King Brownlee dips his oar into Chch elections

Written By: - Date published: 9:07 am, March 15th, 2013 - 40 comments
Categories: disaster, Gerry Brownlee, local body elections - Tags:

King Brownlee can do pretty much whatever the hell he likes in Christchurch. And what he wants to do, it seems, is fuck all. When I was in Christchurch recently, I was deeply disturbed by the lack of rebuild, and the vibe. People feel it. People get angry. When people get angry, Brownlee looks for someone else to blame. Now, he’s doubling down by interfering in the coming local elections.

He has identified Yani Johanson, the council’s community, recreation and culture committee chairman who is responsible for overseeing social housing as the main culprit [for the slow rebuild of social housing]

“Councillor Johanson said speeding up the repair and re-letting of these properties would be his priority but the numbers speak for themselves,” he said.

“Perhaps it’s time someone with a bit of can-do attitude relieved councillor Johanson of this burden.”

Bit rich from King Do Nothing to say someone else isn’t working fast enough. And I seriously doubt that the chair of a council committee has much control over the rebuild – it’s not like they’re ministers. You want to look to the council staff if there’s a problem.

Brownlee has previously pretended not to know who Johanson is to belittle him, despite him being one of the most vocal councilors regarding the rebuild, with a strong plan and strong criticism of Brownlee. (Yani’s also got a sense of humour)

Clearly, this latest outburst is a play to get one of his strongest critics in local politics off the council.

Still, at least the portly dictator restrained himself somewhat – he could just cancel the elections and appoint the next council if he wants.

40 comments on “King Brownlee dips his oar into Chch elections ”

  1. Coronial Typer 1

    Was Brownlee’s criticism of Council performance accurate, or not?

    • vto 1.1

      yes, much as such admission is difficult.

      • fatty 1.1.1

        yes and no…
        I’ve had some in-depth contact with social service agencies in Chch about their experience over the past 2 years. Although the CCC has been slow with getting their housing stock back in order, this is far more complex than Gerry is making out. The CCC has worked with those at ‘the coal face’ very well. Their communication & response has been very good and they have been far more effective than Housing NZ and the Government.
        I am convinced that the CCC has punched above its weight in regards to helping those who are the most marginalised when it comes to housing. I am also no cheerleader of the CCC, I despise them.
        The housing problem in Chch is a kind of ‘hidden homelessness’ …these homeless people show up in few statistics and the people of Chch have been relying on personal networks to get by – this is where the CCC has been doing good work. As a result the CCC cannot justify or prove their worth and Gerry knows this. Its a calculated attack that is difficult to disprove.
        In a way I feel sorry for the CCC, but they have been licking Gerry’s boots since the earthquake and they get a kick in the teeth every now and then

  2. Yani is also a good progressive and a hard working representative. The targetting is far too transparent.

    It also reinforces a standard National tactic. If under threat blame, defame and abuse someone else and try and make it sound like it is their fault.

    • Mark Fletcher 2.1

      Don’t you mean standard (no pun intended) Politician’s tactic? When was the last time you saw any politician, of any persuasion, put their hand up and volunteer that they were to blame?

    • Andy-Roo 2.2

      +1 On that comment. He is hard working, smart and his heart is in the right place.

    • BrucetheMoose 2.3

      That was Hitler’s and the Nazis favorite tactic. Worked initially, so that is why they use it. Long term though?….

  3. aerobubble 3

    Arbitrary govt. On a whim Brownlee decided land owners would only get 50%. When questioned in parliament he was unable to provide any reason for 50%, why not 0%, or 100%?

    The state does have insurance because its so large it self-insures. The state decided what land they cannot reconnect to water, gas, waste water and so took land off the residents. The state will inevitably decide in the future to use that land, either rebuild on it, or leave it as park (and so use other land for parks to build on), so the state is saying they can take 50% off individual land owners
    that should be paid out fully.

