NRT: Two obvious questions

Written By: - Date published: 1:29 pm, May 1st, 2014 - 70 comments
Categories: corruption, john key, Judith Collins - Tags: , ,

no-right-turn-256Maurice Williamson resigned as minister this morning. No Right Turn looks at some of the implications.

Maurice Williamson was sacked within the space of 2 hours this morning after the Herald revealed he had attempted to interfere in a police investigation on behalf of a party donor. Its exactly what should happen when a Minister behaves corruptly and pisses on our constitutional norms like this. At the same time, it raises an obvious question: why hasn’t Judith Collins suffered the same fate? Or is corrupt behaviour only punished when it involves older Ministers the PM would like to dispose of?

And then there’s this bit:

In a statement, Prime Minister John Key says he’s accepted Mr Williamson’s resignation.

“I have been made aware that Mr Williamson contacted Police some time ago regarding their investigation of Mr Donghua Liu,” Mr Key said.

Which raises the other obvious question: why didn’t Key sack him then? There’s absolutely no legitimate reason for a Minister to contact police in this way, and Williamson’s “excuse” that he wasn’t trying to influence the investigation doesn’t wash (why else would he contact them? And doesn’t he understand that by doing so, he has exerted influence?). Or is corrupt behaviour only punished if it becomes public? And if so, how many other current Ministers have committed similar offences, but are still in their jobs because we don’t know about them?

 

70 comments on “NRT: Two obvious questions ”

  1. ianmac 1

    Yep. There is a time lag in there somewhere. Mr Key too busy elsewhere?

    • Tom Gould 1.1

      It’s not the corruption that’s the trigger, that’s just business as usual in the Key cabinet by the looks, it’s how convincingly you can lie. Maurice struggles with that bit, so he’s gone.

      • Bearded Git 1.1.1

        No it’s not Maurice’s lying ability that is the problem, it is the fact that the MSM have got hold of it.

        If this hadn’t happened Key would not have sacked him. Principles? yeah….nah!

    • It’s also just possible that Key doesn’t have the numbers to sack Collins without some of her supporters shifting ships.

      • Stuart Munro 1.2.1

        More likely Maurice’s funding stream has run dry, but Judith’s is still flowing into Gnat coffers.

  2. …how many other current Ministers have committed similar offences, but are still in their jobs because we don’t know about them?

    My money’s on ’26’ if we count the ones outside Cabinet.

  3. Ad 3

    The answer is twofoild: Collins keeps Key in power, and Key did not have the power to sack her.

    She has the Auckland donor class sewn up tight.

    She is also his only chance of leadership succession – but this is possible only if he in turn shows loyalty to her.
    Collins is now Key’s leadership legacy – Bridges is too brittle, Joyce prefers the backroom, English is spent, and all the others have left.

    In the latest Bond film Skyfall, the bad guy tells this story:
    “Once there was an island. An uncle decided to bring in two rats. They bred, and in time they overral the island.

    The uncle decided to build a trap. It was a barrel submerged in the sand, with a trapdoor lid.

    Each rat would get to the lid, eat the bait, and fall in.

    Eventually they were all trapped in there.

    But then they decided to get hungry. So they decided to eat each other.

    Eventually they were down to two fery fat and contented rats.

    The uncle pulled them up out of the trap and released them. Why release them?

    Because now there would never be an invasion of rats on the island: the two rats only had a taste for rat.”

    Joyce, Brownlee, Key, English.
    Soon there will be only two.

    • Lanthanide 3.1

      Collins keeps Key in power

      So you are suggesting that without Collins, Key would no longer be Prime Minister.

      You might want to check the poll results because I think without Collins’ support, he would still be PM.

      • Ad 3.1.1

        Then you had better get some understanding of how National’s caucus works, quickly.

        • Lanthanide 3.1.1.1

          So you think they would throw Key under a bus and replay Jenny Shipley?

          • Tracey 3.1.1.1.1

            why do you think collins has survived cf

            worth
            wong
            heatley
            smith
            williamson

            all gone or at least temporarily demoted… but not collins

            my sense is he is scared at how low that sets the bar… and that maybe he would struggle to lie his way out of such aperceived conflict of interest… although he did get away with his tranzrail shares early on… or collins has threatened to reveal where some bodies are buried.

