Founded by Max Farndale 1947 - 2018
The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan TD, met with New Zealand Foreign Minister, the Honourable Murray McCully at Iveagh House for talks today.
At the meeting the Ministers discussed the opportunities and challenges that have arisen as a result of the UK’s decision to leave the European Union.
The Ministers also spoke about Ireland’s bid to host the Rugby World Cup in 2023 and exchanged national rugby jerseys.
“The Irish bid team regularly refer to New Zealand’s hosting of the World Cup in 2011 as the inspiration for the Irish bid. That tournament was a remarkable success and demonstrated that a country similar in size to Ireland could successfully host this event.”
As Ireland prepares to campaign for a place on the UN Security Council 2020, the Ministers held a useful exchange on New Zealand’s experience as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in 2015 and 2016. Minister Flanagan commented:
“Learning from the experiences of a small like-minded state such as New Zealand is very useful to us and is an example of our close cooperation on international issues. I would like to congratulate Minister McCully on New Zealand’s consistent and principled approach as a Security Council member and the significant progress New Zealand made on issues such as tackling the root causes of conflict.”
Minister Flanagan also spoke about the Irish and New Zealand diaspora, noting the key role played by diaspora from both countries.
“There are over 600,000 New Zealanders who can trace their heritage back to Ireland out of a total population of 4.7 million, while nearly 30,000 Irish citizens have spent time working in New Zealand in the last decade alone, including significant numbers of Irish construction workers who contributed to the reconstruction effort since the 2011 Christchurch earthquake.
Developments on the proposed EU – New Zealand Free Trade Agreement were discussed as well as bilateral trade opportunities, where there is much potential to be realised. The Ministers also exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East, the ongoing migration crisis and developments in the Asia Pacific region.
| A MerrionStreet release | January 11, 2017 |
Trade talks at risk because of European sensitivities on agriculture, a populist Kiwi lawmaker says.
Trade talks between New Zealand and Europe risk being shot down by national or regional parliaments in the EU and should be shelved to prioritize a deal with the U.K., a populist Kiwi lawmaker has said.
Ahead of Tuesday’s meeting in Brussels between New Zealand Prime Minister Bill English and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, who are expected to discuss bilateral trade negotiations that could start in the upcoming months, trade spokesperson Fletcher Tabuteau from the populist New Zealand First party warned of “deep trouble” due to European sensitivities on agriculture.
“Given the all-powerful European farmer lobby likes New Zealand like a hole in the back of the head, our deal with the EU isn’t going to go very far, very fast,” said Tabuteau, whose party, although holding only 10 percent of the seats in Wellington’s parliament, is considered an influential kingmaker in national politics.
“The Irish, Polish and French, even the Germans have concerns about allowing [New Zealand] dairy into their free-trade deals,” Tabuteau continued, referring to a recent opinion by the European Court of Justice’s advocate general suggesting that EU trade deals need to be ratified by some 38 national and regional parliaments across the bloc. The court is likely to confirm this opinion in the coming months, which would increase the possibility of future trade deals being vetoed.
“We need to face facts and put our energies into a more likely trade deal with the United Kingdom” after its separation from the EU, Tabuteau said.
| A Politico release | January 9, 2017 |
More local businesses looking to expand into Korea will benefit from the latest round of tariff reductions under the New Zealand-Korea Free Trade Agreement, Trade Minister Todd McClay says.
The start of 2017 saw two thirds of New Zealand’s exports to Korea become duty free, up from 46 per cent in 2016.
“Thanks to this continued progress under the FTA, even more New Zealand businesses can compete favourably in the Korean market,” Mr McClay says.
New Zealand and Korea celebrated the first anniversary of the agreement in December 2016. Since the FTA’s entry into force in December 2015, New Zealand has experienced strong results particularly in the food and beverage sector where exports to Korea have increased by over 16%.
“Korea is New Zealand’s 6th largest goods export market, worth NZ$1.5 billion in the year ending September 2016, but this isn’t just about productive businesses wanting to sell into Korea,” Mr McClay says.
“The FTA also gives New Zealand consumers better access to high quality Korean goods like electronics, cars and machinery.”
