South Africa, Zimbabwe, New Zealand

Written By: - Date published: 8:30 am, August 4th, 2018 - 31 comments
Categories: Africa, Deep stuff, democratic participation, elections, Globalisation, International, racism, treaty settlements - Tags:

In 1962, John F Kennedy said “Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.”

That’s on my mind when I see three things this week.

The Zimbabwean election, the declaration by the South African President of legalising forced farm possession by the state for redistribution, and a map of New Zealand showing every settlement of Maori land disenfranchisement so far.

South Africa

Upon his release Nelson Mandela chose not to violently overthrow white land ownership, in favour of a great compact between his political leaders and the major businesses of the day. This choice enabled democratic reform, eradication of official apartheid, and the election of his party to power.

Now, with national rage growing about the slow pace of land reform, that same party are on their way to simply taking farms from whites without compensation. Woo-hoo the radical Economic Freedom Fighters.

Kennedy’s little maxim has some bearing here. Revolution or die. But land seizure aided by constitutional amendment is going to cause substantial disruption to the society, economy, and viability of South Africa. There is simply no way of telling which way their society will go after that: more like Zimbabwe, or more like New Zealand.

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe’s government seized land by force from white farmers 18 years ago, and is finally getting around to compensating those people for that loss.

With the benefit of hindsight, the Zimbabwean experience tells us that the notion of expropriation without compensation is ruinous. They collectively paid for it with eight consecutive years of economic decline that led to job losses, deindustrialisation, loss of export revenue, economic growth foregone, and now a huge reliance on imported donor food aid. Zimbabwean MP and economist Eddie Cross calculated that loss at about $20 billion a decade ago. That’s a whole bunch of futile, unjust misery inflicted.

Even with the original revolutionary leader gone, the Zimbabwean version of a free and fair society is desperate and fraught right now, and will be for decades to come.

New Zealand

And then there’s little old New Zealand. This country went through the fastest land alienation process of the three, and also the most successful in its amelioration of the damage. You can check out both the speed of that, and the miserable compensations for the loss settlement by settlement, here.

Sure, our collective record of mechanised violence from the introduction of guns is not black and white, and our reforms have been gradual in successfully defraying any thought of armed uprising for 150 years. But on most native peoples stats, honestly we are pretty disgusting.

Above my fireplace is a map (one of four in existence) from the New Zealand Parliamentary records showing the boundaries of the land it is about to take from all Maori to punish them for their uprising. What a pen they weilded to go with the victors’ gun.

Not necessary to run counterfactual histories. But for all our success, very few Maori feature in any of it.

I can’t come to a settled conclusion on this yet. Every postcolonial situation is different. Every national trajectory is different. So much of the long term record of both brands of government here stand us in positive stead compared to any other African country I can think of. That’s not a high benchmark.

Plenty of work to do, but it’s still fine to stand back and say why one is better or worse with as much objectivity as one can muster.

Thinking back on those opening words by John F Kennedy, we were damn lucky.

I’m going to leave the last word to Nelson Mandela, who has a great political legacy but a pretty mixed economic one. Here’s an excerpt from his closing at the trial that sentenced him for decades:

“During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people,” he said. “I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”

31 comments on “South Africa, Zimbabwe, New Zealand ”

  1. AsleepWhileWalking 1

    One thing I find annoying about Treaty settlements is the complete lack of understanding the public have.

    Settlement money often benefits entire communities.

    • KJT 1.1

      If the majority of New Zealanders objected to treaty settlements. I am sure there would have been much more of an outcry.
      Instead we just have a loud mouthed Brashite minority objecting.

  2. OnceWasTim 2

    Another argument for teaching ‘Civics’ in schools. Call it what you like ….. Social Studies maybe, or even as they have in a few 3rd World developing countries: ‘GK’ (or General Knowledge, taught from an early age)

    • OnceWasTim 2.1

      Sorry…this was supposed to be a reply to AWW at 1.
      It befuddles me too @AWW why we have Te Tiriti – a contract, and ongoing partnership, yet it is barely covered. Likewise, since it is an ongoing partnership, perhaps the reason we have the Maori seats.
      Then Civics should cover the electoral system and how it works.

      Not just taught in schools at an early age, but also to what we might call new New Zealanders (to use an old term used by Fortress Australia) as part of the PR/Citizenship process

      • Dennis Frank 2.1.1

        Yeah, I was talking to a young man a few weeks back about this, asked him if he got any education along those lines & he said no. Half a century on, the education system hasn’t improved. At college in the sixties, we got told we were being prepared for adult life, yet we never got any explanation to help us with the difficulties we encountered in adult life. Labour & National are useless.

