The new Green Ministers and Undersecretary

Written By: - Date published: 6:30 am, October 28th, 2017 - 60 comments
Categories: greens, james shaw, Parliament - Tags: , ,

 

For those that missed the detail last week, here are the new government positions for the Green Party.

From the Greens’ website:

________________________________________________________________________________________

Green Party ministerial and undersecretary portfolios

James Shaw MP on Wednesday, October 25, 2017 – 12:59

The Green Party is today confirming that four of its MPs will hold ministerial and undersecretary roles in the new Labour-led Government.

They are:

  • James Shaw, MP, Green Party Co-leader: Minister for Climate Change, Minister of Statistics, Associate Minister of Finance
  • Eugenie Sage, MP: Minister of Conservation, Minister of Land Information New Zealand, Associate Minister for the Environment,
  • Julie Anne Genter, MP: Minister for Women, Associate Minister of Health, Associate Minister of Transport
  • Jan Logie, MP: Parliamentary Undersecretary to the Minister of Justice (Domestic and Sexual Violence)

“I’m really proud of this line up of ministers,” said Green Party Co-leader James Shaw.

“We have the chance to make real headway in the fight against climate change, and usher in a low-carbon economy. We have the chance to make real change in the lives of the most vulnerable and overlooked New Zealanders.

“The 3000 native species faced with extinction in Aotearoa New Zealand now have a lifeline. Victims of domestic and sexual abuse will have the loudest voice in government they’ve ever had.

“Our streets will become safer for kids to walk and cycle to school.

“We are now in a position to transform New Zealand’s approach to solving the threat of climate change from the old business-as-usual, to being world leaders in this work,” said Mr Shaw.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

The Green Ministers’ stand up press conference (13 mins),

_____________________________________________________________________________________

The Greens have been packing up their offices this week for the move.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

The full Green Party caucus:

60 comments on “The new Green Ministers and Undersecretary ”

  1. Antoine 1

    Very good

  2. DSpare 2

    I’m not up with the machinations of the Green’s Wellington negotiators, but why exactly is Marama Davidson excluded from a ministerial position? Deputy Musterer to Hughes is pretty weak (especially considering the imminent female coleader contest). Minister for Women would seem to be a better fit for her than Genter – who seems a better fit with her other two associate ministerships.

    Also, looking at the profiles on the GP website shows that the spokesperson roles have been dumped on the six returning MPs so hopefully Swarbuck and Ghahramen get allocated something soon.
    https://www.greens.org.nz/ourpeople

    • weka 2.1

      They only had 4 people allowed positions so I guess the question is why did the other MPs get positions over Davidson and Hughes. I don’t know but I would hazard a guess that it’s about seniority in the party and experience with the portfolios on offer. Not that Davidson isn’t experienced but that the other MPs have had more time in parliament. Apart from Shaw, but as co-leader he was always going to get a significant position.

      I also wonder if Davidson will get the female co-leadership next year (members vote) and if it will serve the Greens well to have such an excellent and by then high ranked MP outside of government and thus able to speak more freely. I’m thinking particularly on welfare this will be useful. I don’t think that’s why she isn’t a Minister now (the caucus can’t pre-empt what the members will decide next year), but it’s still an interesting proposition.

      • DSpare 2.1.1

        It seems less likely now that Davidson will get the female co-leadership next year, given that their ministerial positions will give Genter and Sage much higher status and visibility. I seem to remember that Delahunty used to be spokesperson for woman’s affairs before her retirement (more willing than some of her then colleagues). But I didn’t think to take a screenshot of the pre-election spokesperson roles last year, and couldn’t find them in a cursory search this morning.

        While Genter certainly has; “seniority in the party”, she doesn’t have as much; “experience with the portfolios on offer” regarding Woman’s Affairs (transport she is solid on, and I seem to recall her going up against Coleman on health a few times after Hague bowed out). I guess it is part of the C&S deal that they only get four ministerial positions, but would have been a better use of the GP expertise to have say; Davidson as Minister for Women (given her background), with Genter as associate Minister for Transport and Health. Plus maybe Hughes as associate Minister for the environment, instead of spreading Sage too thin (though at least her portfolios are more intertwined than Genter’s three – except maybe to women travelling to a hospital?).

        • weka 2.1.1.1

          I’m wondering if they negotiated for 3 Ministers and one Undersecretary, and then the various roles were given out based on that. i.e. they could only have 4 MPs involved, despite their being more than 4 roles. I assume that the Minister roles are seen as a priority over the Associate Minister ones?

