Get some guts

Written By: - Date published: 8:11 am, February 26th, 2015 - 114 comments
Categories: iraq, john key, war - Tags: ,

After the formal speeches on the Iraq deployment John Key set off on an extraordinary spittle-flecked rant against Labour. Watch it if you can:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MB1-UiUOjmE

It ends with Key telling Little to “get some guts” (something that armchair generals are well known for of course). Key was trying for his own “cut the crap” moment, but it hasn’t worked out the way he planned. From the Twitter tag #johnkeygetsomeguts

https://twitter.com/joeystation7/status/570446275142815744

https://twitter.com/rogerdodgernz/status/570128346169761793

And so on…

114 comments on “Get some guts ”

  1. Colonial Rawshark 1

    Plenty of old men round these parts cheering the young men on into a futile mission in the meat grinder of an Iraqi sectarian civil war.

    • Chooky 1.1

      +100…John Key did not have the guts to put it to Parliament for a democratic vote….

      • aerobubble 1.1.1

        yeah, he had the numbers until Sabin… ..goes to show how indecision over Sabin, led to him having to rage now. And then raging about sending teachers, I mean, military trainers like those in a charter school, oops, Key going all hot about military teachers, finally he supports our teachers. Our PM what a absurdity, as he goes to the cricket with his gun ho m,ate from across the ditch, yet clears say no sas troops. Where’s the guts Abbott has? Just teachers John.

  2. whateva next? 2

    What a performance, reminiscent of “….You want the truth….you can’t handle the truth” Except that Jack Nicholson was far more convincing, and Key demeans the role of a statesman by thinking he is in Hollywood.
    Poor show. Thank God for Little, Norman Flavell and Peters.

  3. lprent 3

    Nice post.

    From this ex-soldier, John Key looks like the usual arsehole armchair generals. Unwilling to divert from making money to go into service himself, but quite willing to send the sons and daughters of others to do his dirty work.

    John Key, a spittle spraying hypocrite who really understands little about the military and those who serve in it.

    I suspect even the supporters of this deployment inside the military would agree with that.

    • Bastables 3.2

      The very fact that the NZ Army’s ROE can appear to break Iraq law (apparently the allies we’re helping) make this old soldier pretty disturbed. Our chicken hawk PM can’t even get a agreement that safe guards Kiwi soldiers right to defend themselves.

      I presume the logic is colonial in regards to: lol Iraq/brown peoples laws.

      Note that the term “Guts” is very Public school boy/British officer class.

      Dixon noted “guts” this in his work on military incompetence http://www.amazon.com/Psychology-Military-Incompetence-Norman-Dixon/dp/0712658890

      • Enough is Enough 3.2.1

        The vast majority of our parliament was unwilling to divert from making money to going into service themselves.

        There are many many reasons why we should not be involving ourselves in a foreign civil war. However decisions relating to military deployment should be made by the PM and parliament. It should not be a military decision or reserved to former soldiers within parliament.

        • Bastables 3.2.1.1

          Why are you citing that in a democracy “war” should be a civil decision when the PM did not even bother with gathering parliamentary consensus/majority for marching off to war. Instead we’ve been shanghaied to it because like the 20th and 19th centuries we’re apparently still just a dominion of empire.

          You also miss the point that John Key’s “get some guts” muppettery is hypocritically cloaking him self in old military/macho jargon even though he him self has never been in uniform. And this self smearing of tough guy patriotism is in order to avoid the fact this has not been a decision arrived by democratic debate or process.

          • Enough is Enough 3.2.1.1.1

            The PM not gathering parliamentary consensus/majority for marching off to war is one of the very reasons I was referring to in my comment.

        • Draco T Bastard 3.2.1.2

          However decisions relating to military deployment should be made by the PM and parliament.

          Nope. Decisions on going to war should be left with the people through a referendum. Only that way can we balance the country’s need for defense and a government’s tendency to act for empire.

    • infused 3.3

      plenty of them saying the opposite as well. We can sit here all day doing this.

      • lprent 3.3.1

        Yeah?

        Link me some. It is so much more effective than simply making bullshit up.

        When I have been looking in the last few days, all I have managed to see are similar pompous armchair generals to you, John Key, and other pathetic idiots like Farrar, Slater, Mike Hoskings, and whoever did the anonymous Herald editorial.

        The soldiers I have seen have been people like Ron Marks (against) to Wayne Mapp (tepid).

        The “patriotic” spittle spraying idiots have uniformly been people who are wannabe a long way away rather than doers when it comes to military service.

  4. No surprise there. The only difference is that he is doing it from the front bench instead of the back bench. He is a nasty little warmonger!

    Here he is in 2003! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpIXgJ7r2vU

    And while he is sending troops to Iraq the British are sending weapons to ISIS/ISIL!

  5. Nick 5

    My son recently left the military…there’s a space to replace him available right now. Hands up John Key and your fellow MPs, are you going to volunteer your children to sign up?

    • Ffloyd 5.1

      Well, I’m sure young Max would go like a shot but he has already committed to a six month internship at a bank in Sydney. Can’t let *poppa j* down.
      [r0b: Please let’s not have any more specifically on Key’s kids]

  6. vto 6

    That is the second time Key has tried to feign passion about something other than taking the piss out of someone, and money.

    That is the second time he has failed spectacularly. He just can’t do it. He is incapable of gravitas, statesmanship and other important characteristics because he simply does not possess them. As Eleanor Catton famously put it – he is just a profit-driven, short term, neo-liberal, shallow fool.

    • wyndham 6.1

      vto, you neglect to use the term “arrogant”. For a Prime Minister to label his opposition ‘muppets’, ‘sunshine’, ‘boy’ etc. Otherwise you and Eleanor are right on the button ! Well said.

  7. Andrew R 7

    Through the get some guts speech Key smiles at the reaction he gets. Just a small minded bully in action.

    If I follow his 2003 rant about missing out sending troops to Itaq his concern is that it will screw up the chance of a free trade agreement with USA.

    Nice standards Mr Key.

    • Ecosse_Maidy 7.1

      Yes Andrew. It isn’t the first time we have seen Keys in action…The Great Decider..who knows better..and doesn’t need to enquire as to your opinion, or for that matter, the opinion of others representing us on any matters ,including sending troops into a war zone.

      He did have the nickname of the smiling assassin in banking i hear.Perhaps he can put that to use and lead the troops in..pop on a uniform and give himself a load of medals and a staff to flail around.

      He forgets he’s elected to represent us.Not his ego

      The power has gone to its head..if only he’d left it to getting a new flag.

  8. Hami Shearlie 8

    John Key will surely be up for the best actor award in this year’s Razzies Ceremony with that “impassioned” (yeah right) speech in the House this week. I burst out laughing – never seen such bad acting in my life! I am looking forward to wee Max Key being marched down to the recruitment office by Daddy!! Maybe Steffie too!!! Have some guts Mr Key – Put your money or, in this case, your children where your mouth is!!

  9. idlegus 9

    “You fasten all the triggers
    For the others to fire
    Then you set back and watch
    When the death count gets higher
    You hide in your mansion’
    As young people’s blood
    Flows out of their bodies
    And is buried in the mud.”

    bob dylan. odetta powerful version here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38dOYW7-B0E

  10. tricledrown 10

    Not one Iraqi or specialist security advisor is in favour of having any military presence.
    A mouth piece for imperialism the US made and was entirely responsible for
    One the dumb Idea to invade 2 getting rid of all the sunni hairachy!
    Now after all the US’s medling the US want some else to wipe their arse.
    Enter butt kisser Key.

  11. scotty 11

    Us and them
    And after all we’re only ordinary men.
    Me and you
    God only knows it’s not what we would choose to do.

    ‘Forward’ he cried from the rear
    And the front rank died.
    The general is sat and the lines on the map
    Move from side to side.

    Pink Floyd Us and them.

    • swordfish 11.1

      Blackadder Goes Forth

      General Melchett (to Baldrick): “Don’t worry, my boy, if you should falter, remember that Captain Darling and I are behind you”.

      Captain Blackadder: “About 35 Miles behind you, to be exact.”

      In Key’s case, probably closer to 10,000.

  12. r0b 12

    I have no problem with observations about politicians’ kids in the general case, but please let’s not target anyone specific. They aren’t to blame.

