Jarrod Gilbert 1 – Windmills 0

Written By: - Date published: 7:09 am, November 29th, 2015 - 22 comments
Categories: Abuse of power, accountability, climate change, crime, crosby textor, democracy under attack, human rights, john key, Media, police, privatisation, same old national, science, spin, Steven Joyce, uncategorized - Tags: , ,

Wow – that was quick! Wednesday morning, the New Zealand Herald publishes Jarrod Gilbert’s exposure of the Police’s totalitarian controls on academic research and freedom of speech. Three days of MSM and Fifth Estate support for Dr Gilbert ensues. By 10am Saturday morning, the Police Commissioner, Mike Bush, is falling over himself on TV3’s “The Nation” trying to explain how its all been a big mistake.

According to Bush, the contracts researchers were required to sign were “possibly fit for purpose at one stage” and that the intent of the controls was to protect the privacy of individuals.

ORLY? “Possibly? At one stage? To protect New Zealanders?” Utter bullshit, of course, but probably the best his reduced comms team could cook up at short notice. It was probably that group within Police which wrote the contract in the first place. Or some National Ltd™ mate got a fat contract to write it. Whatever, its an excuse for the inexcusable.  Predictably, better effort was put into spoon feeding Bush spin lines suggesting the issue was now dealt with . . .

. . . we will be changing the wording of that policy and what it’s about because the frustrating thing is it’s the opposite that’s true in terms of where we’re at at the moment . . . We’re wanting to build great relationships with academia because we are determined to be a very evidence-based police service.

Huh? “The opposite of what’s true now”? Good grief. You’d think the police would already be a “very evidence based” service.  Yet, if that is its current goal, building great relationships with academia is part of a sensible approach. Hasn’t exactly got off to a good start, though . . .

Response to Dr Gilbert's OIA request for a copy of the file on him held by Police,

Police response to Dr Gilbert’s OIA request for a copy of its file on him.

 

Dr Gilbert said yesterday he was optimistic about this announcement of apparent change but, given his experience with the police over a long period of time, he was taking a wait and see approach. Meanwhile, Dr Gilbert remained less than impressed with the performance of the Minister of Police over this affair. Caught just before scuttling off to his hide-out for three days, Michael “Worm Farm” Woodhouse reckoned it had nothing to do with him. “Its an operational matter”, he squeaked, as the Beehive Escape Hatch slammed shut.

In response, Dr Gilbert suggested that “if a minister of police can’t see that this has wider implications, then he’s not fit to be a minister.” <—BINGO!!

Mopping up for National Ltd™,  Steven “The $43 million Dollar Man” Joyce spontaneously blurted out the mandatory Crosby Textor half-truth distraction: but, but, but . . . Labour did it too. Then, in a stunning act of stark hypocrisy, he said  “as Science and Innovation Minister and Tertiary Education Minister I’d encourage [government agencies] to be as open with their data as is reasonably possible.”

WTF!! Joyce is the man who has trashed the New Zealand scientific research community. Container loads of useful data have been thrown out and there’s no one around to explain what’s left.  Thank’s to Joyce, John Key can now say, on the eve of his departure to Paris for climate change talks,  “my scientists advise me we’ll have a solution to agricultural emissions in 3 – 4 years’

There won’t be “a solution” but, amazingly, John Key wasn’t lying. These days, scientists will tell him whatever he wants them to, however fantastic. Particularly helpful is when time lines conveniently traverse election cycles. Steven Joyce ensured all this by using John Key’s personal Bunsen Honeydew to front the gambit and finished off the gagging process last year. By that stage, National Ltd™ could no longer suffer exposure to truth for fear the public might begin to comprehend its consequences.

Now, with hundreds of millions of dollars of public funds for scientific research heading into the hands of corporates and our scientists mostly gagged, any victory for freedom of speech and academic research is worth savouring. It ain’t easy speaking inconvenient truth under National Ltd™, and its made even more arduous when going up against the Police as well. It takes a toll . . .

harrod gilbert tweet of thanks

. . . no.  Thank you, Dr Gilbert.

22 comments on “Jarrod Gilbert 1 – Windmills 0 ”

  1. Penny Bright 1

    I’ll say it yet again.

