web analytics

Open mike 12/11/2019

Written By: - Date published: 7:00 am, November 12th, 2019 - 73 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 …

73 comments on “Open mike 12/11/2019 ”

  • Comments are now closed

  2. A 2
    12 November 2019 at 7:17 am

    "Boomers will live a long time. I think the life expectancy at 65 is now 89 years. So they will consume a lot of wealth to fund their retirement. There may be less left than their children may want."

    The level of deprivation among severely disabled in the benefit system is so great that they may not be living until retirement age. They should at least have parity in terms of the amount they receive so they too can live.

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/117339974/policies-hardcoded-differences-between-baby-boomers-and-younger-generations-researcher-says

    • Rosemary McDonald 2.1
      12 November 2019 at 11:03 am

      Indeed, A.

      Thinking that The Kindness would be inclusive of non ACC severely disabled was foolish.

      We have learned.

    • Dukeofurl 2.2
      12 November 2019 at 12:42 pm

      "they should at least have parity in terms of the amount they receive so they too can live. "

      No one has parity of amount in the existing super system. Women live longer than men .Those still working indeed receive a bonus on top of their income.

      For a person at 65 now the median years left is 21.7 yrs female and 19.6 males.

      All that possibly can be offered is 'early retirement' before 65 not parity of amount.

  3. millsy 3
    12 November 2019 at 7:26 am

    According to an NZ Herald article from yesterday that is behind their paywall (of course it is!), the government is ditching the education hub proposal.

    This is less a backdown than a capitulation to the richest schools in the country, such as Auckland Grammar, etc, who are benefiting the most from the Tomorrow's School's setup.

    • Sanctuary 3.1
      12 November 2019 at 7:29 am

      Totally agree. Labour is just so gutless, they shit themselves everytime the middle class cock an eyebrow at them.

      • tc 3.1.1
        12 November 2019 at 7:46 am

        +100 that and NZF have made this a disappointing term.

        Nash,mallard, twyford, Hipkins,robertson, Jones etc blah blah on unchecked.

    • ianmac 3.2
      12 November 2019 at 10:03 am

      Yes they are ditching the hub but likely replacing it with a system to assist the failing schools in other ways. One of the reasons for the hub had been to assist the 20% of failures.

      Remember how the previous Government bulldozed changes without consultation? This time consultation has resulted in modification. Can't have it both ways.

    • Bearded Git 3.3
      12 November 2019 at 10:16 am

      It sounded like another complicated and expensive layer of bureaucracy to me.

    • Ad 3.4
      12 November 2019 at 1:59 pm

      After all the grief they got from the teachers' and principals' unions, it just wasn't worth it.

      I just haven't see a part of the public service this government has been capable of reforming.

      No justice reforms

      No energy reforms

      No education reforms

      No health reforms (other than cancer)

      No social welfare reforms

      No tertiary education reforms

      No local government reforms

      No competition reforms

      No tax reforms

      Some housing reforms.

      Limited transport reforms.

      What they will end up with at the end of the term is:

      We spent more money where it was needed.

      Ta-daaa!

      • Sacha 3.4.1
        12 November 2019 at 2:20 pm

        No health reforms

        Haven't tried yet while the very detailed review process continues. About to announce some moves this week apparently.

        The rest of your list ignores what has been done – or just tells us how good your eyesight is.

        • Ad 3.4.1.1
          12 November 2019 at 3:21 pm

          Look you can recite the entire Ardern achievements video if you like. Go ahead and form a little glee club if a bit of a critique is too snowflakey for you.

          None of the achievements she states refer to the actual benchmarks they legislated that they would be held against.

          They are ok at redistributing tax money.

          They are just shit at structural or public sector reform.

          • Sacha 3.4.1.1.1
            12 November 2019 at 3:51 pm

            Exaggerating undercuts your argument. The word 'No' is not your friend.

          • Dukeofurl 3.4.1.1.2
            12 November 2019 at 5:56 pm

            Education reforms …tadaaa

            Tertiary Education reforms…tadaaa

            Local Government/Water supply …..tadaaa

            Other reforms were advanced but blocked by coalition partners, Ad still lives in a pre 1996 world

            • Ad 3.4.1.1.2.1
              12 November 2019 at 8:40 pm

              The tertiary polytech one is a proposal.

              The education one from today is a tinker that kills one reform and proposes an even milder one.

              Nothing has happened in fresh water other than some standards.

          • OnceWasTim 3.4.1.1.3
            12 November 2019 at 6:37 pm

            Well I might agree on one thing:

            "They are just shit at xxxxxxxxxx xx public sector reform."

            except that I think they've only just worked out where most of the bullshit has been emanating from.

