Dotcom’s open letter to Banks

Written By: - Date published: 7:21 am, May 21st, 2015 - 59 comments
Categories: accountability, john banks, law - Tags: ,

For background this piece by Professor Geddis should be required reading: “If you want people to believe you are honest, then it’s best not to file false donation returns”. In comments Geddis sums up:

The point here is that by signing the donations return in question, Banks was attesting that it was a true reflection of the donations he had received. We know as a matter of fact that it was not. He was then subject to two possible consequences:

(1) If he unwittingly signed a false return, then he could have been convicted and fined  if charged within six months of the return (unless he could prove he did everything he could to avoid the error);

(2) If he knowingly signed a false return, then he could have been convicted and jailed for up to two years.

The former consequence was avoided because the false return was noticed too late. The latter was avoided because there was insufficient evidence to convict.

The determination that the return was false rests on the SkyCity donation and is thus irrespective of any claims made by Dotcom. But most of the media attention has focused on the claims surrounding Dotcom’s donations. As well covered recently, the Crown’s case under (2) just collapsed. But Kim Dotcom clearly still feels personally aggrieved by the issue, and last night he released this:
Open letter to John Banks

I think it is safe to say that Dotcom’s challenge will not be taken up.

 

Edit: alternative link.

59 comments on “Dotcom’s open letter to Banks ”

  1. Tracey 1

    I get

    file is missing

  2. Tracey 2

    it is here

    http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1505/S00238/open-letter-kim-dotcom-challenges-john-banks.htm

    It is a clever move by Dotcom. Banks is showing his further duplicity with how he has framed the action against him as Dotcom motivated, when Dotcom did not go to the police to start the prosecution.

    That the MSM is letting banks claim he has been vindicated WITHOUT adding the simple paragraphs Geddis wrote above is allowing Banks to deceive the public further

    ” The point here is that by signing the donations return in question, Banks was attesting that it was a true reflection of the donations he had received. We know as a matter of fact that it was not. He was then subject to two possible consequences:

    (1) If he unwittingly signed a false return, then he could have been convicted and fined if charged within six months of the return (unless he could prove he did everything he could to avoid the error);

    (2) If he knowingly signed a false return, then he could have been convicted and jailed for up to two years.

    The former consequence was avoided because the false return was noticed too late. The latter was avoided because there was insufficient evidence to convict.”

    • Sans Cle 2.1

      Think this was on yesterday’s open mike, but worth reporting. Guyon Espiner gave John “Jihaded” Banks (his self-ascribed victimization!) a good grilling on Radio yesterday. Let him have his spake about AG, then quizzed him about his honesty. John “Jihaded” Banks was angry, irate and showed how dishonest he truly is. Worth a listen. There was a “pause” when he was asked what he now thinks about KDC.
      http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/201755071/banks-calls-for-solicitor-general-to-stand-aside

      • Tracey 2.1.1

        Thanks Sans… Banks, like many of his ilk, actually convince themselves their revised version of history is correct…

        IMO he has convinced himself Dotcom was out to get him at any cost and therefore he is innocent… Geddes makes a mockery of those assertions… but who reads Geddes?

        What is it about ACT MP’s and their disdain for the truth or their need to deceive/defraud? Or even former candidates (Swney). Is this the future Libertarians want for us?

        • Sans Cle 2.1.1.1

          Was Alex Swney on an Act Party ticket/platform?

          • Tracey 2.1.1.1.1

            He stood for them in the Tamaki electorate in 1999 (against Clem Simich whose son is now in the triumvirate of Brewer, C Graham and Simich -)

            I actually think many would be fooled by Banks in that interview. He did a good CT job of repeating his main point ad infinitum…

            he did state that the police didn’t have enough evidence to prosecute him. That , as I understand it is a lie, they said it was outside the 6 months stated by the legislation… not quite the same thing.

            • Sans Cle 2.1.1.1.1.1

              Thx for that info.
              Regarding the interview, I thought Espiner did a good job of letting Banks puff up his peacocky feathers, letting him explain how process was wrong; but Espiner then cut to the chase about what actually happened and Banks floundered and evaded. You may be right though – repeat “I was wronged against” enough times, and the average punter who doesn’t follow proceedings closely takes that message.

