Key caught in MediaWorks lie

Written By: - Date published: 9:18 am, April 9th, 2011 - 85 comments
Categories: accountability, corruption, john key, Media, national, radio, Steven Joyce, tv - Tags: , ,

Following the release of OIA documentation and questioning in the House, John Key has recanted his earlier statement that he hadn’t met with MediaWork’s Brent Impey to discuss a $43 million Government loan. The PM has now admitted that he did indeed meet with the head of Steven Joyce’s former company MediaWorks, which owns TV3, TV4, Radiolive (Paul Henry’s new home) and many other commercial radio stations.

Despite advice from the Treasury and MED that such a loan would be an unjustified risk, and despite previously refusing a similar request from other broadcasters, Key and Joyce decided to extend a line of $43 million dollars’ credit to Joyce’s former company – not long before Government then announced the axing of TVNZ’s Public Broadcasting channel 7.

Now that might all look remarkably shonkey and corrupt, but then again it could be this Government’s first really sound investment: buying favourable media coverage for the Election.

UPDATE: TVNZ covers the story. Oddly enough TV3 is completely silent on the matter.

UPDATE 2: NRT suggests there’s a lot more mess to come

85 comments on “Key caught in MediaWorks lie ”

  1. ghostwhowalksnz 1

    Im wondering if Mediaworks  private equity owners did some lobbying of their own.  Ironbridge Capital  would crawl over broken glass to protect the value of their investment.That is via the National Party president and fundraiser.

    Why else would Radio Rhema , a christian broadcaster get rejected but the aussies  get the nod.
    The time line shows this is how it turned out.

    July 2009: Briefing to Joyce says that MediaWorks boss Brent Impey was working on a different proposal and was lobbying “higher levels” in Government.

    Of course  these things are done by deputies and intermediaries as well , so it looks like everything had hit a roadblock until Impey  had a ‘quiet word’ and all the obstacles went away.

    Would this be another ‘nice to have’ that  ‘Castro’  Key and  ‘Chavez’ English are talking about.

  2. burt 2

    You lefties are so inconsistent. When your favourite bullshit artist Winston was caught telling lies you were proud to be in govt with him and would do it again. Why can’t Key behave like your team did ?

    • Despite your confused revisionism about Peters, it’s good to see that even you Burt acknowledge Key is lying yet again.

      • burt 2.1.1

        Why would I not agree with what looks like the truth ?  I don’t have unquestionable loyalty to a colour.

      • burt 2.1.2

        Oh and as for revisionism… What did the Labour-led govt do about Peters after it was proven he lied… Nothing. Actually they denigrated the process and undermined the significance of the privileges committee. Prior to Winston we use to call the privileges committee the highest court in the land. Would Labour have him back … Well yes they will.   Revisionism is you wipes saying Peters was the victim of an unfair political beat up.

        Grow up and face the music – your team will do anything to hold the levers of power just like the blue team.

    • lprent 2.2

      Burt retrospectively altering the past to the way he thinks it should have been. Nice to see that the right seldom changes their traditional behavior.

      But at least Burt recognizes and acknowledges John Key lying. So Burt, what do you think the penalty should be? Consistent with your expectations of Winston in 08? I think it was expulsion from the house and prosecution? Something like that anyway..

      • burt 2.2.1

        Yes if he’s proven to have lied he should be sent packing from parliament. End of story.  Oh and I think you are being dishonest saying I’m altering the past – can I sack you from this blog for a week because of that ?

        • lprent 2.2.1.1

          You actual statement was:-

          You lefties are so inconsistent. When your favourite bullshit artist Winston was caught telling lies you were proud to be in govt with him and would do it again.

          Your basic problem is that you ALWAYS mistake that saying “there isn’t enough evidence” with “they support him”. A so typical attitude of a lynch mob member as I have previously noted. I’ve called your attitude and the others in that braying mob as being fuckwits at the time and afterwards. I’ve been absolutely consistent

          Now I’m a leftie and I never said I was ‘proud’ to be in government with him. In fact I frequently said the exact opposite. I have also been absolutely consistent with that. I also bemoaned that in my opinion the lynch mob of fools like you would ensure that Winston and NZF would have a much longer political future than if you idiots had not tried to attack him with the filmiest of ‘evidence’. I have also been consistent in saying that political parties work with whatever the electorate gives them.

          Knock yourself out. Try to find something where I have said anything that was actually different (rather than another of your pathetic revisionism of what I meant to say..).

          Now as to Key. There isn’t enough evidence that he knowingly lied at present, and I suspect that there never will be. But as the Sprout noted

          Now that might all look remarkably shonkey and corrupt

          • Draco T Bastard 2.2.1.1.1

            Now as to Key. There isn’t enough evidence that he knowingly lied at present, and I suspect that there never will be.

            I suspect there is as the meetings and what they were about would be in his diary and/or his staff would know about them.

            • lprent 2.2.1.1.1.1

              The key word would be knowingly. He just said that he’d talked to the guy. Problem is that politicians talk to a lot of people, and memories are seldom 100%.

              That it is suspicious is one thing, proving any kind of malfeasance is another.

              • Draco T Bastard

                The meeting would be in his diary and what it was about
                It does seem that the talk changed government policy
                It was a written question

                Memories not being 100% correct is not an excuse as he had time to ensure that he had the correct answer by consulting with his staff.

                • Tigger

                  Plus after Key and Impey spoke Key put stuff in motion. He didn’t remember that? Or didn’t bother to check so that he didn’t mislead Parliament? He’s a liar or sloppy. Either way it’s a big deal.

  3. Colonial Viper 3

    Wait the Govt is helping out a private company which has proven not to be financially not self sustaining?
     
    Then what was the problem with helping out public broadcasting which is here to inform all New Zealanders for the public good?
     
    And didn’t someone say that there was no money left in the kitty? Or was that only for us serfs, there are plenty left for the aristocracy?

    • Draco T Bastard 3.1

      Then what was the problem with helping out public broadcasting which is here to inform all New Zealanders for the public good?

      The obvious problem – it’s there to inform the public.