Fifteen years after the FTA’s entry into force, 97.8 per cent of New Zealand’s total current exports to Korea will enter duty and quota free.
“New Zealanders are benefiting from the Government’s positive, outward looking relationship with our global partners, and this includes constantly progressing more Free Trade Agreements,” Mr McClay says.
“Tomorrow I will accompany the Prime Minister’s delegation to Brussels and look forward to discussing further trade opportunities with the European Union with my Ministerial counterparts.”
Mr McClay will meet with European Union Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström and Christian Cardona, Malta’s Minister for the Economy, Investment and Small Business. Malta currently holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Further Information on trade progress with Korea:
Prime Minister Bill English will travel to Brussels, London and Berlin next week to meet with leaders to discuss issues including trade and security.
“This is an opportunity to exchange views on a range of issues facing Europe and the world, and to reaffirm that New Zealand remains a committed friend and partner,” Mr English says.
“The focus of my trip will be to advance New Zealand business and trade opportunities in the region, including starting the negotiations on an FTA with the European Union this year.”
In Brussels, Mr English will meet with the three Presidents of the EU – European Council President Donald Tusk, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and European Parliament President Martin Schulz. He will also meet with Belgium’s Prime Minister Charles Michel.
In London, Mr English will meet with Prime Minister Theresa May and Mayor Sadiq Khan.
“I will be interested to hear Prime Minister May’s views on Brexit and will take the opportunity to reaffirm New Zealand’s commitment to working towards a high quality trade deal when the UK is in a position to negotiate.”
In Berlin, Mr English will meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble.
Mr English will also meet with a range of other government, business and academic leaders to hear their views on the political, economic and security situation in the region and about opportunities for New Zealand there.
The Prime Minister will be accompanied by Trade Minister Todd McClay in Brussels and Foreign Minister Murray McCully in London and Berlin.
Dr Mary English will also travel with the Prime Minister.
Mr English will leave New Zealand on 9 January and return on 18 January.
New Zealand is into its fifth straight year of strong growth in construction, with more than 30,000 homes consented in the year to October and record levels of commercial and infrastructure investment, Building and Housing Minister Dr Nick Smith says.
“Residential construction activity has reached $12.5 billion, an all-time high, and the number of homes consented has topped 30,000. This is the longest and strongest residential construction boom in New Zealand history, with five straight years of growth averaging over 20 per cent per annum. This is as fast as you can practically grow a sector as large and as complex as construction without compromising quality,” Dr Smith says.
“The 30,000 homes per year now being built is the fastest rate ever, with the exception of 2004 and the mid 1970s. The 2004 boom was focussed on thousands of small apartments in Auckland that are no longer allowed, and the 1974 boom rapidly crashed due to the unsustainable mix of high inflation and low interest government loans. The current boom is much more sustainable, better balanced nationwide and also involves record levels of investment in commercial and infrastructure construction.
“This ongoing strong growth shows the Government’s programme to increase housing supply is working. We have aggressively increased land supply with Special Housing Areas in the short-term, changes to Auckland’s planning in the medium term, and the National Policy Statement on Urban Development Capacity and Resource Management Act reforms in the long term.
“We have complemented this with the Crown Land Programme and a record level of direct Government projects to build homes, such as Hobsonville. We’ve also provided record levels of assistance for first-home buyers with the KiwiSaver HomeStart scheme, which has helped more than 20,000 people into their first home with about $500 million in KiwiSaver withdrawals for a deposit.
“Further reforms are in the pipeline to further grow the supply of housing. This Government is step by step, development by development, getting on and addressing New Zealand’s housing challenges.”
Prime Minister Bill English has today announced his new Cabinet line-up which builds on the success of the last eight years and provides new ideas and energy heading into election year.
“Over the last eight years National has provided a strong and stable Government which is delivering strong results for New Zealanders,” says Mr English.
“This refreshed Ministerial team builds on that success and provides a mix of new people, alongside experienced Ministers either continuing their roles or taking up new challenges.
“This new Ministry is focused on providing prosperity, opportunity and security for all Kiwis, including the most vulnerable in our communities.”
Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett will remain the Minister of State Services and Climate Change Issues and will pick up the Police, Women and Tourism portfolios.
