Why Labour’s student debt policy is a success

Written By: - Date published: 1:56 pm, May 15th, 2019 - 85 comments
Categories: education, employment, grant robertson, jacinda ardern, labour, making shit up, Media, national, tertiary education, uncategorized - Tags:

For some time the right have been making this loud noise about Labour’s student loan policy and how it has failed because the number of students have not increased dramatically.

The manufactured narrative has persuaded some in the media.  They have bought into the premise.  But it is frustrating because the policy was all about generational equity and nothing about boosting student numbers.

If you need proof here is the relevant section from Labour’s policy platform.

Notice the phrase “will leave study with less debt”?

The comparison is fatuous.  It is like saying that climate change policy has failed because crime statistics have increased.

And the reduction in borrowing will long term have a significant beneficial effect.  It will not clear debt but it will mean that current students will be able to remove the millstone of debt from their neck sooner.

The reporting on the announcement that the Government will be able to make $200 million in savings on the scheme is also mischievous at best.  The savings are because the amount needed is less than anticipated.  A healthy economy and soaring employment reduces the desire of people to engage in full time education.

And this is also the message from Victoria University Students Association president Tamatha Paul.  From Radio New Zealand:

Ms Paul told Morning Report the scheme was proving beneficial to students.

“We know that this policy is being extremely helpful,” she said.

“We’re having conversations with students consistently, who are saying they wouldn’t have come to the university if it wasn’t for this policy, especially students coming from disadvantaged backgrounds and especially those getting scholarships who are now dedicated that money towards accommodation and living costs, instead of tertiary fees.”

“So I think they should keep their commitments and keep the funding where it is, were promises were made… Tertiary education, whether it’s higher training, university or polytechnic, should be affordable for everybody.”

However, Ms Paul said she was already disappointed the government was redirecting $200 million from the $1.9 billion allocated to scheme over four years, towards reforming vocational training.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea to assess the policy after one year… why are we assessing it and making such massive cuts. We do need to wait and see how it pans out,” she said.

I do not think she has grounds for being disappointed.  If the money is not spent then it should be used elsewhere.  But the roll out of the policy should continue. So that the incidence of crippling debt on our young people is reduced.

85 comments on “Why Labour’s student debt policy is a success ”

  1. Stuart Munro. 1

    What it actually shows is that the policy was affordable, contrary to the high-pitched whining of Gnats. And, being affordable, one has to ask why a group as self-congratulatory about its economic skills as the previous government could not afford it.

    • Students looking for an education are likely to wait until its free for longer, hence Labour need to roll it out to three years, not just the first. Naff Nats don't have a clue we need well balanced educated workers with a aging pop, they did nothing and now are laughing out their two faces when Labour isn't as successful as it meant to be as if it was their batty success.

  2. Ad 2

    At 4% unemployment and fewer school leavers, demand for tertiary education can be expected lower.

    More interesting to see what they will reallocate the savings to at budget.

    • SPC 2.1

      1. Sure employers are more likely to grab some straight from school and train on the job if there are not enough grads about.

      2. Its already been tagged for other educational use. The industry training providers/apprenticeships area.

    • Dukeofurl 2.2

      Its already been said the money will be 'directed' towards the polytech/vocational training area.

  3. "And while 50 per cent of students from the high decile schools go on to university, only 17 per cent from the low deciles make it in."

    I'm all for intergenerational equality..but maybe we need to work on 'equality' generally. Though I'm interested to see you use that phrase, it certainly explains Labour Policies with Kiwibuild and fees free clearly being all about intergenerational equality for the middle classes.

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12179117

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/377757/fee-free-policy-having-little-impact-on-school-leavers-decisions

    • Kat 3.1

      I would argue it was the very push to get a university "education" post WWll that saw a gradual then rapid decline in apprenticeships and the take up of "lower class" trades. A degree was always promoted as a "step up the ladder to success". Sadly that thinking is still prominent today, and there lies the irony of your " inter-generational equality".

      At least the Labour led coalition is attempting to do something positive, I wouldn’t knock it just yet.

      • Pat 3.1.1

        the promotion of a university education as the only path to 'success' has been detrimental but the decline in apprenticeships (and their quality) is unrelated IMO….the apprenticeship path was completely undermined by the formation of ITOs

        • Kat 3.1.1.1

          My comment was the use of class terminology, trade apprenticeships were always "lower class". The "middle class" in NZ as a label is who we are, Jack being as good as his master.

          • Pat 3.1.1.1.1

            class terminology or otherwise, the point remains

            • Kat 3.1.1.1.1.1

              Except the decline being "unrelated" is the irony.

              • Pat

                and i would disagree around the timeframe of decline…as stated the decline is directly related to the formation of ITOs….the fact that some (and Id suggest a small minority) looked down their noses at 'the trades' is largely irrelevant…the decline began in the 1990s not post WW2

                • Kat

                  Read my comment above again about the push, the gradual, then the rapid decline since WW2.

                  • Pat

                    i have and my comment holds

                  • Pat

                    i am commenting on your comment @ 3.1 as the notation 3.1.1 indicates

                  • Pat

                    your comment caused me some reflection….if the decline of which you speak is the Labour Party rather than the desirablity of the trades then I agree with your timeframe..it is indeed ironic that the offspring of the blue collar workers that formed the Labour Party are now overwhelmingly graduates with no intimate understanding of those they claim to represent, and also why that support has waned….perhaps it is not so difficult to understand why so much policy appears directed at the middle class

        • Molly 3.1.1.2

          " the apprenticeship path was completely undermined by the formation of ITOs ".

