At home with David Cunliffe

Written By: - Date published: 10:38 pm, May 12th, 2014 - 117 comments
Categories: leadership - Tags:

A really nice piece from Campbell Live tonight. It’s useful to see the leaders of political parties at home. It gives a better sense of who they are than the stage-managed set pieces and soundbites we usually see them though.

And from the Campell Live piece it’s clear that David Cunliffe is the kind of decent bloke you’d want to be looking out for our interests. His wife Karen is extremely accomplished too. A perfect couple.

Looking forward to his chat here tomorrow evening.

Recommended viewing.

 

117 comments on “At home with David Cunliffe ”

  1. Mike the Savage One 1

    So far I had some doubts about David Cunliffe, but the Campbell Live visit to his and his wife Karen’s home, and the rather friendly conversation and general presentation have given me a more positive impression of the man leading Labour.

    His wife’s environmental passions do add to a positive flair about the Cunliffes. They will have their challenges too, I am sure, but I have gained more trust in David after seeing the program. He is not the smart acting “fake” John Key often is, David is actually a somewhat natural, and soft guy, who I would rather have as leader than the present PM.

    But then again, such shows performances may also be seen a bit like staged performances, are they not?

    At least David is able to be a reasonable contender for the job. Things may look up.

  2. Tamati 2

    Cheesy as anything. I can see why he was reluctant to do it in the first place. The last thing I want to watch when I’m cooking dinner is politicians cooking dinner.

    • Kevin Welsh 2.1

      Is that you John?

    • karol 2.2

      Did you watch the CL segment, then?

      Did it show Cunliffe cooking?

      • David H 2.2.1

        I saw him beating the batter for pikelets for the sons afternoon tea. As for food it was Fish n Chips and a beer while waiting. How more down to earth can you get?

        • karol 2.2.1.1

          Yes. I meant he wasn’t cooking dinner as Tamati implied.

          • Tracey 2.2.1.1.1

            good catch karol. i didnt watch it, was out, and didnt watch key. hence iha e no comment on it. tamati however

    • Mary 2.3

      Maybe you’re more into watching a prime minister wave cooking utensils abusively in front of their spouse’s face?

  3. Clemgeopin 3

    it was a very nice interview, just as those with Key, Hone and Norman were. Cunliffe and his wife,Karen, were very impressive. They responded very well to the questions when addressed.
    A great idea from Campbell Live to show our leaders in a different setting.

    • David H 3.1

      I have watched all of the At home with the leaders.

      Key well that looked forced sausages and eggs at his ‘beach house’ and the thing with the ponytail had me cringing.

      Hone Hawaria at their home. I have been watching Hone grow as a politician over the years now when he speaks people of all races listen.

      Russel Norman. At their home (and mung beans for Campbell) a good joke. I didn’t know he was married to Anna Paquins sister. The Greens have grown into a political force (no matter what Key shouts and blusters I think he’s scared)

      David and Karen. Well what to say. Nothing like what he has been portrayed by his opponents on both sides of the house. You can see the upbringing of the parsons household, gentle and quiet, non of the I’m important persona, that you get with Key. And to think David nearly followed his fathers choice of vocation. Lucky for NZ he didn’t.

      Now we have the rest to look forward to. Next Jamie Whyte.

  4. Kiwiri 4

    Lovely!

    I like that very much!!!

  5. Will@Welly 5

    Labour’s secret weapon. Karen – environmentalist, and look at the way she is able to turn her hand to virtually anything. Hens, bees, neighbours dropping off scraps in return for eggs, jam maker, pikelet maker. you name it she does it. None of this la-de-da farmers market $$$15-00 a pop an egg brigade for the Cunliffe’s.
    And I’d like to see John Key around a bee hive. It’d take more than an itsy tiny smoker to take the sting out of them if they knew he was around.

    • Ad 5.1

      She has stood by him through all the shit – much of it internal.
      So she’s David Cunliffe’ secret weapon, rather than Labour’s.

    • Rosie 5.2

      Behind every Great Man is a Great Woman! (but not one to be in that Great Man’s shadow, so better still, beside every Great Man is a Great Woman) Karen Price is a very impressive woman.

      Have really enjoyed seeing Rus Le Roq, Hone and David in their home settings, where their personal self can come to fore and they express their humanity differently from the political setting they operate in, which is normally the only way we can view them. It’s good to see where those individuals are coming from, as well where and how their foundation beliefs are formed.

      Wouldn’t want to see too much more though. Beyond that it could become voyeuristic and their lives at risk of being trivialised.