  13. fisiani 13

    I suppose through the distorted prism of the Key haters this will is seen as an own goal. Everything John Key says is seen here as an own goal. Pyschologists call this phenomenon mislabelling. Look at some of the abuse above. Such a viewpoint merely shows how seriously out of touch you are with real New Zealand.
    John Key knows that if Labour were the government they would have made the same decision and is disgusted by the petty political game that Little is playing to stave off his caucus, His fake abdication of moral responsibility is pathetic and cowardly. John Key is correct. Andrew Little needs to grow some guts.

    [lprent: That second paragraph looks to me to be exactly the same as the second paragraph in other comment you have made yesterday. Use your own words or I’m likely to boot you off for astroturfing National’s spin lines. ]

    • rarely do i agree with the fizzy-anus…but..

      “..John Key knows that if Labour were the government they would have made the same decision..”

      ..given their history – hard to argue with that one..

      • Old Mickey 13.1.1

        Indeed, I for one…applauded when Helen committed the troops last time. It is a test of character to make the call to go to war (yes, war is bad, no winners….we all get that).

        Disppoited to hear that Little would have been happy to supply air-support (Radio Live w/Sainsbury) and bomb the sh*t out of ISIS. Politics be dammed, and political pointscoring not necessary now.

    • Chch_chiquita 13.2

      Key is angry because once this whole thing blows in our face he will not be able to blame Labour for supporting it, or doing the same.

      There is nothing gutsy about sending people to fight a war before you have tried every other possible way. Take a look at Israel and learn the lesson. Years of doing the same only brought more and more extreme violence.

      It doesn’t take guts to decide on sending troops to war. It will take guts to stand in front of the families of the dead soldiers and say their death made a difference. But he might be too busy to do that.

    • Sabine 13.3

      it does not matter if Labour does it or does it not. Labour is not running the country and Labour is not taking the decision.

      National is taking the decision to send troops with out a mandate from the UN, without being asked for by the Iraqi Government and without a democratic vote in Parliament.

      Fact is, that those that oppose going to war in Iraq – like me – opposed going to war in Iraq in 1991 – Operation Desert Storm under Bush the elder, opposed the sanctions on Iraq following Operation Desert Storm, opposed the going to war in 2003 under Bush the younger and are now again opposing to going to war under Key I can’t remember what i had for breakfast, in the most fucked over region on this planet for the gain of so few and the detriment of so many.

      this dear Fisiani, and it might surprise you, goes above Party Membership or Likes and Dislikes, it is a stance of principle.

      We should not send Troops to Iraq. We should have never send troops to Iraq.

      It is the western world that has meddled in this region for the last 100 odd years, and still we are not happy with the mess we have created.
      Go grow a spine, some guts, a heart and a brain….because clearly you have none.

      • Draco T Bastard 13.3.1

        this dear Fisiani, and it might surprise you, goes above Party Membership or Likes and Dislikes, it is a stance of principle.

        We should not send Troops to Iraq. We should have never send troops to Iraq.

        QFT

  14. Ennui 14

    You will get a roasting for that Fis. That’s because I think there is a hint of truth or uncertainty as to how Labour would have played if in government. Either way they would show far more backbone than the Meryll Lynch lapdog.

    • KJS0ne 14.1

      Ennui from /fit/?

    • “..Either way they would show far more backbone than the Meryll Lynch lapdog…”

      ..really..?

      ..what wd show/prove that in any way..?

      ..little almost fell over himself to extend spooking-powers…

      ..what makes you think he/labour wd grow a spine for this one…?

  15. Rodel 15

    jk -Hi CT How do you think I’m doing?
    ct- Not so good John. Andrew out did you with his CTC comment.
    jk- CTC ?
    ct-Sorry John .That’s PR speak for ‘cut the crap’. That’s what he said to you.
    jk- Oh..he did? Wasn’t listening..Quick,tell me what to do.
    ct- Well. You’ll have to counter it with something similar.We’ll think of something clever and terse that will catch the public’s attention. It’ll cost you though.
    jk- That’s OK we Nats have big donors
    ct-You mean Donhuis ha ha!
    jk. I don’t get it?
    ct- Don’t worry John. Just an in house joke. Oh I’ve got it…. CSG… ‘Get some guts’
    jk- Who me?
    ct-No John.Let me explain. That’s what you have to say to Andrew.’Get some guts’.
    JK- When do I say it?
    ct-…(sigh).. Let me explain again….

    By the way-Great photo of JK and BE.Would be a good caption competition.
    I suggest- the ventriloquist and his dummy

    • Funny, and a good point. I clutched my forehead through Goff’s endless me-toos ( (“Yeah, I’d totally fuck Liz Hurley too, but after I’d done my wife first – that’s how manly I am!”), and finally it’s CT-Nat that’s on the backlit, reacting and ham-fistedly imitating.

      Good PR is getting in first and defining the tone and terms. In style at least, they’re losing the initiative.

  16. Ennui 16

    There’s a story out there on the interweb that a British plane was shot down carrying arms for ISIS (can’t link on phone but do Google. It looks plausible).

    Raises the question who the he’ll are our lads going to die for?

    • r0b 16.1

      The source of the story is not even remotely reliable.

      • Bill 16.1.1

        Are you saying that solely on the basis that Fars news is an Iranian news outlet?

        Or are you saying that Hakem al-Zameli, head of the Iraqi Parliament’s National Security and Defense Committee isn’t reliable?

        Or that the Arabic-language information center of the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq that reported al-Zameli’s claims isn’t remotely reliable?

        Or all of the above?

        • Bill 16.2.1.1

          But Rob, you could replace Fars with Reuters and find similar links back to government and the establishment there too.

          edit. Having just had a quick look at the front page of Fars, there are definitely newsworthy stories and articles in there. http://english.farsnews.com/Default.aspx

          • r0b 16.2.1.1.1

            I’m saying that an news agency that runs stories about time machines and tall white aliens running the US government is not even remotely reliable.

            http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13921021000393

            • Bill 16.2.1.1.1.1

              That’s a news piece reporting on other medias stories!

              First para “some media reports said”

              Second para “whatdoesitmean (dot) com reported”

              And then there’s the multi-paragraph disclaimer on the foot of the article???

              The thing about propaganda Rob, is that it rubs both ways and everyone – even your favourite ‘go to’ rag/news outlet – employs it.

              Late edit. Been trying to source the FSB (Russian Security Service) report that ‘whatdoesitmean’ references. No joy. Wouldn’t be a piece of misinformation spread by western intelligence seeking to simultaneously discredit the FSB and Snowden?

              • r0b

                Headline: “Snowden Documents Proving “US-Alien-Hitler” Link Stun Russia”

                Why report other stories that are obvious nonsense? Nazi aliens – really? Sorry, if such a source comes up with a story that is unbelievable, then I don’t believe it. To each their own of course.

                • Bill

                  And since The Telegraph uncritically reported the ‘time machine’ story…?

                  Or what about Netanyahu with his Iranian bomb stuff that was reported in serious tones all over western media?

                  Or Nessie?

                  Or what about all the uncritical reporting of supposed WMDs in Iraq?

                  Unbelievable stories are par for the course, day in and day out in all major news outlets.

                  It requires critical reading…separating the wheat and chaff Rob or, if you prefer, not throwing out the baby with the bath water. That becomes far more informative than inhabiting a silo due to routinely dismissing everything any given source is reporting because some chaff has been detected. (Yes, many sources are nothing but chaff, but they’re pretty easy to identify, no?)

                  • r0b

                    It requires critical reading…separating the wheat and chaff Rob

                    Agreed, which is why I say that if such a source comes up with a story that is unbelievable, then I don’t believe it.

                    • Pascals bookie

                      I think the interesting thing about that Fars story is that it exists.

                      I’d say it’s 99.whatever % likely to be BS, but the fact that Fars is running it now, and that the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq guy is pushing it says what it’s about.

                      ISCI is the most closely linked party to Iran. Iran has many troops on the ground etc etc.

                      This is, to me, them signalling that although they are accepting western ‘aid’ in the IS fight, it is still their fight. They are telling their peeps not to trust the west. That ‘their interests are not ours, and that ours come first, and watch your backs’.

                    • r0b []

                      Interesting interpretation.

