PSA launches myth busting campaign

Written By: - Date published: 10:56 am, August 2nd, 2011 - 57 comments
Categories: debt / deficit, economy, Economy, election 2011, uncategorized, Unions - Tags: , , ,

The PSA is launching its election campaign this evening.   Our big challenge is to break through the government’s narrative (now reaching  mythic proportions)  that NZ is sinking under debt the likes of Greece  tooand the only solution is to cut public spending and sell assets.

As the well informed readers of The Standard know, NZ’s debt crisis is 90% private debt owed to mainly Australian banks while NZ public debt is one of the lowest in the world. So debt isn’t the reason for cutting services, it’s the excuse. 

We’ve hired a great ad agency to help us – the ones who’re doing the Power Shop ads ‘same power, different attitude’, Raybon Kan is the MC tonight and the ad campaign start tomorrow.  Let’s see if we can cut through the government’s fiscal fairy tales and start an adult conversation about the value of New Zealand’s public services and the difference between public and private debt.

NB the PSA’s not the only union upping the stakes this election.  NZEI just started TV commercials  too, you can have a look at  www.speakup.org.nz

 

 

57 comments on “PSA launches myth busting campaign ”

  1. queenstfarmer 1

    As the well informed readers of The Standard know, NZ’s debt crisis is 90% private debt owed to mainly Australian banks while NZ public debt is one of the lowest in the world.

    And as well educated readers will know, it doesn’t matter when a country is spending more than it earns. Just one reason being that a country with low productivity and low savings has far less ability to load up its public sector.

    However if the PSA wants to campaign on more debt justified on the grounds of “but Greece is worse”, and describing the situation as “fiscal fairy tales”, then more fool them. Just look at what has happened in the US debt ceiling hoopla as exhibit A.

    • Pascal's bookie 1.1

      Exhibit A of what? Right wing politicians holding a country to ransome?

      • queenstfarmer 1.1.1

        Exhbit A of both Republicans and Democrats agreeing to trillions of dollars of reduction in expenditure.

        • Pascal's bookie 1.1.1.1

          So?

          Does that mean it is the right approach?

          Do you think the GOP is arelly acting in good faith/

          And you might want to check your facts. There are still bottlenecks to get through before trillions are cut, and if you think the GOP won’t launch the same kabuki play in those bottle necks, you haven’t being paying attention.

          Tell me, how well is austerity working in the UK for their budget? They seem to have GDP issues, who would have thought, huh?

          • queenstfarmer 1.1.1.1.1

            It means that the left-wing party in the US has recognised, and even embraced, the need for fiscal restraint.

            Of course the far-left unions are not happy about this, but they are flying in the face of their preferred party as well as the public sentiment on this issue.

            Austerity is working pretty well for the UK.

            • Pascal's bookie 1.1.1.1.1.1

              That’s either a singularly dishonest, or a profoundly ignorant description of what went down. Either way it’s pretty clear it’s a waste of time talkin’ with you.

              An example, to forestall expected patheticisms:

              as well as the public sentiment on this issue

              http://www.pollingreport.com/budget.htm

              Look and see what the public thinks about a plan that only cuts spending and doesn’t also increase taxes, which has been the fundamental point of the recent debate.

              • queenstfarmer

                Thank you. Those polls fully support what I said.

                Looking at Reuters numbers, ~75% say they favour spending cuts (either with or without tax increases).

                The Pew poll numbers are even higher: ~80% favour spending cuts (either with or without tax increases).

                You are looking at the “cuts only” options, which is effectively the Tea Party position and therefore much less popular. But, exactly as I said, the public sentiment is for cutting spending.

                • Pascal's bookie

                  The cuts only option is what happened. You claimed that what happened in the debt ceiling debate demonstrated something. Specifically, you claimed that it demonstrated US public sentiment. It did no such thing.

                  • queenstfarmer

                    Specifically, you claimed that it demonstrated US public sentiment. It did no such thing.

                    Yes it did. Look at the poll data you yourself posted. 75+% in favour of fiscal restraint.

                    • Pascal's bookie

                      The data supports the idea that the US people want tax hikes and spending cuts. They specifically do not want spending cuts without tax hikes, which is what the debt ceiling hostage negotiations ended up at.

