Latest Parliament Headlines [Page 5]
Govt bail-out of Solid Energy privatisation by stealth
Tuesday, 1 October 2013, 2:15 pm | Green Party
The National Government’s proposed bail-out deal for Solid Energy is backdoor privatisation, the Green Party said today. Four foreign-owned banks – ANZ, BNZ, ASB and Westpac – will take a $75 million ownership stake in Solid Energy in return for writing ... More >>
Ministers welcome new MPI Director-General
Tuesday, 1 October 2013, 1:52 pm | New Zealand Government
Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy and Food Safety Minister Nikki Kaye are welcoming Martyn Dunne CNZM as the new Director-General of the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI). More >>
SuPERU provides hub for longitudinal study
Tuesday, 1 October 2013, 1:48 pm | New Zealand Government
The Families Commission’s new Social Policy and Evaluation Research Unit (SuPERU) will manage the Growing Up in New Zealand study from today. Social Development Minister Paula Bennett welcomed the transfer of the longitudinal study from the Ministry of ... More >>
Collins congratulates ACC on strong year
Tuesday, 1 October 2013, 1:36 pm | New Zealand Government
ACC Minister Judith Collins says ACC’s commitment to client rehabilitation and sound investment has allowed the Corporation to make excellent progress, as shown in ACC’s 2013 annual report. More >>
Housing announcement a desperate distraction
Tuesday, 1 October 2013, 1:27 pm | New Zealand Labour Party
National is selling off one hundred dilapidated state houses a year in places like Otorohanga and Invercargill where there is no housing crisis, Labour’s Housing spokesperson Phil Twyford says. More >>
FirstHome well-intentioned but poorly thought-out
Tuesday, 1 October 2013, 12:59 pm | Green Party
It is good to see the National Government acknowledging the need to help families into affordable housing but its FirstHome policy is poorly thought-out, Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei said today. More >>
Taxpayer pays for Govt’s Solid Energy stuff-up
Tuesday, 1 October 2013, 12:47 pm | New Zealand Labour Party
Solid Energy’s restructure is too little, too late and comes at a cost of up to $155 million to the taxpayer, says Labour’s SOEs spokesperson Clayton Cosgrove. More >>
Key’s LVR numbers wide of the mark
Tuesday, 1 October 2013, 12:45 pm | New Zealand Labour Party
John Key is trying to scare Kiwis with claims that thousands of dollars will be added to mortgages, but the problem is his numbers are totally different from the Reserve Bank’s estimates, Labour Leader David Cunliffe says. More >>
More qualifications and graduates than ever before
Tuesday, 1 October 2013, 12:36 pm | New Zealand Government
The New Zealand tertiary education system delivered more graduates and qualifications than ever before in 2012, Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce says. More >>
Investment in injury prevention must deliver
Tuesday, 1 October 2013, 12:27 pm | New Zealand Government
ACC Minister Judith Collins says that ACC has a commitment to injury prevention that is both effective and cost efficient. More >>
Whangarei Children’s Team underway
Tuesday, 1 October 2013, 12:26 pm | New Zealand Government
Whangarei’s Children’s Team goes live today, a milestone welcomed by Social Development Minister Paula Bennett. More >>
New Police station and remand centre for New Plymouth
Tuesday, 1 October 2013, 12:25 pm | New Zealand Government
Police and Corrections Minister Anne Tolley has officially opened a new joint Police station and remand centre in New Plymouth, built at a cost of $17.25 million. More >>
Appointments to Education New Zealand board
Tuesday, 1 October 2013, 12:17 pm | New Zealand Government
Two appointments to the Education New Zealand board have been announced today by Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce. More >>
Tertiary Education Commission board appointments
Tuesday, 1 October 2013, 12:10 pm | New Zealand Government
Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce today announced two appointments to the Tertiary Education Commission board. More >>
Youth hotline crisis needs response
Tuesday, 1 October 2013, 12:09 pm | New Zealand Labour Party
Thousands of calls to crisis lines going unanswered confirms a pre-election promise by the Prime Minister to make youth mental health a priority has been put in the too hard basket, Labour’s Youth Affairs spokesperson Louisa Wall says. More >>
Dunne Speaks - 1 October 2013 - Resource management issues
