Open mike 07/08/2012

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, August 7th, 2012 - 106 comments
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Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose.

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Step right up to the mike…

106 comments on “Open mike 07/08/2012 ”

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  1. Carol 1
    7 August 2012 at 8:06 am

    Key’s tone has softened, but he still shows no evidence in practice that he’ll take any notice of the Waitangi Tribunal report on water rights. Meanwhile he continues to try to split Maori, and Sharples acts like a door mat.

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10825091

    What happened to the Maori Party that was born in protest, principle and a willingness to stand up and tell it like it is. The only mitigating factor is that Sharples recognises the Maori water right issue will most likely end up in court. And where is Turia on this? She was the main driving force for setting up the Maori Party over the conflict with government on the foreshore and seabed. Now she just seems to be hiding.

    Prime Minister John Key and Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples. Photo / Mark Mitchell
    Prime Minister John Key and Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples. Photo / Mark Mitchell

    Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples says he expects the Maori water rights wrangle to end up in the courts after his party failed to secure an assurance from the Government last night that it would pay heed to any Waitangi Tribunal findings.

    Dr Sharples and co-leader Tariana Turia had a two-hour meeting with Prime Minister John Key, Finance Minister Bill English and Treaty Negotiations Minister Chris Finlayson.

    Afterwards, Dr Sharples said the only assurance given was that the Government would wait for an interim report from the Waitangi Tribunal on August 24 before proceeding with the sale of Mighty River Power. He believed it was likely the issue would end up in the courts.

    Dr Sharples said Mr Key had also emphasised that he believed it should be dealt with iwi by iwi, despite the decision at a hui yesterday to set up a pan-Maori group including iwi leaders, the Maori Council and other groups.

    “But Maori believe there are national principles that apply across the board, so I guess that has to be worked through.”

    He said the Maori Party often disagreed with National but did not believe walking away would benefit Maori.

    Earlier yesterday, Mr Key rejected suggestions that water rights could be resolved on a pan-Maori basis, saying such rights were best sorted out “river by river, iwi by iwi”.

    He said many iwi agreed with his view – that it was a matter for negotiation by individual iwi.

    What is certain is that Key will not stop his drive for asset sales, democracy, rights, fairness, consideration of what is best for the country and the majority of it’s people….. nothing will stand in his way.

    • Socialist Paddy 1.1
      7 August 2012 at 8:21 am

      Interesting wording by the Herald.

      Do they really mean that the Government will wait for the Waitangi Tribunal decision to be given AND THEN will proceed with the share sale?

      Pita where is your mana, man? Stand up to the bastard. 

      • Carol 1.1.1
        7 August 2012 at 8:33 am

        Yes, Key, I think (as heard on RNZ this morning) that Maori water rights can still be negotiated on an individual level after the asset sales go ahead.

        I think he also is saying he will wait for an interim report from the Waitangi tribunal later in August, will talk to the Maori Party again…. then go ahead with asset sales.

        Of course, Maori sticking together nationally over this will give their case strength. However, for Key, he’s more likely to weaken the results Maori get, by negotiating with individual iwi after the sales have occurred.

        • BillODrees 1.1.1.1
          7 August 2012 at 9:10 am

          Key had taken the strongest negotiation stance from his point of view. What the Maori party need to do is be smarter in “game play”.  If they want to play with the big boys they need to plan and strategise like big boys(and girls!).

          The Maori Party has the Tribunal, the Courts, the Maori Council, other political parties and the mass of the people of New Zealand to use in their game plan.

          Use it! Get a smart game plan together quickly and execute it sharply. 

    • rosy 1.2
      7 August 2012 at 8:27 am

      I reckon Peter Sharples believes what he wants to believe, rather than hear what Key actually says. Sharples believes asset sales are likely to be delayed. Key has given no indication that he’ll allow that to happen.

      On the other hand…

      there are a limited number of windows each year in which a share offer can take place,” English and Ryall said last week.

      “Delaying a decision beyond the first week of September and losing the 2012 window for the offer would have significant consequences, not only for the MRP offer, but also in delaying the rest of the share offer programme over the next two years.”

      It’s pretty clear why Key wants iwi by iwi settlement. Hand out the minimum require to get the job done, and not worry what might be brewing for future conflict.

    • felix 1.3
      7 August 2012 at 8:30 am

      Interesting wording alright, and that’s certainly the interpretation Pita seems to think fits.

      I heard English the other day say they’d been working on these sales for four years. Anyone else hear that? Can’t remember where.

      Thought that was a bit odd, ‘cos right through their first term they denied doing any such work and anyone who called bullshit on them was labelled a conspiracy theorist.

      Weird eh?

      • Pete George 1.3.1
        7 August 2012 at 8:38 am

        “right through their first term they denied doing any such work”

        I’m sure you can show where they did this.

        I recall them saying they wouldn’t sell any assets in their first term. They didn’t. Nothing odd about that.

      • Tigger 1.3.2
        7 August 2012 at 9:04 am

        Treasury did that work, Felix. And OIA would show it.

