We are paying for Key and Coleman to attend the World Cup

Written By: - Date published: 8:58 am, October 28th, 2015 - 207 comments
Categories: john key, Minister for Overseas Holidays, national, same old national, the praiseworthy and the pitiful - Tags: ,

National, the party of careful management of the country’s finances and the party that opposed to any unjustified spending of tax money it created its own pet union, has engaged in expenditure that should do more than raise a few eyebrows. John Key and Jonathan Coleman are attending the Rugby World Cup on the taxpayer’s tab.

According to the Herald Bill English thinks that New Zealanders will not mind footing the bill. From the article:

Mr English told TV One’s Breakfast that New Zealanders were getting value for money from his colleagues’ travel.

That was because they were attending a wide range of other events and meetings while in Europe, and not just the rugby.

“I think New Zealanders would expect some form of representation from the government in the form of the sports minister and the Prime Minister to actually be at this game. Do you think we should stay home because we can’t afford it?” Mr English said.

“The Prime Minister is over there largely because of the free trade agreement launch with Europe, and that’s why the Trade Minister [Tim Groser] is there. So, actually they are economising.”

Andrew Little did the right thing by paying for his expenses.

The English defence should be used by the next social welfare beneficiary facing a charge of benefit fraud because they could not make ends meet.  If New Zealanders do not mind it must be OK.

And no sign of any opposition from the Taxpayer’s union. I wonder why?

207 comments on “We are paying for Key and Coleman to attend the World Cup ”

  1. roy cartland 1

    Paying alright:

    “exclusive suites Mr Key is likely to use are from $2200 to $4000 a night.”
    http://m.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11534171

    • Bob 1.1

      “exclusive suites Mr Key is likely to use”
      That sentence alone shows NZ Herald has given up pretending it’s anything other than a tabloid rag.

      They are one step away from turning into The Daily Mail! https://twitter.com/thepoke/status/518872066322231297

      • Henry Filth 1.1.1

        And what do you see as that one step?

        I see it as use of the word “revealed”, and a large amount of the content being lists- “Top 15 Auckland properties” and so on.

    • billmurray 1.2

      Roy, stop showing your class, the PM and entourage should be at World Cup final, and we should pay, Please stop being a whingeing peasant.

      • roy cartland 1.2.1

        “Roy, stop showing your class, the PM and entourage should be at World Cup final, and we should pay, Please stop being a whingeing peasant.”

        Your powers of debate are less than overwhelming. “Of course” just isn’t persuasive. You could always try to stop being a self-righteous boor, if you can.

    • whateva next? 1.3

      Not bunking with his boys then?

  2. dukeofurl 2

    It seems that Farrar is at the RWC too. keeping his eye on ministerial extravagances?

  3. vto 3

    Yep, all the rich pricks are out of the country at the world cup at the moment.

    Just like they all disappear during winter to the islands, or Europe or some such.

    You know the amazing thing about these exoduses? The country carries on fine. The rich prove themselves unnecessary to the running of the country. Don’t need them.

    And of course this could be tried in reverse. Lets try next year to have half the country’s cleaners, rubbish collectors, nurses, teachers, stop-go men, etc head off on a merry overseas jaunt and see how the country goes……

    The low paid are more valuable to the country than the rich.

    • mary_a 3.1

      Hear hear vto @ (3) Well summed up there 🙂

    • infused 3.2

      No, they only fund it.

      • Draco T Bastard 3.2.1

        The poor fund the economy and thus the entire country by working. The rich are simply bludgers.

        • john 3.2.1.1

          and who owns the company that PAYS our wages???

          • Draco T Bastard 3.2.1.1.1

            The person who owns the company doesn’t pay the wages. The people who actually do the work do. The person who owns the company just bludges off the workers.

        • Ilicit 3.2.1.2

          Without the poor, us paupers, this country would be stuffed.

          I still can’t get my head around the theory that rich people will be able to buy all the products manufactured by the poor.

          Perhaps they think that each of them are entitled to a million, or even a billion, Ferraris each, and each of those to be attended to by a million paupers to wash and polish them.

          Where the hell have simple economics gone ??

          How the hell does this government think they can get away with public funding for “jollies”.

          You can bet your bottom dollar that we are also paying for $1000 or more seats and all the perks that go with being on a paid holiday.

          And I sit here dying, waiting for the health system to catch up with me……

          Doctor freaking Coleman signed a Hippocratic Oath…….

          John “wimpy” Key made false promises before he even got into power.

          What hope do I hold to stay alive for another year ???

          None !!!

          • Draco T Bastard 3.2.1.2.1

            Where the hell have simple economics gone ??

            Economics has been ignored in favour of finances for quite some time now. Finances allows the rich to get richer and the problems to be blamed on those suffering them.

            https://vimeo.com/71074210

            • Richard@Down South 3.2.1.2.1.1

              Well said… It’s like Apple.. they make a lot of money (and that looks good on the face of it for an American company, but they employ few American’s except in retail stores, and they’re not exactly paid well… so the US economy doesn’t actually benefit from Apple, as Apple soaks up cash from the economy and keeps it in reserve (overseas as not to pay tax)

            • Ilicit 3.2.1.2.1.2

              It’s a juxtaposition of words DTB.

              Finance belongs to the so called private sector.

              Economics for a country belong to it’s government.

              Right no, we have a semi private sector government, it’s going to shatter many dreams when their return doesn’t match the share market.

              By that I simply mean the NZer’s who were sucked in and will suffer out of proportion. They just don’t know it right now, but they will soon !!!

              Sorry, out of breath….

    • Henry Filth 3.3

      I may be out of the country, but I’m not at the RWC.

      Possibly there are more of us rich pricks than you thought.

      • vto 3.3.1

        There are a hell of a lot of rich pricks Henry

        It in fact amazes me how many people in our community do not have to work for an income. The number is very high.

        Have been meaning to comment on exactly this point for some time.

        There are few people in NZ who actually do the work and activity required to run lives and the country …

        Anyways, point still stands. New Zealand doesn’t need the rich – proved.

        • ICD 3.3.1.1

          At what point does someone become a rich prick?

          I’m genuinely asking. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a number or some other indicator by which to tell who is and who isn’t.

          • vto 3.3.1.1.1

            Yeah, I don’t even really like the words “rich pricks” as it demeans many good people who have played the cards they have been dealt under the rules in place.

            An assessment might be a person who does not have to work at all or very much to live an above average comfortable life due to their financial resources.

            • ICD 3.3.1.1.1.1

              Thanks VTO (and OAB below), appreciate the feedback and explanations. Agree, there are a great number of people who have done exceedingly well off their own back.

              I just always assumed there was some real, or imaginary, financial threshold.

              • One Anonymous Bloke

                there are a great number of people who have done exceedingly well off their own back.

                Luck is not “your own back”, and that’s the only thing that separates those who do exceedingly well and those who don’t. Putting on airs about it can move you into the “prick” category pretty damn quick.

          • One Anonymous Bloke 3.3.1.1.2

            It isn’t so much the wealth as the attitude that defines them. “Pulling up the ladder” is a dead giveaway, for example.

  4. BM 4

    Key is the PM and as such should be there.

    Little is of no importance so of course he should pay his own way, it’s nothing more than just a holiday for him.

    • mary_a 4.1

      @ BM – one eyed much!

      • BM 4.1.1

        I disagree, I’d say the same if Clark was leader.

