Open mike 19/10/2012

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, October 19th, 2012 - 64 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…

64 comments on “Open mike 19/10/2012 ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. LBC 1
    18 October 2012 at 4:02 pm

    Had a little birdie whisper in my ear…..the great Clare Curran spent her entire time on the Parliamentary trip to the US….at Disneyworld playing with bugs bunny.

  2. Ad 2
    19 October 2012 at 7:34 am

    Anyone want to write a eulogy to Fisher and Paykel?

    It won’t die of course, but it was our last locally formed, high value-add, high design quality, proudly Pakuranga originated, globally renowned company with New Zealand designs and engineering of any global scale.

    Of course it had offshored much of its manufacturing over the last five years, but for the previous 50 years they were mostly here.

    It made some New Zealanders rich, domiciled dividends to local owners, but many thousands were given good jobs here too.

    This feels far sicker to me than Navman being sold and disembowelled. This is just sad. People are free to sell, no complaints. It’s still really sad.

    Huge praise to the Fishers and the Paykels and all the originating families. You made your mark on the world.

    • mickysavage 2.1
      19 October 2012 at 7:41 am

      Yep and where is the sign of the next F&P?  

      And what is the Government doing about this?

      Of course those on the right say that it is the mythical magical hand of the free market that creates intellectual property and technology and the State has no role to play but this ignores history and the actions of states like Japan and China who with major state planning created a high tech industry. 

      • Colonial Viper 2.1.1
        19 October 2012 at 8:57 am

        Its nuts to say Government can do nothing about situations like this.

        In Germany, the Board has to give the factory’s unions 12 months of notice that they are planning to offshore production.

        That usually stops it.

    • Enough is Enough 2.2
      19 October 2012 at 10:44 am

      Yet another example of the Chinese purchasing New Zealand assets.

      Where will it stop?

      Does the governmnet not realise what China is doing here

      • Draco T Bastard 2.2.1
        19 October 2012 at 2:31 pm

        It’s selling off the economy making the country poorer but this government (and probably the last government as well considering that they were the ones that opened up the barn door) doesn’t care just so long as their rich mates get more money.

    • millsy 2.3
      19 October 2012 at 11:42 am

      This really pisses me off. Each and every shareholder and the Board of Directors is guilty of treason and being unpatriotic.

  3. mickysavage 3
    19 October 2012 at 7:47 am

    The Maori Council is off to Court to seek an injunction to stop MRP’s share sale.

    Good on them.  This sort of action has occurred before.  In 1987 the Maori Council successfully injuncted the Government from selling various parcels of land.

    The principles here seem to me to be pretty clear.  Maori had an interest in water pre treaty, this was never taken away because as Key said the common law thought that no one owned water, and Maori’s interests are preserved.  It was a taonga under article two.

    Of course the Government will not settle this.  They will be hoping that court action will fail.  But if they do fail they will look weak and powerless and the red neck brigade will be up in arms.

    Interesting times …

     

    • tc 3.1
      19 October 2012 at 9:16 am

      And dunno who it was saying on RNZ this morning (could’ve been Flavell) when asked this is part of the confidence and supply agreement with MP and it’s been broken he said it’s not a deal breaker.

      What flexible morals they have or maybe we’re just being pedantic.

  4. ak 4
    19 October 2012 at 8:11 am

    How many John Keys does it take to change a light bulb?

    I forget.

  5. Janice 5
    19 October 2012 at 8:23 am

    Poor DunnoKeyo, he is exhibiting all the symptoms of early onset dementia. The short term memory loss coupled with the historic memory of exchange rates of 25 years ago are all warning signs for family and party members to take note. Soon there will be an exhibition of not remembering that he couldn’t remember something, and he will accuse the media/opposition of getting it wrong. From here it will be all downhill – a jar of jellybeans in the office and sending Bronagh off to consult astrologers……

  6. ak 6
    19 October 2012 at 8:39 am

    Two John Keys walk into a bar with an Englishman, an Irish man and a Scotsman.

    No one recalls ever being briefed on what happens next.

