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Open Mike 11/09/2017

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, September 11th, 2017 - 100 comments
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100 comments on “Open Mike 11/09/2017”

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  1. tc 1
    11 September 2017 at 6:57 am

    Making a difference starts today with early voting commencing.

    • Cinny 1.1
      11 September 2017 at 10:38 am

      YEAH ROCK ON!!!! Meet up with our amazing local MP and fellow labour supporters this morning, waving signs on the main road, heaps of toots and waves, my youngest had a blast. A great way to start the day.

      Taking the kids to vote once school is finished, family tradition, mum would always take me to the voting booth so I could see democracy in action 😀

      • DSpare 1.1.1
        11 September 2017 at 1:11 pm

        I will be going into town tomorrow with my daughter anyway and will vote then (as it’s a couple of ks to the nearest voting place). Which leaves me free for scrutineering on the day (a boring but necessary part of our democracy). Green Party, Labour Electorate, vote.
        I had my voting pack come on the weekend, so have my easyvote card (though the perforations were really meagre, and I had to use scissors to get it off the page). For those who haven’t registered yet (which you can do at the time during the advance period, but not on the 23rd), and so didn’t get the printed copy of polling places; this will tall you where your local advance polling stations are:

        http://www.elections.org.nz/events/2017-general-election/information-voters-who-when-and-where

  2. aom 2
    11 September 2017 at 7:35 am

    Never listened to ZB in 40 odd years but have seen references to Larry ‘ fuckwit’ Williams. After hooking into ZB for the Jacinda interview, I now understand!!!! Not sure if it was deliberate but it seemed as though at one stage Jacinda was giving him the two fingered salute – if on purpose, it was much deserved, if not, it was deserved anyway.

  3. Hanswurst 3
    11 September 2017 at 7:38 am

    Barry Soper muses on the last time a NZ prime minister was elected on the “sheer force of their personality”. It would appear, however, that he has not visited NZ since 2008. Either that, or he is in accord with all thinking New Zealanders that there was no force whatsoever to Key’s personality.

    • Timbeau 3.1
      11 September 2017 at 11:27 am

      Nicely put, Hanswurst.

    • tracey 3.2
      11 September 2017 at 11:55 am

      He is one of the Key cheerleaders that thinks Key was pure talent

    • Frida 3.3
      11 September 2017 at 3:38 pm

      That attitude of Soper et al has been infuriating me the last weeks! As if we haven’t had personality politics for the last 9 years!! I doubt that a vast chunk of people who voted National in the last three elections could name a single policy. except tax cuts….grrr. I find it quite a mosigynist viewpoint actually when it keeps being stated about Jacinda.

  4. Belladonna 4
    11 September 2017 at 7:39 am

    Jacinda holding her own with far right Larry William’s aggressive biased interviewing on ZB in a Leader’s breakfast. Goes until 8.30am if your blood pressure can cope.

  5. Carolyn_nth 5
    11 September 2017 at 7:47 am

    Jane Kelsey is asking for some clear answers from Labour, on their position about a revived TPPA (with 11 countries), before the election:

    All of the 11 countries now

    have all agreed to suspend (but not remove) some of the most controversial intellectual property provisions that hiked the price of medicines. Other countries want parts of the actual text and countries’ schedules reopened. Each country has to come back with its wish-list at another meeting in Japan in late September, probably while the New Zealand government is in caretaker mode.

    …
    Jacinda Adern recently defended Labour’s ‘bloody minded’ opposition to the agreement. But its only firm position is an objection to a single, very specific provision in the entire 30-chapter deal: the right to discriminate against foreign purchasers of residential property in the schedule on investment. Does Labour really intend to agree to the TPPA-11 if that minor matter is changed (as it has been in a leaked copy I have of New Zealand’s proposed schedule to the now-suspended Trade in Services Agreement negotiations)?
    …
    Labour’s leadership needs to go on record before the election with some more detailed and convincing answers to these questions, and its position on other toxic provisions affecting the right to regulate on state-owned enterprises, government procurement, financial services and taxation.

    Above all, Labour needs to commit now to a genuine consultation about what position New Zealand should take on the TPPA-11
    …
    Jacinda, Grant, David, anyone in the Labour leadership – can we know your real position on the TPP-11 before the election please?

    • weka 5.1
      11 September 2017 at 8:09 am

      Do you know if Parker has said anything recently.

      • Carolyn_nth 5.1.1
        11 September 2017 at 8:24 am

        David Parker on 7 July (when Little was leader):
        Focus on restrictions of foreign home buyers (which seems is already excluded from the TPPA-11 draft):

        Parker dismisses the suggestion that fears about a loss of sovereignty are overblown, saying other countries in the TPP retained the right to keep restrictions on foreign homebuyers.

        Parker on 4 Sept: (again on foreign home ownership)

        Labour trade spokesman David Parker said his party supported TPP-11 as long as some revisions were made.

        “TPP was obviously more important with America in it. It remains beneficial into Japan, particularly, but we expect our negotiators to renegotiate the provisions relating to land and we want in TPP-11 the same rights that Australia currently has under TPP-11, which is to ban foreign buyers of [existing] New Zealand homes.