              • tracey

                I do think (hopefully not wishful thining) that Aucklander s on’t vote him in as Mayor again… can’t speak for Epsom cos they would vote for a pig in lipstick if nats said to.

                • Sans Cle

                  lol re Epsom!
                  IMO it would be good if he stood for mayor. He’s not a trustworthy candidate, so would take away some of the Nasty votes, and perhaps split any attempt by Brewer (or others) to take AC to further extremes.

                • dv

                  I thought Epsom had voted for that pig!!!

      • Tracey 2.1.2

        I observed Minister Banks behaviour as Minister of Police during the Paul White and CitiBank affair. Suggesting he would initiate an investigation of police conduct prior to White’s death but reneging after White died.

      • David H 2.1.3

        I couldn’t listen to all of it. To Banks faux outrage, followed by what sounded like a “your not listening to me” before bursting into tears.

        Banks is a crook and he got out on a technicality.

    • dukeofurl 2.2

      Banks was so ‘honest’ he wouldnt go in the witness box ( which Dotcom did) instead he hid behind his wifes skirts when she testified.

      The reason why he didnt testify is he asked for the money and got it

      • Tracey 2.2.1

        The accused is entitled to not testify and make the Prosecution make their case without any negative connotation being put on it. I do agree with him that the appalling conduct by the Prosecuting lawyer/s in withholding information from the Court of Appeal must be investigated. Lawyers, like politicians have an appalling reputation and this action needs to be very publicly condemned and sanctioned. Judges rely very heavily on the ethical conduct of lawyers in making their decisions.

      • James 2.2.2

        HAHAHAH – And its not like Kim Dotcom has done anything to keep himself out of a witness box for all the charges against him is there.

  3. ianmac 3

    Perhaps the continued pressure on Banks over the last few years has tilted his judgement and caused him to rewrite history. Or perhaps he is just wired to tell porkies. Will Banks respond to the challenge from Kim? Perhaps an appearance on Campbell Live? Ha.

  4. tinfoilhat 4

    Would this be Dotcom trying to get back into court on another matter to potentially prolong his stay in NZ ?

    • Anne 4.1

      No. Read Professor Geddis’ article linked to in the post.

      • tinfoilhat 4.1.1

        I did Anne.

        Andrew is quiet on that particular point.

        I have no doubt that Banks was at the best very negligent, however I can’t help but wonder whether Dotcom is still trying to prolong his stay in NZ and see if Banks is silly enough to play along and allow Dotcom to go down the defamation route.

        Personally I’d like both of them to disappear into the background and cease interfering/running in politics.

        • dukeofurl 4.1.1.1

          Wrong ,politics is all the more about big egos, big stakes. We lap it up.

          Would you rather we heard about the small man , with the small mind who was set up to win Epsmon

        • Tracey 4.1.1.2

          I can’t see how tinfoil. Being involved in civil litigation wouldn’t prevent extradition. How do you see it impacting or stopping extradition?

        • JonL 4.1.1.3

          “I have no doubt that Banks was at the best very negligent,”

          Having known Banks for many years (not close – who wants to be), JB is never negligent. He knows exactly what is going on!

          • dukeofurl 4.1.1.3.1

            And the funny business in the bee pollen affair, the Judge ruled his evidence was a travesty of lies.
            Then there was the Huljich finance company when Banks was an executive director, he signed false statements there too.

            Then we have the donations, where he was charged over the Sky city cheque which he walked out the door with it in his pocket and Dotcom where he asked for the money to be split into two payments. Both lost on technicalities, but the facts had him asking and receiving the money and then saying he didnt know who the money came from.

            This idea of Banks being honest as the day is long is just not backed up

            Its a fabrication spread by Banks who has got away with it on technicalities and using expensive lawyers

    • Tracey 4.2

      I can’t see how tinfoil. Being involved in civil litigation wouldn’t prevent extradition. I suspect it is Dotcom trying to point out that Banks is duplicitous and a liar and he wouldn’t have bothered if Banks hadn’t made a big sow of how honest he is at the Stanford Plaza.

