These last few days we’ve been having a debate around youth employment. I’m really proud of the work we’ve done to support young people into work – and the numbers speak for themselves. There’s no question that these past few years have been hard on certain industries, and they’ve often been the same sectors that our young people are employed in. But programmes like Mana in Mahi which support employers to take young people on, or He Poutama Rangatahi, or our driver licence programme that helps make sure young people are job ready – it’s all making a difference.
A beautiful day to welcome back the first cruise ship since the pandemic. It had sailed from Sydney and docked in Auckland for the day. I spoke to a few people who were visiting New Zealand for the first time….I told them the sun shines like this everyday here 😉 I have no doubt they enjoyed the sun, the welcome and the day in Tāmaki Makaurau!
A beautiful day to welcome back the first cruise ship since the pandemic. It had sailed from Sydney and docked in Auckland for the day. I spoke to a few people who were visiting New Zealand for the first time….I told them the sun shines like this everyday here 😉 I have no doubt they enjoyed the sun, the welcome and the day in Tāmaki Makaurau!
A beautiful day to welcome back the first cruise ship since the pandemic. It had sailed from Sydney and docked in Auckland for the day. I spoke to a few people who were visiting New Zealand for the first time….I told them the sun shines like this everyday here 😉 I have no doubt they enjoyed the sun, the welcome and the day in Tāmaki Makaurau!
A quick reminder of the cost of living payment, which kicks in today. It’s three payments paid across three months and is the equivalent of $350 for those eligible. Alongside the 25 cents off per litre of fuel at the pump, it’s another thing we can do to ease the pressure on people right now. Look after yourselves everyone.
Last night I joined the team in Auckland as we launched our plan to eliminate HIV transmission in New Zealand. We heard from those who have worked so hard for so long to get us to this place, who have supported those communities impacted by HIV, who in years gone by have faced loss of friends, discrimination and stigma. We now have all the tools we need to eliminate transmission, and be the first in the world to do it – and that means we should. We have a lot of work to do and we need most of all to listen to those with experience as we go – but I’m proud we’ve made this commitment, that we’re funding the work, and that we’ll do it together.
Last night I joined the team in Auckland as we launched our plan to eliminate HIV transmission in New Zealand. We heard from those who have worked so hard for so long to get us to this place, who have supported those communities impacted by HIV, who in years gone by have faced loss of friends, discrimination and stigma. We now have all the tools we need to eliminate transmission, and be the first in the world to do it – and that means we should. We have a lot of work to do and we need most of all to listen to those with experience as we go – but I’m proud we’ve made this commitment, that we’re funding the work, and that we’ll do it together.
A really lovely day in Auckland today! The first pic is from the opening of Scott Point School, a beautiful new school which has also teaching spaces for blind and low vision students on site. They made my name in brail for me when I came through (which I’m holding in the first image!) Next stop was a media interview before heading to Middlemore Hospital to see some of the amazing team who have been working so hard to get us through a really rough winter, and to talk about what more we can do to support our health workers and find the extra staff we need. Also spent the beginning of the day in a climate change meeting with Ministers and had a quick meeting with the President of COP. A busy but great day. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!
A really lovely day in Auckland today! The first pic is from the opening of Scott Point School, a beautiful new school which has also teaching spaces for blind and low vision students on site. They made my name in brail for me when I came through (which I’m holding in the first image!) Next stop was a media interview before heading to Middlemore Hospital to see some of the amazing team who have been working so hard to get us through a really rough winter, and to talk about what more we can do to support our health workers and find the extra staff we need. Also spent the beginning of the day in a climate change meeting with Ministers and had a quick meeting with the President of COP. A busy but great day. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!
A really lovely day in Auckland today! The first pic is from the opening of Scott Point School, a beautiful new school which has also teaching spaces for blind and low vision students on site. They made my name in brail for me when I came through (which I’m holding in the first image!) Next stop was a media interview before heading to Middlemore Hospital to see some of the amazing team who have been working so hard to get us through a really rough winter, and to talk about what more we can do to support our health workers and find the extra staff we need. Also spent the beginning of the day in a climate change meeting with Ministers and had a quick meeting with the President of COP. A busy but great day. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!
Just landed back in Wellington (we were welcomed back with a traditional landing too 😂) after a quick but really important visit to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Friendship between Aotearoa New Zealand and Samoa.
As part of the visit I met with Samoa’s Head of State, Afioga Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II, and Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa where we discussed things like our new climate partnership. But the treaty of friendship isn’t just about the Government of the day, it’s about all our people – so it was fantastic to be joined by party leaders from almost every party in the New Zealand Parliament as we met with the Samoan Cabinet today. We also had the privilege of having iwi leaders, church, business and community representatives with us too. I was asked to describe the visit in one word – I chose “warm and productive” because one word wasn’t enough! Thanks to everyone who made the visit such a success. Back into the debating chamber tomorrow!
Just landed back in Wellington (we were welcomed back with a traditional landing too 😂) after a quick but really important visit to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Friendship between Aotearoa New Zealand and Samoa.
As part of the visit I met with Samoa’s Head of State, Afioga Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II, and Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa where we discussed things like our new climate partnership. But the treaty of friendship isn’t just about the Government of the day, it’s about all our people – so it was fantastic to be joined by party leaders from almost every party in the New Zealand Parliament as we met with the Samoan Cabinet today. We also had the privilege of having iwi leaders, church, business and community representatives with us too. I was asked to describe the visit in one word – I chose “warm and productive” because one word wasn’t enough! Thanks to everyone who made the visit such a success. Back into the debating chamber tomorrow!
