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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    18 hours ago
  • Bernard’s pick ‘n’ mix of the news links at 6:36am on Tuesday, April 23
    TL;DR: These six news links stood out in the last 24 hours to 6:36am on Tuesday, April 22:Scoop & Deep Dive: How Sir Peter Jackson got to have his billion-dollar exit cake and eat Hollywood too NZ Herald-$$$ Matt NippertFast Track Approval Bill: Watchdogs seek substantial curbs on ministers' powers ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    21 hours ago
  • What is really holding up infrastructure
    The infrastructure industry yesterday issued a “hurry up” message to the Government, telling it to get cracking on developing a pipeline of infrastructure projects.The hiatus around the change of Government has seen some major projects cancelled and others delayed, and there is uncertainty about what will happen with the new ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    22 hours ago
  • “Pure Unadulterated Charge”
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    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    22 hours ago
  • Bernard's six-stack of substacks for Monday, April 22
    Tonight’s six-stack includes: writes via his substack that’s he’s sceptical about the IPSOS poll last week suggesting a slide into authoritarianism here, writing: Kiwis seem to want their cake and eat it too Tal Aster writes for about How Israel turned homeowners into YIMBYs. writes via his ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • The media were given a little list and hastened to pick out Fast Track prospects – but the Treaty ...
     Buzz from the Beehive The 180 or so recipients of letters from the Government telling them how to submit infrastructure projects for “fast track” consideration includes some whose project applications previously have been rejected by the courts. News media were quick to feature these in their reports after RMA Reform Minister Chris ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 day ago
  • Just trying to stay upright
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    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 day ago
  • “Unprecedented”
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    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Time for “Fast-Track Watch”
    Calling all journalists, academics, planners, lawyers, political activists, environmentalists, and other members of the public who believe that the relationships between vested interests and politicians need to be scrutinised. We need to work together to make sure that the new Fast-Track Approvals Bill – currently being pushed through by the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    2 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on fast track powers, media woes and the Tiktok ban
    Feel worried. Shane Jones and a couple of his Cabinet colleagues are about to be granted the power to override any and all objections to projects like dams, mines, roads etc even if: said projects will harm biodiversity, increase global warming and cause other environmental harms, and even if ...
    2 days ago
  • The Government’s new fast-track invitation to corruption
    Bryce Edwards writes-  The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. ...
    Point of OrderBy gadams1000
    2 days ago
  • Maori push for parallel government structures
    Michael Bassett writes – If you think there is a move afoot by the radical Maori fringe of New Zealand society to create a parallel system of government to the one that we elect at our triennial elections, you aren’t wrong. Over the last few days we have ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • An announcement about an announcement
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    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • All the Green Tech in China.
    Sunday was a lazy day. I started watching Jack Tame on Q&A, the interviews are usually good for something to write about. Saying the things that the politicians won’t, but are quite possibly thinking. Things that are true and need to be extracted from between the lines.As you might know ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Western Express Success
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    2 days ago
  • Bernard’s pick ‘n’ mix of the news links at 7:16am on Monday, April 22
    TL;DR: These six news links stood out in the last 24 hours to 7:16am on Monday, April 22:Labour says Kiwis at greater risk from loan sharks as Govt plans to remove borrowing regulations NZ Herald Jenee TibshraenyHow did the cost of moving two schools blow out to more than $400m?A ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • The Kaka’s diary for the week to April 29 and beyond
    TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to April 29 include:PM Christopher Luxon is scheduled to hold a post-Cabinet news conference at 4 pm today. Stats NZ releases its statutory report on Census 2023 tomorrow.Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivers a pre-Budget speech at ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #16
    A listing of 29 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 14, 2024 thru Sat, April 20, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week hinges on these words from the abstract of a fresh academic ...
    2 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: The Government’s new fast-track invitation to corruption
    The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. The Government says this will ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago
  • Thank you
    This is a column to say thank you. So many of have been in touch since Mum died to say so many kind and thoughtful things. You’re wonderful, all of you. You’ve asked how we’re doing, how Dad’s doing. A little more realisation each day, of the irretrievable finality of ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Determining the Engine Type in Your Car
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    3 days ago
  • How to Become a Race Car Driver: A Comprehensive Guide
    Introduction: The allure of racing is undeniable. The thrill of speed, the roar of engines, and the exhilaration of competition all contribute to the allure of this adrenaline-driven sport. For those who yearn to experience the pinnacle of racing, becoming a race car driver is the ultimate dream. However, the ...
