Category: Politics

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ACT welcomes Marsden Fund refocus on science, further changes needed

Source: ACT Party

ACT is welcoming news that the Royal Society’s Marsden Fund is being updated to focus on core science that is of economic, environmental or health benefit to New Zealand.

“In recent years, the Marsden Fund’s terms of reference have seen funding prioritised for spirituality, activism and identity politics over high-quality public good research that benefits all New Zealanders,” says ACT Science, Innovation, and Technology spokesperson Dr Parmjeet Parmar.

Recent Marsden Fund Grants include:

  • $853,000 to investigate historical and current relationships between Māori and taxation, aiming to propose new, Te Tiriti-aligned tax systems.
  • $757,000 to imagine ‘honourable kāwanatanga’ in preparation for a decolonised nation and a Tiriti-based future.
  • $360,000 to assess the rhetorics of civic deliberation in true crime podcasting.
  • $861,000 for research on linking the celestial spheres to end-of-life experiences.

“These projects are hard to justify to taxpayers who are struggling to afford the basics. Every dollar spent on these grants is a dollar that is not supporting research in the hard sciences, or for that matter, life-saving medicines, essential infrastructure, or tax relief for struggling households.

“Politicians shouldn’t decide which specific research projects are funded, but we have a duty to ensure taxpayer money is focused on research that delivers tangible benefits for society and the economy. Today’s changes will help to ensure that this funding delivers a long-term benefit for New Zealand.

“The Marsden Fund is administered by the Royal Society. ACT says there is an opportunity to make further improvements in areas the Royal Society administers. The Royal Society’s Future Leadership Fellowship Grants award $800,000 each to 20 researchers with quotas for female, Māori, and Pasifika recipients. What’s worse, these grants are allocated via a random lottery, rather than based on the merit of the recipient.

“Where does this leave a New Zealander of European, Indian, or Brazilian descent, for example? They could have the best idea in the world but be excluded for being the ‘wrong’ gender or ethnicity. Even if they meet the identity criteria, their success is left to luck.

“The Royal Society’s funding should prioritise merit, excellence, and societal benefit – not identity politics or lotteries. ACT is calling for a return to fairness, accountability, and a focus on delivering real results for New Zealanders.”

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You can’t bank on pine trees in a climate crisis

Source: Green Party

Today’s Government announcement to limit farm forestry conversions tinkers around the edges, instead of focusing on the real problem and stopping pollution at the source.

“Banking on pine trees to cut pollution is barely a band-aid on a gas leak,” says Green Party Climate Change spokesperson, Chlöe Swarbrick.

“The Government’s changes are an acknowledgement that there’s a problem in converting productive, food-growing land into biodiversity-squashing pine plantations, but they stop far short of fixing that problem.

“Polluters will still be allowed to wave away their obligations to reduce emissions by simply planting pines. Basically, you get to keep pouring gas on the climate crisis fire if you can afford to stockpile credits.

“The current rules in the ETS can’t be relied on to change the behaviour of our worst emitters. 

“The real solution is cutting emissions at the source, driving structural change, and ensuring sustainable land use practices.

“It’s beyond time to re-think forestry offsets and focus properly on gross emission reduction.

“Carbon sequestration must be effective and sustainable when it is deployed. That means permanent native forests, which support our unique biodiversity and ecosystems.

“A real emissions reduction strategy requires stopping pollution at the source and rehabilitating native biodiversity. We can’t wait to unveil our Alternative Emissions Reduction Plan this coming weekend, for a system that works for people and planet, instead of exhausting both,” says Chlöe Swarbrick.

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Finally, accountability for dopey transport decisions in Auckland

Source: ACT Party

ACT is welcoming the Government’s announcement to restore democratic accountability to transport decision-making in Auckland.

“Today’s announcement marks a significant step towards giving Aucklanders back the control over their transport systems that they so rightfully deserve,” says ACT Transport spokesperson Cameron Luxton.

“For too long, decisions such as the proliferation of speed bumps, lowering of speed limits to what sometimes feels like a snail’s pace, and expensive, poorly thought-out cycle lanes have been made with little regard for the daily lives of Aucklanders. Finally, through Local Boards ratepayers will have a genuine say on local speed limits where it matters, like around schools, instead of the blanket speed approach to speed reductions imposed by unelected anti-car activists at Auckland Transport.”

With regards to the move to make Auckland Council the Road Controlling Authority, Mr Luxton says:

“This will align Auckland with the rest of New Zealand, where local councils have direct control over such pivotal decisions. It’s about accountability – if the ratepayers are unhappy, they know exactly who to hold responsible come election time.”

With regards to the development of a 30-year Integrated Transport Plan, Mr Luxton says:

“Importantly, Auckland will finally have the opportunity to create an integrated transport system vital for quality of life, instead of having roads choked with traffic for years after new subdivisions go in.”

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New standards for nurses put patients’ identity ahead of need

Source: ACT Party

ACT is warning that new standards of competence for registered and enrolled nurses will distract from individual patient needs and make it harder to attract and retain nurses.

