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21 January 2010 13 January 2010 Michael Houlihan has been named as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Te Papa by the board of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. Michael Houlihan will come to New Zealand from his current role as head of Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales, a family of seven museums across Wales. Mr Houlihan would start at Te Papa later this year. 1 December 13 November 29 October 19 September Mr Finlayson also announced the appointment of Wellington lawyer Rebecca Ellis as a Judge of the High Court. Justice Randerson's appointment as a Judge of the Court of Appeal will take effect from 1 February 2010, when Justice Winkelmann's appointment as Chief High Court Judge will also take effect.Justice Winkelmann will be only the second woman to head the High Court. The current Chief Justice, Dame Sian Elias, headed the High Court until the establishment of the Supreme Court in 2004. Justice Ellis's appointment will take effect on 1 November 2009 and she will sit in Auckland. 11 September 2 August Mr Goodfellow takes over from Judy Kirk who held the post for seven years. He says he is honoured to have been elected and is looking forward to carrying on the great work undertaken by Mrs Kirk. 7 July 16 June 16 June Two new MPs have been sworn into Parliament, one for each of the major parties. Dr Cam Calder, an Auckland dentist, has entered Parliament as the next onNational's list following Richard Worth's resignation. David Shearer, a former UN aid worker, has retained the Mt Albert electorate for Labour in the by-election held on June 13. Helen Clark vacated the seat when she retired from Parliament to take up a position with the UN. 30 May The Green party has elected Metiria Turei as its new female co-leader at the Green Party’s AGM in Dunedin. Mrs Turei replaces the long-serving Jeanette Fitzsimons who has stepped down after 14 years in the position. 14 May 12 May 17 April Mr Angus was previously a front-line social worker and senior public servant.He takes on the role on May 2. 7 April 7 April Minister of Internal Affairs Richard Worth has announced the appointment of Ms Kirk to a three-year term on the board, effective from 1 May 2009. 7 April "I intend to offer 22 new appointments, one elevation of a deputy chair to chair, three elevations of a director to deputy chair, and 20 reappointments," Mr Power said. For a full list of appointments and reappointment click here.
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NEWS
26 February
HEATLEY RESIGNS PORTFOLIOS
Prime Minister John Key accepted the resignation of Housing and Fisheries Minister Phil Heatley from his ministerial portfolios following concerns raised about his use of a ministerial credit card.
Earlier in the week Mr Heatley acknowledged that he had used his ministerial credit card for the purchase of two bottles of wine while at the National Party Conference last year. Cabinet rules prohibit ministers from using ministerial credit cards for non-ministerial related purposes. Additionally, all has to be documented and backed up with receipts. Once revealed Mr Heatley reimbursed $70 representing the cost of the wine.
Upon further investigation, by the Prime Minister’s Office, it became known that he had falsely characterised the expenditure as a dinner with his wife. It was this additional information which pushed the “offence” from mere sloppiness to a question of individual integrity and honesty.
“Mr Heatley tendered his resignation to me this morning and I will be advising the Governor-General to accept it.
“Mr Heatley has also asked that the Auditor-General conduct an audit into his ministerial expenses.
“His actions have been untidy and they have been careless but . . . ministers are human beings and from time to time they will make mistakes,” Mr Key told a news conference called to explain the sudden departure.
For the time being, Maurice Williamson and David Carter will act in the Housing and Fisheries portfolios respectively.
22 February
SOUTHERN DISTRICT HEALTH BOARDS MERGE
The Government has approved the Otago and Southland District Health Boards' plans to merge.
Health Minister Tony Ryall has said that the Southland and Otago DHBs have been working closely for several years, and have a joint regional management team, a joint chief executive, and two shared board members including the deputy chair.
In the merge the current members of both boards will work as a single board, under one chair, until the local elections at the end of this year. After the DHB elections, the two boards will establish two wards which will have four elected representatives from Otago and three from the Southland region as well as four Ministerial appointments.
"The new Southern DHB Board will have a clinical advisory committee, ensuring a strong voice for clinicians in planning new services, as well as providing a direct line to the DHB's governors," Mr Ryall said.
The Southern DHB is expected to be formed on 30 April 2010.
28 January
FITZSIMONS ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT
Green MP Jeanette Fitzsimons announced her resignation, bringing a 13-year parliamentary career to a close.
