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Open mike 18/12/2015

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, December 18th, 2015 - 53 comments
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53 comments on “Open mike 18/12/2015 ”

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    • vto 1.1
      18 December 2015 at 7:55 am

      So let me get this straight…

      Hager’s raid was illegal

      Dotcom’s raid was illegal

      looks like a pattern to me

    • RedBaronCV 1.2
      18 December 2015 at 8:11 am

      and Winston also on radio but guess what declines from police and Nact

      • Paul 1.2.1
        18 December 2015 at 10:42 am

        Key too busy on the Rock, the Crowd Goes Wild, Radio Sport, The Edge…….
        Far too much to do to be actually doing his job.

        • Draco T Bastard 1.2.1.1
          18 December 2015 at 12:54 pm

          +1

        • Ad 1.2.1.2
          18 December 2015 at 4:52 pm

          John Key has reinvented politics for New Zealand – winning politics in New Zealand now has nothing to do with policy, leadership, or content of any kind. Politics is entertainment. A few jokes, a bit of teasing, lots of banter, golf, and holidays with a bit of work on the side.

          It’s a spectacular success. No one has gotten near it.

          It’s where the people are. You go to them, no more expecting them to come to you and be attracted to your message in your terms.

          • Pat 1.2.1.2.1
            18 December 2015 at 7:46 pm

            “A few jokes, a bit of teasing, lots of banter, golf, and holidays with a bit of work on the side.’….so its a B.O.D. then….no wonder he’s right at home

  2. miravox 2
    18 December 2015 at 8:11 am

    Tunisia
    After the revolution [6 mins]

    Employment, freedom, dignity

    Still to arrive despite a Nobel Peace Prize for the people who held the country together.

    These issues are bread and butter for the internationalist Left. Surely this is a textbook case for assistance to build democracy and the administrative leadership the country needs.

    I can’t understand why the military and its weapons is considered the best use of the Western nations’ funds to fight Daesh.

    • Sabine 2.1
      18 December 2015 at 9:19 am

      Military Industrial Complex and there is money in war. Daesh gets its weapons from someone, like the US, Germany, France, England, Sweden, Russia, China and any other manufacturer of killing machines that I may have forgotten. People? ha collateral damage and we have got seven billion and counting of them, so a few hundred thousands here and there missing are nothing but a trickle down in an ocean.

  4. Chooky 4
    18 December 2015 at 9:50 am

    Interesting breakdown of those opposing the TPPA from political parties ( from TPPA News Bulletin #80 , 17 December 2015)

    ….Shows that supporters of NZF and Winston Peters are MOST opposed to the TPPA…87%

    “Kiwis against the TPPA

    In successive polls, Kiwis have rejected the TPPA. A stunning TV3 Reid Research poll revealed that a majority of NZ voters reject the TPPA. The coverage said that 52% rejected the TPPA (some people didn’t have an opinion, and the rejection was over 60% of those who expressed an opinion). 73% of Labour supporters were against it (is Andrew Little listening?), 84% Greens and 87% NZ First. Even 23% of National
    Party supporters were against the TPPA. That’s an amazing result especially as it came after a month of media carrying the government’s PR and spin while we couldn’t see the final text. Then last week, 97.5% voted no to TPPA in an online referendum run by the people’s ‘Real Choice’ ”

    (which gives lie to the constant criticism here by some, especially professed Greens, that Winston Peters and NZF are right wing and not to be trusted….more anti TPPA from NZF supporters than than the Greens …take note !)

    • Puckish Rogue 4.1
      18 December 2015 at 9:57 am

      To believe WinstonFirst will side with Labour post-election is as foolish as thinking WinstonFirst will side with National post-election

      Winston will do whats best for Winston not whats best for any particular party

      • Stuart Munro 4.1.1
        18 December 2015 at 10:00 am

        Perhaps – but it’s reasonably clear that he is not particularly enamoured of Key.

