Open mike 17/02/2012

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, February 17th, 2012 - 54 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 link to Policy in the banner).

Step right up to the mike…

54 comments on “Open mike 17/02/2012 ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Jenny 1
    17 February 2012 at 6:20 am

    Pretending they didn’t know this was coming.

    The Nats. soften us for extreme austerity measures.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/6434093/Global-economy-may-hit-Budget

    As in Greece struggle between bailing out the bankers and financiers and cutting everywhere else, means that a victory of the wharfies takes on a greater significance.

    From now on, a defeat for any organised workforce will mean less ability for working people to resist austerity.

    • Carol 1.1
      17 February 2012 at 6:31 am

      Yes, of course they knew it was coming, and still they try to gild the lily:

      But Mr English said New Zealanders “need to get conditioned to that”. “This kind of news about Europe is going to stay like this for a number of years. We don’t want to be overly focused on it because our prospects are still pretty good.”

      • Herodotus 1.1.1
        17 February 2012 at 8:56 am

        And did anyone really believe the “Dutch” auction when Nat and Lab were out doing themselves to achieve a surplus around 2015?
        Unfortunately it will we you and I who suffer from these fools false hopes.
        As a note I saw on the news last night that 2/3 of the reduction in the armed forces is from uniformed servicemen and that the corporate office is still untouched at 70, and we were informed that there was to be no loss in front line serviceman.

    • millsy 1.2
      17 February 2012 at 9:31 am

      I knew New Zealand would end up copping some form of austerity. The list of cuts is probably sitting in a drawer waiting to be dusted off.

      Given that we are still feeling the effects of our last set of austerity measures, the 1991 budget, and to a lesser extent, the 1997-98 cuts in response to the Asian crisis, things arent going to be good.

      And what is worse, is that the wealthy won’t be called upon to pay a single cent in extra tax. It will be everyone else who will bear the burden.

  2. Carol 2
    17 February 2012 at 6:41 am

    Hmmm… maybe the hairpiece hasn’t totally backed off his original asset sales position?

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/6434289/Fay-group-would-meet-Chinese-undertakings

    The group led by Sir Michael Fay behind a New Zealand bid for Crafar farms will today raise the stakes by promising to match or better the rival Chinese bidder on a raft of promises that helped swing the Government’s approval.

    The move comes as Prime Minister John Key signals a law change is unlikely in response to a High Court ruling that potentially sets a high bar on future purchases by foreign investors.

    Mr Key said any law change was unlikely to get the numbers in Parliament – and UnitedFuture leader Peter Dunne, on whose vote any law change is likely to hinge, confirmed yesterday his support was not guaranteed.

    But the Government also appears to have little stomach anyway for a political battle over freeing up foreign investment rules in the face of loud opposition from Labour, the Greens and NZ First.

    So, first cracks (or maybe the second after the Maori Party issues) in this “landslide” government. Good on the opposition for the early concerted pressure. I’ve liked the way in Pariament this week, that the opposition parties have come in with various supplementaries following a primary question on Crafar/assett sales by one of the parties – a concerted & fairly united approach to keeping the pressure on the government..

    • Fortran 2.1
      17 February 2012 at 2:11 pm

      Michael Fay’s PR team have not yet put up a proposition to the seller Westpac. Any contract is willing buyer willing seller not a PR exercise.
      They sort of talked about offer is $57 million below the Chinese, with all sorts of promises.
      Crafer now says that he wants to buy back his onetime farms, which he disgracefully ran into the ground, and went bankrupt.
      To cancel the Chinese bid would be a shocking look for New Zealand, but I assume that is what so many want ?
      The James Cameron sale would have to be cancelled along with a number of other potential purchases currently with the IOI.

