Key needs time to get his story straight

Written By: - Date published: 2:48 pm, April 5th, 2013 - 130 comments
Categories: accountability, john key, Media, Parliament - Tags: ,

Interesting John Key interview / backrub on RadioLive this afternoon (ht idelgus in comments). No transcript or other reporting that I know of, but you can find it at the RadioLive audio section for today, segments starting 12:15 (especially 8 min in and 11 min) and 12:30pm. (Update: Coverage at Stuff, from BM in comments.)

Key says that he needs to change what he does, and he won’t be answering questions about his past actions any more, unless they are written in advance.

“There will be no more answering of questions straight away, if I need to get details.” (12:15 clip 11min)

Some on Twitter have interpreted this to mean that he won’t answer interview questions either, but as far as I can tell the comments referred to question time in Parliament.

Brain fades – yeah right. Clearly Key feels that he’s getting caught out too often, his lying is really starting to damage him, and he needs time to get his story straight in future. I don’t recall any previous PM refusing to answer questions live, and this will be a massive abdication of accountability on the part of a petulant and defensive Key.

Quote of the day:

If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything.
— Mark Twain

130 comments on “Key needs time to get his story straight ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Matthew 1
    5 April 2013 at 2:50 pm

    John Key is a liar, & now needs time to prepare his lies, & crosscheck it with his other lies

    • David H 1.1
      5 April 2013 at 7:30 pm

      That’s the thing about being a liar, you have to have a very good memory, and Key ain’t.

      • UpandComer 1.1.1
        6 April 2013 at 12:21 am

        I know it’s difficult for Labour people to understand, but successful people have very active lives, filled with lots of things happening. Being asked to recall in detail stuff that happened 18 months agol, when much has happened in the interim, without a little bit of time to check, is indeed quite difficult.

        I think you will find that a strong memory is a prerequisite to John’s former line of work.

        • felix 1.1.1.1
          6 April 2013 at 12:24 am

          I think you’ll find that when honest people genuinely can’t remember something they’ll say so rather than just make shit up.

        • Tiresias 1.1.1.2
          6 April 2013 at 10:01 am

          One of the ingredients for success is the ability to remember what matters from a lot longer than 18 months ago – not detail such as word for word what was said (unless the precise meaning of what was said was important), what everyone ate or what they wore but what outcomes were.

          No ‘successful people’ last very long if they forget complete meetings, let alone what the outcome of those meetings were and how they affected on-going plots, plans and schemings.

    • Bob 1.2
      5 April 2013 at 8:41 pm

      John key is such a fuckwit
      One day our journos will wake up to him and stop sucking

    • UpandComer 1.3
      6 April 2013 at 12:22 am

      What were you going 18 months ago. Give me all the details. You can’t? You must be a liar.

      • Colonial Viper 1.3.1
        6 April 2013 at 12:27 am

        Fortunately the daily activities of the PM from dawn to dusk and beyond are well documented; agendas distributed ahead of schedule, meeting minutes recorded and follow ups documented.

        Shouldn’t be too hard to jog his memory, right?

        Right?

        • Green machine UpandComer 1.3.1.1
          6 April 2013 at 4:42 pm

          Yes indeed. so time to refer to the same would be pretty reasonable..

      • felix 1.3.2
        6 April 2013 at 12:27 am

        You do realise that Key was still lying after having had several days to get his story straight, don’t you?

  2. BM 2
    5 April 2013 at 3:07 pm

    Always thought Key was being a bit soft on Labour, but I get the feeling Key is about to take the gloves off.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/8514821/John-Key-changes-tack-over-questioning

    • karol 2.1
      5 April 2013 at 3:17 pm

      BM: are you pitching to write for the Onion?

    • One Tāne Huna 2.2
      5 April 2013 at 3:26 pm

      BM. this isn’t about Labour, it isn’t about the process by which Ian Fletcher was hired. It isn’t about Mr. Fletcher.

      It’s about your Prime Minister attempting to deceive the House and the public over it. Goodness knows why he feels the need to do so in this case, but the more he does it the more suspicious and dodgy he looks, and that starts to rub off on other people associated with him, and pretty soon it starts to affect their careers.

      He’s dead meat.

    • McFlock 2.3
      5 April 2013 at 3:28 pm

      you mean he might stop lying?

      No chance of that.

      • Bob 2.3.1
        5 April 2013 at 8:46 pm

        No haven’t you looked at his nose lately

      • UpandComer 2.3.2
        5 April 2013 at 8:50 pm

        aw oh, remember he’s Jewish. There has to be ‘some’ boundaries on the invective against this man

        • Arfamo 2.3.2.1
          5 April 2013 at 8:56 pm

          Pinocchio was Italian. His nose grew when he told lies. Bringing in suggestions Key critics are being anti-semitic is a pretty desperate stretch.

          • felix 2.3.2.1.1
            5 April 2013 at 11:44 pm

            You’d have to be pretty racist to see a comment about a liar’s nose growing and immediately think of anti-semitism.

            Quite revealing, eh?

            It’s a bit like when we talk about the downsides of foreign investment and the racists all immediately assume it’s anti-Chinese.

