Academic freedom and relationships with China

Written By: - Date published: 8:07 am, November 26th, 2018 - 108 comments
Categories: act, China, david seymour, greens, human rights, International, jacinda ardern - Tags:

The strange case involving Professor Anne Marie Brady and the apparently politically inspired burglaries of her home and office and the allegation of tampering with her car received further coverage by Matt Nippert in the Herald this morning.

Police investigations are continuing.  As detailed by Nippert:

To date police have made only one brief comment on the affair, saying in September while it was a “complex case” they had “positive lines of inquiry” and Interpol were involved.

It is understood a secretive branch of police, the national security investigations team typically employed to handle terrorism and espionage cases, is working the case.

The article includes this open letter signed by twenty eight senior academics and researchers including Nicky Hager.  The letter says this:

As New Zealand academics, researchers and human rights advocates, we have been shocked and disturbed by the reports of intimidation and harassment suffered byProfessor Anne-Marie Brady of Canterbury University. According to news reports, she has been repeatedly burgled and her car tampered with, starting from December 2017. Reports have suggested that these events are related to her high-profile academic work on overseas influence campaigns by the government of the People’s Republic of China. Attempts to intimidate and harass one academic in New Zealand have implications for the freedoms of all the others – and indeed, for the freedoms of all who live here, including migrant communities and tangata whenua. Freedom of expression and academic freedom are taken for granted in New Zealand, as givens upon which our social and political norms are based. Threats to these freedoms should not be taken lightly. In these uncertain times, these are principles to hold to, and are not to be traded away.

We note that universities in New Zealand are legally obliged to act as “critic and conscience of society” (Education Act, 1989). For that obligation to be fulfilled, academics must be able to work without fear. As such, we echo the recent calls by Professors of Chinese history and literature Geremie Barmé and John Minford for the New Zealand authorities to take the threats against Professor Brady more seriously, in consideration of their implications for all New Zealanders. We reject any attempt to blame or scapegoat whole ethnic communities in New Zealand for threats to academic freedoms, and urge the government to be transparent in the outcome of any investigation in order to help prevent this. We also urge Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to make a clear statement in defence of academic freedom in New Zealand in light of the Brady case, and to be very clear that any intimidation and threats aimed at silencing academic voices in this country will not be tolerated.

The Greens and ACT have also indicated support for the intent of the letter.  David Seymour has gone further and chosen to attack Ardern:

It’s been far too long for an issue as important as academic freedom, and ultimately New Zealand’s freedom and sovereignty,” he said.

“It makes you wonder if Winston and Jacinda are living on their knees because they’re too scared to die on their feet – and this position is not acceptable to rest of the country.”

The criticism is unfair.  Of course she should wait for the inquiry to conclude before saying anything.  When relationships with China are concerned you do not blunder in.

This is not a particular problem for only New Zealand.  Last year then Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced a ban of political donations from foreign sources.  And Labor has called for a Parliamentary Inquiry into foreign influence on Australian politics.

The incident brings into sharp focus National’s acceptance and the apparent carve up to hide a $100,000 donation from Chinese sources.  The police inquiry into that is ongoing.  If it was not for the salacious details of some of Jami-Lee Ross’s revelations I suspect this particular allegation would have had even more attention focussed on it.  Although the claim that two Chinese MPs are more valuable than two Indian MPs is still resonating through the ethnic community.  And there is the troubling concern about the links that National MP Jian Yang may have with the Chinese Government.

This is not a simple issue for Ardern.  How do you handle relations with arguably the most powerful nation in the world when these allegations are swirling around.  I am not surprised that planned trips to China by Ardern have been postponed.

108 comments on “Academic freedom and relationships with China ”

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  1. Ed 1
    26 November 2018 at 8:18 am

    Those that signed.

    Tony Blackett, Executive Director, Amnesty International New Zealand
    Anne-Marie Brook, Co-founder, Human Rights Measurement Initiative (Motu Economic and Public Policy Research) New Zealand Alternative
    Dr Julienne Molineaux, Auckland University of Technology
    Dr Kate Nicholls, School of Social Sciences and Public Policy, Auckland University of Technology
    Asssociate Professor Jane Verbitsky, School of Social Sciences and Public Policy, Auckland University of Technology
    Dr Cristina Parra, School of Social Sciences and Public Policy, Auckland University of Technology
    Dr Antje Deckert, School of Social Sciences and Public Policy, Auckland University of Technology
    Dr Carol Neill, School of Social Sciences and Public Policy, Auckland University of Technology
    Dr Kirsten Hanna, School of Social Sciences and Public Policy, Auckland University of Technology
    Dr David Hall, Senior Researcher, The Policy Observatory, Auckland University of Technology
    Professor of Law Kate Diesfeld, Auckland University of Technology
    Associate Professor Ineke Crezee, School of Language and Culture, Auckland University of Technology
    Dr Pat Strauss, School of Language and Culture, Auckland University of Technology
    Associate Professor Nicola Gaston, Department of Physics, University of Auckland
    Kate Hannah, Research Fellow, University of Auckland/PhD Candidate, Science and Society Centre, VUW
    Dr Matheson Russell, Senior Lecturer in Philosophy, University of Auckland
    Dr Barbara Grant, Associate Professor, Higher Education, Faculty of Education and Social Work, University of Auckland
    Dr Lindsey Te Ata o Tu MacDonald, Department of Political Science and International Relations, University of Canterbury
    Professor Jack Heinemann, School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury
    Dr Jarrod Gilbert, Department of Sociology and Anthropology,
    University of Canterbury Robert Patman, Professor of International Relations, Department of Politics, University of Otago
    Professor Jack Vowles, Professor of Comparative Politics, Victoria University of Wellington
    Professor Tahu Kukutai, University of Waikato
    Dr Reuben Steff, School of Social Studies, University of Waikato
    Nicky Hager, Author
    Dr Paul G Buchanan, IGIS Reference Group member, 36th Parallel
    Dr Christopher Fung, Director Native American and Indigenous Studies, and Senior Lecturer in Anthropology, University of Massachusetts Boston
    Tze Ming Mok, PhD Candidate, Department of Social Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science

  2. Ad 2
    26 November 2018 at 8:48 am

    China not having the time to receive a state visit from us is a political signal in this context.

    I was impressed with the independence shown by Minister Andrew Little with regard to the Huawei ban request from the US. Clearly different to the Australian Federal government ban, and a big signal to China.

    I expect the same kind of independence of thought from our Prime Minister.

    • Draco T Bastard 2.1
      26 November 2018 at 12:23 pm

      The Big Hack: How China Used a Tiny Chip to Infiltrate U.S. Companies

      The attack by Chinese spies reached almost 30 U.S. companies, including Amazon and Apple, by compromising America’s technology supply chain, according to extensive interviews with government and corporate sources.

      Yeah, Little isn’t showing independence but is kowtowing to China.

      • cleangreen 2.1.1
        26 November 2018 at 1:18 pm

        This is a huge story that Jacinda needs to get control over Chinese influence in NZ now.

        A member of the Chinese governement MP Jian Yang National List 2011- is inside our National Party as a MP already now.

        China was found to be rigging US elections in 2000; Yang enterprises was the company with connections to the Chinese government.

        Chinese spies were also behind the 2000 Florida election bungles as “yang enterprises were found to be working for the Chinnese Government at the time that a US citizen “Clint Curtis” gave Congressional evidence that Yang Enterprises were asking him as a computer scientist to rig that election in Florida.

        • Draco T Bastard 2.1.2.1
          26 November 2018 at 3:23 pm

          Making sense of the Supermicro motherboard attack

          Where does this leave us? There are few facts, and much supposition. However, the following scenario does seem to make sense. Let’s assume an implant was added to the motherboard at manufacture time. This needed modification of both the board design, and the robotic component installation process. It intercepts the SPI lines between the flash and the BMC controller. Unless the implant was designed with a very high technology, it may be enough to simply divert the boot process to fetch firmware over the network (either the Internet or a compromised server in the organisation), and all the complex attacks build from there — possibly using PCI Express and/or the BMC for exfiltration.

          If the implant is less sophisticated than others have assumed, it may be feasible to block it by firewalling traffic from the BMC — but I can’t see many current owners of such a board wanting to take that risk.

          So, finally, what do we learn? In essence, this story seems to pass the sniff test. But it is likely news to many people that their systems are a lot more complex than they thought, and in that complexity can lurk surprising vulnerabilities.

