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Latest Politics Headlines [Page 3]
Seabed Miner Quitting EPA Hearing Highlights Danger Of Luxon’s Fast-track
Thursday, 28 March 2024, 4:41 pm | Greenpeace New Zealand
Greenpeace says wannabe Taranaki seabed miner Trans-Tasman Resources is likely banking on Christopher Luxon’s fast-track process to side-step proper scrutiny of its Taranaki seabed mining proposal by bailing out of the Environmental Protection Agency hearing ... More >>
TTR Abandons Seabed Mining Application, KASM Labels It A Cowardly Move To Get Onto Fast-track
Thursday, 28 March 2024, 4:38 pm | Kiwis Against Seabed Mining
Kiwis Against Seabed mining today slammed Australian owned would-be seabed miner Trans Tasman Resources (TTR) for abandoning its application to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to mine the seabed of the South Taranaki Bight. The company ... More >>
Taxpayers’ Union Make Formal Request To Chinese Government For MP Spending Information
Thursday, 28 March 2024, 2:56 pm | New Zealand Taxpayers' Union
The Taxpayers’ Union has today made a formal request under the Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on Open Government Information () for information held about how New Zealand Members of Parliament are spending taxpayer ... More >>
Scrapping Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary A ‘Huge Blow’ For Marine Protection
Thursday, 28 March 2024, 1:03 pm | World Wide Fund For Nature
The Government’s announcement that it will scrap plans for a vast marine sanctuary around the Kermadec Islands is ‘shameful’ and will make it impossible for Aotearoa New Zealand to meet its international commitments, says the World Wide Fund for Nature ... More >>
Mass Protest Planned To Urge Action On UN Ceasefire Resolution
Thursday, 28 March 2024, 11:55 am | Justice for Palestine
Yesterday the UN Security Council passed a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Israel’s war on Gaza. This significant step and the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza prompted an urgent debate in the New Zealand Parliament. Leader ... More >>
Government’s Disability Spending Changes Endangering Lives Of Children And Health Of Parents
Thursday, 28 March 2024, 11:14 am | AUT University
The Government’s decision to reduce access to continuous glucose monitors (CGM) not only threatens the lives of children with type 1 diabetes and increases the potential for ‘Dead in Bed’ syndrome, but also threatens the health of their parents an ... More >>
Too Many Employers Still Asking For “proof” Of Domestic Violence
Thursday, 28 March 2024, 10:18 am | Shine
Family violence specialist service Shine is calling on employers to stop asking for proof of domestic violence in order for employees to access domestic violence leave. The call comes five years after the introduction of the Domestic Violence ... More >>
Have Your Say On The Budget Policy Statement 2024
Thursday, 28 March 2024, 10:01 am | The Finance and Expenditure Committee
The Deputy Chairperson of the Finance and Expenditure Committee is calling for public submissions on the Budget Policy Statement 2024. The Budget Policy Statement 2024 (BPS) sets out the Government's priorities for the 2024 Budget. It explains the approach ... More >>
Brutal 40% Cuts Will Have Huge Impact On Pasifika People
Thursday, 28 March 2024, 9:17 am | PSA
Brutal government spending cuts that will see the size of the Ministry for Pacific Peoples slashed by 40% will hit Pasifika communities hard, the PSA says. The Ministry has told staff that it is seeking voluntary redundancies, and to redeploy and reassign ... More >>
Government Must Not Continue Labour Legacy Of Special Treatment For DJs
Thursday, 28 March 2024, 6:09 am | New Zealand Taxpayers' Union
The Taxpayers’ Union is welcoming the investigation into the Department of Internal Affairs after it was revealed that the Department’s Chief Executive personally reached out to expedite a DJs passport application. Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns ... More >>
Customs Investigation Sends Waikato Man Behind Bars On Child Sexual Abuse Material Charges
Wednesday, 27 March 2024, 5:10 pm | New Zealand Customs Service
He has been jailed for three years, following conviction on 11 charges of possessing, exporting and making child sexual abuse material following a Customs investigation. More >>
Please Submit On The Draft Government Policy Statement On Land Transport - Submissions Close At 12pm On 2 April 2024
Wednesday, 27 March 2024, 5:02 pm | Living Streets Aotearoa
