Latest news with #CaseyCostello
Scoop
3 days ago
- Health
- Scoop
From Tobaccogate To Gendergate: Casey Costello's Pattern Of Ideology Over Evidence Continues
Wellington, New Zealand Rights Aotearoa (formerly Countering Hate Speech Aotearoa) today strongly condemned Associate Health Minister Casey Costello for issuing a discriminatory directive targeting trans and non-binary pregnant people without any evidence, consultation, or regard for human rights – the latest in a disturbing pattern of ideological decision-making. Official Information Act documents prove Minister Costello: Took ZERO advice before directing Health NZ to exclude trans and non-binary people from health communications. Conducted NO analysis of human rights implications under the Human Rights Act 1993 or the Bill of Rights Act 1990. Had NO evidence to support her claim about inclusive language confusing ESL speakers. She just lied about this point. Ignored established medical best practice to pursue an ideological agenda. "Casey Costello presented her personal prejudice as fact," said Paul Thistoll, CEO of Rights Aotearoa. "She claimed inclusive language confused people with English as a second language, yet sought no advice, consulted no one, and had zero evidence. This is governance by discrimination." The minister's directive forces Health NZ to erase pregnant trans men and non-binary people from existence in health communications – a clear breach of the Human Rights Act 1993. "First, there was tobaccogate; now it's gendergate. This isn't just about words; it's about trust and a pattern of behaviour," Thistoll continued. During the tobacco scandal, Costello: Ignored Treasury officials who told her "Philip Morris would be the biggest winner" from her $216 million tax cut. First denied that a tobacco policy document existed, then claimed not to know who wrote it or how it ended up in her office. Was reprimanded TWICE by the Chief Ombudsman for acting "contrary to law" in withholding information. Claimed to have "independent advice" supporting tobacco tax cuts, but refused to reveal its source. "When a Minister bypasses evidence, ignores expert advice, and has a history of transparency issues, it undermines public confidence," said Thistoll. "Whether it's handing $216 million to Big Tobacco or erasing trans people from healthcare, Casey Costello operates the same way: no evidence, no consultation, no transparency, no accountability." This directive will erase trans and non-binary pregnant people from health communications, potentially denying them vital care, despite research from Dr George Parker showing inclusive language benefits them without harming others. Rights Aotearoa demands Minister Costello: Immediately reverse this discriminatory and evidence-free directive Issue a public apology to the trans and non-binary community for the distress caused and for pursuing policy without due diligence Commit unequivocally to transparent, evidence-based policymaking, particularly in health If Minister Costello refuses to uphold her responsibilities and correct this harmful directive by July 1st, Rights Aotearoa will: Support pregnant trans and non-binary people to file formal complaints with the Human Rights Commission and pursue proceedings before the Human Rights Review Tribunal to seek a ruling that the directive unlawfully discriminates based on gender identity "Kiwis deserve healthcare based on facts and fairness, not a Minister's personal crusade," Thistoll declared. "Casey Costello has shown she will sacrifice public health and human rights for her personal ideology. From tobacco to trans rights, she operates without evidence, hides the truth, and puts vulnerable people at risk. This must stop." OIA response CCHOIA-447 from Hon Casey Costello's office (29 May 2025) confirms no consultation or advice was sought. The Human Rights Act 1993 prohibits discrimination on the grounds of sex, which includes gender identity, according to the Human Rights Commission, based on the Crown Law 2006 Opinion. Health NZ confirmed they had no policy requiring gender-inclusive language before the minister's intervention. Minister previously found to have acted unlawfully by Chief Ombudsman in tobacco policy matters.
Scoop
22-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Rates Relief For Up To 66,000 More SuperGold Cardholders
Hon Simon Watts Minister of Local Government Hon Casey Costello Minister for Seniors Budget 2025 will help up to 66,000 more SuperGold Cardholders with their rates payments, Local Government Minister Simon Watts and Seniors Minister Casey Costello announced today. 'It's a really tough time for many Kiwis right now and this Government is working at pace to grow the economy so we can take some of the financial pressure off households and ease the cost of living,' Mr Watts says. 'We are seeing good progress in our economy with inflation and interest rates coming down, but we want to do more to relieve the financial burden for households, including for older New Zealanders. 'That's why we're making changes to the rates rebate scheme for SuperGold cardholders.' The Government will introduce a new income abatement threshold to assist SuperGold Cardholders from July 1. The income abatement threshold to be eligible for the maximum rebate for SuperGold Cardholders and their households will be lifted from $31,510 to $45,000 – about the rate for a couple receiving superannuation. The maximum rebate for the scheme will also increase from $790 to $805. 'This is the first time we are introducing a separate income abatement threshold to the Rates Rebate Scheme, Seniors Minister Casey Costello says. 'It will mean that every SuperGold Cardholder earning only NZ Superannuation, with rates higher than $2000, will be eligible for the full rebate. SuperGold Cardholders earning more than $45,000 may also be entitled to a smaller rebate.' 'These changes, worth $154 million over four years, will come as a relief to those seniors who are on fixed incomes and are dealing with rates increases.' The National Party and New Zealand First coalition agreement had a commitment to explore options to build on the Local Government Rates Rebate Scheme for SuperGold cardholders and to maximise the benefits of the SuperGold Card. 'The Rates Rebate Scheme is administered by local councils and provides financial relief for low-income New Zealanders owning their own home,' Mr Watts says. Ratepayers can apply for the new maximum rebate under the new abatement thresholds after 1 July 2025. Application forms will be available from councils and will also be able to be downloaded from the New Zealand Government website ( and then submitted to local councils after 1 July 2025. 'If over-65s have questions about eligibility they can contact their council or retirement village operator,' Ms Costello says.