                      The debt ceiling outcome does not exemplify what they want. Which is why it is bullshit to use it as an example of what they want.

                    • queenstfarmer

                      I wasn’t arguing that. Show me where I said “the debt ceiling outcome does exemplify what they [the public] want”.

                      What I actually said (read it above) was that public sentiment supported “the need for fiscal restraint“.

                      Which is exactly what your poll data helpfully confirmed. This couldn’t be any clearer.

                    • Pascal's bookie

                      “Exhibit A” is a good place to start.

                      And then throughout the rest of the conversation where you assume that the debt deal is interchangeable with ‘fiscal restraint’. Either that, or you can admit that you shifted to ‘FR’ because you got busted in claiming Exhibit A was a good exhibit.

                      It was your example dude, that you introduced, of fiscal restraint. You then said that ‘far left unions’ might not be happy about the deal, but that supposedly just showed how out of touch they were with public sentiment.

                      All of that was in reference to the example you raised, as Exhibit fucking A.

                      Like you say, pretty clear.

                    • queenstfarmer

                      Now it seems you’re just intentionally trying to divert. I asked:

                      Show me where I said “the debt ceiling outcome does exemplify what they [the public] want”.

                      You answered:

                      “Exhibit A” is a good place to start.

                      Well let’s see if what I said about Exhibit A says what you claim it does. Here’s my exact quote re Exhibit A:

                      Exhbit A of both Republicans and Democrats agreeing to trillions of dollars of reduction in expenditure

                      So nothing there about the debt ceiling, or the debt ceiling being what the public wanted.

                      What the people want, overwhelmingly based on the surveys you linked to (and which the Dems and GOP are unanimous on), is fiscal restraint and spending cuts – see the surveys. I can’t imagine why you’re seemingly so keen to dispute this.

                    • Pascal's bookie

                      Just look at what has happened in the US debt ceiling hoopla as exhibit A.

                    • Pascal's bookie

                      ME : “You claimed that what happened in the debt ceiling debate demonstrated something. Specifically, you claimed that it demonstrated US public sentiment. It did no such thing.”

                      YOUR Response then: “Yes it did.”

                      YOU now: “So nothing there about the debt ceiling, or the debt ceiling being what the public wanted.

                      Perhaps you can understand why I’m confused.

                    • queenstfarmer

                      Yes I am starting to understand why you are confused. You obviously have comprehension difficulty :-p </snark >

                      Well, it a bit OT now but we both seem to agree that US public sentiment is overwhelmingly behind spending cuts.

                      I suspect we would have similar, but not quite as high, numbers in NZ.

            • lprent 1.1.1.1.1.2

              Austerity is working pretty well for the UK.

              Not really. They look like they’re starting to get Ruthenasia style recession effects starting as the austerity cuts bite into spending. That will reflect itself in the tax take, and if it was anything like we saw in the early 90’s will chop out most of the austerity gains.

              Another shock would be quite dangerous for their economy right now – it looks to me like they’re about to get a pretty massive shutdown in their remaining manufacturing. There has been some extensive writing about it in the Economist over the last month or so.

              • queenstfarmer

                Yes, I didn’t mean to imply that the UK economy is doing well (by way of anecdotal evidence I’m getting mixed reports from a number of friends in London, but on the whole it’s a bit grim).

                It’s a question of whether it’s working vis-a-vis the alternative(s). Again, I find the US situation instructive. This little interchange frames it neatly:

                Will dismissed Krugman’s prescription. “We are a third of the way through a lost decade, but we’re a third of the way after TARP, the stimulus, Cash for Clunkers, dollars for dishwashers, cash for caulkers, the entire range of stimulus, the Keynesian approach, which, by its own evidence, simply hasn’t worked,” he said. “Now Paul says double down.”

                Krugman shot back, “people like me said in advance that [the stimulus] wasn’t remotely big enough,” he said.

                “It would be good to go to the electorate and have a Krugman election this time, saying, ‘Resolved: the government is too frugal,'” Will responded.

                http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/01/paul-krugman-george-will-_n_914760.html

            • Draco T Bastard 1.1.1.1.1.3

              It means that the left-wing party…

              The US doesn’t have a left wing party. They’re both ring-wing authoritarian.

