The report of our death has been grossly exaggerated

Written By: - Date published: 12:34 pm, August 31st, 2023 - 44 comments
Categories: election 2023, greens, labour, maori party, polls - Tags: ,

A bit of fluttering on twitter recently as an apparently leaked Labour internal poll shows good news for the left. The figures here from twitter account 120Aotearoa.

That’s a National/Act/NZ First government, assuming that Winston Peters isn’t lying when he says NZ First have categorically ruled out a coalition or confidence and supply agreement with Labour. Either NZF getting 5% = a right wing government, or NZF getting 5% means a liar in a centrist, climate fudging, poverty tinkering government, just not as bad as the other lot.

How is that good news for the left? I ran the figures through the MMP seat allocation calculator. Moving just 1.2% of NZF’s party vote to Labour means the left gets to form government. This is what it looks like,

That’s a Labour/Greens/Te Pāti Māori government. Bonus is that NZF stay out of parliament.

I don’t have a political science background so take all this with a grain of salt. I do however understand a lot about fighting from the underdog position and central in that is that you just don’t give up when things appear bad. You also understand the power of framing and narrative.

My view on polls is that they’re basically a game that the MSM and political parties play in order to influence elections. They piss me off and I wish we would ban them, but I expect that would create another set of problems as parties continued with their internal polling which would inevitably be leaked.

But the way that polls get reported doesn’t serve us or democracy well. MSM headlines still frequently report on Labour or National as if MMP doesn’t exist. And predicting election results from a single poll is a nonsense.

The polls this year appear to be a bit chaotic, but remember, they’re a snapshot of a particular segment of the population over a week or two. They’re not election results.

We can follow the trend instead. Here’s the wikipedia entry on Opinion polling for the 2023 New Zealand general election, but again, there are technical issues here that aren’t particularly well understood by the general public (myself included).

That big downward trend in the red line is the readjustment from the unusually high vote in the first year of the pandemic that gave Labour an outright majority (the first time under MMP).

Here is the polling trend from the 2017 election when everyone was sure Labour were going to lose. They went on to form government.

The point here isn’t to hope for another Jacinda Ardern. It’s that we never know what can happen and we should be out there giving the left the best chance we can.

The election isn’t over, by any means. It’s tight and as James Shaw is saying repeatedly, it may come down to a few thousand votes. The stories we tell about the election and polling affect the end result.

Now is not the time to give up, now is the time to work harder at winning.

It’s also not the time to be telling people that the left has lost the election. *Looks hard at the father of Waitakere man who apparently wants the left to lose the election* No, I’m not linking to that utter fucking insanity.

Don’t share defeatist bollocks. It tells swing, undecided and habitual non-voters to not bother voting left.

More good news in that leaked poll is that the Greens’ increased vote appears to be holding, and is higher than ACT. In this poll that happened with both Labour and Green increases, which is exactly what we want. More left wing voters shifting from Labour to Green, and more centre and swing voters coming to Labour. In 2020 the Greens got 7.9% of the vote and 10 MPs. If they get 12% on election day, that’s 15 Green MPs. No reason why it can’t be more.

What I’m doing here is presenting a narrative of how we can win. This is more important than attachment to our predictions. I don’t know who will win the election, but I know that it’s still possible for that to be the left. It’s a very tight election, no-one know who will win, and I think we should be looking at the motivations of people making predictions and asking what purpose they serve.

In addition to the prominent issues like the cost of living crisis, people want to vote for competency, the winning team. Talking about how the centre left can govern well despite the limitations matters. Talking about what a good result looks like matters. Here’s my preference,


44 comments on “The report of our death has been grossly exaggerated ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. weka 1
    31 August 2023 at 12:40 pm

    post script. Even if we lose the election, we are much better off with as many MPs as we can get. Oppositions are important part of our democracy, let's make sure we are a strong one if it comes to that.

  2. Roy Cartland 2
    31 August 2023 at 12:46 pm

    Thanks so much Weka! This is the post I've been waiting for!

