Latest Politics Headlines [Page 4]
Fast Track Bill A Blatant Act Of Vandalism For Corporate Kleptocracy
Thursday, 7 March 2024, 5:30 pm | Climate Justice Taranaki
Climate Justice Taranaki describes the Fast Track Approvals Bill introduced into Parliament today as a blatant act of vandalism for corporate kleptocracy, and an annihilation of environmental stewardship and democracy. “The Bill gives Ministers ... More >>
Environmental Destruction Fast Tracking Bill
Thursday, 7 March 2024, 4:26 pm | Environment and Conservation Organisations of NZ
New Zealand’s environment and international reputation have both been put in great jeopardy today by the coalition government’s Fast Track Bill, says Cath Wallace, for the Environment and Conservation Organisations of NZ (ECO). The Bill proposes ... More >>
Proposed Ban Of Gang Patches Sets A Dangerous Precedent
Thursday, 7 March 2024, 4:19 pm | Free Speech Union
The Government has finally released legislation that will prohibit gangs from wearing patches in public. While this policy seeks to address an area of great concern for many Kiwis, this is not the way to address gang violence; it sets a terrible precedent ... More >>
The Ernie Abbott Memorial Lecture
Thursday, 7 March 2024, 3:27 pm | Wellington Socialists
The Wellington Socialist Society and Wellington Trades Hall are proud to present the inaugural Ernie Abbott Memorial Lecture. More >>
The Government’s Announcements Making This A Bad Week For The Climate In Aotearoa
Thursday, 7 March 2024, 3:23 pm | Lawyers for Climate Action
“The Government has made a series of announcements this week which are bad news for the climate in Aotearoa”, says Jessica Palairet, Executive Director at Lawyers for Climate Action NZ. “The Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Transport released ... More >>
Ziggy Marley Stands Strong: Bringing The Beat To WOMADs, Despite The Noise
Thursday, 7 March 2024, 3:17 pm | Fiona Green
Fiona Green Administrator of Crime Prevention Coalition ( Whangarei) opposes the Petition organised by Sakhr Munassar to drop Ziggy Marley, son of Bob Marley as headline Act for the upcoming Womad Festival in Taranaki in March 2024. "Emotions have ... More >>
Fast-track Needs Quarries To Achieve Desired Progress
Thursday, 7 March 2024, 2:29 pm | Aggregate and Quarry Association
The Government’s fast-track for resource consenting will provide some of the desired progress for New Zealand if quarries are among the list of approved projects. In welcoming the Government’s announcement and legislation, Aggregate & Quarry ... More >>
TVNZ Workers Concerned With Company’s Process And Will Fight Proposed Cuts
Thursday, 7 March 2024, 2:26 pm | E tu
E tū, the union for media workers in Aotearoa New Zealand, are alarmed by TVNZ’s proposal to cut up to 68 jobs, and are worried there won’t an adequate process for working through this proposal. TVNZ has told their employees that people will ... More >>
Greens’ Threat Straight Out Of Trump’s Playbook
Thursday, 7 March 2024, 2:24 pm | New Zealand Taxpayers' Union
The Taxpayers’ Union is slamming Green Party co-leader James Shaw’s extraordinary threat to investors in regional and national projects of significance under the proposed new fast-tracking consent process announced by the Government earlier today. 1News ... More >>
New Fast-tracking Consenting Regime Good News For Business Says EMA
Thursday, 7 March 2024, 2:08 pm | EMA
The EMA is broadly supportive of the government’s move to introduce a revised fast-tracking consenting regime for projects of national and regional significance but says the legislation highlights the need for a stable, efficient long-term consenting ... More >>
The Government’s War On Nature Goes Nuclear
Thursday, 7 March 2024, 1:41 pm | Environmental Defence Society
The government’s assault on the environment has stepped up several gears, with the introduction of a new fast track consenting law to Parliament today. This replaces the existing fast-track law which has been working well and reducing consenting times ... More >>
Fast-track Bill Release Marks ‘Dark Day For Nature And Democracy’
Thursday, 7 March 2024, 1:40 pm | Greenpeace New Zealand
Greenpeace Aotearoa is slamming the announcement of the fast-track consenting bill, saying that the radically anti-nature policy has no regard for nature or democracy. No specific projects have been announced as part of the fast-track bill yet, but ... More >>
Energy Resources Aotearoa Applauds Government For Fast Track Consenting Process
Thursday, 7 March 2024, 1:21 pm | Energy Resources Aotearoa
