Tame shows media how to interview Luxon

Written By: - Date published: 8:05 am, April 26th, 2022 - 45 comments
Categories: benefits, Christopher Luxon, Economy, Living Wage, Media, minimum wage, politicans, tax, uncategorized, wages - Tags:

On Sunday on Q&A Chris Luxon received a grilling from Jack Tame the likes of which I have not seen yet.  It was a sight to behold.  An interviewer holding Luxon to account.  Up to now he has received a very easy ride from the media.  But Tame’s interview suggests that the post leadership change honeymoon may now be over and some very targeted questions demonstrated that Luxton does not really understand how difficult a job being Prime Minister would be.

Here is the video.

Tame did something which other media should take note of. He went past the generalised statements of policy grandeur and certainty Luxon is prone to utter and asked him specifics.  He called on Luxon to identify the spending that he would cut and what difference it would make. Luxon identified the Hamilton to Auckland Train service, the employment of more bureaucrats, spending on mental health most of which has not happened yet, and spending on the health restructure most of which has not happened yet.

Tame did the maths and showed that combined these items comprised a very small part of Government spending and even if cut completely would make a negligible difference.

Luxon has repeatedly said that unnecessary Government spending has added to inflation. When pressed to explain how he could change this he clearly could not.  And he later admitted that National’s tax cuts would be inflationary.  His minders must have been on high alert at this time.

Tame’s next series of questions were brutal. He asked Luxon which New Zealanders were being squeezed and who would benefit from National’s tax cuts. National’s focus is clearly on the “squeezed middle”. The poor do not feature in Luxon’s calculations. He could not adequately answer how he as Prime Minister would get a tax cut of $18,000 a year and how this helps the squeezed middle.

It was put to him that he had opposed the winter energy payment, the minimum wage increase, and the increase to benefits but he still supports someone on almost half a million dollars receiving a $18,000 tax cut.  That was such a good question.

He trotted out the need to attract wealthy people to New Zealand. A cut in the marginal rate which is still below that of most nations was thought necessary so that the wealthy would want to come here. How does that figure?

He conceded that he does not need the tax cut. He also conceded that his proposed tax cuts would be inflationary.

He admitted that National’s tax savings calculator on its website does not allow for the removal of the top tax rate. I am not surprised. This would have been the source for some pretty embarrassing graphics.

He admitted at one stage that he was not a polished, career, beltway politician.  If he wants to become Prime Minister he will have to learn these skills really quickly.  Being PM is way more complex and difficult than being chief executive of an Airline.

So it looks like the media honeymoon may be over.  At least outside the NZME media stable.  But it is about time.  Luxon has been spreading magical fairy dust all over the place for a while without being called to account.  Hopefully this will now change.

45 comments on “Tame shows media how to interview Luxon ”

  1. Ad 1

    Last time we had an interviewer who could do this was Ian Fraser. Keep it up Jack.

    I would be slightly less anxious about a Tame-Ardern interview, because Ardern would do her homework and be ready with results.

    4 weeks to Budget and the Carbon Zero plan. Does Labour have what it takes to turn it around?

    • tc 1.1

      David Beatson did similar to blinglish on community tv in their first term. He admitted they'd done no analysis on impact of the GST rise to 15%….simple question blinglish had to answer yes or no to he avoided but Beatson persisted.

      Community tv/freeview sorted out not long after

  2. Kat 2

    I haven't got a link handy but I do recall those early times when Key became opposition leader with similar gaffes and everyone expected Clark to wipe the floor with him. We know how that turned out. Luxon maybe way out of his league as a politician against Jacinda Ardern but his sound bites are bound to resonate with many of his target audience in the middle rows.

  3. Reality 3

    Luxon's personality comes over as very cold. He seems self-satisfied and unconcerned about making life tougher for those who are not on high incomes, while believing he is entitled to an $18,000 tax cut. Not admirable traits.

