Daily Archives: August 2, 2022

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says the cost of trying to recover the $350 cost of living payment from New Zealanders living overseas would outstrip the benefits.

Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

The government is backing the way the payment is being rolled out despite knowing that some people who are ineligible will receive it.

The first instalment - of $116 - will be paid today to New Zealand tax residents over the age of 18 who earned up to $70,000 in the last financial year and are not entitled to the winter energy payment.

An unknown number of New Zealanders living overseas have received letters from Inland Revenue (IRD) saying they qualify for the cost of living bonus, even though they are not New Zealand tax residents.

Ardern said the vast majority of those who would receive the payment were New Zealand taxpayers who were based in New Zealand.

"But we have also moved quickly and so there will be some who are captured by the system, who aren't part of the criteria that's been designed but who may well receive it."

The payment would be distributed by IRD using an automated system so it was not always possible to work out if people were living in New Zealand and the cost of doing so would outweigh any benefits, she said.

The alternative to having these individuals receive the payment would have been an application based process which would have taken too long and it may not have reached those who were most vulnerable, Ardern said.

"The alternative in creating a perfect system would be in creating a less timely payment and potentially those who need it most not being reached."

The payment was one of the measures the government was using to help New Zealanders deal with the cost of living increases in the aftermath of the Covid economic recovery, she said.

"Yes, we've moved quickly, but so has the economic situation."

The payment was still more limited and more targeted than a broad based tax cut, Ardern said.

A tax cut would also likely contribute to inflation but offering a targeted, time-limited payment would limit the possibility of that according to Treasury, she said.

Ardern could not say how many people who did not qualify for the allowance had received it but said that Inland Revenue (IRD) may have that number.

Ardern said she had asked IRD whether individuals who were overseas could be identified based on the interest they were paying on their student loans.

National Party deputy leader Nicola Willis said it was impossible to know the scale of the problem, but she had a sense it was bigger than just a few thousand dollars.

It was not just ex-pat New Zealanders but also former migrants, she said.

"We've been contacted by a man who left New Zealand in 2014, he's now living in India and he got a letter from the IRD advising him he'd be getting the payment."

National had also been contacted by French-working former visa holders and a man who left in 2019 but is now in the Philippines who had also received letters, she said.

"My sense is this is very widespread, it's a major muck-up, it's like the government pressed 'send all' - it's certainly not targeted and for ministers to be dismissive of it is I think quite disrespectful," she said.

"What a slap in the face to hardworking Kiwi taxpayers who pay tax only for that to be given to people around the world who haven't been in New Zealand paying tax for many years in some cases."

Willis said the problems have occurred because it was a policy made on the fly and she had a lot of sympathy for IRD which is having to administer it.

"Both the Treasury and the IRD explicitly warned the government against this approach, they advised them that this was not a good way to go, they said 'some people who are ineligible will end up getting it, it'll be very administratively complex, we don't want to do this' and yet the government pressed play anyway and now we're seeing the results."

National would favour using tax cuts over a government handout since the only people who would get the money would have earned it in the first place, Willis said.

Go here to see the original:

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern admits some people overseas will receive the cost of living payment - RNZ

We have an economy which is at risk of tipping into recession. Things are a bit tough, Jones said.

There is just a general sense that things are really hard at the moment in New Zealand so youd expect an incumbent government to be faced with difficulties.

A key proxy for government performance - whether New Zealanders believe the country is headed in the right or wrong direction - is also trending badly for Ardern.

We have an economy which is at risk of tipping into recession. Things are a bit tough.

For the first time in her prime ministership, more Kiwis are answering no to that question.

Still, Ardern cast a confident figure when asked about polling this week.

The leader, who celebrated her 42nd birthday on Tuesday, batted away a question suggesting National had momentum, saying it doesnt square with the polling Ive seen.

To a suggestion that Labour was on track to lose seats at the 2023 poll, she responded sharply Which polling is that? before ignoring the question.

Ardern may be drawing confidence from preferred prime minister polling, which has her in front of Luxon by a double-digit margin.

Grant Robertson, Arderns attack-dog deputy, alluded to this in parliament on Wednesday by declaring Luxons standings dropped five points following a nationwide debate on reproductive rights, when he agreed abortion was tantamount to murder.

Her polling has come down from its peak but Jacinda Ardern remains an incredibly popular prime minister, Jones said.

