The surplus lie

Written By: - Date published: 10:30 am, May 14th, 2015 - 68 comments
Categories: bill english, budget 2015, economy, john key, national - Tags: , ,

(Originally posted at Boots Theory)

Andrew Little delivered his pre-Budget speech in Wellington yesterday, and the pullquote everyone’s talking about was some seriously no-nonsense stuff:

…[National’s] promise was clear. Their good economic stewardship would see us in surplus.

And now they’ve abandoned their promise.

National’s talk now is about how achieving surplus was an “artificial target” and that getting a surplus is “like landing a 747 on the head of a pin.” A lot of effort has gone into glossing over the broken promise. But I see it for what it is – one of the biggest political deceptions in a lifetime.

You can quibble the semantics, of course – is it not really a lie if Treasury figures predicted we’d be in surplus? Or is it still a lie because Treasury’s predictions are often laughably optimistic and wrong (when National is in power, anyway)? But come on, whose word can we rely on regarding the Budget if not Treasury’s?

The room to quibble is what makes it a lie.

Balancing a government budget is nothing like balancing a chequebook, and not just because ordinary citizens can’t print their own money at will. There are so many moving parts, so many tricks, so many points which can be manipulated ever so slightly

That’s why it was ridiculous for Bill English to say even a $1 surplus would count as “significant“. When you’re managing nearly $100 billion in revenue and spending, there’s infinite room to tinker. You can make all kinds of assumptions about how much tax will be collected. And we’ve seen the tinkering: the delay in lowering ACC levies. The interest-free “loan” to the NZTA which conveniently counts as an asset, not spending. The assumed cuts to EQC’s insurance liabilities.

The lie isn’t really about whether-we-achieve-surplus or whether-we-don’t. The lie is everything that National’s constant promises of surplus implies: that a surplus is objectively good; that a surplus proves their superior economic management abilities (but a deficit is all Labour’s fault; they had nine long years to deliver surpluses for Bill English); that a surplus proves things are back on track, the economy is doing fine, things can’t be that bad – so obviously inequality’s a myth, there’s no housing bubble, Christchurch is hunky-dory, we don’t need state houses or workers’ rights or any of that rubbish, and if you’re very, very good you’ll get jam tax cuts tomorrow.

A surplus proves National are right about everything.

That’s the lie we’ve been sold, time and time again, by this government. And given the harm it has done and is doing to the New Zealanders who can’t afford a first home, much less an investment property, who can’t find secure employment or buy the kids a new pair of winter shoes, who are living in cars and queuing for foodbanks at 3am – I don’t think it’s too strong to call it one of the biggest political deceptions of our lifetime.

68 comments on “The surplus lie ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Enough is Enough 1
    14 May 2015 at 10:56 am

    You are correct that the lie is everything that National’s constant promises of surplus implies.

    You can always spot a simpleton. He is the one who assesses the success of a government by saying a surplus means good, a deficit means bad.

    When an economy is struggling, tax take falls so it is absolutely necessary to run a deficit to maintain the same level of expenditure. That is the correct thing to do. The government can borrow cheap cash so that the wider economy does not suffer as much as it otherwise would.

    Likewise when the economy is firing it is the correct to run a large surplus so as to take money out of the system and not over cook the economy.

    The Nats don’t quite get that though. The fucking idiots cut taxes for the rich at the depth of the GFC.

    • Colonial Rawshark 1.1
      14 May 2015 at 11:15 am

      The NATs have access to monetary and economic expertise as good if not better than Labour does. The difference is that the NATs are gutsy and unrepentant at using that expertise to benefit their core constituencies.

      • Draco T Bastard 1.1.1
        14 May 2015 at 2:26 pm

        The NATs have access to monetary and economic expertise as good if not better than Labour does.

        To be honest, I don’t think that’s true. What they have is access to better and better funded PR to promote their ideology of enriching the already rich.

        • Liberal Realist 1.1.1.1
          14 May 2015 at 5:57 pm

          +1. Nailed it.

          You did leave out #DirtyPolitics but I guess that could be considered ‘PR’, I bet that’s how the Nats would think.

