This morning I spoke with Denys Shmyhal, the Prime Minister of Ukraine. He thanked New Zealand for moving quickly to condemn the invasion of his country, and put in place sanctions against Russia. As he noted, there are no bigger or smaller countries, only those who react. We discussed what ongoing support is needed, including humanitarian assistance, which New Zealand has contributed to. We will continue to do what we can to show our support for Ukraine and it’s people – as the whole world must.
Look at these two! Happy 45th Wedding Anniversary Mum and Dad. As Neve said “they only look a little bit different now.”
There’s a few things about our parliament that I think are pretty special, including that every few years young people from around the country come to parliament as youth MPs and as members of the gallery, and take part in full mock sessions of the house. Meet William who grew up in Mt Albert, and who will take on the role of youth MP for the electorate in July. William sent me a video full of the issues he was passionate about, and a plan of how he wanted to make sure more young people have a chance to engage in their democracy. Thanks so much for bringing such passion to the role @williambellpurchas !
Writing this post in between flights home, and at the end of a really big day. Today I had the opportunity to meet with the President and Vice President of the United States of America. We were scheduled to meet with the President for roughly an hour, but we stayed for 90 minutes discussing everything from the war in Ukraine, the recent gun violence in the United States, the Indo Pacific Economic Framework and trade issues right through to our shared Irish heritage and family members who served in the Pacific during the war. It was also such a pleasure to meet the Vice President, who has specific responsibility for United States work in space and cyber related issues so we discussed both – with a particular focus on the work New Zealand has been doing in the aftermath of March 15 on terrorism and violent extremism online. These are tough times globally, so the chance to speak so openly and frankly with other leaders on behalf of New Zealand was a welcome opportunity. And now, it’s time to come home! See you soon! 📸Joy Asico
Writing this post in between flights home, and at the end of a really big day. Today I had the opportunity to meet with the President and Vice President of the United States of America. We were scheduled to meet with the President for roughly an hour, but we stayed for 90 minutes discussing everything from the war in Ukraine, the recent gun violence in the United States, the Indo Pacific Economic Framework and trade issues right through to our shared Irish heritage and family members who served in the Pacific during the war. It was also such a pleasure to meet the Vice President, who has specific responsibility for United States work in space and cyber related issues so we discussed both – with a particular focus on the work New Zealand has been doing in the aftermath of March 15 on terrorism and violent extremism online. These are tough times globally, so the chance to speak so openly and frankly with other leaders on behalf of New Zealand was a welcome opportunity. And now, it’s time to come home! See you soon! 📸Joy Asico
Few cheeky interviews this morning with Australian media to promote the fact that from 12 April Aussie tourists can visit us again. Just happened to have this amazing backdrop on hand…it wasn’t a hard sell 😊
Some devastating scenes here on the East Coast today. In Tokomaru Bay this is the second time in less than a year that they’ve been hit by a severe weather event – everyone agrees this time it was worse. Massive effort is going into getting SH35 reinstated as quickly as possible. Mayoral relief funding has also been made available to support the clean up. But this on top of the pandemic really hitting Tairawhiti right now – it’s extremely tough. Another reason to keep working together as much as we can.
Some devastating scenes here on the East Coast today. In Tokomaru Bay this is the second time in less than a year that they’ve been hit by a severe weather event – everyone agrees this time it was worse. Massive effort is going into getting SH35 reinstated as quickly as possible. Mayoral relief funding has also been made available to support the clean up. But this on top of the pandemic really hitting Tairawhiti right now – it’s extremely tough. Another reason to keep working together as much as we can.
Some devastating scenes here on the East Coast today. In Tokomaru Bay this is the second time in less than a year that they’ve been hit by a severe weather event – everyone agrees this time it was worse. Massive effort is going into getting SH35 reinstated as quickly as possible. Mayoral relief funding has also been made available to support the clean up. But this on top of the pandemic really hitting Tairawhiti right now – it’s extremely tough. Another reason to keep working together as much as we can.
Some devastating scenes here on the East Coast today. In Tokomaru Bay this is the second time in less than a year that they’ve been hit by a severe weather event – everyone agrees this time it was worse. Massive effort is going into getting SH35 reinstated as quickly as possible. Mayoral relief funding has also been made available to support the clean up. But this on top of the pandemic really hitting Tairawhiti right now – it’s extremely tough. Another reason to keep working together as much as we can.
Some devastating scenes here on the East Coast today. In Tokomaru Bay this is the second time in less than a year that they’ve been hit by a severe weather event – everyone agrees this time it was worse. Massive effort is going into getting SH35 reinstated as quickly as possible. Mayoral relief funding has also been made available to support the clean up. But this on top of the pandemic really hitting Tairawhiti right now – it’s extremely tough. Another reason to keep working together as much as we can.
Some devastating scenes here on the East Coast today. In Tokomaru Bay this is the second time in less than a year that they’ve been hit by a severe weather event – everyone agrees this time it was worse. Massive effort is going into getting SH35 reinstated as quickly as possible. Mayoral relief funding has also been made available to support the clean up. But this on top of the pandemic really hitting Tairawhiti right now – it’s extremely tough. Another reason to keep working together as much as we can.
