Open Mike 03/10/2017

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, October 3rd, 2017 - 53 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 …

53 comments on “Open Mike 03/10/2017 ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Adrian Thornton 1
    3 October 2017 at 8:35 am

    Matthew Hooton finally sees the light and in a moment of rare clarity, says out loud what he has always known to be the truth….

    ‘As I think we can all agree, National is a party with no principles’

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/201860778/political-commentators-matthew-hooton-and-stephen-mills

    • Ant 1.1
      3 October 2017 at 8:43 am

      Add P. Gower’s ‘I’m ashamed to be reporting on my government’s dishonesty’ or words to that effect (concerning the hole and the tax lie). Now if a few MSM could take heart and run with the ball the incentive to honest government might just get a boost.

      • Pete 1.1.1
        3 October 2017 at 10:15 am

        Gower is so ashamed to report on his government’s dishonest he hardly ever mentions it, lets most of it pass and deals with the perpetrators on a regular basis as is they’re regular people rather than people who have no basis on which to be treated as if what they say is important.

    • tc 1.2
      3 October 2017 at 9:06 am

      He’d know alot about having few principles does Matty.

      Shame and honesty is not something they share alot of either being effectively echo chambers of the right.

    • Wensleydale 1.3
      3 October 2017 at 12:01 pm

      Better late than never I guess. Although, the statement would probably carry more weight if it were being uttered by almost anyone other than Matthew Hooton. It’s like a liar saying, “I don’t like that guy. He tells lies.”

    • rhinocrates 1.4
      3 October 2017 at 12:09 pm

      Of course Hoots knows the value of principles – he always tries to get the highest price for them.

  2. adam 2
    3 October 2017 at 8:46 am

    There use to be a strain on the left that was anti-war. That would appear all but dead if you read this web site, and many other left web sites.

    Here the thing, I don’t want our troops in Afghanistan, and I definitely don’t want our troops in Iraq.

    I oppose the increase of troops to Afghanistan and what are we actually doing in Iraq? We were suppose to be in a training role, but that got exposed when one of our own ordered the use of white phosphorous on a civilian population.

    There use to be an anti-war left.

    • Heather Grimwood 2.2
      3 October 2017 at 9:02 am

      To Adam at 2: and many of us, now augmented by the younger generations, remain ‘the anti-war left’. A change in government hopefully will see New Zealand lead again in its anti-war stance.

    • RedLogix 2.3
      3 October 2017 at 9:05 am

      There use to be a strain on the left that was anti-war.

      I was working on a RNZN ship (as a civilian) at the exact time of the Falklands war. Astounding how many people expressed an enthusiastic desire to be actively involved when I was onshore, and how much more sober the response on board the ship.

      Still it’s all very well being ‘anti-war’; but in isolation it’s not a sentiment that achieves much which is durable. There will always be tyrants and opportunistic militarists; the wolf unconstrained will always devour the flock.

      The same rule-based mechanisms that constrain crime in any community … laws, courts and police … are the only means by which wars among the community of nations will be stopped. Bluntly that means some form of federated global governance; a UN that is empowered to work as it’s founders wished for.

      Yes there used to be an anti-war left; not surprising as it was always the working class who bore the brunt of the awful losses, but it was also inter-woven with an Internationalist movement that was far more outward looking. Helen Clark would be a fine person to look towards for inspiration.

      • Heather Grimwood 2.3.1
        3 October 2017 at 9:36 am

        to RedLogix at 2.3 : the anti-war left of your last paragraph is exactly the culture I envisage and fervently wish for……an organisation for defence ( though I can’t see this being a possible with our long coastline and more so through our relative inconsequence in global terms), for coping with civil disaster at home or for peacekeeping with definitely no aggressive role on the world scene.

