National’s gang policy has no foundation

Written By: - Date published: 9:15 am, October 27th, 2023 - 35 comments
Categories: crime, human rights, law, law and "order", mark mitchell, national, police, same old national - Tags:

An early starter for the most ridiculous policy of the New Government has emerged.  Mark Mitchell has proposed that gang members be required to apply foundation to their faces to hide gang insignia tatoos before going out in public.

From Radio New Zealand:

National’s police spokesperson says the party may ban gang facial tattoos if its planned ban on gang patches does not work.

Mark Mitchell, expected to be the next police minister, told Checkpoint they will be made to apply foundation when they wake up in the morning or face arrest.

The party is also promising to allow police to search suspected gang members, their vehicles and properties without warrants, and issue dispersal notices banning gang members from talking to one others.

Mitchell said gang activity would also be banned on social media.

Recent incidents in Opotoki has provided Mitchell with the opportunity to froth from his mouth.  Again from RNZ:

“We know that there’s gang tensions in Ōpōtiki. We know that there was a gang-related homicide there a couple of months ago and the Mongrel Mob turned up and took the town under siege,” Mitchell told Checkpoint on Wednesday.

“The police need to have proactive tools that they can get out there and they can stop and turn over gang members, and search them and search their vehicles and take firearms – not wait for a 20-year-old female to be shot in a drive-by shooting or for someone’s home to be shot up by gangs and drive-by shootings.”

After the latest shooting, police were granted additional search powers through the Criminal Activity Intervention Legislation Act (CAIL). The temporary warrant enabled police to freely search vehicles and properties owned by suspected gang members.

While police are able to get urgent warrants “in a matter of hours”, he said that was “reactive” – and police needed to be proactive. The current firearms prohibition laws were “very weak”, Mitchell said, and “meaningless”.

My head hurt trying to understand this.  Because unless warrants gave police the ability to foresee future criminal activity the power to search without warrant will not stop random shootings.  Unless they plan to stop and search pretty well all cars carrying gang members.  In which case they may prefer that gang members actually display their patches and don’t apply foundation to their gang insignia so they can be readily identified.

Besides there is an existing power to search without warrant where a constable has reasonable grounds to suspect that a breach of the Arms Act is occurring.

When they were last in power they came up with a not dissimilar proposal which became the Prohibition of Gang Insignia in Government Premises Act 2013.

During the debate on the bill Andrew Little said this:

I appreciate the opportunity to speak on the Prohibition of Gang Insignia in Government Premises Bill and to add my voice to those who say this is a complete waste of our time. This is a bill for the inadequate and, frankly, the flaccid, and the armchair toughies who sit back in the comfort of places like this to talk at length about the horror of the gangs without actually wanting to do anything meaningful about it. This will do nothing. This does nothing. It is cosmetic. It is literally cosmetic. It is about dealing with the outward appearance of a gang member. It does nothing about the underlying issues and realities of gangs.”

His comments are just as relevant now.

I am sure that if enacted the legislation would find its way before the courts where it would be argued that these restrictions were in breach of rights of freedom of expression and that the restrictions could not be justified in a free and democratic society.

But I suspect this will not affect National’s enthusiasm for the proposal.  They just want to stir up hatred and more than a little frothing at the mouth.

35 comments on “National’s gang policy has no foundation ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Mike the Lefty 1
    27 October 2023 at 9:53 am

    Does Mark Mitchell realise the election is OVER!

    You won you git!

    If your party is so efficient then let's have some real solutions, not dog whistles.

    This government is looking like a bunch of raggle taggle gypies before it has even taken the horse's reins.

    • Anne 1.1
      27 October 2023 at 10:28 am

      MM is stupid. But like a lot of stupid people they make up for it by being as cunning as a fox. It gets mistaken by some for 'being smart'. This is just his first gaffe. There will be more. There are police officers out there who will love him because they are no better.

      Bear in mind he is also a cheat:

      In 2014, Nicky Hager's book Dirty Politics presented evidence that suggested that Mitchell had hired political strategist Simon Lusk during the National Party selection process for the Rodney electorate. Lusk appeared to have collaborated with blogger Cameron Slater to discredit Mitchell's opponents, particularly Brent Robinson. Mitchell strongly denies ever paying Lusk or Slater.

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Mitchell_(New_Zealand_politician)

      Probably true. Someone else paid on his behalf so he could deny it?

      • Tiger Mountain 1.1.1
        27 October 2023 at 1:01 pm

        yes

      • Rolling-on-Gravel 1.1.2
        28 October 2023 at 11:40 am

        It makes me so angry that nobody, on what was written in Dirty Politics, voted away the National Party for a generation.