    As for the argument of undeveloped, what could be more developed that a lot sold at a premium because of the development of the land around it for the purpose of housing, its subdivided land, its
    developed land!!! The state lost money when its roads to the undeveloped lots was declared red zoned and got back 100% because govt is so large its effectively self insured!!!

  4. Jono 4

    Much as I agree with the sentiment of the article, the reference to Brownlee’s size in a negative light does it no favours.

  5. Wayne 5

    But on National Radio this morning even the Council conceded they needed to do a lot more, and that even seemed to include Mr Johanson. And the comparison between the number of repairs done by Housing NZ and the Council was dramatic.

    • vto 5.1

      The Council has definitely dropped the ball on its social housing repair and replace. Useless. Brownlee is right.

      Which is surprising because Council seem to be dealing with all other matters in this new and hectic post-quake environment very competently.

      • fatty 5.1.1

        the CCC has been working very well with social service agencies to get marginalised people into some sort of accommodation. The CCC is trying to juggle things as best they can, but they are playing the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff as the Government’s residual welfare pushes more people off the cliff.
        The problem is not the (in)actions of the CCC, the problem is that the CCC have backed the Government’s handling of the housing situation post-quake

        • vto 5.1.1.1

          Fair enough. I was referring to the physical state of the social housing stock and have little knowledge of how it is dealing with the people.

          Your assessment doesn’t surprise me as the Council are doing pretty damn well given what they face, including the bully boy brownlie.

      • It’s not true that the City Council is going slow on this. Yani’s committee has managed to get at least 109 properties repaired all up, compared to the half dozen that Gerry Brownlee mentioned. Yani pointed to a common problem with all earthquake repairs and that is EQC stalling. He has his head in the right place. I am sure that Yani wants this sorted out for the better of everyone just as we do.

    • Tom Gould 5.2

      Gerry is always dipping his dinner rolls in the political gravy. I would check the HCNZ numbers if the source – or should that be sauce – is Gerry. I suspect it includes a large number of minor repairs inflated to look much bigger – the old ‘souffle’ treatment Gerry is famous for.

      • MrSmith 5.2.1

        It’s like the Million phone calls to EQC they had been shouting about Tom.
        Shit the only reason people have made a Million calls is firstly because you never get the answers you want when you ring. Secondly they never ring you back and replies to emails take months to the point you can’t even remember what the hell they are writing about, then you just say fuck it, get out a bottle and drink the whole sorry mess away.

      • BrucetheMoose 5.2.2

        See my comments below on the Housing NZ repairs to their stock

    • MrSmith 5.3

      But Wayne that’s just the script they have been given to follow, ‘we need to do more’ easy to say right! but in six months or a year it will be ‘we could have done more’ then later ‘in hindsight ya de ya de ya!’ they are just spinning a line and it’s time people started calling them on their bullshit or how about a little rioting in the street that might get someone attention, at the moment they will want to be choosing there words very carefully as CHCH could go off like a powder keg.

      I entered into a contract for earthquake insurance with the government and I expect that contract to be honored, instead all we get is ‘we need to do better’! but really Brownlee is in-charge, forget about the council, they are broke and have to lick his boots for now, but never forget the buck stops with him Brownlee, don’t let him distract you from that fact!

      • vto 5.3.1

        MrSmith in his posts up and down here expresses the situation of those in Chch who have damaged homes perfectly. It is exactly as he says.

        Example (and it is just one of many examples) – we have had no communication from EQC for 7 months. We have phoned and emailed the people suppsedly case-managing our repairs on a regular basis, but not a single reply. Not one. No reply. Nada. Ignored. Completely and utterly. Think for a moment what that does to someone………..

        And trust me – that particular example is the norm, not some abnorm. Everybody has the same fucking drama.

        EQC ARE FUCKED IN THE HEAD

  6. Peter 6

    Yani is consistently one of the highest performing and most well-connected councillors on that Council. He just doesn’t want any criticism.

