Politics

After brief detours in Samoa, Hawaii and Los Angeles, we’re finally here in DC. Flying on the Airforce Boeing was certainly an experience – amazing food and so much room, the VHS based entertainment system was an interesting touch though. Keen as ever, we hadn’t been in DC for two hours and a strong group from the younger contingent were …

WHAT: 2013 US-NZ Pacific Partnership Form, a global gathering of 275+ game-changing thought leaders from business, government and non-profits, showcasing examples of what’s next for US-NZ relations and in the Asia-Pacific region. WHO: William J. Burns, US Deputy Secretary of State Robert Hormats, US Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment Alan Bersin, US Assistant Secretary …

Progress in the Government’s programme while on track to surplus Provides a suite of measures to build faster economic growth, support more jobs and deliver a more innovative and productive economy. Forecasts economic growth to average between 2 and 3 per cent a year over the next four years. Includes a $100 million-a-year internationally-focused growth and innovation package to boost …

Bill English has been too conservative in reigning in government expenditure.  If he were confronting a bleaker fiscal picture, like the Australian government, I predict he would have done better. Total government spending in New Zealand is down by $1.4 billion on last year. In Australia total taxes to GDP is 22 percent compared with central government taxation of 32 …

Prime Minister John Key arrived back in New Zealand from Beijing with a strong message ringing in his ears that China Inc wants to step up the pace and take the bilateral economic partnership to the next stage. It was a good week for Key. Not only have senior Chinese accepted the essential value proposition of New Zealand to China (which …

TV3’s Paddy Gower scooped the pix for the Gillard kiss (double-cheeks if you have to know) after John Key swept down the staircase at the Boao Sofitel hotel straight into the Australian Prime Minister’s open-armed greeting. The photo-op had been careful stage-managed by Julia Gillard’s PR who officiously told the NZ journalist delegation accompanying the PM to the prestigious Boao …

Chilean Economy, Development and Tourism Minister Pablo Longueira is visiting New Zealand this week to carry out discussions on education, Māori economic development and tourism. Minister Longueira, who was invited to visit New Zealand by Prime Minister John Key during his recent Latin America trip, arrived today for a four-day visit. He is accompanied by a 21-strong delegation including the …

Prime Minister John Key has welcomed the signing of an agreement which will see more Brazilian students studying in New Zealand, following a bilateral meeting with Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff today in Brasilia. Key says New Zealand’s reputation as a welcoming country with high-quality qualifications makes it a natural fit for Brazilian students. “The Science Without Borders agreement, signed today, …

If Hugo Chavez was in John Key ‘s place he’d bellow ‘Vete al inferno’ if asked if he planned to go to the funeral of a political leader who was his polar opposite. He’s not of course. Chavez is dead. Finally. Succumbed to cancer. Poisoned by the Americans says Vice President Nicolás Maduro. As he would. Let’s face it the …

The death of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez had the Prime Minister’s staff burning the midnight oil at a humid hotel on the Colombian coast to recalibrate the Chilean part of his four country Latin American swing to accommodate the wish of Chilean President Sebastian Pinera to attend Chavez’s state funeral. The state funeral is due to take place in Caracas …