Banks case to Police lawyers

Written By: - Date published: 10:07 pm, July 5th, 2012 - 36 comments
Categories: accountability, act, election funding, john banks, law - Tags:

The Police have concluded their investigation into John Banks’ declaration that he did not know that Kim Dotcom and Sky City had made significant donations to his 2010 mayoral campaign, so recorded them as anonymous. If he can be shown beyond reasonable doubt to have known about either, he is guilty of filing a false  return and the penalties are severe. The Police investigators  have passed the file to their legal section to decide whether or not to prosecute.

Everybody now knows that Kim Dotcom and Sky City did make the donations to Banks’ candidacy campaign. Banks defence is that he did not know at the time that any specific donation came from them, and that he complied with the letter of the law, which defines an anonymous donation as one “where the donation is made in such a way that the candidate did not know the person who made the donation.”

There are two tests the Police legal team will have to apply. They are outlined in the prosecution guidelines;

Prosecutions ought to be initiated or continued only where the prosecutor is satisfied that the Test for Prosecution is met. The Test for Prosecution is met if the evidence which can be adduced in Court is sufficient to provide a reasonable prospect of conviction – the Evidential Test; and Prosecution is required in the public interest – the Public Interest Test.

Each aspect of the test must be separately considered and satisfied before a decision to prosecute can be taken. The Evidential Test must be satisfied before the Public Interest Test is considered. The prosecutor must analyse and evaluate all of the evidence and information in a thorough and critical manner.

As the guidelines indicate, the evidential test is the critical one. There is no question that if the evidence is sufficient, prosecution in this case is in the public interest.

What we know from what has been disclosed publicly is that according to Kim Dotcom he offered Banks a donation of $50,000 which Banks accepted gratefully but asked that it be split into two donations of $25,000 each. A Dotcom employee who lodged the cheques in Queenstown said that he knew they had been received because he had a call from Dotcom’s bodyguard, Wayne Tempero,  to say that Banks had called Tempero to say thank you for the donations.

Banks says he cannot remember saying this. It comes down to a question of credibility – is John Banks to be believed, or are Kim Dotcom and Wayne Tempero telling the truth. Both can’t be right. The prosecution guidelines say that when there is an issue of credibility, prosecutors must look closely at the evidence when deciding whether there is a reasonable prospect of conviction.

But there is no doubt that the donations were made, and in the form Banks asked for. Banks’ story kept changing, and there is certainly other circumstantial evidence that Banks knew Dotcom was a donor – he later asked him for a donation to ACT’s 2011 election campaign  but was turned down. There is also the question of the Sky City donation – it arrived with Len Brown’s campaign team by named cheque.

There would appear to be plenty of evidence available. In my opinion the issue of credibility should be decided by a judge.

36 comments on “Banks case to Police lawyers ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Jackal 1
    6 July 2012 at 12:05 am

    Usually a file is not passed to the legal section without good reason and I wouldn’t be surprised at a speedy resignation. Pity (if forthcoming) it wasn’t prior to the asset sales legislation passing its final reading.

  2. xtasy 2
    6 July 2012 at 12:26 am
    NOW LET US GET REAL:
    BANKS IS A JERK, BUT DO YOU KNOW, IGNORANT KIWIS, WHAT KIM DOTCOM AKA SCHMITZ IS ABOUT? WATCHE THIS SPACE:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=DDj5oTvPAGE

    so is he a hero of the working class or average kiwi at all, I doubt it. Wake up dumbos!

    [lprent: shouting? Let’s reduce the volume to ummm 40%… ]

  3. xtasy 3
    6 July 2012 at 12:30 am

    If the above link may fail, have a look at the following, how this man loves indulgence and selfishness, base on pure capitalist ideas:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzuGrK-ZFA8&feature=related

  4. xtasy 4
    6 July 2012 at 12:36 am

    I am sorry, but many people fall easily again and again for superficial perception. Censorship is immediately applied when a person raises something critical, even if it is TRUE.

    So I suggest, examine the background, evidence and so forth, and THEN decide about whether to make comments on a post. Thank you lprent.

    [lprent: I’m unconcerned about what you wrote. I am concerned that you shouted in capitals in excess of what we tolerate. It is an antisocial trait that we discourage. Convince with what you say rather than trying to attact attention with a dumbarse advertising trick from the 1930’s.

