Ramming it through

Written By: - Date published: 11:11 am, December 9th, 2008 - 51 comments
Categories: national/act government, workers' rights - Tags: ,

I’ve just been informed that the National/ACT Government has put its 90 day fire at will bill on the Order Paper and could ram it through under urgency as early as tomorrow.

This is frankly an astonishing abuse of our democracy. A piece of legislation that will remove basic work rights from hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders in any one year is being rammed through Parliament without any discussion or debate.

As Phil Goff points out, this really is an outrageous act of arrogance that bodes very badly for the future of this government, especially given the noise they made when they claimed the EFA and the ETS – two of the most widely debated pieces of legislation in the last term – had been “rushed”.

Let’s hope National has the good sense to pull back from the brink.

51 comments on “Ramming it through ”

  1. Liar 1

    Are we talking about a civil union?

  2. vto 2

    Putting aside the merits or otherwise of the bill, I agree that this is exactly the sort of arrogant ignorant crap that the labour lot did and it stunk to the high heavens. It tarred them forever imo and it will happen to the nats too if abuse of the system continues. aarrrrgh! I’m going fishing.

  3. Graeme 3

    I’ve just been informed that the National/ACT Government has put its 90 day fire at will bill on the Order Paper and could ram it through under urgency as early as tomorrow.

    That’s an interesting theory, but the Order Paper *to which you link* contains no such bill.

    captcha: 1-16@5.16¼ Libau
    seriously? wtf?

  4. IrishBill 4

    Graeme, it’s the ERA amendment.

    vto, I assume you’re talking about the EFB which went through three votes and a select committee. That’s hardly comparable to putting a bill up and passing it within 24 hours.

  5. Tane: Your post extremely hypocritical.

    Labour had a history of passing bills under urgency, but because you agreed with the bills you just shut up and said nothing.

    Well guess what buddy, National is in power, we voted them in and thats democracy, deal with it, or move along.

  6. Janet 6

    Democracy includes select committee hearings.

  7. Liar 7

    Everybody knows that select committee hearings are a complete waste of time.

  8. Democracy includes select committee hearings???

    Thats a keeper.

  9. Graeme 9

    Irish – you mean this one?

    http://www.legislation.govt.nz/bill/government/2008/0289-1/latest/DLM1566305.html

    Then what on Earth are you complaining about? I’m suprised you don’t support it!
    What’s wrong with greater rights for employees in triangular employment arrangements?

  10. IrishBill 10

    Well blow me down. It’s Darian’s old bill. Graeme, I hope you’re right about that.

  11. Graeme 11

    I know I’m right about that.

    All the Bills listed on the Order Paper are Bills from the old Parliament, which the new Parliament will decide this afternoon to copy over.

    If they want to start any new bills they will have to formally introduce them. And, I would envisage, wait until Tuesday before beginning the debate.

  12. Phil 12

    ADDRESS IN REPLY

    Motion for an Address in Reply to His Excellency the Governor-General’s Speech from the Throne

    Specified party leaders: 30 mins each
    Members making maiden speeches: 15 mins each
    Other members: 10 mins each

    Whole debate 19 hrs

    Jesus Christ!
    I could barely sit through the small number of speeches at graduation, and there were only half a dozen pompous gits speaking at that, not 120-odd.
    19 hours gets perilously close to my threshold for doctor assissted suicide.

  13. roger nome 13

    They did the same thing with the Employment Contracts Act. The ECA Bill was introduced to the House on December the 19th 1990 just before parliament’s Christmas holiday break, and became law on the 15th of May 1991. No time for the opposition to debate it.

    I guess it shows where the real priorities of the National Party lie – and who they’re really in parliament for – the bosses.

  14. Phil 14

    introduced to the House on December the 19th 1990 just before parliament’s Christmas holiday break, and became law on the 15th of May 1991. No time for the opposition to debate it.

    Labour took a six month holiday?!

    Just out of interest, how does that compare to the introduction of the EFA to the house?

  15. Ginger 15

    [Tane: Start making constructive points and you’ll go far here. Carry on like this and you’ll find yourself banned very quickly.]

    [… turns out it’s Crank, who was banned months ago for trolling, and again later for posting with SP’s home address as his username. What a creep.]

    [lprent: Now added to the ‘feed to the anti-spam’ bot. Idiot has used a rather large number of aliases]

  16. 8 & 4 16

    This is a disgrace. It doesn’t need to be done before Christmas.

    John Key didn’t even include it in his much vaunted 100 day plan

    http://national.org.nz/web/post_election_action_plan.pdf

    Disgusting. And the media should call him on it.

  17. 66% of NewZealanders agree with this, judging by the latest polls.

    Its a good thing.

  18. Tane 18

    Brett, don’t think we’re stupid enough to think self-selecting online polls with poorly worded questions are a reflection of public opinion.

  19. If you are good at your job you should have nothing to fear, the only people who should fear this, are the workers who aren’t good that hide behind the unions.