        Seriously, what reason is there for Little to be at the world cup?, shouldn’t he be back in NZ getting Labour sorted?.

        • Sabine 4.1.1.1

          the question does not arise, as Mr. Little pays for his own trip and thus is there as a ‘private person’ and not a “state sponsored Prime Minister”.

          So there, and yes, I taxpayer private and tax payer business have an issue with paying for the PM to go there, when we are cutting social services, health services, education services etc etc etc.
          If the PM feels his presence is needed he can stay on the Tax Payers dime and on a tight budget. 2 – 4000 grand to house him for a night? And a few hundred dollar more a day to feed and water him? With the cost of one day of the PM fellating the All Blacks you could house a family of 4 a full month at the cost of a standard rental in Auckland.

          You see BM, the funny thing with Austerity…its simply, we are either in this all together, or really it is just a very clumsy form of stealing from the poor to get ones own arse gold pleated.

          • BM 4.1.1.1.1

            What austerity?

            • RedLogix 4.1.1.1.1.1

              Oh I dunno – maybe the same austerity which has forced this govt to borrow $100b?

              • BM

                Isn’t that the opposite.

              • Enough is Enough

                RedLogix. The borrowing is done in order fund expenditure.

                Austerity is when you cut spending.

                • Draco T Bastard

                  National has cut spending in social areas and increased spending on corporations and the rich. The increased spending has resulted in the blowout of borrowing that this government has engaged in.

                  • Enough is Enough

                    It is still expenditure, no matter where it is directed, paid for through borrowing.

                    • Draco T Bastard

                      The point was that the majority of people have had the government expenditure on them decreased along with austerity and a few people have had the government expenditure on them increased against austerity. That increased expenditure on the few has necessitated the borrowing.

                    • Enough is Enough

                      I know what your demented point is.

                    • Draco T Bastard

                      No, I suspect that you don’t.

                  • Nessalt

                    National have increased benefits, increased spending on health care and on education as well as justice. How is this cutting social spending draco?

                    • McFlock

                      In the same way their increased expenditure has done wonders for schools and prisons. No, wait, they just pay the private sector to do what the public sector used to do, only the private sector does it half as well for twice the cash.

                      And then they find excuses to kick people off benefits for invented reasons.

                    • Draco T Bastard

                      When the ‘increase’ doesn’t even match inflation over the same time period then it’s a decrease in real terms. Health care, for example, once inflation and population growth are taken into consideration has had a funding decrease. Education has had a nominal cut of close to a billion dollars:

                      Today’s budget is a dismal affair, as the government shuffles money around and announces new spending while conveniently forgetting to mention that its a sub-inflation rise and that health and education are going backwards – as they have every year under National (Education has even been cut in nominal terms, falling from $11.5 billion in 2009 to $10.8 billion today).

                      National never increases social spending as it means that the rich won’t be able to get massively richer while doing nothing more.

                    • Kay

                      @Nessalt For the umpteenth time, National have NOT increased benefits. Do your research and stop pushing that line and go talk to people who are on benefits. It’s a load of bullshit.

                    • Venezia

                      Can you provide evidence for these “increased spending on health care and education as well as justice”? All the evidence I have seen suggest the opposite since National came to power in 2008.

                  • srylands

                    What a fantasy you engage in. Have you ever read the Crown accounts? You are simply making shit up. Read the 2008 PREFU.

                    You sound like Nicolae Ceaușescu on a bad day.

                    So the reason we have borrowed to avoid austerity is to fund “increased spending on corporations and the rich”.

                    I have printed that out and added it to the wall of infamy notice board in the office!

                    • One Anonymous Bloke

                      Put this one next to it:

                      Deriving 100% of one’s income from the taxpayer while advocating for ACT is a massive conflict of interest and perilously close to fraud.

            • Draco T Bastard 4.1.1.1.1.2

              The austerity that this government is forcing upon the majority of people so that the rich can stay rich.

          • Olwyn 4.1.1.1.2

            You see BM, the funny thing with Austerity…its simply, we are either in this all together, or really it is just a very clumsy form of stealing from the poor to get ones own arse gold plated.

            +1 Sabine – well said! Sums it up really.

          • alwyn 4.1.1.1.3

            I will believe that Little “pays for his own trip” when he produces a receipt proving that he paid for his ticket to the final.
            I don’t expect he will because I don’t believe he is going to.
            In fact, given his late decision to go to the thing he will have to be looking for a free one from some corporate or other because they were sold out ages ago.

            • Tracey 4.1.1.1.3.1

              do we know he made a late decision?

            • Gangnam Style 4.1.1.1.3.2

              Alwyn is being a shit stirrer because it has already come out that Little got given a ticket as a gift, but not paid for by taxpayers.

              • alwyn

                I was not aware that it had been admitted that Little was getting his ticket free. I am not surprised, although why he had to make a broad claim that he was paying for his attendance himself does seem to be stretching things.
                Perhaps Sabine who says
                “Mr. Little pays for his own trip and thus is there as a ‘private person’”
                and mary_a may rethink her statement that
                “Besides as far as Little is concerned, he’s paying for himself anyway”

                • mary_a

                  @ alwyn – even though Little received a free ticket, it seems he’s paying for his own transport and accommodation costs for the RWC. So in that respect, he is paying for himself.

                  • alwyn

                    Yes, well maybe he is. It does appear that he was fudging a bit about him paying for his going to the cup though doesn’t it. His original announcement certainly didn’t tell us this did it.
                    Incidentally who is the generous benefactor? Is he like the Labour MPs who raved on about the evils of the Auckland Casino but happily accepted their hospitality at the rugby test. Shouldn’t we be told who he is in hock to?

                    • One Anonymous Bloke

                      If he’s in hock to anyone yes of course we should be told all about it. The Waitemata Trust and Cabinet Club are obvious examples too.

                      The only way to stop the National Party selling MPs and legislation is to get money out of politics altogether.

        • mary_a 4.1.1.2

          @BM – same point could also apply to FJK!

          Other than wanting to be seen with and rubbing shoulders with royalty, celebrities, international rugby movers and shakers and off course the ABs, what reason has FJK got to be at the RWC? He has a country to get sorted!

          Besides as far as Little is concerned, he’s paying for himself anyway.

        • Ross 4.1.1.3

          What reason is there for Key to be at the Cup? The players don’t need him to scrub their backs after the game, as much as he might want to. 🙂

          But you’re missing the point. Key is entitled to be there but he shouldn’t expect taxpayers to foot the bill.

        • whateva next? 4.1.1.4

          “I disagree, I’d say the same if Clark was leader”
          doubt it…..

    • Pat 4.2

      Key is a perverted dick and should stay well away from anything and everyone

  5. Lanthanide 5

    Maybe this is the sort of thing Ad meant when he posted about how the left doesn’t like rugby.

    • Tracey 5.1

      yes except the Leader of the “Left” is going to the Rugby World Cup Final.

      • Lanthanide 5.1.1

        I think it’s appropriate for the PM to attend, especially as it is our ‘national’ game.

        So I have no problem with the government paying for this, especially as it is part of other travelling anyway.

        It seems that some people on the left don’t like it when the PM attends rugby, though.

