Who is next?

Written By: - Date published: 8:03 am, March 7th, 2018 - 65 comments
Categories: bill english, Gerry Brownlee, national, nick smith, Politics, same old national, Simon Bridges, Steven Joyce - Tags: , ,

The exodus of National MPs from Parliament appears to be picking up pace.

First of all Bill English went quickly, despite public comments from within the National Party that he could remain as leader for as long as he wanted. His sudden resignation suggested that a tipping point had been reached within National’s caucus and he saw that the writing was on the wall.

Then suddenly Steven Joyce went. A week ago he wanted to be leader of the party. But yesterday he decided to bail out with all the usual platitudes about spending more time with his family.

And the day before he was that protective of his reputation he threatened to sue the NBR the one media outlet above many others that is pro National.

Of course the position Joyce was offered have nothing to do with his decision to change careers. None whatsoever.

And the question arises who will be next? Who else will decide that they do not want to hang around, giving brave speeches in Parliament and then taking part in losing votes.

A few names spring to mind. David Carter must be ready to go. Gerry Brownlee must be counting the days especially as news breaks that the deal the Government signed to rebuild Christchurch was even worse than everyone thought. Chris Finlayson must be thinking of a more lucrative role in the law. Nick Smith must realise that his days are numbered although whether or not he has the opportunity of an alternative career may be a significant issue. Nicky Wagner must be thinking of leaving soon. There are a number of MPs who could disappear at any time.

And National is preparing for this.  From Anna Bracewell-Worrall at Newshub:

Mr Bridges said today there will be more resignations. He said he doesn’t expect many, and doesn’t think they will come as a result of his upcoming shadow cabinet reshuffle.

“Over time you will see retirements, but I don’t think there’ll be a lot. In terms of this reshuffle, I don’t think you’ll see that,” Mr Bridges said this afternoon.

The reshuffle is likely to see some younger MPs elevated to the front bench and in the toss and tumble, some of the more senior, experienced MPs will be relegated to the back benches.

If they don’t like that, they could well choose to retire.

Mr Bridges has indicated numerous times that he will bring generational change to the caucus – and has said that partly means new faces.

He repeated that on Tuesday, saying, “The reshuffle’s going to be an exciting blend of real experience, and we’ve got so much of that, and also bringing fresh talent through.”

As for whether Mr Joyce’s resignation is an act of petulance in response to his demotion from the finance portfolio, Mr Bridges said that’s not the case.

“Not at all. I think Steven feels he’s at a crossroads, and he feels that he has a wonderful young family and plenty of ability to get out in the commercial sector and do well.”

And there are some interesting people ready to become MPs.  Next in will be Nicola Willis whose public reputation appears to be sound.  After that is Agnes Loheni, a token Samoan candidate who thinks that it is important for the Government to provide more transitional and emergency housing.  What a complete lack of ambition.  And then Paulo Garcia who is opposed to the concept of recreational fornication.

Whatever happens National has lost a great deal of experience over the past 18 months including arguably its three most senior MPs.  If the polls start going south then things will get really interesting really quickly for Simon Bridges.

65 comments on “Who is next? ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Zorb6 1
    7 March 2018 at 8:10 am

    We should really thank Winston.He has terminated the tragedy of the Key era in NZ politics.

    • Incognito 1.1
      7 March 2018 at 8:27 am

      Yeah, nah. National had a very strong suit going into the election and came out with very strong cards. However, they had lost all but one suitable coalition partners. Who knows, through arrogance, wilful blindness, or the feeling of power once again within reach they simply seemed to expect that NZF (not just Winston Peters!) would just choose them. In other words, they misread the cards and blew it and brought most if not all of this upon themselves. People given Winston Peters (not NZF!) way too much credit for National’s demise IMO.

      • WILD KATIPO 1.1.1
        7 March 2018 at 8:32 am

        … ” they misread the cards and blew it and brought most if not all of this upon themselves ” …

        Yes,……. but I’m sure leaking Peters personal financial information certainly didn’t help,… eh.

        So yes, Peters didn’t particularly ever like John Key as Key was the man who said he would never work with NZ First / Peters. And National were so arrogant with Dunne , the Maori party and Act they thought they were invincible.

        And now ,… where is Dunne ?, where is the Maori party ? and where is Key , English and Joyce?

        Answer? – down the road, mate.

