web analytics

Winston’s Worries

Written By: - Date published: 2:14 pm, April 21st, 2020 - 30 comments
Categories: nz first, Politics - Tags: , ,

There are rumours bobbing around the beltway bubbles about the state of NZ First.

The party has been awkward in Government, with bovine blusterer Shane Jones regularly putting his gumboots in his gob. NZ First have regularly stymied good policy, particularly if it affects ‘industry’, their codeword for the Talleys group.

Since the lockdown, NZ First has been able to contribute bugger all, which might explain the bubble breaking fishing photo, where the party leader seemed to be trolling the Government he helps lead.

I can understand Winston Peters feeling left out. But it wasn’t a good look.

Yesterday, Peters failed in the High Court to link various people, including two National Party politicians, to the leak of his personal superannuation details in 2017.

He alleged his privacy was breached when details of his unintentional seven-year national superannuation overpayment were given to the media, just before that year’s election. 

The High Court has ruled that the identity of the leaker cannot be proven and Peters’ claims for damages and declarations have been thrown out.

That’s got to be annoying for Peters, but it’s hardly a body blow. However, there will be questions about whether the taxpayer should be paying his legal bills, given the brutal outcome.

What might be considerably more damaging is the announcement this morning that the SFO will release its findings into the opaque financial arrangements behind NZ First before the September election.

If NZ First already knew that the outcome was going to be made public sooner rather than later, that might explain their calls for a delay in the election. A later polling date would give them more time for damage control, if it were needed.

My read of the use of the New Zealand First Foundation to collate donations is that it is an attempt to mimic the National Party’s dodgy Waitemata Trust.

Like the Tories, NZ First could be about to find out that not maintaining social distance from supposedly independent donation entities wrong is an expensive mistake, both financially and politically.

Finally, I hear gossip that an email from within NZ First’s inner sanctum has unintentionally gone wider than intended and its contents are not helpful to the party. As always, I take such rumours with a liberal pinch of salt.

However, if there is substance to it, then I think we should be told.

You know, apart from that one time in 2008, NZ First has confounded expectations every polling day. My gut feeling is that this election will be the same and the party will make it back into Parliament.

Whether they really deserve to make it back into Government is another matter altogether.

30 comments on “Winston’s Worries ”

  1. Enough is Enough 1

    Who really knows what will happen between now and September after the past 6 weeks.

    Provided we are safely back in level 1 with the borders water tight, I think the election will be fought on one issue – the recovery.

    The Greens have launched policy this week which has the economic recovery front and centre. Constructing a high speed intercity rail network. Big and bold. Expect more of this

    Nats will campaign on their track record through the GFC and earthquakes. I don't know if anyone will care though

    Labour will focus on their management through this crisis and now is not the time to be changing course.

    Winston, however. I am not sure. He has been largely missing for the past month. He won't be able to rely on immigration as we will have none of that for the next couple of years. I don't think he is capable of thinking up a new bold fair way to structure our economy. And he is going to be donkey deep in donation scandals.

    Who knows, but it wouldn't be a bad thing if they got kicked out.

    • Sacha 1.1

      The party might sacrifice Winnie in exchange for staying in power.

      • Wayne 1.1.1

        No they won't. NZF is Winston, in the sense he is the one name the public associate with NZF. As with the captain of the ship, Winston will stay with the ship. It will either float or sink with him.

        Covid will change the electoral calculation. Will the public give two hoots about the court case and the SFO? They might/probably will just see that as politics of the past.

        I reckon NZF's chances will rely entirely on how they preform over the next few months. For instance I was quite impressed with Shane Jones on Q & A. A few more performances like that from NZF and their top team will have quite a few voters saying, "Well, they are talking commonsense".

        Don't interpret that as a changed vote from me, rather it is my analysis of how NZF is going to go over the next few months.

        • te reo putake 1.1.1.1

          Kia ora, Wayne, thanks for the analysis. I think you are right that the SFO outcome might be regarded by some as 'old news', however that depends on the timing of the announcement and also how closely linked Winston Peters is to the result.

          As you note, Winston is NZ First. He calls the shots, approves all big decisions and is actively involved in fundraising. He runs a very tight ship. Readers might be surprised to learn that his staff are required to call him Mr Peters, as if he was a boss in some earlier age.

