Armstrong slams National’s “disgraceful” arrogance

Written By: - Date published: 7:58 am, August 7th, 2010 - 41 comments
Categories: democracy under attack, Parliament - Tags: ,

Herald political editor John Armstrong has slammed National’s recent behaviour in Parliament saying it verges on “being a disgrace to itself and the institution”. This incredibly strong language from a senior journalist is the result of a National government that is undermining democratic accountability by refusing to seriously answer questions in Parliament. John Armstrong goes as far as to describe National’s attitude as “arrogant”.

Shame on National. That party’s behaviour in Parliament over the past couple of weeks has on occasion veered close to being a disgrace both to itself and the institution.

Those are incredibly strong words from a senior journalist. And the reason for Armstrong’s terse tone is the way government Ministers Gerry Brownlee and Steven Joyce decided they would first lie, then obfuscate, during Parliament’s question time about whether NZ’s income gap with Australia had grown.

What has been disturbing in this debacle, however, has been the way National has responded to parliamentary questions about the income gap. The low point came on Wednesday when Steven Joyce briefly deputised for Brownlee. Tributes to the fallen New Zealand soldier in Afghanistan had delayed normal proceedings and Brownlee had to leave to catch a plane before the House had got to his question.

A week earlier, Brownlee had told the House in response to a question from Labour that “yes”, the Government did have milestones by which it would measure the progress it was making towards closing the income gap, although he would not reveal them.

So eyebrows shot through the chamber’s ceiling when Joyce made the startling admission that there were, in fact, no such milestones. Even more startling was what Joyce said next. Brownlee had given Labour what was technically known as a “brush-off”. A perusal of Parliament’s standing orders fails to list a “brush-off” – technical or otherwise – as an acceptable means of answering a parliamentary question.

This is an incredibly serious attack on our democratic institution by Key Government ministers. Brownlee is Leader of the House and in that role should be helping to facilitate the running of Parliament, not undermining it. And Joyce as the Prime Minister’s closest Ministerial colleague should be doing likewise.

Parliament is the heart of public accountability. It’s a serious concern that National refuses to take the institution seriously.

It is true that the proceedings of Parliament often fly by under the public radar; listening to MPs talking is hardly the most popular past-time. But it’s incredibly arrogant of National to try to take advantage of this lack of interest by ignoring democratic accountability. This is yet another example an attack on democracy by the Key Government.

They won’t get away it.

41 comments on “Armstrong slams National’s “disgraceful” arrogance ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. tea 1
    7 August 2010 at 9:26 am

    I like this one too…

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10660113

    But in the article I picked up this:

    “Again, not a lot of people would have noticed that. Arguments about statistics do not make it to the top of the news bulletins.”

    I talked to someone yesterday who was intelligent and university educated who simply didn’t realise that Australian unions had played a big part in keeping wages comparatively high there, and that Howard had been voted out after the Work Rights bill there.

    If they can buy into the wages in NZ lower than Aussie line, and people leaving in droves line, why can’t they run a under unionised countrty sees wages lag line?

    This kind of thing where an Australian union is taking action in Australia to prevent us getting exploited and treated like a third world country should just be embararrased.

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10616878

    It’s not front page news because of the news media’s priorities.

    • Pascal's bookie 1.1
      7 August 2010 at 11:16 am

      What amazes me are the stories they bury in the “insider’ column, which is tucked in the back of every Friday’s “the business” liftout.

      Doesn’t make it online, natch. But it’s actual journalism, of the ” wanna know why x said weird thing y? Knowing z helps explain it”

      In the news pages they just report that x said y and that opponent a said b. z, doesn’t get reported, because it wasn’t in x‘s interest to say and presumably a didn’t know about it. Or some variation.

      But it (“the insider”) quite often contains news in the old sense of something that someone doesn’t want someone else to know. News that just reports what x and <a have to say about something is the opposite of this. That’s telling people what someone wants them to know.

      If you don’t explain why that someone wants that message out, are you working for the reader, or the subject of the article?

      Journalists should be tattle-tales, is what they are fucking for.

      I’m glad that column exists, but it frustrates that it’s so little, so buried. (it’s also inconsistent and often shallow gossip, but that’s news, and still more valuable than much of what hits the front page)

      • tea 1.1.1
        7 August 2010 at 11:33 am

        Also that John Keys vascetomies and school girls fainting for him are in ‘nation’ or lead story and commentary or opposition can get buried under the ‘politics’ heading down the bottom of the page.

        • Pascal's bookie 1.1.1.1
          7 August 2010 at 11:54 am

          Exactly.

          Some ‘media event’ gets reported as news, and policy issues are reported along the lines of what pollies x and y say about it. Analysis is then given of how what they said will play among the voters, ‘who looks good, smart strong’ (looks good to whom exactly is often left unsaid), who ‘won the day’.