    Time for the good people of Ilam to vote Brownlee out.

  7. MrSmith 7

    Fuck Brownlee, I am still dealing with EQC after two years, spending hours on the phone initially just waiting for it to be answered then when it was finally answered having to talk to a paid monkey, two years on, paying for toll calls to CHCH as I no longer live in Brownlee’s shit hole of a town.

    70% of insurance claims still not settled and the companies fighting you for every dollar now along with EQC who are now getting tighter with $ and how far the repairs go, you have to fight every inch of the way and it gets very tiring and I don’t have to live their.

    The rebuild is stalling partly because all the business that moved out of the CBD are in no hurry to move back into a ghost town, plenty of billboards up in-front of empty lots but work wont start till the buildings have tenants and the tenants are all tied into lease agreements they were forced to sign after the Quake in the rush to secure any kind of space.

    Fuck Brownlee, the people of CHCH are getting angry now, EQC workers now getting abused daily.

    Fuck off Brownlee and take Roger Sutton with you!

    • vto 7.1

      I agree with your sentiments there Mr MrSmith and note rising anger, growing from the rotting stagnation.

      EQC is the most useless government organisation I have ever in my life had to deal with, bar none. Plus the rudest, most arrogant and deceptive one. There is no trust in them. They really are true complete arseholes.

      • Colonial Viper 7.1.1

        Keeps a lot of family members, children and good mates employed though.

        • vto 7.1.1.1

          What it employs is all those useless fuckwits who could never get decent work elsewhere. The little h1tler types. The ones who squirm and squish around.

          Then on top bully boy brownlee is overseeing the pile of worms and slugs.

          It is fucking ugly and lordy does it induce anger.

      • Cantabrian 7.1.2

        +1

  8. fatty 8

    A couple of blogs focusing on Chch…thenzwire is requesting guest posts for those who are interested – VTO & Mr Smith?
    http://nzagainstthecurrent.blogspot.co.nz/
    http://thenzwire.blogspot.co.nz/

  9. Rogue Trooper 9

    Disaster, that is what it is, a disaster (some of the residents in the media have been Very angry and stressed; Stress kills)

  10. This is the latest position of the CCC committee that oversees the social housing (strangely, it falls under the Community, Recreation and Culture Committee – I would have thought its own committee or a committee focused on more obvious forms of welfare and social provision would cover it).

    Of the 300 units to be repaired or built, 202 units are currently occupied and 70 will be repaired by the end of the year. Negotiations over engineering assessments and insurance and EQC settlements are part of the slow process for the remainder.

    One of the steps to be taken is to:

    Invite the Minister for EQC to discuss with the Council how its social housing assessment and insurance settlement process could be sped up.

  11. Colonial Viper 11

    Zetetic, still waiting for some numbnuts to complain about you calling Brownlee “portly”.

    From my point of view you were damned restrained.

    • Daveosaurus 11.1

      See Jono’s comment no. 4 of 9.50am.

    • Craig Glen viper 11.2

      “portly’ Honest Medical term would be Obese which is what he is.

      Sadly I wish his obesity was his only problem then it would be a problem that only effects him ( not the voter). Its his bullying that really pisses me off.

  12. Here is The Press’ rating of councillors in April 2012.

    Johanson is in The Good category with a B+ (along with Tim Carter and Glenn Livingstone). He’s been a very good councillor.

