Open mike 01/12/2023

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, December 1st, 2023 - 51 comments
Categories: open mike - Tags:


Open mike is your post.

For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose.

The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy).

Step up to the mike …

51 comments on “Open mike 01/12/2023 ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. SPC 1
    1 December 2023 at 6:25 am

    The new team.

    1. Chris Hipkins – leader
    2. Carmel Sepuloni – welfare, Pacific Peoples, Auckland issues
    3. Grant Robertson – finance and racing
    4. Megan Woods – climate change and energy
    5. Willie Jackson – Māori development, broadcasting, employment
    6. Ayesha Verrall – health, public service and Wellington
    7. Kieran McAnulty – Shadow Leader of the House, housing, regional and local government
    8. Willow-Jean Prime – children and youth
    9. Ginny Andersen – police, violence prevention, social investment
    10. Jan Tinetti – education and women

    It’s great that Hipkins has kept failed Ministers in their portfolios, so the public can be reminded of how bad things were in health and education under them.

    So National's intelligentsia thinks it will improve health and education while transferring scarce national resources into the pockets of the landlord and employer class and it diminishes the rights of workers and tenants.

    How historic are their ambitions

    And while there are differences in health outcomes for many groups (much due to lifestyle choices), the improvement over 125 years has been immense. The life expectancy for Maori men has gone from 25 to 73 and for Maori women from 23 to 77.

    For European NZers, the change over the same period has been from 55 to 81 for men and 58 to 84 for women. So an increase of 48 years for Maori men, 54 years for Maori women, 26 years for European men and 26 years for European women.

    Oh so lifestyles of poor people will be an excuse … for any failure.

    https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/

    • mikesh 1.1
      1 December 2023 at 10:07 am

      Why not Greg O'Connor for the police portfolio. He seems an obvious choice being a former police officer and, later, spokesperson for the police union.

      • alwyn 1.1.1
        1 December 2023 at 10:18 am

        I suspect he is not very popular with the hierarchy of the party. He is Labour of fifty years ago when they actually tried to represent the working people.

        He didn't go on the list. He was probably offered position 95 or so. I doubt if Hipkins would have minded in the slightest if he had lost his seat. H also admitted before the election that Labour were going to get badly beaten.

        https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/350076455/labour-mp-concedes-his-party-will-likely-lose-election

      • SPC 1.1.2
        1 December 2023 at 12:46 pm

        Greg O’Connor was not an MP until 2017.

        His first priority has been to win the electorate seat and secure it for Labour – after the Dunne era.

        He is now age 65.

      • Jilly Bee 1.1.3
        1 December 2023 at 1:28 pm

        I believe Greg O'Connor is Assistant Speaker in the new parliament, which probably precludes him from having spokespersons roles. I may be wrong and stand to be corrected.

        • SPC 1.1.3.1
          1 December 2023 at 3:36 pm

          Deputy Speaker in the former parliament 2022-2023.

        • Craig H 1.1.3.2
          1 December 2023 at 11:41 pm

          Those are yet to be elected but you are correct that it precludes spokesperson roles.

          Standard practice is to elect at least one assistant speaker each from Labour and National (Jacqui Dean was the National MP in the last Parliament) – will be interesting to see which Labour MP is elected as assistant speaker.

  2. Dennis Frank 2
    1 December 2023 at 7:01 am

    Latest bout of US corporate infighting has been fun, and there's even top-level foreign policy mixed in:

    During the conversation with Netanyahu, which took place shortly after Musk attacked the Anti-Defamation League, Netanyahu urged the billionaire to strike a balance between the protection of free speech online and fighting hate speech.

    https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/nov/29/elon-musk-hurls-defiant-profanity-laced-retort-at-fleeing-advertisers

    Playing the radical chic card. The idea that media ought to be balanced is an unusually clever notion from the yahoo – almost worth pondering the possibility that Elon took it on board as sage advice.

    • SPC 2.1
      1 December 2023 at 7:15 am

      Some firms have paused advertising on X amid concerns over antisemitism, including a post from Mr Musk himself.

      The Tesla and SpaceX boss apologised on Wednesday for that post, saying it might be the "dumbest" thing he has ever shared online.