      • Vicky32 1.3.3
        7 August 2012 at 5:56 pm

        I heard English the other day say they’d been working on these sales for four years

        I am not surprised by that…

    • Dr Terry 1.4
      7 August 2012 at 9:46 am

      Carol, quite right, nothing will stand in his way – particularly while he continues to enjoy rather large support for his tactics. Key is a gambler who is, unfortunately, accustomed to winning.

  2. ultra-left 2
    7 August 2012 at 8:11 am

    As New Zealanders mourn their latest casualties in Afghanistan, Egypt is reeling from the deaths of fifteen border guards in the Sinai peninsula. Every New Zealander knows about this country’s contribution to the ‘stabilisation’ of Afghanistan, but few know that it has troops in the Sinai operating as de facto reinforcements for the Israeli blockade of Gaza. These forces should be withdrawn before they fall victim to the growing violence in the Sinai. This 2011 blog post makes the case for withdrawal from Sinai:
    http://readingthemaps.blogspot.co.nz/2011/02/what-are-kiwi-troops-doing-in-egypt.html

    • TT 2.1
      7 August 2012 at 11:20 am

      Noted that. And noted that Egypt still does nothing to oppose Zionist incursions into their territory, letting them destroy their military hardware with not even a whisper of dissent. The new president seems powerless to exert any influence over the military. The dream is for a Islamic super-state with Jerusalem as it’s capital. Right now that just looks like a distant pipe dream, especially with the Egyptians talking of bringing their brothers to “justice” for the sadly futile attack on the zionists, rather than the enemy themselves. The only glimmer of hope at the moment is with a hopeful change to a Sunni government in Syria, there will be the impetus that the Arab nations need to finally wipe the zionists from history once and for all. I still don’t hold out hope though. The illegal blockade of Gaza should be over already. The Muslim Brotherhoold should be providing heavy arms to Hamas so they can defend their territory against zionist aggression. It seems that the protocols are correct, and the influence of the zionists is at the moment too pervasive.

      • McFlock 2.1.1
        7 August 2012 at 11:25 am

         finally wipe the zionists from history once and for all.  

        seriously?

        • Bored 2.1.1.1
          7 August 2012 at 1:24 pm

          Zionists piss me off, but so then does every religious nutter..I very much doubt that the State of Israel and “Zionism” will last much beyond the ability of moneyed Zionists to heavily influence US election outcomes. Imperial over-reach will kill Pax Americana, and with it the rogue settler state in its current form, just as the Crusader states failed centuries ago.

          I am hoping the more forward thinking residents of Israel and the Arab states might have a better vision that allows them both to flourish together. Optimistic I know but the alternative is too frightful to contemplate.

      • pukeko 2.1.2
        7 August 2012 at 11:54 am

        Kāore anō nei i weto ngā ngārahu o te ahi i mura ai i ngā wā kua pahure.

        Tēnei te hoki mai nei me te ngākau pōuri, me te ngākau tangi mō koutou kua ngaro i ōku tirohanga kanohi, i ā tātou mahi, i ā tātou nohoanga tahi.

      • Verity 2.1.3
        7 August 2012 at 8:00 pm

        The protocols?

  3. ad 3
    7 August 2012 at 8:45 am

    The Gods have announced a few things recently.

    Jupiter has ordered Mars to let the Democratic candidate win the United States Presidential election;

    Thanatos has requested of Key that he actually generate a less subservient foreign policy, quick;

    The Waikato Taniwha has determined that it will stop the sale of New Zealand’s public assets;

    and

    Tongariro has cleared its throat for Valeri Adams and declared it will be good.

    Great to feel a tilt in the cosmic order this morning.

  4. Pete George 4
    7 August 2012 at 9:43 am

    Judith Collins has replied to a request for her position on the minimum price of alcohol:

    The Government is currently investigating a minimum pricing scheme for alcohol.

    The Government wants to make sure that any pricing strategy will reduce harm caused by alcohol without unduly impacting responsible drinkers.

    I am waiting until the investigation is complete before making any decisions about implementing a minimum pricing scheme.

    – Judith Collins on minimum price of alcohol

    This sounds like a very good approach to me. The proof will be in the end result.

    • Draco T Bastard 4.1
      7 August 2012 at 10:02 am

      No PG, it’s the normal weasel words that mean nothing that we get from RWNJs.

    • Socialist Paddy 4.2
      7 August 2012 at 11:18 am

      Did you read this Petey?

      In particular this?

      “International reviews have concluded that increasing the price of alcohol is one of the most effective strategies to reduce the consumption of alcohol and, therefore, alcohol-related harm. Establishing a minimum price is a targeted way to reduce the availability of cheap alcohol.”

  5. vto 5
    7 August 2012 at 9:44 am

    Maybe I missed something in the context but did I hear Pita Sharples say on te wireless this morning that he has been told by Iwi leaders etc to stay in the govt at pretty much all costs?

    Great tactics and negotiating skills there Pita……. bloody hell ……

    He basically just gave away any decent negotiatng position they had.

  6. TT 6
    7 August 2012 at 10:33 am

    Zionist war criminal John Keys is spending $60 million of the peoples money to build a shrine to further glorify anglo-saxon committed genocide.
    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/7428737/Key-revives-60m-war-memorial-for-capital

    [lprent: Merely blaring assertions without supporting argument(s) however brief tends to draw the moderators eye. If it happens too often then we start viewing those blasting slogans as being rogue processes rather than people and start applying kill troll routines. That is what you’re looking like to me after reading a few of your mindless comments. Please read the policy. ]

    • higherstandard 6.1
      7 August 2012 at 11:58 am

      troll.

