Category: Politics

Source: Radio New Zealand

A resurrected minerals deal with the US is causing mixed reactions among environmentalists.

A Cabinet paper has revealed that Resources Minister Shane Jones wants to continue negotiations for a bilateral agreement with the US over rare minerals.

Currently, the US has been heavily reliant on China for these materials.

Critical minerals are used in a variety of modern-day tech, from smartphones and renewable energy to weapons.

Their use in a military context gave Greenpeace director Russel Norman pause.

“Donald Trump hates renewable energy. It’s all about getting minerals to fuel his war ambitions,” he said.

He worried that the deal could be used to circumvent environmental protections and let foreign interests plunder New Zealand’s resources.

He pointed to Trans-Tasman Resources, an Australian-owned company, which wanted to mine 50 million tonnes of seabed a year for 30 years in the South Taranaki Bight.

“There is no benefit in New Zealand in destroying the biodiversity off in South Taranaki just so that an Australian mining company can dig up vanadium and give it to the US military.”

The Fast Track panel rejected Trans-Tasman Resources’ plans.

Norman said New Zealand “should have nothing to do with the deal”.

“We don’t need to go and destroy the seafloor all around the world in order to get those minerals.”

This was supported by University of Auckland professor Nicola Gaston.

She said highly sought-after, rare minerals can be sourced through recycling.

She cited several companies that had created circular economies of extracting materials from waste products for new applications, such as Mint Innovation and Zethos.

“If a deal is about us actually backing these New Zealand companies to do the work that they’re doing internationally, that would be super.”

But she expressed reservations about the deal if it involved mining.

“I just would not want us to be locking ourselves into some sort of exploitation that is not able to be managed according to our own policy goals or the social licence that we have in New Zealand for mining.”

‘They never have practical alternative solutions’ – Jones

Jones responded to criticism, saying New Zealand was not solely pursuing a bilateral deal with the US, but was also exploring wider partnerships with ”like-minded nations”.

He said this country was already part of an international agreement with countries like the UK, Japan and South Korea to work together to secure supplies of critical minerals.

Jones said any development of the sector would still be subject to New Zealand’s environmental and legal safeguards, including the resource consenting process and Treaty obligations.

”Obviously, the consenting process – we need to ensure that when these minerals are extracted, it happens with established statutory guardrails,” he said.

He also noted the challenges of refining, saying there was currently little capacity in New Zealand and that processing minerals can come with ”a host of negative externalities”.

Responding to the criticism from Greenpeace, Jones said environmental advocacy groups rarely offered workable alternatives.

”Greenpeace are consistent critics in terms of capitalism, economic development… They never have practical alternative solutions,” he said.

”They want a clean green future, but they refuse to acknowledge that New Zealand has the very minerals that can contribute to that future,” he said.

Jones said opponents were holding back the sector.

”Mining has been marginalised in New Zealand by green Luddites, lily-livered bureaucrats and politicians that have been unwilling to show Kiwis that we can mine and still have positive environmental impacts.”

He also downplayed concerns about the potential military use of exported minerals.

”I don’t believe it is a concern… New Zealand is not in the weapon-making business,” he said, adding that lawful trade should not be restricted based on how what’s being traded will be used.

Jones said the government would continue discussions with multiple countries and planned to host a critical minerals forum at Parliament to get feedback from the sector.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

The Police Commissioner has sought answers after some recruit wings at Police College fell below expected numbers, including one with fewer than 50 recruits.

New Zealand First and National’s coalition agreement in November 2023 contained a commitment to “training no fewer than 500 new frontline police within the first two years“.

It had taken up until now to get the number of constable full-time equivalents (FTEs) to 297. There were 275 recruits currently under training, six months out from the election.

In response to questions from RNZ, Assistant Commissioner Deployment Jeanette Park said the work to deliver 500 more police as soon as possible was a “priority programme for NZ Police”.

Do you know more? Email sam.sherwood@rnz.co.nz

She said the number of applicants “remains healthy”, and the current wing at the Auckland campus and its corresponding wing in Porirua were near capacity.

“However, it has been disappointing to see some smaller wing numbers at the College in recent months, including one with fewer than 50 recruits.”

