The new cabinet

Written By: - Date published: 8:03 am, October 24th, 2017 - 78 comments
Categories: david parker, election 2017, grant robertson, greens, jacinda ardern, james shaw, Kelvin Davis, labour, Media, Nanaia Mahuta, nz first, Politics, winston peters - Tags:

Details are slowly emerging about the makeup of the next Cabinet.

From the Herald:

Winston Peters is set to become Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister in the new Labour-New Zealand First coalition government.

He is set to be named as Deputy Prime Minister on Tuesday as incoming Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Peters sign their coalition deal.

The deal will set out the policy plans for the Labour-New Zealand First coalition government, his position as deputy and which specific ministerial portfolios New Zealand First has won for its four ministers inside cabinet.

The actual allocations won’t be announced until Wednesday but it is believed Peters has again got Foreign Affairs, the portfolio he held when New Zealand First supported the 2005 – 2008 Labour Government.

He is generally credited with having done a very good job, particularly in improving the relationship with the United States.

It is also understood that National would have been happy to give Peters Foreign Affairs as well – although specific portfolios were not negotiated before he announced last Thursday his party was backing Labour.

Ministerial numbers have already been agreed: Labour 16 in cabinet and five outside; New Zealand First, four inside cabinet and one under-secretary; and the Greens, three ministers outside cabinet and one undersecretary.

The distribution of positions is interesting. Compared to the proportion of the total progressive vote Labour has a slightly smaller proportion (71% as opposed to 73%), New Zealand First slightly more (16% compared to 14%) and the Greens’ proportion (13%) is right on.

Audrey Young also anticipates possible other appointments. Again from the Herald:

In a separate ceremony today, Ardern will sign a confidence and supply deal with Green Party leader James Shaw which will set out their policy agreements and portfolios which include Climate Change, to be held by Shaw, and Conservation, to be held by Eugenie Sage.

It is likely Grant Roberton will be finance minister in the new government, Fairfax reports.

It tipped David Parker to have the role of attorney general, Nanaia Mahuta Maori development, deputy leader Kelvin Davis corrections and other portfolios while Ardern’s role as PM will also include overseeing intelligence and security and involvement in children and arts.

NZ First deputy leader Ron Mark is expected to pick up the defence role in the new government, it said. Tracey Martin is tipped for a role in the education area while other portfolios for Peters’ party are expected to be in economic development and forestry.

And it is anticipated that the coalition agreements will be published today. Claire Trevett’s article complaining about the lack of transparency was premature.

78 comments on “The new cabinet ”

  1. Carolyn_nth 1

    Mostly looks about what is to be expected.

    However, Pablo posted a few days ago that there was no one in the 3 government-elect parties that has the experience to be minister in charge of intelligence: said Ardern as Minister of Intelligence and Security is a walking Tui ad.

    Will it all depend on who she has as advisors?

    • tracey 1.1

      I remember a PM who didnt want it… after he had it and kinda abused it.

      • Keith 1.1.1

        Yep, he almost got caught there and with a more onto it media, it would have meant his demise.

        Still, Teflon John dumped that one on someone else, quick smart, to take the heat.

    • Keith 1.2

      The position was supposed to have a representative of the people to run the objective ruler over decisions. Just in this case, it is the Prime Minister again (rather than running a safe distance away from the hot seat like Key) who is the peoples representative here, the one who should objectively say yes or no. It does not take an ex-spy to run this.

      • boggis the cat 1.2.1

        She does need an “ex-spy” to advise on the bullshitting. Domestic intelligence has become increasingly politicised and needs to be reined in.

        Police could do with refocusing, too. Dumping the counter-productive ‘war on drugs’ would help a lot with clearing out corruption.

        • mpledger 1.2.1.1

          And Greg O’Connor could get in there and really sort the police out. He’s probably too new to be the Minister but he should definitely be involved.

          • Xanthe 1.2.1.1.1

            Greg O’Connor should not be permitted anywhere near police or any other policy area,

    • veutoviper 1.3

      Re Pablo’s post, I disagree that no-one in the three govt-elect parties has experience in intelligence and security.

      I don’t have time right now to do any in depth research, but from memory, over his many years in Parliament, Winston Peters has always had an interest in the oversight of intelligence and security matters – and some experience as a member of the Parliamentary Intelligence and Security Committee when he was last Foreign Minister.

      IIRC, he was a strong advocate that this Committee should include representation from the smaller parties in Parliament as well as the two largest (National and Labour) when a couple of years ago National (Key) sought to keep the membership limited. Also from memory, Russel Norman supported Peters in this. Think it was about the time of Kim Dotcom appearing before Key etc at Parliament. Will check later when I have more time.

      More recently, here is a link I was able to pull up quickly to a Parliamentary Debate in 2015 on the membership of the I and S Committee, where Fletcher Tabateau (NZF) spoke at length on Peters’ previous experience and membership of the Committee, backed by Tracey Martin (end of debate). This debate arose after Labour basically backed National’s nominations limiting membership to National and Labour. Meteria Turei and Kennedy Graham also spoke at length against the exclusion of the Greens from the Committee.

