Polity: Dirty politics: My 2c

Written By: - Date published: 7:48 am, August 14th, 2014 - 104 comments
Categories: accountability, john key, national, phil goff, Politics, same old national, Spying - Tags: , , , , , , ,

polity_square_for_lynnReposted from Polity.

There are bits of Nicky Hager’s Dirty Politics that are, for political anoraks, at least, “who cares” material.

But there are bits that are not.

For me, the most shocking revelation in the book is about the use of clandestine SIS files as a weapon of partisan politics. To recap, John Key or his office discovered classified SIS files that were embarrassing to Phil Goff, got them declassified, then immediately told a right-wing blogger to seek those same newly-declassified files under the OIA, all as a means of smearing a political opponent.

That is awful.

That is not what spy agencies are for.

The use of spy agencies in partisan politics is absolutely, irredeemably disgusting.

That episode has much more to do with John Key and Jason Ede than it does Cameron Slater. Misuse of SIS documents was arranged by John Key’s personal office, and carried out by one of John Keys most senior staffers, Jason Ede. Cameron Slater is simply their tool.

So what should happen now?

Well, that episode alone needs to be investigated by the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security.

Another incident, where Ministers Amy Adams and Judith Collins appear to deliberately circumvent the OIA to benefit Slater should be investigated by the Ombudsman.

This book does not describe a series of incidents. It describes a system. And responsibility for that system lies with the person at the head of it. The person who employed Jason Ede, who stood by as his Ministers and officials breached their ethical and legal obligations to New Zealanders, and who also personally fed vile material into National’s attack blog machine. John Key.

Yes, there is some ideological name-calling in this book. And yes there is some stuff detailed rather breathlessly in here than is common practice around the democratic world.

But there is much more than that.

We cannot let anything obscure the disturbing facts that emerge about potential misuse of taxpayer funds, and the apparatus of New Zealand state security, along with unethical if not illegal actions by multiple government Ministers.

National’s glib response so far has been disrespectful to New Zealanders and to our democracy. Given the behaviour documented in Hager’s book, that it sadly no surprise. We deserve a much more serious response than this. And, more broadly, we deserve a much better politics than this.

104 comments on “Polity: Dirty politics: My 2c ”

  1. politkiwi 1

    So State surveillance is all about keeping us safe from “the terrorists”, is it?

    • Colonial Viper 1.1

      The trick being that anyone who is not part of their Tory elite, are now “terrorists.” For those of you in doubt of the long term trend, just take a look at how the police have totally militarised the small town of Ferguson in the USA, facing off unarmed blacks with submachine guns and armoured vehicles, after a copper shot and killed and unarmed black teenager.

      • Olwyn 1.1.1

        When things reach that stage, there is no longer so much as the obligatory nod to the public good. The dubious rationalisation that “us” getting our own way is somehow good for everyone becomes redundant. It is just the dominant defending their dominance.

      • Kiwi local 1.1.2

        Back to Goebbels, Hitler era 1933.
        they are using same principals now as then, and will become very ugly if Natz are returned which I doubt, people have seen the other side now of the smiling assassin.

    • politikiwi 1.2

      I do find it interesting that Hager is being described as an “investigative author” rather than an “investigative journalist” – this happened in Suzie Ferguson’s bit on Morning Report today.

      I wonder if that’s deliberate.

      I also haven’t heard any MSM talk about the revelations of SIS material – they’re focussing on the links to the bloggers, which is far less damaging.

      • David H 1.2.1

        Trying to remove the ‘Journalist” title so as to make it easier to make him reveal his contacts. A sort of reverse WhaleOil… Who so desperately craves the title of Journalist.

      • Kiwi local 1.2.2

        Been told not to mention SIS stuff by Joyce I bet.

  2. vto 2

    surely there is no way that John Key can be Prime Minister again…

    is there?

    • politkiwi 2.1

      This is why we’re seeing attacks on Hager’s credibility rather than the evidence he has presented.

      National’s only hope in this election is #TeamKey. If Key’s brand gets destroyed they have nothing – they can’t bring Joyce or English or Collins forward as the new face of the party: everyone knows they’re nasty pieces of work.

