Kids, Rivers, Jobs

Written By: - Date published: 2:30 pm, September 21st, 2011 - 70 comments
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The Greens launched their economic policy today –  I attended on behalf of the Fabian Society. Titled “100,000 green jobs for New Zealanders, it follows their plan to bring 100,000 children out of poverty by 2014. The focus was on leveraging green priorities, by using direct government investment, changing the way state-owned companies work, and shifting the drivers for green jobs in the private sector.

Entrepreneur Nick Gerritsen spoke about the opportunities for leveraging green technology for New Zealand, and the main presentation came from Russel Norman, who spoke of “a commonsense economy that is transformative of opportunity”  – you can watch it here. Media questions focussed around costings and priorities, all of which were laid out in the documents and presentations.

Compared with Labour’s economic policy launch I thought while Labour had done the heavy lifting on capital gains tax and budget priorities, the Greens focus on jobs made for better political marketing, even though Russel Norman waffled when asked what the jobs would look like for tonight’s television audience. Overall it was an impressive presentation and while there is no doubt that the policy fit is much closer with Labour, with opposition to partial asset sales, capital gains tax and support for government procurement, the Greens also had an eye for gains they might be able to make with a National-led government.

70 comments on “Kids, Rivers, Jobs ”

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  1. Anthony 1
    21 September 2011 at 2:46 pm

    One thing I always wonder about extending the heat smart programme is whether people who need it actually get it, or whether it just becomes another score for middle-class home owners.

    Would like to see something that would actually give an incentive to landlords to have properly insulated and heated homes for their tenants.

    • Anthony 1.1
      21 September 2011 at 2:54 pm

      Like the performance standard for rentals (that wasn’t very clear in my original comment sorry)

    • insider 1.2
      21 September 2011 at 4:03 pm

      Isn’t that always the risk with these schemes. To me it also shows the relatively marginal value they provide compared to the promised benefits by proponents, if middle class people who can afford this stuff independently need a whacking subsidy to actually do it.

      That aside, there have been charities providing low income people with low cost installations. But as for favouring rentals, what’s to stop me ‘renting’ my home out , claiming a higher subsidy, then un-renting it or making the rental a sham via a company or trust. Seems more risk of middle class welfare to me.

      • Draco T Bastard 1.2.1
        21 September 2011 at 4:21 pm

        Middle class people in NZ happen to be poor due to the very low wage economy that we’ve been building for the last 30 years. The other 75% of people can’t afford the stuff even with the subsidy.

      • KJT 1.2.2
        22 September 2011 at 9:58 pm

        Well from where I sit the biggest problem was the accreditation of only a few insulation providers who, mostly, whacked their prices up to what it would of cost pre-subsidy, plus the amount of the subsidy..

    • Carol 1.3
      21 September 2011 at 4:43 pm

      My rented living space is pretty cheap and basic, and isn’t easily heated, but nevertheless I’m happy here. It would be a major task to improve it heating wise, and probably not worth the effort – it’d be better to pull it down and start over. If it was upgraded, then I’m pretty sure the rent would increase markedly.

      • Colonial Viper 1.3.1
        22 September 2011 at 10:21 pm

        If it was upgraded, then I’m pretty sure the rent would increase markedly.

        Not if the Government owned the property and transferably leased it to you at a flat fixed rate for rolling 10 year terms.

  2. Colonial Viper 2
    21 September 2011 at 3:23 pm

    The Government has been, and can be once more, a provider of good productive, needed jobs for society, because the private sector is continuously failing to produce the kinds of decent paying jobs that we need as a country.

    • insider 2.1
      21 September 2011 at 3:53 pm

      The govt relies on tax to pay its bills, such as for all these decently paid jobs, or on income from sales of services etc. Where will that tax come from and how will those sales be assured or competitively priced so that those not in govt pay can afford them?

      • Draco T Bastard 2.1.1
        21 September 2011 at 4:25 pm

        It’s not about money – it’s about proper distribution of our resources which the capitalist free-market is failing to achieve.

