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Labour Party
Grant Robertson
Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand
Kia ora,
As we all get ready for the peak of the Omicron outbreak, I wanted to reach out to say thank you for everything you’re doing to protect yourself and keep New Zealand safe, and to share some news about the economy that’s encouraging even at a tricky time.
But first, I need to update you on the events taking place outside Parliament. The right to peaceful protest is very important, including the right to peaceful protest at our Parliament. I protested at Parliament many times before I became an MP, but always in a way that respected the mana of that place.
What’s happening at Parliament now is not a peaceful protest. Nobody has the right to block a main road for a fortnight, call for public executions, throw human waste at Police, or try to run people down in their car. I want to thank the large majority of New Zealanders who are standing with us in opposition to this illegal protest. It is past time for them to go home.
As you know, we’ve set out a timetable to relax our border restrictions, and when it’s safe we’ll relax other COVID restrictions as well. Jacinda has already said that will happen after – not before – the peak of the Omicron outbreak. We will approach those decisions as we always have, by listening to the science and keeping the public’s health and safety uppermost in our minds.
The new COVID waves have hit some parts of our community hard, even as the economy overall continues to be strong. That’s why I was really pleased to announce new COVID Support Payments for businesses doing it tough during the Omicron outbreak. Up to $24,000 per business is available for those affected the most.
We’ve also had good economic news in recent times, despite COVID. Because our overall economy is doing well, New Zealand’s unemployment rate is at its lowest level on record, at just 3.2%. We’ve also moved to protect those New Zealanders on the lowest incomes, by increasing the minimum wage to $21.20 an hour from April.
When we came to office, the legal adult minimum wage was around 78% of the Living Wage. From April, it’ll be 93%. This is important progress for our most vulnerable workers, and only Labour delivers it.
Thank you again, for everything you do in your community to meet the challenge of COVID and put New Zealand in the best position to rebound strongly. Teamwork makes the dream work, and it’s great to have you on the team.
Nga mihi,
Grant Robertson
P.S. A few of you have asked how you can best help at this time. Honestly, the very best thing is to keep modelling good, healthy behaviour in your community and get boosted. But if you’re keen to help Labour specifically, the party always greatly appreciates any monthly contribution you can make to its fighting fund. Thank you for your support, in whatever form it takes.
