Open mike 26/05/2015

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, May 26th, 2015 - 69 comments
Categories: uncategorized - Tags:

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 …

69 comments on “Open mike 26/05/2015 ”

  1. Charles 1

    The earlier episodes of The Simpsons often had racist and prejudiced content, but in this episode they sum up, in one and a half minutes, how politics works in modern democracies:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AziJW9p2amM

    (Disregarding M. Cullen’s advice, I have omitted “stating the obvious”. It’s called satire.)

    The episode opens with a stray, inoffensive, and gentle brown bear “…wandering down from the hills, in search of food, or maybe employment…”. The townspeople hysterically petition Mayor Quimby to ban all bears (won’t someone think of the children!) and trapped in his office, he asks his aides,

    “Are these morons getting dumber or louder?”
    “They’re getting dumber, Sir.”

    In other news, over on TDB, a protestor from AAAP asks middle NZ, “Why you no like agro protest? Poor is ANGRY.”

    At the risk of stating the obvious: Explaining is losing. If you’re angry, be angry, and don’t apologise or seek approval from the people you oppose after the fact. You do oppose them, right?

  2. stever 2

    It’s happening there…and here, of course.

    “Do we care more about the past than the future?”

    http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/may/25/children-austerity-david-cameron-cuts-young-people

  3. vto 3

    Do you think the US has finally just about got the middle east to the point it wants? i.e. total and complete chaos….

    Who believes anything the US says about Iraq, Syria, Israel, Saudi Arabia, etc? Anyone? Garden gnomes?

  4. Charles 4

    It’s NZ music month, or it will be, next month, brought into popularity during the Clark government. If you are a musician then it’ll be NZ music month every day of your life.

    Organised politics is always “an offense to the sovereignty of the individual” and good art usually moves away from organisation, so here’s two songs that tap into that anarchistic sentiment, without losing themselves in self-indulgence.

    This is Julia Dean’s, Modern Fables. It’s worth the time to listen to the work of her career, since she covers a lot of ground in many styles. We can continue making progress… if we all pretend…
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=St6YQhkbbOA

    And this is Bailter Space with, Splat, asking us to remember that whatever they tell you, it’s always from their point of view, and about what works best for them…
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxbSkmpZ2kg

    (Note to The Standard admin: these youtube links can stay as links if you like, since some people have difficulty with video on their home systems.)

  5. adam 6

    How odd is this – Now our PM can do policy speculation and it’s news. How far have the media fallen…

    https://nz.news.yahoo.com/top-stories/a/28221038/key-convinced-labour-would-reduce-supannuation/

  6. Ron 7

    Listening to Andrew Little this morning on the fairness of receiving pension whilst still working. (Notice now that it has the word wealthy inserted) If you run off at the mouth and say something silly then either stick with it or apologise and move on. Little did not want to do either so he just sounded stupid.
    Can we please not get sucked in on Superannuation being unaffordable. It is not. Government have choices where they spend and ‘Super’ is just one area.
    We could always stop buying military weapons that are useless which would go a long way towards covering Pension bill

    • Draco T Bastard 7.1

      We could always stop buying military weapons that are useless which would go a long way towards covering Pension bill

      1. Probably not
      2. Despite us not wanting to attack anyone else there are people out there who will attack us if we don’t have the means to defend ourselves
      3. It’s not about money but about resources and we have the resources to do both

      Number three is actually really important as it highlights the delusion that our economic system has become and how we focus on the money rather than looking to the resources.

      • Ron 7.1.1

        Re 1 my point was that Defence seems to waste money on purchasing items not fit for purpose eg LAV’s and the Charles Upham which was completely useless and was sold. Now we have expensive helicopters that already is some argument about the model we are buying. I think that replacing our armed forces with a modern Coastguard capable of reaching from Antarctica to anywhere north of NZ that requires our presence while at the same time being equipped to enable SAR work when required, protecting our fishing area helping countries in our area when disaster occurs. A modern Coastguard would seem to offer better use of resources.

        • Draco T Bastard 7.1.1.1

          The Charles Upham was bought on the cheap resulting in a waste of time and effort. Certainly another case of National trying to do something cheaply and failing.

          The LAVs were bought for use in the peacekeeping role that the government at the time wanted to focus upon.

          The helicopters fit into SAR, peacekeeping and defense roles. There has been some concern about the model and standards.

          IMO, military equipment should be researched, designed and built here in NZ by a government department (I think profit should not be allowed on weapons production) so as to a) remove the logistic weakness that comes with buying equipment offshore and b) help develop the economy.

          As for which forces we keep I think that we’re going to have to keep the three that we have. They cover the roles needed no matter what we use the defense forces for.

  7. AsleepWhileWalking 8

    http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-05-25/israel-refuses-pay-old-oil-debt-iran

    Israel defies Swiss court order to pay debt of 1.1 Billion (USD) owed to Iran.

  8. Corokia 9

    Yet more evidence this morning that “the market” is not an appropriate mechanism for dealing with the problems we are faced with (as if we didn’t know) . When interviewed on Morning report today the chief executive of Contact Denis Barnes, said he thinks there is great long term opportunity in renewables “ but the most value we can add is by finding resource and developing that resource and that takes many, many years, you know something like 5 to 7 years from when you first come across an opportunity to where you might be earning money from it”

    Since when is 5-7 years “many, many”??!! Selling essential infrastructure to people with such ridiclously short term thinking is extreme negligence.

    http://podcast.radionz.co.nz/business/bus-ckpt-20150525-1734-todays_market_update-048.mp3

  9. Rosie 10

    The plight of the Postie and of the postal service may have slipped under the radar for many but the problems remain.

    NZ Post have been closing down Post Shops all over the country in recent years and cutting back services such as next day across town delivery, leaving the gap open for private competition such as DX mail to pick up the slack.
    Many elderly and those without the internet prefer or need to pay their bills at the P.O and they get pissed off when NZ Post goes and closes their local P.O down:

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/kapiti/67599873/nz-post-fails-to-find-operator-for-raumati-post-shop.html

    Here’s a good article quoting John Maynard, Southern Secretary for the Postal Workers Union Aotearoa. Among other things he discusses privatisation by stealth and the social duty NZ Post have to provide a service to NZer’s.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/better-business/68693716/postal-union-boss-unhappy-about-nz-post-policies-in-porirua

    • Draco T Bastard 10.1

      NZ Post, like all postal services around the world, became a government service because the private sector couldn’t do it and make a profit. It’s also one of those services that is a natural monopoly as competition in carriers just increases the costs without increasing the service. Basically, posting anything across town or even across the country shouldn’t cost anything directly as it should be a government service paid for through taxes with shops in all centres.