Tuesday, 1 October 2013, 12:06 pm | United Future NZ Party
Resource management issues are very prominent on the current political agenda, and reveal a great deal about the National Party’s attitude to the environment. More >>
Greens support push for TPP transparency
Tuesday, 1 October 2013, 11:58 am | Green Party
All New Zealanders that value democracy need to get behind an electronic petition calling for the release of the draft text of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, Green Party trade spokesperson Dr Kennedy Graham said today. More >>
FirstHome launched to support provincial first home buyers
Tuesday, 1 October 2013, 11:43 am | New Zealand Government
A new Housing New Zealand initiative called FirstHome to help families buy their own home was announced today in Blenheim by Housing Minister Dr Nick Smith. More >>
First home buyers need Progressive Ownership
Tuesday, 1 October 2013, 11:42 am | Green Party
Young families looking to get into homeownership are being shut out of the market by the current Government’s policies and need the Greens’ Progressive Ownership scheme to help them get into their first home, Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei ... More >>
LVRs will turn funding tap off for many SMEs
Tuesday, 1 October 2013, 11:40 am | New Zealand Labour Party
New mortgage lending restrictions will be a kick in the guts to the many small businesses that borrow against the family home – although the Government has yet to do any work in the area, Labour’s Economic Development spokesperson David Clark says. More >>
5000 more people getting medicine support
Tuesday, 1 October 2013, 11:30 am | New Zealand Government
In the past three months, 5000 New Zealanders with long term health conditions, such as diabetes or arthritis, have signed up for regular advice and medication checks with their local pharmacy. More >>
Crime continues to tumble, biggest reduction in Auckland
Tuesday, 1 October 2013, 11:16 am | New Zealand Government
Police Minister Anne Tolley has praised frontline Police, with recorded offences down for the third fiscal year in a row, and a massive 17.4 per cent drop in crimes in the past three years. More >>
Financial restructure of Solid Energy proposed
Tuesday, 1 October 2013, 11:14 am | New Zealand Government
A proposal to financially restructure Solid Energy has been agreed between the Crown, the company and key lenders, Finance Minister Bill English and Minister for State Owned Enterprises Tony Ryall say. More >>
Key out of step with drink drive stance
Tuesday, 1 October 2013, 10:44 am | New Zealand Labour Party
The Prime Minister’s comments suggesting that his Government will not support lowering the legal blood-alcohol limit for drivers by way of an Opposition member's bill are unfortunate, says Labour's Associate Health spokesperson Iain Lees-Galloway. More >>
New Expert Advisory Group on Family Violence announced
Tuesday, 1 October 2013, 10:16 am | New Zealand Government
“The Expert Advisory Group on Family Violence is being formed to provide independent strategic advice to assist Government to determine key priority actions to address family violence in New Zealand,” says Minister Turia. More >>
Older people’s economic contribution increasing
Tuesday, 1 October 2013, 9:30 am | New Zealand Government
Projections on the economic contribution our ageing population will make over the next four decades show older people will have a more positive impact than previously thought, Senior Citizens Minister Jo Goodhew says. More >>
Putting the focus on older New Zealanders
Tuesday, 1 October 2013, 9:27 am | New Zealand Government
The steps being taken to make sure our growing ageing population remains healthy and independent were today outlined by the Senior Citizens Minister Jo Goodhew. More >>
Evidence mounts Chorus bail out costs consumer
Tuesday, 1 October 2013, 9:11 am | New Zealand Labour Party
A new analysis of the Government’s ‘copper tax’ shows consumers will be paying hundreds of millions in corporate welfare to subside Chorus, Labour’s ICT spokesperson David Cunliffe says. More >>
Social housing reforms fine-tuned by committee
Tuesday, 1 October 2013, 8:51 am | New Zealand Government
Housing Minister Dr Nick Smith is welcoming the technical amendments recommended at select committee to the Social Housing Reform Bill, which makes fundamental changes to the way the Government delivers housing assistance to those most in need. More >>
Court says SkyCity can’t flout NZ smoke-free law
Monday, 30 September 2013, 7:02 pm | Green Party