Compare her, say, to [US President] Joe Biden [whose] personal ratings are rock bottom and look at what happened in the UK, and the departure of [Australias] Scott Morrison.

PMs Jacinda Ardern and Anthony Albanese in Sydney earlier this month.Credit:NCA

Jacinda Ardern is actually polling very well for someone whos well into their second term and is facing a series of major challenges, including COVID, cost of living and the economy.

The shape of the political contest will come into sharper context in the coming months as Ardern puts a series of international trips behind her to knuckle down at home.

The prime minister spent much of the colder months on the road, with back-to-back trips to Singapore-Japan, the USA, Australia (twice), Europe and Fiji.

By any stretch, those missions have been extraordinarily successful.

Loading

She sealed a trade deal with the EU and she met Biden at the White House, as her foreign policy subtly pivots towards the US after Chinas tacit support for Russias invasion of Ukraine.

And in Australia, she won a commitment from Anthony Albaneses government to look at improving citizenship pathways, a move that would grant many Kiwis more rights in Australia, and ease NZs long-standing deportations complaint.

Jones said Arderns first overseas travel in two years demonstrated to Kiwis theres more to her than being the COVID prime minister.

Loading

As she steps out of the COVID-19 shadow, Thomas said the government needed to refute the oppositions charges of incompetence to win in 2023.

That means easing cost of living pressures, lowering crime, and landing pledged reforms in health and infrastructure.

Labour were really in a rut, being accused of failing to deliver prior to the pandemic, Thomas said.

Once you remove the pandemic response, theyre back with the lack of delivery narrative on a lot of key promises. Crime has become more of an issue, and particularly more visible, gang crime and organised crime.

The nature of MMP elections in New Zealand is that they are always close, the last election being the exception that proved the rule ... and both parties are now right in the hunt.

Meanwhile, a New Zealand media company has been forced to settle with Arderns partner Clarke Gayford after broadcasting unfounded rumours of criminality.

On Friday, Gayford issued a statement confirming NZME would make a confidential payout following a broadcast from its youth broadcaster KICK in March.

Jacinda Ardern is congratulated by her partner Clarke Gayford after she won a second term as New Zealand Prime Minister last year.Credit:AP

The statements were based on rumours about Mr Gayford that are baseless lies, it said.

NZME Radio has apologised to Mr Gayford for these publications and the hurt and distress they have caused and accepts that he has never been the subject of criminal charges and is not now the subject of criminal charges in any court in New Zealand.

The KICK broadcast, also available as a podcast, has been taken down although the tagline for the episode can still be seen.

New ep of FRESH MUSIC FRIDAY is out now! Joel tables another conspiracy theory and Kate confesses her love for Enrique Iglesias of all people, it reads.

It is not clear precisely what was broadcast about Gayford, but both he and Ardern have been increasingly targeted by conspiracy theorists following lengthy COVID-19 lockdowns.

Anti-vaccine movements are awash with unsubstantiated rumours about Gayfords supposed lawbreaking or infidelity.

In April, a plane flew over Auckland with a banner reading Where is Clarke? , a reference to an alleged court appearance for Gayford. Such was the weight of public interest, police issued a statement saying he had not been charged nor was the subject of any investigation.

Gayford was a well-known figure in New Zealand before becoming first bloke, as a popular DJ and radio and television host, including on the popular Fish Of The Day program.

He and Ardern had a child in 2018, Neve Te Aroha Ardern Gayford.

The pair were engaged in 2019, though difficulties in planning events during the pandemic mean they have not yet tied the knot.

More here:

Which polling is that?: Jacinda Ardern confident despite bumps - Sydney Morning Herald

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will speak to the media during a visit to the Kapiti Coast today. Video / Mark Mitchell

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has responded to the resignation of TVNZ's news head Paul Yurisich and the report on the recruitment processes that led to the appointment of presenter Kamahl Santamaria, saying the Government had an expectation TVNZ would follow the processes needed in a modern workplace.

Yurisich has resigned as head of news and current affairs at TVNZ after a review into the recruitment processes used by TVNZ both in general and in the case of former Breakfast host Kamahl Santamaria was released.

Santamaria resigned in May after only a month as host, following allegations of inappropriate behaviour directed at multiple women - including at TVNZ. TVNZ CEO Simon Power said it stated the recruitment policy did not apply to the hiring of key presenters and so was not followed in Santamaria's case.

