What should NZ prioritise in international climate change negotiations later this year?

Written By: - Date published: 6:05 am, March 15th, 2018 - 48 comments
Categories: climate change, Environment - Tags: , ,

Details at mfat.govt.nz:

_____________________________________________________________________

Submissions on New Zealand’s priorities in the international climate change negotiations

New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

We’re seeking submissions on New Zealand’s priorities in the international climate change negotiations

The Paris Agreement on climate change was agreed in 2015. Countries that signed up to the Agreement are now negotiating the guidelines for how to put it into practice.

The guidelines are due to be agreed at an important meeting in December 2018 in Poland – the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP24). Although the COP24 is not until December, negotiations on the guidelines are already under way.

We would like to hear your views on the outcomes New Zealand should seek in these negotiations to help reach an outcome on the Paris Agreement guidelines that will balance all countries’ needs and priorities.

Below is some background information on some of the negotiating issues that have in the past been of interest to New Zealanders, together with some guiding questions. This does not represent the full range of negotiating issues, which can be viewed on the United Nations Climate Change website here (external link). Submitters are welcome to put forward ideas on all parts of the negotiations.

Public submissions are due by 3 April 2018.

This process is separate to consultation on the Zero Carbon Bill, which the Ministry for the Environment will begin in mid-2018.

Nationally Determined Contributions

Each country that signed up to the Paris Agreement has set a nationally determined contribution (NDC). New Zealand communicated its NDC in 2016. All countries will be required to revisit their NDCs by 2020. NDCs include targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Each country can choose how to reduce its own emissions. NDCs are not legally binding. Countries are currently negotiating over guidance on how they can define and show they are achieving their targets. Clear explanations of targets and clear reporting are essential to hold countries accountable and achieve the long-term temperature goals laid out in the Paris Agreement.

Transparency

The Paris Agreement establishes a comprehensive transparency framework that applies to all countries. The details of how the framework will operate are currently being negotiated. The framework will require countries to report on actions taken to reduce emissions, as well as support for climate action (including financial, technology and capacity building – see below for more on this). Under the framework, countries’ reports will be reviewed by independent teams of experts, and then go through a process to monitor their individual progress.

The transparency framework is an essential part of the Paris Agreement. It will help hold countries accountable to each other for their actions and build confidence that all Parties are implementing their commitments.

Agriculture

Around half of New Zealand’s emissions come from agriculture, which contributes significantly to our economy. New Zealand has an opportunity in the international climate negotiations to encourage emission reductions from agriculture while supporting food security. Through the Koronivia Joint Work on Agriculture (adopted in 2017) and other parts of the negotiations, we can encourage countries to take climate action on agriculture, including by improving the emissions efficiency of agricultural production.

Gender Action Plan

The Paris Agreement calls for countries, when taking climate action, to consider human rights, the rights of indigenous peoples, local communities, persons with disabilities and people in vulnerable situations, as well as gender equality and the empowerment of women. To implement this, in 2017 countries agreed on a Gender Action Plan. New Zealand has an opportunity to promote outcomes in the international climate negotiations that encourage and facilitate the participation of women in the process, including in leadership roles.

Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform

A Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform has been established as part of the international negotiations. New Zealand has an opportunity to advocate for how the Platform is structured and what it should focus on to enable indigenous peoples and local communities to exchange knowledge, and encourage countries to respect indigenous rights when they take climate action.

Climate finance

The Paris Agreement anticipates that financial resources will be provided for developing country climate action. New Zealand’s climate-related support is provided via Overseas Development Assistance. New Zealand committed in 2015 to providing NZ$200 million over four years, most of which is benefiting the Pacific.

The Paris Agreement’s transparency framework includes reporting on climate finance that countries provide or receive. The Agreement also anticipates developed country countries providing information on projected future support. The details of this are now being negotiated. New Zealand has an opportunity to help improve predictability and transparency of climate finance flows, consistent with countries’ national systems for tracking and reporting this information.

The Adaptation Fund was established under the Kyoto Protocol. It is important to Pacific Island and other developing countries as it is more easily accessed and better able to finance small projects compared to other climate funds. A decision will be reached this year on how the Fund will work under the Paris Agreement.

Carbon markets

The Paris Agreement recognises that some countries will cooperate to help achieve their NDCs and enable more global action on climate change. This cooperation is likely to occur through linking carbon markets (such as emission trading schemes) and other government-to-government arrangements, or through a new central system. New Zealand has an opportunity to help ensure that units traded in this way have environmental integrity and that cooperation between countries supports global efforts to reduce emissions.

Questions for submitters

  • What outcomes should NZ prioritise in 2018’s international negotiations on the Paris Agreement guidelines?
  • Are there issues we should consider less important than others in this year’s negotiations?
  • What other information or ideas would you like New Zealand officials to consider before this year’s negotiations?

Your feedback will be considered by our negotiators and summarised for Minister for Climate Change, Hon James Shaw. New Zealand’s negotiating mandate will be considered by Cabinet in mid-April ahead of the first negotiating session of 2018 in late April.