              BTW, the present economic paradigm, which was designed by the rich the benefit the rich, doesn’t work.

            • Vicky32 1.1.1.1.1.4

              Austerity is working pretty well for the UK.

              Er, according to whom? Really? That’s utter nonsense.

              • Colonial Viper

                Austerity works pretty damn well if you are in the top 1%.

                As an extra bonus entertainment you can see rows of civil servants and ordinary workers get fired weekly and end up on an ever lengthening dole queue.

                Extra chuckles come from seeing your Tory mates award a billion pound train contract to Siemens in Germany, forcing the last train manufacturers in the UK to lay off over a thousand staff.

                HAHAHAHAHAHAH so funny

              • queenstfarmer

                Not referring to the economy – see my 2:38 above.

            • Terry 1.1.1.1.1.5

              queenstfarmer, what kind of a nightmare world do you come from?

            • Terry 1.1.1.1.1.6

              queenstfarmer, what kind of a nightmare world do you come from?

      • Swampy 1.1.2

        Exhibit of the US credit downgrade based on their trillions of debt.

    • mik e 1.2

      Most of the Govt debt is going to build unnecessary motorways in Auckland if we just delayed spending and kept got debt as it was before borrowing Bill English came to power.We would have just about the same amount of Govt spending without the need to service debt this is nothing more than a vote grab in Auckland

  2. Speaking Sense to Unions 2

    did the PSA canvas its members before launching this election campaign?

    • The Voice of Reason 2.1

      When you speak sense to unions, do they just snigger and laugh? I only ask because ignorant questions like that suggests you’d be a figure of fun at the bargaining table.
       
      The PSA has one of the highest membership uptakes of any union precisely because they represent the interests of their members so well. While not affiliated to any political party, they have run excellent information campaigns during recent elections to advance the positions that advantage their members. Marketing and lobbying are an integral part of what modern unions do, but you wouldn’t know that because your mind is still stuck on Picton Wharf in 1978 waiting for a ferry that never comes.

      • Alwyn 2.1.1

        Do PSA members still get paid more than people who are not in the PSA but are doing the same job?

        • The Voice of Reason 2.1.1.1

          I sure hope so, Alwyn. And improved benefits too. The Labour Department keeps stats on things like that and it certainly pays to be in the union, both in the public and private sector. Chances are, if you got a wage rise in the last few years that even comes close to being reasonable, you’re a union member.

    • Craig Glen Eden 2.2

      You obviously now nothing about Unions SSU. When are you going to start speaking sense?

      I will be interested to see the PSA campaign its about time someone stood up for the public service and who better than the member driven PSA. The NZEI site looks like fun a good way to start.

  3. Lazy Susan 3

    Congratulations to the PSA for exposing this sorry little lie that NAct have been spinning. We do not have a problem with public debt in NZ however we do have a large problem with private debt. Most of this is due to households, speculators and developers loading up with debt in the residential property market and farmers farming for capital gain. The banks love it but it does nothing for the majority of the New Zealanders.

    Labour’s CGT is a great place to start to address this problem and reduce private debt. If QueenStFarrmer is still concerned with public debt rolling back the tax cuts for high income earners would be a good place to start.

    • mikesh 3.1

      Public debt is apparently increasing at the rate of around $380 million per week. That looks like a problem to me.
      A CGT may help, but a better idea would be to introduce a land tax. Either that, or make interest non deductible for tax purposes.

      • queenstfarmer 3.1.1

        In principle a simple, broad-based land tax is a good idea and should be considered.

      • Lazy Susan 3.1.2

        Public debt is apparently increasing at the rate of around $380 million per week. That looks like a problem to me.

        And behind that headline figure are the following facts:

        1. Treasury have been borrowing more than they need to to lock in low interest rates – English’s sorry attempt at a manufactured “public debt crisis” me thinks.

        2. Christchurch earthquake, SCF bail-out, tax cuts for high income earners

        Have a look at the following – paticularly where the Westpac economist says

        Stephens said the latest net debt figure would have no effect on New Zealand’s credit rating as it was very low by international standards.

      • Mike –

        Public debt is apparently increasing at the rate of around $380 million per week. That looks like a problem to me.

