Welcome to your May edition of PolitiPal: no bull, no spin, all truth, monthly insider newsletter!

HSB Government Relations is a firm that matches domestic and overseas businesses with all levels of New Zealand’s political ecosystem. We aim to make political engagement simple and accessible for all kinds of New Zealanders across Aotearoa.

Every house sitting week the Leader of the Opposition (LoO) asks the Prime Minister (PM) questions, also known as holding the Government to account. If question time is on, we are watching it so you don’t have to! This month, a variety of topics were covered.

These included the progress on KiwiBuild, job and employment growth, the success of the fees-free policy and reforming polytechs, tax revenue to pay for essential public services such as St John, in addition to speculation over the Budget and its contents.

The Wellbeing Budget has finally been unveiled!

Yesterday Finance Minister Hon Grant Robertson announced the Budget at 2pm. Here are the big numbers…

Total new spend is $25.6b over four years, with the operating allowance growing from $2.4b each year to $3.8b.

This time around, the Government is tackling the mental health crisis head on with $1.9b over the next five years across a number of portfolios. The funding goes towards a range of initiatives such as:

• New universal frontline service ($455m);
• DHB funding for mental health and addiction services ($213m);
• and the establishment of a mental health and wellbeing commission ($8m).
  
  Children and schools are also a highlight, with $1.1b going towards Oranga Tamariki to help children transition out of state care. School donations will also be removed for schools falling in deciles 1-7.
  
  In terms of the economy, a new $300m fund will aim to retain New Zealand startups. KiwiRail will receive $1b for its redevelopment.
  
  A few more things:
• There will be new funding to make public transport cheaper for low income households who hold Community Services Cards.
• Budget will allocate $56.1m over four years to the Whenua Māori Programme, which will support Māori landowners, trustees and whānau.
• Support will be provided to the Office of Ethnic Communities to promote social cohesion, diversity and inclusiveness.
• The largest ever investment into fighting family and sexual violence is a major feature.

Zero Carbon Bill passes first reading: The Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Bill has passed its first reading in Parliament with near unanimous support. The next stage for the Bill is to pass through select committee in the second half of the year. New Zealanders are welcome to make submissions to select committee on the final shape of the legislation. More information here.

Funding announced to support ambulance services: The Government has announced an investment of $21m into ambulance services over the next two years. The one-off funding is designed to ‘relieve immediate pressures and provide certainty while St John and Wellington Free work with the Ministry of Health, ACC and District Health Boards on the long-term sustainability of their services’, according to Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters.

Progress being made on Hamilton-Auckland train: Transport Minister Phil Twyford has visited the KiwiRail workshop to view refurbished locomotives and carriages. The service is expected to launch in 2020 with two morning services from Hamilton, two return evening services each weekday and one service on Saturdays. More details here.

Sustainable tourism growth strategy launched: The New Zealand-Aotearoa Government Tourism Strategy was launched by Tourism Minister Kelvin Davis and Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage earlier in the month. This strategy sets out five key outcomes for the direction of tourism in the future, with specific considerations towards New Zealand’s natural environment, cultural and historical heritage, to ensure sustainable growth for the tourism industry. Further information here.

Seen something political that interested you this month? Drop us a line at [email protected], we’d love to hear from you!

Welcome to the April edition of PolitiPal brought to you by HSB Government Relations. No bull, no spin, all truth. Each edition covers memorable moments from the House, a range of political insights you would be crazy to miss, and tips to help you hone your political engagement.

HSB Government Relations is a firm that matches domestic and overseas businesses with all levels of New Zealand’s political ecosystem. We aim to make political engagement simple and accessible for all kinds of New Zealanders across Aotearoa.

Below are 4 important things happening in NZ government.

1: No capital gains tax.

And boy, did New Zealand reporters report:

• “There was an audible gasp (which is rarely heard in Beehive press conferences) when it became clear that tax was off the table.”
• “Jacinda Ardern just did a John Key.“
• Has the CGT debacle raised questions over Jacinda Ardern’s ability to lead?
• Capital gains tax: A long road to nowhere.
• Was it naive to expect a Change government?

