GCSB protest – Auckland tonight

Written By: - Date published: 9:35 am, July 24th, 2013 - 145 comments
Categories: activism, boycott, police, Spying - Tags: , ,

To say that the GCSB law changes are misguided is the kindest possible interpretation, but many people including myself tend to view them as being quite malevolent. They aren’t going to provide any more security for citizens and residents here. But they are going to provide more security for incompetents in the security and police forces from both public and legal scrutiny.

If they pass in parliament (the select committee reports back on the 26th), then they will pass with the narrowest of majorities. The public figleaf and whatever grotty hidden deal Peter Dunne carved out for himself (to no-one’s surprise except possibly to his increasingly erratic self), are meaningless in terms of the intent of this bill because it is simply a bad bill. The range of people who are opposed to this particularly bad and obscenely hurried legislation speaks for itself.

Which is why there will be a public protests at 2pm on the 27th and a protest meeting at the Mt Albert War Memorial tomorrow.

GCSB-Mtg-25-July-2013

Updated: This meeting will be streamed live apparently. I’ll put up the details when I find them out.

Video On Demand: Stop The GCSB Bill Public Meeting

Updated: it is packed, and people are still incoming.

145 comments on “GCSB protest – Auckland tonight ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Penny Bright 1
    24 July 2013 at 9:50 am

    (Probably won’t apply to many readers of ‘The Standard’ ? 🙂

    This should be of particular interest to Libertarians and (presumably) all those ACT Party members/supporters who are opposed to ‘Nanny State’ and believe in citizens lawful rights to privacy and ‘freedom of expression’?

    Seen this?

    24 July 2013

    “Media Release:

    Sir Edmund Thomas to chair Stop the GCSB Bill meeting

    The Stop the GCSB Bill coalition is pleased to announce that retired Supreme Court Judge Sir Edmund Thomas will chair the “Stop the GCSB Bill” public meeting to be held in Auckland tomorrow night (Thursday 25th July) at 7pm at Mt Albert War Memorial Hall.

    The speakers at the meeting are –
    · Dame Anne Salmond – anthropologist, author and New Zealander of the Year
    · Dr Rodney Harrison QC – presented the Law Society submission on GCSB Bill
    · Kim Dotcom – the most high profile victim of illegal GCSB spying
    · Thomas Beagle – from Tech Liberty – concerned with civil liberties online

    There is widespread concern about this bill and that concern is unabated by the “deal” done by Peter Dunne with the National government to secure support for the bill.

    The bill which legalises mass surveillance of New Zealanders remains fundamentally unchanged.

    Such has been the level of interest in the public meeting from people around the country that the public meeting will be streamed live on the internet across New Zealand and around the world.

    The Stop the GCSB Coalition will also be organising a rally and march to oppose the bill this Saturday (27th July) gathering at Aotea Square at 2pm.

    Mike Treen
    Interim Spokesperson ”
    _________________________________________________________________________

    Penny Bright

    http://www.occupyaucklandvsaucklandcouncilappeal.org.nz/

    • Mary 1.1
      25 July 2013 at 11:17 pm

      Even the opinions of judges of the highest court of the land are ignored but of course our Johnny knows best. Key’s arrogance is dumbfounding.

  2. Sable 2
    24 July 2013 at 10:26 am

    I hope as many people in Auckland attend as possible, although it will no doubt pass anyway it sends a message to other parties that this is an important issue if they want to be elected. I’m Wellington based but will be keeping a look out for similar protests here in the capital.

    • Santi 2.1
      24 July 2013 at 10:46 am

      Count the organisers lucky if one hundred people turn up.

      • muzza 2.1.1
        24 July 2013 at 10:56 am

        Would that make you feel good, santi?

      • AmaKiwi 2.1.2
        24 July 2013 at 11:16 am

        @ Santi

        You seem very unconcerned. You realize the first target of domestic spying is people with mental disorders and no moral compass.

        • Colonial Viper 2.1.2.1
          24 July 2013 at 11:54 am

          Anyone demonstrating any political activism whatsoever is also on the list. In the US it appears that the IRS targeted both Conservative groups AND Progressive groups.

          • Rosetinted 2.1.2.1.1
            24 July 2013 at 8:39 pm

            CV
            What other leading people have been listened in to in different countries? Do some come to mind? I seem to remember reading some startling cases.

            • Colonial Viper 2.1.2.1.1.1
              25 July 2013 at 10:28 pm

              One of the original NSA whistleblowers said that he had once held communications intercepts in his hand of one Justice Alito, US Supreme Court.

              It was also claimed that they were intercepting all of Barack Obama’s communications before he began his run for Senate.

              Democracy cannot function under these conditions.

      • Sable 2.1.3
        24 July 2013 at 11:55 am

        People are too worried about jobs and keeping their heads above water, its unfortunate but understandable if the turnout is low…

      • North 2.1.4
        25 July 2013 at 9:05 pm

        Skanky @ 2.1………that wager’s still on you supporter of fascism defined !

  3. King Kong 3
    24 July 2013 at 10:32 am

    The GCSB asked me to tell you that the 9 of you who turn up tommorow will be spied on.

    • One Anonymous Knucklehead 3.1
      24 July 2013 at 11:44 am

      The Stasi called. They want their jokes back.

    • lprent 3.2
      24 July 2013 at 11:46 am

      It is likely to be quite a wide protest. This particular notice came to me via Lyn from a source well outside of the usual left activist movements. It was from the tech side.

      I have also now received it from several other mailing groups. I think that this may wind up as being one of those widespread coalitions with a consequently larger protest numbers.

      • One Anonymous Knucklehead 3.2.1
        24 July 2013 at 11:56 am

        The New Zealand Law Society “… is concerned that a number of recent legislative measures are fundamentally in conflict with the rule of law.”

        United Nations: Universal Periodic Review, 17 June 2013.

        The GCSB bill is the latest in a series.