        Audrey Young reports on Labour and Nat positions on the TPPA-11 (again for Labour the focus is on foreign home buyers).

        The article claims Ardern’s Labour would withdraw from TPPA-11 if they weren’t allowed to restrict foreign buyers of NZ homes. But, it seems that is already in the TPPA-11 draft according to Kelsey having seen a leaked version – so, when it’s made public, Labour would presumably then claim a win.

        This seems to be the main focus of articles I have seen that were published in the last month. Labour leadership seems to be silent on any other provisions in TPPA-11.

        • weka 5.1.1.1
          11 September 2017 at 9:14 am

          Thanks. That Newsrooms article appears to be saying that Labour are ok with the TPPA on their five bottom lines except that one re foreign house buying. That’s not what I’ve gotten from the conversation on the weekend about Labour, but again that unclarity.

          • Carolyn_nth 5.1.1.1.1
            11 September 2017 at 9:19 am

            That was Andrew Little on the 5 bottom lines on the Newsroom article – while he was still leader. So we need to be clear where Labour stands under the Ardern leadership.

            • weka 5.1.1.1.1.1
              11 September 2017 at 10:01 am

              I agree. My take is that they oppose it unless they can renegotiate the bits they don’t like (the five bottom lines aren’t on the website statement anymore). At least two problems with that generally. One is that we don’t know what they will do if they can’t renegotiate or can only renegotiate partially. The others is that their bottom lines aren’t likely to be enough.

              I’m willing to trust Labour on developing their tax policy via a review next year, but I don’t trust them on this. They need to earn that trust.

    • tracey 5.2
      11 September 2017 at 11:57 am

      It is interesting that a year ago Labour was a part of a ralkying call….

  6. garibaldi 6
    11 September 2017 at 7:49 am

    Winston is up to his old tricks again. No coalition with Labour without more detail on tax. I’ll say this for him……he is utterly reliable for putting a spanner in the works.
    How will Jacinda deal with this, or is it Robertsons job to give more clarity?

    • riffer 6.1
      11 September 2017 at 7:56 am

      I’ve got to admit, after hearing Ron Mark last night on the news talking about the amount of dead rats any party that “NZF choose to put into government” would have to eat, and after hearing Winston Peters “clarifying his position” about support for Labour, I have to assume that NZF either really don’t want to be in Government, or don’t really want to be in Government with Labour.

      All the more reason to not vote for them I guess.

      • weka 6.1.1
        11 September 2017 at 8:07 am

        Which news?

      • Hanswurst 6.1.2
        11 September 2017 at 8:10 am

        They’re just trying to shore up their conservative vote, and perhaps hoover up some votes from National. The basis of their sales pitch is that they could go with either main party. Up until now, they’ve been having a bob each way by dint of their default position of negotiating with the largest party first, while implying that they want to change the government by criticising National.

        Now that the polls tell us that cleaving to the largest party and changing the government will both mean the same thing, they need to go hard at Labour in order to prevent voters from concluding that a vote for NZ First is a vote for Labour.

        At the end of the day, a vote for NZ First is a vote for nothing in particular.

        • marty mars 6.1.2.1
          11 September 2017 at 8:14 am

          Yep and I’ve watched a few Māori Party videos and the big question – ‘Do you want Winston or us to be the Kingmaker?’ – along side ‘we can work with both sides’ – the fight is real and desperate.

          I think winnie will drag in a few gnat voters who just hate to be on the losing side – it just doesn’t fit their distorted self image.

    • weka 6.2
      11 September 2017 at 8:05 am

      Interesting, that sounds like a clear indication he is considering supporting a National 4th term. Where did you hear that?

        • Whispering Kate 6.2.1.1
          11 September 2017 at 10:42 am

          My partner was going to vote for Winnie – this morning on hearing this news he turned to me and said “that’s it – Winnie has been unstable recently and lording it over everybody – he isn’t getting my vote” – he will vote Labour or the Greens – this I do know so I wonder how many other people will now give him a miss.

          I have never considered Winnie because of his attitude about who his preferences would be – couldn’t trust him on such an important decision. Incidently I am voting Greens for their climate policies and their compassion for the vulnerable and poor.

  7. riffer 7
    11 September 2017 at 7:57 am

    And if I was GR, there’d be no bloody way this close to 23/9 that I would change tack and start trying to make a positioning statement for the Tax Working Group.

    And have any of the other parties been asked to promise that they will not introduce ANY new taxes?

  8. riffer 8
    11 September 2017 at 8:02 am

    I don’t find the policy on tax too difficult to understand.

    The Tax Working Group will be given a completely clear mandate to look at all tax, with one major exception – nothing they recommend will in any way touch the primary family home.

    • Carolyn_nth 8.1
      11 September 2017 at 8:09 am

      The concern about Labour’s tax plans surely must be a middle-upper class and/or home owners’ concern.

      I doubt it is of much concern to those on low incomes, whether working or on a benefit.

      And that is why it’s getting so much coverage from journalists – all middle-upper class.

      • tracey 8.1.1
        11 September 2017 at 11:58 am

        Good point.

