Leadership and loyalty

Written By: - Date published: 7:45 am, March 31st, 2015 - 55 comments
Categories: accountability, john key - Tags: , , , ,

One factor so far missed in the acres of coverage of the weekend’s by-election has been the behaviour of the main party leaders.

Andrew Little was there in Northland with his candidate Willow Prime, owning the call that he made and what he asked of her and her team. (I hope that she has a bright future ahead in Labour.)

John Key was on a plane, running from his candidate and the Nats’ defeat. (Off to Melbourne for the cricket – Andrew Little managed to be in Northland and get to the cricket too.)

Key has form in this respect, he abandoned Melissa Lee the night of her defeat in the Mt Albert by-election too.

Loyalty is a fine thing. A leader expects loyalty, they should also return it. Key fails.

55 comments on “Leadership and loyalty ”

  1. tracey 1

    I wonder how many of Key’s troops are still prepared to die in battle for him?

    Key comes from a background where loyalty is always self serving and the people disposable. Only ever as good as the money they make for the directors/partners…

    This kind of behaviour can make people scared to NOT toe the line for fear of upsetting the leader and not getting their personal baubles. In time it can make some say “fuck it, I have shut up, toed the line, fawned and fetched and for what? I have nothing left to lose and it would be good to see this fucker squirm”

    • saveNZ 1.1

      @tracey
      +100

      In particular…

      Key comes from a background where loyalty is always self serving and the people disposable. Only ever as good as the money they make for the directors/partners…

      Key also thinks our country is disposable. Only good while he asset strips it, and then off to International Democrat Union where he is chair, and more ultra right wing fantasy proposals to inflict, like some plague, on the populous.

      • tracey 1.1.1

        s’cuse my language.

        being Pm is an extension of his career ambitions. a chance to be on th ebog stage, meet some celebs and do some favours for those he thinks can help him later, collect a knighthood and move on.

        • Karen 1.1.1.1

          +1 Tracey
          His nickname “the smiling assassin” suits him very well. Now that he has sold off NZ’s assets to his rich mates and met all the celebs he wants to, he just needs to sign the TPPA and he will be off to whatever he has been promised. If it looks like the TPPA is going to be delayed he might go sooner (let’s hope).

          • tracey 1.1.1.1.1

            As important, if not more important than RMA, imo…

            BUT it doesn’t have to go to Parliament (unlike RMA proposals) and Key knows that. Numbers don’t matter as long as others sign, we will sign. For the record NZF is anti aspects of the TPP including the process for “deciding” conflicts.

            http://nzfirst.org.nz/news/new-zealand-first-bill-more-important-ever

          • Bearded Git 1.1.1.1.2

            @Karen Agree with you on Key. This from the Dom Post editorial yesterday:

            “The by-election was a triumph for Peters, a politician almost as gifted as Key”

            They have to be joking surely? Key is a money-man to the core. No policy ideas, no “vision-thing”, no mana. His strengths are listening well to the advice he is given and smiling and waving.

          • Bearded Git 1.1.1.1.3

            @Karen Not sure if comparison between the two can be made.

            The way National/ACT intend to change the RMA will result in widespread degradation of NZ’s best landscapes. TPPA is likely to result in a world run by corporate behemoths. Both awful in their own way.

        • Patrick 1.1.1.2

          Yes the knighthood is key (no pun intended) I think.

        • Once was Tim 1.1.1.3

          +1 …….. and Mex is a D-d-d-d-d J ……… YES! a DEEE JAY
          ……. next

          He knows nothing else, and given that he hasn’t the power or intelligence for critical thought (rather snide animal cunning), not much will change until a few sharper knives in the draw ekshullly wake up and realise just how much they’ve been used and abused in the name of creating an oikun and a celeb (that goes by the name of ‘hashtag’ “Team Key”).

          We’re all worried about Labour being a fucked unit ….. When you look at National in any depth, you find the potential for REAL fucking turmoil.

  2. Draco T Bastard 2

    A leader expects loyalty

    No they don’t, they earn it.

    • weka 2.1

      which might go some way to explain why Little is succeeding where others have failed before him.

    • McFlock 2.2

      true.
      a tosser expects loyalty while showing none.

    • Once was Tim 2.3

      Well that’s just the difference eh? Draco. Masters of the Universe EXPECT it. Others earn it. I suspect many Natzis when they look back in time will come to realise that has been their fundamental problem. It won;t happen over night, but it WILL happen – just like those pesky split ends.
      Meantime ….. some of the more (once-upon-time) reasonable amongst them get bitterer and bitterer.
      Someone throw that Krus Finlayson a bone will ya! He’s becoming a right ole bitch!
      And Muff Mc Kully …. I see his bit on the side switched sides while the getting was good (hasn’t done much for her journalistic integrity though – but I ‘spose there’s always a Ralston to fall back on

      Like grandma used to say: “Get yourself a trade! ….. It’s always something to fall back on”
      ….. haven’t they just!