          I agree, Pat, and this was compounded by the lack of oversight when they moved the theory and oversight out of the hands of institutions, and to private individuals. The quality of the training was largely influenced by the quality of the teacher, and many received limited scope in their training. In particularly, in construction where the apprenticeship schemes coincided with a dismantling of foundation to roofing builds, and many apprenticeships work on one aspect of the build and don't see projects through to the finish.

          • Pat 3.1.1.2.1

            indeed… sadly due to the lost capability, after 30 years it will likely take as long to remedy, if we can at all.

    • Pat 3.2

      "…and fees free clearly being all about intergenerational equality for the middle classes."

      pretty much….and a little paternalism to round it off

    • Observer Tokoroa 3.3

      Hi Siobhan

      Leaving aside the extensive wealthy sector of the NZ Population, should we expect Students to pay exorbitant Fees to the Universities.

      Are Universities really needed, in the age of Digital Communication and Information ?

      Or is the continued impoverishment of hundreds of thousands of poor people satisfactory and pleasing to the Education Industry? Training Courses of any Kind should not be passed on to the Poor.

  4. Gosman 4

    Why is removing debt for middle to upper middle class people beneficial to New Zealand as a whole?

    • mickysavage 4.1

      Because at the time they are poor people. They should be allowed to thrive and then pay more tax.

      • Enough is Enough 4.1.1

        Pay more tax than what?

        • mickysavage 4.1.1.1

          Than they would if they were not successful lawyers or doctors or whatever.

          • Bewildered 4.1.1.1.1

            kiwi build, 1b trees, thousands of jobs from provincial growth fund, 1800 new police in 2 years, reduction in child poverty, Free student fees to the wealthy, Subsidised electricity to the wealthy Entering Pike River mine beyond a few 100m (even that has yet still to be achieved) All policy fails, not even a must do better. Mickey however an A+ for cheer leading and dancing on the head of a pin

            • mickysavage 4.1.1.1.1.1

              You expect dramatic turnarounds so quickly and do not tolerate delays. Why is that?

              • Rob

                We are expecting these dramatic turnarounds as you put it Mickey, because that is what we were promised.

                For all of us in the building industry , we were told that we were doing it wrong and that they would fix it, what ever that is.

              • Enough is Enough

                Labour told us that they would turn it around.

                Kiwibuild is playing out exactly as it opponents predicted it would.

          • James 4.1.1.1.2

            or if they get a BA – front line McDonald’s workers.

          • Sabine 4.1.1.1.3

            the country needs plumbers, builders, bakers, cabinet makers, nurses, teachers, sparkies, people that can build stuff that does not leak, does not mold, does not kill, does not poison the world …..but lawyers is the one thing the world does not need. We have to many of the empty suits already.

        • Pat 4.1.1.2

          pay more tax than whom

      • Gosman 4.1.2

        But Labour is not raising taxes on the top earners to compensate.

    • SPC 4.2

      Reducing educational debt to reduce inter-generational inequality.

      Having tertiary debt makes it harder to do the now difficult, save to buy a home.

      • Muttonbird 4.2.1

        Yes. A CGT was to reduce intergenerational inequality also but a bridge too far right now apparently.

        Your comment will have fallen on deaf ears unfortunately because the people gosman represents merely view intergenerational inequality as their competitive advantage over lower income families – something which the state should not busy itself in addressing.

      • Gosman 4.2.2

        The issue with housing is a lack of supply. Increasing the amount first home buyers will be able to afford will just feed in to increased house prices.

        • SPC 4.2.2.1

          Even if there were the supply, there would is a problem with people getting the deposit together to buy if they are delayed by having tertiary debt (there is the family time window involved).

          That supply has to be dealt with is no reason for ignoring this issue.

      • Tuppence Shrewsbury 4.2.3

        rather ridiculous argument. You invest in your degree to seen a higher wage to be able to afford a house sooner.

        Not all debt is bad.

        • SPC 4.2.3.1

          Having trouble comprehending the difference between doing a tertiary degree and having no debt and not doing a tertiary degree at all?

    • Dukeofurl 4.3

      "Why is removing debt for middle to upper middle class people "

      because its not only for them- it covers level 3 courses which include almost all apprentices, and plenty of others such as hairdressers, office & computer courses, forestry and agriculture , horticulture. and so on.

      What you are showing Gosman is your own middle to upper middle class biases and assume that everyone studying is 'just like you'

      • Gosman 4.3.1

        You think the uptake on this is going to be shared proportionately across income groups do you?

  5. bwaghorn 5

    Id be interested to know if any poo people got to start futher education because of this policy. If they did that makes it a success imho

    • Enough is Enough 5.1

      Poor people could always start further education. The loan system wasn't restricted to the middle class.

      When I went through university between 1998 and 2002, we were all broke. Some had rich parents who paid their fees but the majority of us had to borrow to pay course and living fees. I wasn’t prevented from accessing further education because I could not afford it – nobody was.

      I left university with a $40,000 loan that was repaid by the time I turned 35.

      Some people will call that a burden. I called it an investment in my future.

      • Pat 5.1.1

        student debt paid off at 35 (and still paying tax)…..35 seems rather late in life to have paid for your education (not a criticism of the person)….especially if society values your skills

      • greywarshark 5.1.2

        An investment in your future – if the PTB don't instigate a great shaking up and sacking regime. It is okay if you can pay it off, but house prices have gone higher, rent is higher, and the trend forecast for salaries is down or precarious 24 hour call up at times.