            Maarten Wevers just suprised me I have to say, but then I 'spose after 37 years that wasn't too surprising. "No surprises" in fact.

            One thing to tell a Minister of a politician's actions which could potentially become a big issue. The need to actually name the politician (especially given past record) quite another

          • millsy 3.4.1.1.4
            12 November 2019 at 11:20 pm

            "They are just shit at structural or public sector reform".

            We have a virtual public sector. Everything is outsourced. Even property.

            That is why Jacinda's government cannot reform it.

  4. gsays 4
    12 November 2019 at 9:38 am

    Big thanks to Robert for putting this link up on Daily Review last night.

    Interesting information. He talks about the impacts of industrial agriculture on soils.

    It bears reposting.

  5. joe90 5
    12 November 2019 at 10:24 am

    'Straya burns, 'Murica freezes.

  6. weka 6
    12 November 2019 at 10:37 am

    Thoughts on this Standardistas?

    • Dukeofurl 6.1
      12 November 2019 at 12:31 pm

      Arent the Greens such a movement. Yes they broke away from the Alliance , but that was as it name suggests a group of pre -existing parties and they still had an 'identity' within the Alliance

      • weka 6.1.1
        12 November 2019 at 1:48 pm

        true. The Greens predate the Alliance, and it could be argued that they arose out of a movement from the old Values Party and environmental groups.

        • Dukeofurl 6.1.1.1
          12 November 2019 at 2:04 pm

          yes. I think voters look for authenticity in movements.

          I just found out the other day Apirana Ngata and others founded the Young Maori Party at the turn of the century. So creating political partys isnt new. Clearly maori political aspirations existed as a movement too.

          It still exists in a different form as the YMP Sports club on the East Coast

    • McFlock 6.2
      12 November 2019 at 2:38 pm

      I suspect most new parties think they're the groundswell of a popular movement – TOP, the various Density Church parties, etc.

      If Morgan thought his ideas didn't have popular support, he wouldn't have been such a dick when he lost.

      • weka 6.2.1
        12 November 2019 at 4:03 pm

        I think that proves my (unspoken) point. TOP thought they had popular support, rather than building actual popular support via a movement. Parachute parties.

        Tava says he wants 10% of the vote next year. Why?

        • McFlock 6.2.1.1
          12 November 2019 at 4:28 pm

          Not so sure about that with TOP. Yes, it was mostly Morgan's money, but the entire UBI/flat tax/social justice model had been building popularity separately to TOP.

          As opposed to Conservatives, which AFAIK had no new or significant policies other than Craig's chequebook.

          Even the Density crowd could be assured of leveraging some support from existing organisations.

          Tav's dreaming about 10% – if there's any basis to it, it would probably a guess as to what the Greens' base vote would be and the tory assumption that they'll just take most of the Greens' vote. But more to the point, I'm not sure there is a clearly delineated "blue/green" bloc, within or outside the Greens. It's a party being built in the belief that it will create such a movement, rather than leverage existing divisions.

          Yes, there are conservatives who fancy themselves as environmentalists, but as someone said recently (and I forget who) "the only place blue-greens exist is on a colour palette"

          • Sacha 6.2.1.1.1
            12 November 2019 at 4:40 pm

            the only place blue-greens exist

            algae

          • weka 6.2.1.1.2
            12 November 2019 at 5:09 pm

            "Yes, it was mostly Morgan's money, but the entire UBI/flat tax/social justice model had been building popularity separately to TOP."

            True, but that's not what TOP or Morgan was promoting. His pre-TOP think tank produced a model that was economic not socially just. His TOP policy was a mess. I don't see a lot of movement buy in for what he was suggesting before he formed TOP, more that there was interest from different parts of society (which is a different thing). Movement to me would be like SS4C, where you have a reasonably coherent set of groups with similar aims and working together. If there was one thing that characterised TOP it was that we were supposed to follow the leader (of TOP not of any movement).

            • McFlock 6.2.1.1.2.1
              12 November 2019 at 5:12 pm

              SS4C?

              • weka …
                12 November 2019 at 5:14 pm

                School Strike for Climate.

                Thinking of recent movements that have the potential to become party political.

                • McFlock …
                  12 November 2019 at 5:42 pm

                  gotcha.

                  My thinking is that there's a wide range in the size of movements, and that TOP (not just Morgan) did expect to get the support of a lot of the folks who were vocal about a UBI. And Density have managed to get thousands in the streets before now, so I think they think there might be a movement there.

                  But I don't think Tava's crowd have a genuine belief that there is such a movement in NZ – I think it's more a general punt that they might get somewhere, or at least and ACT-style sinecure/rotten seat for their personal income.

