Slater capitulates

Written By: - Date published: 8:19 am, September 30th, 2014 - 71 comments
Categories: accountability, democracy under attack - Tags: ,

In a significant development Cameron Slater has brought his application for an injunction and for return of his personal information from various media outlets to and end and has opened himself up to a potentially significant order of costs against him.

From Radio New Zealand:

Mr Slater’s lawyer John Billington QC told the High Court in Auckland he would not be continuing with the legal action launched following the release of investigative journalist Nicky Hager’s book Dirty Politics.

The move means the undertaking by the media not to publish Mr Slater’s emails containing personal information is no longer in force.

According to the agreement previously read out in court, that included information about Mr Slater’s “wife and children, his medical records, the death of his mother and information of a similar nature.”

And Mr Slater could also be in line for a large legal bill. Representing the publisher of the New Zealand Herald, Julian Miles QC, told Justice Peters the media would be seeking costs.

Now that the election is finished I guess all the loose ends have to be tidied up.  But I still wonder who funded Slater’s representation.  And what happened to the information that the media received from Rawshark but which has not appeared in any further articles.

The media response to this latest development is interesting.  The story was covered by Radio New Zealand and referred to by Radiolive in this short headline.  But I have not been able to find any mention of it on the websites of TV3, Stuff or the Herald.

I know there is this idea amongst some within the MSM that since National won and the election is over dirty politics is all old news.  But the whole episode disclosed a previously secret organised system of behaviour which should not be tolerated in a democracy.  If we are to have a properly functioning democracy then these stories need to be investigated and reported.

71 comments on “Slater capitulates ”

  1. Tom Gould 1

    I look forward to the MSM outlets involved now publishing the information, in the public interest. They had a field day with deeply personal information on Len Brown, almost destroying his family and career. Maybe the rules have changed, now that the boot is on the other foot?

  2. lurgee 2

    The move means the undertaking by the media not to publish Mr Slater’s emails containing personal information is no longer in force.

    I actually feel sorry for the hypocritical psychopathic moron. He’s going to get his arse nailed to the wall over this, if What I Suspect turns out to be true.

    Farrar, the ‘Princess Party’ pimp and procurator, may also be in for a pretty thin time and, hopefully, will find his visits to The Panel rather more infrequent.

    Though I’d rather they didn’t actually smear the sewage all over the front pages. It’s a choice between more salacious tat, pron masquerading as journalism, or a move away from that sort of freakshow.

    • mickysavage 2.1

      The media said they would never use the personal information and I support their stance on this. The political stuff however is in an entirely different category.

      • lurgee 2.1.1

        I thought the agreement not to use the personal stuff was part of the deal stuck to allow them interim access to the political material? If that agreement is nullified, then they are free to use the personal sleaze.

        Anyway, the original agreement, whether it stands or not, was not to use “any strictly personal details in the material which is not in the public interest.” and at least some of it will be relevant to the political material. Pointing out that someone is a hypocrite, indulging in the sort of behaviours he/she lambasts others for, or that the Young Nationals is basically a brothel run for the benefit of National Party sleazebags, could certainly be in the public interest. And if you are going to break stories like that, you have to name names to avoid hurting the innocent.

        Though, like I said, I hope they are restrained. Turning the press into a sewer of sexual titillation and mealy-mouthed half truths would be a strategic victory for Whaleoil.

      • Northshoreguynz 2.1.3

        During war, you use every available weapon. If personal details are a weapon, use them. He tried to destroy the left, why are we playing nice?

        • infused 2.1.3.1

          This is why the ‘left’ keep losing. Did you learn nothing from .com?

          • One Anonymous Bloke 2.1.3.1.1

            I learned that the National Party’s policy of importing rich people on the basis of their wealth is guaranteed to lower New Zealand ethics ages ago. Didn’t need Dotcom to confirm that: Maurice Williamson was more than enough.

        • lurgee 2.1.3.2

          Because it advantages them to play nasty. Simon Lusk explained that in Dirty Politics. Negative campaigning drives down turnout and favours the right. that’s why he thinks it is a viable strategy.

