NRT: The left should not support prison slave labour

Written By: - Date published: 2:37 pm, September 11th, 2014 - 63 comments
Categories: crime, human rights, prisons - Tags: ,

With both Labour and the Greens supporting the plan, I/S at No Right Turn makes the case against…


The left should not support prison slave labour

Yesterday, the government announced that all prisons would become “working prisons”, with their inmates forced to work for 40 hours a week for no pay, and denied parole if they don’t. Bu what’s appalling is that Labour and the Greens immediately lined up to say “me too” to this piece of “tough on crime” bullshit.

As I’ve pointed out before, there is a name for people kept in cages and forced to work for nothing at the point of a baton. They’re called “slaves”. Quite apart from the inherent wrongness of that (it is rightly a crime in all civilised nations, including New Zealand), it drives free workers to the dole queuesviolates international law and puts exports at risk. And no left party should be supporting that.

What should they support? Education. Training. Proper work at decent wages with full employment rights. Corrections’ release to work programme is a great example of how things should be done: it treats prisoners fairly, aids rehabilitation and re-integration into the community, and doesn’t undermine non-slave businesses. But what the government is proposing is pure exploitation for the profit of some of our biggest companies. Labour and the Greens should not support it.

Correction: The Greens do not support prison slave labour. Good to know. I apologise for believing the Herald‘s report of their position.

updated to include NRT’s correction and changes to original post.

63 comments on “NRT: The left should not support prison slave labour ”

  1. Lanthanide 1

    This seems like a gross mischaracterisation of what the news article actually says:

    Labour and the Greens are backing National’s plan to get all prisoners working ***or studying fulltime*** within three years.

    Greens justice spokesman David Clendon said his party supported working prisons in principle, as long as the cheaper labour did not undercut the private sector outside.

    Inmates can earn a small income – about 60c an hour – inside jails, or market rates if they are part of the work-to-release scheme, in which inmates leave prison during the day to work for private employers.

    Emphasis mine.

    • Zorr 1.1

      Yeah. A couple of times in the last few days, I/S has deliberately interpreted news in a disingenuous way in order to make the point he wants to make. Specifically, his post on Goff’s evidence with regards the SIS OIA request that Jackal dismantled well so that I didn’t need to.

  2. Ad 2

    Why would we not want prisoners to learn to work again?
    I agree they should be paid at least minimum wage.

    • Zorr 2.1

      There is a serious difference between getting prisoners back in to paid employment (in various ways) to assist with reintegration in to society vs this plan of forcibly coercing them to work with no goal beyond that of “working”. For all this plan seems to care, they could be digging holes every even numbered day and filling them back in on every odd numbered day.

      • Ad 2.1.1

        And that difference is surely the staircase to freedom.

        Were my brother imprisoned, I would rather he learn to work before being released – or at least near release. What conflict is there with the Dept of Corrections Release to Work policy?

        • Tracey 2.1.1.1

          it depends on the pay and the impact on that sector outside prison

          ” , as long as the cheaper labour did not undercut the private sector outside. …”

          We have colinc crazis wanting to bring back hard labour and, imo, Nats are nodding in that direction.

          I dont know what percentage of our prison population have anger and/or substance issues and I would rather see those addressed ahead of any notion of making them pay their way.

        • weka 2.1.1.2

          Ad, why are you assuming that all prisoners don’t know how to work?

  3. Jamal 3

    You know, you have to ask serious questions about someone who thinks Left political parties should spend the last week of the election campaigning on prisoners not working. Public opinion is clear on this, and while there may be some reservations the reality is there is no gain for anyone in letting the Nats use this as a wedge issue in the last week of the campaign. Pick your battles, and for God’s sake pick your timing. This isn’t a debating tournament, it’s an election campaign. Shutting it down was the only option Labour and the Greens had.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 3.1

      In this current cowed climate shutting it down may have been the only option, and that is a sad indictment of how far public discourse has fallen, when the bullies and loudmouths rule the debate – and of course the airwaves.

      The only solution is to dismantle the apparatus piece by piece, from the corporate “values” that gag educators to the PR trash and Jonolists that profit.

  4. yeshe 4

    In the USA, American Express is just one well known company that owns a bunch of prisons. Used to be, and I assume it’s still the same, that if you rang United Airlines 1-800 for help, you were answered by a prison-run call centre. You would never know you were contributing to the exploitation of hundreds of thousands.

    This new policy suggests to me it is a stealthy move towards the further privatisation of our prisons and prisoners. Labour and Greens best beware of Key bearing gifts.

    Creating work for prisoners and assisting them to rehabilitation is excellent, but this is not what Key intends; guaranteed. It’s a prison money-maker when they only have to pay prisoners two or three dollars an hour.

  5. keith ross 5

    There is a big difference between offering work to prisoners and forcing work on them with the threat of no parole if they do not comply. The use of prison labour is common in the usa but it tends to undermine local business that can’t compete. The goal of prisons should be stopping re offending and this can best be achieved by treating the prisoners humanly and offering retraining that is actually going to get them employment or work experience out in the real world not in the obscene world of the new Zealand prison environment. This sounds like the punish them more brigade ,really no one should be able to make laws like this without spending time in one of the hell holes that are called prisons.They are not “hotels” as some people would have you believe but more akin to some kind of medieval existence. Sure some people need to spend time in prison but anything more needs to be thought about very carefully. Slave labour is not a good look for NZ.

    • Tracey 5.1

      And suporting programmes which address anger, substance abuse and those programmes with highest rates of non recidivism.

      Tge irony is with this idea in action, the work in prison, my bet is more prisoners will be employable in prison, than outside due to high unemployment and attitudes on tge outside.

      • mpledger 5.1.1

        Wonder if people will decide it’s better to be put away so they can earn some cash rather than be outside and on the dole.

        • joe90 5.1.1.1

          I doubt it.

