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Latest Parliament Headlines
NZ-Australia Ministers To Discuss Foreign Policy, Defence
Thursday, 5 December 2024, 9:48 am | New Zealand Government
The ministers plan to discuss a wide range of strategic issues, including partnering in the Pacific, responding to growing instability in the Indo-Pacific, and the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas conflicts. More >>
Major Review Of Competition To Lift Productivity
Thursday, 5 December 2024, 9:45 am | New Zealand Government
The review will be led by respected economist and former chair of the Commission Dame Paula Rebstock, with Professor Allan Fels and David Hunt, and will be completed by May 2025. More >>
Funding Boost To Strengthen Maritime’s Rescue Team
Thursday, 5 December 2024, 9:38 am | New Zealand Government
“Our Government is delivering an annual funding boost to New Zealand’s Rescue Coordination Centre to establish a new fifth watch, increasing Maritime’s frontline staffing levels from 16 to 20 full-time equivalents,” Minister of Transport Hon ... More >>
Government Smokescreen To Downgrade Climate Ambition
Wednesday, 4 December 2024, 5:01 pm | Green Party
“Whether it’s climate action or child poverty, Christopher Luxon committed at the election, then quietly tried to change the targets and reduce action while in Government,” says Green Party Co-Leader and spokesperson on Climate Change, Chlöe ... More >>
Government Releases Independent Scientific Review On Biogenic Methane Science And Targets
Wednesday, 4 December 2024, 3:32 pm | New Zealand Government
The panel of highly regarded, New Zealand and international scientists, have provided evidence-based advice on what New Zealand’s biogenic methane target should be to ensure no additional warming. More >>
Health NZ Admits Errors Led To Claimed Deficit
Wednesday, 4 December 2024, 3:24 pm | New Zealand Labour Party
The agency today revealed “accounting judgement errors” that have led to a deficit that has been used to justify wide-ranging cuts to staff and services. More >>
New Courthouses For Whanganui And Papakura
Wednesday, 4 December 2024, 3:22 pm | New Zealand Government
“Construction will begin mid 2025 at the site of the former RSA, which was purchased by the Ministry of Justice for $11m. As the construction contract for this project is currently being negotiated, the exact funding amount is currently commercially ... More >>
More Cuts To Research, Science And Innovation Sector
Wednesday, 4 December 2024, 2:59 pm | New Zealand Labour Party
We want to keep talented people here, who contribute to the growth of New Zealand’s knowledge base and economy. These cuts leave academics and researchers with fewer options, and making them more likely to join the thousands of people leaving the ... More >>
Positive Progress For The NZ ETS
Wednesday, 4 December 2024, 2:54 pm | New Zealand Government
“Today’s auction result shows the market is moving in the right direction to restore credibility in the NZ ETS,” Mr Watts says. More >>
Govt Guts Funding For Social Sciences And Humanities
Wednesday, 4 December 2024, 1:57 pm | Green Party
“The uncertainty this creates among a sector that is already chronically under-funded cannot be under-estimated." More >>
You Can’t Bank On Pine Trees In A Climate Crisis
Wednesday, 4 December 2024, 1:45 pm | Green Party
“The Government’s changes are an acknowledgement that there’s a problem in converting productive, food-growing land into biodiversity-squashing pine plantations, but they stop far short of fixing that problem." More >>
Catalyst Fund Updated For Global Impact
Wednesday, 4 December 2024, 1:41 pm | New Zealand Government
“New Zealanders expect to see publicly funded research delivering clear benefits, which is why I am refocusing our science funding to concentrate on backing science with a purpose." More >>
ACT Welcomes Marsden Fund Refocus On Science, Further Changes Needed
Wednesday, 4 December 2024, 1:35 pm | ACT New Zealand
“In recent years, the Marsden Fund's terms of reference have seen funding prioritised for spirituality, activism and identity politics over high-quality public good research that benefits all New Zealanders,” says ACT Science, Innovation, and Technology ... More >>
Marsden Fund Refocused For Science With A Purpose
Wednesday, 4 December 2024, 1:29 pm | New Zealand Government
The new Investment Plan focuses on supporting research that can be of economic, environmental or health benefit to New Zealand. The new Terms of Reference outline that approximately 50 per cent of funds will go towards supporting proposals with economic benefits ... More >>
Removing Rewards For Poor Employee Behaviour
Wednesday, 4 December 2024, 1:20 pm | New Zealand Government
The Employment Relations Act allows the courts to make reductions to remedies when the employee contributes to the personal grievance, but these reductions have become smaller, while awards to employees have been increasing. More >>
Protecting NZ Food Production And ETS Credibility