      And didn’t someone say that there was no money left in the kitty? Or was that only for us serfs, there are plenty left for the aristocracy?

      Apparently there’s plenty for Nationals mates and none for essential services like ensuring that the populace are informed.

    • Bazar 3.2

      Try to get your facts right when you lash out.
      Mediaworks wasn’t given any money. The goverment hasn’t [yet] lost out on any revenue, in fact the agreement is benifical to both parties.
      Instead of collecting the right to broadcast over the air for 20 years, in a lump sum, they get a few years to pay it off, as well as a rather large interest rate.
      The goverment makes more money, mediaworks continues running. Win/win.
       
      It’s possible that mediaworks will colapse before they finish repaying the debt, but then at least the goverment has helped independent media.
      Or would you perfer our only media outlet be from the goverment run TVNZ?

      • handle 3.2.1

        “a rather large interest rate” – flat out wrong. The rate is far less than the standard for a distressed company. If not for its leveraged-to-the gills ownership, Mediaworks could have borrowed at standard rates to meet its core business expenses like every other company does. The government is not meant to be a bank for some firms and not others, and certainly not because of grubby little deals brokered by money traders.

        • mickysavage 3.2.1.1

          It is 11% and as far as I am aware is unsecured.

          I just checked and there is no PPSR registered.

          Unsecured at 11% for a company that is facing hardship and may fail is a really good deal.

      • Hanswurst 3.2.2

        TVNZ isn’t government-run. It is partially government-funded and subject to a charter drawn up by the government, but the government doesn’t “run” it.

  4. kerry 4

    The guy’s a habital liar. I surprised no one has dug into his “I grew up in a state house” lie

    • burt 4.1

      I think the phrase his supporters will use is; We take the honourable member on his word.

      Historically that phase gets used in the same context as ‘Move on’ and ‘not in the public interest to prosecute’.

      His supporters might quietly (and secretly) cringe inside but that won’t stop them arguing with you that he did nothing wrong.

      • todd 4.1.1

        burt, are you David Farrar by any chance?

        [lprent: Speculating on peoples in real life identities is strictly forbidden. If someone wants to use a pseudonym then they can – it will be protected.

        The only people that can ‘out’ people on this site are the moderators. That is simply to stop people doing the sock-puppet trick to avoid getting around bans and warnings, and moderators have enough information to prevent it dropping into flame wars (plus they have me to deal with if they abuse it).

        I can’t see that you have done this before, so you’ll just get a warning. ]

  5. Mac1 5

    After reading the NZ Herald link in the post, I would advise John Key to go for a Judge Only trial, because on the Herald’s evidence any reasonable jury might just convict.

  6. tc 6

    Like Duncan garner needs any encouragement to look away on all the lies and corruption that wafts from this govt whilst he whips up non stories about someone else who dislikes Goff as opposition leader.

    It’s the arrogance and sloppiness around the shonkey deals that grate…..Muldoon would be envious.

    • yep, they really do exude a sense of impugnity don’t they?
      breathtaking arrogance

    • Tigger 6.2

      You certainly won’t see Duncan chasing Key through the halls of Parliament like he did to Chris Carter…one rule for leftie poofs, another for rightie…poofs…

      • the sprout 6.2.1

        You certainly won’t see Duncan chasing Key through the halls of Parliament like he did to Chris Carter

        that would be a very safe bet indeed

  7. Draco T Bastard 7

    On Monday, in answer to written parliamentary questions, Mr Key said he had not had any discussions with MediaWorks, which owns TV3 and a network of radio stations.
    But on Wednesday, he issued a correction, saying he “ran into Brent Impey at a social event [in August] where he briefly raised the issue”.

    Yep, that makes John Key guilty of lying to parliament and means that he must stand down awaiting a Privileges Committee and/or resign. Personally, I think he should be in jail.

    • burt 7.1

      The privileges committee is a kangaroo court isn’t it ?  If found guilty by the privileges committee he just carry’s on in govt till the next election….  Isn’t that how it works ?

      • lprent 7.1.1

        Yes. The privileges committee isn’t a court and is not required to follow either the law or the evidence.

        • burt 7.1.1.1

          “That particular committee made what was clearly a political decision that was markedly unrelated to the actual evidence presented.”

          That is your opinion. I respect that but sadly lprent, you cast yourself as a Winston supporter taking that position. I appreciate you might not be, but you make it look that way.

          edit: You deleted the comment I was talking about… I guess I was right about it painting the wrong picture.

          • lprent 7.1.1.1.1

            Actually I reread your comment that i was replying to and realised that it was more generic about the committee. So I deleted the Winson reference as being irrelevant in the reply.

            But I guess that you have proven my point that I was saying above. I have never supported Winston Peters

            You are a typical lynch mob member. An idiot who thinks that if I don’t agree with your conclusions about where the evidence leads, then I should be strung up as well.

            I guess you just don’t like due process, evidence based judgements and all of those inconvienient things. Too much bother to do things properly? You’re too lazy to think?

            • burt 7.1.1.1.1.1

              Good grace when wrong isn’t one of your strong points is it. If you can find other posts of mine where you can say I’m against due process other than this Winston issue we always bang heads over – then lets get them on the table. 

              IMHO – you should stop pseudo defending Winston by attacking the process he was found guilty under.

              • lprent

                He was never found ‘guilty’. The privileges committee isn’t a court. It is a ineffectual political talkshop which unfortunately has no judicial process or review.

                I have never referred to you as being in a lynch mob avoiding due process except in relation to the Winston Peters thing that I can recall. On this subject you appear to be as obsessed as you are on retrospective legislation. You raise the topic of that farse with the committee and I will express my opinion of people’s behavior.

                I do raise the topic of lynch mob mentalities whenever I see the topic arising. It is something that I despise because it is so stupid.

                • burt

                  The privileges committee isn’t a court. It is a ineffectual political talkshop which unfortunately has no judicial process or review.

                  OK, but it is the process parliament has put in place to deal with MPs telling porkies. After Winston was found by that process to have told porkies he re-filed his party returns to include the donations he had previously denied. The process – such as it is, apparently worked well in this case.

