Latest Parliament Headlines
EV Road User Charges Bill Passes
Thursday, 28 March 2024, 6:27 pm | New Zealand Government
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the passing of legislation to move light electric vehicles (EVs) & plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) into the road user charges system from 1 April. More >>
Bill Targets Illegal, Unregulated Fishing In International Waters
Thursday, 28 March 2024, 4:45 pm | New Zealand Government
New Zealand is strengthening its ability to combat illegal fishing outside its domestic waters and beef up regulation for its own commercial fishers in international waters through a Bill which had its first reading in Parliament today. The Fisheries (International ... More >>
ACT Auditing “Safe Space” Policies At Universities And Polytechnics
Thursday, 28 March 2024, 4:11 pm | ACT New Zealand
“Today I wrote to each New Zealand university and polytechnic to determine their commitment to an inclusive education,” says ACT Tertiary Education and Skills spokesperson Dr Parmjeet Parmar. “There is a reason the University of Auckland’s segregated ... More >>
Reserve Bank Appointments
Thursday, 28 March 2024, 3:40 pm | New Zealand Government
Hon Nicola Willis Minister of Finance Economists Carl Hansen and Professor Prasanna Gai have been appointed to the Reserve Bank Monetary Policy Committee, Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced today. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is the independent ... More >>
Tenancy Reviews For Social Housing Restart
Thursday, 28 March 2024, 3:20 pm | New Zealand Government
Ensuring social housing is being provided to those with the greatest needs is front of mind as the Government restarts social housing tenancy reviews, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. “Our relentless focus on building a strong economy is ... More >>
Stronger Protections For Apartment Owners
Thursday, 28 March 2024, 1:26 pm | New Zealand Government
Apartment owners and buyers will soon have greater protections as further changes to the law on unit titles come into effect, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. More >>
Travel Focused On Traditional Partners & Middle East
Thursday, 28 March 2024, 1:23 pm | New Zealand Government
Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to Egypt and Europe from this weekend. “This travel will focus on a range of New Zealand’s traditional diplomatic and security partnerships while enabling broad engagement on the urgent situation in ... More >>
MPP Cuts Unforgivable
Thursday, 28 March 2024, 12:12 pm | Green Party
Slashing the Ministry of Pacific Peoples by 40% will have a devastating impact on pacific communities and further highlights how little this government cares about anything other than cutting taxes for the wealthiest few. “Aotearoa is a Pacific ... More >>
Te Pāti Māori Calls On Universities To Stand By Marginalised Tauira Placed Under Threat
Thursday, 28 March 2024, 11:17 am | Te Pati Maori
Te Pāti Māori’s is calling on tertiary providers to protect the spaces placed under target by an Act Party who is persistently misrepresenting tangata whenua. “What we are seeing from the Act Party is only another attempt to misrepresent ... More >>
Keep Safe On Our Roads This Easter
Thursday, 28 March 2024, 10:48 am | New Zealand Government
Hon Simeon Brown Minister of Transport Transport Minister Simeon Brown is encouraging all road users to stay safe, plan their journeys ahead of time, and be patient with other drivers while travelling around this Easter long weekend. “Road safety is ... More >>
Cost Of Living Support For Over 1.4 Million Kiwis
Thursday, 28 March 2024, 10:22 am | New Zealand Government
Over a quarter of New Zealanders will get help to ease the cost of living from Monday, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. More >>
Time To Call Time On Greyhound Racing
Thursday, 28 March 2024, 10:08 am | New Zealand Labour Party
The Labour Party is calling on the Government to ban greyhound racing. “The greyhound racing industry has been on notice for a long time, including three reviews in the last decade into greyhound racing practice,” Labour’s animal welfare spokesperson ... More >>
Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Plan Halted
Thursday, 28 March 2024, 9:38 am | New Zealand Government
The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary will not go ahead, with Cabinet deciding to stop work on the proposed reserve and remove the Bill that would have established it from Parliament’s order paper. “The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill would have created a 620,000 sq ... More >>
Cutting All That Dam Red Tape
Thursday, 28 March 2024, 9:20 am | New Zealand Government
Dam safety regulations are being amended so that smaller dams won’t be subject to excessive compliance costs, Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on reducing costs and removing unnecessary ... More >>
Government Tackling Poor Classroom Behaviour
Thursday, 28 March 2024, 9:11 am | New Zealand Government
A report published by the Education Review Office today shows behaviour in New Zealand classrooms is among the worst in the OECD and action is needed, Minister of Education Erica Stanford says. “The coalition Government is taking action to turn around ... More >>
Drought Support Extended
Thursday, 28 March 2024, 9:08 am | New Zealand Government
The coalition Government is expanding the medium-scale adverse event classification to parts of the North Island as dry weather conditions persist, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced today. “I have made the decision to expand the medium-scale ... More >>
Nicola Willis’ Numbers Still Don’t Add Up
Wednesday, 27 March 2024, 3:44 pm | New Zealand Labour Party
