web analytics

Open mike 29/01/2023

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, January 29th, 2023 - 83 comments
Categories: open mike - Tags:


Open mike is your post.

For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose.

The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy).

Step up to the mike …

83 comments on “Open mike 29/01/2023 ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Tiger Mountain 1
    29 January 2023 at 9:44 am

    The Auckland right, business groups and conservative powers that be from the Eastern Suburbs etc. seem to have harboured deep resentment at not having captured the first and subsequent Supercity Mayoralty races, won initially by another Mr Brown (Len) from South Auckland.

    So, they tactically withdrew candidates this time such as Mr Molloy, and Ms Beck, and used the perfect storm of transience, alienation, low participation, degraded postal service, and the rather reluctant endorsement of Efeso Collins by Labour, to install “Mr Fixit”.

    It would be hard to find a more motley crew of political opportunists and operators than those that ran “Browny’s” campaign, including an ex Labour guy Chris ‘Lizard’ Matthews. But regardless of all that, the Mayoral response to the awful Auckland weather event is grounds surely to discard Wayne Brown and install Commissioners.
    Labour have done this previously…
    https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/commissioners-appointed-tauranga-city-council

    His appalling rate of response to Media requests could also feature in such a “recall”.
    https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2023/01/wayne-brown-granted-two-direct-media-interviews-out-of-108-requests-in-first-month-as-auckland-mayor.html

    • Anne 1.1
      29 January 2023 at 9:52 am

      Not quite at the "commissioner" stage yet but…yes yes

    • Ad 1.2
      29 January 2023 at 10:01 am

      On the bright side, like having the Republicans with a Congress majority, Auckland now gets to see how shit the right are at actual governance for the next three years.

      In fact the right are so shit Auckland Council is now putting up Shane Henderson as weather crisis speaker, rather than dealing with another round of media standup with Mayor Brown. Shane Henderson as a benchmark of competence is not a high hurdle to jump.

      All Hipkins needs to do now to rescue Three Waters is publish the aerial footage, and do his next media conference knee-deep in a flooded back park.

    • Visubversa 1.3
      29 January 2023 at 12:35 pm

      Amazing how that "Lizard" monniker has stuck to Chris Matthews. I remember using it when he was hanging around Labour in the 1990's. The "lizard" was coined because his eyes are the same colour as his face. I also remember when he and his mate the "Brothel Creeper' (Labour, not Labour, Labour again) were stomping around one of the Region 1 Labour List conferences telling various delegations that they would tell them who to vote for. Certainly did not work for the delegation I was part of.

    • Incognito 1.4
      29 January 2023 at 1:59 pm

      I don’t see any reason for a Commissioner to replace Auckland City Council. There is no irreconcilable differences and/or breakdown of professional relationship(s).

      During events of the past days, it is inevitable that things go wrong and that mistakes are made. However, Wayne Brown keeps passing the buck, which shows arrogance and incompetence that are bad traits for a leader. However, he has learned one big lesson: avoid the media even more than before – he’ll be even more media-shy that during the first 4 months of his tenure.

    • rod 1.5
      29 January 2023 at 4:56 pm

      I think Mr Fuxit is better than Mr Fixit.

  2. Ad 2
    29 January 2023 at 9:56 am

    MSN have picked up Newsroom's fairly bracing 2nd part review of Ardern's performance as Prime Minister.

    Ardern squandered her chance at transformational change at every turn (msn.com)

    "Ardern Squandered Her Chance At Transformational Change At Every Turn"

    Particular focus is put on the budget effect of the Budget Responsibility Rules that Labour and Greens signed up to and their impact on the ability of the state to redistribute wealth usefully.

    But also, how they made it far worse than it needed to be:

    "Labour’s handling of the Covid economic crisis led to the biggest increase in inequality in recorded history.

    The previous huge spike in inequality in New Zealand’s recent past was between 1984 and 1993, when the initial introduction of neoliberalism to this country led to the fastest rise in inequality seen anywhere in the OECD during that period.

    That was also initiated by a Labour government.

    It’s darkly ironic that Labour, the supposed party of workers, who were founded to challenge capitalism and the inequality it creates, were at the helm both times in the past 90 years when inequality exploded."

