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GOVERNMENT NEWS ARCHIVE 2002 |
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December |
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Attorney-General Margaret Wilson today announced the appointment of three new Judges. Paul Geoghegan of Hamilton has been appointed a Family Court Judge and will sit in Rotorua. Bridget Mackintosh and Bruce Davidson, both of Wellington, have been appointed District Court Judges. They will both sit in Wellington. 13 December United Future law and order spokesman and long time Sensible Sentencing Trust advocate, Marc Alexander MP has been given the position of Deputy Chair on Parliament's Law and Order select committee. Mr Alexander is a first-term MP, based in Christchurch. 11 December Trade New Zealand CEO Fran Wilde announced today that she will leave her job next February, two months early. Ms Wilde had previously made it clear that she would leave when her contract expired in April next year and was not interested in the role of CEO of the agency to be formed from the merger of Trade New Zealand and Industry New Zealand. She said that her decision to go early was prompted by health problems she had experienced this year and were nothing to do with the merger. The Trade New Zealand board has appointed Rod MacKenzie, Trade New Zealand's General Manager Marketing, to take over as Acting CEO from Ms Wilde when she leaves.
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Environment Minister Marian Hobbs has announced the membership of Toi te Taiao : The Bioethics Council, which was recommended by the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification. The council is an advisory body with the aim of enhancing New Zealand's understanding of the cultural, ethical and spiritual aspects of biotechnology and ensuring that the values held by New Zealanders are considered in its use. Former Governor General and Anglican Archbishop Sir Paul Reeves was appointed the inaugural chair of the council last May. He will be joined by: Helen Bichan, Wellington, who has scientific training and considerable experience in the health industry, most recently working in the area of mental health. Eamon Daly, Christchurch, independent researcher in information technology ethics, and privacy issues. Anne Dickinson, Wellington, National Director of the Catholic Agency for Justice, Peace and Development and final chair of the disestablished Independent Biotechnology Advisory Council (IBAC). Professor Gary Hook, Whakatane, distinguished scientist who has spent his life as a scientific researcher after training as a biochemist. He is also a board member of the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology. Waiora Port, Auckland, respected Kuia with long-standing community knowledge of Maori health issues. Graham Robertson, Ashburton, self-employed farmer and a past member of the Independent Biotechnology Advisory Council. Ian Shirley, Professor of Public and Social Policy, Auckland University of Technology. Cherryl Smith, Whanganui, experience in horticulture is a member of Te Waka Kai Ora, the Maori organic growers association. Jill White, Palmerston North, former MP and former Mayor of Palmerston North who will join the council when her term as Chair of the Environmental Risk Management Authority expires shortly. Dr Martin Wilkinson,
Auckland, a senior political studies lecturer at Auckland
University. |
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November |
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Ministry of Health Director-General of Health, Dr Karen Poutasi, has announced the appointment of Dr Jim Primrose to the new role of Chief Advisor in General Practice. He will have a lead role in implementing the Government's Primary Health Care Strategy, guiding and assisting the formation and effective working of primary health organisations (PHOs). The Primary Health Care Strategy aims to lower the barriers which prevent many people from having access to primary health care, and is expected to make a difference to such diverse issues as controlling diabetes, improving nutrition and reducing inequalities for Maori and Pacific peoples. There are currently six PHOs, caring for some 115,000 people. Seven more are scheduled for establishment from January 2003, and a larger number from April 2003. Dr Primrose is currently
general manager of First Health. First Health provides management
support to more than 330 GPs across the North Island, and
these GPs provide services to an enrolled population of
550,000 New Zealanders. He has also worked for Midland Health
- one of four regional health authorities later amalgamated
in the Health Funding Authority and subsequently the Ministry
of Health. He will take up his position early in 2003. 19 November The Government has just announced a board for the new single trade and industry development agency to replace Trade NZ and Industry NZ. The new organisation will offer three broad groups of services: Enabling services (including Industry NZ's regional partnership programme and all inward investment activities designed to smooth the regulatory path to encourage investment); Foundation services (including the various BIZ schemes, offering advice to young companies and entrepreneurs); and Growth services (customised assistance to help accelerate development of potentially high-growth businesses at home and abroad). The Chair is Phil Lough, former head of fishing company Sealord and Dairy Board Deputy Chief Executive. Auckland members are former Mainzeal Chief Executive Peter Menzies, Rubicon Chair and Fletcher Forests Director Michael Andrews, educational publisher Wendy Pye and acting TVNZ Chair Craig Boyce. Wellington members are former Waitangi Fisheries commissioner and Otakou Fisheries Director Craig Ellison, former Council of Trade Unions President Ken Douglas, interactive television firm Click Suite Director and member of the Government's Growth and Innovation Advisory Board Emily Loughnan and investment banker Jenny Morel. The board will take up its role on December 1, with the full merger to be in place by July 2003.