        You have done it, my son and daughter in law have done it – got jobs and repaid the debt. But that is not strong indication that it is a valid system for the mass of people. It needs to be suitable for 90% of people don't you think and do we know how many are having difficulties trying to repay and make a life and find secure work will regular pay rises to allow a reasonable lifestyle.

    • Cinny 5.2

      Am guessing you left an r off of poor llololz 🙂

      Anyways I know someone who is poor/low income and a solo parent. They are working part-time and studying fee's free for an early childhood qualification.

      The only reason that person is studying is due to fee's free.

      Said student is getting really good marks, am super happy and proud of them.

      • Enough is Enough 5.2.1

        Said student only gets one year free and can borrrow the balance – as they always have…

        They will continue to get good marks and I am also happy for them

  6. Exkiwiforces 6

    Does this awesome plan apply for those doing farm/ horticulture Cadetships and those doing apprenticeships when the “No Mates Party’s” back in the 90’s said if you want to continue your training for your specific occupation, you needed to take out a student loan in line with university counterparts in order to finish or start your training?

    In my case I told them back then, you can stick your student loan scheme up your Jackise as the pay rate for my chosen field was just above the minimum wage and I didn’t have a hope in hell of paying it off until my mid to late 30’s back then I had stayed in NZ to complete my studies/ training. The pay rates in NZ Army was even worse and in some case below the minimum, hence why I popped smoke and bugged off overseas.

    Thanks “No Mates Party” for sending/ driving me overseas and it’s great to see the Labour CoL giving 1st years a leg up, unlike the “No Mates Party” who rather get overseas tradies and farm workers in to drive down wages and even worst didn’t or want to invest in young NZer’s who a trade or do a farm/ horticulture Cadetship.

    • In Vino 6.1

      +1 Exkiwiforces

      I have been so irritated by New Zealand's recent failure to recognise that Education is a Public Good as much as a private one.

      Rogernomes taught that it was purely a private one, and we foolishly introduced 'User Pays'.

      We need to grow up and face the fact that Education is a Public Good. Look at Germany – one of the most successful economies in the world.

      • greywarshark 6.1.1

        The National Party and RW in general are bottom-feeders who think they are smart for forcing wages down for the general working person.

        I believe that the Treasury, if it wants to be a good manager of the economy, should have similarly looked for cost-efficiency in salaries at the top level and introduced tendering for a position. That would both cut 'human resource' expenditure, and probably the fee paid to agencies which is probably tied in some way to the level of salary in the person found for the position. And the managers and CEO would get a small performance bonus at Christmas on the same percentage as the workers. That would mean they would get considerably more, but there would be limits to their expectations then.

    • A 6.2

      Yea +Exkiwi

      The more education costs, the greater the risk to the student…sorry "investor". Nothing beats real world learning in terms of investment returns. It's more satisfying and you are likely to pick up skills that leave academics in the dust.

  7. Whirlsler 7

    Let's say it was government policy to pain every house in the country bright red. Let's say that one reason for doing this is that red houses are happier houses. Let us also say that they go out there and succeed with this policy.

    The Opposition complain that happiness statistics haven't improved at all and say that the policy is therefore bad. The government and its supporters insist that the only justification for the policy is that they wanted houses to be red. They did that. Therefore the policy is a good one.

    In this example, the Opposition's position is much more sustainable. As with Labour and student fees (as presented in this article) the government's position is "true, but trivial". It (and Labour) deserve no respect as a result of their "success".

    I have an enormous student loan. It is as big as the example ones, if not larger. But I am a massive outlier in this respect. On the whole, NZ's student loans are (a) pretty small and (b) interest free. Fees are not a barrier to students. Fixating on the size of the debts of students is entirely misleading because what we actually care about isn't the size of the debts. Or, at least, it shouldn't be. Successfully reducing debts or painting houses red doesn't validate the existence of the policy.

    Labour were very happy to piggy back off the (vastly stronger) "access" rationale. Sure, it exposes them to the critique that living costs (not fees) are the problem. Indeed, the absence of the postgrad student allowance (also promised by this government) is one of the reasons my loan is increasing (and I live very frugally). To turn around and act like this has nothing to do with their policy is completely specious. Especially when it's a nonsense to talk about "affordable" without "access"…

    Even worse, the whole debt thing piggy backs off an American discourse where the base loans are vastly bigger and interest is charged on them…

    In terms of the access rationale. Firstly, they should have, immediately, restored the postgrad allowance. Secondly, they should have, immediately, brought in the improvements to the undergrad scheme they did bring in. Thirdly, they should have worked to massively expand the allowance scheme (particularly at undergrad/non-university tertiary providers) as soon as they could. Fourthly, they should have looked at facilitating improved transport concessions (these being part of the access issue). And finally they should have investigated what else they could do, e.g. means testing fees free. Universal fees free policies are a nice to have, once you’re sure the real access issues have been addressed. But helping low income families can never win as many votes as helping the middle class.

    • SPC 7.1

      Sure they should have brought back the post graduate student allowances straight away.

      But it would be inappropriate to charge some and not others for education costs. Its universal one way, or the other.

      • greywarshark 7.1.1

        Tunnelling through Whirsler's prolix, this at the end offered some thoughts that seemed reasonable.

        In terms of the access rationale.

        Firstly, they should have, immediately, restored the postgrad allowance.

        Secondly, they should have, immediately, brought in the improvements to the undergrad scheme they did bring in.

        Thirdly, they should have worked to massively expand the allowance scheme (particularly at undergrad/non-university tertiary providers) as soon as they could.