  6. Shorts 6

    I want to see more of the man Campbell filmed….

    That was a stunning piece, anyone who sees it will know why Cunliffe is a man to vote for! And wow his wife…. She was totally awesome!

    More of this please camp labour

  7. Stuart Munro 7

    I like him. He’ll make a great PM. Some of his coalition partners are pretty good too. Just as well, because there’s a lot of work to do.

  8. her 8

    How does having an education, a job, bees and chickens make you aggressive?

    He really is a little creep.

  9. Ad 9

    Post probably better titled “At home with Karen Price”

  10. Belladonna 10

    It was a lovely show and seems to have been well received by the media who seem at long last willing to speak positively about David. Karen is a real asset and came across as an impressive woman. I still need to hear Labour offer more help to low income people before I commit to Labour though. Beneficiaries are still not being offered much by Labour unlike low and middle income workers.
    Surely Labour need these votes and cant afford to ignore them.

    • karol 10.1

      Harawira’s at home on CL, was also excellent, showing him to be genuine, down-to-earth, and committed to helping Maori and all those on low incomes.

    • Mary 10.2

      How ever pleasant Cunliffe came across on tele last night won’t change the fact that Labour is not a party for the poor. As we’ve been constantly told for a long time now, Labour is a party for workers. Labour has of course always said that it’s a party for workers, it’s just that now when they say it beneficiaries are excluded. Once upon a time the distinction wasn’t made because unemployment was correctly viewed in structural not personal terms but Labour’s been sucked into believing right-wing generated propaganda that’s corroded our values as a nation so Labour too must now treat the poor with hatred and disdain because, after all, that’s what the general population believes so why not?

  11. amirite 11

    Good on David, he was somewhat subdued, taken away from the spotlight by his amazing wife – and it seems that he didn’t mind that at all. Much more natural than his performances in the House which sometimes sound too much like sermons.
    Just be yourself, David.

  12. Harry Holland 12

    I’m slightly embarrassed to confess that something as ‘soft’ as this has probably sealed my vote for Labour at my first election since resigning from 15 years of Green Party membership.

    • karol 12.1

      Russell Norman’s CL at home was retty good, too., Showing how committed he is to his poitical values. But Norman had already developed more of a strong public persona.

      • yeshe 12.1.1

        Hi Karol … these CL pieces seem to have ignored Metiria as Greens co-leader .. do you have any idea how the decisions are made in GP about this ? Recently it seems Metiria is only sometimes remembered as co-leader, and it irks me !

        • karol 12.1.1.1

          I am not a Green Party member. I have no idea how those decisions are made. But, as I show in my post today, Turei has had Campbell Live into her home fairly recently and generally got quite a bit of coverage for that. Tried to counter the tendency to treat Norman as de facto leader in my post today.

    • Mary 12.2

      Oh no! Why did you give up on the Greens?

      • Harry Holland 12.2.1

        I didn’t give up on them entirely Mary. The days after the split from the Alliance were fun. The greenviews mailing list was lively and open (a bit like the standard is today) but these folks are now professional politicians and I find it harder to relate to Norman, Turei, Clendon, Delahunty, Hughes etc compared to the sense of brotherhood I felt with Fitzsimons, Bradford, Locke, Tanczos, Kedgeley, Ward. Since I find it harder to relate to them leaving was inevitable – not keen to put billboards on my house, make phone calls, deliver pamphlets, and scrutineer for folks I’m ambivalent about.

        • Mary 12.2.1.1

          I guess I see hope in the Greens and Mana because I see no hope with Labour, have given up on them 110%, feel nothing but disdain towards them because of their blatant hypocrisy when it comes to the poorest among us, abandonment of traditional values and so on. Can’t take one word seriously because they’ve backtracked on everything since the early 1990s, have made things worse to boot with no evidence they’ll change and every indication we’re in for more of the same. Just sick of them.

  13. vto 13

    Yep, it came across well. But some 2c says that if looking for the edge over Key in the upcoming campaign then David should get some colour in his cheeks. Go fishing on a sunny afternoon once a week for an hour or so. Stand on a riverbank or seashore. Get the suns reflection off the water. The resulting freshness and outdoor glow will leave Key and his pasty lack of muscles in the dust.

    Just a thought, you know – at the top it is the smallest things that tip the pendulum. And when seen alongside storys like this by Campbell Live it could really add up.

