Open mike 13/10/2012

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, October 13th, 2012 - 129 comments
Categories: open mike - Tags:

Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose.

The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the link to Policy in the banner).

Step right up to the mike…

129 comments on “Open mike 13/10/2012 ”

  1. Sanctuary 2

    It seems National’s response to falling decisively behind in the polls is to launch an all out attack on David Shearer, presumably in the hope of somehow destabilizing Labour. The attack was signalled by an unusually active Mathew Hooten desperately trying to re-frame debate this way on every blog he thought might be read by a journalist and is being vigorously pushed by the right’s liars, repeaters and shills (Slater, Farrar and O’Sullivan) today. It is truly desperate stuff, but cunning in a shit house rat, Steven Joyce kind of way. Ot won’t work, but i would suggest we all start using the frantic mud slinging at Shearer as a reliable indicator of just how ugly the internal polling results are getting for forgetful John and his shambolic government.

    • karol 2.1

      In the last week, it looks like Shearer has started to lead the news agenda, rather than just respond to it: bringing up the issue of key talking at the GCSB staff cafe; announcing a joint parliamentary inquiry into manufacturing.  National have been put in the position of having to respond to these stories.
       
      On policy, I think Shearer is till too far to the right for me.  But on leadership, I think Shearer is starting to show some.

      • muzza 2.1.1

        In the last week, it looks like Shearer has started to lead the news agenda, rather than just respond to it:

        Hi Karol –

        What the above statement really indicates is that the media are seeking to shift control the debate – Shearer is not leading anything, and is no leader, never was, never will be which is why he was selected in the first place.

        The aim of the media, as you will be aware is to control the context of the narrative, to shift and subvert, missdirect and deceive, thats what it exists for.

        While it is too soon to say the writing is on the wall for NACT next election, the media are hedging their bets by attempting to make Shearer look like potentential (he is also their man), thats all the game is about…We know this because of the way the same media talks unfavourably, for the most part about DC. That said I do not see DC as any saviour of this country, he knows how the system is designed, and what its designed for, its the way a manufactured theatre must function, to mimic democracy

      • David H 2.1.2

        Sorry Karol Shearer is not leading he is being led by the nose. And until the ‘leaders’ are dug out and gone, then Labour will just be a bunch of wanna be’s, and worst of all HAS BEENS!

      • Vicky32 2.1.3

        On policy, I think Shearer is till too far to the right for me

        Could you clarify what you mean, please? Afaik, he’s not right wing at all, except in slurs from others.

    • freedom 2.2

      Fran O’Sullivan, tempted with the baubles of back room banterings, does seem to have drifted to the opposing shore from that which she first patrolled

      please help me to understand why this comment was put into moderation?

      [Sorry – no idea – if it happens frequently then you share an IP range with a known spammer or troll – let us know if that is the case. r0b]

      • freedom 2.2.1

        down in wellington at work ( on wakefield st) and have posted from here numerous times over the last few years. This last week I am having a ridiculously impossible time posting from computers or phone, at work at home or on public machines.

        past 24 hours I have been checking on downforeveryoneorjustme.com and usually get a yes it is down for everyone

        On Phone: Most times site doesn’t load, or tells me the comment was not published, then i go to page and it was published, or does the super frustrating jump away from the text entry box when trying to add text etc which has been going on for ages now. Basically entering from the phone is impossible without a lot of patience.

        I do nothing to my phone. I use ‘approved supplier aps’ i use it more a s acamera and memo book than i do a phone. It gets turned on. It gets turned off. Any issues with anything relating to software are not coming from me. Every other site i visit is fine, same as for the pc access. They load fine, run fine, text entry is fine. Every other site is fine. Something very screwy going on and i strongly suspect thestandard site is getting messed with.

        Anyways, this is not a complaint just trying to understand what is going on

    • North 2.3

      For the apologists and spinners the drive of the last few days has been to slide over the nub of matters, Key’s palpable dishonesty, into a story about the story.

      However, as numerous commenters have said, the smell of shit is all over Key. Peoples’ nostrils are already, irreversibly, on alert.

      Too late Johnny Boy. You’re in this business up to your neck and in a more or less way everyone knows it including your dissembling soldiers. That’s why we have the story about the story, the shrill attacks on Shearer, and pleas/directions towards indulgence.

      Clay feet…….no clothes………fibbing little boy……..rabbit in the headlights.

