He had no idea of the challenge they were embarking on, Business & Investing: Retailer Briscoe Group invokes the momentum of 2020 to strive for even more success, Plus, Stripe becomes Silicon Valley’s most valuable private company, Start your day with a curation of our top stories in your inbox, Start your day with our best stories in your inbox, stripped of her portfolios in September last year. Updates. However, after Minister Meka Whaitiri lost her portfolios, no replacement minister with responsibility for animal welfare was appointed and Labour no longer supports a separate animal portfolio. But fellow Junior Whip Kiritapu Allan, a former Napier courts judges' researcher, elected last month as East Coast MP after a term as a List MP, is in the Cabinet at No 18, as Minister of Conservation, and Minister for Emergency Management, and Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, and Associate Minister for the Environment. She said that last week the Prime Minister spoke with them all – "63 conversations, as well as the negotiations with the Green Party.". Meka Whaitiri gets customs role back in ministerial reshuffle. She said her resurrection in the Cabinet frame reflects something she says she's never seen in her time in Parliament, a roles reshuffle that offers a pathway for everyone in the historic new Labour caucus of 64 members. Hughes said it was a “structural conflict of interest”, and something the Greens had raised with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. 06/11/2020. Meka's two sons are the backbone of the mahi that she does. These moves were not always in the interest of animal welfare best practice, and it was hard for the agriculture minister to balance those competing issues. Read all media releases and speeches from Meka Whaitiri Ms Whaitiri’s role previously encompassed animal welfare, but the removal of her portfolios means the responsibility now falls to Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor. Former associate agriculture minister Meka Whaitiri was the first person to have a specific and sole responsibility for animal welfare – something that had been promised by Labour, the Greens and New Zealand First ahead of the election, but was never embedded in the coalition or confidence and supply agreements. Animal welfare minister. She becomes Minister of Customs, Veterans and Associate Minister of Agriculture with responsibility for Animal Welfare, and Statistics. The objective was to give animal advocates an opportunity for direct and open dialogue with the A spokesperson for animal welfare group SAFE said MPI needed to speak up for a law change to enable them to secretly film animal abuse. Labour Party. In 2018, she had to "stand aside" from her ministerial roles during an investigation into an allegation that she assaulted a staff member in her ministerial office. The Labour Party, and the Government as a whole, had made a number of promises, but there had been very little progress in recent months, she said. Meanwhile, advocates say progress is stalling. Meka Whaitiri was reinstated as Associate Minister of Agriculture with responsibility for Animal Welfare. She had contested some of the allegations but said at that time: "However I am disappointed my behaviour led to a complaint. The Prime Minister has been contacted for comment. Agriculture (Animal Welfare) Associate Minister. See why other supporters are signing, why this petition is important to them, and share your reason for signing (this will mean a … Associate Agriculture Minister Meka Whaitiri says the Framework for Action on Animal Welfare released today, sets out a better approach to animal welfare that is clear, transparent and inclusive. Labour, New Zealand First and the Greens all promised to install a minister responsible for animal welfare but there has been no-one in the role since September last year, when Meka Whaitiri was stripped of her portfolios. Customs. Comments. A hui for animal advocacy groups and individuals was held at Manurewa Marae in South Auckland on 8 June 2018. Horse racing in New Zealand has also had issues with horses dying as a result of injury or illness after races - sparking a focus on track safety - as well as those killed because they were too old or too slow. Labour said pre-election that we would appoint a dedicated animal welfare minister. Within weeks of forming, we were the only organisation that advocated on disaster animal welfare at the national animal welfare hui, and consequently our lobbying has squarely put this need on the former Associate Minister for Agriculture’s (Hon. A commissioner for animals could be on the cards as the Government moves to improve animal welfare. Federated Farmers animal welfare spokesman Miles Anderson says the money spent on the framework would be better spent elsewhere , such as addressing