New Zealand’s global shame

Written By: - Date published: 4:01 pm, August 13th, 2009 - 67 comments
Categories: climate change, International, national/act government - Tags:

Well, there goes our clean, green image. After Key announced the pathetic 10-20% emissions reduction target, we were declared ‘fossil of the day’ by environmental groups attending the Copenhagen climate change conference. Here’s Eco, talking about the failure of New Zealand and other developed countries:”The New Zealand target completes a rather dismal Annex I picture. The targets put forward by Annex 1 nations, in sum, amount to only a 10-16% reduction below 1990 levels by 2020. More than 40% by 2020 would be in line with the science.

Think of it this way: imagine that you have a giant chasm to cross. Call it a ‘grand climate canyon’, if you will. Your entire population lives on one side of the canyon, but scientists warn you that floods, famines and food shortages will cause unimaginable suffering, unless you can find a way to cross to the other side. Your best scientists, lawyers and engineers conference together, do the measurements, and determine that you need to build a bridge exactly 1,000 metres long, to enable your fellow citizens to cross safely to the other side.

But for some unknown reason, your social and government leaders decide to build a bridge that only goes 500m. Citizens see the government making ‘progress’, they celebrate, and they are lulled into the false sense of security that they will be safe. Their leaders happily shepherd them onto the bridge, and they happily march forward, towards their impending doom.

In the same way that you can’t be half pregnant, you can’t reduce emissions by only 20% by 2020 and miraculously expect the climate to stabilise below 2 degrees C. You need to go all the way.

To be safe, you can’t just build half a sea wall. You can’t plant half a tree. You can’t use half a condom. You can’t use half a parachute. And you can’t reduce carbon emissions by half the amount that science demands. That’s why they call it ‘runaway’ climate change”

To add insult to injury, Nick Smith had the temerity to use his speech to lecture the Pacific Islands on the need to reduce their tiny emissions. The fact is, they have embarked on ambitious programmes to get off fossil fuels, while we wring our hands and say ‘it’s too hard’.

67 comments on “New Zealand’s global shame ”

  1. r0b 1

    And it gets worse Marty:

    Overnight, New Zealand told delegates from 190 countries in Bonn that the Government’s emissions reduction target of 10-20% below 1990 levels is dependent on developed countries as a whole cutting their emissions to 30-40% below 1990 levels.

    “My jaw hit the floor,’ said Geoff Keey, who was in the meeting at the time. “New Zealand has effectively told the rest of the developed world that if they work really hard to reduce their emissions by up to 40% below 1990 levels by 2020, we’ll do half of that.

    “There’s been so much rhetoric from the Government about New Zealand doing its “fair share’ they’re now calling for other countries to pick up our slack.’

    Contrary to claims on Radio New Zealand by Climate Negotiations Minister Tim Groser, New Zealand’s target has not been well received internationally.

    The statement from New Zealand came after the Philippines delegate questioned the New Zealand representative on how it matched its 10-20% target with its requirement that the rest of the world be on a pathway to stabilise global warming at 2 degrees.

    New Zealand was also questioned on its target by Colombia, South Africa, Micronesia, Sweden, Saudi Arabia and Bolivia.

    This prompted the South African delegate to challenge the New Zealand Government, noting that New Zealand was creating a dilemma for developing countries by demanding greater action from them on one hand, for which they wouldn’t get carbon credits, while also expecting to be able to buy carbon credits from those countries.

    “”The Government needs to start pulling its weight. At the moment all it’s doing is embarrassing New Zealanders on the world stage”,’ said Geoff Keey.

    • Good comment Rob and good post Marty.

      The bit that really beggars me is that this Government is saying that we will build half a bridge when we know that a whole bridge is required but our building half a bridge is conditional on other developed countries agreeing to make significant progress to building a whole bridge otherwise we may not even build half a bridge.

      I had to really stretch my brain to see if this could be rational but I got a headache instead.

      It is a shame that the MSM have not commented on why this requirement is so bizarre.

      • Tigger 1.1.1

        Come on ms – you know better than to expect rational thought from this lot. A selfish and conceited government like ours doesn’t really think about the whole picture. It only cares about what it cares about and stuff the rest.

  2. dominicszeker@yahoo.co.nz 2

    Citizens initiated referendum anyone…
    “Should fucking over the planet as a part of “good economic management” be acceptable in NZ?”

    • mike 2.1

      or ‘should fucking over the economy as part of ‘looking green” on the global stage be acceptable in NZ”

      • George D 2.1.1

        Funny, you would almost think that scientists were recommending large cuts in emissions!

        It’s not though. I read today LaRouche saying it was a genocidal plot thought up by Prince Philip.

        Captcha: Confusing – all too confusing

      • Maynard J 2.1.2

        Mike, how about “should destroying New Zealand’s marketing image and ability to trade as part of burying your head in the sand be acceptable in New Zealand?”

  3. BLiP 3

    Meanwhile, the National Inc Minister of Tourism says:

    The Government is in talks about expanding the 100% Pure New Zealand tourism campaign to become a “master brand” for the whole country.

    What a master stroke – right on the eve of an international conference which could have boosted Aotearoa’s standing on the world stage John Key completely undermines his own efforts and, well, basically, falls off.

    The John Key National Government Inc – 100% Pure Bullshit.