        • Puckish Rogue 4.1.1.1
          18 December 2015 at 10:26 am

          Hes not too keen on the Greens either but he is particularly fond of the baubles of office and hes probably quite keen on being knighted as well

          But that’s what I mean, for every valid reason he could go left theres an equally valid reason for him to go right

      • Chooky 4.1.2
        18 December 2015 at 10:09 am

        @ Pucky …well you would say that wouldnt you…the nacts HATE Winston…and they know he will form a coalition with Labour if he can

        …which he will

        • Puckish Rogue 4.1.2.1
          18 December 2015 at 10:29 am

          http://www.roymorgan.com/findings/6599-roy-morgan-new-zealand-voting-intention-december-2015-201512092333

          Current polling suggests that even if Winston goes into coalition Labour/Greens it still won’t be enough and do you really think (and be honest here) that Winston wants to play second fiddle to the Greens or anyone?

          • mac1 4.1.2.1.1
            18 December 2015 at 11:53 am

            PR, if Winston wants to be in coalition/supply agreement or whatever on the government side, he will be playing second fiddle to whomsoever, for he’s not going to be the major partner with the most seats.

            And an elvish Christmas to you, too. I hope you get a good end bonus.

          • lprent 4.1.2.1.2
            18 December 2015 at 1:01 pm

            Like he did with Jim Bolger before the uncooperative Jenny Shipley dropped Bolger and then Peters. Or the second fiddle that he played for Helen Clark?

            I think that you misunderstand the concept of cooperation in politics.

            • alwyn 4.1.2.1.2.1
              18 December 2015 at 3:05 pm

              I think you merely prove PRs main points.
              Winston is, as PR says, “particularly fond of the baubles of office” and doesn’t like having to “play second fiddle to the Greens or anyone”.

              Do you think that Little would, if it came down to it, include Winston in his Government and exclude the Greens if that was one of Winston’s demands?
              Do you think that the Green Party would go along with it, as they had to do when Helen Clark excluded them from being part of her Government?
              Would a Labour-led Government find that titles were a good idea if Winston demanded a knighthood as part of his price?

              Are you happy that these would merely be the trifles of co-operation in Government?

              • lprent …
                18 December 2015 at 10:42 pm

                Sigh – read the seat numbers in 2005. I really wish that you mythmaker idiots would do some parliamentary maths.

                50 Labour Party
                48 National Party
                07 New Zealand First Party
                06 Green Party
                04 Mâori Party
                03 United Future New Zealand
                02 ACT New Zealand
                01 Jim Anderton’s Progressive

                Jim Anderton was a known partner and trusted by Labour.

                The Maori party had essentially declared war on Labour so they were out of the mix.

                UF were a known and trustworthy commodity in government.

                The Greens and NZ First were both ‘unknown’ to Labour as to how well they’d work in government. But NZF had people who’d been in government before. The Greens did not.

                50 + 06 + 03 + 01 == 60 insufficient + 1 unknown
                50 + 07 + 03 + 01 == 61 sufficient + 1 unknown
                50 + 07 + 06 + 01 == 64 more than required + 2 unknowns
                50 + 07 + 06 + +03 + 01 == 67 way more than required + 2 unknown

                Lab went for the mix with the least political risk for them as a government. If the Greens had gotten one more, then they would have been a contender. But that would have required that Peter Dunne preferred them over NZF which he didn’t.

                Now look at 2014

                60 National Party
                32 Labour Party
                14 Green Party
                11 New Zealand First Party
                02 Māori Party
                01 ACT New Zealand
                01 United Future

                Assume National got a five less seats and Labour got a five more.

                The Maori party appears to be just as hostile as they were back in 2005, but now because they are heavily in the pockets of corporate iwi. ACT and UF are supplicant clients of National. So assume all of them support National and Labour won’t. Besides

                37 + 14 + 02 + 01 +01 = 55 == well short

                but

                37 + 14 + 11 = 62

                A pretty simple coalition compared to anything in 2005. The Greens are not what they were in 2005, they are a lot more stable. In many ways NZF social policies are closer to the Greens now than they are to Labour.