        Fourthly, they should have looked at facilitating improved transport concessions (these being part of the access issue). And finally they should have investigated what else they could do, e.g. means testing fees free. Universal fees free policies are a nice to have, once you’re sure the real access issues have been addressed. But helping low income families can never win as many votes as helping the middle class.

        Offering free fee for the first year and waving the carrot of extending that to three years was good to boost the idea of getting more education quickly. So what about that – are they going to extend the free period for these first up students. Perhaps after this they should do the means test bit – I say that, knowing a child from a 'poor' family who never got the full allowance that a mate did whose parents were reasonably well off.

        And the post grad students need looking after. I fear that cutting away help to them, was because the emphasis has been on bringing in foreign students to help pay for our education budget for NZs.

  8. infused 8

    Micky, you're the gift that keeps giving on here.

    This was a bad policy. It was middle income+ welfare, which is not needed.

    • SPC 8.1

      Three strikes.

      It's world leading good policy – Germany and Ireland already do it. It's not income. It's not welfare.

  9. SPC 9

    It will be interesting to see if National inform 18 year olds in 2020 – that they will not have two years free tertiary education (2020-2023) if they win the election.

    I'll call it now, they won't.

    • Chris T 9.1

      It will be interesting to see if Labour still extend it

    • Enough is Enough 9.2

      18 year olds aren't really the demographic that National is chasing, or attracts. I am pretty sure this will be a policy that they will campaign against.

      • SPC 9.2.1

        Their global warming policy, their CGT animous and their do little on affordable housing does indicate a general disregard for those of the next generation.

        However they do have a habit of campaigning agasinst a policy, then adopting it. Such as interest free loans and WFF tax credits.

        Will it be no fees tertiary edcuation and the income supplement to pay power bills this time?

        • Enough is Enough 9.2.1.1

          Not if they need that money for tax cuts.

          My prediction is they will redirect Winston's 1B per annum fund and the free tertiary funds directly to tax cuts.

  10. SPC 10

    When is Labour going to enact the second and third parts of their 4 point policy?

  11. Panda 11

    In light of the latest news regards uni students buying essays etc I would think uni qualifications have just been pushed into the irrelevant bucket. I would assume its not just International students.

    • Formerly Ross 11.1

      On the contrary it takes initiative to cheat successfully, just what employers are crying out for.

      • Panda 11.1.1

        Funnily enough you may be right. Although financial means would need to be up there.

      • Janet 11.1.2

        Initiative on the part of the first one or two that did – the rest were sheep following the Leader along the path.

  12. Chris T 12

    "The manufactured narrative has persuaded some in the media. They have bought into the premise. But it is frustrating because the policy was all about generational equity and nothing about boosting student numbers."

    If it wasn't about increasing numbers why did they go on about increasing numbers and budget for an extra 3% of students?

    Hipkins

    "

    While announcing the policy details on Tuesday, Mr Hipkins revealed the Government had budgeted up to $380 million for the current financial year to cover the fees-free policy, and the increase to student loans and allowances.

    He expected 50,000 of those eligible under the fees-free scheme to pursue industry training, with the other 30,000 attending university.

    "Employers have also been calling for bold forward thinking to build a future workforce with new skills to meet changing demands," says Mr Hipkins. "That's what this policy will deliver.

    "We expect the policy to halt and, over time, reverse the current trend of fewer people going into post-school training and education.

    "We have budgeted for a 3 percent increase in equivalent full-time students in 2018, equating to about 2000 extra students.""

    We will see if it is a failure by them carrying on extending it to 3 years……Which Labour seem to avoid saying they will still do.

    If it the extra 2 year promise they made is dumped we have the answer

  13. Jimmy 13

    Whats his next article? "Why KiwiBuild is a success?"

    • Stuart Munro. 13.1

      Why wouldn't it be?

      Housing is not a problem that goes away if you don't fix it. Whatever the initial setbacks, a building program is required and it will be pursued until it delivers results.

      This is not a feckless Gnat government, to shy at the first hurdle.

      • Shadrach 13.1.1

        "Why wouldn't it be?"

        Indeed, particularly given Mickey's current penchant for irony.

        • Stuart Munro. 13.1.1.1

          It's more to do with Gnat stickability.

          Key talked a great game on housing in 2008, but gimped out in power.

          However hard it is to progress housing in the wasteland created by neo-liberal dysfunction and compounded by Gnat corruption and incompetence, it must be done.

          And a government, as opposed to a pack of rabid reptilians, is obliged to persevere through the difficult stages until they achieve results. The Nick Smith or 'Claytons option' is not an option for government.

          • Shadrach 13.1.1.1.1

            "However hard it is to progress housing in the wasteland created by neo-liberal dysfunction "

            And yet Labour has gone with the begging bowl to private enterprise to deliver the houses they promised to build! Funny that.

            Labour had 9 years in opposition to formulate a workable solution. They failed, and are failing. That is why Mickey's post can only be a work of irony. There is no other logical explanation.

            • Stuart Munro. 13.1.1.1.1.1

              Tain't over yet buttercup.

              • Shadrach

                Kiwibuild is well and truly 'over'. A 'rebranding' awaits, following the 'recalibration'. Just as well our PM knows all these buzzwords to use to excuse her governments failure.

  14. SpaceMonkey 14

    Seems to me that vocational training (awful term) is needed in NZ at the moment (and foreseeable future) more than University commerce and legal graduates.

  15. A 15

    If your goal was to reduce the amount of student loans it would make more sense to wipe one years worth of fees after the successful completion of tertiary study.