How to get in touch

  • Email: feedback@mfat.govt.nz
  • Mail: Coordinator, Climate Change Unit, Environment Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Private Bag 18-901, Wellington

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48 comments on “What should NZ prioritise in international climate change negotiations later this year? ”

  1. Ad 1

    Anyone else going to the James Shaw gig on business and climate change in Auckland tonight?

    • Cinny 1.1

      Would love to… need to get that teleporter happening 🙂

      Do you know if it’s being streamed please?

  2. bwaghorn 2

    you had me till the gender, indigenous rights bit , wtf has that to do with climate change.

    • weka 2.1

      Would you like climate mitigation to be driven by white men? Oh wait…

      (don’t take it personally b, it’s not a comment on you).

    • Baba Yaga 2.2

      Nothing. It’s virtue signalling. A bit like this moronic individual (https://twitter.com/cathmckenna/status/971914130436382721) who tweeted this:

      “We need to consider the gendered impacts of climate change on women, girls and children.”

      What a load of sexist bollocks.

      • bwaghorn 2.2.1

        for me it’s just the greens being their usual over the top lets please all our supporters at the risk of turning of joe public with side shows , there really is lots being done in nz around gender and indigenous rights without it having to invade ever corner.

        • weka 2.2.1.1

          you do realise that the NZ Green Party doesn’t control the Paris Agreement nor what is on the agenda for negotiations. Did you read the post?

          Also, while I think having the Greens in government, and Shaw as Climate minister, means the Greens will have influence on this (thank-fully), this actually came from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the Ministers for that are Winston Peters and David Parker. Hard to see Labour having a problem with the gender and indigenous people’s aspects. Maybe NZF doesn’t support the indigenous people’s bit.

          • bwaghorn 2.2.1.1.1

            sorry i saw Shaws name and assumed he was running it , it doesn’t change the fact that the gender etc stuff is a side show that will no doubt suck up meeting time that could be better spent .

            • weka 2.2.1.1.1.1

              Women and children will be disproportionately affected by CC. Likewise indigenous peoples.

              Just as important, women (and children) and indigenous people’s bring perspectives that are sorely needed in addressing the problems of climate change. White men in power have utterly failed to make this a priority so bringing in other perspectives may be the only things that saves us at this point.

      • weka 2.2.2

        Nothing. It’s virtue signalling. A bit like this moronic individual (https://twitter.com/cathmckenna/status/971914130436382721) who tweeted this:

        “We need to consider the gendered impacts of climate change on women, girls and children.”

        What a load of sexist bollocks.

        yes, I’m sure you would prefer the white dudes to stay in power and continue to destroy the planet. Throw all the virtue signally pejoratives around that you like (although I think you don’t understand what that actually is), but the only way this would be sexist was if women held the institutional power and were stopping men from accessing it.

        • bwaghorn 2.2.2.1

          you do understand that us white guys have only fucked about a third of the planet , there’s asian guys , africain guys and an arab chap or two that have burnt oil and made plastic stuff

          • weka 2.2.2.1.1

            Yes, but that’s not what I am talking about. When I talk about white guys fucking up the planet I am really talking about the power imbalances. So the West has led the way, and we live in a country where the white dudes hold the power and too many of them don’t want to share it.

            But sure, if you want to also look at the power imbalances in nob-western countries that are also fucking up the planet, that would be a great conversation assuming we could do it from an informed place.

        • Baba Yaga 2.2.2.2

          “yes, I’m sure you would prefer the white dudes to stay in power and continue to destroy the planet.”
          White dudes? Like Angela Merkel? Theresa May? Jacinda Ardern? Li Keqiang? Narendra Modi? Simonetta Sommaruga? Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic? How many more examples of non ‘white dudes’ who are current heads of state would you like me to quote?

          “…but the only way this would be sexist was if women held the institutional power and were stopping men from accessing it.”
          Sexism is defined as “prejudice or discrimination based on sex”. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sexism.

          Considering the “gendered impacts of climate change on women, girls and children” is classic sexism. As well as being mindless drivel.

          • weka 2.2.2.2.1

            ” How many more examples of non ‘white dudes’ who are current heads of state would you like me to quote?”

            None, because I am fairly sure you are intelligent to understand how women get privileged in the patriarchy but are choosing to misrepresent that for your own political agenda.

            Lol that you need to use a dictionary to understand sexism. Try googling sexism 101 and pay attention to things like institutional racism and sexism, and the basic proposition that sexism is about power.

            You can assert mindless drivel all you like, but you plainly can’t handle a rational or meaningful conversation about sexism and just want to make it all about your view of the world. This is why we need more women and indigenous people involved, because they bring in more useful solutions. I can totally see why you wouldn’t want that.

  3. Ed 3

    Abandoning capitalism would be a good start.

    • Tuppence Shrewsbury 3.1

      Open your eyes, get woke.