        • OnceWasTim 2.1.1.1

          True.
          I don’t want to derail this thread, but actually I’d go further.
          I’d require all senior public servants in leadership positions to show their understanding of the Treaty before appointments (along with a few other ‘competencies’ that seem to have lapsed in recent times).
          My grandson is 8 years old (and Maori), and has yet to have anything like the above covered. He is left to his own devices (including an iPad) and family.
          I know several ‘New New Zealanders’ who know more about things that many New Zealand born Kiwis, simply because they’ve been educated in places where ‘civics’ or ‘GK’ or Social Studies have been taught.

  3. Chris T 3

    Read the subject and thought this was going to be a thread about Winston’s Waka jumping bill

  4. Morrissey 4

    You quoted J.F. Kennedy pontificating about peace? Oh yes, you’re the one who wrote that sub-sophomoric “Trump/Putin” essay, aren’t you.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BXtgq0Nhsc

  5. Gabby 5

    South Africa turning to shit might at least address our tradie shortage.

  6. Um… interesting comparing African country’s with NZ, inasmuch that the black tribal populations seem to be -collectively – the majority in most case. Whereas in NZ , after the colonists had arrived , the Maori were quickly relegated to the minority.

    Well , over time , … that comes home to roost. Forceful taking back of lands and whatnot is far easier when you are majority. Then there was the fact NZ was part of the British Empire settled from people of those Isles,… close to Australia,… and could be utilized as a bread basket for Britain. Lots of reasons, really…

    Still ,… the social turmoil created by what South Africa is now doing can only lead to more problems,… similar to what you say about Zimbabwe. Its like the pendulum has now swung the other way with yet more unrest.

    • Ad 6.1

      In almost every other British Empire country than New Zealand and Australia, the British took land from the majority and kept it until that native majority were subjugated either by a new legal system, or until war and disease turned the previous majority into a minority. So, no, your middle paragraph is wrong.

      • In Vino 6.1.1

        Are you sure of that Ad? It may apply in Canada and Australia, but India was the Jewel in the Crown of the Empire, and in the vast majority of other significant countries concerned (mainly African) like Kenya, Rhodesia, Uganda, etc, the indigenous majority never became a minority. Even in South Africa, if you add the Boers to the British, I doubt if that total outnumbered the indigenous total. And even if it did, you still cannot justify ‘almost every other British Empire country…’

        • Ad 6.1.1.1

          Learn to read.

          “…either by a new legal system [India, Kenya, Rhodesia, Uganda, etc], or until war and disease turned the previous majority into a minority [Canada, US, Australia, New Zealand, etc]”

          • In Vino 6.1.1.1.1

            Not sure what you are quoting there. Ad. I read your post at top, but did not read all links. Do we have to laboriously read all links? OK, the legal thing explains all the countries I had excepted, so I withdraw my criticism.

        • Gosman 6.1.1.2

          The indigenous community in South Africa is the KhoiSan people. The English and South African communities both out number the remaining KhoiSan in South Africa on their own.

  7. OnceWasTim 7

    “Are you sure of that Ad? ”
    Yea I was wondering about that as well. Glad to see it wasn’t just me entering dotage.

    Quick! Put that man in charge of our immigration policy before they wake up

  8. Wayne 8

    As has been noted, only in Australia, Canada and New Zealand (and I suppose the United States) did the settlers become the majority. In all these cases the settlers acquired the majority of the land by war, treaty and purchase. Actually in Australia there was no treaty and no purchases, just straight out seizure. Which accounts for the fact that the indigenous population in Australia is in the most adverse position of the four countries.

    I would also note in the Caribbean the indigenous population were also substantially displaced, but the subsequent majority population were former slaves, not the free settlers.

    I used to think (in the 1980’s and early 1990’s) that Maori could become the majority again in about 100 years or so. That now seems unlikely. Thirty years of high rate immigration from various parts of Asia from 1990 onward now seems to make that an unlikely prospect. The Maori percentage of the total population has barely shifted in the last thirty years, though there is much more intermarriage. Some of the children identify Maori, some don’t but instead are inclined see it as part of their overall heritage.

    But we are clearly way more bicultural and multicultural than we were 30 years ago. I am pretty sure that is cemented in. It didn’t require an revolution, just a progressive shift in attitude.

    • Anne 8.1

      As far as NZ is concerned Wayne I would go further and say than many Pakeha now regard Maori culture and heritage as being part of their culture as well. I am one of them, which is why when I saw the photo of those two Canadian neanderthal throwbacks effectively taunting Maori in the arch-way at Auckland Airport I was offended.

      We don’t need those types anywhere near NZ and I would like to think most National supporters would agree with those sentiments. Do they?