“I am looking forward to working with Paula as my deputy and I am delighted she is taking on the Police and Women’s portfolios.
“As only the second woman Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand Paula is well placed to take on the Women’s portfolio and represent the interests of women at the highest level of the government.”
Steven Joyce will pick up Finance and Infrastructure, while Gerry Brownlee will remain the Leader of the House and retain Supporting Greater Christchurch Regeneration, Defence, and the Earthquake Commission portfolios. He will also be appointed as the Minister of Civil Defence.
“Steven and I have worked closely together in the Finance portfolio over the last eight years, and as Economic Development Minister he has delivered strong leadership of the government’s Business Growth Agenda.
“As Infrastructure Minister Steven will have a key role in overseeing the significant investments the government will be making in the coming years.
“I am delighted to have Gerry continue in his senior roles, including Leader of the House, and also to have him pick up the Civil Defence portfolio in which he has provided such leadership during the aftermath of the Kaikoura earthquake.”
Simon Bridges and Amy Adams have both picked up additional senior ministerial responsibilities.
Simon Bridges continues as the Minister of Transport and will pick up the Economic Development and Communications portfolios and Associate Finance, while Amy Adams retains Justice, Courts and picks up Social Housing, Social Investment and Associate Finance. Amy Adams will take a lead role in driving the Government’s social investment approach.
“Simon and Amy are two high performing Ministers who are ready to take on more responsibility. I am confident they will work well with Finance Minister Steven Joyce,” says Mr English.
Jonathan Coleman continues in his Health and Sport and Recreation portfolios, and will play an important role on the front bench.
“All New Zealanders care deeply about the health system, and Jonathan’s focus on ensuring that the needs of people young and old in accessing quality health care is a very strong one.”
Michael Woodhouse has also been promoted up the Cabinet rankings, retaining Immigration and Workplace Relations and Safety and picking up the ACC portfolio.
“I would like to congratulate Michael on his promotion. He has been a solid performer and I know he still has a lot more to contribute.”
Anne Tolley has picked up Local Government and will also be appointed Minister for Children, where she will continue her work on improving outcomes for children and young people.
Hekia Parata will retain the Education portfolio until May 1, at which point she will retire from the Ministry to the back bench.
“I am keen for Hekia to see through the education reforms which she is well underway on, and she will work closely with other Ministers to ensure there is a smooth transition in May.”
There will also be a transition of ministers in the Foreign Affairs portfolio.
Murray McCully will retain the Foreign Affairs portfolio until May 1at which point he will retire from the Ministry to the backbench. A decision on his replacement will be made at that time.
“I am keen for Murray to stay on for this transitional period to ensure I have the benefit of his vast experience on the wide range of issues that affect New Zealand’s vital interests overseas.”
Judith Collins takes on new responsibilities in Revenue, Energy and Resources and Ethnic Communities, and is well placed to oversee the significant business transformation work occurring at Inland Revenue.
A number of Ministers largely retain their existing responsibilities, including Chris Finlayson, Nathan Guy, Nick Smith, Todd McClay, Maggie Barry and Nicky Wagner.
Paul Goldsmith and Louise Upston have been promoted into Cabinet.
“I would like to congratulate Paul and Louise on their promotions which are all well-deserved,” says Mr English.
There are four new Ministers. Alfred Ngaro who goes straight into Cabinet and Mark Mitchell, Jacqui Dean and David Bennett who have been promoted to Ministerial positions outside Cabinet.
“The National party Caucus is a tremendously talented one, and as Ministers finish their contribution it’s important for the government’s renewal that we give members of our caucus an opportunity. Alfred, Mark, Jacqui and David have worked hard and performed well in their electorates and as select committee chairs, and deserve their promotions.”
There will be 21 positions in Cabinet until May 1 and a further six outside Cabinet (including two support party Ministers) keeping the total number of Ministerial positions at 27 plus the Parliamentary Under Secretary David Seymour.
“I would like to thank our support party leaders Peter Dunne, Te Ururoa Flavell, and David Seymour for their continued contribution to a strong and stable government.”
Mr English said that he expected to make announcements on the two further new Ministers to replace Ms Parata and Mr McCully just prior to their 1 May retirements from the Ministry.