    • Bored 6.2
      7 August 2012 at 1:07 pm

      TT, I find your quick labeling of John Key as a Zionist war criminal somewhat puzzling, as I do the accusation of the glorification of Anglo Saxon genocide.

      Lets start with John Key, yes he is Jewish, and he is a banker BUT does that make him Zionist? Yes he has not withdrawn our troops from Afghanistan, but I don’t see that makes him a war criminal. Remember please I for one cant stand the bastard, but your accusation does not help in any way.

      Anglo Saxon genocide….all empires since time immemorial commit genocides, that cant be denied by the British any more than the Romans, Americans, Mongols etc…it is not an exclusive trait. You can bet that the people of the imperial core nations (like the Saxons or Romans) would probably find the concept of committing genocide or being labeled for genocide rather nasty. I doubt any Germans born post war want the stigma of the “holocaust”, attached to them, they were not after all born at the time. It might be more helpful to rail against imperial systems in general.

  7. joe90 7
    7 August 2012 at 10:42 am

    Surprise surprise, the CIA had a hand in the arrest of Nelson Mandela.

    http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/330153

    To that end, a CIA agent infiltrated the ANC and in 1962 informed South African security officials that Mandela, a wanted man on the run, would be leaving a dinner party in Durban dressed as a chauffeur. He was arrested at a roadblock and spent the next 10,000 days behind bars.

    • Colonial Viper 7.1
      7 August 2012 at 11:10 am

      The US does not support oppressive regimes like Apartheid South Africa. Really, it doesn’t.

  8. Rosie 8
    7 August 2012 at 10:47 am

    Drill it. Mine it. Allow it.

    If you’re into being the one to hand out the permits then man, has MoBIE got a job for you!

    http://www.trademe.co.nz/a.aspx?id=501079142

  9. Pete George 9
    7 August 2012 at 10:52 am

    David Shearer trying to defend the indefensible:

    “It is more of what I was just saying before umm ethan is that, you know I get you know trade unions or say salvation army or whatever they are standing up for rights of you know workers or rights of the poor or whatever, or whatever it is likely to be.

    Umm I don’t look to gain have had any sort of, I don’t look to have any material gain from that as a, as a as an MP–but there is what the the idea was is to try and capture the you know the various sort of business and corporate interests that might you know in a sense be trying to do sort of what you know they do offshore (not sure happens here?) is to buy buy politicans off”

    http://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2012/08/shearer_on_the_union_exemption.html

    Being a non-politician Shearer is hopeless trying to promote policy he doesn’t believe on, which is the obvious assumption from this embarrassment.

    He needs to start speaking on things he strongly believes in rather than trying to defend a crap position.

    • Colonial Viper 9.1
      7 August 2012 at 11:04 am

      Advocating for workers organisations is not “indefensible”.

      Using a Kiwiblog quote for David Shearer, that’s “indefensible” 🙄

    • bad12 9.2
      7 August 2012 at 11:13 am

      🙄 Take your excrement back to the sewer…

    • Socialist Paddy 9.3
      7 August 2012 at 11:14 am

      Shearer, and the Labour Party, need to stop taking advice from you right wing bastards. You only want the Labour Party to fail. Your advice is an attempt to sabotage, nothing more. 

      The only advice that I would offer to Key would be to take his head our of his arse and look around at the damage he is causing.

      And then resign.

      And then ask for forgiveness. 

      • TT 9.3.1
        7 August 2012 at 11:26 am

        … preferably with his head on the block.

      • chris73 9.3.2
        7 August 2012 at 11:32 am

        The right wing don’t need to sabotage Labour, Labour are doing a fine job of shooting themselves in the foot.

        Hey maybe Shearer could do another heartland tour because, you know, it worked so well the last couple of times.

        Some advice Labour should take though is remove T. Mallard

        • mike e 9.3.2.1
          7 August 2012 at 12:04 pm

          Why is it because he’s a sitting duck.
          C73 Mallard needs to be refined.
          Not sacked as your cyniscism would suggest.

          • chris73 9.3.2.1.1
            7 August 2012 at 12:12 pm

            Mallard is an a-grade twat. I mean you could point out his failings in the house, his piss-poor election strategies, his habit of getting side tracked but really hes just a twat and I’m pretty sure even the Labour party could find someone better.

        • lprent 9.3.2.2
          7 August 2012 at 12:30 pm

          Always nice to run across someone so utterly ignorant of political history.

          From about 1994 to 1999 (and later for that matter), Helen did a large number of ‘heartland tours’ turning up at everything from A&P shows to small town meetings. It went a *long* way to counter the ridiculous dumbarse propaganda from the rightwing fruitcakes that had been flooded out into the conservative areas about her, and her lack of ability at the time to come across well on TV. People coming into direct contact with left politicians are the most effective way to shift views and immunize against propaganda pushed through the rather simple media messages that appear to be all that our journalists can cope with.

