The other cost of living crisis

Written By: - Date published: 6:05 am, August 18th, 2023 - 7 comments
Categories: climate change, cost of living, disaster, election 2023 - Tags: , ,

It’s hard for New Zealanders to imagine this, because we chopped down so many of our trees a long time ago, but there is a town in Canada that has just been ordered to evacuate because a forest fire is expect to engulf the city area by the weekend.

Yellowknife is the territory capital, it has 20,000 residents (think Rangiora or Levin), and the out of control forest fire is 17km from the city boundary. The fear is that the escape highway will be overrun by fire.

The remarkable order was yet another reminder of the disruption wrought by Canada’s worst wildfire season on record. About 1,000 fires are active in the country. So far this year, the fires have burned an area 91 times as large as last year’s entire fire season. At times, smoke has traveled as far south as Georgia and as far east as Europe.

…

On Wednesday, officials urged people to drive south to Alberta, if possible. Escort vehicles had been assigned to guide motorists through some areas because smoke from the fires has sometimes obscured vision along the only southbound highway out of Yellowknife. Officials said extra refueling stations and tow trucks would be placed along the route.

Evacuation flights on commercial airlines and Royal Canadian Air Force planes are scheduled to begin on Thursday. People escaping that way will be limited to a single piece of carry-on luggage; they were encouraged to bring food and drinks, and to limit themselves to five days’ worth of clothes.

Remember New Year 2020? Before the pandemic arrived, we had Trump with his finger on the nuclear trigger, and the east coast of Australia was on fire. Those climate fires never stopped. They’ve been burning in the US, Russia, the Amazon, Canada. Maui on Hawaii, a tropical island, lost a town to a wildfire last week. It has an official death toll of 110 people, but 1300 people are still missing. New Zealand barely blinked. We are becoming inured.

While I understand the stress of the neoliberal economy cost of living crisis that many New Zealanders are concerned about this election year (food, petrol, increasing debt, diminishing standard of living), I can only assume now that most people don’t actually take climate change that seriously. Because once we reach the point of ignoring the wholesale destruction of say forests, entities that take more than a generation to regrow (tōtara can live for a thousand years) and which are crucial in maintaining the natural carbon cycle, it’s hard to believe that people have a good grasp of the situation we are in.

Likewise, if we mistakenly think the primary lesson learned from Cyclone Gabrielle is that we have to adapt to climate change rather than mitigate, what has caused the dearth of imagination to see that the long predicted frequent extreme weather events, will at some point overtake our ability to repair to our current perpetual growth economy to BAU standard? There are only so many hillsides, roads, bridges, and settlements we can spend months and years shoring up, before we run out of materials, machinery, workers, time, money.

Napier-to-Wairoa-SH2_CR_NZDF

That’s a lorry carrying goods on a highway of our own. Our bush doesn’t burn (yet), it collapses in mudslides instead.

All of which is to say, the most urgent and most neglected crisis we are in is the one that requires us to drop GHGs very fast in order to keep climate change survivable. I don’t want to hear about how people can’t afford to think about climate when they’re worrying about paying the bills, because many people in New Zealand aren’t in that situation. So putting aside the actual poor for a moment, what say the rest of us?

The option to preserve BAU via green tech has gone. Humans simply don’t have the capacity to replace forests in a meaningful timeframe. And the fact that New Zealand slashed, burned and dairy farmed most of our forested land notwithstanding, the burning of forests globally will take us down as well.

Our descendants will curse us. In the year where New Zealanders has the opportunity to make this the climate election, many of us are quibbling over potholes and the left is getting distracted by its own fears. Yes, the cost of living crisis is serious. But things only get worse from here under our current neoliberal system. The UN talks openly now about the impending collapse of civilisation because of breaching planetary boundaries.

But it’s not like we don’t have a choice. We can get off the fossil fuels, and transitioning is the only viable path left. The timeframe is short (this decade). Even a single term of a Nact or Nat/NZF government will set us back at exactly the wrong time. The current cost of living crisis is nested like a Russian Doll, within the bigger crises of climate and ecology.