    • Tom Jackson 2.2

      Farrar, the ‘Princess Party’ pimp and procurator, may also be in for a pretty thin time and, hopefully, will find his visits to The Panel rather more infrequent.

      You think so? I think that the emails won’t be touched, just as Jason Ede seems to have mysteriously vanished from reality. Farrar and the other members of the kiwiocracy will continue to be invited on panels no matter what the rest of us think, just because.

    • SHG 2.3

      Farrar, the ‘Princess Party’ pimp and procurator

      Whoa, back on up – are you saying you actually BELIEVED that bit in Dirty Politics?

      Wow.

      • lurgee 2.3.1

        Are you suggesting Hager invented it and the discussion never took place? That’s a rather bold assertion!

        Or that the two unnamed individuals quoted invented the ‘Princess party’ and fantasized about getting jiggy with lots of drunken Young Nat women?

        Or – slightly more likely – there really was a party and it was used by certain unnamed individuals to hump around frenetically?

        Even if it is just stupid male braggadocio, it still tells you a bit about the attitude of some people in the National Party.

        • Tracey 2.3.1.1

          but did the reported discussion actually include farrar as a participant. i am no fan but am pretty sure people were discussing the farrar party not anything farrar had said.

          • lurgee 2.3.1.1.1

            The participants were not identified. I did not say that Farrar was one of them. He is identified as the person organising the event. Who coined the term ‘Princess party’ is not stated.

            • Tracey 2.3.1.1.1.1

              what you wrote was

              “…Farrar, the ‘Princess Party’ pimp and procurator, ”

              that suggested you though farrar was a pimp and procurator?

              • SHG

                Farrar was a guest at a party the weekend of William and Kate’s wedding, hence a “Princess” theme. He wasn’t an organiser or the host. Hager really really wanted him to be though, so that’s the narrative invented for Dirty Politics.

                Farrar blogged and posted pictures of it online. Sounded like a bunch of polsci nerds arguing about republicanism. Somehow that makes Farrar a “pimp and procurator”?

                • lurgee

                  that suggested you though farrar was a pimp and procurator?

                  Guess what? When I posted, “I actually feel sorry for the hypocritical psychopathic moron. He’s going to get his arse nailed to the wall over this,” I didn’t really think Slater would literally be getting his arse nailed to the wall! There’s this thing called metaphor, you see, and … oh, never mind.

                  Farrar was a guest at a party the weekend of William and Kate’s wedding, hence a “Princess” theme. He wasn’t an organiser or the host. Hager really really wanted him to be though, so that’s the narrative invented for Dirty Politics.

                  I think that interpretation comes from Mr Farrar himself, doesn’t it? He claimed the line, “Apparently Pinko is the main driving force behind the Princess party” is ironic, with the two gentlemen discussing the event scoffing at the idea. Though there doesn’t seem to be any reason not to take it at face value there’s nothing to indicate irony or humour around the idea of Farrar organising the event.

                  Maybe, to those that know him, Farrar organising a party is inherently funny? Though the subsequent posts between the gentlemen in question don’t really suggest much in the way of Wildean wit.

                • Tracey

                  you havent read it then. i did and he did NOT create that narrative, he was clear that farrar hosted and invited the kind of people who were, as he put it, pimps and procutators. Just as he NEVER wrote that hide had been bribed to resign, that was a media deliberate misinterpretation, or reading comprehension issues, amongst journos.

      • Murray Olsen 2.3.2

        Yes, I believed it. It has the smell of truth. Farrar is really not a very nice guy at all. I won’t be surprised if he ends up in court one day on embarrassing charges. I have seen so many supposedly respectable young Tories acting exactly in the princess party style. On the other hand, I have never seen Nicky Hager make stuff up.

    • Gosman 2.4

      Why would David Farrar have anything to worry about in relation to this? There is no indication of any personal information about him being in the hacked e-mails.

      • lurgee 2.4.1

        I think he’s been shown to be a shifty enough character and too closely associated with some truly reprehensible people, to be given space on public media to promote himself. At least, if the people in charge of Radio NZ had any courage or integrity. But I’m beginning to wonder about that.