        • Sabine 5.1.1.1

          I don’t mind for the PM to attend, on his own, on the cheapest possible way considering that we are cutting social services, cutting health care, gutting education, have no money for shelters and rape counceling, have no money to house our homeless, have no money to feed our children, have no money to fuck all other then attend rugby games, buy new flags, buy a new currency,etc etc etc.

          So you see where some of us might not be happy to pay a trip for the PM, that many of us will never in their life time will take.

          • left for deadshark 5.1.1.1.1

            +100 % Sabine

          • Lanthanide 5.1.1.1.2

            “So you see where some of us might not be happy to pay a trip for the PM, that many of us will never in their life time will take.”

            99.99% of people in this country will never do many of the things the Prime Minister does on a weekly or even daily basis.

            So that’s not really an argument.

            • Sabine 5.1.1.1.2.1

              99% of the country will have used our public schools, our public hospitals. About 50% of the country will have used social services for housing and or housing assistance. A too large percentage of our country will have used a shelter or needed counceling for abuse. A too large percentage of our children grow up poor in cold houses, with out adequate monetary support to cover the cost of growing into a productive adults.

              So really I don’t see your point as an argument for gold pleating Dear Leaders arse as valid either.

              • Enough is Enough

                Why do you call him Dear Leader.

                That is what the RWNJ’s called Helen for years. It was stupid then and it is stupid now.

                • Hami Shearlie

                  Maybe some call him “Dear Leader” because having him as leader is very very expensive to NZ? All those bodyguards milling around him while on holiday in the deep, dark, terrorist-filled and dangerous region of Hawaii, well, they don’t come free!

                • Sabine

                  it is a term of endearment. I really don’t think that PM just does him justices.
                  So dear Leader it is, and always will be. It is the right thing to do.

              • Lanthanide

                There are many many responsibilities that come with the office of PM, and a very demanding workload.

                There are also some privileges.

        • Tracey 5.1.1.2

          Netball is also our national game and Cricket. How many matches of the women has he attended? How many times has he attended the Black Ferns playing world championship rugby?

          • mary_a 5.1.1.2.1

            @ Tracey (5.1.1.2) True … or rowing, although not a national sport, but one in which NZ competitors seem to do well in both here and internationally. Never known FJK to make his presence felt there either.

          • Banjo 5.1.1.2.2

            Agreed. According to Matthew Hooton “of course the Prime Minister should attend”, and by attending he is fulfilling his role as PM. In that case I would expect that he attended the netball world cup final in Australia in support of the Silver Ferns, and would have been at Twickenham in 2010 to witness the Black Ferns win their fourth consecutive rugby world cup.

            Can’t find any reference online to suggest Key was in attendance for either of these events, but he did send the Silver Ferns a video message of support so surely that should be good enough for any other NZ sports team playing in a world cup final.

          • Lanthanide 5.1.1.2.3

            So because he doesn’t attend sport A and ‘represent New Zealand’, he shouldn’t attend sport B to ‘represent New Zealand’ either?

            Do you want him to attend more sports, or fewer?

            • Banjo 5.1.1.2.3.1

              “Do you want him to attend more sports, or fewer?”

              In the context of the argument that he should attend the RWC final as part of his role and duties as PM, I think he should be consistent and give the same level of support to other NZ sports teams who reach world cup finals.

              Otherwise it suggests that he is only attending the RWC because of his personal enjoyment of mens rugby (which he is perfectly entitled to) but at the very least efforts should be made to reduce the cost to the taxpayer in that instance.

              It could also suggest that our PM doesn’t give as much kudos to successful womens sports teams as he does to mens.

              • One Anonymous Bloke

                Why stop at rugby? Why stop at sports?

                If the Prime Minister is required to attend global events in which New Zealand individuals or groups play a prominent role, there’ll be very little time left for them to do the actual Minister thing.

            • Matthew Hooton 5.1.1.2.3.2

              more

      • Nessalt 5.1.2

        He’s not the leader of the left. he’s the leader of the largest opposition party. big difference.

        Also, isn’t it great how you took less than one day to involve politics in sport after yesterdays comments? as if it matters that the left is seen to support sport?

        • Lanthanide 5.1.2.1

          “He’s not the leader of the left. he’s the leader of the largest opposition party. big difference.”

          His position in parliament is “leader of the opposition”. The fact that he is from Labour is technically irrelevant – there was some murmurings that Winston was going to try and stake a claim to the title, since Labour kept changing their leader.

          • Nessalt 5.1.2.1.1

            That doesn’t make him leader of the left either? his position may be leader of the opposition, which would arise from being leader of the largest opposition party i’m assuming. Labour don’t have an automatic claim to the title (maybe they do?). I’d put James Shaw as leader of the left, perhaps Phil Twyford. not angry andy

            • Lanthanide 5.1.2.1.1.1

              This is what Tracey said:

              yes except the Leader of the “Left” is going to the Rugby World Cup Final.

              She put left in quotation marks for a reason.

          • alwyn 5.1.2.1.2

            @Lanthanide
            The position of “Leader of the Opposition” is defined in the rules of Parliament.
            It is here
            http://www.parliament.nz/en-nz/about-parliament/how-parliament-works/ppnz/00HOOOCPPNZ_71/chapter-7-parties-and-government#_Toc268508502
            and it isn’t up for argument apparently because as it says
            “The leader of the largest party not in Government and not in coalition with a Government party is entitled to be recognised as the Leader of the Opposition. [29] ”
            Winston may have liked to pretend that he was the most effective leader of and opposition party but even when Cunliffe was leader the Labour Party got about three times as many votes, and members as he did.

        • Tracey 5.1.2.2

          You are a selective reader because I have constantly stated that the notion of seperating politics and sport is redundant and misguided, but feel free to link to where I stated otherwise.

          Do you understand what i means when someone puts “Left” like that?

    • North 5.2

      Used to love rugby until that selfish punk The Ponce Key set about colonising it. And making a total dick of Richie in the process. Bet Jerome Kaino gives him shit about his “mate”.

      • vto 5.2.1

        Ha, yep I been wondering which ones would be unimpressed with Key and especially his politics.

        Could easily be most of them…

        Must be tempting to drop a one-liner and knock the wind from the sails

  6. Tracey 6

    I don’t have a problem with a PM attending the World Cup Final. I am trying to recall if he was also at the Netball World Cup Final? IF he only goes to sports games that personally interest him, then, imo he is not doing so as leader of NZ or in th einterests of NZ and should pay associated expenses.

    He nearly went to the netball on Thursday night. Just nearly.

    The article refers to

    “Mr Key has chaired a meeting of the International Democratic Union in Marrakesh. ”

    When you look up that organisation I think everyone can agree it is not a NZ national interest type meeting but clearly a party ideological meeting, sow e should NOT be paying for any of that.

    IF, such as Coleman, there is something on (like a pre-set conference date) that they would have gone to anyway, then clearly it makes sense and I have no problem with them attending a match but if their business has ended they shold pay their own accomodation and food. Given how much money they all have (all politicians when you add in the stuff outside of salary) this shouldn’t be something they would question?

    We have a HIgh Commission in London so that is where any meetings he hosts should be held, meaning he doesn’t need suites of rooms in a hotel.

    • Ross 6.1

      I don’t think there’s any accommodation at the High Commission. However, his mate Lockwood Smith was renting a house in London last year. You’d like to think he could make room for one more.

      http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11187162

      • Tracey 6.1.1

        That’s why I said if he was hosting people Ross. He doesn’t need a suite of rooms to sleep in great comfort. You only usually need a suite of rooms if you are using them to host your guests on government business. The HIgh Commission is very suitable for him to hold his meetings with important people, and he can sleep in a relatively “cheap” Hotel for far less than $2000 per night.