          So with your suggestions that would mean,

          Shaw
          Davidson
          Hughes
          Genter

          and not Sage or Logie.

          Re the website, try this,

          https://web.archive.org/web/*/https://www.greens.org.nz/ourpeople

          This one is from April,

          https://web.archive.org/web/20170406132415/https://www.greens.org.nz/ourpeople

          Logie was Spokesperson for Women (under her Social Development portfolio).

        • Carolyn_nth 2.1.1.2

          Hah! elect this woman co-leader now! [not a GP member, me].

          • weka 2.1.1.2.1

            I’d be happy with Davidson as co-leader, but honestly, I’d like to see the party go through due process, including the various candidates (not limited to MPs) putting up the reasons they would do a good job and then have that discussed and voted on (from memory it’s not a party wide vote but is done via the regions).

            • Zorb6 2.1.1.2.1.1

              That’s a rather long sentence there Weka Makes it a lot harder to read .Maybe a more reader friendly format would be better.

              • weka

                Sure.

                I’d be happy with Davidson as co-leader.

                But honestly, I’d like to see the party go through due process.

                This would include the various candidates, who won’t be limited to MPs, putting up the reasons they would do a good job.

                Then the party would discuss and vote on who should be co-leader.

                (from memory it’s not a party wide vote but is done via the regions).

              • cathy

                short attention span?

    • Trey 2.2

      I was also disappointed that Marama Davidson was overlooked. Firstly because she is friggin awesome and also the most “real” MP the greens have and secondly as a Maori I like to see our people get the recognition they deserve.
      The line up looks very white and very middle class without Maramas presence so what message does that send to Maori who voted Green.

  3. cleangreen 3

    We in HB/Gisborne are expecting the Greens to help ‘facilitate’ the restoration of our damaged Gisborne rail system to be restored and expect Julie Anne Genter will be now meeting with the new Minister of Transport Phil Twyford, along with Shane Jones Minister of Regional Development and most importantly Winston Peters the Deputy PM, and Minister of SOE.

    Why the minister of SOE?
    Because it was the SOE Kiwi rail’s Board and Management that ultimately caused the washout damage to force the closure of our rail in 2012 and Winston is duty bound to sack some of the Kiwirail personnel that damaged our rail.

    It was Kiwi rail that admitted in 2013 before a “Select committee” on Transport that the reduction by Government to fund rail mainainence was partly responsible for the Gisborne rail to be washed out.

    So it was National that was reponsible for the destruction of the one km of rail along the most attractive scenery (beach loop) along any beach in the country that thousands of tourists before this flocked to on rail excusions in large numbers, and national stopped this economic tourism windfall potential in it’s tracks????.

    (See below) Phil Twyford’s press statement after he attended that select committee and witnessed Kiwi rail admit government caused the rail damage.

    ‘The buck stops at Steven Joyces door’ as he was then Minister of Transport and effectively over saw the destruction of a section of our rail asset.

    Let us see a press release from the labour coalition state they are reopenning our rail service again – as northland last night just had their line reopenned too.

    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

  4. Patricia Bremner 4

    Those who hoped for better attitudes to rail must be heartened by the change of government.

    Not everything will start even in the 100 days. But to quote our Rachel “it will happen”

  5. Cinny 5

    So freakin happy about these appointments, this could well be the best, most loved Government NZ has ever had.

    Love the Greens, massive congrats to them all, so very proud to be a Kiwi with such an inspiring team leading our country.

  6. Zorb6 6

    6 women and 2 men.Not a very good gender balance.,)

    • weka 6.1

      Looks balanced to me.

    • tracey 6.2

      But, if I recall correctly ( and I apologise if I am confusing you with another poster) you think a man patting a woman on the bum is flirtation from which a woman has no right to take offence….

      That is what equality actually might look like when you give jobs on skill not conscious or unconscious bias

      • Zorb6 6.2.1

        The bum patting ‘incident’ was unsubstantiated hearsay.The poster of that commentary cherry picked from an article to mislead.Deliberately it would appear.As to my comment on this thread-am I mistaken in believing Green policy is to have a gender balance?You know like a male and a female co-leader,sort of thing.

        • tracey 6.2.1.1

          Perhaps your mistake is in how you are defining equality but feel free to direct me to a quote which suggests the Greens MPS should be 50% male and 50% female? Which is different from having a female and male coleader.