  3. fambo 3

    Lauda Finem has been closely following the court case between Cameron Slater and Matthew Blomfield. It seems to be quite closely intwined with other activities of Slaters and is worth keeping up with in tandem with developments regarding the Dirty Politics revelations

    http://laudafinem.com/category/lauda-finem-investigates/

  4. philj 4

    Why does this remind me of the accountability and justice(?) of the Pike River tradegy?

  5. Bruce 5

    The country just recjected the real dirty politics on September 20th. The country didn’t fall for the green/hager/labour/dot com hit job of “Dirty Politics” so the fact that you labfans after facing an enormous crushing on the 20th of election still want to beat this dead horse …

    • MrSmith 5.1

      Gloat all you like Bruce, oh you forgot “left wing Conspiracy”. Now run along Bruce the rest of the sheep getting ahead.

      • Bruce 5.1.1

        You represent the Labour Party arrogance and narcissism well, “sheep” because I didn’t vote your way. All I have heard from labfans since September 20 is how stupid the country is, how the country if full of sheep, people are happy to be lied to, key stole the election etc etc etc. Is there any of you on here that is not so detached from reality and so wrapped up and consumed in your own little labour bubble that you realise your party needs drastic change, worst result in 90 years but of course it is everyone elses fault rather than your own huh …

        • ghostwhowalksnz 5.1.1.1

          You forget it wasnt as bad as nationals 20.5% result in 2002.

          Zoomed back the next election to with a whisker of winning I remember, Bill English is still around ……. forget what he is doing now ?

        • Minarch 5.1.1.2

          had to be a “bruce” right ,

          or maybe a “wayne” would have done ..

          nugget…

        • MrSmith 5.1.1.3

          Bruce I hate to break this to you but I haven’t voted for Labour since Lange was Leader, but Bruce as I was writing that I couldn’t help thinking of Fred Dagg and this Bruce https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMafuYWEuEU

    • lurgee 5.2

      Regardless of political persuasion, if you aren’t deeply concerned by the issues raised in the book – the abuse of power, cronyism, the way industry propaganda is presented as honest opinion, the industry funded and industry written attacks on academic and scientific criticism of big business, the deliberate lying, the trial by media rumour, the the relentless trolling for sexual misconduct in place of reasoned critique, then you’re a fool.

      You can be a National supporter and still be disgusted by what Slater and his ilk are doing to your party.

      • framu 5.2.1

        thats the bit i find really weird –

        What does it say about your politics that you need to use such tactics and methods for so long to win and keep the treasury benches?

        Surely if you believe in your ideas you would argue those not attack people via proxies

        “you” isnt lurgee here

        • lurgee 5.2.1.1

          The Hollow Men was dedicated to the ‘Principled consevatives in the New Zealand National Party.’ That book was based on information leaked from sources within National, who were repelled at the direction the party was taking / bitter about how they had been treated by Brash and his rightwing ACT infiltrators.

          So they existed, those principled Nats, a decade ago. Where are they now? What happened to them? Why have they been silent about the way the party has been Slaterised?

          • Tracey 5.2.1.1.1

            hager acknowledge national party staffers in his acknowledgements, so collins and key havent quite got rid of all the good nats… yet.

      • Draco T Bastard 5.2.2

        You can be a National supporter and still be disgusted by what Slater and his ilk are doing to your party.

        No, actually, they can’t – they’re hardwired to support everything that their leaders do no matter how wrong it is.

      • GregJ 5.2.3

        If I was a National party member I’d be pretty pissed off at the blatant & disgusting manipulation of the candidate selection process as well.

        ACTually if you were an ACT member you should be disgusted at the blackmail of Hide over the leadership (that’s if ACT was actually a party with any members – it seems thay are so so enamoured of teapots that nowadays their party conferences can actually fit into a downtown cafe).

    • yeshe 5.3

      Bruce ? is that you Jason ?

    • Wish I could put the picture of John Key here that went along with this golden one:

      “Look, what I can tell you, at the end of the day, exposing our right wing smear campaign was CLEARLY a left wing smear campaign”

      Here is the link to the original.

