Latest news with #ChrisBishop
RNZ News
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
Deputy PM David Seymour defends Chris Bishop's AMA outburst
In his first act as deputy prime minister, David Seymour has defended cabinet minister Chris Bishop's behaviour at Thursday night's Aotearoa Music Awards. Bishop earlier told RNZ he should have kept his comments to himself, after declaring "what a load of crap" during singer Stan Walker's performance, which prominently featured Toitū Te Tiriti banners. Musician Don McGlashan said he confronted Bishop at the event, telling him to "shut up, you dickhead". Speaking to media on Saturday, Seymour defended Bishop's statements and denied the hubbub had distracted from his big day. "Only the people watching or reading your news can decide that, and I suspect that there'll be people who think Bish was absolutely right, people who think he was wrong, people who don't care... each person will make up their own mind. "Just because you become a senior minister, it doesn't mean you should stop having opinions and it might well be that, based on [what] Chris saw in that moment, he was correct. It may be that people will agree with him." In a statement to RNZ, Bishop admitted he said something about performative acclaim and said "what a lot of crap". He said it referred to what he called the overtly political branding on display. "On reflection, I should have kept my thoughts to myself," he said. A spokesperson for Christopher Luxon told RNZ the prime minister had nothing further to add to Bishop's statement about the incident. ACT leader Seymour took over from Winston Peters as deputy prime minister at a ceremony at Government House in Auckland on Saturday. Seymour promised to remain "quirky", as he stepped into the role, although he declined to elaborate on what that meant. "Well, the great thing about quirkiness is it's spontaneous, it sometimes just happens. Anyone who plans to be quirky is, to quote Don McGlashan, a bit of a dickhead." Seymour vowed that, as he tookl over the new role at the halfway point of the current government, he would keep speaking freely. The official paperwork making David Seymour the new deputy prime minister. Photo: Felix Walton / RNZ Seymour said the transition - in most respects - would be "business as usual". "I've actually been the acting prime minister several times and we're all still here, so don't worry." He admitted feeling the position was largely symbolic. "Any position in politics is only an opportunity to be good and do good, and I will be judged by how much we deliver for the people of New Zealand, all of the people - those who support ACT and those who don't. "However, I also believe that for many people who never ever thought an ACT leader could be deputy prime minister, there is some significance in the position." Reflecting on his career to this point, Seymour poked fun at his history. "If I've proved anything, it's that anyone can dance, not always that well, but well enough to earn people's respect and give a lot of entertainment along the way." Seymour was featured on Dancing with the Stars NZ in 2018, in which he finished fifth. Watch the press conference at the conclusion of the swearing-in. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
Deput PM David Seymour defends Chris Bishop's AMA outburst
In his first act as deputy prime minister, David Seymour has defended cabinet minister Chris Bishop's behaviour at Thursday night's Aotearoa Music Awards. Bishop earlier told RNZ he should have kept his comments to himself, after declaring "what a load of crap" during singer Stan Walker's performance, which prominently featured Toitū Te Tiriti banners. Musician Don McGlashan said he confronted Bishop at the event, telling him to "shut up, you dickhead". Speaking to media on Saturday, Seymour defended Bishop's statements and denied the hubbub had distracted from his big day. "Only the people watching or reading your news can decide that, and I suspect that there'll be people who think Bish was absolutely right, people who think he was wrong, people who don't care... each person will make up their own mind. "Just because you become a senior minister, it doesn't mean you should stop having opinions and it might well be that, based on [what] Chris saw in that moment, he was correct. It may be that people will agree with him." In a statement to RNZ, Bishop admitted he said something about performative acclaim and said "what a lot of crap". He said it referred to what he called the overtly political branding on display. "On reflection, I should have kept my thoughts to myself," he said. A spokesperson for Christopher Luxon told RNZ the prime minister had nothing further to add to Bishop's statement about the incident. ACT leader Seymour took over from Winston Peters as deputy prime minister at a ceremony at Government House in Auckland on Saturday. Seymour promised to remain "quirky", as he stepped into the role, although he declined to elaborate on what that meant. "Well, the great thing about quirkiness is it's spontaneous, it sometimes