        • Exkiwiforces 2.3.1.1
          3 October 2017 at 2:03 pm

          Sorry Heather,

          As someone who has done Peacekeeping real time we had to act in aggressive way to prevent a war crimes from being committed. Peacekeepers need to act not only in a defensive way, but also in a aggressive way within its ROE or OFOF thence the need for NZDF to trained in all aspects of UN Peacekeeping from Chapter 1 though to Chapter 7. If you want fully trained NZDF in Peacekeeping are you prepared to throw more money at NZDF than the 20 billion for re- equipment over the next 15yrs etc when other areas of the government have been ran into the ground?

          To me the benchmark for NZDF to under take any Peacekeeping task in the future was East Timor 99 (INTERFET) and the follow up UN mission.

          There has been a number of UN mandated Peacekeeping missions over the yr where Peacekeepings have acted in a aggressive way from use of Airpower aka the Congo in the early 60’s (Indian Airforce using Canberra bombers, the same type that the RNZAF once used and Swedish Airforce SAAB Fighter jets) or the Danish Armoured Battle group that was ambush by the Serbs in Bosnia who called out to help a Swedish Infantry Battalion which under attack from Serbs who were protected a Village from the Serbs. The sad reality is that UN Peacekeepers sometimes have to use aggressive force in order to protect lives from the aggressor who doesn’t give a two fucks about Human rights.

          Or would you prefer a passived defence Peacekeeping Force like what happened in Rwanda where the Belgian government pulled out its troops after a number of its troops were murdered and the UN turned a blind eye to the result mess that followed.

          I’m now paying for it for my time as Peacekeeper, as I now have Psychological issues (PTSD), lose a mate to UN Peacekeeping mission and another to a UN mandated one in the Solly’s where he was shot in the back. Is Peacekeeping worst than the Gan or Iraq?

        • Exkiwiforces 2.3.1.2
          3 October 2017 at 3:25 pm

          Also to add further to my post at 2:03pm,

          Since the NZ has gone down the rabbit hole of this Neo Liberal economic garbage along with it’s Trade Liberalism and fobbing off it’s SOE’s etc. NZ is more at risk to a war breaking out as NZ is a import/ export nation, so I wouldn’t call NZ a relative inconsequential nation at the ass end of the world from a trading POV and NZ is also regarded as the gateway to the Antarctic region.

          • RedLogix 2.3.1.2.1
            3 October 2017 at 10:09 pm

            If you read my comment above, the notion of a militarily effective peace-keeping force (analogous to the police but on a global scale) is absolutely implicit in what I was saying.

            Anti-war does NOT imply anti-military.

            George Orwell said it best: People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.

            • Exkiwiforces 2.3.1.2.1.1
              3 October 2017 at 11:37 pm

              I was replying to Heather comments “peacekeeping with definitely no aggressive role on the world scene” as some people on the left don’t really understand what Peacekeeping is or are very naïve as Peacekeeping sounds so romantic where we don’t kill anyone and some answers I do get are so wide of the mark its not funny to a point. That wonder why do I bother putting on a uniform on also its gets me so angry that I drink myself stupid and waste a very good single malt whisky.

              I have George Orwell quote now in my study (was on my office door at work before I lost my marbles) along with Churchill’s quote “Jaw Jaw is better than War War.

              Like you I would like to see a rules base system international aggression on a follow country or countries.
              “The same rule-based mechanisms that constrain crime in any community … laws, courts and police … are the only means by which wars among the community of nations will be stopped. Bluntly that means some form of federated global governance; a UN that is empowered to work as it’s founders wished for”

              RedLogix, if I have offended you by my comments I apologise.

    • JanM 2.4
      3 October 2017 at 9:42 am

      I doubt that many people ‘on the left’ have much appetite for war have they?

    • marty mars 2.5
      3 October 2017 at 10:05 am

      Within left circles there are massive anti violence/war groupings from Parihaka down – googling might get you some good links.

      On here all views are expressed and I’ve never noted more than the usual sabre rattling from some lefties.