            • Ad 3.1.1.1.1.1

              Write a list of those remaining from Collins’ intake year,
              put your Game of Thrones hat on,
              and think like the one who wants the crown.
              Hint: Joyce.

  4. toad 4

    Wonder if the Nats will now return to Liu the $22,000 he bought this extraordinary level of Ministerial corruption support with.

    • lprent 4.1

      The question is that with this level of support for that little, who else expected similar treatment.

      You’d have to wonder what people got for those thousand dollar dinners with John Key for instance.

      • One Anonymous Bloke 4.1.1

        This.

        Does the National Party stay bribed or do they require ongoing influence payments like a modern day protection racket?

        • McFlock 4.1.1.1

          If John Banks is anything to go by, no bribe will influence any decision they make in their own self interest.

          At best, they’d probably just do whatever they would have done anyway out of their standard sycophancy to the rich…

          • One Anonymous Bloke 4.1.1.1.1

            That’s a nice thought.

            $70M construction project. Investor having citizenship difficulties openly threatens government having donated heavily to National Party. Citizenship difficulties melt away.

            As for what they might do anyway, who goes to foreign-language dinners with anonymous customs officials for fun?

            I’ve been imagining the conversation Judith missed out on.

            “What a beautiful wife you have.”

            “She’s a justice minister”.

            “Shit are we all getting arrested!?”

            “Ha ha, no no, it’s all good mate…what’s for dinner?”

            “Grass Mud Horse covering the centre”.

            “Shh, walls have ears!”

            • McFlock 4.1.1.1.1.1

              I was more thinking of the lack of support KDC got in exchange for his “donation”.

              The Francis Bacon defence, if I recall correctly 🙂

        • Red Rosa 4.1.1.2

          +1

  5. Tracey 5

    didnt nick smith try to interfere on behalf of a friend… hes still a minister.

    key says he only knew on tuesday. he wasnt specific about WHICH Tuesday

    • karol 5.1

      SSmith resigned, then after a (suitable?) period in the wilderness Key reappointed him to the cabinet.

  6. toad 6

    Williamson:

    However, it is clear that a perception of my trying to influence the outcome has been created and for this reason I have tendered my resignation as a minister today.

    As for Judith Collins, there is more than just a perception, but she still won’t go.

  7. wyndham 7

    “……why hasn’t Judith Collins suffered the same fate.”

    Because Key is just as involved as Collins in the Oravida affair. He can’t sack her or she spills the beans.

    Consider these points: Key plays golf with Oravida chairman (more than once) for a considerable donation to ‘a charity’.(The National Party). Classic Key obfuscating and then admitting the truth when caught out – – – but of course ‘there’s nothing to see here’.
    Keys’ photograph appears in Chinese paper extolling the virtues of Oravida scampi. Discovered by accident and revealed by Paddy Gower. Nothing to see here either.

    What’s the betting Key has full knowledge of the Oravida swamp kauri pillaging now going on ?

    • Liberal Realist 7.1

      ” “……why hasn’t Judith Collins suffered the same fate.”

      Because Key is just as involved as Collins in the Oravida affair. He can’t sack her or she spills the beans.”

      +1 Nailed it!

  8. Toad 8

    If only Williamson had just had a dinner with a senior Chinese border official while his families’ company was trying to get its product into China

  9. Will@Welly 9

    I have never brought into this notion that New Zealand is somehow this little country in the South Pacific that is “untouched” by political corruption.
    Time and again we have seen it. But the New Zealand public is too gullible to believe their own eyes.

  10. One Anonymous Bloke 10

    Third obvious question:

    Please can we see the pricelist?

  11. Tracey 11

    if williamson wasnt trying to influence the police… and he was… was he essentially saying

    ” this guy is really rich so can you do a better job than when its the great unwashed?”

    • JanM 11.1

      It’s not exactly a secret that there’s a law for the rich and a law for the poor. This government has done a grand job of undermining the legal aid system and who are our jails full of?

