None so blind

Written By: - Date published: 7:53 am, September 17th, 2012 - 75 comments
Categories: uncategorized - Tags:

So, this is what Key is reduced to: refusing to read the Police Report on John Banks so that he can avoid answering questions on it. Key’s circular position is that Banks will remain a minister as long as he has Key’s confidence. The test: Banks’ll continue to have Key’s confidence as long as Key trusts him and Key has to believe whatever Banks tells him.

In the real world, of course, you lose confidence in someone when they tell you one thing and everyone else tells you the opposite. But because Key refuses to examine the veracity of Banks’ statement, refuses to even look at the evidence, he can continue to pretend to believe him.

It’s all fake. All Key’s shifting semantic games are fake. He doesn’t believe a word of it.

The truth is, Key is too weak to fire Banks. He knows that, if he does, Banks could do anything – most likely, resign from the House and leave the Right with 60 votes, a tie with the Left (plus the Maori Party) and unable to pass any of its agenda.

That leaves Key weak and twisting in the wind in interview after interview.

There’s heaps in the Police Report to keep this going for weeks. I predict Key will stonewall until November, then he’ll sack Banks and trigger a by-election to be held very early in 2013. It’ll be a purely cynical attempt to get Banks out of the way with as little disruption to the government’s legislative time table as possible.

But what will happen to Key’s public image in the meantime?

75 comments on “None so blind ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Jenny Michie 1
    17 September 2012 at 7:59 am

    The longer the public get to see this side of John Key, the better.

    • CnrJoe 1.1
      17 September 2012 at 8:49 am

      yes yes yes

      • aerobubble 1.1.1
        17 September 2012 at 3:02 pm

        Bank’s oath of to parliament, did he forget anything?
        Is Key saying Worthless or Wong did something criminal,
        if that’s the standard? Banks is not just any MP, he’s
        a Minister?
        Key, unlike Banks, did float down the river in a cabbage boat.

    • Dr Terry 1.2
      17 September 2012 at 5:20 pm

      Over the years of his tenure as PM Key has not only got away from anything for which he ought be held to account, he has emerged triumphant from the lot, still pretty much as popular as ever. Like many in his Party, Key is constantly rewarded for bad behavior. We have to ask ourselves about the integrity of many New Zealand voters. What on earth is there remaining that he could do to come into disfavour?

    • Dr Terry 1.3
      18 September 2012 at 7:30 pm

      Regrettably, the public seems only too happy to see these images of Key, who is so “winningly” smug and “gung-ho”, if you get my meaning. He always gives the impression that sheer murder and mayhem (which may have happened, figuratively) would not rattle him in the slightest.

  2. Carol 2
    17 September 2012 at 8:05 am

    Even many in the MSM clearly don’t really believe this version of Key’s, but I can get you another opinion gambit:

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/7687702/Key-fends-off-calls-to-sack-Banks

    Kate Chapman begins her article:

    Prime Minister John Key’s support for ACT leader John Banks is becoming increasingly untenable after he conceded there were a range of views on whether the Epsom MP had lied.

    So when Key’s I can get you alternative opinions line is shown to be a stalling tactic, how many will buy it when he continues to use it for other issues?

    • Blue 2.1
      17 September 2012 at 9:36 am

      “The prime minister said he wouldn’t handle the Banks donation scandal any differently if his Government had a nine-seat majority and didn’t depend on the ACT leader.

      “When you are prime minister all you can really say is that a minister enjoys my confidence if I can rely on their word. If it’s proven otherwise, then fair enough. In the end there are no charges.” ”

      Oh, the lies, the lies. It’s amazing he can say shit like that with a straight face. Plenty of practice, I suppose.

    • freedom 2.2
      17 September 2012 at 10:44 am

      Is John Key suggesting that the NZ Police have alternative findings available on their investigations. Surely that should be raising a few questions

  3. Tiger Mountain 3
    17 September 2012 at 8:15 am

    A bizarre position from a Prime Minister, that in the 60s and 70s might have been called a “Catch 22”. Can’t comment because I haven’t read the copper’s report and I can’t read the report because I refuse to.

  4. Tom 4
    17 September 2012 at 8:26 am

    In Key’s defence … he has never claimed to be an intellectual giant.

  5. mac1 5
    17 September 2012 at 8:27 am

    There were a range of views during the 1981 Rugby Tour, too. John Key can’t even remember what his views were then. So he says.

    And now? Key says he will trust what a man tells him who hides information, who tells stories different from what other credible witnesses say but which cannot be tested in court because of time, who blusters and flusters his way through. But, he will not investigate or read a document.

    A pattern of lies. Lies by omission. Lying by never answering the question asked. Lies by diversion. Lies, deceit, dishonesty.

    The whole of parliamentary integrity, of faith in our system, of democracy itself is damaged by such behaviour. The taint attaches to all who take part in, believe in, or would believe in our system.

    • Tom 5.1
      17 September 2012 at 8:58 am

      OK, he has never claimed to be a moral one either. He was a trader.

      • Maggy May 5.1.1
        17 September 2012 at 3:12 pm

        John Key was a trader you say, I would say he was one of the original financial terrorists that have caused so much ill feeling and damaged confidence world wide in the monetary system.

        But we find Financial Terrorism is legal, the rules werte written by the Banking terrorists themselves.

        • Draco T Bastard 5.1.1.1
          17 September 2012 at 5:39 pm

          But we find Financial Terrorism is legal, the rules werte written by the Banking terrorists themselves.

          And that is the truth that most people haven’t woken up to yet.

        • David H 5.1.1.2
          17 September 2012 at 7:43 pm

          Well he did spend a few years attacking the NZ currency to make his PERSONAL fortune!

      • Dr Terry 5.1.2
        17 September 2012 at 5:26 pm

        Tom, is it not possible that a trader might act with integrity (or sense of morality)? What does it say if a person actually needs to make a claim of morality?