Asked if there was a case to be made for shoulder-tapping for some positions rather than standard recruitment processes, Ardern said all employers should be mindful of the staff already at a company who might want the same opportunity.

"What you have to keep in mind, regardless of the environment, is you have to be mindful of those already in the workplace, those who might also be aspiring to a particular role, and always make sure you've got enough rigour around your processes to ensure that whether it is politics, whether it is broadcasting, whatever, that you're looking after existing staff."

She said people should be able to see that the process being used was robust.

Asked if there had been a failure of a duty of care, Ardern said the Government had an expectation for TVNZ to follow processes needed in a modern workplace, but it was up to the broadcaster to put those into practice.

"What makes a big difference to people is their wellbeing in a place they spend the majority of their time."

Ardern also commented on Inland Revenue's attempts to track down bank details for about 160,000 people who are eligible for the new cost of living payments, which start from August 1.

It will give $350 paid out over three months to all those on incomes of less than $70,000 an estimated 2.1 million people.

It will be paid out automatically but Inland Revenue has struggled to get bank account details for about 160,000 people.

Ardern said the payments would be particularly useful for households in which there were two earners on less than $70,000 - the payment does not take into account household income. Ardern said basing it on individual incomes meant it could start to be paid more quickly. She urged people who were eligible to check that Inland Revenue had their bank details.

It is a key plank of Labour's response to high inflation, along with temporary cuts to fuel excise duties which have now been extended to next January.

Excerpt from:

PM Jacinda Ardern on TVNZ resignation and recruitment - New Zealand Herald

PM Jacinda Ardern to talk about foot and mouth, Green Party troubles, and Three Waters at press conference. Video / Mark Mitchell

OPINION:

The new book on the leadership of the National Party, Blue Blood, is like a favourite horror movie: it is still gripping even though you know what the ending is.

It starts with John Key's shock decision to step down as prime minister at the end of 2016, and his succession plan kicking in.

It all went well - until it turned to custard in the midst of a global pandemic and the party is now onto its fourth leader in just over two years.

Succession planning is one of those things that is often talked about in whispered tones within a political party.

It can be forced into the public by events, as evidenced by the failure of James Shaw to get sufficient support at the Green Party AGM for another year.

It will be five years on Monday since Jacinda Ardern became the leader of the Labour Party and internal speculation has already begun about the next Labour leader.

As with Helen Clark and John Key's prime ministerships, there is no suggestion that Ardern will be challenged.

She is still well in front as preferred Prime Minister in all political polls. But with the National and Act bloc roughly level pegging with the Labour-Greens bloc, her chances of leading a third-term Government are no longer overwhelming.

If Ardern loses the next election, however, there will be a leadership contest. And that would most likely be between Chris Hipkins and Michael Wood.

Hipkins is popular with the public and the media and is the Mr-Fix-it in Cabinet. He has taken over the troubled police portfolio, after taking over health and Covid-19 at the height of concern over the pandemic. He is affable and has a good sense of humour.

He is aged 43 and came into Parliament in 2008 as MP for Remutaka after working as a political adviser in the Beehive.

Michael Wood is less experienced but has made an impact in the short time he has been a minister his nickname in the Beehive is "Napoleon." He is competent, efficient, and firm.

He has been trusted with the Fair Pay Agreements in Workplace Relation, with transport, which got the better of Phil Twyford, and has taken over immigration from Kris Faafoi.

Wood is popular with the party base. He is a former union organiser, has an ability to think on his feet in the House and draw appealing contrasts between Labour and the Opposition. He is aged 42 and replaced Phil Goff as MP for Roskill in the 2016 byelection.

Given the role the party and the unions have in Labour leadership votes, Wood would have the edge over Hipkins.

Who becomes the next Labour leader is, however, dependent on the circumstances.

If there were a sudden and unforeseen vacancy this year, through accident or illness, Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson, and Ardern's close partner in politics, would almost certainly become uncontested Labour leader and Prime Minister.

But in the event of an election loss with Ardern at the helm, it would be highly unlikely that Robertson would want to go from Finance Minister for two terms to leader of the Opposition.

It is not impossible, though not likely, that Ardern could do a John Key and step down but it would threaten Labour's chances of securing a third term.

At the time Key left, in 2016, he had reason to be confident that National could possibly secure a fourth term under Bill English. It had not always been so.

Five years into John Key's prime ministership, most close observers would have picked Steven Joyce as the natural successor in the event of an unforeseen vacancy.

