Christchurch RWC

Written By: - Date published: 7:03 am, March 16th, 2011 - 76 comments
Categories: brand key, disaster, john key - Tags: ,

I don’t think that anyone who has been paying attention to events in Christchurch could seriously have expected the city to host a major sporting event like the RWC within a few short months. The city is trashed, the stadium is trashed, no one can guarantee safety to the IRB, it isn’t going to happen.

I can understand Key being initially reluctant to admit this. If hosting was possible then yes the revenue would be a boost to the city. And yes it is quite a symbolic blow to Christchurch to lose the games. But for heaven’s sake. The infrastructure to collect the revenue isn’t there. Far too many Christchurch residents are too concerned about whether they can flush their toilets or drink their water to worry much about symbolism. And quite frankly I think most people would be angry if resources went in to repairing a stadium when there is much more basic infrastructure that needs to be restored first.

So what puzzles me is not Key’s initial reluctance, but his ongoing denial of these realities. Denial to the point where he seems to be the last person in the world maintaining any kind of illusions about Christchurch. Patrick Gower gently puts the boot in:

Christchurch’s Rugby World Cup hopes are effectively over, and Auckland looks set to be the big winner as contingency plans get underway to move the games north. But Prime Minister John Key is still reluctant to admit the existence of “Plan B”. …

Mr Key started the day saying it was time to be “realistic”. “But we all need to be realistic here,” he said on Firstline this morning. So two hours later, 3 News asked Mr Key what he meant. “I think the main point here is being not unrealistic,” he said. So it’s time to be either “realistic” or “not unrealistic”.

That might not make much sense, but it doesn’t sound good either. The seven games are all but gone. …

Having clearly decide the games should be taken away from Christchurch, the Government is concerned about the backlash. It is a hugely sensitive issue, and with the Christchurch memorial being held on Friday, it is trying to work the best way and best day to announced it.

If that is his reasoning then I think Key is in la la land. It’s obvious that the games can’t go ahead, and for that reason I wouldn’t expect any backlash at all from an announcement to that effect. Perhaps he doesn’t want to risk tarnishing Brand Key by being the one to confirm the bad news? Whatever the reason, the longer Key delays, the less like a leader he looks.

Update: Press conference at 3pm today confirmed the obvious, no games in Christchurch. Very sad for the city, but there are more important things going on right now…

All of my posts for March will finish with this note. While life goes on as usual outside Christchurch, let our thoughts be with those who are coping with the aftermath, with the sorrow of so many who were lost, and with the challenges ahead.

76 comments on “Christchurch RWC ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Tigger 1
    16 March 2011 at 7:57 am

    Let’s not forget, hosting the Cup will cost – millions to fix the stadium (anyone seen pics of the pitch – it’s like the local BMX track. Millions to house the guests in hired sea liners. Not to mention, how will they get to and from the accommodation to the games. And what will they do when the games aren’t on? Key just doesn’t want to be the one saying no. Where’s your great, decisive leader now, righties?

  2. pollywog 2
    16 March 2011 at 8:31 am

    Of course the games can be held in the Canterbury region, not just Christchurch, if the point of the games was to foster goodwill, in the interest of sportsmanship, with a view to finding an overall champion team…but it’s not is it ?

    It’s about generating as much revenue for the IRB and whoever else gets to clip the ticket on the way past and it matters fuck all that it’s a game of rugby that can be played on any back paddock or high school sports field.

    Symbolically, i’d like to see the games played in or around Christchurch and to hell with the 5 star accom and support services for the star players and their fatcat nob, corporate sponsors.

    It’s not about them. It’s about the game, 80 minutes on the field. A paddock, some paint, a couple of goal posts and some good keen Cantabrian supporters is all it’ll take.

    Wheres the fucking love ???

  3. lprent 3
    16 March 2011 at 8:31 am

    I’d speculate that it is mostly about when it will be announced. The accommodation is stuffed in ChCh. It could only handle token games. Probably what Key is hanging out for.

    More games in Auckland! Bugger. Now I really have to get out of town.

    • Lanthanide 3.1
      16 March 2011 at 9:45 am

      Rent your house out to tourists and rent a holiday home in some place nice. Surely you could telecommute for work?

