Weeding out low quality

Written By: - Date published: 8:02 am, April 24th, 2010 - 58 comments
Categories: bill english, budget 2010, class war, john key, tax, welfare - Tags:

Last month our PM was boldly telling the IMF to back off:

PM rejects IMF call for spending cuts

Prime Minister John Key has rejected suggestions by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that the government needs to go further in cutting spending, saying plenty of progress is already being made in that area.

Since then I guess Bill English has told John to go practice his smile-and-wave in the corner, and has set out the government’s actual position:

Spending cuts help Government books

“In the Budget last year, we freed up $2 billion of low quality spending Budget 2010 will have a similar focus on weeding out low quality spending.”

The Nats are looking to cut $1.8 billion over four years. Where from? Last budget it was Adult and Community education (oops, turned out it was great value for money). Last budget it was contributions to the Cullen Fund (ooops again — hey maybe the Nats aren’t so good at picking winners after all). Last budget it was the Prisoner’s Aid and Rehabilitation Society (something that actually does reduce crime for a change). Last budget it was tertiary education funding commitments. And so on and so on.

So what will it be this time? What and who (with the easy arrogance of the party that brought you “Mainstream New Zealanders”) will be deemed to be “low quality” in need of “weeding out”? The only confirmed targets so far are public sector jobs — I expect that the families losing their livelihoods won’t mind though, they’re only low quality jobs after all. What else? Labour’s David Cunliffe seems to have a fair idea of other targets, because he presented a pretty specific list in Parliament (and over at Red Alert):

Hon David Cunliffe: Does his definition of low-quality spending include thousands of elderly in his own electorate who cannot get home help? Does it include dying patients in the Manawatū losing intensive rehabilitation services? Does it include $2 million cut from mental health services in Nelson? Does it include front-line biosecurity jobs, or police cars to get cops to crime?

Nothing but the usual evasions from English in reply of course, so I guess my and your elderly relatives with their home help slashed are low quality in English’s eyes. Nice one. And who needs biosecurity, or police cars? Low quality rubbish.

The Nats are trying to sell this not as cuts, but as “redirecting” funding to “the frontline”, to “health and education”. Bollocks. It’s just as legitimate to claim that they’re redirecting it to the tax cuts for high income earners, which they are desperate to work in to the budget somehow. We can fund health and education without these cuts! But the Nats aren’t going to drop the tax cuts. They aren’t going to cut Bill English’s housing rort or his extra $20pw housecleaning allowance. They aren’t going to cut John Key’s vanity cycleway project. They aren’t going to stop pouring billions into a useless holiday highway. They aren’t going to stop throwing exorbitant payouts at their hand picked mates. They aren’t going to deal with the incompetence of paying to keep empty schools open. That’s all high quality spending you see. Hmmm. Cunliffe again:

“In Mr English’s own electorate, thousands of elderly are having their home support they rely on cut so that rich earners like Mr English can pocket an extra $300 a week. The elderly in his electorate apparently represent low value in terms of services.”

That’s really what it all comes down to folks.

58 comments on “Weeding out low quality ”

  1. Craig Glen Eden 1

    This Post sums up what the National Party is all about and just what they are up to in Government. Nice work by David Cunliffe .
    How long before New Zealanders wake up?

  2. TightyRighty 2

    referencing your work based on flawed ideological articles written by yourself and your compatriots? i guess when you believe your own hype you can be your own reference.

    In the meantime, back in the real world, what is wrong with cutting low quality spending? you seem to be in love with the idea of pissing away $2 billion a year. which is two months borrowing at current rates. you might even get back your precious Moroccan cooking and Navajo blanket weaving night classes back if the nats can keep it up.

    • Ari 2.1

      Identify specific examples for us, Tighty, and I’ll debate the merits of those cuts.

      Until then, “low-quality spending” sounds like a euphemism for things this government doesn’t like very much, regardless of their rate of return on investment. (which is what I would imagine is one of the more objective measures of quality of government spending)

      • TightyRighty 2.1.1

        Adult community education. interest free student loans. social welfare. maintaining super where it is. WFF. i needn’t go on. I see trotter is agreeing with me too on the nation

        • Sam 2.1.1.1

          I love how you just dismiss the independent economic evaluation of these things when it suits you.

          PWC says that ACE is worth up to $74 per dollar spent, if you had bothered to read the article linked you’d see the reference. Show me the evidence that says that interest free student loans is bad for the country. John Key doesn’t seem to think so either, by the way. If investing in our nation’s education is a money poorly spent then it speaks volumes as to the sort of person you are and what you believe in – in a word, despicable.

          Then some vague attacks on welfare and WFF again without a shred of evidence; you might notice, if you bothered to do some reading on a topic you seem to think you know so much about, that the last time welfare was cut poverty and inequality shot through the roof – after the MOAB child poverty rates in all households that depend upon some form of assistance rose dramatically, in households with no income outside of support from the state (which is to say the most vulnerable area of our society) rose from around 20% to more than 75%. In less than a year. Our gini coefficient rose from something around 2.4 to 3.8, 3.9 through the nineties, our unemployment rate was very high, economic growth very low, and crime was the highest than at any other point since records were kept. That’s what happens when you cut welfare and don’t bother investing in education and jobs.

