web analytics

The Dogs of War

Written By: - Date published: 9:12 pm, January 31st, 2018 - 20 comments
Categories: helen clark, jacinda ardern, us politics, war, winston peters - Tags:

At a Union/NDP conference in March 2002 in Ottawa I saw wall-to-wall US TV attacking Iraq in my room. My caucus report  that America was going to war was instinctive. Helen Clark stood up immediately and said that we wouldn’t be following. The US war dogs are barking again, this time over Korea.

A recent article in Jacobin  magazine had this assessment of the inside debate in the Trump administration:

While there have been hopeful signs in recent days, the administration remains deeply divided on North Korea. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Secretary of Defense James Mattis are skeptical of military action, but National Security Advisor H. R. McMaster is apparently a strong proponent. McMaster’s more hawkish line has been echoed by UN ambassador Nikki Haley and CIA director Mike Pompeo, both of whom have been floated as potential replacements for Tillerson. If Tillerson leaves — or gets the boot — the balance of power could easily shift in the hawks’ favor.

The Japan Times notes that as there has been a definite uptick in the war rhetoric, the United States has also been moving military assets into the region and increasing training for a ground war.

Amid this palace intrigue, the United States is quietly moving military assets — bombers, ships, and fighter jets — into the Pacific region. These moves could be bluffs in support of what is at least honestly called “coercive diplomacy.” But they have a materiality too — and serve to remind us that war lurks as a real possibility.

Statements such as those of Marine Commandant General Neller that Marines will have to ‘steel themselves for a very tough fight in North Korea’ are as usual backed away from when they become public.

Our Foreign Minister Winston Peters was at a meeting in Canada convened by Tillerson to discuss the Korean situation. Ostensibly about increasing sanctions, Russia and China, states bordering North Korea, were not there. It was a meeting of allies in the Korean war that started in 1950 and has still not ended.

The Japan Times reported Tillerson’s words after the meeting:

On Tuesday, during a gathering in Canada of U.S. allies on how to beef up sanctions pressure on the North, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson issued some of his strongest words yet for Pyongyang, saying that time was running out for the isolated regime.

“We all need to be very sober and clear-eyed about the current situation,” Tillerson said when asked whether Americans should be concerned about the possibility of a war. “We have to recognize that the threat is growing and that if North Korea does not choose the pathway of engagement, discussion, negotiation then they themselves will trigger an option.”

But perhaps most tellingly of the shifting tone was Tillerson’s answer to a reporter’s question about reported talk in the White House of a limited military strike, what some have called the “bloody nose” option.

Although Tillerson, who has advocated for a diplomatic solution to the crisis, refrained from directly answering the question, the top U.S. diplomat effectively admitted the Trump administration has been considering such a move at the highest levels when he said he would not speak “on issues that have yet to be decided among the National Security Council or the president.”

Contacted by The Japan Times for comment on Tillerson’s remarks, the State Department was sanguine.

“I would advise against attempting to extract any ‘effective confirmation’ beyond the points clearly stated by Secretary Tillerson,” State Department spokeswoman Nicole Thompson said in an email. “We will not parse his words.”

Cleary not convinced, the article went on to provide this sobering assessment from Van Jackson, a North Korea expert and Senior Lecturer here at Victoria University of Wellington. Jackson is a former policy adviser in the U.S. office of the Secretary of Defense.

(Jackson) said Tillerson’s remarks confirmed his belief that the White House has already been “on a war footing.”

“President Trump and some on his team have been actively shutting down off-ramps from the current nuclear crisis. That Tillerson is now saying these same things is disturbing because it suggests he’s been told behind closed doors to get in line.”

Jackson said his concerns, “which Tillerson substantiates,” is that Washington’s policy of heaping “maximum pressure” on Pyongyang is merely “a box-checking exercise aimed at trying to rally international backing behind the U.S. as much as possible before launching into a war, whether by ‘bloody nose’ or an Iraq-style invasion.”

He said the international community sees backing the maximum pressure campaign, of which Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has been one of the strongest proponents, “as a way of keeping the U.S. from taking rash action.”

“But it’s looking like the Trump administration is viewing it the opposite way — getting the international community to back maximum pressure so that they’ll be locked in to the next logical step — conflict — when it fails,” Jackson added.