  3. mary_a 3

    Well this behaviour from Key is hardly alien to him is it? Use, abuse and dump!

    Loyalty does not even register with Key.

    Not a Natsy supporter at all and may I be struck dead should I ever turn to the blue side, but I did feel quite sorry for Mark Osborne on Saturday night, alone and left to his own devices. Very bad look on Key’s behalf.

    • tracey 3.1

      Osborne knew the nest of vipers he wanted to play with, and I feel sorry for him only insofar as he thought a nest of vipers only has an upside for him personally.

      He has spoken more since he lost. Speaks volumes about the Nats and Osborne’s personal level of courage. He was happy to be used when he thought it would advance his ambitions.

      • mary_a 3.1.1

        @ tracey (3.1) – Nest of vipers – you got that one right on. Absolutely spot on comment there.

  4. toad 4

    John Key flew off to the cricket early to avoid association with Osborne’s defeat. Meanwhile, Tony Abbott flew off to Singapore to avoid getting booed at the cricket.

    That’s Tories for you.

    • miravox 4.1

      Anyone know if Crosby or Textor (or business people looking for a deal worked out on the back of a serviette) were also at the cricket?

      • tracey 4.1.1

        funny… Hoots and Farrar have hoed into the campaign up North… queuing up to take over?

        • RJL 4.1.1.1

          Note that on election night DPF claimed to be too busy on a dinner date and then going to a play to be able to post comments on the Northland results. But, you can bet that if DPF’s polling looked better he would have been furiously blogging into the night.

          DPF abandoned Osborne just like Key.

  5. ScottGN 5

    I also couldn’t help but feel a smidgen of sympathy for Osborne as the chickens started to come home to roost. Don’t worry though I soon got over it! And abandoned to face the media on the Sunday he wasn’t that much of a munter. Just another indication of the massive panic in National’s ranks.
    And a friend in Auckland reminded me of the dreadful behaviour of Maggie Barry at that candidate’s meeting where she did her best to talk over Osborne and berated anyone who dared to question the party line.

    • tracey 5.1

      Scott & Mary

      Will we soon hear that this was the plan all along… treat the candidate like scum, and garner public sympathy for him so he wins easily in 2017? 😉

      To my knowledge Osborne hasn’t mentioned how he has been treated. I suspect in Northland he would gain alot of mana if he did.

      • Lanthanide 5.1.1

        He’s not going to get another chance in the spotlight.

        • mary_a 5.1.1.1

          @ Lanthanide (5.1.1) – Was Osborne in the spotlight? Well tickle me pink!

          And here’s me thinking it was Steven (Lord Haw Haw) Joyce’s show! Now I wonder what made me come to that conclusion?

          • Lanthanide 5.1.1.1.1

            Steven was lurking in the shadows pulling the strings of his marionette, not in the glare of the spotlight.

    • Lanthanide 5.2

      ” And abandoned to face the media on the Sunday he wasn’t that much of a munter.”

      “… oh no, not at all!…”

  6. Sacha 6

    You have to wonder how the guy was raised when you see his lack of character. What an embarrassment.

    • tracey 6.1

      OR

      You have to wonder how the guy was raised (and what he was promised) to allow himself to be publicly used and ridiculed. What an embarrassment.

      Is this what all the Nat List MP’s are like who neevr have to speak to get in? In fact is it what all parties List MP’s are like?

      Green List MPs have to be public cos they all stand in an electorate and campaign but what about all those MPs who don’t campaign?… lapdogs all?

      • Draco T Bastard 6.1.1

        Did Bill English ever campaign in his Southland electorate?

        It’s all very well to say that list MPs don’t have to campaign except for that most of them actually do. And considering National’s campaigning in Northland I think that they figured that they wouldn’t have to campaign there at all.

      • mary_a 6.1.2

        @ tracey (6.1) –

        OR

        He knew something the Natsies wouldn’t want to be made public which could be embarrassing for dear leader should it come out! The reason for minder Joyce’s presence perhaps?

    • saveNZ 6.2

      Maybe after being close up and personal with the Nats, Osbourne will vote NZ First or Labour next time:)

      His idol Key is just a user.

      The other point, is that Key has now muddied the ‘National’ brand. Even conservative people are so disillusioned with what Key has done to the country that the mythical ‘National’ brand is diluted and tainted.

  7. Penny Bright 7

    Don’t forget that Mark Osborne was Mike Sabin’s electorate treasurer.