    • Draco T Bastard 1.2
      14 May 2015 at 2:22 pm

      The government can borrow cheap cash so that the wider economy does not suffer as much as it otherwise would.

      Even better, the government can create money and doesn’t have to borrow at all.

      Likewise when the economy is firing it is the correct to run a large surplus so as to take money out of the system and not over cook the economy.

      And taking money out of the system is what taxes are for.

      The Nats don’t quite get that though. The fucking idiots cut taxes for the rich at the depth of the GFC.

      The Nats don’t get economics and the flow of money and resources at all.

  2. Colonial Rawshark 2
    14 May 2015 at 11:13 am

    The second biggest NZ political deception of a lifetime is Labour claiming that our country cannot afford to keep the retirement age at 65. Money is created electronically by keystrokes by the Reserve Bank. How can we run out of money to pay super at 65?

    [Stephanie: this is really off topic. Please take any discussion about the superannuation age to Open Mike.]

    • Murray Simmonds 2.1
      14 May 2015 at 12:31 pm

      “The Lie” – about achieving a surplus – or not as the case may be – was never really about good economic management. It was all about setting up an economic framework within which National policy could be unquestionably implemented. Policy like welfare cuts – “-because thats whats needed to achieve a surplus.”

      Policy like ignoring underpriveliged schoolkids while promoting charter schools and other forms of privatisation “-because thats whats needed to achieve a surplus.”

      The bullshit frmework of ‘the need to achieve a surplus’ was set up to provide a framework within which the Gnats could push the neoliberal agenda – there’s nothing more than that to it.

    • Colonial Rawshark 2.2
      14 May 2015 at 12:35 pm

      The lie is everything that National’s constant promises of surplus implies: that a surplus is objectively good; that a surplus proves their superior economic management abilities

      My comment is that Labour pushes the same narrative for themselves. It is about politicians lying through their teeth about the nation’s future fiscal state, and Labour telling the public that we need to cut back on Super to avoid future deficits because of the goodness and importance of surpluses.

      This is a very close parallel to your post.

      • Kiwiri 2.2.1
        14 May 2015 at 10:56 pm

        Interesting.

        A general question here.

        Where do issues about the retirement age and superannuation sit in the scheme of thinking about the Labour’s Future of Work Commission? Push out the retirement age further, introduce means-testing, make changes to superannuation arrangements, etc etc?

        Not sure who I am directing this to, perhaps it is a rhetorical question, but I will ponder on that. I hope the more knowledgeable and sharper ones here will be able to put forward some really good ideas that are consistent with the Labour Party’s democratic socialist principles.

  3. Puckish Rogue 3
    14 May 2015 at 11:21 am

    “I don’t think it’s too strong to call it one of the biggest political deceptions of our lifetime.”

    – Well it’d be behind Rogernomics and Helen Clarks election rort possibly even Ruth Richardsons MOABs

    • Crashcart 3.1
      14 May 2015 at 11:36 am

      Can’t disagree with those. Although I would add in John Key saying they wouldn’t increase GST or that ACC was financially in trouble and then last budget saying they couldn’t lower ACC levies.

    • Tracey 3.2
      14 May 2015 at 3:37 pm

      “one of…”

    • b waghorn 3.3
      14 May 2015 at 4:39 pm

      The hardcase thing I’ve noticed about you little key lovers is that none of you are saying keys surplus promise isn’t a deception you are only arguing about how dig a deception it is . so at what level do you sycophants say I’ve had enough of creepykeys lies.

  4. dukeofurl 4
    14 May 2015 at 11:58 am

    remember the ‘chewing gum’ tax cut from labour. – around 2005 ?

    national laughed that it was such a ‘small amount’ and there didnt have ‘any certainity’ when it would occur.

    Who’s laughing now ?

    • Rob 4.1
      14 May 2015 at 2:51 pm

      Well actually it was Winston Peters that brought the name “chewing gum” budget, he even brought in a pack of gum into question time to prove the point.

  5. SHG 5
    14 May 2015 at 12:09 pm

    I don’t think it’s too strong to call it one of the biggest political deceptions of our lifetime

    Am I the only person who thinks that sounds batshit crazy?