        He and Bronagh could get a room at the Savoy (hardy clumming it) for the lower end of the 2000 to 4000 rate.

        Sofitel London St James is available from 28 October to 2 November. St James in Haymarket is near the NZHC

        Sofitel London St James
        London
        0.15 km from Theatre Royal Haymarket
        LUXURY ROOM, 1 King Size BedLUXURY ROOM, 1 King Size Bed
        32 m², 345 sq.ft.- MyBed, LCD TV, desk, bathroom with bathtub and rain shower, complimentary WIFI & mineral water, CD player, Hermes toiletries, safe, coffee machine and tea making facility, individually controlled air-conditioning, minibar

        NZD5075.00

        I’m sure a bigger room with a sep area for him to do his late night work (whenhe isnt at his “office” set up at the HC, would still total less that $4000 a night… IF he wanted more luxury he could top it up himself?

        http://www.sofitel.com/gb/booking/rates.shtml?packId=36051338402

      • Gangnam Style 6.1.2

        And John Key has a house in London

        http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/newzealand/11156005/John-Key-the-poor-boy-who-saved-New-Zealands-economy.html

        “He owns an apartment in London, a beach house in Hawaii, a ski pad in……”

    • alwyn 6.2

      I don’t know whether Key attended the full scale Netball event but he certainly went to the “Fast5” World Championship final.
      See the last line of this news report that says he was there.
      http://www.mynetball.co.nz/latest-news/177-my-netball/1776-fast5-ferns-capture-inaugural-world-series-title.html
      ” Prime Minister John Key was a keen spectator at the final, adding his endorsement to the action-packed concept.”

      • Tracey 6.2.1

        so that’s like going to rugby 7s. 3 years ago. I assume that was all you could find?

        • alwyn 6.2.1.1

          Was that really 3 years ago?
          I just googled a simple query and that showed up. I assumed that when it said “latest news” it meant it.
          It was merely the first thing I found in the list of responses from Google. It was obviously more than you bothered with, wasn’t it.

  7. mary_a 7

    But doesn’t FJK own a flat in London for his own personal use? If so, then surely he should be using that.

    A good AUSTERITY measure would be to also accommodate the other govt ministers attending the RWC! After all, austerity applies to the rest of us.

    So a good practical move as an example for the rest of the country, is to lead from the top! But as far as that one is concerned, let’s not hold our breath!

    • ankerawshark 7.1

      Maybe JK doesn’t like his own flat and is being “fussy” like those pesky housing corp tenants that Paula Bennett bleet’s on about who turn down housing.

      It is beyond me that JK can even consider staying in a hotel at $2000 – $4000 a day, especially when he has his own digs.

    • Hami Shearlie 7.2

      Apparently he can’t stay in the place he owns – a relative is house-sitting there, a niece or something and God forbid that Jonkey should be made to share a bathroom or something!! No, that would be more unthinkable than our paying megabucks to a most expensive hotel!

      • mary_a 7.2.1

        @ Hami Shearlie (7.2) – well FJK wouldn’t need to shower in his own flat would he He’d find out where Richie and the boys are staying and shower with them I’d say! That way, there would be more room for his “guests” staying in his apartment to carry out their ablutions.

        A “considerate” move on FJK’s part wouldn’t you say?

  8. shorts 8

    if Key could handle himself as a statesperson and represent the country without appearing on John Oliver I wouldn’t mind… its out national game and all that plus we also hosted the last one so some sort of representation seems fitting

    What I do begrudge is the way Key and co will shove it in our faces, like 12 year olds on some merry jaunt

    English can’t even sell the trip to the taxpayers

    *faceplam*

  9. tangled_up 9

    “I think New Zealanders would expect some form of representation from the government in the form of the sports minister and the Prime Minister to actually be at this game.”

    That’s probably true. It would be happening if Labour were in government too.

    “The English defence should be used by the next social welfare beneficiary facing a charge of benefit fraud because they could not make ends meet. If New Zealanders do not mind it must be OK.”

    I think New Zealanders do mind about benefit fraud.

  10. Matthew Hooton 10

    Of course the prime minister should attend (and probably the sports minister too). And the taxpayer should pay. Had the election turned out differently, it would be Cunliffe and Mallard and quite rightly too. Whether you like it or not, John Key is the leader of the country and in attending this match he is fulfilling that role, just as Bolger and Clark would have done. A case can be make that is the part of his job he does best and he should pay more attention to other aspects of it!

    • Ross 10.1

      Matthew

      I don’t think anyone is saying they shouldn’t attend. But they are well-remunerated for what they do and enjoy numerous perks. They can afford to pay their own way.

      • Matthew Hooton 10.1.1

        It’s a work trip. The employer pays. When a poor and downtrodden PM is elected, are you saying s/he should pay their own way?

        • Ross 10.1.1.1

          When a poor and downtrodden PM is elected, pigs will fly!

          If watching the World Cup final is work, I’m in the wrong job. 🙂

        • Sabine 10.1.1.2

          Do you consider the welfare recipients of this country to be the employer of Dear Leader?
          Do you consider the sick people on a waiting list for chemo therapy the employer of Dear Leader?
          Do you consider the unemployed workers of Fonterra and others the employer of Dear Leader?
          Do you consider the homeless or soon to be homeless in lovely Aotearoa the employer of Dear Leader?
          Do you consider the victims of domestic assault that have no more safe houses the employer of Dear leader?
          Do you consider the kids that go to school hungry to be the employer of Dear Leader?
          Do you consider the Care Givers of our elderlies, our physically handicapped, our mentally impaired the employer of Dear Leader?
          Do you consider the people of certain parts of CHCH to be the employer of Dear Leader?
          Do you consider the pupils of public schools and their teacher to be the employer of Dear Leader?
          Do you consider the nurses and nurse aids in public hospitals to be the employer of Dear Leader?

          Cause for all these Employers of Dear Leader, the treasury and Dear Leader has nothing but contempt and a closed purse.

          Do you really believe that this country has no other issues than the PM going to horse around with the blond locks of Richie on tax payers dime when the country is a 100 billion and counting in debt?
          What was the spiel again about the conservatives being so ‘fiscally responsible” and good with money, and ‘only spend what you have’, and don’t buy shit on a CreditCard for future generations to pay off.

          Oh yeah,….that does not fit in with the narrative that you are paid to peddle? Cause thats what you do ey? Peddle a container load of horsemanure ever single day of your life to promote Dear Leader, our most exalted and accomplished Doer of Nothing Much.

        • Gangnam Style 10.1.1.3

          If its work (PM hat) then they shouldn’t be drinking, theres not many jobs where you get paid to drink!

        • McFlock 10.1.1.4

          Don’t pms get several hundred thousand a year?

          I’d be okay with elected officials going according to my employer’s policy on remuneration for work trips: modest transport, meals and accommodation, and if I want to upgrade I pay the extra myself. $2200/night room? yeah, I’d have to front around $2k myself.

    • Ad 10.2

      All they had to do was lift a fucking finger and ensure that there was open air rights for broadcast simulcast across New Zealand.

