Crisis, what crisis?

Written By: James Henderson - Date published: 9:50 am, October 19th, 2012 - 92 comments
Categories: jobs - Tags: manufacturing

A great piece by Byran Gould yesterday on National’s refusal to acknowledge the jobs crisis in manufacturing, even as the ANZ says unemployment is on its way up to 7%. National is really on the wrong side of public perception and the wrong side of history here. They look like ostriches trying to deny the problem, while the Left is presenting the solutions.

I want to reproduce the Gould article, it’s so good, but here’s some snippets:

In January 1979, the British Prime Minister, Jim Callaghan, returned from a Summit meeting in the Caribbean to a Britain suffering the serious industrial unrest that became known as the “winter of discontent”.

Interviewed at Heathrow airport, Mr Callaghan’s relaxed attitude to talk of chaos was translated by The Sun the following morning into a headline reporting the Prime Minister as saying “Crisis? What Crisis?”

The electorate’s reaction led directly to Mrs Thatcher’s election victory later that year.

John Key, returning from Hollywood this week, was equally dismissive of talk of a crisis in manufacturing.

Our Prime Minister was in some ways even more insouciant than Mr Callaghan; faced with Statistics New Zealand figures showing 40,000 manufacturing jobs lost in the last four years, he airily asserted that our expert official statisticians were simply wrong.

….

Ministers dare not say so publicly, but they use economists’ jargon to explain why unemployment remains high. Labour costs are “sticky” – that is, they have not fallen in order to clear the market, as the theory says should happen. Their conclusion is that the market must be helped by “unsticking” labour costs to force them down.

It may be hard to credit that our government wants to bring wages down, yet that is what they have set out to do.

How else to explain why workers’ rights have been significantly weakened, so that workers can be taken on, and then thrown back on the scrap heap without any redress?

Why else are young workers to be paid less than the minimum wage, if not to remove the floor placed under wage levels?

Why was a modest rise in the minimum wage voted down while top salaries zoom upwards?

Why have benefits been removed and reduced so that even solo mums with young children are forced back into the labour market, whether or not there are jobs?

Why is covert support lent to big employers such as Oceania or Talleys as they cut the real wages paid to already low-paid employees?

These measures are explicable only if the intention is to force the lowest wages lower, so that downward pressure will increase on wages across the board.

….

A lower exchange rate would at least give us a fair way of reducing our costs across the board, and provide a platform from which we could begin to grow the economy again.

The government, though, would rather see the whole burden of reducing our costs in international terms borne by working people. Little wonder that the share of national income accounted for by wages has fallen.

Oh, and have you seen this from the Greens? What crisis, indeed.

92 comments on “Crisis, what crisis? ”

Comments are now closed

Lanthanide 1

19 October 2012 at 10:29 am

Nice stats on the Greens card, but it’s not immediately clear from the layout/formatting that those are negative signs. They could just be dashes to join the number to the item.

I’m not sure there’s a lot of options to fix this, but something like:
40,000 jobs lost
12.4% lower
9.0% lower
10.0% lower
6.1% lower
17.2% lower

Could work.
- Lanthanide 1.1
  
  19 October 2012 at 10:40 am
  
  Actually thinking about it more, all they have to do is right-align all the numbers and keep the negative sign in the same place, like this:
  
  - 40,000 - 12.4% - 9.0% - 10.0% - 6.1% - 17.2%
  - Chris 1.1.1
    
    19 October 2012 at 11:29 am
    
    I agree with you that it’s not immediately obvious but think right aligning the numbers would make it even less obvious.
    
    I think the best way would be too right align the numbers and the dashes – for me it having the – all in one line which makes it seem like they are dashes rather than minus signs.
    - Lanthanide 1.1.1.1
      
      19 October 2012 at 11:31 am
      
      Yes, although that looks kinda messy.
      - ropata 1.1.1.1.1
        
        19 October 2012 at 11:45 am
        
        ↓↓↓ down arrows instead of dashes.
        
        Chris 1.1.1.1.1.1
        
        19 October 2012 at 11:54 am
        
        That is definitely the easiest way
        
        Rob …
        
        19 October 2012 at 12:03 pm
        
        Oh thats great, I feel really relieved in our manufacturing business here in Sth Akl that we have collectively solved the formatting issue. Good work team, now lest all sit down and have a celebratory flat white and congratulate ourselves.
        
        A question – where is the great left solutions to our manufacturing crisis. All I have seen is repeated ‘experts’ telling me we have an issue. I sort of get that from our finance team and the bank.
        
        And if I hear again that the secret is in a lower $ you guys have got rocks in your heads. There are many local manufacturing businesses that need a reasonable doller to purchase items for conversion. Any decrease in the doller will blow us apart like many other medium sized fabrication businesses in NZ.
        
        So for us 120 odd souls in this business I have seen sweet ‘F’ all of any sense come out of anybody. Also if Winston Peters, David Shearer and the green dude are being promoted as manufacturing experts , we really are in serious shit.
        
        Colonial Viper …
        
        19 October 2012 at 12:15 pm
        
        And if I hear again that the secret is in a lower $ you guys have got rocks in your heads. There are many local manufacturing businesses that need a reasonable doller to purchase items for conversion. Any decrease in the doller will blow us apart like many other medium sized fabrication businesses in NZ.
        
        Hey dude answer is simple, even for somebody like you to figure out
        
        USE MORE NEW ZEALAND SUPPLIERS
        
        Lanthanide …
        
        19 October 2012 at 12:18 pm
        
        “Any decrease in the doller will blow us apart like many other medium sized fabrication businesses in NZ.”
        
        Wow, really? You’re operating in a country where the currency has historically averaged around 60c US, and now that it’s 80c, if it goes any lower your company will go out of business?
        
        That’s rather strange.
        
        Rob …
        
        19 October 2012 at 1:55 pm
        
        Its not strange and I am not trying to confrontational but the reality is that most manufacturers have now resized and hedged as much as they can and are still finding it hard to reach a break even. You balance a business on the current climate, where it was two years ago is history and has no relevence. The doller might be higher which is an advanatge but revenues are less so you have to balance on current. If revenues stay the same and the doller decreases the that is a tough scenario. Thats not strange , it is reality.
        
        CV you must have a hightened picture or a very outdated one on what is actually produced in NZ now. You will probably come back and say – what an opportunity and it probably is if they can get close to unit costs as they will have the ship time and lower inventory cost advantage, however who is brave enough now to enter into manufacturing converted raw materials in a lowering sales cycle?
        
        The fact is many businesses rely on off shore supply, when the doller decreases the cost increase and business stop generating a profit.
        
        Clashman …
        
        19 October 2012 at 2:15 pm
        
        Why would your revenue stay the same if the value of the dollar decreased?
        
        Rob …
        
        19 October 2012 at 2:28 pm
        
        Um, because the market size has been at a stable low level now for the last 12 months. Its an extrapolation assumption of the current sales revenue forward as a forecast.
        
        Rob …
        
        19 October 2012 at 2:29 pm
        
        But it could go down further, or consumers might start buying something, who knows , thats the future, ill leave it up to you experts to decide on what may or may not happen.
        
        Colonial Viper …
        
        19 October 2012 at 5:49 pm
        
        CV you must have a hightened picture or a very outdated one on what is actually produced in NZ now. You will probably come back and say – what an opportunity and it probably is if they can get close to unit costs as they will have the ship time and lower inventory cost advantage, however who is brave enough now to enter into manufacturing converted raw materials in a lowering sales cycle?
        
        All it would take is access to cheap development credit. Come on man, have some initiative.
- karol 1.2
  
  19 October 2012 at 10:48 am
  
  It’s immediately clear to me, and I usually find graphs/graphics communicate less immediately to me than the printed word. I usually need to ponder on graphs.
  
  That 1979 winter of discontent was the beginning of the end of immediate hopes for a fair and equal world. It’s been all downhill since then.
  
  I was living in South London at the time. I remember all the strikes and resistance to Thatcher’s government – the black rubbish bags piling up on Clapham Common; the train strikes and motorbiking across London on my motorbike during snow storms, and the pain of my hands thawing when I arrived at my destination and warmed up. Etched in my very bones.
  
  Still waiting for some real signs of hope for a change for the better. We just go from one crisis to another, it seems.
  - Te Reo Putake 1.2.1
    
    19 October 2012 at 11:26 am
    
    That was a weird election result, totally distorted by the FPP system. Over half the votes went to Labour and the Liberals, yet the Tories ended up with a massive majority, helped by the Sun newspaper advocating that their working class readers abandon Labour.
    
    You may like this site, Karol:
    
    http://www.isthatcherdeadyet.co.uk/
  - Lanthanide 1.2.2
    
    19 October 2012 at 11:32 am
    
    “It’s immediately clear to me, and I usually find graphs/graphics communicate less immediately to me than the printed word.
    