Energy Resources Aotearoa applauds the introduction of fast-track legislation into the house by the Government today. This legislation will enable more efficient consenting processes for projects that support New Zealand’s economic growth and wellbeing, ... More >>
BusinessNZ Supports Fast-track Bill
Thursday, 7 March 2024, 1:21 pm | BusinessNZ
BusinessNZ welcomes the introduction of the Fast-Track Approvals Bill and its referral to the Environment Select Committee for public submissions, but says resourcing of the expert panel is critical to achieving its objective. BusinessNZ Chief Executive ... More >>
RE: Aged Care Commissioner's Report
Thursday, 7 March 2024, 1:21 pm | Grey Power New Zealand
The report ‘Amplifying the voices of older people across Aotearoa New Zealand’ released today by the Aged Care Commissioner Carolyn Cooper highlights the need for action to meet the ongoing health and disability needs of older people. Carolyn says ... More >>
Greater Penalties Needed: Privacy Commissioner Speaks To National Cyber Security Summit
Thursday, 7 March 2024, 1:20 pm | Office of the Privacy Commissioner
The Privacy Commissioner, speaking at today’s National Cyber Security Summit in Wellington, has called for greater penalties for data breaches. This comes on the back of two major research studies that indicate widespread support, including from ... More >>
Fast-track Bill Cuts Red Tape Strangling Innovation
Thursday, 7 March 2024, 1:20 pm | Straterra
Red and green tape is strangling innovation in New Zealand and the mining industry welcomes the relief the Fast Track Approvals Bill, announced by the Government today, will bring, says Straterra chief executive, Josie Vidal. "On the West Coast, ... More >>
Infrastructure Fast-track Essential For Transport Projects
Thursday, 7 March 2024, 1:18 pm | Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand
Road freight peak body Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand has welcomed the Coalition Government’s introduction of legislation to fast-track infrastructure projects, saying it will be essential to delivering a modern, fit-for-purpose roading ... More >>
Crucial Insights For Southland’s Business And Workforce From The Decent Work Survey
Thursday, 7 March 2024, 12:52 pm | E tu
Southland’s first ever region-wide scientific survey of decent work provides valuable information about the experience of local workers. The survey was conducted over three months from April 2023, inviting all workers in Southland to participate and ... More >>
Watchdog Calls On PM And Conservation Minister To Protect Conservation Land
Thursday, 7 March 2024, 12:40 pm | Coromandel Watchdog
Coromandel Watchdog of Hauraki is today sending an Open Letter of more than 3100 people to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Conservation calling on them to “stop the tail wagging the dog” and rein in the Minister of Resources and to ... More >>
A Fast Track To A More Sure-footed Future
Thursday, 7 March 2024, 12:21 pm | Infrastructure NZ
‘Setting us up for a more sure-footed future’ is how Infrastructure New Zealand is describing the Government’s new fast-tracking consent legislation introduced to Parliament today. “It is widely recognised that New Zealand faces the dual challenges ... More >>
Fast Track Is Outright Assault On Environment
Thursday, 7 March 2024, 12:17 pm | Forest And Bird
A new sweeping fast-track consenting bill being tabled in parliament today is anti-nature, anti-democracy, and will leave a mess for future governments to clean up, says Forest & Bird. “New Zealand has environmental laws based on science for a reason ... More >>
Coalition Sticking Plasters Over New Zealand’s Infrastructure Crisis
Thursday, 7 March 2024, 11:43 am | New Zealand Taxpayers' Union
Responding to the Coalition Government’s announcement of a fast-track consenting process for major infrastructure projects, Taxpayers’ Union Policy and Public Affairs Manager, James Ross, said: “Clearly red tape is holding New Zealand back, and the ... More >>
Hui Taumata Called To Action Māori Unity
Thursday, 7 March 2024, 11:24 am | Ngati Kahungunu
A Hui Taumata will be held in Ngāti Kahungunu on 31 May 2024 hosted by Omāhu Marae to identify solutions for Māori Unity - Kotahitanga. Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Inc. Chair, Bayden Barber says, “We saw thousands of people gather at Tūrangawaewae, Rātana ... More >>
Auckland Ratepayers' Alliance Welcomes The Repeal Of The Auckland Regional Fuel Tax
Thursday, 7 March 2024, 11:19 am | Auckland Ratepayers' Alliance