    What makes up 49.8% of the US government assets? Student loans.

    https://goldsilver.com/blog/half-of-total-us-government-assets-arestudent-loan-receivables/

    This stupid get-into-debt to become employable scheme started in the US in the 1980’s. They still chase debt from the 1980s and 90s even though the students clearly didn’t realise enough income to justify their “investment” because it cannot be discharged in bankruptcy.

    • SPC 15.1

      One option is to extend the scheme to writing off existing tertiary debt – something we should certainly do for teachers and nurses. First not require repayment and write-off the principal 10% per annum.

      • Janet 15.1.1

        Could we also make that apply to people who paid fees for courses. that failed to finally get NZQA qualifications, which meant they could not go onto teacher training as stipulated in the prospectus of the day.

    • Shadrach 15.2

      "What makes up 49.8% of the US government assets? Student loans. "

      Just to clarify, the article you refer to talks about Financial Assets only, not total US Government Assets. The distinction is important, particularly as you use the dta to justify the claims in your final paragraph.

      Total student debt in the US is around US$1.56t (https://studentloanhero.com/student-loan-debt-statistics/), and the US has assets of around US$270t.

      While I agree with the sentiments of your first paragraph, student loans are a good way of holding students accountable for choosing an educational pathway that will ultimately be self funding via employment.

  16. mosa 16

    " The manufactured narrative has persuaded some in the media "

    The media don't need persuading they are inherently bias of anything that is not National policy.

    • Panda 16.1

      Agreed mainly. Although I wondered if it was due to the fact it was easy to get reports from blogger Cam in the day and made for lazy journalism habits and now its a case of actively having to look. Not one word on the rebuilding up of stock from State housing being just one I would like to hear about. A quick look at comment sections on news shows a very misinformed amount of people if you can wade through overseas accounts and multi ID trolls. Even when a story appears accurate the comprehension gets lost. Too many Uni grads with money?

