Twyford reverses National’s flawed methamphetamine housing policy

Written By: - Date published: 6:29 am, December 9th, 2017 - 71 comments
Categories: Abuse of power, class war, drugs, housing, labour, national, phil twyford, same old national, the praiseworthy and the pitiful - Tags: ,

One of the stupidest most inhumane things the last Government did was to develop a tough on tenants policy regarding methamphetamine.  Not on cooks, but on people living in flats where minuscule traces of methamphetamine were found.  They were summarily evicted.  Bad enough that proof that they actually caused the methamphetamine traces to be present was not required but what made it really crazy was they misinterpreted and misapplied Department of Health data on what was a safe level of methamphetamine.

Belligerent beneficiary bashing combined with scientific illiteracy is a powerful combination.  And wrecked the lives of far too many people.  And they were told.

From Radio New Zealand a year ago:

Housing New Zealand has ignored repeated warnings from senior government officials that it is misusing methamphetamine contamination guidelines to evict its tenants.

The Ministry of Health has repeatedly told Housing New Zealand that its methamphetamine guidelines were to be applied only for the clean up of former meth labs, and were not intended to monitor homes where the drug has been smoked.

Yet hundreds of tenants have been evicted from their state homes, after Housing New Zealand detected tiny traces of methamphetamine in them, and are often made to pay tens of thousands of dollars in clean up fees.

The ministry has just published new guidelines saying meth can be found at three to four times higher than the level being used as a reason to evict tenants.

Drug Foundation executive director Ross Bell said Housing New Zealand had caused a huge amount of harm by knowingly misusing the guidelines.

“Housing New Zealand have evicted people out of HNZ homes, out of social housing, they have blacklisted these tenants for 12 months and they knew these guidelines were wrong,” Mr Bell said.

“What do they do with the tenants that they’ve evicted, what do they do with the tenants who have been blacklisted, what do they do with the tenants who have been given $20,000 -$40,000 clean up bills?

“What are Housing New Zealand now going to do?”

 

What a difference a change of government makes.  Now we have a Minister who understands the science, has human empathy and is also bewildered at the horrendous cost of methamphetamine testing that the last Government engaged in.  A Minister who met with Robert Erueti who has suffered from significant health problems after being evicted after minuscule traces of methamphetamine were found in his Housing Corporation Flat and who has had to sleep rough for periods of time.

Again from Radio New Zealand:

Hundreds of Housing New Zealand properties have been left empty and millions squandered on methamphetamine testing, Housing Minister Phil Twyford says.

Mr Twyford apologised on Checkpoint with John Campbell today for the treatment of a man who spent 58 weeks in emergency housing in a motel – costing the government $44,000, after traces of methamphetamine were found in his home.

Mr Twyford pledged to make changes to the existing regime.

Last night Checkpoint reported that Robert Erueti was evicted from his state house where he lived for more than 15 years in February last year.

Mr Twyford said yesterday Mr Erueti should never have been evicted from his HNZ home.

“I wanted to tell him that Housing New Zealand are changing their policy and they are moving to a new approach for dealing with this issue that I think is more compassionate and more considered.”

The minister said if methamphetamine traces were found now support, not eviction, would be the first approach.

“Over the last three years Housing New Zealand, on behalf of the tax payer, has spent $75 million on testing and remediating houses that are or were allegedly contaminated.”

Mr Twyford said this had left hundreds of properties empty.

“Some 900 properties have been left vacant in the middle of a housing crisis on the basis of a methamphetamine contamination standard that cannot distinguish between a place that is genuinely contaminated from the manufacture of methamphetamine, and would endanger the health of someone living in that house, and an infinitesimally small residue that would pose no risk.”

He said a kind of moral panic over methamphetamine had taken hold.

“I think that has been drummed up and exploited by a meth testing industry that saw an opportunity to make a dollar.

“Put that together with the fact we had a standard that was patently not fit for purpose.”

Mr Twyford met Mr Erueti and his daughter Casey in Auckland and apologised.

“The eviction of Robert made his life immeasurably more difficult … I apologised to them on behalf of the government.”

This blog post from Russell Brown in August 2016 is remarkably prescient.  He concludes with this passage which is as applicable now as it was then:

The real victims of this debacle are the Housing NZ tenants who lost their homes, often on the basis of no more than suspicion or gossip. As I note in the story, the corporation’s meth team went some  pretty grim places with this problem – even “talking about” the idea of making universal drug tests a precondition of tenancy. They seem to have lost touch with Housing NZ’s role as a social agency.

I can’t be sure, but I suspect Housing NZ’s practice, at least as far as remediation goes, is already quietly changing. When I visited the Housing NZ flats in Greys Avenue a little over a month ago, I counted nine places boarded up up. There are only a couple now, and some of those opened have not been stripped out. Number 37, boarded up since March, is getting a paint job only. So needless cost may be being curbed now.

That will be of little comfort to those who have lost their homes and security. This is a story of how things get out of hand, and how moral panic and drug stigma lead us to make terrible decisions.

Well done Pbil Twyford, well done.