    • Draco T Bastard 11.2

      That is exactly what he was saying.

  12. fisiani 12

    Key’s swift action will be remembered. National would love if Labour wasted questions on Williamson and Collins would laugh if Grant Robertson continued his caped crusader campaign. But true to form these will be deemed by Labour to be issues of supreme importance to Kiwis.

    • freedom 12.1

      fisiani, if it is discovered that Key knew well before today, what will your comment then be?

      Key has already put the story out he knew about it 48 hours ago, 36 hours before it became public

      Key has said he waited a whole day before even speaking to Williamson!

      Where was this swift action then?

      Mon dieu, Why am I asking you this? It’s not like you would reply honestly or anything.

      Wow, a couple of days not talking to PG and the fog really does begin to clear.

    • Key’s swift action will be remembered.

      Arse-covering is always a swift action, there’s no credit due for it.

      National would love if Labour wasted questions on Williamson and Collins would laugh if Grant Robertson continued his caped crusader campaign. But true to form these will be deemed by Labour to be issues of supreme importance to Kiwis.

      Yes, ministerial corruption is trivial compared to important stuff like whether Cunliffe mixed up which medals which of his relatives got last century.

      • fisiani 12.2.1

        How many questions were asked in Parliament about Cunliffe’s medal and military history embellishments? None. I guarantee you that Labour really think this is important and will waste another week. It’s all part of the ABC plan to look busy but badly lose the election.

        • McFlock 12.2.1.1

          Did you just equate:
          A) confusing one family hero for another

          with

          B) a Cabinet minister interfering in a police investigation?

        • Hayden 12.2.1.2

          How many questions were asked about anything in Parliament since the medal story came out? None, because Parliament isn’t sitting this week!

          And I bet someone’s going to make a snide remark about it at some point, probably while evading a question about something unrelated (which is everything).

        • Skinny 12.2.1.3

          On the streets of Williamson’s electorate people have been quoted as saying “I voted for him last election, he won’t be getting my vote this time.” Like many, Kiwi’s are waking up to Nationals cronie capitalism.

          Fisiani it’s called ‘vote bleed’ and of course the attention turns back to that other liability Judith Collins. The wheels are falling off and you know.

          I hope he continues his intentions to stand again, this will cause a stink if he does and for him to consider growing his toys out of the cot if Key try’s to push him out.

          • fisiani 12.2.1.3.1

            It’s called vote transfusion. National’s all time Party Vote high of 47.7 % will be surpassed in September. I except that some people might not give their electorate vote to MW but anyone with a brain will vote National.

            • Hayden 12.2.1.3.1.1

              I except that some people might not give their electorate vote to MW but anyone with a brain will vote National.

              Yep, all the clever people vote National.

            • Skinny 12.2.1.3.1.2

              You keep on believing the small sample polls will translate on that figure for National once the votes are counted. You probably also believe NZF is going to form a Government with National too?

            • Draco T Bastard 12.2.1.3.1.3

              but anyone with a brain will vote National.

              The research is in, anyone with a brain votes left.

  13. Vic 13

    I have just received two transcripts of National party MPS friendly conversations,
    1st was the Judith Collins dinner Judith Collins to border control official : (in chinese)”Hey you know who I am aye Hey you know what I do for a job aye”

    2nd Maurice Williamson to Investigating Police officer on Chinese wife & mother inlaw beating case.Maurice Williamson “I just thought I should clarify the police position on MR XXX who is spending ALOT OF MONEY INVESTING in NZ ,Police officer “oh is that right ok good to know thanks for the update Mr Williamson .Thats ok just thought you should know that he is spending “ALOT OF MONEY ALOT OF MONEY A HUGE AMOUNT QUITE ALOT OF MONEY ACTUALLY”! Police officer:” ok thanks very much got to go now “hangs up.

  14. Akldnut 14

    Arron Gilmore is sitting at home feeling:

    Vilified that he was toeing the party line
    Angry that he was singled out
    Happy he isn’t the only one singled out
    Surprised the boss actually did something as fast as he did
    Dismayed that others haven’t been outed.