Today is the third anniversary of the terrorist attack against our Muslim community in Christchurch. I was looking back at some of the photos and news from that day and the anniversaries that have followed, and it struck me that the same messages ought to be repeated time and time again. On the first anniversary of March 15, the two Imams of the mosques that were attacked issued a simple request called the Christchurch Invitation.
They said:
“Within the Muslim community we have spent much time discussing our shared world. Our deep wish is that the March 15 flood of support builds into something lasting; something that benefits everyone.
It doesn’t have to be with big gestures. It can be small – maybe one small, clear change …
• What help could I give to someone?
• Who needs me?
• Who can I stand up for?
Last year we witnessed beautiful intentions and actions when people saw past labels and differences, saw other people as human beings, and came together after that dreadful shooting. This is an invitation to remember what we saw, to recognise that this was us, and to keep those intentions alive.”
As was the case in 2020, there is no memorial today, but we can each honour those lost on March 15 in our daily actions. It remains the least we owe them.
I remember the day we closed the border. We were heading into such unknown territory. I think that’s one of the reasons it was such a happy moment yesterday when we announced that our borders are reopening for tourists again (12 April for Australia, and 1 May for visa waiver countries and for those who already have temporary visas for NZ.) We’re now working through reopening dates for the rest of the world. To our tourism operators who have done it so tough – thank you for what you managed on behalf of all of us. And go well as we all prepare to welcome everyone back!!!
Straight back into it! Kicked off the day with a phone call with the President of France, Emmanuel Macron. It was a great chance to catch up on the work around the Christchurch Call to Action. This morning there was also a beautiful service at the Wellington Cathedral of St Paul to mark the Queens Jubilee and her 70 years of service. This afternoon we also launched The Centre of Research Excellence for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism, He Whenua Taurikura – which will play a key role in bringing together research organisations, civil society, and government to research how to prevent and counter terrorism and violent extremism. I have no idea what time zone I’m in, but today was such a full and great day that it didn’t really matter!
Straight back into it! Kicked off the day with a phone call with the President of France, Emmanuel Macron. It was a great chance to catch up on the work around the Christchurch Call to Action. This morning there was also a beautiful service at the Wellington Cathedral of St Paul to mark the Queens Jubilee and her 70 years of service. This afternoon we also launched The Centre of Research Excellence for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism, He Whenua Taurikura – which will play a key role in bringing together research organisations, civil society, and government to research how to prevent and counter terrorism and violent extremism. I have no idea what time zone I’m in, but today was such a full and great day that it didn’t really matter!
Straight back into it! Kicked off the day with a phone call with the President of France, Emmanuel Macron. It was a great chance to catch up on the work around the Christchurch Call to Action. This morning there was also a beautiful service at the Wellington Cathedral of St Paul to mark the Queens Jubilee and her 70 years of service. This afternoon we also launched The Centre of Research Excellence for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism, He Whenua Taurikura – which will play a key role in bringing together research organisations, civil society, and government to research how to prevent and counter terrorism and violent extremism. I have no idea what time zone I’m in, but today was such a full and great day that it didn’t really matter!
It’s been a long time coming, but Transmission Gully officially opens to the public tomorrow. I had a chance to visit this morning alongside Ministers, Mayors and with Ngāti Toa, and it’s easy to see why this project is so significant for the region. If you use it over the next few weeks, let me know what you think!
It’s been a long time coming, but Transmission Gully officially opens to the public tomorrow. I had a chance to visit this morning alongside Ministers, Mayors and with Ngāti Toa, and it’s easy to see why this project is so significant for the region. If you use it over the next few weeks, let me know what you think!
It’s been a long time coming, but Transmission Gully officially opens to the public tomorrow. I had a chance to visit this morning alongside Ministers, Mayors and with Ngāti Toa, and it’s easy to see why this project is so significant for the region. If you use it over the next few weeks, let me know what you think!
The wonderful Dame Jane Campion in her acceptance speech for Best Director tonight concluded with this “It would be impossible without the man I never met, Thomas Savage [author of ‘Power of the Dog’] He wrote about cruelty, wanting the opposite, kindness. Thank you, Academy. It’s a lifetime honor.” Congratulations Dame Jane, it was an honour to hear your words today, and to witness the stories you bring to life.
Parliament has passed a new Russia Sanctions law. It’s true, it is a big step change in the way our foreign policy operates, but it’s a necessary one.
A quick check in to share details of changes to our traffic light system, most of which kick in as we come off our current peak of cases. Meanwhile, I’ll keep working on my Instagram live game (it is not strong!)
At Cabinet on Monday we discussed the extra support we could provide Ukraine as they continue to defend their homeland against the Russian invasion. This time, we’ve included funding that will go directly to things like medical supplies and fuel for their defence force. We’re also sending over body armour, helmets and vests that our defence force no longer need. For more info, here’s a quick clip from my press conference after Cabinet.
![Jacinda Ardern Instagram - The wonderful Dame Jane Campion in her acceptance speech for Best Director tonight concluded with this “It would be impossible without the man I never met, Thomas Savage [author of ‘Power of the Dog’] He wrote about cruelty, wanting the opposite, kindness. Thank you, Academy. It’s a lifetime honor.” Congratulations Dame Jane, it was an honour to hear your words today, and to witness the stories you bring to life.](https://www.gethucinema.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/JacindaArdern3-ZZzhJH3293-150x150.jpg)