        We wouldn't be suffering so badly nowadays if we did that.

        • Mike the Lefty 1.1.2.1
          28 October 2023 at 3:10 pm

          Business as usual.

          Nothing to see here, move on.

          Gone by lunchtime.

          Back for at least another three years.

  2. SPC 2
    27 October 2023 at 10:06 am

    You can use a color-correcting concealer underneath the stage makeup to hide the tattoo. It's possible to buy stage makeup in a variety of skin colors, but you can also use plain white makeup to cover up the tattoo, then use your regular foundation on top to match your skin tone.

    https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=best+foundation+for+covering+tatoos

    • mary_a 2.1
      28 October 2023 at 1:04 pm

      SPC (2) … thank you Suzanne Paul, soon to be senior make up Consultant to NZ gangs, courtesy of Mark Mitchellsmiley

  3. Stephen D 3
    27 October 2023 at 10:51 am

    He is the absolute proof of the expression “an empty vessel makes the most noise.”

  4. tsmithfield 4
    27 October 2023 at 11:05 am

    I agree the idea of banning face tattoos is fairly extreme. But it is all about creating an overall environment where it is uncomfortable and difficult to be involved in gang activity.

    I guess the proof is in the response of gangs to the prospect of National becoming government. They certainly didn't like that idea, and were encouraging their members to vote to keep National out.

    The counter to Mickey's argument is simply, that the status quo doesn't seem to be working either.

    • Bruce 4.1
      27 October 2023 at 11:23 am

      'Rome wasn't built in a day' It took at least 10 yrs to create the gangsters, boys homes, national standards etc, it will take just as long to create environments to counter them.

      National policies are referred to as knee jerk for a reason.

      • tsmithfield 4.1.1
        27 October 2023 at 11:30 am

        That is the thing though. It is possible to be doing both. That is making it less attractive to be involved with gangs while at the same time working on the underlying issues that cause people to want to belong to gangs in the first place.

        One doesn't exclude the other.

        • bwaghorn 4.1.1.1
          27 October 2023 at 11:42 am

          They certainly didn't like that idea,

          Is it possible that in the same way a drug addiction knows he needs help is it possible gang leaders know they need help, and they know national will just make it worse?

  5. SPC 5
    27 October 2023 at 11:26 am

    My head hurt trying to understand this. Because unless warrants gave police the ability to foresee future criminal activity the power to search without warrant will not stop random shootings. Unless they plan to stop and search pretty well all cars carrying gang members. In which case they may prefer that gang members actually display their patches and don’t apply foundation to their gang insignia so they can be readily identified.

    Maybe the plan is to reduce gang visibility, rather than reduce crime. They seem to want greater numbers in prison.

    One wonders if NACT have costed the supply of foundation to those in prison (or this will accrue as an asset, a debt to be paid back when they leave prison).

  6. Heather 6
    27 October 2023 at 11:51 am

    Mitchell is a bully and a complete thick dullard

    He is also a horrible man

    I wonder if his tattoo ban will include women as well. No doubt he will ban women news readers.

  7. Reality 7
    27 October 2023 at 12:23 pm

    If Mark Mitchell was a Labour MP his makeup coverup idea would have been ridiculed and headlined by all media across the entire country.

  8. SPC 8
    27 October 2023 at 12:24 pm

    If they wanted my advice they would ban gangs with overseas origins that have been involved in organised crime. Thus no one comes here from Oz and builds a local branch. And no one deported from Oz because they are part of an international crime organisation gets to join a local branch here on arrival.

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/crime/flat-bush-homicide-melbourne-hells-angels-boss-turned-auckland-501-andrew-lamositele-brown-guilty-of-murder/S4LLA4QXAFAALABUASOIFNXIWE/

  9. gsays 9
    27 October 2023 at 12:38 pm

    Surely most of us agree that gangs arise in an environment where disconnect, inequality and poverty are prevalent.

    What does either of the 'purple' parties do remedy this?

  10. Mac1 10
    27 October 2023 at 1:00 pm

    Make-up classes for the Mongrel Mob? If Mitchell says cosmetic usage was enforced in Australia, then look how well that did for them. They now export their 501s to New Zealand.

    Winston will want to send Māori gang members back to Hawaiki!

    • ianmac 10.1
      27 October 2023 at 4:24 pm

      On the radio this morning an Australian spokesman said that nowhere in Australia is there is a law making makeup compulsory. Sorry can't remember who or when.