  6. irascible 6
    17 September 2012 at 8:32 am

    To get around the embarrasment that is his relationship with serial dissemblar, Banks, Key will revert to type posing and mincing at every opportunity of a photo-oppportunity. I predict posing topless while coating Bronagh’s back with sun tan lotion while at home in Hawaii for an expose in a Woman’s Magazine.. (sorry done that already. )
    Failing that he’ll announce a visit by a minor royal or corgi breeder.

  7. freedom 7
    17 September 2012 at 8:33 am

    It’s ok Mr Key, this country is crammed full of people who behave this way every single day. They sit there knowing they have done wrong but look left right up and down wanting to shift focus onto someone anyone anything that will take the heat off of their wrongdoing. They use every trick in their vast arsenal to dissuade and deflect attention from whatever damage their actions caused.

    The difference here Mr Key, is that i am talking about preschoolers.

    • Dr Terry 7.1
      17 September 2012 at 5:30 pm

      freedom, your remarks are an offence to preschoolers. We are not dealing here with a country crammed full of of people who misbehave. We are dealing with a single person who happens to be the Leader of our nation. Let’s stick to the particular.

      • freedom 7.1.1
        17 September 2012 at 8:42 pm

        🙁 I will go stand in the corner and my profound apologies to the preschoolers, most of whom would do a better job running the country

      • freedom 7.1.2
        17 September 2012 at 8:45 pm

        I will go stand in the corner and my profound apologies to the preschoolers, most of whom would do a better job running the country.

        • freedom 7.1.2.1
          17 September 2012 at 8:58 pm

          Excuse the double post. Lprent might want to know…the site thrice said post failed then i switched out of mobile theme and saw the post was there after all. also the site whilst in mobile theme scrolls downpage automatically as soon as i try to enter text. in this non mobile system it is jumping all over the place. also. These few words took over five minutes to enter as each time you touch the edit box the cursor jumps to somewhere off screen. 🙂

  8. ak 8
    17 September 2012 at 9:02 am

    There’s a tipping point approaching as the bought fourth estate struggles to retain the last shreds of credibility and is forced to withdraw its digit from the dyke of sanity.

    They got away with crucifying Helen for signing a painting for charity and sitting in the back of a speeding car, but that was on the back of mysogenistic hate – and the latest insanities are too glaring to be hidden even by the synthetically-generated bennybash emotion.

    Hocking off a profitable public business to your fatcat mates is one thing. But claiming to have not read a document you signed, and refusing to read evidence that everyone is jamming in front of your eyes, are steps too far.

    The eel has jumped the shark, and is writhing under the first sunlight in years.

  9. ianmac 9
    17 September 2012 at 9:21 am

    The longer that Key is in denial the harder it will be for him to eventually extract himself because his current denials can be quoted back to him.

    And how many Cabinet Ministers have been stood down without criminal convictions? So how does Dr Smith for example, feel about his standing down compared to the non-Banks stand down?

    Banks cannot be dismissed from Parliament and even if stood down from the Cabinet he could still vote as Dr Smith does so why not sack him from his Ministerial post?

    • Treetop 9.1
      17 September 2012 at 1:03 pm

      “… so why not sack him from his Ministerial post?”

      Key would then need to admit to himself that Banks had lied to him and that Banks has been economic with the truth to the whole country.

      Time for Key to wake up as it is obvious to most people that Banks has given more than one version to the same question or refused to provide the answer, (reasons for this is self preservation and lack of a moral character).

      There better be more than one UNTOUCHED copy of the Banks police file as the file may not be able to be located.

      Banks reflects on Key and I have no faith in Key’s handling of a dodgy minister he does not have the COMMONSENSE to cut loose.

  10. tc 10
    17 September 2012 at 9:29 am

    Albatross !

  11. Lanthanide 11
    17 September 2012 at 9:59 am

    I wish the media would report some actual facts here.

    Something like “John Key continues to back John Banks, despite the police report showing that John Banks broke the law and then lied about it”.

    Much meatier than the vacuous he-said-she-said that goes on here as others have noticed.

  12. paul andersen 12
    17 September 2012 at 10:03 am

    cup of tea anyone? hopefully one john drags the other down.

  13. Matthew 13
    17 September 2012 at 12:03 pm

    Question – Can Key trigger a by-election by sacking Banks? Im pretty sure Key cvan sack Banks from the Coalition of Evil, but Banks retains the Epsom seat until he either quits or is un-elected in 2014. Key has no power over Banks at all, as the only action he can take weakens his own position.

    • lprent 13.1
      17 September 2012 at 12:23 pm

      Correct.

      The only thing that Key can do is to kick Banks out of the cabinet and therefore probably drop Act from the coalition (since there are no other people in the parliamentary Act party to take up the cabinet position that is probably in the agreement). However there are several other things that could be done. Parliament has it’s own procedures for censuring or even removing a MP for conduct that diminishes parliament. John Banks looks to me like he is doing exactly that..

      • aerobubble 13.1.1
        17 September 2012 at 3:09 pm

        Exactly. Banks had to swear an oath when he entered parliament, and now it turns out
        from the Police investigations that he is dubious on electoral details.

    • Lightly 13.2
      17 September 2012 at 12:31 pm

      but the likely outcome is everyone would tell Banks to leave – especially if the vacancy coincides with the summer break.

      he would be both useless and a loose cannon on the backbenches

    • Lanthanide 13.3
      17 September 2012 at 1:15 pm

      It’s worth noting here that the specifics around Banks leaving parliament were around him being convicted for a crime that had a possible sentence of at least 2 years in jail, even if the punished he received was no jail term or less than 2 years.

      Banks is lucky that there’s a (stupid) 6 month limit on bringing charges for the law he broke, so managed to wiggle out of that tangle.