          But hey, who cares about what happened less than 20 years ago, yee-haw let’s take us some money from the state! Pow pow, pow pow, get ‘dem injins!

    • Zetetic 2.2

      Mate. Don’t cry in public. It’s unbecoming.

      But go on. Focus on a few K for Morrocan cooking. Ignore the beam in your eye – cut health services.

      • TightyRighty 2.2.1

        and yet more money than ever has gone into health, and more elective surgeries have been performed, with help from the private sector. hmmmmmm

        • Sam 2.2.1.1

          Yes because elective surgeries are the be all and end all of the health sector.

        • Irascible 2.2.1.2

          Paid for from the public purse!
          Private Health sector exists in NZ to dine from the taxpayer and their NACT mates know and support this.– ask McCully & co.

        • Ian 2.2.1.3

          Yeah like that is sustainable…..

          The national government are systematically disassembling preventative service in favour of ‘front line’ services.

          An analogy – if you service your car, put in the correct fluids, treat it with respect and care, then it last a long time. If you fill it with crap, abuse it and do not service it it breaks and costs a lot to fix.

          Human’s are exactly the same – too many McD’s, too many smoking, too many caged in their cars. Whilst the National government encourages ‘choice’ and detests the nanny state, and whilst they attempt to win votes by stacking stats on how many smokers bypasses they have done, how many obese peoples hips they have replaced, etc., all they are doing is lighting the fuse on a time bomb that future governments will have to atend to.

    • mach1 2.3

      Mum is delighted that the 20 hours of home help, low quality spending, that she needed to care for her and the old fella has been rolled back to 4 hours a week. Now she is unable to manage the old boy at home so off he goes into care at $3700 a month, high quality spending, paid for by the state. Marvelous, the poor old thing was struggling but now she gets to live the life, unburdened.

  3. jcuknz 3

    Have you no faith ROB that the worthy and clever public sector leaders will not make the correct decisions between what some would like and what are really needed in these times of belt tightening?

    Your examples seem to be concentrated on the emotional health sector, always a sure thing for the rabble rousers, when Mr English clearly said that the savings would go to meet the level of need in the Health and Education sectors. Most families are making these decisions of late and it is foolish not to expect similar of the public service.

    • Ari 3.1

      If the decision were in the hands of public sector executives, and they didn’t all have mandated cuts… perhaps. But I highly doubt that’s what will happen.

  4. Murray 4

    For someone that just smiles and waves John Key does seem to “do a lot” to upset the rabid left.
    Amazing how a Do Nothing Prime Minister manages to get things done.

    We all have to tighten our belts these days, its known as survival, and expect the Government to do the same.
    You guys will just have to do without your Moroccan cooking and Navajo blanket weaving night classes for a while. (thanks to TightyRighty)

    • r0b 4.1

      For someone that just smiles and waves John Key does seem to “do a lot’ to upset the rabid left.

      No Murray, not John. He gets overruled all the time by Bill English. Didn’t you read the post?

  5. felix 5

    Were there ever actually any “Moroccan cooking and Navajo blanket weaving night classes” or is this another “Helen Clark said coasters are feral inbreds” or “Key gives his salary to charity” scenario?

    (Still waiting for citations for both of those memes btw)

    • Murray 5.1

      Oh I dont Know, As a West Coaster we were all quite chuffed at being called feral. Coming from Helen it was a compliment,As to the inbred bit, all coaster know from an early age that when your under a table late at night in a west coast pub, you should always check that the woman your with is not your cousin or aunty, especially as you get closer to karamea. sic

      • Captain Rehab 5.1.1

        I think his point is that Helen Clark never said that. And she didn’t. Similarly everyone talks about how Key gives his salary to charity but he doesn’t.

      • felix 5.1.2

        Still waiting for the cite Murray. Tick tock.

        • Murray 5.1.2.1

          Have a look at Kiwiblog. Its fairly well established that she did make those comments. No matter in what context.
          As a coaster I certainly remember them

          [lprent: Kiwiblog isn’t authoritative. David has a tendency to spin a line on the facts and keep embellishing it regardless of the facts. felix is asking you for an authoritative source with an actual quote, not a DPF repeated embellishment.

          If you want to assert something as fact here, then you have to substantiate it. You have google, you should be able to find the original quote quite easily if it exists. If you can’t and then repeat it, I start to view it as trolling. ]

          • Murray 5.1.2.1.1

            The point I was making is that it was pretty well thrashed over on Kiwiblog with plenty of input from posters from the left. There were enough references to news reports and such on kiwiblog to establish that these words were said.
            Even if the words were said out of context it is how they were perceived that mattered

            Get over it and stop trying to rewrite history

            [lprent: That is what felix suspects you are doing – rewriting history.

            Put up, say you can’t substantiate it and it is probably untrue or shutup. But you can’t assert something as fact here and then refuse to back it up.