                    • Colonial Rawshark

                      Bear in mind that many of the Shia militias (“our allies against ISIS”) were ambushing, attacking and killing US servicemen in 2010-2012. They don’t regard the Americans as friends. Far from it.

  17. Bill 17

    So if Labour should have voted ‘Yes’ because the UK, Canada and Australian Labour Parties voted ‘Yes’, doesn’t that imply that John only wanted to be involved because the Tories in the UK, Canada and Australia were getting involved?

    So what was he referring to with his guts comment then? Maybe John’s favourite stewed pork intestines feature on the menu at get-togethers of ‘the club’ and he was simply delivering a passionate gastronomical recommendation? (shrug)

  18. adam 18

    And the whole Gallipoli chestnut is now being tossed around. Well folks just in case you don’t know – the Gallipoli misadventure led directly to the first genocide of the twenty century.

    http://www.armenian-genocide.org/genocide.html

    If you think I’m some leftist making this up – Here is what the great conservative hero Winston Churchill had to say about it.

    http://www.armenian-genocide.org/churchill.html

  19. KJS0ne 19

    I don’t know where I actually stand on this whole ISIS troop thing. On the one hand, ISIS if fought conventionally, are going to slink away into the shadows and come straight back out once the West once again extricates itself from the hell that is the Middle East.

    But those who need to fight ISIS, i.e. the Nation states that ISIS poses an existential risk to, DO need our support. I don’t know much about the new Iraqi government except to say the previous government was totally corrupt, and pushed the Sunnis into the arms of ISIS by excluding them from government and discriminating against them. Has the Iraqi government really changed that much since Malaki was forced out? More importantly, the USA has already tried to train the Iraqi army, and it has to admit it was an abject failure, because as soon as the USA withdrew, the corrupt officers started selling off the equipment, and deserting their posts as soon as ISIS rolled into town. What makes Key think our troops are going to be any more successful.

    If we are going to support and train anyone, it really should be the Kurds, who are pro western, relatively secular, democratic by nature, and generally good sorts.

    But the biggest concern I have with all this, is that New Zealand can still be dragged into war without a democratic vote. This shows the need for a constitution, where one of the clauses is that a conscience vote by ALL MPs must take place and succeed before any troops are deployed overseas.

    Our ‘democracy’ as it stands, is really a series of 3 year dictatorships acceded to by a general vote for which group of politicians should be the dictators.

    • Colonial Rawshark 19.1

      Exactly. Notwithstanding the fact that a vote by 121 MPs is only marginally democratic anyway, it would be far better than the big nothing that Key has given the nation so far.

      Iraq is degenerating into a civil war with the northern part of the country set against the Baghdad authorities and militia whom we have chosen to side with.

      This is not going to go well.

    • Draco T Bastard 19.2

      But those who need to fight ISIS, i.e. the Nation states that ISIS poses an existential risk to, DO need our support.

      I’m not even sure about that. They’re all quite capable of providing the training and equipment needed to bring ISIS down.

  20. weka 20

    “John Key set off on an extraordinary spittle-flecked rant against Labour.”

    The thing that’s really creepy about that is that it’s not like he actually believes what he is ranting. It’s just a put on. Disingenuous as fuck and highly crafted by a sociopath and his advisors.

  21. Sabine 21

    And last but least, when the first soldier comes home in a body bag will the PM be bothered to attend the funeral? Or will the gutless wonder go watch a game?

    And when the first soldier comes home maimed and unfit for work, will WINZ stand them down? Will WINZ provide them with a house for themselves and their families or will they just say ….Sorry mate, you don’t apply?

    • adam 21.1

      As we are becoming more like the US – we will probably start treating our veterans like scum as well.

      I hope not, because I have to say – the treatment of veterans in NZ is at present is reasonably good. My worry – is for the families of those killed. In the US – it’s appalling to say the least. I hope we don’t go down that path.

    • saveNZ 21.2

      @Sabine

      When the body bags start coming JK probably can’t wait for the photo opportunity. In the usual spin, he will say how important it is to rid the world of ISIL and how he, (hand on heart) took the hard decision and he is comfortable with that.

      Although after JK ‘get some guts’ comment, he may need more acting lessons. Unless it is about money, sport or BBQ JK can’t be convincing.

  22. Murray Simmonds 22

    I love it. Thanks for the post – the screenshots provided almost tempt me to join Twitter or revive my now defunct Facebook link. Or even to consider buying a mobile phone.

    I watched it “live” on Parliament TV. Still wondering what the tirade was all about and what precisely it was that triggered it. But anyway, definitely not a good look for a PM of any country on THIS planet in my opinion.

  23. Ad 23

    A Prime Minister can never lose it like that.

    Not because it feels bad for Andrew Little. He’s a big boy.

    But because it gets replayed at inconvenient times – like when he will have to salute the body bags coming back the other way.

    He needs to treat his demands upon serving soldiers and their families with more respect. Dignity.

    • freedom 23.1

      “…respect. Dignity.”
      John Key never discovered those words. Reading the dictionary once, he got to avarice and discovered all he ever wanted from the world.

      • Ad 23.1.1

        Even an old peacenik like Helen Clark learnt to respect the military, and what is entailed when calling for real intervention.

        Key just doesn’t have statesman in his repertoire. He will have all of the three terms as his record, but he will never be a complete Prime Minister without that sustained and serious mantle of dignified leadership..

  24. logie97 24

    John Key doesn’t appear to really know why the troops are going or to do what.
    This is simply driven by his M.I.A. speech in the house 2003.
    By putting this 2 year limit the “boys” will be home before the next election.
    Meanwhile The Australians are suggesting a minimum of 3 years to achieve what JK believes (what ever it is) will take just two.

    Now if he wants to demonstrate to the Iraqis what a relatively peaceful and secure country can look like, and one that they can tell their fellow countrymen is worth striving for, let him train the Iraqis here. (just as we have done for several South East Asian and Pacific nations’ military.) They will return having been well rested, well fed, and relatively stress free.

    Nah, he wants to be in the theatre.

    • Ad 24.1

      No, I don’t think he’s stupid.

      As Goering noted above, if at the time of the next election he could get people to salute the flag at the same time as he’s saluting the troops coming back, he is manufacturing an indomitable campaign platform…

      …For a fourth term of John Key.

      • Colonial Rawshark 24.1.1

        That could indeed be the plan. But I believe that it’s going to be a civil war quagmire in Iraq at the start of election year 2017, just 23 months from now.

        • Anne 24.1.1.1

          I’m sure Ad is right. When Key mentioned “2 yrs” my ‘rusting with age’ brain did a wee calculation… yeah that’s around mid-2017. Perfect timing – three months before another early election. Now I wonder what Andrew Little smear will rear it’s ugly head at the same time? Photos of Andrew Little (perhaps) during a clandestine rendezvous with a beautiful young woman? John Armstrong will call for his immediate resignation. Labour will lose the election and then it will transpire the pictures were fakes but John Armstrong won’t apologise. And Slater will get a knighthood?

          I mean it worked in 2014 so let’s try it again.

          • Ad 24.1.1.1.1

            Key will be able to wrap those coffins in a brand new flag.

            Even if Hagar hadn’t happened, Cunliffe wasn’t such a klutz, if the Greens had got to 15%, if Act had lost Epsom, etc etc etc … Key would not have fallen. The economy was doing fine, Auckland was stable, and the only votable topic of note was housing – not enough to mobilise Labour’s base.

            For Little to win, Key has to lose.
            There’s still no single reason yet that Key will lose his public.

      • Sable 24.1.2

        Maybe “El Presidente” by then. Mustache and a uniform with lots of fruit salad plus his own secret police. New flag with his mug on it. The whole banana republic look down pat.

  25. Sable 25

    Good to see Keys is copping some criticism,not that he cares.

  26. swordfish 26

    Vernon Small in today’s Dominion Post

    Key denied his outburst in the House was anger, “describing it as passion in his opposition to the Evils of ISIS…..However, that sits uncomfortably alongside his other sales pitch; that sending some trainers is the minimum New Zealand can do – short of doing nothing. Which is it, prime minister ? A passionate belief in the need to confront evil or as token a contribution as possible ?”