    In the moments of governance calm between each crisis we face now, Labour and its partners have to do more than make inequality worse.

    The review is a bracing survey of some highlights, but mostly of the yawning gap between idealism and delivery.

    • bwaghorn 2.1
      29 January 2023 at 2:34 pm

      Where do you stand on wealth taxs? , just out of interest,

      • Ad 2.1.1
        29 January 2023 at 4:45 pm

        The most corrosive tax on lower income people is GST. It has driven inequality in this country massively and mostly unexamined.

        The government books are propped up with GST because PAYE from our low average wages just wouldn't support our way of life.

        I would wipe out GST before anything else.

        • AB 2.1.1.1
          29 January 2023 at 8:05 pm

          Yes- but from where do we raise the revenue to replace it?

          • Ad 2.1.1.1.1
            29 January 2023 at 10:14 pm

            Do better with the funding you have before you keep trying to tax people more.

            Do you want to go through the appalling tax funding waste of the last two terms? How much this government spent on useless consultants. Reforms that went nowhere. Projects large and small that died. Gold plated cycleways like 3 in construction in Wellington region now. Stupid makework lists of further hundreds of millions like NZUP. Billions of direct subsidies to business in 2020 rather than to workers, which business pocketed and fired workers anyway.

            Stop spending my tax dollars on useless crap that does nothing.

          • Nic the NZer 2.1.1.1.2
            30 January 2023 at 8:34 am

            Tax collection is not a limitation. Were the govt to simply drop GST its deficit would increase and GDP would increase by the same ($ for $). As a result of this PAYE collection will increase eventually. The difference will see higher NZ saving rates (lower non-govt sector debt). The longer term situation will be similar to today even with no other taxation changes.

            The major determinant of the govt budget position is how the rest of the economy is going. Its largely out of the govts hands if (when) its running a surplus or deficit.

  3. Anne 3
    29 January 2023 at 10:04 am

    A weather preview of what is coming over the next few days:

    https://www.windy.com/-Rain-thunder-rain?rain,-30.883,174.507,5,m:cJCakBp

    https://www.windy.com/?-28.130,175.342,5

    Tie down anything that moves, stay indoors and cross fingers and toes.

    • Ad 3.1
      29 January 2023 at 10:26 am

      Better graphics than metvuw or metservice

      Good to see some of it coming to Wanaka and Queenstown at the end of the week.

      • Graeme 3.1.1
        29 January 2023 at 12:22 pm

        Will be very welcome if it eventuates. Not counting the chickens just yet though

        • mary_a 3.1.1.1
          29 January 2023 at 2:16 pm

          @ Graeme (3.1.1) Where I live in Cromwell, it is extremely dry, so much so that it could become a fire risk soon and the wind doesn't help this situation either. Some rain will be most welcome indeed. But not a massive deluge please!

      • tWiggle 3.1.2
        29 January 2023 at 2:22 pm

        You can bet Niwa onsells data it collects here to world-wide apps like this one. Good idea, if it subsidises the cost of collection.

  4. Adrian 4
    29 January 2023 at 10:04 am

    Ad, if you want to read a bit of reality try reading Frank Macskasy ‘s “ A calm Look at Public Housing on the feed column on this page.

    • Ad 4.1
      29 January 2023 at 10:22 am

      He's right to point to Labour's housing rebuild successes and rail against National's prior folly.

      But Mr Mackasay's main stat is simply that Labour now has the situation about the same as where they were the last time they were in power. Getting back only to where you started isn't usefully defensible.

      Meantime the waiting list for public housing has gone up to 24,000 and most of those are waiting over 6 months.

      Public housing waitlist hits 24,000, half waiting more than 200 days for a home | Stuff.co.nz

      And of course in one weather event we now have 5,000 further properties needing review over 25 suburbs.

      Weather: Auckland, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, Waikato lashed by heavy rain – slips, floods and widespread damage to homes; Tauranga house destroyed by landslide; Waitomo declares state of emergency – NZ Herald

      That's a further tidal surge of rental and emergency and public housing need right there.

      • Mac1 4.1.1
        29 January 2023 at 8:33 pm

        "Labour now has the situation about the same as where they were the last time they were in power. Getting back only to where you started isn't usefully defensible."