          You say that you aren't going to change your vote, and fair enough, however you've seen what happens to National's vote when it's obvious they aren't going to win an election. I don't see a collapse like that in 2002, however, I can see National ceding support to both ACT and NZ First.

          In NZ First's case, if they market themselves as the 'opposition within Government', keeping Labour and the Greens from going too far, I'll happily predict they will pick up some support from National's usually faithful grumpy old man voters.

          • Wayne 1.1.1.1.1

            Winston being called "Mr Peters" by his staff is entirely what I would expect. For instance does the Prime Minister's staff call her Jacinda, or do they say "Prime Minister"?

            I reckon the latter. I note the PM just about always refers to Dr Bloomfield as Director General of Health, or Director General. Occasionally as Dr Bloomfield. And she usually refers to other senior officials by title, or by formal address. I reckon she probably learnt that pretty early in life, since her father was a senior police officer. So rank and formal address are part of her upbringing.

            Call me old fashioned, but I think it is reassuring that senior officials are referred to as such. It gives a sense that there is an ordered system of government, with serious resources that can support us at this time.

            However, the PM is also smart enough to know that journalists and the public should be addressed by first name. It is part of her empathy to know these things instinctively.

  2. observer 2

    Political animals are strange creatures. If I was 75 and had a home like Winston's up north, I wouldn't swap that for a return to the Wellington grind.

    There's only one job there that he hasn't held, and he's never going to get it, so why not just relax and enjoy the fishing?

    • AB 2.1

      I know Whananaki and can say with some confidence that there was no way Winston was going to catch anything much in the estuary during the daytime – apart from sprats. Flounder at night – and further down towards the open sea at change of light, maybe kahawai, smallish trevally and undersized snapper. So the photo of him fishing was interesting – he wasn't fishing with the expectation of actually catching anything. More like a sly, election year dog-whistle perhaps?

      • pat 2.1.1

        he may have caught a few votes

        • McFlock 2.1.1.1

          Yup. It wasn't bubble-bursting, either: his property and a calm water. It's not like he was rockfishing with heavy waves crashing over him. If he needed emergency services for that, it would have been because of a medical event or the horse kicked him lol

      • woodart 2.1.2

        he got a lot of bites with that photo, just as he planned. as for nzfirst surviving, I think they will. many pissed off nat voters will finally have enough of bridges, and the provincial growth fund will be even more important now . whether you like jones or not , he will be a lot more popular in the provinces,handing out cash, than some city slicker from tauranga with the whiff of yen trailing him, being negative. but ,more importantly, I wouldnt like to see nzfirst disappear from parliament , same as I wouldnt like to see act go, even though I disagree with most of their philosophies. for democracy to work we need more different points of view representing five million of us, not less.

      • Grafton Gully 2.1.3

        Thanks AB for precious local knowledge passed on. Ruru are calling at night hereabouts, the european leaves are turning and spuds and bulbs are sprouting.

  3. ianmac 4

    The Judge did say that it was very likely that the news was leaked with malice intent but without evidence of who the Leaker was the case had to fail.

    And of course there was no way Paula Bennett would have leaked because she has no record of leaking sensitive information for political gain, has she? She sounded so virtuous on Morning Report.

    • Enough is Enough 4.1

      I want to know what this circus cost the tax payer in legal fees.

      Is there anyway the Crown can seek recovery of costs from Winston personally?

      • McFlock 4.1.1

        Frankly, I think Winston was fully justified in taking the case. Someone did intentionally leak his private information.

        The Talley's link and funding plot definitely need to be answered for, but the privacy breach was a slimy move from a slimy regime.

        • Enough is Enough 4.1.1.1

          When you are spending taxpayers money, you'd hope he would have some sort of evidence.

          Its a disgrace that he turned up in court without anything, other than "well who else could have done it".

          He was justified to be pissed off. He wasn't justified in running a case that cost millions without any chance of success.

          • McFlock 4.1.1.1.1

            It was a fair effort – it only folded because the ministry said it might be the leak.

            And taxpayers should have funded Tolley's contribution, if only via NZonair as an example of classic kiwi comedy.What a moron.

    • woodart 4.2

      dont the scots have a law, something like" guilty, but unproven"

      • Craig H 4.2.1

        "Not proven" (they also have guilty and not guilty). Only available in criminal trials as civil trials are decided on the preponderance of evidence, so not proven would be lost in most cases.

    • Tiger Mountain 4.3

      Thanks ianmac, for adding an important piece of information that TRP managed to omit.

