Open mike 17/04/2015

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, April 17th, 2015 - 115 comments
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openmikeOpen mike is your post.

For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy).

Step up to the mike …

115 comments on “Open mike 17/04/2015 ”

  1. Michael 1

    Elizabeth Warren named in Time Magazine top 100 most influential people.

    And Hillary Clinton wrote the piece praising her. http://time.com/3823064/elizabeth-warren-2015-time-100/

    “It was always going to take a special kind of leader to pick up Ted Kennedy’s mantle as senior Senator from Massachusetts—champion of working families and scourge of special interests. Elizabeth Warren never lets us forget that the work of taming Wall Street’s irresponsible risk taking and reforming our financial system is far from finished. And she never hesitates to hold powerful people’s feet to the fire: bankers, lobbyists, senior government officials and, yes, even presidential aspirants.

    Elizabeth Warren’s journey from janitor’s daughter to Harvard professor to public watchdog to U.S. Senator has been driven by an unflagging determination to level the playing field for hardworking American families like the one she grew up with in Oklahoma. She fights so hard for others to share in the American Dream because she lived it herself.”

    • Chooky 1.1

      Elisabeth Warren would make a far better US President than Hilary Clinton…who is a hawk…

      …and Hilary Clinton wants to up the USA propaganda information war…as if it had not got the world into enough wars, especially the Middle East

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBsALgjLK0U

      …does this mean that Hilary Clinton wants to censor or restrict the internet?

      • Pasupial 1.1.1

        +1 Chooky. But Clinton has the name recognition – we’re unlikely to see Warren throw her hat in the ring this time around.

        The problem this election is that Clinton looks such a sure thing for the Democratic nomination, who is likely to challenge her for the role? Probably Biden, and others of a similar calibre. Those who have future intentions are unlikely to want to soil their image by being an also-ran now. However, the party primary elections are a large part of the USA presidential contest. Without a credible opponent, Clinton is unlikely to get as much media coverage of her primary campaign, and so will be at a disadvantage against whatever man is chosen as the republican face.

    • freedom 1.2

      for some amusement, here’s one of Hillary’s recent campaign stunts falling over
      http://www.dcclothesline.com/2015/04/16/flash-hillarys-dinner-with-ordinary-iowans-was-a-fake/

    • Murray Rawshark 1.3

      I’d have to consider that damning with faint praise (or maybe not so faint). As for the American Dream – yeah, you have to be asleep to believe it. Hilary represents the interests that Warren fights.

      • Jones 1.3.1

        Whoever makes it to the White House will represent those interests… anyone else won’t get within cooee!

  2. Paul 2

    Malcolm Evans is drawing some brilliant cartoons on ANZAC Day at the moment

    Patriotism and Truth
    http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2015/04/17/malcolm-evans-anzac-day/

    For King and Club
    http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2015/04/16/malcolm-evans-for-king-and-club/

    Does anyone know if his cartoons are published in a newspaper or magazine?

    • There used to be a cartoonist who signed ‘Evans’ who had regular cartoons on the editorial page of The Press (alternating with Al Nisbett, I think).

      I don’t get The Press now so don’t know if ‘Evans’ is still one of their cartoonists.

      From the style and signature, it certainly seems to be the same ‘Evans’.

    • vto 2.2

      never ever forget that the defence forces answer to the crown not us. We are not the crown.

      the crown does not hesitate to turn its armies on the people. History is littered with it.

      don’t trust them

  3. Paul 3

    Amirite posted this at 7 p.m. yesterday evening.

    Have reposted at the top of Open Mike so as many people as possible hear of this.

    “Bad luck or no coincidence? Unite Union’s office has been broken into, equipment stolen and smashed. It’s not in the news, only on Joe Carolan’s Facebook page.

    https://www.facebook.com/solidarityjoe/posts/10152725245132601?fref=nf

    • Pasupial 3.1

      That is despicable, but surely not unexpected. I hope Unite has better computer security than physical security. If the stolen laptops contain member/ donor info then this will be very bad for them.

      Maybe Campbell Live will have a segment on this tonight? It’d fit in well with the coverage they’ve been doing on the struggle against zero-hours.

    • halfcrown 3.2

      Thanks for drawing that to our attention Paul, I go here for current news, never read, listen, or watch the shit the media puts out as news.

      If this was politically motivated, lets hope it blows up in their face like Watergate. But there is one thing for sure, can’t see out media doing investigative journalism like Watergate.
      Whilst we are on the subject of political intimidation and break ins, does anyone know if Nickey Hager has had his gear returned that was confiscated by the police?

    • vto 3.3

      That, on the face it, is out and out TERRORISM

      “the unofficial or unauthorized use of violence and intimidation in the pursuit of political aims.”

      As just posted below – look in the complete opposite direction to find the truth… http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-17042015/#comment-1001391…. ignore Rebecca Kitteridge 180 degrees

      A terrorist attack has just occurred.

  4. saveNZ 4

    From Granddaddy Herald about Dotcom….

    Sony’s top copyright lawyer, Aimee Wolfson, said it was “not at all unimaginable” that the internet tycoon would avoid extradition or even successfully defend himself in the United States.

    Emails relating to the Dotcom case were revealed by WikiLeaks yesterday in a database of emails hacked from the global entertainment giant.

    Those relating to the Dotcom case show Sony to be less sure privately about the criminal and civil charges facing the internet entrepreneur than the bullish public attitude from the Hollywood studios.