          What I found rather heartening at the time was the number of people I knew in the rural and small town communities was how many changed their minds about her not after running across her directly, but after someone they knew had. What was also notable at the time was that the change in attitudes that I was seeing was simply a willingness to listen to Labour wasn’t really showing up in any of the polls when you broke it down by region. It did however show up in the elections because the MMP elections are pretty well won for Labour by two major factors – turnout in the cities and those all-important minority votes in the rural areas and small towns.

          David Shearer of course has a lot less of a uphill battle than Helen did.

          • chris73 9.3.2.2.1
            7 August 2012 at 12:37 pm

            You know what might work better then another heartland tour? The Labour party working together as a team and not getting side tracked by trivialities (usually of their own making)

            Of course articles like this won’t help either:

            http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/7429613/Pay-packets-on-the-rise

          • Bored 9.3.2.2.2
            7 August 2012 at 1:14 pm

            1prent, you are right about the effectiveness of the “heartland tours”. We used to do “cottage meetings” in the 80s….the theory is correct BUT our goods were flawed. We had an abundance of Rogernomes and yes men.

            Which brings me to the point, once bitten twice shy…the goods are looking decidedly shoddy and rather Rogerish.

            • lprent 9.3.2.2.2.1
              7 August 2012 at 1:32 pm

              Ah but that is a bit of a separate question. Personal/relayed contacts probably help anyone selling their dream – even the rodgernomes.

              But David Shearer comes across a hell of lot better in smallish groups than he does on the media. It will suit him whilst he winds up his media skills. I wouldn’t expect it to show particularly in polls because of the nature of what they measure. It also works better for opposition than it does for government members.

              • ad …
                7 August 2012 at 2:47 pm

                Even though I don’t really warm to Shearer, I look into the faces of all the rest including the Prime Minister, Russell Norman, Dr Sharples, Winston Peters etc to answer the question: Leader Of The Country material?, and I would just have no hestitation in ticking the Labour box again. No hesitation whatsoever.

                • Colonial Viper …
                  7 August 2012 at 6:11 pm

                  Out of 5 million awesome NZers we are left with those few dozen clawing away amongst each other in Parliament. Something is rotten in Denmark, ladies and gentlemen.

      • Vicky32 9.3.3
        7 August 2012 at 6:40 pm

        Shearer, and the Labour Party, need to stop taking advice from you right wing bastards. You only want the Labour Party to fail. Your advice is an attempt to sabotage, nothing more.

        Too right! 🙂

        • OneTrack 9.3.3.1
          7 August 2012 at 8:01 pm

          That’s so true . Ignore Chris73’s advice at 12:37. Just keep on stealing underpants.

          • felix 9.3.3.1.1
            7 August 2012 at 8:17 pm

            Nah it’s the National Party who’s strategy most fits the Underpants model:

            1. Sell our energy assets, at a loss, at the end of the cheap energy age
            2. ???
            3. Profit!

            If Labour could get as far as deciding to steal underpants they’d quickly become indefinitely tied up arguing about whether Waitakere Man prefers boxers or briefs, whether brassieres should also be targeted, what constitutes togs, what about fetish gear etc etc etc

            • QoT 9.3.3.1.1.1
              7 August 2012 at 8:19 pm

              Underpants are clearly identity politics, felix. Waitakere Myth goes commando.

              • felix …
                7 August 2012 at 8:31 pm

                Perhaps Labour would be better of stealing some thick woolen socks. For their cold feet. *ba dum tshh*

  10. Anne 10
    7 August 2012 at 2:26 pm

    But David Shearer comes across a hell of lot better in smallish groups than he does on the media.

    Oh yes, I can vouch for that. Indeed he comes across as an highly intelligent, thoughtful person who has a good vision for this country and knows how he wants to implement it. He does well face to face in large halls too. A few months ago I saw an initially luke-warm audience of some 200 practically eating out of his hand by the time he had finished.

    He has yet to learn the art of projecting a good image of himself on TV which requires a different set of skills. Here’s hoping his media training will help him to overcome this problem. Let’s not forget Russell Norman came across poorly when he first became the Greens co-leader, and look at him now – confident, assured and impressively articulate.

    • Pete George 10.1
      7 August 2012 at 2:48 pm

      Helen Clark also took a long time to master TV interviews. And I heard she was better in person too, like most people are. You get to judge them as they present themselves, not as someone else edits.

      But a problem with TV interviews is that you can’t control the subject, and Shearer is very unconvincing on some things. It’s a matter of whether he can keep his leadership long enough to become media credible.

      And according to Duncan Garner there is one thing on his side (or not likely to succeed on the other side):
      <a href="
      http://www.3news.co.nz/Opinion-Why-does-Labour-hate-David-Cunliffe-so-much/tabid/1135/articleID/264472/Default.aspx

      Why does Labour hate David Cunliffe so much?
      The majority of Labour politicians clearly dislike David Cunliffe. With a passion. And with a serious degree of what now looks like hatred and mistrust.

      That’s become so very clear to me this year – but even clearer since I released our 3 News poll on Sunday night.

      I suggested David Shearer might be rolled before the next election if he couldn’t get his numbers up. And while not many in Labour denied that – they all said Cunliffe won’t replace him. Over their dead bodies.