      Actually a good example of NZF and the Greens working together on something of mutual interest and agreement.

      https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/document/51HansD_20150218_00000020/intelligence-and-security-committee-membership

    • Well, four things:

      1. She will get advice from the intelligence community
      2. She probably has access in Labour and other parties to people who have experience in intelligence
      3. She has access to our universities and people like Pablo for advice as well
      4. She has experience in bringing disparate people together to form a whole

      So, if she does actually access all of that which is available to her I certainly don’t have any concerns about her experience. She just needs to undo the immoral actions and laws that National and the previous Labour put in place and I’ll actually be happy on that.

    • There’s precedent for farming it out to the AG after Key did that, and Parker wouldn’t be vulnerable.

      Personally, I just think this is people being wary of female prime ministers and Ardern should just take the role and own it.

  2. tracey 2

    So Genter is Under Secretary? Transport?

    • Carolyn_nth 2.1

      I suspect Logie will be under secretary for something like Social Development.

      Genter may well be given minister of transport?

      • Brendan 2.1.1

        I hope Genter will get Transport. Given her experience, it’s a no-brainer.

      • Logie is likely to be minister of women, and given the under-secretary role is apparently around treatment of sexual and domestic violence in the ministry of justice, I expect that will go to one of the other female veterans. (although not to Marama Davidson, who is making statements consistent with her ruling herself out of any of the portfolios, being somewhere between Shaw and the two new backbenchers in experience level as a half-term MP from after the 2014 election)

      • cleangreen 2.1.3

        Outside of Cabinet no a Minister portfolio has to be in Government not outside so Clayton Michell would be good or as deputy to Winston as minister of Rail or transport?

    • Skinny 2.2

      I heard Phil Twyford was most likely getting Transport. I find that a bit rough given JAG has owned this space of the former opposition for years. Labour were saying the best they could do was Associate Transport for Genter.

      Let us hope Labour offer up best fit to the Greens and not some token gesture posts??

      • tracey 2.2.1

        If he is not keeping housing which was a key campaign platform for all 3 does that mean Ardern will?

        • Skinny 2.2.1.1

          No she has more important portfolios like Minister of Fluff & Stuff.

          • boggis the cat 2.2.1.1.1

            Housing is pretty straightforward. The “Fluff & Stuff” positions are difficult for ministers to get any traction with, so the PM taking those on should help move things.

            This is the entire point of a new government. Labour, NZ First, and the Greens all want significant changes.

          • Robert Guyton 2.2.1.1.2

            Previously the Minister of Smile & Wave.

      • cleangreen 2.2.2

        Phil Twyford was very supportive for rail last time I must admit here, so at least give him “Minister of rail” and transprt as we always had a minister of rail when we owned the rail.

        http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1302/S00183/kiwirail-admits-lack-of-maintenance-led-to-wash-out.htm

        Thursday, 14 February 2013, 1:35 pm
        Press Release: New Zealand Labour Party
        Phil Twyford
        Transport Spokesperson

        14 February 2013

        KiwiRail admits lack of maintenance led to wash-out

        KiwiRail has admitted that its failure to maintain old and damaged culverts was behind the wash out that closed the Gisborne-Napier line, while cuts to its maintenance budget are putting the network at further risk, Labour’s Transport spokesperson Phil Twyford says.

        “Across the country KiwiRail missed its target of replacing 71 old culverts last year, and only replaced 49. This is cause for alarm.

        “The Gisborne-Napier wash-out shows what happens when essential maintenance work is not carried out.

        “KiwiRail cut and deferred $200 million of network maintenance last year. At the very time it needs to be upgrading its network and improving efficiency, the Government’s unrealistic ‘Turn Around Plan’ is putting enormous stress on the organisation and forcing it to cut maintenance.

        “KiwiRail has told Parliament’s transport committee it has 12,197 rail line culverts around the country and has done a risk assessment identifying 53 high priority culverts but ‘…in spite of every effort to mitigate risk, some incidents of wash out may still occur…’

        “National’s plan for rail is not workable. KiwiRail has missed its financial targets for two of the last three years. It is being forced to make cuts that are a false economy.

        “At a time when the Government is wasting billions of dollars on its ‘motorways of madness’, it makes no sense to cripple the national rail line.”

        ENDS

  3. Andre 3

    Winston’s a brave man. Who in their right mind would want foreign affairs in this age of toddlers with twitter and nukes?

  4. tracey 4

    Am REALLY looking forward to Martin in Education. Especially intrigued by tertiary appoibtment. Tertiary is making alot of money thru internationals and a cut down in the rort aspect will hit income lines. Hard.

  5. Brendan 5

    NZDF will be happy to have a veteran, Ron Mark, as Defence Minister.

  6. ankerawshark 6

    Clare Trevitts article extraordinary and what we need to expect. She rabbits on about lack of transparency, then at then end of her article, lists all the things we have been told. Quite a lot really………………

    Mike H’s also appears to be on the war path today, in the Herald, but I just couldn’t face reading his article.

    We need a new media. Soon

  7. rhinocrates 7

    Peters as MFA comes as no surprise, but is welcome.

    Robertson as MoF? Shit. Well, he’s so lazy, I suppose he won’t get in the way of people who do the real work – if they don’t mind him taking the credit.

    Martin in Education looks good. Give her a taser to make sure Hipkins stays out of range.

    • tracey 7.1

      LOL. You are on fire today!