        • Siobhan 1.1.1.1
          7 March 2018 at 9:29 am

          In the case of Key a road paved in Gold…

          • Pat 1.1.1.1.1
            7 March 2018 at 9:37 am

            lol…follow the yellow brick road

          • WILD KATIPO 1.1.1.1.2
            7 March 2018 at 9:37 am

            Ah yes,… but that’s always symptomatic of a society that enshrines its leaders as untouchable and beyond reproach – even hallowed.

            Usually a society that is politically immature, has a very sophisticated elite that have all their people in key positions of both media , lobbying groups and in turn, political party’s.

            They are the enablers.

            This is New Zealand today. We have never suffered revolution as the Americans did , and it was always going to be an easy transition to write the laws to suit a particular demographic.

            • Tuppence Shrewsbury 1.1.1.1.2.1
              7 March 2018 at 1:20 pm

              Probably the most bi-partisan comment you’ve ever made.

              • WILD KATIPO …
                7 March 2018 at 1:37 pm

                Ha! – have you ever back tracked to review your own lofty list of bipartisan comments in the pursuit of the neo liberal continuity?

                Its amusing that the small gaggle of RWNJ’s that congregate around T.S are completely glaucomic as to their own enormous biases and conscienceless- ness when presented with the facts.

                • Tuppence Shrewsbury …
                  7 March 2018 at 4:54 pm

                  wooosh _____ =my comment
                  ^
                  |
                  |
                  |
                  |
                  |
                  |
                  |
                  Your head

                  Why launch into some abuse about mine and other’s supposed biases?

                  Opinions different to ones own have merit too. What amused me was your position in the comment I originally replied to and how bi-partisan it was. From one who has been pathologically incapable of being bi-partisan. It made me reassess the extent to which i think you possess intelligence.

                  And then you replied to it…. presenting opinion as fact….

                  • WILD KATIPO …
                    7 March 2018 at 8:59 pm

                    Straight A’s for your superior intellectualism.

                    … ” Why launch into some abuse about mine and other’s supposed biases? ”…

                    Maybe its because of a small thing called trust. And when viewed against past performances from you and others of your neo liberal ilk, well,… ones just got to say ,… there’s generally always a barb or an ulterior meaning involved…

                    And the real meaning behind what I said was that in general , there has always been in this country a carry over of British landed gentrification. Colonization.

                    Hence the bogus reasons for war in the Waikato used as an excuse to confiscate Maori lands to open up to European settlement. A bogus war that led the General who led those troops to later resign over the unfairness and immorality of it.

                    That mans name was General Cameron.

                    General Duncan Alexander Cameron.

                    At least he had scruples.

                    Now if recognizing that the political environment of this country from its very beginnings and conception has rigged this system up for the moneyed classes and you find my comments ‘ bi – partisan’ – then guilty as charged according to you.

                    And just because Labour and National HAVE BOTH participated in the neo liberal hijacking of NZ and I call them both out for doing it doesn’t make me bi partisan.

                    It makes me a social democratic nationalist.

                    Comprende’ Senor?

                    And btw – I’m not , and have never been , interested in your petty game of points scoring.

                    I just don’t like neo liberals and their lying bullshit no matter who they are.

                    Nor do I trust them.

      • cleangreen 1.1.2
        7 March 2018 at 11:48 am

        They looked jaded and too “old school” that all the old wood now has to go period, but start with other older nasty arrogant ‘similar characters such as; – David Carter, David Bennett, Gerry Brownlee, Maggie Barry, Nick Smith; – just for starters please.

    • WILD KATIPO 1.2
      7 March 2018 at 8:28 am

      Hear hear to that !

      NO ONE outsmarts the Silver Fox. And anyone who thinks they can, should know better than that.

  2. Sacha 2
    7 March 2018 at 8:18 am

    Nuck Smith has lost his protector Mr English but is likely to cling to his electorate rather than going gracefully.

  3. WILD KATIPO 3
    7 March 2018 at 8:27 am

    Well the wolves are howling at the door and now a new force has been unleashed,… its called the ‘Hooton Effect’.

    The old power structure is crumbling. So we will see a new crop installed. In other parlance , it would be called a coup of sorts. Now the interesting thing is , will this new line up be steered more towards the hard line…

    All I know is,… there is a comedy for all occasions. And anything to do with the National party is always rich in material ,- despite that humour sometimes having to digress into ‘ black’ humour, sadly…

    This is what is currently taking place within National…

    Monty Pythons – Meaning of Life – The Crimson Permanent Assurance …
    the crimson permanent assurance full version youtube▶ 2:29
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSO9OFJNMBA

  4. mac1 4
    7 March 2018 at 8:33 am

    Is this how they roll them, then?