      [lprent: Abbreviated the quoted material.

      a. linked so people can go to the source.
      b. copyrighted.
      c. we aren’t here to cut’n’paste linked material into.

      Quote a relevant section if you want to get people to jump to the link. Don’t waste my time cleaning up our site. ]

      • KJT 10.1.1
        7 August 2012 at 3:38 pm

        Not being liked by the present Labour caucus is probably the best recommendation David Cunliffe could have.

        He is the only leader they have. Maybe that’s why the other wannabees don’t like him.

        He is not happy just to drift along until National lose an election.

        Their is no point in Labour winning an election to continue as NACT lite. That would be as much of a failure as losing. And an equal disaster for NZ.

        Personally I hope that Labour both grows a spine and repudiates following RWNJ memes, and wins in 2014, with the Greens to keep them honest.

        BTW. Helen Clark is great in person. Warm, humorous and intelligent.

        • AnnaLiviaPlurabella 10.1.1.1
          7 August 2012 at 4:28 pm

          This briefing of the press is no different from what the right wing did during the leadership battle. Same crap from the same mouths.

        • Blue 10.1.1.2
          7 August 2012 at 5:01 pm

          +1

          If I had my way, Trevor “ABC” Mallard would be out the door along with the rest of the dimwits who bag David Cunliffe to any journalist who’ll listen.

          Memo to the caucus fuckwits: Don’t bag your own colleagues out to the media.

          Then again, expecting the same losers who elected Shearer to have any political nous is asking too much, I suppose.

          I am so thoroughly disgusted with the Labour caucus right now. Pathetic, cowardly little guttersnipes. If you want DC out, fucking tell him. Don’t ring up Duncan Garner and have a giggle about how you’d like him to stay on vacation permanently.

          Passive-aggressive little wankers.

      • Socialist Paddy 10.1.2
        7 August 2012 at 3:42 pm

        Presuming that this is true and Garner is not interviewing his typewriter whoever leaked to him should be drummed out of the party. This sort of shyte is destabilizing and damaging to the party.

        • Pete George 10.1.2.1
          7 August 2012 at 4:04 pm

          Seems to be an attempt at exorcism.

          The rumour is that Cunliffe’s ‘assisted’ exit leaves Shearer in place, until the unions get their Little leadership with the help of a few % of the vote thanks to the review.

          • Socialist Paddy 10.1.2.1.1
            7 August 2012 at 4:21 pm

            What Rumour man?

            You are talking through your arse.

            How many times do you have to be told that you should not believe everything that you read about the Labour Party in Kiwibog. 

            • OneTrack 10.1.2.1.1.1
              7 August 2012 at 8:04 pm

              The source is 3news. Not that they are anywhere near reliable.

              • Colonial Viper …
                7 August 2012 at 8:13 pm

                3News is not a “source”. They simply reported a second hand opinion.

                In journalism a “source” is, for instance, ther PM’s press secretary. Or the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party. Or maybe the chair of Cunliffe’s LEC.

                3News is simply reporting on the opinion of one of their staff, a staff member who has not given any specifics on their source(s), who has not described any steps he took to double check those sources, etc.

                Basically its fuckall.

        • Anne 10.1.2.2
          7 August 2012 at 4:58 pm

          Actually Socialist Paddy, as far as I can tell the actual size of the ABC club in the Labour Caucus is nothing like as extensive as suggested. But there still appears to be a handful of stupid, vindictive members of caucus who continue to misrepresent the truth. I suspect in part it’s the tall poppy syndrome, and the rest is probably related to certain personal, political ambitions which would be unlikely to be met under a Cunliffe leadership.

          A very good example I was told about concerned a scumbag Labour politician (no, don’t know which one) who passed on to some sections of the media false voting figures after the caucus leadership vote late last year. He/she claimed Shearer received a higher vote than he actually did receive. In other words, the difference between the two contenders was much narrower than reported.I say this with no disrespect towards Shearer, because I’m sure he would have had no knowledge of it at the time.

          What it does tell me though is: there are a few Labour parliamentarians who are prepared to undermine their own Party for petty, spiteful gain. They should be weeded out and sent packing!

          • Colonial Viper 10.1.2.2.1
            7 August 2012 at 6:19 pm

            a scumbag Labour politician (no, don’t know which one) who passed on to some sections of the media false voting figures after the caucus leadership vote late last year. He/she claimed Shearer received a higher vote than he actually did receive. In other words, the difference between the two contenders was much narrower than reported.

            And I heard exactly the same, Anne, from a reasonably decent source. And yes we are talking a difference of just a very few votes.

            • Anne 10.1.2.2.1.1
              7 August 2012 at 7:31 pm

              What I find so appalling CV is: a Shearer/Cunliffe team would be about as brilliant as you could get. But there are a few selfish, self-centred Labour MPs determined to upset the apple cart.

              About 3 months ago, my Labour Electorate Committee resolved to send an email to Moira Coatesworth expressing our concern over this very matter. I might add, we were about 50/50 in out support for the two leadership contenders, so there’s no way our concern could be described as sour grapes. I understand Moira replied expressing her own dis-satisfaction… and I gather she passed our concerns on to the caucus.

