Penny wise?

Written By: - Date published: 10:43 am, January 21st, 2009 - 53 comments
Categories: health, national/act government, public services - Tags:

Health Minister Tony Ryall has followed Paula Bennett’s* lead by cancelling a conference for PR purposes**.

In terms of symbolism it’s great. Even though the per-person cost of the conference was low, and it’s not like doctors would want to spend their precious time at a conference were it pointless, and the cost was only 0.001% of the health budget, cancelling it looks good.

If we’re interested in good government though, it’s very bad. Having campaigned on restoring the (supposedly lost) neutrality of the public service, Ryall has now twice over-ridden the judgement of the civil servants for political reasons.

Moreover, this is looking like a government that is spending more energy on minute stunts than the big issues. Three months as government and still no economic recovery plan, let alone action. In Ryall’s own portfolio, I have heard reports that emergency room hours have been cut in some hospitals despite Ryall identifying quicker emergency care as a priority.

National/ACT can cut all the conferences it likes but it is fiddling while Rome burns.

*(speaking of Bennett, can you imagine a minister standing by doing nothing when confronted with teens fighting?)
**(he admits the conference probably will go ahead later in the year).

53 comments on “Penny wise? ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Robinsod 1
    21 January 2009 at 10:49 am

    Steve matey they are always gonna be doing the PR thing over the reality thing – they know nothing else and it’s a strategy that in the current media environment wins out in the political short-term… Fuck the people though…

    cap: “intending Douglas” – that’d be about fuckin right…

  2. Janet 2
    21 January 2009 at 10:56 am

    Not on topic but I reckon Noelle Mc on Nat Rad is influenced by the Standard. After the obsequious interview with Key on Monday she turned rottweiler for English yesterday. Now she is either right in with the National Party factions on the Key side or she was embarrassed by The Standard.

    Now if we can have so much influence on others in the media!

    By the way I have heard rumours that there is a list of words that Tony Ryall has banned officials using in Ministry of Health reports. Stuff reflecting concern about inequities, social justice, environmental issues etc. The neolib market language of the 90s is back in favour instead. Anyone know more?

  3. Robinsod 3
    21 January 2009 at 11:08 am

    Totally off topic SP – and I apologise in advance for that but you might be interested to read this:

    http://robinsod.wordpress.com/2009/01/21/money-for-less-than-nothing/

    It goes a long way to explaining the attitude of the gallery. The useless fucks.

  4. sweetd 4
    21 January 2009 at 11:09 am

    “By the way I have heard rumours that there is a list of words that Tony Ryall has banned officials using in Ministry of Health reports. Stuff reflecting concern about inequities, social justice, environmental issues etc. The neolib market language of the 90s is back in favour instead. Anyone know more?”

    Define: social justice
    Social justice refers to the concept of a society in which justice is achieved in every aspect of society, rather than merely the administration …
    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_justice

    I can understand why he is getting rid of the language of socialists. Even though I can read the words for the definition above, they are still nonsense. Plain English please that people can understand without having to look up definitions.

  5. Whero 5
    21 January 2009 at 11:09 am

    Anyone costed the Goobers Gab Fest?

  6. Felix 6
    21 January 2009 at 11:22 am

    she turned rottweiler for English yesterday

    Really? Is that what we’re calling it now when journalists actually ask questions?

    I mean it’s good to see, but still…

  7. lukas 7
    21 January 2009 at 11:24 am

    Off topic again- any way of getting the stream turned off, it blares out as soon as I come onto the site…

  8. randal 8
    21 January 2009 at 11:26 am

    I have always believed John Kenneth Galbraiths assertion in his book the ‘Great Crash” that all conferences are a substitute for action
    Its a wonder ryall is not promoting more conferences so that it looks like he is doing something
    His actual capacity for action is minimal so he has always relied on silly little tricks to make it look like he is doing something anyway

  9. Janet 9
    21 January 2009 at 11:32 am

    Felix
    Rottweiler in comparison to Monday. So actually asking questions rather than just gushing.
    Sweetd
    I don’t know what the words are – just ones that deal with concerns about social inequalities and how the state might help to alleviate them.