    • Shaw is likely to be Robertson’s associate, and I have heard rumours from people with fiscal backgrounds that Robertson is capable, so I’d wait and see how the two work as a team. While I’ve heard a lot of negative comments about Robertson in various circles, that’s never seemed to affect his solid performance in his portfolios to date. Given that Shaw is probably capable of being Minister of Finance himself, I’d expect them to succeed as long as his relationship with Robertson goes well, which from seeing them campaign together in their electorate, I expect it will.

      The real difficulty is that they’re going to be trying to run some very tight budgets in order to pacify the business community that they’re not going to be running up debt. (a position which is incredibly unfair given National’s irresponsible tax cuts having gotten us into debt in the first case, but such is life sometimes) I think it’s doable, but it will be a tighter balancing act than Bill ever had to do, as he could essentially just slash spending and the media would let him off for it as being a Serious Finance Guy who can do those sorts of things. If Robertson slashes spending, he gets it from his base, if he doesn’t keep the debt under control, he gets it from the media and the opposition and the business community, and if he needs to expand revenue, he gets it from all the anti-tax crowd whipped up from the opposition, so I hope that relationship between him and Shaw is up to the test of that balancing act.

  8. Et Tu Brute 8

    Who will take on Trade or is that going to be part of MFAT? You’d think with their major opposition to the TPPA that NZ First would want to be front and center with TPP11.

    • boggis the cat 8.1

      Some form of trade deal is inevitable. Perhaps NZ First prefer to stay away from it, rather than grasp the tainted chalice.

      If it works out acceptably then they didn’t block it, so can claim a win for a ‘sensible deal’ ostensibly made possible by their presence. If it works out to be a corporate lever for extracting wealth, then they can stand on the ‘we told you so’ podium. Win-win for them to keep hands off.

    • MFAT = Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

      So, that would be Peters.

      • Et Tu Brute 8.2.1

        Okay I was loose with my words. In the National government Gerry Brownlee was Minister of Foreign Affairs and Todd McClay was Minister of Trade. So it has been split for a while.

  9. McFlock 9

    I wonder if MBIE will be split up again now that Mr never-FixedIt is on the opposition benches? seems to be a bit of an organisational behemoth.

    • I hope so. Turning it into the behemoth that it is does seem to have caused some problems. Of course, that would mean spending millions more on the restructure.

      • McFlock 9.1.1

        Yeah, Just Another Fucking Restructure is the flipside of that coin. Not just the money, but the work insecurity, loss of institutional knowledge, development of new systems…

        Although I suspect this government will have ministers more competent than “seven out of eight critical requirements are met or close to being met, let’s all three of us sign the okay to make it live before we have the eighth critical requirement even close to being achieved and forget about the other seven, gosh it’s as if we don’t know that a critical requirement is critically required before going live”.

      • I think splitting it immediately is just as bad an idea given it’s JUST been restructured. Probably best to keep it one ministry but split the portfolios among different ministers, and then tackle separating Labour and Housing out from business and innovation next term, which can then be sunk back into Economic Development.

        • Draco T Bastard 9.1.2.1

          +1

          Definitely need some thought on how to go about it.

        • cleangreen 9.1.2.2

          Yes a breaking up of Steven Joyce’s mega ‘Propaganda ministry’ MBIE was styled alongside other overseas large Government central “intellegence” agencies that are used to control the workforce of the country specifically.

          It now must be broken up as it had become to powerful and caused many failures as their own agendas over-rode standard Government policies of interfacing wirth communities and regions.

          Often MBIE would use their own internal “cherry picked” studies to invoke bad changes to regional councils activities so that was always seen as “big brother” activities.

          Break up MBIE please New Governmet.

  10. Takere 10

    Who’ll get Min. of Treaty Settlement(s)?

    1.David Parker
    2.Andrew Little
    3.Nania Mahuta
    4.Kelvin Davis
    5.NZF’s Shaddy Jones!

    I’m guessing it won’t be a Maori. Why, the pakeha’s dont trust us to be unbiased! Haha! 177 years?

    Whoever it is, I want their contacts! Hehe! To kill off Ngati Paoa shit settlement!

    • Personally I’d have Davis as minister with Jones and someone from the Greens in there as associates. Show that it’s important to all three parties.

      • Takere 10.1.1

        Agree. Good picks. I’ve met a few times with Eugenie over this election period and I like her.
        She got sideswiped with regard to the Pt England bill by her sidekick(s) which is why the Greens sat on the fence with that bill & it passed. Managed to delay it by 7 months & nearly got it to the last day of parliament in August.
        The Pt England bill was the “Blueprint” for the EEZ bill! FFS! And my iwi’s shite settlement,however, Twyford did say he’d, Labour will repeal the Pt England bill. Lets see that he does or else I’ll make the next 3 years for him shite.

        • Michael 10.1.1.1

          Kelvin Davis would be a good choice as Minister for Treaty Settlements, with David Parker providing legal grunt as Attorney-General and, possibly, Associate Minister.

          • Takere 10.1.1.1.1

            Oh no! You can’t have a ‘Maori’ as ToW Settlement Minister! He might give iwi a favourable settlement?
            One where you dont have to buy back your land/settlement redress with the redress settlement money they ‘give’ to you! Hehe! No offset for the Crown dicking about for 177 years neither?

      • Yeah, I think that approach would be good, especially if they had both Shaw and Peters as associates, but haven’t heard any mutterings about that one happening. I think the other way to go, which I expect them to take if they’re smart, is to have Davis as minister and Parker as associate. Shows Labour is taking Māori issues seriously while still having the AG involved.