      • King Kong 3.2.2
        24 July 2013 at 1:43 pm

        Good luck with that

        • quartz 3.2.2.1
          26 July 2013 at 8:06 am

          Frankly, King Kong, I’m looking forward to Trevor Mallard getting your IP address, identifying you, and going through your tax and medical records once Labour’s back in government.

          I imagine the gems he shares around will be hilarious.

    • Arfamo 3.3
      25 July 2013 at 11:42 pm

      The GCSB asked me to tell you that the 9 of you who turn up tommorow will be spied on.

      The GCSB asked me to tell you that the 9 of them who turned up couldn’t be spied on because over 400 other people there got in the way.

  4. AmaKiwi 4
    24 July 2013 at 10:43 am

    LPRENT

    Could you please reformat this notice so I can easily print it on A4 (or one half of an A4 and cut them in half).

    I will distribute them around my neighborhood.

    Many thanks,

    AmaKiwi

    • AmaKiwi 4.1
      24 July 2013 at 11:13 am

      LPRENT

      Please ignore my previous request. I figured it out. I click on the poster image and then print it.

      Thank you.

      • lprent 4.1.1
        24 July 2013 at 11:32 am

        There is also a PDF here. But the image on this site should be fullsize if you click into it (as you have found)

        Surprisingly it was Lyn who ordered suggested that I should post this.

        • karol 4.1.1.1
          24 July 2013 at 5:32 pm

          A couple of days ago, in this post, I included a copy of the poster that I got from the Daily Blog. Bomber and others on DTB (like Mike Treen) have posted a lot on the meeting tomorrow & Saturday’s protest.

          I hope all the posts and emails about it mean the attendance will be good!

  5. tracey 5
    24 July 2013 at 11:38 am

    http://m.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10902099

    why 2pm on a weekday?

    7pm for the meeting makes sense.

    I would back rodney harrisons analysis over john keys in a heartbeat.

    • lprent 5.1
      24 July 2013 at 11:42 am

      The 27th for the protests is Saturday. 2pm is a good time for a weekend protest.

      I guess like me, the week is disappearing on you…

  6. tracey 6
    24 July 2013 at 11:40 am

    Sorry misread. Stand corrected and will go on saturday

    • karol 6.1
      24 July 2013 at 5:34 pm

      I can’t make it on Saturday, unfortunately – too short a notice to get time off work.

      However, I’ll try to get to the meeting tomorrow evening. Sounds like a great line up of speakers.

  7. tracey 7
    24 July 2013 at 11:42 am

    I wonder how many people who dont give a shit about this bill got their undies in a tangle over the electoral finance act…

  8. Blue 8
    24 July 2013 at 11:49 am

    Don’t know Tracey, but of course I don’t really give a shit.

  9. Veutoviper 9
    24 July 2013 at 12:24 pm

    The latest press release from the coalition about tomorrow night’s public meeting in Auckland states that it will live streamed ‘on the internet’ – but not where.

    http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1307/S00302/sir-edmund-thomas-to-chair-stop-the-gcsb-bill-meeting.htm

    Does anyone know where it will be livestreamed?

    EDIT – The Daily Blog now states that details about the livestream will be announced later today.

  10. The NSA 10
    24 July 2013 at 12:24 pm

    Puny humans.
    If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face—for ever.

  11. Rosetinted 11
    24 July 2013 at 1:35 pm

    Venues for lots of Saturday’s GCSB protests.
    http://allevents.in/Hamilton/Protesting-the-GCSB-TICS-Bills-Hamilton/651961298167053

    GCSB Protest – Nelson Saturday 27/7/2013
    Nelson Mail
    The Nelson rally will start at 2pm from Millers Acre, Halifax St, along Trafalgar St to the 1903 site by the Church Steps.
    http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/8948345/Nelson-protest-planned-against-spy-bill

    Palmerston North
    When:Sat 27 Jul, 2:00pm–3:30pm
    Where:
    The Square, The Square, Palmerston North
    http://www.eventfinder.co.nz/2013/masquerade-against-the-gcsb-and-tics-bills/palmerston-north

    etc

    • lprent 11.1
      24 July 2013 at 2:16 pm

      Keep putting links in here as you (or others) find them (I didn’t have time to look this morning) and one of us will do a further post with venues and assembly points on early friday.

  12. Penny Bright 12
    24 July 2013 at 1:38 pm

    Have sent this around the PLANET.

    ‘Open Letter’ to the UN ‘Universal Periodic Review’ (UPR) Programme Manager
    re: NZ Prime Minister John Key’s threats against the NZ Human Rights Commission.

    24 July 2013

    Enkeleda Papa
    Programme Manager
    UPR Info
    Rue de Varemble 3

    Dear Enkeleda,

    I am again ‘blowing the whistle’ to warn the international human rights community, at the highest levels, about the threats made by NZ Prime Minister John Key, against the NZ Human Rights Commission, for ‘doing their job,’ and trying to protect the lawful human rights of New Zealand citizens to privacy.

    This follows a report made by the NZ Human Rights Commission, directly to the Prime Minister, exercising their lawful right to so do, under the Human Rights Act 1993:

    http://www.hrc.co.nz/2013/human-rights-commission-releases-report-to-prime-minister-on-security-and-intelligence-matters

    “The Human Rights Commission has released its report to the Prime Minister on the Government Communications Security Bureauand Related Legislation Amendment Bill, the Telecommunications (Interception Capability and Security) Bill and broader human rights matters regarding surveillance.

    Chief Commissioner David Rutherford said the Commission used itsdirect reporting function under the Human Rights Act 1993 due to the seriousness of the proposed Bills’ measures and the need for proper oversight of the surveillance activities of intelligence agencies.

    “The Commission is concerned that the proposed Bills are wide-reaching without sufficient safeguards against abuse of power.

    There is inadequate oversight and inadequate provision for ensuring transparency and accountability.

    The Commission notes media reports that these issues are matters of discussion between some of the leaders of political parties in New Zealand.