      • Unicus 2.1.3
        27 November 2018 at 9:56 am

        Absolutely true Andrew is cowtowing . In the big picture the US and Australia are our vital allies China is not .This is no time for divided response from our politicians – if they are going to rescue us from the Chinese maw they need to act together

        • Draco T Bastard 2.1.3.1
          27 November 2018 at 12:18 pm

          We don’t need rescuing from the ‘Chinese maw’. We need to pull ourselves out, to actually become an independent nation capable of standing on our own. Then we can stand with those other nations that have the same principles as us (which excludes the US BTW).

    • D'Esterre 2.2
      26 November 2018 at 1:25 pm

      Ad: “I expect the same kind of independence of thought from our Prime Minister.”

      I do hope so.

    • SPC 2.3
      26 November 2018 at 9:05 pm

      Independence or servitude?

      If this government cannot even use Huawei being allowed here to leverage a trade deal equivalent to the Oz-China one, they are pretty dumb negotiators.

      PS The “problem” with Huawei is the speed and mass data capability, which means it has plenty in reserve (great for companies who take it up in terms of future function, but a security risk in terms in what it could be gathering up).

      • Unicus 2.3.1
        27 November 2018 at 9:36 am

        The widrawal of the CCP invitation to our PM to meet Xie can reasonably be construed as a victory for her progressive disengagement approach .

        She should – and is – exiting the bed of vipers Helen and Key dumped us in

        A belt of constraint and a one way road – not today thanks – not ever . .

  3. Anne 3
    26 November 2018 at 9:05 am

    Anne Mare Brady is clearly being harassed and intimidated by Chinese operatives because of her academic work. You don’t need a year long ongoing investigation to be able to come to that conclusion. As far as I can tell no Chinese official in NZ or elsewhere has denied the charge.

    PM, Jacinda Ardern or someone on her behalf should tell the Chinese Ambassador that this is not the way we do business in NZ. That in fact such activity is against our laws and it must immediately cease.

    This type of behaviour however is not new to NZ. During the Cold War years it was not uncommon for some homes and offices to be broken into and papers etc. disturbed. The culprits were rarely caught and often the target was entirely innocent of any wrong doing – just the victim of someone have a ‘paranoid day at the office’.

    • ianmac 3.1
      26 November 2018 at 9:09 am

      Shouldn’t there be first real evidence of Chinese wrong doing? Wait and see I think.

      • Anne 3.1.1
        26 November 2018 at 9:30 am

        But there is ianmac. She is being intimidated and her car has been tampered with. If it is anything like my experiences back in the 1980s it could escalate from there. In my case someone was making false accusations which is different to this case.

        Anne Marie Brady is doing the right thing coming out into the open with her experiences. She is in a better position than anyone to be able to identify the culprits.

      • Dennis Frank 3.1.2
        26 November 2018 at 9:31 am

        Wrong-doers are usually reluctant to provide real evidence. Strangely so? Not really, if conspiracies actually happen. Sceptics will take refuge in the lack of proof: repeat burglaries and vehicle tampering are just a string of coincidences. Criminals abound, so it’s just her bad luck that some happened to target her.

        Courts decide cases on such circumstantial evidence. Often it just takes a motive, such as her criticism of Chinese infiltration, plus evidence of crimes committed, such as burglary and vehicle tampering, for a jury to establish guilt. The communist regime will say `nothing to do with us, we were in China when these things happened’. Fair enough as far as that goes, but in the court of public opinion people will say `if it walks like a duck & quacks like a duck, let’s roast it for dinner’. They’ll know chinese agents are responsible.

        • ianmac 3.1.2.1
          26 November 2018 at 9:41 am

          Being suspicious is not the same as bringing a secure charge. Jacinda cannot possibly accuse China unless there is proof.
          “Excuse me Mr China. We think some nasty Chinese people are interfering with our Academic freedom. Stop it at once I say. Well the evidence points your way so it must be true.”

          • Dennis Frank 3.1.2.1.1
            26 November 2018 at 10:10 am

            I’m not suggesting she accuse China. All she need do at a press conference is say she is extremely concerned at the pattern of criminal behaviour, and point out that if it continues, public opinion in Aotearoa will solidify against China.

            She could then suggest that it is not in China’s interests for that to happen. She could also point out that the selective targeting of critics of Chinese infiltration in NZ is more likely to polarise public opinion against such infiltration than build support for it, so it seems to be a self-defeating strategy. She could also clarify that she’s not suggesting the communist govt is using such a strategy. She could say she doubts they are that stupid. Reporters could then respond that the evidence suggests they actually are that stupid.

          • Sanctuary 3.1.2.1.2
            26 November 2018 at 10:12 am

            The worry is not that we won’t do anything because we have no evidence. The worry is we won’t do anything even when we have the evidence because our political and business elites are already completely addicted to Chinese cash.

            • ianmac 3.1.2.1.2.1
              26 November 2018 at 11:45 am

              Bit tough there Sanctuary. “The worry is we won’t do anything even when we have the evidence…”
              Condemned before the trial? I think Jacinda will act when time is right.

          • patricia bremner 3.1.2.1.3
            26 November 2018 at 11:26 am

            Yes ianmac, and Interpol is now involved, so the NZ Police involvement may have conclusions leading to the inclusion of Interpol, so the investigation is ongoing.

            Until there is concrete or irrefutable evidence presented, we have to be patient and diplomatic.

            However we are aware there is a real possibility of interference, so airing our views and tightening our scrutiny of possible questionable behaviour and actions is pertinent.

            When and if espionage is uncovered, or deliberate threats to our academic freedoms including attacks on individuals or systems are proven, we must act.

            Jacinda Ardern has shown decisive action in the face of serious problems, and where it was required, thoughtful balanced responses. As has Andrew Little.
            IMO they will prove to have the required mettle and will not be bullied.

            The current government is happy to trade with China, but is aware of the pitfalls, and they have already indicated their willingness to provide money to Island groups faced with China;s “cash for influence” moves in the Pacific region.
            So we are not alone with this problem.

        • greywarshark 3.1.2.2
          26 November 2018 at 1:54 pm

          Out of the frying pan into the fire perhaps.
          Anyone for Peking Duck?
          https://www.chinasichuanfood.com/homemade-peking-duck/

    • the other pat 3.2
      27 November 2018 at 5:10 pm

      china will not give a rats arse what we say to them…..they want their global silk road and they will have it…money talks

  4. Lucy 4
    26 November 2018 at 9:36 am

    So this academic has been publishing since 2003 but has only had a deliberate campaign since 2017. As well as questions now maybe we should be asking why these break ins were not happening during the Key governments time. If China is desperate to see her research then was our intelligence service involved the other way prior to the election?

    • D'Esterre 4.1
      26 November 2018 at 1:31 pm

      Lucy: “So this academic has been publishing since 2003…”

      Longer than that, I believe. I remember her name from my days studying Mandarin in the mid- to late 90s.

      Interesting that this problem has surfaced only now, all these years later.

    • greywarshark 4.2
      26 November 2018 at 1:57 pm

      I think National were so close we felt they were almost kissing cuzins, cuzzybros almost. There were demands from China not to say this, do that, have that be seen in a photo etc. The international game playing gets sharper by the year.
      Do they play rugby in China? Perhaps we need to open some more cultural contacts?

    • Incognito 4.3
      26 November 2018 at 9:54 pm

      She may have been on somebody’s radar for much longer than since 2017.

      Why do you think it is a NZ factor that has seemingly changed things?

      Could it be a jilted lover, a jealous colleague, or a disturbed stalker?

  5. The Chairman 5
    26 November 2018 at 10:09 am

    It has been reported that Professor Anne Marie Brady said the police investigation was over.

    Yet, a spokesperson for the PM said it was still under investigation by the police.

    So which is it?

    • patricia bremner 5.1
      26 November 2018 at 7:39 pm

      Interpol is involved…. so the investigation continues and our police have members in Interpol.

  6. Bill 6
    26 November 2018 at 10:20 am

    Some might say that Anne-Marie Brady is a bit of a swivel eyed loon, or just a ho-hum academic seeking oxygen. I couldn’t possibly comment on that.

    But listening to a 30 min interview she gave to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, she’s waving her arms a lot and not saying a damned thing. China isn’t doing anything that any other government might do and does do to enhance it’s presence and influence abroad.

    Listen to the interview, but listen and compare

    https://www.csis.org/podcasts/chinapower/chinas-political-influence-activities-conversation-anne-marie-brady

    Maybe some poor wee politically driven poppets in NZ are feeling left out because “Russia!” doesn’t really count down here, so “China!”?

