Open mike 21/03/2013

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, March 21st, 2013 - 126 comments
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Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose.

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Step right up to the mike…

126 comments on “Open mike 21/03/2013 ”

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  1. Morrissey 1
    21 March 2013 at 6:17 am

    The worst public service appointment since Christine (Spankin’) Rankin
    Justice Minister praises Dame Susan’s “mature judgement”
    Thursday 21 March 2013

    Four years ago, Dame Susan Devoy was one of several prominent suckers to be played for a fool by Tony “Boot Boy” Veitch. Along with several other gulls, including the notoriously malleable All Black coach Graham Henry, she wrote Veitch a testimonial for “a passport application”; Veitch used their testimonials as evidence for the mitigation of his sentence for attacking and crippling a young woman.

    For sensible people, such a gross lack of common-sense, such lamentably poor judgement, such absence of nous, would mean Dame Susan Devoy would be unsuitable for any position demanding a high degree of intelligence, astuteness and moral rectitude. Most people would suspect the competence of anyone who could be so easily conned into writing a character testimonial for a violent thug.

    No problems for this government, however. Far from disqualifying herself from being taken seriously, Dame Susan has sleepwalked herself into a highly paid public position for which she admits she has no qualification whatsoever: Race Relations Conciliator. Devoy admits she knows nothing about race relations, but reckons that there’s nothing complicated about it.

    Yesterday’s public announcement by the Minister of Justice was beyond satire. I’ve put the especially absurd bits in bold….

    “Dame Susan is a proud New Zealander who is highly motivated to contribute positively to New Zealand society,” Justice Minister Judith Collins said today. “Her communication and relationship management skills, coupled with experience working with diverse groups, are key areas of strength. Dame Susan has sound governance experience and mature judgement. I am confident she will be a sensible and intelligent voice for race relations issues,” Collins said.

    Click on the following link for an example of Dame Susan Devoy’s “mature judgement”….
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10567112

    • Descendant Of Sssmith 1.1
      21 March 2013 at 7:27 am

      Makes perfect sense to appoint her.

      Apparently most of our current immigrants are English.

      Who better than a dame to make sure they do not suffer the pains of discrimination?

    • Socialist Paddy 1.2
      21 March 2013 at 8:24 am

      And she thinks that Waitangi Day is full of too many protesters and everyone should settle down and be happy.

      Arn’t you meant to have the slightest smidgeon of knowledge of history so that you can be appointed to important race relations positions?

      Maybe the cunning plan is to appoint the most inappropriate candidate so that the mana of the office is trashed.

      • Alanz 1.2.1
        21 March 2013 at 11:35 pm

        “Maybe the cunning plan is to appoint the most inappropriate candidate so that the mana of the office is trashed.”

        Oh. Like the recent appointment to the Speaker of the House?

        • Morrissey 1.2.1.1
          22 March 2013 at 7:51 pm

          Like the recent appointment to the Speaker of the House?

          Exactly, Alanz. Well spotted.

    • Anne 1.3
      21 March 2013 at 9:48 am

      “Dame Susan is a proud New Zealander who is highly motivated to contribute positively to New Zealand society,”

      Methinks Dame Susan is going to be way out of her depth and sooner or later there will be a stoush between her and some citizens who went to her for help and she did nothing. She’s a good girl though who votes National and is a whizz squash player. What more could you want for a Race Relations Conciliator.

      • Colonial Viper 1.3.1
        21 March 2013 at 9:59 am

        Stupid to accept a position like this and then think you can just wing it. She’ll be seriously tested within the year.

        • Draco T Bastard 1.3.1.1
          21 March 2013 at 10:44 am

          I watched the TVNZ News item – she’s already out of her depth. She hasn’t got a freaken clue what she’s talking about.

          • Colonial Viper 1.3.1.1.1
            21 March 2013 at 11:03 am

            So she’s making it up as she goes along. The ego behind this must be massive.

          • marty mars 1.3.1.1.2
            21 March 2013 at 4:31 pm

            Her appointment begins 1 April – this a very poor taste early April Fools joke and I’m not laughing

          • marty mars 1.3.1.1.3
            21 March 2013 at 6:23 pm

            Bomber at The Daily Blog has really hit it out the park with this post – awesome and so, so true

            Very brief quote but I recommend reading the whole post

            “Pakeha can celebrate Waitangi Day without all the shame and division the day Maori aren’t the worst health stats.”

            http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/03/21/when-can-pakeha-celebrate-waitangi-day-a-response-to-dame-susan-devoy/#comment-5075

            The Daily Blog is starting to get real traction – good effort to all concerned.

            • The Al1en 1.3.1.1.3.1
              22 March 2013 at 8:08 pm

              “Pakeha can celebrate Waitangi Day without all the shame and division the day Maori aren’t the worst health stats.”

