The Air New Zealand Industrial dispute

Written By: - Date published: 7:49 am, December 11th, 2018 - 53 comments
Categories: business, capitalism, Economy, jacinda ardern, john key, Judith Collins, labour, national, same old national, Unions, wages, workers' rights - Tags:

After a decade of pent up frustration at stalled wage talks and non existing wage increases there has been a certain amount of industrial action recently.

The latest news involves Air New Zealand.  And it provides a text book example on how important media is concerning strikes.

Management got in first:

Air New Zealand engineers have outlined plans to strike on the airline’s busiest travel day of the year, putting Christmas travel plans at risk for tens of thousands of travellers.

The unions (The Aviation and Marine Engineers Association and E tū) representing Air New Zealand’s aircraft maintenance engineers, aircraft logistics and related staff served a notice of the planned action only four days before Christmas.

The strike action is set to involve almost 1000 staff members on December 21, and could affect the travel plans of 42,000 customers booked to travel on that day.

The strike action involves a pay dispute, in regard to annual increases in staff pay.

A statement from Air New Zealand said that while the group of engineers has received pay increases annually for the past 12 years, it has so far rejected recent proposals by the airline including an immediate two per cent pay increase followed by a further three per cent increase after 12 months, with a further pay review in mid-2021.

Air New Zealand said the average income of the maintenance engineers, logistics and other staff to strike is $115,000 – and around 170 of them earn more than $150,000.

In addition to the pay concerns, staff are also asking for an extra week of annual leave for employees with five years’ service (taking shift workers to six weeks a year), free reserved car parking spaces within 500 metres of their workplace, and the right to renegotiate terms just prior to the busy Christmas season again next year.

Air New Zealand General Manager Aircraft Maintenance Viv de Beus described the proposed strike action as extremely disappointing.

“It would be devastating to see the holiday plans of more than 40,000 hardworking Kiwis and international visitors ruined,” de Beus said.

“We have only been in negotiations with this group for six weeks so industrial action is entirely premature. We remain committed to working closely with the engineers’ unions to reach a reasonable agreement and avoid strike action if at all possible.”

Going public and blaming the union for taking action is hardly the thing that an employer wanting to maintain good relations would do.  But the first thing you do if you want to win the all important PR battle.

Etu has responded:

Aviation unions say they are very disappointed with the misleading information released by Air New Zealand in response to a strike notice by its aviation engineers.

The engineers and logistics workers have voted to issue strike notices in response to Air New Zealand’s demands for cuts to their conditions.

Air New Zealand is making record profits thanks to union members, and Engineering members have rejected the airline’s demands for clawbacks, says Savage, E tū’s Head of Aviation.

“No one wants to disrupt people’s Christmas plans, but Air New Zealand has taken an unnecessarily aggressive approach.

“This is not just about pay. It’s about repeated proposals by the airline weeks out from Christmas to pay them less than colleagues who have already settled, and to cut into key conditions, including overtime rates.

“This affects line and hangar engineers, but also store workers and aircraft cleaners, who are covered by the same document and who are struggling to get ahead,” he says.

“Our members feel under-appreciated and under attack. The ballot results show an overwhelming resolve to take action to defend themselves.”

And yes Air New Zealand made its second highest profit ever, $540 million last year.  For it to try and wind back wages and conditions when it is doing so well is appalling.

This guy has turned up to provide independent unbiased commentary.

And National MPs are salivating at the chance to claim we are going to have 1970s style industrial relations and that it is all Labour’s fault.

Of course Collins’s claim has been debunked repeatedly but why let facts get in the way of attack politics and right wing political rhetoric.

I suspect that if this dispute does not settle then it will trigger some intense anti union rhetoric from the right.  This could be an interesting couple of weeks.

53 comments on “The Air New Zealand Industrial dispute ”

  1. Tuppence Shrewsbury 1

    So striking on the busiest flying day of the year is the right way to get what the unions want. Think of the tens of thousands of people, on less money than these engineers, who’ve scrimped to pay for airfares now uncertain if they’ll make it home for Christmas. A family time. They could have striked after Christmas when everyone is going home. More effective and just as disruptive.