        The worst likely possibility is that it goes to Parker as AG and they have a Māori minister as associate, which I think has some bad symbolism and people will expect more from Labour than that, especially after sweeping the Māori electorates.

  11. Claire Trevett’s article complaining about the lack of transparency was premature.

    But probably achieved it’s purpose of creating suspicion in some voters minds.

  12. Philg 12

    Gender for transport would be smart and Twyford for Housing etc. Winnie for himself first and country second.lol. We have to get some folks in the right Ministerial positions, eventually!

  13. The part of this cabinet announcement I expect to be least comfortable with is whatever they give to Clare Curran and Damien O’Connor, tbqh.

    • Barfly 13.1

      O’Connor associate in regional development would be a good fit surely.

    • cleangreen 13.2

      We definately now need a new “Minister of rail” as we own the system as we have seen that a ‘Minister of transport’ never got involved inside rail as they should’ve and rail system actually failed because of government lack of support and only pushed road freight.

      Last time we had a ‘Minister of rail’ was when we last owned the rail system, so who for Minister of Rail?

      Winston should be, as he is always so keen on saving our rail better than anyone else is.

      • Julie Anne Genter is likely to be associate transport minister. If you don’t think she’ll make sure the focus is adequately on rail I don’t know who we’d trust to do it. I don’t think rail needs its own ministry so long as public transport is high up enough on the priority list.

        • cleangreen 13.2.1.1

          Matthew we need regional freight on rail urgently as the roads around the provinces outside Auckland are now gridlocked, and are very dangerous for other drivers.

          Matthew are you only considering Auckland rail passenger serices?

          • ari54x 13.2.1.1.1

            No, regional rail is important too. All three government parties agreed to that during the campaign, and you’ll note that NZF also has an associate transport portfolio now.

  14. Ad 14

    NZF-Labour agreement in outline:

    – Regional develpoment: A $1 billion per year Regional Development (Provincial Growth) Fund
    – Rail: Significant investment in regional rail.
    – Forestry: Re-establish the New Zealand Forestry Service, and planting 100 million trees per year in a Billion Trees Planting Programme.
    – Auckland Port: Commissioning a feasibility study on moving the Ports of Auckland to Northport
    – Biosecurity: A funding increase to Biosecurity NZ and a select committee Inquiry into biosecurity
    – Irrigation: Honour existing Crown Irrigation investment commitments

  15. mosa 15

    I was hoping the Greens would not just get Conservation but the Environment portfolio as well.
    Unless the minister is outside cabinet….probably not.

    • cleangreen 15.1

      The new Minister of Broadcasting must cull all’ National cling-ons from Radio NZ’ as now Radio NZ service is far too ‘biased against the new Labour Coalition as we hear clearly now and is needing to be addressed.