Kiwis are none-the-wiser today after Nicola Willis’ botched Budget Policy Statement. “It’s highly embarrassing for a Finance Minister to be unable to do what has been required of every Finance Minister since the introduction of the Public Finance ... More >>
Passage Of Major Tax Bill Welcomed
Wednesday, 27 March 2024, 2:54 pm | New Zealand Government
The passing of legislation giving effect to coalition Government tax commitments has been welcomed by Finance Minister Nicola Willis. “The Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill will help place New ... More >>
David Seymour Responds To BPS
Wednesday, 27 March 2024, 2:03 pm | ACT New Zealand
Responding to the release of the Budget Policy Statement, ACT Leader David Seymour says: "The Finance Minister today confirmed what households across New Zealand already understand: a tight economy requires tough decisions and financial compromises. ... More >>
Lifting Economy Through Science, Tertiary Sectors
Wednesday, 27 March 2024, 1:32 pm | New Zealand Government
Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins and Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds today announced plans to transform our science and university sectors to boost the economy. Two advisory groups, chaired by Professor ... More >>
Government Announces Budget Priorities
Wednesday, 27 March 2024, 1:05 pm | New Zealand Government
The Budget will deliver urgently-needed tax relief to hard-working New Zealanders while putting the government’s finances back on a sustainable track, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The Finance Minister made the comments at the release of the ... More >>
Public Submissions Open On Auditor-General’s Infrastructure Report
Wednesday, 27 March 2024, 11:18 am | The Finance and Expenditure Committee
The Finance and Expenditure Committee is calling for public submissions on a report of the Controller and Auditor-General, Making infrastructure investment decisions quickly . Scope of submissions: The Finance and Expenditure Committee is seeking ... More >>
Labour Calls For Food Pricing Inquiry
Wednesday, 27 March 2024, 9:47 am | New Zealand Labour Party
Labour has proposed an urgent inquiry to investigate the ever-increasing profits of supermarkets, aiming to lower costs for shoppers and food producers alike, says Labour Spokesperson for Commerce and Consumer Affairs Arena Williams and Primary ... More >>
Kiwis Set To Be Frustrated By Easter Trading Rules This Weekend
Wednesday, 27 March 2024, 9:20 am | ACT New Zealand
“New Zealanders frustrated over this weekend’s restrictions on trading have my support,” says ACT MP Cameron Luxton. “Kiwis looking to grab groceries and other essentials for the long weekend, or just take the time for some shopping, will ... More >>
Penny Simmonds Should Be Sacked Over Disability Funding Debacle
Wednesday, 27 March 2024, 6:28 am | New Zealand Labour Party
The Prime Minister has taken all decisions around disability funding out of Penny Simmonds hands, and yet she’s still a Minister. “It’s time Christopher Luxon took his own advice from Opposition and showed some leadership,” Labour leader ... More >>
Government To Consider Accommodation Solution
Tuesday, 26 March 2024, 4:08 pm | New Zealand Government
The coalition Government will look at options to address a zoning issue that limits how much financial support Queenstown residents can get for accommodation. Cabinet has agreed on a response to the Petitions Committee, which had recommended the geographic ... More >>
Government Approves Extension To Royal Commission Of Inquiry Into Abuse In Care
Tuesday, 26 March 2024, 3:55 pm | New Zealand Government
Cabinet has agreed to a short extension to the final reporting timeframe for the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care from 28 March 2024 to 26 June 2024, Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says. “The Royal Commission wrote to me on 16 ... More >>
$18m Boost For Kiwis Travelling To Health Treatment
Tuesday, 26 March 2024, 3:34 pm | New Zealand Government
The coalition Government is delivering an $18 million boost to New Zealanders needing to travel for specialist health treatment, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says. “These changes are long overdue – the National Travel Assistance (NTA) scheme saw its ... More >>
Minister Fails To Stand Up For Ethnic Communities
Tuesday, 26 March 2024, 3:07 pm | New Zealand Labour Party
With 14% of jobs on the line at the Ministry for Ethnic Communities, the responsible Minister Melissa Lee is failing to stand up for the very communities she’s meant to be representing. “Last month, Melissa Lee talked about New Zealand’s growing ... More >>
Universities Must Respond To Segregation Accusations
Tuesday, 26 March 2024, 2:49 pm | ACT New Zealand
“Blocking access to spaces based on ethnicity has an ugly past and has no future in New Zealand. Universities owe the Kiwis who pay their bills an explanation,” says ACT Tertiary Education spokesperson Dr Parmjeet Parmar. “Photos posted online ... More >>
Court Of Appeal: Trifecta Of Victory For NZFirst, Trifecta Of Failure For Opponents
Tuesday, 26 March 2024, 1:01 pm | New Zealand First Party
For the third time since April 2020, New Zealand First has defeated the Serious Fraud Office and all those complicit in a malicious attack against a political party going about its lawful business in a lawful manner. In April of 2020, six months ... More >>
PM’s Prizes For Space To Showcase Sector’s Talent
Tuesday, 26 March 2024, 12:28 pm | New Zealand Government
The Government is recognising the innovative and rising talent in New Zealand’s growing space sector, with the Prime Minister and Space Minister Judith Collins announcing the new Prime Minister’s Prizes for Space today. More >>
Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Tuesday, 26 March 2024, 12:16 pm | New Zealand Government
