Open mike 14/06/2016

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, June 14th, 2016 - 92 comments
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92 comments on “Open mike 14/06/2016 ”

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  1. Paul 1
    14 June 2016 at 6:23 am

    Another day in John Key’s neo-liberal nightmare.
    We have become a cruel, greedy, uncaring and selfish nation under his wretched leadership.

    It was 7 degrees in Auckland last night.
    It was 3 degrees in Dunedin last night.
    It was 0 degrees in Christchurch last night.

    Not very warm to be sleeping in a car.
    Not very warm to be sleeping in a container.
    Not very warm to be sleeping in a garage.
    Not very warm to be sleeping on the street.

  2. ScottGN 2
    14 June 2016 at 7:36 am

    New Guardian/ICM poll has Leave pulling out to a 6 point lead over Remain in both online and phone polls.
    http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jun/13/eu-referendum-leave-campaign-takes-six-point-lead-in-guardianicm-polls

  3. Sabine 3
    14 June 2016 at 7:42 am

    It appears that the public meeting of our dearest Ms. Bennet, Housing Mis Manager – MP National Party, Nick Smith – Aint no Housing Crisis here – MP National Party and Alfred Ngaro – Still only a List MP – National Party did not go quite as lovely as they thought.

    Anyone who was there could give us an update? 🙂

  4. Janet 4
    14 June 2016 at 7:50 am

    So why isn’t the cyber bulling case against Paula Bennet (beneficiaries details up on the Internet ) being prosecuted? After all, she bragged she’d do it again.

    • Sabine 4.1
      14 June 2016 at 8:15 am

      cause she is speshial, and from the National Party – the party of do as I say not as I do?

    • Gangnam Style 4.2
      14 June 2016 at 9:59 am

      Because she is part of the campaign to stamp out cyber bullying, white is black & black is white in topsy turvey Planet Key. I put up on Open Mike last night a couple incidents of Amy Adams (or her office anyway) leaking stuff to Whaleoil to ‘cyber bully’ Cunliffe, Amy Adams is all teary eyed about ‘cyber bullying’ at the mooment too. They think they are celebrities FFS.

  5. fisiani 5
    14 June 2016 at 8:47 am

    Interesting to hear Andrew Little say on Morning Report that there were enough houses in NZ to house the homeless.
    http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/201804381/little-sets-out-case-for-raising-refugee-quota

    • jcuknz 5.1
      14 June 2016 at 9:02 am

      I think there probably are if owners were not keeping them empty to save on wear and tear.
      Then what about the ‘P’ state houses which with a rub down of ledges be reasonably fit for habitation with a reduction in rent. I have rented both expensive and cheap places and one tolerates either depending on need at the time.

    • AsleepWhileWalking 5.2
      14 June 2016 at 9:16 am

      That there are enough houses is irrelevant because our own people either can’t afford to live in them, or they aren’t allowed to.

    • Richardrawshark 5.3
      14 June 2016 at 10:34 am

      There is, way more than the homeless.

      and if I was in London i’d be walking down some rich estate looking for the nicest home with swimming pool etc that’s empty and squatting it.

      If I was homeless in NZ there are some lovely beachfront homes on the North shore, I’d be squatting in the nicest land banked one I could find.

      If the government cannot do it’s job by ensuring demand in housing and rental accommodation is always in surplus so people can find a place to live like any civilized government would manage then i’d freaking well sort it out myself, trash the place, then move on to the next one till all those home owners got the message there empty houses will get trashed and stopped banking them.

      I bet if P cooks were breaking into empty landbanked houses cooking up and wrecking them, landbanking would disappear real fkn fast wouldn’t it?

      and where there’s an opportunity it’ll happen I wouldn’t be surprised if they are not thinking it now with the amount of empty homes having now been publically shared.

      • BM 5.3.1
        14 June 2016 at 10:43 am

        So you break into a house, which is probably got cameras or is security monitored and cook up P.

        You’d have to be one dumbest Mofo of all time to do that.

