Social Security Amendment Bill Pushes Poverty On People
'Instead of punching down on the poor like the current Government, we can end poverty and provide everyone with what they need to live good lives,' says the Green Party's spokesperson for Social Development and Employment, Ricardo Menéndez March.
'Calling these new sanctions non-financial is misleading, as they'll still deprive people of the ability to access financial support like hardship grants. It's a disgrace that the Government is pursuing this despite reports New Zealand ranks near the bottom in child wellbeing.
'We have a plan to provide everyone with what they need to live good lives. Our Income Guarantee would ensure all whānau have the basics for a good life and don't fall through the gaps.
'In this country, we have enough to support those who are struggling. Instead of providing the bare essentials for some of our most vulnerable, Christopher Luxon's Government has chosen to prioritise tax cuts for wealthy landlords and tobacco companies.
'The Ministry of Social Development has already admitted their frontline capacity is oversubscribed and unable to properly support people due to the traffic light regime the Government has brought in. This will make things even worse.
'The Green Party will repeal all benefit sanctions and lift incomes to liveable levels. We will build an economy that works for all of us, not just a wealthy few,' says Ricardo Menéndez March.
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RNZ News
29 minutes ago
- RNZ News
PM wants NZ to get behind development, progress, stem tide of Kiwis living for Oz
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon addresses 550 delegates at the annual National Party conference in Christchurch. Photo: RNZ / Giles Dexter National leader Christopher Luxon has told the party's annual conference that the country needs to "say yes" more. Addressing about 550 delegates, MPs and supporters at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand in Christchurch, Luxon bemoaned "activists" who opposed housing developments, agriculture, cruise ships and mines. "If we're serious about keeping Kiwis at home, creating jobs and increasing wages for all New Zealanders, we can't afford to keep saying no to every opportunity that comes our way." Opposition parties have heavily criticised the government for its economic policies and laid the blame at its feet for the 30,000 New Zealanders who moved to Australia last year, but Luxon said the opposition would make it worse. "Take a look at Australia," he said. "If they shut down their mining industry or their energy industry tomorrow, as Labour and the Greens want to do here, I guarantee you would see fewer Kiwis moving across the ditch." Luxon's speech came hot on the heels of an announcement from the United States that it would increase tariffs to 15 percent. Still digesting the announcement and what it would mean for New Zealand exporters, Luxon acknowledged "challenging" global conditions. "We can't just batten down the hatches and hope for the best," he said. Luxon's speech made no mention of National's coalition partners, New Zealand First or ACT, or even the word 'coalition' itself, although deputy Nicola Willis acknowledged the "energy" it took to keep Winston Peters and David Seymour under control. Instead, Luxon's speech was heavy on shoutouts to his National ministers and their policies, and also on blaming the previous government for the cost-of-living struggles New Zealanders currently faced. "In the years to come, immediate action on the cost of living isn't enough," he said. "The last government spent billions of dollars in failed handouts, only to watch inflation roar and the economy falter. "We have to keep our eyes on the prize." Echoing his speech at Monday's post-cabinet press conference, Luxon leaned on the economic policies the government had introduced, such as tax changes, FamilyBoost and the removal of the Auckland Fuel Tax. "We're doing what we can," he said. The speech contained an announcement the government would make it easier to get a concession on Department of Conservation land . "That means more certainty for businesses, less bureaucracy and much faster decisions, so the businesses that should be operating can get up and running." There would still be restrictions on some parts of the DOC estate. "Where it does make sense, we need to get to the 'yes' much faster - instead of being bogged down in process and uncertainty," Luxon said. Charges of $20-40 for foreign visitors to high-volume sites like Cathedral Cove, Tongariro Crossing, Milford Sound, and Aoraki Mount Cook were being introduced, but New Zealanders would be exempt from the fees. Party president Sylvia Wood, who was re-elected at the conference, said the party would select candidates for the 2026 election shortly. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
1News
3 hours ago
- 1News
