2012: “celebrity” PM – collective action

Written By: - Date published: 10:00 am, December 23rd, 2012 - 47 comments
Categories: class war, climate change, david cunliffe, economy, housing, john key, labour, Minister for Photo-ops, petition, poverty, sustainability, Unions - Tags: , , , ,

Throughout 2012, John Key and neoliberal individualism remained dominant. The panel on the last Citizen A panel, agreed that John Key’s is successfully continuing his gig as “celebrity PM” and is de-politicising the Prime Minister role. This diverts attention from the important issues.  However, the opposition did carry out some significant actions based on collaborative efforts.  These were often small and local, and some were organised in a more progressive way than others: some were ed by those in control of an organisation, and others were used a leaderless approach to participant democracy.

The year began with Occupy encampments around the country still in place. The Occupy movement, practicing leaderless participant democracy, had begun in opposition to WallSstreet and the bankster destruction of the global economy.   It gave us some terms with special and widely understood meanings: the 1% and the 99%.   This enabled a clear focus on social, economic and political inequalities.

The NZ local councils and police broke up the NZ Occupy encampments early in 2012, and the MSM internationally did their best to pronounce the movement dead.  However, the movement continues, largely away from the media spotlight.  Hundreds of Auckland students occcupied Queen Street, closing down the CBD in June, protesting education cuts.  This was a follow-up to their Blockade the Budget’ rally the previous week.

Protesters began  occupying Housing NZ property in Glen Innes in February, with the protests continuing throughout the year. Along the way, Mana Party MP Hone Harawira, plus John Minto, got arrested. The women from the Glen Innes protest were honoured with a stage call at the anti-Asset Sales rally in Auckland last month.

Glen Innes Women

Glen Innes Women

UK Occupy veteran, Matthew Varnham, explains why the movement is still relevant and live.

“The connections and lessons learned during that time have formed a network of people and groups that are becoming increasingly active – mostly below the media radar.”

In October, opposition Parties joined together to carry out a parliamentary inquiry into the manufacturing crisis.  They also joined with Grey Power, students and other groups to gather signatures for a petition for a referendum on Asset Sales.  MSM journalists now tend to accept that, if there is a change of government in 2014, it’ll be a Labour-Green coalition.

Local groups campaigning against poverty and for beneficiaries were very active, including the AAP, with the Onehunga Impact for three days earlier this month.  Trained advocates did advocacy casework, helping beneficiaries to access their social security entitlements.

MUNZ did what unions traditionally do, and stood in solidarity against the POAL’s attempts to make their  jobs more”flexible” and less secure.  They won a significant victory in the courts earlier this month.

This week  in the UK Guardian, Suzanne Moore declared 2012 as the year of the foodbank (which she describes as the neoliberal era term for soup kitchens).  This is another grass roots collective enterprise that was stretched to the limit, here as well as in the UK.

Earlier this month young people from Powershift, NZ’s biggest summit on climate and cutting back on the use of  fossil fuels.  Before the summit, young people promoted it with a flashmob, gangnam style:

The Labour Party Conference was a significant moment for the members, (as argued by Chris Trotter) and the left wing blogosphere.  The process for electing the parliamentary leader became more democratic, and it is hoped that this will have flow on effects. The Labour Caucus has been reluctant to take up party conference remits in the past, and the List candidates preferred by LECs don’t always get through the caucus filter. It’s hoped that such things will improve in the future.  The democratisation of the party was largely ignored by the MSM, while the TV cameras focused on asking Cunliffe when he was going to stage a coup. In fact, this was more of a preemptive strike by the current leadership to take out Cunliffe, and strengthen the leadership.

In the aftermath, Colonial Viper was pressured to stop posting on the Standard, whereby the blog became a nest of supportive vipers , in another bit of spontaneous collective action.

According to Bomber yesterday, the manufacturing of the Cunliffe coup by the MSM and anonymous leaks from the Labour Caucus leadership, indicates how Key is still popular. This is partly manufactured by sympathetic journalists.