        It’s not the borrowings, per se, that are the problem.

        There is a difference between borrowing $100,000 to lavish cash-gifts on family relations and friends…

        As opposed to borrowing $100,000 and setting up a business that produces widgets or services that others will buy.

        That is the problem. This government cut taxes twice (April ’09, and October ’10) – all the while borrowing from overseas.

        Does this make sense? Because John Key stated, prior to the ’08 election;

        2 October 2008

        “Nats to borrow for other spending – but not tax cuts”

        “National will fast track a second round of tax cuts and is likely to increase borrowing to pay for some of its spending promises, the party’s leader John Key says.

        But Mr Key said the borrowing would be for new infrastructure projects rather than National’s quicker and larger tax cuts which would be “hermetically sealed” from the debt programme.

        The admission on borrowing comes as National faces growing calls to explain how it will pay for its promises, which include the larger faster tax cuts, a $1.5 billion broadband plan and a new prison in its first term.

        It has also promised to keep many of Labour’s big spending policies including Working for Families and interest free student loans.

        Mr Key today said there would be “modest changes” to KiwiSaver. “

        http://tinyurl.com/4866tx

        If National had canned the tax-cuts as “nice to have” but unaffordable; and instead invested borrowings in job creation schemes on infra-structure; more state housing; upgrading our schools; etc – then that would have been an investment that I believe most of us would see as sensible.

        However, this government has been anything but sensible or prudent. Yet again, National has shown it’s willingness to Borrow & Spend. And when Labour returns to governmrent, they will have to pay it off again. As they did in 2000 – http://www.treasury.govt.nz/government/financialstatements/yearend/jun10/09.htm

        • queenstfarmer 3.1.3.1

          Perhaps you haven’t noticed but a few things have happened since 2008: the Canterbury earthquakes. Worst global recession since the ’30s. Euro crises. US debt crises. High oil prices. Record exchange rate.

          And when Labour returns to governmrent, they will have to pay it off again.

          Labour pays it off? Very nice of them. Last I heard it was tax payers (and only actually a small number of them). And it’s no great acheivment. Any Govt could pay off debts very easily by putting all taxes to say 80%. It’s how you do it without harming the economy, such as the lost decade of the 2000s.

        • Swampy 3.1.3.2

          Na it was the National government of the 1990s which paid off the huge debts from the Fourth Labour Government

  4. Brett 4

    We must have some big mortgages out there.
    According to this site, we owe just about the same per person as the US
    http://nationaldebtclocks.com/newzealand.htm

  5. Another myth to bust is that National gave New Zealand tax cuts. Actually the richest 5% got the lion’s share – and guess who paid for it. I got $100 a week extra – in a country and time when 1 in 4 kids in this country lives below the poverty line. A shameful but utterly predictable ‘priority’ for a right wing government. The saddest part is NZ hasn’t woken up yet to that nice smiling Mr Key who has sold most people down the river.

    • Appleboy –

      No only have New Zealanders not woken up yet – but some seem to be on a masochistic “kick”…

      Public servants Tony and Clare Van der Lem, of Wellington, lost their jobs within months of each other as the government tightened public sector spending.

      “It’s been a gift in a sense,” says Clare, 54. “For the first time in our married lives we’ve had time together.”

      Says 55-year-old Tony: “It might seem a double whammy but it’s a hell of a lot more pleasant to be at home together than for one to be here on their own.”

      http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/politics/5366310/National-escapes-blame-for-jobs-crisis

      Jesus wept…

      • queenstfarmer 5.1.1

        So as well as being stupid, blind, asleep, etc, voters who don’t mercilessly blame the Government for everything aren’t even allowed to have their own feelings now?

        Jesus wept indeed.

        • Colonial Viper 5.1.1.1

          Haha qstf talking about other peoples’ feelings.

          How bloody ironic 🙂

      • Vicky32 5.1.2

        Maybe I am naive, but that article made me vomit a little in my mouth… and why on earth did they include this guy’s opinion? Crocodile tears…

        “You hate laying them off, it hurts. I treat every one of them as I would a friend, but we’re not a benevolent society.” He doesn’t blame the government either, citing the Christchurch earthquake and the global downturn. “They are most likely doing their best. It’s easy to say they should be doing something, but what exactly?”