      That said, as the amount of mail declines then delivery schedules need to reduce. There’s really no point in being inefficient about it. And, yes, eventually, there’ll b e no more mail. Hell, about the only thing that turns up in my mail box these days is junk mail which should be banned as the waste that it is.

      • Rosie 10.1.1

        Interesting point in paragraph one.

        Re last paragraph. The PWUA acknowledges mail volumes are declining, and from what I’ve heard, the posties are realistic about the change, in that respect.
        It’s when NZ Post deliberately drop next day delivery across town and let a private company fill the vacuum that you can begin to sniff a rat. Why would they drop a still well used service and hand business over to another competing company?

        For example several DHB’s have switched from NZ Post to DX Mail as they send all their patient appointments and correspondence via post.

        We still need the post for sending parcels and sending greeting cards. Many may get their bills sent via email, like we do, but it’s still nice to send some one a birthday card or a bereavement card, (not a corny one) if they’ve lost someone.

        It’s especially nice as people expect to receive less cards, so it’s a pleasant surprise when one turns up.

        • te reo putake 10.1.1.1

          The problem with the likes of DX mail is that they don’t do the deliveries. That’s still a NZ Post postie putting the item into your mailbox. NZ Post are required to support their own opposition. It’s pretty weird.

          • Rosie 10.1.1.1.1

            DX are doing deliveries – on their scooters. We get our NZ Post Postie come by in the morning and the DX postie on his scooter late arvo. From what I’ve heard, it’s at the mail sorting end where NZ Post are having to do DX’s work, and they are obliged to, they can’t refuse to handle their mail. Have you heard of cases where NZ Post posties are carrying DX mail as well as their own?

            I’d need to get specifics from my buddy at NZ Post before I go into it any further.

            Agree it is weird, NZ Post supporting their opposition. What I also find weird is they intentionally give up their business to their opposition. Kind of shooting yourself in the foot – thats surely “the privatisation by stealth” angle.

            • te reo putake 10.1.1.1.1.1

              Yes, you are correct about the scooters, Rosie. DX have delivery in specific, high density areas, but its NZ Post who do the deliveries for DX and the others everywhere else. For Dx et al, it’s kind of like airlines cherry picking their routes and leaving Air New Zealand to fly the unprofitable regional runs. A sort of reverse subsidy.

              • Rosie

                Got ya.

                • Invisible Axe

                  Yes NZ Post posties are delivering DX Mail, to areas where DX Mail cannot make a profit. Only NZ Post offers redirections, or hold mail, or RTS (Return to sender), or PO Boxes. DX Mail do not do those services (though they may well be thinking of doing it). DX Mail offer 5 day delivery, whereas in a month NZ Post will be delivering to your house every 3 days (Still 6 days for PO Boxes, Rural Delivery & places like Balclutha).

                  NZ Post are trialling some mixed services with Courier Post delivering mail side by side with NZ Post posties, so they have wage earners sitting alongside contractors, the end game is to contract out posty work (My assumption).

                  The Unions (EPMU & PWUA) have been next to useless on this, or to be fair they have been outfoxed (the introduction of PPM (Postie Pay Model – paid for volume of mail rather than hours) is killing posties, especially the older guys, its a crap system (DX Mail still get paid by hours worked).

                  • Rosie

                    Thanks Invisible Axe. Wasn’t aware of the PPM. Re this bit:

                    “NZ Post are trialling some mixed services with Courier Post delivering mail side by side with NZ Post posties, so they have wage earners sitting alongside contractors, the end game is to contract out posty work (My assumption).”

                    I’d heard about this too. I’d also make the assumption that NZ Post are wanting to move towards contractors and away from permanent employees. That would suck.

                    • Colonial Rawshark

                      It seems likely that the Board would be approving of executive management’s strategy here, given how big of a change it is.

  10. esoteric pineapples 11

    Apparently a neutron bomb has been dropped on Yemen with Saudi and Israeli connections. I imagine nothing has been verified for sure but one only has to look at the video to see that whatever was dropped was pretty mean and ugly and very much looks like a mini nuclear bomb.

    http://robinwestenra.blogspot.co.nz/2015/05/a-neutron-bomb-dropped-on-yemen-by-iaf.html?spref=fb

    • Yeah, it’s bollocks though, isn’t it? A neutron bomb dropped on Yemen by Israel on behalf of Saudi Arabia and not picked up by any seismic or radiation readers anywhere in the gulf, but, remarkably, only visible to nutters on the net. Sounds plausible.

      • hoom 11.1.1

        If it was a Nuke (which Neutron bombs are) then the cameraperson would be blind from the flash & dead shortly after from the Neutrons.

        Probably they just hit an ammo dump or other large concentration of explosives.
        Any big enough explosion makes a mushroom cloud, thats just physics.

        • millsy 11.1.1.1

          The Isrealis arent that stupid. They know full well that using nuclear weaponry would lead to a huge backlash which ordinary Jews will bear the brunt of.

          A few Arabs arent worth the burning and sacking of every synaogue in Europe.

        • David H 11.1.1.2

          If it’s a Neutron bomb then the fl;ash would have been seen by the Americans sattelite network. but it is a nasty bomb.

          “A neutron bomb is a hydrogen bomb without the uranium-238. This lowers the explosive yield while letting the neutrons bust out all over.”

          http://io9.com/though-it-seems-crazy-now-the-neutron-bomb-was-intende-1636604514

      • David H 11.1.2

        @E Pineapples. That’s not a Nuc for one the flash would have blinded anyone looking at it, and the camera would have died from the EMP released.

      • te reo putake 11.2.1

        Er, most likely a conventional weapon. Possibly a large one. It also depends on what the target was; if it was a munitions dump then big bangs can obviously be expected. The other thing about the bogus original story is the lack of context (how big? How far away from the photographer? What was hit? etc.).