      • North 5.3.2
        14 June 2016 at 10:57 pm

        Yeah but if you went off on the squatting buzz the local cops would do you for burglary…….they’d protect the interests of the wealthy. It’s always been that way. Cops look after the interests of the wealthy. Cops serve the rich. And smash over the poor. As do judges. While prattling on about their love of justice. No. I see it every day. Been seeing it for 40 years. Judges look after their own three hundy a year. And their sense of superiority. It’s only when you get quite old like me that you actually see what’s been in front of your face for decades. Fuk’n sick ! And no respect for them. And they wonder why more perspicacious people than me very early on say “Fuck You !”

    • jcuknz 6.1
      14 June 2016 at 8:55 am

      If you believe that you will believe anything 🙂

    • Draco T Bastard 6.2
      14 June 2016 at 9:51 am

      Well then, can you explain why it’s National and act that are putting in place psychotic policies and the Left that are against them?

      • Puckish Rogue 6.2.1
        14 June 2016 at 9:57 am

        Act is derived from Labour and National has been infiltrated by rampant lefties, hence why Nationals not removing WFF or interest free student loans…damn clever of the lefties I have to admit 🙂

      • fisiani 6.2.2
        14 June 2016 at 10:55 am

        I give you a complete list of National’s policies in every portfolio.
        Care to point out any policy therein that is psychotic.
        On the contrary it is self evident that progress is being made across all portfolios. NZ is now obviously a far better place than in 2008. Our economy is growing, Wages are far ahead of inflation, record numbers are employed.

        https://national.org.nz/plan/our-policies

        • KJT 6.2.2.1
          14 June 2016 at 11:18 am

          2008 was the bottom of a world wide recession.

          Imagine the shit we would be in if National had been the Government for the previous nine years. Tax cuts and borrowing.

          Median wages are down. Living standards for most are down. Quoting an average wage pushed up by 100k rises at the top end, while the rest are dropping, is a favourite right wing fudge.

          Also failing to mention that 1 hour a week, and zero hour McJobs, are now counted as employed.

        • jcuknz 6.2.2.2
          14 June 2016 at 1:01 pm

          Not sure what psychotic is or means but record numbers merely reflects the return of hard working kiwis who believe NZ is not as bad as where they were.

          Like Coleman trying to defend the neglect of the health service by quoting the increase in dollars allocated since 2008 which like most government pronouncements ignores true inflation, not the artificial cherry picking COI, and immigration increasing the need.

          For some, things are obviously better ,but not for those at the bottom of the heap not seeing their investment in property rising but having to live on the streets etc.

          • Stuart Munro 6.2.2.2.1
            14 June 2016 at 5:10 pm

            No mate – they’re leaving Oz because that fuckwit Turnbull is doing the same damage there Key has already done to NZ, so the job market is collapsing – and they have no rights to social welfare in Oz. Second class citizens cos our weak government wouldn’t protect our traditional equality there.

        • Draco T Bastard 6.2.2.3
          14 June 2016 at 2:39 pm

          Care to point out any policy therein that is psychotic.

          Every single bloody one of them.

          Attacking beneficiaries
          Selling state assets
          Subsidies to big business while undermining small business
          And the list goes on and on and on.

          On the contrary it is self evident that progress is being made across all portfolios.

          If what you’re after is increasing poverty and more and more failure by government then progress is certainly being made.

          Of course, the only people who want that happens to be psychotics but it does happen to be what National are achieving.

          Our economy is growing, Wages are far ahead of inflation, record numbers are employed.

          Once we remove the housing bubble and the spurt of economic activity caused by the Christchurch quakes we’ll find that the economy has been going backwards since 2008. The only people getting wages rises are in the top 20%. Everyone else is either stagnant or going backwards. Record numbers of people employed in part time jobs is a sign of desperation.

          All the indicators we have show that the economy and our society is going backwards.

          • KJT 6.2.2.3.1
            14 June 2016 at 9:42 pm

            Not quite correct DTB. The only ones getting pay rises are the top ) 0 .5% of wage earners, (17% pay rises) and Union members (2.5%).

            Though you could argue that the Institute of Directors and the Managers old boy Club/association, are Unions.