            I ban for that because it starts stupid flame wars that I have to waste time on. It is easier to get an instigator who can’t substantiate their assertions of fact and dump them out of the conversation. They’re not likely to be able to hold their end up on the debate anyway.

            Read the policy. ]

            • Pascal's bookie 5.1.2.1.1.1

              Should be easy peasy to link to one of those news reports Murray.

              Funny though. Good to see the admission that it’s “fuck the facts, maam, I’ll just let my prejudices determine reality”

            • felix 5.1.2.1.1.2

              Tick tock Murray.

    • r0b 5.2

      Were there ever actually any “Moroccan cooking and Navajo blanket weaving night classes”

      This is another example of right wing morons parroting each other. Tolley started it, but she got it completely wrong. Farrar repeated it, and now his troll farm (hi Murray) keep running round believing it.

      • zonk 5.2.1

        not morons. Nasty cynical pieces of work deliberately labelling and destroying the idea of adult education.

  6. TightyRighty 6

    and I’m still waiting for proof that bretheren don’t have chins. or that a prick can have money and therefore be rich, i thought it was just a rather fun appendage useful for defining, and entertaining, myself.

    • felix 6.1

      Ah yes I forgot about “all rich people are pricks”.

      Got a cite for that? Or any of the others?

      • TightyRighty 6.1.1

        “rich prick” i think was the quote felix.

        http://tvnz.co.nz/politics-news/cullen-prick-remark-not-meant-heard-2638356

        • felix 6.1.1.1

          Yeah everyone knows Cullen called Key a rich prick.

          But you guys have twisted that into “Cullen said everyone with money is a rich prick” or “Cullen said all rich people are pricks”.

          He didn’t. He called Key a rich prick. It’s like me calling you a right-wing idiot.

          I’m still waiting. Citation or backdown. Tick tock.

          • luva 6.1.1.1.1

            But you guys have twisted that into “Cullen said everyone with money is a rich prick’ or “Cullen said all rich people are pricks’.

            Citation please

            [lprent: That one is going to be easy. Just search for the phrases here and whoever you’re talking to will find a large number of comments over the last couple of years from a number of people. I’d suggest looking for burt, big bruv, I2, redbaiter, etc. Search for ‘Cullen “rich prick”‘. Pity the search at kiwiblog doesn’t do comments. ]

  7. prism 7

    TR – “you seem to be in love with the idea of pissing away $2 billion a year. which is two months borrowing at current rates. you might even get back your precious Moroccan cooking and Navajo blanket weaving night classes back if the nats can keep it up”.
    What a trusting, naive person you are Tighty Righty. If the NACT government decides anything you just accept its correctness so you don’t have to strain yourself to think.

    This ‘low quality spending’ choice is going to be quite subjective. You mention education outside the main channels under this description. Unfortunately people who are complacent don’t wish to learn anything more, as it might reveal unsettling ignorance. It is ultimately good for the country to have people attemping to extend their knowledge, interests and skills and can lead to creative, innovative personal or business projects.

    It is a necessity to the country to have innovation and people with active minds. The slightly educated colonists in the 1800’s rode to prosperity only on innovative ideas. We need more weaving, and foreign languages and cooking, and chefs learning unique Kiwi recipes which can be enhanced with fusion ideas or contrasted with foreign dishes. We want to be an interesting place for our own and foreign tourists. So we have to stop thinking like an isolated farming community, who think their neighbourhood is busy if two tractors pass in a day or townies who learn to get a job, and then heave a sigh of pleasure that the burden of learning is over.

    • TightyRighty 7.1

      Naive and trusting. I’m not a leftard?

      i believe most government spending to be low quality. so anything done to cut it, or at least move it to frontline services or infrastructure, gets my tick.

      “You mention education outside the main channels under this description. Unfortunately people who are complacent don’t wish to learn anything more, as it might reveal unsettling ignorance. It is ultimately good for the country to have people attemping to extend their knowledge, interests and skills and can lead to creative, innovative personal or business projects.”

      your right, but people should realise that they stand to benefit too, so should pony up for it. that way they prefer to learn some more useful skills. here is a list of courses of community courses in auckland. notice the repeats and useless courses on offer?

      http://www.xtend.co.nz/search/index.php?search_course=&regionid=allauck&searchbtn=Search&section=is_comed

      [lprent: Please clothe your links. Then I don’t have to rescue them from the spam trap. See here. ]

      • Descendant Of Smith 7.1.1

        I clicked on quite a few of those links and nearly all have a cost to attending – presumably to pay for the tutor and and equipment / supplies.

        I suspect from courses I’ve been involved with previously that the school makes a small profit from allowing their facilities to be used which also helps the school running costs.

        Using school facilities paid for by the public is also good value given that they belong to the tax payer anyway. After hours use also tends to ensure that there are adult bodies around which helps reduce vanadalism,

        No doubt the repeating of courses also allows for people with different work patterns or different transport needs to attend when and where suits them. Auckland is not the best place to travel from one place to another.