    Crunch-time for Sony came mid-2014 when the Hollywood studios filed papers in New Zealand courts to restrain Dotcom’s assets.

    Ms Wolfson recommended Sony pull back from the joint action against Dotcom in New Zealand.

    The other five studios went ahead.

    p.s Viacom has already sued You Tube/Google and lost. A File sharing business is not copy write infringement!

    That’s why they are seizing his assets so that he can’t defend himself.

    Great to have the John Key and the armed defenders and GCSB on the NZ taxpayer
    dollar doing all that work for the five studio execs for their civil action.

    Even if you do not like Dotcom what is being done here is morally wrong.

    • Chooky 4.1

      +100 saveNZ….

    • Murray Rawshark 4.2

      “Even if you do not like Dotcom what is being done here is morally wrong.”

      Exactly. I can’t even be bothered saying whether I like the guy or not. It’s irrelevant. I wonder if we’ll get another epic film made in Aotearoa as homage to FJK and to thank him for his efforts on behalf of Hollywood and Wall St? Maybe something about the plucky son of a Jewish refugee who single handedly took on Al Peter File bin Sabin, the head of an international terrorist ring threatening our children, and made Aotearoa safe for our national icons, such as the plastic buzzy bee?

      • Chooky 4.2.1

        lol…sounds like you should be film director of heavy satire and farce…if I had the money i would definitely back you

  5. Paul 5

    ‘Threat of terrorist attack in NZ increases.’
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11434089

    Interesting timing for the release of such a story. Is it designed so that ‘consumers’ of the MSM get a little more scared and therefore are more likely to support Key’s deployment of troops to support the club?

    Hermann Goering’s quote seems opportune.

    “Why of course the people don’t want war. Why should some poor slob on
    a farm want to risk his life in a war when the best he can get out of
    it is to come back to his farm in one piece? Naturally the common people
    don’t want war. The people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders.
    That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked,
    and denounce the peacemakers for lack of patriotism and exposing the
    country to danger. It works the same in any country.”

    • ianmac 5.1

      So true in NZ today Paul. Not only works for Key re terrorist “threat” but also for criminal “threat” hence tougher sentencing. “Look out! They are just behind you! Run. But we tough Government will protect you, but only if you vote for us.”

    • vto 5.2

      Claims of terrorists by government need to be treated the same as claims by whitebaiters about whitebait….. flip it 180 degrees and you will have it roughly right….. look in the completely opposite direction.

      but of course most never do – they believe what they are told….. and hence never catch whitebait

      it is so f&*^ing simple

  6. Ron 6

    I was upset that last night Radio New Zealand CEO announced that RNZ would be joining the I-Heart club and in future all three of their stations would be available on the I-Heart app. Just checked they are there now. Trouble is I see this as a win for NZME in that the RNZ icons will be surrounded by the likes of Newstalkzb and all their other stations. But from Radio NZ’s point I doubt that many commercial listeners will be tempted to cross the divide and sample non commercial radio. RNZ had a perfectly usable app of their own. I wonder just what convinced their board that it would be a good idea to join this commercial con job. Wait a minute just checked the latest board of governors for RNZ – self explanatory really

  7. Chooky 7

    Where does the New Zealand Labour Party stand on the TPPA?

    The Greens, NZF and Mana/Int are all opposed to the TPPA

    Why doesn’t Andrew Little and the Labour Party come clean?…and spell it out

    • Chooky 7.1

      Why the NZ Labour Party needs to take a stand and say “no” to the TPPA!…it is more than just a trade deal…it affects the sovereignty of New Zealand

      http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/04/14/opinion/dont-keep-trade-talks-secret.html?_r=2

      Come on NZ Labour Party!

      • Chooky 7.1.1

        I know where Norm Kirk would stand on the TPPA

        Under Andrew Little is the NZ Labour Party now a party for the corporates?

        ..and the take over of sovereign countries and democracies?

        Is the New Zealand Labour Party a left wing party or a right wing party?

        • Murray Rawshark 7.1.1.1

          “Under Andrew Little is the NZ Labour Party now a party for the corporates?”

          It has been since Lange.

          “..and the take over of sovereign countries and democracies?”

          It’s far less worried about this than it should be.

          “Is the New Zealand Labour Party a left wing party or a right wing party?”

          A right wing party. Any more questions I can answer?

          What we already know about the TPPA is more than enough to be firmly opposed to it. Labour’s position is a cop out.

          • Chooky 7.1.1.1.1

            Thanks mr for those concise answers to my questions

            …i can now see i wont be voting Labour …even although i joined the Labour Party to support Cunliffe

            …I want to vote for a real Left Party that takes NZ sovereignty and Democracy seriously

      • Tautoko Mangō+Mata 7.1.2

        Agreed, Chooky!

        [r0b: odd name / handle – what browser are you using?]

    • The NZLP position has been out for a couple of years, chooky. We want openness and transparency first and foremost. To put it simply, the LP wants to know what’s actually in the document before it supports or opposes it.

      http://campaign.labour.org.nz/our_position_on_the_tpp

      • Chooky 7.2.1

        Not good enough!

        The NZ Labour Party should come out openly and oppose the TPPA!…because quite clearly there is no openness….and no openness is intended in TPPA discussions and decisions

        The rest of the left has come out and opposed the TPPA!

        The Labour Party should be taking a stand to oppose the TPPA …and NOT stay sitting on the fence…and in so doing supporting Nactional and the corporates.

