Ask Nikki anything

The NBR invited readers to ask Nikki Kaye anything.

The questions to and answers from the Minsiter for Food Safety, Civil Defence and Youth Affairs and Associate Minister of Immigration and Education are here and include:

#5 by Sarah Anderson 13 hours ago

One day, down the track, do you want to be Prime Minister?

by Nikki Kaye (verified) 8 hours ago in reply to Sarah Anderson

No, that’s not my goal. I spend quite a bit of time with the PM and I see the hours he puts in and the intensity of the job. I think you really have to want it to get there. My goal is to make the greatest difference I can. At the moment that is in politics. One day it could be in business or charitable sectors. Sounds a bit cheesy, but the main thing is when I walk out of Parliament I want to have little regret that I did my best each day to work hard and have courage to make positive change. I promise not to talk about world peace…

#6 by Natalie Jones 15 hours ago

Stuff (http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/video/6052864/Battle-of-the-babes) and the Herald (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10764176) hammered the “Battle of Babes” angle last election as you and Jacinda Ardern faced off in Auckland Central. Harmless fun that helps increase interest in politics, or getting a bit tiresome? Thx

by Nikki Kaye (verified) 8 hours ago in reply to Natalie Jones

Tiresome, want to be known for what I have delivered, not that stuff

#10 by Fitness buff 15 hours ago

Where did you finish in Coast to Coast this year? Did you do better than Bill English and Nick Smith?

by Nikki Kaye (verified) 7 hours ago in reply to Fitness buff

I finished pretty far back and was one of the last women home. I competed in the two-day individual and Nick and Bill competed in the team event. It took me more than 19 hours, which is likely longer than them. I have said before: I think they took the soft option. PS: I hope this does not affect my list ranking, Bill?

#11 by Fitness buff 15 hours ago

Also, I hear there is a swimming pool in the bottom of the Beehive. Is that true? Do MPs use it? Why do you think so many MPs are so unfit/unhealthy looking?

by Nikki Kaye (verified) 7 hours ago in reply to Fitness buff

Yes there is, but it is pretty small. I don’t use it. I like my colleagues but have no plans to go swimming regularly with them.

#13 by Anonymous 15 hours ago

Does everything go better with bacon?

by Nikki Kaye (verified) 7 hours ago in reply to Anonymous

Not if you’re a vegetarian I am not – love a good bacon buttie.

#14 by Anonymous 15 hours ago

As Civil Defence Minister – what was the biggest lesson from the Chch quakes, and what is being done to address it?

Do you think The Big One is still on its way for Chch?

by Nikki Kaye (verified) 7 hours ago in reply to Anonymous

One of the biggest lessons from the Christchurch earthquakes was that we need to strengthen our recovery framework for major emergencies. It was hard for us as government to have to pass a separate piece of legislation which focuses on the rebuild and recovery, but it was absolutely necessary to ensure the rebuild happens. I am focused on delivering more than a 100 recommendations that came out of corrective action plan. I am also looking at a legislative review to ensure whatever major emergency occurs – be that a volcanic eruption, a tsunami or an earthquake – that we have a strong legislative framework. What we learned from Christchurch is that no matter how good our risk management or prediction tools are, we have to plan for the unexpected.

#16 by Anonymous 14 hours ago

Do Parliament’s crazy hours make it impossible to have a relationship – or to find someone if you’re not in a relationship?

by Nikki Kaye (verified) 7 hours ago in reply to Anonymous

Yes, but this is probably no different to other people in the corporate or charitable sector who work long hours.

#18 by alastair barclay 13 hours ago

When will finally see a cycle race between you and that old man Mallard?

by Nikki Kaye (verified) 7 hours ago in reply to alastair barclay

Hopefully not, as unfortunately I think he would win and this would dramatically affect my political career and general standing in the National Party.

The cost of renewable energy

Greenpeace doesn’t think its important to address the costs in its report on on renewable energy.

In answer to a question from Nikki Kaye on advice he’d received on the proposition of a 40 percent reduction in emissions by 2020 and whether a 100 percent renewable electricity supply would be achievable then-Minister for Climate Change Issues, Nick Smith, said:

. . . I am advised that that would require, first, the writing-off of $4.5 billion of thermal generation assets. It would also require $11 billion for the replacement capacity of 2,500 megawatts, and $2 billion for additional renewable peaking stations needed to ensure security of supply in a dry year. This amounts to a total capital cost of $17.5 billion, excluding the additional transmission investment that would be required, and this would amount to a 30 percent increase in the power price for all consumers. Going 100 percent renewable would also require the equivalent of another seven Clyde Dams to be built by 2020. I do not describe $17.5 billion, a 30 percent power price increase, and seven Clyde Dams as being easy.

New Zealand is blessed with plentiful supplies of water and already have a high proportion of hydro electricity.

But many of the people who want more renewable energy are also opposed to more hydro generation and it would be difficult to find anyone who thought a 30% increase in power charges for everyone was acceptable.

Kaye, Woodhouse in, Heatley, Wilkinson out, Smith back, Carter Speaker

Prime Minister John Key has announced a bigger Cabinet reshuffle than anticipated:

Mr Key confirmed the Government’s nominee for Speaker to replace the departing Lockwood Smith will be long-serving National MP and Cabinet Minister David Carter.

“I’m pleased to announce David Carter as the Government’s nominee for Speaker and I’d like to thank him for his service as a Minister,” Mr Key says.

