Open mike 06/11/2014

Written By: - Date published: 6:45 am, November 6th, 2014 - 124 comments
Categories: open mike - Tags:

peace and securityOpen mike is your post.

The Standard is not a conspiracy – just a welcome outlet for the expression of views. Leaders that command respect will not be undermined by this.

The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy).

Step up to the mike …

124 comments on “Open mike 06/11/2014 ”

  1. Paul 1

    The media continues its non too subtle campaign to scare New Zealanders.
    They really do John Key’s job for him, don’t they?

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/10707405/Pilots-call-for-beefed-up-security

    • Paul 1.1

      Sizzle Ferguson really is a miserable journalist.
      Her interview of Michael Bott was dreadful.

      Espiner then asked Brownlee ( because Key was ‘travelling’ ) if NZ had charged any of the people Key has mentioned of terrorism. Brownlee said no.

    • tc 1.2

      Rhetorical question Paul they have been shillling for the national party since before key was PM.

      With DP and kiwis voting them back its open season now

    • AsleepWhileWalking 1.3

      Yeah I think it’s safe to say we can expect more scare media over the next few months to justify whatever has already been decided.

      Or maybe it’s just a distraction from the coming global financial reset.

    • dv 1.4

      BUT BUT BUT

      There is no problem!!!!
      , Transport Minister Simon Bridges said there was no new information to suggest security needed to be reviewed. Security was continually reassessed and, in many cases, exceeded international requirements.

      • miravox 1.4.1

        “no new information to suggest security needed to be reviewed

        Clearly the PM’s statement yesterday was at least partially incorrect. Or else Simon Bridges is wrong?

      • ghostwhowalksnz 1.4.2

        Sounds like Pike River then:

    • Skinny 1.5

      Key-National use their all too willing media mates to soften public opinion. Yes I agree it’s scare tactic’s. It was no coincidence last night 3rd Degree runs a segment on the risk of terrorism, and the need to legislate major security changes that smooth the way for the American’s 5eyes spy program. It annoys me that the Yanks meddle in other Countries internal affairs, which leads to civil wars and the rise of radical groups. The end result is it forces Nations like ours to cramp down on civil liberties. We lose our independence and a step closer to becoming another State of America. Our future is more closer to China, however Big Brother won’t allow a bar of this.

      • JanM 1.5.1

        I tried to watch that but lasted the first 5 minutes of them carrying on like overexcited schoolboys entering a chocolate factory!

        • phillip ure 1.5.1.1

          it was better than i thought it wd be..

          ..and i find the ‘no bases here’ claim to be kinda hilarious..

          ..the deputy head of the nsa admits that yes..american-spooks are here in nz on an ongoing basis…

          ..but we are told they are ‘base’-less..

          ..(despite snowden being quite certain they have two ‘bases’ here..

          ..who ya gonna believe..snowden..?..or that lying-prick man-from-the-fed..who was sent to rule over us….)

          ..and do they all work out of their cars..?..or something..?

          ..those american-spooks..

          ..we are expected to believe these spooks have no offices/’base’…

          ..i think key just thinks that we are all just really dumb…

          ..and will swallow any old bullshit he wants to throw at us..

      • Tracey 1.5.2

        did they happen to mention that NSA has personnel in NZ, something that ought to have come out during the snowden beat up the week before the election?

  2. Manuka AOR 2

    Transcript of Noel Pearson’s Eulogy to Gough Whitlam:
    http://www.smh.com.au/comment/noel-pearsons-eulogy-for-gough-whitlam-in-full-20141105-11haeu.html

    Excerpt:
    “The Whitlam government is the textbook case of reform trumping management. In less than three years an astonishing reform agenda leapt off the policy platform and into legislation and the machinery and programs of government.

    “The country would change forever. The modern cosmopolitan Australia finally emerged like a technicolour butterfly from its long dormant chrysalis. And 38 years later we are like John Cleese, Eric Idle and Michael Palin’s Jewish insurgents ranting against the despotic rule of Rome, defiantly demanding “and what did the Romans ever do for us anyway?”

    “Apart from Medibank and the Trade Practices Act, cutting tariff protections and no-fault divorce in the Family Law Act, the Australia Council, the Federal Court, the Order of Australia, federal legal aid, the Racial Discrimination Act, needs-based schools funding, the recognition of China, the abolition of conscription, the law reform commission, student financial assistance, the Heritage Commission, non-discriminatory immigration rules, community health clinics, Aboriginal land rights, paid maternity leave for public servants, lowering the minimum voting age to 18 years and fair electoral boundaries and Senate representation for the territories. “

  3. (the good news from the american elections..)

    “..Voters Across Country Accelerate Unprecedented Momentum to Legalize Marijuana..

    ..These victories show that marijuana reform is no longer just a liberal cause..”

    (cont..)

    http://www.alternet.org/drugs/voters-across-country-accelerate-unprecedented-momentum-legalize-marijuana

  4. North 5

    Having watched on livestream on Tuesday night Teina Pora’s lawyer Jonathan Krebs plead Teina’s appeal before the Privy Council, I am moved to express profound admiration for Jonathan Krebs, his immense professional skill, his superb demeanour in the tribunal before which Teina seeks justice.

    More broadly, and much more importantly in a way, Jonathan Krebs has been there with magnificent awhi and aroha to/for Teina over a very, very long haul. That he is possessed of the capacity to offer/feel that uplifts him even further in my view.

    Teina’s heart must be bursting with joy at his lawyer’s acknowledgment and embrace of him. Mine certainly is, that sense almost tearfully approaching my (impotent) sadness for Teina.

    All of this stands wonderfully in powerful contra-distinction to the contemptible intimations present from the outset it would seem, that here was a little brown scumbag underclass. Ripe for fitting-up as it suited. There was no living, breathing Teina Pora human being worthy of perspective, fairness, and resulting justice, just a little brown scumbag underclass.

    GO Teina and Jonathan Krebs !!!

    • JanM 5.1

      And GO YOU too, North, for that lovely piece

    • Murray Rawshark 5.2

      I watched a couple of hours of the Privy Council on live stream. I was very concerned at the attitude taken by the Law Lords, who seem to be looking for any reason to confirm the unjust verdicts. I am also ashamed that the Crown is presenting the same poaka lies again. The lawyer seemed very nervous to start with, but did improve.

      I feel sick that we can have such an obvious framing of a mentally weak young guy, and officialdom stands behind it rather than seeking any sort of justice. The council also seems to accept that, if a no doubt carefully selected jury believed invented evidence, that was not their concern.

      I was also appalled to read that the crown lawyer was suggesting that Teina was egged on by gang seniors, when he knows full well that Rewa was Highway 61 and Pora was Mongrel Mob. The very idea of this is as ridiculous as Phil Ure roasting a pig on a spit and inviting us all round for a feed.

      • lprent 5.2.1

        …when he knows full well that Rewa was Highway 61 and Pora was Mongrel Mob. The very idea of this is as ridiculous as Phil Ure roasting a pig on a spit and inviting us all round for a feed.

        .. pleeeze ..
        .. you know that his revenge for that remark will be terrible ..
        .. i can just see a limp leek heading your way ..
        .. along with some homeopathic remedies ..
        .. and dietary advice ..
        .. for hitting a person on their morally insurmountable high horse ..

        lynnp

        (and in other news, I think I could nail a beer about this time)

  5. Ad 6

    Labor Australia, Labour New Zealand, Democrats in the US, French Socialist Party, German Social Democrats – each taking quite a hiding recently.

    Looks like its time for them all to compare notes. I think this is the lowest point for the global left for decades.

    Otherwise we are all going to go through the next decade of security, austerity and nationalism beating social development and redistribution.

    • westiechick 6.1

      Yes, I feel very sorry for left wing people in the US who will wake up today knowing that the people who oppose universal healthcare, excellent public eduction, etc etc have triumphed.
      It occurred to me as I was driving to work this morning that it must feel really great to be right wing right now. It would be super nice to feel that you were on the winning side, and that everything was heading in the right direction, rather than to hell in a hand-cart as we face state house sales, more charter schools, more participation in other peoples wars, etc etc.