            • Green machine UpandComer 2.3.2.1.1.1
              6 April 2013 at 4:45 pm

              Felix I didn’t know you were anti all the PC rubbish, good for you son. Still, I wouldn’t highlight the nose size of a Jewish man. Remember all the posts on here, probably including you, when Lockwood said that asians have small hands? My goodness the screeching was unbearable.

              • Colonial Viper …
                6 April 2013 at 4:55 pm

                Still, I wouldn’t highlight the nose size of a Jewish man.

                Except you just did.

          • Green machine UpandComer 2.3.2.1.2
            6 April 2013 at 4:43 pm

            I wish the left gave everyone similar latitude.

            • Pascal's bookie 2.3.2.1.2.1
              6 April 2013 at 4:54 pm

              You reckon they should give people who are being racist that same latitude they give to people who aren’t being racist?

              That’s, revealing.

              • Green machine UpandComer …
                6 April 2013 at 5:04 pm

                In your opinion. That is a clear allusion. So it’s not racist as long as you don’t intend to be racist. Right, well that clears everyone who disagrees with the treaty of waitangi, I’m glad they have your endorsement Mr Pascal. It’s revealing as to what you will accept, depending on who it is.

        • The Pink Postman 2.3.2.2
          6 April 2013 at 2:56 pm

          A Jew who has deserted his his beginnings. Sent his kids to, a Christian school and has forgotten the struggle of the Jewish people . Forgotten also that his mother was a Labour supporter .Totally forgot that she was a refugee by refusing to allow refugees into the country.
          An embarrassment to most Jews inn Aotearoa.

          • Green machine UpandComer 2.3.2.2.1
            6 April 2013 at 4:47 pm

            haha. Classic. I’m sure his mother and the Jewish community looking on are really really the opposite of proud of John’s accomplishments..

    • Roy 2.4
      5 April 2013 at 3:51 pm

      Well, thanks for the link BM, I always love it when the MSM use a decidedly unflattering picture of the PM. It shows that they are annoyed with him when they do that, and they don’t get annoyed with him nearly often enough.

    • Bob 2.5
      5 April 2013 at 8:42 pm

      He is still a liar

  3. felix 3
    5 April 2013 at 3:38 pm

    Anyone else finding the radiolive audio page is all screwed up?

  4. Treetop 4
    5 April 2013 at 3:49 pm

    I missed part of the Radio Live interview, the bit about how many times Key had rang people directly to canvass their interest in a job.

    On Wednesday Campbell Live Rennie could not identify a minister who had shoulder tapped. Rennie has said that he would have recommended that he ring the person for the PM and he cannot recall being told by Key that Key had rang Fletcher.

    I would like to ask Rennie if he knows how many times he is aware of Key shoulder tapping?

    And

    How many times Key has asked Rennie to call on his behalf?

    • idlegus 4.1
      5 April 2013 at 3:54 pm

      “how many times Key had rang people directly to canvass their interest in a job.”

      he wouldnt answer that question. tamaheri asked him again & again.

      • Treetop 4.1.1
        5 April 2013 at 4:15 pm

        April 4 Wellington Scoop

        Rennie could not recall if Key had previously shoulder tapped people or put names forward for other posts. This could mean zero.

        • idlegus 4.1.1.1
          5 April 2013 at 4:31 pm

          you could well be right, coz tamaheri was trying to pin him down, tamaheri said ‘if its 100s, i can understand a brainfade, but if its only 4 or something, then it just doesnt seem plausible you would forget’ (paraphrased), so that could be why he wouldnt answer it.

  5. idlegus 5
    5 April 2013 at 4:02 pm

    “Some on Twitter have interpreted this to mean that he won’t answer interview questions either, but as far as I can tell the comments referred to question time in Parliament.”,

    im not so sure about that, in the interview he was mentioning his ‘stand ups’ & stuff, that he wouldnt be so open anymore. & that he would be wanting tricky questions by journalists written before hand so he can give a full & frank answer.

    & just saw this http://norightturn.blogspot.co.nz/2013/04/this-is-not-how-democracy-works.html

    he quotes from stuff “Prime Minister John Key says he will no longer answer questions about his actions without warning, following controversy over his role in the appointment of spy boss Ian Fletcher.

    During an interview on Radio Live, Key described those reporting on the story as ”knuckle heads” and said he would change his approach to answering questions both in Parliament and to the media. “

    • idlegus 5.1
      5 April 2013 at 4:11 pm

      oops, & this “‘What I should have done, and what I will be doing in the future, is saying, well, the member needs to put that down to me in writing, and I’ll be doing that to the journalists as well,” Key said.

    • Bob 5.2
      5 April 2013 at 8:50 pm

      Knuckle head
      Looks like he has lost it
      He would have to be the ultimate knuckle
      Or could the fat fucker from Ilam fit in

    • felix 5.3
      5 April 2013 at 11:49 pm

      “he was mentioning his ‘stand ups’ & stuff, that he wouldnt be so open anymore”

      ffs is he for real? Does he really think the problem is being “open”?