Malcom Turnbull is already on record as saying that Australia will support the US if it comes to war. It is sincerely to be hoped that the New Zealand government led by Jacinda Ardern and Winston Peters will not find itself locked into conflict if Donald Trump is the one who decides that diplomatic pressure and sanctions have failed. An article in Vox today makes the point that Trump’s state of the Union speech today resembled George Bush’s argument for war with Iraq.

We should be seeking clarity and assurances now from our government and supporting every effort for peace.

 

 

 

 

20 comments on “The Dogs of War ”

  1. Ad 1

    Not reasonable to compare North Korea to Bush and Iraq.
    The UN resolution violations from NorthKorea are over decades, and accelerating.

    I have no solutions and am not proposing war.

    Personally I am surprised Japan has been so restrained.

    • Anon 1.1

      Japans military is constrained to local defense, they require the US military for any action at distance from their borders. Also, Japan is pretty close – in a conflict either side firing nukes would be a huge problem for them, so probably they’re just not insane.

      • Exkiwiforces 1.1.1

        Old Abe, is trying to change the Japanese Constitution to allow the Government to deploy combat troops overseas on deployment without the need of having a UN Mandate and even then its only for Non- Combat troops in a Non Combat role.

        But one could look at, if there was conflict on the Korean Peninsula then Japan could see this as a direct threat to its country with out the need to violate its constitution if the Nth Korea attack first, but it maybe a different story if Trump wacks the North first.

    • The UN resolution violations from NorthKorea are over decades, and accelerating.

      Possibly but were they even valid?

      Please note: Since the DPRK dropped out of the NPT the international community has no legal right to sanction them for developing nuclear weapons or nuclear power.

      The international community has no right to sanction them for developing missiles to defend themselves at all.

      • McFlock 1.2.1

        Nuclear missiles are an existential threat to every nation within range. Every nation with nuclear weapons is like being in a bar and pointing a gun at everyone around them. And yes, I include the yanks in that.

        As to NK specifically, I suspect it’ll go the way of Romania. Whether large powers sticking their fingers in will prolong it like in Syria (again including all large powers in that, including the US as well as Russia and Turkey), the pessimist in me says yes. So there will probably be a locally-used home-produced nuclear weapon.

        But who knows what the fucking yanks will do on a good day. I can see why China and Russia would be cool with a highly oppressive and slightly nutty buffer state, but the yanks? It’s whether some folks smell money, the military wants to prove they can actually win a war, the executive branch need a distraction or the folks who smell money a re campaign donors… Who knows? Trump might just press the red button if Fox over-egg it one morning.

        • Exkiwiforces 1.2.1.1

          Yep, when one looks at the bigger picture as this could really blow up in the Yanks face big time. As I see the China going to the aid of the Nth as China has said in the pass and of late that it will go to the aid of the Nth if the US and Allies attack first. Russia will make its move East at the Baltic States, Finland and possibly Sweden as old Putin wants to rebuild the old Russia Empire, while at the same time I can see China making a move on Taiwan and on the South China Sea to disrupt Taiwan’s, Sth Koreas and Japans Sea Lanes of Commination (SLOC) and this will have far greater effect on NZ’s trade to the greater Asian region. God only knows what the Middle East will do? Possibly Israel and the house of Saud might have a crack at Iran or the other way round? then that will be a real shit fight of a war.

          All because the China, Russia and Iran know that the Yanks and some degree her Allies can’t fight a two front war let alone a multi- front war. All 3 countries know the US, Western Nation and her Allies their Critical Vulnerabilities (CV’s), but some countries will do better than others as they still trained the old fashion way in Field craft, battle craft and bush craft skill sets etc than the Yanks do.

          Little old NZ will get suck into this whirlpool of a shit fight either way as a result of the lost decade in 90’s towards the NZDF and short terms politics of both Political Parties towards the NZDF, Foreign affairs and Trade Polices. A few chickens will start coming home to roost sooner or later starting with the NZDF or Foreign Affairs then Trade will follow in 3rd place and i’ll leave everyone else to work out what the 4th and 5th place getters will be.

        • Draco T Bastard 1.2.1.2

          Nuclear missiles are an existential threat to every nation within range.

          I didn’t say that they weren’t. I was pointing out that there’s no legal right to sanction the DPRK for developing or having them.

  2. Lloyd 2

    I haven’t noticed the North Koreans building airbases on reclaimed islands in the South China Sea.