    This will be a very emotional time for Arron

    And Maurice, well that might just be the end of your mayoralty aspirations buddy – if you were still harbouring any!

    • Tracey 14.1

      depends on what his prid pro quo was. nats can be bought quite easily.

  15. ScottGN 15

    I reckon it would also be interesting to know who and why the Police decided today to overturn their original decision to decline Mr Savage’s OIA on the 24th April.

  16. Akldnut 16

    The idiot needed only step away from his ministries, sit in the bad boys chair for a few months then return as the saviour. A la Nick Smith

    He may have opened the door for someone else with his safe seat………..Shane Jones comes to mind?

  17. mac1 17

    “I have been made aware that Mr Williamson contacted Police some time ago regarding their investigation of Mr Donghua Liu,” Mr Key said.

    This is typical John Key obfuscation. One meaning of this statement is that simply Key was made aware, presumably recently, that this happened. The other meaning is that Key knew way back then but is using the wording to not be clear about when he was made aware.

    The question really should be asked- “When was John Key made aware?”

    The next question “Why wait until the Herald has obtained information previously denied via OIA requests to put Williamson on the carpet and present him with the alternatives of resignation or sacking?”

  18. dave 18

    keys brown envelope dirty dirt bag government has to go !!!!!
    and he is donkey deep in it .

  19. Jim 20

    The two obvious questions need to be answered by asking further questions. Its safe to assume that granny herald did not have to do much digging to get this story. So who leaked the story? My guess is the top floor dealing room at the beehive. So why would Shonky leak this story? To take the heat off the yet to be divulged dirt on Collin/ Key, re Oravida, in parliament next week. The opposition need to move on quickly from the Williamson saga, ask no questions on this in parliament next week , and go for the jugular on Oravida!

    • Paul 20.1

      “Which raises the other obvious question: why didn’t Key sack him then? ”

      Because he’d save up the sacking when he needed it for pr reasons.
      Key looks like he’s decisive now because he’s acted.
      Nats hoping people will forget lack of action on Collins.
      This is a diversion from the Collins story.
      Opposition need to stick to Collins story and not get too distracted by this one.
      They must link the two stories to create a picture of a corrupt and poorly run government racked by divisive factions, led by warlords like Collins.

    • Frankie and Benjy Mouse 20.2

      Maybe the plan was for MW to retire and leave his seat open for Colin Craig. But MW is mucking that up by staying. Wonder what further pressure they will put on him?

  20. Ian 21

    The 2 obvious questions must be
    Why is Cunliffe a big tool and why does he lie with regular monotony .

    [lprent: What does that have to do with this thread? Oh diversion trolling. One month ban. Read the policy again. ]

    • Jim 21.1

      The war medal drama was the NACT diversion 3 days ago Ian, keep up with the play old chap.

  21. Ecosse=Maidy 22

    Another one bites the dust…..and another one gone..another one gone and another bites the dust..oh yeahhhh
    At this rate we might not need an election

    • blue leopard 22.1

      +1 Lol – I just put up a link to that song’s video-with-lyrics on another thread

      …and was thinking exactly the same thing as you wrote here!

    • Stuart Munro 22.2

      I was thinking more…

      Oh, it’s a long long way from May to December
      But the days grow short when you reach September …

  22. Paul 23

    Nat party polling group testing the waters…..using the Herald as its polling tool.

    Should Maurice Williamson resign as an MP?
    A clear breach of acceptable behavior
    Yes – he can’t continue in the job 63%
    No – resigning his ministerial portfolios is enough 33%
    Not sure 4%

    That spelling of ‘behavior’ comes from the Herald’s website.
    Shows the amazing standard of English language skills prevalent amongst the journalists there.

  23. Ecosse=Maidy 24

    I wonder if Maurice has ever asked about anyone else’s up coming criminal prosecution?
    You know… if say I was facing a charge..Do you think old Maurice would do me the honour?..Put a good word in for me?…Try to remind the police of what a fine upstanding citizen I am..a pillar of society?. OR would I need a few million tucked away in the New Zealand economy to justify the intervention?
    I suspect I’d be toast.