  20. Tane 20

    If you are good at your job …or if your boss decides he doesn’t like you, or if you refuse to work extra shifts so you can spend time with your kids, or if you refuse to take a pay cut or sell off your fourth week’s annual leave, or if you’re the wrong colour or religion, or if you get pregnant…

  21. Billy 21

    Tane,

    Would you like to make some predictions about what will happen next year as a result of this law?

  22. Tane:

    The question in the poll was clear cut and required a yes or no answer.

    Im also dont think there arent many employers who are cutting an employee’s wage.

    If you just start a job and then get pregnant in the first 90 days, and ask for time off after just starting, thats not fair to your employer.

    If your boss doesn’t like you, why stay?

  23. IrishBill 23

    Billy, exactly what happens now as many small employers don’t even bother to follow the law. The difference will be that their staff will just have to suck it up as they will have no recourse to natural justice.

    I have a friend that has recently dealt with a case in which a small employer decided to reduce a new worker’s hour to a point where they were effectively zero because she rebuffed his advances during a staff night on the piss. That cost that employer a considerable sum. Not for the sexual harassment but for the breach of process.

    Under this law my friend’s client would have been able to be sacked without any reason given and would not have been able to access the employment services to get a remedy. She could have taken a case to the courts concerning a breach of the human rights act but that would have been very expensive and hard to prove.

  24. Billy 24

    So IB,

    Your prediction is that large numbers of employers will sexually harrass their employees with impunity as a result of this law.

    OK. I’ll be sure to look out for that.

    Anything else?

    IrishBill: I’ll tell my mate to pass your concern on to his client. Wanker.

  25. Tane 25

    Billy – it depends how employers implement it. In a time of rising unemployment I can see it being used to depress wages, but on a more individual level I can see employers abusing it by sacking staff unfairly. That was the experience in Australia.

  26. Tane 26

    Brett – those polls are completely unscientific.

    Firstly, it’s self-selecting. You should understand what that means.

    Secondly, the sample is overwhelmingly biased. What kind of people are at work all day able to vote in silly online polls? Certainly not hospital cleaners and bus drivers.

    And thirdly, the question is very poorly worded. As it stands even the President of the CTU could vote ‘yes’ to that question.

    Honestly Brett, stop wasting my time.

  27. Chris S 27

    “Labour had a history of passing bills under urgency, but because you agreed with the bills you just shut up and said nothing.”

    Got some proof there, chump? I’ve read your blog it’s more of this blow-hard bluster with no real facts to back it up.

    Name one controversial bill that was passed through all it’s stages (first, second, third reading) under urgency. The EFA and ETS had months of time for public submissions and debate, although the final reading of the ETS was under urgency.

  28. Bill 28

    I’m surprised that the ticket clippers who waste their client’s time and money fighting to justify cases of indefensible dismissals aren’t more vocal about this assault on their income.

  29. Graeme 29

    Name one controversial bill that was passed through all it’s stages (first, second, third reading) under urgency

    Chris S: two spring to my mind immediately:

    In the 47th Parliament, The Electoral (Vacancies) Amendment Bill was passed under urgency, through all stages, to allow the Government to avoid holding what would have been a politically disadvantageous by-election.

    And in the 48th Parliament, The Appropriation (Parliamentary Expenditure Validation) Bill was passed under (extreme?) urgency, through all stages.

    EDIT: Also, although not under urgency (I think), in the last months of the last Parliament, the Government introduced changes to Kiwisaver over (until then legal) total remuneration packages without a first reading, second reading or select committee hearing into them. Business NZ wanted to make submissions, but the Government, instead of introducing a bill, and having it go through any process at all tacked them onto an unrelated wage law creating rights to paid breaks at the committee of the whole stage..

  30. roger nome 30

    Phil:

    “Labour took a six month holiday?!”

    No – the bill wasn’t available to be read.

    During the parliamentary debate about the Employment Contracts Bill, National was “unable’ to make the bill available to opposition MP’s for them to read (Danin 1998: 23).

    Plus, the bill was passed long before it became law.

  31. Chris S 31

    Thanks, Graeme.

    I wasn’t aware of the Electoral (Vacancies) Amendment Bill or the circumstances surrounding it. However, that and the Appropriation (Parliamentary Expenditure Validation) Bill to me was, apart from politicians covering their own asses, primarily band-aid legislation with a time-sensitive nature that wouldn’t have gained much from public submissions.

    Not to say that I agree with them, however I don’t believe they were a misuse of parliamentary urgency.

  32. higherstandard 32

    IB, Billy

    Apparently the bill will

    “make it clear that workers will still have the right to lodge personal grievance claims on the basis of sexual harassment or discrimination.”

    Perhaps everyone should calm down and hold judgement wait as per the Maori party..

    “But Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia said the party was yet to see the legislation. It would consider its stance once it received it.”