    “The Commission recognises that some level of surveillance is inevitable and justifiable from a human rights perspective in a democratic society. However, surveillance can be subject to human rights principles, protecting human rights and limiting them only when proportionate and justified and in accordance with the law.

    “The right to privacy is fundamental in a democracy and reinforces other fundamental rights, such as rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly. The proposed restrictions on the right to privacy are too general to be proportionate to the Bills’ objectives.

    “We note that the Bills were introduced before the recent media exposure of the extent of mass surveillance by some States party to the Five Eyes arrangement. Public trust in Government intelligence agencies is at risk if surveillance activities aren’t being conducted appropriately and seen to be so.

    “It is in the interests of our intelligence agencies to have appropriate transparency and accountability mechanisms in place to maintain public trust. We believe much of the public’s concerns could be alleviated if there was satisfactory oversight of surveillance powers and we propose an independent cross-party select committee to oversee intelligence agencies,” said Mr Rutherford. ..”

    ______________________________________________________________________________

    The response by Prime Minister John Key, was to effectively mislead the New Zealand public about the nature of this report (it was NOT a submission on the Government Communications Security Bureau and Related Legislation Amendment Bill) – and to effectively threaten the future funding of the New Zealand Human Rights Commission:

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/8913615/Key-slams-watchdog-report-on-spying-laws

    “…Prime Minister John Key appeared to threaten Human Rights Commission funding after the watchdog issued a damning report on new spying laws.

    The commission yesterday released critical views on two proposed bills aimed at beefing up the powers of New Zealand’s intelligence agencies.

    It has recommended an immediate inquiry into the security services and warns the new legislation may breach human rights.

    The watchdog chose to exercise powers to report directly to Mr Key on its concerns, only the fourth time it has done so.

    However, Mr Key hit back at the release of the report, questioning why the commission did not meet a deadline for public submissions, and issuing a thinly veiled threat about its funding.

    “I actually didn’t think it was a very good submission at all and I think they need to pull their socks up and if they are going to continue to be a government-funded organisation they should meet the deadlines like everyone else did.”

    He argued much of the report drew from other submissions on the legislation. “The Government is confident it has got those issues in hand.”

    Chief Commissioner David Rutherford defended the timing of the report, saying it was meeting concerns about the wider intelligence community, not making a submission on the Government Communications Security Bureau bill.

    Responding to Mr Key’s reference to funding, Mr Rutherford said the commission was an independent body and would continue to carry out its work independent of the Government. …..”

    ______________________________________________________________________________

    Kind regards,

    Penny Bright

    ‘Anti-corruption/anti-privatisation’ campaigner

    2013 Auckland Mayoral candidate

    http://www.occupyaucklandvsaucklandcouncilappeal.org.nz/

  13. idlegus 13
    24 July 2013 at 3:24 pm

    Dunedin at the Octagon 2pm. No link, but theres posters up/

  14. democracy 14
    24 July 2013 at 6:43 pm

    The GCSB bill designed to cover its activities from the democratic rights of nzers to hold the actions of GCSB accountable to public notice and recourse about sums it up for me.

  15. Penny Bright 15
    24 July 2013 at 6:57 pm

    Looking forward to John Key getting his summons!

    http://dnews.co.nz/node/20

    Well – whoever expected the DEFENDANT John Banks to end up in the dock?

    Penny Bright

    http://www.occupyaucklandvsaucklandcouncilappeal.org.nz

    • Veutoviper 16.1
      24 July 2013 at 8:47 pm

      Thanks weka. Been busy all afternoon, but this is a ‘must’ for me in Wgtn – get f..ked earthquakes!

    • Veutoviper 16.2
      25 July 2013 at 7:56 am

      A live stream will also be available through The Daily Blog of tonight’s meeting in Auckland (7pm)

      “There will be a live page on The Daily Blog streaming the event, and also on Live.TheDailyBlog.co.nz.”

  17. Follow-the-money 17
    24 July 2013 at 9:07 pm

    Yeah, I keep wondering why the (so impartial) Herald has missed the story of why ACT, as a rabidly-liberal party, could possibly support even a moderated version of this bill. How must it feel, for ACT supporters, to know that their right to personal freedom would be better protected, in this case, by the Greens or Labour?

    Also, remember – Kim Dotcom got spied on, even without it being legal.

    Also, remeber the days when, to see comedic people with oversized bow ties and funny hair, we went to the circus?

    • North 17.1
      25 July 2013 at 8:04 am

      Follow-The-Money @ 17……….it’s called “Shonkey Python’s Flying Circus”.

  18. karol 18
    25 July 2013 at 7:22 pm

    Dame Anne Salmond: “Remind our PM he is there to represent us, not to rule us”.

  19. TEA 19
    25 July 2013 at 7:38 pm

    Bring on nanny state,

  20. karol 20
    25 July 2013 at 7:39 pm

    Lost the Live Stream online.

  21. weka 21
    25 July 2013 at 8:07 pm

    “Mass surveillance is what happens when the government is scared of the people”

    Thomas Beagle.

  22. weka 22
    25 July 2013 at 8:09 pm

    I hope someone is taping this, it’s very good.

  23. weka 23
    25 July 2013 at 8:15 pm

    That judge is funny.

  24. karol 24
    25 July 2013 at 8:24 pm

    Go Cunliffe! – “This legislation must not stand!”

    And the Greens….

    • weka 24.1
      25 July 2013 at 8:34 pm

      he was good! Hope he doesn’t get slapped for upstaging Shearer.

      • karol 24.1.1
        25 July 2013 at 9:10 pm

        So, Cunliffe committed a Labour-led government to repeal the Bill?!

        • weka 24.1.1.1
          25 July 2013 at 9:14 pm

          Looked like it. Interesting move at this point in time. If the Labour caucus have actually discussed this and reached that conclusion, then why aren’t they putting out press statements?

          Good to see Shearer at the meeting, but the cynic in me thinks it was for the wrong reasons. I can’t decide whether I wish he had been able to answer the questions or if it’s better that he didn’t.

