Donghua Liu Letter: More Dirty Politics

Written By: - Date published: 7:06 am, September 12th, 2014 - 55 comments
Categories: blogs, Media, same old national - Tags: , , , , ,

Frank Macskasy at The Daily Blog has a good timeline of the Donghua Liu OIA.

And the times on the 18th of June – a date set for the John Banks resignation debate in parliament, and just 2 days after Jared Savage & Brook Sabin put in revised OIAs (their initial ones producing nothing useful) – make for some interesting reading:

12.10 – Labour Leader’s office told of letters, and told OIA will be mailed in 1 hour.

12.30 – Office of Immigration Minister (Michael Woodhouse) told OIA being released, with letters.

12.49 – Jared Savage is emailed OIA.

12.53 – Brook Sabin – without a paper-trail of how he got the letters (but direct from Minister’s office?) – publishes his story on the letter.

12.57 – Whaleoil references Jared Savage’s OIA about the letter.

1.00 – John Armstrong publishes call for Cunliffe’s resignation due to letter.

1.06 – David Farrar refers to Jared Savage’s OIA.

John Banks resignation debate in parliament gets derailed by National front-benchers referencing to breaking Donghua Liu news.

2.29 – Jared Savage publishes his story about his OIA…

Now how Brook Sabin made a package on the OIA in 4 minutes after the OIA release – or John Armstrong managed to comment on the breaking news 7 minutes later – is somewhat of a mystery.  But Whaleoil and Farrar referring to an article that wasn’t published for another hour and a half?

Well, one might suspect Dirty Politics.

John Key admitted having the letter from the weekend of 10/11 May shortly after Jared Savage’s initial fruitless OIA caused it to cross Woodhouse’s desk.  The Nats obviously then needed the information to come out to undermine Cunliffe, and at a politically convenient time. The full article has more inconsistencies and details.

Macskasy leaves us with some questions:

1. Who told Visa Services to respond to Jared Savage’s May 8 request at 8.59am on Monday 16 June?

2. Who told Savage to make a fresh, more specific request, the same morning and copy it to the minister’s press secretary?

3. Who told Sabin to put in a request on June 16?

4. Who told Tova O’Brien to ask those questions on Tuesday 17 June?

5. Who made the transcript of the questions and answers and how was it circulated?

6. After deciding to withhold the Cunliffe letter for privacy reasons, why was it released so quickly and without any further discussion of the privacy aspect?

7. It took the minister less than 20 minutes to approve the release of the Cunliffe and Carter letters. Is this a record?

8. How was it possible for the letter to be published in so many places so quickly?

So I think we can see another clear example of National’s dirty tricks – reaching right up to the PM.

55 comments on “Donghua Liu Letter: More Dirty Politics ”

  1. Disgusting! What do you do with this? Am sick to the core with this smear, which has damaged the opposition so much. No mention of it in MSM (obviously). Very evil forces at play in this country at the moment. Subverting debate in Parliament, taking focus off John Banks, who was found guilty (regardless of appeal).

    • owie 1.1

      I’m not sure that this storm in a teaspoon has done any lasting damage to Labour, or the left bloc more generally.

      • Sans Cle 1.1.1

        I disagree. As a person who was blind to dirty politics before reading the book, having never engaged in blogging or read blogs until 3 weeks ago, I had a very slanted view of Cunliffe. I am non partisan, (but lean toward Green). I believed what I read in the Media. I trusted that journos were calling it as they saw, so didn’t question the sound bites I received. I just took it that Cunliffe had messed up. Just accepted that they were unorganised, not politically expedient, a bit sloppy…. I am educated, interested and engaged in civic matters, but if you don’t get media coverage (other than showing your foibles, and having to explain previous actions), of course it affects your image. I think the smear has had a huge impact on Labour.
        I don’t have time to question EVERYTHING I read/hear (and I don’t watch TV), between work and family. I don’t think I am so different from many New Zealanders.

        National have been very effective with their political marketing, and it has hurt labour.

        • cogito 1.1.1.1

          Hopefully it will all come back to hit National twice as hard. Would be justice.

          Key has led a government of double-talk, lies and deceit. The signs have been there for a long time if one was prepared to look closely enough.

          • Sans Cle 1.1.1.1.1

            Yes, I never trusted Key. A speculator (a.k.a. Gambler of other people’s money, with only ‘wins’ for himself) being leader of a country, yes maybe….but leader of a society….never. How do skills from self interested gambling (of other’s money) transfer into skills for leading a trulydemocratic society, with our 4 well beings, and built on Te Tiriti?.
            But no, the insidious smear and perversion of parliamentary power and resources (Ede and Collins) blindsided me. On taxpayer’s money? And the opportunity cost of debating time in Parliament. Spent by Bill English et al in the attack on Cunliffe. It beggars belief.

            I certainly was taken in.

        • ianmac 1.1.1.2

          I think you are right Sans Cle.
          ” Just accepted that they were unorganised, not politically expedient, a bit sloppy….”
          And that has been repeated endlessly by MSM and if you ask people what they think of Labour, those are the words often heard.
          Rotten tricks with a complicit Media.