                  You may not like the process, but it is the only one we have for this situation and it was defined by the same people who it is applied to.

                  • lprent

                    After Winston was found by that process to have told porkies he re-filed his party returns to include the donations he had previously denied. The process – such as it is, apparently worked well in this case.

                    Been busy today. However you’re wrong. The privileges committee has absolutely nothing to do with electoral returns.

                    I thought that (from memory) inconsistencies with electoral returns went to the electoral commission, then reviewed through one of the ombudsmen or something like that, and thence to the police and the courts (details escape me – been coding). And didn’t NZ First’s party returns go through that route?

                    Face it – the privileges committee was just pure political grandstanding for the monkey in a yellow suit. Explains that high poll rating for Act compared to NZF doesn’t it..

                    • burt

                      Face it – the privileges committee was just pure political grandstanding for the monkey in a yellow suit. Explains that high poll rating for Act compared to NZF doesn’t it..

                      I agree the whole process of getting MPs to censure MPs is a diabolical farce. It’s yes minister BS at it’s best. BUT, it is the process they have put in place for themselves so they bloody well need to abide by it. Poor picked on woe-is-me Winston can winge all he likes. He would have been grandstanding if he had scalped some ‘secret trust using cash for policy National party liar’.  

                      Likewise your dancing on the head of a pin (legal reason to correct false returns was not the privileges committee ) just shows how difficult it is for Winston to proclaim he didn’t mislead parliament and the people. 

                      All that aside, why not replace the privileges committee for misleading parliament (or the public) with a charge of ‘giving misleading evidence’ and have that tried in court ?  

                      (Apart from the fact the MPs don’t want that, they can’t wriggle out from that and they can’t denigrate that process when it works against them, oh it would also be binding and seen as impartial and have real consequences on their political future)

    • Jim Nald 7.2

      A cangue , a cangue !

      [lprent: Use the link button. ]
       
       

  8. handle 8

    From that Herald story: “October 2009: Draft Cabinet paper notes Treasury opposes the scheme as it overturns long-standing policy and may see others, such as TV companies, ask for similar treatment.

    Also notes a lump sum payment would not threaten the long term viability of MediaWorks or The Radio Network, but it would impact profitability.”

    So it wasn’t to prevent the company falling over, just to safeguard its profit. Nice to have.

    • Draco T Bastard 8.1

      Which shows the shear stupidity of NZ management. It protects this years profit but makes the total profit over the next five years even lower by the amount of interest that they’re going to have to pay.

      • William Joyce 8.1.1

        It is not just NZ management. It is a product of short-termist thinking. This can be found in pollies, Heads of Departments, CEOs etc.
        Do what is necessary so that the bottom lines looks good for the next reporting period, note that little fact on your cv, trade up to another job on the basis of short term results.
        The trick is to stay one step ahead of the chickens – because they all will come home to roost.
        When the fit hits the shan where are these people – where’s Max Bradford for instance when I come to pay my power bill?

  9. illuminatedtiger 9

    Why are people surprised? Key’s a compulsive liar.

  10. tsmithfield 10

    Shock. Horror. My company gets a loan from the government as well. Its called the customs deferred payment scheme that gives companies 30 days to pay for GST on imports rather than paying when the goods arrive at port.

    • handle 10.1

      Did you need a quiet word with the PM to get it?

    • burt 10.2

      tsmithfield

      You have missed one key point. That type of “loan” is available to all under legislation. It is not something done in secret and denied publicly till such time as it can’t be hidden anymore.  

      Don’t be an apologist for this shabby dishonest behaviour.

      • tsmithfield 10.2.1

        My understanding is that the mediaworks situation is quite similar in that the payment is deferred. I believe it is different in that mediaworks had to pay interest on the money whereas we don’t on the customs deferred scheme.

        My point is that it is quite common for the government to do this sort of thing, so extending a similar arrangement to another organisation can’t be seen as that unusual.

        • burt 10.2.1.1

          So, do you want to talk about the transparency and the availability of this provision for all ?

        • handle 10.2.1.2

          Nice try but there is no meaningful equivalence.
           
          Broadcasters knew they had to make provision for license renewal fees but chose not to. They asked for an exceptional bridging finance deal which Treasury identified as outside government’s role, and which was set at a fraction of  the commercial equivalent for distressed companies.

          One of the broadcasters further lobbied government after being told no. The lobbying paid off but Key lied about it and only fessed up when confronted with OIA facts.
           
          This is not going to bring them down as some fantasise, but it still stinks.

          • tsmithfield 10.2.1.2.1

            What about companies that approach IRD for an arrangement to pay tax debt. They have their own cosy little chat with the government and come up with a special deal. If companies can deal with one branch of the government on a confidential basis, then why not another. After, in the end the government all folds back to one entity.

            • handle 10.2.1.2.1.1

              Unless those companies get turned down by IRD and then sidle up to the PM at a cocktail function, you’re stretching again. And you are mis-understanding the difference between operational and governance arms of government.

            • burt 10.2.1.2.1.2

              They don’t have their cosy little chat with the government. They have a pragmatic financial discussion with the policy independent enforcers of tax legislation. 

              For gods sake ts – how fast is this going to need to spin before we all just see a blur you want us to see. 

              captcha: standards

  11. Hmm, looks pretty clear.  Either Key lied or he has an appallingly bad memory.  Mind you he says that he cannot recall his views on the Springbok tour so maybe …

    Farrar has not replied yet.  I can almost hear the spinning from here …

    Another strange consequence is that NZ Inc is potentially in the lurch for millions of dollars if any of the companies fail.  Crony capitalism anyone?

    • tsmithfield 11.1

      Not a lie at all. The only reason you lot are squealing about it at the moment is that Key has issued the correction. If someone makes a statement, realises later it wasn’t absolutely accurate, and then issues a correction, that is evidence that the person concerned is taking necessary action to ensure the information provided is accurate. This is to be commended, not condemned.

