I've just spent the last hour putting my signs back up after they were damaged overnight. I thought I may as well do the others' as well. It should be a contest of ideas, not a contest of whose got the most signs up.
I’ll vote for Labour over National every single time, but McAnulty should not be standing in front of his party logo when he’s speaking as Minister for Emergency Management.
I don’t trust the National Party on housing, but I was still shocked to see reports tonight that they’re going to scrap the First Home Grant.
Throughout our time in Govt they pushed us to expand the grant. Now it’s gone to pay for tax cuts.
Hypocrites, plain and simple.
My
@FlyAirNZ
flight was fully boarded, the plane loud from all the live streams. 12 balls left, 1 wicket needed. Please don’t start the plane. The
@BLACKCAPS
win! We all erupt in unison. Only then, amongst the cheers, did the plane start to move. It was a beautiful moment.
#CWC19
In the last 48 hours I’ve received emails questioning my intelligence, my morality and my legitimacy as an MP.
I’ve been called a nazi, a murderer, a c**t, a liar, a prick and a bastard.
Still voting yes.
(P.S. technically I am a bastard)
I know this is long, but I wanted to make a few comments about tomorrow’s protests:
Anyone who knows me well knows that I am passionate about the Primary Sector. They know both sides of my family have farmed for generations, and that both my parents continue to work in the sector
The way I see it, there's nothing to convert.
They're fine just as they are, thanks.
I will be proud to vote for the Conversion Practises Prohibition Legislation Bill.
The Mayor of Auckland has declared a state of emergency. NEMA can now provide additional support and resources from other regions. I’m continuing to receive live updates from NEMA, liaising with Auckland based MPs and updating the Prime Minister as needed /1
We have two choices when it comes to Three Waters - reform or ignore.
If we reform, we get what we need at a price we can afford.
If we ignore then we're buggered. Councils won't be able to afford it, so it won't get done.
The Government has yet again failed to do the one thing that needs to happen to ensure social houses can be built – commit to ongoing funding. Across the country developments are being cancelled because of funding uncertainty. They could have sorted that today, they chose not to.
Arrived back in Masterton this morning after Parliament finished up for the week. The instant I pull up and get out of my ute someone yelled out "put a tie on"!
Love this place.
The National Party went around the country telling councils they’ll repeal water reform & instead prop councils up. Now we see they haven’t accounted for a cent of funding in their fiscal plan.
This u-turn will result in one thing - massive rates hikes.
State of National Emergency Declared
The Government has this morning declared a National State of Emergency, to assist in the response to Cyclone Gabrielle.
I signed the declaration at 8.43am.
A huge thank you to Wairarapa, the Tararua District and Central Hawke's Bay.
I am incredibly grateful for the support, giving me the privilege of being your voice in Parliament.
It means so much to me. Thank you.
Photo credit:
@Beywake
The National Party voted against the Government's cost of living support payment today.
2.1m people will receive assistance.
Alongside the Winter Energy Payment (which they also oppose), 81% of workers will receive support this winter.
They would prefer to give CEOs a tax cut.
The PM and I will be in Auckland as soon as weather permits, to assess the damage from this event. We remain in the bunker at Parliament, in constant contact with NEMA and Auckland Council to ensure that we are providing as much support as possible to those on the ground.
The Winter Energy Payment kicks in from today until 1 October
$20.46pw for single people, $31.82pw for couples
ACT will scrap the payment in its current form. National haven’t ruled that out
This Government is proud to support older Kiwis through Winter & commit to keeping it
After having been in Auckland today with the PM and seeing first-hand the devastation, it has been really amazing to hear the stories of everyday kiwis getting out there and helping their community during a scary time.
We've done it!
Wairarapa has reached 90% for first doses-the first rural/provincial DHB (without a major city) to do so.
An awesome effort from our health professionals who have been working so hard. And also our local community for encouraging friends & whanau to get protected.
“In terms of making legally privileged documents public, no, the Crown never does that.” - Simon Bridges, Minister of Labour, 2013
'The Government should make legally privileged documents public' - the same bloke, in opposition, 2020
NZ is facing a water infrastructure bill up to $185b over the next 30 years.
Councils from all over the country have told me they can’t afford this by themselves, unless rates are hiked massively.
National's policy offers no solution to this - it would mean unaffordable rates
So I won’t be joining the protests tomorrow, but I will continue to back the majority of farmers who want the best price for their products, the best for the environment and the best for our country.
I want to say vinaka vakalevu to our dear friends in Fiji for their offer to send personnel to help with Cyclone Gabrielle response and recovery.
As announced by the PM, we have accepted the offer of 18 personnel to support our NEMA, NZDF, and FENZ teams.
We are very grateful.
Zoi knows she isn't allowed on the couch.
It seems she also knows I'm currently in the debating chamber helping to pass cost of living assistance for 2.1m workers, so has taken a few liberties.
At Carterton Station waiting for the new owner of the ute.