However, the gloss is gradually wearing off Key, and the collective actions during the lat year, indicate the way flax roots activists should focus their attention in the next year.  There are huge problems in the world today, that can only be solved through collaborative actions; resource depletion, climate change, poverty.  Participate, network, organise. And as Sam Johnson, organiser of the Christchurch post-earthquake, student volunteers says, “Contribute”.

This and Powershift are two of several examples of innovative young Kiwis, as written about by Rod Oram in today’s article: Young, Gifted and Kiwi.

Some methods of collaborative action will be better than others in bringing positive change.  Will 2013 see more of such efforts?  And will the MSM finally give them the attention they deserve?

47 comments on “2012: “celebrity” PM – collective action ”

  1. Thanks Karol and a good summary.

    I suspect the battle between the blogs and the MSM is only going to intensify this year. Already there is an increasing tension between the MSM’s desire to manufacture a false reality and our desire to tear that facade down.

    And there is an increasing weariness amongst activists about the quality of political representation and the capture of Parliament by vested interests.

    Overseas there have been major flash points. I am surprised that we have not seen more locally but some of the developments that you mention are evidence of things bubbling below the surface.

    • Colonial Weka 1.1

      ” I am surprised that we have not seen more locally”

      Sleepy Hobbit Syndrome. They do quite well when finally roused though.

    • karol 1.2

      Thanks, micky & weka.

      And there is an increasing weariness amongst activists about the quality of political representation and the capture of Parliament by vested interests.

      Especially among some of us oldies, who feel like we’ve been fighting the same battles over & over again.

      That’s why it’s so refreshing & inspiring to see the younger ones like Sam Johnson, the powershift and some of the Occupiers. They don’t have that baggage, and have a fresh take on things – willing to get in there and try new kinds of action.

    • TighyRighty 1.3

      Your desire to tear down the facade of a false reality? You spend your days in a jargonistic haze that screams of a disconnect between reality and falsehood

  2. Colonial Weka 2

    Great roundup Karol, thanks.

  3. Bill 3

    Absolutely no idea how you manage to turn out such high quality posts on such a regular basis. Thankyou.

    • lprent 3.1

      Nor do I. Was trying to write a post this morning, but got dragged out to fix dads iTunes, put wood away before it rains, and now shopping. Holidays are hard work

      • karol 3.1.1

        Thanks, everyone. Maybe I just don’t have enough to do?

        I don’t have so many family commitments these days, and usually only work part time. I usually can’t do a post every day, though. But it was looking like there aren’t as many authors about as usual. Before I left for work today, I was looking to see if anyone else was going to post something. If so, I would have left this “collective action” year in review for another day.

        I’ll probably be chilling and attending to some other stuff tomorrow.

    • McFliper 3.2

      Yes indeed, and a nice, readable flow, too.

    • +1 Heartening to be reminded of all the positive efforts of people who are working hard to make this a better place. Thanks Karol.

  4. Ad 4

    I have grudging admiration for those who continue to protest, and through fresh means. I want the good to win. And cynicism is a moral suicide.

    But none of the above list won anything of note. Central government changed its mind on very very little. The public realm shrank all over the place, at least in analogue space. Capitalism got far worse, not better.

    Oddly, the convergence of MSM and blogging such as Tumeke, and Whaleoil and Truth (sorry) were good signals of where to next.
    Blogging needs to colonise and infect the MSM. Best convergence moment of the year: Julia gillard’s speech in the House against Abbott going viral around the world. Second best goes to Keith Ng and friends for the first proper dent in Paula Bennet’s smile – great crossover instruments there.

    Blogs are a power, but not yet enough alone. Perhaps they never will be, and with the MSM will remain in a knight vs bishop capability standoff. I think the MSM is losing faster than they know.

    Transportblog is now the best, most feared single-focus blog around in transport circles. It’s not admitted of course. Labour leadership loathe The Standard for rallying members, though they would cut off their tongue and boil it before confirming that. Same for Whaleoil. But imagine if Campbell Live did a regular column here, and vice versa.

    We have grown. But we have not yet stormed the gates.