  4. Rob A 4

    I think you are all missing the point. We in NZ could cut our emissions 100% and it wouldn’t do an iota for the worlds climate. I am not a denier and I dont mind the idea of us doing our bit but if the rest of the developed nations are aiming at similar targets then we IMHO are doing the right thing. Until the worlds major polluters are doing real things then why should we?

    Our economy is going to be fragile enough in the next decade without us throwing money away on pointless projects

    • BLiP 4.1

      That National Inc emissions target will only further weaken the economy. John Key has already trashed our “Master Brand”, the protection of, surely, would have been a good enough reason to lead the world by example.

    • Rob A

      So instead we should do nothing?

      Each developed country for identical reasons could decide to do nothing.

      Without agreed commitment from each country we are stuffed. This is why it is so important that New Zealand does its bit. Right now the Government is proposing that NZ does half of its bit. If the rest of the world does the same then we may as well kiss goodbye to ice at the poles, polar bears, many pacific islands, a quarter of the world’s species, Bangladesh, large parts of China and New York …

    • So every one aught to sit around waiting for someone else to go first. That is really going to get things done!

    • Con 4.4

      I’ve heard this line before but it makes no sense, really. It’s a logical fallacy.

      Think about a big country, with a big carbon footprint, like the USA. The United States is made up of a lot of little states. On average, these states are about the same size and population as NZ. Now, why on earth should Oklahoma make any effort unless the rest of the world makes a bigger effort first? Why should Washington? Their carbon emissions are very small compared to the global total.

      Even a big American state, like California (which is heavily populated and highly industrialised compared to the rest of the US) is only a bunch of counties and municipalities. Why should San Diego make an effort unless Los Angeles makes a bigger effort first? Why should LA do anything if Orange County has cleaned up its act first?

      The reality is that the only way the world can address the issue of global warming is if we all make an effort together. Those countries which are richer, and which already emit more carbon, have no ethical or logical basis for not pulling their own weight.

      • Rob A 4.4.1

        Sorry but the only thing that makes no sense to me is you comparing a country to a part of another country. By your logic we should be comparing Omaha with Hawkes Bay.

        We could descend into a debate on the bygone virtues of nationalism in todays global age but I feel thats a whole other thread, and we’d probably agree which would make it a short discussion.

        All the replys I got make the valid point that somebody has got to take the lead on this issue but I honestly dont think it should be us. Perhaps those who have done the majority of the polluting can take the lead in the cleaning. And there is no way I’d ever be convinced that NZ making a 40% commitment is somehow going to shame the major polluters into following suit. These countries will put thier own interests first and until they agree to a meaningful commitment then very little can be achieved by the rest of the world.

        • Con 4.4.1.1

          Sorry but the only thing that makes no sense to me is you comparing a country to a part of another country.

          I wasn’t comparing a country to a part of another country at all – so you are simply confused. Actually I made an analogy between countries on the one hand, and parts of countries on the other hand. Your rhetoric (to the effect that someone else should go first) could be applied to countries, to regions, or even for individuals, but although a handy piece of rhetoric (sophistry) it carries no weight at all, in a logical sense.

          somebody has got to take the lead on this issue but I honestly dont think it should be us. Perhaps those who have done the majority of the polluting can take the lead in the cleaning

          Had it escaped you that NZ has one of the higher per capita emissions in the world?

          • Rob A 4.4.1.1.1

            Not at all, but it doesn’t matter. NZ as a country makes somewhere around 0.3% of the worlds greenhouse gases, the difference between cutting that by 40% and 15% is insignificant in the extreme. You can figure it out by nation or per capita but the fact remains that until the US, China and Russia make a real commitment then the world is screwed.

            • Eddie 4.4.1.1.1.1

              by that logic, I shouldn’t worry about paying my taxes because my taxes are only a tiny part of the total… as long as everyone else pays everything will be sweet… but what if they follow the same logic?

            • Rob A 4.4.1.1.1.2

              Eddie, you are right. If you were to stop paying your taxes the effect on the nation as a whole would be nil.

        • Zaphod Beeblebrox 4.4.1.2

          If NZ can’t do it, who can?

    • mike 4.5

      No Rob A!

      Don’t you know that the rest of the world are waiting with great anticipation on what NZ are going to do with our emissions reduction target.

      We ‘are’ the standard to which all other countries measure themselves against.

      Sacrafice is noble at a time like this..

  5. Gaint Mason Philly 5

    New Zealand’s global shame = child abuse and infanticide rates.
    Good one eh bro, have a cigar bro.Why worry.Lets ban cellphones in cars.

    • BLiP 5.1

      Yeah, bro – good to see National Inc are having a huge impact on improving the child abuse, eh? Perhaps Crusher Collins would rather have her boys in blue chasing down cellphone using drivers instead.

    • bobbity 5.2

      Indeed it would be nice to see action by the government on a issue where they could make a difference.

  6. graham 7

    did you know that agg emisions are not counted in either european or usa emisions.why should we they have more cows than us . now even if we shoot all livestock in this country we will effect total world emisions by 0.001%.
    do you really understand the economic cost to do this crap .i have a family of 4 i cant afford a 200 week paycut which is what the cheep option is not greenpeaces one. if we follow this path we will become a 3rd world economy . i wonder if you guys understand that. we wont be able to aford to pay for welfare,health education etc is that what you want? wake up your choice will mean povety for new zealanders

    • wtl 7.1

      So you’d rather f**k up the world that you are leaving for your kids? That is the reality if nothing is done. Debate or you want, disagree or you want, but when that reality does hit, just remember that your children will know you were too selfish or ignorant or whatever to actual fix the problem before it became too bad.