        New Zealanders and Labour supporters need the Labour Party to take an unequivocal stand opposing the TPPA! ( not least of all to show up Nactional )

        …Norm Kirk would have!…the TPPA negotiations are an attack on New Zealand sovereignty

        • Gosman 7.2.1.1

          The Labour Party is not really opposed to the way this is being negotiated because they themselves have been in office where international negotiations have been conducted in secrecy. They are smart enough to realise that this is the way these things are done.

          • Draco T Bastard 7.2.1.1.1

            The rest of NZ don’t think that they should be negotiated in secret and that we should have a say in the outcome.

            It’s called democracy.

        • te reo putake 7.2.1.2

          Fascinating. No doubt you’ll have a whole raft of citations for saying Big Norm would have opposed the TPP. Or maybe not if you’re just plucking his name out of the ether. In actual fact Kirk started the process of negotiating trade deals in Asia and Oz to cover for the loss of exports to the UK after they joined the common market.

          I suspect Kirk would have agreed with the NZLP’s current position which is that no such deal should be done in secret.

          • Chooky 7.2.1.2.1

            I doubt that Norm kirk would have supported the process of the TPPA…and I suspect he would have joined the other New Zealand left parties in opposing the TPPA outright

            Conclusion: The NZ Labour Party is not a left party

            ..it does not support the stand of other New Zealand left parties

            ..the NZLP does not oppose the stand of the Nacts and the corporates in secret negotiations which undermine our NZ sovereignty…in so doing it is supporting the John key Nact government

          • dave brown 7.2.1.2.2

            TPR you are being disingenuous at best.

            The TPPA is not quite secret is it?

            We know why they want to keep it secret because any knowledge of its contents would make the deal very unpopular.

            But despite their best efforts to keep it secret Wikileaks has told us what is in key parts of the deal like the investment chapter.

            We know that the main purpose of the TPPA is to give giant corporates much more control over client states so as to protect their profits.

            Just look at how NAFTA has worked.

            Do you think that Norm Kirk would have approved of NAFTA?

            Nah.

            NAFTA turned Mexico and Canada into economic slaves of the US. The TPPA will turn the whole of the Pacific rim minus China into a slave camp for the USA.

            Is the rightwing of Labour so desperate to keep in the US good books that it is blind to the real content of the TPPA?

            Labour’s stand on ‘democracy’ when that ‘democracy’ is denied by another NACT term trading off NZ sovereignty is a pathetic pretext for its gutless fawning on the 1%.

          • Murray Rawshark 7.2.1.2.3

            The obvious difference is that the TPPA is not a free trade deal. It’s a corporate control and loss of sovereignty deal. Please tell us what Kirk’s equivalent of the Investor Dispute Tribunals was, where we could have been sued for making law that impinged on corporate profits?

      • Bill 7.2.2

        This ‘we’. What’s that about? I’m not having a dig here, but I’ve noticed you using the possessive form of ‘we’ when talking about the Labour Party on a few occasions. Assuming you aren’t an official spokesperson for NZ Labour… and knowing that your thoughts aren’t those of all Labour Party members…

        My point is that it’s enough of an arse for people around here to constantly reiterate they write in a personal capacity without some-one suddenly bandying the possessive ‘we’ around the show.

      • The Chairman 7.2.3

        @ te reo putake

        To easy voter concern, Labour could announce support of NZF’s Fighting Foreign Corporate Control Bill, which aims to ensure there is no investor-state dispute settlement in international agreements.

        • Chooky 7.2.3.1

          +100…but they dont…they are a pale imitation of Nact…they are not really the Left at all

          …the sooner people realise this the better and vote for the Greens , Mana/Int or NZF the better….these parties need to form a Left coalition

          Labour has had a proud tradition but now is the time to face up to reality

  8. adam 8

    This is depressing – Very.

    Very good journalism, but a very depressing story all the same.

    How the world bank failed the poor.

    http://www.icij.org/project/world-bank/how-world-bank-broke-its-promise-protect-poor

    • Gosman 8.1

      The World Bank did not cause the disruptions to these poor people. It was the authorities in the nations involved. Most of these are democratic as far as I can tell. Why is the World Bank responsible when these people’s elected representatives are the ones failing them?

      • Draco T Bastard 8.1.1

        If the World Bank had kept to its policies those local authorities wouldn’t have got the money thus the World Bank is as culpable as the local authorities.

        • Colonial Rawshark 8.1.1.1

          The IMF and the World Bank flood the unaccountable elites of a country with hundreds of millions, load up the nation with debt, and Gossie is surprised it doesn’t go well.

          • Draco T Bastard 8.1.1.1.1

            Gossie probably thinks it’s all working well. After all, the deserving rich are getting richer while the lazy poor are getting what’s coming to them /sarc.

  9. Clemgeopin 9

    Can National fool all the people all the time?

    This information was posted last night on the Daily Review by Adrian:

    The SAME two National sycophants dressed in blue were in two completely different places within a minute !

    Observe the video at 1:00 and 1:53.

    The two Nat women simply went (or were asked to go) to another spot to repeat the charade. They changed the way they stood before to shake hands with Key: At 1:00 the older woman is on the left, but at 1:53, on the right!

    The stupid National propaganda crooks probably thought they could fool all the people all the time!

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/67521779/i-wont-pick-up-phone-key-dismisses-peters

    • Molly 9.1

      The less-than-heartening alternative is that these are two genuine Nat fans, who thought nothing of rushing around to another venue in order to meet up with FJK again…. (the “thought nothing” would be indicative of their usual mode then)

      • Murray Rawshark 9.1.1

        And there are only two NAct fans in Dargaville – I find that endearing.