    In my view the answer to the question of access to ‘Official Information’ would be simply solved by the full and thorough implementation of the NZ Public Records Act 2005.

    If you haven’t (yet) familiarised yourselves with the statutory provisions of the Public Records Act 2005 – I strongly recommend that you do?

    We already have the legislation, ‘in the law books’ – just sitting there …..

    So – what’s the problem?

    Penny Bright

  2. Gristle 2

    Key maintains that his scientists say the “we’ll have a solution to agricultural emissions in 3-4 years.” Well:
    1. Who is giving this advice
    2. What are the technologies

    And perhaps more importantly
    3. National and various spokesmen from agriculture have been saying just last week that the review of carbon trading schemes have to exclude agriculture because the farmers have no way of controlling agricultural emissions.

    So who is telling the truth here?

    If the tech fix is just around the corner then there is no reason to exclude agricultural emmissions from the scheme. (And this is me with my farmers hat on.) Can anybody provide clarity?

    • Smilin 2.1

      The solution to emissions will not be 3 or 4 years but about 30to 40 yrs if we are lucky to reverse the carnage of the last 30 to 40 yrs AND ESPECIALLY the escalation of the last 7 yrs of polluted atmosphere spewing out of the govt benches
      So fuck off Key and tell your lies to some stupid idiot who will print your BS

  3. Penny Bright 3

    Are you ‘on topic’ with your post about this issue TRP?

    I am.

    How does my not (yet) replying to your question regarding ‘man made’ climate change – make me a ‘hypocrite’?

    I prefer to give a ‘considered opinion’ and you don’t dictate my priories or (unpaid) workload.

    Aren’t you ‘thread-jacking’ on this topic relating to ‘official information’ ?

    Probably best, in my opinion, if you ‘lead by example’ regarding posts on ‘The Standard’ – unless the ‘rules’ have now changed and you can treat replies to any posts effectively as ‘Open Mike’?

    Penny Bright

    2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate.

  4. Ad 4

    Reasonably sick that the Police – sworn to the Queen – are showing more accountability than our own democratically elected government.

  5. Keith 5

    Oh my God yes, Stephen Joyce, the hypocrites hypocrite. He must think we are all the meat heads his propogandist department think we are.

    Stephen Joyce, one of two MEN who micro manage this government from start to finish, probably the one person who is behind the repugnant attitude that the public are to be denied any information that has not been bullshitted up to the max by his Ministry of Truth before hand.

    The police like many other government/taxpayer funded departments are simply following their National bosses established behaviour, bury anything that may embarrass the National Party. But this is coming up a bit too much nowadays and although National have batted off academics before, Jane Kelsey being but one, too many knowledgeable non partisan academics being abused not only is bad, for National it looks bad.

    And so as John Keys public standing sinks, deservedly, so Steve throws the police under the bus to save his own duplicitous arse. Well Stephen I saw through it all too easily and your lying, cheating government is starting to unravel!

  6. veutoviper 6

    Starting right now, Wallace Chapman on RNZ Sunday Mornings is interviewing John Wareham, a NZer who recently returned to NZ from New York after 38 years.

    Wareham is a Pulitzer Prize winning author, poet etc, Amongst his works, is a book on gangs and prison inmates called “How to Break Out of Prison”, based on years of experience working with prison inmates and gangs.

    Sorry for the long google link and excerpt but imho worth reading due to the remarkable relevance to the Jarrod Gilbert situation and revelations.

    https://www.google.co.nz/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=7&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiUoOmGi7TJAhVLnJQKHUtBCPUQFgg_MAY&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Flife-style%2Flife%2F73827725%2Fpulitzer-nominated-kiwi-author-returns-to-schooldays-trauma&usg=AFQjCNHGwnpmMI1CIxM2yhd5Kcyz4tnkmA

    ” In the mid-1990s, Wareham had begun work in prison reform. Corporate consultant turned redemptive philanthropist.

    While visiting a friend who was banged up on Rikers Island – the world’s largest penal colony – he was asked to consider teaching writing, leadership and public speaking.

    “I did that one day and they asked me to come back the next week. So I went back the next week and then they asked if I’d come back forever so I kept going back for 20 years.