    WMDs in Iraq, Ukraine independence, Indonesia in East Timor, Iran Contra, Chilean junta… NZ failing to achieve a budget surplus. Yep, right up there.

    • te reo putake 5.1
      14 May 2015 at 12:12 pm

      Yeah, nice diversion. Meanwhile, here in NZ …

      • SHG 5.1.1
        14 May 2015 at 12:13 pm

        Pointing out that the the parent article’s conclusion is – what’s the word I’m looking for? oh yeah, INSANE – is hardly a diversion.

        • te reo putake 5.1.1.1
          14 May 2015 at 12:23 pm

          The fact that you don’t understand the conclusion doesn’t make you insane, SHG. It just makes you look sad.

        • adam 5.1.1.2
          14 May 2015 at 12:25 pm

          Does not context mean anything to you SHG?

          Cherry picking any piece out of context, and you can make it look bat shit crazy. Just look at the Herald on almost a daily bases.

          So your point is SHG? Because if you look at in broad strokes – sure, and cheery picking it – definitely – but within context – your point is?

        • Colonial Rawshark 5.1.1.3
          14 May 2015 at 12:30 pm

          Agree with you SHG – the deceit around the surplus (and what a surplus means) is major: but first world book keeping problems are nothing on the scale of some of the other issues you have mentioned.

          • Clemgeopin 5.1.1.3.1
            14 May 2015 at 1:36 pm

            It is still a major deception to fool the people continually for seven years.
            You are sounding like a mouth piece of key, English or of some right wing outfit in the constant opposition you are showing against Labour and Little.

            • SHG 5.1.1.3.1.1
              14 May 2015 at 2:34 pm

              So say English is failing to deliver on his predictions as a Finance Minister. Say that the National govt is breaking pre-election promises. Great. Then everyone can have a debate over whether or not it happened, if it did whether it was controllable or not, whatever.

              Saying “one of the biggest political deceptions of our lifetime” just makes normal sane people turn off. It makes them go “ok, crazy Labour is crazy, come back when you’ve calmed down”.

              • Colonial Rawshark …
                14 May 2015 at 4:19 pm

                Saying “one of the biggest political deceptions of our lifetime” just makes normal sane people turn off. It makes them go “ok, crazy Labour is crazy, come back when you’ve calmed down”.

                I guess the lefty Thorndon Bubble set sincerely thinks that it really is one of the biggest political deceptions of our lifetime.

          • Peter Richards 5.1.1.3.2
            25 May 2015 at 1:51 pm

            And this comes from the man who thinks money grows on keystrokes.

    • Matthew Hooton 5.2
      14 May 2015 at 3:50 pm

      It is certainly desperate.

      Lange and Prebble promising to “save rail”
      Cargill saying there was an $89m surplus in 1990 when there as a $4b deficit.
      Bolger saying surtax would go – “no ifs, no buts, no maybes”

      Just to name three.

      The PREFU said a small surplus was forecast, and that was signed off by the Treasury Secretary. It has turned out to be a small deficit, largely because of lower than expected inflation. That can be attacked as deeply embarrassingly for the govt, but it really isn’t a lie, and certainly not one of the worst political deceptions in a lifetime.

      The Fiscal Reaponsobility Act, now part of the Public Finance Act, means there really haven’t been any massive election lies since the numerous broken promises of 1990.

  6. esoteric pineapples 6
    14 May 2015 at 12:28 pm

    “I don’t think it’s too strong to call it one of the biggest political deceptions of our lifetime” – in normal (past) circumstances it would be but this government has provided so many examples of big political deceptions …….

  7. Clemgeopin 7
    14 May 2015 at 12:41 pm

    The lie is not so much that they are unable to produce any surplus for the last 7 years, but their bull shit each year that they have a ‘Rock Star Economy’ and lies they have been peddling each year and during the election campaign last year that they are on track to produce surplus until reversing the position just a few weeks before each budget.

    What Bill English is good at is DDD : Doube Dipping from Dipton.
    and
    What Key is good at is being bad for pony tails. TPPP : The Parnell Pony-Tail Puller.

    Good economic managers? Yeah, right! The buggers need a half hour economic management refresher course with Michael Cullen over some weekend after they have finished their usual dishing of their weekly does of spins, smiles and lies.