    But no, ruin christmas, see how many people agree with the unions

    • mickysavage 1.1

      Why blame the workers? What about the company for trying to wind back wages and conditions when it is making huge profits?

      Demands for cuts were bound to provoke a response.

      • NZJester 1.1.1

        Timing is everything in these industrial disputes and they would have started the demands for the wind back in the lead up to the busy Xmas time knowing it would have a high chance to lead to a strike. They, not the union decided to use their customers as pawns to have media ammunition against the unions to paint them as the bad guy. If you were to find the original press release word documents sent by Air NZ to the press and checked what date they were created I bet they would date to before they first even started to talk to the unions.
        I would not be surprised if this all leads back to John Key himself as the man behind the idea to strip away the worker right at Air NZ. After all, while he was PM of NZ he was doing just that on a larger scale.

      • Tuppence Shrewsbury 1.1.2

        I think Air New Zealand has a lot to answer for. I doubt it would be able to cop completely with the busiest day of the year without an engineers strike. their customer service is piss poor and there punctuality is almost offensive.

        Engineers know this, why add to the frustration to ruin christmas? why not get more public sympathy by striking after christmas when people need to get back to work and away from their extended family. Imagine being stuck with Uncle Nev for another night because you couldn’t fly? then imagine missing out on the pre christmas family bbq because you couldn’t fly. which one would you be more pissed at the engineers at.

        Just because a union does something mickey, doesn’t’ mean it’s 100% right in the matter

      • Grantoc 1.1.3

        Because the worker’s unions control when strikes are called and they call them when it suits them within the law.

        Employers don’t call for strikes nor can control when they happen.

        In any case a disgruntled traveler on the 21st of December who is frustrated by not being able to travel and who’s Christmas plans are disrupted by striking staff is not going to say themselves:

        “Well I’m really ok about having my Christmas holiday plans disrupted because I support striking Air NZ employees who already earn more than me. I know their claims are much more important than my Christmas plans with my family and friends so I’ll just suck it up.”

        If these unions think they’re going to get the public’s sympathy for striking on the 21st then they’re whistling in the wind.

        If the government thinks the travelling public will not ultimately blame them for this situation, then it too is whistling in the wind.

        • patricia bremner 1.1.3.1

          “They won’t get sympathy from the travelling public”
          That is exactly why these employers front foot aggressive tactics getting journalists and bloggers like you to point out “You are well paid” and “You want more?” Rather than, “Hey Air NZ, you are being a bad employer, as these people have worked to help you make a record profit and you don’t want to share that? Shame!!”
          I see J Key’s hand in this.

          • Tuppence Shrewsbury 1.1.3.1.1

            A typical purse lipped statement of conspiracy from you Patricia. It’s either the msm or the national party right?

            The government owns 70 odd percent of air nz. I sense grant Robertson’s hand in the refusal to grant the engineers their Christmas wish list

            • patricia bremner 1.1.3.1.1.1

              Rubbish, the Board has the say.

              • Tuppence Shrewsbury

                And the board is employed by the shareholders and are required to produce them the highest possible value. So the shareholders are in charge here

                • Draco T Bastard

                  Considering National’s refrain about hard-working Kiwis I’d expect you to support those hard-working Kiwis to get more of the value that they produced rather than that of the shareholders who produced no value at all.

                • Red Blooded One

                  No question the Board is working for the Shareholders but it is the Board that is in charge. Shareholders only have any power to influence the Board once a year at voting time when we insignificant little shareholders get to vote for the Board.

            • Red Blooded One 1.1.3.1.1.2

              70% odd? The Govt owes 51% Tuppence. Math or facts not your strong point? I ask through pursed lips of course.

      • the other pat 1.1.4

        why???…..because its the workers striking thats why…..reminds people of the cook strait ferries way back……their organisers and the members need their heads read…..no public support equals no sympathy from the public and gives the tories ammunition to slay the left……im a union rep myself and i disagree with the timing of this…..anz company fucks only win here regardless how fucking retarded and evil they are

  2. Antoine 2

    We shall hope that the airline makes some good concessions

    A.