71 comments on “Twyford reverses National’s flawed methamphetamine housing policy ”

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  1. Antoine 1
    9 December 2017 at 7:00 am

    On balance this is awesome, well done Twyford

    A.

  2. Good shepherd 2
    9 December 2017 at 7:06 am

    Well done 👍🏼 Phil Twyford. Yes.

    Appallingly done Nick Smith and the rest of those Nat ministers who ignored the science and the advice and the pleas of those who could see what they were doing was wrong and unnecessary.

    The question is why?

    Because it was expedient.

    Their agenda is to keep othering the vulnerable, failing the public services, privatising Public property, advancing private interests, and worsening while denying there is a crisis. No housing crisis. No mental health crisis. No health crisis. No aging population with needs that they weren’t preparing to meet. No water crisis. No infrastructure crisis.

    They should never be allowed anywhere near the treasury benches again.

    • John up North 2.1
      9 December 2017 at 8:42 am

      Why? well it added to the Billshit line that the nats love to peddle – Beneficiaries are useless bludgers that sit on the couch doing drugs all day and don’t want to work. Once again due to their own irresponsible behaviour and poor life choices we have to give em the boot cause hard working, tax paying families shouldn’t pay for these “bad” people to have a roof over their heads while having “fun”.

  3. Carolyn_Nth 3
    9 December 2017 at 7:09 am

    There was a new meth testing and decontamination standard issued in June.

    Standards NZ.

    Ministry of Health

    The scope of NZS 8510 covers:

    measures to manage risks to health, well-being, safety, and the environment
    guidance on methods of screening, sampling and testing of properties and their contents
    best practice procedures and criteria, for decontaminating methamphetamine-contaminated properties and their contents. This includes providing for room-by-room, ie, only those rooms found to be contaminated need to be decontaminated, to avoid unnecessary costs and disruption for residents and home owners
    guidance on post-decontamination actions, including sampling and testing to verify decontamination has been achieved and reporting and documentation requirements.

    How good was this? And what does Twyford’s policy do to improve on it?

    Had Housing NZ’s policies already changed following the release of the new standard?

    • Bill 3.1
      9 December 2017 at 8:54 am

      The August 16th blog post from Russel Brown linked in the post suggests changes were already being executed.

      What I’m picking is that the shift from eviction to support (whatever that might mean) is Twyford’s basic contribution, which though welcome enough, isn’t exactly headline stuff.

      So he’s decided to dress it up in some finery that he really doesn’t have anything to do with- the deeper shift in policy that occurred last June – in order to get some attention and adulation/traction.

      • patricia bremner 3.1.1
        9 December 2017 at 10:05 am

        “He decided to dress it up” Very cynical Bill. What he actually did was recognize and apologise for the harm done to tenants for bad policy.

        • Bill 3.1.1.1
          9 December 2017 at 10:28 am

          Well, going from the post header – “Twyford reverses National’s flawed methamphetamine housing policy” and from the main body of text “What a difference a change of government makes. Now we have a Minister who understands the science,…” – I’m reasonably assuming he’s made some claim to that effect.

          Of course, it could just as likely be that mickysavage has got carried away by his own enthusiasm to the extent of suggesting things that neither Twyford nor his staff have actually suggested.

          I agree that he (Twyford) has done as you say. And that apologising is a good thing. The announcement of the intent to approach tenants of contaminated properties with “support” is something I regard with caution.

          But then, as you rightly point out, I don’t exactly shy away from cynicism 😉

    • mickysavage 3.2
      9 December 2017 at 12:05 pm

      Carolyn did you read the post?

      If you read Russell Brown’s post in August 2016 referred to above (written AFTER the Health guidelines were published) one of the big issues was that Housing Corp were misusing Health’s guidelines.

      There is also the Radio NZ comment “Housing New Zealand has ignored repeated warnings from senior government officials that it is misusing methamphetamine contamination guidelines to evict its tenants”.

      And this:

      “The Ministry of Health has repeatedly told Housing New Zealand that its methamphetamine guidelines were to be applied only for the clean up of former meth labs, and were not intended to monitor homes where the drug has been smoked.”

      • Carolyn_Nth 3.2.1
        9 December 2017 at 6:35 pm

        The new standard was published in June 2017, not 2016.

        I had looked at it when I had a new clause in my renewed tenancy agreement has a new meth testing clause. The 2017 standard didn’t exist when I looked this time last year. The new standard does say there needs to be proof a tenant caused any meth contamination. Consequently, I was OK about signing my new tenancy agreement.

        I listened to Twyford on RNZ Checkpoint last night, and thought he fudged the references to when the testing scam occurred – ie sounded more historical. I just listened again,

        At 2.35 secs, Twyford said Housing NZ are moving towards a more compassionate approach.

        In response to Campbell asking if he was announcing a new policy for the first time tonight on RNZ, Twyford then said:

        This is the first time that as Minister I’ve spoken about this policy.

        He says the guy in charge of HNZ has done the hard work on it, and Twyford supports him.

        At about 4.25 mins, Twyford says:

        you know over the last 3 years, Housing New Zealand, on behalf of the tax payer, has spent 75 million dollars, on testing and remediating, that are or were allegedly contaminated.