      Capitalism is the only system that distribute the cures to the small amount of ills it has caused. Everything else will fail.

      • Robert Guyton 3.1.1

        Tuppence – I see you’ve already said it (or something like it) – I support your “get woke”.

      • DoublePlusGood 3.1.2

        I think you need to get woke to the vast number of ills capitalism has caused throughout its history.

        Also, have you considered anarcho-syndicalism?

        • Tuppence Shrewsbury 3.1.2.1

          Lol that’ll catch on in time to save the planet.

          Capitalism can be a force of good if used correctly. It’s wfficient distribution systems will enable the planet to be saved far sooner by enabling them not opposing.

    • solkta 3.2

      We could just have a revolution.

  4. cleangreen 4

    `Today we must restore rail as prime mover of freight again as we had before the rapid expansion of truck freight as we now have oil being squandered by using trucks that use 5 to eight times the oil to move each one tonne of freight every km compared to rai.

    So go back to rail NZ as many other countries are doing !!!!!

  5. Robert Guyton 5

    Apologising for the past 9 years of denial and double-speak from the past Government?
    An assurance that Paula Bennett will never again again wear/flaunt the title, “Climate Change Minister”?
    Celebrating James’ securing of the role?

    • Tuppence Shrewsbury 5.1

      Booking all that carbon to fly around the world to try and blame everything on the previous government? It’s attitudes like that that show you are the problem, not part of the solution.

      An immediate ban on all non-essential consumer plastics. Not only do they not bio degrade the energy they consume to produce is staggering. A two fold solution.

      • Robert Guyton 5.1.1

        (this)
        Richard Rohr’s Daily Meditation
        From the Center for Action and Contemplation

        Week Eleven

        The Natural World

        The Great Turning
        Wednesday, March 14, 2018

        When we look down on the Earth from space, we see this amazing, indescribably
        beautiful planet. It looks like a living, breathing organism. But it also at the
        same time, looks extremely fragile. —Ron Garan, NASA Astronaut [1]
        I have set before you life and death, therefore choose life. —Deuteronomy 30:19
        Eco-philosopher, Earth elder, spiritual activist, and friend Joanna Macy (b. 1929)
        promotes a transition from the Industrial Growth Society to a Life-Sustaining
        Society. She calls it the Great Turning, a revolution of great urgency: “While the
        agricultural revolution took centuries, and the industrial revolution took
        generations, this ecological revolution has to happen within a matter of a few
        years.” [2] She is hopeful as she sees many participating in: “1) Actions to slow
        the damage to Earth and its beings [holding actions]; 2) Analysis and transformation
        of the foundations of our common life; and 3) A fundamental shift in worldview and
        values.” [3]
        The Center for Action and Contemplation has focused primarily on the last dimension,
        fostering a change in consciousness. Here’s how Joanna Macy and Molly Brown describe
        this crucial shift in perception and values:
        It is hard to undertake the holding actions or initiatives . . . unless we are
        nurtured by deeply held values and ways of seeing ourselves and the world. The
        actions we take—and structures we build—mirror how we relate to Earth and each
        other. They require a shift in our perception of reality—and that shift is happening
        now, both as cognitive revolution and spiritual awakening. . . .
        The insights and experiences that enable us to make this shift may arise from grief
        for our world that contradicts illusions of the separate and isolated self. Or they
        may arise from breakthroughs in science, such as quantum physics and systems theory.
        Or we may find ourselves inspired by the wisdom traditions of native peoples and
        mystical voices in the major religions . . . that reminds us again that our world is
        a sacred whole in which we have a sacred mission.
        Now, in our time, these three rivers—anguish for our world, scientific
        breakthroughs, and ancestral teachings—flow together. From the confluence of these
        rivers we drink. We awaken to what we once knew: we are alive in a living Earth, the
        source of all we are and can achieve. Despite our conditioning by the industrial
        society of the last two centuries, we want to name, once again, this world as holy.
        These insights and experiences are necessary to free us from the grip of the
        Industrial Growth Society. They offer us nobler goals and deeper pleasures. They
        help us redefine our wealth and our worth. The reorganization of our perceptions
        liberates us from illusions about what we need to own and what our place is in the
        order of things. [Moved] beyond tired old notions of competitive individualism, we
        come home to each other and our mutual belonging in the living body of Earth. [4]

  6. Ad 6

    I would like to see this government commit to eradicating the combustion engine.

    It’s certainly not world-leading as a proposition.

    China hasn’t set a deadline to do it, but they will.
    India has a target date of 2030, but not a hard deadline.
    Britain is aiming for 2040.
    France has a deadline of 2040.
    Norway has the most ambitious target: 2025.

    Other countries can commit to it; so should we.

    • Pat 6.1

      would that include heavy machinery?….i dont think the european targets do

      https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/jul/06/france-ban-petrol-diesel-cars-2040-emmanuel-macron-volvo

      • Ad 6.1.1

        No.
        Fair while before the big diggers are battery powered.