    Probably because you already know the stats and can quickly realise that all of these figures are negative.
    
    Someone who had no idea about these figures before (and just believed Key’s spin that job numbers are slightly up) may be confused about what it’s saying.
- lprent 1.3
  
  19 October 2012 at 11:49 am
  
  I think that the visual problem is that there is a space between the minus sign and the number on the Greens chart. It is unusual but pretty obvious.
  
  But I’m so used to dealing with different number notations like the accountants ($10.00) to some of the European accounting notation ($10,00) etc etc that they all look the same to me.
  
  And don’t get me started on the different date and time notations. Clearly the idiots reign in that region.
  - PlanetOrphan 1.3.1
    
    19 October 2012 at 12:01 pm
    
    I understood it instantly …. and people 17.2% shortfall this year !!!!!!
Gosman 2

19 October 2012 at 11:34 am

Weirdly The Greens, NZ First, and now perhaps Labour are all wanting to drive Labour costs down as well to help our Export sector.
- Te Reo Putake 2.1
  
  19 October 2012 at 11:46 am
  
  Cite?
- lprent 2.2
  
  19 October 2012 at 11:51 am
  
  I’m rather puzzled as well. I’m sure there is a Cameron style of fantasy logic in there somewhere….
  - Gosman 2.2.1
    
    19 October 2012 at 12:20 pm
    
    http://www.economist.com/blogs/freeexchange/2012/07/devaluation
    
    Please note the following section.
    
    “A big currency depreciation instantly hits consumer purchasing power and reduces wages.”
    
    Do you dispute this?
    - Jackal 2.2.1.1
      
      19 October 2012 at 12:41 pm
      
      Gosman, if you haven’t noticed already, people aren’t purchasing much these days. This is mainly due to a lack of spare money. By not protecting our export sector, National is ensuring that many people will have even less spare money to spend. That means New Zealands internal economy does not perform, which causes unemployment.
      
      So there’s depreciation in purchasing power either way. You can protect our export industries or you can ensure people can more easily afford imported goods. Increasing the cost of imported goods will not necessarily drive down wages, because wages in the affected sectors we’re talking about are governed by policy, not the free market.
      - Gosman 2.2.1.1.1
        
        19 October 2012 at 4:34 pm
        
        “Increasing the cost of imported goods will not necessarily drive down wages, because wages in the affected sectors we’re talking about are governed by policy, not the free market.”
        
        What sectors are you meaning and what evidence do you have for the view about wages?
    - Te Reo Putake 2.2.1.2
      
      19 October 2012 at 12:43 pm
      
      Yes. And I dispute that this is what is being proposed. Strawman?
      - Gosman 2.2.1.2.1
        
        19 October 2012 at 12:51 pm
        
        You dispute The Greens, .NZ First, and possibly Labour are calling for a devaluation of the .NZ dollar? Hmmm…. on what basis are you making that claim?
    - McFlock 2.2.1.3
      
      19 October 2012 at 12:52 pm
      
      Wow – how to take shit out of context. Following line:”Purchases of foreign goods quickly fall because prices of foreign goods quickly soar. The pace of adjustment will depend on how quickly domestic industries pivot toward import replacement and exporting. ” (my bold)
      
      So a devaluation means more jobs for domestic workers, both in exports and in providing previously-imported commodities to domestic industry. Trool.
      - Gosman 2.2.1.3.1
        
        19 October 2012 at 12:57 pm
        
        Possibly, but what is not in dispute is the immediate impact of the devaluation.
        
        By the way, in the past you have stated opposition to devaluation. Have you changed your tune?
        
        McFlock 2.2.1.3.1.1
        
        19 October 2012 at 1:22 pm
        
        Possibly, but what is not in dispute is the immediate impact of the devaluation.
        
        “Certainly, devaluations amid crisis can contribute to and are very often associated with significant economic contractions. ”
        “can contribute to” … “very often associated with”.
        Hardly a categorical imperitive that a devaluation will lead to economic collapse.
        
        By the way, in the past you have stated opposition to devaluation. Have you changed your tune?
        
        dox plox. I seem to recall arguing in favour of devaluation, but I could be wrong.
        
        Gosman …
        
        19 October 2012 at 1:50 pm
        
        Nobody is really arguing that devaluation will lead to economic collapse. It may very well be a valid, (if slightly wrong headed), approach to take. Countries like Greece and Italy used to follow such a path prior to their entry in to the euro for example.
        
        I’m pretty confident you made statements in the past trying to argue the major negative impacts of devaluation on the economy.
        
        Let me attempt to refresh your memory. It was regarding the rather dubious attempts to link John Key to an ‘attack’ on the NZ dollar back when he was a currency dealer.
        
        I pointed pointed out that even if it was accurate, (unlikely given the lack of any hard evidence), it could be argued that it actually benefitted the NZ economy as it made our Exports more competitive.
        
        Your irrational dislike of anything other than your ideologically biased view of the world meant you tried to argue how it was actually incredibly harmful to the NZ economy due to increased costs or something. I could try and find the links to the discussion if you like.
        
        McFlock …
        
        19 October 2012 at 2:03 pm
        
        vaguely recall something about that. Would still like the dox plox, given your love of misinterpreting a single line you take out of context.
        
        So to use an analogy, you’re saying that because I said something was wrong with anorexia, my recent comments in favour of obese people trying to work towards a BMI in the mid 20s are inconsistent or hypocritical? To which I respond: you’re a moron.
        
        Gosman …
        
        19 October 2012 at 2:06 pm
        
        http://thestandard.org.nz/the-reverse-midas-touch-the-gap-with-australia/comment-page-1/#comment-464383
        
        Just for you McFlap I have found your comments.
        
        I especially like this one
        
        “I’m sure they loved it for three minutes, until their imported materials went through the roof”
        
        Care to retract your previous thoughts on the subject?
        
        McFlock …
        
        19 October 2012 at 2:27 pm
        
        Not really.
        
        But thanks for showing how history repeats itself. The post today is about the pain the high dollar value is causing. Similar to (but different mechanism to) the situation in the 80s.
        
        What happened in the 80s was a sudden massive devaluation (figure1) from the over-valuation (the bit where Key made a mint). This fucked exporters too, because substitution to domestic materials takes time for the domestic producers to increase output.
        
        You really ought to look at economic systems as complex, yea even “dinnamic” environments, rather than just a catechism of Freidmanite doctrine.
        
        Gosman …
        
        19 October 2012 at 2:44 pm
        
        Are you trying to state that the policy to try and effect a devaluation of the NZ Dollar by 15 % that Russell Norman has come out with will be some sort of gradual approach? Where is your evidence that he has stated that the devaluation will be done slowly?
        
        I do love how people like you think governments can manage market movements in a slow and controlled manner. It is so more delicious watching when it all goes horribly wrong.
        
        McFlock …
        
        19 October 2012 at 2:55 pm
        
        [edit] wtf? did make a comment so dumb that even YOU realised it was too stupid to exist, so you deleted it?
        
        as to the Green policy, you might want to look at the Green poster in the actual fucking post you’re commenting on: “The Government needs to manage the dollar down now instead of leaving all New Zealanders waiting for the shock of a sudden slump”. So yeah, that 15% off will be more gradual than the do-nothing alternative.
        
        And the market will “accept” it in the same way it’s “accepted” an artificially high NZD.
        
        And I love how you seem to think that the economy hasn’t already gone horribly wrong. NZ kids with third world illnesses, massive sustained unemployment, and a dollar value that’s as big a cancer on the economy as 20% inflation. Oh yeah, everything’s lovely, we mustn’t mess with success.
        
        
        Gosman …
        
        19 October 2012 at 3:05 pm
        
        I haven’t deleted anything. Just edited my comment to better reflect my views.
        
        If you think you can manage the exchange rate I would like to introduce you to the Ghost of Robert Muldoon. You two have a lot in common to talk about.
        
        You do realise that if the market actually thought the Government was going to be successful at managing the exchange rate down by 15% it would basically move them pretty damn quick and wouldn’t wait until the Government decided to act on it.
        
        The NZ economy is doing far better than most other Western nations and is in far better position.
        
        McFlock …
        
        19 October 2012 at 3:29 pm
        
        lol
        
        So according to Gas the Greens’ currency management efforts will be a sudden shock and completely ineffectual at the same time.
        
        McFlock …
        
        19 October 2012 at 3:34 pm
        
        hmmm. I wonder if comments disappear from refresh while they’re being edited? That might be it – I posted a reply and my two comments were suddenly consecutive.
        
        Gosman …
        
        19 October 2012 at 4:19 pm
        
        I never stated they would be ineffectual. In fact I suspect they will have an effect. Most likely not the one the Greens are wanting.
        
        I do have a couple of questions for you.
        
        Imagine a scenarion where The Greens policy of devaluing the currency by 15% is about to be implemented.
        
