Key: we were told SCF would fail

Written By: - Date published: 2:45 pm, March 31st, 2011 - 72 comments
Categories: accountability, business, john key - Tags: ,

In a raucous public meeting in Timaru last night, John Key said “The entire time I’ve been Prime Minister I’ve had Treasury in my office week after week, month after month telling me South Canterbury Finance was going bankrupt”. So, why did National sign SCF into the scheme and renew its deed three times?

On November 19th 2008, Key and his ministers were sworn in. That very day, Treasury Head John Whitehead signed the deed admitting SCF into the retail deposit guarantee scheme “on behalf of the Minister of Finance” Bill English.

The deed was renewed on December 11th 2009, again signed by a senior Treasury official on behalf of English. It was updated on April 1st 2010, once more signed by the same senior Treaury official on behalf of English. And then amended on June 17th, again signed off by the senior Treaury official in English’s name.

The mere fact that there were so many reviews of the deed shows that Treasury knew things weren’t right. And Key’s acknowledgement that he and English were being repeatedly told “week after week” about SCF’s problems raises the question of why they kept on having their officials sign new deeds keeping SCF in the scheme.

Remember, the upshot of SCF being kept in the retail deposit scheme through all these reviews and updates was a bailout that put an average of $50,000 into the hands of the depositers, paid other debtors $300 million – all funded by us as taxpayers at a cost of $1.8 billion. We’re now lumbered as effective owners of a finance company that is only worth a fraction of what we paid because of the choices Key and English made.

For me, Key’s entire attitude to this affair and governing in general is summed up when, in the RadioNZ clip, he calls $100 million “chump change”.

72 comments on “Key: we were told SCF would fail ”

  1. Draco T Bastard 1

    I suppose Blinglish sees this as one of those “necessities” – the necessity of bailing out the rich and guaranteeing their profits from the taxpayers money.

    • Mark M 1.1

      obviously in your small world anybody with a few dollars to put away is a “rich” prick.
      Isnt it wonderful to be blinded by jealousy.

      NZ would be much better off if people like you aspired to success instead of trying to drag everyone back to your level so you can justify your failure

      • Colonial Viper 1.1.1

        Telling the serfs to aspire to success while John Key sups on his $14,000 dinner?

        Rich!

      • Carol 1.1.2

        Curious that you think everyone sees being excessively rich as a sign of success to be aspired to, MM. You seem to be projecting your envious aspirations onto everyone else.

      • Jum 1.1.3

        mark m

        Jealousy is the very last thing on my mind when I ‘look’ at you through your post. Your master john key really does control you if you think that with the current NZ situation with all the unemployed that $100million is ‘chump change’.

        So much for the individual thinking in the rightwing camp. You people are like robots. Pathetic little monkey paws of Key.

        I can only imagine you have cashed in on the New Zealand stock market already; maybe you’re one of the SCF that stole New Zealanders’ money for your so called ‘risky’ ventures. Like I said, pathetic little creature with no balls. You and your kind have stolen from my children.

        I should thank you; you have just ratcheted up my activism.

      • RobC 1.1.4

        Mark M,

        NZ would be much better off if society understood the meaning of compassion, realised that wealth and poverty, success and failure, is not solely determined by effort and/or “aspiration”

      • M 1.1.5

        ‘NZ would be much better off if people like you aspired to success instead of trying to drag everyone back to your level so you can justify your failure’

        You’ve got to be fucking kidding me – if aspiring to success means:

        Poisoning the seas and rivers
        Mining all minerals as quickly as possible with the resultant problems: peak oil, mine cave-ins, global warming, more extreme weather
        Ruination of arable land through creeping desertification
        Fishing species to extinction – 90% of the big fish are gone because we ate them and we’re busy fishing the rest down the line to extinction http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/05/0515_030515_fishdecline.html
        Problems in dealing with increasing human and animal effluent
        Needing a big oversized car, never getting public transport because it’s so declasse, buying designer everything just so someone can show off for a moment hoping to induce pangs of jealousy in someone else, buying a home mortgaged to the hilt
        Air travel being one of the worst offenders for the environment just so some bugger can have skiting rights about his holiday
        Supporting slavery in third world countries so cheap T shirts, shoes and furniture can put NZers out of work

        Count me out

        If however people live simple lives with respect for the environment and its limits, use resources frugally and acknowledge that life does not require a load of expensive wanky rubbish then count me in. Hell one of my simple pleasures is when you first open a packet of tasty cheese – it never tastes better than when you first open it, well that’s if you can still afford it.