  14. anker 14

    I like the fact that here is a couple who are obviously very well off, but are not engaging in the trappings as such. Time spent at home is growing veges, feeding chooks, tending to bees etc. All really wholesome, non-commercial stuff. Its the way many of us of a certain age were brought up, before things became a lot more (unfortunately), materialistic. I think that speaks volumes about who the Cunliffe’s really are. Two INCREDIBLY bright NZders who have done well, and sure have a flash house, but still live the old values (like scraps for eggs, old style NZ community).

    • Awww 14.1

      I like that too.

      Really enjoying the series with the leaders, makes me feel more optimistic about our future.

      • Mary 14.1.1

        I’m looking forward to seeing Jamie Whyte.

        • Mary 14.1.1.1

          I want John Campbell to ask Whyte why he talks the way he does.

          • phillip ure 14.1.1.1.1

            @ mary..heh..!

            ..it’s called rand-speak..

            ..and the general contempt for all others he wears on his sleeve.

            ..that’s his own addition/affectation..

            • Mary 14.1.1.1.1.1

              Yes, the way he conducts himself makes him his own worst enemy. How on earth anyone would vote for him is beyond comprehension. Am looking forward to hearing what he’ll have to say after the election.

              • and he is the best they have got..!

                ..where is their candidate..?..what’shisname..?

                ..do they have him locked in a room somewhere..?

                ..or is he still hiding behind hedges..’?

                ..waiting to jump out and scare people..

                “..hi..!..i’m what’shisname..!’..

    • karol 14.2

      Yep. And Karen can pilot planes, too.

      • Rosie 14.2.1

        There’s no end to her talents! Never mind David Parker as Deputy Leader. When Mr C is away on PM’s business oversea’s Ms P can jump in the Cessna, head to (the other) Beehive, run the country, whilst simultaneously battling environmental crims!

        • tinfoilhat 14.2.1.1

          I’ll think you’ll find Karen has been fighting for rather than against environmental crims.

          • Clemgeopin 14.2.1.1.1

            Please confine any fair or unfair criticism that you may have directed at the politician, Mr Cunliffe, but leave his wife and family alone, as that is completely wrong and unfair. I hope you understand that.

            • tinfoilhat 14.2.1.1.1.1

              “Please confine any fair or unfair criticism that you may have directed at the politician, Mr Cunliffe, but leave his wife and family alone, as that is completely wrong and unfair. I hope you understand that.”

              I was responding to the comment above where Rosie suggested that the person in question battled environmental criminals which is completely untrue. I would also comment in the same manner if the partners of the Green party politicians were portrayed untruthfully for political purposes.

              • Rosie

                I was being playful tinfoilhat. 🙄

                I’m guessing you did watch the show last night where Karen Prices work as an environmental lawyer was discussed. I’m not sure how you get the impression that she is somehow supporting those organisations or businesses that as a result of their business operations the environment is compromised and damaged.

                • tinfoilhat

                  “I’m guessing you did watch the show last night where Karen Prices work as an environmental lawyer was discussed. I’m not sure how you get the impression that she is somehow supporting those organisations or businesses that as a result of their business operations the environment is compromised and damaged.”

                  Oh I don’t know perhaps her published CV misled me ?

                  http://www.chancerygreen.com/index.php/what-we-do/10-our-people/14-karen-price

                  • Rosie

                    Alright alright Tinfoilhat. You posted at the same time (see post below), I thought that maybe I should do a google search and sure Karen Prices’ work history is easy enough to find.

                    No need to be sarcastic.

                • Rosie

                  Er, a brief (and hopefully momentary) pause in my enthusiasm. Ms P has represented the reprehensibles’ and not so much the environmentalists.

                  http://www.chancerygreen.com/index.php/what-we-do/10-our-people/14-karen-price

                  Still, her work is her work at not that of her husband’s, our new PM after 20th September.

                  • Rosie

                    Further to the above: Our work doesn’t always define us, nor are our roles fixed.

                    I got thinking about a family friend, a lawyer who worked for the Crown in the early days of the Treaty negotiations – he represented the Crowns interests. Did that make him opposed to the right of Maori to have stolen lands returned to them? No. He was interested in the cultures of others and understood the power colonial governments had over indigenous peoples, around the world, and was supportive of moves for such people to reclaim their lost lands and traditional ways. He was a good person who had inclusive social values

                    None of this is relevant though as it’s David Cunliffe people are voting for, not his wife.

      • So what we’re really saying is David and Karen are the political power couple you’d most want to have on your team when the zombie apocalypse comes?

        • Rosie 14.2.2.1

          Now there’s an idea Stephanie. Of course, Ms P will be fully prepared for such an event should it arise. I bet there’s a well stocked zombie apocolypse “Go Bag” in the hall way cupboard, should it be required in such an emergency.

