Latest news with #Chris Hipkins
RNZ News
an hour ago
- Politics
- RNZ News
Oral Questions for Wednesday 13 August 2025
Questions to Ministers HANA-RAWHITI MAIPI-CLARKE to the Minister of Education: What Maori education providers has she consulted with, if any, regarding the impact her proposed education changes will have on Maori learners across Aotearoa? NANCY LU to the Minister of Finance: What reports has she seen on New Zealand's fiscal policy and tax settings? Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions? CHLÖE SWARBRICK 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? GRANT McCALLUM to the Minister of Immigration: What recent announcements has she made about supporting businesses to access seasonal workers? Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS to the Minister for Energy: Does he agree with the chief executive officer of Consumer NZ and the managing director of Simplicity, in the Protecting industry, jobs and household budgets as the gas runs out report, that accelerating heat pump adoption will reduce reliance on gas, protect jobs, improve public health, and lower energy costs for New Zealand families and businesses? LAURA McCLURE to the Minister for Children: What recent announcements has she made about improving the experiences of Oranga Tamariki caregivers? Hon WILLIE JACKSON to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: Does she stand by her statement about unemployment that "I'm really confident our approach is working"; if so, why is unemployment worse than this time last year, with 16,000 more people unemployed? 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? CATHERINE WEDD to the Minister of Conservation: What recent announcements has he made about the Conservation Act 1987? Hon PEENI HENARE to the Associate Minister of Housing: Does he agree with Hon Chris Bishop that homelessness has "potentially ticked up a little bit, up a little bit more in the last couple of years"? GREG FLEMING to the Minister for Mental Health: What recent reports has he seen on growth in the mental health workforce? To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
RNZ News
a day ago
- Politics
- RNZ News
Labour leader on latest poll numbers
politics about 1 hour ago Labour's had a bump in the latest political poll - up four points in the One News Verian poll - nipping at National's heels. Labour leader Chris Hipkins spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss. Tags: To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
RNZ News
6 days ago
- Business
- RNZ News
Labour MPs gather in Christchurch to formulate election strategy
Labour leader Chris Hipkins addressed the Queenstown Business Chamber on Thursday. Photo: Screengrab Analysis: Labour MPs are gathering in Christchurch for a team 'away day', as the party inches closer to announcing its tax policy. Last year's mid-winter retreat was held in Auckland to re-engage with 'supercity' residents , after the party's bruising defeat in Election 2023 The caucus is now pushing to connect with the South Island - leader Chris Hipkins addressed the Queenstown Business Chamber on Thursday, while other MPs visited flood-affected properties in Moteuka. They will all come together in Christchurch on Friday to look to the year ahead and talk strategy for the run-up to next year's election. The meeting comes as the government works against a tide of negative headlines about the economy, with unemployment jumping to 5.2 percent on Wednesday. National campaigned on rebuilding the economy and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon heralded 2025 as the year of "going for growth" in his State of the Nation speech in January . The party is now battling the headwinds of an economic downturn, with some business voices, like former National leader-turned Auckland Chamber boss Simon Bridges, criticising the coalition for not doing more to stimulate the economy. Labour has been near silent on the policy front, choosing instead to criticise the coalition's ideas and hone its messaging on the cost of living to better resonate with voters feeling the pinch. Responding to an update on the government's transition to a universal road-user charges system , Hipkins said the timing could "clobber" those already struggling to pay the bills, but as for Labour's alternative timeline, who knows? The strategy thus far shows some promise, with the left bloc parties - Labour, the Greens and Te Pāti Māori - holding a narrow lead over the coalition in several political polls this year. Labour has also emerged as the party New Zealanders think has the best handle on the cost of living, according to the latest Ipsos Issues Monitor , but the race remains tight and the coalition parties are poised to pounce, when Labour unveils its tax plan this year. On Sunday, The Post reported Labour was one step closer to endorsing a capital gains tax (CGT) - insiders say the party's policy council has narrowly voted for a CGT over a wealth tax . While MPs will most likely discuss tax policy at today's mid-winter retreat, the public shouldn't hold its breath for an announcement. Party process requires both the council and caucus to sign off on policy. In the meantime, the party is clearly preparing to pitch - and defend - its approach to tax. Hipkins told TVNZ's Q+A in March he would need time to "counter the misinformation that often goes with tax changes" before the 2026 Election. Hipkins will give an opening speech to his caucus in Christchurch on Friday, before MPs have policy and strategy discussions behind closed doors. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
15-07-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Oral Questions for Tuesday 15 July 2025
Questions to Ministers RYAN HAMILTON to the Minister of Finance: What recent announcements has she made on the cost of living? Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions? ANDY FOSTER to the Minister for Resources: What actions is the Government taking to increase economic growth in the resources sector? CHLÖE SWARBRICK 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? Hon BARBARA EDMONDS to the Minister of Finance: Does she stand by her statement she is "seeing signs of growth across our economy"; if so, why? Dr CARLOS CHEUNG to the Minister of Health: What recent announcements has the Government made to improve access to elective procedures for New Zealanders? Hon Dr AYESHA VERRALL to the Minister of Health: Does he stand by his target that 95 percent of patients will be waiting less than four months for a first specialist appointment? 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 NANCY LU to the Minister of Local Government: What recent announcements has he made on getting councils back to basics? Hon GINNY ANDERSEN to the Minister for Economic Growth: Does she stand by her statement, "I think New Zealanders will judge our government on what we do and what we deliver"; if so, how does she think New Zealanders will judge the Government's ability to deliver jobs, when 47,000 people left New Zealand for Australia last year? Dr VANESSA WEENINK to the Minister for Vocational Education: What recent actions has the Government taken to restore regional decision-making in vocational education and training? Hon PEENI HENARE to the Associate Minister of Housing: Has the number of people sleeping rough, as defined by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, increased since he became Associate Minister of Housing? To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