      • Vicky32 3.1.1
        16 March 2011 at 6:16 pm

        I wish I could do that! I have no interest in thugby and I am dreading the RWC… but my house is a HNZ one…
        Deb

  4. toad 4
    16 March 2011 at 8:43 am

    …“realistic” or “not unrealistic”…

    Reminds me of the infamous quote from the corrupt and bigoted former Queensland Premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen:

    There are two very good reasons we will not be doing that. The first is that it would not be right, and the second is that it would be wrong.

  5. big bruv 5
    16 March 2011 at 9:02 am

    Christ!…the left get more desperate with each passing day.

    Good luck in politicising the earthquake and the certain loss of RWC games in Christchurch, trying to blame John Key for the loss of games should see the entire city turn blue come November.

    Keep it up..remember, John Key eats babies, he also caused the earthquake.

    • Rob 5.1
      16 March 2011 at 9:12 am

      Allah!…. the right gets more spooked with the thought of losing the election with each passing day.

      Good luck in trying to turn commentary about a leader’s ability to lead into a simplistic the left blames DonKey for the earthquake … should see the entire country turn red come November

      • toad 5.1.1
        16 March 2011 at 9:19 am

        Or green, perhaps, given some of the stupid utterances from Goff of recent times.

      • r0b 5.1.2
        16 March 2011 at 9:23 am

        Heh – nice one Rob. Excellent handle too by the way!

      • big bruv 5.1.3
        16 March 2011 at 1:08 pm

        Rob

        Over 10,000 people showed what they think of Key’s leadership at the Basin Reserve last Sunday.

        You guys are so blinded by small minded hatred that you refuse to see that the people love him, he is the most popular PM in living memory.

        Going after Key is not going to win you guys the election, and, please…nobody is spooked by Labour and nobody is spooked by Goff.

        • RobC 5.1.3.1
          16 March 2011 at 1:43 pm

          Big Bruv

          Over 10,000 showed what they thought of a worthwhile fundraising event.

          You guys are so blinded by a large lead in the polls that you refuse to see that the people are beginning to tire of him, he is the most popular PM in living memory in danger of losing an unloseable election.

          I do agree – going after Key is not going to win Labour (bad assumption on your part saying “you guys”) the election. Please, if you’re not spooked then fk off back to Kiwiblog and let us enjoy our supposed small minded hatred amongst ourselves.

          PS: I’ve changed my handle – too many friggin Rob’s on this site

        • r0b 5.1.3.2
          16 March 2011 at 5:00 pm

          I’ll never understand the boner that you rwnjs have for Key.

          And just for the record, he isn’t “the most popular PM in living memory”. Key peaked at 58%, guess which recent Labour PM peaked at 59…

          • Pete 5.1.3.2.1
            16 March 2011 at 5:06 pm

            58% is a lot of people to be classified as RWNJ – in fact from what I’ve seen the real RWNJs are not in that 58%, Key is nowhere near radical enough for them.

  6. grumpy 6
    16 March 2011 at 9:12 am

    The glee in which Australian and then Auckland media and business interests pounced on Christchurch’s hosting of RWC games (even before the final tremors were felt) was obscene.

    6 months is a long time and anyone who has lived here since the September quake knows liquifaction is quite quickly cleaned up. The actual damage to the pitch is superficial. The damage to buildings at AMI is likely to be relatively minor.

    As for accommodation, apart from a few hotels, most are OK but inside the cordon. Grand Chancellor is buggerred and so too (probably) the Copthorne, the rest seem to be either OK or minor damage (easily fixed before the RWC).

    • Tigger 6.1
      16 March 2011 at 11:07 am

      Yes, but we’re talking about limited resources being used to, for example, clean up a rugby field rather than, say, for roading, water, housing. I’m not saying it’s all about necessities only, but there has to be some type of grading of problems. And to me RWC is a luxury and surely luxuries can’t be afforded at present.

      • grumpy 6.1.1
        16 March 2011 at 11:55 am

        Nah, The resources needed to sort out AMI are minimal. The issue is the accommodation in the central city.

