When less is less

Written By: - Date published: 5:25 pm, February 12th, 2009 - 46 comments
Categories: articles - Tags:

It appears National are trying to promote the “little and often” approach to economic planning – but commentators are appearing a little skeptical. Take John Armstrong:

The $500 million worth of capital spending on doing up state houses, constructing new roads and bridges, building new classrooms and so forth sounds impressive but will directly create (or save) only around 2000 jobs.  Put that figure against the 68,000 the Treasury expects to join the dole queues by March next year and yesterday’s package is a drop in the reservoir…

Bill English is seeking to lower public expectations of what the Government can do by repeating the line that the Government will take the “sharp edges” off the recession. In other words, don’t count on it being able to do more. It is a tricky message to sell, made more difficult when comparisons are made with other countries which are pump-priming their economies like there is no tomorrow.

And from Gordon Campbell:

We’re still waiting for a coherent overall plan for these various ingredients, commensurate with the scale of the crisis coming over the horizon….it is possible that the government response is both too small, AND too wasteful. Initially though, we need to appreciate why the government is adopting a ‘rolling maul’ approach to crisis planning.

He suggested that most of the jobs have a distinctly “burly” quality:

Well, I can’t see very many jobs for women in this package. Women are taxpayers too, and the number of households headed by single women earners is on the rise. Yet this package seems geared almost entirely towards construction and to creating jobs for plumbers, electricians and tradesmen.

Campbell had some criticisms for Labour too:

So far, Labour has managed to tie itself in knots. All week in the House, it has been asserting that the projects in the stimulus package were mainly its ideas AND that they were inadequate. It was like watching a cranky old mammal fiercely claiming its eggs, and then trying to eat them too. Presumably, Labour’s solution was to have the same set of ideas, only bigger. Supersize me that spending on roads, with a side order of bridge-building fries as well, please !

He got me thinking – why hasn’t Labour made more of National’s weaknesses? They had a plan ready to roll out at the election when they were government. What are the comparative strengths/ weaknesses of each according to Labour’s analysis? Perhaps they are saving themselves for an alternative Budget as Labour have presented in the past. I for one would welcome the addition of some depth to the debate.

46 comments on “When less is less ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. TightyRighty 1
    12 February 2009 at 5:29 pm

    IMO the reason that labour hasn’t made more of National’s weaknesses, is that they can’t. Labour left National very little room to move after saddling the country with some rather large expenditures. ACC snd cullens train set to name a couple. so any attack on national not spending enough, is really an attack on the last government, and we couldn’t have that could we?

  2. Dancer 2
    12 February 2009 at 6:05 pm

    i think the “mismanagement” is more of a line than an actual fact. Seems to me that we were in a reasonably strong position prior to the electionEg Cullen last August said: “We not only multiplied infrastructure investment nearly three times over; we did it while reducing gross crown debt from over 35 per cent of GDP to under 20 per cent today. For the first time in our history the Crown is a net positive financial asset position.” That’s given the current government room to move.

    On the other hand Rod Oram cast doubt on both camps prior to the election “Labour has the challenge of demonstrating it knows more than it is saying about the economy, domestic and international, National has the bigger challenge of proving it has any insight at all.” And now is the time for National to prove him wrong.

  3. Jarvis Pink 3
    12 February 2009 at 6:06 pm

    “…cranky old mammal fiercely claiming its eggs…”

    Eh?

  4. John Dalley 4
    12 February 2009 at 6:16 pm

    Settle down Dancer it is only the first? week back in the sand box that is Parliament. I have been starting to get the impression that all National is doing is rehash Labour’s figures, then cuts them back and calls it an improvement over Labour.
    Time will tell but National looks like it is going to struggle to put together coherent policy.

  5. Lew 5
    12 February 2009 at 6:40 pm

    “Little and often” could be code for “micro-management”. Muldoon-style?

    L

  6. burt 6
    12 February 2009 at 6:53 pm

    Dancer said of Labour;

    They had a plan ready to roll out at the election when they were government.

    Are you talking about the secret mini budget that not one detail of the contents was ever discussed? (aka: The hidden agenda to address the problems of the hidden financial blowouts – breach of the public finance act retrospective validations perhaps?????)