  7. ak 7
    19 October 2012 at 8:57 am

    What’s the difference between John Key and a tasty snack of haddock and chips enjoyed in the blissful bucolic ambience of a small Merseyside village near Sefton?

    One’s a kai in Lunt.

    • McFlock 8.1
      19 October 2012 at 7:41 pm

      Nicely shows labour’s progress, and national’s faltering.
            
      I’ll be intrigued to see what it’s like in six months time – that line for labour has to flatten sometime 🙂
       

  9. Ad 9
    19 October 2012 at 9:18 am

    Shane Jones settles back on the hotel bed after putting in the tape Winston has just given him, pushes play, and it’s grainy footage of some lunchroom and a guy up the front who appears to have lost all syllabic precision …

    Ah well.

    At least Shane enjoyed it.

  10. starlight 10
    19 October 2012 at 10:12 am

    ‘I dunno and i just can’t think,hey, did anyone tell fossy to sort super out?’
    ‘Yes it was you boss,you can’t do it,cos it will cost you your job boss’ say’s gerry
    ‘Why,what could i have said to put my job on the line ?’
    ‘Your words boss,you wont touch super,or you will resign’ says gerry
    ‘FFS i didn’t say that, did i, surely not,how stupid,how silly,i’ll just ignore it
    and it will go away then ‘
    ‘Where is Bennett, has anyone seen her today,we need a diversion,NOW’
    ‘I will sort it’ says gerry.

  11. prism 11
    19 October 2012 at 10:17 am

    NZs economic plight and much mismanagement leading to our poor situation being discussed right now on Radionz by one of the Fletcher family. Is making points that sound like sense from a businessman with nous. And is criticising present ideologyeconomic .

    • deuto 11.1
      19 October 2012 at 10:33 am

      Hugh Fletcher.

      From RNZ site “Hugh Fletcher steps down at the end of this month from the board of Fletcher Building, he is the former chief executive of Fletcher Challenge and has had a 34-year involvement with the family firm.”

      Hugh is married to Chief Justice Sian Elias.

    • millsy 11.2
      19 October 2012 at 11:44 am

      Pity he did nothing to stop Fletcher Challenge from being dismantled. That could have been a New Zealand company that could have held its own in a globalised world.

      • prism 11.2.1
        19 October 2012 at 9:58 pm

        millsy I think he talked about that on the interview. Could be interesting to hear his views on it.

  12. deuto 12
    19 October 2012 at 10:51 am

    As plans for the day (gardening, lawns etc) have been frustrated by the rain, have read a couple of interesting articles this morning.

    While a somewhat ignoramus when it comes to the history/timelines etc for the internet, blogging etc, I could not believe my ears earlier in the week when Maurice Williamson spoke in the urgent debate on the WINZ kiosk debacle. Williamson said amongst other things that blogging had only been around for about 5 years ….. Hello? His speech is here.

    http://inthehouse.co.nz/node/15500

    I am pleased to see that Toby Manhire has raised this in his Herald opinion piece today “MPS out of touch”. .

    Bloggers”, Uncle Maurice? They sound just awful. “Yeah, blogging only came into fashion just towards the end of the Labour Government. Blogging has been around only four or five years now.”

    Toby’s article covers more than just this and is worth a read.

  13. Dv 13
    19 October 2012 at 11:47 am

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/7838696/Flies-spark-ministerial-evacuation

    Level 19 of Bowen House will be swept and fumigated from midday, forcing Attorney General Chris Finlayson, Revenue Minister Peter Dunne and around 15 staff out.

    So the Bull shit levels are causing difficulties.

  15. ianmac 15
    19 October 2012 at 3:12 pm

    Headline in the Herald:
    Who is to Blame for Armstrong Myth?
    “Strewth,” I thought. “Now they are seeing the truth about poor old John.”
    Oops. It was the other Armstrong, Lance Armstrong. Sorry John.

    • Draco T Bastard 16.1
      19 October 2012 at 5:38 pm

      Can’t say that I’m surprised as the US seems to dislike anything that may topple the entrenched two party system and give choice and voice to the many.