    You appear to have missed the point of my warning. Should I emphasize it further to make sure it penetrates the skull? ]

  5. xtasy 5
    6 July 2012 at 12:50 am

    Very simple conclusion:

    John Banks (especially as former mayor) is happy to kiss bums and associate with any perceived big shots and numbers, some of whom may be willing to donate and work with him.

    Also, a Kim Dotcom is a kind of migrant favoured by the wealthy migrant or “business” or “entrepreneur” category, given allowances galore, same as some refugees also get at times for family reuinion.

    So the conclusion is: NZ remains to be a largely compromising and even corrupt society, although the government and false statistics are supposed to tell us and others the opposite.

    This country is a rotten system and place, and the sooner the corrupt elite get dealt to the better.

  6. Jenny 6
    6 July 2012 at 8:58 am

    Will the police act against Banks on this evidence?

    Or will they use their discretion?

    Since the international war on terror our police force has become increasingly conservatively partisan and politicised. So much so that they don’t act purely on the facts of a case.

    It is very clear that they won’t act.

    The Terror Raids and detention of Tuhoe and other activists and the armed raids on Dotcom prove that the police don’t consider just the evidence available to them, but weigh up political considerations as well.

    On the say so of the Americans and without any evidence produced to them at all by the FBI, the police stormed Mr Dotcom’s house in an armed raid, illegally confiscated all his property, used their discretionary powers to oppose bail citing a flight risk. Following the publiclyn expressed wishes of the Americans, the police also continued to vigorously oppose bail and defend the confiscations when their decisions ha to come before the courts.

    Just as well we still have a court system to check the police. If not, chillingly Dotcom would have been delivered up to their foreign power de jour by our politicised police.

    Similiarly to a political script made in the US, our police force mounted major armed raids making dozens of arrests and terrorising a whole Maori community,when they could have just arrested their four suspects with out hardly any effort. In the following court case, politically motivated, the police tried to use illegally gathered evidence and anonymous police spies and undercover agents to make a case for a huge terrorist conspiracy. And failed miserably.

    Our police are conservatively politicised and will not act against a conservative bastion of the status quo. However be a Maori activist, or a trade union picketer, or a Occupy Aotearoa activist, or anti racist protester and expect the full use of police discretionary powers to arrest or detain. Often followed by mischievious and frivolous police prosecutions that most likely will fail but still cost you time and money.

  7. Lanthanide 7
    6 July 2012 at 9:28 am

    “As the guidelines indicate, the evidential test is the critical one. There is no question that if the evidence is sufficient, prosecution in this case is in the public interest.”

    Erm, why are you so certain that prosecution is in the public interest? If Banks is prosecuted and found guilty of an offense with 2 years jail term, he’d be out of parliament. That in turn would lead to dead-lock in the house and a by-election in Epsom, which could potentially bring down the government (well, it shouldn’t, since the MP will vote on anything except for asset sales).

    So, actually, I think the police will conveniently find that it is not in the public interest, regardless of the evidence.

    • Pascal's bookie 7.1
      6 July 2012 at 9:43 am

      I dunno.

      Wouldn’t that be saying that the slim majority gives govt mps license to commit crimes?

      We’ll know in a few weeks, and they probably won’t detail their reasoning, but another thing to consider is that having confidence in the police is also a matter of public interest. There’s been plenty of talk about how these things never get chraged, so they might decide that it’s time to show some backbone.

    • Uturn 7.2
      6 July 2012 at 10:05 am

      Yep, it’s possible. It could also be argued that ever since the Winston “impeachment” Show, there isn’t anything in politics that isn’t in the public interest. Just going by similar cases where MPs have been pushed while they jumped, it is very quiet. Normally these things are preceeded by the sound of an approaching media stampede.

    • jaymam 7.3
      6 July 2012 at 9:22 pm

      If Banks simply resigns, can’t another person on the ACT list take over?

      http://i46.tinypic.com/21951xf.jpg
      (Shudder)

      • lprent 7.3.1
        7 July 2012 at 1:19 am

        Nope. He won an electorate seat – not a list seat. It goes to a by-election and the effect on the list is ignored.

