Open mike 18/05/2023

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, May 18th, 2023 - 60 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 …

60 comments on “Open mike 18/05/2023 ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Sanctuary 1
    18 May 2023 at 7:48 am

    The Waipareira Trust does a lot of good stuff, but as long as John Tamihere remains it's chief executive it'll be tainted. Tamihere's attitude – "thanks for all the money whitey but it is actually ours in the first place so if you colonists and pillagers think we are accountable to you for how it is spent well we are not so piss off" – means his approach to using public money is cavalier to the point of outright illegality and corruption.

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/waipareira-trust-to-try-to-claw-back-385k-in-loans-to-john-tamihere-campaigns/BUB2PAXWBBAIDKFIK723Z7C4Z4/ (paywalled)

  3. Red Blooded One 3
    18 May 2023 at 8:27 am

    Drip… drip… drip…

    Stay strong Christopher, we want you exactly where you are.

    • Mac1 3.1
      18 May 2023 at 9:20 am

      How does it feel to be the latest in a long line of recent National Party leaders to know that your deputy has been asked by reporters whether it is true that business leaders have approached her with a concern to depose you?

      Also, what a bastard of a question to be asked it it were true. Do I lie?- but lies will be found out. Do I say yes but I turned them down? Do I say yes but I told them please wait a little while longer? Do I say yes but tell them I'm still working on getting caucus support.

      The standard answer is "The Leader has my full support at this time."

      But that is not an answer to this question of whether she has been approached or not.

      And the reporters can smell what is dripping……

    • AB 3.2
      18 May 2023 at 10:59 am

      Be careful what you wish for. Willis is capable of inflicting a totally hard-arsed austerity on us, whereas Luxon might pull up a bit short of that. Willis might be the reincarnation of Ruth Richardson, except that Ruth still walks among us, both invisible and ever-present, a malevolent inversion of the Holy Spirit.

      • Red Blooded One 3.2.1
        18 May 2023 at 11:32 am

        That's why I wish him to stay strong, strong enough to stay Leader of the OPPOSITION.

  4. Bruce 4
    18 May 2023 at 8:45 am

    Interesting revelations on how the tax system is rigged for the rich in Australia, I guess its the same here.

    https://youtu.be/8HBxv6mnQZI

  5. Bearded Git 5
    18 May 2023 at 9:41 am

    Kathryn Ryan failed to ask the key question (yet again) in her interview with the CAB and arts people on RNZ 9 to noon this AM.

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon

    Mayor Wayne Brown has supposedly softened his position and has now offered to keep funding the CAB and the arts but ONLY if the Council sells its Auckland Airport shares.

    Effectively, in order to give money to CAB and the arts that they already had, he is blackmailing the Council and all Aucklanders by making this conditional on the airport sale, which will doubtless profit his rich mates.

    But Ryan while mentioning it, never pushes for answers on this key point. Useless, or is she just pro the sale?

    • mpledger 5.1
      18 May 2023 at 11:54 am

      Selling the airport shares is insane. You don't sell something that is giving you a profit unless it's for something that makes you a bigger profit.

      Give a man a fish and he eats for one day. Teach a man to fish and he eats for life.

      Someone wants Auckland to eat for one day.

    • Patricia Bremner 5.2
      18 May 2023 at 12:02 pm

      Ryan used to give Hooten an hysterical platform…. she is right… right!!

  6. pat 6
    18 May 2023 at 9:51 am

    Was mental health an increased problem during earlier 'depressions' ? (1880s and 1930s)

    • arkie 6.1
      18 May 2023 at 10:03 am

      Given that the discipline itself didn't become formalised as a field until 1948 it is unlikely there is any evidence either way.

      https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2408392/

      • pat 6.1.1
        18 May 2023 at 10:23 am

        Anecdotal observation or medical records perhaps (or newspaper reporting) ….it was a musing that I thought perhaps someone had studied and could answer.

        • mpledger 6.1.1.1
          18 May 2023 at 12:09 pm

          Probably suicide counts are the best way to measure mental health distress at that time. Although they are probably undercounts since there was still quite a stigma to committing suicide.

