Latest Parliament Headlines
Social Housing need – A ticking time bomb
16 May 2012 11:57pm | Green Party
National’s announcement today of successful applicants to the $25.3 million Social Housing Unit (SHU) Growth Fund is just a drop in the ocean, the Green Party said today. More >>
Housing a non-event on National’s policy calendar
16 May 2012 6:41pm | New Zealand Labour Party
The Government’s Social Housing Unit (SHU) Growth Fund pales in comparison to what the Housing Innovation Fund would have achieved under Labour’s stewardship, says Labour’s Housing spokesperson Annette King. More >>
McCully announces closure of embassy in Stockholm, Sweden
16 May 2012 4:35pm | New Zealand Government
Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully today announced the closure of the Stockholm embassy in Sweden as part of $10 million of savings in the Ministry’s European posts. More >>
Dunne: chartered accountants’ contribution welcomed
16 May 2012 4:04pm | New Zealand Government
Revenue Minister Peter Dunne today thanked the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants (NZICA) for its contribution to the wider discussion on simplifying tax for small and medium sized businesses in New Zealand. More >>
Government funding for new housing projects
16 May 2012 3:26pm | New Zealand Government
People in need will get the most benefit from Government funding for new housing projects, to be developed by non-government providers. Housing Minister Phil Heatley today announced the successful applicants to the $25.3 million Social Housing Unit ... More >>
Warm Up New Zealand Heat Smart – 150,000th Home Celebration
16 May 2012 3:22pm | The Maori Party
I’d like to firstly acknowledge Mayor of Auckland, Len Brown; Deputy Mayor, Penny Hulse; Board Members of EECA, Hon Heatley, and Metiria Turei. The metaphors around the role of the house in te ao Māori are rich and plentiful. More >>
Performance Based Pay for Teachers Long Overdue
16 May 2012 2:05pm | ACT New Zealand
ACT New Zealand today welcomed Education Minister Hekia Parata’s serious consideration of performance based pay for teachers, which is best practice in industries all around the world and is long overdue in the education sector. More >>
Igloo deal signals weakening of Commerce Commission
16 May 2012 2:03pm | New Zealand Labour Party
Labour today warned that the reluctance by the Commerce Commission to challenge the growing market dominance of Sky TV was a weakening of its role to defend a competitive market, for the benefit of New Zealand consumers. More >>
“The Pom and the Pitbull”
16 May 2012 2:00pm | New Zealand First Party
Thank you for the invite to speak here today. As you know we take a deep interest in the media and have done so for many years. There is a story. A young Englishman visiting relatives in Brisbane heard some noise next door so rushed over and found ... More >>
Devil Lurks in the Educational Detail – NZ First
16 May 2012 12:13pm | New Zealand First Party
Tracey Martin MP Spokesperson for Education 16 May 2012 Devil Lurks in the Educational Detail – NZ First New Zealand First says changes to education policy must take into account students in disadvantaged areas, and those in rural isolation that cannot ... More >>
Cuts to classes result of government failure
16 May 2012 11:36am | New Zealand Labour Party
The Government is determined to do what’s right by Treasury rather than what’s right by our teachers and children, Labour’s Education spokesperson Nanaia Mahuta says. More >>
Hon Tariana Turia: National Taonga Takaro Hui
16 May 2012 11:25am | New Zealand Government
Ka mihi atu ki te tangata whenua, ki Te Ati Awa, no konei i roto o te Awakairangi. Ka mihi hoki ki a koe Teresa Olsen, me te whanau whanui o te marae o Kokiri. Huri noa, ki a tātou katoa kua huihui mai nei ki tēnei marae o Wainuiomata. More >>
NZ First Calls for a Ban on Legal Highs
16 May 2012 11:16am | New Zealand First Party
Barbara Stewart MP Spokesperson for Health 16 May 2012 NZ First Calls for a Ban on Legal Highs New Zealand First is calling for the Government to ban the production and sale of synthetic cannabinoids – known as legal highs. Health spokesperson ... More >>
Govt’s cost cutting hits NZ kids learning
16 May 2012 10:56am | Green Party