Park said Police Commissioner Richard Chambers had sought an explanation for the numbers.

“A meeting was held earlier this week and attended by the Commissioner, myself, other leaders and recruitment leads.

“It was made clear that focus must be maintained on achieving the 500 and we cannot lose momentum at any stage of the recruitment process.”

She said it was a priority to ensure police did their best for applicants who had worked hard to get into Police College.

“Police is in the fortunate position of being able to increase its constabulary numbers and we have worked hard to try to achieve that.

“Irrespective of the election, the Commissioner has previously said he wanted Police to hit the target of 500 as early as possible this year.

“That relies on ensuring we have good numbers of recruits in training at RNZPC, as well as attrition remaining relatively low.”

She said the pipeline of applicants was “strong” with about 1000 people at different stages of the process.

“The Commissioner has asked us to ensure we maintain momentum in ensuring that process is as efficient as it should be and address any potential hold-ups.”

As of 20 April there were 10,508 Constable FTEs, which did not include the 275 recruits that were undergoing training.

“This is growth of 297 Constable FTEs above our starting point in November 2023 when the Government set their 500 target.”

The 12-month rolling average for constabulary attrition was 4.7 percent, down from 5.7 percent at the same time last year.

Associate Police Minister Casey Costello said in a statement to RNZ the government had provided the extra funding needed to recruit and achieve the 500 extra staff target.

“It is something that everyone wants delivered,” she said.

“What I’ve seen is that our numbers are on track, and with usual attrition rates, the extra 500 will be delivered this year.

“As you know, recruitment works as a pipeline, and there are still healthy numbers of officers in training. Our job is to make sure that every part of the pipeline stays strong”.

On Thursday, a scathing review of police by the Public Service Commission was released. The report said an “integrity reset is urgently needed” with a perceived culture that held seniors to a “lesser standard than juniors”.

An overview of the report said police needed to tackle three “major challenges” in the next five years.

“They need to rebuild police integrity; address persistent traditional crime while adapting to increasingly complex, digital, and transnational threats; and build their corporate performance in the face of ongoing fiscal pressures.”

The Commission’s Performance Improvement Review also looked at how well police were positioned to deliver on the government’s priorities, including delivering the 500 extra officers, referred to as the D500 programme.

“Police have faced challenges delivering the D500 including limited capacity at the Police College, and attrition from an ageing workforce and competitive pressure from Australian police services.

“Treasury projects that a net increase of 500 constables will not be reached until September 2026, which is almost one year later than the 2025 target from the coalition arrangement.”

The report said police had supported the programme by expanding the college and opening an additional Auckland campus.

“Police also refocused its recruitment campaign, launching the Ride Along series and targeted campaigns to attract former officers back to Police. These efforts have resulted in more applications (June 2025 recorded 643 constabulary applications – almost two-thirds higher than the previous monthly average).”

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Content warning: This story contains direct quotes of racist language

The Te Matatini stage was used as “a racist weapon” in a haka that translates in part as: “bloody curry Indian, dark skinned, oily, racist, roti eater”, an anti-racism group believes.

MATA has done further translations of the controversial haka, which was performed at the Tainui Regional Kapa Haka competition last weekend. The haka was delivered by the kapa haka Te Pae Kahurangi and directed at ACT MP Parmjeet Parmar.

It also featured lyrics such as “hoki atu rā ki tō kāinga ake, ki nui whenua, ki nui pōhara, ki nui raruraru!”, “Return to your own home, to vast land, to great poverty, to many problems”.

It was accompanied by choreography drawing on Indian cultural and religious elements such as kaihaka pressing their thumb into the centre of their forehead where the traditional bindi is worn by Hindu, Jain and Buddhist women, and sitting cross legged with hands in the prayer position.

During parts of the haka Che Wilson, a former president of Te Pāti Māori, used an Indian accent and head gestures.

People’s Action Plan Against Racism (PAPARA) said there had been an increase in “racist rhetoric” against the Indian community in Aotearoa.

“This harm has been compounded by a recent performance during the Matatini Tainui regional competitions, which lampooned Indian culture as a form of objection to ACT MP Parmjeet Parmar’s actions and political positions. While Te Matatini carries a long history of politically charged performance, this should never be allowed to tip over into racist attacks against individuals or communities.”