        Labour has built in five years 7400 houses which is what National sold, acknowledged as unwise by Nicola Willis, between 2008 and 2016. We now have once again 69000 houses.

        That is a useful and defensible number. We built them. They sold them. We are still building more than we sell or disposed of, as some houses still always have to be sold, renovated or demolished.

        • Ad 4.1.1.1
          29 January 2023 at 10:07 pm

          Just not true.

          The programme Kainga Ora is on has resulted in the privatisation of over a third of State House land, and the direct enrichment of private developers far more than the state. Don't mention Rotorua.

          And that's just housing.

          Hospital waiting lists are massive and growing. Despite a term of deep reform and lots of task forces.

          Road toll massively increased in this Parliamentary term. Nearly two terms worth of culture change, legislative change, funding change, and Board change.

          Child poverty is decreased but total poverty has increased including those who work. Check out the food parcel use increases from the Salvation Army and other providers.

          Gun crime and gang crime has massively increased, with other crimes trending down.

          Business confidence and manufacturing has plummeted through the floor.

          Inflation is out of control like we haven't seen since the late 1980s.

          The only major completed reform is in carbon trading legislation from the Greens. Which apparently doesn't work.

          RMA reform uncomplete.

          Health reform incomplete.

          Tertiary education reform incomplete.

          Energy reform incomplete.

          Water management reform incomplete and voted against by Greens.

          Worker unemployment compensation reform incomplete.

          No effective reform to supermarkets, fuel, building materials, or any other near-duopolies.

          The road and rail networks are a disaster in maintenance and major works and public transport use has plummeted.

          We're importing more coal for electricity production than way back since Meremere was in production.

          55% of us believe we are going in the wrong direction. We are likely to be in recession by the middle of the year.

          The Prime Minister of the world just gave up because it was hard.

          Labour's trendline is aiming under 30%, Greens are on 10% and NZFirst are easily heading for 5%.

          And we've got the most right wing Labour Prime Minister in my lifetime.

  5. Francesca 5
    29 January 2023 at 10:26 am

    Very grateful for the feed column on this site

    No right turn on the spy agencies' powers, and a handy little loophole

    https://norightturn.blogspot.com/2023/01/a-significant-loophole.html

  6. Incognito 6
    29 January 2023 at 1:17 pm

    I guess we should be grateful that Elon Musk hadn’t killed off and silenced the little blue birdie. Twitter appeared to be a major if not the main line of communication during the emergency. This is a potential future weakness that needs to be addressed in the inevitable review of the emergency response.

    • weka 6.1
      29 January 2023 at 3:21 pm

      Been really feeling this over the past few days. ER systems need to rethink this, but so does NZ twitter. So reliant on twitter for too many things.

      • Incognito 6.1.1
        29 January 2023 at 3:23 pm

        Can’t live with it, can’t live without, that sort of thing?

        • tWiggle 6.1.1.1
          29 January 2023 at 5:35 pm

          What about good old radio?

          • weka 6.1.1.1.1
            29 January 2023 at 5:45 pm

            it's the interactive nature of twitter that makes it so valuable. And the access to journalists, MPs, councillors, official accounts (eg metservice or CD) and so on. Quite often NZ twitter functions like this, shit gets communicated or organised, it's fast and in real time and there's not anything else like it.

            In an ideal world some geeks would get together and create a local platform to serve that function. That would be a fun place to moderate 😈

          • weka 6.1.1.1.2
            29 January 2023 at 5:54 pm

            to give you a non-NZ example, early on in the pandemic (before it was called a pandemic) I knew (along with many others) that the emerging coronavirus was going to be a major emergency when Italian hospital doctors started tweeting (against their organisational policy) about having to triage patients in the corridors and some were being left to die.

            It was incredibly shocking and hard to believe, but people on twitter were engaged and checking out if the reports and accounts were legit. It took two days for the Guardian (one of the first MSM) to begin covering what was happening in Italy, this is the time to fact check (and get past the language barriers). Longer for the other MSM to pick it up.

            In the greater scheme of things, I'm not sure if the pros outweigh the cons of such rapid communication, but that's an issue for the internet generally and if we're going to have the internet then twitter is useful. It's the ability of people to get together and talk, fact check, grapple with issues that sets it apart from one way, trust the announcer, radio (I still rate radio highly too, it's just a different thing).

