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Open mike 28/02/2012

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, February 28th, 2012 - 88 comments
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Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose.

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Step right up to the mike…

88 comments on “Open mike 28/02/2012 ”

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  1. peter 1
    28 February 2012 at 6:38 am

    “Prime Minister John Key remains confident the economy will pick up and increase the number of jobs available” NZ Herald 28/2/12

    How many jobs and when?

  2. Zorr 2
    28 February 2012 at 6:51 am

    http://crooksandliars.com/karoli/charter-school-or-indoctrination-center-edu

    Direct from the States – a big reason why charter schools are such a horrible idea… unless of course you want to increase your OT levels from an early age…

  3. Zorr 3
    28 February 2012 at 6:51 am

    http://crooksandliars.com/karoli/charter-school-or-indoctrination-center-edu

    Direct from the States – a big reason why charter schools are such a horrible idea… unless of course you want to increase your OT levels from an early age…

  4. tc 4
    28 February 2012 at 7:32 am

    How about that Otago Union eh. Posting losses for years, a number of bad decisions and gone owing millions. I get the feeling this is an easy way to isolate losses knowingly being racked up in one entity which the NZRU can sidestep and do it all over again with their own muppets.

    • Pascal's bookie 4.1
      28 February 2012 at 8:35 am

      TYPICAL FUCKING UNION SCUM

    • shorts 4.2
      28 February 2012 at 8:36 am

      my thoughts exactly… dump ya debts and carry on, as some are known to do

      its only a sports club, cue govt bailout

      • McFlock 4.2.1
        28 February 2012 at 12:26 pm

        Hell, the DCC has bailed them out to the tune of millions for years (not including the stadium), and then the NZRFU has the balls to suggest that maybe the “community can get behind it”. 
                
        I don’t begrudge community funding sport and recreation by any means, but those cocks were pissing money away and expecting to be bailed out because the sun shines out of their arse. Now most of the ORFU supporting councillors are out, the dickheads were to incompetent to stand alongside every other sport in the community. Good riddance. Pity it didn’t happen before we near bankrupted ourselves on the stadium.  

    • Draco T Bastard 5.1
      28 February 2012 at 1:09 pm

      I’m really starting to think that the UN has passed its use-by date as well. It seems that the US dominates it.

  6. mickysavage 6
    28 February 2012 at 8:01 am

    Excellent email just read out on Morning Report.

    “I feel so sorry for John Key and Paula Bennett.  So many people on benefits and no poor houses to throw them into …” 

    • Ianupnorth 6.1
      28 February 2012 at 10:57 am

      We were discussing the same at morning tea; this recovery must be about to happen; maybe I blinked and missed it?

    • Ianupnorth 6.2
      28 February 2012 at 10:59 am

      Don’t worry, Fletcher’s will be building them some time soon, probably using Filipino trades people

  7. vto 7
    28 February 2012 at 8:14 am

    People down these Canterbury parts aren’t too happy about Phil Heatley’s ramblings and ignorance over proposed fracking here. Examples of his stupidity and hypocrisy and bullshit…

    1. He says he has no reason to suspect there is a risk in Canterbury over the two main risks with fracking, namely ground water contamination and induced earthquake activity. (despite there already being earthquakes ffs, as well as issues arising from ground water thanks to cowshit)

    2. He says he is confident in the Council’s ability to manage the fracking (despite having no confidence in Ecan or the City Council and despite the nats general aversion to all things council-wise and despite one of the Council’s requesting a moratorium on fracking)

    These sorts of bullshit lies make the blood boil. How do these wankers get away with such bullshit?

    • muzza 7.1
      28 February 2012 at 9:03 am

      Becauase the sheep sit on their daggs, and go baa baa baa

    • Rosie 7.2
      28 February 2012 at 9:19 am

      Hey vto, I completely understand that feeling of your blood boiling. I understand becuase I have been in perpetual state of

      http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/are-you-serious-face-seriously

      for the last 3 years and 3 months. My mouth has been in gaping awe at the stupidity displayed every time a minister or JK opens their mouths, so much that my mouth has dried up over this time.

      • vto 7.2.1
        28 February 2012 at 9:30 am

        Yep, Rosie, the are you serious face…

        But the problem remains. Just like the goon in that clip these people just keep on going and going and going. Stating their lies and bullshit.

        Lies lies lies… heatley heatley heatley… are you serious face are you serious face are you serious face…

      • LynW 7.2.2
        28 February 2012 at 9:36 am

        Brilliant! AYSF! Ditto Rosie & vto.