          To provide a tangible reward for participation in employment training an “incentive allowance” is paid.
          The rates for incentive payment range from $0.00 per hour to $l.00 per hour.

          http://www.corrections.govt.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/676087/inmateemployment.pdf

          • sabine 5.1.1.1.1

            how much is the hourly wage on the dole, inclusive cowering and pleading with a case manager, waiting for hours for your appointment (cause the case manager are never on time), collecting the paperwork for the umpteens time cause winz lost it. paying the bus to get to winz and back home, just to be told told you are going to get a benefit of a 150 p.w and of that one pays rent/food/electricity. Well one pays one of them.

            going to prison, being fed housed and given a job that gives so a possible 40 cash in hand at the end of the week. O for Oarsome mate. What could go wrong?

    • Foreign Waka 5.2

      It may well be so but in the end, lets not forget what got them there in the first place. Shall we? I mean tell this a mother of a raped child, a elderly person whose house was burgled and the occupier bashed. Or maybe those who actually have no voice left to say anything? If you talk about the untold numbers involved in drugs and firearm convictions, don’t worry they have already raised the next generation of almost free labor that makes the honest man in the street a crook looking at these going on’s. And why wouldn’t it? No workplaces created but chain gangs are now taking the few that can be done by law abiding citizen. This has nothing to do with medieval but everything with justice. This, it seems is now a concept frowned upon. The victim is being asked to apologize to the perpetrator and hand over what is left – their livelihood by earning a living. Hell Hole Prison? Really? 3 square meals, pocket money, TV, library, etc. This is more then many hardworking people have. Then they get out and take things off where they left it. No wonder, they had it great now the real world hits the asphalt.
      And no, I would not give them paid work at all. Why rob a community of their rightful income?

      • Molly 5.2.1

        Have you ever had a look at the very low recidivism rate from places like Bastøy prison?

        They seem to have a very efficient method of reducing prison numbers – and it does not take the punitive approach many seem to favour.

        • Foreign waka 5.2.1.1

          Perhaps, but again – I am not in favor of turning statistical tables. This is an issue about justice. Justice for those who have been robbed, maimed and murdered. Punitive? Please tell this a mother, farther who have lost their child. Or a family who lost their loved one. The victims should get the funding to get heir live on track and none is being awarded. The funding is going to the perpetrator (what is wrong with the picture?) Nothing wrong with rehabilitation, but this has to come from the person at his/her will and not at the expense of the community that is left holding the baby.

  6. Weepus beard 6

    This is another step along the road to prisons for profit if what is proposed is manufacturing work which would normally go to citizens not in prison.

    Having said that I have no issue with prisoners not being paid while doing internal prison work/training with the aim of prisons being more self sufficient; horticulture, cooking, fitness training, some IT even.

    • Tracey 6.1

      Plus 1

      Given many will struggle to get work on the outside due to attitudes outside, the things you suggest make sense to me.espesh horticulture, organics, gardening, farming, IT etc…

      • Foreign Waka 6.1.1

        Yes, those poor people. Have you talked to the victims too?

        • CC 6.1.1.1

          Oh for f*cks sake Foreign Wanker, what have victims to do with this debate? However, lets consider the consequences of your nonsensical statement. How would the average victim feel about themselves, their family members or even friends being done out of jobs or having their wages cut because the same work is being done by forced 60 cents per hour prison labour.

          • Foreign waka 6.1.1.1.1

            You misunderstand, I don’t give any work that can be done by people in the workforce to prisoners. Far from it. My comments was cynical.
            And in fact the victims HAVE EVERYTHING TO DO WITH THIS DEBATE. These are the people left behind and having to live what is for them a tragedy. They received a live sentence with none of those funding for recovery, rehabilitation etc attached. This is a debate about JUSTICE. No funding for those who have to work through a life changing event that was not of their making.

        • Tracey 6.1.1.2

          you wanting to create more or less victims?

        • McFlock 6.1.1.3

          decent prison reform (rather than slave labour) would cut the number of tomorrow’s victims.

  7. Richies McClaw 7

    I was not surprised to see Labour support it, as in a wider context, they are more similar to National than most here would like to admit (why do you think National is doing so well? It is partly because they took all the centrist Labour voters).

    Seeing the Greens support this is another thing though, are they repositioning themselves? That would be a shame.

  8. tinfoilhat 8

    Instead of silly electioneering from NRT can anyone offer informed comment on whether the pilot of this scheme was working or not ?

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/8238451/Fulltime-work-lined-up-to-keep-prisoners-busy

    • weka 8.1

      Are you suggesting that slavery is ok so long as it works?

      • tinfoilhat 8.1.1

        No ?

        Do you have comprehension problems ?

        • weka 8.1.1.1

          No. I am curious why you want to know if the scheme works or not, when NRT’s post was about the coercion aspects of the scheme.

          • tinfoilhat 8.1.1.1.1

            “I am curious why you want to know if the scheme works or not, when NRT’s post was about the coercion aspects of the scheme.”

            For the mere fact that the scheme has apparently been on trial for around a year and a half, I would hope that we’re all interested in any data on the success or otherwise of the scheme and feedback both positive and negative from the inmates who have been part of the scheme.

          • lurgee 8.1.1.1.2

            NRT hasn’t substantiated the claim that labour will be coerced. I can’t see anyone reputable stating that parole will be denied or that prisoners will be compelled to work.

  9. Sable 9

    Shame on you Russel Norman. I would not have expected better from Cunliffe or Keys their parties are US corporate sell outs but I DO expect more from you mate.

    This is the ugly Americanization of the criminal system where big corporations profit from unpaid labour from prisoners. Its disgusting, dehumanizing and simply wrong.

    The way things are shaping up I may just stay home election day. I would not want to know I was responsible for anything so reprehensible.

  10. b waghorn 10

    Its a great idea as long as they are learning useful skills it would have to be better than starring at the walls. Might be a good way to help build cheap house’s. Could also bond some to landcorp dairy farms to help with labour shortages.