      I am not sure because

      At an event in New York, he accused companies that have joined an ad boycott of the site formerly known as Twitter of trying to blackmail him.

      "I don't want them to advertise," Mr Musk said at the New York Times' DealBook Summit.

      "If someone is going to blackmail me with advertising or money go [expletive] yourself.

      For mine at least one person thought he might have done it again

      In the room with Mr Musk was Linda Yaccarino, X's chief executive, who has been charged with trying to bring back advertisers to the platform.

      When she moves to another jobs, she'll have on her CV, carried fresh nappies for a billionaire.

      https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-67574396

      • Dennis Frank 2.1.1
        1 December 2023 at 7:44 am

        How's X faring as a money-making machine? Seems okay according to this market appraisal: https://www.searchlogistics.com/learn/statistics/twitter-user-statistics/

        • There are 237.8 million monetizable daily active users (mDAU) on Twitter.
        • Twitter’s revenue in 2022 was $4.4 billion.
        • The truth is that Twitter lost around 32 million users since the takeover

        So they dropped 13%, no big deal really. Those who threw a tanty about Elon will seek out some other media icon to worship.

        Elon Musk holds the top spot as the most followed person on Twitter/X, with 156.8 million followers.

        Such loyalty to the boss is so traditional it almost brings tears to one's eyes. Hipkins may even be so inspired by it he'll issue another random reflex captain's call.

        • SPC 2.1.1.1
          1 December 2023 at 7:52 am

          X generates revenue from advertising, not numbers of users.

          • Dennis Frank 2.1.1.1.1
            1 December 2023 at 10:04 am

            Yeah so that $4.4 billion will get compared with the 2023 revenue to assess the effect of selective rejection of advertisers, which is the strategy behind the mouth (even if inadvertent). Accountants must do their thing re cost/income ratio to report whatever corporate profit to the market. My guess is that any dent in Elon's reputation for gambling will emerge in a few months from now. Dunno if they do march end-of-financial-year like us (bequeathed by pagans long ago).

  3. SPC 3
    1 December 2023 at 7:34 am

    A precedent has been set.

    New CTU analysis of the National & ACT coalition agreement has shown the cost of returning interest deductibility to landlords is an extra $900 million on top of National’s original proposal. This is because it is going to be implemented earlier and faster, including retrospective rebates from April 2023.

    If backdating stuff is now OK, why not backdate a future CGT to the original purchase?

    https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO2311/S00204/christmas-coming-early-for-landlords-with-an-extra-900-million-present-from-nact.htm

  4. Ad 4
    1 December 2023 at 8:49 am

    Estimate number of months it will take to put out Shane McGowan's cremation.

  5. Phillip ure 5
    1 December 2023 at 8:54 am

    Political prediction:

    Question time is going to become appointment-viewing..

    (I might start doing commentaries on it…again…

    There is often much humour to be had ..)

    • Tiger Mountain 5.1
      1 December 2023 at 9:18 am

      The Natzos and NActFirst as a group are back to SirKey’s trick of not fronting up for RNZ interviews.

      Neither Baldrick, Peters, or Health Minister Dr Cigareti deigned to appear this morning when asked to talk about the WHO provision in the Coalition agreement.

      “New Zealand's new government has urgently lodged a reservation–a letter saying the country would not sign up yet–for amendments to WHO health regulations. It was part of National's agreement with New Zealand First”

      https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/503646/coalition-s-who-policy-leaves-public-health-expert-baffled

    • Jilly Bee 5.2
      1 December 2023 at 1:58 pm

      I'm busy stocking up my supply of popcorn 😊

    • Robert Guyton 5.3
      1 December 2023 at 3:54 pm

      The first one is a Thursday, Phil.

      Traditionally, the PM won't be there.

      Winston will be taking the role 🙂

      Let the good times roll.

      • Phillip ure 5.3.1
        1 December 2023 at 6:55 pm

        Heh..!…chrs…I'll be there..

        And I am feeling confident that the new speaker will be worthy of observing…

        I actually missed the last speaker…I understand he was pretty good..

