Alfred Ngaro
Health focus for Tongan Language Week
It's Tonga Language Week this week and two Tongan children have landed in Auckland to help build the momentum for the event. The Ministry for Pacific Peoples says the event's not only about spreading… Audio
Tuatua Mai! - Speak it!
Only 13 percent of the 60,000 Cook Islanders in New Zealand can speak the language so would speaking it in the House help? Cook Island MPs share their thoughts and tips for speaking te reo. Audio
NZ Govt increases funding to Polyfest
New Zealand's government has given an extra US$149,000 to the world's largest annual Pacific festival, Polyfest.
Self-sufficiency "foreign" to Pacific community - Ministry
The Ministry for Pacific Peoples has objected to National's superannuation policy in a paper - obtained under the Official Information Act. Audio
Alfred Ngaro fronts up after comments about critics' funding
Alfred Ngaro has made sweeping apologies, including to his Cabinet colleagues, after suggesting community agencies could put their funding at risk if they criticise the government. Audio
Alfred Ngaro on community provider comments: 'I own my words'
After making controversial comments about community providers, the Associate Social Housing Minister's greatest regret is letting down his Cabinet colleagues, he says. Audio
Turning up the heat on housing
The housing shortage surged to the top of the news agenda this week with political promises of more new homes in a hurry, and a housing minister lashing out at housing charities and the media. Audio
Some NGOs fear speaking out against government
MP Alfred Ngaro has apologised for his comments threatening funding cuts if providers criticise government policies. John Campbell asked some NGOs if they fear speaking out might cost them funding. Audio
NGOs 'always free' to speak out about govt policy, PM says
Associate Social Housing Minister Alfred Ngaro has apologised after warning Labour candidate Willie Jackson he could lose a contract if he criticises the government on the campaign trail. Audio
Willie Jackson demands assurances after Ngaro threat
"This is unprecendented," says Willie Jackson "I've never heard of a minister threatening a community organisation like this." He says it's a worry not just for him, but for all the people who work… Audio
Labour sees Housing as a vote winner
Labour leader Andrew Little defends his plans to crackdown on property investors and tells Morning Report that what National's associate social housing minister Alfred Ngaro did is totally wrong. Video, Audio
Joyce says Ngaro was wrong to threaten Jackson's organisation
The Finance Minister, Steven Joyce, says associate social housing minister Alfred Ngaro accepts he was wrong to threaten social service providers who criticise government policies. Audio
Emergency housing grants continue to rise
The Government spent $30 million on Special Needs Grants in the first quarter of this year, almost double what was spent in the first quarter of last year. Video, Audio
Concerns raised about NZ Pacific visa lottery
Concerns are being raised that the special resident visa scheme offered by the New Zealand government to some pacific countries is not working the way it's intended to. Audio
Tighter NZ immigration policies lead to big fall in migration
Despite record immigration levels in New Zealand, tighter immigration policies have led to significant falls in the number of approved Pacific migrants over the last five years. Audio
Motels given millions to house homeless
The government is defending its emergency housing grant scheme, after it was revealed some motels were paid more than $100,000 a month. Video, Audio
Government spending emergency housing grant budget twice as fast as expected
Associate Minister for Social Housing, Alfred Ngaro, says the government is working on solutions to emergency accommodation, including purchasing motels. But only one motel has been purchased so far.
…Minister for Pacific Peoples backs business boost
Mr Ngaro was the only MP to be promoted straight into Cabinet from the backbench, being given Minister for Pacific Peoples and Associate Minister for Social Housing. He talks to Rowan Quinn. Video, Audio