  24. vto 25

    Isn’t the question here why Williamson was sacked only when the saga leaked to the public and not when the saga actually occurred?

    If he had not been sprung then Key would still have him there. How many more matters are there like this, where Key and others know of dirty deeds done dirt cheap yet keep it all on the hush?

    Bad smells coming from Wellington.

  25. yeshe 26

    Extraordinary smelly times we are in and there must be so much more to come out. Now, can anyone explain why the same rules re non-Police interference did not apply to Key when he so seriously interfered over the Bradley Ambrose/Banks cuppa in Epsom’ accidental recording fiasco ? (Sorry if this seems off subject but the irony of it brings about my question.)

  26. fisiani 27

    There are 143 days till the election. I suppose that with the economy booming, employment growing crime falling, health improving, education improving and business confidence at a record high there has to be some thing for Labour to ask questions about to gain some traction.
    My guess is that The Cunliffe and Grant Robertson will take up question time at next sitting asking about these issues which are of burning concern to the political 1% but will not change a single party vote in September. Grant Robertson knows this and that is precisely why he will keep banging on about it to appear busy and placate the Standardistas. He wants to appear blameless when the The Cunliffe is rolled on 21st September.

    • Paul 27.1

      Is that what Cameron told you to write!
      You need some better diversionary lines than that!

    • yeshe 27.2

      Fishiani .. do you maybe need any oxygen mask on that planet you inhabit ?