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    How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log on iPhone Without a Computer: A StepbyStep Guide Losing your iPhone call history can be frustrating, especially when you need to find a specific number or recall an important conversation. But before you panic, know that there are ways to retrieve deleted call logs on your iPhone, even without a computer. This guide will explore various methods, ranging from simple checks to utilizing iCloud backups and thirdparty applications. So, lets dive in and recover those lost calls! 1. Check Recently Deleted Folder: Apple understands that accidental deletions happen. Thats why they introduced the Recently Deleted folder for various apps, including the Phone app. This folder acts as a safety net, storing deleted call logs for up to 30 days before permanently erasing them. Heres how to check it: Open the Phone app on your iPhone. Tap on the Recents tab at the bottom. Scroll to the top and tap on Edit. Select Show Recently Deleted. Browse the list to find the call logs you want to recover. Tap on the desired call log and choose Recover to restore it to your call history. 2. Restore from iCloud Backup: If you regularly back up your iPhone to iCloud, you might be able to retrieve your deleted call log from a previous backup. However, keep in mind that this process will restore your entire phone to the state it was in at the time of the backup, potentially erasing any data added since then. Heres how to restore from an iCloud backup: Go to Settings > General > Reset. Choose Erase All Content and Settings. Follow the onscreen instructions. Your iPhone will restart and show the initial setup screen. Choose Restore from iCloud Backup during the setup process. Select the relevant backup that contains your deleted call log. Wait for the restoration process to complete. 3. Explore ThirdParty Apps (with Caution): ...
    9 hours ago
  • How to Factory Reset iPhone without Computer: A Comprehensive Guide to Restoring your Device
    Life throws curveballs, and sometimes, those curveballs necessitate wiping your iPhone clean and starting anew. Whether you’re facing persistent software glitches, preparing to sell your device, or simply wanting a fresh start, knowing how to factory reset iPhone without a computer is a valuable skill. While using a computer with ...
    15 hours ago
  • How to Call Someone on a Computer: A Guide to Voice and Video Communication in the Digital Age
    Gone are the days when communication was limited to landline phones and physical proximity. Today, computers have become powerful tools for connecting with people across the globe through voice and video calls. But with a plethora of applications and methods available, how to call someone on a computer might seem ...
    16 hours ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #16 2024
    Open access notables Glacial isostatic adjustment reduces past and future Arctic subsea permafrost, Creel et al., Nature Communications: Sea-level rise submerges terrestrial permafrost in the Arctic, turning it into subsea permafrost. Subsea permafrost underlies ~ 1.8 million km2 of Arctic continental shelf, with thicknesses in places exceeding 700 m. Sea-level variations over glacial-interglacial cycles control ...
    16 hours ago
  • Where on a Computer is the Operating System Generally Stored? Delving into the Digital Home of your ...
    The operating system (OS) is the heart and soul of a computer, orchestrating every action and interaction between hardware and software. But have you ever wondered where on a computer is the operating system generally stored? The answer lies in the intricate dance between hardware and software components, particularly within ...
    17 hours ago
  • How Many Watts Does a Laptop Use? Understanding Power Consumption and Efficiency
    Laptops have become essential tools for work, entertainment, and communication, offering portability and functionality. However, with rising energy costs and growing environmental concerns, understanding a laptop’s power consumption is more important than ever. So, how many watts does a laptop use? The answer, unfortunately, isn’t straightforward. It depends on several ...
    17 hours ago
  • How to Screen Record on a Dell Laptop A Guide to Capturing Your Screen with Ease
    Screen recording has become an essential tool for various purposes, such as creating tutorials, capturing gameplay footage, recording online meetings, or sharing information with others. Fortunately, Dell laptops offer several built-in and external options for screen recording, catering to different needs and preferences. This guide will explore various methods on ...
    17 hours ago
  • How Much Does it Cost to Fix a Laptop Screen? Navigating Repair Options and Costs
    A cracked or damaged laptop screen can be a frustrating experience, impacting productivity and enjoyment. Fortunately, laptop screen repair is a common service offered by various repair shops and technicians. However, the cost of fixing a laptop screen can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article delves into the ...
    17 hours ago
  • How Long Do Gaming Laptops Last? Demystifying Lifespan and Maximizing Longevity
    Gaming laptops represent a significant investment for passionate gamers, offering portability and powerful performance for immersive gaming experiences. However, a common concern among potential buyers is their lifespan. Unlike desktop PCs, which allow for easier component upgrades, gaming laptops have inherent limitations due to their compact and integrated design. This ...
    17 hours ago
  • Climate Change: Turning the tide
    The annual inventory report of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions has been released, showing that gross emissions have dropped for the third year in a row, to 78.4 million tons: All-told gross emissions have decreased by over 6 million tons since the Zero Carbon Act was passed in 2019. ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    18 hours ago
  • How to Unlock Your Computer A Comprehensive Guide to Regaining Access
    Experiencing a locked computer can be frustrating, especially when you need access to your files and applications urgently. The methods to unlock your computer will vary depending on the specific situation and the type of lock you encounter. This guide will explore various scenarios and provide step-by-step instructions on how ...
    19 hours ago
  • Faxing from Your Computer A Modern Guide to Sending Documents Digitally
    While the world has largely transitioned to digital communication, faxing still holds relevance in certain industries and situations. Fortunately, gone are the days of bulky fax machines and dedicated phone lines. Today, you can easily send and receive faxes directly from your computer, offering a convenient and efficient way to ...
    19 hours ago
  • Protecting Your Home Computer A Guide to Cyber Awareness
    In our increasingly digital world, home computers have become essential tools for work, communication, entertainment, and more. However, this increased reliance on technology also exposes us to various cyber threats. Understanding these threats and taking proactive steps to protect your home computer is crucial for safeguarding your personal information, finances, ...
    19 hours ago
  • Server-Based Computing Powering the Modern Digital Landscape
    In the ever-evolving world of technology, server-based computing has emerged as a cornerstone of modern digital infrastructure. This article delves into the concept of server-based computing, exploring its various forms, benefits, challenges, and its impact on the way we work and interact with technology. Understanding Server-Based Computing: At its core, ...
    19 hours ago
  • Vroom vroom go the big red trucks
    The absolute brass neck of this guy.We want more medical doctors, not more spin doctors, Luxon was saying a couple of weeks ago, and now we’re told the guy has seven salaried adults on TikTok duty. Sorry, doing social media. The absolute brass neck of it. The irony that the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    19 hours ago
  • Jones finds $410,000 to help the government muscle in on a spat project
    Buzz from the Beehive Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones relishes spatting and eagerly takes issue with environmentalists who criticise his enthusiasm for resource development. He relishes helping the fishing industry too. And so today, while the media are making much of the latest culling in the public service to ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    20 hours ago
  • Again, hate crimes are not necessarily terrorism.
    Having written, taught and worked for the US government on issues involving unconventional warfare and terrorism for 30-odd years, two things irritate me the most when the subject is discussed in public. The first is the Johnny-come-lately academics-turned-media commentators who … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    23 hours ago
  • Despair – construction consenting edition
    Eric Crampton writes – Kainga Ora is the government’s house building agency. It’s been building a lot of social housing. Kainga Ora has its own (but independent) consenting authority, Consentium. It’s a neat idea. Rather than have to deal with building consents across each different territorial authority, Kainga Ora ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    23 hours ago
  • Coalition promises – will the Govt keep the commitment to keep Kiwis equal before the law?
    Muriel Newman writes – The Coalition Government says it is moving with speed to deliver campaign promises and reverse the damage done by Labour. One of their key commitments is to “defend the principle that New Zealanders are equal before the law.” To achieve this, they have pledged they “will not advance ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    23 hours ago
  • An impermanent public service is a guarantee of very little else but failure
    Chris Trotter writes –  The absence of anything resembling a fightback from the public servants currently losing their jobs is interesting. State-sector workers’ collective fatalism in the face of Coalition cutbacks indicates a surprisingly broad acceptance of impermanence in the workplace. Fifty years ago, lay-offs in the thousands ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago
  • What happens after the war – Mariupol
    Mariupol, on the Azov Sea coast, was one of the first cities to suffer almost complete destruction after the start of the Ukraine War started in late February 2022. We remember the scenes of absolute destruction of the houses and city structures. The deaths of innocent civilians – many of ...
    1 day ago
  • Babies and benefits – no good news
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – Ten years ago, I wrote the following in a Listener column: Every year around one in five new-born babies will be reliant on their caregivers benefit by Christmas. This pattern has persisted from at least 1993. For Maori the number jumps to over one in three.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago
  • Should the RBNZ be looking through climate inflation?
    Climate change is expected to generate more and more extreme events, delivering a sort of structural shock to inflation that central banks will have to react to as if they were short-term cyclical issues. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours, as of 9:16 am on Thursday, April 18 are:Housing: Tauranga residents living in boats, vans RNZ Checkpoint Louise TernouthHousing: Waikato councillor says wastewater plant issues could hold up Sleepyhead building a massive company town Waikato Times Stephen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the public sector carnage, and misogyny as terrorism
    It’s a simple deal. We pay taxes in order to finance the social services we want and need. The carnage now occurring across the public sector though, is breaking that contract. Over 3,000 jobs have been lost so far. Many are in crucial areas like Education where the impact of ...
    1 day ago
  • Meeting the Master Baiters