      The problem, Mr Key, is that you can’t lie straight in bed. Sheesh.

  6. gobsmacked 6
    5 April 2013 at 4:03 pm

    Key’s “shark jumps” have been wrongly predicted before, but I think this really is one. Most (swing) voters aren’t terribly bothered about Fletcher and Rennie and GCSB, but they don’t want their country’s leader to behave like a 6 year old.

    He’s getting a pasting, and not just from the usual crowd …

    https://twitter.com/search/realtime?q=john%20key&src=typd

    Shame he’s off to China now, next week in Parliament could have been fun.

  7. emergency mike 7
    5 April 2013 at 4:08 pm

    I can’t see this working for Key. He’s going to respond to journalists’ questions that he doesn’t want to answer by saying, “Sorry, you’ll have to submit that one to me in writing”?

    Or has he realized that “I don’t remember” has done its dash and he’s hoping to replace it with “I’ll check my facts and get back to you”?

    Either way I look forward to the awkwardness, the frustrated journos, and the shifty-eyed John Key looking shifty montages.

    • McFlock 7.1
      5 April 2013 at 4:47 pm

      Not sure it will work. If he treats them like dicks too much they’ll start asking really simple questions to find the limit that he’s prepared to answer without any memory problems. And he’ll be such a dick it’ll be stuff like “you don’t remember going to school with him?” or “did you have dinner with him last week?”.

    • Treetop 7.2
      5 April 2013 at 4:50 pm

      Hasn’t Key been down a similar road before when it comes to reporting what he says in private?

      I’m still trying to work out what Keys definition of private is e.g. the media peering through a window and him having invited them there.

      • McFlock 7.2.1
        5 April 2013 at 5:04 pm

        “Private”, according to Key, is “anything I wish I’d thought without saying, rather than said without thinking”.

  8. Roy 8
    5 April 2013 at 4:47 pm

    Calling MSM reporters knuckleheads may not go down too well.

    • karol 8.1
      5 April 2013 at 4:53 pm

      Yes, and from the guy who owes a lot of his popularity to a compliant MSM.

    • Tigger 8.2
      5 April 2013 at 4:56 pm

      Yes. He’s about to learn that, I hope. Give the media a couple of working days to properly start reacting. Mid next week, around 10 April, they’ll start attacking. Should be a winter of discontent for Key.

    • geoff 8.3
      5 April 2013 at 5:23 pm

      Calling MSM reporters knuckleheads may not go down too well.

      Hey don’t people on The Standard do that all the time?

  9. rod 9
    5 April 2013 at 5:11 pm

    Key spits the dummy. He must have all questions in writing. Got it, you Knuckleheads

  10. AsleepWhileWalking 10
    5 April 2013 at 5:34 pm

    Wasn’t he getting board being PM anyway?

    I’m disappointed that this site has such a tame response. Personally I much prefer the headline in Stuff – “They’re Knuckleheads”. Hmmm….curiously, bitching about how stupid journalists for doing their job doesn’t seem to have got the media on side this time.

    • the pigman 10.1
      5 April 2013 at 10:26 pm

      Wasn’t he getting board being PM anyway?

      He doesn’t just get board, they give him the whole of Premier House when he’s in Wellington.

    • wisdumb 10.2
      5 April 2013 at 11:04 pm

      Key specifically named John Campbell, Sean Plunkett (who is running a campaign to buy a memory for John Key), Duncan Garner, and Finlay McDonald. The interesting thing is that the first three work for Mediaworks, and RadioLive, on which the interview took place (John Tamihere and Willie Jackson), is also part of Mediaworks. This is Stephen Joyce’s company, (or was?) and I understand that it has been the beneficiary of much government crony capital, since it is, or was, coincidentally, in a much over borrowed state.

      I am not sure whether Key will be having a wee chat with Joyce when he gets back from China and or whether Campbell, Plunkett, and Garner should go bush for a while. However, none of them is known for taking a step back when faced with adversity

  11. idlegus 11
    5 April 2013 at 5:40 pm

    i reckon he probably would have got away with this, slipped out of the country to china til the next catastraphe, but by attacking the journos & the bizarre ‘questions in writing’ bit hes just brought it all back, he says it on radio live so of course they are running with it, keeps them in the news etc…a very rare mistake for john key i think. its been a fun day! (even tho i been home with the flu all day).

  12. Treetop 12
    5 April 2013 at 5:49 pm

    There might be an upside to having questions answered in writing. Key may not get away with his school boy level answers and the manner he uses to deliver the answer. Key has gone from bad to worse during question time and this exercise (written answers) may help him to sound how a PM needs to sound.

  13. emergency mike 13
    5 April 2013 at 5:50 pm

    The RadioLive intervew is worth a listen.

    John Key has a sulky whine about how other world leaders don’t have to answer so many dang questions from the media, about how he has a million things to do everyday, about the opposition trying to make him look bad, (“Well if that’s the game, well…,” with a weird ‘two can play at that’ implication), and pulls out a veiled bully tactic on the media by saying that he is going to ‘change’ because they ‘expect perfection’ from his answers so people can expect him to start replying that given questions will need to be put to him in writing.