          • CrashCart 1.1.1.2.1

            Agree. When I talk to work mates or family members who are voting National (some are drifting away a little) the common theme that comes out is that Cunliff is just not trustworthy. I straight up ask them why they think that and they can’t give an answer. This is AFTER the whole dirty politics. People still think Cunliff is less trustworthy. Why is that? Because smears like this that in of themselves don’t seem huge when they happen over and over again can’t help but effect the image of a person.

            This is the insideous thing. The Dirty politics tactic has worked so well to undermine the credability of Cunliff that when evidence is put in front of people of what they have been up to people still choose not to believe it and it has had very little effect on NACT in the polls. I understand it is the poll of polls that matter but I am concerned that too much damage has been done in this underhanded manner already.

            • Sans Cle 1.1.1.2.1.1

              I have a feeling that the tide is turning (optimist in me)…..and that message is getting out there. I for one am sounding like a bloody ancient Greek advocate of democratic ideals on my social media sites. My brother overseas wanted to know if my FB was hacked with all links etc!. Discussions here on this blog are clearly preaching to the converted, but I for one am trying to open people’s eyes to what is going on, in my own little sphere, and where I can.

            • Bunji 1.1.1.2.1.2

              It is insidious – because there will be a gut feel that has been formed from the drip-drip-drip of stories and is very hard to get rid of for a large number of voters.

              Our meat-brains don’t switch our emotions/feelings so easily just because a fact is presented to us.

            • Lloyd 1.1.1.2.1.3

              It would not be impossible to prove with sufficient repetition and a psychological understanding of the people concerned that a square is in fact a circle. They are mere words, and words can be molded until they clothe ideas and disguise.”
              ― Joseph Goebbels

              Once you are sold a lie, you have to admit you are duped before you can accept an opposing story. It takes effort to admit you can be conned. It hurts. It is hard to give up the lie when it is steadily reinforced from many sources. It is far easier to accept you have accepted a lie when their is someone to blame. If we can string someone up for the crime it is far more acceptable to make the logic shift against the lie. We need heads on poles and the government will roll!

  2. dv 2

    Frank is a very good details man.

  3. Ant 3

    This was one of the more disingenuous episodes in NZ politics – zero substance, journalists knew it, but rolled with the whole thing anyway.

  4. karol 4

    Savage
    Sabin
    Armstong
    O’Brien

    Why we need a strong public service media.

    • Paul 4.1

      And now the Corin Dann running Dirty Politics tactics on the Greens.
      Shame on the media.

      • Tracey 4.1.1

        Because they are being wilfully blind to the true nature of dirty politics which is about networks, collusion betw politicians, their staff, bloggers, media, corporates, lobby groups and various individuals of questionable character.

        Or they are stupid.

        Not sure either is acrime at law but we ought to be collectively outraged.

        • Sans Cle 4.1.1.1

          I agree…..and I am outraged! But how to get a simple message across to people who don’t realise this is happening?…. People who would also be outraged. The book is out there, but are we back to business as usual?

          I am sick to the core that Ede has not been discussed in Leader’s debates.
          Key has not explained ANYTHING. (Hello Jason if you are reading this……you can run, but NZ will not let you hide).

    • Tigger 4.2

      + 1 Karol – this ‘private’ media works for those with money and power. I never had a great impression of them. Now I want justice for their actions.

  5. Peter 5

    It would be appreciated if someone could please explain the legality or otherwise of this senario …………………..

    • Tracey 5.1

      Having an Editor (tim murphy of sst) who thinks a statement and affidavit are the same thing is not illegal but it is “criminal”!

  6. North 6

    Given the importance of the media to a functioning democracy the way the media has gone is extremely disturbing. A biased media once required a committed (if hidden) ideological stance. All it requires now is a bunch of unworldly (except in terms of facile cafe society), truthfully not very bright, “self self self” operatives. Operatives who are encouraged and rewarded for seeing and conducting themselves as ‘part of the story’. The story (narrative) being that of the corporate power elite.

    What’s the obvious way to honour and advantage “self self self” ? Honour the corporate power elite in which one is yet a minion. That’s what’s happened to our media. “Democracy” has been reduced to a buzz word. It is very depressing.

    • kenny 6.1

      Agree North. In the face of overwhelming evidence that this government is CORRUPT the media do nothing! In fact they go along with it.

      They should be ashamed.

  7. Tracey 7

    In July this year I submitted an OIA relating to a statement bill english made to tge data forum about single mothers on benefits.

    When his department replied some weeks later, they told me he had relied upon a summary provided to him by ms bennett.

    At Weka’s prompting I sent another request asking for a copy of the summary referred to in his response to me. Pretty specific rquest I think. This was on 8 August. I received the summary on 8 September.

    It took a month.

    My point, and I do have one, is Slater was receiving OIA responses at an unusual fast turn around.

    My request to english couldnt have been more specific cos it referred to a document HE had alerted me to.