Wednesday, 4 December 2024, 12:19 pm | New Zealand Government
“These changes deliver on a key election commitment to protect food production for farmers while providing ETS certainty for foresters,” Mr McClay says. More >>
Fuel Companies Required To Store More Jet Fuel
Wednesday, 4 December 2024, 10:18 am | New Zealand Government
“For more than seven years fuel companies have held jet fuel supplies at lower than recommended levels, risking New Zealand’s regional and international connections in times of tight supply,” Mr Jones says. More >>
Govt Delivers Māori Education Action Plan
Wednesday, 4 December 2024, 9:59 am | New Zealand Government
“25 per cent of learners within our schooling system are Māori. While many achieve excellent results, on average Māori experience worse outcomes than other learners on every major metric that we measure. More >>
Strong Growth In International Student Enrolments
Wednesday, 4 December 2024, 9:09 am | New Zealand Government
“With 73,535 enrolments between January to August 2024, more enrolments have been achieved in just two terms this year than we saw in all of last year,” Ms Simmonds says. More >>
Speech To Early Childhood Education Sector– Reducing Red Tape And Barriers To ECE
Tuesday, 3 December 2024, 6:10 pm | New Zealand Government
"My focus has been on making practical and sensible changes in regulatory areas – and doing this as quickly as possible – to ease some of the pressure on services and their staffing, and help avoid increased fees, reduced operating hours, or even ... More >>
Finally, Accountability For Dopey Transport Decisions In Auckland
Tuesday, 3 December 2024, 4:41 pm | ACT New Zealand
"Today's announcement marks a significant step towards giving Aucklanders back the control over their transport systems that they so rightfully deserve," says ACT Transport spokesperson Cameron Luxton. More >>
Democracy Restored To Transport In Auckland
Tuesday, 3 December 2024, 3:59 pm | New Zealand Government
By returning decision-making power to elected representatives, we are enabling Aucklanders to directly influence the transport policies that affect their daily lives,” Transport and Auckland Minister Simeon Brown says. More >>
Health NZ Makes Progress On Financial Recovery
Tuesday, 3 December 2024, 3:37 pm | New Zealand Government
Health NZ and all of the health workforce are making encouraging progress and I will continue to support the hard work of the Commissioner, the Chief Executive and the effort going on to reset the agency, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says. More >>
Wait Times For Veterans Improve
Tuesday, 3 December 2024, 3:05 pm | New Zealand Government
My number one goal when I took on this role was to reduce wait times for veterans, which is why Budget 2024 invested an extra $4 million dollars over four years directly into Veterans’ Affairs to speed up processing times of applications, Veterans Minister ... More >>
New Standards For Nurses Put Patients’ Identity Ahead Of Need
Tuesday, 3 December 2024, 2:40 pm | ACT New Zealand
The role of the Nursing Council is to protect the health and safety of the public and ensure nurses are competent and fit to practise. But new standards of competence set to be implemented on 20 January will veer the nursing profession badly off-track,” ... More >>
Nicola Willis Being Sneaky With New Taxes
Tuesday, 3 December 2024, 1:41 pm | New Zealand Labour Party
Forecasts are worse under Nicola Willis, and the Government deficit has grown by $1.8 billion. Her fiscal mismanagement is taking the books in a downward spiral, Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said. More >>
30 Per Cent Growth In International Visitor Spend
Tuesday, 3 December 2024, 1:14 pm | New Zealand Government
For the year ending September 2024, international visitors spent $11.7 billion in New Zealand, including $1.9 billion in the September 2024 quarter alone. This boost highlights the ongoing recovery of our tourism sector, Tourism and Hospitality Minister ... More >>
Labour Urges ACC To Pull Investments In Israel’s Illegal Settlements
Monday, 2 December 2024, 5:38 pm | New Zealand Labour Party
“The ICJ is the world’s highest court. Its recent advisory opinion declared countries like New Zealand have a legal duty not to aid or assist the settlements,” Labour’s associate foreign affairs spokesperson Phil Twyford said. More >>
Govt Benefit Target Even Further Out Of Reach
Monday, 2 December 2024, 5:30 pm | New Zealand Labour Party
Louise Upston is removing access to hardship assistance payments like food grants, for people who received a non-financial sanction, and access to emergency housing has been made more difficult. Tightening the guidelines and moving the goalposts ... More >>
Govt Continues To Punch Down
Monday, 2 December 2024, 5:27 pm | Green Party
“This shallow, soundbite policy will see poverty continue to proliferate,” says the Green Party’s Social Development Spokesperson, Ricardo Menéndez March. More >>