      • BernyD 13.3.1
        17 September 2012 at 1:40 pm

        Lucky or engineered, I’m betting on the later

        • Lanthanide 13.3.1.1
          17 September 2012 at 2:26 pm

          Nah, his deer-in-headlights look about the whole thing shows that his entire strategy was not to get caught in the first place.

          • BernyD 13.3.1.1.1
            17 September 2012 at 2:35 pm

            I wouldn’t be so sure, they’ve been stonewalling for the investigation.

            They knew the statute of limitations was 6 months.
            This must be well kown and standardised behaviour from Banks.
            He doesn’t read anything in case it incriminates him.
            Doesn’t make hime Honourable, certainly doesn’t make him a good representative in parliament.

            The facts are (both John Key and John Banks are openly admitting this) …

            He got away with it because John Banks doesn’t read documents before signing them.
            This way he has no reponsibility whatsoever for the things he endorses with his signature.

            And the smug deer in the headlights look is just for sympathy.

            • mike 13.3.1.1.1.1
              17 September 2012 at 3:09 pm

              It’s so weird how the rest of us peasants do have responsibility for things that we sign, regardless of what we might say about having read it or not.

  14. Dv 14
    17 September 2012 at 12:07 pm

    Interesting Key say the voter will decide about Banks.

    They will also decide about Key

  15. mike 15
    17 September 2012 at 12:20 pm

    “Key denied suggestions Banks had become New Zealand’s Silvio Berlusconi.

    The former Italian prime minister had corruption charges against him thrown out in February because the statute of limitations had expired.

    “Last time I looked, I didn’t see him at a ‘bunga bunga party’,” Key told Newstalk ZB, referring to the lavish sex orgies Berlusconi allegedly threw.”

    So… the absence of sex orgies negates the comparison regarding expiring statutes of limitation. Nice one Key, your blokey jokey charm wins again.

    “Key said police may not have been successful even charges were bought against Banks.”

    Carol suggested that National’s ‘higher standard of ethics’ was “Don’t break the law.” I said no it’s worse it’s “Don’t get prosecuted.” More confirmation from Key.

    The opposition should be demanding that Key sack him very loudly.

    • mike 15.1
      17 September 2012 at 12:28 pm

      “Prime Minister John Key says the voters of Epsom will decide whether they can trust their embattled local MP and ACT leader John Banks at the next election.”

      “Key today said he would not “second guess” the people of Epsom and their views of Banks.”

      Haha and he’s trying to wash his hands of the decision. If Banks is foolish enough to run again then sure they will decide if they want him as their MP. But they didn’t vote on whether he should be a minister, that’s Key’s decision. And it’s his alone as to whether he should sack him.

      Clutching at straws.

      • Draco T Bastard 15.1.1
        17 September 2012 at 5:54 pm

        But they didn’t vote on whether he should be a minister, that’s Key’s decision.

        And the National supporters who voted for him last time around was Key’s decision as well.

  16. muzza 16
    17 September 2012 at 12:26 pm

    It’s all fake. All Key’s shifting semantic games are fake. He doesn’t believe a word of it.

    It’s all fake. All political shifting semantic games are fake. We can’t believe a word of it!

    FIFY

  17. Penny Bright 17
    17 September 2012 at 12:40 pm

    http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/key-backs-banks-over-dotcom-donations-ck-128455#comment-582350

    MY COMMENT – (yet to be published)

    Gosh!

    Perhaps Prime Minister John Key (MP for Helensville) would be prepared to present the following petition to the House – in order to get this sloppy local electoral law fixed?

    (That’s if John Banks doesn’t? 🙂

    “That the House conduct an urgent inquiry into the findings of the Police investigation into the allegations that the Hon. John Archibald Banks, CNZM QSO, submitted a false donation return in respect to the Auckland Council Mayoral election 2010 – that it was not unlawful for the Hon. John Archibald Banks, CNZM QSO to sign and transmit his candidate’s declaration of expenses without first personally checking and verifying that the information provided (by another party) was accurate.”

    errr…… I was a complainant, who alleged John Banks committed electoral fraud, and I an NOT a Labour Party member?

    Penny Bright

    ‘Anti-corruption campaigner’
    http://www.dodgyjohnhasgone.com
    http://www.pennybright4epsom.org.nz

    • mike 17.1
      17 September 2012 at 2:10 pm

      “TAURIMA: Why wouldn’t you read the police report?

      KEY: Because it’s not my job to do a forensic analysis.”

      Reminiscent of Dubya Bush’s classic “I’m not a fact checker,” anyone? Read a report? He’s not a CSI scientist for goonessake!

      Lol this is what happens when you persist in defending the indefensible, you have to keep coming up with hilarious gems like this. He doesn’t have to do any forensic analysis, the police did it for him and put it in a report. All he has do do is read it.

      Why should he? Because while forensic analysis is not his job what is his job is to consider and act on evidence that his minister is a corrupt liar. I’m sure Key already knew that and has no problem with it, but the thing is that Banks got caught. While Key’s actual ethical standards might be dog sh*t I would have thought he would have realized that he doesn’t want the public to actually see that.

      But as I’ve predicted here before, a sociopath like Key always believes they can talking their way out of anything, even to the point that they will indignantly defend absurdities. I think Key still thinks he can just wait for this to blow over. Maybe get Paula Benebash to get back to the bashing. And as he does so, NZ will wake up to his character, and the National list MPs will realize that the boat is sinking. That’s what happens when you get sucked in by a sociopath.

      The opposition and the media for that matter should smell blood and go all out for the kill.

  18. starlight 18
    17 September 2012 at 12:50 pm

    I suspect that key knows full well what is in the report and he also knows that banks
    is surplus to requirements if he acknowledges to the public that he has read it,the public
    will demand the ex honourable banks resignation and the heat will get hotter than a
    b b cue,so key is saving his own rear end,regardless of what is right or wrong.

