Councillor Bruce Wilson: racist and incompetent

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 pm, April 6th, 2013 - 60 comments
Categories: health, Maori Issues, racism - Tags:

As covered by marty mars, Councillor Bruce Wilson from the fine city of Palmerston North decided to crack “a joke” about sterilising Maaori women smokers so they wouldn’t be able to smoke in front of their kids.

Every single statement since then from him has been a bingo square: it was a joke, I wouldn’t have said it if I knew media were present, I’m sorry if you were offended, I should have thought harder.

Like marty says,

We let these people off too lightly – and trying to get out of it by using the ‘joke’ defence is as bad as using the ‘should have thought harder’ defence – they are not a defence they are just useless excuses.

The thing is, stories like this consistently get the “oh, oops” treatment, especially when it’s privileged white dudes accidentally letting us all know that they’re authoritarian racist (or misogynist) fucks.

This is bullshit.

There is no level of “hard thinking” involved in the idea that it’s not okay to:

  • joking about forced sterilisation
    • of minority women
      • especially to punish them for behaviour you don’t like
        • especially when you’re a white dude
          • in a position of civic authority

That’s not something anyone in the 21st century should believe is some kind of grey area requiring intensive meditation.  It’s an automatic Godwin-exemption because it’s something the Nazis actually did.

Councillor Bruce Wilson shouldn’t just resign because he’s racist.  He should resign because he’s not competent to open his mouth and speak to other human beings.  

If he can’t understand “I shouldn’t joke about forced sterilisation of Maaori” then how the fuck do you expect him to help run a city?  What other basic concepts of human behaviour have to be explained to him?  “Councillor, we can’t superglue all the doors shut on the buses to stop people getting on and off at traffic lights because then no one can get on the bus at all”?  “Councillor, you shouldn’t advocate castrating people who put non-recyclables in the recycling bins”?  “Councillor, shoes go on your feet“?

~

And a small thought to mull over:  what does it say about someone who, when “frustrated” by the lack of impact of anti-smoking policies, will go to “sterilise women” before “ban tobacco”?

60 comments on “Councillor Bruce Wilson: racist and incompetent ”

  1. Morrissey 1

    “Sir” Paul Holmes lives.

  2. Roy 2

    Unbelievable that he is allowed to get away with an apology. He should be obliged to resign immediately.

    • Draco T Bastard 2.1

      +1

      Actually, he should have just been fired – unfortunately, we don’t have the power of recall in NZ.

      • Jackal 2.1.1

        We might not have the power of recall, but the blatantly racist Bruce Wilson could be dismissed by the Palmerston North City council’s CEO… Their Code of Conduct (PDF) allows for such things. It appears that the only reason he hasn’t been dismissed is agreement from his fellow councilors for such sentiments, which is pretty horrendous!

        • Colonial Weka 2.1.1.1

          “It appears that the only reason he hasn’t been dismissed is agreement from his fellow councilors for such sentiments, which is pretty horrendous!”

          There may be some councillors who agree with him, but I would guess it’s more to do with the councillors who disagreed but didn’t think his comments warranted being fired. Another kind of racism mixed with a sense of self-preservation.

  3. BM 3

    Did he actually stand up in front of every one and say Maori women who smoke should be sterilised ?
    If so that’s a bit of a shocker.

    • Colonial Weka 3.1

      Follow the links if you want to be informed before expressing an opinion.

      • BM 3.1.1

        Yes, Mum.

      • QoT 3.1.2

        Now now, CW, BM is totally within his rights to just assume that I’m making things up to be outraged by. It’s what we evil deconstructionist Marxist feminists do, I’m told.

        • BM 3.1.2.1

          Yes, you people are the worst.

          On a sightly more serious note though, even after reading the article I find it hard to believe some one would actually stand up in front of others and say that.
          It’s just insane, the only excuse I can think of was that he’d had a skin full.
          Silly old bugger.