Why it's important to submit As we told you in our March eBulletin, the new Government's Draft Government Policy Statement on Land Transport (PDF, 2.3MB), known as the draft GPS, is a big disappointment for pedestrians. Newsroom covered some of the key problems: ... More >>
Unions Deliver MPs Petition To Stop Real Terms Cuts To The Minimum Wage
Wednesday, 27 March 2024, 4:20 pm | New Zealand Council of Trade Unions
Today a delegation from the union movement delivered a petition of nearly 9,000 people calling on the Government to commit to annual minimum wage increases that keep up with rising costs. “This Government is effectively cutting the wages of ... More >>
Two Steps Forward, One Step Back For Taxpayers
Wednesday, 27 March 2024, 3:24 pm | Taxpayers' Union
Reacting to the Government’s bill to increase the trust tax rate to 39% passing its third reading today, Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said: “National have just passed into law yet another of Labour’s tax increases. Rather ... More >>
Waitaki Landowners Call For Help As Land Grab Expands
Wednesday, 27 March 2024, 3:09 pm | Groundswell NZ
Just when you thought the coalition government had put the kibosh into the Significant Natural Areas (SNA) land grab, things are about to get worse. The Waitaki District Council are taking destruction of private property rights to a completely new level. ... More >>
Govt’s Billion-dollar Tax Take On Rates Must Be Returned
Wednesday, 27 March 2024, 3:04 pm | LGNZ
Local Government New Zealand is again swinging behind a chorus of Mayors around New Zealand asking the Government for all GST on rates to be returned to councils. This is a funding lever LGNZ has heard and advocated for over many years. Based on ... More >>
Government Must Cut Spending And Provide Permanent Tax Relief
Wednesday, 27 March 2024, 2:50 pm | New Zealand Taxpayers' Union
Responding to the release of the 2024 Budget Policy Statement, Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said: “We welcome today’s commitments to fiscal responsibility and reduced spending, but it must be backed up by real action. “At ... More >>
Budget Policy Statement Still Missing In Action
Wednesday, 27 March 2024, 2:48 pm | New Zealand Council of Trade Unions
The Government has released its Budget Policy Statement today, showing worsening economic forecasts with inflation falling more quickly than expected, caused by unemployment rising and growth stalling. However, the statement lacks information on what the ... More >>
Australian Govt Sentences Kiwi Vapers
Wednesday, 27 March 2024, 2:24 pm | CAPHRA
In a bold stance against Australia's stringent vaping regulations, the Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA) today laid bare the reality of Australia’s appalling approach to regulating vaping – it will make vapers' ... More >>
Central Govt Should Pay Rates Like Everyone Else
Wednesday, 27 March 2024, 11:13 am | Office of the Mayor of Auckland
Following adoptions of recommendations from both the Auckland Council Governing Body and the Houkura Independent Māori Statutory Board, the Mayor has formally requested the Government; Pay rates on its own buildings in Auckland. Reform laws around non-rateable ... More >>
Celebrate International Zero Waste Day - Saturday 30 March
Wednesday, 27 March 2024, 11:08 am | Zero Waste Network
The second annual International Day of Zero Waste is happening on Saturday 30 March 2024. Zero Waste Network Aotearoa is inviting everyone across the country to be part of the One Day Waste-Free Challenge to celebrate the day. “The One Day Waste-Free ... More >>
New Zealand Government Continues To Stoke Racism
Wednesday, 27 March 2024, 11:03 am | Socialist Equality Group
By Tom Peters, Socialist Equality Group 26 March 2024 Original url: https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2024/03/26/yjys-m26.html On March 17, New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters, leader of the right-wing nationalist NZ First Party, delivered a tirade against the previous ... More >>
Lack Of Warning Signs At Speed Camera Locations Is Dishonest And Dangerous
Wednesday, 27 March 2024, 11:01 am | New Zealand Taxpayers' Union
Commenting on reports that out of 10 permanent speed cameras installed by the Government late last year, only one will have warning signage , Taxpayers’ Union Spokesman, Alex Murphy, said: "The Transport Minister has time and again assured us that ... More >>
If The CCP Can See Politicians' Expenses, So Should Taxpayers
Wednesday, 27 March 2024, 11:00 am | Taxpayers' Union