New Zealand's horrific statistics on children. Regarding the animal welfare investigations, Meka Whaitiri suggested to parliament that it was a big task. Tuesday marks the annual Melbourne Cup racing event, also known as the race that stops a nation. Deputy Secretary in the Department of Labour, and Senior Adviser to the Minister of Māori Affairs, before entering Parliament in an election after the passing of Minister and Ikaroa-Rāwhiti MP Parekura Horomia seven years ago, she became Minister of Customs first-time-around after Labour crept back into office as a Coalition Government leader after the 2017 General Election, and also served as Associate Minister for Agriculture, Forestry, Local Government and Crown/Māori Relations, and co-chaired the Labour Māori Caucus. “The reinstatement of Meka Whaitiri in this role is welcome news, because there’s much work to be done.” Reasons for signing. Hughes said the current law was quite good, and some described it as world-leading in recognising animals as sentient beings, but in practice New Zealand fell well behind other countries. Whaitiri, Meka. In the meantime, concerns about a lack of resources remain. Nash was not immediately able to be contacted by Hawke's Bay Today, but Whaitiri was particularly pleased with his new role, saying his being made Minister of Economic and Regional Development was "huge" for Hawke's Bay, and New Zealand. Ikaroa-Rāwhiti. Government MPs Meka Whaitiri, Gareth Hughes and Mark Patterson at the recent Animal Welfare Advocate Hui held in South Auckland. Minister. A complaint to the Animal Welfare Minister about SPCA regarding enforcing horse welfare. Ko au te Mema Pāremata mō Ikaroa-Rāwhiti. Customs. New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing says there were 17 deaths in the 2018-19 season. With the Ministry for Primary Industries under-resourced, some of the responsibility has fallen to advocacy groups, they say. NAWAC oversees 18 different animal welfare codes of practice and last reviewed the sport of rodeo in 2014. However, live exports were continuing while the review was carried out. “It’s 10 months into the ‘year of delivery’ and animals are still waiting.”. It is time for the Government to step up and show us some action on animal welfare issues. There had been a back-peddle on Labour’s promises to ban the worst rodeo practices, such as calf roping and flank straps, and on the plan to outlaw colony cages for hens. Ms Whaitiri said the government had introduced penalties for lower level offences which might not warrant prosecution under the Animal Welfare Act. Add to that the recent broadcast of footage showing widespread cruelty to Australia's racehorses, and revelations that hundreds of healthy thoroughbreds are being sent to the slaughterhouse each year – calling into question the industry’s claims of its rehoming programme. Associate Minister of Agriculture (Animal Welfare) Hon Meka Whaitiri Animal welfare, including any statutory powers of the Minister under the Animal Welfare Act 1999 (including regulations and codes of welfare) and managing the relationships with, and making appointments to, the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) and the Meka is currently Minister of Customs, Minister for Veterans, Associate Minister of Agriculture (Animal Welfare) and Associate Minister of Statistics. It was - "I think" – on Sunday that she was contacted by the PM and offered the roles, the 55-year-old Karamu High School old girl was confirmed today as Minister of Customs, Minister for Veterans, Associate Minister of Agriculture (with responsibility for Animal Welfare) and Associate Minister of Statistics. Over the past couple of years there have been discussions of cruel treatment to calves and dairy cows – mostly revealed through hidden cameras placed by advocacy groups – as well as reports of cruel practices in rodeos, battery and colony caging of hens, pig farrowing crates, and live animal exports. It’s our responsibility to advocate for animal issues,” Hughes said. The hui in Auckland aims to follow up on a promise made by Whaitiri after she announced Government policy not to ban rodeos in March. NAWAC was asked by incoming associate agriculture minister Hon Meka Whaitiri to inquire into specific allegations, made by SAFE and other animal activist groupings, relating to the conduct of rodeo events in New Zealand. She also played netball and softball at a national level. Animal rights group SAFE is pressing the Government to reassign responsibility for animal welfare, after the role was stripped from outgoing Associate Agriculture Minister Meka Whaitiri. But Whaitiri was stripped of her portfolios in September last year, following a “staffing matter”, which related to disputed allegations of a physical assault. In 2016, three horses died in jumps races in a single day, in separate incidents. Conversations which signalled it is time for a more open and engaged relationship. Start. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in Hawke's Bay earlier this year with Napier MP Stuart Nash (left) and Ikaroa-Rāwhiti MP Meka Whaitiri (right). 2 Nov, 2020 01:11 AM 4 minutes to read. She also held hui, bringing together key stakeholders, and in June 2018 she released the Animal Welfare Framework. Politicians love a junket, but this year ministers are avoiding being seen ‘swanning around’ at the sailing, A year ago today, Professor Shaun Hendy and his colleagues kicked off an ambitious plan to model the spread of Covid. Meka Whaitiri is reinstated as a minister after having it stripped in 2018. Petition details. During her time in the role, Whaitiri stated her concerns about a range of practices, and committed to improve resourcing, transparency and policy. – SAFE’s petition is calling on the Associate Minister of Agriculture (Animal Welfare) Hon Meka Whaitiri, on behalf of the House of Representatives, to prohibit the use of bucking (flank) straps, electric prods, tail twisting, spurs, animal wrestling, team roping and calves under 12 months old in New Zealand rodeo events. 122 (1) (d) requires that the employment contracts or arrangements between the organisation and the organisation’s inspectors are such that, having regard to the interests of the public, the organisation is suitable to be declared to be an approved organisation There's a change of roles for Napier MP Stuart Nash who, while still ranked No 12 in the traditional 20, has shed the ministries of Police, Fisheries and Revenue to become Minister of Economic and Regional Development, Minister of Tourism and Minister of Forestry, while training in the Small Business portfolio. Former Transport Minister Phil Twyford has … Her whānau and supporters have supported her through her journey as a politician. New MP for Hastings-based Tukituki MP Anna Lorck, the Labour candidate who vanquished single-term National MP and former Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule in the election a fortnight ago, is expected to spend her first term learning the trade from the back benches. Horomia's death on 29 April 2013 triggered a by-election, which took place on 29 June of that year. Former associate agriculture minister Meka Whaitiri was the first person to have a specific and sole responsibility for animal welfare – something that had been promised by Labour, the Greens and New Zealand First ahead of the election, but was never embedded in the coalition or confidence and supply agreements. If you can help us, please click the button to ensure we can continue to provide quality independent journalism you can trust. Associate Minister. While the country has continued to grapple with issues of animal welfare, the Greens and animal rights advocates say the Government has not been moving fast enough on its promises. Demand that the Associate Minister for Agriculture (Animal Welfare), Meka Whaitiri, immediately order the Ministry for Primary Industries to stop racing at Whanganui and carry out an investigation into the huge number of deaths and injuries at this track. Meka Whaitiri) animal welfare action plan … Associate Minister of Agriculture (with responsibility for Animal Welfare… I … Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern today announced her Ministerial list, which saw Meka Whaitiri reinstated as Associate Minister of Agriculture with responsibility for Animal Welfare. Most political analysts predicted that Labour would hold Ikaroa-Rāwhiti, which Horomia had held since its formation for the 1999 election – Horomia had won a majority of 6,541 votes (29.1%) at the previous election in 2011. The initial creation of the separate role was a “incredibly positive step forward”, Hughes said, adding that he was disappointed Whaitiri had not been replaced. Portfolio: Role Start. Animals in Aotearoa New Zealand will have better protection now that the Associate Minister for Animal Welfare – Meka Whaitiri – has been appointed to the new Parliament. As we feel that they are not doing the job of aiding animals in need properly, or to the best of their ability, especially in regard to many horse welfare si With master's degrees in Law, Forestry Science and Management, Nash was in Opposition in that first term. He uri tēnei nō Ngāti Kahungunu me ngā iwi o Te Tai Rāwhiti. Photo / File. It's a huge honour and now the real mahi begins.". Green Party animal welfare spokesperson Gareth Hughes the Government hadn’t moved as a fast or as far as he would have liked. Find out more about Meka Whaitiri . There is no Cabinet role yet for Wairarapa MP Kieran McAnulty, who was tipped for elevation in the ranks after serving a first term as a List MP but who is expected to stay in the role of Junior