      After all, if we are prepared to subsidise a couple of citizens to go and see it – elected though they may be – they should subsidise all citizens.

      And I betcha paying for simulcast air rights to (say) 10 open air venues across New Zealand would be a helluva lot cheaper subsidy per person than the bill for the politicians to be sent to the game in person.

      Politicians – even Ministers and Prime Ministers – are mere citizens.

    • Sacha 10.3

      Any thoughts on why Groser would be there?

    • Tracey 10.4

      So why doesn’t he go to the Netball Finals, or the Womens rugby finals Matthew as prime minister? Clark, to my recall attended rugby and netball matches (both national sports).

  11. Ross 11

    It does seem off that our esteemed multi-millionaire PM doesn’t want to pay his own way. I imagine virtually all his other costs associated with this jaunt will be paid for by organisers of the World Cup, so all he’d have to pay is his airfare and hotel. I’m surprised he doesn’t want to do that.

    • Sabine 11.1

      you don’t get rich by paying your own way. It simply does not work that way. One gets rich by having others pay for them. Simple as that. Our Dear Leader, the great exalted Richie Boy Fan, our most esteemed Flag changer, Money Printer, and Beer drinker knows that.

    • Draco T Bastard 11.2

      It does seem off that our esteemed multi-millionaire PM doesn’t want to pay his own way.

      You don’t get and stay rich by paying for anything.

  12. Whispering Kate 12

    Is the Gov tab paying also for his top dollar fares and high priced hotel expenses to Marrakesh to chair the International Democrat Union which he is also attending. this most definitely has nothing to do with the good of this country being a right wing gathering of like minds to discuss more pain for the disadvantaged of the planet. Why don’t journalists ask this tough question to double dip Bill or demand an explanation from him about it.

  13. infused 13

    Fuck this is laughable.

    As Matthew said, this is effectively a work trip. he’s the pm, our national game.

    His wealth shouldn’t have any bearing at all.

    The left are fucked.

    • Lanthanide 13.1

      +1

      After the discussion Ad’s post generated with a whole bunch of people saying “show us the evidence”.

      Well this is the evidence. As is the Greens stance around early bar openings for the RWC.

      • infused 13.1.1

        And how my drunken incidents were reported???

        ffs.

      • Enough is Enough 13.1.2

        Agreed

      • Tracey 13.1.3

        And yet, the LEADER of the Labour party IS attending. Many here have said they support the PM going (many who regularly show themselves to be “left” on this blog.

        • Lanthanide 13.1.3.1

          And many others have made it seem like a problem that he is going.

          The point is, the fact that we are even having this conversation at all, shows that the left is not comfortable with sports and politics. Some people on the left ‘have’ to go out of their way to show up how horrible John Key is for doing the same thing that 98% of other world leaders do – attend high-profile sporting events that their national team is playing the final in.

          • Tracey 13.1.3.1.1

            how many do ya reckon on this thread? 10?

            surely the point is that the leader of the labour party is showing his idoltry of sport by going? thecrest of nz voters dont know about the 10 haters on here?

    • Sabine 13.2

      but his wealth has no bearings.

      However, considering that many services in NZ including vital services such as Health Care have been cut, services to social welfare have been cut, services to the public education system have been cut, one could make the point that we a. either have the money to fund it all properly and that includes trips overseas, or we b. don’t have the money to fund it all properly and that includes trips overseas, and cuts need to be made and that includes trips overseas.
      As rugby is not something that is vital to the well being of the country (morally maybe, but fiscally?) one could argue that this trip is just a vanity project and maybe should have been gutted as such. Dear Leader could have scored quite a few brownie points, by going to the local pub at 5 am in the morning and have his beer with some of his other employers 🙂 NO you think Not?

      • infused 13.2.1

        If you want to make NZ look like a 3rd world country, sure.

        funding a few thousand for a trip, vs millions for services is quite different.

        • BM 13.2.1.1

          I get the feeling sabine is one of those hard core lefty Catholics, the type who spend their day self flagellating and wallowing in misery and woe.

          • Sabine 13.2.1.1.1

            nah, not quite, just someone who is fiscally conservative. You see, I do like to buy stuff as much as any other one, i just don’t do it on the credit card.
            I would also like to leave a few things behind when I bite the dust, like, social welfare, health care, intact infrastructure, etc etc.

            I am something the right only profess to be when it comes to slacking off a leftie, I am a conservative when it comes to spending money that I have or not have.

            And I am one of the very few Kiwis that does not have a credit card, does not have a loan, and still lives very very well, and travels well, and eats well, and drinks well, and loves well, cause there ain’t no debt collector giving me grief and all i have I own.

            And I would expect the same attitude of someone who ran on the platform of fiscal responsibilities, and good business sense and holds the purse to the well being of the country.

            And this current National Government has neither.

            • BM 13.2.1.1.1.1

              So you eat well, travel well, drink well and yet moan about inequality in NZ.

              • Sabine

                Yes. because It concerns me.
                I am lucky enough today to eat well, to sleep well, and to love well, and in my younger years I was able to travel well.

                And because I have had all of these things, and because I am very aware of how quickly life can change I would like to preserve what we have, I would like to be able to leave something behind (and no I don’t have children), I would like for other people to also have a good life.

                Because you see there but for the grace of god I go.

                And just because, before I ate well, and slept well, I was homeless, living the life of a street kid at a young age, have had my fair share of sexual harassment (which is what got me on the street in the first place) and I have slept rough, and gone without food for a few days here and there.
                I actually know what I speak of.
                And I would love for other people to not have to go through the shit I did in order to find a place where they are finally able to say, I eat well, I sleep well and I love well.

                • BM

                  I have to ask, what do you do for the less well off in society.?

                  Do you donate food, money, your time?

                  • Sabine

                    Yes. I do.
                    Look BM, I am not an island, and one day i am going to be old and decrepit (more so than now), and I will depend on the good will of others.
                    And when I am old and decrepit I will also depend to some extend on the government be it only for old age pension.
                    I am neither rich nor poor, i don’t own a house (never saw the reason for it, especially as I have no kids, so there is no need to leave something physically behind), but I have my business, I earn my live, I have some young girls work for me (a pay above the min wage) and I try to be a decent human being.

                    But I do know, that we can’t live in a society where over 50% of the people don’t know where the next meal is coming from, or if they still have a rental next week, or if they can afford to go to a doctor if they fall ill.
                    So yes, I would like for our governments, regardless of stripes and affiliations, to work for the better of the country. I have no issues paying taxes to afford a decent Infrastructure, good hospitals, good schools for future generations, good old folk homes where one can live out live with dignity etc etc.
                    And I have no issues helping others that need help.

                    I am no Island, I live in my community, and If I want a nice community I need to do my bit.

                    And I will never forget the feeling of being hungry to the point of fainting, sleeping in half finished building sites at the beginning of the winter and only not contemplating suicide because you see, tomorrow might just be the day evertyhing changes and life is good.

                  • appleboy

                    One Thing I would wager $50 on, BM does not give anything to anyone, and always crosses the street or averts eyes passing street collectors. You know that’s disturbingly true.

          • Tracey 13.2.1.1.2

            are you a hard core evangelist rightie?

        • Ross 13.2.1.2

          Infused,

          So a few thousand is such chicken feed, the PM will able to dip into his pocket and he won’t even notice the difference, right?