    Anyone who says Slaters turn around time for his OIAs is cos he was darn specific are

    Lying
    Speaking from NO experience of OIAs

    That raises the issue of HOW he could be SO specific. OIAs are, in my experience something of a fishing expedition. You suspect they have something but you arent exactly sure.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 7.1

      Yeah, that’s not how they work for the National Party. A National Party OIA request goes like this: they pay people with tax-payers’ money to trawl through government records looking for any more-or-less insignificant details that might be useful. They keep a database of these – the PM’s self-described “top drawer”.

      When they need a distraction from the latest evidence of their perfidy, they tell one of their deniable sources to put the request in, and help them compose it.

      The Donghua Liu letter/donation smear required considerably more than that of course, as Frank so ably demonstrates.

      It shows journalists working as a branch of the National Party, a coordinated pre-meditated attack. They may as well be on the payroll.

      In other news, I have some Press Council teeth going cheap. Found them at a garage sale in an old box marked “unwanted”.

      • Tracey 7.1.1

        Clever @teet – oops freudian slip. Meant teeth
        Remember when collins and key described something in 2011 as being years ago? But something a decade ago was a scandal!?!

      • One Anonymous Bloke 7.1.2

        * for “deniable sources” read “deniable assets”.

  8. Another legal question: are breaches to Cabinet guidelines legally binding? Is there anything in the Crimes Act that is covered by this behaviour? Is the legal profession/ombudsman involved at this point, or would that be hush-hush?
    I really cannot believe this is not illegal…..and really can’t believe it’s happening here in NZ…(but I suppose Peter Jackson did try to tell us, we live in Middle Earth, The Sleepy Shire, with evil forces surrounding us!).

    • Tracey 8.1

      My understanding is the cabinet manual are guidelines enforceable by the PM, and maybe, the Speaker?

      They govern matters that are parliamentary and i think are therefore constitutionally outside the jurisdiction of the Courts.

      Only guessing

  9. Keiv 9

    Damn right it’s Dirty Politics, how much money did Liu have to donate in order to get that reference ? Why didn’t he approach his local electorate MP ?

  10. ianmac 10

    Excellent idea Bunji to print the summary of Frank’s post. The timeline shows that there is no credible answer but that there is corruption and collusion at the highest level.
    Has anyone tried to deny the truth of the facts?

  11. Tom Jackson 11

    Well, it’s a vindication of what people were saying early on this year: that the media were colluding in hit jobs on Cunliffe.

    I seem to recall some journalists blogging that this was Labour’s fault.

    Bullshit.

  12. ghostwhowalksnz 12

    Dont forget the OIA request for” letters from MPs” about Donghua Liu turned up the fact there were letters from national and ACT Mps as well.

    From memory it was Williamson and Banks.

    Their letters were not released !

    You can see a hint of this in Brook Sabins casual OIA request where he wanted only letters from Labour Mps. He was in on the secret before he requested it. Savage asked after MPs in general

  13. Iron Sky 13

    The Götterdämmerung is coming for you:

    Now that the Iron Maiden is gone:

    “Woe to you, oh earth and sea
    For the Devil sends the beast with wrath
    Because he knows the time is short
    Let him who hath understanding
    Reckon the number of the beast
    For it is a human number
    Its number is”

    (04)894 7014

    oh silly me, we live in modern times

    Facsimile – (04)894 7031
    Email hq@national.org.nz

  14. Treetop 14

    This is the reason why an independent anti corruption tribunal needs to be established.

    Time to clean up the rot.

  15. venezia 15

    Can someone please provide a copy of this document, plus Frank Macasky’s outline to Winston? He seems to be getting a lot of media attention recently. Also, it could prove useful in his “Extended Enquiry” should he throw in his lot with Key post election.

  16. Grantoc 16

    Apart from a few of you on this blog, who else is going to be interested in this particular issue raised by MacCasky. I suggest nobody.

    You’d be much better off focusing on why the Labour party is facing a potentially disastrous election result next week and what the implications of that could be – such as the movement going into permanent decline.

    Your energy would be much better spent thinking about and working out how to prevent such an outcome.

    Even the Greens are beginning to subtly manouvre themselves away from being too closely associated with Labour for fear of being caught in its wake as it sinks.

    It might make you feel morally superior and you may enjoy some kind of moral righteousness by continuing to dredge up the ‘Dirty Politics’ issue, but if you do you’ll probably be consigned to same watery grave as the Labour party.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 16.1

      Oh look, another ratfucker pretending there’s nothing to see here.

      • CrashCart 16.1.1

        Yea he suggests we look into why Labour are polling so low, ignoring the fact that this whole post goes to the core of why labour are polling so low.

        Grantoc here is a hint, when you have had a dirty tricks campeighn using public funds and governments powers to undermine the opposition for the last 6 years it is bound to have a negative effect on the polls.

        Glad I could clear that up for you.

        • Grantoc 16.1.1.1

          CrashCart

          You are wrong. Labour is polling so low because it has become increasingly irrelevant to its core constituency, and to everyone else.

          If your theory was correct then it would be reasonable to have expected a surge in Labour’s support following the release of Hager’s book. That hasn;t happened and won’t happen.

