DAVID SHEARER to the Prime Minister: Is it still a fundamental purpose of his Government to narrow the wage gap between New Zealand and Australia, and to grow local wages in New Zealand? TODD McCLAY to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has he received on the economy? Hon DAVID PARKER to the Minister of Finance: In dollar terms, what is the shortfall in the tax-take for the nine months to March revealed in yesterday’s Financial Statements compared to October’s pre-election update? Dr RUSSEL NORMAN to the Minister of Finance: How much has been raised to date by the Earthquake Kiwi Bonds and, at this rate, how many years will it take to cover the Government’s estimated $5.5 billion liability resulting from the Canterbury earthquakes? Hon TAU HENARE to the Minister for Social Development: How will Budget 2012 provide greater support for young people most at risk of long-term welfare dependency? Hon CLAYTON COSGROVE to the Minister for State Owned Enterprises: Does he stand by the Prime Minister’s statement regarding asset sales that “We are not going to do anything tricky there”? Dr JIAN YANG to the Associate Minister of Health: How is the Government expanding its programme to reduce rheumatic fever in vulnerable communities? Hon ANNETTE KING to the Minister of Housing: Does he stand by all his comments regarding housing? JULIE ANNE GENTER to the Minister of Transport: What is the plan to pay for the Government’s transport expenditure given that the Ministry of Transport’s Briefing to the Incoming Minister warns of a funding shortfall of $4.9 billion if high oil prices and low GDP growth continue? MARK MITCHELL to the Minister for Economic Development: How is the Government improving value for money in its procurement of services for the public sector? DARIEN FENTON to the Minister of Labour: Does she stand by her statement that “I do not want to see unnecessary change for change’s sake. Rather I am looking to put in place pragmatic solutions as we implement our manifesto commitments and let employers, employees and business focus on what they do best.”? Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS to the Prime Minister: Does he still have confidence in the Minister for Social Development and the Associate Ministers for Social Development; if so, why?
TE URUROA FLAVELL to the Minister of Conservation: Does he agree with Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, Dr Jan Wright, that joint decision-making with the Minister for Energy and Resources on mining the conservation estate undermines the role of the Minister of Conservation as guardian of that estate, and how will he respond to her advice to Parliament that conservation should take precedence? Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by his statement that "for most New Zealanders an indicator of how well the economy is doing is whether or not they can keep up with the cost of living"; if so, is he satisfied that they currently can? Hon TAU HENARE to the Minister of Finance: What reports has he received on inequality in New Zealand, and how do recent changes in trends compare to other countries? Hon DAVID PARKER to the Minister of Finance: Does he agree with BERL that "outside of dairy and forestry, export receipts have effectively flatlined since April 2009" and that "The risks inherent in such a narrowing of our export base should be of concern to all"; if not, why not? Dr CAM CALDER to the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment: What announcements has he made about the Māori and Pasifika Trades Training initiative? Dr RUSSEL NORMAN to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's decisions? PAUL FOSTER-BELL to the Minister of Housing: What progress has he made with local government in securing Housing Accords under the legislation passed last year, and how are they increasing the supply and affordability of housing? Hon ANNETTE KING to the Minister of Health: What was the original forecast cost for Health Benefits Limited and what is the revised forecast cost now, if any? MAGGIE BARRY to the Minister of Education: What recent announcements has she made on the Government's $359 million investment to raise student achievement? Hon RUTH DYSON to the Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery: How much has the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority spent on legal fees in the last 3 years? DENIS O'ROURKE to the Minister of Transport: When will the Government provide a comprehensive and integrated land transport plan for New Zealand? PAUL GOLDSMITH to the Minister of Revenue: What is the objective of the Government's recently announced Taxpayer's Simplification Panel?
A video of a presentation by Hon. Lianne Dalziel, Mayor of Christchurch, during a panel at the 2016 Seismics in the City Conference. The panel has three themes:A City on the Move: Collaboration and Regeneration: "'Christchurch is now moving rapidly from the recovery phase into a regeneration stage with Central and Local Government working with the wider community, including the business community to ensure we get optimal outcomes for greater Christchurch' (CECC)."Looking Back: Remembering and Learning: "What are the milestones? What are the millstones? What have we learnt? What have we applied?"Looking Forward: Visioning and Building: "What do we aspire to? What are the roadblocks? What is the way forward?"
A review of the week's headline news including: 123 jobs at KiwiRail's engineering workshops in Dunedin hang in the balance; SkyCity's Chief Executive is defending gaming options at its Auckland casino; orthopaedic surgeons say they're working hard to determine exactly how many New Zealanders have a hip replacement system that's been recalled; tobacco companies are vowing to fight a government plan to remove branding from cigarette packets; the rebuild of central Christchurch has been taken out of the control of the City Council and will now be managed by a newly formed unit within the Government's Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA); Trade Me's decision to open up the site to overseas retailers is ruffling a few feathers and; Hamilton singer Kimbra's hit number one in the US.