Te Matatini does not receive scripts from teams performing at regionals ahead of the event. It should now mandate anti-racism standards for compositions “so that such a highly esteemed atamira (stage) can never again be used as a racist weapon”, PAPARA said.

Te Matatini chief executive Carl Ross said there were already clear expectations that compositions must meet broadcasting standards.

“When concerns are raised we act immediately, as we have done in this case, to remove the content. We will be reviewing our internal process to ensure all performances consistently meet Broadcasting Standards Authority standards in the future.”

A controversial composition

Parmar has previously drawn criticism for seeking advice from officials on the range of possible penalties for Te Pāti Māori MPs following their Treaty Principles haka in Parliament, including whether imprisonment was an option.

She has opposed giving scholarships based on a person or group’s race or ethnic origin, designated spaces, rooms, or other facilities at universities. She also opposed requiring students to take a paper on the Treaty of Waitangi, particularly for international students, for whom she said the course would “hold little value”.

The haka began by addressing ACT Party leader David Seymour.

“Rawiri Himoa, te wahine Iniana kei tō pāti, he wahine tarapekepeke pāti.

“Takahi tangata, takahi Maori e.”

“David Seymour, the Indian woman in your party, the party jumper.

“Who tramples people, who tramples Māori.”

Directly addressing a party leader is not unusual in a haka but referencing the ethnicity of a politician is not common practice.

In a statement to Mata, Wilson said the haka was composed and choreographed by a collective known as Te Whānau o Te Pae Kahurangi.

“Haka is a platform to challenge and where relevant, denigrate in response to an issue.”

Te Pae Kahurangi regarded Parmar’s actions as “clear examples of prejudice towards Māori culture”.

“And as such, the haka is aimed specifically at Mrs Parmar and not the Indian community.

“Te Pae Kahurangi does not condone racism. Te Pae Kahurangi apologises for any offence caused to the Indian community, towards whom this haka was not directed.

“It is worthwhile noting that there are many examples of haka and kaioraora (derogatory songs), that often include references such as ‘pokokōhua’ (boiled-head), ‘kai a te kurī’ (food for the dogs), ‘porohewa’ (baldhead) used to denigrate people.”

Who specifically was a part of the collective which composed and choreographed the haka has not been revealed.

Indian community ‘feeling hounded’

In a social media post, former Young New Zealander of the Year Shaneel Lal said the rise of racist rhetoric against the Indian community has left it “feeling hounded”.

In his opinion, the ACT MP Parmar had caused incredible harm to Māori.

“Criticism of her as an individual, and of what she advocates for, is justified … But when criticism of her actions extends to all people who share her identity, that is racism,” Lal said.

“When criticism of Parmjeet turns into criticism of being Indian, that includes people like me. It also includes many in the wider Indian community who have spent decades standing alongside Māori across Aotearoa.”

In an interview with Māni Dunlop for Te Ao Māori News, Māori-Gujarati academic Dr Jessica Hutchings discussed the impact of the haka.

“Ehara i te mea he Māori anake tātou (we are not just Māori). Some of us are mixed race, and we carry that proudly. When something like this happens, it harms all parts of who we are,” Hutchings said.

“They mocked my culture. They mocked our tikanga, our wairuatanga… that’s racism, and it’s really important that we call it out.”

It was wrong to frame the haka as targeting one individual when its impact was wider, she believed.

An online storm

Haka is often used as medium for Māori political expression, with many groups composing waiata to fiercely critique political policies, issues and politicians.

But Te Pae Kahurangi’s haka has sparked fierce debate online with many commenters expressing disappointment that an item aimed at one MP has demeaned the cultures and practices of Indian people.

Others have spoken out in support, advocating for the right to free speech, even if it is hateful.

In his social media post, Lal appealed to the connection between colonised people.

“There is nothing to gain from stereotyping, mocking, or ridiculing entire groups of people, especially when so many of those people stand with you.”

Get the latest episodes of MATA with Mihingarangi Forbes from RNZ, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

The government is pushing on with negotiating a critical minerals deal with the United States, but says risks must be “carefully considered”.