        I thought courses such as blokes in the kitchen, teen ante-natal, financial literacy and gardening basics all address good social needs that we know exist. Others address skill deficiencies _ I find it extremely frustrating employing people who don’t know the basics even of word and excel – there productivity is in most cases below those who do, others are peculiar probably to Auckland – inboard engine maintenance.

        I’m not clear on which ones the school can claim additional funding for I’m personally quite pleased that people have access to such a diverse range of education.

        Couldn’t unforutnately see any “Hi Ho Hi Ho off to the coal mines I go” ones though. I share your anticipated disappointment. Now that’s a course that would fit in with future work force priorities.

      • felix 7.1.2

        notice the repeats and useless courses on offer?

        Care to point out some “useless courses” which are funded by the state? As DoS says, those ones all have fees attached to them.

        Any luck finding a cite for the other memes yet? No?

      • felix 7.1.3

        Probably safe to take that as a “no” then, TR and Murray.

        That’s no we can’t find a reference to “coasters are feral inbreds”

        and no we can’t find a reference to “rich people are pricks”

        and no, we can’t a reference to any useless state-funded night school classes.

        Amazing that you both spent so much time typing things that you can’t back up. At all. In any way.

        You sad little fuckwits.

  8. Ari 8

    You know what’s really low quality spending?

    Untargetted tax cuts, especially for the rich. There’s an incredibly low rate of return. They could return to the tax regime before the election and save themselves a lot of money, AND stimulate the economy by making the tax less regressive. Fat chance on that, of course.

  9. MikeG 9

    hey don’t knock the cycleway – if it’s completed the tourists will be able to cycle the length of the country visiting the new holes in the ground. I hope that the cycleway includes a bridge to Stewart Island.

  10. Ianmac 10

    English was asked by Sean on Morning Report to give examples of low quality spending.
    “Er no. That will be up to the heads of departments.”

    In an interview with Katherine on Nine to Noon, (Thursday?) a Canadian authority on cutting State costs, said that if the Department concerned was able to keep the money that they had saved from their cuts, then they would be able to spend it on their own front line. Where this has happened in other countries a real enthusiastic response takes place. However I think that the plan in NZ is to return the savings to Govt coffers. So that it will pay for tax cuts and not on the front line at all? This line would be worth peruing.
    “What examples are there that money from cutting costs has been spent on the Front line.” eg:Say $1billion cut from Education = what on Education front line?

    • Murray 10.1

      So cuts are not necessary a bad thing then if done right.
      Most Departments already have the ability to spend more on their front line, but herein lies the problem within the public service, they often choose not to, Wasting it on logos and unnecessary corporate structure. I think many of these departments get so inflated they lose sight of who they are supposed to be helping.

      • Descendant Of Smith 10.1.1

        Prior to the private sector getting involved in the public sector – think someone like George Hickton for example – branding and logos and mission statements weren’t even a consideration for government departments as far as I can tell. It started in the 80’s with all the restructuring. It’s one of the ways the private sector made the public sector more (in)efficient.

        Branding is a clearly a private sector influence.

        Totally agree that it’s a waste of money though.

        But here’s where the right wingers can’t make their minds up – they want the public sector to be more like the private sector but then are critical when it is.

        Branding is probably a really good example of why the private sector should stay out of the public service.

        The thing that always amazes me is how uncritical shareholders are of companies who waste millions of $ on the same crap – at times bought from companies run by other family members – shifting shareholder profits to their family members by legal stealth. –

      • Ianmac 10.1.2

        Murray: Yes you are right in that any and every body needs to rethink their operations and cull this and develop that. Like how a family renews itself constantly actually.
        But “Most Departments already have the ability to spend more on their front line, but herein lies the problem within the public service, they often choose not to,” Now that would be hard to prove! The international evidence is however if the body was allowed to re-allocate the money to frontline as English says they will (????) then who better to do that but the HOD?

        • Murray 10.1.2.1

          If there in evidence that it does work then you are right “who better to do that but the HOD?”
          but how to get this happening

          • Ianmac 10.1.2.1.1

            The evidence is pretty conclusive according to the Canadian who has been a consultant around the World for over 20 years. He was in NZ recently to talk to um forgotten who.
            How to persuade the ever open English to action it? No sweat, but he will say (like Briscoes) “HOD have re directed up to 60% of money to the front line.” Of course nearly all of them will actually turn the savings into Treasury to pay for tax cuts.
            Will try and find the podcast.

            • Ianmac 10.1.2.1.1.1

              Friday 9:38
              http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/
              Partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers’ Canada Advisory Services practice. Mr Jones has 20-years’ experience in ‘Shared services’ and shares his thoughts on restructuring the state sector and why agencies should be allowed to keep the majority of the costs saved as an incentive. (duration: 13′14″)

  11. jcuknz 11

    I love it when people complain that others don’t know how to run Excel etc and yet they don’t know the difference between there and their 🙂 Glasshouses somebody? I try to check what I have written, [ since my fingers seem to have a mind of their own quite separate from my brain] subbing ones own work is the hardest ever and I’m thankful Standard has the edit function 🙂

    • Descendant Of Smith 11.1

      Noted. 😳 Will edit more closely next time.