  3. queenstfarmer 3
    21 September 2011 at 3:29 pm

    So the Greens want to repeat a smaller version of the massive programme which failed in the US. That is hardly compelling.

    • clandestino 3.1
      21 September 2011 at 3:51 pm

      Except the US has done nothing like what is proposed by the Greens, are you really this simple or is it purposeful?

      • queenstfarmer 3.1.1
        21 September 2011 at 4:31 pm

        Nothing like the US? The Greena’ plan is: “to create green jobs through business incentives and government leadership”. It lists 3 “highlights” of this plan:

        1. “Direct investment”
        2. “Keep it Kiwi”
        3. “Support for Small & Medium Businesses” (despite the fact virtually all SME’s run a mile from anything associated with the anti-business Greens)

        1 & 3 are exactly what the US has tried (among other things). It hasn’t worked. That is not to say the intentions aren’t noble – the Greens usually have good intentions – but the evidence is it will be a collosal waste of money.

        • clandestino 3.1.1.1
          21 September 2011 at 4:52 pm

          China has done the above ‘direct investment’ too, as has Germany, as every blimmin country in the world does all the frickin time. Open your eyes, we compete against very rich countries getting richer because they do exactly the type of thing blindly ideological simpletons oppose with such misdirection.

          I shouldn’t be suprised you’re jumping on the ‘equate all direct investment with Solyndra’ bandwagon like all historically ignorant and economically inconsistent righties. Further to that, low interest loans and capital injections into the financial industry are not the definition of direct investment any sane person would use.

          • queenstfarmer 3.1.1.1.1
            21 September 2011 at 9:34 pm

            Getting richer? You (and the Greens) need to read up on the failure of the US stimulus, including the green jobs stimulus. That is most definitely not a way to get richer.

            I shouldn’t be suprised you’re jumping on the ‘equate all direct investment with Solyndra’ bandwagon

            Where did I do that? But now that you’ve raised it, it was the single largest recipient of funds, and it failed. So to have the #1 example crash and burn, is not a good look.

            low interest loans and capital injections into the financial industry are not the definition of direct investment any sane person would use

            Um, you think capital injection is not direct investment?
            Low interest loans may not be, depending on their terms.

            • Colonial Viper 3.1.1.1.1.1
              21 September 2011 at 10:02 pm

              Pumping money into the financial system does nothing to help Main St, it only helps Wall St.

              Hence corporate profits surged, bankster bonuses exceeded pre 2008 records, and the Dow hit old highs, even as 46M Americans went on food stamps and the real rate of underemployment sits at around 20%.

              You can’t be this obtuse for real, can you?

              Oh and one other thing.

              Now that the US has moved roughly 50,000 factories worth of production (and hence GDP) over to China, no amount of stimulus is going to help ordinary Americans.

              The money pipes to the American household are broken and all the money pumped in is leaking straight into bankster pockets.

              • queenstfarmer …
                21 September 2011 at 11:27 pm

                Pumping money into the financial system does nothing to help Main St, it only helps Wall St… You can’t be this obtuse for real, can you?

                Hang on – I was talking about green stimulus. I would mostly agree with your statement that pumping money into the financial system (in the manner of the big bank bailouts) does nothing to help Main St, it only helps Wall St.

                Corporate welfarism (crony capitalism) must stop. The regulators must break down the behemoths to prevent them getting out of control, and from then on let them live by the sword, die by the sword.

                • Colonial Viper …
                  22 September 2011 at 12:02 am

                  Green stimulus works very well when direct it into established initiatives like home insulation, solar hot water heating, public transport, etc.

                  Throwing big money at speculative tech wielded by badly managed companies…well, that typically generates the usual results.

                  • rosy …
                    22 September 2011 at 12:37 am

                    Throwing big money at speculative tech wielded by badly managed companies…well, that typically generates the usual results.

                    But, but CV, it’s being entrepreneurial – capitalists bow at the altar of the entrepreneurial, don’t they? They’re the ‘wealth creators’ (when they’re not losing money) so surely all good capitalists should be cheering the spirit of this investment, not dissing the result?

