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  • For Budget 2004 commentary, images and much more see... BUDGET 2004 FEATURE PAGE

  • For election 2002 commentary, images and much more see... ELECTION 2002 FEATURE PAGE


    • Mayor And Former Cop Says Hawkins Must Address Police Understaffing Police Minister George Hawkins - North Shore Mayor George Wood is calling for the Minister of Police George Hawkins to recognise that Police in the Auckland region are understaffed and lack the necessary modern equipment to do their job efficiently. "Frontline Police are doing an exceptional job but they need more support."
    See... Police Understaffing A Major Issue

    Has JT Allowed His Speech To Be Censored? - National Party Deputy Leader Gerry Brownlee says the public deserve to know whether troublesome backbench MP John Tamihere has allowed the Prime Minister to vet the speech he's due to deliver tomorrow. See... Who Is Trying To Fool Whom?


    NZ Helped Shape Small Island UN Aid Plan - Action Plan developed for Small Island States New Zealand played a leading role in agreeing a new United Nations action plan on island countries Environment Minister and Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Marian Hobbs said today. See... Action Plan developed for Small Island States

    Secondary School Drop-Outs Increase By 46 Percent - The Labour Government has given up on thousands of young New Zealanders, with new information showing that approvals for children to leave school early have risen 46 percent since 1999, ACT Education spokesman Deborah Coddington revealed today. See... Exemptions balloon under Labour

    NZ/Mexico Trade Restrictions Eased - New Zealand and Mexico will benefit from unilateral tariff reductions in Mexico, Trade Negotiations Minister Jim Sutton said today. See... Mexican tariff reductions benefit NZ and Mexico

    Nats Say Govt Must Improve Acute Health Performance - The Government is still doing little to improve the performance of its consistently poor performing Accident and Emergency departments, says National Party Health spokeswoman Judith Collins. See... Govt Still Ignoring Poor A&E Performance

    United Highlights Rotten Teeth Epidemic - New Zealand is going into an election year with children with rotting teeth from a lack of dental care, undiagnosed vision and hearing problems from an inadequate school testing regime, third world illnesses and burgeoning obesity and diabetic ... See... Turner: Children's Health Neglected By Govt

    Money Does Not Match Rhetoric On Skills Training: Nats - The Labour Government has failed to put its money where its mouth is when it comes to skills training, says National Party Education spokesman Bill English. See... Labour In Disarray Over Skills Training

    Family Court Judges Should Beware Of Media Say Nats - Family Court judges should be careful about releasing information to the media to justify their own actions, says National Party Family spokeswoman Judith Collins. See... Care of Children Act changes fall short

    Nats Say Axing Chopper A Disgrace While ACC Rolls In Loot - National MP Simon Power says it is a scandal that ACC is considering axing Palmerston North’s rescue helicopter while sitting on investments worth billions of dollars and making hundreds of millions of dollars profit each year. See... ACC has billions, considers cutting rescue chopper

    Is The Race-Relations Minister Weaselling? - ACT Maori Affairs spokesman Stephen Franks today warned that Trevor Mallard's reports on his own performance as Race Relations Minister should be studied for signs of weaseling out of the assurance given in panic last year that the Government would ... See... Govt commitment to ending race privilege doubtful

    McDonald's Leads Child Food Awards Shortlist - McDonald's has emerged as a leading contender in the second New Zealand Children's Food Awards, whose shortlist was announced at a ceremony at Parliament this afternoon. See... McDonald's dominates NZ Children's Food Awards

    Greens Will Attend Ratana And Makaawhio Events - Green Party Maori Affairs Spokesperson Metiria Turei will be attending two significant events for tangata whenua early next week. See... Media Advisory: Metiria at Makaawhio and Ratana

    Dunne Says United Will Remain Family Focused - United Future leader Peter Dunne told Eastern Hutt Rotarians tonight that United Future’s total focus this election year would be on promoting policies to strengthen New Zealand families. See... Dunne on 2005: It’s the family, stupid!

    Schools Under Staffed - Govt Says 05 Is Not So Bad - More teachers and better incentives mean teacher vacancies lowest for several years More teachers and Government action to retain teachers in the profession mean schools head into 2005 with the lowest number of teacher vacancies in recent years, says Benson-Pope. See... Teacher vacancies lowest for several years
    ALSO:
    - Govt - Fact sheet: Teacher supply initiatives
    - Nats - Export education collapse cuts teacher shortage
    - ACT - No Teachers: Crisis, what crisis?

    Green Co-Leader Maps Out Election Year Platform - For political leaders, it is traditionally a time to talk about the State of the Nation. However, for the Greens, that is not enough. Everything we know about the world today - whether ecological, sociological, or economic - tells us that humanity survives, thrives, or subsides depending on the nature and quality of our interconnections. If we are to cope with looming threats, and build a better future for our children, we must talk about the state of the planet. See... Jeanette Fitzsimons: “Picnic for the Planet 2005”

    NZ's Most Indebted Student Owes Nearly A Quarter Million - The highest loan balance for a single student is $230,810, ACT Education spokesman Deborah Coddington revealed today. See... Students rack up huge debts

    Tamihere Asked To Give Up His Landcruiser - “Labour MP John Tamihere should do the right thing and return the Toyota Landcruiser that was paid for by the disadvantaged constituents he claims to represent,” says National Party Deputy Leader Gerry Brownlee. See... Tamihere should give back his wheels

    Preventative Detention On The Up And Up - Reform of preventive detention under the Sentencing Act 2002 has resulted in a dramatic increase in its use, Justice Minister Phil Goff said today. See... Reforms send use of preventive detention soaring

    Muriel Newman Has Been Thinking About Welfare - As we look ahead to the election, we are reminded that politics is a contest of ideas. Once every three years - with their party vote - New Zealanders have the chance to support the political party that best champions their views and addresses their ... See... Newman Floats Fresh Ideas For Welfare Reform

    NZ First On The Impending Ruapehu Lahar - New Zealand First is calling on the Ministers of Internal Affairs and Conservation to explain exactly how they have addressed concerns for human safety and infrastructural risk in the Ruapehu district, because of the dangerously high level of the crater lake. See... Risk Of Disaster From Ruapehu Lake - NZ First
    MORE:
    - Govt - Power Wrong Again: Lahar Safety Measures in place
    - National - Govt must guarantee safety from lahar

    Mallard Launches A Giant Step Forward For The Toddlers Of NZ - The most significant early childhood curriculum resource developed since Te Whâriki was launched today at Waikato University by Education Minister Trevor Mallard. See... Leading early childhood resource launched

    A Stitchbird On Tiritiri Matangi Saves More Than Nine - A plan to help save the endangered stitchbird was launched today by Prime Minister Helen Clark and Conservation Minister Chris Carter on Tiritiri Matangi Island. This island sanctuary is one of the few places where the stitchbird can be seen. See... A stitch in time for endangered bird

    NZ Backs UN Ban On Arm Sales To Sudan - New Zealand regulations implementing United Nations arms sanctions against militia groups in Darfur, Sudan, became law today, says Foreign Minister Phil Goff. See... NZ supports UN Sudan arms ban

    Nats Say Govt Negligent In Retrieving Ex-Pat Child Support - National Party Welfare spokeswoman Katherine Rich has released figures that make a mockery of the Government’s explanation and its excuses for failing to collect unpaid child support from liable parents in Australia. See... Labour must explain dodgy Aussie numbers

    Greens Call For Ceasefire In Aceh So Tsunami Aid Can Get In - The Greens are calling for New Zealand to add its voice to calls for a durable ceasefire in Aceh to allow aid for tsunami victims to flow freely. See... NZ should join call for Aceh ceasefire to help aid

    Spy Protest In Wellington This Year - At Easter - The Anti-Bases Campaign (ABC) is doing something a little different after many years of protests at the Waihopai spybase, in Marlborough. We have decided to focus attention instead on Wellington. Why? See... Weekend Of Protest Against Spies And Spybases

    Te Mangoroa Organising Hikoi Ti Highlight Disgust Over Foreshore Seabed Law - Christchurch based “Te Mangoroa” are organising a hikoi through the Christchurch Central Business District to signal their disgust on the day the Seabed and Foreshore legislation comes into effect. See... Te Mangoroa Hikoi against Seabed and Foreshore

    Tamaki To Speak At Martin Luther King Commemoration - Pastor Brian Tamaki, the Senior Minister of Destiny Churches New Zealand, has been invited to appear in a 2 hour commemoration of Dr Martin Luther King Jr. on TBN (Trinity Broadcasting Network), the world’s largest religious network and America’s most watched ... See... Brian Tamaki Guest Luther King Commemoration

    Police Response Time Compromised Due To Poor Resources - "The police are massively under-staffed and under-resourced," said ACT Deputy Leader and Police spokesman Dr Muriel Newman today. See... Police under-staffed & under-resourced