      Winston needs better lawyers it seems–on balance of probability who was likely to have leaked? who had something to gain from Winston’s reputation being smeared? Who technically had access and could have done it? Maybe Peters should not have proceeded if his case was as difficult to prove as the decision portrays.

      Bennett, as well as her famous, drawn out battle over maliciously breaching two beneficiaries privacy–quietly settled a couple of years later with Non Disclosure Agreements, has all sorts of form regarding leaking–or rather–her “office” does. Not to be trusted on anything, apart from the certainty that she will put the slipper into anyone.

      NZ First are pains alright, a handbrake on CGT, Fair Pay Agreements and much more. The Provincial Growth Fund is well received in Northland, but my concern is whether that will actually lead to any more votes that help the Govt. get a second term. In one sense NZ First enabled Jacinda and the current Govt. to happen at all, and does represent a section of older style tories that could never bring themselves to vote Labour or Green. The flip side is NZ First pander to the worst reactionary side of older white folks and indeed give comfort to the most vicious anti union company–Talleys–in this country.

      They probably will scrape back, and fair enough under MMP, the more every citizen feels represented the better in some respects. But c’mon Labour time to wake up–assist the Greens and let Chloe take Auckland Central.

  4. Herodotus 5

    NZ1 saving grace IMO is that Where does someone not bent on voting Greens or Labour go ? Should the current National setup raise some concerns in some central marginally right aligned voters? Sure some to Act but NZ1 does give a voter "some" options on the right that could influence the next govt. 😇

    • JanM 5.1

      I agree with you. I live in an area which I suppose you would call semi-rural and have several friends who vote NZ First because, although having mostly left – wing views they simply can't bring themselves to vote Labour. And what are all those National people going to do who told Simon on Facebook that they wouldn't vote for him again? They don't have anywhere else to go really.

  5. Ad 6

    New Zealand First have achieved a massive amount for a minor party – even just this term. Their budget wins were stupendiously huge: Foreign Affairs budget, Defence budget, Provincial Growth Fund, etc. They have dwarfed the Green's achievements from the 2017 coalition deal to now – and get nothing but contempt from the left for it.

    Winsron is pure political whakapapa. Losing Winston Peters from Parliament also loses the last filament of continuous political memory to a New Zealand before Roger Douglas, monetarism, and the laying waste to the working class with the destruction of our manufacturing base. He's well and truly our last Holyoake liberal.

    Also, no one in Labour represents older people- even though they are the ones that kept the Labour Party alive for 30 years. Winston does.

    He has contempt for the media because they generally deserve it. The reporter who put the NZSuper story out there from the leak is case in point.

    He's played a useful part in the Covid-19 response. Not sure where the rest of Cabinet have been.

    Whether he continues on in the next parliament is immaterial to his contribution to New Zealand.

    • pat 6.1

      Thats an interesting appraisal of Mr Peters….takes all sorts I guess

    • millsy 6.2

      "Winsron is pure political whakapapa. Losing Winston Peters from Parliament also loses the last filament of continuous political memory to a New Zealand before Roger Douglas, monetarism, and the laying waste to the working class with the destruction of our manufacturing base. He's well and truly our last Holyoake liberal."

      Yes, would be the end of an era when he goes. 2023 will be the first election in 50 years in which Winston Peters hasnt taken part. I think that is quite an achievement.

  6. gsays 7

    If they had any clues, the NZ1st Foundation would pick up the legal fees.

    I admire yr penultimate paragraph, TRP.
    There is a long list of folk who have logically, eloquently and incorrectly called his demise.

    They need a circuit breaker eg, promote Tracey Martin to the leadership.

    It's not as if the up north voters aren't going to vote for them after all.

  7. In Vino 8

    Well, since Lange has left this mortal coil in the meantime, I would name Winston as the best-spoken politician since Muldoon (whom I disliked intensely, but had to admire.)

    Similar thing – I dislike so much of what Winston has done, but can see why he is still admired by many, or maybe just some by now…

  8. Adrian 9

    For all the derision heaped on Shane Jones his interview on Jack Tame's show on Monday night was illuminating. His story of his hatred of how his parents and siblings had been affected by Rogernomics, along with the rest of us, and determination that that not happen again to vulnerable NZers for any reason was more of a true measure of him than I have heard before. His family had to move to Australia for work for instance.