  4. He stated the $55000/70000 are having a hard time and needed a tax cuts,and then 10 minutes later ,tax cuts would not cause inflation as most would put the money in savings

  5. Blazer 5

    Attracting wealthy people to NZ is something I just do not 'get'.

    From what I see their main activity is buying up property .

    The Peter Thiels of the world don't even bother living here.

    Citizenship should require that you have only 1 passport imo.

    • tc 5.1

      Worth digging into just to hear trickle down or similar old world reasoning that's been outed as spin.

  6. The Nats screwed-up by releasing their tax proposals so far out from the election.

    The excluding on their website of the removal of the top 39% from their tax calculations is devious but also stupid-the voters will not be impressed.

    I thought Luxon was hopeless. Willis was also pretty useless on First Up (RNZ) this morning but wasn't picked up on her utterances the way Jack Tame did to Luxon.

    Still it will all be fine because Double-Dipton is to be the real finance minister.

  7. Tiger Mountain 7

    Sirkey got the rose water and hot towel treatment consistently from NZ media channels despite what was actually happening for working class people, so Micky’s take on Mr Luxon looks right. Tame’s was but one (very good) interview, there will countless “handie under the table” type ones ahead but this one may stick regardless.

    Baldrick presents as a bit of a cross between slightly creepy and a numpty, without the emotional intelligence to realise some might not share his pride in owning 7 pads–or more likely perhaps he bloody well knows and just does–not–care. Another hollow numbers man. If Sirkey could reply “well I can find other experts” when cornered on climate disaster on BBC “Hard Talk” then so can Mr Upper Room on NZ economics.

    I remember “Stevie’s hole” when Mr Joyce put up a bollocks financial contention on NZ Labour’s 2017 election platform. It was shot down by professionals all over, but nonetheless cost Labour several vital percentage points of vote share.

    As I say here regularly, it is now up to gens X Y & Z to step up and get political. My millennial son says that so many people he knows have had enough of renting over priced dumps, paying off student loans that did not get them the dream job, working for arseholes and now putting up with COVID and the fragile supply chain.
    Change is coming one way or another in 2023 and 2026 and lets make sure it will not be Natzos and ACT!

    • Tiger-the election should be about Climate Change this time, at least in part. XYZ may get involved because of this.

      One of Baldrick's problems is that he doesn't seem to have a sense of humour…no amount of media work can change this.

      • Robert Guyton 7.1.1

        Bearded Git – it will be! The Zero Carbon hoo-ha will be the cat, thrown, amongst the pigeons – we need to be ready – there will be heat!!!

        • Bearded Git 7.1.1.1

          I hope you are right Robert….if the election follows the Australian election, where ScoMo and Albanese are avoiding CC like the plague, it will be a massive lost opportunity…though the Greens will poll well of course.

      • Tiger Mountain 7.1.2

        yes

    • tc 7.2

      A great example of nationals media bias that Joyce continued to get oxygen for something the experts had dismissed as politics i.e. BS.

  8. Reality 8

    Posted comment earlier on Open Mike but probably more relevant here – find time to read Dave Armstrong's hilariously funny send up of Luxon and his "crew" in the Dominion Post today. Brilliant.

  9. Tricledrown 9

    Trickle down economics is alive and well in the National Party.Austerity for the poor tax breaks for the very well off.Most of the stimulation packages ended up in the hands of the wealthy now the poor will have to pay the debt down under a National govt.Labour not much better with house prices going through the roof the only positive was the building industry creating a lot of jobs and increasing house supply.But now many headwinds face the economy the supply chains of just in time delivery have been turned upside down.Neo liberal economics has left the world divided and huge cracks are appearing fundamentalist fwits are gaining in popularity except in Estonia. Labour has to step up get seasonal workers in to keep food supplies going and reasonably priced.This could help with Pacific diplomacy we desperately need.Labour shortages in care facilities nurses and hospital staff.The next election is not that far away and if inflation is still high Labour will suffer a Backlash as JFK once said when reporters asked how his policies were being implemented was having an effect of his voter supported he retorted "its the economy stupid" its how the economy is going that affects my support

  10. Peter 10

    Luxon opposing the winter energy payment and a tax cut of $18,000 a year for someone on almost half a million dollars?

