Some “watchdog”

Written By: - Date published: 12:20 pm, October 24th, 2010 - 24 comments
Categories: law and "order", police - Tags: ,

No Right Turn asks some questions about the behaviour of the Independent Police Conduct Authority in deeming the release of information about unlawful behaviour by the Police as “not in the public interest”. There are few safeguards on the police – perhaps the main one should explain its decision in this case. Reproduced with permission for discussion.

The Independent Police Conduct Authority are our watchdog for the police. So how independent are they? A story in the Dominion Post this morning gives the answer: not very. Confronted with a case showing appalling unlawful behaviour by police in persecuting an innocent woman, they refused to release their report as it was “not in the public interest”:

The Dominion Post has a copy of the secret September 2009 IPCA report into a string of complaints laid by former policeman Dave White about the 2005 arrest of Mrs Teokotai, his mother-in-law.The IPCA did not make public its findings because the authority deemed them not of sufficient public interest. It found:

[Superintendent Gary] Smith and [Bay of Plenty police professional standards head Garth] Bryan acted unlawfully by not telling Commissioner Howard Broad and the IPCA about Mr White’s complaint.

Mr Burns and Mr Bryan showed “poor judgment” and failed best practice and police instructions by appointing a Tokoroa senior sergeant with “a clear conflict of interest” to look into the complaint.

Detectives involved in the investigation into Mrs Teokotai acted unprofessionally and two officers appear to have refused to be interviewed about the complaint.

Tokoroa police acted unlawfully by arresting her and lacked justification to incarcerate her and seize her passport and property.

Police breached their legal responsibility to disclose their evidence against her until six months after the case was dismissed.

The initial internal inquiry into complaints against the officers involved “lacked any semblance of independence and professionalism”.

The response to Mr White’s complaint was “totally mismanaged by senior officers”.

I would have thought that releasing this sort of report was very much in the public interest. It would show that the conduct of police was being monitored, thus building faith in the system. Instead, by keeping it secret, the IPCA have simply shown that when it matters, when police behave unlawfully, they will cover it up for them. And then they wonder why the public has no faith in them…

And then there’s the kicker: the officers criticised by the IPCA have been promoted. Smith, who covered up the complaint, got a top job in London as a police liaison. Bryan got a senior job at Police National Headquarters. These are cops who covered up for their mates, who have no place in our police force. The fact that they are still wearing the uniform speaks volumes about the police’s tolerance for the criminals among them and their utter lack of commitment to cleaning house. It shows us they have learned absolutely nothing from the police rape scandal. And it shows us that they are utterly unworthy of our respect.

24 comments on “Some “watchdog” ”

  1. lprent 1

    Apart from the other known facts in the case, which are damning in their own right, what particularly infuriates me about this case is this:-

    Police seized a computer and 20,000 documents from Mrs Teokotai and she spent several hours in a police cell. The case collapsed four months later when police failed to disclose any evidence against her. But they refused to return her property for nearly two years and did so only after she took them to court.

    This is an extra-legal punishment taken by the police. They have no apparent justification for this. Apart from anything else the courts should take notice of this ursurption of their powers and haul the police into court – it is a clear breach of the polices power to hold property when they don’t even have charges pending. It was clearly a punitive measure against someone causing them trouble.

    Obviously we aren’t going to see the facts in the IPCA report until it is released into the public domain. The full details of this report should be because there appear to be no grounds for the decision by the IPCA and the whole thing shows a lackadaisical view of the seriousness of the complaint by the IPCA. It is clearly in the public interest when police exceed their powers with a punative intent and when the body investigating it appear to be complicit in covering it up.

    A lack of response from Mr Smith and Mr Bryan – who was assigned to investigate the complaint – led Mr White to complain to the IPCA. The authority said it took eight months before police began investigating, after the IPCA had received its complaint.

    Detectives involved in the investigation into Mrs Teokotai acted unprofessionally and two officers appear to have refused to be interviewed about the complaint.

    If the IPCA can’t break beyond stonewalling by the police, then what use are they? Perhaps it is time to disband the IPCA and look for a more effective civilian based body that isn’t in thrall to the police. Amongst its powers should be a requirement that police officers are required to talk to its investigators and if they don’t then they should be dismissed from the force.