      • prism 16.1.1
        19 October 2012 at 10:04 pm

        DTB
        I was interested to hear someone from Germany criticising MMP. The new head of the Roundtable agency thought we’d made a mistake. It seems to me that right wingers like the two party system.

        • Draco T Bastard 16.1.1.1
          19 October 2012 at 10:16 pm

          The RWNJs don’t like democracy so they try to maintain the least democratic system they can. If we brought in full participatory democracy they’d be jumping up and down saying that it was a total failure (even if it wasn’t) and demanding that we bring back MMP.

  17. Penny Bright 17
    19 October 2012 at 5:01 pm

    TAKING ON THE 1% IN AUCKLAND!

    19 October 2012

    Mike Giddey
    Committee Secretary
    Democracy Services
    Auckland Council

    OPEN LETTER/ REQUEST FOR SPEAKING RIGHTS AT THE AUCKLAND COUNCIL GOVERNING BODY MEETING – THURSDAY 25 OCTOBER 2012
    – 10AM RECEPTION LOUNGE, AUCKLAND TOWN HALL.

    Dear Mike,

    The subject matter will be the following ‘Open Letter’ of complaint to the Office of the Auditor-General, of which Sarah Lineham ( Local Government Sector Manager), has verbally confirmed receipt, Friday 19 October 2012:

    OPEN LETTER TO THE OFFICE OF THE AUDITOR-GENERAL

    Under s.18 of the Public Audit Act 2001, we the undersigned request that you please conduct an urgent investigation into the following matters:

    1) The allegedly corrupt ‘conflict of interest’ of the CEO of Auckland Council, Doug McKay, who is also a member of the extremely powerful private lobby group – the Committee for Auckland.

    http://www.committeeforauckland.co.nz/membership/member-organisations

    2) Please investigate how many contracts have been awarded by Auckland Council and/or any of the following Auckland Council Controlled Organisations to member companies of the Committee for Auckland:

    a) Watercare Services Ltd

    b) Auckland Transport

    c) ATEED (Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development Ltd)

    d) ACIL (Auckland Council Investment Ltd)

    e) AWDA (Auckland Waterfront Development Agency Ltd)

    f) RFA (Regional Facilities Auckland)

    g) APL (Auckland Property Ltd)

    3) Please investigate the following potential ‘conflicts of interest’:

    a) The CEO of Watercare Services Ltd, is Committee for Auckland member – Mark Ford.

    b) The Chair of the Board of ATEED – David McConnell, and Deputy Chair Norm Thompson are both members of the Committee For Auckland.

    c) Directors on the Board of ACIL, Pauline Winter and Brian Corban are both members of the Committee for Auckland.

    d) Director Evan Davies and CEO John Dalzell of AWDA, are both members of the Committee for Auckland.

    e) Deputy Chair Dame Jenny Gibbs, and CEO Robert Domm of RFA, are both members of the Committee for Auckland.

    4) Please also investigate the failure of Auckland Council to ensure that CEO Doug McKay carry out his statutory duties under s.42 (2) (e) of the Local Government Act 2002:

    http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2002/0084/latest/DLM171859.html

    42 Chief executive

    (2)A chief executive appointed under subsection (1) is responsible to his or her local authority for—

    (c)ensuring that all responsibilities, duties, and powers delegated to him or her or to any person employed by the local authority, or imposed or conferred by an Act, regulation, or bylaw, are properly performed or exercised; and

    (d)ensuring the effective and efficient management of the activities of the local authority; and

    (e)maintaining systems to enable effective planning and accurate reporting of the financial and service performance of the local authority;

    A Local Government Official Information Act reply from Auckland Council dated 21 November 2011, from Darryl Griffin, (Auckland Council Manager for Democracy Services), confirms the lack of transparency in the spending of public monies by Auckland Council, in refusing to make available for public scrutiny the ‘devilish detail’ ie: the names, the scope, term and value of 5000 contracts related to 12,500 suppliers contracted to Auckland Council, on the basis that:

    ‘To collate and publish these would be a major exercise logistically and cost-wise’.

