Latest news with #RuthRichardson
Otago Daily Times
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
There but for the grace of God go I
Homeless has, wrongly, become ingrained, Marie Laufiso, writes. The sight of people sleeping rough at the Oval may give rise to concern or anxiety within those of us who pass by in the course of our very busy lives and schedules. We may even feel anger at such discomfort and if this is the case, perhaps we need to dig deep to consider why. Why don't we know that there are other sites throughout the city where people have slept outdoors long before the Oval's tent encampment existed? In 1991, Ruth Richardson's Mother of all Budgets bombed our welfare system, dropping from a great height long-lasting devastation and despair on the individuals and whanau who relied on such manaakitaka. Since 1972, the Human Nutrition department at the university has conducted a food cost survey to estimate the minimum amount of money needed to be spent on a week-to-week basis. Research is based on a basket of food designed to meet dietary needs of men, women, adolescents and children as well as to estimate the cost to feed a reference household of four. Ahead of the 1991 Budget, Treasury asked Human Nutrition to prepare three scenarios for such a household — "well-off," "average" and "below-average." The third of these was reduced by 25% and this figure guided the Fourth National Government in its slashing of benefit levels. Ruthanasia deliberately put people into poverty to incentivise them to find work — but given that jobs were few and far between, all this did was cause generations of misery in our communities and deprivation for hundreds of thousands of New Zealand's children. Ever since 1991, successive governments whether led by National or Labour have, to a greater or lesser extent, supported this policy position. Politicians get away with such decisions because we, the people, let them. In 1991, the government also brought in the Employment Contracts Act abolishing all forms of compulsory unionism. While there were mass protest marches throughout the motu, over the decades we have collectively been ground down to do very little if anything about children or our neighbours not having enough food to eat, or having a warm, dry home to live in. Instead, we blame them, turn away or bellow loudly should proposals to raise taxes, even on the wealthiest few be aired. Raising rates for local councils to support social wellbeing is considered political suicide. And, while people can express all the concern they like about our whānau experiencing homelessness, however genuine that might be, they don't want to pay for the investment that would make significant changes. As if generations of trauma and decades of avoidable poverty can be wished away by magic. Because let's not forget, children, young people and their whanau are whom we are talking about. They're not an inconvenience to be managed, as Dougal McGowan has suggested. And frankly, they're not a "problem" to be solved, as we heard from former mayor Hawkins. There but for the grace of God go I. Everyone deserves to live with dignity and to be treated with empathy and if we are not focused on that for all our most vulnerable, there's something very wrong with us. Being unhoused is not simple and straight-forward. Vulnerable whānauka are often trying to cope with the effects of addiction, mental ill health and the ongoing aftershocks of colonisation. We didn't get here overnight, and ending homelessness won't happen overnight either. Simple solutions are attractive, but as an editorial in this newspaper said a while back — if there were simple solutions, we would have done them by now. What we need is to build more houses that people can afford to live in and give community the tools to better to care for one another. In the meantime, we see great patches of dirt on Carroll St and Albertson Ave in Port Chalmers, both on the list of projects abandoned by Kāinga Ora. The previous city council put $20 million in the budget to build more affordable rentals, but this one quietly ended that programme this year. The community sector doesn't have the capacity to build at all, let alone at scale, because the government's financial incentives that helped make that possible have now all but disappeared in the South Island. Conservative local politicians, and candidates are running on campaigns of austerity. They are boosted by the rhetoric in Wellington that says councils need to support the coalition's priorities or prepare to face the consequences. Where once we saw local leaders prepared to fight the Beehive when it made decisions they thought harmful, now all we hear are crickets. The previous council also approved its Housing Action Plan, which includes a commitment to focus on the areas of greatest need, and the pointiest end of the stick are those experiencing homelessness. This council has picked up on that by adopting a "sinking lid" approach to homelessness, through a more co-ordinated approach among the various government agencies and community sector players. More permanent shelter was found for most of The Oval's campers last year not as a result of fires or violence, but as a result of months of work by this network. The work may not be very visible, or have political champions, or get media coverage. But it's effective, and more important than all of those things put together. Because you can't take shelter under a front-page headline. Council staff are doing the best they can with the meagre resources they have and deserve better than to be thrown under the bus by community leaders and wannabe politicians. Anybody want to guess how many staff council have allocated to this important work? One. So yes, by all means, be angry that unhoused whanau live among us and we, for all our sophisticated technological advances, can't seem to make much progress here. But channel that anger into demanding better from our representatives, to spend the money that needs to be spent, and do the work that we know works. And be sceptical of anyone who tells it can be done faster, easier and cheaper. ■Marie Laufiso is a Dunedin city councillor.