        If you know of any developments in that area do let me know.

        • Pat 6.1.1.1

          k…there is some I have read of but pretty limited…so essentially a private motor vehicle target….think that essential and a bare minimum….and difficult enough both politically and in terms of supply.

          • AB 6.1.1.1.1

            “difficult enough both politically and in terms of supply.”
            Yes – and if the target is no sales of new petrol and diesel passenger vehicles by 2025, expect quite a few of these vehicles to still be on the road in 2040. Average age of the NZ private vehicle fleet is over 12 years I believe. We are mostly poor, have too much of our income locked into paying for houses/accommodation and we buy old cars.
            Not sure that we will all seamlessly and happily transition into EVs and continue to live as we do now, driving personal automobiles everywhere. I fear it could get ugly if the wealthy retain their mobility and the rest of us are restricted.

            • Pat 6.1.1.1.1.1

              indeed…and an expected battery life of around 10 years

            • Graeme 6.1.1.1.1.2

              Our forbears transitioned from the horse to car / tractor pretty easily and quickly. If we were to drop ourselves back into the 1900 to 1910 period we’d see a profound change in mobility, and in cities an equally profound improvement in the environment. Horses were bloody messy and dangerous things.

              I think the coming mobility revolution will be just as profound as electric mobility becomes cheaper and better. We’re not at the Model T equivalent yet, but it’s close.

              • weka

                Show me a decent GHG emissions audit of converting combustion engines to electric, and then of running the electrics cradle to grave (including manufacture and maintenance of power generators and car factories etc).

                That we can invent new tech doesn’t mean it’s inherently good thing.

              • Pat

                not as quickly as you think…..NZ pop 1950 of around 2 million.. registered private cars around 250.000…thats quite sometime after the model T was released.

  7. Matthew Whitehead 7

    Let’s see, off the top of my head:
    * An immediate end to fossil fuel exploration in all signatory countries.
    * Phase out plans for fossil fuel burning that include leaving more than enough of the existing reserves in the ground. (these two go together as the fossil fuel industry has basically gone rogue and clearly intends to keep burning more fuels than we can afford to. Also ties into Ad’s ambitions nicely)
    * NDCs should have a feasible path forward using existing technology only. (this doesn’t mean they can’t use new technology later, just that they need to be reachable with current tech and a feasible fallback plan should be in place for that)
    * Plans to reach NDCs should be fully implemented by 2040. (this might be charitable, but I also think it would be difficult to get agreement on)
    * Moves on agricultural emissions that assume some degree of phase-down of current amounts of animal agriculture, given its emissions and efficiency problems. (relax, this shouldn’t mean you all need to be vegetarian, but it might mean you can’t have meat at every meal)
    * Ensure climate financing is in line with the likely scenarios from adding together the likely outcomes of NDCs.
    * Sell other countries on the idea of climate refugees as a category, and of implementation in advance of the problem.

  8. Bill 8

    Negotiations? Physics going to be sitting at the table and looking to strike a deal is it? ffs!

    Those NDCs shoot the world beyond 2 degrees.

    Country based emissions are highly misleading (outsourced production anyone?)

    Developing nations require trillions of dollars from developed nations tout suite if they are to leapfrog “our” carbon intensive development path.

    Aviation and shipping are still getting a free pass (largely as a result of emissions being assigned on a national basis) and both sectors have increasing emissions.

    And NZs climate minister (probably in line with similarly positioned people in other countries) does not know what an integrated assessment model is, or the assumptions embedded in the ones utilised by the IPCC or that they underpin the various IPCC “pathways” (RCP 2.6 etc), or that they are not predictive and so ought not ever be used as a basis for policy.

    So on the basis that we’ve had 30 years of bullshit and inaction, I’d submit that all ministers and policy wonks wishing to go to COP24 go, and never leave the conference rooms unless or until such times they face reality and commit unreservedly to ending fossil use without delay and no matter the economic consequences.

    • bwaghorn 8.1

      O come on Bill meetings and taxs will save the day especially if we have a gay indigenous woman as chair

    • Pat 8.2

      “So on the basis that we’ve had 30 years of bullshit and inaction, I’d submit that all ministers and policy wonks wishing to go to COP24 go, and never leave the conference rooms unless or until such times they face reality and commit unreservedly to ending fossil use without delay and no matter the economic consequences.”

      that is a relatively easy statement to agree with on the face of it……economic consequences yes, but what about societal consequences?

      • Bill 8.2.1

        Economic consequences will have societal flow on effects. Our government and all others who signed various Accords have committed to taking action on AGW with an eye to equity. Take that with as much or little salt as you will.

  9. Kevin 9

    Considering we have already had a 1 degree increase in temps since industrialisation, I suspect we will hit the 1.5 by the time any negotiations are finalised requiring new negotiations.

    Which is probably the intention anyway.