But by the time of the actual vacancy, Bill English as deputy leader and Finance Minister, had become the natural successor and was Key's choice.

There was a certain amount of resentment in the National caucus that Key had organised his succession.

Key had told English of his plans a few weeks before but told Steven Joyce only at 9am on the day of the announcement, the Blue Blood book says.

Key talked to author Andrea Vance for the book and told her he felt boxed into a corner.

"'I think Steven would say I tainted the process. One or two people were a bit angry, or disappointed, that I did that. And I get that. The leader is first amongst equals. If you are no longer the leader, you don't have any right to impose that.

"But I didn't have that luxury," he had said.

"If I didn't say, 'I'm supporting Bill,' I was, by definition, not supporting Bill. That's the inference the media would take. After a decade together, with us being hand-in-glove, if I didn't say, 'He's right,' then I'm actually saying 'he's not right.'

"And I believed him to be right."

The succession plan actually worked extremely well. English led the National Party to the 2017 election where it secured 44.4 per cent of the vote.

But the plan did not figure on either Jacinda Ardern taking over the Labour leadership from Andrew Little two months from the election, or New Zealand First choosing Labour and the Greens over National.

The rest was history for Labour but was, for a long time, a horror show for National.

More here:

Who will replace Ardern? Whispers begin about next Labour leader - New Zealand Herald

The official celebration of the first anniversary of the Dawn Raids Apology is to be held at rkei Marae in Auckland on August 27 2022.

One year ago, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern formally apologised to Pacific communities impacted by the Dawn Raids in the 1970s.

A mat is draped over Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern as part of the Samoan Ifoga ceremonial apology. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi

During the cultural exchanges after the 2021 ceremony, the chair and elders of Ngati Whatua rkei made the generous offer to host the first year's anniversary of the Dawn Raid's Apology.

"The concept for the celebration of the one-year anniversary of the Dawn Raids Apology is an opportunity to reflect, celebrate and look to the future through an open and transparent cultural celebratory platform," Aupito William Sio said.

He said Pacific peoples, Mori and other ethnic communities were specifically targeted and racially profiled during the Dawn Raids, which was wrong and never should have happened.

In a bid to preserve the history and educate the next generation a documentary series about the Dawn Raids in Aotearoa has been made, airing on August 1st, the date the apology was made.

Members of the Polynesian Panthers gathered at the Auckland University Fale during the filming of 'How we made it to 50 years'. Photo: Josiah Tualamali'i

'How we made it to 50 years' producer, Josiah Tualamali'i said the series explains how the Polynesian Panthers started their advocacy in the 1970s.

Some of the advocates were as young as 16-years-old, Tualamali'i said.

He said it documents the Dawn Raids period up until the apology last year.

"We just talked about, could there be something we can do to continue to make more people understand the stories and the work that they do? It just so happened that one of the people involved with the Pacific youth and community support Benji Timu, was a videographer and I studied history - so together with the Polynesian Panthers we have made this documentary," Tualamali'i said.

Polynesian Panther and Associate Professor of Pacific Studies, Te Wananga o Waipapa, University of Auckland, Melani Anae, is in the series.

Anae said she is focussed on educating young people through the 'Educate to Liberate' programme.

"[It] is important because I think the legacy of the Polynesian Panthers has given this new generation of young people in Aotearoa today our three point platform. Number one, annihilate all forms of racism, celebrate mana Pasifika or your own ethnic identity and three, educate to liberate. So over the last 11 years now we have been visiting schools.

"We have given students another way of looking at our realities in Aotearoa how we can live in a better world, with the apology happening last year that was a sure sign of change, the only leader in the western world apologising for the dawn raids," She said.

Another resource launched this week marking one year since the apology is the book, 'A New Dawn'.

Author Emili Sione launches her new book 'A New Dawn' on the first anniversary of the New Zealand government's official apology for the dawn raids era. 1 August 2022 Photo: Emili Sione

Author, Emili Sione has shared her Dawn Raid story to help people understand the real impact of this dark time in Aotearoa's history with some valuable lessons for all New Zealanders'.

"This story actually has sat with me for a really long time and about five or six years ago I approached a publisher and said I really want to tell my story around my Dawn Raid experience...and there was a lot talk in the background about it but you know, you had comments of comments of you know, New Zealand not being ready for it, we are already dealing with Maori history and the land wars and New Zealand may not be ready for it, I was a little bit disappointed but I fully understood.

