Latest news with #JanTinetti
RNZ News
29-07-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Labour questions need for government consultation over what chores farm children can do
"It's pretty common knowledge if an egg is covered in poo, you don't lick it. Wash your hands afterwards, what's the problem?" Labour's Kieran McAnulty said. Photo: Connect Images via AFP The Labour Party is ridiculing the government's consultation over what chores children can do on family farms, describing it as a solution in search of a problem. Workplace Relations and Safety Minister [ Brooke van Velden] has announced the start of consultation with the agriculture sector on the rules surrounding children collecting eggs or feeding small animals. In a statement, van Velden said the government was proposing making it clear that children could safely take part in "light chores" on family farms - but she expected higher-risk activities involving heavy machinery would remain off-limits. Farmers had told her they wanted the law to recognise that the farm was both their workplace and home, she said. But Labour's Workplace Relations and Safety spokesperson Jan Tinetti said the government was focusing on a non-existent problem. "Kids are part of the farm life. I've taught in a rural area [and] it's really important that we encourage the kids to be active in the farm life," she said. "Parents will... make certain that their kids are safe, it's not something we should be looking into." Labour's Kieran McAnulty also questioned the rationale and said he "wouldn't have thought" it was an issue. "It's pretty common knowledge if an egg is covered in poo, you don't lick it. Wash your hands afterwards, what's the problem?" he said. "This sounds like a similar situation to these kindy kids getting hit in the head by an apple. I don't think either of those scenarios have ever been raised with anyone." National ministers, questioned about the announcement on Monday morning, also seemed somewhat bemused by the announcement. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon framed the move in the context of wider consultation on health safety to prevent over-compliance. Northland MP Grant McCallum said he suspected most farmers would not have considered the issue to be a problem but encouraged farmers who felt differently to get in contact with his party's rural caucus. "The thought that farmers can't take their kids out into the farm and help them with chores is just ridiculous." Chris Bishop said he doubted the government would be regulating the collection of eggs and watering plants: "I can't say I've ever collected an egg from a hen house myself. I'm an urban boy, but you never rule anything out - all sorts of things happen in this job." Tama Potaka told reporters many kids enjoyed collecting eggs, particularly with their "nanny and koro". "I suggest that when they do that, they make sure they don't get clucked or plucked," Potaka said. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
18-06-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
National's Erica Stanford clashes with Labour MPs over redress system for survivors abused in state care
Erica Stanford, left, and Jan Tinetti Photo: RNZ National Minister Erica Stanford's scrutiny hearing descended into a political slinging match between the minister and two Labour MPs as they clashed over the redress system for survivors abused in state care. Stanford, who in charge of the government's response, faced a grilling from Opposition MPs at Parliament on Wednesday over why an independent agency hadn't been set up to deliver on a recommendation from the Royal Commission and survivors, and why ministers considered limiting redress for gang members . Labour's Jan Tinetti told the committee a "key fundamental recommendation that survivors asked for" was an independent entity so that the state - the abuser - wasn't dealing with survivors directly as part of the redress. "The Crown had been the abuser and we are hearing daily, and we heard it today, the survivors are still feeling like the Crown is abusing them because their voice has been taken away," Tinetti said. Tinetti asked Stanford why the government didn't take that into account and commit to a new system . Stanford said "many people going through the system are very happy with the service they're getting, of course there are some people who are not". When advice was sought on a new independent agency she said she was told: "It may not be any better than we have now and I wasn't prepared to go through that huge cost, huge time, and huge complexity to maybe not have a better outcome". Erica Stanford Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone But Stanford noted an independent agency wasn't off the cards completely in the future. However, she went on to say, "it's bewildering to me that you have such an obsession with these large complex independent agencies when the experience of late has been, when we have set these up - like Te Pukenga" the outcomes have been worse. Tinetti was education minister under the previous government that oversaw Te Pukenga, which the coalition government is unwinding. "I'd also like to point out the redress report that was delivered was in 2021, the previous government had a very long time to act on that - it called for an independent agency back then," Stanford said. Jan Tinetti Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver That remark prompted Labour's Willow-Jean Prime to interject and say a working group was set-up to design it under the previous government. Tinetti then called a point of order to mount a defence. "I'd just like to remind that this is estimates looking forward and Chris Hipkins did apologise during his speech on the 12th of November in the House, and offered to work with the government on this. "We don't need to go backwards... We want to know what the minister is doing, we don't need to know what the previous government didn't do, we've already acknowledged we could have moved faster. We've already made that apology," she said. Speaking to the point of order, Stanford said she had been "directly challenged" and wanted to respond. A back and forth of jabs continued between Stanford, Prime, and Tinetti. "I know you don't like to hear this," the minister commented, which Prime responded to by saying, "you're disingenuous, let's be honest", while Tinetti muttered in the background "appalling, you are disappointing minister". The National and New Zealand First members of the committee sat in silence as the war of words played out. Earlier in the hearing, Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson raised questions about why advice had been sought on whether to limit redress for gang members. Ultimately, ministers chose to treat gangs the same as any other survivor, but create a new pathway for serious offenders. Stanford said she sought advice on a range of things. "Everyone has different opinions and ideas and views. We took everything into account, I sought advice on a range of different things - it doesn't necessarily mean I believed that thing or wanted that thing - but it's important as a lawmaker... when you take your job responsibly to look at every possible thing," she said. "I needed to make sure I had all of the evidence at hand." Davidson queried why she even needed to ask about limiting redress for gang members when it "sends a message that the real violence that happened is only validated for some people and not others". Stanford responded saying she went out of her way and "called gang members and invited them personally to the apology, into Parliament... that tells you everything you need to know about my beliefs". Without all the evidence though, Stanford said she would have exposed herself to being an "uninformed lawmaker".