      • ianmac 7.2.3
        28 February 2012 at 10:41 am

        I get it Rosie. So true. Was my reaction to the Ministry of Ed woman talking about National Standards this morning National Radio before 10am. I had to drink a cup of tea to get my mouth moistened. (And the Shouty O’Reilly clip was huge fun too.)

    • insider 7.3
      28 February 2012 at 11:04 am

      fracking creates no more risk to water than any other form of drilling. The issue is poor casing not fracking.

      • Draco T Bastard 7.3.1
        28 February 2012 at 1:13 pm

        And the casing is needed because…?

        Oh, and don’t forget, no seal is ever perfect.

        • insider 7.3.1.1
          28 February 2012 at 3:08 pm

          The casings are necessary no argument. But all wells are cased. What you need to show is that fracked wells have more issues/failures than non fracked.

          • Draco T Bastard 7.3.1.1.1
            28 February 2012 at 6:08 pm

            Do you understand what frakking does? It breaks up the ground so that gas and liquids travel through it faster. The casing isn’t going to do anything to prevent contamination of ground water because of that fracturing. Considering that earthquakes are a release of stress within the mantle we can see how it could possibly lead to more of them as well.

  8. Rosie 8
    28 February 2012 at 9:40 am

    Hi vto, I did happen to hear Phil Heatleys talk about his complete lack of concern for fracking. There was a couple of are you serious faces going on in our living room at the time. Its mindblowing isn’t it.

    Seriously though, I have been trying to work out why there isn’t a resistance to the cascade of stupidity and consequent policy and so far I can only put it down to ignorance, apathy and cogntive dissonance. Almost everyone I know has no idea what is going on and nor do they care. If they do have an opinion its a sound bite brainwashed one that make apologies for our govt. What can you do?

    • muzza 8.1
      28 February 2012 at 9:55 am

      Totally relate to what you are saying, people are alseep quoting soundbites, if anything, which is allowing the agenda to continue, and leaving those who pay attention and bother to research underlying issues, feeling very frustrated. Knowing that the apathy of others is going to have an impact on you and your family is a horrible feeling to have, so what you can do is keep trying to understand the issues, the agenda, and look for ways in the system of your local council etc that you can lodge your concerns. Write emails continually to MP’s, councillors etc, research the decisions of France and Bulgaria to ban fracking, and include this info in your communications. Illustrate the numerous examples around the world of protests against fracking, such as is going on in Ohio currently.
      Also look for active people in your part of the country, you might be surprised how many like minded people there are. Being in touch with others who care, and share the same concerns you do Rosie, really helps to stop people feeling alone in their feelings of frustrated helplessness..
      Taking some pro-active approach really helps I find. I hope this response helps you out!

    • phillip ure.. 8.2
      29 February 2012 at 11:33 am

      here is a fracking cache that might help..

      ..consider it a primer on the subject..

      http://whoar.co.nz/?s=fracking

      phil-at-whoar.

  9. Uturn 9
    28 February 2012 at 9:54 am

    There is a resistance, Rosie, it just isn’t advertised. There are no leaders or organisation as such and everyone acts alone. All you have to do to join is to understand your area of concern; where it fits into the overall picture of the common good; and commit to actively stopping any in-roads by the government or people who support their ideology/perspective into your area of concern. Apply as much pressure as you like, noisy or quietly, legal or illegal, the choice is yours. Then when you’re ready, take the offensive and push back as you see fit – undermine, sabotage, road-block. It’s very simple and completely covert. If anyone stands up and starts yapping about it, spectators just think they’re crazy. We don’t exist. Nothing can be proved. I’m just a crazy person on an internet site.

  11. Rosie 11
    28 February 2012 at 10:23 am

    Thanks Muzza and Uturn:-) They are thoughtful responses. My family and friends do shake their heads at me because I am the one writing the letters to the MP’s, reading, watching documentaries, watching alternate news channels online, attending rallies and even at one stage working within the Union movement. I guess I got a bit tired of the rhetoric and division that I see exist within some of the activist movements, and I get impatient for change. Also I’ve found, but would like to be proved wrong there is lack of positive energy within some groups and a bit of hating going on and absolutely no sense of humour.
    Hey U turn, I’m also a crazy person on an internet site. Lol. In saying that before the Occupy movement got any media coverage I had some amazing on line chats with folks from the UK and USA. I was damn impressed at the vision, courage and collective strength of those people. Bigger populations of course, but same deal as us.
    I’ve just recently come onto the Standard so I can access some solidarity with like mindeds like yourselves, and I’m enjoying the intelligent discussions folks post.