If the CCP can see politicians' expenses, so should taxpayers Responding to reports of a cyberattack on the Parliamentary Counsel Office and Parliamentary Service by an organisation with links to the Chinese Government, Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns ... More >>
BNZ Warns Of Increased Tax Scams As Tax Time Approaches
Wednesday, 27 March 2024, 10:56 am | BNZ
As tax time approaches, Bank of New Zealand (BNZ) is urging New Zealanders to be alert to the heightened risk of tax-related scams. “The end of the financial year is a prime opportunity for scammers, who take advantage of tax time to trick and ... More >>
Opposition To Port Of Auckland Lease Deliberately Misleading
Wednesday, 27 March 2024, 10:45 am | Auckland Ratepayer's Alliance
The Auckland Ratepayers' Alliance is calling out a deliberately misleading poll commissioned by It's Our Auckland that claims Aucklanders are not in support of the proposed lease of Port of Auckland operations in the mayor's Long Term Plan (LTP). ... More >>
Call For Urgent Reassessment Of Disability Funding Cuts
Wednesday, 27 March 2024, 9:38 am | Joint Press Release
Pou Tangata of the National Iwi Chairs Forum and Iwi Māori Partnership Boards Call for Urgent Reassessment of Disability Funding Cuts to Safeguard Tāngata Whaikaha and Whānau Hauā. Pou Tangata of the NICF and Chairs of Iwi Māori Partnership Boards ... More >>
Concern For Child Safety Prompts Fresh Calls For Children’s Act Overhaul
Wednesday, 27 March 2024, 9:29 am | Save The Children
There are concerns the legislation designed to keep New Zealand children safe is failing them. Safeguarding Children New Zealand is calling for urgent changes to be made to the Children’s Act 2014, after obtaining legal advice from law firm ... More >>
Employment Indicators: February 2024 Has Been Delayed
Tuesday, 26 March 2024, 6:01 pm | Stats NZ
This delay was due to an issue with supply of employee data, which has now been resolved. More >>
Cancellation Of Multiple LGBTQ+ Library Events Shows The Harmful Impact Of Disinformation
Tuesday, 26 March 2024, 4:40 pm | The Disinformation Project
Research group The Disinformation Project says that safety concerns leading to the cancellation of two rainbow storytime events at community libraries is evidence of the growing impact of disinformation in Aotearoa. “We’ve seen a clear rise in ... More >>
NZ Unites For Intergenerational Climate Strike
Tuesday, 26 March 2024, 3:52 pm | School Strike 4 Climate
On Friday 5 April, Aotearoa New Zealand will witness a historic moment as individuals from all corners of the nation come together to demand urgent climate justice. The Climate Strike will see tens of thousands of people take to the streets, and is expected ... More >>
SFO Welcomes Court Of Appeal Decision On Political Donations Case
Tuesday, 26 March 2024, 3:29 pm | Serious Fraud Office
The SFO welcomes the Court of Appeal’s decision today which corrected the High Court findings in its New Zealand First Foundation (NZFF) case and reinforced the importance of transparency around political donations in a democratic system. Following ... More >>
Nearly 13,000 Pandemic Stories Shared With The Covid-19 Inquiry
Tuesday, 26 March 2024, 2:33 pm | Royal Commission Covid-19 Lessons Learned
The Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons Learned has received nearly 13,000 stories of the pandemic from its public submissions process, says Inquiry Chair Professor Tony Blakely. “Hearing from the New Zealand public is essential ... More >>
The Contracting Model Is Wrong For NZ Post
Tuesday, 26 March 2024, 11:47 am | E tu
E tū is disappointed with NZ Post’s decision to move mail delivery into the parcel network, which will mean workers are moved to a contracting model. NZ Post announced the details of the plan today, which is a response to declining mail volumes. Postal ... More >>
Open Letter To The NZ Government - Take Action On Modern Slavery Legislation
Tuesday, 26 March 2024, 10:34 am | Fair and Good
Dear Prime Minister Luxon and Minister van Velden, Right now, an estimated 50 million children, women and men around the world are trapped in modern slavery (1). These people grow the fibres and make the clothes we wear; grow, harvest and process the ... More >>
Guidance Issued On Managing Climate-related Risks
Tuesday, 26 March 2024, 10:26 am | Reserve Bank
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand – Te Pūtea Matua has published Guidance for our regulated entities on managing climate-related risks. This follows our consultation on draft Guidance in March 2023 and is one of the actions set for us in the National ... More >>