        The Copthorne is said to be on a lean, the Grand Chancellor is about to be demolished. So Hotel (part of the Novotel Group) is right under it so could be damaged in the demolition. Most of the others are pretty much OK but being in the locked down area have not started fixing yet. Fixing the infrastructure will sort out the RWC and vice versa.

        • lprent 6.1.1.1
          16 March 2011 at 12:21 pm

          Yep. That is my understanding as well. The stadium is not a major issue. The problem is how do you accommodate the influx of visitors in a city where the the infrastructure is fragile. How do you stop the diversion of effort going from the existing citizens to visitors within the available timeframes.

          Why would you even try?

          • grumpy 6.1.1.1.1
            16 March 2011 at 12:28 pm

            It appear the infrastructural issues are mainly in the East and do not so much affect the Central City.
            Power cables are munted, the 66kV oil filled cables need overseas expertise since Orion made it’s local expert workforce redundant. The “T” joints to houses have pulled apart so whole suburbs need new cables laid underground.
            Sewerage and water, although more damage are not as technical to fix. The central city’s problems are removing broken buildings, infrastucture as such is not a badly stuffed as the suburbs.
            I (and engineers I have spoken too) can’t see it as being insurmountable in time for RWC.

  7. Lanthanide 7
    16 March 2011 at 9:50 am

    “And quite frankly I think most people would be angry if resources went in to repairing a stadium when there is much more basic infrastructure that needs to be restored first.”

    Yes, that’s a facet of the issue. But if the stadium and pitch hadn’t been seriously damaged, then it would have been much more feasible, yes? And they probably didn’t have a really good picture of just what the damage and repair costs would be until early last week, I would guess.

    So in terms of timing, I don’t think they’re really being too far off. Key should’ve come out and said something this last Monday, though. With the Friday memorial coming out he’s really stuffed.

    If he is in fact holding out for some of the minor games (which I think is a high probability) but knows that the semi-finals and English hosting is gone, he should have said that the big games were gone on Monday and said “we still hold hope for hosting the smaller games, and the state of them will be advised within the next 2 weeks”. Then if there was bad news on that front he could delay it till next week, and if there was good news he could have announced it on Friday.

  8. ianmac 8
    16 March 2011 at 9:55 am

    There has to be a plan for Key avoiding giving an answer. I wonder why? It may be that if he hangs back for a few more days, the population gets used to the idea of Christchurch losing the games. When finally it is announced Key can say we fought hard for a solution for Christchurch but by then the issue has been diffused by gradual acceptance.
    If Key had done his usual and blurted out an answer it would have hurt him. Sadly he is learning to be a bit more cautious about off the cuff comments.

  9. Rich 9
    16 March 2011 at 10:06 am

    It would be a nice gesture if say 30% of the seats for the finals and semis of the RWC were given free to Christchurch people on a ballot basis. Something to look forward to,

    If the RWC was actually the international *sporting* event it claims to be (as opposed to a money making business venture subsidised by the NZ taxpayer), the IRB would do this.

  10. Tel 10
    16 March 2011 at 11:19 am

    Here’s how Keyster is going to play it out:

    He’ll go live on TV1 (because Rick Ellis wants to have Keyster’s baby, but that’s just a rumour) and announce blubbing to the nation that there was nothing he could do to save the situation. That nasty Thugby Board threatened to pack up their Subbuteo game and take it to another town without his knowledge or approval. What we can’t see at this point is the bucket of freshly chopped onions directly below Keyster purposely out of shot as he feigns remorse and tears for the poor people of Christchurch, who wont be able to get their pre November dose of panem et circenses.

  11. randal 11
    16 March 2011 at 11:43 am

    maybe I will and maybe I wont.
    we will move on and rugby will be the winner on the day.
    full credit to the earthquake.

  12. gobsmacked 12
    16 March 2011 at 12:02 pm

    Key has already told us the answer. But nobody noticed, including John Key.

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10712554

    NZ Herald reports:

    “Yesterday Mr Key said he hoped to make a recommendation to the IRB – who make the final decision – and announce the outcome by the end of this week.

    “We all acknowledge it’s challenging, but that doesn’t mean it’s not impossible,” Key said yesterday.

    If your English is better then the Prime Minister’s, you’ll understand what he said. Obviously he didn’t.