    • muzza 11.1
      28 February 2012 at 10:38 am

      Rosie, good on you for getting actively involved, its feels like a thankless task at times, but the option of not doing anything, I assume is not really an option for you?

      The active community can be their own worst enemy at times, and from my experiences in AKL the same points you make apply. The underlying messages are there, but the strategy to deliver is , so far as I have seen not there. Of course you get the egos and infighting, which is only serving to derail the impact of any effort that is made.
      Keep in touch with the active people though Rosie, because it will allow you get a feel for where there are peole or agendas that are best avoided, or that are serving only to relieve you of energy, and desire to help. I would suggest the same applies to working online, as it can become as big a distraction, as it can be a helpful mechanism for information, networking etc…Balance is the key , as with all things.

      Never let other peoples ignorance impact on you Rosie, hard as that might be. Teh other option is for you to put your head int he sand the same way they do, but I guess , like me, that is not an option, and so we just have to accept that people genuinley do not care in the same way!

      • Rosie 11.1.1
        28 February 2012 at 11:09 am

        Thanks again Muzza:-) Yes, sometimes I do stand back as all those ego’s and energy sappers get a bit much. I think acting out and living your moral code is important too, like actually walking the talk to use a corny US term.I’ve met some folks in active groups that can be quite uncool and hypocritical in their actions which leaves them open to ridicule from the those they are trying convince of a better way of living/thinking.

        So funny you used the term “put your head in the sand”. I’ve just used that term over on stuff.co.nz on their comments section about a UMR phone research poll that showed that being right wing made you happier…………..I would have included a reference for people to check my point I made but all my psychologhy text books are locked away in our storage unit.

        You get to be online when you’re unemployed! haha. BTW, troll force that might be lurking here, I’m not entitled to any benefit so we are struggling along on one income, but at least I’m one less benefit bludging parasite eh?

        Waht was that about ignorance being bliss………..

        • Vicky32 11.1.1.1
          29 February 2012 at 2:56 pm

          You get to be online when you’re unemployed! haha

          In my case, being online when I am unemployed is a psychological necessity! As a result I sacrifice other things to afford dial up, and of course the landline I need to run it. If I ever get a job, I will have the money for a decent connection but not the time. 
          Lots of ironies there…

          • Te Reo Putake 11.1.1.1.1
            29 February 2012 at 3:35 pm

            It might be worth shopping around a bit for broadband deals. The entry level bundles (phone and net) at Slingshot are $80 pcm and Telstra have a $75 pcm special on now which looks excellent. I’m guessing that you pay around $50-55 now and I do appreciate that still means finding another fiver each week, but it will be worth it if you can afford it.

            • Vicky32 11.1.1.1.1.1
              29 February 2012 at 6:04 pm

              It might be worth shopping around a bit for broadband deals

              Thanks, I’ll look into that! Presently, I pay $10.00 a month (pre-pay) for dial up, and I suppose $48 a month for my phone, so putting those two together, it’s more than I tend to think it is… So, it might be worthwhile!

  12. Bored 12
    28 February 2012 at 10:55 am

    On another note Granny herald today asks “Should the government bail out the Otago RFU?”
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=10788548

    My take very simple, we bail out banks, we bail out creditors for SCF and other corporate scoundrels….where is the ORFUs bail out? And the bail out to students? And to every other person?

  13. Anne 13
    28 February 2012 at 10:55 am

    Over at Kiwipolitico (posted 30 January) “Pablo” asks: Does NZ have a culture of impunity?

    I quote the following passage from the post:

    They can buy silence and name suppression when they misbehave; with a wink and a nod they accommodate employment for their friends and provide sinecures for each other (think of various Boards); they consider themselves better informed, in the know, more worldly and therefore unaccountable to the popular masses when it comes to making policy (think of the use of parliamentary urgency to ram through contentious legislation and the NZDF command lies about what the SAS is actually doing in Afghanistan); they award themselves extraordinary powers in some times of crisis (Christchurch) while absolving themselves of responsibility in others (Rena). They use the Police for their own purposes (Teapot Tapes and Occupy evictions, the latter happening not because of public consensus but done by summary executive fiat).

    Yes, we now have a culture of impunity.

  14. Ianupnorth 14
    28 February 2012 at 11:01 am

    I was listening to that slime ball Farrar on National radio yesterday; have we evidence that he and Key are not the same person who can shape shift from slim ball to weasel, but the voice remains the same? Has anyone actually got evidence they are not the same entity?

    • Hayden 14.1
      28 February 2012 at 12:08 pm

      The Stuff.co.nz photo of Farrar looks very similar, in terms of lighting, to the billboard photo of John Key from last year.