                    • prism …
                      22 September 2011 at 11:09 pm

                      @tosy I thought that when wealth creators lose money they are said to be earning negative wealth. So they never really lose money, they just tuck it away behind the bookcase till needed.

            • clandestino 3.1.1.1.1.2
              22 September 2011 at 12:27 am

              “Um, you think capital injection is not direct investment?”

              Um, I see you’ve answered this question already below.

              No, it’s not a good look, but you are foolishly equating what went on there (competing with the Chinese in a who-can-scale-fastest race, only one winner) with what the Greens want to do here. I suggest you read the policy.

        • Ianupnorth 3.1.1.2
          21 September 2011 at 8:51 pm

          The USA don’t even produce their own light bulbs; maybe we should start producing our own ‘basics’

          A medium enterprise in the USA would be the size of Fletchers or Telecom

          • Colonial Viper 3.1.1.2.1
            21 September 2011 at 10:04 pm

            +1,000

            Now you’re talking

            Its not about who can make stuff cheaper per unit price

            Its who can make stuff at most value to NZ society. And providing good jobs and important societal roles to all who want them, while turning out great products, fits the bill precisely.

          • queenstfarmer 3.1.1.2.2
            21 September 2011 at 11:41 pm

            OK, so say you want NZ to produce light bulbs. Presumably, this would be the Government forking out several hundred million dollars to build a factory, license the necessary technology (the energy-saving ones are a lot more high tech than the old Edison incandescents), hire the staff, go through the full setup.

            Then the lightbulb that comes out would be maybe 5 times more expensive than the ones made in Asia. So no-one buys them, you can’t export them, and you have a big factory with the staff twiddling their thumbs.

            So then you either put a massive tarriff on imported lightbulbs, or make your own lightbulbs at a huge loss year after year, so the Government Light Bulb Company can be “competitive”. Then the countries we used to buy lightbulbs from slap (or increase) a retaliatory tarriff / domestic subsidy on whatever we export to them, instantly diminishing that sector of the NZ productive economy.

            But don’t worry – we can all bask in the warm (but not too warm) glow of New Zealand Government-brand lighting.

            Why does this all sound rather familiar?

            • Colonial Viper 3.1.1.2.2.1
              21 September 2011 at 11:55 pm

              1) Overseas countries are already slapping tarriffs on our products. They are doing so via competitive devaluations.

              2) We would not choose to produce items that we were 5x more expensive in. 50% perhaps, and at better quality.

              3) And we would not limit production to a single item like light bulbs. (Those lightbulbs require glass, electronics, rare earth metal elements etc). It would be across entire high value industries.

              4) Deglobalisation is going to happen anyway. Energy and transport costs are about to make the age of wage arbitrage a distant memory.

              5) When people are employed and being paid decent wages they will have the luxury of choosing “Made in NZ” to support their sons, daughters, brothers and sisters in good jobs.

              Why does this all sound rather familiar?

              Because its a throwback to an almost lost NZ socialist past – but modified for a socialist future where every New Zealander has productive, meaningful work to do.

              • clandestino …
                22 September 2011 at 12:38 am

                Exactly.

                We negotiated away all our tariffs, hollowing out our manufacturing base and losing us jobs that paid well and employed thousands.
                Now the Doha round is down to about 4% tariffs they want to get rid of, mostly agricultural. To do this is to the detriment of billions of the worlds poor, because they know it will destroy their livelihoods the same way it did our manufacturing. Global wage-slave arbitrage is a race to the slimy bottom of an oil barrel. End it now and start building sustainably at home.

              • queenstfarmer …
                22 September 2011 at 9:52 am

                I agree lightbulbs are a daft idea – it wasn’t my suggestion.

                Arbitrarily limiting what NZ Govt Manufacturing Co “should” produce to items that are a mere 50% more costly than everyone else (and engaging in isolationist tarriff wars), is not much less daft.

            • AAMC 3.1.1.2.2.2
              22 September 2011 at 8:51 am

              “Then the lightbulb that comes out would be maybe 5 times more expensive than the ones made in Asia. So no-one buys them, you can’t export them, and you have a big factory with the staff twiddling their thumbs.