    • Swampy 1.1

      Unfortunately the police are an elite State agency and we need this State power to be addressed. This seems to go on into the judiciary with Mr Wilson’s resignation, just a convenient escape route for him, he will have no admission of legal wrongdoing and his reputation largely intact.

  2. the sprout 2

    Public confidence in the accountability of NZ Police has been waning ever since the false imprisonment of Arthur Allan Thomas, and nothing has happened since that time to reverse the trend.

    My personal bugbear is the number of people – usually teenagers – who’ve tied in Police pursuits, only of course it wasn’t a pursuit because “Police broke-off the chase moments before the crash”. How many times have we heard that?

    It seems every time Police make an error, it’s taken as yet another reason why they should be armed!
    Go figure 🙁

    • Swampy 2.1

      Pursuit policy is a very different scenario. If you have actually seen the lunacy that goes on on the roads or heard some loser driving their huge noisy car madly round the back streets at 4 am in the morning you would understand that the public at large are 100% behind the police because they have had a gutsful of mindless stupidity from these irresponsible boy racers.

      This should tell you something, it is the IPCA who are handwringing trying to get the police to stop pursuits.

      • lprent 2.1.1

        Surprisingly I’d tend to agree about the public support – I get a few around my place early in the morning and they are bloody annoying when you’re trying to sleep.

        However I think that you missed the point that the sprout was making. He was pointing out the now standard excuse that the police employ.

        Whenever there is a pursuit that results in accident and/or injury to either the people in the car, other motorists, or pedestrians, we are almost always told that the pursuit had been broken off prior to the ensuring tragedy. I’ve heard it so often that I simply don’t believe it. I now treat it as a convenient lie by the police to ensure that some idiot hot-dog in the police force has their arse covered for violating policy. If the police publicly disciplined their own properly it wouldn’t be much of an issue. But you get the impression that they’re only letting a few newbies go before the courts and usually only when they did something off-duty.

        For me to believe it, I’d want to be able to hear the timestamped radio log.

        • mcflock 2.1.1.1

          and it’s a short step from issuing misleading media releases to falsifying evidence to say you ceased pursuit, and from there it’s a short step to dropping a clean knife on the suspect you just beat or shot.

          • Rex Widerstrom 2.1.1.1.1

            In the present climate there’s no need for actual messy physical evidence, mcflock. That could have defence layers asking questions like “so he wiped his prints off after you kicked him in the spleen 27 times, did he?”.

            No, if it’s a man you’ve got in your sights, just wheel out a woman, girl or boy who’ll say “he did bad things to me”. Even better if it’s 30 years ago, so there’s not even a corroborating eyewitness to suggest they saw no evidence of any distress at the time.

            Defence lawyers will tell you that they daren’t question the credibility of the complainant as they’ll just lose the jury completely, so they fiddle round the edges of testimony, trying to trip the witness on small facts (what were they wearing, what time was it) rather than ever suggesting they’re a bare faced liar.

            And if the complainant gets cold feet, they’re told (and I know this happened in at least one case as it’s in a sworn statement) “We’ve got your original statement*. If you change it now we’ll charge you with perjury**. So it’s your choice who goes to jail – you or him”.

            * Which the police wrote themselves
            ** Which is of course bullshit, but the complainant isn’t to know.

            • Draco T Bastard 2.1.1.1.1.1

              “We’ve got your original statement*.

              And the “original statement” fails to be handwritten and signed by you. I’ve had that happen to me.

          • g says 2.1.1.1.2

            or dropping a couple of rifle cartridges in the garden bed that is about to be searched, or sleeping with the complainants mother while investigaing a huge child sex abuse ring

          • jcuknz 2.1.1.1.3

            I quite believe that the police frequently ‘break off pursuit’ seconds prior to the crash … however the crux of the matter is “How does the pursued know that and hopefully moderate their behavior”.
            So as I see it it is a pointless excuse by the police to hoodwink the public because it is meaningless for the reason above.

