Open mike 10/02/2016

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, February 10th, 2016 - 154 comments
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openmikeOpen mike is your post.

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Step up to the mike …

154 comments on “Open mike 10/02/2016 ”

  1. Paul 1

    I wrote this post 2 weeks ago. ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’
    http://thestandard.org.nz/keep-calm-and-carry-on/

    Seems as if we are on the brink of a global recession.
    Market turmoil: Wall Street down after FTSE 100 hits three-year low – business live
    http://www.theguardian.com/business/live/2016/feb/09/market-turmoil-nikkei-plunges-european-stocks-germany-ftse-live

    ‘Panic situation’: Asian stocks tumble amid fears of new global recession
    http://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/feb/09/panic-situation-as-asian-stocks-tumble-amid-fears-of-new-global-recession
    http://www.theguardian.com/business/live/2016/feb/09/market-turmoil-nikkei-plunges-european-stocks-germany-ftse-live

    Deutsche Bank is shaking to its foundations – is a new banking crisis around the corner?
    http://secularinvestor.com/deutsche-bank-shaking-foundations-new-banking-crisis-around-corner/13242/

    Lending to emerging markets comes to a halt
    http://www.cnbc.com/2016/02/07/lending-to-emerging-markets-comes-to-a-halt.html

    What the Heck is Going On in the Stock Market?
    http://wolfstreet.com/2016/02/07/what-the-heck-is-going-on-with-stocks/

    RNZ lead with the story at 6 a.m.
    ‘Panic hits world stock markets’
    http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/201788626/panic-hits-world-stock-markets

    Even the Herald noticed….
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11586938

    Buckle up, people, it’s going to be a rough landing.

    • Chooky 1.1

      +100 …thanks for those links Paul…and here is another from ‘Boom Bust’

      https://www.rt.com/shows/boom-bust/331812-greek-markets-low-index/

      “Global markets took a tumble on Monday, with Greece’s main index hitting a shocking 25-year low. Ameera David has the details. Edward Harrison then joins the program from Berlin to offer more insight on the state of the European economy and the troubles it’s facing as the union of nations faces a multitude of challenges. Then Steve Keen, professor of history, economics, and politics at Kingston University, gives his thoughts on the damage he believes Brussels is inflicting on Europe.

      After the break, RT’s Anya Parampil sits down to discuss Wall Street’s growing worry over the possibility of a Sanders presidency. And finally, in The Big Deal, Manuel Rapalo discusses Washington DC’s proposed experiment to pay trouble makers thousands of dollars in an effort to keep them out of jail.

  2. One Anonymous Bloke 2

    Slavery. Coming to your house right now.

    Probably time to defund Baptist World Aid.

  3. Tautoko Mangō Mata 3

    In the High Court in Whangarei, the national farming lobby, Federated Farmers, is challenging an Environment Court ruling from May 2015 that regional councils do have such a right to have a say as to whether their region is GE free or not under the Resource Management Act (RMA) .The use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) – especially crops is a particular threat to organic crop growers.
    http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/296131/high-court-challenge-to-ge-ruling

    Meanwhile in India
    “Monsanto ‘faked’ data for approvals claims its ex-chief
    Tiruvadi Jagadisan says the company ‘used to fake scientific data’.”

    http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/Monsanto+'faked'+data+for+approvals+claims+its+ex-chief/1/83093.html
    Organic Agriculture, Capitalism And The Parallel Reality Of The Pro-GM Evangelist
    http://www.countercurrents.org/todhunter080216.htm

  4. AmaKiwi 4

    I am a Labour member looking for a more relevant party to support.

    I listened to the debate on the PM’s statement. The Green’s James Shaw talked about National’s destruction of the Cullen superannuation fund. It’s not a vital environmental issue, but it is important.

    Metiria Turei’s seven minute speech was entirely in Maori so 95% of us could not understand it.

    I just crossed The Greens off my list. They ain’t goin’ nowhere.

    IMO, NZ First’s Winston Peters and Ron Marks were the best speakers.

    Listen for yourself: http://www.inthehouse.co.nz/video/41352

    • Chooky 4.1

      +100 AmaKiwi

      • Cowboy 4.1.1

        I have recently become a NZ First member after having become disillusioned with National. My main reasons were around their championing of rural NZ which I have long felt was being taken for granted by the Nats and needed to flex its electoral muscle. The Northland by election has proved the value of that, do you think Joyce and Guy would be up there with a regional development strategy if it wasn’t for the bloody nose in the by election. I also think a term away from Parliament has done Winston some good. He seems to have mellowed and be more focused on pushing issues rather than fighting the media which used to infuriate me. He has also been the only leader to consistently take Key/Nats on with any effect. For those on this site looking for a sign of a possible coalition with Lab/green/NZ1 I thought that James Shaw referencing immigration in his address was significant as was Winstons acknowledgement. Coincidence…?

        • Chooky 4.1.1.1

          +100 about rural NZ…farm sale off to foreigners is a BIG worry…and it would be good if the Greens and NZF could patch up their differences and work cooperatively together for a Left coalition with Labour

        • AmaKiwi 4.1.1.2

          In the 1990’s, NZ First’s platform included binding citizen initiated referendums.

          (Sorry, I haven’t located a reference but I remember it well.)

        • Rosie 4.1.1.3

          Cowboy, it’s always interesting to hear from former National supporters about their changing allegiances and the reason for that change. I agree with you too about Winston’s time away and how this may have been beneficial – he really is buckling down at the same time as mellowing.

          I was previously uncomfortable with NZ First, mainly because of their social conservatism, and there was that appalling anti Muslim nut out by MP Richard Prosser awhile ago,

          http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10864924

          however, I am warming to the Party because of their intolerance for the status quo, their stance against the TPPA and their willingness to protect NZer’s from losing it’s sovereignty.