              So then you either put a massive tarriff on imported lightbulbs, or make your own lightbulbs at a huge loss year after year,”

              Or

              Then the corn and canola and soy that comes out would be maybe 5 times more expensive than the ones made everywhere else. So no-one buys them, you can’t export them, and you have big farms with the staff twiddling their thumbs.

              So you put massive subsidies into agriculture and tariffs on imported corn and canola and soy, make your own agricultural commodities at a huge financial and environmental loss year after year, and starve half of Africa and turn your population into Foie gras!

              • KJT …
                22 September 2011 at 9:33 am

                Or you make a better widget, like the Germans do, and everyone is happy to pay a premium for them.

                No country has been successful without protecting their industry, at least in the early stages.

                The UK and the USA are rather forgetful about their protectionist past. We are still on the recovery (Or should be if Labour and National had a clue) from being a farm for the UK, while we had to accept their overpriced and substandard manufactured goods in return.

                Sound familiar. We are still paying too much for goods, priced too highly for their quality, whilst almost giving away our commodities. Subsidised by NZ consumers so they can be exported below cost.
                NZ workers and taxpayers are still paying to be ripped off.

                Angela Merkel to the British PM. “But, we still make things”.

            • Adele 3.1.1.2.2.3
              23 September 2011 at 7:54 am

              Actually, New Zealand does produce lightbulbs. Thorn Lighting NZ has been manufacturing ‘light bulbs’ in NZ since 1936 and by all accounts remains a viable and healthy industry player.

  4. Holly Walker 4
    21 September 2011 at 3:32 pm

    Anthony, the Greens share your concerns about warm healthy homes for those who need them most. That’s why part of our priority to end child poverty is introducing minimum standards for rental properties. Extending the home insulation scheme goes hand in hand with this, providing landlords with subsidies to help them reach the standards. More here: http://www.greens.org.nz/endchildpoverty and here: http://www.greens.org.nz/warmhealthyrentals.

    Cheers,
    Holly

    • Vicky32 4.1
      21 September 2011 at 6:05 pm

      introducing minimum standards for rental properties.

      Given the state of the rental I am in, and brought up my sons in, I am into that!

      • alex 4.1.1
        22 September 2011 at 8:45 am

        Hear hear. I live in a rental, and I’m bloody freezing.

        • insider 4.1.1.1
          22 September 2011 at 9:48 am

          The study in Otago on insulating properties found it only raised internal temperatures 0.5 deg. You might be better moving.

          • TightyRighty 4.1.1.1.1
            22 September 2011 at 12:06 pm

            You can’t argue sense with a greenie. I/S said it best, Deceitful and Misleading.

          • newbie 4.1.1.1.2
            23 September 2011 at 6:34 pm

            insulation on it’s own doesn’t raise temperatures- it saves money by requiring less to heat and having less heat loss. I think…???

  5. Galeandra 5
    21 September 2011 at 4:41 pm

    QF- but the evidence is it will be a collosal (sic) waste of money. On just one ‘example’ with no unpacking of the particularities at all. Gimme a break. So,we can leave it all to the private sector to dig us out of the hole and allow everyone to earn a just wage? Of course, the evidence shows that the taxcuts were a colossal waste of money.

    • queenstfarmer 5.1
      21 September 2011 at 9:37 pm

      Of course, the evidence shows that the taxcuts were a colossal waste of money.

      What evidence?

      • Colonial Viper 5.1.1
        21 September 2011 at 10:08 pm

        I agree with qstf.

        The tax cuts weren’t a waste of money for the top 5% of rich New Zealanders.

        They were very worthwhile in fact.

  6. Ecosocialism 6
    21 September 2011 at 4:51 pm

    I think the policy spounds great. Imagine how it wld work if Te Mana, the Greens and Labour decided on a green jobs shared platform… NZ as a low carbon economy sounds a lot better than National and Act’s: NZ as a low wage economy, powered by greed and dirty energy.

