John Key explains

Written By: - Date published: 7:01 am, July 24th, 2015 - 87 comments
Categories: john key, prisons - Tags: , , ,

John Key explaining recent events at our Serco run prision:

“One of the claims that had been made, I think, was that someone had been thrown off a balcony – in fact, actually, Serco say that the person jumped off the balcony, or tripped, or fell.

Oh well that’s that sorted.

“There’s different versions of these things, and it’s really important in these situations to acknowledge there are a whole lot of vested interests that will make claims for a variety of different reasons – some things are very unsubstantiated.”

Background reading for context on Serco. And speaking of vested interests – who is that has vested interests in the success of private prisons again?

87 comments on “John Key explains ”

  1. Gangnam Style 1

    Sick Govt, on Morning Report this morning Kelvin Davis got another grilling, he had to explain to Suzi that he is in fact not the Govt!

  2. ankerawshark 2

    So according to John Key things are o.k. if someone trips or falls off a balcony in prison??? So he’s relaxed about it?????

    This is like his speculation that Labour may have received $100,000 from Dong Liu. Throw out a big lie, mis-truth that’s hard to prove to muddy the waters.

    I know this is my interpretation, but that is the implication I think.

    • Puckish Rogue 2.1

      I suppose we could wait for the investigation to run its course, not that I’m suggesting Davis might be making things up

      • dukeofurl 2.1.1

        You wish, an investigation huh ?

        The trouble with that is cell phone videos from the cells – get it – make better news stories.

        The minister is lying, the prisoners are running the jail, you could not make it up.

      • Brendon Harre 2.1.2

        What effing investigation. A man died under suspicious circumstances. Where is the independent police investigation? Where is the independent investigation from the Crown?

        This isn’t bloody Russia. WTF is happening to our country?

        I am sick of this slimy PM who cannot do his job properly of upholding the public interest.

        • Jackp 2.1.2.1

          It’s not russia, it’s the United States which is almost as bad.

          • Colonial Viper 2.1.2.1.1

            US incarceration rate – and use of prisons for private profit eg slave labour for corporations – is far higher than in Russia.

        • tc 2.1.2.2

          They’re busy prosecuting Slater for his admitted breach of the law…..not !

  3. Save NZ 3

    Since a murder was committed I would have thought the police would be called in to work this out

    One of the claims that had been made, I think, was that someone had been thrown off a balcony – in fact, actually, Serco say that the person jumped off the balcony, or tripped, or fell

    Umm don’t think that Serco guards should be investigated over a potential murder under their watch?

  4. dukeofurl 4

    Anyone whos never been in a prison would know that you dont rat on another prisoner even if they have bashed you.

    So its always , tripped, slipped, fell etc.

    So its bullshit that this person “fell”

    • Anno1701 4.1

      “Anyone whos never been in a prison would know that you dont rat on another prisoner even if they have bashed you.”

      +100

      unless you want to “trip or fall” again

      and narks/grasses tend to trip/fall a little further and land a lot harder

  5. Hanswurst 5

    It’s classic Key. Make an unsubstantiated counter-claim, suggest that he could find other people with other versions, and use some meaningless verbiage that abuses the English language to add emphasis at the end – in this case, “very unsubstantiated”. Something is either unsubstantiated or it isn’t, dick. There’s no “very” about it (of course, you could point out that something can be poorly or well substantiated, etc., but that’s got nothing to do with Key’s choice of words; he’s just throwing out something hazy but emphatic as a sort of linguistic explosive to lend weight to his statements, regardless of the actual meaning).

    This is all that Key ever does. I can’t believe the man retains a single vote on the back of such dribbling, transparent wank, let alone the levels of popularity he continues to enjoy.

    • Molly 5.1

      +100

    • Shona 5.2

      Hanswurst you have made my day! +2000

    • ankerawshark 5.3

      1000+ Hanswurst. Completely agree. Astonishing he get away with it.

      Just seen on stuff a father of a man who “tripped and fell” off a balcony in Mt Eden, and broke his legs tells his sons story, i.e. that he was rounded on, tried to escape then pushed…………I believe what the father said a millon times over John Key.

    • happynz 5.4

      This is all that Key ever does. I can’t believe the man retains a single vote on the back of such dribbling, transparent wank, let alone the levels of popularity he continues to enjoy.