    Greens Say Waikato Landfill Fine "Peanuts" - Green MP Mike Ward says the “peanuts” fine imposed on a Waikato landfill operator should be a wake up-call that more robust waste management laws are needed to tackle a mounting pollution crisis. See... “Peanuts” dump fine shows waste laws are rubbish

    National's Patriotism Regarding Conservation Questioned By Carter - Conservation Minister Chris Carter has expressed his disappointment at the National Party's opposition to further world heritage sites being established in New Zealand.. See…Power's view on World Heritage "disappointing"

    Minister wants To See How Police Can Get Speedier - "Police figures showing that average response times to Priority One events in urban areas are two minutes slower than target times confirm the need for the Communications Centre review," Police Minister George Hawkins said today. See... Figures disclose need for further scrutiny

    Debt Shirkers Diatribe From Katherine Rich Derided - Associate Revenue Minister David Cunliffe today attacked National's belated and ill informed comments on child support collection in Australia. See…Public deserve better from Katherine Rich

    Labour Slams National's Labour Policies - National's latest ramblings on the Holidays Act show that they still do not have a clue about this important issue. National's "sort of" labour policy is a farce

    Government Committed To Protecting Fisheries - A 40% increase in the number of Fisheries compliance staff since Labour became Government, with future growth already signalled, shows the Government's commitment to protecting our fisheries. See…Minister slams National's ignorance

    Alexander Continues Castration Campaign - "A monthly dose of Triptorelin for Lloyd McIntosh could do more to keep his predatory instincts at bay than just surrounding him with expensive minders," said United Future Law & Order spokesman Marc Alexander. See... Alexander: An argument for chemical castration
    MORE:
    -National - Minister must release McIntosh advice

    Brash Concerned By Kiwi Economy - Despite favourable economic conditions, New Zealand's economic position is not improving relative to other countries, says National Party Leader Don Brash. See... Report confirms poor economic position

    Patients Forced To be Patient In Auckland - Patients are waiting too long for after-hours healthcare in Auckland this summer, says National Party Health spokeswoman, Judith Collins. See…Single economic market a step closer

    Unkindest Cut Advocated By United Future For Sex Offenders - New Zealand should be looking at chemical castration for the likes of sex offender Lloyd McIntosh rather than getting into lather about cost-cutting on round-the-clock supervision, United Future's Marc Alexander said today. See... Chemical castration kindest cut of all for society
    MORE:
    - Govt - McIntosh remains under 24-7 supervision
    -National - McIntosh supervision cut irresponsible

    Bill English Attacks Community Education And Golf - The Government spent more on community education courses like twilight golf last year than it is prepared to put into trade training, according to official figures released today by National Party Education spokesman Bill English.
    See…Govt prefers twilight golf to skills training

    Disabled Cantabrian Cannabis Users Release Welcomed By Greens - Green MP Nandor Tanczos is celebrating the release from prison today of Neville Yates, the wheelchair-bound Christchurch man imprisoned in November for growing marijuana to ease chronic pain. See…Nandor celebrates release of Neville Yates

    National's Conservation Spokesperson Wants Heritage Sites Decided By Foreigners - National's Conservation spokesman Simon Power says the Department of Conservation should focus on protecting our endangered flora and fauna and leave world heritage sites up to the experts. See… Is DoC up to it?

    Outdoor Enthusiasts Welcome New Fishing Regulations - United Future and its affiliated party, Outdoor Recreation New Zealand, today welcomed new Government initiatives that will see recreational fishers have greater input into fisheries decision-making. Fisheries moves welcomed
    MORE:
    - Govt - Recreational fishers to get new voice in fisheries

    Penny Pinching parents Leave Kids In Lurch - Child support debt has more than doubled under the Labour Government, according to figures released today by National Party Welfare spokeswoman Katherine Rich. See…Child support debt 'out of control'

    Sackings Demanded Over Inmates Home Brew Shenanigans - New Zealand First has called on the Corrections Minister to explain how inmates at a Hawkes Bay prison held a party and got drunk on home brew. See... Heads Should Roll At Prison Booze Barn

    Five Years Of Labour Government Blamed For 30 Years Of Welfare Benefits - Labour's `soft on welfare' policies are nowhere more evident than the huge increase in the number of people on the DPB who have been on that or other benefits for over 30 years, ACT New Zealand Social Services spokesman Dr Muriel Newman said today. See…DPB lifestyle for some lasts decades

    Marc Alexander Fires Broadside At Holidays Act While On Holiday - “The government’s ‘generosity’ in ramming an extra weeks holiday on employers and employees alike are being paid for by an extra week of work to pay the tax,” said United Future spokesman Marc Alexander. See…Alexander: One more week’s holiday? Yeah right!

    NZ First Rally To Rescue Choppers Defence - New Zealand First has called on the ACC minister to stop the Accident Compensation Corporation going ahead with short sighted proposals to reduce the number of helicopter services it funds for attending accidents. See…Keep The Accident Helicopters Says NZ First

    Newman Advocates Pecuniary Punishment For Tight Lipped Mums - ACT Deputy Leader and Social Services spokesman Dr Muriel Newman today released figures showing the level of state-sanctioned `fatherless' has increased by more than 26 percent under Labour. ..See... DPB kids without named father soar

    Minister Ponders Possible Heritage Havens - Napier's art deco historic precinct and Farewell Spit are on a list of six new places around New Zealand suggested as possible new World Heritage sites, Conservation Minister Chris Carter announced today. See... Six new World Heritage sites proposed in NZ

    NZ First Says National And Labour Govt's Covered Up Agent Orange - New Zealand First says the latest revelations in the agent orange saga show that successive National and Labour governments have kept passing the buck over the shabby treatment of Vietnam veterans. See... Agent Orange Denials Exposed By MP – NZ First
    ALSO:
    - Nats - Brownlee Says Govt hides NZ link to Agent Orange

    Goff Comments On Palestinian Elections - Foreign Minister Phil Goff today welcomed the successful completion of the Palestinian Authority's Presidential election but warned the election was only one step towards a lasting resolution of the Arab-Israel conflict. See... Goff welcomes successful Palestinian election

    Ryall Flays Flawed Legislation Passed Under Shipley Led National Government - Ahmed Zaoui might be out of prison and out of the spotlight but his legal bills and cost to the taxpayer continue to grow, says National's Immigration spokesman, Tony Ryall. See... Still no end in sight to Zaoui bills

    NZ First Wants Agent Orange Documents In Public Domain - New Zealand First has called on the Government to release all official documents relating to the export of Ivor Watkins Dow chemicals that could have been used to manufacture the defoliant agent orange. See... NZ First Calls For Release Of Chemical Documents

    Barnett Responds To Prostitution Legislation Petition - Tim Barnett MP, sponsor of the Prostitution Reform Bill which became law in 2003, has responded to the failure of the petition to
    instigate a Citizens Initiated Referendum to repeal the law: See... Tim Barnett : Prostitution Law Petition
    MORE:
    - United Future - Prostitution reform petition falls short

    Key Attacks Rising Employment Numbers In Public Service - National's Finance spokesman, John Key, says New Zealanders returning to work this week will be disturbed to learn that they will have to work what amounts to almost an extra week this year to meet the cost of a growing bureaucracy. See... NZers work harder to keep state sector going

    English Offers Sage Educational Advice To Nations Youth - School leavers receiving their final NCEA results this week need to think carefully about their options for tertiary study, says National's Education spokesman, Bill English. English urges school leavers to choose wisely

    Coddington Discovers Student Debt Is Quite Large - The average student loan debt has skyrocketed by 22 percent since Labour came to power, ACT Education spokesman Deborah Coddington revealed today. See... Average student loan debt skyrockets

    NZ Air Force Planes Fail To Live Up to Mythical Namesakes Prowess - Two breakdowns in one week for our Hercules helping in tsunami-wracked Indonesia shows the parlous state of New Zealand's Air Force, says National duty MP Nick Smith. See... Another breakdown shows state of Air Force

    Rodney Hide Finds 'Secret Papers' Through Using The OIA - Secret Treasury papers obtained by ACT under the Official Information Act show that the Finance Minister is considering a tax cut for companies but not for workers, claims ACT Leader Rodney Hide. See... Labour's tax plans leave workers out in the cold

    Alexander Advocates New York Style Solution For Court Backlog - "The increasing delays in high court trials, and the huge backlog of cases yet to see the inside of a courtroom is unfair to victims and the falsely accused," said United Future Law & Order spokesman Marc Alexander. See... Its time to consider judge only night courts!

