Tag: simeon_brown
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National Warns of Four-Way Coalition as Poll Shows Tight Race
National's campaign chair says Chris Hipkins would need the Greens, Te Pāti Māori and TOP to govern, warning Chlöe Swarbrick wants the finance portfolio.
Politics and GovernmentElectionGeneral PoliticsOther PartiesEconomy New Zealand National PartySimeon BrownChlöe SwarbrickChris Hipkins1News Verian pollNew Zealand electioncoalition negotiations
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Labour Pushes Cost of Living Plan as National and ACT Accuse It of Rewriting History
Labour says a typical Auckland family with two children pays $6,302 more a year under National, while National says Labour's $18 billion of unfunded promises would cost households $2,263 a year in extra tax.
Politics and GovernmentEconomyOther PartiesLabour PartyElectionGeneral PoliticsFinancial MarketsSocial IssuesTransportationEmployment and LaborEnergyEducationAgricultureHealth David SeymourACT New Zealandcost of livinginflationReserve BankKiwiSaverSimeon BrownNew Zealand National PartyNew Zealand Labour PartyOfficial Cash RateFamilyBoostNZ National PartyKieran McAnultyChristopher LuxonNational Partyelection campaignAucklandprescription chargesChris HipkinsWinston Peterspublic transport faresCost of Living Action PlanMedicardfuel taxschool lunchesFederated Farmersrural school busesGreg Andersonfarmingfuel tax freeze
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National Demands Answers on Labour's Automatic Union Membership Policy
National's Simeon Brown says Labour and the CTU are telling different stories on automatic union membership, and wants Chris Hipkins to explain the contradiction today.
Politics and GovernmentEmployment and LaborElectionEconomyGeneral Politics Simeon BrownChris HipkinsNew Zealand Labour PartyNew Zealand National PartyCouncil of Trade Unionsautomatic union membershipNew Zealand politicsNZ National Party
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Home Support Workers Struggle as Petrol Hits Record $3.88 a Litre
PSA says 23,000 home support workers fund their own cars on near-minimum wages as petrol hits $3.88 a litre, with the promised mileage rate review still outstanding.
HealthBusinessPolitics and GovernmentEmployment and LaborEnergyLegalEconomy Home support workersPetrol pricesPublic Service Association Te Pukenga Here Tikanga MahiMileage rateFleur FitzsimonsSimeon BrownEmployment Relations Authority
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National Says Hipkins Would Scrap Mandated Hour of Reading, Writing and Maths
Education spokesperson Erica Stanford says the commitment was made in the TVNZ Leaders' Debate, as National cites rising Year 6 maths and writing results.
Politics and GovernmentEducationElectionGeneral PoliticsSocial IssuesNational PartyLabour PartyEconomy Erica StanfordChris HipkinsNew Zealand National PartyNew Zealand educationTVNZ Leaders' DebateRoyal Society reportcurriculum expectationsNZ National PartySimeon BrownNew Zealand electionleaders' debateNCEAco-governance
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National Pledges $604m More for Medicines, Funded by Foreign Aid Cuts
A re-elected National Government would add $604 million to Pharmac's medicines budget, cut foreign aid outside the Pacific by 10 per cent, and expand cancer screening.
Politics and GovernmentHealthElectionGeneral PoliticsFederal GovernmentMedical ScienceSocial Issues Simeon BrownNew Zealand National PartyPharmacCancer ScreeningForeign AidCAR-T Cell TherapyClinical TrialsNZ National Party
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Transport borrowing will come back to bite: NZTA's bullet loans push $1.4b in debt repayments into the future
Changes to how NZTA repays debt under the final GPS 2024 backloaded repayments, freeing short-term funding but creating large future spikes in the National Land Transport Fund.
Politics and GovernmentBusinessTransportationEconomyFederal GovernmentElection NZTANational Land Transport FundGovernment Policy Statement on Land Transportbullet loansSimeon BrownRoads of National SignificancePre-election Economic and Fiscal UpdateAucklandTransport
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National Accuses Labour of Inconsistent Tax and Borrowing Messages
National's campaign chair Simeon Brown says Labour gave contradictory answers on borrowing and its capital gains tax within hours, citing Hipkins and Edmonds comments on tax, farms and debt.
Politics and GovernmentElectionEconomyGeneral PoliticsOther Parties Simeon BrownNew Zealand National PartyNew Zealand Labour PartyChris HipkinsCapital Gains TaxBarbara EdmondsNew Zealand electionNZ National Party
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Labour Slams National's Energy Plan as 'Absolute Fizzer'
Labour energy spokesperson Megan Woods says National has had three years to cut power bills but is offering only reviews, deregulation and excuses instead of relief for struggling households.
Politics and GovernmentEnergyGeneral PoliticsOther PartiesEconomyEnvironment New Zealand Labour PartyMegan WoodsSimeon BrownNational Partyenergy policyelectricity pricesSolarSaverElection
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National Unveils Nine-Point Energy Plan to Cut Power Bills
National's Simeon Brown says Electrify NZ 2.0 will boost supply and competition to make power more affordable, while warning Labour would bring back the oil and gas ban.