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. More >>
Independent Reviewers Appointed For School Property Inquiry
Tuesday, 26 March 2024, 11:41 am | New Zealand Government
Education Minister Erica Stanford today announced the appointment of three independent reviewers to lead the Ministerial Inquiry into the Ministry of Education’s School Property Function. The Inquiry will be led by former Minister of Foreign Affairs ... More >>
Te Pāti Māori Only Party With Transformative Tax Policy To Address Cost-of-living
Tuesday, 26 March 2024, 10:25 am | Te Pati Maori
Te Pāti Māori’s tax policy is the transformational solution to poverty that Aotearoa needs. “The Labour leaders speech over the weekend was an admission that Labour chose to do nothing to fix our broken tax system when they had the absolute ... More >>
Brynderwyns Open For Easter
Tuesday, 26 March 2024, 10:21 am | New Zealand Government
State Highway 1 across the Brynderwyns will be open for Easter weekend, with work currently underway to ensure the resilience of this critical route being paused for Easter Weekend to allow holiday makers to travel north, Transport Minister Simeon ... More >>
Chris Bishop - Speech To The Infrastructure Funding & Financing Conference
Tuesday, 26 March 2024, 10:15 am | New Zealand Government
Introduction Good morning to you all, and thanks for having me bright and early today. I am absolutely delighted to be the Minister for Infrastructure alongside the Minister of Housing and Resource Management Reform. I know the Prime Minister ... More >>
Parliamentary Network Breached By The PRC
Tuesday, 26 March 2024, 10:13 am | New Zealand Government
New Zealand stands with the United Kingdom in its condemnation of People’s Republic of China (PRC) state-backed malicious cyber activity impacting its Electoral Commission and targeting Members of the UK Parliament. “The use of cyber-enabled espionage ... More >>
Greens Call For Strong Public Build Programme Following Release Of Report
Tuesday, 26 March 2024, 9:48 am | Green Party
The Green Party stands with people who live in public housing, people in dire housing need, experts and advocates in demanding better than the Government’s archaic approach to housing those who need our support the most. “The Government must end the shameful ... More >>
NZ-EU FTA Gains Royal Assent For 1 May Entry To Force
Monday, 25 March 2024, 6:17 pm | New Zealand Government
Upon entry to force on 1 May, the Agreement is set to increase our total exports to the EU by $1.8 billion annually. More >>
COVID-19 Inquiry Attracts 11,000 Submissions
Monday, 25 March 2024, 6:14 pm | New Zealand Government
Public consultation on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons has concluded, Internal Affairs Minister Hon Brooke van Velden says. “I have been advised that there were over 11,000 submissions made through the Royal ... More >>
Families To Receive Up To $75 A Week Help With ECE Fees
Monday, 25 March 2024, 5:22 pm | New Zealand Government
Hardworking families are set to benefit from a new credit to help them meet their early childcare education (ECE) costs, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. From 1 July, parents and caregivers of young children will be supported to manage the ... More >>
NZ To Provide Support For Solomon Islands Election
Monday, 25 March 2024, 5:17 pm | New Zealand Government
"We’re sending a team of NZ Defence Force personnel and two NH90 helicopters to provide logistics support for the election on 17 April, at the request of Solomon Islands’ Electoral Commission." More >>
Families To Receive Up To $75 A Week Help With ECE Fees
Monday, 25 March 2024, 4:12 pm | New Zealand Government
Hardworking families are set to benefit from a new credit to help them meet their early childcare education (ECE) costs, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. From 1 July, parents and caregivers of young children will be supported to manage the ... More >>
Rt Hon Winston Peters - ‘SailGP Debacle’ A Disaster For New Zealand’s Future
Monday, 25 March 2024, 4:03 pm | New Zealand First Party
New Zealand has recently lost the hosting rights of some major international sporting events including the America’s Cup, the Rugby Championship, Netball World Cup, and the Wellington Sevens. We are now at a huge risk of losing SailGP as well. And ... More >>
Minister To Meet Australian Counterparts And Manufacturing Industry Leaders
Monday, 25 March 2024, 11:41 am | New Zealand Government
Small Business, Manufacturing, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly will travel to Australia for a series of bi-lateral meetings and manufacturing visits. During the visit, Minister Bayly will meet with his Australian counterparts, Senator ... More >>
Unlocking A Sustainable, Low-emissions Future
Monday, 25 March 2024, 10:33 am | New Zealand Government
A specialised Independent Technical Advisory Group (ITAG) tasked with preparing and publishing independent non-binding advice on the design of a "green" (sustainable finance) taxonomy rulebook is being established, Climate Change Minister ... More >>
Chief Of Army Thanked For His Service
Monday, 25 March 2024, 10:32 am | New Zealand Government
Defence Minister Judith Collins has thanked the Chief of Army, Major General John Boswell, DSD, for his service as he leaves the Army after 40 years. “I would like to thank Major General Boswell for his contribution to the Army and the wider New ... More >>
Government Commits Almost $3 Million For Period Products In Schools
Sunday, 24 March 2024, 12:27 pm | New Zealand Government
The Coalition Government has committed $2.9 million to ensure intermediate and secondary schools continue providing period products to those who need them, Minister of Education Erica Stanford announced today. “This is an issue of dignity and ensuring young ... More >>
Would The Real Police Minister Please Stand Up?
