Buzz from the Beehive
A funny thing happened on our way to completing this post.
Three items which had been posted when we looked this morning were no longer there when we checked early this afternoon.
The first item was headed Aotearoa New Zealand Statement to the WHO Western Pacific RCM, Manila, Philippines.
Beneath the heading was the text of the 675-word speech which Associate health Minister Aupito William Sio delivered – or did he deliver it? – to health ministers and senior officials from 37 countries and areas across Asia and the Pacific in Manila.
They are meeting this week to address key health issues and priorities for the work of the World Health Organization (WHO) in the Western Pacific Region.
The 73rd session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific from 24 to 28 October is a hybrid meeting, with many delegates joining in person in Manila, Philippines, and others connecting online.
We were led to believe Sio was travelling to Manila for the occasion, but the sudden disappearance of his speech from the Beehive website left us bemused.
Even more bemusing was the disappearance of two other items, both featuring the same somewhat cryptic text:
Speech
25 OCTOBER 2022
Aotearoa New Zealand Statement to the WHO Western Pacific RCM
Aotearoa New Zealand Statement to the WHO Western Pacific RCM
I’m sorry that’s a bit long?
Speech
25 OCTOBER 2022
Aotearoa New Zealand Statement to the WHO Western Pacific RCM
Aotearoa New Zealand Statement to the WHO Western Pacific RCM
I’m sorry that’s a bit long?
But later in the day we could not open those links. We were advised the most likely causes of these failures were:
-
- The webpage is temporarily unavailable.
- The content you are looking for is no longer available or has been moved to a different URL (a URL is in the web address at the top of your browser).
- There might be a typing error in the URL.
Once the speech and any mention of it had disappeared from the website, we were left with just three posts that told us Ardern’s ministers had been…
Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Michael Wood said New Zealanders could be proud this Labour Day, as working conditions and pay continue to improve across the country.
“Over the last year, our Government has continued to support and improve working conditions for everyday New Zealanders, despite global economic uncertainty,” Michael Wood said.
“Despite a challenging winter, thans to our economic plan more Kiwis are in work, with higher wages, providing greater opportunities for our families and our economy.”
Wood reminded his audience that over the past year the government has increased the minimum wage, parental leave entitlements and working for families tax credits. It has introduced legislation to end migrant exploitation, and has taken steps improve conditions for RSE workers, screen industry, and bus drivers.
Among the other accomplishments he listed, he said this week the government will pass legislation for Fair Pay Agreements to stop the race to the bottom and ensure that some of our lowest paid workers get a fairer deal.
Point of Order suspects this legislation in fact will be passed by Parliament.
Pacific Peoples Minister Aupito William Sio said the theme for Tokelau Language Week 2022 focuses on Halahala ki vavau, kae ke mau ki pale o Tokelau (or translated to English, ‘To plan is to understand the past’).
According to the 2018 Census, of the 8,676 Tokelau population residing in New Zealand, 23 per cent speak te Gagana Tokelau – a decrease of 14 percent since the 2006 Census
The Government has invested $20m from Budget 2021 to support Pacific bilingual units.
Treaty for Waitangi Negotiations Minister Andrew Little said Ngāti Hāua and the Crown have signed an Agreement in Principle.
First, we found it. Then it disappeared. And then – in mid-afternoon – the Sio speech was reposted (HERE) on the beehive website.
He made much of the Government’s restructuring of the country’s health system, saying people in New Zealand have differences in health that are not only avoidable but unfair and unjust.
“Acknowledging these persistent health inequities, the reforms will enhance Māori decision making and ensure greater influence across the system, supporting Māori to take control of their own health and wellbeing.
“Similarly, we have mandated Aotearoa New Zealand’s first Women’s Health and Pacific Health Strategies as part of our primary health system legislation. These strategies will reflect the social, cultural and economic circumstances that influence health.”
He didn’t explain why a separate health organisation has been set up to deal with Maori health, but there is no women’s health organisation or Pacific health organisation to deal with those inequities.
Latest from the Beehive
Speech
25 OCTOBER 2022
Aotearoa New Zealand Statement to the WHO Western Pacific Regional Committee – Manla
It is a pleasure to reconnect kanohi ki te kanohi (face to face), at this important Regional Committee Meeting – the first Aotearoa New Zealand has attended in-person since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
24 OCTOBER 2022
Celebrating fairer work this Labour Day
New Zealanders can be proud this Labour Day, as working conditions and pay continue to improve across the country, Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Michael Wood has reflected.
23 OCTOBER 2022
Understanding the past helps Gagana Tokelau
The past will be the key to building and sustaining Gagana Tokelau, said Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio.
22 OCTOBER 2022
Kua oti i a Ngāti Hāua me te Karauna tētahi Whakaaetanga ā-Mātāpono te waitohu ki Taumarunui, ki Ngāpūwaiwaha Marae i te rā nei, he tohu o te ekenga o tētahi taumata nunui o te whakataunga o ngā kerēme Tiriti o Waitangi hītori a Ngāti Hāua.
Point of Order 