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    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • What makes NZFirst tick
    New Zealand’s longest-running political roadshow rolled into Opotiki yesterday, with New Zealand First leader Winston Peters knowing another poll last night showed he would make it back to Parliament and National would need him and his party if they wanted to form a government. The Newshub Reid Research poll ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago
  • September AMA
    Hi,As September draws to a close — I feel it’s probably time to do an Ask Me Anything. You know how it goes: If you have any burning questions, fire away in the comments and I will do my best to answer. You might have questions about Webworm, or podcast ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago
  • Bludgers lying in the scratcher making fools of us all
    The mediocrity who stands to be a Prime Minister has a litany.He uses it a bit like a Koru Lounge card. He will brandish it to say: these people are eligible. And more than that, too: These people are deserving. They have earned this policy.They have a right to this policy. What ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • More “partnerships” (by the look of it) and redress of over $30 million in Treaty settlement wit...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point of Order has waited until now – 3.45pm – for today’s officially posted government announcements.  There have been none. The only addition to the news on the Beehive’s website was posted later yesterday, after we had published our September 26 Buzz report. It came from ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • ALEX HOLLAND: Labour’s spending
    Alex Holland writes –  In 2017 when Labour came to power, crown spending was $76 billion per year. Now in 2023 it is $139 billion per year, which equates to a $63 billion annual increase (over $1 billion extra spend every week!) In 2017, New Zealand’s government debt ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • If not now, then when?
    Labour released its fiscal plan today, promising the same old, same old: "responsibility", balanced books, and of course no new taxes: "Labour will maintain income tax settings to provide consistency and certainty in these volatile times. Now is not the time for additional taxes or to promise billions of ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • THE FACTS:  77% of Kiwis believe NZ is becoming more divided
    The Facts has posted –        KEY INSIGHTSOf New Zealander’s polled: Social unity/division 77%believe NZ is becoming more divided (42% ‘much more’ + 35% ‘a little more’) 3%believe NZ is becoming less divided (1% ‘much less’ + 2% ‘a little less’) ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the cynical brutality of the centre-right’s welfare policies
    The centre-right’s enthusiasm for forcing people off the benefit and into paid work is matched only by the enthusiasm (shared by Treasury and the Reserve Bank) for throwing people out of paid work to curb inflation, and achieve the optimal balance of workers to job seekers deemed to be desirable ...
    3 days ago
  • Wednesday’s Chorus: Arthur Grimes on why building many, many more social houses is so critical
    New research shows that tenants in social housing - such as these Wellington apartments - are just as happy as home owners and much happier than private tenants. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The election campaign took an ugly turn yesterday, and in completely the wrong direction. All three ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Old habits
    Media awareness about global warming and climate change has grown fairly steadily since 2004. My impression is that journalists today tend to possess a higher climate literacy than before. This increasing awareness and improved knowledge is encouraging, but there are also some common interpretations which could be more nuanced. ...
    Real ClimateBy rasmus
    3 days ago
  • Bennie Bashing.
    If there’s one thing the mob loves more than keeping Māori in their place, more than getting tough on the gangs, maybe even more than tax cuts. It’s a good old round of beneficiary bashing.Are those meanies in the ACT party stealing your votes because they think David Seymour is ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • The kindest cuts
    Labour kicks off the fiscal credibility battle today with the release of its fiscal plan. National is expected to follow, possibly as soon as Thursday, with its own plan, which may (or may not) address the large hole that the problems with its foreign buyers’ ban might open up. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago
  • Green right turn in Britain? Well, a start
    While it may be unlikely to register in New Zealand’s general election, Britain’s PM Rishi Sunak has done something which might just be important in the long run. He’s announced a far-reaching change in his Conservative government’s approach to environmental, and particularly net zero, policy. The starting point – ...
    Point of OrderBy xtrdnry
    4 days ago
  • At a glance – How do human CO2 emissions compare to natural CO2 emissions?
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    4 days ago
  • How could this happen?
    Canada is in uproar after the exposure that its parliament on September 22 provided a standing ovation to a Nazi veteran who had been invited into the chamber to participate in the parliamentary welcome to Ukrainian President Zelensky. Yaroslav Hunka, 98, a Ukrainian man who volunteered for service in ...
    4 days ago
  • Always Be Campaigning
    The big screen is a great place to lay out the ways of the salesman. He comes ready-made for Panto, ripe for lampooning.This is not to disparage that life. I have known many good people of that kind. But there is a type, brazen as all get out. The camera ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • STEPHEN FRANKS: Press seek to publicly shame doctor – we must push back
    The following is a message sent yesterday from lawyer Stephen Franks on behalf of the Free Speech Union. I don’t like to interrupt first thing Monday morning, but we’ve just become aware of a case where we think immediate and overwhelming attention could help turn the tide. It involves someone ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Competing on cruelty
    The right-wing message calendar is clearly reading "cruelty" today, because both National and NZ First have released beneficiary-bashing policies. National is promising a "traffic light" system to police and kick beneficiaries, which will no doubt be accompanied by arbitrary internal targets to classify people as "orange" or "red" to keep ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Further funding for Pharmac (forgotten in the Budget?) looks like a $1bn appeal from a PM in need of...
    Buzz from the Beehive One Labour plan  – for 3000 more public homes by 2025 – is the most recent to be posted on the government’s official website. Another – a prime ministerial promise of more funding for Pharmac – has been released as a Labour Party press statement. Who ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: The Vested interests shaping National Party policies
    As the National Party gets closer to government, lobbyists and business interests will be lining up for influence and to get policies adopted. It’s therefore in the public interest to have much more scrutiny and transparency about potential conflicts of interests that might arise. One of the key individuals of ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago
  • Labour may be on way out of power and NZ First back in – but will Peters go into coalition with Na...
    Voters  are deserting Labour in droves, despite Chris  Hipkins’  valiant  rearguard  action.  So  where  are they  heading?  Clearly  not all of them are going to vote National, which concedes that  the  outcome  will be “close”. To the Right of National, the ACT party just a  few weeks  ago  was ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    4 days ago
  • GRAHAM ADAMS: Will the racists please stand up?
    Accusations of racism by journalists and MPs are being called out. Graham Adams writes –    With the election less than three weeks away, what co-governance means in practice — including in water management, education, planning law and local government — remains largely obscure. Which is hardly ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on whether Winston Peters can be a moderating influence
    As the centre-right has (finally!) been subjected to media interrogation, the polls are indicating that some voters may be starting to have second thoughts about the wisdom of giving National and ACT the power to govern alone. That’s why yesterday’s Newshub/Reid Research poll had the National/ACT combo dropping to 60 ...
    4 days ago
  • Tuesday’s Chorus: RBNZ set to rain on National's victory parade
    ANZ has increased its forecast for house inflation later this year on signs of growing momentum in the market ahead of the election. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: National has campaigned against the Labour Government’s record on inflation and mortgage rates, but there’s now a growing chance the Reserve ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • After a Pittsburgh coal processing plant closed, ER visits plummeted
