What Do We Keep?

Written By: - Date published: 9:04 am, February 7th, 2022 - 37 comments
Categories: Anzac Day, covid-19, Deep stuff, health, history - Tags:

The things we don’t regret keeping are a strong measure of what we don’t value. COVID’s 2 year anniversary asks us this simply through what we commemorate:

  • many value festivals enough to take the risk of mass infection. Will we?
  • did we miss the larger gatherings of Christmas? What shall we keep of them?
  • who of us gathered solemnly at our letterbox last ANZAC Day to commemorate the fallen, rather than by the thousand at a cenotaph? Will we try?
  • did we do anything specific for Labour Day? Arbour Day? Valentines Day? Guy Fawkes?
  • are we really missing the Waitangi Day speeches and protests?
  • Prime Minister Ardern is determined at least to get people together for her wedding, but not without risk-induced postponement: would you?
  • family reunions foregone; reconstituted or snuffed?
  • will we make the effort to commemorate our dead, when we were prevented?
  • when indeed is the last time we made any effort to go out?

Will we regather our emotional energy and revive what it means to be human, or is solitude and loneliness a willing price we pay for lethargy and risk evasion?

COVID doesn’t just have costs to rights, politics and mobile.

COVID asks: what actions demonstrate the truth of our values, what are we discarding, what real effort measures our humanity to ourselves and to each other.

37 comments on “What Do We Keep? ”

  1. Koreropono 1

    A lot of good questions.

    I hope we keep the decency that we once showed each other.

    I hope we keep the belief that every person should be treated equally.

    I hope we keep the bit where we protect our children and make sure they're not excluded from society (though to be fair we were always lacking on that bit).

    I hope we keep the belief that we have the right to bodily autonomy and informed consent.

    There's a lot we ought to keep, and let's hope the minority learn that we won’t continue on this self-destructive journey they've taken us all on.

    • Cricklewood 1.1

      Sadly, I think the shicsm that mandates have cleaved into society will take a very long time to heal. Sure it's a small proportion of the population but it still represents a large of people, with Omicron there seems to be very little justification for mandates from a medical standpoint so it becomes an inducement to vax or a punishment depending on which side of the table you sit on.

      In terms of the other stuff, for me it's to hell with Covid I'm living as normally as possible and will continue to do so come what may.

      • Treetop 1.1.1

        I'm living as normally as possible

        What are the biggest constraints for you?

      • Sanctuary 1.1.2

        This idea we can live "normally" (by which I assume the OP means pre-COVID) is a chimera. Vaccines and this opening up is merely the end of the beginning. Immunity wanes. New variants will emerge. six months ago we'd never heard of Omicron. Who knows what lies around the corner? A variant even as deadly (let alone more deadly) than Delta and as transmissable as Omicron will trigger another full blown crisis. Maybe that will happen, maybe not. But COVID variants are going to be around and causing public health problems basically forever now. Mask wearing and vaccine mandates are here to stay, as long as COVID remains highly transmissable and dangerous to vulnerable populations.

        As for the mandate schisms – thats tough, but in a crisis a certain manichaeism is inevitable. Nothing can be done about it, except to tell people the great age of the government indulging narcissism and entitlement because it is basically of no interest to them is over.

      • Anne 1.1.3

        Sadly Cricklewood you are right. The gulf in society will take a long time to heal. But I have no qualms about who is to blame:

        Yesterday I travelled across Auckland on the city’s main motorway. Along the way I passed under numerous 'flyover bridges' each of which were covered with individuals waving large NZ flags and jiggling a motley collection of bill boards/banners.

        Did the organisers give any consideration to the massive distraction for motorists and the potential for accidents? Obviously not. It crossed my mind at the time… typical of these self-serving fools who don't give a damn about anyone other than themselves.

        I won't be forgiving them their follies any time soon.

        • Koreropono 1.1.3.1

          And I imagine the many people harmed by fear mongering, discrimination and segregation will not forgive those who facilitated and perpetrated it – and smugly so. Good on those individuals for taking the time to stand there in support of everyone's freedom – even that of the minority driving the fear and thinking they've got a right to inflict harm onto others while they're doing it.

