Articles tagged with Parliament
Showing 9 of 54 articles
New Zealand Passes Law to Combat Foreign Interference and Protect Security
19 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 889 viewsNew Zealand has passed the Crimes (Countering Foreign Interference) Amendment Bill to better protect the country from deceptive, corruptive, or coercive foreign activities aimed at manipulating society. The legislation creates new offences specifically criminalizing foreign interference and updates existing laws related to espionage and wrongful communication of government information. While normal diplomatic and transparent engagements remain unaffected, the government emphasizes that foreign interference will no longer be tolerated.
Tags: Paul Goldsmith New Zealand foreign interference legislation Parliament Crimes Amendment Bill espionage criminal law government securityNew Zealand Passes Defence Bill to Protect Security During Industrial Action
18 Nov 2025 | 9 months ago | 917 viewsThe Defence (Workforce) Amendment Bill, passed to maintain national security during industrial action, allows the Chief of Defence Force greater flexibility to manage workforce redeployment without requiring parliamentary debate. It enables uniformed personnel to temporarily perform the duties of civilian staff during strikes, ensuring critical defence functions continue while preserving the right to industrial action. The Bill also streamlines authorisation processes and extends ministerial powers to backfill public servant roles, enhancing New Zealand’s defence readiness amid a challenging strategic environment.
Tags: Judith Collins New Zealand Defence Force NZDF Defence Minister Parliament industrial action national security Defence (Workforce) Amendment Bill military personnelParliament Bill: A Milestone in Constitutional Reform
06 Nov 2025 | 10 months ago | 865 viewsThe Leader of the House, Chris Bishop, highlights the significance of the unanimous passing of the Parliament Bill as a crucial constitutional moment. The Bill consolidates and modernizes various legislative acts governing Parliament's operations, including establishing a new funding model, providing statutory powers to Parliamentary Security Officers, and updating the functions of key parliamentary roles. The development and passage of the Bill showcase effective parliamentary collaboration and dedication, with special recognition given to the select committee chaired by Rt Hon Adrian Rurawhe and appreciation expressed for all those contributing to New Zealand's democracy through their work in or for Parliament.
Tags: Parliament Bill constitutional moment Chris Bishop Clerk of the House Parliamentary Service Members of Parliament Parliamentary Privilege Act funding model Speaker Deputy SpeakerDefending Democracy: The Role of Courts in Upholding the People's Voice
23 Oct 2025 | 10 months ago | 1005 viewsThe speech delivered in the Oxford Union debate argues that courts are undermining democracy due to judicial overreach and challenges to popular will. It emphasizes the importance of democratic principles, separation of powers, and judicial independence in upholding the people's voice in governance. The speaker highlights concerns about judicial activism and the need for prudential leadership to ensure that laws are made by elected representatives, emphasizing the role of parliament as the voice of the people and the importance of defending democracy against current threats.
Tags: Democracy Courts Judicial Overreach Separation of Powers Leadership Judicial Independence New Zealand Parliament Aristotle Winston ChurchillNew Zealand Parliament Passes Legislation to Scrap Advertising Restrictions, Boosting Local Media Revenue
14 Oct 2025 | 11 months ago | 847 viewsLegislation passing third reading in Parliament today will eliminate advertising restrictions for broadcasters on Sundays and public holidays, according to Media Minister Paul Goldsmith. The aim is to ensure local media companies are not disadvantaged compared to digital streaming platforms. The change is expected to generate around $6 million annually and is seen as necessary due to the increasing popularity of streaming services like YouTube in New Zealand.
Tags: advertising restrictions broadcasters Sundays public holidays legislation Parliament Media Minister Paul Goldsmith local media companiesRevolutionizing Marine Protection in Hauraki Gulf: New Legislation Tripling Protection Areas
07 Oct 2025 | 11 months ago | 1134 viewsThe Hauraki Gulf/Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection Act recently passed by Parliament marks a significant milestone in marine conservation efforts, as highlighted by Conservation Minister Tama Potaka. The legislation aims to address the long-standing ecological decline in the Gulf by nearly tripling marine protection and establishing 19 new protection areas, leading to the restoration of fish stocks, kelp forests, seabird colonies, and a thriving marine ecosystem. The Act also emphasizes a balance between community needs, environmental protection, and economic considerations, with measures such as creating High Protection Areas, restricting fishing in certain zones, and deploying a team of DOC Marine Rangers for monitoring and compliance.
Tags: Parliament marine protection Conservation Minister Tama Potaka National Aotearoa New Zealand fish stocks kelp forests seabird colonies DOC Marine RangersParliament Passes Bill for Fairer and More Effective Revenue Collection on Imported and Exported Goods
17 Sep 2025 | 11 months ago | 1217 viewsParliament has passed the Customs (Levies and Other Matters) Amendment Bill, aiming to enhance revenue collection on imported and exported goods. The bill introduces a levy regime to recover Customs' goods management costs, allows for the collection of product stewardship fees, and streamlines the process for seeking GST refunds on returned imported goods. Customs Minister Casey Costello emphasizes that the bill does not change existing charges or introduce new ones, highlighting the importance of spreading costs across importers through a levy regime.
Tags: Customs Minister Casey Costello Parliament revenue collection imported goods exported goods Customs legislation product stewardship fees waste minimisation legislation GST refunds levy regimeRestoring Customary Marine Title: Government's Legislation Update
05 Aug 2025 | 1 year ago | 2134 viewsThe Government is moving forward with legislation to restore Parliament's original test for Customary Marine Title, following the Supreme Court's determination that previous rulings were incorrect. The legislation aims to uphold the high test set in 2011 before granting Customary Marine Title, ensuring a balance between Māori customary rights and the interests of all New Zealanders in the marine and coastal area. The Government has allocated additional funding to assist with re-hearing applications, with the intention to pass the legislation by the end of October 2025.
Tags: Government legislation Customary Marine Title Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith Supreme Court Parliament Māori customary rights New Zealanders coastal watersHealth New Zealand's Strategic Plan for Improved Health Outcomes 2024-2027
31 Jul 2025 | 1 year ago | 3953 viewsHealth New Zealand presented the New Zealand Health Plan to Parliament, as required by the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022. The plan outlines how Health New Zealand will address the Government's health priorities from 2024 to 2027, focusing on improving health outcomes and access to care. It includes targets for faster cancer treatment, improved mental health services, reducing wait times, and enhancing the health workforce, with a clear emphasis on accountability and transparency for tracking progress.
Tags: Health New Zealand New Zealand Health Plan Parliament Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022 Simeon Brown Government Policy Statement on Health 2024–2027 health targets mental health and addiction targets Elective Boost programme primary care.