Milk and media moron Mike

Written By: - Date published: 9:37 am, August 19th, 2015 - 59 comments
Categories: Economy, farming - Tags: , , ,

One of the most basic of economic principles is that when you constrain supply, you can raise prices because the demand remains the same. But if you do not constrain product, then you generate mountains. Fonterra appear to be trying to prove that principle still applies.

On the 13th, Fonterra had this announcement

Fonterra Co-operative Group Ltd is significantly reducing its GlobalDairyTrade (GDT) offer quantity forecasts for the next 12 months. The Co-operative’s forecast offer volumes over the next 12 months for New Zealand products have been decreased by a further 56,045 metric tonnes with a 62,930 metric tonne decrease occurring over the next three months and 6,885 metric tonnes of planned volumes being added back later in the year in anticipation of changing market conditions.

Significantly, Fonterra also said

“In response to current conditions in the global dairy markets, we have further modified our product mix to shift volumes away from base Whole Milk Powder (WMP) and into our other products in our portfolio such as value-add ingredients, consumer and foodservice.

“In terms of our product mix, Fonterra is now selling approximately 70 per cent of its total product via channels other than GDT and as a result we do not expect a material impact on inventories,” said Mr Wickham.

I’d take the change in inventory levels with a grain of salt. You can’t shift large production chains rapidly. While they are expecting farmers to produce less over the coming year, it is only about 2%.

If you look back over the GDT notices, there are a few other suppliers dropping out from the small pool. I suspect that quite a few are just not offering.

This is reflected in the rather large drop in GDT supply (XLS) since last year. I haven’t bothered to calculate it or graph it (I have to head to work), but by eye, it looks to me like what is on offer at GDT is down compared to last year, and definiely down compared to 2013.

So this morning we wake up to the headline “Dairy prices rise sharply at latest GlobalDairyTrade auction“.

Wholemilk powder prices – which play a big part in the formation of Fonterra’s farmgate milk price – rallied by 19.1 per cent to US$1,856 a tonne at this morning’s GlobalDairyTrade (GDT) auction, raising hopes that prices may finally have turned after declining sharply since March.

Overall, the GDT price index gained by 14.8 per cent. The average winning price at the auction was US$1,974 a tonne, compared with US$1815 a tonne at the last sale on August
Whole milk powder prices have fallen sharply since March, when they reached US$3272 a tonne, but futures market pricing in recent days suggested an improvement was in store.

Further out along the price curve, whole milk prices for contract periods from November through to February 2016 all posted double-digit percentage price gains.

Of course they did. This is basic economics. Announce that you are constraining supply further in a public market, then you can expect the price to shift up. However if it moves too far the demand will shift from the market with constrained supply to talking directly to the companies with a large stockpile of already existing stored product. Fonterra for instance. This shows up in the statistics department stats that for years have shown a steady rise in dairy inventories (gotta get to work… could someone look them up).

Needless to say, the Media Moron (Mike Hosking), blathers on about “experts” promoting the views that help their interests. He appears to be rather adverse to exercising his brain. Who puts these ill-informed and rather stupid idiots up to talk about things that they have no understanding of. He also doesn’t appear to have any concept that parties with skin in the game have a strong tendency to promote views that suit their interests.

Rabobank, for instance, has been wrong in every prediction that I have seen them make in the last 3 years about where the dairy market is heading. They have consistently said that the market prices were about to rise even when the market has consistently gone down. I wonder if they have a strong investment in farmer mortgages?

Fonterra have an obvious interest and appear to have been in denial about the problems in their marketing that I and others have been pointing out for years. I think I started pointing out the downstream difficulties of the high milk prices for farmers in 2012.

Federated Farmers? Psssshhh… They are the epitome of self-interest in this matter.

Farming is going to be around for a long time. But they are badly served if they believe the bullshit that frequently comes from such self-interested industry experts. But most of the farmers I know are pretty smart, unlike our blathering media moron. Show them a spreadsheet and if needs be, help explain it. They’ll figure out what to do. They could have done with more of that kind of advice in recent years rather than self-interested bullshit that they did get.