A protest sign painted on a fence shows a bulldozer labelled "Govt." driven by a woman (presumably representing Education Minister Hekia Parata) running over a sheep labelled "Chch schools", next to the words "Every time you close a school you have to build a jail - Mark Twain." The photographer comments, "Due to the earthquakes in Christchurch and parents leaving the area to give their children a quieter and more education friendly life a lot of the local schools especially in the East of Christchurch are to be closed or amalgamated. This was a decision by the government without consultation with any other authorities. Mark Twain actually said 'Every time you stop a school, you will have to build a jail'".
A video of a presentation by Hon. Nicky Wagner, Associate Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery, during a panel at the 2016 Seismics in the City Conference. The panel has three themes:A City on the Move: Collaboration and Regeneration: "'Christchurch is now moving rapidly from the recovery phase into a regeneration stage with Central and Local Government working with the wider community, including the business community to ensure we get optimal outcomes for greater Christchurch' (CECC)."Looking Back: Remembering and Learning: "What are the milestones? What are the millstones? What have we learnt? What have we applied?"Looking Forward: Visioning and Building: "What do we aspire to? What are the roadblocks? What is the way forward?"
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "105 Kingsford Street, Horseshoe Lake. Many of the homes here have been sold to the government or insurance companies and their former owners have moved out to other areas of Christchurch, New Zealand or overseas".
My house (bought in March 2004) till the government procured it in October 2012, is finally being demolished. It will be an empty section in a couple of days, once they rip up the concrete base. Note the rainbow on right.
A digger being unloaded from the HMNZS Canterbury. The Royal New Zealand Navy delivered machinery and equipment to Christchurch for use in the recovery effort after the Christchurch Earthquake.
A digger being unloaded from the HMNZS Canterbury. The Royal New Zealand Navy delivered machinery and equipment to Christchurch for use in the recovery effort after the Christchurch Earthquake.
A digger being unloaded from the HMNZS Canterbury. The Royal New Zealand Navy delivered machinery and equipment to Christchurch for use in the recovery effort after the Christchurch Earthquake.
PTE Steven Khudson on cordon duty in Christchurch central city. In the background, members of the South Australian Urban Search and Rescue team can be seen as well as a digger.
Winnie Bagoes on Gloucester Street. The top storey of the building has collapsed, bringing the roof down with it. Bricks and rubble lie in a pile on Gloucester Street where they fell.
Fire Service Assistant Area Commander Dave Burford with LT Gore on the HMNZS in Otago. The ship travelled to Lyttelton after the 22 February 2011 earthquake to help in the relief effort.
Members of the Christchurch earthquake emergency services personnel dining in the Moveable Feasts marquee in Latimer Square. After the 22 February 2011 earthquake, emergency service agencies set up their headquarters in Latimer Square.
Members of the Christchurch earthquake emergency services personnel dining in the Moveable Feasts marquee in Latimer Square. After the 22 February 2011 earthquake, emergency service agencies set up their headquarters in Latimer Square.
A digger being unloaded from the HMNZS Canterbury. The Royal New Zealand Navy delivered machinery and equipment to Christchurch for use in the recovery effort after the Christchurch Earthquake.
A container being unloaded from the HMNZS Canterbury. The Royal New Zealand Navy delivered machinery and equipment to Christchurch for use in the recovery effort after the Christchurch Earthquake.
A digger being unloaded from the HMNZS Canterbury. The Royal New Zealand Navy delivered machinery and equipment to Christchurch for use in the recovery effort after the Christchurch Earthquake.
Auckland-based fire fighter, Jeremy Hull, speaking to the press outside the Christchurch Art Gallery. Jeremy was part of the USAR team working on the CTV Building after the earthquake.
Auckland-based fire fighter, Jeremy Hull, speaking to the press outside the Christchurch Art Gallery. Jeremy was part of the USAR team working on the CTV Building after the earthquake.
A demolished house on Oxford Street in Lyttelton. The wood from the house still lies in a pile on the building site. Wire fencing has been used to create a cordon around the building.
Forbe's Store on Norwich Quay, the awning resting on the footpath. Scaffolding placed around the building since the 4 September 2010 earthquake has tumbled during the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
The Iconic Bar on the corner of Manchester and Gloucester Streets. The top storey of the bar has crumbled, and the bricks fallen into the street. Two crushed cars can be seen.
The Taiwanese Ambassador speaking to the Taiwanese Search and Rescue team at Christchurch International Airport. The team is heading home after helping with the emergency response to the Canterbury Earthquake.
A copy of an open letter written by Hugo Kristinsson during his campaign for Christchurch Mayor in the 2013 Christchurch Local Body Elections. In the letter, Kristinsson expresses his concerns with the land-zoning decisions made by CERA.
A photograph of a group of tents set up in Latimer Square next to the USAID tent. The tents were used as temporary accommodation for emergency management personnel after the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
Royal New Zealand Air Force personnel preparing a Hercules C-130 to evacuate rest home residents affected by the Canterbury Earthquake.
USAR personnel disembarking from the Air Force Boeing 757. The Boeing 757 transported the crew from Auckland to help support the Christchurch Earthquake operation.
USAR personnel disembarking from the Air Force Boeing 757. The Boeing 757 transported the crew from Auckland to help support the Christchurch Earthquake operation.