web analytics

Open Mike 08/03/2017

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, March 8th, 2017 - 48 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 …

48 comments on “Open Mike 08/03/2017 ”

  1. AsleepWhileWalking 1

    Rebekah Roth describes the moment she realised the planes had been taken to Westover, and weren’t flown into the Twin Towers

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkAHzo4UgGE

    * Aluminum planes cannot cut through buildings
    * In 2001 cellphones did not work at altitude
    * 11 alledged hijackers were still alive after 9/11, some had rock solid alibis

  2. AsleepWhileWalking 2

    CIA has lost control over it’s “hacking arsenal”. How is that even possible?

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1-nmA5My7U

  3. Sanctuary 3

    Watching Bill English, one is immediately reminded of the Peter principle that states “managers rise to the level of their incompetence”, as applied to political high office.

    The gaffes Bill English has been making – hanging on to that incompetent fool Nick Smith and the widely ridiculed “shit filled swimmable” rivers announcement, bungling his superannuation announcement, and revealing his prejudices against young New Zealand workers by labelling them lazy stoners as a justification to ethnically cleansing the workforce by importing pliant third world labour – show that he has been the beneficiary of the Peter principle not once, but twice in his political career. He was a disaster as a leader of the opposition in 2002, and it looks like he is becoming an even bigger disaster in his unelected elevation to the job of prime minister.

    • greywarshark 3.1

      sanctuary
      No, no, he’s the greatest PM that NZ has. A man not to be replaced, just perfect as he is. Don’t deny it, he will lead like the Rat Catcher of Bremen playing his sweet, sweet music.

  4. Andre 4

    More comment from the US tech industry about companies using immigrants on H1-B visas to keep salaries down. Just reinforces the idea that if a company says they need to hire an immigrant because they can’t find a suitable local, they should also be required to show they are going to pay well above average rates.

    http://spectrum.ieee.org/view-from-the-valley/at-work/tech-careers/commentary-the-h1b-problem-as-ieeeusa-sees-it

    • Sabine 4.1

      i think that this is true for every company that wants to import workers cause ‘ shortages’.

      but hey, you know we have been told that the issue here in NZ is lazy, drug addled workers that are clearly hopeless, it ain’t the shit pay, the non existing benefits and such. And besides how is a company to turn a profit if they would have to pay market prices for their goods. A little corporate welfare is needed, muchly.

  5. AsleepWhileWalking 5

    In 1893 the average life of a US mortgage was less than 6 years and accounted for less than 40% of the property value. – wikipedia

    • saveNZ 5.1

      That was clearly before globalism… and have to compete for property with everyone else in the world and as a government investment category for migrants to actually encourage the practise…

      Family’s Papakura home ‘flipped’ by property investor for instant $81k profit

      http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11813743

      • Molly 5.1.1

        There is a question to be asked is of the seller’s agent.

        Do they have a list of investors who will give him commission on a sale, knowing that one of the requirements for those investors is that they will be able to flip the property without any input?

        If so, while taking their payment from the sellers they are effectively working against them in order to make two commissions rather than one.

        (IMO, this is quite likely a widely practised method of sale).

  6. Adrian 6

    I can’t get my head around this as well. There’s a story in the Herald about an Indian immigrant who has been royally ripped off by Indian service station employers.
    All sympathy to him but he and his family got into NZ for him to, by the looks of it, work as a fuel pump attendant.
    We are obviously bloody short of them.
    Or he got in to drive Kiwis wage expectations down.
    Nah, the Nats wouldn’t let that happen, eh.
    On a related note, a mate of mine who is a Chilean winery manager is trying to run a NZ owned facility from Chile on the internet, he was sent back to renew his visa, because they say there must be an NZer who can do it.
    Over the last 5 years or so he has moved up from asst winemaker to overall manager of this facility which exports about 10 million litres of wine, about 75 million dollars worth of overseas earnings.
    It’s a high skilled techo job.
    WTF is going on.

    • Draco T Bastard 6.1

      WTF is going on.