    Hi,A friend had their 40th over the weekend and decided to theme it after Curb Your Enthusiasm fashion icon Susie Greene. Captured in my tiny kitchen before I left the house, I ending up evoking a mix of old lesbian and Hillary Clinton — both unintentional.Me vs Hillary ClintonIf you’re ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    1 day ago
  • How extreme was the Earth's temperature in 2023
    This is a re-post from Andrew Dessler at the Climate Brink blog In 2023, the Earth reached temperature levels unprecedented in modern times. Given that, it’s reasonable to ask: What’s going on? There’s been lots of discussions by scientists about whether this is just the normal progression of global warming or if something ...
    1 day ago
  • Backbone, revisited
    The schools are on holiday and the sun is shining in the seaside village and all day long I have been seeing bunches of bikes; Mums, Dads, teens and toddlers chattering, laughing, happy, having a bloody great time together. Cheers, AT, for the bits of lane you’ve added lately around the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • Ministers are not above the law
    Today in our National-led authoritarian nightmare: Shane Jones thinks Ministers should be above the law: New Zealand First MP Shane Jones is accusing the Waitangi Tribunal of over-stepping its mandate by subpoenaing a minister for its urgent hearing on the Oranga Tamariki claim. The tribunal is looking into the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago
  • What’s the outfit you can hear going down the gurgler? Probably it’s David Parker’s Oceans Sec...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point  of Order first heard of the Oceans Secretariat in June 2021, when David Parker (remember him?) announced a multi-agency approach to protecting New Zealand’s marine ecosystems and fisheries. Parker (holding the Environment, and Oceans and Fisheries portfolios) broke the news at the annual Forest & ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago
  • Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Bryce Edwards writes  – Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • Matt Doocey doubles down on trans “healthcare”
    Citizen Science writes –  Last week saw two significant developments in the debate over the treatment of trans-identifying children and young people – the release in Britain of the final report of Dr Hilary Cass’s review into gender healthcare, and here in New Zealand, the news that the ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • A TikTok Prime Minister.
    One night while sleeping in my bed I had a beautiful dreamThat all the people of the world got together on the same wavelengthAnd began helping one anotherNow in this dream, universal love was the theme of the dayPeace and understanding and it happened this wayAfter such an eventful day ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Texas Lessons
    This is a guest post by Oscar Simms who is a housing activist, volunteer for the Coalition for More Homes, and was the Labour Party candidate for Auckland Central at the last election. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    2 days ago
  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links at 6:06 am
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours as of 6:06 am on Wednesday, April 17 are:Must read: Secrecy shrouds which projects might be fast-tracked RNZ Farah HancockScoop: Revealed: Luxon has seven staffers working on social media content - partly paid for by taxpayer Newshub ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Fighting poverty on the holiday highway
    Turning what Labour called the “holiday highway” into a four-lane expressway from Auckland to Whangarei could bring at least an economic benefit of nearly two billion a year for Northland each year. And it could help bring an end to poverty in one of New Zealand’s most deprived regions. The ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago
  • Bernard's six-stack of substacks at 6:26 pm
    Tonight’s six-stack includes: launching his substack with a bunch of his previous documentaries, including this 1992 interview with Dame Whina Cooper. and here crew give climate activists plenty to do, including this call to submit against the Fast Track Approvals bill. writes brilliantly here on his substack ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • At a glance – Is the science settled?
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    3 days ago
  • Apposite Quotations.
    How Long Is Long Enough? Gaza under Israeli bombardment, July 2014. This posting is exclusive to Bowalley Road. ...
    3 days ago
  • What’s a life worth now?
    You're in the mall when you hear it: some kind of popping sound in the distance, kids with fireworks, maybe. But then a moment of eerie stillness is followed by more of the fireworks sound and there’s also screaming and shrieking and now here come people running for their lives.Does ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Howling at the Moon
    Karl du Fresne writes –  There’s a crisis in the news media and the media are blaming it on everyone except themselves. Culpability is being deflected elsewhere – mainly to the hapless Minister of Communications, Melissa Lee, and the big social media platforms that are accused of hoovering ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Newshub is Dead.
    I don’t normally send out two newsletters in a day but I figured I’d say something about… the news. If two newsletters is a bit much then maybe just skip one, I don’t want to overload people. Alternatively if you’d be interested in sometimes receiving multiple, smaller updates from me, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Seymour is chuffed about cutting early-learning red tape – but we hear, too, that Jones has loose...
    Buzz from the Beehive David Seymour and Winston Peters today signalled that at least two ministers of the Crown might be in Wellington today. Seymour (as Associate Minister of Education) announced the removal of more red tape, this time to make it easier for new early learning services to be ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. Our political system is suffering from the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago
  • Was Hawkesby entirely wrong?
    David Farrar  writes –  The Broadcasting Standards Authority ruled: Comments by radio host Kate Hawkesby suggesting Māori and Pacific patients were being prioritised for surgery due to their ethnicity were misleading and discriminatory, the Broadcasting Standards Authority has found. It is a fact such patients are prioritised. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • PRC shadow looms as the Solomons head for election
    PRC and its proxies in Solomons have been preparing for these elections for a long time. A lot of money, effort and intelligence have gone into ensuring an outcome that won’t compromise Beijing’s plans. Cleo Paskall writes – On April 17th the Solomon Islands, a country of ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Climate Change: Criminal ecocide
    We are in the middle of a climate crisis. Last year was (again) the hottest year on record. NOAA has just announced another global coral bleaching event. Floods are threatening UK food security. So naturally, Shane Jones wants to make it easier to mine coal: Resources Minister Shane Jones ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • Is saving one minute of a politician's time worth nearly $1 billion?
    Is speeding up the trip to and from Wellington airport by 12 minutes worth spending up more than $10 billion? Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me in the last day to 8:26 am today are:The Lead: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Long Tunnel or Long Con?
    Yesterday it was revealed that Transport Minister had asked Waka Kotahi to look at the options for a long tunnel through Wellington. State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the ...
    3 days ago
  • Smoke And Mirrors.
    You're a fraud, and you know itBut it's too good to throw it all awayAnyone would do the sameYou've got 'em goingAnd you're careful not to show itSometimes you even fool yourself a bitIt's like magicBut it's always been a smoke and mirrors gameAnyone would do the sameForty six billion ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • What is Mexico doing about climate change?
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections The June general election in Mexico could mark a turning point in ensuring that the country’s climate policies better reflect the desire of its citizens to address the climate crisis, with both leading presidential candidates expressing support for renewable energy. Mexico is the ...
    3 days ago
  • State of humanity, 2024
    2024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?When I say 2024 I really mean the state of humanity in 2024.Saturday night, we watched Civil War because that is one terrifying cliff we've ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • Govt’s Wellington tunnel vision aims to ease the way to the airport (but zealous promoters of cycl...
    Buzz from the Beehive A pet project and governmental tunnel vision jump out from the latest batch of ministerial announcements. The government is keen to assure us of its concern for the wellbeing of our pets. It will be introducing pet bonds in a change to the Residential Tenancies Act ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • The case for cultural connectedness
    A recent report generated from a Growing Up in New Zealand (GUiNZ) survey of 1,224 rangatahi Māori aged 11-12 found: Cultural connectedness was associated with fewer depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms and better quality of life. That sounds cut and dry. But further into the report the following appears: Cultural connectedness is ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Useful context on public sector job cuts
    David Farrar writes –    The Herald reports: From the gory details of job-cuts news, you’d think the public service was being eviscerated.   While the media’s view of the cuts is incomplete, it’s also true that departments have been leaking the particulars faster than a Wellington ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell On When Racism Comes Disguised As Anti-racism
    Remember the good old days, back when New Zealand had a PM who could think and speak calmly and intelligently in whole sentences without blustering? Even while Iran’s drones and missiles were still being launched, Helen Clark was live on TVNZ expertly summing up the latest crisis in the Middle ...
    4 days ago
  • Govt ignored economic analysis of smokefree reversal
    Costello did not pass on analysis of the benefits of the smokefree reforms to Cabinet, emphasising instead the extra tax revenues of repealing them. Photo: Hagen Hopkins, Getty Images TL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me at 7:26 am today are:The Lead: Casey Costello never passed on ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • True Blue.
    True loveYou're the one I'm dreaming ofYour heart fits me like a gloveAnd I'm gonna be true blueBaby, I love youI’ve written about the job cuts in our news media last week. The impact on individuals, and the loss to Aotearoa of voices covering our news from different angles.That by ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Who is running New Zealand’s foreign policy?
    While commentators, including former Prime Minister Helen Clark, are noting a subtle shift in New Zealand’s foreign policy, which now places more emphasis on the United States, many have missed a key element of the shift. What National said before the election is not what the government is doing now. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #15
    A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 7, 2024 thru Sat, April 13, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week is about adults in the room setting terms and conditions of ...
    5 days ago
  • Feline Friends and Fragile Fauna The Complexities of Cats in New Zealand’s Conservation Efforts