        Some 900 properties have been left vacant in the middle of a housing crisis,[pause] on the basis of a methamphetamine contamination Standard, that cannot distinguish between a place that is genuinely contaminated by the manufacture of methamphetamine and would therefore pose a risk to someone’s health who is living in the house, and infinitesimally small residue, that would pose no risk whatsoever…

        Campbell says something about the testing having been done at a level of 0.5, which is extremely low.

        Then, Twyford talks about the scam of testing, then he says:

        The Standard is patently not fit for purpose, or wasn’t.

        My bold, because that’s where I thought Twyford was fudging when the policy had actually changed at HNZ, when I listened last night.

        The Ministry of Health web page on the 2017 Standard, linked to above says:

        The standard adopts a single level of 1.5 µg/100 cm2 (1.5 micrograms of methamphetamine per 100 square centimetres of surface sampled) that ‘high use areas’ of affected properties should be decontaminated to, regardless of whether the properties were involved in the production or use of methamphetamine. High use areas are defined as those areas that can be easily accessed and are regularly used by adults and children.

        So, basically, Twyford does not appear to have announced a new policy, but reaffirms the recent direction HNZ has started to take.

        Twyford does make it explicit that he thinks it’s important to treat meth use as a health problem, not a criminal one.

        • mickysavage 3.2.1.1
          9 December 2017 at 7:21 pm

          Can you post the Meth clause? The HC website has the 2016 version still on the web. It does not refer to Meth but says:

          “keep your house and garden tidy and not damage the property – if friends, family or visitors damage the property, you need to pay for the repairs
          call us when repairs are needed
          …
          not use the property for an unlawful purpose or let anyone else use it for unlawful purposes”

          There may or may not have been a quiet backdown by National about the issue. But the comment stands. They wanted to appear to be tough on crime and created this situation.

          • Carolyn_Nth 3.2.1.1.1
            9 December 2017 at 7:46 pm

            What meth clause? what is HC?

            Note, in my first comment above, I asked about any changes to HNZ policies since the June 2017 Standard was announced.

            In his interview on Checkpoint last night, Twyford did not seem to be talking about a new government policy. He did refer to some recommendations from the head of HNZ.

            I’m not in a Housing NZ rental.

            PS: This Newsroom article from Oct 2017, says the new Standard doesn’t go far enough, and that HNZ is being cagey about how they will comply. Also, it says the standard still doesn’t differentiate between contamination from a meth lab and from smoking.

            Twyford did nothing to clarify any of this on RNZ yesterday, in terms of either government, or HNZ policies.

            • mickysavage 3.2.1.1.1.1
              9 December 2017 at 8:26 pm

              Meth clause:

              “I had looked at it when I had a new clause in my renewed tenancy agreement has a new meth testing clause.”

              HC = HNZ. Sorry for my shorthand.

              I am confused. This post is about Housing NZ treatment of tenants using a misunderstanding of a MOH test. It is good that the MOH has tried to clarify matters. But where is the evidence that HNZ has changed its approach?

              • Carolyn_Nth …
                9 December 2017 at 8:50 pm

                The meth clause in my tenancy agreement:

                General conditions:
                …

                Illicit substances: I/We agree that methamphetamine testing may be carried out during the course of the tenancy as part of the property inspection process.

                I was asking if HNZ had changed it’s approach. All the headlines say that on RNZ Checkpoint yesterday, Phil Twyford announced that — as under RNZ Checkpoint video:

                Phil Twyford announces live on Checkpoint he will change HNZ policy over evicting tenants for positive methamphetamine results.

                But in the audio recording, I really didn’t hear a clear statement about this. As reported in the RNZ print report on the interview, linked from your above post, Micky:

                “I wanted to tell him that Housing New Zealand are changing their policy and they are moving to a new approach for dealing with this issue that I think is more compassionate and more considered.”

                But Twyford doesn’t say who encouraged HNZ to move towards a new approach, or if the initiative had come from Twyford or Labour.

                In the audio recording, Twyford says:

                But I want to acknowledge Andrew Mackenzie the Chief Executive of Housing NZ, who has been of the view for some time himself (he’s been in the job about 14 months), and he hasn’t been happy with the approach that was taken. He has done the hard work on this, and I support him absolutely.

                I share his view that kicking people out of their homes – often vulnerable people – out of their homes in the middle of a housing crisis, and making them homeless, is not a constructive or sensible response to something like addiction.

                And it sounds like Mackenzie has been in his job since about the time Russell Brown wrote his blog post on the issue, saying he suspected things were changing recently.

                Twyford just wasn’t that clear on RNZ yesterday – he was just fronting up to talk about apologising to one of the previous HNZ tenants who had been evicted.

                PS:
                But where is the evidence that HNZ has changed its approach?

                I was pretty much asking for this in my first comment above, so, I wouldn’t have thought there was much point in asking me back.

                I asked above:
                Had Housing NZ’s policies already changed following the release of the new standard?

                • The Chairman …
                  9 December 2017 at 9:46 pm

                  “I share his view that kicking people out of their homes – often vulnerable people – out of their homes in the middle of a housing crisis, and making them homeless, is not a constructive or sensible response to something like addiction.”