  3. rosy 3
    17 February 2012 at 6:45 am

    In Britain free labour from young people started with intern schemes for graduates, then community work for the dole schemes that are expanding quite rapidly into big high street firms, like Tescos

    unpaid work – bad enough when it applied to supposed “interns”, but grim beyond belief when used on the unemployed – is now being built into what some people call The New Normal. Given the thousands involved, it clearly represents a boon to the kind of multinational giants whose profit margins must be creeping upwards thanks to the plentiful supply of people – and please, all you free-marketeers, read this bit slowly – effectively paid a pittance to work for them by the taxpayer.

    Get that? The taxpayer is paying people to work in menial jobs at big firms – how can this reduce unemployment? or provide skills training? A revolving door of people being paid job-seekers allowance for 26 weeks to stack supermarket shelves and the like, will surely increase unemployment as big firms use free labour.

    Coming to a work and income job board near you?

    • just saying 3.1
      17 February 2012 at 9:10 am

      Great link. Ta.

    • Draco T Bastard 3.2
      17 February 2012 at 12:41 pm

      Coming to a work and income job board near you?

      Probably, this government will do pretty much anything to boost the profits of the corporates. I’ve already heard of some businesses wanting a two week period to “see if you fit the culture” where you work for nothing. I wouldn’t be surprised if some people, desperate for work, are falling for it.

    • Vicky32 3.3
      17 February 2012 at 5:24 pm

      then community work for the dole schemes that are expanding quite rapidly into big high street firms, like Tescos

      A British friend of mine (a retired economist!) is helping organise protests against Tescos this weekend…
      I was reading a site about propaganda earlier today, and the guy has a list of ‘positive’ words Newt Gingrich was distributing to Republicans … the last word on the positive list (for candidates to use) was “workfare“.

      • Colonial Viper 3.3.1
        17 February 2012 at 5:36 pm

        of course “workfare” is nothing more than a kind of subsidised corporate welfare.

      • rosy 3.3.2
        17 February 2012 at 9:27 pm

        Good to hear, at least the Brits protest injustice… It gets worse though. I’d read about the new assessment procedures for disability that, now, almost everyone acknowledges are faulty, but I’d not realised this was in the pipeline

        The new policy, outlined by DWP officials in meetings with disabilities groups, is due to be announced after legal changes contained in clause 54 of the welfare reform bill have made their way through parliament.

        So those with sometimes serious disabilities will be in work placements, as the healthy unemployed are, but without the 26 week time limit. A permanent free workforce for the corporates. Who cares about reduced productivity when you’re not paying them yourself.

        The policy could mean that those on employment and support allowance who have been placed in the work-related activity group (Wrag) could be compelled to undertake work experience for charities, public bodies and high-street retailers. The Wrag group includes those who have been diagnosed with terminal cancer but have more than six months to live; accident and stroke victims; and some of those with mental health issues.

        In official notes from a meeting on 1 December last year, DWP advisers revealed they were not intending to put a time limit on the work experience placements.

        So a free permanent workforce for the corporates, without the 26-week limit. Who cares about productivity when you’re not paying for workers yourself.

  4. dv 4
    17 February 2012 at 9:53 am

    See Mr English on the News last night.
    Apparently the revenue from the sale of the SOEs is

    JUST A GUESS.

    • Warren 4.1
      17 February 2012 at 10:09 am

      And not even a “best guess” either.
      Funny he didn’t say it was just a guess BEFORE the election eh?

      • Herodotus 4.1.1
        17 February 2012 at 10:56 am

        That is totally unfair. He has worked backwards from – We need a surplus in year 2015: We have these income and these expenses = A deficit. Asset sales = deficit + $1b = $1b surplus. So aseet sales = X. Not a real guess just a means of balancingthe books 😉

    • PJ 4.2
      17 February 2012 at 12:23 pm

      And laughing while he said it. The arrogance astounds

    • Draco T Bastard 4.3
      17 February 2012 at 12:47 pm

      Oh, I do like The Hairs response:

      Revenue Minister Peter Dunne says some previous predictions were more specific than they needed to be.