      You might like to try “one’s” and also decide whether you should have a space before and after brackets.

      Technically you should also have a full-stop after etc.

      Running Excel isn’t the problem either. That’s as easy as clicking on an icon. Using it effectively is the problem.

      😀

    • prism 11.2

      Don’t be so precious jcuknz. Ever seen that example of confused prose that can still be read because the mind looks for context. I would rather read someone’s good and thoughtful idea with the occasional error than perfect repetitions of cant.

  12. freedom 12

    i was told one of the announced cuts is to be on the tree planting programmes for preventing river erosion etc. The Govt cut $12million last year and are trimming another $8 million this year.

    Why i find this cut interesting is it seems to go against the very policies the government introduced. Is it not the idea of the ETS that planting trees gives credits, and when you are not cutting those trees down, as they are anti erosion plantings not forestry, then the credits can be put against other activities that generate carbon tax

    is this not cutting one’s nose despite one’s face?

  13. prism 13

    It sure is cutting off one’s nose to spite one’s face freedom. If they are planning to do this they are a bunch of …….. Put your own favoured expression there.
    I think the planning process involved a meeting where instead of bringing a plate all the pollies had to bring an idea for either getting money or cutting spending on something, anything. If they didn’t front up they would have to sit in the naughty corner.

    The decisions coming out of government are certainly not the reasoned thoughts of statesmen and their female sidekicks.

  14. Jim Nald 14

    They say they are weeding
    But at community cohesion, economic growth and society’s progress
    They are cutting, axing and stabbing
    This ain’t taking us forward but to Ruthanasia we speedily regress
    Blind may others be; to those who see with head and heart, we are bloody bleeding

  15. jcuknz 15

    DOS … I sort of know what you mean becuase way back I knew a guy who swore by Excel and used it all the time and I got some of the hang of it from him …. sadly lost since I don’t do what I did then with computers. It was a very controlable way of using a computer.

    On the thread subject … despite all your fears I still think it is the way government needs to go although we may not like it as we mourn our particular wants. “Sumthins gotto go” .. no doubt somebody will say NACT 🙂 Though as I read today about the American scene “The Republicans and the Democrats are both useless” applies here too. What would be good perhaps would be a coalition LabNat. Working together for the good of People and Nation.
    Idealistic naievity no doubt.

  16. Hamish Gray 16

    The Ministry of Women’s Affairs and Pacific Island Affairs are widely regarded as fairly useless. Chop the Families Commission too, alongside the Children’s Commissioner. I know for a fact that you could eliminate about 40 percent of the Ministry of Economic Development and no one would notice. NZTE has an obscene offshore spend, with very little to show for it. The Dept of Labour has a lot of fat in its system too that could be cut and no one would be the wiser. The big sucker is Social Development where the Wellington crowd has ballooned over the past 5 years, odd given that includes some economic boom times.

    These aren’t just opinion, but widely held views within the bureaucracy. Difficult to substantiate, I grant you, but if even the public servants think this, then… well, judge for yourself.