    For the average Joe and Joanne, Hohepa or Hoana that means nothing, It's ethereal, in some other universe, some other, "can't do anything about that" reality.

    In places like Whangarei someone says "3 Waters" or they drive past advertising and the shivers up the spine are like Muldoon in the mid 70's saying "Reds under the bed."

    The Labour MP of the time Murray Smith, accepted as a very good MP, the only Labour MP elected since the 1938 election, got booted by the dancing Cossacks. Emily Henderson will be washed away by the 3 Waters not Luxon.

  11. James Simpson 11

    Agree with what you have said, but just to clarify Jack is part of the NZME stable doing Saturday mornings on ZB and being a regular contributor to the Herald.

  12. Cricklewood 12

    Wonder how many undecided voters actually watch Q&A…

  13. Patricia Bremner 13

    Christopher Luxon was startled, which gave Jack an edge.

    He will study Jack on video and be ready next time I suggest.

    Jack could have asked him what differences we would see as he is taking 2B out of a 6B budget fund. What will be unfunded to cover that?

    I appreciated Jack reminding him of his voting record, which shows what he doesn't support…. Minimum wage rise, winter warmth payment, and the current Public Transport support.

    He will use slogans and sound bites in stand ups with reporters, but being interviewed in depth, he has to understand the nuances and details. His final smile was slightly teeth clenched. Jack forced him to answer the questions, and did not accept platitudes.

    Luxon admitted his lack of experience, and said "I will learn." Though he has spent much of his tenure as Leader of the Opposition insisting he could do better and the Government has wasted money, he has not offered any new ideas.

    Jacinda Ardern spent 10 years honing her skills and working with people, Grant Robertson has kept us on track by keeping employment high the tax take remains high.

    Inflation is forcing property owners to pay more for their loans, which will slow the creation of more private debt. Public debt has kept us afloat and the direction of travel needs to stay people focussed, as those on fixed and low incomes will be most impacted by inflation. The disability allowance needs to be doubled and Public Transport free.

    We are facing a recession at least, or a depression at worst so keeping a circular economy going domestically while we strengthen our connections and trade through continuing to pivot to meet shortages through innovations. Government could support ventures replacing imported short supply materials and crops.

    As houses return to a truer value line, some who succumbed to FOMO will have to add to their deposit, or make an arrangement with their bank.

    Greed comes in many forms. Buying larger than you need. Borrowing to the hilt. Taking advantage of systems which are aimed at the well off only (Air B&B).

    However, citizens have shown courage and consideration in these two years. Most have complied, most are donating a third more to others, and many feel we have done well compared to other countries.

    This is a new situation, which is not over yet, and is still causing problems world wide. The added problem of Putin straining systems further. We are by the failure of Health Systems facing the world equity divide, the failure of Politics and Diplomacy facing war, the failure of meaningful Climate Change progress facing famines and storms droughts and resulting crop failures as never before.

    For Luxon and National to offer $200 a week to his high earners, $15 a week to the "squeezed middle, and $2 a week to the "bottom feeders" Wow!! That is going to achieve what?

    It will not assist our inflation fight and if I hear him say it will "create jobs" .@#&#***

    • JO 13.1

      yesyes

      Luxon admitted his lack of experience, and said "I will learn."

      Hmmm, sounds faintly like somebody who decides to be an opera singer after hearing Pavarotti on a foreign trip. In spite of a tin ear, with a useful inheritance he has booked a few lessons and a large concert chamber in which to perform his favourite aria, 'None shall sleep' with its unattainable, interminable final note. Faint echoes of Florence Foster Jenkins maybe.