          • Incognito 6.1.1.1.3
            29 January 2023 at 6:33 pm

            Yup, battery operated, with pre-set emergency channels, which should be tested annually at the same time as the smoke alarms.

            • weka 6.1.1.1.3.1
              29 January 2023 at 7:43 pm

              Do mobile phones have radio reception (distinct from internet streamed radio)? I had an ipod for a while that did.

        • weka 6.1.1.2
          29 January 2023 at 5:46 pm

          I can live with it despite its flaws. It will be a real loss if Musk fucks it up so badly that NZ twitter falls apart. People were predicting that the platform itself would fail, I’m glad that hasn’t happened.

        • bwaghorn 6.1.1.3
          29 January 2023 at 7:26 pm

          I just find it a chaotic mess that I struggle to follow, so don't go there, that and I already waste enough of my life online.

          • Incognito 6.1.1.3.1
            29 January 2023 at 8:08 pm

            I hear you. I’m not on Twitter and haven’t used FB in years (and only for contacting distant friends & relatives).

  8. weka 8
    29 January 2023 at 1:55 pm

  9. Incognito 9
    29 January 2023 at 2:39 pm

    If it wasn’t obvious from the well-funded campaign, Wayne Brown is a puppet installed by parties with vested interests, deep pockets, and long reach. They surrounded him with minders and advisors. This was just the warm-up for installing NACT & Luxon on 14 Oct. BTW, Luxon and the Oppos have been uncharacteristically quiet lately and I think this is a smart and deliberate move.

    • bwaghorn 9.1
      29 January 2023 at 2:44 pm

      I'm waiting for luxon to tell down town brown that only a prayer from the upper floor can stop the rain.

    • tWiggle 9.2
      29 January 2023 at 5:39 pm

      More of a muppet than a puppet at the moment. The puppetmasters haven't got coarse control yet, let alone fine control.

  10. aj 10
    29 January 2023 at 2:54 pm

  11. Graeme 11
    29 January 2023 at 3:27 pm

    Looks like we may be entering very interesting times, it's all on in Iran

  12. Red Blooded One 12
    29 January 2023 at 6:26 pm

    TV1 News couldn't show the difference between Labour and National more. Carmel Sepuloni visiting People at shelters and Christopher Luxon showing his sympathy to Business only. Plus Luxons fingerprints are all over the incompetent Airport and Airline reactions. He and his ilk including the interviewed Carrie Hurahanganui ex Air NZ. That's what happens when you decimate staff and conditions of employees.

  13. weka 13
    29 January 2023 at 7:45 pm

    How the 'they can assess each trans woman inmate to make sure they are safe' idea is going.

    Scott is one of only some 100 offenders in Scotland subject to an Order for Lifelong Restriction (OLR), meaning he will only be released when he is no longer considered an "unmanageable risk to public safety".

    but sure, put him in a women’s prison in the meantime 🙄

    • Visubversa 13.1
      29 January 2023 at 8:08 pm

      This is the British bicentenary of the Gaols Act 1823.

      The work of the social reformer Elizabeth Fry, this landmark law mandated sex-segregated prisons with female inmates guarded by female wardens. When women were incarcerated among men, Fry observed, they were exploited, terrified and raped. She established a principle which became enshrined in international law, from UN protocols to the Geneva conventions.

      How, then, was history rewound, 200 years of evidence memory-holed, so that this week the double rapist Adam Graham was remanded in Cornton Vale women’s prison?'

  14. Incognito 14
    29 January 2023 at 7:54 pm

    Just received an automated TXT message issued by Auckland Emergency Management at 7:47pm, Sunday 29 January, 2023.

    “MetService has issued an Orange Heavy Rain Warning for Auckland until 7am on Monday, due to an active line of thunderstorms.

    Et cetera.

    • Muttonbird 14.1
      29 January 2023 at 8:05 pm

      Sun's out in central east Auckland.

      I do appreciate there are now people working hard and doing their job but NZ's mad, privileged culture of 'getting away for the long weekend' really hurt a lot on Friday evening.

      If anything good comes out off this it will be Brown Wayne's resignation. Would be totally happy for Desley Simpson to become mayor, and that is saying something.