Money has changed hands and is on its way to the Rural Support Trust.
So long, old mate. It's been a blast.
So, here we are - the test cricket champions of the world.
Newshub - main story.
TVNZ - 13 minutes into the bulletin.
If this was Rugby or America's Cup this would've filled the first 10 minutes. Piss poor.
I firstly want to offer my condolences to the families and loved ones of the four confirmed fatalities in Auckland
Today I worked from the National Coordination Centre from which NEMA is coordinating assistance. I’ve spoken to the Mayor of Waitomo, Commision Chair in Tauranga,
Pretty cool to be in Auckland representing the Government as the Dame Whina Cooper tunnel boring machine rips through the final segment of the City Rail Link tunnel. A significant milestone in this project.
I respect that 1080 is a great concern for some. And I am keen to learn and engage in a respectful conversation. But here’s a tip, sending abusive emails and coming into my office specifically to yell at my staff is not the best way to convince me of your point of view.
They also know that I entered politics to work towards sustainable rural communities.
I won’t be joining tomorrow’s protests. The sentiment behind them doesn't represent the whole sector and undermines the hard work of so many farmers who are keen to get ahead of the curve.
I have today submitted a Member's Bill repealing sections 47 and 48 of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012.
This will remove many restrictions on the sale of alcohol on ANZAC Day morning, Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Christmas Day.
I’ve been clear that communications from the ground needs to be clearer and faster. My expectation is at least every 30 minutes.
Thank you to our front line workers who have worked tirelessly overnight in a really tough situation.
Cabinet today agreed with my recommendation that, given the severity of the event, a further $1m contribution be made to Auckland's Mayoral Relief Fund.
This ensures funding and support is provided to affected communities as quickly as possible.
There is no point to this other than to tell you that today I got to play for the Parliament XI @ the Basin Reserve - a childhood dream. I also hit a boundary, AT THE BASIN! & got 4 wickets, 2 of which were former Black Caps. And honestly, I'm stoked as all hell
That's the tweet
An update from overnight:
Auckland
Auckland remains under a State of Emergency
Thankfully, no major developments in Auckland overnight.
International flights to resume this morning.
Waikato
An emergency operating centre has been activated in the Waitomo District overnight
I am selling my ute for charity.
The time has come to upgrade.
437,000kms. It is pretty slow these days. It hasn't had a back door for years.
All proceeds going to the Rural Support Trusts in Wairarapa, Tararua District and Central Hawke's Bay.
It is my fear that tomorrow’s protests will undo this good work. It’ll make farmers look stubborn and resistant to change, which on the whole they are not. It’ll make them look like climate change deniers, which most of them aren’t.
The markets we're targeting want to know that if they are buying products from the bottom of the globe they can do so with a clear conscience. Consumers want to know their purchases are environmentally sustainable, that they are climate friendly with high animal welfare standards
After the dashed hopes of '92, the excitement then disappointment of 2015 & the utter heartbreak at Lord's in 2019, the
@BLACKCAPS
have finally won a world title.
As a cricket-mad kid growing up, this was just a pipedream.
Without doubt, one of NZ's greatest sporting moments.
Now is not the time to tread water. Maintaining the status quo or, God forbid, going backwards will not deliver for rural communities.
We are a trading nation. Our prosperity depends on consumers choosing to buy our products.
What an extraordinary way to nab our first Winter Olympics gold! The pressure must have been huge. Last run of the competition, one shot to get it. How bloody good. Congratulations Zoi
#Beijing2022
National’s discussion document says “We want to create an environment where people feel better off in work.” (Page 2).
They voted against extending the right of a personal grievance to labour-hire workers. And against meal breaks. And higher wages. And better conditions.
As always, the Government is poised to assist if needed. I’d like to acknowledge all the agencies whose staff are working hard to manage the impacts of this event. I know this isn’t how Aucklanders wanted to start their anniversary weekend. Stay safe and call 111 if in danger.
Yesterday, Chris Luxon said he doesn't support subsidies for public transport.
Without this funding, fare prices would have to rise significantly to cover the shortfall.
It's just another cost of living hit that National would land on hardworking families.
Delighted that Masterton has been announced as one of the new locations for refugee resettlement. We’re a welcoming and caring community and I couldn’t think of a better place for refugees to come - a stark contrast to the hell these people have fled.
I was in Auckland again today to check in with the welfare response on the ground.
I cannot express strongly enough just how much respect I have for our front line workers. Our volunteers, Police, FENZ, NZDF personnel, those helping whanau on marae across the region,
If we stop moving forward to address the impacts of climate change, allow further degradation of our fresh water & don’t do more to address animal welfare, there is no way we will meet this Government’s goal of working with the sector to achieve a $40b increase in export value.
We have leveraged the 100% pure, clean and green image that we have cultivated over decades in order to extract the best price possible for our products.
But we mustn’t assume that demand will continue as is.