  8. phillip ure 8
    14 May 2015 at 12:42 pm

    “I don’t think it’s too strong to call it one of the biggest political deceptions of our lifetime”

    deserves a special egg-beater-award..

    (and as just one example -i wd pick/cite the clark labour govts’ ignoring/demonising/neglecting of the poorest – for nine long years..(and them a labour govt..(!)..and lab ’14 no better..eh..?..)..

    ..as making that accounting exercise unworthy of mention..

    ..and yeah..rogernomics..’nuff said..?..)

    and that little spent 75% of his speech over-acting his head off/vigorously weilding the beater..

    only shows how out of touch he/labour is with what really concerns most people..

    ..another example of the beltway having its’ head too far up its’
    own arse..

    • phillip ure 8.1
      14 May 2015 at 12:58 pm

      in fact it is redolent of the mindless point-scoring that comprises so much of questiontime in parliament..

      ..they do seem to gloat/shriek over the most trivial matters..

      ..and is largely both incomprehensible and irrelevant to most of us mug-punters..

      ..the big-questions..?..what really concerns us..?..not so much..eh..?..

  9. Stuart Munro 9
    14 May 2015 at 12:50 pm

    I’m not sure I’d want to call it a lie as such, Bill English’s inability to construct a surplus seems to stem from fundamental incapacity rather than clever deception – I guess his wife balances his cheque book for him too. But certainly the myth that National has anything other than freakishly incompetent and corrupt economic management is overdue for an overhaul.

  10. Molly 10
    14 May 2015 at 2:19 pm

    …” the delay in lowering ACC levies….”
    Being associated with a few people who have been fighting for ACC support over the last few years, we need to reframe the ACC issue.

    Instead of demanding a reduction in levies, we need to be advocating for a return of full service levels to those who have to use ACC.

    This delay is deliberate – soon both progressives and conservatives will be howling for a reduction of levies, and when it takes place – ACC will be effectively gutted and of no use to NZ.

    Private health insurance anyone?

  11. ropata 11
    14 May 2015 at 3:18 pm

    The lies that sicken me the most were Key’s solemn promises to the disaster stricken communities of Westport and Canterbury in 2011. The government has done sweet FA to help the actual people most affected preferring to give handouts to big business instead

  12. Paul Campbell 12
    14 May 2015 at 4:29 pm

    What a silly metaphor – of course a surplus can be everything > $0, it’s an enourmous range – half of infinity – the correct quote should be “like landing a 747 on the other side of a pin.” – unless the true goal was to break even, rather than start paying down all the debt National has built up over the past 2 and a bit terms, it should be pretty easy to tell ifr you have a surplus or no

    • felix 12.1
      14 May 2015 at 6:28 pm

      Yes exactly, it’s utter insanity.

      And he says these things in rooms FULL of journalists, and not one of them blinks.

  13. Nic the NZer 13
    14 May 2015 at 5:44 pm

    The constant carping on about government surplus is counter productive for the left. If by some miracle the next government is a left wing one, then in order to implement their program it will be necessary for the new government to run an extended (if not perpetual) period of government deficits. In reality this is not a problem, just as its not a problem for the current government to post deficits until the economy is doing much better in general (or even indefinitely). Having got in on the back of criticizing the current governments failure to post a surplus, that is going to look bloody foolish.

    Any government with left wing programs will need to expand substantially government spending and the deficit as a result. Stop carping on about the surplus and start explaining to people that the surplus is a purely political point scoring exercise, which is having substantial negative impacts on the country (e.g inability to deal with the housing bubble, inability to fund public sector programs such as education, health and public transport, inability to raise employment, inability to fund councils properly, over funding of ACC, sell offs of state assets leading to an inability to subsidize poorer users of those programs who need them).

    • Stuart Munro 13.1
      14 May 2015 at 6:08 pm

      The inability to produce the promised surplus seven years in a row is a convenient example of the Key junta’s manifest unfitness to govern.

      • Colonial Rawshark 13.1.1
        14 May 2015 at 9:50 pm

        Seriously? Key and English could produce a surplus tomorrow. Increase GST, a regressive tax, to 17.5%. Freeze hospital and education budgets. Drop 5% of all beneficiaries off the rolls. Cut back another year of the student allowance.

