Jacinda Ardern’s Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet consulted Northland’s three Labour MPs but not Northland’s mayors before extending the region’s level 4 lockdown. “This was a contentious lockdown for many Northlanders, especially when Northland had no positive cases and many businesses and communities suffered,
Further reports of confusion about whether businesses are entitled to the wage-subsidy at alert level two shows the Government must urgently improve the scheme, National’s Social Development and Employment spokesperson Louise Upston says. “Government MPs have sent mixed messages about whether firms are eligible for the wage subsidy
If James Shaw was giving consolation gifts to Kiwis desperately trying to get home this Christmas he’d likely give them a lump of coal, having confirmed he plans to take 14 staff with him to the COP26 climate talks in Glasgow, National’s Climate Change spokesperson Stuart Smith says.
The Government must explain exactly what it will do to sort out Transmission Gully’s transmission problems before the expressway opens, says National’s Transport spokesperson David Bennett. “Transmission Gully is the most expensive roading project this Government is responsible for at the moment but Transport Minister Michael Wood clearly
This morning’s debut of the new ‘virtual lobby’ system for MIQ allocation was both depressing and a debacle, National’s Covid-19 spokesperson Chris Bishop says. “The virtual lobby system used for the first time this morning solves nothing and has just created even more angst amongst the thousands
There is no hard evidence any of the participants in the Mongrel Mob methamphetamine pilot had actually used the drug at all, says National’s Health spokesperson Dr Shane Reti. “The Mob-led pilot – ‘Hawke’s Bay Chaindog Community Methamphetamine Rehabilitation Initiative – Kahukura’ – was described by the Prime Minister as
The extension of Operation Tauwhiro today is a clear sign that gang violence and the dangers of firearms violence caused by gangs is a far bigger problem than the Government will admit, says National’s spokesperson for Police Simeon Brown. “Operation Tauwhiro was initially supposed to by a six-month
The Motor Industry Association’s withdrawal of support for Labour’s Clean Vehicle Bill is yet more reason for Transport Minister Michael Wood to ditch his car tax plan, National’s Transport spokesperson David Bennett says. “Today, the Motor Industry Association has withdrawn support for Labour’s car standard, stating
Confirmation today that Auckland students will spend another two weeks trying to learn from home underscores the need for better guidelines to make sure kids are actually engaged in education, National’s Education spokesperson Paul Goldsmith says. “Rather than shift the school holidays forward, the Government has preferred to carry
National is calling on the Government to extend the Covid-19 temporary loss carry-back scheme to support businesses who are continuing to struggle under lockdown, National’s Shadow Treasurer Andrew Bayly and Associate Revenue spokesperson Simon Watts say. “The loss carry-back scheme allowed businesses that anticipated to run
New Conservative Recently, the NZDF (New Zealand Defence Force) mandated that all personnel take the COVID-19 vaccine as a part of the baseline medical requirements for deployment in NZ and overseas. This decision has a far-reaching impact on servicemen and women who may have legitimate and genuine personal
Don Brash Casey Costello Hobson’s Pledge Trust hobsonspledge.nz Lobby group Hobson’s Pledge is pushing for the name “Aotearoa” to be removed from official use until a binding referendum is held to decide whether or not to proceed with changing the name of New Zealand. Hobson’s Pledge
University of Auckland The study, published in the international Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, shows that attempted suicides in NZ children aged 10-14 years increased from a baseline of 40 per month to a peak of 90 per month following the lockdowns in 2020. Lead researchers Dr Gerhard
Climate Change Minister James Shaw stating that the Emissions Reduction Plan is to be aligned with Budget 2022 is just more hot air, says National’s Climate Change spokesperson Stuart Smith. “James Shaw is making a habit of missing his own deadlines on climate change. “New Zealand has seen the
Hon Alfred Ngaro Dr Sheree Trotter indigenouscoalition.org Indigenous Coalition For Israel urges New Zealand to follow the example of the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco and pursue a closer bi-lateral relationship with Israel. If these countries, as former enemies can build close ties with Israel, why can’
Grant Robertson’s $7 billion top-up of the misused Covid Response and Recovery Fund gives him carte-blanche to splash more borrowed money between Budgets, says National’s Finance spokesperson Michael Woodhouse. “The Finance Minister has referenced the positive economic performance figures for the June quarter, before the Delta
