Despite best efforts, unfortunately I’ve joined the rest of my family and have tested positive for COVID 19. We’ve been isolating since Sunday when Clarke first tested positive. Neve tested positive on Wednesday and I returned a weak positive last night and a strong one this morning. There are so many important things happening for the Government this week – the release of our Emissions Reduction Plan on Monday and the Budget on Thursday. I’m gutted to miss being there in person, but will be staying in close touch with the team and sharing some reckons from here.
To anyone else out there, isolating or dealing with COVID, I hope you take good care of yourselves!
There’s not many public servants I have got to know as well as Dr Ashley Bloomfield. In every sense of the word – through his tireless dedication, his focus on people, his calm and considered approach – he has been a true public servant. He has been central to our COVID success as a nation, and he’s done it with humour and grace (I’ll keep the details of his sporadic mockery of me to myself!) When we spoke about his decision to move on, he mentioned that he wanted to spend time with his family, and that’s the least we owe him. So kia ora from across the Motu, Dr Bloomfield. We thank you. 📸 NZ Herald (from a long time ago!)
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
Ahhh daylight savings. Poor Clarke was up multiple times with our small person, so when they both were finally getting some sleep at 6am and I realised retrieving my shoes would wake them, there was only one option. Gumboots to work. 😂
Yesterday I got messages from our Minister for Transport @michaelwoodnz and our Minister for Emergency Management @kiri_allan_mp to say that the bridge at Tokomaru Bay had been repaired following the severe weather just over a week ago. You can see the before and after images. I asked Michael how they managed to make such a significant repair and so far ahead of schedule. He said a lot was down to the local team. When I met them last week they’d already been working through the night. To everyone who worked so hard to reconnect your community – thank you. What an incredible effort!
Yesterday I got messages from our Minister for Transport @michaelwoodnz and our Minister for Emergency Management @kiri_allan_mp to say that the bridge at Tokomaru Bay had been repaired following the severe weather just over a week ago. You can see the before and after images. I asked Michael how they managed to make such a significant repair and so far ahead of schedule. He said a lot was down to the local team. When I met them last week they’d already been working through the night. To everyone who worked so hard to reconnect your community – thank you. What an incredible effort!
Yesterday I got messages from our Minister for Transport @michaelwoodnz and our Minister for Emergency Management @kiri_allan_mp to say that the bridge at Tokomaru Bay had been repaired following the severe weather just over a week ago. You can see the before and after images. I asked Michael how they managed to make such a significant repair and so far ahead of schedule. He said a lot was down to the local team. When I met them last week they’d already been working through the night. To everyone who worked so hard to reconnect your community – thank you. What an incredible effort!
This evening I had the chance to speak with the Chancellor of Germany, Olaf Scholz. The situation in Ukraine dominated our conversation. We talked about the need for an ongoing and coordinated effort internationally on sanctions, humanitarian aid and support for refugees. We also talked about the need for greater energy security in the region, and the focus required on climate change. There is much to do, but we remain committed and connected to what is truly a global effort.
Tomorrow marks the beginning of a long list of cost of living changes – and right now that’s exactly what we need. The combination of covid and it’s impact on supply chains, and the war hitting fuel prices means many families are doing it really tough. There’s no quick fix, but there are definitely things we can do to help. And so, from tomorrow, on top of things like the 25cents per litre we’ve taken off fuel (and half price public transport) the following changes kick in: *Main benefit rates increase by between $20 and $42 per adult, per week compared to 1 July 2021
*The Minimum Wage increases to $21.20 per hour
*New Zealand Superannuation rates increase by $52 per fortnight for single superannuitants living alone, and by $80 per fortnight for a couple.
*Student Allowance and Living Costs increase by $25 per adult, per week
*Childcare Assistance income thresholds indexed to average wage growth
*Working for Families tax credit increases
*Orphans Benefit and Unsupported Childs Benefit increases by between 12 and 26 percent per week. There’s always more to do, but we hope these changes will ease some of the pressure.
Just finished up meetings with Twitter, Amazon and Microsoft where we discussed progress on the Christchurch Call to Action, and the work we have left to do. Also a really good chance to talk about the significant investment being made in NZ by the likes of Microsoft and Amazon, and the skills we need to meet new demand (Amazon alone have a goal of 100,000 kiwis having access to skills training for the jobs of the future.) Also had an excellent event in Seattle with folks across the tourism, trade and business sectors. Now off to Washington to meet with the President and then head home!
Just finished up meetings with Twitter, Amazon and Microsoft where we discussed progress on the Christchurch Call to Action, and the work we have left to do. Also a really good chance to talk about the significant investment being made in NZ by the likes of Microsoft and Amazon, and the skills we need to meet new demand (Amazon alone have a goal of 100,000 kiwis having access to skills training for the jobs of the future.) Also had an excellent event in Seattle with folks across the tourism, trade and business sectors. Now off to Washington to meet with the President and then head home!