              He should quit the guilt trip and just donate his wages to a local tribe until he’s comfortable with himself, or just keep paying his taxes and hope the dollar spend on improving outcomes will be better spent and/or matched by a concerted effort by whanau to change habits and assist end trending poor health.

          • marty mars 1.3.1.1.4
            21 March 2013 at 8:10 pm

            Annette Sykes – “demanded that she stand down because she was not fit for the role.

            In a statement, she said: “It’s so disturbing that someone with a clearly expressed, racist viewpoint can be appointed to a job that’s about providing independent leadership and advice on race relations, including public education on the Treaty of Waitangi,” Ms Sykes said.

            She argued that Dame Susan failed to meet criteria for the job which included knowledge of the Treaty of Waitangi and understanding of the issues which affected indigenous people.”

            judith collins – “The Far Left does not have a monopoly on caring about race relations and Dame Susan Devoy is a very sensible and balanced person.

            “We’re allowed in this country to have views that have not been politically sanitised and what’s wrong with that?”

            http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10872741

            Notice the difference? Annette Sykes is factual and makes an argument. Collins just spins and distracts with bullshit.

            Has labour said anything about this appointment for or against?

            • Alanz 1.3.1.1.4.1
              21 March 2013 at 11:40 pm

              Lovely. Ol’ Jude should be defending the appointment of this lemon of a choice a lot more. Incompetence by association.

            • Colonial Viper 1.3.1.1.4.2
              22 March 2013 at 8:57 am

              Has labour said anything about this appointment for or against?

              Give them a couple of days to come up with some wording which doesn’t offend Devoy squash fans.

            • The Al1en 1.3.1.1.4.3
              22 March 2013 at 8:22 pm

              “Annette Sykes – “demanded that she stand down because she was not fit for the role.”

              Is that the same Annette Sykes who was defending the owner of a devil dog in Rotorua, that mauled youngsters?

    • Murray Olsen 1.4
      21 March 2013 at 7:29 pm

      This is just NAct showing how much they hold the country and all peoples of goodwill in contempt. Hopefully there aren’t quite as many redneck bigots among us as they seem to be counting on, and this will become another nail in their coffin.

      • Morrissey 1.4.1
        22 March 2013 at 7:14 am

        Murray, please don’t insult working people by associating them with bigotry. Most of the vilest racists wear white collars, and do no hard or useful work. Leighton Smith, Larry “Lackwit” Williams, Murray Deaker, ACT party members, Sensible Sentencing Trusters and Family Firsters and, yes, the new Race Relations Commissioner are all established bigots, but they are NOT rednecks.

        Please don’t use this sniffy term of eastern elite contempt for working people.

  2. logie97 2
    21 March 2013 at 6:29 am

    Shearer’s Bank accounts, and Banks’ share accounts seem to have disappeared from the headlines now that a new day dawns. So for those who may have missed them during the night …

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10872534
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10872232

    • Socialist Paddy 2.1
      21 March 2013 at 8:26 am

      Shearer and Labour are both dead men walking at this stage.

      Time for a change.

    • just saying 2.2
      21 March 2013 at 9:24 am

      There’s going to be more to come in this story, imo.

      Reading the financial information from one of the links in Edwards’ latest column:

      http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10872509

      It turns out that Shearer had two bank accounts holding more than $50,000, and likely substantially more, and a mortgage.

      As the epitome of the worst kind of ‘Papatoetoe-Boy-Makes-Good’ (again imo) It’s not plausible this could be bad money management. I don’t think Shearer is particulary smart, but money, like everyting associated with his giant ego, is important to him. He couldn’t be unaware that, (as this situation has been presented so far) this arrangement constitutes chucking money away – a considerable amount in interest over the term of the mortgage. His wife is no fool, and I’m sure his financial advisors would have mentioned it.

      Nah there is a reason.

      Maybe it’s something simple. Maybe Shearer likes to sit in his flash new home, daydreaming about being Prime-Minister-Shearer-on-the-world-stage, and for an extra thrill, dialling the telebank machine to check the petty cash, and hearing: ” You have five hun dred and sixty eight thousand dollars, and seven cents……..”

      or something.

      • Colonial Viper 2.2.1
        21 March 2013 at 10:06 am

        OMFG.

      • Draco T Bastard 2.2.2
        21 March 2013 at 10:47 am

        Well invested money can bring in more than the interest being paid on a mortgage.

        • just saying 2.2.2.1
          21 March 2013 at 11:17 am

          You may be right. I’m sure some bright researcher will let us know.
          A US bank term-deposit of a very big sum might bring in more than a 5.5% NZ mortgage costs I guess.

