Statements gush from the Beehive but there’s a dearth of figures for taxpayers who might want to check the costings
A gush of press statements has poured from the Beehive in the past 24 hours.
Ministers, plainly, have been busy. But they were sparing with their information when it came to telling us how much is being spent on the initiatives and what-have-you they were announcing.
Associate Transport Minister Kiri Allan did toss some dollar figures into her statement when she said the construction of a new bridge is under way on the Forgotten World Highway, east of Stratford.
She said the bridge is part of a $30m investment by the Government towards improvements for the Forgotten World Highway that (Allan said) will attract more tourists to the area and boost economic activity by an estimated $35 to $45 million, helping to create new jobs in the area.
The existing one-lane bridge, built in 1908, will be repurposed as a historic walking and cycling route “which means commuters will have even more travel options.”
Commuters on the Forgotten World Highway?
Apparently so.
In a statement welcoming the Auckland Council’s initial engagement with property owners affected by extreme weather events earlier this year, Michael Wood reminded us of $100 million initial funding announced in Budget 2023 for all affected regions.
His colleague, Finance Minister Grant Robertson, said the Government is committed to cost-sharing with councils, to help councils get the right solution in the right place and avoid significant financial hardship for property owners.
But while ministers were chary about disclosing costs, they did answer a raft of other questions:
She said the bridge is part of a $30m investment by the Government towards improvements for the Forgotten World Highway that (Allan said) will attract more tourists to the area and boost economic activity by an estimated $35 to $45 million, helping to create new jobs in the area.
The existing one-lane bridge, built in 1908, will be repurposed as a historic walking and cycling route “which means commuters will have even more travel options.”
Commuters on the Forgotten World Highway?
Apparently so.
In a statement welcoming the Auckland Council’s initial engagement with property owners affected by extreme weather events earlier this year, Michael Wood reminded us of $100 million initial funding announced in Budget 2023 for all affected regions.
His colleague, Finance Minister Grant Robertson, said the Government is committed to cost-sharing with councils, to help councils get the right solution in the right place and avoid significant financial hardship for property owners.
But while ministers were chary about disclosing costs, they did answer a raft of other questions:
- Who is admitting “woops, we went too far”?
Health Minister Ayesha Verrall and Associate Health Minister (Māori Health) Peeni Henare have announced plans to exempt many small-scale Natural Health Product (NHP) manufacturers and rongoā practitioners from regulation under the Therapeutic Products Bill.
Verrall acknowledged thousands of submissions to the Select Committee had shaped the proposed changes.
“The changes announced today recognise that the Bill as originally drafted went too far. For example, particular concerns were raised that the regulatory regime for NHPs wasn’t risk proportionate, and the costs may drive small producers of NHPs out of business.”
Verrall acknowledged thousands of submissions to the Select Committee had shaped the proposed changes.
“The changes announced today recognise that the Bill as originally drafted went too far. For example, particular concerns were raised that the regulatory regime for NHPs wasn’t risk proportionate, and the costs may drive small producers of NHPs out of business.”
- How is The Treaty influencing Government decisions?
The Government’s disinclination to charge ahead and establish the Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary is another. Māori sentiment is a strong influence on what is happening and Environment Minister David Parker yesterday expressed disappointment after Māori tribal organisations decided to oppose the sanctuary proposal.
This opposition – by the sounds of it – might scuttle the plan.
Parker said the Government has worked closely and carefully with the iwi fisheries organisation, Te Ohu Kai Moana, and northern tribes since 2017 to get the sanctuary established.
The Government had been prepared to consider compensation for fishing rights that would have been suspended by the sanctuary.
“The cost of that would have been relatively modest, given that little commercial fishing takes place in the sanctuary area.”
The proposed sanctuary around the Kermadec Islands region covers about 620,000 sq km, or 15 per cent of New Zealand’s total Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). It would represent a significant portion of the 30 per cent global target for marine protection under the UN Convention on Biological Diversity.
An updated summary of the sanctuary policy proposal recently provided to Te Ohu included re-naming the sanctuary to recognise the area’s significance to Māori, and Crown funding for a new 20-year scientific research plan to inform decisions about the future management of the sanctuary. This would have been overseen by Te Kahui, the body that would have managed the sanctuary.
- What are ministers doing to improve our wellbeing?