  14. ozaki 14

    Tova gave a good interview today, I cannot find the link, but she gets stuck in about the tax Luxon will get back under the proposed Nat scheme & also the fact it's 4 white dudes up for National in Tauranga seat.

    FOund link https://www.todayfm.co.nz/home/politics/2022/04/nationals-bid-for-more-diversity-conjuring-up-more-white-men.html

    • mac1 14.1

      She really quizzes Luxon about his commitment tp diversity. Four white men for Tauranga, replacing a Maori man.

      Tauranga is a National-held seat. Their candidate will be the MP most likely. So they are not going to give a safe MP place to diversified candidates.

      Luxon was all on about the need for diversity. I got the impression "but not just yet". He hasn't persuaded his party, if he has tried at all.

      He does recognise their need for talent, but I suspect that come Election '23 the diverse candidates will be in difficult seats and lower on the list.

      The start to the rebuild of the National Party MP talent base has not impressed.

      God forbid they win in 2023. But if they do, we Kiwis need a government that is more representative than National is promising to be at the moment.

      As Gordon Campbell wrote recently, in an April 26 article found here on The Standard and well worth reading, "a Luxon victory would prove once again that governments get voted out, not voted in."

      Be very wary, people.

      • Patricia Bremner 14.1.1

        He would be Bill Birch all over again. Causing lasting harm to the fabric of society.

  15. Jenny how to get there 15

    Being PM is way more complex and difficult than being chief executive of an Airline.

    Absolutomon.

    The difference being; CEOs and Directors and owners of private companies run their businesses as autocracies. The mental change in gears is too much for some.

    John Key managed it, (I think he found the experience quite novel for a while), but eventually Key found the whole concept of democracy tiresome, and chucked it all in to go back to the private sector.

    Luxon's struggles with being held accountable, indicate that Christopher Luxon will flame out in a much shorter time than Key.

    • tc 15.1

      Different times as Key had mentors like Doug graham from the old school plus slater, eade etc for that new approach they took.

      • Jenny how to get there 15.1.1

        Indeed. And Key was probably a quick study as well, which would have helped the transition. It begs the question; who today are the experienced National Party politicians to willing to help Luxon make the transition?

        • Hanswurst 15.1.1.1

          This developing meme that "Luxon is no Key" has me rather puzzled. The Luxon I see in these interviews suggests to me that Luxon is exactly like Key. He has the same tactic of meeting straightforward questions with, "Yeah, so what you've got here is [completely unrelated tangent]," or, "What I can tell you right now is this: [on-message soundbite]," in an identical display of transparent weasel-flatulence that Key had. The difference is that Luxon has actually been called on it a couple of times. I can't say why interviewers let Key talk, instead of calmly returning to questions that he clumsily (more clumsily than Luxon, mind) and obviously refused to answer; perhaps it was because Clark's style was so familiar by that stage that they wanted a change; perhaps it was because they could feel that Key's matey-potatey style resonated with the electorate; perhaps it was because they sensed that the slow creep of minor government scandals fuelled by the dirty politics machine and the NZ-First implosion provided them with enough political red meat; perhaps it was because the general tenor of fiscal and economic analysis was uncritical of cuts to tax and spending; perhaps it was simply that, at that point in time, the generation of still energetic but established journalists consisted of Tracy Watkins and her tiresome ilk. Regardless of the reasons, Key in 2007/8/9 was just a leaden-tongued version of Luxon as he is now. If Luxon fails, it will not be because he is "no Key", it will be because he is Key, but the tide has gone out on that political brand for the time being. Good.

          • Incognito 15.1.1.1.1

            Yes, good points.

            I think that Key and now Luxon literally went to the same School of Media Training.

            Of course, they both went through the same internal ‘selection process’ withing the National Party.

            So, no wonder they come across as clones of each other.