        If you were an exporter who had a rather large foreign currency amount that needed to be repatriated to NZ what would you do?
        
        If you were holding a large amount of NZ dollars and needed to send them offshore at some stage, what would you do?
        
        McFlock …
        
        19 October 2012 at 4:33 pm
        
        Again, that’s a replay of the 1980s: announce before the election that you’ll float the dollar because it’s horrendously overvalued, then act all surprised when you go straight from float to currency crisis (courtesy, in his own small part, to dunnokeyo).
        
        The Greens might be filthy hippies with a tendency to wave flags instead of work towards actual change, but they’re not as stupid as Douglas and other tories.
        
        It’s a bit like how the OCR is tweaked – often no change really needs to happen because the market pre-empts the signalled tweak. Now, if the Greens somehow managed an overnight 15% cut in value, that might well be a bad thing (i.e. change faster than producers can adapt) and your scenario comes into play. But we don’t know how the Greens plan to decrease the value of the dollar, or over what timeframe. Nor does the market. A 15% speculative gain in two weeks is a good income by anyone’s standards, and would lead to a 1980s-style collapse. A 15% return over 3, even four years? Not so much. People will do other things with their cash. Still good, but not a boom-bust scenario. As it is, the Greens getting into govt might devalue the dollar by a percent simply on the basis of the flagged policy, so they get a start on their task before they do anything.
        
        Gosman …
        
        19 October 2012 at 4:52 pm
        
        You really don’t understand how the market works McFap.
        
        Announcing a 15 % devaluation over time would be both virtually impossible to achieve and also encourage speculative attacks on the dollar.
        
        Speculators would be looking to force the government’s hand to bring forward the devaluation to certain levels. People who held spare NZ dollars would be looking to get their momey out of the country as soon as possible before the Government let the currency fall. People who held foreign currency they were keeping offshore would hold off bringing them back until they could get the better rate.
        
        Ever wonder why most countries with floating exchange rates don’t follow the policy you advocate? You could possible avoid the worse effects of this if you slapped capital controls on, but they come with their own costs.
        
        Colonial Viper …
        
        19 October 2012 at 5:04 pm
        
        Announcing a 15 % devaluation over time would be both virtually impossible to achieve and also encourage speculative attacks on the dollar.
        
        Speculators would be looking to force the government’s hand to bring forward the devaluation to certain levels.
        
        You are right. Any country looking to strongly manage its currency value would simply use capital controls to prevent the outcomes you are talking about.
        
        For instance, requiring all NZD conversions to be performed in NZ, and only by approved banks, and only using accounts associated with NZ citizens.
        
        Also, applying a 0.25% tax to every non-trade based NZD currency conversion.
        
        And no country would ever pre-announce it was reducing the value of its dollar. All you do is to run an undisclosed peg of the value of your currency against a weighted basket of currencies of your major trading partners.
        
        People who held spare NZ dollars would be looking to get their momey out of the country as soon as possible before the Government let the currency fall.
        
        Exit tax.
        
        McFlock …
        
        19 October 2012 at 5:11 pm
        
        Speculators would be looking to force the government’s hand to bring forward the devaluation to certain levels. People who held spare NZ dollars would be looking to get their momey out of the country as soon as possible before the Government let the currency fall. People who held foreign currency they were keeping offshore would hold off bringing them back until they could get the better rate.
        
        So if I read you correctly, if the government signals devaluing the dollar, the market will devalue the dollar even more? Well then, if the dollar devalues then the government needn’t do a thing.
        
        Oh, and for someone who reckons he knows how markets work I’m surprised you don’t know that trading in NZD has no relevance to whether the dollars are in the country or offshore. One of the ten most traded currencies on the planet, mate: most of it in gambling halls dunnokeyo would be familiar with.
        
        Here’s a question for you Gos: if the government can’t manage people’s purchasing choices in a market, why has the Reserve Bank inflation target been met consistently since the RBA was passed?
        
        Gosman …
        
        19 October 2012 at 5:19 pm
        
        Not necessarily more, just faster than what the government would want and with much greater volatility in the price. Businesses tend to like stability rather than lots of stability.
        
        CV surprisingly has hit the nail on the head with his solutions, which will likely all be necessary if you wanted to control the exchange rate. It would likely lead to a massive rise in interest rates in the country but that might encourage savings at some stage. Of course it will make it difficult for businesses to get capital and therefore less economic output but a small price to pay I suppose for economic ‘sovereignty’.
        
        McFlock …
        
        19 October 2012 at 5:29 pm
        
        So there are mechanisms by which the government can affect the exchange rate, but these might have adverse effects on other measures.
        
        A bit like how concentrating solely on inflation can have an adverse impact on unemployment.
        
        Fuck me, Gos, you’ve discovered that “managing an economy” is not about getting one gauge to read an idealised nominal value, but about finding the best mix for a number of different indicators. And the exchange rate is one of those indicators that can be managed.
        
        You must be a professional waste of space. The thought that you’re a sincere but imbecilic amateur is just too damning an indictment on the NZ education system…
        
        Gosman …
        
        19 October 2012 at 5:36 pm
        
        Ooops. Too much stability. That sentence should have read ‘rather than lots of volatility;.
        
        Gosman …
        
        19 October 2012 at 5:38 pm
        
        The trouble for you McFlog is that my views are orthodox whereas yours are currently fringe. Even Labour and the Greens don’t advocate re-establishing Capital controls on anywhere near the levels necessary to properly manage the currency. hence any policy will be subject to manipulation by those dreaded speculators you hate so much.
        
        McFlock …
        
        19 October 2012 at 5:43 pm
        
        The trouble for you McFlog is that my views are orthodox whereas yours are currently fringe. Even Labour and the Greens don’t advocate re-establishing Capital controls.
        
        “Orthodox” – you mean “out of date”.
        
        So now you fall back on the “everyone else is jumping off the cliff” argument. Colour me unimpressed. And, of course, the Greens are advocating managing the exchange rate in some way, and if capital controls are the only way of doing it…
        
        Gosman …
        
        19 October 2012 at 5:48 pm
        
        But they aren’t talking about slapping currency controls on. All they have mentioned is discouraging short term capital movements with some regulations and/or taxes (AFAIK).
        
        If they were talking about introducing heavy capital controls then they would be being more honest. Of course businesses would turn against them with a vengence but at least we would have a proper debate on the subject. I doubt the Greens will be that courageous though.
        
        Colonial Viper …
        
        19 October 2012 at 5:55 pm
        
        Of course it will make it difficult for businesses to get capital
        
        *Shrug*
        
        That’s what a re-tasked KiwiBank would be for.
        
        And it’s bloody impossible for SMEs to get access to development capital now, so nothing will really change right?
        
        McFlock …
        
        19 October 2012 at 6:01 pm
        
        Gos,
        
        If someone says that they’ll control X;
        
        and the only way so far to control X is to use Y;
        
        [barring some other control mechanism which your stunning economic genius has failed to identify ]
        
        Would you be surprised if the person who promised to control X used Y, even if they hadn’t explicitly said (i.e. in a manner that even you could understand) that they would use Y?
        
        Gosman …
        
        19 October 2012 at 6:05 pm
        
        Well no. The Greens are pretending they can manage the exchange rate just by a mix of pumpinjg liquidity into the market and a small amount of regulation and controls of capital. As discussed that will likely be ineffective. They should be truthful and state they wish to move to full on capital controls. It would be a boon for Wellington so I’d love it personally.
        
        McFlock …
        
        19 October 2012 at 6:10 pm
        
        Given that you’re an “all or nothing” kind of guy who’s only just discovered that the economy is a balancing act between different indicators rather than a single ideal reading on one gauge, I think I’ll ignore your opinion on whether the Greens’ policies are too subtle to affect the market.
        
        Gosman …
        
        19 October 2012 at 2:22 pm
        
        With that comment I am tempted to suggest you being employed as an advisor to Bill English to counter the proposed policy of The Greens, NZ First, and possibly Labour.
        
        Enough is Enough …
        
        19 October 2012 at 2:08 pm
        
        evidence please Gosman.
        
        Me thinks you tell Key like Porkies in a ttempt to prove a point
        
        Gosman …
        
        19 October 2012 at 2:11 pm
        
        What evidence do you require Enough is Enough?
- PlanetOrphan 2.3
  
  19 October 2012 at 12:00 pm
  
  Labour costs? …. Gosman they want the the exchange rate to drop, not wages.
  
  You’re starting to sound like DunnoKeyo M8!
  
  U should not have drunk his blood @ that party moron ! ….
  Didn’t someone tell you witchcraft is evil ?
  - Gosman 2.3.1
    
    19 October 2012 at 12:25 pm
    
    Like I suspected, most leftists don’t really understand economics much at all.
    