                  I don't think it's in the nature of "movements" to have a centralised decision to form a party. Political parties follow centralised hierarchies and bureaucracies, while movements are largely people who turn up if they have a moment to spare. So whle prominent people in a movement might leverage their prominance for a new political party, I suspect it's much more grey than the movement setting up the party.

                  The only exception that comes to mind is ACT coming from the "association of consumers and taxpayers", for whatever that counts as a "movement".

                  • Sacha …
                    12 November 2019 at 5:44 pm

                    Selfish rich people have been a movement for centuries.

                  • weka …
                    12 November 2019 at 6:20 pm

                    "and that TOP (not just Morgan) did expect to get the support of a lot of the folks who were vocal about a UBI"

                    Yes, but isn't this the problem? That rather than doing the mahi from within the movement or even alongside the movement, there is this tendency to set up the party and expect people to get on board. The IP did something similar and did get some decent engagement. But because it was based around a massive ego who then gave up when things didn't go his way, there was no movement that existed for its own sake.

                    Destiny might be different, given they have a congregation that exists whether the party exists or not.

                    • bwaghorn …
                      12 November 2019 at 6:31 pm

                      The biggest problem was Morgan turned out to be a one election gutless wonder. If he'd kept at it he may have got to 5% this election .

                      His banging on about wanting evidence based policy is what got my interest.

                    • weka []
                      12 November 2019 at 8:15 pm

                      “His banging on about wanting evidence based policy is what got my interest.”

                      He talked a good game, but when it came down to it, he was really antagnostic to his policy and the evidence behind it being examined. Which was odd, because it should have been able to stand up to scrutiny if it was well based on evidence. He came in with a large bias from his personal philosophy and was unable to admit that (or maybe he just thought was right and everyone else was wrong, lol).

                    • McFlock …
                      12 November 2019 at 6:38 pm

                      But Morgan and co did do work within and alongside the UBI movement, well before founding the party. And it certainly existed before he got involved.

                      Mana party might also be an example.

                      bwaghorn: yeah, totally. He seemed to follow the maxim “If at first you don’t succeed, throw a tantrum and fuck off” lol

                    • weka …
                      12 November 2019 at 8:13 pm

                      "But Morgan and co did do work within and alongside the UBI movement, well before founding the party."

                      Can you give some examples?

                      "And it certainly existed before he got involved."

                      Yes, and then he went and set up a party on his own.

                      Agreed about MANA even though it was from HH leaving the Mp.

                    • arkie …
                      12 November 2019 at 8:26 pm

                      He and Susan Guthrie wrote The Big Kahuna in 2011:

                      One day, when he was contributing to the Tax and Welfare Working Group, economist Gareth Morgan made an off-the-cuff remark that the solution to all of New Zealand's tax and welfare woes lay in abolishing the present welfare system and radically overhauling the tax system. He called this idea the big kahuna.

                      The Big Kahuna takes as its base assumption that we don't, as a society, accept that huge differences in income are acceptable and that we therefore choose to redistribute wealth. While they are generally regarded as separate, the tax and welfare systems are fundamentally both methods of doing just that – redistributing income from those who have plenty to those who don't.

                      https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22101818-the-big-kahuna

          • Gabby 6.2.1.1.3
            12 November 2019 at 5:44 pm

            Does he get a bonus from his masters if he gets to 10%?

      • Sabine 6.2.2
        12 November 2019 at 4:11 pm

        Morgan was a dick when he lost because simply he is a dick.

        If he weren't such a dick he would not have thrown away the baby because he lost.

        He would have known that sometimes stuff is harder then just selling some investments and making gazillions of it – tax free of course.

        btw, did morgan start to pay any taxes yet, or is he still one of these proud smart rich people who don't ever have to pay taxes at all cause loopholes for rich people, while calling workers who have to pay income tax 'paye slaves'? Cause that is what the dick called tax payers in a conversation with me.

        • weka 6.2.2.1
          12 November 2019 at 5:11 pm

          Beggars belief that he the support he did on the left.

          • mikesh 6.2.2.1.1
            12 November 2019 at 11:22 pm

            He did have sensible tax policies, unlike the left wing parties with their illogical and ineffectual capital gains tax. I have the impression that he attracted votes from the more thoughtful on both sides of the political spectrum.

  7. adam 7
    12 November 2019 at 11:53 am

    Ohh My….

    http://www.abajournal.com/news/article/defamation-accusations-fly-in-feud-between-alan-dershowitz-and-david-boies

    Looks like the kiddy f&^*^s may be outed this time.

    Mind you, if it looks like Dershowitz may lose – he may accidently just fall down some stairs.

