Nats to deport slave-fishing witnesses

Written By: - Date published: 11:01 am, August 12th, 2011 - 35 comments
Categories: human rights, workers' rights - Tags:

An Auckland University study, “Not in our waters, surely?” was released last night. It details a gruesome list of human rights abuses, crimes, and breaches of labour law being carried out abroad the slave ships contracted by our quota-holders to harvest our fish. Now, the government is moving to deport the prime witnesses before they can testify.

Quotaholders employ these foreign charter vessels to do their fishing for them because it’s cheaper and they don’t want to invest in the capital of owning fishing vessels themselves. Incredibly, this cheap-skate attitude is coming mostly from the iwi quotaholders, who let nearly all their fish be taken by foreigners rather than employing their own people, as was the intended outcome of the Treaty settlements.

The aging contracted vessels have been sinking in our waters and the crews dying. Recently one of the crews walked off their ship, the Oyang 75, in Lyttleton claiming is was a virtual slave ship. Here are some of the reports from that boat and others:

“Officers are vicious bastards … factory manager just rapped this 12 kg stainless steel pan over his head, splits the top of his head, blood pissing out everywhere…,” one informant told the university.

“I told the Master can’t leave him cause he’s bleeding all over the squid. He said ‘oh no no he’s Indonesian no touchy no touchy’… Took him to the bridge and third mate said ‘Indonesian no stitchy no stitchy’. I ended up giving over 26 stitches … bit of a mess.”

An Indonesian fisherman who survived a Korean boat was quoted in the study saying they were trapped on the boat: “We were trapped into modern slavery … in the old days slaves were not paid and chained, now we are paid and trapped … but we are worse than slaves.”

A New Zealand official quoted in the study said: “A floating freezer … absolutely appalling conditions just like a slum … there are definitely human rights abuses out there, they are slave ships.”

Another said: “Live like rats.”

Foreign officers also sexually abused Indonesians at sea, according to the report.

A fisherman said: “The captain asked one by one to give him a massage … from head to toe … we don’t want to do it, but I am pressured to do it… every day.”

Said another: “Galley boy, good looking boy on a Korean boat was raped by four Chinese crew who got him….”

Why are the New Zealand companies, mostly iwi, that employ these fishing vessels allowing this? To save a bit of cash, of course:

The study revealed that a foreigner on an FCV can expect to earn between $6700 and $11,600 a year while a foreigner working on a New Zealand-flagged fishing boat would earn between $60,000 and $80,000.

After months of inaction, Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson and Fisheries Minister have launched a ministerial inquiry but, before it can get underway, immigration has decided to deport the crew of the Oyang 75 as early as tomorrow. The order to deport them came from the top, apparently from Associate Immigration Minister Kate Wilkinson.

In Parliament yesterday, Wilkinson shamefully tried to avoid answering questions by playing technical games over which portfolio she was answering as. She then lied and said that no deportation decisions had been made.

Before the end of question time, Labour learned that the crew could be deported as early as Saturday and sought to urgently question the minister on why she was sending the main witnesses to slave-fishing in New Zealand waters out of the country before their evidence could be heard by the inquiry. National, shamefully, blocked that question on technical grounds.

Over at Red Alert, Labour is suggesting that Wilkinson will have to resign for misleading the House. She should but the bigger issue is making sure those crew members are not deported. Perhaps a court could put an injunction in place but, if the government is the one sending them away before they can testify to its own inquiry, it’s hard to see who would push for that injunction.

These men’s stories need to be told. They could stop the horrendous activities that our quotaholders are allowing in our waters in the name of saving a few bucks. National, however, seems determined to sweep the issue under the carpet.

Update: Wilkinson refused to waive a $550 fee to let the 32 seamen appeal their deportation.

35 comments on “Nats to deport slave-fishing witnesses ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. mickysavage 1
    12 August 2011 at 11:37 am

    It certainly looks like a lie by Wilkinson.  On the one hand she said no decision to deport had been made but on the other hand she had decided not to waive the filing fee for an appeal against the decision.
     
    Bare.  Faced. 

  2. freedom 2
    12 August 2011 at 11:46 am

    simply wishing i had a spare $550 right now

    • mickysavage 2.1
      12 August 2011 at 12:10 pm

      Whip around?  I suspect it is $550 per person but they could run a test case.

      • freedom 2.1.1
        12 August 2011 at 12:27 pm

        can’t do a whip around as I am geographically and financially restricted at the moment but using the magic wires of the interwebby to get the info to as many as i can. We all must make people we know aware of this staggering episode. It is an evolving story which started life as a hard to swallow novella but is quickly becoming a groundbreaking tome of corrupt Iwi and their high powered accomplices.

        Add a certain Iwi’s wish to restart commercial whaling and it all gets a bit nasty.
        I do hope the Minister of Tourism is paying attention to it.

        • mickysavage 2.1.1.1
          12 August 2011 at 12:30 pm

          Update on Radio New Zealand.
           