“I have taken the opportunity presented by the change of Speaker to look at the Cabinet line-up as a whole, in the context of the Government’s priorities.

“As we begin a new year I am optimistic about the progress we can make, while being mindful of the challenges created, in particular, by the uncertain international economic environment.

“New Zealanders expect their elected Government to get on, and not only do what it has promised to do, but to do so with a sense of urgency and purpose, with real energy and new thinking along the way.

“It is in this context I have decided to make changes to the Ministry.”

Two other Ministers will also be leaving Cabinet on 29 January – Phil Heatley and Kate Wilkinson.

“Phil and Kate have both made a real contribution to the Government in their four years as Ministers and I’d like to thank them for that,” Mr Key says.

“I have made the judgement that it is time for fresh energy and ideas, and for other members of our talented 59-strong caucus to be given an opportunity.”

Returning to Cabinet is Nick Smith, who will take on the Housing and Conservation portfolios. Mr Key says Dr Smith will bring his trademark energy to housing market and social housing issues, which are of real public interest.

“I have also asked Social Development Minister Paula Bennett to work with Nick as Associate Housing Minister, reflecting the strong links between these two areas. Tariana Turia will remain as Associate Minister and a part of that housing team.”

Auckland Central MP Nikki Kaye will be appointed to Cabinet where she will become Minister for Food Safety, Youth Affairs and Civil Defence. She will also be Associate Education Minister, reflecting her work as Chair of the Education select committee.

Senior Whip Michael Woodhouse will be the third new Minister, serving outside Cabinet as Immigration and Veterans Affairs’ Minister as well as Associate Transport Minister.

“I’d like to congratulate Nikki and Michael on their promotions, which are both well deserved,” Mr Key says.

The remaining position inside Cabinet will be filled by Simon Bridges, who will be promoted from outside Cabinet and take on the Labour and Energy and Resources portfolios.

“Simon has had a very good first year as a Minister and is ready to step up and take on more responsibility,” Mr Key says.

Nathan Guy will pick up the Primary Industries portfolio to be vacated by David Carter, with Jo Goodhew assisting him as Associate Minister.

Mr Key says Chris Tremain will be appointed as Local Government Minister and is well placed to work with the sector on the Government’s well-advanced reforms.

Mr Key says he had also decided to make a change in relation to Novopay.

“I share the concerns of teachers and principals at continuing problems in the operation of Novopay, and fixing this as quickly as possible is a priority,” he says.

“A fresh set of eyes is needed and I have asked Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce to take on this responsibility.”

The change will be done through a transfer of responsibility to Mr Joyce under section 7 of the Constitution Act.

“Getting Novopay working as it should may take some time, given what appears to be the systemic issues involved. I can assure teachers that we want to get Novopay sorted as soon as possible.

“With this change and Nikki Kaye’s appointment, there is no need for Mr Foss to remain as Associate Education Minister. I have instead asked him to pick up the role of Minister of Consumer Affairs, which will link in with his existing responsibilities as Commerce Minister.”

Mr Key says there are also two notable promotions in terms of Ministerial rankings in the Cabinet changes – with Jonathan Coleman rising to 10, and Amy Adams to 15.

The resignations of Mr Carter, Mr Heatley and Ms Wilkinson will take effect on 29 January, and all the other changes will take effect on Thursday 31 January, when the Governor-General appoints the new Ministers, and the necessary paperwork will have been completed.

Mr Key says it is anticipated that a new Senior Whip will be elected at National’s first caucus meeting of the year on 29 January 2013.

“This refreshed Ministerial team is ready to continue the Government’s focus on its four key priorities for this term – responsibly managing the Government’s finances, building a more competitive and productive economy, delivering better public services within fiscal restraints, and supporting the rebuilding of Christchurch,” Mr Key says.

“I will have more to say about how we intend to meet these priorities in coming days.”

The promotion of David Carter to speaker and Nick Smith’s reinstatement aren’t a surprise.

The other changes are unexpected but refreshment is a good.

Nikki Kaye and Michael Woodhouse have earned respect as chair of the Education Select Committee and Senior Whip respectively.

Promotions always cause disappointment for those who miss out but these two are deserved.

Party (conference) central

Well, here we are at Party C0nference Central in central Auckland, the city whose new motto is, the decision’s maybe and that’s final.

Candidates College met yesterday morning - and if that’s the face of National’s future, the outlook for the parliamentary wing of the party is bright.

Pre-conference entertainment last night was a debate with the moot that women MPs deserve more.

The affirmative team, Nikki Kaye, Denise  L’Estrange Corbet and Amy Adams argued that women MPs deserve more and that men MPs already had more than enough.

The negative team, Maurice Williamson, Robbie Rakete and Todd McLay argued that women already had too much.

The judge, David Farrar, had been bribed with champagne and chocolate and declared the women’s team the winners.

He declared Maurice best speaker. With lines like, why is there only one Monopolies Commission? he deserved it.

The fashion of politics

Fashion journalist Sylvia Giles is taking the triumph of image over substance seriously by looking at politics and its practitioners through designer glasses.

In her first post  she dressed down National’s Auckland Central candidate, Nikki Kaye, over her photo.

Then she took a critical look at John Key’s  image.

And now she’s annointed Winston Peters  as our best dressed politician and has run her eye (though thankfully not literally) over his underpants.

She can only go up from there.

Update: The Hand Mirror  is less than impressed too.