          I’m a Labour member and would be really happy to see a coalition between Labour Greens and NZ First, genuinely happy, not just because it’s the only option we have to change the government.

          • Molly 4.1.1.3.1

            Speaking to someone who works in Wellington for a government department, who ran across an old acquaintance last week – now working in a research unit for the PM.

            According to the researcher, the Nats are not worried about the next election because there is no cohesive opposition at present.

            In line with CV, I think Labour needs to wake up to the power of MMP instead of trying to coerce it into a pseudo, first past the post.

            There are policies across the left that align.

            All opposition parties need to start talking to other opposition parties now to form a stable opposition coalition platform. And use the next year or so to challenge the government with one coherent voice on these issues.

            Use media training to handle issues where they disagree to put the focus back on government ie: “We don’t currently have an agreed position on this with the …. party, BUT the issue is one that needs to be addressed because of the failure of this current government… etc”.

            To see how effective this is – look how the dismal party votes for United and ACT have allowed this government to leverage votes.

            (Labour also needs to clarify it’s messages, and deal more effectively with discipline within its caucus and MP’s before getting my vote – but that is another issue.

            I would much prefer a Labour led coalition than another three years of National and lackeys.)

            • Expat 4.1.1.3.1.1

              Hi Molly

              We need more people to reiterate the very good points you make, a united and disciplined presentation is a minimum requirement, having said that, the looming global financial crisis may just be the catalyst for change anyway and we then will need “smart” policies to meet the challenge, across the spectrum of parties you mention, their is a wealth of experience with the potential to deal with these problems, they just need the opportunity.

              • savenz

                @Expat – I think it is complacent for the opposition to think ‘eventually x will happen and they will vote for us”. Is not happening!!!

                Look at ChCh – should have vote for someone else but also when chips were down they wanted the perception of stability not a rabble who fought amongst themselves.

                In a crisis people want leadership and clarity and stability.

                Infighting, odd policy and confusion lost the election for the opposition.

                They need to unite, have clear policy that is consistent not punishing, and clarity for voters.

                It could be as simple as putting clear messages (in English not Natz speak) on their websites.

                • Expat

                  savenz

                  Absolutely agree with you, the infighting, general lack of professionalism as an organisation, different members providing contrasting view points, discipline is required, as is consistency of the message from all members.
                  All the potential coalition partners need to form a consensus on all the policies they agree on so they can start spreading the same message, there should be no public attacks on policies they disagree with, rather, they need to negotiate their way through these disagreements successfully and amicably, in the public “eye”, then the public perception of a disorganized bunch will fade, they need to demonstrate to the public they can work “together” as a cohesive group.

                  • Colonial Viper

                    well I agree with all this analysis, Labour need to do this, they need to do that, they need to look at things this way not that way, etc.

                    Thing is, they won’t, and even if they wanted to, they do not have the resources, power or ability to change.

            • Magisterium 4.1.1.3.1.2

              All opposition parties need to start talking to other opposition parties now to form a stable opposition coalition platform. And use the next year or so to challenge the government with one coherent voice on these issues.

              Translation: Greens need to do what Labour tells them, and nod obediently when Labour speaks on issues.

              • Molly

                “Translation: Greens need to do what Labour tells them, and nod obediently when Labour speaks on issues.”No. Emphatically No.

                As mentioned above:
                “Use media training to handle issues where they disagree to put the focus back on government ie: “We don’t currently have an agreed position on this with the …. party, BUT the issue is one that needs to be addressed because of the failure of this current government… etc”.”

                Only form a coherent voice on issues where they agree, and put the blame for other unresolved issues where it belongs with the current government.

                Like many others, I don’t appreciate the changing policies of parties in an effort to get into power.

                It makes me despairing of making a vote in line with my values if that is the overriding intention of policy makers.

                However, I also think a cooperative and inclusive approach which explores and works on contentious issues is a long-term better solution than the current bully and bluster government we have in place.

                The collective left have nothing to lose and everything to gain by changing the current approach to elections.

                • Expat

                  Hi Molly

                  You can always trust the RWNJ’s to misinterpret your point, they call it translation, but of course it’s just their limited intelligence and understanding of reality at work again, typical disruptive Keyism.

                  • greywarshark

                    Molly +1

                    Expat
                    The term ‘Lost in Translation’ comes to mind. The government needs to learn other languages. Their frequent use of hand signals, one finger pointing upwards, is not a satisfactory substitute.

            • Rosie 4.1.1.3.1.3

              +1 to that Molly. Collaboration is the only way to win in an MMP environment. I hope those less forthcoming about working with other parties maybe swallow a bit of pride and come to this conclusion, the sooner the better.

              Also, interesting about the comment from the staff member at the PM’s research unit but sadly not surprising.

            • savenz 4.1.1.3.1.4

              @Molly – it is obvious Labour/Greens/NZ First need to collaborate and get together in private and work out all the things they agree on, and I also think Mana should not be forgotten. Last election, the opposition wasted more time on bagging InternetMana than the Natz. Just did not make sense.

              Just concentrate on Knocking the Natz out!!

          • Cowboy 4.1.1.3.2

            Hi Rosie, I have had similar concerns to yourself in the past that has seen me not consider NZ1. I also have come to the realisation that unfetted globalisation is extremely damaging at a number of levels and there is room for some economic nationalism and centralised NZ inc strategy to guide the ship without going all Muldoon. We have many collective advantages that we are not exploiting particularly around creating more value for our primary products, which also links nicely with the environmental sustainability issue.
            As an aside I thought James Shaw was excellent yesterday. Hit National hard at their perceived strength, the economy, took labours back re govt attacks that everything’s ‘Labours fault’, threw an immigration bone to Winston via Auckland housing demand and gave the base plenty of references to environmental issue. I see him as the key figure in portraying the centre left as a credible govt in waiting.