    Looking fwd to hearing more details about the Green Jobs policy the greens launched.

  7. AAMC 7
    21 September 2011 at 6:21 pm

    Joyce on One News, rubbishing the Greens as not having a grasp of economics.

    I thought that was brilliant given the previous story about the IMF warning that the system that Joyce endorses and knows so much about was going off the cliff.

    • marsman 7.1
      21 September 2011 at 6:27 pm

      Joyce is adamant that we shall have ‘NZ as a low wage economy, powered by greed and dirty energy’ as Ecosocialism so succinctly puts it.

    • mik e 7.2
      21 September 2011 at 7:35 pm

      joyces choice just build more motorways that will fix everthing

      • logie97 7.2.1
        21 September 2011 at 8:50 pm

        What really pisses me off is that the item on One News was introduced by Petrie, with a smirking Simon Dallow to the side, and then footage of Russell Norman announcing it to some audience and saying that he would work with National or Labour. Then they cut away to Joyce and allowed him to pour his diatribe over it and dismiss it. No where in the item was there a critical analysis of the policy, discussion around detail or direct interviews with the Greens.

        All I got from it was that the Greens have a policy and that, on behalf of the nation, Joyce dismissed it for us …

        • Jum 7.2.1.1
          21 September 2011 at 9:54 pm

          Logie 97,

          If Greens lie down with NAct dogs they’ll get fleas – serve them right too.

          • Jim Nald 7.2.1.1.1
            22 September 2011 at 8:56 am

            The Greens can campaign against selling our assets for all they want
            And I am waiting to see the Greens sell their souls to National from 26 Nov 2011

  8. Afewknowthetruth 8
    21 September 2011 at 7:17 pm

    Let’s all paint our faces green before we jump off the cliff.

    It’s all delusional nonsense. There is no such thing as clean technology. Technology is, by definition, dirty. Some technology is less dirty that others, but all technology is dirty. That’s where vague platitudes are so useful.

    We need not worry too much about the child poverty policy. Most of the globalised economic system will be down the drain by 2014. By implication, most people’s standard of living will fall significantly oer the next few years.

    And I note there is no mention of anything actually connected with reality in the Green’s policy statement. In particualr, tehr is no mention of Peak Oil and the unravelling that is now taking place as a consequence of Peak Oil.

    However, the policy release does contain plenty of spin-doctor stuff, so will probably appeal to the uninformed and deluded.

    • mik e 8.1
      21 September 2011 at 7:29 pm

      Afew Fundamentalist born again revivalists have been spouting the same conspiracy the end is nigh for the last 100 years even the inca or mayan calender runs out about then.Flim flam.

    • AAMC 8.2
      21 September 2011 at 7:44 pm

      I’d still rather see them in Govt than National AFKTT, even if it just slows our approach to the cliff.

      I’d rather move forward with positivity and hope, however futile it may turn out to be!

      • alex 8.2.1
        21 September 2011 at 10:43 pm

        Exactly AAMC, we can’t predict the future, we have no idea how screwed we are yet, and the Greens are the best and most realistic hope of changing our society enough to avert the worst damage. Lets not get defeatist AFKTT, after all, its either do nothing and we all die or do something and we might not all die, I know which option I prefer.

    • Colonial Viper 8.3
      21 September 2011 at 10:11 pm

      I’ve spoken to many MPs from across the parties in the last few weeks on the issue of energy depletion.

      Now they can’t say they weren’t told.

  9. Brett Dale 9
    21 September 2011 at 7:32 pm

    Serious question.

    Did the Greens support National’s Bike track?

    • dad4justice 9.1
      21 September 2011 at 8:05 pm

      I thought the greens were the Bike track, because they must have sand and rocks in their silly heads to be so stupid.

      • AAMC 9.1.1
        21 September 2011 at 8:40 pm

        Ho ho ho, unlike the current guardians of our future who are clearly enlightened to have brought us to this Utopian existence of poverty and collapse.