      • Skinny 6.1.1

        The British Left are going to win the next election over there. The Tories are going to get dumped, sadly they are making changes that will be hard for Labor to correct, typical and the same will happen here I’m picking.

        The Poms hold the flag for us all, I’ll take this positive.

        Meanwhile Labour spam email “come meet the next Prime Ministers.” ffs it is the 4th time I’ve heard that line after Goff, Shearer, Cunliffe previously. Tim Barrnet I would have preferred “come listen to the leadership candidates and chose a candidate that can lead a strong Labour Party.”

        • Colonial Rawshark 6.1.1.1

          Huh? UK Labour are a centrist party, not a left wing party. The Scottish Labour Party is going to be annhilated at their next general election.

          • Skinny 6.1.1.1.1

            Yes I that much is true CV, guess the General Secretary of a large UK Union I was having a beer with was giving a comparison to Cameron and his Tory lot. Yip Labour here is no different to other self serving LP’s.

      • nadis 6.1.2

        Not sure i’d call the US democrats a party of the left any more. Certainly left of the Republicans that a relative position not an absolute.

        • Tracey 6.1.2.1

          agree, there is a reason key and obama see eye to eye on many things

          • Colonial Rawshark 6.1.2.1.1

            Republican Party are now Insane Right (with clear fundamentalist overtones)
            Democratic Party are now Hard Right (with some socially liberal tendencies)

            • Murray Rawshark 6.1.2.1.1.1

              I think it was Gore Vidal that labelled them one party with two right wings.

    • Lefty 6.2

      These parties have all thought they could betray the people who relied on them with impunity.

      They have all become parties comprised of self-serving technocrats with two ambitions: to be the government and to manage capitalism better than the parties to their right.

      Their serial betrayals have endangered the very concept of democracy and the hope anything can be improved by voting.

      Large numbers of people have stopped voting for them, or anybody else, and no matter what happens they will never go back to them.

      And that is as it should be. The first step to building something new is to reject the old.

      The social democrat project has run its course and pretending these parties have anything to offer, or ever can again, is delusional.

      • Colonial Rawshark 6.2.1

        All over the world the Labour Party brand has been used as little more than a personal vehicle for a few thousand politically ambitious individuals.

        • North 6.2.1.1

          Colonial Rawshark @ 6.2.1 – once I would have vehemently mocked and derided you as a surly, non-believing malcontent for your comment re the careerism of ‘Labour’ politicians all over the world.

          Now, no way can I but (very sadly, tending to angrily), agree with you. There is bugger-all else to see in so many of them.

          Ready and repeated artifice piously/pompously deployed by self-interested, self-promoting scabs on The Left is gut-turning. That’s why the sight and sound of Tony Blair has me heave. No point in identifying facsimiles in the New Zealand context but we all know they’re there, and they continue self-absorbed to flag wave and dance.

          I recall 20 years ago an old man lying on his deathbed, ruefully though not I guess in total surrender, as much as apologise to his tearful wife – (with whom he’d engaged a somewhat dysfunctional marriage of nearly 50 years) – “It was the booze, aye love…….” Trenchant old Lefties they were both, God love ’em ! Up-themselves they were not. Truly caring they were. No artifice !

          Wonder if the main-chancers, the careerists will ever, even too late, drop their artifice, their superority, their essential elitism to issue thus –
          “It was the Neo-liberalism…….”

          Nah, doubt it. That’s the Neo-liberal disease for you. Far more emasculating, far more soul-wrecking than alcoholism.

          • Draco T Bastard 6.2.1.1.1

            +1

          • Chooky 6.2.1.1.2

            +100…maybe time to abandon Labour …and help build Mana/INT and the Greens

            • b waghorn 6.2.1.1.2.1

              @ chookyIf People were to do that what do you think would be a realistic time frame for a left government to get back in power

          • Ad 6.2.1.1.3

            I think we can safely say that the ruling version of economics will be entrenched for a fair while still. I don’t want to drink down the hard spirit of Left Melancholy too quickly.

            If no alternative theory or machinery of government was formed to neoliberalism after our great GFC, it won’t be for a while.

            Nope, I think to different degrees, Obama, Cunliffe, and the Australian Labour leadership forewent the great early window of political change, and chose instead the studious and worthy path of sustained compromise.

            With that compromise came inevitable communicative confusion. Compromise and confusion is what all three parties are being punished hard for across the world.

            • Colonial Rawshark 6.2.1.1.3.1

              I think we can safely say that the ruling version of economics will be entrenched for a fair while still.

              Roughly another 10-15 years, I think. We are already in a rapid transition to a security and surveillance state, and once it becomes clear to yet another generation that what we have been promised economically will never be delivered by the power elite, then things will get truly upset.

              With that compromise came inevitable communicative confusion. Compromise and confusion is what all three parties are being punished hard for across the world.

              What exactly was the nature of Blair and Clinton’s compromises? As far as I can see, both have made tens of millions in corporate sponsorship after leaving office. The only people being asked to compromise are the bottom 95% of the world.

          • Once Was Tim 6.2.1.1.4

            +1 ….. but cheer up (if you can survive in the meantime).
            I was thinking back over the years and talking with a friend (who has libertarian leanings).
            There seems to have been various tipping points throughout history (such as the great depression, the 51 Waterfront Strike, the 70s oil shock, the 81 Springbok Tour, and so on – followed by a bit of a lag whilst sleepy hobbits and sheeple muddle on and awaken), THEN a return to governments more concerned with the social damage having been wreaked? on the struggling populace.
            For my money, the new tipping point has already happened (the gigantic wealth transference globally – resulting in homelessness in this supposed egalitarian society; growing fear amongst the 10% and 1%ers; the realisation by growing numbers of opportunists, careerists and ‘Uncle Toms’ ). I’m hoping/thinking we’re in that ‘lag’ period.
            The bad news of course is that in today’s environment the battle is harder because the elites control almost everything – including the public sphere. Really all that means though (and what worries me most) is that as the (increasing majority) natives get restless, the more violent is a likely resolution (or swing back towards an environment where the 90% can live and function adequately).
            All the cliches run through my head (like those that don’t learn from history are destined to repeat it, we get the gubbamint we deserve, etc., etc.) True-“isms”, the lot of ’em.
            I do think however that neo-liberalism has been the most insidious, self-serving, excuse-making reason for selfish opportunist politician’s RELIGION aside from the economic dogma that comes with it.

            If they brought back the guillotine, I’d naturally be opposed – but hardly surprised. (I might even be persuaded to piss on one or two graves). The rightward swinging pendulum has swung that far – but unfortunately because of the incremental neo-liberal chip chip chipping away at anything that resembles compassionate, community-minded principles, it’s only now starting to be noticed (HENCE perhaps the reason for that ‘lag period’).
            Take heart – the lag is in progress

            • Colonial Rawshark 6.2.1.1.4.1

              its why the power elite are rapidly criminalising dissent and instituting a surveillance and security state. This is not about “stopping terrorism.” It is about instituting bulwarks against the day a restive population wakes up to what has been done to them.

            • miravox 6.2.1.1.4.2

              Seamus Milne in the Guardian writes on the tipping point idea in a piece about the movement of voters to both the left and right in Europe. Obviously the tipping point in Europe is the imposition of austerity measures. He believes these measures have led to a fragmentation of the compromise(d) parties.

              In The Centre cannot hold he points out that the rising leftist parties come from different backgrounds but have essential elements in common.

              He believes that embracing economic orthodoxy and messing about on the margins of social and economic problems is a sure fire way to lose votes to a more radical left and to the right-wing populists.