The Government has taken Treasury’s bad advice and increased class sizes despite knowing that this policy will negatively affect children, Green Party education spokesperson Catherine Delahunty said today. More >>
Māori Party proud to celebrate success of the Warm Up NZ
16 May 2012 10:54am | The Maori Party
Māori Party proud to celebrate the success of the Warm Up New Zealand Heat Smart Programme More >>
Insulation programme reaches 150,000 houses
16 May 2012 10:50am | New Zealand Government
The Government’s programme to help insulate New Zealand homes has now reached the milestone of 150,000 insulated homes, Energy and Resources Minister Phil Heatley announced today. More >>
150,000 families in warmer, drier, greener homes
16 May 2012 10:48am | Green Party
The Warm Up New Zealand: Heat Smart home insulation scheme is a good example of smart, green economics at work, said the Green Party today. More >>
Groser promoting race to the bottom on food standards
16 May 2012 10:43am | Green Party
The Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) risks dragging down our food standards to meet the lower level standards of other countries, the Green Party said today. More >>
Another promise the Government is doing nothing to keep
16 May 2012 10:22am | New Zealand Labour Party
Promises of stronger growth have been seen before, but the Government isn’t doing enough to grow incomes and jobs, Labour’s Finance spokesperson David Parker says. More >>
Budget 2012: Extra $511.9 million for education
16 May 2012 9:17am | New Zealand Government
Budget 2012 will deliver funding that is firmly focused on raising student achievement, says Education Minister Hekia Parata. More >>
Hekia Parata: Raising achievement for all in Budget 2012
16 May 2012 9:15am | New Zealand Government
· I’m here today to talk about our education plan. Education is a subject that’s dear to my heart and head - and indeed yours, as future employers and business associates of the generation of young New Zealanders who are coming through our education system ... More >>
Groser to visit Washington DC
15 May 2012 5:56pm | New Zealand Government
Trade Minister Tim Groser will visit Washington DC this week to deliver a keynote address on food security and meet with his American counterparts. More >>
EEZ Bill Makes Risky Deep-Sea Drilling E-Z
15 May 2012 4:59pm | Green Party
The Government’s Bill to regulate activity in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) will facilitate risky deep sea drilling and destructive sea bed mining, rather than protect our oceans, the Green Party said today. More >>
Corrections Needs to Fix its Shoddy Probation Scheme
15 May 2012 4:06pm | New Zealand First Party
New Zealand First says the Government should slap Corrections Department bosses with a ‘please explain’ notice over their inability to monitor offenders released on probation. More >>
iPad App for Kiwi Businesses Goes Online
15 May 2012 3:38pm | New Zealand Government
Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce today launched two new online products – including an iPad app for business – as part of the Government’s plan for delivering better public services. More >>
National Presides Over Zero-Growth Economy
15 May 2012 2:54pm | New Zealand Labour Party
Revised GDP figures out today show what everyone knows but the Government refuses to acknowledge – that the economy has hardly grown since National has been in office, Labour’s finance spokesperson David Parker says. More >>
New Board to oversee Work and Income Performance
15 May 2012 2:09pm | New Zealand Government
Social Development Minister Paula Bennett today announced the new Work and Income board members to oversee the investment approach to welfare. More >>
What National Doesn’t Want to Hear About Asset Sales
15 May 2012 2:05pm | New Zealand Labour Party
Not holding hearings on asset sales in the run up to the budget is a deliberate tactic by National to save itself from embarrassment, Labour’s finance spokesperson David Parker says. More >>
New Funding for Disabilities Isn’t ‘New’
15 May 2012 1:54pm | New Zealand Labour Party
Giving the disabilities sector the largest slice of the Health Budget will be welcomed, but without details as to where this funding is coming from we can’t be sure others aren’t missing out, Labour’s Disabilities spokesperson Clare Curran said. More >>
New Funding For Disabilities Isn’t ‘New’
15 May 2012 1:44pm | New Zealand Labour Party