  11. b waghorn 11

    Has any one bothered to ask some prisoners??

  12. crocodill 12

    So no party in NZ wants my vote. Good for them, all working together to keep Key in his job and hate as the new love.

  13. sabine 13

    well isn’t it good that the greens will advocate for a guaranteed “40 hour work week” for prisoners.

    eventually all of us will become criminals in order to eat, be housed and have a job.

    there goes the minimum wage, the living wage and any wage.

    anyone still wonders why the youth is not voting?

    me not.

    whom to vote for

    the legalise marihuanna party? at least they have a policy that will keep people out of prison.

    • crocodill 13.1

      People will argue it is a small thing, a trifling policy point that won’t affect many… but it’s slavery, plain and simple – a return to days that were quite rightly left behind. Until the Greens publicly retract their support I will not be voting for anyone. I can make sure the kids I come across aren’t hungry, and certainly not abused by me, or while I’m around by anyone else. I don’t need barbaric sadist traitors saying they’ll spend a billion here or there to see the results of my own efforts. They might have well have said they’ll support the criminalisation of homosexuality, or reintroduce borstals for pregnant unwedded women, or that I could shoot any Maori that walked onto my property.

      • Sable 13.1.1

        You said it Crocodill and I’ll +1 it. At its core this proposition is not only slavery its RACISM. The majority of those inhabiting our prisons are Maori, they are not our servants or the unpaid servants of political bottom feeders hoping to find a cheap way to up the value of their shares in big corps using prison labour.

      • Ennui 13.1.2

        I also have a cynical viewpoint on what this is all about. Think the dole and stand down periods….based upon earnings and holiday pay….lets think you are inside for 2 years and save your meagre pay of $40 per week, you get released with around $4000 and the bastards stand you down, just watch this get perverted.

        Or perhaps you refuse to work, after all you are already inside so wtf….bad behavoir and no early parole.

        This whole thing stinks of punitive populism: i cannot express enough my total disgust at National and their supporters.

  14. Bill 14

    Voluntary opportunity to work at market rates in scenarios that do not undercut or compete with already existing businesses. Opportunity to train/retrain or take up apprenticeship training. Opportunity to undertake full time or part time study. The right to vote. Proper and fully funded detox units in prisons.

    I could go on…

    • McFlock 14.1

      please do 🙂

    • Tracey 14.2

      lplease do Bill…

      Simon power, imo, had a genuine desire to reform prisons and the way we create more prisoners. Crusher crushed him, imo.

      One day some politicians will have the courage to implement the kind of reforms that have some basis for success instead of chasing stuff proven to fail.

      Problem with prisoners working in productive money generating work is that we dont have full employment, so which industries?

      Clearing cars and dumped stuff out of lakes, rivers, waterways makes sense…

      • sabine 14.2.1

        Clearing cars and dumped stuff out of lakes, rivers, waterways makes sense

        this should be offered at a living wage to people that are not working currently, have yet to offend and are depended on winz generosity.

        having prisoners maintain their prisons, i.e clean, paint, fix the buildings/chattels, grow their own food – plants and meat, have them man their switch boards etc makes sense and would provide them with good skills.

        force them to work for nought to nothing is surely not going to improve moral,

        so sick of this, shame on the greens really.
        I would have expected this from the conservatices/act/national and national light aka labour, but not the greens.

  15. Potato 15

    National has promised to get more people into fulltime work. First time they’ve told us where!

  16. as someone who has done time..

    ..and has thus experienced the interior of paremoremo/mt eden/prison farm..

    ..i can tell you that i wd rather leave the confines of the jail/cell..and go and do meaningful work..as i did..

    ..rather than sit and rot in a jail..

    ..and if national deserve any kudos..it is for having increased the opportunities for prisoners to get education etc..

    ..(labour were lamentable at that..and ran with that lock-em-up! ethos..mainlining the sensible-sentencing trust..)

    ..and i guess tolley is the one to get that credit..she seems to have driven this change..

    ..’cos the fact is that a lot of the people i was inside with..

    ..were functionally illiterate..

    ..so..if that work for prisoners was not just assembling plastic-pegs..(paremoremo..)

    ..but something more relevant..(i include i.t-training..why not..?..)

    ..and especially if it was providing training that cd mean jobs upon release..

    ..i wd support that happening..especially when the alternative is 20 hrs a day in a cell..

    ..and i don’t think it unreasonable for them to be paid a wage of some sorts..(with maybe half of it hived off into an account..to be available upon release..

    ..(that wd seem to make sense..)

    ..’cos all you want is the time to go as fast as possible..

    ..and working helps with that..

    • joe90 16.1

      assembling plastic-pegs..

      If you showed any initiative a promotion to weighing and bagging figs was on the cards.

      • phillip ure 16.1.1

        heh..!

        ..not in my day..

        ..boy..!..you had it easy..!

        ..we wd dream of being able to weigh/bag figs..

        ..anything to get away from that pink plastic..

    • ..i can tell you that i wd rather leave the confines of the jail/cell..and go and do meaningful work..as i did..

      Never been inside, but even lacking that experience this strikes me as a well-duh. Before quacking on about slave labour, maybe it would pay to find out what the people actually involved might make of it?

      As an aside, the idea that people who’ve offended against their society should be put to some useful labour instead of being chucked in a cell to rot strikes me as very much a socialist concept – looking on it as ‘slave labour’ is something for hippies, not leftists.

      • crocodill 16.2.1

        The argument is not whether prisoners will get “something to do” while inside. It never was. The argument is two-fold:

        One, that the Greens and Labour are asking the electorate to throw themselves on the mercy and benevolence of the National Party machine post election. Ha. They think this is a good idea and that the National Party have proven themselves a good risk.

        Two, that National will not use prison labour in the most destructive way possible to both job/wages outside, and to the prisoners themselves and their families.