  14. Rhinocrates 14
    5 April 2013 at 6:24 pm

    Woo hoo. Even Armstrong is saying that he has a headache these days. This could be fun. All the preening narcissists on TV are suddenly not getting the grooming they wanted. Their tantys are going to be interesting. Is it going to be “Wait, please, I still love you!” Or, “I’m gonna hold my breath until you say you wuv me still!”? Or “Oh God, I need a story, I’m fucked… right, I’ll get that bitch!”

    Meanwhile, Collins rubs her hands…

  15. gobsmacked 15
    5 April 2013 at 7:29 pm

    John Campbell starts his show tonight, calls it “Knucklehead Live”. Heh.

    On Sunday, Helen Kelly and David Shearer will be on Q & A (one of them is leader of the opposition …)

    http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1304/S00052/on-qa-sunday-april-7.htm

  16. Tazireviper 16
    5 April 2013 at 7:43 pm

    Apart from a brief reference to Knucklehead Live on Campbell Live tonight why has GSCB fiasco disappeared from MSM, who is applying pressure to whom

    • Anne 16.1
      5 April 2013 at 7:59 pm

      Not quite…

      http://www.3news.co.nz/Key-changes-tack-with-media/tabid/370/articleID/293190/Default.aspx

      It’s Friday. The only new development today is Key’s infantile tantrum reported on TV3 news. Naturally the so-called public broadcasting station TV1 ignored it altogether- at least I didn’t see anything on the 6pm news. May have missed it.

      • Arfamo 16.1.1
        5 April 2013 at 8:20 pm

        If Key won’t answer journos’ difficult questions so readily in future, it will be an interesting look on telly should he keep saying no, he’s not answering any more questions, especially if they fill the void with comments from opposition parties. Should be a fascinating next few weeks when he gets back from China.

      • karol 16.1.2
        5 April 2013 at 8:32 pm

        And the “damning report” on the GCSB that is referred to at the end of the TV3 report, was done by the government’s cabinet secretary?

        And it was done in response to the GCSB breaking the law in the surveillance of Kim Dotcom.

        Kitteridge seems a pretty solid person.

        However, when the enquiry was launched, Gordon Campbell was a little skeptical.

        This sounds cosy. The second inquiry to be launched in the past ten days into the GCSB – this time, into its capabilities, performance and governance – will be carried out by Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Kitteridge of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Isn’t it a small world? That would be the same department that used to be headed by Simon Murdoch, who was the GCSB chief when the illegal surveillance of Kim Dotcom was launched. So, if there is any retrospective blame-laying to be done here, Kitteridge will be required to pass judgement on her old boss. Not that blame appears to be on the agenda:…

        Not that we will be left any the wiser at the end of all this. The results of the Kitteridge inquiry – which is expected to take three months – will not be made public, so public confidence in the security agencies will have to depend solely on the last week’s feeble and manifestly inadequate effort by the Inspector-General of Security and Intelligence, Paul Neazor.

        So why did Campbell think the results wouldn’t be made public, when now they clearly will be?

        Some further info on Fletcher in that Campbell article too:

        Fletcher, BTW, has a background of interesting relevance to the Dotcom case. While Fletcher’s early career was spent in the NZ diplomatic service, he was appointed in 2007 to head the British Patents Office, and in that job got to enact the so called Gowers Review of Intellectual Property that sought to modernise Britain’s copyright laws.
        The Gowers Review contained some liberal features. It opposed, for instance, extending the time period a work is kept under copyright, which is a goal that the US is reportedly once again seeking to achieve in the ongoing Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement negotiations.
        The Gowers Review however, also strongly advocated cracking down on illegal downloading and counterfeiting. In the person of Ian Fletcher, the Americans could hardly find a security agency chief in the developed world more conversant with the copyright issues raised by Dotcom’s business activities.

      • mickysavage 16.1.3
        5 April 2013 at 8:45 pm

        Wow Anne that is the sickest interview Key has ever given.

        So he has done nothing wrong and Labour have done similar things …

        What can one say?

        • Anne 16.1.3.1
          5 April 2013 at 9:33 pm

          @mickysavage:
          Over on Red Alert I directed Grant Robertson to The Standard posts on the subject because there is a wealth of ammunition provided here (thanks mainly to Karol but others as well) which could be used by him and Shearer (and Norman) over the coming weeks. Key is under huge pressure imo. That was the reason for the tanty. I doubt Labour has had a better chance to screw the proverbial knife in his back.

          • Colonial Viper 16.1.3.1.1
            6 April 2013 at 12:03 am

            Over on Red Alert I directed Grant Robertson to The Standard posts on the subject

            Hmmmm are you sure that The Standard is relevant to political discussion in this country? I heard an opinion on that from a Labour Leader recently.

            • xtasy 16.1.3.1.1.1
              6 April 2013 at 12:08 am

              CV: Hah, I actually fed some info to the Labour Party, including Shearer, and I am STILL WAITING for them to make use of it!

              The Berlin Bunker of the Fuehrer was more optimistic, high in spirits and better organised than the sinking ship called “Labour”!