      • Incognito 14.1.1
        29 January 2023 at 8:18 pm

        Sun's out in central east Auckland.

        Turn down the brightness of your screen cheeky

        I think the EJ concert shambles was a distraction and confused many. You know how it is when excitement builds and there is a huge anti-climax that is so disappointing it becomes frustrating.

        I don’t think Brown will resign, narcissists never do.

        • Anne 14.1.1.1
          29 January 2023 at 8:30 pm

          "I don’t think Brown will resign, narcissists never do."

          I hesitated to say so, but I think that is why he didn't issue a "State of Emergency" until it was almost over. He couldn't see the need because he wasn't affected and narcissists have no real comprehension or empathy for the effect an event might have on others.

          • Incognito 14.1.1.1.1
            29 January 2023 at 8:37 pm

            It was not meant as a pejorative, but as an observation.

          • Muttonbird 14.1.1.1.2
            29 January 2023 at 8:37 pm

            Good point there, Anne. Also I think he has probably created a culture of fear in the organisation just like he has in previous entities he's been involved with.

            Could be a reason AEM didn’t manage to convince the narcissist earlier in the day. Too scared of the walking dead at his desk.

            Tiger Mountain has filled us in on some of Brown's worst tendencies.

            • Anne 14.1.1.1.2.1
              29 January 2023 at 8:44 pm

              I had a couple of bosses who were like Brown. People were afraid to tell them what they thought for fear of copping a backlash. Anyone who has been on the receiving end would know how very unpleasant it can be.

              • Muttonbird …
                29 January 2023 at 8:50 pm

                I have always been self employed. Can't stand employers because of the inherent power trip they invariably indulge in.

            • Anne 14.1.1.1.2.2
              29 January 2023 at 9:07 pm

              And here's a good example:

              https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/483302/wayne-brown-on-flood-reaction-there-may-have-been-some-incorrect-decisions

              He said yesterday that he followed the advice of the professionals when deciding whether to declare an emergency.

              But during a visit to a community hall in Māngere today, Brown said emergency managers may have made some incorrect decisions.

              Typical narcissistic attitude. Placing all the blame on his "emergency managers". Not taking any of the responsibility himself.

  15. joe90 15
    29 January 2023 at 8:11 pm

    Oh joy.

    A warmer ocean means a lot of extra fuel for storms and the atmosphere can hold increasing levels of moisture at a rate of seven percent per degree Celsius warming. With sea temperatures running over 3C above normal around parts of New Zealand, and over 1C above normal over broad regions to the north there has likely been 10 to 25 percent more moisture lurking around for storms to gather up and rain on nearby land.

    https://www.newsroom.co.nz/ideasroom/why-the-north-and-east-have-had-such-a-dreadful-summer?

  16. Ad 16
    29 January 2023 at 9:43 pm

    Check this out from Joseph Mooney MP for Southland.

    A 4 minute promo. This scale and precision of editing and multiple shoots is easily over $100k of production, in my experience.

    (25) My ambitions for town and country by Joseph Mooney MP for Southland – YouTube

    Congrats to him on the high quality YouTube placement and the say-nothing-about-policy or execution message.

    Sure hope Labour MPs can meet this kind of advertorial production in the next 2 months ie before it becomes a campaign expense.

    • Muttonbird 16.1
      29 January 2023 at 9:49 pm

      Far too long. Looked like the the POV got progressively more drunk as the ad went on. Probably did.

      Full of lies too. Country leaders do not want clean rivers and drinking water above personal profit.

      Hark at them gathering around the Ford Ranger at the end of the day to bitch about the Red Queen…

      • Ad 16.1.1
        29 January 2023 at 10:18 pm

        Yes 50 seconds would have been better.

        Somehow we need to get Chippie into an F150 Lightning like Biden did.

  17. joe90 17
    29 January 2023 at 9:53 pm

    Fundies are fundies.

