Progress on new superunion

Written By: - Date published: 11:52 am, December 18th, 2007 - 33 comments
Categories: workers' rights - Tags:

The NZ Herald reports the Service and Food Workers Union, the National Distribution Union and Unite have agreed in principle to merge into a new super-union.

The new union will represent some of the lowest paid workers in the country such as cleaners, checkout operators, fast food workers and factory process workers, and encompasses three of the most militant unions in the country.

And while the membership will be a lot less than the 54,000 suggested in the article (by my reckoning the three unions’ combined membership is around 40,000 members), it will certainly be a major new political and industrial force in this country.

As we pointed out in our post back in September, a merger makes real sense. A super-union’s economies of scale makes for a far more effective campaigning and organising machine, and the new union will need that if it plans to make good on its plans to organise the largely non-unionised retail and hospitality sector.

Matt McCarten certainly has big ambitions:

Unite general secretary Matt McCarten, who has grown his membership five-fold in the past two years through a media-savvy “Supersize my Pay” campaign, said he wanted the new union to double its numbers within a year to easily surpass the country’s biggest union, the 55,000-member Public Service Association.

“It’s not just about a union getting bigger. It’s about getting the critical mass,” he said.

“I think what it will become is the catalyst to organise other unions around it with a campaigning union approach around social justice issues.

“In my view I’d want it doubled within 12 months. The others all think that’s ambitious but I think we could do it, easy.

“I think workers don’t have a problem with joining a union at all. What we need is the capacity to meet their needs – that’s what has held us back.”

Of course, as anyone in politics knows, egos and conflicting interests can sink the best laid plans, and as I understand it the deal is nowhere near as certain as the Herald suggests. There’s also the issue of whether the new union retains the SFWU’s affiliation to the Labour Party.

The Servos played a major part in Labour’s get out the vote strategy in South Auckland last election and have supplied a good number of the party’s MPs, but with Laila Harre and Matt McCarten at the helm this issue is still far from settled. I’m sure Labour will be watching the situation closely.

33 comments on “Progress on new superunion ”

  1. This is the real problem that Labour has with unions affiliating to it. In return for using its massive power to instruct people to vote and do its dirty bidding on the Party’s behalf–because the Labour Party itself has very little organisational capacity–Labour has to pay back union officials with positions in the Party.

    Historically, the SFWU has made a very poor contribution to the Labour Party in terms of MPs. Look at current MPs in Labour’s caucus from the SFWU background: Rick Barker, Darien Fenton, Taito Philip Field. All of them are also-rans. Expect the SFWU to put up more turgid, pathetic nobodies, which the Labour Party awards with taxpayer-funded privileges.

    The only MP of any value in the last twenty years to come out of the SFWU stables is Mark Gosche. None of the rest of them achieved cabinet rank on merit.

  2. East Wellington Superhero 2

    Great. A super union with powerful leaders aligned with Labour. How accountable do you think this top-down political organisation will be?

    I would argue not very.

    Once this “super union” is formed how easy will it be for competing unions to form and how easy will it be for non-Labour Party supports to disagree with their local union rep?

    This will be interesting. Hopefully the genuine needs of workers will be met, and not the political aspirations of their more ambitious and articulate union bosses.

  3. Sam Dixon 3

    Um, IP,, the name of Labour is Labour… it was set up to be the parliamentary arm of the labour movement, its not surprising they retain strong links.

    And I think you’ll find the grassroots level organsiation of labour far exceeds national’s (which is why national needs the secret donors of course)

  4. Tane 4

    Prick:

    Unions can’t and don’t ‘instruct’ people who to vote for, but they do inform their members about what each party’s policy is on work rights. That’s a core service that you’d expect from a union.

    I’m also not sure what these taxpayer-funded priveliges are you’re talking about. No one’s ever been able to give me a straight answer on what exactly the unions get from the DoL’s contestable funds that isn’t also given to Business NZ and the EMA.

    EWS:

    Great. A super union with powerful leaders aligned with Labour. How accountable do you think this top-down political organisation will be?

    A superunion is what the EPMU is and I don’t see the sky falling over that. What I do see is a Labour Party that makes sure workers get a voice in government and a fair share of the economic good times through higher wages, four weeks annual leave, fairer laws on unfair dismissal and regular increases in the minimum wage.

