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The Zero Carbon Bill Explained
The Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Bill is currently being considered by the Environment Select Committee before it goes to second reading, but it could be facing opposition.
Week That Was: Five awesome things Labour's doing for New Zealand
We've been busy! Have a look at just five things we've been working on this week to make New Zealand a better place...
Week That Was: New classrooms for 100,000 kids
We've had another great week of progress for New Zealand! We're moving forward, taking on the long-term challenges with smart, practical solutions.
See all posts1 July: Good progress on long-term goals
We want to improve the wellbeing of every single New Zealander. To do that, we have to think longer than just a three-year-term, and look at the things that really matter to Kiwis – like having a healthy place to live, enough money to raise a family, and a good future to look forward to.
Latest Headlines
Million-dollar start to gun collection events
Stuart Nash · July 15, 2019
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Million-dollar start to gun collection events Police Minister Stuart Nash says a solid start has been made to the gun buyback and amnesty after the first weekend of community collection events. “Gun owners will walk away with more than $1 million in compensation after this weekend. The first payments are expected to land in people’s bank accounts over the next few days,” Mr Nash says. “Police are very encouraged by the response to the first public events at Riccarton Racecourse in Christchurch. More than 250 further events are planned for the first half of the amnesty, and more will be scheduled. “Today’s efforts surpassed the turnout on Saturday and I want to repeat my praise for both Police and firearms owners who made this happen. “The feedback to Police has been very positive. Gun owners say the process is easy and straightforward and the compensation they received is fair. “Provisional figures show that 378 people took part over the course of the weekend. A total of 542 firearms were handed in, along with 578 prohibited parts or accessories. Payments worth $1,022,599 were processed. “The next collection event is on 17 July at Waipu in Northland. After that every Police District around the country will hold events over the weekend of 20-21 July. “I encourage firearms owners to prepare beforehand using the online form. Others with firearms or parts they wish to dispose of during the amnesty can also drop them off at the collection days, no questions asked. “Information about the collection events is being regularly updated on the Police website, and people can also phone the 0800 311 311 number for more details. “The terror attack on 15 March is the reason we changed our laws. We know the vast majority of gun owners are law abiding and the changes are not aimed at them. They did nothing wrong. But we must act to remove the most dangerous weapons from circulation,” Mr Nash says. Information about collection events is at: https://www.police.govt.nz/advice/firearms-and-safety/changes-firearms-law-prohibited-firearms/local-collection-events-amnesty
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Praise after first firearms collection event
Stuart Nash · July 15, 2019
Police Minister Stuart Nash has praised Police and gun owners after the first firearms collection event saw a busy turnout at Riccarton Racecourse in Christchurch.
“Police officers and staff have put a tremendous effort into planning and logistics for the first event in the six month amnesty. More than 250 others are scheduled,” Stuart Nash says.
“Payments worth more than $430,000 have been processed today and should be in people’s bank accounts within the next few days.
“New Zealand has never run a gun buyback and amnesty before. Months of work has been invested and it has paid off.
“Many of those who handed over firearms commented how easy the process is, how the prices are fair, and how Police made the whole event go smoothly. Police say the feedback has been very positive.
“I also want to thank the people of Canterbury who turned up today. Police are working alongside firearms owners to help them do the right thing.
“We have consistently acknowledged the vast majority of firearms owners are law-abiding. They have done nothing wrong. The law changed and now they hold prohibited weapons. This was never aimed at them. It was designed to ensure the events of 15 March in Christchurch do not happen again.
“The results from the first collection are very encouraging. The early figures indicate people were coming through the door faster than one every two minutes. A prohibited firearm or part was handed in at a rate of more than one a minute. Payments were processed at a rate of more than $1400 per minute.
“The government has put aside more than $200 million for payments and administration of the gun buyback and amnesty. We will top up that figure if required.
“Another collection event will be held at Riccarton Racecourse tomorrow and I encourage owners of prohibited weapons, or others who just want to dispose of items during the amnesty, to prepare in advance and go along,” Mr Nash says.