  18. tWiggle 18
    29 January 2023 at 11:34 pm

    There's hope yet for NZ discourse among the many. A lively and informed discussion in the comments beneath this stuff article.

    https://i.stuff.co.nz/business/131075504/pain-ahead-for-workers-as-companies-cut-jobs-to-tighten-their-belts

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta to attend NATO meeting
    Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nanaia Mahuta, departs for Europe today, where she will attend a session of the NATO Foreign Ministers Meeting in Brussels and make a short bilateral visit to Sweden.  “NATO is a long-standing and likeminded partner for Aotearoa New Zealand. It is valuable to join a session of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 hours ago

  • Secure all-of-government facility to be built at Whenuapai
    A secure facility that will house protected information for a broad range of government agencies is being constructed at RNZAF Base Auckland (Whenuapai), Public Service, Defence and GCSB Minister Andrew Little says. The facility will consolidate and expand the government’s current secure storage capacity and capability for at least another ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    8 hours ago

  • Flu vaccine to protect Kiwis this winter
    From today, 1.8 million flu vaccines are available to help protect New Zealanders from winter illness, Minister of Health Ayesha Verrall has announced. “Vaccination against flu is safe and will be a first line of defence against severe illness this winter,” Dr Verrall said. “We can all play a part ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Congratulations to Professor Rangi Mātāmua – New Zealander of the Year
    Associate Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage Willow-Jean Prime has congratulated Professor Rangi Mātāmua (Ngāi Tūhoe) who was last night named the prestigious Te Pou Whakarae o Aotearoa New Zealander of the Year. Professor Mātāmua, who is the government's Chief Adviser Mātauranga Matariki, was the winner of the New Zealander ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Further sanctions on Russian and Belarusian political and military figures
    The Minister of Foreign Affairs Nanaia Mahuta has announced further sanctions on political and military figures from Russia and Belarus as part of the ongoing response to the war in Ukraine. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant for Russia’s Commissioner for Children’s Rights Maria Alekseevna Lvova-Belova ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Ambitious new housing development for Whangārei
    A new public housing development planned for Whangārei will provide 95 warm and dry, modern homes for people in need, Housing Minister Megan Woods says. The Kauika Road development will replace a motel complex in the Avenues with 89 three-level walk up apartments, alongside six homes. “Whangārei has a rapidly ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • CPTPP bolstered by decision on UK accession
    New Zealand welcomes the substantial conclusion of negotiations on the United Kingdom’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), Trade and Export Growth Minister Damien O’Connor announced today. “Continuing to grow our export returns is a priority for the Government and part of our plan to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Ngā Iwi o Taranaki and the Crown initial Taranaki Maunga collective redress deed (rua reo)
    Ngā Iwi o Taranaki and the Crown initial Taranaki Maunga collective redress deed Ngā Iwi o Taranaki and the Crown have today initialled the Taranaki Maunga Collective Redress Deed, named Te Ruruku Pūtakerongo, Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Andrew Little says. “I am pleased to be here for this ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Dates announced for 2023 Pacific language weeks
    Minister for Pacific Peoples Barbara Edmonds has announced the 2023 Pacific Language week series, highlighting the need to revitalise and sustain languages for future generations. “Pacific languages are a cornerstone of our health, wellbeing and identity as Pacific peoples. When our languages are spoken, heard and celebrated, our communities thrive,” ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Over a quarter of New Zealanders to get cost of living relief from tomorrow
    880,000 pensioners to get a boost to Super, including 5000 veterans 52,000 students to see a bump in allowance or loan living costs Approximately 223,000 workers to receive a wage rise as a result of the minimum wage increasing to $22.70 8,000 community nurses to receive pay increase of up ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Thousands of community nurses getting April pay boost
    Over 8000 community nurses will start receiving well-deserved pay rises of up to 15 percent over the next month as a Government initiative worth $200 million a year kicks in, says Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall. “The Government is committed to ensuring nurses are paid fairly and will receive ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Speech to Taranaki Chamber of Commerce and TOI Foundation breakfast
    Tākiri mai ana te ata Ki runga o ngākau mārohirohi Kōrihi ana te manu kaupapa Ka ao, ka ao, ka awatea Tihei mauri ora Let the dawn break On the hearts and minds of those who stand resolute As the bird of action sings, it welcomes the dawn of a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government takes next step to lift artists’ incomes
    The Government is introducing a scheme which will lift incomes for artists, support them beyond the current spike in cost of living and ensure they are properly recognised for their contribution to New Zealand’s economy and culture.    “In line with New Zealand’s Free Trade Agreement with the UK, last ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • NZ stands with Vanuatu on climate at UN
