Latest news with #NZInitiative
Kiwiblog
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Kiwiblog
In terms of Education – the two true marks of any good government budget is …
How much is spent in support of parents as the first and most important teacher of their child(ren)? … As opposed to bureaucracy/system for the sake of it because it has always been there. What portion of the education spend is for direcectly benefiting the child? … As opposed to bureaucracy/system for the sake of it because it has always been there. Despite HUGE promises to reduce the Ministry of Education 'head count' to 2,700 it is still over 4,200. A massive waste of tax-payer's money in these 'tough times'. This does not get challenged by National alligned entities such as the NZ Initiative and the Taxpayers Union because … they are National aligned. The sort of trivial incrementalism occuring for an education system that is truly in crises – would be thoroughly challenged by right-wing people if they happened under Labour/Greens. Given that well over $20billion will be allocated for education in NZ … I would assert that a truly focussed government/Minister – could shave at least a third off that … and improve outcomes and future productivity for our nation. Announcements like an extra $140m to improve attendance are nonsensical when you understand that that is 0.7% of Vote Education. i.e. Bugger all to do the most fundamental task of getting children to actually attend. Alwyn Poole [email protected]
NZ Herald
13-05-2025
- Politics
- NZ Herald
Urgent Waitangi Tribunal hearing: Concerns David Seymour's new legislation is akin to Treaty Principles Bill
But, in submissions to the tribunal, a group of high-profile Māori and academic leaders have shared their criticisms of the legislation. Their concerns include the lack of a specific Te Tiriti /Treaty clause in the proposal, the lack of consultation with Māori, and the impact on Māori and constitutional rights. Dr Carwyn Jones, head lecturer for Māori laws and philosophy, Te Wānanga o Raukawa, said in his submission the bill would 'create one of the most fundamental constitutional shifts in our legal history' by elevating the RSB principles above the Treaty Principles. 'The RSB and Treaty Principles Bill [TPB] represent a combined legislative pincer movement where the RSB seeks to finish what the TPB started.' The tribunal is expected to submit a report following today's one-day hearing in the coming days; however, its recommendations are not binding. The legislation in a nutshell Passing the RSB is the latest in a years-long attempt by the Act Party to introduce this type of legislation. The bill would introduce principles for responsible regulation, covering things like the rule of law, the taking of property, fees and levies, and good law-making. Agencies would need to assess the consistency of bills with those principles. Government departments would need to review their regulatory systems, and the Ministry for Regulation would gain new powers to improve the quality of legislation. A new regulatory standards board would be established to review whether legislation aligned with the principles. This could be prompted by a complainant, a minister or by the board itself. Seymour says this would make lawmaking more transparent by shining more 'sunlight' on what politicians do and increasing 'political penalties of being a bad lawmaker by making it easier for voters to understand making a law for them'. 'Under the Regulatory Standards Bill if you don't ask and answer the right questions before you make a law reform affecting people's rights then someone can go to the regulatory standards board and make a declaration that actually you're not a very good law maker.' There were about 23,000 public submissions on a discussion document on the proposal over a roughly two-month period last summer. Most (around 88%) were in opposition with just 0.33% supporting or partially supporting it. The rest didn't have a clear position. 'If you look at the serious and substantial submissions and the real debate here, red tape's a problem. This is a very robust solution,' Seymour said in response. 'It will make it easier for New Zealanders to use and develop their property, whether it is their house, their business, their farm or perhaps just run a daycare.' Seymour attributed Dr Bryce Wilkinson's 'Constraining Government Regulation' as laying 'important groundwork' for this bill. Wilkinson, of the NZ Initiative, told the Herald the 'biggest misunderstanding' around the bill was the preservation of Parliamentary sovereignty. 'It allows Parliament to do absolutely anything it wants ... as long as they are upfront about it. 'All they have got to do is disclose that there is an inconsistency with the principle, but they are going to go ahead anyway.' Wilkinson said although New Zealand's systems stacked up well by international standards, there were widespread deficiencies that should be improved. 'What can usefully improve our systems so we are less likely to have these egregious problems like the big shortage of housing which is causing so much grief to so many younger people?' Lady Tureiti Moxon, managing director of Te Kōhao Health, said the bill was a 'a dangerous and direct threat to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the rights of Māori'. 'The bill is a continuation of a system of domination, mono-culturalism, suppression, exploitation and assimilation known as colonialism. 'It seeks to establish principles for creating laws and regulations in New Zealand – an act that impacts the legislative framework, law-making, and governance, yet fails to honour Te Tiriti.' University of Otago professor Andrew Geddis said in his written submission to the tribunal on the bill the potentially most significant constitutional aspect of the RSB was that it excluded mention of Te Tiriti / the Treaty – 'While at the same time seeking to establish a compliance framework for all future legislation / regulation that largely reflects the Act Party's particular formulation of what 'good law-making' is.' 'In many respects this means that the bill is as constitutionally significant as the Treaty Principles Bill was.'