        I wonder if the 48 people he sacked think of him as a friend? I wouldn’t – I’ve learned a lot since the days I thought of bosses as friends.. that’s what they want of course, so they can ask for more than they are entitled to…

      • john 5.1.3

        ahhhh man ,cant wait to lose my job

  6. tc 6

    and just watch the news tonight probably being full of the diversionary crap about spending taxpayer dosh to put our highest paid clown on letterman…..perspective/relativity…..hardly.

    • Vicky32 6.1

      and just watch the news tonight probably being full of the diversionary crap about spending taxpayer dosh to put our highest paid clown on letterman…..perspective/relativity…..hardly.

      No mention of it so far on TV or radio! On TV3, we’re up to the rugby, or as they call it the sports news. 🙁

  7. Tiger Mountain 7

    It is indeed about “cut through”. Over the ditch the ACTU’s TV ads played a significant role in farewelling “I’m not saying sorry” Johnnie Howard. Several NZ unions contributed tens of thousands of dollars to the ACTU campaign, international solidarity, that should wind up Gossie and various other RW swine here!

    The public service has been attacked around the world the last few years, particularly in the USA and UK. Their crime? maintaining conditions and benefits at work everyone in a civlised society should have.

    Struggling middle class welfare recipients (Working For Families), inclusive of ‘change’ voters, are second only to disengaged non voters in needing a spot of “cut through”, go the PSA and NZEI.

  8. johnm 8

    that NZ is sinking under debt the likes of Greece and Ireland. Key’s Government Lies and manipulates. Take the case of Ireland: The Government, the private banks (borrowing astronomical amounts from Europe) and the Property Developers :all were in cahoots causing the neo-liberal feeding frenzy that inflated Irish Property to SCI FI levels. Now when it burst like a huge noisy fart The Irish People and the Government that was supposed to look out for them right down to the old guy living in a cottage out on the Beara Peninsular had absolutely no debt problem at all !!! NO DEBT PROBLEM AT ALL. The European Bond Holders were going to take a scalping not a hair cut! They’d lost at the CASINO! Further bets off!

    But the Irish Leprechaun Government got squeezed somehow and they squealed “We have a Pot of Gold at the end of the Rainbow”! The Irish People will pay your gambles gone bad YES!

    Though there was absolutely no legal obligation to pay the bankrupt private banks and bail out all that hot money they did!? They should have done what Iceland did and quite legally. You’ve got Governments in collusion with Banksters. In the U$$$$$$$$ they can’t beat the Banksters so they take them into the Government. If you can’t beat them(Cause you’re too darn scared)join them!

  9. Carol 9

    Great to see these campaigns kicking off, and I like the speakup.org.nz site too.

  10. Deadly_NZ 10

    Something that may or may not be of interest. In Parliament today Tariana Turia was asked a question about budget cuts to the womens refuge and she got a little testy and said something a long the lines of there have been NO cuts to womens refuge. the bit you want is about 4 mins in.
    http://inthehouse.co.nz/node/9841

    I turn your attention to Scoop,
    http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1107/S00468/minister-must-heed-womens-refuge-warning.htm

  11. Jum 11

    Colonial Viper said at 2 August 2011 at 8:47 pm said: “Austerity works pretty damn well if you are in the top 1%.

    As an extra bonus entertainment you can see rows of civil servants and ordinary workers get fired weekly and end up on an ever lengthening dole queue.

    Extra chuckles come from seeing your Tory mates award a billion pound train contract to Siemens in Germany, forcing the last train manufacturers in the UK to lay off over a thousand staff.”

    The global pattern of greed by the likes of Lord Ashcroft, neoconservative, John Key, David Cameron and the international business rotundtables growing fat in the belly by taking the food out of the mouths of our children is very interesting to learn about.

    The mainstream media is not showing us the full picture of the agenda of not only Key’s master American corporates like Merrill Lynch that he is helping to help themselves to our state owned assets and our medical and trade sovereignty, but the intention of this government to take control over New Zealanders’ working rights to such a level as they will never recover.