    Newman Surprised By CYFS Workload - “It is staggering that over 5,000 young New Zealanders are now under the care of Child Youth and Family and the Government has no intention to turn around the growing numbers,” ACT Deputy Leader and Social Services spokesman Dr Muriel Newman said today. See... Too many under CYF care and in residence

    ACT Defends Right Of Farmers To Impede Outdoor Recreational Activities - “A Herald-DigiPoll survey out this week showing nine out of 10 New Zealanders against giving people the automatic right to roam confirms the public hasn’t got a problem with farmers’ long-standing exclusive use land rights,” ACT Rural Affairs spokesman. See... Labour’s rural candidates set for a roasting

    PM Announces Increase In Aid For Tsunami Victims - Prime Minister Helen Clark said today that the government is lifting New Zealand's contribution to immediate humanitarian relief for tsunami-stricken parts of Asia: "The immediate task facing the international community right now is addressing the urgent humanitarian crisis," she said.
    See... Tsunami: New Zealand increases support

    CPAG Says New Social Policy Chilling For Most Vulnerable Children - The Social Development Ministry has just released its social policy blueprint for the next three to five years, "Opportunities for All New Zealanders" But Child Poverty Action Group believes this catalogue of classical Third Way social policy offers a pretty crisp, if not downright chilly New Year’s outlook for New Zealand’s most vulnerable children. See... Social Policy for an Inclusive New Year?

    Spare The Rod And Spoil The Young Offenders…With Ghetto Blasters! - National's Law and Order spokesman, Tony Ryall, says the prison service is sending the wrong message to young people by providing televisions and stereos to young offenders in Waikeria Prison's Youth Unit. See... Govt sends bad message to good kids

    Hide Attacks Money Going To Multi National Companies - The highly controversial $1.5 million government grant to multi-national EDS (Electronic Data Services) not only went against the advice of Ministry of Economic Development officials, Jim Anderton went on to ignore a ruling by the Office of the Auditor General. See... Anderton thumbs his nose at Auditor General

    NZ First Calls For Mechanical Intervention To World Heritage Site - New Zealand First has asked the Ministers of Internal Affairs and Conservation to urgently consider adopting interventionist strategies on the Ruapehu crater lake to minimise the risk to surrounding areas. See... Ruapehu Lake Intervention Needed More Than Ever

    United Future MP Foretold Effects of Building Legislation - News that more and more private building certifiers are likely to collapse this year because of tougher requirements under the new Building Act have come as no surprise to United Future MP, Murray Smith. See... Certifiers’ collapse no surprise to Smith

    Newman Sickened By Welfare Benefit Numbers - ACT Deputy Leader and Social Services spokesman Dr Muriel Newman today released figures showing the numbers receiving a sickness benefit have accelerated dramatically under Labour. See... Sickness benefits out of control

    Public Gets Behind Plans To Cut Road Carnage - United Future deputy leader Judy Turner today welcomed indications that the public is getting behind efforts to cut the road toll. See... Turner welcomes road toll moves

    Simon Power Hi-Lights Potential Helicopter Loss - Rangitikei MP, Simon Power, deplores the potential loss of the rural rescue helicopter from the Manawatu – Rangitikei region. See... MP says loss of rural helicopter is unacceptable

    Nats Insist Maori Blocking Nelson/Marlborough Foreshore - Nelson MP Nick Smith says hundreds of boat-owners will be angry and disappointed that Maori today blocked access to the safest launching site between Nelson and the Marlborough Sounds. See… Iwi blocks access to foreshore

    Dunne Issues His Worst Behaved Politician 04 List - Peter DunneUnited Future leader and Ohariu-Belmont MP, Peter Dunne, today released his annual list of Parliament’s worst-behaved MP’s for 2004. National’s Nick Smith heads the pack this year on 22 points, being required to withdraw and apologise 10 times, and being expelled from the House 4 times. See... The worst-behaved MP’s of 2004

    Franks Ecstatic At Insider Trading Decision - ACT Justice spokesman Stephen Franks today congratulated the Securities Commission and Michael Beard for settling the TranzRail insider trading prosecution of Mr Beard. See... Congratulations to Securities Commission

    English Keeps Heat On Polytech's Poor Performance - Christchurch Polytech's half-hearted, long-awaited evaluation of the COOL-IT fiasco shows just how low standards in the tertiary education sector have dropped, says National's Education spokesman, Bill English. See... Education standards reach new low

    More Money For Pilot Sexual Abuse Program - ACC Minister Ruth Dyson today welcomed a $200,000 contract between ACC and the Auckland Sexual Abuse HELP Foundation for a one-year ‘pilot’ approach to services targeting sexual abuse. See... Government supports HELP sexual abuse service

    Foreshore And Seabed Legislation About To Be Tested - Nelson MP Nick Smith says hundreds of boat-owners will be angry and disappointed that Maori today blocked access to the safest launching site between Nelson and the Marlborough Sounds. See... Iwi blocks access to foreshore

    McCully Wants Access To MTS People Meter Figures - National Party MP Murray McCully says the Minister of Maori Affairs must make the real viewing figures available for the Maori Television Service. See... Give Us The Real Figures On Maori TV

    NZ Faces Gumming Down Of Health Care - New Zealand First spokesperson for health Barbara Stewart is criticising the Government for not acting sooner to rescue our failing school dental service. See... New Zealand Becoming A Toothless Nation

    Govt Announces New Animal Welfare Codes - The codes, for pigs and for layer hens, come into force on 1 January 2005. Mr Sutton said the codes covered all types of pig production (indoor and outdoor) and all types of egg production (caged, barn, and free range). The pig and layer hen codes are the last of the six previous codes carried over from the previous animal welfare legislation. See... Codes of welfare for pigs and layer hens published
    ALSO:
    - Greens - Govt sentences millions of animals to misery
    - Pork Industry - Pork Industry welcomes Code of Welfare
    - Egg Producers - Egg Producers Support Welfare Code
    - SAFE - Minister challenged over codes
    - CAFF - Hens Await Their Fate

    Govt. Decides Ethos Of Queens Chain Requires Extension -The Government has decided to embrace the Queen's Chain ethos, which would see walking access would be extended along water ways with access value throughout the country, Rural Affairs Minister Jim Sutton said today. See... Government response to Acland Report issued
    MORE:
    - Govt - Cabinet paper on walking access
    - ACT - Labour doesn't respect property rights
    - National - Con job on land access doesn't wash
    - Greens - Greens celebrate public access strategy
    - Federated Farmers - Government Listens With One Ear

    Brash Wants CIR To Comment On Tamihere - National Party Leader Don Brash says the Commissioner of Inland Revenue needs to explain immediately whether or not John Tamihere's actions over his tax payments are acceptable. See... IRD must clarify Tamihere’s tax actions
    EARLIER:
    - Tamihere - White Report Clears Tamihere and Key Findings In Report Of Douglas White QC
    - Scoop - 2 Extracts From The Douglas White Tamihere Report
    - Images - PM's Standup For John Tamihere
    - Don Brash - IRD must clarify Tamihere’s tax actions
    - National - National awaits SFO report on Tamihere
    - ACT - Tamihere Cleared? Yeah Right!

    NZ First Wants Ruapehu's Crater Blown Up - New Zealand First has asked the Ministers of Internal Affairs and Conservation to urgently consider adopting interventionist strategies on the Ruapehu crater lake to minimise the risk to surrounding areas. See... Intervene Over Ruapehu Lake - NZ First

    Legal Opinions On Toxic Suburbia Released - The Ministry for the Environment has released legal opinions that Environment Minister Marian Hobbs says will clarify what should be included on the Land Information Memorandums of property formerly used for horticulture. See... MfE releases legal opinions

    Maori TV Tuned Into By 667,000 Viewers - Minister of Maori Affairs, Parekura Horomia is absolutely delighted with the latest ratings that show that more than 667,000 viewers tuned in to watch Maori Television, the channel many said would never rate, in the 12 weeks to 5 December. See... Maori Television ends 2004 on a high - ka pai

    Australian Policeman Killed In Solomons - Foreign Minister Phil Goff says he deplores the killing of an Australian police officer in the Solomon Islands this morning, and has expressed his condolences to the Australian government and the family of the young man. See... Goff deplores killing of policeman in Solomons

    Pukerua Bay Fishing Closure Extended For Two Years - Fisheries Minister David Benson-Pope has extended a closure of Pukerua Bay to fishing for another two years to allow for further rebuilding of the fishery. See... Fishery given further chance to rebuild

    John Key Points The Borax On Express Couriers Sale - "Paul Swain's made an unpromising start to his career as the Minister for State Owned Enterprises, after ducking responsibility for a backroom asset sale done in secret," says National Party Finance spokesman John Key. See... The buck stops with the minister on asset sale

    Williamson Concerned At Killer State Highway - Government interference and a lack of funding means that much-needed improvements to State Highway 2 haven’t even been started, says National’s Transport spokesman, Maurice Williamson. See... Urgent action needed on killer road

    Cullen Crows About 20% Growth In Five Years - “Strong growth of 0.6 per cent in the September GDP data means that the economy has grown almost 20 per cent in the last five years,” Finance Minister Michael Cullen said today. See... Cullen on GDP result

    Minimum Wage Increased By 5.6% - The minimum wage will increase from $9 to $9.50 per hour from 21 March 2005, Labour Minister Paul Swain announced today. See... Minimum wage increased
    REACTION:
    - Greens - New minimum wage rise far too little - Bradford