    In my view, given the significant disquiet within the Northland electorate over the lack of transparency regarding the sudden resignation of Mike Sabin’s resignation for ‘personal reasons’ – doesn’t it strike you as odd that National didn’t put some distance between their former (disgraced?) MP and their new National candidate?

    Why did National pick a new candidate, Mark Osborne, who was arguably so close to Mike Sabin?

    Arrogance – or ‘insurance’ ?

    Just asking …..

    Penny Bright

    • Melanie Scott 7.1

      Just a reminder, police policy since the year dot is to alert the ‘powers that be’ of any upcoming criminal action involving an MP, as part of the ‘no surprises’ protocol.

  8. Patrick 8

    Key went up North, and National lost.
    Key went to Melbourne, and we lost.
    Is there a pattern starting………..

  9. infused 9

    One is a prime minister, the other is in opposition. Little has all the time in the world.

    • McFlock 9.1

      And yet, given the same time constraints, Key turned up to one while Little turned up to both. Time management is an important skill for leaders 🙂

      BTW, I hope your young employee hasn’t done anything rash career-wise, and is taking some time to reconsider his decision.

    • Karen 9.2

      And as Prime Minister Key should have been at Lee Kwan Yew’s funeral and not at the cricket. The man doesn’t know how to behave decently.

      • alwyn 9.2.1

        Gosh, this was the web site where people ranted on interminably about how we shouldn’t have flown the NZ flag at half-mast when the Saudi Arabian King died because people didn’t approve of that countries policies?

        Now some people are unhappy because John Key didn’t attend the funeral of a former leader of Singapore.
        Why don’t you look at this from “No Right Turn”.
        http://norightturn.blogspot.co.nz/2015/03/no-freedom-of-speech-in-singapore.html
        Singapore under Lee Kwan Yew, and continuing under his son who is the current PM, is anything but a democracy to be admired.

        Could it be that you are only complaining about things to be on the opposite side to our Government?
        Are there people here who, like the NZ Labour Party, only decide their policy position on the basis that whatever John Key says, they will say the opposite?
        This is the approach that says “The enemy of my enemy is my friend”, and that “The friend of my enemy is my enemy”.

        • Karen 9.2.1.1

          I didn’t say Lee Kwan Yew was someone I admire. I am fully aware of Singapore’s poor human right’s record (which is a lot better than Saudi Arabia’s if doing a comparison).

          However, trade with Asia is important to NZ’s economy and choosing a cricket match over attendance at a state funeral for an important ex leader is bound to be seen as insulting. Presumably that is why Abbott chose the funeral over the cricket. Key was just looking for a photo opportunity.

          • alwyn 9.2.1.1.1

            Why on earth should they be upset, because the second ranking New Zealander didn’t go to the funeral?
            We sent the Governor General who outranks the PM in the diplomatic pecking order.

            As far as trade goes our exports to Singapore and Saudi Arabia are quite similar. About $660m to Singapore and around $560m to Saudi Arabia.
            Imports from Singapore are quite a lot more but that is likely to make Singapore more nervous about trade falling off with us rather than us having to worry.
            I also suspect that a lot of oil imports will be recorded as coming from Singapore as there are major refineries there which supply us, rather than their original country of production.

            We are flying the New Zealand flag at half-mast for LKY which is all we did for Saudi Arabia. The King was of course the head of state whereas LKY was only a long retired (25 years after being PM) politician who had never even been the head of state.

            • Sacha 9.2.1.1.1.1

              Yeah I don’t think Key was pondering any of this stuff when he decided he’d rather be photographed with sporting heroes and his son than alone at a funeral with world leaders.

  10. Hateatea 10

    There is something about the mantra that we should be unquestionably loyal to our ‘leader’ that I have always found troubling. I think it is the assumption that a leader always knows the correct thing to do in any set of circumstances, that they are all knowing, all wise and leading the followers to a better place.

    Perhaps it is that I grew up in the aftermath of WW2 and lived through the Korean Campaign, then the Malaysian, Vietnam and on and on that I question the kind of blind obedience that allowed some seriously flawed individuals to perpetrate horrendous acts, supposedly in the name of the citizenry.

    That said, Key not going to Northland for Saturday evenings result seems typical of a person who acts as if his role as just the front person for the brand. Is this true leadership? Not to me, and it is becoming apparent, not to many others.

    The question for the various parties to the left of NACT is whether one charismatic leader is what we need or whether it is that we need the kind of practical, down to earth leaders who will work with one another to achieve the displacement of the NACTS as government with a coalition that is willing and able to work collaberatively for the betterment of ALL the people of Aotearoa New Zealand, not just the rich, nor just for the ‘workers’.