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The State Services Commissioner, Michael Wintringham, has announced the appointment of Katrina Bach as Chief Executive of the Ministry of Housing. Ms Bach is presently a Deputy Secretary at the Ministry of Economic Development with responsibility for corporate services. Ms Bach is expected to take up her appointment prior to Christmas. 13 November The State Services Commissioner, Michael Wintringham, has announced that he has appointed Ms Helen Cull, a Wellington-based Queen's Counsel, to lead his inquiry into matters relating to fisheries management. This inquiry will address allegations made regarding fisheries management, particularly in relation to the Scampi fishery. The inquiry's terms of reference are currently being developed, and will take into account the terms of reference being developed for the Select Committee review of the same matter. 13 November Two Public Sector appointments have been made to the Board of the Equal Employment Opportunities Trust Labour Minister Margaret Wilson and Women's Affairs Minister Ruth Dyson today announced. Belinda Clark, Secretary for Justice, and Jo Brosnahan, Auckland Regional Council Chief Executive Officer, have both been appointed to three-year terms. 13 November Commerce Minister,
Lianne Dalziel has announced two new appointments to the
commission. Economist Donal Curtin, former associate member
of the commission has been appointed as a member filling
the vacancy left by Mark Berry since August 2001. Wellington-based
barrister and accountant, Shaan Stevens has been appointed
as an associate member. Both appointments are for three
years. |
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October |
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Minister of Broadcasting, Steve Maharey, today announced the appointment of Craig Boyce as acting Chair of Television New Zealand. Mr Boyce has been a Director of TVNZ since 2000. His other Directorships are with Smiths City Group Ltd (Chair), Connexionz Ltd (Chair), Advanced Foods of New Zealand Ltd, Industry New Zealand, Christchurch Arts Centre, Datacom Group Ltd, Wairau Park Ltd, Christchurch City Holdings Ltd, and Orion Group Ltd. Mr Boyce's appointment takes effect from midnight Monday, 28 October. 22
October Crown Research Minister Pete Hodgson today announced the appointment of Liz Coutts as Acting Chair of the Crown Research Institute Industrial Research Ltd (IRL). Ms Coutts has been a Director of IRL since 1998. Her other Directorships are with Meritec Group Ltd (Chair), the Earthquake Commission, Viking Pacific Holdings Ltd, New Zealand Tennis Inc, Air New Zealand Ltd, Pharmac and Vending Technologies Ltd. She also Chairs the Ministry of Health's Audit and Finance Committee. Ms Coutts' appointment takes effect from midnight Monday, 28 October. 22 October Dr Ross Armstrong yesterday resigned from his Chairmanships at Television New Zealand and Industrial Research Ltd. The resignation is effective from Labour Day, and comes amid concerns that Dr Armstrong suggested in a letter to select business people that they would receive 'inside runner' benefits if they joined a group of private businesses with an interest in infrastructure development. Dr Armstrong said that he had no option but to resign. "No government can tolerate any implication that some people are given an inside track. That is not the way we operate. There was only way one to resolve the it." However, while admitting the letter stepped over the line, he said it was a drafting mistake and that he never set out to deceive the Government. 18 October Professor Judith McGregor has been appointed as the country's first Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner, Associate Justice Minister Margaret Wilson has announced. Professor McGregor will work as part of the Human Rights Commission and take responsibility for providing advice and leadership on matters relating to EEO, including leading the development of guidelines and voluntary codes of practice to promote best practice in EEO. Professor McGregor is currently Head of the Department of Communications and Journalism, and former Head of the Human Resources Management Department, at Massey University, Wellington. She will take up her new position early in the New Year, which is for a five year term. |
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Radio New Zealand Political Editor, Al Morrison, is to relinquish his public broadcasting role at the end of this week to take up a senior management position as General Manager, External Relations, with the Department of Conservation. Mr Morrison's final political commentary will be with Linda Clark on Nine to Noon on Friday 18th October. Radio New Zealand will make an announcement on the appointment of a new political editor in due course. 09 October The State Services Commissioner, Michael Wintringham, has announced the appointment of Penny Carnaby as Chief Executive of National Library New Zealand and National Librarian. Ms Carnaby is presently the University Librarian at Macquarie University in New South Wales, a position she has held since February 2002. She will take up her appointment in January 2003. 08 October The Government today named the group of experts who will set up the mediation service for owners of leaky homes and said hearings were intended to start before Christmas. Former State Services commissioner Don Hunn is Chair of the overview group and its members are Tomas Kennedy-Grant, a mediator, arbitrator and legal adviser, Ian Bond, an engineer, David Kernohan, an architect, and Brian Roche, a Senior Partner in PriceWaterhouseCoopers. The mediation service is voluntary, described by Internal Affairs Minister George Hawkins as "first port of call" for homeowners. The service will not have the power to make binding settlement agreements between owners and those responsible for their faulty houses. The group will start work immediately and would take about a fortnight to develop a framework and terms of reference. It has been given start-up funding of $4 million. 08 October Seddon Bennington, the Kiwi Director of the Carnegie Science Centre in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been appointed Chief Executive of the Museum of New Zealand, Te Papa. He has a doctorate in zoology and degrees in anthropology and art history. For three years from 1978 he was Director of the Otago Early Settlers Museum. In 1980, he was the first Director of the Wellington City Gallery. He was Deputy Director of the Western Australian Museum in Perth for seven years, then set up, and became director of Perth's Scitech Discovery Centre. Te Papa Chair said that Mr Bennington was chosen from 49 applicants because of his "distinguished record of leadership in the museum and art gallery world". He takes up the position in mid-January.