    They all know where are stacked the skeletons, so a wee word in Hooton’s ear, as they used to do with Slater and Farrar? Then, a piece in a paper, or blog, or threat of same.

    Dis-memberment it’s called. The removal of unwanted parts of National’s body politic. It’s how you get skeletons, after all.

    Or miraculous reincarnations as new political parties………..

    ‘First Joyce’, or the ‘Gerrymandering Party’, maybe ‘Ourselves Alone’ founded by Todd Barclay , or the ‘Born-To-Rulers’ of Aaron Gilmore, and even Nick Smith’s ‘Anvilomentalist’ Party.

    • WILD KATIPO 4.1
      7 March 2018 at 8:42 am

      Ahhh yes,… I think what we are all interested in is the new shape of this ‘rejuvenated ‘ National. Whats their game ? What are they up to ? Where does Hooton fit in to all of this ?

      These and other questions keep us up late at night and wondering what we will have for breakfast the next morning.

      Methinks the answer is to take a walk down memory lane and carefully take note of Hootons ideology and past statements and loyalties. Because the cards are more or less stacking up how he always wanted them to. From there we can establish the ‘flavor’ of this new and slightly less than shining ensemble.

      Just what is it that the NZ Initiatives mouthpiece is angling for , here ?

  5. Tricledrown 5
    7 March 2018 at 9:10 am

    Who ever leaked Winstons over payment had this scenario in mind they could not wait another 3 years .
    So let’s take a sweepstake on who leaked,who had the most to gain or would that be a bridge to far.
    Who is going to be Nationals new spin machine/dirty politics Dark arts maelstro
    McCully,Joyce………Collins.

    • WILD KATIPO 5.1
      7 March 2018 at 9:20 am

      Very , very shrewd observations , … so we have an aspirant dissatisfied with the direction the National party is taking under Key, English and Joyce… a ‘mole’ , no less…

      And that mole would need to be well connected , have a definite ideological base, and have a sound knowledge of the ideological bent of all the main power players… and yet distanced enough that they are not pilloried and blacklisted… and to do that , they would need to have sympathizers, to have those on board , as it were… within National.

      Who , oh who ,… would fit that bill ???

      You get two guesses.

    • JO 5.2
      7 March 2018 at 10:24 am

      maestro -> maelstro -> maelstrom?

    • patricia bremner 5.3
      7 March 2018 at 3:02 pm

      Bennett. She has kept her place and had the knowledge.

  6. Puckish Rogue 6
    7 March 2018 at 9:19 am

    “Agnes Loheni, a token Samoan candidate”

    Gee Mickey could you be any more patronising?

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11274930

    She sounds like shes quite switched on but hey I guess you think shes in the wrong party…

    • WILD KATIPO 6.1
      7 March 2018 at 9:40 am

      You need to lighten up .

      Here’s one for you . Analogous to the National party.

      The Goodies – Gymnasium Scene – YouTube
      the goodies gymnasium▶ 4:05
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbwDeUdRGcM

      • cleangreen 6.1.1
        7 March 2018 at 11:50 am

        LOL 100% Wild Katipo.

      • greywarshark 6.1.2
        7 March 2018 at 5:18 pm

        That was amazing – ACC must use it for don’t do this at your gym advice video.
        Beautifully timed moves, and then speeded up.

    • mac1 6.2
      7 March 2018 at 9:40 am

      From PR’s linked article.

      “Ask yourself, ‘why would anyone want to buy my product?’ Understanding the answers to this question will hopefully help identify whether your product is something people want to buy rather than what you want to sell. And don’t worry about trying to build your brand before you start. The key is to have a product you can sell first. You can build the brand from the ground up as you grow your business.”

      Good advice for the National Party. “Why would anyone buy my product?”

      Voters asked that question. The answer is becoming more manifest.

      • Ka 6.2.1
        7 March 2018 at 12:29 pm

        But then Hoskings is enthusiastically selling the message that the coalition are the “tax and spend” experts quote: “like all left wing govts……” and “mark my words”. His prophecies of heavier borrowing, increased taxes and “giving it all away” are appealing to the vacuous swing voters that National need to put the fear into to have any chance of a show at the next election. Its “show me the money” time again.