  15. The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell 15
    28 February 2012 at 11:14 am

    Anyone listening to Rod Oram slating the union at the port on Nine to Noon?

  16. Penny Bright 16
    28 February 2012 at 12:04 pm

    CONFIRMED!
    The Occupy Auckland endorsed petition which requests: “That the House conduct an urgent inquiry into the decisions regarding prosecutions relating to the Huljich Kiwisaver Scheme registered prospectuses dated 22 August 2008 and 18 September 2009” is being presented to the House at 2pm today – Tuesday 28 February 2012.

    Thank you Labour MP for Auckland Issues, Phil Twyford who is the MP who presented this petition.

    This should help cast a HUGE national and international public spotlight on the fact that the balance of power in New Zealand ‘perceived’ to be the ‘least corrupt country in the world’ (according to Transparency International’s 2011 ‘Corruption Perception Index’ – is currently being held by an arguably yet-to-be charged or convicted ‘white collar’ criminal John Banks – ACT MP for Epsom.

    ACT purportedly believe in ‘ONE LAW FOR ALL’ – so how come that hasn’t yet applied to the current and former Leaders of the ACT Party?

    For more background information (including – the Huljich Kiwisaver Scheme registered prospectuses dated 22 August 2008 and 18 September 2009) check out http://www.pennybright4epsom.org.nz

    Cheers!

    Penny Bright

  17. Anne 17
    28 February 2012 at 12:08 pm

    Congratulations Penny Bright.

  18. prism 18
    28 February 2012 at 12:43 pm

    Paula Bennett says that cleaning and fast food jobs are ‘noble’. I agree but why isn’t caring for children ‘noble’? Mums and Dads on benefits who have to spend time on courses that assist in their roles, child psychology, cooking, putting up shelves, the right use of tools would be good and could open to other education and jobs. Go into an entry level job and it prepares you for other – entry level jobs. And they are poorly paid. The government never faces how they may force people into greater poverty when they take them off benefits and give them an any-job.

    Cleaning is an odd one to choose. It’s a very despised job, as I know having been one, and often carried out at or after dinner time, or early in the morning, no good if you have children. (The government says that children cannot be left at home under age fourteen. ) Or it’s on-call say with a motel, and that makes it very difficult to have a life, or to cater for family duties and child supervision and care.

    • Uturn 18.1
      28 February 2012 at 1:17 pm

      Trying to understand propaganda with logic or life experience isn’t going to work – as you discover. It’s just meaningless words, based around current cultural myths and cliché, used to cover malicious intent. There isn’t meant to be any reference to reality at all.

  19. William Joyce 19
    28 February 2012 at 2:51 pm

    Good news!
    Trevor Mallard announced in Question Time that Murray McCully has been found in “the building”. He must have chewed through the restraints and escaped the party whips.

    • phillip ure.. 19.1
      28 February 2012 at 5:49 pm

      i did a commentary on questiontime..

      ..and the ‘joke’ for me was ‘where’s the bloody opposition..?’..

      ..with the exception of parker…(and a one-liner retort from peters to bennett,,that must have stung..)..

      ..every opposition party/speaker was as lame-as..

      ..i grade each questiontime on watchability..and other factors..

      ..this one got 1/10..

      ..and a caustic-summary..

      phil-at-whoar.

  20. prism 20
    28 February 2012 at 2:51 pm

    @ uturn
    +1

  21. Te Reo Putake 21
    28 February 2012 at 2:55 pm

    Occupy London is being closed down by the cops right about now. Nothing like dealing to sleeping people in the early hours of the morning to make policing fun.

  22. Ianupnorth 22
    28 February 2012 at 3:15 pm

    A couple of weeks ago there was an article telling us if you are of a lower IQ you are more likely to be a RWNJ; even more evidence emerging
     
    http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2012/feb/27/upper-class-people-behave-selfishly
     
    So if you are a Tory toff you are more likely to be greedy, a cheat and less caring; now there’s a surprise!

    • Uturn 22.1
      28 February 2012 at 3:28 pm

      Someone yesterday said a survey in NZ concluded that RWingers were happier. So add that to the mix and we find RWNJs are Jovial Sociopathic Simpletons. Sounds exhausting!

  23. Rosie 23
    28 February 2012 at 4:10 pm

    Here’s another similar article Ianupnorth

    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2095549/Right-wingers-intelligent-left-wingers-says-controversial-study–conservative-politics-lead-people-racist.html

    Funnily enough this is taken from a Stuff commentor regarding the UMR research finding that people with a right wing bent are happier…………………..
    Thw whole ignorance is bliss thing

  24. felix 24
    28 February 2012 at 4:26 pm

    Just one question today: What happened to “ambitious”?