    Another CEG Audit Proves Rich Right Again - "Another audit report and another damning indictment on Labour's approach to spending taxpayer money," says Katherine Rich, commenting on the release late today of an audit report into a CEG grant to Te Hiku TV in Northland. See... More taxpayer money wasted in CEG lolly scramble

    Wairoa Film Festival Gets $$$ - "An indigenous film festival that is up with the world's best" - that's the ambition of the Wairoa Maori Film Festival Society. The Government is going to help Wairoa achieve this with funding of $80,000. See... Film festival gets full support from government

    NZ First Decides Not To STV For Local Body Chaos - New Zealand First says that the STV voting system was not the cause of the problems that plagued the local body elections in October. See... STV Is Not The Problem
    Scoop Report: Prime Minister Details A Centralised Intelligence Bureau - "Sometime later today or tomorrow the annual report of the Security Intelligence Service will be tabled in Parliament and you will find a reference in it to a combined 'Threat Assessment Group' which is being housed within the Security Intelligence Service. It [the Threat Assessment Group] is bringing together officials from across a number of agencies – Police, the Defence Force, The Government Communications Security Bureau and the SIS itself. See... PM's Post Cabinet Press Conference Dec 20
    ALSO:
    - Greens - Kiwis should be sceptical Re: SIS terrorism claims

    Survey Reveals Confidence In NCEA Dented - Publicity surrounding Cambridge High School has dented confidence in NCEA, according to the latest AC Nielsen survey (November 2004) commissioned by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority. However, the survey shows that those with direct experience with the system ... See... Mixed Results from NCEA Survey
    ALSO:
    - QPEC - NCEA Confidence Crisis Challenge for New Minister
    - Nats - English: It's time to listen to parents
    - United Future - Standards must be upheld if NCEA is to stay
    - ACT - NCEA dissatisfaction highlights need for choice

    Current Account Deficit Increases By $1.1billion - The seasonally adjusted Balance of Payments current account deficit was $3,089 million in the September 2004 quarter, according to Statistics New Zealand. The deficit increased $1,109 million from the June 2004 quarter to the September 2004 quarter… See... Current Account Deficit Continues to Widen

    PM Announces Cabinet Reshuffle - Rt. Hon Helen Clark 20 December 2004 Changes to Cabinet portfolios Prime Minister Helen Clark today announced changes to ministerial portfolio allocations affecting all but four Cabinet ministers. See... Changes to Cabinet portfolios and Ministerial List 20th December 2004
    REACTION:
    - Scoop - NEWSFLASH: Cabinet Reshuffle Main Changes
    - National - More of the same from the same 'tired old faces'
    - NZ First - Same Old Faces, Faded Labels - Peters
    - National - Families will be horrified
    - ACT - Shuffling the same sheep solves nothing
    - ACT - No real lawyers, says Franks
    - Progressives - Progressive leader comments on responsibilities
    - NZ First - A Black Mark On Treaty Negotiations

    ACT Wants Inquiry Into Youngster's Death - ACT Deputy Leader and Social Services spokesman Dr Muriel Newman today wrote to the Prime Minister calling for an independent inquiry into the tragic death of young Otis Auelua. See... Newman Calls For Independent Inquiry

    Greens Disappointed Over Govt's Corngate Response - The Green Party is deeply disappointed by the Government's lacklustre response to recommendations set down by the "Corngate" Select Committee inquiry. See... Government fudges response to "Corngate" inquiry
    ALSO: The government's formal response to the report of the Local Government and Environment Select Committee inquiry into the alleged accidental release of genetically modified corn has been presented to Parliament, Environment Minister Marian Hobbs, announced ...See... Government response to select committee inquiry

    Student Loan Repayment Thresholds Tweaked - Income thresholds for student loan repayments and interest write-offs will rise from 1 April next year, Associate Education (Tertiary Education) Minister Steve Maharey and Associate Revenue Minister David Cunliffe announced today. See... Student loan repayments thresholds to rise

    $18 Million Health Boost Small Step In Right Direction - The granting of $18 million extra to district health boards to help ease immediate funding pressures is a small step in the right direction says New Zealand First health spokesperson for the elderly Barbara Stewart. See... Funding Increase Small Step In Right Direction

    Nats Push For King To Be Accountable - The Health and Independence Report released today shows that Health Minister Annette King should have been fired in today's Cabinet reshuffle, says National Party Health spokeswoman, Judith Collins. See... Report shows Minister should have been fired
    ALSO: Most NZers pay more to see the doctor

    Drug Wastage A Key To Health System Efficiency - By turning a blind eye to drug wastage, the Government is throwing millions of health dollars away, says National’s Associate Health spokesman, Dr Paul Hutchison. See... Govt turns blind eye to drug wastage

    Maharey Announces New Research Funding - New funding to strengthen areas of university research that are important to New Zealand's society and economy was announced today by Associate Minister of Education (Tertiary Education) Steve Maharey. See... New funding to strengthen key areas of research

    Nats Hint That Trickle-Down Theory Not Working - "It is extraordinary that our current account position is so bad when New Zealand commodity prices and the terms of trade are so high," says National Party Finance spokesman John Key, commenting on the current account deficit reaching 5.8% of GDP. See... Balance of Payments similar to Asian crisis period

    Immigration Gains Require Discipline Says Ryall - New Zealand needs a more disciplined approach to immigration if we are to get more skilled people contributing to our country’s future, says National’s Immigration spokesman, Tony Ryall. See... Skilled migration in crisis

    Text Released On NZ/Thailand CEP - The Government today published the text of the Closer Economic Partnership Agreement between New Zealand and Thailand. See... Release of NZ-Thai CEP Agreement Texts

    Is Govt Planning To Sell NZ Post Couriers? - “Labour must explain why it won’t tell the public the terms of a significant asset sale which will see New Zealand Post-owned Express Couriers sold to a German company,” says National Party Finance spokesman John Key. See... Labour must come clean on secret asset sale

    Hobbs Wants Wellington's Trolley Buses To Stay - Wellington Central MP and Environment Minister, Marian Hobbs, has expressed concern to Transport Minister Pete Hodgson that Wellington's new trolley buses may be under threat from public funder Land Transport New Zealand. See... Marian Hobbs backs retention of trolley buses

    ACT Posts Its Letter - 20 December 2004 Parliament finished the year with its traditional bout of urgency as the government passed the Aquaculture Bill, which gives 20% of all marine farms to Maori, and seven new bills, none of which were controversial. Labour's election See... ACT's The Letter

    Brash Says Crown Has Paid For Lakes Twice - National Party Leader Don Brash has released the details of a letter which proves the 13 Rotorua lakes being signed over to local Maori were legitimately sold to the Crown in 1922. See... A deal’s a deal – except with Labour
    ALSO: Te Arawa lakes Deed of Settlement signed

    PM Announces New Super Spook Agency - Prime Minister Helen Clark says a combined threat assessment group, CTAG, has been established to strengthen New Zealand’s threat assessment capabilities. See... Threat assessment group established

    Expelled PNG Logger Involved In Coromandel Forestry - Green Party Conservation Spokesperson Jeanette Fitzsimons is warning that the owner of LumberBank, the timber importer expelled from the New Zealand Timber Importers Association for illegally logging Papua New Guinea forests, is actively involved in forestry in the Coromandel. See... Illegal logger active on Coromandel

    Cabinet Reshuffle Upstages Heartland - ACT Rural Affairs spokesman Gerry Eckhoff today said rural New Zealand deserved better than to have its future discussed at the tail end of a Cabinet end-of-year wrap-up. See... NZ's backbone deserves better

    New Money For Residential Care Warmly Welcomed - The government has given district health boards an additional $18m to fund residential care for older people, Associate Health Minister Ruth Dyson said today. See... Government increases aged care funding
    MORE:

    Nuked Mangoes Arriving At A Store Near You - The Green Party has learned that the first container load of irradiated mangoes, zapped with the equivalent of three million chest x-rays, were air freighted to New Zealand over the weekend. See... Nuked mangoes arrive in New Zealand

    Te Roroa Treaty Agreement Signed - Te Roroa and the Crown agreed in principle today to a redress package settling all of Te Roroa’s historical Treaty of Waitangi claims, Treaty Negotiations Minister Margaret Wilson said today. See... Te Roroa Agreement in Principle signed

    Ron Mark Wants Crossbow's Regulated Like Firearms - New Zealand law and order spokesperson Ron Mark today called for an urgent law change to bring crossbow ownership under the same regulations as firearms. See... Control Needed On Crossbows

    At Risk Education Programme Funding Announced - Education Minister Trevor Mallard today announced the six schools that will run trial innovative programmes in 2005 to improve educational outcomes for students at risk. See... Innovative programmes for at risk students

    Police Assoc. Make Submission To Communications Review - Police Minister George Hawkins welcomed news today that the Police Association had finally made a submission to the independent review of police communications centres. See... Minister confident Police will make submissions