SkyCity’s willingness to push the envelope when it comes to our smoke-free laws got a well-deserved setback, Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei said today. More >>
More Kiwis left in cold after power cut off
Monday, 30 September 2013, 6:57 pm | New Zealand Labour Party
New figures obtained by Labour show almost 20,000 Kiwis have had their power cut off this year because they can’t afford to pay their electricity bills, Labour Leader David Cunliffe says. More >>
Sir Maarten Wevers joins PGP panel
Monday, 30 September 2013, 5:26 pm | New Zealand Government
Primary Industries Nathan Guy has announced Sir Maarten Wevers as the sixth and newest member of the Primary Growth Partnership’s Investment Advisory Panel (IAP). More >>
Kiwis to have their say on asset sales
Monday, 30 September 2013, 5:22 pm | Green Party
The asset sales referendum will be Kiwis’ chance to have their say on National’s asset sales, Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei said today. More >>
Listen to the people on asset sales, John
Monday, 30 September 2013, 5:11 pm | New Zealand Labour Party
Labour is calling on the Government to take its fingers out of its ears over asset sales and listen to the result of the November/December referendum, Labour Leader David Cunliffe says. More >>
October 1 changes to help first home buyers
Monday, 30 September 2013, 4:51 pm | New Zealand Government
Changes to KiwiSaver and Welcome Home Loans which take effect tomorrow will help first home buyers get into the market, Housing Minister Dr Nick Smith says. More >>
Date set for Mixed Ownership Model referendum
Monday, 30 September 2013, 4:48 pm | New Zealand Government
The citizens initiated referendum on the Mixed Ownership Model will be held as a postal vote in November and December this year after a petition regarding the Mixed Ownership Model was signed by 10 per cent of eligible voters. More >>
PM to attend APEC and the East Asia Summit
Monday, 30 September 2013, 4:10 pm | New Zealand Government
Prime Minister John Key will attend two major Asia-Pacific leaders’ meetings next week, the 2013 APEC Leaders’ meeting in Bali from October 7-8 and then the East Asia Summit in Brunei from October 9-10. More >>
PM to make flying visit to see Australian PM Abbott
Monday, 30 September 2013, 4:09 pm | New Zealand Government
Prime Minister John Key will travel to Canberra on Wednesday 2 October to meet newly-elected Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott. More >>
Christchurch East by-election date announced
Monday, 30 September 2013, 4:07 pm | New Zealand Government
The Christchurch East by-election will be held on Saturday 30 November, Prime Minister John Key announced today. More >>
Chris Tremain Not Contesting 2014 Election
Monday, 30 September 2013, 3:52 pm | New Zealand National Party
Chris Tremain, MP for Napier, announced today that he will not be contesting the 2014 general election. More >>
Official drought period ends today
Monday, 30 September 2013, 3:51 pm | New Zealand Government
Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy says rural communities have bounced back strongly after this year’s drought, with the official declaration ending today. More >>
Value of international education continues to grow
Monday, 30 September 2013, 3:07 pm | New Zealand Government
The value of international education to the New Zealand economy continues to grow with a new report released today showing it contributed $2.6 billion and 28,000 jobs in 2012/13. More >>
Top researchers awarded Rutherford Discovery Fellowships
Monday, 30 September 2013, 1:56 pm | New Zealand Government
Ten of New Zealand’s top early to mid-career researchers have been awarded Rutherford Discovery Fellowships in 2013, Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce announced today. More >>
Green Party selects David Moorhouse for Christchurch East
Monday, 30 September 2013, 1:02 pm | Green Party
The Green Party has today announced David Moorhouse as its candidate for the Christchurch East by-election. More >>
Mismanaged LVR process hurts first home buyers and regions
Monday, 30 September 2013, 12:40 pm | New Zealand Labour Party
The Government has completely mismanaged the mortgage lending limits process and failed to consider the impacts on first home buyers or regions where house prices are stagnating, Labour Leader David Cunliffe says. More >>
Minister’s decision-making on trial once again
Monday, 30 September 2013, 12:04 pm | New Zealand Labour Party