        It’s that simple. If the Greens say they agree “in principle” then they have lost my vote because their mind-set is not of the Left, or even vaguely reaching toward something that is morally correct.

        Asking people whether they would accept being slaves is a stupid argument. What you except us to believe is that there are no extenuating circumstances that influence a person to say “yes” to voluntary enslavement. This isn’t like voluntary student union membership. God almighty.

        There is a lot of wishful thinking involved with those supporting ill-treatment of prisoners, and also I suspect a lot of projection issues. If the Greens went ahead with their poverty reduction plans and successfully dissolved the “untermensch”, who would people blame for their loss of soul, self-interest and the results of greediness? Quite the conundrum. People would have to start looking at themselves, taking responsibility for their beliefs, and then our entire economic system and values would breakdown and fail.

        Not surprisingly it has caused a cognitive dissonance moment for many. Without the Greens or Labour, the election is lost to National. Without them, there is no hope of authority absolving them of their real day-to-day personal responsibility to act and change. They “have no choice” but to believe the impossible. But then, perhaps the election and hope in a greater authority was always lost, because why else would the Left parliamentary politics abandon the people so eagerly?

  17. b waghorn 17

    @Phillip ure i bet there is a whole lot of people trying to remember how much stick they’ve given you on this site now.:-)

  18. Please note that the Greens have made their position clear, and I have corrected my original post to reflect it.

    [post updated to reflect your changes to the original. Can’t seem to get into edit the front page summary though. Sorry.And then I could.] – B.

  19. Distilled essence of NZ 19

    The Greens have essentially said they are opposed to this. There is no way you can employ all the thousands of inmates within prisons without it effecting jobs in the private sector.

    Also, most of the “gangsta” inmates (probably about 50% of prison population) will not be forced to work for free. They will just opt to do their whole sentence, and they will have no incentive to not be violent while they’re inside, because they will have no possibility of parole. End result – prisons become more violent. Also, only minimum security prisoners (probably only about 10% of prisoners) are cleared to do release to work “outside the wire”, because of the security/escape/drug importation risks. If medium, high and maximum security prisoners are suddenly allowed to work outside the wire, all those problems will increase in scale.

    This policy just looks like a nightmare in the making. It also looks like it’s been made up by people who know nothing about prisons.

    • Sable 19.1

      They are people who “know everything” about greed. This is simple copycat-ing of the US with the same end in mind. Buy lots of shares in big business and then let said corporations use free prison labour to up said shares value.

      It gives you some insight into the morality of the head lice we have representing us. Really just gangsters in expensive suits.

    • Sable 19.2

      It would be good to hear the Greens categorically say its “morally reprehensible”. I’m less surprised at Labour but still disgusted at what used to be a party of the people.

      • sabine 19.2.1

        Labour is national light…..i expect nothing more than a few band aids to garner votes, i.e. lets build a few houses and throw a bit of lunch at the hungry.

        the one that really upsets/disgust and surprises me are the greens.
        i have read their statement form 2013 and basically they say yes lets go and do it, hopefully it prevents re-offending.

        nothing about offering comprehensive treatment/detox to substance abusers to keep them out of prison.
        nothing about free study for young and old to keep them upskilled and out of prison
        nothing about skill centres in high unemployment areas to get people involved and learning a trade
        nothing about a comprehensive reform of our drug policies to keep people out of prison
        nothing about a comprehensive reform of our Welfare Mis-state to keep people out of prison

        nothing, but shoddy paid and coerced labour from prisoners. Yei.

        question: Can we do away with home detention and start throwing the white collar criminals into prison for some hard labour…John Banks comes to mind. Mark Hotchin would be a good contender.

        but that aint happening. Gosh…. I have run out of options. I am at the point where I say, bring on National for another three years. Let them implement all these policies, maybe when enough of the country are dirt poor and hungry will a bit of humanity come back.

        Seriously Greens…..Prison Labour? WTF?

  20. Lloyd 20

    If a prisoner is working they should get minimum wage. If they can’t be given all that money because it may distort the prison environment, it should be placed in a trust fund so that they can access it on release, to tide them over until they hopefully get a job.

  21. Ennui 21

    We slavishly follow most things “American”, like TV vampire shows, the local pale copies of American “game” shows etc. Now its time for prison follow me….

    Did you know that:
    * the total imprisoned population in the USA exceeds the “Gulag” at the height of that system.
    * forced labour is everyday in US prisons, a very large proportion of which are owned by private corporates….making money from misery.
    * if you are a black male you have a 10% plus chance of serving time during your lifetime.

    So here we are in little Ol NZ going down the same path.

  22. sabine 22

    Up to 1400 inmates will be working 40 hours a week – without pay – by the end of this year as part of a plan to create more “working prisons” in New Zealand….

    this from an article in 2013

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10862240

    cause well they don’t get paid!!!!!

    and the wee statement from the Greens does not absolve them.

    they can/should put a statement out that under no circumstances will they support slave labour.

    and work without pay, without the option to say no without fear of repercussions that can only be called Slavery.