    NZ And Australia Sign Emissions/Border Deals - The governments of New Zealand and Austria have signed a co-operation arrangement on the implementation of emission reduction projects and for the trading of Kyoto Protocol emissions units. See... Emissions deal signed with Austria and NZ, Australia sign border security arrangement

    Energy Efficiency Progress Slow But Steady - The second year results for the National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy (NEECS) are released today. See... Steady progress on energy targets

    Drug Education And Research Funding Announced - Six projects relating to drug education and research are to receive funding from the recently-established National Drug Policy Discretionary Fund, says Associate Health Minister Jim Anderton. See... New drug education, research receive funding

    Speculating On Monday's Expected Cabinet Reshuffle - National Party Welfare spokeswoman Katherine Rich is urging the person who'll be named to replace Steve Maharey as Social Development Minister on Monday, to campaign against the weasel words infecting the department's reports. See... Meaningless jibber jabber infects ministry
    MORE:
    - Gerry Eckhoff - Farmers watching Cabinet reshuffle closely

    Fair Pay Breakthrough For Nurses Announced - A proposed settlement has been reached between the New Zealand Nurses Organisation and the country’s 21 District Health Boards of nurses’ and midwives’ fair pay and safe staffing claim. See... Historic Fair Pay Settlement For Nurses & Midwives
    ALSO:
    - Greens - Don't forget pay rise for rest home nurses
    - DHBs - A Happy Christmas For Nurses and Midwives
    - CTU - Watershed Pay Deal Recognises True Value of Nurses
    - PSA - Nurses settlement puts pressure on pay
    - Senior Doctors - “Senior doctors congratulate nurses”
    - Private Hospitals - Pay Settlement Signals Sea Change In Funding
    - Residential Care NZ - Pay Increase Will Deepen Crisis in Elderly Care

    State Service's Investigation Into Emergency Response Unit Released - Corrections Minister Paul Swain today welcomed the release of the State Services Commissioner's report into the Corrections Department's Canterbury Emergency Response Unit (CERU). See... Swain welcomes inquiry report
    ALSO:
    - State Services Com - Canterbury Emergency Response Unit Report Released
    - United - Alexander: Lovely report, but whodunnit???
    - NZ First - Corrections Responsible For ERU Disaster

    First Fruits Of Needs Based Policy Review Welcomed - “The government decision to remove the ethnicity component from the formula for calculating school decile levels is sensible,” says New Zealand First spokesperson Brian Donnelly. See... Removing Ethnicity Component A Sensible Move
    MORE:
    - ACT - Education race-based funding alive & well

    Why Are We Waiting For The White (Tamihere) Report? - ACT Leader Rodney Hide today accused the Government of delay over Douglas White's investigation into former Minister John Tamihere's failure to pay tax on his $195,000 "koha" payment from the Waipareira Trust and his election expenses return. See... Where's the White report?

    Kiwi SAS Member Receives US Govt. Award - The Government seems to be embarrassed by George Bush’s award to the New Zealand SAS, says Green MP Keith Locke. See... Govt embarrassed by Bush’s award to SAS and GPJA… Citation of Shame for New Zealand

    Political Columns: Xmas Greetings & Commiserations - Time to remind ourselves of key Progressive achievements in this year. Two Budget gems to start: See... robson-on-politics Xmas 2004 Edition
    MORE COLUMNS:
    - Labour Party - Beehive Bulletin Fri, 17 Dec 2004
    - Marc Alexander - Marc My Words: Seeing The Stars In Sorrow

    Locke: NZ Should Back Protest Of Australia's Maritime Expansion - Green Party Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Keith Locke is calling for the Government to back Indonesia's protest against Australia's provocative proclamation of a 1000-mile maritime security zone. See... Protest against Howard's illegal zone

    Judy Turner Becomes Deputy Leader Of United Future - United Future leader, Peter Dunne, has announced that the party’s caucus had met earlier today and elected Whakatane-based MP, Judy Turner, unopposed as the party’s deputy leader. See... United Future elects deputy leader

    Looking After Our Four Legged, Simian & Beaked Friends - Two new codes of welfare under the Animal Welfare Act 1999 have been issued, Agriculture Minister Jim Sutton said today. See... Codes of welfare for zoos and circuses published

    Rocketing Rates Rouse Ken Shirley's Ire - Local Council rates data released today reveal New Zealanders are being hit just as hard by local government as central government under Labour, ACT Local Government spokesman Ken Shirley said today. See... Rates skyrocket 35 percent over five years and Statistics NZ Local Authority Rates Income Increases

    Teen Parenting Unit For Manukau High School - Manurewa MP Hon George Hawkins today announced funding of almost $1 million to establish a new teen parent unit attached to James Cook High School. See... New opportunities for Manukau City students

    Medical School Fee Rises Deplorable – Donnelly - “The series of decisions which have lead to the 10% increase in fees for doctors at the University of Otago are deplorable,” says New Zealand first education spokesperson, Brian Donnelly. See... Medical Student Fee Rise Is Deplorable

    Urgency: Gambling Amendment Bill - "The Gambling Amendment Bill has been designed to allow elected members of licensing trusts to be involved in decisions on the distribution of gaming machine proceeds to the community," Internal Affairs Minister George Hawkins said when introducing ... See... Members to distribute proceeds from gaming

    Urgency: Prisoners’ and Victims’ Claims Bill - “The introduction of the Prisoners’ and Victims’ Claims Bill has come about because of the less than professional treatment of inmates by some Corrections Department staff, who have treated them in ways which act against their basic human rights” ... See... Prisoners’ and Victims’ Claims Bill

    Those Were The Days Of Our Select Committees - Committee meetings Eight committee meetings were held this week, all in the parliamentary complex. See... Select Committee Business - 10 Dec to 17 Dec

    Business Confidence On The Up & Up - The latest National Bank business outlook showing continuing strong investment and hiring intentions promises a good summer for New Zealand workers, Finance Minister Michael Cullen said today. See... Confidence survey promises good summer

    Gordon Copeland Welcomes End To 17 Year Battle On Charity Tax Issues - United Future MP Gordon Copeland today expressed his delight that the Charities Bill has been reported back by the Select Committee to Parliament. See... Charities Bill ends 17-year battle

    Kedgley Not Impressed With Response On Complementary Health - Green Party Health Spokesperson Sue Kedgley says Minister of Health Annette King’s response to recommendations from the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Complementary Medicine (MACCAH) is deeply disappointing. See... Complementary health response disappoints Kedgley

    Scoop Was In The House: For Tuesday's questions see...Questions & Answers for Oral Answer 14 Dec. 2004

    TVNZ To Face Union Backlash Over Bailey Wage-Hike - Television New Zealand staff who got a pay rise of just 1.5 per cent this year are promising a “full-frontal attack” in the wake of news reader Judy Bailey’s 77 per cent rise. See... TVNZ staff furious over Bailey affair
    ALSO:
    - Govt -TVNZ board meets with shareholding ministers
    -Greens - Public service ethos eroded by TVNZ board
    - United Future - Alexander: Govt weak as water with TVNZ
    - National - TVNZ resignations all show
    - ACT - PM's TVNZ mates keep their jobs

    Westpac Complies With Reserve Bank's Local Incorporation Policy - The announcement follows advice from the Governor of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ), Dr Alan Bollard, that the RBNZ had rejected Westpac’s buttressed branch proposal. The Westpac board has agreed to comply with the RBNZ’s local incorporation policy. See... Westpac To Locally Incorporate In New Zealand
    ALSO: Reserve Bank Confirms Westpac to incorporate in NZ

    Goff Plays Straight Bat To Aussie Yorker - Foreign Minister Phil Goff says the proposed Australian 1000 nautical mile maritime identification zone appears not to infringe on the sovereign rights of countries that come within it, or relevant international maritime laws. See... Australian maritime identification zone
    ALSO:
    - National -Please explain Prime Minister
    - Greens - Govt must protest Howard's license to piracy

    Government Looks at Social Progress - A new approach to cross-government action for social progress – Opportunity for All New Zealanders - was announced today by Social Development and Employment Minister Steve Maharey. See... Opportunity for all New Zealanders
    ALSO:
    - National -Weasel words and apple pie in social report

    Mallard Tackles Racism - Co-ordinating Minister, Race Relations Trevor Mallard today released the first reports and results from the government’s review of targeted policies and programmes. First results of review of targeted programmes

    NZ First Fights For Vietnam Vets - New Zealand First veterans’ affairs spokesperson Bill Gudgeon says Vietnam veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange have been grossly short changed by the Government. See... Sorry Agent Orange Saga Unresolved

    Wilsons' Years Of Refereeing Labour Squabbles Should See Her Right - Only those suffering from amnesia or ignorance would claim that Attorney-General Margaret Wilson doesn't have enough "experience" to be the next Parliamentary Speaker, Progressive Party leader Jim Anderton today. See…Margaret Wilson has enormous experience