  8. Treetop 8
    6 July 2012 at 11:12 am

    I actually think that there is going to be a stoush between Key and Marshall and that Banks is going to be the catalyst. I also think that Banks was tipped off to avoid Dotcom before the 20 January 2012 raid and the source would have been from within the government.

    Good to see Bloody Sunday in Northern Ireland is to be reinvestigated and I expect the truth will finally come out.

    • yeshe 8.1
      6 July 2012 at 12:34 pm

      Marshall ??

      • Treetop 8.1.1
        8 July 2012 at 12:21 pm

        Marshall (Commissioner of Police).

        I’ d love to see Key’s face were Banks charged. Marshall knows he cannot afford to be dragged into the political quagmire re Dotcom as he already has been by Crown Law.

        I want to know why the police went ahead with the search warrants assisting the FBI when they knew that they were not specific enough and that NZ law had to be adhered to?

  9. Adrian 9
    6 July 2012 at 11:40 am

    I think Key has been tipped off by the cops that Banks is dog tucker and that is why the Asset Sales legislation was hurried through, it is one of the few reasons why National would be prepared to risk the criticism for the haste. The other one is the petition but that is still months away, Banks could be gone by lunchtime.

  10. ad 10
    6 July 2012 at 11:46 am

    God I am so looking forward to John Banks going down. Not that a byelection in Epsom would change anything.

    But Banks and Dunne are moving down the Circles of Hell to the point where they will soon meet that late Elamein Koopu for that special layer of purgatory for the undecided category “New Zealand’s worst ever MP within living memory”.

  11. Penny Bright 11
    6 July 2012 at 12:10 pm

    FYI – Cheers!

    http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/bold-changes-needed-growth-killer-rma-%E2%80%93-banks-ca-122885#comment-450627

    Should ‘dodgy’ John Banks even be in Parliament?

    So far he has been politically protected by Prime Minister John Key – whose following of ‘due process’ over the Sky City Convention Centre deal is currently being investigated by the OAG.

    New Zealand ‘perceived’ to be the ‘least corrupt country in the world’ (Transparency International 2011 ‘Corruption Perception Index’).

    WHAT A SICK JOKE IS THAT ‘PERCEPTION’!

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10817650

    “Police investigation into Banks’ mayoral campaign completed
    By Claire Trevett
    7:21 PM Thursday Jul 5, 2012

    A police investigation into John Banks’ 2010 mayoral campaign donations disclosure is completed and a decision on whether the Act leader faces prosecution is expected within weeks.

    Auckland Detective Inspector Mark Benefield told complainants yesterday that the investigation was over and the case had been sent to Police Legal Services to review. He said that process could take two to three weeks.

    Auckland Council’s electoral officer referred Mr Banks to the police to investigate whether he filed a false return after his tilt for the city’s mayoralty in 2010.

    The donations at the centre of the inquiry include $50,000 from Kim Dotcom and $15,000 from Sky City which were not disclosed, or were disclosed as anonymous donations, in his return.

    Mr Banks has consistently maintained his return was correct, based on his knowledge at the time.

    Complaints were laid by Labour MP Trevor Mallard and others, including Auckland based activists Lisa Pragar and Penny Bright.”
    ___________________________________________________________________________

    Penny Bright
    ‘Anti-corruption campaigner’

    http://www.dodgyjohnhasgone.com

    • mike e 11.1
      6 July 2012 at 11:22 pm

      Our govt bearaucracy has a very high ranking penny but our business sector has a very poor record as you have pointed out ie huljich SCF petrecivic etc.

  12. Fortran 12
    6 July 2012 at 1:29 pm

    Even if the police proceed against Banks, when he was seeeking the Auckland Mayoralty, and on the basis of probability he is found guilty, the fine is minimal.
    It will not affect his political role, similarly to Trevor’s punch up.
    Nothing here to get excited over.

    • Te Reo Putake 12.1
      6 July 2012 at 1:43 pm

      Not so. As I recall, any MP convicted of an offence that has two year’s jail as a possible outcome is turfed out of Parliament. Note that he doesn’t have to be sentenced to 2 years, it’s the conviction for an offence for which 2 years jail could be an outcome that counts.

  13. Jenny 13
    9 July 2012 at 7:30 am

    Nothing to see here folks. Move along people.