    Key and Joyce have literally agreed an agenda with Cameron and Ashcroft, with the financial and lobbyist backing of American interests, to break the future prosperity of New Zealand workers’ rights and their ability to manufacture goods that advantage all New Zealanders financially, spiritually, philosophically and in a sovereign-like manner.

    This is a very dangerous path to go down for New Zealanders’ future sovereignty.

  12. RedBaron 12

    NZ does have “private” overseas debt but nobody has any idea as to the amount of assets owned overseas by New Zealanders. As far as I know no statistics are collected on this. Money in foreign pension funds, houses in Australia, UK, France etc, foreign shares, boats whatever. So if this crisis is so bad then flogging off the condo in Hawai and depositng the money in a bank here would be a ‘good’ thing to do.

  13. RedBaron 13

    How can they possibly make an accurate guess about privately owned assets? Most people I know with overseas assets don’t let the information anywhere near the RB or anywhere else and have frequently purchased them whilst working outside the country. Oh and I forgot about foreign bank accounts.

    • Colonial Viper 13.1

      I’m guessing that the assets of individuals are largely immaterial. The assets of banks, corporations and other major financial institutions are what counts. We are discussing net positions of tens of billions after all.

  14. RedBaron 14

    Interesting discussion. Yes I agree we know what the banks and other large corporates borrow from overseas. What I’m not so sure that we have a handle on, is the answer that we would get if everybody sold their overseas assets and put the money in NZ banks or invested in bonds issued by corporates locally. This would replace bank and corporate overseas borrowing. As to the dollars involved, 2000 people at $0.5m each is a billion? I am sure I saw some time back the amount that Aussie pension funds had where the owners weren’t readily traceable (and strongly suspected to be kiwi) was some billions. Does anybody make a guess at this?