            • Rosie 4.1.1.3.2.1

              I’ve been away from politics for 8 weeks and am just back today so missed James Shaw in the house yesterday. Will check out the links further below in the thread if I get time later. James Shaw has done well to get confidently into his stride as a new leader from outside the parliamentary world.

              PS: Was very impressed with Fletcher Tabuteau last year. He’s a brilliant speaker and has energy and intellect. Would like to see him replace Winston as leader when the day comes for him to step down – but thats in the future, in the meantime they need to keep up the pace and work with the other opposition parties so we can end these years of National misery in 2017.

    • framu 4.2

      “Metiria Turei’s seven minute speech was entirely in Maori so 95% of us could not understand it.

      I just crossed The Greens off my list. They ain’t goin’ nowhere.”

      because of the speech? – or other reasons?

      • AmaKiwi 4.2.1

        @ framu

        If you call yourself The Greens, you focus on environmental issues. It’s not as if there aren’t enough of them.

        If you want votes from the general population, you don’t deliver an important speech in a language 95% of the general population don’t understand.

        I’ve wasted a lot of my time and money on a Labour party whose caucus was the party’s worst enemy. Been there. Done that. Don’t want to do it anymore.

        • Draco T Bastard 4.2.1.1

          If you call yourself The Greens, you focus on environmental issues.

          Why just focus on one aspect of social policy when you can more effectively work on all of them?

          If you want votes from the general population, you don’t deliver an important speech in a language 95% of the general population don’t understand.

          Learn Māori. The best way to do that is to listen to it.

        • framu 4.2.1.2

          “If you call yourself The Greens, you focus on environmental issues.”

          maybe for you – but i see that as foolishly narrow in scope and limiting your longevity – one trick parties dont last

          “you don’t deliver an important speech in a language 95% of the general population don’t understand”

          well – never mind most NZers wont hear it anyway – so what if its in maori? – its an official language and turei was likely making a point by doing that

          also – the labour caucus and the greens caucus operate very differently

          your free to your choice of course and i wont criticise you for it – despite my disagreement with the why

          • weka 4.2.1.2.1

            Yep, and back in the day people criticised the GP for only focussing on environmental issues (which was a false criticism because they’ve never done that).

            Saying that green politics are only about the environment misrepresents what green politics are. They are instrinsically entwined with both the environment and social justice movements. This is apparent in both the deeper philososphy (you can’t have social justice without a good environment and vice versa), and also in the pragmatics (if you want high calibre people like Turei and Davidson you need a kaupapa where the environment and the people are part of the same understanding).

          • AmaKiwi 4.2.1.2.2

            NZ sign language is our third official language so why not sign a speech and skip having any simultaneous translation?

            It would be helpful to deaf people if everyone learned NZ sign language. Obviously it’s not going to happen.

        • weka 4.2.1.3

          What speech of Turei’s are you referring to? Please link.

          • AmaKiwi 4.2.1.3.1

            Turei’s speech in the house yesterday:

            http://www.inthehouse.co.nz/video/41352

            • weka 4.2.1.3.1.1

              Ok, thanks. I wanted to see the context before I commented.

              Turei was interviewed by Campbell this evening. She recently took a month off work to learn te reo, and this speech in parliament was her first in the reo. She’s a child of the 70s and talked about how that meant she is of the generation that fell between the earlier Māori who learned more easily from within their whānau and culture and the later ones who are learning as part of the renaissance. She talked about how she wants to be able to meet the expectations of her as a Māori leader and as one of the senior Māori in parliament, to be able to respond to Māori in te reo. Getting up today and speaking was very brave. It’s also an important political act.

              Te reo is still an endangered language. As others have mentioned, it’s one of NZ’s official languages. If non-reo speakers can’t understand Turei today that is the fault of parlimentary services (who should be able to subtitle the video), not Turei. Māori have a legal right to speak their own language in this country.

              I think your criticism of her, and using that to distance yourself from the Greens or make out that they’re not worthy of political support is superficial and, to be honest, bogus. By all means choose the party you want to support, but at least have some good reasons for dissing the others.

        • Molly 4.2.1.4

          If you call yourself The Greens, you focus on environmental issues.

          And nothing to say about???
          – The National Party,
          ACT – a misnomer if every there was one, perhaps PROP, DOORMAT or FREERIDE would be more appropriate,
          – The Māori Party – Leader currently championing a bill to ease access to Māori land, using faux hui as consultation (So much for “Not one more acre”)
          – Let’s not forget United Future – whose definition of “united” means sitting on the fence and jumping from one side to the other when it suits,
          – And though it pains me to say so (even though I’m not a party member) The Labour Party, because the working class cannot rely on their support as a matter of course. (Unless of it refers to labour pains, which may mean we are on the threshold of the birth of a new left movement. Here’s hoping.)

          In this respect Greens, NZFirst and Mana come out looking fairly good.

    • pete 4.3

      Agree, both Winston Peters and Ron Mark are fantastic speakers, and extremely capable politicians. But NZ First has never really fired. They just seem to not attract very many good supporting players. Maybe good potential candidates are more attracted to standing for National or Labour?

      Also agree re your comment ‘more relevant party’. I used to support Labour, but it has increasingly lost its way. Just look at its current confused and hypocritical stance on TPPA. In fact, the left as a whole has lost its way. For example, Harre following the money to Dotcoms cause in last election. Increasingly difficult to trust or take many of the current crop of left leaning politicians seriously.

      • Colonial Viper 4.3.1

        But NZ First has never really fired. They just seem to not attract very many good supporting players.

