Quakes – Day 3

Written By: - Date published: 6:34 am, November 16th, 2016 - 75 comments
Categories: disaster - Tags: ,

For discussing the quakes and the aftermath.

Here is today’s RNZ update and key facts:
Ships head to Kaikoura with supplies after New Zealand’s 7.5 magnitude quake, see also:
Day three: Ships join Kaikoura rescue efforts

And The Herald:
Live: State of emergency declared across Canterbury following 7.5 magnitude earthquake

See this excellent post by Geonet Director Dr Ken Gledhill:
A Message from GeoNet’s Director: Responding to the Monster

Because we do not have a 24/7 monitoring centre we have to wake people and get them out of bed to look at complex data and make serious calls very quickly. It is not an ideal situation given the past few months and I’d like to change that by getting support for a 24/7 monitoring centre for geohazards. I’m going to be blatant in my campaigning for this, because I think we need a 24/7 monitoring centre to respond to these kinds of events.

What makes GeoNet a world class geohazards monitoring system is not our instruments (as much as I love the technology), but our people. When people send kind words via social media or emails or phone calls, my staff feel that support deeply, so thank you.

Another heartfelt Thank You to the Geonet team!

And finally (for now) – another really useful piece from RNZ – read it if you are one of those affected:
Making an EQC claim: What you need to know


75 comments on “Quakes – Day 3 ”

  1. Keith 1

    Is it correct the RNZAF have only 4 available helicopters and if so why do we possess so few? Its far from ideal especially given our recent disaster history.

    • Clump_AKA Sam 1.1

      The thinking at the time the 90s was purchased was because its load carrying capacity is higher than the old iroquois, that we can mubble along with just 7 machines.

      From memory one of the old Muldoon defence white papers said New Zealand needed 18 iroquois for all its taskings. We’ve got 6 light choppers, 5 sea sprites and 7 NH90s from memory, I’m happy to be corrected. So that’s 18 machines. It’s not ideal because it’s a mixed fleet but I look at it as an essential learning curve to see what works for developing an over all capability that fights today’s battles rather than yesterday’s.

  2. Ad 2

    Great use of warships there.

    • mauī 2.1

      The Navy couldn’t hope for better PR. Thunderbirds are go.

      • Bearded Git 2.1.1

        ha ha ha I needed a laugh with all the disaster-hype in the media. The Mole would be useful on SH1 at the moment.

        Meanwhile as warships from several international fleets steam towards Kaikoura to rescue plucky tourists suffering terribly from intermittent cellphone coverage…..

        p.s. don’t tell anyone but the inland road will be open tomorrow or Friday.

        • greywarshark 2.1.1.1

          @Bearded Git
          Don’t be too cynical. They are all short of water and possibly food. The sea is disturbed and no doubt fish are too. Tourists sleeping in their rental cars because of concern about building collapse. They have spent a lot of money to get here and have transport to catch and responsibilities to attend to.

          • Bearded Git 2.1.1.1.1

            Moi? They will be able to drive their rental cars out by the weekend. My point is that it’s not exactly Aleppo or Mosul. Nobody is going the slightest bit hungry or thirsty. Water will be restored to 75% of Kaikoura today, which is such an awful place to get stranded in.

            It’s about perspective not media bollocks.

            • weka 2.1.1.1.1.1

              +1000. Tourists have spent a lot of money, now governments are going to spend a lot of money expediting their rescue from a pretty stable situation? I have no problem with the best way that can be done, but tourists need to understand that travel includes risks. In NZ that’s quakes amongst other things. We live in the age of climate change, so my point doubly applies. Meanwhile, there are people in NZ without adequate housing and food on a long term basis. I know where I’d prefer the resources were going.

              • greywarshark

                Cripes you two. Keep control of your protesting instincts. Tourism is a main business, by all means let’s try to get a better business that is as big and employs as many, even if they are on the same lowish wages, but in the meantime try to think like practical minded citizens and look after our customers.

                Or why don’t you set up a disaster tourism business that take adventurous people over NZ, sliding down screes, crawling through caves etc. I hope those companies that do this are forced to pay risk insurance premiums so that the gummint doesn’t have to bale them out.

                In the meantime don’t be such careless smart asses about the good people that pay to come here and keep some real money coming to us. As you say we have needs here, so don’t kill the golden goose.

                • The New Student

                  Just…wow! Tourists are people too. No point in having them hang around (especially if they have no money left to spend?) Get them out of the way, get them home.