              I’m sure we spoke for many electorates at that time, and we may not have been the only one to formally express it. Therefore I find it insulting and annoying that there are still a few MPs who haven’t got the message!

              Maybe they will get it now.

              • felix …
                7 August 2012 at 7:49 pm

                “a Shearer/Cunliffe team would be about as brilliant as you could get.”

                ‘kin A.

              • Colonial Viper …
                7 August 2012 at 8:30 pm

                Anne, great that your LEC took that action and emailed Moira.

                Even more emphatic and more direct action by party members will be required to communicate messages to the hierarchy in the future, IMO.

          • QoT 10.1.2.2.2
            7 August 2012 at 8:05 pm

            the actual size of the ABC club in the Labour Caucus is nothing like as extensive as suggested

            And the names most often associated with it (i.e. … Mallard, pretty much) are cosy little electorate MPs who’d be voted in if they were dead as long as they had a Labour rosette on them. So, really, why the fuck should they care if their petty bullshit sinks the party? They’re still going to get paid.

      • bad12 10.1.3
        7 August 2012 at 4:01 pm

        According to Duncan Garner’s paymasters who have everything to lose in a Cunliffe lead Labour at least making the attempt to take Labour back to it’s 1930’s roots and values is the exact sum total of what is contained in the article,

        A TV3 attempt at divide and rule simply on behalf of the status quo Garner’s paymasters see as a Shearer administration,

        What i do believe Labour as a Party has wasted is the telegenic nature of both Roberston and Cunliffe, both come across on a TV screen very well and both are more capable, (at the present time), of engaging in the politics of the 5 second sound bite which unfortunately is a needed skill in today’s political discourse, than what David Shearer is,

        It is pretty much a given that Labour if at all socialist,is the socialism of, for, and, by the middle class and thus cannot, (based upon current known policy), really be seen as much of an electoral option for those in the Have Not class of society,

        Those of us way to the left of Parliamentary Labour can console ourselves that there is now a strong Green Party who we would expect will in any future Government have the numbers and the will to impose on our behalf a modicum of social justice…

        • KJT 10.1.3.1
          7 August 2012 at 4:07 pm

          Socialism, for the middle class, would be fine if the overwhelming majority of New Zealanders were middle class, as they were in the 50’s.

          Instead we have socialism for corporates

    • Vicky32 10.2
      7 August 2012 at 6:43 pm

      Oh yes, I can vouch for that. Indeed he comes across as an highly intelligent, thoughtful person who has a good vision for this country and knows how he wants to implement it.

      Seconded! He’s brilliant… (he’s my local)

  11. BillODrees 11
    7 August 2012 at 3:53 pm

    Duncan Garner has succumbed to the charms of the ABC rump in the Caucus.  Maybe they don’t think the 67% rule will get through Confetence. So they have taken to white-anting Cunliffe through Garner. 

    This is timely.  Members can now see the real agenda of Labour’s right wing “organisational review”.  All members MUST actively reject the dilution of their power and the centralisatioin of  power into a management committee”. 

    The current leadership is at war with the membership.  

    • AnnaLiviaPlurabella 11.1
      7 August 2012 at 4:13 pm

      Duncan is inclined to have big emotional farts from time to time. He has had a couple of rough years and we should remember him in our prayers. Note to Duncan: twice a day the doctor said. Not twice a week.

  12. joe90 12
    7 August 2012 at 3:56 pm

    An interesting piece on the reliability of the coverage of the Syrian conflict.

    http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2012/08/02/breaking_the_arab_news?page=full

    edit: and a view from Jerusalem.

    http://jcpa.org/article/the-role-iranian-security-forces-syrian-bloodshed-2/

  13. captain hook 13
    7 August 2012 at 3:59 pm

    pete geroge took no time at all to master the inane, waffling, ruminating, misdirecting and link whoring of a psychophantic crawler.
    and more to the point he has never stood for office.
    if he pals up with dunnycan then he has really slipped back down the path of human evolution.

    • Draco T Bastard 13.1
      7 August 2012 at 5:03 pm

      and more to the point he has never stood for office.

      Actually, he has. He got a ~160 votes last election.

  14. William Joyce 14
    7 August 2012 at 4:29 pm

    Should we now consider the UK as a “Rogue State”?
    Barclays manipulating  the LIBOR
    HSBS laundering money for terrorists, Mexican drug cartels, and rogue states
    Standard Chartered colluding with Iran to break sanctions to the tune of $250bn
     
    And Blair saying that nothing would be solved by hanging bankers.
    He may be right but it’s a damn good start!
    “How can one make a revolution without firing squads?”
     
    He doesn’t want them hanged because we may come after him…
    – his government bent over backwards for “The City”
    – so much of the shit was traded on his watch
    – he’s an advisor (on the board?) of JP Morgan
    – he’s on the board/advisor to a Swiss bank
    – he’s involved in setting up a bank for the super rich
     
    Here’s a good list of people who should be first against the wall when the revolution comes.

    • Colonial Viper 14.1
      7 August 2012 at 6:32 pm

      You do know that its not an accident that the City of London has been the epicentre of all these financial scandals? The rules in the City are looser than just about everywhere else in the world. AIG, Lehman Bros, MF Global, Bernie Madoff – it was their UK operations out of London which caused the meltdown in each and every case.

