Latest Parliament Headlines [Page 5]
Changes to screen incentives to encourage more investment
Wednesday, 31 July 2013, 2:08 pm | New Zealand Government
The Government today announced changes to incentive schemes to encourage more television production being made in New Zealand and build on our world-class reputation for high-quality post production work, and innovative digital and visual effects. More >>
Annette King gets her sums wrong again
Wednesday, 31 July 2013, 1:41 pm | New Zealand Government
Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew says Opposition Health spokesperson Annette King has got herself involved in what appears to be a mysterious and incompetent attempt to smear the record of South Canterbury DHB. More >>
New online mountain weather forecast service
Wednesday, 31 July 2013, 1:20 pm | New Zealand Government
Conservation Minister Dr Nick Smith today launched a new online mountain weather forecast service that will improve the enjoyment and safety of trampers, hunters, mountain bikers, skiers and fishers using New Zealand’s National and Forest Parks. More >>
Water quality in agricultural areas continues to decline
Wednesday, 31 July 2013, 1:18 pm | Green Party
Water quality in agricultural areas continues to decline Attempts to shift the blame for river pollution from intensive agriculture to cities and towns ignores the fact that urban streams comprise just one per cent of the length of New Zealand waterways, ... More >>
PGA urges US President to sign up to Arms Trade Treaty
Wednesday, 31 July 2013, 1:10 pm | New Zealand Labour Party
Labour’s Associate Spokesperson for Disarmament, Ross Robertson, has signed a letter to President Barack Obama on behalf of Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA), congratulating the US Administration for helping to successfully conclude negotiations ... More >>
Domestic violence on the policy agenda
Wednesday, 31 July 2013, 12:55 pm | New Zealand Labour Party
A Bill that makes domestic violence an aggravating factor at sentencing will help highlight the tragic impact offending has on victims and families, says Labour’s Women’s Affairs spokesperson Sue Moroney. More >>
Help Also Needed Below the Bombay Hills
Wednesday, 31 July 2013, 12:51 pm | New Zealand First Party
New Zealand First says the Government has overlooked a critical factor in the funding for supporting victims of sexual abuse – they are not all north of the Bombay Hills. More >>
No to Fat Tax – Yes To Diet and Exercise
Wednesday, 31 July 2013, 12:49 pm | New Zealand First Party
Targeted campaigns to encourage healthy eating and regular exercise would be more useful than trying to impose an across the board “fat tax” to curb obesity, says New Zealand First health spokesperson Barbara Stewart. More >>
New Zealand and Queensland to share health knowledge
Wednesday, 31 July 2013, 12:47 pm | New Zealand Government
New Zealand and Queensland have agreed to work together in sharing health expertise. Queensland Premier Campbell Newman and Health Minister Tony Ryall have today signed a collaboration arrangement between the Ministry of Health and Queensland’s Department ... More >>
Minister congratulates World Summit Award finalists
Wednesday, 31 July 2013, 12:44 pm | New Zealand Government
Communications and Information Technology Minister Amy Adams has congratulated eight New Zealand organisations which have been selected as finalists in the global World Summit Awards for creativity and innovation in ICT. More >>
Questions for Oral Answer - July 31
Wednesday, 31 July 2013, 11:51 am | Office of the Clerk
1. SHANE ARDERN to the Minister of Finance: What reports has he received on trends in the cost of living for New Zealand families? More >>
Funding Boost for Sexual Violence Crisis Services
Wednesday, 31 July 2013, 10:27 am | New Zealand Government
A major funding boost to assist victims of sexual violence was announced today by the lead Minister for Sexual Violence Services Paula Bennett. Funding will help the Auckland Sexual Abuse Help Foundation (HELP) provide a sexual violence crisis response ... More >>
Speech to Horticulture New Zealand annual conference
Wednesday, 31 July 2013, 10:22 am | New Zealand Government
Today I want to talk to you about my priorities for the primary sector, of which horticulture is a major part. In particular I want to talk about the two goals that the Ministry for Primary Industries has – to grow and protect New Zealand’s economy. More >>
Visit to support developing Chinese market
Wednesday, 31 July 2013, 10:21 am | New Zealand Government
Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse has arrived in China to meet with business and government leaders, and visit Immigration New Zealand offices. More >>
Congratulations on OBE for Public Service
Wednesday, 31 July 2013, 10:04 am | New Zealand First Party