    The woman’s office and house and office were broken into and computer stuff taken because….unlike the NSA and others, China lacks the ability to hack and monitor people it might be concerned about? Is that the line we’re to buy in to?

    On academic freedom, withdrawing funding from academics and researchers who aren’t toeing the line, or who are speaking up or out about some stuff (Mike Joy comes to mind) – that’s a nefarious Chinese strategy is it? Not a bog standard NZ one?

    Promoting favoured cultural groups (she doesn’t mention political groups or lobby groups) and seeking to influence the content of Chinese language publications is, I admit, something that should be of deep, deep concern! God forbid that news becomes curated. /sarc

    Approaching individual MPs to see if they’re sympathetic to aspects of Chinese foreign policy, and doing it in a way that by no measure has the penetration or influence of (say) AIPAC, or the influence at the level of the individual MP that multiple “fellowship” programmes like the Eisenhower Fellowship may have…yup, I can see why the barricades ought to be manned 🙂

    • Antoine 6.1
      26 November 2018 at 10:21 am

      > Some might say that Anne-Marie Brady is a bit of a swivel eyed loon

      Some might say that you are a bit of a swivel eyed loon, but generally they are too polite. Perhaps you should extend the same courtesy to others

      A.

      • Bill 6.1.1
        26 November 2018 at 10:26 am

        Pretty sure you didn’t read beyond that first sentence before firing off that response A. When you want to engage on the substance of whatever I’m writing, be sure to let me know, aye?

      • Unicus 6.1.2
        27 November 2018 at 5:27 pm

        People called Ed Hillary unkind names because he believed he could take on the tallest mountain in the world

        Anne-Marie Brady’s name will be remembered as a hero in the democratic world long after her detractors are gone and forgotten .

    • Anne 6.2
      26 November 2018 at 11:06 am

      The woman’s office and house and office were broken into and computer stuff taken because….unlike the NSA and others, China lacks the ability to hack and monitor people it might be concerned about? Is that the line we’re to buy in to?

      If the aim of the exercise is to intimidate her – and that looks to me what it is about – then that is how they would go about it. And just to make sure she knows why they are attacking her, they remove computer material no doubt associated with her research work on Chinese govt. modus operandi. And then just to make the point more obvious they sabotage a couple of tyres. What is next on the list? Whether one agrees with her conclusions or not, it is clear she is being terrorised by someone.

      • Bill 6.2.1
        26 November 2018 at 11:17 am

        Have you read her “Magic Weapons” guff, or listened to the pod cast I linked?

        She isn’t saying a damned thing – only offering up a descriptive analysis of the various facets of Chinese government that focus on foreign stuff. I’d suggest that anyone with the time and inclination could draw up the same descriptive analysis. No-one would care. It’s a nothing. It’s more or less what would be expected from looking at any government with an interest in having influence beyond its national borders.

        The only thing worth noting is the spin she puts on it. And that spin is as tedious as it is predictable – it’s just the bog standard “hawk” line beloved of the type of “think tank” she’s associated with.

        If there was some revelation in what she was saying…

        • Chris 6.2.1.1
          26 November 2018 at 10:37 pm

          I agree with everything you say about Anne-Marie Brady’s analysis. It’s lightweight ideologically-driven claptrap. A recent interview of her on RNZ pretty much confirmed this.

          But how do you explain the attacks on her home etc? This I don’t get. Surely if AMB’s analysis was that innocuous nobody would care? How ever wrong, inaccurate, scaremongering, irrelevant or just plain boring what she says may be, surely what are clearly physically violent attacks can’t be justified?

    • D'Esterre 6.3
      26 November 2018 at 1:58 pm

      Bill: “….not saying a damned thing. China isn’t doing anything that any other government might do and does do to enhance its presence and influence abroad.”

      My impression as well. I’ve read Brady’s paper “Magic Weapons”. I recommend it to others.

      “China lacks the ability to hack and monitor people it might be concerned about?”

      Exactly. And letting down tyres, or whatever it is claimed has happened? And we’re supposed to believe this? China is a tech-savvy polity: such a stunt sounds like something a gang member would do. Or the local hoods. I remain sceptical.

      “On academic freedom, withdrawing funding from academics and researchers who aren’t toeing the line, or who are speaking up or out about some stuff (Mike Joy comes to mind) – that’s a nefarious Chinese strategy is it? Not a bog standard NZ one?”

      Yup. Let him who is without sin cast the first stone, and all that….

      “God forbid that news becomes curated.”

      Heh: indeed. In NZ, we’ve been fed propaganda-as-news since my childhood. A longish time ago….

      “…yup, I can see why the barricades ought to be manned.”

      Precisely. The best indicator of any polity’s future actions is what it has done in the past. Before opining on the current geopolitical situation, it would be useful for commentators to go look at the history of China.

      • Bill 6.3.1
        26 November 2018 at 4:54 pm

        The car tyres…

        Christchurch’s A1 Auto 4 Services’ Brent Jeffries […]

        “Found both left front tyres were half flat and valve caps both missing, indicating that possibly car has been tampered with.”

        https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12163100

        Half deflated front tyres. Never did that to random cars as a kid. Not ever. Honest. 🙄

        And that open letter includes a wee barb for the NZ government to deal with –

        We also urge Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to make a clear statement in defence of academic freedom in New Zealand in light of the Brady case, and to be very clear that any intimidation and threats aimed at silencing academic voices in this country will not be tolerated.

        That’s any intimidation or threat from any source that might serve to silence an academic.

    • Draco T Bastard 6.4
      26 November 2018 at 2:39 pm

      On academic freedom, withdrawing funding from academics and researchers who aren’t toeing the line, or who are speaking up or out about some stuff (Mike Joy comes to mind) – that’s a nefarious Chinese strategy is it?

      That does seem to be true, yes.

      The Confucius Institutes are world wide.

      • Bill 6.4.1
        26 November 2018 at 5:04 pm

        For fuck’s sake Draco, your first link is stuff being peddled by the Wilson Centre. Which is kind of relevant, because…

        Dr. Anne-Marie Brady is a professor at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand and a global fellow with the Kissinger Institute on China and the United States’ Polar Initiative at the Wilson Center. Dr. Brady is the Executive Editor of The Polar Journal. Her research focuses on Chinese domestic and foreign politics as well as polar politics.

        Your second link states (and as usual it’s several paragraphs in, and on the tail end of a stream of breathless guff)

        Public examples of espionage at U.S. universities due to their relationship with Confucius Institutes are hard to come by. Their classes on Chinese language and culture are often benign. Their value lies in the relationships they provide between the Chinese government and the American institutions that host them.

        • Draco T Bastard 6.4.1.1
          26 November 2018 at 8:56 pm

          Criticism of Confucius Institutes

          Our universities, like our political parties, should not be taking foreign money and for the same reason.

          • Bill 6.4.1.1.1
            26 November 2018 at 10:03 pm

            Are you saying that neither universities nor political parties should be accepting any funding that does or that might come with strings attached? Are you maybe further suggesting that neither universities nor political parties should be open to the potential vulnerability private money entails, and that they should be 100% publicly funded?

            That would be a worthwhile debate.

            But…well, from other comments it seems pretty clear that you’re just viciously and somewhat idiotically ranting against anything you can associate with your notions of “Chinese”.

  7. The Fairy Godmother 7
    26 November 2018 at 11:04 am

    I do not know Ms Brady. I was surprised when she put her name forward for the Labour Party Policy Council election. She had a long list of her academic achievements and work all around the China issue. She had nothing about her experience in the Labour party or really anything apart from the china stuff. I am unsure as to why she put her name forward or what her strategy was. Our LEC voted for other people who seemed more balanced and had evidence of Labour party commitment in their CVs. She did not get elected. All I can say is she seems to be somewhat naive and I wonder what is going on.

    • Dennis Frank 7.1
      26 November 2018 at 11:31 am

      The interface between naivety & politics has always been popular though. Idealism is quite a broad church. Some folks naively expect Labour govts to be leftist, eh?

      You get that naivety onsite here a fair bit. There’s also naive expectation that progressive politics produces progress – because it once or twice did so in the past. Prof Brady is perhaps being naive in expecting the PM to do her job in respect of defending academic freedoms. Since when have leftist political leaders opposed the powers that be on a principled basis?

      I’m reserving judgment on Ardern as she teeters on the knife-edge between pragmatism & cowardice. Silence from her is prudent caution at first, then increasingly looks like weak leadership. What’s required is a tough moral stance.

      • Chris 7.1.1
        26 November 2018 at 10:59 pm

        “Some folks naively expect Labour govts to be leftist, eh?”