          Glad to clear that up for you.

          • One Anonymous Bloke 16.1.1.1.1

            Oh look, the ratfucker wants another bite.

            What’s the appropriate dose of 1080 for a large primate?

    • Sans Cle 16.2

      Greens are not moving away from sinking ship. Not changing their policy either, in my understanding of a hui they had (am not a member so could be wrong on that).

      People are interested and I am happy to see that a link to macasky’s story got through comments section under Armstrong’s drivel in today’s Herald.
      Some of us are more concerned about freedom of speech and democratic principles which are being compromised……long after this partisan election.
      Hell, why do we have to hide behind veiled blogs to have these discussions?….Because we have sinister partisan people out there doing whatever it takes to clinch power. We have people like Slater, Ede, Odgers, Lusk, Armstrong (and that’s not a comprehensive list) assassinating characters willy-nilly.

      I really wouldn’t care about who is next in government EXCEPT, if it is Key, this will carry on. Will be a sham of inquiry(ies).
      But on a more positive note…..it seems the tide is turning. There is mega criticism of Key and Armstrong in today’s Herald.
      Me thinks change is afoot (which is why the MSM is trying to factionalise the Green/labour block).
      Planet Key seems to be worried……very worried, and that can only be a good thing.
      Key HAS to win this election at all costs, as if he doesn’t ALL his dirty politics will be aired. And as MSM is so complicit, they are in real danger too.

      Now, what’s that phrase I read here? Keep calm and vote Left!

  17. Tautoko Viper 17

    Grantoc, it appears that you are under the misapprehension that the corruption that you obviously condone is not an issue for NZers. Prepare to be surprised then as the full picture is revealed to the public view.

    • Grantoc 17.1

      Tautoko

      For the record I didn’t ‘obviously condone’ corruption or anything else in my comment.

      I commented on the general reaction to Hager’s revelations, which is there for all to see. Objective observation of behaviour (of the NZ voting public in this case) has nothing to do with condoning anything.

      If you read my comment carefully you’ll be aware of this.

      Apart from that what do you know about the ‘full picture’ that the rest of the country doen’t? Maybe you should share this so we can see if your theory is correct regarding the reaction of the public per se.

      • One Anonymous Bloke 17.1.1

        Nah, the simplest explanation for your bad faith comments is that you’re a ratfucker, to be given no solace or quarter.

        • Grantoc 17.1.1.1

          Anonymous

          I guess it takes one to know one.

          In reality it’s prats like you that are contributing to Labour’s demise.

          For what it’s worth if you truly support Labour’s cause, you’d be out there trying to win the hearts and minds of the people. Infantile abuse; denial, and throwing tantrums is not going to cut it.

          Maybe in reality you really don’t support the left and its goals after all.

          Maybe you’re a plant from the right to undermine the left. If so you’re doing a fine job. Keep it up!

  18. Jack the Rat 18

    This National Party is the ultimate in slease and rat trappings.

    They have control of the country’s purse strings and the media, the are fooling the NZ Public with misinformation and mistruths and when you have a compliant media eating out of their hands the country is on a hiding to nothing.

    One day we will all wake up to what has happened, when we have reverted back to the feudal society with the masters and the serfs, in the fiefdom of NZ.

    Having studied economics and international trading in the 1970’s at University it make my guts turn to see what has happened in this country with the rape and pillage of State Assets, it took decades of taxpayer time and effort to build those State Assets and they were sold in an instant for handsome profits for the favoured few who now are on pedestals in NZ Economic Halls of Fame?

    • Sans Cle 18.1

      Hopefully we wake up fresh and airy for the 20th….and get all our collective asses to the booths…….change is afoot my friend…..New Zealanders are rather angry with Dirty Politiking. I think we need strong credible messages from Cunliffe this week. Reassurances. Give those disaffected and angry ex-Nat supporters (who are also justifiably peeved with Key/Collins/Ede/Lusk er al.) a credible place to vote.
      I think he did really well by stating a three party coalition preference. Just need to offer stability, remind people of how they managed economy in past, brought down debt, brought up savings, ran 9 surpluses……etc etc etc.
      Also social innovation, and credit to where credit is due to Peters who brought in so much for vulnerable people (kids and elderly)….and his damn fine role as watchdog in Parliament.

  19. Jack the Rat 19

    Hopefully we will have a change of Government and we will see some moral investigations into what has been going on in this country, i liken it to East Germany and Russia with the Stasi and KGB Networks.

  20. Jack the Rat 20

    What a f***** snowjob by a corrupt unethical media, this needs to be exposed in MSM however it will never get past the Editor or Content Manager. Yuk Vomit we are living in a very sick society under this regime.