          This is absolutely useless. First up, how the fuck does the journo know how it will play among the voters? On what authority can they say that? If they have polling data, they should report it, otherwise they should stop pretending to know what voters think, and just report on the things they do have access to. Report on the politicians, and the policy, and leave the bloody voters out of it.

          The voters are relying on journo’s to explain what the policies are, how they fit into the political game playing, and who stands to benefit from those policies and games. They do not need to be told what they, as voters, collectively think about it. Especially given that is something the journo does not have any insight into. They do however have some control over how voters feel about things, because they are the source for voters information.

          And so, if journo’s want to be proven clever, and right and oracular, they report and shape public opinion, and focus their journalsim on that. Journalism as self fulfilling prophecy. Onto it politicians from all sides can use that sort of journalism quite nicely thank you very much.

          Citizens? Not so much.

          rant over.

          • Olwyn 1.1.1.1.1
            7 August 2010 at 12:35 pm

            Indeed. I am particularly amused/incensed by Duncan Garner’s frequent, “Of course the perception is…” in cases where the only perception he can possibly be referring to is his own.

            Anti-spam word: accuracy

            • roger nome 1.1.1.1.1.1
              7 August 2010 at 1:44 pm

              Garner usually assumes the role of National Party shill. He fits the bill perfectly (He’s so closet he now sees better at night time). Why must these repressed tories take thier masochistic tendancies out on the rest of society?

          • loota 1.1.1.1.2
            7 August 2010 at 12:46 pm

            Next Labour Govt should use RNZ and TVNZ to remind our citizens what solid frakking journalism is about.

            Half the peeps who are ‘journalists’ now can leave and go work for Truth.

            (Would be a brave thing to do as a strong Fourth Estate will also make life so much harder as a pollie)

            captcha: tables (turned?)

            • Jacqui 1.1.1.1.2.1
              7 August 2010 at 1:26 pm

              Nothing will change unless people complain and demand higher standards of their media. Anyone who has the time to whine on blogs about such issues, should cut and paste their concerns to the two media watchdogs (press complaints & broadcasting standards) – don’t bother writing to the TV cos or newspapers, as nothing will happen. The media have no choice but moderate their reporting if enough people complain to the authorities. Make it your election year promise.

            • Rex Widerstrom 1.1.1.1.2.2
              7 August 2010 at 5:28 pm

              Next Labour Govt should use RNZ and TVNZ to remind our citizens what solid frakking journalism is about.

              “…by according them significantly better public funding on the condition that this all be directed to current affairs and news and primarily be used to re-hire senior, experienced people from PR and communications”, surely …not “use” them the way Goebbels would?

              I’d love to get back to reporting, but not at the derisive salaries media offers for most jobs. There’s senior roles that pay a decent wage, but those that have them and don’t want to go into PR hold on for dear life, which is why the same faces, voices and bylines appear time after time, even when they’re clearly tired. The majority of reporters are paid less than the average tradesperson, though their “trade” is a vital part of our democracy.

              Improving the quality of reporting is one thing where money does make a measurable difference. However in no way can that be tied to any government intereference in content or the best journalists won’t want a bar of it, no matter what the salary.

              • Draco T Bastard …
                7 August 2010 at 7:52 pm

                However in no way can that be tied to any government intereference in content or the best journalists won’t want a bar of it, no matter what the salary.

                Then why are they there now when there’s so obviously interference from upper management/owners now? I think you’re attributing more moral strength to journalists than they actually have.

                • Rex Widerstrom …
                  7 August 2010 at 8:43 pm

                  Not denying there is now (though pointing out my comment was in the context of TVNZ / RNZ… you’ll get varying degrees at different news organisations across the country and across the world).

                  I’m saying that if there were a state-funded (but not state-controlled) news organisation that was well resourced and could afford to pay a few older and wiser heads to return to the profession then that would lift standards… but that those people (myself included) wouldn’t give up PR for… well, PR disguised as journalism. I’d rather be honest about being a shill.

                  Sure journalists generally don’t stand up to proprietors. But that’s at least partly because they have nowhere to go that isn’t either biased or totally screwed by the state of the market (e.g. a small community newspaper which can barely afford to pay you to stick your byline on press releases).

                  • Draco T Bastard …
                    7 August 2010 at 9:12 pm

                    State support of a news organisation is the way to go if we want real news coverage but, yes, state control is obviously out. Even if you managed to get state control completely out of the equation, which shouldn’t be too hard, there’ll still be such accusations anyway.

                    Sure journalists generally don’t stand up to proprietors. But that’s at least partly because they have nowhere to go…

                    And is one of the reasons why authoritarians such as NACT like high unemployment. People will do as they’re told to keep food on the table and a roof over their head.

  2. Name 2
    7 August 2010 at 9:29 am

    Yes, they will get away with it.