    • BLiP 7.2

      The economy will get worse unless people like you stop your greed-based denial. You are like a worried sailor fearing his ship will fall off the edge of the world.

    • Con 7.3

      Graham you’re just making that figure up, aren’t you? 0.001% is far too low, I’m sure. Let’s see you cite some source for your figures.

      • Armchair Critic 7.3.1

        Looks like graham can barely spell or construct a sentence, so I doubt his figures are anything more than a figment of his imagination.

    • Eddie 7.4

      All graham’s figures are made-up. He probably heard them on talk-back.

  7. Andrei 8

    So who the hell are CAN-I anyway?.

    Bunch of over privileged wackos who can afford to whine about their fantasy problems

    Why don’t these self absorbed individuals put their money where there mouth is and go
    and live a carbon neutral lifestyle in Burkina Faso, say, where the people have no options certainly not the option to issue inane press releases – too busy just surviving, scrabbling for enough to eat!

    They’d soon change their tune. wouldn’t last a week.

    I’ll bet none of you fools have been anywhere in the third world, in fact most of you probably haven’t ventured further than Australia. And you have never seen how grim and dirty so called “sustainable” life styles are – you are all full of shit – the planet is NOT being destroyed by little old New Zealand nor by the UNITED STATES.

    The Planet is not melting or over heating, what is happening is a bunch of cretins who have never been hungry in their lives, who have been pampered since the cradle and who have the luxury of having too much free time have come up with a scary fairy tale to scare themselves and their children with and for parasites to use to scum money from the gulliable

    I cannot believe this utter foolishness.

    • BLiP 8.1

      Good to see you’ve learned not to trot out the pseudo science and have retreated back into good old fashioned flat out denial and abuse. You may take comfort from the fact that your condition is not unique and there is treatment available. You are suffering what’s called empathy-deficit. Good luck.

      • Andrei 8.1.1

        empathy-deficit. ?????

        Now thats pseudo science.

        How many kids do you have BLiP?

        I have four, I want them to have a fulfilled and happy life. I want them to have a prosperous future – not to have it stolen from them by morons who think the world is going to end and the parasites who prey on this fear to line their own pockets.

        • BLiP 8.1.1.1

          You didn’t read the link, did you Andrei, because once again you have it round the wrong way: it is those who fill you with climate change denial shit so that they may line their pockets. That link is to an American news program, saves you the struggle of having to read. Poor dear.

          I pity your kids.

          • Andrei 8.1.1.1.1

            Of course I read the link BLiP;

            It was a waffle that said people who don’t believe in Global Warming lack empathy for others.

            Problem is that is a non sequitur designed to demonize political opponents which actually says nothing at all about whether or not humans are causing climate change.

            Now can you tell me how the projected 2+ degrees c of warming alluded to in the post was derived?

            Who derived it and what methodology was used –

            What assumptions went into the derivation?

            What were the initial parameters used, how were they measured and the uncertainty in them. And what is the uncertainty in the result and how was this calculated?

            That my friend is what science demands, the data, the methodology and the uncertaintys. And that my friend is what all you doomsayers cannot deliver.

            All you have is empty meaningless slogans

            • BLiP 8.1.1.1.1.1

              Oh, now its the “prove it” denial tactic. Well, that’s an easy one to fix. Here, knock yourself out. You’ll find that all your little questions were answered years ago.

              I have to admit it wasn’t until I spent some time on the site that I began to realise just how serious the situation is. The content, especially in the assessment reports which is where most of the actual science is found, is pretty dense and presupposes considerable knowledge which I don’t have and, as a reult, I had to double-check on other less academic sites. I have a list available if you are genuinely interested and not just winding me up.

              Go on, face the facts – do it for your kids, Andrei.

            • BLiP 8.1.1.1.1.2

              Oh, so now its the “prove it” denial tactic. Well, that’s an easy one to fix. Here, knock youself out.

              I have to admit it wasn’t until I had spent quite a lot of time rummaging around on that site before I began to realise just how serious the situation is. The hard data you request is pretty dense and presupposes considerable scientific knowledge. Happily, there are plenty of “plain English” sites which can assist in explaining terms and definitions. If you’re not just winding me up, I’m happy to give you my list of suitably non-partisan and reputable sites.

              Go on, Andrei – face the facts. Do it for your kids.

            • BLiP 8.1.1.1.1.3

              Beg your pardon and well done. We are making progress. I see its now the “prove it” denial tactic. Well, that’s an easy one to fix. Here, knock youself out.

              I have to admit it wasn’t until I had spent quite a lot of time rummaging around on that site before I began to realise just how serious the situation is. The hard data you request is pretty dense and presupposes considerable scientific knowledge. Happily, there are plenty of “plain English” sites which can assist in explaining terms and definitions.

              Go on, Andrei – face the facts. If you can.

  8. outofbed 9

    Andrei.. compelling argument you’ve convinced me

  9. Mike D 10

    It is Y2K again people, utter bullshit. You can bet that there are a few people making good money from all of this.

    It’s bloody cold down here by the way, Climate Change, ooops thats right it is Winter.

    • Ianmac 10.1

      Mike D: I think that you must know that Climate and weather are not the same things. An average increase of even 2 degrees in Climate, will have a dramatic effect on weather. In some places drought where never before. In some places floods where never before. Not “today is cold so no Global warming!”.