  10. Poission 10

    And NZs climate minister (probably in line with similarly positioned people in other countries) does not know what an integrated assessment model is, or the assumptions embedded in the ones utilised by the IPCC or that they underpin the various IPCC “pathways” (RCP 2.6 etc), or that they are not predictive and so ought not ever be used as a basis for policy.

    Indeed the RCP scenarios are problematic at best and integrated IAM are based on equilibrium states with an absence of endogenous dynamics and accompanying predicative skill is troublesome eg Groth and Ghil 2017

    https://dept.atmos.ucla.edu/tcd/news/synchronization-world-economic-activity

  11. savenz 11

    Put in a submission against the TPPA that will allow polluters to sue our government and councils if law changes on climate change effect their profits!

    Send government a message how you feel about climate change being removed from the TPPA text and climate change provision not being in trade agreements! They are crazy for the omission!

    How crazy is agreeing the Paris summit goals and then signing other agreements that ignore it!

    https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/sc/make-a-submission/document/52SCFD_SCF_ITE_76583/international-treaty-examination-of-the-comprehensive-and

    • Carolyn_Nth 11.1

      Thanks for the link. Submission done. It doesn’t need to be long, but it’s important that as many people as possible make their concerns known to the government.

      And I did mention the need for climate change provisions in the agreement.

  12. Drowsy M. Kram 12

    High (behaviour-changing) carbon taxes on corporate profits, to be embedded in ‘FTAs’, ‘TPPAs’, ‘CPTPPAs’, etc., and ring-fenced for climate change research, impact mitigation and supporting ‘creative destruction’ initiatives.

    https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2017/jul/10/100-fossil-fuel-companies-investors-responsible-71-global-emissions-cdp-study-climate-change

    Or blend it with a ‘Comprehensive and progressive‘ carbon tax (CPCT) of the type proposed in this link.

    https://aneconomicsense.org/tag/taxes/

  13. Electric cars is the best way to lower our carbon out put foot print we have the best country in the World to race towards a carbon neutral or close to a carbon neutral I say this is the easiest fruit to pick a little subsidy from the gas cars farward to the Elictric car owners .
    We have hydro geothermal as a base backup load for wind and solar power the rest of the World would fall over them selves to get these resorces in a rush to get to them.
    We would lower our trade deficit just by that move alone $5000.00 for second hand electric cars we could have had 5000 electric more cars on the road with the money shonky wasted on the flag debate .
    As for indigenous people and the connection to being environmentally friendly and the indigenous cultures well we learnt that if one keep ——-in one own backyard the—–hits the fan we have learnt to respect Papatuanuku mother earth we have a connection with Papatuanuku and all the beautiful things that are associated with her and all the creaters on her we wish to persevere them all. They should be use wisely and not abused .We will be a lot better Guardians of Mother earth and all that part of her than neo libreal mutuality national companys that are legislated in the companys act to deliver a profit over anything else. enough said. Ka kite ano P.S The mokos just turned up Kia kaha

