Great to have a quick yarn with some of the PowerNet crews as they work on restoring power in the rain today and thank them for what they’re doing, with Clutha District Council Mayor-Elect Jock Martin, @MarkMitchellMP and Mark Patterson MP.

Having a look around parts of the region and talking to some of the team working hard to clean up the mess and reconnect power as the rain falls today with Emergency Management Minister @MarkMitchellMP

Very sad to hear about the passing of Graham Bell. Graham led an extraordinary life. He was a well-known and trusted public figure. I want to acknowledge his public service, and the positive impact he had on many people’s lives. He will be deeply missed.

Hipkins was interviewed on Newstalk ZB Wellington this morning. Ram raid data: https://t.co/XKl7NUPC5w

Chris Hipkins blames media for not reporting on ram raids. Media had 714 ram raids to report on under Labour in 2022. To end of May 2025, there were 45. Dragging his bottom lip and complaining about media is hilarious. He simply had a very poor record as Police Minister.

I’ve arrived in Blenheim this morning to support Mayor Nadine Taylor and their CDEM team with the state of emergency overnight. Extra vigilance and care is required around flooding, please cooperate with emergency services. A support centre will open at Stadium 2000 at 9am.

New Zealand welcomes all people, of all backgrounds and ethnicities, who are willing to behave in a way that is tolerant and reflective of our values.   The actions I saw from Destiny Church this weekend in my view are not welcome in New Zealand.

This Government has a strong focus on public safety. Anything that threatens or disturbs the public’s right to go about their lives free from threat of violence is something I take very seriously.

The use of taiaha, which is a culturally sacred weapon, to overtly stab at flags representing minority groups in our country, while being torn to pieces and burnt is not acceptable.

Behaviour that incites discrimination or violence is damaging and reductive. I condemn the vile rhetoric and behaviour of the Destiny Church and its associates. The behaviour I saw was not Kiwi, nor Christian.

I am proud to be the Minister of Ethnic Communities in a multicultural and diverse New Zealand, which has had a proud history of welcoming people from all walks of life.   We all have a role to play to ensure New Zealand is a peaceful, inclusive country.

Everyone in New Zealand has the right to freedom of speech and protest, that is not up for debate. That does mean, however, that New Zealanders are free to condemn behaviour that is not in keeping with our values as a country and as a wider community.

I was appalled at the footage of the Destiny Church march over the weekend, in which minority communities were targeted. 🧵

Labour should be upfront with New Zealanders about the mess they created in order to deliver their well overdue and incomplete 1800 new police target, instead of trying to blame this Government that had to come in and clean it up.

We have made very clear on discovering this practice that it does not meet our expectations and Police have responded quickly with the Commissioner directing that the practice be ended.

Police’s draft report shows that for the delivery of the 1800 new police target, a discretionary pass was introduced where the literacy assessment standards were not met, which then became common practice. This does raise questions about political pressure.

Our team have landed in China – a place of enormous economic opportunity for NZ. When we trade with the world, we grow our economy at home. China is our largest trading partner, but there is room for growth and that’s what we will be exploring here. @chrisluxonmp

The Privacy Commissioner’s report and guidance paves the way for the technology to be used more widely and I am hugely supportive of it as a very effective deterrent to retail crime. It has clearly demonstrated its effectiveness. I encourage businesses to consider it.

Very pleased to see the Privacy Commissioner confirm that the Foodstuffs facial recognition technology trial is lawful today. Facial recognition technology has reduced harm at Foodstuffs by 16 per cent and prevented more than 100 serious harm incidents.

Congratulations to Senior Constable Terri Middleton who has been made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for Services to New Zealand Police and the community. This recognition represents Terri’s dedication and passion to her community over 34 years of service to Police.