    Further evidence to support this request for an urgent inquiry is:

    A) The LGOIMA reply from Wendy Brandon, General Counsel for Auckland Council, dated 10 February 2012 – re: Committee for Auckland – CE membership.

    B) The LGOIMA reply from Wendy Brandon, General Counsel for Auckland Council, dated 14 March 2012 – re: Register of Interests and contracts.

    ____________________________________________________________________

    Penny Bright
    ‘Anti-corruption campaigner’

  18. McFlock 18
    19 October 2012 at 7:23 pm

    Oh look, it turns out that the MoJustice: 
    A)has computer kiosks; and
    B)has shut them down due to insecurities.
       
    Took them long enough to check, after all it’s not like Ng didn’t explain what the vulnerabilities were. It appears that no manager in MoJ had the immediate inclination to follow the instructions and see if they’d fucked up, too. 

    • captain hook 18.1
      19 October 2012 at 8:15 pm

      this country is turning into the laughing stock of nations.
      the whole place is being run by post moderns who think that only their own truths count and what is even worse if they talk about it then it is done.
      the whole place has become completely infantilised and run by overfed mental midgets with overweening faith in their own stupidity.
      they are becoming dangerous!

      • Jim Nald 18.1.1
        19 October 2012 at 8:35 pm

        Well done, MoJ. And great timing for the announcement, pre-long weekend.
        You do your political bosses proud.

      • blue leopard 18.1.2
        20 October 2012 at 12:08 am

        @ captain hook

        Yeah, I certainly agree this country is becoming good fodder for a laughing stock, though not a laughing stock “of nations”.

        I don’t consider many other countries are in a position to be laughing at us. i.e. the whole Western world is turning into a Mickey Mouse outfit. (Don’t know so much about other cultures so will stick to focussing on the fiascos of the western nations.). The whole western world is being over-run by mentally challenged power-tripping midgets; not solely NZ.

        And like Muzza said, the more undesirable traits you have the more desirable you are in this culture of avarice we are being sold.

    • muzza 18.2
      19 October 2012 at 9:10 pm

      Seems to me someone is looking for reasons to outsource more jobs!

      Ill say it again, the kiosk issues would not have been missed my major development and testing gates!

      HOOK – These people running our country, are simply the corruptable minions of those with more power. The more undesirable traites you have as a human being, the more desireable you are to those who feel the need to control us.

      It all went past dangerous a very long time back, you just have to look at how many people globally are being totally dominated, killed, mamed, pushed into poverty, bombed, slaugtered, removed off their lands, imprisoned, poisoned, polluted to death, medicated to death, sent ot war, sentenced to die..

      Still I reckon blogging on the net should fix it up!

  19. LBC 19
    19 October 2012 at 7:30 pm

    …anyone ask the Otago flake Claire Curran what she was doing at Disneyworld when she was on the Speakers tour?…no UFB briefings there unless Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck have something else to say about it.

    [lprent: Moved to OpenMike as it was clearly deliberately offtopic. Just had a look at your 12 comments to date. You look like one of those boring idiots who swallowed a book that should be entitled “Boring bloggers for Dummies” on how to push memes on dat social media. We’ve seen all of this stupid rap before, just say what you want to say and explain why.

    Make your pushing a lot more interesting, and lose the half-arsed leading question style that was so 2008 (and reminds everyone of stupid ACToids they have known). I usually decide that people using it are merely trolling because they obviously have never formed a opinion that they can argue for. And do read the policy so you don’t do something really stupid that triggers a reflexive moderating action. ]

  20. Georgecom 20
    19 October 2012 at 8:48 pm

    The governments No pay, sorry, Novo pay payroll system in the education sector is continuing to be shambolic.

    Question for me, why didn’t they test it first before rolling it out. Surely the likes of MSD IT folk could have done that work.

    Oh, by the looks of it maybe MSD staff DID test the system first.