Whip, or possibly take on the role of Senior Whip. Hawke's Bay and Gisborne-based MP Meka Whaitiri has been given two Ministerial roles in the new Government – "honoured" with the chance of redemption after being stood down two years ago following an altercation with a member of her Parliamentary staff. "I've had to work hard, and I'm under no illusion about the scrutiny I'll be under. Agriculture (Animal Welfare) Associate Minister. Meka Whaitiri (Associate Minister for Agriculture). The Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses says 2500 horses died. In the last Budget, the animal welfare allocation for education and enforcement rose to $10.36 million, and there are plans to increase inspector numbers by eight in the next two years. He was appointed Labour's spokesman for Revenue, and associate spokesman for Trade and Forestry, and later spokesman for Forestry, and in the second and third terms stepped-up to bigger roles in Police and Fisheries. "Of course I'd like to see more. As our journalists work to ask the hard questions about our recovery, we also look to you, our readers for support. Meanwhile, New Zealand's greyhound racing industry has also been in the spotlight, with a recent inquiry painting a damning picture on the number of dogs killed and the lack of rehoming. Groups like the SPCA cover the welfare of companion animals, but also face stretched resources, and advocacy groups say they are increasingly taking on a monitoring role in the absence of MPI inspectors. After the release of an investigation report, she said, she had accepted the stripping of her ministerial duties, and intended to work hard to regain the confidence of Ardern. Reader donations are critical to what we do. 06/11/2020. Veterans: Minister: 06/11/2020. Statistics. 06/11/2020. The hui was called for by Hon Meka Whaitiri, Associate Minister of Agriculture, with responsibility for animal welfare. Help us create a sustainable future for independent local journalism. They can’t go to court, or lay a complaint, or argue political policy. Whaitiri, Meka. “We’ve got a lot of progress to make with animals.”. Hon Meka Whaitiri Associate Minister of Agriculture (Animal Welfare) Meka Whaitiri is also: Minister of Customs; Minister for Veterans; Associate Minister of Statistics. 06/11/2020. "This place can be brutal, but you've got to own your own mistakes," she said. Statistics. Contact Details. The framework included four main action areas, including establishing an independent voice for animals – such as an independent commissioner - improving transparency, strengthening welfare codes and regulations, and building skills and capacity. NZ's first minister responsible for animal welfare was stripped of her portfolios in September 2018 and never replaced. SAFE CEO Debra Ashton said she’s pleased that the Labour Government are putting a focus back on animal welfare. And those working in the area say the Government’s progress on animal welfare issues have stalled. Dear Meka Whaitiri, this OIA relates to section 122 of the animal welfare act sets out the criteria for approved organisations . That comes after Associate Minister for Agriculture, Meka Whaitiri, announced new regulations, which include fining pet owners $300 for leaving dogs in hot cars. Meka Whaitiri. In an announcement made today by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern today, the Member for Labour stronghold and Maori electorate Ikaroa-Rāwhiti for the last seven years regains the role of Minister of Customs outside Cabinet she lost amid the turmoil at the end of August 2018. As New Zealand moves from crisis to recovery mode the need to support local industry has been brought into sharp relief. SAFE campaign manager Marianne Macdonald said she applauded what the Government had done to reduce poverty and address mental health issues, “but their brand of kindness needs to be extended to animals”. With only minutes before inaugural national animal welfare hui concluded, Animal Evac NZ made a lonely plea to Hon. There have also been instances of illegal live-baiting. See where I sit in the debating chamber ... Party. Associate Minister. Meka Whaitiri was made Associate Minister of Agriculture with responsibility for animal welfare. Thank you for signing our petition and using your voice to put animals on the agenda in this Government. Animal rights group SAFE is pressing the Government to reassign responsibility for animal welfare, after the role was stripped from outgoing Associate Agriculture Minister Meka Whaitiri. We sent our congratulations to Jacinda and NZ Labour, with a copy to the Greens, on her convincing success and asked for an Animal Welfare Minister to be appointed. ... Meka Whaitiri. Tēnā Koutou, Ko Meka Whaitiri tōku ingoa. Born and raised in Manutuke, Gisborne and educated in Hastings, Meka Whaitiri was