    • DoublePlusGood 9.2

      Also, Osbourne amusingly checks his empty wrist for the time. Super sharp, that bunch.

  10. Just a reminder that tomorrow is record store day. Of course, every day is vinyl day in the Putake whare, but it would be great if Standardistas could pop into these fine emporiums and spin the black circle:

    http://www.recordstoreday.com/Venues?country=New%20Zealand

    For my sins, here is the first rekkid I bought:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCcaP5z4xbg

    Mmmm, groovy and philosophical at the same time. Nice.

    • lprent 10.1

      I live in an 51 square metre apartment in central Auckland. Space for a vinyl spinner doesn’t exist. Email, books, music, and video all exist in virtual machines on the same box that is the primary server for The Standard.

      8Tb in a RAID6 stores a *lot* of encrypted data.

        • lprent 10.1.1.1

          Of course I then have to store the vinyl. 😈

          I have boxes of CDs and DVDs stored at relatives already after I ‘backed’ them up onto my drive (and the offsite archive). These days I just get the digital forms rather than adding to redundant plastics.

      • Draco T Bastard 10.1.2

        8Tb in a RAID6 stores a *lot* of encrypted data.

        I have a difficulty in using up 1TB of data although that will probably change at some point in the nearish future (re-learning programming so I can get a few projects done).

        • lprent 10.1.2.1

          I can use a terabyte with ease. That is what my laptops have these days.

          A very fast way to fill up hard drives is to start using virtual machines for developing software projects. You can get them configured exactly for requirements and not have them go sour on you as you add one more “essential” software package or game.

          Then have a pile of them around with different variants of operating systems for testing.

    • tinfoilhat 10.2

      @TRP.. you sad old git !

      Join the club. 😆

      • te reo putake 10.2.1

        I’ve been in the mood this morning; AK79, Cherry Red compilation Pillows and Prayers, London Calling and side four of Sandinista. And I’ve got some Sonny Okosun and Sunny Ade for the crucial post lunch energiser. Put the needle to the groove, party people!

  11. Bill 11

    Did Nicola Sturgeon just wipe the floor with Ed Miliband? This clip from last night’s UK debate suggests she did 🙂

    http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/apr/16/miliband-sturgeon-final-tv-debate-anti-tory-coalition

    Appealing to false nonsense (Nicola only wants to break up the UK…SNP brought down Labour when Nicola was 9 years old because like, there were absolutely no other parties in Westminster voting against Labour in 1979…ruling out a coalition the SNP has already said it has no interest in etc).

    Not going to fly Ed. Not going to fly.

    • Draco T Bastard 11.1

      Sounds remarkably like the Labour Party here over the last few years of them failing badly.

      • Bill 11.1.1

        They’re exactly like the NZ Labour Party.

        Both are failing badly because both of them abandoned their roots. That the Labour Party in Scotland looks close to be being wiped out by a party that has grafted itself onto those abandoned roots should be a wee bit of a heads up for NZ Labour.

        But I’ll bet they just cover their ears and eyes and carry on failing, on the premise that they only have to fail less than the Nats to form a government…and people wonder why ‘no-one’ gives a fuck any more?

        • Colonial Rawshark 11.1.1.1

          A common impression within NZLP ‘higher ups’ is that voters barely care about or even remember the 1980s Rogernomics years and Labour’s role in bringing the neoliberal trojan horse into the gates of the country.

          • Bill 11.1.1.1.1

            Oh, I know they see no need to apologise as a process of making a very public break from the past.

            That as it may be, any refusal to learn very simple lesson from just a cursory glance at the state of Labour in Scotland is fucked up to the nth degree.

            Andrew Little could also do worse than view that latest BBC leaders debate and pay particular attention to the audience reaction on progressives offering support and Labour posturing, given that only 5% of the audience would have been people intending to vote SNP and maybe another few percent voting for either the Greens or Plaid Cymru.

          • Murray Rawshark 11.1.1.1.2

            Is that why they won’t apologise for Rogernomics? Because they think no one remembers? I always thought it was because they were proud of having done it.

    • A good result for Labour, apparently:

      “His deadly opponent was Nicola Sturgeon. He could have been easy meat for her deft jibes, but with a powerful defence of the union, he more than survived; he might even have retrieved some Scottish votes.

      Miliband’s team will be rightly delighted. At every outing he grows in strength and confidence. Once he thought presentation didn’t matter – now he knows better.”

      http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/apr/16/challengers-final-tv-debate-general-election-columnists-verdict

      • Colonial Rawshark 11.2.1

        There’s only one result which counts. And it’s coming up soon.

      • Bill 11.2.2

        Aye well, that’s according to Polly Toynbee on Ed. You read her pale pink banner waving columns? Of course she would talk up Miliband.

        And then there’s the next one down, Deborah Orr on Sturgeon

        Nicola Sturgeon certainly played a blinder.

        …she also made Miliband look like the lucky guy who could bask in her charisma if only he’d stop being such a boring ol’ PM in waiting.

        But regardless of what various pundits have to say, I’ve just watched the entire debate and noted that Nicola was the only one to get loud cheers from the audience and interestingly, when Ed played the ‘they want to break up this country’ card….nothing. In fact, overall, Ed got not a lot in the way of applause or affirmation from the audience.