    I wonder if John Key’s linguistic incoherence will make him the first leader in NZ’s history to start a war by mistake? (“I am not considering rejecting a decision to send in troops …” )

    • Rob 12.1
      16 March 2011 at 12:19 pm

      His use of double-negatives is funny (as noted in the post when asked to explain what he meant by realistic … “I think the main point here is being not unrealistic,”)

  13. Stan 13
    16 March 2011 at 12:18 pm

    Key is doing his usual non-committal stuff waiting for someone else (IRB?) to make the call. That way, he avoids being the bearer of bad news and can shift the blame. Leadership? What’s that? Where’s his “Buck stops here” sign that US President Harry Truman had on his desk?

    • grumpy 13.1
      16 March 2011 at 12:36 pm

      The IRB will go with the money. Christchurch had to fight like hell to get any real games as the IRB got into bed with NZRFU Auckland interests.

      The IRB’s first preference will be to move the games to Sydney, the NZRFU will have to fight hard to keep them in NZ, let alone Christchurch.

      They should be kept in the South Island, if not Christchurch, then jointly between Christchurch and Dunedin.

      • Lanthanide 13.1.1
        16 March 2011 at 12:47 pm

        Dunedin doesn’t have the capacity to host the semi-finals. With CHCH losing out most of it’s accommodation, they don’t either.

        • grumpy 13.1.1.1
          16 March 2011 at 12:59 pm

          Christchurch has not lost “most of it’s accommodation”, as a local you should know better.

  14. gobsmacked 14
    16 March 2011 at 12:50 pm

    So now we know:

    “Rugby World Cup Minister Murray McCully will front for media at 3pm in Christchurch this afternoon to announce what the Government thinks should happen to the games. ” (Stuff reports)

    Murray McCully. Not John Key. The Brand must be protected at all costs, and is only for Good News. When Key doesn’t front, you know what’s coming.

    So, Christchurch RWC is a goner.

    • Carol 14.1
      16 March 2011 at 3:26 pm

      gobsmacked, that explains the quaestions from labour int he House today. They were asking a series of supplementaries relating to this:

      http://parliamenttoday.co.nz/2011/03/questions-for-oral-answer-march-16/

      2. Hon PHIL GOFF to the Minister for the Rugby World Cup: What advice has he, his Government or Rugby New Zealand 2011 been given on Christchurch’s ability to host Rugby World Cup matches later this year?

      Joyce answered on behalf of the minister (if I recall correctly). He kind of sidestepped the question and said that the meeting about it was not finished. The speaker responded to Labour points of order that this must mean there hadn’t yet been any decisions/advice. Labour was implying that the Minister and Key already knew what the decision is.

      • Armchair Critic 14.1.1
        16 March 2011 at 3:31 pm

        Labour was implying that the Minister and Key already knew what the decision is.
        And clearly they did know what the decision would be.
        The evasion by Mr Joyce was very effective, and I asked myself whether Labour had picked the correct battle. In a couple of days no one will care whether National knew or not.

      • gobsmacked 14.1.2
        16 March 2011 at 3:35 pm

        John Key couldn’t be in the House. Or in Christchurch. Was he washing his hair?

        Two press conferences:

        The Hobbit, last year. Timed to go live in the 6 pm news. With John Key – and nobody else.

        Today. Everybody else (McCully, Snedden, Parker, IRB guys, etc). John Key disappears.

        • Herodotus 14.1.2.1
          16 March 2011 at 3:46 pm

          There was a meeting of the AMI trust on Monday just gone. The outcomes of that meeting were in enbargo until 3:00 today. Have not heard of any outcomes.
          So since Monday afternoon there was a few in the know. Now do we expect that a question in parliament like this to be answered, when there is already in place an agreement to withhold the info until a specified date and time.
          To some it could be seen as cheap politickin in a time that is not warrented

        • Jim Nald 14.1.2.2
          16 March 2011 at 9:47 pm

          Hey Mayor Bob Parker & Friendz
          Are you reading this?
          Are you feeling screwed by Key?
          Welcome to the crowd.

  15. Armchair Critic 15
    16 March 2011 at 3:14 pm

    So now we know.
    The money over-rides the spirit of the game.
    Murray McCully is explaining why they can’t do it right now.