                • weka

                  Lol, all good grey. I’d say it’s not so much a golden goose as a cash cow – getting older and being propped up on steroids. In which case, let’s be kinder to the cow and its ecosystem as we find more sustainable ways make a living.

                  In the age of climate change tourism itself is a disaster. I’d like us to stop saying we have no choice. And I’d like us to stop talking about tourism as if climate change is something happening in the future instead of us standing in the middle of it now. When the front of the house is well on fire, we don’t go round the back of the house and tell those having a barbie in the yard to finish up with their fun and then come join us.

          • Bearded Git 2.1.1.1.2

            RNZ just reported that the inland road to Kaikoura is now open to army 4WD vehicles which can deliver water and supplies, not that water is needed. It will be open to the public at the weekend.

            So much for the warships.

  3. gsays 3

    Not sure if this is the right place, however, re the earthquakes, two words: chinese steel.
    I understand aotearoa makes some if the best steel in the world.
    But kiwis love a bargain and in the race to the bottom we are choosing to use a cheaper product.

    If, in the future, buidings or infrastructure fails due to steel, white collar folk must do jail time.

  4. dukeofurl 4

    I was taken by Key warbling about rebuilding roads in ‘new locations’ rather than repairing the existing ones. That may be a good idea to upgrade to SH standard other inland routes as well as rebuild the main coastal highway.
    But its a financial dodge as well, repairing roadway and removing slips on SH is an operational expense so takes money from surplus, but building a new highway in a different location is ‘investment’ so is not counted against the surplus in the accounting books.

    Are we being set up for a fancy book keeping exercise, so the surplus is saved for next years tax cuts at election time ?

    • Andre 4.1

      Fuck me you’ve got a suspicious mind. I like the way you think.

    • dv 4.2

      The road via murchison is an extra 1.5 hrs. Mind you murchison has history!!!

      • weka 4.2.1

        “Mind you murchison has history!!!”

        Like big earthquakes?

        I know this is la la land, but imagine if we had a government that understood sustainable and resilient futureproofing. Time for an audit of all infrastructure and collective national and regional interest needs based on the shakey isles in a time of CC. May as well start with the top of the SI.

    • Draco T Bastard 4.3

      Wouldn’t surprise me from this government.

    • Infused 4.4

      No. You’re just being stupid.

      Why repair a road that has over 100 serious slips on it with damage tunnels, road and rail?

      If it can be moved to a better location, then do it.

      • Andre 4.4.1

        I’ll be really interested in what “better location” gets proposed. In the meantime, if you’d care to look at some topographical maps and suggest a better route yourself, go nuts.

  5. adam 5

    The media are so obviously fawning over Key again, it’s sickening. They seem to use the pain and suffering of people to puff him up.

    I’d like to also thank the Aussies and Canadians Navies for helping out as well, it seems sections of the media have forgotten that, falling over themselves to praise the yanks.

  6. The Chairman 7

    It’s time the Kāpiti Coast District Council took its responsibility of protecting its citizens seriously and install a comprehensive tsunami siren warning system along the Kāpiti Coast.

    https://www.change.org/p/kapiti-coast-district-council-install-tsunami-warning-sirens-on-the-k%C4%81piti-coast

    • Michelle 7.1

      Its time the Hutt City Council did something about the Hutt River its been overflowing for years now they need to get on with the business and fix it

  7. greywarshark 8

    Good story on Waiau from the Guardian. Incidentally those that thing that the Guardian is something good, they are asking for subscriptions.
    https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/nov/15/surviving-in-waiau-the-forgotten-town-closest-to-the-nz-quake-epicentre

  8. greywarshark 9

    Liked this video from the Guardian of the cows that ended up on a postage stamp sized island in the middle of a slip.
    https://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2016/nov/15/new-zealand-cows-owner-tells-of-earthquake-rescue-video

  9. mauī 10

    The u-turn on fixing SH1 begins… Can we get someone knowledgeable and professional talk about whether the road can be fixed, rather than suffer through this layman PM.

    http://i.stuff.co.nz/national/nz-earthquake/86506144/mountains-have-moved-pm-john-key-flies-over-the-devastation-again

    • weka 10.1

      I’m not that person, but I’ll just keep saying climate change. It’s been a fair while since I traveled that road. How much if it is not going to survive sea level rise and can’t be rebuilt higher? What’s the cost/benefit of restoring the road now in the context of that? It might still be worth doing, but perhaps down grading the route? Slip road closures due to weather events are going to be routine and we will struggle to maintain our roading if we keep trying to do that without taking the changes into account.