  11. Tiger Mountain 11
    27 October 2023 at 1:16 pm

    Who might better use make up is Mitchell’s dear leader Baldrick himself. If he is able to form a Govt. that lasts 3 years, the reflected shine from his bonce will cause an uptick in sunglasses needed for the public.

    My worry about this petty authoritarian gang targeting is that it is really an attack on Māori generally, that will draw in Tā Moko and Moko Kuae. There is a section of dark kiwis in deep denial that detest all things Māori and this will embolden them.

    Mitchell is indulging in MAGA style politics here and it has to be resisted what ever people’s views on gangs might be.

    • Heathertanguay 11.1
      28 October 2023 at 1:35 pm

      I wonder if this will apply to Members of Parliament having to wear cover up makeup. I cannot see Debbie agreed to this!

  12. ianmac 12
    27 October 2023 at 2:35 pm

    Justb imagine a face coming closer on the street. Face painted pure white striding along looking even more menacing than a tattoo. Scatter kids and mums. A serious threat approaches and the Face has the backing of one weirdo Mark Mitchell.

    Or maybe we could all hit the streets bathed in absolute white zombie faces. I would look a bit weird but what fun!

  13. Barfly 13
    27 October 2023 at 3:11 pm

    This music clip shows some blokes wearing makeup (25 second mark is good) and seem to be Mark Mitchell compliant – scarey looking fuckers to me.

    Maybe MM thinks he’s Batman

  14. adam 14
    27 October 2023 at 4:12 pm

    So if all the gang members start to walk around looking like "The Joker" is it a win for MM?

  15. Powerman 15
    27 October 2023 at 4:57 pm

    One wonders what the police think about these laws – if they come into effect. Maybe a swift departure to Aus?

  16. Barfly 16
    27 October 2023 at 5:43 pm

    Look at the bright side – I think we will make the John Oliver Tonight Show – again

  17. Thinker 17
    27 October 2023 at 10:24 pm

    National's crime policy, stage 2:

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minority_Report_(film)

    Seriously, bring it on. This is the publics's first impression time for Luxon's government and they won't be happy they voted for all talk, no do.

  18. lprent 18
    28 October 2023 at 11:38 am

    I'd suggest that the gangs develop additional insignia and tattoos, make stick-on tattoos. Just do them in a different style/colour that is recognisable. What are the police going to do – maintain a registry of all of the insignia that is used? Ban stick on tattoos placed over foundation?

    Retail them – I'd buy and use just to express my opinion about this stupidity.

    What someone chooses to do with their body is not a subject that the legal system should have any control over. Similarly with some quite small limits in the summary offences act (bad enough seeing pot bellies – who wants to watch jiggling genitalia) , what people choose to wear in public is not something that the legal system should control.

    Next, the useless fuckwits in the National caucus will try to want to ban mokus and other Maori tattoos. I think I vaguely remember that was actually a law at some point from their intellectual ancestors – so it isn't beyond the whelms of possibility.

    I disagreed with Labour and NZ First allowing bans on insignia and tattoos to be in "Wanganui District Council (Prohibition of Gang Insignia) Bill" back in 2008 for the same reason.

    We spent decades getting rid of similar garbage law out of the Summary Offences Act and the Crimes Act. They were bloated with fossilised crap like having a specific clause that made it unlawful to wear "carpet slippers" in public.

    I remember wound up with having to pay tens of thousands of dollars to defend my niece from a charge that was essentially 'intimidation by loitering' that the Muldoon government put in. Went to the High Court to get overturned.

    One of the police intelligence units wanted a search warrant. So they claimed that having a perfectly legal animal rights demonstration outside a shop selling fur was the exactly the same as intimidation for the purposes of extortion by gang members. Which is what parliament was told that it was passing.

    The effect of that use of that law would have made most peaceful protest unlawful.

    The effect of passing stupid unconstrained laws by idiots that violate basic civil rights like this is that they will be used by unscrupulous police to obtain powers that they shouldn't have.

    Mark Mitchell is clearly that kind of idiot. As he was police, it is my guess that is exactly the type of law that he'd like to pass, one that can be used by police to intimidate against civil rights.

    Because all you have to do is to say that (for instance) the Greens are a gang, and you can start arresting anyone displaying their insignia.

    • fender 18.1
      28 October 2023 at 2:25 pm

      Totally agree.

      Will Mark Mitchell ban skinheads from exposing their craniums in public too? Will Luxon need to cover-up with a MAGA hat or Trump wig? Fairs fair after all.

    • gsays 18.2
      31 October 2023 at 5:07 pm

      Well put.