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September |
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An Office for Disability Issues has been opened within the Ministry of Social Development. It will give policy advice, implement and monitor the disability strategy, and report directly to the Disability Issues Minister, Ruth Dyson. The office will be led by Jan Scown, formerly Chief Executive of the Community Living Trust, will initially employ six full-time staff, to be expanded to 10 full-time staff over the next five years. 25 September Director of Public Health Dr Colin Tukuitonga has announced the appointment of three new public health and clinical experts to the National Screening Unit. Dr Ashley Bloomfield has been appointed to the position of Public Health Leader for Screening Programmes. Dr Hazel Lewis has been appointed to the position of Clinical Leader for the National Cervical Screening Programme, while Dr Madeline Wall has been appointed Clinical Leader for BreastScreen Aotearoa. All three roles are newly established positions. The National Screening Unit is an autonomous unit with the Ministry of Health responsible for the management and coordination of the two national cancer screening programmes - the National Cervical Screening Programme and BreastScreen Aotearoa. 09 September As select committees met for the first time last week there were some changes to memberships from that previously announced. Steve Chadwick (Labour) replaces Jill Pettis (Labour) on the Government Administration Committee and the Health Committee. Ms Chadwick was also elected Chair of the Health Committee (it had previously been announced that Nanaia Mahuta would be Chair). Georgina Beyer (Labour) appointed Deputy Chair of the Law and Order Committee. Hon Roger Sowry (National) appointed Deputy Chair of the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee. Janet Mackey (Labour) appointed Deputy Chair of the Primary Production Committee. Hon Clem Simich (National) appointed Deputy Chair of the Officers of Parliament Committee.
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05 September Paul Tocker, Chief Executive of Crop & Food Research, has been elected President of the Association of Crown Research Institutes (ACRI). Bryce Heard, Chief Executive of Forest Research, becomes Vice-President. 05 September Recently retired World Trade Organisation Director-General Mike Moore has been appointed as special trade envoy by the Government. Trade Negotiations Minister Jim Sutton said Mike moore had won great international prestige as WTO Director-Genera during the past three years. Mr Moore's work as special trade envoy will be co-ordinated by the Foreign Affairs and Trade Ministry, in liaison with New Zealand posts overseas, to ensure maximum use can be made of his influence and prestige. The position will not be fulltime, but on an as-required, as-planned basis. The sorts of activities which Mr Moore will undertake will range from giving speeches on New Zealand's trade policy through to meeting with government and non-government leaders to discuss New Zealand's vision of greater trade liberalisation. Mr Moore will initially be based in Europe. 02 September The State Service Commissioner, Michael Wintringham, today announced that Treasury Deputy Secretary and Branch Manager of Regulartory and Tax Policy, John Whitehead, has been appointed acting Chief Executive and Secretary to the Treasury. The current Chief Executive and Secretary, Dr Alan Bollard, will soon finish at Treasury to take up his new positon as Governor of the Reserve Bank. Mr Whitehead will start his acting position on his departure.
