Government pours gas on the climate crisis fire

Source: Green Party Budget 2025 has put our climate targets in serious jeopardy, says the Green Party.  “Today the Government has done even worse than deny or delay climate action – they’ve actively chosen to pour gas on the fire,” says Green Party Co-Leader and spokesperson for Climate, Chlöe Swarbrick.  “The Government is setting $200 … Read more

Budget 2025 leaves future of school lunches uncertain

Source: Green Party The future of the Ka Ora | Ka Ako school lunch programme looks to be uncertain with Budget 2025 failing to provide any funding beyond 2026.  “The Government’s refusal to commit to funding the school lunch programme leaves thousands of families unsure whether their kids will be fed or forgotten,” says the … Read more

Have you seen Marilyn?

Source: New Zealand Police Police are asking for the public’s help finding Marilyn, who has been reported missing from the Ponsonby area. The 14-year-old was last seen on 18 May and is described as about 175cms tall with brown eyes and brown hair. Police and Marilyn’s family have concerns for her welfare and would like … Read more

7-Eleven Unveils 8 New Snoopy “Black to Basic Carry Collection” Items in Bold New Launch

Source: Media Outreach Featuring a First-Time Collaboration with Actress Chung Suet Ying to Showcase Her Take on the “Black to Basic” Look Plus: 7-Eleven Pre-order Exclusive – Limited First-Batch Release of the 1M Jumbo All Black Snoopy Plush And Stylish Snoopy Collectibles to Redefine Urban Cool HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 22 … Read more

Quality HealthCare Reinforces Commitment to Aviation Safety and Pilot Health in Hong Kong

Source: Media Outreach HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 22 May 2025 – As aviation operations continue to expand across the region, Quality HealthCare Medical Services (QHMS) reaffirms its commitment to supporting aviation safety and pilot wellbeing through ongoing collaboration with the aviation sector. With a long-standing presence in Hong Kong’s healthcare landscape, … Read more

Largest boost to Learning Support in a generation

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets Largest boost to Learning Support in a generation The Government is delivering the most significant investment in learning support in a generation to better support Kiwi kids to thrive at school, Education Minister Erica Stanford says.  Key investments include substantial annual increases to teacher aide hours, building … Read more

Release: National failing on the cost of living

Source: New Zealand Labour Party Despite all the promises, Kiwis are still going backwards in Budget 2025. “Kiwis do not feel like they’re getting a fair deal under National,” Labour finance and economy spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said. “They have cut $11 billion from women’s pay and cut KiwiSaver contributions. “As a result of Nicola Willis’ … Read more

Release: The Austerity Budget that leaves women out

Source: New Zealand Labour Party Today’s Budget is a masterclass in making the wrong decisions for New Zealanders. “After a year of job cuts, now we are on to pay cuts and stealing from our kids’ retirement funds,” Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. “The Government has taken $11 billion that should be lifting women’s pay … Read more

Release: Bills increase transparency of money transfers and ports

Source: New Zealand Labour Party Two Labour bills drawn from the Member’s Ballot today would require greater transparency of international money transfers, and bring more public accountability and transparency to port companies. “Too many families are losing money to hidden fees when they send remittances overseas. That’s not fair, especially with the cost of living … Read more

Gulf Harbour homicide: Fourth person charged

Source: New Zealand Police Following a gruelling 14 month investigation, Police have today charged a fourth person in relation to the death of a woman whose body was found in a bag in Gulf Harbour last year. The body of 70-year-old Chinese woman Shulai Wang was found in a black rubbish bag in the water … Read more

More funding to cut court case backlogs

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets Court case backlogs will be further reduced through extra funding to improve court timeliness and access to justice, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Courts Minister Nicole McKee say. “Justice delayed is justice denied. Waiting months or years for a case to be resolved only adds to the … Read more

Investing in local journalism

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets New funding will ensure New Zealanders have access to independent local journalism that keeps them informed about what’s happening in their communities, Media Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “Regional journalism helps keep communities informed and holds decision-makers to account.  “Budget 2025 will invest $6.4 million over four years … Read more

Parliament Hansard Report – Petitions, Papers, Select Committee Reports, and Introduction of Bills – 001481

Source: Govt’s austerity Budget to cause real harm in communities PETITIONS, PAPERS, SELECT COMMITTEE REPORTS, AND INTRODUCTION OF BILLS SPEAKER: A petition has been delivered for presentation. CLERK: Petition of Shane Clarke Witehira requesting the House urge the Government to decline Fast Track Application 229 to build a 200-250 berth marina at Waipiro Bay. SPEAKER: … Read more