    Perhaps it’s impossible in opposition to raise taxes to pay for hidden ACC blowouts? Whatever else they had planned was clearly not worth talking about or they would have been all over National with it.

    What a limp opposition – they know what National are doing wrong but have no ideas themselves. Sad sad sad.

  7. Billy 7
    12 February 2009 at 7:23 pm

    B..b..b..but I thought John Armstrong was the mouthpiece of the evil right wing mouthpiece of the vrw dressed up as a newspaper. Are we only to take notice of him when he says something we like? Awaiting further instructions…

  8. vto 8
    12 February 2009 at 7:28 pm

    No govt will stop this contagion. It must run its course. Sadly.

    As such I think the step by step approach, while a difficult political sell in this mini-era of ‘who can make the biggest splash’, is the prudent one. All any govt can do is soften the goings on. It will not be stopped.

    And it fucks me right off. The pain and damage that human behaviour can do to itself. Unknowingly, unwittingly, lemming-like, …

    Some examples of dumb;

    – govt guarantees. Effectively taxpayers underwriting taxpayers. Duh, how can a manwoman underwite himhersefl?

    – Rudd’s $950 per person handout. Really? Should last about a month.

    So while the maelstrom is unstoppable and now too far advanced, concentrating on softening the landing rather than trying to stop the landing altogether is the right way. Remember, that all this govt action is simply another form of debt. And what caused this in the first place?

  9. Quoth the Raven 9
    12 February 2009 at 7:29 pm

    Billy – SP once said of John Armstrong: in my estimation, our best print political commentator.
    Can’t someone ban Billy the troll?

  10. Billy 10
    12 February 2009 at 7:33 pm

    Dare ya.

  11. rainman 11
    12 February 2009 at 8:55 pm

    Can someone please tell me how upgrading the Kopu bridge and tarting up some schools is going to rescue us from global recession? Pretty much none of this “stimulus package” is building any productive asset that will build sustainable future export income. Once the bridge is built, the low wage jobs to build it will be gone.

    We can’t spend/consume our way out of this recession, irrespective of whether public or private money is being spent.

    vto, I think you’ve nailed it.

  12. Inventory2 12
    12 February 2009 at 8:57 pm

    I love the way you keep trotting Gordon Campbell out as an independant commenatator – I don’t think so!

    IrishBill: despite the fact you have misspelled both “independent” and “commentator” I am interested to know why you consider Campbell to not be independent? He has no party affiliation as far as I am aware.

  13. Rex Widerstrom 13
    12 February 2009 at 9:07 pm

    Infrastructure investment beats doling out $1000 to every bogan and watching it enrich the pokie operators and bookmakers, then trying $950 to everyone and hoping like hell we’ll all want to buy an Akubra and a Drizabone rather than pay the rent or buy a plasma TV.

    But yes, the number of direct jobs created isn’t flash, unless we insist contractors go back to using shovels and wheelbarrows as per the Depression. Of course Armstrong’s figure of 2,000 overlooks indirect and downstream jobs that may be created or saved but even if we quadruple the estimate it’s still a drop in the ocean.

    But what’s the alternative?

    (And yes, vto has nailed it, unless someone can provide a convincing answer to my question).

  14. burt 14
    12 February 2009 at 9:30 pm

    I’m still thinking that all Labour had planned for their secret mini budget after the election was to pass validations for not disclosing the ACC blowout.

    I’m wondering how that would have helped the country and and I guess the answer to that is that it would have been in Labour’s best interest so what else could possibly be more important than that?

  15. higherstandard 15
    12 February 2009 at 9:39 pm

    IB

    2006 – 2008 Gordon Campbell was a media and research officer for the Green Party… and fair enough he’s always been very open about which way he leans.

    http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/about

  16. Robinsod 16
    12 February 2009 at 9:40 pm

    Burt you fuckin absurd retard! I could just as easily say I’m still thinking that if Labour had got in you would have tried to kil the PM and as such you are a dangerous fruit who needs to be locked away…

    Se how that works you stupid cunt? Are you really so delusional and desperate you need to make weird fantasy shit up to justify your strange paranoia??? You’re like a bad 80’s coldwar revenge fantasy movie. Get a life you fruity little creep…

    Oh and I’m sorry to break my ban but someone needed to say that. I’ll see you in three and a half weeks…

  17. burt 17
    12 February 2009 at 9:46 pm

    Robinsod

    Thanks, I feel great that I have got to you. You represent all that is wrong with the rabbid left and to upset you tells me I have hit the raw “lefty fruit loop” nerve.