                Personally I don’t think there is a hope in hell of Winston going with National unless Key is dumped along with a lot of the National frontbench who launched that personal attack on him in 2008. I doubt if many of the cabinet experienced hands in NZF will either – Joyce’s National campaign was directly responsible for their time in the wilderness..

                But lets follow your idiotic bauble logic.

                NZF’s MPs will get more cabinet posts in a coalition where they are about half of the size of the main party. That party now has relatively few ex-cabinet ministers, which means that the parties are more cabinet equal. It is nearly a third larger than a cabinet neophyte Green party. NZF on a straight equal basis will get more baubles and a more equal partnership in the L + NZF + G.

                That won’t happen in National where more than a third of their MPs will have some kind of RECENT cabinet experience.

                • alwyn …
                  19 December 2015 at 2:21 pm

                  I have a problem following some of the latter part of this comment. There are statements that don’t seem to be accurate.
                  For example “many of the cabinet experienced hands in NZF”. There is only one of them – Winston. Only 3 others were even in Parliament pre 2011 and none of them had any Executive, much less Cabinet experience. The same applies to “parties are more cabinet equal”. They aren’t.

                  “about half of the size of the main party”. Your own assumption is 11 to 37, which is nothing like “about half”

                  ” It is nearly a third larger than a cabinet neophyte Green party” It isn’t. It would be, on your assumptions, 11 NZF to 14 Greens. Also, as I comment above, they are both ” cabinet neophyte” parties.
                  If the Green Party is larger than NZF they are certainly going to demand more Cabinet positions than NZF. It won’t be NZF that is the second party. It will be the Greens. They (the Greens) can also remember how NZF locked them out in 2005.

                  I think Winston can adapt his “principles” to get first pick of the baubles and a knighthood. I don’t really think he wants to have to follow two parties in the pecking order.

      • Draco T Bastard 4.1.3
        18 December 2015 at 1:05 pm

        Actually, it’s at the point where NZ1st simply couldn’t side with National as their policies are poles apart. IMO, there’s actually a higher probability of Labour siding with National.

        • Chooky 4.1.3.1
          18 December 2015 at 8:06 pm

          +100 …and not just a “higher probability”….an actuality at the moment…Labour’s policies are Nact light blue eg TPPA, spy bill…

  5. esoteric pineapples 5
    18 December 2015 at 10:17 am

    Over the last few months I have become increasingly concerned about the actions of our Prime Minister, and how they show a complete lack of understanding about the impacts of sexual and physical violence in this country. His “prison rape” joke on radio yesterday was the last straw. I believe it is no longer OK for John Key to make light of sexual abuse and sexual violence, and so I ask you to join me in calling on the White Ribbon organization to remove John Key as an ambassador.”
    ~ Kyle MacDonald, ActionStation Member

    http://www.actionstation.org.nz/noribbon?utm_campaign=noribbon1&utm_medium=email&utm_source=actionstation

    • mary_a 5.1
      18 December 2015 at 1:40 pm

      Thanks EP for the opportunity to join and sign this petition. Done.

      FJK is a disgraceful affront to any person who has been the victim of sexual assault!

    • Chooky 5.2
      18 December 2015 at 8:08 pm

      esoteric pineapple …t+100 …good work ….have signed

  6. Puckish Rogue 6
    18 December 2015 at 10:44 am

    I’m (hopefully) getting knocked off soon so this’ll probably be my last post for the year

    So everyone have a merry Christmas and stay healthy over the holidays

  7. Karen 7
    18 December 2015 at 12:37 pm

    It seems that once more NZ is featuring in world media for all the wrong reasons thanks to the disgraceful behaviour of our PM.

    http://edition.cnn.com/2015/12/17/asia/new-zealand-prime-minister-rape-joke/index.html

    Thanks Key. You have, yet again, made me embarrassed for my country.