    New Zealand is welcoming a decision by the United Nations General Assembly to ask the International Court of Justice to consider countries’ international legal obligations on climate change. The United Nations has voted unanimously to adopt a resolution led by Vanuatu to ask the ICJ for an advisory opinion on ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • More Police deployed to the frontline
    More Police officers are being deployed to the frontline with the graduation of 59 new constables from the Royal New Zealand Police College today. “The graduation for recruit wing 364 was my first since becoming Police Minister last week,” Ginny Andersen said. “It was a real honour. I want to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Aotearoa New Zealand committed to an enduring partnership with Vanuatu
    Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta met with Vanuatu Foreign Minister Jotham Napat in Port Vila, today, signing a new Statement of Partnership — Aotearoa New Zealand’s first with Vanuatu. “The Mauri Statement of Partnership is a joint expression of the values, priorities and principles that will guide the Aotearoa New Zealand–Vanuatu relationship into ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Government delivers levy change to support Fire and Emergency
    The Government has passed new legislation amending the Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) levy regime, ensuring the best balance between a fair and cost effective funding model. The Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Levy) Amendment Bill makes changes to the existing law to: charge the levy on contracts of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Next steps for New Zealand’s organic regulations
    The Government has passed the Organic Products and Production Bill through its third reading today in Parliament helping New Zealand’s organic sector to grow and lift export revenue. “The Organic Products and Production Bill will introduce robust and practical regulation to give businesses the certainty they need to continue to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Govt helps to protect New Zealanders digital identities
    The Digital Identity Services Trust Framework Bill, which will make it easier for New Zealanders to safely prove who they are digitally has passed its third and final reading today. “We know New Zealanders want control over their identity information and how it’s used by the companies and services they ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Cyclone Taskforce focused on locally-led recovery
    The full Cyclone Gabrielle Recovery Taskforce has met formally for the first time as work continues to help the regions recover and rebuild from Cyclone Gabrielle. The Taskforce, which includes representatives from business, local government, iwi and unions, covers all regions affected by the January and February floods and cyclone. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Law changed to protect subcontractors
    Changes have been made to legislation to give subcontractors the confidence they will be paid the retention money they are owed should the head contractor’s business fail, Minister for Building and Construction Megan Woods announced today. “These changes passed in the Construction Contracts (Retention Money) Amendment Act safeguard subcontractors who ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • New congestion busting harbour crossing options unveiled
    Transport Minister Michael Wood has unveiled five scenarios for one of the most significant city-shaping projects for Tāmaki Makaurau in coming decades, the additional Waitematā Harbour crossing. “Aucklanders and businesses have made it clear that the biggest barriers to the success of Auckland is persistent congestion and after years of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • New law enhances safety and security in the aviation sector
    The Government has passed new legislation that ensures New Zealand’s civil aviation rules are fit for purpose in the 21st century, Associate Transport Minister Kiri Allan says. The Civil Aviation Bill repeals and replaces the Civil Aviation Act 1990 and the Airport Authorities Act 1966 with a single modern law ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Coroners Amendment Bill passes third reading
    A Bill aimed at helping to reduce delays in the coronial jurisdiction passed its third reading today. The Coroners Amendment Bill, amongst other things, will establish new coronial positions, known as Associate Coroners, who will be able to perform most of the functions, powers, and duties of Coroners. The new ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Review into Stuart Nash’s communications with donors
    The Prime Minister has asked the Cabinet Secretary to conduct a review into communications between Stuart Nash and his donors. The review will take place over the next two months.  The review will look at whether there have been any other breaches of cabinet collective responsibility or confidentiality, or whether ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • 600 more workers to support recovery
    The new Recovery Visa to help bring in additional migrant workers to support cyclone and flooding recovery has attracted over 600 successful applicants within its first month. “The Government is moving quickly to support businesses bring in the workers needed to recover from Cyclone Gabrielle and the Auckland floods,” Michael ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Bills to vet school boards, contractors pass first reading
    Bills to ensure non-teaching employees and contractors at schools, and unlicensed childcare services like mall crèches are vetted by police, and provide safeguards for school board appointments have passed their first reading today. The Education and Training Amendment Bill (No. 3) and the Regulatory Systems (Education) Amendment Bill have now ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Bill recognises unique role and contribution of Wānanga and Kura Kaupapa Māori