        Well, yes. That is something I’d really love the Labour Party to reclaim and embrace. Unfortunately all we can do is hope this will happen some day soon.

        “You get that naivety onsite here a fair bit.”

        Wow. Tell us what you think people who comment on this site should say, then, if they’re not going to show what you say is naivety?

        • Dennis Frank 7.1.1.1
          27 November 2018 at 7:54 am

          That wouldn’t be appropriate. Nothing wrong with being naive. Everyone’s on a learning curve, some are not as far along as others, that’s all. Not just relative to natural intelligence, either, because a lot of folks are intelligent but don’t like politics, or are too busy staying alive to get up to speed on it. Plus some commentators are averse to getting their heads around mass psychology, which drives most of politics, so they just focus on surface stuff like personalities.

    • Unicus 7.2
      27 November 2018 at 5:19 pm

      What a typicaly tired dumb rationale from an LEC hack .

      Someone of character intellect and principal stands for a senior party role and iis snuffed out by the dullards who turn up for endless tedious meetings deliver pamphlets and boil the friking jug because they aren’t “rounded” enough.

      LEC influence is what’s wrong with the Labour Party believe me I’ve seen it my entire political life

  8. Dennis Frank 8
    26 November 2018 at 11:56 am

    MS: “Of course she should wait for the inquiry to conclude before saying anything.” I disagree. The thing has dragged on all through this year, after being initiated last year. Is everyone supposed to grow old and die waiting for an endless police investigation to produce a result?

    Time to cut the crap. We have burglaries of this woman’s home & office, to target her computer, scare her off, and the vehicle sabotage may have been a threat to her life. What does it take to get any of the authorities involved to do what the situation requires?

    Strikes me that if the target was Nicky Hager or some activist critic of US foreign policy, and the break-ins & vehicle tampering had been done to them, some here would be frothing at the mouth. I detect a double standard (no pun intended).

    • ianmac 8.1
      26 November 2018 at 12:23 pm

      I wonder about your motives Dennis.
      Are you seriously saying that the police should charge someone without proof or identity? You sound like an Over the Top Bridges trying to fabricate an issue before it is clear what the issue is or who is the culprit.

      • Dennis Frank 8.1.1
        26 November 2018 at 12:53 pm

        Well I don’t share your complacency. I care about the victim. RNZ news at midday mentioned her complaint that she still isn’t getting police protection. How the hell can she continue on that basis? She may be resolute, but given the repetition, the police are being delinquent in their refusal.

        Of course I’m not trying to suggest that prosecution without sufficient evidence is a good idea! I’m bitching about the ongoing failure to demonstrate elementary competence. Produce a result, why don’t they? Well over a year is way too long. And the PM hiding behind eternal bureaucracy looks suspiciously like your typical Labour bullshit scheme.

        The Greens onside with ACT, probably the first time ever, is about the only worthwhile thing about this. If the PM keeps hiding, her deputy ought to front as the only adult in the leadership room…

    • Anne 8.2
      26 November 2018 at 12:24 pm

      The foremost concern here is that someone is being seriously intimidated and attempts made to stop her completing bona-fide research work which relates directly to an aspect of New Zealand foreign policy. You don’t have to agree with her thesis, but to allow interference with her right to produce it goes against the entire grain of democratic governance.

      It may well be coincidental, but it does not surprise me it is being done to a woman. I’ll leave it at that.

  9. Draco T Bastard 9
    26 November 2018 at 12:19 pm

    It’s been far too long for an issue as important as academic freedom, and ultimately New Zealand’s freedom and sovereignty,” he said.

    “It makes you wonder if Winston and Jacinda are living on their knees because they’re too scared to die on their feet – and this position is not acceptable to rest of the country.”

    And what was Seymore’s response to China’s threatening a trade war against us?

    Was he as silent as the MSM indicates?
    Are we just seeing more of the RWNJ hypocrisy?

    This is not a simple issue for Ardern. How do you handle relations with arguably the most powerful nation in the world when these allegations are swirling around.

    Actually, it is. If the allegations prove true (and the anecdotal evidence suggests it is) then the government needs to cancel all connections with China and remove all Chinese citizens from NZ as suspected spies.

    Anything else is kissing arse.

    • ianmac 9.1
      26 November 2018 at 12:27 pm

      ” If the allegations prove true…” Yes then act, but until then lets just explore the facts.

    • Antoine 9.2
      26 November 2018 at 1:04 pm

      You want the Government to “remove all Chinese citizens from NZ”?

      That is one of the nuttiest of the many nutty things I have ever heard you say (also pretty racist)

      A.

      • Draco T Bastard 9.2.1
        26 November 2018 at 2:23 pm

        Not really. There are thousands of Chinese citizens in the country with voting rights which it seems that they’re abusing so just drop the Permanent Residence from all Chinese citizens.

        We obviously can’t trust them.

        • the other pat 9.2.1.1
          27 November 2018 at 5:19 pm

          there is some truth in what you say…..the chinese are in for the long haul…..they plan in generations.

    • greywarshark 9.3
      26 November 2018 at 6:57 pm

      Oh c’mon DTB. How can we do that. There be dragons (real Chinese ones).

  10. DJ Ward 10
    26 November 2018 at 12:42 pm

    I have heard some details indicating the break in was by someone. With a prime suspect. But is it true.

    Was it just a break in that is misinterpreted by paranoia. Or coincidence like a flat tyre on the same day. Or something we haven’t considered as a possibility yet.

    Some here may be able to link to evidence.

    • Dennis Frank 10.1
      26 November 2018 at 12:57 pm

      ” Motoring expect Clive Matthew-Wilson, editor of the Dog & Lemon Guide, said the sabotage “absolutely” posed a risk to human life. “It makes the car extremely unstable in its handling, and the brakes become a lot more unreliable,” he said.”
      https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12160570

      • ianmac 10.1.1
        26 November 2018 at 1:07 pm

        Yes of course flat tyres pose a risk. But surely it would be a pretty strange thing for a terrorist to do? Good that police are investigating but it would be pretty hard to prove who unless caught in the act.

        • Draco T Bastard 10.1.1.1
          26 November 2018 at 2:26 pm

          But surely it would be a pretty strange thing for a terrorist to do?

          But exactly what I’d expect a corrupt government to do if they want to remove someone with credibility from showing their corruption.

        • greywarshark 10.1.1.2
          26 November 2018 at 6:58 pm

          Letting her tyres down would be a way of maintaining a presence of harassment without going OTT.

      • DJ Ward 10.1.2
        26 November 2018 at 1:30 pm

        I had an experience a long time ago when working a second job as a nightclub bouncer in a south Auckland Nightclub. Coincidently I was splitting up with a girlfriend at the same time. I had physically removed a young male for fighting that night, and a few threats were made to me. In the early hours I hoped in my car to go home, drove out to the edge of the parking lot but continued out onto the road because my brakes were cut. The next day the ex arrived at my new shared flat (freind not affair) armed with a speargun she was ‘returning to me’. The grapevine may have informed her of the cut brakes but she sure as hell made me aware I deserved it. Kids watching the drama crying from her car of course. The police examined the cut brakes as part of there investigation into 3 false complaints she made before they told her to stop.

        I actually don’t honestly know beyond reasonable doubt if she cut my brakes. Hence I refused the police offer of me making a complaint.

    • Dennis Frank 10.2
      26 November 2018 at 1:06 pm

      ” Professor Anne-Marie Brady’s office at the University of Canterbury was broken into last December, after her influential research into the Chinese Communist Party’s foreign interference in New Zealand made international headlines. A month earlier, she had warned: “China’s covert, corrupting and coercive political influence activities in New Zealand are now at a critical level.”

      “Brady, a specialist in Chinese and polar politics, made headlines again last month, this time after the Weekend Herald revealed that the Security Intelligence Service and Interpol were helping to investigate the February burglary of her Christchurch home.”
      https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/107732870/cctv-put-in-office-of-china-expert-annemarie-brady-after-burglary

    • ianmac 10.3
      26 November 2018 at 1:11 pm

      Some here don’t bother with evidence DJ. Just seem to be expecting Jacinda to contact China and tell them off because some people are joining dots which seem to point to China. Really?

  11. Dennis Frank 11
    26 November 2018 at 1:03 pm

    “A Herald investigation into the Brady break-ins can also reveal the case is being handled by the Police’s National Security Investigation Team, a secretive unit that is understood specialises in national security cases – including terrorism – and works closely with the New Zealand Security and Intelligence Service.”
    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12160570

    So it isn’t a typical police investigation. Much higher-level. Understandable that those involved feel the need to proceed at a snail’s pace, but the hierarchy aren’t threatened. The target is. If a govt can’t be bothered protecting citizens, why have it?