  27. Jo 27

    Everyone’s capable of improvement with plenty of inventive incentives…

    BAD SIR BRIAN BOTANY

    Sir Brian had a battleaxe with great big knobs on.
    He went among the villagers and blipped them on the head.
    On Wednesday and on Saturday,
    Especially on the latter day,
    He called on all the cottages and this is what he said:

    “I am Sir Brian!” (Ting-ling!)
    “I am Sir Brian!” (Rat-tat!)
    “I am Sir Brian,
    “As bold as a lion!
    “Take that, and that, and that!”

    Sir Brian had a pair of boots with great big spurs on;.
    A fighting pair of which he was particularly fond.
    On Tuesday and on Friday,
    Just to make the street look tidy,
    He’d collect the passing villagers and kick them in the pond.

    “I am Sir Brian!” (Sper-lash!)
    “I am Sir Brian!” (Sper-losh!)
    “I am Sir Brian,
    “As bold as a Lion!
    “Is anyone else for a wash?”

    Sir Brian woke one morning and he couldn’t find his battleaxe.
    He walked into the village in his second pair of boots.
    He had gone a hundred paces
    When the street was full of faces
    And the villagers were round him with ironical salutes.

    “You are Sir Brian? My, my.
    “You are Sir Brian? Dear, dear.
    “You are Sir Brian
    “As bold as a lion?
    “Delighted to meet you here!”

    Sir Brian went a journey and he found a lot of duckweed.
    They pulled him out and dried him and they blipped him on the head.
    They took him by the breeches
    And they hurled him into ditches
    And they pushed him under waterfalls and this is what they said:

    “You are Sir Brian — don’t laugh!
    “You are Sir Brian — don’t cry!
    “You are Sir Brian
    “As bold as a lion —
    “Sir Brian the Lion, goodbye!”

    Sir Brian struggled home again and chopped up his battleaxe.
    Sir Brian took his fighting boots and threw them in the fire.
    He is quite a different person
    Now he hasn’t got his spurs on,
    And he goes about the village as B. Botany, Esquire.

    “I am Sir Brian? Oh, no!
    “I am Sir Brian? Who’s he?
    “I haven’t any title, I’m Botany;
    “Plain Mr. Botany (B.)”

    A. A. Milne

  28. Jay 28

    Regardless of the rights and wrongs isn’t this just how alliances work? If we were being invaded, wouldn’t we ask for and expect help from the usa and australia etc etc.

    By the same token surely it would be a disgrace for us to refuse to help Iraq after they have told us they need it. Honestly, what could John Keys motive be other than to do what is right? He’s putting his political neck on the line here. And no he’s not a lizard dressed as a man, whether you like him or not he’s not Charles manson – this is not a conspiracy to get kiwi troops or nz citizens killed.

    Finally, we’re going, like it or not. Therefore why don’t we all put our support behind our troops and unite behind this decision. Our troops are volunteers not conscripts, and those who I know are excited for the opportunity not only to finally utilise all that training, but to stand up for what’s right and do their bit to knock this evil army on its arse.

    A lot of people are claiming they’re worried about them. If that’s the case why don’t we give them what they need – a country that is united and getting in behind them just as Canada, Australia etc apparently are behind their men and women. Instead we have a whole lot of sniping and political point scoring.

    I say again. They’re going. Some of us have said we disagree. If any die you’ll get to say I told you so. Now why don’t we move on and unite?

    • framu 28.1

      arrrgh!

      1) the irag govt is really corrupt
      2) more of the same vis a vis western military in the middle east WONT FIX ANYTHING

      the whole problem of isis is born from the mess that the US created last time round – thats the point

      isis, is al quaeda, is the taliban, is some other group before that. The actions of the west, economically, militarialy and politically is what brings all of these groups to life.

      Do you think more of the same in iraq is going to a) make the iraqis like the west or b) drive even more iraqis towards one extremist group or another?

      Yes we should want to help fix things – but whats being proposed wont do that, will make things worse – and isnt even designed to fix diddly

      move past the PR

      • Bill 28.1.1

        Isis is a bit different from Al Qaeda and both are different to the Taliban. But your point is taken nonetheless.

      • Weepus beard 28.1.2

        Yep. Jay seems to have forgotten that this exact same action failed miserably last time around and has made things worse over there.

        This action will make things worse again but Jay and friends just want to cuddle the troops.

        Time to try something different. Time for America to abandon its policy goal of complete global hegemony.

    • Economix 28.2

      Exactly right Jay.

      When people calm down and reflect on this situation (as sad as it is), they will come to the conclusion that this was a decision that had to be made. NZ doesn’t operate/exist in the world of NZ. We have alliances, so that one day if faced with the threat of war/extreme poverty etc. these allies will stand up to protect us. To renege on this alliance deal may have had little impact in the near future, but no one could accurately predict what impact this decision could have had in decades to come.

      Hell, we had better spend untold sums of money on improving our military capability if we think that each country around the world needs to fight their own fight, as we all know us kiwis would be lucky to survive a week protecting our own borders.

      This would have been the toughest decision Key would have had to make in his position so far (by a country mile), as it would have been for Clark. His comment on “get some guts” was hugely disappointing, but I think was more of a reference to that fact that Little ultimately knows he would have had to make this same decision if in power.

      Kia kaha NZ soldiers.

      • framu 28.2.1

        “but no one could accurately predict what impact this decision could have had in decades to come. ”

        actually its entirely predictable

        also – debating the decision and the actions of our PM in no way reflects how we may feel about, or how much we support, the actual people being sent there

        or did you miss all the ex-army people weighing in?

      • Bastables 28.2.2

        Im sure you rightwing stooges can point me to the military alliances NZ has tying us to the Iraq rump state? Or our formal agreement to always serve as military appendage to any of our allies wars in-spite of possessing our own soverignty and government?

        Kia Kaha kiwi soldiers when the national governments been busy underfunding them over three terms indeed. Tell me where your jingoism and pride and soldiers concern was when Kiwi soldiers have to pay market rates for their accommodations.

        Where were your care packages too Kiwi soldiers on overseas deployments the past two decades?
        Right wing always fair weather jingo’s and patriots, sod yeh.

        • Economix 28.2.2.1

          Mate, a part of me is really looking forward to Labour getting into government next time round (which I think is going to happen at the next election) as morons like you, who are so fixated on “the left would have done this vs. the right did that”, will then have to face the truth that the way of thinking/governing is not that different between Labour & National. And when another global conflict kicks off whilst Labour are in government, NZ soldiers will be on their way.

          Where are your food parcels to those living in “poverty” my friend? Jumping on that bandwagon but not doing a whole bunch eh? Christ, you are obviously sitting at a fucking computer, which by the sounds of it, our soldiers can barely afford, let alone those in poverty.

          Or are you only allowed to comment on here if you have attempted to save the world? Dickhead.

          • Bastables 28.2.2.1.1

            Yup ignore all the points against your odious fair weather right wing patriotism. Tell me were you concerned that Veterans pensions are being downgraded to being handled with WINZ? Care packages to soldiers are not food packages imbecile.

            Tell me about the time a non national Government was in charge and they allowed Nuclear weapons into NZ at the behest of our larger allies, how about our intervention into the Suez crisis, or our no show to either Iraq wars. Tell me again how National stooges such as your self seem to now remember a history and a future where NZ has and always will be mere low rent attack Chihuahua to what ever our english speaking fellow colonies and crown decide.

            We now can infer what the loyal opposition would have done if they were in government, they would have put the matter to a debate and then a vote as Helen Clarke govt did with sending SAS let’s to Afghanistan. That’s the difference you odious little jingo.

          • Bastables 28.2.2.1.2

            Ohh and I love your true right wing colours really come out when disagreed with. When a ex soldier calls you on your false patriotism you withdraw into your little persecution complex by crying about muh free speech is being oppressed and then belittle a soldiers service to Queen and Country. The always false right wing patriot ladies and gentleman, fine with soldiers if they don’t talk and just do what the right wing tells them to.

    • Bill 28.3

      Sunni lawmakers, who hold 73 seats in the 328-strong parliament, suspended their parliamentary activities on February 14 to protest against the abduction of fellow politician Zaid al-Janabi and the killing of his uncle, Qassim Swedan, a well-known tribal sheikh, his son and seven bodyguards in southern Baghdad.

      http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/02/sunni-boycott-threatens-reconciliation-efforts-iraq-150223091549767.html

      Not exactly the Iraqi parliament asking for aid and assistance then…

      Want to throw this (from the same link) into the mix?