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Katie Myers. This story was originally published by Grist and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. Pittsburgh, in its founding, was blessed and cursed with two abundant natural resources: free-flowing rivers and a nearby coal seam. ...
    4 days ago
  • September-23 AT Board Meeting
    Today the AT board meet again and once again I’ve taken a look at what’s on the agenda to find the most interesting items. Closed Agenda Interestingly when I first looked at the agendas this paper was there but at the time of writing this post it had been ...
    4 days ago
  • Electorate Watch: West Coast-Tasman
    Continuing my series on interesting electorates, today it’s West Coast-Tasman.A long thin electorate running down the northern half of the west coast of the South Island. Think sand flies, beautiful landscapes, lots of rain, Pike River, alternative lifestylers, whitebaiting, and the spiritual home of the Labour Party. A brief word ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Big money brings Winston back
    National leader Christopher Luxon yesterday morning conceded it and last night’s Newshub poll confirmed it; Winston Peters and NZ First are not only back but highly likely to be part of the next government. It is a remarkable comeback for a party that was tossed out of Parliament in ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • 20 days until Election Day, 7 until early voting begins… but what changes will we really see here?
    As this blogger, alongside many others, has already posited in another forum: we all know the National Party’s “budget” (meaning this concept of even adding up numbers properly is doing a lot of heavy, heavy lifting right now) is utter and complete bunk (read hung, drawn and quartered and ...
    exhALANtBy exhalantblog
    5 days ago
  • A night out
    Everyone was asking, Are you nervous? and my response was various forms of God, yes.I've written more speeches than I can count; not much surprises me when the speaker gets to their feet and the room goes quiet.But a play? Never.YOU CAME! THANK YOU! Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago
  • A pallid shade of Green III
    Clearly Labour's focus groups are telling it that it needs to pay more attention to climate change - because hot on the heels of their weaksauce energy efficiency pilot programme and not-great-but-better-than-nothing solar grants, they've released a full climate manifesto. Unfortunately, the core policies in it - a second Emissions ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • A coalition of racism, cruelty, and chaos
    Today's big political news is that after months of wibbling, National's Chris Luxon has finally confirmed that he is willing to work with Winston Peters to become Prime Minister. Which is expected, but I guess it tells us something about which way the polls are going. Which raises the question: ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • More migrant workers should help generate the tax income needed to provide benefits for job seekers
    Buzz from the Beehive Under something described as a “rebalance” of its immigration rules, the Government has adopted four of five recommendations made in an independent review released in July, The fifth, which called on the government to specify criteria for out-of-hours compliance visits similar to those used during ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago
  • Letter To Luxon.
    Some of you might know Gerard Otto (G), and his G News platform. This morning he wrote a letter to Christopher Luxon which I particularly enjoyed, and with his agreement I’m sharing it with you in this guest newsletter.If you’d like to make a contribution to support Gerard’s work you ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • LINDSAY MITCHELL: Alarming trend in benefit numbers
    Lindsay Mitchell writes –  While there will not be another quarterly release of benefit numbers prior to the election, limited weekly reporting continues and is showing an alarming trend. Because there is a seasonal component to benefit number fluctuations it is crucial to compare like with like. In ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • BRIAN EASTON: Has there been external structural change?
    A close analysis of the Treasury assessment of the Medium Term in its PREFU 2023 suggests the economy may be entering a new phase.   Brian Easton writes –  Last week I explained that the forecasts in the just published Treasury Pre-election Economic and Fiscal Update (PREFU 2023) was ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • CRL Progress – Sep-23
    It’s been a while since we looked at the latest with the City Rail Link and there’s been some fantastic milestones recently. To start with, and most recently, CRL have released an awesome video showing a full fly-through of one of the tunnels. Come fly with us! You asked for ...
    5 days ago
  • Monday’s Chorus: Not building nearly enough
    We are heading into another period of fast population growth without matching increased home building or infrastructure investment.Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Labour and National detailed their house building and migration approaches over the weekend, with both pledging fast population growth policies without enough house building or infrastructure investment ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Game on; Hipkins comes out punching
    Labour leader Chris Hipkins yesterday took the gloves off and laid into National and its leader Christopher Luxon. For many in Labour – and particularly for some at the top of the caucus and the party — it would not have been a moment too soon. POLITIK is aware ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago
  • Tax Cut Austerity Blues.
    The leaders have had their go, they’ve told us the “what?” and the “why?” of their promises. Now it’s the turn of the would be Finance Ministers to tell us the “how?”, the “how much?”, and the “when?”A chance for those competing for the second most powerful job in the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago
  • MIKE GRIMSHAW:  It’s the economy – and the spirit – Stupid…
    Mike Grimshaw writes – Over the past 30-odd years it’s become almost an orthodoxy to blame or invoke neoliberalism for the failures of New Zealand society. On the left the usual response goes something like, neoliberalism is the cause of everything that’s gone wrong and the answer ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • 2023 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #38
    A chronological listing of news and opinion articles posted on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, Sep 17, 2023 thru Sat, Sep 23, 2023. Story of the Week  Opinion: Let’s free ourselves from the story of economic growth A relentless focus on economic growth has ushered in ...
    6 days ago
  • The End Of The World.
    Have you been looking out of your window for signs of the apocalypse? Don’t worry, you haven’t been door knocked by a representative of the Brian Tamaki party. They’re probably a bit busy this morning spruiking salvation, or getting ready to march on our parliament, which is closed. No, I’ve ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Climate Town: The Brainwashing Of America's Children
    Climate Town is the YouTube channel of Rollie Williams and a ragtag team of climate communicators, creatives and comedians. They examine climate change in a way that doesn’t make you want to eat a cyanide pill. Get informed about the climate crisis before the weather does it for you. The latest ...
    1 week ago
  • Has There Been External Structural Change?
    A close analysis of the Treasury assessment of the Medium Term in its PREFU 2023 suggests the economy may be entering a new phase. Last week I explained that the forecasts in the just published Treasury Pre-election Economic and Fiscal Update (PREFU 2023) was similar to the May Budget BEFU, ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    1 week ago
  • Another Labour bully
    Back in June, we learned that Kiri Allan was a Parliamentary bully. And now there's another one: Labour MP Shanan Halbert: The Labour Party was alerted to concerns about [Halbert's] alleged behaviour a year ago but because staffers wanted to remain anonymous, no formal process was undertaken [...] The ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago
  • Climate Change: Ignoring our biggest problem
    Its that time in the election season where the status quo parties are busy accusing each other of having fiscal holes in a desperate effort to appear more "responsible" (but not, you understand, by promising to tax wealth or land to give the government the revenue it needs to do ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago
  • JERRY COYNE: A good summary of the mess that is science education in New Zealand
    JERRY COYNE writes –  If you want to see what the government of New Zealand is up to with respect to science education, you can’t do better than listening to this video/slideshow by two exponents of the “we-need-two-knowledge-systems” view. I’ve gotten a lot of scary stuff from Kiwi ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 week ago