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • EV road user charges bill passes
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the passing of legislation to move light electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) into the road user charges system from 1 April.  “It was always intended that EVs and PHEVs would be exempt from road user charges until they reached two ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 hours ago
  • Bill targets illegal, unregulated fishing in international waters
    New Zealand is strengthening its ability to combat illegal fishing outside its domestic waters and beef up regulation for its own commercial fishers in international waters through a Bill which had its first reading in Parliament today. The Fisheries (International Fishing and Other Matters) Amendment Bill 2023 sets out stronger ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 hours ago
  • Reserve Bank appointments
    Economists Carl Hansen and Professor Prasanna Gai have been appointed to the Reserve Bank Monetary Policy Committee, Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced today. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is the independent decision-making body that sets the Official Cash Rate which determines interest rates.  Carl Hansen, the executive director of Capital ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 hours ago
  • Stronger protections for apartment owners
    Apartment owners and buyers will soon have greater protections as further changes to the law on unit titles come into effect, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “The Unit Titles (Strengthening Body Corporate Governance and Other Matters) Amendment Act had already introduced some changes in December 2022 and May 2023, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    9 hours ago
  • Travel focused on traditional partners and Middle East
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to Egypt and Europe from this weekend.    “This travel will focus on a range of New Zealand’s traditional diplomatic and security partnerships while enabling broad engagement on the urgent situation in Gaza,” Mr Peters says.   Mr Peters will attend the NATO Foreign ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    9 hours ago
  • Keep safe on our roads this Easter
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown is encouraging all road users to stay safe, plan their journeys ahead of time, and be patient with other drivers while travelling around this Easter long weekend. “Road safety is a responsibility we all share, and with increased traffic on our roads expected this Easter we ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    12 hours ago
  • Cost of living support for over 1.4 million Kiwis
    About 1.4 million New Zealanders will receive cost of living relief through increased government assistance from April 1 909,000 pensioners get a boost to Superannuation, including 5000 veterans 371,000 working-age beneficiaries will get higher payments 45,000 students will see an increase in their allowance Over a quarter of New Zealanders ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    12 hours ago
  • Tenancy reviews for social housing restart
    Ensuring social housing is being provided to those with the greatest needs is front of mind as the Government restarts social housing tenancy reviews, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. “Our relentless focus on building a strong economy is to ensure we can deliver better public services such as social ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago
  • Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary plan halted
    The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary will not go ahead, with Cabinet deciding to stop work on the proposed reserve and remove the Bill that would have established it from Parliament’s order paper. “The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill would have created a 620,000 sq km economic no-go zone,” Oceans and Fisheries Minister ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago
  • Cutting all that dam red tape
    Dam safety regulations are being amended so that smaller dams won’t be subject to excessive compliance costs, Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on reducing costs and removing unnecessary red tape so we can get the economy back on track.  “Dam safety regulations ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    14 hours ago
  • Drought support extended to parts of North Island
    The coalition Government is expanding the medium-scale adverse event classification to parts of the North Island as dry weather conditions persist, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced today. “I have made the decision to expand the medium-scale adverse event classification already in place for parts of the South Island to also cover the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago
  • Passage of major tax bill welcomed
    The passing of legislation giving effect to coalition Government tax commitments has been welcomed by Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “The Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill will help place New Zealand on a more secure economic footing, improve outcomes for New Zealanders, and make our tax system ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Lifting economy through science, tertiary sectors
    Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins and Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds today announced plans to transform our science and university sectors to boost the economy. Two advisory groups, chaired by Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, will advise the Government on how these sectors can play a greater ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Government announces Budget priorities
    The Budget will deliver urgently-needed tax relief to hard-working New Zealanders while putting the government’s finances back on a sustainable track, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.  The Finance Minister made the comments at the release of the Budget Policy Statement setting out the Government’s Budget objectives. “The coalition Government intends ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Government to consider accommodation solution
    The coalition Government will look at options to address a zoning issue that limits how much financial support Queenstown residents can get for accommodation. Cabinet has agreed on a response to the Petitions Committee, which had recommended the geographic information MSD uses to determine how much accommodation supplement can be ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government approves extension to Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care
    Cabinet has agreed to a short extension to the final reporting timeframe for the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care from 28 March 2024 to 26 June 2024, Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says.                                         “The Royal Commission wrote to me on 16 February 2024, requesting that I consider an ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • $18m boost for Kiwis travelling to health treatment
    The coalition Government is delivering an $18 million boost to New Zealanders needing to travel for specialist health treatment, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says.   “These changes are long overdue – the National Travel Assistance (NTA) scheme saw its last increase to mileage and accommodation rates way back in 2009.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • PM’s Prizes for Space to showcase sector’s talent
    The Government is recognising the innovative and rising talent in New Zealand’s growing space sector, with the Prime Minister and Space Minister Judith Collins announcing the new Prime Minister’s Prizes for Space today. “New Zealand has a growing reputation as a high-value partner for space missions and research. I am ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Concerns conveyed to China over cyber activity
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government.     “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity, attributed to groups sponsored by the Chinese Government, targeting democratic institutions in both New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry
    Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry Education Minister Erica Stanford today announced the appointment of three independent reviewers to lead the Ministerial Inquiry into the Ministry of Education’s School Property Function.  The Inquiry will be led by former Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully. “There is a clear need ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Brynderwyns open for Easter
    State Highway 1 across the Brynderwyns will be open for Easter weekend, with work currently underway to ensure the resilience of this critical route being paused for Easter Weekend to allow holiday makers to travel north, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Today I visited the Brynderwyn Hills construction site, where ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Speech to the Infrastructure Funding & Financing Conference
    Introduction Good morning to you all, and thanks for having me bright and early today. I am absolutely delighted to be the Minister for Infrastructure alongside the Minister of Housing and Resource Management Reform. I know the Prime Minister sees the three roles as closely connected and he wants me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Parliamentary network breached by the PRC
    New Zealand stands with the United Kingdom in its condemnation of People’s Republic of China (PRC) state-backed malicious cyber activity impacting its Electoral Commission and targeting Members of the UK Parliament. “The use of cyber-enabled espionage operations to interfere with democratic institutions and processes anywhere is unacceptable,” Minister Responsible for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • NZ to provide support for Solomon Islands election
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced New Zealand will provide logistics support for the upcoming Solomon Islands election. “We’re sending a team of New Zealand Defence Force personnel and two NH90 helicopters to provide logistics support for the election on 17 April, at the request ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • NZ-EU FTA gains Royal Assent for 1 May entry to force
    The European Union Free Trade Agreement Legislation Amendment Bill received Royal Assent today, completing the process for New Zealand’s ratification of its free trade agreement with the European Union.    “I am pleased to announce that today, in a small ceremony at the Beehive, New Zealand notified the European Union ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • COVID-19 inquiry attracts 11,000 submissions
    Public consultation on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons has concluded, Internal Affairs Minister Hon Brooke van Velden says.  “I have been advised that there were over 11,000 submissions made through the Royal Commission’s online consultation portal.” Expanding the scope of the Royal Commission of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Families to receive up to $75 a week help with ECE fees
    Hardworking families are set to benefit from a new credit to help them meet their early childcare education (ECE) costs, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. From 1 July, parents and caregivers of young children will be supported to manage the rising cost of living with a partial reimbursement of their ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Unlocking a sustainable, low-emissions future
    A specialised Independent Technical Advisory Group (ITAG) tasked with preparing and publishing independent non-binding advice on the design of a "green" (sustainable finance) taxonomy rulebook is being established, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says.  “Comprising experts and market participants, the ITAG's primary goal is to deliver comprehensive recommendations to the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Chief of Army thanked for his service
    Defence Minister Judith Collins has thanked the Chief of Army, Major General John Boswell, DSD, for his service as he leaves the Army after 40 years. “I would like to thank Major General Boswell for his contribution to the Army and the wider New Zealand Defence Force, undertaking many different ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders
    25 March 2024 Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders Small Business, Manufacturing, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly will travel to Australia for a series of bi-lateral meetings and manufacturing visits. During the visit, Minister Bayly will meet with his Australian counterparts, Senator Tim Ayres, Ed ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government commits nearly $3 million for period products in schools
    Government commits almost $3 million for period products in schools The Coalition Government has committed $2.9 million to ensure intermediate and secondary schools continue providing period products to those who need them, Minister of Education Erica Stanford announced today. “This is an issue of dignity and ensuring young women don’t ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Speech – Making it easier to build.
    Good morning, it’s great to be here.   First, I would like to acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of Building Surveyors and thank you for the opportunity to be here this morning.  I would like to use this opportunity to outline the Government’s ambitious plan and what we hope to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Pacific youth to shine from boost to Polyfest
    Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti has announced the Government’s commitment to the Auckland Secondary Schools Māori and Pacific Islands Cultural Festival, more commonly known as Polyfest. “The Ministry for Pacific Peoples is a longtime supporter of Polyfest and, as it celebrates 49 years in 2024, I’m proud to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • 2024 Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships announced
    ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Speech to Breast Cancer Foundation – Insights Conference
    Before moving onto the substance of today’s address, I want to recognise the very significant and ongoing contribution the Breast Cancer Foundation makes to support the lives of New Zealand women and their families living with breast cancer. I very much enjoy working with you. I also want to recognise ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Kiwi research soars to International Space Station
    New Zealand has notched up a first with the launch of University of Canterbury research to the International Space Station, Science, Innovation and Technology and Space Minister Judith Collins says. The hardware, developed by Dr Sarah Kessans, is designed to operate autonomously in orbit, allowing scientists on Earth to study ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Speech to the New Zealand Planning Institute
    Introduction Thank you for inviting me to speak with you today and I’m sorry I can’t be there in person. Yesterday I started in Wellington for Breakfast TV, spoke to a property conference in Auckland, and finished the day speaking to local government in Christchurch, so it would have been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Support for Northland emergency response centre
    The Coalition Government is contributing more than $1 million to support the establishment of an emergency multi-agency coordination centre in Northland. Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced the contribution today during a visit of the Whangārei site where the facility will be constructed.  “Northland has faced a number ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Celebrating 20 years of Whakaata Māori
    New Zealanders have enjoyed a broader range of voices telling the story of Aotearoa thanks to the creation of Whakaata Māori 20 years ago, says Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka. The minister spoke at a celebration marking the national indigenous media organisation’s 20th anniversary at their studio in Auckland on ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Some commercial fishery catch limits increased
    Commercial catch limits for some fisheries have been increased following a review showing stocks are healthy and abundant, Ocean and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The changes, along with some other catch limit changes and management settings, begin coming into effect from 1 April 2024. "Regular biannual reviews of fish ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-03-28T09:30:44+00:00