      “But that’s not my problem – I don’t make them.”

      Yep, not his problem and not his responsibility even though he happens to be part of the government.

      • Jackal 4.3.1
        17 February 2012 at 6:30 pm

        If he is not taking responsibility for his portfolio and decisions made by the government, he must be dismissing himself from the government. Early election here we come.

    • Fortran 4.4
      17 February 2012 at 2:15 pm

      Do you really think that English/Treasury do not have a very good idea of the partial sales share values.
      They are not going to tell you, or me, as its commercially sensitive, as to offer price.
      John Armstrong in the Herald today believes that there was a great deal of media dissing yesterday in English’s comments, and that he fooled them sucessfully, along with many others.

      • Colonial Viper 4.4.1
        17 February 2012 at 5:39 pm

        They are not going to tell you, or me, as its commercially sensitive, as to offer price.

        Funny, not sure how it can be “commercially sensitive” when the offer price has to be released well in advance in a prospectus???

        • McFlock 4.4.1.1
          17 February 2012 at 5:45 pm

          The other point being that the actual price, like any export product (sorry “mums & dads”, you don’t have the capital to be a player in this game), will vary wildly with the exchange rate at the time. 
            
          Which throws another flavour into the mix. 5-7bil is a best guess, 6bil is an arbitrary stab within that, and it’s all based on the entrails-reading that is economic prediction.

          • Draco T Bastard 4.4.1.1.1
            17 February 2012 at 6:10 pm

            And the funny thing is that it’s so easy to determine what they’re actually worth – just calculate how much it would cost to build them at today’s prices. Anybody paying less than that isn’t paying enough and, I suspect, that price is far above the guessed $6b.

      • mik e 4.4.2
        17 February 2012 at 7:39 pm

        borrowing bungling blithering bills english double dipping double downgrader DIPstick from dipton,
        Worst finance minister in modern New Zealand history!
        Rebalancing the economy in favour of a few very well off.

  5. phillip ure.. 5
    17 February 2012 at 10:54 am

    “…The Decorah Bald Eagle Cam, last year’s runaway internet sensation, is back.

    Go do whatever you need to for the next few months right now.

    You might not get much done once the eaglets hatch.

    Last year, more than 200,000 people from about 180 countries watched eagle parents hatch three eggs – brave bad weather – raise their chicks and teach them to fly in Decorah, Iowa.

    The eagle cam, Wired Science’s most popular post of 2011 created our very own online community of eaglophiles.

    So many people tuned in the traffic crashed our website more than once.

    But this year we’re ready!

    And now the eagles are back.

    The mom’s about to lay her eggs any day now…”

    (cont..)

    http://whoar.co.nz/2012/eagle-cam-returns-new-chicks-coming-soon/

    phil-at-whoar.

  6. Pascal's bookie 6
    17 February 2012 at 11:38 am

    Yup. Uh huh.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/6436289/ACC-levies-may-climb-again

    Simple see. We have to put an extra charge onto the ACC levy, a top up if you will, on account of how the private sector wouldn’t be able to compete with ACC because ACC doesnae have to make a profit. This means that ACC can provide the service for a lower cost to employers, obviously enough, so we oughtta make the ACC charge more so that employers will pay more in the new competitive era, which will be more efficient all round. Unfortunately, this might mean that the ACC will build up lots of money in its accounts, because we will be making it charge more than it needs to, so we’ll make them give any excess money they might build up to treasury. This is the only way we can make the new competitive model work and thereby deliver efficiencies to the economy.

    Nick Smith. Class idiot.

    • vto 6.1
      17 February 2012 at 12:20 pm

      .
      So we have to pay more in order to allow competition, which is meant to result in us paying less.

      Fuck, that is just fucking dopey dumb, brainless logic out the window, head in the clouds, looney tunes, crappola of the highest order.