    You probably think wages are rising if people get a pay rise of 15 % when inflation is running at 20 % as well.
    - Jackal 2.3.1.1
      
      19 October 2012 at 12:43 pm
      
      Gosman describes the situation since National gained power.
    - PlanetOrphan 2.3.1.2
      
      19 October 2012 at 12:46 pm
      
      Trying too put words in mouths is a sign of Idiocy M8!
      
      I don’t talk economics, much more qualified people around too do that (Cheers Jackal)
      
      I’m not “Left”, I’m civilised
    - Dv 2.3.1.3
      
      19 October 2012 at 12:50 pm
      
      inflation is running at 20 %
      
      The last time that was happening it was ……………………………..
      
      THE NATS
      - Gosman 2.3.1.3.1
        
        19 October 2012 at 12:53 pm
        
        Ahhhh…. not quite. I think you will find it was Labour in the 1980’s.
        
        [lprent: Ridiculous. It peaked under Muldoon after the dual oil shocks in the 70’s and Nationals incompetent economic management. It dropped massively under Labour in the 80’s. National followed mostly Labour’s policies (as they appear to be incapable of structural innovation) and it dropped to the current level.
        
        Please google… It literally took seconds to find the reserve bank education page on inflation.
        http://www.rbnz.govt.nz/monpol/about/0053316.html
        ]
        
        Jackal 2.3.1.3.1.1
        
        19 October 2012 at 1:11 pm
        
        Actually inflation was pretty high from 1975 to 1990. Robert Muldoon’s economics dominated the third National government which held power between 1975 to 1984. It took the Fourth Labour governments major social and economic reforms between 1984 and 1990 before inflation started to decrease.
        
        Gosman 2.3.1.3.1.2
        
        19 October 2012 at 1:58 pm
        
        It never reached 20 % under National or Labour, so we are both wrong. It did reach a peak of over 18% under Labour, (not National), though so my point still stands.
        
        I am not disputing that Labour brought it down. It was a key result of the Reserve Bank Act of the late 1980’s. An Act that Labour has now decided to change fundamentally.
        
        One Tāne Huna …
        
        19 October 2012 at 2:05 pm
        
        Weasel. noun. Gosman with a tail.
        
        The Reserve Bank Act was brought in precisely (or at least in a large part) because of inflation pressures, which are nothing like the problem they once were. Labour seeks to widen the scope of the Reserve Bank’s powers, not remove inflation targets.
        
        Even I know that.
        
        Gosman …
        
        19 October 2012 at 2:26 pm
        
        They are not a problem because the primary focus of the Reseve bank of NZ is to keep inflation low. You change the policy it is highly probable that inflation will increase. Of course you might prefer to live in a fantasy land where the Reserve Bank can keep inflation low at the same time as trying to meet multiple other targets. I do have one question for you though. Why did NZ, (and eventually other countries), decide to keep Reserve Bank targets so focused on one measure?
        
        One Tāne Huna …
        
        19 October 2012 at 2:32 pm
        
        Your assumptions are showing – namely that there are the same level of inflationary pressures on the economy now as then.
        
        PS: I recall the policy was also to increase the acceptable inflation range. So, yes, superficially you are correct.
        
        Gosman …
        
        19 October 2012 at 2:51 pm
        
        What inflationary pressure was on the NZ economy back then that doesn’t exist now?
        
        Te Reo Putake …
        
        19 October 2012 at 2:55 pm
        
        Gossie, Muldoon’s wage and price freeze artificially held down inflation. The release of that built up pressure triggered a massive rise in inflation, as I recall.
        
        Dv …
        
        19 October 2012 at 2:55 pm
        
        The reserve bank act was brought in in 1989, well after the inflation peak of 16% in 1980.
        
        The inflation rate in 1989 was just over 2%.
        The inflation targets have been met reasonably well since then.
        
        BUT it seem to be a fallacy the act reduced inflation because of the timing.
        
        So what really caused the drop in the inflation in the eighties?
        Was it the wage price freeze or .. what??
        
        (I am using the LPent graph)
        
        Dv …
        
        19 October 2012 at 3:05 pm
        
        Woulld let me edit.
        
        TRP
        Muldoon’s wage and price freeze artificially held down inflation. The release of that built up pressure triggered a massive rise in inflation, as I recall.
        
        That was my thoughts too, BUT the LPent graph doesn’t seem to support that??
        
        Enough is Enough …
        
        19 October 2012 at 2:11 pm
        
        You mean the first Act government. Don’t associate Labour with that Rogering which was the Douglas Neo Lib revoultion
        
        Gosman …
        
        19 October 2012 at 2:28 pm
        
        Was there any current members of the Labour party caucus involved in this party that you are now trying to disassociate yourself from?
        
        Do you think the original Reserve Bank act was wrong, and do you know if any members of the current Labour party caucus agree with this view if you do?
        
        Enough is Enough …
        
        19 October 2012 at 2:43 pm
        
        Whether the Reserve Bank Act was right or wrong is irrelevant in respect of todays problems. Throw away your cassette tapes, cut off your mullet and move out of the 80’s. Concentrate on the unique challeges we face today.
        
        The Reserve Bank Act was introduced at a time when inflaion was in double digits. Look at Prentices’s graph to what the economic issue in the 80’s was.
        
        25 years later Douglas, the world and our economy have all moved on. So should you.
        
        We have a problem and we are debating what can be do to fix that problem. You are saying an Act that was introduced 25 years ago must be entrenched and stay the same forever amen.
        
        We are saying lets look at that Act to see whether it can be beefed up, stripped out, reconditioned, or tinkered with in order to deal with the problems the economy faces today.
        
        Gosman …
        
        19 October 2012 at 2:59 pm
        
        I remember opposition to the Reserve Bank Act back in the 1980’s and early 1990’s from the same sort of groups that want it changed now for the same sorts of reasons. Their logic was faulty back then just as it is now.
        
        I had a argument with the former chief economist of BERL (Kel Sanderson) who tried to argue that NZ had a imported inflation rate of 4% so to try and reach a target of 2% meant that we would be shrinking the economy by 2% a year. Funnily enough BERL’s chief economist is still living in cloud cookoo land.
        
        Enough is Enough …
        
        19 October 2012 at 3:07 pm
        
        Small steps now Gosman
        
        It is clear to blind freddy that the economy is having a bit of tantrum at the moment and not really providing for most Kiwi’s.
        
        You are standing there with fingers in your ears saying there is nothing that can be done. The Reserve Bank Act will fix it all. It is sacred and cannot be touched.
        
        Why can’t it be touched?
        
        What if things get worse?
        
        At what point will you say, ok we better look at how we can deal with TODAY’s problems.
        
        Stop fucking worrrying looking at the 80’s and explain why this Act is not fixing the problems exporters are facing?.
        
        Gosman …
        
        19 October 2012 at 3:16 pm
        
        I never stated it couldn’t be touched. I’m stating if you change the focus you are dreaming to think you can achieve multiple, (and possibly contradictory), targets like you hope.
        
        If you are comfortable with a higher rate of inflation then be truthful and just come out and state it. Nothing wrong with a bit of inflation, at least in the short term. Of course it tends to hurt the poor in the long term but, heck, by the time that happens the Government will have changed and they don’t have to worry about it anymore.
        
        Dv …
        
        19 October 2012 at 3:21 pm
        
        What about Singapore?
        It uses a mix doesn’t it?
        
        Gosman …
        
        19 October 2012 at 4:28 pm
        
        The Singapore Central Bank is quite different to other models around the world. It’s primary focus is the managing of the money supply via the foreign exchange mechanism not interest rates. I suspect it can do this due to a huge amounts of reserves of currency it holds. NZ does not have this luxury.
        
        Colonial Viper …
        
        19 October 2012 at 5:10 pm
        
        Apparently fucking Gosman is a fucking economic genius. In his own neoliberal theoretical fantasy world that is.
        
        The ergodic principle doesn’t hold mate, which means you’re wasting your time.
        
        I suspect it can do this due to a huge amounts of reserves of currency it holds. NZ does not have this luxury.
        
        And why don’t we? Because we have been following Right Wing bullshit for 3 decades now.
captain hook 3

19 October 2012 at 2:31 pm

Of course the original rb act was wrong.
roger douglas was wrong.
and gosman you are just plain wrongheaded.
captain hook 4

19 October 2012 at 2:43 pm

the strange thing is that all these tory party toadies can argue and quibble all day about irrelevancies from the past but they cannot provide jobs in the right here and now.
thy are supposed to be the party of business but they never create employment.
are they all liars?
starlight 5

19 October 2012 at 4:38 pm

TV3 headline ‘Exodus under national reaches 170.000’
Nearly 54.000 people left for Aussie in the year to september.
Wasn’t 170.000 the figure given for national’s ‘job creation ?
Our unemployment stats would have been off the measure
had these people stayed,as it is the figure is going to reach
7% in 6months.
There is a crisis everywhere you turn in nz.
Draco T Bastard 6

19 October 2012 at 5:07 pm

And in all of the commentary no one seems to have remembered that John Key did, as a matter of fact, say that he wanted wages to drop.
- Gosman 6.1
  
  19 October 2012 at 5:10 pm
  
  Just like The Greens, NZ First, and presumably Labour then.
  