              • Once Was Tim

                thanks for the link @ miravox.
                We’ll see what happens with NZ Labour after the review and leadership outcome. There are various shifts left around the world – I’ll be interested in the outcome of the Victoria (AUS) election – Australians generally don’t seem to take as much shit as Kiwis do these days but I’m picking NZers will awaken in the next couple of years as they begin to realise just how vulnerable they actually are; when the ‘Kiwi dream’ of home ownership is unattainable under Natzis; when the tens of thousands of children in poverty remain; when they realise there’s actually fuck all left of NZ as a country; when more and more get converted to prepay electricity meters by privately owned electricity companies……………
                Let’s hope Labour gets its shit together pronto and is ready to be part of a coalition of the left of centre. If they don’t, I’m hopeful something else will emerge, and as I posted somewhere else – after the 2014 debacle, I’ve come to realise that I’d simply become nostalgic over what’s become merely a ‘Labour brand’ with not much substance.
                India is interesting … there are even similarities between Labour ‘careerists’ and Congress politicians where the sense of entitlement resulted in a real backlash.
                I do believe though that NZers will eventually come to realise that John Key (and Joyce, and others) have been nothing more than egotistical slick salesmen with a superior ‘marketing team’ behind them – all paid for at great expense plus 15% GST

          • Ron 6.2.1.1.5

            Just finished reading Christopher Hitchens ‘No one Left to Lie To’ about Clinton. Well worth a read to understand how bad Clinton was.

          • RedLogixFormes 6.2.1.1.6

            @ North.

            Every now and then someone says something that gets it more than correct. Something that transcends the simple words and rises to become touching and memorable. That comment was one of them.

            Thanks sincerely.

          • travellerev 6.2.1.1.7

            Even in my poor country of Holland it is so bad that the leader of Labour is invited to attend a Bilderberg meeting and he actually accepts. No wonder they sunk in the polls. I mean what is a Labour leader doing at the global annual ultimate rich prick meeting?

      • phillip ure 6.2.2

        @ lefty..

        “..They have all become parties comprised of self-serving technocrats with two ambitions: to be the government and to manage capitalism better than the parties to their right.

        Their serial betrayals have endangered the very concept of democracy..”

        ..+ 1..

        ..and in nz..it has been a grand-economic-coalition since the 80’s..

        ..it’s been both national and labour..joined at the economic-hip..

        ..against the rest of us..

        ..and especially against those labour has so betrayed since the 80’s..

        ..what was their original constituency…

    • RedLogixFormes 6.3

      Looks like its time for them all to compare notes.

      As the Tories do all the time.

      I think this is the lowest point for the global left for decades.

      What ‘global left’? Therein lies the problem; the right has usurped the notion of globalism for itself, confining it’s only legitimate expression to expressions of the free market such as corporations and trade agreements.

      By contrast when the left attempt to frame a discussion in terms of global justice, the shadow of ‘creeping communism’, ‘one-world-government’ and “Agenda 21′ is immediately cast over it.

  6. ianmac 7

    Surprise,Surprise!
    “Solid Energy has announced it will not re-enter the Pike River Mine drift because the company considers the risks to life remain too high.

    Board Chair Pip Dunphy made the announcement this morning after a meeting with Prime Minister John Key in Greymouth.”
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11354212

  7. I kept thinking about the post from their new moderator and I wrote this this morning to express my concern about how the blog’s main operators behave. Oh and I say nice things about the Standard too

    Are Bomber Bradbury And The Daily Blog Left Wing Gatekeepers?

  8. Chooky 9

    Keiser Report (economics for dummies) news to cheer Lefties … on :

    1. Merrill Lynch murderer bankster runs amok !

    2. Bankster psychopaths; corporate fascism; Banksters main Terrorists in the the world

    3. Educating about Economics: how university economics should be taught; debunking orthodox economics…’Kickstarter blog, ‘StartJOIN crowdfunding site’…cartoons /books.

    4. Financial sector debts …moral hazard run amok

    5. Housing bubble London ( money laundering Capital of the world)…why ordinary people can not afford a house in London

    All this and more on the Keiser Report with Max and Tracy Herbert and guests

    http://rt.com/shows/keiser-report/201923-episode-max-keiser

    ( no wonder I don’t read the newspapers anymore!)

    • Colonial Rawshark 9.1

      I love Max and Stacey 🙂

      • Chooky 9.1.1

        yes they are a new discovery for me ….and at long last economics makes sense (Not in a good way….they explain it so well!…and it is fun!)

  9. Tom 10

    For many of us it was a very counter-intuitive result.

    I do not remember coverage of opinion polls, but that may reflect
    my focus on other issues at the time.

    What seems to be new here (perhaps read ‘innovative’ if a “national” supporter)was increased use of ‘new media’, as well as various interest groups including Weta representing ‘the film industry’.

    Sport stars tweeting ‘vote National’ hours before the poll seems to
    breach issues of good faith and fair play in politics.

    In many countries electioneering is banned in the last days
    of a campaign so that people may come to a decision without
    campaigns targeting impulsive and impressionable voters.

    This issue has been well canvassed in areas including alcohol
    and other substances.

    I believe that National trangressed that barrier in the last election
    in fact, if not in law.

    That can only be decided by a formal legal challenge.

    • Chooky 10.1

      “For many of us it was a very counter-intuitive result”.

      ..yes and I keep meeting people who think the Election was rigged…i havent taken this seriously up until now because i couldnt see how it could be miscounted

      …..but maybe the two weeks of early voting …there were not the same checks and balances….eg i would have thought it would have been those on the Left who voted early….but seems it was overwhelmingly those on the right.

      …also it seems to me that if early voting is allowed for the general population …then there should be a ban on electioneering and advertising during this time

      • nadis 10.1.1

        You are kidding.

        You are suggesting the vote counting process in NZ is corrupt? You ar suggesting the civil servants, paid staff and volunteers – from all parts of our community – who ran the process are corrupt and dishonest?

        Some kind of evidence needed or you should just stfu.

        • Chooky 10.1.1.1

          no I am saying i have been surprised by people who think it was rigged….said out of the blue by random people I wouldn’t normally expect to say such a thing….so it has got me wondering

          …if the results were so counter intuitive for random people who would vote Labour but are not what I would call particularly political animals ….then why?

          …why their disconnect with the results?….why were the results counter intuitive ? (and maybe they are right….maybe they were rigged ?…I can not see how…but it was a particularly surprising result for Christchurch)

          …obviously this has hit a raw nerve with you!…. nadis stfu….I wonder why so up tight about it?…rigging does happen you know and in the USA not just the third world…also there was a petition going around in NZ after the election with about 10,000 signatures ….so obviously a few people have concerns

          • nadis 10.1.1.1.1

            I think corruption allegations are easy to throw around but hard to back up. I don’t think anyone rational believes there is corruption in the process run by the electoral commission and it is a slur on the real people working there to even entertain it.

            Now if you said other parts of our political system, parts of our judicial system and parts of our business world had some corrupt practices going on to a (in my opinion) relatively small degree then I wouldn’t argue with you. But not the electoral commission run process.

            The US issues are a function of the vast size of the country plus the fact that local elected bodies run the voting process, not a federal body like here in NZ.

            “a few people have concerns”. You’d find more people believing the CIA felled the twin towers, homeopathy cures ebola and the moon landings are faked. Just because you can identify a group of morons doesn’t mean we should listen to them.

            • Chooky 10.1.1.1.1.1

              who is throwing around “corruption allegations” …”slurs” …accusations of irrationality?…you are trying to set me up…. and are fighting a straw man here…and who are YOU?… to tell me to stfu? ( obviously you dont like what I have to say here elsewhere either….a very good reason to NOT stfu…maybe you would like to take over and become the moderator of this site so you can be censor?)

              …i am just reporting on what i have heard and observed RECENTLY from random people …unsolicited…and it has surprised me!…especially since some time has passed since the Election

              ….and there was a petition going around with about 10,000 signatures after the Election…. so obviously more than a random few think the Election was VERY counter intuitive !

              ….WHY?

              • Chooky

                obviously some Scots werent too happy with the results of their voting either:

                http://rt.com/uk/189936-uk-scotland-vote-rigged/

                http://rt.com/shows/breaking-set-summary/188940-scotland-breakup-rigged-elections/

                ( still nothing to get up tight about ….and it is good it is up for discussion and OPEN debate…this is democracy isn’t it ?!)