    • Rosie 14.3

      +1 anker. They are a family who can demonstrate that the acquisition of wealth does not need to equate to flashy shows of materialism and excess environmentally damaging consumerism.

      Unlike another “leader” we know.

    • ianmac 14.4

      Yes anker and it must seem to lay to rest the idea that somehow the Cunliffes are lolling around in luxurious splendour as per the Key dig at David’s address.

    • Chooky 14.5

      +100

  15. TightyRighty 15

    definitely the worst house on the street. how could anyone not see they represent the kiwi battler.

    • Tiger Mountain 15.1

      Money bags ShonKey seems to attract support (too much) from the aspirational bennie basher section of “kiwi battlers”. Are personally well off people allowed to represent the less well off or not? Come on Tighty, what say you.

      • TightyRighty 15.1.1

        I have no problem with it at all. My problem lies in david cunliffes ability to talk out of both sides of his mouth. He pretends he’s some working class boy with deep ties to the movement, when all he really is a political opportunist. I can see the propaganda minds at work in the war room, john key has been successful, so lets let david be seen to be successful but we’ll balance it out by getting some workers in to plant a vege patch to add the down home touch. well played, well played.

        • Colonial Viper 15.1.1.1

          David Cunliffe is no doubt a very capable politician. Being able to “talk out of both sides” of the mouth is part of a core corporate skillset; it’s one reason why Key and English would have preferred the far less experienced and less articulate David Shearer. The Left is very lucky to have a capable leader like Cunliffe in its midst.

        • karol 15.1.1.2

          Talking out of both sides of his mouth is one of Key’s major skills. He often does it with the same utterances – seeming to say one thing, but literally meaning another. And as for his state-house-to-PM line of success, claiming he understands ordinary Kiwis’ experiences?….

        • framu 15.1.1.3

          “I have no problem with it at all”

          yes, such a non issue that you and the rest of the NZ birthers keep bringing it up

          your entire complaint is that hes too wealthy to represent the kiwi battler. ie: hes faking it

        • Murray Olsen 15.1.1.4

          Do you have any evidence that David Cunliffe or anyone else got workers in to plant a vege patch? I doubt it somehow, but your politics of envy is making you look even uglier, TR.

    • RedLogix 15.2

      Yes I can see how that’s a really bad look TR. If you are going to represent most New Zealanders I’d agree – you have to get rid of the mansion.

      And possibly the bach in Hawaii as well.

  16. tinfoilhat 16

    Is this how banal NZ MSM coverage of the election and politics is going to become ?

    Stage managed pieces with the respective ‘leaders’ ?

    Honestly what conclusions anyone could come to about the things that really matter from this rubbish is anyone’s guess.

    Let’s all remember that the Auckland mayor had a number of puff pieces about what a wonderful religious chap and family man he was prior to the last couple of elections, that’s about all these pieces by Campbell live are worth.

    • Craig Glen Eden 16.1

      John Key whole persona is media made ( 36 million to media works insured that) not just his political one. The RWNJ really dont want people to see what a great guy Cunliffe ACTUALLY is. It was a really nice piece that only card caring Nats would dislike.

      • tinfoilhat 16.1.1

        “It was a really nice piece that only card caring Nats would dislike.”

        Well as I’m a card carrying Green and dislike these puff pieces i guess you’re wrong on that one.

        • Colonial Viper 16.1.1.1

          But as a card carrying Green and someone actively engaged in politics, you do understand and accept the importance of media puff pieces during an election year, right?

          • tinfoilhat 16.1.1.1.1

            Oh indeed CV, it doesn’t mean I have to approve of the practice however.

            • Craig Glen Eden 16.1.1.1.1.1

              Well Ive re posted Russel Normans at home piece with John Campbell to because I think its important that people get to know a bit about him as well. While I can appreciate your anti stance lots of voters want to see this soft media stuff.Sadly the left have been to slow to recognise that it is this stuff that has meant John Key has stayed so popular for so long, even when he and the National government have been straight out corrupt in my view, people still think Key is ok.
              At the end of the day what many on the left dont understand is we have to win and to win you have to campaign smart, imagery and narrative is important, you can have the opinion that its not right ( soft Media) but voters who like it dont give a shit what you think. In Cunliffes case people have been feed a narrative that he is not liked and that he is a rich smarmy bloke bla bla. So it was particularly important that people got to see David Cunliffe in a different setting being who I know he and many others know he is.We need a Labour/Greens Government in my view and if that means some soft media so be it.