      This book – which I’m yet to have a chance to read – can destroy the brand as long as those asking the questions in the MSM don’t allow this to become a sideshow about Hager’s political beliefs. If they focus on the substance rather than the messenger and force Key to answer direct questions about it, he’s fucked.

    • David H 2.2

      Packing now and ordering 3 one-way tickets to Hawaii hopefully

    • Michael 2.3

      That depends on middle New Zealand – the small sliver of the electorate to which the big parties market themselves as they decide the outcome of elections. Labour’s silence on this matter is deafening.

    • Kiwi local 2.4

      With Watergate they called it “abuse of power” fitting for Key case.

  3. f dx 3

    Ever since Key arrived on the scene I described him as a streaky piece of shit, and so far I have not been proven wrong.
    If somehow he manages to secure/steal a third term he will need to start wearing a bullet proof vest and up his security detail because his teflon coating will not be enough to keep him safe.
    This scumbag that purports to be running OUR country needs to go before further irreversible damage is done to our once proud nation.
    The depth he has taken politics is his win at all costs shows the shallowness of the man and the company he keeps just reinforces it.

    • CnrJoe 3.1

      Steady on

    • Puckish Rogue 3.2

      Big talk tough guy 🙂 but when he wins his third term its because the people of NZ want him there

      • Princess 3.2.1

        And if National get back in a third term they will “work for the NZer’s who voted for them. Not the bullshit billboard “Working For NZ”.

      • Kiwi local 3.2.2

        PR You say that same line with rapidity have you got that in speed dial as a throw away line as you will have to after they throw him out next month we all have had enough slimy activity at the bee hive..

    • Kiwi local 3.3

      He detests us all as scum as Hitler did.

      This will become a police state with his paranoia

  4. D T Harrel 4

    Its not awful its damning if this can be proved(SIS info released to Cameron Slater in an election campaign and the link form John Keys office) that could bring down any democratic govt.

  5. fambo 5

    Even if this governnment does win the election, the next three years will see it dragged down pretty much like Nixon was dragged down even though he won the 1972 presidential election. This will make it harder for government in general to go about the business of governing.

  6. Tracey 6

    I haven’t read the book. I haven’t seen the evidence or the lack of evidence for things being attributed to it.

    IF the SIS incident happened then I cannot see how anyone partisan or bi-partisan can say with their hand on their heart that is not serious and worthy of transparent investigation, and quickly.

    People do seem on the whole to accept dirty tricks in politics and national is playing intot hat by smearing Hager and taking a “so what” nonchalant attitude.

    I saw Corrin Dann this morning condemning hager for releasing his book at 5pm and not giving them (him) enough time to read it. Well, imagine, for a moment, that TVNZ had carried a story of the opening, the assertions, a quick denial and smear by Nats and said “our political reporter is reading the book and will be investigating the veracity of claims made in it. We will have a report on his/her findings on Monday morning at 7am.

    God forbid!

    Vote Green

  7. dave 7

    John key has to resign he has to go he must resign
    There is criminal side to this resignation may not be the end of it.
    Run while you still can john

    • Puckish Rogue 7.1

      Why? Is there any proof other then some allegations made in a book hes done anything wrong?

      • framu 7.1.1

        have you forgotten that key has pretty much admitted it in the past? (drawer full of gossip)

        and notice how the response is to try and shoot the messenger – wihtout a single denial of said message?

      • Kiwi local 7.1.2

        PR read the 150 lies he told so far in six years, do you think he hasn’t lied over this stuff?
        They had lots of ninth floor activity destroying all traces of evidence so you could breath easier for your leader, Happy?

  8. Colonial Viper 8

    Time for Key to immediately stand down from the SIS portfolio pending the results of an urgent investigation. These events demand a Royal Commission.

    • Kiwiri 8.1

      New Zealand needs to get to the bottom of finding out whether he has compromised the roles of the Prime Minister, SIS Minister, and leader of the National party, and the extent to which he has abused power.

      The Royal Commission of Inquiry needs to be independently created, appointed and run.

      John Key’s potential and perceived conflict of interests must be avoided.