  3. Stuart Munro 3

    Better on the whole to follow South Korea’s lead on the issue – they’re better informed, and they have the most to lose. They’ve said before that a unilateral US strike exceeds the behavior they will tolerate from an ally.

  4. Jackel 4

    It’s all talk, I just can’t believe even the Americans would be this stupid.

  5. Wayne 5

    Notwithstanding the Trump rhetoric, the situation is not remotely like Iraq 2002.

    In my view there is almost zero chance of a major war over Korea. Ultimately the US will live with a North Korean bomb. Any negotiated deal will be about ICBM’s capable or reaching continental US. The North Koreans will abandon that goal if they got some advantage out of negotiations. After all a bomb that threatens South Korea, and more particularly Japan, is almost certainly is an effective deterrent against unilateral US military action.

    The military equation is not as nearly as favourable as Iraq 2002. North Korea would not collapse like Iraq. It would be a bloody fight and probably would not even succeed.

    In 1950 the Chinese intervened on the side of the North and pushed the US and allies back to the 38th parallel. The US can’t be sure that in extremis the Chinese might do the same again. The alternative of a “surgical” strike would almost certainly fail to deal with all the North Korean nuclear weapons. So poor options in either case.

    Trump’s rhetoric is all about getting North Korea to talk about the things that matter to the US, the ICBM’s. He might yet succeed on that.

    • Exkiwiforces 5.1

      Actually Wayne, China has said publicly that if North Korea attacks the South they are on their own, but the flip side to that if the US and it’s Allies wack the North first then China will come to its Aid as every country has a right to self defence against any aggressor and has the right to call for help. There also the Chinese and North Korea self defence security treaty which I can’t recall its name, but was signed back in the 60’s in case if Nth Korea was attacked by the US and it’s Allies.

    • SPC 5.2

      The North Koreans would only give up nuclear missiles (that could reach USA) when American forces leave South Korea (and the air defence missiles with them).

      This is their leverage.

      That leaves the North and South to turn the historic cease-fire into a peace arrangement.

  6. Philg 6

    Aren’t wars always started by false flags, and deceptions? The notion of ‘they started it’ makes as much sense as a front row brawl.

  7. SPC 7

    This is not about war it is about how the USA deals with something it cannot stop (North Korea getting the capacity to launch a nuclear strike on the USA).

    As China has vetoed a military strike on North Korea, there are only two outcomes.

    1. the USA withdraws its military from Korea (including the latest air defence missiles) and the North and South develop a permanent peace in place of the cease-fire. The China will love this option.

    2. the USA keeps its forces in South Korea, and deepens the presence of the latest air defence missiles there and in Japan. Sells more weapons to the neighbours of China (maybe Taiwan as well). The China will hate this option.

    Trump is begging for bi-partisanship because he wants to share the defeat with Congress.

  8. Eco Maori 8

    This war mongering is not just about North Korea’s nuclear weapons this is all about Donald trumps public ratings crashing in the USA and around the World. This idiot does not care who he destroys /The Worlds people /economiy. All he cares about is holding onto the unbelievable power that he wields over everyone on papatuanuku and avoid impeachment get a second term as president. What better way is there to rally the American people behind him than to start a war and who gives a shit about who they kill.The people that are backing Trumps WAR CRY have vested interest IE Northop Grumman/Lockheed Martin /Bae Systems /General Dynamics/Raytheon /Boeing to these organizations lives don’t matter one bit this is there God $$$$$€£¥₩ YOU see everyone on papatuanuku is a slave to the USA Except the 1%. USA biggest export is the green back we all have to use the US dollar to trade in export imports it’s obvious that every transaction a % is payed to have the privilege /forced to use the greenback.
    So all the USA has to do is print more dollars to boost it economic power this action diminishes the wealth of the rest of the World .P.S. I don’t think Trump has worked out how the reserve currencies work lol . I Say the rest of the country’s around the World has a obligation to tell America that we have had enough of this bullshit WAR everytime a US president want to boost his pockets or his public ratings full stop.