        You’re talking about past performance, and even if your analysis was correct, I suggest that looking at future potential may be more important.

        By the way, John Key and National knifed Winston and NZ First in the back several times, and left their political bodies by the kerbside for dead.

        My analysis is that not only is NZ First back, but they are ‘firing up’ in a big way.

        Both Labour and National is going to lose more support to NZF come 2017.

        • pete 4.3.1.1

          Hi Cv. I hope you are right. Certainly I pay them a lot more attention these days than in the past. And despite how my comment may have sounded, I acknowledge that they have at times punched way above their weight. For example, the Gold Card and so on.

        • Tautoko Mangō Mata 4.3.1.2

          We need a peoples’ progressive movement to draw the left together similar to that being set up by Varoufakis in Europe: Democracy in Europe Movement 2025
          http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/02/09/varoufakis-leads-european-left-reclaim-democracy-authoritarian-technocrats

          An extracts from the manifesto:

          Our overarching aim to democratise the European Union is intertwined with an ambition to promote self-government (economic, political and social) at the local, municipal, regional and national levels; to throw open the corridors of power to the public; to embrace social and civic movements; and to emancipate all levels of government from bureaucratic and corporate power.

          http://diem25.org/

          Let’s start up a movement, state our goals and only endorse the political parties which meet OUR bottom lines.

          We need some sort of alliance and we need it NOW!

        • Skinny 4.3.1.3

          +1 Peters is reading the mood well, I like the guy he is very approachable, never have any mayor issues getting him along to guest speak. Unlike the slow turning wheel of the Labour machine, where your made to jump through hoops to get one of the heavy hitters along.

          Take last Fridays Have A Say On The TPPA rally our group hosted, while the crowd wasn’t large (due to being an outdoors event and it was bucketing down) the media turned up as there was a hunger after the big rally the day before, which we knew would be the case. Anyway Peters got (an opening) it and prepared a speech that touched a cord with discontent National & Labour voters, who watched the speech on a NZH facebook feed and stated they were now in his camp. Last I looked he had 124,000+ views of his speech.

          Got to give it to the guy he is a master at self promotion.

      • Brigid 4.3.2

        No, Laila Harre did not ‘follow the money to Dotcoms cause’. If anyone cares to actually do a little research they’d find The Mana/Internet Party had the best socialist policies of all the parties on the left. That it was supported financially by Dotcom simply shows he supported their policies. Just as the Gnat and Labour financial supporters did their chosen party.
        It would be good to not repeat the MSM lie that Mana/Internet Party was controlled by Dotcom. It wasn’t.

        • weka 4.3.2.1

          +1.

        • The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell 4.3.2.2

          The Mana/Internet Party had the best socialist policies of all the parties on the left.

          That explains their electoral decimation.

        • Skinny 4.3.2.3

          Umm I prefer to take my steer from Sue Bradford who quit Mana sighting it was a mismatch of a hook up, and how correct she was.

          • Chooky 4.3.2.3.1

            Sue Bradford was also a Maoist in her youth…and look how Maoism turned out!….those who are too purist are often too purely wrong

            Kim Dotcom was a victim of Hollywood corporate and jonkey nact ( shades of what will happen to internet entrepreneurs under TPPA)

            imo Dotcom was a sincere supporter of Mana/Int

            ….and Mana/ Int was defeated by a concerted action against Hone Harawira to defeat him his Electorate of TTT …and that includes a shameful collusion of Labour and NZF…as well as jonkey nactional

        • Chooky 4.3.2.4

          +100 Brigid

        • Molly 4.3.2.5

          +100

        • pete 4.3.2.6

          Well she has certainly gone very quiet now for someone who, according to you, was doing the job from personal commitment. Same goes for Mr Dotcom himself.

          Here are their policies:
          https://forum.internet.org.nz/?page_id=30

          A dolphin policy? And you think this is all a msm conspiracy? No. They were a cynical joke and attempt at manipulating the electorate.

          • Colonial Viper 4.3.2.6.1

            Well she has certainly gone very quiet now for someone who, according to you, was doing the job from personal commitment. Same goes for Mr Dotcom himself.

            Hmmm, these people have personal and work lives to attend to, they aren’t on six figure tax payer sourced salaries and expense accounts like our professional Parliamentarians.

        • savenz 4.3.2.7

          +1 Brigid and everyone else.

          I find it hilarious that the the right were so scared of Internet Mana because they actually had a wealthy backer. (Who they illegally tried to steal his wealth).

          • pete 4.3.2.7.1

            I seriously doubt that the right gave them any more than a passing thought. Labour I am sure were very concerned, as Internet party almost certainly took many votes away from them.

            • savenz 4.3.2.7.1.1

              @Pete – Internet Mana 2.5% party votes – yeah right!

              Lost Labour the election….

              …don’t think so

              Labours stupidity and infighting and inconsistent policy lost the election.

              Not standing behind their leader stopped labour winning the election. Why vote for a party when they all seem to disagree with each other? Not being able to get on with opposition lost labour the election.

              Has not changed yet. Yes Little is trying, but the TPPA is a good example showing Labour have not resolved it AND have failed to discipline those out of order.

              TPPA is going to be a defining issue next election. What is Labour going to have to say. Shearer their subcommittee guy supports TPPA too? But they are going to ignore it, will be an enraging position that the Natz are clearly facilitating and hoping for.

        • marty mars 4.3.2.8

          very true Brigid – the bullshit lies they have made up and continue to promulgate to dirty good reputations is disgusting.

    • Colonial Viper 4.4

      I just crossed The Greens off my list. They ain’t goin’ nowhere.