        • joe90 11.2.1.1

          Fuel-air devices are conventional.

          • te reo putake 11.2.1.1.1

            Hmmm, by definition they’re not conventional. Do you mean they’re in common use?

            • joe90 11.2.1.1.1.1

              Yup, in Syria, drone, fixed wing and helicopter borne Hellfires used across the middle east to incinerate people and reported use in the recent demolition of Gaza.

              “Flechette shells, fuel-air bombs (which explode twice, including after impact), dime shells, and flechette shells saturated with uranium were fired at Gaza Strip,” the statement added, stressing that the weapons “affect the environment, soil, and water and will affect the next generations by spreading diseases especially cancer.

              http://mondoweiss.net/2014/08/jerusalem-hospital-children

              • Colonial Rawshark

                yeah most likely a MOAB type device.

                If it had been a neutron bomb the EMP would have fried everything electronic which wasn’t hardened, certainly within the 4-5 mile radius that footage was taken in.

    • TheContrarian 11.3

      Yep – looks like utter bullshit.

      Though Ugly Truth should be around any time now to tell us how it’s real because Jews.

      • Colonial Rawshark 11.3.1

        Though Ugly Truth should be around any time now to tell us how it’s real because Jews.

        because Israeli Government. Don’t conflate them with “Jews.”

  11. One Anonymous Bloke 12

    Also linked in the Roy Morgan thread.

    Problem: the NZ Law Society warns the UN that the National Party is undermining the rule of law.

    National Party solution: abandon commitment to the rule of law.

  12. Chooky 13

    Are we on a hiding to nowhere?!…We need to pull our brave troops out of Iraq !….Where is the Labour Party on this?….There is no reason for our troops to be there training Iraqi troops if Iraqi troops don’t want to fight!!!!

    ….the Left must get together on this and oppose jonkey Nact and pull the troops out NOW!

    ‘‘No will’ to fight ISIS? US Defense Sec blasts Iraqi troops’

    http://rt.com/usa/261681-carter-iraq-fight-isis-ramadi/

    “US Defense Secretary Ash Carter has lashed out at the Iraqi army, which last week abandoned the major central city of Ramadi, as well as millions of dollars’ worth of equipment, to the Islamic State, despite reportedly outnumbering the jihadists 10-to-1.

    “What apparently happened was that the Iraqi forces just showed no will to fight. They were not outnumbered. In fact, they vastly outnumbered the opposing force, and yet they failed to fight, they withdrew from the site,” Carter, who was appointed earlier this year, told CNN in scathing commentary.”

  13. Clemgeopin 14

    The sky city-convention-centre. New plans:

    The comments from readers under this article are interesting. Take a look.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/68851861/govt-greenlights-skycity-convention-centre

    Five crucial points :
    (1) the government practically gifted the tax payer owned TVNZ land to Sky City for this convention centre (2) All the income and profits made will go to the coffers of Sky City and its share holders and not to us, the government (3) To allow Sky City this huge money making bonanza, the government reduced the pokie machine numbers from small outlets, clubs etc from around the regions in the country, and increased the number of pokie machines and other gambling tables for their Sky City crooked corporate mates. (4) If instead of giving huge tax cuts worth billions of dollars each year that primarily benefit the most wealthy the most, had the government itself or a public-private-council partnership funded this convention centre, then the international centre would have been OURS as an SOE and profits would have been OURS in perpetuity.(5) We have an unpatriotic, myopic, cunning government that primarily works for the wealthy, the corporates and their mates.

    • DoublePlusGood 14.1

      Well, we could always just repossess the land, given that it was procured in such an ill-gotten manner.

      • Clemgeopin 14.1.1

        Legally not that easy because it was passed by parliament (I think).

        • Kiwiri 14.1.1.1

          Is there any statement from the Labour Party that they no longer receive any donations from SkyCity, whether directly or indirectly or in any elusive way that would be difficult to track? Will Labour campaign to reverse Nat’s law that increased the number of pokie machines?

          • Clemgeopin 14.1.1.1.1

            I don’t know. I have nothing to do with the Labour party. Just a Labour party supporter. I like their great policies based on socialism, social justice, fairness, pragmatism, common sense and care.

            I voted Mana at the last election as I did not like Hone and IMP being attacked unfairly!

            Regarding Sky City donation, that would be declared in the election returns.

            No idea about ‘indirectly’. Hope not. It is high time for all MPs to be honest and corruption free of big business influence and being tempted by corporate crooks.

            Reversing pokie machine laws or the Sky City deal will be difficult legally I think, because these contracts deals are legal stuff and voted in by parliament.

            I suppose it could be done but at very huge cost in money, and business trust both nationally and internationally. So no, I don’t think that will be possible, though I am sure the future governments will be able to change gambling laws through parliament because parliament is supreme. But I think only the wily secretive brethren Steven Joyce knows the small prints in the deal. I doubt if he published the ENTIRE document. Did he?

  14. Draco T Bastard 16

    What Classical Liberal Economist Adam Smith Would Have Thought About the TPP Negotiations

    The proposal of any new law or regulation of commerce which comes from this order ought always to be listened to with great precaution, and ought never to be adopted till after having been long and carefully examined, not only with the most scrupulous, but with the most suspicious attention.

    It comes from an order of men whose interest is never exactly the same with that of the public, who have generally an interest to deceive and even to oppress the public, and who accordingly have, upon many occasions, both deceived and oppressed it.

    The people writing up the TPPA are the big businesses, those that Adam Smith described as having “deceived and oppressed” the public. The secrecy surrounding the TPPA is part of that ongoing oppression of the public for the benefit of the corporations.

  15. Draco T Bastard 17

    League: Sir Owen Glenn enlists John Banks to help run Warriors trust

    How long before we find Banks up in court again for signing a document that’s incorrect?

    • McFlock 17.1

      lol – and ISTR that the electoral act was aberrant in having the “knowing it to be false” qualification, rather than the basic “signs false declaration” prohibition.

      • tinfoilhat 17.1.1

        Good ness I couldn’t believe that headline and was wondering what he was thinking.

        Having read the article i must admit I never knew Banks was so involved in league over the years.