  8. Draco T Bastard 8
    18 December 2015 at 12:53 pm

    World’s ‘most hated CEO’ Martin Shkreli arrested for fraud

    Martin Shkreli, the former hedge fund manager under fire for buying a pharmaceutical company and ratcheting up the price of a life-saving drug, is in custody following a securities probe not directly related to those actions.

    A seven-count indictment unsealed in Brooklyn federal court charged Shkreli with conspiracy to commit securities fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and securities fraud. A second defendant, attorney Evan Greebel, of Scarsdale, New York, was charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud. It was not immediately clear who will represent Greebel in court.

    Can’t say that I’m surprised in the least as his ratcheting up of the price of a drug simply to boost his own wealth shows the psychopathic tendencies.

  9. veutoviper 9
    18 December 2015 at 1:11 pm

    TPPA Alert.

    With all that is going on at present, those of you who are anti-TPPA (as I am) may have missed this ray of hope discussed by Gordon Campbell on Scoop yesterday.

    http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2015/12/17/gordon-campbell-on-how-the-republicans-just-buried-the-tpp/

  10. Morrissey 10
    18 December 2015 at 1:25 pm

    A leading thinker speaks out:
    “Slaughter’s never something to be recommended.”
    PAUL HENRY, TV3, Friday 18 December 2015
    Alison Mau, Hilary Barry, Jim Kayes

    As noted a couple of days ago, the egregious breakfast show PAUL HENRY has been markedly improved by the temporary absence of …. Paul Henry. His temporary replacement, Alison Mau, is far more intelligent and serious—and a nice person as well. This puts others at ease; Henry’s slaves Hilary and Jim are notably more relaxed and have been smiling and laughing this week rather than grimacing as Henry makes one of his ignorant and brutal comments, cringing as he grovels to a National Party politician, or forcing out an uneasy snicker at one of his mirthless jokes.

    However, Alison Mau is still at the mercy of the show’s producers. So she had no option but to talk to the discredited former ACT führer Jamie “Lock Up His Sisters” Whyte, who was one of the guests on the “Panel” segment after the 8 o’clock news. The other Panel guest was the 21 year old blogger Verity Johnson. She did not even try to disguise her contempt for Whyte.

    First item up for discussion was the decision to allow Rugby League player Russell Packer, convicted of serious assault, to remain in Australia. Whyte started by making a Paul Henry-standard joke: “It’s a severe punishment to have to stay in Australia,” he quipped. Nobody laughed. Then he embarked on a long and wandery homily about how equal treatment of offenders is unfair on the rich, who suffer unduly because “they have more to lose.” This led him on to some even more confused remarks about the love life of Brad Pitt, and then another awkward joke about how he loves alcohol.

    As Whyte rambled on, Verity Johnson looked hard up and to the right, to a spot as far away from Whyte as possible. She also fought to stop herself from laughing out loud. Even Jim and Hilary, accustomed to listening to bizarre monologues every morning, were clearly uncomfortable….

    JAMIE “LOCK UP HIS SISTERS” WHYTE: I’m a very jolly chap, especially after a certain time of night. … It’s been a very boring year. the highlight was the Free Trade deal. It was bloody great. Cons? I suppose all the slaughter. Slaughter’s never something to be recommended.

    ALISON MAU: But there are legitimate concerns about the TPP. Even Tim Groser admits that.

    JAMIE “LOCK UP HIS SISTERS” WHYTE: [speaking as slowly as possible to convey how serious he is] People don’t like companies suing governments. That’s a feature I LIKE because it constrains government. And I like government to be constrained. Ummm….