                • minarch

                  this would have come under the remit of the MI5 or MI6

                  there “mission statement” is to nullify ANY threats to the security of the monarchy of the UK

                  I can defiantly see Scottish independence being interpreted as such

                  much like Princess Diana and her threats to expose the dirty inner workings of the royal family

                  • Chooky

                    well i am NOT saying the Scots vote was rigged….i am just pointing out that about 90,000 thought it was rigged!

                    (…may have been and may not have been…last minute the Scots may have got cold feet about going independent and got nostalgic for the UK )

                    ….but i think it is important these questions can be asked …because where you are not allowed to ask such questions and told to stfu….you do not have freedom of expression to doubt and question and think critically

                    …which is crucially important in a democracy….especially if the result of an Election is very counter- intuitive to many people

                    …it is interesting when people would like in fact to shut other people up and close down discussion….imo be very wary of these people!…it is a mark of fascism

                    • chris73

                      There were plenty of polls saying how well National was doing and how badly Labour was doing in the lead up to the election however I distinctly remember you (and others of course) quoting Jim Bolgers line about “bugger the polls” and “the only poll that counts is on election day”

                      So you were being told this was going to happen but you chose to ignore them and now you think something was up…no you chose to ignore the information presented to you because it didn’t fit with what you wanted to believe

                    • Chooky

                      chris 73…sigh…. (if you read the thread from its beginning) …i am commenting on Tom’s comment “For many of us it was a very counter-intuitive result”…and I am agreeing and saying “yes and I keep meeting people who think the Election was rigged”

                      NOTE: ..it is not me making the argument or the case that the Election was rigged .. “i am just reporting on what i have heard and observed RECENTLY from random people …unsolicited…and it has surprised me!…especially since some time has passed since the Election”

                      …lets face it some 10,000 NZers signed a petition arguing that the Election was rigged …….and surprising to me, people still do think it was rigged ( well maybe it was?! …and maybe it wasnt…)

                      ..actually I suspect it was the so called ‘terrorist’ raids in Australia and front page newspaper scare-mongering one day before the Election that swung it decisively to the Right…and of course there were plenty of other dirty politics PR tricks in the week leading up to the Election as well as the msm bias

                      ….and of course you are correct….some of the polls did predict a Nact win….most others predicted too close to call …with the proviso that the swing often went from Right to Left on Election day…I still say “Bugger the Polls!”….because continuously used they are used as a a PR tool and they skew views away form policy towards petty point scoring

                    • chris73

                      10 000 people clicked on a button on the net, big deal. More people voted for ALCP. Had the technology been around in other elections I’m sure you’d have got much the same reaction

                      Labour Party 604,535
                      Green Party 257,359
                      New Zealand First Party 208,300
                      Māori Party 31,849
                      ACT New Zealand 16,689
                      United Future 5,286
                      Conservative 95,598
                      Internet MANA 34,094
                      Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party 10,961

                    • Chooky

                      derrrh!….haven’t you got better things to do with yourself ?..

                    • chris73

                      You should be thanking me, this way you can disavow yourself of the notion that somehow the left were robbed of the election and can instead focus on why the left is so unpopular (which is why they lost) and maybe, just maybe make the left popular enough to win the next election

                      I wouldn’t hold my breath on that happening though

                    • Chooky

                      chris 73…the Left didn’t lose by much so bullshit to your advice to “focus on why the left is so unpopular”

                      …why dont you stick your head in a bucket of iced water?….and then you can hold your breath

                      ….even better maybe someone will turn up something that proves the Election WAS rigged! (…just saying…. as you and others are so sensitive about this…maybe you are scared it is really true ) …..and we will have to have another Election!….(bet you wont win!)

                    • b waghorn

                      I asked at the polling office when I voted early what happened to votes at night and bloke reckoned that one of them took them home for the night ,this didn’t strike me as very secure

                    • Chooky

                      @b waghorn….wow that is concerning! ( given the dirty tricks by the Nacts and their absolute determination to stop at nothing to win!

                      I think next time they want online voting…even less secure ….re Florida vote rigging

  10. Draco T Bastard 11

    Facebook friends’ voting has impact on Election Day turnout, study finds

    The scientists concluded that the informational message was ineffective. The social message, on the other hand, was powerful because it probably provided social pressure on the users to vote by showing them that friends had reported voting, Fowler said.

    This does indicate that we need to use social media better but, of course, not everyone is connected to social media. The other option is to get people more socially involved and encouraged to participate in politics.

  11. Tracey 12

    CTU appeared before Transport and Industrial Relations Committee on its submission about the Health and Safety Reform Bill. deciding on whether or not to water down employers obligations to keep workers safe.

    The following comment by Wagstaff is interesting, note that having created contractors to save themselves money and get around obligations which would otherwise dent their profit they now hide behind the contractors.

    “…We are concerned that some employers are trying to undermine the recommendations of these Inquiries by weakening the Bill. The arguments for doing so rest on flimsy evidence and we call on the Committee to challenge scaremongering and weak evidence by submitters.” Wagstaff said.

    “For example, Port companies have complained that the expanded duties in the bill are too onerous in their industry given the widespread use of contractors. Their own record is an illustration of why these expanded duties are absolutely essential. Seven deaths and 133 serious accidents since 2011 for a total ports workforce of 4,000 shows why the status quo is unacceptable. The reprehensible attempt by Lyttelton Port Company to duck responsibility for three deaths at the Port in the last year by saying two of the workers who died were not their employees simply confirms the importance of them taking responsibility for a complex employment structure from which they benefit and which they exercise considerable control over.” Wagstaff said. …”

  12. Penny Bright 13

    Ok folks – all of you who are concerned about corruption in New Zealand – here’s your chance to do/say something about it ……

    MEDIA ALERT – Closing date for submissions on the Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Legislation Bill is 5 February 2015

    LIFTOFF!

    The Law and Order Select Committee are accepting submissions on the Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Legislation Bill.

    The passage of this Bill is required, before New Zealand ‘perceived’ to be the ‘least corrupt country in the world’, can RATIFY the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC).

    (Wouldn’t you think New Zealand would have ratified UNCAC years ago???)

    Closing date for submissions is 5 February 2015.

    http://www.parliament.nz/en-nz/pb/sc/details/law-order/00DBHOH_BBSC_SCLO_1/business-before-the-law-and-order-committee

    If New Zealand was truly the ‘least corrupt country in the world’ – don’t you think we’d be the MOST ‘transparent’?

    Here’s a one page anti-corruption reality checklist – an anti-corruption ‘ACTION PLAN’ for New Zealand:

    http://www.pennybright4mayor.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/ANTI-CORRUPTION-WHITE-COLLAR-CRIME-CORPORATE-WELFARE-ACTION-PLAN-Ak-Mayoral-campaign-19-July-2013-2.pdf

    Penny Bright

    Anti-corruption ‘whistle-blower’

    Attendee: Australian Public Sector Anti-Corruption Conference 2009
    Attendee: Australian Public Sector Anti-Corruption Conference 2010
    Attendee: Australian Public Sector Anti-Corruption Conference 2013
    Attendee: Australian Public Sector Anti-Corruption Conference 2014

    Campaigned against ‘corrupt corporate control’ as an Auckland Mayoral candidate in 2013, and polled 4th with 11,723 votes.

    • nadis 13.1

      I’m not criticising what you’re doing because I think a lot of what goes on at council level does meet the definition of corruption as well as ridiculous waste, however the UNCAC isn’t really the answer.

      By ratifying, we could join such illustrious beacons of good practice and fervent anti-corruption like Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sudan, Libya, Iraq, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Syria, Yemen, Haiti, Guinea-Bisseau, Venezuela, Zimbabwe, Cambodia, Myanmar, Takijstan, Congo (both brands), Angola, PAraguay, Russia, Ukraine etc.

      • Chooky 13.1.1

        …yes …interesting that most of those countries you mention with disdain have already been fucked over for other reasons outside their control…..hence by outside more powerful countries bent on exploitation!

        ….maybe the United nations Anti-Corruption Charter is their attempt at self protection

        …so your dissing this United Nations Anti- Corruption Charter it is interesting, to say the least !…whose side are you on exactly?

    • Chooky 13.2

      +100 ..Go Penny…you do great work for transparency and accountability and combating corruption!