      • burt 11.1.1

        I’ll commend that behaviour when it happens before an OIA request proves the previous statement wrong. If it takes an OIA request to get the admission and correction then… well – you work it out.

      • south paw 11.1.2

        tsmithfield, you should submit your CV to Farrar, you would excel.

      • mickysavage 11.1.3

        You are joking TS.

        Key says firstly he did not meet Mediaworks, then he says that he did meet and the fruit of this meeting is that he then paves the way for Mediaworks to get preferential treatment.

        It smells.

        Some Crony capitalism examples that have occurred recently:

        Mediaworks
        AMI Stadiul
        South Canterbury Finance
        AMI
        Ngati Whatua …

        • Colonial Viper 11.1.3.1

          Isn’t admitting that you are lying once irrefutable evidence comes to light that you have been from the start a creditable thing to do? 🙄

      • freedom 11.1.4

        Ttsmithfield, Let me get this straight…you want to defend and commend the PM for privately discussing multi million dollar bailouts at a cocktail party.

        Congratulations you just become an even bigger ——- than i thought you were .

        yes i said privately, because if they were not private he would have had records of the conversation and they would have happened in the presence of others, like they are supposed to. if you cannot or will not see that the PM  is a lying sack of Shylocks’ kidneys then you really are a dimwitted propoganda parrot with no interest in reality

  12. Fat Uncle 12

    In the weekend Herald buried in the middle some where under Key tells another lie to everyone, and yawn in sport…

  13. ak 13

    Reeks to high heaven and back again.

    As we mortgage our mokopuna, on the top of billions, more taxpayer millions to rich cronies – this time a blatant payback and down-payment for sympathetic media treatment, cooked up in back rooms by the minister and his mates, then lied about by the Slime Minister till cornered.

    Still, no need to get retrospectively agitated burt.  It’s not as if they sat in the back of a speeding car or signed a painting for charity, for heck’s sake.  How’d you do that again?  oh that’s right, pick any item and repeat ad infinitum:

    corruptcorruptcorruptcorruptcorruptcorruptcorruptcorruptcorruptcorruptcorrupt

    • burt 13.1

      Parties have changed, I agree with you this time. Case closed.

      • ak 13.1.1

        Oh quite, dear burt, and spiffing non-partisan judgement on your part.  

        Case closed indeed, yet worth making the point again, you’ll surely also agree, that were the slipper on the other foot so to speak three years ago, the case would most certainly not only not be closed, but rather opener than the openest opening in Opensville, with wall-to-wall hysterical corrupto/arrogant/out-of-touchiness on every forum available, maybe a Stalin/Key red-front-page or two and incessant screams, media mauls and breathless Duncans, Guyons, try-ons and klingons from here to Haitaitai and breakfast to bed and beyond with several and sundry shrieking talkback marathons in between.

        Why the difference?

        Simple:  look at this very case.  Backroom taxpayer funds to whom? 

        Looks awfully like the fetid tip of a very extensive and long-standing iceberg of corruption.  But don’t expect suicide-by-pen by the perpetrators:  case probably closed indeed.  

        • burt 13.1.1.1

          Why the difference? I don’t really think there is one but they way you are going on there must be.

          Oh I know. The taxpayer funds went to a company rather than to National themselves to spend on winning an election. The other difference of course is that National haven’t yet used parliament under urgency to say “STFU” to the tax payers. (yet…)

          • Draco T Bastard 13.1.1.1.1

            They’ve used urgency more than any other government and quite often on non-urgent legislation.

          • felix 13.1.1.1.2

            Oh I know. The taxpayer funds went to a company rather than to National themselves to spend on winning an election.
             

            Or did the funds go to one of the biggest media companies in the country for precisely that reason?

        • marsman 13.1.1.2

          Very well put ak.

        • rosy 13.1.1.3

          I just have to quote this again, this is so awesome AK, especially when read aloud. And so true. A political Dr Seuss  (I hope your not offended). Fantastic 🙂

          “Case closed indeed, yet worth making the point again, you’ll surely also agree, that were the slipper on the other foot so to speak three years ago, the case would most certainly not only not be closed, but rather opener than the openest opening in Opensville, with wall-to-wall hysterical corrupto/arrogant/out-of-touchiness on every forum available, maybe a Stalin/Key red-front-page or two and incessant screams, media mauls and breathless Duncans, Guyons, try-ons and klingons from here to Haitaitai and breakfast to bed and beyond with several and sundry shrieking talkback marathons in between.”

  14. Im hoping Key is in  trouble ,but I bet he  will smile wave and shrug and the great unwashed will,say what a lovely man. .

    I cant understand it ,If this had been a Labour person it would be headline news for weeks.
    I will not give up fighting for the political,Left but I must admit I sometimes think I am banging  my poor head against a brick wall.

  15. Irascible 15

    Key looks and sounds like Carroll’s Humpty-Dumpty every day. Words mean only what he wants them to mean at the time he uses them and change with the believer every day.
    Whose transparent blind trust are Mediaworks shares held by now?

    • logie97 15.1
      Just another case of being economical with truth.
      Remember the Franscesca Mold interview over Tranzrail shares?
      And of course the meme in the last election was about Trust –
      the Mums and Dads investors like Mr and Mrs Aldgate-Whitechapel type of trust perhaps?
  16. Tanz 16

    Why trust an ex money trader,anyway? The man escaped with millions while at Merryl Lynch. How could this have been made with integrity? Those eyes. He looks a bit edgy in that photo.

  17. As a broadcaster… well a former one anyway… I have an additional concern to those already expressed above.

    What is the quid pro quo offered by Brent Impey in return for all this nice low-interest money?

    And how wil he enforce it on those of his on air minions who don’t happen to agree with saying what they’re meant to say?

    Perhaps it’s time for me to regale the world with the story of how and why Impey and Lowe pulled the plug on Radio Pacific Waikato when I worked there… bit problematic to do it here, lest the Standardistas find themselves co-defendants in a defamation suit.

    Though if there’s anyone reading with both Parliamentary privilege and a the required testicular fortitude, they might be inclined to ask…

    • felix 17.1

      What is the quid pro quo offered by Brent Impey in return for all this nice low-interest money?

