National’s rock and hard place

Written By: - Date published: 11:31 am, April 12th, 2010 - 23 comments
Categories: business, capitalism, foreshore and seabed, maori party, Mining, national - Tags:

National’s proposed reform of the foreshore and seabed legislation is no ‘elegant solution’. Instead, it is being criticised in the business press as an undemocratic favouring of Maori business interests over Pakeha ones, while iwi are saying that it doesn’t give them what they want.

I’m not endorsing either standpoint because I think the business and corporate iwi elites are pretty much as bad as each other – rent-seeking capitalists all – but I think it’s important we look at where the sides stand and why National is in danger of falling behind two stools as it seeks to do enough to win Maori Party support while not pissing off business too much (and why it’s just silly to think National can magic up an ‘elegant solution’ that eluded everyone else).

The business perspective was articulated in last week’s NBR under the headline Business beware Maori sovereignty landing on a beach near you (needs subscription):

…To suit its own electoral purposes in 2011, National in its present guise as the Crown is prepared to sell down the river New Zealand’s businesses and citizens who are not its Treaty partners…

…Business submitters on the RFSA should be aware of the Trojan horse represented by non-territorial customary rights as rent-seeking and veto-wielding rorts, but the greatest potential evil rests with territorial customary rights…

Coastal Maori tribes would be empowered as unelected bodies to write their own self-interested planning documents (as they would also for non-territorial customary rights) that would be compulsorily included in elected local authority regional policy and planning.

Bound by these Maori plans would be not only local authorities but also the New Zealand Historic Places Trust, the Department of Conservation, and the Ministry of Fisheries.

Included would be a right to permit activities the veto-wielding power that underpins legalized extortion in rent-seeking without legal recourse to challenge denial of permission.

Local authorities, the Minister of Conservation, the Director-General of Conservation, and requests for foreshore and seabed use or development consents by business interests could be vetoed or simply consigned to limbo by coastal Maori with customary title without any legal redress proposed in the RFSA.

Indeed, coastal Maori tribes endowed with customary title will be allowed to make things up as they go along:

‘When giving, or refusing to give, consent there would be no obligation on the coastal hapu/iwi to make a decision based on criteria or restrictions set out in the relevant legislation.’

‘As with the ‘right to permit activities’ award, the decision of the coastal hapu/iwi to give or refuse consent could be made according to a Maori world view, on grounds which are not covered by the relevant legislation’ (p. 41).

New Zealand’s businesses can hardly be expected to derive much benefit from National setting up a regime of unelected, unaccountable coastal Maori tribal sovereignty for this is what the RFSA’s customary title really proposes.

In practice, it is likely that the veto power will be welded so as to make iwi de facto landlords. They will stay their veto and allow others to operate on sections of foreshore and seabed over which they have customary title only in return for money. Business isn’t keen on that.

On the other hand, iwi believe they own the foreshore and seabed and they want to be able to use the resources there as owners, not only after going cap in hand to the government or the council for licences on the same basis as any non-Maori organisation would have to.

National’s proposal does not allow iwi to side-step the consenting process, their customary title, as laid out in the Nats discussion document, will not give them any right to mine or undertake aquaculture superior to that of any other organisation (apart from their power to veto everyone else).

That’s why iwi want full, unalienable ownership, or some stronger form of customary title. The latest suggestion from iwi seems to be that iwi’s customary title should be presumed, rather than awarded by court or won by negotiation, and it will be for the Crown to challenge it if it wants. This would need to be a stronger version of customary rights than laid out in the Nats’ discussion document, it would have to include rights for mining and aquaculture. That’s lightyears from what National is proposing.

As it stands, there is such negligible difference between the rights iwi can be awarded under National’s proposals and under the current scheme that Ngati Porou has indicated it will stick with the deal it negotiated with the Crown under the current law – it cannot get anything more from National’s new law.

Of course, the Maori Party has always said that the existing foreshore and seabed law isn’t good enough (is racist, in fact). So, if National’s proposals don’t make any real difference, it’s hard to see how they can be acceptable to the Maori Party or iwi like Ngati Apa.