    • Clemgeopin 11.3

      At the close of the 90 minutes, Miliband turned his fire on his absent rival, saying:

      “David Cameron refused to come and debate tonight, but I have got a message for him. David, if you think this election is about leadership, then debate me one on one. I believe my ideas, my vision for the country are better for the working families of Britain. If you disagree, then prove it. Debate me and let the people decide.”

      How did the challengers fare in the final TV debate? Guardian columnists’ verdict

      In a Survation/Mirror poll, the only snap verdict on the contest,

      Miliband was declared the winner with 35%; Sturgeon, 31%; the Ukip leader, Nigel Farage, 27%; the Green party leader, Natalie Bennett, 5%; and Plaid Cymru’s Leanne Wood, 2%.

    • Colonial Rawshark 11.4

      RT: Assange says Scottish independence seen as national security threat by UK spies

      Full range of covert activities and “dirty tricks” against the SNP and its MPs and leaders could be expected.

      http://rt.com/uk/250105-scotland-referendum-surveillance-assange/

    • adam 11.5

      I do like how Nicola Sturgeon presents herself.

  12. Gosman 12

    Looks like Syriza is rapidly running out of options. It will have to break one of the their key election pledges.

    http://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/apr/16/greece-moves-step-closer-to-grexit-after-imf-snub

  13. oldladymuso 13

    Does anyone have any answers to the Mike Sabin conundrum? I am wondering why he has been able to take up his new job when he is currently under investigation – or are the Internet rumours untrue about the nature of the offences against him? The Internet has been frustratingly quiet.

    #whatswithsabinsnewjob

    (Yes, I am fascinated with the Sabin story – mostly because I wondered how on earth Brook Sabin was able to continue to work at TV3 without a conflict of interest being declared during Election 2014.)

    • veutoviper 13.1

      We are all pretty much in the dark about what is going on re Sabin and have to wait to see how things play out in the meantime.

      This is another interesting article yesterday on the NBR website where it seems the Northland resort where Sabin now works has refused to talk.

      http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/sabin-linked-luxury-resort-goes-ground-over-new-ceo-jb-171490

      • emergency mike 13.1.1

        Hmm, dodgy ex-National MP now CEO of high-end luxury Chinese property development enterprise.

        Who’d have thunk it.

        • Paul 13.1.1.1

          November 9th 2013…

          ‘Shanghai CRED Real Estate Co. has purchased a New Zealand resort hotel as well as an adjacent vineyard and golf course which it plans to develop and promote to wealthy Chinese tourists.
          The resort “can provide the sort of holiday experience that high-income Chinese and other international tourists are seeking,” Guo Gui, general manager of Shanghai CRED, said in the statement. His company has been involved with similar properties in China and will promote Carrington through its many tourism contacts, he said.
          Shanghai CRED bought the 1,100-hectare (2,700-acre) property from a U.S.- based owner, it said in the statement. The purchase price was treated as confidential when the Overseas Investment Office granted consent in July, and isn’t being disclosed, Cedric Allan, a New Zealand spokesman for the buyer, said in a telephone interview today.’

          http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-11-09/shanghai-cred-buys-new-zealand-resort-eyes-chinese-tourists

          http://media.nzherald.co.nz/webcontent/document/pdf/201345/Carrington.pdf

          “Shanghai CRED is one of Shanghai’s largest property development companies. Their purchase of the 1,100 hectare (2,718 acre) Peppers Carrington resort – which includes a seaside golf course and vineyard – is the first significant Chinese investment in New Zealand’s tourism sector. The New Zealand government is targeting a fivefold increase in the number of Chinese visitors to New Zealand by 2018.
          The Chapman Tripp team advised on the acquisition, Overseas Investment Office (OIO) consent, the structuring of Shanghai CRED’s New Zealand entities and employment contracts and is assisting with immigration requirements.
          Partner Bill Sandston led the team, which included senior associate Tessa Kennings and solicitor Ruonan Duan.
          Bill Sandston said: “Overseas Investment Office (OIO) approval and Chinese language skills were integral to the deal’s success and we are one of the few full-service law firms able to support our clients in this way.
          “Our work for Shanghai Cred, as well as our representation of Shanghai Pengxin in its Crafar Farms purchase and current takeover bid for Canterbury dairy farmer Synlait Farms, reinforces our reputation for acting on Chinese investors’ most complex OIO approvals.”

          http://www.chapmantripp.com/news/Pages/Chapman-Tripp-advises-on-China%27s-first-big-tourism-investment-in-New-Zealand.aspx

          • vto 13.1.1.1.1

            Just on a tangent… that resort, purchased by foreigners, to cater to the foreigners exclusive wealthy elite when they need a break, will do jack-shit for NZ.

            A few cleaners and staff on minimum wage possible. That’s it.

            All profit, which derives in bulk from our whenua, will go back to those foreign lands. In fact I would guess that pretty much all payments made for staying at the resort will be made back in those foreign lands and never even cross our borders.

            Plus – that locality has had plans in the past for an international airport.

            The foreigners will fly in directly, fly out again, and no money or anything will land in NZ itself.

            How is that good for us? Does anyone know?

            wrong. so very very wrong.

      • Paul 13.1.2

        In the comments below the NBR article, for what it is worth…

        “The word on the Northland vine is that there will by 600+ properties built as a possible gated community, with the resort flying in rich Chinese to play among the dunes.
        Guess we will not be welcome and it is a shame Winnie can not stop this debacle because, despite assurances, I can not see us us locals being invited unless it is as local help.
        OIO has a lot to answer for — they are screwing NZ and selling off its carcass.
        We thought that the north was safe from this kind of treachery. Seems not.”