    In another case of the police exercising their discretion not to bring charges against an establishment figure. The husband of a judge who ran down and killed a pedestrian and then fled the scene, has been told he will not be facing any charges. The police have also told a key witness to the events, the first person who turned up at the scene, that his testimony will not be required.

    The judge was in the car with her husband when he fled the scene of the accident.

    Firstly;-

    Had the judge and her husband come from a social event?

    Was there alcohol involved?

    Had the driver been drinking?

    Did the judge remonstrate with her husband to stop and give assistance?

    We will never know.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/7243382/Fatal-hit-and-run-charges-dropped

    Secondly;-

    If the occupants of the car involved in this hit and run, had been Maori, or otherwise not part of the establishment, would there be a hearing?

    Would the police use their discretion not to bring charges?

    Would the runaway driver have to appear in court?

    Would the witness be allowed to speak?

    Would the passenger also be called as a witness?

    Would the passenger face charges of being an accomplice after the fact?

    Would the grieving father be allowed to deliver a victim impact report to the court?

    Unlike the first questions, we can be pretty certain of the answers to the second.

    Waikato Hit-And-Run: Charges Dropped – national | Stuff.co.nz

  14. Treetop 14
    9 July 2012 at 2:19 pm

    What a weak cop Win van der Velde is, “lacked evidential sufficency to successfully prosecute” him. This is not good enough for a case to be withdrawn when a person was left dead or dying.

    By fleeing an accident it cannot be determined if the man could have been saved and the driver’s lawyer says “couldn’t have stopped the car” the way I read it is that the driver KNEW he had hit something which may have been a person. To not have stopped and to have known the law this is dispicably.

    This is a disturbing case which in some countries would be manslaughter.

    There are so many unanswered questions and you raise them as well?

    What panel damage/DNA was on the driver’s car?
    Were drugs in the driver’s system?
    Did those in the car have a cell phone with them?

  15. Jenny 15
    10 July 2012 at 7:23 am

    Just the facts of the matter are not all the police consider when laying charges, your class position in society is also a factor.

    In another scandalous case our conservatively partisan police again expose their political bias in exercising their discretion not to charge someone with family connections.

    Now we know why the prisons are stuffed full of Maori or those without expensive lawyers or not from “good families”.

    Or why wealthy conservative politicians like John Banks will never face charges.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/7249331/Carjacked-teen-upset-as-man-let-off-with-warning

    • Treetop 15.1
      11 July 2012 at 3:53 pm

      Re 14.1 I would like to know who had the final say as I to would call them weak.

      Re the article of the woman who was detained against her will, what a dangerous precedent this is sending. The person/s who did not charge the offender are also weak.

      Do the crime do the time, regardless of how connected you are.

    • joe90 15.2
      11 July 2012 at 4:15 pm

      The offender had his chances of a titular title spoiled when he was named in the DomPost dead tree version.

      And people may like to cast their minds back a few years to when a senior member of the same family, a Christchurch motor sporting dynasty, think boats, was convicted for his historical, prolonged and particularly egregious, sexual offending against a female under twelve.

  16. Treetop 16
    11 July 2012 at 4:16 pm

    Are the police not prosecuting to save money?

    • joe90 16.1
      11 July 2012 at 4:26 pm

      Privilege Treetop.

      There’s no doubt that if a brown boy, with or without the same familial history, had done the same it would’ve been a car-jacking with a malicious sexual overtone.

      btw, his site is unavailable,

      • Treetop 16.1.1
        11 July 2012 at 4:39 pm

        I looked up the link I wonder when the site was taken down?

        Re police serve and protect who?

        What a shambles and is not prosecuting (those from a privelleged home) going to be the norm to save money.

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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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days ago

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Bernard's six-stack of substacks at 6:26 pm
    Tonight’s six-stack includes: launching his substack with a bunch of his previous documentaries, including this 1992 interview with Dame Whina Cooper. and here crew give climate activists plenty to do, including this call to submit against the Fast Track Approvals bill. writes brilliantly here on his substack ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 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
    4 days ago

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • PM’s South East Asia mission does the business
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 hours 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
    19 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
    21 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
    21 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
    22 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
    22 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
    23 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
    1 day 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
    2 days ago

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
    Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
    Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
    Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector.    "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
    The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
    Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
    Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.   Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
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    5 days ago

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