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RNZ News
28-05-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
'Look at the plan for growth' - Pacific peoples minister on NZ budget
Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Dr Shane Reti. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi New Zealand's Pacific peoples minister says Pasifika people should see themselves in the Government's 2025 budget. It comes amid disappointment in the financial plan from several quarters, including from a Tongan Auckland community leader and from the opposition's Pacific peoples spokesperson, Carmel Sepuloni. The Budget included a funding cut for the Ministry for Pacific Peoples (MPP) of nearly NZ$36 million over the next four years - equating to $9m annually - and the closing of the Tauola Business Fund which will save $3.5m a year. But Dr Shane Reti told Pacific Waves the benefits set to come from the Budget will also benefit Pasifika in Aotearoa. Asked what he would say to people who are still reluctant or still doubtful about what this budget can deliver for Pacific peoples, Reti said: "I think what I'd say to them is look at the plan for growth. "It is an economic growth agenda. As inflation comes down, cost of living improves. Pasifika people benefit from that," he said. "As inflation comes down, interest rates come down; mortgage rates come down. Therefore it's an easier pathway into housing - that's got to benefit Pasifika people. "And the extra 240,000 jobs, Pasifika people will participate in that. "So I would anticipate that Pasifika see themselves in this budget. It is an economic growth agenda and Pasifika people will benefit from economic growth." Dr Reti said he has "complete confidence" that MPP will still be able to deliver its core services. "We need to understand that any reductions in budget are spread out over four years. "Our Toloa scholarships used to be completely managed - that is that alignment between applicants and the mission for the Toloa fund used to be managed by MPP. That is now outsourced to a specialist agency who, more effective and more efficiently is able to help us find the 300 people roughly that we're looking to support each year through the Toloa STEM scholarships. So that's an example of MPP becoming more effective, more efficient and better using the funding that it does have." On Wednesday, Dr Reti announced NZ$1 million over four years for the Auckland Pacific Wardens Trust. The funding is for established wardens in Auckland and South Waikato but Reti said he would like to see the initiative expand to other parts of the country. Reti said Pacific Wardens are a trusted and vital presence in communities.
RNZ News
21-05-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Oral Questions for 21 May 2025
Questions to Ministers Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions? DAN BIDOIS to the Minister of Finance: What is the Government's objective for net core Crown debt? Hon CARMEL SEPULONI to the Minister for Women: Does she stand by her answer to oral question No. 4 on Thursday, 15 May that "The initial conversation I had with the Minister of Finance regarding pay equity occurred on 9 November 2024"; if so, on what date did she first inform the Ministry for Women of potential pay equity changes? Hon MARAMA DAVIDSON to the Prime Minister: E tautoko ana ia i nga korero me nga mahi katoa a tona Kawanatanga? Does he stand by all of his Government's statements and actions? RIMA NAKHLE to the Minister of Transport: What announcements has he made regarding rail funding in Budget 2025? Hon BARBARA EDMONDS to the Minister of Finance: Does she stand by her statement in relation to Budget 2025 that "The vast bulk of these initiatives will be funded from savings. As in last year's Budget, existing areas of spending will be redirected towards higher priorities"? JOSEPH MOONEY to the Minister for Tourism and Hospitality: What recent reports has she seen on tourism in New Zealand? TODD STEPHENSON to the Minister for Regulation: What recent announcements has he made on progressing the Regulatory Standards Bill? Hon WILLOW-JEAN PRIME to the Minister of Education: Does she stand by all her statements and actions regarding pay equity and workforce conditions in the education sector? TAKUTAI TARSH KEMP to the Associate Minister of Housing: What role, if any, have the Government's policies and decisions played in contributing to the 53 percent increase in homelessness in Tamaki Makaurau between September 2024 and January 2025, particularly for rangatahi? DAVID MacLEOD to the Minister for Maori Development: What recent announcements has he made about Maori Wardens? CAMILLA BELICH to the Minister for ACC: Does he stand by his statements and actions in relation to the Accident Compensation Corporation? To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
RNZ News
16-05-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Pasifika leaders, influencers weigh in on proposed social media ban for under 16s