    Not to mention that young people and Māori, PI and other non-white middlers don't answer polls and will outnumber boomers this year.

    Don't believe the idiotic right wing predictions, theyalways predict the Left's demise and are wrong more often than not. I reckon we've got this.

    • weka 2.1
      31 August 2023 at 12:48 pm

      💚

      great point about those who don't answer polls!

      The right will go hard on the loser narrative. Would be nice if the left didn't shoot itself in the foot likewise.

  3. Patricia Bremner 3
    31 August 2023 at 12:59 pm

    Yes belief is totally important to counter the fear the right engender.

  4. KJT 4
    31 August 2023 at 1:34 pm

    Actually horrifying that the direction of the country, and the policies enacted by our "Rotating Dictatorship", regardless of the individual policies supported by a majority, may hinge on a few thousand votes on the day.

    Yet another indication that we do not, in fact, have a Democracy!

    • weka 4.1
      31 August 2023 at 1:38 pm

      a poor form of democracy for sure.

      So one narrative might go: imagine Greens/Te Pāti Māori getting 20 MPs and Labour getting 41. Then next election the left bloc have 30 MPs and Labour has 31. MMP can be improved and we need the MMP era parties to grow to counter balance the old FPP parties. And Peters out of parliament.

      • Roy Cartland 4.1.1
        31 August 2023 at 2:01 pm

        That's exactly right. Labour needs taking down a peg, given they do nothing fast when they're in, and we're out of time. A LP, GP and TPM alliance would be just the ticket. The minors to demand policy and the old LP to know how to make it happen

        • gsays 4.1.1.1
          31 August 2023 at 5:40 pm

          I'm with you on this.

          It reminds me of the cartoon where someone is warned that the dog might hurt you.

          They ask will it bite me? Then the dog says "Winston wasn't the reason for the lack of progressive policies from Labour." Yes, it is from two elections ago but the point remains.

          It would be good for them to sit on the sidelines or as an equal partner with GP and TPM as they show how to govern, reduce inequality, bring the citizenry with them and demonstrate what it looks like to stand for something.

    • Law 4.2
      2 September 2023 at 9:19 pm

      Actually an indicator that we do …

  5. Roy Cartland 5
    31 August 2023 at 2:03 pm

    How likely is it that LP would side with the Natz to block any serious attempt at radical reform? Serious question.

    Mickey? Ad? Is this where it's at or…?

  6. Psyclingleft.Always 6
    31 August 2023 at 2:04 pm

    Don’t share defeatist bollocks. It tells swing, undecided and habitual non-voters to not bother voting left.

    Absolutely. There have been a few on The Standard just…giving up .

    Waving white flags !. So as to somehow "punish" Labour ?. News for those people…its we..who will suffer under NAct. Those at the lower end. And Kids.

    I reckon…Fight Back. Right through..and beyond !

  7. That_guy 7
    31 August 2023 at 2:16 pm

    I'm not giving up, but I do want to thread a needle: want Labour to get walloped, but also want a centre-left government.

    Appreciate this post.

  8. SPC 8
    31 August 2023 at 2:23 pm

    Green Campaign strategy

    1. Tenants

    Stress the 3% rent increase cap, and use National opposition to it as evidence that National does not really believe that rents will come down if they apply their pro landlord policy (easy removal of tenants and $2B reduction in tax via restoring the mortgage payment as a cost against rent income).

    This because of their high migration policy pushing up demand for housing and their encouragement of building high value property for sale to foreigners over stock for rent or local first home buyers.

    Highlight National's

    a-easy removal of tenants – allow sale after 2 years without any brightline CG test

    b-high trust model for landlord compliance with rental standards

    2. Workers

    Better MW increases and Fair Pay Agreement offers hope of wage increases each year.

    3. Public Transport

    More of it, cheaper and support for e bikes etc.

    4. Housing

    Grants to upgrade etc. More for public housing.

    5. Global Warming Action

    It's to support the value of a Labour-Green government, rather than focus on their failure to act on wealth/progressive taxation.