      Yup. Depressing, isn’t it?

    • Clemgeopin 5.5

      It is astonishing how his smile, spin, lies and friendly mannerisms have fooled many multitudes of people into thinking that he is a person that actually cares about the real welfare of New Zealand and its values!

    • whateva next? 5.6

      exactly, thankyou for articulating this tactic.

    • Smilin 5.7

      As you rightly state this is the Key MO thru and thru and as we who have watched the NP charades in various NP govts do seriously think that going to hell in a handbasket will be the end result of this govt come next election thats if we can get enough evidence in the public’s face to wake them up to this fed- freemarket, quasi fascist sponsored take over of our sovereignty and our democracy which is under serious threat of ever being able to govern this country in a manner we can trust

  6. Ad 6

    Key is on a complete loser here.

    Davis is compiling the evidence for a good long drip drip drip.

    There will also be more video evidence come out, which will sink the Governemnt on this issue good and proper.

    Before Key considers sacking Sam, his test in a month or two is:
    Fire Serco, or completely clean out Corrections Management.

    • Puckish Rogue 6.1

      You hope theres more evidence

      • Tricledrown 6.1.1

        Read the latest news yet PR.
        More evidence that Serco is manipulating its performance by shipping injured prisoners out so they avoid paying for not meeting their contracts.
        Avoiding responsibility.
        Then new news on initiation ritual of dropping prisoners from 1st floor landings fight clubs.
        How much in donation did the National party get from Serco via lord Ashcroft etc.
        Crony capitalism.

      • Colonial Viper 6.1.2

        You hope theres more evidence

        It’s important we get to the bottom of what has been going on under Serco’s watch. You may not be interested if our prisons get turned into dangerous money making jokes, but other people are.

    • BM 6.2

      Nope.

      Labour will end up looking like crim huggers .

      Watch Key turn this around.

      • dukeofurl 6.2.1

        Even the conservative radio commentators are saying Sammy is a fool and with your comments we can see why

      • Puckish Rogue 6.2.2

        Labour as crim huggers? So it ain’t so:

        http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/69006542/threestrikes-law-changes-unlikely-after-five-years

        Labour Party justice spokesperson Jacinda Ardern said she did not accept figures showed the bill worked, and that more specific research should be done.

        Labour wanted the law gone, as it took away judges’ power to look at the circumstances around an offence, with the party wanting to put more focus on helping offenders turn away from crime, she said.

        • dukeofurl 6.2.2.1

          Trouble is National has a history of reducing time served and making life ‘soft’

          Serving only a third of your sentence, thanks Bolger government.

          • Puckish Rogue 6.2.2.1.1

            Not Bolgers finest moment to say the least

            • Colonial Viper 6.2.2.1.1.1

              NZ needs to rethink its entire Corrections system. At the moment the system is too much Crim University and crim networking; too little on sorting out your life and leaving bad patterns behind.

      • Tony 6.2.3

        I think you underestimate human decency here. Hardcore Nat supporters might be secretly pleased that prisoners are dying, but centrists? I doubt it.

        • dukeofurl 6.2.3.1

          The impression the public is getting is the prisoners are having things their own way, ie the fight clubs, the cellphones.

          Thats goes against the publics idea of how the natural order should be, that the guards run the prison.

          Its too late , and Davis is too cunning to allow a late call it crim hugging.

          The narrative is the prisoners are running the show and Serco is allowing it to happen.
          game, set , match

          • Puckish Rogue 6.2.3.1.1

            Thats all right, I hear Judith Collins is itching to get back into cabinet then we’ll see how good Davis is (he is pretty good to be fair)

        • mickysavage 6.2.3.2

          The proverbial will hit the rotating thing when the statistics concerning officer assaults come out. These figures are also disasterous.

        • BM 6.2.3.3

          No body is happy that some one is dead.

          I’m just pointing out that if Labour keeps going on and on about it they run the risk of being seen as supportive of criminals, especially since they do have some form in this area, as Puckish Rogue has shown

          This is not stuff that gets people voting for you, most people have had run ins with criminals and lets be honest I doubt any one has any great memories of their encounters with the criminal under class.

          Peoples sympathies for individuals who end up in prison is pretty much non-existent, as a political party you really don’t want to be seen to be siding too heavily with particular demographic.

          • dukeofurl 6.2.3.3.1

            Wake up and smell the prisoners running the prison.