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    Kissy kissy. Cartoon credit BoomSlang. The BFD. JC writes-  Allow me to preface this contribution with the following statement: If I were asked to express a preference between a National/ACT coalition or a National/ACT/NZF coalition then it would be the former. This week Luxon declared his position, ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    22 hours ago
  • California’s climate disclosure bill could have a huge impact across the U.S.
    This re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Andy Furillo was originally published by Capital & Main and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. The California Legislature took a step last week that has the potential to accelerate the fight against climate ...
    1 day ago
  • Untangling South East Queensland’s Public Transport
    This is a cross post Adventures in Transitland by Darren Davis. I recently visited Brisbane and South East Queensland and came away both impressed while also pondering some key changes to make public transport even better in the region. Here goes with my take on things. A bit of ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    1 day ago
  • Try A Little Kindness.
    My daughter arrived home from the supermarket yesterday and she seemed a bit worried about something. It turned out she wanted to know if someone could get her bank number from a receipt.We wound the story back.She was in the store and there was a man there who was distressed, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 day ago
  • What makes NZFirst tick
    New Zealand’s longest-running political roadshow rolled into Opotiki yesterday, with New Zealand First leader Winston Peters knowing another poll last night showed he would make it back to Parliament and National would need him and his party if they wanted to form a government. The Newshub Reid Research poll ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 day ago
  • September AMA
    Hi,As September draws to a close — I feel it’s probably time to do an Ask Me Anything. You know how it goes: If you have any burning questions, fire away in the comments and I will do my best to answer. You might have questions about Webworm, or podcast ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    1 day ago
  • Bludgers lying in the scratcher making fools of us all
    The mediocrity who stands to be a Prime Minister has a litany.He uses it a bit like a Koru Lounge card. He will brandish it to say: these people are eligible. And more than that, too: These people are deserving. They have earned this policy.They have a right to this policy. What ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • More “partnerships” (by the look of it) and redress of over $30 million in Treaty settlement wit...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point of Order has waited until now – 3.45pm – for today’s officially posted government announcements.  There have been none. The only addition to the news on the Beehive’s website was posted later yesterday, after we had published our September 26 Buzz report. It came from ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago
  • ALEX HOLLAND: Labour’s spending
    Alex Holland writes –  In 2017 when Labour came to power, crown spending was $76 billion per year. Now in 2023 it is $139 billion per year, which equates to a $63 billion annual increase (over $1 billion extra spend every week!) In 2017, New Zealand’s government debt ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • If not now, then when?
    Labour released its fiscal plan today, promising the same old, same old: "responsibility", balanced books, and of course no new taxes: "Labour will maintain income tax settings to provide consistency and certainty in these volatile times. Now is not the time for additional taxes or to promise billions of ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago
  • THE FACTS:  77% of Kiwis believe NZ is becoming more divided
    The Facts has posted –        KEY INSIGHTSOf New Zealander’s polled: Social unity/division 77%believe NZ is becoming more divided (42% ‘much more’ + 35% ‘a little more’) 3%believe NZ is becoming less divided (1% ‘much less’ + 2% ‘a little less’) ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the cynical brutality of the centre-right’s welfare policies
    The centre-right’s enthusiasm for forcing people off the benefit and into paid work is matched only by the enthusiasm (shared by Treasury and the Reserve Bank) for throwing people out of paid work to curb inflation, and achieve the optimal balance of workers to job seekers deemed to be desirable ...
    2 days ago
  • Wednesday’s Chorus: Arthur Grimes on why building many, many more social houses is so critical
    New research shows that tenants in social housing - such as these Wellington apartments - are just as happy as home owners and much happier than private tenants. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The election campaign took an ugly turn yesterday, and in completely the wrong direction. All three ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Old habits
    Media awareness about global warming and climate change has grown fairly steadily since 2004. My impression is that journalists today tend to possess a higher climate literacy than before. This increasing awareness and improved knowledge is encouraging, but there are also some common interpretations which could be more nuanced. ...
    Real ClimateBy rasmus
    2 days ago
  • Bennie Bashing.
    If there’s one thing the mob loves more than keeping Māori in their place, more than getting tough on the gangs, maybe even more than tax cuts. It’s a good old round of beneficiary bashing.Are those meanies in the ACT party stealing your votes because they think David Seymour is ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • The kindest cuts
    Labour kicks off the fiscal credibility battle today with the release of its fiscal plan. National is expected to follow, possibly as soon as Thursday, with its own plan, which may (or may not) address the large hole that the problems with its foreign buyers’ ban might open up. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago
  • Green right turn in Britain? Well, a start
    While it may be unlikely to register in New Zealand’s general election, Britain’s PM Rishi Sunak has done something which might just be important in the long run. He’s announced a far-reaching change in his Conservative government’s approach to environmental, and particularly net zero, policy. The starting point – ...
    Point of OrderBy xtrdnry
    2 days ago
  • At a glance – How do human CO2 emissions compare to natural CO2 emissions?
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    3 days ago
  • How could this happen?
    Canada is in uproar after the exposure that its parliament on September 22 provided a standing ovation to a Nazi veteran who had been invited into the chamber to participate in the parliamentary welcome to Ukrainian President Zelensky. Yaroslav Hunka, 98, a Ukrainian man who volunteered for service in ...
    3 days ago
  • Always Be Campaigning
    The big screen is a great place to lay out the ways of the salesman. He comes ready-made for Panto, ripe for lampooning.This is not to disparage that life. I have known many good people of that kind. But there is a type, brazen as all get out. The camera ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • STEPHEN FRANKS: Press seek to publicly shame doctor – we must push back
    The following is a message sent yesterday from lawyer Stephen Franks on behalf of the Free Speech Union. I don’t like to interrupt first thing Monday morning, but we’ve just become aware of a case where we think immediate and overwhelming attention could help turn the tide. It involves someone ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Competing on cruelty
    The right-wing message calendar is clearly reading "cruelty" today, because both National and NZ First have released beneficiary-bashing policies. National is promising a "traffic light" system to police and kick beneficiaries, which will no doubt be accompanied by arbitrary internal targets to classify people as "orange" or "red" to keep ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • Further funding for Pharmac (forgotten in the Budget?) looks like a $1bn appeal from a PM in need of...