          • QoT 3.1.2.1.1

            That’s right, BM, desperately search for more pathetic excuses for Wilson so you don’t have to acknowledge that some people are just racist and too thick to hide it well.

            • BM 3.1.2.1.1.1

              He does look a bit like Prince Philip who as you probably know is notorious for making less than flattering comments about our darker skinned brothers and sisters.
              Could be something in the genetics?

          • rosy 3.1.2.1.2

            “Silly old bugger.”

            That’s what I’d say to my grandpa who split gravy down his shirt. Bruce Wilson has graduated quite a bit beyond the silly old bugger league.

  4. BLiP 4

    White mofo.

    [QoT: can we not derail these comments by pretending, even jokingly, that one Maaori man’s phrasing in a personal email is equivalent to elected officials publicly voicing support for forced sterilisation of an entire group of people?]

    • Colonial Weka 4.1

      Can we please not go down that particular path of misogyny and racist projection?

    • BLiP 4.2

      @QoT: That was my point. Perhaps I should have added: “contrast and compare” – the media went mental over the mofo private email between friends, this time the New Zealand Fox News Herald hasn’t bothered to cover this issue.

  5. Jenny 5

    So what will our, ‘I would have toured apartheid South Africa’, Squash Player, Race Relations Commissioner do?

    Publicly censure him for his behaviour and demand his resignation?

    Nothing?

    Less than nothing?

    Privately phone to assure him that it is OK with her?

    • QoT 5.1

      She probably has to do some background reading on the issue first.

    • kiwi_prometheus 5.2

      The Race Relations Commissioner cant do anything – you think they can throw someone in prison? Get real.

      Ms Devoy is going to be there for 5 LONG YEARS, get use to it girl friend, LOL.

      • karol 5.2.1

        k_p: do you understand the difference between “censure” and “imprison? There are online dictionaries that will help with that?

        • Colonial Weka 5.2.1.1

          You might also want to look up what the RRC’s role is and what they can do.

  6. ghostrider888 6

    gist anuva lurvlee day ov homo-gene-ization “Fresh to you each day.”(retiring to a pacific island is seeming more attractive by the way).

  7. TheContrarian 7

    What a plonker

  8. kiwi_prometheus 8

    The problem is you lot have no credibility.

    A bunch of ideologically bankrupt Marxist/Social Constructivists pretending to be oh so reasonable and balanced – “We just want a more inclusive society”, batting eyelashes.

    NZers won’t agree with Mr Wilsons comments but they don’t care much for Princess of Thorns and her crazy man hating nonsense either.

    That’s why you lot can NEVER fly your true colours in democratic politics ( after all Marxists hate democracy ) instead hiding behind the mainstream Labour Party banner.

    [QoT: this comment thread is only being preserved because CV and DTB have responded well to your bullshit. Future derails on your part will be summarily deleted. If you want to have a whinge about being moderated in this way when you have quite clearly crapped all over a post about racism to attack political ideologies which you clearly don’t even understand, you are welcome to cry me a fucking river.]

    • Colonial Viper 8.1

      In fact, democratic socialism is a form of socialism in both the spheres of the private sector and the public sector, which gives higher regard to the voice of the ordinary person than anything you can dream of.

      • kiwi_prometheus 8.1.1

        I said MARXISTS.

        You want to pretend that Marx was a lover of democracy? He saw it as a Bourgeoisie arrangement to maintain class control.

        Are you a marxists, CV?

        • Colonial Viper 8.1.1.1

          I’m a democratic socialist, and in terms of the theory of economics, I’m certainly a proponent of Marxian models of operation.

          • kiwi_prometheus 8.1.1.1.1

            Example of a democratic socialist country please.

            “Marxian models of operation.”

            You mean Dialectical Materialism?

            • Colonial Viper 8.1.1.1.1.1

              I’m quite keen on the approach taken by Richard Wolff – rdwolff.com

              • kiwi_prometheus

                I haven’t got time to look at his video tonight.