  21. Draco T Bastard 21
    19 October 2012 at 9:23 pm

    An interesting point:

    What these two factors mean, I think, is that if baby boomers abuse their demographic power (which they already are to some extent), then they risk alienating younger generations to the point where the latter simply leave New Zealand. I think this kind of “demographic purge” is a real risk, and may have already begun.

    The author is going on more about the declining use of cars in the younger generations but it can certainly be generalised to other aspects such as education where the older generations got free education while the younger are having to pay. Maybe the reason why our young are leaving is because NZ has become so static that there’s nothing interesting to do (and, no, I’m not just talking about going out to party).

    • Rogue Trooper 21.1
      20 October 2012 at 9:18 am

      🙂

    • Colonial Viper 21.2
      20 October 2012 at 9:23 am

      +1 Draco.

      Nothing interesting to do, and even if there were, no opportunities to do it.

      You should see what my upper middle class friends are doing with their 4 day Labour Weekend. A boat trip, cruising around out of town in their new MX-5, doing a winery and restaurant tour of the provinces.

      What recession? What unemployment? What child poverty? All that bad stuff is in an irrelevant universe far far away.

  22. captain hook 22
    19 October 2012 at 9:29 pm

    I’m beginning to think that they have planned al lthis shit.
    If people realise that their privacy is up for grabs and open slather then they wont bother troubling the boorokrats anymore.
    q.e.d.

    • muzza 22.1
      19 October 2012 at 9:37 pm

      Certainly makes it easier to demonise the local serivces, if you had an agenda which involved outsourcing, just like the IRD have done. How surprising will the KPMG report be I wonder…

      If you own the legislative and the money system, you can do what you want eh, pretty staight forward really!

  23. muzza 23
    19 October 2012 at 9:46 pm

    Quazi Mohammad Rezwanul Ahsan Nafis was arrested in an undercover operation by the FBI after he parked a van containing what he believed to be explosives outside New York’s Federal Reserve.

    The ‘explosives’ had already been made safe by undercover agents who had supplied them to him.

    That line right there, tells all thats needed about what a fix up this is!

    In his conversations with the undercover agent he had spoken of how he had wanted to “destroy America” by attacking its economy and of his “beloved Sheikh Osama bin Laden”.

    Oh look another undercover intelligence sting this time using the “on behalf of AQ”, to link those who speak against the money system as being terrorists..How convenient!

    America fcuk yeah!

  24. Draco T Bastard 24
    20 October 2012 at 12:35 am

    US and Australia in cahoots for years over Assange intel

    Australia has been handing key intelligence on Julian Assange to Washington for over two years. Newly-released cables indicate the US conducted an “active and vigorous enquiry” as early as 2010 to ascertain if they could try Assange for espionage.

    ­The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) revealed it had been in cahoots with the US over the Assange case for over two years, saying it had turned over documents as early as 2010 that pertained to the whistleblower’s activities.

    Murkier and murkier.

    • McFlock 24.1
      20 October 2012 at 1:20 am

      I’d be surprised if five eyes hadn’t been looking at him from the time Wikileaks started. No surprise.

      • Draco T Bastard 24.1.1
        20 October 2012 at 1:38 am

        I’m not really surprised but it does show that TPTB get really irritated and nasty when things they want to be kept hidden get released to the general public. IMO, this keeping things hidden is the actions of dictators.

  25. blue leopard 25
    20 October 2012 at 12:41 am

    I note that Master Key attempted to assure those from Yaldhurst School today:

    “We take on board fully their concerns. I give them my word we’ll be looking at what they say, I can’t guarantee we’ll agree with them, we haven’t made any decisions yet,” he said.

    ~TVNZ News Item

    Heck, they’ve been given his word….they must feel so much better now…

    Perhaps his advisors could tell him as well as keeping off the blatent porkies, that references to “words” or “promises” need to be avoided for for a wee while…after the last few months such statements from our PM are laughable.

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
    13 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
    16 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
    22 hours 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    4 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
    4 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
    5 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
    5 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
    7 days 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 2024-04-16T12:39:30+00:00