    The people who will earn my vote and my respect in the future will be those who see that we all need to be loyal to one another, and to this beautiful corner of the world. They will inspire loyalty by demonstrating loyalty, humility and collegiality themselves.

    Well, a person can dream, can’t they?

  11. adam 11

    I’ve said it before – how many people can Key throw under the bus, before the backbenchers start to revolt?

  12. I found it interesting that Gower, Owen and Garner mentioned the “don’t hug a corpse” idea – i.e. it’s bad for your political image to be associated with obvious failure.

    This makes Key’s absence understandable, but also raises an interesting question: the most senior Minister visible during Osborne’s TV appearances was Paula Bennett. (If I recall correctly, Joyce was also there, but probably standing on the other side of the camera.)

    Does Bennett lack the political instincts of the PM, or was she pressured to be the face of the administration – and thus be the one hugging the corpse? Not that it harmed her chances, according to iPredict:
    https://www.ipredict.co.nz/app.php?do=contract_detail&contract=NATLEAD.BENNETT

    • Karen 12.1

      Maybe she has better political instincts. She was the only cabinet minister to forgo the ministerial car when supporting Osborne.

      • North 12.1.1

        I’m not over my euphoria yet but yes…….Paula. She bought a house on a taxpayer funded benefit. Reckon she fancies she’ll buy (Vogel) house on a taxpayer funded benefit as well !

        I mean, in the onetime Tory ethos she’s done well has Paula……

  13. Dorothy Bulling 13

    When English came to a campaign in Otautau, rural Southland, he came accompanied by mother who sat in the front row and asked patsy questions. This campaign meeting had been organised by a service club in the community.

  14. North 14

    RunFromTheCorpseKey (thanks Garner/Gower), then JinxOnTheBlackCapsKey……Oh Dear God !!!!!! How much more damage can ThisPonceKey do in his quest for celebrity ????? And I’ll betya there are heaps and heaps and heaps of Tories (and cricket fans) thinking exactly the same. Will ask around in the lifestyle blocks of Pakuranga North where presently I find my pillow.

    It’s algud…….more grist for the mill of stolen golden slippers falling from shifty clay feet. Sooner or later, and there’s the promise of sooner, one good rain……..

    Kia Ora Cuz’ Fizzy !