    Cats, with their independent spirit and beguiling purrs, have captured the hearts of humans for millennia. In New Zealand, felines are no exception, boasting the highest national cat ownership rate globally [definition cat nz cat foundation]. An estimated 1.134 million pet cats grace Kiwi households, compared to 683,000 dogs ...

    5 days ago
  • Or is that just they want us to think?
    Nice guy, that Peter Williams. Amiable, a calm air of no-nonsense capability, a winning smile. Everything you look for in a TV presenter and newsreader.I used to see him sometimes when I went to TVNZ to be a talking head or a panellist and we would yarn. Nice guy, that ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago
  • Fact Brief – Did global warming stop in 1998?
    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. Did global warming stop in ...
    6 days ago
  • Arguing over a moot point.
    I have been following recent debates in the corporate and social media about whether it is a good idea for NZ to join what is known as “AUKUS Pillar Two.” AUKUS is the Australian-UK-US nuclear submarine building agreement in which … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    6 days ago
  • No Longer Trusted: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.
    Turning Point: What has turned me away from the mainstream news media is the very strong message that its been sending out for the last few years.” “And what message might that be?” “That the people who own it, the people who run it, and the people who provide its content, really don’t ...
    6 days ago
  • Mortgage rates at 10% anyone?
    No – nothing about that in PM Luxon’s nine-point plan to improve the lives of New Zealanders. But beyond our shores Jamie Dimon, the long-serving head of global bank J.P. Morgan Chase, reckons that the chances of a goldilocks soft landing for the economy are “a lot lower” than the ...
    Point of OrderBy xtrdnry
    6 days ago
  • Sad tales from the left
    Michael Bassett writes –  Have you noticed the odd way in which the media are handling the government’s crackdown on surplus employees in the Public Service? Very few reporters mention the crazy way in which State Service numbers rocketed ahead by more than 16,000 during Labour’s six years, ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 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
    2 hours 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    19 hours 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours 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
    22 hours 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
    23 hours 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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 ...
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