Photo: RNZ As the New Zealand government considers restricting social media access for under-16s , Pacific leaders in Parliament and online influencers are weighing in with a mix of views, ranging from cautious support to concern, and even strong opposition. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced on Sunday that Cabinet will consider a social media ban for under-16s, despite opposition from coalition partner ACT. He expressed concern about the harm social media can cause young New Zealanders, suggesting that restricting access for under-16s would help protect them from bullying, harmful content, and addiction. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi "I talked to parents, I talked to teachers, I talked to principals and they are all struggling with actually the harm that social media is causing our kids," Luxon said. Labour's Pacific peoples spokesperson Carmel Sepuloni said they are pleased the government listened when they told them it should be a government bill not a private member's bill. Sepuloni said as a mother she shares concerns about online safety for her children in the new digital age. She said that many Pacific people have created safe spaces online for their communities. However, increased time spent on these platforms raises the risk of unsolicited harm, which understandably fuels many parents' fears. Among Pacific social media influencers, the response is more critical. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone RNZ Pacific spoke to three prominent influencers all of whom said the government's focus might be misplaced. Social media content creator and broadcaster Regan Foai, who hosts Niu FM's breakfast show, is a parent himself and he said the government should invest in more significant issues. "I'll double down on the fact that I do feel that the money that is being put into this should be put into other places in this country," Foai told RNZ Pacific. "There's a lot of things going on at the moment, and I feel for the people that are struggling on the ground here. "I do feel like it's a parent's responsibility to help their children navigate the social media world, and I do worry in that space where, if the government tell you, 'Hey, we're putting a ban, your kids can't go on social media'. "What's next after that? They're going to tell us how to feed our kids. Once you put that ban in place, it kind of opens up a gate to a whole bunch of other things," he said. Content creator and NiuFM host Regan Foai Photo: Supplied Hana Matauaina Vaai Schmidt, a mother and presenter of Bluwave's Breaking Waves Podcast, said it was a good idea, but she pointed out similar initiatives were failing in other countries. "When I heard this, the first thing I thought was 'the intention is good, but will it work?' "We've seen other countries try to apply the same law but children and youth have just found a way around to accessing social media tools," Schmidt said. "It is a good thing we're identifying that this is a problem in New Zealand, and we're working towards a solution. "But I think more consultation needs to be done on whether putting the investment or money into this solution will actually work and if it will provide a better outcome for our communities." Hana Matauaina Vaai Schmidt Photo: Supplied Comic artist Michael Mulipola, better known as 'Bloody Samoan' on his online platforms, echoed similar sentiments. However, he said for him it is an educational thing. "It's almost kind of plugging a leak with a piece of sellotape," Mulipola said. "It's a temporary kind of measure and a short-sighted one too because our youth, the last two generations of youth, their existence is in the online space. That's where they find friendship, that's where they find connection." He said the drawback is it is also where you can find harassment and online trolls, which he has had first-hand experiences with himself. "I feel like it should be more about education around how to deal with those kind of things," he said. "But that's the lives of our youth now - it's online [and] they are digital." Comic artist Michel Mulipola aka Bloody Samoan Photo: Supplied Green Party MP Teanau Tuiono said its important to acknowledge the harms that can come with social media platforms and the issue should be looked at from a harm-reduction perspective. At the same time, he said the onus should not just be put on people under the age of 16. "We know that misinformation and disinformation target people right across [all] age groups, and many of our seniors are particularly vulnerable as well," Tuiono said. He said it is also important to hold the social media platforms accountable. "It's all very well to pass out the responsibility to the individual people under the age of 16 or older people. "But where's the responsibility from social media platforms? They are responsible for this harm where is there responsibility for this?" Green Party MP Teanau Tuiono Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone He believes a broader approach is needed. "They need to be responsible for the harm they they are creating, that their algorithm creates for young people, and also on democracy itself. "That's an important ingredient in this conversation."