      It’s hilarious.

  2. Adrian 3

    The increasingly idiotic Fran O’S is advocating for Key to get the GCSB to investigate David Shearer, she obviously wrote the manual for Putin and before that Ol’Joe Stalin himself. She certainly looks and sounds old enough to have been in the shadows in the 40’s!

    • tc 3.1

      What these ‘journalists’ like franet, JA and their blog buddies don’t seem to realise because their heads are so far up NACTs butt that this shows just how biased and in the pocket of the hollowmen they are.

      Readers of this site and other informed sources already know that but in terms of swaying any swingers it’s probably going to do the opposite and undermine what little credibility, if any, they had.

    • karol 3.2

      This is interesting though.  It seems Mold’s partner wasn’t at the GCSB at the time of Key’s cafe talk to staff:

      The Weekend Herald has been told Dr Rogers was not at the GCSB on the critical dates in the scandal. The Weekend Herald understands he was seconded to another government agency at the time of the Dotcom spying and during Mr Key’s visit….
       
      [Shearer said] “Whether (the video) still exists now as a result of the searches that GCSB has made, I can’t tell you.”
       
      He also gave more detail of Mr Key’s comments. “He mentioned the good work they had done with the Kim Dotcom case. There were a large number of people at that meeting who heard John Key speak.”

       

      • Dr Terry 3.2.1

        Just as I thought, Karol, a large number present – is one of them, at least, prepared to testify to what they heard? (Or have I missed something?)

        • Draco T Bastard 3.2.1.1

          That’s the million dollar question – will any more of these people who were there come forward?

    • Red Rosa 3.3

      And this sounds on the mark.

      http://www.kiwipolitico.com/

      Seems increasingly probable there was GCSB surveillance of Dotcom, maybe right from the time he arrived in NZ. The NZ agencies would not have been ‘confused’ or ‘mistaken’ over Dotcom’s residency, they just treated it as irrelevant to their US instructions.

      Key had had numerous GCSB briefings from the time he took office, and would surely have known about this before February 2012. A few words then to praise the troops would have been appropriate, given the Dotcom raid circus just weeks before.

      If this jolly gathering happened as surmised, and was taped, it would be interesting to watch and maybe highly damaging to the PM. But it is only a small part of the big picture, which it seems stretched back a long time before.

      As the minister in charge of GCSB, the real question is whether the admitted crime of illegal surveillance can be laid at the feet of John Key himself. But who watches the watchers?

    • millsy 4.1

      Governments all over the world are making Sam Kuha, and thousands like him, bear the brunt of this crisis. Saddening really.

      I hope this isnt the last we hear from him…sound opportunistic, but he should have a crack at running for office.

      • tc 4.1.1

        Be interesting to see if the MSM do some serious follow ups in what Bennett says and does after the meeting, shades of the key visit to the aspirational family in goffs electorate, opportunistic and hollow like their backers.

        • AsleepWhileWalking 4.1.1.1

          Mmmm…Bennett (who let’s face it really avoided committing to a meeting with Sam as much as she could without conclusively proving she was a heartless bitch) is likely to meet with him just for show. Need to keep up the pressure on her or it will be shuffled to the back of the media pile quickly.

          Sam for office sounds excellent. You can change the world from a wheelchair : )

          Sam could take this in a number of directions. I’d like him to contact the Office of Disabilities (run by MSD) and see if he could work to influence MSD by using his experience to help other people on Sickness and IB’s. If Bennett suggests it to him, even better.

        • muzza 4.1.1.2

          Below is the original article before it was edited a couple of days ago. Had to save as text, otherwise the html wanted to link itself to the update version.
          Does that make Danya Levy more senior? as her name does not appear on the article below, but does on the 834am update