Rates relief for up to 66,000 more SuperGold cardholders

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets Budget 2025 will help up to 66,000 more SuperGold Cardholders with their rates payments, Local Government Minister Simon Watts and Seniors Minister Casey Costello announced today. “It’s a really tough time for many Kiwis right now and this Government is working at pace to grow the economy … Read more

KiwiSaver changes to encourage savings

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets “Budget 2025 improves KiwiSaver to encourage Kiwis to save more for their first home and retirement, while making the scheme more fiscally sustainable, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. “To lift savings and provide greater security for Kiwis, we’re raising the default rate of employee and matching employer … Read more

Investment Boost: Tax Incentive to Lift Growth

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets “Budget 2025 launches Investment Boost, a major new tax incentive to encourage businesses to invest, grow the economy, and lift wages,” Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. “Economic growth is how we raise living standards, create higher-paying jobs and fund the growing cost of the public services Kiwis … Read more

12-month prescriptions put money in patients’ pockets

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets New Zealanders will soon be able to receive 12-month prescriptions for their medicines, delivering savings to patients on long-term medications, Health Minister Simeon Brown and Associate Health Minister David Seymour say. “Currently, doctors and other prescribers can only prescribe most medicines for a maximum of three months … Read more

A responsible Budget to secure NZ’s future

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets Budget 2025 secures New Zealand’s economic and fiscal recovery and advances reforms to make New Zealanders better off in future.  “In recent years New Zealanders have battled a protracted period of high inflation, high interest rates and economic downturn. The cost of living has soared, and the … Read more

Backing for food banks extended

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets The Government will back community-based food banks for a further year as New Zealand recovers from a cost-of-living crisis, Minister for Social Development and Employment Louise Upston says. “The $15 million in support announced today will be managed by the Ministry of Social Development (MSD), the New Zealand Food … Read more

Parliament Hansard Report – Thursday, 22 May 2025 – Volume 784 – 001482

Source: Govt’s austerity Budget to cause real harm in communities THURSDAY, 22 MAY 2025 The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m. KARAKIA/PRAYERS TEANAU TUIONO (Assistant Speaker): E te Atua kaha rawa, ka tuku whakamoemiti atu mātou, mō ngā karakia kua waihotia mai ki runga i a mātou. Ka waiho i ō mātou pānga whaiaro … Read more

Parliament Hansard Report – Karakia/Prayers – 001481

Source: Govt’s austerity Budget to cause real harm in communities THURSDAY, 22 MAY 2025 The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m. KARAKIA/PRAYERS TEANAU TUIONO (Assistant Speaker): E te Atua kaha rawa, ka tuku whakamoemiti atu mātou, mō ngā karakia kua waihotia mai ki runga i a mātou. Ka waiho i ō mātou pānga whaiaro … Read more

Increased support for families

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets Budget 2025 changes Working for Families to better target help to low and middle-income families with children. About 142,000 families will receive an average $14 a fortnight extra from Working for Families. The vast majority have an annual family income under $100,000. “We want financial support to go … Read more

Delivering the right houses in the right place, for the right people

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets Budget 2025 introduces a new housing investment approach that will deliver the right houses, in the right places, for the right people, Housing Minister Chris Bishop and Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka say. “This Government believes in social housing. New funding of $128 million over four years will … Read more

Record investment in health delivery

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets The Government is again delivering record investment in healthcare, providing New Zealanders with better health services and ensuring hospitals and healthcare facilities are fit for the future, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. “Budget 2025 provides a $7 billion increase in Vote Health operating funding over the forecast … Read more

Parents to step up for unemployed teenagers

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets Parents rather than the state will be responsible for unemployed 18- and 19-year-olds who cannot support themselves under planned benefit changes announced in today’s Budget.  “The purpose of the welfare system is to support those who need it the most,” Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston … Read more

Helping older people get the right care

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets New funding will give older people greater access to aged residential care and longer care outside of hospitals, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello announced today. “We want to ensure older New Zealanders can get the treatment and care they need in the best possible place. They should … Read more

$200m set aside for Crown stake in new gas fields

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets The coalition Government is taking action on New Zealand’s declining natural gas reserves and has set aside a tagged contingency of $200 million over four years for co‑investment in new gas fields, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The structure of investments is still being worked through, but … Read more