                He says Marx influences his work.

                Dialectical Materialism is the active ingredient of Marxism, and it is a failure, so if your friend buys into that, then he has failed too, if not, then there is not much of Marx in his work that is meaningful.

                • Draco T Bastard

                  You need to read more – your ignorance is showing.

                • Murray Olsen

                  Before using big words, you should try to figure out what they mean. On dialectal materialism, I recommend Georg Lukács from the early 1920s. When you’ve understood that, we can try discussing how voting once every few years for someone to smooth the way for Kiwi capitalists is such a great thing, and what might be some possible alternatives.

                  But please, no batting of eyelashes.

        • Draco T Bastard 8.1.1.2

          You want to pretend that Marx was a lover of democracy?

          No pretence needed, he was, as a matter of fact, a lover of democracy. Just not the representative democracy that the capitalists had imposed upon us.

    • Colonial Viper 8.2

      By the way, not having “credibility” with the banksters is a good thing, not a bad thing.

      • kiwi_prometheus 8.2.1

        You lot don’t have credibility about racism because you love to indulge in Marxist class hatred.

        • kiwi_prometheus 8.2.1.1

          As for GFC, none of you lot saw it coming – how bloody useless.

          • Colonial Viper 8.2.1.1.1

            That’s odd – the neoliberal economists were the most highly paid and influential in the establishment both then, and now.

            And they were the ones who missed it. Turns out that their brand of orthodox economics is…hmmmm, shall we say, useless?

            Non-orthodox operators like Keen, Bass and Burry picked it though.

            • kiwi_prometheus 8.2.1.1.1.1

              Keen isn’t a Marxist. Nothing in his theory about that.

              Yeah, Greenspan et al missed it, but the point is where were you lot? – campaigning for gayee “marriage” probably – have you not noticed the neo libs don’t bother opposing you there hmmm why is that?

              Great revolutionary material you lot are.

              • Colonial Viper

                Keen’s not a Marxist, you are quite correct.

                But he does advocate for a modern debt jubilee writing off billions in bad debts, as well as taking a thermodynamic, resource limited approach to economics.

                Great revolutionary material you lot are.

                Thanks.

                have you not noticed the neo libs don’t bother opposing you there hmmm why is that?

                Because they are solely interested in issues which affect the power of capital and the financial sector.

                • kiwi_prometheus

                  “Because they are solely interested in issues which affect the power of capital”

                  That affect power full stop. Your wrong headed championing of gayee “marriage” is a joke. That’s why there is no real opposition – it is of no threat to power.

                  After all as long as you sit in your Wall Street office bundling up those debts into nice little financial time bombs, you can go home afterwards and fuck your pet gold fish for all they care.

                  “But he does advocate for a modern debt jubilee writing off billions in bad debts, as well as taking a thermodynamic, resource limited approach to economics.”

                  That’s not Marxist.

          • Draco T Bastard 8.2.1.1.2

            None of us? Sorry, but I predicted it back as going to happen between 2006 and 2008 back in 2003.

    • Jenny 8.3

      A bunch of ideologically bankrupt Marxist/Social Constructivists pretending to be oh so reasonable and balanced

      kiwi_prometheus channelling 1950s frothing at the mouth demagogue, Joe McCarthy

      Hey Prom, haven’t you heard, the cold war is over, we won.

      Leaving the cold war rhetoric of the 1950s behind us and returning to the 21st Century. We discover, even as we speak; Capitalist darling of the right, John Key is in Peking being hosted by his Communist buddies. Both Communists and Capitalists have a common interest in what they call “Growth” which is code for increasing the rate of oppression and exploitation of the human and natural world.