    As Whyte bored on, the camera cruelly pulled back to show Verity Johnson shaking her head and rolling her eyes, Jim and Hilary wincing, and even the technicians and studio crew shaking their heads in disbelief.

    After Whyte was gone, Jim and Hilary made a few light-hearted remarks about the absent Henry enjoying his overseas holiday. Ali Mau then uttered what might have been an even more nonsensical statement than anything by the hapless ex-ACT führer….

    ALISON MAU: Paul DESERVES a holiday! He’s worked EXTREMELY hard all year….

    More on Jamie “Lock Up His Sisters” Whyte….
    http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-07102015/#comment-1079367

  11. Rosemary McDonald 11
    18 December 2015 at 1:44 pm

    So…Tertiary Councils have fewer members, more government appointees and are going to cost more…who would have thunk it?

    http://i.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/9716785/University-reforms-an-attack-on-democracy

    http://i.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/75217389/Tertiary-councils-get-big-pay-rise

  12. Ad 12
    18 December 2015 at 3:17 pm

    IN A COUNTERINSURGENCY FAR, FAR AWAY….
    (with thanks to Foreign Policy magazine)

    The first great struggle between the Rebel Alliance and the Galactic Empire ended with the destruction of the Death Star and an apparent victory for the Rebels at the Battle of Endor. Yet we now know that the struggle has raged on for the last 30 years. Why did the defeat of Emperor Palpatine and the much heralded “return of the Jedi” not produce decades of peace under a restored Republic?

    In hindsight, it’s clear that for the Rebel Alliance the Imperial defeat at the Battle of Endor was a classic example of a catastrophic victory: a sudden collapse of a seemingly unbeatable foe that produced opportunities it was unprepared to exploit. Rather than capitalizing on their historic gains and establishing the hoped-for New Republic, the Rebels simply allowed the Galactic Empire to fragment, ushering in a period of chaos.

    Now, facing a more virulent version of the Empire under the guise of the mysterious First Order, the Resistance, the successor of the Rebel Alliance, must succeed where its progenitor failed: It must be prepared to “win the peace” and show that it represents the best hope to end this destructive conflict and bring order to the galaxy.

    As Libya, Iraq, and Syria have shown us, the combination of intense religious factionalism and a chaotic post-conflict environment is a toxic one that can lead to escalating violence and brutality. To avoid that outcome, the new Resistance must learn from the mistakes of the Rebel Alliance and quickly devise a plan to destroy the First Order and re-establish the Republic on the basis of indirect rule.

    Ultimately, the success of the peace will depend on the Resistance’s ability to hold territory and provide law and order, especially in places that were once dens of criminality. For this reason, the stability of planets like Jakku and Tatooire- is crucial and can no longer be left to the control of crime bosses like the Hutts.

    And then there are the lessons that fail to get learned; the “Horror vacui” when regimes are forced out with no replacing plan to re-settle civic order; the temptation of “boots on the ground” when hit and run tactics simply fail; the magic recipe of “Build, Hold, Govern” … suffice to say that analogies to stuff happening on earth right now abound.

    The Resistance may find itself concluding — as Britain and later the United States did — that the only way to re-establish order over fragmented, politically diverse territories is indirect rule supported by indigenous law enforcement. Carefully cultivating local leaders will be crucial to providing a legitimate “face” for the new Resistance-led government. Otherwise, if the Resistance fails to govern, or governs too directly as the Empire did (and effectively become a new empire but in faun organic cotton), there will be no end in sight to the generational wars among the stars.

  13. emergency mike 13
    18 December 2015 at 3:26 pm

    John Key reflecting on ponytailgate: “…but there’s only one person who understands the complete story and that’s me and I’m quite comfortable with it.” My emphasis.

    Hmm.

  14. Jenny Kirk 14
    18 December 2015 at 4:14 pm

    Good news on norightturn – The Aussies won over the megacorporate tobacco giant.

    http://norightturn.blogspot.co.nz/2015/12/plain-packs-win-in-australia.html

  15. red-blooded 15
    18 December 2015 at 6:05 pm

    So, how come Serco are in line for performance bonuses this year, even after they’ve had the contract retracted for failure to run a safe prison?

