This week the New Zealand dollar soared to US 86 cents. A high dollar means cheap imports such as flat-screen TVs and cars. But ultimately it means high unemployment and a low growth economy.

The export sector is the lifeblood of New Zealand. When exporters hurt, the whole country hurts.

The Government isn't interested in tackling the problems associated with the dollar.

New Zealand First has a range of policies to help manufacturers and exporters, incuding changes to the Reserve Bank Act to give the bank the flexiibility it needs to tackle or seriously overvalue dollar.

We also back more investment in manufacturing and high-tech industries.

Our policies will lead to a more prosperous New Zealand, and a better life for New Zealanders.

 

Rt Hon Winston Peters
Leader of New Zealand First
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RMA Reform Bill and Auckland Unitary Plan

I have been sitting on the Local Government and Environment select committee hearings for the Resource Management Act Reform Bill and the Auckland Unitary Plan, both of which are being railroaded through with extreme haste. The Auckland hearings were a marathon effort on Monday, sitting from 9am until 9.15pm, with more than 60 submitters being heard.

It is very clear that this Government has a pre-determined agenda and is really only paying lip service to the submissions. Many submitters including QCs, barristers, resource management experts, and people with significant environmental knowledge were offended at the five minutes given to speak to the committee.

We are concerned this this practice is becoming a far too common occurrence with this Government, with submitters regularly being treated with contempt by not being given sufficient time to provide evidence and properly outline their ideas, and receive questions from MP’s. It completely undermines and devalues the democratic process.

Andrew Williams MP
Spokesperson for Local Government, Environment, RMA 
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The Fisheries (Foreign Charter Vessels and Other Matters) Amendment Bill is before the Primary Production Select Committee this month.

New Zealand First supports the provisions of the Bill which requires foreign charter fishing boats to be re-flagged as New Zealand vessels, bringing pay and conditions for foreign crews working in our waters into line with New Zealand laws and standards.

At present, conditions on many of the FCVs operating within our waters are manifestly inadequate, with some observers describing pay rates as being akin to slave labour, and living conditions as "rat-like".

I have seen images of some of the crews' quarters on the vessels in question, and there is no doubt that a massive improvement is needed.

Conversely, pay and conditions on board New Zealand owned and crewed fishing vessels are second to none.

New Zealand First policy is to have a fishing industry which is owned and worked entirely by New Zealanders. This will maximise   employment opportunities for New Zealanders and provide greater returns for our economy.

Requiring foreign vessels to be re-flagged is an important step to achieving these goals.

Richard Prosser MP
Spokesperson for Fisheries
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This week the Government announced the possible closure of kitchen hospitals across New Zealand.

The poorly thought out proposal would see heat and eat, TV dinner style meals produced at two centralised hubs in Auckland and Christchurch.

The minister hasn't properly considered this propsal.

It is all well and good that this system is used in other countries, but the fact of the matter is New Zealand frequently experiences weather conditions which disrupt travel.

If vital transport links are blocked for long periods then that could see some hospitals run out of food, which would negatively impact on patients and their recovery.

The closures would result n the loss of up to 1300 jobs, many of which are in our provinces.

More thought and an extensive public consulation process is needed before this propsal is even considered.

Barbara Stewart MP

Spokeperson for Health

 

 

New Zealand First has joined a Ministerial Reference Group to provide options for extra financial assistance for grandparents raising grandchildren on a full time basis.

I am looking forward to working with the panel to come up with good recommendations to the Minister.

The Reference Group also includes representatices from three Grandparents raising Grandchildren Trust NZ (GRG) along with Foster Care and iwi. it will be chaired by Katherine Rich.

Congratulations are in order for Diane Vivian from GRG for her years of effort for this cause, and for the children it will directly benefit.

Tracey Martin MP

Spokesperson for Youth Affairs

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