        And has probably left the bar too high for brownlee…

        Labour will also provide fodder..(plenty of room for acerbic quips at their words there..versus their record of (in) action when in power..

        It is all grist to the mill..

  6. Peter 6
    1 December 2023 at 9:28 am

    I sometimes watch US political comment all they way through and was pleased I watched all of 'Orange Jesus: Media still not ready to cover Trump after years of his lies." Comments are pertinent to how our media, and specifically our political media operates. It also has some blunt historical stuff.

    Brian Klass is quoted

    "This is what I call the Banality of Crazy and it's warping the way that Americans think about politics in the Trump and Post Trump era

    Trump scandals have become predictably banal and American journalists have become golden retrievers watching the tennis ball launcher. Every time they start to chase one ball, a fresh one immediately explodes into view, prompting a new chase. Eventually chasing tennis balls gets old.

    The media fixate on John Fetterman’s hoodie pretty instead of on stories about the relentless but predictable risk of Trump inspired political violence. In ordinary times this approach may be ill-advised but not dangerous, today it’s dangerous – by breathlessly covering every minor gaffe by Joe Biden while ignoring unhinged incitements to violence by Trump most voters never see the sides of Trump that should most worry them.

    The press has succumbed to the numbing effect of the Banality of Crazy, once reporting on every single Trump tweet in early 2017 because it was unusual but now ignoring even the most dangerous policy proposals by an authoritarian who is on the cusp of once again becoming the most powerful man in the world – precisely because it happens like clockwork almost every day."

    The true cost of the Government's tobacco policy, the true cost of returning interest deductibility to landlords, the effectiveness of boot camps? Nah, let's talk about Tory Whanau.

  7. Anne 7
    1 December 2023 at 9:33 am

    The stupidity is mind boggling:

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/503646/coalition-s-who-policy-leaves-public-health-expert-baffled

    A “National Interest” test? So, just in case they’re planning to harm the entire population a security service investigation must be conducted first?

    Professor Baker calls it incoherent. That is the nice way of putting it.

    • Ad 7.1
      1 December 2023 at 9:49 am

      Nothing to fear from a national interest test for signing up to such multilateral agreements.

      It's how NZ has and continues to function for over a century, and those tests are routine.

      What Verrall etc will need to be vigilant over is crappy public health medical facts being inserted by tinfoil-hatted morons.

      • Descendant Of Smith 7.1.1
        1 December 2023 at 10:09 am

        Are there any examples of ones we have not signed up to previously?

        • Ad 7.1.1.1
          1 December 2023 at 10:42 am

          Not aware of any in international public health.

          But I claim no expertise in this field.

          • Descendant Of Smith 7.1.1.1.1
            1 December 2023 at 11:14 am

            So it isn't really how we've functioned?

            I'm bemused as to the point of the legislative changed wanted,

  8. Pat 8
    1 December 2023 at 10:13 am

    "But, no. One of the later acts of the dying Labour Government was, having said we couldn't just 'turn the tap on' again to inbound migration, then itself turning on every tap in view and leaving them all on."

    https://www.interest.co.nz/personal-finance/125426/david-hargreaves-has-look-economic-developments-past-year-and-lines-these

    Which begs the question…. has the election result had any more than a marginal impact?

    • Ad 8.1
      1 December 2023 at 10:43 am

      Yeah it's tempting.

      But let's wait for Speech from the Throne next week and mini-budget week after that.

      • Pat 8.1.1
        1 December 2023 at 10:51 am

        The mini budget may contain some interesting details but do you think the general direction of the NZ economy will be fundamentally changed..i.e. a substantial reduction in migration?

        Anything short of a fundamental change to the economic drivers will have no more than a marginal impact on how we fare in the near term future and I see nothing in the coalition agreement that changes the economic fundamentals.

    • Craig H 8.2
      1 December 2023 at 11:46 pm

      The tap was turned on a lot, but could have been turned on a lot more. One change signalled by the new government is the removal of the median wage minimum for work visas, which could significantly increase migration.

      • Pat 8.2.1
        2 December 2023 at 8:38 am

        Given we have had record immigration in the 12 months prior to the election (118,000 net) the application of median wage minimum for work visas appears not to have been applied in any case.