          The comment I meant has nothing to do with whether a woman or man are telling the truth about a green room incident but more about your view on women in relation to how you show them you like them

          “Sometimes things can go too far.The procreation of the human race would be in danger if social intercourse is outlawed as a pre cursor to sexual intercourse.No male could make an approach for fear of being categorised as engaging in inappropriate conduct.’Good morning,you’re looking lovely today’!How dare you,you chauvinistic,sexist ,potential nuisance. “

            • Sam aka clump 6.2.1.1.1.1

              What ever nub. Kennedy and Clendon resigned rember? Blows those calculations out of the water. But who gives a shit. The Greens are in.

            • tracey 6.2.1.1.1.2

              Given the context of the article you quoted, how has 2 female Green Cab ministers to 1 male Green Cab Minister impacted the gender balance of the Govt cabinet? Is it more gender balanced now or less?

              • Zorb6

                I can see no useful purpose will be served by engaging you on this topic.You have a recalcitrant mindset on anything to do with gender.

              • Zorb6

                Furthermore its 3 to 1.75% women,25% male.Knock yourself out.

                • tracey

                  I wrote ” text of the article you quoted, how has 2 female Green Cab ministers to 1 male Green Cab Minister ”

                  You say there are 4 Green Cabinet Ministers.

                  There are not. 1 is an under secretary. So I stand by the 2 to 1

                  • Zorb6

                    Wrong again I’m sorry-‘The Greens will take the conservation, climate change and women and land information portfolios, and associate roles in finance, environment, transport and health – all outside of Cabinet.’-Outside Cabinet.Good game isn’t it?

                    • weka

                      Being outside of Cabinet has its advantages.

                    • tracey

                      You are right they are Ministers not Cabinet Ministers. I was wrong.

                      You are wrong that there are 4 of them though. There are not 3 women ministers and 1 male minister.

                      Now can you explain your reason for finding fault in the 6 to 2 balance and 2 to 1 minister ratio?

                  • Zorb6

                    On we go.There are actually 5 ministries.Shaw holds 2 and women hold 3.Everyone wins a prize.I hope you liked the link I provided.You will appreciate the %’s mentioned would appear to over ride any objective opinion of merit.

                    • tracey

                      There are only 3 Ministers. Period.

                      Can you outline your reasons for concern over the 3 to 1 ( using your definitions) and the 6 to 2? What problem do you e nvisage? How and what is this going to negatively impact?

                      Are you saying that having a minimum quota necessitates utilising people who do not merit the position? An interesting view if you do. My understanding is the Greens seek out, encourage and provide an environment which is something those groups feel comfortable to come forward which is not the same as giving positions to people who do not merit it. In other words quota does not preclude merit. If it does that is on the recruiter not the tecruited

            • weka 6.2.1.1.1.3

              I’ll explain if you like. That link says that half of Green cabinet Ministers will be women. This doesn’t mean that half have to be men as well. It means that the Greens recognise that women face structural barriers to being in parliament which results in low numbers of women in cabinets and that it’s good to use remedies to redress that.

              The way the GP do this is when the List is being drawn up, they use the following rules. The members vote in an initial list and the Exec adjust it within limits afterwards. This means that there will roughly be gender equity in the list, but it’s not an enforced 50/50 split (that would be hard to do and work against a number of other factors).

              • Māori: a minimum of 10% of candidates shall be of Māori descent. •Gender:amaximumof60%ofcandidatesshallbemale;amaximum of60%of candidates shall be female.
              • Region: a minimum of 40% of candidates shall be from the North Island; a minimum of 20% of candidates shall be from the South Island.
              • Age: a minimum of 10% of the candidates shall be under 35.

              As you will see this works for men too. Once MPs are elected the GP has a pool of people to work with, in this case 6 women and 2 men.

              Here is the 2017 GP list, so you can see how the gender balance of MPs would fall with more or less MPs, and as has been mentioned if two male MPs hadn’t been taken off the list.

              https://www.greens.org.nz/green-party-aotearoa-new-zealand-list-2017

              At this point, post-election, the Greens can’t adjust for gender, because the voters decided already on which MPs are in.

              In terms of Ministerial positions etc, I think that what the Greens are saying is there will never be less then 50% women, because they recognise that women are blocked from those positions routinely. As some time in the future when we don’t have institutional sexism, such processes probably won’t be necessary, but in the meantime they are.