For many who experience a sense of powerlessness in the face of this, there are also many who see a way through and are forging a path. We have more choice now than ever before of ways to act, movements to join, things to get involved with. I write about this as much as I can, including what real transition might look like. Stories of proactive hope:

The Powerdown
Regenag
How change happens
What could possibly go right?

Hope Punk

Ways out of the climate catastrophe

For New Zealand in particular, we are incredibly fortunate to have the choice this year to vote Green or Te Pāti Māori, both of whom have the capacity to lead on climate transition. Voting is easy, and both parties also need our support over the next two months to gain enough power to make a difference.

Don’t get distracted by the merchants of doom who say Act, National, and NZ First are inevitable. Put your focus on the ones who know how to save the day.

Green Party: donate or volunteer

Māori Party: donate or volunteer

If you want something to take heart from, this twitter thread yesterday on biodiversity in cities and towns shows how it can be done, and quite simply (it’s inspired despite the tone of the opening tweet).

7 comments on “The other cost of living crisis ”

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  1. PsyclingLeft.Always 1
    18 August 2023 at 10:40 am

    This is sad/bad..mad?

    Illegal tree-felling plagues central North Island conservation forests

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/whanganui-chronicle/news/illegal-tree-felling-plagues-central-north-island-conservation-forests/MTMAELBSMRDSTDHYU6JMXMFISU/

    And "our" history of deforestation..since humans arrived in NZ is pretty sad.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deforestation_in_New_Zealand

    On a more positive note, I linked these yesterday, about Sustainable Public Transport, but here they are again. Each one has many useful positive parts.

    https://www.publictransportforum.nz/

    https://www.publictransportforum.nz/articles/article/connecting-communities-2030-01-02-2022

    • kejo 1.1
      18 August 2023 at 11:39 am

      And in the midst of an online Whanganui Chronicle article on illegal logging there is an ad for a log buying co? Perhaps this is a sting operation.

  2. AB 2
    18 August 2023 at 11:09 am

    Everyone goes on about loss of the Amazon rainforest – but the northern hemisphere boreal forest is vast and the fires are turning it from a carbon sink into a net carbon emitter – accelerating the onset of tipping points.

    • weka 2.1
      18 August 2023 at 11:23 am

      Hard agree. Google is giving contradictory information about how the fires are starting – mostly lightning, but also many human causes like cigarettes. We probably should be looking at removing people from forests and putting in major monitoring and protection. If we were in any way sane.

  3. Shanreagh 3
    18 August 2023 at 11:37 am

    Some of the current madness with felling forests can be sheeted home to the sale of forests managed by NZ Forest Service as part of the neo-lib times.

    Prior to that time NZFS managed a swathe of forests both for protection and production. There were different regimes for both types. NZFS also had the expertise to mamage bits of production forests found in protection areas and vice versa.

    In the neo-lib times the pressure was on to enable as much forestry to be put into the 'suitable for sale' catgeory so the cutting rights could be sold. Tree owners fall back on the argument that 'you leased it to us" so it must have been Ok for felling…….'

    Hekia Parata was asked to investigate the impact on communities in Wairoa and the East Coast.

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/489748/forestry-report-urges-immediate-halt-on-wide-scale-felling

    and, the report itself

    https://environment.govt.nz/what-government-is-doing/areas-of-work/land/ministerial-inquiry-into-land-use/

    Weka's post contains good stuff.

    Hekia Parata's report contains good stuff about what to do on a smaller scale. Although HP states the recommendations are specific to EC/Wairoa most of them are sensible enough to be looked as a template for forestry practices that mitigate the effects that ceaseless and senseless clear felling has on our land. And the trite 'they are not making any more land applies'

    There is a role for concerted progressive work on the regulatory background to what is happening currently as we face the impact of climate change. The Parata report said we have 10 years to do the work recommended (p7)

    'We have the opportunity to grow a climate adapted, biodiverse, flourishing environment and economy in Tairawhiti. Establishing the basis for a sustainable approach is possible in the next decade. Over ensuing generations, we can look forward to science and tikanga based relationships with the environment that create quality livelihoods and lives. And reciprocate with transportable models and practices of what can work in other parts of our country, and the world.