      That’s my assessment as well. They are aiming for mainstream NZ yet are a poor cultural fit for those voters. They are less environmentally radical in their values than they were in the 70’s and 80’s, even though the environmental threat is clearly far greater and far more obvious now. The message that many will still maintain a comfortable middle class standard of living doesn’t jive with the likely reality of the next 20-30 years.

      • AmaKiwi 4.4.1

        Our waterways have become cesspools. A National disgrace.

        • weka 4.4.1.1

          Yes, and the GP have been one of the main drivers of raising awareness and taking action on that. If you care about the waterways, support the GP, because they’re the only party in parliament doing anything serious about them.

          • BM 4.4.1.1.1

            They could form an alliance with National and make that one of the bargaining chips.

            • weka 4.4.1.1.1.1

              Troll comment. You know very well that the GP can’t form a government alliance with National.

              As for working with on policy, my understanding is that if National were willing to do anything half way decent on the environment then National and the GP would have an accord. But National aren’t interested and basically don’t give a shit about shit in the waterways if it makes their mates money. Just so it’s clear what kind of party you are voting for.

      • weka 4.4.2

        Make up your mind CV. Either they should become a better cultural fit, or have radical environmental policies/tell the truth about teotwawki. They can’t do both.

    • The Chairman 4.5

      Shaw highlighted National’s poor economic performance but Peters was on a roll.

      https://youtu.be/DEUzmBfixdE

      https://youtu.be/J9sPsTdf1Y0

      • Rosemary McDonald 4.5.1

        We just watched Shaw’s speech again…and if there were an election today…would vote GP if their policies were closely aligned with the content of his speech. Impressive…and rather witty.

        Little was good…ish. Less ranty, more content…needs more confidence.

        I felt Winston had a deal less fire…and kept looking to Marks as a foil. Maybe its time to hand more of the frontline stuff over to other NZ1 MPs?

        FWIW. Having been forced under threat of legal action to involve myself in the democratic process…I guess I’ll have to vote. But for whom?

        • The Chairman 4.5.1.1

          Little’s speech was disappointing, especially after Key rubbed his nose in his two position party (TPP). For which Little had no comeback for.

          Peters had them all running for cover. With his speech inspiring a number of associates (viewing it with me) to now vote for him.

          Peters use of Marks was merely preparation, building up his role for future leadership change.

      • Chooky 4.5.2

        @ The Chairman…thanks for those links

        imo Shaw gave a good speech, particularly his deconstruction of Nactional’s economic performance (which is abysmal) and his reiteration of the Green focus on climate change ( not as confident or compelling as Russel Norman though)

        Winston was his brilliant impromptu self !…no surprises on where NZF stands ….and he has certainly not lost his fire or his entertainment value, which Marks was obviously enjoying. He also rubbed it in that other parties have now come to accept what NZF has said all along on foreign ownership and too much immigration.

        His critique of jonkey nact was trenchant….doubt very much Winston NZF will be joining the Nacts…fighting words for a change of government

    • weka 4.6

      “I am a Labour member looking for a more relevant party to support.”

      Anyone who supports NZF runs the risk of ensuring us not getting a left wing govt. If you want to take that risk it’s up to you, but I don’t.

      NZF has a history of supporting right wing governments.

      Peters has a history of refusing to work with the GP, and IMO is capable of undermining a Labour/GP/NZF or L/GP coalition.

      • savenz 4.6.1

        @Weka the problem is voting for Labour might not get us a left wing government but a neoliberal one. That is something Labour needs to fix fast.

        • weka 4.6.1.1

          Of course, which is why I vote Green 😉 voting NZF will pull politics to the centre, voting Green will pull NZ left.

      • Red Blooded 4.6.2

        That will be my dilemma, as a Northland voter, come next election. How can I vote for NZ First, not being 100% sure he won’t jump into bed with the Nacts? But if we don’t vote for him in the North are we handing the electorate back to the Nat Party and Mike Sabin’s supporter john Key anyway.

        • weka 4.6.2.1

          Give your electorate vote to Peters and your list vote to Labour or the Greens. Peters retaining the seat won’t increase the NZF number of MPs and can be balanced out by the list vote increasing Labour and GP chance of getting to form govt.

          • McFlock 4.6.2.1.1

            Yeah – voting for a lab or green candidate in northland will just give it back to the nats anyway. So worst case scenario you’d end up with a nat govt and a nat electorate mp.

            At least if you vote peters the worst you’ll get is a nat govt and an electorate mp who likes to put the wind up ’em occasionally.

          • Red Blooded 4.6.2.1.2

            Thanks Weka & McFlock, sounds wise advice and what I’ll probably do, but if Winston does jump to the Nats I’ll still feel guilty and betrayed for having voted for him. Will drop him a line closer to the time telling him so.

            • weka 4.6.2.1.2.1

              This is precisely why I tell lefties who vote NZF that they’re risking Peters blocking a left wing govt. Peters won’t say before the election who they will support in govt.

    • If you’re headed over to NZF can you ask Winston to get our forests back.

      Like he said he would, and then didn’t when he had the power to do so.

  5. Penny Bright 5

    Collection of signatures for the following petition was initiated at the Public Meeting on the Auckland Unitary Plan held at the ASB Stadium in Kohimarama, last night, (Tuesday 9 February 2016), which was attended by over 700 people:

    “That the House conduct an urgent inquiry into the alleged failure of Auckland Council to comply with their statutory duties regarding spatial planning, particularly the requirement to involve and consult with the communities of Auckland, regarding amendments to the spatial plan, as outlined in the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009.”

    Where were other Auckland Mayoral candidates at this SIGNIFICANT, in my view, Public Meeting?

    The only Auckland Mayoral candidates who attended last night were myself and Mark Thomas.

    Penny Bright
    2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate.