    • Murray Rawshark 13.2

      I heard a story that the chief witness in a case, a female police officer, has gone overseas. I do not know if this is true and I am not saying it has anything to do with Sabin. What I will say is that the NAct Party is filthier than I had thought possible.

      • veutoviper 13.2.1

        Interesting, Murray. Pity you won’t be in a certain place on Monday, but if there is a ‘meeting’ it may turn out to be a short session with the legals only to extend certain remand provisions. I understand that this extension would have been outside the brief of the Auckland HC dealing with the appeal against disclosure,

        [Are you here or there? Hope all goes well – Princess Alex? – I have everything crossed for good news.]

    • If everyone with a family or personal connection to an MP was forbidden from being a journalist we’d have a very small press gallery. Possibly non-existent.

  14. emergency mike 14

    Light relief: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x11dao5_triumph-at-spin-alley-2004-10-20_fun

    Triumph the puppet takes on party PR hacks after a leaders debate in run up to the 2004 US election. I hadn’t seen this before, but I got more than one actual lol from this. Recommended.

  15. The Chairman 15

    The Greens claim it was the lone political voice supporting a capital gains tax on property.

    Little is now wisely talking about LVR restrictions.

    Therefore, does that mean Labour have dropped the notion of a CGT?

    • Colonial Rawshark 15.1

      Internally within Labour it has generally (although not universally) been finally recognised that a CGT is a dead rat which voters will not swallow.

      More importantly though, Labour have not put together a comprehensive and cohesive housing and accomodation programme for NZ yet. It’s still very bitsy and unfocussed.

      • The Chairman 15.1.1

        That’s good to hear (re CGT). Although, they took their time coming around.

        It does sound as if Labour are still putting things together.

        LVR restrictions are the way to go,. Regional flexibility is also a plus, but they will also have to avert investors ability to leverage off equity, otherwise LVR restrictions will become toothless.

        Now we require to get the Greens in tune to put forward a united front.

        • weka 15.1.1.1

          LVR?

          • The Chairman 15.1.1.1.1

            Loan-to-value ratio restrictions. In short, requiring higher deposits from property investors.

            • millsy 15.1.1.1.1.1

              There is nothing really wrong with that…only a mug would get a home loan with no deposit.

              • The Chairman

                It’s really the way forward, Millsy.

                Not only will it reduce risk (for both the borrower and lender) it also slows speculation and in turn increases savings. Removing the need for a CGT and compulsory KiwiSaver – win-win.

                Additionally, as it removes the heat out of the property market, it gives the Reserve Bank scope to lower the OCR, thus taking pressure off the NZ dollar.

  16. Bill, for some reason I can’t reply directly to your ‘we’ question above. I use we as a possessive on an occasion because I’m a proud Labour party member. We members share ownership of the party, so it’s not grammatically inappropriate usage when talking about things like settled policy. However, if I’m talking about a LP MP’s press release or caucus activity in general, I wouldn’t use the possessive because I’m a step (or two) removed.

    • Bill 16.1

      Yeah, I think I understand why you use it…in line with ‘we won’ when in actual fact the person saying it was sitting on their chuff watching the Black Caps or who-ever on the TV.

      My sole thought is that in relation to commenting on ‘ts’, it can be a less than helpful habit when used in relation to political parties given the bullshit that’s thrown this way by some who claim ‘ts’ is a mouthpiece of this or that political entity.

      As an aside, no policy is ever settled, is it? I mean, policy remits to conference and what have you… 😉

      • te reo putake 16.1.1

        Good point about TS! Hadn’t thought of it from that perspective. Mind you, most of the most obsessive about the supposed TS/LP link are folk like WO, PG and Bomber who know it’s not true anyway.

        I’ve been trying to think of other situations where I’d use ‘we’ like that. Not many, really. The only comparable situation is that when talking about football; I will say things like ‘we all hope Big Sam gets sacked’ as if I have a Borg like connection to every other West Ham fan in the universe.

      • dave brown 16.1.2

        We means we when its up to me.
        We means me when its up to thee.
        Is that not ABC says TRP.

  17. Pasupial 17

    As a followup to the Compass takeover of the SDHB meals on wheels program, which I commented on yeterday:

    Dr Hearn, of Dunedin, said he would wait and see what happened before deciding whether to quit the service he has provided for the ”best part of 20 years”.

    ”I think many drivers will find themselves wishing to continue to assist the elderly and disabled, but unwilling to shore up the profits of a private corporation…

    Dr Hearn took exception to board chairman Joe Butterfield’s reported comments yesterday that volunteers who quit the service would be doing a ”disservice”.

    ”Meals on wheels drivers are hardly likely to be encouraged by an approach that really amounts to little more than a silly effort to bully drivers,” he said.

    http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/339379/volunteers-unhappy-meals-plan

    However, the SDHB has its own problems and may not end up having the final say (even if they are convinced by the outcry against the scheme):

    Labour health spokeswoman Annette King said a document she obtained revealed the board was in ”serious freefall” with a ballooning deficit…

    The Ministry of Health had advised Dr Coleman on ”governance options” for the board.

    Mrs King said the governance options were not specified, but she believed it meant a commissioner was being considered.