      Not what we’re told is going on which makes what the government and businesses are telling us lies.

    • saveNZ 6.2

      +1 Adrian – maybe Bill English’s dream low wage economy where we don’t want real high skills from migrants but actually low migrant skills to drive down wages, think corruption is part of dealing with government and destroy the welfare system…

      • Tamati Tautuhi 6.2.1

        Bill English a few years ago was talking NZ up as a low wage economy, if employers can drive wages down there is more profit for the company and the shareholders.

        New Zealanders can not compete against new immigrants who have family working for them or their own people who they are paying less than minimum wages.

        However this is the society that New Zealanders want by voting in a National Government, unfortunately they are handing over a poisoned chalice to the next Government and one hell of a mess to tidy up.

        • saveNZ 6.2.1.1

          Exactly this worker told ERA he was expected to work for free or pay $25,000 for his petrol attendant job for Corporate Energy which is now in liquidation . He had left a previous job for European Auto, (so you have to wonder how bad that job was if he thought working as a petrol attendant for Corporate Energy was a better bet.)

          This was in 2012 – we have had a huge increase in immigration since then, but it takes 5 years to sort it all out all the scams?

          Having exploitative employers competes unfairly against other employers who are doing a good job and paying and treating their employees fairly. It’s the good ones, paying their taxes, probably going under and who knows if corporate energy is just a front for another company that can just be liquidated so they don’t have to meet their obligations…

          Hiring this worker has probably been a disaster for all involved including the exploited worker who did not get paid! The original company lost their employee who they sponsored, the new company is in liquidation presumably left not paying their debts to IRD, and other suppliers, and the taxpayer has to fund ERA and immigration officers to sort it all out.

          Nobody is winning with these scenarios!

        • Cinny 6.2.1.2

          And that’s what is happening in our region.

          Families are being kicked out of homes because the landlord would rather make money from immigrants. A family can rent a 3/4 bedroom house for around $400 or so a week, but a landlord can make more money by placing 12 islanders in the same dwelling and charge them per person at $125 per week. If the landlord is also the owner of the orchard that employs the islanders, it makes for cheap labour as their wages are offset by their accommodation costs.

          What really sucks, the islanders won’t realise what’s happening, they would be mortified to discover families were being kicked out of homes because of them, and the islanders all crammed into the house will be enjoying better accommodation than they would at home and won’t have a clue they are being exploited.
          Sheez, the poor buggers, they have no clue, and at some orchards, when you see a ‘spraying in progress’ sign, you will also see an islander on a tractor, spraying away, no safety gear, exploitation is rife in some (not all) orchards around Motueka.
          Rather hire an islander, they don’t complain, they don’t know their rights in NZ to do so and they are too scared they will get the sack if they do. If a local was hired, they might talk about poor work conditions to their friends and the orchard would get a bad reputation, can’t have that happening.

          Love the islanders that come here for the work, but I hate the way it is all going down this season, way too many families are suffering, because there simply isn’t enough housing for everyone.

          I know i keep mentioning this issue, but dang I heard of another family that it has happened to just yesterday.

  7. Andre 7

    Colbert discusses the weekend Trump tweetfarts. Featuring a cameo from Morrissey’s favourite “sentient testicle”.

  8. The Chairman 8

    “At the age of 71 Winston Peters still fills a university lecture theatre like no other political leader and is guaranteed a standing ovation almost every time.”

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/90166384/winston-peters-draws-big-crowd-of-university-students-to-hammer-home-nz-first-policy

  9. Tamati Tautuhi 9

    Winston has been around and understands NZ’s political history you have to hand it to him he is resilient after the bad press he has had from uneducated political and economic commentators in MSM over the last 30-40 years.

    The problem is Winston tells people how it is and unfortunately the truth hurts, most political and economic journalists in MSM are writing the script and narrative their owners and stakeholders wish to hear, Mike Hoskings is a typical example of an MSM shrill?

    • The Chairman 9.1

      “Winston has been around and understands NZ’s political history you have to hand it to him he is resilient after the bad press he has had from uneducated political and economic commentators in MSM over the last 30-40 years. ”

      Indeed.