        As the reports from within Immigration NZ appear to support with staff being told to rubber stamp applications.

  9. Dennis Frank 9
    1 December 2023 at 10:15 am

    Elon's not the only gambler on the global stage:

    The UN climate summit clinched an early victory Thursday, with delegates adopting a new fund to help poor nations cope with costly climate disasters.

    COP28 President Sultan Ahmed al-Jaber said the decision sent a "positive signal of momentum to the world and to our work here in Dubai."

    In establishing the fund on the first day of the two-week COP28 conference, delegates opened the door for governments to announce contributions.

    Several did, kicking off a series of small pledges that countries hoped would build throughout the conference to a substantial sum, including US$100 million (NZ$162m) from the COP28 host United Arab Emirates, at least US$51m (NZ$82m) from Britain, US$17.5m (NZ$28.4m) from the United States, and US$10m (NZ$16.2m) from Japan.

    Betting on human survival in such an organised way is helpful, I guess. Helps victims while the problem-producing behaviour is unaffected…

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/world/503648/cop28-kicks-off-with-climate-disaster-fund-victory

    • SPC 9.1
      1 December 2023 at 3:58 pm

      How many countries have funded their previous committments …

      It's another pretence of momentum, they are not even trying to hide it any more.

      • SPC 9.1.1
        1 December 2023 at 4:19 pm

        I should expand.

        There have been past promises to fund assistance to the third world for renewables etc. But the money has not been forthcoming in the amounts promised (GFC and pandemic since etc).

        Last year at 27, they talked about setting up a fund to assist nations suffering from "weather/climate change – flood or drought" related events.

        Over the past 12 months countries had argued about the rules, where the fund should be located and who should pay in.

        The US is wary of it being seen as an admission of liability (little wonder they are not with the ICC). And offer an amount as risible as their honouring of a promise back in the 1970's to provide 0.7% GDP in foreign aid (one of many nations in this category).

        https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-67581277

        The US offer of $17m says a lot, we could afford to do more ourselves but the landlords got all the money.

        • Dennis Frank 9.1.1.1
          1 December 2023 at 7:07 pm

          It was worth the effort to contextualise the UN `climate victory' framing as you did. Tokenism can be overly cynical but this context does give it partial basis.

          admission of liability

          Yank paranoia is rational inasmuch as they took over from the Brits as primary culprit, yet China took over from them as primary culprit this century.

          However it's technically possible for each of those 3 to grow up & act like adults on a better late than never rational basis. The UN could ask the 3 reps to all join hands and wish upon a star for instant transformation in front of a media cabal with live global coverage. The UN guys could stand by with 3 conical dunce hats with the word dunce in bold capitals as brand labelling so neolibs get the message if any or all 3 wimp out when encountering this challenge in front of the global audience.

          Watching all three dorks simultaneously trying to stop the UN dunce hats being placed upon their heads would entertain kiddies everywhere.

  10. Dennis Frank 10
    1 December 2023 at 3:13 pm

    Labour were the last of the big spenders? Farrar gets specific about it:

    The last Government increased spending by over $1 billion a week

    https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2023/12/listen_to_the_auditor-general.html

    Is he right about that amount? I don't recall govts being rated on weekly spending increases before so it could be an accountancy spin thing.

    In a report this month, the Auditor-general finds three weaknesses that need to be “urgently” addressed: measures that aren't meaningful or comprehensive; gaps in measuring what difference is being made; and poor measures for assessing the stewardship, oversight, and monitoring functions of departments.

    Well obviously that's due to allowing Labour & National to be in govt way too long past their use-by date. These leopards don't change their spots. Only way to improve is to delete both options. System re-boot!

    • SPC 10.1
      1 December 2023 at 3:47 pm

      Ever noted an Auditor-General (or any auditor) asking for less meaningful and comprehensive measuring what difference is being made; and less systems in place to assessing the stewardship, oversight, and monitoring functions of departments?

      This has nothing to do with political parties and their coming and going, but the increasing bureaucratisation of governance itself in all areas subject to a regulatory compliance regime.