  13. BrucetheMoose 13

    Repairs have been done to Housing NZ properties. What the deal was with insurance, who knows, but most likely they would have had preference over joe average or they just went on and repaired them for the all looks good in the public’s eye factor. It helps when the majority were very simple weatherboard duplexes on timber floors and the damage was minimal. Most were fixed in days or a week or two at most. As they were modest size duplexes, fix one, you have fixed two statistically speaking, so all looks good for a media statement. The majority of councils ones are more complex and have multiple structural matters to deal with. Obviously this makes it more complex from dealing insurance and repair strategies. Obviously Brownlee won’t reveal such details. If an individual like Brownlee in such an important position was genuinely concerned about the situation, surely meeting with council members and discussing the matter to come up with a solution would be the responsible course of action. But no. Gerry has to behave like the overblown egotistical thug that he really is. Time to go. Gone ByAugust Brownlee

  14. BrucetheMoose 14

    Might I add, I believe Johanson is leading contender for the new Mayoral position this approaching elections and is seen as a threat by Brownlee as someone who will stand up to him and his cronies. Expect more of this nonsense over the coming months from the Lord Fool of Canterbury.

  15. Kevyn 15

    One has to wonder if Brownlee is a patsy appointment who will genuinely believe that what he is being directed to do by Cabinet is helping facilitate the recovery when there is actually no genuine Goevernment support being provided.

    For instance, the Government stopped reducing its debt to EQC in November 2011. Without that $1.8bn of revenue from redeeming those Government Bonds EQC will be short of cash if it has to cover the first $1.5bn from each event before reinsurers are required to pay.
    http://www.nzdmo.govt.nz/publications/data

    The “no surprises” system for Government accounts meant that the total estimated costs to Government (including $3.3bn unallocated contingency) were added to the accounts as though all that money had been spent in one year, whereas the revenue from GST and selling EQC investments are counted only in the year the cash is received. That turned a potential $900m surplus by 2022 into an $8.8bn deficit prior to the election. Likewise the gross $13bn cost identified in BPS2013 ignores gains from debt refinancing, GST, EQC reserves and reallocation of existing funds. The Nett cost to taxpayers outside of Canterbury is likely to be no more than $1bn. Add in land sales and it could be, in the immortal words of Arthur Daley, “a nice little earner”.

    Of most concern to The Standard should be English’ statement to the Finance Select Committee (8/6/2011) that the “tradition” of limiting the Crown’s contribution to 60% would not apply because the disaster was too large. That tradition appears to have started with a Cabinet Minute from Ruth Richardson’s time as Finance Minister and it is now being described by English as the Government’s “fair share”. Surely Labour MPs are aware that Aussie’s NDRRA and USA FEMA and Japan’s Act for the Financial Arrangements for Extremely Severe Natural Disasters all require 100% Government funding for repairing damage to ratepayer funded infrastructure which appears to be the common first world definition of fare share.

    Also, FEMA pays for land buyouts for hazard reduction at market value, so what the Government is doing in the redzones is not internationally unique. France also has an act that ensures market value for flood hazard mitigation property purchases.

    Perhaps if Labour had reformed the EQC claims process after problems were revealed in the Manawatu and Matata events some of the current stress on claimants might have been avoided.

    With EQC providing a $100,000 excess on every private insurance policy are the premium increases from private insurers actually justified by actual risk or are they just being allowed to recover costs in the shortest possible time despite having had the same amount of time to build up reserves that EQC had?

  16. Jasper 16

    Someone answer me this ….. who’s done more for Christchurch, between that fat bastard, Brownlee or Fletchers?