New Zealand First has congratulated Feleti Penitala Teo on being awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in recognition of his contribution to public service in Tuvalu. Mr Teo is the Deputy Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat ... More >>
Canterbury SDI programme delivering benefits
Wednesday, 31 July 2013, 9:39 am | New Zealand Government
The Canterbury Spatial Data Infrastructure programme is delivering new ways to assist the Canterbury earthquake recovery, Land Information Minister Maurice Williamson says. More >>
Replacement x-rays hardly the ultimate fix-it
Tuesday, 30 July 2013, 5:39 pm | New Zealand Labour Party
Replacement x-rays hardly the ultimate fix-it Nathan Guy’s latest token gesture - a few replacement airport x-rays - will not reassure New Zealanders that the National Government can run an effective biosecurity system, Labour’s Primary Industries ... More >>
Questions and Answers - July 30
Tuesday, 30 July 2013, 5:19 pm | Office of the Clerk
1. DAVID SHEARER (Leader of the Opposition) to the Prime Minister : Does he stand by all his statements? More >>
New State Sector and Public Finance Reform Legislation
Tuesday, 30 July 2013, 5:10 pm | New Zealand Government
I’d like to begin by thanking our hosts IPANZ and Deloitte for bringing together senior public servants, partners from across the public and private sectors, and many of you who took the time to help shape this new Act. More >>
Special Needs Taxi Announcement Underwhelming
Tuesday, 30 July 2013, 4:37 pm | New Zealand First Party
Special Needs Taxi Announcement Underwhelming New Zealand First says the Government’s response to fixing the transport calamities experienced by some of our most vulnerable special needs students is underwhelming. The Government announced today a new complaints ... More >>
SuperGold card now covers 10,000 business outlets
Tuesday, 30 July 2013, 3:57 pm | New Zealand Government
Senior Citizens Minister Jo Goodhew is delighted that the SuperGold programme has surpassed 10,000 business outlets. More >>
Private information public under National Government
Tuesday, 30 July 2013, 3:25 pm | Green Party
Revelations that the Henry inquiry, acting on John Key’s mandate, obtained a journalist’s phone records highlight a culture where private information is public under the National Government, the Green Party said today. More >>
Housing Hypocrisy Pointed Out by NZ First
Tuesday, 30 July 2013, 3:08 pm | New Zealand First Party
30 July 2013 Housing Hypocrisy Pointed Out by NZ First Rt Hon Winston Peters has pointed out in Parliament how China does not allow foreigners to buy property while it is “open slather” for citizens of China to buy houses in New Zealand. Mr Peters ... More >>
Minister Welcomes Animal Welfare Marches
Tuesday, 30 July 2013, 3:06 pm | New Zealand Government
Associate Health Minister Todd McClay has welcomed today’s turnout against animal testing for psychoactive substances, calling it a good example of people exercising their democratic rights. More >>
MANA Calls For NZ to Withdraw from “Five-Eyes” Spy Network
Tuesday, 30 July 2013, 2:10 pm | Mana Party
“MANA is calling for New Zealand to withdraw from the so-called “five eyes” international spy network because it compromises our independence and integrity”, says Hone Harawira, Leader of MANA and MP for Te Tai Tokerau. More >>
NZ First Opposes Snapper Catch Limit Reduction
Tuesday, 30 July 2013, 2:07 pm | New Zealand First Party
New Zealand First is totally opposed to plans to reduce the recreational catch limit from nine down to three in the important Snapper 1 Fishery. More >>
National’s inaction slams door on home ownership
Tuesday, 30 July 2013, 1:51 pm | New Zealand Labour Party
Westpac’s move to make it easier for first home buyers to use their parents’ home for equity, is just the latest sign that New Zealanders are struggling in National’s housing crisis, says Labour’s Housing spokesperson Phil Twyford. More >>
Minister of Sport welcomes the world in 2015
Tuesday, 30 July 2013, 1:07 pm | New Zealand Government
Sport and Recreation Minister Murray McCully says the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup match schedule announced today is an excellent result for New Zealand. More >>
Wilding pines cleared from shore of Lake Pukaki
Tuesday, 30 July 2013, 1:03 pm | New Zealand Government
Land Information Minister Maurice Williamson says the battle to preserve New Zealand’s natural heritage has taken a step forward, with 150 hectares of wilding trees cleared at the iconic Lake Pukaki. More >>
Investment treaties should not threaten housing policy
Tuesday, 30 July 2013, 12:44 pm | Green Party
A Government’s right to make legislation restricting foreign ownership of our housing stock should not be hamstrung due to free trade agreements signed up to by either Labour or National, Green Party Co-Leader Dr Russel Norman said today. More >>