              I observed today, the faces of Shearer on their website has now decreased from 10 to 9.

              Is that a signal, perhaps???

            • felix 16.1.3.1.1.2
              6 April 2013 at 12:10 am

              Hope Grant knows he risks being chucked out of the party if he comments here.

              • Colonial Viper …
                6 April 2013 at 12:16 am

                Almost happened to me.

                Still might given the reports I hear. Bloody Curran 😈

                • felix …
                  6 April 2013 at 12:20 am

                  Hey karol, maybe you could direct Shearer here too 😉

                  • Colonial Viper …
                    6 April 2013 at 12:25 am

                    There’s a dozen or more commentators on The Standard who could deliver a more cogent, persuasive and palatable Left Wing political rationale to the NZ public than the current Labour Party. Isn’t that sad?

                    Wait…a dozen such people are just enough to form a decently convincingly political party list… 😈

                    • xtasy …
                      6 April 2013 at 12:30 am

                      There is ALWAYS ROOM for an real ALTERNATIVE. Bright minds, ideas and sound agendas are a start. Put the seed into the ground, spread the news, and it is likely to grow, it has done so in a lot of societies, with different issues. And once people get the MESSAGE and ideas, they will swiftly connect and join. Bang, here goes a fertile idea.

      • Matthew Hooton 16.1.4
        6 April 2013 at 8:24 am

        The knucklehead comment and extended prime ministerial interview, were made on RadioLIVE, which, as pointed out, is owned by Mediaworks, which also owns TV3. So as well as being genuinely newsworthy, TV3 would want to report the comment to promote RadioLIVE and its access to the PM. For the same reason, TVNZ would prefer not to report anything that happened on RadioLIVE even if, as in this case, it is genuinely newsworthy. I expect you will find that RNZ and NewstalkZB will also not have reported “knucklehead,” although I haven’t checked.

  17. Morrissey 17
    5 April 2013 at 8:39 pm

    More to the point, Key has lied to parliament, on several occasions. Will the Labour Party do anything to initiate proceedings by the Privileges Committee?

    Where IS David Shearer, by the way?

    • dumrse 17.1
      5 April 2013 at 8:54 pm

      Clearly he hasn’t lied otherwise he would have been fronted to the PC by now. I guess then that’s its your opinion he has lied.

      • rosy 17.1.1
        5 April 2013 at 9:14 pm

        the complaint has been made

        Mr Robertson has laid a breach of privilege complaint against Mr Key with Speaker David Carter, claiming the prime minister misled parliament when he answered questions about his role in the appointment.

        But seeing Carter decides whether it goes to the PC it seems unlikely he’ll rule in Labour’s favour given that he lets Key get away with not answering questions in the house as it is.

        I guess the back up is –

        Labour leader David Shearer has on Thursday written to the Auditor-General Lyn Provost asking her to launch an inquiry into the process used to appoint Mr Fletcher and Prime Minister John Key’s involvement in it.

      • Morrissey 17.1.2
        6 April 2013 at 11:03 am

        He has lied repeatedly and flagrantly. It’s a matter of public record. Your nickname is appropriate.

    • Pete 17.2
      5 April 2013 at 9:05 pm

      Where IS David Shearer, by the way?

      It’s probably best to leave this in the hands of Grant Robertson, anyway. If Shearer ran with this, comparisons will be drawn with his own recent brain fade, which isn’t the same thing, but it’s the line the Nats would take.

      • UpandComer 17.2.1
        6 April 2013 at 12:18 am

        You’re right, it isn’t the same thing, it’s much much worse, and it will keep coming up like a glorious phoenix every time your dear leader opens his mouth to accuse for having a brain fade.

        • Colonial Viper 17.2.1.1
          6 April 2013 at 12:22 am

          I personally think that Key shoulder tapping an old acquaintance, someone with no relevant experience, for one of NZ’s top spy jobs, and then using that person to help carry conduct a potentially illegal US corporate agenda against Dotcom, plus providing cover for doing so, is worse.

          Don’t you?

          • UpandComer 17.2.1.1.1
            6 April 2013 at 12:27 am

            We’ve already established no one else in the universe thinks Fletcher’s stirling civil service record amounts to ‘no relevant experience’. Even other commenters on here have said that Fletcher’s experience was in fact ideal for what was going on at the GCSB at the time.

            I suppose the key point in your next statement is ‘potentially’ illegal.

            Come on, I know your opinion on Shearer too. You know what’s worse. Come on Mr Viper. For all you know that money could be involved in some dastardly US corporate agenda directly. Also just remember Fletcher’s appointment came ‘after’ the stuff-ups.

            • felix 17.2.1.1.1.1
              6 April 2013 at 12:30 am

              Don’t worry mate, I’m sure it’ll all blow over in a couple of days.

            • Colonial Viper 17.2.1.1.1.2
              6 April 2013 at 12:30 am

              I’m sorry, I think you’ve mistaken Fletcher’s experience as being relevant to leading intelligence gathering, analysis and comms/signal operations.

              Please justify.

              • infused …
                6 April 2013 at 2:00 pm

                I’m sure with your vast knowledge on the issue is how you’ve come to this conclusion?