      • Kat 6.2.2
        7 March 2018 at 12:31 pm

        But then Hoskings is enthusiastically selling the message that the coalition are the “tax and spend” experts, quote: “like all left wing govts……” and “mark my words”. His prophecies of heavier borrowing, increased taxes and “giving it all away” are appealing to the vacuous swing voters that National need to put the fear into to have any chance of a show at the next election. Its “show me the money” time again.

        • KJT 6.2.2.1
          10 March 2018 at 1:39 pm

          Hoskings objection is that, unlike National, Labour are not taxing and borrowing to enrich his mates.

  7. Ad 7
    7 March 2018 at 9:25 am

    All of this is pretty perplexing given that under Key there had been multiple “refresh” stages, “retirements”, and sundry exists before and after the list formation.

    This team should be fresh and lean, full of hot attack lines.

    Labour is hardly as pure as the driven snow on this. They have precisely the opposite problem of being too internally sclerotic to renew, and unwilling to nurture and protect new talent coming through, while not finding good jobs for the older ones to retire to that would accelerate the whole process.

    But National had a really good election result for a government 9 straight terms in. There is no reason to go all House of Lannister on their asses internally.

    It tells me that without Key and the primary steadying force (similar to loss of Clark and Cullen), they are simply drifting around without a steadying disciplinary core, and will continue to do so.

    • mauī 7.1
      7 March 2018 at 9:43 am

      Touch your forehead
      Touch the base of your sternum
      Touch the left side of your chest
      Touch the right side of your chest

      As you cross yourself, say, whisper, or think: “Strong and stable.”

    • WILD KATIPO 7.2
      7 March 2018 at 9:52 am

      …” All of this is pretty perplexing given that under Key there had been multiple “refresh” stages, “retirements”, and sundry exists before and after the list formation”…

      * National also had many embarrassing scandals it needed to constantly cover for. Fundamentally because they harbored so much skulduggery it was bound to start leaking in divers places.

      … ” But National had a really good election result for a government 9 straight terms in. There is no reason to go all House of Lannister on their asses internally ” …

      * National also imported much of its guaranteed vote ie : The Blue Dragons. And it is a continuing millstone around their neck now that the cats out of the bag ; having a Chinese national who was a lecturer in a military establishment training China’s spy’s as an MP ?!!? Notwithstanding the obvious many business connections with Mainland China among so many of them which means National are in it up to their necks with regards conflicts of interest.

      Then of course they practiced divisive politics and encouraged a runaway out of control housing bubble pandering to the middle classes, – with the resulting massive social problems left in its wake. And to demonize those affected by their policy’s they slashed welfare, curtailed Union activity and demolished state housing , health and education. And all with the promise of tax cuts for the well off.

      So yes , you are right in that :

      ” without Key and the primary steadying force (similar to loss of Clark and Cullen), they are simply drifting around without a steadying disciplinary core, and will continue to do so ” …

  8. adam 8
    7 March 2018 at 9:51 am

    I’m picking Hekia Parata, no wait…

    She got a haircut.

  9. Cinny 9
    7 March 2018 at 10:39 am

    Looking at the list MP’s… I’d say the following…

    david carter, chris finlayson, nicky wagner.

    electorate mps that should go are brownlee, bennet and smith.

    I think with electorate MP’s it depends on their ego once simon announces his reshuffle.

    Makes me wonder who would stand for the nats in their place if there were byelections. Have any of them groomed someone to take over, or do they assume they will be there forever?

    • ianmac 9.1
      7 March 2018 at 11:06 am

      Steady on Cinny. Do we really want a refreshed innovative Opposition? Lets keep all the old hands ageing gracefully and impotently. 🙂

    • paul andersen 9.2
      7 March 2018 at 11:23 am

      if smith retires , the nelson byelection could cause a boil-over. the greens are very strong there, and a green electorate m.p. would give them the backstop they need. remind anyone of epsom?

      • Cinny 9.2.1
        7 March 2018 at 12:26 pm

        Ian 🙂 you make me laugh 🙂

        Paul, I think that Rachel Boyack will take out Nelson next election, she was so close this time. Greens are very strong in Nelson, but I don’t think Matt Lawrey was the correct choice (he should stand for mayor instead, he’s already on the council), Nelsonians are a fickle bunch, one thing is for sure nick smith can kiss that seat goodbye in 2020.

      • prickles 9.2.2
        7 March 2018 at 3:24 pm

        Matt Lawrey will never be elected in Nelson – he has stood on too many toes. It will be Rachel for sure. Those who change their vote from National might just be able to vote for Rachel – but for Matt? Not a chance. Unless he changes his own allegiances and joins National of course. He wouldn’t be out of place in those realms.