    Once this “super union” is formed how easy will it be for competing unions to form

    It happens all the time. There are plenty of small unions about that provide alternatives to the larger unions (BUG, M&C and the PWU spring to mind), but by the way you’re talking about unions ‘competing’ I’m not sure you understand what unionism is about anyway.

    how easy will it be for non-Labour Party supports to disagree with their local union rep?

    Union membership is voluntary and Labour Party affiliation is decided democratically, but that’s beside the point. Affiliation doesn’t affect the service members receive in the SFWU or any other affiliated union and I don’t see why a merger would change that.

    This will be interesting. Hopefully the genuine needs of workers will be met

    So do I, and so do the leadership of the three unions involved. Believe it or not, these people are actually in the game to help workers and they understand that you need those economies of scale to make a real difference.

  5. Sam Dixon 5

    East Wellington Superhero – unions are democratic, voluntary organsiations. Their leaders are elected by their members, and the full-time staffers’ roles is to assist and advise the members, not to dictate to them. that doens’t sound very ‘top-down’ to me.

    Competing unions? the whole idea is that unions don’t compete too much (although occassionally some do cover the same work places), they are vehicles for workers to cooperate and pool their resourcs, not compete against each other. If a group within a larger union wnated to set up on their own that would be their right but they are stronger unified (union, get it?)

    As democratic organisations, unions are only affliated to parties with the consent of their members, and there are votes on the issue. Members, of course, may cast their vote as they please – secret ballot and all that too.

  6. …they are stronger unified (union, get it?)

    No, they don’t get it. Not even slightly. That’s why they write in with their cobblers about instructing people who to vote for and being top-down organisations.

  7. East Wellington Superhero 7

    Sam,

    I like how you know about all the grass-roots level of the National Party.
    Would you like to show us proof to back up your statement?

    In regard to unions being democratic – are they democratic like Labour Party Parliamentary candidate selection?

  8. Kimble 8

    Heh, the EFB will mean that a SUPER UNION wont be able to spend as much as three smaller unions in parallel campaigns with the Labour party.

    Sounds good to me. NZ has had enough of these shadowy, hollow, third party organisations perverting our democracy every three years with largess from their overflowing warchests.

    If the Labour party is merely the political arm of the union movement (which has been admitted above) then how on earth can they “inform their members about what each party’s policy is on work rights” in an impartial way?

    The truth is it can’t, and you don’t want it to. Be honest.

  9. The Double Standard 9

    Historically, the SFWU has made a very poor contribution to the Labour Party in terms of MPs. Look at current MPs in Labour’s caucus from the SFWU background: Rick Barker, Darien Fenton, Taito Philip Field. All of them are also-rans. Expect the SFWU to put up more turgid, pathetic nobodies, which the Labour Party awards with taxpayer-funded privileges.

    Here’s a few more for your list – some former MP’s, some current:

    Charles Chauvel
    Lianne Dalziel
    Mark Peck
    Laila Harre
    Matt Robson
    Willie Jackson
    Dave Hereora
    Sue Moroney

  10. Sam Dixon 10

    Kimble – how are organisations that are democratic and public ‘shadowy’? When the unions run campaigns they do so with their names written proud, when they donate to parties they don’t do it anonymously or through secret trusts.

    And your point on the EFB assumes that they would have over $120,000 to spend – three small seperate unions might not have anyhting like that warchest (economis of scale might eman the superunion does). If we’re going to tlak about sizes of warchests – check out how much the unions gave to political parties in 2005 compared to what secret donors gave National.

    http://www.elections.org.nz/parties/donations_summary.html#gen1

  11. Sam Dixon 11

    Kimble – read more closely. The Labour party is not merely the poltiical arm of the union movement, it was set up as that and retains strong links with the unions –

    unions can easily inform their members on work rights policy without having to say ‘oh and vote Labour’ – all the unions have to do is put Labour and National’s records together http://kiwiblogblog.wordpress.com/2007/12/18/super-sizing-the-minimum-wage/ http://www.thestandard.org.nz/?p=883 and any sensible worker will know how to vote

  12. Tane 14

    Nice work Sam D. I also find it hard to believe the NDU, SFWU and Unite have “overflowing warchests”. These are hardworking grassroots organisations that rely on strong delegate involvement and are run on a shoestring.