    Newman Discusses Welfare - ACT Deputy Leader and Social Welfare spokesman Dr Muriel Newman today stood by her claim that welfare spending is forecast to rise by $2.1 billion over the next five years. See... Just admit it's welfare, Maharey
    ALSO:
    - Govt - Muriel Newman's year of mistakes continues

    Greens Input Appreciated In Finance Bill - The Labour - Progressive Government has supported a Green amendment to the Public Finance (State Sector Management) Bill that will allow Crown entities to bank with building societies. See... Govt backs Green initiative on building societies

    Govt Accuses ACT Of Being Prepared To Sell Pristine Heritage - ACT has again demonstrated just how out of touch they are with ordinary New Zealanders by confirming they would privatise our pristine marine space. See…ACT confirm they would sell NZ's crown jewel

    PM Surprises With Wilson Speaker Nomination - Prime Minister Helen Clark announced today that the government’s nomination for the position of Speaker following the retirement of the Rt Hon Jonathan Hunt next year will be the Hon Margaret Wilson. See... Govt to nominate Margaret Wilson for Speaker
    ALSO:
    - National - National rejects Margaret Wilson for Speaker
    - NZ First - NZ First To Discuss Wilson Appointment
    - Greens - Greens support Wilson for Speaker
    - ACT - Ken Shirley challenges Wilson for Speaker

    Aquaculture Marine Farming Bill Passes - The $1 billion-a-year potential of New Zealand's aquaculture industry can now be realised with the passing of the Aquaculture Reform Bill, says Fisheries Minister David Benson-Pope. See... A sound future for marine farming industry

    Nats Say Maharey Tertiary Policy Cost NZ $1.54b - National's Education spokesman, Bill English, says Steve Maharey should face the music and realise that his tertiary strategy has been a $1.54 billion failure. See... Maharey plays on as ship goes down
    ALSO:
    - National - English confused again

    Vets Apology Not Enough - NZ First - New Zealand First defence spokesperson Ron Mark is urging the Government to pay compensation to Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange and to assist families with children suffering from health issues linked to the spray. See... Vets Apology Not Enough - NZ First
    ALSO:
    - Greens - Government's Agent Orange Apology Not Enough

    Prisoner Compo Bill Gets First Reading - Legislation introduced by Justice Minister Phil Goff to restrict monetary compensation to inmates, and to ensure victims are able to be compensated from any monies paid, is due to be given its first reading in Parliament today. See... Prisoner compo legislation will aid victims
    ALSO:
    - United - Alexander delighted with prisoner compo moves

    Govt Signs $226m Hercules Upgrade Tender - The $226 million C-130 Hercules upgrade contract was signed on Tuesday with suppliers L-3 Communications Spar Airspace. See... C-130 Hercules upgrade contract signed

    Wellington DHB Stalls Mental Health Acute Unit Plans - Green Mental Health Spokesperson Sue Bradford is appalled that the Wellington District Health Board has stalled on its commitment to go ahead with a purpose-built acute unit for people with mental illness. See... Bradford slams DHB's acute unit delay

    Crims Are Scaring Tourists Away - New Zealand's tourism reputation is being savaged by increasing crime against visitors, says National's Law and Order spokesman, Tony Ryall. See... Criminals savage tourism image

    TVNZ Salaries: United Backs Judy Bailey - “Whether anyone is worth any particular salary should not be left up to government,” United Future broadcasting spokesman Marc Alexander said today. See... Alexander: Is Judy Bailey worth $800,000?
    ALSO:
    - NZ First - Peters Challenges TVNZ News To Run Bailey Story
    - ACT - PM must address mother of all salaries
    - TV3 - TV3 Did Not Pursue Judy Bailey
    - TVNZ - TVNZ Concludes Negotiations With Judy Bailey

    Lookout! Jones’ Out To Save QCs - New Zealand First justice spokesperson Dail Jones will be making a last ditch effort to protect the position of Queen’s Counsel which the Government intends to terminate as a result of the provisions of the Lawyers and Conveyancers Bill. See... Last Ditch Attempt To Protect Queen’s Counsel

    Govt To Subsidise Air Travel Clearance Costs - The funding of passenger clearance services at New Zealand’s seven international airports will be split around 50/50 with the government contributing $55 million and industry contributing $49 million annually. See... 50/50 split for passenger clearance costs

    United Schmoozes Govt To Cut Taxes - The Government's Budget policy statement indicates that, in spite of protestations to the contrary, Finance Minister Michael Cullen has plenty of room to cut taxes, United Future revenue spokesman Gordon Copeland said today. See... Policy Statement indicates room for tax cuts
    ALSO:
    - Nats - Labour's quick fix - another tax!
    - ACT - Give NZers a tax cut, not a hand-out

    Nats Say Zaoui Must Not Get Benefit - Ahmed Zaoui should not be eligible for an emergency benefit, says National's Immigration spokesman, Tony Ryall. See... Zaoui should not get emergency benefit

    Govt Changes Early Childhood Centre Funding - Education Minister Trevor Mallard today announced changes to the way funding is allocated to new or expanding community-based early childhood centres, in order to better target areas of high population growth and areas of need. See... Capital funding changes for early childhood ed

    ACT Says Increasing Family Support Will Not Reduce Poverty - ACT Deputy Leader and Social Welfare spokesman Dr Muriel Newman today said the Child Poverty Action Group's call for the Government to raise Family Support payments to ease child poverty wouldn't work, and would only serve to lower New Zealand's standard ... See... ACT's blueprint for ending child poverty

    Crown/ Ngâti Mutunga Iwi Initialise Deed Of Settlement - The Crown and the Ngâti Mutunga Iwi Authority today initialled a Deed of Settlement for the iwi's historical Treaty of Waitangi claims. See... Ngâti Mutunga Deed of Settlement initialled

    Greens Says Govt’s Budget Devoid Of Strategy - The Labour Government's Budget Policy Statement is devoid of strategic thinking and wilfully ignores the major fiscal challenges ahead for New Zealand, the Green Party says. See… Cullen falls silent on fiscal challenges

    Family And District Court Judge Appointments Announced - Attorney-General Margaret Wilson today announced the appointment of a Family Court Judge and three District Court Judges. See... Family Court and District Court judges appointed

    Michael Cullen On The December Fiscal Update - “The Budget Policy Statement and December forecasts confirm the quality of the government’s economic and fiscal management and show scope for some additional expenditure in the next few years but make clear that there is no room for large structural spending ... See... Fiscal, economic performance good but care needed

    Discussion Report Issued On NZ Oil Supply Security - Energy Minister, Pete Hodgson, today released a report outlining options for improving New Zealand’s oil security. Comments are welcomed on the report by 2 February 2005. See... Oil security report released for comment

    Several Solutions To The Zaoui Question Are Proposed - This week, Newman On-line looks at the complexities of the Zaoui case and how it can possibly be that someone suspected by the SIS of being a terrorist threat, can now be walking free. See... Newman On-Line: Ahmed Zaoui
    RELATED:
    - Govt. - Amendments to tighten Terrorism Suppression Act
    - Greens - Zaoui law change must not be rushed
    - NZ First - NZ First Puts Forward Urgent Zaoui Bill

    ACT's The Letter - UNION VICTORY As we predicted, media stories of amendments to the Civil Union Bill were just stories. All amendments were defeated. Richard Worth, who tabled the most amendments, didn't even stay to argue for them. See... ACT's The Letter Is In

    Govt. Kicks Whenuapai Issue To Touch By Keeping It - "The government has decided not to proceed with decisions on the disposal of Whenuapai Airbase at this time," Economic Development Minister Jim Anderton said today. See... Disposal of Whenuapai airbase land
    MORE:
    - NZ First - Common Sense Prevails Over Whenuapai
    - ACT - Whenuapai decision bad for Auckland drivers
    - Auckland Airport - Auckland Airport welcomes Government decision
    - Waitakere City - Airbase Decision

    Dinner Highlighting Human Rights Tonight At Parliament - Amnesty International welcomes an Inaugural Human Rights Parliamentary Dinner in the Grand Hall of the Parliament Buildings on Tuesday 14 December which will highlight the issue of violence against women. See... Stop violence against women - It's in our hands!