Secretary Of Foreign Affairs And Trade Appointed
Tuesday, 26 March 2024, 10:12 am | Public Service Commission
Acting Public Service Commissioner Heather Baggott today announced the appointment of Mr Bede Corry as the Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Chief Executive, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT). “I am very pleased to appoint Mr ... More >>
Secretary Of The Department Of The Prime Minister And Cabinet Appointed
Tuesday, 26 March 2024, 10:11 am | Public Service Commission
Acting Public Service Commissioner Ms Heather Baggott has today announced the appointment of Mr Ben King to the position of Secretary and Chief Executive of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC). The role of the Secretary of the Department ... More >>
Migrant Workers Destitute After Collapse Of Buildhub In New Zealand
Tuesday, 26 March 2024, 10:05 am | Socialist Equality Group
By Tom Peters, Socialist Equality Group 22 March 2024 Original url: https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2024/03/22/doex-m22.html About 145 migrant workers, mainly from Chile, Peru, Argentina and Colombia, lost their jobs last month with the liquidation and closure of New Zealand construction ... More >>
Funding And Financing Key To Public-private Infrastructure Partnership
Tuesday, 26 March 2024, 9:52 am | Infrastructure New Zealand
Bringing the public and private sectors together to chart a path ahead for the investment required to bridge our growing infrastructure gap is the key concern of today’s Infrastructure Funding and Financing Conference in Wellington. The sold-out conference, ... More >>
Local Coalitions Urge Immediate Action To Safeguard Tauranga’s Democratic Future Ahead Of July Council Elections
Monday, 25 March 2024, 7:18 pm | Lobby for Good
This new government needs to signal they are listening by Minister Brown stepping in and fulfilling their promise of bringing democracy back to Tauranga. More >>
CTU: More Questions For The Government’s Tax Changes As Costs Grow
Monday, 25 March 2024, 6:21 pm | Council of Trade Unions
The cost of the income taxation changes is now half a billion dollars more than National indicated in its pre-election fiscal plan More >>
Early Childhood Council Comment On Family Boost Announcement
Monday, 25 March 2024, 4:21 pm | Early Childhood Council
Comment from Simon Laube, Early Childhood Council CEO: “It’s great to see the government prioritising early childhood education (ECE). “It’s a welcome relief for parents facing rising costs, particularly those with the highest fees. “Childcare ... More >>
Tax Cuts?
Monday, 25 March 2024, 2:23 pm | Keith Rankin
Do we need real income-tax cuts this year? Probably not. Do we need nominal income-tax cuts? Yes, we do. The government should go ahead with its proposed tax cuts, but only to low- and middle-income earners. The tax cuts should compensate for the inflationary ... More >>
Vital Work Of Ministry For Ethnic Communities Under Threat From Government Cuts
Monday, 25 March 2024, 12:50 pm | PSA
The PSA is alarmed by a proposal to restructure the Ministry for Ethnic Communities coming less than three years after being set up in response to the Christchurch mosque attack. "The important work of the Ministry in safeguarding and strengthening ... More >>
Hipkins' Commitment To Tax Reform Welcomed
Monday, 25 March 2024, 12:25 pm | Tax Justice
Chris Hipkins' commitment to review and rewrite Labour's tax policies - including a re-look at capital gains and wealth taxes - is being welcomed by Tax Justice Aotearoa. In his State of the Nation speech yesterday, Chris Hipkins said the Labour Party ... More >>
ASB Sustainable Economics Report Calls For Kiwis To Change The Way They Use Energy
Monday, 25 March 2024, 11:37 am | ASB Bank
ASB’s latest Sustainable Economics report released today shows New Zealand’s energy usage will need to become heavily electrified if the country is to meet its net zero by 2050 emissions target. With 70% of emissions in the target’s scope ... More >>
Pseudo-savings Must Be Called Out And Halted
Monday, 25 March 2024, 11:34 am | New Zealand Taxpayers' Union
Reacting to reports that Worksafe is rehiring for back-office roles it disestablished in November, Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said: “What we are seeing here is the bureaucracy making non-existent ‘pseudo-savings’. By disestablishing ... More >>
Chris Hipkins Out Of Touch With New Zealand’s Tax System
Monday, 25 March 2024, 10:59 am | New Zealand Taxpayers' Union