    With commitment to this vision for our environment and for the people and communities who live within and with it, the critical ingredient to realising success for Tairawhiti will be strong, shared, selfless local and regional leadership and governance – mana whenua, mana tangata. A modern, forward looking honouring of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, with principles of protection, participation and partnership will mean that quality citizenship for all, can be realised here.

    We have 10 years'

    Please read the Parata report. It is an easy, provocative and soundly based. It is a small targetted companion piece to Weka's post.

    NB the picture is the Devil's Elbow. (Actually not covered by the Parata Report as it is in HBRC territory)

    Little story about how things can be fixed and then damaged again by operation of a an economic regime rather than putting the land or Papatuanuku first.

    As a child the road to Napier from Wairoa was often closed in winter by slips around this area. When the concept of soil conservation planting for the area was mooted, then carried out, it was like a breath of fresh air…..stabilising the hills. And we watched as trees were planted, grew and were managed for soilcon purposes. The wholesale slips stopped.

    Then along came the sale of cutting rights and people selling did not seem to accept that not every last skerrick of forests planted by NZFS could be clear felled. Felling of the areas around the Devil's Elbow took place, instead of having a protection focus and aiming for pinpoint single tree removal if needed.

    Stupid decisions have much more impact when we are facing climate change.

    So in the space of 60 odd years we are back where we started ……

  4. Ad 4
    18 August 2023 at 3:58 pm

    QLDC is installing light poles with heat, fire and aridity detection equipment all around Mt Iron in Wanaka. Precisely for forest fire risk management.

    Probably time Auckland Council did the same around the Waitakere Ranges since it has about 10,000 people living inside its forest.

    We could do with insurance company commentary on this.

  5. Thinker 5
    19 August 2023 at 10:37 pm

    One tool of strategic planners is, with your mind, to totally divest yourself of what we currently have.

    Like an artist with a blank canvas, imagine ourselves with a bare landscape and then consider what our ideal environment should look like. It's a better alternative to being lumbered with the baggage of the past when trying to move to the future.

    If we had a blank canvas, would we choose what we currently have? I doubt it.

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    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 week ago

  • Bernard’s mid-winter pick ‘n’ mix for Friday, June 21
    Our economic momentum remains anaemic, and it’s possible the tiny increase in GDP was a ‘dead cat bounce’. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Per-capita GDP has fallen 4.3% from its peak over the last 21 months, which is more than it it fell in the Global Financial Crisis recession ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago

  • The Futility of Punishment
    Hi,I was in Texas recently and couldn’t stop thinking about how in some parts of America they really like to kill their prisoners. As a society we tend to agree murder is wrong, but somewhere along the way Texas figured it’s fine if it’s after 6pm and the killing is ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    1 week ago

  • The new Beehive approach to the environment
    A persistent theme has been weaving between the Committee rooms at Parliament all this so-called “Scrutiny” week as MPs have probed Ministers and agencies about their work and plans. The question has been simply what the environmental price might be if the country begins to accelerate its infrastructure building to ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 week ago

  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #25 2024
    Open access notables Climate Change Is Leading to a Convergence of Global Climate Distribution, Li et al., Geophysical Research Letters: The impact of changes in global temperatures and precipitation on climate distribution remains unclear. Taking the annual global average temperatures and precipitation as the origin, this study determined the climate distribution with the ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago

  • You take nicer pictures when you’re not drunk
    Readers keeping count will know it's more than five years since I gave up booze. Some of you get worried on my behalf when I recount a possibly testing moment. Anxious readers: today I got well tested.All the way across France I've been enquiring in my very polite and well-meaning but ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 week ago

  • Cancer
    Turn awayIf you could, get me a drinkOf water 'cause my lips are chapped and fadedCall my Aunt MarieHelp her gather all my thingsAnd bury me in all my favourite coloursMy sisters and my brothers, stillI will not kiss you'Cause the hardest part of this is leaving youI remember the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago

  • Gordon Campbell on why we shouldn’t buy new planes for the PM
    Its not often that one has to agree with Judith Collins, but yes, it would indeed cost “hundreds of millions of dollars” (at least) to buy replacement aircraft to fly the Prime Minister on his overseas missions of diplomacy and trade. And yes, the public might well regard that spending ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    1 week ago

  • The Stadium Debate – What About the Transport Options?
    A few weeks ago, Auckland Council took another step in the long-running stadium saga, narrowing its shortlist down to two options for which they will now seek feasibility studies. The recommendation to move forward with a feasibility study was carried twenty to one by the council’s Governing Body for the ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    1 week ago

  • Bernard’s mid-winter pick ‘n’ mix for Thursday, June 20
    Social Development Minister Louise Upston has defended the Government’s decision to save money by dumping a programme which tops up the pay of disabled workers. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: It has emerged the National-ACT-NZ First Government decided to cut wages for disabled workers from the minimum wage to $2 an hour ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago

  • Where the power really resides in Wellington
    The new Chief Executive of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) yesterday gave a Select Committee a brutally frank outline of the department’s role as the agency right at the centre of power in Wellington. Ben King, formerly a deputy Chief Executive at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 week ago

  • Climate Adam: Why we're still losing the fight against Methane
    This video includes conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Adam Levy. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). Carbon dioxide is the main culprit behind climate change. But in second place is methane: a greenhouse gas stronger than CO2, ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago

  • Climate Change: More ETS failure
    A few weeks ago, I blogged about the (then) upcoming ETS auction, raising the prospect of it failing, leaving the government with a messy budget hole. The auction was today, and indeed, it failed. In fact, it was such a failure that no-one even bothered to bid. Its easy to ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago

  • The Return of Jacinda.
    Oh, take me, take me, take meTo the dreamer's ballI'll be right on time and I'll dress so fineYou're gonna love me when you see meI won't have to worryTake me, take mePromise not to wake me'Til it's morningIt's all been trueEarly morning yesterday, well before dawn, doom-scrolling.Not intentionally, that’s ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago

  • How good is the interim NW busway?
    This is a guest post by Pshem Kowalczyk, a long-time follower of the blog. With great fanfare, just over six months ago (on 12 November 2023), AT launched its interim busway for the NorthWest region, with the new WX express service at the heart of the changes. I live ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    1 week ago

  • Consumer confidence collapses after Budget, in contrast with rest of world
    The first widespread survey of consumers and voters since the Budget on May 30 shows a collapse in confidence. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The belt-tightening and tax-cutting Budget delivered on May 30 has not delivered the boost to confidence in the economy the National-ACT-NZ First Government might have ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago

  • The end for the Air Force 757s
    The Air Force 757 that broke down with the Prime Minister on board in Port Moresby on Sunday is considered so unreliable that it carries a substantial stock of spare parts when it travels overseas. And the plane also carries an Air Force maintenance team on board ready to make ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 weeks ago

  • At a glance – Was 1934 the hottest year on record?
    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 ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 weeks ago

  • It's not New Zealand they've never heard of, it's him
    Sometimes you’ll just be so dog-tired, you can only keep yourself awake with a short stab of self-inflicted pain.A quick bite of the lip, for instance.Maybe a slight bite on the tongue or a dig of the nails.But what if you’re needing something a bit more painful?The solution is as ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 weeks ago

  • Some “scrutiny” II
    Last month I blogged about the Ministry of Justice's Open Government Partnership commitment to strengthen scrutiny of Official Information Act exemption clauses in legislation", and how their existing efforts did not give much reason for confidence. As part of that, I mentioned that I had asked the Ministry for its ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 weeks ago

  • Gordon Campbell on why the Biden “peace plan” for Gaza is doomed
    After months and months of blocking every attempt by the UN and everyone else to achieve a Gaza ceasefire, US President Joe Biden is now marketing his own three-stage “peace plan” to end the conflict. Like every other contribution by the US since October 7, the Biden initiative is hobbled ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    2 weeks ago