      Smith should be put in the stocks for public ridicule for the most brainless type of thinking EVER exhibited by a politician. Surely this cannot be so – someone please tell me it is not going to be…

      ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

      • Draco T Bastard 6.1.1
        17 February 2012 at 12:54 pm

        So we have to pay more in order to allow competition, which is meant to result in us paying less.

        You’d think the economists and politicians would be starting to wake up to reality by now wouldn’t you? Considering that all their theories are falling down and this (competition reduces prices) was a main one. Now, in the real world, we’re finding that it doesn’t – it raises costs but reduces profits.

        • vto 6.1.1.1
          17 February 2012 at 12:59 pm

          This numbskull thinking must be rammed at the Nats….

          …alongside the sideways glances the public are already throwing their way for the brainlessness of foreign landlords, asset sales, Crafar Farms decision and the like…

          I am gobsmacked.

          The rest of NZ surely will be too when they read it.

    • Draco T Bastard 6.2
      17 February 2012 at 12:57 pm

      Labour says the paper, prepared before the election, proposes introducing new four levies on insurers to meet the additional costs on ACC when it is opened to competition.

      Its ACC spokesman Andrew Little said privatisation would create a huge new bureaucracy and was likely to increase costs to employers and workers.

      “There is nothing efficient in this plan.”

      Wow, really? Now, will you (Labour) get around to saying the same thing about telecommunications and power?

      • Carol 6.2.1
        17 February 2012 at 6:16 pm

        Meanwhile, inspite of having paid my ACC levies, most people who know how serious my injury was, and how far I am from full recovery can’t believe that, not only did ACC stopped giving me physio a while ago and are continuing to quibble about re-instating it, but people can’t believe I haven’t been given a regular long-term allowance for physio.

        Cutting costs and services provided by ACC, and raising the levies so that parasitic businesses can make a profit from providing an even worse service for ordinary Kiwi levy-payers…..

        So, ordinary tax & levy paying Kiwis, if you can’t stop this privatisation of ACC, be VERY careful that you don’t get injured in future, because you probably won’t get the care you need…..AND, watch out for those employers who try to get away with cutting Health and Safety provisions….

    • Lanthanide 6.3
      17 February 2012 at 1:54 pm

      Didn’t make any sense to me, either.

      Perhaps the clearest and simplest example of double-think to come out of this government so far.

  8. Jackal 8
    17 February 2012 at 12:09 pm

    David Carter – extreme biosecurity risk

    Why would we reduce security measures further when the consequences of doing so are financially disastrous?

    • willie maley 9.1
      17 February 2012 at 11:01 pm

      Not sure how I feel after watching that, many more people need to take 30 minutes out of their lives to watch it.
      It is coming to a town near here in the very near future.
      Thanks for posting the link.

  10. Monique Watson 10
    17 February 2012 at 12:24 pm

    In here looking for any commentary on the Tania Wysocki business.

    http://nowoccupy.blogspot.com/2012/02/tania-wysocki.html

    • Te Reo Putake 10.1
      17 February 2012 at 12:34 pm

      For what its worth, many students resort to prostitution to pay for their studies. At least, that was the case in the late nineties when I interviewed some students who were doing so for a newspaper article. I also quoted the regional head of the Prostitutes’ Collective who confirmed that was the case.

    • Draco T Bastard 10.2
      17 February 2012 at 1:05 pm

      Studying as a mature student is a waste of time and makes you poor and depressed.

      No, really, it isn’t. Life is learning to meet new challenges – not giving up to make do with you already have. And it only makes you poor and depressed because our society likes to punish people for no reason.

    • Fortran 10.3
      17 February 2012 at 2:19 pm

      In looking at her photo I do not think she would make a very good prostitute – she is “most” unattractive. A Greenpeace party stunt. And she gets $43,000 after tax -very good I believe.
      Does she not get anything from the fathers of her children, assuming she knows who they are?