For a laugh, go and watch the vast intellect of media moron Mike Hosking blathering on about how self-interested “experts” are always right. He calls these “Facts”. I don’t think that he would know what a fact is if he tripped over it. I rather suspect that he is too stupid to read a spreadsheet.

59 comments on “Milk and media moron Mike ”

  1. vto 1

    Fonterra is an expert in collecting milk from farms in tankers, driving it to a plant, drying it out and sticking it in a box.

    There is no evidence of anything else.

    • RedLogix 1.1

      I think if you had worked in the industry a bit you might not say that vto. Much of their manufacturing/process side is very sophisticated and definitely world-class.

      What does worry me is the business side. Not much sign of anything much to be proud of there.

      • tinfoilhat 1.1.1

        Quite agree there RL but weren’t the factory side of the business around long before Fonterra ?

      • vto 1.1.2

        Yes Red it was their manufacture/process side which I referenced them as being experts in, albeit in simplistic form (dry out and stick in a box)….

        Not experts in sales, as clearly evidenced.

        Not experts in future strategies for the business, as clearly evidenced.

        Certainly not experts in sustainability… of either their business or the land which produces their product.

        I see yesterday a new report indicating that 70% of our freshwater critters are now threatened with extinction. Back in early 90s it was only 20%.

        It is exacty like Don Elder at Solid Energy – hailed as some great business guru when the reality was his actions, in conjunction with the government shareholder, led the company to failure.

        Useless

        • dukeofurl 1.1.2.1

          In the scheme of things we are very small dairy producer ,( less than France but more than Turkey) so most of the higher value products get made in the country of supply from their own milk and sold in their own supermarkets.

          As we are very big in the export market, but only in product that the market wants, which is mostly DMP ( dried milk powder), we are between a rock and a hard place.

          Those countries that consume a lot of dairy and it plays its part in the food culture, often have very strong companies that have cornered the top of the supply chain (think Nestle, Danone etc) can pick and chose their dairy supply partners. Fonterra is both a competitor and supplier of basic product, so weakening them is good for their business too

      • Tracey 1.1.3

        “Experts” have been criticising Fonterra’s business side for many many months for over supplying the market, predicting that the huge price drop was therefore inevitable.

    • tinfoilhat 1.2

      Very good at creating a large highly paid bureaucracy.

      I think most people would be astounded if they new how much milk powder there is in storage around NZ at the moment.

    • tc 1.3

      They’re not even world class at that with muppetts who think they understand logistics and MRP blowing millions on ill considered initiatives and botched implementations that wreak havoc when they hit Production.

      They are a laughing within SAP circles but you’ll never hear a bad word as vendors and consultants are making a killing out of their entrenched incompetence.

      • Saarbo 1.3.1

        @TC

        Are Fonterra implementing SAP, I certainly remember losing all visibility in a CHH business for over 12 months when it was implemented there…absolute shit system.

        • Chess Player 1.3.1.1

          They’ve been implementing SAP for at least 5 yrs, possibly 10. Multi-millions of cost. There’s been resistance within the business but no sign of it ending.

          • lprent 1.3.1.1.1

            Not looking forward to SAP. However the existing systems are mishmash and not very good. Typical corporate systems. SAP may be better…

    • dukeofurl 1.4

      “The Fonterra Research and Development Centre (FRDC) is one of the largest research facilities in the world dedicated to dairy. It is home to around 100 PhD qualified scientists, technologists and engineers, many of whom are the world’s leading experts in dairy science.
      400 employees in total

      http://www.fonterra.com/global/en/about/our+locations/newzealand/fonterra+research+centre
      Who else in NZ has 100 PhD level scientists working in the one place- could even be 200+ masters level

      • vto 1.4.1

        that relates to the point how?

      • Tricledrown 1.4.2

        That’s Fonterra spin Duke.
        In reality of the 500 other largest companies in the world Fonterra spends much less on R&D than any other large company.
        When you look at Fonterra competition they are way more diversified add way more value to their products.
        Fonterra are miles behind their competition.
        To catch up they need thousands of scientists th

        • Sacha 1.4.2.1

          Our government props up Fonterra by slanting public R&D spend towards dairy industry needs. And even that investment is well below world standards.