  • Raised crossings: hearing the voice of vulnerable pedestrians
    This is a guest post by Vivian Naylor, who is the Barrier Free Advisor and Educator at CCS Disability Action, Northern Region, the largest disability support and advocacy organisation in Aotearoa New Zealand. She also advises on AT’s Public Transport and Capital Projects Accessibility Groups. Vivian has been advocating and ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    2 weeks ago

  • Leaving on a Jet Plane
    So kiss me and smile for meTell me that you'll wait for meHold me like you'll never let me go'Cause I'm leavin' on a jet planeDon't know when I'll be back againOh babe, I hate to go“The true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 weeks ago

  • Bernard's mid-winter pick 'n' mix for Tuesday, June 18
    The election promises of ‘better economic management’ are now ringing hollow, as NZ appears to be falling into a deeper recession, while other economies are turning the corner. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The economy and the housing market are slumping back into a deep recession this winter, contrasting ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 weeks ago

  • Wairarapa lakes return to iwi ownership
    Today the Crown joined Rangitāne and Ngāti Kahungunu at Papawai Marae to mark the return of Wairarapa Moana to iwi, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith and Māori Crown Relations Minister Tama Potaka says. “The legal transfer of the ownership of Wairarapa Moana is the final chapter in a fraught dispute between ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 hours ago