    • ianmac 11.1
      26 November 2018 at 1:14 pm

      How do you think Anne Brady should be protected Dennis?
      Burgled? 2 flat tyres?
      Lets put a couple and their 3 kids into Witness Protection?

      • Dennis Frank 11.1.1
        26 November 2018 at 2:19 pm

        The police should adhere to their standard operational policy for such instances. If they don’t have one, the top cop ought to admit that publicly. Not up to me or anyone else to tell them how to do policing, Ian.

        Incidentally, I thought Anne’s comment @ 6.2 was appropriate. Would be understandable if the prof felt terrorised by the repetition. I’d rate her state of mind at serious concern currently, rather than terrified. Inasmuch as the case so far seems a pattern of organised state terrorism emanating from the communist regime, the duck is quacking & waddling. You may say it’s a mild case thereof. Not arguing against that. But the message is one of potential escalation.

  12. adam 12
    26 November 2018 at 1:33 pm

    When this first popped up I was like what the hell! Now not so sure.

    Talking to friends in China, this is not generally how the Chineses spooks like to operate. They do subtle, they play the long game, they mine information and they love blackmail.

    That their take and well I agree. This really is not normal – mind you when has anything been normal lately. I’m not ruling it out, but I’d rather we looked at the national party and their infiltration by the PLA.

    • Draco T Bastard 12.1
      26 November 2018 at 2:31 pm

      Talking to friends in China, this is not generally how the Chineses spooks like to operate.

      So, these people have intimate knowledge of how Chinese spooks operate?
      Or is it that they’re just assuming that Chinese are better than everyone else and so they wouldn’t make mistakes like this?

      See, I’m betting its the latter.

      They do subtle, they play the long game, they mine information and they love blackmail.

      That may be what they want to believe but Chinese actions in the South China Sea aren’t subtle.

      I’m not ruling it out, but I’d rather we looked at the national party and their infiltration by the PLA.

      Isn’t that the same thing?

      • adam 12.1.1
        26 November 2018 at 4:04 pm

        Is the last bit the same thing?

        All we hearing is the investigation into what is happening to Professor Anne Marie Brady, not what happening with the PLA and their moves to infiltrate the national party.

      • Hanswurst 12.1.2
        26 November 2018 at 7:47 pm

        Or is it that they’re just assuming that Chinese […]

        The irony.

  13. Tony Veitch [not etc.] 13
    26 November 2018 at 2:47 pm

    Most people commenting on here have, I believed, missed the point.

    In the early 2000s I was teaching in a language school in ChCh. I went into my classroom one day to discover a Chinese student had removed the world map from the wall. He had it on the floor and was stabbing a compass point into Taipei. When I asked him what he was he was doing, he said ‘Taipei is not a capital, Taiwan is not an independent country!’

    It is unlikely that the Chinese government had anything much to do with the break-ins or the sabotage. Much more likely Chinese ‘citizens’ of this country reacting to criticism of their homeland.

    They have been brainwashed! When I taught in a language school in China we were told, on day one, not to mention the three ‘T’s’ – Tibet, Taiwan or Tianaman Square.

    And just because they re-locate to another country, the ‘brainwashing’ does not magically dissolve in the ‘free’ air of our democracy.

    • Dennis Frank 13.1
      26 November 2018 at 3:11 pm

      Good one, Tony. That’s indeed an important valid point. The repeat offending could indeed be due to patriotic Chinese living here. Occam’s razor could be deployed to cut that possibility out, but I wouldn’t use it to do so.

      There’s even a realistic possibility that the three offences were committed by different patriots. However there’s a further realistic possibility too: communist agents operating within the Chinese community here recruiting patriots, advising them on tactics with a wink & a nod, then setting them loose to act `independently’ so as to achieve plausible deniability for the regime. Remember how in Mission Impossible the boss would always instruct the agent that official involvement would be denied?

      • Tony Veitch [not etc.] 13.1.1
        26 November 2018 at 3:56 pm

        A China-born person’s ‘first’ loyalty will always be to their homeland – that’s a sweeping generalisation, but it’s basically correct.

        We would like to think that a Nat member of parliament of Chinese extraction would put the interests of NZ above all others, but that is simply not necessarily true.

        And yes, a 5th column of Chinese infiltrators stirring up the ‘patriotic’ fervour of ex-pats now NZ citizens, is not beyond the realms of probability.

        • Exkiwiforces 13.1.1.1
          26 November 2018 at 8:02 pm

          Yes T.V, they have even enshrined it into the Chinese Law Books.

          Saying it’s everyone’s duty to put China first including Chinese companies, expatriates working for foreign companies have dragged in for questioning and even those who weren’t even born in China (especially those that don’t carry a Chinese Passport) are expected to put China first, even though they see themselves as NZ, Aus, UK, Canadian or EU citizen etc.

          The last one is starting to become a major concern to long standing Chinese communities/ organisations in a number countries where most of them don’t really have any connection with China anymore let alone support China’s values or Chinese Government Policies. Are suddenly been infiltrated by Chinese born or Chinese Government argents (whatever you want to call them) stirring up trouble/ throwing their weight around and turning these once social communities/ organisations into a political one with a Chinese first type attitude, where most 4th, 5th or6th generation NZ, Aus, UK, Canadian or EU etc born Chinese couldn’t give a rats ass about Taiwan, SCS etc.

          Clive Hamilton’s book, The Silent Invasion or Ron Asher’s ( I Don’t know much about this author) book, In the Jaws of the Dragon- How China is taking over New Zealand. Both mention this China first attitude and it growing infiltration within the long a established Chinese social communities/ organisations where go back to the 1800’s before the CCP gained power in 1949.

          To really understand the Chinese Government mentally, one needs to get an update version or even an early verson would do, as it would still give you a rough idea on what is happening atm, is Sun Tzu’s book- The Art of War and if you really want to give yourself a headache combined with it Clausewitz’s book- On War, and Alfred Thayer Mahan two books to knock yourself out in the process. (The last three books are heavy reading btw).

          • CHCOff 13.1.1.1.1
            26 November 2018 at 9:36 pm

            Chinese nationalism is not the problem, NZ would do well and get more value from more patriotism about NZ society – their patriotism has helped get some good outcomes through as far as domestic policies goes that are of value to their societal functioning, and their society has alot of pressing challenges to deal with, i do not wish ill, famine, oppression, on the well being of the Chinese population at the slightest due to societal nationalism.

            But the Chinese are extreme in how it’s govt. is it’s community, it is a structural Frankenstein freight train in this respect that the short-cuts taken in the West have contributed to putting on steroids, & in someway are going to have to be changed to reform if a train wreck disaster of one form or another is to be avoided.

            NZ1st!

            • Exkiwiforces 13.1.1.1.1.1
              27 November 2018 at 1:20 am

              I see it from a different contexts, but I do agree with what you are saying and we need to be open minded at what is happening atm as one wrong move from either side is going to set off a snowball that will be hard to stop once it’s going.

              We know what happened the last time the snowball got to the point of no return 105 odd yrs or the lead up to the start of WW2 where the political elite chose to avoid the problem or refuse to acknowledge what was happening until it was too late.

              • CHCOff …
                27 November 2018 at 5:39 pm

                yes for example, after about 10-15 years of successive stuff ups (they were hardly alone in that respect) in responding to rising war state Nazi Germany, which concluded in the occupation of western europe and the near annihilation of the British armed forces, that political establishment got out of the way sufficiently to let dynamism take the reins as a last resort in Britain for example, and the British people got pretty formidable playing catch up in a few short years, ultimately saving western europe from barbarism.

                Off course, was still a huge price to pay in making up for the lack of creativity in the govts. by excessive politics of the time.

        • Exkiwiforces 13.1.1.2
          27 November 2018 at 1:09 am

          There was a case here in Oz IRT the SCS 24 to36 mths ago, when two fair size crowds of Pro Chinese Government supporters marched in Melbourne and Sydney displaying pro government slogans and yelling out pro government chants IRT the SCS. Which Australia hasn’t seen the days of empire or whenever it last has happened, a lot of people from either of side of the political spectrum at the time went WTF has just happened in Australia over that weekend and it has prompted lively discussions with the Security Services, the Fourth Estate and elsewhere since then.