    • Colonial Weka 4.1

      Very good Ad.

      “But none of the above list won anything of note”

      I disagree with that somewhat. No big obvious heroic wins, but maybe that’s not the point. Or at least, it’s possible to do good even when we haven’t stormed the gates. There is alot of important work that needs to happen on an ongoing basis in order to storm the gates, but even without the big wins, those actions, small, often invisible, are crucial to keep any sense of a fair and compassionate society alive.

      Your analysis of the potential of blogs is spot on.

  5. “Campbell Live”

    Can kiss their over opinionated sense of self worth.
    They give a multi millionaire the air time to promote his own best interests and refuse to even acknowledge my repeated requests for assistance.
    I like JC, he’s done some good work trying to get the truth out of our slime bag mps, but with such a great story being ignored here, I’m concerned about editorial focus.

    • Populuxe1 5.1

      Because it’s all about you?

      • The Al1en 5.1.1

        Nope, because it’s about hungry children, greedy developers, inept council and wasted opportunity.
        When it all come out in the wash, some office jobsworth will have some explaining to do, fingers crossed.

        I not only doubt CL’s editorial focus, but also their sincerity and journalistic integrity.
        Still happy for them to make amends, though.
        Call me 😉

  6. Populuxe1 6

    It was a blessed relief to read this without one single reference to Key having holidays in Hawai’i. Thank you for this small mercy.

  7. …and am just wondering, perhaps a lot of bother could be saved if someone were to get an autograph off our Dear Leader…fortuitously positioned at the end of a legal document declaring that the Natz have lost the plot and no longer wish to continue with the pretense of running the country and pleading for someone else more competent take over?

    Probably not hard to do…and really all for the best…

  8. copperhead 8

    Thank you karol for that concise list, i just want to back up what you said about sam johnson, that young man is a saint, and does prove that my generation are not just a forgotten generation full of delinquent yoof, as most rwnj derps would believe… and yeah, pop why bother mentioning holidays?

    • karol 8.1

      Ah, yes. It’s refreshing when the younger generations come up with new initiatives and enthusiasm for action. Sam makes it so simple, while also making it seem like fun – just go out and contribute. But also, he watched and listened to the people on the ground in Japan – showing how people can do positive action in great adversity.

      The current era of individualism & the MSM, make it seem like collective action won’t achieve anything. Too often they go on about being responsible for yourself and your own little patch, while heaping blame and scorn on the least powerful.

    • belladonna 8.2

      I am sure I heard Sam Johnson say his politics are those of the ACT party – not so much of a saint then.

      • karol 8.2.1

        Ah well – it does seem he’s been a bit of a young Nat.

        http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Johnson_(New_Zealand)

        Still, the student army was a very good collective effort.

        • Crimson Nile 8.2.1.1

          Indeed. He went out, organised and got things done for the community. No idle clicktivism for this man.

          • karol 8.2.1.1.1

            there was some clicking involved though – people were recruited and signed up via facebook. From the above wikipedia link:

            Organised using Facebook, and social media, the concept enabled thousands of students and residents of Christchurch to make a contribution to those most affected by the devastating earthquakes.

      • Blue 8.2.2

        Yes Belladonna, this young mans politics are far more important than his actions aren’t they? Pathetic.

        • belladonna 8.2.2.1

          Of course I admire Sam’s effort to help in Canterbury. He did a wonderful job of galvanising the student army. I know that I read some years ago that ACT did not believe in unemployment, sickness and invalid benefits – anyone who believes that is ok is not saintly in my opinion.
          I was disappointed to hear him say his political leanings were to the ACT party but who knows,
          maybe there is hope for ACT afterall.

          • karol 8.2.2.1.1

            I recall when the Student Volunteer Army was first in the news, most people here were all for it. Some pondered on the way the right also were for it, even though it was against their more usual anti-collectivist views. It was remarked that in times of disaster, the right falls in with community volunteer, collaborative strategies more common on the left.

            Much like they are all for bank bail-outs when the free-market fails, but return to BAU “neoliberalism” after the crisis.