          Rescuing vulnerable kids: Bennett’s master plan
          KATE CHAPMAN
          Last updated 05:00 11/10/2012
          Share
          The Government is encouraging people to dob
          in suspected child abusers under a raft of changes aimed at reining in our
          horrific child abuse rate.
          Social Development Minister Paula Bennett will today launch the White Paper for
          Vulnerable Children – the culmination of four years’ work and consultation with
          thousands of community groups and concerned parents.
          The cornerstone of the Government’s plan is raising awareness of the signs of
          child abuse and neglect, and urging people to report it.
          Recent high-profile cases have shown vulnerable children were often known to
          multiple agencies but a failure to put the pieces together saw them horribly
          reabused and even killed.
          Mrs Bennett said the plight of vulnerable children had been her driving force
          and the policy changes unveiled today simply had to work. “I feel like this is
          what I came into Parliament for.”
          The White Paper and accompanying Children’s Action Plan were the best that could
          have been produced in the current environment, she said.
          A Child Protect telephone line is planned for concerned neighbours, family,
          friends and professionals to ring when they suspect a child is being badly
          treated.
          Comments made to the phone line, and information gathered by government and
          community organisations, would be entered into a Vulnerable Kids Information
          System to track those deemed at risk.
          The system would also hold information on high-risk adults who had abused or
          neglected children, regardless of whether they were convicted.
          Such information sharing was crucial, Mrs Bennett said.
          The system would be password-protected, users would be monitored, and
          professionals would have restricted access to different levels of information.
          Only children considered vulnerable – at risk of, or already experiencing,
          maltreatment – would be entered into the system. While accounts could be made
          inactive, it was unlikely they would ever be deleted. An expert panel would be
          established to nut out details of the system. “The security and the checks to be
          put on this information system is vital to its integrity. More than anything
          we’re going to work to get that right.”
          There would be children wrongly identified as being vulnerable, Mrs Bennett
          said.
          “If they’re not becoming a child of concern then, as such, they will effectively
          drop out of the system.”
          The Child Protect line would have a role in ensuring information in the system
          was correct and updated. The contact service did not have to be run by the
          Social Development Ministry; it could be contracted out to a non-government
          organisation.
          Ad Feedback The Government also wants those working with children to take
          greater responsibility in reporting suspected neglect or abuse. Teachers and
          medical professionals would be among those given training to recognise the
          signs, and legislation would be introduced “requiring all agencies working with
          children to have policies and reporting systems in place to recognise and report
          child abuse and neglect”, the White Paper says.
          Mrs Bennett said that was not mandatory reporting. “We’re going to really set
          some clear rules around it . . . making sure that they follow through and they
          do report; we’re also not making it mandatory so they use their professional
          judgment better.”
          There were concerns that mandatory reporting would mean at-risk children dropped
          out of the system and services would be over-run with notifications.
          Under the Children’s Action Plan, there would also be controls on who could have
          contact with children. People who posed a continuing and serious threat to their
          children could have their parental rights removed by a judge.
          Mrs Bennett said it was an extreme step and not one that would be taken lightly.

          New civil child abuse prevention orders would give judges the power to place
          restrictions on people who posed a high risk to a child or future children.
          Critics may claim Mrs Bennett has ignored the real threat for a number of Kiwi
          children – poverty.
          “I was always blatantly targeting these most vulnerable, abused and neglected
          children in this country and that’s what this piece of work was always about,”
          Mrs Bennett said.
          ‘WE CAN DO MUCH BETTER FOR FAILED KIDS’
          Social Development Minister Paula Bennett puts her mouth where her heart is:
          that too many Kiwi kids are failed, but that we can do much better.
          “The day I got offered the job of Minister of Social Development the first thing
          I said to the prime minister on the phone, at 9pm on a Sunday, was ‘does it
          include Child, Youth and Family?’
          The former solo mum has a clear idea of what she wants and how to get it. She’ll
          listen, but once a plan is set in motion there’s no stopping the determined
          Waitakere MP.
          New Zealand’s child abuse record is an embarrassment to everyone; none more so
          than the woman charged with overseeing child welfare.
          Ms Bennett said that was her driving force since entering Parliament.
          “It is my key driver, without a doubt.
          “I feel like [the White Paper] is one of the biggest and certainly most
          significant changes that will be in my time as minister.”
          Early in her first term as minister, Ms Bennett was in the United Kingdom when
          she decided we needed a White Paper on vulnerable children.
          First came the Green Paper – a discussion document launched amongst much
          fanfare.
          Almost 10,000 submissions later, the Government has released its reaction to the
          suggestions: The White Paper and Children’s Action Plan, which Ms Bennett says
          will make a difference in the life of the most vulnerable kids in our society.
          “I’m unapologetic in my saying we can do a better job for them and that’s where
          my focus is.”
          – © Fairfax NZ News

          • ianmac 4.1.1.2.1

            Wonder if those “failed kids” she talks about are the same ones who are in the so-called “long tail of failure at school?”

          • prism 4.1.1.2.2

            muzza
            Thanks for giving us the info.