  9. Tricledrown 9
    31 August 2023 at 2:27 pm

    Nationals tax cuts are ten times more complicated than free prescriptions and no GST on vegetables.Right wing Pundits like Sean Plunkett reckon National's tax cuts are unfair and unworkable only benefitting the very wealthy.The Average family wage $120,000 is not what the average family earn maybe 20% of families earn.near or more than that those averages are skewed by a few high income earners dragging that mystical average well above the median average family income of around $70,000 or less.National have made a major blunder not dragging in the swing voter with a few crumbs off the table.

    • SPC 9.1
      31 August 2023 at 2:39 pm

      Yeah Na.

      You have to exclude singles (students, new workers) and those on super when assessing the average (mean) or median family income.

      https://figure.nz/chart/6o5WkemBDJKlHjP2

      The next issue is the 3 part category of family.

      Sole parent families, one income (two parent) and two income families.

      The median for a worker (40 hour week) is now over $60,000 – which is where the two income family at $120,000 comes from.

      • Tricledrown 9.1.1
        31 August 2023 at 3:38 pm

        SPC the mean average family income is correct not 2 figures just added together. When you look closer to the stats nz numbers per income bracket most NZ families earn much less the median average is still very high unless you take the 3.65% who are earning over $200,000 out of the equation then the median average falls to a median family income of around $70,000 or less. National are only in it for those families earning high I comes .Trying to fool those few swi g voters while leaving the great unwashed with nothing but increased cost's .

        • SPC 9.1.1.1
          31 August 2023 at 3:53 pm

          The median is not the mean – mean is the average.

          Look at the link provided.

          But note those figures are for all households

        • Belladonna 9.1.1.2
          31 August 2023 at 5:41 pm

          That's the benefit of using the 'median' rather than the 'mean' (average) in this kind of analysis – it enables you to automatically discount any particularly high (or particularly low) results – since they don't affect the 'middle' figure. You simply take the total number of ranked results, divide in half, and that result number in your table is your median figure.

          • Roy Cartland 9.1.1.2.1
            2 September 2023 at 6:43 pm

            They may even try to use the mode, or a modal band. That is, the brand with the greatest number of individuals, becoming the average.

            That would girls a vastly lower income that any unrepresentative mean.

    • KJT 9.2
      31 August 2023 at 3:45 pm

      50% by definition ,are below the median.

  10. SPC 10
    31 August 2023 at 2:29 pm

    As for Labour ….

    If only they were to decide to match National's moves on the IETC – expand its value and range. As National did when matching Labour’s WFF tax credit.

    Gathering money from

    1. an online gambling tax
    2. a stamp duty on buying of houses over $2m (remember when John Key's brightline test went from 2 to 5 to 10 years).
    3. a new company tax for highly profitable businesses (oligarchy/monopoly) – such as banks and supermarkets and comms (spark etc) – based on the US model (before Trump they had a progressive rate for companies).
  11. Kat 11
    31 August 2023 at 5:45 pm

    National already believe they have the election in the bag. The opposition campaign war chest is overflowing from corporates, real estate companies, rich lister's, fed farmers to name a few. The writing is on the wall as to who will benefit the most and who and what will wither if National/Act make it across the line in October.

    Anyone with a brain can see that Nationals tax proposals are not just seriously flawed but cynical blatant election bribery, however according to Jessica@6pm.news its "good politics. The mainstream media appears to revel in the prospect of political mayhem.

    The left have to be mobilised……mentally, spiritually and yes…..physically. Votes, or lack of them, are what will decide the election for the left.

    • Anne 11.1
      31 August 2023 at 6:55 pm

      Luxon is copying the Muldoon playbook. Back in 1975 the big issue was superannuation. Labour produced a pay as you go scheme in 1973/74 which was going to take 20 years to come to full fruition. Its value was to provide sustained fiscal certainty well into the future as well as ensuring retirees enjoyed a retirement free of financial hardship.

      National under Muldoon came up with a state sponsored scheme which pandered to the greed of those drawing close to retirement. They voted for him in huge numbers and we have been paying the price ever since.