      With Key standing down, Little and Labour under performing in the polls and building off their by-election win, NZF should do rather well this year.

      Winston largely by-passes the media (allowing him full control of the narrative) and goes directly to the public, packing halls all around the country.

      • tc 9.1.1

        Winston knows how to keep it simple and focuses on issues everyone can understand.

        Simple is good, simple works, simple delivers results as northland showed.

        • saveNZ 9.1.1.1

          Northland was the result of a deliberate strategy and collaboration to beat National. It was not simple but it certainly proved effective!

          More please…

          Life has become too complicated. Everyone is constantly ripped off by small print in the paperwork and being lied too. We are living in an Animal farm meets Kafka world.

          Winston is popular because he can say something easy to understand that makes sense to many. Also he seems to keep his promises aka Gold card and Super.

          I’d trust him before National any day of the week especially if I was conservative! And he’s got some good socialist policies in the mix too.

          Hopefully with Labour and Greens they can turn the NZ Titanic captained by Bill English around before it hits the iceberg and 67% of the occupants drown.

    • jcuknz 9.2

      TT ….rather mis-educated than uneducated I am sorry to say as I experienced early in my media carear as I was roasted by my boss because I expressed different ideas from the ‘authorised lecturer’ staff were encouraged to listen to.

  10. AsleepWhileWalking 10

    Not normal at all, apart from the fact I’ve spoken with people who have had concerns about attitudes at Wellington College. Is there something in this particular section of Wellington that makes them different?

    Let’s hope that they think through behavior before they ruin their own lives and those of the women around them.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/90179350/cultural-shift-needed-to-put-an-end-to-attitudes-toward-sexual-violence-experts-say

  11. saveNZ 11

    Another heritage building demolished like a piece of garbage…

    http://www.homestolove.co.nz/inside-homes/people-places/must-never-happen

  12. Bill 12

    Rape Crisis will not accept funding contracts from the Ministry of Social Development if it is required to hand over clients’ private details, the service says.

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/326040/rape-crisis-will-risk-funding-to-keep-data-private

    And will this government be ideologically happy enough with that insofar as it can only promote the idea of wholly private entities servicing social needs?

    I get how the pragmatics of politics kind of demand a response, but I’m just wondering about the ideology in this comment.

    • McFlock 12.1

      Well, their choice seems to be either choose between only private funding and death quietly, or at least say why.

      I know of another group that’s not going for MSD contracts because of this very reason, but is being quiet about it.

      • weka 12.1.1

        RC has long relied on community funding i.e. donations. It’s not ‘private’.

        “I know of another group that’s not going for MSD contracts because of this very reason, but is being quiet about it.”

        I’ve heard of one too, but we’ll see if they stick to their integrity. If there was ever a time for community-based social services to finally stand up to the govt, this is it.

        • McFlock 12.1.1.1

          meant “private vs govt”.

          It should be govt funded directly (although in the world of “shoulds” it should probably be an actual government agency).

          • weka 12.1.1.1.1

            Sure, but I’m suggesting that it’s not that helpful to frame this as govt vs private. For instance I would guess that many community groups still get funding from community funders. RC also does a street appeal, and I would guess gets private donations. So a range of options 🙂

            • McFlock 12.1.1.1.1.1

              But in this case, we have a government that doesn’t want to fund things of social value or importance (and I believe has already tried to cut RC funding? ISTR something a year or two back). Now the government is introducing rules that will have the effect of not letting those organisations actually receive any funding that might technically be available.

              As for the range of options, I have different roles with a couple of groups at the moment that illustrate the problem. The first group has government contracts on a 3 or 5 year basis, and is a preferred provider. Not perfectly secure, but you can at least plan ahead for a few years.

              The other group is at the stage of spending shedloads of time looking for funding from community trusts, local bodies, national bodies, and individuals. First item on board’s agenda is “applications out, results back in”. We still can’t plan more than a month or two ahead, and it could all fall over if we simply have a bad run of applications.