          • Patricia Bremner 15.1.1.1.2

            I think his glaring at Jacinda Ardern at question time, was a signal to those protestors that he hated her too. imo He is dangerously cheerful and engaging when he is with his peers, but has shown expressions that do not go with balanced Leadership. imo

          • newsense 15.1.1.1.3

            Nah, Key would have either just owned the 18k (yeh, Jack I’m pretty relaxed about it. If I was on 60k, I’d be ambitious to earn 100k and we believe in incentives and rewards for endeavor and ambition etc etc, plus 880 is a good amount of…), or he would have had a percentage or he would have cut it from his manifesto that moment. He wouldn’t have been surprised by the most obvious criticism of his flagship policy.

            Wasn’t prepped or thought the top NZ TV politics show would be a soft ball, which might be worse.

            Edit: read your full comment and maybe I’m comparing vintage Key to early Luxon, but I don’t remember Key being so sloppy?

  16. pat 16

    It matters not how incompetent Luxon is, or the policies he promotes …National have an assist to win the next election…Labour.

    • Incognito 16.1

      Confidence often trumps competence.

    • Patricia Bremner 16.2

      Pat, more like shortages supply disruptions and inflation caused by covid spend world wide in an already shaky system topped off by Putin. However the simplistic view is "they failed" chorus from Nat supporters. Even when we have not, and we are in the same wave of money chasing assets worldwide.

  17. newsense 17

    Wowee, what a dishonest slippery…didn’t expect him to be so bad. Perhaps he thought the media were in line.

    Happy to say day is night and so on. Guna be a messy campaign- Key was never as much of a bs artist as this guy.

    When someone like Andrey Young criticizes him for being an opportunist and not having much moral spine…

    Heard mixed things, and perhaps he’s been stitched up on the tax package, but it’s his now so he should at least have some honest seeming deflection. It could be a nasty campaign. He just wants to make the wealth transfer worse and he doesn’t give a f-. And he’s going to try to coast that into government, with, you’d assume, one or two other targeted pork promises closer to the election.

  18. observer 18

    Kim Hill interviewed him on Morning Report today. He's hopeless.

    How can he possibly still be waffling on Matariki and Labour Day? Kim asked him SEVEN times before she got an answer. Count them …

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2018839587/most-new-zealanders-don-t-know-what-co-governance-means-christopher-luxon