    3 days ago
  • How Many Cars Are There in the World in 2023? An Exploration of Global Automotive Statistics
    Introduction Automobiles have become ubiquitous in modern society, serving as a primary mode of transportation and a symbol of economic growth and personal mobility. With countless vehicles traversing roads and highways worldwide, it begs the question: how many cars are there in the world? Determining the precise number is a ...
    3 days ago
  • How Long Does It Take for Car Inspection?
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    3 days ago
  • Who Makes Mazda Cars?
    Mazda Motor Corporation, commonly known as Mazda, is a Japanese multinational automaker headquartered in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The company was founded in 1920 as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd., and began producing vehicles in 1931. Mazda is primarily known for its production of passenger cars, but ...
    3 days ago
  • How Often to Replace Your Car Battery A Comprehensive Guide
    Your car battery is an essential component that provides power to start your engine, operate your electrical systems, and store energy. Over time, batteries can weaken and lose their ability to hold a charge, which can lead to starting problems, power failures, and other issues. Replacing your battery before it ...
    3 days ago
  • Can You Register a Car Without a License?
    In most states, you cannot register a car without a valid driver’s license. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Exceptions to the Rule If you are under 18 years old: In some states, you can register a car in your name even if you do not ...
    3 days ago
  • Mazda: A Comprehensive Evaluation of Reliability, Value, and Performance
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    3 days ago
  • What Are Struts on a Car?
    Struts are an essential part of a car’s suspension system. They are responsible for supporting the weight of the car and damping the oscillations of the springs. Struts are typically made of steel or aluminum and are filled with hydraulic fluid. How Do Struts Work? Struts work by transferring the ...
    3 days ago
  • What Does Car Registration Look Like: A Comprehensive Guide
    Car registration is a mandatory process that all vehicle owners must complete annually. This process involves registering your car with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and paying an associated fee. The registration process ensures that your vehicle is properly licensed and insured, and helps law enforcement and other authorities ...
    3 days ago
  • How to Share Computer Audio on Zoom
    Zoom is a video conferencing service that allows you to share your screen, webcam, and audio with other participants. In addition to sharing your own audio, you can also share the audio from your computer with other participants. This can be useful for playing music, sharing presentations with audio, or ...
    3 days ago
  • How Long Does It Take to Build a Computer?
    Building your own computer can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to get a high-performance machine tailored to your specific needs. However, it also requires careful planning and execution, and one of the most important factors to consider is the time it will take. The exact time it takes to ...
    3 days ago
  • How to Put Your Computer to Sleep
    Sleep mode is a power-saving state that allows your computer to quickly resume operation without having to boot up from scratch. This can be useful if you need to step away from your computer for a short period of time but don’t want to shut it down completely. There are ...
    3 days ago
  • What is Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT)?
    Introduction Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) has revolutionized the field of translation by harnessing the power of technology to assist human translators in their work. This innovative approach combines specialized software with human expertise to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of translations. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the ...
    3 days ago
  • iPad vs. Tablet Computers A Comprehensive Guide to Differences
    In today’s digital age, mobile devices have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Among the vast array of portable computing options available, iPads and tablet computers stand out as two prominent contenders. While both offer similar functionalities, there are subtle yet significant differences between these two devices. This ...
    3 days ago
  • How Are Computers Made?
    A computer is an electronic device that can be programmed to carry out a set of instructions. The basic components of a computer are the processor, memory, storage, input devices, and output devices. The Processor The processor, also known as the central processing unit (CPU), is the brain of the ...
    3 days ago
  • How to Add Voice Memos from iPhone to Computer
    Voice Memos is a convenient app on your iPhone that allows you to quickly record and store audio snippets. These recordings can be useful for a variety of purposes, such as taking notes, capturing ideas, or recording interviews. While you can listen to your voice memos on your iPhone, you ...