Politics and GovernmentBusinessGeneral PoliticsEnergyEconomyElectionEnvironment Simeon BrownNational PartyElectrify NZ 2.0energy planpower billsChris HipkinsNZ National Party
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New Zealand Pharmacies to Dispense Wider Range of Funded Medicines Without Prescription
Pharmac and Health NZ expand the funded medicines community pharmacies can supply without a prescription, covering children's skin and oral treatments, vaginal thrush and selected oral contraceptives.
HealthPolitics and GovernmentGeneral PoliticsFederal GovernmentSocial Issues PharmacHealth New ZealandDavid SeymourSimeon BrownExtended Pharmacy Services Programmecommunity pharmaciesfunded medicinesNew Zealand Government
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Simeon Brown Seeks Re-Election as National MP for Pakuranga
Simeon Brown is seeking another term as National MP for Pakuranga, citing restored speed limits, the Reeves Road Flyover and extended East Care A&E hours among his local achievements.
Politics and GovernmentHealthGeneral PoliticsNational PartyLabour PartyElectionEconomy Simeon BrownPakurangaNew Zealand National PartyReeves Road FlyoverPakuranga HighwayEast Care A&E ClinicNew Zealand politicsNZ National Party
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National Claims Labour's Promises Would Cost Households $2,263 a Year
National says Labour's $18.8 billion of spending promises would cost the average household $2,263 a year, warning nine new taxes could be used to pay for it.
Politics and GovernmentElectionGeneral PoliticsEconomyOther Parties New Zealand National PartyChris HipkinsSimeon BrownNew Zealand electiontax policyLabour PartyTe Pāti Māori
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New Zealand Lowers Free Bowel Screening Age to 56
New Zealand's free bowel screening age drops to 56 in six regions from today, part of a $45.6 million Budget 2026 investment expected to save 522 lives over 25 years.
HealthPolitics and GovernmentMedical ScienceGeneral PoliticsFederal Government Bowel ScreeningSimeon BrownNational Bowel Screening ProgrammeBowel CancerColonoscopyHealth New ZealandNew Zealand Government
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National Party Warns of Greens' Role in a Labour Government After 1News Verian Poll
National's campaign chair Simeon Brown says a close election could put Chloe Swarbrick in charge of the economy, urging voters to back National's no-new-taxes plan.
Politics and GovernmentElectionGeneral PoliticsEconomyOther Parties New Zealand National Party1News Verian PollSimeon BrownChloe SwarbrickChris HipkinsNew Zealand electionNew Zealand Greens
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New Zealand GP Clinics to Get $67.3m in Performance-Linked Funding
Health Minister Simeon Brown says clinics that immunise more children, screen more women and help more smokers quit will be rewarded under a $67.3 million general practice package.
HealthPolitics and GovernmentGeneral PoliticsFederal GovernmentMedical ScienceSocial Issues Simeon BrownGeneral practice fundingNew Zealand healthImmunisationCervical screeningSmoking cessationPrimary Health OrganisationsNew Zealand Government
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National Slams Labour's Student Loan Policy as 'Handout' Funded by Tradies
National's Simeon Brown says Labour's student loan policy shifts debt onto taxpayers, warning it will require at least nine new taxes and hit working Kiwis hardest.
Politics and GovernmentEducationEconomyElectionLabour PartyNational Party Simeon BrownNew Zealand National PartyNew Zealand Labour Partystudent loan policyChris HipkinsNew Zealand electiontaxesNZ National Party
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Labour: Hospitals Falling Apart Under National
Labour health spokesperson Dr Ayesha Verrall says hospitals are crumbling and unsafe after three years of National neglect, citing leaks, a collapsed ceiling and cockroaches.
Politics and GovernmentHealthLabour PartyGeneral PoliticsSocial IssuesEmployment and Labor New Zealand Labour PartyAyesha VerrallHutt HospitalAuckland HospitalSimeon BrownStart Work NowElection
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Three-Day Postnatal Stays Become Law in New Zealand
New Zealand passes legislation granting mothers up to three days of inpatient postnatal care, backed by $34.4 million, with full national rollout by July 2029.
HealthPolitics and GovernmentGeneral PoliticsFederal GovernmentLegalSocial Issues postnatal careSimeon BrownCasey CostelloHealthy Futures (3 Day Postnatal Stay) Amendment BillBudget 2026maternity servicesNew Zealand Government
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Health Targets Show Faster Care for Northland and Auckland Patients
Second annual milestone toward 2030 health targets shows Northern region leading the country on emergency department stays, with Counties Manukau posting the largest annual gain.
HealthPolitics and GovernmentGeneral PoliticsFederal GovernmentSocial Issues Health targetsSimeon BrownNorthlandAucklandCounties ManukauEmergency departmentsElective treatmentNew Zealand Government
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Labour's Verrall Accuses Health Minister Simeon Brown of Failing the Health System
Labour health spokesperson Dr Ayesha Verrall says Simeon Brown was wrong to claim the health system is performing, citing corridor waits, nurse strikes and a hiring freeze.