      We need to know the truth.

  9. Bill O'Rielly 9
    08:20am

    So Guyon Espiner spins the interview with Cunliffe not to be about National possible using SIS for its own purposes, but in terms of blogging. He tries and normalise it, the theme of the interview being:

    “This is hardly new is it” (aka, all the other parties do it… so it’s ok for National do it)

    Great, so anyone can contact the SIS and get some dirt on the opposition, thanks Guyon? The Greens, Mana, Labour et al, would not be allowed near anything the SIS etc have at present.

    Guyon then turns the interview around and says that Labour have bloggers and attempts to do a gotcha moment on Cunliffe. Guyon never mentioning how unusual this allegation is (i.e. use of the SIS to further the incumbents position in politics), but rather again to this is normal it.

    Guyon, then asks Cunliffe 3x (in ever increasing squeaky voice), are you going to the police?

    Is this your top interviewer RNZ? God help us.What was the interview about again, oh thats right,

    Now, if the use of SIS is true, do you think it is possible the Government could determine who is fit for employment for key positions within Government. Could they not use their information to hurt people, ensure they are never employed again? No questions were asked of the nature. How would it effect your ability to ‘question’ the government if you new they had dirt on you?

    9:00 to Noon Hooten + Williams Interview
    Normalising the argument, divert:

    Mathew Hootens response rather predictive, from what I can tell he is trying to make out this is normal, its not entirely new. Jason Ede is just a political appointee of John Key blaa, blaa, blaa…….

    He then intimates Nikki Hager is just an extreme left person, he is an extremist, he is not a journalist, he does not check facts etc (sits nicely with John Keys he just a screaming lefty)

    Then again reiterates ‘It is nothing new’

    Again normalising

    Hooten then makes out that the information taken was a criminal offense. The diversion then comes in: Oh Labour etc have done it…. Once again its the message, its ok because i have alleged others do it.

    Humm, the point in all this is that JK and Team Key are seen are as squeaky clean, non bitchy party,a party who would not use the likes of Slater et. al.

    [lprent: It isn’t that I mind comments posted on the TOR network. However the style on this one reminds me of bad12, and bad12 is banned. Comment content discarded. I believe that we have mentioned that all new people commenting have to be passed by a moderator. Suspicious ones get left for me to investigate. ]

  10. ianmac 10

    Martin Lush talks to Judith Collins. Funny that Judith is so dismissive and contemptuous. Ha!
    Martin does persist which is good. (Judith’s line is Nicky is just making money from stolen emails.)
    http://www.radiolive.co.nz/AUDIO-Judith-Collins-on-her-chapter-in-Dirty-Politics/tabid/506/articleID/52123/Default.aspx

  11. nadis 11

    I’d make two points. First if there is evidence of misuse of SIS information then that is a criminal offense. I am waiting to hear news of a police investigation. I’m sure Nicky will have forwarded the evidence to the police already.

    Secondly, the silence from Labour leadership or the Greens is deafening. Even to the extent of a Labour no show on the regular Marcus Lush spot this morning. We’ve only heard from Winston. What is the obvious reason for the lack of comment?

    Unless it blows up with hard evidence this is already yesterdays news. Not even John Campbell last night could give it legs.

    • Bearded Git 11.2

      Labour running a positive campaign Nadis. Difficult for you to understand I know.

      Contrast this with the systematic negative dirty politics practised by National as revealed by Hager.

      • Michael 11.2.1

        Labour isn’t touching the biggest scandal in years because it is running a “positive” campaign, in which it happens to trail the party alleged to misuse classified, official and personal information in dirty tricks campaigns against it? Or is it that Labour just wants to sleepwalk to victory by letting Key stew in his own juice?That is certainly the low-risk strategy. OTOH, it isn’t principled leadership.

    • lprent 11.3

      sigh Think it through.

      Parliament isn’t sitting. Politicians are in electorates all over the country campaigning. It isn’t like they are all concentrated in Wellington like they usually are.

      Like me they are waiting for copies of the book to arrive in their city. Mine is meant to be in Auckland this morning sometime.