    ”When they talk about governance options, there aren’t that many options.” …

    A spokeswoman for Dr Coleman said he intended to appoint a new chairman, rather than install a commissioner…

    The paper comes as the board’s community-based health providers are reeling from a proposed 5% cut to their funding.

    http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/339385/sdhb-serious-freefall

    So assuming that the Nats do appoint an overseer (who Coleman denies will be called a; “commissioner”) to the SDHB to adminster the funding cuts, the paper savings of the Compass contract will be a high priority for their approval. Then there’s the question of; how much Compass may have donated to certain election campaigns, but I’m not a forensic accountant able to follow concealed money trails.

  18. Chooky 18

    …so to put it into a nutshell the Nacts starve the Southland District Hospital Board of taxpayer money for health

    …so it goes into deficit

    ….and then has to jettison ‘meals on wheels’ to a private money making company… (one of Nact’s cronyist friends?)

    ….and its $23 million John key is putting in of New Zealand taxpayer money to change our New Zealand flag against our will ?! ( surveys show New Zealanders dont want their flag changed, especially the RSA and young NZers…they like our flag)

    …this $23 million could go into ‘meals on wheels’ and kids lunches in schools ( you know Hone and Metiria’s lunches in schools Bill that the Nacts voted down)

    ….where is the Labour Party on this?

  19. Chooky 19

    This is pretty shocking…it couldnt be happening in NZ as well could it?…surely not….but how would we know?

    ….such a kerfuffle was made of Dotcom’s donations to the Int/Mana Party….but what were the Nacts up to?

    ‘Tories bankrolled by hedge funds in offshore tax havens, new analysis shows’

    http://rt.com/uk/250325-tories-bankrolled-hedgefunds-industry/

    “Conservative Party candidates are bankrolled by hedge fund donations siphoned to Westminster from lucrative tax havens including the Cayman Islands, new analysis suggests…”.

    – See more at: http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2015/04/16/the-daily-blog-open-mic-thursday-16th-april-2015/#comment-282742

  20. North 20

    My Good God ! On Campbell Live tonight – in answer to the question “Should Teina Pora get compensation ?” – 12% of respondents say “No”. It beggars belief !

    Fetid, hardcore, classist, racist, whatever…….bastards. That can be the ONLY explanation. Makes you pray that they or theirs will personally fall victim to a grave miscarriage of justice on the scale suffered by Teina Pora. Wait…..I hear the primal scream. As I did from worshippers at the temple of TheGodKey in my own family. When my neice, her partner and 18 month old child fell innocent victims to TheGodKey’s 90 day law. Given 5 days to relocate their life from a backblocks farm where they’d ‘enjoyed’ 79 days of modest dwelling accommodation. Charity, but only when it’s you or yours !

    Meanwhile a certain ‘hard man’ former detective, for many years a legend in the police force, lives a well-pensioned, comfortable life in retirement. A man who shuts the door of his clinker-brick retirement dwelling in the face of whichever media team calls. With 20 years of Teina Pora’s life on his hands. To the facile and embarrassingly ignorant who will niggle……”Well he did confess……” (quite fine to prey on the weak is it ?) – even as the investigation proceeded there were other detectives who were decidedly uncomfortable with what to them was obviously a fit-up.

    Sadly the certain retired detective was of such seniority and such a legend, as in any gang, he could command submission by his subordinates. The now retired detective “had his man”. Who could challenge that ?

    Recall seeing him at Papakura District Court at least a couple of decades ago. With gruff majesty, aloofly dispensing ‘acknowledgment’ to young cop after young cop. All lined up nervously semi-genuflecting in his presence.

    “Like another cigarette Teina ?”

    “Would it help if I pointed out a house Teina ?”

    20 years of an innocent man’s life……Det. Steve Rutherford…….who “always gets his man”……..callously adding to the ‘Det. Steve Rutherford Legend’ ? Fukn hell ! Angry Angry !

  21. greywarshark 21

    For those worried about our dependence on housing and dairy as the main economic drivers in NZ, this is a great radio piece about Banks Peninsula sheep farmers who are co-operating into a sort of wool appellation district, and melding with their European customers. It could be an example that is a model for others.
    http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/countrylife#audio-20175185

    Chris Chamberlain (above left) is chairman of the Banks Peninsula Farms Wool Growers company. He also runs a sheep and beef property with his wife Jacqui near Port Levy on Banks Peninsula. “It was originally started from the farm discussion group we had running on the Peninsula. We were just disillusioned with the price of wool and we decided to be proactive and ask the question, why?”…

    Richard Barnett (above right) is one of 40 or so shareholders in Banks Peninsula Farms Wool Growers Limited. He farms with his wife Clare across the bay from the Chamberlains. “One of the problems wool growers in general have had is that we’ve been kept very well divided and not badly served, but it’s been in a lot of other people’s interests to keep us rather ignorant of the wool growing, processing and marketing process”

    It’s a detailed interesting doco style interview. They are doing better though it’s hard yards apparently, but they know the problems it seems and forewarned etc. Good on them and I hope they continue on their upward trend.

  22. greywarshark 22

    Thanx Chooky. I am regularly looking at TS and your comments are also interesting, and knowledgable and insightful. If we can keep informing ourselves and others we’ll all get a clearer picture to back any submissions, ideas we take forward, and inform the choices at our next election. There is just so much I haven’t known, or understood fully.