    Public respect for and expectation of politicians is already below that for used-car salesmen and financial advisors so this behaviour simply confirms that we can expect nothing better.

    Frankly no-one with any shred of personal integrity would today consider becoming a politician so we are doomed to enduring the current crop of fifth-rate intellects and egos, and their wanna-be successors, until such time as Parliamentary salaries and perks are reduced to the same level as teachers, policemen and nurses and their ilk who do the really important work in society.

  3. Craig Glen Eden 3
    7 August 2010 at 9:35 am

    Thank goodness someone is outing this disgraceful behavior. I have been watching the questioning over the wages gap. Not only do they lie about the information and its interpretation but they then tell fantasy stories about the previous Governments History.

    While I accept you can argue from two different sides of a coin National ( Key, English, Brownlee,) are just lying. They will continue to get away with it until it is reported and the people start saying A what is the truth here and B thats not right that these political leaders are lying.

    The sad thing in this is that this level of arrogance has in some ways been created by the media and people like Mr Armstrong. John Key and his cabinet have never been asked hard questions and they have therefore not had the bad headlines that scream somethings not right here Eg Key fails to front on the Budget bla, bla.

    So the people are unaware because all they get is Key smiling and waving and the media going we like him he is so candid, candid that is when he is talking some bullshit I had a phone call from Bill and Mary story. The other thing he does when talking to the media is to say nothing ( Worth ) or say thats it Im finished bye. Once again this has worked for him because the Journos have let him get away with it. Until they start reporting on what’s actually going on then the current arrangement will continue because it works for them and the polls are telling them its its a successful strategy.

    • Herodotus 3.1
      7 August 2010 at 10:53 am

      CGE- yo appear to write as if this is a phenomenon. The political system has been failing us for quite some time. (If it ever did succeed in being for the peoples benefit) journalists have taken the easy route, and with fluf reporting and 30 sec sound bites could we expect anything else?
      I believe that Lockwood has made an attempt to realign things and restore any order to proceedings. But yet again we see the system destorying the individuals desires. I am sure that this has occuerre to the majority of MP’s. Great intentions but the system just oppresses them into summittance.
      JK is very photogenic and looks great in a flack jacket. Re NZ Herald this week, what more do we want from a leader?
      All that can be done is the scratched record of just asking the same question. (It worked for Lockwood regarding the Philip Field affair). It helps if the right Lab MP is asking the questions, and give that Lab MP this one topic to hound and harras. The easy way for Nats to deflect is to throw the question back to Lab, where is your answer? Political games with no winner

  4. prism 4
    7 August 2010 at 11:09 am

    The wages gap thing is such a shadow curtain of aspiration by governments, and it is a worry that defending statements on it are so important to the NACT government.

    What then is happening behind the shadow curtain? What about the real policies for which we need facts and efficacy presented so they can be examined and monitored? Smoke and mirrors. Government passing its edicts using urgency for instance – shouldn’t be allowed.

    We watch with horror as our democratic conventions are circumvented – are we as helpless as those watching the vast buddha artifacts destroyed by the Taliban? We need a constitution or some effective law to protect our democracry against depradations from the latest johnies-come-lately. They are a bunch of vandals who have got power and then use and abuse the fabric of democracy. tear at and weaken it for their short-term, narrow-minded, self-centred machinations.

  5. Chris 5
    7 August 2010 at 11:12 am

    Armstrong’s past columns and evidence of shonky thinking render his ‘senior journalist’ tag meaningless, and consequently, he can pen a column wagging a finger at Brownless for little effect.

    Armstrong is his own worst enemy by his behaviour, which I suspect he thought he was being clever, but wasn’t so in fact. Pity he’s unaware of it.

  6. Santi 6
    7 August 2010 at 11:56 am

    Unfortunately, National can get away with this sort of thing because the opposition is non-existent.

    Goff is a hopeless leader. Only when he goes, the party will start having a chance to regain power.
    That should happen circa 2020 or 2023.

    • gobsmacked 6.1
      7 August 2010 at 12:05 pm

      The opposition was outstanding. Watch the clips that Armstrong refers to. Ministers on toast.

      Armstrong is right. The headlines today may not be about National’s lies and emptiness.

      But the election will be.

      • ghostwhowalksnz 6.1.1
        7 August 2010 at 2:25 pm

        The headlines today Saturday at 2:30 PM are about Chris Carter !!

        • gobsmacked 6.1.1.1
          7 August 2010 at 2:44 pm

          But the election won’t be.

          The Carter story is inevitable today, with the council meeting. But irrelevant to the voters in 2011.

          The people who march and protest in Dunedin, in Auckland, in Christchurch, are not marching about Chris Carter. They care about their real lives. Real issues. And that’s what they’ll be voting on at the election.

          Journos think politics is only there to entertain them, so they get excited about soap opera politics. Fortunately, the public don’t.