    • tWiggle 6.2
      18 May 2023 at 10:52 am

      Before the invention of antibiotics and the Welfare State, people had to be tougher both physically and mentally to survive childhood. Chances are then, if you were depressed and couldn't work, it was a fatal affliction, via poor diet, followed by illness and death.

      Of course, if you had the dosh, you could just take to your bed.

    • joe90 6.3
      18 May 2023 at 11:00 am

      Was mental health an increased problem during earlier 'depressions' ?

      The >45 rate was twice the current rate so it likely was.

      In 1930 the rate of suicide among those over 45 was more than 35 per 100,000, whereas for those aged 15–24 it was about five per 100,000.

      https://teara.govt.nz/en/suicide/page-2

      • Adrian 6.3.1
        18 May 2023 at 12:25 pm

        After having two hips replaced and the agonising wait, while trying to carry on working, it crossed my mind why pain was maybe why suicide had been so prevalent in earlier times. The thought was fostered by having read somewhere that one of the most common causes of death among the British in the nineteenth century was by suicide and often by pistol shot. Hip operations and other painful afflictions were not able to be fixed until the 1950s, prior to that the only option was amputation at the hip and bed for life. Apparently, morphine or laudanum addiction was also high. So the main cause may not have been depression but the inability to bear pain any longer. In my own case I also remember sitting on the side of the bed after about 6 months of struggle and wondering why I wasn't experiencing depression symptoms because I certainly felt like I had cause too, but concluded that I must just be lucky. Didn't bloody feel like it though.

    • Belladonna 6.4
      18 May 2023 at 11:08 am

      I think that it would be a very difficult question to answer absolutely one way or the other. But I would come down on the 'yes' side.

      Suicide is linked to depression (higher rates of depression result in higher rates of suicide). So it would be feasible to use the suicide rate as an indicator of depression within the population.

      And this data from the US shows an increased suicide rate in the 1930s.

      https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3093269/

      Graphical analyses showed that the overall suicide rate generally rose during recessions and fell during expansions.

      The largest increase in the overall suicide rate occurred during the Great Depression (1929–1933), when it surged from 18.0 in 1928 to 22.1 (the all-time high) in 1932, the last full year of the Great Depression. This increase of 22.8% was the highest recorded for any 4-year interval during the study period.

      Hard data in NZ would be unreliable. Depression was neither widely understood, (and therefore diagnosed or treated), nor a socially acceptable diagnosis. There was comparably little understanding of PTSD in soldiers returning from WW1. Suicide was an enormous social stigma – and doctors and coroners would frequently record the cause of death as an 'accident' on the official documentation – to spare the family.

    • Patricia Bremner 6.5
      18 May 2023 at 12:10 pm

      Yes, and men left their families and walked for work, and many died. There was only Church charity, and that is where the saying "Cold as Charity" springs from. plus a vision of the "Deserving poor". There were marches riots and smashing of shopfronts.

      • Phillip ure 6.5.1
        18 May 2023 at 12:46 pm

        The most recent iteration of the deserving/undeserving poor evil/trope was from helen clark..when she was prime minister..

        The meaning being that the working poor deserved support/help from her/her 'labour'(in name only) government..

        And all the other poor could just go rot…

        Which she followed through on…

  7. Phillip ure 7
    18 May 2023 at 9:57 am

    Ok..not so easy to do..but it has to be said: wayne brown does good..(I know..!..I know..!)

    I just heard an interview on rnz with an expert in urban waterways renewal.

    And he told us that brown has bought forward a 30 year plan to fix Auckland a waterways/parks..to be done in six years..

    And the good news is that all the preliminary work/planning has been done..

    It is all ready to go…

    When the interview (k.ryan) goes online..I recommend it be given a listen..