      Max Keiser agrees with Blair that hanging 20 bankers is not the solution, Max reckons that 200 bankers would be a more reasonable number.

      Max Keiser: Hang’m high

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jd7oDRzPyMk

      Max Keiser: City of London centre of financial terrorism

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ll75f8oCw2c

      • Draco T Bastard 14.1.1
        7 August 2012 at 6:43 pm

        I don’t think 200 would be enough.

      • William Joyce 14.1.2
        7 August 2012 at 8:59 pm

        What a message that would send.
        They could not go in or out of their buildings without disturbing swarms of crows & flies feeding on the putrefying, foul smelling corpses of people they were working with only days before, and who are now twisting in the wind from the “The People’s Gibbet” in the street.
        Utopia………*sigh*

  15. Pete George 15
    7 August 2012 at 7:06 pm

    The social contract:

    We have a social contract in New Zealand. It works like this: if you need help because of something unexpected: an accident, a loss, or if misfortune befalls you, you will be supported.

    But once you’re back on your own feet, we expect you to pull your weight once again and contribute back to society.

    The Government’s role is to ensure that this transition happens – through up-skilling, education and a nudge behind those not meeting their side of the contract.

    That people could end up in hardship through no fault of their own, and in those cases we have a responsibility to provide a decent standard of living.

    But it’s never been about all take and no give.

    The other side of the contract is that everyone has a responsibility to contribute to their community. You didn’t get social security if you could work. If you couldn’t work, your community looked after you.

    I think these principles are accepted by most political parties. It’s a matter of tweaking the balance.

    • McFlock 15.1
      7 August 2012 at 7:35 pm

      🙄 at editing out anything resembling policy and then talking about the mom&apple pie filler like it’s a profound thought.   
           
      I do recommend people read the speech though – some of it pissed me off, some of it I agreed with, some of it was a sop to the audience demographic, so it had a little bit of something for everyone. 

      • Draco T Bastard 15.1.1
        7 August 2012 at 8:20 pm

        Some of it was good but most of it was the typical capitalist whine we can’t afford it WAAAAH.

        We propose giving the dole money to an employer to take on an apprentice.

        I got a better idea – why doesn’t the government just take them on as an apprentice themselves? You know, like we used to do when we had full employment.

    • OneTrack 15.2
      7 August 2012 at 8:14 pm

      Didn’t sound too bad BUT somebody else still whining about how it’s all Muldoon’s fault that we don’t have a super scheme like the Aussie’s. FFS it was 1975, 37 years ago. Muldoon didn’t put some secret law in place stopping any government since (2001-2008 maybe) putting something in place. Oh no, it’s Muldoon’s fault. And nothing happens……

      • Draco T Bastard 15.2.1
        7 August 2012 at 8:23 pm

        Well, the 4th Labour government should have but they got the neo-liberal bug that’s screwed up the economy ever since.

      • Colonial Viper 15.2.2
        7 August 2012 at 8:49 pm

        Hey OneTracktoNowhere

        Didn’t you learn in high school about the power of compounding interest? And not only were years of compounding growth (lol) lost by Muldoon’s actions, he took the easy action – disbanding something, which is always far easier than creating something from scratch.

        So the damage Muldoon did was very significant.

  16. Draco T Bastard 16
    7 August 2012 at 11:39 pm

    A good read:

    …there is a third myth – that there was not much wrong with the global economy in 2007. But the old model was financially flawed as it operated with high levels of debt, socially flawed in that the spoils of growth were captured by a small elite, and environmentally flawed in that all that mattered was ever-higher levels of growth. It is possible to move on, but only when it is recognised that the genie will not go back into the bottle.

    Which seems to be fairly accurate. The neo-liberal system of little regulation and lots of bank debt is the problem and until we accept that then there is little to nothing that can be done to eliminate the problem.

    • bad12 16.1
      8 August 2012 at 12:54 am

      From the same article, ”The German myth is that you can solve a problem of growth deficiency with belt tightening and export growth” unquote,

      Never a truer word spoken, to a certain extent we will have ‘internal stimulus’ that will go some way to absorb the problem of having imported a 15% drop in economic activity from having been too well plugged into the global economy, (ie: far to reliant upon exports of raw product from farm production), via the Christchurch re-build,

      My view tho is that more is needed and the best means of provision of this more is to use ‘printed monies’ to radically increase the number of actual households in this country by providing State Housing at the fixed 25% of income to a far greater number of families, (my rough guess at the need of the expansion, (from 69,000 to 100,000 over a four year period and from 100,000 to 120,000 over the following 5 years),

      Even the likes of Bill English is now openly saying that any ‘growth recovery’, ie: getting New Zealand back to the same amount of economic activity we had prior to the current stage of capitalism’s ultimate collapse will be at least ten years away, not only exposing the National Party lie of surplus by 2015 but also failing to provide any path forward other than the borrowing of 300 million dollars a week until god knows when???,

      I view this as does the article you linked to, if any stability or platform for economic activity to increase is to be found it will take multi-decades for any ‘catch-up to occur,

      Thus export receipts will continue to be weak as prices continue the downward trend and the only logical expansion in activity must come from increasing the actual number of functioning households in New Zealand where low cost rental equates to lower wage demand and increased local economic activity from monies paid as rent not being a transfer of wealth from one class to another in society…

      • Colonial Viper 16.1.1
        8 August 2012 at 1:22 am

        but these functioning households cannot be allowed to start buying shitloads of foreign goods, particularly via foreign sourced debt.