          • Sabine 13.2.1.2.1

            ah matey
            a few thousands here
            a few thousand there

            soon we are talking billions. 🙂

          • Hami Shearlie 13.2.1.2.2

            And we all know that Jonkey is very very fond of “feeding the chickens” now, don’t we?

            • mary_a 13.2.1.2.2.1

              @ Hami Shearlie (13.2.1.2.2)

              If the ABs win next weekend, as a reward, FJK might offer Richie and the boys the opportunity to “feed his chickens.” After that they could go on to play with the carefully packed away (in FJK’s luggage) repaired MBIE damaged inflatable sheep (which Blinglish denies it is).

              Cluck, cluck … baa baa … chickens, sheep – oh such fun. Now anyone got a pony tail?

        • Draco T Bastard 13.2.1.3

          If you want to make NZ look like a 3rd world country, sure.

          National’s already doing that by cutting essential services and upping how much of our wealth that the rich get.

        • Sabine 13.2.1.4

          i don’t make the rules, currently it is national doing that.

          But you know for once I agree with you. Cutting vital services and buying private trinkets and overseas trips at taxpayers expense is very much the hallmark of a 3rd world country.

    • stigie 13.3

      I cant believe this post ?

    • Ross 13.4

      If watching the World Cup final is work, we all need better work stories.

      He’s a well paid public servant who surely can afford to pay his own way.

  14. ropata 14

    Taxpayers Union is eerily quiet about this, clearly our divine ruler Jong Kee is beyond question, too bad we can’t fund women’s refuges or counselling services

  15. Steve Reeves 15

    “The Prime Minister is over there largely because of the free trade agreement launch with Europe, and that’s why the Trade Minister [Tim Groser] is there. So, actually they are economising.”

    What is the free trade agreement with Europe???

    • dukeofurl 15.1

      Thats where the semantics come in .

      AT the moment they are “reflecting” on whether or not to “begin negotiations”, which is code for trips around major events and holidays.

      Key doesnt do any of the actual work regarding these things, even Groser is mostly an ornament ( “What makes you think Ive read the TPPA?”)

    • Matthew Hooton 15.2

      NZ and the EU are soon to begin negotiations on an FTA.

      • Tracey 15.2.1

        Sure. What about the chairing of the right wing ideological “spread the good news about conservatism” meeting, was that PM stuff too?

        Based on how much we backtracked on TPP from nothing short of a great deal will do to whatever we could get, maybe it would be better if he stayed out of future ones

        😉

  16. Sabine 16

    Well I guess the few thousands (or tens of thousands) to house the PM and his Posse overseas to watch a game of Rugby will be paid for by the same people that can’t find a house.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/73393355/housing-new-zealand-misses-new-homes-target
    “Housing New Zealand will not meet its commitment to build 2000 new homes by December.

    In June, the agency warned that its Christchurch construction drive would not be completed until next year.

    Its annual report reveals those on the waiting list for a state home around the rest of New Zealand will also face delays.

    As at June 30, HNZ had only completed 666 of the new homes.

    Chief executive Glen Sowry said a further 1359 were in development, and the build programme was still “a top priority”.

    “The majority will have been completed by the end of 2015 and the rest will be under construction by that time,” he said.

    In the 2014/15 financial year, the agency only completed 247 builds outside Christchurch, less than half of its target.”
    —————————————————————————————————————————
    and this is one of the reasons, i would have preferred Dear Leader to stay at home, watch the games at 5 am in the mornings in one of the Pubs that stayed open for the games, lifting a beer or many with the people that pay his wage.
    He could watch his game, and then go to the office and put in a good day of work, one part of it, making sure his Government and his Staff meeting the deadlines and targets they themselves have set. But I guess, that would actually be work, and he could not be photographed getting all souped up in a locker room with the boys.

    Priorities our little country has them.

    • Rosemary McDonald 16.1

      “But I guess, that would actually be work, and he could not be photographed getting all souped up in a locker room with the boys.”

      Without this, he’d be nothing.

      Anyone want to bet that he’ll be down there on the field for the prizegiving…doing the truly creepy three way thing again?

      Whoever wins.

      He’s just painting the letter box while the house falls down.

      • mary_a 16.1.1

        @ Rosemary McDonald (16.1) – I believe Prince Harry is presenting the cup. So the security will be thick and FJK might not get a look in to be able to repeat his three way handshake performance of 2011.

        Unidentified guest comes to mind here 🙂

    • Reddelusion 16.2

      And if he did Sabine you would also see fault with that as well. You appear to have a massive guilt complex and make yourself feel better by judging others that helps absolve you of your meagre contribution to help the needy

  17. Matt 17

    I’m sure you weren’t upset when Helen Clark attended the Quarterfinal at Millennium Stadium in 2007. Attendance at that particular match was quite cynical as the All Blacks were thought to be shoo ins. Cue the camera shot of Helen applauding a terrific All Blacks victory. Instead it was an extremely sour moment as any chance of a 4th term in office off the back of a World Cup victory was snatched away in an instant.

    • Ross 17.1

      I don’t know anyone upset at our esteemed PM attending the World Cup final. Just as long as he pays his own way and lays off the turps.

  18. One Two 18

    Get outside for some fresh air and realise how asinine this particular discussion is

  19. Venezia 19

    Snouts in the trough again! Bludging on the taxpayer when they should be paying for this jaunt themselves. I’m thinking of the axing of Community Education, underfunding of health and education (except for Charter Schools of course) – to pay for the already wealthy to enjoy expensive publicly funded holidays like this.

  20. Nick 20

    I think the worst part is not the rugby, it’s the other important meetings where we are represented by this clown. He’s so lightweight and frivolous, casual, uncaring and disinterested in his actual role. It’s like he’s a Shortland St actor pretending to be PM (and a lot of people watch it) unfortunately it’s real, not a soap opera.

  21. Mike Bond 21

    It is real sad to see the comments on this site as people continue the negativity against Key. When a Labour government was in power, that PM went all around the world attending functions as the New Zealand representative and the tax payer paid. That is how it should be. Now Key and company do the same and you all have a go at them? Read anywhere about the Labour party and it’s supporters and you will see the words “Hypocrites”, “negative”, etc. If Labour want any chance of winning the next election, we need to see an end to the hypocrisy and negativity from the leader all the way down and hopefully this will filter through to the supporters and a new fresh approach to take on the right will lead to ultimate victory come 2017.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 21.1

      🙄

      If you want to talk to Labour why don’t you use their website?

      That said, why they or anyone else would listen to a right wing troll trolling rote-learned attack lines is beyond me.

      • The lost sheep 21.1.1

        “That said, why they or anyone else would listen to a right wing troll trolling rote-learned attack lines is beyond me.”

        You mean like YOU spend so much time reading and reacting to the attack lines of right wing trolls OAB?

        Beats me also.

    • Smilin 21.2

      What a patronising ignorant excuse for the use of words collectively organised to attempt to be an opinion of substance and value.
      Get a life this tory BS that runs this country is good at lying nothing else

  22. Bea Brown 22

    Mike Bond
    I couldn’t agree more. I would add another word ‘destructive’ which is what a group of old Lefty friends bemoaned over coffee.
    We all thought destructive both of the interests of NZ and of the Party itself.
    It’s like the old song ‘accentuate the positive’. We want to hear strong messages about what Labour will do with our support.
    Attacking Key in this insanely repetitive and childish way and frothing at the mouth doesn’t look like a government-in-waiting.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 22.1

      That’s right: it looks like a bunch of citizens on a left wing blog, rather than the Labour Party. That’s because The Standard isn’t the Labour Party.