  10. Felix 10
    21 January 2009 at 11:46 am

    Janet,

    Yeah, that’s why I would say she “turned journalist”.

  11. Tigger 11
    21 January 2009 at 11:54 am

    Yep, Bennett stops a fight, something that everyone and their dog has done at some point, and is given sainthood for it. Yawn. Can we have some real news please?

    As for Mr Ryall, I can assume ‘closet’, ‘beard’ and ‘young boyfriend turns up at house demanding money on Xmas day’ might be words he’d want to see banned?

    [while you’ve picqued my curiousity let’s keep personal lives out of it. SP]

  12. Robinsod 12
    21 January 2009 at 12:03 pm

    Jeez Tigger – are you the ‘sod?

  13. the sprout 13
    21 January 2009 at 12:10 pm

    All part of National’s Bizzaro World strategy I suppose.

    Create a Talkfest when you’ve got nothing to say, cancel one when there are things to be said. If in doubt, consider the PR implications of an action and take it from there.

    Good for National, bad for the country.

  14. Chris G 14
    21 January 2009 at 12:14 pm

    More intervention from the Nats…I see Anne Tolley has sacked the board of Selwyn College.

    I thought the market should have sorted that shit out?

    Big government – gone by lunchtime? No chance.

  15. Tigger 15
    21 January 2009 at 12:17 pm

    Yes, fair enough. Private lives are off limits. Of course, voting against civil unions means that Ryall and Smith both tried to impact on my private life but still, I will play by the rules from now on.

    Has Key talked about his ER experience? What was his waiting time like and does he have an issue with it?

  16. tsmithfield 16
    21 January 2009 at 12:19 pm

    On the other hand, if Ryall had proceeded with the conference, there would have been an article here complaining about how the Nats had promised to cut wasteful public spending before getting into government, but were being hypocrites now for carrying on with pointless conferences. Correct?

    Damned if you do and damned if you don’t.

  17. sweetd 17
    21 January 2009 at 12:21 pm

    “More intervention from the Nats I see Anne Tolley has sacked the board of Selwyn College.

    I thought the market should have sorted that shit out?”

    The market did. The local community, ie the market did not support the school and did not send their children to the school. If the school was a business, the total loss of support of your local community and the not buying of your product would have seen them go out of business very quickly. The fact it is a public school, and its income is not dependent on the support of the local community supporting or buying its product shows it is an artificial situation. If it was private, then the market would have sorted that shit out.

  18. the sprout 18
    21 January 2009 at 12:24 pm

    “Damned if you do and damned if you don’t”

    Just one of the many joys of being in government. It will be fun watching the more naive National supporters grow quickly tired of the role 🙂

    “Anne Tolley has sacked the board of Selwyn College”

    I wonder how much her decision was ‘informed’ by Alan “I’ve Got a Knife in Your Back” Peachy and his ongoing personal blood feud with the college?

  19. Whero 19
    21 January 2009 at 12:34 pm

    “If it was private, then the market would have sorted that shit out.”

    What a crying shame the education is slowly devolving from a human right into a business.

  20. Tigger 20
    21 January 2009 at 12:36 pm

    Any new government was bound to cancel stuff and sack people simply because they’re a new broom. The economic downturn just gives them a neat bow to wrap up these decisions with.

    This is all pennies compared to what it will cost to bailout business failures though. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10552736 And shouldn’t the market be deciding who survives and who goes under?

  21. Chris G 21
    21 January 2009 at 12:41 pm

    Good point sprout, I’m sure she didnt act alone.

    Thanks for the explanation sweetd. But I was more having a go that you lot always bang on about govts telling us what to do.

    Also as SP says in the original post, the Nats: “Having campaigned on restoring the (supposedly lost) neutrality of the public service,”
    Then refer: Peachys aforementioned “Knife in Your Back” saga and one sniffs that the neutrality was hardly being restored in this firing of the board.

  22. sweetd 22
    21 January 2009 at 12:45 pm

    “If it was private, then the market would have sorted that shit out.’