Politics and GovernmentHealthGeneral PoliticsEmployment and LaborSocial Issues Simeon BrownAyesha VerrallNew Zealand Labour PartyHealth NZPSA surveynurse hiringNew Zealand health systemElection
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National Questions Labour's Tax Plans, Citing Candidate Craig Renney's Advocacy
National Campaign Chair Simeon Brown says Labour candidate Craig Renney keeps advocating a broader capital gains tax than Chris Hipkins is campaigning on, raising questions about Labour's $18 billion hidden bill.
Politics and GovernmentElectionGeneral PoliticsLabour PartyNational PartyEconomy New Zealand Labour PartySimeon BrownCraig RenneyChris Hipkinscapital gains taxNew Zealand National PartyCouncil of Trade UnionsNZ National Party
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Midwife Vaccination Rollout Exceeding Expectations, Brown Says
New Zealand's midwife vaccination programme is ahead of target, with 179 midwives trained, 19 sites delivering vaccines and nearly 70 midwives having vaccinated around 1,600 people.
HealthPolitics and GovernmentGeneral PoliticsFederal GovernmentSocial Issues Simeon Brownmidwife vaccination rolloutwhooping coughinfluenzamaternal and infant healthHealth MinisterNew Zealand Government
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NZ Economic Pulse MIDDAY: 19 September 2026
Chatham Islands supply ship construction begins; 232 medicines approved for paramedic prescribers; NZX closed for weekend as RBNZ reference rates hold at 18 September fixings
BusinessHealthPolitics and GovernmentEconomyFinancial MarketsTransportationEmployment and Labor NZ Economic PulseChatham Islandssupply shipSouthern TiareWilliam FraserJames MeagerSimeon Brownparamedic prescribers232 medicinesParamedic CouncilNZXRBNZreference exchange ratesNew Zealand dollarNewswire.nz Markets
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New Mobile Breast Screening Units Delivered as Free Screening Expands
All four new mobile breast screening units have been delivered, bringing New Zealand's fleet to 14 as free screening extends to women aged 70 to 74 by 2028.
HealthPolitics and GovernmentMedical ScienceSocial IssuesState Governments Breast ScreeningSimeon BrownNicola GriggMobile Screening UnitsBreast CancerWomen's HealthNew Zealand Government
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National Says Labour's Capital Gains Tax Would Tax Inflation
National's Simeon Brown says Labour's Capital Gains Tax lacks an inflation carve-out, leaving Kiwis facing tax bills on paper gains, with effective rates as high as 227 per cent.
Politics and GovernmentBusinessEconomyElectionFinancial MarketsReal EstateGeneral Politics Capital Gains TaxSimeon BrownNew Zealand National PartyChris HipkinsBarbara EdmondsinflationNew Zealand electionNZ National Party
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Treasury Warns Health NZ Cannot Cover Existing Costs as Budget 2026 Bilateral Looms
Treasury report ahead of the Budget 2026 health bilateral shows Vote Health seeking $555.7m a year in new operating spending and $971.1m in capital, against a Health NZ structural funding gap.
Politics and GovernmentHealthBusinessEconomyFederal GovernmentLegalFinancial Markets Budget 2026TreasuryHealth New ZealandNicola WillisSimeon BrownVote HealthNew Zealand Labour PartyElection
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Better Discharge Planning Frees 1,515 Bed Nights at Hawke's Bay Hospital
Health Minister Simeon Brown says improved discharge planning at Hawke's Bay Fallen Soldiers' Memorial Hospital cut patients waiting for discharge by 57 per cent, freeing 1,515 bed nights in a year.
HealthPolitics and GovernmentGeneral PoliticsFederal GovernmentSocial Issues Hawke's Bay Fallen Soldiers' Memorial HospitalSimeon Brownbed nightspatient dischargeemergency departmentsNew Zealand health systemComprehensive Geriatric AssessmentsNew Zealand Government
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New Zealand Diagnostic Waitlists Fall 21 Per Cent as Target Exceeded
Health New Zealand delivered 89,039 additional diagnostic procedures, more than 14,000 above target, cutting total waitlists 21 per cent and long waits 43 per cent.
HealthPolitics and GovernmentMedical ScienceFederal GovernmentEmployment and Labor Simeon BrownHealth New ZealandDiagnostic Improvement PlanwaitlistsCT scansMRI scansNew Zealand healthNew Zealand Government
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Verrall Accuses Brown of Dodging Health Debates
Labour's Dr Ayesha Verrall says Health Minister Simeon Brown has refused multiple debate invitations, citing his record, rising healthcare costs and only 54 extra nurses in two years.
Politics and GovernmentHealthElectionGeneral PoliticsState GovernmentsEmployment and Labor Simeon BrownAyesha VerrallNew Zealand Labour PartyHealth MinisterNew Zealand health systemelection campaignnurses