      The problem I have with his concern about integrity when process is rushed is that government is responsible for acting in emergency situations – and might well need to develop an alternative process in that circumstance.

      PS DPF’s billion dollar figure does not come from the link, he is once again slipping in a misrepresentation aside – and way out of context.

      When do governments expand spending like that – GFC, pandemic …

      • Dennis Frank 10.1.1
        1 December 2023 at 4:08 pm

        Thanks, I wondered if he was finagling the data somehow. If he was accurate someone in the media would have spotted it due to headline appeal, I suspected.

        Yeah pandemic spending is a credible dimension too. Re A-G wish-list, I'm agnostic about the realism. Efficiency & accountability are excellent aspirations but politicians are slippery fish…

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • First Reading – Repeal of Section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989
    I present a legislative statement on the Oranga Tamariki (Repeal of Section 7AA) Amendment Bill Mr. Speaker, I move that the Oranga Tamariki (Repeal of Section 7AA) Amendment Bill be now read a first time. I nominate the Social Services and Community Committee to consider the Bill. Thank you, Mr. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 hour ago

  • First reading of 7AA’s repeal: progress for children
    The Bill to repeal Section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act has had its first reading in Parliament today. The Bill reaffirms the Coalition Government’s commitment to the care and safety of children in care, says Minister for Children Karen Chhour.  “When I became the Minister for Children, I made ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 hours ago

  • China Business Summit 2024
    Kia ora koutou, good morning, and zao shang hao. Thank you Fran for the opportunity to speak at the 2024 China Business Summit – it’s great to be here today. I’d also like to acknowledge: Simon Bridges - CEO of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce. His Excellency Ambassador - Wang ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 hours ago

  • Assisted depatures from New Caledonia
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed a New Zealand Government plane will head to New Caledonia in the next hour in the first in a series of proposed flights to begin bringing New Zealanders home.    “New Zealanders in New Caledonia have faced a challenging few days - and bringing ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    9 hours ago

  • Assisted departures from New Caledonia
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed a New Zealand Government plane will head to New Caledonia in the next hour in the first in a series of proposed flights to begin bringing New Zealanders home.  “New Zealanders in New Caledonia have faced a challenging few days - and bringing them ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    9 hours ago