      • mike 10.1.1

        Are you saying that after all these billions of years of stability the climate is now changing? Holy icebergs batman

        • BLiP 10.1.1.1

          There weren’t humans pumping billions of tonnes of carbon into the atmosphere during the previous billions of years. C’mon Mike, you’re arguments are usually a lot more deceiptful and cunning than that one. You’re letting your side down. Managed to find John Key’s Birth Certificate yet?

        • Eddie 10.1.1.2

          mike. you got mixed up when you said ‘after billions’ of years of stability the climate is changing’. Your line is meant to be ‘the climate has always changed, what we are seeing is natural’ (which is like saying ‘some fires occur naturally, so let’s not put out this fire’).

          • mickysavage 10.1.1.2.1

            “Holy icebergs Batman”

            Very appropriate.

            It should be “holy icebergs, North Pole, South Pole, Bangladesh, Tuvalu, Rarotonga, Fiji, New York, London, Central Africa, way way too many more places, species, and ecosystems …”

          • mike 10.1.1.2.2

            sarcasm / climate change

            The left just don’t get it..

    • kaplan 10.2

      A lot of people did a lot of hard work to avoid the software issues that would have resulted from aging code that failed to account for 4 digit years or the Y2K bug as it became known.

      Most issues would have been fairly minor but some had the capacity to cause widespread problems, mainly in the area of banking but there were also issues that had to be fixed in control systems for aircraft and nuclear reactors, as examples.

      When I see someone trying to say Y2K was a have it really, really, really pisses me off.

      In actual fact Y2K is a good example of where something which could have had serious implications was tackled and overcome in a proactive and largely cooperative manner. If only we could collectively treat climate change in the same way.

      • Con 10.2.1

        Couldn’t agree more.

        And even more apposite is that in the latter part of the last century the world successfully dealt with not one but two extremely serious global atmospheric pollution problems: acid rain from sulphate emissions and ozone depletion from CFC emissions. What saved us was a combination of science, international political accord and international regulation; exactly what we need again.

        But the same selfish pricks who whinged about giving up CFCs haven’t learned their lesson – they’ve just moved on to bleating about their right to emit CO2 as if the whole world owed them a living.

    • BLiP 10.3

      Your denial tactic has been debunked repeatedly – here’s a precis of how you’re argument is wrong – even you might be able to understand.

  10. Akldnut 11

    Heres Jonkey trying to put it over on everyone with his daily diary.

    I especially like the part where he thinks we’re Americans at approx. 4.40 sec, which must make him “Mr. President”. Leader of the free world bwahahaha

    Oh and just so I’m not threadjacking 5.50sec is where he tries to justify Nacts position on -10 to -20% emissions

  11. Daveski 12

    It’s hard to take the substance of this post too seriously when the spin is so laughable.

    Australia couldn’t even get reduction targets of between an unconditional 5 per cent and a highly-conditional 25 per cent through the senate.

  12. Conal 13

    Partly the half-arsed proposal failed because it was too half-arsed (the Greens didn’t support it). Actually Labor can’t get a decent scheme through with support from the Liberals and Nationals because there are too many denialists in those parties. Labor could get a schema through with Green support if Labor were prepared to back themselves and the position they put to the electorate at the actual election, instead of bending over backwards to prop up the coal industry (that’s the Coalition’s job for goodness sake!)

  13. graham 14

    since you toffs want to make fun of my poor spelling heres some facts about me since you guys are to gutless to identify yourselfs.i am married with 4 girls .i am a dairy farmer. i have 530 cows employ 2 other staff.i work a 70 hour week plus.so i cant spell perfect nor do i bludge off the state.i do have teritaty education iq 139. but have always been a bad speller so what. fed farmers have released the figures as to the line we are going to destroy the world the point is we arent.we i was growing up in the 80s there was acid rainfears then nuclear winter then there was going to be a ice age ozone layer was going to fail y2k bug every frigging 5 years their is some new scare i get sick of chicken littles runing around saying it is all going to end.as to greed i work hard so i can aford a nice house and anice holiday what is wrong with that would you prefer i sit on the dole and get drunk all day?

    • Zaphod Beeblebrox 14.1

      We coped with those crises and i am sure we can do it again. You as much as anyone would know the importance of not dipping into our environmental capital for short term economic rewards. We constantly make sacrifices for our children since the day they are born- I’m sure you’d agree we need to look at the long term science with issues such as this.

    • felix 14.2

      Hey Genius, how about you put your iq of 139 (LOL) to use and see if you can figure out WHY we didn’t get totally fucked by the ozone hole and the Y2k problem.

      I’ll give you a hint: It’s not because they weren’t real problems.

      edit: Zaphod is so much more polite than I.

    • Maynard J 14.3

      Well the good news is that it is not estimated to cost anywhere as much as National have been trying to scare you into believing.

      The bad news is that internationally, there is a fairly wide agreement that carbon emmissions are bad, and something needs to be done about them. The response seems to be a mix of polluter pays and government distributing the costs, but as a farmer, something that was not considered pollution now is – so that means it needs to be dealt with.

      Also remember that if you do not believe it is a form of pollutant, there are a lot of people who do, and they fit into one nice group – they are called ‘customers’. So we need to make sure we are doing something about the problem, or we will find ourselves a pariah.

      Have you ever wondered what would happen if one of those ‘chicken littles’ was right, or, for that matter, what would happen if they were not there to alert the populace to a problem?