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  • The Hoon around the week to March 15
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    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 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
    4 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 ...
    5 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
    5 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
    5 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 ...
    5 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
    5 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
    5 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
  • There’s a name for this
    Every year, in the Budget, Parliament forks out money to government agencies to do certain things. And every year, as part of the annual review cycle, those agencies are meant to report on whether they have done the things Parliament gave them that money for. Agencies which consistently fail to ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago
  • Echoes of 1968 in 2024?  Pocock on the repetitive problems of the New Left
    Mike Grimshaw writes – Recent events in American universities point to an underlying crisis of coherent thinking, an issue that increasingly affects the progressive left across the Western world. This of course is nothing new as anyone who can either remember or has read of the late ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Two bar blues
    The thing about life’s little victories is that they can be followed by a defeat.Reader Darryl told me on Monday night:Test again Dave. My “head cold” last week became COVID within 24 hours, and is still with me. I hear the new variants take a bit longer to show up ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 13
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Angus Deaton on rethinking his economics IMFLocal scoop: The people behind Tamarind, the firm that left a $500m cleanup bill for taxpayers at Taranaki’s Tui oil well, are back operating in Taranaki under a different company name. Jonathan ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • AT Need To Lift Their Game
    Normally when we talk about accessing public transport it’s about improving how easy it is to get to, such as how easy is it to cross roads in a station/stop’s walking catchment, is it possible to cycle to safely, do bus connections work, or even if are there new routes/connections ...
    6 days ago
  • Christopher's Whopper.
    Politicians are not renowned for telling the truth. Some tell us things that are verifiably not true. They offer statements that omit critical pieces of information. Gloss over risks, preferring to offer the best case scenario.Some not truths are quite small, others amusing in their transparency. There are those repeated ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days 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
    4 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
    5 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
    6 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
    20 hours 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
    24 hours 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
    5 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
    5 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
    5 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
    5 days ago
  • Ruapehu Alpine Lifts bailout the last, say Ministers
    Cabinet has agreed to provide $7 million to ensure the 2024 ski season can go ahead on the Whakapapa ski field in the central North Island but has told the operator Ruapehu Alpine Lifts it is the last financial support it will receive from taxpayers. Cabinet also agreed to provide ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Fresh produce price drop welcome
    Lower fruit and vegetable prices are welcome news for New Zealanders who have been doing it tough at the supermarket, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Stats NZ reported today the price of fruit and vegetables has dropped 9.3 percent in the 12 months to February 2024.  “Lower fruit and vege ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Statement to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the sixty-eighth session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Speech to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68)
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Government backs rural led catchment projects
    The coalition Government is supporting farmers to enhance land management practices by investing $3.3 million in locally led catchment groups, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced. “Farmers and growers deliver significant prosperity for New Zealand and it’s vital their ongoing efforts to improve land management practices and water quality are supported,” ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber
    Good evening everyone and thank you for that lovely introduction.   Thank you also to the Honourable Simon Bridges for the invitation to address your members. Since being sworn in, this coalition Government has hit the ground running with our 100-day plan, delivering the changes that New Zealanders expect of us. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Commission’s advice on ETS settings tabled
    Recommendations from the Climate Change Commission for New Zealand on the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) auction and unit limit settings for the next five years have been tabled in Parliament, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “The Commission provides advice on the ETS annually. This is the third time the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government lowering building costs
    The coalition Government is beginning its fight to lower building costs and reduce red tape by exempting minor building work from paying the building levy, says Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk. “Currently, any building project worth $20,444 including GST or more is subject to the building levy which is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Trustee tax change welcomed
    Proposed changes to tax legislation to prevent the over-taxation of low-earning trusts are welcome, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The changes have been recommended by Parliament’s Finance and Expenditure Committee following consideration of submissions on the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill. “One of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister’s Ramadan message
    Assalaamu alaikum. السَّلَام عليكم In light of the holy month of Ramadan, I want to extend my warmest wishes to our Muslim community in New Zealand. Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, renewed devotion, perseverance, generosity, and forgiveness.  It’s a time to strengthen our bonds and appreciate the diversity ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister appoints new NZTA Chair
    Former Transport Minister and CEO of the Auckland Business Chamber Hon Simon Bridges has been appointed as the new Board Chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) for a three-year term, Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced today. “Simon brings extensive experience and knowledge in transport policy and governance to the role. He will ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Speech to Life Sciences Summit
    Good morning all, it is a pleasure to be here as Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology.  It is fantastic to see how connected and collaborative the life science and biotechnology industry is here in New Zealand. I would like to thank BioTechNZ and NZTech for the invitation to address ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Progress continues apace on water storage
    Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says he is looking forward to the day when three key water projects in Northland are up and running, unlocking the full potential of land in the region. Mr Jones attended a community event at the site of the Otawere reservoir near Kerikeri on Friday. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government agrees to restore interest deductions
    Associate Finance Minister David Seymour has today announced that the Government has agreed to restore deductibility for mortgage interest on residential investment properties. “Help is on the way for landlords and renters alike. The Government’s restoration of interest deductibility will ease pressure on rents and simplify the tax code,” says ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister to attend World Anti-Doping Agency Symposium
    Sport and Recreation Minister Chris Bishop will travel to Switzerland today to attend an Executive Committee meeting and Symposium of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Mr Bishop will then travel on to London where he will attend a series of meetings in his capacity as Infrastructure Minister. “New Zealanders believe ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Pacific Language Weeks celebrate regional unity
    This year’s Pacific Language Weeks celebrate regional unity and the contribution of Pacific communities to New Zealand culture, says Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti.  Dr Reti announced dates for the 2024 Pacific Language Weeks during a visit to the Pasifika festival in Auckland today and says there’s so ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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