Saturday, 23 March 2024, 7:48 pm | New Zealand Labour Party
The cracks in the Coalition are deepening as Ministers scramble to avoid responsibility of delivering their promise of 500 more police. More >>
Making It Easier To Build
Saturday, 23 March 2024, 2:10 pm | New Zealand Government
Hon Chris Penk, Minister for Building and Construction Good morning, it’s great to be here. First, I would like to acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of Building Surveyors and thank you for the opportunity to be here this morning. I would like ... More >>
COVID Inquiry: Last Chance To Have Your Say
Friday, 22 March 2024, 2:15 pm | ACT New Zealand
With public submissions closing at midnight on Sunday, ACT is encouraging Kiwis to share their experiences with the official inquiry into the COVID-19 response at www.covid19inquiry.nz . “Kiwis could be forgiven wanting to forget about the toughest ... More >>
Pacific Youth To Shine From Boost To Polyfest
Friday, 22 March 2024, 12:43 pm | New Zealand Government
Hon Dr Shane Reti Minister for Pacific Peoples Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti has announced the Government’s commitment to the Auckland Secondary Schools Māori and Pacific Islands Cultural Festival, more commonly known as Polyfest. “The ... More >>
Member’s Bill To Support Path To Pay Transparency
Friday, 22 March 2024, 12:12 pm | New Zealand Labour Party
A bill with a simple focus of allowing conversations about pay has been drawn from the Member’s Ballot. The Employment Relations (Employee Remuneration Disclosure) Amendment Bill allows employees to talk about their pay without fear of retaliation ... More >>
Speech To The New Zealand Planning Institute
Friday, 22 March 2024, 11:53 am | New Zealand Government
Hon Chris Bishop Minister Responsible for RMA Reform Thank you for inviting me to speak with you today and I’m sorry I can’t be there in person. Yesterday I started in Wellington for Breakfast TV, spoke to a property conference in Auckland, ... More >>
Insurance Contracts Bill To Overhaul Insurance Law
Friday, 22 March 2024, 11:30 am | New Zealand Labour Party
A Member’s Bill drawn this week would modernise insurance law and make things fairer and more transparent for consumers, Christchurch Central MP Duncan Webb said. “As a former insurance lawyer, I know from bitter experience that the current law ... More >>
Celebrating 20 Years Of Whakaata Māori
Friday, 22 March 2024, 11:01 am | New Zealand Government
Hon Minister Tama Potaka Minister for Māori Development New Zealanders have enjoyed a broader range of voices telling the story of Aotearoa thanks to the creation of Whakaata Māori 20 years ago, says Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka. The minister ... More >>
Growing Regional Tourism Events
Friday, 22 March 2024, 11:00 am | New Zealand Government
Hon Matt Doocey Minister for Tourism and Hospitality A new $5 million regional events promotion fund will help attract more visitors to the regions year-round Tourism and Hospitality Minister Matt Doocey has announced today at the Otago Tourism Policy ... More >>
Support For Northland Emergency Response Centre
Friday, 22 March 2024, 10:33 am | New Zealand Government
Hon Mark Mitchell, Minister for Emergency Management and Recovery The Coalition Government is contributing more than $1 million to support the establishment of an emergency multi-agency coordination centre in Northland. Emergency Management and ... More >>
Member’s Bill To Support Path To Pay Transparency
Friday, 22 March 2024, 10:28 am | New Zealand Labour Party
A bill with a simple focus of allowing conversations about pay has been drawn from the Member’s Ballot. The Employment Relations (Employee Remuneration Disclosure) Amendment Bill allows employees to talk about their pay without fear of retaliation ... More >>