              As for the rest of the party, it has co-leaders, co-convenors etc who are split female/male e.g. you would never have to female co-leaders.

              Also, you conflate the caucus balance with the cabinet balance.

              edited to add link.

              • Zorb6

                Thanks. So is the Cabinet balance 3 women 1 male?

                This- ‘I’ll explain if you like. That link says that half of Green cabinet Ministers will be women. This doesn’t mean that half have to be men as well.”

                So does that allow for trans genders or?

                And of course Tracey is clearly wrong here- “That is what equality actually might look like when you give jobs on skill not conscious or unconscious bias”.

                this is imo quite bizarre.

                Actual %’s-
                Māori: a minimum of 10% of candidates shall be of Māori descent.

                Gender: a maximum of 60%ofcandidates shall be male; a maximum of 60% of candidates shall be female.
                • Region: a minimum of 40% of candidates shall be from the North Island; a minimum of 20% of candidates shall be from the South Island.
                • Age: a minimum of 10% of the candidates shall be under 35.

                Btw I actually voted Greens this election.I did not want them to disappear. I hope fervent Green supporters will not turn out to be the most vocal opposition undermining this coalition Govt ,just because they do not agree with some of their initiatives.

                [edited formatting for legibility – weka]

                • tracey

                  Can you be clearer about what you object to in 6 to 2?

                • weka

                  Can you please take more care with your formatting? It’s hard to understand what you are saying.

                  “So is the Cabinet balance 3 women 1 male?”

                  Technically the Greens aren’t in Cabinet. But of the positions they were able to negotiate with Labour, there are three Ministers (2 women, 1 man), one Under-secretary (1 woman). There is also the Party Musterer (1 man). That’s three women and two men out of five positions. Looks good to me.

                  No, the policy doesn’t take into account transgender, intersex etc. But given their commitment to fairness I would expect them to deal with that within the existing policy, and/or develop new policy as it becomes necessary.

                  • Zorb6

                    My apologies for being hard to understand.English is my first language.I hope you don’t expect contributors to all have your mastery of grammar ,syntax and ‘format’.That would be far too much to expect.Surprised to see the party musterer now makes the cut.After all I was admonished for citing an under secretary!

                    • weka

                      All good. I think even if you just put more spaces between things it would help e.g. start a new line with a gap in between.

                      If we look at your original comment,

                      “6 women and 2 men.Not a very good gender balance”

                      It’s hard to know what you are getting at. I personally don’t have a problem with either the current gender balance or how the Greens run those processes. If you do, it would be better if you explained what the problem is. e.g. if you think there should be a 50/50 split.

                    • tracey

                      You werent admonished. I was, and still am, seeking clarity from you about what your objection is, what problems you foresee and how it should be? You are consistently ignoring these requests in favour of the ongoing discussion about 3, 4 or 5.

    • Katipo 6.3

      The Green Party is not balanced because it has more women than men, classic!
      Are you The Dark Knight of gender equality ? If you think it’s a negative why single out this rareity ?
      https://nzhistory.govt.nz/media/photo/women-mps-in-parliament

  7. Angel Fish 7

    “The 3000 native species faced with extinction in Aotearoa New Zealand now have a lifeline.”

    Hopefully not through the economically nonviable predator free 2050 project that would see millions of animals being slaughtered using 1080p.
    Hopefully they’ve heard of ecological sanctuaries.
    http://www.sanctuariesnz.org/projects.asp

    • weka 7.1

      You want to greensplain to the Green Party about ecological restoration? Or are you just being a dick. It’s hard to tell.

      • Angel Fish 7.1.1

        LOL so the green party is beyond criticism now are they? Give me break.
        If the means by which they plan to save those animals involve, Nationals predator free 2050 plan, then it involves mass slaughtering millions of animals using 1080p and they need to be called out on their barbarism.
        Also on an economical front it’s reported to cost a conservative estimate of $25 billion dollars!

        It shouldn’t be difficult to understand these concerns, unless you are playing dumb for some reason.

        And some people aggrandize this as New Zealands apollo mission!
        Ridiculous when you consider that countrys like India have sent Mars Orbitters for the price of $80 million.

        This was going to be a massive sink hole by National had they decided to fully commit to this plan, but now that Labour and Green are in power, they need to be pressured to ensure that they come up with more humane and economically viable plans in it’s place.

        • weka 7.1.1.1

          “LOL so the green party is beyond criticism now are they?”