    “I saw I was making a difference so quickly I would have felt bad if I hadn’t gone back. What I saw was a transformation. The reason the guys liked me was not because I motivated them. I never wanted to be a motivator because that meant when I left they were on their own. I wanted to share ideas with them that would stay with them for the rest of their lives and liberate them.”

    This work led to the start of the Eagles Foundation of America, a non-profit organisation dedicated to developing leaders within the prison population of which he is chief executive.

    It also spawned “How to Break Out of Prison” about his experiences advising and identifying corporate leaders and spotting potential leaders in prison. Wareham, also a poet, published an anthology of poems by prisoners in “How to Survive a Bullet to the Heart”.

    When he left New York his prison inmates gave him a standing ovation and a mass group hug. Fifty guys, murderers mostly, in a huggle. Wareham keeps a card they all signed in a frame above his desk. Pictures of him and his prison students adorn the walls. You get the feeling this is the work he is most proud of.

    In 2007 Wareham tackled the seemingly impossible task of bringing together the Black Power and Mongrel Mob gang members for what he calls a leadership weekend retreat. A korero of epic proportions.

    Despite both warring gangs’ misgivings, Wareham was convinced a truce could be called and at least for a time, some sort of harmony was restored. He became fond of those guys. Even had some of the Black Power members over for dinner.

    The bottom line, he says, is that it is about turning the gang into a force for good.”

    If John Wareham had done the same in NZ, would he also have been ‘blacklisted’ by NZ Police? I suspect so.

    A small mention of the above has been made in the interview, but the main focus is his latest book – a memoir of his experiences as a boarder at Palmerston North Boys High School. Link to interview (still going) is not yet up on RNZ.

  7. Penny Bright 7

    Where have I been ‘dishonest’ with anyone?

    You will get a comprehensive, considered opinion from me on ‘climate change’ – when I am ready.

    (I’ve been a bit busy, doing research on another matter, which apparently I’m one of the only people on the planet, that has considered?

    That the root cause of (most) corruption, is the neo-liberal ‘Rogernomics’ model, where public services and regulatory functions formerly provided by the ‘not for profit’ public service BUREACRACY – has been replaced by multiple layers of ‘for profit’ private sector ‘CONTRACTOCRACY’, where private sector consultants ‘project manage’ works contractors, a number of whom then sub-contract

    So – by the time you get down to the ‘boots and overalls’ who actually DO something productive – you can have up to three layers of pin striped suits ‘clipping the ticket’, and making private profit out of public monies.

    Done any work on this issue?

    ‘Put your mind to it’ and got a considered opinion on this matter?

    That’s ok – you take all the time you need to ‘do your homework’ and think about it.

    I wouldn’t dream of trying to rush or railroad you on something you need time to consider, so you don’t give a trite, ‘sound bite’ shallow response…..

    Thank you for being so interested in my view.

    Kind regards

    Penny Bright

    2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate.

    • Smilin 7.1

      Yes reading your comment Penny reminded me where this contractocracy began- back in RDM days or even earlier with Fletchers pinchin contracts with inside govt knowledge off the MOW as it was then fuckin appalling .
      Nothing new it has become a practise entrenched in our govt to about 100% look the other way every time someone blows the whistle on one of these to the point now its Joyces MO in getting the money to all his mates .Instead of any of these freeloaders every being held to account they just stick it in the big washer they keep for cleaning this shit before the public can get the evidence
      Talk about the Mafia, Joyce could teach them new tricks

  8. Penny Bright 8

    You’ll be pleased to know that I raised the issue of implementation and enforcement of the Public Records Act 2005, directly with Labour Leader Andrew Little, yesterday at the Grey Lynn Park Festival.

    I look forward to the Labour Party ‘picking up the ball’ on this matter.

    Penny Bright

    2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate

  9. Penny Bright 9

    Yesterday, at the Grey Lynn Park Festival, I encountered Labour Leader Andrew Little, and raised with him directly, my belief that if the Public Records Act 2005 was implemented and enforced in a proper way, then, in my opinion, most problems relating to the provision of Official Information would cease.

    Because arguably most ‘Official Information’ would already be available for public scrutiny – without having to formally request it?