  2. ianmac 2

    Heard Key say that this morning, so are they that slow to respond? Especially since it was taxpayers money at risk. If the MSM is consistent, Key will dodge all that .

  3. Well its all a bit of a laugh. Remember that nice Mr Hubbard telling us that “When Mr Key gets back he will fix it. If he had been in the country this would not have happened. Its pathetic bailing out all those rich greedy oldies. Who’s whole attitude to life seems to be making more and more money instead of enjoying the few more years of life they have left.
    Do they honestly believe that workers on the mininum wage care about these money grabbers . The taxpayers hand out paid to those people would have been better spent on state health and education. But English would not see that.

  4. “The entire time I’ve been Prime Minister I’ve had Treasury in my office week after week, month after month telling me South Canterbury Finance was going bankrupt”. So, why did National sign SCF into the scheme and renew its deed three times?

    yep i heard that too – and i still don’t understand why Key would’ve admitted to that

    • grumpy 4.1

      Imagine if they hadn’t extended the scheme and just allowed SCF to go through.

      Who would be the bad guys then?

      • the sprout 4.1.1

        umm, the people responsible for SCF’s collapse?
        and just imagine all the millions of taxpayer dollars that wouldn’t have been flushed down the crapper

      • freedom 4.1.2

        from the public point of view ? who can tell. But , if the TRUTH actually came out then the only bad guys would be seen to be a private business. A business vulnerable to the law of the markets, and the law of the courts. A business that is backed by an Industry driven by greed. Ultimately though, a business which chose to ignore the reality that a principal risk of their investments is many hundreds of thousands of people may lose. And lose a lot.

        If they had been allowed to fail, the fall-out may have actually been useful to help educate these thick skulled troglodytes that all investment has risk and demands a certain amount of social responsibility.

        • the sprout 4.1.2.1

          and would’ve saved about twice the amount government is now looking to axe from social services in the next budget

          • grumpy 4.1.2.1.1

            Nah, you’re only looking at the initial payment, the proceeds from the sale of assets need to be taken off that.

            • The Economic Illiteracy Support Group 4.1.2.1.1.1

              But there is a timing issue – the cuts to public services are coming on May 19, but the recoveries from the sale of the SCF assets are coming …. when? And when they do finally arrive, does anyone seriously believe that Key and English will reinstate the services they cut?

        • grumpy 4.1.2.2

          I agree, but if they had failed to carry over the guarantee, most of the investors would have tried to pull their money and as we now know there was nowhere near enough to pay them – it would have gone tits up then.

          I think Key made a poor decision to renew the guarantee but I can understand that the temptation was there in the hope that it could be saved.

          it will be interesting to see what the nett cost is to taxpayer – it might even make a profit???

          • Colonial Viper 4.1.2.2.1

            it would have gone tits up then.

            Which is what should have happened.

            When it finally did go belly up, speculators had bloated it full of funds which could never be paid back – unless the tax payer stumped up.

            Which under Bill and John, we did.

            Let it fail small is the lesson from overseas, but English and co. wouldn’t have the first clue.

          • RobC 4.1.2.2.2

            “it will be interesting to see what the nett cost is to taxpayer – it might even make a profit???”

            You have got to be fucking kidding me. Generous estimate $300 million loss. More likely $600-700 million.

          • Draco T Bastard 4.1.2.2.3

            …it would have gone tits up then.

            Yep, that’s the whole point of market discipline.

            it will be interesting to see what the nett cost is to taxpayer – it might even make a profit???

            It won’t as, IMO, it appears that the reason why SCF was kept in the government guarantee scheme was to transfer taxpayer monies to NACTs rich mates – especially the foreign ones who got paid out even though they weren’t covered by the guarantee.

          • Jum 4.1.2.2.4

            grumpy,
            what a load of crap you talk. Key deliberately allowed the guarantee to carry on because the end goal was the amount of money the so-called risk venturers stood to gain. Gain to taxpayers; what a turkey you are. The Taxpayers always pay when NAct is in government. Unlike when Labour Greens are in, when the taxpayers actually receive some benefit through public services.

            Anyway how long have you been blogging so far; when Crosby and Textor paid you to or did you do it for the love of greed?

