Absolutely devastated to see the news that the former Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, has passed away after being shot at a rally. Shinzo Abe was one of the first world leaders I met when I became Prime Minister. He was always focused and thoughtful, but also generous. I remember after our first bilateral meeting as we were waiting for an official photo he leaned over to tell me he was sorry that my cat had passed away. In the meetings we had over the years, I saw a statesman, someone who helped usher through complex negotiations like the CPTPP, but also someone who was thoughtful and kind. The longest serving Prime Minister of Japan, whose loss will be deeply felt by so many- our thoughts and aroha are with you all.
Absolutely devastated to see the news that the former Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, has passed away after being shot at a rally. Shinzo Abe was one of the first world leaders I met when I became Prime Minister. He was always focused and thoughtful, but also generous. I remember after our first bilateral meeting as we were waiting for an official photo he leaned over to tell me he was sorry that my cat had passed away. In the meetings we had over the years, I saw a statesman, someone who helped usher through complex negotiations like the CPTPP, but also someone who was thoughtful and kind. The longest serving Prime Minister of Japan, whose loss will be deeply felt by so many- our thoughts and aroha are with you all.
Absolutely devastated to see the news that the former Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, has passed away after being shot at a rally. Shinzo Abe was one of the first world leaders I met when I became Prime Minister. He was always focused and thoughtful, but also generous. I remember after our first bilateral meeting as we were waiting for an official photo he leaned over to tell me he was sorry that my cat had passed away. In the meetings we had over the years, I saw a statesman, someone who helped usher through complex negotiations like the CPTPP, but also someone who was thoughtful and kind. The longest serving Prime Minister of Japan, whose loss will be deeply felt by so many- our thoughts and aroha are with you all.
Yesterday I was meant to make housing announcements with Minister Megan Woods – but the weather got in the way! Instead I thought I’d share some details here about how we’re supporting another 11,500 houses to be built across the country, and how initiatives like this are already making a difference in places like Hastings. We have more work to do, but we are starting to see the impact of those more than 10,000 public housing places we’ve created, and the extra transitional housing!
Discovered this on my return. A full investigation will follow….
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!
This week we announced a big milestone for New Zealand as we continue our action on climate change. Just under half of our greenhouse gas emissions come from agriculture. Till now, we haven’t tackled these emissions in the same way we have for other sectors. When we came into Government, we sat down with the primary sector and committed to working together to come up with a plan to change that. What has been produced as a result of working together is a world first – a plan to price agricultural emissions but to have a system that works farm by farm so that our farmers and producers have the power and incentives to reduce emissions. Because no one else in the world has done this, there are details that still need to be worked through (and we’ve taken the main proposals of the sector and put them out for consultation) but this is also a huge opportunity for us. We know that consumers care deeply about where their food comes from and how it is produced. I genuinely believe our food producers are the best in the world – but we can also be the best for the world too. This is how we continue to carve out a high value space for our exporters, but also, do our part on climate change.
This week we announced a big milestone for New Zealand as we continue our action on climate change. Just under half of our greenhouse gas emissions come from agriculture. Till now, we haven’t tackled these emissions in the same way we have for other sectors. When we came into Government, we sat down with the primary sector and committed to working together to come up with a plan to change that. What has been produced as a result of working together is a world first – a plan to price agricultural emissions but to have a system that works farm by farm so that our farmers and producers have the power and incentives to reduce emissions. Because no one else in the world has done this, there are details that still need to be worked through (and we’ve taken the main proposals of the sector and put them out for consultation) but this is also a huge opportunity for us. We know that consumers care deeply about where their food comes from and how it is produced. I genuinely believe our food producers are the best in the world – but we can also be the best for the world too. This is how we continue to carve out a high value space for our exporters, but also, do our part on climate change.
Every few years, politicians in New Zealand are replaced by young people. It’s called Youth Parliament, and involves everything that parliament usually entails – select committees, question time, press conferences and a general debate – except with young people taking over our roles. It’s such a fantastic programme, and always leaves me with great hope. Not because these are our “leaders of tomorrow”, but because these young people are already out there being leaders in their own right now. So thanks Youth Parliament 2022, for letting me be a part of your day today.
Every few years, politicians in New Zealand are replaced by young people. It’s called Youth Parliament, and involves everything that parliament usually entails – select committees, question time, press conferences and a general debate – except with young people taking over our roles. It’s such a fantastic programme, and always leaves me with great hope. Not because these are our “leaders of tomorrow”, but because these young people are already out there being leaders in their own right now. So thanks Youth Parliament 2022, for letting me be a part of your day today.
Every few years, politicians in New Zealand are replaced by young people. It’s called Youth Parliament, and involves everything that parliament usually entails – select committees, question time, press conferences and a general debate – except with young people taking over our roles. It’s such a fantastic programme, and always leaves me with great hope. Not because these are our “leaders of tomorrow”, but because these young people are already out there being leaders in their own right now. So thanks Youth Parliament 2022, for letting me be a part of your day today.
My dad was a police officer – in fact he spent 40 years with the New Zealand Police, with a good part of that time as a detective and later working in the pacific. Whenever I attend police events, I remember what it was like to have a family member in the job. Today I felt incredibly privileged to be part of the Police Bravery Awards. This year, they acknowledged Constable Sophie Allison and Detective Constable Jeremy Toschi who were off duty and in plain clothes when an offender attacked shoppers and staff at Countdown in Dunedin. Their efforts to stop the attack alongside others was incredible, and meeting their family and friends today was especially humbling. Thanks for what you do, and thanks for letting me be a part of it.
