"The ACT Party is calling on Finance Minister Grant Robertson to spend the $7 billion he’s topped up the COVID Fund with on COVID related issues," says ACT Leader David Seymour.

"This might seem like a novel idea to Robertson… but it’s one that most taxpayers would agree with.

News that a truck driver who passed through the Auckland border has tested positive for Covid-19 highlights why rapid antigen testing should be used at the Auckland boundary for essential workers, National Covid-19 spokesperson Chris Bishop says.

News that the United States, United Kingdom and Australia have formed a partnership without New Zealand is concerning and leaves many questions for the Government to answer, Leader of the Opposition Judith Collins says.

Rather than talk about doing more to increase vaccine uptake, the Government should give Whānau Ora providers access to data that will help get Māori vaccinated against Covid-19, National’s Whānau Ora spokesperson Harete Hipango says.

Parents for Climate Aotearoa (P4CA) with a weary heart welcome the global study into climate anxiety in children and young people. The survey illustrates the depth of anxiety many young people are feeling about climate change.

Today’s GDP figures to June do not factor in the impact of the current Covid lockdown, National Shadow Treasurer Andrew Bayly says.

"Today’s figures show that, prior to the current lockdown, New Zealand’s economy continued to grow despite the constraints of Covid.

"The decision by the Australian government to acquire nuclear-powered submarines is irresponsible and dangerous for the whole South Pacific region," said Valerie Morse, member of Peace Action Wellington.

The economy showed strong momentum in the period leading up to the recent Delta COVID-19 outbreak, which bodes well for a solid economic rebound, Grant Robertson said.

Indigenous Coalition For Israel urges New Zealand to follow the example of the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco and pursue a closer bi-lateral relationship with Israel. If these countries, as former enemies can build close ties with Israel, why can’t New Zealand?

"Today’s Q2 GDP release will be a helpful reminder that outside the Government’s tunnel vision approach to COVID, the troika of debt, inflation, and uncertainty are killing business," says ACT Leader and Finance spokesperson David Seymour.