          • Arfamo 24.1.1.1.1
            25 July 2013 at 9:17 pm

            I suspect he was having the same internal dialogue himself. I reckon he made the right choice. 🙂

          • Saarbo 24.1.1.1.2
            25 July 2013 at 9:22 pm

            Was Shearer there? I didnt spot him. Thought he would have responded to the question on whether Labour would repeal this legislation if passed?

            • Arfamo 24.1.1.1.2.1
              25 July 2013 at 9:24 pm

              Yeah he was there, up the back. Saw him dithering about, but he may have arrived late.

              • Saarbo …
                25 July 2013 at 9:28 pm

                That sums him up…half arsed, half committed, half a brain…

                • weka …
                  25 July 2013 at 9:37 pm

                  to be fair (not sure why), but it did look like they couldn’t easily get the mike to him, so Cunliffe took it? Or maybe the judge directed the mike to Cunliffe (couldn’t see that bit).

                  • Olwyn …
                    25 July 2013 at 9:47 pm

                    Either way, Cunliffe saved him from having to say, “I will think about possibly having an inquiry” or some such to an enthusiastic audience.

                  • gobsmacked …
                    25 July 2013 at 9:54 pm

                    Of course, everyone would have known Shearer was there if he’d used his retinue of paid staffers and hangers-on to TELL the whole frigging nation he was going to be there, and why. Press releases? Twitter? Facebook? Labour website? Every interview, every opportunity, every time … but no, there’s nothing.

                    Shearer’s ‘small target’ strategy is that he doesn’t take a stand and so the vacuum has to be filled. Thank goodness Cunliffe was there to do it.

                  • North …
                    25 July 2013 at 10:09 pm

                    Weka…….your comment about the microphone…….that’s not “to be fair”. That’s to be indulgent.

            • North 24.1.1.1.2.2
              25 July 2013 at 10:06 pm

              Nah…….but Cunliffe did. And wasn’t he excellent ? Very cleverly slipping through into the ” ‘I’ would…….”

              See poor old DS up the back loooking uncomfortable ? Bet the ABCs were spewing.

  25. weka 25
    25 July 2013 at 8:27 pm

    Is Mr Dunne in the house? lolz

  26. karol 26
    25 July 2013 at 8:29 pm

    There’s a centrist element to some comments, that wants to find a “nice” way to oppose the Bill.

    Not sure about the call to end “poltical” comments from the crowd – I guess it means no more comments from (grandstanding?) politicians?

    • weka 26.1
      25 July 2013 at 8:41 pm

      Interesting Karol. I’d call it a very white upper middle class meeting, but both feet in the left. Pity the working class guy couldn’t get a good question out.

      I think the no more politics thing was to stop that questioner about a new centre party from pushing an agenda.

      edit: a very white upper middle class controlled meeting.

      • weka 26.1.1
        25 July 2013 at 8:44 pm

        edit: a very white upper middle class controlled meeting.

        (other edit went into moderation).

        • handle 26.1.1.1
          26 July 2013 at 1:19 am

          Several of them couldn’t form a question despite being warned in no uncertain terms by the chair to stop waffling. Your chap was one of the worst offenders.

    • Arfamo 26.2
      25 July 2013 at 8:45 pm

      No. They need to keep control of this thing. The last thing needed is people droning on about their political philosophies, and class warfare, and conspiracy theories and their own wonderfulness. It needs to stay relevant and focussed on the GCSB legislation and the threat to democracy and justice it represents.

      • karol 26.2.1
        25 July 2013 at 8:49 pm

        They do need to keep a check on the over-long comments and speechifying and keeping questions/comments short.

      • Rosetinted 26.2.2
        25 July 2013 at 9:39 pm

        Arfamo
        Once ran a political meeting and had a timekeeper. Went well. It sharpens minds wonderfully and the message doesn’t get lost in the wrapping. And more people get time to speak.

        There is a time constraint on your average evening meeting – people travel to get to a venue, or have limited time available, and it’s not useful to advancing the cause to have someone hold the floor for long. Unless it’s the/one of the speakers who should be people with valuable insight and experience.

  27. gobsmacked 27
    25 July 2013 at 8:44 pm

    Mods – Please post some of the pictures of the packed, standing room only meeting (e.g. on Twitter). The fools and cynics upthread need to see the truth they sadly deny.

    Well done to all who turned up (sorry I couldn’t make it). Great to hear such wide-ranging opposition to this shameful bill.

    Also well done to Campbell Live and the New Zealander of the Year Anne Salmond tonight. Very eloquent.

  28. karol 28
    25 July 2013 at 8:45 pm

    Ooo. Dotcom. Sisi wouldn’t let him and his wife into NZ, then reversed decision a day after John key met (who?) in the US.

    Basically. KDC is saying Key let him into NZ in order to cooperate with the US agencies in getting KDC.

    • Jenny 28.1
      26 July 2013 at 6:39 am

      What is even more interesting is that Kim Dotcom has said previously that if he had been denied entry into NZ then he would have gone with his family to settle in Hong Kong. Where, and this is the significant part, he would have been safe from any attempted extradition from the US.

      I think the point is, that, realising that KDC could get away from them, the US authorities asked John Key to reverse their objection to allowing him into the country.

      The decision to reverse the objection to KDC gaining residency was dropped the day after concerned Hollywood moguls and US authorities met with John Key.

      A coincidence?

      KDC thinks not.

      Kim Dotcom say his team are making strenuous efforts to uncover the reasons for the reversal of the SIS decision not to allow him entry into NZ.

      The SIS the GCSB the Prime Minister’s office are citing concerns of National Security for not releasing the reasons they had for not releasing this information.

      Really.

      What a joke.

  29. weka 29
    25 July 2013 at 8:47 pm

    Good on that woman! We need some strategies for the public to use now.

    • karol 29.1
      25 July 2013 at 8:53 pm

      Well, though I can’t make the demo, I hope this high profile meeting and promotion of the Demo means it’ll be a big one.