      • Frida 8.1.2
        11 September 2017 at 3:40 pm

        I am ‘apparently’ both of those things and it’s no concern to me, so best not to generalise. Personally I vote for all kiwis, a fairer society and a better future for my children, not for what’s best for my pocket.

    • Hanswurst 8.2
      11 September 2017 at 8:26 am

      I agree. On the other hand, I find it hard not to conclude that Labour’s public positioning on tax is purely a case of electoral expediency. They have decided that it is a lesser electoral risk to give their opponents a broad, vague target, compared to providing a whole lot of specifics, and having some policy analyst from National pull some misguided irrelevancy out of his arse and have the National leader confound them with it, as Key did in one of the debates in 2014.

      Don’t get me wrong, I think Labour’s strategy is the right one (and the blame lies more with the media landscape than with either of the major parties), but it is what it is.

      • Pat 8.2.1
        11 September 2017 at 8:36 am

        “I find it hard not to conclude that Labour’s public positioning on tax is purely a case of electoral expediency.”

        I’m not sure of that….I suspect it is a genuine case of seeking the mandate (and the resources of government especially) to have a wide ranging look at the entire tax system, something they have been unable to do while in opposition due to the revolving door of leadership and financial constraint……they have a broad goal but haven’t determined the detail…….the same could be said of the future of work working group….lots of ideas and no resources.

        • crashcart 8.2.1.1
          11 September 2017 at 8:55 am

          I think they probably have a good idea of what they want to do but are more going to use the working group to add detail and flesh to it. As any party would they will pick and choose what they want to do from a working group. They could release those loose idea’s of where they think they can make some change but going half way is probably worse than what they are doing.

          if you don’t have the detail then don’t fall into the trap of letting National miss characterise what you are going to do and look indecisive.

          As to Ron Mark and his dead rat line. How bad must you be as a party when both sides would consider the policies you hold as a bottom line to be that bad?

        • Hanswurst 8.2.1.2
          11 September 2017 at 9:12 am

          I agree that setting up a working group is a good idea, and I don’t have a problem with their leaving their options open; Ardern has also stated that their goal is to shift the tax base onto wealth as well as earnings, which is really quite enough to make a decision on when comparing their proposals to National’s. However, I do think they could say more about their leanings if they so wished, and I think the reason is electoral expediency.

          • weka 8.2.1.2.1
            11 September 2017 at 9:17 am

            Labour have been saying for a long time that they would have a tax review in their first time (they talked about it last year during the Future of Work thing). You’re probably right about the expediency too.

          • Pat 8.2.1.2.2
            11 September 2017 at 9:38 am

            expedient….no, political yes…inclined to agree with crashcart…if they put forward some of their hoped for detail without a total interconnected package (which doesn’t as yet exist) it opens them up to all sorts of charges when those hoped for details may end up not being implemented at all….if everyone is honest about it,the detail of implementation of any proposed policy is seldom known nor unchanged irrespective of who’s proposing it….this (and all) election will be decided on trust.

            • tracey 8.2.1.2.2.1
              11 September 2017 at 12:03 pm

              John Key was going to have a job summit. No details demanded. A do fest he said, not a talk fest. Whst they did was use it to pretend a mandate for zero contracts, casualisation of the work force and 90 day trials… I do not recall the level of scrutiny being demanded now of Labour

      • tracey 8.2.2
        11 September 2017 at 12:01 pm

        I tend to agree. We saw what happened when they costed spending. It is not like the media have yet to demand independant costings from Bill, and he must have them, cos today he said the extra money for first home buyers(but not of apartments) is not a knee jerk but something in the wings for a while. So let us see them and where is the media scrutiny of this mounting spending from tight fisted Bill.

    • mikesh 8.3
      11 September 2017 at 3:00 pm

      [nothing they recommend will in any way touch the primary family home.]

      In other words she is unwilling to address the massive inequity from not taxing imputed rent, but she is willing to tax the capital gains of those ¨evil¨ speculators which will have them laughing all the way to the bank.

      • greywarshark 8.3.1
        11 September 2017 at 5:07 pm

        mikesh
        Oh dear, what a fault that ordinary people can actually accumulate a bit of wealth for themselves in having a home. Disgraceful. Unfair. If there is an upper limit on a valuation perhaps that would make a division between the ordinary person who has a nice home and someone who is using it to escape reasonable investment taxes. What tax would work for the ‘evil’ speculators best in your opinion?

        You sound like the government that provides a food voucher for someone who is poor, but denies them a packet of chocolate biscuits. They might get something other than plain rations and some enjoyment.

  9. Sanctuary 9
    11 September 2017 at 8:11 am

    Peters is flailing about for any publicity he can get. The fact of the matter is Labour in now going to be the biggest party, and if it can get to mid-high forties and the Greens can keep their shit together and get over the threshold they won’t need him, and thank Christ for that.

  10. Pat 10
    11 September 2017 at 8:24 am

    “The element of fear that was in the business community about a Labour/Green Government, I think, is well gone,” he said.

    “Businesses that are good businesses will still be able to do well under everything I’ve seen from the Labour party.”