  We might have a bi-partisan policy after all.
  - Colonial Viper 6.1.1
    
    19 October 2012 at 5:12 pm
    
    You should give John Key some credit for once.
  - Draco T Bastard 6.1.2
    
    19 October 2012 at 5:56 pm
    
    John Key said he wanted wages to drop while the exchange rate was climbing and the economy was booming.
    - Gosman 6.1.2.1
      
      19 October 2012 at 5:59 pm
      
      So dropping wages is okay if the economy is not booming?
      - Galeandra 6.1.2.1.1
        
        19 October 2012 at 8:02 pm
        
        Gosling, ask yourself why you get to ask all the questions and demand that everybody else does the fact-finding.
        The inflexible orthodoxy of your views is exactly modelled on the sort of comments made by Nat MPs on the graveyard shift, ie in the house just before tea- at- the- pub time, when there is such a vast acreage of empty seats on the whiz-bang-very-blue- super- economic managers side of the house. One hopes you can at least speak a little better than those unfortunates amongst their collection of provincial pig farmers and soap wholesalers.
      - captain hook 6.1.2.1.2
        
        19 October 2012 at 8:09 pm
        
        whats your opinion?
        why dont you speak for yourself?
      - Draco T Bastard 6.1.2.1.3
        
        19 October 2012 at 8:12 pm
        
        Thing is, John Key wants wages to drop – period. Labour, the Greens and pretty much everyone else on the left want wages to increase and they see one way of doing this through increasing demand for NZ goods by lowering the exchange rate. Yes, it comes with an instant effective decrease in wages but, over time, that will be reversed by the increase in demand.
        
        NACT seem to be upset by lowering the exchange rate as the price of BMWs will go up. They really aren’t concerned with what happens to the people who can’t afford BMWs if the exchange rate doesn’t drop (ie, wages will continue to fall, poverty will increase and crime and other negative statistics will increase with it) because they think that their profits will be going up at the same time due to declining wages.

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Zoom is a video conferencing service that allows you to share your screen, webcam, and audio with other participants. In addition to sharing your own audio, you can also share the audio from your computer with other participants. This can be useful for playing music, sharing presentations with audio, or ...
Gareth’s WorldBy admin
5 days ago

How Long Does It Take to Build a Computer?
Building your own computer can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to get a high-performance machine tailored to your specific needs. However, it also requires careful planning and execution, and one of the most important factors to consider is the time it will take. The exact time it takes to ...
Gareth’s WorldBy admin
5 days ago

How to Put Your Computer to Sleep
Sleep mode is a power-saving state that allows your computer to quickly resume operation without having to boot up from scratch. This can be useful if you need to step away from your computer for a short period of time but don’t want to shut it down completely. There are ...
Gareth’s WorldBy admin
5 days ago

What is Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT)?
Introduction Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) has revolutionized the field of translation by harnessing the power of technology to assist human translators in their work. This innovative approach combines specialized software with human expertise to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of translations. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the ...
Gareth’s WorldBy admin
5 days ago

iPad vs. Tablet Computers A Comprehensive Guide to Differences
In today’s digital age, mobile devices have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Among the vast array of portable computing options available, iPads and tablet computers stand out as two prominent contenders. While both offer similar functionalities, there are subtle yet significant differences between these two devices. This ...
Gareth’s WorldBy admin
5 days ago

How Are Computers Made?
A computer is an electronic device that can be programmed to carry out a set of instructions. The basic components of a computer are the processor, memory, storage, input devices, and output devices. The Processor The processor, also known as the central processing unit (CPU), is the brain of the ...
Gareth’s WorldBy admin
5 days ago

How to Add Voice Memos from iPhone to Computer
Voice Memos is a convenient app on your iPhone that allows you to quickly record and store audio snippets. These recordings can be useful for a variety of purposes, such as taking notes, capturing ideas, or recording interviews. While you can listen to your voice memos on your iPhone, you ...
Gareth’s WorldBy admin
5 days ago

Why My Laptop Screen Has Lines on It: A Comprehensive Guide
Laptop screens are essential for interacting with our devices and accessing information. However, when lines appear on the screen, it can be frustrating and disrupt productivity. Understanding the underlying causes of these lines is crucial for finding effective solutions. Types of Screen Lines Horizontal lines: Also known as scan ...
Gareth’s WorldBy admin
5 days ago

How to Right-Click on a Laptop
Right-clicking is a common and essential computer operation that allows users to access additional options and settings. While most desktop computers have dedicated right-click buttons on their mice, laptops often do not have these buttons due to space limitations. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to right-click ...
Gareth’s WorldBy admin
5 days ago

Where is the Power Button on an ASUS Laptop?
Powering up and shutting down your ASUS laptop is an essential task for any laptop user. Locating the power button can sometimes be a hassle, especially if you’re new to ASUS laptops. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on where to find the power button on different ASUS laptop ...
Gareth’s WorldBy admin
5 days ago

How to Start a Dell Laptop: A Comprehensive Guide
Dell laptops are renowned for their reliability, performance, and versatility. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone who needs a reliable computing device, a Dell laptop can meet your needs. However, if you’re new to Dell laptops, you may be wondering how to get started. In this comprehensive ...
Gareth’s WorldBy admin
5 days ago

Bryce Edwards: Serious populist discontent is bubbling up in New Zealand
Two-thirds of the country think that “New Zealand’s economy is rigged to advantage the rich and powerful”. They also believe that “New Zealand needs a strong leader to take the country back from the rich and powerful”. These are just two of a handful of stunning new survey results released ...
Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
5 days ago

How to Take a Screenshot on an Asus Laptop A Comprehensive Guide with Detailed Instructions and Illu...
In today’s digital world, screenshots have become an indispensable tool for communication and documentation. Whether you need to capture an important email, preserve a website page, or share an error message, screenshots allow you to quickly and easily preserve digital information. If you’re an Asus laptop user, there are several ...
Gareth’s WorldBy admin
5 days ago

How to Factory Reset Gateway Laptop A Comprehensive Guide
A factory reset restores your Gateway laptop to its original factory settings, erasing all data, apps, and personalizations. This can be necessary to resolve software issues, remove viruses, or prepare your laptop for sale or transfer. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to factory reset your Gateway laptop: Method 1: ...
Gareth’s WorldBy admin
5 days ago

The Folly Of Impermanence.
“You talking about me?” The neoliberal denigration of the past was nowhere more unrelenting than in its depiction of the public service. The Post Office and the Railways were held up as being both irremediably inefficient and scandalously over-manned. Playwright Roger Hall’s “Glide Time” caricatures were presented as accurate depictions of ...
Bowalley Road
5 days ago

A crisis of ambition
Roger Partridge writes – When the Coalition Government took office last October, it inherited a country on a precipice. With persistent inflation, decades of insipid productivity growth and crises in healthcare, education, housing and law and order, it is no exaggeration to suggest New Zealand’s first-world status was ...
Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
5 days ago

Have 308 people in the Education Ministry’s Curriculum Development Team spent over $100m on a 60-p...
Rob MacCulloch writes – In 2022, the Curriculum Centre at the Ministry of Education employed 308 staff, according to an Official Information Request. Earlier this week it was announced 202 of those staff were being cut. When you look up “The New Zealand Curriculum” on the Ministry of ...
Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
5 days ago

'This bill is dangerous for the environment and our democracy'
Chris Bishop’s bill has stirred up a hornets nest of opposition. Photo: Lynn Grieveson for The KākāTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate from the last day included:A crescendo of opposition to the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill is ...
The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
5 days ago

The Bank of our Tamariki and Mokopuna.
Monday left me brokenTuesday, I was through with hopingWednesday, my empty arms were openThursday, waiting for love, waiting for loveThe end of another week that left many of us asking WTF? What on earth has NZ gotten itself into and how on earth could people have voluntarily signed up for ...
Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
5 days ago

The worth of it all
Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.State of humanity, 20242024, 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?Full story Share ...
More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
5 days ago

What is the Hardest Sport in the World?
Determining the hardest sport in the world is a subjective matter, as the difficulty level can vary depending on individual abilities, physical attributes, and experience. However, based on various factors including physical demands, technical skills, mental fortitude, and overall accomplishment, here is an exploration of some of the most challenging ...
Gareth’s WorldBy admin
5 days ago

What is the Most Expensive Sport?
The allure of sport transcends age, culture, and geographical boundaries. It captivates hearts, ignites passions, and provides unparalleled entertainment. Behind the spectacle, however, lies a fascinating world of financial investment and expenditure. Among the vast array of competitive pursuits, one question looms large: which sport carries the hefty title of ...
Gareth’s WorldBy admin
5 days ago