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  • New Rail Operations Centre Promises Better Train Services
    Last week Transport Minster Simeon Brown and Mayor Wayne Brown opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre. The new train control centre will see teams from KiwiRail, Auckland Transport and Auckland One Rail working more closely together to improve train services across the city. The Auckland Rail Operations Centre in ...
    2 days ago
  • Bernard's six newsy things at 6.36am on Monday, March 18
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson said in an exit interview with Q+A yesterday the Government can and should sustain more debt to invest in infrastructure for future generations. Elsewhere in the news in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 6:36am: Read more ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: Wang Yi’s perfectly-timed, Aukus-themed visit to New Zealand
    Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. It is more than just a happy ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    2 days ago
  • The Kaka’s diary for the week to March 25 and beyond
    TL;DR: The key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to March 18 include:China’s Foreign Minister visiting Wellington today;A post-cabinet news conference this afternoon; the resumption of Parliament on Tuesday for two weeks before Easter;retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson gives his valedictory speech in Parliament; ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Bitter and angry; Winston First
    New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters’s state-of-the-nation speech on Sunday was really a state-of-Winston-First speech. He barely mentioned any of the Government’s key policies and could not even wholly endorse its signature income tax cuts. Instead, he rehearsed all of his complaints about the Ardern Government, including an extraordinary claim ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
    2 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
    2 days ago
  • Out of Touch.
    “I’ve been internalising a really complicated situation in my head.”When they kept telling us we should wait until we get to know him, were they taking the piss? Was it a case of, if you think this is bad, wait till you get to know the real Christopher, after the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • The bewildering world of Chris Luxon – Guns for all, not no lunch for kids
    .“$10 and a target that bleeds” - Bleeding Targets for Under $10!.Thanks for reading Frankly Speaking ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.This government appears hell-bent on either scrapping life-saving legislation or reintroducing things that - frustrated critics insist - will be dangerous and likely ...
    Frankly SpeakingBy Frank Macskasy
    3 days ago
  • Expert Opinion: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.
    It hardly strikes me as fair to criticise a government for doing exactly what it said it was going to do. For actually keeping its promises.”THUNDER WAS PLAYING TAG with lightning flashes amongst the distant peaks. Its rolling cadences interrupted by the here-I-come-here-I-go Doppler effect of the occasional passing car. ...
    3 days ago
  • Manufacturing The Truth.
    Subversive & Disruptive Technologies: Just as happened with that other great regulator of the masses, the Medieval Church, the advent of a new and hard-to-control technology – the Internet –  is weakening the ties that bind. Then, and now, those who enjoy a monopoly on the dissemination of lies, cannot and will ...
    3 days ago
  • A Powerful Sensation of Déjà Vu.
    Been Here Before: To find the precedents for what this Coalition Government is proposing, it is necessary to return to the “glory days” of Muldoonism.THE COALITION GOVERNMENT has celebrated its first 100 days in office by checking-off the last of its listed commitments. It remains, however, an angry government. It ...
    3 days ago
  • Can you guess where world attention is focussed (according to Greenpeace)? It’s focussed on an EPA...
    Bob Edlin writes –  And what is the world watching today…? The email newsletter from Associated Press which landed in our mailbox early this morning advised: In the news today: The father of a school shooter has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter; prosecutors in Trump’s hush-money case ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • Further integrity problems for the Greens in suspending MP Darleen Tana
    Bryce Edwards writes – Is another Green MP on their way out? And are the Greens severely tarnished by another integrity scandal? For the second time in three months, the Green Party has secretly suspended an MP over integrity issues. Mystery is surrounding the party’s decision to ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Jacqui Van Der Kaay: Greens’ transparency missing in action
    For the last few years, the Green Party has been the party that has managed to avoid the plague of multiple scandals that have beleaguered other political parties. It appears that their luck has run out with a second scandal which, unfortunately for them, coincided with Golraz Ghahraman, the focus ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago
  • Bernard’s Dawn Chorus with six newsey things at 6:46am for Saturday, March 16
    TL;DR: The six newsey things that stood out to me as of 6:46am on Saturday, March 16.Andy Foster has accidentally allowed a Labour/Green amendment to cut road user chargers for plug-in hybrid vehicles, which the Government might accept; NZ Herald Thomas Coughlan Simeon Brown has rejected a plea from Westport ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • How Did FTX Crash?
    What seemed a booming success a couple of years ago has collapsed into fraud convictions.I looked at the crash of FTX (short for ‘Futures Exchange’) in November 2022 to see whether it would impact on the financial system as a whole. Fortunately there was barely a ripple, probably because it ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    4 days ago
  • Elections in Russia and Ukraine
    Anybody following the situation in Ukraine and Russia would probably have been amused by a recent Tweet on X NATO seems to be putting in an awful lot of effort to influence what is, at least according to them, a sham election in an autocracy.When do the Ukrainians go to ...
    4 days ago
  • Bernard’s six stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15
    TL;DR: Shaun Baker on Wynyard Quarter's transformation. Magdalene Taylor on the problem with smart phones. How private equity are now all over reinsurance. Dylan Cleaver on rugby and CTE. Emily Atkin on ‘Big Meat’ looking like ‘Big Oil’.Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15Photo by Jeppe Hove Jensen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Buzz from the Beehive Finance Minister Nicola Willis had plenty to say when addressing the Auckland Business Chamber on the economic growth that (she tells us) is flagging more than we thought. But the government intends to put new life into it:  We want our country to be a ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • National’s clean car tax advances