          • muzza 4.1.1.2.3

            Look at the opening paragraph of the updated article

            DANYA LEVY AND KATE CHAPMAN
            Last updated 08:34 11/10/2012

            New measures to reduce New Zealand’s appalling rate of child abuse are being welcomed by child advocates but Opposition parties say the Government has failed to address poverty which can exacerbate the risk.

            Look at the deliberate framing to pit so called child adovate groups (no mention of who), against the “opposition parties”, this is faux support for the NACT government, being created out of total thin air by the MSM!

            The opening of the new article below – So between 5am and the 834am update, the “child advocate groups” gave their support did they – This sort of garbage neds to be called out, and in the original article, only a couple of hours earlier, no mention of suport at all, only mention of critics lower down the article…So the article was updated, sanitized and deliberate lies inserted by the looks of it.

            KATE CHAPMAN
            Last updated 05:00 11/10/2012

            The Government is encouraging people to dob
            in suspected child abusers under a raft of changes aimed at reining in our
            horrific child abuse rate.
            Social Development Minister Paula Bennett will today launch the White Paper for
            Vulnerable Children – the culmination of four years’ work and consultation with
            thousands of community groups and concerned parents.

            • PlanetOrphan 4.1.1.2.3.1

              Well spotted muzza, Bennet is obviously looking for cheap/no cost things to promote.

              Hang on …. weren’t the police just recently saying those numbers are because of increased reporting because of advertising, community participation?

              4 years investigation, culminating in “Tell people to report it” ??

              The womans a leech M8!

            • Jokerman 4.1.1.2.3.2

              Thanks for the awhi muzza

              There is no depression in new zealand
              http://www.nzherald.co.nz/health/news/article.cfm?c_id=204&objectid=10839802
              blam blam blam

              • muzza

                psychiatry professor says the drugs are being over-prescribed.

                Yup what there is , is deliberate misuse of “drugs” used to placate the sheep from wondering why they are feeling so fcked up in the first place…

                There you go, have some fluoride, eat some nice lithium, prozac, fluoxetene, have a shed load of mental stress created by all these nice fake systems we are trapping you into, then when you feel bad, go see the nice Dr who will ensure that you stay docile, and if you really feel something is wrong we will send you to the quack who will certify you.

          • Chris 4.1.1.2.4

            wishy washy!!!!

  3. AsleepWhileWalking 5

    Welfare Justice Dunedin says humiliation of beneficiaries widespread and challenges Work and Income to drop their appeal and use those resources to follow Human Rights Tribunal’s ruling: http://community.scoop.co.nz/2012/10/beneficiary-battles-on/

    Quote: ‘We challenge the Ministry to stop using bully tactics and taxpayer money to drag Mr Holmes through the High Court, and to take on board the tribunal’s recommendations. This isn’t an isolated incident. WJD has been inundated with appalling stories of breaches of privacy, humiliation, loss of dignity and a widespread disconnect from professional conduct among WINZ staff.’

  4. ScottGN 6

    I can’t believe I just heard that fool of a Housing Minister, Heatley whining on Radio NZ that Hone should quit bitching about the GI evictions and just be grateful his people up north are going to get hand-me-down houses.

    • AsleepWhileWalking 6.1

      National needs donations to pay for media training for their Ministers. It’s a Ministerial car crash.

  5. Poor sam wasn’t given a lousy $40 for food,which he travelled miles for in a wheelchair,
    but $600.000 of tax payers money can be given for the ‘elite’ to have a weekend of golf
    in Queenstown,the Micheal Hill tournament.
    My love and support go out to sam and hope that he is ok now and qudos to Hone
    for supporting him.

    • vto 7.1

      Couldn’t agree more.

      Lordy knows how they can play golf with those heavy blinkers on.

      We are a society of haves and have nots and it is taking too long for most to realise we are no longer an equal and egalitarian society.

  6. Lanthanide 8

    The economist, on why printing money is the new normal:
    http://www.economist.com/node/21564210

  7. I dont condone violence but bennett was just on the nation,i actually felt she needed a
    slap.
    The ignoramace can’t even admit that ‘poverty’ is the problem.

  8. chris73 10

    http://www.whaleoil.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/GCSB-SPY.jpg

    This illustrates the difference between the left and right when it comes to using humour in a political setting. Basically the right try to be amusing while making a point whereas the left are about as subtle as a sledgehammer.