              • Colonial Viper

                Sadly the left have been to slow to recognise that it is this stuff that has meant John Key has stayed so popular for so long

                Yep. Too many on the Left think that Policies and Issues are the be all and end all of peoples voting decisions.

                • karol

                  For some of us, it’s not that we aren’t aware of how media puff pieces influence voters, it’s that we think there needs to be a shift to more focus on policies and values – the puff pieces, infotainment approach is out of the “neoliberal” playbook, and tends to work to reinforce their underlying values.

                  • Craig Glen Eden

                    “Neoliberal play book” call it what you want their will always be a large chunk of voters that want this stuff and if the left dont get better at it we will have the nice MR Key until he decides he wants to move on.

                    • karol

                      Infotainment has always been around. However, the “neoliberal” corporate media shift has resulted in it becoming very dominant. Team Key and the Nats generally, would rather focus on this stuff, personality politics, smears etc, than on actual policies and issues. If Kiwis knew more about Nat policies, and their impact on NZ, they would find it far harder to get elected.

                      Of course, a certain amount of “kissing babies” has long been part of political campaigning. But, if the left allow it to remain dominant, the values of corporate-led, middle class supporting, individualism will continue to permeate politics.

                    • Colonial Viper

                      Well if the Left want to play a different game it better get its own media channels up and running…I know you know this because you have put significant thought into the issue.

                      Labour should have been facilitating soft media MSM coverage on Labour’s front bench over the last 6 months. By this stage in the election cycle, voters should then be entirely comfortable with who DC etc are as ordinary Kiwis SO that the issues can then take prominence.

                  • Populuxe1

                    It’s less that it’s “out of the “neoliberal” playbook” and more that the neoliberals consciously make a virtue of not patronising ordinary people for wanting to see politicians in a human and accessible light. That’s probably why they tend to be quite successful at monopolising politics in the OECD. Russel and Hone can see the utility in it without suggesting the masses are morons even if you cannot.

                    • framu

                      “not patronising”, or “leveraging peoples behaviour for their own end”?

                      they arent doing it to be benevolent – they’re doing it to get power and influence, and i would suggest that what the punters in punterland think doesnt really matter beyond buying into whatever idea is being spread

                      that attitudes not owned exclusively by the right of course

                      all it is is advertising and marketing – and advertising and marketing is almost always about manipulating your audience

              • Ad

                DC is getting that.

      • Murray Olsen 16.1.2

        I don’t like any of them. With the Key one, I didn’t even like the subject matter. I see at as a banalisation of politics, but I also know when I’m in a minority and just have to live with stuff I don’t like.

  17. Don't worry be happy 17

    David Cunliffe you make me proud. Karen Price, you rock.

  18. Enough is Enough 18

    You think that wasn’t stage managed?

    • RedLogix 18.1

      Everything on TV (or any media for that matter) is stage managed to some degree.

      But what you could ask is; do you think the whole show was a fake? Do you think that the things you saw this family doing were simply made up? That none of the things you saw were parts of their ‘real lives’?

      And if you are going to make that argument, do you have any evidence to support it?

      • Enough is Enough 18.1.1

        Stage Managed does not mean fake.

        It was more stage managed than the daily press gallery scrum that Cunliffe faces when he gets random questions thrown at him. In that situation he has no preparation and has to act on instinct. That is when we see the real Cunliffe.

        Last night was a pre-recorded documentary that he had weeks to prepare for.

  19. Chooky 19

    just watched that interview ….and what a fabulous New Zealand couple!…they are both absolutely perfect to lead New Zealand!!!….love them both and their back garden and bees and pets….and John Campbell was very good also!!!! Awesome!!!!,,,,thankyou for posting it here

    ….i have to admit i have resisted watching any of these television at- home interviews because i have thought it an invasion of privacy and in the end it is the policy that matters…..but now i am going to have to search for the Campbell interviews with the Russel and Metiria and Winnie and Hone…

    ( but i don’t think i will watch Keys or Craig or Whyte…call me biased ….one has to be selective as to what trash one puts in ones noggin these days)

    • Stephen 19.1

      I think you should watch the Key one as well. I did. It was a good performance and showed why he is still personally popular.

      Understanding his appeal is crucial to developing a strategy to counter it. Pointing out his failings and flaws has not been a winning strategy for the opposition over the last five years and longer. If we don’t understand what other people like about him, then we can’t communicate effectively with those people.