    In 2005 the NDU gave Labour $24,000 and the SFWU gave $20,000. Unite gave nothing. If that’s any indication I don’t think the spending cap’s going to be an issue for them. We know all this because these unions declared their spending openly, unlike National’s backers.

  13. Amateur Scrabbler 15

    As a workplace delegate (for one of the unions in this article actually) I really have to laugh. 😉

    “Competing unions”.

    Haha. Nice. When people of the right start going on about unions they often betray their ignorance of how unions actually work.

    Competing unions indeed.

  14. Sam Dixon 16

    When your work experience is living off a trust fund at uni until joining daddy’s firm and lazing your way up the ladder, you don’t get to have any idea of the importance of unions to workers.

  15. James Kearney 17

    That competing unions jibe made me laugh too Scrabbler. Unionism is about solidarity not the dog-eat-dog competition so admired by the right. I suspect that’s why a lot of right-wingers fail to understand them.

  16. The Double Standard 18

    “are run on a shoestring.”

    Unite dues are a minimum of $2/week

    If the new combined group charge at least that much, and have 50,000 members, thats annual revenue of $5.2 million.

    Since the unite dues are income linked up to a max of $5.90/week the actual total will be higher. Averaging $4/week would result in revenue of $10.4 million

    Hardly a shoestring.

    The issue is not just how much is passed officially to Teh Party, but also how much is directly spent promoting them outside of the official election spending.

  17. The Double Standard 19

    Having checked the NDU and SFWU fees I think my estimates are a bit light. They will comfortable have income over $10 million with 50,000 members. Pity that they can only spend $120,000 campaigning for Labour eh?

  18. Kimble 20

    I was just using your own fear-mongering language against you. If the reality of the situation doesnt matter to you, then it doesnt matter to me. All that matters is that I can use scarey language to twist the democratic process in my favour. Again, another play from Labours book.

  19. Tane 21

    First of all, the new union will have around 40,000 members, not 50,000. Secondly, you have no idea how much it costs to run a union do you?

    I’ve been involved in several and I’ll tell you the private sector unions have huge costs due to the fact they have to bargain separately at every single enterprise, added to the cost of legal bills, campaigns and research work. They are certainly not flush with money.

    I’m also aware that money is spent outside of the party, but the amount they can afford to donate is usually a pretty good indicator of how much is spent in total. And I can assure you most unions will be well under the $120,000 cap.

  20. Kimble 22

    When your first experience of Unions is seeing their bullyboys knocking your dads teeth out because he had a family to feed and wouldnt stand on their picket line, then maybe you can understand why other people are naturally suspicious of union official supposedly down-home good-intentions.

    Until that time, Sam,

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Straw_man

  21. Kimble 23

    “And I can assure you most unions will be well under the $120,000 cap.”

    So not only does Labour set the anonymous donation cap just above what they expect to receieve, they also se the third party spending cap just above what they expect their union allies to spend!

    Jesus! Corrupt much?

  22. Tane 24

    Okay Kimble, I can see your judgment is clouded by personal issues.

    That’s fine, but if we’re going to talk violence let’s talk Fred Evans (http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/politics/black-tuesday/the-1912-waihi-strike).

    Or we can stick to the issues. Your choice.

  23. Tane 25

    Jesus! Corrupt much?

    Tin foil hat, mate.

  24. Mike Porton 26

    When your first experience of Unions is seeing their bullyboys knocking your dads teeth out because he had a family to feed and wouldnt stand on their picket line, then maybe you can understand why other people are naturally suspicious of union official supposedly down-home good-intentions.

    Unions always look after striking workers financially. It’s called collectivism. Your dad didn’t refuse to picket because of his wife and kids. He did it because he didn’t believe in standing with his fellow workers and preferred instead to help the boss keep everyone else’s families hungry. That makes him a scab, Kimble.

  25. Pascal's bookie 27

    Hoo boy.

    So I guess this isn’t the ‘no hitting zone’ thread then.

    My two words worth: Ernie Abbot.

  26. Kimble 28

    Holy crap you guys are thick! That isnt my story anymore than Sam Dixons masturbatory effort a few comments beforehand. Didnt the link give you genuises a large enough hint?