    Also his determination to sidestep those interested in personal gain from delaying and thwarting policies and projects that will try to ensure ongoing jobs for the less well off, I thought gave a more enlightened view of the man than those of his political detractors.

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • World-leading family harm prevention campaign supports young NZers
    Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment Priyanca Radhakrishnan has today launched the Love Better campaign in a world-leading approach to family harm prevention. Love Better will initially support young people through their experience of break-ups, developing positive and life-long attitudes to dealing with hurt. “Over 1,200 young kiwis told ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 hours ago
  • First Chief Clinical Advisor welcomed into Coroners Court
    Hon Rino Tirikatene, Minister for Courts, welcomes the Ministry of Justice’s appointment of Dr Garry Clearwater as New Zealand’s first Chief Clinical Advisor working with the Coroners Court. “This appointment is significant for the Coroners Court and New Zealand’s wider coronial system.” Minister Tirikatene said. Through Budget 2022, the Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 hours ago
  • Next steps for affected properties post Cyclone and floods
    The Government via the Cyclone Taskforce is working with local government and insurance companies to build a picture of high-risk areas following Cyclone Gabrielle and January floods. “The Taskforce, led by Sir Brian Roche, has been working with insurance companies to undertake an assessment of high-risk areas so we can ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 hours ago
  • New appointment to Māori Land Court bench
    E te huia kaimanawa, ko Ngāpuhi e whakahari ana i tau aupikinga ki te tihi o te maunga. Ko te Ao Māori hoki e whakanui ana i a koe te whakaihu waka o te reo Māori i roto i te Ao Ture. (To the prized treasure, it is Ngāpuhi who ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 hours ago
  • Government focus on jobs sees record number of New Zealanders move from Benefits into work
    113,400 exits into work in the year to June 2022 Young people are moving off Benefit faster than after the Global Financial Crisis Two reports released today by the Ministry of Social Development show the Government’s investment in the COVID-19 response helped drive record numbers of people off Benefits and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    10 hours ago
  • Vertical farming partnership has upward momentum
    The Government’s priority to keep New Zealand at the cutting edge of food production and lift our sustainability credentials continues by backing the next steps of a hi-tech vertical farming venture that uses up to 95 per cent less water, is climate resilient, and pesticide-free. Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor visited ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago
  • Conference of Pacific Education Ministers – Keynote Address
    E nga mana, e nga iwi, e nga reo, e nga hau e wha, tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou kātoa. Warm Pacific greetings to all. It is an honour to host the inaugural Conference of Pacific Education Ministers here in Tāmaki Makaurau. Aotearoa is delighted to be hosting you ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • New $13m renal unit supports Taranaki patients
    The new renal unit at Taranaki Base Hospital has been officially opened by the Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall this afternoon. Te Huhi Raupō received around $13 million in government funding as part of Project Maunga Stage 2, the redevelopment of the Taranaki Base Hospital campus. “It’s an honour ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Second Poseidon aircraft on home soil
    Defence Minister Andrew Little has marked the arrival of the country’s second P-8A Poseidon aircraft alongside personnel at the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s Base at Ohakea today. “With two of the four P-8A Poseidons now on home soil this marks another significant milestone in the Government’s historic investment in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Further humanitarian aid for Türkiye and Syria
    Aotearoa New Zealand will provide further humanitarian support to those seriously affected by last month’s deadly earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria, says Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta. “The 6 February earthquakes have had devastating consequences, with almost 18 million people affected. More than 53,000 people have died and tens of thousands more ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Community voice to help shape immigration policy
    Migrant communities across New Zealand are represented in the new Migrant Community Reference Group that will help shape immigration policy going forward, Immigration Minister Michael Wood announced today.  “Since becoming Minister, a reoccurring message I have heard from migrants is the feeling their voice has often been missing around policy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • State Highway 3 project to deliver safer journeys, better travel connections for Taranaki
    Construction has begun on major works that will deliver significant safety improvements on State Highway 3 from Waitara to Bell Block, Associate Minister of Transport Kiri Allan announced today. “This is an important route for communities, freight and visitors to Taranaki but too many people have lost their lives or ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Ginny Andersen appointed as Minister of Police
    Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has today appointed Ginny Andersen as Minister of Police. “Ginny Andersen has a strong and relevant background in this important portfolio,” Chris Hipkins said. “Ginny Andersen worked for the Police as a non-sworn staff member for around 10 years and has more recently been chair of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government confirms vital roading reconnections