      The elimination of CFCs was instrumental in preventing the exacerbation of the ozone hole, but New Zealand still suffers high rates of skin cancer. Have you really thought about what that means? People are dying, as the price of all countries using a dangerous substance.

      What about leaded fuel? The blood level for lead globally is 600 times what it was before the use of lead to relieve engine knock. Who knows what the long-term health effects of that are? I can only assume, again, people are dying and more would be if no one kicked up a fuss.

      As for nuclear winter, that was a real threat and a valid theory. Probably a good thing it did not happen. Who knows what would have happend if no one mentioned it. The cold war may have gotten hot, a nuke lobbed about here or there and suddenly it would all be over – I think that is a poor example you have given.

      “would you prefer i sit on the dole and get drunk all day?”

      To be honest, that is about as bad as ignoring all the problems society faces and not doing your bit, or complaining that the country is choosing to do its bit.

      Given your ideas of ‘chicken littles’ are in fact cases where advocacy and activism has averted or removed serious problems, you must have a long and inglorious history of railing agaist those who are trying to to what has truned out to be the right thing. At least if you were an alcoholic bludger you would not be actively advocating a course of action that is tantamount to recklessness.

      So yeah, perhaps I would prefer that you just got drunk all day instead, harsh as that may sound.

  14. graham 15

    o and i dont smack my girls but voted no

    • BLiP 15.1

      And who said dairy farmers were a backward bunch of inbred illiterates; turns out your actually very modern and market-orientated – the government is still in the very early stages of contracting out its correctional duties. You’re an example to us all.

  15. graham 16

    you lefties need people like me to earn export dollars and yes i do have a high iq .because although i get up early and work hard i have gone in the last 10 years from 0 equity to 7 million (greed is good). now my waterways are fenced i dont break the animal health laws or break any effulent laws but i like to make money.
    go on felix tell me how rich are you?

  16. graham 17

    i wasnt born the son of a dairy farmer .my parents didnt go to the same school or were related so how some left wing toser can call me inbreed god only knows. part of me hopes we follows greenpeaces lead if only to see the destruction of the welfare state because although it will reduce my profit it will drive you left wing tosers into the streets and their will be no welfare to look after you.so go ahead make my day bankrupt new zealand it wont hurt me!!!

  17. kaplan 18

    PM’s man hits out at climate sceptics

    What a shame this was not released a week ago. I sincerely hope it was not ‘delayed’.

  18. graham 19

    do u know what i find most amuseing .i am a farmer that fish and game refer to as dirty dairying but they joke is all you guys who live in cities live in the most environmently unsustainable place in the planet .Concrete jungles with pollution from cars ,people,road surfaces and wood burners and youi have the balls to say people like me are bad what a frigging joke

  19. radar 20

    Could someone please remind me how good the last Labour government was for the environment? They talked a good game but didn’t do jack.