    • fender 24.1
      29 February 2012 at 12:08 am

      It’s alive and well Felix, Paula Bennett has caused an ambitious rush of people seeking employment in cleaning and fast-food industries in an effort to obtain nobility.

  25. Treetop 25
    28 February 2012 at 4:42 pm

    Paula Bennett has stopped short of saying how many babies a woman on welfare can have. I am deeply concerned for the welfare of children in a single parent home when their mother has to look for part-time work if she has an another child when the second child is 12 months old.

    1. Day care for children under age two needs to be of a high standard.
    2. Attachment is ongoing (mother/baby) and mothers with post natal depression cannot be pressured.
    3. Single parenting is very different to a two parent household.
    4. Some woman have multiple births or they are very fertile.
    5. Some children do not sleep well at night, so the single parent has to be up for them to avoid an accident.

    Every child needs to be put at the top of the pyramid and their needs assessed because of how individual every life circumstance is. For some children to be put into a category just to satisfy a no gain welfare policy is mindless.

    A study was carried out in Dunedin and it proved that child abuse increased when single parents were work tested when their child turned 6. (I need to search for the study).

    The government have an arse about face solution to helping single parents as they have FAILED to do research as to what single parents want and need within reason and what they think about being turned into a second class citizen because they are raising a potential tax payer.

    If I could tomorrow I would take for every minister in cabinet a 12 month old baby and get them to do a diary for a month on looking after them 24/7.

  26. james 111 26
    28 February 2012 at 5:18 pm

    Totally agree with Paula we have to stop the 16 years olds becoming baby factories for cash, Which leads to huge Social Problems down the Line. Labour did nothing about this in its time 9 years. They just seem very content to keep people on the Dole so Social unrest may come at a Later date. As the saying goes if you want to see how a child will turn out take a good look at the Mother totally agree many of them dont paint avery good picture

    • Treetop 26.1
      28 February 2012 at 5:34 pm

      james 111 are you saying that every female age 16 (legal age of consent) should not have sex incase they fall pregnant?

      If so how do you propose to stop a 16 year old female having sex?

      What I want to see is the budget forecast in 2012 INPARTICULAR job training/growth of jobs.

    • Draco T Bastard 26.2
      28 February 2012 at 6:02 pm

      Women don’t have “babies for cash” as it costs far more than what they get.

    • marsman 26.3
      28 February 2012 at 6:03 pm

      james 111 you may find that baby factories is a myth like so many claims by National.

      Read this:-
      http://werewolf.co.nz/2011/02/ten-myths-about-welfare/

    • KJT 26.4
      28 February 2012 at 7:04 pm

      Hardly a big problem as less than 2% on the DPB are 16.

      And. If you think that becoming pregnant to get an income is such a good choice, give them better choices. Such as a minimum wage they can live on!

    • Vicky32 26.5
      29 February 2012 at 3:23 pm

      Totally agree with Paula we have to stop the 16 years olds becoming baby factories for cash

      Wow! Where’s your evidence that any such thing as “the 16 years olds becoming baby factories for cash” actually happens? Michael Moore (not the American film guy, but the NZ former PM) did a study years ago, that showed the overwhelming majority of DPB women to be 30-something, formerly partnered mothers of at most, 2 children. Teenage women on DPB were outnumbered 2-1 by teenage boys on DPB! (Talking of which, the daughter of the girlfriend of my late brother, became a 16 year old mother, in 1998. This girl planned to have the baby adopted – an adoptive family were all lined up – and then 2 things happened. The baby was born with huge heart defects, and the 16 year old father sued for sole custody. When Therese explained to the would-be adopters and the mother of the teen father, that her new grandson G., would need special care and on-going surgery for most of his childhood, both the would-be adopters and the teen daddy, immediately lost interest. Teen daddy wanted a cashflow, it seemed, not a responsibility.)

  27. james 111 27
    28 February 2012 at 5:38 pm

    Treetop no not saying that but would I would like to see is limit the DPB to one child just like Clinton did in the states.

    National havent had the balls to do it yet. When Clinton did it yes a democrat. The teenage pregnancy rate fell markedly they suddenly found cotraceptives because they werent going to get paid for anyh extra kids.

    Some are making a living out of it now ,more than a blue collar worker gets for working 40 hours,and it isnt right.