          Which would make you wonder why he had more than $50,000 in a NZ ANZ account, which wouldn’t bring in more than the mortgage costs

          • Lanthanide 2.2.2.1.1
            21 March 2013 at 1:14 pm

            “A US bank term-deposit of a very big sum might bring in more than a 5.5% NZ mortgage costs I guess.”

            Hah, no. US interest rates are at 0-0.25%. Unless Shearer had literally billions in the bank, he wouldn’t be getting much more than 1-2% tops.

            • Draco T Bastard 2.2.2.1.1.1
              21 March 2013 at 1:20 pm

              Na, people with billions in the bank are actually getting charged. What I meant for “smart investments” wasn’t leaving it in the bank but using it to play the stock market. If he was just leaving it in the bank then there would be no reason to leave it in the US.

              • Colonial Viper …
                21 March 2013 at 4:24 pm

                Yep. And if a bank is providing deposits with a 2% pa rate of interest, it’s probably negative 2% real rate once inflation/deflation, fees etc are taken into account.

  3. Raa 3
    21 March 2013 at 6:37 am

    There was something on the 6AM RNZ news that the government was preparing a takeover
    of the Auckland City Council. Stay tuned for developments ..

    • tc 3.1
      21 March 2013 at 7:49 am

      They effectively have taken over akl with the CCO’s answerable to no one effectively and stacked with Hide/Key stooges.

      Blinky F’ing up the mayoralty with his racist yet predictable comments means they didn’t get the puppett they wanted.

      Maybe it’ll be ECAN V2.0 but I can only see that if Brown wins again and the NACT get a third term. If that happens god help you jaffa’s but to do it pre 2014 would kill them in the general election.

    • JK 3.2
      21 March 2013 at 8:10 am

      Please keep us informed Raa – not everyone is close to a radio news announcement at the right time !

      • Raa 3.2.1
        21 March 2013 at 3:47 pm

        I have my clock radio alarm set for the 6AM news, but am often up earlier ..
        Cheers,

    • Raa 4.1
      21 March 2013 at 7:17 am

      Has anyone consulted the iwi ?

    • Descendant Of Sssmith 4.2
      21 March 2013 at 7:30 am

      The spare land is obviously not where the wealthy want to live.

      • karol 4.2.1
        21 March 2013 at 8:30 am

        There is a relevant report listed here:

        Tensions escalate over supply of land for Auckland housing
        There’s a growing concern within Auckland Council the Government intends to take direct action to free up land for new housing. (4′27″)

        F**k them! We voted against Banksie to keep the vultures hands off our city! No respect for democracy!

        • mickysavage 4.2.1.1
          21 March 2013 at 8:47 am

          The most interesting analysis will be on who owns the land just on the other side of the urban boundary and who profits if things change. Smith is not doing this because of his concern for the poor and homeless. There is a profit for a National Party supporter somewhere and Smith is being told about this loud and clear.

          And I am really worried this is a done deal. National has this modus operandi where they create a “crisis” then “act decisively” to deal with the “crisis”. It has happened time and time again.

          The simple solution is to allow the Unitary Plan to be operative from its release in September this year. The fact that National is not agreeing to this is a clear message that they intend to do something else.

          • Colonial Viper 4.2.1.1.1
            21 March 2013 at 9:16 am

            It’s going to be a real test of how much political and popular support Mayor Brown can rally.

            • Elizabeth Bourchier 4.2.1.1.1.1
              21 March 2013 at 1:31 pm

              Hear hear O Viperous One.
              As lefties we must fully back Len, or become culpable for a National inspired theft and mess-up.

              • Murray Olsen …
                21 March 2013 at 7:34 pm

                It would be easier to back Len if he’d done something inspiring during the waterfront dispute, or at any other time. Once again we’re left with someone who has the warrior instincts of wet toilet paper as our great hope against another rapacious NAct power/land grab. We need better.

          • Draco T Bastard 4.2.1.1.2
            21 March 2013 at 1:15 pm

            The simple solution is to allow the Unitary Plan to be operative from its release in September this year. The fact that National is not agreeing to this is a clear message that they intend to do something else.

            /agreed

            Just watch as they take away another regions democracy but this time it’s the democracy of an entire third of the country.

    • muzza 4.3
      21 March 2013 at 8:37 am

      The housing issue is a red herring, and being used as a route in, although not quite sure the aim might be, other than a power grab.

      As TC points out the CCOs do not answer to AKL Council, or any elected members they are stand alone operations, filled with corporate types.

      Spend a little time looking into the backgrounds of the people involved, its not only the CCOs, but the Council Departments also, which have been run over by Deloitte, ex Deloitte mostly.