  • Government passes Clean Car Importer Standard Bill
    Changes to the Land Transport (Clean Vehicle Standard) Act will enable changes to the emissions targets more easily with a review of the Clean Vehicle Standard currently underway, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Large changes in technology, fuel efficiency, and consumer trends and preferences means that the Clean Car Importer Standard ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Fire and Emergency New Zealand board reappointments
    Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden has today announced that four members have been reappointed to the Fire and Emergency New Zealand [FENZ] board. “I am pleased to announce that Rebecca Keoghan has been reappointed as chair for a two-year term of office,” says Ms van Velden.  Rebecca was appointed ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Therapeutic Products Act repeal bill gets 1st reading
    The Government has taken further steps to providing better regulation for medicines, medical devices, and natural health products with the first reading of a bill to repeal the Therapeutic Products Act 2023. Repealing the Therapeutic Products Act (TPA) shows the Government is listening to the concerns of industry and consumers, says Associate ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • $343.5 million allocated by Te Puna Tahua Lottery Grants Board
    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says $343.5 million in lottery profits have been allocated to New Zealand communities across the country – an increase of around $29.8 million from previous years.  “The distribution of lottery profits can have a significant and enduring impact on the lives of New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Emergency support for East Coast flooding
    Civil Defence payments are now available for people affected by the severe weather in Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti to help cover some emergency costs, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston has announced. “We want to make sure those communities that are doing it tough because of the latest severe ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government progressing commitment to reinstate livestock exports by sea
    The coalition Government is progressing its commitment to reinstate livestock exports by sea, with public consultation set to start before September, Associate Minister of Agriculture Hon Andrew Hoggard says. Reinstating livestock exports by sea will require an amendment to the Animal Welfare Act 1999 and strengthened welfare standards will be ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Minister releases Tauranga District Plan decisions
    RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today released his decisions on elements of Tauranga City Council’s Intensification Planning Instrument. Two recommendations were referred to the Minister after the Council rejected two of those made by the Independent Hearings Panel. “I was asked by the Tauranga City Council to reject two ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • High-level political delegation to visit Pacific
    Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters will lead a high-level political delegation to Solomon Islands, Nauru and Niue next week.  "New Zealand's relationships in the Pacific are fundamental to our foreign policy, and we are determined to continue strengthening them,” says Mr Peters.  “We look forward to engaging with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Wānaka’s first primary birthing unit opened
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon joined Health Minister Dr Shane Reti to officially open a new primary birthing unit in Wānaka today.  Dr Reti says the event demonstrates the Government’s commitment to improving health infrastructure and is particularly special as it will support many families before birth and in the first ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • GPS 2024: Record transport investment to drive economic growth
    The final Government Policy Statement on land transport 2024 (GPS 2024) outlines the Government’s ambitious $22 billion transport plan to boost productivity and support economic growth, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“Upon being elected, the Government was clear that we wanted to make good on our transport promises to New Zealanders ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • King’s Counsel appointments 2024
    Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointments of 19 King’s Counsel.   Also known as a silk, in reference to a gown traditionally worn as part of their robes, the rank of King’s Counsel is awarded to barristers sole who have demonstrated excellence in their careers or, from time to time, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Crime data underpins need for law & order action
    New crime data highlights how critical the Government’s plan is to restore law and order, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “The latest New Zealand Crime and Victims Survey data is shameful, with New Zealanders experiencing 1.88 million incidents of crime between November 2022 and October 2023. “There were 185,000 New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Independent panel to review methane science and targets appointed
    The Government is delivering on its promise to commence an independent review of the methane science and targets for consistency with no additional warming from agriculture emissions, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay say.  “An independent panel announced today, will report back to the Government by ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government repeals costly log trade legislation
    The Government today repealed legislation requiring the compulsory registration of log traders and forestry advisers. “The existing legislation fails to deliver outcomes and places unnecessary costs on forest businesses,” Forestry Minister Todd McClay says. “I am confident that voluntary registration through the New Zealand Institute of Forestry is a better ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Build To Rent Bill passes first reading
    The Overseas Investment (Build To Rent and Similar Rental Developments) Amendment Bill has passed its first reading this evening, Housing and Associate Finance Minister Chris Bishop says.“We need to take every option available to increase the supply of housing in New Zealand, and Build to Rent is one of those ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Minister welcomes opening of Brynderwyns
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown welcomes the opening of State Highway 1 through the Brynderwyn Hills from midnight tonight, following four months of closure to complete critical recovery and maintenance works. “Northlanders, local businesses, drivers, and freight operators will be relieved to have this important lifeline open. The Government thanks them ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Secondary legislation drafting toolkit launched
    Attorney-General Judith Collins today welcomed the release of the Parliamentary Counsel Office’s (PCO) Secondary Legislation Drafting Toolkit. "Both businesses and people tell us they find it hard to understand their obligations under secondary legislation,” Ms Collins says. “This toolkit, with its focus on design and content, will help with both ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Tougher sentences coming for criminals
    The Government is reforming sentencing to ensure criminals face serious consequences for crime and victims are prioritised, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. "In recent years, there has been a concerning trend where the courts have imposed fewer and shorter prison sentences despite a 33 per cent increase in violent crime. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Improving educational choice for families and students
    The Education and Training Amendment Bill, which will set up charter schools, encourage more early learning centres to open, and provide increased transparency on school attendance, has been introduced for its first reading in Parliament, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. “Every child deserves an education that enables them to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Government receives final report from the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care