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August |
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29 August Current select committee membership has been announced and has been updated on the site. 29 August New Zealand public servants have been confirmed as amongst the most honest in the world. The just released results of the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index 2002 ranks New Zealand second out of more than 100 countries. The Index rates countries out of 10, with ratings over 9 meaning that the country is perceived to have very low levels of government corruption (both politicians and officials). This year New Zealand was rated at 9.5, an improvement from 9.4 last year, resulting in an improvement of one place on 2001's ranking. The top ratings are: 1. Finland - 9.7 |
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29 August The Higher Salaries Commission, which sets the pay rates for Members of Parliament, is to be re-named the Remuneration Authority. The Authority will be responsible for all types of remuneration and payments MPs receive, simplifying the current system. There will be changes to the way some allowances are paid, and the Inland Revenue Department will be required to do a survey on switching to a reimbursement system for particular types of allowances. The legislation will take effect from April 2003. 28 August New Zealand First has released a preliminary list of Caucus responsibilities which include a number of changes. Deputy Leader Peter Brown has been appointed Whip, while former Whip Ron Mark will be given increased responsbility in a spokeperson's role. The Caucus responsibilities are: Rt Hon Winston Peters - Leader; Commerce; Economic Development; Finance; Immigration; Racing; Revenue; State Owned Enterprises. Peter Brown - Deputy Leader; Whip; Accident Insurance; Energy; Labour; Transport. Brent Catchpole - Communications & IT; Environment; Biosecurity; Internal Affairs; Tourism; Associate Transport. Brian Donnelly - Education; Education Review Office; Pacific Island Affairs; Science & Technology; Crown Research Institutes; Arts & Culture; Sport. Bill Gudgeon - Veterans Affairs; Maori Affairs; Associate Law & Order; Defence. Dail Jones - Customs; Attorney General; Courts; Trade; Associate Immigration; Associate Foreign Affairs & Trade. Craig McNair - Youth Affairs; Associate Family; Associate Tourism. Ron Mark - Defence; Corrections; Civil Defence; Law & Order; Disarmament & Arms Control. Pita Paraone - Housing; Fisheries; Health. Edwin Perry - Conservation; Associate Corrections; Associate Maori Affairs. Jim Peters - Local Government; Regional Development; Associate Education. Barbara Stewart - Family (Womens Affairs, Senior Citizens, Social Services); Industry Training. Doug Woolerton - Rural Affairs; Forestry. |
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Tairawhiti District Health Board chairman Wayne Brown is stepping down from the board because of an administrative error by the Ministry of Health. Mr Brown was elected to the Tairawhiti board in October 2001, and in December was also appointed as Auckland Chair. However the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act 2000 does not allow members elected to one DHB to be appointed to another board. Mr Brown will continue as Chair of the Auckland DHB. 26 August The Government today confirmed the appointment of the New Zealand Superannuation Fund's guardians. Selecting a board of guardians, who will appoint fund managers and set investment policies, was held up by the election. Finance Minister Dr Michael Cullen said other political parties were consulted about the appointments and no objections had been raised. Board chairperson will be David May, the deputy chairperson of the Government Superannuation Fund Authority and former managing director of the Colonial Group. Former National cabinet minister Sir Douglas Graham is the deputy chairperson. Both are appointed for five years. The four other guardians are Michela Anderson, Ira Bing, Brian Gaynor, and Bridget Wickham. The seventh guardian will be appointed at a later date. 22 August The Secretary to the Treasury, Dr Alan Bollard, is to be appointed the next Reserve Bank Governor, Finance Minister Michael Cullen announced today. Dr Bollard was nominated by the non-executive directors of the Reserve Bank Board and the nomination has been accepted by the government. "Although I am obviously very pleased that the Board has chosen someone of such high ability, it was with mixed feelings that I accepted their recommendation because it means I will lose Dr Bollard as Secretary to the Treasury," Dr Cullen said. "He has been enormously successful in changing the culture of the Treasury into a more open and outward looking organisation and was always a pleasure to work with." Confirmation of Dr Bollard’s appointment will be subject to the conclusion of a contract of employment and to the negotiation of a new Policy Targets Agreement. The government wants monetary policy outcomes to move closer to those of Australia. "I am confident Dr Bollard and I will be able to negotiate a PTA which is satisfactory to each of us and to the broader financial and business community and which will serve New Zealand well," Dr Cullen said. Dr Bollard was appointed as Secretary to the Treasury in February, 1998. He was Chairman of the New Zealand Commerce Commission from 1994 and before that, was Director of the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research - a position he held for seven years. He has also worked as an economist in a variety of positions in Britain and the South Pacific. |