        • Draco T Bastard 17.1.1.1

          I don’t think how long he’s been involved matters much. It’s the fact that seemingly every time he’s in a position of power and responsibility he goes round signing legal documents without reading them or checking them for things like facts and truthfulness.

          • One Anonymous Bloke 17.1.1.1.1

            If you know of a better way to profit from corruption and avoid jail I’m sure he’d be all ears.

  16. just saying 18

    I’m changing my internet/phone company.
    Flip looks the cheapest. Anyone know anything about them?
    Good, bad, indifferent?
    Ta

    • Johnycomelater 18.1

      Yes, they are one of cheapest. Just switched to them 2 weeks ago at work. (small office in a biggish building). Been connected apparently but no service. Not there problem because they use Chorus for connections. Chorus will charge to come and inspect it and Flip don’t do call backs regarding problem resolution.

      Also like most other providers, it take for ever to get through to Tech support (4 hours yesterday and slightly better today at 1 hour). Ended up calling sales and got through directly.

      Pretty average IMHO and thinking about ditching them.

      • Kiwiri 18.1.1

        never used them before
        well, going by how ‘average’ they seem to be in terms of service provided by help desk, we know what the expression is for the other side of flip
        … flop

      • just saying 18.1.2

        Thanks,
        It seems that cheap is synonymous with really bad service.
        Unfortunately the sorts of messes they can make can make them more expensive in the long run.

  17. Ennui 19

    Just been looking around The Standard and see collective woe at the latest polls. I sense an aura of powerlessness on the “Left” like a rabbit in the headlights. Key the Untouchable, ruler of all you see.

    Couple of observations..Key Stormcrow. Imagine petrol getting very rare very quickly. Theres fighting going on near the Saudi oilfields and its spread to Yemen. ISIL runs riot, Iran see the US as the great Satan but will fight for Shiism against the Sunni. Its got the potential to kill off exports of oil, to break markets. On top of this the financial markets sit on the brink of failure. What could this do to our trade? Or the Auckland property bubble. In short the disasters are lining up to kill our economy and Key with it.

    Given that Keys mob rely upon paying some of us with baubles to get votes any of the above could be fatal. Now imagine that the storm is so severe that the current wealthy lose everything and the rest become destitute. The end result could be the loss of all legitimacy. Are the Left ready for or up to the challenge. ? I doubt it going by the comments here. All I see is the wish to control the status quo for different beneficiaries. The coming storms wont leave anything worth benefitting from.

    • Colonial Rawshark 19.1

      +100

      Labour trying to figure out how to restack electronic ones and zeroes to pay for Super in 2050 misses the mark by so far its not even worth measuring.

        • Colonial Rawshark 19.1.1.1

          Labour is welcome to run mucking around with NZ Super by the voters again in 2017, if it likes.

          • te reo putake 19.1.1.1.1

            Last time I heard, you were Labour. Has something changed?

            • Colonial Rawshark 19.1.1.1.1.1

              Lots of Labour people think that fucking around with NZ Super is not just electoral death, but also plain wrong headed. I’ll be making sure the MPs hear that message loud and clear. The less compliant the Labour membership is from here on in with voter losing BS, the better.

              • Craig H

                Was pretty clear what we thought about it at region 5 conference – it’s toxic, and leave it.

                • Kiwiri

                  Of course it is toxic and Labour MPs must surely appreciate that or don’t they?

                  • Colonial Rawshark

                    They are wed to orthodox economic and monetary thinking, which means that at best, they aspire to a future of being better book keepers and detail managers than National.

                • Colonial Rawshark

                  Craig H – thanks for the report from Region 5

      • Chooky 19.1.2

        +100 CR and Ennui

  18. Ron 20

    Watching Parliament recently and noted how few MP’s were present. This of course is because MP’s no longer need to be present as whips cast the votes on their behalf.
    It seems to me that this is a retrograde step. All MP’s should be present at all times with few exceptions.
    Unfortunately it would be very difficult to change it back now a bit like turkeys voting for Thanksgiving.