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    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • The bewildering world of Chris Luxon – Guns for all, not no lunch for kids
    .“$10 and a target that bleeds” - Bleeding Targets for Under $10!.Thanks for reading Frankly Speaking ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.This government appears hell-bent on either scrapping life-saving legislation or reintroducing things that - frustrated critics insist - will be dangerous and likely ...
    Frankly SpeakingBy Frank Macskasy
    3 days ago
  • Expert Opinion: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.
    It hardly strikes me as fair to criticise a government for doing exactly what it said it was going to do. For actually keeping its promises.”THUNDER WAS PLAYING TAG with lightning flashes amongst the distant peaks. Its rolling cadences interrupted by the here-I-come-here-I-go Doppler effect of the occasional passing car. ...
    3 days ago
  • Manufacturing The Truth.
    Subversive & Disruptive Technologies: Just as happened with that other great regulator of the masses, the Medieval Church, the advent of a new and hard-to-control technology – the Internet –  is weakening the ties that bind. Then, and now, those who enjoy a monopoly on the dissemination of lies, cannot and will ...
    3 days ago
  • A Powerful Sensation of Déjà Vu.
    Been Here Before: To find the precedents for what this Coalition Government is proposing, it is necessary to return to the “glory days” of Muldoonism.THE COALITION GOVERNMENT has celebrated its first 100 days in office by checking-off the last of its listed commitments. It remains, however, an angry government. It ...
    3 days ago
  • Can you guess where world attention is focussed (according to Greenpeace)? It’s focussed on an EPA...
    Bob Edlin writes –  And what is the world watching today…? The email newsletter from Associated Press which landed in our mailbox early this morning advised: In the news today: The father of a school shooter has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter; prosecutors in Trump’s hush-money case ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • Further integrity problems for the Greens in suspending MP Darleen Tana
    Bryce Edwards writes – Is another Green MP on their way out? And are the Greens severely tarnished by another integrity scandal? For the second time in three months, the Green Party has secretly suspended an MP over integrity issues. Mystery is surrounding the party’s decision to ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Jacqui Van Der Kaay: Greens’ transparency missing in action
    For the last few years, the Green Party has been the party that has managed to avoid the plague of multiple scandals that have beleaguered other political parties. It appears that their luck has run out with a second scandal which, unfortunately for them, coincided with Golraz Ghahraman, the focus ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago
  • Bernard’s Dawn Chorus with six newsey things at 6:46am for Saturday, March 16
    TL;DR: The six newsey things that stood out to me as of 6:46am on Saturday, March 16.Andy Foster has accidentally allowed a Labour/Green amendment to cut road user chargers for plug-in hybrid vehicles, which the Government might accept; NZ Herald Thomas Coughlan Simeon Brown has rejected a plea from Westport ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • How Did FTX Crash?
    What seemed a booming success a couple of years ago has collapsed into fraud convictions.I looked at the crash of FTX (short for ‘Futures Exchange’) in November 2022 to see whether it would impact on the financial system as a whole. Fortunately there was barely a ripple, probably because it ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    4 days ago
  • Elections in Russia and Ukraine
    Anybody following the situation in Ukraine and Russia would probably have been amused by a recent Tweet on X NATO seems to be putting in an awful lot of effort to influence what is, at least according to them, a sham election in an autocracy.When do the Ukrainians go to ...
    4 days ago
  • Bernard’s six stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15
    TL;DR: Shaun Baker on Wynyard Quarter's transformation. Magdalene Taylor on the problem with smart phones. How private equity are now all over reinsurance. Dylan Cleaver on rugby and CTE. Emily Atkin on ‘Big Meat’ looking like ‘Big Oil’.Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15Photo by Jeppe Hove Jensen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Buzz from the Beehive Finance Minister Nicola Willis had plenty to say when addressing the Auckland Business Chamber on the economic growth that (she tells us) is flagging more than we thought. But the government intends to put new life into it:  We want our country to be a ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • National’s clean car tax advances
    The Transport and Infrastructure Committee has reported back on the Road User Charges (Light Electric RUC Vehicles) Amendment Bill, basicly rubberstamping it. While there was widespread support among submitters for the principle that EV and PHEV drivers should pay their fair share for the roads, they also overwhelmingly disagreed with ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Government funding bailouts
    Peter Dunne writes – This week’s government bailout – the fifth in the last eighteen months – of the financially troubled Ruapehu Alpine Lifts company would have pleased many in the central North Island ski industry. The government’s stated rationale for the $7 million funding was that it ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Two offenders, different treatments.
    See if you can spot the difference. An Iranian born female MP from a progressive party is accused of serial shoplifting. Her name is leaked to the media, which goes into a pack frenzy even before the Police launch an … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    4 days ago
  • Treaty references omitted
    Ele Ludemann writes  – The government is omitting general Treaty references from legislation : The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last Government in a bid to get greater coherence in the public service on Treaty ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • The Ghahraman Conflict
    What was that judge thinking? Peter Williams writes –  That Golriz Ghahraman and District Court Judge Maria Pecotic were once lawyer colleagues is incontrovertible. There is published evidence that they took at least one case to the Court of Appeal together. There was a report on ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 15
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Climate Scorpion – the sting is in the tail. Introducing planetary solvency. A paper via the University of Exeter’s Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.Local scoop: Kāinga Ora starts pulling out of its Auckland projects and selling land RNZ ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The day Wellington up-zoned its future
    Wellington’s massively upzoned District Plan adds the opportunity for tens of thousands of new homes not just in the central city (such as these Webb St new builds) but also close to the CBD and public transport links. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Wellington gave itself the chance of ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Weekly Roundup 15-March-2024