          No, I was just pointing out that your criticism was stupid because of how you framed it as if the Greens didn’t already know about the issues with 1080 and the value of sanctuaries.

          The GP actual policy on predator control, not the one you are making up in your head, is this,

          Pest Management Strategies
          The Green Party vision is for thriving biodiversity, no further extinctions, and restoration of healthy populations, habitats and ecosystems. In order to achieve this, the Green Party seeks to eradicate pest plants and animals that threaten signicant ecological values wherever possible, and to control them where eradication is not possible.

          Use of Poisons in Animal Pest Control

          Currently animal pest control in Aotearoa New Zealand involves the extensive use of poisons in ground and aerial operations because they are generally cost e ective means of controlling animal pest species. Modern technology allows more precise distribution of aerial poison such as 1080 than in the past, and the amount of poison per hectare has been reduced while still maintaining effectiveness.

          However, the use of poisons on a large scale, particularly near people’s homes, poses ecological risks and raises community concerns. The Green Party Environment policy aims to minimise the use of all persistent, environmentally damaging, or non- sustainably produced poisons, especially when using aerial distribution, and we strongly support research and promotion of other pest control methods. 1080 poison is widely used to control pest species as it degrades relatively rapidly and is not bio- accumulative. Nonetheless it is acutely toxic to a number of non-target animals including dogs and native wildlife, is considered inhumane by many, and there may be as yet undiscovered long-term toxicological effects arising from its widespread use.

          The Green Party aspires to see indigenous biodiversity and farm animal health maintained and enhanced, and eradication and control of pest animals achieved with minimal use of poisons, and without the use of genetically modi ed organisms. We recognise that currently it is not feasible to stop all use of poisons for animal pest control without unacceptable adverse impacts on biodiversity and forest health. However, we believe that current and developing integrated ground control methods offer opportunities, and that increased research and development will extend alternatives to aerial 1080 over time that are both affordable and effective.

          https://www.greens.org.nz/page/conservation-policy

          I suggest you go and read the whole policy, because what I quoted is best understood in the context of their overall approach to conservation and the plans they have around that.

          “but now that Labour and Green are in power, they need to be pressured to ensure that they come up with more humane and economically viable plans in it’s place.”

          At the moment you are criticising the Greens who want to do the things you claim you want.

          You’re new around here, but generally there is an expectation that while it’s ok to critique the left wing parties, you need to know what you are talking about.

          • Angel Fish 7.1.1.1.1

            I said the following,
            “Hopefully not through the economically nonviable predator free 2050 project…”

            “Hopefully they’ve heard of ecological sanctuaries…”

            But you act like I insulted your religion!

            “We recognise that currently it is not feasible to stop all use of poisons for animal pest control without unacceptable adverse impacts on biodiversity and forest health.”

            This is not acceptable! This does not give the greens a free shot at mass slaughtering animals.
            They should only pursue the solution of ecological sanctuaries and put a stop to all mass eradication efforts.

            • weka 7.1.1.1.1.1

              Ok, so I get you’re not interested in either what the GP actual policy is, or a genuine discussion on this.

            • McFlock 7.1.1.1.1.2

              No, just the Green party.

              It’s like walking into any NZ university physics department saying “hopefully they’ve heard of Earnest Rutherford”.

              A patronising and stupid way to start a discussion, IMO.

            • weka 7.1.1.1.1.3

              “This is not acceptable! This does not give the greens a free shot at mass slaughtering animals.
              They should only pursue the solution of ecological sanctuaries and put a stop to all mass eradication efforts.”

              Are you objecting to the killing of non-native species within sanctuaries?

            • mauī 7.1.1.1.1.4

              Have you done any research on how expensive sanctuaries are to run, and all the free volunteer work involved that subsidises them? Obviously not. If you were after bang for your buck that would be the last option you would be looking at.

  8. mary_a 8

    An indication we are heading for a better more progressive NZ. Can’t complain about that. Well done NZ Greens.

  9. Stuart Munro 9

    Interesting to see Shaw got Statistics – if he can straighten them out we’ll be halfway to improving: measure twice, cut once.

  10. Mosa 10

    To be truly representative it would have been productive to have a Green in cabinet.

    Minister for the environment stands out. Parker is responsible but will be busy enough with his other responsibilities.

    Maybe the next reshuffle will bring James or one of the others in.

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

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

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-04-26T16:52:26+00:00