    Gotta wonder who else was on that plane…

  8. ianmac 8
    12 November 2019 at 12:23 pm

    "Does he/she stand by all his/her Government’s policies and statements" at QT?

    Did the Key Government get that form of questioning from the then Opposition?

    My wife says yes. I say no.

    • The Al1en 8.1
      12 November 2019 at 12:40 pm

      You owe her a pint. They frequently used that question in opposition.

      • Sacha 8.1.1
        12 November 2019 at 1:14 pm

        Been going for years.

      • ianmac 8.1.2
        12 November 2019 at 1:56 pm

        Thanks Alien and Sacha. Gee I hate it when she is right!

        • Sacha 8.1.2.1
          12 November 2019 at 2:15 pm

          Cheers to you both 🙂

        • The Al1en 8.1.2.2
          12 November 2019 at 2:20 pm

          Mines a double double if you're both buying 😉

        • McFlock 8.1.2.3
          12 November 2019 at 2:49 pm

          It's not really a question these days, it's more of a ritual to avoid giving notice of what their actual question is going to be.

          pros: the opposition gets to do a wee ambush

          cons: if the followups are too precise, the ministerial response can dodge giving specific answers on the grounds of the lack of warning.

          • Sacha 8.1.2.3.1
            12 November 2019 at 3:53 pm

            Whole thing is getting a bit ridiculous.

            Especially if one party is using it to set up shots (for later editing) of their MPs asking questions about whatever they like, even knowing they will be dismissed or ruled out of order. Still has the right background visuals to lend some authoritah.

          • mac1 8.1.2.3.2
            12 November 2019 at 3:55 pm

            Another con in its use is the chance for the Minister to choose a reply whereby he or she highlights some aspect of their work or policy. Bit like a free shot before the targeted questioning begins. Jacinda Ardern is very good at this.

            • Sacha 8.1.2.3.2.1
              12 November 2019 at 3:58 pm

              Yes, using the latitude Speakers have always given in exchange for the nonsensically broad scope of the Question. Not good for accountability in any way.

              Much like patsies, whose speedy death I would welcome.

            • ianmac 8.1.2.3.2.2
              12 November 2019 at 4:21 pm

              Yes Jacinda really nails the opportunity and to my mind she undermines the lame questions that follow from Bridges. And for some Opposition members they seem unable to adjust and ask the question after the answer. Inflexible?

  9. Stuart Munro. 9
    12 November 2019 at 3:45 pm

    What is it about Turkey these days?

  10. AB 10
    12 November 2019 at 6:00 pm

    For anyone who has had their life turned upside down by the depredations of private equity companies. Nicholas Shaxon lays out nicely the architecture of wealth extraction -which is the opposite of wealth creation, but cynically claims that mantle.

  11. Eco maori 11
    13 November 2019 at 9:26 am

    The World has a mass extinction going on at the minute. The beautiful creatures of the world are our gifts from God we are there caretaker we should have a culture where we value our mokopuna future and the past to give them a harmonious Future.

    Its logical to behave like I have described our tamariki will not be happy with there future if we carry on making a big mess of it.

    The loss of habitat is the biggest threat to jaguars in Ecuador, particularly along the coast, where more than 70% of the original forest cover has been lost. The vast majority of this destruction has taken place over the last 50 years with the expansion of the logging and agriculture industries, including coffee, cacao, palm oil and bananas, one of the country’s largest agriculture exports.

    The coastal jaguar population has been declared critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Galo Zapata-Ríos, science director at the Wildlife Conservation Society Ecuador, says only a few remain in one small area on the coast, in the Cotacachi-Cayapas national park, in the northern province of Esmeraldas.

    “Jaguars historically were distributed along all the Ecuadorian coast, but now they’re only in Esmeraldas,” says Zapata-Ríos, who has been studying the big cat for 10 years. “That’s the consequence of the advancement of human activity.”

    As one of the largest predators in Latin America, the jaguar is essential to maintaining equilibrium in rainforest ecosystems. If it disappears, everything below it in the food chain is affected, with an overpopulation of rodents – the jaguar’s prey – that would eat more bugs and seeds, and decrease the regeneration of trees and other plants in the forest, says Zapata-Ríos

    Ka kite Ano link below.