          • Anne 1.1.3.1.1

            I may have misinterpreted your comment and my apologies if that is the case, but the minority driving the fear etc. were the individuals on the bridges and in particular their leaders.

        • Cricklewood 1.1.3.2

          That's the problem, no side is willing to forgive the other…

          What a shit show.

          • Bill 1.1.3.2.1

            Will I forgive the boards of all the professional medical bodies who did not stand up or speak up against the initial introduction of mandates on medical, scientific or ethical grounds?

            No.

            Will I forgive any person who acted as a "force multiplier" for the government's mission to punish and bribe its way to huge injection coverage?

            No.

            That leaves millions of us to get on famously 🙂

          • gsays 1.1.3.2.2

            I think forgiveness is not that much of a reach.

            The millions of dollars spent on advertising and marketing, the constant repitition of news stories about mass graves, chillers for corpses etc. Then … a vaccine, two doses and you are safe.

            Folk got scared, shit-scared. They then fell into line with the state's response and now would find it hard to break or question their tribe.

            All thoroughly understandable and forgiveable.

            How you could bear a grudge from the other side of the divide is a little harder to get. You got your cure, you have the state funded narrative, you keep your job, moral high ground in family/domestic turmoil.

      • gsays 1.1.4

        That small part of the population excluded by the unnecessarily discriminatory passports is growing too.

        Questions are being asked about passports efficacy eg Soundsplash. Hipkins alluding to triggering the tech in the passport that will require boosters to keep it valid. Cafes and other food businesses being creative so that they can stay inclusive.

        https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2022/02/likely-that-people-will-need-a-booster-for-vaccine-passes-covid-19-response-minister-chris-hipkins.html

        • Cricklewood 1.1.4.1

          Have meet a few like me that haven't downloaded the passport. I wont because I am completely opposed to mandates so refuse to participate in the system.

          There's now quite the community which is operating in an almost parallel economy haircuts, restaurants even a pub or 3 and most things in between. I've meet a bunch of new people and can honestly say they have been without exception some of the friendliest most generous people I've come across. Certainly not deserving of the opprobrium they are getting from some quarters.

          • Drowsy M. Kram 1.1.4.1.1

            Does avoidance count as "opprobrium"? If so then count me in.

            • Shanreagh 1.1.4.1.1.1

              I also avoid non mask wearers as my belief is that non mask wearers are more likely not to be vaccinated. As a risk management step I don't go to places that don't offer the vax passport. Others can support them, it is not a view I am willing to risk sickness or a shortened life to support.

  2. Treetop 2

    I have asked myself the question, had Covid 19 not have occurred what position would the country be in when it comes to housing, health, education, business, child poverty and the governments spending?

    Covid 19 has a negative impact on the well being of people and that people are probably more cautious when it comes to decision making about many aspects of their life.

  3. Yes, I'd like to see us keep our emphasis on the collective as opposed to the individualism/me, me, me of neoliberalism.

    The PM said it best: together we can overcome.

    • Shanreagh 3.1

      Agree totally with this. I don't and would not regret ever seeing again, the MSM and the "looka me looka me' stories of individuals who have done nothing, mostly, except make bad decisions. An exaggeration but you know the feeling.

      I am liking and ie not missing going into restaurants where you cannot even move your chair back without locking chairs with someone at the next table. The ones that seem to be thriving or at least still here in Wellington are those who always had good table spacings

      I actually think the mandate schisms are overblown. With such a high vaccination rate the numbers of non vaccinated will be getting fewer and fewer. Hopefully Novavax will catch some folk who do not like the mRNA concept. To be honest if the Loopy people from David Farrier's article are representative, Groundswell, Tamakis party of the anti vaxx people then I am not missing their presence.

      To be honest in all my wider family and I come from a family where we had 18 aunts/uncles of whom 16 married and had children I do not know of any anti vaxxers. In my circle of friends there have been two who have had to have special processes but that was because they were immuno compromised.