A just-released Cabinet paper revealed Resources Minister Shane Jones recommended continuing work drafting a bilateral agreement.

It was revealed in February that New Zealand was in discussions with the US about the supply of rare and critical minerals, as Donald Trump seeks to reduce America’s reliance on China for material it sees as pivotal for tech innovation and national security.

The Cabinet paper said a draft framework for bilateral agreement with the US was taken to Cabinet on 2 February – but it was decided New Zealand would not sign the deal at a meeting hosted by the US two days later.

Cabinet received the draft the same day that Prime Minister Christopher Luxon told Morning Report reporting of potential talks between the two nations was “speculative and hypothetical” and “probably a bit frothy and a bit ahead of itself”.

Cabinet asked Jones to return with further advice on the proposed framework, it said.

Jones did so, and recommended re-entering negotiations with the US.

That’s despite risks, including that a minerals deal could lead to “pressure to commit future Crown financing” and “degrading the social licence for mining”, the paper said.

Other risks were redacted.

The risks would need to be “carefully considered”, it said.

The paper also noted iwi had initially raised concerns with the pace and content of the framework, and upon further consultation, they “reaffirmed their strong concerns on process, substance, and partnering with the US”.

The US had also proposed negotiations on a multi-nation Agreement on Trade in Critical Minerals (ATCM), it said.

The US intended the ATCM to “create a preferential trade zone for critical minerals through enforceable price floors and rules around imports and investment”.

Much of the information about the ATCM was redacted, but the paper said Cabinet approval would be sought before any further steps were taken.

It said New Zealand could help create a more resilient global critical mineral supply, and as a country with a reputation for high standards in the resources sector, a US deal could provide a future export advantage.

Developing critical minerals production would require investment from international partners, and the US had a “significant amount” available, it said.

The government wants to double minerals exports to $3 billion by 2035.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has cancelled his regular weekly interviews with TVNZ’s Breakfast programme while also lodging a complaint about the conduct of its press gallery team.

Luxon’s office notifed the broadcaster of the decision on Friday afternoon.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the PM said “we have decided to update our approach” to regular media engagements following a review late last year.

“Kiwis get their news in different ways – across radio, television, podcasts and digital platforms, and from next month, there will be three separate morning TV news shows.

“The PM will continue to be available to media, including Breakfast on a case-by-case basis.”

The spokesperson also noted National’s separate concerns about the “inappropriate conduct” of TVNZ staff

“New Zealanders want a fair, balanced and accurate media talking to the issues that matter to them. We respect the role of media, but there are standards, and those standards matter.”

Luxon’s Monday interview slot on RNZ’s Morning Report and NewstalkZB’s Mike Hosking Breakfast will continue.

In 2021, former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern provided similar reasoning when she cancelled her weekly interview on NewstalkZB.

Luxon’s withdrawal comes not long after the appointment of former Newshub political editor Tova O’Brien as Breakfast co-host.

Asked for a response, a TVNZ spokesperson said: “Our news team is committed to providing accurate, impartial, comprehensive and in-depth news coverage.

“Editorial independence is fundamental to this and critical for a free and democratic society. Part of this is holding those in positions of power to account.”

Political complaint lodged

National has also lodged a complaint with TVNZ, claiming members of its Press Gallery team broke Parliament’s rules in their pursuit of an interview with chief whip Stuart Smith.

But TVNZ disputes National’s version of events and says the correct avenue for complaints is with the Speaker of the House Gerry Brownlee.

In a statement to RNZ, a spokesperson for Brownlee said he was aware of the alleged events but had no further involvement with the complaint.

The incident is alleged to have occurred at the end of a frenetic Tuesday in which Luxon called and won a vote of confidence in his own leadership.

A key element of the story was the absence of the party’s chief whip from the critical caucus meeting. Smith had avoided speaking to reporters for five days despite his prominent role in a NZ Herald story about flagging caucus support for Luxon.

In a post on social media, National’s campaign chair Simeon Brown said TVNZ staff followed Smith into a corridor where media interviews were not permitted without express permission.