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    The annual inventory report of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions has been released, showing that gross emissions have dropped for the third year in a row, to 78.4 million tons: All-told gross emissions have decreased by over 6 million tons since the Zero Carbon Act was passed in 2019. ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago
  • How to Unlock Your Computer A Comprehensive Guide to Regaining Access
    Experiencing a locked computer can be frustrating, especially when you need access to your files and applications urgently. The methods to unlock your computer will vary depending on the specific situation and the type of lock you encounter. This guide will explore various scenarios and provide step-by-step instructions on how ...
    2 days ago
  • Faxing from Your Computer A Modern Guide to Sending Documents Digitally
    While the world has largely transitioned to digital communication, faxing still holds relevance in certain industries and situations. Fortunately, gone are the days of bulky fax machines and dedicated phone lines. Today, you can easily send and receive faxes directly from your computer, offering a convenient and efficient way to ...
    2 days ago
  • Protecting Your Home Computer A Guide to Cyber Awareness
    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, ...
    2 days ago
  • Server-Based Computing Powering the Modern Digital Landscape
    In the ever-evolving world of technology, server-based computing has emerged as a cornerstone of modern digital infrastructure. This article delves into the concept of server-based computing, exploring its various forms, benefits, challenges, and its impact on the way we work and interact with technology. Understanding Server-Based Computing: At its core, ...
    2 days ago
  • Vroom vroom go the big red trucks
    The absolute brass neck of this guy.We want more medical doctors, not more spin doctors, Luxon was saying a couple of weeks ago, and now we’re told the guy has seven salaried adults on TikTok duty. Sorry, doing social media. The absolute brass neck of it. The irony that the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • Jones finds $410,000 to help the government muscle in on a spat project
    Buzz from the Beehive Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones relishes spatting and eagerly takes issue with environmentalists who criticise his enthusiasm for resource development. He relishes helping the fishing industry too. And so today, while the media are making much of the latest culling in the public service to ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago
  • Again, hate crimes are not necessarily terrorism.
    Having written, taught and worked for the US government on issues involving unconventional warfare and terrorism for 30-odd years, two things irritate me the most when the subject is discussed in public. The first is the Johnny-come-lately academics-turned-media commentators who … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    2 days ago
  • Despair – construction consenting edition
    Eric Crampton writes – Kainga Ora is the government’s house building agency. It’s been building a lot of social housing. Kainga Ora has its own (but independent) consenting authority, Consentium. It’s a neat idea. Rather than have to deal with building consents across each different territorial authority, Kainga Ora ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • Coalition promises – will the Govt keep the commitment to keep Kiwis equal before the law?
    Muriel Newman writes – The Coalition Government says it is moving with speed to deliver campaign promises and reverse the damage done by Labour. One of their key commitments is to “defend the principle that New Zealanders are equal before the law.” To achieve this, they have pledged they “will not advance ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • An impermanent public service is a guarantee of very little else but failure
    Chris Trotter writes –  The absence of anything resembling a fightback from the public servants currently losing their jobs is interesting. State-sector workers’ collective fatalism in the face of Coalition cutbacks indicates a surprisingly broad acceptance of impermanence in the workplace. Fifty years ago, lay-offs in the thousands ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • What happens after the war – Mariupol
    Mariupol, on the Azov Sea coast, was one of the first cities to suffer almost complete destruction after the start of the Ukraine War started in late February 2022. We remember the scenes of absolute destruction of the houses and city structures. The deaths of innocent civilians – many of ...
    2 days ago
  • Babies and benefits – no good news
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – Ten years ago, I wrote the following in a Listener column: Every year around one in five new-born babies will be reliant on their caregivers benefit by Christmas. This pattern has persisted from at least 1993. For Maori the number jumps to over one in three.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • Should the RBNZ be looking through climate inflation?
    Climate change is expected to generate more and more extreme events, delivering a sort of structural shock to inflation that central banks will have to react to as if they were short-term cyclical issues. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours, as of 9:16 am on Thursday, April 18 are:Housing: Tauranga residents living in boats, vans RNZ Checkpoint Louise TernouthHousing: Waikato councillor says wastewater plant issues could hold up Sleepyhead building a massive company town Waikato Times Stephen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the public sector carnage, and misogyny as terrorism
    It’s a simple deal. We pay taxes in order to finance the social services we want and need. The carnage now occurring across the public sector though, is breaking that contract. Over 3,000 jobs have been lost so far. Many are in crucial areas like Education where the impact of ...
    2 days ago
  • Meeting the Master Baiters
    Hi,A friend had their 40th over the weekend and decided to theme it after Curb Your Enthusiasm fashion icon Susie Greene. Captured in my tiny kitchen before I left the house, I ending up evoking a mix of old lesbian and Hillary Clinton — both unintentional.Me vs Hillary ClintonIf you’re ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago
  • How extreme was the Earth's temperature in 2023
    This is a re-post from Andrew Dessler at the Climate Brink blog In 2023, the Earth reached temperature levels unprecedented in modern times. Given that, it’s reasonable to ask: What’s going on? There’s been lots of discussions by scientists about whether this is just the normal progression of global warming or if something ...
    2 days ago
  • Backbone, revisited