    • Belladonna 7.1
      18 May 2023 at 11:12 am

      Here's the link:

      https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2018890676/auckland-s-billion-dollar-flood-recovery-programme

      Heard it briefly on the way to work this morning – and it seemed like a remarkably pragmatic attitude and program – 'let's get started doing something effective right now; rather than waiting for the perfect answer to emerge from all the post-flood reviews'

      “The ‘Making Space for Water’ programme is being developed by the Council’s Healthy Waters stormwater department, with the mayor saying it’ll be rolled out over six years – instead of the 30 it would normally take.”

      Joining Kathryn is Matthew Bradbury – Associate Professor of landscape architecture at Unitec-Te Pūkenga.

      • Phillip ure 7.1.1
        18 May 2023 at 12:55 pm

        If brown delivers on this…it will guarantee his re-election…

        So I think he knows that..so he will..
        And as a means to an end..I can live with that..

    • tWiggle 7.2
      18 May 2023 at 3:50 pm

      Wayne Brown governing by decree, as opposed to in council by consensus. Big-noting in the most obnoxious way. If the plan was already in place (the hard work of previous councils), then it's very probable the council would have fast-tracked the plan anyway, given this year’s rainfall.

      Brown gets to look good with no effort on his part.

      • Phillip ure 7.2.1
        18 May 2023 at 8:09 pm

        C'mon..!…the incrementalist goff was clearly comfortable with a 30 year timeframe..

        Brown has fast tracked this down to six years…

        I am no fan of the man…but credit where credit is due… surely..!

        And yes the groundwork is already done…which is a Good thing..and I underline my claim that if he delivers on this..he will be re-elected..

  8. tWiggle 8
    18 May 2023 at 11:01 am

    Big Hairy News interviews Chris Cahill on Act's gun policy

    After 2019 NZ Police began tracing the source of guns used in crimes. Most come from legal purchases deliberately onsold to gangs, etc. Chris Cahill demolishes the case for Act's policy. Note that Act list MP Nicole McKee is a gun lobbyist.

    https://www.newsroom.co.nz/nicole-mckee-firearms-freedom-and-family

  9. Anker 9
    18 May 2023 at 11:25 am

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxIROSV7moIhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxIROSV7moI

    An excellent submission to the Education select committee, by Speak up for Women. Suzanne starts her presentation by saying she is a member of the the Rainbow Community.

    she makes excellent points about why do we need this legislation after the last bill 3 years ago?

    This time SUFW submission is treated respectfully. For those of you who are unsure about SUFW feel free to listen. The presentation was clear, well reasoned, logical and constructive

  10. aj 10
    18 May 2023 at 12:51 pm

    Out of the mists of time, a Paul Holmes clip goes semi-viral

    https://twitter.com/henrycooke/status/1658954541293862913?cxt=HHwWgoC8xbSX5YUuAAAA

    Full clip

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6_FWKLuY2s&list=PLWECjwdXWfiqWMsj6IZ2XFBM9oAG1iyb6&index=8

    Great sentiments from these great artists, Kristofferson and Nelson still with us, Willie turned 90 last month.

  11. ianmac 11
    18 May 2023 at 1:14 pm

    Pat Brittenden raised an interesting idea. He thought of the long term "transformative policy that NZers now refuse to let go of." The list included:

    Working for Families

    Interest free Student loans

    Gold Card

    Kiwisaver

    Social Security Act + incl Health

    State Housing.

    Then noticed that all of those were Left/Labour introductions.

    So he asked could any one think of ones introduced by National/right wing. And no-one could. Thats interesting. My wife said that National cancelled the Child Allowance. Grrr.

    • Craig H 11.1
      18 May 2023 at 1:50 pm

      My observation is Labour makes changes, National manage the status quo.

      Could add a few things to that list – ACC and DPB (now sole parent support) come to mind.

    • Peter 11.2
      18 May 2023 at 4:00 pm

      Interest will come back on Student Loans when Seymour is back in.

    • tWiggle 11.3
      18 May 2023 at 4:03 pm

      Add the Waitangi Tribunal to Labour's list, but remove Gold Card, that's Winston's pork-barrelling (although a good idea). I believe Winston may have also been behind the formation of Kiwibank as a balance to the Aussie banks.