            Thats never going to get accepted by the public.

            That Serco is running the place as though it were a pre school and letting the prisoners have their own playtime is a bonus.

          • dv 6.2.3.3.2

            “No body is happy that some one is dead.

            Nope not quite.
            this was a comment yesterday BM
            keyman 17
            23 July 2015 at 7:43 pm
            whats the big deal so someone dies look at all the money we have saved

        • Puckish Rogue 6.2.3.4

          Sure they’ll be concerned but it’ll be pretty low down the list, what Labour should have done is continue on with the housing in Auckland just without the blatent racist attacks

          • dukeofurl 6.2.3.4.1

            Low down the list ? How far down the TV news is it ?

            Best of all the news gatekeepers have seen Kelvins version come true while Sammy has had to eat his words.

          • ankerawshark 6.2.3.4.2

            I think Labour are firing up really well and attacking on many fronts.

            The general public, even very conservative people (perhaps especially so) will be very concerned about an out of control prison, even if they don’t give a toss about the prisoners (and remember Mt Eden is a remand, any of us could end up in there).

            The most conservative people like discipline. If National don’t addres this, it will make them look weak and possibly make Key look too relaxxxxxxed.

            How far is Mt Eden prison from Parnell again???????

            • Puckish Rogue 6.2.3.4.2.1

              I think you’ve read it wrong, prisons and prisoners are out of sight out of mind

              Now if you get a bunch of prisoners escaping thats a whole different story

              • ankerawshark

                Puckish Rogue,

                Read my comment below. It turns out the young man who died’s grandfather was a National Stalwart. Helped Mark Mitchel on his campaign………………………………………

                Rich kids and poor kids alike are at risk of drug and abuse and the life style that goes with it. Remember Millie Elder?

                • Colonial Viper

                  Read my comment below. It turns out the young man who died’s grandfather was a National Stalwart. Helped Mark Mitchel on his campaign………………………………………

                  Yep – neolib right wingers like PR like to pretend that the tapestry of society is not closely woven. Until the facts and the interconnections become impossible to ignore.

              • Colonial Viper

                I think you’ve read it wrong, prisons and prisoners are out of sight out of mind

                That’s the way they should be. Modern, professionally and humanely run.

                The way Serco is doing it prisons and Corrections are going to be front and centre.

                What way do you want it PR?

              • Tracey

                ACT has about 17% of its elected MPs guilty of fraud or deceit so thats some interested in more humane prisons. .. from the extreme right (to borrow from wayne mapps overstatements).

              • Tracey

                then people who think like that need educating. imprisoning someone is very expensive. recidivism is high. it makes ECONOMIC if not humane, sense to rehabilitate. but that requires a large bunch of folks in NZ to think a bit more deeply.

        • Kevin 6.2.3.5

          As a right-leaning centrist and pragmatic libertarian I’m not pleased at all – society should be judged on how well it treats it’s most vulnerable and there’s no one more vulnerable than someone who has had their liberty taken away.

          And what was the minister thinking anyway? Did he not think it not important enough that someone had died, regardless of the circumstances, and whether that person jumped, tripped, or was thrown?

      • Tricledrown 6.2.4

        Desperation toilet,rolls out in numbers
        As the site hits the Key groupies.

      • ankerawshark 6.2.5

        BM @ 6.2
        http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11486181

        You see National party supporters have relatives in prison too…………………..

        My sympathy to Nick’s family who have clearly endured so much, including the death of their son in custody. Shameful.

        I wonder what the family think of John Keys tribute now given the through them off course interview he did this morning.??????? Makes you think doesn’t it.

    • infused 6.3

      So far its all bs. One of the unions said there was no way the guy was dropped. The rails are shoulder high.

      Just do an investigation and get itnover with. Kelvin has been shown to be streching the truth.

      • Macro 6.3.1

        Is that the best you can offer?
        We need better trolls.

      • Anno1701 6.3.2

        ” The rails are shoulder high.”

        are you serious ?

        Just because you may not be ableraise your arms above your waist doesn’t mean nobody else can either

      • thatguynz 6.3.3

        So if the rails are shoulder high how did the inmate “trip and fall” as Corrections / the Government assert?

        Use your fucking brain.

