Latest from the Beehive
Here’s hoping the hundreds of millions of dollars pumped into Northland from the Provincial Growth Fund and other government programmes do much more to promote the region’s economic and social wellbeing than they are doing to enhance Shane Jones’ election prospects.
He is bound to be disappointed. Besides channelling substantial loans and grants into his home patch, Jones has staunchly championed the region in other ways – by promoting the proposal to move Auckland’s port to Whangarei, for example.
But a new Q+A/Colmar Brunton poll suggests Jones is running a distant-third behind the incumbent National MP Matt King and Labour’s Willow-Jean Prime. It showed King on 46 per cent support for the seat vote, Prime on 31 per cent, and Jones on 15 per cent.
Labour was ahead in the party vote within the electorate at 41 per cent, with National not far behind at 38 per cent, ACT next at 8 per cent, and NZ First at 7 per cent.
How much more money (we wonder) would make Jones a shoo-in?
He was up there at the weekend, wearing his Minister of Infrastructure hat, to announce the Far North tourist destination of Mangonui is to receive Government funding to improve waterfront infrastructure, open up access to the harbour and improve water quality.
This was one of several weekend announcements involving government spending –
- A total of $6.5 million will go to projects in Mangonui and Doubtless Bay from the $3 billion set aside in the COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund.
- The Provider Languages Fund was opened, offering grants up to $50,000 to eligible Pacific language providers and groups who can deliver initiatives to revitalise, grow and strengthen the value of Pacific languages, cultures and identities.
- The Government is releasing $214 million from the COVID-19 response and recovery fund to help schools and support construction firms facing additional costs due to the pandemic. A breakdown shows $38 million to help schools cover unexpected costs related to COVID-19, $69 million for upgrades for online learning and a $107 million contingency funding to support school construction suppliers facing additional costs due to the lockdown. The Hostel Wage Subsidy Scheme for hostel workers will also be extended until the end of Term 3.
- The government is providing a cash injection of $4.7 million to help Palmerston North City Council complete a programme to provide 78 social housing units for vulnerable tenants.
- A $5.11 million boost aims to make further progress in achieving a pest free Banks Peninsula/Te Pātaka o Rākaihautū . The investment will allow large-scale pest control over about 28,500 ha.
- A Government grant of $6.4 million will expand the Pettigrew Arena in Taradale with new indoor courts of national standard.
The cost to taxpayers of another announcement was not provided: security guards contracted to the Ministry of Social Development will be paid at least the Living Wage from next month supporting the Government’s commitment towards fair pay and employment conditions.
MSD was among the first government agencies to pay its employees the living wage in 2018. Now it will pay its contracted security guards at least the living wage.
The news above comes from these Beehive announcements made since we last reported:
10 AUGUST 2020
MSD security guards to be paid Living Wage
Security guards contracted to the Ministry of Social Development will be paid at least the Living Wage from next month supporting the Government’s commitment towards fair pay and em
The Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage today launched Te Mana o te Taiao, the Aotearoa New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy – a way forward that envisions Aotearoa New Zealand as a place where ecosystems are healthy and resilient, and people embrace the natural world.
Provider Languages Fund will support Pacific Wellbeing approach
“Pacific languages, cultures and identity are essential to the health, wellbeing and lifetime success of our Pacific peoples and their communities in Aotearoa.
COVID-19: More funding for schools and boost to construction sector
The Government is releasing $214 million from the COVID-19 response and recovery fund to help schools and support construction firms facing additional costs due to the pandemic.
Stay safe on the tracks – Rail Safety Week
Despite the Government installing safety upgrades around the country, people should still take care around rail crossings, said Transport Minister Phil Twyford launching Rail Safety Week.
Government backs Manawatū social housing project
The Government is providing a cash injection to help Palmerston North City Council complete a programme to provide 78 social housing units for vulnerable tenants.
9 AUGUST 2020
Major funding boost for Predator Free Banks Peninsula
A pest free Banks Peninsula/Te Pātaka o Rākaihautū is one step closer with a $5.11 million boost to accelerate this project and create jobs, announced Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage in Canterbury today.
Major funding boost for Predator Free Banks Peninsula
A pest free Banks Peninsula/Te Pātaka o Rākaihautū is one step closer with a $5.11 million boost to accelerate this project and create jobs, announced Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage in Canterbury today.
Major investment for indoor sports in Hawke’s Bay
A Government grant of $6.4 million will expand the Pettigrew Arena in Taradale with new indoor courts of national standard.
8 AUGUST 2020
New infrastructure for Far North tourist town
The Far North tourist destination of Mangonui is to receive Government funding to improve waterfront infrastructure, open up access to the harbour and improve water quality, Infrastructure Minister Shane Jones has announced.
Point of Order 