CBS News
26-06-2025
- Health
- CBS News
What will the Supreme Court's Planned Parenthood ruling mean in Minnesota?
A major decision by the U.S. Supreme Court Thursday morning involving Planned Parenthood in South Carolina could have a ripple effect across the country. Legal experts say the ruling means that states will have the right to block Planned Parenthood's access to federal Medicaid funding for non-abortion services. That includes birth control, cancer screenings, reproductive care and more. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic was suing South Carolina for blocking the funding, but the high court ruled in the state's favor in a 6-3 vote. WCCO reached out to Planned Parenthood North Central States, which covers Minnesota, to see if there's concern that Medicaid patients here might face the same restrictions. They said that, as of Thursday, nothing will change in Minnesota for the 22,000 patients who sought care using Medicaid. "We want our patients to know that they will be able to continue to get care here in Minnesota under Medicaid, and we are doing everything that we can to live up to our committment to provide care and adapt in this every shifting environment," Ruth Richardson, president of Planned Parenthood North Central, said. "There's a lot of uncertainty in this moment, that is for sure with this manufactured chaos that we continue to see, and it seems to be ever-increasing in many ways. But the commitment and one thing we can rely on at this point is that we are continuing to see patients and we're going to be unwavering within that commitment." Last month, Planned Parenthood announced that four clinics would close in Minnesota, including two in the Twin Cities, due to a freeze in federal funding and budget cuts proposed in Congress. It's unclear if this new U.S. Supreme Court decision could impact more clinics. The dispute before the high court did not involve abortion, but it comes as several Republican-led states push to block Planned Parenthood from receiving any Medicaid funds.
CBS News
17-06-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Twin Cities Planned Parenthood president undeterred after death of friend Melissa Hortman
At least five current and past staffers at Twin Cities-based Planned Parenthood were on Vance Boelter's hit list, with sources close to the investigation telling WCCO they're looking at whether those on the list were targeted because of their support for abortion rights. For the first time since the attacks, Planned Parenthood Regional President Ruth Richardson is speaking out. "This is not the first time that Planned Parenthood or myself have faced threats like these," Richardson said. Richardson, a former state legislator, has been threatened with violence before. But this threat comes after the murders of her friends: Minnesota House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman. "It's been difficult to process, you know, the loss of Melissa and Mark, while also thinking about not only personal safety for myself and for my family, but also thinking about our patients and thinking about, you know, the employees that do this work every single day," she said. Twin Cities Planned Parenthood President Ruth Richardson and House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman following the signing of the Paid Family Leave Act in 2023. Ruth Richardson Even in the aftermath of this violence, Richardson says quitting is not an option. "In really difficult times, I am often thinking about my own ancestors that came before me and the difficulties they navigated through," she said. Richardson shared the spotlight of Melissa Hortman's legislative successes, including the celebration of the passage of a red flag gun control law. "It cuts deeply," she said. A photo she shared with WCCO shows the signing of the Paid Family Leave Act, which Richardson sponsored. "I really, truly believe that Melissa was the best of us," she said. "She'll be missed, but her legacy will also be remembered." Boelter's hit list contains the names of more than 45 individuals and organizations. Law enforcement says all those on the list have been notified.