Report released to grow Taupo sports fishery
Tuesday, 30 July 2013, 12:31 pm | New Zealand Government
A report which identifies a number of significant opportunities to grow the Taupo Sports Fishery has been released today by Conservation Minister Dr Nick Smith and Tūwharetoa Maori Trust Board chief executive Tamarapa Lloyd. More >>
New x-ray technology for New Zealand airports
Tuesday, 30 July 2013, 12:12 pm | New Zealand Government
New Zealand’s border inspection system is set to gain a new fleet of x-ray machines, Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy has announced at Horticulture NZ’s annual conference today. More >>
UnitedFuture Opposes Fiordland Monorail
Tuesday, 30 July 2013, 12:10 pm | United Future NZ Party
UnitedFuture will oppose any plans to build the Fiordland Monorail and will seek to repeal any consents given by the Department of Conservation prior to the election. More >>
Questions for Oral Answer - July 30
Tuesday, 30 July 2013, 11:45 am | Office of the Clerk
2. Dr RUSSEL NORMAN to the Prime Minister: Did his Chief of Staff, Wayne Eagleson, advise Parliamentary Service that United Future Leader Hon Peter Dunne had agreed to cooperate with the Henry inquiry and had consented to releasing his electronic ... More >>
Residents at risk should have say on Ruataniwha dam proposal
Tuesday, 30 July 2013, 11:36 am | Green Party
30 July 2013 Residents at risk should have say on Ruataniwha dam proposal The Green Party today asked the Environmental Protection Authority to extend the timeframe for public submissions on the Tukituki proposal after a Waipawa resident discovered ... More >>
School transport complaints process improved
Tuesday, 30 July 2013, 11:11 am | New Zealand Government
Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye has today announced a new complaints process and more accessible information for the special education school transport assistance (SESTA) services. More >>
Maori Party – ‘The land is where the value lies’
Monday, 29 July 2013, 6:42 pm | The Maori Party
The Maori Party has labelled Shearer’s new policy aimed at restricting foreigners from purchasing houses as ‘lip-service’, and has challenged the Labour Party to commit to real action to protect the assets of Aotearoa by extending their policies ... More >>
Southern DHB crown monitor appointment
Monday, 29 July 2013, 6:07 pm | New Zealand Government
Health Minister Tony Ryall has today announced the appointment of Dr Jan White as the crown monitor for Southern District Health Board (DHB), following the retirement of Stuart McLauchlan. More >>
61% of monitored sites on NZ Rivers now unsafe for swimming
Monday, 29 July 2013, 6:04 pm | Green Party
Water quality is getting worse under the National Government according to the Government’s own data, which shows that it is unsafe to swim at nearly two-thirds of monitored recreational sites on New Zealand rivers, the Green Party said today. More >>
John Key Speech to Kiwi Chamber - Seoul, South Korea
Monday, 29 July 2013, 4:27 pm | New Zealand Government
It’s great to be back here in Seoul. This is my third visit to Korea in four-and-a-half years as Prime Minister. This is because we value the importance of the Korea relationship for New Zealand and for Korea’s rapidly expanding role in the world. More >>
Children’s Team working with first children
Monday, 29 July 2013, 4:14 pm | New Zealand Government
Today the Rotorua Children’s Team begins working with children and families for the first time, says Social Development Minister Paula Bennett. “Children’s Teams support communities to better protect their children.” Central to the Children’s ... More >>
Water reports paint encouraging picture
Monday, 29 July 2013, 3:52 pm | New Zealand Government
Environment Minister Amy Adams says the release of two environmental water reports paint an encouraging picture of our waterways but also underline the need for the Government’s freshwater reforms. More >>
Labour will repeal charter schools legislation
Monday, 29 July 2013, 3:48 pm | New Zealand Labour Party
Labour will repeal the legislation allowing the creation of charter schools immediately upon becoming government, Labour Leader David Shearer said today. The National government is expected to announce candidates for the first charter schools this week. More >>
More Aussies see NZ as low wage destination
Monday, 29 July 2013, 2:12 pm | New Zealand Labour Party
Reports out of Australia about New Zealand becoming a desirable destination for business looking to cut wages are nothing to be proud of, says Darien Fenton, Labours spokesperson for labour issues. More >>
PM has questions to answer on NZDF actions
Monday, 29 July 2013, 1:47 pm | Green Party
Prime Minister John Key needs to front up and say whether he signed off on a warrant to spy on a New Zealand journalist, and if not, what was the legal basis for the surveillance, Green Party Co-leader Dr Russel Norman said today. More >>