"So I sat on it, then what happened was the apology came and I thought, right this is the time to talk about my experience," Sione said.

"I have to say it has been an overwhelming experience because you have to go back in time and reconnect with some of that hurt, some of that pain. And just forgiveness, I believe in forgiveness," she said.

Launched on the first anniversary of the dawn raids apology 'A New Dawn' is a personal account from author Emili Sione looking at the lessons learned from this era. 1 August 2022 Photo: Emili Sione

A New Dawn from Mila's Books is available online and in-store at Lagi Routes and Wheelers Books for schools and libraries.

Read more here:

Aotearoa to mark first anniversary of dawn raids apology - RNZ

The speed of dealing with any outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) would rely on traceability and NAIT record keeping by NZ farmers, according to the Minister of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Damien O'Connor.

There is growing concern about the risk of FMD spreading to NZ, following its discovery in nearby Indonesia. O'Connor says FMD is the "doomsday disease" for NZ and if it got here it could see animals slaughtered and the loss of more than 100,000 jobs in the primary sector.

O'Connor says the risk has increased and notes there is the possibility of it coming to NZ via Australia, because Bali is a popular holiday destination for many Australians.

"We have been aware of FMD's threats for decades and some of us may remember the horrific scenes from the UK some years ago when hundreds of thousands of animals had to be slaughtered," he says. "We have strong and multi-layered biosecurity systems and these are arguably some of the strongest in the world, but we are constantly improving these to deal with FMD."

O'Connor says vigilance about the disease is absolutely crucial for farmers and general public alike. He adds that a range of checks and assessments are being made on all cargo coming from Indonesia, which includes checking on PKE imports to ensure there is no risk to the country.

"Every container from Indonesia is being inspected with someone there on site when it's opened, to look for any risk products," O'Connor adds. "Clearly some of those containers may have come from rural areas, so it's not just their contents but also the outside of these containers that are being checked to ensure there is no trace of FMD."

O'Connor believes farmers are generally adhering to a very high standard of NAIT record keeping, but says they are also being asked to check their cattle, sheep, pigs, deer, alpacas and llamas for any symptoms of FMD.

"If they see any sign of high fever, mouth blisters, or lameness they should call their vet immediately. They should also make sure their staff are fully briefed and to be on the lookout for signs of the disease."

O'Connor says NZ is liaising closely with counterparts in Australia and he is having regular briefings from MPI as well as industry groups. He says in the event of FMD ever reaching here, NZ has access to a vaccine bank in the UK which can be called upon within a matter of days.

"With vigilance and all the systems that we have put in place, hopefully we won't have to face FMD in NZ."

The threat of FMD is on the radar at the highest level in government.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says while there are no direct flights between NZ and Indonesia, strict screening measures are in place for people from that country coming to NZ. She says this includes special chemical mats that passengers from Indonesia are required to walk on as they enter NZ.

"We have also supplied Indonesia with PPE, disinfectant sprayers and other tools as well as technical expertise to help them manage their outbreak," Ardern says. "I also want to also acknowledge the primary sector groups who have been running awareness campaigns and echo what they have been saying to spread that message to as many New Zealanders as possible."

She is imploring all New Zealanders to follow good biosecurity practices and be honest and thorough in their biosecurity declarations when they return from overseas travel.

"If you have interacted with animals in a country known to have FMD then you must stay away from farms for a week and that includes lifestyle blocks," she says.

MPI Leads FMD Response

If by hance there is an outbreak of FMD in NZ, MPI will have the lead role in confirming the outbreak and offering technical advice to the Government on how to deal with the event.

However, other government department such as the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, MFAT, Police, MFE will all be part of the decision making process. Industry groups will also be involved.

Under the Biosecurity Act of 1993, it is the chief technical officer from MPI who will initially provide advice on the nature of the outbreak and this information will be elevated to key government officials and ministers to make calls on what action is to be taken.

Before the 1993 Biosecurity Act, the power to run the FMD response was vested in the then Chief Veterinarian Officer, employed at the time by MAF. In 1981, a suspected outbreak of FMD was found on a pig farm at Temuka in South Canterbury and all the animals on that property were slaughtered and cremated on the farm.

However, under the new act, any decision to slaughter animals would not be taken unless there is absolute scientific proof of an outbreak of FMD on a farm and at a much higher level than in the past.

Follow this link:

NAIT will play key role in FMD response - Rural News Group