  3. Ankerrawshark 3

    I have gone on strike from flying Air NZ as much as possible. Fly trans Tasman a bit and they don’t serve you a meal on the plane. Qantas do. I also despise the safety instructions videos that must cost the airline a lot of money, and imo are distracting from the safety message (one extrely sexiest including supermodel babes in bikinis in very poor taste. ). They have money to splash around on this BS, but not to pay the workers who keep the planes safe up in the sky!!!!

    I think an airline engineer should earn over $100000. What a stressful job that must be. Worked with a guy:many,many years ago who had signed off the Erebus plane (engineer) and described months of agony wondering if he’d done something wrong after the plane crashed

    And oh just while I think of it I wish JOHN key would piss off to Hawaii for good

  4. Michelle 4

    They (air nz) made record profits pay them what they have asked and get on with it
    (the business) they paid out bonuses so whats wrong with a pay increase

  5. greywarshark 5

    The Unions have done this before, and i recall the infamous Cooks and Stewards Union on the ferries – striking at times of important holidays and family get togethers which Christmas enables.

    By acting at this time to cause maximum disruption to people and the airline, they are behaving as irresponsibly and unfairly as their bosses. There is no way of getting round this.

    The Unions have a fair grievance but that doesn’t turn workers using dirty tactics to the people of NZ into spotless white angels. Keep the pressure up, go on strike if necessary after the holiday season, people will still notice and feel upset but understand, if they aren’t mindless money-maniacs like John Key and Christopher Luxon, ex cleaning products company leader. He and Key’s henchmen and women need to clean up their act for sure. The Unions shouldn’t stoop so low.

    It is wrong and there is nothing good and fair and reasonable about going on strike around Christmas-January.

    • Rae 5.1

      And that is what the public are seeing, rightly or wrongly. Helen Kelly did so much good work in restoring some mana for unions and unionism. All of that could go with the timing of these strikes. Again, rightly or wrongly.
      Take the public with you, is all I can advise.

  6. indiana 6

    Pfffttt….Air New Zealand should just do what all other airlines around the world do, and outsource Engineering and Ground Handling.

  7. millsy 7

    People forget that the 1970’s boasted the highest living standards in this country history. If being inconvienced every so often because of the odd strike is the price for overtime, shift allowances, generous pay raises, job security, full employment, and being able to pay other bills after housing costs, then that is a price worth paying. If National had their way, we would be all on minimum wage for our working lives with no sick leave or holidays, and if we join a union, no work.

    • Draco T Bastard 7.1

      If National had their way, we would be all on minimum wage for our working lives with no sick leave or holidays, and if we join a union, no work.

      And there wouldn’t be a minimum wage.

    • ankerawshark 7.2

      And Millsy, during the 1970, before Roger Douglas Maori suicide rates were comparable to Pakeha……………………………..so neoliberal economics caused major disruption to the lives of many (to put it mildly). Maori suffered the most and we have had a growing suicide rate for Maori ever since…………………

      BTW I now no longer think of it as Labour. It was Douglas, Prebble et al who high jacked the party and then formed ACT. Their true home

      • Enough is Enough 7.2.1

        “BTW I now no longer think of it as Labour. It was Douglas, Prebble et al who high jacked the party and then formed ACT. Their true home”

        Yet their fundamental reforms remain in place which in my mind down not make the Clark or Jacinda lead Labour governments any better than the Lange government.

        This government is in its infancy and has the opportunity to do great things. But other than tinkering around the edges, it has yet to do anything which reverses the destructive polices of Rogernomics.

        • aom 7.2.1.1

          Perhaps there is a glimmer of hope. The proposed education changes look like the rolling back of Rogernomics/neo-liberalism. We may see more to ward off the inevitability of NZ’s gilets jaunes.

