Hello Friend, 

Should we be at Alert Level 1?

Yesterday, thousands of protesters flocked to Auckland's Aotea Square to show their solidarity for the Black Lives Matter movement in the United States.

Exercising our freedom of expression is fine, but the protesters were not observing physical distancing. The number of attendees also exceeded 100 people, these violate Alert Level 2 rules.

Many of our small and medium Kiwi businesses have been faithfully abiding by strict Alert Level 2 rules, we believe that no one should be exempt from these same rules.

Small and medium Kiwi businesses are struggling to implement physical distancing in their establishments. Many families have made great sacrifices in their personal lives during Alert Levels 3 and 4 to safeguard our population from the virus outbreak.

It is only fair we hold every one to the same set of rules. If the protesters are going to be tolerated breaching Alert Level 2 rules, then it is futile imposing restrictions on everyone else.

Either that or we can admit we can safely move to Alert Level 1 immediately.

<[link removed]>

WATCH this video on Facebook <[link removed]>

Help us continue pushing commonsense values and policies in government

<[link removed]>DONATE <[link removed]>

Our success relies on the helping hand of our volunteers and the generosity of our supporters.

With your help, we can ensure that common-sense is retained in government decision-making.

What’s new

We are getting Northland rail back on track:

<[link removed]>

SHARE this post on Facebook <[link removed]>

Work is underway on the Northland line, repairing bridges and lowering tracks as part of a $204.5 million rail investment from the Provincial Growth Fund.

Getting rail back on track has been a core focus of New Zealand First, with many benefits including;

- Increasing freight capacity
- Reducing emissions
- More resilient transport network
- Reducing costs to businesses
- Lift employment potential

For a time, Northland suffered greater socioeconomic deprivation than anywhere else in New Zealand. Northland has the potential to thrive, and investments by the Provincial Growth Fund, and the plan for rail, will help unleash that potential.

READ MORE: Northland rail work to help create regional jobs <[link removed]>

Urgent changes to the Overseas Investment Act will protect Kiwi businesses from foreign buyers

<[link removed]>

SHARE this post on Facebook <[link removed]>

We’re protecting our vulnerable Kiwi-owned businesses from predatory foreign entities during our Covid-19 response.

The urgent changes to the Overseas Investment Act will be reviewed every 90 days during our recovery.

This is while we work on a comprehensive law that will ensure we keep Kiwi-owned assets in Kiwi hands.

Mark Patterson MP gives his contribution to the second reading of the Overseas Investment (Urgent Measures) Amendment Bill

<[link removed]>WATCH the video on Youtube <[link removed]>

Our List MP based in Clutha-Southland Mark Patterson MP discusses the amendments to the Overseas Investment Act and why they are necessary to protect Kiwi businesses.

Government investment supports the acquisition of new Interislander ferries

State-Owned Enterprises Minister Winston Peters has welcomed KiwiRail’s announcement that it is seeking a preferred shipyard to build two new rail-enabled ferries for the Cook Strait crossing.

“This Government is committed to restoring rail to its rightful place in New Zealand. Bigger, better ships, with new technology are yet another step on that journey,” Mr Peters said.

Interislander ferries carry 800,000 passengers and up to $14 billion of road and rail freight each year. The two new ferries will be able to carry twice as many passengers as the current three ship fleet, as well as three times more rail wagons and almost double the number of trucks and other vehicles.

READ MORE: Government investment supports the acquisition of new Interislander ferries <[link removed]>

NZ First receives petition demanding more protection for nurses <[link removed]>

<[link removed]>

VIEW this post on Twitter <[link removed]>

On the steps of Parliament today the Rt Hon Winston Peters, Darroch Ball MP and Jenny Marcroft MP received a petition from registered nurse Anna Maria Coervers, requesting an amendment to theProtection for First Responders Bill <[link removed]>to also include registered nurses.

The members bill, introduced by New Zealand First Spokesperson for Law & Order Darroch Ball, is currently at select committee and is seeking to introduce mandatory prison sentences for those who assault paramedics, police, firefighters, and corrections officers.

READ MORE: NZ First receives petition demanding more protection for nurses <[link removed]>

Farmers to Shane Jones: “We don’t want subsidies, we just want to be exempted the Building Act, and we’ll go build our own dam on our own farms."



WATCH this video on Facebook <[link removed]>

Lake Brunner’s Mount Te Kinga to go Predator Free

The West Coast forests of Mount Te Kinga at Kotuku Whakaoho/Lake Brunner are the latest predator free project to receive Government funding, announced Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage and Under Secretary for Regional Economic Development Fletcher Tabuteau.