  7. Jenny Kirk 7

    Today’s Herald has a story that the grandfather of the man who “jumped, tripped or fell” was a National Party stalwart. Presumably his family is not going to feel quite so gung-ho about this matter that their dear “leader” is…..

  8. BM 8

    How many correction officers who work in Serco run prisons are in the corrections union?

    I just had a read of this and I have to wonder about having union members working in
    Serco run prisons.

    http://www.canzunion.co.nz/About-Us.aspx

    They seem to be utterly hostile towards National and completely against any concept of privately run prisons.

    • Of course the corrections union is against profit based prisons. They’ve known all along what we’re just finding out; they don’t work.

      • BM 8.1.1

        You have to wonder if they’re actively working against Serco though, making them look bad so they get shut down.

        This is where I’m guessing all Davis info is coming from?

        • Sabine 8.1.1.1

          So it does not matter that criminals in Serco run prisons where prisoners have access to drugs, alcohol, phones, run fight clubs, where prisoners help other prisoners to trip, slip and stumble down from a balustrade and / or a staircase without a worry by the guards ( i guess they are locked up themselves eating donuts or something 🙂 ).

          No, what matters to BM is that Unions might (and that is a big bold and cursive MIGHT as BM has absolutely nothing to prove this – or do you? Cause if you do please show, or as the PM said today it would be very unsubstantiated claim of something or other or rather or fuck it? ) provide a MP from the opposition with information about a badly run prison, that not only endangers the lives of the prisoners, but in the end also the life of the guards that work there.

          Consider this, BM, once these prisoners from the Serco run Prisons are re-leased into the general population (us and you) again, do you think they are rehabilitated or maybe just more angry, pissed of and better trained at being a criminal?

          And consider this BM, why would you want to pay a private Company for a service that they don’t provide? Because the Tax payer – again you and us – are paying Serco for providing a service?

          Or do you believe that it is ok for Serco to not keep taps on the Prisoners, so that they can have drugs, alcohol, run fight clubs and avert their eyes when a prisoner again falls, stumbles, slips and trips over a balustrade or down some staircases? Do you think it is ok for Serco to dump Prisoners injured in the Prison that they run on to a publicly run Prison so as to whitewash their negative stats in order to avoid a penalty payment?

          And remember BM, you are paying for this service. The government is only spending the money the Taxpayers is paying, or else they are spending money they are loaning, and our debt is currently at a 100 billion give or take a few cents.

          So you really thing that the Corrections Union is your worst problem. Or that maybe just maybe Serco is not providing the services it is contractually obliged to provide?

          • BM 8.1.1.1.1

            After having a read of this
            http://www.corrections.govt.nz/about_us/working_with_us/partners/service_providers-Serco.html

            I went and had a look at these

            http://www.corrections.govt.nz/resources/prison_performance_tables.html

            Guess which prison is top of the list ?, yep you guessed it, Mount Eden

            Therefore
            1. Am I happy with Serco running Mount Eden, YES.
            2. Is Serco providing good value for the NZ taxpayer, YES.

            • Sabine 8.1.1.1.1.1

              Why and on what to you base your support for Serco.

              Really, consider that all allegations so far have been true. Take away the party hat for a moment, and explain to me why you can be happy with a Prison that allows drugs, alcohol, phones and fight clubs?

              What do you base your happiness on?

              Me I am just a taxpayer who does not see a service that I help pay for being provided. Disclaimer, i have never been incarcerated and I have no family members or friends incarcerated. So really I am just someone who pays the bills, and I am not happy with the Service that Serco provides – because we are not paying them for not providing the service.

              So explain to me why it makes you happy that Serco is being paid for a service they are not providing, and would you show the same leniancy towards a public state run prison if National would lobby the same allegation against a Labour run government?

              • BM

                They are providing a service and are meeting the criteria set by the government, as I put in the above post Mt Eden is the highest ranked prison in NZ.

                Also there’s drugs and fighting in every prison in NZ, why Serco is in the gun and no other prison leads me to the believe that this is nothing more than a union run hit piece, done along similar lines as what the teachers union are doing with charter schools.

                • ankerawshark

                  BM perhaps cause a man has died in one of their prisons……………..

                  I don’t think any registered teachers would touch charter schools with a barge pole……………..So I am not sure by what feat of logic you are blaming teachers for the failure of charter schools (and what a massive failure)

                  But your views are so unbelievable, I think the most likely scenario is that even you don’t believe them, you are making them up to troll………..