  5. Stuff the Politicians 5

    No surprise that many Kiwi people do not trust Politicians and J Banks is just another untrustworthy ex Politician.

    Given time he will get his just deserts.

    • mac1 5.1

      ‘he will get his just deserts’……………..

      Like Ozymandias? A lesson for us all, but especially our leaders, be they kings, prime ministers or lesser politicians.

      “”My name is OZYMANDIAS, King of Kings.”
      Look on my works ye Mighty, and despair!
      No thing beside remains. Round the decay
      Of that Colossal Wreck, boundless and bare,
      The lone and level sands stretch far away.”

      • Tracey 5.1.1

        *sigh*

        • mac1 5.1.1.1

          Tracy, *sigh* does not give me enough information, sorry. My comment is not an attack on a spelling error, nor is it just a chance to make a pun, but is also a serious comment on our personal and political legacies.

          How will history judge the mighty- our cabinet ministers, leaders of political parties, mayors?

          In religious traditions, or course, judgement, the opinion of others, especially the mightier, is a powerful control on behaviour. How will God judge us come Judgement Day?

          Some of our mighty seem to be impervious to such controls. Hence mickysavage’s post on Banks and Dotcom.

          • tracey 5.1.1.1.1

            ” a serious comment on our personal and political legacies.”

            And that is why I sighed. Cos I understood why you posted it (sans God’s judgment). I sighed because it is sad and true. I sighed because our children and their children will judge us harshly for the world we have delivered them, and no amount of money to a small number of them will make it ok.

            • mac1 5.1.1.1.1.1

              Thanks, Tracy.

              And some people wonder why others get angry?

              On a personal level, is this why we are political activists- to ameliorate the world we bequeath to our children?

              I listened on nat radio this morning to a hostage negotiator who said that our biggest motivators are feelings, especially fear of loss. In this case, fear of the loss of our children’s respect.

              My biggest fear is loss of my own personal respect- have I done enough to keep that respect considering the world we live in and my part in it.

  6. ianmac 6

    In the Herald written by Jared Savage but just quoting from Kim’s letter:
    “In an open letter to the former Auckland mayoral candidate, Dotcom warns he will not hesitate to file defamation proceedings if Mr Banks does not retract his statements calling him a liar.”
    “Kim Dotcom has challenged John Banks to a sit-down on the record interview to determine who is telling the truth in the row over filing a false electoral return…..This morning, Mr Banks said he had not seen the letter from Dotcom, but said he would not be responding to the challenge to front up in an open interview….Mr Banks said he would not retract his comments about Dotcom despite the threat of defamation proceedings…
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11452323

  7. Clean_power 7

    Mr DotCom appears to be fighting his last battles, and could soon be heading for an American jail. A true story of from hero to zero.

    • Tracey 7.1

      If he can play a part in further exposing Banks as the liar or simpleton he must be then he has achieved something for the folks of NZ.

    • dukeofurl 7.2

      Dont think its funny , the crown makes a mistake in the prosecution of Banks and hes away laughing.

      The crown has made many many mistakes in Dotcoms prosecution, and each and every time they bat it away as not important.

      • Tracey 7.2.1

        and each mistake (failure to prosecute within 6 months, and failure to share information) resulted in Banks skipping away…

  8. ianmac 8

    The process, should it come to a defamation case, would show that Kim gave John ample opportunity to retract his accusations, which must be significant?

    • Tracey 8.1

      Banks would need to prove his statements about DotCom are
      True
      Opinion, the statement in question was a statement of your genuine opinion on a matter of public interest. Banks, givent he information he had in his possession from the proceedings (which includes all affidavits and testimony) would have to show that it was reasonable and in the public interest to conclude publicly that Dotcom
      said to him

      “if you don’t help me get out of jail I’ll destroy you’.

    • Tracey 8.2

      Doubly difficult if he didn’t record the conversation because it was NOT DotCom who led the criminal prosecution charge, so inference is going to be difficult to prove as well.

  9. Jones 9

    If John Jihadi Banks had any clues he would STFU and realise he’s dodged a proverbial bullet here. But I don’t think he can help himself. Good on Dotcom… nice move by him confronting Banks’ shrieking head on. I hope that this results in Banks scampering away… “nothing to fear, nothing to hide”… lol!