      • Rosy 6.1.2
        8 August 2010 at 5:55 pm

        Yes, Labour was outstanding, especially, IMO Clayton Cosgrove. His speech after question time was hard-hitting, relevant and reportable. But of course, it any mention of it seems to be missing from the MSM.

  7. coolas 7
    7 August 2010 at 12:15 pm

    I saw this. Joyce grinned his way through the ‘brush off’ exchange.

    Parker asked the question. Whip Tremain, obviously briefed by Brownie tried to deflect, but Mallard forced Lockwood into a looking out of his depth, and partisan, when he wouldn’t/couldn’t rule on ‘brush off’. Instead he ‘told off’ a backbencher for shouting. Pathetic. (this stuff aint boring to me)

    Labour should start being real tough with Lockwood. “Mr Speaker is it acceptable for Ministers to lie to the House?” Again and again.

    Weakening the authority of the Speaker to the point of ‘no confidence’ is what Lookawoody deserves if he doesn’t act soon.

    • Herodotus 7.1
      7 August 2010 at 12:35 pm

      If Lab tried that using the word “Lie” they will be banished out of the chamber. That word Ifrom recollection is about as bad a word that can be used within Parliament. Then it would appear that Labour is directionless and ill disciplined as they would tally up the greatest number of expulsions. It would just reaffirm peoples impressions of parliament and MP’s. Preschool adults playing games and being well rewarded and all the perks.

      • coolas 7.1.1
        7 August 2010 at 2:08 pm

        So they have to say, “Mr Speaker, the other side are being economical with the truth.”

        • loota 7.1.1.1
          7 August 2010 at 2:20 pm

          “So stingy with the truth that in fact, Mr Speaker, they make Scrooge McDuck look like Mother Teresa”

        • Akldnut 7.1.1.2
          7 August 2010 at 3:26 pm

          “Mr Speaker, the Nat Govt are treating the truth like election policies, they’re not telling anyone”.’

  8. BLiP 8
    7 August 2010 at 1:28 pm

    About time, Mr Armstrong, about time. Perhaps now you might like to exercise yourself about the contempt for parliament shown regarding the “blind” trusts – or how about the use of Urgency – or maybe the lies in relation to ACC – its not just this latest dishonesty which defines National Ltdâ„¢.

    • Draco T Bastard 8.1
      7 August 2010 at 2:09 pm

      Bingo, Armstrong is still in NACTs pockets as he undoubtedly won’t address these lies by National.

  9. burt 9
    7 August 2010 at 3:25 pm

    I though Armstrong was a hack for National;

    A love that will not die

    • Craig Glen Eden 9.1
      7 August 2010 at 4:56 pm

      He is burt but it looks like even he can now see what we have been witnessing over the past 18 months.
      What he has probably realised is that the country is now in serious trouble and National have no plan. Pretty scary when your cheerleaders realise shit we have pumped this bloke up and his team and enabled it to happen,
      Maybe he is having a Saul moment “oh shit that makes me part of the political process instead of just reporting on it” and is trying to make amends

      Anti-spam word CONSEQUENCE.

    • burt 9.2
      7 August 2010 at 6:38 pm

      Ooops, buggered up that link above; A love that will not die

      • Draco T Bastard 9.2.1
        7 August 2010 at 9:16 pm

        two things burt:
        1.) Things change – even fans can get weary
        2.) He still hasn’t made a great deal about all of Nationals other lies which would tend to indicate that his love hasn’t died

  10. Arandar 10
    7 August 2010 at 4:36 pm

    I’ve stopped my daily papers. I’ve stopped getting the Listener. I MySky the TV programmes I like and watch them later without the flamin commercials and all the BS. I find news and commentary and real journalism on line. I get opinion from these blogsites. Stuff the MSM. I’m sick of being played for a fool. I’ll not give them another $ if I can avoid it.

    • tea 10.1
      7 August 2010 at 9:03 pm

      the Listener used to be a prominent national periodical. Used to subscribe. Have scarely read it in 3 years and when I did nothing new was brought to my attention nor was there any fresh or well argued point of view in it.

  11. Tiger Mountain 11
    7 August 2010 at 5:19 pm

    The simpering Armstrong will be back to usual by next week, or looking for new employment. Fair enough for him to verge on accurate reporting for once when confronted with evidence like this, but not a practice likely to be often repeated I would suggest.

  12. Mac1 12
    7 August 2010 at 7:22 pm

    Before the last election, an Editor told a senior Labour politician that the job of the media was “to change governments.”

    I think the news has travelled north to Armstrong.

    When that worm turns, the NACT government will be casts in the political lawn- ready for the roller.