      • Tricledrown 1.4.3

        That’s Fonterra spin Duke.
        In reality of the 500 other largest companies in the world Fonterra spends much less on R&D than any other large company.
        When you look at Fonterra competition they are way more diversified add way more value to their products.
        Fonterra are miles behind their competition.
        To catch up they need thousands of scientists .
        Millions more on market research and development.
        Millions more in farm consultants who are desparetly needed on farm.
        A large proportion of the Dairy farming industry is hugely wasteful due to bad management poor skill levels.
        Animal cruelty and neglect is widespread only one or 2 farmers farm workers are made an example of.
        Pasteur management is poor,animal health is poor farm worker,s health and education is poor.
        This industry could be profitable if it sorted out it problems.
        One milking a day is all that is needed to cut costs better educated farm managers and workers better care of the health of cows workers and their environment would mean that $3.80 could be profitable.
        The Factory Farm model of pumping out as much milk as you can per day is a very wasteful model.
        For example one milking a day means less labour costs less storage and transport costs longer milking life for cows up from 8years to 11 years.
        Cow health management is very poor on most farms cows being beaten is a regular occurrence cows being over milked in the sheds is widespread just about every Dairy farm does this.
        Leaving the suction teats on the cow even though the cow has no more milk in its udder,this damages the udder permanently reducing milk production significantly.
        It’s abusive and neglectful.
        Most farms could increase their productivity by 50% to 100% if they had good management well trained workers.
        Fonterra needs to become way more involved it could save millions by having a similar system that meat producers are doing by monitoring the production of milk from the blades of grass to the end product using modern technology .
        Instead of bailing out bankrupt farmers with cheap loans help make these farmers profitable the cost would be much lower .

      • Draco T Bastard 1.4.4

        If they had 2000 PhD qualified researchers then they may have something to write home about but there’s no way that they would do that as it would mean that the directors would have to take a pay cut. As it is it’s just a tip of the top-hat in the general direction of R&D rather than the full on R&D needed.

        Not surprised though, NZ has been anti-intellectual and cheap for so long that we’ve forgotten that it’s the intellectuals that built our industry and that it needs paying for.

    • John Shears 1.5

      vto Can I suggest that you are oversimplifying a fairly complex and
      technical industry headed by Fonterra in NZ which rather than doing what you suggest actually produces a range of products for export besides Whole milk powder which seems to be the only item being considered on this thread because the price went up on Tuesday.
      ps. This comment was intended to be below your original comment at the top of the thread. js

      DWMP is the product where NZ leads the world with 1515,000 metric tons followed by China at 135000 and the rest all under 800000 tons.
      Other products that NZ exports are
      Butter, Cheese, Non-Fat MP, AMF or Gee.
      NZ although not the top producer is the top Dairy Product exporter and the major part of the NZ Dairy production is exported whereas other much larger countries tend to use their production and only export their surplus.
      ie. India Production 4800 Export 980 NZ Prod 595 Export
      575.(1000’s Metric Tons)
      Info at http://www.indexmundi.com/agriculture/

      • vto 1.5.1

        Yes I surely simplified it, but it aint complex. Buying something, processing or changing it and selling it is something people do every day and have done since time immemorial.

        Can I suggest to you that the industry puffs its chest up beyond reality. It does this also by constantly professing to have the best farmers in the world – something for which no evidence has ever been provided. Farmers love to shout that they are the best in the world. That same attitude has permeated Fonterra clearly.

        It aint rocket science mate…… You just gotta make sure your supply cost is less than your sale price.

        Loads and loads of people do it. I do it myself – get the equation wrong, forget the main business principles, get carried away with yourself and start believing your own bullshit and then the rot sets in ….. happened with Solid Energy, happened with finance companies, happened with Bill English, has happened with moi, happening with Fonterra ….

        • Draco T Bastard 1.5.1.1

          +111

          They’ve put themselves up on a pedestal as being the best and now lay back on their couches expecting the rewards to be eternal.

  2. dukeofurl 2

    How did that talk with ‘expert’ Prof Jane Kelsey go Mike ?