    How can you have transparency or accountability – without proper written records that are available for public scrutiny?

    I look forward to Labour Party MPs (and ALL parties) ‘picking up the ball’ on the Public Records Act 2005.

    Penny Bright

    2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate

  10. BLiP 10

    Yep. Labour started the slide into the non-accountability of elected representatives. Just like it started the slide into neoliberalism when it couldn’t control a cabal recalcitrant MPs. National Ltd™, bereft of any notion other than helping out its funders, then took the neoliberal theme and ran away with it. National Ltd™ is doing the same thing here with accountability and having to deal with difficult to manage truth.

  11. …my scientists advise me we’ll have a solution to agricultural emissions in 3 – 4 years…

    One does wonder how they’re going to do that when his government is in the process of destroying AgResearch, and some of the research programmes being scrapped were ones looking at how to reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions.

    • BLiP 11.1

      Factory farming, I’m assuming. You know, keep the unfortunate beasts indoors their whole lives feeding them Indonesian palm kernel and trapping the emissions. Still doesn’t get rid of all the effluent and emissions or the need for copious amounts of fresh water, but, I guess, such “a solution” will be pimped up by the PR folks as a good start, or something. Then again, now that National Ltd™ has followed Labour’s lead on the genetic engineering front, the corporate scientists could invent a milk-producing unicorn that shits gold.

  12. Whateva Next 12

    I also note Dr.Gilbert’s efforts to question police decision before having to resort to media exposure, and also, will they reveal the “other 17 pages” of his “file” when reviewing their policy? and will he have a right of reply?

  13. . . . we will be changing the wording of that policy and what it’s about because the frustrating thing is it’s the opposite that’s true in terms of where we’re at at the moment . . .

    Funny he should say that, because their treatment of Jarrod Gilbert’s research application suggests the policy is very definitely true in terms of where they’re at at the moment. Most likely, what’s really ‘frustrating’ him is being dipped in shit by the media for writing and enforcing such a fucked-up policy – he could always try just not doing shit like this in the first place, that’s always the best way to avoid later embarrassment.

  14. Observer (Tokoroa) 14

    Hi Alwyn

    I take it that in your opinion NZ City Councillors should have no access to Government records.

    Congratulations. Your National masters will heap praise on you. You may even get a photo taken of yourself with Richie McCaw. In your opinion Penny Bright has no right to any rights,

    How ridiculous. But so Tory and so dumb.

    • alwyn 14.1

      @Observer
      I’m afraid I have no idea what you are talking about.
      I have only commented on one thing about Penny in this post. That was in fact defending her and saying that if she was only running for Mayor her views, if any, on Climate Change were irrelevant as that was not a matter for Local Body decisions.
      How you turn that into a comment such as the one above I have no idea.
      Perhaps things have simply got confused by the comment moves BLiP is doing.