    1. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/nov/11/ecuadors-vanishing-jaguars-the-big-cat-vital-to-rainforest-survival
  13. Eco maori 13
    13 November 2019 at 3:40 pm

    Carving of Tane nui a Rangi, at Auckland Zoo.jpg

    Other namesTāne-mahuta, Tāne-nui-a-RangiGenderMaleRegionPolynesiaEthnic groupMāori, TahitiansPersonal informationConsortsHine-nui-te-pō, RangahoreOffspringHine-nui-te-pō, Tiki, Haumia-tiketike (southern Bay of Plenty and parts of the east coast)ParentsRangi and PapaSiblingsHaumia (Arawa), Rongo, Tangaroa, Tāwhirimātea, Tū, Rūaumoko, Whiro

    New Zealand rainforest: the trees and birds are the children of Tāne

    The children of Rangi and Papa grew frustrated at their confinement in the cramped space between their parents. Tū, future god of war, proposes that they should kill their parents. But Tāne (or Tāne-mahuta) disagrees, suggesting that it is better to separate them, sending Rangi into the sky and leaving Papa below to care for them. Tāne's brothers Rongo, then Tangaroa, Haumia-tiketike and Tū all try in vain to separate the parents. After many tries, Tāne lies on his back and pushes with his strong legs, and finally forces his parents apart, and Rangi rises high into the heavens (Grey 1956:2-3).[2] Then Tāne searched for heavenly bodies as lights so that his father would be appropriately dressed. He obtained the stars and threw them up, along with the moon and the sun. At last Rangi looked handsome (Orbell 1998:145).

    Tāwhirimātea, the god of storms and winds, is angry that the parents have been torn apart. He joins his father in the sky and punishes the earth and sea with violent storms (Grey 1956:3-6, Tregear 1891:54). Tāwhirimātea attacks the forests of Tāne, snapping the trunks of the trees, shattering the trees to the ground, leaving them as food for decay and insects. Then he attacks the oceans, and Tangaroa, the god of the sea, flees. Two of Tangaroa's descendants, Ikatere, father of fish and Tu-te-wehiwehi

    Ka kite Ano link below.

    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C4%81ne

  14. Eco maori 14
    13 November 2019 at 3:43 pm

    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C4%81ne

    Tane Mahuta God of the Forest

  15. Eco maori 15
    13 November 2019 at 6:32 pm

    Kia Ora 1 News.

    Yes getting the tamariki vacancies is very important tangata.

    Ka kite Ano

  16. Eco maori 16
    13 November 2019 at 6:52 pm

    Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News.

    Its good that immigration decide to change that law that discriminatied against people.

    That's the way feed the tamariki and teach them cooking skills at the same time Kai Aroha Kura.

    Ka kite Ano

  17. Eco maori 17
    13 November 2019 at 6:59 pm

    Waiata is good for one's Wairua I'm fighting to many Wahwahi to listen to some of the ones I like.

  18. Eco maori 18
    14 November 2019 at 8:36 am

    Kia Ora The breakfast show.

    The Venice flooding the highest in 50 years it great that a lot of the Mayors of the World’s climate are pointing out the true fact that the causes of their deasters.

    I say we need our population to stop being inflated by new people. Our environmental footprint is growing rapidly because of this phenomenon.

    Self belief is the best trait anyone can have.

    Ka kite Ano

  19. Eco maori 19
    14 November 2019 at 11:11 am

    It's quite easy to accept that Climate change has caused a lot of old civilization to collapse. not enough Kai because of droughts no Wai.

    The Neo-Assyrian empire was a mighty superpower that dominated the near east for 300 years before its dramatic collapse. Now researchers say they have a novel theory for what was behind its rise and fall: climate change.

    The empire emerged in about 912BC and grew to stretch from the Mediterranean down to Egypt and out to the Persian Gulf

    Now scientists say the reversal in the empire’s fortunes appears to coincide with a dramatic shift in its climate from wet to dry – a potentially crucial change in an empire reliant on crops.

    “Nearly two centuries of high precipitation and high agrarian outputs encouraged high-density urbanisation and imperial expansion that was not sustainable when climate shifted to megadrought conditions during the seventh century BC,” the authors write.

    In other words, while civil war, overexpansion and military defeat played a role in the empire’s collapse, the underlying driver could have been crop failures that led to economic collapse, exacerbating political unrest and conflict.

    Prof Nicholas Postgate, an expert on Assyria from the University of Cambridge who was not involved in the study, said it was plausible that climate change helped finish the empire. “We don’t have any better explanation for what happened to the Assyrian empire during those times,” he said, adding that there was a dearth of written records from about 645BC to the sack of Nineveh Ka kite Ano link below.

    https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/nov/13/climate-change-may-be-behind-fall-of-ancient-empire-say-researchers

  20. Eco maori 20
    14 November 2019 at 12:35 pm

    Some Eco Maori Music For The Minute.

  21. Eco maori 21
    14 November 2019 at 6:26 pm

    Kia Ora 1 News.

    I hear that accent.

    Trees mitigate carbon full stop what needs to happen is a selected gradient of topography needs to be planted.

    Venice is a ancient city there you go that's reality the discription of their leaders.