    I’m patting myself on the back.

  18. northpaw 18
    12 February 2009 at 9:52 pm

    Rex,
    Infrastructure investment beats doling out $1000 to every bogan and watching it enrich the pokie operators and bookmakers

    Bravo!

    But the machine tools deal (backstory I’m guessing to the “wheelbarrows” pitch) is not to be made fun of. Crikey these things are debt indemnifiers.. are they not. Since one side sells jobs and wages, and the other deals and debt blah blah..

  19. northpaw 19
    12 February 2009 at 10:03 pm

    Robinsod,

    re burt if I may.. sees the word ‘country’ and uses it thus as an absolute. Akin to a castle on a hill.. capture, keep, mine(his/hers/whatever)… oblivious to erosion, wear and tear, fate, life’s limitations, external factors etc.

    Like kids with tin soldiers.. best before ten years of age.. after which time most kids realise that only they are moving the parts.. only they are fighting themselves..

    Most move on. Did burt..? So.. why else would I make this comment..?

  20. illuminatedtiger 20
    12 February 2009 at 10:30 pm

    When your cabinet is overwhelmingly male I can definitely see how jobs for women are getting overlooked. I’m not saying women can’t do these jobs, I’m saying that they are more likely to goto men (for any fuckwit who wants to add “sexist” to the list of things I’ve been called today).

  21. Steve Pierson 21
    12 February 2009 at 10:35 pm

    “cranky old mammal fiercely claiming its eggs, and then trying to eat them too”

    bit of a poor metaphor. There are, as it happens five species of egg-laying mammals – monotremes – the most famous being the platypus, but still. And even if it was normal for mammals to lay eggs, the metaphor still doens’t make much sense.

  22. Murray 22
    12 February 2009 at 10:54 pm

    “why hasn’t Labour made more of National’s weaknesses?” Coz your beloved party is led by a couple of fucking has-beens. And the rest of sitting Labour MP’s don’t look too great either. Being a “pinko” in todays political environment is no longer an advantage.

  23. Redbaiter 23
    12 February 2009 at 11:31 pm

    “someone needed to say that”

    Nobody needed to say it, least of all an honourless cowardly creep without even the modicum of self respect needed to comply with a week’s ban.

    BTW, lets not get delusional here. Armstrong and Campbell would both be lifetime left voters, and being so, they’re incapable of writing from any other perspective, even if they tried. What they say cannot be considered as objective. What’s needed is balance, but there’s no right wing equivalent because the fucking arsehole editors will not hire anyone who isn’t a NY Times liberal fuckwit. Just so typical of NZ’s politically corrupt mainstream media.

    IrishBill: the ‘sod was banned for five weeks, not one. For behavior not too dissimilar to yours I might add.

  24. Morgan 24
    13 February 2009 at 12:17 am

    ‘Sod, Love your work!

    http://robinsod.wordpress.com/2009/02/04/eweugh/

    Redbait, rumour on the street is Armstrong’s in love with John Key. He’s a conservative, you fool.

  25. bobo 25
    13 February 2009 at 1:11 am

    Funny how the right refer to public rail as a trainset , the public roading network must be a scaletrix set by their reasoning then. Most of them have probably never travelled outside NZ to see how rail is fundamental to any functioning city.

  26. Redbaiter 26
    13 February 2009 at 1:33 am

    “He’s a conservative, you fool.”

    Because an extreme left moron says he is? Get a life bore.

  27. tsmithfield 27
    13 February 2009 at 7:06 am

    I think proceeding with caution is in order here for several reasons:

    1. Our recovery is linked more to the success of the recovery packages in other countries since we have a strong export focus to our economy.

    2. Spending hand over fist has to be paid for with future borrowing. Any short term gain through lavish spending could be accompanied with a lot of long term pain later on. Also, we face credit downgrades if we increase government debt too much.