Ministers Sam Lotu-Iiga, Craig Foss and Jo Goodhew are departing the Ministry.
“I would like to thank Sam Lotu-Iiga, Craig Foss and Jo Goodhew for their service to New Zealand as ministers. I am sure they will continue to be great contributors to New Zealand society in the years ahead.”
Ethnic Communities Portfolio is Gesture to New Zealand First ties
Judith Collins held the police portfolio before the reshuffle, along with Corrections, but she has lost them both and picked up Revenue, Energy and Resources, and Ethnic Communities.
She has also been moved down two places on the Cabinet rankings, but new prime minister Bill English insisted she had not been demoted in the cabinet shuffle. We foresaw this tactical re-assignment..
Our report last Monday, a week ago......
Monday, 12 December 2016 07:54NZ National Government new Co-Leaders Curb Rebels
Day one of the Dream Team means coping with problems before they become bigger problems and in politics this means people which is what the word politics actually means.
Top priority is hardly surprisingly Mrs Judith Collins MP, minister of police.
The new team knows that Mrs Collins must be kept in the tent and also kept busy, very busy.
Mrs Collins demonstrated her determination of purpose when she reached for the top job and did so without any support from the National government’s king-makers, people such as Murray McCully MP or of enforcers such as Steven Joyce MP, the new minister of finance.
She compounded this by mooting that she was the one, the match maker, within the National government to bring into the fold permanent stormy petrel Winston Peters MP of New Zealand First Party.
She might just as well have offered her colleagues a cup of tractor sump oil.
Mrs Collins is the National Government MP who most equates to Margaret Thatcher, also a tax lawyer.
So as today draws on and the coronation caucus smiles however insincere, along with the sound of clinking glasses recede into the evening the new premier Bill English MP and his deputy Paula Bennett MP will crystalise their thoughts on Mrs Collins.
They will do so in concert with solving another problem..
It is one to which long running National governments have found themselves in the quite recent past to be prone.
This is of the seemingly spontaneous but in fact carefully orchestrated advent of a middle class revolt.
It is currently a low-level threat in the form of a peoples’ party currently being nurtured by pop-economist Gareth Morgan.
Mr Morgan’s movement centres on the need for an asset tax .
This it is claimed is required to cope with the problem of the well-off sidestepping paying tax.
Voiders and evaders alike slide past it by a process of expensing blended with the advantages presented by the much storied absence of a capital gains tax..
Enter now the solution to be seen to be at least facing the problem.
It is Mrs Judith Collins MP.
But now with a new title.
That of revenue minister..
Transport Minister Simon Bridges has made some appointments to the Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) Board.
Commercial law partner, Kylie van Heerden, has been appointed as a new member.
“Ms van Heerden has experience advising clients on corporate and commercial matters, including company compliance and governance. Her appointment will bring commercial legal skills and an injection of fresh energy to this Board,” Mr Bridges says.
Mr Bridges has also reappointed Belinda Vernon who has been a member since May 2013 and chairs its Audit and Risk Committee.
“Ms Vernon’s reappointment will provide continuity, and she brings financial and business skills in addition to her shipping industry experience,” Mr Bridges says.
Maritime New Zealand is a Crown entity established under the Maritime Transport Act 1994 for the safety, security and environmental protection of New Zealand’s coastal and inland waterways.
Its Board has five members appointed by the Minister of Transport.
The Government is committed to building on its proven track record of strong economic and fiscal management, Acting Finance Minister Steven Joyce says.
“New Zealand is in an enviable position compared with most developed countries,” Mr Joyce says. “We are making good economic progress. We’re achieving steady growth, keeping debt well under control, and delivering fiscal surpluses.
“The Government’s fiscal priorities remain unchanged. We’ll continue to keep a tight rein on spending to drive growing OBEGAL surpluses and reduce net debt to around 20 per cent of GDP in 2020.”
Mr Joyce says the Kaikōura earthquakes last month highlighted the importance of delivering on the Government's fiscal strategy.
“Keeping on top of spending and paying down debt in the good times ensures we are in a good position to cope with economic shocks and natural disasters, and allows the Government to support New Zealand communities through challenging times,” Mr Joyce says.