      What's more worrying is far too many of our fellow citizens think it's a cracker idea. (Which it is, depending on yr vernacular.)

  19. Ian Macdonald 19
    31 October 2023 at 2:08 pm

    How long will it be before a requirement that women must cover their hair in public?

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • New Zealand congratulates new Solomon Islands government
    A high-level New Zealand political delegation in Honiara today congratulated the new Government of Solomon Islands, led by Jeremiah Manele, on taking office.    “We are privileged to meet the new Prime Minister and members of his Cabinet during his government’s first ten days in office,” Deputy Prime Minister and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    16 hours ago

  • New Zealand supports UN Palestine resolution
    New Zealand voted in favour of a resolution broadening Palestine’s participation at the United Nations General Assembly overnight, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “The resolution enhances the rights of Palestine to participate in the work of the UN General Assembly while stopping short of admitting Palestine as a full ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Speech to the 2024 Infrastructure Symposium
    Introduction Good morning. It’s a great privilege to be here at the 2024 Infrastructure Symposium. I was extremely happy when the Prime Minister asked me to be his Minister for Infrastructure. It is one of the great barriers holding the New Zealand economy back from achieving its potential. Building high ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • $571 million for Defence pay and projects
    Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced the upcoming Budget will include new funding of $571 million for Defence Force pay and projects. “Our servicemen and women do New Zealand proud throughout the world and this funding will help ensure we retain their services and expertise as we navigate an increasingly ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Climate change – mitigating the risks and costs
    New Zealand’s ability to cope with climate change will be strengthened as part of the Government’s focus to build resilience as we rebuild the economy, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “An enduring and long-term approach is needed to provide New Zealanders and the economy with certainty as the climate ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Getting new job seekers on the pathway to work
    Jobseeker beneficiaries who have work obligations must now meet with MSD within two weeks of their benefit starting to determine their next step towards finding a job, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “A key part of the coalition Government’s plan to have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Accelerating Social Investment
    A new standalone Social Investment Agency will power-up the social investment approach, driving positive change for our most vulnerable New Zealanders, Social Investment Minister Nicola Willis says.  “Despite the Government currently investing more than $70 billion every year into social services, we are not seeing the outcomes we want for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Getting Back on Track
    Check against delivery Good morning. It is a pleasure to be with you to outline the Coalition Government’s approach to our first Budget. Thank you Mark Skelly, President of the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce, together with  your Board and team, for hosting me.   I’d like to acknowledge His Worship ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • NZ – European Union ties more critical than ever
    Your Excellency Ambassador Meredith,   Members of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassadors from European Union Member States,   Ministerial colleagues, Members of Parliament, and other distinguished guests, Thank you everyone for joining us.   Ladies and gentlemen -    In diplomacy, we often speak of ‘close’ and ‘long-standing’ relations.   ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Therapeutic Products Act to be repealed
    The Therapeutic Products Act (TPA) will be repealed this year so that a better regime can be put in place to provide New Zealanders safe and timely access to medicines, medical devices and health products, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello announced today. “The medicines and products we are talking about ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Decisions on Wellington City Council’s District Plan
    The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop, today released his decision on twenty recommendations referred to him by the Wellington City Council relating to its Intensification Planning Instrument, after the Council rejected those recommendations of the Independent Hearings Panel and made alternative recommendations. “Wellington notified its District Plan on ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Rape Awareness Week: Government committed to action on sexual violence
    Rape Awareness Week (6-10 May) is an important opportunity to acknowledge the continued effort required by government and communities to ensure that all New Zealanders can live free from violence, say Ministers Karen Chhour and Louise Upston.  “With 1 in 3 women and 1 in 8 men experiencing sexual violence ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Smarter lunch programme feeds more, costs less
    Associate Education Minister David Seymour has today announced that the Government will be delivering a more efficient Healthy School Lunches Programme, saving taxpayers approximately $107 million a year compared to how Labour funded it, by embracing innovation and commercial expertise. “We are delivering on our commitment to treat taxpayers’ money ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Report provides insights into marine recovery
    New research on the impacts of extreme weather on coastal marine habitats in Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay will help fishery managers plan for and respond to any future events, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. A report released today on research by Niwa on behalf of Fisheries New Zealand ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • NZ to send political delegation to the Pacific
    Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters will lead a broad political delegation on a five-stop Pacific tour next week to strengthen New Zealand’s engagement with the region.   The delegation will visit Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and Tuvalu.    “New Zealand has deep and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Low gas production threatens energy security
    There has been a material decline in gas production according to figures released today by the Gas Industry Co.  Figures released by the Gas Industry Company show that there was a 12.5 per cent reduction in gas production during 2023, and a 27.8 per cent reduction in gas production in the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Defence industry talent, commitment recognised