He said staff then “aggressively” knocked on Smith’s office door for several minutes and pressured him by suggesting how he might be portrayed on TVNZ’s Breakfast programme the following morning if he did not agree to speak.

This week, National has made a complaint to TVNZ about the conduct of its staff.

TVNZ staff:

• followed National Whip Stuart Smith into his corridor, an area where media interviews are not allowed without express permission;

• aggressively banged on his door for several…

— Simeon Brown (@SimeonBrownMP) April 24, 2026

In response to questions from RNZ, a TVNZ spokesperson said the news outlet had a “different view of what took place”.

“Our journalist was asking questions on behalf of the public, as they do every day. This story came to light due to leaking from National Party MPs. It was a legitimate story to follow. We look forward to Stuart Smith making himself available to explain his absence from caucus.”

The TVNZ spokesperson said the correct place for such complaints was with Parliament’s Speaker, not with TVNZ or on social media.

“Simeon Brown is well aware of this,” the spokesperson said.

In his post on X, Brown said the behaviour of TVNZ was “unacceptable” and a “clear breach” of Parliament’s rules governing media access.

“We respect the role of media, but there are standards, and those standards matter,” he said.

He said New Zealanders expected fair, balanced and accurate reporting, rather than what he characterised as “a media-driven soap opera”.

Smith finally addressed media at Parliament on Wednesday, where he flatly denied the earlier Herald report which claimed Smith had tried to alert the prime minister to discontent in the ranks.

Asked why it took him so long to issue a denial, Smith told reporters: “I didn’t feel it was appropriate [to do so earlier].”

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

National has lodged a complaint with TVNZ, claiming members of its Press Gallery team broke Parliament’s rules in their pursuit of an interview with chief whip Stuart Smith.

But TVNZ disputes National’s version of events and says the correct avenue for complaints is with the Speaker of the House Gerry Brownlee.

In a statement to RNZ, a spokesperson for Brownlee said he was aware of the alleged events but had no further involvement with the complaint.

The incident is alleged to have occurred at the end of a frenetic Tuesday in which Prime Minister Christopher Luxon called and won a vote of confidence in his own leadership.

A key element of the story was the absence of the party’s chief whip from the critical caucus meeting. Smith had avoided speaking to reporters for five days despite his prominent role in a NZ Herald story about flagging caucus support for Luxon.

In a post on social media, National’s campaign chair Simeon Brown said TVNZ staff followed Smith into a corridor where media interviews were not permitted without express permission.

He said staff then “aggressively” knocked on Smith’s office door for several minutes and pressured him by suggesting how he might be portrayed on TVNZ’s Breakfast programme the following morning if he did not agree to speak.

In response to questions from RNZ, a TVNZ spokesperson said the news outlet had a “different view of what took place”.

“Our journalist was asking questions on behalf of the public, as they do every day. This story came to light due to leaking from National Party MPs. It was a legitimate story to follow. We look forward to Stuart Smith making himself available to explain his absence from caucus.”

The TVNZ spokesperson said the correct place for such complaints was with Parliament’s Speaker, not with TVNZ or on social media.

“Simeon Brown is well aware of this,” the spokesperson said.

In his post on X, Brown said the behaviour of TVNZ was “unacceptable” and a “clear breach” of Parliament’s rules governing media access.

“We respect the role of media, but there are standards, and those standards matter,” he said.

He said New Zealanders expected fair, balanced and accurate reporting, rather than what he characterised as “a media-driven soap opera”.

Smith finally addressed media at Parliament on Wednesday, where he flatly denied the earlier Herald report which claimed Smith had tried to alert the prime minister to discontent in the ranks.

Asked why it took him so long to issue a denial, Smith told reporters: “I didn’t feel it was appropriate [to do so earlier].”

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has brushed off criticisms of his government after days of heated speculation about his leadership.

In a media standup at HamiltonJet Global in Christchurch on Friday morning, Luxon brushed off businesses’ concerns about a lack of funding to bring SailGP back to Auckland.

He has also joked about losing votes in Auckland as a result of his support for the Crusaders, and avoided saying much about a National Party dinner where guests could pay $10,000 to sit next to him.