    • weka 2.6
      3 October 2017 at 11:26 am

      Hey adam, would you be ok with me reposting the Guest Post you did a couple of years back about anarchy and hope? It seems appropriate to have it up again at this time.

    • Peter 2.7
      3 October 2017 at 2:35 pm

      Well I for one do not want our military involved in anything the Yanks do, as far as I am concerned they are a pariah state and the world should have nothing to do with them.

    • Draco T Bastard 2.8
      3 October 2017 at 3:05 pm

      There still is. I’m anti-war despite my conviction that we need to ramp up our defence forces. When we need them we really need them and not having them is usually bad.

      But I’m also against sending them off to other countries to fight – at all.

      Note also that what we’re doing in Iraq and Afghanistan now is purely the result of the chicken-hawks in the right-wing.

  3. Carolyn_nth 3
    3 October 2017 at 8:52 am

    I hitchhiked through Catalonia in the 1970s. We got rides from Catalan speakers, who were very strong on their identity as separate from Spain and France. A referendum should not be the context for state violence – a captive nation.

    I’ve been to the US, but never been to Vegas. What a violent country!

    Condolences and best wishes to the survivors: RIP the victims.

    • Adrian Thornton 3.1
      3 October 2017 at 9:52 am

      Sadly it is very unsurprising the lack of international condemnation to the extreme violence used against the peaceful voters in Catalonia yesterday.

      It seems to me that the thin veil of decency that was once hoisted up to try and hide the ugly unfettered greed and brutality that is at the very soul of the neoliberal ideology, is now in the process of being done away with, and they are now starting to operate completely in the open in their unquenchable desire to appropriate everything in their path and protect their interests, but without the usual accompanying calming rhetoric, bullshit and lies.

      Is this the new hard edged face of neoliberalism exposing itself, maybe in response to a obvious mood for real change throughout most countries afflicted with this cancerous ideology?

      Of course I make this observation from a privileged western vantage point.
      This ideology has of course been operating in a openly brutal way throughout most of the World all along…I guess as Malcolm X once said “the chickens coming home to roost”

      • Carolyn_nth 3.1.1
        3 October 2017 at 10:08 am

        Perhaps there’s an element of that. I think fascism has a bit of a history in Spain, that may have been sidelined by involvement with the EU.

        When a friend and I hitched through Spain in the 70s, it had a militaristic dictator. Military carrying sub machine guns were an everyday occurrence at one campsite we stayed at.

        The Guardia kept a strong watch on all travelers.

        Locals were not keen to talk about Franco – just made gestures with their hands indicating it wasn’t safe to talk about him – never knew who was listening, and gestures indicated responses from authorities could be quite nasty, but possibly not out in the open.

        • Whispering Kate 3.1.1.1
          3 October 2017 at 10:47 am

          I, like you hitchhiked through Spain in the 1960’s and the Guardia had a strict law about loitering. If you were found on the streets late at night they would clap you in jail. In Barcelona my friend and I were trying to find a cheap pension to stay in but a festival was on and the place was booked out, we had the guardia following us with what we thought was menace and, finally as we couldn’t find a place to sleep for the night we just carried on through to the outskirts of the city and hitch hiked out of the city. Spain was very strong on law and order and cops were everywhere on the streets armed.

          • Anne 3.1.1.1.1
            3 October 2017 at 11:08 am

            Yes. I was with a group who had a similar experience in 1969. It was quite frightening being followed around as if we were suspect individuals. On entering Spain via Gibraltar, I was one of two selected from a boatload of tourists for a body search. We were required to strip down to the bare essentials. Not a nice experience. It crossed my mind it might have been because I was wearing a bright red jacket which had nothing to do with my political persuasion – I didn’t have any in those days.

      • ianmac 3.1.2
        3 October 2017 at 10:18 am

        “Sadly it is very unsurprising the lack of international condemnation to the extreme violence used against the peaceful voters in Catalonia yesterday.”
        I thought I heard a comment tucked in the News report that the police were imported from outside Spain to carry out the violent obstructions. (Perhaps police from say Chicago? Nah.)