      Good question. Looks to me like we just paid for MediaWorks to hire Paul Henry.

  18. Deadly_NZ 18

    Because he has just bought the NACTS a TV channel so all the news that is the news will be rewritten to make them look good.  It looks like a lot of complaints to the broadcasting regulator could be instore for favouritism.

  19. AndrewK 19

    The only problem I have with the concern that the carrot offered to Media Works will offer an incentive for them to portray National Party dogma more sympathetically is they didn’t require that incentive in the first place. As a privately owned corporation that derives its income from selling its listener’s attention to other privately owned businesses its primary sympathies already lie with the kind of neo-liberal snake oil being peddled by ‘Honest’ John.

    It reminds me of an anecdote I heard John Pilger impart on a video I saw of a talk he was giving. He was speaking of some Russian journalists who, during the cold war, were in the US to observe the local media. They were absolutely astounded! As one Russian journalist pointed out, “In Russia, when the state wants the news to be reported favourably they torture and imprison journalists who do not adhere to the official line. Here, in the US, there is no torture, no prison, no fear of being disappeared by the secret police, yet all the newspapers and television channels report exactly the same thing, exactly what the authourities want them to,…it’s amazing.”

    To quote Gil Scott-Heron: “The revolution will not be televised.”

  20. belladonna 20

    I am assuming the fact that the 2 left wing hosts on Radio Live are missing in action at the moment is purely accidental!