    Six further bailey bridge sites confirmed Four additional bridge sites under consideration 91 per cent of damaged state highways reopened Recovery Dashboards for impacted regions released The Government has responded quickly to restore lifeline routes after Cyclone Gabrielle and can today confirm that an additional six bailey bridges will ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Foreign Minister Mahuta to meet with China’s new Foreign Minister
    Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta departs for China tomorrow, where she will meet with her counterpart, State Councillor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang, in Beijing. This will be the first visit by a New Zealand Minister to China since 2019, and follows the easing of COVID-19 travel restrictions between New Zealand and China. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Education Ministers from across the Pacific gather in Aotearoa
    Education Ministers from across the Pacific will gather in Tāmaki Makaurau this week to share their collective knowledge and strategic vision, for the benefit of ākonga across the region. New Zealand Education Minister Jan Tinetti will host the inaugural Conference of Pacific Education Ministers (CPEM) for three days from today, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • State Highway 5 reopens between Napier and Taupō following Cyclone Gabrielle
    A vital transport link for communities and local businesses has been restored following Cyclone Gabrielle with the reopening of State Highway 5 (SH5) between Napier and Taupō, Associate Minister of Transport Kiri Allan says. SH5 reopened to all traffic between 7am and 7pm from today, with closure points at SH2 (Kaimata ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Special Lotto draw raises $11.7 million for Cyclone Gabrielle recovery
    Internal Affairs Minister Barbara Edmonds has thanked generous New Zealanders who took part in the special Lotto draw for communities affected by Cyclone Gabrielle. Held on Saturday night, the draw raised $11.7 million with half of all ticket sales going towards recovery efforts. “In a time of need, New Zealanders ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government delivers a $3 million funding boost for Building Financial Capability services
    The Government has announced funding of $3 million for providers to help people, and whānau access community-based Building Financial Capability services. “Demand for Financial Capability Services is growing as people face cost of living pressures. Those pressures are increasing further in areas affected by flooding and Cyclone Gabrielle,” Minister for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Education New Zealand | Manapou ki te Ao – new Chair and member
    Minister of Education, Hon Jan Tinetti, has announced appointments to the Board of Education New Zealand | Manapou ki te Ao. Tracey Bridges is joining the Board as the new Chair and Dr Therese Arseneau will be a new member. Current members Dr Linda Sissons CNZM and Daniel Wilson have ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Scholarships honouring Ngarimu VC and the 28th (Māori) Battalion announced
    Fifteen ākonga Māori from across Aotearoa have been awarded the prestigious Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships and Awards for 2023, Associate Education Minister and Ngarimu Board Chair, Kelvin Davis announced today.  The recipients include doctoral, masters’ and undergraduate students. Three vocational training students and five wharekura students, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Appointment of Judge of the Court of Appeal and Judge of the High Court
    High Court Judge Jillian Maree Mallon has been appointed a Judge of the Court of Appeal, and District Court Judge Andrew John Becroft QSO has been appointed a Judge of the High Court, Attorney‑General David Parker announced today. Justice Mallon graduated from Otago University in 1988 with an LLB (Hons), and with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • NZ still well placed to meet global challenges
    The economy has continued to show its resilience despite today’s GDP figures showing a modest decline in the December quarter, leaving the Government well positioned to help New Zealanders face cost of living pressures in a challenging global environment. “The economy had grown strongly in the two quarters before this ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Western Ring Route Complete
    Aucklanders now have more ways to get around as Transport Minister Michael Wood opened the direct State Highway 1 (SH1) to State Highway 18 (SH18) underpass today, marking the completion of the 48-kilometre Western Ring Route (WRR). “The Government is upgrading New Zealand’s transport system to make it safer, more ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Briefings to Incoming Ministers
    This section contains briefings received by incoming ministers following changes to Cabinet in January. Some information may have been withheld in accordance with the Official Information Act 1982. Where information has been withheld that is indicated within the document. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Teaming up for a stronger, more resilient Fiji
    Aotearoa New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta reaffirmed her commitment to working together with the new Government of Fiji on issues of shared importance, including on the prioritisation of climate change and sustainability, at a meeting today, in Nadi. Fiji and Aotearoa New Zealand’s close relationship is underpinned by the Duavata ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Investment in blue highway a lifeline for regional economies and cyclone recovery