    The schools are on holiday and the sun is shining in the seaside village and all day long I have been seeing bunches of bikes; Mums, Dads, teens and toddlers chattering, laughing, happy, having a bloody great time together. Cheers, AT, for the bits of lane you’ve added lately around the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Ministers are not above the law
    Today in our National-led authoritarian nightmare: Shane Jones thinks Ministers should be above the law: New Zealand First MP Shane Jones is accusing the Waitangi Tribunal of over-stepping its mandate by subpoenaing a minister for its urgent hearing on the Oranga Tamariki claim. The tribunal is looking into the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • What’s the outfit you can hear going down the gurgler? Probably it’s David Parker’s Oceans Sec...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point  of Order first heard of the Oceans Secretariat in June 2021, when David Parker (remember him?) announced a multi-agency approach to protecting New Zealand’s marine ecosystems and fisheries. Parker (holding the Environment, and Oceans and Fisheries portfolios) broke the news at the annual Forest & ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Bryce Edwards writes  – Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Matt Doocey doubles down on trans “healthcare”
    Citizen Science writes –  Last week saw two significant developments in the debate over the treatment of trans-identifying children and young people – the release in Britain of the final report of Dr Hilary Cass’s review into gender healthcare, and here in New Zealand, the news that the ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • A TikTok Prime Minister.
    One night while sleeping in my bed I had a beautiful dreamThat all the people of the world got together on the same wavelengthAnd began helping one anotherNow in this dream, universal love was the theme of the dayPeace and understanding and it happened this wayAfter such an eventful day ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Texas Lessons
    This is a guest post by Oscar Simms who is a housing activist, volunteer for the Coalition for More Homes, and was the Labour Party candidate for Auckland Central at the last election. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    3 days ago
  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links at 6:06 am
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours as of 6:06 am on Wednesday, April 17 are:Must read: Secrecy shrouds which projects might be fast-tracked RNZ Farah HancockScoop: Revealed: Luxon has seven staffers working on social media content - partly paid for by taxpayer Newshub ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Fighting poverty on the holiday highway
    Turning what Labour called the “holiday highway” into a four-lane expressway from Auckland to Whangarei could bring at least an economic benefit of nearly two billion a year for Northland each year. And it could help bring an end to poverty in one of New Zealand’s most deprived regions. The ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago
  • Bernard's six-stack of substacks at 6:26 pm
    Tonight’s six-stack includes: launching his substack with a bunch of his previous documentaries, including this 1992 interview with Dame Whina Cooper. and here crew give climate activists plenty to do, including this call to submit against the Fast Track Approvals bill. writes brilliantly here on his substack ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • At a glance – Is the science settled?
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    4 days ago
  • Apposite Quotations.
    How Long Is Long Enough? Gaza under Israeli bombardment, July 2014. This posting is exclusive to Bowalley Road. ...
    4 days ago
  • What’s a life worth now?
    You're in the mall when you hear it: some kind of popping sound in the distance, kids with fireworks, maybe. But then a moment of eerie stillness is followed by more of the fireworks sound and there’s also screaming and shrieking and now here come people running for their lives.Does ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • Howling at the Moon
    Karl du Fresne writes –  There’s a crisis in the news media and the media are blaming it on everyone except themselves. Culpability is being deflected elsewhere – mainly to the hapless Minister of Communications, Melissa Lee, and the big social media platforms that are accused of hoovering ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Newshub is Dead.
    I don’t normally send out two newsletters in a day but I figured I’d say something about… the news. If two newsletters is a bit much then maybe just skip one, I don’t want to overload people. Alternatively if you’d be interested in sometimes receiving multiple, smaller updates from me, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Seymour is chuffed about cutting early-learning red tape – but we hear, too, that Jones has loose...
    Buzz from the Beehive David Seymour and Winston Peters today signalled that at least two ministers of the Crown might be in Wellington today. Seymour (as Associate Minister of Education) announced the removal of more red tape, this time to make it easier for new early learning services to be ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. Our political system is suffering from the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago
  • Was Hawkesby entirely wrong?
    David Farrar  writes –  The Broadcasting Standards Authority ruled: Comments by radio host Kate Hawkesby suggesting Māori and Pacific patients were being prioritised for surgery due to their ethnicity were misleading and discriminatory, the Broadcasting Standards Authority has found. It is a fact such patients are prioritised. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • PRC shadow looms as the Solomons head for election
    PRC and its proxies in Solomons have been preparing for these elections for a long time. A lot of money, effort and intelligence have gone into ensuring an outcome that won’t compromise Beijing’s plans. Cleo Paskall writes – On April 17th the Solomon Islands, a country of ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Climate Change: Criminal ecocide
    We are in the middle of a climate crisis. Last year was (again) the hottest year on record. NOAA has just announced another global coral bleaching event. Floods are threatening UK food security. So naturally, Shane Jones wants to make it easier to mine coal: Resources Minister Shane Jones ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Is saving one minute of a politician's time worth nearly $1 billion?
    Is speeding up the trip to and from Wellington airport by 12 minutes worth spending up more than $10 billion? Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me in the last day to 8:26 am today are:The Lead: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Long Tunnel or Long Con?
    Yesterday it was revealed that Transport Minister had asked Waka Kotahi to look at the options for a long tunnel through Wellington. State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the ...
    4 days ago
  • 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