    He said issues could arise with tax complexity under Labour, but the business community also faces problems under National led Governments.

    “Business doesn’t necessarily do better under National led Governments,” he said.

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11920633

    the winds of change…..and everyone wants to be on the winning side….

  11. silvertuatara 11
    11 September 2017 at 8:42 am

    Go well in the next 2 weeks Greens, Kia Kaha.

    Caught the last 30 minutes of Larry Williams Newstalk ZB leaders breakfast in which Jacinda Ardern eloquently rebuffed, corrected and informed Mr Williams on many counts of misinformation placed in the public arena about Labours policy and intentions by persons opposed to a change in Government.

    Have to say that the manner in which Jacinda presented herself, with honesty, integrity and humor was uplifting and proof that Jacinda if elected into the position of prime minister on 23 September 2017 will do our country proud, and currently is IMHO by far the most suited person to lead New Zealand down the path of a more fairer and equitable positive future.

    It would be refreshing to have such an inspiring and positive role model championing New Zealand’s and our Pacific Nation’s goals and dream on the world stage…..keeping it positive…..well done Jacinda and the Labour team, supporters and voters.

    I am confident that the Greens will come in comfortably above the 5% threshold and poll stronger than has been recently reported and will be a valued asset within a potential new government lead by Labour.

    [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.]

    • Carolyn_nth 11.1
      11 September 2017 at 8:43 am

      This is a post about a GP policy, not about Labour. Do you have a view on the GP policy?

      • silvertuatara 11.1.1
        11 September 2017 at 4:45 pm

        Thanks Carolyn_nth….yes I praise and support the 11 initiatives outlined in the Greens Climate Protection Plan, each of the recommendations is well thought out and gives proper direction for which a supportive Government can tackle the increasing issues associated with Climate Change going forward.

        I am also glad that the Labour party who hopefully stand to be the largest elected party elected come 23 September, released their Climate Change Policy last week. I see this reflecting Jacinda’s strength of leadership, in that she has fronted first the major climate change issues which Labour have brought to the country during the lead up to the polls closing, to ensure complete transparency.

        A lot of the initiatives are shared between the Greens and the Labour Party, although I appreciate that the Green’s Plan is more comprehensive, and thus will have a wider impact on New Zealanders, businesses and primary producers.

        In an ideal result come 23 Sept 2017, Labour and the Greens would hold a majority, in order to be able to govern alone, placing the Greens in a position to be able to seek possible concessions and variations to Labour’s climate policy initiatives.

        Having said that, if Labour are in the position to form a coalition government, I would also like to see Labour seek memorandum’s of understandings, and or formal coalition talks with the Maori Party and also New Zealand First, for which there are a broad range of shared values and beliefs between all four parties.

        If Labour, Greens, the Maori Party and New Zealand formed the Government based on the last Colmar Brunton poll, they would have a solid 59% of the vote and a dominant mandate to effect the changes that are required to redirect National’s past 9 years of management that has favored the more well off sectors of NZ society, and that has opened up cracks in essential social services due to punitive policy and underfunding by National and it’s coalition supporters.

        So Yes, the Greens climate plan is awesome and hopefully over the next 9 years the bulk of the Green Policy has been assimilated into legislation for the betterment of New Zealanders and the planet as a whole.

    • tracey 11.2
      11 September 2017 at 11:38 am

      Great to hear. Williams seems to slip under the radar when National cheerleaders are discussed

    • Bearded Git 11.3
      11 September 2017 at 3:46 pm

      steven mills said on rnz this morning that UMR have the greens at 7%

    • silvertuatara 11.4
      11 September 2017 at 4:01 pm

      Thanks…my apologies about that….I did not know about Open Mike and appreciate your assistance, and note that your comments were valid as the post was not on topic in the article it was posted in…sorry to anyone who this may have upset….but rest assured that I hope that the Greens help shape the next Government negotiated by Labour, and I have my fingers crossed that the Green’s current polling increases.

  12. garibaldi 12
    11 September 2017 at 8:49 am

    Bill English on TV this am talking about suicide…. “We need to try something more and different”. It sounded like “more indifferent”. Which option would you believe from National?
    Once again he was flailing around. Time we put him out of his misery.

  13. ianmac 13
    11 September 2017 at 9:17 am

    “Speaking to Fran O’Sullivan for the Herald’s Mood of the Boardroom series, Campbell said the Jacinda effect of the new Labour leader had “changed the game significantly” and the business and wider community was relaxed about the prospect of a change in Government.”

    That is good news for Green and Labour.

    • tc 13.1
      11 September 2017 at 9:46 am

      Big business only works if theres an economy/society to consume their product so this is more about their bottom line than any moral or social outcome.

      • tracey 13.1.1
        11 September 2017 at 12:08 pm

        I have to disagree. Bob Campbell is something of a shining light amongst Directors precisely because he accepts that profits are not the only responsibility of businesses. And yes I know he is a Chair of Somerset and aged care employers must improve.

  14. millsy 14
    11 September 2017 at 9:27 am

    All going well, this time in 2 weeks, we will have Labour back in power.

    But it isnt over yet. Anything can happen in the next 2 weeks.