    Or when the IPCC came out with their ‘expert views’

    “Bad news. I’m afraid the IPCC – the International Panel on Climate Change – has issued its latest report. It’s 2,600 pages long and spans 32 volumes.But I can sum it up for you. Ah, we’re stuffed. The seas are rising, the storms are coming, the locusts are close, we are going to climatic hell in a handcart. That’s of course, if you believe them. Which, as it turns out, I don’t.”

    have fun with googling Hosking and ‘dont believe the experts’

  3. Ian 3

    As a dairy farmer with a mortgage I have decided to postpone my suicide for at least another 2 weeks.A bit late for my friend and colleague who topped himself last Friday week. The concern and compassion shown towards dairy farmer’s by the Labour party and the left in general is noted.

    [lprent: Ian, letting this comment through despite your current ban.

    The problem with this current fiasco is that it was entirely foreseeable from years out. It isn’t like unexpected short-term weather shifts. The risk is known in advance. Yet for years, Fonterra and the government appeared to operate as if there was no downside. The downsides were like your friend and colleague and probably many others like him. Farming is a hard and often lonely life and it shows in the mortality stats.

    I’ve been talking about this problem with having a dependence on dairy as a near-raw commodity in an open international market for at least 4 years. Essentially since I realised exactly how damaging this downturn in prices *would* be for farmers and NZ. Labour has been doing so for few years as well.

    This current price slump was as inevitable as the post-SMP fiasco in the mid-1980s. The one that I avoided by deciding not to go farming in 1977. I’d done a year working on dairy farms and sheep stations as a very underpaid hand figuring if I liked it (I did). But I looked at the basic economics at the end of 1977 and decided that the land prices with SMPs in place was crazy. That working in a business that was designed for capital gains rather than profit was economically perverted, and not something that I wanted to spend my time on.

    I don’t think this economic disaster will be as long lasting as that downturn was. This will probably stabilize later this year, and start to move up towards profitable levels in the 2016/7. So either hang in there expecting at least that (ie don’t believe in fairytales) or figure out how to make a dignified exit while still living. There is life outside of the milking shed and the quad. My partner Lyn’s family had to do the same thing in Southland in the 1980s. Everyone survived the move into town.

    Best wishes and I actually hope that I see you trolling commenting back here in the future. ]

    • Anne 3.1

      My late father was talking about the need to diversify agricultural products 40 plus years ago, so I think it can be said that successive governments have been at fault here.

      Hang in there Ian. One door may close, but sooner or later another opens.

  4. esoteric pineapples 4

    Mike’s motto – always look on the bright side of life, and remember its only bright because the National government created all the things that make New Zealand such as wonderful place to live

  5. tinfoilhat 5

    IMO giving any oxygen via blogposts to persons like Hoskins or Slater is counterproductive they love people to be talking about them and all such posts do is give them the impression that people take notice of them and take them seriously.

    • lprent 5.1

      2 paragraphs on the subject of a media moron out of the 18 paragraphs in the post seems to be appropriate.. Plus the flashy headline.

      What more could such a stupid arse protector want?

    • Sacha 5.2

      No, indulging stupid bullies gives them the impression they should continue behaving thus.

  6. esoteric pineapples 6

    Federated Farmers’ answer to low milk prices affecting communities is to make more milk by fast-tracking irrigation projects – http://www.fedfarm.org.nz/publications/media-releases/article.asp?id=2455#.VdOscLKqpHw

  7. Kiev 7

    The Fonterra farmers/suppliers only need to look at Tatua and then ask why ?????

    Fonterra lacks value add. Sending bulk milk powder overseas is akin to sending NZ logs overseas for secondary processing.

    http://www.interest.co.nz/rural-data/dairy-industry-payout-history

    • dukeofurl 7.1

      Doesnt prove anything. A boutique dress shop will always get higher prices for its wares than a place like Farmers whos operations are on a far bigger scale.
      Fonterra has to spend more in 6 months in capital expenditure than Tatua has in yearly revenue.
      But in one area they do lead the way, last year they had a retention of $1.32 per kg/ms to increase their value added business.

      Heres a historical comparison of payments etc, a more apt comparison with Fonterra is Westland because of the bigger delivery distances

      http://www.interest.co.nz/rural-data/dairy-industry-payout-history

  8. Ann Johns 8

    Moronic Mike quoting Rabo bank? They are his main sponsor, what can you expect.