    Ka kite Ano.

  22. Eco maori 22
    14 November 2019 at 6:49 pm

    Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News.

    It took someone close to me 15 years to get through the court process but she did not get treated fairly by the system she got shredded by the court process and is still negatively affected by that trauma I have posted about it in my past post.

    Coke should not be using tangata whenua names to sell their products.

    Ka kite Ano.

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

Older posts

  • Building back better
    It’s a three-week recess in Parliament – so, no bills are going through the House and no select committees are meeting. But the hard work of our ministers continues, and many of our MPs are back in their electorates, taking the opportunity to meet with local communities and businesses about ...
    Labour Blog
    5 days ago

  • Greens call for a Warrant of Fitness for rental homes
    The Green Party is launching a petition today calling on the Government’s Healthy Homes Standards to be backed up with a proper Warrant of Fitness (WoF) for rental homes. ...
    Greens
    1 week ago

  • Securing our recovery: By the numbers
    Our plan to secure New Zealand’s recovery from COVID-19 is working, with the past three months seeing the second-highest number of people moved off a main benefit into work since records began. ...
    Labour Blog
    2 weeks ago

  • More Kiwis in work through recovery plan
    The latest statistics show the Government’s focus on jobs is working. The net number of people on a main benefit dropped by around 11,190 people during the past three months, with around 31,240 people moving off a benefit into work. ...
    Labour Blog
    2 weeks ago

  • Green Party appoints new Chief of Staff
    The Green Party has appointed a new Parliamentary Chief of Staff, Robin Campbell. ...
    Greens
    2 weeks ago

  • Warmer Kiwi Homes smashes annual target
    The Government's highly successful insulation and heating programme, Warmer Kiwi Homes, is celebrating a key milestone with the completion of more than 38,000 insulation and efficient heater installs in the year to the end of June, smashing its target of 25,000 installs for the year. “The Warmer Kiwi Homes scheme ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago

  • Exemption granted for Wallabies to enter NZ
    Bledisloe Cup rugby will be played in New Zealand after the Australian rugby team received an economic exemption to enter New Zealand. Travel between Australia and New Zealand was suspended on Friday for at least eight weeks following the worsening of the COVID outbreak across the Tasman. New Zealanders have ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    16 hours ago

  • Minister of Foreign Affairs makes three diplomatic appointments
    Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta today announced three New Zealand Head of Mission appointments. They are: Mike Walsh as Ambassador to Iran Michael Upton as Ambassador to Ethiopia and the African Union Kevin Burnett as Ambassador to Indonesia Iran “Aotearoa New Zealand has a long-standing and constructive relationship with Iran, despite a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago

  • Enhanced Task Force Green Approved for West Coast and Marlborough
    The Government has activated Enhanced Task Force Green (ETFG) in response to the West Coast and Marlborough floods, Social Development and Employment Minister Carmel Sepuloni announced today. “To assist with the clean-up, up to $500,000 will be made available to support the recovery in Buller and Marlborough which has experienced ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    19 hours ago

  • Govt support for upgrade of Eden Park players facilities
    Minister for Sport and Recreation Hon Grant Robertson has announced funding to upgrade the players facilities at Eden Park ahead of upcoming Women’s World Cup events. Eden Park is a confirmed venue for the Rugby World Cup 2021, the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022, and a proposed venue for matches of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    19 hours ago

  • More jobs and quicker public transport motoring towards West Auckland
    Work to improve public transport for West Aucklanders and support the region’s economic recovery by creating hundreds of jobs has officially kicked off, Transport Minister Michael Wood announced today. Michael Wood and Auckland Mayor Phil Goff this morning marked the start of construction on the Northwestern Bus Improvements project. It ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago

  • Government backs critical health research
    Research into some of New Zealanders’ biggest health concerns including cancer, diabetes, and heart disease is getting crucial support in the latest round of health research funding, Health Minister Andrew Little announced today. The funding, awarded through the Health Research Council of New Zealand, covers 31 General Project grants ($36.64 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago

  • New Bay of Islands hospital facilities to bring services closer to home
    Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Health Minister Andrew Little have joined a ceremony to bless the site and workers for Phase Two of the redevelopment of the Bay of Islands Hospital in Kawakawa today. The new building will house outpatients and primary care facilities, as well as expanded renal care ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Cabinet accepts Turkish authorities’ request for the managed return of three NZ citizens
    Cabinet has agreed to the managed return of a New Zealand citizen and her two young children from Turkey, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced today. The three have been in immigration detention in Turkey since crossing the border from Syria earlier this year. Turkey has requested that New Zealand repatriate ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Govt delivers more classrooms so children can focus on learning
    Extra Government investment in classrooms and school building projects will enable students and teachers to focus on education rather than overcrowding as school rolls grow across the country, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Associate Education Minister Kelvin Davis say. The pair visited Ruakākā School in Whangārei today to announce $100 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • New station a platform for AirportLink to take off
    Every Aucklander with access to the rail network will now have a quick and convenient trip to the airport, Transport Minister Michael Wood and Auckland Mayor Phil Goff said during the official opening of the new Puhinui Interchange today. The new interchange links the rail platform with a new bus ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • 10 days sick leave for employees delivered
    Legislation doubling employees’ minimum sick leave entitlement to 10 days comes into effect today, bringing benefits to both businesses and employees, Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Michael Wood announced today. “Our Government is delivering on a key manifesto commitment to help Kiwis and workplaces stay healthy,” Michael Wood said. “COVID-19 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Prime Minister congratulates Fiame Naomi Mata’afa on Election Win
    Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern tonight congratulated Prime Minister-elect Fiame Naomi Mata’afa on her victory in the Samoa’s general election. “New Zealand has a special relationship with Samoa, anchored in the Treaty of Friendship. We look forward to working with Samoa’s new government in the spirit of partnership that characterises this ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Quarantine Free Travel with Australia suspended
    Quarantine Free Travel from all Australian states and territories to New Zealand is being suspended as the Covid situation there worsens, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins announced today. From 11.59pm today Australians will no longer be able to enter New Zealand quarantine-free. This will be ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Growing conservation efforts in Gisborne
    A big injection of Jobs for Nature funding will create much-needed jobs and financial security for families in TeTairāwhiti, and has exciting prospects for conservation in the region, Conservation Minister Kiri Allan says. “The projects target local communities most affected by the economic consequences of COVID 19 and are designed ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Flood recovery given further assistance
    The Government is contributing a further $1 million to help the flood battered Buller community, Acting Emergency Management Minister Kris Faafoi announced today. “Buller is a small community which has found itself suddenly facing significant and ongoing welfare costs. While many emergency welfare costs are reimbursed by Government, this money ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Funding for five projects to reduce food waste
    The Government is funding five projects to help address the growing problem of food waste, Environment Minister David Parker announced today. “New Zealand households throw away nearly 300,000 tonnes of food every year, half of which could still be eaten. By supporting these initiatives, we’re taking steps to reduce this ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Temporary Accommodation Service activated for West Coast flooding event
    The Temporary Accommodation Service (TAS) has been activated today - meaning residents on the West Coast of the South Island and in the Marlborough region hit by flooding over the weekend can now access help finding temporary accommodation, announced Associate Minister of Housing (Public Housing) Poto Williams in Westport today. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Pause to Quarantine Free Travel from South Australia to New Zealand
    Quarantine Free Travel from South Australia to New Zealand will be paused from 11.59am (NZT) tonight, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins has announced. However, people currently in the state who ordinarily live in New Zealand will be able to return on “managed return” flights starting with the next available flight, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • New Zealand condemns malicious cyber activity by Chinese state-sponsored actors
    New Zealand has established links between Chinese state-sponsored actors known as Advanced Persistent Threat 40 (APT40) and malicious cyber activity in New Zealand. “The GCSB has worked through a robust technical attribution process in relation to this activity. New Zealand is today joining other countries in strongly condemning this malicious ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Remarks to Diplomatic Corps
    It is a pleasure to be with you all this evening. Some of you may have been surprised when you received an invitation from the Minister of Disarmament and Arms Control, and I would forgive you if you were. New Zealand is unique in having established a Ministerial portfolio ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Early Pfizer shipment boosts vaccine schedule
    The largest shipment of the Pfizer vaccine to date has arrived into New Zealand two days ahead of schedule, and doses are already being delivered to vaccination centres around the country, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins says. “The shipment of more than 370,000 doses reached New Zealand yesterday, following a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Backing for Bay of Islands predator free effort
    The Government is throwing its support behind an ambitious project to restore native biodiversity and build long-term conservation careers, Conservation Minister Kiri Allan says. Predator Free Bay of Islands aims to eradicate predators from the three main peninsulas in the region, and significantly reduce their impact throughout the wider 80,000-plus ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government commits $600,000 to flood recovery