      But the writing is on the wall (literally).
      It is only a matter of time (ten or twenty years maybe) before the final collapse of Communism is quickly followed by, or preceded by its photo negative, Capitalist Collapse. Both systems are totally dependent on continuing growth in the exploitation of the human and natural world. Unfortunately for them, the age of “Growth” is coming to an end, never to return again. They have both run up against the physical limits and carrying capacity of the natural world.

      Not only this, but the mounting revolts in China, the Middle East and the West are pointing to the fact that both systems are getting close to the limits of exploitation of the human world as well.

      Both forms of global oppression and exploitation, Capitalism and Communism are intimately linked. Like two sides of the same coin, they will be linked in their decline just as they were linked in their ascendency. At some point during their mutual decline this linkage may even include war between them, as these dying global monsters in their final death throes claw at each other over diminishing resources.

      • Murray Olsen 8.3.1

        China has been a capitalist country for quite a few years now. It never was Communist in the sense that any Marxist would use the word. Marxists are not joined at the hip to the ideology of unlimited growth. Marxism is, to put it simply, a way of changing the world in order to understand it (and vice-versa). As a Marxist, I see that the unlimited growth so beloved of the capitalist economy is destroying the planet, but I also see that this is driven by the tendency for the rate of profit to fall. Once we produce for human need rather than human greed, profit will no longer be an imperative and we will actually be able to do something effective about the real problems.

        This is not to say that we can’t do anything “before the revolution”, as some would crudely put it. It is to say that we need to reorganise things completely for the survival of the human race.

        • Ennui 8.3.1.1

          I think Jenny summed it up very nicely. Marxist economics gave us such ecological marvels as the dried out Aral Sea etc, Marxist economics are modeled on industrialism and growth, and produce the same result as capitalist industrialization. The historic determinism of Marx’s dialectic proved to be a load of bollocks, which makes me wonder how any thinking person could not fail t notice the gap between theory and reality. Sitting in the gulag must have been very instructive for those who were supposed to be experiencing life in the workers paradise.

          What I say above is in no way a defense of capitalism, that as Jenny points out is the other side of the coin. A subtle thinker at that point might question the role of constructs based upon “enlightenment thinking”, Hobbes v Marx for example. And eithers consequent validity. Therein lies the basis of the ideological absolutism I see on this site regularly.

    • Colonial Weka 8.4

      “The problem is you lot have no credibility.

      A bunch of ideologically bankrupt Marxist/Social Constructivists pretending to be oh so reasonable and balanced – “We just want a more inclusive society”, batting eyelashes.

      NZers won’t agree with Mr Wilsons comments but they don’t care much for Princess of Thorns and her crazy man hating nonsense either.

      That’s why you lot can NEVER fly your true colours in democratic politics ( after all Marxists hate democracy ) instead hiding behind the mainstream Labour Party banner.”

      I know, it’s not like us nasty feminist, decolonisationist, anti-racism, gay rights, disability rights, socialist, progressive, [insert human kindness and respect of choice] liberals have achieved ANYTHING in the last fifty years, lol.

      • ghostrider888 8.4.1

        Nope. nada. not-a-god-damn thing has been achieved to slow the pace of greed that might well have left the planet gasping decades ago, before the ascendency of the Western Boomers, oh…sh*t, what has been the outcome of all these achievements again? Delay…oh well, the Asian Century is here at last; Time for Tao and Tao for two.

  9. Blue 9

    Bruce Wilson is a moron don’t give him oxygen. Like most fringe dwellers in society he’s full of shit.

    • QoT 9.1

      I am not a fan of the notion that if we just ignore hateful bullshit spouted by elected representatives, they’ll go away. Because obviously he’s not going away and he’s in a position of power where his words and attitudes can cause real harm to people.

      Also since when is a city councillor a “fringe dweller”?

  10. Blue 10

    Fringe dweller by character, his occupation is immaterial. Unless of course his views are the views of his ward?