    Why then must the private schools feast at the public trough?

    Public schools, receive a much smaller percentage of monies compared to a same sized state school. Secondly, parents sending their children to private schools are paying twice for the privilege (once through tax, once through private school fees).

    So, if you want to dump the public tax payment to private schools, I would also expect tax payers who send their children to private schools to be exempt for that part of tax.

  23. sweetd 23
    21 January 2009 at 12:51 pm

    “If it was private, then the market would have sorted that shit out.’

    What a crying shame the education is slowly devolving from a human right into a business.

    Its never been a right. The only rights you have are to life, liberty and justice. Anything else you have to seek.

    Secondly, by making it more into a business, in the case of Selwyn College, you might respond to your local customers needs and wants. Clearly, as in this case the board were not and this was demonstrated by the local community not sending their children to this school.

  24. @ work 24
    21 January 2009 at 1:10 pm

    “”Anne Tolley has sacked the board of Selwyn College’

    I wonder how much her decision was ‘informed’ by Alan “I’ve Got a Knife in Your Back’ Peachy and his ongoing personal blood feud with the college?”

    I was pleased to hear this at first, school boards get away with far too much, then when I read the article it was fiarly dissapointing to see it was due to political issues not performance, ahh well.

  25. Felix 25
    21 January 2009 at 1:15 pm

    The only rights you have are to life, liberty and justice.

    I’m curious to know why you think you have a right to any of those.

  26. @ work 26
    21 January 2009 at 1:19 pm

    Felix
    “The only rights you have are to life, liberty and justice.”
    I’m curious to know why you think you have a right to any of those.

    Well, it sounds awfully grand!

  27. sweetd 27
    21 January 2009 at 1:23 pm

    The only rights you have are to life, liberty and justice.

    I’m curious to know why you think you have a right to any of those.

    Paraphrasing, but its the founding principles of the Declaration of Independence. Anything else places a predetermined ownership on something or someone.

  28. the sprout 28
    21 January 2009 at 1:32 pm

    “this was demonstrated by the local community not sending their children to this school”

    Unless of course parents didn’t want to send their kids to a school suffering from a vendetta campaign of ongoing destabilization and PR attacks. This would be a market distortion.

  29. sweetd 29
    21 January 2009 at 1:39 pm

    “this was demonstrated by the local community not sending their children to this school’

    Unless of course parents didn’t want to send their kids to a school suffering from a vendetta campaign of ongoing destabilization and PR attacks.

    Maybe, but what come first? The lack of community support through a school board not acting in the interests of the local community resulting in the local community not sending their kids to the school, OR the vendetta campaign of ongoing destabilization and PR attacks resulting in the local community not sending their kids to the school.

    Dunno, guess you have to ask the locals for their reasons. Seems like something the board should have been doing though.

  30. Pascal's bookie 30
    21 January 2009 at 1:46 pm

    “The only rights you have are to life, liberty and justice”

    “Paraphrasing, but its the founding principles of the Declaration of Independence. Anything else places a predetermined ownership on something or someone”

    I’m busy and may write more tonight, but bollocks. Go and reread the DOI sweet. Life Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness are listed as some of the rights we are endowed with:

    We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness

  31. Felix 31
    21 January 2009 at 1:46 pm

    sweetd,

    Why do you take an American document written a few hundred years ago to be the arbiter of what is a “right”?

    What is the relevance?

    When did the discussion about life in NZ become a discussion about American precedents? It’s a trend I’ve been noticing a lot lately from the right.

  32. sweetd 32
    21 January 2009 at 1:52 pm

    Pascal bookie

    I paraphrased the DOI. Your point?

    Felix

    What does it matter where and when it came from? My point is how can you claim a right it it has a predetermined ownership on something or someone.

    As for the trend on american precedents, I hadn’t noticed.

  33. northpaw 33
    21 January 2009 at 1:58 pm

    the matter of ministerial values.. I guess I’d put this comment under just curious.. after a guy I know said something about how a recent Labor-led government declined or took reduced pay increases when the annual auto-increase date came around.. whether true, false or variable it provokes my question as to the latest bunch of politicians responding likewise.. or otherwise..?