    • Red Rosa 4.2

      This saga has a long way to run, and the sprout’s question will be valid for months yet.

      According to Virginia Green’s biography of Hubbard, on 3 July 2009 Key was fully briefed, in Timaru, on the parlous state of SCF. The shambles of SCF/Hubbard resignations and sackings, ongoing with an increasingly desperate search for fresh capital around that time, are well set out.

      Why the government guarantee was extended in the following February, when the final collapse was a bare six months away and totally foreseeable, needs to be asked, and asked again.

      • vto 4.2.1

        Agree 100%. Who can ask Key that question best?

        And pink postman that clanger of Hubbard’s was certainly worthy.

    • felix 4.3

      “i still don’t understand why Key would’ve admitted to that”

      Off guard. He’s not used to being in a room filled with people who see through him and say so.

    • Deborah Kean 4.4

      Because he believes no one can do anything about his admission – or worse, that no one cares!

  5. Carol 5

    So why isn’t this front page headline news? And why aren’t major commentators and journalists questioning Key’s leadership?

    • grumpy 5.1

      Because yet another Labour flunky has managed to hog the headlines.

      • Carol 5.1.1

        Would that be the natural disaster, crime or crash stories, or business confidence plummets? I guess Labour is responsible for all those then?

        • Tigger 5.1.1.1

          Just heard Newstalk where host (Willisms) was decrying how badly Key was treated at the meeting, how those questioning him were inappropriate. So yeah, MSM working to protect them…

          • Draco T Bastard 5.1.1.1.1

            That seems to be normal for the MSM – they really lost the plot a long time ago. They’re supposed to be holding politicians and business people to account – not protecting them. Although, as the journos are owned by the business people and the business people want this bunch of psychopaths (NACT) in power we really shouldn’t be surprised that that’s what they’re doing.

    • The Voice of Reason 5.2

      It’s not only the msm that’s missing in action, Carol, the night shift at Crosby/Textor appear to have all taken a sickie. I’m guessing it’s not just because of the law change tomorrow.

  6. fermionic_interference 6

    Is this a case of criminal negligence?
    Or corruption within the halls of power, ie; my friends/family have money invested here, therefore the company must be bought into the deposit guarantee scheme?

    Is it time for a major enquiry?

    • freedom 6.1

      yes, yes and ahh yes

    • grumpy 6.2

      Should be looked at. I seem to remember that a major hedge fund was bailed out from their SCF investment (Torchlight) when they were not strictly eligible. At the time it was presumed for ease of disposition of assets (no squabble over priority) but looks suspicious.

  7. freedom 7

    ahhh the unbiased and interested media we enjoy these days,

    we can comment on the baking by the cooks
    http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/4833206/Key-takes-the-biscuit

    but not the cooking of the books
    http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/4830643/John-Key-I-like-Hubbard

  8. logie97 8

    It would be terrible if people close to cabinet members were revealed to have benefitted from this bailout…

    captcha: intelligence

    • The Economic Illiteracy Support Group 8.1

      It might be terrible, but would anyone be particularly surprised?

    • Draco T Bastard 8.2

      It wouldn’t be terrible at all as we do need to remove the thieves from power and it is certainly something that needs to looked at.

  9. Ms X 9

    Just remember, this guy is all smoke and mirrors, but he ain’t stupid. If he’s admitting to something to raise our ire, then there’s something he’s not admitting that’s going on that will shake us to the core – if we spot it…..

    • Bright Red 9.1

      I think it’s more that he doesn’t think we’re really listening. Remember, this quote was reported by RNZ and the Herald etc and none of them thought to compare it to how the Nats had handled SCF.

      captcha: critical – as in the msm have plenty of cynicism but little in the way of critical thinking.

    • Jum 9.2

      Yeah, Ms X,

      He learned his craft in the back alleys of the stock market where being bothered by adverse criticism would be the last thing to shake his steady hand on the tiller of greed.

      Check out the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement that he and his nzbusinessrotundtable ticks are pushing through just before the election. That would be just one of the criminal acts perpetrated on this country and New Zealanders.

  10. Red Rosa 10

    The SCF/Hubbard mess is big, and complex. $1.7bn is of course serious money. There is a tangle of related party lending, cross-shareholding and personal involvement which is keeping a heap of expensive people working hard in Timaru to sort out. There are something like 500 Hubbard-related entities, and the documentation by his own admission is scanty.