  15. Southern Man 15
    11 September 2017 at 10:22 am

    According to Federated Farmers…

    By the time farmers were paying for 100 per cent of their emissions, the federation said it would cost the primary industry more than $830 million per year.

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/96665676/federated-farmers-say-the-ets-will-cost-the-primary-industry-83-million

    In other words, farmers (mostly pastoral agriculture) are benefiting by $830m per year by having everyone else pay for their emissions. What does MSD Minister Anne Tolley have to say about that?

  16. Nick 16
    11 September 2017 at 11:04 am

    3 positive headlines on NZHerald website front page at the moment….

    “Fear of a Labour/Green govt ‘gone’
    “Ardern slaps down National MP on euthanasia”
    “Ardern tackles smear campaign on abortion stance”

  17. Pat 17
    11 September 2017 at 11:33 am

    M.Hooten has just capitulated on RNZ…and man does he sound like he needs a drink.

  18. gsays 18
    11 September 2017 at 12:44 pm

    Ahh.. the bleating begins.
    Leading rnz rural news segments: sth island Fed farmers leader grizzling about ‘some political parties kicking cockies around’, followed by more tax-mongering, re cgt: is my farm my home?

    As predicted by some here as part of the desperate thrashing about of an ‘election strategy’.

  19. Trey 19
    11 September 2017 at 1:55 pm

    FFS. Really over this type of crap in the herald. Can’t Soper remember his mate John Key and the cult of personality that surrounded him.

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11920809

  20. greywarshark 20
    11 September 2017 at 2:04 pm

    NBR headline – NZ Post annual profit drops by 34% after sale of Kiwi Bank stake.

    Just the way to weaken our country’s hold on its own jewels. Next thing we’ll be prostrate.

  21. Brendan 21
    11 September 2017 at 3:27 pm

    Anyone know when the next Roy Morgan poll is out? They seem to be far less frequent.

  22. chris73 22
    11 September 2017 at 3:32 pm

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/96701209/nat-mp-simon-oconnor-jacinda-ardern-encourages-suicide-with-euthanasia-stance

    Starting to wonder if this is deliberate but I’m guessing English now knows what its like to be shat on by your own party

    • marty mars 22.1
      11 September 2017 at 10:08 pm

      I think the shatting was from old monKey – ditched the ship and left a bozo in charge – bill doing his best but making mistakes across the board and instead of accepting he wasn’t up to it like last time he has hung on and and shat all over the party and his MP’s and now they are looking down the gurgler he backs dildo joyce and his lies – and that is after bill was caught out lying about todd and that affair. ffs is there any such thing as a trustworthy gnat – no there ain’t. Basically the whole gnat crew are shatters and shattees and they love it!!!

  24. cleangreen 24
    11 September 2017 at 4:28 pm

    Jacinda = a very intelligent lady

    See Leighton Smith – it was so easy to describe Jacinda.

    ilovejacinda.

  25. Eco maori 25
    11 September 2017 at 8:07 pm

    To news hub I like fish but not with hooks in it kapai.

    I made comments on Marae about the other people respecting Korako Nuk for his seniority in age well I read that wrong Korako had already captivated his ordinance with his kick in the private parts to Shane Jones twice.Now Shane 80 percent of men DO this and the other 20 percent of men that DON’T admit to this are liers like Korakos and his national so Shane DON’T be to hard on yourself because I no Korako thinks like nationals Muppets do and does not give a shit about my privacy rights.
    So my remarks about Korako are well placed kapai

  26. greywarshark 26
    11 September 2017 at 8:27 pm

    There is a blog e2nz.org that purports to give facts about NZ but just seems to enjoy slagging off the country. Leaves a nasty taste in the mouth.

    https://e2nz.org/2017/03/01/the-reason-why-nz-needs-migrants-is-because-kiwis-use-too-much-drugs-poor-work-ethic/

  27. Eco maori 27
    11 September 2017 at 9:02 pm

    Eureka now bill english said so himself that he was happy that there is no constitution signed into law in NZ. So he And national can shit allover our human rights privacy rights and OUR SOCIETY AND environment and they will never be held accountable for there crimes. And this is the reason that national are undermining TOPS and the Greens because they want the principles of the treaty signed into law and this will stop all the bull shit that has been going on in our beautiful country and that is what the snakey bill and his puppets are up to.

  29. Eco maori 29
    11 September 2017 at 11:29 pm

    Yes Joe90 the national party are idiots and O-Conner is one of bills boys to try and create histera and hate.
    But everyone knows what they are up to. We’re do they find them.