“It’s a good time for a change of pace,” said Ms Fitzsimons. “The caucus is in good shape. We have a good second generation of MPs joining our ranks and our co-leaders are doing good work.
“It means I can look forward to more time on the farm and with my grandchildren.”
Ms Fitzsimons, who will be replaced by environmental advocate and campaigner Gareth Hughes, stepped down as the Greens' co-leader last year and signalled then that she would not stand in the 2011 election.
Ms Fitzsimons, was the first Green MP to speak in Parliament following the 1996 election and is believed to be the first Green candidate in the world to win an electorate in a first-past-the-post contest, winning Coromandel in 1999.
In 1998, Ms Fitzsimons introduced the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act which became the first Green legislation passed in New Zealand.
Other achievements include leading negotiations to implement the $323 million home insulation scheme; leading the climate change debate in New Zealand; working with governments to increase funding for public transport, cycling and walking, and to electrify the Auckland rail system; develop vehicle fuel-economy labelling; and a commitment to fuel economy standards.
27 January
HISTORIC PLACES TRUST REVIEW RESULTS
Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Christopher Finlayson has announced that the preliminary findings of the government's review of the Historic Places Trust will help it to focus on its significant regulatory responsibilities while providing opportunities for more effective advocacy in local communities.
"The trust has been a Crown entity since 2005, and exercises significant regulatory powers to effectively protect and preserve heritage sites on behalf of the Crown, which contributes around 80% of its funding."
Under the proposals local branch committees, which are involved in advocacy by members, would be disestablished. The trust will discuss with branch committees ways in which new arrangements might be put in place for local heritage advocacy.
The size of the trust's national board would be reduced from nine members to eight. All members of the new board would be appointed by government. Currently, three positions are elected by the wider membership of the trust. The preliminary review concluded that this change would clear up confused accountabilities on the board.
27 January
SMALL CABINET RESHUFFLE
Prime Minister John Key has announced a small reshuffle of ministerial responsibilities, to take effect this week.
Fourteenth-ranked Steven Joyce, will take over the tertiary education portfolio from Anne Tolley.
The PM has removed the conservation portfolio from twelfth-ranked Tim Groser, handing it to the former associate minister, twentieth-ranked Kate Wilkinson.
Mr Groser has a heavy workload in international negotiations relating to trade and to climate change, including a lot of travel, and was “just not in New Zealand enough to give credit” to the conservation portfolio, Mr Key said.
Mr Groser has also had a title change from associate Minister responsible for International Climate Change Negotiations to Minister responsible for International Climate Change Negotiations.
The changes take effect immediately, and there is no change to Cabinet rankings.
21 January 2010
MOORE NAMED AS NEXT US AMBASSADOR
New Zealand’s next ambassador to the United States will be the Rt Hon Mike Moore, foreign minister Murray McCully has announced.
“As a former prime minister of New Zealand, director-general of the World Trade Organisation and co-chair of the US-NZ partnership forum, Mr Moore is the best possible candidate for this important role,” Mr McCully said.
Mike Moore served as prime minister in 1990. He was minister of external relations and trade from 1988-90 and minister of overseas trade and marketing from 1984-90. He led the international effort to improve trade rules and access as director-general of the World Trade Organisation from 1999-2002.
He takes up his appointment in July-August 2010, succeeding Roy Ferguson, who is returning to Wellington.
13 January 2010
NEW TE PAPA CHIEF EXECUTIVE ANNOUNCED
Michael Houlihan has been named as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Te Papa by the board of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.
Michael Houlihan will come to New Zealand from his current role as head of Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales, a family of seven museums across Wales.
Mr Houlihan has extensive museum experience having started his career as a research assistant at the Imperial War Museum, becoming keeper of permanent exhibitions and head of exhibitions research before joining the Horniman Museum in London as deputy director and then director from 1994. He was appointed the first chief executive of the newly amalgamated National Museums & Galleries of Northern Ireland in 1998, later joining Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales in 2003.
Mr Houlihan also has experience of working in bilingual and complex cultural settings in both Wales and Northern Ireland.
According to the chair of Te Papa, John Judge, a comprehensive national and international search for the museum’s leader had been undertaken since the sudden death of Dr Seddon Bennington while tramping in the Tararua Ranges last July 2009.