    You didnt rein in Sam Dixon, did you? You didnt demand he remain on topic, as you did me. Why is that? Could it be that there is a double standard at the Standard? Could it be that you are relentless in your crushing of opposition? What is it you are all afraid of? My arguments must be really hitting home for you to threaten to censor me!

    (To save time, I am mirroring your style in the previous paragraph.)

    What would you call it if National did it Tane? How did Labour come up with those amounts? Is it purely a coincidence? Yeah right!

  27. Tane 29

    Kimble, I’m not sure what you’re talking about. Crushing opposition? Threatening to censor you? I’m confused.

  28. Kimble 30

    I am mirroring your style in the previous paragraph.

  29. Tane 31

    Hmmmm. In that case you might want to go do some writing classes because as far as parodies go that was pretty weak.

  30. The Double Standard 32

    Tane

    This from Matt McCarten as quoted in the Herald

    Unite general secretary Matt McCarten, who has grown his membership five-fold in the past two years through a media-savvy “Supersize my Pay” campaign, said he wanted the new union to double its numbers within a year to easily surpass the country’s biggest union, the 55,000-member Public Service Association.

    At least he puts his names to the estimates.

    $12 million dollars buys a lot of influence you know. I don’t know how much running a union costs – why don’t you enlighten us on what staffers get paid (in the interests of full disclosure of course).

    I can’t buy your line that they can only afford to donate a few tens of thousands to Teh Party though. That may be all that goes above the line, but you can’t seriously maintain that more is not spent in other areas. How much did the PSA spend on (legally) promoting a certain party in 2005?

  31. Jon 33

    Size of new union – SFWU has 23,000 members, NDU 20,000 Unite say they have more than 10,000. That adds up to a lot more than 50,000 members. However, in international terms, it’s still a small union, so I don’t know why everyone is getting so excited. Would have been better if the EPMU was in there as well, then you would be talking a union with the real power and resources to organise in the low density private sector.

    SFWU MPs – interesting to note that low paid workers such as aged care workers (SFWU members) and hospital service workers (SFWU members) have all had significant payrises funded by the government this year. There’s nothing ineffective about that.