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    Tonight’s six-stack includes: writes via his substack that’s he’s sceptical about the IPSOS poll last week suggesting a slide into authoritarianism here, writing: Kiwis seem to want their cake and eat it too Tal Aster writes for about How Israel turned homeowners into YIMBYs. writes via his ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • The media were given a little list and hastened to pick out Fast Track prospects – but the Treaty ...
     Buzz from the Beehive The 180 or so recipients of letters from the Government telling them how to submit infrastructure projects for “fast track” consideration includes some whose project applications previously have been rejected by the courts. News media were quick to feature these in their reports after RMA Reform Minister Chris ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 day ago
  • Just trying to stay upright
    It would not be a desirable way to start your holiday by breaking your back, your head, or your wrist, but on our first hour in Singapore I gave it a try.We were chatting, last week, before we started a meeting of Hazel’s Enviro Trust, about the things that can ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 day ago
  • “Unprecedented”
    Today, former Port of Auckland CEO Tony Gibson went on trial on health and safety charges for the death of one of his workers. The Herald calls the trial "unprecedented". Firstly, it's only "unprecedented" because WorkSafe struck a corrupt and unlawful deal to drop charges against Peter Whittall over Pike ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Time for “Fast-Track Watch”
    Calling all journalists, academics, planners, lawyers, political activists, environmentalists, and other members of the public who believe that the relationships between vested interests and politicians need to be scrutinised. We need to work together to make sure that the new Fast-Track Approvals Bill – currently being pushed through by the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    1 day ago
  • Gordon Campbell on fast track powers, media woes and the Tiktok ban
    Feel worried. Shane Jones and a couple of his Cabinet colleagues are about to be granted the power to override any and all objections to projects like dams, mines, roads etc even if: said projects will harm biodiversity, increase global warming and cause other environmental harms, and even if ...
    1 day ago
  • The Government’s new fast-track invitation to corruption
    Bryce Edwards writes-  The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. ...
    Point of OrderBy gadams1000
    1 day ago
  • Maori push for parallel government structures
    Michael Bassett writes – If you think there is a move afoot by the radical Maori fringe of New Zealand society to create a parallel system of government to the one that we elect at our triennial elections, you aren’t wrong. Over the last few days we have ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago
  • An announcement about an announcement
    Without a corresponding drop in interest rates, it’s doubtful any changes to the CCCFA will unleash a massive rush of home buyers. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate on Monday, April 22 included:The Government making a ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • All the Green Tech in China.
    Sunday was a lazy day. I started watching Jack Tame on Q&A, the interviews are usually good for something to write about. Saying the things that the politicians won’t, but are quite possibly thinking. Things that are true and need to be extracted from between the lines.As you might know ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Western Express Success
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    2 days ago
  • Bernard’s pick ‘n’ mix of the news links at 7:16am on Monday, April 22
    TL;DR: These six news links stood out in the last 24 hours to 7:16am on Monday, April 22:Labour says Kiwis at greater risk from loan sharks as Govt plans to remove borrowing regulations NZ Herald Jenee TibshraenyHow did the cost of moving two schools blow out to more than $400m?A ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • The Kaka’s diary for the week to April 29 and beyond
    TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to April 29 include:PM Christopher Luxon is scheduled to hold a post-Cabinet news conference at 4 pm today. Stats NZ releases its statutory report on Census 2023 tomorrow.Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivers a pre-Budget speech at ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #16
    A listing of 29 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 14, 2024 thru Sat, April 20, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week hinges on these words from the abstract of a fresh academic ...
    2 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: The Government’s new fast-track invitation to corruption
    The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. The Government says this will ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    2 days ago
  • Thank you
    This is a column to say thank you. So many of have been in touch since Mum died to say so many kind and thoughtful things. You’re wonderful, all of you. You’ve asked how we’re doing, how Dad’s doing. A little more realisation each day, of the irretrievable finality of ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Determining the Engine Type in Your Car
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    3 days ago
  • How to Become a Race Car Driver: A Comprehensive Guide
    Introduction: The allure of racing is undeniable. The thrill of speed, the roar of engines, and the exhilaration of competition all contribute to the allure of this adrenaline-driven sport. For those who yearn to experience the pinnacle of racing, becoming a race car driver is the ultimate dream. However, the ...
    3 days ago
  • How Many Cars Are There in the World in 2023? An Exploration of Global Automotive Statistics
    Introduction Automobiles have become ubiquitous in modern society, serving as a primary mode of transportation and a symbol of economic growth and personal mobility. With countless vehicles traversing roads and highways worldwide, it begs the question: how many cars are there in the world? Determining the precise number is a ...
    3 days ago
  • How Long Does It Take for Car Inspection?
    Maintaining a safe and reliable vehicle requires regular inspections. Whether it’s a routine maintenance checkup or a safety inspection, knowing how long the process will take can help you plan your day accordingly. This article delves into the factors that influence the duration of a car inspection and provides an ...
    3 days ago
  • Who Makes Mazda Cars?
    Mazda Motor Corporation, commonly known as Mazda, is a Japanese multinational automaker headquartered in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The company was founded in 1920 as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd., and began producing vehicles in 1931. Mazda is primarily known for its production of passenger cars, but ...
    3 days ago
  • How Often to Replace Your Car Battery A Comprehensive Guide
    Your car battery is an essential component that provides power to start your engine, operate your electrical systems, and store energy. Over time, batteries can weaken and lose their ability to hold a charge, which can lead to starting problems, power failures, and other issues. Replacing your battery before it ...
    3 days ago
  • Can You Register a Car Without a License?
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    3 days ago
  • Mazda: A Comprehensive Evaluation of Reliability, Value, and Performance
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    3 days ago
  • What Are Struts on a Car?
    Struts are an essential part of a car’s suspension system. They are responsible for supporting the weight of the car and damping the oscillations of the springs. Struts are typically made of steel or aluminum and are filled with hydraulic fluid. How Do Struts Work? Struts work by transferring the ...