      Iraqi Sunni lawmakers said they would reconsider an earlier decision to suspend all parliamentary activities if the government agrees to create a Sunni force to be in charge of security in Iraq’s Sunni-dominated provinces.

      Meanwhile, I think you’d be hard pressed to find anyone not supporting soldiers who are unfortunate enough to have been sent on an un-mandated and hopeless (perhaps deeply cynical) mission.

      You also might want to mull over the possibility that ISIL are being air dropped supplies by the US led forces http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13931204001534 and claims made by fighters in Northern Syria that Turkey has been aiding and abetting Al Nusra Front (Al-Qaeda) there.

      Then there is the apparent reality that no adherent to the ideology of ISIL can logically leave the territory of the Caliphate to fight elsewhere without being charged with apostasy or whatever and being regarded as a coward and traitor… which kind of blows a hole in the entire ‘ISIL will attack you in your home during the night if we don’t do this’ line we’re being fed.

      • Colonial Rawshark 28.3.1

        We’re being lied to, basically. It’s degenerating into a civil war and the central government is both sectarian and unstable. Best case scenario appears to be an Iraq which is federalised with semi-autonomous Sunni areas. Worst case…who knows.

        You also might want to mull over the possibility that ISIL are being air dropped supplies by the US led forces

        It takes a lot of air drops to keep a several thousand man army supplied. It would be very noticeable, even if it was just supplementing normal land deliveries. Ongoing combat operations for a brigade of 5,000 troops requires the equivalent of a couple of dozen train wagon loads of supplies to be delivered – every day! Someone would notice.

        I almost think the real question is – would Saudi Arabia/Qatar etc. keep supplying funding and logistics to ISIS without at least the tacit approval of the USA.

        Note how the UAE has just agreed to sell a whole lot of modern arms to Ukraine. That would not have happened without some nod from the USA.

        • Bill 28.3.1.1

          It takes a lot of air drops to keep a several thousand man army supplied. It would be very noticeable, even if it was just supplementing normal land deliveries.

          And if the drops were essentially military hardware? If you read the article (and yes, I understand the named spokespeople have definite agendas), the claim is that the drops are widespread and very noticed.

          The question I’m asking myself is what are the pros and cons for (principally) the US in having the region in a constant state of chaotic flux as opposed to it being stable?

          Chaos = strategic military bases? Exclusive access to fossil? Huge private profits (paid by US tax payers) off the back of defense/ rebuilding contracts?

          Stability = well, I must admit to coming up blank.

          • Colonial Rawshark 28.3.1.1.1

            Israel, who yanks the US chain frequently enough, loves having the area in turmoil so that no state actors can act cohesively against its own interests.

    • Murray Rawshark 28.4

      “If we were being invaded, wouldn’t we ask for and expect help from the usa and australia etc etc.”

      If we were being invaded, it would be by the US. As for the rest of your authoritarian diatribe, you can stick it where the sun don’t shine. Save it for the next lot of Nuremberg Rallies.

  29. infused 29

    So a bunch of nobodies write a few twitter messages and it hasn’t worked out for National?

    Ok.

    • Weepus beard 29.1

      It hasn’t worked out for National. It is an unpopular decision both with the public, and the house. The prime minister knows that which is why he was too cowardly to put it to a vote in parliament.

      • tc 29.1.1

        And tries to spin it into an attack on Labour rather than justify his decision as its a tough sell paying your club membership fees with kiwi lives.

        Good to see his mates in the media are helping out with diversions and diffusion as per usual, Trevitt goes hard on page 3 in granny today. Sooooo obvious I saw a blue blood even mentioning wtf is wrong with this paper…..where does one start.

  30. Scintilla 30

    How is it gutsy to send our boys without a Status of Forces Agreement? What legal protections do our boys have if they need to defend themselves and shock, horror blow some bodies to smithereens? Will they be charged with war crimes? Will the Iraqi government (as it morphs into who-knows-what blend of ideologies) protect them or turn on them?

    You really think a diplomatic passport will save them, stuck out there in the desert with some mad-as-hell militia who hate western troops just marginally less than Isil?

  31. peter h 31

    Who are the gutless ones. The large %, of Nat members, who just say its right,because Key says they have to

  32. johnm 32

    Some Backgound: IRAQ’s AGONY

    1980s The Iran-Iraq war which goodness knows how many men on both sides were killed in.
    1991 The First Gulf War. This could have been avoided by the US by giving Saddam an ultimatum to leave Kuwait. The airborne massacre of retreating Iraqi forces along the highway of death. The bombing of vital civilian infrastructure by coalitian forces: water, sewage and other a war crime not that the US gives a sh*t.

    1991 to 2003 a medieval genocidal regime of sanctions was imposed on Iraq which led to the preventable deaths of 500,000 children by the denial of medical assistance. Also a no fly zone was imposed over southern Iraq with occasional bombing.

    2003. Despite weapons inspectors clearing Iraq of having any weapons of mass destruction The US and Tony Blair lied they had and began a completely illegal invasion which under the Nuremburg Convention is a war crime. Say that again a war crime!
    Up to a million civilians died as a result due to no social support infrastructure. More than a million became refugees and homeless many moving to other countries. The traumatised and still living and emotionally shattered people are without number.
    Iraq was contaminated with depleted uranium a legacy that will stunt and crucify Iraq’s children for generations. The lucky adults just die of cancer.
    The assault on Fallujah white phosperus was used as in Gaza last year. Civilians in the way were shot they’d been given fair warning to get out.
    Is it any wonder that young Iraqi men recruited into the army are totally demoralised? They’ve grown up in a land crucified in the agony of hell.

    Disintegration and ISIS appears to fill the void and threatens the US’s corporate control of Iraq’s oil fields. That’s why Mosul must be retaken there’s a lot of oil fields up that way. Of course the Iraqi government gets its cut
    OIL OIL OIL that is why the US invaded Iraq. They have control now with the puppet Iraqi government but ISIS needs to be evicted from the US’s OIL assets in IRAQ.

    Enter John Key: The small number of kiwi soldiers won’t make a scrap of difference to this tortured agonised land and its people. But the agony goes on as young Iraqi men are dragooned into a 20,000 army to assault ISIS controlled Mosul in the North and liberate the US’s OIL interests.

    • johnm 32.1

      ” In reality, the war has nothing to do with combating Islamist extremism. Washington’s aim is to strengthen its grip on Iraq and its oil, while intervening directly in Syria, where the US has funded militias like ISIS and used them as proxy forces in an attempt to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad. The rise of ISIS, the by-product of Bush’s 2003 US invasion of Iraq and Obama’s bloody interventions in Libya and Syria, is being used as the pretext for unending war across the Middle East. ”

      http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2015/02/26/nziq-f26.html

      ” Iraq has the second largest oil reserves in the world after Saudi Arabia. This highly valuable resource has been handed over mainly to the U.S. companies ExxonMobil and Occidental Petroleum, to British Petroleum from England, and to Royal Dutch Shell from Holland and England. Iraq’s oil has not yet been formally privatized due to massive public opposition, but a de facto privatization has taken place. ”

      http://www.globalresearch.ca/iraq-nation-destroyed-oil-riches-confiscated-surviving-iraqi-population-impoverished/5375905

      Key’s right about one thing! There’s been a lot of human guts war’s offal strewn round Iraq from all the bombing and destruction. New supplies of guts are required.

      • johnm 32.1.1

        ” The major reason for the U.S. invasion in March 2003 was to get control of Iraq’s oil. A related factor was the intention of the ruler of Iraq, Saddam Hussein, to sell Iraq’s oil in Euros rather than U.S. dollars, which would have encouraged other oil producers to do the same, thereby endangering the dollar’s position as the world’s reserve currency, which is crucial to the U.S.’s economic viability. The genocidal invasion and preceding sanctions killed three million Iraqis, including half a million children, and totally destroyed a relatively advanced developing country whose people were largely prosperous.