            Further to my comment yesterday .. I now see that the reduction of the tolerance from 10 to 4 k’s above posted limits has cost seven lives this weekend .. so much for common sense on the part of the police management when it is well known that reducing speed limits increases rather than decreases the likelihood of accidents.
            I’d point out to Carol that the difference in result from crashing at 110k and at 104k is minimal …the police mantra is highly suspect in my mind after hearing from the British Chief Constable.

            • Carol 2.1.1.1.3.1

              Actually research shows that the severity of crashes increases exponentially as speeds increase: ie, a small increase in speed, especially after about 96kms per hour, result in much higher increases in crash severity:

              http://www.tfhrc.gov/safety/speed/speed.htm

              The relationship between vehicle speed and crash severity is unequivocal and based on the laws of physics. The kinetic energy of a moving vehicle is a function of its mass and velocity squared. Kinetic energy is dissipated in a collision by friction, heat, and the deformation of mass. Generally, the more kinetic energy to be dissipated in a collision, the greater the potential for injury to vehicle occupants. Because kinetic energy is determined by the square of the vehicle’s speed, rather than by speed alone, the probability of injury, and the severity of injuries that occur in a crash, increase exponentially with vehicle speed. For example, a 30-percent increase in speed (e.g., from 50 to 65 mi/h [80 to 105 km/h]) results in a 69-percent increase in the kinetic energy of a vehicle.

              The relationship between travel speed and the severity of injuries sustained in a crash was examined by Solomon (1964), who reported an increase in crash severity with increasing vehicle speeds on rural roads. From an analysis of 10,000 crashes, Solomon concluded that crash severity increased rapidly at speeds in excess of 60 mi/h (96 km/h), and the probability of fatal injuries increased sharply above 70 mi/h (112 km/h).

              The evidence about higher speeds causing more crashes is less clear. It depends on the roads, road conditions, maneuvres being carried out, average speed of the rest of the traffic etc.

              • jcuknz

                Carol you seem preoccupied with the result of crashes whereas I am merely talking about the likelihood of them .. and the fear factor which transport advertising is based on seems to have got to you. I’m highlighting the dishonest mis information practiced by the department with regard to chases and speed. I don’t really blame the department with regard to chases because my sympathy is with them versus the ‘lets hang somebody’ attitude some vocal people have on this subject. Parents who have not exercised sufficient control and influence over their offspring and want to blame somebody other than themselves for the tragedy of a lost life so young.

                • Carol

                  Nope. Not preoccupied, just responding to a common misconception amongst the pro-speedsters lobby, that lower speed limits are about preventing crashes.

                  Good driving skills & road code knowledge, and good roads help prevent crashes – plus lessening the influence of things that affect concentration & responses eg alchohol. Lower speeds are to lessen the destructive impact of crashes, as some will always happen. And that’s shown by science.

                  I don’t approve of the police approach to chases – and apart from all the reasons people have given, it seems to me the police help escalating the speeds while participating in chases.

                  As for the irrepressible, serial speedsters: well, these days I prefer public transport & walking if possible. And am contemplating getting a bike to use some safe cycleways. I think there’s a lot of drivers with selfish anti-social attitudes. Cars are over-rated.

                  The police, media and some of the public seem to have contradictory, maybe hypocritical attitudes to speedsters. It’s evident in the name “boy racer”. There’s a romanticisation of the reckless freedom of youth in that. And I suspect that some police officers enjoy the thrill of a car chase too.

    • Vicky32 2.2

      I was in my teens with the Arthur Allan Thomas thing was happening, but already had my own personal reasons for lacking confidence in the police. Years later, I wept at the difficulty of getting them to take domestic abuse seriously, my own in the 70s, and that of others in the 80s. There are a handful of NZ police who I praise, those who were so helpful and kind when involved in the death of my brother in 2004 – but as for the rest, a plague on them, just another gang…
      Deb

      • the sprout 2.2.1

        i fully agree there are some good and some very good ones, but their reputations are besmirched by the lack of accountability for all the bad ones

        • KJT 2.2.1.1

          I was in court supporting a teenager charged with driving offenses not long ago.
          It took weeks, several letters and phone calls to get copy of the police evidence which he is supposed to have as of right. The police grossly exaggerated the gravity of the offense in court instead of a fair statement of facts.