      Imagine you have a boyfriend or girlfriend and you love them a lot. One of your close friends, someone with your best interests at heart, tries to reason with you, explaining why they’re no good for you and the relationship will end in tears. Do you a) say “thanks for opening my eyes, I can see I need to dump the beloved and start again” or b) get pissed off with your friend for slagging off the beloved?

      At the moment, the PM has a such a relationship with the NZ public that he could eat a baby on TV, and 55% of viewers would agree with the fawning coverage that admired how stylishly that cheeky chap can eat a baby, not like those other politicians who wouldn’t be up to baby eating.

      The joy of the Williamson and Collins problems (and hopefully more to come) is that they attack the Nats at their weak point, taking out people who are not popular and loved, while indirectly placing Key under more strain and letting the public draw their own conclusions about his judgement and choice of friends.

    • idlegus 19.2

      same, i’ve found them to be nauseating & banal. but jeez i’m glad ppl got to see that side of cunliffe, & wow! karen price, what an amazingly warm & talented person!

      • Chooky 19.2.1

        100 idlegus…”karen price, what an amazingly warm & talented person!”….and David Cunliffe was as i expected…he will be a great New Zealand Prime Minister!

        • idlegus 19.2.1.1

          & davids facebook page has had an upsurge in ‘likes’ since last night, & after the horrorshow week(s) national has had, great timing too!

  20. Ant 20

    Must be hard to cope with the tabloid standard set now. Good on them for protecting the privacy of their kids.

  21. Brian 21

    Both David and Karen came across as warm, pleasant, caring and interesting people. David seemed both genuine and wonderfully devoid of the slick, smarmy, media training Key demonstrates and hints of naivety were charmingly refreshing. Thanks to them both for letting us in on a little of their, understandably cherished ,private territory.

    Without doubt the next Prime Minister of New Zealand !

  22. Scotty 22

    The Cunliffes were brillant.
    Their lifestyle was in stark contrast to Keys’ cold empty shell of a trophy ‘beach house’ existence.

  23. Rose 23

    The best part for me was when David said, “I’m here to help.”
    Lovely couple.

  24. Delia 24

    Karen is cool.

  25. Aux 25

    “Was your childhood idyllic…?” I turned I off after that feckless question. Cunliffe should have clocked the fucker between the eyes as a reply. I’m sure he’s a nice guy, or maybe a complete arse, but the Campbell team fawning was as sickening as the inescapable syrupy depression I feel when yet another cultural cut-out reaches ascendency and tries to sell change. Reminded me of when everyone fell in love with the great kiwi bloke called John Key.

    Is this it? The whole cult of personality turning round once more along exactly the same lines? I refuse to vote for anyone like David Cunliffe (the political construct, the man himself is none of my business), or his party’s policies, or anyone sold by Campbell Live. In fact I might place a moratorium on my voting until a candidate that isn’t totally ruined by aspirant culture turns up. Just my personal taste, you understand.

    • Tracey 25.1

      shiver

    • Ad 25.2

      Can understand your aversion to media framing.

      Few are immune to it. If you are, I hope you add to weighing up the policy contests on their merits alone.

  26. felix 26

    So over in sewer(s), the rats have convinced themselves that David and Karen don’t really have a garden or chooks or bees, but they were all cunningly installed for the interview.

    Just upthread our friend Tighty says the same thing.

    I don’t think I could ever type enough rolleyes…

  27. ScottGN 27

    Got to work today to be told by one of my more National-enamoured colleagues that, while it wouldn’t change his vote (nothing would, let’s face it) he could see plenty of people warming to DC after the CL piece which apparently was awesome. I nearly had to sit down for a minute.

  28. finbar 28

    Now theres a thing we do not know,thirty years of intelect and knowing.What a revolation.Solid also..