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22 August Jeanette Fitzsimons - Co-Leader; Climate Change; Conservation; Crown Research Institutes; Energy; Environment; Fisheries; Genetic Engineering; Local Government; Oceans; Research, Science and Technology; Sustainable Development (shared with Rod Donald); Sustainable Economics; Transport Rod Donald - Co-Leader; Musterer; Commerce; Electoral Reform; Finance and Revenue; Regional Development; SOEs; Superannuation; Sustainable Development (shared with Jeanette Fitzsimons); Trade Sue Bradford - ACC; Children's Affairs; Community and Volunteer Sector; Community; Economic Development; Disability Issues; Employment; Gambling; Housing; Industrial Relations; Internal Affairs; Mental Health; National Library and Archives; Racing; Social Services; State Services Ian Ewen-Street - Agriculture; Bio-security; Border Control/Customs; Environment (Assoc); Environmental Education; Forestry; Land Information; Organics; Rural Affairs; Statistics; Waste Sue Kedgley - ACC (Assoc); Animal Welfare; Broadcasting; Civil Aviation; Communications; Consumer Affairs; Health; Safe Food; Transport (Assoc - Wellington); Women's Affairs Keith Locke - Civil Defence; Defence; Disarmament; Foreign Affairs; Human Rights; Industrial Relations (Assoc); Overseas Development Assistance; Police; Security and Intelligence; Transport (Assoc - Auckland); Veteran Affairs Nandor Tanczos - Drug Law Reform (including Alcohol); Forestry (Assoc); Information Technology; Justice; Tertiary Education; Treaty Issues; Urban Affairs; Youth Affairs Metiria Turei - Education;
Ethnic Affairs; Immigration; Justice Mike Ward - Sports, Fitness and Leisure; Local Government (Assoc); Arts and Culture; Small Business; Tourism; Older Persons. |
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20 August "The ACT Caucus met this morning to allocate spokesmanships and refine our strategic direction for the forthcoming Parliament," ACT New Zealand Acting Leader Ken Shirley said. "I am pleased to report that Richard Prebble has made a full recovery and will return to New Zealand later this week. "In recent days there has been much debate over the role of the formal Leader of the Opposition. The ACT Party accepts Bill English, as Leader of the National Party which enjoys a majority significantly greater than any other opposition party, is the designated Leader of the Opposition for formal Parliamentary purposes. In discharging that responsibility we expect him to consult with ACT and to give due consideration to our recommendations in matters such as appointments and procedures. "I reconfirm the expectation of ACT that the select committee chairmanships be shared proportionally and on this basis ACT New Zealand should chair one of the fourteen committees. I will be discussing our preferences with the other Party Leaders. Richard Prebble - Leader, Labour, SIS, PM & Cabinet, Immigration, Industrial Relations, Occupational Safety and Health, Transport Ken Shirley - Deputy Leader, Foreign Affairs, Defence, Trade, Environment, Conservation, Local Government, Civil Defence, Energy, Research, Science & Technology Rodney Hide - Finance, Associate Welfare, Superannuation, Auckland Affairs, Veteran Affairs, Statistics, Audit Dr Muriel Newman - Whip, Welfare, Associate Health, Housing, Police Stephen Franks - Justice, Associate Commerce, Corrections, Sport, Recreation & Leisure, Courts, Treaty of Waitangi, State Owned Enterprises Donna Awatere Huata - Compulsory Education, Associate Justice, Maori Affairs, Employment, Racing Deborah Coddington - Commerce, Associate Education, Associate Finance, Business Development, Industry, Regional Development, Information Technology, Consumer Affairs, Broadcasting Gerry Eckhoff - Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, Biosecurity, Rural Affairs, Land and Land Information, Tourism Heather Roy - Health, ACC, Arts,Culture and Heritage, Family, Youth, Women, Internal Affairs, Senior Citizens. |
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5 August A strong team to take National through to being the next government is what National Leader Bill English has gone for in deciding his portfolio allocations. "Much thought has gone into the decisions made, and I am looking forward to a new invigorated caucus with a strong sense of purpose for the challenge that is ahead of them," says Mr English.
Hon Bill English - Leader; Pacific Island Affairs; SIS Hon Roger Sowry - Deputy; Labour and Industrial Relations; Transport Don Brash - Finance Gerry Brownlee - Leader of the House; Energy; Local Government; SOE's Simon Power - Tertiary
Education; Justice; Workplace Skills; Dr Wayne Mapp - Foreign Affairs; Housing; Disarmament and Arms Control Hon Tony Ryall - Commerce; Sentencing; Police; Corrections; Courts Hon David Carter - Agriculture; Associate Finance Dr Hon Nick Smith - Education; Environment Katherine Rich - Social Services and Employment; Broadcasting; Arts, Culture and Heritage Hon Murray McCully - Sport, Fitness and Leisure; State Services; Immigration; Spokesperson responsible for Auckland Hon Georgina Te Heuheu - Treaty; Maori Affairs; Women's Affairs Dr Hon Lockwood Smith - Trade; Revenue John Carter - Senior
Whip; Regional Development; Civil Defence Lindsay Tisch - Junior Whip; Racing; Small Business Hon Clem Simich - Assistant Speaker; Attorney General Pansy Wong - Ethnic Affairs; Tourism Shane Ardern - Conservation; Biosecurity; Associate Agriculture Phil Heatley - Associate Education (Early Childhood); Fisheries Paul Hutchison - Science; Crown Research Institutes; Biotechnology; ACC Richard Worth - Defence; Veteran's Affairs Judith Collins - Associate
Health; Internal Affairs; National Brian Connell - Forestry; Associate Regional Development Sandra Goudie - Consumer Affairs; Disability Issues John Key - Associate Transport; Associate Commerce Hon Maurice Williamson - Communications; Information Technology; Statistics
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15 August United Future leader, Hon Peter Dunne, has today announced United Future's list of spokespeople as follows: Hon Peter Dunne - Leader;
Foreign Affairs; Defence; SIS; Gordon Copeland - Whip;
Finance; Revenue; Charitable & Paul Adams - Employment; Industrial Relations; ACC; Immigration; Ethnic Affairs; Youth Affairs; Disabilities; Housing; Auckland Issues; Commerce; Industry & Regional Development Marc Alexander - Law & Order; Police; Communications & Broadcasting; Internal Affairs; Emergency Services; Arts & Culture Larry Baldock - Transport;
Civil Aviation; Railways; Tourism; Bernie Ogilvy - Education;
Research, Science & Technology; Murray Smith - Justice;
Electoral; Maori Affairs; Treaty of Judy Turner - Health;
Social Services; Drugs; Women's Affairs; 15 August The creation of a new
non-executive tier based on a British model within Cabinet
has been announced - Parliamentary Private Secretaries.