      • Heather Grimwood 3.1.3
        3 October 2017 at 10:47 am

        to Adrian at 3.1 : Frighteningly like fascist behaviour in Spain early 30’s….maybe tendency incipient in some areas of society e.g. police in his case but presumably acting under orders.

  4. Kay 4
    3 October 2017 at 9:08 am

    I’ve been taking a general media break for mental health purposes since the election so only have a basic working knowledge of what’s happening (it’s hard to completely cold turkey as a news junkie!).

    But I get the impression that NZ seems to be functioning perfectly alright without an official government in place, aren’t we? Like we do every Christmas when the pollies all take off overseas and we’re left with just the Duty Minister “just in case” and the country doesn’t fall to pieces. I don’t think anyone even notices they’re missing! Sure, right now there’s no mechanism in place to improve things, and God knows that can’t come too soon, but we certainly haven’t deteriorated further with no one around to dictate their ill-informed/idealogical/egoist/just plain moronic plans on the populous.

    I recognise some form of government is needed, but when it’s less damaging and more relaxing during these brief times then there must be a more stable way to keep the country running and get things done. I was thinking about only letting politicians with expertiese in their portfolios be Ministers, then I remembered Jonathon Coleman….

    • Sacha 4.1
      3 October 2017 at 10:03 am

      Coleman has no experience running a health system, and it shows.

    • ianmac 4.2
      3 October 2017 at 10:22 am

      On Pundit: “In Praise of Public Servants
      by Brian Easton.”
      “If the minister is lucky or shrewd, some in this office are very good. (Take H2 – Heather Simpson – in Helen Clark’s office; Wayne Eagleson played a similar role in John Key’s.) But often many in the offices are politically ambitious time servers, as average as the politicians they serve and are not nearly as experienced or competent as officials in the ministries.”

      Brian gives a possible scenario of might have happened with Joyce’s $11bil hole.
      https://www.pundit.co.nz/content/in-praise-of-public-servants#comment-45613

  5. Eco maori 5
    3 October 2017 at 9:44 am

    Did anyone feel that earthquake last nite between 9 pm and 10 it was small

  7. joe90 7
    3 October 2017 at 10:39 am

    RIP Tom, and thanks for the sound track to a life.

  8. adam 8
    3 October 2017 at 11:55 am

    Just in case you missed it, Stephanie Rodgers knocked it out of the park.

    https://bootstheory.wordpress.com/2017/10/03/who-has-to-apologise/

    • Wensleydale 8.2
      3 October 2017 at 12:11 pm

      I don’t know how Metiria Turei isn’t sitting at home with fists clenched and jaw locked, quietly seething with rage. I know holding grudges isn’t healthy… but still. I’d be perpetually livid.

      • adam 8.2.1
        3 October 2017 at 12:27 pm

        Not much point Wensleydale, Metiria is doing somthing much better.

        She is getting organised.

  10. Ad 10
    3 October 2017 at 1:29 pm

    Camron Bagrie, a good (bank-paid) economist and honest commentator, is stepping down.

    His view from straight after the election is that New Zealand’s three boom cycles – construction, tourism, and migration – may have peaked:

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/97189906/new-zealands-largest-bank-says-construction-migration-and-tourism-may-have-all-peaked

    • Ed 10.1
      3 October 2017 at 1:32 pm

      Bank paid.
      Therefore not independent.
      Therefore neoliberal.

    • ianmac 10.2
      3 October 2017 at 1:52 pm

      It must be a bit of a worry for the incoming Government if the economy downturn happens. From the Opposition I can hear the bitter Joyce and English blaming Labour/NZF/Greens for the downturn. As someone said there are bombs in the economy just waiting to explode.

      • Ad 10.2.1
        3 October 2017 at 2:51 pm

        NZ’s major bomb is housing debt, but that is on the slow path to defusing as the entire market softens.