    Buzz from the Beehive One Labour plan  – for 3000 more public homes by 2025 – is the most recent to be posted on the government’s official website. Another – a prime ministerial promise of more funding for Pharmac – has been released as a Labour Party press statement. Who ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: The Vested interests shaping National Party policies
    As the National Party gets closer to government, lobbyists and business interests will be lining up for influence and to get policies adopted. It’s therefore in the public interest to have much more scrutiny and transparency about potential conflicts of interests that might arise. One of the key individuals of ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago
  • Labour may be on way out of power and NZ First back in – but will Peters go into coalition with Na...
    Voters  are deserting Labour in droves, despite Chris  Hipkins’  valiant  rearguard  action.  So  where  are they  heading?  Clearly  not all of them are going to vote National, which concedes that  the  outcome  will be “close”. To the Right of National, the ACT party just a  few weeks  ago  was ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    3 days ago
  • GRAHAM ADAMS: Will the racists please stand up?
    Accusations of racism by journalists and MPs are being called out. Graham Adams writes –    With the election less than three weeks away, what co-governance means in practice — including in water management, education, planning law and local government — remains largely obscure. Which is hardly ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on whether Winston Peters can be a moderating influence
    As the centre-right has (finally!) been subjected to media interrogation, the polls are indicating that some voters may be starting to have second thoughts about the wisdom of giving National and ACT the power to govern alone. That’s why yesterday’s Newshub/Reid Research poll had the National/ACT combo dropping to 60 ...
    3 days ago
  • Tuesday’s Chorus: RBNZ set to rain on National's victory parade
    ANZ has increased its forecast for house inflation later this year on signs of growing momentum in the market ahead of the election. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: National has campaigned against the Labour Government’s record on inflation and mortgage rates, but there’s now a growing chance the Reserve ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • After a Pittsburgh coal processing plant closed, ER visits plummeted
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Katie Myers. This story was originally published by Grist and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. Pittsburgh, in its founding, was blessed and cursed with two abundant natural resources: free-flowing rivers and a nearby coal seam. ...
    3 days ago
  • September-23 AT Board Meeting
    Today the AT board meet again and once again I’ve taken a look at what’s on the agenda to find the most interesting items. Closed Agenda Interestingly when I first looked at the agendas this paper was there but at the time of writing this post it had been ...
    3 days ago
  • Electorate Watch: West Coast-Tasman
    Continuing my series on interesting electorates, today it’s West Coast-Tasman.A long thin electorate running down the northern half of the west coast of the South Island. Think sand flies, beautiful landscapes, lots of rain, Pike River, alternative lifestylers, whitebaiting, and the spiritual home of the Labour Party. A brief word ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Big money brings Winston back
    National leader Christopher Luxon yesterday morning conceded it and last night’s Newshub poll confirmed it; Winston Peters and NZ First are not only back but highly likely to be part of the next government. It is a remarkable comeback for a party that was tossed out of Parliament in ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago
  • 20 days until Election Day, 7 until early voting begins… but what changes will we really see here?
    As this blogger, alongside many others, has already posited in another forum: we all know the National Party’s “budget” (meaning this concept of even adding up numbers properly is doing a lot of heavy, heavy lifting right now) is utter and complete bunk (read hung, drawn and quartered and ...
    exhALANtBy exhalantblog
    4 days ago
  • A night out
    Everyone was asking, Are you nervous? and my response was various forms of God, yes.I've written more speeches than I can count; not much surprises me when the speaker gets to their feet and the room goes quiet.But a play? Never.YOU CAME! THANK YOU! Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • A pallid shade of Green III
    Clearly Labour's focus groups are telling it that it needs to pay more attention to climate change - because hot on the heels of their weaksauce energy efficiency pilot programme and not-great-but-better-than-nothing solar grants, they've released a full climate manifesto. Unfortunately, the core policies in it - a second Emissions ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • A coalition of racism, cruelty, and chaos
    Today's big political news is that after months of wibbling, National's Chris Luxon has finally confirmed that he is willing to work with Winston Peters to become Prime Minister. Which is expected, but I guess it tells us something about which way the polls are going. Which raises the question: ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • More migrant workers should help generate the tax income needed to provide benefits for job seekers
    Buzz from the Beehive Under something described as a “rebalance” of its immigration rules, the Government has adopted four of five recommendations made in an independent review released in July, The fifth, which called on the government to specify criteria for out-of-hours compliance visits similar to those used during ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • Letter To Luxon.
    Some of you might know Gerard Otto (G), and his G News platform. This morning he wrote a letter to Christopher Luxon which I particularly enjoyed, and with his agreement I’m sharing it with you in this guest newsletter.If you’d like to make a contribution to support Gerard’s work you ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • LINDSAY MITCHELL: Alarming trend in benefit numbers
    Lindsay Mitchell writes –  While there will not be another quarterly release of benefit numbers prior to the election, limited weekly reporting continues and is showing an alarming trend. Because there is a seasonal component to benefit number fluctuations it is crucial to compare like with like. In ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • BRIAN EASTON: Has there been external structural change?
    A close analysis of the Treasury assessment of the Medium Term in its PREFU 2023 suggests the economy may be entering a new phase.   Brian Easton writes –  Last week I explained that the forecasts in the just published Treasury Pre-election Economic and Fiscal Update (PREFU 2023) was ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • CRL Progress – Sep-23
    It’s been a while since we looked at the latest with the City Rail Link and there’s been some fantastic milestones recently. To start with, and most recently, CRL have released an awesome video showing a full fly-through of one of the tunnels. Come fly with us! You asked for ...
    4 days ago
  • Monday’s Chorus: Not building nearly enough
    We are heading into another period of fast population growth without matching increased home building or infrastructure investment.Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Labour and National detailed their house building and migration approaches over the weekend, with both pledging fast population growth policies without enough house building or infrastructure investment ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Game on; Hipkins comes out punching