Education Minister Hekia Parata’s controversial decision to close and merge Christchurch schools goes on trial again today, with Phillipstown School seeking a judicial review of its proposed merger with Woolston, says Labour’s Associate Education spokesperson ... More >>
Power price rise shows it’s time to fix broken market
Monday, 30 September 2013, 10:39 am | Green Party
The rocketing price of electricity and rising power company profits show that National’s broken electricity market needs fixing, Green Party energy spokesperson Gareth Hughes said today. More >>
Psychoactive Substance retailers banned from trading
Monday, 30 September 2013, 9:05 am | New Zealand Government
The announcement today by the Psychoactive Substances Regulatory Authority that it has suspended or refused licenses to sell approved psychoactive substances by retailers in Dunedin and Hawera has been welcomed by Associate Health Minister Todd McClay. More >>
Strong demand ahead of Meridian offer opening
Monday, 30 September 2013, 9:02 am | New Zealand Government
The Meridian share offer is off to a strong start, with close to half of the offer already pre-committed to New Zealand retail investors ahead of the offer opening tomorrow, Finance Minister Bill English and State-Owned Enterprises Minister Tony ... More >>
McCully announces further assistance for Syria
Saturday, 28 September 2013, 1:18 pm | New Zealand Government
Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully today announced $2.6 million in additional funding for the Syrian crisis. More >>
Police told to zip it over drink drive limits
Saturday, 28 September 2013, 1:15 pm | New Zealand Labour Party
Yet another National minister is attempting to gag a government department, Labour’s Associate Health spokesperson Iain Lees-Galloway says. More >>
IPCC report puts Government on final warning
Saturday, 28 September 2013, 1:05 pm | New Zealand Labour Party
A landmark report on climate change makes for grim reading and should serve as a final warning to governments around the world, including our own, says Labour's Climate Change Spokesperson Moana Mackey. More >>
NZ to increase presence in the Caribbean
Saturday, 28 September 2013, 1:03 pm | New Zealand Government
Prime Minister John Key today announced that New Zealand will open a new High Commission in Bridgetown, Barbados to increase our diplomatic presence in the Caribbean. More >>
Climate Change Minister welcomes IPCC report
Saturday, 28 September 2013, 1:01 pm | New Zealand Government
Climate Change Minister Tim Groser welcomes the release of the Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) Climate Change 2013 by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). More >>
FRANCE-NZ Arrangement to strengthen bilateral cooperation
Saturday, 28 September 2013, 12:42 pm | New Zealand Government
A new arrangement between New Zealand and France will help strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation in the fields of education and cultural exchange. More >>
IPCC report a call for action on climate change
Friday, 27 September 2013, 8:16 pm | Green Party
The Inter-government Panel on Climate Change’s latest 5-year report shows that climate change is here and now, and we need to act urgently to prevent catastrophe, Green Party climate change spokesperson Dr Kennedy Graham said today. More >>
KiwiSaver fund performance easier to understand
Friday, 27 September 2013, 5:11 pm | New Zealand Government
Commerce Minister Craig Foss today welcomed the roll-out of new standardised KiwiSaver disclosure statements and urged KiwiSaver members to check how their schemes are performing in the new easy-to-understand format. More >>
Select Committee Business From 23 to 27 September 2013
Friday, 27 September 2013, 4:51 pm | Office of the Clerk
There were 14 committee meetings, all in the parliamentary complex. More >>
Businesses should look to NZ-China relationship
Friday, 27 September 2013, 4:40 pm | New Zealand Government
New Zealand businesses could learn from the diversity of the New Zealand-China relationship, Ethnic Affairs Minister Judith Collins told an assembly at Chinese National Day celebrations last night. More >>
US signs Arms Trade Treaty
Friday, 27 September 2013, 3:37 pm | New Zealand Labour Party
The signing of a landmark arms trade treaty by 111 UN member states, including the United States, has been welcomed by Labour’s Associate Spokesperson for Disarmament and Arms Control and Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA) President, Ross Robertson. More >>
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