Release: Working together on consistent support for veterans this Anzac Day
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Labour Blog
1 day ago

Release: Penny drops – but what about Seymour and Peters?
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Labour Blog
1 day ago

Release: Budget blunder shows Nicola Willis could cut recovery funding
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
Labour Blog
2 days ago

Further environmental mismanagement on the cards
The Government’s resource management reforms will add to the heavy and ever-growing burden this Government is loading on to our environment. ...
Greens
2 days ago

Release: RMA changes will be a disaster for environment
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour Blog
2 days ago

Release: Labour supports urgent changes to emergency management system
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
Labour Blog
2 days ago

Release: Labour calls for New Zealand to recognise Palestine
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Labour Blog
3 days ago

Release: Three strikes law political posturing of worst kind
The Government is bringing back a law that has little evidential backing just to look tough, Labour justice spokesperson Duncan Webb said. ...
Labour Blog
3 days ago

Release: Government cuts unbelievably target child exploitation, violent extremism, ports and airpor...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
Labour Blog
3 days ago

Three strikes has failed before and will fail again
Resurrecting the archaic three-strikes legislation is an unwelcome return to a failed American-style approach to justice. ...
Greens
3 days ago

Release: Environmental protection vital, not ‘onerous’
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
Labour Blog
3 days ago

Release: Govt cuts doctors and nurses in hiring freeze
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
Labour Blog
6 days ago

Fast-track submissions period must be extended
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
Greens
6 days ago

Release: Progress on climate will be undone by Govt
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
Labour Blog
6 days ago

Release: Dark day for Kiwi kids as a third of Govt cuts affect them
News that 1000 jobs at the Ministry of Education and Oranga Tamariki could go is devastating for future generations of New Zealanders. ...
Labour Blog
1 week ago

Release: Alarm as Government signals further blow to school lunches
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Labour Blog
1 week ago

Release: Quick, submit – stop Govt’s dodgy approvals bill
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Labour Blog
1 week ago

Government throws coal on the climate crisis fire
The Government’s policy announced today to ease consenting for coal mining will have a lasting impact across generations. ...
Greens
1 week ago

Release: Public transport costs to double as National looks at unaffordable roading project instead
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
Labour Blog
1 week ago

Release: Cost of living in Auckland still not a priority
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Labour Blog
1 week ago

Greens look to fast-track submissions on harmful law
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Release: Govt should stop making people’s lives harder and build more homes
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Release: Melissa Lee missing in action on media
The action Melissa Lee promised to protect democracy and the media sector is missing, Media and Communications spokesperson Willie Jackson said. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Landlord Government leaves little hope for renters
The Government’s announcement on tenancy rules prove that it does not care about renters. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Opportunity to build a more sustainable economy
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Significant step forward in fixing cruel and unjust past
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Missed opportunity but NZ will surely one day recognise the right to a sustainable environment
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Release: Don’t cut our lunches – clear message sent to Government
Tens of thousands of people are demanding the Government commits to fully funding free and healthy school lunches. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Release: Govt makes U-turn on Suicide Prevention Office
Labour welcomes the Government’s U-turn on the closure of the Suicide Prevention Office, says Labour Mental Health spokesperson Ingrid Leary. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

CCC issues warning over further climate delay
Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Luxon targets lame and lousy example of leadership
If talk is cheap, Chris Luxon’s “targets” are bankrupt. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Luxon targets are lousy example of leadership
If talk is cheap, Chris Luxon’s “targets” are bankrupt. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Release: Commitment to disability communities missing from Govt priorities
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Methane target review is dangerous duplication
The Government’s newly announced review of methane emissions reduction targets hints at its desire to delay Aotearoa New Zealand’s urgent transition to a climate safe future, the Green Party said. ...
Greens
3 weeks 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
1 hour ago

PM announces changes to portfolios
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 day ago

New catch limits for unique fishery areas
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 day ago

Minister welcomes hydrogen milestone
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

Urgent changes to system through first RMA Amendment Bill
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

Overseas decommissioning models considered
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

Release of North Island Severe Weather Event Inquiry
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

Justice Minister to attend Human Rights Council
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order. “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 days ago

Patterson reopens world’s largest wool scouring facility
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 days ago

Speech to the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective Summit, 18 April 2024
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today. I am delighted ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 days ago

Government to introduce revised Three Strikes law
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 days ago

New diplomatic appointments
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions. “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 days ago

Humanitarian support for Ethiopia and Somalia
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 days ago

Arts Minister congratulates Mataaho Collective
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. “It is good ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

Supporting better financial outcomes for Kiwis
The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

Trade relationship with China remains strong
“China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

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

$41m to support clean energy in South East Asia
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
6 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
6 days 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
6 days 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
6 days 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
6 days 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
6 days 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
6 days 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
7 days ago

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

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

‘It bucked our lads up wonderfully’: the lightning-quick battle that marked the birth of the US-...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Meighen McCrae, Associate Professor of Strategic & Defence Studies, Australian National University American and Australian stretcher bearers working together near the front line during the Battle of Hamel in 1918. Australian War Memorial While the AUKUS alliance is new, the Australian-American partnership ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 hour ago

GCSB refuses to release details of spy deal 'to protect interests'
The spy agency is refusing to release a copy of its deal with a foreign agency to run a secret operation out of this country. ...
Radio NZ – political
2 hours ago

Die In for Palestine Marks ANZAC day
Pōneke based peace activists staged a silent protest at the ANZAC day service to highlight New Zealand’s complicity in war and genocide, and urge the government to take concrete steps to stop the genocide in Palestine. ...
Scoop politics
2 hours ago

Ancient nomads you’ve probably never heard of disappeared from Europe 1,000 years ago. Now, DNA an...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Magdalena M.E. Bunbury, Postdoctoral Researcher, James Cook University Burial with a horse at the Rákóczifalva site, Hungary (8th century AD). Sándor Hegedűs, Hungarian National Museum, CC BY How do we understand past societies? For centuries, our main sources of information have been ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
4 hours ago

Don’t mention the war: On grandparents and Anzac biscuits
Amanda Thompson doesn’t really do Anzac Day. But what she does do is remember the people she knew who had a lifetime to remember stuff they didn’t really want to, because of a war they didn’t ask for. And she does make Anzac biscuits. First published in 2021. All my ...
The SpinoffBy Amanda Thompson
4 hours ago

If plastic manufacturing goes up 10%, plastic pollution goes up 10% – and we’re set for a huge ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kathryn Willis, Postdoctoral Researcher, CSIRO Xavier Boulenger/Shutterstock In the two decades to 2019, global plastic production doubled. By 2040, plastic manufacturing and processing could consume as much as 20% of global oil production and use up 15% of the annual carbon ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
5 hours ago

Governor-General's Anzac Day Dawn Service Address
With our collective remembrance, and steadfast belief in our common humanity, we strengthen our hope and resolve to do what we can to foster dialogue and understanding, and to heal divisions in our pursuit of peace. ...
Scoop politics
5 hours ago

Angling-Conservation Group Sees Fast Track Bill As Undemocratic
Principal reasons for the opposition is the loss of the public’s democratic right to have “a fair say” and the vital need for a government free from corruption, said Casey Cravens of Dunedin, president of the New Zealand Federation of Freshwater ...
Scoop politics
5 hours ago

Remembering the great TrueBliss vs Bardot national anthem sing-off
Never mind the scoreboard – in the 2000 Bledisloe Cup decider, the real trans-Tasman battle was won before kickoff. First published in 2016. The dawn of the new millennium was a dark time for the All Blacks. Their final game pre-Y2K was a 22-18 loss to South Africa in the ...
The SpinoffBy Jamie Wall
5 hours ago

Help Me Hera: Do I even want the public sector job I might be about to lose?
I’m on the wrong side of 40, I never pursued creative work and now my job is killing my soul. Help! Want Hera’s help? Email your problem to helpme@thespinoff.co.nz Dear Hera, May I start with the least original conversation opener you’re likely to hear around the motu at the moment, particularly in Wellington: ...
The SpinoffBy Hera Lindsay Bird
7 hours ago

ANZAC Day Wreath Calls For No Future Deaths From AUKUS
“Never again - No AUKUS” was the message of the wreath laid at this morning’s national ANZAC Day commemorative service at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park this morning by the Stop AUKUS group. ...
Scoop politics
8 hours ago

Swimmer does everything and more to get to Paris
Until this month, Auckland swimmer Hazel Ouwehand had never met a qualifying time in an Olympic event for a New Zealand team, even as a junior. Now she’s very likely off to the Paris Olympics after swimming well under the qualifying standard in the 100m butterfly twice – both in ...
NewsroomBy Dave Crampton
10 hours ago