      Just like Muldoon, who Luxon once claimed to have been the PM he admired the most, his motivation is personal. He wants to be PM for the sake of it and imo not for any true altruistic reasons.

      • Kat 11.1.1
        31 August 2023 at 7:39 pm

        Yes remember well those 'dancing cossacks'…….

      • gsays 11.1.2
        31 August 2023 at 8:23 pm

        It's funny you mention that era of NZ politics.

        There are similarities with where Labour are at in that, the leader (Bill Rowling) following a very popular and charismatic leader (Norm Kirk) is struggling to emerge from their shadow and stamp their mark.

        From Wiki:

        " He was serving as Minister of Finance (1972–1974) when he was appointed Prime Minister following the death of the highly popular Norman Kirk. His Labour Government's effort to retrieve the economy ended with an upset victory by the National Party in November 1975. Rowling continued to lead the Labour Party but lost two more general elections.

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

        • Anne 11.1.2.1
          31 August 2023 at 8:52 pm

          Under MMP he would have won them. Labour actually polled more votes but the FPP system was flawed. Rural electorates whilst they covered more terrain had smaller populations than their urban counterparts.

          Labour really was the under-dog in those days.

          • DS 11.1.2.1.1
            1 September 2023 at 2:38 am

            Under MMP, the winner of 1978 and 1981 would be decided by Social Credit.

            Rural electorates did not have a smaller population. The problem was that Labour's vote was more concentrated. The Maori seats (acting as a pro-National gerrymander) did not help.

        • Kat 11.1.2.2
          31 August 2023 at 8:57 pm

          Ha! Bill was a nice chap, too nice to get down and dirty with that pugnacious bully Muldoon who once said Rowling was a 'shiver waiting for a spine to run up'.

          Hipkins is in a very different league, he is not backward in coming forward, there is no one in the opposition that is anywhere near his level of political nous, which will become clearly evident during the campaign.

          • Anne 11.1.2.2.1
            31 August 2023 at 10:45 pm

            Indeed he was a nice chap. He treated everybody equally… from the Departmental heads to the cleaners. He died of a brain tumour in his late 60s. He was never afforded the respect he deserved largely because of Muldoon's spiteful belittlement of him.

            • Ray 11.1.2.2.1.1
              3 September 2023 at 9:21 am

              He was more than just a nice chap. He kept the neo-liberal faction (Douglas et al) under control. That’s why it was so important for them to replace him with Lange under whom they had free rein.

      • Blazer 11.1.3
        31 August 2023 at 9:11 pm

        I believe Luxon wants to be P.M to get a knighthood,just like his hero….Hatman.

        He doesn't need the ..money.

  12. Mike the Lefty 12
    31 August 2023 at 6:25 pm

    There will be a lot of bus and rail commuters who will be muttering nasty words about National and their plan to scrap most public transport subsidies.

    That's how you pay for tax cuts for the rich and the propertied class.

    National are trying to tell us that they are Robin Hoods, they are actually ROBBING hoods.

  13. Tony Veitch 13
    31 August 2023 at 7:02 pm

    Here's a prediction: the left's greatest asset is Christopher Luxon!

    At some stage during the election he will fuck up, probably during the tele debates – but he'll do it so publicly the voters will turn off from him and the Natz.

    Second greatest asset – the weird collection of misfits that constitute the Act party.

    We'll win, and win well.

    Frankly, we can't afford not to. For NZs sake!

  14. Patricia Bremner 14
    31 August 2023 at 8:53 pm

    I loved when on TV they asked a member of the public about Chris Hipkins winning.
    The young woman said "God I hope so, we love him."

  15. UncookedSelachimorpha 15
    31 August 2023 at 11:48 pm

    I've spent the last couple of days in the top of the South Island and in Wellington.

    ACT billboards are *everywhere*, with snappy slogans that will hook in some voters "End Race Based Division", "End Wasteful Spending" etc. Winston First is also prominent "Let's Take Back Our Country". All deceptive dog-whistling bullshit in my opinion, but will work for some.