      Damn! I wish they’d announced the demo a couple of weeks earlier so I could have booked time off work.

  30. Saarbo 30
    25 July 2013 at 9:16 pm

    WOW, just attended…awesome speakers. Mt Albert War Memorial overflowing!!!!

    I hope someone can provide the audio from the 4 speakers. This legislation cannot be allowed to stand… all 4 were great, I particularly enjoyed Dame Anne Salmond.

    Cunliffe was put on the spot, he had to think quickly on his feet…Cunliffe needs to lead Labour!

    • karol 30.1
      25 July 2013 at 9:18 pm

      What was the question? – I missed some bits when the vid player was buffering.

      • Saarbo 30.1.1
        25 July 2013 at 9:24 pm

        Whether Labour would repeal the legislation if passed (and labour got in govt 2014)?

        • karol 30.1.1.1
          25 July 2013 at 9:40 pm

          Oh. Hilarious. The question that Cunliffe answers is about 1hr 15 mins into the video.

          The question is asked. The camera pans to Shearer and Parker. Someone of camera calls “Dave” – Shearer is going “me” and is about to step to the Mic. Cunliffe takes the mic.

          • Arfamo 30.1.1.1.1
            25 July 2013 at 9:44 pm

            Whoops. 🙂 How did that happen? Never mind. Worked out well in the end.

            • Saarbo 30.1.1.1.1.1
              25 July 2013 at 10:03 pm

              ok, I just saw that on the vid…well this is classic Shearer. He needed to get there early, get seen, get a prominent seat…he simply doesn’t know how to be a politician. Ideally all Labour politicians should have been sitting together.

              I got there early and saw Cunliffe turn up well before 7.00am and get a front seat…thats what Shearer should have done.

              He needs to stop firing his advisors and start looking in the mirror.

    • karol 30.2
      25 July 2013 at 9:24 pm

      Better than audio – the whole video.

      • Saarbo 30.2.1
        25 July 2013 at 9:26 pm

        Good work Karol (as usual!)

      • Arfamo 30.2.2
        25 July 2013 at 9:27 pm

        +1 Good ol’ Bomber.

      • Jenny 30.2.3
        26 July 2013 at 12:13 am

        Is this one dithering stumble bum performance too far?

        http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/07/25/live-video-stop-the-gcsb-bill-public-meeting-from-7pm/

        01:14:44

        A question from the floor

        Does anyone know that when the opposition becomes the government in 2014, whether they will repeal this bill?

        (applause)

        A simple question. People want to know the answer.

        The camera pans towards David Shearer. David Shearer’s hand waving and fluttering in the air, stepping forward stepping back. With voices calling for him to comment. Mute, David Shearer looks at the floor, crosses his arms, looks to David Parker, giving a small nervous/embarrassed chuckle. Finally, David Cunliffe has to step in to save Shearer further embarrassing himself.
        (Despite some people rudely talking over him.) Drawing on Labour Party history Cunliffe gives a lyrical reply, with a spontaneous emotional and dramatic, maybe hokey, but obviously sincerely heartfelt introduction.

        Sometimes you have issues where you can feel your ancestors fluttering around the ceiling.

        The Labour Party has a proud tradition of taking on evil and iniquitous legislation, apartheid, anti-nuclear and other things of that nature.

        Our leader has committed to a thorough review of this legislation. And based upon what we have heard here tonight. I personally, and I am sure my caucus colleagues would be of the view that this legislation, must not, will not, and cannot stand.

        (lone booing, long applause)

        • Arfamo 30.2.3.1
          26 July 2013 at 12:35 am

          I just watched it again. David Cunliffe does Shearer’s job and does it better than he ever could.

        • Colonial Viper 30.2.3.2
          26 July 2013 at 12:37 am

          Someone booed?

          There’s always some fascist jerk looking for a job as a brown shirt in an authoritarian state.

          • Jenny 30.2.3.2.1
            26 July 2013 at 12:54 am

            More likely the Shearer led Labour Party.

            Also for the only time in this meeting the chair has to call order to stop interjecting and talking over a speaker.

            More Shearer job seekers?

    • Hami Shearlie 30.3
      25 July 2013 at 9:33 pm

      Agree totally, Saarbo! It gets more obvious every time Cunliffe opens his mouth that he should be Labour’s Leader. John Key would crumble into dust if that happened. So WHY is Shearer still there??

      • tricledrown 30.3.1
        26 July 2013 at 12:23 am

        Hami other leadership hopefuls are conniving to position themselves just like key did brash in

        • Hami Shearlie 30.3.1.1
          26 July 2013 at 12:57 am

          Slight problem for them though, tricledrown, and that is – that THEY have no charisma, maybe no electorate seat, or came THIRD in the party vote in their electorate – There’s no-one angling for the leadership that has popularity with the public, a great profile and majority in their electorate, and the brains and oratory to take on John Key – no one except David Cunliffe, that is! I really get the impression that Labour are quite happy to be in opposition – after all, they don’t have to do much and most of them get paid the same money – There’s just that little thing about the country and the peoples’ lives going down the gurgler, but to many Labour MP’s, that’s a mere trifle they can swat away without too much concern.

          • Jenny 30.3.1.1.1
            26 July 2013 at 6:46 am

            As Chris Trotter is fond of saying: The Shearer gang would rather keep control of the losers, than lose control of the winners.

  31. North 31
    25 July 2013 at 9:27 pm

    I am yelling and leaping around ! I am ecstatic !

    Home grown New Zealand Democracy has come out…..come out with its dukes up !

    And the wonder of it is that the spooks who were detailed to hang around in Potter’s Park across the road from the Mt Albert Memorial Hall, detailed to track those horrible subversives Sir Ted Thomas QC (Supreme Court of New Zealand Ret.), Dame Anne Salmond, and Rodney Harrison QC, well…..their Bond-like skills were compromised by four or five athletic gay fullas cruising the said park.

    What the fuck will Fletch’ say tomorrow morning…..what the fuck will ShonKey Python say tomorrow afternoon ? Apart from – “I disagree”.

