Latest Parliament Headlines
Privileges complaint a desperate political stunt
Wednesday, 16 October 2013, 7:13 pm | New Zealand Government
Conservation Minister Dr Nick Smith has dismissed a privileges compliant by Labour Leader David Cunliffe, describing it as a joke and a political stunt. More >>
People First - Ten Year Celebration
Wednesday, 16 October 2013, 7:10 pm | New Zealand Government
I want to thank Cindy Johns, your National Manager and Hamish Taverner, your National Chairperson for the opportunity to speak at this event. I also thank Lee Rutene for opening this event. More >>
Questions and Answers - October 16
Wednesday, 16 October 2013, 6:08 pm | Office of the Clerk
1. PAUL GOLDSMITH (National) to the Minister of Finance : What reports has he received about forecasts for the New Zealand economy and how are these being reflected in levels of business confidence? More >>
Govt should refuse Sri Lanka chair
Wednesday, 16 October 2013, 5:27 pm | Green Party
The Green Party has written to Minister McCully urging him to publicly challenge Sri Lanka and oppose the appointment of President Rajapaksa when it comes time to appoint the Commonwealth Chairperson-In-Office, the Green Party said today More >>
English marks NZ Super Fund’s 10th anniversary
Wednesday, 16 October 2013, 5:15 pm | New Zealand Government
Finance Minister Bill English today congratulated the New Zealand Superannuation Fund on achieving its tenth anniversary, and having built a world-class sovereign wealth fund in that time. More >>
PM accepts John Banks’ resignation as Minister
Wednesday, 16 October 2013, 5:02 pm | New Zealand Government
Prime Minister John Key today announced that he has accepted John Banks’ offer to resign as a Minister. More >>
John Banks Resigns As Minister
Wednesday, 16 October 2013, 4:41 pm | ACT New Zealand
ACT Leader John Banks today confirmed that he has stood down from his Ministerial positions following today’s decision at the Auckland District Court. More >>
Minister says planning helps Whanganui response
Wednesday, 16 October 2013, 4:00 pm | New Zealand Government
Civil Defence Minister Nikki Kaye says good planning has helped in the response to the state of local emergency that was lifted at 2.30pm today. More >>
PM must stand Banks down and not allow his vote on SkyCity
Wednesday, 16 October 2013, 3:44 pm | Green Party
The Prime Minister must stand John Banks down as minister and demand he abstains from voting on the NZ International Convention Centre Bill because of criminal charges he now faces over SkyCity donations to his mayoral campaign, the Green Party said ... More >>
John Key must cut John Banks and ACT loose
Wednesday, 16 October 2013, 3:39 pm | New Zealand Labour Party
John Key can no longer stand by his disgraced government support partner John Banks after a court has decided he should stand trial over electoral fraud claims, Labour Leader of the House Grant Robertson says. More >>
Preventing surgical site infections
Wednesday, 16 October 2013, 3:23 pm | New Zealand Government
Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew welcomes the second phase of the national patient safety campaign, Open for better care, which focuses on reducing harm from infections in patients following surgery. More >>
New advisory group to support prisoner education
Wednesday, 16 October 2013, 3:16 pm | New Zealand Government
Corrections Minister Anne Tolley says an expert advisory group has been appointed to support a new education strategy for prisoners, as the Government continues its focus on reducing reoffending through rehabilitation. More >>
Fonterra gains consents for coal mine
Wednesday, 16 October 2013, 3:09 pm | Fonterra
Fonterra has received the go ahead to build a coal mine near Mangatawhiri, thereby undermining the clean, green image it relies on for its exports, the Green Party said today. More >>
Labour lodges privileges complaint against Nick Smith
Wednesday, 16 October 2013, 3:09 pm | New Zealand Labour Party
Labour today lodged a privileges complaint against Conservation Minister Nick Smith for deliberately misleading Parliament over a Department of Conservation draft submission on the proposed Ruataniwha dam. More >>
Another step to improve child health
Wednesday, 16 October 2013, 1:20 pm | New Zealand Government
Health Minister Tony Ryall says the government is taking another step to improve the health of New Zealand children. Mr Ryall today announced new Well Child / Tamariki Ora quality indicators have been developed to ensure children and their families ... More >>
Overseas experience to boost FMD preparation
Wednesday, 16 October 2013, 1:17 pm | New Zealand Government
Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy has announced that a delegation of 10 veterinarians, farming leaders and MPI staff will take part in foot and mouth disease (FMD) training in Asia next year to experience working with the disease first hand. More >>
Beneficiaries seek out emerging jobs
Wednesday, 16 October 2013, 12:01 pm | New Zealand Government
More than 700 beneficiaries have sought out and landed jobs despite having no requirement to work since the new Work Bonus became available. More >>
Questions for Oral Answer - October 16
Wednesday, 16 October 2013, 11:46 am | Office of the Clerk
1. PAUL GOLDSMITH to the Minister of Finance: What reports has he received about forecasts for the New Zealand economy and how are these being reflected in levels of business confidence? More >>
Local elections highlight need to move forward
Wednesday, 16 October 2013, 11:44 am | New Zealand Government
Local Government Minister Chris Tremain says he will be instructing a working party to explore what would be needed for online voting to be fully introduced in the next local body elections. More >>
Prize puts West Coast on the map again
Wednesday, 16 October 2013, 11:03 am | New Zealand Labour Party
The West Coast shines once again with the award of the Man Booker Prize to author Eleanor Catton, Labour’s MP for West Coast-Tasman Damien O’Connor says. More >>
PM congratulates NZ author on Man Booker Prize
Wednesday, 16 October 2013, 10:43 am | New Zealand Government
Prime Minister John Key has congratulated New Zealand author Eleanor Catton on winning the Man Booker Prize for her novel The Luminaries , announced in London today. More >>
Joint statement on Southern Ocean marine protected areas
Wednesday, 16 October 2013, 10:38 am | New Zealand Government
Foreign Ministers of Australia, France, New Zealand, the United States and the Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of the European Union More >>
Christchurch secondary school announcement
Wednesday, 16 October 2013, 10:34 am | New Zealand Government
Education Minister Hekia Parata announced today that, following an extensive consultation process, all Christchurch secondary schools will remain open because the schools are well located and provide good access for students. More >>
Kiwi lights up literary world
Wednesday, 16 October 2013, 10:10 am | New Zealand Labour Party
Labour has today congratulated young Kiwi author, Eleanor Catton, on winning literature’s prestigious Man Booker prize. “Eleanor must be feeling absolutely elated, and justifiably so,” Arts, Culture and Heritage spokesperson Jacinda Ardern says. More >>
Corrections Bill passes third reading
Wednesday, 16 October 2013, 10:07 am | New Zealand Government
Corrections Minister Anne Tolley says a Bill which improves the effectiveness of community sentences and orders has passed its third reading in Parliament. The Administration of Community Sentences and Orders Bill amends the Bail Act 2000, Parole Act 2002 ... More >>
Minister diluting official language to hide risks
Wednesday, 16 October 2013, 10:00 am | New Zealand Labour Party
Environment Minister Amy Adams is deliberately diluting the language of officials to downplay the risks of deep sea drilling, Labour’s Environment spokesperson Moana Mackey says. More >>
Kohanga investigation must be transparent
Wednesday, 16 October 2013, 9:18 am | New Zealand Labour Party
Hekia Parata had no other option than to call for a “please explain” from the Te Kohanga Reo National Trust, Labour’s Maori Education spokesperson Nanaia Mahuta says. More >>
Hon Tim Groser Address: China Business Summit
Wednesday, 16 October 2013, 9:09 am | New Zealand Government
First, I would like to congratulate the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, NZ Inc and all the agencies and sponsors for putting this event together. More >>
Kōhanga Reo Statement
Tuesday, 15 October 2013, 11:32 pm | New Zealand Government
15 October 2013 Media Statement Kōhanga Reo Statement Education Minister Hekia Parata and Associate Minister Dr Hon Pita Sharples have met with representatives of the Kōhanga Reo National Trust Board tonight to discuss the allegations made ... More >>
Telco security legislation passes second reading
Tuesday, 15 October 2013, 11:29 pm | New Zealand Government
A Bill that will modernise telecommunications security legislation passed its second reading in parliament today, Communications and Information Technology Minister Amy Adams says. More >>
Questions and Answers - October 15
Tuesday, 15 October 2013, 5:45 pm | Office of the Clerk
1. Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE (Leader of the Opposition) to the Prime Minister : Does he stand by his statement that “One of the risks for us is that there’s heavily pronounced economic development in Auckland, but not in the rest of the country”? More >>
New NZ Standards system announced
Tuesday, 15 October 2013, 5:40 pm | New Zealand Government
Commerce Minister Craig Foss today announced changes to maintain and strengthen the development and delivery of New Zealand Standards. More >>
Air NZ application for overseas workers unjustifiable
Tuesday, 15 October 2013, 5:05 pm | New Zealand Labour Party
It is unjustifiable for Air New Zealand to seek to recruit aircraft engineers offshore when it recently announced it would lay off Kiwi workers, Labour’s spokesperson on industrial affairs Andrew Little says. More >>
Safety of Women Prisoners Must Not Be Compromised
Tuesday, 15 October 2013, 4:33 pm | New Zealand First Party
New Zealand First wants the Government to ensure that appropriate measures have been put in place to protect women prisoners when transgender prisoners are transferred out of male prisons into female prisons. More >>
McCully announces High Commissioner to Niue
Tuesday, 15 October 2013, 4:19 pm | New Zealand Government
Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully today announced the appointment of Superintendent Ross Ardern as New Zealand’s High Commissioner to Niue. More >>
The Buck stops with the Minister
Tuesday, 15 October 2013, 3:32 pm | Green Party
The Green Party has stepped up its call for the Minister of Education to resign following the release of official information revealing new levels of distrust of the Minister and of the Government’s education agenda. More >>
Six Years On From Operation 8, Govt Still Breaking the Law
Tuesday, 15 October 2013, 3:25 pm | Mana Party
“Six years on from the Police raids of Ruatoki in 2007 and government is still breaking the law” said MANA Leader and MP for Te Tai Tokerau, Hone Harawira. “When the police spied on the people in the Urewera’s they broke the law – pure and ... More >>
TPP Secrecy Creates Serious Risks
Tuesday, 15 October 2013, 3:15 pm | New Zealand First Party
Rt Hon Winston Peters has warned that the secrecy surrounding the Trans Pacific Partnership agreement negotiations means future New Zealand governments could be trapped, without warning, at the mercy of multinationals. More >>
Census data reveals good regional growth
Tuesday, 15 October 2013, 1:47 pm | New Zealand Government
Statistics Minister Maurice Williamson says the latest release of information from the 2013 Census shows good growth in the regions. Statistics New Zealand today published detailed population information about regional council, territorial authority, area ... More >>
Labour caught making stuff up – again
Tuesday, 15 October 2013, 1:03 pm | New Zealand Government
Results from the 2013 Census shows Labour and its leader have been caught making stuff up with population growth spread right across the country, Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce says. More >>
Deal or no deal? Answer the question Mr English
Tuesday, 15 October 2013, 12:52 pm | New Zealand Labour Party
Revelations that the second largest lender to Solid Energy is trying to veto the debt restructure shows that Bill English was far too hasty in claiming the deal was done, says Labour’s SOEs spokesperson Clayton Cosgrove. More >>
New appointment to New Zealand Tourism Board
Tuesday, 15 October 2013, 12:20 pm | New Zealand Government
The Prime Minister and Tourism Minister John Key today announced the appointment of Mike O’Donnell as a member of the New Zealand Tourism Board. More >>
Questions for Oral Answer - October 15
Tuesday, 15 October 2013, 11:39 am | Office of the Clerk
1. Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by his statement that “One of the risks for us is that there’s heavily pronounced economic development in Auckland, but not in the rest of the country”? More >>
Early release of census data welcomed
Tuesday, 15 October 2013, 10:58 am | New Zealand Government
Statistics Minister Maurice Williamson today welcomed the early release of regional population information from the 2013 Census. More >>
Work of rural women should be recognised
Tuesday, 15 October 2013, 9:58 am | New Zealand Labour Party
As celebrations get underway for today’s UN International Day of Rural Women it is timely to recognise the contribution made by rural women in New Zealand, Labour’s Women’s Affairs spokesperson Carol Beaumont says. More >>
The chilling effect of TICs
Tuesday, 15 October 2013, 8:53 am | Clare Curran
The second reading of TICs is tomorrow. It seems likely the Govt will try to rush through the committee stages and third reading this week.If so, this is an extraordinary abuse of process, because there is almost no time to consider the impact of the Minister’s ... More >>