New Data Shows Fewer Victims Of Violent Crime
Monday, 2 December 2024, 5:25 pm | New Zealand Government
The latest New Zealand Crime and Victims Survey shows there were 14,000 fewer victims of crime nationwide over the 12 months to August 2024, than there were over the 12 months to June 2024, says Hon Paul Goldsmith, Minister of Justice More >>
More Support To Help People On Benefit Into Work
Monday, 2 December 2024, 5:22 pm | New Zealand Government
The changes we’re announcing will ensure those who can work receive the help they need, and we have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support by 2030, says Hon Louise Upston, Minister for Social Development and Employment. More >>
Hon Chris Bishop's Speech To Future Proofing New Zealand: The 2050 Infrastructure Forum
Monday, 2 December 2024, 5:17 pm | New Zealand Government
The real problem is the underlying system settings that lead to poor planning, the selection of unrealistic and unaffordable projects, cost escalation, delays, poor asset management, and other issues. So, let’s work together on getting the fundamentals ... More >>
New Funding And Financing Framework Released
Monday, 2 December 2024, 5:11 pm | New Zealand Government
The Treasury’s new Framework has two objectives - to broaden the funding base for investments and utilise private capital (where efficient), and to apply commercial disciplines to the Crown’s approach to the provision of public capital. More >>
Government Open For Business On Market-led Infrastructure Proposals
Monday, 2 December 2024, 5:07 pm | New Zealand Government
The new guidelines have been developed by the Treasury & focus on three core, related considerations: Public interest, Value for money, Exclusivity. They are part of the govt’s work programme to reform infrastructure funding and financing. More >>
Targets Data Positive But Action Needed On Welfare
Monday, 2 December 2024, 4:17 pm | New Zealand Government
“The Government’s ambitious targets put Kiwis first by driving outcomes that make a difference in the delivery of healthcare, education and law and order,” Mr Luxon says. More >>
Further Evidence To Stop School Lunch Cuts
Monday, 2 December 2024, 1:59 pm | New Zealand Labour Party
The Ministry of Education commissioned report, from a kaupapa Māori perspective, found students were happier, better learners and engaging with tikanga Māori more often. Teachers also reported that feeding kids reduced aggression and improved behaviour. More >>
‘Twelve Days Of Giving’ To Encourage Generosity
Monday, 2 December 2024, 11:17 am | New Zealand Government
“New Zealand is one of the most charitable countries in the world, with an estimated $3.8 billion worth of philanthropic giving each year. This campaign provides an opportunity to showcase the incredible ways Kiwis are making a difference through philanthropy. More >>
Open Work Rights Unlocked For Partners Of Skilled Migrants
Monday, 2 December 2024, 11:12 am | New Zealand Government
“Starting today, the partners of Accredited Employer Work Visa holders in higher-skilled roles will be eligible for open work rights. To attract the best global talent to our country, we need to support their families so they can settle into NZ life,” ... More >>
NZ Welcomes Singapore Food Security Delegation
Monday, 2 December 2024, 11:09 am | New Zealand Government
“The visit will strengthen our trade and investment ties and demonstrate how New Zealand’s world-leading agri-food ecosystem can support Singapore’s long-term food security. More >>
Labour Haven’t Learnt A Single Lesson
Sunday, 1 December 2024, 5:16 pm | New Zealand National Party
Labour’s belief we could tax our way into prosperity is a continuation of the economic illiteracy that delivered high inflation, a shrinking economy and spiralling debt over their time in office, says National’s Finance Spokesperson Nicola Willis. More >>
A Labour Government Will Not Join AUKUS
Sunday, 1 December 2024, 3:31 pm | New Zealand Labour Party
“Our country has a fiercely independent foreign policy, and a Government I lead will not join pillars one or two of AUKUS,” Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. More >>
Rt Hon Chris Hipkins' Speech To Labour Party Conference 2024
Sunday, 1 December 2024, 3:28 pm | New Zealand Labour Party
Our next Labour government will be focussed on getting back to basics. More >>
Labour Will Build Dunedin Hospital
Sunday, 1 December 2024, 3:24 pm | New Zealand Labour Party
National has made up all sorts of numbers, released another report that doesn’t include the numbers it claims, and now won’t budge on its arbitrary figure that will see the hospital downgraded. More >>
Prime Minister Shirks Responsibility On Global Climate Commitment
Sunday, 1 December 2024, 2:56 pm | Green Party
“Climate commitments aren’t numbers on a page to be toyed with at political whim. They’re hard scientific limits, requiring each country to do our bit for a liveable planet,” says Green Party Co-Leader and spokesperson for Climate Change Chlöe ... More >>