      Continuing to pretend it is makes you boring as well as right wing.

    • Mike Bond 22.2

      Thanks for that. How could I have forgotten the “destructive” part. Worst for me is that they don’t see what they are doing!

    • Ffloyd 22.3

      Bb, Don’t you watch key at QA in Parliament. Insanely repetitive, childish, mouth frothing, abusive, malicious, vindictive, dishonest, lying, anything but be a pm we can be proud of instead of excruciatingly embarrassing. Oh, forgot screaming banshee. All this so he doesn’t have to be a true politician and answer the questions asked of him in a measured and stately manner. He offers nothing of any value to NZer’s. Except the rich of course.

      • Mike Bond 22.3.1

        And Little is so much better? As long as Labour have supporters like you that do not see the truth of what is happening, they will never be the government. Do you not realise that 92% of the public do not want Little as their PM? Time for Labour to do something drastic and become an opposition of note again.

        • One Anonymous Bloke 22.3.1.1

          It’s time you realised that people here have memories, and can remember what Helen Clark’s rating was before she became PM.

          Because that’s all it takes to know that your deeply held beliefs bad faith comments are complete nonsense as well as motivated by malice.

    • North 22.4

      Except Bea Brown……John McCaw was never into rugby……as proof – “I don’t recall where I sat on the ’81 Tour”. Then all these years later the big blouse is hard out trying to transfuse Richie’s ‘macho’ and be “Rugby-mad PM John Key…….” – as heard from some breathless flibbertigibbet news reader. It’s so fake, so embarrassing, so disgraceful. The sort of ‘never could do woulda loved to……’ dickhead you can see stalking around any rugby club at 4.30 pm on any winter Saturday afternoon. To whom everyone has to be ‘nice’. This is our PM ??? This wannabe……

  23. Bea Brown 23

    Even more boring are the same old insults about John Key.
    But I guess if it entertains you…

  24. Smilin 24

    Well Bill you want to come and tell that BS to me personally? I ll send you to Liverpool

  25. NZJester 25

    Maybe the National Party should be paying for this out of their party funds, instead of the tax payer. Lets face it the only reason Key is going is for more camera face time with the ABs and is nothing more than a political photo opportunity for him.

  26. RedBaronCV 26

    Why doesn’t he bunk down in the dressing room – he spends enough time in there.

  27. Bill English said that the public did not mind picking up the tab for Ministers to go to the R.W.C.

    Really Bill? I’d have told you to pay your own way and stop dipping into that public purse you so jealously guard.

  28. With lifetime of involvement in rugby I clearly have done more to get the All Blacks to their final than John Key. I resent that John Key gets to go and and I have to pay for him.
    I resent that his son got to do his Mad Max look in the All Black changing room at Eden Park. My kids were more deserving.

  29. reason 29

    I stopped following the rugby years ago when the AB’s became a corporate team and moved to sky ………… It really is a dull game to watch which may be why the Nat’s rushed through the pro-alcohol get pissed to watch the world cup laws that they did under urgency ……..

    Not having followed Thugby for a while I’m confused about John keys role in the team….. does he have to suck Mckaws dick??????? …… or is it the other way around?

    It must be said …….the All blacks are legends ……………. for choking in world cups …..

    But apart from that they are world leaders in a minor, boring violent sport …… that means so much to us.

    Go the mighty national party All blacks ………….. do it for john the hammer man Key.

  30. Smilin 30

    The ability to see the All Blacks in any test these days I compare with how it was back in the non corporate days
    In the sixties about 90% of our small town was able to go to our provincial city to see the test now its reserved for those who have the dosh and media pr ops and you could even feel good if our PM turned up
    Not so sure our PM creates the same mana now
    So go the AB’s, the country, it is there in you, its your day to represent NZ