      …and YES to your question: “Wouldn’t you think New Zealand would have ratified UNCAC years ago???”

      Yes why hasn’t New Zealand signed the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) ?

      • chris73 13.2.1

        Yes why hasn’t New Zealand signed the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) ?

        – Because its a joke and isn’t needed?

        • Chooky 13.2.1.1

          i expect you think United Nations is a joke as well….says it all really! ( quite appalling!)

          …and the absolute imperative that New Zealand needs to sign up to the ‘United Nations Convention Against Corruption’ ! It is a disgrace it hasnt already!

          ….what is it that certain people in authority in this country have to hide?…why are they dragging the chain?…..business and corporate corruption?….white collar crime?…it is absolutely imperative that the leaders and those in authority in New Zealand become accountable for ensuring corruption does not happen here amongst their own oligarchy

          ….and when corruption does occur it is stomped on and the perpetrators are held accountable before the courts and if necessary sent to jail … like the rest of New Zealanders who are accountable before the law for dishonesty and ill gotten gains, exploitation and corruption

          • higherstandard 13.2.1.1.1

            NZ has signed up to the UNCAC.

            • Chooky 13.2.1.1.1.1

              @ higherstandard……Are you saying Penny is incorrect?

              …How does “ratify” differ from “sign up”? (dictionary definition of “ratify” = sign or give formal consent to (a treaty, contract, or agreement), making it officially valid.)

              …. According to Penny…( and others agree NZ has not signed up or ratified)

              “The Law and Order Select Committee are accepting submissions on the Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Legislation Bill.

              The passage of this Bill is required, before New Zealand ‘perceived’ to be the ‘least corrupt country in the world’, can RATIFY the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC).

              (Wouldn’t you think New Zealand would have ratified UNCAC years ago???)”

                • Chooky

                  OK : splitting hairs ….but thanks for the information

                  ….NZ in 2003 agreed and signed up for the UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC)…but as of 2014, NZ is one of the very few countries in the world remaining yet to sign New Zealand’s “Ratification, Acceptance (A), Approval (AA), Accession (a), Succession (d)” …of the UNCAC

                  Smirk :…..and ironic that Judith Collins as Minister of Justice in 2013 was responsible for seeing through NZ’s ratification of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC)

                  ….( is this the reason for the most recent delay in ratifying the UNCAC?)

                  Conclusion: so Penny’s arguments stand… “Wouldn’t you think New Zealand would have ratified UNCAC years ago???”

                  Go Penny….keep kicking arse on corruption in New Zealand!

                  • higherstandard

                    As per the letter from the then MoJ – it has long been NZs policy to not ratify a binding treaty prior to making sure NZ Law is compliant with the treaty obligations – I suspect along with many of the other countries who have not ratified it this takes some time and in no way makes us non compliant with the treaty.

                    Interesting to note the other countries in the same boat include Germany and Japan.

                    • Chooky

                      @ higher standard …re “I suspect along with many of the other countries who have not ratified it this takes some time ….”

                      NZ is one of 6 countries that have not ratified

                      ( namely: Barbados, Bhutan, Germany, Japan, NZ, Syria Arab Republic)

                      176 countries have ratified

                      This makes NZ in a very small minority of countries which have not ratified ….NZ is hardly one of MANY to not ratify!

  13. joe90 14

    Yea!.
    /

    Inhofe refuted climate change science in 2012 by citing the Bible. “[T]he Genesis 8:22 that I use in there is that ‘as long as the earth remains there will be seed time and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, day and night.’ My point is, God’s still up there. The arrogance of people to think that we, human beings, would be able to change what He is doing in the climate is to me outrageous.”For anyone still uncertain about where he stands, Inhofe reiterated his position with his 2012 book, The Greatest Hoax: How the Global Warming Conspiracy Threatens Your Future.

    http://www.newrepublic.com/article/120134/climate-change-denier-james-inhofe-lead-environment-committee

  14. I was at the Labour Party leaders debate in Hamilton last night.
    There was a very good turnout of members and the candidates all spoke very.
    Im sure most in the audience went home thinking that the candidates all were potential leaders / Each one spoke well and I would think most of the members who were present will have to think hard to make a decision .
    The meeting was well run and orderly , so what the hell was Patrick Gower on about when he said on 3 news ) That the meeting wqs a disaster., did he really attend the same meeting as I did. Why did he insult the people of Hamilton by making derogatory remarks regarding having the meeting in Hamilton. What a blow hard , is
    he another journalist being paid to support the Nats ,like Henry and Hoskings and a few more who we all know are hard core Tories,

  15. Aerobubble 16

    Brownlee, sitting in for PM, sides with big electricity over solar. Saying that private regulations by electricity companies is okay by him, it’s a free market.

  16. Aerobubble 18

    Hager is not a journalist says court! What? You mean all a author needs to do is write an article to protect their sources. And in the entire history of western democracy no government has not tried to silence authors before, threaten them to give up sources.
    Please, the court was obviously having a bad day. This is of course a different matter to not having editorial oversight, to become a journalist, aka Slater.

  17. minarch 19

    Here are your “foreign fighters” joining ISIS

    Khaled Sharrouf’s tweeted picture of himself, and his young son, triumphantly holding the severed heads of people executed by Islamic State militants shocked Australia and the world. He presented himself as a religious warrior fighting for an Islamic caliphate in the Middle East.

    But those close to him in Australia knew another man – a person with a history of drug taking, mental illness and criminal violence, who very likely fled Australia because he feared criminal associates who wanted him dead

    http://leaksource.info/2014/11/03/gangster-jihad-the-story-of-khaled-sharrouf/

  18. chris73 20

    For those who still can’t get why National was re-elected heres some reasons:

    The latest jobs and wages data from Stats NZ finds:

    Employment up 72,000 in last year, being 66,000 full-time and 6,000 part-time

    Unemployment down 14,000 in last year

    Labour force up by 57,000

    Unemployment rate down to 5.4%, from 6.1% a year ago

    NZ 9th lowest unemployment rate in OECD of 34 countries.

    Unemployment rate now 0.7% lower than Australia and US, 0.9% lower than UK and 1.5% lower than Canada

    The NEET (Not in employment, education or training) rate for under 20s down to 7.2% from 8.1% a year ago

    Average weekly earnings up (over year) 1.8%, being 2.2% in private sector and 1.4% in public sector

    Average hourly earnings up 2.4%, being 3.0% in private sector and 1.0% in public sector

    Male hourly earnings up 2.0% and female hourly earnings up 2.7%

    Could things be better, well of course they could but the voters of NZ realise things can’t change quickly but they see that NZ is going on the right direction and know that National is the reason why

    • Colonial Rawshark 20.1

      The main reason that National won, and it was by only 100,000 votes, is that Labour and Greens didn’t form a united coalition which looked like it got how to win an MMP election.

      • BM 20.1.1

        Greens are voter poison.
        Which is why they don’t get any higher than 10%.

        Elections are won appealing to the middle, not the the nut bars out there on the fringe, labor would have been sub 20 if they aligned themselves fully with the greens.

        • chris73 20.1.1.1

          + 100 BM

        • Colonial Rawshark 20.1.1.2

          The whole “appealing to the middle” meme is worn out and false. What the Right is most afraid of, is a political movement which appeals to the hundreds of thousands of left wing voters who stayed at home.

          • BM 20.1.1.2.1

            LOL, that lefty pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

            Helpful hint:
            If you want to win the game, focus on the people actually playing the game.

          • chris73 20.1.1.2.2

            The delusion of left is that the so-called missing million are all disillusioned left-wing voters just waiting for someone left-wing enough to engage with them to get them to vote

            Keep dreaming the dream

        • Tracey 20.1.1.3

          but then you think keith locke wasnt spied on for decades…

        • swordfish 20.1.1.4

          “Greens are voter poison. Which is why they don’t get any higher than 10%”.

          Except in both 2011 and 2014, when they did.