  9. John Campbell on media3,he is a great nz’er for what is right and what is wrong in nz,
    he is a champion.

  10. BM 12

    Why is this site soooo slow, it’s like stepping back to the days of dial up?
    Great looking site but the usability is crap.
    The Standard would have to be one of the slowest sites on the web, I don’t get it,the site is 99% text it should load in an instant.

    • prism 12.1

      BM
      I have been finding that the site is extremely slow often. I haven’t noticed this before. It seems to take ages to get comments up often. Also I click on a recent comment from the right hand box and get sent to some other page or it takes ages to find though I have noticed that there is a difficulty with that when there are over say 100 comments.

      I thought it was from my setup. It has been suggested that I use Firefox instead of Opera so I could possibly help from my side, but I haven’t had such problems in the past. I don’t know whether the constant upgrades I get with Opera may introduce some new routine.

      • PlanetOrphan 12.1.1

        It’s the page breaking mechanism they use, all the old links break.
        (LPRent is aware of it, but the fix is bigger than a one liner unfortunately)

    • millsy 12.2

      Sites going OK for me, but if LPrent or someone can tell me how to stop the new post notifications from being emailed to me it would be really awesome. My smartphone dings non-stop..

    • mike e 12.3

      BM for once I agree with you this site is always having problems maybe its popularity!

  11. prism 13

    The comment on Radionz this morning about the huge annual payments to heads of government agencies in money terms (rather than in percentage terms) sparked a memory of the right wing business interests talking about achieving lower wages for all by using tendering or an auction system to set the rates.

    Review of pay for public sector heads wanted
    The Green Party wants an urgent review of salaries of public sector chief executives after a report by the State Services Commission showed some are paid more than $600,000.

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political

    Now when top salaries are getting into the money gouging level for these executives working supposedly to deliver government efficiency and service to the people (often not achieved) in a non-profit situation, I think that tendering would be an excellent idea as part of the survey of candidates available to human resources. At present setting salaries seems very inflationary and similar to the model that used to be followed prior to 1984 by workers and their unions which the government has stamped out. I think we should be aiming for ability and track record rather than rabbiting on about getting ‘the best’. Let’s get away from high-flown language that builds images and go practical through tendering with the usual careful proviso which I think is – (lowest or any tender not necessarily accepted).

    And economically it is counter-productive to combine departments and then multiply the salary of the top executive on that basis, instead of looking at economies of scale with a chance to get more productivity from the top banana. This is a slippery slope that the salary-setting body has started on and it’s time that our responsible? economic entities levelled this yellow brick road presently paved with gold bars.

    • vto 13.1

      You can always tell where the power lies in a society by the pay rates, but more easily by the buildings…

      When the church has power they build great cathedrals.

      When the military has power they build great garrisons and fortresses.

      When business has power they build great glass towers.

      When governments have power they build great offices etc. Currently the power in society rests with government. That is why pre-earthquake Christchurch’s most expensive building was the IRD building.

      Similarly, the new Chch City Council building.
      Similarly, the Court of Appeal building in Wellington.

      • Draco T Bastard 13.1.1

        I have no problems with governments having power – just so long as they’re democratic.

        • Colonial Viper 13.1.1.1

          Yep – and not just operating units of corporate business interests, like those you see in the US.

    • Draco T Bastard 13.2

      I think a simple cap of $250k for a public servant, including the PM, would be fine. If the CEOs didn’t want to work for that they can wander off to the private sector. There is, after all, plenty of more people below them with the capability of doing the job just as well, if not better, than them.

    • prism 13.3

      What about tendering for the top pay? Has this been done anywhere in the world? Are we doing our usual and playing just part of a game that others have already left behind in our devotion to our free market version?

  12. captain hook 14

    why is the standard so slow?
    ask the GCSB
    larfffs.
    as for public service salaries.
    this national party government does not believe in government but it believes in patronage, pelf, peculation and paying off its supporters.
    figure it out for yourself.

    • prism 14.1

      captain hook
      Got another p word – persiflage – light frivolous approach. Suits Jokey Hen I think.

  13. prism 15

    captain hook
    Like your alliteration. And pelf – didn’t know that – good word I see it comes right down from 14th century Old French pelfre meaning booty. The desire for which connects us down the centuries ay!