Auckland events boss Nick Hill told Morning Report he was “very disappointed” at the loss of SailGP, saying it was “significant loss” for the City of Sails and blaming a lack of buy-in from the government.

Luxon said the proposal for funding Sail GP in Auckland did not stack up, but distanced himself from it – acknowledging he was not across the details.

“Yeah, look, um, you know, we’ll continue our conversations with Auckland Council and SailGP but the proposal we received just frankly didn’t stack up,” he said.

He was unsure how much money the government was being asked to provide.

“I can’t remember what the proposal specifics was but when we run it through our evaluation criteria, just didn’t stack up.”

He said Tourism Minister Louise Upston would know about the specifics.

“I’m just well aware that when we looked at the cost-benefit ratio, it didn’t meet the criteria … it just didn’t meet the criteria, is all I know.”

He rejected the suggestion from Auckland businesses the government was working against them.

“Ah absolute rubbish. This is a government that’s backed State of Origin into Auckland, it’s a government that’s put a whole bunch of major events into Auckland, it’s invested in the New Zealand International Convention Centre, invested in the CRL, and we’ve made big investments and big support programmes into Auckland.”

He was in Christchurch [https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/593268/christchurch-stadium-opening-te-kaha-opens-after-15-year-wait ahead of the first Super Round at the city’s new stadium Te Kaha, when 10 of the Super Rugby Pacific’s 11 teams would all play at the same venue.

Having grown up in the city, he said it was “tough” to say whether Te Kaha had overtaken Eden Park as the national stadium.

“I gotta say, it’s a world class stadium. It was a pleasure to open it three or four weeks ago. I’ll be there tonight,” he said.

Leadership woes

Luxon has been under pressure in recent weeks over poor polling numbers and leaks from who he has described as disgruntled MPs.

Coalition tensions turned up a notch this week too, as New Zealand First’s Winston Peters criticised Luxon’s decision to call a confidence vote in himself without informing coalition partners, saying that was unwise and would lead to instability.

Luxon and his deputy Nicola Willis in turn criticised Peters in the media – the first time they have been willing to do so directly and publicly.

Despite all that, he joked about losing support in Auckland, where he holds the seat of Botany.

“I’ll be in my Crusaders kit, I’ll lose 5000 votes in Auckland – but that’s okay, because I’m a Crusaders guy through and through.

“If I’m honest with you, in terms of scale and size, Eden Park’s obviously large and can accommodate certain activity, but I can tell you, I’m going to be coming to Christchurch a lot to see a lot of things down here.”

He said it was important to draw international events like Robbie Williams to New Zealand, as every dollar spent on attracting them was “getting $3.20 back into the local economy here”.

“So it’s fantastic, so exciting and it’s honestly – I don’t know whether you guys have been inside it – but it’s amazing. It’s incredible. It’s covered. We’re so close to the action, you’ll be able to hear the lineout calls, it’s just going to be brilliant.”

Christchurch ‘a role model’

He said Christchurch was a “real role model for how we want New Zealand to ultimately look and feel like”.

“You’ve got incredibly modern, reliable infrastructure. You’ve got a fantastic airport, awesome university, great schools, fantastic infrastructure now with the stadium and the redevelopment that’s taking place, and it’s growing very quickly.

“It’s an affordable city, more affordable city than many other parts of New Zealand, and so things like our planning laws are changing in order to be able to increase the supply of housing across the rest of New Zealand.”

In the four years after the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes devastated the city centre, the John Key-led government provided an estimated $16.5 billion, with about half coming from insurance payouts from the then-Earthquake Commission.

Luxon said there was “plenty of cash around” from private capital, but “whether the government needs to be involved, government doesn’t need to be involved in everything. It’s quite good if we’re not in many cases”.

The ongoing fuel crisis that has resulted from the US and Israel conflict with Iran has been putting additional pressure on government finances after high spending under Labour that aimed to keep the economy growing during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Support for businesses and those struggling with high fuel prices has been limited to “targeted, timely and temporary” spending, with the main component being a $50-a-week increase for working families earning tax credits.

Luxon said New Zealand had managed to secure supplies and there was no disruption there, “but, you know, the world needs peace to be breaking out there”.