              So yeah, I think the reliance on private vs public funding is a serious issue for projects of social value in the current financial environment.

              • weka

                “So yeah, I think the reliance on private vs public funding is a serious issue for projects of social value in the current financial environment.”

                Current political environment I think. Try forward planning when your client base no longer trusts you because you’re siding with a fascist govt 😉

    • weka 12.2

      Good on RC for taking this stand.

      “I get how the pragmatics of politics kind of demand a response, but I’m just wondering about the ideology in this comment.”

      Not sure what you are meaning there Bill. RC have always been what you are calling a wholly private entity. I’d call them a community group myself. Are you asking about the ideology of RC? Their position on this, that they won’t hand over client details to the govt even if it means losing funding, fits their long standing kaupapa, that they are first and foremost an organisation for rape survivors. I’m heartened to see that in this day and age they will stand their ground and tell the govt to fuck off.

      “And will this government be ideologically happy enough with that insofar as it can only promote the idea of wholly private entities servicing social needs?”

      Except they don’t, so I’m not sure what you mean. Maybe you could say what you mean by wholly private entity?

      • Bill 12.2.1

        Yeah, badly worded.

        I mean community groups relying wholly on private donations and the government stepping away completely from any obligations it may have had…maybe angling to be a bit like the US where we mere mortals can gush at the rich and famous competing with one another to write out the largest cheque for some ‘approved’ list of ‘charitable’ causes?

  13. John up North 13

    Yet another market Kiwi’s finding themselves locked out of

    “Recent figures from QV showed median property values in Wanaka and Queenstown hit $1 million, rising 30 percent in one year.”

    and

    “But Wanaka’s high living costs and low wages were also a problem.”

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/326109/soaring-wanaka-prices-lock-residents-out-of-property-market

    That last quote from the article is an ongoing problem in most main centers but we’re not gonna have that conversation on low wages cause all the kids in NZ are stoners and lazy.

    And that dick head Rodney Hide has run the same line as Benglish (in the NBR) about our kids, funny that as both were caught all sticky handed after “mis-spending” tax payers cash cause they “didn’t” interpret the rules correctly?????

  14. Glenn 15

    Very good article Daphna taught me a lot .

    “Only a couple of decades ago – and people were living longer then than they had been at any time in history – we were being told that the biggest problem we’d face was how to fill up our soon-to-be vastly expanded leisure time as dramatic increases in productivity would substantially shorten our work week while still delivering a high standard of living.”

    I remember. And then the bastards stuffed it up.

  15. swordfish 16

    Just to give an example, I’m sitting here debating whether to name some of those on the largest left wing blog in NZ.

    Best not to conflate principled criticism surrounding (1) the inherent authoritarian tendencies, (2) questionnable assertions and (3) dubious tactics of the new cult-like SJW extreme of Third Way Feminism with any sort of antipathy towards core feminist concerns in general.

    You can end up seeing enemies where none exist.

    As much as they like to wrap themselves tightly in the mantle of both feminism in particular and New Zealand womanhood in general – the SJWs represent neither.

    Indeed the SJW’s bully-boy illiberalism is coming under an increasingly forceful critique from progressive feminists.

    [TheStandard: A moderator moved this comment to Open Mike as being off topic or irrelevant in the post it was made in. Be more careful in future.]

    • swordfish 16.1

      Still intrigued, weka, by your deduction of a developing conspiracy … one where a whole lot of white heterosexual male kiwi Lefties (apparently holding deeply conservative views on both women and various moral issues) have become emboldened by their intellectual Gurus – Don “The Donald” Trump, Christopher “”The Trotsky” Trotter – along it seems with various doyens of the alt-Right – to unmask and vigorously pursue their true retrograde agenda …

      But the anti-IP stuff that is coming up not just with him but with others, that’s lefties taking their memes not just from the like of Trotter but from the alt-right. I find it concerning and it does look to me like these are predominantly white men who are emboldened by the US election result.

      Daily Review 07/02/2017

      That’s what the whole anti-IP is starting to look like. The false framing of what IP is, and the push from lefties who also support Tr*mp.