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    Bob Edlin writes –  And what is the world watching today…? The email newsletter from Associated Press which landed in our mailbox early this morning advised: In the news today: The father of a school shooter has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter; prosecutors in Trump’s hush-money case ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • Further integrity problems for the Greens in suspending MP Darleen Tana
    Bryce Edwards writes – Is another Green MP on their way out? And are the Greens severely tarnished by another integrity scandal? For the second time in three months, the Green Party has secretly suspended an MP over integrity issues. Mystery is surrounding the party’s decision to ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Jacqui Van Der Kaay: Greens’ transparency missing in action
    For the last few years, the Green Party has been the party that has managed to avoid the plague of multiple scandals that have beleaguered other political parties. It appears that their luck has run out with a second scandal which, unfortunately for them, coincided with Golraz Ghahraman, the focus ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago
  • Bernard’s Dawn Chorus with six newsey things at 6:46am for Saturday, March 16
    TL;DR: The six newsey things that stood out to me as of 6:46am on Saturday, March 16.Andy Foster has accidentally allowed a Labour/Green amendment to cut road user chargers for plug-in hybrid vehicles, which the Government might accept; NZ Herald Thomas Coughlan Simeon Brown has rejected a plea from Westport ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • How Did FTX Crash?
    What seemed a booming success a couple of years ago has collapsed into fraud convictions.I looked at the crash of FTX (short for ‘Futures Exchange’) in November 2022 to see whether it would impact on the financial system as a whole. Fortunately there was barely a ripple, probably because it ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    4 days ago
  • Elections in Russia and Ukraine
    Anybody following the situation in Ukraine and Russia would probably have been amused by a recent Tweet on X NATO seems to be putting in an awful lot of effort to influence what is, at least according to them, a sham election in an autocracy.When do the Ukrainians go to ...
    4 days ago
  • Bernard’s six stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15
    TL;DR: Shaun Baker on Wynyard Quarter's transformation. Magdalene Taylor on the problem with smart phones. How private equity are now all over reinsurance. Dylan Cleaver on rugby and CTE. Emily Atkin on ‘Big Meat’ looking like ‘Big Oil’.Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15Photo by Jeppe Hove Jensen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Buzz from the Beehive Finance Minister Nicola Willis had plenty to say when addressing the Auckland Business Chamber on the economic growth that (she tells us) is flagging more than we thought. But the government intends to put new life into it:  We want our country to be a ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • National’s clean car tax advances
    The Transport and Infrastructure Committee has reported back on the Road User Charges (Light Electric RUC Vehicles) Amendment Bill, basicly rubberstamping it. While there was widespread support among submitters for the principle that EV and PHEV drivers should pay their fair share for the roads, they also overwhelmingly disagreed with ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Government funding bailouts
    Peter Dunne writes – This week’s government bailout – the fifth in the last eighteen months – of the financially troubled Ruapehu Alpine Lifts company would have pleased many in the central North Island ski industry. The government’s stated rationale for the $7 million funding was that it ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Two offenders, different treatments.
    See if you can spot the difference. An Iranian born female MP from a progressive party is accused of serial shoplifting. Her name is leaked to the media, which goes into a pack frenzy even before the Police launch an … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    4 days ago
  • Treaty references omitted
    Ele Ludemann writes  – The government is omitting general Treaty references from legislation : The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last Government in a bid to get greater coherence in the public service on Treaty ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • The Ghahraman Conflict
    What was that judge thinking? Peter Williams writes –  That Golriz Ghahraman and District Court Judge Maria Pecotic were once lawyer colleagues is incontrovertible. There is published evidence that they took at least one case to the Court of Appeal together. There was a report on ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 15
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Climate Scorpion – the sting is in the tail. Introducing planetary solvency. A paper via the University of Exeter’s Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.Local scoop: Kāinga Ora starts pulling out of its Auckland projects and selling land RNZ ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • The day Wellington up-zoned its future
    Wellington’s massively upzoned District Plan adds the opportunity for tens of thousands of new homes not just in the central city (such as these Webb St new builds) but also close to the CBD and public transport links. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Wellington gave itself the chance of ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Weekly Roundup 15-March-2024
    It’s Friday and we’re halfway through March Madness. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week in Greater Auckland On Monday Matt asked how we can get better event trains and an option for grade separating Morningside Dr. On Tuesday Matt looked into ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    5 days ago
  • That Word.
    Something you might not know about me is that I’m quite a stubborn person. No, really. I don’t much care for criticism I think’s unfair or that I disagree with. Few of us do I suppose.Back when I was a drinker I’d sometimes respond defensively, even angrily. There are things ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • The Hoon around the week to March 15