  14. Jackal 16

    Roughan’s willful ignorance

    There are none so blind as those who choose not to see…

  15. Draco T Bastard 17

    Understanding and Forecasting the Credit Cycle—Why the Mainstream Paradigm in Economics and Finance Collapsed

    The crisis has with one stroke not only discredited the particular decisions by those responsible for the crisis—central bankers, financial regulators, and bankers—but it has disproved the entire mainstream “neo-classical” paradigm of thinking about economics and economic policy. The Washington Consensus, the basis for recent government and central bank policies all over the world, has been proven wrong.

    But the current crisis is not the only piece of evidence that there has been something seriously amiss with the mainstream economic theories and the policies based on them. Other evidence includes the increasingly visible environmental destruction, or the many previous financial and economic crises the world has seen. Indeed, banking and financial crises have recurred with such frequency over the past centuries that their occurrence must be considered one of the few constants in economic life. Each time, much surprise is exhibited by the experts. Over the past three decades, the number of banking and financial crises has increased (to over 100 countries) and the swings of the business cycle have become more pronounced. (It is noteworthy that this happened, as central bank independence and power over economic policy has increased significantly during this time period).

  16. Gawd I wish that Shane Jones would learn to STFU.  Abusing the Greens over their perfectly appropriate suggestion that we should allow satirists to make fun of commercial ads is ridiculous.  

    If this sort of satire is not allowed the next thing the commercial interests will do is try and ban any sort of adverse comments about them, even when they do things like use slave labour or plunder depleted fish stocks or kill Maui’s dolphin.

    Perhaps Shearer should be thinking about Jones when he does his next reshuffle.

    • Pete 18.1

      How can Jones demoted when he has no portfolio areas in the first place? I don’t like rewarding poor performance, but perhaps he should be given something to keep him occupied. Sport or racing, for example.

    • tc 18.2

      A mistake by Helen long overdue for correction, he did well in the 2011 polls but up against Sharples a more credible candidate would have taken that Maori seat. They just needed a plausible alternative to PIta and didn’t get one from Labour, less of the duck more of the deserving is required.

      • North 18.2.1

        Jones = verbose potato.

        Less puke inducing than that parliamentary bennie bludger Tau Henare (aka Ray Henry of “the union”) but a verbose potato nevertheless.

    • vto 18.3

      ha ha that spoof is absolutely brilliant and absolutely spot on.

      Shane Jones – fuck off and grow up you useless chook. If you can’t handle the heat then get out of the kitchen. Fancy trying to stop people doing this sort of thing …. You belong in the USA Shane Jones – see ya later.

      Sealord, Meridian, all the oil companies, they all spout bullshit. Is Shane Jones seriously defending the image and perception they try to convey? What a fucking muppet.

    • Draco T Bastard 18.4

      FFS, quoting Jones:

      “This is a bill which will definitely lead to the destruction of jobs, which makes it a crackpot idea. Jobs are not going to be maintained if brands are destroyed.”

      If the brand can’t stand up to a little satire highlighting the truth behind the brand then it doesn’t deserve to continue. In fact, it probably should have been shut down by government.

    • prism 18.5

      ms
      The beef barons in USA actually got nasty when Ophra made some remark about why she wouldn’t eat hamburgers because of the beef not being healthy. Forgotten what happened.

  17. lprent 20

    By the look of it, that stats tab was what was causing the recent periodic slowdowns on the site.

    It looks like it was locking up on the comment count query when a comment was being stored and queries were stacking up waiting for it. It effectively stalled the page display for many. I set up a graph to look for the numbers of threads active on the database at any one time – was getting these strange spikes.

    I’ll have to recode that to do it on a periodic basis or to keep a running total. In the meantime it can go off. Enough playing about. Time to head back to work.

  18. Jokerman 21

    RT: “the return of the Caliphate around the Pyramids
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Spirit_(Islam)
    it’s an ill wind that blows no good…

