Govt contributes $1m for humanitarian work in Morocco – it will invest much more in buttressing its West Coast vote
All three new ministerial announcements on the government’s official website today provide information which shows us how some of our taxes are being spent (or misspent).
In one case, the money involved is a modest $1 million, to be spent on providing humanitarian support to the people affected by last week’s earthquake in Morocco.
Two other statements, involving much more money, suggest the government is pitching for votes to fortify Labour Cabinet Minister Damien O’Connor’s hold on the West Coast.
O”Connor’s 20,753 votes in the 2020 general election gave him a majority of 6208 in West Coast-Tasman over National’s Maureen Pugh.
As Minister of Transport, today he issued a statement jointly with the PM.
They told West Coasters the Government is investing over $22 million across 18 projects to improve the resilience of weather-battered roads in the region.
The other statement – released by Regional Development Minister Kieran McAnulty – confirmed a $2 million grant towards the regeneration of Greymouth’s CBD with construction of a new two-level commercial and public facility.
McAnulty credits O’Connor with giving him good advice on the prudence of this spending.
O”Connor’s 20,753 votes in the 2020 general election gave him a majority of 6208 in West Coast-Tasman over National’s Maureen Pugh.
As Minister of Transport, today he issued a statement jointly with the PM.
They told West Coasters the Government is investing over $22 million across 18 projects to improve the resilience of weather-battered roads in the region.
The other statement – released by Regional Development Minister Kieran McAnulty – confirmed a $2 million grant towards the regeneration of Greymouth’s CBD with construction of a new two-level commercial and public facility.
McAnulty credits O’Connor with giving him good advice on the prudence of this spending.
Latest from the Beehive
14 SEPTEMBER 2023
Aotearoa New Zealand will provide humanitarian support to those affected by last week’s earthquake in Morocco, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced today.
The Government is investing over $22 million across 18 projects to improve the resilience of roads in the West Coast that have been affected by recent extreme weather.
13 SEPTEMBER 2023
The Government has today confirmed a $2 million grant towards the regeneration of Greymouth’s CBD with construction of a new two-level commercial and public facility.
Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced the $1 million contribution to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to help meet humanitarian needs in Morocco.
The IFRC is working with the Moroccan Red Crescent to deliver essential relief items such as food, tents and blankets, and to provide lifesaving medical assistance, psychological support and protection for those most in need.
“Aotearoa New Zealand is deeply saddened by the loss of life and devastation caused by this earthquake. Our thoughts are with affected communities,” Nanaia Mahuta said.
Our government stands ready to consider requests for assistance from the Government of Morocco.
The $22 million to improve the resilience of roads in the West Coast comes from the Transport Resilience Fund, which was established for early preventative works to protect the state highway network from future severe weather disruption.
The press statement lists the projects that will receive funding.
The PM said this year’s budget established the $419 million Transport Resilience Fund.
“Investing in resilience creates savings down the road, as well as ensuring communities aren’t cut off and isolated after extreme weather,” he said.
In this year’s budget the government also set aside $6 billion in funding to support the implementation of a National Resilience Plan.
“I can confirm that projects in the top of the south will be considered for funding as part of this ongoing work,” Hipkins said.
“No region can foot the bill for building transport resilience on their own. That’s why the Government is coming to the table to support regions with a range of fund to help them recover.”
The $2 million grant for Greymouth will be invested in the construction of a new two-level commercial and public facility which will include a visitor facility centred around a new library.
“Additionally, it will include retail outlets on the ground floor, and both outdoor and indoor recreational spaces.”
There’s a strong whiff of corporate welfare in this decision.
McAnulty said the government’s funding will support Grey District Council and Development West Coast as they develop “this otherwise vacant land plot”.
“We want to see more foot traffic and community spaces in Greymouth for both economic growth and community wellbeing.
“This complements our other recent investments made to Greymouth such as the Pounamu Pathway Experience centre which received funding through our provincial growth fund.”
Based on the current plans, the building is expected to open to the public in May 2025.
Oh – and let’s not overlook the role played in this by the aforementioned Damien O’Connor.
McAnulty said:
“Local MP Damien O’Connor assured me this would complement development of the Pounamu Pathway project and other investments in central Greymouth to enhance a lively community space. I’m stoked we’ve been able to chip in.”
O’Connor will be stoked, too, if local voters take this investment into account when they go to the polls.
But other regions have been helped by the government, McAnulty noted:
“Since 2018, $3.2 billion has been paid out from the eight regional investment funds to support our region’s economies. A staggering 1,148 projects have already been completed.
Through a mix of grants, loans and equity, the government has been investing in projects that will help regional businesses to continue to grow and help communities in the regions to flourish.
In our Buzz yesterday, Point of Order recorded the Government’s investment of over $12 million to improve the resilience of roads in the Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough regions that have been affected by recent extreme weather.
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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