    3 days ago
  • Why My Laptop Screen Has Lines on It: A Comprehensive Guide
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    3 days ago
  • How to Right-Click on a Laptop
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    3 days ago
  • Where is the Power Button on an ASUS Laptop?
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    3 days ago
  • How to Start a Dell Laptop: A Comprehensive Guide
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    4 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Serious populist discontent is bubbling up in New Zealand
    Two-thirds of the country think that “New Zealand’s economy is rigged to advantage the rich and powerful”. They also believe that “New Zealand needs a strong leader to take the country back from the rich and powerful”. These are just two of a handful of stunning new survey results released ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago
  • How to Take a Screenshot on an Asus Laptop A Comprehensive Guide with Detailed Instructions and Illu...
    In today’s digital world, screenshots have become an indispensable tool for communication and documentation. Whether you need to capture an important email, preserve a website page, or share an error message, screenshots allow you to quickly and easily preserve digital information. If you’re an Asus laptop user, there are several ...
    4 days ago
  • How to Factory Reset Gateway Laptop A Comprehensive Guide
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    4 days ago
  • The Folly Of Impermanence.
    You talking about me?  The neoliberal denigration of the past was nowhere more unrelenting than in its depiction of the public service. The Post Office and the Railways were held up as being both irremediably inefficient and scandalously over-manned. Playwright Roger Hall’s “Glide Time” caricatures were presented as accurate depictions of ...
    4 days ago
  • A crisis of ambition
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    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Have 308 people in the Education Ministry’s Curriculum Development Team spent over $100m on a 60-p...
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    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • 'This bill is dangerous for the environment and our democracy'
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    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The Bank of our Tamariki and Mokopuna.
    Monday left me brokenTuesday, I was through with hopingWednesday, my empty arms were openThursday, waiting for love, waiting for loveThe end of another week that left many of us asking WTF? What on earth has NZ gotten itself into and how on earth could people have voluntarily signed up for ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • The worth of it all
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.State of humanity, 20242024, 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?Full story Share ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • What is the Hardest Sport in the World?
    Determining the hardest sport in the world is a subjective matter, as the difficulty level can vary depending on individual abilities, physical attributes, and experience. However, based on various factors including physical demands, technical skills, mental fortitude, and overall accomplishment, here is an exploration of some of the most challenging ...
    4 days ago
  • What is the Most Expensive Sport?
    The allure of sport transcends age, culture, and geographical boundaries. It captivates hearts, ignites passions, and provides unparalleled entertainment. Behind the spectacle, however, lies a fascinating world of financial investment and expenditure. Among the vast array of competitive pursuits, one question looms large: which sport carries the hefty title of ...
    4 days ago
  • Pickleball On the Cusp of Olympic Glory
    Introduction Pickleball, a rapidly growing paddle sport, has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions around the world. Its blend of tennis, badminton, and table tennis elements has made it a favorite among players of all ages and skill levels. As the sport’s popularity continues to surge, the question on ...
    4 days ago
  • The Origin and Evolution of Soccer Unveiling the Genius Behind the World’s Most Popular Sport
    Abstract: Soccer, the global phenomenon captivating millions worldwide, has a rich history that spans centuries. Its origins trace back to ancient civilizations, but the modern version we know and love emerged through a complex interplay of cultural influences and innovations. This article delves into the fascinating journey of soccer’s evolution, ...
    4 days ago
  • How Much to Tint Car Windows A Comprehensive Guide
    Tinting car windows offers numerous benefits, including enhanced privacy, reduced glare, UV protection, and a more stylish look for your vehicle. However, the cost of window tinting can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article provides a comprehensive guide to help you understand how much you can expect to ...
    4 days ago
  • Why Does My Car Smell Like Gas? A Comprehensive Guide to Diagnosing and Fixing the Issue
    The pungent smell of gasoline in your car can be an alarming and potentially dangerous problem. Not only is the odor unpleasant, but it can also indicate a serious issue with your vehicle’s fuel system. In this article, we will explore the various reasons why your car may smell like ...
    4 days ago
  • How to Remove Tree Sap from Car A Comprehensive Guide
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    4 days ago
  • How Much Paint Do You Need to Paint a Car?