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    Tinting car windows offers numerous benefits, including enhanced privacy, reduced glare, UV protection, and a more stylish look for your vehicle. However, the cost of window tinting can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article provides a comprehensive guide to help you understand how much you can expect to ...
    4 hours ago
  • Why Does My Car Smell Like Gas? A Comprehensive Guide to Diagnosing and Fixing the Issue
    The pungent smell of gasoline in your car can be an alarming and potentially dangerous problem. Not only is the odor unpleasant, but it can also indicate a serious issue with your vehicle’s fuel system. In this article, we will explore the various reasons why your car may smell like ...
    4 hours ago
  • How to Remove Tree Sap from Car A Comprehensive Guide
    Tree sap can be a sticky, unsightly mess on your car’s exterior. It can be difficult to remove, but with the right techniques and products, you can restore your car to its former glory. Understanding Tree Sap Tree sap is a thick, viscous liquid produced by trees to seal wounds ...
    4 hours ago
  • How Much Paint Do You Need to Paint a Car?
    The amount of paint needed to paint a car depends on a number of factors, including the size of the car, the number of coats you plan to apply, and the type of paint you are using. In general, you will need between 1 and 2 gallons of paint for ...
    4 hours ago
  • Can You Jump a Car in the Rain? Safety Precautions and Essential Steps
    Jump-starting a car is a common task that can be performed even in adverse weather conditions like rain. However, safety precautions and proper techniques are crucial to avoid potential hazards. This comprehensive guide will provide detailed instructions on how to safely jump a car in the rain, ensuring both your ...
    4 hours ago
  • Can taxpayers be confident PIJF cash was spent wisely?
    Graham Adams writes about the $55m media fund — When Patrick Gower was asked by Mike Hosking last week what he would say to the many Newstalk ZB callers who allege the Labour government bribed media with $55 million of taxpayers’ money via the Public Interest Journalism Fund — and ...
    Point of OrderBy gadams1000
    10 hours ago
  • EGU2024 – An intense week of joining sessions virtually
    Note: this blog post has been put together over the course of the week I followed the happenings at the conference virtually. Should recordings of the Great Debates and possibly Union Symposia mentioned below, be released sometime after the conference ends, I'll include links to the ones I participated in. ...
    12 hours ago
  • Submission on “Fast Track Approvals Bill”
    The following was my submission made on the “Fast Track Approvals Bill”. This potential law will give three Ministers unchecked powers, un-paralled since the days of Robert Muldoon’s “Think Big” projects.The submission is written a bit tongue-in-cheek. But it’s irreverent because the FTAB is in itself not worthy of respect. ...
    Frankly SpeakingBy Frank Macskasy
    13 hours ago
  • The Case for a Universal Family Benefit
    One Could Reduce Child Poverty At No Fiscal CostFollowing the Richardson/Shipley 1990 ‘redesign of the welfare state’ – which eliminated the universal Family Benefit and doubled the rate of child poverty – various income supplements for families have been added, the best known being ‘Working for Families’, introduced in 2005. ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    14 hours ago
  • A who’s who of New Zealand’s dodgiest companies
    Submissions on National's corrupt Muldoonist fast-track law are due today (have you submitted?), and just hours before they close, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop has been forced to release the list of companies he invited to apply. I've spent the last hour going through it in an epic thread of bleats, ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    16 hours ago
  • On Lee’s watch, Economic Development seems to be stuck on scoring points from promoting sporting e...
    Buzz from the Beehive A few days ago, Point of Order suggested the media must be musing “on why Melissa is mute”. Our article reported that people working in the beleaguered media industry have cause to yearn for a minister as busy as Melissa Lee’s ministerial colleagues and we drew ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    17 hours ago
  • New Zealand has never been closed for business
    1. What was The Curse of Jim Bolger?a. Winston Peters b. Soon after shaking his hand, world leaders would mysteriously lose office or shuffle off this mortal coilc. Could never shake off the Mother of All Budgetsd. Dandruff2. True or false? The Chairman of a Kiwi export business has asked the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    18 hours ago
  • Stop the panic – we’ve been here before
    Jack Vowles writes – New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    20 hours ago
  • Melissa Lee and the media: ending the quest
    Chris Trotter writes –  MELISSA LEE should be deprived of her ministerial warrant. Her handling – or non-handling – of the crisis engulfing the New Zealand news media has been woeful. The fate of New Zealand’s two linear television networks, a question which the Minister of Broadcasting, Communications ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    22 hours ago
  • The Hoon around the week to April 19
    TL;DR: The podcast above features co-hosts and , along with regular guests Robert Patman on Gaza and AUKUS II, and on climate change.The six things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    22 hours ago
  • The ‘Humpty Dumpty’ end result of dismantling our environmental protections
    Policymakers rarely wish to make plain or visible their desire to dismantle environmental policy, least of all to the young. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s the top five news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above between Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    23 hours ago
  • Nicola's Salad Days.
    I like to keep an eye on what’s happening in places like the UK, the US, and over the ditch with our good mates the Aussies. Let’s call them AUKUS, for want of a better collective term. More on that in a bit.It used to be, not long ago, that ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    23 hours ago
  • Study sees climate change baking in 19% lower global income by 2050
    TL;DR: The global economy will be one fifth smaller than it would have otherwise been in 2050 as a result of climate damage, according to a new study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) and published in the journal Nature. (See more detail and analysis below, and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    24 hours ago
  • Weekly Roundup 19-April-2024
    It’s Friday again. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week on Greater Auckland On Tuesday Matt covered at the government looking into a long tunnel for Wellington. On Wednesday we ran a post from Oscar Simms on some lessons from Texas. AT’s ...
    1 day ago
  • Jack Vowles: Stop the panic – we’ve been here before
    New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’.  The data is from February this ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    1 day ago
  • Clearing up confusion (or trying to)
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters is understood to be planning a major speech within the next fortnight to clear up the confusion over whether or not New Zealand might join the AUKUS submarine project. So far, there have been conflicting signals from the Government. RNZ reported the Prime Minister yesterday in ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 day ago
  • How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log iPhone Without Computer
    How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log on iPhone Without a Computer: A StepbyStep Guide Losing your iPhone call history can be frustrating, especially when you need to find a specific number or recall an important conversation. But before you panic, know that there are ways to retrieve deleted call logs on your iPhone, even without a computer. This guide will explore various methods, ranging from simple checks to utilizing iCloud backups and thirdparty applications. So, lets dive in and recover those lost calls! 1. Check Recently Deleted Folder: Apple understands that accidental deletions happen. Thats why they introduced the Recently Deleted folder for various apps, including the Phone app. This folder acts as a safety net, storing deleted call logs for up to 30 days before permanently erasing them. Heres how to check it: Open the Phone app on your iPhone. Tap on the Recents tab at the bottom. Scroll to the top and tap on Edit. Select Show Recently Deleted. Browse the list to find the call logs you want to recover. Tap on the desired call log and choose Recover to restore it to your call history. 2. Restore from iCloud Backup: If you regularly back up your iPhone to iCloud, you might be able to retrieve your deleted call log from a previous backup. However, keep in mind that this process will restore your entire phone to the state it was in at the time of the backup, potentially erasing any data added since then. Heres how to restore from an iCloud backup: Go to Settings > General > Reset. Choose Erase All Content and Settings. Follow the onscreen instructions. Your iPhone will restart and show the initial setup screen. Choose Restore from iCloud Backup during the setup process. Select the relevant backup that contains your deleted call log. Wait for the restoration process to complete. 3. Explore ThirdParty Apps (with Caution): ...
    1 day ago
  • How to Factory Reset iPhone without Computer: A Comprehensive Guide to Restoring your Device
    Life throws curveballs, and sometimes, those curveballs necessitate wiping your iPhone clean and starting anew. Whether you’re facing persistent software glitches, preparing to sell your device, or simply wanting a fresh start, knowing how to factory reset iPhone without a computer is a valuable skill. While using a computer with ...
    2 days ago
  • How to Call Someone on a Computer: A Guide to Voice and Video Communication in the Digital Age
    Gone are the days when communication was limited to landline phones and physical proximity. Today, computers have become powerful tools for connecting with people across the globe through voice and video calls. But with a plethora of applications and methods available, how to call someone on a computer might seem ...
    2 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #16 2024
    Open access notables Glacial isostatic adjustment reduces past and future Arctic subsea permafrost, Creel et al., Nature Communications: Sea-level rise submerges terrestrial permafrost in the Arctic, turning it into subsea permafrost. Subsea permafrost underlies ~ 1.8 million km2 of Arctic continental shelf, with thicknesses in places exceeding 700 m. Sea-level variations over glacial-interglacial cycles control ...
    2 days ago
  • Where on a Computer is the Operating System Generally Stored? Delving into the Digital Home of your ...
    The operating system (OS) is the heart and soul of a computer, orchestrating every action and interaction between hardware and software. But have you ever wondered where on a computer is the operating system generally stored? The answer lies in the intricate dance between hardware and software components, particularly within ...
    2 days ago
  • How Many Watts Does a Laptop Use? Understanding Power Consumption and Efficiency
    Laptops have become essential tools for work, entertainment, and communication, offering portability and functionality. However, with rising energy costs and growing environmental concerns, understanding a laptop’s power consumption is more important than ever. So, how many watts does a laptop use? The answer, unfortunately, isn’t straightforward. It depends on several ...
    2 days ago
  • How to Screen Record on a Dell Laptop A Guide to Capturing Your Screen with Ease
    Screen recording has become an essential tool for various purposes, such as creating tutorials, capturing gameplay footage, recording online meetings, or sharing information with others. Fortunately, Dell laptops offer several built-in and external options for screen recording, catering to different needs and preferences. This guide will explore various methods on ...
    2 days ago
  • How Much Does it Cost to Fix a Laptop Screen? Navigating Repair Options and Costs
    A cracked or damaged laptop screen can be a frustrating experience, impacting productivity and enjoyment. Fortunately, laptop screen repair is a common service offered by various repair shops and technicians. However, the cost of fixing a laptop screen can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article delves into the ...
    2 days ago
  • How Long Do Gaming Laptops Last? Demystifying Lifespan and Maximizing Longevity
    Gaming laptops represent a significant investment for passionate gamers, offering portability and powerful performance for immersive gaming experiences. However, a common concern among potential buyers is their lifespan. Unlike desktop PCs, which allow for easier component upgrades, gaming laptops have inherent limitations due to their compact and integrated design. This ...
    2 days ago
  • Climate Change: Turning the tide
    The annual inventory report of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions has been released, showing that gross emissions have dropped for the third year in a row, to 78.4 million tons: All-told gross emissions have decreased by over 6 million tons since the Zero Carbon Act was passed in 2019. ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago
  • How to Unlock Your Computer A Comprehensive Guide to Regaining Access
    Experiencing a locked computer can be frustrating, especially when you need access to your files and applications urgently. The methods to unlock your computer will vary depending on the specific situation and the type of lock you encounter. This guide will explore various scenarios and provide step-by-step instructions on how ...
    2 days ago
  • Faxing from Your Computer A Modern Guide to Sending Documents Digitally
    While the world has largely transitioned to digital communication, faxing still holds relevance in certain industries and situations. Fortunately, gone are the days of bulky fax machines and dedicated phone lines. Today, you can easily send and receive faxes directly from your computer, offering a convenient and efficient way to ...
    2 days ago
  • Protecting Your Home Computer A Guide to Cyber Awareness
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    2 days ago
  • Server-Based Computing Powering the Modern Digital Landscape
    In the ever-evolving world of technology, server-based computing has emerged as a cornerstone of modern digital infrastructure. This article delves into the concept of server-based computing, exploring its various forms, benefits, challenges, and its impact on the way we work and interact with technology. Understanding Server-Based Computing: At its core, ...
    2 days ago
  • Vroom vroom go the big red trucks
    The absolute brass neck of this guy.We want more medical doctors, not more spin doctors, Luxon was saying a couple of weeks ago, and now we’re told the guy has seven salaried adults on TikTok duty. Sorry, doing social media. The absolute brass neck of it. The irony that the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • Jones finds $410,000 to help the government muscle in on a spat project
    Buzz from the Beehive Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones relishes spatting and eagerly takes issue with environmentalists who criticise his enthusiasm for resource development. He relishes helping the fishing industry too. And so today, while the media are making much of the latest culling in the public service to ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago
  • Again, hate crimes are not necessarily terrorism.
    Having written, taught and worked for the US government on issues involving unconventional warfare and terrorism for 30-odd years, two things irritate me the most when the subject is discussed in public. The first is the Johnny-come-lately academics-turned-media commentators who … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    2 days ago
  • Despair – construction consenting edition
    Eric Crampton writes – Kainga Ora is the government’s house building agency. It’s been building a lot of social housing. Kainga Ora has its own (but independent) consenting authority, Consentium. It’s a neat idea. Rather than have to deal with building consents across each different territorial authority, Kainga Ora ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • Coalition promises – will the Govt keep the commitment to keep Kiwis equal before the law?
    Muriel Newman writes – The Coalition Government says it is moving with speed to deliver campaign promises and reverse the damage done by Labour. One of their key commitments is to “defend the principle that New Zealanders are equal before the law.” To achieve this, they have pledged they “will not advance ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • An impermanent public service is a guarantee of very little else but failure
    Chris Trotter writes –  The absence of anything resembling a fightback from the public servants currently losing their jobs is interesting. State-sector workers’ collective fatalism in the face of Coalition cutbacks indicates a surprisingly broad acceptance of impermanence in the workplace. Fifty years ago, lay-offs in the thousands ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • What happens after the war – Mariupol
    Mariupol, on the Azov Sea coast, was one of the first cities to suffer almost complete destruction after the start of the Ukraine War started in late February 2022. We remember the scenes of absolute destruction of the houses and city structures. The deaths of innocent civilians – many of ...
    2 days ago
  • Babies and benefits – no good news
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – Ten years ago, I wrote the following in a Listener column: Every year around one in five new-born babies will be reliant on their caregivers benefit by Christmas. This pattern has persisted from at least 1993. For Maori the number jumps to over one in three.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • Should the RBNZ be looking through climate inflation?
    Climate change is expected to generate more and more extreme events, delivering a sort of structural shock to inflation that central banks will have to react to as if they were short-term cyclical issues. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours, as of 9:16 am on Thursday, April 18 are:Housing: Tauranga residents living in boats, vans RNZ Checkpoint Louise TernouthHousing: Waikato councillor says wastewater plant issues could hold up Sleepyhead building a massive company town Waikato Times Stephen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the public sector carnage, and misogyny as terrorism
    It’s a simple deal. We pay taxes in order to finance the social services we want and need. The carnage now occurring across the public sector though, is breaking that contract. Over 3,000 jobs have been lost so far. Many are in crucial areas like Education where the impact of ...
    2 days ago
  • Meeting the Master Baiters
    Hi,A friend had their 40th over the weekend and decided to theme it after Curb Your Enthusiasm fashion icon Susie Greene. Captured in my tiny kitchen before I left the house, I ending up evoking a mix of old lesbian and Hillary Clinton — both unintentional.Me vs Hillary ClintonIf you’re ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago
  • How extreme was the Earth's temperature in 2023
    This is a re-post from Andrew Dessler at the Climate Brink blog In 2023, the Earth reached temperature levels unprecedented in modern times. Given that, it’s reasonable to ask: What’s going on? There’s been lots of discussions by scientists about whether this is just the normal progression of global warming or if something ...
    2 days ago
  • Backbone, revisited
    The schools are on holiday and the sun is shining in the seaside village and all day long I have been seeing bunches of bikes; Mums, Dads, teens and toddlers chattering, laughing, happy, having a bloody great time together. Cheers, AT, for the bits of lane you’ve added lately around the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Ministers are not above the law
    Today in our National-led authoritarian nightmare: Shane Jones thinks Ministers should be above the law: New Zealand First MP Shane Jones is accusing the Waitangi Tribunal of over-stepping its mandate by subpoenaing a minister for its urgent hearing on the Oranga Tamariki claim. The tribunal is looking into the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • What’s the outfit you can hear going down the gurgler? Probably it’s David Parker’s Oceans Sec...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point  of Order first heard of the Oceans Secretariat in June 2021, when David Parker (remember him?) announced a multi-agency approach to protecting New Zealand’s marine ecosystems and fisheries. Parker (holding the Environment, and Oceans and Fisheries portfolios) broke the news at the annual Forest & ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Bryce Edwards writes  – Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Matt Doocey doubles down on trans “healthcare”
    Citizen Science writes –  Last week saw two significant developments in the debate over the treatment of trans-identifying children and young people – the release in Britain of the final report of Dr Hilary Cass’s review into gender healthcare, and here in New Zealand, the news that the ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • A TikTok Prime Minister.
    One night while sleeping in my bed I had a beautiful dreamThat all the people of the world got together on the same wavelengthAnd began helping one anotherNow in this dream, universal love was the theme of the dayPeace and understanding and it happened this wayAfter such an eventful day ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Texas Lessons
    This is a guest post by Oscar Simms who is a housing activist, volunteer for the Coalition for More Homes, and was the Labour Party candidate for Auckland Central at the last election. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    3 days ago
  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links at 6:06 am
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours as of 6:06 am on Wednesday, April 17 are:Must read: Secrecy shrouds which projects might be fast-tracked RNZ Farah HancockScoop: Revealed: Luxon has seven staffers working on social media content - partly paid for by taxpayer Newshub ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Fighting poverty on the holiday highway
    Turning what Labour called the “holiday highway” into a four-lane expressway from Auckland to Whangarei could bring at least an economic benefit of nearly two billion a year for Northland each year. And it could help bring an end to poverty in one of New Zealand’s most deprived regions. The ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago
  • Bernard's six-stack of substacks at 6:26 pm
    Tonight’s six-stack includes: launching his substack with a bunch of his previous documentaries, including this 1992 interview with Dame Whina Cooper. and here crew give climate activists plenty to do, including this call to submit against the Fast Track Approvals bill. writes brilliantly here on his substack ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • At a glance – Is the science settled?
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    4 days ago
  • Apposite Quotations.
    How Long Is Long Enough? Gaza under Israeli bombardment, July 2014. This posting is exclusive to Bowalley Road. ...
    4 days ago
  • What’s a life worth now?
    You're in the mall when you hear it: some kind of popping sound in the distance, kids with fireworks, maybe. But then a moment of eerie stillness is followed by more of the fireworks sound and there’s also screaming and shrieking and now here come people running for their lives.Does ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • Howling at the Moon
    Karl du Fresne writes –  There’s a crisis in the news media and the media are blaming it on everyone except themselves. Culpability is being deflected elsewhere – mainly to the hapless Minister of Communications, Melissa Lee, and the big social media platforms that are accused of hoovering ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Newshub is Dead.
    I don’t normally send out two newsletters in a day but I figured I’d say something about… the news. If two newsletters is a bit much then maybe just skip one, I don’t want to overload people. Alternatively if you’d be interested in sometimes receiving multiple, smaller updates from me, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Seymour is chuffed about cutting early-learning red tape – but we hear, too, that Jones has loose...
    Buzz from the Beehive David Seymour and Winston Peters today signalled that at least two ministers of the Crown might be in Wellington today. Seymour (as Associate Minister of Education) announced the removal of more red tape, this time to make it easier for new early learning services to be ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. Our political system is suffering from the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago
  • Was Hawkesby entirely wrong?
    David Farrar  writes –  The Broadcasting Standards Authority ruled: Comments by radio host Kate Hawkesby suggesting Māori and Pacific patients were being prioritised for surgery due to their ethnicity were misleading and discriminatory, the Broadcasting Standards Authority has found. It is a fact such patients are prioritised. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • PRC shadow looms as the Solomons head for election
    PRC and its proxies in Solomons have been preparing for these elections for a long time. A lot of money, effort and intelligence have gone into ensuring an outcome that won’t compromise Beijing’s plans. Cleo Paskall writes – On April 17th the Solomon Islands, a country of ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Climate Change: Criminal ecocide
    We are in the middle of a climate crisis. Last year was (again) the hottest year on record. NOAA has just announced another global coral bleaching event. Floods are threatening UK food security. So naturally, Shane Jones wants to make it easier to mine coal: Resources Minister Shane Jones ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Is saving one minute of a politician's time worth nearly $1 billion?
    Is speeding up the trip to and from Wellington airport by 12 minutes worth spending up more than $10 billion? Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me in the last day to 8:26 am today are:The Lead: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Long Tunnel or Long Con?
    Yesterday it was revealed that Transport Minister had asked Waka Kotahi to look at the options for a long tunnel through Wellington. State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the ...
    4 days ago