      How to take over large public departments

      1: Get a stooge into the top role – Ex Deloitte
      2: Bring in another ( known affiliate) to run *transformation* – Ex Deloitte
      3: Give known affiliate free reign to *shape* the department
      4: Bring in more known affiliates to run large in flight programmes (regardless of experience levels) – All Ex Deloitte
      5: Ensure Transformation #2 takes out the top layers of existing or structure , (hence council staff)
      6: Have known affiliate #2/3 on the interview panel for top level positions in new org structure
      7: Ensure that council staff do not get any of the top level positions in new org structure
      8: Advertise directors roles externally – Have more corporate stooges conveniently standing by
      9: Take over complete – Too easy, high fives, contract awards, services agreements and professional services agreements all wrapped up (more so than they already were)
      10: Keep M.O from public, and let them think their rates go up due to lazy employees etc, as opposed to corporate shuffle

      Corporate now has complete control over multiple largest departments of type in NZ

  5. Te Reo Putake 5
    21 March 2013 at 8:02 am

    A couple of oddities from the media world:

    Esquire editor fesses up: “The women we feature in the magazine are ornamental,” he said, “I could lie to you if you want and say we are interested in their brains as well. We are not. They are objectified.”

    http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2013/mar/19/esquire-editor-show-women-like-cars

    The Times gets conned:

    http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2013/mar/18/times-duped-hoax-qatar-dream-football-story?INTCMP=SRCH

    And bonus music featurette: Reasons to Love the Dropkick Murphys No 94:

    http://gawker.com/5991403/dropkick-murphys-singer-kicks-the-crap-out-of-skinhead-doing-nazi-salute-on-stage-during-st-patricks-day-concert

    • joe90 5.1
      21 March 2013 at 9:37 am

      Dropkick Murphys – Cadence to Arms / Do or Die

      The once steel tough fabric of the union man
      Was sold and bartered away
      Fed to money wolves in the Reagan years
      Caught in a drift in greedy nineties days

      So inside this song is our rally cry
      Your dreams are in danger
      And we must rise
      Our time has come we are under the gun
      It’s do or die

      It’s not a rebel cry of some socialist scheme
      To push for human rights
      Just the facts and the obvious mention
      On behalf of the working man
      For his family and his livelihood

      Your dreams are in danger
      And we must rise
      Our time has come we are under the gun
      It’s do or die

      The once steel tough fabric of the union man
      Was sold and bartered away
      Fed to money and wolves in the Reagan years
      Caught adrift in greedy nineties days

      Your dreams are in danger
      And we must rise
      Our time has come we are under the gun
      It’s do or die

  6. ad 6
    21 March 2013 at 8:20 am

    Some great looking polls. Delighted to be wrong, for now.

    • The Al1en 6.2
      21 March 2013 at 8:40 am

      Will be interested to see next month how much ‘overlooked a fortune in a foreign accountgate’ dents the great polling, that still show national in government.

      A month is a long time in politics.

      • Olwyn 6.2.1
        21 March 2013 at 8:48 am

        Shearer’s Labour does seem to do better in the Herald polls than in others.

        • Colonial Viper 6.2.1.1
          21 March 2013 at 9:10 am

          First line in the piece: “National also up”

          Trevett reckons that Labours increased support has come at the expense of the Greens and NZF. In true genius fashion LAB will probably take this to mean to do more of this.

      • Dem Young Sconies 6.2.2
        21 March 2013 at 9:05 am

        Precisely. There is little point even watching the polls at this stage of the electoral cycle, and as has been proven time and time again, they are often inaccurate, overstating Tory support. In reality NACT support is at around 44%. Currently the Labour/Green coalition sits at around the same number. The Winston Peters roadshow can’t be underestimated, and his support still has to be over 5%. The real challenge for the left will be finding that extra 4% support so they can form a stable government and not have to deal with the profoundly conservative NZ First (either that or hope that his party just falls short of 5%). Hopefully the continued fallout from the Novapay debacle, the GCSB scandal, poor economic management and the theft and sale of our assets will continue to erode Tory support.

        • Colonial Viper 6.2.2.1
          21 March 2013 at 9:12 am

          Nah, NZF aren’t “profoundly conservative”, just “somewhat conservative”.

          If you want “profoundly conservative” you need to be pointing your finger at Colin Craig’s mob.

          • TT 6.2.2.1.1
            21 March 2013 at 9:35 am

            I’m not sure about that. The comments coming out of NZF lately are about as racist, homophobic and bigoted as what comes out of that ass-hat Colin Craig’s mouth. The latter just throws scripture, and other xtian wingnuttery into the mix too.

            • Colonial Viper 6.2.2.1.1.1
              21 March 2013 at 9:53 am

              I blame NZF’s inept candidate selection process as being a big part of the problem. Because of their strong showing in 2011, I think they will manage to rustle up a far superior crowd for 2014.