    It’s Friday and we’re halfway through March Madness. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week in Greater Auckland On Monday Matt asked how we can get better event trains and an option for grade separating Morningside Dr. On Tuesday Matt looked into ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    4 days ago
  • That Word.
    Something you might not know about me is that I’m quite a stubborn person. No, really. I don’t much care for criticism I think’s unfair or that I disagree with. Few of us do I suppose.Back when I was a drinker I’d sometimes respond defensively, even angrily. There are things ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • The Hoon around the week to March 15
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:PM Christopher Luxon said the reversal of interest deductibility for landlords was done to help renters, who ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Labour’s policy gap
    It was not so much the Labour Party but really the Chris Hipkins party yesterday at Labour’s caucus retreat in Martinborough. The former Prime Minister was more or less consistent on wealth tax, which he was at best equivocal about, and social insurance, which he was not willing to revisit. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #11 2024
    Open access notables A Glimpse into the Future: The 2023 Ocean Temperature and Sea Ice Extremes in the Context of Longer-Term Climate Change, Kuhlbrodt et al., Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society: In the year 2023, we have seen extraordinary extrema in high sea surface temperature (SST) in the North Atlantic and in ...
    5 days ago
  • Melissa remains mute on media matters but has something to say (at a sporting event) about economic ...
     Buzz from the Beehive   The text reproduced above appears on a page which records all the media statements and speeches posted on the government’s official website by Melissa Lee as Minister of Media and Communications and/or by Jenny Marcroft, her Parliamentary Under-secretary.  It can be quickly analysed ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago
  • The return of Muldoon
    For forty years, Robert Muldoon has been a dirty word in our politics. His style of government was so repulsive and authoritarian that the backlash to it helped set and entrench our constitutional norms. His pig-headedness over forcing through Think Big eventually gave us the RMA, with its participation and ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Will the rental tax cut improve life for renters or landlords?
    Bryce Edwards writes –  Is the new government reducing tax on rental properties to benefit landlords or to cut the cost of rents? That’s the big question this week, after Associate Finance Minister David Seymour announced on Sunday that the Government would be reversing the Labour Government’s removal ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: What Saudi Arabia’s rapid changes mean for New Zealand
    Saudi Arabia is rarely far from the international spotlight. The war in Gaza has brought new scrutiny to Saudi plans to normalise relations with Israel, while the fifth anniversary of the controversial killing of Jamal Khashoggi was marked shortly before the war began on October 7. And as the home ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    5 days ago
  • Racism’s double standards
    Questions need to be asked on both sides of the world Peter Williams writes –   The NRL Judiciary hands down an eight week suspension to Sydney Roosters forward Spencer Leniu , an Auckland-born Samoan, after he calls Ezra Mam, Sydney-orn but of Aboriginal and Torres Strait ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • It’s not a tax break
    Ele Ludemann writes – Contrary to what many headlines and news stories are saying, residential landlords are not getting a tax break. The government is simply restoring to them the tax deductibility of interest they had until the previous government removed it. There is no logical reason ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • The Plastic Pig Collective and Chris' Imaginary Friends.
    I can't remember when it was goodMoments of happiness in bloomMaybe I just misunderstoodAll of the love we left behindWatching our flashbacks intertwineMemories I will never findIn spite of whatever you becomeForget that reckless thing turned onI think our lives have just begunI think our lives have just begunDoes anyone ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • Who is responsible for young offenders?
    Michael Bassett writes – At first reading, a front-page story in the New Zealand Herald on 13 March was bizarre. A group of severely intellectually limited teenagers, with little understanding of the law, have been pleading to the Justice Select Committee not to pass a bill dealing with ram ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on National’s fantasy trip to La La Landlord Land
    How much political capital is Christopher Luxon willing to burn through in order to deliver his $2.9 billion gift to landlords? Evidently, Luxon is: (a) unable to cost the policy accurately. As Anna Burns-Francis pointed out to him on Breakfast TV, the original ”rock solid” $2.1 billion cost he was ...
    5 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 14
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Jonathon Porritt calling bullshit in his own blog post on mainstream climate science as ‘The New Denialism’.Local scoop: The Wellington City Council’s list of proposed changes to the IHP recommendations to be debated later today was leaked this ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • No, Prime Minister, rents don’t rise or fall with landlords’ costs
    TL;DR: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said yesterday tenants should be grateful for the reinstatement of interest deductibility because landlords would pass on their lower tax costs in the form of lower rents. That would be true if landlords were regulated monopolies such as Transpower or Auckland Airport1, but they’re not, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Cartoons: ‘At least I didn’t make things awkward’
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Tom Toro Tom Toro is a cartoonist and author. He has published over 200 cartoons in The New Yorker since 2010. His cartoons appear in Playboy, the Paris Review, the New York Times, American Bystander, and elsewhere. Related: What 10 EV lovers ...
    5 days ago
  • Solving traffic congestion with Richard Prebble
    The business section of the NZ Herald is full of opinion. Among the more opinionated of all is the ex-Minister of Transport, ex-Minister of Railways, ex MP for Auckland Central (1975-93, Labour), Wellington Central (1996-99, ACT, then list-2005), ex-leader of the ACT Party, uncle to actor Antonia, the veritable granddaddy ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    5 days ago
  • I Think I'm Done Flying Boeing
    Hi,Just quickly — I’m blown away by the stories you’ve shared with me over the last week since I put out the ‘Gary’ podcast, where I told you about the time my friend’s flatmate killed the neighbour.And you keep telling me stories — in the comments section, and in my ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • Invoking Aristotle: Of Rings of Power, Stones, and Ships