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    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    13 hours ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the coalition’s awful, not good, very bad poll results
    Over the past 36 hours, Christopher Luxon has been dong his best to portray the centre-right’s plummeting poll numbers as a mark of virtue. Allegedly, the negative verdicts are the result of hard economic times, and of a government bravely set out on a perilous rescue mission from which not ...
    14 hours ago
  • New HOP readers for future payment options
    Auckland Transport have started rolling out new HOP card readers around the network and over the next three months, all of them on buses, at train stations and ferry wharves will be replaced. The change itself is not that remarkable, with the new readers looking similar to what is already ...
    15 hours ago
  • 2024 Reading Summary: April (+ Writing Update)
    Completed reads for April: The Difference Engine, by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling Carnival of Saints, by George Herman The Snow Spider, by Jenny Nimmo Emlyn’s Moon, by Jenny Nimmo The Chestnut Soldier, by Jenny Nimmo Death Comes As the End, by Agatha Christie Lord of the Flies, by ...
    1 day ago
  • At a glance – Clearing up misconceptions regarding 'hide the decline'
    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 day ago
  • Road photos
    Have a story to share about St Paul’s, but today just picturesPopular novels written at this desk by a young man who managed to bootstrap himself out of father’s imprisonment and his own young life in a workhouse Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 day ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Paula Bennett’s political appointment will challenge public confidence
    The list of former National Party Ministers being given plum and important roles got longer this week with the appointment of former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett as the chair of Pharmac. The Christopher Luxon-led Government has now made key appointments to Bill English, Simon Bridges, Steven Joyce, Roger Sowry, ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    1 day ago
  • NZDF is still hostile to oversight
    Newsroom has a story today about National's (fortunately failed) effort to disestablish the newly-created Inspector-General of Defence. The creation of this agency was the key recommendation of the Inquiry into Operation Burnham, and a vital means of restoring credibility and social licence to an agency which had been caught lying ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago
  • Winding Back The Hands Of History’s Clock.
    Holding On To The Present: The moment a political movement arises that attacks the whole idea of social progress, and announces its intention to wind back the hands of History’s clock, then democracy, along with its unwritten rules, is in mortal danger.IT’S A COMMONPLACE of political speeches, especially those delivered in ...
    1 day ago
  • Sweet Moderation? What Christopher Luxon Could Learn From The Germans.
    Stuck In The Middle With You: As Christopher Luxon feels the hot breath of Act’s and NZ First’s extremists on the back of his neck and, as he reckons with the damage their policies are already inflicting upon a country he’s described as “fragile”, is there not some merit in reaching out ...
    1 day ago
  • A clear warning
    The unpopular coalition government is currently rushing to repeal section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act. The clause is Oranga Tamariki's Treaty clause, and was inserted after its systematic stealing of Māori children became a public scandal and resulted in physical resistance to further abductions. The clause created clear obligations ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago
  • Poll results and Waitangi Tribunal report go unmentioned on the Beehive website – where racing tru...
    Buzz  from the Beehive The government’s official website – which Point of Order monitors daily – not for the first time has nothing much to say today about political happenings that are grabbing media headlines. It makes no mention of the latest 1News-Verian poll, for example.  This shows National down ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 day ago
  • Listening To The Traffic.
    It Takes A Train To Cry: Surely, there is nothing lonelier in all this world than the long wail of a distant steam locomotive on a cold Winter’s night.AS A CHILD, I would lie awake in my grandfather’s house and listen to the traffic. The big wooden house was only a ...
    1 day ago
  • Comity Be Damned! The State’s Legislative Arm Is Flexing Its Constitutional Muscles.
    Packing A Punch: The election of the present government, including in its ranks politicians dedicated to reasserting the rights of the legislature in shaping and determining the future of Māori and Pakeha in New Zealand, should have alerted the judiciary – including its anomalous appendage, the Waitangi Tribunal – that its ...
    1 day ago
  • Ending The Quest.
    Dead Woman Walking: New Zealand’s media industry had been moving steadily towards disaster for all the years Melissa Lee had been National’s media and communications policy spokesperson, and yet, when the crisis finally broke, on her watch, she had nothing intelligent to offer. Christopher Luxon is a patient man - but he’s not ...
    1 day ago
  • Will political polarisation intensify to the point where ‘normal’ government becomes impossible,...
    Chris Trotter writes –  New Zealand politics is remarkably easy-going: dangerously so, one might even say. With the notable exception of John Key’s flat ruling-out of the NZ First Party in 2008, all parties capable of clearing MMP’s five-percent threshold, or winning one or more electorate seats, tend ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago
  • Bernard’s pick 'n' mix for Tuesday, April 30
    TL;DR: Here’s my top 10 ‘pick ‘n’ mix of links to news, analysis and opinion articles as of 10:30am on Tuesday, May 30:Scoop: NZ 'close to the tipping point' of measles epidemic, health experts warn NZ Herald Benjamin PlummerHealth: 'Absurd and totally unacceptable': Man has to wait a year for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Why Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating in the country
    Bryce Edwards writes – Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • Worst poll result for a new Government in MMP history
    Luxon will no doubt put a brave face on it, but there is no escaping the pressure this latest poll will put on him and the government. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Pinning down climate change's role in extreme weather
    This is a re-post from The Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler In the wake of any unusual weather event, someone inevitably asks, “Did climate change cause this?” In the most literal sense, that answer is almost always no. Climate change is never the sole cause of hurricanes, heat waves, droughts, or ...
    2 days ago
  • Serving at Seymour's pleasure.
    Something odd happened yesterday, and I’d love to know if there’s more to it. If there was something which preempted what happened, or if it was simply a throwaway line in response to a journalist.Yesterday David Seymour was asked at a press conference what the process would be if the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Webworm LA Pop-Up
    Hi,From time to time, I want to bring Webworm into the real world. We did it last year with the Jurassic Park event in New Zealand — which was a lot of fun!And so on Saturday May 11th, in Los Angeles, I am hosting a lil’ Webworm pop-up! I’ve been ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago
  • “Feel good” school is out
    Education Minister Erica Standford yesterday unveiled a fundamental reform of the way our school pupils are taught. She would not exactly say so, but she is all but dismantling the so-called “inquiry” “feel good” method of teaching, which has ruled in our classrooms since a major review of the New ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago
  • 6 Months in, surely our Report Card is “Ignored all warnings: recommend dismissal ASAP”?
    Exactly where are we seriously going with this government and its policies? That is, apart from following what may as well be a Truss-Lite approach on the purported economic plan, and Victorian-era regression when it comes to social policy. Oh it’ll work this time of course, we’re basically assured, “the ...
    exhALANtBy exhalantblog