    • vto 7.1
      21 March 2013 at 11:59 am

      This is the biggest issue facing the world and NZ right now.

      It has implications and effects that are and will be far-reaching.

      This should be seen for what it is – another well predicted part of the current world financial crisis which erupted onto the public conscience in 2008 and which will continue for years yet, with resultant massive meltdowns of wealth. People would do well to research the other well predicted future events that will roll out of this systemic end-game play…..

      do
      not
      trust
      the
      banking
      system

  8. felix 8
    21 March 2013 at 9:00 am

    7 reasons why Paula Bennett should stfu and piss off back to wherever she came from: http://sorrelish.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/7-reasons-why-you-should-stop-bitching.html

    • just saying 8.1
      21 March 2013 at 9:44 am

      Just brilliant.

    • freedom 8.2
      21 March 2013 at 9:57 am

      from the comments
      “The onus here should be on employers to pay proper wages, and maybe on the government to lower taxes on small businesses who cannot afford to pay more (and of course, higher taxes on tax-evading mega-businesses who CAN afford to pay more).”

      Surely this simple truth is the nub of the Global problem regarding employment. (that and the endless greed of Banking cabals )

      Perhaps this is also a good time to remind you that New Zealand desperately needs the low income tax free earnings structure that the UK, Australia and the US all enjoy. As their economies and policies are consistently used to reflect our economy and policies, surely this glaring disparity in economic truths can finally become a real issue in the next NZ General Election .

      i know, dream on dream on

    • ghostrider888 8.3
      22 March 2013 at 2:56 pm

      “and Sorrel was her name”

  9. Te Reo Putake 9
    21 March 2013 at 10:10 am

    LP: all the rolling comments in the opinions/comments box actually link to an old post (return of the king). This may be related to the issue Anne referred to yesterday.

    • Te Reo Putake 9.1
      21 March 2013 at 10:14 am

      And now its back to normal. I blame the North Koreans.

      • karol 9.1.1
        21 March 2013 at 10:18 am

        Heh. Yes. And I was getting an odd version of open mike (maybe the mobile version?) on Chrome, FF, & IE, with none of the latest comments as indicated in the links top right. And while I was logged into the main site, I was not logged into open mike.

        Now it seems to be back to normal.

      • The Al1en 9.1.2
        21 March 2013 at 11:51 am

        Probably the secret squirrel’s smart phone playing up

    • lprent 9.2
      21 March 2013 at 10:35 am

      It is the caching I turned on last night to cope with the flood from offshore. Just turned it off and cleared the cloudflare cache.

      Thanks for reminding me.

  10. Draco T Bastard 10
    21 March 2013 at 10:28 am

    Here’s a short book review:
    The Surprising Conclusion to an Important New Book

    This book demonstrates that empty-world economic theory has failed on its own terms and that its application by policymakers has resulted in the failure of capitalism itself. Pursuing absolute advantage in cheap labor abroad, First World corporations have wrecked the prospects for First World labor, especially in the US, while concentrating income and wealth in a few hands.

    Economist Herman Daly put it well when he wrote that the elites who make the decisions “have figured out how to keep the benefits for themselves while ‘sharing’ the cost with the poor, the future, and other species (Ecological Economics, vol. 72, p. 8).

    Empty-world economics with its emphasis on spurring economic growth by the accumulation of man-made capital has run its course. Full-world economics is steady-state economics, and it is past time for economists to get to work on a new economics for a full world.

    It seems that the book is based upon facts and thus comes to the only possible conclusion – the mainstream economics used by politicians is wrong, very, very wrong and we need to change it and go to a steady state economy.

    • Ennui 10.1
      21 March 2013 at 12:32 pm

      Draco, there are major implications for empty world accumulation versus steady state economics. Once we are all fully cognisant that wealth requires work to be done and that it cannot be created out of thin air as credit (future debt) then we will all get a healthier respect for our toils. And anybody with vast accumulated sums must have got them from somebodies elses work. That could result in some very interesting social behavoir……..

    • ghostrider888 10.2
      22 March 2013 at 3:01 pm

      great link D.

  11. David H 11
    21 March 2013 at 12:06 pm

    The disunity is killing us. It must end Simon Crean on the Australian Labour parties problems.

    Could the same be said of Labour NZ??

  12. red rattler 12
    21 March 2013 at 12:32 pm

    Meanwhile back at the race to extinction.
    Guy McPherson interview
    10 positive feedback loops of which one we can influence
    http://c-realm.com/podcasts/crealm/354-rapid-unpredictable-non-linear-responses/

  13. grumpy 13
    21 March 2013 at 12:42 pm

    Yep, I know you guys hate the UK Daily Mail but you gotta love this. Truth as only the Right can do it.