    • Visubversa 5.1

      You are in some nasty company there Penny Bright. I have not seen anything from that Auckland 2040 group that changes my view that they are mostly a bunch of old while conservatives who are terrified that different housing styles will bring different types of people to their neighbourhoods, and that these different people will be different colours to them, different races from them and different classes from them.

      • Molly 5.1.1

        Yes, the diehards left at these consultation meetings are predominantly those of the demographic you describe.

        Interestingly, no one points out that the change in zoning just makes it easier to redevelop at a higher density at some point in the future. Property owners are not compelled to immediately demolish their single dwelling on site and build apartments.

        The issue in the inner suburbs is interesting, as many would support the meme that property owners should have the rights to do what they like. However, in this case they wish to stop their neighbourhoods being changed as a product of property owners selling to capitalise on increased value or developing. These are going to be personal decisions of property owners – not the requirement of council.

        Inner city suburbs have infrastructure in place, access to services and facilities and transport. Future-proofing requires these suburbs to be identified as the best bang-for-buck in terms of increased density.

      • Paul 5.1.2

        EAstern suburbs nimbyism.

        • savenz 5.1.2.1

          It’s not just old whities worrying about the zoning. It is not the zoning as such it is the abuse of the district plan and a handful of planners and lawyers enriching themselves while forcing on a system for a community that is not empowered in that process, more a reluctant step to be ignored. If anything the RMA disempowers the community and is designed to do so.

          Other ethnic groups or younger people, don’t turn up to the meetings because they have families and people with multiple jobs and don’t have time to turn up to public meetings (use social media too to get the other groups involved).

          Often ‘left’ people are so keen on increasing density but don’t seem to understand that actually it is the rich developers benefiting from it. They are not building affordable apartments – they are building million dollar apartments that infringe on their neighbours height to boundary but you can get anything through Auckland council as long as you get the bovine planner onside. They then charge Body corp fees to keep the rout going.

          Issues like someone building a 4m high fence as a nuisance neighbour which deliberately blocks someones lovely view to spite them. Do we want that happening on mass? Should you have to ‘defend’ you own property because some council planner gave permission to have some idiotic structure like the 4m high fence and it costs you hundreds of thousands? There was also that multi million dollar beach house built for some Russian Investor that built up the ground along side the neighbours house so that they could look over into her house at all times taking away all her privacy , but increased their sea view. (Note privacy is NOT something in the RMA unlike in places like Britain which have much better heritage rules and keep their heritage and have massive density but still expect people to develop with their neighbours in mind!)

          Bad council decisions and the lobbyists on the district plans are knocking out the ‘family’ houses of old like the villas and bungalows which have gardens and contribute to a different feel in the streets.

          Density in the inner city fine – in the suburbs – no!

          Planning in NZ is like Neoliberal at it’s finest. You can do anything you want – be as selfish as possible. It is all allowable! Screw you neighbours, screw your community because short term profit for an individual is more important!

  6. Dialey 6

    I notice the Herald’s opinion pieces on the TPPA protest and Waitangi don’t have a comments section ( even dear Heather, who did have yesterday now doesn’t). I wonder why

    • Chooky 6.1

      @ Dialey…what the Herald has no comments section on TPPA protests and Waitangi Day?!

      ….a case of “see no evil , hear no evil, speak no evil” = ignoring the readership = captive msm not there to serve the readership but to indoctrinate in the interests of its owners politics ( neoliberalism and jonkey nact)

      definition of indoctrinate

      1. to imbue with a usually partisan or sectarian opinion, point of view, or principle

      2. to teach (someone) to fully accept the ideas, opinions, and beliefs of a particular group and to not consider other ideas, opinions, and beliefs

      Conclusion: cancel your subscription to the Herald and read the Standard

  7. Tautoko Mangō Mata 7

    Below is a list of members of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Select Committee
    that will be “hearing” public submissions on the TPP.
    What a farce that will be!!

    Chairperson Mitchell, Mark National Party, Rodney
    Deputy-Chairperson Reti, Shane National Party, Whangarei
    Bennett, David National Party, Hamilton East
    Tisch, Lindsay National Party, Waikato
    Ross, Jami-Lee National Party, Botany
    Yang, Jian National Party, List

    Shearer, David Labour Party, Mt Albert
    Woods, Megan Labour Party, Wigram

    Tabuteau , Fletcher NZ First, List

    Graham, Kennedy Green Party, List

    I think that Labour should replace David Shearer from the subcommittee as his views on TPP are not consistent with those of the majority party view.

    • Chooky 7.1

      +100…”I think that Labour should replace David Shearer from the subcommittee as his views on TPP are not consistent with those of the majority party view.”

      What the hell is Little thinking of?

      • AmaKiwi 7.1.1

        Shearer should have the integrity to withdraw because he knows he does not represent the caucus, to say nothing of the rank and file.

        Fat chance of that. It never bothered him before.

      • seeker 7.1.2

        I believe from itsourfuture.org.nz that they are looking to replace david shearer. You could contact them for a possible update

      • savenz 7.1.3

        +100 Chocky & TMM.

        It is crazy to have Shearer!!!! I don’t know who chooses the committee but if Labour can choose using Shearer is stupidity! If not Shearer should step down anyway.

    • Skinny 7.2

      The only 3 any good is;

      Woods, Megan, Labour Party, Wigram
      Tabuteau , Fletcher, NZ First, List
      Graham, Kennedy, Green Party, List

      Bennett, Ross and Reti what a sick joke especially Reti who was caught out by appearing to tell porkies about the TPPA. Has anyone posted the very good and easy submission page of Action Station?