      Daily Review 07/02/2017

      That alone is enough to make me have less than zero respect for people running pro-Tr*mp/anti-IP lines. They either don’t believe there is a risk, which makes them fools, or they do but they think the risk is worth it to make gains in their political agenda. There is vindictiveness there too, even outside of the US stuff. I think in NZ there are lefties emboldened by Tr*mp’s victory and the nasty just raised a notch.

      The dynamic of vindictive winners

      Any evidence you’d like to share ?

      • McFlock 16.1.1

        do you regard yourself as being “left”?

        • swordfish 16.1.1.1

          Da !

          A Left Social Democrat – one who values independent thought and has little time for bully-boys character assassins and zealots

          • McFlock 16.1.1.1.1

            Does “SJW” refer to the term “Social Justice Warrior” that has been appropriated by the gamergate/altright crowd?

            Because in response to one sentence from Weka you linked to three of her comments, made two relatively long comments yourself, and used the acronym “SJW” several times when nobody else in the thread has.

            I suggest that you’ve provided quite a bit of “evidence” with those two comments.

            • swordfish 16.1.1.1.1.1

              As I say – little time for bully-boys, character assassins, and zealots.

              SJW ? – concise way to highlight precisely who I’m talking about (while conveying irritation at their uber-authoritarianism … a view shared by a number of their progressive feminist critics … which incidentally is where I came across the term)

              And it’s a smeary Stalinist sort of authoritarianism on full display in your comment – very much reminds me of Arthur Miller’s The Crucible.

              “Let you beware, Mr. Danforth. Think you to be so mighty that the power of Hell may not turn your wits ?”

              Always that ugly little Mcarthyite threat of smears and character assassination – eh ?

              [1. the last time you and I talked, I was calling you out on an outright attack on myself as an author, by you, that was completely inaccurate, unfounded and unfair. What I remember most from that was that you withdrew your comment and apologised for being mistaken but didn’t apologise for the actual attack.

              2. There are some pretty interesting conversations to be had about feminism in NZ and on TS, but the point I was making was that as a feminist I have think about whether it’s wise to even mention the elephant in the living room. I’m not the only one. Thanks for so ably demonstrating my point.

              3. As you probably know, I take a particular dislike to my views being misrepresented. Take this as a warning to tread more carefully in future.

              4. It beggars belief that you would choose International Women’s Day and this post in particular to have a go at the only regular woman author on this blog, and lecture her on her own mind. You want to debate with me about feminism? Find an appropriate way to do it (this wasn’t even close).

              5. This subthread looks like a derailment and attack on an author. If you didn’t intend to attack me, then I suggest you take more care in future in how you talk about me. If you did intend to attack me, have a read of the Policy. I doubt there will be many more warnings (see the moderator note and Lynn’s response here.

              6. You are now banned from this thread (mostly out of respect for Sandra Coney and the people that want to talk about her speech).

              7. Don’t like authoritarianism? Me neither. I write and moderate in a system on TS that was set up by men, and most of the need for authority was in response to the kind of shit you just pulled. If you have a problem with it, take it up with Lynn and Mike. – weka

              • McFlock

                Did I take something out of context or misrepresent your reaction in any way? Because unless I did, the only “character assassination” against yourself has been purely self-inflicted.