          The Anglican Church has taken the sailors in and is filing an appeal on their behalf.
           
          Good on it.

          • Tigger 2.1.1.1.1
            12 August 2011 at 1:20 pm

            I hope that’s true ms.

          • Vicky32 2.1.1.1.2
            12 August 2011 at 4:57 pm

            The Anglican Church has taken the sailors in and is filing an appeal on their behalf.

            Although apparently they are having trouble getting the $$ together…

            • mickysavage 2.1.1.1.2.1
              12 August 2011 at 9:28 pm

              They should put up a comment and a bank account.  I am sure a few of us will contribute.

              • Colonial Viper …
                12 August 2011 at 10:05 pm

                The UN must be made aware of this report. In their next deliberations of human rights in NZ, they must consider this report.

                Can someone make this happen please.

          • Lanthanide 2.1.1.1.3
            12 August 2011 at 11:35 pm

            I heard earlier on National Radio (~6pm) that the sailors have managed to get the funds required. Which was $17,000, so $550 per person.

            • Vicky32 2.1.1.1.3.1
              12 August 2011 at 11:51 pm

              I heard earlier on National Radio (~6pm) that the sailors have managed to get the funds required.

              Brilliant news!

  3. tc 3
    12 August 2011 at 11:49 am

    How surprising, can’t upset our wealthy fishing mates now can we.

  4. Lanthanide 4
    12 August 2011 at 12:26 pm

    One of the authors was on the radio last night talking about it. He said he doesn’t expect the government to do anything in the next couple of days, but they easily can.

    He suggested that the government make it a requirement of all crew on these vessels to open NZ bank accounts which their wages are paid into. This will ensure the crew is paid the proper legal amount in a timely manner. He said at the moment there are lots of middle-men clipping the ticket before the money eventually ends up in their bank accounts back in their home country for their family.

  5. Simon Kaiwai 5
    12 August 2011 at 12:32 pm

    Iwi are government chartered corporations that are opposed to the values and genuine interests of tangata whenua.

  6. Zeroque 6
    12 August 2011 at 12:53 pm

    If this is as it’s been described it sounds like the government are trying to avoid a comprehensive and thorough inquiry. Maybe the crew members have already been interviewed and this evidence will be submitted in writing to the inquiry? Unsure but I would have thought the crew would be vital witnesses.

    I think the quota owners ought to be held more responsible for ensuring that boats and their crews are up to scratch and are working within NZ law. As has been said, their doesnt seem to be any motivation for them to take an interest currently.

    • Treetop 6.1
      12 August 2011 at 2:30 pm

      NZ law needs to be enforced and if it is insufficent it needs to a top priority to draft new legislation. The NZ government cannot condone slavery within its waters or ignore the brutal working conditions of the fishing crewes.

      A disgusting state of affairs and I am ashamed to be a NZer.

    • prism 6.2
      12 August 2011 at 2:47 pm

      @ Zeroque – Regulation good. Deregulation bad. Not enough regulation and not enough inspections and sanctions is worse than over-regulation. That can always be loosened but when conditions and standards are ignored and things get to this state nobody wants to take responsibility when it’s on their watch.

  7. Ianupnorth 7
    12 August 2011 at 1:42 pm

    Hope this makes the six o’clock news, but not holding my breath. These are the disgraces that people should on the streets protesting about!
     
    Fish is a commodity; if it needs to be more expensive because the sailors get the correct pay, so be it!

    • freedom 7.1
      12 August 2011 at 1:57 pm

      this will get a few syllables on the news maybe, which is why it is up to free citizens to spread the actual story, as it is with almost anything of any real import these days. The link to Iwi is the sensitive issue that the media do not want to touch, and the Government certainly want to steer clear of. The calls for the return of commercial whaling is not an unrelated issue, and apart from a few minutes on Marae about three months ago, it has not seen the light of day since first acknowledged over a year ago.

      on the price issue, fish is not what i would call cheap at the moment and i do not see how it can be accurately reflective of the costs when stories like this emerge. Looks, tastes and smells downright fishy 🙂

  8. Treetop 8
    12 August 2011 at 2:21 pm

    The quota holders are just as culpable as the foreign charter operators for the verbal and physical abuse of the fisherman.

    A NZ bank account for the fisherman would ensure that they got their wages.

    To improve working conditions and to prevent physical and verbal abuse NZ fishing officers need to accompany the fishing crew.

    Any culpable party needs to have their fishing quota revoked. (I do realise that people are desperate to earn a living, but not by slavery).

    The NZ government need to make it their business and to assist the fishing crew in obtaining their legal rights and to enforce NZ legislation and to heavily fine those who have maltreated the fishing crewes.

  9. Treetop 9
    12 August 2011 at 2:34 pm

    Are the fishing crewes covered by the ACC Act?