Every morning one of the first things I do is read the latest reporting on Ukraine. The reports over the weekend documenting the killing of civilians and other atrocities committed by Russian troops in Ukraine is devastating and appalling. New Zealand and other Rome Statute States Parties have already referred atrocities in Ukraine to the International Criminal Court, and we we continue to support Prosecutors in their investigations into all international crimes committed in Ukraine. We have and must condemn any violations of international humanitarian law and strongly support investigation of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Russia must be held to account. 📸 Jeremy Bowen
Such a pleasure to meet in person this morning Hon Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni, Prime Minister of Tonga. The last time we caught up the PM was dealing with the aftermath of the volcanic eruption and then a COVID outbreak. To meet in person and talk about how we can keep working together was fantastic. Safe travels PM!
A quick update on our support for Ukraine. Yesterday we announced further support as Russia continues its unprovoked and illegal invasion.
The global response has seen an unprecedented amount of support pledged for Ukraine. This comes with its own challenges, but is something we can help with.
This week, we’ve announced that we will deploy a C-130H Hercules and 50 personnel to Europe for two months, along with a logistics specialist team to support the flow of aid to Ukraine. They will work across Europe, but will at no point enter Ukraine itself.
We’ve also committed an extra $13 million in support towards military, legal and human rights support.
This latest support builds on the actions we’ve already taken since the beginning of the invasion, including introducing significant sanctions against Russia, launching a new special visa category for the family members of Ukrainian Kiwis, providing tactical defence equipment like body armour and helmets to Ukrainian forces, and committing millions in humanitarian and other support.
New Zealand stands with the international community in condemning Putin’s unjustified and illegal attack on Ukraine.
On Monday morning I’m leading a trade delegation into Singapore and Japan. Over the last few weeks I’ve been visiting some of the kiwi organisations that will join me – everything from fintech companies to food innovators. Singapore and Japan represent our 4th and 5th biggest trading partners, and they’re also really important relationships for us in the region. There’s a lot of preparation needed for this trip (offshore COVID requirements make everything a bit more complicated these days) but beginning a busy year of reconnection alongside our exporters is pretty exciting. I’ll make sure I keep you up to date while I’m on the road, but till then, wishing everyone a Happy Easter!
On Monday morning I’m leading a trade delegation into Singapore and Japan. Over the last few weeks I’ve been visiting some of the kiwi organisations that will join me – everything from fintech companies to food innovators. Singapore and Japan represent our 4th and 5th biggest trading partners, and they’re also really important relationships for us in the region. There’s a lot of preparation needed for this trip (offshore COVID requirements make everything a bit more complicated these days) but beginning a busy year of reconnection alongside our exporters is pretty exciting. I’ll make sure I keep you up to date while I’m on the road, but till then, wishing everyone a Happy Easter!
On Monday morning I’m leading a trade delegation into Singapore and Japan. Over the last few weeks I’ve been visiting some of the kiwi organisations that will join me – everything from fintech companies to food innovators. Singapore and Japan represent our 4th and 5th biggest trading partners, and they’re also really important relationships for us in the region. There’s a lot of preparation needed for this trip (offshore COVID requirements make everything a bit more complicated these days) but beginning a busy year of reconnection alongside our exporters is pretty exciting. I’ll make sure I keep you up to date while I’m on the road, but till then, wishing everyone a Happy Easter!
This morning our C130 Hercules departed for Europe. Over the next few months it will help move humanitarian and military supplies around the region to support Ukraine as it battles for peace and security. Their war has an impact on all of us, and that’s why we’re doing what we can to help.
This morning our C130 Hercules departed for Europe. Over the next few months it will help move humanitarian and military supplies around the region to support Ukraine as it battles for peace and security. Their war has an impact on all of us, and that’s why we’re doing what we can to help.
This morning our C130 Hercules departed for Europe. Over the next few months it will help move humanitarian and military supplies around the region to support Ukraine as it battles for peace and security. Their war has an impact on all of us, and that’s why we’re doing what we can to help.
A quick reminder of what comes in from today. We know it’s really tough for a lot of people right now, so on top of the 25cents per litre we’ve taken off fuel for everyone, these income increases are all about trying to ease the pressure for those who need it most.
A virtual appearance at a Business New Zealand event to announce our ongoing reopening plans, as well as new immigration settings designed to attract and retain the skills we need into New Zealand, while also ensuring we are supporting decent wages and training people here for roles too. If you’re interested in seeing more details, visit https://www.beehive.govt.nz/speech/pm-pre-budget-speech-business-new-zealand
Starting from this weekend we have a whole bunch of changes kicking in for families, older New Zealanders and students. They’re all designed to help with the cost of living, just like the reduction we made to fuel prices a few weeks ago. If you’re interested in more details, visit labour.org.nz/1April (or jump on my story!)