    • PJ 27.1
      28 February 2012 at 7:55 pm

      Dear James,

      Please come to grips with the concept of writing on internet forums (helpful note: writing is different from talking).

      Your badly misspelled and grammatically incorrect ‘stream of consciousness’ rants are burning my eyes.

      Sincerely yours,

      Frustrated and annoyed

    • Descendant Of Smith 27.2
      28 February 2012 at 10:29 pm

      Already explained to you James that you can’t get more on benefit working and referred you to the maths (and given your right wing idiocy you should wash your mouth out for even mentioning blue collar workers as an example – like you give a shit for them).

      Still I have a solution to the baby factory that should meet your right wing daddy state desires – sterilise all men. That should solve the problem and result in lots of sex occurring as well without the pregnancy risk ( STD’S etc will still be an issue though).

      Women actually don’t need men to have children now – eggs can be fertilised with other eggs and sperm can be created artificially now as well. Men as a source of population maintainer is pretty old school in this modern world.

      If that’s too strong an option we should just imprison any men who gets a girl pregnant – after all it should be a crime to impregnate a woman and not take financial responsibility for the resulting child.

      Why those bloody men expect the taxpayer to top up the pittance that some of them pay in child support I don’t know.

      They should have to pay the total cost of any benefit that the women gets – their child – their cost.

  28. Treetop 28
    28 February 2012 at 6:10 pm

    Ryall needs to improve the cost and access of contraception for every woman and in some areas e.g Whanganui delivery services are being eroded. This is what reduces the birth rate and the cost of care of complicated deliveries.

    james 111 benefit bashing is not the answer. Policies which give good outcomes for children is.

    I am waiting to see what is proposed for ALL children in the green paper and for inadequate parents so integenerational problems are not repeated.

    My first priority is breaking an unhealthy cycle regardless of the issue. This cannot be done over night and it requires the necessary resources.

  29. phillip ure.. 29
    28 February 2012 at 6:36 pm

    trotter has made the claim shearer and his coterie plan to take labour further to the right…

    ..is this correct..?

    phil-at-whoar.

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    3 days ago

  • Minister of Foreign Affairs meets with Chinese counterpart
    Minister of Foreign Affairs Nanaia Mahuta has concluded her visit to China, the first by a New Zealand Foreign Minister since 2018. The Minister met her counterpart, newly appointed State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Qin Gang, who also hosted a working dinner. This was the first engagement between the two ...
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    3 days ago

  • Government delivering world-class satellite positioning services
    World-class satellite positioning services that will support much safer search and rescue, boost precision farming, and help safety on construction sites through greater accuracy are a significant step closer today, says Land Information Minister Damien O’Connor. Damien O’Connor marked the start of construction on New Zealand’s first uplink centre for ...
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    3 days ago

  • District Court Judges appointed
    Attorney-General David Parker has announced the appointment of Christopher John Dellabarca of Wellington, Dr Katie Jane Elkin of Wellington, Caroline Mary Hickman of Napier, Ngaroma Tahana of Rotorua, Tania Rose Williams Blyth of Hamilton and Nicola Jan Wills of Wellington as District Court Judges.  Chris Dellabarca Mr Dellabarca commenced his ...
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    4 days ago

  • New project set to supercharge ocean economy in Nelson Tasman
    A new Government-backed project will help ocean-related businesses in the Nelson Tasman region to accelerate their growth and boost jobs. “The Nelson Tasman region is home to more than 400 blue economy businesses, accounting for more than 30 percent of New Zealand’s economic activity in fishing, aquaculture, and seafood processing,” ...
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    4 days ago

  • National’s education policy: where’s the funding?
    After three years of COVID-19 disruptions schools are finally settling down and National want to throw that all in the air with major disruption to learning and underinvestment.  “National’s education policy lacks the very thing teachers, parents and students need after a tough couple of years, certainty and stability,” Education ...
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    5 days ago

  • Free programme to help older entrepreneurs and inventors
    People aged over 50 with innovative business ideas will now be able to receive support to advance their ideas to the next stage of development, Minister for Seniors Ginny Andersen said today. “Seniors have some great entrepreneurial ideas, and this programme will give them the support to take that next ...
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    5 days ago

  • Government target increased to keep powering up the Māori economy
    A cross government target for relevant government procurement contracts for goods and services to be awarded to Māori businesses annually will increase to 8%, after the initial 5% target was exceeded. The progressive procurement policy was introduced in 2020 to increase supplier diversity, starting with Māori businesses, for the estimated ...
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    5 days ago