  13. pollywog 13
    7 August 2010 at 7:55 pm

    we need a new, young, guerilla minded breed of journos who will take to task the entrenched hacks and minor celebrities the msm have become.

    people who will stalk teh journos, run after them, knock on their home doors, stick a camera and mic in their face and ask them the hard questions about why they’re not asking the hard questions of the politicians.

    msm reporters are as much public figures whose lives should be placed under the same process of scrutiny as they place others under.

    I’d love to see duncan garner get accosted in an airport lounge or door knocked with a live cross to his house in the evening and asked for comment on a ‘real’ political story.

  14. peterthepeasant 14
    7 August 2010 at 9:15 pm

    If Armstrong is that publicly upset you can bet that a lot of Nat insiders are also
    pissed off.

    There is a power play going on.

    JA is infatuated with JK.

  15. tc 15
    8 August 2010 at 9:07 am

    All in the name of perceived ‘balance’ from JA who must’ve had his idols not invite him to a lunch or something to pen this rant…….a pathetic excuse for a senior political journo with plenty of mates.

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    How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log on iPhone Without a Computer: A Step–by–Step Guide Losing your iPhone call history can be frustrating, especially when you need to find a specific number or recall an important conversation. But before you panic, know that there are ways to retrieve deleted call logs on your iPhone, even without a computer. This guide will explore various methods, ranging from simple checks to utilizing iCloud backups and third–party applications. So, let‘s dive in and recover those lost calls! 1. Check Recently Deleted Folder: Apple understands that accidental deletions happen. That‘s why they introduced the “Recently Deleted“ folder for various apps, including the Phone app. This folder acts as a safety net, storing deleted call logs for up to 30 days before permanently erasing them. Here‘s how to check it: Open the Phone app on your iPhone. Tap on the “Recents“ tab at the bottom. Scroll to the top and tap on “Edit“. Select “Show Recently Deleted“. Browse the list to find the call logs you want to recover. Tap on the desired call log and choose “Recover“ to restore it to your call history. 2. Restore from iCloud Backup: If you regularly back up your iPhone to iCloud, you might be able to retrieve your deleted call log from a previous backup. However, keep in mind that this process will restore your entire phone to the state it was in at the time of the backup, potentially erasing any data added since then. Here‘s how to restore from an iCloud backup: Go to Settings > General > Reset. Choose “Erase All Content and Settings“. Follow the on–screen instructions. Your iPhone will restart and show the initial setup screen. Choose “Restore from iCloud Backup“ during the setup process. Select the relevant backup that contains your deleted call log. Wait for the restoration process to complete. 3. Explore Third–Party Apps (with Caution): ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • How to Factory Reset iPhone without Computer: A Comprehensive Guide to Restoring your Device
    Life throws curveballs, and sometimes, those curveballs necessitate wiping your iPhone clean and starting anew. Whether you’re facing persistent software glitches, preparing to sell your device, or simply wanting a fresh start, knowing how to factory reset iPhone without a computer is a valuable skill. While using a computer with ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • How to Call Someone on a Computer: A Guide to Voice and Video Communication in the Digital Age
    Gone are the days when communication was limited to landline phones and physical proximity. Today, computers have become powerful tools for connecting with people across the globe through voice and video calls. But with a plethora of applications and methods available, how to call someone on a computer might seem ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #16 2024
    Open access notables Glacial isostatic adjustment reduces past and future Arctic subsea permafrost, Creel et al., Nature Communications: Sea-level rise submerges terrestrial permafrost in the Arctic, turning it into subsea permafrost. Subsea permafrost underlies ~ 1.8 million km2 of Arctic continental shelf, with thicknesses in places exceeding 700 m. Sea-level variations over glacial-interglacial cycles control ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 day ago

  • Where on a Computer is the Operating System Generally Stored? Delving into the Digital Home of your ...
    The operating system (OS) is the heart and soul of a computer, orchestrating every action and interaction between hardware and software. But have you ever wondered where on a computer is the operating system generally stored? The answer lies in the intricate dance between hardware and software components, particularly within ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • How Many Watts Does a Laptop Use? Understanding Power Consumption and Efficiency
    Laptops have become essential tools for work, entertainment, and communication, offering portability and functionality. However, with rising energy costs and growing environmental concerns, understanding a laptop’s power consumption is more important than ever. So, how many watts does a laptop use? The answer, unfortunately, isn’t straightforward. It depends on several ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • How to Screen Record on a Dell Laptop A Guide to Capturing Your Screen with Ease
    Screen recording has become an essential tool for various purposes, such as creating tutorials, capturing gameplay footage, recording online meetings, or sharing information with others. Fortunately, Dell laptops offer several built-in and external options for screen recording, catering to different needs and preferences. This guide will explore various methods on ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • How Much Does it Cost to Fix a Laptop Screen? Navigating Repair Options and Costs
    A cracked or damaged laptop screen can be a frustrating experience, impacting productivity and enjoyment. Fortunately, laptop screen repair is a common service offered by various repair shops and technicians. However, the cost of fixing a laptop screen can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article delves into the ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • How Long Do Gaming Laptops Last? Demystifying Lifespan and Maximizing Longevity
    Gaming laptops represent a significant investment for passionate gamers, offering portability and powerful performance for immersive gaming experiences. However, a common concern among potential buyers is their lifespan. Unlike desktop PCs, which allow for easier component upgrades, gaming laptops have inherent limitations due to their compact and integrated design. This ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • Climate Change: Turning the tide
    The annual inventory report of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions has been released, showing that gross emissions have dropped for the third year in a row, to 78.4 million tons: All-told gross emissions have decreased by over 6 million tons since the Zero Carbon Act was passed in 2019. ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago

  • How to Unlock Your Computer A Comprehensive Guide to Regaining Access
    Experiencing a locked computer can be frustrating, especially when you need access to your files and applications urgently. The methods to unlock your computer will vary depending on the specific situation and the type of lock you encounter. This guide will explore various scenarios and provide step-by-step instructions on how ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • Faxing from Your Computer A Modern Guide to Sending Documents Digitally
    While the world has largely transitioned to digital communication, faxing still holds relevance in certain industries and situations. Fortunately, gone are the days of bulky fax machines and dedicated phone lines. Today, you can easily send and receive faxes directly from your computer, offering a convenient and efficient way to ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • Protecting Your Home Computer A Guide to Cyber Awareness
    In our increasingly digital world, home computers have become essential tools for work, communication, entertainment, and more. However, this increased reliance on technology also exposes us to various cyber threats. Understanding these threats and taking proactive steps to protect your home computer is crucial for safeguarding your personal information, finances, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • Server-Based Computing Powering the Modern Digital Landscape
    In the ever-evolving world of technology, server-based computing has emerged as a cornerstone of modern digital infrastructure. This article delves into the concept of server-based computing, exploring its various forms, benefits, challenges, and its impact on the way we work and interact with technology. Understanding Server-Based Computing: At its core, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • Vroom vroom go the big red trucks
    The absolute brass neck of this guy.We want more medical doctors, not more spin doctors, Luxon was saying a couple of weeks ago, and now we’re told the guy has seven salaried adults on TikTok duty. Sorry, doing social media. The absolute brass neck of it. The irony that the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 day ago

  • Jones finds $410,000 to help the government muscle in on a spat project
    Buzz from the Beehive Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones relishes spatting and eagerly takes issue with environmentalists who criticise his enthusiasm for resource development. He relishes helping the fishing industry too. And so today, while the media are making much of the latest culling in the public service to ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 day ago

  • Again, hate crimes are not necessarily terrorism.
    Having written, taught and worked for the US government on issues involving unconventional warfare and terrorism for 30-odd years, two things irritate me the most when the subject is discussed in public. The first is the Johnny-come-lately academics-turned-media commentators who … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    2 days ago

  • Despair – construction consenting edition
    Eric Crampton writes – Kainga Ora is the government’s house building agency. It’s been building a lot of social housing. Kainga Ora has its own (but independent) consenting authority, Consentium. It’s a neat idea. Rather than have to deal with building consents across each different territorial authority, Kainga Ora ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Coalition promises – will the Govt keep the commitment to keep Kiwis equal before the law?
    Muriel Newman writes – The Coalition Government says it is moving with speed to deliver campaign promises and reverse the damage done by Labour. One of their key commitments is to “defend the principle that New Zealanders are equal before the law.” To achieve this, they have pledged they “will not advance ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • An impermanent public service is a guarantee of very little else but failure
    Chris Trotter writes –  The absence of anything resembling a fightback from the public servants currently losing their jobs is interesting. State-sector workers’ collective fatalism in the face of Coalition cutbacks indicates a surprisingly broad acceptance of impermanence in the workplace. Fifty years ago, lay-offs in the thousands ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • What happens after the war – Mariupol
    Mariupol, on the Azov Sea coast, was one of the first cities to suffer almost complete destruction after the start of the Ukraine War started in late February 2022. We remember the scenes of absolute destruction of the houses and city structures. The deaths of innocent civilians – many of ...
    Open ParachuteBy Ken
    2 days ago

  • Babies and benefits – no good news
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – Ten years ago, I wrote the following in a Listener column: Every year around one in five new-born babies will be reliant on their caregivers benefit by Christmas. This pattern has persisted from at least 1993. For Maori the number jumps to over one in three.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Should the RBNZ be looking through climate inflation?
    Climate change is expected to generate more and more extreme events, delivering a sort of structural shock to inflation that central banks will have to react to as if they were short-term cyclical issues. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours, as of 9:16 am on Thursday, April 18 are:Housing: Tauranga residents living in boats, vans RNZ Checkpoint Louise TernouthHousing: Waikato councillor says wastewater plant issues could hold up Sleepyhead building a massive company town Waikato Times Stephen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on the public sector carnage, and misogyny as terrorism
    It’s a simple deal. We pay taxes in order to finance the social services we want and need. The carnage now occurring across the public sector though, is breaking that contract. Over 3,000 jobs have been lost so far. Many are in crucial areas like Education where the impact of ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    2 days ago