      I think we should also keep the idea that employers can make a requirement for vaccinations for front facing jobs for public safety. Many occupations had them earlier on and this will continue.

      I did not miss some of the tourists one bit…..campervans, cruise ships

      I valued our modern communications zoom etc. I am on the committee for several organisations and we are continuing with Zoom even as the necessity has passed. Workplaces where employees can work at home have found that Zoom can work. BUT people who work need the stimulation, even if it is just the important social side with their colleagues. So working from home and zooming can be a long term thing but not without work at work days.

      We purchased vaccines and passed them on to Pasifka countries and that worked, hopefully it will continue.

      I have moved on from open air festivals (years ago as I get badly burned and these places don't have enough shade) Public displays of drunkenness/drugginess don't do anything for me especially en masse. I am sure that for a while, despite what the organisers are saying they can continue with vaccine passes. perhaps more modest endeavours.

      I do miss other cultural events, films, events in halls and galleries. I was wanting to go to the Mid Central Fielddays as the range of inventions there is amazing, also A & P shows.

      The odd thing is I valued the pause and the disruption to the mindless pursuit of 'things'. It is sad that it had to come at such a cost. I do not begrudge the spending actions taken to help businesses, people. Perhaps this can be translated into a better focussed and functioning well being budget. We put health above all and so far the sky has not fallen.

      I am still hopeful we can put some better ideas in place for the future before the pressures for BAU come crashing down on us.

  4. lprent 4

    For me, very little changed.

    I work more remotely, but way less than I did in the 1990s and early 2000s – when I would generally physically go to work about once a month.

    For me, working at a workplace has been the abnormal for the majority of my working life.

    These days I rent a desk across Newton Gully. But that is because my partner works at home as well, and I find her work conversations distracting for my coding and she finds my sprint meetings to be the same for her work. We haven't got around to buying a lager place.

    I do a lot more international work. But I don't fly to sites much because I changed jobs. But that was fir one job and qas largely an experiment. I didn’t bother having a passport for several decades.

    I don't go to movies very often. But that has been dying away ever since we started using streaming services and stopped using the free to air in 2012.

    Doing less of the sunday brunch, but I am cooking more.

    Less of the in-person interactions. But everyone is more remote from Auckland to Invercargill an offshore so we were starting to do more phone, and network contacts anyway.

    Went out last night for my partners birthday. Andiamos. As usual were excellent- just as they have been since the early 90s when I had breakfast there most days before hoing back home to work.

    I have seldom been interested in any large groups. Intelligent discussions have an inverse relationship with the size of the group. People are just so slow at explaining their ideas and joys verbally.

    So for me, covid was mostly more of the same apart from the irritations in getting hardware in a timely fashion

  5. Stuart Munro 5

    The thing we should have kept, that the government appears to be ditching at maximum speed, is a prudent approach to low and unskilled migrants. The wage suppression the policy of illegally admitting hundreds of thousands of these people created has impoverished working people, and is a major factor in the housing crisis, which is, first and foremost. a crisis of affordability.

    Workers whose wages have not kept pace with inflation for three decades are poorly situated to escape the ruthless exploitation of unregulated slumlords. Treasury resumes its baseless and utterly unprofessional Pollyanna view of migration (ie not based on any studies in NZ), and wages, conditions, and financial security continue to retreat.

    Savage must be turning in his grave.

    • Belladonna 5.1

      I absolutely agree about the low and unskilled migrants – who are massively exploited at every step of the way.
      And I include the 'education to residency' pathway – which should be closed before the borders reopen to students. The English language schools and 'business studies' degrees were a disgrace to the education system in NZ – and purely a cash cow for the businesses concerned.

      I'd like to see that any business making a case for 'skill-based' immigration, to demonstrate how they (and the relevant industry) are upskilling Kiwis to fill these jobs in the future (apprenticeships, training and mentoring programmes, expanded tertiary places, etc.). It's an indictment on education planning in NZ that we have an ongoing and critical shortage of such professionals as: doctors, nurses and veterinarians (all professions which are trained/qualified in NZ). If the tertiary institutions aren't training/qualifying enough people to keep pace with retirements as well as the natural loss overseas – then government needs to be looking, very hard, at why not.