Acting chief executive and kaihautū, Michelle Hippolite has said that she is delighted to welcome Mr Houlihan to the team at Te Papa and is looking forward to working with him to lead the future development of Te Papa for all New Zealanders. Mr Houlihan would start at Te Papa later this year.
1 December
CHANGES TO LEGAL SERVICES AGENCY
Following Dame Margaret Bazley's review into legal aid, Justice Minister Simon Power has accepted the resignations of four members of the board of the Legal Services Agency (LSA): current chair Carol Durbin and board members Jane Taylor, Alister James and Dr Pare Keiha.
Mr Power said the board would be cut from six members to four, after Dame Margaret identified serious shortcomings in the delivery and monitoring of legal aid.
Cabinet is to consider folding the LSA into the Ministry of Justice and appointing an independent statutory officer to oversee the granting of legal aid and the running of cases by the public defence service.
Cabinet also agreed to review the quality of legal services provided by legal aid lawyers and the disciplining of poorly performing lawyers. This will happen in two years' time instead of three as recommended by Dame Margaret.
Retired High Court judge Sir John Hansen will be the new board chair. The other new appointee will be Wellington company director John Spencer. They will join existing board members Jane Huria and Ross Tanner, who were appointed in September.
17 November
CLENDON SWORN INTO PARLIAMENT
New Green Party MP David Clendon formally enters Parliament today. He will be sworn in at 2pm and will give his maiden speech at 5.45pm.
David Clendon is of Ngapuhi/Te Roroa and Pakeha heritage, and has been with the Green Party since 1990.
Before entering Parliament, David worked at the coalface of eco-enterprise as Northern Region Manager for the Sustainable Business Network advising businesses on how to make their enterprises more sustainable.
Prior to that, he spent fifteen years as an academic, initially teaching in the Political Studies department at Auckland University in subjects as diverse as Russian and post-Soviet politics, media and propaganda, and environmental politics.
In 2000 he took up a position at Unitec NZ in the school of Landscape and Plant Science. He was a lecturer and Programme Director in resource management, and also taught courses in ecosystem management, ethics, and economics.
15 November
COOK ISLANDS HIGH COMMISSIONER DIES
New Zealand’s High Commissioner to the Cook Islands, Te Rongotoa (Tia) Barrett, died in Middlemore Hospital this morning after a short illness, Foreign Minister Murray McCully said today.
Mr Barrett, 62, had been flown to Auckland on a medical evacuation flight last week.
“On behalf of the government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, I would like to extend deepest sympathy to Tia's wife Theresa, and his children Nick and Caroline," Mr McCully said.
“Tia was a respected diplomat, particularly in the Pacific where he served a number of postings. He was also a close and caring friend of colleagues at the Ministry."
Mr Barrett joined the Foreign Ministry in 1973. He was High Commissioner to Solomon Islands (1992-1995), Fiji (1998-2001) and to the Cook Islands from January this year, and was also posted to Tonga, New Caledonia, and France.
Mr Barrett was previously Chief of Protocol at the Ministry, and director of its Maori Policy Unit. He was a strong advocate for a Maori perspective in New Zealand’s foreign policy.
He served as Official Secretary to Governor-General Dame Silvia Cartwright, and was Director of the Treaty of Waitangi Information Programme in 2003-2004.
Mr McCully said this was a particularly difficult time for staff at the High Commission in Rarotonga, after the death last year of former High Commissioner Brian Donnelly.
25 September
BRADFORD RESIGNS FROM PARLIAMENT
Green MP Sue Bradford has announced her resignation from Parliament after a decade in the House, but confirmed she would remain a member and supporter of the Green Party.
Ms Bradford said her decision, effective October 30, was prompted by the Green Party’s co-leader contest earlier this year: “The Party made a clear and democratic decision, but of course it was personally disappointing and I’m ready for a change.”
“Sue is a very experienced and very successful MP and we’d like her to continue,” Green Party co-leader Russel Norman said, “but we also respect her decision to step down.”
The four-term MP said she would remain active with community groups and unions: “I’ll always be politically active and Parliament is just one vehicle for political change. I’ll be going back to the grassroots.”
The Green Party’s new MP will be Aucklander Dave Clendon, a sustainable business advisor who is of Ngapuhi/Te Roroa and Pakeha heritage.
