Buzz from the Beehive
The government’s official website – which Point of Order monitors daily – not for the first time has nothing much to say today about political happenings that are grabbing media headlines.
It makes no mention of the latest 1News-Verian poll, for example. This shows National down two points to 36 per cent, Act down 1 point to 7 per cent, and New Zealand First out of Parliament altogether because it has fallen under the five per cent threshold on just 4.2 per cent.
Labour was up two points to 30 per cent, the Greens up two to 14 per cent, and Te Pāti Māori was steady on 4 per cent.
If Te Pāti Māori gave its support to Labour and the Greens in Parliament, the left-bloc would have the numbers to govern.
The full poll results are here.
Another matter that has gone unmentioned by ministers – at least, not on their official website – is The Waitangi Tribunal’s interim report on the Government’s proposal to scrap Section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act.
The tribunal’s “investigation” into the government’s policy, which would remove a requirement on the agency to give effect to the Treaty of Waitangi, is ongoing and the tribunal’s findings and recommendations related to it are yet to be released.
But in an interim report sent directly to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Waitangi Tribunal Judge Michael Doogan said there were several important matters the tribunal needed “to draw the attention to ministers now”.
Ministers have been quiet about their readiness to do the tribunal’s bidding.
The government’s official website does tell us something about the Luxon administration’s regard for sporting and cultural priorities.
Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to Dave O’Sullivan, who died last week aged 90.
The Herald described O’Sullivan as “one of the legends of New Zealand horse racing who beat the best in the world” and “the Matamata training genius”.
Peters said:
“His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then more notably as trainer, over 70 years was immense.
“Dave O’Sullivan’s sustained success over several decades was testimony to his skill and dedication.
“His contribution on and off the track has enriched the New Zealand racing industry and he leaves a significant legacy that his family and the nation can be proud of.”
Another O’Sullivan has died in recent days.
Sir Vincent O’Sullivan, a celebrated New Zealand poet, short story writer, novelist, playwright, critic, editor, biographer, librettist, and academic. died at the age of 86.
From 1988 to 2004 he was a professor of English literature at Victoria University of Wellington, and in 2013 he was appointed the New Zealand Poet Laureate.
A tribute from the Minister for Arts Culture and Heritage, Paul Goldsmith, has been recorded in an article in The Post. He said O’Sullivan would be remembered as one of New Zealand’s greatest writers.
“He contributed an extraordinary amount to the literary world,” he said. “My thoughts are with his family and friends.”
But he has not issued a media statement.
Perhaps The Post contacted him in Geneva, where he was updating the UN on the government’s law & order plan.
More specifically, he has been attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva where (according to his media statement) he “outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order”.
“Restore” is an interesting word in this context.
According to Vocabulary.com
https://www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › restore
When you restore something, you are simply bringing it back to what it once was. You are not making it better, nor are you adding something that wasn’t there.
The Beehive website includes a speech from Melissa Lee which she delivered as Minister of Ethnic Communities.
Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister for Ethnic Communities.
Lee was much more assured of winning headlines when she talked about her performance in the portfolio taken from her last week.
Former media minister Melissa Lee says she may have been “a little slow” to respond to challenges in the media sector for which she had responsibility.
The Post recalls that Lee, who had been media spokesperson for the party in opposition and is a former journalist, had been under pressure to respond after the closure of news broadcaster Newshub was announced.
Lee repeatedly said she was planning to take a paper to cabinet, but refused to give details.
She issued a brief statement last week, saying she supported the prime minister’s decision, but on Tuesday morning talked to media for the first time. She repeated she accepted and respected the PM’s decision.
“I was very focussed on what I was actually doing and the media is actually facing a very difficult time and I tried my very best, now I’m looking forward to working on my other portfolios.”
Pressed further she said, “I think what happened was, that media was facing very difficult times very quickly and it’s actually come about quite suddenly.
“Although we were thinking there need to be some changes, it just came about really, really too fast, and I was trying, and things in government take time and you know, perhaps I was a little slow, but what I can say is I tried my very best, and this decision has been made, and I respect the prime minister’s decision.”
Here’s what ministers have been posting on the Beehive website –
Latest from the Beehive
Independent review into disability support services
The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha.
Justice Minister updates UN on law & order plan
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order.
Trade Minister travels to Riyadh, OECD, and Dubai
Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris.
Education priorities focused on lifting achievement
Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success.
NZTA App first step towards digital driver licence
The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say.
Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE).
Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all.
Point of Order 
After 150 days of nonstop media disapproval of the electorate’s choice of Government and carping criticism of every single thing the new Government has done, coupled with the constant moaning of certain sectors of the blogosphere (even if couched in genteel language by those such as your good selves) it is a wonder that the poll result was not more unfavourable. Clear evidence that many either are blind to or simply don’t care about the ruinous legacy of the previous Government.
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