    The coalition Government welcomes the presentation of the final report from the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State and Faith-Based Care to the Governor-General. “This marks the end of the largest and most complex public inquiry ever held in New Zealand,” Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Scope of the Northland transmission tower failure review announced
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has today released the terms of reference for the Electricity Authority’s investigation into the Northland transmission tower failure that occurred on 20 June 2024, causing significant power outages in the region.“What happened in Northland last week was unacceptable, with tens of thousands of consumers left without ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Minister celebrates students’ space success
    Space Minister Judith Collins is applauding students from Canterbury University’s Aerospace Club on their success at the world’s largest inter-collegiate rocket engineering competition, the Spaceport America Cup. “More than 120 teams from 20 countries participated in Spaceport America Cup, with the team from Canterbury University winning in their ‘30,000 Foot’ ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Address – Commemoration of the 74th Anniversary of the Commencement of the Korean War
    Tena koutou.Ki nga kaumatua,Ki nga whanau,Ka maumahara tonu tatou ki a ratou. Greetings.To the elders,To the families,We will remember them. Firstly, a special welcome to all the veterans here this morning and their families.  I want to acknowledge the veterans who are marking this day but cannot be with us ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • New WorkSafe board appointments to address a history of poor financial management
    Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says three appointments to the WorkSafe board have been made to strengthen the organisation, ensuring it has the skills and expertise it needs to carry out its functions.  “WorkSafe has faced a number of recent challenges, including accumulating an almost $18 million ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Next phase of the Royal Commission into COVID-19
    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says this coalition Government is delivering on our commitment to expand the terms of reference for the independent Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons Learned. “There will be a second phase to the Royal Commission which features new commissioners and an expanded terms of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Government introduces Three Strikes Bill
    The Government has introduced a Bill today to restore the Three Strikes sentencing law, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee says. “New Zealanders are rightly concerned about violent crime. We are delivering on our commitment to introduce a revised Three Strikes law as one of our key law and order priorities.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • New support for agricultural emissions reduction
    The Government and the Bank of New Zealand (BNZ) are together committing an additional $8 million towards AgriZeroNZ to boost New Zealand’s efforts to reduce agricultural emissions. Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says the strength of the New Zealand economy relies on effective and affordable emission reduction solutions for New Zealand’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Government actions strengthening Māori success
    Tākina Puanga. Ko Puanga kei runga. Ko Puanga e Rangi. Tākina mai te ara o Puanga nui o te rangi. Tākina ngā pou o te tau. Ki te whai ao ki te ao marama. Puanga or Rigel celebrations reflect a renewed energy across our communities – to acknowledge those who ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Transformative investment in cancer treatments and more new medicines
    The coalition Government is delivering up to 26 cancer treatments as part of an overall package of up to 54 more new medicines, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti and Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. “Pharmac estimates that around 175,000 people will benefit from the additional treatments in just ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • More support for drought-affected communities
    The coalition Government is providing more financial support to drought-stricken farmers and growers in many parts of the country to help with essential living costs. “Rural Assistance Payments have been made available in 38 districts affected by dry conditions to help eligible farmers and growers whose income has taken a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Job seekers to report on progress after six months from today
    A new requirement for people on Jobseeker Support benefits to meet with MSD after six months to assess how their job search is going gets underway today. About 20,000 Jobseeker beneficiaries with full-time work obligations are expected to attend MSD’s new ‘Work check-in’ seminars over the next 12 months, Social ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • New cops means more Police on the beat
    The decision to deploy more Police on the beat in Auckland CBD has been welcomed by Police Minister Mark Mitchell and Associate Police Minister Casey Costello. Starting from 1 July, an additional 21 police officers will be redeployed in Auckland City, bringing the total number of beat police in the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Government takes action to address youth crime
    The Government is introducing a new declaration for young offenders to ensure they face tougher consequences and are better supported to turn their lives around, Children’s Minister Karen Chhour announced today. The establishment of a Young Serious Offender declaration delivers on a coalition Government commitment and supports the Government’s target ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Reserve Bank chair reappointed
    Professor Neil Quigley has been reappointed as Chair of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Board for a further term of two years, until 30 June 2026.  “Professor Quigley has played a key role in establishing the new Board after the commencement of the new RBNZ Act on 1 July ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • School attendance increases
    School attendance data released today shows an increase in the number of students regularly attending school to 61.7 per cent in term one. This compares to 59.5 per cent in term one last year and 53.6 per cent in term four. “It is encouraging to see more children getting to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Record investment in public transport services
    The Government has announced a record 41 per cent increase in indicative funding for public transport services and operations, and confirmed the rollout of the National Ticketing Solution (NTS) that will enable contactless debit and credit card payments starting this year in Auckland, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“This Government is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • GDP data shows need to strengthen and grow the economy
    GDP figures for the March quarter reinforce the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.  Data released today by Stats NZ shows GDP has risen 0.2 per cent for the quarter to March.   “While today’s data is technically in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Women continue to make up over 50 per cent on public sector boards
    Women’s representation on public sector boards and committees has reached 50 per cent or above for the fourth consecutive year, with women holding 53.9 per cent of public sector board roles, Acting Minister for Women Louise Upston says. “This is a fantastic achievement, but the work is not done. To ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government supporting Māori business success
    The Coalition Government is supporting Māori to boost development and the Māori economy through investment in projects that benefit the regions, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones and Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka say. “As the Regional Development Minister, I am focused on supporting Māori to succeed. The Provincial Growth Fund ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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