      • chris73 20.1.2

        Labour claimed its ready to lead and that its united behinds it leader (whichever leader that is) and both claims were found to be false

        Until Labour can prove to the electorate they are a united team they won’t get back into power

        The Greens have come to the realization that their role is to be in opposition not power, its the role that suits them best as they can spout out all the nonsense they like without having to put it into practice

        • Colonial Rawshark 20.1.2.1

          Many vital physical resources will be critically depleted in the next 10-20 years. The Greens have some decent ideas, but overall they still buy into the MOAR GROAF paradigm. They don’t know what they stand for at the moment, and neither does the electorate.

          • chris73 20.1.2.1.1

            If they focused more on environmental issues and stopped being Labours little bitc… I mean lackey they’d probably find themselves in government with a little bit of power instead of being outside with no power

            • karol 20.1.2.1.1.1

              What is the evidence the Greens are subservient to Labour?

              You really don’t understand the Greens policies and values. How is it possible to do anything significant with the environment, while not also following left/social democrat social and economic policies?

              • chris73

                Heres what I know, the Greens put out to Labour and spurned National so Labour knows it doesn’t have to work to keep the Greens

                NZfirst and UnitedFuture played hard to get so Labour had to work to get them

                NZfirst and UnitedFuture were in government under Labour and the Greens…well I’m sure you get the picture

                • karol

                  From where I’m sitting Labour would need the Greens to form a government. Cuts both ways.

                  And ACT?

            • weka 20.1.2.1.1.2

              “If they focused more on environmental issues and stopped being Labours little bitc… I mean lackey they’d probably find themselves in government with a little bit of power instead of being outside with no power”

              oh fuck right off. I bet you were one of the ones back in the day that gave them shit for only being focussed on the environment (wrong then, wrong now).

              The Greens want change not power. They’re getting change despite not being in govt. Pay attention.

              • chris73

                Hows that change working out for Metirea?

                  • RedLogixFormes

                    I dunno – maybe one of his scripts is on loop or something. This ’73 model is a bit prone to it.

                    • Chooky

                      lol

                      …and actually the right wing covert the Green brand ….and a coalition with the Green Party (listen to Hooton, he is fixated on it)…because the Greens are the Party of the future and will leach the Nacts of their more ethical voters

                      …the Greens are perceived by the right wing and the corporates as both a threat (outside their camp) and a prize if in their camp in coalition ( where the Green brand will be neutralised and suffer annihilation by contradiction)

                      …expect a lot more attacks on the Greens as the corporates and money men try to get their way with the environment eg fracking and water

      • Chooky 20.1.3

        +100 CR…Left did not work together cooperatively and strategically

        ….and there were other reasons as well…eg Dirty Politics PR…biased msm etc

    • karol 20.2

      The inequality and poverty problem, is not something that will necessarily be picked up by looking at average earnings of people in the workforce – which is what that survey does.

      If the people earning the most have significant rises, while those on lowest incomes stagnate or go backwards, it would still show the average earnings rising.

      The problem is seen when the top and bottom deciles are compared.

      The unemployment stats are also questionable, given the way the government is forcing people off unemployment benefits.

      And that survey doesn’t pick up the number or people under-employed. nor does it compare low earnings with cost of accommodation, necessary spending,

      i wonder what impact the impending change in reporting the stats will have?transport, etc.

      .

  19. greywarshark 21

    I suppose someone else has noted this. I heard on radionz that the CEO of Auckland’s Council of something, the main one or some other entity is going to be getting less salary. The present one was getting over $800,000 p.a. and I think that there is a new one, and he/she will be starting on only about half a mil.

    I wonder if it would be better to go back to sovereign and serfs from an earnings point of view. There is quite a cohort of high earners and against such a strong group with large resources, what can the people do? One king is easier to remove, and probably not as expensive to run. If they are expensive, they build fabulous palaces that are extremely useful later as drawcards for tourism. The present greedies build things called art such as unusual fences on their estate.

  20. Murray Rawshark 22

    Can we stop feeding the underbridge dwellers, please? They contribute nothing.