    The political fallout is mixed, too. Most of the disgruntled hecklers at the Timaru meeting looked like National Party supporters. Chances are, some of them are debenture holders who have been paid out in full! But a lot of South Canterbury people have been helped by Hubbard – some owe practically all they have to him. As something of a local icon, he gets heaps of sympathy.

    It would be most interesting to see the list of, and $’s paid out to, all the debenture holders.

    That might help explain things better.

    • Marty G 10.1

      There may be a works where the government thinks the people have the right to know whose benefiting when it signs a $1.8 billion cheque. But it isn’t this one.

    • vto 10.2

      Two things methinks;

      one following the money is always illuminating and
      two the SCF bailout is without doubt a “nice to have”

      • felix 10.2.1

        Follow the money is right.

        Gee I hope none of it ended up in investment vehicles that Key didn’t know he owned.

        • burt 10.2.1.1

          Our excellent investigative journalists would have been all over that one.

          Ummm is that too long for a billboard ?

  11. Oleolebiscuitbarrell 11

    Don’t remember this amount of censure when Labour brought in the retail deposit guarantee scheme and extended it to Mascot Finance at a cost of $70m.

    • Lanthanide 11.1

      $1.6bn is a bit different than $70m. Also, by Key’s admission, they knew SCF was in trouble for years ahead of it’s final collapse, and deliberately re-extended the guarantee 3 times.

      It is a legitimate question, but if you can’t see the difference in scale between these cases, then there’s something wrong with you (or you’re in denial).

      • burt 11.1.1

        Arguably the scale makes it more important to include them. The policy was after all to protect private investors. I guess Labour’s definition of ‘worthy’ and National’s were always going to be different though. The bit that I think really smarts is the timing of the inclusion, a cynic might say it was repaying party donations…

  12. RobC 12

    oleole, neither do I. If you could point out your censure when Labour brought in the retail deposit guarantee scheme, much obliged. Cheers.

    • Oleolebiscuitbarrel 12.1

      I’m sorry RobC, I am not going to be able to give you a link or anything but can you just take it from me that I have always been against the government propping up any private enterprise.

      • felix 12.1.1

        I’ll take your word for that. You must be livid about this $1.6bn then.

        You must be furious that we’re paying the fucking interest to these thieves.

        • Oleolebiscuitbarrel 12.1.1.1

          I am. I blame the mentality that throwing other people’s money at a problem is a good idea if it serves a greater good. I think that this was what Labour had in mind when it put the scheme in place.

          • felix 12.1.1.1.1

            We may disagree on the merits of public money serving a public good, but what we see here is a govt throwing public money at a private problem to serve a private good.

            Plus interest.

          • burt 12.1.1.1.2

            I agree with that, arguing over what scale is acceptable is a waste of time, it’s personal opinion stuff and really the ass-end of the politics.

            The failure is indeed the mentality that it is valid for the state to prop up failing business for the greater good.

            • felix 12.1.1.1.2.1

              It’s the interest that really gets my goat though.

              Even if the state making up the capital losses could be justified (and I don’t think it can) there’s just no fucking way the investors should be getting a dividend on their losses, paid for by the state.

              Have English or Key even bothered to come up with an excuse for paying the interest?

  13. burt 13

    Eddie

    On November 19th 2008, Key and his ministers were sworn in. That very day, Treasury Head John Whitehead signed the deed admitting SCF into the retail deposit guarantee scheme “on behalf of the Minister of Finance” Bill English.

    What more needs to be said !

  14. Miracle Worker 14

    If you want to know what was behind all of this – take a close look at Botherway’s relationship with Kerr (and Key), as well as some of the ‘key’ dates. The same day AH tipped Scales and HNZ into SCF to shore it up, the ‘anonymous complaint’ appeared on Simon Botherway’s desk. Statutory Management and the SFO investigation were announced exactly six days after Simon Botherway’s brother was declared bankrupt, the consequence of actions precipitated by SCF. That course of action sunk SCF – no doubt about it. Deposits went from average $2 million per day to less than $5K per day within 72 hours. It killed it. Stone dead. If there was a chance to save it before they slammed AH with that, that chance was destroyed by those actions.