  30. Eco maori 30
    12 September 2017 at 5:08 am

    Well working 13 hour days trying to catch up with the bills working 2 jobs.
    I’m very carefull who I write about as I’m not into upsetting other people life’s but for the cause of changing government some people I will write my point of view on them especially these people whom live in a glass bubbles and lie that our country and our environment and say it’s all good

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    1 week ago

  • How Budget 2020 is supporting jobs
    This year’s Budget is about rebuilding New Zealand together in the face of COVID-19. Jobs are central to how we’re going to do that.There’s a lot of targeted investment for employment in this year’s Budget, with announcements on creating new jobs, training people for the jobs we have, and supporting ...
    Labour Blog
    1 week ago

  • Winston Peters says China didn’t want NZ to go into lockdown
    Speaking to Stuff's Coronavirus NZ podcast, Foreign Minister Winston Peters revealed China tried to dissuade New Zealand from going into lockdown. “Without speaking out of turn, they wanted a discussion as to why we were doing it, because they thought it was an overreaction,” Mr Peters told Stuff’s Coronavirus NZ podcast. He also ...
    NZ First News
    2 weeks ago

  • Changes made to Overseas Investment Act to protect New Zealand assets
    The Coalition Government is making changes to the Overseas Investment Act to ensure New Zealand assets don't fall into the hands of foreign ownership in the economic aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Associate Minister of Finance David Parker announced the Act will be amended to bring forward a national interest ...
    NZ First News
    2 weeks ago

  • Winston Peters: Trans-Tasman bubble to help tourism industry make swift recovery
    A quick start to a trans-Tasman bubble could see the tourism industry make a swift recovery, according to Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters. "I believe tourism will turn around dramatically faster than people think," Mr Peters told reporters after Thursday's Budget. "Why? Because I think the Tasman bubble is [going ...
    NZ First News
    2 weeks ago

  • Rt. Hon Winston Peters: Budget Speech
    Rt Hon Winston Peters, Leader of New Zealand First   Please check against delivery https://vimeo.com/418303651 Budget 2020: Jobs, Business and Balance   Introduction Acknowledgements to all Cabinet colleagues, and party ministers Tracey Martin, Shane Jones and Ron Mark, Under-Secretary Fletcher Tabuteau and to caucus colleagues. Thank you for your support, your ...
    NZ First Press Release
    2 weeks ago

  • Jacinda Ardern’s 2020 Budget Speech
    Read Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's Budget 2020 Speech. ...
    Labour Blog
    2 weeks ago

  • Budget 2020: Next steps to end family and sexual violence
    The 2020 Budget includes significant support to stabilise New Zealand’s family violence services, whose work has been shown to be so essential throughout the COVID-19 lockdown. ...
    Greens
    2 weeks ago

  • Investment in housing gives more people access to the home they deserve
    The Green Party says huge new investment in public and transitional housing will get thousands more families into the warm, safe homes they deserve.  ...
    Greens
    2 weeks ago

  • Budget 2020: Huge investment in green nature based jobs jump starts sustainable COVID recovery
    The Green Party says the $1.1 billion environmental investment in this year’s budget to create thousands of green jobs will help jump start a sustainable recovery from the COVID crisis. ...
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    2 weeks ago

  • Grant Robertson’s 2020 Budget Speech
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    Labour Blog
    2 weeks ago

  • Winston Peters tells struggling migrant workers ‘you should probably go home’
    Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters said today the Coalition Government told foreigners at the start of the Covid-19 crisis that if their circumstances had changed dramatically, they should go home. "And 50,000 did," Mr Peters said. Official advice to Cabinet revealed there is potentially 380,000 foreigners and migrant workers in ...
    NZ First News
    2 weeks ago

  • New Zealand First welcomes today’s Alert Level 2 announcement
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    NZ First Press Release
    2 weeks ago

  • Nurses to be protected after amendment to First Responders Bill
    Nurses now look set to get more protection from violence at work, under a proposed new law. This after NZ First MP Darroch Ball's "Protection for First Responders Bill", which introduces a six-month minimum sentence for assaults on first responders, will now also cover emergency department healthcare workers. The ...
    NZ First News
    2 weeks ago

  • Nurses to get more protection, added to ‘First Responders’ legislation
    Darroch Ball MP, New Zealand First Law and Order Spokesperson An amendment to the ‘Protection of First Responders Bill’ is being tabled which will see emergency department healthcare workers included in the legislation. “During this COVID-19 crisis we have seen reports of violence and specifically increased incidents of spitting towards ...
    NZ First Press Release
    2 weeks ago

  • Shane Jones: Northland port could be economic haven
    Infrastructure Minister Shane Jones is breathing new life into the proposal to move Auckland's port to Whangārei to help in the economic recovery post Covid-19 pandemic. If New Zealand First was returned in the September general election, Minister Jones said a priority would be development of an "economic haven" at Northport, ...
    NZ First News
    2 weeks ago

  • PGF grant for Ventnor memorial
    The plan to build a memorial to the SS Ventnor, and those who were lost when it sank off the Hokianga coast in 1902, has been granted $100,000 from the Provincial Growth Fund. Originally planned for a site near Rāwene cemetery, the memorial will now be built at the new Manea ...
    NZ First News
    2 weeks ago

  • 75th anniversary of V.E Day
    Rt Hon Winston Peters, New Zealand First Leader Leader of New Zealand First, Rt Hon Winston Peters said: “Today is the 75th anniversary of VE Day – marking the end of World War II in Europe." Millions died in the six years of war, and families were torn apart. 75 years ...
    NZ First Press Release
    2 weeks ago