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    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    2 days ago
  • NZDF is still hostile to oversight
    Newsroom has a story today about National's (fortunately failed) effort to disestablish the newly-created Inspector-General of Defence. The creation of this agency was the key recommendation of the Inquiry into Operation Burnham, and a vital means of restoring credibility and social licence to an agency which had been caught lying ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago
  • Winding Back The Hands Of History’s Clock.
    Holding On To The Present: The moment a political movement arises that attacks the whole idea of social progress, and announces its intention to wind back the hands of History’s clock, then democracy, along with its unwritten rules, is in mortal danger.IT’S A COMMONPLACE of political speeches, especially those delivered in ...
    2 days ago
  • Sweet Moderation? What Christopher Luxon Could Learn From The Germans.
    Stuck In The Middle With You: As Christopher Luxon feels the hot breath of Act’s and NZ First’s extremists on the back of his neck and, as he reckons with the damage their policies are already inflicting upon a country he’s described as “fragile”, is there not some merit in reaching out ...
    2 days ago
  • A clear warning
    The unpopular coalition government is currently rushing to repeal section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act. The clause is Oranga Tamariki's Treaty clause, and was inserted after its systematic stealing of Māori children became a public scandal and resulted in physical resistance to further abductions. The clause created clear obligations ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago
  • Poll results and Waitangi Tribunal report go unmentioned on the Beehive website – where racing tru...
    Buzz  from the Beehive The government’s official website – which Point of Order monitors daily – not for the first time has nothing much to say today about political happenings that are grabbing media headlines. It makes no mention of the latest 1News-Verian poll, for example.  This shows National down ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago
  • Listening To The Traffic.
    It Takes A Train To Cry: Surely, there is nothing lonelier in all this world than the long wail of a distant steam locomotive on a cold Winter’s night.AS A CHILD, I would lie awake in my grandfather’s house and listen to the traffic. The big wooden house was only a ...
    2 days ago
  • Comity Be Damned! The State’s Legislative Arm Is Flexing Its Constitutional Muscles.
    Packing A Punch: The election of the present government, including in its ranks politicians dedicated to reasserting the rights of the legislature in shaping and determining the future of Māori and Pakeha in New Zealand, should have alerted the judiciary – including its anomalous appendage, the Waitangi Tribunal – that its ...
    2 days ago
  • Ending The Quest.
    Dead Woman Walking: New Zealand’s media industry had been moving steadily towards disaster for all the years Melissa Lee had been National’s media and communications policy spokesperson, and yet, when the crisis finally broke, on her watch, she had nothing intelligent to offer. Christopher Luxon is a patient man - but he’s not ...
    2 days ago
  • Will political polarisation intensify to the point where ‘normal’ government becomes impossible,...
    Chris Trotter writes –  New Zealand politics is remarkably easy-going: dangerously so, one might even say. With the notable exception of John Key’s flat ruling-out of the NZ First Party in 2008, all parties capable of clearing MMP’s five-percent threshold, or winning one or more electorate seats, tend ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • Bernard’s pick 'n' mix for Tuesday, April 30
    TL;DR: Here’s my top 10 ‘pick ‘n’ mix of links to news, analysis and opinion articles as of 10:30am on Tuesday, May 30:Scoop: NZ 'close to the tipping point' of measles epidemic, health experts warn NZ Herald Benjamin PlummerHealth: 'Absurd and totally unacceptable': Man has to wait a year for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Why Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating in the country
    Bryce Edwards writes – Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • Worst poll result for a new Government in MMP history
    Luxon will no doubt put a brave face on it, but there is no escaping the pressure this latest poll will put on him and the government. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Pinning down climate change's role in extreme weather
    This is a re-post from The Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler In the wake of any unusual weather event, someone inevitably asks, “Did climate change cause this?” In the most literal sense, that answer is almost always no. Climate change is never the sole cause of hurricanes, heat waves, droughts, or ...
    2 days ago
  • Serving at Seymour's pleasure.
    Something odd happened yesterday, and I’d love to know if there’s more to it. If there was something which preempted what happened, or if it was simply a throwaway line in response to a journalist.Yesterday David Seymour was asked at a press conference what the process would be if the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Webworm LA Pop-Up
    Hi,From time to time, I want to bring Webworm into the real world. We did it last year with the Jurassic Park event in New Zealand — which was a lot of fun!And so on Saturday May 11th, in Los Angeles, I am hosting a lil’ Webworm pop-up! I’ve been ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago
  • “Feel good” school is out
    Education Minister Erica Standford yesterday unveiled a fundamental reform of the way our school pupils are taught. She would not exactly say so, but she is all but dismantling the so-called “inquiry” “feel good” method of teaching, which has ruled in our classrooms since a major review of the New ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago
  • 6 Months in, surely our Report Card is “Ignored all warnings: recommend dismissal ASAP”?
    Exactly where are we seriously going with this government and its policies? That is, apart from following what may as well be a Truss-Lite approach on the purported economic plan, and Victorian-era regression when it comes to social policy. Oh it’ll work this time of course, we’re basically assured, “the ...
    exhALANtBy exhalantblog
    2 days ago
  • Bread, and how it gets buttered
    Hey Uncle Dave, When the Poms joined the EEC, I wasn't one of those defeatists who said, Well, that’s it for the dairy job. And I was right, eh? The Chinese can’t get enough of our milk powder and eventually, the Poms came to their senses and backed up the ute ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Why Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating in the country
    Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is higher than for any other mayor ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago
  • Justice for Gaza?
    The New York Times reports that the International Criminal Court is about to issue arrest warrants for Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, over their genocide in Gaza: Israeli officials increasingly believe that the International Criminal Court is preparing to issue arrest warrants for senior government officials on ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • If there has been any fiddling with Pharmac’s funding, we can count on Paula to figure out the fis...
    Buzz from the Beehive Pharmac has been given a financial transfusion and a new chair to oversee its spending in the pharmaceutical business. Associate Health Minister David Seymour described the funding for Pharmac as “its largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff”. ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • FastTrackWatch – The case for the Government’s Fast Track Bill