  • $41m to support clean energy in South East Asia
    New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    16 hours ago
  • Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder list
    The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago
  • Judicial appointments announced
    Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    19 hours ago
  • Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
    Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa.  The summit is co-hosted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago
  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
    A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago
  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.    “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago
  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
    Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago
  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
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  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
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  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
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  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
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    3 days ago
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    3 days ago
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  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
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    3 days ago
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    4 days ago
  • Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.   Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
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    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.  During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
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    5 days ago
  • Antarctica New Zealand Board appointments
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    Finance Minister Nicola Willis will travel to the United States on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Five Finance Ministers group, with counterparts from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.  “I am looking forward to meeting with our Five Finance partners on how we can work ...
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    The coalition Government has today announced purrfect and pawsitive changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to give tenants with pets greater choice when looking for a rental property, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Pets are important members of many Kiwi families. It’s estimated that around 64 per cent of New ...
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    5 days ago
  • Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being considered
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  • New Zealand condemns Iranian strikes
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel.    “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says.    "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...
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  • Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plans
    Hundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...
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  • Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand Chair
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board.   “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti.  “I have asked her to ...
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  • Roads of National Significance planning underway
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  • Navigating an unstable global environment
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  • NZ welcomes Australian Governor-General
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...
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  • Pseudoephedrine back on shelves for Winter
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  • NZ and the US: an ever closer partnership
    New Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...
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    1 week ago
  • Joint US and NZ declaration
    April 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...
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    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced further New Zealand cooperation with the United States in the Pacific Islands region through $16.4 million in funding for initiatives in digital connectivity and oceans and fisheries research.   “New Zealand can achieve more in the Pacific if we work together more urgently and ...
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