        There will be many of us very pleased to see the back of Nick though.

        • Ms Fargo 9.2.2.1
          7 March 2018 at 5:00 pm

          Reece….

          • greywarshark 9.2.2.1.1
            7 March 2018 at 5:09 pm

            Yes Rachel Reece Nelson’s Mayor I imagine is what is intended. What in particular is Matt’s failure/s? He seems very cocksure, but that is all I see.

  10. cleangreen 10
    7 March 2018 at 11:51 am

    Yes we want a revolution to begin in nelson please Nick walk the plank now for your country.

  11. Ad 11
    7 March 2018 at 12:29 pm

    Adams for Finance.

    Fuck me Grant Robertson just got a free ride for a couple of terms.

    • veutoviper 11.1
      7 March 2018 at 2:34 pm

      Love this decision making by Bridges!

      Adams for Finance – Collins will love that one, not.

      This gets better by the day.

  12. mac1 12
    7 March 2018 at 1:42 pm

    For me, the appointment of Amy Adams is not the biggest issue, though of course important.

    Why did Bridges appoint the Finance spokesperson and announce it before the rest? Are there firstly messages being given to MPs who thought themselves contenders for the finance post that they are not wanted for it and maybe it’s time to go, and secondly, time is being given for that message to sink in, before the announcement of the rest of the portfolios.

    Better to get rid of the grumpies before portfolio announcement time, and see off some of the old guard by allowing them time to announce their own departure, before they suffer the belittlement of demotion.

    As with Joyce. He got offered any job but the one he wanted, the one that would have kept him.

    • patricia bremner 12.1
      7 March 2018 at 3:41 pm

      Who cares? They can all go via a rubbish skip as far as I’m concerned. I agree with Winston. They will not get a gracious farewell from me.

      Never has NZ had such a self serving bunch of so called representatives. The harm they have caused, and are still causing, will take this current Government a great deal of mahi and skill to overcome.

      The choices so far show National going to their conservative base. Catholic, business,
      old money, property and class.

      Amy Adams will be another Ruth Richardson with Bridges, and people will be amazed how Bennett will hang on. She knows too much? From English?

      Not one of those three show empathy and vindicate their attitudes as worthiness.
      Their Government would make Key’s look kind.!!

  13. Sparky 13
    7 March 2018 at 1:46 pm

    I’d be surprised come next election if the current mob don’t find themselves in a similar position to Germany. No clear winners due to voters who feel disenfranchised and the TPP11 making any govt less relevant.

    As to the Nats I think they are indeed on the back foot but that’s due to a lack of remaining partners not anything remarkable about this coalition……

    In any case given they all seem so alike I suspect voters (those who feel the 3 yearly farce still has any meaning) will start to swing between them so its anyone’s guess what a post 2020 govt’s composition will look like.

    • red-blooded 13.1
      7 March 2018 at 10:10 pm

      Sparky, how do you see the CPTTP making the government less relevant? And do you really think that so many people feel so very indignant about it that they’ll change their votes on this basis, 2 1/2 years from now? Not many people are single issue voters.

  14. DRUM 14
    7 March 2018 at 1:58 pm

    Brownlie resign?….I doubt it…what would be do, go back to teaching woodwork?

    • mac1 14.1
      7 March 2018 at 2:39 pm

      Help build those much needed houses? Carpenters required. Just stipulate single stories only, without stair cases.

  15. Tanz 15
    7 March 2018 at 3:13 pm

    With NZ First at three percent of the vote, and the Greens only on five percent, next election could be any ones. It will be a drag race of FPP style, with only four contenders, if that. So don’t count your chickens yet. Also, already the govt is not fronting up to media for questions, such a bad look. Open and transparent, not. National look like a govt in waiting, huge talent, whilst Labour are dodging and hiding their ministers. Makes me miss the Clark era, at least she knew what she was doing, and unlike Ardern, she never tried to control the narrative to media. Even in the House, Winston keeps covering for Ardern, which speaks volumes. Joe Public is already picking up on how unprepared and inept this appointed govt is.

    • patricia bremner 15.1
      7 March 2018 at 3:51 pm

      Both these Ministers are out of the country, as is Bridges. So much hot air as usual Tanz LOL.