        Close to five million Iraqis were displaced by the invasion out of a population of 31 million, and five million Iraqi children became orphans. Women suffered the greatest losses in education, professions, child care, nutrition, and safety. More than one-fourth of Iraq’s population died, became disabled, or fled the country as refugees. ”

        http://www.globalresearch.ca/iraq-nation-destroyed-oil-riches-confiscated-surviving-iraqi-population-impoverished/5375905

        • johnm 32.1.1.1

          Basically Key is making New Zealand party to the most horrific war crime of the 21st century so far! How can this abomination reflect well on the kiwi symbol on our soldier’s uniforms?

  33. Kriss X 33

    Key needs to ‘get some guts’ and tell America and Israel to fight their own enemies.

  34. Andrea 34

    Thanks a million to Ron Mark. Does his homework and speaks his mind.

  35. Scintilla 35

    @ Bill; Hiya! The quotes are from the Public Address “Haphazardly to war” post, p.3. (Can’t be arsed linking.) Also reported on tv3 late news Tuesday I think. Apparently it is usual for an outside army to sign this agreement, a SOFA, and the US has one with Iraq. It means the Iraqis take responsibility for everything that happens in the warzone that the outsider army does. The reporter referred to it as the gold standard that you want to have when you are going to war in someone else’s country. We do not have one. Neither is the Iraqi parliament stable, so ….. where do we stand?
    from PA:
    RB: “Someone with armed forces insight has pointed out to me that New Zealand will be going in with no Status of Forces Agreement with the Iraqis. And without a SOFA, you don’t know what your Rules of Engagement are.

    I gather there are a few people troubled by this.”

    Reply: ” State of Forces Agreement with the Iraqis.

    Is that why they will go in with diplomatic passports also?

    Yes. Because when they kill someone without such an agreement they come under local legal jurisdiction, essentially they can and should be charged with murder and sent to trial.*

    Since we can’t let that happen we then pull them out with diplomatic immunity.

    It is deceitful.

    *At least I think so, I am not an international lawyer, but that is my understanding.”

    • Bill 35.1

      ta for the background to your comment. You know, btw, that if you hit the ‘reply’ button on the bottom right hand side of a given comment before typing your follow on comment, then comments stay in sequential order….?

      edit – duh – hadn’t originally noticed you’d already mentioned diplomatic passports in your original comment up yonder.

    • Murray Rawshark 35.2

      Giving soldiers diplomatic passports will probably put all our diplomats in danger as well. They won’t protect the soldiers because angry Iraqis won’t give a shit about them. FJK is just making more and more of a mess.

      The idea of giving your forces immunity from local prosecution is also used by Australia, who pulled Federal Police out of PNG after the government denied them immunity from criminal prosecution. It is the height of imperial arrogance.

  36. Carwyn 36

    “One of the most horrible features of war is that all the war-propaganda, all the screaming and lies and hatred, comes invariably from people who are not fighting” George Orwell, Homage to Catalonia..

  37. Ad 37

    Personally I like propaganda, louder the better. They’re honest about what emotion they want from us.

    War is a great test of opposition parties’ skill – National has little upside beyond its base on troop deployment at all.

    Whereas Little needs to start his own messaging in preparation for ANZAC Day, because Key is well ahead with it already.