    The few Green billboards I have seen all just say "Party Vote Green". Better than nothing, but basically empty of content and no message to hook voters. Why not "…for Free Dental Care" or "…for lower rents" etc?

    Obviously, there is a huge disparity in marketing budgets, but I think the Greens could do more to sell their policies.

    • Psyclingleft.Always 15.1
      1 September 2023 at 7:54 am

      In the Central (and lower?) Rural South, ACT are using "their" donation money with heaps of signs.

      Of course they have ol "glower face" Andrew Hoggard as an ex FedFarm Pres. Big…..presence.

      Apparently he didnt….

      https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/05/14/act-candidate-didnt-disclose-party-membership-during-govt-emissions-talks/

      Anyway….

      This mighty ACT presence might work against the Nats ? …

      Also, IMO most of the Farmers/Orchardist/Rural types around here….hate Labour and the Left in general. Thats a probably given for all of NZ.

      I've always wondered….there must only be a "number" of them…why doesnt the Worker vote….blow them away?

      Fear? Apathy? Other?

      Lets keep Fighting.

  16. Tiger Mountain 16
    1 September 2023 at 6:39 am

    Denial is little substitute for seasoned political analysis. Polls have long been recognised as both measurers (within various parameters) and creators of voter behaviour. So they are reasonably accurate for those that are reached or choose to answer. Those that lie or misrepresent their true intentions I guess only get found out later.

    I too hope for a win for TPM, Green and Labour as narrow as it would likely be, and will have a Green sign shortly, on our corner section. As I move around my community and talk to people I do my bit to encourage people to vote, and vote Green.

    It is not defeatism to point out that the Labour caucus queered the pitch with their inaction on tax. But I guess that has all been said now, so time to move on and try and achieve a TPM, Green, Labour Govt and defeat NActFirst.

  17. Patricia Bremner 17
    1 September 2023 at 10:12 am

    Why do we act as though our current Government has done nothing? 60 billion spent to deal with covid for starters. Is it because we want more in spite of that and won't admit how hard it is to get change accepted? Imagine that used differently.

    Conservative people hate change, and talk about "the natural order of things" when in general that is a class signal.

    This has become a class war.

    Under Key Unions were made unworkable though the Contracts Act and 90 day trials, while banks allowed people to borrow against their homes to become the new landed rich.

    The only Unions to stand firm were those in the Public Service Education and Health. As those Unions were still strong, they won decent rises. The rest are using the new gateways to organise.

    As this Government governs in turbulent times progress has been seemingly slow, as they had to deal with previously hollowed out services and all the calamities along the way.

    National have garnered huge wealth to fight this class war. Parker armed us with knowledge . 85 families own 311 billion of wealth. Now that was a shock. The gap is an abyss.

    So what do we do about that. We talk to people and give reasons why we need to close the abyss and give people hope. Together we are stronger.

    That won't happen with a few comfortable people getting $260 of the pie. It will happen if we share the pie by insisting those who are well off should contribute more ingredients to make more local pies to share.

    Fight Class Greedinlation wherever it is found. Speak up about $311 billion and where it is invested? Ask why a country with that degree of wealthy people doesn't have decent pipes? Who are these wealthy people? Are they Nationals Donor class?

    So why aren't we angry with them?

    How come over time they have been able to ring fence their wealth so they pay 9.4 cents aprox tax? Do they buy that protection? Is that what "keeping the natural order of things" is truly about?

    Come on the Left… aim at the true target here. Labour the Greens and Te Maori Party are up against more wealth than the Government holds, as they bought up our assets in the asset sales. Vote!! your vote is powerful.

    Weka this has been a bit hurried, as we have visitors coming today… but I have been mulling these ideas for a while now. Others may do better.

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • Taking action on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
    Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says.  “Every day, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    8 hours ago

  • New sports complex opens in Kaikohe
    Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    10 hours ago

  • Diplomacy needed more than ever
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges.    “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago

  • 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
    1 day 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
    2 days 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
    4 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
    1 week 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

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-04-27T07:33:04+00:00