      Like me they aren’t commenting too much until they read the book. All they have in the meantime is whatever is coming through the news or over twitter.

      Nicky Hager really needs to learn about how to sell epubs..

      • Tracey 11.3.1

        got mine from whitcouls st lukes. In a box out tge back. Me and another guy waiting for the box to come out.

        If this stuff isnt true it can only be because slater misrepresented his network in his emails, talked himself up, … Or hager sat down and created all these emails himself.

  12. fisiani 12

    So a Left wing conspiracy theorist gets access to some stolen emails and writes a book alleging a massive conspiracy. Left wing bloggers see this as a possible chance to win back some relevance and make even more ridiculous claims. The only reaction on the other side is derision. Bloggers getting tips from a variety of sources is not news. Left wing journalists will pursue this for a few days but get no further for there is no story of note. Assumption and supposition doth not make a conspiracy.

      • Kiwiri 12.1.1

        LOL here too
        That dense paragraph doesn’t cut the mustard. Fail. A lot more work needed.
        There is a very long day ahead and an even longer night to go.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 12.2

      Yes, Banks will be found not guilty because he’s not guilty.

      I’m more concerned about the alleged Ministerial criminal behaviour than any political conspiracy. No doubt the courts will be given an opportunity to express an opinion. Choke on it 🙂

    • Mark F 12.3

      Fisiani; The irony of Nicky Hager writing a book using stolen emails when he is a person who constantly rails against spying by the state, is lost on this lot. The fact that he has written and profited from three books using stolen property, he openly brags about is fine by him, but he goes apoplectic if he even thinks somebody may have invaded his privacy. The duplicity is strong in him!

      • McFlock 12.3.1

        So the emails detailing fonterra and PoAL paying slater to advocate for them, and the emails detailing computer hacking of the labour party website, and the emails detailing the pms office declassifying documents and feeding them to slater, are all true?

        good to know.

    • thatguynz 12.4

      🙄

    • grumpy 12.5

      ….and on Sean Plunket, it appears Dotcom has outed himself as being the hacker of Slater’s emails. Hager seen visiting the Dotcom mansion frequently in the lead up to the book release.

        • grumpy 12.5.1.1

          We shall see…..

          • yeshe 12.5.1.1.1

            @grumpy … there must be another website somewhere that needs your best attention ? This one is so at odds with you, I wonder why you bother being here.

            Read the TV3 link I posted .. Nicky Hager is unequivocal; it is not via Dotcom. Further, if your brain can comprehend such a thing, Hager has, again without equivocation, stated he is willing to reveal his sources if it comes to a police or official inquiry.

            Try to keep up grumpy, and stop throwing your tiny little muddy bits hoping some will stick.

            • grumpy 12.5.1.1.1.1

              Now we have information that not only Hager but also Norman have been frequent visitors to Dotcom. This is moving quickly, the MSM seem openly hostile to Hager who was savaged by most radio this morning, strangely purely by highlighting his hypocrisy.
              If this is the “bomb” Dotcom was gloating about it has been a fizzer.

              [lprent: You are trolling. As far as I can see you are repeating an unsupported assertion about Hager from Slater. As was pointed out up above, there is a direct denial. You ignored that and then repeated the assertion! Stupid.

              Banned for 6 weeks unless you can demonstrate some credible proof supporting your assertion.]

  13. Olwyn 13

    The two biggies are indeed the misuse of SIS files and the hacking of the Labour Party’s computer files, since they are both illegal. However, some of the excerpts doing the rounds, which may seem commonplace to those in the know, do show a vile attitude toward New Zealanders who are not part of the elite, and even toward some who are. How can you expect people who cheerfully acquiesce in Slater’s attitude to East Christchurch, for example, to concern themselves much with the employment, housing and general security of their fellow citizens?

    • grumpy 13.1

      I understand there was no “hacking” of the Labour site, it was just left open for anyone to find. Slater’s emails were definately hacked, in conjunction with a sophiosticated DDoS attack, for which Dotcom is claiming responsibility. You would think he would keep his mouth shut on this but apparently the urge to gloat is just too strong.
      Sirens?????