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • EV road user charges bill passes
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the passing of legislation to move light electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) into the road user charges system from 1 April.  “It was always intended that EVs and PHEVs would be exempt from road user charges until they reached two ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 hours ago
  • Bill targets illegal, unregulated fishing in international waters
    New Zealand is strengthening its ability to combat illegal fishing outside its domestic waters and beef up regulation for its own commercial fishers in international waters through a Bill which had its first reading in Parliament today. The Fisheries (International Fishing and Other Matters) Amendment Bill 2023 sets out stronger ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 hours ago
  • Reserve Bank appointments
    Economists Carl Hansen and Professor Prasanna Gai have been appointed to the Reserve Bank Monetary Policy Committee, Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced today. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is the independent decision-making body that sets the Official Cash Rate which determines interest rates.  Carl Hansen, the executive director of Capital ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 hours ago
  • Stronger protections for apartment owners
    Apartment owners and buyers will soon have greater protections as further changes to the law on unit titles come into effect, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “The Unit Titles (Strengthening Body Corporate Governance and Other Matters) Amendment Act had already introduced some changes in December 2022 and May 2023, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    9 hours ago
  • Travel focused on traditional partners and Middle East
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to Egypt and Europe from this weekend.    “This travel will focus on a range of New Zealand’s traditional diplomatic and security partnerships while enabling broad engagement on the urgent situation in Gaza,” Mr Peters says.   Mr Peters will attend the NATO Foreign ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    9 hours ago
  • Keep safe on our roads this Easter
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown is encouraging all road users to stay safe, plan their journeys ahead of time, and be patient with other drivers while travelling around this Easter long weekend. “Road safety is a responsibility we all share, and with increased traffic on our roads expected this Easter we ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    12 hours ago
  • Cost of living support for over 1.4 million Kiwis
    About 1.4 million New Zealanders will receive cost of living relief through increased government assistance from April 1 909,000 pensioners get a boost to Superannuation, including 5000 veterans 371,000 working-age beneficiaries will get higher payments 45,000 students will see an increase in their allowance Over a quarter of New Zealanders ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    12 hours ago
  • Tenancy reviews for social housing restart
    Ensuring social housing is being provided to those with the greatest needs is front of mind as the Government restarts social housing tenancy reviews, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. “Our relentless focus on building a strong economy is to ensure we can deliver better public services such as social ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    12 hours ago
  • Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary plan halted
    The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary will not go ahead, with Cabinet deciding to stop work on the proposed reserve and remove the Bill that would have established it from Parliament’s order paper. “The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill would have created a 620,000 sq km economic no-go zone,” Oceans and Fisheries Minister ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago
  • Cutting all that dam red tape
    Dam safety regulations are being amended so that smaller dams won’t be subject to excessive compliance costs, Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on reducing costs and removing unnecessary red tape so we can get the economy back on track.  “Dam safety regulations ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago
  • Drought support extended to parts of North Island
    The coalition Government is expanding the medium-scale adverse event classification to parts of the North Island as dry weather conditions persist, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced today. “I have made the decision to expand the medium-scale adverse event classification already in place for parts of the South Island to also cover the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago
  • Passage of major tax bill welcomed
    The passing of legislation giving effect to coalition Government tax commitments has been welcomed by Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “The Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill will help place New Zealand on a more secure economic footing, improve outcomes for New Zealanders, and make our tax system ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Lifting economy through science, tertiary sectors
    Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins and Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds today announced plans to transform our science and university sectors to boost the economy. Two advisory groups, chaired by Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, will advise the Government on how these sectors can play a greater ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Government announces Budget priorities
    The Budget will deliver urgently-needed tax relief to hard-working New Zealanders while putting the government’s finances back on a sustainable track, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.  The Finance Minister made the comments at the release of the Budget Policy Statement setting out the Government’s Budget objectives. “The coalition Government intends ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Government to consider accommodation solution
    The coalition Government will look at options to address a zoning issue that limits how much financial support Queenstown residents can get for accommodation. Cabinet has agreed on a response to the Petitions Committee, which had recommended the geographic information MSD uses to determine how much accommodation supplement can be ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government approves extension to Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care
    Cabinet has agreed to a short extension to the final reporting timeframe for the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care from 28 March 2024 to 26 June 2024, Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says.                                         “The Royal Commission wrote to me on 16 February 2024, requesting that I consider an ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • $18m boost for Kiwis travelling to health treatment
    The coalition Government is delivering an $18 million boost to New Zealanders needing to travel for specialist health treatment, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says.   “These changes are long overdue – the National Travel Assistance (NTA) scheme saw its last increase to mileage and accommodation rates way back in 2009.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • PM’s Prizes for Space to showcase sector’s talent
    The Government is recognising the innovative and rising talent in New Zealand’s growing space sector, with the Prime Minister and Space Minister Judith Collins announcing the new Prime Minister’s Prizes for Space today. “New Zealand has a growing reputation as a high-value partner for space missions and research. I am ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Concerns conveyed to China over cyber activity
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government.     “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity, attributed to groups sponsored by the Chinese Government, targeting democratic institutions in both New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry
    Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry Education Minister Erica Stanford today announced the appointment of three independent reviewers to lead the Ministerial Inquiry into the Ministry of Education’s School Property Function.  The Inquiry will be led by former Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully. “There is a clear need ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Brynderwyns open for Easter
    State Highway 1 across the Brynderwyns will be open for Easter weekend, with work currently underway to ensure the resilience of this critical route being paused for Easter Weekend to allow holiday makers to travel north, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Today I visited the Brynderwyn Hills construction site, where ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Speech to the Infrastructure Funding & Financing Conference
    Introduction Good morning to you all, and thanks for having me bright and early today. I am absolutely delighted to be the Minister for Infrastructure alongside the Minister of Housing and Resource Management Reform. I know the Prime Minister sees the three roles as closely connected and he wants me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Parliamentary network breached by the PRC
    New Zealand stands with the United Kingdom in its condemnation of People’s Republic of China (PRC) state-backed malicious cyber activity impacting its Electoral Commission and targeting Members of the UK Parliament. “The use of cyber-enabled espionage operations to interfere with democratic institutions and processes anywhere is unacceptable,” Minister Responsible for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • NZ to provide support for Solomon Islands election
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced New Zealand will provide logistics support for the upcoming Solomon Islands election. “We’re sending a team of New Zealand Defence Force personnel and two NH90 helicopters to provide logistics support for the election on 17 April, at the request ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • NZ-EU FTA gains Royal Assent for 1 May entry to force
    The European Union Free Trade Agreement Legislation Amendment Bill received Royal Assent today, completing the process for New Zealand’s ratification of its free trade agreement with the European Union.    “I am pleased to announce that today, in a small ceremony at the Beehive, New Zealand notified the European Union ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • COVID-19 inquiry attracts 11,000 submissions
    Public consultation on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons has concluded, Internal Affairs Minister Hon Brooke van Velden says.  “I have been advised that there were over 11,000 submissions made through the Royal Commission’s online consultation portal.” Expanding the scope of the Royal Commission of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Families to receive up to $75 a week help with ECE fees
    Hardworking families are set to benefit from a new credit to help them meet their early childcare education (ECE) costs, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. From 1 July, parents and caregivers of young children will be supported to manage the rising cost of living with a partial reimbursement of their ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Unlocking a sustainable, low-emissions future
    A specialised Independent Technical Advisory Group (ITAG) tasked with preparing and publishing independent non-binding advice on the design of a "green" (sustainable finance) taxonomy rulebook is being established, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says.  “Comprising experts and market participants, the ITAG's primary goal is to deliver comprehensive recommendations to the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Chief of Army thanked for his service
    Defence Minister Judith Collins has thanked the Chief of Army, Major General John Boswell, DSD, for his service as he leaves the Army after 40 years. “I would like to thank Major General Boswell for his contribution to the Army and the wider New Zealand Defence Force, undertaking many different ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders
    25 March 2024 Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders Small Business, Manufacturing, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly will travel to Australia for a series of bi-lateral meetings and manufacturing visits. During the visit, Minister Bayly will meet with his Australian counterparts, Senator Tim Ayres, Ed ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government commits nearly $3 million for period products in schools
    Government commits almost $3 million for period products in schools The Coalition Government has committed $2.9 million to ensure intermediate and secondary schools continue providing period products to those who need them, Minister of Education Erica Stanford announced today. “This is an issue of dignity and ensuring young women don’t ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Speech – Making it easier to build.
    Good morning, it’s great to be here.   First, I would like to acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of Building Surveyors and thank you for the opportunity to be here this morning.  I would like to use this opportunity to outline the Government’s ambitious plan and what we hope to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Pacific youth to shine from boost to Polyfest
    Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti has announced the Government’s commitment to the Auckland Secondary Schools Māori and Pacific Islands Cultural Festival, more commonly known as Polyfest. “The Ministry for Pacific Peoples is a longtime supporter of Polyfest and, as it celebrates 49 years in 2024, I’m proud to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • 2024 Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships announced
    ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Speech to Breast Cancer Foundation – Insights Conference
    Before moving onto the substance of today’s address, I want to recognise the very significant and ongoing contribution the Breast Cancer Foundation makes to support the lives of New Zealand women and their families living with breast cancer. I very much enjoy working with you. I also want to recognise ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Kiwi research soars to International Space Station
    New Zealand has notched up a first with the launch of University of Canterbury research to the International Space Station, Science, Innovation and Technology and Space Minister Judith Collins says. The hardware, developed by Dr Sarah Kessans, is designed to operate autonomously in orbit, allowing scientists on Earth to study ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Speech to the New Zealand Planning Institute
    Introduction Thank you for inviting me to speak with you today and I’m sorry I can’t be there in person. Yesterday I started in Wellington for Breakfast TV, spoke to a property conference in Auckland, and finished the day speaking to local government in Christchurch, so it would have been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Support for Northland emergency response centre
    The Coalition Government is contributing more than $1 million to support the establishment of an emergency multi-agency coordination centre in Northland. Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced the contribution today during a visit of the Whangārei site where the facility will be constructed.  “Northland has faced a number ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Celebrating 20 years of Whakaata Māori
    New Zealanders have enjoyed a broader range of voices telling the story of Aotearoa thanks to the creation of Whakaata Māori 20 years ago, says Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka. The minister spoke at a celebration marking the national indigenous media organisation’s 20th anniversary at their studio in Auckland on ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Some commercial fishery catch limits increased
    Commercial catch limits for some fisheries have been increased following a review showing stocks are healthy and abundant, Ocean and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The changes, along with some other catch limit changes and management settings, begin coming into effect from 1 April 2024. "Regular biannual reviews of fish ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-03-28T09:26:26+00:00