  • $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
    15 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
    17 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
    17 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
    18 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
    18 hours ago
  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.    “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    19 hours ago
  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
    Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago
  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 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
    2 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
    2 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
    2 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
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 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
    2 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    4 days ago
  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
    The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
    Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days 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
    4 days ago
  • Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.   Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ ties
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.  During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Antarctica New Zealand Board appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has made further appointments to the Board of Antarctica New Zealand as part of a continued effort to ensure the Scott Base Redevelopment project is delivered in a cost-effective and efficient manner.  The Minister has appointed Neville Harris as a new member of the Board. Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Finance Minister travels to Washington DC
    Finance Minister Nicola Willis will travel to the United States on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Five Finance Ministers group, with counterparts from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.  “I am looking forward to meeting with our Five Finance partners on how we can work ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Pet bonds a win/win for renters and landlords
    The coalition Government has today announced purrfect and pawsitive changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to give tenants with pets greater choice when looking for a rental property, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Pets are important members of many Kiwi families. It’s estimated that around 64 per cent of New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being considered
    State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the Government has also asked NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to consider and provide advice on a Long Tunnel option, Transport Minister Simeon Brown ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plans
    Hundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand Chair
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board.   “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti.  “I have asked her to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Roads of National Significance planning underway
    The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Navigating an unstable global environment
    New Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States.    “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • NZ welcomes Australian Governor-General
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Pseudoephedrine back on shelves for Winter
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced that Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Pharmaceutical suppliers have indicated they may be able to supply the first products in June. “This is much earlier than the original expectation of medicines being available by 2025. The Government recognised ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • NZ and the US: an ever closer partnership
    New Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Joint US and NZ declaration
    April 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • NZ and US to undertake further practical Pacific cooperation
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced further New Zealand cooperation with the United States in the Pacific Islands region through $16.4 million in funding for initiatives in digital connectivity and oceans and fisheries research.   “New Zealand can achieve more in the Pacific if we work together more urgently and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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