  • Week That Was: Getting the job done
    From the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, our Government has committed to providing calm, clear, and consistent communication, including regular press conference updates from the Prime Minister. While New Zealand is at Alert Level 3, we're making sure that New Zealanders are kept informed and up-to-date with all the latest ...
    Labour Blog
    2 weeks ago

  • Winston Peters responds to Simon Bridges’ ‘my sweetheart’ comment
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    NZ First News
    2 weeks ago

  • Time to pay essential heroes a decent wage, says Green Party
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    3 weeks ago

  • New payment to support Kiwis through COVID
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    9 hours ago

  • PGF reset helps regional economies
    The Provincial Growth Fund will play a vital role in New Zealand’s post-COVID-19 recovery by creating jobs in shorter timeframes through at least $600 million being refocused on projects with more immediate economic benefits, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones has announced. The funding is comprised of repurposed Provincial Growth ...
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    1 day ago

  • Government exempts some home improvements from costly consents
    Government exempts some home improvements from costly consents Homeowners, builders and DIYers will soon have an easier time making basic home improvements as the Government scraps the need for consents for low-risk building work such as sleep-outs, sheds and carports – allowing the construction sector to fire back up quicker ...
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    1 day ago

  • Concern at introduction of national security legislation for Hong Kong
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    2 days ago

  • Samoa Language Week theme is perfect for the post-COVID-19 journey
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    2 days ago

  • Adult kakī/black stilt numbers soar
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    3 days ago

  • Waikato-Tainui settlement story launched on 25th anniversary of Treaty signing
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    3 days ago

  • Taita College to benefit from $32 million school redevelopment
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    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Redeployment for workers in hard-hit regions
    The Government is allocating $36.72 million to projects in regions hard hit economically by COVID-19 to keep people working, Economic Development Minister Phil Twyford and Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones announced today. Projects in Hawke’s Bay, Northland, Rotorua and Queenstown will be funded from the Government’s $100 million worker ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • $35m to build financial resilience for New Zealanders
    A $35m boost to financial capability service providers funded by MSD will help New Zealanders manage their money better both day to day and through periods of financial difficulty, announced Social Development Minister Carmel Sepuloni. “It’s always been our position to increase support to key groups experiencing or at risk ...
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    4 days ago

  • New District Court Judge appointed
    Dunedin barrister Melinda Broek has been appointed as a District Court Judge with Family Court jurisdiction to be based in Rotorua, Attorney-General David Parker announced today. Ms Broek has iwi affiliations to Ngai Tai. She commenced her employment in 1996 with Scholefield Cockroft Lloyd in Invercargill specialising in family and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • $206 million investment in upgrades at Ohakea Air Force Base
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    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Review of CAA organisational culture released
    Transport Minister Phil Twyford today released the Ministry of Transport’s review of the organisational culture at the Civil Aviation Authority. Phil Twyford says all employees are entitled to a safe work environment. “I commissioned this independent review due to the concerns I had about the culture within the CAA, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • New Board appointed at Stats NZ
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    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • New Principal Environment Judge
    Environment Judge David Kirkpatrick of Auckland has been appointed as the Principal Environment Judge, Attorney-General David Parker announced today.  Judge Kirkpatrick was appointed an Environment Judge in February 2014. From December 2013 to July 2016 he was Chair of the Auckland Unitary Plan Independent Hearings Panel. Prior to appointment he ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Digital connectivity boost for urban marae
    A programme to connect marae around the country to the internet has received $1.4 million to expand to include urban marae in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, Broadcasting, Communications and Digital Media Minister Kris Faafoi and Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones announced today. The funding for the Marae Connectivity Programme ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Govt increases assistance to drought-stricken Hawke’s Bay farmers
    The Government will provide $500,000 to the Hawke’s Bay Mayoral Drought Relief Fund to help farmers facing one of the worst droughts in living memory, says Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor. “Yesterday afternoon I received a letter from Hawke's Bay's five local Government leaders asking me to contribute to the Fund. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Investment in New Zealand’s history
    Budget 2020 provides a major investment in New Zealand’s documentary heritage sector, with a commitment to leasing a new Archives Wellington facility and an increase in funding for Archives and National Library work. “Last year I released plans for a new Archives Wellington building – a purpose-built facility physically connected ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Driving prompt payments to small businesses
    Government Ministers are asking significant private enterprises to adopt prompt payment practices in line with the state sector, as a way to improve cashflow for small businesses. The Ministers of Finance, Small Business, Commerce and Consumer Affairs have written to more than 40 significant enterprises and banking industry representatives to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Rotorua tourist icon to be safeguarded
    Maori Arts and Crafts will continue to underpin the heart of the tourism sector says Minister for Maori Development Nanaia Mahuta.  “That’s why we are making a core investment of $7.6 million to Te Puia New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute, over two years, as part of the Government’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • $14.7m for jobs training and education
    The Government is funding more pathways to jobs through training and education programmes in regional New Zealand to support the provinces’ recovery from the economic impacts of COVID-19, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones and Employment Minister Willie Jackson have announced. “New Zealand’s economic recovery will be largely driven by ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Is it time to further recognise those who serve in our military?
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    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Paving the way for a fully qualified early learning workforce
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    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Sport Recovery Package announced
    The Sport and Recreation sector will receive a multi-million dollar boost as part of the COVID-19 response funded at Budget 2020.  Grant Robertson says the Sport and Recreation Sector contributes about $5 billion a year to New Zealand’s GDP and employs more than 53,000 people. “Sport plays a significant role ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Major boost in support for caregivers and children
    A major increase in funding and availability of support will improve the incomes and reduce the pressure on 14,000 caregivers looking after more than 22,000 children. Children’s Minister Tracey Martin says that caregivers – all those looking after someone else’s children both in and outside the state care system – ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Great Walks recovery on track for summer
    Vital conservation and visitor infrastructure destroyed by a severe flood event in Fiordland earlier this year is being rebuilt through a $13.7 million Budget 2020 investment, announced Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage.   “This investment will mean iconic Great Walks such as the Routeburn track and the full length of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Māori – Government partnership gives whānau a new housing deal
    The Government is investing  $40 million in a partnership with Māori to get more whānau into warm, dry and secure accommodation, Associate Minister for Housing (Māori Housing) Hon Nanaia Mahuta says.. “We are partnering with Māori and iwi to respond to the growing housing crisis in the wake of COVID-19. ...
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    1 week ago