            • felix 17.2.1.1.1.3
              6 April 2013 at 1:10 am

              “Even other commenters on here have said that Fletcher’s experience was in fact ideal for what was going on at the GCSB at the time … Also just remember Fletcher’s appointment came ‘after’ the stuff-ups.”

              I know, it’s so weird that Key is embarrassed about hiring him.

              You’d think he’d be skiting about it but instead he lies for a whole week and tries to cover up his involvement. For a whole week!

              So weird.

            • karol 17.2.1.1.1.4
              6 April 2013 at 7:28 am

              UaC: Fletcher’s stirling civil service record [citation needed]

        • Morrissey 17.2.1.2
          6 April 2013 at 11:10 am

          You’re right, it isn’t the same thing, it’s much much worse…

          It’s a National Party activist!

  18. Blue 18
    5 April 2013 at 8:57 pm

    This is so typically John Key. All smiles and charm with the journos – until they start doing their jobs.

    Once he’s realised they won’t go for the usual bullshit, he shows his true colours – sulky, petulant, paranoid and entitled. Just like the hissy fit he threw during the tea tapes saga.

    He’s had the easiest media ride of any PM in NZ’s history and he still bitches and moans about the coverage he receives. The level to which he imagines that a free pass from the media is his due is staggering.

  19. Plan B 19
    5 April 2013 at 9:45 pm

    ‘But forearmed is forewarned. I’m changing too.’

    I don’t think he said that the right way round? Unless it was swapped on the Stuff site

  20. Sanctuary 20
    5 April 2013 at 10:53 pm

    If I were John Key I’d be a bit miffed to – how come Tony Ryall was able to get his frumpy neighbour appointed Race Relations Commissioner without much grief when he is getting all the drama over his mate from play school? I mean, Mr. Fletcher is even a white middle aged male for crying out loud!

    • Colonial Viper 20.1
      5 April 2013 at 10:55 pm

      Ryall is a frakking good operator. I’s dotted, t’s crossed.

      • McFlock 20.1.1
        5 April 2013 at 10:59 pm

        I’m picking ryall as a dark Horse successor to key. Joyce collins and brownlee tucker each other out, he sneaks in.

        • TruthSeeker 20.1.1.1
          5 April 2013 at 11:45 pm

          It’ll be English. Ryall as deputy I reckon. Joyce as Finance. Collins out in the cold. (if it comes to that)

          • Colonial Viper 20.1.1.1.1
            6 April 2013 at 12:08 am

            Yeah that’s a smart analysis. Whoever wants to be PM will need the backing of English’ rural conservative block. Yes it could potentially be done without him…but that would result in ongoing instability.

            • felix 20.1.1.1.1.1
              6 April 2013 at 12:11 am

              God I hope it’s English, I hope it so fucking much.

              He really deserves it.

        • rosy 20.1.1.2
          6 April 2013 at 12:44 am

          I’m going for Ryall as a dark horse as well, unless:
          1. he’s hated in cabinet and we don’t know about it
          2. the public continues to not really ‘get’ him.
          3. why promote someone who seems to be doing their job with little fuss?

          But yeah, English would be awesomely bad and in that case Ryall would make a good Bill Birch, unfortunately.

      • xtasy 20.1.2
        5 April 2013 at 11:05 pm

        Yes, Tony Rile (aka Ryall) is the SERPENT, the sneaky snake, with a bold, colourful tie, always smart and calculating. He is one to watch, but he now also has Annette King, another professional pollie with agenda and knowledge AND experience, keeping a close watch on him. There have been some humble responses in question time by Rile lately.

        • Colonial Viper 20.1.2.1
          5 April 2013 at 11:11 pm

          No doubt. But Ryall has kept the nurses, junior doctors, specialists and patient advocacy groups largely on side. That’s political brilliance mate. Sheer political brilliance.

          • xtasy 20.1.2.1.1
            5 April 2013 at 11:48 pm

            CV: Yes, because so many are on temp and casual contracts, they all fear for their damned survival, right?

            • Colonial Viper 20.1.2.1.1.1
              6 April 2013 at 12:08 am

              I would say that those on the (quite generous) temp and locum contracts quite like the gravy train, and Ryall has been happy to turn a blind eye

              • xtasy …
                6 April 2013 at 12:14 am

                Yes, “locum” is the word, and I know a “designated WINZ doctor” considering that too now, that his WINZ jobs seem to have “dried up” a little, after someone raise the shit that was going on with “designated (shit) doctors”, compromising their own code.

                There are always “opportunities”, and Ryall has his favoured network, who in return thank him for generous opportunities and handsome remunerations. The system is working, for the few picking the big fruits. Mango skins for the losers.

              • McFlock …
                6 April 2013 at 2:29 am

                That and he’s about the only current minister with a reputation of allowing professional evidence to affect his decisions.

    • felix 20.2
      6 April 2013 at 12:01 am

      ” how come Tony Ryall was able to get his frumpy neighbour appointed Race Relations Commissioner without much grief”

      Probably because he didn’t lie about it in parliament and in the media. Just a guess.