One of those mornings – managed to somehow slice my hand while unveiling a school plaque, then mid cutting a cake somehow spread icing liberally on my arm, pants and mask. But none of that mattered – this was the most beautiful school opening. Thank you Te Rōhutu Whio School for being so welcoming, and so fun! Hoping this accident prone morning doesn’t continue…I’m off to a meat works 😳
One of those mornings – managed to somehow slice my hand while unveiling a school plaque, then mid cutting a cake somehow spread icing liberally on my arm, pants and mask. But none of that mattered – this was the most beautiful school opening. Thank you Te Rōhutu Whio School for being so welcoming, and so fun! Hoping this accident prone morning doesn’t continue…I’m off to a meat works 😳
One of those mornings – managed to somehow slice my hand while unveiling a school plaque, then mid cutting a cake somehow spread icing liberally on my arm, pants and mask. But none of that mattered – this was the most beautiful school opening. Thank you Te Rōhutu Whio School for being so welcoming, and so fun! Hoping this accident prone morning doesn’t continue…I’m off to a meat works 😳
One of those mornings – managed to somehow slice my hand while unveiling a school plaque, then mid cutting a cake somehow spread icing liberally on my arm, pants and mask. But none of that mattered – this was the most beautiful school opening. Thank you Te Rōhutu Whio School for being so welcoming, and so fun! Hoping this accident prone morning doesn’t continue…I’m off to a meat works 😳
A pleasure to host the United States Deputy Secretary of State, Wendy Sherman, for a brief catch up today to discuss the important relationship between the United States and New Zealand, and to talk about our ongoing cooperation on a range of regional and global issues at this crucial time. I hope you enjoy the rest of your very brief trip (and please don’t judge us on Wellington’s weather today!)
Yesterday our newest Labour MP, Dan Rosewarne, joined us in Parliament, and today Dan delivered his maiden speech (the technical term for someone’s first speech in the debating chamber.) Dan is a mechanic by training, was a member of the NZ Defence force, served overseas, is a husband, father and cancer survivor. Today he shared his story- his passion for vocational training, his appreciation for the army and what it provided him, his experience with Leukaemia and his journey into politics. I love maiden speeches. They show how human our MPs are, and that no matter what side of the house you’re on, that most come to parliament because they genuinely want to make the world and New Zealand better. Listening to Dan today and the values he has made me feel especially proud. Welcome Dan, we’re so happy to have you!
Finished a big day in Wellington at a Business NZ event this evening – a chance to talk about the recent trade delegations we’ve taken into really important markets, but also what they’ve taught me – that there is enormous ambition amongst New Zealand businesses to not just be the best in the world, but the best FOR the world. I can’t imagine a better message to be sending as we all work hard to recover from the impacts of COVID, but in a way that makes sure we’re building back better – with a focus on our people, and our planet.
Back in the day (when we were in opposition) I remember visiting an employer and talking to them about why New Zealand’s apprentice numbers had been in steady decline. His answer was simple – we weren’t doing enough to support employers to take apprentices on, and to help them train more young people on the job. From that, came the policy that eventually led to mana in mahi delivered by MSD. Today @csepuloni and I visited a workplace that has been part of this programme, to mark the fact that we’ve now had 5000 people move into employment through mana in mahi. A milestone worth marking! A huge huge thank you to the employers, MSD frontline workers, Minister Sepuloni and the thousands of trainees who have made this programme such a success.
Back in the day (when we were in opposition) I remember visiting an employer and talking to them about why New Zealand’s apprentice numbers had been in steady decline. His answer was simple – we weren’t doing enough to support employers to take apprentices on, and to help them train more young people on the job. From that, came the policy that eventually led to mana in mahi delivered by MSD. Today @csepuloni and I visited a workplace that has been part of this programme, to mark the fact that we’ve now had 5000 people move into employment through mana in mahi. A milestone worth marking! A huge huge thank you to the employers, MSD frontline workers, Minister Sepuloni and the thousands of trainees who have made this programme such a success.
Back in the day (when we were in opposition) I remember visiting an employer and talking to them about why New Zealand’s apprentice numbers had been in steady decline. His answer was simple – we weren’t doing enough to support employers to take apprentices on, and to help them train more young people on the job. From that, came the policy that eventually led to mana in mahi delivered by MSD. Today @csepuloni and I visited a workplace that has been part of this programme, to mark the fact that we’ve now had 5000 people move into employment through mana in mahi. A milestone worth marking! A huge huge thank you to the employers, MSD frontline workers, Minister Sepuloni and the thousands of trainees who have made this programme such a success.
Back in the day (when we were in opposition) I remember visiting an employer and talking to them about why New Zealand’s apprentice numbers had been in steady decline. His answer was simple – we weren’t doing enough to support employers to take apprentices on, and to help them train more young people on the job. From that, came the policy that eventually led to mana in mahi delivered by MSD. Today @csepuloni and I visited a workplace that has been part of this programme, to mark the fact that we’ve now had 5000 people move into employment through mana in mahi. A milestone worth marking! A huge huge thank you to the employers, MSD frontline workers, Minister Sepuloni and the thousands of trainees who have made this programme such a success.
Quick morning media round to talk about the cost of living payment (which starts today) then straight into the China Business Summit to talk about our trading and political relationship with China. Now off to the aiport. Have a great day everyone!