Govt announces foreign visitor charges at popular DOC sites
Foreign visitors will soon need to pay a charge to access some of New Zealand's most famous tourist destinations on conservation land, the Government announced today. It was also announced that concessions would be widened to allow for more business activity on conservation land. The charges announced today would mean foreign tourists visiting Cathedral Cove / Te Whanganui-a-Hei, Tongariro Crossing, Milford Track, and Aoraki Mount Cook would need to pay between $20 and $40 per person. New Zealanders would not be charged for access. Conservation Minister Tama Potaka said foreigners made up 80% of all visitors at the destinations. Conservation Minister Tama Potaka. (Source: 1News) ADVERTISEMENT He estimated the charges could make up to $62 million a year in revenue, which would be directly reinvested into those same areas. 'Tourists make a massive contribution to our economy, and no one wants that to change," Potaka said. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said sites that were "truly special" to Kiwis needed to be protected, and said the charges would give the Department of Conservation more support. "But I have heard many times from friends visiting from overseas their shock that they can visit some of the most beautiful places in the world for free." Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. File photo. (Source: Getty) Luxon said it would create more economic opportunities out of underutilised Department of Conservation land. The charge would be similar to the cost of admission for international visitors to the Auckland War Memorial Museum, where an adult currently paid $32 and child, aged between five and 15, paid $16. ADVERTISEMENT Alongside the charges, the Government also announced widening concessions, for businesses to operate on conservation land. Aoraki / Mount Cook along the Hooker Valley Track on a sunny day in the South Island. (Source: "We're going to fix the Conservation Act to unlock more economic activity through concessions – like tourism, agriculture, and infrastructure, in locations where that makes sense," Luxon said "That means more certainty for businesses, less bureaucracy, and much faster decisions, so the businesses that should be operating can get up and running." Luxon said there would still be restrictions to protect the natural environment. "Of course it won't make sense for businesses to be operating on every part of the DOC estate," he said. "But where it does make sense, we need to get to the 'yes' much faster – instead of being bogged down in process and uncertainty." Tourist enjoying views of upper Clinton valley on Milford Track. (Source: Luxon said the current concessions scheme was "totally broken", saying it often took years to obtain or renew, "leaving businesses in a cycle of bureaucratic limbo". 'Outdated rules mean we've got examples of modern e-bike users being turned away from potential touring opportunities because they have to be considered as proper vehicles. "And tourism on the Routeburn is being held up because the trail crosses artificial boundaries, with different rules and different limits."
Otago Daily Times
5 hours ago
- Otago Daily Times
Foreign tourists to be charged entry fee at key NZ sites
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. Photo: RNZ The government has announced plans to "unleash growth" on conservation land, granting more business opportunities and introducing entry fees for international visitors at four popular sites. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Conservation Minister Tama Potaka announced changes to the Conservation Act at the National Party Conference in Christchurch on Saturday. Those changes would create more concessions - permission to operate a business - in tourism, agriculture and infrastructure. Many businesses already ran on the conservation estate, including guided walks and skifields, filming documentaries, grazing sheep and cattle, hosting concerts and building cellphone towers, but Luxon said the concessions regime was "totally broken, often taking years to obtain or renew, and leaving businesses in a cycle of bureaucratic limbo". International visitors will be charged between $20 to $40 to access four popular sites, including the Milford Track. Photo: Getty He said the rules were outdated and the system would be changed to allow more jobs, growth and higher wages, with a "fresh wave" of new concessions made available. Another change would see international visitors charged between $20 to $40 to access four popular sites - Cathedral Cove, the Tongariro Crossing, Milford Track and Aoraki Mount Cook. The government estimated it would bring in $62 million a year in revenue to be re-invested in those same areas, Potaka said. New Zealanders would not be charged, with Luxon saying: "It's our collective inheritance and Kiwis shouldn't have to pay to see it."