          These protests happened when my late FSGT, my then SGT and the Senior Security Cdr said you understand the Chinese problem very well Kiwi than those dickheads up on the hill, as you have a thing for Economic, Military, Political and Financial History. So now start understudy the Operations, Plans (future Opeations or Training scenarios/ exercises and high end strategy to local security concerns) as you have good mind IRT’s to China and both SEA/ South Pacific/ Antarctic Regions . Also I attended a couple cse’s including a Mustering specific SNCO promotion cse where the China question was posed to us at a local and regional specific which was quite interesting to say the least which were discussed under Chatham House Rules.

          Mind you this was all before Trump was given the Keys to the White House.

    • Anne 13.2
      26 November 2018 at 4:36 pm

      It is unlikely that the Chinese government had anything much to do with the break-ins or the sabotage. Much more likely Chinese ‘citizens’ of this country reacting to criticism of their homeland.

      They have been brainwashed!…

      Thank-you for your most likely synopsis T.V. @13 and 13.1.1

      Something along those lines crossed my mind too.

      Those on this site who have been casting aspersions at Professor Brady have clearly never experienced this type of behaviour. At first you cast aside the mysteries as being random incidents that are not connected. But as time progresses and they begin to mount up you start to wonder what is going on? Eventually a point is reached when you start to fear for your safety and that is where the professor is at now. It is a lonely and frightening journey especially if you don’t know who is responsible and precisely why they are doing it.

      I feel for Anne Marie Brady because it will be a distressing situation for her and it is not helped by people who don’t have the knowledge or understanding to be able to accept what she is currently going through.

    • Mike Smith 13.3
      26 November 2018 at 4:53 pm

      The ruling Democratic Progressive party in Taiwan just suffered major defeats in local elections across the country. Taiwan premier Tsai Ing-wen resigned as chair pf the Party. The Kuomintang which supports friendly relations with China made the gains. In a separate referendum, voters also rejected a referendum that would have seen the island join the 2020 Tokyo Olympics as Taiwan, rather than “Chinese Taipei.” https://www.reuters.com/article/us-taiwan-politics/china-lauds-voters-after-defeat-of-taiwans-ruling-party-idUSKCN1NU01L
      Rather than being brainwashed, perhaps Chinese people like Koreans would rather have friendly relations with their own.

    • Bill 13.4
      26 November 2018 at 10:28 pm

      Well, at least Xi Jinping doesn’t stand on the international stage and claim to speak for all people of Chinese heritage in the way that Netanyahu claims to speak for all Jews.

      And as far as I know, no Chinese lobby has ever determined the content of the curriculum in another country when it comes to teaching about China. Same can’t be said of the Israel lobby.

      Could throw successive US Presidents, heading up a country that spends more money on the military than any other country, and that initiates and engages in more war than any other country claiming to be the leaders of the Free World – we could throw that into the mix.

      Or reflect on when it was okay to talk about anything to do with NZs colonial past (the land wars etc).

      And so on…for country after country.

      But this special bile some reserve for “all things China” is disturbing, and at a very deep level. It betrays the potential for a very ugly and one-eyed mob mentality – something that history has repeatedly shown us can lead to supposedly ordinary people participating in some very, very bad shit.

      I dare say some will be thinking to dismiss me as some kind of “bot” because this comment seeks to offer some measure of comparative context – context being a bad thing when people only want to focus on getting their hard on.

  14. Dennis Frank 14
    26 November 2018 at 3:34 pm

    Michael Reddell: “One of the signatories was (former academic and now) consultant Paul Buchanan. In an exchange of comments here on Saturday, and in reference to this letter he noted

    It appears many academics are reluctant to sign on because a) they fear retribution of one sort or another (say, loss of funding); and b) they personally dislike Ms. Brady and/or claim that her research is flawed etc. The fact that people cannot separate personal animus and/or concern about funding from a defence against criminal harassment is telling. As for her research, her “Magic Weapons” essay is an example of applied research and was not meant to be a theoretical or conceptual path-breaker, so sniping about its quality is pedantic.

    Perhaps some of our media might like to ask, for example, those involved in the Contemporary China Research Centre about why not one of them signed this statement (or, so far as I’ve seen, have issued their own statements supporting Professor Brady).”
    https://croakingcassandra.com/

    So who are the pro-China toadies? Have a look here: https://www.victoria.ac.nz/chinaresearchcentre/about-us/people

    • Dennis Frank 14.1
      26 November 2018 at 3:48 pm

      Reddell concludes with a surprisingly critical response to the PM’s recent diplomacy: “It is, frankly, sickening and shameful. Our Prime Minister, elected leader of a free, open and democratic society, governed by the rule of law etc suggests that there is “significant common ground” between her government’s policies and those of one of the most brutal un-free regimes on the planet, that has spent at least the last six years going backwards not forwards on the sorts of values and practices that most New Zealanders cherish”.

      Ardern is going to have to demonstrate that she actually does have a moral compass, is able to apply it to China, and can be a true leader for Aotearoa in using it in coalition foreign policy. Obfuscation may be the common-ground strategy, deriving from Labour’s ongoing collusion with National, but hiding behind it is not leadership. Not even slightly. All that prognosticating about this govt running two or three terms due to National’s quagmire obsession will come to nothing if the coalition looks like a bunch of weasels.

  15. francesca 15
    26 November 2018 at 4:23 pm

    Do we have any academics looking into covert Israeli influence on our government and political life?
    Or is anyone studying the deep reach in to our cultural, political and military policies by the Americans?
    Genuine question

  16. gsays 16
    26 November 2018 at 5:36 pm

    So where was rimmer when he was enjoying life troughing as a support party to the tories, and Jian Xang was a colleague.
    The silence was deafening.

    Not saying there is nothing to the allegations but once again, breathtaking hypocrisy.

    • Anne 16.1
      26 November 2018 at 6:26 pm

      I agree gsays. I guess it is an opportunity to grab attention to himself. Now he’s out of government he doesn’t get many chances.

  17. Jum 17
    26 November 2018 at 6:20 pm

    Maybe ask Nicky Hager if the profile of the intimidating actions of invading his private residence by our own police under john key with Hager’s Dirty Politics book, are the same. Maybe, the perpetrators took a leaf out of that action – the nat dirty politics mission.

    Most NZers did not march in the streets over that and happily voted key back in. So, excuse me for not rushing to judgement on Ardern.

    After all, it’s been done before in NZ and suddenly the academics are up in arms. Did anyone notice an open letter from those and/or other academics to john key after the appalling actions against Hager? I stand happily corrected if there was. When universities were morphed into businesses, for economic output, not academic rigour, I don’t remember a huge amount of push-back.

    But, meanwhile, perpetrators are threatening our own people’s right to a free say.

    All the worst kind of governments, or powerful groups, hate academics and seek to muzzle them. How many governments like that can we name and what does each of them gain from muzzling us, or laying a false trail to lay blame on others. Therein lies the complexity of the problem.

    Eventually, we have nothing to lose from speaking out since the main countries, or powerful groups(even in NZ), set to gain from our subjugation already own us.

  18. Bewildered 18
    26 November 2018 at 6:50 pm

    Any one seen the movie a beautiful mind about John Nash

    Similarly what ever happened to the loom lady who stood at last elrction from Russia because SIS where watching her apparently

  19. Pete 19
    26 November 2018 at 9:08 pm

    So after reading through here I’ve arrived at the way forward.

    First we cut off ties to China. They do not have sorts of values and practices that most New Zealanders cherish. No ‘leadership’ from any New Zealand PM is going to change their ways.

    I expect the same moves to do with Russia.

    I expect the same moves to do with Saudi Arabia.

    I expect the same with the United Arab Emirates.

    Any other nominations? It surely is time we stood up and made the mark on the ground.

    • DJ Ward 19.1
      26 November 2018 at 9:47 pm

      Morocco, (west Sahara). Philippines (leader). North Korea (leader). Israel (human rights). France and Canada (leaders think they are feminists). Brazil (needs monitoring). Australia (Clemingtine Ford, and dangerous animals)

    • Antoine 19.2
      26 November 2018 at 11:48 pm

      > First we cut off ties to China

      How about we not do that?

      How about we make a measured response commensurate with the offence given

      A>

    • the other pat 19.3
      27 November 2018 at 5:38 pm

      hear hear……least the academics talk the truth to death

  20. Incognito 20
    26 November 2018 at 10:09 pm

    Academic freedom and relationships with China. Political donations from Chinese sources to buy political influence for a measly $100k?