        We need to be more self sufficient in value added products (which initself will create more jobs).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #15
    A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 7, 2024 thru Sat, April 13, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week is about adults in the room setting terms and conditions of ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • Feline Friends and Fragile Fauna The Complexities of Cats in New Zealand’s Conservation Efforts

    Cats, with their independent spirit and beguiling purrs, have captured the hearts of humans for millennia. In New Zealand, felines are no exception, boasting the highest national cat ownership rate globally [definition cat nz cat foundation]. An estimated 1.134 million pet cats grace Kiwi households, compared to 683,000 dogs ...

    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    5 days ago

  • Or is that just they want us to think?
    Nice guy, that Peter Williams. Amiable, a calm air of no-nonsense capability, a winning smile. Everything you look for in a TV presenter and newsreader.I used to see him sometimes when I went to TVNZ to be a talking head or a panellist and we would yarn. Nice guy, that ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • Fact Brief – Did global warming stop in 1998?
    Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park in collaboration with members from our Skeptical Science team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Did global warming stop in ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago

  • Arguing over a moot point.
    I have been following recent debates in the corporate and social media about whether it is a good idea for NZ to join what is known as “AUKUS Pillar Two.” AUKUS is the Australian-UK-US nuclear submarine building agreement in which … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    6 days ago

  • No Longer Trusted: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.
    Turning Point: “What has turned me away from the mainstream news media is the very strong message that its been sending out for the last few years.” “And what message might that be?” “That the people who own it, the people who run it, and the people who provide its content, really don’t ...
    Bowalley Road
    6 days ago

  • Mortgage rates at 10% anyone?
    No – nothing about that in PM Luxon’s nine-point plan to improve the lives of New Zealanders. But beyond our shores Jamie Dimon, the long-serving head of global bank J.P. Morgan Chase, reckons that the chances of a goldilocks soft landing for the economy are “a lot lower” than the ...
    Point of OrderBy xtrdnry
    6 days ago

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

  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
    A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 hour ago

  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.    “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 hour ago

  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
    Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 hours ago

  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago

  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago

  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    22 hours ago

  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners.  “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    24 hours ago

  • Government backing mussel spat project
    The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Government focused on getting people into work
    Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
    Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
    Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
    Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector.    "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
    The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
    Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
    Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.   Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ ties
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.  During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Antarctica New Zealand Board appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has made further appointments to the Board of Antarctica New Zealand as part of a continued effort to ensure the Scott Base Redevelopment project is delivered in a cost-effective and efficient manner.  The Minister has appointed Neville Harris as a new member of the Board. Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Finance Minister travels to Washington DC
    Finance Minister Nicola Willis will travel to the United States on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Five Finance Ministers group, with counterparts from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.  “I am looking forward to meeting with our Five Finance partners on how we can work ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Pet bonds a win/win for renters and landlords
    The coalition Government has today announced purrfect and pawsitive changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to give tenants with pets greater choice when looking for a rental property, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Pets are important members of many Kiwi families. It’s estimated that around 64 per cent of New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being considered
    State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the Government has also asked NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to consider and provide advice on a Long Tunnel option, Transport Minister Simeon Brown ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

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

  • Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plans
    Hundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand Chair
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board.   “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti.  “I have asked her to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Roads of National Significance planning underway
    The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Navigating an unstable global environment
    New Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States.    “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • NZ welcomes Australian Governor-General
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Pseudoephedrine back on shelves for Winter
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced that Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Pharmaceutical suppliers have indicated they may be able to supply the first products in June. “This is much earlier than the original expectation of medicines being available by 2025. The Government recognised ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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

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

  • NZ and US to undertake further practical Pacific cooperation
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced further New Zealand cooperation with the United States in the Pacific Islands region through $16.4 million in funding for initiatives in digital connectivity and oceans and fisheries research.   “New Zealand can achieve more in the Pacific if we work together more urgently and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government redress for Te Korowai o Wainuiārua
    The Government is continuing the bipartisan effort to restore its relationship with iwi as the Te Korowai o Wainuiārua Claims Settlement Bill passed its first reading in Parliament today, says Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith. “Historical grievances of Te Korowai o Wainuiārua relate to 19th century warfare, land purchased or taken ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Focus on outstanding minerals permit applications
    New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals is working to resolve almost 150 outstanding minerals permit applications by the end of the financial year, enabling valuable mining activity and signalling to the sector that New Zealand is open for business, Resources Minister Shane Jones says.  “While there are no set timeframes for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Applications open for NZ-Ireland Research Call
    The New Zealand and Irish governments have today announced that applications for the 2024 New Zealand-Ireland Joint Research Call on Agriculture and Climate Change are now open. This is the third research call in the three-year Joint Research Initiative pilot launched in 2022 by the Ministry for Primary Industries and Ireland’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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