The Predator Free Lake Brunner project will see a total investment of $15.7 million including $4.4 million from Predator Free 2050 Ltd thanks to the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) and significant in-kind contributions from the West Coast Regional Council, and community groups such as the Lake Brunner Community Catchment Care Group who have been pivotal in the development of the project.

Under Secretary for Regional Economic Development Fletcher Tabuteau said it is pleasing to see the $19.5 million of Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) funding announced for Predator Free 2050 Limited inFebruary 2019 <[link removed]>, to expand predator control in regional New Zealand and reduce the need for repeated 1080 use, is being put towards this transformational project.

“This project will not only offer benefits for conservation and provide much needed progress towards a predator free future for New Zealand, but also provide great prospects for local employment and the long-term economic future of the West Coast district,” Fletcher Tabuteau said.

READ MORE: Lake Brunner’s Mount Te Kinga to go Predator Free <[link removed]>

New Zealand First disappointed that Section 70 spouses won’t get relief

New Zealand First is disappointed that the removal of the spousal deductions has had to be delayed by the Ministry fo Social Development, due to COVID19 workload pressures.

“New Zealand First has always stood for fairness when it comes to superannuation so we are very committed to removing what we consider an unfair deduction from New Zealanders who happen to have partners with an overseas pension,” said Rt Hon Winston Peters, Leader of New Zealand First.

READ MORE: New Zealand First disappointed that Section 70 spouses won’t get relief <[link removed]>

Shane Jones MP on Hapū handbrakes

<[link removed]>

WATCH this video on Facebook <[link removed]>

The Hon Shane Jones talks about hapū roadblocks, saying these should not stifle our economic recovery.

He makes a plea to Iwi leaders to not use the post-COVID-19 environment as an opportunity to push further ideological outcomes.

In the House

We update you on developments on New Zealand First members' bills in the House.

Share the good news on Facebook! <[link removed]>

An amendment to the ‘Protection of First Responders Bill’ is being tabled which will see emergency department healthcare workers included in the legislation.

The ‘Protection for First Responders Bill’ will see a mandatory minimum prison sentence of six months for those who intentionally injure our emergency workers.

READ MORE:Nurses to get more protection, added to 'First Responders' legislation <[link removed]>

NZ First Members' Bills drawn from the ballot:

Mark Patterson MP - New Zealand Superannuation and Retirement Income (Fair Residency) Amendment Bill <[link removed]>

Darroch Ball MP - Protection for First Responders and Prison Officers Bill <[link removed]>

Darroch Ball MP - Oranga Tamariki (Youth Justice Demerit Points) Amendment Bill <[link removed]>

Have your say

New Zealand First is committed to listening to voters. Answer our surveys and let us know where you stand on these pressing issues.



The Rt Hon Winston Peters said that if Police will condone the mass gathering that occurred in Auckland yesterday, New Zealand should already be placed under Alert Level 1.

Do you agree?

Let us know: CLICK HERE <[link removed]>

<[link removed]>

Do you support buying locally grown, Kiwi made products?

Help our local potato growers and join us in pledging to only buy Kiwi spuds.

PLEDGE to support our Kiwi potato growers:CLICK HERE <[link removed]>

Help us spread our message online, volunteer with our social media team



New Zealand First is only as strong as the commitment of our volunteers and the passion of our supporters.

Your time and effort will help us continue the good work we have started in Government.

Volunteer to help us spread the message online during this year’s election by signing up to help our social media campaign below:

CLICK HERE TO SIGNUP AS A VOLUNTEER <[link removed]>

Follow our social media to keep updated with what we’ve been doing

 Follow us on Facebook <[link removed]>

<[link removed]>Follow us on Twitter <[link removed]>

Follow us on Instagram <[link removed]>

We have daily updates on what we've been doing in Parliament.

Follow us for the latest news on our MPs, our policies, and upcoming events.

We have weekly surveys on the hottest issues, giving our followers a say on the issues that matter.

Help us with a "like", a comment, or by sharing our posts to spread the message with your friends and family.

For more resources on the COVID-19 pandemic and what Alert level 2 means for you, visit: [link removed]

If you are feeling symptoms and seek medical advice, call Healthline free on 0800 611 116.

<[link removed]> <[link removed]> <[link removed]>

Authorised by Rt Hon Winston Peters, Parliament Buildings, Molesworth Street, Pipitea, Wellington 6011


<[link removed]>




-=-=-
New Zealand First
PO Box 406
Fielding 4740
-=-=-

This email was sent to [email protected].
To stop receiving emails: [link removed]