  21. xtasy 21
    5 April 2013 at 11:01 pm

    Yep, Key is now taking on the “command centre”, tight line approach, no more comments on details, before we check with our staff and “details”. Keep the details hidden, the present application of the Official Information Act process mays serve as a useful example, and tell people, and of course the common MSM media lackeys to “take a hike” and “bugger off”.

    Key is now on guard, but also highly defensive, this is his last standing. He is close to the “Berlin bunker” mentality now, he is actually losing credit, trust and convincing arguments.

    But danger is, he still has his NETWORK of media spinners, of favourable operators in many places, to see off any criticism, to apply more TEFLON and get the public “fixed”.

    Going by the leading TV news reports, he is doing very well, despite of all these rumours, contradictions and possibly twisted truths, he is off to China now, to meet Xi, the new leader, so the focus will shift once again. The Royals are a great example of what to learn from them. Kissing babies and petty emotive headlines always get many “moved”, while the brain is disconnected or totally switched off.

    I am watching this space.

    • Colonial Viper 21.1
      5 April 2013 at 11:14 pm

      China has thoroughly analysed the ups and downs of the current NZ government. I doubt they are impressed.

      • xtasy 21.1.1
        5 April 2013 at 11:46 pm

        The Mainland Chinese do not bother to be “impressed” or “to care”, they want to know what opportunities exist for Mainland Chinese business and investors, nothing else.

        A “clown” like Key would come in excellently well, as he is the stuff they deal with in some African dictatorships, where the elite get nice bribes and perks for inviting Mainland Chinese corps.

        Yes, they (the Chinese) will have their experts analyse anything going on in Gondwana Land aka Aotearoa Split off Piece of Earth called New Zealand now, same as what happens in PNG, Tonga and other “island states”.

        The “wet” and desperately “sweaty palm” of Key will rub in total harmony with the same “wet” hands of “opportune deals” and “glee” that will be reached out by Xi and others. How much Xi was “beloved” by his fellow villagers was recently shown on ITV, I think, where none were to be found, and a sole fool finally repeated common party line propaganda about the chosen, select leader, doing all so great things for them.

        Now two dairy companies will set foot here, doing jobs NZ companies could well do, to produce baby formula and milk powder for one selected “market”. Now did Now Zealand ever learn from the “motherland” UK type experience?

        • Colonial Viper 21.1.1.1
          6 April 2013 at 12:13 am

          The Mainland Chinese do not bother to be “impressed” or “to care”, they want to know what opportunities exist for Mainland Chinese business and investors, nothing else.

          Ah yes, but remember that “opportunity” from the Chinese perspective is not the same as the financial quarter to quarter “opportunity” that western corporates look for.

          • xtasy 21.1.1.1.1
            6 April 2013 at 12:40 am

            They tend to have a different strategy on things. That means to not “fight” your enemy or competing power, they rather “engage” the enemy or competitor, and “own” their enemy, also meaning “competitor”. So that is shown in many “investments” in various resource and land rich countries. China traditionally does NOT see war or imperialism as a means to an end, as dumber “western” powers tended to do, they play a much smarter game.

            But on that, I would be very mindful of their involvement. Also I would rather deal with Singapore, Malaysia and a few other countries than with Mainland China and their version of “capitalism”, which is a new form of “state capitalism”, but for some even worse than blunt US capitalism.

      • Tim 21.1.2
        6 April 2013 at 1:20 pm

        In – fucking – deed!
        And I’m loving it. On the DailyB there’s a post by Treen which I’ve made comment on. It isn’t JUST the Chinese either. Key’s under the misapprehension that his recent South American jaunt was a roaring success. Whilst something MIGHT come of it – believe me they’re well aware of some of the rip offs going on here under this Proim Munsta – and that comes from people that actually accompanied the pillock on his trip. Whilst the attitude towards the Chavez incident might have been mildly insulting, the manner in which certain foreign nationals are being treated for simply trying to stand up for attaining what was promised them (in areas such as the EDGEEKASHUN market), is not going un-noticed.
        And don’t get me started on how the Indian government’s perception of Key is.
        I’m reminded of how Julia Gillard had to go do a grovel session after Indian students were being attacked in Melbourne.

        KEY will only have himself to blame.
        That’s the trouble with sociopathic narcissists though – they can’t accept their own respnsibility for failure.

        I’m still wondering how a NZ public ever regarded the guy as being KRISMETUK. Did they? or was that just an MSM perception

        • Tim 21.1.2.1
          6 April 2013 at 1:38 pm

          Oh….btw, have you noticed how the Nats have gone all quiet now on the spectacular success of that buzznuss trip?
          For such a roaring success, one could have expected a little more…neh?

  22. burt 22
    5 April 2013 at 11:49 pm

    OMG, in two terms Key has sunk to how Clark was from day one…. Deferring to his spin Dr’s before answering questions. What’s the bet before long he forgets how to admit he ever made a single mistake and answers every challenge with a self serving “move on”.