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:PM Christopher Luxon said the reversal of interest deductibility for landlords was done to help renters, who ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Labour’s policy gap
    It was not so much the Labour Party but really the Chris Hipkins party yesterday at Labour’s caucus retreat in Martinborough. The former Prime Minister was more or less consistent on wealth tax, which he was at best equivocal about, and social insurance, which he was not willing to revisit. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #11 2024
    Open access notables A Glimpse into the Future: The 2023 Ocean Temperature and Sea Ice Extremes in the Context of Longer-Term Climate Change, Kuhlbrodt et al., Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society: In the year 2023, we have seen extraordinary extrema in high sea surface temperature (SST) in the North Atlantic and in ...
    5 days ago
  • Melissa remains mute on media matters but has something to say (at a sporting event) about economic ...
     Buzz from the Beehive   The text reproduced above appears on a page which records all the media statements and speeches posted on the government’s official website by Melissa Lee as Minister of Media and Communications and/or by Jenny Marcroft, her Parliamentary Under-secretary.  It can be quickly analysed ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago
  • The return of Muldoon
    For forty years, Robert Muldoon has been a dirty word in our politics. His style of government was so repulsive and authoritarian that the backlash to it helped set and entrench our constitutional norms. His pig-headedness over forcing through Think Big eventually gave us the RMA, with its participation and ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Will the rental tax cut improve life for renters or landlords?
    Bryce Edwards writes –  Is the new government reducing tax on rental properties to benefit landlords or to cut the cost of rents? That’s the big question this week, after Associate Finance Minister David Seymour announced on Sunday that the Government would be reversing the Labour Government’s removal ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: What Saudi Arabia’s rapid changes mean for New Zealand
    Saudi Arabia is rarely far from the international spotlight. The war in Gaza has brought new scrutiny to Saudi plans to normalise relations with Israel, while the fifth anniversary of the controversial killing of Jamal Khashoggi was marked shortly before the war began on October 7. And as the home ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    5 days ago
  • Racism’s double standards
    Questions need to be asked on both sides of the world Peter Williams writes –   The NRL Judiciary hands down an eight week suspension to Sydney Roosters forward Spencer Leniu , an Auckland-born Samoan, after he calls Ezra Mam, Sydney-orn but of Aboriginal and Torres Strait ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • It’s not a tax break
    Ele Ludemann writes – Contrary to what many headlines and news stories are saying, residential landlords are not getting a tax break. The government is simply restoring to them the tax deductibility of interest they had until the previous government removed it. There is no logical reason ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • The Plastic Pig Collective and Chris' Imaginary Friends.
    I can't remember when it was goodMoments of happiness in bloomMaybe I just misunderstoodAll of the love we left behindWatching our flashbacks intertwineMemories I will never findIn spite of whatever you becomeForget that reckless thing turned onI think our lives have just begunI think our lives have just begunDoes anyone ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • Who is responsible for young offenders?
    Michael Bassett writes – At first reading, a front-page story in the New Zealand Herald on 13 March was bizarre. A group of severely intellectually limited teenagers, with little understanding of the law, have been pleading to the Justice Select Committee not to pass a bill dealing with ram ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on National’s fantasy trip to La La Landlord Land
    How much political capital is Christopher Luxon willing to burn through in order to deliver his $2.9 billion gift to landlords? Evidently, Luxon is: (a) unable to cost the policy accurately. As Anna Burns-Francis pointed out to him on Breakfast TV, the original ”rock solid” $2.1 billion cost he was ...
    6 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 14
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Jonathon Porritt calling bullshit in his own blog post on mainstream climate science as ‘The New Denialism’.Local scoop: The Wellington City Council’s list of proposed changes to the IHP recommendations to be debated later today was leaked this ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • No, Prime Minister, rents don’t rise or fall with landlords’ costs
    TL;DR: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said yesterday tenants should be grateful for the reinstatement of interest deductibility because landlords would pass on their lower tax costs in the form of lower rents. That would be true if landlords were regulated monopolies such as Transpower or Auckland Airport1, but they’re not, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • Cartoons: ‘At least I didn’t make things awkward’
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Tom Toro Tom Toro is a cartoonist and author. He has published over 200 cartoons in The New Yorker since 2010. His cartoons appear in Playboy, the Paris Review, the New York Times, American Bystander, and elsewhere. Related: What 10 EV lovers ...
    6 days ago
  • Solving traffic congestion with Richard Prebble
    The business section of the NZ Herald is full of opinion. Among the more opinionated of all is the ex-Minister of Transport, ex-Minister of Railways, ex MP for Auckland Central (1975-93, Labour), Wellington Central (1996-99, ACT, then list-2005), ex-leader of the ACT Party, uncle to actor Antonia, the veritable granddaddy ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    6 days ago
  • I Think I'm Done Flying Boeing