    3 days ago
  • What Does Car Registration Look Like: A Comprehensive Guide
    Car registration is a mandatory process that all vehicle owners must complete annually. This process involves registering your car with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and paying an associated fee. The registration process ensures that your vehicle is properly licensed and insured, and helps law enforcement and other authorities ...
    3 days ago
  • How to Share Computer Audio on Zoom
    Zoom is a video conferencing service that allows you to share your screen, webcam, and audio with other participants. In addition to sharing your own audio, you can also share the audio from your computer with other participants. This can be useful for playing music, sharing presentations with audio, or ...
    3 days ago
  • How Long Does It Take to Build a Computer?
    Building your own computer can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to get a high-performance machine tailored to your specific needs. However, it also requires careful planning and execution, and one of the most important factors to consider is the time it will take. The exact time it takes to ...
    3 days ago
  • How to Put Your Computer to Sleep
    Sleep mode is a power-saving state that allows your computer to quickly resume operation without having to boot up from scratch. This can be useful if you need to step away from your computer for a short period of time but don’t want to shut it down completely. There are ...
    3 days ago
  • What is Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT)?
    Introduction Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) has revolutionized the field of translation by harnessing the power of technology to assist human translators in their work. This innovative approach combines specialized software with human expertise to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of translations. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the ...
    3 days ago
  • iPad vs. Tablet Computers A Comprehensive Guide to Differences
    In today’s digital age, mobile devices have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Among the vast array of portable computing options available, iPads and tablet computers stand out as two prominent contenders. While both offer similar functionalities, there are subtle yet significant differences between these two devices. This ...
    3 days ago
  • How Are Computers Made?
    A computer is an electronic device that can be programmed to carry out a set of instructions. The basic components of a computer are the processor, memory, storage, input devices, and output devices. The Processor The processor, also known as the central processing unit (CPU), is the brain of the ...
    3 days ago
  • How to Add Voice Memos from iPhone to Computer
    Voice Memos is a convenient app on your iPhone that allows you to quickly record and store audio snippets. These recordings can be useful for a variety of purposes, such as taking notes, capturing ideas, or recording interviews. While you can listen to your voice memos on your iPhone, you ...
    3 days ago
  • Why My Laptop Screen Has Lines on It: A Comprehensive Guide
    Laptop screens are essential for interacting with our devices and accessing information. However, when lines appear on the screen, it can be frustrating and disrupt productivity. Understanding the underlying causes of these lines is crucial for finding effective solutions. Types of Screen Lines Horizontal lines: Also known as scan ...
    3 days ago
  • How to Right-Click on a Laptop
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    3 days ago
  • Where is the Power Button on an ASUS Laptop?
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    3 days ago
  • How to Start a Dell Laptop: A Comprehensive Guide
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    3 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Serious populist discontent is bubbling up in New Zealand
    Two-thirds of the country think that “New Zealand’s economy is rigged to advantage the rich and powerful”. They also believe that “New Zealand needs a strong leader to take the country back from the rich and powerful”. These are just two of a handful of stunning new survey results released ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago
  • How to Take a Screenshot on an Asus Laptop A Comprehensive Guide with Detailed Instructions and Illu...
    In today’s digital world, screenshots have become an indispensable tool for communication and documentation. Whether you need to capture an important email, preserve a website page, or share an error message, screenshots allow you to quickly and easily preserve digital information. If you’re an Asus laptop user, there are several ...
    3 days ago
  • How to Factory Reset Gateway Laptop A Comprehensive Guide
    A factory reset restores your Gateway laptop to its original factory settings, erasing all data, apps, and personalizations. This can be necessary to resolve software issues, remove viruses, or prepare your laptop for sale or transfer. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to factory reset your Gateway laptop: Method 1: ...
    3 days ago
  • The Folly Of Impermanence.
    You talking about me?  The neoliberal denigration of the past was nowhere more unrelenting than in its depiction of the public service. The Post Office and the Railways were held up as being both irremediably inefficient and scandalously over-manned. Playwright Roger Hall’s “Glide Time” caricatures were presented as accurate depictions of ...
    3 days ago
  • A crisis of ambition
    Roger Partridge  writes – When the Coalition Government took office last October, it inherited a country on a precipice. With persistent inflation, decades of insipid productivity growth and crises in healthcare, education, housing and law and order, it is no exaggeration to suggest New Zealand’s first-world status was ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Have 308 people in the Education Ministry’s Curriculum Development Team spent over $100m on a 60-p...
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    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • 'This bill is dangerous for the environment and our democracy'
    Chris Bishop’s bill has stirred up a hornets nest of opposition. Photo: Lynn Grieveson for The KākāTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate from the last day included:A crescendo of opposition to the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill is ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • The Bank of our Tamariki and Mokopuna.
    Monday left me brokenTuesday, I was through with hopingWednesday, my empty arms were openThursday, waiting for love, waiting for loveThe end of another week that left many of us asking WTF? What on earth has NZ gotten itself into and how on earth could people have voluntarily signed up for ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • The worth of it all
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.State of humanity, 20242024, 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?Full story Share ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • What is the Hardest Sport in the World?
    Determining the hardest sport in the world is a subjective matter, as the difficulty level can vary depending on individual abilities, physical attributes, and experience. However, based on various factors including physical demands, technical skills, mental fortitude, and overall accomplishment, here is an exploration of some of the most challenging ...
    4 days ago
  • What is the Most Expensive Sport?
    The allure of sport transcends age, culture, and geographical boundaries. It captivates hearts, ignites passions, and provides unparalleled entertainment. Behind the spectacle, however, lies a fascinating world of financial investment and expenditure. Among the vast array of competitive pursuits, one question looms large: which sport carries the hefty title of ...
    4 days ago
  • Pickleball On the Cusp of Olympic Glory