          • gsays 7.2.1.1.1

            hear hear, aom.
            best news in an age, maximising cooperating and diminishing the competing.

            also, taking a community need focus over a ‘shareholder’ view is a step forward and a step away from the ‘reforms’.

            heh.. i had to look up gilets jaunes.

      • patricia bremner 7.2.2

        Yes 1000% right They were a Trojan Horse.

    • greywarshark 7.3

      millsy
      I think you have the telescope pointed the wrong way at the 1970s. Having too many strikes as we did, when we “had overtime, shift allowances, generous pay raises, job security, full employment” etc. – is one of the reasons that we haven’t got those advantages now.

      Airily going on in wish-fulfilment mode instead of hard-headed planning on how to keep what we had, and build more jobs and a strong economy on it, bringing down inflation was a mistake made by workers with a simple focus and little overview. A good union economist to advise how to work with business for the workers’ long-term benefit was needed then. Unfortunately Peter Conway didn’t start as economist with the CTU until 2000.
      https://www.nbr.co.nz/article/new-zealand-union-veteran-peter-conway-has-died-jw-173913

      Conway rose to national attention when he joined the CTU as its economist. In 2008 he was persuaded to take on the onerous role of CTU secretary.
      It was a tough time – the National Government was in power and Conway often found himself battling strong political forces.
      Did his job wear him down and lead to the depression that enveloped him? No-one could say for sure, but those close to him felt it took a toll.

      https://thestandard.org.nz/the-air-new-zealand-industrial-dispute/#comment-1560976

      This was an interview with Peter Conway in 2009 where he gives his views on the Rogernomics years among other things.
      http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/local-papers/the-wellingtonian/1390883/The-Wellingtonian-interview-Peter-Conway

      https://bowalleyroad.blogspot.com/2015/06/ropes-of-sand-honouring-memory-of-peter.html
      A trade union leader loses his battle with acute depressive illness.
      In the NZ Herald of 10/6/15 the death of Peter Conway, former Secretary of the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions – at over 300,000 strong, this country’s largest voluntary organisation – merited precisely 63 words.

      Please note that this good, committed and talented man went into a decline trying to help unionists and died from a ‘depressive’ illness. Would unionists please think their situation through and use their brains and not just start the mousewheel going again. The result will again be one of killing off opportunities of betterment for workers, and possibly killing off the people at the coalface of negotiation with business. Use your experience to make wise judgments of your tactics please.

      Conway [1953-2015] died trying to hold onto a union system tattered and torn because of lack of an intelligent game plan, and Helen Kelly is another strong advocate lost. The old union bosses who failed workers in the end, were able to live out long lives, unlike the later generation.
      https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/5k13/knox-walter-james
      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Skinner

      Unionists need to act more strategically, and not automatically follow leaders like Knox and his ilk by demanding more and causing the old criticism of ‘holding the country to ransom’. Striking at holiday times indicates nothing has been learned. It seems that there are unionists who are careless of unions’ standing among the general public. There will be a net loss from this strike if it is persisted with.

      • Nic the NZer 7.3.1

        I seriously doubt the, international political movement which invaded NZ in the late seventies, was in any way caused by NZ union actions.

  8. Gabby 8

    Sirponyboy needs the money to bring in another guest speaker.

  9. ankerawshark 9

    Gabby, lol but too true.

  10. mary_a 10

    I wonder what the serial ponytail puller and hair fondler pervert receives financially and in perks for being a member of Air NZ’s board? Bet it is considerably more than what the airline’s engineers, logistics personnel and cleaners et al receive!

    The creepy ponytail tugger’s position on the board makes no difference to safety, whereas the engineers and logistics staff do, as do the cleaners who contribute to airline hygiene!

    My daughter is booked to fly down here on 21 Dec with Air NZ. However she is supporting the engineers and other related staff with their claims, despite the inconvenience.

    • Jilly Bee 10.1

      Yep, mary_a, my partner and I are booked to fly to Melbourne on 21st December with Air New Zealand to spend time with family over Xmas and I still support the engineers and related staff. As long as they’re still talking as at Tuesday afternoon, there is hope of a solution.