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • Relentlessly negative
    Negative yesterday, negative today. Negative all year, according to one departing reader telling me I’ve grown strident and predictable. Fair enough. If it’s any help, every time I go to write about a certain topic that begins with C and ends with arrrrs, I do brace myself and ask: Again? Are ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 hour ago
  • Scoring 4.6 out of 10, the new Government is struggling in the polls
    Bryce Edwards writes –  It’s been a tumultuous time in politics in recent months, as the new National-led Government has driven through its “First 100 Day programme”. During this period there’s been a handful of opinion polls, which overall just show a minimal amount of flux in public support ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 hours ago
  • Promiscuous Empathy: Chris Trotter Replies To His Critics.
    Inspirational: The Family of Man is a glorious hymn to human equality, but, more than that, it is a clarion call to human freedom. Because equality, unleavened by liberty, is a broken piano, an unstrung harp; upon which the songs of fraternity will never be played. “Somebody must have been telling lies about ...
    2 hours ago
  • Don’t run your business like a criminal enterprise
    The Detail this morning highlights the police's asset forfeiture case against convicted business criminal Ron Salter, who stands to have his business confiscated for systemic violations of health and safety law. Business are crying foul - but not for the reason you'd think. Instead of opposing the post-conviction punishment and ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 hours ago
  • Misremembering Justinian’s Taxes.
    Tax Lawyer Barbara Edmonds vs Emperor Justinian I - Nolo Contendere: False historical explanations of pivotal events are very far from being inconsequential.WHEN BARBARA EDMONDS made reference to the Roman Empire, my ears pricked up. It is, lamentably, very rare to hear a politician admit to any kind of familiarity ...
    3 hours ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Scoring 4.6 out of 10, the new Government is struggling in the polls
    It’s been a tumultuous time in politics in recent months, as the new National-led Government has driven through its “First 100 Day programme”. During this period there’s been a handful of opinion polls, which overall just show a minimal amount of flux in public support for the various parties in ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 hours ago
  • Bishop scores headlines with crackdown on unwelcome tenants – but Peters scores, too, as tub-thump...
    Buzz from the Beehive Housing Minister Chris Bishop delivered news – packed with the ingredients to enflame political passions – worthy of supplanting Winston Peters in headline writers’ priorities. He popped up at the post-Cabinet press conference to promise a crackdown on unruly and antisocial state housing tenants. His ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 hours ago
  • Will it make the boat go faster?
    Ele Ludemann writes – The Reserve Bank is advertising for a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion advisor. The Bank has one mandate – to keep inflation between one and three percent. It has failed in that and is only slowly getting inflation back down to the upper limit. Will it ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    7 hours ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Is Simon Bridges’ NZTA appointment a conflict of interest?
    Last week former National Party leader Simon Bridges was appointed by the Government as the new chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). You can read about the appointment in Thomas Coughlan’s article, Simon Bridges to become chair of NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi The fact that a ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    8 hours ago
  • Is Simon Bridges’ NZTA appointment a conflict of interest?
    Bryce Edwards writes – Last week former National Party leader Simon Bridges was appointed by the Government as the new chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). You can read about the appointment in Thomas Coughlan’s article, Simon Bridges to become chair of NZ Transport Agency ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    8 hours ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' at 10:10am on Tuesday, March 19
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Gavin Jacobson talks to Thomas Piketty 10 years on from Capital in the 21st Century The SalvoLocal scoop: Green MP’s business being investigated over migrant exploitation claims Stuff Steve KilgallonLocal deep-dive: The commercial contractors making money from School ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    8 hours ago
  • Bernard's six newsy things on Tuesday, March 19
    It’s a home - but Kāinga Ora tenants accused of “abusing the privilege” may lose it. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The Government announced a crackdown on Kāinga Ora tenants who were unruly and/or behind on their rent, with Housing Minister Chris Bishop saying a place in a state ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    9 hours ago
  • New Life for Light Rail
    This is a guest post by Connor Sharp of Surface Light Rail  Light rail in Auckland: A way forward sooner than you think With the coup de grâce of Auckland Light Rail (ALR) earlier this year, and the shift of the government’s priorities to roads, roads, and more roads, it ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    10 hours ago
  • Why Are Bosses Nearly All Buffoons?
    Note: As a paid-up Webworm member, I’ve recorded this Webworm as a mini-podcast for you as well. Some of you said you liked this option - so I aim to provide it when I get a chance to record! Read more ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    12 hours ago
  • Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6.06 pm on March 18
    TL;DR: In my ‘six-stack’ of substacks at 6.06pm on Monday, March 18:IKEA is accused of planting big forests in New Zealand to green-wash; REDD-MonitorA City for People takes a well-deserved victory lap over Wellington’s pro-YIMBY District Plan votes; A City for PeopleSteven Anastasiou takes a close look at the sticky ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    24 hours ago
  • Peters holds his ground on co-governance, but Willis wriggles on those tax cuts and SNA suspension l...
    Buzz from the Beehive Here’s hoping for a lively post-cabinet press conference when the PM and – perhaps – some of his ministers tell us what was discussed at their meeting today. Until then, Point of Order has precious little Beehive news to report after its latest monitoring of the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 day ago
  • Labour’s final report card
    David Farrar writes –  We now have almost all 2023 data in, which has allowed me to update my annual table of how  went against its promises. This is basically their final report card. The promise The result Build 100,000 affordable homes over 10 ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago
  • “Drunk Uncle at a Wedding”
    I’m a bit worried that I’ve started a previous newsletter with the words “just when you think they couldn’t get any worse…” Seems lately that I could begin pretty much every issue with that opening. Such is the nature of our coalition government that they seem to be outdoing each ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 day ago
  • Wang Yi’s perfectly-timed, Aukus-themed visit to New Zealand
    Geoffrey Miller writes – Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago
  • Gordon Campbell on Dune 2, and images of Islam
    Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture ...
    1 day ago
  • New Rail Operations Centre Promises Better Train Services
    Last week Transport Minster Simeon Brown and Mayor Wayne Brown opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre. The new train control centre will see teams from KiwiRail, Auckland Transport and Auckland One Rail working more closely together to improve train services across the city. The Auckland Rail Operations Centre in ...
    1 day ago
  • Bernard's six newsy things at 6.36am on Monday, March 18
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson said in an exit interview with Q+A yesterday the Government can and should sustain more debt to invest in infrastructure for future generations. Elsewhere in the news in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 6:36am: Read more ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: Wang Yi’s perfectly-timed, Aukus-themed visit to New Zealand
    Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. It is more than just a happy ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    1 day ago
  • The Kaka’s diary for the week to March 25 and beyond
    TL;DR: The key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to March 18 include:China’s Foreign Minister visiting Wellington today;A post-cabinet news conference this afternoon; the resumption of Parliament on Tuesday for two weeks before Easter;retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson gives his valedictory speech in Parliament; ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Bitter and angry; Winston First
    New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters’s state-of-the-nation speech on Sunday was really a state-of-Winston-First speech. He barely mentioned any of the Government’s key policies and could not even wholly endorse its signature income tax cuts. Instead, he rehearsed all of his complaints about the Ardern Government, including an extraordinary claim ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
    2 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
    2 days ago
  • Out of Touch.
    “I’ve been internalising a really complicated situation in my head.”When they kept telling us we should wait until we get to know him, were they taking the piss? Was it a case of, if you think this is bad, wait till you get to know the real Christopher, after the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 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
    3 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
    3 days ago
  • How Did FTX Crash?
    What seemed a booming success a couple of years ago has collapsed into fraud convictions.I looked at the crash of FTX (short for ‘Futures Exchange’) in November 2022 to see whether it would impact on the financial system as a whole. Fortunately there was barely a ripple, probably because it ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    4 days ago
  • Elections in Russia and Ukraine
    Anybody following the situation in Ukraine and Russia would probably have been amused by a recent Tweet on X NATO seems to be putting in an awful lot of effort to influence what is, at least according to them, a sham election in an autocracy.When do the Ukrainians go to ...
    4 days ago
  • Bernard’s six stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15
    TL;DR: Shaun Baker on Wynyard Quarter's transformation. Magdalene Taylor on the problem with smart phones. How private equity are now all over reinsurance. Dylan Cleaver on rugby and CTE. Emily Atkin on ‘Big Meat’ looking like ‘Big Oil’.Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15Photo by Jeppe Hove Jensen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Buzz from the Beehive Finance Minister Nicola Willis had plenty to say when addressing the Auckland Business Chamber on the economic growth that (she tells us) is flagging more than we thought. But the government intends to put new life into it:  We want our country to be a ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • National’s clean car tax advances
    The Transport and Infrastructure Committee has reported back on the Road User Charges (Light Electric RUC Vehicles) Amendment Bill, basicly rubberstamping it. While there was widespread support among submitters for the principle that EV and PHEV drivers should pay their fair share for the roads, they also overwhelmingly disagreed with ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Government funding bailouts
    Peter Dunne writes – This week’s government bailout – the fifth in the last eighteen months – of the financially troubled Ruapehu Alpine Lifts company would have pleased many in the central North Island ski industry. The government’s stated rationale for the $7 million funding was that it ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Two offenders, different treatments.
    See if you can spot the difference. An Iranian born female MP from a progressive party is accused of serial shoplifting. Her name is leaked to the media, which goes into a pack frenzy even before the Police launch an … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    4 days ago
  • Treaty references omitted
    Ele Ludemann writes  – The government is omitting general Treaty references from legislation : The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last Government in a bid to get greater coherence in the public service on Treaty ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • The Ghahraman Conflict
    What was that judge thinking? Peter Williams writes –  That Golriz Ghahraman and District Court Judge Maria Pecotic were once lawyer colleagues is incontrovertible. There is published evidence that they took at least one case to the Court of Appeal together. There was a report on ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 15
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Climate Scorpion – the sting is in the tail. Introducing planetary solvency. A paper via the University of Exeter’s Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.Local scoop: Kāinga Ora starts pulling out of its Auckland projects and selling land RNZ ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The day Wellington up-zoned its future
    Wellington’s massively upzoned District Plan adds the opportunity for tens of thousands of new homes not just in the central city (such as these Webb St new builds) but also close to the CBD and public transport links. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Wellington gave itself the chance of ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 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
    4 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
    4 days ago
  • The Hoon around the week to March 15
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:PM Christopher Luxon said the reversal of interest deductibility for landlords was done to help renters, who ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Labour’s policy gap
    It was not so much the Labour Party but really the Chris Hipkins party yesterday at Labour’s caucus retreat in Martinborough. The former Prime Minister was more or less consistent on wealth tax, which he was at best equivocal about, and social insurance, which he was not willing to revisit. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #11 2024
    Open access notables A Glimpse into the Future: The 2023 Ocean Temperature and Sea Ice Extremes in the Context of Longer-Term Climate Change, Kuhlbrodt et al., Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society: In the year 2023, we have seen extraordinary extrema in high sea surface temperature (SST) in the North Atlantic and in ...
    5 days ago
  • Melissa remains mute on media matters but has something to say (at a sporting event) about economic ...
     Buzz from the Beehive   The text reproduced above appears on a page which records all the media statements and speeches posted on the government’s official website by Melissa Lee as Minister of Media and Communications and/or by Jenny Marcroft, her Parliamentary Under-secretary.  It can be quickly analysed ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago
  • The return of Muldoon
    For forty years, Robert Muldoon has been a dirty word in our politics. His style of government was so repulsive and authoritarian that the backlash to it helped set and entrench our constitutional norms. His pig-headedness over forcing through Think Big eventually gave us the RMA, with its participation and ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Will the rental tax cut improve life for renters or landlords?
    Bryce Edwards writes –  Is the new government reducing tax on rental properties to benefit landlords or to cut the cost of rents? That’s the big question this week, after Associate Finance Minister David Seymour announced on Sunday that the Government would be reversing the Labour Government’s removal ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: What Saudi Arabia’s rapid changes mean for New Zealand
    Saudi Arabia is rarely far from the international spotlight. The war in Gaza has brought new scrutiny to Saudi plans to normalise relations with Israel, while the fifth anniversary of the controversial killing of Jamal Khashoggi was marked shortly before the war began on October 7. And as the home ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    5 days ago
  • Racism’s double standards
    Questions need to be asked on both sides of the world Peter Williams writes –   The NRL Judiciary hands down an eight week suspension to Sydney Roosters forward Spencer Leniu , an Auckland-born Samoan, after he calls Ezra Mam, Sydney-orn but of Aboriginal and Torres Strait ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • It’s not a tax break
    Ele Ludemann writes – Contrary to what many headlines and news stories are saying, residential landlords are not getting a tax break. The government is simply restoring to them the tax deductibility of interest they had until the previous government removed it. There is no logical reason ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • The Plastic Pig Collective and Chris' Imaginary Friends.
    I can't remember when it was goodMoments of happiness in bloomMaybe I just misunderstoodAll of the love we left behindWatching our flashbacks intertwineMemories I will never findIn spite of whatever you becomeForget that reckless thing turned onI think our lives have just begunI think our lives have just begunDoes anyone ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • Who is responsible for young offenders?
    Michael Bassett writes – At first reading, a front-page story in the New Zealand Herald on 13 March was bizarre. A group of severely intellectually limited teenagers, with little understanding of the law, have been pleading to the Justice Select Committee not to pass a bill dealing with ram ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on National’s fantasy trip to La La Landlord Land
    How much political capital is Christopher Luxon willing to burn through in order to deliver his $2.9 billion gift to landlords? Evidently, Luxon is: (a) unable to cost the policy accurately. As Anna Burns-Francis pointed out to him on Breakfast TV, the original ”rock solid” $2.1 billion cost he was ...
    5 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 14
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Jonathon Porritt calling bullshit in his own blog post on mainstream climate science as ‘The New Denialism’.Local scoop: The Wellington City Council’s list of proposed changes to the IHP recommendations to be debated later today was leaked this ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • No, Prime Minister, rents don’t rise or fall with landlords’ costs
    TL;DR: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said yesterday tenants should be grateful for the reinstatement of interest deductibility because landlords would pass on their lower tax costs in the form of lower rents. That would be true if landlords were regulated monopolies such as Transpower or Auckland Airport1, but they’re not, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 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 ...
    5 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
    5 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
  • There’s a name for this
    Every year, in the Budget, Parliament forks out money to government agencies to do certain things. And every year, as part of the annual review cycle, those agencies are meant to report on whether they have done the things Parliament gave them that money for. Agencies which consistently fail to ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago
  • Echoes of 1968 in 2024?  Pocock on the repetitive problems of the New Left
    Mike Grimshaw writes – Recent events in American universities point to an underlying crisis of coherent thinking, an issue that increasingly affects the progressive left across the Western world. This of course is nothing new as anyone who can either remember or has read of the late ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days 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
    6 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
    8 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
    8 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
    22 hours ago
  • Kāinga Ora instructed to end Sustaining Tenancies
    Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities has been instructed to end the Sustaining Tenancies Framework and take stronger measures against persistent antisocial behaviour by tenants, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Earlier today Finance Minister Nicola Willis and I sent an interim Letter of Expectations to the Board of Kāinga Ora. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber: Growth is the answer
    Tēna koutou katoa. Greetings everyone. Thank you to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Honourable Simon Bridges for hosting this address today. I acknowledge the business leaders in this room, the leaders and governors, the employers, the entrepreneurs, the investors, and the wealth creators. The coalition Government shares your ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Singapore rounds out regional trip
    Minister Winston Peters completed the final leg of his visit to South and South East Asia in Singapore today, where he focused on enhancing one of New Zealand’s indispensable strategic partnerships.      “Singapore is our most important defence partner in South East Asia, our fourth-largest trading partner and a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister van Velden represents New Zealand at International Democracy Summit
    Minister of Internal Affairs and Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon. Brooke van Velden, will travel to the Republic of Korea to represent New Zealand at the Third Summit for Democracy on 18 March. The summit, hosted by the Republic of Korea, was first convened by the United States in 2021, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Insurance Council of NZ Speech, 7 March 2024, Auckland
    ICNZ Speech 7 March 2024, Auckland  Acknowledgements and opening  Mōrena, ngā mihi nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho.  Good morning, it’s a privilege to be here to open the ICNZ annual conference, thank you to Mark for the Mihi Whakatau  My thanks to Tim Grafton for inviting me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Five-year anniversary of Christchurch terror attacks
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Lead Coordination Minister Judith Collins have expressed their deepest sympathy on the five-year anniversary of the Christchurch terror attacks. “March 15, 2019, was a day when families, communities and the country came together both in sorrow and solidarity,” Mr Luxon says.  “Today we pay our respects to the 51 shuhada ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024
    Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024  Acknowledgements and opening  Morena, Nga Mihi Nui.  Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Thanks Nate for your Mihi Whakatau  Good morning. It’s a pleasure to formally open your conference this morning. What a lovely day in Wellington, What a great ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Early visit to Indonesia strengthens ties
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters held discussions in Jakarta today about the future of relations between New Zealand and South East Asia’s most populous country.   “We are in Jakarta so early in our new government’s term to reflect the huge importance we place on our relationship with Indonesia and South ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • China Foreign Minister to visit
    Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has announced that the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, will visit New Zealand next week.  “We look forward to re-engaging with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussing the full breadth of the bilateral relationship, which is one of New Zealand’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister opens new Auckland Rail Operations Centre
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has today opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre, which will bring together KiwiRail, Auckland Transport, and Auckland One Rail to improve service reliability for Aucklanders. “The recent train disruptions in Auckland have highlighted how important it is KiwiRail and Auckland’s rail agencies work together to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Celebrating 10 years of Crankworx Rotorua
    The Government is proud to support the 10th edition of Crankworx Rotorua as the Crankworx World Tour returns to Rotorua from 16-24 March 2024, says Minister for Economic Development Melissa Lee.  “Over the past 10 years as Crankworx Rotorua has grown, so too have the economic and social benefits that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government delivering on tax commitments
    Legislation implementing coalition Government tax commitments and addressing long-standing tax anomalies will be progressed in Parliament next week, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The legislation is contained in an Amendment Paper to the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill issued today.  “The Amendment Paper represents ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Significant Natural Areas requirement to be suspended
    Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard has today announced that the Government has agreed to suspend the requirement for councils to comply with the Significant Natural Areas (SNA) provisions of the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity for three years, while it replaces the Resource Management Act (RMA).“As it stands, SNAs ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government classifies drought conditions in Top of the South as medium-scale adverse event
    Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has classified the drought conditions in the Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts as a medium-scale adverse event, acknowledging the challenging conditions facing farmers and growers in the district. “Parts of Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts are in the grip of an intense dry spell. I know ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government partnership to tackle $332m facial eczema problem
    The Government is helping farmers eradicate the significant impact of facial eczema (FE) in pastoral animals, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced.  “A $20 million partnership jointly funded by Beef + Lamb NZ, the Government, and the primary sector will save farmers an estimated NZD$332 million per year, and aims to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • NZ, India chart path to enhanced relationship
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has completed a successful visit to India, saying it was an important step in taking the relationship between the two countries to the next level.   “We have laid a strong foundation for the Coalition Government’s priority of enhancing New Zealand-India relations to generate significant future benefit for both countries,” says Mr Peters, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Ruapehu Alpine Lifts bailout the last, say Ministers
    Cabinet has agreed to provide $7 million to ensure the 2024 ski season can go ahead on the Whakapapa ski field in the central North Island but has told the operator Ruapehu Alpine Lifts it is the last financial support it will receive from taxpayers. Cabinet also agreed to provide ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    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
    The coalition Government is supporting farmers to enhance land management practices by investing $3.3 million in locally led catchment groups, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced. “Farmers and growers deliver significant prosperity for New Zealand and it’s vital their ongoing efforts to improve land management practices and water quality are supported,” ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 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. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Commission’s advice on ETS settings tabled
    Recommendations from the Climate Change Commission for New Zealand on the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) auction and unit limit settings for the next five years have been tabled in Parliament, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “The Commission provides advice on the ETS annually. This is the third time the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister appoints new NZTA Chair
    Former Transport Minister and CEO of the Auckland Business Chamber Hon Simon Bridges has been appointed as the new Board Chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) for a three-year term, Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced today. “Simon brings extensive experience and knowledge in transport policy and governance to the role. He will ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Progress continues apace on water storage
    Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says he is looking forward to the day when three key water projects in Northland are up and running, unlocking the full potential of land in the region. Mr Jones attended a community event at the site of the Otawere reservoir near Kerikeri on Friday. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government agrees to restore interest deductions
    Associate Finance Minister David Seymour has today announced that the Government has agreed to restore deductibility for mortgage interest on residential investment properties. “Help is on the way for landlords and renters alike. The Government’s restoration of interest deductibility will ease pressure on rents and simplify the tax code,” says ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister to attend World Anti-Doping Agency Symposium
    Sport and Recreation Minister Chris Bishop will travel to Switzerland today to attend an Executive Committee meeting and Symposium of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Mr Bishop will then travel on to London where he will attend a series of meetings in his capacity as Infrastructure Minister. “New Zealanders believe ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Pacific Language Weeks celebrate regional unity
    This year’s Pacific Language Weeks celebrate regional unity and the contribution of Pacific communities to New Zealand culture, says Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti.  Dr Reti announced dates for the 2024 Pacific Language Weeks during a visit to the Pasifika festival in Auckland today and says there’s so ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-03-19T05:02:21+00:00