  10. Banks is just acting like the psychopath he is, psychopaths just can’t admit guilt, he will go to his grave yelling “I’m innocent”
    He can’t help himself, he is genetically programmed to never take responsibility for his actions.
    Hence why he is/was a politician.

    • Anne 10.1

      Banks is just acting like the psychopath he is, psychopaths just can’t admit guilt, he will go to his grave yelling “I’m innocent”.

      I can’t stress enough how true that quote is. Having had the misfortune to come up against psychopaths/sociopaths in the past (in the Public Service and elsewhere), they program their minds to wipe their unlawful behaviour from their memory – or they convince themselves they were right to act in an illegal manner because their target was the one who is bad. Therefore when challenged, they come across as genuine in their denials of wrong doing, and people believe them. Many thousands of good, law abiding people have had their reputations damaged or even completely ruined by such people.

      I have not one ounce of sympathy for John Archibald Banks.

      • yabby 10.1.1

        My opinion.

        Mr Bank’s career, that of his wife and the lives of his children have been at best strained by vexatious litigation that looks corrupt to me. Subterfuge and obfuscation were employed by the Crown in collusion with their witnesses.

        The charge against Banks was that he “knowingly” filed a false electoral return and it is now clear that that no such charge could stand, as the Crown failed to reveal information that would exonerate him.

        There is indeed a case to accuse people of psychopathic behaviour as you refer to, but I’d be looking to McCready, the Crown, Dotcom, Dacre and Heron to support your thesis rather than Banks.

        Like him or loath him Banks is acquitted as he should be and those responsible for this travesty should pay with their careers and face criminal proceedings.

        • tracey 10.1.1.1

          ” The point here is that by signing the donations return in question, Banks was attesting that it was a true reflection of the donations he had received. We know as a matter of fact that it was not. He was then subject to two possible consequences:

          (1) If he unwittingly signed a false return, then he could have been convicted and fined if charged within six months of the return (unless he could prove he did everything he could to avoid the error);

          (2) If he knowingly signed a false return, then he could have been convicted and jailed for up to two years.

          The former consequence was avoided because the false return was noticed too late. The latter was avoided because there was insufficient evidence to convict.” A Geddes

          I am sorry that you cannot see that had Banks read the form he declared he had read and understood, and then made the corrections to make it what he said it was when he signed, he would not be in the position he is in. He is partly responsible for the hell and torture his family has endured.

          Do I feel for his wife and family? Absolutely, but he is a player in his own misfortune and which he exposed his family to. It is fascinating to me that it was his wife who pursued the American Businessman and not Banks from the outset as part of his defence.

          Mr Banks has a history of being intellectually dull or dishonest. This is not his first intellectually dull or dishonest action. That he takes NO responsibility for what his family has gone through speaks volumes about Mr Banks.

        • dukeofurl 10.1.1.2

          vexatious ?

          Bank is the one who went to court many times to try and stop the trial going ahead.
          A District Court judge through- out Banks attempt to stop Macreadys private prosecution.
          Banks then went to High Court and lost that attempt.

          Dont forget this evidence.

          “Mr Dotcom and Mr Tempero each give evidence of a telephone
          conversation with Mr Banks during which he confirmed receipt of the
          donations. Mr Banks was aware that donations had been made by or
          on behalf of Mr Dotcom.

          An inference could be drawn that Mr
          Banks had always intended to disclose those donations as having been
          made anonymously
          http://img.scoop.co.nz/media/pdfs/1312/BanksvAucklandDistrictCourt.pdf

      • xanthe 10.1.2

        Agreed Anne

        I also have experienced that in organisations ….. I am right therefore i am absolved of any obligation to act moraly,truthfully,ethically because i am fighting for what is right therefore……

        having said that the crown is right to throw out a case where the prosecution has acted dishonestly and i hope it becomes the norm

        • Anne 10.1.2.1

          Yes xanthe, it would appear that was the case so I’m assuming it was correct to throw out the case.