    The Transport and Infrastructure Committee has reported back on the Road User Charges (Light Electric RUC Vehicles) Amendment Bill, basicly rubberstamping it. While there was widespread support among submitters for the principle that EV and PHEV drivers should pay their fair share for the roads, they also overwhelmingly disagreed with ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Government funding bailouts
    Peter Dunne writes – This week’s government bailout – the fifth in the last eighteen months – of the financially troubled Ruapehu Alpine Lifts company would have pleased many in the central North Island ski industry. The government’s stated rationale for the $7 million funding was that it ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Two offenders, different treatments.
    See if you can spot the difference. An Iranian born female MP from a progressive party is accused of serial shoplifting. Her name is leaked to the media, which goes into a pack frenzy even before the Police launch an … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    4 days ago
  • Treaty references omitted
    Ele Ludemann writes  – The government is omitting general Treaty references from legislation : The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last Government in a bid to get greater coherence in the public service on Treaty ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • The Ghahraman Conflict
    What was that judge thinking? Peter Williams writes –  That Golriz Ghahraman and District Court Judge Maria Pecotic were once lawyer colleagues is incontrovertible. There is published evidence that they took at least one case to the Court of Appeal together. There was a report on ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 15
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Climate Scorpion – the sting is in the tail. Introducing planetary solvency. A paper via the University of Exeter’s Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.Local scoop: Kāinga Ora starts pulling out of its Auckland projects and selling land RNZ ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The day Wellington up-zoned its future
    Wellington’s massively upzoned District Plan adds the opportunity for tens of thousands of new homes not just in the central city (such as these Webb St new builds) but also close to the CBD and public transport links. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Wellington gave itself the chance of ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Weekly Roundup 15-March-2024
    It’s Friday and we’re halfway through March Madness. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week in Greater Auckland On Monday Matt asked how we can get better event trains and an option for grade separating Morningside Dr. On Tuesday Matt looked into ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    5 days ago
  • That Word.
    Something you might not know about me is that I’m quite a stubborn person. No, really. I don’t much care for criticism I think’s unfair or that I disagree with. Few of us do I suppose.Back when I was a drinker I’d sometimes respond defensively, even angrily. There are things ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • The Hoon around the week to March 15
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:PM Christopher Luxon said the reversal of interest deductibility for landlords was done to help renters, who ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Labour’s policy gap
    It was not so much the Labour Party but really the Chris Hipkins party yesterday at Labour’s caucus retreat in Martinborough. The former Prime Minister was more or less consistent on wealth tax, which he was at best equivocal about, and social insurance, which he was not willing to revisit. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #11 2024
    Open access notables A Glimpse into the Future: The 2023 Ocean Temperature and Sea Ice Extremes in the Context of Longer-Term Climate Change, Kuhlbrodt et al., Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society: In the year 2023, we have seen extraordinary extrema in high sea surface temperature (SST) in the North Atlantic and in ...
    5 days ago
  • Melissa remains mute on media matters but has something to say (at a sporting event) about economic ...
     Buzz from the Beehive   The text reproduced above appears on a page which records all the media statements and speeches posted on the government’s official website by Melissa Lee as Minister of Media and Communications and/or by Jenny Marcroft, her Parliamentary Under-secretary.  It can be quickly analysed ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago
  • The return of Muldoon
    For forty years, Robert Muldoon has been a dirty word in our politics. His style of government was so repulsive and authoritarian that the backlash to it helped set and entrench our constitutional norms. His pig-headedness over forcing through Think Big eventually gave us the RMA, with its participation and ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Will the rental tax cut improve life for renters or landlords?
    Bryce Edwards writes –  Is the new government reducing tax on rental properties to benefit landlords or to cut the cost of rents? That’s the big question this week, after Associate Finance Minister David Seymour announced on Sunday that the Government would be reversing the Labour Government’s removal ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: What Saudi Arabia’s rapid changes mean for New Zealand
    Saudi Arabia is rarely far from the international spotlight. The war in Gaza has brought new scrutiny to Saudi plans to normalise relations with Israel, while the fifth anniversary of the controversial killing of Jamal Khashoggi was marked shortly before the war began on October 7. And as the home ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    5 days ago
  • Racism’s double standards
    Questions need to be asked on both sides of the world Peter Williams writes –   The NRL Judiciary hands down an eight week suspension to Sydney Roosters forward Spencer Leniu , an Auckland-born Samoan, after he calls Ezra Mam, Sydney-orn but of Aboriginal and Torres Strait ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • It’s not a tax break
    Ele Ludemann writes – Contrary to what many headlines and news stories are saying, residential landlords are not getting a tax break. The government is simply restoring to them the tax deductibility of interest they had until the previous government removed it. There is no logical reason ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • The Plastic Pig Collective and Chris' Imaginary Friends.
    I can't remember when it was goodMoments of happiness in bloomMaybe I just misunderstoodAll of the love we left behindWatching our flashbacks intertwineMemories I will never findIn spite of whatever you becomeForget that reckless thing turned onI think our lives have just begunI think our lives have just begunDoes anyone ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • Who is responsible for young offenders?