    Bryce Edwards writes – Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Bernard’s pick 'n' mix for Monday, April 29
    TL;DR: Here’s my top 10 ‘pick ‘n’ mix of links to news, analysis and opinion articles as of 10:10am on Monday, April 29:Scoop: The children's ward at Rotorua Hospital will be missing a third of its beds as winter hits because Te Whatu Ora halted an upgrade partway through to ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on Iran killing its rappers, and searching for the invisible Dr. Reti
    span class=”dropcap”>As hideous as David Seymour can be, it is worth keeping in mind occasionally that there are even worse political figures (and regimes) out there. Iran for instance, is about to execute the country’s leading hip hop musician Toomaj Salehi, for writing and performing raps that “corrupt” the nation’s ...
    3 days ago
  • Auckland Rail Electrification 10 years old
    Yesterday marked 10 years since the first electric train carried passengers in Auckland so it’s a good time to look back at it and the impact it has had. A brief history The first proposals for rail electrification in Auckland came in the 1920’s alongside the plans for earlier ...
    3 days ago
  • Coalition's dirge of austerity and uncertainty is driving the economy into a deeper recession
    Right now, in Aotearoa-NZ, our ‘animal spirits’ are darkening towards a winter of discontent, thanks at least partly to a chorus of negative comments and actions from the Government Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Disability Funding or Tax Cuts.
    You make people evil to punish the paststuck inside a sequel with a rotating castThe following photos haven’t been generated with AI, or modified in any way. They are flesh and blood, human beings. On the left is Galatea Young, a young mum, and her daughter Fiadh who has Angelman ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Of the Goodness of Tolkien’s Eru
    April has been a quiet month at A Phuulish Fellow. I have had an exceptionally good reading month, and a decently productive writing month – for original fiction, anyway – but not much has caught my eye that suggested a blog article. It has been vaguely frustrating, to be honest. ...
    3 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #17
    A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 21, 2024 thru Sat, April 27, 2024. Story of the week Anthropogenic climate change may be the ultimate shaggy dog story— but with a twist, because here ...
    4 days ago
  • Pastor Who Abused People, Blames People
    Hi,I spent about a year on Webworm reporting on an abusive megachurch called Arise, and it made me want to stab my eyes out with a fork.I don’t regret that reporting in 2022 and 2023 — I am proud of it — but it made me angry.Over three main stories ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    4 days ago
  • Vic Uni shows how under threat free speech is
    The new Victoria University Vice-Chancellor decided to have a forum at the university about free speech and academic freedom as it is obviously a topical issue, and the Government is looking at legislating some carrots or sticks for universities to uphold their obligations under the Education and Training Act. They ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Winston remembers Gettysburg.
    Do you remember when Melania Trump got caught out using a speech that sounded awfully like one Michelle Obama had given? Uncannily so.Well it turns out that Abraham Lincoln is to Winston Peters as Michelle was to Melania. With the ANZAC speech Uncle Winston gave at Gallipoli having much in ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • 25
    She was born 25 years ago today in North Shore hospital. Her eyes were closed tightly shut, her mouth was silently moving. The whole theatre was all quiet intensity as they marked her a 2 on the APGAR test. A one-minute eternity later, she was an 8.  The universe was ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • Fact Brief – Is Antarctica gaining land ice?
    Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park in collaboration with members from our Skeptical Science team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Is Antarctica gaining land ice? ...
    5 days ago
  • Policing protests.
    Images of US students (and others) protesting and setting up tent cities on US university campuses have been broadcast world wide and clearly demonstrate the growing rifts in US society caused by US policy toward Israel and Israel’s prosecution of … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    5 days ago
  • Open letter to Hon Paul Goldsmith
    Barrie Saunders writes – Dear Paul As the new Minister of Media and Communications, you will be inundated with heaps of free advice and special pleading, all in the national interest of course. For what it’s worth here is my assessment: Traditional broadcasting free to air content through ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: FastTrackWatch – The Case for the Government’s Fast Track Bill
    Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its arguments for such a bold reform. ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    5 days ago
  • Luxon gets out his butcher’s knife – briefly
    Peter Dunne writes –  The great nineteenth British Prime Minister, William Gladstone, once observed that “the first essential for a Prime Minister is to be a good butcher.” When a later British Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan, sacked a third of his Cabinet in July 1962, in what became ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • More tax for less
    Ele Ludemann writes – New Zealanders had the OECD’s second highest tax increase last year: New Zealanders faced the second-biggest tax raises in the developed world last year, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) says. The intergovernmental agency said the average change in personal income tax ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Real News vs Fake News.
    We all know something’s not right with our elections. The spread of misinformation, people being targeted with soundbites and emotional triggers that ignore the facts, even the truth, and influence their votes.The use of technology to produce deep fakes. How can you tell if something is real or not? Can ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • Another way to roll
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.Share ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago
  • Simon Clark: The climate lies you'll hear this year
    This video includes conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Simon Clark. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). This year you will be lied to! Simon Clark helps prebunk some misleading statements you'll hear about climate. The video includes ...
    5 days ago
  • Cutting the Public Service
    It is all very well cutting the backrooms of public agencies but it may compromise the frontlines. One of the frustrations of the Productivity Commission’s 2017 review of universities is that while it observed that their non-academic staff were increasing faster than their academic staff, it did not bother to ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    6 days ago
  • Luxon’s demoted ministers might take comfort from the British politician who bounced back after th...
    Buzz from the Beehive Two speeches delivered by Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters at Anzac Day ceremonies in Turkey are the only new posts on the government’s official website since the PM announced his Cabinet shake-up. In one of the speeches, Peters stated the obvious:  we live in a troubled ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • This is how I roll over
