Chris Lynch: Nearly 40,000 more building products approved for use in New Zealand

Nearly 40,000 additional plumbing and drainage products already widely used in Australia have been approved for use in New Zealand, in a move the Government says will reduce costs, cut red tape, and improve building productivity.

Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk said the approval of the second tranche of overseas certified products would make it easier and more affordable to deliver new homes and public buildings.

Point of Order: Buzz from the Beehive - 5/9/24

Foot and mouth – export losses of $14.3 billion a year give govt good cause to commit to stamping out any incursion

We were troubled – briefly – at the prospect of politicians never saying anything improper, outrageous or untoward.

Wouldn’t that give us that much less fodder for the writers who are published on this blog?

Point of Order: Buzz from the Beehive - 4/4/24

The Treaty’s role in governance arrangements? Restoration of referendums on Māori wards will be heartening for democrats

There’s good news today for proponents of democracy, or democratic government. That excludes every MP who voted for the Canterbury Regional Council (Ngāi Tahu Representation) Bill, which enables the tribe’s rūnanga to appoint two councillors with full voting rights to the council.

“Appoint” is the key word. Every other councillor must campaign to win the support of citizens through elections and be held accountable to voters at subsequent elections.