  19. gobsmacked 19
    17 September 2012 at 1:40 pm

    Never mind Banks, Key should be in big trouble himself.

    The opposition just need to frame the Parliamentary questions right and (you’ve heard this before!) listen to Key’s answers instead of trying to drown them out with mindless noise. Challenge his exact words. Then get him for misleading Parliament.

    “Has the PM had any conversations with the Minister (Banks)? Has he / his office had any communication with … about … ? Does he stand by his statements (such as – Bradley Ambrose was guilty, or he’d never heard of Kim Dotcom before XYZ, or he would “look a Minister in the eye”, etc …” – the possibilities are endless.

    (and of course, follow up with OIA requests etc)

    Short, sharp forensic questions required in the House tomorrow. Any halfway decent researcher should be able to collect the ammunition. Whether Labour can hit the target is another matter.

  20. Tom 20
    17 September 2012 at 1:47 pm

    The situation is unsustainable for the conservative bloc and the longer it lasts the worse the public perception around Banks and Key.

    The best way out for them is an early or snap election, fought on an issue of their choice.

    Some media research companies are currently hiring.

    A straw in the wind ?

  21. Treetop 21
    17 September 2012 at 1:59 pm

    starlight and gobsmacked it will go something like this: on Marshall’s weekly visit to Tolley, Tolley will be informed or given a copy of the file, the file will get read by Key, Key will then know the extent that Banks has lied.

    And

    When it came to Richard Worth Key had to have been given info from the police about Worth or Collin’s would have been given the info and informed Key.

  22. Fortran 22
    17 September 2012 at 2:28 pm

    Careful – the Banks affair is a red herring for Key to keep people bitching about it, whilst he goes on perpetuationg other political moves below the radar.

  23. Treetop 23
    17 September 2012 at 2:33 pm

    Just had a look at comments made by Kim Dotcom on his twitter account, he wants a three way between Banks and Key on Q & A about the donation scandal, posted 22 hours ago.

  24. Murray Olsen 24
    17 September 2012 at 4:45 pm

    My suspicion is that Banks is worth a lot more than one vote to Key. He’s been around a while now and probably knows where a lot of skeletons are buried. He is also nasty and malicious. Even if he got booted from Parliament, I can’t see Epsom voting for Mana in a by-election, or even for the pinkish Tory lite party, so Key would keep the majority.
    As far as concentrating on a weak minister who needs to be removed, I think the left would be much better going after Paula Benefat. She’s stupid and, if she hasn’t already misled Parliament, almost certainly will. Losing her would lose Key a vote. I think they’re happy with all the focus on Banks.

    • Penny Bright 24.1
      17 September 2012 at 5:18 pm

      Having helped to organise about 14 anti-Banks protests in the wilds of Epsom – I can tell you that the longer shonky John Key protects dodgy John Banks – the worse it get for Key (therefore National – whose political fortunes are joined at the hip).

      Focusing on Banks is NOT a distraction – in my considered opinion – it is politically VERY important.

      Penny Bright

      ‘Anti-corruption campaigner’
      http://www.dodgyjohnhasgone.com

    • Dr Terry 24.2
      17 September 2012 at 5:39 pm

      Always remember that Bennett is but a pawn in Key’s game – she faithfully does the bidding of her master.

    • Tiger Mountain 24.3
      17 September 2012 at 5:50 pm

      Murray may not have teased it all out, but there is something in his argument that sticks (no pun etc.) regarding the so far inseparable Banksie/ShonKey connection.

      Paula Bennett has compiled (look at meeee…) surely the largest number of rather off nicknames for one minister in many a year, MO’s “Benefat” being the latest. But there is no technical case for her removal once Labour chose to drop the ball on the the electorate court case.

      • Murray Olsen 24.3.1
        17 September 2012 at 6:00 pm

        I think Bennett is a real weak link and can be rattled easily. As Terry says, she’s just a pawn, but is a pawn in a crucial seat. There may not be a case yet, but with enough pressure and research, I think one will come up. Sure, go after Banks, but I can’t see Paula getting his level of imperial protection somehow.

  25. Penny Bright 25
    17 September 2012 at 4:46 pm

    STILL trying to get my considered opinion published on the NBR 🙁

    THIS time?
    _________________________________________________________________________

    http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/key-backs-banks-over-dotcom-donations-ck-128455#comment-58235

    “As the PM has said, this whole issue is a political “beat up” by Labour, because John Banks winning Epsom kept national in power, and saved us all from a lunatic left wing Labour/Greens government.”

    (Comment made by Lindsay Fergusson – former NZ Business Roundtable heavyweight)

    Actually Lindsay – I was one of those who made an official complaint to the Police alleging electoral fraud against John Banks – and I am not a member of the Labour Party.

    As you know – I’m an ‘anti-corruption’ campaigner – who stood against Banks in Epsom to help draw attention to the FACT that ‘one for all’ had yet to apply to the current (and former) Leaders of the ACT Party, regarding their signing Huljich Kiwisaver Scheme Registered Prospectuses which contained untrue statements and were never charged (by either the former Securities Commission, the Finance Markets Authority (FMA), the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) or the NZ Police.

    Why is that, do you think Lindsay?

    How is John Banks ‘fit for duty’?

    Could it be that this minority National Government has only 59 out of 121 MPs and is dependent upon the pivotal vote of ‘dodgy’ John Banks?

    Penny Bright
    ‘Anti-corruption campaigner’
    http://www.dodgyjohnhasgone.com
    http://www.pennybright4epsom.org.nz

  26. Herodotus 26
    17 September 2012 at 5:15 pm

    Helen Clark must be currently having a chuckle over breakfast.
    Now let’s see if Labour cannot mismanage this one, comparing keys stand of hehavior in 2008 to his current expected level. If they cannot inflict some damage then labour deserve watching key for another 4 years then be one of a very select group to retire undefeated.