    3. Many commentators are unsure if the stimulus packages around the world will work anyway. Thus, the “rolling maul” style is probably justified as it allows time to assess the effect of previous moves and time to tweak future moves.

    4. It would be nice to have more money to throw around. However, huge ACC blowouts not disclosed in the PREFU have hamstrung what National can do now to an large extent.

  28. Scribe 28
    13 February 2009 at 9:06 am

    IT is the only person who has picked up on the comments from Gordon Campbell.

    Try to pretend you didn’t know Gordon wrote this paragraph. Read it with the belief that — I don’t know — Karl du Fresne or Garth George or Bob Clarkson wrote it.

    Well, I can’t see very many jobs for women in this package. Women are taxpayers too, and the number of households headed by single women earners is on the rise. Yet this package seems geared almost entirely towards construction and to creating jobs for plumbers, electricians and tradesmen.

    Changed your mind at all?

    If a Nat MP or right-wing commentator said this, he/she would be burnt at the stake (blog style).

    captcha: Gordon care (probably not about my comment, I mean)

  29. Tane 29
    13 February 2009 at 9:35 am

    Sod you’re supposed to be banned. Pull your head in boyo – you don’t want me to add another month do you?

  30. Redbaiter 30
    13 February 2009 at 9:59 am

    “Changed your mind at all?”

    About what exactly? The paragraph is whining politically correct Stalinist/ left wing garbage. Typical of NZ’s mainstream media commentators.

  31. Redbaiter 31
    13 February 2009 at 10:21 am

    Gawd, the filter again.. !!!

    Don’t tell me “Stalinist” is a bad word.

    [lprent: It looks at the base word “stalin”. The reason that some words are in auto-moderation is because they have been over-used by trolls previously. While there are lots of ways to use those words in context, most trolls just use them for shock or emotional effect. It saves our time if we simply dump people using them into moderation because trolls have a limited vocab, and find that they cannot resist using those words.

    It is an elegant disincentive to trolling because most people will use certain words only when they really really mean them precisely. That sometimes throws up a false positive. But mostly it just catches the hidebound and unthinking…

    Incidentally I picked the words mostly by looking at the style of discussion (usually flaming) after their use.]

  32. Redbaiter 32
    13 February 2009 at 10:22 am

    Yep, it is….

    Why for chrissakes???

  33. Felix 33
    13 February 2009 at 10:42 am

    Scribe,
    “Changed your mind at all?”

    About what? The paragraph you quoted is, for better or worse, pretty accurate.

    If George had written this, it would be ruing the rise of “households headed by single women earners” but it doesn’t. If it were from a Nat MP it would be full of grammatical errors and if it had been written by Clarkson it would’ve been in crayon.

    I don’t see what’s controversial about the statement though.

    RB,
    “Why for chrissakes???”

    I expect because it’s a word which is used almost exclusively used by trolls like you.

  34. Tane 34
    13 February 2009 at 10:49 am

    Yep, it is .

    Why for chrissakes???

    It’s a troll filter. Abusive idiots with nothing to contribute often come on here accusing us or other lefties of Stalinism or comparing us to Hitler. It’s just simpler to have them go straight to moderation. A few genuine contributors get caught in the net, but on balance it just makes life easier.

  35. @ work 35
    13 February 2009 at 10:59 am

    I’d discribe it more as a rational perspective filter than a troll filter…

  36. northpaw 36
    13 February 2009 at 11:30 am

    @work,

    would you please be consistent.. that last comment of yours began with a spellchecker need but then, irrationally, stuffed up ‘rational’. Yep, it should have come out like rashional to make that consistent grade.

  37. northpaw 37
    13 February 2009 at 11:55 am

    can someone please explain to me how my comment appeared in the encryption ‘box’ – as a malfunction it might account for comment loss which otherwise suggests a ban for no apparent reason..

  38. Redbaiter 38
    13 February 2009 at 12:39 pm

    “I’d discribe it more as a rational perspective filter than a troll filter ”

    Look, I understand the need to try and keep discussion orderly. Fair enough. However I spit upon those posters who claim it is inappropriate to use words like St*l*n*sm.