                    • Sabine

                      so you are comparing the forestry industry to a place where several hundred criminals are locked up?

                      Hmmm, a guy makes a living cutting down trees,
                      a guy makes a living cooking methamphetamine, running prostitutes, maybe has killed someone.

                      clearly its the same thing.

                      BM, come on, You do have your own mind. Please use it.

                    • ankerawshark

                      Yes it is interesting BM and speaks to me of the need for greater regulation in forestry and prisons.

                    • BM

                      Your’e not impressed that since 2008 the number of people dying in prison has halved ?

                      I thought that was a great result for National.

                    • McFlock

                      Not really – that chart shows variation from .09 to .14% deaths.
                      A running average might be skewed by one lucky year of only 2 or three deaths, and that’s before we get into the second half of the article which talks about the lack of investigation into prison deaths, which is before we get into whether or not the stats are being juked by serco or anyone else..

                    • Sabine

                      the chart is from 2006. That was well before 2008. So where is the data that supports your claim, because your link does not show a link.

                      http://www.corrections.govt.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/176046/ar2007-complete.pdf
                      so here are the stats from 2006/ 2007
                      un-natural death and suicides down as per the annual report of 2007/8

                      now anual report 2007/2008 Page 24 / 25
                      http://www.corrections.govt.nz/resources/annual-reports5/annual_report_200708.html
                      un-natural death down and so are suicides
                      in fact if you have a look at page 25 you will see that the number has been going down overall with smaller ups in 2003/4 and 2005/06

                      that was before the national government came into power.

                      Now here comes the National Government
                      annual report 2008/2009

                      http://www.corrections.govt.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/674791/08-09_Annual-Report.pdf

                      serious assault….ouch that one . Page 28, Up for Prisoner on Prisoner and Prisoner on Staff
                      Page 28 and 29 unnatural death / suicides same number (5) as it was fro 2007/2008.

                      http://www.corrections.govt.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/674781/Annual_Report_09-10.pdf

                      annual report 2009/10
                      http://www.corrections.govt.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/674781/Annual_Report_09-10.pdf

                      Page 15 unnatural death 6, so up, but they were all apparent suicides. Yes they say that numbers are down since 2006 – but again 2006 – 8 is labour so no credits for national.
                      Prisoner on Prisoner assault up, but no mention on Prisoner to Staff Assaults – no stats provided.

                      http://www.corrections.govt.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/674772/ar-corrections-2010-11.pdf

                      2010/2011
                      Page 13
                      serious assaults Prisoner on Prisoner and Prisoner – Staff up
                      but seriously down compared to 1997/8 (?)

                      Page 18
                      unnatural death up quite a bit (quote The rate of unnatural deaths in custody for the 2010/11
                      financial year was 0.14 per 100 prisoners, reflecting
                      an increase from last year. There have been a total of
                      12 unnatural deaths; seven remand and five sentenced
                      prisoners. All deaths in custody are subject to a
                      Coroner’s inquest. ) ouch.

                      2011/12
                      http://www.corrections.govt.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/633982/ar-corrections-2011-12.pdf
                      Page 20
                      serious assault Prisoner on Prisoner 48 (as 2010/11)
                      and Prisoner – Staff (18 up 7 compared to 2010/11)

                      no information on unnatural death or suicide (did not find it)

                      2012/13
                      Page 17
                      unnatural death – suicide
                      3 unnatural , 5 suicide

                      Page 20
                      serious assault Prisoner On Prisoner – no number mentioned but the graph goes well above the 50
                      Prisoner – Staff 13

                      2013/2014
                      unnatural death – suicide (now named selfharm thread to life incidents (can I add an WTF?)
                      unnatural death 3
                      selfharm thread to life incidents 17

                      assaults Prisoner on Prisoner down from the previous year no only over 40
                      assaults Prisoner on Staff – down to 7

                      So I can’t see how you can celebrate anything as being down, cause clearly it is not.

                      Your blogpost only shows a little graphic to 2006/07 (Labour btw) and then only claims that things are down.

                      Now I have linked to each of the anual reports. And no the stats are not looking good, especially the assaults Prisoner on Prisoner stats, and the ‘selfharm to life incidents’.

                      I guess the dead guy and the guy with the broken ankle and leg would fall under the selfharm to life incidents.