    Michael Bassett writes – At first reading, a front-page story in the New Zealand Herald on 13 March was bizarre. A group of severely intellectually limited teenagers, with little understanding of the law, have been pleading to the Justice Select Committee not to pass a bill dealing with ram ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on National’s fantasy trip to La La Landlord Land
    How much political capital is Christopher Luxon willing to burn through in order to deliver his $2.9 billion gift to landlords? Evidently, Luxon is: (a) unable to cost the policy accurately. As Anna Burns-Francis pointed out to him on Breakfast TV, the original ”rock solid” $2.1 billion cost he was ...
    5 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 14
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Jonathon Porritt calling bullshit in his own blog post on mainstream climate science as ‘The New Denialism’.Local scoop: The Wellington City Council’s list of proposed changes to the IHP recommendations to be debated later today was leaked this ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • No, Prime Minister, rents don’t rise or fall with landlords’ costs
    TL;DR: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said yesterday tenants should be grateful for the reinstatement of interest deductibility because landlords would pass on their lower tax costs in the form of lower rents. That would be true if landlords were regulated monopolies such as Transpower or Auckland Airport1, but they’re not, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • Cartoons: ‘At least I didn’t make things awkward’
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Tom Toro Tom Toro is a cartoonist and author. He has published over 200 cartoons in The New Yorker since 2010. His cartoons appear in Playboy, the Paris Review, the New York Times, American Bystander, and elsewhere. Related: What 10 EV lovers ...
    6 days ago
  • Solving traffic congestion with Richard Prebble
    The business section of the NZ Herald is full of opinion. Among the more opinionated of all is the ex-Minister of Transport, ex-Minister of Railways, ex MP for Auckland Central (1975-93, Labour), Wellington Central (1996-99, ACT, then list-2005), ex-leader of the ACT Party, uncle to actor Antonia, the veritable granddaddy ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    6 days ago
  • I Think I'm Done Flying Boeing
    Hi,Just quickly — I’m blown away by the stories you’ve shared with me over the last week since I put out the ‘Gary’ podcast, where I told you about the time my friend’s flatmate killed the neighbour.And you keep telling me stories — in the comments section, and in my ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • Invoking Aristotle: Of Rings of Power, Stones, and Ships
    The first season of Rings of Power was not awful. It was thoroughly underwhelming, yes, and left a lingering sense of disappointment, but it was more expensive mediocrity than catastrophe. I wrote at length about the series as it came out (see the Review section of the blog, and go ...
    6 days ago
  • Van Velden brings free-market approach to changing labour laws – but her colleagues stick to distr...
    Buzz from the Beehive Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden told Auckland Business Chamber members they were the first audience to hear her priorities as a minister in a government committed to cutting red tape and regulations. She brandished her liberalising credentials, saying Flexible labour markets are the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • Why Newshub failed
    Chris Trotter writes – TO UNDERSTAND WHY NEWSHUB FAILED, it is necessary to understand how TVNZ changed. Up until 1989, the state broadcaster had been funded by a broadcasting licence fee, collected from every citizen in possession of a television set, supplemented by a relatively modest (compared ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Māori Party on the warpath against landlords and seabed miners – let’s see if mystical creature...
    Bob Edlin writes  –  The Māori Party has been busy issuing a mix of warnings and threats as its expresses its opposition to interest deductibility for landlords and the plans of seabed miners. It remains to be seen whether they  follow the example of indigenous litigants in Australia, ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • Government moves to quickly ratify the NZ-EU FTA
    "The Government is moving quickly to realise an additional $46 million in tariff savings in the EU market this season for Kiwi exporters,” Minister for Trade and Agriculture, Todd McClay says. Parliament is set, this week, to complete the final legislative processes required to bring the New Zealand – European ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 hours ago
  • Positive progress for social worker workforce
    New Zealand’s social workers are qualified, experienced, and more representative of the communities they serve, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “I want to acknowledge and applaud New Zealand’s social workers for the hard work they do, providing invaluable support for our most vulnerable. “To coincide with World ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    9 hours ago
  • Minister confirms reduced RUC rate for PHEVs
    Cabinet has agreed to a reduced road user charge (RUC) rate for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. Owners of PHEVs will be eligible for a reduced rate of $38 per 1,000km once all light electric vehicles (EVs) move into the RUC system from 1 April.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    11 hours ago
  • Trade access to overseas markets creates jobs
    Minister of Agriculture and Trade, Todd McClay, says that today’s opening of Riverland Foods manufacturing plant in Christchurch is a great example of how trade access to overseas markets creates jobs in New Zealand.  Speaking at the official opening of this state-of-the-art pet food factory the Minister noted that exports ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    12 hours ago
  • NZ and Chinese Foreign Ministers hold official talks
    Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Wellington today. “It was a pleasure to host Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his first official visit to New Zealand since 2017. Our discussions were wide-ranging and enabled engagement on many facets of New Zealand’s relationship with China, including trade, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Kāinga Ora instructed to end Sustaining Tenancies
    Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities has been instructed to end the Sustaining Tenancies Framework and take stronger measures against persistent antisocial behaviour by tenants, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Earlier today Finance Minister Nicola Willis and I sent an interim Letter of Expectations to the Board of Kāinga Ora. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber: Growth is the answer