“The role of the Nursing Council is to protect the health and safety of the public and ensure nurses are competent and fit to practise. But new standards of competence set to be implemented on 20 January will veer the nursing profession badly off-track,” says ACT Health spokesperson Todd Stephenson.

“Once upon a time, being a nurse was a matter of having the right skills and a kind heart. Now we are asking nurses to have the ‘correct’ views on the Treaty of Waitangi and to make assumptions about patients’ needs based on their ethnicity.”

The six planned ‘pou’ (pillars) of competency for registered nurses are:

Pou one: Māori health
Example: Nurses must use te reo and incorporate tikanga Māori into practice.

Pou two: Cultural safety
Example: Nurses must be able to describe the impact of colonisation and advocate for cultural and spiritual health.

Pou three: Whanaungatanga and communication
Example: Nurses must use culturally appropriate communication in all interactions.

Pou four: Pūkengatanga and evidence-informed nursing practice
Example: Nurses must support whānau choice of alternative therapies such as the use of Rongoā (herbal remedies, massage, and spiritual healing).

Pou five: Manaakitanga and people-centredness
Example: Nurses must integrate relational and whakapapa-centred care to meet the needs of people and whānau.

Pou six: Rangatiratanga and leadership
Example: Nurses must support the constant assessment and improvement of sustainability practices.

“Rather than seeing patients as people with basic humanity and individual needs, nurses are being told to focus on their patients’ ethnic identity. Clinical needs are sidelined in favour of a focus on the Treaty, ‘cultural safety’, and even spiritual concerns,” says Mr Stephenson.

“I have been contacted by nurses who are bewildered by the standards and are concerned they will be required to take extensive additional trainings, when they would rather focus on improving individual nursing skills.

“You have to wonder how we’re meant to attract overseas-trained nurses when our bespoke local standards send the message that their skills and experience are not valued here.

“On Monday, I wrote to the Minister of Health asking that he assess the impact of the proposed competencies.

“In fact, during the election campaign, ACT proposed giving the Health Minister power to override decisions of regulatory authorities like the Nursing Council if the Minister believes those decisions go beyond what is necessary to protect public health and safety.”

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Release: Nicola Willis being sneaky with new taxes

Source: New Zealand Labour Party

Nicola Willis is refusing to rule out putting sneaky new taxes on Kiwi households.

“Nicola Willis cannot pay for everything she has promised with cuts alone, but refuses to say what new revenue measures she will bring in. She must be upfront with Kiwis about what her sneaky taxes will be,” Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said.

“Simply saying there will be ‘some new sources of revenue’ does not work for New Zealanders waiting to find out much more expensive life will become thanks to Nicola Willis’ fiscal vandalism.

“After saying she is responsible for the government books, Nicola Willis refuses to take responsibility for worsening conditions under her watch. Debt and unemployment continue to rise, with growth flatlining – there is no plan for recovery.

“Talking about growth doesn’t make it happen, and cuts to frontline services make it harder for Kiwis to thrive.

“Forecasts are worse under Nicola Willis, and the Government deficit has grown by $1.8 billion. Her fiscal mismanagement is taking the books in a downward spiral.

“After giving $2.9 billion to landlords and $216 million to tobacco companies, Nicola Willis is now looking for new ways to shift costs onto taxpayers,” Barbara Edmonds said.

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Release: Govt benefit target even further out of reach

Source: New Zealand Labour Party

Christopher Luxon has once again failed to read the room and claimed success while life gets harder for everyday Kiwis.

“The health system is in crisis, rates are up, race relations are going backwards, and a New Zealander leaves the country seeking better opportunities overseas every 6 and a half minutes,” Labour spokesperson for Social Development Carmel Sepuloni said.

“Despite Minister for Social Development Louise Upston’s pledge to reduce Jobseeker numbers by 50,000, the number of beneficiaries has risen by over 22,000 – meaning their target is effectively now 72,000.

“With the Minister now covering up her tracks by removing weekly benefit reporting, the latest beneficiary numbers may be even higher than she’s let us in on.

“Louise Upston is removing access to hardship assistance payments like food grants, for people who received a non-financial sanction, and access to emergency housing has been made more difficult. Tightening the guidelines and moving the goalposts is not a victory to claim, it is an abomination.

“Not only is this Government ineffective, but it is also cruel and punishing to people who are suffering because of this Government’s fiscal vandalism.

“Unemployment is at a four-year high and is forecast to continue to rise. The labour market is becoming weaker, so beneficiaries will likely grow further.

“Thousands of jobs have been lost because of this Government’s reckless choices. To then clamp down on those who end up on a benefit is heartless.

“Louise Upston should read the room and make a difference instead of making the lives of vulnerable people more difficult for no gain,” Carmel Sepuloni said.

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Govt continues to punch down

Source: Green Party

The Government’s new initiative to get people off the benefit won’t address the core drivers of poverty such as low incomes, lack of access to adequate housing and lack of employment opportunities. 

“This shallow, soundbite policy will see poverty continue to proliferate,” says the Green Party’s Social Development Spokesperson, Ricardo Menéndez March.

“People deserve to live in dignity, they deserve to be supported in times of need. We can afford to look after one another, all that is missing is the political will. 