  • Continued progress on reducing poverty in challenging times
    77,000 fewer children living in low income households on the after-housing-costs primary measure since Labour took office Eight of the nine child poverty measures have seen a statistically significant reduction since 2018. All nine have reduced 28,700 fewer children experiencing material hardship since 2018 Measures taken by the Government during ...
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    5 days ago

  • Speech at Fiji Investment and Trade Business Forum
    Deputy Prime Minister Kamikamica; distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. Tēnā koutou katoa, ni sa bula vinaka saka, namaste. Deputy Prime Minister, a very warm welcome to Aotearoa. I trust you have been enjoying your time here and thank you for joining us here today. To all delegates who have travelled to be ...
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    5 days ago

  • Government investments boost and diversify local economies in lower South Island
    $2.9 million convertible loan for Scapegrace Distillery to meet growing national and international demand $4.5m underwrite to support Silverlight Studios’ project to establish a film studio in Wanaka Gore’s James Cumming Community Centre and Library to be official opened tomorrow with support of $3m from the COVID-19 Response and Recovery ...
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    5 days ago

  • Government future-proofs EV charging
    Transport Minister Michael Wood has today launched the first national EV (electric vehicle) charging strategy, Charging Our Future, which includes plans to provide EV charging stations in almost every town in New Zealand. “Our vision is for Aotearoa New Zealand to have world-class EV charging infrastructure that is accessible, affordable, ...
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    5 days ago

  • World-leading family harm prevention campaign supports young NZers
    Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment Priyanca Radhakrishnan has today launched the Love Better campaign in a world-leading approach to family harm prevention. Love Better will initially support young people through their experience of break-ups, developing positive and life-long attitudes to dealing with hurt. “Over 1,200 young kiwis told ...
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    5 days ago

  • First Chief Clinical Advisor welcomed into Coroners Court
    Hon Rino Tirikatene, Minister for Courts, welcomes the Ministry of Justice’s appointment of Dr Garry Clearwater as New Zealand’s first Chief Clinical Advisor working with the Coroners Court. “This appointment is significant for the Coroners Court and New Zealand’s wider coronial system.” Minister Tirikatene said. Through Budget 2022, the Government ...
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    5 days ago

  • Next steps for affected properties post Cyclone and floods
    The Government via the Cyclone Taskforce is working with local government and insurance companies to build a picture of high-risk areas following Cyclone Gabrielle and January floods. “The Taskforce, led by Sir Brian Roche, has been working with insurance companies to undertake an assessment of high-risk areas so we can ...
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    6 days ago

  • New appointment to Māori Land Court bench
    E te huia kaimanawa, ko Ngāpuhi e whakahari ana i tau aupikinga ki te tihi o te maunga. Ko te Ao Māori hoki e whakanui ana i a koe te whakaihu waka o te reo Māori i roto i te Ao Ture. (To the prized treasure, it is Ngāpuhi who ...
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    6 days ago

  • Government focus on jobs sees record number of New Zealanders move from Benefits into work
    113,400 exits into work in the year to June 2022 Young people are moving off Benefit faster than after the Global Financial Crisis Two reports released today by the Ministry of Social Development show the Government’s investment in the COVID-19 response helped drive record numbers of people off Benefits and ...
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    6 days ago

  • Vertical farming partnership has upward momentum
    The Government’s priority to keep New Zealand at the cutting edge of food production and lift our sustainability credentials continues by backing the next steps of a hi-tech vertical farming venture that uses up to 95 per cent less water, is climate resilient, and pesticide-free. Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor visited ...
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    6 days ago

  • Conference of Pacific Education Ministers – Keynote Address
    E nga mana, e nga iwi, e nga reo, e nga hau e wha, tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou kātoa. Warm Pacific greetings to all. It is an honour to host the inaugural Conference of Pacific Education Ministers here in Tāmaki Makaurau. Aotearoa is delighted to be hosting you ...
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    6 days ago

  • New $13m renal unit supports Taranaki patients
    The new renal unit at Taranaki Base Hospital has been officially opened by the Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall this afternoon. Te Huhi Raupō received around $13 million in government funding as part of Project Maunga Stage 2, the redevelopment of the Taranaki Base Hospital campus. “It’s an honour ...
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    6 days ago

  • Second Poseidon aircraft on home soil
    Defence Minister Andrew Little has marked the arrival of the country’s second P-8A Poseidon aircraft alongside personnel at the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s Base at Ohakea today. “With two of the four P-8A Poseidons now on home soil this marks another significant milestone in the Government’s historic investment in ...
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    7 days ago