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • At a glance – Does CO2 always correlate with temperature?
    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 ...
    3 hours ago
  • Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6.06 pm on Tuesday, March 19
    TL;DR: In today’s ‘six-stack’ of substacks at 6.06pm on Tuesday, March 19:Kāinga Ora’s dry rot The Spinoff DailyBill McKibben on ‘Climate Superfunds’ making Big Oil pay for climate damage The Crucial YearsPreston Mui on returning to 1980s-style productivity growth NoahpinionAndy Boenau on NIMBYs needing unusual bedfellows Urbanism SpeakeasyNed Resnikoff's case ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 hours ago
  • Relentlessly negative
    Negative yesterday, negative today. Negative all year, according to one departing reader telling me I’ve grown strident and predictable. Fair enough. If it’s any help, every time I go to write about a certain topic that begins with C and ends with arrrrs, I do brace myself and ask: Again? Are ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 hours ago
  • Scoring 4.6 out of 10, the new Government is struggling in the polls
    Bryce Edwards writes –  It’s been a tumultuous time in politics in recent months, as the new National-led Government has driven through its “First 100 Day programme”. During this period there’s been a handful of opinion polls, which overall just show a minimal amount of flux in public support ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 hours ago
  • Promiscuous Empathy: Chris Trotter Replies To His Critics.
    Inspirational: The Family of Man is a glorious hymn to human equality, but, more than that, it is a clarion call to human freedom. Because equality, unleavened by liberty, is a broken piano, an unstrung harp; upon which the songs of fraternity will never be played. “Somebody must have been telling lies about ...
    7 hours ago
  • Don’t run your business like a criminal enterprise
    The Detail this morning highlights the police's asset forfeiture case against convicted business criminal Ron Salter, who stands to have his business confiscated for systemic violations of health and safety law. Business are crying foul - but not for the reason you'd think. Instead of opposing the post-conviction punishment and ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    7 hours ago
  • Misremembering Justinian’s Taxes.
    Tax Lawyer Barbara Edmonds vs Emperor Justinian I - Nolo Contendere: False historical explanations of pivotal events are very far from being inconsequential.WHEN BARBARA EDMONDS made reference to the Roman Empire, my ears pricked up. It is, lamentably, very rare to hear a politician admit to any kind of familiarity ...
    7 hours ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Scoring 4.6 out of 10, the new Government is struggling in the polls
    It’s been a tumultuous time in politics in recent months, as the new National-led Government has driven through its “First 100 Day programme”. During this period there’s been a handful of opinion polls, which overall just show a minimal amount of flux in public support for the various parties in ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    8 hours ago
  • Bishop scores headlines with crackdown on unwelcome tenants – but Peters scores, too, as tub-thump...
    Buzz from the Beehive Housing Minister Chris Bishop delivered news – packed with the ingredients to enflame political passions – worthy of supplanting Winston Peters in headline writers’ priorities. He popped up at the post-Cabinet press conference to promise a crackdown on unruly and antisocial state housing tenants. His ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    9 hours ago
  • Will it make the boat go faster?
    Ele Ludemann writes – The Reserve Bank is advertising for a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion advisor. The Bank has one mandate – to keep inflation between one and three percent. It has failed in that and is only slowly getting inflation back down to the upper limit. Will it ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    12 hours ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Is Simon Bridges’ NZTA appointment a conflict of interest?
    Last week former National Party leader Simon Bridges was appointed by the Government as the new chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). You can read about the appointment in Thomas Coughlan’s article, Simon Bridges to become chair of NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi The fact that a ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    12 hours ago
  • Is Simon Bridges’ NZTA appointment a conflict of interest?
    Bryce Edwards writes – Last week former National Party leader Simon Bridges was appointed by the Government as the new chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). You can read about the appointment in Thomas Coughlan’s article, Simon Bridges to become chair of NZ Transport Agency ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    12 hours ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' at 10:10am on Tuesday, March 19
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Gavin Jacobson talks to Thomas Piketty 10 years on from Capital in the 21st Century The SalvoLocal scoop: Green MP’s business being investigated over migrant exploitation claims Stuff Steve KilgallonLocal deep-dive: The commercial contractors making money from School ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    13 hours ago
  • Bernard's six newsy things on Tuesday, March 19
    It’s a home - but Kāinga Ora tenants accused of “abusing the privilege” may lose it. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The Government announced a crackdown on Kāinga Ora tenants who were unruly and/or behind on their rent, with Housing Minister Chris Bishop saying a place in a state ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    14 hours ago
  • New Life for Light Rail
    This is a guest post by Connor Sharp of Surface Light Rail  Light rail in Auckland: A way forward sooner than you think With the coup de grâce of Auckland Light Rail (ALR) earlier this year, and the shift of the government’s priorities to roads, roads, and more roads, it ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    15 hours ago
  • Why Are Bosses Nearly All Buffoons?
    Note: As a paid-up Webworm member, I’ve recorded this Webworm as a mini-podcast for you as well. Some of you said you liked this option - so I aim to provide it when I get a chance to record! Read more ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    17 hours ago
  • Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6.06 pm on March 18
    TL;DR: In my ‘six-stack’ of substacks at 6.06pm on Monday, March 18:IKEA is accused of planting big forests in New Zealand to green-wash; REDD-MonitorA City for People takes a well-deserved victory lap over Wellington’s pro-YIMBY District Plan votes; A City for PeopleSteven Anastasiou takes a close look at the sticky ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Peters holds his ground on co-governance, but Willis wriggles on those tax cuts and SNA suspension l...
    Buzz from the Beehive Here’s hoping for a lively post-cabinet press conference when the PM and – perhaps – some of his ministers tell us what was discussed at their meeting today. Until then, Point of Order has precious little Beehive news to report after its latest monitoring of the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 day ago
  • Labour’s final report card
    David Farrar writes –  We now have almost all 2023 data in, which has allowed me to update my annual table of how  went against its promises. This is basically their final report card. The promise The result Build 100,000 affordable homes over 10 ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago
  • “Drunk Uncle at a Wedding”
    I’m a bit worried that I’ve started a previous newsletter with the words “just when you think they couldn’t get any worse…” Seems lately that I could begin pretty much every issue with that opening. Such is the nature of our coalition government that they seem to be outdoing each ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 day ago
  • Wang Yi’s perfectly-timed, Aukus-themed visit to New Zealand
    Geoffrey Miller writes – Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago
  • Gordon Campbell on Dune 2, and images of Islam
    Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture ...
    2 days ago
  • New Rail Operations Centre Promises Better Train Services
    Last week Transport Minster Simeon Brown and Mayor Wayne Brown opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre. The new train control centre will see teams from KiwiRail, Auckland Transport and Auckland One Rail working more closely together to improve train services across the city. The Auckland Rail Operations Centre in ...
    2 days ago
  • Bernard's six newsy things at 6.36am on Monday, March 18
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson said in an exit interview with Q+A yesterday the Government can and should sustain more debt to invest in infrastructure for future generations. Elsewhere in the news in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 6:36am: Read more ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: Wang Yi’s perfectly-timed, Aukus-themed visit to New Zealand
    Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. It is more than just a happy ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    2 days ago
  • The Kaka’s diary for the week to March 25 and beyond
    TL;DR: The key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to March 18 include:China’s Foreign Minister visiting Wellington today;A post-cabinet news conference this afternoon; the resumption of Parliament on Tuesday for two weeks before Easter;retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson gives his valedictory speech in Parliament; ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Bitter and angry; Winston First
    New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters’s state-of-the-nation speech on Sunday was really a state-of-Winston-First speech. He barely mentioned any of the Government’s key policies and could not even wholly endorse its signature income tax cuts. Instead, he rehearsed all of his complaints about the Ardern Government, including an extraordinary claim ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
    2 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
    2 days ago
  • Out of Touch.
    “I’ve been internalising a really complicated situation in my head.”When they kept telling us we should wait until we get to know him, were they taking the piss? Was it a case of, if you think this is bad, wait till you get to know the real Christopher, after the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • The bewildering world of Chris Luxon – Guns for all, not no lunch for kids
    .“$10 and a target that bleeds” - Bleeding Targets for Under $10!.Thanks for reading Frankly Speaking ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.This government appears hell-bent on either scrapping life-saving legislation or reintroducing things that - frustrated critics insist - will be dangerous and likely ...
    Frankly SpeakingBy Frank Macskasy
    3 days ago
  • Expert Opinion: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.
    It hardly strikes me as fair to criticise a government for doing exactly what it said it was going to do. For actually keeping its promises.”THUNDER WAS PLAYING TAG with lightning flashes amongst the distant peaks. Its rolling cadences interrupted by the here-I-come-here-I-go Doppler effect of the occasional passing car. ...
    3 days ago
  • Manufacturing The Truth.
    Subversive & Disruptive Technologies: Just as happened with that other great regulator of the masses, the Medieval Church, the advent of a new and hard-to-control technology – the Internet –  is weakening the ties that bind. Then, and now, those who enjoy a monopoly on the dissemination of lies, cannot and will ...
    3 days ago
  • A Powerful Sensation of Déjà Vu.
    Been Here Before: To find the precedents for what this Coalition Government is proposing, it is necessary to return to the “glory days” of Muldoonism.THE COALITION GOVERNMENT has celebrated its first 100 days in office by checking-off the last of its listed commitments. It remains, however, an angry government. It ...
    3 days ago
  • Can you guess where world attention is focussed (according to Greenpeace)? It’s focussed on an EPA...
    Bob Edlin writes –  And what is the world watching today…? The email newsletter from Associated Press which landed in our mailbox early this morning advised: In the news today: The father of a school shooter has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter; prosecutors in Trump’s hush-money case ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • Further integrity problems for the Greens in suspending MP Darleen Tana
    Bryce Edwards writes – Is another Green MP on their way out? And are the Greens severely tarnished by another integrity scandal? For the second time in three months, the Green Party has secretly suspended an MP over integrity issues. Mystery is surrounding the party’s decision to ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Jacqui Van Der Kaay: Greens’ transparency missing in action
    For the last few years, the Green Party has been the party that has managed to avoid the plague of multiple scandals that have beleaguered other political parties. It appears that their luck has run out with a second scandal which, unfortunately for them, coincided with Golraz Ghahraman, the focus ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago
  • Bernard’s Dawn Chorus with six newsey things at 6:46am for Saturday, March 16
    TL;DR: The six newsey things that stood out to me as of 6:46am on Saturday, March 16.Andy Foster has accidentally allowed a Labour/Green amendment to cut road user chargers for plug-in hybrid vehicles, which the Government might accept; NZ Herald Thomas Coughlan Simeon Brown has rejected a plea from Westport ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • How Did FTX Crash?
    What seemed a booming success a couple of years ago has collapsed into fraud convictions.I looked at the crash of FTX (short for ‘Futures Exchange’) in November 2022 to see whether it would impact on the financial system as a whole. Fortunately there was barely a ripple, probably because it ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    4 days ago
  • Elections in Russia and Ukraine
    Anybody following the situation in Ukraine and Russia would probably have been amused by a recent Tweet on X NATO seems to be putting in an awful lot of effort to influence what is, at least according to them, a sham election in an autocracy.When do the Ukrainians go to ...
    4 days ago
  • Bernard’s six stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15
    TL;DR: Shaun Baker on Wynyard Quarter's transformation. Magdalene Taylor on the problem with smart phones. How private equity are now all over reinsurance. Dylan Cleaver on rugby and CTE. Emily Atkin on ‘Big Meat’ looking like ‘Big Oil’.Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15Photo by Jeppe Hove Jensen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Buzz from the Beehive Finance Minister Nicola Willis had plenty to say when addressing the Auckland Business Chamber on the economic growth that (she tells us) is flagging more than we thought. But the government intends to put new life into it:  We want our country to be a ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • National’s clean car tax advances
    The Transport and Infrastructure Committee has reported back on the Road User Charges (Light Electric RUC Vehicles) Amendment Bill, basicly rubberstamping it. While there was widespread support among submitters for the principle that EV and PHEV drivers should pay their fair share for the roads, they also overwhelmingly disagreed with ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Government funding bailouts
    Peter Dunne writes – This week’s government bailout – the fifth in the last eighteen months – of the financially troubled Ruapehu Alpine Lifts company would have pleased many in the central North Island ski industry. The government’s stated rationale for the $7 million funding was that it ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Two offenders, different treatments.
    See if you can spot the difference. An Iranian born female MP from a progressive party is accused of serial shoplifting. Her name is leaked to the media, which goes into a pack frenzy even before the Police launch an … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    4 days ago
  • Treaty references omitted
    Ele Ludemann writes  – The government is omitting general Treaty references from legislation : The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last Government in a bid to get greater coherence in the public service on Treaty ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • The Ghahraman Conflict
    What was that judge thinking? Peter Williams writes –  That Golriz Ghahraman and District Court Judge Maria Pecotic were once lawyer colleagues is incontrovertible. There is published evidence that they took at least one case to the Court of Appeal together. There was a report on ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 15
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Climate Scorpion – the sting is in the tail. Introducing planetary solvency. A paper via the University of Exeter’s Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.Local scoop: Kāinga Ora starts pulling out of its Auckland projects and selling land RNZ ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • The day Wellington up-zoned its future
    Wellington’s massively upzoned District Plan adds the opportunity for tens of thousands of new homes not just in the central city (such as these Webb St new builds) but also close to the CBD and public transport links. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Wellington gave itself the chance of ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Weekly Roundup 15-March-2024
    It’s Friday and we’re halfway through March Madness. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week in Greater Auckland On Monday Matt asked how we can get better event trains and an option for grade separating Morningside Dr. On Tuesday Matt looked into ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    5 days ago
  • That Word.
    Something you might not know about me is that I’m quite a stubborn person. No, really. I don’t much care for criticism I think’s unfair or that I disagree with. Few of us do I suppose.Back when I was a drinker I’d sometimes respond defensively, even angrily. There are things ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • The Hoon around the week to March 15