Scoop
17-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Govt Bill Strips Vital Job Protections From Workers
The Employer Relations Amendment Bill will make work even less secure for Kiwis. 'At a time when New Zealanders are doing it tough, the Government wants to cut worker protections and make it easier to fire people,' Labour workplace relations and safety spokesperson Jan Tinetti said. 'Christopher Luxon should be focused on creating well-paying jobs and strengthen worker protections. Instead, he's cut women's future pay and thinks what New Zealanders need is fewer sick days and less job security. 'Yesterday, Christopher Luxon signalled he is open to halving sick leave days from 10 to five. Opening the door to cuts to sick leave is wrong and Labour will fight it. 'Now, they've introduced a Bill that would effectively bypass union-negotiated protections for workers. 'Their Bill repeals rules that provide benefits to new employees in collective bargaining agreements in their first 30 days. They are stripping away protections for new workers who aren't yet union members. 'It also makes it harder for workers who have been dismissed to seek remedies or reinstatement. Put another way, it's about to get a lot easier for an employer to fire you. 'Labour will stand up for fairness at work and protect workers' rights,' Jan Tinetti said.
Scoop
16-06-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Luxon Open To Halving Workers' Sick Leave
Christopher Luxon is putting his own word on the line if he cuts paid sick leave for workers. On RNZ this morning, Christopher Luxon said his government is working on policy to halve sick leave from 10 days to five, despite promising not to during the campaign in 2023. 'Christopher Luxon promised during the election campaign that he wouldn't take worker's sick leave, now he's suggesting his government might,' Labour workplace relations and safety spokesperson Jan Tinetti said. 'No one should be forced to work sick or lose income because they are sick. Cutting sick leave would only make life harder for working New Zealanders. 'They've already said they'll look at taking away sick leave entitlements for part-time workers, which will disproportionately hit women and mothers. 'This is not what the Prime Minister campaigned on, and not what New Zealanders voted for. Christopher Luxon must urgently clarify why he's open to halving people's sick leave. 'Only a completely out-of-touch Prime Minister would think that cutting sick leave is what New Zealand needs right now. 'Labour will protect people's right to 10 days of paid sick leave. Everyone deserves the ability to rest and recover when they're unwell, without losing pay or risking their job,' Jan Tinetti said.
RNZ News
05-06-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Oral Questions for Thursday 5 June 2025
Questions to Ministers TIM COSTLEY to the Minister of Transport: What announcements has he made about increasing the speed limit on State Highway 1? Hon BARBARA EDMONDS to the Minister of Finance: Does she stand by all her statements and actions? RIMA NAKHLE to the Minister for Tourism and Hospitality: What recent reports has she seen on tourism growth and international visitor spending? CAMERON LUXTON to the Associate Minister for the Environment: What recent announcements has he made about reforming freshwater rules? Hon JAN TINETTI to the Minister for Women: Does she stand by all her statements and actions regarding pay equity? Hon JULIE ANNE GENTER to the Minister of Transport: Are local road controlling authorities required to increase speed limits under the Government's policy if one of the reasons for a speed limit reduction since 2020 was proximity to a school, and are impacts on road safety a factor that allows local road controlling authorities to retain safe speeds on streets? JOSEPH MOONEY to the Minister of Conservation: What recent announcements has he made about Milford Sound? Hon PRIYANCA RADHAKRISHNAN to the Minister of Conservation: Has he received any advice on the impact of Conservation funding cuts on jobs and communities; if so, how many jobs have been identified as at risk? SUZE REDMAYNE to the Minister for Hunting and Fishing: What recent announcements has he made in the Hunting and Fishing portfolio? STEVE ABEL to the Minister of Agriculture: Does he agree with the Prime Minister that New Zealand farmers are the "No. 1 most carbon-efficient in the world"; if so, on what factual basis? SHANAN HALBERT to the Minister for Vocational Education: Has the Treasury advised the Government that "Demand for tertiary education and training is currently forecast to exceed the volume able to be funded"; if so, what advice has she received about the potential for job losses at New Zealand's Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics, and universities? TAKUTA FERRIS to the Minister for Vocational Education: Does she stand by all her statements and actions? To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