2: Should Alibaba set up a logistics hub in regional New Zealand?

The Herald is reporting that e-commerce giant Alibaba is looking at setting up a regional logistics hub – with only Palmerston North named so far. “The logistics centre would be part of the Electronic World Trade Platform (eWTP) – and would help facilitate logistics and the movement of goods. Alibaba – which is worth close to US$500 billion – has been setting hubs such as these all around the world over the past few years,” the article reports.

3: Another study on the Future of Work?

The Productivity Commission is conducting an inquiry into technological change and the future of work. This issues paper presents four scenarios for consideration, and will be accepting submissions until 5 June.

4: New Zealand businesses are investing in government relations.

A recent survey done by public affairs firm Senate SHJ showed that corporate reputation is now considered a primary asset, prompting New Zealand businesses to invest in government relations. The survey found over half of respondents (51%) had planned investment in government relations.

Also check out some of our favourite political reads from this month:

• $1,280,000 per metre for a railway – and room to rise?
• The fight to be heard on vocational education reform rages on.
• New Zealand and France to work together on stopping social media’s use in terrorism.
• Forty percent of us are flagged by police in their intelligence system.

Seen something political that interested you this month? Drop us a line at [email protected], we’d love to hear from you!

Welcome to the March edition of PolitiPal brought to you by HSB Government Relations. No bull, no spin, all truth. Each edition covers memorable moments from the House, a range of political insights you would be crazy to miss, and tips to help you hone your political engagement.

HSB Government Relations is a firm that matches domestic and overseas businesses with all levels of New Zealand’s political ecosystem. We aim to make political engagement simple and accessible for all kinds of New Zealanders across Aotearoa.

1: Prime Minister vs Leader of the Opposition – What has been happening in parliament?

2: Things you should know – Latest changes and discussions that may affect you.

Every house sitting week the Leader of the Opposition (LoO) asks the Prime Minister (PM) questions, also known as holding the Government to account. If question time is on, we are watching it so you don’t have to! This month, the key issue was the capital gains tax (CGT).

The two debated whether a CGT would cause losses from KiwiSaver, the exemption of Māori from CGT in the Tax Working Group Report, valuations and their effects on SMEs and farms, and the effect of the CGT on inflation and migration to Australia.

Minimum wage is set to increase this week, rising by $1.20 an hour to $17.70 from Monday.

Consultation on Vocational Education Reform: the Ministry of Education has extended the timeframes for submitters to give feedback on the proposed changes to vocational education in New Zealand. The new date is 5 April. You can find out more information about the submission process here.

Are you a Māori business based in the Waikato region? The Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment, in conjunction with Te Hūmeka, is hosting a Regional Māori Business Event 8:30am – 3:30pm this coming Friday 5 April. Register your attendance here. Holly will be co-facilitating the event along with Te Hūmeka Chair and business strategist Kim Hill.

Currently going through the rigmarole of open homes? Take this survey to help scope the viability of a proposed new New Zealand-based app that aims to streamline the open home experience for New Zealand home buyers. You might just win a prezzy card! Or contact the creator for more information.

R&D Tax Incentive: in an effort to increase R&D spending to 2 per cent of the GDP in the next 10 years, the Government will be introducing the R&D Tax Incentive in April to encourage innovation and sustainable growth for New Zealand businesses. More details can be found here.

Also check out some of our favourite political reads from this month:

• What exactly is the Official Information Act, and why does it matter?
• This jargon-free, comprehensive analysis of the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment’s report on farms, forests, and fossil fuels.
• How did our domestic intelligence agencies fail to save 50 lives on March 15?
• 27 Parliamentary Service staff have resigned since around Christmas last year as the department restructures, costing taxpayers close to $250,000. Seen something political that interested you this month? Drop us a line at [email protected] we’d love to hear from you!

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