    Hi,Just quickly — I’m blown away by the stories you’ve shared with me over the last week since I put out the ‘Gary’ podcast, where I told you about the time my friend’s flatmate killed the neighbour.And you keep telling me stories — in the comments section, and in my ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • Invoking Aristotle: Of Rings of Power, Stones, and Ships
    The first season of Rings of Power was not awful. It was thoroughly underwhelming, yes, and left a lingering sense of disappointment, but it was more expensive mediocrity than catastrophe. I wrote at length about the series as it came out (see the Review section of the blog, and go ...
    6 days ago
  • Van Velden brings free-market approach to changing labour laws – but her colleagues stick to distr...
    Buzz from the Beehive Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden told Auckland Business Chamber members they were the first audience to hear her priorities as a minister in a government committed to cutting red tape and regulations. She brandished her liberalising credentials, saying Flexible labour markets are the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • Why Newshub failed
    Chris Trotter writes – TO UNDERSTAND WHY NEWSHUB FAILED, it is necessary to understand how TVNZ changed. Up until 1989, the state broadcaster had been funded by a broadcasting licence fee, collected from every citizen in possession of a television set, supplemented by a relatively modest (compared ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Māori Party on the warpath against landlords and seabed miners – let’s see if mystical creature...
    Bob Edlin writes  –  The Māori Party has been busy issuing a mix of warnings and threats as its expresses its opposition to interest deductibility for landlords and the plans of seabed miners. It remains to be seen whether they  follow the example of indigenous litigants in Australia, ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • Government moves to quickly ratify the NZ-EU FTA
    "The Government is moving quickly to realise an additional $46 million in tariff savings in the EU market this season for Kiwi exporters,” Minister for Trade and Agriculture, Todd McClay says. Parliament is set, this week, to complete the final legislative processes required to bring the New Zealand – European ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 hours ago
  • Positive progress for social worker workforce
    New Zealand’s social workers are qualified, experienced, and more representative of the communities they serve, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “I want to acknowledge and applaud New Zealand’s social workers for the hard work they do, providing invaluable support for our most vulnerable. “To coincide with World ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    11 hours ago
  • Minister confirms reduced RUC rate for PHEVs
    Cabinet has agreed to a reduced road user charge (RUC) rate for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. Owners of PHEVs will be eligible for a reduced rate of $38 per 1,000km once all light electric vehicles (EVs) move into the RUC system from 1 April.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago
  • Trade access to overseas markets creates jobs
    Minister of Agriculture and Trade, Todd McClay, says that today’s opening of Riverland Foods manufacturing plant in Christchurch is a great example of how trade access to overseas markets creates jobs in New Zealand.  Speaking at the official opening of this state-of-the-art pet food factory the Minister noted that exports ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago
  • NZ and Chinese Foreign Ministers hold official talks
    Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Wellington today. “It was a pleasure to host Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his first official visit to New Zealand since 2017. Our discussions were wide-ranging and enabled engagement on many facets of New Zealand’s relationship with China, including trade, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Kāinga Ora instructed to end Sustaining Tenancies
    Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities has been instructed to end the Sustaining Tenancies Framework and take stronger measures against persistent antisocial behaviour by tenants, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Earlier today Finance Minister Nicola Willis and I sent an interim Letter of Expectations to the Board of Kāinga Ora. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber: Growth is the answer
    Tēna koutou katoa. Greetings everyone. Thank you to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Honourable Simon Bridges for hosting this address today. I acknowledge the business leaders in this room, the leaders and governors, the employers, the entrepreneurs, the investors, and the wealth creators. The coalition Government shares your ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Singapore rounds out regional trip
    Minister Winston Peters completed the final leg of his visit to South and South East Asia in Singapore today, where he focused on enhancing one of New Zealand’s indispensable strategic partnerships.      “Singapore is our most important defence partner in South East Asia, our fourth-largest trading partner and a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister van Velden represents New Zealand at International Democracy Summit
    Minister of Internal Affairs and Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon. Brooke van Velden, will travel to the Republic of Korea to represent New Zealand at the Third Summit for Democracy on 18 March. The summit, hosted by the Republic of Korea, was first convened by the United States in 2021, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Insurance Council of NZ Speech, 7 March 2024, Auckland
    ICNZ Speech 7 March 2024, Auckland  Acknowledgements and opening  Mōrena, ngā mihi nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho.  Good morning, it’s a privilege to be here to open the ICNZ annual conference, thank you to Mark for the Mihi Whakatau  My thanks to Tim Grafton for inviting me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Five-year anniversary of Christchurch terror attacks