    “You useless bastards ! You set out with a pie and a copy of Playboy…….Jesus Christ……all you come back with is a pie and a copy of Playboy and some delicious memories. Guantanamo for all of yous if this ever, ever, ever happens again. You’ve been warned !”

    Beautiful…..beautiful……beautiful…..! History in the making. And little old me saw it all on livestream !

    “Now who would have thought it of that lovely man John Key ? He really is a bit of a Goebbels isn’t he Mabel ?”

    You know, I reckon this might be the turning point……even for the DungCan Gooners and the Mine Potty;Gowers. The smell of blood ?

    See yous all Saturday 2.00 pm.

    • Arfamo 31.1
      25 July 2013 at 9:29 pm

      Calm down. Focus. Don’t count the chickens before they’re hatched. There has to be a hell of lot more fuss raised than that before this Bill gets dumped.

      • weka 31.1.1
        25 July 2013 at 9:34 pm

        Have to say I found it pretty exciting too. Only disppointment was lack of where do we go from here. Maybe that will come out of Sat. We need to keep a momentum going (KDC is wrong if he thinks the only thing we can so is wait for the next election.

    • karol 31.2
      25 July 2013 at 9:32 pm

      Potters Park is opposite the Mt Eden War Memorial Hall. Th meeting was at the Mt Albert Hall.Potters Park is opposite the Mt Eden War Memorial Hall. The meeting was at the Mt Albert Hall.

      • North 31.2.1
        25 July 2013 at 10:37 pm

        Sorry Karol….. you’re right. I am too, too excited, obviously. For the life of me can’t get a mind’s eye of Mt Albert Memorial Hall. Even though worked in said suburb for about five years in the 90s.

        ShonKey Python tomorrow afternoon: “Sorry spooks, I only know Parnell…….that grainy footage of Sir Ted doing 70 in a 50 down Asquith Ave will probably save you from Guantanamo……this time”.

        “Secondly…….make sure you replace that fucking pie !” Rule 37A in Spook Manual – do not use the pie to engage subject !”

  32. chrissy 32
    25 July 2013 at 9:35 pm

    Not looking good for key who not long before was being spoonfed by “you guessed it” our one and only p..rick gower. “Why do you think kim.com is after you”? Achshully he’s trying to buy time lalalalal.. By the way, has anyone noticed that keys’s nose is always red lately.. What could that mean?
    People might be dissing Shearer but they need to take a long close look at Hone Key. You could give him a good shake and nothing but lies would come out .He’s on a long ride into the rapids in a leaky boat.

  33. Veutoviper 33
    25 July 2013 at 9:36 pm

    Well , I am still absorbing what I heard and saw watching the live stream of the Auckland meeting – I really, really want to watch it again as I felt that I missed a lot on the initial viewing but felt immense relief that people are speaking out against the Bill of the calibre of the panel and audience.

    But in the meantime, I have just watched the Campbell Live inteview with Dame Anne Salmond – and recommend it to anyone who did not see it live.

    http://www.3news.co.nz/Speaking-out-against-the-GCSB-bill/tabid/367/articleID/306376/Default.aspx

    I also watched the on demand TV3 news item on the Reid poll as to who people believed Dotcom or Key – with 52% (?) responding that they believed Dotcom …
    http://www.3news.co.nz/Public-sides-with-Dotcom-in-poll/tabid/370/articleID/306362/Default.aspx

    But back to tonight’s meeting. The Shearer/Parker partnership and Shearer’s obvious embarassment/reluctance to speak was obvious to me anyway – followed by Cunliffe stepping into the breach and speaking succinctly and very decisively just confirmed IMO that things would have been (and could be) if he was leader of the Labour Party.

    EDIT – that was written before I read the above comments of those who attended the meeting.

  34. karol 34
    25 July 2013 at 9:56 pm

    Stuff report on the speeches.

    40 people attended?

    Dame Anne said New Zealanders ought to feel “very concerned” about the bill.

    “This agency… is surrounded by scandal. It has been accused of carrying out illegal surveillance on New Zealand citizens. This bill allows the GSCB to illegally spy on New Zealanders.

    “This bill is in breach of the Bill of Rights… and despite this it has been dealt with under urgency.

    “All of the authorities have looked at this carefully and have argued this bill be shelved.”

    Dame Anne said the bill would be an “absolute indictment” on the government if it was passed.

    • Veutoviper 34.1
      25 July 2013 at 10:00 pm

      400 not 40?

    • karol 34.2
      25 July 2013 at 10:02 pm

      Ach – typo – yes I meant 400 – no edit function for me.

      • lprent 34.2.1
        25 July 2013 at 11:00 pm

        It peaked at about 150-200 people in the back area off the hall itself (ie up to the doors to the main hall) at about the time that Thomas Beagle was talking. I did a rough count of 5’s and came out with 170. But people were shuffling around.

        The main area seats about 300 packed (been to enough events there and even participated in running them), and there were a whole lot of people around the walls that I could see and presumably sitting on the steps.

        400 is a slight under-estimate

        It was a good attendance considering that it seems to have been organised (or at least publicised) just this week.

        • weka 34.2.1.1
          25 July 2013 at 11:47 pm

          TV3 reckon 500

          “The Stop The GCSB Bill group is receiving more and more support everyday, with 500 people turning out for a meeting tonight.”

          • lprent 34.2.1.1.1
            26 July 2013 at 8:13 am

            Still low. We would get 500 to the Great Mt Albert debate without me feeling claustrophobic at the rear like I did last night, and without the packing in the hall.

            But it was a lot of people. And even more watching the video.

  35. North 35
    25 July 2013 at 10:45 pm

    Hey……Bowel Motion……..Skanky……..YesHole…….where you fullas ? Ya got stoned and ya missed it what ? Apologies to the three or four other stoners I failed to enquire of.