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    Mariupol, on the Azov Sea coast, was one of the first cities to suffer almost complete destruction after the start of the Ukraine War started in late February 2022. We remember the scenes of absolute destruction of the houses and city structures. The deaths of innocent civilians – many of ...
    1 day ago
  • Babies and benefits – no good news
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – Ten years ago, I wrote the following in a Listener column: Every year around one in five new-born babies will be reliant on their caregivers benefit by Christmas. This pattern has persisted from at least 1993. For Maori the number jumps to over one in three.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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 ...
    1 day 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
    1 day ago
  • How extreme was the Earth's temperature in 2023
    This is a re-post from Andrew Dessler at the Climate Brink blog In 2023, the Earth reached temperature levels unprecedented in modern times. Given that, it’s reasonable to ask: What’s going on? There’s been lots of discussions by scientists about whether this is just the normal progression of global warming or if something ...
    2 days ago
  • Backbone, revisited
    The schools are on holiday and the sun is shining in the seaside village and all day long I have been seeing bunches of bikes; Mums, Dads, teens and toddlers chattering, laughing, happy, having a bloody great time together. Cheers, AT, for the bits of lane you’ve added lately around the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • Ministers are not above the law
    Today in our National-led authoritarian nightmare: Shane Jones thinks Ministers should be above the law: New Zealand First MP Shane Jones is accusing the Waitangi Tribunal of over-stepping its mandate by subpoenaing a minister for its urgent hearing on the Oranga Tamariki claim. The tribunal is looking into the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago
  • What’s the outfit you can hear going down the gurgler? Probably it’s David Parker’s Oceans Sec...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point  of Order first heard of the Oceans Secretariat in June 2021, when David Parker (remember him?) announced a multi-agency approach to protecting New Zealand’s marine ecosystems and fisheries. Parker (holding the Environment, and Oceans and Fisheries portfolios) broke the news at the annual Forest & ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago
  • Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Bryce Edwards writes  – Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • Matt Doocey doubles down on trans “healthcare”
    Citizen Science writes –  Last week saw two significant developments in the debate over the treatment of trans-identifying children and young people – the release in Britain of the final report of Dr Hilary Cass’s review into gender healthcare, and here in New Zealand, the news that the ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • A TikTok Prime Minister.
    One night while sleeping in my bed I had a beautiful dreamThat all the people of the world got together on the same wavelengthAnd began helping one anotherNow in this dream, universal love was the theme of the dayPeace and understanding and it happened this wayAfter such an eventful day ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Texas Lessons
    This is a guest post by Oscar Simms who is a housing activist, volunteer for the Coalition for More Homes, and was the Labour Party candidate for Auckland Central at the last election. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    2 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
    2 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
    2 days ago
  • Bernard's six-stack of substacks at 6:26 pm
    Tonight’s six-stack includes: launching his substack with a bunch of his previous documentaries, including this 1992 interview with Dame Whina Cooper. and here crew give climate activists plenty to do, including this call to submit against the Fast Track Approvals bill. writes brilliantly here on his substack ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • At a glance – Is the science settled?
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    3 days ago
  • Apposite Quotations.
    How Long Is Long Enough? Gaza under Israeli bombardment, July 2014. This posting is exclusive to Bowalley Road. ...
    3 days ago
  • What’s a life worth now?
    You're in the mall when you hear it: some kind of popping sound in the distance, kids with fireworks, maybe. But then a moment of eerie stillness is followed by more of the fireworks sound and there’s also screaming and shrieking and now here come people running for their lives.Does ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Howling at the Moon
    Karl du Fresne writes –  There’s a crisis in the news media and the media are blaming it on everyone except themselves. Culpability is being deflected elsewhere – mainly to the hapless Minister of Communications, Melissa Lee, and the big social media platforms that are accused of hoovering ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Newshub is Dead.
    I don’t normally send out two newsletters in a day but I figured I’d say something about… the news. If two newsletters is a bit much then maybe just skip one, I don’t want to overload people. Alternatively if you’d be interested in sometimes receiving multiple, smaller updates from me, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Seymour is chuffed about cutting early-learning red tape – but we hear, too, that Jones has loose...
    Buzz from the Beehive David Seymour and Winston Peters today signalled that at least two ministers of the Crown might be in Wellington today. Seymour (as Associate Minister of Education) announced the removal of more red tape, this time to make it easier for new early learning services to be ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. Our political system is suffering from the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago
  • Was Hawkesby entirely wrong?
    David Farrar  writes –  The Broadcasting Standards Authority ruled: Comments by radio host Kate Hawkesby suggesting Māori and Pacific patients were being prioritised for surgery due to their ethnicity were misleading and discriminatory, the Broadcasting Standards Authority has found. It is a fact such patients are prioritised. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • PRC shadow looms as the Solomons head for election
    PRC and its proxies in Solomons have been preparing for these elections for a long time. A lot of money, effort and intelligence have gone into ensuring an outcome that won’t compromise Beijing’s plans. Cleo Paskall writes – On April 17th the Solomon Islands, a country of ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Climate Change: Criminal ecocide
    We are in the middle of a climate crisis. Last year was (again) the hottest year on record. NOAA has just announced another global coral bleaching event. Floods are threatening UK food security. So naturally, Shane Jones wants to make it easier to mine coal: Resources Minister Shane Jones ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • Is saving one minute of a politician's time worth nearly $1 billion?
    Is speeding up the trip to and from Wellington airport by 12 minutes worth spending up more than $10 billion? Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me in the last day to 8:26 am today are:The Lead: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Long Tunnel or Long Con?
    Yesterday it was revealed that Transport Minister had asked Waka Kotahi to look at the options for a long tunnel through Wellington. State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the ...
    3 days ago
  • Smoke And Mirrors.
    You're a fraud, and you know itBut it's too good to throw it all awayAnyone would do the sameYou've got 'em goingAnd you're careful not to show itSometimes you even fool yourself a bitIt's like magicBut it's always been a smoke and mirrors gameAnyone would do the sameForty six billion ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • What is Mexico doing about climate change?
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections The June general election in Mexico could mark a turning point in ensuring that the country’s climate policies better reflect the desire of its citizens to address the climate crisis, with both leading presidential candidates expressing support for renewable energy. Mexico is the ...
    3 days ago
  • State of humanity, 2024
    2024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?When I say 2024 I really mean the state of humanity in 2024.Saturday night, we watched Civil War because that is one terrifying cliff we've ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • Govt’s Wellington tunnel vision aims to ease the way to the airport (but zealous promoters of cycl...
    Buzz from the Beehive A pet project and governmental tunnel vision jump out from the latest batch of ministerial announcements. The government is keen to assure us of its concern for the wellbeing of our pets. It will be introducing pet bonds in a change to the Residential Tenancies Act ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • The case for cultural connectedness
    A recent report generated from a Growing Up in New Zealand (GUiNZ) survey of 1,224 rangatahi Māori aged 11-12 found: Cultural connectedness was associated with fewer depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms and better quality of life. That sounds cut and dry. But further into the report the following appears: Cultural connectedness is ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Useful context on public sector job cuts
    David Farrar writes –    The Herald reports: From the gory details of job-cuts news, you’d think the public service was being eviscerated.   While the media’s view of the cuts is incomplete, it’s also true that departments have been leaking the particulars faster than a Wellington ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell On When Racism Comes Disguised As Anti-racism
    Remember the good old days, back when New Zealand had a PM who could think and speak calmly and intelligently in whole sentences without blustering? Even while Iran’s drones and missiles were still being launched, Helen Clark was live on TVNZ expertly summing up the latest crisis in the Middle ...
    4 days ago
  • Govt ignored economic analysis of smokefree reversal
    Costello did not pass on analysis of the benefits of the smokefree reforms to Cabinet, emphasising instead the extra tax revenues of repealing them. Photo: Hagen Hopkins, Getty Images TL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me at 7:26 am today are:The Lead: Casey Costello never passed on ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • True Blue.
    True loveYou're the one I'm dreaming ofYour heart fits me like a gloveAnd I'm gonna be true blueBaby, I love youI’ve written about the job cuts in our news media last week. The impact on individuals, and the loss to Aotearoa of voices covering our news from different angles.That by ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Who is running New Zealand’s foreign policy?
    While commentators, including former Prime Minister Helen Clark, are noting a subtle shift in New Zealand’s foreign policy, which now places more emphasis on the United States, many have missed a key element of the shift. What National said before the election is not what the government is doing now. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #15
    A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 7, 2024 thru Sat, April 13, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week is about adults in the room setting terms and conditions of ...
    5 days ago
  • Feline Friends and Fragile Fauna The Complexities of Cats in New Zealand’s Conservation Efforts