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    Submissions on National's corrupt Muldoonist fast-track law are due today (have you submitted?), and just hours before they close, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop has been forced to release the list of companies he invited to apply. I've spent the last hour going through it in an epic thread of bleats, ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 hours ago
  • On Lee’s watch, Economic Development seems to be stuck on scoring points from promoting sporting e...
    Buzz from the Beehive A few days ago, Point of Order suggested the media must be musing “on why Melissa is mute”. Our article reported that people working in the beleaguered media industry have cause to yearn for a minister as busy as Melissa Lee’s ministerial colleagues and we drew ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    7 hours ago
  • New Zealand has never been closed for business
    1. What was The Curse of Jim Bolger?a. Winston Peters b. Soon after shaking his hand, world leaders would mysteriously lose office or shuffle off this mortal coilc. Could never shake off the Mother of All Budgetsd. Dandruff2. True or false? The Chairman of a Kiwi export business has asked the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    7 hours ago
  • Stop the panic – we’ve been here before
    Jack Vowles writes – New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    10 hours ago
  • Melissa Lee and the media: ending the quest
    Chris Trotter writes –  MELISSA LEE should be deprived of her ministerial warrant. Her handling – or non-handling – of the crisis engulfing the New Zealand news media has been woeful. The fate of New Zealand’s two linear television networks, a question which the Minister of Broadcasting, Communications ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    12 hours ago
  • The Hoon around the week to April 19
    TL;DR: The podcast above features co-hosts and , along with regular guests Robert Patman on Gaza and AUKUS II, and on climate change.The six things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    12 hours ago
  • The ‘Humpty Dumpty’ end result of dismantling our environmental protections
    Policymakers rarely wish to make plain or visible their desire to dismantle environmental policy, least of all to the young. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s the top five news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above between Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    12 hours ago
  • Nicola's Salad Days.
    I like to keep an eye on what’s happening in places like the UK, the US, and over the ditch with our good mates the Aussies. Let’s call them AUKUS, for want of a better collective term. More on that in a bit.It used to be, not long ago, that ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    13 hours ago
  • Study sees climate change baking in 19% lower global income by 2050
    TL;DR: The global economy will be one fifth smaller than it would have otherwise been in 2050 as a result of climate damage, according to a new study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) and published in the journal Nature. (See more detail and analysis below, and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    13 hours ago
  • Weekly Roundup 19-April-2024
    It’s Friday again. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week on Greater Auckland On Tuesday Matt covered at the government looking into a long tunnel for Wellington. On Wednesday we ran a post from Oscar Simms on some lessons from Texas. AT’s ...
    14 hours ago
  • Jack Vowles: Stop the panic – we’ve been here before
    New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’.  The data is from February this ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    16 hours ago
  • Clearing up confusion (or trying to)
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters is understood to be planning a major speech within the next fortnight to clear up the confusion over whether or not New Zealand might join the AUKUS submarine project. So far, there have been conflicting signals from the Government. RNZ reported the Prime Minister yesterday in ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    17 hours ago
  • How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log iPhone Without Computer
    How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log on iPhone Without a Computer: A StepbyStep 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 thirdparty applications. So, lets dive in and recover those lost calls! 1. Check Recently Deleted Folder: Apple understands that accidental deletions happen. Thats 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. Heres 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. Heres how to restore from an iCloud backup: Go to Settings > General > Reset. Choose Erase All Content and Settings. Follow the onscreen 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 ThirdParty Apps (with Caution): ...
    19 hours 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 ...
    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 ...
    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 ...
    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 ...
    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 ...
    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 ...
    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 ...
    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 ...
    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 ...
    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 ...
    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, ...
    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, ...
    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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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 ...
    1 day ago
  • Babies and benefits – no good news
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – Ten years ago, I wrote the following in a Listener column: Every year around one in five new-born babies will be reliant on their caregivers benefit by Christmas. This pattern has persisted from at least 1993. For Maori the number jumps to over one in three.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • Should the RBNZ be looking through climate inflation?
    Climate change is expected to generate more and more extreme events, delivering a sort of structural shock to inflation that central banks will have to react to as if they were short-term cyclical issues. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours, as of 9:16 am on Thursday, April 18 are:Housing: Tauranga residents living in boats, vans RNZ Checkpoint Louise TernouthHousing: Waikato councillor says wastewater plant issues could hold up Sleepyhead building a massive company town Waikato Times Stephen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the public sector carnage, and misogyny as terrorism
    It’s a simple deal. We pay taxes in order to finance the social services we want and need. The carnage now occurring across the public sector though, is breaking that contract. Over 3,000 jobs have been lost so far. Many are in crucial areas like Education where the impact of ...
    2 days ago
  • Meeting the Master Baiters
    Hi,A friend had their 40th over the weekend and decided to theme it after Curb Your Enthusiasm fashion icon Susie Greene. Captured in my tiny kitchen before I left the house, I ending up evoking a mix of old lesbian and Hillary Clinton — both unintentional.Me vs Hillary ClintonIf you’re ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago
  • How extreme was the Earth's temperature in 2023
    This is a re-post from Andrew Dessler at the Climate Brink blog In 2023, the Earth reached temperature levels unprecedented in modern times. Given that, it’s reasonable to ask: What’s going on? There’s been lots of discussions by scientists about whether this is just the normal progression of global warming or if something ...
    2 days ago
  • Backbone, revisited
    The schools are on holiday and the sun is shining in the seaside village and all day long I have been seeing bunches of bikes; Mums, Dads, teens and toddlers chattering, laughing, happy, having a bloody great time together. Cheers, AT, for the bits of lane you’ve added lately around the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    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