    Any ideas..?

  34. Pascal's bookie 34
    21 January 2009 at 2:00 pm

    No sweet, when you paraphrase something you don’t contradict it, you say the same thing with different words.

    “The only rights you have are to life, liberty and justice”

    is not an accurate paraphrasing of

    “endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness..”.

    Not even close.

  35. Robinsod 35
    21 January 2009 at 2:00 pm

    sweet – stop digging mate.

  36. Whero 36
    21 January 2009 at 2:10 pm

    Sweet said

    “The only rights you have are to life, liberty and justice.”

    Rubbish! The Declaration of Independence lists more than those three. Anyhow, what use are those rights if the populace remains uneducated.

    What has market forces got to say when an enterprise is confronted with a bitter PR campaign driven by the right, coupled with white flight.

    Education is a right – what we have to guard against is the creeping corporatisation of it. The silliness of universities spending millions on advisertising is just one example of how education is being corrupted by the thinking that defends a free market.

  37. Felix 37
    21 January 2009 at 2:16 pm

    sweetd,

    Perhaps you missed my question, which asks: What makes you think you have the right to life, liberty or justice?

    I’m sure you don’t really believe they were bestowed upon you by some dead Americans.

    But you said they are the only rights we have. So you must know why, and from whence they came.

  38. sweetd 38
    21 January 2009 at 2:17 pm

    Pascal

    What are you, the library monitor now? The DOI says a lot more than those couple of words. You are being very anal .

    From the DOI
    He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
    He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
    He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.
    He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

    Seems like justice to me.

  39. sweetd 39
    21 January 2009 at 2:22 pm

    Whero and Felix

    Those rights are the ones I believe I have. They weren’t bestowed on me by dead Americans, but those are the one I believe I have. Anything else, like the right to an education, places an obligation on someone’s time, skill, knowledge and money to teach me. By forcing them to do this is akin to ownership of that person. You may seek an education, but I believe you do not have a right to an education.

  40. Janet 40
    21 January 2009 at 2:26 pm

    Selwyn College has encouraged its students to think for themselves – that’s the problem. It is also an openly inclusive school. That scares those parents who think education is all about uniforms and league tables. Not helped by vendetta by politicians, media and other secondary schools. Watch it be squashed into conformity.

  41. Pascal's bookie 41
    21 January 2009 at 2:33 pm

    Yep, that’s from the dec all right. How does that help you defend your claim that the DOI says that the only rights we have are life, liberty, and ‘justice’.

    I don’t think it’s anal to point out that the DOI doesn’t say what you claim it says. Sorry.

  42. @ work 42
    21 January 2009 at 2:38 pm

    Has anyone got some backround information on Selwyn College and the current issues facing it? (Janet?)

  43. Felix 43
    21 January 2009 at 2:41 pm

    Those rights are the ones I believe I have

    So you just made them up. Fine. Why do you think you have the right to justice?

  44. sweetd 44
    21 January 2009 at 2:41 pm

    Pascal

    I stand corrected. I should have said the only rights ‘I’ have. This is what I believe. I know there are other rights, but as I have explained, these are artificial rights.

    The DOI does point to a section on justice as shown, therefore Justice is part of the rights ‘package’ along with life and liberty.

  45. Felix 45
    21 January 2009 at 3:05 pm

    See the problem you have sweetd, is that you are welcome to believe you have a right to justice, but you must impose on others in order to enforce that “right”.

    I would love to know how you differentiate between this and any other “artificial” rights. Then we can move on to liberty and life.

    Of course I have no right to expect a reply 😉

  46. the sprout 46
    21 January 2009 at 3:11 pm

    [In best Peter Griffin voice] Touche Felix, touche.

  47. Pascal's bookie 47
    21 January 2009 at 3:13 pm

    “I stand corrected.” Oh that’s no fun 😉

    I too am interested in this ‘right to justice’ concept.