Commenting on the Government's repeal of the Auckland Regional Fuel Tax, Auckland Ratepayers’ Alliance spokesperson, Sam Warren, said: "This will be welcome news for Aucklanders struggling with fuel costs once this comes into effect on June ... More >>
More Homes, Faster: Why Canterbury Is Outperforming Many Regions In New Zealand
Thursday, 7 March 2024, 11:04 am | NZIER
WELLINGTON, New Zealand , 7 March 2024 – Despite significant losses during the 2011 earthquake, Canterbury is outperforming other regions around New Zealand when it comes to housing stock and affordability. New research from the New Zealand Institute ... More >>
Hundreds Of Christians To Walk The Length Of Gaza In New Zealand Cities Calling For A Ceasefire
Thursday, 7 March 2024, 11:01 am | Common Grace Aotearoa
Over 200 Christians will be walking the length of the Gaza Strip - 41km - in coming weeks in prayerful solidarity as they call for a lasting ceasefire in Gaza, and for the New Zealand government to allow family members of Gazans living in Aotearoa to ... More >>
Land Transport Policy Needs Long-term Stability
Thursday, 7 March 2024, 10:55 am | Civil Contractors NZ
Civil Contractors New Zealand welcomes an increased focus on maintenance and renewals in the draft Government Policy Statement on Land Transport 2024-34 , but warns against the long-term dangers of an increasingly politicised work programme. CCNZ Chief Executive ... More >>
Secondary Teachers Urge David Seymour To Get A Reality Check On School Lunches
Thursday, 7 March 2024, 10:54 am | Post Primary Teachers' Association
Secondary teachers are urging Associate Education Minister David Seymour to visit some of the schools currently offering free healthy lunches, so he can get a more informed picture. “The Associate Minister says the programme could be more efficient ... More >>
Surface Light Rail Calls For The Government To Enable Auckland To Control Its Own Transport Priorities
Thursday, 7 March 2024, 10:51 am | Surface Light Rail
Surface Light Rail is disappointed to see that the Draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport for 2024-2034 does not have a replacement to the Auckland Light Rail (ALR) project. While the Government’s decision to scrap ALR is understandable, ... More >>
Greenpeace Pours Luxon A Glass Of Cow Effluent, Protesting ‘Anti-nature’ Fast-track Bill
Thursday, 7 March 2024, 10:45 am | Greenpeace New Zealand
At Parliament today, Greenpeace activists have installed a giant tap pouring cow effluent outside the Beehive. The organisation is protesting the Government’s proposed fast-track consenting bill, which it says will run roughshod over environmental protections. ... More >>
Dunne's Weekly: The Capital City Is Slowly Dying
Thursday, 7 March 2024, 9:48 am | Peter Dunne
Earlier this week, Wellington’s newspaper, The Post, launched a “conversation” inviting public responses about how Wellington could move on from the problems currently besetting it. The responses published so far show a level of fondness for the city, ... More >>
Sincere Or A Stunt? St John Workers Revisit Reti’s Pre-election Ambulance Ridealongs
Thursday, 7 March 2024, 9:45 am | First Union
A FIRST Union member who works for St John says ambulance officers are astounded by St John’s revelations during pay negotiations that frontline services could be cut or wages frozen due to a lack of funding , and they say the service is already ... More >>
KiwiRail Welcomes Consultation On Government Policy Statement On Land Transport
Wednesday, 6 March 2024, 2:24 pm | KiwiRail
KiwiRail Chief Executive Peter Reidy said the Government Policy Statement on land transport released this week provides clarity on the Government’s draft investment priorities. “We continue to have constructive engagement with the Minister of Transport ... More >>
Is Mr Seymour Intending To Increase Staffing To Cover His Latest Brain Wave?
Wednesday, 6 March 2024, 2:08 pm | Tai Tokerau Principals' Association
Seymour said he hoped the Government would make progress on an ambitious student data collection programme to track the effectiveness of the Government’s various student interventions — s uch as school lunches . Do you think that every intervention ... More >>
Fast-track Consenting Regime For Infrastructure And Development – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 6 March 2024, 12:24 pm | Science Media Centre
The government will soon introduce a standalone Act to allow major infrastructure projects to bypass lengthy resource consenting processes. The fast-track regime is the next step of the coalition government’s RMA reform agenda. A full replacement ... More >>
Will Luxon Condemn Human Rights Abuses In Meeting With Philippines President?