    In 2017 there were 38,560 international fee-paying students from China here in NZ who were and presumably still are Chinese citizens. This number has been steadily rising from 2010-2017.

    https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/statistics/international-education/international-students-in-new-zealand

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    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago

  • Winding Back The Hands Of History’s Clock.
    Holding On To The Present: The moment a political movement arises that attacks the whole idea of social progress, and announces its intention to wind back the hands of History’s clock, then democracy, along with its unwritten rules, is in mortal danger.IT’S A COMMONPLACE of political speeches, especially those delivered in ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 day ago

  • Sweet Moderation? What Christopher Luxon Could Learn From The Germans.
    Stuck In The Middle With You: As Christopher Luxon feels the hot breath of Act’s and NZ First’s extremists on the back of his neck and, as he reckons with the damage their policies are already inflicting upon a country he’s described as “fragile”, is there not some merit in reaching out ...
    Bowalley Road
    2 days ago

  • A clear warning
    The unpopular coalition government is currently rushing to repeal section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act. The clause is Oranga Tamariki's Treaty clause, and was inserted after its systematic stealing of Māori children became a public scandal and resulted in physical resistance to further abductions. The clause created clear obligations ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago

  • Poll results and Waitangi Tribunal report go unmentioned on the Beehive website – where racing tru...
    Buzz  from the Beehive The government’s official website – which Point of Order monitors daily – not for the first time has nothing much to say today about political happenings that are grabbing media headlines. It makes no mention of the latest 1News-Verian poll, for example.  This shows National down ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago

  • Listening To The Traffic.
    It Takes A Train To Cry: Surely, there is nothing lonelier in all this world than the long wail of a distant steam locomotive on a cold Winter’s night.AS A CHILD, I would lie awake in my grandfather’s house and listen to the traffic. The big wooden house was only a ...
    Bowalley Road
    2 days ago

  • Comity Be Damned! The State’s Legislative Arm Is Flexing Its Constitutional Muscles.
    Packing A Punch: The election of the present government, including in its ranks politicians dedicated to reasserting the rights of the legislature in shaping and determining the future of Māori and Pakeha in New Zealand, should have alerted the judiciary – including its anomalous appendage, the Waitangi Tribunal – that its ...
    Bowalley Road
    2 days ago

  • Ending The Quest.
    Dead Woman Walking: New Zealand’s media industry had been moving steadily towards disaster for all the years Melissa Lee had been National’s media and communications policy spokesperson, and yet, when the crisis finally broke, on her watch, she had nothing intelligent to offer. Christopher Luxon is a patient man - but he’s not ...
    Bowalley Road
    2 days ago

  • Will political polarisation intensify to the point where ‘normal’ government becomes impossible,...
    Chris Trotter writes –  New Zealand politics is remarkably easy-going: dangerously so, one might even say. With the notable exception of John Key’s flat ruling-out of the NZ First Party in 2008, all parties capable of clearing MMP’s five-percent threshold, or winning one or more electorate seats, tend ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Bernard’s pick 'n' mix for Tuesday, April 30
    TL;DR: Here’s my top 10 ‘pick ‘n’ mix of links to news, analysis and opinion articles as of 10:30am on Tuesday, May 30:Scoop: NZ 'close to the tipping point' of measles epidemic, health experts warn NZ Herald Benjamin PlummerHealth: 'Absurd and totally unacceptable': Man has to wait a year for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Why Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating in the country
    Bryce Edwards writes – Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Worst poll result for a new Government in MMP history
    Luxon will no doubt put a brave face on it, but there is no escaping the pressure this latest poll will put on him and the government. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Pinning down climate change's role in extreme weather
    This is a re-post from The Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler In the wake of any unusual weather event, someone inevitably asks, “Did climate change cause this?” In the most literal sense, that answer is almost always no. Climate change is never the sole cause of hurricanes, heat waves, droughts, or ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago

  • Serving at Seymour's pleasure.
    Something odd happened yesterday, and I’d love to know if there’s more to it. If there was something which preempted what happened, or if it was simply a throwaway line in response to a journalist.Yesterday David Seymour was asked at a press conference what the process would be if the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago

  • Webworm LA Pop-Up
    Hi,From time to time, I want to bring Webworm into the real world. We did it last year with the Jurassic Park event in New Zealand — which was a lot of fun!And so on Saturday May 11th, in Los Angeles, I am hosting a lil’ Webworm pop-up! I’ve been ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago

  • “Feel good” school is out
    Education Minister Erica Standford yesterday unveiled a fundamental reform of the way our school pupils are taught. She would not exactly say so, but she is all but dismantling the so-called “inquiry” “feel good” method of teaching, which has ruled in our classrooms since a major review of the New ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago

  • 6 Months in, surely our Report Card is “Ignored all warnings: recommend dismissal ASAP”?
    Exactly where are we seriously going with this government and its policies? That is, apart from following what may as well be a Truss-Lite approach on the purported economic “plan“, and Victorian-era regression when it comes to social policy. Oh it’ll work this time of course, we’re basically assured, “the ...
    exhALANtBy exhalantblog
    2 days ago

  • Bread, and how it gets buttered
    Hey Uncle Dave, When the Poms joined the EEC, I wasn't one of those defeatists who said, Well, that’s it for the dairy job. And I was right, eh? The Chinese can’t get enough of our milk powder and eventually, the Poms came to their senses and backed up the ute ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Why Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating in the country
    Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is higher than for any other mayor ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    2 days ago

  • Justice for Gaza?
    The New York Times reports that the International Criminal Court is about to issue arrest warrants for Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, over their genocide in Gaza: Israeli officials increasingly believe that the International Criminal Court is preparing to issue arrest warrants for senior government officials on ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • If there has been any fiddling with Pharmac’s funding, we can count on Paula to figure out the fis...
    Buzz from the Beehive Pharmac has been given a financial transfusion and a new chair to oversee its spending in the pharmaceutical business. Associate Health Minister David Seymour described the funding for Pharmac as “its largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff”. ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago

  • FastTrackWatch – The case for the Government’s Fast Track Bill
    Bryce Edwards writes – Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Bernard’s pick 'n' mix for Monday, April 29
    TL;DR: Here’s my top 10 ‘pick ‘n’ mix of links to news, analysis and opinion articles as of 10:10am on Monday, April 29:Scoop: The children's ward at Rotorua Hospital will be missing a third of its beds as winter hits because Te Whatu Ora halted an upgrade partway through to ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on Iran killing its rappers, and searching for the invisible Dr. Reti
    span class=”dropcap”>As hideous as David Seymour can be, it is worth keeping in mind occasionally that there are even worse political figures (and regimes) out there. Iran for instance, is about to execute the country’s leading hip hop musician Toomaj Salehi, for writing and performing raps that “corrupt” the nation’s ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    3 days ago

  • Auckland Rail Electrification 10 years old
    Yesterday marked 10 years since the first electric train carried passengers in Auckland so it’s a good time to look back at it and the impact it has had. A brief history The first proposals for rail electrification in Auckland came in the 1920’s alongside the plans for earlier ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    3 days ago

  • Coalition's dirge of austerity and uncertainty is driving the economy into a deeper recession
    Right now, in Aotearoa-NZ, our ‘animal spirits’ are darkening towards a winter of discontent, thanks at least partly to a chorus of negative comments and actions from the Government Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Disability Funding or Tax Cuts.
    You make people evil to punish the paststuck inside a sequel with a rotating castThe following photos haven’t been generated with AI, or modified in any way. They are flesh and blood, human beings. On the left is Galatea Young, a young mum, and her daughter Fiadh who has Angelman ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • Of the Goodness of Tolkien’s Eru
    April has been a quiet month at A Phuulish Fellow. I have had an exceptionally good reading month, and a decently productive writing month – for original fiction, anyway – but not much has caught my eye that suggested a blog article. It has been vaguely frustrating, to be honest. ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    3 days ago

  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #17
    A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 21, 2024 thru Sat, April 27, 2024. Story of the week Anthropogenic climate change may be the ultimate shaggy dog story— but with a twist, because here ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago

  • Pastor Who Abused People, Blames People
    Hi,I spent about a year on Webworm reporting on an abusive megachurch called Arise, and it made me want to stab my eyes out with a fork.I don’t regret that reporting in 2022 and 2023 — I am proud of it — but it made me angry.Over three main stories ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    3 days ago