    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2296064/If-scintilla-decency-Tony-Blair-Alastair-Campbell-John-Scarlett-faces-public-again.html

  15. just saying 15
    21 March 2013 at 4:11 pm

    Does anyone know how to completely delete a gravatar? After a long time mucking around at the site, I’m left with this horrible black square. I want to be back where I was before I ever had a gravatar. Is this no longer possible?

    They tell my I can’t delete my account.

    [lprent: Looks ok to me. Remember that your browser will be caching the image. So try shift+click refresh (common to most browsers) force a complete reload of the site. ]

  16. ghostrider888 16
    21 March 2013 at 4:34 pm

    test

  18. feijoa 18
    21 March 2013 at 4:38 pm

    well I need more link lessons obviously, but it is on stuff today, RMA overhaul EXCELLENT reading

  19. just saying 19
    21 March 2013 at 5:03 pm

    test

  20. ghostrider888 20
    21 March 2013 at 5:09 pm

    “I have heard that if a persons’ historical account is incorrect, then death will follow that person”
    -Kaumatua; Waka Huia
    (Crown vs Tuhoe, historically, equated to “ethnic cleansing”-Paul Moon)

    Susan Devoy? White must be right. “burqas are disconcerting” but hey, endorsed by that low-forehead paragon of virtue Judith Collins.

    Based on experiences such as Katrina, with funds up to 30B coming into ChCh rebuild over the next 5 years, fraud in the order of 1-3B is not unexpected- KPMG commentator.

    Novopay Tech. review release; “platform unstable, 19000 pay-related problems backlog.”

    and now for some Dominion Post propaganda;
    yesterday, “no excuses for neglectful Chinese” concerning the aged.
    and then the Front Page “This is China” on imprisonment conditions, like, isolation, over-crowding, labour, drug trials and health challenges do not occur under other countries’ penal regimes.
    WHAT A MOFO LOAD OF XENOPHOBIA AROUSING SH*T; some of the editorial staff will likely not even be out of nappies when the war is over…

    followed by..”Israel talks peace” please, spare us the incredulity (see earlier diplomatic analysis of an “inevitable Intifada”)FFS

    Massey University Head of Banking Studies : events in Cyprus were “very relevant” to New Zealand.;” bank deposit guarantee a much better solution”

    QT : Parker on the governments’ gloat over the Dec Quarter economic figures; 23000 lost jobs and 33000 left the work force; Joyce concedes, “employment sector is challenging”
    Current Account Deficit 10.5B (5% GDP) not helpful-Penny, Westpac economist
    “part of the slippery 😉 slope the NZ economy is on” -Doug Steel, BNZ
    but that’s OK, New Zealanders received “record returns from off-shore investments.”

    NZLast hammering the issue of Chinese parents of skilled migrants again; good return serve from Woodhouse (a decent Tory it appears).

    Brownlee’s opposition to Rail Loop appears to be fading slowly (Enright (sp?) report; Loop essential to improved productivity. Julie-Ann hit Brownlee back with his own premise of reduced travel times.

    in ICT; job loss indications are up to 1500-C.C (maybe skilled migrants will fill the “advertised” ICT vacancies Joyce touts.)

    Chris Tremain? that guy don’t seem right in the head ma.

    Families Commission; throwing money away on contractors, gifts and hospitality.

    Coleman on the NZDF : “culture, oversight of orders and failure to adhere to orders”
    Goff on Crib 19 (sp?) “according to the WO, “only 60% of training effected.”

    Torie aye, who’d vote for them! Baaa Humbug. freakin narrow-minded inbreds is what they generally appear to be.

    She Had
    http://www.metal-archives.com/images/2/3/6/2/236249.jpg
    The General Electric

    ps. Is Resigning an option?
    http://auckland.scoop.co.nz/2013/03/st-matthew-in-the-citys-easter-billboard/

    meanwhile
    Little Reason Indeed
    http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/comment/columnists/rosemary-mcleod/8453067/Little-reason-for-man-of-cloth-to-preach-pure-rationalism

  21. North Calling Morrissey - Come In Morrissey 21
    21 March 2013 at 5:21 pm

    Hey Morrissey, Obama’s monster limo “The Beast” konks out in Jerusalem. Waddya reckon ? God slapped them ?

    • Populuxe1 21.1
      21 March 2013 at 7:39 pm

      Presumably Obama didn’t laugh at a Sascha Baron-Cohen joke and the Ultra-Zionist comedian called in a favour from Mossad.

      • North 21.1.1
        21 March 2013 at 9:34 pm

        Sacha, how many times I godda tell ya bud ? Enough of the false anonyms already !