      • karol 8.2.3

        I don’t know what Sam’s approach is to the politics of organising collectively long term. His biggest contribution so far is mobilising people for disaster relief – more a short term thing.

        Long term, it’s harder to continue to organise collectively and in a democratic way. The Occupy movement made that a focus of their approach – that they reflect on process as much as aims, and the process they favour is leaderless participant democracy.

        This is something I raised in the post – not all ways of organising collaboratively will bring positive change with respect to income inequalities, etc. In the long term, can the left operate effectively with leaderless groups?

  9. Quasimodo 9

    John Key, a celebrity ? He’s been there two terms for heaven’s sake ?

    To me he’s more like a pair of smelly, old, darned sox !

    It’s time for a new face ..

    • karol 9.1

      It’s why I put celebrity in quote marks. Key certainly plays along with the ethos of celebrity culture. , however inadequately.

  10. Sideshow Bob 10

    “Practicing leaderless participant democracy”. Good grief.

    • fender Viper 10.1

      Yeah, while a protest may have organiser/s, there is no leader, just people having their say, as is their right in a democracy.

      You have a problem with that Sideshow?

  11. karol 11

    And how the powerful elites dislike grass roots participatory democracy. Heavily redacted documents, released under the US Freedom of Information Act, show that the Occupy movement was being investigated as a criminal and terrorist organisation.

    http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2012/12/23

    “This production, which we believe is just the tip of the iceberg, is a window into the nationwide scope of the FBI’s surveillance, monitoring, and reporting on peaceful protestors organizing with the Occupy movement,” stated Mara Verheyden-Hilliard, Executive Director of the Partnership for Civil Justice Fund (PCJF). “These documents show that the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security are treating protests against the corporate and banking structure of America as potential criminal and terrorist activity. These documents also show these federal agencies functioning as a de facto intelligence arm of Wall Street and Corporate America.”

  12. Mary 12

    Karol, have you herard from xtasy?

    • karol 12.1

      No. And I have never had any personal/private communication with him. I hope he is OK.

      • Mary 12.1.1

        One of your colleagues was going to email him directly. Just thought someone may have heard he’s okay.

  13. belladonna 13

    I also hope he is OK. Xtasy, please post that you are alright.

  14. Rogue Trooper 14

    ol’ Clare Curran aye?

    “…call me a dog, well that’s fair enough, ’cause it ain’t no use to pretend ,You’re Wrong ”
    🙂 (wait to you see us at TS “unleashed”)