Pacific people make up 60 per cent of overall rheumatic fever cases; Māori account for 37 per cent. The rest of the population represents 3 per cent.
You can learn more on the Te Whatu Ora website about the roadmap, which outlines improved access and coordination of care, including the transition between paediatric and adult services, reducing barriers for patients, and supporting workforce development.
- What accomplishments are Ministers chuffed about?
- Net migration gain of 72,300 in the year ended April 2023
- Net gain of 98,400 non-New Zealand citizens for year ended April 2023
- Migrant arrivals in year ended April 2023 were above the long-term average for April 2002 – 2019
- Migration arrivals in the year to April 2023 marks six months of continued growth in net migration
This rebalance has lifted pay requirements for migrant workers to ensure they are treated fairly, and requires advertising for NZ workers before a migrant worker is sought.
The migration numbers show those protections have not been a barrier to recruiting migrant workers they are needed, Wood said.
Tourist flows recorded by the latest statistics gave Peeni Henare (as Minister of Tourism) material to proclaim the tourism sector’s continued strengthening to close to pre-pandemic levels.
The figures showed 221,300 overseas visitor arrivals in April 2023. Airline booking and capacity data, estimate over 600,000 visitors are expected to arrive this winter.
“This rebound complements the Government’s investment in regional infrastructure while the borders were closed, which is enabling a strong post-pandemic recovery.”
- Which Ministers are letting local communities influence what happens?
Local councils are being empowered to decide which land can be used for plantation and carbon forests through the resource consent process.
Amendments to the National Environmental Standards for Plantation Forestry will result in the environmental effects of permanent pine forests being managed the same way as plantation forests. Firebreaks and planting next to rivers, lakes and wetlands will be required for new forestry conversions.
- Where in the world can we find the Minister?
The focus will be on meeting with business, investors and political leaders to build on strong economic ties as New Zealand and Australia mark the 40th anniversary of the Closer Economic Partnership.
The Minister will give speeches to the Trans-Tasman Business Circle, Business Sydney lunch event and will speak at the Invest NZ Annual Dinner.
He will also meet with federal and state politicians, economic leaders and investors with interests in New Zealand and those with experience in disaster recovery following Cyclone Gabrielle.
Defence Minister Andrew Little is in Suva where he has signed a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), a legal framework for the New Zealand Defence Force and the Republic of Fiji Military Forces for closer cooperation within each other’s territories.
A Statement of Intent was also signed outlining the priorities for defence cooperation between the two nations. The agreed priorities include training, maritime security and disaster and humanitarian response co-ordination.
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The Government is delivering on its 2020 election commitment to tighten up rules on farm-to-forestry conversions by giving communities greater control over the planting of forests.
The tourism sector is continuing to strengthen to close to pre-pandemic levels, according to latest data and estimates, Tourism Minister Peeni Henare said today.
The Government is welcoming the Auckland Council’s initial engagement with property owners affected by extreme weather events earlier this year.
Today’s decision by iwi organisations to oppose the Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary proposal is very disappointing, Environment Minister David Parker says.
Grant Robertson will leave on Wednesday to travel to Sydney and Canberra to meet with business and political leaders to promote investment and strengthen relations with our closest neighbour.
Plans to exempt many small-scale Natural Health Product (NHP) manufacturers and rongoā practitioners from regulation under the Therapeutic Products Bill have been announced.
A five-year focus on tackling rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease has been announced by Associate Health Minister Barbara Edmonds.
Construction of a new bridge is underway on the Forgotten World Highway, east of Stratford, which is part of a package of improvements that will boost local tourism and economic activity in the area.
The continued growth in net migration shows the Government’s immigration rebalance is striking the right balance as we tackle labour shortages.
The doctoring of the Therapeutic Products Bill which Ayesha Verrall announced has two objectives.
- The Government is proposing to exempt small-scale producers of natural health products from the need to obtain a product authorisation or manufacturing licence from the new Regulator where their products are made and supplied in-person to customers in New Zealand. Product authorisation will still be required for imported natural health products.
- In most cases Government will not regulate rongoā in the new regulatory system.
“The Bill is intended to support product safety, but regulation needs to be proportionate to risk,” she said.
Natural health products aren’t risk-free, she said, but she was comfortable that the evidence available suggests these products don’t pose a significant public health risk.
Point of Order is a blog focused on politics and the economy run by veteran newspaper reporters Bob Edlin and Ian Templeton
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