Winston Peter’s - “Our country has just changed gears from reverse and backwards to forwards and progress.”

Summary The conversation covers a range of topics related to the New Zealand budget, foreign affairs, political commentary, and criticism of various political parties. It also delves into the Māori Party and its actions. The speaker, Mykeljon Winckel, provides a critical analysis of the budget and the performance of different political parties, offering a unique perspective on the state of affairs in New Zealand.

Keywords

New Zealand budget, foreign affairs, political commentary, Māori Party, political criticism, economic crisis, international relationships, government debt, tax relief, regional infrastructure, tribal fundamentalists, diversity, opportunity

Takeaways

• Insightful analysis of the New Zealand budget and its impact on the country’s economic situation.

• Critical commentary on the performance of political parties and their handling of key issues.

• Discussion of the Māori Party and its actions, with a focus on diversity and opportunity in New Zealand.

• Exploration of foreign affairs and the government’s investment in essential diplomatic infrastructure.

Chapters

00:00 Critical Analysis of the New Zealand Budget and Political Landscape

11:10 Government Spending and Taxation

14:17 The Role of the Māori Party in New Zealand Politics

Responsible budgeting

The coalition government’s Budget 2024 was released on Thursday, and New Zealand First is celebrating the crucial policy initiatives we secured.

Bold steps are needed to give our country the reset it so desperately needs.

It is clear that this Government takes its fiscal responsibilities seriously. The savings achieved by reducing wasteful spending, and investing in our frontline services and infrastructure are what will ensure New Zealand can progress towards a more stable and prosperous future.

As outlined in our initial Budget 2024 email update, New Zealand First’s priorities are reflected in the following overarching achievements:

• $226.1 million over four years to deliver 500 extra frontline police officers and give them the tools they need to keep kiwis and their communities safer

• $1.2 billion for the Regional Infrastructure Fund, to get provincial New Zealand thriving again

• $65 million over four years to maintain the Apprenticeship Boost scheme, and savings of $877 million by changing the First Year Fees Free to Final Year Fees Free for tertiary study

• A $1.7 billion dollar funding boost to PHARMAC to ensure continued access to the medicines kiwis rely on
In addition to the above, there are many more highlights that we are happy to confirm:

• $69 million to address serious youth offending, including a military-style academy pilot, and continuing the Fast Track Youth Offending Programme run by Oranga Tamariki and the Police

• $8.86 million over four years to implement measures to crackdown on gangs

• $803 million to respond to the increase in the prison population

• $4 million over four years to veteran services, including enabling the reinstatement of discretionary Veterans Independence Programme services

• $31.1 million to gradually extend free breast screening for up to 40,000 screening sessions each year

• $19 million for Coastguard and $44 million for Surf Lifesaving New Zealand

• $2.68 billion into roading and rail infrastructure, including $200 million to support KiwiRail

• $200 million into flood resilience infrastructure as part of the Regional Infrastructure Fund

New Zealand First committed to doing the hard yards to fix our broken country. Along with our coalition partners, we are committed to restoring law and order, easing the cost of living, and providing better public health and education infrastructure to kiwis.

We oppose ideologies that hinder practical solutions. We are bringing commonsense and balance to government.

We are rebuilding our country for the many, not the few. New Zealand First is on a mission, and we are only just getting started.