          The attitude of the duty solicitor was also unprofessional. Which was if you wanted to mount any sort of defense it would not happen unless a lawyer was engaged and paid privately.

          This was a 16 year old child.

          I was not very surprised about the lawyer maintaining their gravy train. I was very disappointed in the police.

          I have heard a lot of stories from teenagers since about arrogance, lack of accountability and what I would call unjustified harassment of the powerless.

  3. Draco T Bastard 3

    More reason for government documents to released automatically unless there’s a damn good reason not to.

    • believe me Draco, once they go ahead with their merger of Archives NZ into the DIA, the documents won’t exist long enough for them to ever get released.

      • Draco T Bastard 3.1.1

        Yeah, that’s why I’ve been calling it the Ministry of Truth. I hope the next government reverses the changes again and implements some truly open government reforms. We know NACT won’t as they’re all about hiding things from the populace.

  4. Thing is, it’s not just the NZ police, it’s the police, period. In WA we’ve just had a middle aged woman who was stopped for driving on a suspended licence and had both her arms deliberately twisted by the arresting officer told her complaint “isn’t serious enough” to warrant investigation by the Corruption and Crime Commission. Which is probably fair comment, because the CCC is flooded with complaints.

    It does have time, though, to go after the Labor Shadow Attorney General for the offence of revealing the name of an undercover officer linked to the wrongful prosecution and imprisonment of a man for 12 years.

    Meanwhile, very quietly buried on the back pages, is news that we may be getting privately funded cops. No chance of divided loyalties there, eh lads?

    The “Acting Assistant Police Commissioner Michelle Fyfe” quoted in that story is, incidentally, the one who set up a speed camera on a seven lane stretch of freeway that has a ludicrous 80km/h speed limit, caught 80% of drivers exceeding it (what a surprise!) and then went on our compliant media to tell us she “expected better”.

    The obvious response – that this is a democracy and that that’s a pretty clear majority who don’t agree with the limit – was relegated to one letter to the editor.

    All of which is, I suppose, a way of saying we get the policing we deserve the same way we get the government we deserve. Till we stand up and say enough, through passive resistance (like everyone fined on that stretch of freeway refusing to pay) we won’t rein in these fascists, we’ll only embolden them.

    • Vicky32 4.1

      “is news that we may be getting privately funded cops. No chance of divided loyalties there, eh lads?”
      Dear Heaven, the mind boggles!
      Deb

    • jcuknz 4.2

      Of course if people didn’t speed or go burglarizing then there would be no problem … it is the whole business of people wanting a responsible society but not willing to act as responsible members of it. Part of that responsibly to society is the provision of suitable places for drivers who want to speed and other driving practices, safe in a controlled place but dangerous on the roads, but oh no the answer is simply leave it to the police to crack down on them .. turning high spirited youngsters into criminals ….been there and seen it .. though fortunately for some reason, probably upbringing, I missed the net.

  5. Treetop 5

    Is the IPCA assisting the police to breed corruption?
    Were David Edward Trappitt’s policing standards followed, including best practise?
    Is the IPCA bound by the 2008 Police Act?

    I do however believe that when a third uninvolved innocent party is named, that this should be with held, because the complainant’s intention would be to not cause harm to a third innocent party. The NZ public know how the NZ police snoop into police files when there is no reason for them to have accessed information.

