Labour and NZ First reveal new policies as Bill English vows to fight on as National leader in opposition

October 24, 2017

PM-elect Jacinda Ardern says the two parties are committed to growing the economy and creating a fairer NZ.

Relive 1 NEWS NOW's coverage of the new Government unveiling their joint set of policies and National leader Bill English vowing to fight on in opposition.
 

5:20pm  An in-depth look at Bill English's media address where he vowed to hold the new Government to account.

Bill English backed by National caucus, intends leading party into 2020.

5:12pm  Ministerial positions for four NZ First cabinet ministers include deputy prime minister and foreign minister - for Mr Peters - as well as defence, regional economic development and forestry.

Ministerial portfolios for the Greens are climate change - which Mr Shaw will take - conservation, women, land information, associate environment, statistics, associate transport and associate health.

NZN

5:00pm A more in-depth look at the proposed cannabis referendum and other Labour/Greens policies that were listed today.

'It's time to take this to the public' – Jacinda Ardern backs Greens demand for cannabis referendum 

4:51pm  That's the end of the press conferences, now the analysis begins!

Mr English says his party will fight for New Zealand from the other side of the house.

4:50pm  Here are Mr English's opening remarks.

4:46pm  When asked for one word which would sum up a National term in opposition Mr English said: "Positive leadership." He says he earned more votes than the current Prime Minister and is in a strong position to hold the coalition to account.

4:44pm  The niceties are over and the gloves are off! With Mr English outlining his skepticism around many of the new coalitions plans.

4:40pm  Bill English has begun his term in opposition, stating that National will hold the new Government to account, saying the new policies are confusing and that they're trying to prepare the public for a slowing economy while also raising wages at the same time.

4:38pm  As expected Bill English has been voted in to remain as National Party leader, he vows to fight on as a large opposition.

4:35pm  LIVE: National holds first caucus meeting after losing power - what now for Bill English?

4:29pm  One more to go! Bill English up next with the future of the National Party high on the agenda.

Ms Ardern says the public will have their say on the issue, a major win for the Green Party.

4:25pm  Watch Ms Ardern's comments on the public referendum set to go ahead on legalising cannabis.

4:23pm  Conservation investment in DOC will increase, the Minister for Conservation will bid for amount.

4:20pm  The new Government will honour existing irrigation schemes but not subsidise them in the future.

4:19pm James Shaw says not being in Cabinet is the best deal for the Green Party, in reference to the blind negotiations that took place.

4:17pm  Looking at getting agriculture into the emissions trading scheme, we will have an independent climate commission to de-politicize the process James Shaw says.

4:14pm  "Huge amount of crossover between both agreements and all three parties," James Shaw said.

4:12pm  "We are going to work collectively, regardless of where ministers sit," Ms Ardern said when questioned whether NZ First kept the Greens out of Cabinet.

4:10pm  Climate change will sit at the heart of what this Government does, the climate change portfolio will sit outside cabinet with the Greens, Ms Ardern stated.

4:07pm  They are now talking about the KiwiBuild program and rent to own options to make sure people get into home ownership.

4:06pm  "What you'll see from the Green Party agreement is ambitious goals, like moving to reusable energy sources by 2035," Ms Ardern said.

4:05pm Jacinda Ardern is now giving a press conference with James Shaw, she says the next Government will focus on the people of New Zealand and the environment.

3:57pm Round 2 is about to start watch live here:   Live stream: Watch as Labour and the Green Party reveal details of their deal

3:55pm  Here is a more in-depth look at what was said on foreign buyers in the New Zealand market.  Ardern reaffirms ban on foreign buyers as Winston declares 'NZ is no longer for sale'

The pair appears to have an easy rapport in the early moments of their coalition.

3:48pm Winston Peters was very respectful during the press conference, watch below.

3:40pm  Phew! A lot to mull over from those announcements, next up the Greens sign their confidence and supply agreement and Bill English will address media after the National caucus meeting, both set to take place around 4pm.

3:37pm A brief recap on some of the flurry of policy announcements given in the address:

* Minimum wage set to rise next April, eventually hitting $20 an hour by 2020

* The implementation of a new SuperGold Card

* A ban on foreign buyers in the Kiwi housing market

* Free doctors visits for under 14's

* Free driver training for secondary school students

* A royalty placed on bottled water exports

* Focus and investment on the regions and light rail projects

3:30pm The   press conference has ended on a light note, as Winston Peters talks foreign affairs before Jacinda Ardern wraps it up by saying.