                      Seriously BM, i can understand Party Loyalty and wanting to be a good little follower. But really if you link to a blog post you should make sure that the data mentioned is not easily available as facts have a clearly liberal bias.

                • Kaplan

                  “meeting the criteria set by the government”
                  There is your problem.

                  • dukeofurl

                    Thats what they said about Novapay !

                    Then it was found to be a dog that couldnt be fixed and the government had to’ buy it back’

                    When I heard those aussie voices speaking for Serco, I knew instantly they were never going to win the PR war.

                    Its only a matter of time till their contract is dumped. The public will not listen to those shit faced aussies trying to explain

                • Sabine

                  So you are saying other prisons do it too? Care to link to the articles in the NZ Herald that state the state run prisons where a severly injured prisoner was driven up north to be dumped on another prison to die there?

                  So you are saying its the Officers fault? Not the fault of managment who sets the staff level, and the roosters, and you know ….Manages…. the place?

                  And because there are drugs and fighting in every Prison its okai for Serco and it is equally ok for the state run prisons?

                  And you would be equally happy if this would happen under a labour government or a green government? Right?

                  And why do you have an issue with a ” Union” pointing out that men are dying in state care? Because once they enter a prison they are in the care of the state, regardless of anything.

                  Consider that supposedlyt Serco is providing a better and cheaper service. How can that be, when we have one men in hospital being treated for a broken leg and ankle (again the taxpayer pays for this treatment) and another one is dead? How can Serco provide a ‘better’ service when essentially they are not better then public run prisons?

                  Or are you just trying to derail a discussion about a dead man (that should under no circumstances be dead) and a badly injured man with your crying about evil Unions that talk about stuff that you don’t like they talk about.

                  But really why do you support Serco? Because so far you are only sprouting talking points. Surely you have your own mind and are able to form your own ideas about right and wrong?

                  • ianmac

                    Great work there @1:22 Sabine. Must have taken you ages. The myth that things are improving is busted.

            • maui 8.1.1.1.1.2

              Some seriously embarrassing spin lines coming out today. Ask the majority of the public if they’re happy with Serco running Mt Eden.

            • Molly 8.1.1.1.1.3

              You read puff pieces and use that as your decision making basis?

              Shallow research leads to shallow analysis BM.

            • ankerawshark 8.1.1.1.1.4

              BM I think it is pretty obvious Serco have been lying and covering up (e.g. sending a seriously injured prison to another prison rather than hospital). In the last day or so the SErco boses have even lied to the Minister………….

        • dukeofurl 8.1.1.2

          Didnt you know ? walls have ears!

          • Sabine 8.1.1.2.1

            you know, i really really would like to know why BM and his mates are actually ok with their government waste money like this.

            I would assume that they pay taxes, it is these taxes that any government gets to spend on services like healthcare, education, national defense, and funds our prison system.

            So clearly, If I were a National supporter, I would expect that Mr. Lotu Liga would be a. Tasked to fix it, pronto, or get out of here and make space for someone who will fix it. I would expect that the HeadHoncho for Serco called in to office for a reading of the riot act, and then I expect the company to be charged the penalties for a. letting alcohol, drugs and phones in to a prison. b. charge the penalties for allowing ‘fightclubs’, c. charge the penalties for allowing prisoners to be ‘slipped, tripped, stumbled over balustrades and staircases’.
            Then I would expect that the government requests a full review of the procedures, rule and regulations in regards to running this prison and then I would expect changes to be implemented, starting with an increase in Guards to assure the safety not only of prisoners but also of the Guards.
            And if Serco can’t provide the service they get the boot. Same as with any other service provider that can’t get it done.

            But no, they insist in paying good money for shoddy service and are only upset about the fact that someone calls them out of it.

            Talk about throwing good money after bad money.

        • ankerawshark 8.1.1.3

          ffs BM…………………..blaming the unions is woeful

    • adam 8.2

      Joy here we go, BM building straw men again.

      You forget, a little thing called internet which means the little box you are writing into, is also the little box others can write into. Funny how families who have suffered at the hands of serco, happen to actually talking to each other, and a pretty solid outline has formed of the villainous behaviour of serco – in their desire to make a profit.

      It’s not a conspiracy BM you idiot – it’s the fact this company, and other privately run prisons like it, have a track record of amoral behaviour, essentially on the back of a mad rush to embrace cupidity.