  36. AmaKiwi 36
    25 July 2013 at 11:35 pm

    Dr. Rodney Harrison QC at tonight’s meeting:

    “The bill has no controls on how the data collected can be used.”

    Got that! The NZ government can hire a private contractor to collect data and the bill provides NO CONTROLS on what they can do with your information.

    Kim Dotcom’s reminded us: Once they target you they can go back to their cloud storage and bring up a COMPLETE copy of every email, every phone call, every text message, every social networking conversation you have had over the past 5 years or longer.

    That includes all your bank records, tax returns, and medical records, because they are electronically transmitted.

    Under this bill the government can find out EVERYTHING about you.

    Thomas Beagle: The government has not (and cannot) make a case that they need this level of spying on us. In countries where there have been protests and uprisings, these are the surveillance weapons governments have used to break up protest groups.

    Since the bill includes “threats to NZ’s economic well-being,” protests against genetic modification, lax bio security, foreign labor, opposition to casinos, etc., etc., can ALL be construed as legitimate targets for GCSB and SIS spying.

    If we allow them to have these weapons of intimidation, in the future no one will ever be able to organize against an unjust or despotic NZ regime. Never!

    • weka 36.1
      25 July 2013 at 11:40 pm

      Another point made was that once you give spies powers, you never get to take them away again, they only increase.

      • Colonial Viper 36.1.1
        26 July 2013 at 12:39 am

        The Church Committee shows that’s not entirely true, but it is damn hard.

        • One Anonymous Knucklehead 36.1.1.1
          26 July 2013 at 8:31 am

          Tzun Tsu said…

          …none in the whole army are more intimate relations to be maintained than with spies. None should be more liberally rewarded. In no other business should greater secrecy be preserved.

          Spies cannot be usefully employed without a certain intuitive sagacity.

          They cannot be properly managed without benevolence and straightforwardness.

          Without subtle ingenuity of mind, one cannot make certain of the truth of their reports.

          Be subtle! be subtle! and use your spies for every kind of business… it is only the enlightened ruler and the wise general who will use the highest intelligence of the army for purposes of spying and thereby they achieve great results.

          …but with a unenlightened lying Prime Minister acting as the agent of foreign movie producers you get a clusterfuck of epic proportions.

  37. Murray Olsen 37
    26 July 2013 at 1:22 am

    A great start. WIth luck, blows have been struck on both this bill and on Shearer.

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    2 days ago

  • Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Bryce Edwards writes  – Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Matt Doocey doubles down on trans “healthcare”
    Citizen Science writes –  Last week saw two significant developments in the debate over the treatment of trans-identifying children and young people – the release in Britain of the final report of Dr Hilary Cass’s review into gender healthcare, and here in New Zealand, the news that the ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • A TikTok Prime Minister.
    One night while sleeping in my bed I had a beautiful dreamThat all the people of the world got together on the same wavelengthAnd began helping one anotherNow in this dream, universal love was the theme of the dayPeace and understanding and it happened this wayAfter such an eventful day ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago

  • Texas Lessons
    This is a guest post by Oscar Simms who is a housing activist, volunteer for the Coalition for More Homes, and was the Labour Party candidate for Auckland Central at the last election. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    3 days ago

  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links at 6:06 am
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours as of 6:06 am on Wednesday, April 17 are:Must read: Secrecy shrouds which projects might be fast-tracked RNZ Farah HancockScoop: Revealed: Luxon has seven staffers working on social media content - partly paid for by taxpayer Newshub ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Fighting poverty on the holiday highway
    Turning what Labour called the “holiday highway” into a four-lane expressway from Auckland to Whangarei could bring at least an economic benefit of nearly two billion a year for Northland each year. And it could help bring an end to poverty in one of New Zealand’s most deprived regions. The ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago

  • Bernard's six-stack of substacks at 6:26 pm
    Tonight’s six-stack includes: launching his substack with a bunch of his previous documentaries, including this 1992 interview with Dame Whina Cooper. and here crew give climate activists plenty to do, including this call to submit against the Fast Track Approvals bill. writes brilliantly here on his substack ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • At a glance – Is the science settled?
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago

  • Apposite Quotations.
    How Long Is Long Enough? Gaza under Israeli bombardment, July 2014. This posting is exclusive to Bowalley Road. ...
    Bowalley Road
    3 days ago

  • What’s a life worth now?
    You're in the mall when you hear it: some kind of popping sound in the distance, kids with fireworks, maybe. But then a moment of eerie stillness is followed by more of the fireworks sound and there’s also screaming and shrieking and now here come people running for their lives.Does ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • Howling at the Moon
    Karl du Fresne writes –  There’s a crisis in the news media and the media are blaming it on everyone except themselves. Culpability is being deflected elsewhere – mainly to the hapless Minister of Communications, Melissa Lee, and the big social media platforms that are accused of hoovering ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Newshub is Dead.
    I don’t normally send out two newsletters in a day but I figured I’d say something about… the news. If two newsletters is a bit much then maybe just skip one, I don’t want to overload people. Alternatively if you’d be interested in sometimes receiving multiple, smaller updates from me, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • Seymour is chuffed about cutting early-learning red tape – but we hear, too, that Jones has loose...
    Buzz from the Beehive David Seymour and Winston Peters today signalled that at least two ministers of the Crown might be in Wellington today. Seymour (as Associate Minister of Education) announced the removal of more red tape, this time to make it easier for new early learning services to be ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. Our political system is suffering from the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago

  • Was Hawkesby entirely wrong?
    David Farrar  writes –  The Broadcasting Standards Authority ruled: Comments by radio host Kate Hawkesby suggesting Māori and Pacific patients were being prioritised for surgery due to their ethnicity were misleading and discriminatory, the Broadcasting Standards Authority has found. It is a fact such patients are prioritised. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • PRC shadow looms as the Solomons head for election
    PRC and its proxies in Solomons have been preparing for these elections for a long time. A lot of money, effort and intelligence have gone into ensuring an outcome that won’t compromise Beijing’s plans. Cleo Paskall writes – On April 17th the Solomon Islands, a country of ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Climate Change: Criminal ecocide
    We are in the middle of a climate crisis. Last year was (again) the hottest year on record. NOAA has just announced another global coral bleaching event. Floods are threatening UK food security. So naturally, Shane Jones wants to make it easier to mine coal: Resources Minister Shane Jones ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • Is saving one minute of a politician's time worth nearly $1 billion?
    Is speeding up the trip to and from Wellington airport by 12 minutes worth spending up more than $10 billion? Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me in the last day to 8:26 am today are:The Lead: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Long Tunnel or Long Con?
    Yesterday it was revealed that Transport Minister had asked Waka Kotahi to look at the options for a long tunnel through Wellington. State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    4 days ago

  • Smoke And Mirrors.
    You're a fraud, and you know itBut it's too good to throw it all awayAnyone would do the sameYou've got 'em goingAnd you're careful not to show itSometimes you even fool yourself a bitIt's like magicBut it's always been a smoke and mirrors gameAnyone would do the sameForty six billion ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • What is Mexico doing about climate change?
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections The June general election in Mexico could mark a turning point in ensuring that the country’s climate policies better reflect the desire of its citizens to address the climate crisis, with both leading presidential candidates expressing support for renewable energy. Mexico is the ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago

  • State of humanity, 2024
    2024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?When I say 2024 I really mean the state of humanity in 2024.Saturday night, we watched Civil War because that is one terrifying cliff we've ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Govt’s Wellington tunnel vision aims to ease the way to the airport (but zealous promoters of cycl...
    Buzz from the Beehive A pet project and governmental tunnel vision jump out from the latest batch of ministerial announcements. The government is keen to assure us of its concern for the wellbeing of our pets. It will be introducing pet bonds in a change to the Residential Tenancies Act ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • The case for cultural connectedness
    A recent report generated from a Growing Up in New Zealand (GUiNZ) survey of 1,224 rangatahi Māori aged 11-12 found: Cultural connectedness was associated with fewer depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms and better quality of life. That sounds cut and dry. But further into the report the following appears: Cultural connectedness is ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Useful context on public sector job cuts
    David Farrar writes –    The Herald reports: From the gory details of job-cuts news, you’d think the public service was being eviscerated.   While the media’s view of the cuts is incomplete, it’s also true that departments have been leaking the particulars faster than a Wellington ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell On When Racism Comes Disguised As Anti-racism
    Remember the good old days, back when New Zealand had a PM who could think and speak calmly and intelligently in whole sentences without blustering? Even while Iran’s drones and missiles were still being launched, Helen Clark was live on TVNZ expertly summing up the latest crisis in the Middle ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    4 days ago

  • Govt ignored economic analysis of smokefree reversal
    Costello did not pass on analysis of the benefits of the smokefree reforms to Cabinet, emphasising instead the extra tax revenues of repealing them. Photo: Hagen Hopkins, Getty Images TL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me at 7:26 am today are:The Lead: Casey Costello never passed on ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago

  • True Blue.
    True loveYou're the one I'm dreaming ofYour heart fits me like a gloveAnd I'm gonna be true blueBaby, I love youI’ve written about the job cuts in our news media last week. The impact on individuals, and the loss to Aotearoa of voices covering our news from different angles.That by ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • Who is running New Zealand’s foreign policy?
    While commentators, including former Prime Minister Helen Clark, are noting a subtle shift in New Zealand’s foreign policy, which now places more emphasis on the United States, many have missed a key element of the shift. What National said before the election is not what the government is doing now. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago

  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #15
    A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 7, 2024 thru Sat, April 13, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week is about adults in the room setting terms and conditions of ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

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

  • Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder list
    The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 hours ago

  • Judicial appointments announced
    Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    8 hours ago

  • Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
    Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa.  The summit is co-hosted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    9 hours ago

  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
    A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    9 hours ago

  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.    “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    9 hours ago

  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
    Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    12 hours ago

  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago

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

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

  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners.  “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Government backing mussel spat project
    The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Government focused on getting people into work
    Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
    Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
    Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
    Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector.    "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
    The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
    Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
    Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.   Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ ties
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.  During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Antarctica New Zealand Board appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has made further appointments to the Board of Antarctica New Zealand as part of a continued effort to ensure the Scott Base Redevelopment project is delivered in a cost-effective and efficient manner.  The Minister has appointed Neville Harris as a new member of the Board. Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Finance Minister travels to Washington DC
    Finance Minister Nicola Willis will travel to the United States on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Five Finance Ministers group, with counterparts from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.  “I am looking forward to meeting with our Five Finance partners on how we can work ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Pet bonds a win/win for renters and landlords
    The coalition Government has today announced purrfect and pawsitive changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to give tenants with pets greater choice when looking for a rental property, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Pets are important members of many Kiwi families. It’s estimated that around 64 per cent of New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being considered
    State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the Government has also asked NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to consider and provide advice on a Long Tunnel option, Transport Minister Simeon Brown ...
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    5 days ago

  • New Zealand condemns Iranian strikes
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel.    “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says.    "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...
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    5 days ago

  • Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plans
    Hundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand Chair
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board.   “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti.  “I have asked her to ...
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    1 week ago

  • Roads of National Significance planning underway
    The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to ...
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    1 week ago

  • Navigating an unstable global environment
    New Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States.    “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • NZ welcomes Australian Governor-General
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...
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    1 week ago

  • Pseudoephedrine back on shelves for Winter
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced that Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Pharmaceutical suppliers have indicated they may be able to supply the first products in June. “This is much earlier than the original expectation of medicines being available by 2025. The Government recognised ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • NZ and the US: an ever closer partnership
    New Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Joint US and NZ declaration
    April 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • NZ and US to undertake further practical Pacific cooperation
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced further New Zealand cooperation with the United States in the Pacific Islands region through $16.4 million in funding for initiatives in digital connectivity and oceans and fisheries research.   “New Zealand can achieve more in the Pacific if we work together more urgently and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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