My dad was a police officer – in fact he spent 40 years with the New Zealand Police, with a good part of that time as a detective and later working in the pacific. Whenever I attend police events, I remember what it was like to have a family member in the job. Today I felt incredibly privileged to be part of the Police Bravery Awards. This year, they acknowledged Constable Sophie Allison and Detective Constable Jeremy Toschi who were off duty and in plain clothes when an offender attacked shoppers and staff at Countdown in Dunedin. Their efforts to stop the attack alongside others was incredible, and meeting their family and friends today was especially humbling. Thanks for what you do, and thanks for letting me be a part of it.
A game so good that I neglected to take any decent photos of it. Huge congratulations to the Black Ferns…a record breaking crowd and an incredible game! If you missed it, there’s so many more opportunities in this Rugby World Cup. Don’t miss the next one!
On local government elections…
On my way to the airport for the last leg of the Australia trade mission. But first a recap on yesterday! We had a great business breakfast first thing where sustainability was the theme. Then it was off to meet the Premier of Victoria, Dan Andrews. Then a visit to Monash University to see the team who will be working with some of our kiwi businesses on product development for the Aussie market. And finally, a dinner last night to promote New Zealand food and beverage. Onto the next stop!
On my way to the airport for the last leg of the Australia trade mission. But first a recap on yesterday! We had a great business breakfast first thing where sustainability was the theme. Then it was off to meet the Premier of Victoria, Dan Andrews. Then a visit to Monash University to see the team who will be working with some of our kiwi businesses on product development for the Aussie market. And finally, a dinner last night to promote New Zealand food and beverage. Onto the next stop!
For several years my parents were lucky enough to live and work in Niue, and for a while there it felt like a second home of sorts. Its the most wonderful place. It’s one of the reasons why it was so fantastic to host the Premier of Niue, Dalton Tagelagi, here at Parliament today. We talked about climate change, recovering from the pandemic, and how much the relationship between Niue and New Zealand means to both of us. It was a wonderful visit, and an honour to be the first bilateral visit the Premier has made. 🇳🇺 🇳🇿
For several years my parents were lucky enough to live and work in Niue, and for a while there it felt like a second home of sorts. Its the most wonderful place. It’s one of the reasons why it was so fantastic to host the Premier of Niue, Dalton Tagelagi, here at Parliament today. We talked about climate change, recovering from the pandemic, and how much the relationship between Niue and New Zealand means to both of us. It was a wonderful visit, and an honour to be the first bilateral visit the Premier has made. 🇳🇺 🇳🇿
For several years my parents were lucky enough to live and work in Niue, and for a while there it felt like a second home of sorts. Its the most wonderful place. It’s one of the reasons why it was so fantastic to host the Premier of Niue, Dalton Tagelagi, here at Parliament today. We talked about climate change, recovering from the pandemic, and how much the relationship between Niue and New Zealand means to both of us. It was a wonderful visit, and an honour to be the first bilateral visit the Premier has made. 🇳🇺 🇳🇿
This weekend the Rugby World Cup kicks off right here in our backyard! I popped up to Whangarei who are hosting the teams from Wales, Scotland, Japan, Italy and the USA. If you’re up North or in Auckland, join some of the opening matches. On Saturday the goal is to beat the world record for a live audience at a Women’s rugby game, and I absolutely believe we’ll do it (so come and join history!) While I was in Whangarei I also finally managed to visit the Hundertwasser Art Centre and Wairau Māori Art Gallery, a project we financially supported to be built and that is already seeing thousands of visitors. Awesome to hear the people working there talking about the tourists coming through. And it will only grow….
This weekend the Rugby World Cup kicks off right here in our backyard! I popped up to Whangarei who are hosting the teams from Wales, Scotland, Japan, Italy and the USA. If you’re up North or in Auckland, join some of the opening matches. On Saturday the goal is to beat the world record for a live audience at a Women’s rugby game, and I absolutely believe we’ll do it (so come and join history!) While I was in Whangarei I also finally managed to visit the Hundertwasser Art Centre and Wairau Māori Art Gallery, a project we financially supported to be built and that is already seeing thousands of visitors. Awesome to hear the people working there talking about the tourists coming through. And it will only grow….
Just finished up an afternoon at the Local Government New Zealand conference in Palmerston North. Great to be joined by our local MP @tangiutikere our Minister @nanaia_mahuta and our new Associate Minister for Local Government @kieranmcanulty . Kieran is also our Minister for National Emergency Management so gave an update on some of the weather events across the country (stay safe out there everyone!) As for me, I used my address at the conference to talk about all of the pressing issues we need to tackle together, but also acknowledged that it’s not easy to put yourself forward for local government. We need and want great representatives though, so we all have a job to do in making sure we encourage really robust debate, but respectful debate too. To anyone who is running in the local government elections this year, I wish you well and am grateful people continue to show such a commitment to our local communities as we tackle infrastructure, climate and well being challenges together.
Just finished up an afternoon at the Local Government New Zealand conference in Palmerston North. Great to be joined by our local MP @tangiutikere our Minister @nanaia_mahuta and our new Associate Minister for Local Government @kieranmcanulty . Kieran is also our Minister for National Emergency Management so gave an update on some of the weather events across the country (stay safe out there everyone!) As for me, I used my address at the conference to talk about all of the pressing issues we need to tackle together, but also acknowledged that it’s not easy to put yourself forward for local government. We need and want great representatives though, so we all have a job to do in making sure we encourage really robust debate, but respectful debate too. To anyone who is running in the local government elections this year, I wish you well and am grateful people continue to show such a commitment to our local communities as we tackle infrastructure, climate and well being challenges together.