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:PM Christopher Luxon said the reversal of interest deductibility for landlords was done to help renters, who ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Labour’s policy gap
    It was not so much the Labour Party but really the Chris Hipkins party yesterday at Labour’s caucus retreat in Martinborough. The former Prime Minister was more or less consistent on wealth tax, which he was at best equivocal about, and social insurance, which he was not willing to revisit. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #11 2024
    Open access notables A Glimpse into the Future: The 2023 Ocean Temperature and Sea Ice Extremes in the Context of Longer-Term Climate Change, Kuhlbrodt et al., Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society: In the year 2023, we have seen extraordinary extrema in high sea surface temperature (SST) in the North Atlantic and in ...
    5 days ago
  • Melissa remains mute on media matters but has something to say (at a sporting event) about economic ...
     Buzz from the Beehive   The text reproduced above appears on a page which records all the media statements and speeches posted on the government’s official website by Melissa Lee as Minister of Media and Communications and/or by Jenny Marcroft, her Parliamentary Under-secretary.  It can be quickly analysed ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago
  • The return of Muldoon
    For forty years, Robert Muldoon has been a dirty word in our politics. His style of government was so repulsive and authoritarian that the backlash to it helped set and entrench our constitutional norms. His pig-headedness over forcing through Think Big eventually gave us the RMA, with its participation and ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Will the rental tax cut improve life for renters or landlords?
    Bryce Edwards writes –  Is the new government reducing tax on rental properties to benefit landlords or to cut the cost of rents? That’s the big question this week, after Associate Finance Minister David Seymour announced on Sunday that the Government would be reversing the Labour Government’s removal ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: What Saudi Arabia’s rapid changes mean for New Zealand
    Saudi Arabia is rarely far from the international spotlight. The war in Gaza has brought new scrutiny to Saudi plans to normalise relations with Israel, while the fifth anniversary of the controversial killing of Jamal Khashoggi was marked shortly before the war began on October 7. And as the home ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    5 days ago
  • Racism’s double standards
    Questions need to be asked on both sides of the world Peter Williams writes –   The NRL Judiciary hands down an eight week suspension to Sydney Roosters forward Spencer Leniu , an Auckland-born Samoan, after he calls Ezra Mam, Sydney-orn but of Aboriginal and Torres Strait ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • It’s not a tax break
    Ele Ludemann writes – Contrary to what many headlines and news stories are saying, residential landlords are not getting a tax break. The government is simply restoring to them the tax deductibility of interest they had until the previous government removed it. There is no logical reason ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • The Plastic Pig Collective and Chris' Imaginary Friends.
    I can't remember when it was goodMoments of happiness in bloomMaybe I just misunderstoodAll of the love we left behindWatching our flashbacks intertwineMemories I will never findIn spite of whatever you becomeForget that reckless thing turned onI think our lives have just begunI think our lives have just begunDoes anyone ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • Who is responsible for young offenders?
    Michael Bassett writes – At first reading, a front-page story in the New Zealand Herald on 13 March was bizarre. A group of severely intellectually limited teenagers, with little understanding of the law, have been pleading to the Justice Select Committee not to pass a bill dealing with ram ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on National’s fantasy trip to La La Landlord Land
    How much political capital is Christopher Luxon willing to burn through in order to deliver his $2.9 billion gift to landlords? Evidently, Luxon is: (a) unable to cost the policy accurately. As Anna Burns-Francis pointed out to him on Breakfast TV, the original ”rock solid” $2.1 billion cost he was ...
    6 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 14
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Jonathon Porritt calling bullshit in his own blog post on mainstream climate science as ‘The New Denialism’.Local scoop: The Wellington City Council’s list of proposed changes to the IHP recommendations to be debated later today was leaked this ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • No, Prime Minister, rents don’t rise or fall with landlords’ costs
    TL;DR: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said yesterday tenants should be grateful for the reinstatement of interest deductibility because landlords would pass on their lower tax costs in the form of lower rents. That would be true if landlords were regulated monopolies such as Transpower or Auckland Airport1, but they’re not, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • Cartoons: ‘At least I didn’t make things awkward’
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Tom Toro Tom Toro is a cartoonist and author. He has published over 200 cartoons in The New Yorker since 2010. His cartoons appear in Playboy, the Paris Review, the New York Times, American Bystander, and elsewhere. Related: What 10 EV lovers ...
    6 days ago
  • Solving traffic congestion with Richard Prebble
    The business section of the NZ Herald is full of opinion. Among the more opinionated of all is the ex-Minister of Transport, ex-Minister of Railways, ex MP for Auckland Central (1975-93, Labour), Wellington Central (1996-99, ACT, then list-2005), ex-leader of the ACT Party, uncle to actor Antonia, the veritable granddaddy ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    6 days ago
  • I Think I'm Done Flying Boeing
    Hi,Just quickly — I’m blown away by the stories you’ve shared with me over the last week since I put out the ‘Gary’ podcast, where I told you about the time my friend’s flatmate killed the neighbour.And you keep telling me stories — in the comments section, and in my ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • Invoking Aristotle: Of Rings of Power, Stones, and Ships
    The first season of Rings of Power was not awful. It was thoroughly underwhelming, yes, and left a lingering sense of disappointment, but it was more expensive mediocrity than catastrophe. I wrote at length about the series as it came out (see the Review section of the blog, and go ...
    6 days ago
  • Van Velden brings free-market approach to changing labour laws – but her colleagues stick to distr...
    Buzz from the Beehive Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden told Auckland Business Chamber members they were the first audience to hear her priorities as a minister in a government committed to cutting red tape and regulations. She brandished her liberalising credentials, saying Flexible labour markets are the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • Why Newshub failed
    Chris Trotter writes – TO UNDERSTAND WHY NEWSHUB FAILED, it is necessary to understand how TVNZ changed. Up until 1989, the state broadcaster had been funded by a broadcasting licence fee, collected from every citizen in possession of a television set, supplemented by a relatively modest (compared ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Māori Party on the warpath against landlords and seabed miners – let’s see if mystical creature...
    Bob Edlin writes  –  The Māori Party has been busy issuing a mix of warnings and threats as its expresses its opposition to interest deductibility for landlords and the plans of seabed miners. It remains to be seen whether they  follow the example of indigenous litigants in Australia, ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • Government moves to quickly ratify the NZ-EU FTA
    "The Government is moving quickly to realise an additional $46 million in tariff savings in the EU market this season for Kiwi exporters,” Minister for Trade and Agriculture, Todd McClay says. Parliament is set, this week, to complete the final legislative processes required to bring the New Zealand – European ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 hours ago
  • Positive progress for social worker workforce
    New Zealand’s social workers are qualified, experienced, and more representative of the communities they serve, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “I want to acknowledge and applaud New Zealand’s social workers for the hard work they do, providing invaluable support for our most vulnerable. “To coincide with World ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    11 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
    13 hours ago
  • Trade access to overseas markets creates jobs