    🙂

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    Gaming laptops represent a significant investment for passionate gamers, offering portability and powerful performance for immersive gaming experiences. However, a common concern among potential buyers is their lifespan. Unlike desktop PCs, which allow for easier component upgrades, gaming laptops have inherent limitations due to their compact and integrated design. This ...
    1 day ago
  • Climate Change: Turning the tide
    The annual inventory report of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions has been released, showing that gross emissions have dropped for the third year in a row, to 78.4 million tons: All-told gross emissions have decreased by over 6 million tons since the Zero Carbon Act was passed in 2019. ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago
  • How to Unlock Your Computer A Comprehensive Guide to Regaining Access
    Experiencing a locked computer can be frustrating, especially when you need access to your files and applications urgently. The methods to unlock your computer will vary depending on the specific situation and the type of lock you encounter. This guide will explore various scenarios and provide step-by-step instructions on how ...
    2 days ago
  • Faxing from Your Computer A Modern Guide to Sending Documents Digitally
    While the world has largely transitioned to digital communication, faxing still holds relevance in certain industries and situations. Fortunately, gone are the days of bulky fax machines and dedicated phone lines. Today, you can easily send and receive faxes directly from your computer, offering a convenient and efficient way to ...
    2 days ago
  • Protecting Your Home Computer A Guide to Cyber Awareness
    In our increasingly digital world, home computers have become essential tools for work, communication, entertainment, and more. However, this increased reliance on technology also exposes us to various cyber threats. Understanding these threats and taking proactive steps to protect your home computer is crucial for safeguarding your personal information, finances, ...
    2 days ago
  • Server-Based Computing Powering the Modern Digital Landscape
    In the ever-evolving world of technology, server-based computing has emerged as a cornerstone of modern digital infrastructure. This article delves into the concept of server-based computing, exploring its various forms, benefits, challenges, and its impact on the way we work and interact with technology. Understanding Server-Based Computing: At its core, ...
    2 days ago
  • Vroom vroom go the big red trucks
    The absolute brass neck of this guy.We want more medical doctors, not more spin doctors, Luxon was saying a couple of weeks ago, and now we’re told the guy has seven salaried adults on TikTok duty. Sorry, doing social media. The absolute brass neck of it. The irony that the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • Jones finds $410,000 to help the government muscle in on a spat project
    Buzz from the Beehive Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones relishes spatting and eagerly takes issue with environmentalists who criticise his enthusiasm for resource development. He relishes helping the fishing industry too. And so today, while the media are making much of the latest culling in the public service to ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago
  • Again, hate crimes are not necessarily terrorism.
    Having written, taught and worked for the US government on issues involving unconventional warfare and terrorism for 30-odd years, two things irritate me the most when the subject is discussed in public. The first is the Johnny-come-lately academics-turned-media commentators who … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    2 days ago
  • Despair – construction consenting edition
    Eric Crampton writes – Kainga Ora is the government’s house building agency. It’s been building a lot of social housing. Kainga Ora has its own (but independent) consenting authority, Consentium. It’s a neat idea. Rather than have to deal with building consents across each different territorial authority, Kainga Ora ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • Coalition promises – will the Govt keep the commitment to keep Kiwis equal before the law?
    Muriel Newman writes – The Coalition Government says it is moving with speed to deliver campaign promises and reverse the damage done by Labour. One of their key commitments is to “defend the principle that New Zealanders are equal before the law.” To achieve this, they have pledged they “will not advance ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • An impermanent public service is a guarantee of very little else but failure
    Chris Trotter writes –  The absence of anything resembling a fightback from the public servants currently losing their jobs is interesting. State-sector workers’ collective fatalism in the face of Coalition cutbacks indicates a surprisingly broad acceptance of impermanence in the workplace. Fifty years ago, lay-offs in the thousands ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • What happens after the war – Mariupol
    Mariupol, on the Azov Sea coast, was one of the first cities to suffer almost complete destruction after the start of the Ukraine War started in late February 2022. We remember the scenes of absolute destruction of the houses and city structures. The deaths of innocent civilians – many of ...
    2 days ago
  • Babies and benefits – no good news
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – Ten years ago, I wrote the following in a Listener column: Every year around one in five new-born babies will be reliant on their caregivers benefit by Christmas. This pattern has persisted from at least 1993. For Maori the number jumps to over one in three.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • Should the RBNZ be looking through climate inflation?
    Climate change is expected to generate more and more extreme events, delivering a sort of structural shock to inflation that central banks will have to react to as if they were short-term cyclical issues. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours, as of 9:16 am on Thursday, April 18 are:Housing: Tauranga residents living in boats, vans RNZ Checkpoint Louise TernouthHousing: Waikato councillor says wastewater plant issues could hold up Sleepyhead building a massive company town Waikato Times Stephen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the public sector carnage, and misogyny as terrorism
    It’s a simple deal. We pay taxes in order to finance the social services we want and need. The carnage now occurring across the public sector though, is breaking that contract. Over 3,000 jobs have been lost so far. Many are in crucial areas like Education where the impact of ...