    Labour leader Chris Hipkins yesterday took the gloves off and laid into National and its leader Christopher Luxon. For many in Labour – and particularly for some at the top of the caucus and the party — it would not have been a moment too soon. POLITIK is aware ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • Tax Cut Austerity Blues.
    The leaders have had their go, they’ve told us the “what?” and the “why?” of their promises. Now it’s the turn of the would be Finance Ministers to tell us the “how?”, the “how much?”, and the “when?”A chance for those competing for the second most powerful job in the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • MIKE GRIMSHAW:  It’s the economy – and the spirit – Stupid…
    Mike Grimshaw writes – Over the past 30-odd years it’s become almost an orthodoxy to blame or invoke neoliberalism for the failures of New Zealand society. On the left the usual response goes something like, neoliberalism is the cause of everything that’s gone wrong and the answer ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • 2023 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #38
    A chronological listing of news and opinion articles posted on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, Sep 17, 2023 thru Sat, Sep 23, 2023. Story of the Week  Opinion: Let’s free ourselves from the story of economic growth A relentless focus on economic growth has ushered in ...
    5 days ago
  • The End Of The World.
    Have you been looking out of your window for signs of the apocalypse? Don’t worry, you haven’t been door knocked by a representative of the Brian Tamaki party. They’re probably a bit busy this morning spruiking salvation, or getting ready to march on our parliament, which is closed. No, I’ve ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago
  • Climate Town: The Brainwashing Of America's Children
    Climate Town is the YouTube channel of Rollie Williams and a ragtag team of climate communicators, creatives and comedians. They examine climate change in a way that doesn’t make you want to eat a cyanide pill. Get informed about the climate crisis before the weather does it for you. The latest ...
    7 days ago
  • Has There Been External Structural Change?
    A close analysis of the Treasury assessment of the Medium Term in its PREFU 2023 suggests the economy may be entering a new phase. Last week I explained that the forecasts in the just published Treasury Pre-election Economic and Fiscal Update (PREFU 2023) was similar to the May Budget BEFU, ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    7 days ago
  • Another Labour bully
    Back in June, we learned that Kiri Allan was a Parliamentary bully. And now there's another one: Labour MP Shanan Halbert: The Labour Party was alerted to concerns about [Halbert's] alleged behaviour a year ago but because staffers wanted to remain anonymous, no formal process was undertaken [...] The ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    7 days ago
  • Climate Change: Ignoring our biggest problem
    Its that time in the election season where the status quo parties are busy accusing each other of having fiscal holes in a desperate effort to appear more "responsible" (but not, you understand, by promising to tax wealth or land to give the government the revenue it needs to do ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    7 days ago
  • JERRY COYNE: A good summary of the mess that is science education in New Zealand
    JERRY COYNE writes –  If you want to see what the government of New Zealand is up to with respect to science education, you can’t do better than listening to this video/slideshow by two exponents of the “we-need-two-knowledge-systems” view. I’ve gotten a lot of scary stuff from Kiwi ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    7 days ago
  • Good news on the GDP front is accompanied by news of a $5m govt boost for Supercars (but what about ...
    Buzz from the Beehive First, we were treated to the news (from Finance Minister Grant Robertson) that the economy has turned a corner and New Zealand never was in recession.  This was triggered by statistics which showed the economy expanded 0.9 per cent in the June quarter, twice as much as ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    7 days ago
  • The Scafetta Saga
    It has taken 17 months to get a comment published pointing out the obvious errors in the Scafetta (2022) paper in GRL. Back in March 2022, Nicola Scafetta published a short paper in Geophysical Research Letters (GRL) purporting to show through ‘advanced’ means that ‘all models with ECS > ...
    Real ClimateBy Gavin
    7 days ago
  • Friday's Chorus: Penny wise and pound foolish
    TL;DR: In the middle of a climate emergency and in a city prone to earthquakes, Victoria University of Wellington announced yesterday it would stop teaching geophysics, geographic information science and physical geography to save $22 million a year and repay debt. Climate change damage in Aotearoa this year is already ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    7 days ago
  • CHRIS TROTTER: Calling the big dog’s bluff
      For nearly thirty years the pundits have been telling the minor parties that they must be good little puppies and let the big dogs decide. The parties with a plurality of the votes cast must be allowed to govern – even if that means ignoring the ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    7 days ago
  • The electorate swing, Labour limbo and Luxon-Hipkins two-step
     Another poll, another 27 for Labour. It was July the last time one of the reputable TV company polls had Labour's poll percentage starting with a three, so the limbo question is now being asked: how low can you go?It seems such an unlikely question because this doesn't feel like the kind ...
    PunditBy Tim Watkin
    1 week ago
  • A Womance, and a Nomance.
    After the trench warfare of Tuesday night, when the two major parties went head to head, last night was the turn of the minor parties. Hosts Newshub termed it “the Powerbrokers' Debate”.Based on the latest polls the four parties taking part - ACT, the Greens, New Zealand First, and Te ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • When The Internet Rushes To Your Defense
    Hi,You can’t make this stuff up.People involved with Sound of Freedom, the QAnon-infused movie about anti-child trafficker Tim Ballard, are dropping like flies. I won’t ruin your day by describing it here, but Vice reports that footage has emerged of executive producer Paul Hutchinson being inappropriate with a 16-year-old trafficking ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    1 week ago
  • Doubts about Robertson’s good news day
    The trading banks yesterday concluded that though GDP figures released yesterday show the economy is not in recession, it may well soon be. Nevertheless, the fact that GDP has gone up 0.8 per cent in the latest quarter and that StatsNZ revised the previous quarter’s figure to show a ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 week ago
  • The Votes That Media Dare Not Speak Its Name
    .Thanks for reading Frankly Speaking ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work..A recent political opinion poll (20 September) on TV1 presented what could only be called bleak news for the Left Bloc:National: 37%, down two points equating to 46 seatsLabour: 27%, down one point (34 ...
    Frankly SpeakingBy Frank Macskasy
    1 week ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #38 2023
    Open access notables At our roots Skeptical Science is about cognition of the results of climate science research in the minds of the entire human population. Ideally we'd be perfectly communicating understanding of Earth's climate, and perfectly understood. We can only approximate that, but hopefully converging closer to perfection. With ...
    1 week ago
  • Failing To Hold Back The Flood: The Edgy Politics of the Twenty-First Century.
    Coming Over The Top: Rory Stewart's memoir, Politics On The Edge, lays bare the dangerous inadequacies of the Western World's current political model.VERY FEW NEW ZEALANDERS will have heard of Rory Stewart. Those with a keen eye for the absurdities of politics may recognise the name as that of the ...
    1 week ago