Responding to comments from Chris Hipkins’ State of the Nation speech that New Zealand’s tax system is unsustainable, inequitable and in desperate need of reform, Taxpayers’ Union spokesman Alex Murphy said: “Chris Hipkins might be trying to ... More >>
$14 Million Investment Into Natural Hazards Research And Resilience
Monday, 25 March 2024, 10:35 am | Earthquake Commission
EQC Toka Tū Ake has released its 2023 Resilience and Research Highlights report , a snapshot of its $14 million investment into building Aotearoa New Zealand’s resilience to future natural hazards events. EQC Chief Resilience Officer Dr Jo Horrocks ... More >>
New Analysis Shows Ka Ora, Ka Ako Healthy School Lunch Programme Exceeds Expectations Amid Threats Of Funding Cuts
Monday, 25 March 2024, 9:45 am | Public Health Communication Centre
While threats of cuts loom over the Ka Ora, Ka Ako Healthy School Lunch Programme, new analysis has been released that shows the programme is meeting and, in some cases, exceeding expectations when measured against stakeholder criteria. In the latest ... More >>
Chris Hipkins’ Speech: Values Matter
Sunday, 24 March 2024, 2:27 pm | New Zealand Labour Party
E ngā mana, e ngā reo, e ngā iwi, e rau rangatira ma. Tena koutou tēnā koutou tēnā koutou katoa. Mālō e lelei Kia Orana Talofa Lava Fakaalofa lahi atu, Mālō Ni Ni sa bula. Namaste As-salamu alaykum Ni hao Warm pacific greetings to you all. ... More >>
CHSA To Undertake Work On Hate Speech Laws
Friday, 22 March 2024, 3:36 pm | Countering Hate Speech Aotearoa
Countering Hate Speech Aotearoa (CHSA) plans to undertake the work on hate speech laws that was to be performed by the Law Commission. Yesterday, Paul Goldsmith the Minister of Justice announced that he had directed the Law Commission to not advance ... More >>
Public Submissions Close Sunday 24 March 2024
Friday, 22 March 2024, 1:56 pm | Royal Commission Covid-19 Lessons Learned
A really important part of the Inquiry's work is hearing from as many people, communities, and groups as possible about their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the past six weeks the Inquiry has received over 8000 submissions detailing COVID-19 ... More >>
Taxpayers’ Union Welcomes The Wheels Turning On RMA Reform
Friday, 22 March 2024, 1:07 pm | New Zealand Taxpayers' Union
Commenting on Minister Responsible for RMA Reform Chris Bishop’s speech to the New Zealand Planning Institute, Taxpayers’ Union Policy and Public Affairs Manager, James Ross, said: “Wholesale RMA reform must be the aim, and the Government cannot ... More >>
Auckland Ratepayers' Alliance Welcomes Government's Commitment To Return Accountability To Auckland Transport
Friday, 22 March 2024, 12:57 pm | Auckland Ratepayers' Alliance
The Minister for Auckland, Transport, and Local Government, Simeon Brown, has announced plans to restore Auckland Transport’s accountability to elected Councillors. Commenting on this, Auckland Ratepayers’ Alliance spokesman, Sam Warren, said: “As the only ... More >>
Maritime Union Says Ferry Debacle Means New Zealand Is ‘steering Blind’
Friday, 22 March 2024, 12:41 pm | Maritime Union of New Zealand
Confusion around the future of KiwiRail’s Cook Strait ferries has left New Zealand ‘steering blind’ with its main inter island transport link, says the Maritime Union. The latest development in the ferry saga is a suggestion in ministerial documents ... More >>
Law Commission Recommends changes To Evidence Law
Friday, 22 March 2024, 12:01 pm | Law Commission
Changes to the Evidence Act 2006 are needed to promote the just and efficient determination of court proceedings, concludes Te Aka Matua o te Ture | Law Commission in its report Te Arotake Tuatoru i te Evidence Act 2006 |The Third Review of the Evidence Act 2006 ... More >>
Two New Zealand Investigators Receive Commendation From UK’s National Crime Agency
Friday, 22 March 2024, 11:07 am | Department Of Internal Affairs
Two investigators in the Digital Child Exploitation Team at Te Tari Taiwhenua, Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) have been awarded a commendation from the Director General of the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA). <img src="https://img.scoop.co.nz/stories/images/2403/8aaf78420321d8788b84.jpeg" ... More >>
Urgent Calls For Government Intervention As Fatalities On Greyhound Racetracks Soar
Friday, 22 March 2024, 10:46 am | SAFE For Animals
In the wake of three recent fatalities within a single week and the temporary closure of a racing track following a surge in injuries, SAFE is issuing an urgent plea to the Government: immediately implement a ban on Greyhound racing in Aotearoa. Just ... More >>