    Such attempts to curb discussion are merely another leftist device to cloud truth.

    St*l*n*sm is a legitimate criticism of much of what the left do, especially in the sense that it (to me anyway) means the frequent use of propagandists and propaganda organs to implant false concepts amongst the citizenry.

    In this instance, I used it quite correctly to describe the words of a leftist propagandist (Gordon Campbell) writing leftist propaganda (anti- family M*r*ist rubbish) in an organ of leftist propaganda (Scoop).

    It is not extreme or outlandish to comment on the strategy of the long march, Gramsacianism, or any such concepts. They are out there and should be discussed.

    That so many posters here attack anyone wanting to discuss those concepts as “trolls” is more proof of the correctness of those who know the (long term) game the left are playing.

  39. BLiP 39
    13 February 2009 at 1:23 pm

    Masturbater said:

    ” . . . That so many posters here attack anyone wanting to discuss those concepts as “trolls’ is more proof of the correctness of those who know the (long term) game the left are playing. . . . ”

    Ascribing the programs of a dictator who murdered 30 million of his citizens to a journalist’s thoughts is scarcely reasoned discussion or comparable allusion. The comparision is wrong and, deliberately so, thus, you are a troll simply abusing your fellow commentators and/or making a statement so outlandish that you get the attention you are obviously seeking.

    You’re not folling anyone with this “oh poor me” argument.

    IrishBill: be careful BLiP, while your argument is fine the use of terms like “masturbater” to describe other commenters is unnecessary. That’s the kind of behaviour that got ‘sod banned.

  40. @ work 40
    13 February 2009 at 1:31 pm

    northpaw

    would you please be consistent.. that last comment of yours began with a spellchecker need but then, irrationally, stuffed up ‘rational’. Yep, it should have come out like rashional to make that consistent grade.

    Normally I have firefox to check my spelling, how ever at work I am not so lucky. I am not a good speller, so when I’m busy I pick and choose where I put my effort into getting things correct. In almost all cases what I write (except for one time the other day where I managed to leave out a word entirely) is quite clear what I am meaning.

    If you consider the fact that I can’t spell well relevant to the quality of my idea’s, then you can fuck off. If all you have to critisize about my idea’s is my spelling, then please try harder next time.

  41. BLiP 41
    13 February 2009 at 1:32 pm

    IrishBill: be careful BLiP, while your argument is fine the use of terms like “masturbater’ to describe other commenters is unnecessary. That’s the kind of behaviour that got ‘sod banned.

    Message received and understood.

  42. LGD 42
    13 February 2009 at 2:39 pm

    a distinctly “burly’ quality
    “Shovel-ready” was the phrase used here.

  43. Redbaiter 43
    13 February 2009 at 3:23 pm

    “Ascribing the programs of a dictator who murdered 30 million of his citizens to a journalist’s thoughts is scarcely reasoned discussion or comparable allusion.”

    As I wrote above and you apparently missed- That is not to me the essence of St*lin*sm. Sure, St*l*n was a mass murderer. So were many other tot*litari*ns. Mass murder is not peculiar to St*l*n. The real point is the effective use of propaganda in shaping political concepts amongst the citizens. St*l*n is generally regarded as the first to use this strategy and to use it so succesfully. H*tl*r, M*o and many other dictators used it subsequently, and it is used today by the left who seek to make socialism the dominant culture and deny any other political viewpoint a legitimate voice.

  44. Pascal's bookie 44
    13 February 2009 at 5:31 pm

    Rb, so the American revolutionaries and various other enlightenment thinkers didn’t make “effective use of propaganda in shaping political concepts amongst the citizens.”

    Or was they all dirty steekin followers of the Georgian despot too?

    Or is it only propaganda if you disagree with it?

  45. northpaw 45
    14 February 2009 at 10:39 am

    @work,

    tks for telling me of your disability—I can now make allowances.