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    4 days ago
  • Can You Jump a Car in the Rain? Safety Precautions and Essential Steps
    Jump-starting a car is a common task that can be performed even in adverse weather conditions like rain. However, safety precautions and proper techniques are crucial to avoid potential hazards. This comprehensive guide will provide detailed instructions on how to safely jump a car in the rain, ensuring both your ...
    4 days ago
  • Can taxpayers be confident PIJF cash was spent wisely?
    Graham Adams writes about the $55m media fund — When Patrick Gower was asked by Mike Hosking last week what he would say to the many Newstalk ZB callers who allege the Labour government bribed media with $55 million of taxpayers’ money via the Public Interest Journalism Fund — and ...
    Point of OrderBy gadams1000
    4 days ago
  • EGU2024 – An intense week of joining sessions virtually
    Note: this blog post has been put together over the course of the week I followed the happenings at the conference virtually. Should recordings of the Great Debates and possibly Union Symposia mentioned below, be released sometime after the conference ends, I'll include links to the ones I participated in. ...
    4 days ago
  • Submission on “Fast Track Approvals Bill”
    The following was my submission made on the “Fast Track Approvals Bill”. This potential law will give three Ministers unchecked powers, un-paralled since the days of Robert Muldoon’s “Think Big” projects.The submission is written a bit tongue-in-cheek. But it’s irreverent because the FTAB is in itself not worthy of respect. ...
    Frankly SpeakingBy Frank Macskasy
    4 days ago
  • The Case for a Universal Family Benefit
    One Could Reduce Child Poverty At No Fiscal CostFollowing the Richardson/Shipley 1990 ‘redesign of the welfare state’ – which eliminated the universal Family Benefit and doubled the rate of child poverty – various income supplements for families have been added, the best known being ‘Working for Families’, introduced in 2005. ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    4 days ago
  • A who’s who of New Zealand’s dodgiest companies
    Submissions on National's corrupt Muldoonist fast-track law are due today (have you submitted?), and just hours before they close, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop has been forced to release the list of companies he invited to apply. I've spent the last hour going through it in an epic thread of bleats, ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • On Lee’s watch, Economic Development seems to be stuck on scoring points from promoting sporting e...
    Buzz from the Beehive A few days ago, Point of Order suggested the media must be musing “on why Melissa is mute”. Our article reported that people working in the beleaguered media industry have cause to yearn for a minister as busy as Melissa Lee’s ministerial colleagues and we drew ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • New Zealand has never been closed for business
    1. What was The Curse of Jim Bolger?a. Winston Peters b. Soon after shaking his hand, world leaders would mysteriously lose office or shuffle off this mortal coilc. Could never shake off the Mother of All Budgetsd. Dandruff2. True or false? The Chairman of a Kiwi export business has asked the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago
  • Stop the panic – we’ve been here before
    Jack Vowles writes – New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Minister welcomes hydrogen milestone
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    10 hours ago
  • Urgent changes to system through first RMA Amendment Bill
    The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    17 hours ago
  • Overseas decommissioning models considered
    Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    17 hours ago
  • Release of North Island Severe Weather Event Inquiry
    Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago
  • Justice Minister to attend Human Rights Council
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order.  “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Patterson reopens world’s largest wool scouring facility
    Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Speech to the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective Summit, 18 April 2024
    Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing  At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin    Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho    Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today.    I am delighted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government to introduce revised Three Strikes law
    The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • New diplomatic appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions.   “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says.    “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Humanitarian support for Ethiopia and Somalia
    New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today.   “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Arts Minister congratulates Mataaho Collective
    Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale.  “It is good ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Supporting better financial outcomes for Kiwis
    The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Trade relationship with China remains strong
    “China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says.   Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • PM’s South East Asia mission does the business
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • $41m to support clean energy in South East Asia
    New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days 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
    5 days 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
    5 days 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
    5 days 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
    5 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days 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
    5 days 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
    5 days 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
    5 days 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
    5 days 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
    6 days 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
    6 days 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days 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
    6 days 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
    6 days 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
    6 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
    7 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
    7 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
    7 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
    7 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week ago
  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
    Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week ago

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