RNZ News
08-05-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Oral Questions for Thursday 8 May 2025
Questions to Ministers Hon CARMEL SEPULONI to the Minister for Women: Does she stand by her answer to oral question No. 4 yesterday, in relation to the Equal Pay Amendment Bill, that "I always advocate for women, and I have been consulted on and advised on this legislation from the outset"; if so, on what date was she first consulted regarding the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety's Cabinet paper reviewing pay equity policy settings? SUZE REDMAYNE to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has she seen on the Government's fiscal position? Hon BARBARA EDMONDS to the Minister of Finance: When did she first consider the pay equity changes for inclusion in Budget 2025, and what modelling did she receive, if any, on the number of workers likely to be affected by the Equal Pay Amendment Bill? KAHURANGI CARTER to the Minister for Children: E tautoko ana ia i ana korero me ana mahi katoa? Does she stand by all of her statements and actions? LAURA McCLURE to the Minister for Children: What recent announcements has she made regarding key performance indicators for Oranga Tamariki? Hon WILLOW-JEAN PRIME to the Minister of Education: Does she stand by all of her answers to oral question No. 11 on 6 May 2025? GRANT McCALLUM to the Minister of Education: What recent announcements has she made? Hon GINNY ANDERSEN to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: Does she stand by her statement, "our priority is building a strong economy to reduce the cost of living, support more people into work and lift incomes for women to help them and their families out of hardship"; if so, how does the Equal Pay Amendment Bill contribute to lifting the incomes of women? SAM UFFINDELL to the Minister for Tourism and Hospitality: What recent announcements has she made to boost New Zealand as an international travel destination? LAN PHAM to the Minister for the Environment: Does she consider that she has been a strong advocate for environmental protection in the Government's decisions? RYAN HAMILTON to the Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage: What updates can he provide on New Zealand Music Month? Hon JAN TINETTI to the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety: Does she stand by her statement that "women should be paid for their work"; if so, does she consider that the Equal Pay Amendment Bill will make it harder for hundreds of thousands of women to be paid fairly for their work? To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
RNZ News
07-05-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Pacific unemployment surges to nearly double national rate
By 'Alakihihifo Vailala , PMN Photo: 123RF New data from Stats NZ shows unemployment among Pacific people has surged to 10.8 percent, nearly twice the national rate of 5.1 percent. Despite overall employment figures remaining stable, Labour's Pacific peoples spokesperson Carmel Sepuloni describes the figures for Pacific unemployment as "shameful". "It's disheartening to see more Pacific people unemployed as the government chooses to cut public service jobs and scrap housing and infrastructure projects, while giving billions to landlords and the tobacco lobby," Sepuloni says. "We have thousands fewer roles in construction, agriculture, forestry and fishing - industries where many Pacific people are employed. "We want our Pacific people to be in secure, well-paying jobs and we will continue bringing their voices to the forefront to challenge a government which has thus far ignored them." Carmel Sepuloni Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver Finance Minister Nicola Willis acknowledges the latest labour data as "encouraging," highlighting wage growth of 4.5 percent over the past year. "I know people are still struggling in this economy, that's why on May 22 the government will deliver a Budget that continues the work to get the books back in order, while building on the foundations we've laid to foster economic growth," Willis says. "It will be a responsible Budget that secures New Zealand's future." The upcoming Budget will see the operating allowance being cut from $2.4 billion to $1.3b. "This means we will be spending billions less over the forecast period than would have otherwise been the case," Willis says. "This will reduce the amount of extra borrowing our country needs to do over the next few years and it will keep us on track towards balanced books and debt reduction." Sepuloni strongly criticises the upcoming Budget, calling it a "slash-and-burn" plan likely to exacerbate existing inequalities. She criticises the government's recent Equal Pay Amendment Bill which changes the rules around how individuals can request pay equity. "This also comes as the Government takes more money out of Pacific women's pockets and looks to remove the living wage for workers in cleaning, catering, and security services, dealing a huge blow to the many Pacific workers in those jobs." The pay gap for Pacific workers in the public service has widened to 17.2 percent, up from 16.6 percent last year. Pacific women are experiencing the largest disparity, earning 20.9 percent less than the average male wage. The unemployment figures follow last November's findings where the Pacific unemployment rate rose to 9.9 percent. Barbara Edmonds Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone At the time, Labour MP Barbara Edmonds had raised concerns over the lack of targeted interventions for Pacific youth, whose unemployment had reached a critical 24.4 percent, which is one in every four Pacific youths. Edmonds points out the Government's reduction of funding for programmes supporting Pacific youth not in employment, education, or training (NEET). "If a sector of your population has higher unemployment rates, you need targeted interventions, and we're not seeing that under this government," Edmonds says. -This article was first published by PMN .