      • Stuart Munro 5.1.1

        I used to tutor English – but the language mills don't meet my minimum integrity requirements. They are as exploitive as casinos. Mind, our tertiary institutions are not always much better.

        Many of the poorer migrants come here for residency. If so, they need to have access to jobs that will afford them housing and a career path quite rapidly. Cyclic exploitation of poorer migrants ought to concern the self-styled progressives in power – as well as the charlatans that pretend to economic competence.

      • Shanreagh 5.1.2

        Very good points.

        I agree with the idea of those wanting to import skilled people being required to demonstrate how they are taking steps to upskill NZers to fill the jobs.

        I also like the idea of Stuart Munro from the other day of having a sinking lid on unskilled seasonal worker so someone using 100 this year gets to bring in 60 next year, with they or the industry responsible for making a range of full or part time jobs available for NZers. The industry needs to work together so that someone wanting full time job can get it.

        • Belladonna 5.1.2.1

          And, I'd like to see a legislative change where NZ permanent residents and even NZ passport holders, who have another nationality, can have their NZ citizenship/residence stripped for immigration/employment fraud (looking here at the cases which basically amount to slavery).
          Yes, I know "not all immigrants" – but it's become common to see cases reported in the papers of businesses set up by new NZers which are exploiting immigrants illegally (liquor stores, restaurants, small shop-front businesses, etc.). Sending the fraudsters back to their home country, if convicted, would be a much more appropriate consequence – and a far greater deterrent.

  6. Bill 6

    The things we don’t regret keeping are a strong measure of what we don’t value.

    I won't regret letting go that last tiny vestige of respect I had for liberals.

    I won't regret letting go a capacity for empathy if (or more likely "when") people who aggressively pushed shonky medicines on others suffer blowback in any way, shape or form.

    I won't regret letting go toxic (erstwhile) friends who lost their heads and humanity these past two years.

    And I can't think of any other "letting go" that's on the cards 🙂

    • Tricledrown 6.1

      Bill you have published a massive load of misinformation over the Pandemic creating unnecessary division in society.

      NZ has had the best response both economically and health.

      Yet you can't accept the truth.

      You are part of a fanatical extremist movement.

      No diplomatic skills just abuse anyone who disagrees with you.

      Luckily 97% of adults disagree with your reheated conspiracy theories.

    • fender 6.2

      I won't regret feeling sad for those who perish due to their unhinged belief of anti-science and conspiracy theories peddled by rogues.

  7. Just Saying 7

    NZ is a distant island. No government 'achieved' that and we were able to look far better than the benefits that the laudable and timely initial actions in locking down brought us.

    It was a time to gather information and should have been at time for assessing those in the population at greatest risk, whatever the later decisions regarding the whole country. It should have been a time for offering those people all of the protection and support the government and communities could provide. It should have been a time for widespread community awareness of just how vulnerable and isolated many of our fellows, (including so many who were not dangerously vulnerable to the virus) were. It should have been an opportunity for assessing our needs and of bringing communities together to meet them.

    At the same time it would have been valuable to assess the essential material needs such as vital drugs and other products that we could, but do not produce here, and the fact that there might well come a time when we really are cut off from such essentials. A time to make a start on at least small scale production of them – to allow for such efforts to be ramped up in a future emergency.

    This was an opportunity lost. Most especially in genuinely bringing people together. Remembering what democracy is, in people being informed included and empowered and not infantalised. The chance to be the capable caring adults most of us are so able (and in my honest opinion, aching) to be.

    This could have been a chance to really face up to the dire dangers our fragile world, our communities, and individuals are facing, and a coming together and learning what we can do together.

    And it is not too late.

  8. Patricia Bremner 8

    The mandates have forever scarred us. No, Bill we will adjust to a new survival tactic, in time it will be largely unremarkable.