  33. Billy 33

    I am perfectly calm, HS.

  34. George Darroch 34

    “make it clear that workers will still have the right to lodge personal grievance claims on the basis of sexual harassment or discrimination.’

    So, you can discriminate, and just say it was for another reason. And because there is no recourse to the Employment Tribunal, that reason can be completely false. Oh well, at least it catches people stupid enough to discriminate openly.

  35. George Darroch 35

    Graeme, since it’s been a long time since the last one, what’s the procedure for a new Government dropping old Government bills and business?

  36. Graeme 36

    No – the bill wasn’t available to be read.

    During the parliamentary debate about the Employment Contracts Bill, National was “unable’ to make the bill available to opposition MP’s for them to read (Danin 1998: 23).

    WTF?

    There is no possible way this can be true.

    Waited ages until giveing them a copy, not long before the first reading debate, sure, that’s possible. But no copy during the debate (!), I can’t believe that.

    I see a book (?) you’ve quoted, but do you have a Hansard reference or something similar to back this up?

  37. Graeme 37

    George – by the member in whose name that bill stands (i.e. for government bill, the appropriate minister) informing the Clerk that it is to be discharged – see Standing Order 71(1).

  38. Tane:

    If you think im wasting your time, perhaps I should be banned?

    I don’t think its been 90 days since I have first started posting?

    Secondly if your going to ban me, can I consult a third party who has never been here to back up my case not to be banned?, I want meetings, I want a strike by other posters.

    The fact is, NO EMPLOYER is going to sack a worker that is producing great results, if they do, then you really wouldn’t want to work for them.

    An employer should have the right to let someone go who isnt pulling their weight and who isnt going to in the future.

    I have no problem with the 90 day bill and never should good workers.

  39. Lew 39

    BD: I have no problem with the 90 day bill and never should good workers.

    You have nothing to hide, so you have nothing to fear, right? I recommend a move to Singapore.

    L

  40. Why would I want to move to Singapore?

    If your good at your job, then the 90 day bill shouldn’t be a worry.

  41. Lew 41

    Brett Dale: Because Singapore is both wealthier and safer than NZ – I mean, sure, it’s a police state, but if you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear.

    L

  42. Felix 42

    If your good at your job, then the 90 day bill shouldn’t be a worry

    So why have any workplace protections at all? Why have annual leave? Your boss will give you a holiday if you’re good at your job, eh?

  43. Felix:

    Your just being silly now, this bill is not taking away work place protections, but it is protecting employers.

  44. Lew 44

    BD: this bill is not taking away work place protections

    It quite clearly and explicitly removes the right of an employee to take a personal grievance case for unfair dismissal within the first 90 days. That’s practically the only purpose of the bill and means that an employee can be fired for any reason or for no reason at all during that time.

    If that isn’t removing a workplace protection, what would, in the Peoples’ Republic of BrettDalestan, constitute such a removal?

    L

  45. DeeDub 45

    Brett…. your arrogance and stupidity surrounding this issue is just breathtaking!

    Usually you at least make sense, even when I disagree with you. But this time you take the cake, pal.

    What would you say to the poor people who ARE wrongfully dismissed with no right to take it up once this law is passed? ‘Tough shit’ seems to be your stand?

    Very decent of you.

    Or are you contending that it just won’t happen? In which case I would have to call you delusional….

  46. Felix 46

    Brett I have to agree with what DeeDub wrote.

    I too generally respect what you have to say whether I agree or not but I don’t think you have a clue about this issue.

    Lew has explained the point better than I have (as usual) so I won’t repeat it.

    I will say, however, I think these next few years are going to be challenging for you if you plan on becoming a cheerleader for Key instead of the independent thinker that you usually seem to be.

  47. What employer is going to fire a good worker?

  48. Lew 48

    BD: They don’t necessarily need to fire them – the threat of being fired is powerful enough to circumscribe protected behaviour such as insisting on proper breaks, leave, working conditions, safety and training, overtime pay, union organisation and complaints about conduct, especially personal conduct on the part of those who have the power to fire at will. It’s a chilling effect, similar to what the Electoral Commission found the EFA had upon the election campaign.

    The differing responses between this issue and that issue are to do with situational utility, viz. who benefits, by how much, and at cost to whom?

    L

  49. Well who would stay in the place that treats you like that anyway?

  50. Felix 50

    So Brett you ARE arguing for a removal of all workplace rights from law.

    That means no breaks in law, no leave in law, no minimum wage in law, no health and safety in law.

    Because who would stay working somewhere if you didn’t get those things anyway?

    Just admit it mate, you’ve said it a few times now whether you realise it or not.

  51. Felix:

    There has to be a balance, an employer should have the right to fire a new worker who isnt up to scratch.

    Do you really think all these workers are all of a sudden going to be fired just for the sake of it???

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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    4 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
    1 week ago
  • 2024 Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships announced
    ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-03-29T08:10:56+00:00