  27. Steve 27
    17 September 2012 at 5:17 pm

    It appears nothing John Banks signs is worth anything, the Hujlich kiwisaver investment prospectus or his return. On both occasions he told investigators he had not read it and so got off.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/6555638/Petition-stalks-Banks-Brash

    • Carol 27.1
      17 September 2012 at 5:20 pm

      Well, Go Penny!

      Seems Labour MP Twyford has taken up your cause!

      Labour MP Phil Twyford has tabled a petition calling for an investigation into the decision not to proceed with charges against John Banks and Don Brash as directors of the Huljich KiwiSaver scheme.
      …
      The petition now must be considered by the Commerce Select Committee, made up of nine MPs of which five are from the National Party. The petition has drawn a firm response from the Financial Markets Authority that such an inquiry is unnecessary. Its predecessor, the Securities Commission, was responsible for the decision not to prosecute.

      Banks has been on the end of Bright’s activism before. In a statement he said: “I would never comment on anything this person has to say.”

      Thanks for the link and heads-up, Steve!

      PS: 5 Nats to 4 on the Committee means Banks & Brash will be protected.

      Oh, wait. That’s an article from back in March. So what’s happened re-the Committee?

      • Tiger Mountain 27.1.1
        17 September 2012 at 6:31 pm

        Well it took a while to ping one Augusto Pinochet but it did happen eventually. And it does matter that evil people anywhere are bought to account. I am not conflating Banksie’s crappola with the dictator of the long thin country’s crimes for a moment, but “Don’t let the bastards wear you down” is the point.

        So full marks to Penny Bright for being tenacious.

  28. peterlepaysan 28
    17 September 2012 at 9:16 pm

    Anyone remember Key being called “slippery John”?

  29. georgecom 29
    17 September 2012 at 10:29 pm

    At time like these I love quoting John Key:

    “It is no longer acceptable or credible for Helen Clark to assert a facade of confidence in her Foreign Affairs Minister and to fail to ask the plain questions of him that she has a duty to the public to ask. Faced with today’s revelations, Helen Clark must stand Mr Peters down as a Minister. That is what I would do if I were Prime Minister.”

    one needent say anythign else thank perhaps, “Really John?”

    • mike 29.1
      18 September 2012 at 12:08 am

      I wonder if a PM has a duty to the public to read a police report that says one of his ministers is a corrupt liar? I wonder what we should think of a PM who refuses to do so for political reasons? I wonder how tame and well trained the MSM in NZ is for not beating Key up about this? I wonder how tuned out the general public is that they can’t see what a slimy shyster John Key is?

  30. Gruntie 30
    18 September 2012 at 5:31 am

    So why is Shonkey so blind to Banksies obvious misdemeanor – sure he needs the vote, but I smell a rat- maybe he can’t throw the first stone because he himself has used the same shonkey tactics? Worth digging I reckon

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    Buzz from the Beehive A few days ago, Point of Order suggested the media must be musing “on why Melissa is mute”. Our article reported that people working in the beleaguered media industry have cause to yearn for a minister as busy as Melissa Lee’s ministerial colleagues and we drew ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    12 hours ago

  • New Zealand has never been closed for business
    1. What was The Curse of Jim Bolger?a. Winston Peters b. Soon after shaking his hand, world leaders would mysteriously lose office or shuffle off this mortal coilc. Could never shake off the Mother of All Budgetsd. Dandruff2. True or false? The Chairman of a Kiwi export business has asked the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    12 hours ago

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

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

  • The Hoon around the week to April 19
    TL;DR: The podcast above features co-hosts and , along with regular guests Robert Patman on Gaza and AUKUS II, and on climate change.The six things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    17 hours ago

  • The ‘Humpty Dumpty’ end result of dismantling our environmental protections
    Policymakers rarely wish to make plain or visible their desire to dismantle environmental policy, least of all to the young. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s the top five news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above between Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    17 hours ago

  • Nicola's Salad Days.
    I like to keep an eye on what’s happening in places like the UK, the US, and over the ditch with our good mates the Aussies. Let’s call them AUKUS, for want of a better collective term. More on that in a bit.It used to be, not long ago, that ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    18 hours ago

  • Study sees climate change baking in 19% lower global income by 2050
    TL;DR: The global economy will be one fifth smaller than it would have otherwise been in 2050 as a result of climate damage, according to a new study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) and published in the journal Nature. (See more detail and analysis below, and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    18 hours ago

  • Weekly Roundup 19-April-2024
    It’s Friday again. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week on Greater Auckland On Tuesday Matt covered at the government looking into a long tunnel for Wellington. On Wednesday we ran a post from Oscar Simms on some lessons from Texas. AT’s ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    19 hours ago

  • Jack Vowles: Stop the panic – we’ve been here before
    New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’.  The data is from February this ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    21 hours ago

  • Clearing up confusion (or trying to)
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters is understood to be planning a major speech within the next fortnight to clear up the confusion over whether or not New Zealand might join the AUKUS submarine project. So far, there have been conflicting signals from the Government. RNZ reported the Prime Minister yesterday in ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    22 hours ago