  • Government to rollout roadside drug testing
    The Coalition Government will introduce legislation this year that will enable roadside drug testing as part of our commitment to improve road safety and restore law and order, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “Alcohol and drugs are the number one contributing factor in fatal road crashes in New Zealand. In ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Minister responds to review of Kāinga Ora
    The Government has announced a series of immediate actions in response to the independent review of Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “Kāinga Ora is a large and important Crown entity, with assets of $45 billion and over $2.5 billion of expenditure each year. It ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Pseudoephedrine back on shelves
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour is pleased that Pseudoephedrine can now be purchased by the general public to protect them from winter illness, after the coalition government worked swiftly to change the law and oversaw a fast approval process by Medsafe. “Pharmacies are now putting the medicines back on their ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • New Zealand-China Business Summit
    Tēnā koutou katoa. Da jia hao.  Good morning everyone.   Prime Minister Luxon, your excellency, a great friend of New Zealand and my friend Ambassador Wang, Mayor of what he tells me is the best city in New Zealand, Wayne Brown, the highly respected Fran O’Sullivan, Champion of the Auckland business ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • New measures to protect powerlines from trees
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced that the Government will make it easier for lines firms to take action to remove vegetation from obstructing local powerlines. The change will ensure greater security of electricity supply in local communities, particularly during severe weather events.  “Trees or parts of trees falling on ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Wairarapa Moana ki Pouakani win top Māori dairy farming award
    Wairarapa Moana ki Pouakani were the top winners at this year’s Ahuwhenua Trophy awards recognising the best in Māori dairy farming. Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka announced the winners and congratulated runners-up, Whakatōhea Māori Trust Board, at an awards celebration also attended by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Finance Minister ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • DJ Fred Again – Assurance report received
    "On the 27th of March, I sought assurances from the Chief Executive, Department of Internal Affairs, that the Department’s correct processes and policies had been followed in regards to a passport application which received media attention,” says Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden.  “I raised my concerns after being ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • District Court Judges appointed
    Attorney-General Judith Collins has announced the appointment of three new District Court Judges, to replace Judges who have recently retired. Peter James Davey of Auckland has been appointed a District Court Judge with a jury jurisdiction to be based at Whangarei. Mr Davey initially started work as a law clerk/solicitor with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Unions should put learning ahead of ideology
    Associate Education Minister David Seymour is calling on the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) to put ideology to the side and focus on students’ learning, in reaction to the union holding paid teacher meetings across New Zealand about charter schools.     “The PPTA is disrupting schools up and down the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Craig Stobo appointed as chair of FMA
    Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly today announced the appointment of Craig Stobo as the new chair of the Financial Markets Authority (FMA). Mr Stobo takes over from Mark Todd, whose term expired at the end of April. Mr Stobo’s appointment is for a five-year term. “The FMA plays ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Budget 2024 invests in lifeguards and coastguard
    Surf Life Saving New Zealand and Coastguard New Zealand will continue to be able to keep people safe in, on, and around the water following a funding boost of $63.644 million over four years, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Associate Transport Minister Matt Doocey say. “Heading to the beach for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • New Zealand and Tuvalu reaffirm close relationship
    New Zealand and Tuvalu have reaffirmed their close relationship, Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters says.  “New Zealand is committed to working with Tuvalu on a shared vision of resilience, prosperity and security, in close concert with Australia,” says Mr Peters, who last visited Tuvalu in 2019.  “It is my pleasure ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • New Zealand calls for calm, constructive dialogue in New Caledonia
    New Zealand is gravely concerned about the situation in New Caledonia, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.  “The escalating situation and violent protests in Nouméa are of serious concern across the Pacific Islands region,” Mr Peters says.  “The immediate priority must be for all sides to take steps to de-escalate the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • New Zealand welcomes Samoa Head of State
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon met today with Samoa’s O le Ao o le Malo, Afioga Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II, who is making a State Visit to New Zealand. “His Highness and I reflected on our two countries’ extensive community links, with Samoan–New Zealanders contributing to all areas of our national ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Island Direct eligible for SuperGold Card funding
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has announced that he has approved Waiheke Island ferry operator Island Direct to be eligible for SuperGold Card funding, paving the way for a commercial agreement to bring the operator into the scheme. “Island Direct started operating in November 2023, offering an additional option for people ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Further sanctions against Russia
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters today announced further sanctions on 28 individuals and 14 entities providing military and strategic support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.  “Russia is directly supported by its military-industrial complex in its illegal aggression against Ukraine, attacking its sovereignty and territorial integrity. New Zealand condemns all entities and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • One year on from Loafers Lodge
    A year on from the tragedy at Loafers Lodge, the Government is working hard to improve building fire safety, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “I want to share my sincere condolences with the families and friends of the victims on the anniversary of the tragic fire at Loafers ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Pre-Budget speech to Auckland Business Chamber