    Here’s Nomam Chomsky view on our futures reality

    12:21
    Noam Chomsky – The Most Dangerous Organization in Human History
    Chomsky’s Philosophy

    Ana to kai

  9. Eco Maori 10

    Do we really want to let America to imposes there society living standards on US THE REST OF THE WORLD. HERE A LINK TO SHAMELESS USA this is a eye opener watch episode 11 that’s what I tried to link to.

    https://putlockertv.se/watch/shameless-8.z1wow/2884nl

    Ka kite ano

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • Government focus on jobs sees record number of New Zealanders move from Benefits into work
    113,400 exits into work in the year to June 2022 Young people are moving off Benefit faster than after the Global Financial Crisis Two reports released today by the Ministry of Social Development show the Government’s investment in the COVID-19 response helped drive record numbers of people off Benefits and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    29 mins ago
  • Vertical farming partnership has upward momentum
    The Government’s priority to keep New Zealand at the cutting edge of food production and lift our sustainability credentials continues by backing the next steps of a hi-tech vertical farming venture that uses up to 95 per cent less water, is climate resilient, and pesticide-free. Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor visited ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    14 hours ago
  • Conference of Pacific Education Ministers – Keynote Address
    E nga mana, e nga iwi, e nga reo, e nga hau e wha, tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou kātoa. Warm Pacific greetings to all. It is an honour to host the inaugural Conference of Pacific Education Ministers here in Tāmaki Makaurau. Aotearoa is delighted to be hosting you ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    16 hours ago
  • New $13m renal unit supports Taranaki patients
    The new renal unit at Taranaki Base Hospital has been officially opened by the Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall this afternoon. Te Huhi Raupō received around $13 million in government funding as part of Project Maunga Stage 2, the redevelopment of the Taranaki Base Hospital campus. “It’s an honour ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    16 hours ago
  • Second Poseidon aircraft on home soil
    Defence Minister Andrew Little has marked the arrival of the country’s second P-8A Poseidon aircraft alongside personnel at the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s Base at Ohakea today. “With two of the four P-8A Poseidons now on home soil this marks another significant milestone in the Government’s historic investment in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    19 hours ago
  • Further humanitarian aid for Türkiye and Syria
    Aotearoa New Zealand will provide further humanitarian support to those seriously affected by last month’s deadly earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria, says Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta. “The 6 February earthquakes have had devastating consequences, with almost 18 million people affected. More than 53,000 people have died and tens of thousands more ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    19 hours ago
  • Community voice to help shape immigration policy
    Migrant communities across New Zealand are represented in the new Migrant Community Reference Group that will help shape immigration policy going forward, Immigration Minister Michael Wood announced today.  “Since becoming Minister, a reoccurring message I have heard from migrants is the feeling their voice has often been missing around policy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago
  • State Highway 3 project to deliver safer journeys, better travel connections for Taranaki
    Construction has begun on major works that will deliver significant safety improvements on State Highway 3 from Waitara to Bell Block, Associate Minister of Transport Kiri Allan announced today. “This is an important route for communities, freight and visitors to Taranaki but too many people have lost their lives or ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    22 hours ago
  • Ginny Andersen appointed as Minister of Police
    Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has today appointed Ginny Andersen as Minister of Police. “Ginny Andersen has a strong and relevant background in this important portfolio,” Chris Hipkins said. “Ginny Andersen worked for the Police as a non-sworn staff member for around 10 years and has more recently been chair of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government confirms vital roading reconnections
    Six further bailey bridge sites confirmed Four additional bridge sites under consideration 91 per cent of damaged state highways reopened Recovery Dashboards for impacted regions released The Government has responded quickly to restore lifeline routes after Cyclone Gabrielle and can today confirm that an additional six bailey bridges will ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Foreign Minister Mahuta to meet with China’s new Foreign Minister
    Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta departs for China tomorrow, where she will meet with her counterpart, State Councillor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang, in Beijing. This will be the first visit by a New Zealand Minister to China since 2019, and follows the easing of COVID-19 travel restrictions between New Zealand and China. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Education Ministers from across the Pacific gather in Aotearoa
    Education Ministers from across the Pacific will gather in Tāmaki Makaurau this week to share their collective knowledge and strategic vision, for the benefit of ākonga across the region. New Zealand Education Minister Jan Tinetti will host the inaugural Conference of Pacific Education Ministers (CPEM) for three days from today, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • State Highway 5 reopens between Napier and Taupō following Cyclone Gabrielle