Now, Chris Finlayson has thrown two more cats among the pigeons.

On The Nation he encouraged iwi to negotiate with him rather than go through the courts. That’s ironic, after all, a week or so ago Finlayson was arguing the importance of the proposed reforms was that they gave back to iwi the right to go to court. And it suggests National might be aiming to leave the definition of ‘customary title’ loose enough to get the Maori Party to vote for it.

If the legal definitions are left loose enough for the Maori Party to support the reforms without losing face it runs the risk for National of court decisions that award customary title that is for all intents and purposes freehold. So, National will want to avoid court cases and negotiate directly.

Finlayson is also leaving open the possibility that iwi will be able to win ownership of minerals under the foreshore and seabed as part of their customary rights. That would be a major change. Just as the Crown owns all gold in the ground no matter who digs it up and charges the extractor a royalty, iwi would own whatever minerals are under their foreshore and seabed and be able to prevent others mining or charge a royalty. A gold mine (or, more accurately, a phosphates mine) for iwi but something more that will displease non-Maori business who want a crack at those resources themselves. The devil will be in the detail when it comes to mineral rights.

There is no simple solution here. That’s why Labour didn’t find one and why National’s ‘solution’ is essentially a rehash of Labour’s one. It’s also why National is remaining fuzzy on the key points like mineral rights.

Will National give iwi the rights to minerals and aquaculture that they want and alienate business in the process?

Or will they stick to the position they’ve offered? And if they do, will the Maori Party come on board and abandon the cause it was founded to fight?

Either the Nats will have to seriously annoy one of two key allies or the Maori party will have to desert its base.

Interesting times.

23 comments on “National’s rock and hard place ”

  1. ianmac 1

    A minor point but Finlayson’s response to a question was that Iwi would for example, be able to set up a hotel as long as it was within Consent process. But this is the Seabed and Foreshore, not dry land. Spurious?

  2. How can National’s solution effectively be a rehash of Labour’s, if only National’s gives the veto rights you write about?

    • Bright Red 2.1

      The intersting thing about the veto power is it doesn’t give iwi what they want and it is seriously bad news for non-Maori business.

      From the persepctive of ‘does this give iwi what they set up the Maori Party to get’ – you would have to say there is not enough difference from what Labour passed.

  3. Zaphod Beeblebrox 3

    How can you build something on land/foreshore that no-body owns? If there is no ownership who would be the applicant for resource consent? Who pays the rates, who pays for the rubbish collection and council services?

  4. tc 4

    It seems to be part of the strategy to make it look like all is fixed and yet nothing is fixed all at the same time so where’s there’s confusion and an ability to negotiate they can spin as a win-win and mop up the red neck votes in the process.

    Unless labour get some very clear messages (short understandable ones not Goff speak) and keep the theme running through till next election……the nat’s will defacto look like solving an issue when they’ve done nothing of the sort.

  5. Jim Nald 5

    re tc: “solving an issue when they’ve done nothing of the sort”

    That reminds me a friend, a staunch National voter, who was trying to work through the policy madness and saying National could be setting up a booby trap for when Labour gets in.

    To which I replied, National can then resurrect their iwi/kiwi billboards and revive that campaign!

  6. tsmithfield 6

    Maybe this is smart politics by National.

    Firstly, although some conservative National supporters may not be happy with the arrangement, where else have they got to go? They would perceive Labour to be more liberal towards Maori than National. Hence, if this was an important issue to these voters they would probably tend to move further right (towards ACT) rather than left towards Labour. Hence, weakening of National support on this score is likely to strengthen its natural ally.
    Secondly, National may well pick up support from more liberal and Maori voters who see National as doing the best they can to rectify a perceived injustice against Maori.
    Thirdly, Labour doesn’t have the moral capital to try and benefit from this. For instance, if they complain the bill doesn’t go far enough, their own record with respect to the FS act will trip them up every time. Also, Labour is in no position to mount an IWI/KIWI type of campain without further alienating themselves from Maori.

    Thus, I don’t really see how National can lose from this.