  8. Hami Shearlie 8

    This is definitely worth a look – Glenda Jackson, in my opinion the greatest actress Britain ever produced, giving her account of the Margaret Thatcher experiment in the British parliament! The word “aspirational” was apparently used by Thatcher, so Key merely latched on to her coat tails over that one ! Bit like a leech really! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDtClJYJBj8

    • alwyn 8.1

      “Glenda Jackson, in my opinion the greatest actress Britain ever produced”
      Is that really your opinion? You would put her ahead of Maggie Smith, Judi Dench, Helen Mirren, Kate Winslet, Vivien Leigh, Vanessa Redgrave, etc, etc?
      No way.
      She made only two good films. This Sporting Life and Sunday, Bloody Sunday.

      • Molly 8.1.1

        “Is that really your opinion?” I guess it is – because he said so.

        alwyn, you do realise that in this case people can have different opinions without having to “win an argument” or are you so contrarian that even in this instance you need to disagree?

        I’ll leave the racist origins behind of the original saying but the gist is: ” If everyone wanted the same virtues in a partner, everyone would want to be married to my wife/husband”.

        I wonder – can you articulate your preferences without having to tear down others?

        • alwyn 8.1.1.1

          Of course I can. The bitchiness on this site makes it rather hard but I’ve never felt any need to knock the intelligent comments from Lanthanide, even if I might disagree with some of them.
          It is the concept that Glenda Jackson could be considered a better actor that the immortal Helen Mirren I find so hard to accept.
          It would be like saying that there was a better female Rock singer than Janis Joplin. Woe!

  9. Pasupial 9

    The USA primary elections really are weird. I prefer Sander to Clinton myself, but this method of; not only having early morning voting in some districts, but also allowing it to be reported to influence those who vote later in the day, does seem flawed.

    60.7% Sanders
    32.1% Clinton

    24.3% for each of Trump, Cruz & Kasich

    http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2016/feb/09/new-hampshire-primary-results-polls-us-election-2016-live-coverage

    Which if that was all the info you had (say because you were in a rush), might influence your vote. Until you realised that this was only; 17 votes for Sanders and 9 for each of the other four candidates.

    http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2016/feb/09/new-hampshire-primary-results-live-2016-presidential-election-county-by-county-map

    • weka 9.1

      Is New Hampshire the one that gets taken as a signal of what will happen in the Presidential Election?

      • alwyn 9.1.1

        The Guardian seems to think so.
        I’m not sure I trust their method though.
        http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/feb/09/astrology-new-hampshire-primary-presidential-election

        • weka 9.1.1.1

          Ha ha. I was trying to remember West Wing lore.

          • alwyn 9.1.1.1.1

            I thought it was funny. Actually there wouldn’t have been any debate about who won New Hampshire in the program. Jeb was supposed to have been Governor there and I can’t imagine they would ever have considered him losing his own state.

            Great program for the first four seasons. I thought they should have killed it after Sorkin left though. Wasn’t nearly as tightly written after that was it?

            Astrology was used by Nancy Reagan to determine what she proposed to Ronnie though.
            That was scary rather than funny though.

            • weka 9.1.1.1.1.1

              I think The West Wing still talked about it though because of the dynamic. Or maybe it was The Good Wife.

              Turns out it’s an indicator of how the primary will go (not the presidential election),

              There is consensus among scholars and pundits that the New Hampshire primary, because of the timing and the vast media attention, can have a great impact and may even make or break or revive a candidate.[7] Controlling for other factors statistically, a win in New Hampshire increases a candidate’s share of the final primary count in all states by 27 percentage points.[8]

              https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Hampshire_primary#Significance

    • Bill 9.2

      Well, it does say “1% reporting” in the first link.

      Anyway, I found this link off comments in an article from yesterday’s Guardian. It maps different polls and the bit i found interesting (okay – heartening 😉 ) is that Clinton would appear to be dipping in South Carolina. (Chart at bottom left hand side of page)

    • Ad 9.3

      Save us if New Hampshire is a signal of where either party is going.

      • adam 9.3.1

        You really are a Tory sometimes Ad.

        Sanders is hardly left of center, and you talk like he is an extremist.

        Why don’t you just go join the national party?

      • BM 9.3.2

        I agree, nutbars to the left of me, nut bars to the right.

        Seriously, Sanders has this statement on his fucking website

        Bring climate deniers to justice so we can aggressively tackle climate change.

        https://berniesanders.com/issues/climate-change/

        The man is a raving extremist who will plunge the USA into chaos if he gets elected.

        Hillary Clinton is the only sane option out there.

        • adam 9.3.2.1

          Spoken like a true Tory.

          • Pasupial 9.3.2.1.1

            Ad and BM may get their joint wish of another Clinton presidency. While trying to understand the candidate selection process (mainly how NH is called the first primary when it is preceded by the Iowa caucus), my surfing drifted into superdelegate territory. Wikipedia is a bit out of date with all 2008 details (because the 2012 was uncontested, and 2016 hasn’t happened yet):

            https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Democratic_Party_superdelegates,_2008

            This 538 piece is good, but deals more with present endorsements than the role of these elected endorsers as superdelegates in the convention.

            http://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2016-endorsement-primary/

            The weighting system obscures things a bit for this purpose, but I make Clinton’s; 14 Governors plus 39 Senators plus 131 congress reps to be equal to 194 delegate votes to Sanders’ 2. If it is correct that; “Each of the superdelegates’ votes is now equivalent to about 10,000 Democratic voters [in 2008]”, this means that Sanders is about 192 000 votes behind Clinton. With Iowa effectively tied, Sanders “yuge” win in NH is likely to get him a margin of around 50 000 votes ahead. A quarter of what is needed to start on level footing with Clinton. And that’s before factoring in the half of superdelegates who are appointed by virtue of their DNC position, or those elected reps who haven’t declared yet.