    2 days ago
  • Meeting the Master Baiters
    Hi,A friend had their 40th over the weekend and decided to theme it after Curb Your Enthusiasm fashion icon Susie Greene. Captured in my tiny kitchen before I left the house, I ending up evoking a mix of old lesbian and Hillary Clinton — both unintentional.Me vs Hillary ClintonIf you’re ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago
  • How extreme was the Earth's temperature in 2023
    This is a re-post from Andrew Dessler at the Climate Brink blog In 2023, the Earth reached temperature levels unprecedented in modern times. Given that, it’s reasonable to ask: What’s going on? There’s been lots of discussions by scientists about whether this is just the normal progression of global warming or if something ...
    2 days ago
  • Backbone, revisited
    The schools are on holiday and the sun is shining in the seaside village and all day long I have been seeing bunches of bikes; Mums, Dads, teens and toddlers chattering, laughing, happy, having a bloody great time together. Cheers, AT, for the bits of lane you’ve added lately around the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Ministers are not above the law
    Today in our National-led authoritarian nightmare: Shane Jones thinks Ministers should be above the law: New Zealand First MP Shane Jones is accusing the Waitangi Tribunal of over-stepping its mandate by subpoenaing a minister for its urgent hearing on the Oranga Tamariki claim. The tribunal is looking into the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • What’s the outfit you can hear going down the gurgler? Probably it’s David Parker’s Oceans Sec...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point  of Order first heard of the Oceans Secretariat in June 2021, when David Parker (remember him?) announced a multi-agency approach to protecting New Zealand’s marine ecosystems and fisheries. Parker (holding the Environment, and Oceans and Fisheries portfolios) broke the news at the annual Forest & ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Bryce Edwards writes  – Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Matt Doocey doubles down on trans “healthcare”
    Citizen Science writes –  Last week saw two significant developments in the debate over the treatment of trans-identifying children and young people – the release in Britain of the final report of Dr Hilary Cass’s review into gender healthcare, and here in New Zealand, the news that the ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • A TikTok Prime Minister.
    One night while sleeping in my bed I had a beautiful dreamThat all the people of the world got together on the same wavelengthAnd began helping one anotherNow in this dream, universal love was the theme of the dayPeace and understanding and it happened this wayAfter such an eventful day ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Texas Lessons
    This is a guest post by Oscar Simms who is a housing activist, volunteer for the Coalition for More Homes, and was the Labour Party candidate for Auckland Central at the last election. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    3 days ago
  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links at 6:06 am
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours as of 6:06 am on Wednesday, April 17 are:Must read: Secrecy shrouds which projects might be fast-tracked RNZ Farah HancockScoop: Revealed: Luxon has seven staffers working on social media content - partly paid for by taxpayer Newshub ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Fighting poverty on the holiday highway
    Turning what Labour called the “holiday highway” into a four-lane expressway from Auckland to Whangarei could bring at least an economic benefit of nearly two billion a year for Northland each year. And it could help bring an end to poverty in one of New Zealand’s most deprived regions. The ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago
  • Bernard's six-stack of substacks at 6:26 pm
    Tonight’s six-stack includes: launching his substack with a bunch of his previous documentaries, including this 1992 interview with Dame Whina Cooper. and here crew give climate activists plenty to do, including this call to submit against the Fast Track Approvals bill. writes brilliantly here on his substack ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • At a glance – Is the science settled?
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    3 days ago
  • Apposite Quotations.
    How Long Is Long Enough? Gaza under Israeli bombardment, July 2014. This posting is exclusive to Bowalley Road. ...
    4 days ago
  • What’s a life worth now?
    You're in the mall when you hear it: some kind of popping sound in the distance, kids with fireworks, maybe. But then a moment of eerie stillness is followed by more of the fireworks sound and there’s also screaming and shrieking and now here come people running for their lives.Does ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • Howling at the Moon
    Karl du Fresne writes –  There’s a crisis in the news media and the media are blaming it on everyone except themselves. Culpability is being deflected elsewhere – mainly to the hapless Minister of Communications, Melissa Lee, and the big social media platforms that are accused of hoovering ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Newshub is Dead.
    I don’t normally send out two newsletters in a day but I figured I’d say something about… the news. If two newsletters is a bit much then maybe just skip one, I don’t want to overload people. Alternatively if you’d be interested in sometimes receiving multiple, smaller updates from me, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Seymour is chuffed about cutting early-learning red tape – but we hear, too, that Jones has loose...
    Buzz from the Beehive David Seymour and Winston Peters today signalled that at least two ministers of the Crown might be in Wellington today. Seymour (as Associate Minister of Education) announced the removal of more red tape, this time to make it easier for new early learning services to be ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. Our political system is suffering from the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago
  • Was Hawkesby entirely wrong?
    David Farrar  writes –  The Broadcasting Standards Authority ruled: Comments by radio host Kate Hawkesby suggesting Māori and Pacific patients were being prioritised for surgery due to their ethnicity were misleading and discriminatory, the Broadcasting Standards Authority has found. It is a fact such patients are prioritised. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • PRC shadow looms as the Solomons head for election