They will receive no extra pay but will act as "trainees"
assisting specific ministers. |
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14 August Prime Minister Helen
Clark today announced the allocation of portfolios to ministers
and the appointment of ministers and Helen Clark said that apart from the re-allocation of portfolios previously held by the three retiring Alliance ministers, changes were relatively minor. 'It is my intention
to take a fresh look at portfolio allocations Portfolio reallocations
of note include: Two new parliamentary
under-secretaries have been appointed: The new executive totals 28 in size, representing 23.33 percent of the Parliament. This compares favourably with the 27 appointed to the last pre-MMP Parliament, representing 27.27 per cent of that Parliament. THE CABINET Portfolios and other responsibilities: 1 Rt Hon Helen Clark - Prime Minister, Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, Minister in Charge of the NZ Security Intelligence Service, Ministerial Services 2 Hon Dr Michael Cullen - Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance, Minister of Revenue, Leader of the House 3 Hon Jim Anderton - Minister for Economic Development, Minister for Industry and Regional Development, Minister Responsible for the Public Trust, Associate Minister of Health 4 Hon Steve Maharey
- Minister of Social Services and Employment, Minister
of Broadcasting [Includes responsibility for Television
New Zealand Ltd, Radio New Zealand Ltd, and NZ on Air],
Associate Minister of Education (Tertiary Education), 5 Hon Phil Goff - Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Minister of Justice 6 Hon Annette King
- Minister of Health, Minister for Food Safety 8 Hon Trevor Mallard - Minister of Education, Minister of State Services, Minister for Sport and Recreation, Minister for the America's Cup, Associate Minister of Finance, Minister Responsible for the Education Review Office, Adult and Community Education 9 Hon Pete Hodgson - Minister of Energy, Minister of Fisheries, Minister of Research, Science and Technology, Minister for Crown Research Institutes, Associate Minister for Industry and Regional Development, Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Convenor Ministerial Group on Climate Change 10 Hon Margaret Wilson - Attorney-General [Includes responsibility for Serious Fraud Office], Minister of Labour, Minister in Charge of Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations, Minister for Courts, Associate Minister of Justice 11 Hon Parekura Horomia - Minister of Maori Affairs, Associate Minister of Social Services and Employment (Employment), Associate Minister of Education, Associate Minister of Fisheries, Associate Minister of Forestry 12 Hon Lianne Dalziel
- Minister of Commerce, Minister of Immigration, Minister
for Senior Citizens, Associate Minister of Justice, Minister
Responsible for the Law Commission, Associate Minister of
Education (Special Education) 14 Hon Mark Burton - Minister of Defence, Minister for State Owned Enterprises [Responsible for all SOEs except TVNZ Ltd], Minister of Tourism, Deputy Leader of the House 15 Hon Paul Swain - Minister of Transport, Minister for Information Technology, Minister of Communications, Associate Minister of Finance, Associate Minister of Revenue, Associate Minister for Economic Development, Minister for Small Business 16 Hon Marian Hobbs - Minister for the Environment, Minister for Disarmament and Arms Control, Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Official Development Assistance), Associate Minister for Biosecurity, Associate Minister of Education, Minister Responsible for the National Library, Minister Responsible for Archives New Zealand, Urban Affairs 17 Hon Mark Gosche - Minister of Corrections, Minister of Housing, Minister of Pacific Island Affairs, Minister for Racing 18 Hon Ruth Dyson
- Minister for ACC, Minister of Women's Affairs, Minister
for Disability Issues, Associate Minister for Social Services
and Employment, Associate Minister of Health 20 Chris Carter - Minister of Conservation, Minister of Local Government, Minister for Ethnic Affairs MINISTERS OUTSIDE CABINET 21 Hon Judith Tizard - Minister of Consumer Affairs, Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, Associate Minister of Transport, Associate Minister of Commerce, Auckland Issues 22 Hon Tariana Turia - Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector, Associate Minister of Maori Affairs (Social Development), Associate Minister of Health, Associate Minister of Social Services and Employment (Social Services), Associate Minister of Housing 23 Rick Barker - Minister of Customs, Associate Minister of Justice, Associate Minister of Social Services and Employment 24 Hon Dover Samuels
- Minister of State, Associate Minister of Tourism, Associate
Minister for Economic Development, Associate Minister for
Industry and Regional Development 26 Harry Duynhoven - Minister of State, Associate Minister of Energy, Associate Minister of Transport (including Civil Aviation) PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES Mr Phillip Field, MP - Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Minister of Pacific Island Affairs, Minister of Justice, Minister of Social Services and Employment Mr Mita Ririnui,
MP - Parliamentary Under Secretary to the Minister of
Corrections, Minister of Conservation, Minister in Charge
of Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations 14 August United Future has suffered
another setback with its No 5 list MP The Indian born English woman was not a New Zealand citizen when nominations for the July 27 election closed on July 2, and that disqualifies her from standing for Parliament. She will be replaced on United Future's list by Paul Adams who lost his parliamentary seat after special votes were counted. A spokesperson for United Future leader Peter Dunne said Ms Chal had New Zealand residency and had applied for citizenship. The party had not been aware of the legal requirement that a candidate be a citizen. Mr Dunne said in a brief statement that Ms Chal had withdrawn her nomination and he had advised the chief electoral officer accordingly.