Wednesday, 6 March 2024, 10:56 am | FIRST Union
FIRST Union General Secretary Dennis Maga has condemned the decision of Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to fly to Australia to meet with Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., but says that if the Prime Minister is so determined for Marcos Jr.'s ... More >>
Total Environmental Taxes Rise 14 Percent In 2022
Wednesday, 6 March 2024, 10:56 am | Statistics New Zealand
Total environmental taxes for Aotearoa New Zealand increased 14 percent in the year to March 2022, according to figures released by Stats NZ today. “According to the OECD, environmental taxes encourage action to reduce environmental damage by providing ... More >>
If Tearing Down Premier House Is Cheaper, Then Get It Done
Wednesday, 6 March 2024, 10:52 am | New Zealand Taxpayers' Union
The Taxpayers’ Union is calling for all options to be on the table in terms of having a Premier house fit for purpose. Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said: “Even fiscal hawks would agree that we need a Premier residence suitable ... More >>
Reversing Oil And Gas Ban Brazen And Utterly Reckless
Tuesday, 5 March 2024, 6:24 pm | Green Party
The government’s new timeframe for expanding oil and gas exploration starts the clock on the time remaining to save the oil and gas ban. “This Government is recklessly and shamelessly pouring oil and gas on the fire of the climate crisis,” says the ... More >>
E Tū Urges Government To Support NZ Media By Passing Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill
Tuesday, 5 March 2024, 4:48 pm | E Tu
E tū, the union for journalists and media workers, is urging the Government to pass the Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill as an important part of the solution to the problems facing the media in Aotearoa New Zealand. Last week, it was announced ... More >>
IHC Says No To Boot Camps
Tuesday, 5 March 2024, 4:11 pm | IHC New Zealand
IHC New Zealand says the Government’s introduction of juvenile boot camps for youth offenders will unfairly target young people with intellectual disability. In an announcement today, the Minister for Children Karen Chhour said a “military-style ... More >>
Dignity NZ Applauds New Zealand Government's Commitment To Fund Free Period Products In Schools
Tuesday, 5 March 2024, 3:06 pm | Dignity NZ
Dignity NZ, a leading period product provider dedicated to creating period equity and ending period poverty, expresses its relief and appreciation for the New Zealand government's decision to continue funding free period products in schools. This announcement ... More >>
Ka Ora, Ka Ako Must Stay: Save The Children Calls For Continued Investment In The Healthy School Lunches Programme
Tuesday, 5 March 2024, 3:01 pm | Save The Children
Save the Children New Zealand is calling for continued investment in the Government’s Ka Ora, Ka Ako Healthy School Lunches programme in the face of proposed changes to the scheme from the new coalition government. Save the Children’s Advocacy Director ... More >>
Councils Can Save Money On LGOIMA Responses By Being More Transparent
Tuesday, 5 March 2024, 2:49 pm | New Zealand Taxpayers' Union
Reacting to reports that New Plymouth District Council is establishing a dedicated Local Government Official Information Act (LGOIMA) officer as part of a restructure, Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said: “While putting transparency ... More >>
Taxpayers’ Union Supports Wayne Brown’s Call For Rates On Government Buildings
Tuesday, 5 March 2024, 1:54 pm | New Zealand Taxpayers' Union
Responding to calls by Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown for rates to be charged on Government buildings and to share GST on new-build houses, Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said: “Government-owned properties require the same infrastructure ... More >>
Deep Dive Stocktake Of Māori Wisdom Reveals Solutions For Tackling Violence
Tuesday, 5 March 2024, 1:20 pm | Te Pukotahitanga
A thoughtful deep dive stocktake into the contemporary landscape of Māori literature on Māori living with violence and sexual violation has been released. The ‘Litany of Sound Revisited’ 208-page substantial literature review is believed to be the ... More >>
Petrol Excise Tax Hike Will Hit Care & Support Workers Hard - Time For Updated Pay Equity Settlement
Tuesday, 5 March 2024, 12:02 pm | PSA