            Once again; USA primary elections really are weird!

        • millsy 9.3.2.2

          “The man is a raving extremist who will plunge the USA into chaos if he gets elected.”

          You could describe that about each of the GOP contenders.

  10. John Shears 10

    Waitangi Day Comment 1840

    Thought this was interesting in 2016 , particularly the final sentence.

    Extract from Fairburn a biography by Denys Trussell, Auckland University Press, 1984,
    928.21 FairTru Takapuna Library.

    William Thomas Fairburn b. Kent 1797 arr Korororeka (Russell) Bay of Islands in July1819, as a catechist or lay preacher for Samuel Marsden and the CMS (Church Missionary Society), he was the Great Great Grandfather of Rex Fairburn (A.R.D.) New Zealand writer and poet.

    Page 9 .
    In a letter he wrote to the Rev. William Jowett at the CMS on 15 July 1840 Fairburn stated the following.

    I do not think they (Maori) understand fully the cession of their rights and privileges, ‘he wrote five months after the meeting of Governor Hobson & the Chiefs. He knew the the Maoris could be shrewd hagglers in specific transactions over items of trade, but the abstraction of a treaty involving questions of sovereignty was foreign to them. ‘Parting with the sovereign rights of a country is quite another thing, it seems to many of them inexplicable, and how can it be otherwise?’

    Fairburn feared bitter contention over land after the proclamation of May 1840 that made New Zealand a British colony. Would the missionaries be able to prevent widespread exploitation of their temperamental flock?. William considered this was a duty: ‘I consider we are now called upon for a twofold watchfulness on behalf of the natives. European strangers will never agree with them , and they scruple not to say they wish this land was clear of natives as the are only a nuisance and in the way.

    • Chooky 10.1

      thanx…interesting alright…this has been a bone of contention I believe

      …a bit like the TPPA today…and the corporates taking legal power over the country and its laws….again issue of sovereignty

  11. Manuka AOR 11

    “Progressive Revolution Begins” !

    http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/02/09/progressive-revolution-begins-sanders-wins-new-hampshire

    “The future of the Democratic Party,” she said, “lies with the message of tackling inequality and pushing for bold systemic change.”

  12. adam 12

    The war on drugs and our freedoms rolls on.

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/296210/aviation-industry-to-face-drug-tests

    Maybe if we dealt with why people want to take drugs in the first place. Or took a responsible approach to drug taking.

    But no, lets give up some more freedoms to the state, so they can test you to see if you have drugs in your system.

    What happens when we give away all our hard won freedoms?

    • vto 12.1

      Drug tests are a jip….

      They do not test whether the person is under the influence, they only test whether the person has taken drugs in the last few weeks.

      Alcohol tests should be instigated in exactly the same form – namely, if you have had alcohol in the last few weeks then you fail.

      Drug tests are a con and have absolutely no credibility. None.

  13. Tanz 13

    But would you be so happy had it been a Labour politician? After all, Andrew Little has agreed to keep the TPPA if it is signed.

    [lprent: Completely off topic as the author obviously took care not to take a party political position. Moved to Open Mike. Banned two weeks for what looks to me to be a deliberate diversion comment, and because I had to expend time to reread the post to make sure that I was correct in my reaction. I don’t like wasting my time. ]

    • mickysavage 13.1

      I would still oppose her losing her job.

    • Korero Pono 13.2

      I don’t think it matters which politician was the recipient of the ‘fake dildo’, the message was clear and it is the message (regardless of political allegiances) that matters the most. New Zealand is not theirs to rape!

      Must admit when I saw that she was identified as a nurse, I did wonder if she would be reprimanded for bringing her profession/employer into disrepute (or whatever wanky condition is likely to be in her contract) – Perhaps Stuff are inadvertently making any move by the employer to discipline her impossible due to potential public scrutiny and support (she does have a lot of fans now)?

  14. Rosemary McDonald 14

    IPCA….bouncing complaints back to the police because not enough funding to investigate.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/76745028/police-watchdog-ipca-skips-investigations-due-to-financial-pressures

    “”There have been occasionally matters that we’ve referred back to the police where if we’d had the resource, we might have investigated, including, for example, excessive force cases.””

    And with the cutbacks at the Human Rights Commission… Ombudsman overworked….

    • pat 14.1

      “And with the cutbacks at the Human Rights Commission… Ombudsman overworked….”

      and judging by the results, massive under-funding of MFAT as well

  15. Nelson Muntz 15

    Media tears rape apologist apart:

    http://www.returnofkings.com/79972/roosh-destroys-media-at-washington-dc-press-conference

    He reckons HE destroyed the media. Talk about out of touch with reality!!!

    • weka 15.1

      Pretty interesting watching what’s been going on. In Canada the fight back saw him being filmed and then thrown out of a night club where he tried his rapey hitting on a woman. Some guys went undercover to one of the events last week and filmed the organisers and posted that online. Not just social media, the MSM coverage of how appalling he is has been pretty universal.

      btw Roosh isn’t just a rape apologist, he’s a rapist (or intends to be one) and an active rape supporter and promoter.

      • millsy 15.1.1

        Trouble is, there are a lot of guys out there that think like him, and a fair few of them are judges.

        That is one of the biggest fears of the next 50 years, that rape will be effectively decriminalised if the women is dressed remotely feminine, if not de jure, but de facto.

        Im not supporter of whacking children, but the mothers of these guys need to give them a good clip round the ears.

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  • 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
    5 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
    10 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
    12 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 ...
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    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. ...
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  • Trustee tax change welcomed
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  • Minister’s Ramadan message
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  • Speech to Life Sciences Summit
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  • Minister to attend World Anti-Doping Agency Symposium
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