell, DSD, for his service as he leaves the Army after 40 years. “I would like to thank Major General Boswell for his contribution to the Army and the wider New Zealand Defence Force, undertaking many different ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders
    25 March 2024 Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders Small Business, Manufacturing, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly will travel to Australia for a series of bi-lateral meetings and manufacturing visits. During the visit, Minister Bayly will meet with his Australian counterparts, Senator Tim Ayres, Ed ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Government commits nearly $3 million for period products in schools
    Government commits almost $3 million for period products in schools The Coalition Government has committed $2.9 million to ensure intermediate and secondary schools continue providing period products to those who need them, Minister of Education Erica Stanford announced today. “This is an issue of dignity and ensuring young women don’t ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Speech – Making it easier to build.
    Good morning, it’s great to be here.   First, I would like to acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of Building Surveyors and thank you for the opportunity to be here this morning.  I would like to use this opportunity to outline the Government’s ambitious plan and what we hope to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Pacific youth to shine from boost to Polyfest
    Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti has announced the Government’s commitment to the Auckland Secondary Schools Māori and Pacific Islands Cultural Festival, more commonly known as Polyfest. “The Ministry for Pacific Peoples is a longtime supporter of Polyfest and, as it celebrates 49 years in 2024, I’m proud to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • 2024 Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships announced
    ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Speech to Breast Cancer Foundation – Insights Conference
    Before moving onto the substance of today’s address, I want to recognise the very significant and ongoing contribution the Breast Cancer Foundation makes to support the lives of New Zealand women and their families living with breast cancer. I very much enjoy working with you. I also want to recognise ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Kiwi research soars to International Space Station
    New Zealand has notched up a first with the launch of University of Canterbury research to the International Space Station, Science, Innovation and Technology and Space Minister Judith Collins says. The hardware, developed by Dr Sarah Kessans, is designed to operate autonomously in orbit, allowing scientists on Earth to study ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Speech to the New Zealand Planning Institute
    Introduction Thank you for inviting me to speak with you today and I’m sorry I can’t be there in person. Yesterday I started in Wellington for Breakfast TV, spoke to a property conference in Auckland, and finished the day speaking to local government in Christchurch, so it would have been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Support for Northland emergency response centre
    The Coalition Government is contributing more than $1 million to support the establishment of an emergency multi-agency coordination centre in Northland. Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced the contribution today during a visit of the Whangārei site where the facility will be constructed.  “Northland has faced a number ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Celebrating 20 years of Whakaata Māori
    New Zealanders have enjoyed a broader range of voices telling the story of Aotearoa thanks to the creation of Whakaata Māori 20 years ago, says Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka. The minister spoke at a celebration marking the national indigenous media organisation’s 20th anniversary at their studio in Auckland on ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Some commercial fishery catch limits increased
    Commercial catch limits for some fisheries have been increased following a review showing stocks are healthy and abundant, Ocean and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The changes, along with some other catch limit changes and management settings, begin coming into effect from 1 April 2024. "Regular biannual reviews of fish ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

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