  • New community-level energy projects to support more than 800 Māori households
    Seven more innovative community-scale energy projects will receive government funding through the Māori and Public Housing Renewable Energy Fund to bring more affordable, locally generated clean energy to more than 800 Māori households, Energy and Resources Minister Dr Megan Woods says. “We’ve already funded 42 small-scale clean energy projects that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Huge boost to Te Tai Tokerau flood resilience
    The Government has approved new funding that will boost resilience and greatly reduce the risk of major flood damage across Te Tai Tokerau. Significant weather events this year caused severe flooding and damage across the region. The $8.9m will be used to provide some of the smaller communities and maraes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Napier’s largest public housing development comes with solar
    The largest public housing development in Napier for many years has been recently completed and has the added benefit of innovative solar technology, thanks to Government programmes, says Housing Minister Dr Megan Woods. The 24 warm, dry homes are in Seddon Crescent, Marewa and Megan Woods says the whanau living ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Te Whānau a Apanui and the Crown initial Deed of Settlement I Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me...
    Māori: Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me te Karauna te Whakaaetanga Whakataunga Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me te Karauna i tētahi Whakaaetanga Whakataunga hei whakamihi i ō rātou tāhuhu kerēme Tiriti o Waitangi. E tekau mā rua ngā hapū o roto mai o Te Whānau ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Plan for 3,000 more public homes by 2025 – regions set to benefit
    Regions around the country will get significant boosts of public housing in the next two years, as outlined in the latest public housing plan update, released by the Housing Minister, Dr Megan Woods. “We’re delivering the most public homes each year since the Nash government of the 1950s with one ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Immigration settings updates
    Judicial warrant process for out-of-hours compliance visits 2023/24 Recognised Seasonal Employer cap increased by 500 Additional roles for Construction and Infrastructure Sector Agreement More roles added to Green List Three-month extension for onshore Recovery Visa holders The Government has confirmed a number of updates to immigration settings as part of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Poroporoaki: Tā Patrick (Patu) Wahanga Hohepa
    Tangi ngunguru ana ngā tai ki te wahapū o Hokianga Whakapau Karakia. Tārehu ana ngā pae maunga ki Te Puna o te Ao Marama. Korihi tangi ana ngā manu, kua hinga he kauri nui ki te Wao Nui o Tāne. He Toa. He Pou. He Ahorangi. E papaki tū ana ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Renewable energy fund to support community resilience
    40 solar energy systems on community buildings in regions affected by Cyclone Gabrielle and other severe weather events Virtual capability-building hub to support community organisations get projects off the ground Boost for community-level renewable energy projects across the country At least 40 community buildings used to support the emergency response ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • COVID-19 funding returned to Government
    The lifting of COVID-19 isolation and mask mandates in August has resulted in a return of almost $50m in savings and recovered contingencies, Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall announced today. Following the revocation of mandates and isolation, specialised COVID-19 telehealth and alternative isolation accommodation are among the operational elements ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Appointment of District Court Judge
    Susie Houghton of Auckland has been appointed as a new District Court Judge, to serve on the Family Court, Attorney-General David Parker said today.  Judge Houghton has acted as a lawyer for child for more than 20 years. She has acted on matters relating to the Hague Convention, an international ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government invests further in Central Hawke’s Bay resilience
    The Government has today confirmed $2.5 million to fund a replace and upgrade a stopbank to protect the Waipawa Drinking Water Treatment Plant. “As a result of Cyclone Gabrielle, the original stopbank protecting the Waipawa Drinking Water Treatment Plant was destroyed. The plant was operational within 6 weeks of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Govt boost for Hawke’s Bay cyclone waste clean-up
    Another $2.1 million to boost capacity to deal with waste left in Cyclone Gabrielle’s wake. Funds for Hastings District Council, Phoenix Contracting and Hog Fuel NZ to increase local waste-processing infrastructure. The Government is beefing up Hawke’s Bay’s Cyclone Gabrielle clean-up capacity with more support dealing with the massive amount ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Taupō Supercars revs up with Government support
    The future of Supercars events in New Zealand has been secured with new Government support. The Government is getting engines started through the Major Events Fund, a special fund to support high profile events in New Zealand that provide long-term economic, social and cultural benefits. “The Repco Supercars Championship is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • There is no recession in NZ, economy grows nearly 1 percent in June quarter
    The economy has turned a corner with confirmation today New Zealand never was in recession and stronger than expected growth in the June quarter, Finance Minister Grant Robertson said. “The New Zealand economy is doing better than expected,” Grant Robertson said. “It’s continuing to grow, with the latest figures showing ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Highest legal protection for New Zealand’s largest freshwater springs
    The Government has accepted the Environment Court’s recommendation to give special legal protection to New Zealand’s largest freshwater springs, Te Waikoropupū Springs (also known as Pupū Springs), Environment Minister David Parker announced today.   “Te Waikoropupū Springs, near Takaka in Golden Bay, have the second clearest water in New Zealand after ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • More support for victims of migrant exploitation