                  That tends to imply people being evicted are addicts, therefore off to rehab?

                  How would the state know they are addicts when at this stage they can’t even prove people being evicted are the cause of the contamination? Drug testing?

                  Moreover, surely the Minster isn’t going to allow them to stay in a contaminated home? And with a shortage of state homes, the state will struggle to rehouse them. So where will they end up?

                  I’m with you, Carolyn, there are lots of questions for the Minister to answer.

                  • Carolyn_Nth …
                    10 December 2017 at 9:23 am

                    Well, on reflection, and after last night reading the Newsroom article critiquing the 2017 Standard, I don’t think Twyford was making an announcement about a fully worked out policy.

                    RNZ was quick to label Twyford’s statements as a policy announcement first made on RNZ. But it sounds more like a work in progress, and that Twyford has been communicating with the HNZ CEO on it.

                    That is why Twyford was a bit waffley, and why it has not been officially announced anywhere else as a new government policy.

                    So, it’s more of a statement of intent to improve the way HNZ tests for, and responds to meth contamination – and that HNZ has been working on their approach.

                    But also, that Newsroom article shows good reasons why the Standard also needs further work.

                    Nevertheless, it indicates a slight improvement of the way testing and responses to contamination have improved in the last year.

                    In particular, raising the maximum acceptable limit of meth contamination from 0.5 microgram to 1.5/100cm2 has resulted in 40-60 percent of cases falling below the standard which would have been previously exceeded it.

                    “That has been the improvement. Now fewer are being caught in the trap.”

                    This was evidenced when Housing NZ released 50 houses for re-habitation upon the announcement of these new levels. It is worth noting that 50 represents less than 10 percent of the homes Housing NZ then had uninhabited due to meth contamination.

                    The whole Newsroom article on this is well worth a read – many important points about the excessive focus on meth testing, the lack of evidence of major dangers to health, compared with other risks to tenant health from poor housing and other substances, etc.

                    It is good that Twyford was indicating meth usage is a health issue (for the user) and not a criminal one.

                    • The Chairman …
                      10 December 2017 at 10:41 am

                      Thanks, Carolyn.

                      With scientists disagreeing with the new testing standard (as reported in your link) one wonders why Labour aren’t doing more on correcting that and the cowboy industry?

                      Surely, a standard not fit for purpose requires their immediate attention.

                      Which in turn will free up more homes and reduce the amount requiring decontamination (thus tenants being removed) going forward.

                      As for it being a policy announcement, it does seem to be more a case of work in progress.

  4. Psycho Milt 4
    9 December 2017 at 8:38 am

    Housing New Zealand has ignored repeated warnings from senior government officials that it is misusing methamphetamine contamination guidelines to evict its tenants.

    And you can guaran-fuckin-tee that they were doing this on the instruction of successive National Party cabinet ministers, as part of National’s drive to run down the state housing stock. I hope that’s going to find its way into the public domain during this government’s tenure.

  5. Psycho Milt 5
    9 December 2017 at 8:39 am

    This bit is less than promising:

    The minister said if methamphetamine traces were found now support, not eviction, would be the first approach.

    The minister should be saying that this scam is over, full stop.

    • David Mac 5.1
      9 December 2017 at 12:25 pm

      If he wants to go down that road I think the first approach would need to be proving beyond a doubt that the tenants are responsible for the residue. There is little stopping a contractor from having a toot on a pipe as he redecorates my 85 year old parents’ unit.

  6. greywarshark 6
    9 December 2017 at 9:52 am

    There has to be some support for the past actions which would be based on the flimsiest health and safety background but people have believed them. So things can’t be just dismissed, can’t be just rolled back completely, but can reason prevail and true concern for both the tenants and the house owners.

    And further, to limit the drug business, perhaps taking particular care to find the drug ‘cooks’ and keep them separate from other prisoners and under special surveillance. And keep note of the drug factories overseas and their customers in NZ. And further develop micro businesses through a dedicated agency, giving people with creative, questing minds an alternative pathway and passion for their daily lives.

  7. patricia bremner 7
    9 December 2017 at 10:05 am

    [Deleted. Accidental duplicate comment] – Bill

  8. greg 8
    9 December 2017 at 10:11 am

    when questioned by reporters smith wouldn’t take responsibility for anything done on his watch thank god hes gone but what a mess phil twyford has inherited

    • Bearded Git 8.1
      9 December 2017 at 10:24 am

      +100 Greg…..Smith seems to be in denial….can’t tell truth from lies any more, if he ever could.

    • Cinny 8.2
      9 December 2017 at 11:00 am

      smith was mentioned in our local paper this week, pushing his so called role as nationals representative for Tasman.

      He says Motueka will see more of him and his caravan, I’m suspecting he will be a regular at the Sunday Markets here, last time nick was at the market was in the form of a glorious sculpture on the back of a trailer 🙂

      From a locals point of view it will be fascinating to watch. national have had no presence here for three years, after the election prior to this one, national closed up shop and didn’t open another office in Motueka (thanks to all involved in that episode lolololz)

      • Rosemary McDonald 8.2.1
        9 December 2017 at 12:57 pm

        “…was in the form of a glorious sculpture on the back of a trailer.”