    • Morrissey 8.1

      Moronic Mike quoting Rabo bank? They are his main sponsor…

      SkyCity also pays him a considerable amount to dine there whenever he wants, and to chunter on positively about it on TV and radio.

      SkyCity has the same arrangement with Paul Henry and several other broadcasters.

      [lprent: Colin Espiner for SkyCity who asserts that he doesn’t have any such deal. Like you I’m a skeptic about that assertion based on the moron Mike’s effusive performances extolling the virtues of SkyCity. But I can see why SkyCity would wish to deny the connection. ]

      • dukeofurl 8.1.1

        You had to laugh about those SkyCity deals at the time, with the flurry of ‘look over there’ comments, then this
        “Last Saturday night, having ignored phone messages inquiring about SkyCity, Hosking spent the evening watching a Vodafone Warriors game from a SkyCity corporate box with wife Kate Hawkesby. Also in the box was SkyCity chief executive Nigel Morrison.”

        The Listener was most intrigued by it all back in Dec 2013
        “But it seems he doesn’t do interviews at home, with the exception of women’s magazine epics like “Our Perfect Love” and its companion piece, “We Love Our Marriage”. LOLS
        http://www.listener.co.nz/commentary/the-artistry-of-mike-hosking/

        Interesting that his first ‘trade’ was as a radio copywriter. As for ‘services rendered for SkyCity’ , Im guessing it ‘could be done’ through a PR company who organises charitable gigs paid for by SkyCity Community Foundation. And of course the restaurants in Federal St are run by their own operators not SkyCity across the road

    • dukeofurl 8.2

      Rabobank, in NZ, is a specialist farming bank- or agri-business as they call it.

  9. Lionel 9

    Spot on Lynn I work in the rural area I tell the guy I’m working for at the moment that the government and their mouthpieces along with Federated Farmers are feeding you a bunch of lies.None of them have a clue what is going on or what happens next.They are grasping at straws.

  10. New Zealander 10

    I just feel sorry for the ladies down on the farm. They don’t pump as much out do they so the ladies dry up a bit. They would still be producing the same amount of milk regardless of auction prices, supply/demand. Is this all being dumped then. Perhaps it could be given to the 305,000 children in poverty for free.

    • Wensleydale 10.1

      Give unwanted foodstuffs to deprived children? For nothing? Pfftt. I think you’re forgetting who is in government. “I don’t care if you’re a half-starved orphan on the verge of passing out in the gutter, Timmy! Life is hard, and the ‘free market’ doesn’t mean what you freeloaders think it means, so user pays matey! Now, cough up or bugger off!”

    • dukeofurl 10.2

      NZ, doesn’t sound like you have a clue about dairy industry.
      The liquid milk is almost all turned into product like butter cheese milk powder and 100s of others very quickly.

      Only 3% is sold as liquid milk, and yes Fonterra already does a free milk for schools program. Check if you can help out too , they are looking at recycling the cartons!

      “NUTRITIOUS MILK AVAILABLE TO ALL PRIMARY SCHOOL KIDS NATIONWIDE!”

  11. Ad 11

    +100 Lyn

    That price response to supply offered shows Fonterra’s global dairy market effect.

    One day they’ll figure out how to compete at the high end.

  12. Macro 12

    I can’t quite understand what Fonterra are crowing about this morning. A 33% reduction in supply resulting in a 19% increase in price actually represents a 22% reduction in income.
    But don’t tell that to the sheeple. Let them think that its all over now – Blinglish was right. The price has come back up again and isn’t he a marvelous Minister of Finance.

    • lprent 12.1

      To be fair*

      Fonterra are planning to phase that supply reduction in over the current year. However because the purchasers are typically working not only in the GDT market, but also on the futures markets for dairy. So a large chunk of that decrese is factorfed into the prices now.


      * Actually I’m not planning to be fair – which is what using the phrase invariably means. But I’m paraphrasing the bright brilliance of our typical right leaning commenter and media morons.

      Now that is a brilliant cartoon….

    • b waghorn 12.2

      Just had a feed show up on fb from another key sycophant Jamie McKay’s farming show saying the price has rebounded as predicted. Made me snort tea out my nose , I suppose if you continuously predict a rebound for long enough it will happen.