    2 days ago
  • Bread, and how it gets buttered
    Hey Uncle Dave, When the Poms joined the EEC, I wasn't one of those defeatists who said, Well, that’s it for the dairy job. And I was right, eh? The Chinese can’t get enough of our milk powder and eventually, the Poms came to their senses and backed up the ute ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Why Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating in the country
    Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is higher than for any other mayor ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    2 days ago
  • Justice for Gaza?
    The New York Times reports that the International Criminal Court is about to issue arrest warrants for Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, over their genocide in Gaza: Israeli officials increasingly believe that the International Criminal Court is preparing to issue arrest warrants for senior government officials on ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago
  • If there has been any fiddling with Pharmac’s funding, we can count on Paula to figure out the fis...
    Buzz from the Beehive Pharmac has been given a financial transfusion and a new chair to oversee its spending in the pharmaceutical business. Associate Health Minister David Seymour described the funding for Pharmac as “its largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff”. ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago
  • FastTrackWatch – The case for the Government’s Fast Track Bill
    Bryce Edwards writes – Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • Bernard’s pick 'n' mix for Monday, April 29
    TL;DR: Here’s my top 10 ‘pick ‘n’ mix of links to news, analysis and opinion articles as of 10:10am on Monday, April 29:Scoop: The children's ward at Rotorua Hospital will be missing a third of its beds as winter hits because Te Whatu Ora halted an upgrade partway through to ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on Iran killing its rappers, and searching for the invisible Dr. Reti
    span class=”dropcap”>As hideous as David Seymour can be, it is worth keeping in mind occasionally that there are even worse political figures (and regimes) out there. Iran for instance, is about to execute the country’s leading hip hop musician Toomaj Salehi, for writing and performing raps that “corrupt” the nation’s ...
    3 days ago
  • Auckland Rail Electrification 10 years old
    Yesterday marked 10 years since the first electric train carried passengers in Auckland so it’s a good time to look back at it and the impact it has had. A brief history The first proposals for rail electrification in Auckland came in the 1920’s alongside the plans for earlier ...
    3 days ago
  • Coalition's dirge of austerity and uncertainty is driving the economy into a deeper recession
    Right now, in Aotearoa-NZ, our ‘animal spirits’ are darkening towards a winter of discontent, thanks at least partly to a chorus of negative comments and actions from the Government Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Disability Funding or Tax Cuts.
    You make people evil to punish the paststuck inside a sequel with a rotating castThe following photos haven’t been generated with AI, or modified in any way. They are flesh and blood, human beings. On the left is Galatea Young, a young mum, and her daughter Fiadh who has Angelman ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Of the Goodness of Tolkien’s Eru
    April has been a quiet month at A Phuulish Fellow. I have had an exceptionally good reading month, and a decently productive writing month – for original fiction, anyway – but not much has caught my eye that suggested a blog article. It has been vaguely frustrating, to be honest. ...
    3 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #17
    A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 21, 2024 thru Sat, April 27, 2024. Story of the week Anthropogenic climate change may be the ultimate shaggy dog story— but with a twist, because here ...
    3 days ago
  • Pastor Who Abused People, Blames People
    Hi,I spent about a year on Webworm reporting on an abusive megachurch called Arise, and it made me want to stab my eyes out with a fork.I don’t regret that reporting in 2022 and 2023 — I am proud of it — but it made me angry.Over three main stories ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    3 days ago
  • Vic Uni shows how under threat free speech is
    The new Victoria University Vice-Chancellor decided to have a forum at the university about free speech and academic freedom as it is obviously a topical issue, and the Government is looking at legislating some carrots or sticks for universities to uphold their obligations under the Education and Training Act. They ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Winston remembers Gettysburg.
    Do you remember when Melania Trump got caught out using a speech that sounded awfully like one Michelle Obama had given? Uncannily so.Well it turns out that Abraham Lincoln is to Winston Peters as Michelle was to Melania. With the ANZAC speech Uncle Winston gave at Gallipoli having much in ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • 25
    She was born 25 years ago today in North Shore hospital. Her eyes were closed tightly shut, her mouth was silently moving. The whole theatre was all quiet intensity as they marked her a 2 on the APGAR test. A one-minute eternity later, she was an 8.  The universe was ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • Fact Brief – Is Antarctica gaining land ice?
    Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park in collaboration with members from our Skeptical Science team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Is Antarctica gaining land ice? ...
    4 days ago
  • Policing protests.
    Images of US students (and others) protesting and setting up tent cities on US university campuses have been broadcast world wide and clearly demonstrate the growing rifts in US society caused by US policy toward Israel and Israel’s prosecution of … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    4 days ago
  • Open letter to Hon Paul Goldsmith
    Barrie Saunders writes – Dear Paul As the new Minister of Media and Communications, you will be inundated with heaps of free advice and special pleading, all in the national interest of course. For what it’s worth here is my assessment: Traditional broadcasting free to air content through ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: FastTrackWatch – The Case for the Government’s Fast Track Bill
    Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its arguments for such a bold reform. ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago
  • Luxon gets out his butcher’s knife – briefly
    Peter Dunne writes –  The great nineteenth British Prime Minister, William Gladstone, once observed that “the first essential for a Prime Minister is to be a good butcher.” When a later British Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan, sacked a third of his Cabinet in July 1962, in what became ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • More tax for less
    Ele Ludemann writes – New Zealanders had the OECD’s second highest tax increase last year: New Zealanders faced the second-biggest tax raises in the developed world last year, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) says. The intergovernmental agency said the average change in personal income tax ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Real News vs Fake News.
    We all know something’s not right with our elections. The spread of misinformation, people being targeted with soundbites and emotional triggers that ignore the facts, even the truth, and influence their votes.The use of technology to produce deep fakes. How can you tell if something is real or not? Can ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • Another way to roll
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.Share ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago
  • Simon Clark: The climate lies you'll hear this year
    This video includes conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Simon Clark. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). This year you will be lied to! Simon Clark helps prebunk some misleading statements you'll hear about climate. The video includes ...
    5 days ago
  • Cutting the Public Service
    It is all very well cutting the backrooms of public agencies but it may compromise the frontlines. One of the frustrations of the Productivity Commission’s 2017 review of universities is that while it observed that their non-academic staff were increasing faster than their academic staff, it did not bother to ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    5 days ago