Ms Bradford had the unique distinction of seeing three Members’ Bills passed into law in the last Parliament. Respectively, they lifted the youth minimum wage to adult rates, extended the length of time some mothers in prison can keep their babies with them, and amended s59 of the Crimes Act so that children receive the same legal protection from assault as adults.
“I’ve also been privileged, through Green Party budget bids, to secure support for the Community & Voluntary sector, for example, securing substantial extra funding for the Community Organisations Grants Scheme (COGS) and initiating the Community Internship Programme,” Ms Bradford said.
19 September
JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS ANNOUNCED
Auckland High Court Judge Hon Justice Helen Winkelmann has been appointed Chief High Court Judge to replace Hon Justice Anthony Randerson when he joins the bench of the Court of Appeal next year, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson has announced.
Mr Finlayson also announced the appointment of Wellington lawyer Rebecca Ellis as a Judge of the High Court.
Justice Randerson's appointment as a Judge of the Court of Appeal will take effect from 1 February 2010, when Justice Winkelmann's appointment as Chief High Court Judge will also take effect.Justice Winkelmann will be only the second woman to head the High Court. The current Chief Justice, Dame Sian Elias, headed the High Court until the establishment of the Supreme Court in 2004.
Justice Ellis's appointment will take effect on 1 November 2009 and she will sit in Auckland.
11 September
MAORI LAND COURT CHIEF JUDGE SWORN IN
The Minister of Maori Affairs, Dr Pita Sharples has sworn in the new Chief Judge of the Maori Land Court, Chief Judge Wilson Whare Isaac, at a ceremony at Pakirikiri Marae, Tokomaru Bay.
Dr Sharples said Chief Judge Isaac had proven his ability when he presided over three major Waitangi Tribunal claims.
"In each of these situations, Chief Judge Isaac gained the respect and trust of each iwi respectively - acquiring a reputation for fairness and compassion that we know will be exercised to a great extent in the Maori Land Court," said Dr Sharples.
He said Chief Judge Isaac's leadership of the Maori Land Court is not just a matter of knowledge, skills and managing a heavy workload.
"The leadership is also about the way in which Chief Judge Isaac has been able to negotiate differences, and ... bring together different strands to achieve a workable solution - indeed a work of art," he said.
2 August
NATIONAL PARTY ELECTS NEW PRESIDENT
The National party board of directors has elected Auckland businessman Peter Goodfellow as their new president.
Mr Goodfellow takes over from Judy Kirk who held the post for seven years. He says he is honoured to have been elected and is looking forward to carrying on the great work undertaken by Mrs Kirk.
15 July
TE PAPA BOSS DIES IN TARARUAS
The bodies of Te Papa chief executive Seddon Bennington and friend Marcella Jackson have been found just a kilometre away from an alpine hut that would have provided them shelter. Police have said that the pair were found just off the track, about a kilometre short of Kime Hut in the Tararua Ranges.
Dr Bennington, 61, and Mrs Jackson, 54, also known as Rosie Jackson, set off from Otaki Forks on Saturday for Kime Hut, about 10 kilometres into the range, but failed to return on Sunday afternoon as planned.
Dr Bennington was an experienced tramper and the pair were thought to be well-equipped.
Dr Bennington was chief executive of Te Papa for six years, and was previously the director of institutions such the Carnegie Science Centre in Pittsburgh, and Scitech Discovery Centre in Perth. Prior to leaving to overseas, he headed the Otago Early Settlers’ Museum in Dunedin, and Wellington’s City Gallery. Kaihautū Michelle Hippolite would step into the role of acting chief executive.
16 June
GUY PROMOTED, NEW NATIONAL WHIPS
National MPs have gathered to elect a new senior whip to replace Otaki MP Nathan Guy who was promoted to a minister outside Cabinet yesterday replacing Dr Worth.
National MPs promoted junior whip Napier MP Chris Tremain into Mr Nathan’s spot and elected Rangitata MP Jo Goodhew as the new junior whip.
Mr Guy takes over the internal affairs portfolio. He will also have responsibility for Archives New Zealand and the National Library. In addition, he will be associate minister of justice and takes the new position of associate minister of transport.