1News
15-06-2025
- Business
- 1News
Ruth Richardson calls for super age hike, warns of fiscal 'crisis'
Former finance minister Ruth Richardson has called for an increase in the retirement age, warning New Zealand faces a balance sheet crisis without urgent action. The newly appointed chairperson of the Taxpayers' Union, a right-wing political lobby group, told Q+A that government debt needed addressing. "We need to control our spending appetite, we need to bring debt under control, and we need to restore New Zealand's books to a state of fiscal responsibility," Richardson said. "From a central government perspective, it's clear that we have a crisis, and the crisis is looming — as it is in many other countries in the West, we're not alone." The architect of the 1991 "Mother Of All Budgets" said the Government should follow her previous reforms that raised the superannuation eligibility age from 60 to 65. ADVERTISEMENT "On my watch, we increased the age of eligibility from 60 to 65, with near a mutter. It was done as part of a broader package of reforms to put New Zealand on a sounder footing, and we need to do the same again," she said. "We should have a superannuation age of eligibility, just like the electoral boundaries. You just adjust it for — in this case — the data that tells you about the age of longevity." Richardson, who became aligned with ACT after retiring from politics, criticised the coalition government for ultimately committing billions more in spending at Budget 2025. She said: "We're starting to swamp education spending, we're starting to swamp defence spending — that is not defensible. We need a credible deficit track. "At the moment, we've got fiction. What we want is fact, and fact is going to require some pretty hard decisions taken about the issues... starting with superannuation." Ruth Richardson (Source: Supplied) She also rejected the characterisation that the country had a lack of funding for infrastructure, saying instead that too much money was being spent on "vanity projects" at the local government level. ADVERTISEMENT Finance Minister Nicola Willis has previously rejected suggestions she had broken an election promise to return to surplus by 2027. It was despite Treasury forecasts now showing a return to surplus wouldn't occur until 2029 under the Government's preferred accounting measure known as OBEGALx. By the traditional measure, known as OBEGAL, New Zealand wasn't expected to return to surplus until the 2030s at the earliest. OBEGALx excluded the costs of ACC. Richardson also advocated for asset sales, suggesting the Government should sell state-owned enterprises, including power companies, Landcorp and commercial broadcaster TVNZ — which she said was "probably worth a dollar". Richardson steadfast on views nearly 35 years on Speaking on Q+A, Richardson, who was recently made a companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the King's Birthday Honours, defended her 1990s reforms after being presented with poverty statistics showing persistent increases following her Budget cuts. When presented with data showing child poverty rates grown significantly after her reforms and never ultimately corrected, Richardson defended herself, saying doing nothing in her time would have been "the most immoral option". ADVERTISEMENT "We took our courage in our hands and did the right thing, and the economy prospered. You're not putting up the stats that showed the rise in growth, the rise in employment, the halving of the debt and putting the books back into balance," she said. "If you were balanced, you'd be showing those statistics." She added: "The real poverty was New Zealand's if we had done nothing. If we had done nothing, then New Zealand would have most certainly faced the crisis that the Labour government did in the mid-'80s. And in a crisis, the people who are hurt most are the poorest people, the people on the bottom of the rung." For the full interview, watch the video above Q+A with Jack Tame is made with the support of New Zealand On Air
RNZ News
01-06-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Two former finance ministers receive King's Birthday Honours