      • yeshe 13.1.1

        not dotcom .. see 12.5.1 above

        • yeshe 13.1.1.1

          @grumpy .. do you have a link for what you are saying re Dotcom ? otherwise best you stop repeating it .. it came only from Slater. So then .. link please ?

      • Olwyn 13.1.2

        With regard to the legal definition of hacking, see wtl’s comment on the “National’s Response” thread: http://thestandard.org.nz/national-response/#comment-866076

      • tricledrown 13.1.3

        Grumpy having more snickers as Lprent has pointed out whale oil doesn’t have a ddos system so calling your BS.
        The only person claiming that Dotcom leaked emails !
        Which shows how gullible you are!
        And that Cameron Slater will stoop to the lowest of lows to spread the dirty tricks he is accused of!
        Guilty by obfuscation!

        • lprent 13.1.3.1

          As Lprent has pointed out whale oil doesn’t have a ddos system so calling your BS.

          He now has one after shifting servers. It just isn’t particularly well configured, nor is it particularly effective.

      • Tracey 13.1.4

        so because the billboards are in public anyone can draw on them, right?

        • grumpy 13.1.4.1

          Because the billboards are in public anyone can read them or take notes of what they say. You cannot deface, destroy and/or remove them – that is theft. The former is what slater did, the latter Dotcom/Hager.

      • KJS0ne 13.1.5

        Grumpy: A security flaw in a website is not the same thing as it being left open for anyone to find. Do you bite on every spun word that rolls off John Key’s tongue?

        There was an opening in Sony’s playstation account holders database leading to tens of thousands of credit card details being stolen a year or two back. By your logic those passwords were just sitting there for anyone to find, no harm done…

    • Draco T Bastard 13.2

      How can you expect people who cheerfully acquiesce in Slater’s attitude to East Christchurch, for example, to concern themselves much with the employment, housing and general security of their fellow citizens?

      I don’t. I fully expect them to not give a shit about anybody beyond their rarefied social circles (and I doubt that they’d like all of the people in their social circles either).

      • Olwyn 13.2.1

        Even if they don’t give a shit about anyone at all, they are the government. There are standards to which they are supposed to adhere. And I am not sure what standard open cruelty to earthquake victims meets. True, this is Slater, not the government, but the government is not so perturbed about such attitudes as to distance themselves from him. Or to do anything substantial to help the people in East Christchurch.

  14. nadis 14

    Stephanie. I don’t do twitter so that has all escaped me. And to be fair I have just seen the greens calling for an inquiry

    But nothing really in the traditional media aside from that.

  15. yeshe 15

    Here we go …

    From Greens at 10 am …

    http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1408/S00225/green-party-to-lodge-official-complaints.htm

    read the list of complaints ….

    • grumpy 15.1

      If anyone wanted proof that this is a cynical political hit, this is it. Going to the police???? Be careful what you wish for.

      • Sable 15.1.1

        Are your really this naive Grumpy or is it just an act?

      • tricledrown 15.1.2

        Grumpy you worried,you are the apologist and Denialist

        You must be well down the list(no pun intended) at more than arms length from the other regular dirty tricks brigade but you all seem to have the same argument same words same sentences more proof National have a coordinated program of undermining democracy!
        send in the clowns I can hear the music as you type

      • framu 15.1.3

        so your saying you dissaprove of cynical political hits?

        better ring up key and let him know then grumps – after all that is the topic of the book in question

  16. Sable 16

    The real problem here is there is no ubiquitous, objective, external party that keeps these people honest. Once upon a time (or maybe not) we there were journalists with integrity. The sort of people who risked all to bring down the likes of Richard Nixon. Now they are mostly gone. Replaced in large part by sycophantic journalistic toadies who excuse every dirty act and dirty trick of right wing political elites.

    Keys has little to be concerned about and he know it. After all who’s there to ask the tough questions…..???

  17. outofbed 17

    I read the book last night
    My Thoughts,
    I never understood why the media and the Nats associated with this troubled individual
    Cameron Slater is mentally ill
    Who else can remember the original whale oil site a few years ago complete with a large range of pictures of Helen Clark Head photoshopeed on to pornographic images.
    The Disgusting Photoshopping of young labour activist James Sleep (also pornographic) ?