    A vital transport link for communities and local businesses has been restored following Cyclone Gabrielle with the reopening of State Highway 5 (SH5) between Napier and Taupō, Associate Minister of Transport Kiri Allan says. SH5 reopened to all traffic between 7am and 7pm from today, with closure points at SH2 (Kaimata ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Special Lotto draw raises $11.7 million for Cyclone Gabrielle recovery
    Internal Affairs Minister Barbara Edmonds has thanked generous New Zealanders who took part in the special Lotto draw for communities affected by Cyclone Gabrielle. Held on Saturday night, the draw raised $11.7 million with half of all ticket sales going towards recovery efforts. “In a time of need, New Zealanders ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government delivers a $3 million funding boost for Building Financial Capability services
    The Government has announced funding of $3 million for providers to help people, and whānau access community-based Building Financial Capability services. “Demand for Financial Capability Services is growing as people face cost of living pressures. Those pressures are increasing further in areas affected by flooding and Cyclone Gabrielle,” Minister for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Education New Zealand | Manapou ki te Ao – new Chair and member
    Minister of Education, Hon Jan Tinetti, has announced appointments to the Board of Education New Zealand | Manapou ki te Ao. Tracey Bridges is joining the Board as the new Chair and Dr Therese Arseneau will be a new member. Current members Dr Linda Sissons CNZM and Daniel Wilson have ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Scholarships honouring Ngarimu VC and the 28th (Māori) Battalion announced
    Fifteen ākonga Māori from across Aotearoa have been awarded the prestigious Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships and Awards for 2023, Associate Education Minister and Ngarimu Board Chair, Kelvin Davis announced today.  The recipients include doctoral, masters’ and undergraduate students. Three vocational training students and five wharekura students, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Appointment of Judge of the Court of Appeal and Judge of the High Court
    High Court Judge Jillian Maree Mallon has been appointed a Judge of the Court of Appeal, and District Court Judge Andrew John Becroft QSO has been appointed a Judge of the High Court, Attorney‑General David Parker announced today. Justice Mallon graduated from Otago University in 1988 with an LLB (Hons), and with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • NZ still well placed to meet global challenges
    The economy has continued to show its resilience despite today’s GDP figures showing a modest decline in the December quarter, leaving the Government well positioned to help New Zealanders face cost of living pressures in a challenging global environment. “The economy had grown strongly in the two quarters before this ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Western Ring Route Complete
    Aucklanders now have more ways to get around as Transport Minister Michael Wood opened the direct State Highway 1 (SH1) to State Highway 18 (SH18) underpass today, marking the completion of the 48-kilometre Western Ring Route (WRR). “The Government is upgrading New Zealand’s transport system to make it safer, more ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Briefings to Incoming Ministers
    This section contains briefings received by incoming ministers following changes to Cabinet in January. Some information may have been withheld in accordance with the Official Information Act 1982. Where information has been withheld that is indicated within the document. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Teaming up for a stronger, more resilient Fiji
    Aotearoa New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta reaffirmed her commitment to working together with the new Government of Fiji on issues of shared importance, including on the prioritisation of climate change and sustainability, at a meeting today, in Nadi. Fiji and Aotearoa New Zealand’s close relationship is underpinned by the Duavata ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Investment in blue highway a lifeline for regional economies and cyclone recovery
    The Government is delivering a coastal shipping lifeline for businesses, residents and the primary sector in the cyclone-stricken regions of Hawkes Bay and Tairāwhiti, Regional Development Minister Kiri Allan announced today. The Rangitata vessel has been chartered for an emergency coastal shipping route between Gisborne and Napier, with potential for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Next steps developing clean energy for NZ
    The Government will progress to the next stage of the NZ Battery Project, looking at the viability of pumped hydro as well as an alternative, multi-technology approach as part of the Government’s long term-plan to build a resilient, affordable, secure and decarbonised energy system in New Zealand, Energy and Resources ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Statement from the Prime Minister on Stuart Nash
    This morning I was made aware of a media interview in which Minister Stuart Nash criticised a decision of the Court and said he had contacted the Police Commissioner to suggest the Police appeal the decision. The phone call took place in 2021 when he was not the Police Minister. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • CPTPP Trade Ministers coming to Auckland
    The Government’s sharp focus on trade continues with Aotearoa New Zealand set to host Trade Ministers and delegations from 10 Asia Pacific economies at a meeting of Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) Commission members in July, Minister for Trade and Export Growth Damien O’Connor announced today. “New Zealand ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Govt approves $25 million extension for cyclone-affected businesses