            Perfectly correct that any economic gains under National have been due to an Earthquake and speculation.

            More wealth leaves the country now, to bankers and finance, than all our export earnings.

        • Greg 6.2.2.4
          17 June 2016 at 11:56 am

          Wage increases are Nationals propaganda statistical fiction, most workers are lucky to get inflationary rises, a few might be lucky to get over 3% a very very few.
          Tourism industry is having a boom, yet according to Seek, its wage increases are only 0.6%.
          Its a recession time after winter.

    • Richardrawshark 6.3
      14 June 2016 at 10:37 am

      Fisiani is here again, you must love skating the thin line of getting banned.

      Cause your here again.

      • KJT 6.3.1
        14 June 2016 at 11:21 am

        I love Fizzer.

        Excellent satire, as always!

        I met a Texan while sailing in the Bay of Islands recently. Perfect stereotype of a Gun-tot-ng, kill the rag heads, return the Mexicans, Southerner.

        Reminded me of Fizzer.

    • Crashcart 6.4
      14 June 2016 at 1:35 pm

      I guess this just shows that these particular researchers have demonstrated that they have a sever lack of ability to interpret their data. Any conclusions, past or present, that they have come up with should be taken with a grain of salt.

      I can see why more conservative people would want to gloat over it though. I know I would if the shoe was on the other foot.

  7. Puckish Rogue 7
    14 June 2016 at 9:04 am

    The science is settled 🙂

  8. Draco T Bastard 8
    14 June 2016 at 10:01 am

    Felix Marwick: Govt’s use of Crown cars during Northland by-election unethical

    A further analysis of recently released GPS data from the Government’s fleet of ministerial limousines is giving fresh evidence as to why, perhaps, officials really didn’t want their details exposed to public view. For not only does the data expose a pattern of repeated speeding infringements by the cars, it also gives some valuable insights into how they are used.

    It’s psychotic actions like this that really piss people off.

    • Richardrawshark 8.1
      14 June 2016 at 10:40 am

      No, you see Labour did it, so now it’s ok, apparently.

      /sarc

      Also on the grand scale of shit this governments been up to, this is a mere spec on the display screen to brush aside, so we can get a better view of the real snidey stuff they get up too.

  9. adam 9
    14 June 2016 at 10:02 am

    Did you just write an apologist piece for the misadventures in USA foreign policy?

    And you painted a social democrat as a extremist.

    I think you crossed some line advantage, not sure what that line is – but I think you crossed it.

    [lprent: You certainly did. Moved to OpenMike as being off topic. ]

    • Ad 9.1
      14 June 2016 at 12:24 pm

      Thought you moisties would just love that little Sanders tweak. 😉

      • adam 9.1.1
        14 June 2016 at 12:52 pm

        You just keep moving to the right, you natural home is so national.

        Wow on the sexism – I thought you clinton supporter opposed that sort of thing. Must have had you all wrong.

        [lprent: Ok, now I am moderating.

        Off topic. Moved to OpenMike. Banned for a week for being off topic, and attacking an author rather than their argument. You have been doing way too much of it.

        Next time I see you do a irrelevant diversion or a attack on an author without a argument about their argumenmt, you will get a three month ban. I’m getting tired of that again. ]

    • lprent 9.2
      14 June 2016 at 12:57 pm

      I think you crossed some line advantage, not sure what that line is – but I think you crossed it.

      Or using the razor, possibly you aren’t that nuanced or clear on how international politics has operated over recent centuries and how it now operates.

      Certainly your comment didn’t show any obvious familiarity with the topic, instead preferring to deal with a trivial aspect of it without even defining scarcity were talking about.

      Ad’s contribution was interesting. Your one demonstrated stupidity and the pig ignorance I’d expect at whaleoil.

      Good thing I was not in moderating mode when I read it..

      Btw: in my opinion, it’d be a close race between Trump and Sanders about who is the most ignorant about international politics. Having just one Woodrow Wilson in a century is more than enough.