  10. TEA 10
    21 September 2011 at 8:57 pm

    This policy will drop the almighty dollar down to 30 cents against the US.
    No one with sense will vote for this crap.
    Welcome to 4th world New Zealand.
    Start practicing building wooden push bikes

    • mik e 10.1
      21 September 2011 at 10:19 pm

      weak argument Tea if it dropped our dollar down by 30cents against the us our economy would boom .Exports would go up imports down smart move.Shows how much the right knows about economics.

    • clandestino 10.2
      22 September 2011 at 12:31 am

      Hahahaha 30c dollar??

      If only we could get all the farmers to hear that, then they actually might vote Green!!!

    • Colonial Viper 10.3
      22 September 2011 at 12:37 am

      TEA demonstrates the typical Right Wing level of economic knowledge.

  11. alex 11
    21 September 2011 at 10:35 pm

    I would love to see the Greens as a strong part of the next government, especially if it was with Labour. After all, the Greens also support a CGT. The economy might actually pick up if these two parties worked together against National, but I think now more than ever a focus on the environment is more important than a focus on the economy.

  12. AAMC 12
    21 September 2011 at 10:37 pm

    With the moniker TEA, we can probably make some assumptions bout the quality of his/her information.

    No one with sense would accept the status quo, or we really will be building wooden bikes.

  13. HC 13
    22 September 2011 at 12:50 am

    The presentation on the main stream TV news was abysmal. Of course the “highest authority” on every economic, social and scientific value of the Green’s policies, our “beloved” Grand Leader “Smilin Assassin” was shown and quoted immediately afterwards, rubbishing it all.

    So much for “objective” and “balanced” reporting by TVOne, TV3 and so forth!

    If it had been the BBC or ABC they would most likely have an academic specialist with economic and other qualifications offer an at least partly qualified comment. But having the PM or other government politician give their comments absolutely stinks.

    Even on National Radio they quoted John Key on this item, rather than get independent experts comment. With such media coverage it is no wonder the polls say what they do and the election may be a waste of time after all. Talk about “democracy”?! NZ is NOT a TRUE democracy!

  14. Afewknowthetruth 14
    22 September 2011 at 1:30 am

    I would like to see the Greens put their time and energy into real solutions to our predicament and not squander precious resoucres on futile attempts to prop up failing systems.

    That highly positive approach interpreted by many people on TS as ‘negativity’.

    • AAMC 14.1
      22 September 2011 at 9:23 am

      We need a variety of goals surely AFKTT!?

      In the short term, having the Greens as a strong voice in Parliament at least slightly moderates the debate.

      In the short to medium term, those who “know” need to move out of cities, build communities, plant trees, establish permaculture and step out of the system – lead by example.

      But having a Green voice amongst the pigeons can only be positive. So long as they do get amongst the pigeons, and don’t continue their slide into a focus group, establishment party!

      • HC 14.1.1
        22 September 2011 at 10:00 am

        AAMC: I would have like to have seem a few more policy ideas from the Greens myself, but we have to bear in mind that they are still a “minor” party (with potential) and are NEEDED as a voice in parliament. Small starts are better than NO start, than dragging your feet and/or do nothing.

        So they need our support. They can evolve from within, and putting many candidates on their list is a good sign also.

      • Afewknowthetruth 14.1.2
        22 September 2011 at 11:20 am

        AAMC Only two major goals.

        Preventing mass starvation when the industrial food system collapses.

        Preventing abrupt climate change rendering the Earth largely uninhabitable.

        After battling the ignorance and apathy of Green Party leadership in Auckland for 5 years I fled and started my personal preparations for the meltdown well away from ‘Orcland’.

        ‘But having a Green voice amongst the pigeons can only be positive. ‘

        That would only be true if the Greens were actually focusing on the real issues. If they continue to try to prop up dysfunctioanl arrangements -as is the case- they are part of the problem, not part of the solution.

        The sad reality is, the Greens have been skirting round all the major issues for 15 years and still are.

        We are at ‘the cliff face’ and falling right now. Talk about implementing solutions incrementally over the next decade is nonsense.