Links to post

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • Equal gender representation on public sector boards for third year in a row
    Representation for women on public sector boards and committees is the highest it’s ever been with wāhine now making up 53.1 percent of public board and committee members,” Minister for Women Jan Tinetti said. Manatū Wāhine Ministry for Women’s 2022 stocktake of public sector boards and committees shows for the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    51 mins ago
  • New law passes on child support to sole parents
    A new law enabling sole parents on a benefit to receive child support payments for their tamariki was passed in Parliament today. “This change is estimated to lift as many as 14,000 children out of poverty and give families a median of $20 extra a week,” said Social Development and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 hours ago
  • New moves to curb youth vaping
    Crack down on disposable vapes   No new vape shops near schools or marae Restricted descriptions for product flavours The Government is taking action to reduce the number of young people taking up vaping, Health Minister Dr Ayesha Verrall has announced. “Too many young people are vaping, which is why we’re ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 hours ago
  • Fiji Prime Minister Rabuka to visit New Zealand
    Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka will visit New Zealand this week, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins announced today. “Prime Minister Rabuka officially visited New Zealand in 1998, over 25 years ago, and we look forward to welcoming him here once again,” Chris Hipkins said.  “New Zealand and Fiji have a long ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    10 hours ago
  • Sports stars and administrators honoured
    The King’s Birthday and Coronation Honours List 2023 includes sporting stars and administrators who reflect the best of New Zealand’s sporting community. Sir Wayne Smith has been knighted for services to rugby. Sir Wayne was Assistant Coach of the All Blacks at the 2011 and 2015 Rugby World Cups and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Kapa Haka rangatira amongst those honoured on King’s Birthday
    Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa taki tini ‘My success is not mine alone, but that of the people” The King’s Birthday and Coronation Honours list 2023 celebrates Māori from all walks of life, reflecting the achievements of those who have made a significant contribution to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • King’s Birthday Honours recognise strength of service to NZ
    The strength and diversity of service in New Zealand is a standout feature of today’s King’s Birthday and Coronation Honours list, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said. “Each of today’s 182 recipients has contributed individually to our country. Viewed collectively, their efforts reflect an overwhelming commitment to service.” Chris Hipkins said. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Closer defence cooperation between New Zealand and Japan
    The Defence Ministers of New Zealand and Japan have signed a statement of intent for closer defence cooperation between the two Pacific regional partners. Andrew Little and H. E. Yasukazu Hamada met to sign the ‘Statement of Intent on Defence Cooperation in Maritime Security, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • SPEECH: To the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue 2023 by the Honourable Andrew Little MP, New Zealand Ministe...
    New Zealand’s most recent defence assessment identified climate change and geostrategic competition as the two greatest security challenges to our place in the South Pacific. To the first issue, partners engaging and re-engaging with Pacific Island Countries are finding that climate change is a security and existential threat in our ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Govt supporting more rangatahi into training and employment opportunities
    The government is continuing to support rangatahi in providing more funding into Maori Trades training and new He Poutama Rangatahi programmes across Aotearoa. “We’re backing 30 new by Māori for Māori Kaupapa employment and training programmes, which will help iwi into sustainable employment or progress within their chosen careers” says ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Energy self-sufficient marae reopens with support of Government investment
    Murihiku Marae was officially reopened today, setting a gold standard in sustainable building practices as well as social outcomes for the people of Waihōpai Invercargill, Regional Development Minister Kiri Allan says. “The marae has been a central hub for this community since the 1980’s. With the support of $9.65 million ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • First major Whangārei public housing project in a generation complete
    The first major public housing development in Whangārei for decades has reached completion, with 37 new homes opened in the suburb of Maunu today. The project on Tapatahi Crescent and Puriri Park Road, consists of 15 one-bedroom, 4 two-bedroom, 7 three-bedroom, 8 four-bedroom and 3 five-bedroom homes, as well as ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Trade Minister to represent New Zealand trade interests abroad
    Trade and Export Growth Minister Damen O’Connor will depart tomorrow for London to represent New Zealand at the Commonwealth Trade Ministers’ Meeting and then to Paris to vice-chair the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting. “My travel to the United Kingdom is well-timed, with the United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement (UK FTA) ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Bill to boost national fuel resiliency introduced