    Temporary package of funding for accommodation and essential living support for victims of migrant exploitation Exploited migrant workers able to apply for a further Migrant Exploitation Protection Visa (MEPV), giving people more time to find a job Free job search assistance to get people back into work Use of 90-day ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Strong export boost as NZ economy turns corner
    An export boost is supporting New Zealand’s economy to grow, adding to signs that the economy has turned a corner and is on a stronger footing as we rebuild from Cyclone Gabrielle and lock in the benefits of multiple new trade deals, Finance Minister Grant Robertson says. “The economy is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Funding approved for flood resilience work in Te Karaka
    The Government has approved $15 million to raise about 200 homes at risk of future flooding. More than half of this is expected to be spent in the Tairāwhiti settlement of Te Karaka, lifting about 100 homes there. “Te Karaka was badly hit during Cyclone Gabrielle when the Waipāoa River ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Further business support for cyclone-affected regions
    The Government is helping businesses recover from Cyclone Gabrielle and attract more people back into their regions. “Cyclone Gabrielle has caused considerable damage across North Island regions with impacts continuing to be felt by businesses and communities,” Economic Development Minister Barbara Edmonds said. “Building on our earlier business support, this ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New maintenance facility at Burnham Military Camp underway
    Defence Minister Andrew Little has turned the first sod to start construction of a new Maintenance Support Facility (MSF) at Burnham Military Camp today. “This new state-of-art facility replaces Second World War-era buildings and will enable our Defence Force to better maintain and repair equipment,” Andrew Little said. “This Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Foreign Minister to attend United Nations General Assembly
    Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta will represent New Zealand at the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York this week, before visiting Washington DC for further Pacific focussed meetings. Nanaia Mahuta will be in New York from Wednesday 20 September, and will participate in UNGA leaders ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • Midwives’ pay equity offer reached
    Around 1,700 Te Whatu Ora employed midwives and maternity care assistants will soon vote on a proposed pay equity settlement agreed by Te Whatu Ora, the Midwifery Employee Representation and Advisory Service (MERAS) and New Zealand Nurses Association (NZNO), Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall announced today. “Addressing historical pay ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • New Zealand provides support to Morocco
    Aotearoa New Zealand will provide humanitarian support to those affected by last week’s earthquake in Morocco, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced today. “We are making a contribution of $1 million to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to help meet humanitarian needs,” Nanaia Mahuta said. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • Government invests in West Coast’s roading resilience
    The Government is investing over $22 million across 18 projects to improve the resilience of roads in the West Coast that have been affected by recent extreme weather, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins confirmed today.  A dedicated Transport Resilience Fund has been established for early preventative works to protect the state ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • Government invests in Greymouth’s future
    The Government has today confirmed a $2 million grant towards the regeneration of Greymouth’s CBD with construction of a new two-level commercial and public facility. “It will include a visitor facility centred around a new library. Additionally, it will include retail outlets on the ground floor, and both outdoor and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • Nanaia Mahuta to attend PIF Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
    Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta will attend the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, in Suva, Fiji alongside New Zealand’s regional counterparts. “Aotearoa New Zealand is deeply committed to working with our pacific whanau to strengthen our cooperation, and share ways to combat the challenges facing the Blue Pacific Continent,” ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • PREFU shows no recession, growing economy, more jobs and wages ahead of inflation
    Economy to grow 2.6 percent on average over forecast period Treasury not forecasting a recession Inflation to return to the 1-3 percent target band next year Wages set to grow 4.8 percent a year over forecast period Unemployment to peak below the long-term average Fiscal Rules met - Net debt ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago
  • New cancer centre opens in Christchurch
    Prime Minister Chris Hipkins and Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall proudly opened the Canterbury Cancer Centre in Christchurch today. The new facility is the first of its kind and was built with $6.5 million of funding from the Government’s Infrastructure Reference Group scheme for shovel-ready projects allocated in 2020. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago
  • Government invests in top of the south’s roading resilience
    $12 million to improve the resilience of roads in the Nelson, Marlborough and Tasman regions Hope Bypass earmarked in draft Government Policy Statement on land transport $127 million invested in the top of the south’s roads since flooding in 2021 and 2022 The Government is investing over $12 million to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago
  • New Zealanders continue to support the revitalisation of te reo as we celebrate Te Wiki o te Reo Mā...
    Ko tēnei te wiki e whakanui ana i tō tātou reo rangatira. Ko te wā tuku reo Māori, e whakanuia tahitia ai te reo ahakoa kei hea ake tēnā me tēnā o tātou, ka tū ā te Rātū te 14 o Mahuru, ā te 12 o ngā hāora i te ahiahi. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago

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