      • Draco T Bastard 10.2.2
        3 October 2017 at 3:18 pm

        It must be a bit of a worry for the incoming Government if the economy downturn happens.

        It should be and I’m still certain that the coming collapse of the economy is a large part of the reason as to why Key quit. He didn’t want to have to front the fact that it was his policies that caused the crash.

        But does show that Labour has an out – the failed policies of the National led government and it’s going to give them the drive needed to do some fairly radical elimination of those National Party policies. Hopefully, they even use it to restart our society and rethink the neo-liberal economics but I won’t hold my breath on that.

        • Exkiwiforces 10.2.2.1
          3 October 2017 at 3:33 pm

          The economic bomb (the turn down) is slowly happening for NZ and will gather more speed if Nats are in power, but if that happens we know the small end of town will get hit first before the big end of town.

  11. JC 11
    3 October 2017 at 10:42 pm

    Coroner Peter Ryan today released his findings into the 15-year-old’s death in 2013, saying she had been the victim of relentless and “vicious” cyber-bullying.

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/340777/teen-s-suicide-cited-in-schools-mental-health-project

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • 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
    2 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
    2 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
    2 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    5 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
    5 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
    5 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
    5 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
    5 days 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
    6 days 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
    6 days 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
    6 days 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
    6 days 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
    6 days 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
    6 days 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
    6 days 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
    6 days 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
    6 days 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
    6 days 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
    7 days 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

  • New Zealand supports UN Palestine resolution
    New Zealand voted in favour of a resolution broadening Palestine’s participation at the United Nations General Assembly overnight, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “The resolution enhances the rights of Palestine to participate in the work of the UN General Assembly while stopping short of admitting Palestine as a full ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Speech to the 2024 Infrastructure Symposium
    Introduction Good morning. It’s a great privilege to be here at the 2024 Infrastructure Symposium. I was extremely happy when the Prime Minister asked me to be his Minister for Infrastructure. It is one of the great barriers holding the New Zealand economy back from achieving its potential. Building high ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • $571 million for Defence pay and projects
    Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced the upcoming Budget will include new funding of $571 million for Defence Force pay and projects. “Our servicemen and women do New Zealand proud throughout the world and this funding will help ensure we retain their services and expertise as we navigate an increasingly ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Climate change – mitigating the risks and costs
    New Zealand’s ability to cope with climate change will be strengthened as part of the Government’s focus to build resilience as we rebuild the economy, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “An enduring and long-term approach is needed to provide New Zealanders and the economy with certainty as the climate ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Getting new job seekers on the pathway to work
    Jobseeker beneficiaries who have work obligations must now meet with MSD within two weeks of their benefit starting to determine their next step towards finding a job, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “A key part of the coalition Government’s plan to have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Accelerating Social Investment
    A new standalone Social Investment Agency will power-up the social investment approach, driving positive change for our most vulnerable New Zealanders, Social Investment Minister Nicola Willis says.  “Despite the Government currently investing more than $70 billion every year into social services, we are not seeing the outcomes we want for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Getting Back on Track
    Check against delivery Good morning. It is a pleasure to be with you to outline the Coalition Government’s approach to our first Budget. Thank you Mark Skelly, President of the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce, together with  your Board and team, for hosting me.   I’d like to acknowledge His Worship ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • NZ – European Union ties more critical than ever
    Your Excellency Ambassador Meredith,   Members of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassadors from European Union Member States,   Ministerial colleagues, Members of Parliament, and other distinguished guests, Thank you everyone for joining us.   Ladies and gentlemen -    In diplomacy, we often speak of ‘close’ and ‘long-standing’ relations.   ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Therapeutic Products Act to be repealed
    The Therapeutic Products Act (TPA) will be repealed this year so that a better regime can be put in place to provide New Zealanders safe and timely access to medicines, medical devices and health products, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello announced today. “The medicines and products we are talking about ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-05-19T13:02:25+00:00