    The Government is delivering a coastal shipping lifeline for businesses, residents and the primary sector in the cyclone-stricken regions of Hawkes Bay and Tairāwhiti, Regional Development Minister Kiri Allan announced today. The Rangitata vessel has been chartered for an emergency coastal shipping route between Gisborne and Napier, with potential for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Next steps developing clean energy for NZ
    The Government will progress to the next stage of the NZ Battery Project, looking at the viability of pumped hydro as well as an alternative, multi-technology approach as part of the Government’s long term-plan to build a resilient, affordable, secure and decarbonised energy system in New Zealand, Energy and Resources ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Statement from the Prime Minister on Stuart Nash
    This morning I was made aware of a media interview in which Minister Stuart Nash criticised a decision of the Court and said he had contacted the Police Commissioner to suggest the Police appeal the decision. The phone call took place in 2021 when he was not the Police Minister. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • CPTPP Trade Ministers coming to Auckland
    The Government’s sharp focus on trade continues with Aotearoa New Zealand set to host Trade Ministers and delegations from 10 Asia Pacific economies at a meeting of Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) Commission members in July, Minister for Trade and Export Growth Damien O’Connor announced today. “New Zealand ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Govt approves $25 million extension for cyclone-affected businesses
    $25 million boost to support more businesses with clean-up in cyclone affected regions, taking total business support to more than $50 million Demand for grants has been strong, with estimates showing applications will exceed the initial $25 million business support package Grants of up to a maximum of $40,000 per ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • More than 160,000 new Kiwis to call NZ home
    80 per cent of 2021 Resident Visas applications have been processed – three months ahead of schedule Residence granted to 160,000 people 84,000 of 85,000 applications have been approved Over 160,000 people have become New Zealand residents now that 80 per cent of 2021 Resident Visa (2021RV) applications have been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Scholarships propel Kiwi students to NASA
    The Government continues to invest in New Zealand’s burgeoning space industry, today announcing five scholarships for Kiwi Students to undertake internships at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in California. Economic Development Minister Stuart Nash congratulated Michaela Dobson (University of Auckland), Leah Albrow (University of Canterbury) and Jack Naish, Celine Jane ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New Zealand to attend regional security meeting in Australia
    The Lead Coordination Minister for the Government’s Response to the Royal Commission’s Report into the Terrorist Attack on the Christchurch Mosques travels to Melbourne, Australia today to represent New Zealand at the fourth Sub-Regional Meeting on Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Security. “The Government is committed to reducing the threat of terrorism ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Health and safety action plan for ports
    The health and safety practices at our nation’s ports will be improved as part of a new industry-wide action plan, Workplace Relations and Safety, and Transport Minister Michael Wood has announced. “Following the tragic death of two port workers in Auckland and Lyttelton last year, I asked the Port Health ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Bikes and scooters to be exempt from FBT
    Bikes, electric bikes and scooters will be added to the types of transport exempted from fringe benefit tax under changes proposed today. Revenue Minister David Parker said the change would allow bicycles, electric bicycles, scooters, electric scooters, and micro-mobility share services to be exempt from fringe benefit tax where they ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Foreign Affairs Minister to reaffirm our close relationship with Fiji
    Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta will hold bilateral meetings with Fiji this week. The visit will be her first to the country since the election of the new coalition Government led by Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sitiveni Rabuka. The visit will be an opportunity to meet kanohi ki ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New legislation to streamline Cyclone recovery
    The Government is introducing the Severe Weather Emergency Legislation Bill to ensure the recovery and rebuild from Cyclone Gabrielle is streamlined and efficient with unnecessary red tape removed. The legislation is similar to legislation passed following the Christchurch and Kaikōura earthquakes that modifies existing legislation in order to remove constraints ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Cost of living package: More bread and butter support for Kiwi families
    Approximately 1.4 million people will benefit from increases to rates and thresholds for social assistance to help with the cost of living Superannuation to increase by over $100 a pay for a couple Main benefits to increase by the rate of inflation, meaning a family on a benefit with children ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Freeing up more government bandwidth and money to focus on the cost of living
    $1 billion in savings which will be reallocated to support New Zealanders with the cost of living A range of transport programmes deferred so Waka Kotahi can focus on post Cyclone road recovery Speed limit reduction programme significantly narrowed to focus on the most dangerous one per cent of state ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2023-03-22T04:01:27+00:00