    Cats, with their independent spirit and beguiling purrs, have captured the hearts of humans for millennia. In New Zealand, felines are no exception, boasting the highest national cat ownership rate globally [definition cat nz cat foundation]. An estimated 1.134 million pet cats grace Kiwi households, compared to 683,000 dogs ...

    5 days ago
  • Or is that just they want us to think?
    Nice guy, that Peter Williams. Amiable, a calm air of no-nonsense capability, a winning smile. Everything you look for in a TV presenter and newsreader.I used to see him sometimes when I went to TVNZ to be a talking head or a panellist and we would yarn. Nice guy, that ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago
  • Fact Brief – Did global warming stop in 1998?
    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. Did global warming stop in ...
    6 days ago
  • Arguing over a moot point.
    I have been following recent debates in the corporate and social media about whether it is a good idea for NZ to join what is known as “AUKUS Pillar Two.” AUKUS is the Australian-UK-US nuclear submarine building agreement in which … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    6 days ago
  • No Longer Trusted: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.
    Turning Point: What has turned me away from the mainstream news media is the very strong message that its been sending out for the last few years.” “And what message might that be?” “That the people who own it, the people who run it, and the people who provide its content, really don’t ...
    6 days 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
    2 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
    3 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    7 hours ago
  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago
  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    24 hours ago
  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners.  “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Government backing mussel spat project
    The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Government focused on getting people into work
    Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day ago
  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
    Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
    Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
    Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector.    "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
    The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 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
    3 days ago
  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
    Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.   Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ ties
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.  During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Antarctica New Zealand Board appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has made further appointments to the Board of Antarctica New Zealand as part of a continued effort to ensure the Scott Base Redevelopment project is delivered in a cost-effective and efficient manner.  The Minister has appointed Neville Harris as a new member of the Board. Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Finance Minister travels to Washington DC
    Finance Minister Nicola Willis will travel to the United States on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Five Finance Ministers group, with counterparts from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.  “I am looking forward to meeting with our Five Finance partners on how we can work ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Pet bonds a win/win for renters and landlords
    The coalition Government has today announced purrfect and pawsitive changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to give tenants with pets greater choice when looking for a rental property, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Pets are important members of many Kiwi families. It’s estimated that around 64 per cent of New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being considered
    State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the Government has also asked NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to consider and provide advice on a Long Tunnel option, Transport Minister Simeon Brown ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • New Zealand condemns Iranian strikes
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel.    “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says.    "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plans
    Hundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand Chair
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board.   “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti.  “I have asked her to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Roads of National Significance planning underway
    The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Navigating an unstable global environment
    New Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States.    “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • NZ welcomes Australian Governor-General
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Pseudoephedrine back on shelves for Winter
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced that Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Pharmaceutical suppliers have indicated they may be able to supply the first products in June. “This is much earlier than the original expectation of medicines being available by 2025. The Government recognised ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • NZ and the US: an ever closer partnership
    New Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...
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