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Darroch Ball
Darroch Leicester Ball (born 1982) is a New Zealand politician of the New Zealand First party. Ball was elected to the New Zealand House of Representatives at the 2014 general election and served as a Member of Parliament until his party's defeat in the 2020 general election. He was the party's interim president from December 2020 to July 2021 and is currently chief of staff to the New Zealand First leader, Winston Peters. Early life Ball was born and raised in Auckland. He is of Tongan descent through his mother. He attended Liston College (1996–2000) in Henderson and became a father aged 19. He raised his two children as a single parent. Ball graduated with a bachelor's degree majoring in biological science from the University of Auckland in 2005. He was an logistics officer in the New Zealand Army for seven years and trained as a teacher in 2013. He taught science at Waiopehu College in 2014 before his election to Parliament. He was previously on the board of trustees o ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] [Amazon] |
New Zealand First
New Zealand First (), commonly abbreviated to NZ First or NZF, is a political party in New Zealand, founded and led by Winston Peters, who has served three times as Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand, deputy prime minister. The party has formed coalition governments with both major political parties in New Zealand: with the New Zealand National Party from 1996 to 1998 and 2023 to present, and with the New Zealand Labour Party from 2005 to 2008 and 2017 to 2020. New Zealand First currently serves in a coalition government with both National and ACT New Zealand as part of the Sixth National Government of New Zealand, Sixth National government, having won 6.08% of the total party vote in the 2023 New Zealand general election. New Zealand First was formed shortly before the 1993 New Zealand general election, following the resignation of Winston Peters as the National Party MP for Tauranga after criticising the party's Neoliberalism, neoliberal Ruthanasia, economic policies. The ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] [Amazon] |
North Island
The North Island ( , 'the fish of Māui', historically New Ulster) is one of the two main islands of New Zealand, islands of New Zealand, separated from the larger but less populous South Island by Cook Strait. With an area of , it is the List of islands by area, world's 14th-largest island, constituting 43% of New Zealand's land area. It has a population of which is % of New Zealand's residents, making it the most populous island in Polynesia and the List of islands by population, 28th-most-populous island in the world. Twelve main urban areas (half of them officially cities) are in the North Island. From north to south, they are Whangārei, Auckland, Hamilton, New Zealand, Hamilton, Tauranga, Rotorua, Gisborne, New Zealand, Gisborne, New Plymouth, Napier, New Zealand, Napier, Hastings, New Zealand, Hastings, Whanganui, Palmerston North, and New Zealand's capital city Wellington, which is located at the south-west tip of the island. Naming and usage The island has been known ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] [Amazon] |
Sensible Sentencing Trust
The Sensible Sentencing Trust was a political advocacy group based in Napier, New Zealand. The Trust's stated goal is "to educate both the public and victims of serious violent and/or sexual crime and homicide" It focuses on advocating for the rights of victims and tougher penalties against offenders. In late 2018, founder Garth McVicar stepped down as leader of the Trust. In January 2021, former New Zealand First Member of Parliament Darroch Ball became the Trust's leader. In late June 2024, the Sensible Sentencing Trust reactivated to lobby for a tougher three strikes law. Goals and issues The Sensible Sentencing Trust' stated purpose sole purpose is "to educate both the public and victims of serious violent and/or sexual crime and homicide." Key goals include educating victims of their rights and entitlements, educating the public about the light of victims, and supporting victims of crime through education, trauma support, accessing protection, and providing social rehabilit ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] [Amazon] |
Palmerston North City Council
The Palmerston North City Council is the territorial authorities of New Zealand, territorial authority for the city of Palmerston North in New Zealand. The council is made up of a Mayor of Palmerston North, mayor elected at-large and 15 councillors, with 13 elected from a city-wide general ward (Te Hirawanui Ward) and 2 from a city-wide Māori wards and constituencies, Māori ward (Te Pūao Ward). They are elected using a Single transferable vote, single transferable voting system in Local elections in New Zealand, triennial elections, with the most recent elections having been held in 2022 New Zealand local elections, 2022. The current mayor is . History Local Government in Palmerston North began with the formation of a town board and a local board within Wellington Province in 1876,. When the Provinces of New Zealand, provinces were dissolved in 1876, Palmerston North became part of the newly established Manawatū District#Manawatu County Council, Manawatū County. An inde ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] [Amazon] |
Mark Mitchell (New Zealand Politician)
Mark Patrick Mitchell (born 22 May 1968) is a New Zealand politician, former police officer and security contractor, and a member of the New Zealand House of Representatives since 2011. He is a member of the centre-right National Party. Early life and career Mitchell was born on Auckland's North Shore and lived his early years at Whenuapai air base, where his father was a flight lieutenant flying Orion aircraft and his mother's father, Air Commodore Frank Gill, was the base commander. Gill was later a National Party cabinet minister, between 1975 and 1980. Mitchell attended Rosmini College, a Catholic school. He dropped out at age 15 and started work as a farm hand. He joined the New Zealand Police at age 21 and served for thirteen years, working as a dog handler and in the Armed Offenders Squad. After leaving the police, Mitchell undertook an executive education short course at Wharton Business School. Mitchell went to Iraq in 2003 to work for British kidnap and ransom r ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] [Amazon] |
Abortion Legislation Act 2020
The Abortion Legislation Act 2020 is an Act of Parliament in New Zealand allowing unrestricted access to abortion within the first 20 weeks of pregnancy, and repealing sections of the Crimes Act 1961 related to unlawful abortion. After the 20-week period, women seeking an abortion must consult a qualified health practitioner who will assess their physical health, mental health, and well-being. The Act also provides provisions for conscientious objection rights for medical practitioners, and exempts abortion services from certain Crimes Act provisions, while extending the definition of health services to include abortion services under the Health and Disability Commissioner Act 1994. Elective abortion care had been available for several decades in New Zealand before this Act was passed, but women had to maintain a fiction that they were suffering from mental illness in order to get an abortion. Throughout its passage through Parliament, the Act was treated as a conscience is ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] [Amazon] |