    • Tricledrown 12.3

      Fonterra has removed a mountain of milk powder from the market back to the days of Muldoonism stockpiling commodities in the hope prices recover Russia just Destroyed €42 million worth of cheese.
      Rod Oram has pointed out since Fonterra’s inception they don’t have a plan other than being a commodity based company.
      Rod Oram has also pointed out that while Fonterra is top 500 company in the world by size it has the smallest R&D budget of any large company saying that is a recipe for Disaster.
      Time after time Rod Oram has gone round the country talking to farmers
      Telling farmers this Fonterra and the govt have continued in the belief it will be alright even after being many other countries are rapidly increasing production at much lower costs.
      Bill English and Theo Spering have openly lied about not knowing this glut was coming.
      New Zealand is one of the dearest places to produce milk.
      So farmers in Europe South America the US can still be profitable at NZ$ 3.85 while all New Zealand Farmers are loosing money.
      Jim Anderton built an investment fund for farming research and development to help New Zealand farmers move away from commodity based very cyclical incomes.
      National came into office and destroyed that fund.
      Laissez faire is Nationals policy.

      • Draco T Bastard 12.3.1

        National came into office and destroyed that fund.
        Laissez faire is Nationals policy.

        Probably more accurate to say lazy and greedy faire is National way.

      • Saarbo 12.3.2

        NZ is at the bottom of the cost curve I understand. Some mega dairy farms in the USA (6000 to 10000 cows) feeding low cost grain and using low cost Mexican labour (Which Canada was complaining about in TPPA negotiations) can produce at around NZD $6.50 per KG MS, at best. In NZ, our farm is typical…total breakeven with all costs including interest and drawings is about $5.25. No other country comes close to producing at this cost with the exception of Aus, in the occasions when it doesn’t have drought issues and a few grass fed Europe countries.

        Rabo bank didn’t pick the dairy collapse but I still think their predictions have been the closest. The big problem is nobody knows what the fuck is going on in China, they’re tricky buggers.

        Good news is that there are massive reductions in production and exports from USA in last 2 months, so the recovery is happening. Because of where we sit on the cost curve, we will be the first country that gets back into profit.

  13. Tricledrown 13

    The global Dairy Auction was set up by Fonterra.
    Just a small fraction of its product is sold through it.
    So removing a substantial amount out of auction is manipulating the market.
    The best outcome For Fonterra is A world wide drought that doesn’t affect NZ.
    But the long-range forecast for NZ is an El Nino rising ie drought for NZ .

  14. Editractor 14

    Lite Mike – 99% fact-free

  15. Paul 15

    Keep up the attack on Hosking and other media repeaters of the elites propaganda.

  16. Smilin 16

    5 years ago when we getting the led in the world marketing of milk fonterra knew the rest of the world would catch up because of the effect it was having on their trade so what we have now was predictable then and Key instead of creating frugal policies obviously thought his super star status would be able to save the day from coming ,get real it dont work that way democracy in the trade did what you would expect
    So much for Key spin

  17. weston 17

    its big mortgages i reckon cause suicides and the deadly attraction of thinking big .you could be king of the world on just a modest sized farm with a modest size herd and no mortgage .