    Who else Remembers when DPF was as thick as thieves with Slater and do you remember the misogynist Kiwiblog before it cleaned up it act ?

    Slater Farrar Collins et al are odious people and should be treated as such.

    The book joins a few dots that we probably already knew
    The use of the sis and the OIA requests as political tools for example.

    It shows quite clearly that The NATs have no scruples whatsoever and power is everything.

    I hope that the MSM now shows some balls and start doing the job we expect of them. After listening to Espiner and Ryan this morning I won’t be holding my breath

    • Cameron Slater is an odious, nasty, sexist, abusive person. His mental health issues are not relevant to any of those things.

      • outofbed 17.1.1

        I would think that they very much are,
        The guy needs help.
        What worries me is that someone who is so obviously sick
        is being taken so seriously by the Msm and powerful politicians

      • tricledrown 17.1.2

        But Slater has been convicted twice and is on his 3rd strike! sarc

  18. yeshe 18

    The book is all sold out and in reprint already ! As LPrent said .. Nicky needs to learn to spell epubs.

    Have to make more popcorn it seems …

  19. Delia 19

    I used to work with a young guy who would cheekily say to me, rules are made to be broken..this reminds me of him.

  20. yeshe 20

    @outofbed .. any chance I could arrange to ‘rent’ your copy of the book ? All sold out til likely Aug 22 which is a problem. (I had one ordered at Unity in Akl but they received only 20 copies overnight.)

  21. yeshe 21

    key has to be seen to be believed .. can’t make this shit up ! has redefined the meaning of ‘slippery’.

    http://www.3news.co.nz/Video-John-Key-talks-Nicky-Hagers-Dirty-Politics/tabid/1607/articleID/356848/Default.aspx

    and key just said he reads The Standard !!! sure we are all impressed with that little gem … yeah? nah.

  22. Blevins 22

    @outofbed and yeshe.

    Perhaps you could try Royal Oak Mall in Royal Oak (Not surprisingly). When I was there this morning both PaperPlus and Whitcoulls had copies which had not sold at the time. Both stores had around a box or two each as I recall. $35 a copy.

  23. Blevins 23

    On Seven Sharp tonight – It’s Nicky Hager vs Steven Joyce (live) aparently. Wait for the ad hominem attacks to ensue from Joyce. I wonder if Nicky will be able to get a calm reasoned sentence in amidst the backpeddling from Joyce.

    PS- Royal Oak mall is open late tonight, till 8pm.

  24. yeshe 24

    @Blevins .. thx for that re Royal Oak .. will try in the morning as several friends here wanting it asap … and #2 .. what a disgrace Hoskings is. If he got any further bias to the right, he’d fall off his desk straight to the floor.

  25. Blevins 25

    Yes it’s pretty bad how biased both Mike Hosking and Paul Henry appear to be on almost every political news item concerning parties that fall within the spectrum of ‘Centre-Left’ or in regard to anyone who dares question John Key intelligently. So much for the ethos of unbiased journalism… Pretty sad really.

    • KJS0ne 25.1

      They’re just the tip of the iceberg, TVNZ, Radio NZ, NZ Herald are all populated by so called journalists (reporters is a better term) without a shred of integrity. Sitting keenly like dogs at dinner time waiting for their master to distribute the food. Keen to distribute verbatim whatever Key has to say on the issue often without so much as a softball let alone the hard variety.

      Not saying they’re all like that, there’s good pieces being written, presented and researched on each of the aforementioned outlets, just that it’s by no means the bulk of the content – That is devoted towards National’s interests. I can only hazard a guess that the collusion between National and the MSM is due to the fact that those who pull the strings at these outlets are National’s real constituents (the wealthy and or corporates).

      National remind me starkly of the politicans to which Carlin describes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atxbnLxd-ik

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    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
    14 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
    14 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
    15 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
    15 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
    16 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
    17 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
    19 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    4 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
    6 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
    6 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
    6 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
    8 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
    13 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
    15 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
    15 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
    5 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
    5 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
    5 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
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