“Last week’s economic and fiscal update is forecasting this good performance to continue. Real GDP growth is expected to average around 3 per cent over the five year forecast period.
“Unemployment is forecast to drop to close to 4 per cent by 2020/21, with another 150,000 jobs to be created over the same period. Average wages are expected to continue rising faster than inflation – up another $7,500 to $66,000 by 2020/21.
“These forecasts are of course just forecasts, but they provide confidence that New Zealand is on the right economic path, and is well placed to cope with the ongoing fragile nature of the world economy.”
“This Government is committed to taking forward eight years of hard work and keep delivering real results for New Zealanders,” Mr Joyce says.
“We will build on our strengths as a more diverse economy with a safe, stable and secure business environment, focused on attracting investment and growing innovation in the economy, and advancing open trade with international trading partners.”
Day one of the Dream Team means coping with problems before they become bigger problems and in politics this means people which is what the word politics actually means.
Top priority is hardly surprisingly Mrs Judith Collins MP, minister of police.
The new team knows that Mrs Collins must be kept in the tent and also kept busy, very busy.
Mrs Collins demonstrated her determination of purpose when she reached for the top job and did so without any support from the National government’s king-makers, people such as Murray McCully MP or of enforcers such as Steven Joyce MP, the new minister of finance.
She compounded this by mooting that she was the one, the match maker, within the National government to bring into the fold permanent stormy petrel Winston Peters MP of New Zealand First Party.
She might just as well have offered her colleagues a cup of tractor sump oil.
Mrs Collins is the National Government MP who most equates to Margaret Thatcher, also a tax lawyer.
So as today draws on and the coronation caucus smiles however insincere, along with the sound of clinking glasses recede into the evening the new premier Bill English MP and his deputy Paula Bennett MP will crystalise their thoughts on Mrs Collins.
They will do so in concert with solving another problem..
It is one to which long running National governments have found themselves in the quite recent past to be prone.
This is of the seemingly spontaneous but in fact carefully orchestrated advent of a middle class revolt.
It is currently a low-level threat in the form of a peoples’ party currently being nurtured by pop-economist Gareth Morgan.
Mr Morgan’s movement centres on the need for an asset tax .
This it is claimed is required to cope with the problem of the well-off sidestepping paying tax.
Voiders and evaders alike slide past it by a process of expensing blended with the advantages presented by the much storied absence of a capital gains tax..
Enter now the solution to be seen to be at least facing the problem.
It is Mrs Judith Collins MP.
But now with a new title.
That of revenue minister..
Now to the other rebel Mr Simon Bridges MP, minister of transport.
He is a good-looking boyish chap.
He is of a definable National Party type which is known and categorised as being too clever by half.
The new leadership duo by nature are conciliatory. They will be tempted by inclination to overlook his premature and youthful power grab..
Then as the evening wears on and the Beehive cat has been put out, they will remind themselves of the first rule of being in power.
It is that once you have power then you must use it.
As the sun begins to set they will remind themselves of the second rule.
You must also be seen to be using it.
Cohesion, or at least the external perception of it, is central to the National Party
So it is now that Mr Bridges will find himself confronting a tour on the back benches where his presence will be a highly visible example to anyone else in the National government contemplating breaking the ranks.
The National Party though believes in second chances and thus in redemption.
So as 2017 advances and the general election looms so will the need to attend with still greater intensity to electoral window dressing, of the type that requires a 40 year old mediagenic type such as Mr Bridges.
With his international legal qualifications who better pre-election than Mr Bridges to take over the always troublesomely delicate portfolio of minister of police?
Palace of the Alhambra, Spain
By: Charles Nathaniel Worsley (1862-1923)
From the collection of Sir Heaton Rhodes
Oil on canvas - 118cm x 162cm
Valued $12,000 - $18,000
Offers invited over $9,000
Contact: Henry Newrick – (+64 ) 27 471 2242
Mount Egmont with Lake
By: John Philemon Backhouse (1845-1908)
Oil on Sea Shell - 13cm x 14cm
Valued $2,000-$3,000
Offers invited over $1,500
Contact: Henry Newrick – (+64 ) 27 471 2242
|
|