    Hodgson's Off To Climate Change Meeting In Argentina - Convenor, Ministerial Group on Climate Change, Pete Hodgson, departs tomorrow to attend the 10th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change that is being held in Buenos Aires. See... Hodgson to attend UN Climate Change meeting

    New National Party Board Members - The New Zealand National Party today announced the appointment of Rt. Hon Wyatt Creech and Mr Peter Goodfellow to its Board of Directors. See... NZ National Party Board appointments

    United & Allies Welcome The Aquaculture Bill Back - United Future and its affiliated party, Outdoor Recreation New Zealand, today welcomed the introduction of the Aquaculture Reform Bill. See... United Future, ORNZ welcome Aquaculture Bill

    Policeman Appointed As New Prisons Chief - Progressive MP Matt Robson welcomes the news that Barry Matthews, former New Zealand Deputy Commissioner of Police, is to head the Department of Corrections. See... Appointment of Barry Matthews to head Corrections

    King Seeks Cancer Control Council Nominations - Health Minister Annette King is calling for nominations for the newly announced Cancer Control Council. The Council, charged with overseeing the implementation of the Cancer Control Strategy, will begin its work early next year. See... King seeks Cancer Control Council nominations

    Export Education Programme Announced - Education Minister Trevor Mallard today announced the Export Education Innovation Programme - a new initiative aimed at further developing the New Zealand export education industry as a world class and innovative provider of education overseas. See... Export education innovation programme announced

    Holidaymakers Should Be Careful To Stay Healthy - Holidaymakers should heed the General Practitioners Council's warning that there will be a shortage of doctors in popular rural holiday spots this summer, ACT Health spokesman Heather Roy said today. See... Rural GP shortage over festive season

    Tony Ryall Delivers A Verdict On Hawkins – Dump Him - National's Police spokesman, Tony Ryall, says the evidence has never been clearer - Police Minister George Hawkins must be dumped before he does further damage to the Police. See... The evidence is clear: dump Hawkins

    Tributes Honour Arthur Lydiard's Life - Sport and Recreation Minister Trevor Mallard today paid tribute to kiwi sporting great Arthur Lydiard who passed away yesterday. See... Tribute to Arthur Lydiard
    ALSO
    - National - Lydiard was an icon of 'can do' Kiwi attitude

    Maharey Cites Manukau's Poverty As Indicator Of Progress - Progress made in addressing child poverty in Manukau demonstrates the value of coordinated, community-based action, Social Development Minister Steve Maharey said today. See... Supporting child poverty community action
    ALSO: A positive future for children in Manukau

    Green Party Seeks Inquiry Into Crown Stance On Zaoui Case - The Greens are calling for an inquiry into the Crown Law Office in the wake of its failure to win any of the five legal proceedings against Ahmed Zaoui. See... Inquiry into Crown Law needed over Zaoui debacle
    FULL COVERAGE:Scoop's Ahmed Zaoui Special Feature...

    Govt Calls For Nominations For Cancer Control Council - Health Minister Annette King is calling for nominations for the newly announced Cancer Control Council. See... King seeks Cancer Control Council nominations

    Human Rights Day Celebration In Parliament Tuesday - A dinner well be held at Parliament tomorrow night to celebrate International Human Rights Day. See... Parliamentary Dinner To Celebrate Human Rights Day

    Govt Must Adequately Fund Acute Public Hospital Units - National's Health spokeswoman, Judith Collins, says more lives will be lost if the Government doesn't sort out medical staffing at accident and emergency departments. See... Time to give A&E patients a fair go

    Govt Fails To Close Ozone-Depleting Gas Hole - Green Party Health Spokesperson Sue Kedgley is shocked that the Government has broken its promise to stop use of ozone-depleting gas, methyl bromide for agricultural purposes by 1 January, 2005.See... Christmas Strawberries Expanding The Ozone Hole?

    Brash Urges Govt To Can Crim-Compo Claims - National Party Leader Don Brash is today urging the Labour Government to reconsider his offer to stop prisoner compensation claims once and for all. See... Labour Prepares To Lock Prisoner Compo Into Law

    Criminalising Grooming Good News Says United - United Future law and order spokesman Marc Alexander is delighted that the Government has moved on his initiative to make "grooming" of children by paedophiles punishable by up to seven years in jail. See... Govt Picks Up Paedophile 'Grooming' Initiative

    Nats Say ACC Farmer Increases An Outrage - National MPs David Carter and Paul Hutchison are outraged at the way the Government has handled huge increases in ACC levies for farmers. See... Farmers face huge ACC levy increases
    ALSO:
    - ACT - ACC Levy Hike Yet Another Attack On Rural NZ

    Govt Agrees To Maximise Organ Donor Rates - The Government agrees with the intent of Health Select Committee recommendations to maximise organ donation rates, but differs slightly in approach, says Health Minister Annette King. See... Government broadly backs intent of donor approach

    Keeping Lungs Clean Purpose Of Smokefree Law - Protecting the lungs and the future health of New Zealanders is the goal of the new smoke free law, which comes into force today. See... New Law Will Encourage Smokers To Quit

    Fitzsimmons Wants Real Consultation On Possum Control - Green Co-Leader Jeanette Fitzsimons is welcoming the decision to consult the public over the acceptability of possum control methods but has warned such consultation must be genuine. See... Consultation on possum control must be genuine

    Greens Ask Telecom To Back Off Marketing To Kids - Green MP Sue Kedgley is calling on Telecom and other phone companies to stop exploitative targeting of young children in their advertising campaigns for cell phones. See... Cellphone companies should stop targeting children

    PM's Speech To Asia-Pacific Network Nosh - This is a timely gathering, coming so soon after both the APEC and the ASEAN Summits in which New Zealand has been fully involved. See... PM's Address: Asia-Pacific Network Dinner

    Australian and NZ Ministers Issue Joint CER Statement - Trade and Economic Ministers from Australia and New Zealand met in Queenstown on 10 and 11 December 2004. The annual Ministerial meeting was hosted by the New Zealand Minister for Trade Negotiations and Agriculture, the Hon Jim Sutton, with his colleagues ... See... CER Australia/NZ Ministerial Joint Communique

    Nats Want Highway Decisions Taken From Auckland City Council - National's Transport spokesman, Maurice Williamson, is calling on the Minister of Transport to direct Transit to make Auckland's Eastern Highway a state highway so it can be built as soon as possible.
    See... Transit should take over Eastern Highway

    Brash Eyes Flaws In Aquaculture Bill - National Party Leader Don Brash says the Aquaculture Reform Bill which is to be rushed through Parliament this week has serious flaws in it and should be delayed. See... Aquaculture bill seriously flawed
    ALSO:
    - Govt - $1million extension to MFish's Nelson base
    - Govt - Brakes set to come off marine farming industry

    Tertiary Bureaucracy Costs NZers Millions - A Government report on tertiary education shows that five years of talking and millions of dollars in bureaucracy costs have been wasted on trying to change tertiary education. See... Labour’s tertiary strategy has failed
    ALSO:
    - Govt - Tertiary strategy leads to record participation

    Nats Want Surplus Christmas Turkey - National’s Finance spokesman, John Key, is challenging the Government to buy every New Zealander a turkey for Christmas. See... Put some turkey on the table, Dr Cullen

    Smokefree Bar Law Comes Into Force Today Associate Health Minister Damien O'Connor today welcomed the start of a new era for New Zealand. See... New smokefree era celebrated
    MORE:
    - Peter Dunne - Dunne seeks freedom for Kiwi smokers

    Political Columns: Matt Robson-On-Politics - More for film industry jobs - Tackling student debt benefits the economy - A difference of opinion with some church leaders - The Supreme Court decision on Ahmed Zaoui - Brash, National keep on flip flopping See... robson-on-politics 10 December
    MORE COLUMNS:
    - Labour Party - Beehive Bulletin - Fri, 10 Dec 2004
    - Marc Alexander - Marc My Words - 10 December 2004
    - Richard Worth - News Worthy - 10 December 2004

    Don Brash Talks Tax – Others Talk Flip Flops - Earlier this year, I indicated that an incoming National Government would give priority to tax relief for low and middle income working families, with gradual tax reductions for those earning higher incomes as fiscal circumstances permit. See... Getting Ahead With Lower Taxes and speech… Getting Ahead With Lower Taxes
    REACTION:
    - ACT Working Kiwis have earned tax cuts now
    - Govt. - He’s done it again – flip flop flap
    - Progressive - Nats should commit to promoting business and jobs

    Manukau Shows The Way On Child Poverty - Maharey - Progress made in addressing child poverty in Manukau demonstrates the value of coordinated, community-based action, Social Development Minister Steve Maharey said today. See... Community action to address child poverty

    Those Were The Days Of Our Select Committees - Fifteen committee meetings were held this week, all in the parliamentary complex. See... Select Committee Business -3 to 10 December 2004

    ANZ Job Report A Nice Present For The Coalition - Robson - Today's ANZ November report on job advertisements in major newspapers, which are up a staggering 14.4 percent from a year ago, highlights yet again the importance to the economy of the government's investment in workers' skills, training and apprenticeship programmes, says Progressive MP Matt Robson. See... ANZ report good 5th birthday present for coalition

    PM Opens Southern Hemisphere's Biggest Wind Farm - Thank you for inviting me to open Te Apiti, the largest wind farm in the Southern Hemisphere. The government, as the owner of Meridian on behalf of the people of New Zealand, is proud to be associated with this very significant renewable energy project. See... PM Address at Opening of Te Apiti Wind Farm