        There you go, you have your much vaunted surplus. Happy now?

        • Kiwiri 13.1.1.1
          14 May 2015 at 10:47 pm

          Nic the NZer and Colonial Rawshark:

          +1,000,000

          Thanks

        • Stuart Munro 13.1.1.2
          15 May 2015 at 11:07 am

          By no means. Could have would have should have didn’t and probably never will. They deserve to be punished for their surplus lie at every opportunity.

          • Colonial Rawshark 13.1.1.2.1
            15 May 2015 at 11:25 am

            NZers don’t care about the “surplus lie.” Only the Thorndon Bubble does.

            And I think looking at what has been going on in the UK, Greece and Spain, a lot of Kiwis understand that forcing a surplus on a country means forcing austerity on a country.

            It’s concerning that the Labour Party prioritises government running a surplus as a good thing because it signals a fundamental economic misunderstanding. Government needs to run a deficit unless it wants to force the private sector into deficit.

    • Bill 13.2
      14 May 2015 at 6:37 pm

      Wholeheartedly agree Nic the NZer.

      A surplus built on the backs of the poor isn’t something that anyone should be supportive of.

      Paint. Corner. Door. I think that Labour and sections of the left might want to consider where they’re going with this.

    • REdBaronCV 13.3
      14 May 2015 at 6:40 pm

      The other way to balance a budget is to take a larger chunk of tax out of the well off, offshore interests, resource interests etc. No govt disaster there.

      • Colonial Rawshark 13.3.1
        15 May 2015 at 11:28 am

        Yes, but electorally we’d need to be in a place where a political party was willing to tax harder higher incomes, financial assets, financial transactions and the capital value of multi-million dollar commercial and residential property.

        Is there any political party in NZ willing to do that? Nope, in fact its not even on the agenda anywhere.

        • RedBaronCV 13.3.1.1
          16 May 2015 at 3:18 pm

          I don’t know that I would put it too overtly on any agenda maybe something like “working people need their share ” “not offshore interests”

  14. Liberal Realist 14
    14 May 2015 at 6:16 pm

    ” I don’t think it’s too strong to call it one of the biggest political deceptions of our lifetime.”

    How about Key promising to resign if the GCSB was found to be undertaking mass surveillance of New Zealanders? ‘Full take’, ‘mass collection’, what ever Key wants to call it, in the Pacific most certainly would have included Kiwi’s living and working in these countries. Therefor Key broke (another) promise & continued the ongoing deception.

    If Key’s statements around this time were not deception, what is? IMO this is/was much bigger than the repeated surplus lie.

  15. Bill 15
    14 May 2015 at 6:29 pm

    NZ wants a surplus? Okay, whatever.

    Why though, is all the debate about creating a surplus allowed to smother any talk of the stuff mentioned in the last paragraph of the post?

    Do we really want a surplus if it’s to come at the cost of kids and their parents living in fcking penury? How about, as a society, we concentrate on equality and fairness and to hell with notions of surplus until those things are achieved….at which point it’ll be relatively painless to produce a surplus?

    It’s not the promise of a surplus that’s the lie to my mind, so much as the elevation of its attainment above, and at the cost of, so much that should be considered to be just basic social decency.

    High time for New Zealand to demand a change in priorities methinks.

  16. srylands 16
    14 May 2015 at 9:41 pm

    Dicks

  17. Reddelusion 17
    14 May 2015 at 10:16 pm

    How about Helen Clark speed gate, painter gate pledge card, how about roger Douglas, how about biribing students to win an election, how about middle class welfare working for families that we can’t now ween ourselves off, how about voters don’t lie, how about bleeding hypocrites

  18. Red delusion 18
    15 May 2015 at 7:47 am

    Exactly grant, this site try’s to pretend otherwise with holier than though attitude

    • Crashcart 18.1
      15 May 2015 at 8:07 am

      “This site” has many contributors and if you had taken the time to read the responses to the original post many people on “this site” think the statement made by Little was too much Hyperbole.