    • patricia bremner 10.2

      Good for her Mary_a. Solidarity is what we need. They (Key and c/o) like to divide and conquer.

      • Red Blooded One 10.2.1

        Air NZ has played the divide and conquer game with mastery for years. They are ruthless which is why that little creep Key fits in so well. Good luck to the Engineers. I know if my butt was sitting on a plane seat on Dec 21 I would want it to have been serviced by someone well rested and well remunerated for their skills.

  11. Michelle 11

    key might be respected in the business world but many kiwis cant stand the sight of the him including myself

    • patricia bremner 11.1

      Respect? No no ….. a little feared for his snide underhand power plays which have always seen him leaving BEFORE any disaster. Teflon John.

  12. R.P Mcmurphy 12

    why is it that the employer of the best trained workforce in new zealand wants to screw down these workers to the status of day labourers.
    this is just plain crummy.

    • patricia bremner 12.1

      Air NZ really wanted to outsource these aspects of the business.. Why were these workers separated from other agreements already settled? It bodes ill.

  13. ken 13

    Someone who I know works for Air NZ – says thing have got pretty nasty there since John Key turned up.

    • tc 13.1

      I heard it started under Noriss, continued with zeal by Fyfe and now it’s gone full banksta.

      It’s what happens when profit is everything……people are just commodities you want to pay the least you can to. Look up to the board and share registry, created by shonky flogging off a chunk and you’ll see why.

      • Red Blooded One 13.1.1

        Air NZ has always had a terrible staff relations attitude but yeah Noriss, was a shocker and Fyfe just smile and trousers. The current boss has no respect for the staff either. Strange for a company who’s greatest assets are it’s staff.

    • Michelle 13.2

      what do yo expect Ken key is cunt of the worst kind he is all about money not people

  14. tc 14

    What did you expect from a board with those characters on it. I’ll wager shonkys loving this.

  15. CHCOff 15

    There is abit of an anarchist element to ALL these strikes…which seems more like a continuation of the previous Govt’s policies in terms of societal cohesion.

    The short term gain collectives never really stick for what they are trying to represent.

  16. “It would be devastating to see the holiday plans of more than 40,000 hardworking Kiwis and international visitors ruined,”

    Hard working Kiwis , eh?

    Are Air New Zealand staff suddenly excluded from that descriptor when it suits?

    ‘Hard working Kiwi’s.

    To be used as a blunt , emotionally charged weapon and always used with broad brush strokes. Stated often by far right wing neo libs as a way to sound as if they are siding with workers , – and at the same time enabling them to demonize their targets ( usually another worker group ) . John Key and Bill English used it when it suited and in the same breath promptly labelled NZ workers as lazy , drug addled , shiftless types that justified importing tens of thousands of immigrants to provide cheap labour doing menial jobs under slave conditions. And who also provided the ChiNational party with votes from a large , gratefully servile group of new immigrants with the goal of becoming NZ residents.

    And undermining Trade Unions even further and passing legislation designed to push down wages and conditions.

    Whats in a word ? … or a worn out cliche ?

    Much.

    Perhaps we should start using the term ‘ Lazy , grossly over salaried , share holder cowering elitist corporate CEO’s ‘ to differentiate between ‘ hard working Kiwis’.

    Might be a bit of a mouthful , but in many cases very apt.

  17. Michelle 17

    Aren’t we short of engineers if this is the case we need to pay them accordingly when we have shortage of a profession this make them more valuable like housing supply and demand. As I mentioned earlier the company made a big profit and staff were given bonuses so why not pay the Engineers the increase they want and avert the strike. Lets make sure all kiwis have a lovely xmas. Times are hard and we all need to stick together and think of others less fortunate at this time of the year whether you believe in xmas or not its about whanau and friends and having a good rest after working for the year.

    • greywarshark 17.1

      You wouldn’t remember probably Michelle, but NZ got into trouble in the past by just reacting tand giving too much on union demand. The wages went up and up and so did inflation. Unions on the fwerries did this sort of thing last century. The people lost sympathy with them leading to the turncoats in Labour to choose the Treasury line and bring in neo lib economics and free markets which have ruined our country’s living standards.