    $25 million boost to support more businesses with clean-up in cyclone affected regions, taking total business support to more than $50 million Demand for grants has been strong, with estimates showing applications will exceed the initial $25 million business support package Grants of up to a maximum of $40,000 per ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • More than 160,000 new Kiwis to call NZ home
    80 per cent of 2021 Resident Visas applications have been processed – three months ahead of schedule Residence granted to 160,000 people 84,000 of 85,000 applications have been approved Over 160,000 people have become New Zealand residents now that 80 per cent of 2021 Resident Visa (2021RV) applications have been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Scholarships propel Kiwi students to NASA
    The Government continues to invest in New Zealand’s burgeoning space industry, today announcing five scholarships for Kiwi Students to undertake internships at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in California. Economic Development Minister Stuart Nash congratulated Michaela Dobson (University of Auckland), Leah Albrow (University of Canterbury) and Jack Naish, Celine Jane ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • New Zealand to attend regional security meeting in Australia
    The Lead Coordination Minister for the Government’s Response to the Royal Commission’s Report into the Terrorist Attack on the Christchurch Mosques travels to Melbourne, Australia today to represent New Zealand at the fourth Sub-Regional Meeting on Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Security. “The Government is committed to reducing the threat of terrorism ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Health and safety action plan for ports
    The health and safety practices at our nation’s ports will be improved as part of a new industry-wide action plan, Workplace Relations and Safety, and Transport Minister Michael Wood has announced. “Following the tragic death of two port workers in Auckland and Lyttelton last year, I asked the Port Health ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Bikes and scooters to be exempt from FBT
    Bikes, electric bikes and scooters will be added to the types of transport exempted from fringe benefit tax under changes proposed today. Revenue Minister David Parker said the change would allow bicycles, electric bicycles, scooters, electric scooters, and micro-mobility share services to be exempt from fringe benefit tax where they ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Foreign Affairs Minister to reaffirm our close relationship with Fiji
    Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta will hold bilateral meetings with Fiji this week. The visit will be her first to the country since the election of the new coalition Government led by Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sitiveni Rabuka. The visit will be an opportunity to meet kanohi ki ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New legislation to streamline Cyclone recovery
    The Government is introducing the Severe Weather Emergency Legislation Bill to ensure the recovery and rebuild from Cyclone Gabrielle is streamlined and efficient with unnecessary red tape removed. The legislation is similar to legislation passed following the Christchurch and Kaikōura earthquakes that modifies existing legislation in order to remove constraints ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Cost of living package: More bread and butter support for Kiwi families
    Approximately 1.4 million people will benefit from increases to rates and thresholds for social assistance to help with the cost of living Superannuation to increase by over $100 a pay for a couple Main benefits to increase by the rate of inflation, meaning a family on a benefit with children ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Freeing up more government bandwidth and money to focus on the cost of living
    $1 billion in savings which will be reallocated to support New Zealanders with the cost of living A range of transport programmes deferred so Waka Kotahi can focus on post Cyclone road recovery Speed limit reduction programme significantly narrowed to focus on the most dangerous one per cent of state ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • State of National Emergency to end for Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay
    The remaining state of national emergency over the Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay regions will end on Tuesday 14 March, Minister for Emergency Management Kieran McAnulty announced today. Minister McAnulty gave notice of a national transition period over these regions, which will come into effect immediately following the end of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government delivers on Dawn Raids commitment
    The Government is today delivering on one of its commitments as part of the New Zealand Government’s Dawn Raids apology, welcoming a cohort of emerging Pacific leaders to Aotearoa New Zealand participating in the He Manawa Tītī Scholarship Programme. This cohort will participate in a bespoke leadership training programme that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New plan to increase productivity and high wage jobs across advanced manufacturing sector
    Industry Transformation Plan to transform advanced manufacturing through increased productivity and higher-skilled, higher-wage jobs into a globally-competitive low-emissions sector. Co-created and co-owned by business, unions and workers, government, Māori, Pacific peoples and wider stakeholders. A plan to accelerate the growth and transformation of New Zealand’s advanced manufacturing sector was launched ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Aotearoa New Zealand supports Pacific countries to combat animal disease 
    New Zealand will provide support for Pacific countries to prevent the spread of harmful animal diseases, Associate Minister of Agriculture Meka Whaitiri said. The Associate Minister is attending a meeting of Pacific Ministers during the Pacific Week of Agriculture and Forestry in Nadi, Fiji. “Highly contagious diseases such as African ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2023-03-21T18:33:21+00:00