“No number of check-ins by Work and Income staff will make up for the fact that benefit levels are below the poverty line, push people into debt, and create toxic stress for families. No number of check-ins will make up the fact that this is a Government that actively relied on increasing unemployment to lower inflation.

“If the Government was serious about lifting people out of poverty and enabling them to meet their potential, they would be guaranteeing liveable incomes to ensure people can participate in their communities with choice and dignity.

“Adding new responsibilities for Work and Income staff without fixing benefit levels and bolstering the MSD workforce is setting both people on the benefit and case managers to fail. 

“The soaring numbers of people on benefits are no accident; they are a direct consequence of this government’s slash-and-burn approach to job cuts and public service funding. 

“Sanctions, work-for-the-dole programs, and punitive measures simply do not work. All they achieve is perpetuating cycles of hardship, widening inequality, and creating barriers for people to get back on their feet.

“Successive governments have made bold promises to address poverty and unemployment, but the playbook has failed to change. 

“Instead of putting a new coat of paint on a broken system, the Greens will end poverty by introducing a guaranteed minimum income, paid for by a fairer tax system.

“It’s time for policies that build resilience and opportunity, not more blame and burden for those who need support the most,” says Ricardo Menéndez March.

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Release: Labour urges ACC to pull investments in Israel’s illegal settlements

Source: New Zealand Labour Party

Labour is urging ACC to divest from companies identified by the United Nations as complicit in the building and maintenance of Israel’s illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

“Today the ACC board chair and CEO told a Parliament Select Committee it was ‘reviewing’ investments in these companies. Ministers and the agency should be taking urgent action in the wake of the International Court of Justice’s ruling,” Labour’s ACC spokesperson Rachel Boyack said.

“It is time to stop these investments in settlements the ICJ has declared to be illegal under international law.

“Nicola Willis has said she is comfortable with ACC’s current approach. The National Government is sitting on its hands and is not taking action despite the clear ruling from the ICJ,” Rachel Boyack said.

“The ICJ is the world’s highest court. Its recent advisory opinion declared countries like New Zealand have a legal duty not to aid or assist the settlements,” Labour’s associate foreign affairs spokesperson Phil Twyford said.

“As well as calling on the Government to require ACC and the Super Fund to divest from companies complicit in the illegal settlements, we call on the Government to ban its agencies from buying goods and services from the settlements.”

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Release: Further evidence to stop school lunch cuts

Source: New Zealand Labour Party

A new report provides further proof that David Seymour should not be messing with the free school lunch programme.

The Ministry of Education commissioned report, from a kaupapa Māori perspective, found students were happier, better learners and engaging with tikanga Māori more often. Teachers also reported that feeding kids reduced aggression and improved behaviour.

“It was also found that the school lunch programme alleviated stress for many whānau, by reducing grocery bills and the cost of living,” Labour’s education spokesperson Jan Tinetti said.

This follows a March Cabinet Paper advising the Government the changes to the school lunch programme would affect achievement, attendance, nutrition and wellbeing of children, as well as having wider impacts on reducing child poverty. Ministers ignored this and made the changes anyway.

“The evidence is clear about the benefits for Māori students. Stripping this programme bare is simply another attack on Māori rangatahi, worsening inequities and further deepening the divide in Māori-Crown relations,” Labour’s Māori education spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime said.

“It’s baffling as to why Erica Stanford is letting David Seymour go ahead with these changes, given the evidence, reports from teachers, parents and principals about the benefits of the school lunch programme and all their talk about improving attendance,” Jan Tinetti said.

“It’s time Christoper Luxon put his foot down as Prime Minister and stopped David Seymour’s downsizing of school lunches.”

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Same old joyless, divisive, envy-based politics from Labour

Source: ACT Party

Responding to the Labour Party’s decision to charge ahead with work on a capital gains tax and wealth tax, ACT Leader David Seymour says:

“This is the same old joyless, divisive, envy-based politics from Labour. There’s no vision or future for New Zealand in dividing the pie. There’s no future in the values of dividing wealth or dividing people by wealth, we need productivity growth and wealth creation as is abundantly clear in the figures.

“Labour’s basic message is that ‘your problems are caused by somebody else’s success. And if you vote for us we’ll take their wealth and give it to you to solve those problems.’

“The real solution to New Zealanders’ problems is to grow the pie with productivity growth and a celebration of success rather than a demonisation of the very thing we’re trying to create – more prosperity.

“It also shows why it’s so critical to keep Labour and its allies from Te Pāti Māori and the Greens out of power. If their theatrical displays in Parliament weren’t enough, imagine them taking the same attitude towards wealth creation and the wealth that so many New Zealanders have struggled so hard to create over decades.

“They rail against division, then try to pitch us against one another and tear down the tall poppies.

“ACT is focused on real solutions that boost productivity and grow the pie so that there is more wealth for everyone to enjoy. We’re cutting red tape and reforming the resource management system so that New Zealanders are empowered to build and invest. We’re liberalising overseas investment rules to make New Zealand the preferred destination for ideas, investment, talent. And we’re cutting waste, making the government work smarter to do more with less so Kiwis can keep more of their own money and build a better future for themselves and those they care about.”