just happens. Anyone who plans to be quirky is, to quote Don McGlashan, a bit of a dickhead." Seymour vowed that, as he tookl over the new role at the halfway point of the current government, he would keep speaking freely. The official paperwork making David Seymour the new deputy prime minister. Photo: Felix Walton / RNZ Seymour said the transition - in most respects - would be "business as usual". "I've actually been the acting prime minister several times and we're all still here, so don't worry." He admitted feeling the position was largely symbolic. "Any position in politics is only an opportunity to be good and do good, and I will be judged by how much we deliver for the people of New Zealand, all of the people - those who support ACT and those who don't. "However, I also believe that for many people who never ever thought an ACT leader could be deputy prime minister, there is some significance in the position." Reflecting on his career to this point, Seymour poked fun at his history. "If I've proved anything, it's that anyone can dance, not always that well, but well enough to earn people's respect and give a lot of entertainment along the way." Seymour was featured on Dancing with the Stars NZ in 2018, in which he finished fifth. Watch the press conference at the conclusion of the swearing-in. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
NZ Herald
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
David Seymour responds to Chris Bishop's ‘crap' comment at Aotearoa Music Awards
The new Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour has waded in on an offensive 'crap' comment by Cabinet Minister Chris Bishop at Thursday night's Aotearoa Music Awards in Auckland. Bishop yesterday admitted he should have kept his comments to himself after saying 'what a load of crap' during a performance
RNZ News
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
David Seymour takes reins as deputy prime minister
David Seymour has taken over from Winston Peters as deputy prime minister. A ceremony marking the ACT leader's transition took place at noon at Government House in Auckland. Seymour vowed to keep speaking freely, as he takes over the role at the halfway point of the current government. The official paperwork making David Seymour the new deputy prime minister. Photo: Felix Walton / RNZ He said the transition - in most respects - would be "business as usual", adding, "I've actually been the acting prime minister several times and we're all still here, so don't worry". Seymour admitted he felt the position was largely symbolic. "Any position in politics is only an opportunity to be good and do good, and I will be judged by how much we deliver for the people of New Zealand," he said. "All of the people, those who support ACT and those who don't. "However, I also believe that for many people who never ever thought an ACT leader could be deputy prime minister, there is some significance in the position." Reflecting on his career to this point, he poked fun at his history. "If I've proved anything, it's that anyone can dance, not always that well, but well enough to earn people's respect and give a lot of entertainment along the way." Seymour was featured on Dancing with the Stars NZ in 2018, in which he finished fifth. Seymour's first task as deputy prime minister was to confront media questions about cabinet minister Chris Bishop's behaviour at Thursday night's Aotearoa Music Awards. Bishop acknowledged he should have kept his comments to himself, after saying "what a load of crap" during Stan Walker's performance, which prominently featured Toitū Te Tiriti banners. Musician Don McGlashan confronted Bishop, telling him to "shut up, you dickhead". Seymour denied the hubbub had distracted from his big day. "Only the people watching or reading your news can decide that, and I suspect that there'll be people who think Bish was absolutely right," he said. "People who think he was wrong, people who don't care... each person will make up their own mind. "Just because you become a senior minister, it doesn't mean you should stop having opinions and it might well be that, based on [what] Chris saw in that moment, he was correct. It may be that people will agree with him." Despite his elevated position, Seymour promised to remain "quirky", although declined to elaborate on what that meant. "Well, the great thing about quirkiness is it's spontaneous, it sometimes just happens. Anyone who plans to be quirky is, to quote Don McGlashan, a bit of a dickhead." Watch the press conference at the conclusion of the swearing-in. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
1News
20 hours ago
- Politics
- 1News
Sweeping RMA changes for housing, freshwater, infrastructure rules proposed