      • Adrian 11.3.1
        18 May 2023 at 4:58 pm

        I think Kiwibank was a Jim Anderton initative.

        • tWiggle 11.3.1.1
          18 May 2023 at 5:31 pm

          Sorry, thanks for that. It's quite hard to find info in a quick on-line search to verify the dusty corners of my brain. I did remember it as a minority party initiative. My apologies, Jim A.

  12. tsmithfield 12
    18 May 2023 at 1:23 pm

    Further to the discussion yesterday about drinking water, an important consideration is the effect of chlorinated water on other health conditions. For instance, Chlorinated water is known to aggravate skin allergies and asthma symptoms.

    This is confimed by the ChCh City Council website also.

    Asthma has been known to kill people. I should know. A friend of our family died from an asthma attack a number of years back.

    I think the case for chlorination is a no brainer in areas where the water is dodgy. But, where it is well managed, and has been proven to be safe, chlorination might cause more deaths than unchlorinated water.

    So, if we never have a disease outbreak, 0 deaths. But if 3 people die from asthma attacks in the next 10 years due to chlorine in the water, then it clearly is safer to have unchlorinated water.

    • ianmac 12.1
      18 May 2023 at 1:28 pm

      Ts. Probably the Water Regulator has to be conservative in decision making. Imagine if chlorination ceased then an outbreak happened. Howls would echo around the country.

      • tsmithfield 12.1.1
        18 May 2023 at 1:52 pm

        That sounds more like a face-saving argument than a public health one.

        • adam 12.1.1.1
          18 May 2023 at 11:48 pm

          One aspect of public health is about prevention. And it's a hell of a long bow to claim anyone could die from Asthma because of chlorine in drinking water. What is it 0.01 or 0.02 parts per million. Just not going to happen.

          It's a bit like saying stupid comments can kill you, if you only believe it.

          As I said, no one is stopping you from buying a water filter. if it keeps you up at night.

    • Ad 12.2
      18 May 2023 at 1:38 pm

      That's more a Parts Per Million question rather than a technology rejection.

      Christchurch are not unique and the dosing methodology is a well worn debate within the national water supplier and public health industries.

      • tsmithfield 12.2.1
        18 May 2023 at 1:56 pm

        I agree the amount of chlorine in drinking water is much lower than in a swimming pool.

        But, some people are highly sensitive to even very small amount of irritants. For instance, my wife's sister is a celiac. She gets violently ill with even small traces of gluten.

        So, I wonder if the risk assessment has been done on the risk of not chlorinating the water vs chlorinating it.

        As I said, where water is dodgy, the chlorination side of the argument would clearly win. But, I don't think it is so clear cut when the water supply is well monitored, well maintained, and has a long history of being safe.

      • tWiggle 12.2.2
        18 May 2023 at 4:14 pm

        https://newsline.ccc.govt.nz/news/story/chlorine-exemptions-your-questions-answered

        Here are just some of the reasons the exemption was denied:
        Exemption can’t be granted while parts of Christchurch are uncompliant.
        Lack of quantification of potential viral risk to source water.
        Recent total coliform and E.coli results from contamination.

        Suggested chlorination is at low level, 0.2 ppm.

    • ianmac 12.3
      18 May 2023 at 7:12 pm

      Living in Papanui/Christchurch in the 50's, neighbours had a link to clear clean artesian water. It bubbled up a pipe which went into a "ram," which used the force of the water flow to power the ram. It used two thirds of the water volume to pump 1/3water into a holding tank. The excess 2/3 water ran down into a creek. Clunk….clunk….clunk.

      I doubt that any artesian water now survives to reach the surface any more and doubtful that it is still pure

      • Mac1 12.3.1
        18 May 2023 at 10:46 pm

        ianmac, I too lived in Papanui in the Fifties, and Sixties!

        I remembered during the discussion here the artesian water from a drinking fountain on the north west corner of Hagley Park after a game of cricket.