He said rhetoric like US President Donald Trump’s was not needed.

“We don’t need escalation.”

More weather concerns

Luxon’s comments were made shortly before news of more heavy rain lashing the country – causing landslips in Auckland and prompting people to evacuate their homes.

He was asked about a new report out from the Climate Change Commission pointing to a risk before 2030 of a shortfall of Emissions Trading Scheme units possibly resulting in volatile price spikes, but said his main concern was “growth over and above everything else”.

He said the country was “determined to deliver on our climate change commitments, net zero 2050 … and we’re on track to do exactly that”.

“Last quarter this country generated less emissions than we’ve ever had, ever since we started recording in 2010 – and that’s because we’ve got a government that doesn’t just do bumper stickers and slogans and words, we actually do action and investment, as illustrated by our big investments in the renewables energy boom that’s taking place.”

The government’s push towards renewable energy has largely been focused on planning changes.

Luxon was also questioned about a National Party fundraising dinner, where property developer Matthew Horncastle paid $10,000 for a ticket to sit next to the prime minister and his wife, Amanda.

When Luxon was asked about how things had gone at the dinner on Thursday, he initially said “with who?”

After the name was repeated, he said “oh, there was a National Party event I was at last night, yeah. But yesterday I was also at a company called Zethos, which was pretty exciting because that’s a startup that’s come out of the engineering school that’s recycling critical minerals here in Christchurch”.

Horncastle has previously said that if he entered politics he would aim to be a National Party prime minister by winning the Christchurch Central seat – which has been a Labour stronghold, with just one National MP holding it since 1946.

Asked if Horncastle was the kind of person he wanted in National, Luxon only said it was a “broad church, and if people want to support us from all sorts of work, as it does for every political party, uh, it was just a party event last night”.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

The government has revealed another three regional airlines set to receive Regional Investment Funding loans amid the fuel crisis.

Ministers have also signalled conditions for the loans may be softened.

Regional Development Minister Shane Jones and Associate Transport Minister James Meager announced a $17.2 million loan for Air Chathams, $4.5m for Sounds Air – which flies between Wellington, Kāpiti, Picton and Nelson – and $252,000 for Island Air operating Tauranga to Motiti Island.

They follow Golden Bay Air receiving $1.1 million in the first loan announced in February.

About $7 million remains in the ring-fenced funding set aside for supporting regional airlines.

Jones said the funding would help the airlines with managing debt, maintaining fleets and continuing to operate routes providing regional connectivity.

“The government acknowledges it is now an even more challenging commercial environment for regional airlines, and there is uncertainty about the future,” he said.

“We’ve listened to concerns from regional operators and have requested advice from officials regarding the potential for temporarily adjusting loan conditions to help regional airlines meet their obligations in adverse conditions.”

Meager said for places like the Chatham Islands, regional airlines were the “sole connector for residents to the mainland”.

“Losing those routes would risk people being cut off from the rest of the country and disruption to the delivery of essential services.”

The fund was set up in late 2025, before the United States and Israel conflict with Iran.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Building water infrastructure over the next decade will be a “mammoth challenge” according to Local Government Minister Simon Watts.

Speaking to Morning Report, Watts said one of the key points the government wanted to achieve with Local Water Done Well reform “is making sure that the entities that deliver these water services are in an essence match fit, are financially sustainable and they have the ability to deliver.”

Watts also said there are “significant challenges around infrastructure investment deficit.”

On Thursday, Independent Infrastructure Commission – Te Waihanga, chief executive Geoff Cooper told Morning Report there’s been huge under-investment in the water system, particularly in the 1980s and 1990s.

“The number that we have here from the water service delivery plans is about $49 billion over the next 10 years.

“To put that into perspective, that’s about on par with what New Zealand has spent on water services in the 125 years since 1885,” Cooper said.

Watts highlighted one challenge with estimating the costs for the infrastructure in some areas is due to the pipes being 50-to-80-years-old.

Watts also said there are issues with forecasting costs, but said it was likely to be “in the region of $4 billion per annum over the next 10 years.”

“WaterCare [currently] spends $4 million per day on infrastructure investment.”