  • Keeping New Zealanders Safe In The Water
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    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Legal framework for COVID-19 Alert Level referred to select committee
    The COVID-19 Public Health Response Act 2020, which set a sound legal framework ahead of the move to Alert level 2, has been referred to a parliamentary select committee for review.  Attorney-General David Parker said the review of the operation of the COVID-19 specific law would be reported back to ...
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    1 week ago

  • New Zealand condemns shocking attacks on hospital and funeral in Afghanistan
    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters says New Zealand condemns the targeting of civilians in two terrorist attacks in Afghanistan earlier this week. “The terrorist attacks on a hospital in Kabul and a funeral in Nangarhar province are deeply shocking. The attacks were deliberate and heinous acts of extreme violence targeting ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government to close tobacco tax loophole
    The Government will close a loophole that allowed some people to import cigarettes and loose leaf tobacco for manufacturing cigarettes and ‘roll your owns’ for sale on the black market without excise tax being paid, says Minister of Customs Jenny Salesa. The legislation, which doesn’t affect duty free allowances for ...
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    1 week ago

  • $62 million package to support families through the Family Court
    The Coalition Government has made a significant $62 million investment from the COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund to start the reform of the Family Court and enable it to respond effectively to the increased backlog caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Today Justice Minister Andrew Little introduced the Family Court (Supporting ...
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    1 week ago

  • Tailored help supports new type of job seeker – report
    The Government’s expanded services to support people into jobs will help an emerging cohort of New Zealanders impacted by COVID-19. The impacted group are relatively younger, have a proportionately low benefit history and have comparatively higher incomes than most who seek support, as captured in a report published today from ...
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    1 week ago

  • A modern approach to night classes
    New funding to boost Government-funded Adult and Community Education (ACE) will give more than 11,000 New Zealanders more opportunities to learn, Education Minister Chris Hipkins said. “This includes a modern approach to rebuilding night classes, which were slashed in the middle of our last economic crisis in 2010,” Chris Hipkins ...
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    1 week ago

  • Christchurch Call makes significant progress
    Significant progress has been delivered in the year since the Christchurch Call to Action brought governments and tech companies together in Paris with a single goal to eliminate terrorist and violent extremist content online, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardent says. On its first anniversary, Ardern and French President Emmanuel Macron as ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Christchurch Call: One year Anniversary
    Joint statement: the Right Honourable Jacinda Ardern Prime Minister of New Zealand and His Excellency Emmanuel Macron President of the French Republic. One year since we launched, in Paris, the Christchurch Call to Action, New Zealand and France stand proud of the progress we have made toward our goal to eliminate terrorist ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Budget 2020: Jobs and opportunities for the primary sector
    $19.3 million to help attract and train recently unemployed New Zealanders and grow the primary sector workforce by 10,000 people. $128 million for wilding pine and wallaby control, providing hundreds of jobs. $45.3m over four years to help horticulture seize opportunities for future growth. $14.9 million to reduce food waste ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • New registration system for forestry advisers and log traders
    A new log registration scheme and practice standards will bring us one step closer to achieving ‘value over volume’ in our forestry sector, Forestry Minister Shane Jones says. New legislation introduced as part of Budget 2020 will require forestry advisers, log traders and exporters to register and work to nationally ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Finance Minister’s Budget 2020 s Budget Speech
    Mr Speaker, I move that the Appropriation (2020/21 Estimates) Bill be now read a second time. From its very beginning this Coalition Government has committed to putting the wellbeing of current and future generations of New Zealanders at the heart of everything we do. There is no time in New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Finance Minister’s Budget 2020 Budget Speech
    Mr Speaker, I move that the Appropriation (2020/21 Estimates) Bill be now read a second time. From its very beginning this Coalition Government has committed to putting the wellbeing of current and future generations of New Zealanders at the heart of everything we do. There is no time in New ...
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    2 weeks ago

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