    2 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
    2 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
    2 days ago
  • Texas Lessons
    This is a guest post by Oscar Simms who is a housing activist, volunteer for the Coalition for More Homes, and was the Labour Party candidate for Auckland Central at the last election. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    3 days ago
  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links at 6:06 am
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours as of 6:06 am on Wednesday, April 17 are:Must read: Secrecy shrouds which projects might be fast-tracked RNZ Farah HancockScoop: Revealed: Luxon has seven staffers working on social media content - partly paid for by taxpayer Newshub ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Fighting poverty on the holiday highway
    Turning what Labour called the “holiday highway” into a four-lane expressway from Auckland to Whangarei could bring at least an economic benefit of nearly two billion a year for Northland each year. And it could help bring an end to poverty in one of New Zealand’s most deprived regions. The ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago
  • Bernard's six-stack of substacks at 6:26 pm
    Tonight’s six-stack includes: launching his substack with a bunch of his previous documentaries, including this 1992 interview with Dame Whina Cooper. and here crew give climate activists plenty to do, including this call to submit against the Fast Track Approvals bill. writes brilliantly here on his substack ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • At a glance – Is the science settled?
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    3 days ago
  • Apposite Quotations.
    How Long Is Long Enough? Gaza under Israeli bombardment, July 2014. This posting is exclusive to Bowalley Road. ...
    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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 days ago
  • Is saving one minute of a politician's time worth nearly $1 billion?
    Is speeding up the trip to and from Wellington airport by 12 minutes worth spending up more than $10 billion? Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me in the last day to 8:26 am today are:The Lead: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Long Tunnel or Long Con?
    Yesterday it was revealed that Transport Minister had asked Waka Kotahi to look at the options for a long tunnel through Wellington. State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the ...
    4 days ago
  • Smoke And Mirrors.
    You're a fraud, and you know itBut it's too good to throw it all awayAnyone would do the sameYou've got 'em goingAnd you're careful not to show itSometimes you even fool yourself a bitIt's like magicBut it's always been a smoke and mirrors gameAnyone would do the sameForty six billion ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • 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 ...
    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
    4 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
    4 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 ...
    4 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
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #15
    A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 7, 2024 thru Sat, April 13, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week is about adults in the room setting terms and conditions of ...
    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
    6 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
    8 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
    9 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
    10 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
    10 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
    10 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 ...
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    13 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
    24 hours 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
    1 day 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
    1 day ago
  • Government focused on getting people into work
    Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
    Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
    Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
    Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector.    "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
    The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
    Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
    Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.   Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ ties
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.  During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Antarctica New Zealand Board appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has made further appointments to the Board of Antarctica New Zealand as part of a continued effort to ensure the Scott Base Redevelopment project is delivered in a cost-effective and efficient manner.  The Minister has appointed Neville Harris as a new member of the Board. Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Finance Minister travels to Washington DC
    Finance Minister Nicola Willis will travel to the United States on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Five Finance Ministers group, with counterparts from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.  “I am looking forward to meeting with our Five Finance partners on how we can work ...
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    4 days ago
  • Pet bonds a win/win for renters and landlords
    The coalition Government has today announced purrfect and pawsitive changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to give tenants with pets greater choice when looking for a rental property, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Pets are important members of many Kiwi families. It’s estimated that around 64 per cent of New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being considered
    State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the Government has also asked NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to consider and provide advice on a Long Tunnel option, Transport Minister Simeon Brown ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • New Zealand condemns Iranian strikes
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel.    “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says.    "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plans
    Hundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand Chair
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board.   “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti.  “I have asked her to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Roads of National Significance planning underway
    The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Navigating an unstable global environment
    New Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States.    “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • NZ welcomes Australian Governor-General
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Pseudoephedrine back on shelves for Winter
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced that Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Pharmaceutical suppliers have indicated they may be able to supply the first products in June. “This is much earlier than the original expectation of medicines being available by 2025. The Government recognised ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • NZ and the US: an ever closer partnership
    New Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Joint US and NZ declaration
    April 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • NZ and US to undertake further practical Pacific cooperation
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced further New Zealand cooperation with the United States in the Pacific Islands region through $16.4 million in funding for initiatives in digital connectivity and oceans and fisheries research.   “New Zealand can achieve more in the Pacific if we work together more urgently and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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