"I am happy to have been able to showcase Mr Peters knowledge in the realm of foreign affairs not that I'm hinting at anything…"

Looking likely Mr Peters will be handed a foreign affairs role as speculated then.

The Labour and NZ First leaders are set to lead the country for the next three years.

3:25pm  Watch Winston Peters and Jacinda Ardern put pen to paper on the agreement between Labour and NZ First.

3:24pm Winston Peters talking about his Super Gold Card scheme which looks to be going ahead, will cost more than the six to eight million originally costed.

3:22pm  On costings, Ms Ardern says health will have $8 billion in additional funding put aside, additional investment for policing total $100 million for 1800 policemen and women.

"We want to go through the process of precisely costing every policy."

3:20pm Jacinda Ardern wants New Zealand to be a leader when it comes to climate change and reach carbon neutrality. The agriculture industry will have to share a burden of this cost.

3:18pm  On her call with President Trump she said: "It was roughly a five minute call talking about NZ election, I made reference to New Zealand's role in Asia Pacific and look forward to discussing these with at him at APEC."

3:15pm  "We will stop foreign buyers from buying in our existing housing market," Jacinda Ardern said.

3:12pm  The minimum wage is set to be raised to $16.50 an hour in April 2018.

3:10pm  Jacinda Ardern says the new Government will focus on the neglected regions and raise the minimum wage.

"We have prioritised regional economic development and job creation for New Zealanders.

"You'll see a reduction in inequalities," Ms Ardern said

3:06pm  "Today represents a huge step change in the future of a New Zealand Government, the majority of New Zealanders voted for change in this election," Ms Ardern opened her speech.

3:04pm  Live stream: Watch as Labour and NZ First reveal the details of their coalition deal.

3:00pm  Winston Peters and Jacinda Ardern are now signing the coalition agreement to form the new Government.

2:59pm  So far National MPs entering the caucus meeting have been unanimously backing Bill English's leadership when asked by 1 NEWS political reporter Jessica Mutch.

Gerry Brownlee says it won't come to a vote as English will be fully endorsed. Nick Smith said Bill English has his backing but the result was "dissapointing".

2:45pm Also happening today at 4pm Bill English will be addressing media after a National caucus meeting. While he is fully expected to stay on as leader, this would be a good time for a leadership challenge to be thrown down by one of his colleagues.

Should be interesting, 1 NEWS NOW will also be live streaming this, so plenty to look forward to for political junkies this afternoon.

2:30pm  A reminder of a few of Labour's plans for its first 100 days in charge, which may or may not be among the policy announcements today. The full list can be found here:  What Labour promised they'd deliver in their first 100 days .

* Make the first year of tertiary education or training fees free from January 1, 2018.

* Ban overseas speculators from buying existing houses.

* Increase the minimum wage to $16.50 an hour, to take effect from 1 April 2018
 

2:10pm  New Zealand's first refugee MP, Golriz Ghahraman has spoken out about about the abuse she received online in the lead up to the general election last month. You can read more on this story here:  'If I didn't criticise the government I may as well have stayed in Iran' - New Zealand's first refugee MP opens up about online abuse.

2:05pm  This afternoon should be a revealing insight into what went on in the close-door negotiations last week between Labour and NZ First. What was agreed on immigration for example, and will Winston Peters get the Ports of Auckland moved to Whangarei, a policy he often brought up during the campaign.

1:50pm Winston Peters is a virtual lock to be our next Deputy PM and it looks like he'll gets Foreign Affairs. This might be confirmed when Labour and NZ First reveal their mutual policies agreement at 3pm. 1 NEWS NOW will be live streaming the announcement so tune in.

1:45pm This morning Jacinda Ardern had a Skype chat with Canadian PM Justin Trudeau, who said he was eager to meet her in person . New BFF's perhaps?

1.40pm  Earlier this morning, National Party leader Bill English appeared on TVNZ1's Breakfast, saying his future as leader was in the hands of his Caucus and party. He expects them to decide the future direction that National will go. 

They are meeting this afternoon.

It wasn’t all smiles and compliments for Labour, NZ First and the Greens during the election campaign.

Labour and NZ First will seal the deal at 3pm today, revealing a new set of 'mutual' policies agreed during the close-door negotiations last week. 

The Green Party and Labour will sign their agreement shortly after at 4pm, with their policy agreements set to be released as well. 

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