        Say, could we flog the vee-hickle off to that crazy dude John A. Banks way down there in Ocklind, Nooo Zeeerlind ? Word is he’s a doozie at concealin’ paper trails.

    • Morrissey 21.2
      22 March 2013 at 7:49 pm

      Hello North! Sorry to be so slow responding, but I just completely missed your original message. I had not heard of that incident.

      And, no, I don’t think “God slapped them” or anything like that, but I think Obama’s conscience will slap him over the next few years as he slips deeper and deeper into perfidy. He looked very uncomfortable when speaking alongside Mr Abbas yesterday on his flying visit into the Occupied Territories.

      Of course, he is a machine politician from Chicago, which means he is as cynical and impervious to morality as anyone in America, but he is human, and he knows that he has failed to do anything to stop Israel’s depredations in either the illegally occupied West Bank or the illegal giant prison in Gaza. In spite of his apparent arrogance, especially when he is being cheered by flag-waving Israeli crowds, he has a conscience like everyone else, and I have no doubt that it is wearing away at him. Soon Obama will be looking as gaunt and haunted as the troubled fellow standing in the middle of the second row in THIS PHOTO….

      http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/03/18/article-2295067-0C11293D000005DC-68_634x402.jpg

  22. feijoa 22
    21 March 2013 at 5:29 pm

    Sorry to harp on, but my burble in blue above does actually link to the article on the RMA.
    It is a very clear account of what the Nacts are changing, and there is very little time for people to be informed (shouted from the rooftops) about what a disgrace this really is.
    Where are the opposition, especially the Greens on this? Not more silence, please…

  23. McFlock 23
    21 March 2013 at 5:35 pm

    Nice comment from Jacinda Ardern layning into Bennefits. – clip H/TBryan Bruce.

    • Draco T Bastard 23.1
      21 March 2013 at 6:11 pm

      Very good speech by her. Probably the best I’ve heard from her.

      • rosy 23.1.1
        21 March 2013 at 9:53 pm

        Indeed, well done Jacinda. Good to see her re-stating Labour’s commitment to a social security system, highlighting contradictions, timing of announcements and the political nastiness of this bill. All stuff that Labour has been seen as silent on (at best) by many people, including me. Now to get it heard in a wider public forum…

  24. Tony P 24
    21 March 2013 at 5:54 pm

    I know some people around here have it in for Chris Hipkins but this speech he gave to the Auckland Primary Principals Association yesterday gives me some hope that Labour’s education policies are on the right track. Shame the speech hasn’t been reported very widely if at all.

    http://www.networkonnet.co.nz/index.php?section=latest&id=229

    • rosy 24.1
      21 March 2013 at 10:00 pm

      Thanks for the link. Some policy statements at last….

      So let me be very clear about Labour’s position on charter schools. We see no need for them. We see no place for them. And any charter schools established under the current National government will have no future under Labour…

      …One of the most destructive things this government could do to quality education in New Zealand is introduce so-called ‘performance pay’ based on a narrow range of student achievement measures.

      If the alarm bells aren’t already ringing, they should be…

      … Under Labour, we will work collaboratively with the education community to replace National Standards with something that is meaningful, broad, and that will work.

  25. Anne 25
    21 March 2013 at 6:49 pm

    I know some people around here have it in for Chris Hipkins…

    He asked for it Tony P, but if he continues to perform at his present level then some of us may eventually be able to forgive him. Up to him.

    • ScottGN 25.1
      21 March 2013 at 8:40 pm

      What did he ask for exactly? This statement is extraordinary. You may eventually forgive him? What a load of patronizing bollocks.

      • Colonial Viper 25.1.1
        21 March 2013 at 8:46 pm

        Of course it’s patronizing bollocks, because these types aren’t accountable to us.

      • Anne 25.1.2
        21 March 2013 at 9:14 pm

        Only patronising bollocks to ignorant twits like yourself who apparently don’t keep themselves informed. Get off your backside and find out for yourself… or is that beyond your capabilities.

  26. bad12 26
    21 March 2013 at 7:20 pm

    Up to 1500 jobs to go at Telecom in May, no wonder Bill from Dipton was saying on Q+A that the Welfare Budget is likely to get more money in His next budget…

    • Colonial Viper 26.1
      21 March 2013 at 7:49 pm

      Gotta maintain those multi-million dollar profit levels for the foreign share owners.

      • chris73 acualy is Dolan 26.1.1
        21 March 2013 at 11:17 pm

        Yeah that sucks, damn national selling of telecom in the 80s was a bad idea

        • Colonial Viper 26.1.1.1
          21 March 2013 at 11:24 pm

          Faraway NZ communities that they never visit bear the cost of the resulting unemployment. While they personally benefit from signficantly increased profits.

          It’s a business no-brainer. If I could fire five thousand Indian workers to get an extra hundred grand in dividends in my pocket, why the hell not?