    Wānanga will gain increased flexibility and autonomy that recognises the unique role they fill in the tertiary education sector, Associate Minister of Education Kelvin Davis has announced. The Education and Training Amendment Bill (No.3), that had its first reading today, proposes a new Wānanga enabling framework for the three current ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Foreign Affairs Minister talks to the Vanuatu Government on Pacific issues
    Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta will travel to Vanuatu today, announcing that Aotearoa New Zealand will provide further relief and recovery assistance there, following the recent destruction caused by Cyclones Judy and Kevin. While in Vanuatu, Minister Mahuta will meet with Vanuatu Acting Prime Minister Sato Kilman, Foreign Minister Jotham ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Major investment to support the safety of frontline Police and communities
    The Government is backing Police and making communities safer with the roll-out of state-of-the-art tools and training to frontline staff, Police Minister Ginny Andersen said today. “Frontline staff face high-risk situations daily as they increasingly respond to sophisticated organised crime, gang-violence and the availability of illegal firearms,” Ginny Andersen said.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Further laws passed to keep communities safe from gang offending
    The Government has provided Police with more tools to crack down on gang offending with the passing of new legislation today which will further improve public safety, Justice Minister Kiri Allan says. The Criminal Activity Intervention Legislation Bill amends existing law to: create new targeted warrant and additional search powers ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Standard kerbside recycling part of new era for waste system
    The Government today announced far-reaching changes to the way we make, use, recycle and dispose of waste, ushering in a new era for New Zealand’s waste system. The changes will ensure that where waste is recycled, for instance by households at the kerbside, it is less likely to be contaminated ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • New laws will crack down on gang profits and criminal assets
    New legislation passed by the Government today will make it harder for gangs and their leaders to benefit financially from crime that causes considerable harm in our communities, Minister of Justice Kiri Allan says. Since the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act 2009 came into effect police have been highly successful in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Stuart Nash dismissed from Cabinet
    This evening I have advised the Governor-General to dismiss Stuart Nash from all his ministerial portfolios. Late this afternoon I was made aware by a news outlet of an email Stuart Nash sent in March 2020 to two contacts regarding a commercial rent relief package that Cabinet had considered. In ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Tax incentive to boost housing passes third reading
    Legislation to enable more build-to-rent developments has passed its third reading in Parliament, so this type of rental will be able to claim interest deductibility in perpetuity where it meets the requirements. Housing Minister Dr Megan Woods, says the changes will help unlock the potential of the build-to-rent sector and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Law levels playing field for low-emissions commuting
    A law passed by Parliament today exempts employers from paying fringe benefit tax on certain low emission commuting options they provide or subsidise for their staff.  “Many employers already subsidise the commuting costs of their staff, for instance by providing car parks,” Environment Minister David Parker said.  “This move supports ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • 40 years of Closer Economic Relations with Australia
    Today marks the 40th anniversary of Closer Economic Relations (CER), our gold standard free trade agreement between New Zealand and Australia. “CER was a world-leading agreement in 1983, is still world-renowned today and is emblematic of both our countries’ commitment to free trade. The WTO has called it the world’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Amendments to mass arrivals legislation
    The Government is making procedural changes to the Immigration Act to ensure that 2013 amendments operate as Parliament intended.   The Government is also introducing a new community management approach for asylum seekers. “While it’s unlikely we’ll experience a mass arrival due to our remote positioning, there is no doubt New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Progress on public service pay adjustment
    The Government welcomes progress on public sector pay adjustment (PSPA) agreements, and the release of the updated public service pay guidance by the Public Service Commission today, Minister for the Public Service Andrew Little says. “More than a dozen collective agreements are now settled in the public service, Crown Agents, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Further legislation introduced to support cyclone recovery
    The Government has introduced the Severe Weather Emergency Recovery Legislation Bill to further support the recovery and rebuild from the recent severe weather events in the North Island. “We know from our experiences following the Canterbury and Kaikōura earthquakes that it will take some time before we completely understand the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2023-04-02T02:50:22+00:00