Three Strikes Legislation Repeal Act 2022
The Three Strikes Legislation Repeal Act 2022 was an omnibus Act of Parliament passed by the New Zealand Parliament that repealed the elements of the Sentencing and Parole Reform Act 2010, which constituted the so-called three-strikes law. The bill passed its third reading on 9 August 2022 with the support of the governing New Zealand Labour Party, Labour Party, the allied Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand, Green Party, the Māori Party but was opposed by the opposition New Zealand National Party, National and ACT New Zealand, ACT parties. The following year the Sixth National Government of New Zealand, Sixth National Government took power and pledged to reinstate the three strikes law. On 13 December 2024, the Government passed Sentencing (Reinstating Three Strikes) Amendment Act 2024, legislation reinstating three-strikes legislation in New Zealand, effectively reversing the 2022 repeal legislation. Key provisions The Three Strikes Legislation Repeal Act 2022 removes referen ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] [Amazon] |
Electoral Commission (New Zealand)
The Electoral Commission () is an independent Crown entity set up by the New Zealand Parliament. It is responsible for the administration of parliamentary elections and referendums, promoting compliance with electoral laws, servicing the work of the Representation Commission, and the provision of advice, reports and public education on electoral matters. The commission also assists electoral agencies of other countries on a reciprocal basis with their electoral events. Objective of the Electoral Commission The Electoral Act 1993 defines the objective of the Electoral Commission as "to administer the electoral system impartially, efficiently, effectively, and in a way that – # Facilitates participation in parliamentary democracy; and # Promotes understanding of the electoral system; and # Maintains confidence in the administration of the electoral system". Functions of the Electoral Commission The functions of the Electoral Commission are defined by law and in summary ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] [Amazon] |
2017 New Zealand General Election
The 2017 New Zealand general election took place on Saturday 23 September 2017 to determine the membership of the 52nd New Zealand Parliament. The 51st New Zealand Parliament, previous parliament was elected on 20 September 2014 and was officially dissolved on 22 August 2017. Voters elected 120 members to the House of Representatives under New Zealand's Mixed-member proportional representation, mixed-member proportional (MMP) voting system, a proportional representation system in which 71 members were elected from single-member New Zealand electorates, electorates and 49 members were elected from closed list, closed party lists. Around 3.57 million people were registered to vote in the election, with 2.63 million (79.8%) turning out. early voting, Advance voting proved popular, with 1.24 million votes cast before election day, more than the previous two elections combined. Prior to the election, the centre-right New Zealand National Party, National Party, led by Prime Minister Bi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] [Amazon] |
New Zealand Defence Force
The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF; , "Line of Defence of New Zealand") is the three-branched military of New Zealand. The NZDF is responsible for the protection of the national security of New Zealand and its realm, promoting its interests, safeguarding peace and security, as well as supporting peacekeeping and humanitarian missions. It consists of three services: the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN), the New Zealand Army and the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF), as well as tri-service components. As of June 2024, the NZDF has a strength of 15,383 employees, consisting of 10,037 regular force personnel, 3,281 reserve force personnel and 3,294 civilian members. It is supported by the New Zealand Ministry of Defence (MOD) and is commanded by the Chief of Defence Force (CDF). The principal roles and tasks expected of the NZDF is to provide a combat capable force to defend New Zealand's sovereign territory, and protect critical lines of communication. To provide civil defence ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] [Amazon] |
Stuff (website)
Stuff is a New Zealand news media website owned by newspaper conglomerate Stuff Ltd (formerly called Fairfax). As of early 2024, it is the most popular news website in New Zealand, with a monthly unique audience of more than 2 million. Stuff was founded in 2000, and publishes breaking news, weather, sport, politics, video, entertainment, business and life and style content from Stuff Ltd's newspapers, which include New Zealand's second- and third-highest circulation daily newspapers, ''The Post'' and '' The Press'', and the highest circulation weekly, '' Sunday Star-Times'', as well as international news wire services. Stuff has won numerous awards at the Newspaper Publishers' Association awards including 'Best News Website or App' in 2014 and 2019, and 'Website of the Year' in 2013 and 2018, 'Best News Website in 2019', and 'Digital News Provider of the Year' in 2024 and 2025. History Independent Newspapers Ltd, 2000–2003 The former New Zealand media company Independ ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] [Amazon] |
Clayton Mitchell (New Zealand Politician)
Clayton Robert Henry Mitchell is a former New Zealand politician. He was elected to the New Zealand parliament at the 2014 general election as a representative of New Zealand First and served two terms, leaving Parliament in 2020. Background During the 1990s, Mitchell was convicted of assault after refusing a gang member entry to a bar he owned. He received a suspended sentence for this and a fine. Mitchell also was convicted for dangerous driving, and was convicted for allowing customers to drink at his pub outside of the licensed hours. For these and other incidents, Mitchell's license to run a bar was suspended in 1998. He did not attend the hearing, and was in Australia at the time. His license was reinstated in 2000. A bar run by Mitchell was investigated in 2008 by gambling authorities regarding possible underage gambling on pokie machines, leading to authorities imposing conditions on the pub's license. Another pub run by Mitchell was shut down for a week following a ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] [Amazon] |