        Funny but driving around our present town today and seeing the pipe works brought to mind seeing in the Fifties the centre of Bligh's Road in Papanui with a timber-lined trench being piped and then afterwards the road rolled with a steam-roller and resurfaced.

        • ianmac 12.3.1.1
          19 May 2023 at 4:18 pm

          The ram I spoke Mac of was on Horner street just north of Blighs Road.

  13. Stephen D 13
    18 May 2023 at 9:18 pm

    A lot of this could well describe the National Party. Especially the likes of Simeon Brown.

    https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/may/18/first-edition-national-conservatism-conference?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
    Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector.    "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago

  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
    The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago

  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
    Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.   Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ ties
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.  During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Antarctica New Zealand Board appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has made further appointments to the Board of Antarctica New Zealand as part of a continued effort to ensure the Scott Base Redevelopment project is delivered in a cost-effective and efficient manner.  The Minister has appointed Neville Harris as a new member of the Board. Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Finance Minister travels to Washington DC
    Finance Minister Nicola Willis will travel to the United States on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Five Finance Ministers group, with counterparts from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.  “I am looking forward to meeting with our Five Finance partners on how we can work ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Pet bonds a win/win for renters and landlords
    The coalition Government has today announced purrfect and pawsitive changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to give tenants with pets greater choice when looking for a rental property, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Pets are important members of many Kiwi families. It’s estimated that around 64 per cent of New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being considered
    State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the Government has also asked NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to consider and provide advice on a Long Tunnel option, Transport Minister Simeon Brown ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • New Zealand condemns Iranian strikes
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel.    “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says.    "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plans
    Hundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand Chair
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board.   “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti.  “I have asked her to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Roads of National Significance planning underway
    The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Navigating an unstable global environment
    New Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States.    “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • NZ welcomes Australian Governor-General
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Pseudoephedrine back on shelves for Winter
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced that Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Pharmaceutical suppliers have indicated they may be able to supply the first products in June. “This is much earlier than the original expectation of medicines being available by 2025. The Government recognised ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • NZ and the US: an ever closer partnership
    New Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Joint US and NZ declaration
    April 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • NZ and US to undertake further practical Pacific cooperation
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced further New Zealand cooperation with the United States in the Pacific Islands region through $16.4 million in funding for initiatives in digital connectivity and oceans and fisheries research.   “New Zealand can achieve more in the Pacific if we work together more urgently and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Government redress for Te Korowai o Wainuiārua
    The Government is continuing the bipartisan effort to restore its relationship with iwi as the Te Korowai o Wainuiārua Claims Settlement Bill passed its first reading in Parliament today, says Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith. “Historical grievances of Te Korowai o Wainuiārua relate to 19th century warfare, land purchased or taken ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Focus on outstanding minerals permit applications
    New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals is working to resolve almost 150 outstanding minerals permit applications by the end of the financial year, enabling valuable mining activity and signalling to the sector that New Zealand is open for business, Resources Minister Shane Jones says.  “While there are no set timeframes for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Applications open for NZ-Ireland Research Call
    The New Zealand and Irish governments have today announced that applications for the 2024 New Zealand-Ireland Joint Research Call on Agriculture and Climate Change are now open. This is the third research call in the three-year Joint Research Initiative pilot launched in 2022 by the Ministry for Primary Industries and Ireland’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Tenancy rules changes to improve rental market
    The coalition Government has today announced changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to encourage landlords back to the rental property market, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “The previous Government waged a war on landlords. Many landlords told us this caused them to exit the rental market altogether. It caused worse ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Boosting NZ’s trade and agricultural relationship with China
    Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay will visit China next week, to strengthen relationships, support Kiwi exporters and promote New Zealand businesses on the world stage. “China is one of New Zealand’s most significant trade and economic relationships and remains an important destination for New Zealand’s products, accounting for nearly 22 per cent of our good and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Freshwater farm plan systems to be improved