  • How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log iPhone Without Computer
    How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log on iPhone Without a Computer: A Step–by–Step Guide Losing your iPhone call history can be frustrating, especially when you need to find a specific number or recall an important conversation. But before you panic, know that there are ways to retrieve deleted call logs on your iPhone, even without a computer. This guide will explore various methods, ranging from simple checks to utilizing iCloud backups and third–party applications. So, let‘s dive in and recover those lost calls! 1. Check Recently Deleted Folder: Apple understands that accidental deletions happen. That‘s why they introduced the “Recently Deleted“ folder for various apps, including the Phone app. This folder acts as a safety net, storing deleted call logs for up to 30 days before permanently erasing them. Here‘s how to check it: Open the Phone app on your iPhone. Tap on the “Recents“ tab at the bottom. Scroll to the top and tap on “Edit“. Select “Show Recently Deleted“. Browse the list to find the call logs you want to recover. Tap on the desired call log and choose “Recover“ to restore it to your call history. 2. Restore from iCloud Backup: If you regularly back up your iPhone to iCloud, you might be able to retrieve your deleted call log from a previous backup. However, keep in mind that this process will restore your entire phone to the state it was in at the time of the backup, potentially erasing any data added since then. Here‘s how to restore from an iCloud backup: Go to Settings > General > Reset. Choose “Erase All Content and Settings“. Follow the on–screen instructions. Your iPhone will restart and show the initial setup screen. Choose “Restore from iCloud Backup“ during the setup process. Select the relevant backup that contains your deleted call log. Wait for the restoration process to complete. 3. Explore Third–Party Apps (with Caution): ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    24 hours ago

  • How to Factory Reset iPhone without Computer: A Comprehensive Guide to Restoring your Device
    Life throws curveballs, and sometimes, those curveballs necessitate wiping your iPhone clean and starting anew. Whether you’re facing persistent software glitches, preparing to sell your device, or simply wanting a fresh start, knowing how to factory reset iPhone without a computer is a valuable skill. While using a computer with ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • How to Call Someone on a Computer: A Guide to Voice and Video Communication in the Digital Age
    Gone are the days when communication was limited to landline phones and physical proximity. Today, computers have become powerful tools for connecting with people across the globe through voice and video calls. But with a plethora of applications and methods available, how to call someone on a computer might seem ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #16 2024
    Open access notables Glacial isostatic adjustment reduces past and future Arctic subsea permafrost, Creel et al., Nature Communications: Sea-level rise submerges terrestrial permafrost in the Arctic, turning it into subsea permafrost. Subsea permafrost underlies ~ 1.8 million km2 of Arctic continental shelf, with thicknesses in places exceeding 700 m. Sea-level variations over glacial-interglacial cycles control ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 day ago

  • Where on a Computer is the Operating System Generally Stored? Delving into the Digital Home of your ...
    The operating system (OS) is the heart and soul of a computer, orchestrating every action and interaction between hardware and software. But have you ever wondered where on a computer is the operating system generally stored? The answer lies in the intricate dance between hardware and software components, particularly within ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • How Many Watts Does a Laptop Use? Understanding Power Consumption and Efficiency
    Laptops have become essential tools for work, entertainment, and communication, offering portability and functionality. However, with rising energy costs and growing environmental concerns, understanding a laptop’s power consumption is more important than ever. So, how many watts does a laptop use? The answer, unfortunately, isn’t straightforward. It depends on several ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • How to Screen Record on a Dell Laptop A Guide to Capturing Your Screen with Ease
    Screen recording has become an essential tool for various purposes, such as creating tutorials, capturing gameplay footage, recording online meetings, or sharing information with others. Fortunately, Dell laptops offer several built-in and external options for screen recording, catering to different needs and preferences. This guide will explore various methods on ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • How Much Does it Cost to Fix a Laptop Screen? Navigating Repair Options and Costs
    A cracked or damaged laptop screen can be a frustrating experience, impacting productivity and enjoyment. Fortunately, laptop screen repair is a common service offered by various repair shops and technicians. However, the cost of fixing a laptop screen can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article delves into the ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • How Long Do Gaming Laptops Last? Demystifying Lifespan and Maximizing Longevity
    Gaming laptops represent a significant investment for passionate gamers, offering portability and powerful performance for immersive gaming experiences. However, a common concern among potential buyers is their lifespan. Unlike desktop PCs, which allow for easier component upgrades, gaming laptops have inherent limitations due to their compact and integrated design. This ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • Climate Change: Turning the tide
    The annual inventory report of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions has been released, showing that gross emissions have dropped for the third year in a row, to 78.4 million tons: All-told gross emissions have decreased by over 6 million tons since the Zero Carbon Act was passed in 2019. ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago

  • How to Unlock Your Computer A Comprehensive Guide to Regaining Access
    Experiencing a locked computer can be frustrating, especially when you need access to your files and applications urgently. The methods to unlock your computer will vary depending on the specific situation and the type of lock you encounter. This guide will explore various scenarios and provide step-by-step instructions on how ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • Faxing from Your Computer A Modern Guide to Sending Documents Digitally
    While the world has largely transitioned to digital communication, faxing still holds relevance in certain industries and situations. Fortunately, gone are the days of bulky fax machines and dedicated phone lines. Today, you can easily send and receive faxes directly from your computer, offering a convenient and efficient way to ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • Protecting Your Home Computer A Guide to Cyber Awareness
    In our increasingly digital world, home computers have become essential tools for work, communication, entertainment, and more. However, this increased reliance on technology also exposes us to various cyber threats. Understanding these threats and taking proactive steps to protect your home computer is crucial for safeguarding your personal information, finances, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • Server-Based Computing Powering the Modern Digital Landscape
    In the ever-evolving world of technology, server-based computing has emerged as a cornerstone of modern digital infrastructure. This article delves into the concept of server-based computing, exploring its various forms, benefits, challenges, and its impact on the way we work and interact with technology. Understanding Server-Based Computing: At its core, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • Vroom vroom go the big red trucks
    The absolute brass neck of this guy.We want more medical doctors, not more spin doctors, Luxon was saying a couple of weeks ago, and now we’re told the guy has seven salaried adults on TikTok duty. Sorry, doing social media. The absolute brass neck of it. The irony that the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 day ago