  16. Colonial Viper 16
    16 March 2011 at 3:38 pm

    On Christchurch losing the RWC

    McCully: the Fall Guy
    John Key: Wave Bye Bye

  17. Pete 17
    16 March 2011 at 3:45 pm

    John Key gets criticised for being involved in sport and media on Sunday.
    John Key gets criticised for not being involved in sport and media today.

    Same old. Life goes on.

    Sad but inevitable news on the RWC for Christchurch.

    • gobsmacked 17.1
      16 March 2011 at 3:52 pm

      Pete, you think you’re being clever, but really you’re just being monumentally dull.

      Care to engage in debate at all? Do you think the PM should have fronted the decision today? Yes or no?

      • Pete 17.1.1
        16 March 2011 at 3:55 pm

        No. Why should he?

        Maybe he was doing something else like earthquake recovery planning.

        • gobsmacked 17.1.1.1
          16 March 2011 at 4:02 pm

          Or watching the flying pigs?

          You’re either incredibly naive, or a tedious troll. I’ll be generous and go for the former.

          Can I sell you a bridge? Special price for you!

        • Pascal's bookie 17.1.1.2
          16 March 2011 at 4:03 pm

          Do you think he would have fronted if the decision went the other way?

          • Pete 17.1.1.2.1
            16 March 2011 at 4:09 pm

            I have no idea and I don’t really think it matters. McCully is Minister of RWC and Minsiter of Earthquake so it was appropriate he was there. I don’t think the country will suffer drastically from Key’s absence, nor would it have if he was there.

            Do you think it matters that he wasn’t there?

        • Colonial Viper 17.1.1.3
          16 March 2011 at 4:06 pm

          Maybe he was doing something else like earthquake recovery planning.

          Or maybe he was just trying to avoid bad PR from this decision.

          Yeah that’s more likely, since the last time Key did earthquake recovery planning he was making up demolition numbers up off the top of his head.

  18. ianmac 18
    16 March 2011 at 4:07 pm

    McCulley: “Mr McCully announced the Government will grant $4.1 million to allow the turf repair work to commence immediately at AMI Stadium so it will be ready for next year’s season. ”
    Wow!
    That was quick and of course he has his priority right. Ummm. Sewer or Turf? Ummm Turf of course!

    • Bright Red 18.1
      16 March 2011 at 5:48 pm

      So, let me get this straight. The one year-long plan that the government has announced for the Chch recovery is the turf at AMI stadium.

      Where will the 100,000 families in damaged homes be in a year? Who knows!
      Will the turf at AMI stadium be fixed in a year’s time? Yes!

    • Colonial Viper 18.2
      16 March 2011 at 6:13 pm

      OMG.

    • KJT 18.3
      16 March 2011 at 8:30 pm

      I do not have much time for Key, but getting the stadium and other cultural icons back is just as important to the cities recovery.

  19. MrSmith 19
    16 March 2011 at 6:28 pm

    Just heard Key say “they expect to make another 10 mil moving the Canterbury games to Auckland” what an insensitive prick and does he love those round numbers, what a Zero he is, theirs a round number for you Wonkey, hope someone throws some eggs at him at the memorial .

    • KJT 19.1
      16 March 2011 at 6:54 pm

      I hope they still have $50 flights for Christchurch people to watch the match.

      • TonyP 19.1.1
        16 March 2011 at 8:18 pm

        I thought I heard on One News that the government was going to assist those with tickets for the ChCh games in some way to get to the rescheduled games.

  20. simon 20
    17 March 2011 at 3:11 pm

    A heart-warming royal foto-fest is far more preferable for the Minister of Paparazzi than a non-telegenic bad news story. Key’s persistent ‘optimism’ in spite of the facts proves him ever less connected, competent and qualfied for the enormous task at hand.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • New sports complex opens in Kaikohe
    Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Diplomacy needed more than ever
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges.    “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address, Buttes New British Cemetery Belgium
    Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service.  It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address – NZ National Service, Chunuk Bair
    Distinguished guests -   It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders.   Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address – Dawn Service, Gallipoli, Türkiye
    Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia.   Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
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