  • Further humanitarian aid for Türkiye and Syria
    Aotearoa New Zealand will provide further humanitarian support to those seriously affected by last month’s deadly earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria, says Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta. “The 6 February earthquakes have had devastating consequences, with almost 18 million people affected. More than 53,000 people have died and tens of thousands more ...
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    7 days ago

  • Community voice to help shape immigration policy
    Migrant communities across New Zealand are represented in the new Migrant Community Reference Group that will help shape immigration policy going forward, Immigration Minister Michael Wood announced today.  “Since becoming Minister, a reoccurring message I have heard from migrants is the feeling their voice has often been missing around policy ...
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    7 days ago

  • State Highway 3 project to deliver safer journeys, better travel connections for Taranaki
    Construction has begun on major works that will deliver significant safety improvements on State Highway 3 from Waitara to Bell Block, Associate Minister of Transport Kiri Allan announced today. “This is an important route for communities, freight and visitors to Taranaki but too many people have lost their lives or ...
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    7 days ago

  • Ginny Andersen appointed as Minister of Police
    Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has today appointed Ginny Andersen as Minister of Police. “Ginny Andersen has a strong and relevant background in this important portfolio,” Chris Hipkins said. “Ginny Andersen worked for the Police as a non-sworn staff member for around 10 years and has more recently been chair of ...
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    1 week ago

  • Government confirms vital roading reconnections
    Six further bailey bridge sites confirmed Four additional bridge sites under consideration 91 per cent of damaged state highways reopened Recovery Dashboards for impacted regions released The Government has responded quickly to restore lifeline routes after Cyclone Gabrielle and can today confirm that an additional six bailey bridges will ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Foreign Minister Mahuta to meet with China’s new Foreign Minister
    Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta departs for China tomorrow, where she will meet with her counterpart, State Councillor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang, in Beijing. This will be the first visit by a New Zealand Minister to China since 2019, and follows the easing of COVID-19 travel restrictions between New Zealand and China. ...
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    1 week ago

  • Education Ministers from across the Pacific gather in Aotearoa
    Education Ministers from across the Pacific will gather in Tāmaki Makaurau this week to share their collective knowledge and strategic vision, for the benefit of ākonga across the region. New Zealand Education Minister Jan Tinetti will host the inaugural Conference of Pacific Education Ministers (CPEM) for three days from today, ...
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    1 week ago

  • State Highway 5 reopens between Napier and Taupō following Cyclone Gabrielle
    A vital transport link for communities and local businesses has been restored following Cyclone Gabrielle with the reopening of State Highway 5 (SH5) between Napier and Taupō, Associate Minister of Transport Kiri Allan says. SH5 reopened to all traffic between 7am and 7pm from today, with closure points at SH2 (Kaimata ...
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    1 week ago

  • Special Lotto draw raises $11.7 million for Cyclone Gabrielle recovery
    Internal Affairs Minister Barbara Edmonds has thanked generous New Zealanders who took part in the special Lotto draw for communities affected by Cyclone Gabrielle. Held on Saturday night, the draw raised $11.7 million with half of all ticket sales going towards recovery efforts. “In a time of need, New Zealanders ...
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    1 week ago

  • Government delivers a $3 million funding boost for Building Financial Capability services
    The Government has announced funding of $3 million for providers to help people, and whānau access community-based Building Financial Capability services. “Demand for Financial Capability Services is growing as people face cost of living pressures. Those pressures are increasing further in areas affected by flooding and Cyclone Gabrielle,” Minister for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Education New Zealand | Manapou ki te Ao – new Chair and member
    Minister of Education, Hon Jan Tinetti, has announced appointments to the Board of Education New Zealand | Manapou ki te Ao. Tracey Bridges is joining the Board as the new Chair and Dr Therese Arseneau will be a new member. Current members Dr Linda Sissons CNZM and Daniel Wilson have ...
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    2 weeks ago

  • Scholarships honouring Ngarimu VC and the 28th (Māori) Battalion announced
    Fifteen ākonga Māori from across Aotearoa have been awarded the prestigious Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships and Awards for 2023, Associate Education Minister and Ngarimu Board Chair, Kelvin Davis announced today.  The recipients include doctoral, masters’ and undergraduate students. Three vocational training students and five wharekura students, ...
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    2 weeks ago

  • Appointment of Judge of the Court of Appeal and Judge of the High Court
    High Court Judge Jillian Maree Mallon has been appointed a Judge of the Court of Appeal, and District Court Judge Andrew John Becroft QSO has been appointed a Judge of the High Court, Attorney‑General David Parker announced today. Justice Mallon graduated from Otago University in 1988 with an LLB (Hons), and with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

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