    Also the obvious directness of your answer reveals a low potential to evade troll filters reliant on correct word spellings.. see what I mean with the someone on this thread using asterisks..

    a hardline response – given here in what I believe your best interests – would be that good ideas need correct expression to gain traction..

    all the best

Links to post

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • New Zealand Sign Language Week an opportunity for anyone to sign
    New Zealand Sign Language Week is an excellent opportunity for all Kiwis to give the language a go, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. This week (May 6 to 12) is New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) Week. The theme is “an Aotearoa where anyone can sign anywhere” and aims to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    8 hours ago

  • Next stop NASA for New Zealand students
    Six tertiary students have been selected to work on NASA projects in the US through a New Zealand Space Scholarship, Space Minister Judith Collins announced today. “This is a fantastic opportunity for these talented students. They will undertake internships at NASA’s Ames Research Center or its Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), where ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    8 hours ago

  • $1.9 billion investment to keep NZ safe from crime
    New Zealanders will be safer because of a $1.9 billion investment in more frontline Corrections officers, more support for offenders to turn away from crime, and more prison capacity, Corrections Minister Mark Mitchell says. “Our Government said we would crack down on crime. We promised to restore law and order, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    9 hours ago

  • OECD reinforces need to control spending
    The OECD’s latest report on New Zealand reinforces the importance of bringing Government spending under control, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The OECD conducts country surveys every two years to review its members’ economic policies. The 2024 New Zealand survey was presented in Wellington today by OECD Chief Economist Clare Lombardelli.   ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    11 hours ago

  • Agreement delivers Local Water Done Well for Auckland
    The Government has delivered on its election promise to provide a financially sustainable model for Auckland under its Local Water Done Well plan. The plan, which has been unanimously endorsed by Auckland Council’s Governing Body, will see Aucklanders avoid the previously projected 25.8 per cent water rates increases while retaining ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Gaza and the Pacific on the agenda with Germany
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters discussed the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and enhanced cooperation in the Pacific with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock during her first official visit to New Zealand today.    "New Zealand and Germany enjoy shared interests and values, including the rule of law, democracy, respect for the international system ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Decision allows for housing growth in Western Bay of Plenty
    The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop today released his decision on four recommendations referred to him by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, opening the door to housing growth in the area. The Council’s Plan Change 92 allows more homes to be built in existing and new ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Speech to New Zealand China Council
    Thank you, John McKinnon and the New Zealand China Council for the invitation to speak to you today.    Thank you too, all members of the China Council. Your effort has played an essential role in helping to build, shape, and grow a balanced and resilient relationship between our two ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Modern insurance law will protect Kiwi households
    The Government is modernising insurance law to better protect Kiwis and provide security in the event of a disaster, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly announced today. “These reforms are long overdue. New Zealand’s insurance law is complicated and dated, some of which is more than 100 years old. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Government recommits to equal pay
    The coalition Government is refreshing its approach to supporting pay equity claims as time-limited funding for the Pay Equity Taskforce comes to an end, Public Service Minister Nicola Willis says.  “Three years ago, the then-government introduced changes to the Equal Pay Act to support pay equity bargaining. The changes were ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Transforming how our children learn to read
    Structured literacy will change the way New Zealand children learn to read - improving achievement and setting students up for success, Education Minister Erica Stanford says.  “Being able to read and write is a fundamental life skill that too many young people are missing out on. Recent data shows that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • NZ not backing down in Canada dairy dispute
    Trade Minister Todd McClay says Canada’s refusal to comply in full with a CPTPP trade dispute ruling in our favour over dairy trade is cynical and New Zealand has no intention of backing down. Mr McClay said he has asked for urgent legal advice in respect of our ‘next move’ ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Stronger oversight for our most vulnerable children
    The rights of our children and young people will be enhanced by changes the coalition Government will make to strengthen oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, including restoring a single Children’s Commissioner. “The Government is committed to delivering better public services that care for our most at-risk young people and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Streamlining Building Consent Changes
    The Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says.      “The coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days 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
    5 days 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
    5 days 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
    5 days 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
    6 days 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
    6 days 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
    6 days 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
    6 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
    6 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
    6 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
    7 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
    7 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
    7 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address, Buttes New British Cemetery Belgium
    Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service.  It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address – NZ National Service, Chunuk Bair
    Distinguished guests -   It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders.   Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address – Dawn Service, Gallipoli, Türkiye
    Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia.   Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-05-06T13:46:37+00:00