When asked who will be paying for the infrastructure, Watts said it will come from ratepayers “first and foremost”.

Watts said the government is changing the way the new water entities are funded and financed.

“What I mean by that is, we’re making sure that these assets last for a long time, 50, 100 years in some cases. We want to make sure that the borrowings of these entities match the asset life, and that hasn’t been the case in the past.”

Watts said the government “has flesh in the game,” because it is “putting in place a structure that works for communities”, and more regions could see water charging.

“Some parts of the country do pay water charges, Auckland, for example, and the regulator is looking across the country and going, well, you know, at the end of the day, we do need to be considering water charges because, you know, it is a cost of infrastructure.”

Watts acknowledged some councils will be paying for the infrastructure using debt, but said this wasn’t always a bad thing.

“Having debt is not a bad thing in the context of how we build this infrastructure. The challenge is we have to fund and finance the massive deficit of infrastructure we have inherited.

“It’s not fair that only today’s population fund for something 100 years from today.”

Watts stressed the importance of the water entities throughout the country being “financially sustainable… that the revenue that these entities collect covers their costs, and they have enough income to be able to pay their debt.”

Watts said this wasn’t the case under the prior model, and the “independent Commerce Commission will make that assessment [on financial sustainability], not some politician.”

Watts acknowledged in some parts of New Zealand, the infrastructure deficit is bigger than other areas.

“But we’ve got a model that can deliver the reform required and the infrastructure investment. It’s going to be hard and challenging, but we’re already making some good steps.”

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

Auckland’s events boss says the government has missed an important opportunity by not putting in the money to keep SailGP in the city next year.

The government has decided the level of investment required in the high-speed international sailing event is not worth the return, Tourism Minister Louise Upston saying the increased cost to stage next year’s regatta does not meet the criteria for its Major Events Fund.

Tātaki Auckland Unlimited chief executive Nick Hill told Morning Report the event brought massive economic value for Auckland, and brought the Waitematā harbour to life.

He said the Auckland Council’s events arm had its funding locked in for the event, and blamed a breakdown between SailGP and the Government.

“Very disappointed. I do think we’ve missed a really important opportunity. And look, it’s an event that really belongs in Auckland. It’s a global event, very difficult to attract and retain these events. So yeah, we’re very disappointed.”

This year marked the end of New Zealand’s four-year hosting agreement with the global foiling series.

“It’s a partnership between the government, the council and SailGP and commercial partners… We’ve committed to doing it for three years, and the government hadn’t reached the point that they were convinced it stacked up for them.”

Hill said the economics of the event stacked up for Auckland, but perhaps not the government.

“The economics for Auckland and for the government are not necessarily the same. You know, if people in New Zealand travel to Auckland, we get a benefit, but the government doesn’t. So they do their own economic analysis and decide the value of it. We are happy that it’s an event that creates enormous value for Auckland.”

He called it a “significant loss” for the so-called City of Sails.

“It’s hard to attract these events. It’s an event that fits perfectly with who we are as a city. It is all about the Waitemata and sailing. It presents incredibly well on television. Economically, it generates $5 million [for] GDP.

“But it’s more than that. It actually brings our waterfront to life. And when that event’s on, you just have to be downtown in Auckland to realise what it does for Aucklanders and for the businesses. And one of the great things about it is, yes, there’s a whole commercial aspect and people can sit and stand and get all that hospitality, but anybody can sit around the harbour and watch it.

“So it’s an event that has a whole lot of public benefits, but also it works economically and it presents our city internationally as this incredibly vibrant and beautiful place.”

The council was notified of the decision by Upston via a letter to Mayor Wayne Brown.

“SailGP’s application was assessed under the MEF’s (Major Events Fund) Focus Area One, which requires events to deliver net national economic benefits to New Zealand, primarily through the attraction of international visitors and/or direct event delivery expenditure.

“Given the timeframes involved and the information available, investment in the 2027 event was declined as it did not meet MEF criteria.”

A previous offer of $5 million was accepted in principle last year, provided an agreement could be reached on dates with SailGP. But it failed to do so, and a higher amount was requested in February.

The government said it remained open to approving funding for events in 2028 and 2029.

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