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The Cabinet for the Labour/Progressive minority Government has been announced following elections held at a Labour Party caucus meeting this morning. According to the Labour Party constitution the members of cabinet are elected by the caucus. The 16 Labour Ministers from the last cabinet were re-elected. The new ministers are: Chris Carter Portfolio allocations will be announced on Wednesday. All ministers were elected on the first ballot. 12 August The counting of special votes has given the Green Party an extra MP at the expense of United Future, which loses Paul Adams. After the counting of 166,000 special votes the Greens increased their share of the vote to 7% and Mike Ward, placed ninth on the Green list, has been elected. This makes the Greens the fourth largest party in the House (after Labour, National and NZ First), overtaking United Future, which drops to eight MPs. The Greens picked up nearly 24,000 - or more than 14% - of the special votes, repeating a similarly strong performance last election. Special votes include all overseas votes, and the Greens have specifically targeted New Zealander voters living offshore. Mike Ward is a former Nelson City Councillor and stood for the Greens in Nelson. The result was also good news for the National Party, which retained MP Katherine Rich. Katherine Rich was only just elected at 14 on the National list on election night, and she was vulnerable to even very small changes in the overall vote as a result of the counting of specials. The change will make
no difference to the Labour-Progressive Government's confidence
and supply arrangement with United Future as the Government
and United Future will still have a comfortable majority. 08 August Helen Clark has announced the following timeline for the establishment of the new government and the reconvening of Parliament: Monday 12 August: Labour
Caucus meets to elect its Cabinet Thursday 15 August: Ministers sworn in by Governor-General at Government House, Wellington. Monday 26 August: Commission opening of Parliament. MPs sworn in and Speaker elected. Tuesday 27 August: formal state opening of Parliament. Wednesday 28 August: Address-in-Reply debate begins. 08 August Prime Minister Helen Clark has announced a coalition agreement has been reached between the Labour Party and the Progressive Coalition Party, and that the two parties would form a minority government. The new government will have support on confidence and supply for this term of Parliament under an agreement reached with the United Future Party. Helen Clark said that
she had this afternoon informed the Governor-general of
the agreements which had 'The two parties will
operate in government on a good faith and no surprises basis.
Agree-to-disagree provisions will apply where necessary,
as provided for by the Cabinet Manual as rewritten by the
previous 'Labour will lead the broad policy programme, recognising also the Progressive Coalition's general priorities of employment, support for low income families, health and education. 'The detail of the policy programme will be set out in the Speech from the Throne. 'The Progressive Coalition will have one Cabinet position.' Helen Clark said that a formal agreement on confidence and supply was being signed with the United Future Party. 'That agreement acknowledges
that the detail of the government's policy programme will
be based on the manifestos of the government coalition partners
and will take account of the policy priorities of the 'As immediate priorities,
the government will, in consultation with the Leader of
United Future: - pass strong victims'
rights legislation, 'The government and United Future will operate on a good faith and no surprises basis. 'The government will consult with United Future on the broad outline of the legislative programme and priorities in it; key legislative measures; major policy issues; and broad Budget parameters. 'United Future will
also support the government on procedural motions in the
House and in select committees, unless United Future has
previously advised that such support is not forthcoming. Support for particular legislative measures which do not relate to confidence or supply will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis.' Helen Clark said that discussion was continuing between Labour and the Greens on establishing a collaborative working relationship during this term of Parliament. 'There are many issues on which the two parties will want to work together. Both parties are working to formalise a constructive relationship. |
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July |
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31 July New Zealand's next Ambassador
to Turkey will be career diplomat Jan Henderson, Foreign
Minister Phil Goff |