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • EV road user charges bill passes
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the passing of legislation to move light electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) into the road user charges system from 1 April.  “It was always intended that EVs and PHEVs would be exempt from road user charges until they reached two ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 hours ago
  • Bill targets illegal, unregulated fishing in international waters
    New Zealand is strengthening its ability to combat illegal fishing outside its domestic waters and beef up regulation for its own commercial fishers in international waters through a Bill which had its first reading in Parliament today. The Fisheries (International Fishing and Other Matters) Amendment Bill 2023 sets out stronger ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    8 hours ago
  • Reserve Bank appointments
    Economists Carl Hansen and Professor Prasanna Gai have been appointed to the Reserve Bank Monetary Policy Committee, Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced today. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is the independent decision-making body that sets the Official Cash Rate which determines interest rates.  Carl Hansen, the executive director of Capital ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    9 hours ago
  • Stronger protections for apartment owners
    Apartment owners and buyers will soon have greater protections as further changes to the law on unit titles come into effect, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “The Unit Titles (Strengthening Body Corporate Governance and Other Matters) Amendment Act had already introduced some changes in December 2022 and May 2023, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    11 hours ago
  • Travel focused on traditional partners and Middle East
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to Egypt and Europe from this weekend.    “This travel will focus on a range of New Zealand’s traditional diplomatic and security partnerships while enabling broad engagement on the urgent situation in Gaza,” Mr Peters says.   Mr Peters will attend the NATO Foreign ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    12 hours ago
  • Keep safe on our roads this Easter
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown is encouraging all road users to stay safe, plan their journeys ahead of time, and be patient with other drivers while travelling around this Easter long weekend. “Road safety is a responsibility we all share, and with increased traffic on our roads expected this Easter we ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    14 hours ago
  • Cost of living support for over 1.4 million Kiwis
    About 1.4 million New Zealanders will receive cost of living relief through increased government assistance from April 1 909,000 pensioners get a boost to Superannuation, including 5000 veterans 371,000 working-age beneficiaries will get higher payments 45,000 students will see an increase in their allowance Over a quarter of New Zealanders ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago
  • Tenancy reviews for social housing restart
    Ensuring social housing is being provided to those with the greatest needs is front of mind as the Government restarts social housing tenancy reviews, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. “Our relentless focus on building a strong economy is to ensure we can deliver better public services such as social ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago
  • Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary plan halted
    The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary will not go ahead, with Cabinet deciding to stop work on the proposed reserve and remove the Bill that would have established it from Parliament’s order paper. “The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill would have created a 620,000 sq km economic no-go zone,” Oceans and Fisheries Minister ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago
  • Cutting all that dam red tape
    Dam safety regulations are being amended so that smaller dams won’t be subject to excessive compliance costs, Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on reducing costs and removing unnecessary red tape so we can get the economy back on track.  “Dam safety regulations ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    16 hours ago
  • Drought support extended to parts of North Island
    The coalition Government is expanding the medium-scale adverse event classification to parts of the North Island as dry weather conditions persist, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced today. “I have made the decision to expand the medium-scale adverse event classification already in place for parts of the South Island to also cover the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    17 hours ago
  • Passage of major tax bill welcomed
    The passing of legislation giving effect to coalition Government tax commitments has been welcomed by Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “The Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill will help place New Zealand on a more secure economic footing, improve outcomes for New Zealanders, and make our tax system ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Lifting economy through science, tertiary sectors
    Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins and Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds today announced plans to transform our science and university sectors to boost the economy. Two advisory groups, chaired by Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, will advise the Government on how these sectors can play a greater ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Government announces Budget priorities
    The Budget will deliver urgently-needed tax relief to hard-working New Zealanders while putting the government’s finances back on a sustainable track, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.  The Finance Minister made the comments at the release of the Budget Policy Statement setting out the Government’s Budget objectives. “The coalition Government intends ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Government to consider accommodation solution
    The coalition Government will look at options to address a zoning issue that limits how much financial support Queenstown residents can get for accommodation. Cabinet has agreed on a response to the Petitions Committee, which had recommended the geographic information MSD uses to determine how much accommodation supplement can be ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government approves extension to Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care
    Cabinet has agreed to a short extension to the final reporting timeframe for the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care from 28 March 2024 to 26 June 2024, Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says.                                         “The Royal Commission wrote to me on 16 February 2024, requesting that I consider an ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • $18m boost for Kiwis travelling to health treatment
    The coalition Government is delivering an $18 million boost to New Zealanders needing to travel for specialist health treatment, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says.   “These changes are long overdue – the National Travel Assistance (NTA) scheme saw its last increase to mileage and accommodation rates way back in 2009.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • PM’s Prizes for Space to showcase sector’s talent
    The Government is recognising the innovative and rising talent in New Zealand’s growing space sector, with the Prime Minister and Space Minister Judith Collins announcing the new Prime Minister’s Prizes for Space today. “New Zealand has a growing reputation as a high-value partner for space missions and research. I am ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Concerns conveyed to China over cyber activity
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government.     “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity, attributed to groups sponsored by the Chinese Government, targeting democratic institutions in both New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry
    Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry Education Minister Erica Stanford today announced the appointment of three independent reviewers to lead the Ministerial Inquiry into the Ministry of Education’s School Property Function.  The Inquiry will be led by former Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully. “There is a clear need ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Brynderwyns open for Easter
    State Highway 1 across the Brynderwyns will be open for Easter weekend, with work currently underway to ensure the resilience of this critical route being paused for Easter Weekend to allow holiday makers to travel north, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Today I visited the Brynderwyn Hills construction site, where ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Speech to the Infrastructure Funding & Financing Conference
    Introduction Good morning to you all, and thanks for having me bright and early today. I am absolutely delighted to be the Minister for Infrastructure alongside the Minister of Housing and Resource Management Reform. I know the Prime Minister sees the three roles as closely connected and he wants me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Parliamentary network breached by the PRC
    New Zealand stands with the United Kingdom in its condemnation of People’s Republic of China (PRC) state-backed malicious cyber activity impacting its Electoral Commission and targeting Members of the UK Parliament. “The use of cyber-enabled espionage operations to interfere with democratic institutions and processes anywhere is unacceptable,” Minister Responsible for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • NZ to provide support for Solomon Islands election
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced New Zealand will provide logistics support for the upcoming Solomon Islands election. “We’re sending a team of New Zealand Defence Force personnel and two NH90 helicopters to provide logistics support for the election on 17 April, at the request ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • NZ-EU FTA gains Royal Assent for 1 May entry to force
    The European Union Free Trade Agreement Legislation Amendment Bill received Royal Assent today, completing the process for New Zealand’s ratification of its free trade agreement with the European Union.    “I am pleased to announce that today, in a small ceremony at the Beehive, New Zealand notified the European Union ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • COVID-19 inquiry attracts 11,000 submissions
    Public consultation on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons has concluded, Internal Affairs Minister Hon Brooke van Velden says.  “I have been advised that there were over 11,000 submissions made through the Royal Commission’s online consultation portal.” Expanding the scope of the Royal Commission of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Families to receive up to $75 a week help with ECE fees
    Hardworking families are set to benefit from a new credit to help them meet their early childcare education (ECE) costs, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. From 1 July, parents and caregivers of young children will be supported to manage the rising cost of living with a partial reimbursement of their ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Unlocking a sustainable, low-emissions future
    A specialised Independent Technical Advisory Group (ITAG) tasked with preparing and publishing independent non-binding advice on the design of a "green" (sustainable finance) taxonomy rulebook is being established, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says.  “Comprising experts and market participants, the ITAG's primary goal is to deliver comprehensive recommendations to the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Chief of Army thanked for his service
    Defence Minister Judith Collins has thanked the Chief of Army, Major General John Boswell, DSD, for his service as he leaves the Army after 40 years. “I would like to thank Major General Boswell for his contribution to the Army and the wider New Zealand Defence Force, undertaking many different ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders
    25 March 2024 Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders Small Business, Manufacturing, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly will travel to Australia for a series of bi-lateral meetings and manufacturing visits. During the visit, Minister Bayly will meet with his Australian counterparts, Senator Tim Ayres, Ed ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Government commits nearly $3 million for period products in schools
    Government commits almost $3 million for period products in schools The Coalition Government has committed $2.9 million to ensure intermediate and secondary schools continue providing period products to those who need them, Minister of Education Erica Stanford announced today. “This is an issue of dignity and ensuring young women don’t ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Speech – Making it easier to build.
    Good morning, it’s great to be here.   First, I would like to acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of Building Surveyors and thank you for the opportunity to be here this morning.  I would like to use this opportunity to outline the Government’s ambitious plan and what we hope to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Pacific youth to shine from boost to Polyfest
    Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti has announced the Government’s commitment to the Auckland Secondary Schools Māori and Pacific Islands Cultural Festival, more commonly known as Polyfest. “The Ministry for Pacific Peoples is a longtime supporter of Polyfest and, as it celebrates 49 years in 2024, I’m proud to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • 2024 Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships announced
    ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Speech to Breast Cancer Foundation – Insights Conference
    Before moving onto the substance of today’s address, I want to recognise the very significant and ongoing contribution the Breast Cancer Foundation makes to support the lives of New Zealand women and their families living with breast cancer. I very much enjoy working with you. I also want to recognise ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Kiwi research soars to International Space Station
    New Zealand has notched up a first with the launch of University of Canterbury research to the International Space Station, Science, Innovation and Technology and Space Minister Judith Collins says. The hardware, developed by Dr Sarah Kessans, is designed to operate autonomously in orbit, allowing scientists on Earth to study ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Speech to the New Zealand Planning Institute
    Introduction Thank you for inviting me to speak with you today and I’m sorry I can’t be there in person. Yesterday I started in Wellington for Breakfast TV, spoke to a property conference in Auckland, and finished the day speaking to local government in Christchurch, so it would have been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Support for Northland emergency response centre
    The Coalition Government is contributing more than $1 million to support the establishment of an emergency multi-agency coordination centre in Northland. Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced the contribution today during a visit of the Whangārei site where the facility will be constructed.  “Northland has faced a number ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Celebrating 20 years of Whakaata Māori
    New Zealanders have enjoyed a broader range of voices telling the story of Aotearoa thanks to the creation of Whakaata Māori 20 years ago, says Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka. The minister spoke at a celebration marking the national indigenous media organisation’s 20th anniversary at their studio in Auckland on ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Some commercial fishery catch limits increased
    Commercial catch limits for some fisheries have been increased following a review showing stocks are healthy and abundant, Ocean and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The changes, along with some other catch limit changes and management settings, begin coming into effect from 1 April 2024. "Regular biannual reviews of fish ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-03-28T11:46:41+00:00