  • Vic Uni shows how under threat free speech is
    The new Victoria University Vice-Chancellor decided to have a forum at the university about free speech and academic freedom as it is obviously a topical issue, and the Government is looking at legislating some carrots or sticks for universities to uphold their obligations under the Education and Training Act. They ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Winston remembers Gettysburg.
    Do you remember when Melania Trump got caught out using a speech that sounded awfully like one Michelle Obama had given? Uncannily so.Well it turns out that Abraham Lincoln is to Winston Peters as Michelle was to Melania. With the ANZAC speech Uncle Winston gave at Gallipoli having much in ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • 25
    She was born 25 years ago today in North Shore hospital. Her eyes were closed tightly shut, her mouth was silently moving. The whole theatre was all quiet intensity as they marked her a 2 on the APGAR test. A one-minute eternity later, she was an 8.  The universe was ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Fact Brief – Is Antarctica gaining land ice?
    Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park in collaboration with members from our Skeptical Science team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Is Antarctica gaining land ice? ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago

  • Policing protests.
    Images of US students (and others) protesting and setting up tent cities on US university campuses have been broadcast world wide and clearly demonstrate the growing rifts in US society caused by US policy toward Israel and Israel’s prosecution of … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    5 days ago

  • Open letter to Hon Paul Goldsmith
    Barrie Saunders writes – Dear Paul As the new Minister of Media and Communications, you will be inundated with heaps of free advice and special pleading, all in the national interest of course. For what it’s worth here is my assessment: Traditional broadcasting free to air content through ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: FastTrackWatch – The Case for the Government’s Fast Track Bill
    Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its arguments for such a bold reform. ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    5 days ago

  • Luxon gets out his butcher’s knife – briefly
    Peter Dunne writes –  The great nineteenth British Prime Minister, William Gladstone, once observed that “the first essential for a Prime Minister is to be a good butcher.” When a later British Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan, sacked a third of his Cabinet in July 1962, in what became ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • More tax for less
    Ele Ludemann writes – New Zealanders had the OECD’s second highest tax increase last year: New Zealanders faced the second-biggest tax raises in the developed world last year, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) says. The intergovernmental agency said the average change in personal income tax ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Real News vs Fake News.
    We all know something’s not right with our elections. The spread of misinformation, people being targeted with soundbites and emotional triggers that ignore the facts, even the truth, and influence their votes.The use of technology to produce deep fakes. How can you tell if something is real or not? Can ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • Another way to roll
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.Share ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • Simon Clark: The climate lies you'll hear this year
    This video includes conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Simon Clark. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). This year you will be lied to! Simon Clark helps prebunk some misleading statements you'll hear about climate. The video includes ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • Cutting the Public Service
    It is all very well cutting the backrooms of public agencies but it may compromise the frontlines. One of the frustrations of the Productivity Commission’s 2017 review of universities is that while it observed that their non-academic staff were increasing faster than their academic staff, it did not bother to ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    5 days ago

  • Luxon’s demoted ministers might take comfort from the British politician who bounced back after th...
    Buzz from the Beehive Two speeches delivered by Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters at Anzac Day ceremonies in Turkey are the only new posts on the government’s official website since the PM announced his Cabinet shake-up. In one of the speeches, Peters stated the obvious:  we live in a troubled ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • This is how I roll over
    1. Which of these would you not expect to read in The Waikato Invader?a. Luxon is here to do business, don’t you worry about thatb. Mr KPI expects results, and you better believe itc. This decisive man of action is getting me all hot and excitedd. Melissa Lee is how ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago

  • The Waitangi Tribunal is not “a roving Commission”…
    …it has a restricted jurisdiction which must not be abused: it is not an inquisition   NOTE – this article was published before the High Court ruled that Karen Chhour does not have to appear before the Waitangi Tribunal Gary Judd writes –  The High Court ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • Is Oranga Tamariki guilty of neglect?
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – One of reasons Oranga Tamariki exists is to prevent child neglect. But could the organisation itself be guilty of the same? Oranga Tamariki’s statistics show a decrease in the number and age of children in care. “There are less children ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • Three Strikes saw lower reoffending
    David Farrar writes: Graeme Edgeler wrote in 2017: In the first five years after three strikes came into effect 5248 offenders received a ‘first strike’ (that is, a “stage-1 conviction” under the three strikes sentencing regime), and 68 offenders received a ‘second strike’. In the five years prior to ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • Luxon’s ruthless show of strength is perfect for our angry era
    Bryce Edwards writes – Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesn’t normally happen in politics. That’s refreshing and will be extremely ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • 'Lacks attention to detail and is creating double-standards.'
    TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the two days to 6:06am on Thursday, April 25:Politics: PM Christopher Luxon has set up a dual standard for ministerial competence by demoting two National Cabinet ministers while leaving also-struggling ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • One Night Only!
    Hi,Today I mainly want to share some of your thoughts about the recent piece I wrote about success and failure, and the forces that seemingly guide our lives. But first, a quick bit of housekeeping: I am doing a Webworm popup in Los Angeles on Saturday May 11 at 2pm. ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago

  • What did Melissa Lee do?
    It is hard to see what Melissa Lee might have done to “save” the media. National went into the election with no public media policy and appears not to have developed one subsequently. Lee claimed that she had prepared a policy paper before the election but it had been decided ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago

  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #17 2024
    Open access notables Ice acceleration and rotation in the Greenland Ice Sheet interior in recent decades, Løkkegaard et al., Communications Earth & Environment: In the past two decades, mass loss from the Greenland ice sheet has accelerated, partly due to the speedup of glaciers. However, uncertainty in speed derived from satellite products ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago

  • Maori Party (with “disgust”) draws attention to Chhour’s race after the High Court rules on Wa...
    Buzz from the Beehive A statement from Children’s Minister Karen Chhour – yet to be posted on the Government’s official website – arrived in Point of Order’s email in-tray last night. It welcomes the High Court ruling on whether the Waitangi Tribunal can demand she appear before it. It does ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    7 days ago

  • Who’s Going Up The Media Mountain?
    Mr Bombastic: Ironically, the media the academic experts wanted is, in many ways, the media they got. In place of the tyrannical editors of yesteryear, advancing without fear or favour the interests of the ruling class; the New Zealand news media of today boasts a troop of enlightened journalists dedicated to ...
    Bowalley Road
    7 days ago

  • “That's how I roll”
    It's hard times try to make a livingYou wake up every morning in the unforgivingOut there somewhere in the cityThere's people living lives without mercy or pityI feel good, yeah I'm feeling fineI feel better then I have for the longest timeI think these pills have been good for meI ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    7 days ago

  • “Comity” versus the rule of law
    In 1974, the US Supreme Court issued its decision in United States v. Nixon, finding that the President was not a King, but was subject to the law and was required to turn over the evidence of his wrongdoing to the courts. It was a landmark decision for the rule ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago

  • Aotearoa: a live lab for failed Right-wing socio-economic zombie experiments once more…
    Every day now just seems to bring in more fresh meat for the grinder. In their relentlessly ideological drive to cut back on the “excessive bloat” (as they see it) of the previous Labour-led government, on the mountains of evidence accumulated in such a short period of time do not ...
    exhALANtBy exhalantblog
    1 week ago

  • Water is at the heart of farmers’ struggle to survive in Benin
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Megan Valére Sosou Market gardening site of the Itchèléré de Itagui agricultural cooperative in Dassa-Zoumè (Image credit: Megan Valère Sossou) For the residents of Dassa-Zoumè, a city in the West African country of Benin, choosing between drinking water and having enough ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago

  • At a time of media turmoil, Melissa had nothing to proclaim as Minister – and now she has been dem...
    Buzz from the Beehive   Melissa Lee – as may be discerned from the screenshot above – has not been demoted for doing something seriously wrong as Minister of ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 week ago

  • Minister acknowledges passing of Sir Robert Martin (KNZM)
    New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    10 hours ago

  • Speech to New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, Parliament – Annual Lecture: Challenges ...
    Good evening –   Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    11 hours ago

  • Accelerating airport security lines
    From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago

  • Community hui to talk about kina barrens
    People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago

  • Kiwi exporters win as NZ-EU FTA enters into force
    Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    19 hours ago

  • Mining resurgence a welcome sign
    There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago

  • Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill passes first reading
    The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Government to boost public EV charging network
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure.  The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Residential Property Managers Bill to not progress
    The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Independent review into disability support services
    The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Justice Minister updates UN on law & order plan
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Ending emergency housing motels in Rotorua
    The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Trade Minister travels to Riyadh, OECD, and Dubai
    Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Education priorities focused on lifting achievement
    Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • NZTA App first step towards digital driver licence
    The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say.  “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Supporting whānau out of emergency housing
    Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Tribute to Dave O'Sullivan
    Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Speech – Eid al-Fitr
    Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Government saves access to medicines
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff.    “Access to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwis’ lives. We’ve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Pharmac Chair appointed
    Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Taking action on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
    Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says.  “Every day, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

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