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28 July Subscribers will notice a lot of changes to the site today as we load details of the MPs elected yesterday. If you are not a subscriber, click here for details. 28 July The result of yesterday's General Election will most likely be a second Labour-lead minority government. Labour won 41.3% of the vote and 52 seats - three more than in the old parliament. Labour will be able to govern in coalition with Jim Anderton's Progressive Coalition, which won two seats, and the support of either the Greens (eight seats) or United Future (nine seats). United Future was one of the big winners on the night, together with New Zealand First. United Future, which as United won only one seat at the last election, garnered 6.8% of the vote in a remarkable run in the last week of the campaign. New Zealand First more than doubled its vote to 10.6%, winning 13 seats against only five last time. The big losers were the National Party and the Alliance. National, as the major party of the right, suffered the worst election defeat in its history, crashing to just over 21% of the vote and returning only 27 MPs, against 39 in the outgoing parliament. The left-wing Alliance paid the price for its pre-Election split, failing to win any seats, while the split away Progressive Coalition won two seats (together as the Alliance they had 10 seats in the outgoing parliament. 26 July Remember this information is only available to subscribers, so if you want up-to-date information immediately after the election and for the next 12 months, subscribe now! We will also be updating Cabinet, select committees and all the other parliamentary details over the next few weeks as the government is formed and new MPs move in and appoint staff. And we are adding a new 'former MPs' section containing biographies of those who have recently been in parliament. 08 July The latest research by the Electoral Commission shows that the public's knowledge of some aspects of how the voting system works is lower than immediately before the last general election. While 67 percent of the public know they are entitled to make two votes and 55 percent know that the Party Votes decide each party's share of all the seats in Parliament, respondents to the survey don't fare quite so well with knowledge of other features of the electoral system. The research carried out by Colmar Brunton in the last couple of weeks indicates that knowledge of both the criteria by which a party can enter Parliament is only 27 percent. However, almost three-quarters of those surveyed stated some degree of interest in politics generally (71 percent) and nearly 40 percent claimed to have "a great deal" or "some" knowledge of politics in New Zealand. The research showed that females, young people, Mäori and Pacific Island people continue to have lower levels of knowledge of MMP than other demographic groups. The release of the research data coincided with the start of a comprehensive public education programme by the Electoral Commission to improve understanding of the electoral system before Election Day. The campaign will use television, radio, newspapers and magazines, the electoral website (www.elections.org.nz) and a toll-free number 0800 800 610 to explain the main features of the MMP voting system. |
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June |
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19
June Dr McKenzie has a wide range of experience in domestic and international food safety and has a background in New Zealand's primary processing of animal products and exports. He is currently chair of Codex Alimentarius' Codex Committee on Meat and Poultry Hygiene. 18 June The registration of the NZ South Island Party was cancelled at the request of the party and the Aotearoa/New Zealand Party due to low numbers of financial members. The Commission also agreed to change the name of the Christian Heritage Party:Graham Capill Party Leader to Christian Heritage Party. 7 June
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May |
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The Chief Executive
of TVNZ, Ian Fraser, has announced major changes to the
structure of top level management at TVNZ. The role of Head
of Television is to be discontinued, and two new positions
are to be created - Head of Programming and Head of New
Business Development in order to bring the management structure
into closer alignment with the TVNZ Charter. Associate
Minister for the Arts, Culture and Heritage, Judith Tizard,
has announced the appointment of Barrie Everard to the Chair
of the Board of the New Zealand Film Commission for a two
year term. Mr Everard replaces retiring Chair Alan Sorrell.
Joining Mr Sorrell in retirement is Dr Hirini Melbourne
who has been on the Commission since 1998. Judith Tizard
also announced the appointment of Tainui Stephens and William
Somerville as new Members of the Commission for terms of
office of three years each. "The Government is moving swiftly to establish the Council in line with the recommendation made by the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification," Marian Hobbs said. "A major part of the Council's work will be to engage the public in thinking about cultural, ethical and spiritual aspects of biotechnology." Nominations for membership of the Bioethics Council are now being sought.
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Rick
Christie (Chair), Chief
Executive
of Rangitira Investments and a member of the Knowledge Wave
Trust Advisory Board; Helen Clark said the Growth and Innovation Framework confirmed the government's commitment to a role in the economy which is strategic, proactive and focused. 21 May 21
May Mr Bradshaw was first appointed to the position in 1997. |
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14
May It was also
announced that Deputy Chief Executive of the Bank, Dr Rod
Carr, who has been acting as Governor since Don Brash's
resignation in April, will remain in the position for a
period of up to six months or until a permanent appointment
was made. 9 May Dame Anne has
completed a year
as an invited member of the Historic Places Trust Board
and has been a Board Member of Te Papa. She has an extensive
knowledge base of Mäori
history and early Mäori-European
contacts and is a Professor in Mäori
Studies and Social Anthropology at the University of Auckland. |
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