  16. Thomas 16
    22 September 2011 at 4:23 pm

    The Greens have no way to pay for this. And the 100,000 jobs number is bogus. Is this policy based on any analysis? at all? Or is the attitude just “We’ll throw a few billion at something that sounds nice and surely that’ll help the economy.”

    More to the point, is this plan beneficial for NZ? You can easily “create” jobs; for example, you could outlaw any earthmoving equipment more advanced than a shovel; or, you could declare that being unemployed between 9am and 5pm on a weekday is a job and get the government to pay $15/hour for it. But I don’t think that anyone would consider these proposals or the Greens’ policy to be beneficial to NZ.

    DPF makes a good point on KiwiBlog:

    http://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2011/09/the_greens_jobs_initiative.html

    If the Greens were soliciting money, rather than votes, they would be “cooking the books” and they would be prosecuted for fraud.

  17. joe90 17
    22 September 2011 at 5:06 pm

    And the 100,000 jobs number is bogus

    Hon JOHN KEY: I would say that the Job Summit has and will create thousands of jobs.

    Rt Hon JOHN KEY (Prime Minister): I stand by my full statement, which was: “The Treasury forecasts are that the Budget will create in the order of 170,000 jobs.”, and that is true.

  18. millsy 18
    22 September 2011 at 8:35 pm

    I would agree with about 70-80% of this policy, but I still have a few concerns. Most notably it doesnt mention what it plans to do with the rail network, and there are a few neo-liberal tinges to it.

    I like the idea of a soverign wealth fund though.

    They still wont get my vote though. They lost any chance of that when they drove Labour and Helen Clark into the arms of Peter Dunne because of their all-or-nothing stance on GE/GM, and ensuring the country drifted slowly to the right ever since.

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    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    10 hours ago

  • Stop the panic – we’ve been here before
    Jack Vowles writes – New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    13 hours ago

  • Melissa Lee and the media: ending the quest
    Chris Trotter writes –  MELISSA LEE should be deprived of her ministerial warrant. Her handling – or non-handling – of the crisis engulfing the New Zealand news media has been woeful. The fate of New Zealand’s two linear television networks, a question which the Minister of Broadcasting, Communications ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    14 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
    14 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
    15 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
    16 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
    16 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 ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    17 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
    19 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
    20 hours ago

  • How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log iPhone Without Computer
    How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log on iPhone Without a Computer: A Step–by–Step 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 third–party applications. So, let‘s dive in and recover those lost calls! 1. Check Recently Deleted Folder: Apple understands that accidental deletions happen. That‘s 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. Here‘s 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. Here‘s how to restore from an iCloud backup: Go to Settings > General > Reset. Choose “Erase All Content and Settings“. Follow the on–screen 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 Third–Party Apps (with Caution): ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    22 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 ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    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 ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    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 ...
    Skeptical Science
    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 ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    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 ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    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 ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    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 ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    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 ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    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 ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    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 ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    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, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    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, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    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 ...
    Open ParachuteBy Ken
    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 ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    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 ...
    Skeptical Science
    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 ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago

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

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

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

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

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

  • Bryce Edwards: Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. Our political system is suffering from the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    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 ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    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 ...
    Skeptical Science
    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 ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    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
    9 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
    11 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
    12 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
    12 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
    13 hours ago

  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
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  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
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    15 hours ago

  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
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  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
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  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
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  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
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  • Government backing mussel spat project
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  • Government focused on getting people into work
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    2 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 ...
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  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
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  • 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 ...
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  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
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  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
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    3 days ago

  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
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  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
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  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
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  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
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  • RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
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  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
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  • Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.   Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
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  • 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 ...
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  • Antarctica New Zealand Board appointments
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  • Finance Minister travels to Washington DC
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    4 days ago

  • Pet bonds a win/win for renters and landlords
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    4 days ago

  • Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being considered
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    5 days ago

  • New Zealand condemns Iranian strikes
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel.    “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says.    "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...
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  • Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plans
    Hundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...
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  • Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand Chair
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board.   “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti.  “I have asked her to ...
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  • Roads of National Significance planning underway
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  • Navigating an unstable global environment
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  • NZ welcomes Australian Governor-General
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    1 week ago

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

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