New Funding For Disabilities Isn’t ‘New’ Giving the disabilities sector the largest slice of the Health Budget will be welcomed, but without details as to where this ‘new’ funding is coming from we can’t be sure others aren’t missing ... More >>
Maungakiekie MP Holds Successful Meeting with Transpower
15 May 2012 12:36pm | New Zealand National Party
Maungakiekie MP, Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga, describes a “please explain” meeting with Transpower as successful, following their decision to object to the Onehunga foreshore development. More >>
Hiked prescription costs will hurt families
15 May 2012 11:51am | New Zealand Labour Party
The Government’s decision to hike prescription costs will hurt the most vulnerable members of our communities and put families with children, elderly and sick people at risk, says Labour's Pacific Island spokesperson Su’a William Sio. More >>
User pays plan confirms National’s failure
15 May 2012 11:32am | New Zealand Labour Party
National's sudden decision to force Kiwis to pay more for health services is affirmation that it has failed to properly manage the economy or create growth, says Labour Leader David Shearer. More >>
BUDGET 2012: $144m more for disability support
15 May 2012 11:28am | New Zealand Government
Budget 2012 will make available $143.7 million over the next four years to improve the lives of people with disabilities. Speaking at the New Zealand Federation of Disabilities Information Centres’ Conference in Queenstown today, Health Minister ... More >>
End ‘Ethnic Precincts’ – Peters
15 May 2012 11:07am | New Zealand First Party
Rt Hon Winston Peters New Zealand First Leader 15 May 2012 End ‘Ethnic Precincts’ – Peters New Zealand First is calling for migrants setting up businesses in New Zealand to acknowledge they live in an English speaking country. Rt Hon Winston Peters ... More >>
Minister opens new $10.2 million Police HQ
15 May 2012 11:02am | New Zealand Government
Police Minister Anne Tolley has today officially opened the new Counties Manukau East police station. More >>
Safety key in SH2 Muldoon’s corner completion
15 May 2012 10:22am | New Zealand Government
The completion of the SH2 Muldoon’s corner easing project near the summit of Rimutaka Hill in Wellington represents another improvement in the safety and efficiency of the country’s main transport routes, Associate Transport Minister Simon Bridges ... More >>
Hon Peter Dunne: Address to the National Kia Piki te Ora
15 May 2012 9:36am | New Zealand Government
I am very pleased to be here today in place of Hon Tariana Turia, who sends her best wishes. More >>
Fruit fly is no excuse for irradiating our food
14 May 2012 7:52pm | Green Party
Last week’s discovery of a Queensland fruit fly in Auckland should not be a catalyst for irradiation of staple produce such as tomatoes, yet this is exactly what is happening, the Green Party said today. More >>
Crewing cuts leave our Navy high and dry
14 May 2012 7:47pm | New Zealand Labour Party
Ian LEES-GALLOWAY Defence Spokesperson 14 May 2012 MEDIA STATEMENT Crewing cuts leave our Navy high and dry More >>
Maungakiekie MP Welcomes Inquiry into Pacific Languages
14 May 2012 5:16pm | New Zealand National Party
MP for Maungakiekie, Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga, welcomes news that the Education and Science select Committee will investigate the current frame works that support Pacific Language in early childhood education. More >>
Minister of Illness Misses the Mark
14 May 2012 5:09pm | New Zealand Labour Party
Increasing prescription prices to subsidise other health services punishes the wrong people, says Labour’s Health spokesperson Maryan Street. More >>
Don’t Increase Prescription Charges – NZ First
14 May 2012 4:24pm | New Zealand First Party
New Zealand First says the 60 per cent increase in prescription charges will hurt lower income families and the elderly and should not go ahead. More >>
Budget 2012: $101m for Surgery, Cancer Services
14 May 2012 3:43pm | New Zealand Government
The Budget next week will provide $101 million of extra funding over the next four years for more elective operations and scans, and improved cancer services, Health Minister Tony Ryall says. More >>
Budget 2012: Prescription Charges Help Fund Health
14 May 2012 3:39pm | New Zealand Government