Seize the day
While Anzac Day has experienced a resurgence in recent years, our other day of remembrance has slowly faded from view. The Sunday Essay is made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand. Original illustrations by Hope McConnell. First published in 2022. The high school’s head girl and ...
The SpinoffBy David Hill
10 hours ago

The first, forgotten Anzacs, more than 50 years before Gallipoli
Australian and New Zealand volunteers fought together in the Waikato War, yet still its place in the Anzac tradition is unacknowledged by our defence forces or Returned Services Association. First published in 2018. When I was a boy cub I attended Anzac Day services in the South Auckland suburb of ...
The SpinoffBy Scott Hamilton
10 hours ago

Poem for Anzac Day: ‘Hoki Mai’ by Tayi Tibble
A poem by Wellington writer Tayi Tibble. Hoki Mai She kisses him goodbye with her eyes still wet and alight from their last swim in the Awatere river. At the train station celebration, she leads the Kapa Haka but her voice keeps breaking under and over itself like waves. ...
The SpinoffBy Tayi Tibble
11 hours ago

Poem for Anzac Day: ‘My World War I Poem’ by Bill Manhire
A poem from Bill Manhire’s 2017 book of verse Some Things to Place in a Coffin. My World War I Poem Inside each trench, the sound of prayer. Inside each prayer, the sound of digging. Image courtesy of Auckland War Memorial Museum. ...
The SpinoffBy Bill Manhire
11 hours ago

Book of the Week: Talia Marshall on living legend Ngāhuia Te Awekōtuku
There are three books I have wolfed down in one sitting over the last two years. Colleen Maria Lenihan’s gorgeous and sad debut Kōhine, Noelle McCarthy’s memoir Grand about becoming her mother and then unbecoming her, and now Hine Toa, a staunch yet gentle self-portrait by living legend Ngāhuia te ...
NewsroomBy Talia Marshall
11 hours ago

Newsroom daily quiz, Thursday 25 April
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[quiz],DIV[quiz],A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions. The post Newsroom daily quiz, Thursday 25 April appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Newsroom Puzzles
11 hours ago

Daily crossword, Thursday 25 April
The post Daily crossword, Thursday 25 April appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Newsroom Puzzles
11 hours ago

High Court overturns Waitangi Tribunal summons to Minister for Children Karen Chhour
The minister was due to give evidence on Friday regarding the government's plans to repeal section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act ...
Radio NZ – political
19 hours ago

Sydney University students set up Gaza solidarity camp as war marks 200 days
Asia Pacific Report Students and activist staff at Australia’s University of Sydney (USyd) have set up a Gaza solidarity encampment in support of Palestinians and similar student-led protests in the United States. The camp was pitched as mass graves, crippled hospitals, thousands of civilian deaths and the near-total destruction of ...
Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report
20 hours ago

Most bees don’t die after stinging – and other surprising bee facts
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James B. Dorey, Lecturer in Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong Australian teddy bear bees are cute and fluffy, but get a look at that massive (unbarbed) stinger! James Dorey Photography Most of us have been stung by a bee and we ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
20 hours ago

How Anzac deaths changed the way we mourn to this day
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jen Roberts, Senior Lecturer, School of Humanities and Social Inquiry, University of Wollongong Aussie~mobs/Flickr Victor Farr, a private in the 1st Infantry Battalion, was among the first to land at Anzac Cove just before dawn on April 25 1915. Victor Farr ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
20 hours ago

Sugar gums have a reputation as risky branch-droppers but they’re important to bees, parrots and p...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gregory Moore, Senior Research Associate, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne Gregory Moore I had the good fortune to care for the sugar gum at The University of Melbourne’s Burnley Gardens in Victoria where I worked for ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
20 hours ago

Inflation is slowly falling, while student debt is climbing: 6 graphs that explain today’s CPI
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra BagzhanSadvakassov/Upsplash, CC BY-SA Australia’s inflation rate has fallen for the fifth successive quarter, and it’s now less than half of what it was back in late 2022. ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
20 hours ago

Our housing system is broken and the poorest Australians are being hardest hit
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rachel Ong ViforJ, ARC Future Fellow & Professor of Economics, Curtin University Just when we think the price of rentals could not get any worse, this week’s Rental Affordability Snapshot by Anglicare has revealed low-income Australians are facing a housing crisis like ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
20 hours ago

‘It bucked our lads up wonderfully’: the lightning-quick WWI battle that marked the birth of the...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Meighen McCrae, Associate Professor of Strategic & Defence Studies, Australian National University American and Australian stretcher bearers working together near the front line during the Battle of Hamel in 1918. Australian War Memorial While the AUKUS alliance is new, the Australian-American partnership ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
21 hours ago

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tracey Holmes, Professorial Fellow in Sport, University of Canberra When the news broke last weekend that 23 Chinese swimmers had tested positive to a banned drug in early 2021 and were allowed to compete at the Tokyo Olympic Games six months later ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
21 hours ago

First Nations Anzacs sacrificed life and limb for Country. Why aren’t their stories shown onscreen...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cally Jetta, Senior Lecturer and Academic Lead; College for First Nations, University of Southern Queensland Australian War Memorial Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this article contains names and images of deceased people, as well as sensitive historical information ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
21 hours ago

NZ’s Media Minister Melissa Lee demoted after Newshub crisis
RNZ News Melissa Lee has been ousted from New Zealand’s coalition cabinet and stripped of the Media portfolio, and Penny Simmonds has lost the Disability Issues portfolio in a reshuffle. Climate Change and Revenue Minister Simon Watts will take Lee’s spot in cabinet. Simmonds was a minister outside of cabinet. ...
Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report
21 hours ago

Our tall, wet forests were not open and park-like when colonists arrived – and we shouldn’t be b...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Lindenmayer, Professor, Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University laurello/Shutterstock Some reports and popular books, such as Bill Gammage’s Biggest Estate on Earth, have argued that extensive areas of Australia’s forests were kept open through frequent burning by ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
21 hours ago

Aces in their places: Luxon plays coy over ministers' competence
Analysis - Christopher Luxon framing the demotion of two ministers as the portfolios getting "too complex" is a charitable way of saying they weren't up to the job. ...
Radio NZ – political
21 hours ago

Politics with Michelle Grattan: Economist Chris Richardson on an ‘ugly’ inflation result and the...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra With Jim Chalmers’s third budget on May 14, Australians will be looking for some more cost-of-living relief – beyond the tax cuts – although they have been warned extra measures will be modest. As ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
22 hours ago

Melissa Lee’s media Hail Mary comes up short
Analysis: Melissa Lee has lost the media portfolio and her spot in Cabinet after multiple failed attempts to find solutions for a media industry in crisis. On Wednesday, the Prime Minister announced Lee would be losing her spot in Cabinet along with her media and communications ministerial portfolio. The job ...
NewsroomBy Laura Walters
22 hours ago

Northland council continues four-year Māori ward fight in face of government changes
A council that played a key role in getting Māori ward polling removed is now lobbying against government plans to reinstate binding referendums. ...
Radio NZ – political
22 hours ago

Education Ministry cuts: Roles providing support for disabled kids among those proposed to be axed
Leaked documents show which divisions will bear the brunt of hundreds of proposed job cuts at the Ministry of Education. ...
Radio NZ – political
22 hours ago

Land Information New Zealand proposes 57 job cuts
It is the latest department to announce job cuts as part of the government's cost-cutting measures. ...
Radio NZ – political
23 hours ago

Watch: Government's 'wheels are falling off already', Hipkins says, after ministers d...
The Labour leader says the demotion of two ministers today shows the PM "didn't have particularly good judgement". ...
Radio NZ – political
24 hours ago

The stories of Australia’s Muslim Anzacs have long been forgotten. It’s time we honour them
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Simon Wilmot, Senior Lecturer, Film, Deakin University Among the many Australian who served during the second world war, there is a small group of people whose stories remain largely untold. These are the Muslim men and women who, while small in number, ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
24 hours ago

National emergency response facing 26 separate inquiries: What have we learned
The country's emergency response is besieged by inquiries, despite years of reviews and efforts to make laws that deliver. ...
Radio NZ – political
24 hours ago

Sexual assault victims give evidence in court, but alleged perpetrators don’t have to. Bruce Lehrm...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kelly Saunders, PhD Candidate, University of Canberra There has been much analysis and praise of Justice Michael Lee’s recent judgement in Bruce Lehrmann’s defamation case against Channel Ten. Many people were openly relieved to read Lee’s “forensic” and “nuanced” application of law ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 day ago

What’s the difference between ADD and ADHD?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kathy Gibbs, Program Director for the Bachelor of Education, Griffith University zEdward_Indy/Shutterstock Around one in 20 people has attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It’s one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in childhood and often continues into adulthood. ADHD is diagnosed ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 day ago