Sweeping changes to the rules governing councils' oversight of everything from housing — to mining — to agriculture — under the Resource Management Act are being released to the public for feedback. The government has released discussion documents covering 12 national policy statements and similar instruments, with the aim of having 16 new or updated ones by the end of the year — ahead of legislation replacing the RMA next year. The consultation covers three main topics: infrastructure and development, the primary sector and freshwater. It is open from May 29 to July 27. The topics cover a wide range of portfolios, the early afternoon announcement fronted by RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay, Energy Minister Simon Watts, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones, Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard, and Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. (Source: ADVERTISEMENT "The changes we're now proposing to national direction under the existing RMA give effect to a range of coalition commitments, can be done quickly and relatively easily, and will help unclog the growth arteries of the economy," Bishop said. "Next year we'll replace the RMA with new legislation premised on property rights. Our new system will provide a framework that makes it easier to plan and deliver infrastructure and energy projects, as well a protecting the environment." Freshwater The changes would "rebalance Te Mana o te Wai to better reflect the interests of all water users", with councils able to "tailor" monitoring and management to local conditions. Councils would be directed to consider how they could help ensure stable domestic food supply, including providing for crop rotation in regional plans. Crop rotation within catchments could be allowed without a consent. Water storage rules would change aiming to ensure water flows during dry periods, protect against climate-change-caused drought, and reduce the need for extraction from natural rivers and lakes. Wetland regulations would change aiming to protect water filtration, flood control, and habitat for diverse species. ADVERTISEMENT The definition of "wetland" would be amended, now excluding unintentionally created "induced" wetlands, and allowing farming activities like irrigation, on-farm water storage and fencing considered "unlikely" to have an adverse effect, while constructed wetlands would have a new objective, standards, and consent pathway. Councils would no longer need to map wetlands by 2030, but Source Water Risk Management areas would now need to be mapped "to help safeguard drinking water sources from contamination". The government is also proposing to "simplify" requirements for fish passages to reduce the administrative burden "while still providing appropriate protection". Changes to rules for synthetic fertiliser are also proposed. Agriculture Minister Todd McClay. (Source: Primary sector Highly productive land changes would extend the timeframes to 2027/28, see the removal of the "Land Use Capability 3" category and trial the use of "special agricultural areas". ADVERTISEMENT Grazed beef cattle and deer in low intensity farms would no longer need to be kept out of wetlands. In forestry, councils would lose the ability to set harder controls, slash would need to be planned for and — above a certain size — removed, and low-intensity harvesting will be permitted by default if "any relevant forest planning requirement is complied with". Restrictions on mines and quarries in wetlands would be loosened. Aquaculture changes aim to streamline consenting for activities and research, and allow small structures in coastal marine areas with no consent. Infrastructure and development Granny flats of up to 70sqm, and papakāinga of up to 10 homes would be allowed without a consent on specific land zones. Papakāinga would also allow commercial activities of up to 100sqm, conservation activity, accommodation for up to eight guests, along with education, health, sports, marae, urupā and māra kai facilities. Medium papakāinga of up to 30 homes would be considered a "restricted discretionary" activity, with those of more than 30 units becoming "discretionary" activities. ADVERTISEMENT Energy changes include new policies on supporting the needs of the electricity network and management of environmental interests, and another new policy on recognising and providing for Māori interests in electricity transmission, and other changes. These would allow more routine work on electricity networks, establish a National Grid Yard and Subdivision Corridor, and scrap consenting for distribution and EV charging infrastructure. A new policy for natural hazards — covering flooding, landslips, coastal erosion, coastal inundation, active faults, liquefaction and tsunami — would cover all environments and zones including coastal environments, directing councils to take a risk-based approach and assess risk based on "likelihood and consequence". A definition of "significant risk" using a risk matrix would be provided, with councils directed to also use the best available information when making decisions. In telecommunications, new poles would be allowed by default in more areas, with restrictions in the road reserve also removed. Renewable energy generation, temporary facilities and connection lines to heritage buildings for telecommunications would no longer need consenting.