  10. AsleepWhileWalking 10
    14 June 2016 at 10:06 am

    https://youtu.be/qMcYKbaEbt8

    “It was a terrible, turmultous time for us. We were being supeanared by the US goverment. We didn’t have confidentiality agreements with our employers because we were government employees…”

  11. Sans Cle 11
    14 June 2016 at 10:39 am

    Interesting BBC Radio Hardtalk episode (25 min) with Prof Peter Singer (philosopher).
    http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03xdkqs

    Talks (amongst many other things) about utilitarianism and equality, but is a realist and acknowledges that such idealism does not lead to redistribution across society.

  12. Dennis Merwood 12
    14 June 2016 at 12:11 pm

    Where to start with this sycophantic clap trap?
    I live in the US.
    I voted for Obama twice.
    More fool me!
    He has not done one thing I wanted when I voted for him.
    He has surely been Bush II.
    Lets start with……”That would be a legacy and role for the U.S. as useful for the world as Obama’s has been in domestic policy.”
    What has been Obama’s legacy and role in domestic politics?
    Lets start there…..
    I’m waiting with baited(!) breath.

    [lprent: Moving your topic to OpenMike. I suggest that you read the last section of our about.

    No – you must….
    Have you read this page? We must do nothing. The posters post on the topics they want to (with a few limitations from the sysop). If you really absolutely want your ideas to be heard, then start a blog and start learning to write. You can probably find a more compatible blog on our blogroll. Or you can comment on the posts that our posters write and follow our rather lenient rules.

    I’d suggest that you don’t demand that people talk on YOUR topic again outside of OpenMike. Authors set the debate. We then allow a wide latitude once debate starts, but it must start on the topic that the author addressed. The next time I see you deliberately try to divert a post, you will also get a holiday long enough to allow you to make your own outlet for your thoughts, and time to find out why simple minded ranting for a fool doesn’t gain an audience. ]

  13. veutoviper 13
    14 June 2016 at 12:17 pm

    I thought I was going mad – or a sudden case of dementia.

    On several overnight RNZ National hourly news bulletins and also on the first part of Morning Report, it was reported that Cameron Slater – and Carrick Graham – are being sued by three health researchers for defamation in relation to posts on WO. Then it went quiet with no further mentions.

    I tried to find items on the RNZ website and via Google on this earlier this morning without success. RNZ now has an item up on the website proving that I am not going mad etc.

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/306338/health-researchers-sue-whale-oil

    As it is reasonably short, here is the article in full (minus photo of CS).

    Three public health researchers have filed defamation proceedings against the Whale Oil blogger Cameron Slater and the tobacco industry lobbyist Carrick Graham.

    The proceedings were filed in the High Court in Auckland by Professor Doug Sellman from the University of Otago, Professor Boyd Swinburn from the University of Auckland and Shane Bradbrook, and relate to a series of blog posts and comments published on the Whale Oil website.

    Mr Slater and his site, as well as Mr Graham, were featured in a book by the investigative journalist Nicky Hager, Dirty Politics. [Photo of CS removed.]

    The book revealed Mr Graham was involved in the articles targetting the applicants.

    The case focuses on articles with a negative focus on public health experts and advocates, which the three applicants claim is still going on.

    Another case to keep CS occupied … [Edit – this issue is now being picked up by other media, eg Stuff etc.]

    This afternoon a case management conference is also being held in the Auckland High Court before Judge Asher re the ongoing case between Slater and Matthew Blomfield, with each of them representing themselves. https://www.courtsofnz.govt.nz/business/calendar/daily-lists/2Tue14062016.pdf

    A couple of weeks ago, Slater dropped his appeal against an earlier decision by Judge Asher in relation to this defamation case against Slater, so it will be interesting to see the outcome of today’s conference, although it may not be made public.

    http://www.defamationupdate.co.nz/sites/all/pdf/2014/Slater-v-Blomfield-2014-NZHC-2221.pdf

    • Rodel 13.1
      14 June 2016 at 4:48 pm

      Good. I’ve missed the slater…Chardonnay & schadenfreude sandwiches all round.