    Everyone thought New Zealand was forever divided by the events of the disrupted Rugby game in Hamilton over Apartheid Now we signal in sport by bending a knee before some games, our growing wish for an end to racism. Aotearoa/NZ the World is progressing.

    We thought we had moved on from the patriarchal society, but the "witch trials" go on, just with greater sophistication. Rude crude mean stories shared with leers to undermine a very capable PM. and her partner.

    We are more aware of contacting people, though visiting casually is a thing of the past. It may return when better vaccines/treatments are developed.

    We thought most had reset and learned we must share resources and learn to recycle and reuse. Most of all we thought "Equity" was beginning to be understood. Along comes L.O. Luxon. "National believes in equal opportunity Labour believes in equal outcomes" So equity is not in his tool box.

    • Shanreagh 8.1

      Very thoughtful Patricia. As one who was around in 1981 and who had family on both sides many of us thought this tour was a huge country -dividing wrench. I still feel that its impact, being from my view, state supported violence (our country invited them in) was of far far greater impact than vaccinations.

      I am not sure of the number of the fors and againsts in the Springbok tour but the figures were truly more of a divided country than a vaccination rate heading for the mid 90s. The mandates affect few, but perhaps people are concerned about it. I can understand that.

      To be honest I have not met a person who is concerned about the vaccination who has been able to tell me about the concerns without dipping into misinformation or illogicalities (I mean if you have been vaccinated in the past……) Hopefully those who did have concerns about mRNA will be making plans to get Novavax.

      Though those not vaccinated by now ie with Novavax are maybe not reachable, we should respect that they have made their decisions, know the consequences and move on.

      The snarling misogyny is typical of the response to any woman leader and seems intense where we have a leader who is hailed overseas as well as here.

    • Drowsy M. Kram 8.2

      yes Yes, there has been some progress on some fronts, despite "stories shared with leers to undermine a very capable PM and her partner", "L.O. Luxon" et al., and "She's a pretty communist' 'thinkers' resisting with every fibre of their being.

      How will future generations remember our time?

      2022’s Imperative: Letting Go of Our Past to Birth Our Future
      [18 January 2022]
      The epic disruptions wrought by a dramatic surge in heat waves, storms, floods, droughts, fires, and now the COVID-19 pandemic leave us desperate to return to life as we previously knew it. In our growing panic, we forget that it is exactly that previous way of living that created the current emergency.

      This is not a temporary problem that we can put behind us by electing new political leaders or reducing our use of plastic bags. We are dealing with false assumptions about what and who we are that lead to deeply flawed collective choices. We must publicly challenge those false assumptions and replace them with our deepening understanding of how life works.

  9. Belladonna 9

    "Will we regather our emotional energy and revive what it means to be human, or is solitude and loneliness a willing price we pay for lethargy and risk evasion?"

    For many people, their lives in a Covid – and thus potentially in a post-Covid world – haven't changed a lot. Yes, no overseas holidays (but for many that's never been a realistic option); and possibly seeing less of friends and family in person. But if you were a relatively solitary introvert, your life probably didn't change a lot (well, apart from the stress levels of living in a pandemic)

    But I see a real demand for a 'return to our normal broadcasting' from a big sector of society.

    * Young people in their late teens to thirties – are very keen to have large-scale music events again (Soundsplash is a good example of this – thousands of teens attending, even though there were alerts about Omicron in the community).

    *Anecdotally, I'm seeing teens starting to look at the great OE again – not going right now, but watching the dropping Covid cases overseas – and thinking it's on their horizon again.

    *Many people are looking forward to our Arts scene opening up again. I, for one would be very sad never to go the ACS Christmas Messiah again. And I have lots of friends in the arts and creative sectors who are really struggling right now. Not just music, but theatre, dance, literary festivals, film festivals, etc.

    *It's become evident that it's critical that schools be in-person as quickly and as much as possible – for a whole raft of reasons: educational, social, equity, etc. While some parents are looking into home-schooling – they're quickly going to find that it requires enormous commitment and significant costs, and that MoE don't make it easy (nor, to be fair, should they – it's their job to ensure that it's at least as good as in-person school).