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • Tax incentive to boost housing passes third reading
    Legislation to enable more build-to-rent developments has passed its third reading in Parliament, so this type of rental will be able to claim interest deductibility in perpetuity where it meets the requirements. Housing Minister Dr Megan Woods, says the changes will help unlock the potential of the build-to-rent sector and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    32 mins ago
  • Law levels playing field for low-emissions commuting
    A law passed by Parliament today exempts employers from paying fringe benefit tax on certain low emission commuting options they provide or subsidise for their staff.  “Many employers already subsidise the commuting costs of their staff, for instance by providing car parks,” Environment Minister David Parker said.  “This move supports ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    42 mins ago
  • 40 years of Closer Economic Relations with Australia
    Today marks the 40th anniversary of Closer Economic Relations (CER), our gold standard free trade agreement between New Zealand and Australia. “CER was a world-leading agreement in 1983, is still world-renowned today and is emblematic of both our countries’ commitment to free trade. The WTO has called it the world’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 hours ago
  • Amendments to mass arrivals legislation
    The Government is making procedural changes to the Immigration Act to ensure that 2013 amendments operate as Parliament intended.   The Government is also introducing a new community management approach for asylum seekers. “While it’s unlikely we’ll experience a mass arrival due to our remote positioning, there is no doubt New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 hours ago
  • Progress on public service pay adjustment
    The Government welcomes progress on public sector pay adjustment (PSPA) agreements, and the release of the updated public service pay guidance by the Public Service Commission today, Minister for the Public Service Andrew Little says. “More than a dozen collective agreements are now settled in the public service, Crown Agents, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 hours ago
  • Further legislation introduced to support cyclone recovery
    The Government has introduced the Severe Weather Emergency Recovery Legislation Bill to further support the recovery and rebuild from the recent severe weather events in the North Island. “We know from our experiences following the Canterbury and Kaikōura earthquakes that it will take some time before we completely understand the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Duty relief for cyclone-affected businesses
    Further assistance is now available to businesses impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle, with Customs able to offer payment plans and to remit late-payments, Customs Minister Meka Whaitiri has announced. “This is part of the Government’s ongoing commitment to assist economic recovery in the regions,” Meka Whaitiri said. “Cabinet has approved the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Thousands of sole parents to be better off after child support changes
    More than 41,000 sole parent families will be better off with a median gain of $20 a week Law change estimated to help lift up to 14,000 children out of poverty Child support payments will be passed on directly to people receiving a sole parent rate of main benefit, making ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Green investment fund delivers on climate action
    A major investment by Government-owned New Zealand Green Investment Finance towards electrifying the public bus fleet is being welcomed by Climate Change Minister James Shaw. “Today’s announcement that NZGIF has signed a $50 million financing deal with Kinetic, the biggest bus operator in Australasia, to further decarbonise public transport is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Tax credit boosts cash flow for Kiwi innovators
    A world-leading payments system is expected to provide a significant cash flow boost for Kiwi innovators, Minister of Research, Science, and Innovation Ayesha Verrall says. Announcing that applications for ‘in-year’ payments of the Research and Development Tax Incentive (RDTI) were open, Ayesha Verrall said it represented a win for businesses ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Te Awa shared path completed
    Minister of Transport Michael Wood joined crowds of keen cyclists and walkers this morning to celebrate the completion of the Te Awa shared path in Hamilton. “The Government is upgrading New Zealand’s transport system to make it safer, greener, and more efficient for now and future generations to come,” Michael ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Crown apology to Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tāmaki nui-a-Rua
    Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Andrew Little has delivered the Crown apology to Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tāmaki nui-a-Rua for its historic breaches of Te Tiriti of Waitangi today. The ceremony was held at Queen Elizabeth Park in Masterton, hosted by Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tāmaki nui-a-Rua, with several hundred ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Minister of Foreign Affairs meets with Chinese counterpart
    Minister of Foreign Affairs Nanaia Mahuta has concluded her visit to China, the first by a New Zealand Foreign Minister since 2018. The Minister met her counterpart, newly appointed State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Qin Gang, who also hosted a working dinner. This was the first engagement between the two ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government delivering world-class satellite positioning services