Watch: Government's 'wheels are falling off already', Hipkins says, after minsters de...
The Labour leader says the demotion of two ministers today shows the PM "didn't have particularly good judgement". ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

Anti-Poverty Groups Urge New Minister For Disability Issues To Reverse Funding Cuts
The Fairer Future coalition of anti-poverty groups say Whaikaha must be properly funded going forward, and that to argue that poor financial management of the new Ministry is a red herring by the Prime Minister. ...
Scoop politics
1 day ago

New Media Minister Must Rule Out State Intervention In Private Media
The Taxpayers’ Union is today congratulating Hon. Paul Goldsmith on his appointment as Minister for Media and Communications and urges him to rule out state intervention in the private media sector. ...
Scoop politics
1 day ago

OPM leader’s open letter condemns Australia’s ‘treachery’ over Papua
Asia Pacific Report The West Papuan resistance OPM leader has condemned Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and US President Joe Biden, accusing their countries of “six decades of treachery” over Papuan independence. The open letter was released today by OPM chairman Jeffrey P Bomanak on the eve of ANZAC Day ...
Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report
1 day ago

‘Emily Dickinson made me into a writer’: Lauren Groff on the power of reading
Welcome to The Spinoff Books Confessional, in which we get to know the reading habits and quirks of New Zealanders at large. This week: writer and one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people of 2024, Lauren Groff. The book I wish I’d written If I wish I’d written a ...
The SpinoffBy The Spinoff Review of Books
1 day ago

Watch live: Chris Hipkins speaks after ministers Melissa Lee, Penny Simmonds lose portfolios
The Labour leader speaks from Parliament after the prime minister's sudden Cabinet reshuffle. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

What kind of diner are you? 6 types of diners who avoid plant-based meat dishes
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Fechner, Research Fellow, Social Marketing, Griffith University mavo/Shutterstock Imagine having dinner at a restaurant. The menu offers plant-based meat alternatives made mostly from vegetables, mushrooms, legumes and wheat that mimic meat in taste, texture and smell. Despite being given that ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 day ago

Auckland University Criminologist Slams ‘Racist’ Three Strikes Law
“Three Strikes is a dead-end policy proposed by a dead-end government. The Three Strikes law ignores the causes of crime, instead just brutalising people already crushed by the cost of living.” ...
Scoop politics
1 day ago

Australia-born judge facing potential deportation from Kiribati
By Don Wiseman, RNZ Pacific senior journalist An Australian-born judge in Kiribati could well face deportation later this week after a tribunal ruling that he should be removed from his post. The tribunal’s report has just been tabled in the Kiribati Parliament and is due to be debated by MPs ...
Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report
1 day ago

Can Body-Worn Cameras Work In Australia And New Zealand? Lessons From Milestone’s Denmark Survey
With its clear mandate for police use, political nuances, and nuanced public trust, Denmark's insights provide valuable considerations for Australia and New Zealand. ...
Scoop politics
1 day ago

Media Minister Melissa Lee demoted from Cabinet, Penny Simmonds stripped of portfolio
Melissa Lee has been stripped of the Media portfolio, while Penny Simmonds has lost the Disability Issues role. Follow as the PM explains. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

Climate change and human rights: how a landmark legal victory in Europe could affect NZ
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vernon Rive, Associate Professor of Law, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Getty Images A seven-year campaign by a group of over 2,000 Swiss women – average age 73 – recently ended with a European Court of Human Rights decision variously ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 day ago

Page-turning rural gothic: Ash by Louise Wallace, reviewed
Books editor Claire Mabey reviews poet Louise Wallace’s debut novel. A famous poet once said to me that he’s always suspicious when a poet publishes a novel. I never really understood why but maybe it’s something to do with cheating on your first form. Louise Wallace is a poet. She’s ...
The SpinoffBy Claire Mabey
1 day ago

Lower catch limits in force for Fiordland, Chatham Islands
New catch limits in Fiordland mean recreational fishers will only be able to take much smaller bags of finfish and shellfish. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

New emergency management legislation delayed after bill pulled by Government
The bill was introduced by the previous government in June last year. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

‘It was my Eras tour’: Meet the world’s biggest TrueBliss fans
For a few months at the turn of the millennium, TrueBliss burned bright as the biggest pop stars in the country. Alex Casey chats to two superfans who still hold the flame. During a humble backyard wedding in Nelson, 1999, one of the cordially invited guests had to excuse themselves ...
The SpinoffBy Alex Casey
1 day ago

No more Census forms? Stats NZ mulls form of future surveys
The traditional Census form could become a thing of the past, as Stats NZ starts to rely more heavily on administrative data. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

The voices that vanish in a decimated newsroom
How will the recent wave of job cuts impact ethnic diversity in the media? In November last year, I was working a very busy day in the newsroom of a large online news site, interviewing whānau about their concerns over the imminent closure of one of the few puna reo ...
The SpinoffBy Eda Tang
1 day ago

Half our colleagues suffer pain and discomfort from periods. But they’re still a taboo subject at ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ruth Knight, Researcher, Queensland University of Technology Have you ever felt sick at work? Perhaps you had food poisoning or the flu. Your belly hurt, or you felt tired, making it hard to concentrate and be productive. How likely would you be ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 day ago

'We're going to be banning gang patches' – Police Minister adamant
Despite heavy criticism and an ongoing select committee process, the Police Minister says the Government will forge ahead with a ban on gang patches. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

Is it possible to ‘objectively’ judge music? We asked 5 experts
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sam Whiting, Lecturer – Creative Industries, University of South Australia Shutterstock Everyone has a favourite band, or a favourite composer, or a favourite song. There is some music which speaks to you, deeply; and other music which might be the current ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 day ago

Gloomy vibe from infrastructure sector as RMA changes unveiled
A new survey says ‘outlook not great’ for those charged with building infrastructure, while RMA changes delight farmers and depress environmentalists, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. First RMA changes announced ...
The SpinoffBy Anna Rawhiti-Connell
1 day ago

From Gallipoli to Gaza: remembering the Anzacs not as a ‘coming of age’ tale but as a lesson for...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Olli Hellmann, Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Waikato Getty Images When New Zealanders commemorate Anzac Day on April 25, it’s not only to honour the soldiers who lost their lives in World War I and subsequent conflicts, but also ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 day ago

The end of the Census? Stats NZ to look at whether survey is still needed
The traditional Census survey could become a thing of the past as Stats NZ starts to rely more heavily on administrative data. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

Leaked document reveals millions of dollars of cuts at Te Whatu Ora
A leaked document shows the Canterbury/Waitaha arm of health agency Te Whatu Ora is scurrying to save $13.3 million by July. The “financial sustainability target”, which was “allocated” to Waitaha, is consistent with what’s happening in other districts, says Sarah Dalton, executive director of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists. ...
NewsroomBy David Williams
1 day ago

Hiring freeze leaves Oranga Tamariki with no lawyers in Gisborne or Southland
The ministry's lawyers work with vulnerable children across the country, often in the youth and family courts. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

Is KiwiBuild finally on its last legs?
A look at the state of the previous government’s affordable housing scheme, and what could come next. Remind me: What’s KiwiBuild again? First announced in 2012, KiwiBuild was a flagship policy of the Labour Party heading into both its 2014 and 2017 election campaigns. With Jacinda Ardern as prime minister, ...
The SpinoffBy Stewart Sowman-Lund
1 day ago

Labour has forgotten it was in government
Labour in opposition will be shocked to learn which party had six years in power but squandered any chance to make real change. Grant Robertson’s valedictory speech was a predictably entertaining trip down memory lane. The acid-tongued incoming Otago University chancellor administered a sick burn to the coalition government. He ...
The SpinoffBy Hayden Donnell
1 day ago

Can social investment shift the dial on welfare and wellbeing?
Exploring the arguments for and against a social investment approach The post Can social investment shift the dial on welfare and wellbeing? appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Emma Hatton
1 day ago

Lessons identified must become lessons learned for emergency preparedness
Opinion: It cost too much, apparently, to implement a ‘common operational picture’ The post Lessons identified must become lessons learned for emergency preparedness appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Lianne Dalziel
1 day ago

The state of Taiwan’s silicon shield
Taiwan’s semiconductor industry is seen some as its ‘silicon shield’ against invasion – but how will overseas expansion affect that protection? The post The state of Taiwan’s silicon shield appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Sam Sachdeva
1 day ago

Quake rules in for a shake-up
There’s relief for building owners bending under the weight of earthquake strengthening rules – and costs – that came into force seven years ago. Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk has announced a scheduled 2027 review of the earthquake-prone building regulations will now start this year. Owners will also get ...
NewsroomBy Tom Kitchin
1 day ago

Kiwis are learning how to fight climate change – polls
Bucking a common misconception, NZers no longer say recycling is the most effective action they can take to reduce climate pollution The post Kiwis are learning how to fight climate change – polls appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Marc Daalder
1 day ago

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