      Just because they ask doesn’t mean that the firm must pay or they go on strike. That is blackmail. I am very sorry that the unions would bring the whole union system into disrepute with this sort of behaviour which shows no concern for the ordinary person. They are behaving like any arrogant company and we expect better consideration from workers, even when they have special skills.

      • Nic the NZer 17.1.1

        It seems to me this implication that, unpopular unionism is responible for the invasion of neoliberalism, is completely made up. Just for starters Roger Douglas politics and reforms were a surprise to the electorate and not something they demanded or a popular movement.

        Additionally at that time unionists like Knox were spectacularly unsuccessful at getting their way againt the prior National government.

        Is there any evidence you can provide to back up this claim? Say like a Douglas biography sub titled “I only did it all to screw over those unionists”.

  18. Ian Boag 18

    As I understand it, this group have had regular pay increases over the last 12 years. There is some story of this having been frozen at a time when the company was doing badly. Penal rates have always been there. So it is not surprising that the union might have thought this year would not be very different.

    I am told the union is asking for 3+3% and have been offered 2+2%. Hard to imagine that difference is not bridgeable. The extra leave and car parking stuff is just fluff.

    The company have obviously decided that this year is when double time gets the axe. The union think differently and it seems to be a die-in-the-ditch issue for both sides. If neither side blinks we get chaos. Dollar-wise I doubt that reducing the double-time hours to time-and-a-half would amount to a hill of beans for the company.

    Air NZ are nice people though – as soon as I heard about this I changed our 21/12 PMR-SYD flight to the 20th. It only cost me $450. I did ask about whether Air NZ might come to the party, but was told I should have called first. Apparently what I would have been told is “it will cost you $450” and “if the strike goes ahead Air NZ will contact affected pax and look to arrange another flight when they can”. Really ….. ?