The only other ministerial change is Maurice Williamson taking up land information, a portfolio with strong connections to the statistics portfolio he already holds.
13 June
SHEARER WINS MT ALBERT
Labour's candidate David Shearer has won the Mt Albert electorate in a resounding victory.
Shearer, a former UN aid worker, won with 12,613 votes (63 percent) – a 9187 majority. His nearest rival, National's Melissa Lee, only managed to win 3426 votes, while the Greens candidate, co-leader Russel Norman came in third with 2418 votes.
Dr Richard Worth has resigned from Parliament with immediate effect as police continue to investigate a complaint against him which came to light at the beginning of June, after which he initially resigned from Cabinet.
Dr Worth said in a statement that since he resigned as a Cabinet Minister he had been considering his personal options and also the welfare of the National Party.
“As a result, I have today also resigned as a list Member of Parliament with immediate effect.
Dr Cam Calder has been promoted to Parliament as the next person on the National party list following the resignation announcement.
Dr Calder, an Auckland dentist, almost made it to Wellington on election night in 2008, when he was the last one elected off the National Party list, only to lose his place when special votes were counted, giving the Green Party another seat in the House.
Although Dr Calder has said he had never wanted to get back in as the result of an MP's misfortune he was also humbled and privileged at the thought of rejoining the National team.
He will be sworn into Parliament on Tuesday.
30 May
TUREI NEW GREENS CO-LEADER
The Green party has elected Metiria Turei as its new female co-leader at the Green Party’s AGM in Dunedin. Mrs Turei replaces the long-serving Jeanette Fitzsimons who has stepped down after 14 years in the position.
The new appointee will share leadership responsibility of the Green Party with male Co-Leader Russel Norman.
Turei previously served as the party’s musterer (whip). The Dunedin-based list MP was formerly a resource management lawyer at Simpson Grierson, and Tumuaki Wahine, Te Hunga Roia Maori o Aotearoa.
Outgoing co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons said the party was in good hands: “We were spoiled for choice with two strong candidates and Metiria has a great mix of experience and new energy. It is the right time to pass the torch and I think she will form a very strong leadership team with Russel.”
14 May
MT ALBERT BY-ELECTION CANDIDATES CHOSEN
Both major parties have now selected candidates to contest the Mt Albert electorate for the June 13 by-election.
The National Party has confirmed Korean born former TV presenter and current list MP Melissa Lee will stand as their candidate, while Labour's candidate is former UN aid worker and adviser to Foreign Affairs David Shearer.
Lee was chosen by National over Ravi Musuku, who has stood for National against Helen Clark in two previous elections.
MP John Boscawen will contest the seat for ACT.
The Green party has chosen co-leader Russel Norman to contest the seat. Labour leader Phil Goff says the Greens’ decision to stand Dr Norman could split the left’s vote, but believes the party has put forward a high-profile candidate to increase its exposure nationally.
Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party have chosen Dakta Green an advocate for cannabis law reform as their candidate. United Future Party has selected former MP Judy Turner to stand.
Labour Leader Phil Goff has announced changes to the Labour party spokespeople roles following the departure of the Rt Hon Helen Clark and the return of Hon Damien O’Connor following Hon Michael Cullen's departure.
Changes include Chris Carter taking over the role of foreign affairs spokesperson. Trevor Mallard will return to Labour’s front bench to take over as education spokesperson, while also picking up the Rugby World Cup and the
America’s Cup portfolio's.
Shane Jones will take on the economic development and environment portfolios and Nanaia Mahuta has relinquished her front bench position and the environment portfolio at her own request, but has taken on Maori social development. Biosecurity, rural affairs and associate agriculture portfolios have been given to Damien O'Connor on his to parliament.
For a full list click here.
17 April
CHILDREN'S COMMISSIONER CHANGES
Commissioner Cindy Kiro is to step down from her job at the Children Commission.
When she was appointed six years ago Dr Kiro was the first woman, first Maori and youngest Children's Commissioner. During her term Dr Kiro has been up-front about her anti-smacking stance, bullying and her intolerance for child abuse in New Zealand.
Social Development and Employment Minister Paula Bennett has appointed child care and protection expert John Angus for six months until a permanent appointment is made.
Mr Angus was previously a front-line social worker and senior public servant.
He takes on the role on May 2.
See News Archive for more