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
    17 hours ago
  • Bill targets illegal, unregulated fishing in international waters
    New Zealand is strengthening its ability to combat illegal fishing outside its domestic waters and beef up regulation for its own commercial fishers in international waters through a Bill which had its first reading in Parliament today. The Fisheries (International Fishing and Other Matters) Amendment Bill 2023 sets out stronger ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago
  • Reserve Bank appointments
    Economists Carl Hansen and Professor Prasanna Gai have been appointed to the Reserve Bank Monetary Policy Committee, Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced today. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is the independent decision-making body that sets the Official Cash Rate which determines interest rates.  Carl Hansen, the executive director of Capital ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    19 hours ago
  • Stronger protections for apartment owners
    Apartment owners and buyers will soon have greater protections as further changes to the law on unit titles come into effect, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “The Unit Titles (Strengthening Body Corporate Governance and Other Matters) Amendment Act had already introduced some changes in December 2022 and May 2023, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago
  • Travel focused on traditional partners and Middle East
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to Egypt and Europe from this weekend.    “This travel will focus on a range of New Zealand’s traditional diplomatic and security partnerships while enabling broad engagement on the urgent situation in Gaza,” Mr Peters says.   Mr Peters will attend the NATO Foreign ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago
  • Keep safe on our roads this Easter
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown is encouraging all road users to stay safe, plan their journeys ahead of time, and be patient with other drivers while travelling around this Easter long weekend. “Road safety is a responsibility we all share, and with increased traffic on our roads expected this Easter we ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    24 hours ago
  • Cost of living support for over 1.4 million Kiwis
    About 1.4 million New Zealanders will receive cost of living relief through increased government assistance from April 1 909,000 pensioners get a boost to Superannuation, including 5000 veterans 371,000 working-age beneficiaries will get higher payments 45,000 students will see an increase in their allowance Over a quarter of New Zealanders ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    2 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
    2 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
    2 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 days ago
  • Brynderwyns open for Easter
    State Highway 1 across the Brynderwyns will be open for Easter weekend, with work currently underway to ensure the resilience of this critical route being paused for Easter Weekend to allow holiday makers to travel north, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Today I visited the Brynderwyn Hills construction site, where ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Speech to the Infrastructure Funding & Financing Conference
    Introduction Good morning to you all, and thanks for having me bright and early today. I am absolutely delighted to be the Minister for Infrastructure alongside the Minister of Housing and Resource Management Reform. I know the Prime Minister sees the three roles as closely connected and he wants me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Parliamentary network breached by the PRC
    New Zealand stands with the United Kingdom in its condemnation of People’s Republic of China (PRC) state-backed malicious cyber activity impacting its Electoral Commission and targeting Members of the UK Parliament. “The use of cyber-enabled espionage operations to interfere with democratic institutions and processes anywhere is unacceptable,” Minister Responsible for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • NZ to provide support for Solomon Islands election
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced New Zealand will provide logistics support for the upcoming Solomon Islands election. “We’re sending a team of New Zealand Defence Force personnel and two NH90 helicopters to provide logistics support for the election on 17 April, at the request ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 days ago
  • Government commits nearly $3 million for period products in schools
    Government commits almost $3 million for period products in schools The Coalition Government has committed $2.9 million to ensure intermediate and secondary schools continue providing period products to those who need them, Minister of Education Erica Stanford announced today. “This is an issue of dignity and ensuring young women don’t ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Speech – Making it easier to build.
    Good morning, it’s great to be here.   First, I would like to acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of Building Surveyors and thank you for the opportunity to be here this morning.  I would like to use this opportunity to outline the Government’s ambitious plan and what we hope to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Pacific youth to shine from boost to Polyfest
    Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti has announced the Government’s commitment to the Auckland Secondary Schools Māori and Pacific Islands Cultural Festival, more commonly known as Polyfest. “The Ministry for Pacific Peoples is a longtime supporter of Polyfest and, as it celebrates 49 years in 2024, I’m proud to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • 2024 Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships announced
    ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Speech to Breast Cancer Foundation – Insights Conference
    Before moving onto the substance of today’s address, I want to recognise the very significant and ongoing contribution the Breast Cancer Foundation makes to support the lives of New Zealand women and their families living with breast cancer. I very much enjoy working with you. I also want to recognise ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Kiwi research soars to International Space Station
    New Zealand has notched up a first with the launch of University of Canterbury research to the International Space Station, Science, Innovation and Technology and Space Minister Judith Collins says. The hardware, developed by Dr Sarah Kessans, is designed to operate autonomously in orbit, allowing scientists on Earth to study ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Speech to the New Zealand Planning Institute
    Introduction Thank you for inviting me to speak with you today and I’m sorry I can’t be there in person. Yesterday I started in Wellington for Breakfast TV, spoke to a property conference in Auckland, and finished the day speaking to local government in Christchurch, so it would have been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Support for Northland emergency response centre
    The Coalition Government is contributing more than $1 million to support the establishment of an emergency multi-agency coordination centre in Northland. Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced the contribution today during a visit of the Whangārei site where the facility will be constructed.  “Northland has faced a number ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Celebrating 20 years of Whakaata Māori
    New Zealanders have enjoyed a broader range of voices telling the story of Aotearoa thanks to the creation of Whakaata Māori 20 years ago, says Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka. The minister spoke at a celebration marking the national indigenous media organisation’s 20th anniversary at their studio in Auckland on ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    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 2024-03-28T21:17:56+00:00