      And, Key will use this to Nationals advantage for all it is worth.

      Those two things are going to make the discussion complicated.

      • Andre 10.1.1

        Well, it seems most of that coastline got a significant uplift so sea level rise isn’t much of an issue.

        http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/nz-earthquake/86468227/how-the-quake-thrust-sea-creatures-out-of-the-water

        Any alternative routes also have to traverse rugged terrain, and are likely to be closer to the Alpine fault.

        • weka 10.1.1.1

          Sure, but my point was that the government should be doing a complete audit on this in the context of climate change. Most of the coast has lifted? what about the bit that hasn’t? How high? What about adverse weather events coupled with full moons and high tides? etc. etc. etc.

          (and there will be problems with which projections of rise and timeframes to use, but I’d settle for the govt just having an integrated approach).

          • Andre 10.1.1.1.1

            Somehow I think dukeofurl has the likelier view of the approach the government will take at comment 4.

            • weka 10.1.1.1.1.1

              pretty much. When I used the word government I was referring to the one in the alternate universe.

              • Clump_AKA Sam

                I think the problem was that there was no senior sirs/mames on hand to hold the PMs hand and give technical analysis when fronting cameras because there all so short staffed and had to muck in.

          • Lloyd 10.1.1.1.2

            If the coast is rising 4 m every 150 years, then sea level rise isn’t likely to affect the road.
            Question I want answered – When will Tapuaenuku be higher than Aoraki?

            • Clump_AKA Sam 10.1.1.1.2.1

              They’re 2 different events. The Hijurangi trough movers side to side, the southern alps move up and down

  10. I work for a rental car company. Truck runs transferring cars to/from various locations in the upper South Island are on ice until further notice because of the quakes. Also can’t get cars out of a number of locations.

    Its going to be Christmas at least before State Highway One shows much progress, never mind reopening it. Spoke to a lady today whose son is a contractor who is working up there – the hill slopes from which the landslides came are going to have to be sluiced of loose debris, then stabilized before the road can reopen and she said don’t ask for a timetable…

    https://willnewzealandberight.com/2016/11/16/the-long-journey-repairing-quake-damaged-roads-and-railway/

  11. Jilly Bee 12

    Here we go folks – ‘Bishop’ Brian Tamaki has spewed forth his hypothesis regarding the devastation early on Monday morning. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11749215
    Honestly I didn’t whether to laugh or scream.

  12. b waghorn 13

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11749215

    holy shit tamaki is crazy. gays caused the earthquakes according to him

    • Pasupial 13.1

      If I understand him correctly (which admittedly implies that he’s not just spouting gibberish), it was not the “gays” themselves, but rather a loving God that caused the earthquakes. Hmmm…

      Also, I know it was a rural part of the South Island, but this seems an odd note on which to end the article:

      God also warns men not to have sex with varying people including, but not limited to, women with their period, animals, or their sister.

  13. tsmithfield 14

    I am seriously worried for Wellington given the amount of damage already and there hasn’t even been a decent shake there yet.

    After our experience in Christchurch with the red zone, I suspect a lot of the problems with buildings in Wellington that are built on reclaimed land. It doesn’t really matter how well the buildings are built if the land underneath is rubbish.

    • lprent 14.1

      It doesn’t really matter how well the buildings are built if the land underneath is rubbish.

      Pretty much correct. For that matter the same thing applies for most of central Auckland, which is largely built on the last two centuries rubbish tips.

      You can fix it with engineering in the foundations. However the standards have had to keep being revised every decade to more robust forms ever since 1931 as the experience of what happens in earthquakes has been tested around the world. Many of the buildings are simply not up to spec for even a local minor earthquake. Christchurch proved that.

      • tsmithfield 14.1.1

        I hope you all keep safe up there.

        We didn’t get the wave from the 7.8 quake as strongly as those up North. However, we still felt it as a large-prolonged shake, probably equivalent to the Darfield shake I would expect. However, since abandoning the red zone, improved foundation standards, and the loss of most old buildings, there isn’t any noticeable damage in Christchurch from the last quake.

        I am concerned about the possibility of a tsunami in the Cook Straight, given the aftershock pattern. That would be amplified by Wellington Harbour and could cause some serious damage. So, if anyone feels a major shake, then get up as high as you can as quickly as possible. I think the recommended height is 30 metres.

        I think the situation is potentially much worse for Wellington than we had in Christchurch, given the proximity to a major fault line.

        The problem is, that you can never be sure that you are safe. Aftershocks can appear to be dying away and then, bang, you are hit by another big one.