    The Fuel Industry (Improving Fuel Resilience) Amendment Bill would: boost New Zealand’s fuel supply resilience and economic security enable the minimum stockholding obligation regulations to be adapted as the energy and transport environment evolves. “Last November, I announced a six-point plan to improve the resiliency of our fuel supply from ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Faster ACC payment top-ups and fairer system
    The Government is making sure those on low incomes will no longer have to wait five weeks to get the minimum weekly rate of ACC, and improving the data collected to make the system fairer, Minister for ACC Peeni Henare said today.  The Accident Compensation (Access Reporting and Other Matters) ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Compulsory code of conduct for school boards introduced
    A compulsory code of conduct will ensure school board members are crystal clear on their responsibilities and expected standard of behaviour, Minister of Education Jan Tinetti said. It’s the first time a compulsory code of conduct has been published for state and state-integrated school boards and comes into effect on ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Speech to the New Zealand Federation of Commercial Fishermen annual conference.
    Tena koutou katoa and thank you, Mayor Nadine Taylor, for your welcome to Marlborough. Thanks also Doug Saunders-Loder and all of you for inviting me to your annual conference. As you might know, I’m quite new to this job – and I’m particularly pleased that the first organisation I’m giving a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Govt to support councils with buyout and better protection of cyclone and flood affected properties
    The Government will enter into a funding arrangement with councils in cyclone and flood affected regions to support them to offer a voluntary buyout for owners of Category 3 designated residential properties. It will also co-fund work needed to protect Category 2 designated properties. “From the beginning of this process ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government delivers changes to reduce pokies harm
    The Government has announced changes to strengthen requirements in venues with pokie (gambling) machines will come into effect from 15 June. “Pokies are one of the most harmful forms of gambling. They can have a detrimental impact on individuals, their friends, whānau and communities,” Internal Affairs Minister Barbara Edmonds said. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government delivers 1800 additional frontline Police
    The total Police workforce is now the largest it has ever been. Police constabulary stands at 10,700 officers – an increase of 21% since 2017 Māori officers have increased 40%, Pasifika 83%, Asian 157%, Women 61% Every district has got more Police under this Government The Government has delivered on ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister Mahuta talks Pacific ambitions at the first Korea-Pacific Leaders’ summit
    Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon Nanaia Mahuta met with Korea President Yoon, as well as Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Henry Puna, during her recent visit to Korea.  “It was an honour to represent Aotearoa New Zealand at the first Korea – Pacific Leaders’ Summit. We discussed Pacific ambitions under the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government drives $2 billion of business research and development
    The Government’s Research and Development Tax Incentive has supported more than $2 billion of New Zealand business innovation – an increase of around $1 billion in less than nine months. "Research and innovation are essential in helping us meet the biggest challenges and seize opportunities facing New Zealand. It’s fantastic ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Achieving lift off: National Space Policy launched
    The next ‘giant leap’ in New Zealand’s space journey has been taken today with the launch of the National Space Policy, Economic Development Minister Barbara Edmonds announced. “Our space sector is growing rapidly. Each year New Zealand is becoming a more and more attractive place for launches, manufacturing space-related technology ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • New science and creative technologies wharekura announced
    A new Year 7-13 designated character wharekura will be built in Pāpāmoa, Associate Minister of Education Kelvin Davis has announced. The wharekura will focus on science, mathematics and creative technologies while connecting ākonga to the whakapapa of the area. The decision follows an application by the Ngā Pōtiki ā Tamapahore ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Freedom Camping changes a win for the environment
    Protecting the environment by establishing a stronger, more consistent system for freedom camping Supporting councils to better manage freedom camping in their region and reduce the financial and social impacts on communities Ensuring that self-contained vehicle owners have time to prepare for the new system   The Self-Contained Motor Vehicle ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Speeding up the family court, reducing stress on families
    A new law passed last night could see up to 25 percent of Family Court judges’ workload freed up in order to reduce delays, Minister of Justice Kiri Allan said. The Family Court (Family Court Associates) Legislation Bill will establish a new role known as the Family Court Associate. The ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • UK FTA delivers benefits from today
    New Zealand businesses will begin reaping the rewards of our gold-standard free trade agreement with the United Kingdom (UK FTA) from today.  “The New Zealand UK FTA enters into force from today, and is one of the seven new or upgraded Free Trade Agreements negotiated by Labour to date,” Prime ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Next steps to reform outdated surrogacy law