    The Government is contributing $600,000 to help residents affected by the weekend’s violent weather with recovery efforts. Acting Minister for Emergency Management Kris Faafoi and Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor have been in the Buller district this afternoon to assess flood damage and support the local response effort. They have announced ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government assisting local responses to heavy rainfall and high wind
    Acting Minister of Emergency Management Kris Faafoi says Central Government is monitoring the severe weather across the country, and is ready to provide further support to those affected if necessary. “My thoughts are with everyone who has been affected by this latest event, particularly communities on the West Coast and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • PM Ardern chairs APEC Leaders’ meeting on COVID-19
    New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has chaired a meeting of Leaders representing the 21 APEC economies overnight. “For the first time in APEC’s history Leaders have come together for an extraordinary meeting focused exclusively on COVID-19, and how our region can navigate out of the worst health and economic ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Health Minister welcomes progress on nurses’ pay
    The New Zealand Nurses Organisation’s decision to take the Government’s improved pay offer to members and to lift strike notices is a positive move towards settling district health board nurses’ pay claims, Health Minister Andrew Little said. “It’s encouraging that the discussions between NZNO and DHBs over the nurses’ employment ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Boost for Pacific regional business
    Pacific businesses will get a much-needed financial boost as they recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic thanks to the new Pacific Aotearoa Regional Enterprise Fund, said Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio.  The new $2 million fund will co-invest in Pacific business projects and initiatives to create ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • PM Ardern call with President Biden
    Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern spoke with US President Biden this morning, ahead of the APEC Informal Leaders’ Retreat on COVID-19. “President Biden and I discussed the forthcoming APEC leaders meeting and the critical importance of working together as a region to navigate out of the COVID-19 pandemic”, Jacinda Ardern said. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Renewed partnership creates jobs for New Zealand youth
    The Government has signed a new memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Mayors Taskforce for Jobs, strengthening the partnership to get more young people into work.  The Mayors Taskforce for Jobs (MTFJ) is a nationwide network of all Mayors in New Zealand, who are committed to making sure all young ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • South Island areas prioritised in tourism fund
    Five South Island areas are prioritised in the latest round of decisions from a tourism fund that is supporting infrastructure projects from Cape Reinga to Stewart Island and the Chathams. Tourism Minister Stuart Nash has announced details of 57 nationwide projects to receive support from the Tourism Infrastructure Fund (TIF). ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • New code sets clear expectations for learner safety and wellbeing in tertiary education
    A new code of practice for the pastoral care of domestic tertiary and international students will be in place from January next year, Education Minister Chris Hipkins announced today The code, which makes clear that creating an environment that supports learning and wellbeing is a shared responsibility between tertiary providers, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • First TAB New Zealand Board appointments announced
    The members of the first TAB NZ Board come with experience in racing and sport administration, business and governance, the betting industry, broadcasting and gambling harm minimisation. “This Board will progress from the excellent work done by the interim board, put in place in August 2020,” Grant Robertson said. “The ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Northland Maori Pathways initiative introduced
    The Government has today launched Māori Pathways at Northland Region Corrections Facility, a ground-breaking series of initiatives designed in partnership with Māori to reduce re-offending and improve outcomes for whānau. A key part of the Hōkai Rangi strategy, Māori Pathways looks to achieve long-term change and involves a number of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Extended Essential Skills visas being rolled out
    Two year Essential Skills visa to provide certainty to at least 18,000 visa holders Streamlined application process to benefit at least 57,000 visa holders The Government is increasing the duration of some Essential Skills visas and streamlining the application process to provide more certainty to employers and visa holders while ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Pause to Quarantine Free Travel from Victoria to New Zealand
    Quarantine Free Travel from Victoria to New Zealand will be paused from 1.59am (NZT) Friday, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins has announced. The decision follows updated public health advice from New Zealand officials and a growing number of cases and locations of interest. The pause will run for at least ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Hydrogen agreement signed with Singapore
    The signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation on low-carbon hydrogen with Singapore signals the start of greater collaboration between the two countries as they transition towards low carbon economies, says Energy and Resources Minister Dr Megan Woods. The cooperation agreement between New Zealand’s Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Hydrogen arrangement signed with Singapore
    The signing of an Arrangement of Cooperation on low-carbon hydrogen with Singapore heralds the start of greater collaboration between it and New Zealand as both countries transition towards low carbon economies, says Energy and Resources Minister Megan Woods. The cooperation arrangement between New Zealand’s Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Speech to LGNZ Conference
    Kia ora koutou katoa and thank-you for the invitation to speak to you all today. I would like to acknowledge Local Government New Zealand President Stuart Crosby, and Chief Executive, Susan Freeman-Greene, Te Maruata Chair, Bonita Bigham, and our host, Mayor John Leggett. I also acknowledge all the elected members ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Government to provide support for water reforms, jobs and growth
    The Government today announced a $2.5 billion package to support local government transition through the reforms to New Zealand’s drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services. The package will also stimulate local economies while creating jobs and unlocking infrastructure for housing. “New Zealand’s water systems are facing a significant crisis and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

Older posts

Older posts