    *Equally important, for kids, is for their out-of-the-classroom educational, social, sporting and arts groups. These are a hugely important part of their lives, and were bitterly missed during lockdown/restrictions. For kids who may not be particularly academic, these are their opportunity to shine, and to form friendships in a tribe that 'gets' them.

    *Gathering together for weddings, funerals, and other family/whanau celebrations is missed more than almost anything else. And this holds true for community celebrations like ANZAC Day as well. This is one of the things which is likely to be back as strong as ever. Missing out on those 'connection' events is one of the enduring regrets of many during lockdown/restrictions.

    There will be some things that we learned, that we retain:

    *I think that strong elements of remote working in many jobs, are here to stay. Probably not 100% – and certainly not every job. Interestingly, the shortage of qualified labour in NZ is pushing management to offer this as a default – rather than just considering their own convenience (and trust issues)

    *I'd love to say that I think that our respect and appreciation for the essential workers, doing hard, base-level jobs, to keep our society running, would be enhanced. But, sadly, I don't see that this is the case – already the disrespect is creeping into daily life and the media reporting. But, it's one of the elements, that I personally want to retain.

  10. Just Saying 10

    note this was intended as a reply to drowsy man 11411. Don’t know how it came to lie so far away.

    We're all entitled to choose who we freely associate with. Where avoidance is concerned it's a case of 'how'.

    Participating in scapegoating, allowing yourself to be weaponised (especially where it is socially advantageous or protective to 'get the boot in' imo) is mobbing. This includes the covert aggression so favoured and perfected by the privileged classes: ie expressing contempt, marginalising etc., through plausibly deniable and\or socially accepted means.

    And this includes, as it always has, participating in vicious gossip, expressing aggression particularly in public spaces with fellow mobbers, even under the cover of 'concern'.

    • Drowsy M. Kram 10.1

      Does avoidance count as "opprobrium"? If so then count me in. [@1.1.4.1.1]

      We're all entitled to choose who we freely associate with. Where avoidance is concerned it's a case of 'how'.

      The 'how' of my avoidance doesn't overlap your opprobrium criteria, so all good smiley

  11. Adrian 11

    A few points, Novavax as an option is a joke it is last century’s blood-letting, mRNA is going to revolutionise targeted health care, most incurable cancers and other deadly or incapacitating diseases will surprisingly shortly be a thing of the past.

    Bill and his ilk are 1/10 of a percent of the deluded and he can only get an audience here or hanging off a bridge with an incomprehensible sign that 99% laugh at and my bet is if he is unfortunate enough in future to hear the doctor say that it’s incurable if we don’t use the new drug, he will grasp it with both hypocritical hands. I hope it works, nobody no matter how batty should suffer like millions before have if we have the means of mercy.

    The next one? 100 years like the American (Spanish ) one, or 35 like the Russian cattle one or hundreds of years like the ones before that. Don’t panic, I’m sure we are going to be O.K. Funny how a World War actually produces life saving products, practices and systems just when we need them.

    Why don’t we have more Doctors and nurses? Because in fact we do, it is just that modern medicine needs more specialists not just doctors and nurses, we now need nurses more qualified and knowledgeable than most doctors were 50 years ago, and nuclear medicine experts, brain surgeons, pre and post natal whatever’s, palliative angels the list goes on. It requires far more health workers per person to keep us healthy until that last parting breath. How many here have urged children or grandchildren to follow the path of the relieving of pain and suffering, to sway the clever from app developing or rag-and- bling influencing?

    Good luck with the future, I don’t think we are going to need much of it, we already have the tools and the clever and dedicated to see us right.

  12. Stephen D 12

    People alive in Aotearoa.

  13. Just Saying 13

    smiley a reply to Drowsy above

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
    18 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
    19 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
    20 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
    22 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
    23 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    7 days ago
  • 2024 Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships announced
    ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 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
    7 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
    7 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-03-28T22:46:25+00:00