Health Minister Tony Ryall today announced the Government will increase the $3 prescription charge to $5 per item up to a maximum of 20 items from 1 January 2013. The savings will be reinvested in the health sector. More >>
Compliance Costs for Goods Containing Greenhouse Gases
14 May 2012 3:15pm | New Zealand Government
The Government is proposing to replace the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) obligations for importers of goods containing synthetic greenhouse gases with a levy, Minister for Climate Change Issues Tim Groser, announced today. More >>
Government Should Drop Legal Action and Support Carers
14 May 2012 3:04pm | New Zealand Labour Party
Today’s Court of Appeal ruling that parents caring for disabled children are being unreasonably discriminated against should embarrass the Government into dropping any further proceedings, says Labour’s Disabilities spokesperson Clare Curran. More >>
About Time For Landmark Disability Decision – NZ First
14 May 2012 2:41pm | New Zealand First Party
New Zealand First applauds a landmark court decision that opens the way for parents of disabled children to become paid carers. More >>
Fruit Fly Find Must be Meet With Tougher Border Controls
14 May 2012 2:34pm | New Zealand First Party
New Zealand First is asking the Government to introduce tougher border biosecurity following the discovery in Auckland of a Queensland fruit fly that endangers our multi-billion dollar horticultural sector. More >>
Resumption of US-NZ Military Exercises Good for the Pacific
14 May 2012 2:31pm | New Zealand First Party
New Zealand First says the resumption of military exercises between New Zealand and the United States will have positive outcomes for the region. More >>
Improvements to Employment Law Announced
14 May 2012 2:28pm | New Zealand Government
Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson has announced a package of measures that will extend workers’ rights to request flexible working hours and ensure a fair and flexible collective bargaining environment. More >>
Employment Relations Don’t Have to be Lose-Lose
14 May 2012 1:27pm | New Zealand Labour Party
Moves to destabilise collective bargaining undermine the effort and pride New Zealanders put into their work, says Labour’s spokesperson for Labour Issues Darien Fenton. More >>
Oz: The Light at the End of the Tunnel
14 May 2012 1:23pm | New Zealand Labour Party
Massive numbers of Kiwi job-seekers turning up at a weekend expo is further proof New Zealanders see better prospects for their future across the ditch, says Labour Leader David Shearer. More >>
Retail Sales Collapse an Ominous Sign
14 May 2012 1:18pm | New Zealand Labour Party
A record fall in core retail sales is an ominous warning that a double dip recession could be on the cards, Labour’s Economic Development spokesperson David Cunliffe says. More >>
Govt Must Heed Latest Court Victory for Carers
14 May 2012 1:15pm | Green Party
Today’s victory in the Court of Appeal for families caring for disabled family members should be taken notice of by the Government, Green MP Catherine Delahunty said today. More >>
Cheap chopper deal not such a great idea?
14 May 2012 12:23pm | New Zealand Labour Party
Plans to buy hand-me-down Australian navy helicopters sound suspiciously like a dirty deal about to be done bad, Labour's Defence Spokesperson Iain Lees-Galloway. More >>
Greens challenge English to back up tax switch claim
14 May 2012 11:27am | Green Party
The Green Party is challenging Finance Minister Bill English to produce evidence to back up his claim made last night that the 2010 tax cuts are fiscally neutral. More >>
Call for community to lead employment debate
14 May 2012 9:50am | New Zealand Labour Party
Ensuring a work-family balance – the theme of tomorrow’s UN International Day of Families - requires a community-wide focus on ‘everyone’s right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection ... More >>
Govt’s 2010 tax cuts costing $2 billion and counting
13 May 2012 9:30pm | Green Party
13 May 2012 Govt’s 2010 tax cuts costing $2 billion and counting The Green Party has today revealed that the National Government has so far had to borrow an additional $2 billion dollars to fund their 2010 tax cut package for upper income earners. New ... More >>
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