    The coalition Government intends to improve freshwater farm plans so that they are more cost-effective and practical for farmers, Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay have announced. “A fit-for-purpose freshwater farm plan system will enable farmers and growers to find the right solutions for their farm ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • New Fast Track Projects advisory group named
    The coalition Government has today announced the expert advisory group who will provide independent recommendations to Ministers on projects to be included in the Fast Track Approvals Bill, say RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones. “Our Fast Track Approval process will make it easier and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Pacific and Gaza focus of UN talks
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters says his official talks with the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York today focused on a shared commitment to partnering with the Pacific Islands region and a common concern about the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.    “Small states in the Pacific rely on collective ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government honours Taranaki Maunga deal
    The Government is honouring commitments made to Taranaki iwi with the Te Pire Whakatupua mō Te Kāhui Tupua/Taranaki Maunga Collective Redress Bill passing its first reading Parliament today, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “This Bill addresses the commitment the Crown made to the eight iwi of Taranaki to negotiate ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Enhanced partnership to reduce agricultural emissions
    The Government and four further companies are together committing an additional $18 million towards AgriZeroNZ to boost New Zealand’s efforts to reduce agricultural emissions. Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says the strength of the New Zealand economy relies on us getting effective and affordable emission reduction solutions for New Zealand. “The ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • 110km/h limit proposed for Kāpiti Expressway
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed news the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) will begin consultation this month on raising speed limits for the Kāpiti Expressway to 110km/h. “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and this proposal supports that outcome ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • New Zealand Biosecurity Awards – Winners announced
    Two New Zealanders who’ve used their unique skills to help fight the exotic caulerpa seaweed are this year’s Biosecurity Awards Supreme Winners, says Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard. “Strong biosecurity is vital and underpins the whole New Zealand economy and our native flora and fauna. These awards celebrate all those in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Attendance action plan to lift student attendance rates
    The Government is taking action to address the truancy crisis and raise attendance by delivering the attendance action plan, Associate Education Minister David Seymour announced today.   New Zealand attendance rates are low by national and international standards. Regular attendance, defined as being in school over 90 per cent of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • World must act to halt Gaza catastrophe – Peters
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has told the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York today that an immediate ceasefire is needed in Gaza to halt the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe.    “Palestinian civilians continue to bear the brunt of Israel’s military actions,” Mr Peters said in his speech to a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Speech to United Nations General Assembly: 66th plenary meeting, 78th session
    Mr President,   The situation in Gaza is an utter catastrophe.   New Zealand condemns Hamas for its heinous terrorist attacks on 7 October and since, including its barbaric violations of women and children. All of us here must demand that Hamas release all remaining hostages immediately.   At the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government woolshed roadshow kicks off
    Today the Government Agriculture Ministers started their national woolshed roadshow, kicking off in the Wairarapa. Agriculture Minister Todd McClay said it has been a tough time for farmers over the past few years. The sector has faced high domestic inflation rates, high interest rates, adverse weather events, and increasing farm ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • PM heads to Singapore, Thailand, and Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will travel to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines this week (April 14-20), along with a senior business delegation, signalling the Government’s commitment to deepen New Zealand’s international engagement, especially our relationships in South East Asia. “South East Asia is a region that is more crucial than ever to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Prime Minister launches Government Targets
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced further steps to get New Zealand back on track, launching nine ambitious Government Targets to help improve the lives of New Zealanders. “Our Government has a plan that is focused on three key promises we made to New Zealanders – to rebuild the economy, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Natural hydrogen resource should be free of Treaty claims entanglement
    Natural hydrogen could be a game-changing new source of energy for New Zealand but it is essential it is treated as a critical development that benefits all New Zealanders, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones is seeking to give regulatory certainty for those keen to develop natural, or geological, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government responds to unsustainable net migration
    ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • New Zealand on stage at global Space Symposium
    Space Minister Judith Collins will speak at the Space Symposium in the United States next week, promoting New Zealand’s rapidly growing place in the sector as we work to rebuild the economy. “As one of the largest global space events, attended by more than 10,000 business and government representatives from ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-04-16T17:55:40+00:00