    $8 million over 4 years in bonuses, including about $1 million this year, according to Andrea Vance. Apparently some money will be recovered to cover costs, but there’ll still be bonuses paid for this year.

    I don’t have a link, sorry – just listening (in disbelief – no no disbelief, just disgust) to One News.

    • b waghorn 15.1
      18 December 2015 at 6:11 pm

      Because ever bodies mate john is fucking useless at driving a hard bargain and gets shafted in every deal. The fact the inept douche bag made millions makes me wonder how much he must of made his bosses.

      • alwyn 15.1.1
        18 December 2015 at 7:28 pm

        We should get Michael Cullen out of retirement, shouldn’t we?
        That magnificent deal he did when he bought back the railways off Toll Holdings. That showed how negotiations should be done and how to get a real bargain, didn’t it? Pay $665 million for something that was essentially worthless. That deal was even sillier than Bond paying Packer $1 billion for TV9. Packer bought that back a couple of years later for $250 million.
        That purchase of the railways showed real skill. Or, as is more realistic, total stupidity by the government of the time.
        http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/rail-buy-back-marks-new-sustainable-era-transport

        • b waghorn 15.1.1.1
          18 December 2015 at 8:54 pm

          The rail should never of been sold ,its as intrinsic to a functioning country as the roads, the rail lines need to be a seperated from from the cartage side and be treated the same as roads.
          Imagine an airport in a major city that only let its own planes land, not a good idea is it.?

  16. Morrissey 16
    18 December 2015 at 6:39 pm

    “Do you think we can ever get rid of hate?”
    The Panel, RNZ National, Friday 18 December 2015
    Jim Mora, Jock Anderson, Nicky Pellegrino

    “I think there’s a certain unwillingness to intervene when unruliness breaks out.”—Jim Mora.

    Indeed.

    Jim Mora was talking in this case about crime on the trains in Auckland, but perhaps some of the following incidences of “unwillingness to intervene when unruliness breaks out” passed across his mind for a moment….

    JOCK ANDERSON casually insulting Australian soldiers, JOHN BISHOP cracking anti-Arab hate “jokes”, MICHAEL BASSETT snarling that Nicky Hager is a Holocaust-denier, MICHELLE BOAG denouncing for several minutes the untermenschen who dare to question the wisdom of politicians, CHRIS TROTTER laughing at the fate of political dissidents, DENISE L’ESTRANGE-CORBET shouting insanely about the poor (“I don’t believe there IS a shortage of jobs in New Zealand!”), CHRIS TROTTER (again) sternly lecturing those foolish enough to doubt the integrity of the Deep South jury that found the killer of Trayvon Martin “not guilty”, ROSEMARY McLEOD contemptuously dismissing Egyptian civilians (“Those people don’t WANT democracy!”) and—nobody who heard this one will ever forget it—Cameron Slater’s personal servant JORDAN WILLIAMS frothing and bawling like a banshee at Josie McNaught [1].

    The list goes on, and on, and on, ad absurdum, ad nauseam.

    Every one of those outbreaks of unruliness came on The Panel, the RNZ National program hosted by…. Jim Mora. In each of those outbreaks of unruliness, Mora either kept silent, or—perhaps even worse—joined in with the derisive laughing at the victims. He was unwilling—or afraid—to intervene.

    – – – – – – – – – –

    Right at the end of the program, the host brought up the German government’s decree that social media platforms must delete hate speech within 24 hours….

    JIM MORA: Do you think we can ever get rid of hate?
    NICKY PELLEGRINO: [speaking very slowly to convey great seriousness] You can’t get rid of it, but you can refuse to give it a platform.

    Indeed.