  • Meeting the Master Baiters
    Hi,A friend had their 40th over the weekend and decided to theme it after Curb Your Enthusiasm fashion icon Susie Greene. Captured in my tiny kitchen before I left the house, I ending up evoking a mix of old lesbian and Hillary Clinton — both unintentional.Me vs Hillary ClintonIf you’re ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago

  • How extreme was the Earth's temperature in 2023
    This is a re-post from Andrew Dessler at the Climate Brink blog In 2023, the Earth reached temperature levels unprecedented in modern times. Given that, it’s reasonable to ask: What’s going on? There’s been lots of discussions by scientists about whether this is just the normal progression of global warming or if something ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago

  • Backbone, revisited
    The schools are on holiday and the sun is shining in the seaside village and all day long I have been seeing bunches of bikes; Mums, Dads, teens and toddlers chattering, laughing, happy, having a bloody great time together. Cheers, AT, for the bits of lane you’ve added lately around the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago

  • Ministers are not above the law
    Today in our National-led authoritarian nightmare: Shane Jones thinks Ministers should be above the law: New Zealand First MP Shane Jones is accusing the Waitangi Tribunal of over-stepping its mandate by subpoenaing a minister for its urgent hearing on the Oranga Tamariki claim. The tribunal is looking into the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago

  • What’s the outfit you can hear going down the gurgler? Probably it’s David Parker’s Oceans Sec...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point  of Order first heard of the Oceans Secretariat in June 2021, when David Parker (remember him?) announced a multi-agency approach to protecting New Zealand’s marine ecosystems and fisheries. Parker (holding the Environment, and Oceans and Fisheries portfolios) broke the news at the annual Forest & ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago

  • Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Bryce Edwards writes  – Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Matt Doocey doubles down on trans “healthcare”
    Citizen Science writes –  Last week saw two significant developments in the debate over the treatment of trans-identifying children and young people – the release in Britain of the final report of Dr Hilary Cass’s review into gender healthcare, and here in New Zealand, the news that the ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • A TikTok Prime Minister.
    One night while sleeping in my bed I had a beautiful dreamThat all the people of the world got together on the same wavelengthAnd began helping one anotherNow in this dream, universal love was the theme of the dayPeace and understanding and it happened this wayAfter such an eventful day ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • Texas Lessons
    This is a guest post by Oscar Simms who is a housing activist, volunteer for the Coalition for More Homes, and was the Labour Party candidate for Auckland Central at the last election. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    3 days ago

  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links at 6:06 am
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours as of 6:06 am on Wednesday, April 17 are:Must read: Secrecy shrouds which projects might be fast-tracked RNZ Farah HancockScoop: Revealed: Luxon has seven staffers working on social media content - partly paid for by taxpayer Newshub ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Fighting poverty on the holiday highway
    Turning what Labour called the “holiday highway” into a four-lane expressway from Auckland to Whangarei could bring at least an economic benefit of nearly two billion a year for Northland each year. And it could help bring an end to poverty in one of New Zealand’s most deprived regions. The ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago

  • Bernard's six-stack of substacks at 6:26 pm
    Tonight’s six-stack includes: launching his substack with a bunch of his previous documentaries, including this 1992 interview with Dame Whina Cooper. and here crew give climate activists plenty to do, including this call to submit against the Fast Track Approvals bill. writes brilliantly here on his substack ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • At a glance – Is the science settled?
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago

  • Apposite Quotations.
    How Long Is Long Enough? Gaza under Israeli bombardment, July 2014. This posting is exclusive to Bowalley Road. ...
    Bowalley Road
    3 days ago

  • What’s a life worth now?
    You're in the mall when you hear it: some kind of popping sound in the distance, kids with fireworks, maybe. But then a moment of eerie stillness is followed by more of the fireworks sound and there’s also screaming and shrieking and now here come people running for their lives.Does ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • Howling at the Moon
    Karl du Fresne writes –  There’s a crisis in the news media and the media are blaming it on everyone except themselves. Culpability is being deflected elsewhere – mainly to the hapless Minister of Communications, Melissa Lee, and the big social media platforms that are accused of hoovering ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Newshub is Dead.
    I don’t normally send out two newsletters in a day but I figured I’d say something about… the news. If two newsletters is a bit much then maybe just skip one, I don’t want to overload people. Alternatively if you’d be interested in sometimes receiving multiple, smaller updates from me, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • Seymour is chuffed about cutting early-learning red tape – but we hear, too, that Jones has loose...
    Buzz from the Beehive David Seymour and Winston Peters today signalled that at least two ministers of the Crown might be in Wellington today. Seymour (as Associate Minister of Education) announced the removal of more red tape, this time to make it easier for new early learning services to be ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. Our political system is suffering from the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago

  • Was Hawkesby entirely wrong?
    David Farrar  writes –  The Broadcasting Standards Authority ruled: Comments by radio host Kate Hawkesby suggesting Māori and Pacific patients were being prioritised for surgery due to their ethnicity were misleading and discriminatory, the Broadcasting Standards Authority has found. It is a fact such patients are prioritised. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • PRC shadow looms as the Solomons head for election
    PRC and its proxies in Solomons have been preparing for these elections for a long time. A lot of money, effort and intelligence have gone into ensuring an outcome that won’t compromise Beijing’s plans. Cleo Paskall writes – On April 17th the Solomon Islands, a country of ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Climate Change: Criminal ecocide
    We are in the middle of a climate crisis. Last year was (again) the hottest year on record. NOAA has just announced another global coral bleaching event. Floods are threatening UK food security. So naturally, Shane Jones wants to make it easier to mine coal: Resources Minister Shane Jones ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago

  • Is saving one minute of a politician's time worth nearly $1 billion?
    Is speeding up the trip to and from Wellington airport by 12 minutes worth spending up more than $10 billion? Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me in the last day to 8:26 am today are:The Lead: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • Long Tunnel or Long Con?
    Yesterday it was revealed that Transport Minister had asked Waka Kotahi to look at the options for a long tunnel through Wellington. State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    4 days ago

  • Smoke And Mirrors.
    You're a fraud, and you know itBut it's too good to throw it all awayAnyone would do the sameYou've got 'em goingAnd you're careful not to show itSometimes you even fool yourself a bitIt's like magicBut it's always been a smoke and mirrors gameAnyone would do the sameForty six billion ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • What is Mexico doing about climate change?
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections The June general election in Mexico could mark a turning point in ensuring that the country’s climate policies better reflect the desire of its citizens to address the climate crisis, with both leading presidential candidates expressing support for renewable energy. Mexico is the ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago

  • State of humanity, 2024
    2024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?When I say 2024 I really mean the state of humanity in 2024.Saturday night, we watched Civil War because that is one terrifying cliff we've ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Govt’s Wellington tunnel vision aims to ease the way to the airport (but zealous promoters of cycl...
    Buzz from the Beehive A pet project and governmental tunnel vision jump out from the latest batch of ministerial announcements. The government is keen to assure us of its concern for the wellbeing of our pets. It will be introducing pet bonds in a change to the Residential Tenancies Act ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • The case for cultural connectedness
    A recent report generated from a Growing Up in New Zealand (GUiNZ) survey of 1,224 rangatahi Māori aged 11-12 found: Cultural connectedness was associated with fewer depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms and better quality of life. That sounds cut and dry. But further into the report the following appears: Cultural connectedness is ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Useful context on public sector job cuts
    David Farrar writes –    The Herald reports: From the gory details of job-cuts news, you’d think the public service was being eviscerated.   While the media’s view of the cuts is incomplete, it’s also true that departments have been leaking the particulars faster than a Wellington ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell On When Racism Comes Disguised As Anti-racism
    Remember the good old days, back when New Zealand had a PM who could think and speak calmly and intelligently in whole sentences without blustering? Even while Iran’s drones and missiles were still being launched, Helen Clark was live on TVNZ expertly summing up the latest crisis in the Middle ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    5 days ago

  • Govt ignored economic analysis of smokefree reversal
    Costello did not pass on analysis of the benefits of the smokefree reforms to Cabinet, emphasising instead the extra tax revenues of repealing them. Photo: Hagen Hopkins, Getty Images TL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me at 7:26 am today are:The Lead: Casey Costello never passed on ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago

  • True Blue.
    True loveYou're the one I'm dreaming ofYour heart fits me like a gloveAnd I'm gonna be true blueBaby, I love youI’ve written about the job cuts in our news media last week. The impact on individuals, and the loss to Aotearoa of voices covering our news from different angles.That by ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • Who is running New Zealand’s foreign policy?
    While commentators, including former Prime Minister Helen Clark, are noting a subtle shift in New Zealand’s foreign policy, which now places more emphasis on the United States, many have missed a key element of the shift. What National said before the election is not what the government is doing now. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago

  • $41m to support clean energy in South East Asia
    New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    11 hours ago

  • Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder list
    The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago

  • Judicial appointments announced
    Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    14 hours ago

  • Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
    Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa.  The summit is co-hosted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago

  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
    A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago

  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.    “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago

  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
    Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago

  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners.  “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government backing mussel spat project
    The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government focused on getting people into work
    Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
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