      • Tanz 15.1.1
        7 March 2018 at 4:02 pm

        No, Ardern said she would only front on ZB if the questions were about the Pacific only, and Kelvin Davis said he would only front if he had the questions first. Looks very controlling, and not at all ‘open and transparent’. Maybe because there is no substance behind the massive and often spouted rhetoric?? I’ve never heard a PM utter such a lot of mumbo jumbo, ever. Very out of her depth. Who are the real puppet masters??

        • cleangreen 15.1.1.1
          7 March 2018 at 6:36 pm

          Nah you are a broken clock spring there.

          Tick tock – bing!!!!

          “grasping at straws are you Tanz.

          don’t walk backwards down that $11.7 billion dollar hole.

    • Gabby 15.2
      7 March 2018 at 5:34 pm

      never tried to control the narrative to media?
      Ok…

    • Jess NZ 15.3
      7 March 2018 at 5:38 pm

      ‘With NZ First at three percent of the vote, and the Greens only on five percent, next election could be any ones.’
      Take your own advice and don’t count those chickens yet! There’s a lot of rugby left to be played before the next election…

    • Grey Area 15.4
      7 March 2018 at 6:55 pm

      Another delusional transmission from Planet Key.

  16. Bea Brown 16
    7 March 2018 at 3:58 pm

    Why is it only this site and Labour MPs who jeer at Brownlee for being a teacher. I was one too and it always makes me shudder. Labour surely is on the side of teachers and nurses?

    • mac1 16.1
      7 March 2018 at 4:29 pm

      We’re not jeering at Brownlee for being a teacher. If he left politics, that would be an option. But would he be good enough to be a teacher again?

      Things have changed. Teachers are supposed to be good citizens.

      “Gerry Brownlee insists he wasn’t seeking preferential treatment because he’s a Cabinet minister, after being fined $2000 for breaching airport rules when he bypassed security to board a domestic flight.”

      “The claim of assault and damages against the MP arose after the National Party’s election campaign launch in 1999 at Eden Park.
      Mr Abel said he feared for his life when he heard Mr Brownlee threaten to throw him down a marble staircase after he had been ejected from the launch.
      He was awarded $8500 in damages by Judge Frederick McElrea.”

      And more! http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/10306756/Top-10-Gerry-Brownlee-gaffes

    • Cinny 16.2
      7 March 2018 at 7:43 pm

      Hey Bea, I respect good teachers so much, they are super important, most of my family works in the education sector.

      A friend of mine was a student of brownlees, apparently he spent more time reading and debating politics than teaching woodwork, was also told that brownlee would bully the young lads.

  17. Stuart Munro 17
    7 March 2018 at 4:58 pm

    Gerry and Nick – not assets to any government or opposition. And EQC and southern response are finally getting investigated, by reporters if not by the fraud squad. Nick is just useless – bound to be replaced by some assistant crawler working their way up to be a senior bastard.

  18. cleangreen 18
    7 March 2018 at 6:41 pm

    I reckon another couple of oldies that needs to go is Johnathon Coleman and Bret Hudson as they are another liability to drag the natZ down.

    • Grey Area 18.1
      7 March 2018 at 6:45 pm

      Nah. Let them stay as long as they like.

    • AB 18.2
      7 March 2018 at 9:55 pm

      Jonathan Coleman is not old, he just seems that way. A miserable, joyless fellow bent on consigning his social inferiors to endless austerity.

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    2 days ago

  • Patterson reopens world’s largest wool scouring facility
    Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Speech to the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective Summit, 18 April 2024
    Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing  At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin    Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho    Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today.    I am delighted ...
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    2 days ago

  • Government to introduce revised Three Strikes law
    The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
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    2 days ago

  • New diplomatic appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions.   “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says.    “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
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    2 days ago

  • Humanitarian support for Ethiopia and Somalia
    New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today.   “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
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    2 days ago

  • Arts Minister congratulates Mataaho Collective
    Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale.  “It is good ...
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    3 days ago

  • Supporting better financial outcomes for Kiwis
    The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Trade relationship with China remains strong
    “China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says.   Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • PM’s South East Asia mission does the business
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • $41m to support clean energy in South East Asia
    New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder list
    The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Judicial appointments announced
    Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
    Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa.  The summit is co-hosted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
    A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
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    5 days ago

  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.    “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
    Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
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    6 days ago

  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
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    6 days ago

  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
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    6 days ago

  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners.  “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Government backing mussel spat project
    The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Government focused on getting people into work
    Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
    Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
    Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
    Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector.    "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
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    1 week ago

  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
    The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
    Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
    Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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