    The first season of Rings of Power was not awful. It was thoroughly underwhelming, yes, and left a lingering sense of disappointment, but it was more expensive mediocrity than catastrophe. I wrote at length about the series as it came out (see the Review section of the blog, and go ...
    6 days ago
  • Van Velden brings free-market approach to changing labour laws – but her colleagues stick to distr...
    Buzz from the Beehive Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden told Auckland Business Chamber members they were the first audience to hear her priorities as a minister in a government committed to cutting red tape and regulations. She brandished her liberalising credentials, saying Flexible labour markets are the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • Why Newshub failed
    Chris Trotter writes – TO UNDERSTAND WHY NEWSHUB FAILED, it is necessary to understand how TVNZ changed. Up until 1989, the state broadcaster had been funded by a broadcasting licence fee, collected from every citizen in possession of a television set, supplemented by a relatively modest (compared ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Māori Party on the warpath against landlords and seabed miners – let’s see if mystical creature...
    Bob Edlin writes  –  The Māori Party has been busy issuing a mix of warnings and threats as its expresses its opposition to interest deductibility for landlords and the plans of seabed miners. It remains to be seen whether they  follow the example of indigenous litigants in Australia, ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • Government moves to quickly ratify the NZ-EU FTA
    "The Government is moving quickly to realise an additional $46 million in tariff savings in the EU market this season for Kiwi exporters,” Minister for Trade and Agriculture, Todd McClay says. Parliament is set, this week, to complete the final legislative processes required to bring the New Zealand – European ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 hours ago
  • Positive progress for social worker workforce
    New Zealand’s social workers are qualified, experienced, and more representative of the communities they serve, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “I want to acknowledge and applaud New Zealand’s social workers for the hard work they do, providing invaluable support for our most vulnerable. “To coincide with World ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 hours ago
  • Minister confirms reduced RUC rate for PHEVs
    Cabinet has agreed to a reduced road user charge (RUC) rate for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. Owners of PHEVs will be eligible for a reduced rate of $38 per 1,000km once all light electric vehicles (EVs) move into the RUC system from 1 April.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    9 hours ago
  • Trade access to overseas markets creates jobs
    Minister of Agriculture and Trade, Todd McClay, says that today’s opening of Riverland Foods manufacturing plant in Christchurch is a great example of how trade access to overseas markets creates jobs in New Zealand.  Speaking at the official opening of this state-of-the-art pet food factory the Minister noted that exports ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    10 hours ago
  • NZ and Chinese Foreign Ministers hold official talks
    Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Wellington today. “It was a pleasure to host Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his first official visit to New Zealand since 2017. Our discussions were wide-ranging and enabled engagement on many facets of New Zealand’s relationship with China, including trade, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    24 hours ago
  • Kāinga Ora instructed to end Sustaining Tenancies
    Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities has been instructed to end the Sustaining Tenancies Framework and take stronger measures against persistent antisocial behaviour by tenants, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Earlier today Finance Minister Nicola Willis and I sent an interim Letter of Expectations to the Board of Kāinga Ora. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber: Growth is the answer
    Tēna koutou katoa. Greetings everyone. Thank you to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Honourable Simon Bridges for hosting this address today. I acknowledge the business leaders in this room, the leaders and governors, the employers, the entrepreneurs, the investors, and the wealth creators. The coalition Government shares your ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Singapore rounds out regional trip
    Minister Winston Peters completed the final leg of his visit to South and South East Asia in Singapore today, where he focused on enhancing one of New Zealand’s indispensable strategic partnerships.      “Singapore is our most important defence partner in South East Asia, our fourth-largest trading partner and a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister van Velden represents New Zealand at International Democracy Summit
    Minister of Internal Affairs and Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon. Brooke van Velden, will travel to the Republic of Korea to represent New Zealand at the Third Summit for Democracy on 18 March. The summit, hosted by the Republic of Korea, was first convened by the United States in 2021, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Insurance Council of NZ Speech, 7 March 2024, Auckland
    ICNZ Speech 7 March 2024, Auckland  Acknowledgements and opening  Mōrena, ngā mihi nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho.  Good morning, it’s a privilege to be here to open the ICNZ annual conference, thank you to Mark for the Mihi Whakatau  My thanks to Tim Grafton for inviting me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Five-year anniversary of Christchurch terror attacks
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Lead Coordination Minister Judith Collins have expressed their deepest sympathy on the five-year anniversary of the Christchurch terror attacks. “March 15, 2019, was a day when families, communities and the country came together both in sorrow and solidarity,” Mr Luxon says.  “Today we pay our respects to the 51 shuhada ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024
    Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024  Acknowledgements and opening  Morena, Nga Mihi Nui.  Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Thanks Nate for your Mihi Whakatau  Good morning. It’s a pleasure to formally open your conference this morning. What a lovely day in Wellington, What a great ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Early visit to Indonesia strengthens ties
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters held discussions in Jakarta today about the future of relations between New Zealand and South East Asia’s most populous country.   “We are in Jakarta so early in our new government’s term to reflect the huge importance we place on our relationship with Indonesia and South ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • China Foreign Minister to visit
    Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has announced that the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, will visit New Zealand next week.  “We look forward to re-engaging with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussing the full breadth of the bilateral relationship, which is one of New Zealand’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister opens new Auckland Rail Operations Centre