Care & support workers who use their own car to visit clients are calling for action on their pay equity claim before the rise in fuel excise tax hits their pay packets. "The Government promised a laser focus on cost of living but increasing ... More >>
Nicola Willis Needs To Explain Which Coalition Partner Vetoed Reversing The App Tax
Tuesday, 5 March 2024, 11:57 am | New Zealand Taxpayers' Union
The Taxpayers’ Union is calling on Nicola Willis to front up and explain which coalition partner vetoed National’s pre-election policy to reverse Labour’s App Tax after her comments on Newstalk ZB yesterday that the U-turn on the policy was ... More >>
Taxpayers’ Union Welcomes Scrapping Of Ineffective Road To Zero Campaign
Tuesday, 5 March 2024, 10:26 am | New Zealand Taxpayers' Union
Responding to the Government’s proposal to replace the Road to Zero campaign with new safety objectives, Acting Social Media and Field Operations Coordinator, Alex Murphy said: “From the beginning, it was clear that the Road to Zero campaign was ... More >>
Labour’s Selective Memory For Moving MSSA Firearms To A-Category Licenses After 2019
Tuesday, 5 March 2024, 10:04 am | Sporting Shooters Association of New Zealand Inc
The Sporting Shooters Association of New Zealand wishes to highlight the comments made by Opposition MPs, an example being Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins during question time in Parliament on the 28 th of February 2024, that shows a lack of understanding ... More >>
Pay Equity Win For Therapists In Schools And At Ministry Of Education
Tuesday, 5 March 2024, 9:07 am | NZEI
Therapists in schools will receive a significant pay increase of up to 34% after therapists covered by the pay equity claim voted to accept the proposed settlement. The claim, raised by NZEI Te Riu Roa in November 2020, recognises the historical ... More >>
Taxpayers’ Union Welcomes Draft Transport GPS, Warns Against Overzealous Tax Hikes
Monday, 4 March 2024, 4:45 pm | New Zealand Taxpayers' Union
Reacting to the Government’s release of the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said: “Reducing road user subsidies of walking and cycleway improvements and capping ... More >>
Urgent Call To Protect The Ban On Live Animal Export
Monday, 4 March 2024, 12:08 pm | SAFE For Animals
SAFE is today launching a nationwide campaign aimed at the new government, issuing an urgent call to preserve the ban on live animal export. The campaign is calling on New Zealanders to add their names to a parliamentary petition, headed by Former ... More >>
Ministers Ducking As St John Ambulance Service Threatens Cuts And Wage Freezes
Monday, 4 March 2024, 11:55 am | FIRST Union
Hato Hone St John staff are being left in the dark after being told by their employer during collective bargaining that no further funding is available to increase wages, despite promises from the National-NZ First coalition agreement to "renegotiate ... More >>
Fuel Stations Heading For USA-style Crime Hell - MTA
Monday, 4 March 2024, 10:56 am | Motor Trade Association
In the wake of another frightening attack on an Auckland service station at the weekend, the Motor Trade Association (MTA) says the Government must back up its tough talk with action. Shocking CCTV footage of the incident shows nine offenders, ... More >>
Scrap The App Tax: More Than 3,300 Taxpayers Contacted Nicola Willis Over The Weekend
Monday, 4 March 2024, 10:40 am | New Zealand Taxpayers' Union
The Taxpayers’ Union is delighted that more than 3,300 New Zealanders over just two days have asked Nicola Willis to stick to her pre-election promise and Scrap the App Tax via emails sent at AppTax.nz . Campaign Spokesman, James Ross, said: ... More >>
Green Party Co-Leadership Contender Alex Foulkes Releases Radical Manifesto
Saturday, 2 March 2024, 2:37 pm | Alex Foulkes
Alex Foulkes, Chlöe Swarbrick’s rival for the Green Party co-leadership, is launching ‘Another Aotearoa Is Possible: Manifesto for an Eco-Socialist Green Party.’ The manifesto contains many radical policies Foulkes believes the Green Party must champion ... More >>
Govt Distracts From Its Plan To Bring Back Dangerous Guns
Friday, 1 March 2024, 5:52 pm | New Zealand Labour Party
The Government’s proposed changes to Firearms Prohibition Orders (FPO) add almost nothing new and are merely an attempt to distract from its plans to loosen gun laws, police spokesperson Ginny Andersen and justice spokesperson Dr Duncan Webb said. ... More >>