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    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago
  • Keep safe on our roads this Easter
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown is encouraging all road users to stay safe, plan their journeys ahead of time, and be patient with other drivers while travelling around this Easter long weekend. “Road safety is a responsibility we all share, and with increased traffic on our roads expected this Easter we ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Cost of living support for over 1.4 million Kiwis
    About 1.4 million New Zealanders will receive cost of living relief through increased government assistance from April 1 909,000 pensioners get a boost to Superannuation, including 5000 veterans 371,000 working-age beneficiaries will get higher payments 45,000 students will see an increase in their allowance Over a quarter of New Zealanders ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Tenancy reviews for social housing restart
    Ensuring social housing is being provided to those with the greatest needs is front of mind as the Government restarts social housing tenancy reviews, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. “Our relentless focus on building a strong economy is to ensure we can deliver better public services such as social ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary plan halted
    The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary will not go ahead, with Cabinet deciding to stop work on the proposed reserve and remove the Bill that would have established it from Parliament’s order paper. “The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill would have created a 620,000 sq km economic no-go zone,” Oceans and Fisheries Minister ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Cutting all that dam red tape
    Dam safety regulations are being amended so that smaller dams won’t be subject to excessive compliance costs, Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on reducing costs and removing unnecessary red tape so we can get the economy back on track.  “Dam safety regulations ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Drought support extended to parts of North Island
    The coalition Government is expanding the medium-scale adverse event classification to parts of the North Island as dry weather conditions persist, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced today. “I have made the decision to expand the medium-scale adverse event classification already in place for parts of the South Island to also cover the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Passage of major tax bill welcomed
    The passing of legislation giving effect to coalition Government tax commitments has been welcomed by Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “The Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill will help place New Zealand on a more secure economic footing, improve outcomes for New Zealanders, and make our tax system ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Lifting economy through science, tertiary sectors
    Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins and Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds today announced plans to transform our science and university sectors to boost the economy. Two advisory groups, chaired by Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, will advise the Government on how these sectors can play a greater ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government announces Budget priorities
    The Budget will deliver urgently-needed tax relief to hard-working New Zealanders while putting the government’s finances back on a sustainable track, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.  The Finance Minister made the comments at the release of the Budget Policy Statement setting out the Government’s Budget objectives. “The coalition Government intends ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government to consider accommodation solution
    The coalition Government will look at options to address a zoning issue that limits how much financial support Queenstown residents can get for accommodation. Cabinet has agreed on a response to the Petitions Committee, which had recommended the geographic information MSD uses to determine how much accommodation supplement can be ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government approves extension to Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care
    Cabinet has agreed to a short extension to the final reporting timeframe for the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care from 28 March 2024 to 26 June 2024, Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says.                                         “The Royal Commission wrote to me on 16 February 2024, requesting that I consider an ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • $18m boost for Kiwis travelling to health treatment
    The coalition Government is delivering an $18 million boost to New Zealanders needing to travel for specialist health treatment, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says.   “These changes are long overdue – the National Travel Assistance (NTA) scheme saw its last increase to mileage and accommodation rates way back in 2009.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • PM’s Prizes for Space to showcase sector’s talent
    The Government is recognising the innovative and rising talent in New Zealand’s growing space sector, with the Prime Minister and Space Minister Judith Collins announcing the new Prime Minister’s Prizes for Space today. “New Zealand has a growing reputation as a high-value partner for space missions and research. I am ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Concerns conveyed to China over cyber activity
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government.     “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity, attributed to groups sponsored by the Chinese Government, targeting democratic institutions in both New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry
    Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry Education Minister Erica Stanford today announced the appointment of three independent reviewers to lead the Ministerial Inquiry into the Ministry of Education’s School Property Function.  The Inquiry will be led by former Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully. “There is a clear need ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Brynderwyns open for Easter
    State Highway 1 across the Brynderwyns will be open for Easter weekend, with work currently underway to ensure the resilience of this critical route being paused for Easter Weekend to allow holiday makers to travel north, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Today I visited the Brynderwyn Hills construction site, where ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Speech to the Infrastructure Funding & Financing Conference
    Introduction Good morning to you all, and thanks for having me bright and early today. I am absolutely delighted to be the Minister for Infrastructure alongside the Minister of Housing and Resource Management Reform. I know the Prime Minister sees the three roles as closely connected and he wants me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Parliamentary network breached by the PRC