    [1] http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-17042013/#comment-620413

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    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 ...
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    6 days 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 ...
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    6 days 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 ...
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    6 days 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 ...
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    7 days 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 ...
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    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 ...
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    1 week 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 ...
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    1 week 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 ...
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    1 week 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 ...
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    1 week 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. ...
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    1 week 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 ...
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    1 week 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). ...
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    1 week 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, ...
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    1 week 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 ...
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    1 week 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 ...
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    1 week 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 ...
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    1 week 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 ...
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    1 week 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 ...
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    1 week 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 ...
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    1 week 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 ...
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    1 week 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 ...
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    1 week ago

  • Government Initiatives Contribute to Fall in Benefit Numbers
    Minister for Social Development Carmel Sepuloni has welcomed the release of the June quarter Benefit Statistics which show a continuing fall in the number of people receiving a Main Benefit. “This Government’s plan to increase work focused support for Jobseekers is paying off,” Carmel Sepuloni said. “All up Benefit numbers ...
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    2 weeks ago

  • Tourism support package continues rollout
    Mental wellbeing support is being rolled out to five South Island communities most affected by the absence of international tourists. Tourism Minister Stuart Nash today announced details of how tourism operators and communities can access the help announced in May as part of the government’s $200 million Tourism Communities: Support, ...
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    2 weeks ago

  • NZ-PNG Sign Statement of Partnership
    New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister James Marape signed the first ever New Zealand - Papua New Guinea Statement of Partnership today. “This new Statement of Partnership reflects the importance we place on the close economic, cultural and people-to-people links our two countries have ...
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    2 weeks ago

  • Further advice being sought on new cases in Victoria
    Further advice is being sought from public health officials following seven new positive cases of COVID-19 in Victoria today, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins says. “There are also a growing number of locations of interest that are of concern, including a sports stadium on Saturday and several pubs,” Chris Hipkins ...
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    2 weeks ago

  • Christchurch Learning Community Hubs supporting ethnic families
    As part of the Government’s ongoing commitment to working with the victims and those affected by the March 15 terror attacks, today Associate Minister of Education Hon Jan Tinetti released the report ‘Voices from the Ōtautahi’ on the Christchurch Learning Community Hubs. “It’s so important we continue to support the ...
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    2 weeks ago

  • Hundreds more hands funded to work for nature
    Supporting biodiversity protection through community-led projects and on private property will create at least 500 more jobs under the Mahi mō te Taiao/Jobs for Nature programme, Minister of Conservation Kiritapu Allan announced today. “The work we are funding includes everything from pest control and restoration planting to plant propagation, skill ...
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    2 weeks ago

  • Saliva testing expansion for frontline border workers
    All frontline border workers who are required to be regularly tested for COVID-19 will soon be able to choose regular saliva testing as a full replacement for nasopharyngeal testing, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins has announced. Saliva testing will be expanded as an option for all those on a regular ...
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    2 weeks ago

  • Government consults on freshwater farm plan
    The Government is inviting farmers and growers to provide their practical ideas to help develop high-quality and workable freshwater farm plans, in line with its freshwater goals said Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor and Environment Minister David Parker. The ministers today released the consultation documents for freshwater farm plans and stock exclusion low slope maps. Comment is being sought on a new, more ...
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    2 weeks ago

  • Increased support for midwives
    New measures to help bolster the midwifery workforce as they care for the next generation of New Zealanders, have been announced today by Associate Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall. “New Zealand’s midwives are committed to the wellbeing of women and whānau, but they’re facing significant challenges. The DHB midwifery ...
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    2 weeks ago

  • Prime Minister's Speech to NZIIA Annual Conference
    Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, ata mārie, tēnā koutou katoa. It’s a great pleasure to attend an event on such an important topic as New Zealand’s future in the Indo-Pacific region. Thank you to the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs for bringing this hui together. I am encouraged to ...
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    2 weeks ago

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