        Condolences to you and your neighbors Cinny, having to tolerate that solid lump of excrement on a regular basis…. 😉

        https://static2.stuff.co.nz/1256809340/734/3012734.jpg

      • savenz 8.2.2
        9 December 2017 at 2:26 pm

        If the Greens and Labour had worked together Nelson could have got rid of Smith.
        22,198 votes for Labour and Green candidates and Nick smith 16735.

        BOYACK, Rachel12452
        LAWREY, Matt9746
        SMITH, Nick16735

        Labour and Greens don’t need more PR spin doctors, they actually need to grow a brain and work together to win elections so they can actually implement more left leaning policy.

        We have Nick Smith because of the failure of Labour and Greens to stop him by collaborating aka Northland style.

        The combined votes show, Nelson did not want Smith to represent them.

        • Cinny 8.2.2.1
          9 December 2017 at 3:42 pm

          Rachel will take it out next election, she’s fantastic for a new candidate, was a little bit skeptical to start with, but massively impressed over the course of her campaign, she’ll be a wonderful MP for Nelson

          It was due to the instructions on a will and accompanying donation that the Greens went for gold in Nelson. On the upside at least it won’t require a byelection, Matt is on the NCC.

          As for smith, he is delusional, maybe he should give evangelism, or car sales a shot, he won’t last another election.

          • greywarshark 8.2.2.1.1
            9 December 2017 at 7:46 pm

            what interesting snippets of info Cinny. Are you saying that Matt was helped by a kindly bequest. I wondered about their choice not to combine against rudolph the red-nosed reindeer.

  9. Bearded Git 9
    9 December 2017 at 10:20 am

    Another day another patently stupid policy dumped by Labour. Oh my coffee tastes good each morning.

    Twyford was excellent on Checkpoint last night.

  10. Lucy 10
    9 December 2017 at 10:47 am

    Whilst the policy was at the behest of the previous government the people who implemented and executed the policy with such vigour are still there. Will they be as happy to implement a more charitable policy? I would seriously doubt it.

    • Rosemary McDonald 10.1
      9 December 2017 at 1:03 pm

      My thoughts exactly. I have said on more than one occasion that public servants do actually have free will. They have chosen to follow orders. They have a union ffs!

      Enablers.

      Bring on Nuremberg Aotearoa…..http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/87527119/Woman-found-dead-had-not-committed-benefit-fraud

      • greywarshark 10.1.1
        9 December 2017 at 7:49 pm

        Bit tough Rosemary. The past regime saw economists that didn’t follow ‘The Line’ not given jobs. Conform, conform or be blasted. Just think about being hunted down by neo-lib Daleks. There wasn’t much free will actually. Even the free market had big hooks.

        • Rosemary McDonald 10.1.1.1
          9 December 2017 at 9:26 pm

          “Conform, conform or be blasted. Just think about being hunted down by neo-lib Daleks. There wasn’t much free will actually. ”

          You reckon, greywarshark?

          Oh, there’s always free will…if one chooses to follow one’s conscience rather than being hobbled and gagged by love of a decent salary and reputation.

          Some of us came to a place some time back when, by virtue of choosing the line of most resistance, we found ourselves with nothing left to lose after being blasted.

          Daleks? I see them more as Cybermen.

          Met and engaged with a few over the past few years…mostly at WINZ or Ministry of Health: Disability Support Services. The bureaucrats who took to the ‘kick ’em while they’re down’ philosophy that thrived under both Labour and National like pigs to wallows.

          I’d clear the lot of these gutless, soulless ones out…out, every last one of them!

          Its going to require real courage and true commitment to turn this ship around. No room for weakling yes people.

    • Wensleydale 10.2
      9 December 2017 at 1:20 pm

      I think the government needs to keep a firm hand on the reins and a vigilant eye on the suit-wearing paper-shufflers responsible for gleefully implementing that policy. Anyone who steps out of line, or decides that perhaps certain aspects of the new policy could loosely be interpreted in an altogether different and less compassionate way, should get dragged face-down over broken glass. In public.

  11. Cinny 11
    9 December 2017 at 10:51 am

    Have always wondered who owned the meth testing and meth clean up companies. Have long suspected a money making rort within it all, assisted by the previous governments war on the poor.

    Big up’s to Phil Twyford, he is doing and will do a stellar job in Government 🙂

  12. Brigid 12
    9 December 2017 at 10:53 am

    “I think that has been drummed up and exploited by a meth testing industry that saw an opportunity to make a dollar.”

    It would be interesting to find out if there’s any connection between this industry and certain members of the previous government.

    Perhaps that’s giving the natz too much credit; perhaps they don’t even have the wit to set up such a gravy train. Perhaps they’re just too stupid for me to find the words to describe them with.

  13. Siobhan 13
    9 December 2017 at 10:59 am

    Unfortunately alot have damage has been done by Nationals policy between Landlords and tenants, and the (perceived)haves and havenots.

    Sites like TM forums, Stuff comments and people you accidentally talk to in the supermarket etc are overwhelmed by people who think State House tenants are all rampant meth users, and no tweaking of policy will shift this.