  • Luxon’s demoted ministers might take comfort from the British politician who bounced back after th...
    Buzz from the Beehive Two speeches delivered by Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters at Anzac Day ceremonies in Turkey are the only new posts on the government’s official website since the PM announced his Cabinet shake-up. In one of the speeches, Peters stated the obvious:  we live in a troubled ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago
  • This is how I roll over
    1. Which of these would you not expect to read in The Waikato Invader?a. Luxon is here to do business, don’t you worry about thatb. Mr KPI expects results, and you better believe itc. This decisive man of action is getting me all hot and excitedd. Melissa Lee is how ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago
  • The Waitangi Tribunal is not “a roving Commission”…
    …it has a restricted jurisdiction which must not be abused: it is not an inquisition   NOTE – this article was published before the High Court ruled that Karen Chhour does not have to appear before the Waitangi Tribunal Gary Judd writes –  The High Court ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Is Oranga Tamariki guilty of neglect?
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – One of reasons Oranga Tamariki exists is to prevent child neglect. But could the organisation itself be guilty of the same? Oranga Tamariki’s statistics show a decrease in the number and age of children in care. “There are less children ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago
  • Three Strikes saw lower reoffending
    David Farrar writes: Graeme Edgeler wrote in 2017: In the first five years after three strikes came into effect 5248 offenders received a ‘first strike’ (that is, a “stage-1 conviction” under the three strikes sentencing regime), and 68 offenders received a ‘second strike’. In the five years prior to ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Luxon’s ruthless show of strength is perfect for our angry era
    Bryce Edwards writes – Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesn’t normally happen in politics. That’s refreshing and will be extremely ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • 'Lacks attention to detail and is creating double-standards.'
    TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the two days to 6:06am on Thursday, April 25:Politics: PM Christopher Luxon has set up a dual standard for ministerial competence by demoting two National Cabinet ministers while leaving also-struggling ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • One Night Only!
    Hi,Today I mainly want to share some of your thoughts about the recent piece I wrote about success and failure, and the forces that seemingly guide our lives. But first, a quick bit of housekeeping: I am doing a Webworm popup in Los Angeles on Saturday May 11 at 2pm. ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • What did Melissa Lee do?
    It is hard to see what Melissa Lee might have done to “save” the media. National went into the election with no public media policy and appears not to have developed one subsequently. Lee claimed that she had prepared a policy paper before the election but it had been decided ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #17 2024
    Open access notables Ice acceleration and rotation in the Greenland Ice Sheet interior in recent decades, Løkkegaard et al., Communications Earth & Environment: In the past two decades, mass loss from the Greenland ice sheet has accelerated, partly due to the speedup of glaciers. However, uncertainty in speed derived from satellite products ...
    6 days ago
  • Maori Party (with “disgust”) draws attention to Chhour’s race after the High Court rules on Wa...
    Buzz from the Beehive A statement from Children’s Minister Karen Chhour – yet to be posted on the Government’s official website – arrived in Point of Order’s email in-tray last night. It welcomes the High Court ruling on whether the Waitangi Tribunal can demand she appear before it. It does ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • Who’s Going Up The Media Mountain?
    Mr Bombastic: Ironically, the media the academic experts wanted is, in many ways, the media they got. In place of the tyrannical editors of yesteryear, advancing without fear or favour the interests of the ruling class; the New Zealand news media of today boasts a troop of enlightened journalists dedicated to ...
    6 days ago
  • “That's how I roll”
    It's hard times try to make a livingYou wake up every morning in the unforgivingOut there somewhere in the cityThere's people living lives without mercy or pityI feel good, yeah I'm feeling fineI feel better then I have for the longest timeI think these pills have been good for meI ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    7 days ago
  • “Comity” versus the rule of law
    In 1974, the US Supreme Court issued its decision in United States v. Nixon, finding that the President was not a King, but was subject to the law and was required to turn over the evidence of his wrongdoing to the courts. It was a landmark decision for the rule ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    7 days ago
  • Aotearoa: a live lab for failed Right-wing socio-economic zombie experiments once more…
    Every day now just seems to bring in more fresh meat for the grinder. In their relentlessly ideological drive to cut back on the “excessive bloat” (as they see it) of the previous Labour-led government, on the mountains of evidence accumulated in such a short period of time do not ...
    exhALANtBy exhalantblog
    1 week ago
  • Water is at the heart of farmers’ struggle to survive in Benin
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Megan Valére Sosou Market gardening site of the Itchèléré de Itagui agricultural cooperative in Dassa-Zoumè (Image credit: Megan Valère Sossou) For the residents of Dassa-Zoumè, a city in the West African country of Benin, choosing between drinking water and having enough ...
    1 week ago
  • At a time of media turmoil, Melissa had nothing to proclaim as Minister – and now she has been dem...
    Buzz from the Beehive   Melissa Lee – as may be discerned from the screenshot above – has not been demoted for doing something seriously wrong as Minister of ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 week ago

  • Minister acknowledges passing of Sir Robert Martin (KNZM)
    New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 hours ago
  • Speech to New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, Parliament – Annual Lecture: Challenges ...
    Good evening –   Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 hours ago
  • Accelerating airport security lines
    From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    8 hours ago
  • Community hui to talk about kina barrens
    People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago
  • Kiwi exporters win as NZ-EU FTA enters into force
    Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago
  • Mining resurgence a welcome sign
    There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago
  • Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill passes first reading
    The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Government to boost public EV charging network
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure.  The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Residential Property Managers Bill to not progress
    The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Independent review into disability support services
    The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Justice Minister updates UN on law & order plan
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Ending emergency housing motels in Rotorua
    The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Trade Minister travels to Riyadh, OECD, and Dubai
    Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Education priorities focused on lifting achievement
    Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • NZTA App first step towards digital driver licence
    The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say.  “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Supporting whānau out of emergency housing
    Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Tribute to Dave O'Sullivan
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