    Defence Minister Judith Collins tonight announced the recipients of the Minister of Defence Awards of Excellence for Industry, saying they all contribute to New Zealanders’ security and wellbeing. “Congratulations to this year’s recipients, whose innovative products and services play a critical role in the delivery of New Zealand’s defence capabilities, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Speech to the Minister of Defence Awards of Excellence for Industry
    Welcome to you all - it is a pleasure to be here this evening.I would like to start by thanking Greg Lowe, Chair of the New Zealand Defence Industry Advisory Council, for co-hosting this reception with me. This evening is about recognising businesses from across New Zealand and overseas who in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Speech to the Sixth Annual New Zealand Government Data Summit
    It is a pleasure to be speaking to you as the Minister for Digitising Government.  I would like to thank Akolade for the invitation to address this Summit, and to acknowledge the great effort you are making to grow New Zealand’s digital future. Today, we stand at the cusp of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Ceasefire agreement needed now: Peters
    New Zealand is urging both Israel and Hamas to agree to an immediate ceasefire to avoid the further humanitarian catastrophe that military action in Rafah would unleash, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “The immense suffering in Gaza cannot be allowed to worsen further. Both sides have a responsibility to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Daily school attendance data now available
    A new online data dashboard released today as part of the Government’s school attendance action plan makes more timely daily attendance data available to the public and parents, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour.  The interactive dashboard will be updated once a week to show a national average of how ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Ambassador to United States appointed
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced Rosemary Banks will be New Zealand’s next Ambassador to the United States of America.    “Our relationship with the United States is crucial for New Zealand in strategic, security and economic terms,” Mr Peters says.    “New Zealand and the United States have a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • New permit proposed for recreational gold mining
    The Government is considering creating a new tier of minerals permitting that will make it easier for hobby miners to prospect for gold. “New Zealand was built on gold, it’s in our DNA. Our gold deposits, particularly in regions such as Otago and the West Coast have always attracted fortune-hunters. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • NZ and the UAE launch FTA negotiations
    Minister for Trade Todd McClay today announced that New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will commence negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA). Minister McClay met with his counterpart UAE Trade Minister Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi in Dubai, where they announced the launch of negotiations on a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • New Zealand Sign Language Week an opportunity for anyone to sign
    New Zealand Sign Language Week is an excellent opportunity for all Kiwis to give the language a go, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. This week (May 6 to 12) is New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) Week. The theme is “an Aotearoa where anyone can sign anywhere” and aims to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Next stop NASA for New Zealand students
    Six tertiary students have been selected to work on NASA projects in the US through a New Zealand Space Scholarship, Space Minister Judith Collins announced today. “This is a fantastic opportunity for these talented students. They will undertake internships at NASA’s Ames Research Center or its Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), where ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • $1.9 billion investment to keep NZ safe from crime
    New Zealanders will be safer because of a $1.9 billion investment in more frontline Corrections officers, more support for offenders to turn away from crime, and more prison capacity, Corrections Minister Mark Mitchell says. “Our Government said we would crack down on crime. We promised to restore law and order, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • OECD reinforces need to control spending
    The OECD’s latest report on New Zealand reinforces the importance of bringing Government spending under control, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The OECD conducts country surveys every two years to review its members’ economic policies. The 2024 New Zealand survey was presented in Wellington today by OECD Chief Economist Clare Lombardelli.   ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Agreement delivers Local Water Done Well for Auckland
    The Government has delivered on its election promise to provide a financially sustainable model for Auckland under its Local Water Done Well plan. The plan, which has been unanimously endorsed by Auckland Council’s Governing Body, will see Aucklanders avoid the previously projected 25.8 per cent water rates increases while retaining ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Gaza and the Pacific on the agenda with Germany
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters discussed the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and enhanced cooperation in the Pacific with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock during her first official visit to New Zealand today.    "New Zealand and Germany enjoy shared interests and values, including the rule of law, democracy, respect for the international system ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Decision allows for housing growth in Western Bay of Plenty
    The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop today released his decision on four recommendations referred to him by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, opening the door to housing growth in the area. The Council’s Plan Change 92 allows more homes to be built in existing and new ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Speech to New Zealand China Council
    Thank you, John McKinnon and the New Zealand China Council for the invitation to speak to you today.    Thank you too, all members of the China Council. Your effort has played an essential role in helping to build, shape, and grow a balanced and resilient relationship between our two ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-05-12T21:38:36+00:00