      • Naki man 8.1.1

        “taunting Maori in the arch-way at Auckland Airport”

        If you watch Mozzys clip the full interview with paddy on open mike, listen to their explanation and look at their hands you will see that they were not taunting Maori.

  9. OnceWasTim 9

    A pha pha pha pha @ Wayne. Your observations have been duly noted along with your factuals and in depth knowledge (going forward).
    Corrin??, or is it NewShub Nation’s Lisa – I can’t remember – they’ll be proud of your fairness and balance on pontificating
    I’m sure you’ll treat us all to your expertise on the next mainstream media opportunity.
    “But we are clearly way more bicultural and multicultural than we were 30 years ago.”
    Clearly we’ve convinced ourselves of that (so we can sit back, pontificate, and knock back a gin or two).
    I appreciate you’ve managed to remove yourself a couple of degrees from reality (probably through god damn bloody hard work and effort hob nobbing in the bubble),
    but pha pha pha pha.
    But you know – you’ve paid your dues and you haven’t got where you are today (etc.)

    Have you thought of a new party (going forward) that the gNatz might hook up with?

  10. Stuart Munro 10

    The dark side of the drooling incompetence that has characterized NZ governance over the last generation can be seen in the alienation of our farm land. It is reaching the point at which overseas interests are becoming the majority or default land purchasers – the locals having been so impoverished by poor governance that most of them struggle even to secure housing, much less the farm that was the aspiration of previous generations.

    I expect that, as foreign owners continue to demonstrate their lack of concern for local people, and we see more entitled vermin fleeing North America or other kleptocracies, and global warming makes its negative impacts felt, friction will visibly increase. I don’t anticipate a revolution however. The governments will take the side of foreign interests against local citizens as colonial governments always do.

  11. Sanctuary 11

    As someone who was there in 1981, developments in South Africa pain me. If anyone white is in danger due to racism, NZ has a responsibility beyond the mere academic. Getting rid of apartheid was righteous. Welcoming white South African refugees if they become subject to vicious racism would be equally righteous.

    • BM 11.1

      Russia is offering refuge and opportunities for South African people

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqdyyHJb_SE

      Fuck NZ and all the other western countries who will turn a blind eye and let the blacks slaughter the white Africans.

      • marty mars 11.1.1

        Russia sounds like a plan – why don’t they go there – good result for all it seems.

        • BM 11.1.1.1

          Saffa’s are good people, they love NZ, they really love Maori people, we should open the door to them.

          They’d be a real asset.

          • marty mars 11.1.1.1.1

            Some good ones and some arseholes – pretty much like everyone else. I’m not sure how effective the assimilation is though – sometimes some can try to retain their culture a bit too much and not integrate into OUR society.

  12. Gosman 12

    The struggle in South Africa was not about land reform. It was about democracy. South Africa does not need major land reform now. It needs and end to corruption, lower crime and jobs (mainly in the cities).

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • Anzac Commemorative Address, Buttes New British Cemetery Belgium
    Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service.  It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 hours ago
  • Anzac Commemorative Address – NZ National Service, Chunuk Bair
    Distinguished guests -   It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders.   Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago
  • Anzac Commemorative Address – Dawn Service, Gallipoli, Türkiye
    Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia.   Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • PM announces changes to portfolios
    Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • New catch limits for unique fishery areas
    Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Minister welcomes hydrogen milestone
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Urgent changes to system through first RMA Amendment Bill
    The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Overseas decommissioning models considered
    Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Release of North Island Severe Weather Event Inquiry
    Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Justice Minister to attend Human Rights Council
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order.  “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Patterson reopens world’s largest wool scouring facility
    Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Speech to the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective Summit, 18 April 2024
    Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing  At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin    Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho    Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today.    I am delighted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Government to introduce revised Three Strikes law
    The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • New diplomatic appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions.   “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says.    “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Humanitarian support for Ethiopia and Somalia
    New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today.   “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Arts Minister congratulates Mataaho Collective
    Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale.  “It is good ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Supporting better financial outcomes for Kiwis
    The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Trade relationship with China remains strong
    “China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says.   Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • PM’s South East Asia mission does the business
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • $41m to support clean energy in South East Asia
    New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder list
    The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Judicial appointments announced
    Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
    Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa.  The summit is co-hosted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
    A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.    “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
    Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners.  “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government backing mussel spat project
    The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government focused on getting people into work
    Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
    Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
    Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Opinion: It’s time for an arts and creative sector strategy
    I was initially resistant to the idea often suggested to me that the Government should deliver an arts strategy. The whole point of the arts and creativity is that people should do whatever the hell they want, unbound by the dictates of politicians in Wellington. Peter Jackson, Kiri Te Kanawa, Eleanor ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-04-26T07:46:03+00:00