    • Alanz 26.2
      21 March 2013 at 11:30 pm

      Erm. How is the government doing with creating 170,000 jobs?
      Any sign yet?

  27. The Al1en 27
    21 March 2013 at 9:25 pm

    “The possibility that the Voyager-1 spacecraft may have left the Solar System is being hotly debated.”

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-21866532

    “Launched in September 1977, the probe was sent initially to study the outer planets, but then just kept on going.”

    “Their plutonium power sources will stop generating electricity in about 10-15 years, at which point their instruments and transmitters will die. Voyager-1 is on course to approach a star called AC +793888, but it will only get to within two light-years of it and it will be tens of thousands of years before it does so.”

    I feel sad for the little spaceship that could, but await the return of V’ger the Intruder.

    • The Al1en 28.1
      21 March 2013 at 9:59 pm

      “there are several smaller, shittier ones dotted around” 😆

      Creationists – Made on a Saturday after the birds and fish.
      Evolutionists – Still being tweaked to perfection.

  33. Colonial Viper 33
    21 March 2013 at 11:19 pm

    Kevin Rudd’s supporters sacrificed; but is the Leader’s problems actually his fault?

    The Gillard government is suffering a gathering crisis of confidence in its leader.

    Not because of any assault by Kevin Rudd. Indeed, whenever he has tried to foment unrest, the Labor caucus has hardened against him.

    Labor’s fast-draining confidence stems from the performance of Julia Gillard herself and her inner circle.

    http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/trouble-brewing-but-dont-blame-it-on-the-usual-bloke-20130318-2gb8m.html

    Body count: Rudd supporters quit their posts

    Key Rudd supporter Fitzgibbon, has said he will step down as the government’s chief whip at the next Labor caucus meeting.

    Two other government whips, Ed Husic and Janelle Saffin, resigned this evening.
    Advertisement

    The Parliamentary Secretary for the Pacific Islands, Richard Mearles, also announced his resignation. “In the circumstances of today’s events I believed this to be the appropriate course,” he said.

    “I’m surprised Kevin Rudd didn’t stand,” the former Minister for Arts and Regional Development, Simon Crean, told the ABC’s 7.30 Program. “He has only got one obligation now and that is to back off”.

    http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/body-count-rudd-supporters-quit-their-posts-20130321-2giy3.html

  34. lprent 34
    21 March 2013 at 11:37 pm

    Ok tinyMCE back on…

    Ummm – where has the opt-out box gone?

    Link

    Ok – that had the same problem.

  35. lprent 35
    21 March 2013 at 11:53 pm

    Test WYIWYG comments

    Ok – that appears to work

    • lprent 35.1
      21 March 2013 at 11:54 pm

      And the reply works as well.

      • lprent 35.1.1
        21 March 2013 at 11:58 pm

        Umm and admins get more.

        1. Much more
        2. And More
        3. And more
        4. That is quite cool appropriate

        Yeah I left that a bit unfinished for admins. Must have been when the work load escalated.

        Everything is back to nearly full speed – hopefully without the cache problems that re-appeared yesterday. Just have

        • the email system to fix
        • the APC cache sizes to adjust
        • the duplications in the feed to fix
        • The extra core to go in tonight

        And above all the nightly backup to run so that I have a copy

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    Buzz from the Beehive Point  of Order first heard of the Oceans Secretariat in June 2021, when David Parker (remember him?) announced a multi-agency approach to protecting New Zealand’s marine ecosystems and fisheries. Parker (holding the Environment, and Oceans and Fisheries portfolios) broke the news at the annual Forest & ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago

  • Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Bryce Edwards writes  – Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Matt Doocey doubles down on trans “healthcare”
    Citizen Science writes –  Last week saw two significant developments in the debate over the treatment of trans-identifying children and young people – the release in Britain of the final report of Dr Hilary Cass’s review into gender healthcare, and here in New Zealand, the news that the ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • A TikTok Prime Minister.
    One night while sleeping in my bed I had a beautiful dreamThat all the people of the world got together on the same wavelengthAnd began helping one anotherNow in this dream, universal love was the theme of the dayPeace and understanding and it happened this wayAfter such an eventful day ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • Texas Lessons
    This is a guest post by Oscar Simms who is a housing activist, volunteer for the Coalition for More Homes, and was the Labour Party candidate for Auckland Central at the last election. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    3 days ago

  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links at 6:06 am
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours as of 6:06 am on Wednesday, April 17 are:Must read: Secrecy shrouds which projects might be fast-tracked RNZ Farah HancockScoop: Revealed: Luxon has seven staffers working on social media content - partly paid for by taxpayer Newshub ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day 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
    2 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 - ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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