Former National MP Ruth Richardson. Photo: Supplied Two former finance ministers have been appointed Companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit at this year's King's Birthday Honours. Ruth Richardson and Steven Joyce, both former National MPs, have been honoured for their services as Members of Parliament. Three other former MPs - Ian McKelvie, Anae Arthur Anae, and Dover Samuels - have also received Honours. Richardson was well aware that an interview about her King's Birthday Honour would include questions on her time as finance minister. The economic reforms she oversaw - and the 1991 'Mother of All Budgets' - made significant changes to social welfare and public services, the effects of which are still felt by many. Richardson started by saying in 1991 New Zealand was at huge risk, and was drowning in a sea of debt and perpetual forecast deficits. "Early and decisive course correction was imperative. I didn't flinch in my duty as minister of finance," she said. Richardson said her Budgets proved to be circuit breakers, resulting in a lift in growth and employment, a reduction in public debt, and the books going back to black. Receiving the call she would be appointed a CNZM felt like a "seal of approval" for her work, she said. "I have always worn those reforms that I championed as a badge of honour, and the restoration of New Zealand's fortunes made it worth it. So I guess this award thirty years down the track is a recognition of that work." Anticipating a question that her critics may be surprised to see her receive an Honour, she told them to look at the evidence. "Look at where we were. Look at the risk that we faced, look how vulnerable we were, and then look at the result. And the reward for those reforms was on multiple fronts. "New Zealand was given a second chance, as it were, we were out of the valley of financial death, and we put ourselves on a sound footing as a result of those reforms." Most of Richardson's Cabinet colleagues have already received Honours in the intervening years. She said it was not for her to answer as to why she had not until now. The recognition was also bittersweet, with Richardson recently experiencing a bereavement. "It's been a miserable May, so this is putting June on a good footing," she said. Steven Joyce said he was "genuinely surprised" to be appointed a CNZM. "I really see it as an acknowledgement of the team that I worked with in Parliament, and in the ministries, and also my family. They gave up a lot for this period, it was 10 very intense years, so it's as much recognition for them, I think, as it is for me," he said. Steven Joyce Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King Joyce, who gained a reputation as National's 'Mr Fix-It,' served as minister for transport, economic development, communications, and tertiary education during his time in government. "There's a few things that I'm proud to have been involved with. The ultra-fast broadband, setting that up was a real high point early on. The Roads of National Significance, it's still a thrill to drive on the Waikato Expressway, and through the Waterview Tunnel. I bore my children silly reminding them that Dad had a bit to do with that," he said. "And some of the economic growth programme that I led under John [Key] and Bill [English] during that time, it was a real thrill to be able to do that. I saw it as sort of an opportunity to bring the various sort of micro-economic policies together and get them working in a cohesive way. I think we managed that, and subsequent events have shown it's not as easy as it looks." When Sir Bill English replaced Sir John Key as prime minister, Joyce stepped up as finance minister. He would only get to deliver one Budget, before leaving Parliament in 2018. His replacement from the National party list, Nicola Willis, has just delivered her second Budget. Joyce said it was a hard job, and one he did not have any FOMO over. "Every challenging time is more real, the closer you are to it. We're in the middle of it right now, but the GFC and the Canterbury earthquakes coming close together were pretty big for our government. I worked very closely with Bill through that period, so I do understand the pressures and challenges that arise, and the hundreds of things you're trying to balance." Since leaving Parliament, Joyce has continued to write columns, which he described as his "post-political therapy". He said the old Kitchen Cabinet gets together from time to time, particularly the 2008-2011 team, and hoped they would get to do so again soon. Former National MPs Ian McKelvie and Anae Arthur Anae have been made Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit. McKelvie has been appointed the MNZM for services to local government, governance, and as a Member of Parliament. Ian McKelvie Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver The former Manawatū mayor, who was also MP for Rangitīkei between 2011 and 2023, credited those around him for the accolade. "I think it's a reflection of a lot of people have been very good to me along the way. And I've had some amazing helpers in my life... from my MP days, my agricultural and pastoral days, right through I've had some amazing people looking after me," he said. McKelvie is currently a community advisor at the University College of Learning. He has also spent his time post-politics farming and fixing buildings. "I'm slowly finding some other things to do, because I thought I was going to do nothing but doing nothing's not an option for me. I'm