    Censorship Decisions Going Back To 1916 Now Available - Internal Affairs Minister George Hawkins today launched The New Zealand Censorship Database, giving on-line access to details of censorship decisions made since 1916. See... Minister launches New Zealand Censorship Database

    Air NZ's Decision On Disabled Passengers Welcomed - Disability Issues Minister Ruth Dyson today welcomed Air New Zealand’s decision to trial new lifting equipment for disabled people. See... Air New Zealand lifting decision welcomed

    Scoop Was In The House – For Thursday's questions see... Questions & Answers for Oral Answer - Thursday, 9 December . For Tuesday's Q&A see… Questions & Answers for Oral Answer 7 December '04

    National Flip-Flops On Four Weeks Annual Leave - Opposition Leader Don Brash says the National Party will give workers choice in their holiday entitlements. See... National to give workers choice in holidays
    REACTION:
    - ACT -National Party sells out small business
    - Govt. - Yet another flip flop for National
    - Greens - Has the Right seen the light?
    - Progressives - Brash move on 4 Weeks Leave welcome

    NZ First Calls For Telecom Price Gouging Investigation - New Zealand First is calling for a full investigation of Telecom and its operations following fresh allegations by the Commerce Commission that the company has been overcharging its mobile phone customers. See... NZ First Calls For Full Investigation Of Telecom

    Greens To Go Out Tomorrow To Enjoy Smoke Free Bars - Green Party members will be out on the town tomorrow celebrating bars and restaurants becoming smokefree. See... Greens celebrate a smokefree New Zealand
    MORE:
    - Labour whacks hospitality industry again

    Cross Ditch Collaboration On Keeping The Ditch Healthy - New Zealand and Australian marine scientists will this week share knowledge on biodiversity in the Tasman Sea as the two countries work towards better protection for the marine environment. See... Scientists collaborating to protect the Tasman Sea

    Health Committee Recommends A New Look At Alcohol Advertising - The current regulatory framework for alcohol advertising should undergo a comprehensive review, the Health Committee has recommended. See... Alcohol advertising report released
    MORE:
    - Greens - MPs care more about business than alcohol abuse

    Matt Robson Sees The Bright Side In Having Brash As National's Leader - Had Don Brash been governor pursuing National's early 1990s annual inflation target of zero to 2%, mortgage interest rates would currently be up to one percentage point higher than they are, Progressive MP Matt Robson says. See... Mortgage rates would have been higher under Brash

    Gay Relationships No, Noisy Cars Yes – Paul Adams On Western Springs - United Future’s Paul Adams has wholeheartedly puts his support behind Auckland's Western Springs speedway and called on the Government to sort out “the ridiculous situation that has been created by the Environment Court’s decision on the noise ... See... Adams backs Western Springs

    Stop The Brain Drain With More Dosh And A Sweeter Lifestyle - Brash - National Party Leader Don Brash says higher salaries and a better standard of living are easily the best ways to reverse the brain drain affecting New Zealand, and taxes are a big part of that. See... Higher salaries best way to reverse brain drain

    Mark Burton Opens A New Rotorua Hotel - Good morning ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for inviting me to join you in celebrating the official opening of Rotorua’s newest international hotel. See... Burton Speech: Opening of Ibis Hotel, Rotorua

    Blenheim's Courthouse To Be Spruced Up - Blenheim's courthouse is on track for refurbishment and a spruce up following the just completed feasibility study. Design planning will swing into action in a few weeks. See... Upgrade Christmas present for Blenheim Courthouse

    Health Sector Thanked For Commitment to Health Strategy - The health sector’s commitment to progress right across the health and disability sector shines through in the fourth report on implementing the New Zealand Health Strategy, says Health Minister Annette King. See... King praises health sector’s commitment

    Mallard Launches An Online Community For School Staff & Students- Education Minister Trevor Mallard today launched a project at Christchurch's Riccarton High School that aims to develop a collaborative online community to assist students, especially those who can't physically attend school, and for teachers to share resources ... See... Online community for teachers and students

    PM Gives Karzai The Thumbs Up - The Prime Minister Helen Clark has welcomed the inauguration of Hamid Karzai as President of Afghanistan, hailing it as a significant milestone in Afghanistan's progress towards constitutional and democratic government. See... A milestone towards a democratic Afghanistan

    Peters Thinks Zaoui Case Should Be Left In Hands Of Trustworthy Unbiased Politicians - Rt Hon Winston Peters says the Ahmed Zaoui bail application before the Supreme Court tomorrow is a test case that will determine whether an elected government or a panel of appointed judges is responsible for New Zealand’s security and safety. See... Zaoui Case A Constitutional Test

    Nats Call For Anderton's Resignation After Damning Scheme Report - National Party Deputy Leader Gerry Brownlee is calling for Economic Development Minister Jim Anderton's head after a damning report on the Trade and Enterprise business grants scheme. See... Anderton should resign over report
    MORE:
    - ACT - Auditor-General Slams Anderton's Lolly Scramble
    - Govt. - Auditor-General report on NZ T&E

    Hobbs Addresses Parliamentarians For Disarmament - Hon Marian Hobbs: Address to Parliamentary Network for Nuclear Disarmament - "New Agenda Coalition Proposals For Disarmament And Non-Proliferation" 9.40am December 8 2004 See... Hobbs: Network for Nuclear Disarmament and MPs push for peace
    MORE:
    - PM Helen Clark - PM Address: Network for Nuclear Disarmament Forum
    - FM Phil Goff - Goff: Regional security threats post 9/11

    TEC COOL-IT Inquiry A Partial Backdown By Maharey Says English - National Party Education spokesman, Bill English, says Tertiary Education Minister Steve Maharey has backed down part of the way over Canterbury Polytechnic’s COOL-IT enrolment scandal. See... Maharey backs down part of the way
     

    COMMENT > >

    Weekend Magazine: Werewolf Issue 28

    Gordon Campbell: Why State Capitalism Is Beating The Free Market

    Late last month, the Economist magazine published a debate on state capitalism, in which it proposed that state-led market economies are fast becoming a global rival to the old models of liberal, free market capitalism. The chapter and verse it provided is indeed pretty impressive... More>>

    Gordon Campbell: Human Rights, Pinochet And Asset Freezes An interview with Baron Collins of Mapesbury, recently retired judge from the British Supreme Court. Politicians are always tempted to take pot shots at judges, who have relatively few friends among the general public... More>>

    Rosalea Barker: Undaunted Oakland It gets really tiring living in Oakland. Practically every television newscast is straight from the police blotter. Murders. Marches. Mayhem. Mayoral recall. (Oops! That last one’s from the OPD to-do list.) More>>

    Lyndon Hood: The 'Other' People In Your Neighbourhood Under a pile of unused plastic spoons I happened to find an old tin of film. There was no clue as to its contents, and it was just made more mysterious by a note on the label… More>>

     

    Mark P Williams: Waitangi – What Makes A National Day?

    Should Waitangi Day be seen as a national day when it provokes such diverse and divisive responses? That depends on whether you think unity should overrule differences of perspective and opinion... More>>

    ALSO:

    mitt romneyGordon Campbell: On Mitt Romney’s Victory In Florida

    So Romney now looks a certainty to be the Republican candidate against Barack Obama in November, after yesterday’s win in conservative Florida put paid to the claim that he was not really conservative enough to win the nomination. More>>

    ALSO:

    Gordon Campbell: Gordon Campbell On The Arrest Of Mourad Dhina

    The arrest in Paris of the highly respected Swiss-based Algerian human rights campaigner Dr Mourad Dhina is one of those cases where the actions of France seem (a) outrageous (b) consistent with how France routinely behaves towards dissidents from its former colonies... More>>

    State Of It: On The Folly Of Political Appointments

    State Of It: The saddest thing in this awful affair is that the National Party's response via its appointment to the board of New Zealand On Air is not one of how to advance a cross-party accord on creating real solutions to child poverty – but ... More >>

    Richard S. Ehrlich: Terror Suspect Says Ammonia in His "Cool Packs" Not For Bombs

    BANGKOK, Thailand -- An imprisoned Lebanese-Swedish terror suspect said he stockpiled medical "cool packs" which "contained ammonia" for commerical export, and is not a Hezbollah member, after being arrested for possessing 10 gallons (38 liters) of ammonium nitrate which ... More >>

    Kodak’s Last Snap: The End Of The Great Yellow Father

    It went into popular circulation as a term: the Kodak moment. The captured snap to be preserved, be it for posterity, or some other inconsequential reason. The Eastman Kodak Company is seemingly destined to become another parceled bit of posterity. ... More >>

    Walter Brasch: Outsourcing America’s Health Care

    “Ola, Amigo! Pack your bags, we’re going to Mexico!” bubbled Dr. Franklin Peterson Comstock III, faux physician and money-maker. “Yeah, I could use a decent vacation,” I replied, figuring he’d pay for both of us since he had just set the world record for the most nose jobs in a 24-hour period. More >>

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