    • Pascal's bookie 6.1

      National can lose from this if they start to lose those ‘right wingers’.

      The iwi/kiwi mob aren’t huge and I think you are right that they won’t go to labour. If they go to ACT, and that shows up in the polls, then centrists and liberals will think pretty hard about what that means about what the next NACT govt will look like. Esp if the maori party make signals that they may not necessarily support the National Party after the next election. There are also various promises that were made that were specific to this term. National’s right wing will want that spelt out just as much as their opponents will. though for different reasons.

      National got centrist voters by being Labour lite and promising to keep Roger Douglas sidelined. They need to hold on to the centrists to retain power. It’s not about them gaining more centrists and liberals. The right wingers in the KB comments are all outraged and feel betrayed that Key hasn’t gone far enough in breaking his election promises. They are deluded.

      Another point to bear in mnd is that once the F&S act is done, the mP gains quite a bit of strategic freedom to differentiate themselves from their current colleagues in government.

    • Bright Red 6.2

      “Firstly, although some conservative National supporters may not be happy with the arrangement, where else have they got to go?”

      Winston. Peters.

      captcha: literally

      • tsmithfield 6.2.1

        Yeh, you could be right on that one.

        Having said that, though, if NZ First is seeking to rebuild its base around red-necks then NZ First will probably end up as another right-wing ally for National as well. Perish the thought though.

        • tsmithfield 6.2.1.1

          Another thing, BR, do you think either of the major parties will want to cut a deal with Winston?
          Aferall, he has been the kiss of death to political parties in recent times.

          • felix 6.2.1.1.1

            do you think either of the major parties will want to cut a deal with Winston?

            If it meant the difference between govt. and opposition? Both of them would. In a heartbeat. No matter what they say.

            • tsmithfield 6.2.1.1.1.1

              Perhaps.

              On the other hand, JK has already taken a stance of not being prepared to deal with WP.
              If he takes the same stance next election, he will probably be believed by voters (given it is consistent with his previous position). This could have the effect of pulling the rug out from under WP’s feet. Right-wing leaning voters will probably decide not to go with NZ First because they would see the only option for NZ First would be a coalition with Labour. This being the case, it could “rescue” National votes potentially lost to NZ First, and at the same time, make it very difficult for NZ First to reach the 5% barrier.

              • felix

                I think you just like the clack clack sound the keys make when you type.

              • tsmithfield

                So, the problem with my logic is? Your problem is when you run out of logical responses you start mindless slanging.

                If National took the approach I am suggesting, then it would make it virtually impossible for Labour to go into a coalition relationship with NZ First. This is because the memory of the previous Labour NZ First fiasco will still be alive and well with most people, including potential Labour voters. Thus, a move by Key to distance National from NZ First would almost certainly be mirrored by Labour. If this is the case, then I doubt NZ First will have much of a future.

              • felix

                Nah, I just get bored with pointless speculation very quickly.

                Everything you’ve suggested makes perfect sense as long as each of your predictions is accepted as a certainty. Sorry, but that just ignores too many variables to make it interesting.

  7. tc 7

    Yup agree, it’s brilliant politics with the MP not needing to see beyond it as they’d be more then happy with using this as proof of their right to exist politically….job done.

    F&S was way too intellectual and backfired electorally from day 1 for labour…..a sword they’ll continue to be jabbed with by nat’s/MP.

    JK will smile and wave his arm of on this issue…….new game, new players with a rather tired opposition looking out of ideas.

  8. Adrian 8

    Remember Winston, even with all the bullshit swirling around him at the last election was only 3 people in 1000 away from Parliament. Add in this debacle, a couple of great televised debates where he makes Key look bewildered ( not a big ask ), sticking to his 3 messages ad infinitum and you have a repeat of the Peter Dunne ” commonsense ” momentum and ” keep the bastards honest ” Winnie is looking at 10% with a scary coterie of coat-tailers. God, he could get that 3 in a 1000 two days after the Epsomites get their revised rates bill.