  10. prism 10
    12 August 2011 at 2:54 pm

    When the quotas were first allocated to iwi there was one fishing operation on the east coast that went bust. I wonder if iwi elders and business committees took fright at the thought of losing their hard-won compensation in a business endeavour that went wrong. Then they may havr decided that they should find a different model – one where boats were leased, and catches were made on their quota with payment to them, perhaps it seemed better in that it limited capital outlay.

    • Treetop 10.1
      12 August 2011 at 3:40 pm

      The sweat shop model, cheap labour, dangerous working conditions, employment law being ignored, no inspectors. These fishing fleets are factories at sea.

      There is no difference with a factory in India or Asia exploiting people as it is happening in our waters. NZ is part of the sweatshop culture the minute any business is done with unscrupulous companies.

      • KJT 10.1.1
        13 August 2011 at 9:29 am

        It is not just fishing.

        It is most of the shipping on the NZ coast.

        What is worse, is that the few ships still owned in NZ have also had to drop standards, below safe levels, to compete.

  11. Bored 11
    12 August 2011 at 3:03 pm

    Its not just National who want the issue to go away: its the Maori Party. The abuse has happened on boats catching their quota. As we are all aware the MP doesnt give a monkeys about workers rights, Maori unemployment etc, they are the party opf the brown bosses as distinct from white bosses…same bloddy indifference.

    • Michael 11.1
      12 August 2011 at 7:48 pm

      Good point, had not thought of it that way.

    • Red Rosa 11.2
      12 August 2011 at 7:54 pm

      Workers exploited in NZ waters, fishing NZ quota, with Maori Party connivance? No wonder this is being swept under the carpet, and the crews deported.

  12. mik e 12
    12 August 2011 at 5:52 pm

    Once again National is trawling the bottom again. The way NZ farm workers are treated is not much better.

  13. NickS 13
    12 August 2011 at 7:56 pm

    Kate Wilkinson – Standing Up For Slavery Since 2010.

  14. Colonial Viper 14
    12 August 2011 at 9:05 pm

    Want to see John Key front up to defend a

    New Zealand: 100% ABUSED

    campaign now.

  15. drum 15
    12 August 2011 at 9:05 pm

    this minister is just another that is working for the rights of the corporates so as to keep the lid on the claims issues that have been paid for using NZ assets.
    Fishing being one of them and quota another, watch out for this minister as she will in her next term in office become like Carter full of hidden agendas,she’s a real piece of work.

    we live a democracy … apparently?

  16. prism 16
    12 August 2011 at 10:27 pm

    These are some links from reports I was reading about the Indonesian fishermen.
    http://anglicantaonga.org.nz/News/Common-Life/Productive-meeting-over-fishermen

    and originally in the Jakarta News – http://indonesianow.blogspot.com/
    (A spokesperson from the Indonesian Embassy was surprised that the men continued to accept work from the fishing company if it was so bad. How the comfortably off have no interest in the real lives and minimal opportunities of most of their compatriots!)

    Local people, the Anglican Diocese and the Indonesian Embassy, has supported the men in Christchurch, according to community leader Dr Ani Kartikasari. About 300 Indonesians live in the city.
    Dr Ani, who has been in NZ for the past eight years, has been interpreting for the men.
    “New Zealanders in general have been very kind,” she said. “One church member has given NZ$ 10,000 (Rp 70 million) anonymously. This has been used to support the men’s families. mainly in their Central Java hometown of Tegal.
    “But the companies involved have been bad and nasty. The men have been working under slave conditions.”
    Jolyon White, the social justice enabler with Christchurch Anglican Diocese said the men, aged between 24 and 36, were living at a motor camp.
    “They are coping pretty well and have been helping the community by shovelling snow and assisting in a food bank,” he said. “Naturally they all want to get back to their families.
    “The biggest concern I have is that they’ve been working under really bad and immoral contracts. These say the men and their families will forfeit all their property and be fined huge sums if they breach their contracts.”
    Mr White said he and other activists were contacting human rights organizations in Indonesia to raise the men’s plight.
    They were also trying to persuade the NZ police that the issue was more than just a wage dispute and involved human trafficking. If successful some of the men might be required to stay in NZ to give evidence, he said

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Speech to the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective Summit, 18 April 2024
    Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing  At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin    Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho    Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today.    I am delighted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Government to introduce revised Three Strikes law
    The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • New diplomatic appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions.   “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says.    “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Humanitarian support for Ethiopia and Somalia
    New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today.   “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Arts Minister congratulates Mataaho Collective
    Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale.  “It is good ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Supporting better financial outcomes for Kiwis
    The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Trade relationship with China remains strong
    “China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says.   Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • PM’s South East Asia mission does the business
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • $41m to support clean energy in South East Asia
    New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder list
    The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Judicial appointments announced
    Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
    Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa.  The summit is co-hosted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
    A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.    “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
    Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners.  “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government backing mussel spat project
    The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government focused on getting people into work
    Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
    Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
    Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-04-26T23:37:16+00:00