Some ministers commemorated historical events in the latest press statements from the Beehive while others pointed to New Zealand’s role in the space age and to technological developments around the digital economy and data storage in the cloud.
Three statements were related to events in the past – a speech by the PM to mark the 60th Anniversary of the Treaty of Friendship between New Zealand and Samoa, an expression of condolence after the death of the last-surviving Battle for Crete veteran, and the commemoration of the dropping of atomic bombs on the cities of Nagasaki and Hiroshima 77 years ago.
Two statements were focused on technological developments with implications for the future – the welcoming of Google Cloud’s decision to make New Zealand a cloud region and the advising of an agreement signed between the New Zealand and United States governments which opens new opportunities for our space sector and closer collaboration with NASA.
Law and order, broadly, were covered by another three statements. Two of these drew attention to bills that have been enacted, one to combat firearms violence, the other to repeal the ‘Three Strikes’ law.
The third statement advised that work is under way on preliminary steps to improve the Government’s support for survivors of abuse in care while a new, independent redress system is designed.
To wrap up a busy 24 hours or so in the Beehive, changes to NCEA and University Entrance to recognise the impact COVID-19 on senior secondary students’ assessment towards NCEA in 2022 were announced. And we were advised of the signing of an agreement between New Zealand’s National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the United States’ Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) whichaims to strengthen global emergency management capability.
The statement about the agreement with the United States came from the Minister for Emergency Management, Kieran McAnulty, who said:
The new agreement is part of NEMA’s work as an internationally recognised leader in emergency management. NEMA supports Emergency Management initiatives in the global arena with a specific focus on the Pacific and our commitments under the United Nations and regional frameworks.
The Memorandum of Cooperation will formalise information and data sharing between the two countries, and boost opportunities to engage in joint research, as well as conferences, workshops, and exercises.
The emergency management agencies of the two countries have had close relationships for many years and supported each other during times of crisis, McAnulty said.
In 2018 – for example – New Zealand deployed fire personnel to help combat wildfires in the US, and New Zealand was given support by the United States after the 2011 Christchurch Earthquake.
McAnulty noted that over the past two decades, disasters have increased in number and severity, requiring greater international cooperation and stronger international relationships – and
Much more curiously, the minister said:
Is the role of indigenous communities any more important than the role of other people in the community?
And if this be so, what makes it so important?
Point of Order checked the US Department of Homeland Security Annual Performance Report (APR) for Fiscal Years (FY) 2019-2021. This presents the Department’s mission programmes, progress summaries, performance measure results and 2020 and 2021 targets.
We could find no mention of the word “indigenous.”
Point of Order is a blog focused on politics and the economy run by veteran newspaper reporters Bob Edlin and Ian Templeton
Law and order, broadly, were covered by another three statements. Two of these drew attention to bills that have been enacted, one to combat firearms violence, the other to repeal the ‘Three Strikes’ law.
The third statement advised that work is under way on preliminary steps to improve the Government’s support for survivors of abuse in care while a new, independent redress system is designed.
To wrap up a busy 24 hours or so in the Beehive, changes to NCEA and University Entrance to recognise the impact COVID-19 on senior secondary students’ assessment towards NCEA in 2022 were announced. And we were advised of the signing of an agreement between New Zealand’s National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the United States’ Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) whichaims to strengthen global emergency management capability.
The statement about the agreement with the United States came from the Minister for Emergency Management, Kieran McAnulty, who said:
“The Government is committed to continually strengthening our emergency management system, and this Memorandum of Cooperation will help to bolster disaster resilience and reduce disaster risk in both countries,” Kieran McAnulty said.
The new agreement is part of NEMA’s work as an internationally recognised leader in emergency management. NEMA supports Emergency Management initiatives in the global arena with a specific focus on the Pacific and our commitments under the United Nations and regional frameworks.
The Memorandum of Cooperation will formalise information and data sharing between the two countries, and boost opportunities to engage in joint research, as well as conferences, workshops, and exercises.
The emergency management agencies of the two countries have had close relationships for many years and supported each other during times of crisis, McAnulty said.
In 2018 – for example – New Zealand deployed fire personnel to help combat wildfires in the US, and New Zealand was given support by the United States after the 2011 Christchurch Earthquake.
McAnulty noted that over the past two decades, disasters have increased in number and severity, requiring greater international cooperation and stronger international relationships – and
“… in this changing global environment, it is crucial New Zealand builds and maintains effective engagement with the rest of the world.”
Much more curiously, the minister said:
“New Zealand and the United States have a lot in common in regards to the hazards we face, our emergency management structures, and the important role indigenous communities play in emergency response and recovery.”
Is the role of indigenous communities any more important than the role of other people in the community?
And if this be so, what makes it so important?
Point of Order checked the US Department of Homeland Security Annual Performance Report (APR) for Fiscal Years (FY) 2019-2021. This presents the Department’s mission programmes, progress summaries, performance measure results and 2020 and 2021 targets.
We could find no mention of the word “indigenous.”
Point of Order is a blog focused on politics and the economy run by veteran newspaper reporters Bob Edlin and Ian Templeton
3 comments:
McNutly is just opining the apartheid that now prevails in New Zealand. Yes it is still called New Zealand.
Yes, we should get people to define what this important, crucial role (crucial meaning absolutely necessary and vital) indigenous communities have. Once again divisive rhetoric isn't it? when we don't really have an indigenous population really just earlier settlers. Until our politicians recognise we are a multicultural society, all to be treated equally, I believe we will not progress forward,
Our politicians keep going down this well worn track but many tax paying New Zealanders are getting pretty fed up.
So now Maori have special talents in emergency and disaster management.
How's that I wonder?
Are Maori over-represented in our full-time and volunteer fire brigades...or civil defence...or police?
Or is it just the usual standard pro-Maori comment attached to every government release these days, with absolutely no evidence to back it up.
I don't know the answer but I'm confident enough to have a very large bet on number 2.
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