Links to post

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • EV road user charges bill passes
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the passing of legislation to move light electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) into the road user charges system from 1 April.  “It was always intended that EVs and PHEVs would be exempt from road user charges until they reached two ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 hours ago
  • Bill targets illegal, unregulated fishing in international waters
    New Zealand is strengthening its ability to combat illegal fishing outside its domestic waters and beef up regulation for its own commercial fishers in international waters through a Bill which had its first reading in Parliament today. The Fisheries (International Fishing and Other Matters) Amendment Bill 2023 sets out stronger ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 hours ago
  • Reserve Bank appointments
    Economists Carl Hansen and Professor Prasanna Gai have been appointed to the Reserve Bank Monetary Policy Committee, Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced today. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is the independent decision-making body that sets the Official Cash Rate which determines interest rates.  Carl Hansen, the executive director of Capital ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 hours ago
  • Stronger protections for apartment owners
    Apartment owners and buyers will soon have greater protections as further changes to the law on unit titles come into effect, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “The Unit Titles (Strengthening Body Corporate Governance and Other Matters) Amendment Act had already introduced some changes in December 2022 and May 2023, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    9 hours ago
  • Travel focused on traditional partners and Middle East
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to Egypt and Europe from this weekend.    “This travel will focus on a range of New Zealand’s traditional diplomatic and security partnerships while enabling broad engagement on the urgent situation in Gaza,” Mr Peters says.   Mr Peters will attend the NATO Foreign ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    9 hours ago
  • Keep safe on our roads this Easter
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown is encouraging all road users to stay safe, plan their journeys ahead of time, and be patient with other drivers while travelling around this Easter long weekend. “Road safety is a responsibility we all share, and with increased traffic on our roads expected this Easter we ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    12 hours ago
  • Cost of living support for over 1.4 million Kiwis
    About 1.4 million New Zealanders will receive cost of living relief through increased government assistance from April 1 909,000 pensioners get a boost to Superannuation, including 5000 veterans 371,000 working-age beneficiaries will get higher payments 45,000 students will see an increase in their allowance Over a quarter of New Zealanders ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    12 hours ago
  • Tenancy reviews for social housing restart
    Ensuring social housing is being provided to those with the greatest needs is front of mind as the Government restarts social housing tenancy reviews, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. “Our relentless focus on building a strong economy is to ensure we can deliver better public services such as social ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago
  • Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary plan halted
    The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary will not go ahead, with Cabinet deciding to stop work on the proposed reserve and remove the Bill that would have established it from Parliament’s order paper. “The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill would have created a 620,000 sq km economic no-go zone,” Oceans and Fisheries Minister ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago
  • Cutting all that dam red tape
    Dam safety regulations are being amended so that smaller dams won’t be subject to excessive compliance costs, Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on reducing costs and removing unnecessary red tape so we can get the economy back on track.  “Dam safety regulations ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    14 hours ago
  • Drought support extended to parts of North Island
    The coalition Government is expanding the medium-scale adverse event classification to parts of the North Island as dry weather conditions persist, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced today. “I have made the decision to expand the medium-scale adverse event classification already in place for parts of the South Island to also cover the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago
  • Passage of major tax bill welcomed
    The passing of legislation giving effect to coalition Government tax commitments has been welcomed by Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “The Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill will help place New Zealand on a more secure economic footing, improve outcomes for New Zealanders, and make our tax system ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Lifting economy through science, tertiary sectors
    Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins and Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds today announced plans to transform our science and university sectors to boost the economy. Two advisory groups, chaired by Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, will advise the Government on how these sectors can play a greater ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Government announces Budget priorities
    The Budget will deliver urgently-needed tax relief to hard-working New Zealanders while putting the government’s finances back on a sustainable track, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.  The Finance Minister made the comments at the release of the Budget Policy Statement setting out the Government’s Budget objectives. “The coalition Government intends ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day 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
    2 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
    2 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
    2 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
    2 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
    2 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
    2 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    6 days ago
  • 2024 Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships announced
    ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 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
    6 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
    6 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
    6 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

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-03-28T09:42:55+00:00