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • EV road user charges bill passes
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the passing of legislation to move light electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) into the road user charges system from 1 April.  “It was always intended that EVs and PHEVs would be exempt from road user charges until they reached two ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    16 hours ago
  • Bill targets illegal, unregulated fishing in international waters
    New Zealand is strengthening its ability to combat illegal fishing outside its domestic waters and beef up regulation for its own commercial fishers in international waters through a Bill which had its first reading in Parliament today. The Fisheries (International Fishing and Other Matters) Amendment Bill 2023 sets out stronger ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    17 hours ago
  • Reserve Bank appointments
    Economists Carl Hansen and Professor Prasanna Gai have been appointed to the Reserve Bank Monetary Policy Committee, Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced today. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is the independent decision-making body that sets the Official Cash Rate which determines interest rates.  Carl Hansen, the executive director of Capital ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago
  • Stronger protections for apartment owners
    Apartment owners and buyers will soon have greater protections as further changes to the law on unit titles come into effect, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “The Unit Titles (Strengthening Body Corporate Governance and Other Matters) Amendment Act had already introduced some changes in December 2022 and May 2023, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago
  • Travel focused on traditional partners and Middle East
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to Egypt and Europe from this weekend.    “This travel will focus on a range of New Zealand’s traditional diplomatic and security partnerships while enabling broad engagement on the urgent situation in Gaza,” Mr Peters says.   Mr Peters will attend the NATO Foreign ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago
  • Keep safe on our roads this Easter
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown is encouraging all road users to stay safe, plan their journeys ahead of time, and be patient with other drivers while travelling around this Easter long weekend. “Road safety is a responsibility we all share, and with increased traffic on our roads expected this Easter we ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago
  • Cost of living support for over 1.4 million Kiwis
    About 1.4 million New Zealanders will receive cost of living relief through increased government assistance from April 1 909,000 pensioners get a boost to Superannuation, including 5000 veterans 371,000 working-age beneficiaries will get higher payments 45,000 students will see an increase in their allowance Over a quarter of New Zealanders ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago
  • Tenancy reviews for social housing restart
    Ensuring social housing is being provided to those with the greatest needs is front of mind as the Government restarts social housing tenancy reviews, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. “Our relentless focus on building a strong economy is to ensure we can deliver better public services such as social ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    24 hours ago
  • Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary plan halted
    The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary will not go ahead, with Cabinet deciding to stop work on the proposed reserve and remove the Bill that would have established it from Parliament’s order paper. “The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill would have created a 620,000 sq km economic no-go zone,” Oceans and Fisheries Minister ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    24 hours ago
  • Cutting all that dam red tape
    Dam safety regulations are being amended so that smaller dams won’t be subject to excessive compliance costs, Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on reducing costs and removing unnecessary red tape so we can get the economy back on track.  “Dam safety regulations ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Drought support extended to parts of North Island
    The coalition Government is expanding the medium-scale adverse event classification to parts of the North Island as dry weather conditions persist, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced today. “I have made the decision to expand the medium-scale adverse event classification already in place for parts of the South Island to also cover the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Passage of major tax bill welcomed
    The passing of legislation giving effect to coalition Government tax commitments has been welcomed by Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “The Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill will help place New Zealand on a more secure economic footing, improve outcomes for New Zealanders, and make our tax system ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Lifting economy through science, tertiary sectors
    Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins and Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds today announced plans to transform our science and university sectors to boost the economy. Two advisory groups, chaired by Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, will advise the Government on how these sectors can play a greater ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government announces Budget priorities
    The Budget will deliver urgently-needed tax relief to hard-working New Zealanders while putting the government’s finances back on a sustainable track, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.  The Finance Minister made the comments at the release of the Budget Policy Statement setting out the Government’s Budget objectives. “The coalition Government intends ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government to consider accommodation solution
    The coalition Government will look at options to address a zoning issue that limits how much financial support Queenstown residents can get for accommodation. Cabinet has agreed on a response to the Petitions Committee, which had recommended the geographic information MSD uses to determine how much accommodation supplement can be ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government approves extension to Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care
    Cabinet has agreed to a short extension to the final reporting timeframe for the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care from 28 March 2024 to 26 June 2024, Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says.                                         “The Royal Commission wrote to me on 16 February 2024, requesting that I consider an ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • $18m boost for Kiwis travelling to health treatment
    The coalition Government is delivering an $18 million boost to New Zealanders needing to travel for specialist health treatment, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says.   “These changes are long overdue – the National Travel Assistance (NTA) scheme saw its last increase to mileage and accommodation rates way back in 2009.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • PM’s Prizes for Space to showcase sector’s talent
    The Government is recognising the innovative and rising talent in New Zealand’s growing space sector, with the Prime Minister and Space Minister Judith Collins announcing the new Prime Minister’s Prizes for Space today. “New Zealand has a growing reputation as a high-value partner for space missions and research. I am ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Concerns conveyed to China over cyber activity
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government.     “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity, attributed to groups sponsored by the Chinese Government, targeting democratic institutions in both New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry
    Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry Education Minister Erica Stanford today announced the appointment of three independent reviewers to lead the Ministerial Inquiry into the Ministry of Education’s School Property Function.  The Inquiry will be led by former Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully. “There is a clear need ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Brynderwyns open for Easter
    State Highway 1 across the Brynderwyns will be open for Easter weekend, with work currently underway to ensure the resilience of this critical route being paused for Easter Weekend to allow holiday makers to travel north, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Today I visited the Brynderwyn Hills construction site, where ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Speech to the Infrastructure Funding & Financing Conference
    Introduction Good morning to you all, and thanks for having me bright and early today. I am absolutely delighted to be the Minister for Infrastructure alongside the Minister of Housing and Resource Management Reform. I know the Prime Minister sees the three roles as closely connected and he wants me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Parliamentary network breached by the PRC
    New Zealand stands with the United Kingdom in its condemnation of People’s Republic of China (PRC) state-backed malicious cyber activity impacting its Electoral Commission and targeting Members of the UK Parliament. “The use of cyber-enabled espionage operations to interfere with democratic institutions and processes anywhere is unacceptable,” Minister Responsible for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • NZ to provide support for Solomon Islands election
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced New Zealand will provide logistics support for the upcoming Solomon Islands election. “We’re sending a team of New Zealand Defence Force personnel and two NH90 helicopters to provide logistics support for the election on 17 April, at the request ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ-EU FTA gains Royal Assent for 1 May entry to force
    The European Union Free Trade Agreement Legislation Amendment Bill received Royal Assent today, completing the process for New Zealand’s ratification of its free trade agreement with the European Union.    “I am pleased to announce that today, in a small ceremony at the Beehive, New Zealand notified the European Union ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • COVID-19 inquiry attracts 11,000 submissions
    Public consultation on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons has concluded, Internal Affairs Minister Hon Brooke van Velden says.  “I have been advised that there were over 11,000 submissions made through the Royal Commission’s online consultation portal.” Expanding the scope of the Royal Commission of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Families to receive up to $75 a week help with ECE fees
    Hardworking families are set to benefit from a new credit to help them meet their early childcare education (ECE) costs, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. From 1 July, parents and caregivers of young children will be supported to manage the rising cost of living with a partial reimbursement of their ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Unlocking a sustainable, low-emissions future
    A specialised Independent Technical Advisory Group (ITAG) tasked with preparing and publishing independent non-binding advice on the design of a "green" (sustainable finance) taxonomy rulebook is being established, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says.  “Comprising experts and market participants, the ITAG's primary goal is to deliver comprehensive recommendations to the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Chief of Army thanked for his service
    Defence Minister Judith Collins has thanked the Chief of Army, Major General John Boswell, DSD, for his service as he leaves the Army after 40 years. “I would like to thank Major General Boswell for his contribution to the Army and the wider New Zealand Defence Force, undertaking many different ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders
    25 March 2024 Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders Small Business, Manufacturing, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly will travel to Australia for a series of bi-lateral meetings and manufacturing visits. During the visit, Minister Bayly will meet with his Australian counterparts, Senator Tim Ayres, Ed ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Government commits nearly $3 million for period products in schools
    Government commits almost $3 million for period products in schools The Coalition Government has committed $2.9 million to ensure intermediate and secondary schools continue providing period products to those who need them, Minister of Education Erica Stanford announced today. “This is an issue of dignity and ensuring young women don’t ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Speech – Making it easier to build.
    Good morning, it’s great to be here.   First, I would like to acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of Building Surveyors and thank you for the opportunity to be here this morning.  I would like to use this opportunity to outline the Government’s ambitious plan and what we hope to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Pacific youth to shine from boost to Polyfest
    Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti has announced the Government’s commitment to the Auckland Secondary Schools Māori and Pacific Islands Cultural Festival, more commonly known as Polyfest. “The Ministry for Pacific Peoples is a longtime supporter of Polyfest and, as it celebrates 49 years in 2024, I’m proud to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • 2024 Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships announced
    ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Speech to Breast Cancer Foundation – Insights Conference
    Before moving onto the substance of today’s address, I want to recognise the very significant and ongoing contribution the Breast Cancer Foundation makes to support the lives of New Zealand women and their families living with breast cancer. I very much enjoy working with you. I also want to recognise ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Kiwi research soars to International Space Station
    New Zealand has notched up a first with the launch of University of Canterbury research to the International Space Station, Science, Innovation and Technology and Space Minister Judith Collins says. The hardware, developed by Dr Sarah Kessans, is designed to operate autonomously in orbit, allowing scientists on Earth to study ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Speech to the New Zealand Planning Institute
    Introduction Thank you for inviting me to speak with you today and I’m sorry I can’t be there in person. Yesterday I started in Wellington for Breakfast TV, spoke to a property conference in Auckland, and finished the day speaking to local government in Christchurch, so it would have been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Support for Northland emergency response centre
    The Coalition Government is contributing more than $1 million to support the establishment of an emergency multi-agency coordination centre in Northland. Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced the contribution today during a visit of the Whangārei site where the facility will be constructed.  “Northland has faced a number ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Celebrating 20 years of Whakaata Māori
    New Zealanders have enjoyed a broader range of voices telling the story of Aotearoa thanks to the creation of Whakaata Māori 20 years ago, says Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka. The minister spoke at a celebration marking the national indigenous media organisation’s 20th anniversary at their studio in Auckland on ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Some commercial fishery catch limits increased
    Commercial catch limits for some fisheries have been increased following a review showing stocks are healthy and abundant, Ocean and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The changes, along with some other catch limit changes and management settings, begin coming into effect from 1 April 2024. "Regular biannual reviews of fish ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-03-28T20:37:04+00:00