    The Government will reform outdated surrogacy laws to improve the experiences of children, surrogates, and the growing number of families formed through surrogacy, by adopting Labour MP Tāmati Coffey’s Member’s Bill as a Government Bill, Minister Kiri Allan has announced. “Surrogacy has become an established method of forming a family ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Defence Minister to attend Shangri-La Dialogue
    Defence Minister Andrew Little departs for Singapore tomorrow to attend the 20th annual Shangri-La Dialogue for Defence Ministers from the Indo-Pacific region. “Shangri-La brings together many countries to speak frankly and express views about defence issues that could affect us all,” Andrew Little said. “New Zealand is a long-standing participant ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New Zealand–China science relationship affirmed
    Research, Science and Innovation Minister Dr Ayesha Verrall and the Chinese Minister of Science and Technology Wang Zhigang met in Wellington today and affirmed the two countries’ long-standing science relationship. Minister Wang was in New Zealand for the 6th New Zealand-China Joint Commission Meeting on Science and Technology Cooperation. Following ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Supporting a strong future for screen sector
    5 percent uplift clearer and simpler to navigate  Domestic productions can access more funding sources 20 percent rebate confirmed for post-production, digital and visual effects Qualifying expenditure for post-production, digital and visual effects rebate dropped to $250,000 to encourage more smaller productions The Government is making it easier for the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister Sepuloni to attend 61st Anniversary of Samoa’s Independence
    Deputy Prime Minister and Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs (Pacific Region) Carmel Sepuloni will represent New Zealand at Samoa’s 61st Anniversary of Independence commemorations in Apia. “Aotearoa New Zealand is pleased to share in this significant occasion, alongside other invited Pacific leaders, and congratulates Samoa on the milestone of 61 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Govt backs retailers with expansion of fog cannon programme
    The Government is continuing to support retailers with additional funding for the highly popular Fog Cannon Subsidy Scheme, Police and Small Business Minister Ginny Andersen announced today.  “The Government is committed to improving retailers’ safety,” Ginny Andersen said.  “I’ve seen first-hand the difference fog cannons are making. Not only do ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government will consider recommendations of Intelligence and Security Act review
    The Government has received the first independent review of the Intelligence and Security Act 2017, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins says. The review, considered by the Parliamentary Intelligence and Security Committee, was presented to the House of Representatives today.  “Ensuring the safety and security of New Zealanders is of the utmost ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Govt expresses condolences on the passing of HRH Princess Sui’ilikutapu
    Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has expressed condolences on behalf of New Zealand to the Kingdom of Tonga following the death of Her Royal Highness Princess Mele Siu’ilikutapu Kalaniuvalu Fotofili. “New Zealand sends it’s heartfelt condolences to the people of Tonga, and to His Majesty King Tupou VI at this time ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Govt expresses condolences on the passing of HRH Princess Siu’ilikutapu
    Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has expressed condolences on behalf of New Zealand to the Kingdom of Tonga following the death of Her Royal Highness Princess Mele Siu’ilikutapu Kalaniuvalu Fotofili. “New Zealand sends it’s heartfelt condolences to the people of Tonga, and to His Majesty King Tupou VI at this time ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Security support to Solomon Islands extended
    Defence Minister Andrew Little and Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta have today announced the extension of the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) deployment to Solomon Islands, as part of the regionally-led Solomon Islands International Assistance Force (SIAF). “Aotearoa New Zealand has a long history of working alongside the Royal Solomon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister Mahuta to attend the first Korea-Pacific Leaders’ Summit
    Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta will travel to the Republic of Korea today to attend the Korea–Pacific Leaders’ Summit in Seoul and Busan. “Korea is an important partner for Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific region. I am eager for the opportunity to meet and discuss issues that matter to our ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Agreement between Indo-Pacific partners for supply chain resilience
    Trade and Export Growth Minister Damien O’Connor joined ministerial representatives at a meeting in Detroit, USA today to announce substantial conclusion of negotiations of a new regional supply chains agreement among 14 Indo-Pacific countries. The Supply Chains agreement is one of four pillars being negotiated within the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Celebrating Samoa Language Week 2023
    Our most spoken Pacific language is taking centre stage this week with Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa – Samoa Language Week kicking off around the country. “Understanding and using the Samoan language across our nation is vital to its survival,” Barbara Edmonds said. “The Samoan population in New Zealand are ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2023-06-06T05:51:13+00:00