    I’m actually going to go out on a limb and suggest we need a Minister of Public Perceptions and Education, who through various mediums works at undoing the class divides, misinformation and down right bulls hit that have been so lovingly nurtured over the last 9 years (and longer).

    • red-blooded 13.1
      9 December 2017 at 12:13 pm

      “Minister of Public Perceptions and Education”? No way! Ever read 1984? The Ministry of Truth? If we want this government to be seen as untruthful, manipulative propaganda pushing brainwashers, then set up such a ministry.

      Twyford seems to be doing a good job. He was well on top of this portfolio in the shadow cabinet and while there are lots of challenges, he’s making a good start.

    • Jum 13.2
      9 December 2017 at 1:07 pm

      Siobhan,

      You are right in that the government has to, on a daily basis, let the people know what the Labour Government is doing and why, and making it clear that a past national govt has damaged society when that has occurred.
      Labour has always assumed that the majority of New Zealanders actually know and care what’s happening to their fellow New Zealanders; they don’t.
      So trusting the media to tell both sides of the story has never been successful for Labour.
      Mainstream media has been bought and sold for private profit.
      Labour MPs have to act as media disseminators for New Zealanders. That is not propaganda, Red-blooded; that is sharing all sides of the story.
      I’ve seen the 1984 film, read the story and seen the play – I think you’re actually describing the shadow-antics of the national party.

      • red-blooded 13.2.1
        9 December 2017 at 5:23 pm

        Getting your story out is NOT the same as having a Ministry of Public Perceptions and Education. Please note that I was commenting about perception – it would be entirely counterproductive to set up what would inevitably be seen as a Ministry of Spin. It would open the government up to attack as more than “Nanny State” (which was the label used to undermine the last Labour led government) – it would be seen as Big Brother and nothing that came out of such a ministry would be seen as trustworthy.

        “Sharing all sides of the story” is quite different from “educating” people into sharing one particular point of view.

        Ask yourself – how would you see such a ministry if it was pushing the perspective of a right wing government? Well, guess what – that’s how many others would see it while selling a left-leaning government’s message.

        Anyway, it’s a daft suggestion (sorry, Siobhan, but it is) and it’s not going to happen. Yes, MPs and other need to use all possible means to tell our side of the story, but no, we don’t need a Ministry of Truth.

  14. David Mac 14
    9 December 2017 at 12:42 pm

    Yeah, I think we saw a number of testing agencies pop-up because there’s money to made from hyping up fear. Hopefully they’ll move on to a bogus antidote for Myrtle Rust.

    They use age-old bait and switch techniques: “Oh the test you’ve had done just informs us that there is residue in the house. To determine how much and where will require the purchase of our ‘This week only’ Mega Lab offer”, $995.00.

    The situation is compounded by a few Real Estate franchises. In search of a point of difference advertising their Rental Management services alongside claims like ‘Get management or your next rental from the company that insists on P Tests.’

    • patricia bremner 14.1
      9 December 2017 at 1:01 pm

      Hi David Mac. Don’t think there is any money in plants affected by Myrtle rust so it is not a likely next target for these hangers on!!

      I still wonder about Bill’s blue shirt brigade, don’t you? Who was funding them? What was their purpose? Just another systems rort by a questionable crowd.

      There always appears to be money making at others expense in the background, you know what they say “follow the money”.

      Some of these companies which sprang up should be charged with fraud if they fudged or exaggerated the results and caused hardship by so doing.

      • David Mac 14.1.1
        9 December 2017 at 1:14 pm

        Hi Pat, I think much of why this lot of hyping up fear traders did well is because they got Govt buy-in. Not really criminal, cashing in on our human fragility. The Myrtle Rust-Busters Govt contract to dust NZ with icing sugar would be a handy earn. Shame about the results.

        I’ve been trying to think of areas where merchants sell their wares on the back of fear and I guess anything that relates to our security or peace of mind does. Mole-mapping, insurance, baby capsules.

  15. Brigid 15
    9 December 2017 at 1:24 pm

    The Real Estate Institute even says
    “Until now, there has been no standard across the country
    for methamphetamine testing or decontamination, which has resulted in some scaremongering and mis-information for members of the public around these processes.
    For example, it was not uncommon for a purchaser and vendor
    to test the same property but receive entirely different results. The Standard is a leap forward in preventing this kind of situation.”
    https://www.reinz.co.nz/Media/Default/REINZ%20Press/2017%20June/20170629%20-%20Meth%20standards.pdf

  16. savenz 16
    9 December 2017 at 2:41 pm

    I’d like to see a bit more about P aimed at a wider audience. What about private rentals contaminated? Middle NZ? So many people’s lives destroyed by this curse. Stop the fucking stuff getting in, should be a priority as well as a cheap way to clean the homes up.

    Labour and Greens need to actually treat each day as a pre Election Day. Try to work policy for the WIDER good and also TALK about the wider good of each policy.

    If everything is always framed as being for the state renter’s good, the P addicts benefit etc etc – it’s not a message that will NOT resinate with middle NZ in many cases. Labour and Greens need to talk a more inclusive message.