      • Te Reo Putake 10.3.1
        17 February 2012 at 2:53 pm

        Well, if the ugliness of your comments is reflected in your face, you won’t be making a dime either. BTW, $43k isn’t a decent wage for a single person, let alone someone bringing up kids.

      • William Joyce 10.3.2
        17 February 2012 at 2:55 pm

        While not wanting to pass any comment on Ms. Wysocki’s looks, you would be surprised who gets paid for their services. As someone else has said “God gave men a brain and a penis, but only enough blood to run one at a time”.
         

      • Lanthanide 10.3.3
        17 February 2012 at 5:19 pm

        I can’t see where it says she receives $43k after tax.

        • Colonial Viper 10.3.3.1
          17 February 2012 at 5:44 pm

          It’s like the POAL $90K income calculation. They’ve thrown everything bar the bridge into the number.

          • Livingday2day 10.3.3.1.1
            17 February 2012 at 6:52 pm

            @ Colon Wiper

            Hold on you seem to be selective in how you believe the media, when it cam to the tea tapes you were ranting about that, but now you think the media are exaggerating in this case. I think you must wear rose coloured glasses.

        • Draco T Bastard 10.3.3.2
          17 February 2012 at 6:18 pm

          That’s because it doesn’t – it says she receives the equivalent of a $43000/year income. I’d assume that was before tax.

      • mik e 10.3.4
        17 February 2012 at 7:45 pm

        fotran are you sure you are not the neanderthal red-neck King Kong
        in drag!
        It must make an emotionally aloof Bigoted red-neck misogynist feel good with that pathetic sexist comment.

  11. Dave Kennedy 11
    17 February 2012 at 2:17 pm

    The crisis in child poverty and welfare grows but so does the government’s determination to ignore the cause!http://localbodies-bsprout.blogspot.co.nz/2012/02/child-poverty.html

  12. William Joyce 12
    17 February 2012 at 2:44 pm

    Some new pics…link

  13. Jackal 13
    17 February 2012 at 9:23 pm

    Lockjaw Smith guard dog

    Why is Lockwood Smith claiming in the media that changes will ensure more integrity and increased public scrutiny, when this obviously not the case?

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • Anzac Commemorative Address, Buttes New British Cemetery Belgium
    Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service.  It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    14 hours ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address – NZ National Service, Chunuk Bair
    Distinguished guests -   It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders.   Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address – Dawn Service, Gallipoli, Türkiye
    Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia.   Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • PM announces changes to portfolios
    Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • New catch limits for unique fishery areas
    Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Minister welcomes hydrogen milestone
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Urgent changes to system through first RMA Amendment Bill
    The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Overseas decommissioning models considered
    Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Release of North Island Severe Weather Event Inquiry
    Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Justice Minister to attend Human Rights Council
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order.  “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Patterson reopens world’s largest wool scouring facility
    Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Speech to the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective Summit, 18 April 2024
    Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing  At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin    Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho    Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today.    I am delighted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Government to introduce revised Three Strikes law
    The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • New diplomatic appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions.   “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says.    “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Humanitarian support for Ethiopia and Somalia
    New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today.   “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Arts Minister congratulates Mataaho Collective
    Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale.  “It is good ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Supporting better financial outcomes for Kiwis
    The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Trade relationship with China remains strong
    “China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says.   Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • PM’s South East Asia mission does the business
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • $41m to support clean energy in South East Asia
    New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder list
    The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Judicial appointments announced
    Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
    Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa.  The summit is co-hosted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
    A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.    “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
    Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners.  “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government backing mussel spat project
    The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government focused on getting people into work
    Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
    Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
    Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Opinion: It’s time for an arts and creative sector strategy
    I was initially resistant to the idea often suggested to me that the Government should deliver an arts strategy. The whole point of the arts and creativity is that people should do whatever the hell they want, unbound by the dictates of politicians in Wellington. Peter Jackson, Kiri Te Kanawa, Eleanor ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-04-26T17:17:23+00:00