    PRC and its proxies in Solomons have been preparing for these elections for a long time. A lot of money, effort and intelligence have gone into ensuring an outcome that won’t compromise Beijing’s plans. Cleo Paskall writes – On April 17th the Solomon Islands, a country of ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Climate Change: Criminal ecocide
    We are in the middle of a climate crisis. Last year was (again) the hottest year on record. NOAA has just announced another global coral bleaching event. Floods are threatening UK food security. So naturally, Shane Jones wants to make it easier to mine coal: Resources Minister Shane Jones ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Is saving one minute of a politician's time worth nearly $1 billion?
    Is speeding up the trip to and from Wellington airport by 12 minutes worth spending up more than $10 billion? Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me in the last day to 8:26 am today are:The Lead: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Long Tunnel or Long Con?
    Yesterday it was revealed that Transport Minister had asked Waka Kotahi to look at the options for a long tunnel through Wellington. State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the ...
    4 days ago
  • Smoke And Mirrors.
    You're a fraud, and you know itBut it's too good to throw it all awayAnyone would do the sameYou've got 'em goingAnd you're careful not to show itSometimes you even fool yourself a bitIt's like magicBut it's always been a smoke and mirrors gameAnyone would do the sameForty six billion ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • $41m to support clean energy in South East Asia
    New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    14 hours ago
  • Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder list
    The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    16 hours ago
  • Judicial appointments announced
    Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    17 hours ago
  • Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
    Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa.  The summit is co-hosted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago
  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
    A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago
  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.    “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago
  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
    Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago
  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners.  “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government backing mussel spat project
    The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government focused on getting people into work
    Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
    Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
    Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
    Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector.    "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
    The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
    Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
    Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.   Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ ties
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.  During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Antarctica New Zealand Board appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has made further appointments to the Board of Antarctica New Zealand as part of a continued effort to ensure the Scott Base Redevelopment project is delivered in a cost-effective and efficient manner.  The Minister has appointed Neville Harris as a new member of the Board. Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Finance Minister travels to Washington DC
    Finance Minister Nicola Willis will travel to the United States on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Five Finance Ministers group, with counterparts from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.  “I am looking forward to meeting with our Five Finance partners on how we can work ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Pet bonds a win/win for renters and landlords
    The coalition Government has today announced purrfect and pawsitive changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to give tenants with pets greater choice when looking for a rental property, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Pets are important members of many Kiwi families. It’s estimated that around 64 per cent of New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being considered
    State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the Government has also asked NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to consider and provide advice on a Long Tunnel option, Transport Minister Simeon Brown ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • New Zealand condemns Iranian strikes
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel.    “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says.    "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plans
    Hundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand Chair
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board.   “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti.  “I have asked her to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Roads of National Significance planning underway
    The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Navigating an unstable global environment
    New Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States.    “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • NZ welcomes Australian Governor-General
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Pseudoephedrine back on shelves for Winter
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced that Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Pharmaceutical suppliers have indicated they may be able to supply the first products in June. “This is much earlier than the original expectation of medicines being available by 2025. The Government recognised ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • NZ and the US: an ever closer partnership
    New Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Joint US and NZ declaration
    April 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • NZ and US to undertake further practical Pacific cooperation
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced further New Zealand cooperation with the United States in the Pacific Islands region through $16.4 million in funding for initiatives in digital connectivity and oceans and fisheries research.   “New Zealand can achieve more in the Pacific if we work together more urgently and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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