    Torchlight and PGC had already been sniffing around Treasury – trying to influence decisions on SCF – prior to SM and the SFO announcement. The Treasury and RBNZ document dumps from late 2010 prove it. PGC was in there on behalf of Kerr, sniffing around and trying to influence the SCF situation. According to the Treasury emails that refer to it – no steps were taken to manage or stop that conflict.

    In addition to this – those RBNZ and Treasury emails make clear references to SecCom (Botherway) sniffing around in the background, signalling the intent to use SM on Allan Hubbard as early as October 2009 and February 2010 (in fact, the last reference to it was exactly 4 days prior to the ‘anonymous complaint’ magically appearing on Botherway’s desk on 28th Feb 2010).

    Torchlight (George Kerr) pocketed tens of millions from the SCF receivership under the RDGS.

    George Kerr went to Christ College with Simon Botherway. He also went to Canterbury University with Simon Botherway, at the same time. George Kerr also went on to co direct and co-run 4 separate companies with Simon Botherway. Hardly an “arms length” relationship.

    Simon Botherway was employed by Key at Bankers Trust, over eight years ago.

    It looks likely that Botherway was shoulder tapped by Key for the FMA.

    And all these guys know each other – really, really well.

    On top of all that – who is the biggest benificiary of SCF’s collapse? PGC……..now known as CBS……the new ‘Heartland Bank’.

    While Botherway and Key might be smart enough to avoid the obvious questions that will arise if CBS is suddenly seen to be “buying” SCF’s assets cheap – the one thing neither of them can hide is the most obvious thing of all….

    George Kerr had a lot of help getting rid of his biggest potential competitor in the rural lending marketplace – and destroying that competitor’s reputation completely is a very good way of ensuring he can’t bounce back and cost you business.

    Do the math people – and do your research. The information is all available – you just have to connect the dots.

    • vto 14.1

      Well put together miracle worker. I think I said at the time that the thing to watch would be where SCF’s assets end up.

      There is absolutely no doubt deals were done behind closed doors involving politicians. It is quietly acknowledged even. And Key has admitted it – why was SCF allowed into the RDGS when Key was told from his first day as Prime Minister that it was going broke? Why? Key? Answer up please.

      Note that these exact same backroom deals involving the exact same people and politicians and organisations is going on as we speak over the Central Plains Water scheme. It is a done deal – just ask David Carter how it is going to be paid for and where the assets will end up. And watch his snake tongue fork.

    • Bright Red 14.2

      are the treasury and rbnz docs online?

  15. randal 15

    “the entire time I have been prime minister”.sounds like he has had enough.
    If I were Him I would take the money and run now before the crap really hits the fan.

  16. Miracle Worker 16

    Here’s a bit from my research – the RBNZ documents are particularly revealing. It is absolutely gob-smacking that the media have overlooked the content of those emails – in fact it is an absolute scandal. I can only conclude that reporters/journalists in this country either have ridiculously short attention spans, or they avoid anything that requires research, or this stuff leapt off the page at them but they were under strict instructions not to say anything about it.

    Either way – for some of the snippets in those emails (which were all given to the media) to have gone unchallenged/unreported – really is a scandal.

    http://www.treasury.govt.nz/publications/informationreleases/scf/pdfs/scf-t2010-1586.pdf

    http://www.treasury.govt.nz/publications/informationreleases/scf

    http://www.treasury.govt.nz/publications/informationreleases/scf/pdfs/scf-m-km-tsy-1sep10.pdf

    http://www.beehive.govt.nz/speech/ministerial-statement-parliament-south-canterbury-finance

    http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/govt-moves-swiftly-repay-all-scf-depositors

    http://www.rbnz.govt.nz/finstab/nbdt/scf/index.html

  17. Once again the money trader who learned to leave his morals at home whenever he deals with money, he seems to forget that he is playing with peoples lives, but people are not money so they are unimportant to money traders. The money trader just expects you to make this a good country for him and his favoured few to love in.

    • Jum 17.1

      Excellent comment, Margaret. I was trying to work out what made John Key tick. So I ticked through the items that annoyed me about his behaviour.
      – he was handing out bottles of wine to journalists at Christmas from the vineyard he wasn’t supposed to know he owned.
      – the wondering how that illegally poached antarctic pebble came to be in his pocket
      – the forgetfulness about how many shares he owned in this and that, yet he’s a moneytrader who is supposed to have the accounting brain of a steel trap, yet he says he knows the price of everything but we know he knows the value of nothing
      – the deliberate bypassing of Pharmac to hand out a longer supply of Herceptin cancer treatment to women just before the 2008 election – how convenient – that was as yet unproven – but gained the women’s vote, never mind he removed their right to pay equity for the next 10 years and has sent more women than men on to the unemployment line and tells solo mothers that their most important job of bringing up baby is not as important as cleaning some rich woman’s loo…

      But people like him. They think he’s just like them, believe it or not.