  • Jones finds $410,000 to help the government muscle in on a spat project
    Buzz from the Beehive Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones relishes spatting and eagerly takes issue with environmentalists who criticise his enthusiasm for resource development. He relishes helping the fishing industry too. And so today, while the media are making much of the latest culling in the public service to ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 day ago

  • Again, hate crimes are not necessarily terrorism.
    Having written, taught and worked for the US government on issues involving unconventional warfare and terrorism for 30-odd years, two things irritate me the most when the subject is discussed in public. The first is the Johnny-come-lately academics-turned-media commentators who … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    2 days ago

  • Despair – construction consenting edition
    Eric Crampton writes – Kainga Ora is the government’s house building agency. It’s been building a lot of social housing. Kainga Ora has its own (but independent) consenting authority, Consentium. It’s a neat idea. Rather than have to deal with building consents across each different territorial authority, Kainga Ora ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Coalition promises – will the Govt keep the commitment to keep Kiwis equal before the law?
    Muriel Newman writes – The Coalition Government says it is moving with speed to deliver campaign promises and reverse the damage done by Labour. One of their key commitments is to “defend the principle that New Zealanders are equal before the law.” To achieve this, they have pledged they “will not advance ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • An impermanent public service is a guarantee of very little else but failure
    Chris Trotter writes –  The absence of anything resembling a fightback from the public servants currently losing their jobs is interesting. State-sector workers’ collective fatalism in the face of Coalition cutbacks indicates a surprisingly broad acceptance of impermanence in the workplace. Fifty years ago, lay-offs in the thousands ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • What happens after the war – Mariupol
    Mariupol, on the Azov Sea coast, was one of the first cities to suffer almost complete destruction after the start of the Ukraine War started in late February 2022. We remember the scenes of absolute destruction of the houses and city structures. The deaths of innocent civilians – many of ...
    Open ParachuteBy Ken
    2 days ago

  • Babies and benefits – no good news
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – Ten years ago, I wrote the following in a Listener column: Every year around one in five new-born babies will be reliant on their caregivers benefit by Christmas. This pattern has persisted from at least 1993. For Maori the number jumps to over one in three.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Should the RBNZ be looking through climate inflation?
    Climate change is expected to generate more and more extreme events, delivering a sort of structural shock to inflation that central banks will have to react to as if they were short-term cyclical issues. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours, as of 9:16 am on Thursday, April 18 are:Housing: Tauranga residents living in boats, vans RNZ Checkpoint Louise TernouthHousing: Waikato councillor says wastewater plant issues could hold up Sleepyhead building a massive company town Waikato Times Stephen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on the public sector carnage, and misogyny as terrorism
    It’s a simple deal. We pay taxes in order to finance the social services we want and need. The carnage now occurring across the public sector though, is breaking that contract. Over 3,000 jobs have been lost so far. Many are in crucial areas like Education where the impact of ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    2 days ago

  • Meeting the Master Baiters
    Hi,A friend had their 40th over the weekend and decided to theme it after Curb Your Enthusiasm fashion icon Susie Greene. Captured in my tiny kitchen before I left the house, I ending up evoking a mix of old lesbian and Hillary Clinton — both unintentional.Me vs Hillary ClintonIf you’re ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago

  • How extreme was the Earth's temperature in 2023
    This is a re-post from Andrew Dessler at the Climate Brink blog In 2023, the Earth reached temperature levels unprecedented in modern times. Given that, it’s reasonable to ask: What’s going on? There’s been lots of discussions by scientists about whether this is just the normal progression of global warming or if something ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago

  • Backbone, revisited
    The schools are on holiday and the sun is shining in the seaside village and all day long I have been seeing bunches of bikes; Mums, Dads, teens and toddlers chattering, laughing, happy, having a bloody great time together. Cheers, AT, for the bits of lane you’ve added lately around the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago

  • Ministers are not above the law
    Today in our National-led authoritarian nightmare: Shane Jones thinks Ministers should be above the law: New Zealand First MP Shane Jones is accusing the Waitangi Tribunal of over-stepping its mandate by subpoenaing a minister for its urgent hearing on the Oranga Tamariki claim. The tribunal is looking into the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago

  • What’s the outfit you can hear going down the gurgler? Probably it’s David Parker’s Oceans Sec...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point  of Order first heard of the Oceans Secretariat in June 2021, when David Parker (remember him?) announced a multi-agency approach to protecting New Zealand’s marine ecosystems and fisheries. Parker (holding the Environment, and Oceans and Fisheries portfolios) broke the news at the annual Forest & ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago

  • Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Bryce Edwards writes  – Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Matt Doocey doubles down on trans “healthcare”
    Citizen Science writes –  Last week saw two significant developments in the debate over the treatment of trans-identifying children and young people – the release in Britain of the final report of Dr Hilary Cass’s review into gender healthcare, and here in New Zealand, the news that the ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • A TikTok Prime Minister.
    One night while sleeping in my bed I had a beautiful dreamThat all the people of the world got together on the same wavelengthAnd began helping one anotherNow in this dream, universal love was the theme of the dayPeace and understanding and it happened this wayAfter such an eventful day ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • Texas Lessons
    This is a guest post by Oscar Simms who is a housing activist, volunteer for the Coalition for More Homes, and was the Labour Party candidate for Auckland Central at the last election. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    3 days ago

  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links at 6:06 am
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours as of 6:06 am on Wednesday, April 17 are:Must read: Secrecy shrouds which projects might be fast-tracked RNZ Farah HancockScoop: Revealed: Luxon has seven staffers working on social media content - partly paid for by taxpayer Newshub ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Fighting poverty on the holiday highway
    Turning what Labour called the “holiday highway” into a four-lane expressway from Auckland to Whangarei could bring at least an economic benefit of nearly two billion a year for Northland each year. And it could help bring an end to poverty in one of New Zealand’s most deprived regions. The ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago

  • Bernard's six-stack of substacks at 6:26 pm
    Tonight’s six-stack includes: launching his substack with a bunch of his previous documentaries, including this 1992 interview with Dame Whina Cooper. and here crew give climate activists plenty to do, including this call to submit against the Fast Track Approvals bill. writes brilliantly here on his substack ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • At a glance – Is the science settled?
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago

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

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

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

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

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

  • Bryce Edwards: Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. Our political system is suffering from the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago

  • Was Hawkesby entirely wrong?
    David Farrar  writes –  The Broadcasting Standards Authority ruled: Comments by radio host Kate Hawkesby suggesting Māori and Pacific patients were being prioritised for surgery due to their ethnicity were misleading and discriminatory, the Broadcasting Standards Authority has found. It is a fact such patients are prioritised. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • PRC shadow looms as the Solomons head for election
    PRC and its proxies in Solomons have been preparing for these elections for a long time. A lot of money, effort and intelligence have gone into ensuring an outcome that won’t compromise Beijing’s plans. Cleo Paskall writes – On April 17th the Solomon Islands, a country of ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Climate Change: Criminal ecocide
    We are in the middle of a climate crisis. Last year was (again) the hottest year on record. NOAA has just announced another global coral bleaching event. Floods are threatening UK food security. So naturally, Shane Jones wants to make it easier to mine coal: Resources Minister Shane Jones ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago

  • Is saving one minute of a politician's time worth nearly $1 billion?
    Is speeding up the trip to and from Wellington airport by 12 minutes worth spending up more than $10 billion? Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me in the last day to 8:26 am today are:The Lead: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • Long Tunnel or Long Con?
    Yesterday it was revealed that Transport Minister had asked Waka Kotahi to look at the options for a long tunnel through Wellington. State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    4 days ago

  • Smoke And Mirrors.
    You're a fraud, and you know itBut it's too good to throw it all awayAnyone would do the sameYou've got 'em goingAnd you're careful not to show itSometimes you even fool yourself a bitIt's like magicBut it's always been a smoke and mirrors gameAnyone would do the sameForty six billion ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • What is Mexico doing about climate change?
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections The June general election in Mexico could mark a turning point in ensuring that the country’s climate policies better reflect the desire of its citizens to address the climate crisis, with both leading presidential candidates expressing support for renewable energy. Mexico is the ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago

  • State of humanity, 2024
    2024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?When I say 2024 I really mean the state of humanity in 2024.Saturday night, we watched Civil War because that is one terrifying cliff we've ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Govt’s Wellington tunnel vision aims to ease the way to the airport (but zealous promoters of cycl...
    Buzz from the Beehive A pet project and governmental tunnel vision jump out from the latest batch of ministerial announcements. The government is keen to assure us of its concern for the wellbeing of our pets. It will be introducing pet bonds in a change to the Residential Tenancies Act ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • The case for cultural connectedness
    A recent report generated from a Growing Up in New Zealand (GUiNZ) survey of 1,224 rangatahi Māori aged 11-12 found: Cultural connectedness was associated with fewer depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms and better quality of life. That sounds cut and dry. But further into the report the following appears: Cultural connectedness is ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Useful context on public sector job cuts
    David Farrar writes –    The Herald reports: From the gory details of job-cuts news, you’d think the public service was being eviscerated.   While the media’s view of the cuts is incomplete, it’s also true that departments have been leaking the particulars faster than a Wellington ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell On When Racism Comes Disguised As Anti-racism
    Remember the good old days, back when New Zealand had a PM who could think and speak calmly and intelligently in whole sentences without blustering? Even while Iran’s drones and missiles were still being launched, Helen Clark was live on TVNZ expertly summing up the latest crisis in the Middle ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    5 days ago

  • Govt ignored economic analysis of smokefree reversal
    Costello did not pass on analysis of the benefits of the smokefree reforms to Cabinet, emphasising instead the extra tax revenues of repealing them. Photo: Hagen Hopkins, Getty Images TL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me at 7:26 am today are:The Lead: Casey Costello never passed on ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago

  • True Blue.
    True loveYou're the one I'm dreaming ofYour heart fits me like a gloveAnd I'm gonna be true blueBaby, I love youI’ve written about the job cuts in our news media last week. The impact on individuals, and the loss to Aotearoa of voices covering our news from different angles.That by ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • Who is running New Zealand’s foreign policy?
    While commentators, including former Prime Minister Helen Clark, are noting a subtle shift in New Zealand’s foreign policy, which now places more emphasis on the United States, many have missed a key element of the shift. What National said before the election is not what the government is doing now. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago

  • $41m to support clean energy in South East Asia
    New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    11 hours ago

  • Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder list
    The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago

  • Judicial appointments announced
    Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    14 hours ago

  • Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
    Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa.  The summit is co-hosted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago

  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
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  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.    “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
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  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
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  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
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  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
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  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
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  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
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  • Government backing mussel spat project
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  • Government focused on getting people into work
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  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
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  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
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  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
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  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
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    3 days ago

  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
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    3 days ago

  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
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  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
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    4 days ago

  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
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  • RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
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  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
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    4 days ago

  • Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.   Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
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  • PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ ties
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.  During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
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  • Antarctica New Zealand Board appointments
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  • Finance Minister travels to Washington DC
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    4 days ago

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

  • Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being considered
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    5 days ago

  • New Zealand condemns Iranian strikes
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel.    “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says.    "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...
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  • Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plans
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    1 week ago

  • Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand Chair
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board.   “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti.  “I have asked her to ...
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  • Roads of National Significance planning underway
    The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to ...
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  • Navigating an unstable global environment
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  • NZ welcomes Australian Governor-General
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...
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    1 week ago

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

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