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • At a glance – Does CO2 always correlate with temperature?
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    4 hours ago
  • Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6.06 pm on Tuesday, March 19
    TL;DR: In today’s ‘six-stack’ of substacks at 6.06pm on Tuesday, March 19:Kāinga Ora’s dry rot The Spinoff DailyBill McKibben on ‘Climate Superfunds’ making Big Oil pay for climate damage The Crucial YearsPreston Mui on returning to 1980s-style productivity growth NoahpinionAndy Boenau on NIMBYs needing unusual bedfellows Urbanism SpeakeasyNed Resnikoff's case ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 hours ago
  • Relentlessly negative
    Negative yesterday, negative today. Negative all year, according to one departing reader telling me I’ve grown strident and predictable. Fair enough. If it’s any help, every time I go to write about a certain topic that begins with C and ends with arrrrs, I do brace myself and ask: Again? Are ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 hours ago
  • Scoring 4.6 out of 10, the new Government is struggling in the polls
    Bryce Edwards writes –  It’s been a tumultuous time in politics in recent months, as the new National-led Government has driven through its “First 100 Day programme”. During this period there’s been a handful of opinion polls, which overall just show a minimal amount of flux in public support ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    7 hours ago
  • Promiscuous Empathy: Chris Trotter Replies To His Critics.
    Inspirational: The Family of Man is a glorious hymn to human equality, but, more than that, it is a clarion call to human freedom. Because equality, unleavened by liberty, is a broken piano, an unstrung harp; upon which the songs of fraternity will never be played. “Somebody must have been telling lies about ...
    7 hours ago
  • Don’t run your business like a criminal enterprise
    The Detail this morning highlights the police's asset forfeiture case against convicted business criminal Ron Salter, who stands to have his business confiscated for systemic violations of health and safety law. Business are crying foul - but not for the reason you'd think. Instead of opposing the post-conviction punishment and ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    7 hours ago
  • Misremembering Justinian’s Taxes.
    Tax Lawyer Barbara Edmonds vs Emperor Justinian I - Nolo Contendere: False historical explanations of pivotal events are very far from being inconsequential.WHEN BARBARA EDMONDS made reference to the Roman Empire, my ears pricked up. It is, lamentably, very rare to hear a politician admit to any kind of familiarity ...
    8 hours ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Scoring 4.6 out of 10, the new Government is struggling in the polls
    It’s been a tumultuous time in politics in recent months, as the new National-led Government has driven through its “First 100 Day programme”. During this period there’s been a handful of opinion polls, which overall just show a minimal amount of flux in public support for the various parties in ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    8 hours ago
  • Bishop scores headlines with crackdown on unwelcome tenants – but Peters scores, too, as tub-thump...
    Buzz from the Beehive Housing Minister Chris Bishop delivered news – packed with the ingredients to enflame political passions – worthy of supplanting Winston Peters in headline writers’ priorities. He popped up at the post-Cabinet press conference to promise a crackdown on unruly and antisocial state housing tenants. His ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    9 hours ago
  • Will it make the boat go faster?
    Ele Ludemann writes – The Reserve Bank is advertising for a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion advisor. The Bank has one mandate – to keep inflation between one and three percent. It has failed in that and is only slowly getting inflation back down to the upper limit. Will it ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    12 hours ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Is Simon Bridges’ NZTA appointment a conflict of interest?
    Last week former National Party leader Simon Bridges was appointed by the Government as the new chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). You can read about the appointment in Thomas Coughlan’s article, Simon Bridges to become chair of NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi The fact that a ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    13 hours ago
  • Is Simon Bridges’ NZTA appointment a conflict of interest?
    Bryce Edwards writes – Last week former National Party leader Simon Bridges was appointed by the Government as the new chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). You can read about the appointment in Thomas Coughlan’s article, Simon Bridges to become chair of NZ Transport Agency ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    13 hours ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' at 10:10am on Tuesday, March 19
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Gavin Jacobson talks to Thomas Piketty 10 years on from Capital in the 21st Century The SalvoLocal scoop: Green MP’s business being investigated over migrant exploitation claims Stuff Steve KilgallonLocal deep-dive: The commercial contractors making money from School ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    13 hours ago
  • Bernard's six newsy things on Tuesday, March 19
    It’s a home - but Kāinga Ora tenants accused of “abusing the privilege” may lose it. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The Government announced a crackdown on Kāinga Ora tenants who were unruly and/or behind on their rent, with Housing Minister Chris Bishop saying a place in a state ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    14 hours ago
  • New Life for Light Rail
    This is a guest post by Connor Sharp of Surface Light Rail  Light rail in Auckland: A way forward sooner than you think With the coup de grâce of Auckland Light Rail (ALR) earlier this year, and the shift of the government’s priorities to roads, roads, and more roads, it ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    15 hours ago
  • Why Are Bosses Nearly All Buffoons?
    Note: As a paid-up Webworm member, I’ve recorded this Webworm as a mini-podcast for you as well. Some of you said you liked this option - so I aim to provide it when I get a chance to record! Read more ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    17 hours ago
  • Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6.06 pm on March 18
    TL;DR: In my ‘six-stack’ of substacks at 6.06pm on Monday, March 18:IKEA is accused of planting big forests in New Zealand to green-wash; REDD-MonitorA City for People takes a well-deserved victory lap over Wellington’s pro-YIMBY District Plan votes; A City for PeopleSteven Anastasiou takes a close look at the sticky ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Peters holds his ground on co-governance, but Willis wriggles on those tax cuts and SNA suspension l...
    Buzz from the Beehive Here’s hoping for a lively post-cabinet press conference when the PM and – perhaps – some of his ministers tell us what was discussed at their meeting today. Until then, Point of Order has precious little Beehive news to report after its latest monitoring of the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 day ago
  • Labour’s final report card
    David Farrar writes –  We now have almost all 2023 data in, which has allowed me to update my annual table of how  went against its promises. This is basically their final report card. The promise The result Build 100,000 affordable homes over 10 ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago
  • “Drunk Uncle at a Wedding”
    I’m a bit worried that I’ve started a previous newsletter with the words “just when you think they couldn’t get any worse…” Seems lately that I could begin pretty much every issue with that opening. Such is the nature of our coalition government that they seem to be outdoing each ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 day ago
  • Wang Yi’s perfectly-timed, Aukus-themed visit to New Zealand
    Geoffrey Miller writes – Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago
  • Gordon Campbell on Dune 2, and images of Islam
    Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture ...
    2 days ago
  • New Rail Operations Centre Promises Better Train Services
    Last week Transport Minster Simeon Brown and Mayor Wayne Brown opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre. The new train control centre will see teams from KiwiRail, Auckland Transport and Auckland One Rail working more closely together to improve train services across the city. The Auckland Rail Operations Centre in ...
    2 days ago
  • Bernard's six newsy things at 6.36am on Monday, March 18
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson said in an exit interview with Q+A yesterday the Government can and should sustain more debt to invest in infrastructure for future generations. Elsewhere in the news in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 6:36am: Read more ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: Wang Yi’s perfectly-timed, Aukus-themed visit to New Zealand
    Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. It is more than just a happy ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    2 days ago
  • The Kaka’s diary for the week to March 25 and beyond
    TL;DR: The key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to March 18 include:China’s Foreign Minister visiting Wellington today;A post-cabinet news conference this afternoon; the resumption of Parliament on Tuesday for two weeks before Easter;retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson gives his valedictory speech in Parliament; ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Bitter and angry; Winston First
    New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters’s state-of-the-nation speech on Sunday was really a state-of-Winston-First speech. He barely mentioned any of the Government’s key policies and could not even wholly endorse its signature income tax cuts. Instead, he rehearsed all of his complaints about the Ardern Government, including an extraordinary claim ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
    2 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
    2 days ago
  • Out of Touch.
    “I’ve been internalising a really complicated situation in my head.”When they kept telling us we should wait until we get to know him, were they taking the piss? Was it a case of, if you think this is bad, wait till you get to know the real Christopher, after the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • The bewildering world of Chris Luxon – Guns for all, not no lunch for kids
    .“$10 and a target that bleeds” - Bleeding Targets for Under $10!.Thanks for reading Frankly Speaking ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.This government appears hell-bent on either scrapping life-saving legislation or reintroducing things that - frustrated critics insist - will be dangerous and likely ...
    Frankly SpeakingBy Frank Macskasy
    3 days ago
  • Expert Opinion: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.
    It hardly strikes me as fair to criticise a government for doing exactly what it said it was going to do. For actually keeping its promises.”THUNDER WAS PLAYING TAG with lightning flashes amongst the distant peaks. Its rolling cadences interrupted by the here-I-come-here-I-go Doppler effect of the occasional passing car. ...
    3 days ago
  • Manufacturing The Truth.
    Subversive & Disruptive Technologies: Just as happened with that other great regulator of the masses, the Medieval Church, the advent of a new and hard-to-control technology – the Internet –  is weakening the ties that bind. Then, and now, those who enjoy a monopoly on the dissemination of lies, cannot and will ...
    3 days ago
  • A Powerful Sensation of Déjà Vu.
    Been Here Before: To find the precedents for what this Coalition Government is proposing, it is necessary to return to the “glory days” of Muldoonism.THE COALITION GOVERNMENT has celebrated its first 100 days in office by checking-off the last of its listed commitments. It remains, however, an angry government. It ...
    3 days ago
  • Can you guess where world attention is focussed (according to Greenpeace)? It’s focussed on an EPA...
    Bob Edlin writes –  And what is the world watching today…? The email newsletter from Associated Press which landed in our mailbox early this morning advised: In the news today: The father of a school shooter has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter; prosecutors in Trump’s hush-money case ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • Further integrity problems for the Greens in suspending MP Darleen Tana
    Bryce Edwards writes – Is another Green MP on their way out? And are the Greens severely tarnished by another integrity scandal? For the second time in three months, the Green Party has secretly suspended an MP over integrity issues. Mystery is surrounding the party’s decision to ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Jacqui Van Der Kaay: Greens’ transparency missing in action
    For the last few years, the Green Party has been the party that has managed to avoid the plague of multiple scandals that have beleaguered other political parties. It appears that their luck has run out with a second scandal which, unfortunately for them, coincided with Golraz Ghahraman, the focus ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago
  • Bernard’s Dawn Chorus with six newsey things at 6:46am for Saturday, March 16
    TL;DR: The six newsey things that stood out to me as of 6:46am on Saturday, March 16.Andy Foster has accidentally allowed a Labour/Green amendment to cut road user chargers for plug-in hybrid vehicles, which the Government might accept; NZ Herald Thomas Coughlan Simeon Brown has rejected a plea from Westport ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • How Did FTX Crash?
    What seemed a booming success a couple of years ago has collapsed into fraud convictions.I looked at the crash of FTX (short for ‘Futures Exchange’) in November 2022 to see whether it would impact on the financial system as a whole. Fortunately there was barely a ripple, probably because it ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    4 days ago
  • Elections in Russia and Ukraine
    Anybody following the situation in Ukraine and Russia would probably have been amused by a recent Tweet on X NATO seems to be putting in an awful lot of effort to influence what is, at least according to them, a sham election in an autocracy.When do the Ukrainians go to ...
    4 days ago
  • Bernard’s six stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15
    TL;DR: Shaun Baker on Wynyard Quarter's transformation. Magdalene Taylor on the problem with smart phones. How private equity are now all over reinsurance. Dylan Cleaver on rugby and CTE. Emily Atkin on ‘Big Meat’ looking like ‘Big Oil’.Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15Photo by Jeppe Hove Jensen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Buzz from the Beehive Finance Minister Nicola Willis had plenty to say when addressing the Auckland Business Chamber on the economic growth that (she tells us) is flagging more than we thought. But the government intends to put new life into it:  We want our country to be a ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • National’s clean car tax advances
    The Transport and Infrastructure Committee has reported back on the Road User Charges (Light Electric RUC Vehicles) Amendment Bill, basicly rubberstamping it. While there was widespread support among submitters for the principle that EV and PHEV drivers should pay their fair share for the roads, they also overwhelmingly disagreed with ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Government funding bailouts
    Peter Dunne writes – This week’s government bailout – the fifth in the last eighteen months – of the financially troubled Ruapehu Alpine Lifts company would have pleased many in the central North Island ski industry. The government’s stated rationale for the $7 million funding was that it ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Two offenders, different treatments.
    See if you can spot the difference. An Iranian born female MP from a progressive party is accused of serial shoplifting. Her name is leaked to the media, which goes into a pack frenzy even before the Police launch an … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    4 days ago
  • Treaty references omitted
    Ele Ludemann writes  – The government is omitting general Treaty references from legislation : The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last Government in a bid to get greater coherence in the public service on Treaty ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • The Ghahraman Conflict
    What was that judge thinking? Peter Williams writes –  That Golriz Ghahraman and District Court Judge Maria Pecotic were once lawyer colleagues is incontrovertible. There is published evidence that they took at least one case to the Court of Appeal together. There was a report on ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 15
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Climate Scorpion – the sting is in the tail. Introducing planetary solvency. A paper via the University of Exeter’s Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.Local scoop: Kāinga Ora starts pulling out of its Auckland projects and selling land RNZ ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • The day Wellington up-zoned its future
    Wellington’s massively upzoned District Plan adds the opportunity for tens of thousands of new homes not just in the central city (such as these Webb St new builds) but also close to the CBD and public transport links. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Wellington gave itself the chance of ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Weekly Roundup 15-March-2024
    It’s Friday and we’re halfway through March Madness. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week in Greater Auckland On Monday Matt asked how we can get better event trains and an option for grade separating Morningside Dr. On Tuesday Matt looked into ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    5 days ago
  • That Word.
    Something you might not know about me is that I’m quite a stubborn person. No, really. I don’t much care for criticism I think’s unfair or that I disagree with. Few of us do I suppose.Back when I was a drinker I’d sometimes respond defensively, even angrily. There are things ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • The Hoon around the week to March 15
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:PM Christopher Luxon said the reversal of interest deductibility for landlords was done to help renters, who ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Labour’s policy gap
    It was not so much the Labour Party but really the Chris Hipkins party yesterday at Labour’s caucus retreat in Martinborough. The former Prime Minister was more or less consistent on wealth tax, which he was at best equivocal about, and social insurance, which he was not willing to revisit. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #11 2024
    Open access notables A Glimpse into the Future: The 2023 Ocean Temperature and Sea Ice Extremes in the Context of Longer-Term Climate Change, Kuhlbrodt et al., Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society: In the year 2023, we have seen extraordinary extrema in high sea surface temperature (SST) in the North Atlantic and in ...
    5 days ago
  • Melissa remains mute on media matters but has something to say (at a sporting event) about economic ...
     Buzz from the Beehive   The text reproduced above appears on a page which records all the media statements and speeches posted on the government’s official website by Melissa Lee as Minister of Media and Communications and/or by Jenny Marcroft, her Parliamentary Under-secretary.  It can be quickly analysed ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago
  • The return of Muldoon
    For forty years, Robert Muldoon has been a dirty word in our politics. His style of government was so repulsive and authoritarian that the backlash to it helped set and entrench our constitutional norms. His pig-headedness over forcing through Think Big eventually gave us the RMA, with its participation and ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Will the rental tax cut improve life for renters or landlords?
    Bryce Edwards writes –  Is the new government reducing tax on rental properties to benefit landlords or to cut the cost of rents? That’s the big question this week, after Associate Finance Minister David Seymour announced on Sunday that the Government would be reversing the Labour Government’s removal ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: What Saudi Arabia’s rapid changes mean for New Zealand
    Saudi Arabia is rarely far from the international spotlight. The war in Gaza has brought new scrutiny to Saudi plans to normalise relations with Israel, while the fifth anniversary of the controversial killing of Jamal Khashoggi was marked shortly before the war began on October 7. And as the home ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    5 days ago
  • Racism’s double standards
    Questions need to be asked on both sides of the world Peter Williams writes –   The NRL Judiciary hands down an eight week suspension to Sydney Roosters forward Spencer Leniu , an Auckland-born Samoan, after he calls Ezra Mam, Sydney-orn but of Aboriginal and Torres Strait ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • It’s not a tax break
    Ele Ludemann writes – Contrary to what many headlines and news stories are saying, residential landlords are not getting a tax break. The government is simply restoring to them the tax deductibility of interest they had until the previous government removed it. There is no logical reason ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • The Plastic Pig Collective and Chris' Imaginary Friends.
    I can't remember when it was goodMoments of happiness in bloomMaybe I just misunderstoodAll of the love we left behindWatching our flashbacks intertwineMemories I will never findIn spite of whatever you becomeForget that reckless thing turned onI think our lives have just begunI think our lives have just begunDoes anyone ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • Who is responsible for young offenders?
    Michael Bassett writes – At first reading, a front-page story in the New Zealand Herald on 13 March was bizarre. A group of severely intellectually limited teenagers, with little understanding of the law, have been pleading to the Justice Select Committee not to pass a bill dealing with ram ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on National’s fantasy trip to La La Landlord Land
    How much political capital is Christopher Luxon willing to burn through in order to deliver his $2.9 billion gift to landlords? Evidently, Luxon is: (a) unable to cost the policy accurately. As Anna Burns-Francis pointed out to him on Breakfast TV, the original ”rock solid” $2.1 billion cost he was ...
    6 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 14
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Jonathon Porritt calling bullshit in his own blog post on mainstream climate science as ‘The New Denialism’.Local scoop: The Wellington City Council’s list of proposed changes to the IHP recommendations to be debated later today was leaked this ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • No, Prime Minister, rents don’t rise or fall with landlords’ costs
    TL;DR: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said yesterday tenants should be grateful for the reinstatement of interest deductibility because landlords would pass on their lower tax costs in the form of lower rents. That would be true if landlords were regulated monopolies such as Transpower or Auckland Airport1, but they’re not, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • Cartoons: ‘At least I didn’t make things awkward’
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Tom Toro Tom Toro is a cartoonist and author. He has published over 200 cartoons in The New Yorker since 2010. His cartoons appear in Playboy, the Paris Review, the New York Times, American Bystander, and elsewhere. Related: What 10 EV lovers ...
    6 days ago
  • Solving traffic congestion with Richard Prebble
    The business section of the NZ Herald is full of opinion. Among the more opinionated of all is the ex-Minister of Transport, ex-Minister of Railways, ex MP for Auckland Central (1975-93, Labour), Wellington Central (1996-99, ACT, then list-2005), ex-leader of the ACT Party, uncle to actor Antonia, the veritable granddaddy ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    6 days ago
  • I Think I'm Done Flying Boeing
    Hi,Just quickly — I’m blown away by the stories you’ve shared with me over the last week since I put out the ‘Gary’ podcast, where I told you about the time my friend’s flatmate killed the neighbour.And you keep telling me stories — in the comments section, and in my ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • Invoking Aristotle: Of Rings of Power, Stones, and Ships
    The first season of Rings of Power was not awful. It was thoroughly underwhelming, yes, and left a lingering sense of disappointment, but it was more expensive mediocrity than catastrophe. I wrote at length about the series as it came out (see the Review section of the blog, and go ...
    6 days ago
  • Van Velden brings free-market approach to changing labour laws – but her colleagues stick to distr...
    Buzz from the Beehive Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden told Auckland Business Chamber members they were the first audience to hear her priorities as a minister in a government committed to cutting red tape and regulations. She brandished her liberalising credentials, saying Flexible labour markets are the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • Why Newshub failed
    Chris Trotter writes – TO UNDERSTAND WHY NEWSHUB FAILED, it is necessary to understand how TVNZ changed. Up until 1989, the state broadcaster had been funded by a broadcasting licence fee, collected from every citizen in possession of a television set, supplemented by a relatively modest (compared ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Māori Party on the warpath against landlords and seabed miners – let’s see if mystical creature...
    Bob Edlin writes  –  The Māori Party has been busy issuing a mix of warnings and threats as its expresses its opposition to interest deductibility for landlords and the plans of seabed miners. It remains to be seen whether they  follow the example of indigenous litigants in Australia, ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

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

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-03-19T10:04:59+00:00