finding some little jobs to do, and I keep quite busy," he said. He has also had some time to do some travelling around New Zealand. "We've got a little motorhome we pot around in, and we get around the country a bit. We've spent a bit of time in the South Island, so we've had some very nice looking at things that we wouldn't have otherwise looked at, and stayed with some friends that we would otherwise not have." He is still chair of a body corporate in Wellington and so sees his old colleagues from time to time. But he has no regrets on his decision to retire from Parliament just as National re-entered government. "I wouldn't want to be doing the work that some of them are having to do now. It looks very busy to me!" Anae Arthur Anae served two stints as a MP, from 1996 to 1999 and from 2000 to 2002, and has been appointed a MNZM for services to the Samoan community. Anae said he was surprised upon hearing the news of his honour, but was thrilled on behalf of his community. "Something like this doesn't belong to me, it belongs to them. I was just the vehicle doing a particular job." Anae Arthur Anae. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly Anae suspected his work on advocating for the Citizenship Western Samoa Restoration Amendment Bill was a key factor in receiving the honour. The law change, which allows for a pathway for certain individuals whose New Zealand citizenship was removed under a 1982 Act to apply for it, passed in November last year. Anae said he had worked on getting the legislation over the line for about 27 years. "After a long battle, people saw the light of where it went." The law change was tinged with some sadness for Anae, as many of the elderly people he had marched with when protesting for recognition were no longer alive to see the outcome. Despite the King's Birthday honour, Anae said he would not stop fighting for Pacific communities, including for Pacific people to be able to travel to New Zealand without a visitor's visa. "I'm not asking here, I'm demanding the Pacific people be treated the same way. "New Zealand is our second home. This is where our families live. We've played a big role in the development of New Zealand." In regards to the honour, Anae said he had never considered receiving one. At this stage he said, he was only interested in one thing: "To fix the wrongs that have been done to the Pacific community for too long. It is time New Zealand recognises who we are. We're people who can do anything, and can prove we can do anything in this country. Don't keep treating us as third rate citizens. I won't accept it." Dover Samuels, a kaumatua from Ngāpuhi, said upon being notified he was receiving the Honour, he reflected on meeting King Charles at Waitangi. Samuels was asked by the then-Prince of Wales how he was, and responded by saying "jolly good old chap!" "I think he got a bit of a buzz out of that," Samuels laughed, adding when he got the call to tell him he would be receiving an Honour that Charles had remembered his name. Dover Samuels. Photo: Aotearoa Media Collective He admitted he initially thought he was being scammed when he first received the phone call. After the second call, he investigated by ringing Parliament, who confirmed they had been trying to talk to him. "I thought they might have been wanting to talk to Hone Harawira!" Samuels, a Labour MP from 1996 to 2008, who served a stint as Māori Affairs minister and held a number of associate minister roles, has been made a Companion of the King's Service Order for services as a Member of Parliament. He said he had to reflect on why he had been honoured. "I think that I've tried my best in Parliament to do the job on behalf of my people, and addressing the real problems." One of the fifth Labour government's Māori policy mantras was "closing the gaps," Samuels said. However, he did not think that had been achieved, and the gaps had got wider since then. Looking back at the negative statistics that continued to haunt Māori had made him want to think again, he said. "I'm convinced now, the negative statistics that have been haunting us will keep haunting us, until we recognise that the answer is in our own hands. "The answer is in the hands of your own whānau, your own matua. Yeah, that's where it must begin." Samuels also lamented the fact there was still no Treaty settlement for Ngāpuhi. He said the opportunity for a settlement was "in our own hands", and wanted Ngāpuhi to consider the "loss of opportunity from generations that are not yet born, and for our mokopuna that could have benefited from a settlement from the biggest iwi in Aotearoa." He wanted Ngāpuhi to harness its talent and ability, and said if a settlement was achieved during his lifetime, and he had contributed to it, "then I would have done my share." 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