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • At a glance – Does CO2 always correlate with temperature?
    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 ...
    1 hour ago
  • Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6.06 pm on Tuesday, March 19
    TL;DR: In today’s ‘six-stack’ of substacks at 6.06pm on Tuesday, March 19:Kāinga Ora’s dry rot The Spinoff DailyBill McKibben on ‘Climate Superfunds’ making Big Oil pay for climate damage The Crucial YearsPreston Mui on returning to 1980s-style productivity growth NoahpinionAndy Boenau on NIMBYs needing unusual bedfellows Urbanism SpeakeasyNed Resnikoff's case ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 hours ago
  • Relentlessly negative
    Negative yesterday, negative today. Negative all year, according to one departing reader telling me I’ve grown strident and predictable. Fair enough. If it’s any help, every time I go to write about a certain topic that begins with C and ends with arrrrs, I do brace myself and ask: Again? Are ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 hours ago
  • Scoring 4.6 out of 10, the new Government is struggling in the polls
    Bryce Edwards writes –  It’s been a tumultuous time in politics in recent months, as the new National-led Government has driven through its “First 100 Day programme”. During this period there’s been a handful of opinion polls, which overall just show a minimal amount of flux in public support ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 hours ago
  • Promiscuous Empathy: Chris Trotter Replies To His Critics.
    Inspirational: The Family of Man is a glorious hymn to human equality, but, more than that, it is a clarion call to human freedom. Because equality, unleavened by liberty, is a broken piano, an unstrung harp; upon which the songs of fraternity will never be played. “Somebody must have been telling lies about ...
    5 hours ago
  • Don’t run your business like a criminal enterprise
    The Detail this morning highlights the police's asset forfeiture case against convicted business criminal Ron Salter, who stands to have his business confiscated for systemic violations of health and safety law. Business are crying foul - but not for the reason you'd think. Instead of opposing the post-conviction punishment and ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 hours ago
  • Misremembering Justinian’s Taxes.
    Tax Lawyer Barbara Edmonds vs Emperor Justinian I - Nolo Contendere: False historical explanations of pivotal events are very far from being inconsequential.WHEN BARBARA EDMONDS made reference to the Roman Empire, my ears pricked up. It is, lamentably, very rare to hear a politician admit to any kind of familiarity ...
    5 hours ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Scoring 4.6 out of 10, the new Government is struggling in the polls
    It’s been a tumultuous time in politics in recent months, as the new National-led Government has driven through its “First 100 Day programme”. During this period there’s been a handful of opinion polls, which overall just show a minimal amount of flux in public support for the various parties in ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    6 hours ago
  • Bishop scores headlines with crackdown on unwelcome tenants – but Peters scores, too, as tub-thump...
    Buzz from the Beehive Housing Minister Chris Bishop delivered news – packed with the ingredients to enflame political passions – worthy of supplanting Winston Peters in headline writers’ priorities. He popped up at the post-Cabinet press conference to promise a crackdown on unruly and antisocial state housing tenants. His ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    7 hours ago
  • Will it make the boat go faster?
    Ele Ludemann writes – The Reserve Bank is advertising for a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion advisor. The Bank has one mandate – to keep inflation between one and three percent. It has failed in that and is only slowly getting inflation back down to the upper limit. Will it ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    10 hours ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Is Simon Bridges’ NZTA appointment a conflict of interest?
    Last week former National Party leader Simon Bridges was appointed by the Government as the new chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). You can read about the appointment in Thomas Coughlan’s article, Simon Bridges to become chair of NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi The fact that a ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    10 hours ago
  • Is Simon Bridges’ NZTA appointment a conflict of interest?
    Bryce Edwards writes – Last week former National Party leader Simon Bridges was appointed by the Government as the new chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). You can read about the appointment in Thomas Coughlan’s article, Simon Bridges to become chair of NZ Transport Agency ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    10 hours ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' at 10:10am on Tuesday, March 19
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Gavin Jacobson talks to Thomas Piketty 10 years on from Capital in the 21st Century The SalvoLocal scoop: Green MP’s business being investigated over migrant exploitation claims Stuff Steve KilgallonLocal deep-dive: The commercial contractors making money from School ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    11 hours ago
  • Bernard's six newsy things on Tuesday, March 19
    It’s a home - but Kāinga Ora tenants accused of “abusing the privilege” may lose it. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The Government announced a crackdown on Kāinga Ora tenants who were unruly and/or behind on their rent, with Housing Minister Chris Bishop saying a place in a state ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    12 hours ago
  • New Life for Light Rail
    This is a guest post by Connor Sharp of Surface Light Rail  Light rail in Auckland: A way forward sooner than you think With the coup de grâce of Auckland Light Rail (ALR) earlier this year, and the shift of the government’s priorities to roads, roads, and more roads, it ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    13 hours ago
  • Why Are Bosses Nearly All Buffoons?
    Note: As a paid-up Webworm member, I’ve recorded this Webworm as a mini-podcast for you as well. Some of you said you liked this option - so I aim to provide it when I get a chance to record! Read more ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    15 hours ago
  • Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6.06 pm on March 18
