02 Aug 2025
1 year ago
2225 views
The speaker expresses gratitude to various individuals for their contributions to the National Party, highlighting achievements in law and order, education, healthcare, and the economy over the past two years. They emphasize the progress made in reducing violent crime, improving education, and enhancing healthcare services. The speaker also outlines plans to further stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and increase wages by streamlining processes for businesses operating on DOC land and implementing charges for foreign visitors at high volume sites to generate revenue for conservation efforts.
31 Jul 2025
1 year ago
2011 views
The Government has agreed to raise the probate threshold from $15,000 to $40,000 to make it easier and cheaper for families to access assets of deceased loved ones, according to Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith. The current threshold set in 2009 no longer reflects the value of estates, especially with KiwiSaver balances, leading to smaller estates being burdened by court costs and legal fees. The increase aims to allow executors to distribute lower-value assets more efficiently, ensuring more of the estate goes to beneficiaries, while still maintaining oversight through the High Court for higher value assets to prevent fraud or non-compliance with the deceased's wishes.
28 Jul 2025
1 year ago
3025 views
Acting Attorney-General Paul Goldsmith has appointed a Judicial Conduct Panel to investigate acting District Court Judge Ema Aitken's alleged conduct at the Northern Club on November 22, 2024, based on a recommendation from the Judicial Conduct Commissioner. The Panel members include the Honourable Brendan Brown KC, Honourable Justice Jillian Mallon, and Right Honourable Sir Jerry Mateparae, with Tim Stephens KC serving as special counsel. The Panel will provide a report to the Acting Attorney-General, who will then determine if Judge Aitken's removal is warranted, with no further comments to be made until the report is received.
25 Jul 2025
1 year ago
2070 views
The Government, led by Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith, is implementing new technology to clamp and seize cars of individuals evading court fines. Bailiffs are utilizing handheld devices to scan parked cars for overdue fines, with non-compliant vehicles facing clamping or towing. This initiative aims to enforce payment of court fines and reparations, prioritizing the needs of victims and enhancing law and order enforcement efforts.
24 Jul 2025
1 year ago
2424 views
New Zealand passes legislation to enhance protection against cybercrime, with 11% of citizens falling victim to online threats in 2024, resulting in significant emotional and financial harm. Joining the Budapest Convention will enable cooperation with other countries in criminal investigations and align domestic laws with international standards. Provisions in the Bill include new preservation directions, amendments to enhance mutual assistance in criminal matters, and updates to the Crimes Act to address cybercrime comprehensively.
24 Jul 2025
1 year ago
1841 views
The Government is updating electoral laws to address issues with same-day enrolment, aiming to streamline the voting process and reduce post-election timeframes. Key changes include closing enrolment 13 days before election day, implementing 12 days of advance voting, and introducing automatic enrolment updates. Other adjustments involve stricter rules on treating near voting places, adjusting the donation reporting threshold, and various procedural changes to enhance the electoral system.
03 Jul 2025
1 year ago
2345 views
The Government is strengthening trespass laws to make them more effective and practical for businesses, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee say. “We know our trespass laws are no longer fit for purpose. They’re difficult to enforce and often criminals take no notice.
01 Jul 2025
1 year ago
2108 views
The Government is making it easier for police to punish shoplifters and is introducing stronger penalties for low-level theft, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee say. “Public confidence in our justice system is undermined if people can steal with apparent impunity. It’s disheartening, and our government will not sit by while shoplifters rob businesses of their livelihoods,” Mr Goldsmith says.
30 Jun 2025
1 year ago
2947 views
The Government is introducing specific coward punch offences to ensure perpetrators receive tougher sentences, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “A ‘coward punch’ gets its name for obvious reasons. These attacks affect everyday Kiwis and are often committed by cowardly attackers, who strike when the victim is distracted.
29 Jun 2025
1 year ago
2702 views
The Government is introducing new offences to ensure those who assault on-duty first responders or prison officers spend longer in prison, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “Where others may flee, first responders and prison officers run towards danger to help those who need urgent assistance. “Assaulting them puts multiple lives at risk, so there must be greater consequences for these heinous acts of violence.
27 Jun 2025
1 year ago
2710 views
Broadcaster Paul Henry has been appointed to the TVNZ Board, Media and Communications Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “Mr Henry has spent nearly his entire career involved in the broadcasting industry, producing news, current affairs, and entertainment programming both here in New Zealand and overseas. “He was integral in the establishment of the successful multi-platform Paul Henry breakfast show, established and sold a radio station in the Wairarapa, and was heavily involved in the launch of the former radio network Today FM.
21 Jun 2025
1 year ago
2287 views
Regulation Minister David Seymour says that red tape is giving Kiwis serious headaches, and the Red Tape Tipline has received over 750 submissions. “A submitter to the Ministry for Regulation’s Red Tape Tipline has complained that the threshold for probate has not kept up with inflation. This means that more Kiwis have to go through the tedious legal process that is probate, while they are mourning,” Mr Seymour says.
20 Jun 2025
1 year ago
2642 views
The Government is recognising Matariki at the official ceremony near Ohakune today, Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Paul Goldsmith and Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka say. “We are honoured to be guests of Ngāti Rangi for this traditional hautapu ceremony,” Mr Goldsmith says. “This is the fourth national Matariki broadcast but the first time it has been hosted by a marae, and the first year Puanga is the star of national celebrations.
19 Jun 2025
1 year ago
2321 views
New quarterly data shows the Government is on track to deliver on both law and order targets ahead of schedule, Minister for Children Karen Chhour and Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith say. “We’re determined to protect communities, reduce victimisation, and to encourage young people not to continue down the path of serious crime and incarceration,” Mrs Chhour says. “A year ago we set a target of reducing the number of children and young people with serious and persistent offending behaviour by 15 per cent by 2029.