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
    7 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
    8 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
    9 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
    11 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
    11 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
    14 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
    14 hours ago
  • Tenancy reviews for social housing restart
    Ensuring social housing is being provided to those with the greatest needs is front of mind as the Government restarts social housing tenancy reviews, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. “Our relentless focus on building a strong economy is to ensure we can deliver better public services such as social ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago
  • Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary plan halted
    The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary will not go ahead, with Cabinet deciding to stop work on the proposed reserve and remove the Bill that would have established it from Parliament’s order paper. “The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill would have created a 620,000 sq km economic no-go zone,” Oceans and Fisheries Minister ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago
  • Cutting all that dam red tape
    Dam safety regulations are being amended so that smaller dams won’t be subject to excessive compliance costs, Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on reducing costs and removing unnecessary red tape so we can get the economy back on track.  “Dam safety regulations ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    16 hours ago
  • Drought support extended to parts of North Island
    The coalition Government is expanding the medium-scale adverse event classification to parts of the North Island as dry weather conditions persist, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced today. “I have made the decision to expand the medium-scale adverse event classification already in place for parts of the South Island to also cover the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    17 hours ago
  • Passage of major tax bill welcomed
    The passing of legislation giving effect to coalition Government tax commitments has been welcomed by Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “The Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill will help place New Zealand on a more secure economic footing, improve outcomes for New Zealanders, and make our tax system ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Lifting economy through science, tertiary sectors
    Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins and Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds today announced plans to transform our science and university sectors to boost the economy. Two advisory groups, chaired by Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, will advise the Government on how these sectors can play a greater ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Government announces Budget priorities
    The Budget will deliver urgently-needed tax relief to hard-working New Zealanders while putting the government’s finances back on a sustainable track, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.  The Finance Minister made the comments at the release of the Budget Policy Statement setting out the Government’s Budget objectives. “The coalition Government intends ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Government to consider accommodation solution
    The coalition Government will look at options to address a zoning issue that limits how much financial support Queenstown residents can get for accommodation. Cabinet has agreed on a response to the Petitions Committee, which had recommended the geographic information MSD uses to determine how much accommodation supplement can be ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government approves extension to Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care
    Cabinet has agreed to a short extension to the final reporting timeframe for the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care from 28 March 2024 to 26 June 2024, Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says.                                         “The Royal Commission wrote to me on 16 February 2024, requesting that I consider an ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • $18m boost for Kiwis travelling to health treatment
    The coalition Government is delivering an $18 million boost to New Zealanders needing to travel for specialist health treatment, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says.   “These changes are long overdue – the National Travel Assistance (NTA) scheme saw its last increase to mileage and accommodation rates way back in 2009.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • PM’s Prizes for Space to showcase sector’s talent
    The Government is recognising the innovative and rising talent in New Zealand’s growing space sector, with the Prime Minister and Space Minister Judith Collins announcing the new Prime Minister’s Prizes for Space today. “New Zealand has a growing reputation as a high-value partner for space missions and research. I am ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    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
    3 days ago
  • NZ-EU FTA gains Royal Assent for 1 May entry to force
    The European Union Free Trade Agreement Legislation Amendment Bill received Royal Assent today, completing the process for New Zealand’s ratification of its free trade agreement with the European Union.    “I am pleased to announce that today, in a small ceremony at the Beehive, New Zealand notified the European Union ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • COVID-19 inquiry attracts 11,000 submissions
    Public consultation on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons has concluded, Internal Affairs Minister Hon Brooke van Velden says.  “I have been advised that there were over 11,000 submissions made through the Royal Commission’s online consultation portal.” Expanding the scope of the Royal Commission of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Families to receive up to $75 a week help with ECE fees
    Hardworking families are set to benefit from a new credit to help them meet their early childcare education (ECE) costs, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. From 1 July, parents and caregivers of young children will be supported to manage the rising cost of living with a partial reimbursement of their ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Unlocking a sustainable, low-emissions future
    A specialised Independent Technical Advisory Group (ITAG) tasked with preparing and publishing independent non-binding advice on the design of a "green" (sustainable finance) taxonomy rulebook is being established, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says.  “Comprising experts and market participants, the ITAG's primary goal is to deliver comprehensive recommendations to the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Chief of Army thanked for his service
    Defence Minister Judith Collins has thanked the Chief of Army, Major General John Boswell, DSD, for his service as he leaves the Army after 40 years. “I would like to thank Major General Boswell for his contribution to the Army and the wider New Zealand Defence Force, undertaking many different ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders
    25 March 2024 Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders Small Business, Manufacturing, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly will travel to Australia for a series of bi-lateral meetings and manufacturing visits. During the visit, Minister Bayly will meet with his Australian counterparts, Senator Tim Ayres, Ed ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    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
    6 days ago
  • 2024 Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships announced
    ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Speech to Breast Cancer Foundation – Insights Conference
    Before moving onto the substance of today’s address, I want to recognise the very significant and ongoing contribution the Breast Cancer Foundation makes to support the lives of New Zealand women and their families living with breast cancer. I very much enjoy working with you. I also want to recognise ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Kiwi research soars to International Space Station
    New Zealand has notched up a first with the launch of University of Canterbury research to the International Space Station, Science, Innovation and Technology and Space Minister Judith Collins says. The hardware, developed by Dr Sarah Kessans, is designed to operate autonomously in orbit, allowing scientists on Earth to study ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Speech to the New Zealand Planning Institute
    Introduction Thank you for inviting me to speak with you today and I’m sorry I can’t be there in person. Yesterday I started in Wellington for Breakfast TV, spoke to a property conference in Auckland, and finished the day speaking to local government in Christchurch, so it would have been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    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
    7 days ago
  • Some commercial fishery catch limits increased
    Commercial catch limits for some fisheries have been increased following a review showing stocks are healthy and abundant, Ocean and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The changes, along with some other catch limit changes and management settings, begin coming into effect from 1 April 2024. "Regular biannual reviews of fish ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-03-28T11:32:59+00:00