    Increasingly much of Labour and Green’s discourse seem to concentrate on a small percentage of the population in poverty which is understandable but then not actually ever include the wider population and how their policy will be good for them too. They then wonder why National had a wider percentage of votes even they are major destroyers of this country.

    Labour then also concentrate on global business only aka TPPA.

    So increasingly middle NZ is not actually included in left political announcements until about 6 months before each election (and even then just in terms of them paying more or less taxes in many cases) and then they wonder why National gets middle NZ votes.

    One of the main priorities should be Labour and Greens having some sense of self preservation so National don’t win next election. If every policy appears to be about protecting global business (TPPA) or state renters then it’s a small percentage of the population they are speaking too, and then they wonder why middle NZ doesn’t vote for them.

    Middle NZ have little political voice in terms of lobby groups as they are too busy working and raising families, but my, they do know how to tick a box extremely well come election time and can be relied on, to get to the voting booth.

  17. The Chairman 17
    9 December 2017 at 2:45 pm

    While it’s good things are going to hopefully improve, do we have any indication of what the “support” approach the Minister has highlighted will look like on the ground?

    Why did the Minster fail to disclose this?

  18. Tanz 18
    9 December 2017 at 4:27 pm

    Phil Twyford can’t even answer questions in the House properly, like his frontbench mates, he is coming across as arrogant and as a smart alec. This new govt is rubbish so far, even the MSM are picking up on it.

    So, we will have more P Houses because of this and no accountability, typical leftie rot from Labour. How does anyone count Winston as right wing!

  19. timeforacupoftea 19
    9 December 2017 at 4:43 pm

    Well done Twitford, we all want state houses and free drugs.

  20. savenz 20
    9 December 2017 at 4:46 pm

    The reality crack down on P is a help to everyone except P dealers.

    Help everyone. Addicts, renters, landlords, homeowners, employers, employees, families, health service, justice, prisons … etc

    The P epidemic has been a curse for all!

    Make policy that is holistic and helps everyone.

    Then put policy into 3 areas..

    Stopping P getting into the country and being sold here.
    Decontaminating P quickly and cheaply – as so much is effected from property to wastewater.
    Rehab for P users.

    Labour needs to get holistic in policy and not piecemeal. Don’t just be an ambulance at the bottom – problems need to be tackled across the board to stop the problem.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 20.1
      9 December 2017 at 4:57 pm

      There is no way to cut off supply. But there is a way to reduce demand: reduce inequality: it’s directly linked to mental health and drug abuse.

      • savenz 20.1.1
        9 December 2017 at 5:46 pm

        Yes you can cut off supply by customs and border control and also cracking down on the people manufacturing it.

        • One Anonymous Bloke 20.1.1.1
          9 December 2017 at 7:39 pm

          [citation needed]

          • savenz 20.1.1.1.1
            9 December 2017 at 8:48 pm

            ah, I would think that’s common sense. You don’t need a citation to work out that cutting off supply of raw ingredients and manufacturer’s is going to reduce P.

            We could spend 64+ million on consultants and 9 years trying to work it out like National’s war on P, and evict 900 people and sell off state houses cheap while putting people into 1 room motels for $1000p/w that seems to be more an enablement of P with less customs, less police, less rehabilitation, less IRD following people that have a lot of assets but no taxable income, but I would hope Labour + Green might be able to do a bit better than that.

  21. Tanz 21
    9 December 2017 at 7:32 pm

    And how is child poverty being reduced as Ardern poses for Vogue. We have a wanna be celebrity PM…. How about being just a PM and following through on that swag of pre-election promises (many now watered down or backtracked on). Ah well, poverty won’t change..
    (there were a couple of Vogue like spreads even as Winston was deciding). Would Clark approve of such ‘look at me’ stunts??

    • One Anonymous Bloke 21.1
      9 December 2017 at 7:35 pm

      Ah, the politics of envy 😆

    • dv 21.2
      9 December 2017 at 7:39 pm

      Got an answer yet?

      Phil Twyford can’t even answer questions in the House properl

      Tanz-Give a linked example.

    • Incognito 21.3
      9 December 2017 at 8:24 pm

      No chocolate fish for Jacinda till she has delivered on all election promises. What on Earth was she thinking going on the cover of some rag??

  22. Michael 22
    11 December 2017 at 12:39 pm

    I think Twyford’s overrated and incapable of delivering his government’s camapign promises. However, he’s done the right thing here by overruling his bureaucrats and telling them not to be such arseholes. It does, however, remain to be seen whether HNZ bureaucrats will obey their new Minister or whether they will work around, undermine, or even sabotage him, as has been known to happen to previous Labour Ministers.

