Jacinda Ardern has announced she, along with Government ministers and public service chief executives will take a 20 per cent pay cut to identify with the difficulties facing New Zealanders in the wake of Covid-19.
The Prime Minister said the pay cut would last for the next six months.
Following her announcement, National leader Simon Bridges tweeted he would chip in and take a 20 per cent pay cut too. "As we acknowledge New Zealanders who are reliant on wage subsidies, taking pay cuts and losing their jobs as a result of Covid-19's global pandemic. "We feel acutely the struggle that many New Zealanders are facing and so too, do the people that I work with on a daily basis. "It is about leadership," said Ms Ardern, adding that the move would not "shift the Government's overall fiscal position". "If there was ever a time to close the gap between different positions, it's now," the Prime Minister said. "This is where we can take action which is why we have." She said the move stands alongside "many actions taken by many people". Ms Ardern acknowledged many sectors working to help New Zealanders at this time.
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Poll: How should Guy Fawkes be celebrated?
While it is a fun occasion, fireworks on Guy Fawkes Night has caused much conflict over the years, upsetting our pets and disrupting the sleep of neighbours.
How should we celebrate Guy Fawkes Night? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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27.9% With a city-wide public fireworks display
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20.5% Small fireworks displays in each community
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7.7% Keep it as is
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32.7% We shouldn't celebrate it!
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10.8% Anything but fireworks
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0.4% Other - I'll share below
Solve This Riddle or Be Left Scratching Your Head!
With pointed fangs, I sit and wait;
with piercing force, I crunch out fate.
I grab victims, proclaiming might,
and physically join with a single bite.
What am I?
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Fire at New Lynn mosque
Firefighters were called to a blaze at an Auckland mosque this afternoon.
What you need to know:
- Fire crews were notified of a blaze in the New Lynn Imam Reza Mosque on Tuesday at 9.43am.
- The blaze was said to be on the ground floor of the two-storey building.
- A back window of the mosque was also found smashed this morning.
- The fire was said to be so intense that plastic chairs had melted in the blaze.
Three fire crews were at the address and have since left the scene. A fire investigator remains at the address