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has today opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre, which will bring together KiwiRail, Auckland Transport, and Auckland One Rail to improve service reliability for Aucklanders. “The recent train disruptions in Auckland have highlighted how important it is KiwiRail and Auckland’s rail agencies work together to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Celebrating 10 years of Crankworx Rotorua
    The Government is proud to support the 10th edition of Crankworx Rotorua as the Crankworx World Tour returns to Rotorua from 16-24 March 2024, says Minister for Economic Development Melissa Lee.  “Over the past 10 years as Crankworx Rotorua has grown, so too have the economic and social benefits that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government delivering on tax commitments
    Legislation implementing coalition Government tax commitments and addressing long-standing tax anomalies will be progressed in Parliament next week, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The legislation is contained in an Amendment Paper to the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill issued today.  “The Amendment Paper represents ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Significant Natural Areas requirement to be suspended
    Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard has today announced that the Government has agreed to suspend the requirement for councils to comply with the Significant Natural Areas (SNA) provisions of the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity for three years, while it replaces the Resource Management Act (RMA).“As it stands, SNAs ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government classifies drought conditions in Top of the South as medium-scale adverse event
    Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has classified the drought conditions in the Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts as a medium-scale adverse event, acknowledging the challenging conditions facing farmers and growers in the district. “Parts of Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts are in the grip of an intense dry spell. I know ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government partnership to tackle $332m facial eczema problem
    The Government is helping farmers eradicate the significant impact of facial eczema (FE) in pastoral animals, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced.  “A $20 million partnership jointly funded by Beef + Lamb NZ, the Government, and the primary sector will save farmers an estimated NZD$332 million per year, and aims to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • NZ, India chart path to enhanced relationship
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has completed a successful visit to India, saying it was an important step in taking the relationship between the two countries to the next level.   “We have laid a strong foundation for the Coalition Government’s priority of enhancing New Zealand-India relations to generate significant future benefit for both countries,” says Mr Peters, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Ruapehu Alpine Lifts bailout the last, say Ministers
    Cabinet has agreed to provide $7 million to ensure the 2024 ski season can go ahead on the Whakapapa ski field in the central North Island but has told the operator Ruapehu Alpine Lifts it is the last financial support it will receive from taxpayers. Cabinet also agreed to provide ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Fresh produce price drop welcome
    Lower fruit and vegetable prices are welcome news for New Zealanders who have been doing it tough at the supermarket, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Stats NZ reported today the price of fruit and vegetables has dropped 9.3 percent in the 12 months to February 2024.  “Lower fruit and vege ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Statement to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the sixty-eighth session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
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    6 days ago
  • Speech to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68)
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Government backs rural led catchment projects
    The coalition Government is supporting farmers to enhance land management practices by investing $3.3 million in locally led catchment groups, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced. “Farmers and growers deliver significant prosperity for New Zealand and it’s vital their ongoing efforts to improve land management practices and water quality are supported,” ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber
    Good evening everyone and thank you for that lovely introduction.   Thank you also to the Honourable Simon Bridges for the invitation to address your members. Since being sworn in, this coalition Government has hit the ground running with our 100-day plan, delivering the changes that New Zealanders expect of us. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Commission’s advice on ETS settings tabled
    Recommendations from the Climate Change Commission for New Zealand on the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) auction and unit limit settings for the next five years have been tabled in Parliament, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “The Commission provides advice on the ETS annually. This is the third time the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government lowering building costs
    The coalition Government is beginning its fight to lower building costs and reduce red tape by exempting minor building work from paying the building levy, says Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk. “Currently, any building project worth $20,444 including GST or more is subject to the building levy which is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Trustee tax change welcomed
    Proposed changes to tax legislation to prevent the over-taxation of low-earning trusts are welcome, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The changes have been recommended by Parliament’s Finance and Expenditure Committee following consideration of submissions on the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill. “One of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister’s Ramadan message
    Assalaamu alaikum. السَّلَام عليكم In light of the holy month of Ramadan, I want to extend my warmest wishes to our Muslim community in New Zealand. Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, renewed devotion, perseverance, generosity, and forgiveness.  It’s a time to strengthen our bonds and appreciate the diversity ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister appoints new NZTA Chair
    Former Transport Minister and CEO of the Auckland Business Chamber Hon Simon Bridges has been appointed as the new Board Chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) for a three-year term, Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced today. “Simon brings extensive experience and knowledge in transport policy and governance to the role. He will ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
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  • Speech to Life Sciences Summit
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