    You could hide lots of things under justice I suppose.

    How does it differ from saying, “I have a right to the things I have a right to, a right to have my rights respected.”?

  48. Whero 48
    21 January 2009 at 3:15 pm

    Sweet said

    “the right to an education places an obligation on someone’s time, skill, knowledge and money to teach me. By forcing them to do this is akin to ownership of that person”

    We all own the government and, in New Zealand, it is obligated to provide education. I can accept your position if private education was the only option, but its not.

    Access to world class health care is also a right. The decision by Limp Wrist But Strong Arm Ryall to prevent health care professionals from meeting is an attack on the standard of health care and it is perfectly proper that we use our right to free speech to point this out.

  49. Janet 49
    21 January 2009 at 3:35 pm

    @work
    Have a look at the school website http://www.selwyn.school.nz and the ERO report at http://www.ero.govt.nz and read between the lines. A low decile, non pakeha school in Kohimarama. The pakeha kids go to Rangitoto or the single sex or private schools, except for those who are not welcomed at those schools, such as those with ‘issues’. Selwyn prides itself on diversity and inclusion and achievement in areas like performing arts – remember the Tampa kids were welcomed there. I suggest it is the board and school not fitting in with the Tomorrow’s School’s self governing, competitive, neolib model – maybe they are all too independent minded.
    But would be interested to hear views from current parents and students.

  50. Tim Ellis 50
    21 January 2009 at 4:13 pm

    Janet I understand you’re not an Aucklander, but the Pakeha kids don’t go to Rangitoto. Rangitoto is in Mairangi Bay, about as far from Kohimarama than you can get in Auckland. Kohimarama isn’t in either of the Grammar zones. Parents overwhelmingly choose to send their kids to Glendowie, since they’re not in a grammar zone.

    A large chunk of the small roll of Selwyn College kids come from outside the Selwyn area. It’s all very well to take pride in your diversity and your new-age educational system, but the whole purpose of tomorrow’s schools is that local schools serve their local communities. This was the whole purpose of school zoning, too, that kids had the right to go to their local schools. Clearly Selwyn hasn’t been serving the interests of its local community for a very long time, which is why parents have been voting with their feet. Selwyn has been a failed educational experiment.

  51. Janet 51
    21 January 2009 at 6:52 pm

    By the way a conference to strengthen primary health and cooperation between DHBs and the sector seems like a good idea to me. I hear it is going to be very costly and embarrassing to cancel. So lose lose all around.

  52. Janet 52
    21 January 2009 at 6:59 pm

    TE
    Yes I know where Rangitoto etc are – I meant people who could shift zones or go private could. Rangitoto, esp under Peachey, was an example of a bigger school that could pick and choose at the expense of the littler more inclusive co-eds (and there was that personal vendetta of Peacheys against the Selwyn liberals.

    I thought Auckland was slightly larger than Kohi to Mairangi Bay. Western Springs is actually my pick of the secondary schools in Auckland.

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • New Zealand Sign Language Week an opportunity for anyone to sign
    New Zealand Sign Language Week is an excellent opportunity for all Kiwis to give the language a go, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. This week (May 6 to 12) is New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) Week. The theme is “an Aotearoa where anyone can sign anywhere” and aims to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    11 hours ago

  • Next stop NASA for New Zealand students
    Six tertiary students have been selected to work on NASA projects in the US through a New Zealand Space Scholarship, Space Minister Judith Collins announced today. “This is a fantastic opportunity for these talented students. They will undertake internships at NASA’s Ames Research Center or its Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), where ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    12 hours ago

  • $1.9 billion investment to keep NZ safe from crime
    New Zealanders will be safer because of a $1.9 billion investment in more frontline Corrections officers, more support for offenders to turn away from crime, and more prison capacity, Corrections Minister Mark Mitchell says. “Our Government said we would crack down on crime. We promised to restore law and order, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    12 hours ago

  • OECD reinforces need to control spending
    The OECD’s latest report on New Zealand reinforces the importance of bringing Government spending under control, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The OECD conducts country surveys every two years to review its members’ economic policies. The 2024 New Zealand survey was presented in Wellington today by OECD Chief Economist Clare Lombardelli.   ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago

  • Agreement delivers Local Water Done Well for Auckland
    The Government has delivered on its election promise to provide a financially sustainable model for Auckland under its Local Water Done Well plan. The plan, which has been unanimously endorsed by Auckland Council’s Governing Body, will see Aucklanders avoid the previously projected 25.8 per cent water rates increases while retaining ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Gaza and the Pacific on the agenda with Germany
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters discussed the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and enhanced cooperation in the Pacific with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock during her first official visit to New Zealand today.    "New Zealand and Germany enjoy shared interests and values, including the rule of law, democracy, respect for the international system ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Decision allows for housing growth in Western Bay of Plenty
    The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop today released his decision on four recommendations referred to him by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, opening the door to housing growth in the area. The Council’s Plan Change 92 allows more homes to be built in existing and new ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Speech to New Zealand China Council
    Thank you, John McKinnon and the New Zealand China Council for the invitation to speak to you today.    Thank you too, all members of the China Council. Your effort has played an essential role in helping to build, shape, and grow a balanced and resilient relationship between our two ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Modern insurance law will protect Kiwi households
    The Government is modernising insurance law to better protect Kiwis and provide security in the event of a disaster, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly announced today. “These reforms are long overdue. New Zealand’s insurance law is complicated and dated, some of which is more than 100 years old. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Government recommits to equal pay
    The coalition Government is refreshing its approach to supporting pay equity claims as time-limited funding for the Pay Equity Taskforce comes to an end, Public Service Minister Nicola Willis says.  “Three years ago, the then-government introduced changes to the Equal Pay Act to support pay equity bargaining. The changes were ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Transforming how our children learn to read
    Structured literacy will change the way New Zealand children learn to read - improving achievement and setting students up for success, Education Minister Erica Stanford says.  “Being able to read and write is a fundamental life skill that too many young people are missing out on. Recent data shows that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • NZ not backing down in Canada dairy dispute
    Trade Minister Todd McClay says Canada’s refusal to comply in full with a CPTPP trade dispute ruling in our favour over dairy trade is cynical and New Zealand has no intention of backing down. Mr McClay said he has asked for urgent legal advice in respect of our ‘next move’ ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Stronger oversight for our most vulnerable children
    The rights of our children and young people will be enhanced by changes the coalition Government will make to strengthen oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, including restoring a single Children’s Commissioner. “The Government is committed to delivering better public services that care for our most at-risk young people and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Streamlining Building Consent Changes
    The Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says.      “The coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Minister acknowledges passing of Sir Robert Martin (KNZM)
    New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Speech to New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, Parliament – Annual Lecture: Challenges ...
    Good evening –   Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Accelerating airport security lines
    From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Community hui to talk about kina barrens
    People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Kiwi exporters win as NZ-EU FTA enters into force
    Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Mining resurgence a welcome sign
    There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill passes first reading
    The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Government to boost public EV charging network
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure.  The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Residential Property Managers Bill to not progress
    The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Independent review into disability support services
    The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Justice Minister updates UN on law & order plan
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Ending emergency housing motels in Rotorua
    The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Trade Minister travels to Riyadh, OECD, and Dubai
    Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Education priorities focused on lifting achievement
    Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • NZTA App first step towards digital driver licence
    The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say.  “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Supporting whānau out of emergency housing
    Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Tribute to Dave O'Sullivan
    Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Speech – Eid al-Fitr
    Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government saves access to medicines
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff.    “Access to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwis’ lives. We’ve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Pharmac Chair appointed
    Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Taking action on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
    Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says.  “Every day, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • New sports complex opens in Kaikohe
    Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Diplomacy needed more than ever
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges.    “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address, Buttes New British Cemetery Belgium
    Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service.  It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address – NZ National Service, Chunuk Bair
    Distinguished guests -   It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders.   Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address – Dawn Service, Gallipoli, Türkiye
    Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia.   Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-05-06T17:09:55+00:00