    TL;DR: In my ‘six-stack’ of substacks at 6.06pm on Monday, March 18:IKEA is accused of planting big forests in New Zealand to green-wash; REDD-MonitorA City for People takes a well-deserved victory lap over Wellington’s pro-YIMBY District Plan votes; A City for PeopleSteven Anastasiou takes a close look at the sticky ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Peters holds his ground on co-governance, but Willis wriggles on those tax cuts and SNA suspension l...
    Buzz from the Beehive Here’s hoping for a lively post-cabinet press conference when the PM and – perhaps – some of his ministers tell us what was discussed at their meeting today. Until then, Point of Order has precious little Beehive news to report after its latest monitoring of the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 day ago
  • Labour’s final report card
    David Farrar writes –  We now have almost all 2023 data in, which has allowed me to update my annual table of how  went against its promises. This is basically their final report card. The promise The result Build 100,000 affordable homes over 10 ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago
  • “Drunk Uncle at a Wedding”
    I’m a bit worried that I’ve started a previous newsletter with the words “just when you think they couldn’t get any worse…” Seems lately that I could begin pretty much every issue with that opening. Such is the nature of our coalition government that they seem to be outdoing each ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 day ago
  • Wang Yi’s perfectly-timed, Aukus-themed visit to New Zealand
    Geoffrey Miller writes – Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago
  • Gordon Campbell on Dune 2, and images of Islam
    Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture ...
    1 day ago
  • New Rail Operations Centre Promises Better Train Services
    Last week Transport Minster Simeon Brown and Mayor Wayne Brown opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre. The new train control centre will see teams from KiwiRail, Auckland Transport and Auckland One Rail working more closely together to improve train services across the city. The Auckland Rail Operations Centre in ...
    2 days ago
  • Bernard's six newsy things at 6.36am on Monday, March 18
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson said in an exit interview with Q+A yesterday the Government can and should sustain more debt to invest in infrastructure for future generations. Elsewhere in the news in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 6:36am: Read more ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: Wang Yi’s perfectly-timed, Aukus-themed visit to New Zealand
    Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. It is more than just a happy ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    2 days ago
  • The Kaka’s diary for the week to March 25 and beyond
    TL;DR: The key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to March 18 include:China’s Foreign Minister visiting Wellington today;A post-cabinet news conference this afternoon; the resumption of Parliament on Tuesday for two weeks before Easter;retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson gives his valedictory speech in Parliament; ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Bitter and angry; Winston First
    New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters’s state-of-the-nation speech on Sunday was really a state-of-Winston-First speech. He barely mentioned any of the Government’s key policies and could not even wholly endorse its signature income tax cuts. Instead, he rehearsed all of his complaints about the Ardern Government, including an extraordinary claim ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
    2 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
    2 days ago
  • Out of Touch.
    “I’ve been internalising a really complicated situation in my head.”When they kept telling us we should wait until we get to know him, were they taking the piss? Was it a case of, if you think this is bad, wait till you get to know the real Christopher, after the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    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
  • Bring out your Dad
    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
  • Bring out your Dad
    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
    4 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
    5 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 ...
    6 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
    6 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
    4 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
    8 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
    10 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
    11 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
    1 day 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    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
    1 week ago
  • Speech to Life Sciences Summit
    Good morning all, it is a pleasure to be here as Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology.  It is fantastic to see how connected and collaborative the life science and biotechnology industry is here in New Zealand. I would like to thank BioTechNZ and NZTech for the invitation to address ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Progress continues apace on water storage
    Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says he is looking forward to the day when three key water projects in Northland are up and running, unlocking the full potential of land in the region. Mr Jones attended a community event at the site of the Otawere reservoir near Kerikeri on Friday. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government agrees to restore interest deductions
    Associate Finance Minister David Seymour has today announced that the Government has agreed to restore deductibility for mortgage interest on residential investment properties. “Help is on the way for landlords and renters alike. The Government’s restoration of interest deductibility will ease pressure on rents and simplify the tax code,” says ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister to attend World Anti-Doping Agency Symposium
    Sport and Recreation Minister Chris Bishop will travel to Switzerland today to attend an Executive Committee meeting and Symposium of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Mr Bishop will then travel on to London where he will attend a series of meetings in his capacity as Infrastructure Minister. “New Zealanders believe ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-03-19T07:43:52+00:00