      He’s not like them.
      A. He’s a moneyman and money and power is what motivates him, not caring about people. He’s seriously wealthy, but did he earn it by hard work that produced something concrete. No. He just produced more paper money for those that didn’t need it and was handsomely rewarded. The fact that he helped a client make a possibly damaging speculative run on the New Zealand $ seems to mean nothing to people.

      B. He listens to the advice of spin doctors, exported from Howard’s Australian election and later Brash’s election, based on Hollow Man promises and spin and happily voted against English for Brash when he had promised his fealty to English. What a man.

      C. He acts like NZ is his private business.

      Then I realized why, not only was he annoying me but he was really making me angry. He truly believes New Zealand IS his private company, and he’s out to cut costs. That’s us, ladies and gentlemen – we’re the expenses. This from the man who had free education and cheap housing and taxpayer support for his widowed Mum, rest her soul.

      PS Come November, he’s going to hand us over to foreign corporates and we’ll lose our sovereignty for the next (100) years. Then, he might trip off back to America, whether NZers elect NAct again or not, to get a pat on the head from his American masters who stand to gain much from the TPPA. He’ll also be able to cash in his $million loan he made the Bank of America – services rendered, who knows.

      Have a nice life, John, and don’t ever come back. English will send the knighthood over in return for you handing us over to him and the NZBusinessRotundtable; deal done – John’s good at that.

  18. MC 18

    MAY DAY.  1 MAY 2011.  ANTI-CORRUPTION PROTEST OUTSIDE PARLIAMENT FROM MIDDAY.  YOU’RE INVITED.

  19. JMK 19

    “Miracle Worker” [deleted]. Mate you’re like a stuck record
    Try answering the following;

    “the ‘anonymous complaint’ magically appearing on Botherway’s desk”. What was the true sequence of events i.e who referred the complaint to SEC COM?
    SB took up the role at SEC in Feb 2010. Your reference to 2009?
    Are you sure SB went to CU?
    What “tens of millions” did GK make make other than that which was part of the agreement brokered between SCF and Torchlight?
    PGC – CBS?
    4 separate companies?

    Innuendo and misinformation

    [lprent: Speculation on peoples identities is not allowed here – read the policy section on privacy. Since there is no way for you to know who leaves comments then speculating on them is completely futile and likely to be incorrect as well as defamatory. Do it again and you will not be allowed to comment here. ]

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    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
    15 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
    16 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
    16 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
    17 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
    17 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 ...
    18 hours 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
    20 hours 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
    21 hours 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): ...
    23 hours 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 ...
    1 day 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 ...
    1 day 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 ...
    1 day 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 ...
    1 day 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 ...
    1 day 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 ...
    1 day 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 ...
    1 day 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 ...
    1 day 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
    1 day 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 ...
    1 day 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 ...
    1 day ago
  • Protecting Your Home Computer A Guide to Cyber Awareness
    In our increasingly digital world, home computers have become essential tools for work, communication, entertainment, and more. However, this increased reliance on technology also exposes us to various cyber threats. Understanding these threats and taking proactive steps to protect your home computer is crucial for safeguarding your personal information, finances, ...
    1 day 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, ...
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    2 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
    2 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
    2 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
    3 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 ...
    3 days ago
  • Apposite Quotations.
    How Long Is Long Enough? Gaza under Israeli bombardment, July 2014. This posting is exclusive to 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
    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
  • 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
    4 days ago
  • What is Mexico doing about climate change?
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections The June general election in Mexico could mark a turning point in ensuring that the country’s climate policies better reflect the desire of its citizens to address the climate crisis, with both leading presidential candidates expressing support for renewable energy. Mexico is the ...
    4 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
    5 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
    5 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 ...
    5 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
    5 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
    5 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
    5 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
    10 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
    12 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
    13 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
    14 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
    14 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
    14 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
    17 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
    1 day 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
    1 day ago
  • Taupō takes pole position
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