    • framu 5.5

      did you ever complain about “nanny state” bruce?

    • Naki man 5.6

      Bruce when labour gets less than 20% of the vote in 2017 these clowns will blame the media, they just don’t get it.

      • Bruce 5.6.1

        Yes it will be the fault of the “right wing media” despite the fact that the media had wall to wall coverage of Dirty Politics. John Campbell dedicated show after show to trying to bring down John Key and you had Paddy Gower and Corin Dann repeatedly stressing about Dirty Politics and Key can’t get in without Winston the kingmaker etc etc etc etc It’s amazing that instead of trying to work why NZ rejected their party so much they blame the media and then call the majority of the country stupid and sheep

        • framu 5.6.1.1

          what the pair of you dont get is that its not a binary thing

          a lot of us blame the labour party as much as the media – were not so monochrome as to insist on the bad result being one thing or the other

          and bruce – you just keep on proving youve got no idea how the media works, and has behaved for the last 6 years

        • GregJ 5.6.1.2

          Perhaps this from the Daily Blog might help you see just how much the media didn’t really cover the Dirty Politics issues at all. There are some serious questions that continue to remain unanswered – and they are fundamental to our democracy and the conduct of government.

    • Kelly-Ned 5.7

      You neo-liberals amaze me.
      How can you so blindly support a regime founded upon lies and deception?
      In any other career lies would lead to ‘job gone by lunchtime’. But with the PM position you are okay with lies and deceit.
      How can that be? Where is the logic?
      Please explain it to me because my sense of logic says only thoroughly ethical, moral people should ever be allowed to lead – in any role.

  6. ianmac 6

    Rawshark said I think that there was nothing more of note in the final release of documents. All the “best” bits were already either in the book or in public domain.
    Wonder if Key will continue to be Slater’s best friend given that Slater is unscrupulous and he knows stuff about Key’s involvement in dirty tricks.

    • yeshe 6.1

      Ian, with respect, I don’t recall Rawshark saying exactly that. I think those are comments later from Nicky Hager. Logically, if Rawshark believed that, why did he hand the material on to media, especially with the admonition he could return, if necessary …

      I think there is much to come, but will it ?

      • William 6.1.1

        Keith Ng’s most recent post (Sept 24) at Public Address has a quite specific comment from Russel Brown on page 3 of the comments. He says;

        “The next story you see from Matt Nippert will build on his really good work on the way Slater et al (and possibly Collins) tried to undermine financial regulators, and will include new information brought to him as a result of that story. That definitely won’t go away. Although I think it’s time for the police to say something about the status of David Parker’s criminal complaint over that and other matters.

        Likewise, David Fisher also has more material and anyone who knows Fish knows that he’ll write that story when he’s ready. I suspect there are quite a few OIA requests in the system right now.

        Everyone had assumed that if Mediaworks had unpublished Rawshark material it would be with Gower, but I wonder if it’s actually with Campbell Live, who are currently being dicked around by Judith Collins’ (former) office on an OIA request for correspondence between Collins and Slater.

        So stuff’s going on and journalism’s being done.”

        I think it’s good that material in addition to Rawshark’s is being pursued before publication.

        • yeshe 6.1.1.1

          thank u William, inspiring to read; and yes, +1 on the Campbell Live theory.

          Here’s hoping Beverly Wakem (Ombudsperson) follows through her promise to investigate both obstructions and ‘speed-bump’ removals in OIA process.

          (I see Jarred Savage has just received his OIA requests from the Williamson Liu debacle .. so convenient until after the election of course.)

        • ghostwhowalksnz 6.1.1.2

          Journalism being done . really? as long as Russel Brown is fluffing the pillows a sure sign that it will all be forgotten 3 days after its published.

          Remember Roastbusters ? Yep another big story that is ‘somehow’ on hold ?

        • veutoviper 6.1.1.3

          Thanks for referring to the discussions etc on PA, William. I have been following the discussions on there as to whether things are going on behind the scenes on the last dumps by Rawshark – and my impressions (or maybe hopes) are that we have not seen the last of exposure of these.