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Lead Coordination Minister Judith Collins have expressed their deepest sympathy on the five-year anniversary of the Christchurch terror attacks. “March 15, 2019, was a day when families, communities and the country came together both in sorrow and solidarity,” Mr Luxon says.  “Today we pay our respects to the 51 shuhada ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024
    Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024  Acknowledgements and opening  Morena, Nga Mihi Nui.  Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Thanks Nate for your Mihi Whakatau  Good morning. It’s a pleasure to formally open your conference this morning. What a lovely day in Wellington, What a great ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Early visit to Indonesia strengthens ties
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters held discussions in Jakarta today about the future of relations between New Zealand and South East Asia’s most populous country.   “We are in Jakarta so early in our new government’s term to reflect the huge importance we place on our relationship with Indonesia and South ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • China Foreign Minister to visit
    Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has announced that the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, will visit New Zealand next week.  “We look forward to re-engaging with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussing the full breadth of the bilateral relationship, which is one of New Zealand’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister opens new Auckland Rail Operations Centre
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has today opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre, which will bring together KiwiRail, Auckland Transport, and Auckland One Rail to improve service reliability for Aucklanders. “The recent train disruptions in Auckland have highlighted how important it is KiwiRail and Auckland’s rail agencies work together to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Celebrating 10 years of Crankworx Rotorua
    The Government is proud to support the 10th edition of Crankworx Rotorua as the Crankworx World Tour returns to Rotorua from 16-24 March 2024, says Minister for Economic Development Melissa Lee.  “Over the past 10 years as Crankworx Rotorua has grown, so too have the economic and social benefits that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government delivering on tax commitments
    Legislation implementing coalition Government tax commitments and addressing long-standing tax anomalies will be progressed in Parliament next week, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The legislation is contained in an Amendment Paper to the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill issued today.  “The Amendment Paper represents ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Significant Natural Areas requirement to be suspended
    Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard has today announced that the Government has agreed to suspend the requirement for councils to comply with the Significant Natural Areas (SNA) provisions of the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity for three years, while it replaces the Resource Management Act (RMA).“As it stands, SNAs ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Government classifies drought conditions in Top of the South as medium-scale adverse event
    Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has classified the drought conditions in the Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts as a medium-scale adverse event, acknowledging the challenging conditions facing farmers and growers in the district. “Parts of Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts are in the grip of an intense dry spell. I know ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Government partnership to tackle $332m facial eczema problem
    The Government is helping farmers eradicate the significant impact of facial eczema (FE) in pastoral animals, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced.  “A $20 million partnership jointly funded by Beef + Lamb NZ, the Government, and the primary sector will save farmers an estimated NZD$332 million per year, and aims to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • NZ, India chart path to enhanced relationship
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has completed a successful visit to India, saying it was an important step in taking the relationship between the two countries to the next level.   “We have laid a strong foundation for the Coalition Government’s priority of enhancing New Zealand-India relations to generate significant future benefit for both countries,” says Mr Peters, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Ruapehu Alpine Lifts bailout the last, say Ministers
    Cabinet has agreed to provide $7 million to ensure the 2024 ski season can go ahead on the Whakapapa ski field in the central North Island but has told the operator Ruapehu Alpine Lifts it is the last financial support it will receive from taxpayers. Cabinet also agreed to provide ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Fresh produce price drop welcome
    Lower fruit and vegetable prices are welcome news for New Zealanders who have been doing it tough at the supermarket, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Stats NZ reported today the price of fruit and vegetables has dropped 9.3 percent in the 12 months to February 2024.  “Lower fruit and vege ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Statement to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the sixty-eighth session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
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    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
    7 days ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber
    Good evening everyone and thank you for that lovely introduction.   Thank you also to the Honourable Simon Bridges for the invitation to address your members. Since being sworn in, this coalition Government has hit the ground running with our 100-day plan, delivering the changes that New Zealanders expect of us. ...
    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

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