    1. Which of these would you not expect to read in The Waikato Invader?a. Luxon is here to do business, don’t you worry about thatb. Mr KPI expects results, and you better believe itc. This decisive man of action is getting me all hot and excitedd. Melissa Lee is how ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • The Waitangi Tribunal is not “a roving Commission”…
    …it has a restricted jurisdiction which must not be abused: it is not an inquisition   NOTE – this article was published before the High Court ruled that Karen Chhour does not have to appear before the Waitangi Tribunal Gary Judd writes –  The High Court ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Is Oranga Tamariki guilty of neglect?
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – One of reasons Oranga Tamariki exists is to prevent child neglect. But could the organisation itself be guilty of the same? Oranga Tamariki’s statistics show a decrease in the number and age of children in care. “There are less children ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • Three Strikes saw lower reoffending
    David Farrar writes: Graeme Edgeler wrote in 2017: In the first five years after three strikes came into effect 5248 offenders received a ‘first strike’ (that is, a “stage-1 conviction” under the three strikes sentencing regime), and 68 offenders received a ‘second strike’. In the five years prior to ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Luxon’s ruthless show of strength is perfect for our angry era
    Bryce Edwards writes – Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesn’t normally happen in politics. That’s refreshing and will be extremely ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • 'Lacks attention to detail and is creating double-standards.'
    TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the two days to 6:06am on Thursday, April 25:Politics: PM Christopher Luxon has set up a dual standard for ministerial competence by demoting two National Cabinet ministers while leaving also-struggling ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • One Night Only!
    Hi,Today I mainly want to share some of your thoughts about the recent piece I wrote about success and failure, and the forces that seemingly guide our lives. But first, a quick bit of housekeeping: I am doing a Webworm popup in Los Angeles on Saturday May 11 at 2pm. ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • What did Melissa Lee do?
    It is hard to see what Melissa Lee might have done to “save” the media. National went into the election with no public media policy and appears not to have developed one subsequently. Lee claimed that she had prepared a policy paper before the election but it had been decided ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #17 2024
    Open access notables Ice acceleration and rotation in the Greenland Ice Sheet interior in recent decades, Løkkegaard et al., Communications Earth & Environment: In the past two decades, mass loss from the Greenland ice sheet has accelerated, partly due to the speedup of glaciers. However, uncertainty in speed derived from satellite products ...
    7 days ago
  • Maori Party (with “disgust”) draws attention to Chhour’s race after the High Court rules on Wa...
    Buzz from the Beehive A statement from Children’s Minister Karen Chhour – yet to be posted on the Government’s official website – arrived in Point of Order’s email in-tray last night. It welcomes the High Court ruling on whether the Waitangi Tribunal can demand she appear before it. It does ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    7 days ago
  • Who’s Going Up The Media Mountain?
    Mr Bombastic: Ironically, the media the academic experts wanted is, in many ways, the media they got. In place of the tyrannical editors of yesteryear, advancing without fear or favour the interests of the ruling class; the New Zealand news media of today boasts a troop of enlightened journalists dedicated to ...
    7 days ago
  • “That's how I roll”
    It's hard times try to make a livingYou wake up every morning in the unforgivingOut there somewhere in the cityThere's people living lives without mercy or pityI feel good, yeah I'm feeling fineI feel better then I have for the longest timeI think these pills have been good for meI ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • “Comity” versus the rule of law
    In 1974, the US Supreme Court issued its decision in United States v. Nixon, finding that the President was not a King, but was subject to the law and was required to turn over the evidence of his wrongdoing to the courts. It was a landmark decision for the rule ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago
  • Aotearoa: a live lab for failed Right-wing socio-economic zombie experiments once more…
    Every day now just seems to bring in more fresh meat for the grinder. In their relentlessly ideological drive to cut back on the “excessive bloat” (as they see it) of the previous Labour-led government, on the mountains of evidence accumulated in such a short period of time do not ...
    exhALANtBy exhalantblog
    1 week ago

  • Minister acknowledges passing of Sir Robert Martin (KNZM)
    New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago
  • Speech to New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, Parliament – Annual Lecture: Challenges ...
    Good evening –   Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago
  • Accelerating airport security lines
    From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    17 hours ago
  • Community hui to talk about kina barrens
    People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago
  • Kiwi exporters win as NZ-EU FTA enters into force
    Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago
  • Mining resurgence a welcome sign
    There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill passes first reading
    The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government to boost public EV charging network
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure.  The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Residential Property Managers Bill to not progress
    The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Independent review into disability support services
    The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Justice Minister updates UN on law & order plan
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Ending emergency housing motels in Rotorua
    The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Trade Minister travels to Riyadh, OECD, and Dubai
    Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Education priorities focused on lifting achievement
    Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • NZTA App first step towards digital driver licence
    The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say.  “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Supporting whānau out of emergency housing
    Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Tribute to Dave O'Sullivan
    Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Speech – Eid al-Fitr
    Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government saves access to medicines
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff.    “Access to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwis’ lives. We’ve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Pharmac Chair appointed
    Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Taking action on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
    Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says.  “Every day, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • New sports complex opens in Kaikohe
    Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Diplomacy needed more than ever
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges.    “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
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    5 days ago
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