          But the argument that John Banks is therefore innocent of acting in a dishonest and possibly unlawful way is demonstrably wrong. He requested cheques from benefactors and then instructed them to divide the cheques up into smaller denominations so as to be able to declare them as anonymous. His claims he knew nothing about them – that in effect, it had nothing to do with him – is laughable and anyone who believes him is guilty of extreme naivety.

          • xanthe 10.1.2.1.1

            Yes and for banks to then claim this “proves his innocence” is simple dishonesty. But as you point out he quite possibly genuinely dosnt “get” honesty

  11. Tracey 11

    I am reposting this from above

    The accused is entitled to not testify and make the Prosecution make their case without any negative connotation being put on it. This rightly extends to Mr Banks.

    I do agree with him that the appalling conduct by the Prosecuting lawyer/s in withholding information from the Court of Appeal must be investigated. Lawyers, like politicians have an appalling reputation and this action needs to be very publicly condemned and sanctioned. Judges rely very heavily on the ethical conduct of lawyers in making their decisions.

  12. Heather Grimwood 12

    file missing and also withdrawn from yahoo news at least…obviously pulled

  13. Heather Grimwood 13

    Apologies…Ed’s alternative still there

  14. NZSage 14

    Have a lsiten to this Ted Talk http://www.ted.com/talks/pamela_meyer_how_to_spot_a_liar

    Then have another listen to Bank’s interview on Radio NZ.

    A simple conclusion will be afforded you. 😉

    • ianmac 14.1

      Yes NZSage. And add J Key to the list. Watch the smile. Seldom meets the eyes as she says. There is a montage somewhere online where Mr Key poses for dozens of Young Nats. He stays still in the centre as rapidly pairs of young people flit through one on either side of him. Note how the “friendly grin” stays fixed for the 20 or so clips. Wonder why people a cannot pick the falseness of that ready constant grin. (leer?)

    • Sans Cle 14.2

      +1 Sage.
      Worth watching (but I may be lying!!)
      The point about anger turning to contempt is interesting – as that was clearly evident in the Banks/Espiner interview.

  15. MrV 15

    The only Jihad John Banks has been involved with was when he joined the ACT party as a suicide bomber and completely destroyed the place.

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    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
    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
  • 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
    5 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 ...
    6 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
    6 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
    6 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
    11 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
    13 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
    13 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
    6 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
    6 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
    6 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Fresh produce price drop welcome
    Lower fruit and vegetable prices are welcome news for New Zealanders who have been doing it tough at the supermarket, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Stats NZ reported today the price of fruit and vegetables has dropped 9.3 percent in the 12 months to February 2024.  “Lower fruit and vege ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Speech to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68)
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the 68th 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Government backs rural led catchment projects
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    7 days ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber
    Good evening everyone and thank you for that lovely introduction.   Thank you also to the Honourable Simon Bridges for the invitation to address your members. Since being sworn in, this coalition Government has hit the ground running with our 100-day plan, delivering the changes that New Zealanders expect of us. ...
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    1 week ago
  • Commission’s advice on ETS settings tabled
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  • Government lowering building costs
    The coalition Government is beginning its fight to lower building costs and reduce red tape by exempting minor building work from paying the building levy, says Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk. “Currently, any building project worth $20,444 including GST or more is subject to the building levy which is ...
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  • Trustee tax change welcomed
    Proposed changes to tax legislation to prevent the over-taxation of low-earning trusts are welcome, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The changes have been recommended by Parliament’s Finance and Expenditure Committee following consideration of submissions on the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill. “One of the ...
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    1 week ago
  • Minister’s Ramadan message
    Assalaamu alaikum. السَّلَام عليكم In light of the holy month of Ramadan, I want to extend my warmest wishes to our Muslim community in New Zealand. Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, renewed devotion, perseverance, generosity, and forgiveness.  It’s a time to strengthen our bonds and appreciate the diversity ...
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    1 week ago
  • Minister appoints new NZTA Chair
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    1 week ago
  • Speech to Life Sciences Summit
    Good morning all, it is a pleasure to be here as Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology.  It is fantastic to see how connected and collaborative the life science and biotechnology industry is here in New Zealand. I would like to thank BioTechNZ and NZTech for the invitation to address ...
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  • Progress continues apace on water storage
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  • Minister to attend World Anti-Doping Agency Symposium
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