    • reason 13.2
      14 June 2016 at 10:51 pm

      well spotted veutoviper ……

      Nationals Dirty Politics attacks on health professionals ( and some police officers ), took place when the Nat Government was intent on ignoring this …….”Women, children and young adults experience more harm from others drinking” … and

      “It is evident that the burden of alcohol-related injuries and violence falls disproportionately on some population groups, for example those living in more deprived neighbourhoods, Māori, Pacific peoples, children and young people.” …and

      “It is clear that alcohol use in New Zealand is contributing to increased inequalities ”

      These Alcohol facts…. and another one hundred and one just like them were ignored by the nats in The New Zealand Law Commission report on New Zealand alcohol abuse:

      http://www.ahw.org.nz/resources/Briefing%20papers/2012/Policy%20Briefing%20Paper%20Alcohol%20Injuries%20and%20Violence%20final%20draft%2012.11.12.pdf

      and they also ignored the serious but simple recommendations to lower alcohol abuse contained in the report…..

      Now we are at the point in time in New Zealand where 50% of police work is domestic and family violence ………. much of it associated with alcohol.

      Key, Collins, Bennett, Tolley and that cow Adams all voted for pro-booze profits legislation.

      Adams is still fighting against advertising restrictions …….

      How much needless extra domestic violence and child abuse have the Nats been responsible for ??? .

      A couple of Sercos worth ?.

      • North 13.2.1
        14 June 2016 at 11:31 pm

        Even the Law Commission’s corrupted. It’s membership includes the pungently flatulent and spittle-ent ‘Wayne’ of some time TS fame. Whose wife got ‘appointed’ to the District Court bench a few years ago……..ha ha ha.

        Merit-Ocracy ?

        No. Old-Boy-Ocracy !

  14. Ad 14
    14 June 2016 at 12:32 pm

    http://www.roymorgan.com/morganpoll

    OK so it’s one poll, of course, but Australia is Labour’s for the taking …. if …..

    Voting intention:
    Australian Labor 32.5%
    Liberal-National 37.5%
    Greens 13%
    Independents 17%

    Two-Party Preferred:
    Australian Labor 51%
    Liberal-National 49%

    This is tight. But a win would be a great signal for us here.

    • Pat 14.1
      14 June 2016 at 11:37 pm

      a poll of one Melbournian has both parties equally disdained and is causing paralysis….

  15. ianmac 15
    14 June 2016 at 12:37 pm

    “Three top health professionals have lodged a defamation claim against blogger Cameron Slater and PR consultant Carrick Graham alleging a long running campaign against them on the Whale Oil website. ”
    Has this already been noted?
    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/81040297/blogger-cameron-slater-faces-defamation-action-from-health-researchers

    • Rosie 15.1
      14 June 2016 at 2:37 pm

      “Has this already been noted?”

      Yep,

      by veutoviper at 13. Intriguing news. It sounds like the three academics have had enough of the continual slander and misrepresentation directed at them by whaleblah.

      I was always thought it was extremely arrogant or incredibly stupid, not sure which one, for whaleblah to continue with his attacks after Dirty Politics was published.

      • ianmac 15.1.1
        14 June 2016 at 3:10 pm

        Oops. Thanks Rosie. Surely you don’t think Cameron is stupid? Perhaps he has been promised protection from some elevated person. Ha!

        • Rosie 15.1.1.1
          14 June 2016 at 3:24 pm

          I’ve got to say I thought I was hearing things when I heard it on RNZ this arvo.

          Rancid lamp oil stupid? Nooooooooo, never. ……. 😀

      • weka 15.1.2
        14 June 2016 at 3:36 pm

        Good for them. About time more people started standing up and doing something about Dirty Politics.

        Lolz Graham thinking cupcakes.

    • McFlock 15.2
      14 June 2016 at 3:34 pm

      Give ’em enough rope… 🙂

  16. Ad 16
    14 June 2016 at 3:39 pm

    The losing campaign managers for Bush, Rubio, and Cruz walk into a bar, and dish it out on losing, on Trump, and on Hilary:

    http://highline.huffingtonpost.com/articles/en/sad/

    You have to be a bit of a political nerd for this interview, but it’s honest and straight about The Game.