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    3 days ago

  • Is saving one minute of a politician's time worth nearly $1 billion?
    Is speeding up the trip to and from Wellington airport by 12 minutes worth spending up more than $10 billion? Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me in the last day to 8:26 am today are:The Lead: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Long Tunnel or Long Con?
    Yesterday it was revealed that Transport Minister had asked Waka Kotahi to look at the options for a long tunnel through Wellington. 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 ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    3 days ago

  • Smoke And Mirrors.
    You're a fraud, and you know itBut it's too good to throw it all awayAnyone would do the sameYou've got 'em goingAnd you're careful not to show itSometimes you even fool yourself a bitIt's like magicBut it's always been a smoke and mirrors gameAnyone would do the sameForty six billion ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • What is Mexico doing about climate change?
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections The June general election in Mexico could mark a turning point in ensuring that the country’s climate policies better reflect the desire of its citizens to address the climate crisis, with both leading presidential candidates expressing support for renewable energy. Mexico is the ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago

  • State of humanity, 2024
    2024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?When I say 2024 I really mean the state of humanity in 2024.Saturday night, we watched Civil War because that is one terrifying cliff we've ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Govt’s Wellington tunnel vision aims to ease the way to the airport (but zealous promoters of cycl...
    Buzz from the Beehive A pet project and governmental tunnel vision jump out from the latest batch of ministerial announcements. The government is keen to assure us of its concern for the wellbeing of our pets. It will be introducing pet bonds in a change to the Residential Tenancies Act ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • The case for cultural connectedness
    A recent report generated from a Growing Up in New Zealand (GUiNZ) survey of 1,224 rangatahi Māori aged 11-12 found: Cultural connectedness was associated with fewer depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms and better quality of life. That sounds cut and dry. But further into the report the following appears: Cultural connectedness is ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Useful context on public sector job cuts
    David Farrar writes –    The Herald reports: From the gory details of job-cuts news, you’d think the public service was being eviscerated.   While the media’s view of the cuts is incomplete, it’s also true that departments have been leaking the particulars faster than a Wellington ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell On When Racism Comes Disguised As Anti-racism
    Remember the good old days, back when New Zealand had a PM who could think and speak calmly and intelligently in whole sentences without blustering? Even while Iran’s drones and missiles were still being launched, Helen Clark was live on TVNZ expertly summing up the latest crisis in the Middle ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    4 days ago

  • Govt ignored economic analysis of smokefree reversal
    Costello did not pass on analysis of the benefits of the smokefree reforms to Cabinet, emphasising instead the extra tax revenues of repealing them. Photo: Hagen Hopkins, Getty Images TL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me at 7:26 am today are:The Lead: Casey Costello never passed on ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • True Blue.
    True loveYou're the one I'm dreaming ofYour heart fits me like a gloveAnd I'm gonna be true blueBaby, I love youI’ve written about the job cuts in our news media last week. The impact on individuals, and the loss to Aotearoa of voices covering our news from different angles.That by ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • Who is running New Zealand’s foreign policy?
    While commentators, including former Prime Minister Helen Clark, are noting a subtle shift in New Zealand’s foreign policy, which now places more emphasis on the United States, many have missed a key element of the shift. What National said before the election is not what the government is doing now. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago

  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #15
    A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 7, 2024 thru Sat, April 13, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week is about adults in the room setting terms and conditions of ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • Feline Friends and Fragile Fauna The Complexities of Cats in New Zealand’s Conservation Efforts

    Cats, with their independent spirit and beguiling purrs, have captured the hearts of humans for millennia. In New Zealand, felines are no exception, boasting the highest national cat ownership rate globally [definition cat nz cat foundation]. An estimated 1.134 million pet cats grace Kiwi households, compared to 683,000 dogs ...

    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    5 days ago

  • Or is that just they want us to think?
    Nice guy, that Peter Williams. Amiable, a calm air of no-nonsense capability, a winning smile. Everything you look for in a TV presenter and newsreader.I used to see him sometimes when I went to TVNZ to be a talking head or a panellist and we would yarn. Nice guy, that ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • Fact Brief – Did global warming stop in 1998?
    Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park in collaboration with members from our Skeptical Science team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Did global warming stop in ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago

  • Arguing over a moot point.
    I have been following recent debates in the corporate and social media about whether it is a good idea for NZ to join what is known as “AUKUS Pillar Two.” AUKUS is the Australian-UK-US nuclear submarine building agreement in which … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    6 days ago

  • No Longer Trusted: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.
    Turning Point: “What has turned me away from the mainstream news media is the very strong message that its been sending out for the last few years.” “And what message might that be?” “That the people who own it, the people who run it, and the people who provide its content, really don’t ...
    Bowalley Road
    6 days ago

  • Mortgage rates at 10% anyone?
    No – nothing about that in PM Luxon’s nine-point plan to improve the lives of New Zealanders. But beyond our shores Jamie Dimon, the long-serving head of global bank J.P. Morgan Chase, reckons that the chances of a goldilocks soft landing for the economy are “a lot lower” than the ...
    Point of OrderBy xtrdnry
    6 days ago

  • Sad tales from the left
    Michael Bassett writes –  Have you noticed the odd way in which the media are handling the government’s crackdown on surplus employees in the Public Service? Very few reporters mention the crazy way in which State Service numbers rocketed ahead by more than 16,000 during Labour’s six years, ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days 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
    2 hours 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
    13 hours 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
    19 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
    20 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
    22 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
    23 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
    1 day 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 day 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 day 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    3 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
    4 days ago

  • PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ ties
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    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    5 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
    7 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
    7 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
    7 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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

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