    New Zealand stands with the United Kingdom in its condemnation of People’s Republic of China (PRC) state-backed malicious cyber activity impacting its Electoral Commission and targeting Members of the UK Parliament. “The use of cyber-enabled espionage operations to interfere with democratic institutions and processes anywhere is unacceptable,” Minister Responsible for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • NZ to provide support for Solomon Islands election
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced New Zealand will provide logistics support for the upcoming Solomon Islands election. “We’re sending a team of New Zealand Defence Force personnel and two NH90 helicopters to provide logistics support for the election on 17 April, at the request ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ-EU FTA gains Royal Assent for 1 May entry to force
    The European Union Free Trade Agreement Legislation Amendment Bill received Royal Assent today, completing the process for New Zealand’s ratification of its free trade agreement with the European Union.    “I am pleased to announce that today, in a small ceremony at the Beehive, New Zealand notified the European Union ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • COVID-19 inquiry attracts 11,000 submissions
    Public consultation on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons has concluded, Internal Affairs Minister Hon Brooke van Velden says.  “I have been advised that there were over 11,000 submissions made through the Royal Commission’s online consultation portal.” Expanding the scope of the Royal Commission of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Families to receive up to $75 a week help with ECE fees
    Hardworking families are set to benefit from a new credit to help them meet their early childcare education (ECE) costs, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. From 1 July, parents and caregivers of young children will be supported to manage the rising cost of living with a partial reimbursement of their ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Unlocking a sustainable, low-emissions future
    A specialised Independent Technical Advisory Group (ITAG) tasked with preparing and publishing independent non-binding advice on the design of a "green" (sustainable finance) taxonomy rulebook is being established, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says.  “Comprising experts and market participants, the ITAG's primary goal is to deliver comprehensive recommendations to the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Chief of Army thanked for his service
    Defence Minister Judith Collins has thanked the Chief of Army, Major General John Boswell, DSD, for his service as he leaves the Army after 40 years. “I would like to thank Major General Boswell for his contribution to the Army and the wider New Zealand Defence Force, undertaking many different ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders
    25 March 2024 Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders Small Business, Manufacturing, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly will travel to Australia for a series of bi-lateral meetings and manufacturing visits. During the visit, Minister Bayly will meet with his Australian counterparts, Senator Tim Ayres, Ed ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Government commits nearly $3 million for period products in schools
    Government commits almost $3 million for period products in schools The Coalition Government has committed $2.9 million to ensure intermediate and secondary schools continue providing period products to those who need them, Minister of Education Erica Stanford announced today. “This is an issue of dignity and ensuring young women don’t ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Speech – Making it easier to build.
    Good morning, it’s great to be here.   First, I would like to acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of Building Surveyors and thank you for the opportunity to be here this morning.  I would like to use this opportunity to outline the Government’s ambitious plan and what we hope to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Pacific youth to shine from boost to Polyfest
    Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti has announced the Government’s commitment to the Auckland Secondary Schools Māori and Pacific Islands Cultural Festival, more commonly known as Polyfest. “The Ministry for Pacific Peoples is a longtime supporter of Polyfest and, as it celebrates 49 years in 2024, I’m proud to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • 2024 Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships announced
    ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Speech to Breast Cancer Foundation – Insights Conference
    Before moving onto the substance of today’s address, I want to recognise the very significant and ongoing contribution the Breast Cancer Foundation makes to support the lives of New Zealand women and their families living with breast cancer. I very much enjoy working with you. I also want to recognise ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Kiwi research soars to International Space Station
    New Zealand has notched up a first with the launch of University of Canterbury research to the International Space Station, Science, Innovation and Technology and Space Minister Judith Collins says. The hardware, developed by Dr Sarah Kessans, is designed to operate autonomously in orbit, allowing scientists on Earth to study ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Speech to the New Zealand Planning Institute
    Introduction Thank you for inviting me to speak with you today and I’m sorry I can’t be there in person. Yesterday I started in Wellington for Breakfast TV, spoke to a property conference in Auckland, and finished the day speaking to local government in Christchurch, so it would have been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Support for Northland emergency response centre
    The Coalition Government is contributing more than $1 million to support the establishment of an emergency multi-agency coordination centre in Northland. Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced the contribution today during a visit of the Whangārei site where the facility will be constructed.  “Northland has faced a number ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Celebrating 20 years of Whakaata Māori
    New Zealanders have enjoyed a broader range of voices telling the story of Aotearoa thanks to the creation of Whakaata Māori 20 years ago, says Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka. The minister spoke at a celebration marking the national indigenous media organisation’s 20th anniversary at their studio in Auckland on ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Some commercial fishery catch limits increased
    Commercial catch limits for some fisheries have been increased following a review showing stocks are healthy and abundant, Ocean and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The changes, along with some other catch limit changes and management settings, begin coming into effect from 1 April 2024. "Regular biannual reviews of fish ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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