    Introduction Pickleball, a rapidly growing paddle sport, has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions around the world. Its blend of tennis, badminton, and table tennis elements has made it a favorite among players of all ages and skill levels. As the sport’s popularity continues to surge, the question on ...
    4 days ago
  • The Origin and Evolution of Soccer Unveiling the Genius Behind the World’s Most Popular Sport
    Abstract: Soccer, the global phenomenon captivating millions worldwide, has a rich history that spans centuries. Its origins trace back to ancient civilizations, but the modern version we know and love emerged through a complex interplay of cultural influences and innovations. This article delves into the fascinating journey of soccer’s evolution, ...
    4 days ago
  • How Much to Tint Car Windows A Comprehensive Guide
    Tinting car windows offers numerous benefits, including enhanced privacy, reduced glare, UV protection, and a more stylish look for your vehicle. However, the cost of window tinting can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article provides a comprehensive guide to help you understand how much you can expect to ...
    4 days ago
  • Why Does My Car Smell Like Gas? A Comprehensive Guide to Diagnosing and Fixing the Issue
    The pungent smell of gasoline in your car can be an alarming and potentially dangerous problem. Not only is the odor unpleasant, but it can also indicate a serious issue with your vehicle’s fuel system. In this article, we will explore the various reasons why your car may smell like ...
    4 days ago
  • How to Remove Tree Sap from Car A Comprehensive Guide
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    4 days ago
  • How Much Paint Do You Need to Paint a Car?
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    4 days ago
  • Can You Jump a Car in the Rain? Safety Precautions and Essential Steps
    Jump-starting a car is a common task that can be performed even in adverse weather conditions like rain. However, safety precautions and proper techniques are crucial to avoid potential hazards. This comprehensive guide will provide detailed instructions on how to safely jump a car in the rain, ensuring both your ...
    4 days ago
  • Can taxpayers be confident PIJF cash was spent wisely?
    Graham Adams writes about the $55m media fund — When Patrick Gower was asked by Mike Hosking last week what he would say to the many Newstalk ZB callers who allege the Labour government bribed media with $55 million of taxpayers’ money via the Public Interest Journalism Fund — and ...
    Point of OrderBy gadams1000
    4 days ago
  • EGU2024 – An intense week of joining sessions virtually
    Note: this blog post has been put together over the course of the week I followed the happenings at the conference virtually. Should recordings of the Great Debates and possibly Union Symposia mentioned below, be released sometime after the conference ends, I'll include links to the ones I participated in. ...
    4 days ago
  • Submission on “Fast Track Approvals Bill”
    The following was my submission made on the “Fast Track Approvals Bill”. This potential law will give three Ministers unchecked powers, un-paralled since the days of Robert Muldoon’s “Think Big” projects.The submission is written a bit tongue-in-cheek. But it’s irreverent because the FTAB is in itself not worthy of respect. ...
    Frankly SpeakingBy Frank Macskasy
    4 days ago
  • The Case for a Universal Family Benefit
    One Could Reduce Child Poverty At No Fiscal CostFollowing the Richardson/Shipley 1990 ‘redesign of the welfare state’ – which eliminated the universal Family Benefit and doubled the rate of child poverty – various income supplements for families have been added, the best known being ‘Working for Families’, introduced in 2005. ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    4 days ago
  • A who’s who of New Zealand’s dodgiest companies
    Submissions on National's corrupt Muldoonist fast-track law are due today (have you submitted?), and just hours before they close, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop has been forced to release the list of companies he invited to apply. I've spent the last hour going through it in an epic thread of bleats, ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • On Lee’s watch, Economic Development seems to be stuck on scoring points from promoting sporting e...
    Buzz from the Beehive A few days ago, Point of Order suggested the media must be musing “on why Melissa is mute”. Our article reported that people working in the beleaguered media industry have cause to yearn for a minister as busy as Melissa Lee’s ministerial colleagues and we drew ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • New Zealand has never been closed for business
    1. What was The Curse of Jim Bolger?a. Winston Peters b. Soon after shaking his hand, world leaders would mysteriously lose office or shuffle off this mortal coilc. Could never shake off the Mother of All Budgetsd. Dandruff2. True or false? The Chairman of a Kiwi export business has asked the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • Stop the panic – we’ve been here before
    Jack Vowles writes – New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Minister welcomes hydrogen milestone
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 hours ago
  • Urgent changes to system through first RMA Amendment Bill
    The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago
  • Overseas decommissioning models considered
    Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago
  • Release of North Island Severe Weather Event Inquiry
    Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    14 hours ago
  • Justice Minister to attend Human Rights Council
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order.  “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Patterson reopens world’s largest wool scouring facility
    Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Speech to the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective Summit, 18 April 2024
    Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing  At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin    Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho    Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today.    I am delighted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Government to introduce revised Three Strikes law
    The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • New diplomatic appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions.   “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says.    “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Humanitarian support for Ethiopia and Somalia
    New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today.   “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Arts Minister congratulates Mataaho Collective
    Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale.  “It is good ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Supporting better financial outcomes for Kiwis
    The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Trade relationship with China remains strong
    “China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says.   Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • PM’s South East Asia mission does the business
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • $41m to support clean energy in South East Asia
    New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder list
    The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Judicial appointments announced
    Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
    Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa.  The summit is co-hosted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
    A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.    “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 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
    5 days ago
  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
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