    Ka nui te mihi kia koutou. Kia ora and good afternoon, everyone. Thank you so much for having me here in the lead up to my Government’s first Budget. Before I get started can I acknowledge: Simon Bridges – Auckland Business Chamber CEO. Steve Jurkovich – Kiwibank CEO. Kids born ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • New Zealand and Vanuatu to deepen collaboration
    New Zealand and Vanuatu will enhance collaboration on issues of mutual interest, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “It is important to return to Port Vila this week with a broad, high-level political delegation which demonstrates our deep commitment to New Zealand’s relationship with Vanuatu,” Mr Peters says.    “This ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Penk travels to Peru for trade meetings
    Minister for Land Information, Chris Penk will travel to Peru this week to represent New Zealand at a meeting of trade ministers from the Asia-Pacific region on behalf of Trade Minister Todd McClay. The annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers Responsible for Trade meeting will be held on 17-18 May ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Minister attends global education conferences
    Minister of Education Erica Stanford will head to the United Kingdom this week to participate in the 22nd Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers (CCEM) and the 2024 Education World Forum (EWF). “I am looking forward to sharing this Government’s education priorities, such as introducing a knowledge-rich curriculum, implementing an evidence-based ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Education Minister thanks outgoing NZQA Chair
    Minister of Education Erica Stanford has today thanked outgoing New Zealand Qualifications Authority Chair, Hon Tracey Martin. “Tracey Martin tendered her resignation late last month in order to take up a new role,” Ms Stanford says. Ms Martin will relinquish the role of Chair on 10 May and current Deputy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Joint statement of Christopher Luxon and Emmanuel Macron: Launch of the Christchurch Call Foundation
    New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and President Emmanuel Macron of France today announced a new non-governmental organisation, the Christchurch Call Foundation, to coordinate the Christchurch Call’s work to eliminate terrorist and violent extremist content online.   This change gives effect to the outcomes of the November 2023 Call Leaders’ Summit, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Panel announced for review into disability services
    Distinguished public servant and former diplomat Sir Maarten Wevers will lead the independent review into the disability support services administered by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. The review was announced by Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston a fortnight ago to examine what could be done to strengthen the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Minister welcomes Police gang unit
    Today’s announcement by Police Commissioner Andrew Coster of a National Gang Unit and district Gang Disruption Units will help deliver on the coalition Government’s pledge to restore law and order and crack down on criminal gangs, Police Minister Mark Mitchell says. “The National Gang Unit and Gang Disruption Units will ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • New Zealand expresses regret at North Korea’s aggressive rhetoric
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today expressed regret at North Korea’s aggressive rhetoric towards New Zealand and its international partners.  “New Zealand proudly stands with the international community in upholding the rules-based order through its monitoring and surveillance deployments, which it has been regularly doing alongside partners since 2018,” Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • New Chief of Defence Force appointed
    Air Vice-Marshal Tony Davies MNZM is the new Chief of Defence Force, Defence Minister Judith Collins announced today. The Chief of Defence Force commands the Navy, Army and Air Force and is the principal military advisor to the Defence Minister and other Ministers with relevant portfolio responsibilities in the defence ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government puts children first by repealing 7AA
    Legislation to repeal section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act has been introduced to Parliament. The Bill’s introduction reaffirms the Coalition Government’s commitment to the safety of children in care, says Minister for Children, Karen Chhour. “While section 7AA was introduced with good intentions, it creates a conflict for Oranga ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Defence Minister to meet counterparts in UK, Italy
    Defence Minister Judith Collins will this week travel to the UK and Italy to meet with her defence counterparts, and to attend Battles of Cassino commemorations. “I am humbled to be able to represent the New Zealand Government in Italy at the commemorations for the 80th anniversary of what was ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Charter schools to lift educational outcomes
    The upcoming Budget will include funding for up to 50 charter schools to help lift declining educational performance, Associate Education Minister David Seymour announced today. $153 million in new funding will be provided over four years to establish and operate up to 15 new charter schools and convert 35 state ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • COVID-19 Inquiry terms of reference consultation results received
    “The results of the public consultation on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons has now been received, with results indicating over 13,000 submissions were made from members of the public,” Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says. “We heard feedback about the extended lockdowns in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • The Pacific family of nations – the changing security outlook
    Foreign Minister, Defence Minister, other Members of Parliament Acting Chief of Defence Force, Secretary of Defence Distinguished Guests  Defence and Diplomatic Colleagues  Ladies and Gentlemen,  Good afternoon, tēna koutou, apinun tru    It’s a pleasure to be back in Port Moresby today, and to speak here at the Kumul Leadership ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • NZ and Papua New Guinea to work more closely together
    Health, infrastructure, renewable energy, and stability are among the themes of the current visit to Papua New Guinea by a New Zealand political delegation, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “Papua New Guinea carries serious weight in the Pacific, and New Zealand deeply values our relationship with it,” Mr Peters ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Driving ahead with Roads of Regional Significance
    The coalition Government is launching Roads of Regional Significance to sit alongside Roads of National Significance as part of its plan to deliver priority roading projects across the country, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “The Roads of National Significance (RoNS) built by the previous National Government are some of New Zealand’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-05-21T08:58:05+00:00