    Tēna koutou katoa. Greetings everyone. Thank you to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Honourable Simon Bridges for hosting this address today. I acknowledge the business leaders in this room, the leaders and governors, the employers, the entrepreneurs, the investors, and the wealth creators. The coalition Government shares your ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Singapore rounds out regional trip
    Minister Winston Peters completed the final leg of his visit to South and South East Asia in Singapore today, where he focused on enhancing one of New Zealand’s indispensable strategic partnerships.      “Singapore is our most important defence partner in South East Asia, our fourth-largest trading partner and a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister van Velden represents New Zealand at International Democracy Summit
    Minister of Internal Affairs and Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon. Brooke van Velden, will travel to the Republic of Korea to represent New Zealand at the Third Summit for Democracy on 18 March. The summit, hosted by the Republic of Korea, was first convened by the United States in 2021, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Insurance Council of NZ Speech, 7 March 2024, Auckland
    ICNZ Speech 7 March 2024, Auckland  Acknowledgements and opening  Mōrena, ngā mihi nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho.  Good morning, it’s a privilege to be here to open the ICNZ annual conference, thank you to Mark for the Mihi Whakatau  My thanks to Tim Grafton for inviting me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Five-year anniversary of Christchurch terror attacks
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Lead Coordination Minister Judith Collins have expressed their deepest sympathy on the five-year anniversary of the Christchurch terror attacks. “March 15, 2019, was a day when families, communities and the country came together both in sorrow and solidarity,” Mr Luxon says.  “Today we pay our respects to the 51 shuhada ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024
    Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024  Acknowledgements and opening  Morena, Nga Mihi Nui.  Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Thanks Nate for your Mihi Whakatau  Good morning. It’s a pleasure to formally open your conference this morning. What a lovely day in Wellington, What a great ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Early visit to Indonesia strengthens ties
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters held discussions in Jakarta today about the future of relations between New Zealand and South East Asia’s most populous country.   “We are in Jakarta so early in our new government’s term to reflect the huge importance we place on our relationship with Indonesia and South ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • China Foreign Minister to visit
    Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has announced that the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, will visit New Zealand next week.  “We look forward to re-engaging with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussing the full breadth of the bilateral relationship, which is one of New Zealand’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister opens new Auckland Rail Operations Centre
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has today opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre, which will bring together KiwiRail, Auckland Transport, and Auckland One Rail to improve service reliability for Aucklanders. “The recent train disruptions in Auckland have highlighted how important it is KiwiRail and Auckland’s rail agencies work together to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Celebrating 10 years of Crankworx Rotorua
    The Government is proud to support the 10th edition of Crankworx Rotorua as the Crankworx World Tour returns to Rotorua from 16-24 March 2024, says Minister for Economic Development Melissa Lee.  “Over the past 10 years as Crankworx Rotorua has grown, so too have the economic and social benefits that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government delivering on tax commitments
    Legislation implementing coalition Government tax commitments and addressing long-standing tax anomalies will be progressed in Parliament next week, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The legislation is contained in an Amendment Paper to the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill issued today.  “The Amendment Paper represents ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Significant Natural Areas requirement to be suspended
    Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard has today announced that the Government has agreed to suspend the requirement for councils to comply with the Significant Natural Areas (SNA) provisions of the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity for three years, while it replaces the Resource Management Act (RMA).“As it stands, SNAs ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government classifies drought conditions in Top of the South as medium-scale adverse event
    Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has classified the drought conditions in the Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts as a medium-scale adverse event, acknowledging the challenging conditions facing farmers and growers in the district. “Parts of Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts are in the grip of an intense dry spell. I know ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government partnership to tackle $332m facial eczema problem
    The Government is helping farmers eradicate the significant impact of facial eczema (FE) in pastoral animals, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced.  “A $20 million partnership jointly funded by Beef + Lamb NZ, the Government, and the primary sector will save farmers an estimated NZD$332 million per year, and aims to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • NZ, India chart path to enhanced relationship
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has completed a successful visit to India, saying it was an important step in taking the relationship between the two countries to the next level.   “We have laid a strong foundation for the Coalition Government’s priority of enhancing New Zealand-India relations to generate significant future benefit for both countries,” says Mr Peters, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Ruapehu Alpine Lifts bailout the last, say Ministers
    Cabinet has agreed to provide $7 million to ensure the 2024 ski season can go ahead on the Whakapapa ski field in the central North Island but has told the operator Ruapehu Alpine Lifts it is the last financial support it will receive from taxpayers. Cabinet also agreed to provide ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
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    6 days ago
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  • Statement to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the sixty-eighth session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
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  • Speech to Life Sciences Summit
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