Head Girl at Karamu High School, representing the voices of her peers. Visit YouTube to see the video description. And some animals, including chickens, were not covered in the work that looked at cattle, sheep, goats and deer. It was expected the role would be filled in June’s cabinet reshuffle, but it has remained vacant. Meka Whaitiri says the five-year phase-out will start on Friday, December 18. A separate minister, and the establishment of an independent body – as outlined in the Government’s Animal Welfare Framework – would remove any conflicts, and ensure someone was being “a voice for the voiceless”, as well as playing a monitoring and enforcement role. To add to these animal welfare issues, there have been problems in New Zealand’s farming industry, with cattle winter grazing practices slammed this year after a public campaign showing cows deep in mud. “This Ministerial role with a focus on animal welfare has been vacant for nearly two years,” said Ashton. “New Zealanders take animal welfare very seriously and in response, this Government is committed to improving animal welfare outcomes in Aotearoa,” Meka Whaitiri says. Since Whaitiri’s demotion, the responsibility has fallen to Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor, which some see as presenting a conflict of interest, given his role in supporting and growing agriculture and farming. Photo: Lynn Grieveson, Laura Walters is a Newsroom senior political reporter covering justice, education and the incoming administration, As punters gee up for the increasingly controversial Melbourne Cup, Laura Walters asks why the Government hasn't appointed an animal welfare minister since Meka Whaitiri’s sacking. An all-day hui, to discuss the priorities of the country’s animal welfare groups, has been called for next month by the Associate Minister of Agriculture the Meka Whaitiri. While New Zealand has about 160 million farmed animals, there are just 26 welfare inspectors (up from 22). There are discrepancies regarding the data, with no independent monitoring body to gather information on such things. Meka Whaitiri, Associate Minister of Agriculture responsible for Animal Welfare, said in an ideal world she would have more inspectors. Hawke's Bay's most senior MP is now in his fourth term, having sat as a List MP from 2008 to 2011 and as Napier's constituency MP since 2014. In the absence of the promised minister responsible for animal welfare, the Government had not taken its responsibilities seriously, Macdonald said, adding that the current situation, in which O’Connor was responsible for the portfolio, was a “ridiculous situation”, and a “clear conflict of interest”. She told Hawke's Bay Today after today's announcement she respects the Prime Minister for having "stuck to her word" to "keep the door open". 06/11/2020. Disabled tenant faces eviction from his Kāinga Ora home, 'Brilliant': Cup race viewers at Napier Sailing Club react, How community showed Bushman's Tucka their support, First Kiwis fully vaccinated, very small number of people have declined, Hastings mechanic's death 'rocked a community', Napier man's despair as letter to Chathams is returned four times. To Meka Whaitiri, NZ Animal Welfare Minister, We, the undersigned would like to ask you to please carry out a full investigation into our countries National Animal Welfare agents, in that of the SPCA/RSPCA along with all of their 46 branches. But the iconic Australian fixture has become increasingly controversial, with six horses dying as a result of the race since 2013. Those working in primary industries often lobbied or argued for reducing costs, and slowing transition times. Minister. “This framework for action is the result of eight months of discussions with stakeholders. Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor launched a winter grazing taskforce, which was due to report back with recommendations by early October. The New Zealand Anti-Vivisection Society reported that there was no longer a Minister for Animal Welfare. An MPI spokesperson said there were further enforcement and compliance boosts, and more verification services were coming on-stream. “The role was created because people realise animals need a voice. 28/06/2013. 06/11/2020. I am committed to my own development, including better managing employment relationships.". Current Roles. Former associate agriculture minister Meka Whaitiri was the first person to have a specific and sole responsibility for animal welfare – something that had been promised by Labour, the Greens and New Zealand First ahead of the election, but was never embedded in the coalition or confidence and supply agreements. Labour Party. The biggest piece of work in animal welfare this term was the review into live animal exports, currently underway.
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