  • New community-level energy projects to support more than 800 Māori households
    Seven more innovative community-scale energy projects will receive government funding through the Māori and Public Housing Renewable Energy Fund to bring more affordable, locally generated clean energy to more than 800 Māori households, Energy and Resources Minister Dr Megan Woods says. “We’ve already funded 42 small-scale clean energy projects that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    24 hours ago
  • Huge boost to Te Tai Tokerau flood resilience
    The Government has approved new funding that will boost resilience and greatly reduce the risk of major flood damage across Te Tai Tokerau. Significant weather events this year caused severe flooding and damage across the region. The $8.9m will be used to provide some of the smaller communities and maraes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Napier’s largest public housing development comes with solar
    The largest public housing development in Napier for many years has been recently completed and has the added benefit of innovative solar technology, thanks to Government programmes, says Housing Minister Dr Megan Woods. The 24 warm, dry homes are in Seddon Crescent, Marewa and Megan Woods says the whanau living ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Te Whānau a Apanui and the Crown initial Deed of Settlement I Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me...
    Māori: Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me te Karauna te Whakaaetanga Whakataunga Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me te Karauna i tētahi Whakaaetanga Whakataunga hei whakamihi i ō rātou tāhuhu kerēme Tiriti o Waitangi. E tekau mā rua ngā hapū o roto mai o Te Whānau ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Plan for 3,000 more public homes by 2025 – regions set to benefit
    Regions around the country will get significant boosts of public housing in the next two years, as outlined in the latest public housing plan update, released by the Housing Minister, Dr Megan Woods. “We’re delivering the most public homes each year since the Nash government of the 1950s with one ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Immigration settings updates
    Judicial warrant process for out-of-hours compliance visits 2023/24 Recognised Seasonal Employer cap increased by 500 Additional roles for Construction and Infrastructure Sector Agreement More roles added to Green List Three-month extension for onshore Recovery Visa holders The Government has confirmed a number of updates to immigration settings as part of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Poroporoaki: Tā Patrick (Patu) Wahanga Hohepa
    Tangi ngunguru ana ngā tai ki te wahapū o Hokianga Whakapau Karakia. Tārehu ana ngā pae maunga ki Te Puna o te Ao Marama. Korihi tangi ana ngā manu, kua hinga he kauri nui ki te Wao Nui o Tāne. He Toa. He Pou. He Ahorangi. E papaki tū ana ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Renewable energy fund to support community resilience
    40 solar energy systems on community buildings in regions affected by Cyclone Gabrielle and other severe weather events Virtual capability-building hub to support community organisations get projects off the ground Boost for community-level renewable energy projects across the country At least 40 community buildings used to support the emergency response ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • COVID-19 funding returned to Government
    The lifting of COVID-19 isolation and mask mandates in August has resulted in a return of almost $50m in savings and recovered contingencies, Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall announced today. Following the revocation of mandates and isolation, specialised COVID-19 telehealth and alternative isolation accommodation are among the operational elements ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Appointment of District Court Judge
    Susie Houghton of Auckland has been appointed as a new District Court Judge, to serve on the Family Court, Attorney-General David Parker said today.  Judge Houghton has acted as a lawyer for child for more than 20 years. She has acted on matters relating to the Hague Convention, an international ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Government invests further in Central Hawke’s Bay resilience
    The Government has today confirmed $2.5 million to fund a replace and upgrade a stopbank to protect the Waipawa Drinking Water Treatment Plant. “As a result of Cyclone Gabrielle, the original stopbank protecting the Waipawa Drinking Water Treatment Plant was destroyed. The plant was operational within 6 weeks of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Govt boost for Hawke’s Bay cyclone waste clean-up
    Another $2.1 million to boost capacity to deal with waste left in Cyclone Gabrielle’s wake. Funds for Hastings District Council, Phoenix Contracting and Hog Fuel NZ to increase local waste-processing infrastructure. The Government is beefing up Hawke’s Bay’s Cyclone Gabrielle clean-up capacity with more support dealing with the massive amount ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Taupō Supercars revs up with Government support
    The future of Supercars events in New Zealand has been secured with new Government support. The Government is getting engines started through the Major Events Fund, a special fund to support high profile events in New Zealand that provide long-term economic, social and cultural benefits. “The Repco Supercars Championship is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • There is no recession in NZ, economy grows nearly 1 percent in June quarter
    The economy has turned a corner with confirmation today New Zealand never was in recession and stronger than expected growth in the June quarter, Finance Minister Grant Robertson said. “The New Zealand economy is doing better than expected,” Grant Robertson said. “It’s continuing to grow, with the latest figures showing ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Highest legal protection for New Zealand’s largest freshwater springs
    The Government has accepted the Environment Court’s recommendation to give special legal protection to New Zealand’s largest freshwater springs, Te Waikoropupū Springs (also known as Pupū Springs), Environment Minister David Parker announced today.   “Te Waikoropupū Springs, near Takaka in Golden Bay, have the second clearest water in New Zealand after ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • More support for victims of migrant exploitation
    Temporary package of funding for accommodation and essential living support for victims of migrant exploitation Exploited migrant workers able to apply for a further Migrant Exploitation Protection Visa (MEPV), giving people more time to find a job Free job search assistance to get people back into work Use of 90-day ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Strong export boost as NZ economy turns corner
    An export boost is supporting New Zealand’s economy to grow, adding to signs that the economy has turned a corner and is on a stronger footing as we rebuild from Cyclone Gabrielle and lock in the benefits of multiple new trade deals, Finance Minister Grant Robertson says. “The economy is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Funding approved for flood resilience work in Te Karaka
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