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • 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
    5 hours 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
    6 hours 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
    8 hours 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
    8 hours 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
    11 hours 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
    12 hours 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
    16 hours 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 day 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 day 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 day 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 day 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
    2 days ago

  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
    Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector.    "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
    The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
    Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
    Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.   Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ ties
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.  During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Antarctica New Zealand Board appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has made further appointments to the Board of Antarctica New Zealand as part of a continued effort to ensure the Scott Base Redevelopment project is delivered in a cost-effective and efficient manner.  The Minister has appointed Neville Harris as a new member of the Board. Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Finance Minister travels to Washington DC
    Finance Minister Nicola Willis will travel to the United States on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Five Finance Ministers group, with counterparts from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.  “I am looking forward to meeting with our Five Finance partners on how we can work ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Pet bonds a win/win for renters and landlords
    The coalition Government has today announced purrfect and pawsitive changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to give tenants with pets greater choice when looking for a rental property, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Pets are important members of many Kiwi families. It’s estimated that around 64 per cent of New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being considered
    State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the Government has also asked NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to consider and provide advice on a Long Tunnel option, Transport Minister Simeon Brown ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • New Zealand condemns Iranian strikes
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel.    “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says.    "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plans
    Hundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand Chair
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board.   “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti.  “I have asked her to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Roads of National Significance planning underway
    The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Navigating an unstable global environment
    New Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States.    “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • NZ welcomes Australian Governor-General
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Pseudoephedrine back on shelves for Winter
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced that Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Pharmaceutical suppliers have indicated they may be able to supply the first products in June. “This is much earlier than the original expectation of medicines being available by 2025. The Government recognised ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • NZ and the US: an ever closer partnership
    New Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Joint US and NZ declaration
    April 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • NZ and US to undertake further practical Pacific cooperation
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced further New Zealand cooperation with the United States in the Pacific Islands region through $16.4 million in funding for initiatives in digital connectivity and oceans and fisheries research.   “New Zealand can achieve more in the Pacific if we work together more urgently and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Government redress for Te Korowai o Wainuiārua
    The Government is continuing the bipartisan effort to restore its relationship with iwi as the Te Korowai o Wainuiārua Claims Settlement Bill passed its first reading in Parliament today, says Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith. “Historical grievances of Te Korowai o Wainuiārua relate to 19th century warfare, land purchased or taken ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Focus on outstanding minerals permit applications
    New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals is working to resolve almost 150 outstanding minerals permit applications by the end of the financial year, enabling valuable mining activity and signalling to the sector that New Zealand is open for business, Resources Minister Shane Jones says.  “While there are no set timeframes for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Applications open for NZ-Ireland Research Call
    The New Zealand and Irish governments have today announced that applications for the 2024 New Zealand-Ireland Joint Research Call on Agriculture and Climate Change are now open. This is the third research call in the three-year Joint Research Initiative pilot launched in 2022 by the Ministry for Primary Industries and Ireland’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Tenancy rules changes to improve rental market
    The coalition Government has today announced changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to encourage landlords back to the rental property market, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “The previous Government waged a war on landlords. Many landlords told us this caused them to exit the rental market altogether. It caused worse ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Boosting NZ’s trade and agricultural relationship with China
    Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay will visit China next week, to strengthen relationships, support Kiwi exporters and promote New Zealand businesses on the world stage. “China is one of New Zealand’s most significant trade and economic relationships and remains an important destination for New Zealand’s products, accounting for nearly 22 per cent of our good and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Freshwater farm plan systems to be improved
    The coalition Government intends to improve freshwater farm plans so that they are more cost-effective and practical for farmers, Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay have announced. “A fit-for-purpose freshwater farm plan system will enable farmers and growers to find the right solutions for their farm ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • New Fast Track Projects advisory group named
    The coalition Government has today announced the expert advisory group who will provide independent recommendations to Ministers on projects to be included in the Fast Track Approvals Bill, say RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones. “Our Fast Track Approval process will make it easier and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Pacific and Gaza focus of UN talks
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters says his official talks with the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York today focused on a shared commitment to partnering with the Pacific Islands region and a common concern about the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.    “Small states in the Pacific rely on collective ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-04-18T09:21:17+00:00