Key in denial over offshore speculators
Monday, 29 July 2013, 12:34 pm | New Zealand Labour Party
John Key is in denial if he seriously believes offshore speculators in the housing market are not a problem worth tackling, says Labour Leader David Shearer. More >>
Defence Minister statement on Defence Orders
Monday, 29 July 2013, 12:02 pm | New Zealand Government
An article in the Sunday Star Times by Nicky Hager made two main allegations against the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF). More >>
Veterans’ delegation commemorates 60th Anniversary of War
Monday, 29 July 2013, 11:33 am | New Zealand Government
Veterans’ Affairs Minister Michael Woodhouse today joins Prime Minister John Key and 30 veterans at a New Zealand ceremony in Busan, Korea, to mark the 60th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice. More >>
Justice reforms work against resolution
Monday, 29 July 2013, 11:16 am | New Zealand Labour Party
The Government's family court reforms will leave more couples left to deal with the aftermath of separation on their own and is likely to see protracted family disputes, says Labour’s Justice spokesperson Andrew Little. More >>
Minister should condemn spying on journalists
Monday, 29 July 2013, 11:02 am | New Zealand Labour Party
Spying on investigative journalists has no place in the New Zealand Defence Force, and the Minister of Defence should apologise forthwith to journalist Jon Stephenson, whose phone calls were monitored, says Labour’s Defence spokesperson, Phil Goff. More >>
Migrants will benefit from housing policy
Monday, 29 July 2013, 10:42 am | Green Party
All migrants to New Zealand as well as all New Zealanders and permanent residents already living here will benefit from policies to make housing more affordable by placing constraints on overseas buyers of residential property. More >>
Speech to NZ National Service UN Memorial Cemetery
Monday, 29 July 2013, 9:32 am | New Zealand Government
I would like to begin by specially acknowledging the presence of our party of New Zealand Korean War veterans who have journeyed to Korea to pay their respects to their fallen comrades and mark the 60th anniversary of the end of fighting in the ... More >>
SmartGate open to US and UK travellers
Monday, 29 July 2013, 9:18 am | New Zealand Government
Customs Minister Maurice Williamson announced today the introduction of SmartGate to United States and United Kingdom ePassport holders on departure. More >>
Mediation, counselling still stand says Collins
Monday, 29 July 2013, 9:07 am | New Zealand Government
Justice Minister Judith Collins says mediation, as part the of the Government’s Family Court reforms, will help provide fast and efficient resolution of private disputes so the Court may focus on the most serious cases. More >>
60th Anniversary of Korean War Armistice
Monday, 29 July 2013, 9:02 am | New Zealand Government
Veterans’ Affairs Minister Michael Woodhouse joined Prime Minister John Key and 30 veterans at a New Zealand ceremony in Busan, Korea, to mark the 60th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice. More >>
Freeze Property Sales to Foreign Buyers Urges Peters
Monday, 29 July 2013, 8:58 am | New Zealand First Party
New Zealand First has again called for an immediate freeze on property sales to foreign buyers to avoid a ‘backdoor’ sell out of New Zealand land and homes. This follows the belated realisation by Labour that there is a serious problem with foreign buyers ... More >>
Shearer’s Attack On Foreigners Racist
Monday, 29 July 2013, 8:56 am | ACT New Zealand
Labour’s announcement that it will target foreigners purchasing homes as its solution to Auckland’s housing problem is anti-investment, anti-immigrant and anti-Chinese, ACT Leader John Banks said today. More >>
Concurrent Preventative Focus Needed for Hepatitis C
Sunday, 28 July 2013, 11:46 am | New Zealand First Party
New Zealand First is urging the Government to reconsider making tattoo hygiene a priority, in recognition of today being World Hepatitis Day. “In Australia, Hep C is a notifiable disease and they are working through their third Hep C Strategy. More >>
Greens welcome Labour moves on housing policy
Sunday, 28 July 2013, 11:40 am | Green Party
The Green Party welcomed Labours’s announcement about restricting overseas buyers access to the New Zealand housing market. “This is a sensible measure to help reduce demand and lower prices meaning more New Zealanders can own their own home. More >>
Royal Commission needed after intelligence targets journos
Sunday, 28 July 2013, 11:33 am | Green Party
The Green Party is calling for a Royal Commission of Inquiry to look into NZ intelligence services after it was revealed that the Defence Force has been spying on a NZ journalist working overseas. More >>
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