    • xtasy 22.1
      6 April 2013 at 12:04 am

      bart (Simpleton Simpson): If that comment on Clark had any validity, I would put up with this, but it does NOT! Key is a slimy, greasy eel that goes through every loose net. The media are useless to deal with his cunning strategies. NO wonder so many senior media journos go to work for Australian networks!

    • felix 22.2
      6 April 2013 at 12:06 am

      Yeah that’s exactly how Clark answered every challenge.

      Fer real. 🙄

    • karol 22.3
      6 April 2013 at 7:35 am

      Yes, now Key has sunk to overseas standards – the benchmark of his ambitions. And, in future, this is what we will expect from Key’s writers of prepared questions and those of the MSM still subservient to him:

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s27Oq5ot0ZI

      PS: not that I want to equate the opposition to Key’s government with those that ended the governance of the regime of the speaker linked to…. though, (unfortunately) some in the current NZ opposition do subscribe to similar belief systems.

  23. Chris 23
    6 April 2013 at 11:08 am

    so key has booked a drink with julia gillard in China.Two losers drowning their sorrows.

    • Tim 23.1
      6 April 2013 at 2:05 pm

      :).
      He’ll be taking advice on how to deal with his various foreign policy fuckups (or rather… those of his advisors)

      When it all comes to pass, it won’t necessarily be Gillard’s policies and leadership in question, but rather the sleezey nature in which she obtained leadership in order to satisfoy an ego.
      It’s probably why Key finds solace relaxing in her cleveage.
      What’s funnier (and sadder) is that there’s a Labour that can’t learn from a fuckup of a Labor

  24. georgecom 24
    6 April 2013 at 9:54 pm

    Has Don Brash apologised yet for lying to the NZ public?

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    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 ...
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    3 days ago

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Climate Change: Criminal ecocide
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    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

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

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

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

  • What is Mexico doing about climate change?
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    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Feline Friends and Fragile Fauna The Complexities of Cats in New Zealand’s Conservation Efforts

    Cats, with their independent spirit and beguiling purrs, have captured the hearts of humans for millennia. In New Zealand, felines are no exception, boasting the highest national cat ownership rate globally [definition cat nz cat foundation]. An estimated 1.134 million pet cats grace Kiwi households, compared to 683,000 dogs ...

    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    5 days ago

  • Or is that just they want us to think?
    Nice guy, that Peter Williams. Amiable, a calm air of no-nonsense capability, a winning smile. Everything you look for in a TV presenter and newsreader.I used to see him sometimes when I went to TVNZ to be a talking head or a panellist and we would yarn. Nice guy, that ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • Fact Brief – Did global warming stop in 1998?
    Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park in collaboration with members from our Skeptical Science team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Did global warming stop in ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago

  • Arguing over a moot point.
    I have been following recent debates in the corporate and social media about whether it is a good idea for NZ to join what is known as “AUKUS Pillar Two.” AUKUS is the Australian-UK-US nuclear submarine building agreement in which … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    6 days ago

  • No Longer Trusted: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.
    Turning Point: “What has turned me away from the mainstream news media is the very strong message that its been sending out for the last few years.” “And what message might that be?” “That the people who own it, the people who run it, and the people who provide its content, really don’t ...
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    6 days ago

  • Mortgage rates at 10% anyone?
    No – nothing about that in PM Luxon’s nine-point plan to improve the lives of New Zealanders. But beyond our shores Jamie Dimon, the long-serving head of global bank J.P. Morgan Chase, reckons that the chances of a goldilocks soft landing for the economy are “a lot lower” than the ...
    Point of OrderBy xtrdnry
    6 days 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 ...
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    21 mins 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
    3 hours ago

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
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    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Government redress for Te Korowai o Wainuiārua
    The Government is continuing the bipartisan effort to restore its relationship with iwi as the Te Korowai o Wainuiārua Claims Settlement Bill passed its first reading in Parliament today, says Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith. “Historical grievances of Te Korowai o Wainuiārua relate to 19th century warfare, land purchased or taken ...
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    1 week ago

  • Focus on outstanding minerals permit applications
    New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals is working to resolve almost 150 outstanding minerals permit applications by the end of the financial year, enabling valuable mining activity and signalling to the sector that New Zealand is open for business, Resources Minister Shane Jones says.  “While there are no set timeframes for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Applications open for NZ-Ireland Research Call
    The New Zealand and Irish governments have today announced that applications for the 2024 New Zealand-Ireland Joint Research Call on Agriculture and Climate Change are now open. This is the third research call in the three-year Joint Research Initiative pilot launched in 2022 by the Ministry for Primary Industries and Ireland’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Tenancy rules changes to improve rental market
    The coalition Government has today announced changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to encourage landlords back to the rental property market, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “The previous Government waged a war on landlords. Many landlords told us this caused them to exit the rental market altogether. It caused worse ...
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    1 week ago

  • Boosting NZ’s trade and agricultural relationship with China
    Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay will visit China next week, to strengthen relationships, support Kiwi exporters and promote New Zealand businesses on the world stage. “China is one of New Zealand’s most significant trade and economic relationships and remains an important destination for New Zealand’s products, accounting for nearly 22 per cent of our good and ...
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    1 week ago

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