    World-class satellite positioning services that will support much safer search and rescue, boost precision farming, and help safety on construction sites through greater accuracy are a significant step closer today, says Land Information Minister Damien O’Connor. Damien O’Connor marked the start of construction on New Zealand’s first uplink centre for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • District Court Judges appointed
    Attorney-General David Parker has announced the appointment of Christopher John Dellabarca of Wellington, Dr Katie Jane Elkin of Wellington, Caroline Mary Hickman of Napier, Ngaroma Tahana of Rotorua, Tania Rose Williams Blyth of Hamilton and Nicola Jan Wills of Wellington as District Court Judges.  Chris Dellabarca Mr Dellabarca commenced his ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Notes of an address to the Environmental Defence Society Conference, Auckland
    Tēnā koutou katoa. Can I begin by thanking Gary Taylor, Raewyn Peart and others in the EDS team for their herculean work in support of the environment. I’d also like to acknowledge Hon Simon Upton, Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, my parliamentary colleagues, and the many activists here who strive ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • New project set to supercharge ocean economy in Nelson Tasman
    A new Government-backed project will help ocean-related businesses in the Nelson Tasman region to accelerate their growth and boost jobs. “The Nelson Tasman region is home to more than 400 blue economy businesses, accounting for more than 30 percent of New Zealand’s economic activity in fishing, aquaculture, and seafood processing,” ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • National’s education policy: where’s the funding?
    After three years of COVID-19 disruptions schools are finally settling down and National want to throw that all in the air with major disruption to learning and underinvestment.  “National’s education policy lacks the very thing teachers, parents and students need after a tough couple of years, certainty and stability,” Education ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Free programme to help older entrepreneurs and inventors
    People aged over 50 with innovative business ideas will now be able to receive support to advance their ideas to the next stage of development, Minister for Seniors Ginny Andersen said today. “Seniors have some great entrepreneurial ideas, and this programme will give them the support to take that next ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government target increased to keep powering up the Māori economy
    A cross government target for relevant government procurement contracts for goods and services to be awarded to Māori businesses annually will increase to 8%, after the initial 5% target was exceeded. The progressive procurement policy was introduced in 2020 to increase supplier diversity, starting with Māori businesses, for the estimated ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Continued progress on reducing poverty in challenging times
    77,000 fewer children living in low income households on the after-housing-costs primary measure since Labour took office Eight of the nine child poverty measures have seen a statistically significant reduction since 2018. All nine have reduced 28,700 fewer children experiencing material hardship since 2018 Measures taken by the Government during ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Speech at Fiji Investment and Trade Business Forum
    Deputy Prime Minister Kamikamica; distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. Tēnā koutou katoa, ni sa bula vinaka saka, namaste. Deputy Prime Minister, a very warm welcome to Aotearoa. I trust you have been enjoying your time here and thank you for joining us here today. To all delegates who have travelled to be ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government investments boost and diversify local economies in lower South Island
    $2.9 million convertible loan for Scapegrace Distillery to meet growing national and international demand $4.5m underwrite to support Silverlight Studios’ project to establish a film studio in Wanaka Gore’s James Cumming Community Centre and Library to be official opened tomorrow with support of $3m from the COVID-19 Response and Recovery ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Pasifka Futures Whānau Ora Conference
    [CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY]  E ngā mana, e ngā reo, e ngā tangata katoa, o moana-nui-a-kiwa, E ngā mate, haere, haere, haere atū ra, manuia lau Malaga. Thank you for the kind introduction and opportunity to join you this morning. It is always good to be here in Aukilani, where I ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Alzheimers New Zealand conference – Opening Address
    E nga mana, e nga reo, e nga iwi, tēnā koutou katoa. Talofa lava and thank you Catherine, for the warm welcome. I’m sorry that I can’t be there in person today but it’s great for the opportunity to contribute virtually.  I’d like to start by acknowledging: Alzheimers New Zealand, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government future-proofs EV charging
    Transport Minister Michael Wood has today launched the first national EV (electric vehicle) charging strategy, Charging Our Future, which includes plans to provide EV charging stations in almost every town in New Zealand. “Our vision is for Aotearoa New Zealand to have world-class EV charging infrastructure that is accessible, affordable, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • World-leading family harm prevention campaign supports young NZers
    Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment Priyanca Radhakrishnan has today launched the Love Better campaign in a world-leading approach to family harm prevention. Love Better will initially support young people through their experience of break-ups, developing positive and life-long attitudes to dealing with hurt. “Over 1,200 young kiwis told ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • First Chief Clinical Advisor welcomed into Coroners Court
    Hon Rino Tirikatene, Minister for Courts, welcomes the Ministry of Justice’s appointment of Dr Garry Clearwater as New Zealand’s first Chief Clinical Advisor working with the Coroners Court. “This appointment is significant for the Coroners Court and New Zealand’s wider coronial system.” Minister Tirikatene said. Through Budget 2022, the Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Next steps for affected properties post Cyclone and floods
    The Government via the Cyclone Taskforce is working with local government and insurance companies to build a picture of high-risk areas following Cyclone Gabrielle and January floods. “The Taskforce, led by Sir Brian Roche, has been working with insurance companies to undertake an assessment of high-risk areas so we can ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • New appointment to Māori Land Court bench
    E te huia kaimanawa, ko Ngāpuhi e whakahari ana i tau aupikinga ki te tihi o te maunga. Ko te Ao Māori hoki e whakanui ana i a koe te whakaihu waka o te reo Māori i roto i te Ao Ture. (To the prized treasure, it is Ngāpuhi who ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Government focus on jobs sees record number of New Zealanders move from Benefits into work
    113,400 exits into work in the year to June 2022 Young people are moving off Benefit faster than after the Global Financial Crisis Two reports released today by the Ministry of Social Development show the Government’s investment in the COVID-19 response helped drive record numbers of people off Benefits and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Vertical farming partnership has upward momentum
    The Government’s priority to keep New Zealand at the cutting edge of food production and lift our sustainability credentials continues by backing the next steps of a hi-tech vertical farming venture that uses up to 95 per cent less water, is climate resilient, and pesticide-free. Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor visited ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Conference of Pacific Education Ministers – Keynote Address
    E nga mana, e nga iwi, e nga reo, e nga hau e wha, tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou kātoa. Warm Pacific greetings to all. It is an honour to host the inaugural Conference of Pacific Education Ministers here in Tāmaki Makaurau. Aotearoa is delighted to be hosting you ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New $13m renal unit supports Taranaki patients
    The new renal unit at Taranaki Base Hospital has been officially opened by the Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall this afternoon. Te Huhi Raupō received around $13 million in government funding as part of Project Maunga Stage 2, the redevelopment of the Taranaki Base Hospital campus. “It’s an honour ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Second Poseidon aircraft on home soil
    Defence Minister Andrew Little has marked the arrival of the country’s second P-8A Poseidon aircraft alongside personnel at the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s Base at Ohakea today. “With two of the four P-8A Poseidons now on home soil this marks another significant milestone in the Government’s historic investment in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Further humanitarian aid for Türkiye and Syria
    Aotearoa New Zealand will provide further humanitarian support to those seriously affected by last month’s deadly earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria, says Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta. “The 6 February earthquakes have had devastating consequences, with almost 18 million people affected. More than 53,000 people have died and tens of thousands more ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Community voice to help shape immigration policy
    Migrant communities across New Zealand are represented in the new Migrant Community Reference Group that will help shape immigration policy going forward, Immigration Minister Michael Wood announced today.  “Since becoming Minister, a reoccurring message I have heard from migrants is the feeling their voice has often been missing around policy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • State Highway 3 project to deliver safer journeys, better travel connections for Taranaki
    Construction has begun on major works that will deliver significant safety improvements on State Highway 3 from Waitara to Bell Block, Associate Minister of Transport Kiri Allan announced today. “This is an important route for communities, freight and visitors to Taranaki but too many people have lost their lives or ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Ginny Andersen appointed as Minister of Police
    Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has today appointed Ginny Andersen as Minister of Police. “Ginny Andersen has a strong and relevant background in this important portfolio,” Chris Hipkins said. “Ginny Andersen worked for the Police as a non-sworn staff member for around 10 years and has more recently been chair of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government confirms vital roading reconnections
    Six further bailey bridge sites confirmed Four additional bridge sites under consideration 91 per cent of damaged state highways reopened Recovery Dashboards for impacted regions released The Government has responded quickly to restore lifeline routes after Cyclone Gabrielle and can today confirm that an additional six bailey bridges will ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2023-03-28T04:48:11+00:00