    • Tracey 8.3

      yeah bm… they will put themselves at risk just to make national look bad.

      up there for thinking bm
      down there for dancing.

  9. NZJester 9

    So he and the others accidentally tripped or fell, well that story could be credible if you give them a lot of reasonable doubt. The part that they can not easily explain away with them being accidents is why they then transported the prisoners badly injured to another prison instead of being immediately taken to a hospital to be treated?
    Even if it was an accident there is no way that you send a badly injured person to another prison instead of a hospital.
    Just that alone is reason to charge those who run the prison with negligence.

  10. freedom 10

    Two points to ponder
    Firstly, the staff levels at Mount Eden Corrections Facility are obviously very different to the information that was presented to the Law and Order Committee back in 2011
    http://www.google.co.nz/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=13&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CDwQFjACOApqFQoTCND8gO658sYCFYMupgodQzMD4Q&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.parliament.nz%2Fresource%2Fen-nz%2F50SCLO_ADV_00DBHOH_BILL11157_1_A242780%2Ffef31f3fac5be94569b3508eb987d299520d7205&ei=2H6xVdCwE4PdmAXD5oyIDg&usg=AFQjCNGAooF0JWnBdVENhTn62twquIp6Kg&bvm=bv.98476267,d.dGY

    Corrections Amendment Bill 2011 – Department of
    Corrections Responses to Questions from the Law and
    Order Committee for Consideration at its Meeting on 29
    May 2012

    Staffing numbers at the new Mount Eden Corrections Facility are slightly lower than the combined staff complements of Mount Eden Prison (MEP) and Auckland Central Remand Prison (ACRP). This is made possible by the integration of MEP and ACRP, Serco’s flatter management structure, as well as the significant advantages created by the modern buildings, sophisticated electronic security and the level of observation afforded by the 1300 security cameras on site.
    The following table outlines staffing ratios at MECF in comparison to prisons across the Department’s estate:

    Site Staffing Ratio
    (Staff: Prisoners)
    MECF under Serco 1: 4.95
    Department’s own staffing model for the
    combined Mt Eden Prison and ACRP 1: 3.79
    Spring Hill 1: 3.46

    Which brings us to the second point
    As outlined in the above answer to the Law and Order Committee, Mount Eden Corrections Facility has “1300 security cameras on site”.

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/279553/inmate%27s-father-says-serco-should-go
    “Mr Littleton said when he and his wife asked about security cameras they were told by Serco there were none in that area, which they also found surprising.”

    “None in that area…” ?

    so if cctv is not not near the cells where the initial attack is said to have been initiated, and cctv is not on the walkways outside the cells or down below where the prisoners congregate and where the prisoner sustained his leg injuries, where exactly are the “1300 security cameras on site.”?

    Perhaps the Serco bosses, or the Minister or maybe the PM would like to explain ?

    • ianmac 10.1

      Maybe those cameras happen to be non-functional at times of trouble?

      • freedom 10.1.1

        Serco probably should have said that ianmac, at least it would have given them some wriggle room.

        But for some bizarre reason they went with the ‘no cameras in the area’ option, a statement of questionable integrity given there are “1300 cameras on site” and is also refuted by the photographic evidence, as seen in the first two images accompanying this article, which I am told is indicative of the population areas.
        http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/central-leader/4853262/Mt-Eden-prison-hailed-as-fantastic-facility

        Given their scale and position, the stem cameras in the images are most likely to be multi-lens units with multi-directional (360 degree) viewing of the areas they surveil.

        “1300 cameras on site” for 900+ inmates yet “there were none in that area” ?

  11. emergency mike 11

    I’m hearing the above John Key quote in a mafia godfather voice paraphrased as: “This death is a tragedy. The way I hear it, he tripped over a balcony. It’s just terrible. But you know, accidents happen.”

    And it’s not amusing me.

  12. Gruntie 12

    “One of the claims that had been made, I think, was that someone had been thrown off a balcony – in fact, actually, Serco say that the person jumped off the balcony, or tripped or fell

    Oh well that’s that sorted.”

    Story of the last 7 years

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
    58 mins 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
    1 hour 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 ...
    2 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
    7 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
    7 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
    1 day 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
    5 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
    7 days 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 2024-03-19T04:46:36+00:00