Same Old Joyless, Divisive, Envy-based Politics From Labour
Sunday, 1 December 2024, 2:54 pm | ACT New Zealand
Labour’s basic message is that ‘your problems are caused by somebody else’s success. And if you vote for us we’ll take their wealth and give it to you to solve those problems, ACT Leader David Seymour says. More >>
Luxon Folds On ACT’s Treaty Principles Bill
Sunday, 1 December 2024, 2:51 pm | Te Pati Maori
Christopher Luxon’s leadership is a laughing stock. He is gutless and is being dog-walked by his handlers—ACT and New Zealand First, says Te Pāti Māori Co-Leader, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer. More >>
Hon Carmel Sepuloni's Speech To Labour Party Conference 2024
Sunday, 1 December 2024, 2:49 pm | New Zealand Labour Party
Labour must organise, we must build on our solid platform of members – all of you – and build the movement. More >>
Councils Told To Follow Govt’s Lead And Ditch “Progressive” Procurement
Sunday, 1 December 2024, 2:44 pm | ACT New Zealand
Bureaucratic, politically correct procurement rules means reliable contractors are ruled ineligible, or are simply put off by the paperwork. Having an exclusive club of favoured contractors means less competition and worse value for money, says ACT ... More >>
Increased Medicines Access Continues Following Budget Boost
Sunday, 1 December 2024, 2:41 pm | New Zealand Government
We’ve allocated Pharmac its largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, so that it can get on and do its job – negotiating the best deals for medicine for New Zealanders, says Associate Minister of Health Hon David Seymour. More >>
New Infrastructure Agency Up And Running
Sunday, 1 December 2024, 2:38 pm | New Zealand Government
The new agency will be known as National Infrastructure Funding and Financing Limited (NIFFCo), to reflect its important role in infrastructure funding and financing, a crucial element of addressing New Zealand’s longstanding infrastructure deficit. More >>
Mautohe Cathedral Cove Reopens To Walkers
Sunday, 1 December 2024, 2:33 pm | New Zealand Government
Mautohe Cathedral Cove plays an important role in supporting the local economy and this reopening is an exciting step in the region’s tourism recovery following storms and COVID-19. Visitors to the area are predicted to bring an estimated $12 million ... More >>
Minister Congratulates WTO Director-General On A Second Term
Saturday, 30 November 2024, 5:55 pm | New Zealand Government
Hon Todd McClay says he is confident that under her leadership WTO members will be well-placed to make progress on much-needed reform in areas like agricultural trade, in particular the harm that subsidies do to both climate change and world trade, ... More >>
Hon Barbara Edmonds' Speech to Labour Party Conference 2024
Saturday, 30 November 2024, 2:24 pm | New Zealand Labour Party
Now is the time to set the pathway and create the building blocks for what Labour will provide not only in 2026, but in 2060 when the next generation retires. More >>
Labour Party Conference 2024 Opening Address
Friday, 29 November 2024, 6:39 pm | New Zealand Labour Party
This weekend’s conference continues our process of renewal. Let’s dive in, debate, catch up and get ready. It’s less than two years to the election. More >>
Court Of Appeal Ruling: SFO Methods “Overreach, Unlawful, Oppressive”
Friday, 29 November 2024, 5:40 pm | New Zealand First Party
The outcome of this ruling shines a spotlight on the operation of the SFO, its current ongoing investigations, and also questions their methods, authority, and overreach for previous investigations. More >>
Minister Reminds Public Health Officials Of Priorities
Friday, 29 November 2024, 4:35 pm | New Zealand Government
“I am pleased to hear that the National Director of the NPHS has now undertaken to review all potential public submissions from his agency, whether at a national, local or regional level.," Minister of Health Dr Shane Reti says. More >>
NZ Must Immediately Compensate Samoa For Sunken Ship
Friday, 29 November 2024, 4:26 pm | Te Pati Maori
“The findings in today’s interim report warrant immediate environmental and financial intervention to address the impacts caused by the sinking of HMNZS Manawanui,” said Te Pāti Māori Co-Leader and Pacific Peoples Spokesperson, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer. More >>
World Class Visitor Centre For Punakaiki
Friday, 29 November 2024, 1:58 pm | New Zealand Government
This state-of-the-art facility provides visitors to the West Coast with a high-quality experience and helps boost the region’s economy while protecting this special place, Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson says. More >>
Healthy Homes Initiative Improves Health Of More Than 200,000 People
Friday, 29 November 2024, 1:33 pm | New Zealand Government
The Healthy Homes Initiative, led by Health New Zealand, helps families living in cold, damp homes, providing support like education, beds and bedding, curtains, insulation and heating. More >>
