We had only just posted our Buzz from the Beehive report yesterday when Nanaia Mahuta banged out an announcement which buttressed her track record as a minister strong on democracy (with her rhetoric as Minister of Foreign Affairs) but lukewarm if not disdainful of it (with her actions as Minister of Local Government).
She said the Tauranga City Council will be run by commissioners until July 2024. This means the citizens and ratepayers of that city won’t get to elect a mayor and councillors to govern them at the next local government elections.
Two other announcements over the past 24 hours or so deal with issues at the border, deciding who can come into this country as critical or skilled workers to work in manufacturing or tourism.
Outward travel was the subject of an announcement that New Zealand and Australian public Anzac Day services will return to Gallipoli next month.
Tourism will further benefit from one of three spending announcements. The other beneficiaries are a seaweed programme and Maori housing.
And Finance Minister Grant Robertson told us he had hosted a call with his counterparts from Australia and the United States. Canada and the United Kingdom were represented by deputies. Did he tell them about this country’s robust economic performance, thanks to his stewardship as Minister of Finance?
Latest from the Beehive
12 MARCH 2022
Workforce pressures eased for manufacturing
Workforce pressures in the advanced manufacturing sector are to be eased with the approval of spaces for 100 critical workers to enter under a special immigration arrangement.
Return of working holidaymakers a boost to economic recovery
The return of working holidaymakers and more skilled workers from this coming Monday will accelerate New Zealand’s economic recovery from COVID-19 by helping to fill workforce shortages and support tourism.
11 MARCH 2022
Anzac Day Services to Return to Gallipoli in 2022
Minister for Veterans’ Meka Whaitiri has confirmed today that New Zealand and Australian public Anzac Day services will return to Gallipoli next month.
Land-based seaweed trial a nationwide first
A land-based seaweed trial aiming to help restore our waterways is about to kick-off with Government investment beside the Firth of Thames wetland, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor said.
10 March Joint Meeting of Finance Ministers
Finance Minister Hon Grant Robertson yesterday hosted a call with his counterparts from Australia and the United States. Canada and the United Kingdom were represented by deputies.
Delivering on our commitment to Māori housing
Today the Associate Minister of Housing (Māori Housing) Peeni Henare released the Implementation Plan for the National Māori Housing Strategy – MAIHI Ka Ora.
Support for new winter festivals in lower South Island Te Waipounamu
Two new winter festivals in the lower South Island are getting government backing through an annual fund that supports start-up events to become internationally significant.
Commission to be appointed to Tauranga City Council beyond October 2022
Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta has today announced her intention to appoint a Commission to the Tauranga City Council until July 2024.
Point of Order 