  17. weka 17
    14 June 2016 at 3:43 pm

    Can anyone tell me what the Greens’ twitter logo is about?

    https://twitter.com/NZGreens

  18. Adrian 18
    14 June 2016 at 6:00 pm

    [You’re currently banned. You’re welcome back next Tuesday. TRP]

    • BM 18.1
      14 June 2016 at 6:12 pm

      Prepare for the bold font.

    • mauī 18.2
      14 June 2016 at 6:29 pm

      You have a legitimate grievance and I’m sure many on here support you like I do.

      Probably the best thing to do is when you come back, do not comment on TRP’s posts or any guest posts (as TRP probably has moderator control over those too). That should improve your chances of not getting banned from the Standard. Such is life.

  19. Chooky 19
    14 June 2016 at 8:47 pm

    ‘Our Daily Brexit: ‘UK leaving EU could spell end of Western political civilisation’, EC chief’

    https://www.rt.com/uk/346523-brexit-tusk-civilisation-orlando/

    …”Deutsche Bank predicts the British stock market could actually benefit from Brexit, as a drop in the value of the pound would give a boost to UK exports.

    Although the bank forecasts a 5 percent fall in the FTSE100, this dip will still be outperforming the German DAX which will fall as much as 10 percent in the event of Brexit…

  20. North 20
    14 June 2016 at 9:17 pm

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11656425

    What a fucking joke ! Two million shitty bucks ?

    Let’s not forget that at an earlier stage Teina Pora while out on licence had forbidden contact with a mate whom he’d met in prison…….who was probably a soul who helped Teina to preserve his sanity. Stopped him from topping himself.

    And then all the authorities, Parole Board et al, were clutching their fucking pearls because apparently Teina out on licence after 21 years had hooked up with some woman. Oh how fucking gross of that boy !!!!!

    You’re still treating Teina like a piece of shit you bastards. Ten, twenty million bucks wouldn’t be enough !

    And what of Super Detective Steve Rutherford ? Who DID IT to Teina. Living happily (not if he has a conscience) in retirement in Ohope or somewhere. On a goodish pension which probably exceeds 100 grand a year.

    I well remember seeing him in the public area of the Papakura District Court easily a couple of decades ago. Young greenhorn cops approaching him in utter supplication, genuflecting. And Rutherford accepted the adoration with a smug, self-satisfied smile. How many other people’s lives did this ‘Super-Cop’ destroy ?

    This beast who destroyed Teina’s life…….because the vanity of ‘Super-Cop’ over-rode all……even justice. A curse on you Steve Rutherford, ‘Super-Cop’. There’s much more than two mill’ allocated to you from when you did this to Teina and in the years ahead. Hope you feel ashamed man. Doubt it. You’re an unrepentant bastard. Shit karma to you man.

    • KJT 20.1
      14 June 2016 at 9:28 pm

      Makes you wonder how many others were “fitted up” that we do not know about.

      • Chooky 20.1.1
        15 June 2016 at 10:50 am

        I suspect Scott Watson is one….the water taxi driver said he did NOT deliver the victims to Watson’s boat, but to another…his evidence was ignored

        David Bain would be another….travesty of justice….his sister’s pimp mysteriously disappeared to Australia for the court case …also disappeared or destroyed was her notebook with her clients

        • KJT 20.1.1.1
          16 June 2016 at 7:57 pm

          Wondered about Watson when part of the evidence was that he was cleaning up the cassette tapes in his boat after a trip. This was considered suspicious?
          I read that when I was wiping down all my boat electrics etc after a long trip. As you do.

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    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Humanitarian support for Ethiopia and Somalia
    New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today.   “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
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    3 days ago

  • Arts Minister congratulates Mataaho Collective
    Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale.  “It is good ...
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    4 days ago

  • Supporting better financial outcomes for Kiwis
    The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
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    4 days ago

  • Trade relationship with China remains strong
    “China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says.   Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
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    4 days ago

  • PM’s South East Asia mission does the business
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
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    5 days ago

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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