The new Covid Inquiry commences

As we mark one year in Government, New Zealand First has welcomed the commencement of the Covid Inquiry ‘Phase 2’.

New Zealand First was the only party to consistently and insistently campaign on a new inquiry during the 2023 campaign.

Our leader Winston Peters was the only politician to walk among the protestors and hear their concerns. New Zealand First committed to a new independent, broad, and public inquiry if returned to parliament.

We know that this has been highly anticipated by our supporters and like-minded Kiwis across New Zealand. Ensuring a proper, independent inquiry with appropriate terms of reference was a campaign promise we were deeply committed to and we continue to make this a priority in our work program within government.

The report from Phase One of the inquiry has been submitted to the Government and the commissioners from this part of the inquiry have resigned.

The public are encouraged to have their say on the matters in scope of the inquiry by emailing [email protected]. We will welcome further updates on the progress of the inquiry as they are made available.

Mining metrics

Our ‘Matua of Mining’, Shane Jones, announced the latest mining statistics today, highlighting that during the 2023/24 financial year, the Government collected almost half a billion dollars in revenue from mining activity.

As Acting Prime Minister in the house, Winston Peters was also weighing in on the value of having Shane Jones investing in our regions:

"All over this country they’re seeing a revival of action politics from somebody who knows what he’s doing"

Hear more from Shane in his interview on the Country this week:

The Country online with Jamie Mackay: Shane Jones on carbon farming

Recess travels with our MPs

Hon Mark Patterson has been on his home turf again during the recess week, his ‘Movember’ moustache still in full swing! After visiting some Mid-Canterbury farms and industry leaders, he was back championing the wool sector, visiting WoolSource, Terra Lana and Merino NZ.

 “Momentum continues as the wool manufacturing sector is responding to increased demand for New Zealand wool. Prices are starting to move, but we’re just getting started.” – Mark Patterson

Hon Casey Costello visited the local Police team in New Plymouth and also announced the Governments ‘Getting to Smokefree 2025’ action plan in her role as Associate Minister of Health.

“It is these hardworking, dedicated frontline service providers that need to be supported and recognised.” – Casey Costello

Tanya Unkovich was talking about the new phase of the Covid Inquiry with Radio Rhema, and Jenny Marcroft was in Otago this week, stopping in at student Media outlets Radio 1 and The Critic magazine. Afterward she got a behind the scenes look at the Otago Daily Times. Jenny also featured in her local paper discussing regional communications issues. Check out her article HERE.