    Minister of Agriculture and Trade, Todd McClay, says that today’s opening of Riverland Foods manufacturing plant in Christchurch is a great example of how trade access to overseas markets creates jobs in New Zealand.  Speaking at the official opening of this state-of-the-art pet food factory the Minister noted that exports ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago
  • NZ and Chinese Foreign Ministers hold official talks
    Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Wellington today. “It was a pleasure to host Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his first official visit to New Zealand since 2017. Our discussions were wide-ranging and enabled engagement on many facets of New Zealand’s relationship with China, including trade, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Kāinga Ora instructed to end Sustaining Tenancies
    Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities has been instructed to end the Sustaining Tenancies Framework and take stronger measures against persistent antisocial behaviour by tenants, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Earlier today Finance Minister Nicola Willis and I sent an interim Letter of Expectations to the Board of Kāinga Ora. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber: Growth is the answer
    Tēna koutou katoa. Greetings everyone. Thank you to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Honourable Simon Bridges for hosting this address today. I acknowledge the business leaders in this room, the leaders and governors, the employers, the entrepreneurs, the investors, and the wealth creators. The coalition Government shares your ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Singapore rounds out regional trip
    Minister Winston Peters completed the final leg of his visit to South and South East Asia in Singapore today, where he focused on enhancing one of New Zealand’s indispensable strategic partnerships.      “Singapore is our most important defence partner in South East Asia, our fourth-largest trading partner and a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister van Velden represents New Zealand at International Democracy Summit
    Minister of Internal Affairs and Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon. Brooke van Velden, will travel to the Republic of Korea to represent New Zealand at the Third Summit for Democracy on 18 March. The summit, hosted by the Republic of Korea, was first convened by the United States in 2021, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Insurance Council of NZ Speech, 7 March 2024, Auckland
    ICNZ Speech 7 March 2024, Auckland  Acknowledgements and opening  Mōrena, ngā mihi nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho.  Good morning, it’s a privilege to be here to open the ICNZ annual conference, thank you to Mark for the Mihi Whakatau  My thanks to Tim Grafton for inviting me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Five-year anniversary of Christchurch terror attacks
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Lead Coordination Minister Judith Collins have expressed their deepest sympathy on the five-year anniversary of the Christchurch terror attacks. “March 15, 2019, was a day when families, communities and the country came together both in sorrow and solidarity,” Mr Luxon says.  “Today we pay our respects to the 51 shuhada ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024
    Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024  Acknowledgements and opening  Morena, Nga Mihi Nui.  Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Thanks Nate for your Mihi Whakatau  Good morning. It’s a pleasure to formally open your conference this morning. What a lovely day in Wellington, What a great ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Early visit to Indonesia strengthens ties
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters held discussions in Jakarta today about the future of relations between New Zealand and South East Asia’s most populous country.   “We are in Jakarta so early in our new government’s term to reflect the huge importance we place on our relationship with Indonesia and South ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • China Foreign Minister to visit
    Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has announced that the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, will visit New Zealand next week.  “We look forward to re-engaging with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussing the full breadth of the bilateral relationship, which is one of New Zealand’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister opens new Auckland Rail Operations Centre
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has today opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre, which will bring together KiwiRail, Auckland Transport, and Auckland One Rail to improve service reliability for Aucklanders. “The recent train disruptions in Auckland have highlighted how important it is KiwiRail and Auckland’s rail agencies work together to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Celebrating 10 years of Crankworx Rotorua
    The Government is proud to support the 10th edition of Crankworx Rotorua as the Crankworx World Tour returns to Rotorua from 16-24 March 2024, says Minister for Economic Development Melissa Lee.  “Over the past 10 years as Crankworx Rotorua has grown, so too have the economic and social benefits that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government delivering on tax commitments
    Legislation implementing coalition Government tax commitments and addressing long-standing tax anomalies will be progressed in Parliament next week, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The legislation is contained in an Amendment Paper to the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill issued today.  “The Amendment Paper represents ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Significant Natural Areas requirement to be suspended
    Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard has today announced that the Government has agreed to suspend the requirement for councils to comply with the Significant Natural Areas (SNA) provisions of the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity for three years, while it replaces the Resource Management Act (RMA).“As it stands, SNAs ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Government classifies drought conditions in Top of the South as medium-scale adverse event
    Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has classified the drought conditions in the Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts as a medium-scale adverse event, acknowledging the challenging conditions facing farmers and growers in the district. “Parts of Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts are in the grip of an intense dry spell. I know ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Government partnership to tackle $332m facial eczema problem
    The Government is helping farmers eradicate the significant impact of facial eczema (FE) in pastoral animals, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced.  “A $20 million partnership jointly funded by Beef + Lamb NZ, the Government, and the primary sector will save farmers an estimated NZD$332 million per year, and aims to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • NZ, India chart path to enhanced relationship
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has completed a successful visit to India, saying it was an important step in taking the relationship between the two countries to the next level.   “We have laid a strong foundation for the Coalition Government’s priority of enhancing New Zealand-India relations to generate significant future benefit for both countries,” says Mr Peters, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Ruapehu Alpine Lifts bailout the last, say Ministers
    Cabinet has agreed to provide $7 million to ensure the 2024 ski season can go ahead on the Whakapapa ski field in the central North Island but has told the operator Ruapehu Alpine Lifts it is the last financial support it will receive from taxpayers. Cabinet also agreed to provide ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Fresh produce price drop welcome
    Lower fruit and vegetable prices are welcome news for New Zealanders who have been doing it tough at the supermarket, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Stats NZ reported today the price of fruit and vegetables has dropped 9.3 percent in the 12 months to February 2024.  “Lower fruit and vege ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Statement to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the sixty-eighth session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Speech to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68)
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
    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
    7 days ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber
    Good evening everyone and thank you for that lovely introduction.   Thank you also to the Honourable Simon Bridges for the invitation to address your members. Since being sworn in, this coalition Government has hit the ground running with our 100-day plan, delivering the changes that New Zealanders expect of us. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week 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

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-03-19T09:48:58+00:00