        Those in Wellington would have to live with the possibility of an 8 on the doorstep at any occasion. So, I really feel for those up there.

  14. Ad 15

    This government has now got a second opportunity to follow nature and shake the foundations of this country. And fortunately most of this stuff also works towards climate change resilience as well:

    With local governments such as Wellington, Queenstown, Napier-Hastings, Gisborne, Rotorua, and more, Key could require huge restructuring of infrastructure provision in the name of resilience:

    – more local dams, for more secure water supply
    – more EQC premiums to essentially emerge it into a built-form ACC
    – more Urban Development Authorities to force new housing to be built – when old houses or indeed old towns are really damaged, rebuild them entirely
    – more co-options of major construction companies

    In governance and execution, with:
    – a permament recovery role for the military
    – no more budget surpluses or tax cuts for the foreseeable future
    – an enhanced relationship between DPMC, Civil Defence, and the military
    – pulling the pin on Kiwirail as a company and merging its remaining assets into NZTA
    – further subsidies to business to sustain them through the worst of times
    – have a really serious look at whether Wellington really is the right place for a capital
    – force a full Emergency and Recovery plan for the entire South Island, in preparation for when an Richter 8 or 9 really unzips the Alpine Fault
    – winnow out all major building owners; can’t afford the code, sell up and get out of town

    This earthquake series is going to be with us for years, from Kaikoura to Wellington. Years.

    Key is so good at handling crisis now he looks like George Foreman in his forties going in the ring for another easy whack.

    But Mr Key, while you make it look easy, don’t waste a crisis.

    • Robertina 15.1

      Key could do a lot of things, like killing the Bill that would severely limit councils’ ability to do the things you’re advocating. It’s been put off until next year because of opposition to it, so it might be dead in the water, but it shows where the Govt wants to go, and that isn’t towards regional infrastructure spending.

      And remember: “Any idiot can face a crisis – it’s day to day living that wears you out” (Anton Chekhov).

      • Ad 15.1.1

        He could kill the bill, and simply get his Departments – or indeed companies – to do most of those functions. My bet is he sees – as only a pragmatist can – that only the state redistributes lifeline services the way the public needs in an emergency.

        Chekhov’s definition of a crisis was a broken engagement in haute-bourgeoise land.

    • Muttonbird 15.2

      It has just become apparent to me you are a political lunatic along the lines of CV.

      Perhaps your writing privileges will be revoked in the same way before long.

      • Ad 15.2.1

        Because this has hit Wellington and in particular the bureaucracy, it will have at least as big an impact on the bureaucracy as Christchurch did. We already have NZDF, SIS, GCSB, MoT, and Dept of Stats looking for new premises. There will guaranteed be more.

        The building that houses the NZDF, SIS and GCSB was a serious piece of concrete built barely a decade ago. Those are departments that require quite specific building fitouts and capacities for obvious reasons.

        MoT under this government serve no function except whatever pops into the Minister’s head after his last junket to Uber or Hyundai or Tesla. They are ripe for merger.

        DPMC are turning into the government within government, supplanting Treasury as the repository of robust advice that binds all bids under a single law.

        So trust me, I know what I’m talking about because I know the system well and I observe it better than most.

        As for “political lunatic”, the thinking I expressed up there is the same kind of daring you used to find in any Labour government. Now, Key leading National has it all in his hands to do with what he will.

    • adam 15.3

      Are we looking at the same guy Ad. He’s looking more than a little punch drunk.

  15. Muttonbird 16

    Does anyone find it disturbing that a prime minister who is “so good at handling crisis now he looks like George Foreman in his forties going in the ring for another easy whack” would stand by while the Chinese Embassy takes all the available helicopters in the region to ferry out their citizens before the New Zealand government can splutter a number 8 wire excuse?

  16. Adrian 17

    Just like last time there is plenty of spare capacity to sort problems out within hours
    6 choppers for the Chinese is fuck all, on a frost night we can have 50 to 70 in the air in the area around Blenheim and Seddon, just 20 minutes flight up the road.
    There’s just not the political will or expertise to do it.

    • Clump_AKA Sam 17.1

      You can only join official humanitarian and disaster relief operations if you are a member of NZDF/Police/Fire and a number of other skilled pros like surveyors/engineers or any others who participate in and qualify through scheduled drills.

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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    3 days 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
    3 days 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
    3 days 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
    3 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    5 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
    5 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
    5 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
    6 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
    7 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
    1 week ago
  • 2024 Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships announced
    ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-03-29T14:56:44+00:00