Scoop
22-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Helping Older People Get The Right Care
Hon Casey Costello Associate Minister of Health New funding will give older people greater access to aged residential care and longer care outside of hospitals, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello announced today. 'We want to ensure older New Zealanders can get the treatment and care they need in the best possible place. They should not be in hospital simply because they are frail and there are limited options for their care,' Ms Costello says. 'This investment of $24 million over four years will help people, who don't need continued hospital treatment, to move to other care places in the community, including aged residential care.' This timely care transfer initiative was developed with the aged care sector in 2023 but had time-limited funding that ends next month. 'This investment means current delays in discharging older people from hospital will be reduced and hospital beds will be freed up for those requiring treatment,' Ms Costello says. 'It will benefit anyone needing to access hospital and specialist services. 'The new funding will enable better rehabilitation and recovery in the community – for example, providing support for older people with exceptional needs, such as bariatric care, and the extra care required for new residents with complex needs,' Ms Costello says. 'I've seen first-hand how Aged Care residences can provide this level of recuperative care. They are currently funded to provide these 'hospital' rooms, and this extra funding will support access to this care and for the transfer process to occur safely and faster. 'We are working on large-scale and long-term improvements to the aged care system, but this initiative delivers some immediate support and helps us achieve national health targets.'
RNZ News
20-05-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Labour's Ingrid Leary claims Casey Costello is not doing her job as Minister for Seniors
Casey Costello. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Labour's Ingrid Leary is accusing Casey Costello of being missing in action in her role as Minister for Seniors, but Costello has hit back, saying it shows the member has a "very shallow understanding of the Seniors portfolio". Answers by the Minister to Official Information requests and Written Parliamentary questions show she hasn't taken any papers under the Seniors portfolio to cabinet between taking office in late 2023 and the end of March this year. A search on the Beehive website shows only one press release from Costello as the Minister for Seniors since the term started. Leary, the party's spokesperson for Seniors, said Costello had done more to " help big tobacco than the older New Zealanders she has responsibility to protect the rights and interests of". "One of the very first things Casey Costello announced as minister was to overturn groundbreaking smokefree legislation that would have saved thousands of lives. "She also championed a $216 million tax break to encourage use of a tobacco product without proof it would reduce smoking rates, but would definitely profit big tobacco." Ingrid Leary. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone By contrast, Leary said Costello "hadn't presented a single cabinet paper to cabinet, her party or ministerial colleagues since coming into government in late 2023 to March 2025." Costello needed to "prove she's worth her portfolio" by advocating for the rights and interests of seniors, Leary said. Leary suggested that could be done by bringing forward the Retirement Villages Act review and by advocating for pay equity in the care and support workforce who look after "many of our grandparents, parents, and ourselves in our later years". Costello rejected the accusation, saying it showed the Labour MP didn't know what the government was doing to support older New Zealanders. She said the Office for Seniors (OFS) was a small office that did not administer legislation and "has never been a large generator of cabinet papers". "Cabinet papers are not a measure of either the government's commitment to older New Zealanders, or my focus and effort as Minister for Seniors." The OFS helped her work across government to deliver better results for older people, Costello said. Some of that work required her to work with other ministers including, for example, the changes to allow people to build subsidiary dwellings and the Retirement Village review. "And a substantial part of our policy programme for seniors is around improving aged care, which I'm responsible for as Associate Health Minister." Costello said older New Zealanders could be assured every commitment made to them in the NZ First-National coalition agreement would be met this during this government's term. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Supporting Safer Communities With Māori Wardens
Press Release – New Zealand Government Budget 2025 includes $1.5 million per annum of new baseline funding for Mori Wardens, bringing total government funding for Mori Wardens to $2.7 million per annum. Minister for Māori Development Hon Casey Costello Associate Minister of Police Rt Hon Winston Peters Deputy Prime Minister He taonga rongonui te aroha ki te tangata. The great work Māori Wardens do to support communities and safety gets a boost in this year's Budget, Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka, Associate Police Minister Casey Costello and Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters, announced today. 'Māori Wardens offer a friendly face when times are tough. They've supported whānau nationwide for more than 150 years, providing training programmes for youth, food to those in need, and help in tough times like COVID-19 lockdowns and recent flooding events,' Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka says. 'There are now over 500 wardens supporting New Zealanders every day with everything from engaging with our rangatahi and keeping them in school to de-escalating conflict. 'These services rely heavily on volunteers. Today we are ensuring they receive extra support, including transport and training for volunteers, and greater administrative support for staff to manage service coordination and, in some areas, expanding services to help meet the need.' Budget 2025 includes $1.5 million per annum of new baseline funding for Māori Wardens, bringing total government funding for Māori Wardens to $2.7 million per annum. The extra funding reflects a commitment in the National Party & New Zealand First coalition agreement. 'Māori wardens are a huge asset to New Zealand's social cohesion and the prevention of social dislocation before it happens. This funding uplift not only provides critical support to a voluntary organisation but is testament to the valuable work that they do,' says Deputy Prime Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters. 'Māori wardens hold significant mana in our communities and make an important contribution to community safety alongside Police and other groups,' Associate Police Minister Casey Costello says. 'Because they are so closely connected to their communities, they can be a familiar, caring and calming presence in sometimes stressful situations. They are trusted community members who can help whānau, deter crime and allow Police to focus on their core functions. 'Today's announcement will help ensure wardens are supported to continue their important role, including at significant events like Waitangi Day and Poukai.'