Government in denial about prescription costs
Monday, 14 October 2013, 7:37 pm | New Zealand Labour Party
Pharmacies are being left out of pocket and hundreds of patients are going without medication as the fallout from the Government’s higher prescription charge hits home, says Labour’s Health spokesperson Annette King. More >>
Guy: Greyhound Racing Association AGM
Monday, 14 October 2013, 5:38 pm | New Zealand Government
Since your last AGM we now have a new Chair for the New Zealand Racing Board. In July I announced Glenda Hughes as the new independent chair person. More >>
Further safeguards for TICS Bill
Monday, 14 October 2013, 5:00 pm | New Zealand Government
Communications and Information Technology Minister Amy Adams has today tabled a Supplementary Order Paper to make further improvements to the Telecommunications (Interception Capability and Security) Bill. More >>
New bill to support veterans introduced
Monday, 14 October 2013, 2:50 pm | New Zealand Government
New legislation to better support current and future veterans was introduced to Parliament today by Veterans’ Affairs Minister Michael Woodhouse. The Veterans’ Support Bill follows a Law Commission report that provided the most comprehensive review ... More >>
Census shows regional exodus under Nats
Monday, 14 October 2013, 2:14 pm | New Zealand Labour Party
Census data being released tomorrow will depict a widespread exodus from the regions as provincial New Zealanders flee small towns forgotten by the National Government, Labour Leader and Regional Development spokesperson David Cunliffe says. More >>
Fewer first home buyers in market due to LVRs
Monday, 14 October 2013, 1:45 pm | New Zealand Labour Party
First time buyers have been hammered by the new mortgage lending restrictions according to the BNZ-REINZ market survey that shows for its first time ever there are fewer first home hunters in the market, says Labour's housing spokesperson Phil Twyford. More >>
Niue Language Week to be celebrated across the country
Monday, 14 October 2013, 1:43 pm | New Zealand Government
Fakaalofa lahi atu. Pacific Island Affairs Minister Hekia Parata says Niue Language Week is a great opportunity for all New Zealanders to celebrate the unique culture and language of one of our most vibrant Pacific communities. More >>
Universal KiwiSaver needed for retirement
Monday, 14 October 2013, 12:33 pm | New Zealand Labour Party
Yet again National has been shown up as completely left behind on the sustainability of our retirement debate, as the Financial Service Council’s call for a universal KiwiSaver scheme shows, says Labour Finance spokesperson David Parker. More >>
Safety Week focuses on daily injury prevention
Monday, 14 October 2013, 11:31 am | New Zealand Government
ACC Minister Judith Collins is welcoming the start of ACC’s Safety Week today to help raise awareness of safety risks and promote safer practices. More >>
Green Party cardboard casino a shock reminder
Monday, 14 October 2013, 10:22 am | Green Party
The Green Party’s cardboard casino in Auckland’s Aotea Square reveals how the Government’s pokies-for-convention centre deal is the equivalent of erecting an entire new casino in Auckland, Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei said today. More >>
Improved payout for retirement village residents
Monday, 14 October 2013, 9:22 am | New Zealand Government
Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson today announced that owners of retirement village units are now entitled to a better minimum payout following situations such as an earthquake. More >>
Five days remaining in Meridian Share Offer
Monday, 14 October 2013, 9:03 am | New Zealand Government
New Zealanders have just five days remaining to apply to become shareholders in Meridian Energy, the country’s largest electricity generator, Minister for State Owned Enterprises Tony Ryall says. More >>
Time for Nick Smith to listen up
Monday, 14 October 2013, 9:00 am | New Zealand Labour Party
With newly re-elected Auckland Mayor Len Brown adding his voice to those calling for first home buyers to be exempted from mortgage lending restrictions, it is time for Housing Minister Nick Smith to sit up and take notice, says Labour’s Housing ... More >>
Minister directs DOC to review park fuel tanks
Monday, 14 October 2013, 8:56 am | New Zealand Government
Conservation Minister Dr Nick Smith is requiring the Department of Conservation to review the standards and back-up containment of all fuel tanks in National Parks. More >>
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