          However, things may well have been complicated by the legal action by Slater which have now largely be concluded (other than costs LOL).

          Another aspect I have seen raised as to the delay is the need to be absolutely watertight in any further public articles re the Rawshark material, ad to have this backed up by information gleened from other sources such as OIAs.

          Matt Neppert of Fairfax was one of the journalists in contact with Rawshark and wrote the Fairfax articles on his revelations. Matt was on the Panel on Friday, 19 Sept and said that he had given in his notice to Fairfax earlier that week and had accepted an exciting new job starting on 20 October. This is in the link below from 00.30 to 02.30 and includes a short discussion on Rawshark and his/her identity (an interesting discussion on OIAs then follows).

          http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/thepanel/audio/20150319/the-panel-with-matt-nippert-and-bryce-edwards-part-1

          My understanding from things I have read elsewhere is that Matt is going to The Herald. He and David Fisher working on the Rawshark dumps would be a formidable team IMHO. So I have not given up hope.

          PS – Matt has been asked on Twitter about further revelations and has said very little other than the situation is very complicated.

    • There are non so enslaved as those who think they are free. Oh and no, I’m not a Labour voter. That would be just as stupid under the current circumstances

  7. Here is a short video about a German journalist who wrote a tell all book about how the German News is bought and paid for by the CIA. Now I am not suggesting the CIA manipulates our News but if you think the MSM will use the information to do some serious damage to John Key and his hideous minions I suggest you watch that video and maybe look for the book: Bought Journalism, currently number 7 on the best sellers list in Germany.

    With Slater’s financial connection (Paid trips to Israel recently) to the Likud party and the payola he receives for writing the way he does my guess is he is very much part of the MSM News machine or as the writer of the book described just a paid NATO propaganda outlet.

    The MSM in my estimation will not touch him nor John Key. The PTB need them to much to implement the TPPA, NATO’s empire building and more global mayhem connecting to NZ.

    But conspiracies? Neh, never! Our government loves us!

  8. Powers That Be, the rogue state withing the state, deep politics, the wheelers and dealers in the back rooms.

  9. But that’s just conspiracy theories cause they don’t exist. Our government loves us and doesn’t represent the 1% but us the people in “real’ world! That is why we all have the feeling they really listen to us after we voted them in!

  10. Puckish Rogue 10

    Once the wars been won why worry about a minor battle? But seriously by doing this means it’ll be finished sooner so get it over and done with, like pulling a plaster really

  11. infused 11

    Probably because the Labour leadership farce is far more interesting at the moment.

  12. sir pat 12

    anything barring wife and kidz should be used from these hacked e mails…..i am sure a lot of the “personal” e mails will give credence to Slaters “form” and give more punch to those untangling the web of lies and collusion he is mixed up in.

    the MSM is bought and paid for…. they are mostly blatantly right wing and anyone who says otherwise should be barred from voting on the grounds of stupidity…..i have been stunned at the lack of reaction from the public in many instances and whenever there has been a slight interest the story dissapears…..i think N.Z is on the cusp of joining the rest of the world allright…..t.v and internet lives….the kardasians rule!!!…..give it time and it will be real life Hunger Games

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  • 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
    2 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
    4 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
    4 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 ...
    5 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 14
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Jonathon Porritt calling bullshit in his own blog post on mainstream climate science as ‘The New Denialism’.Local scoop: The Wellington City Council’s list of proposed changes to the IHP recommendations to be debated later today was leaked this ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • No, Prime Minister, rents don’t rise or fall with landlords’ costs
    TL;DR: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said yesterday tenants should be grateful for the reinstatement of interest deductibility because landlords would pass on their lower tax costs in the form of lower rents. That would be true if landlords were regulated monopolies such as Transpower or Auckland Airport1, but they’re not, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Cartoons: ‘At least I didn’t make things awkward’
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Tom Toro Tom Toro is a cartoonist and author. He has published over 200 cartoons in The New Yorker since 2010. His cartoons appear in Playboy, the Paris Review, the New York Times, American Bystander, and elsewhere. Related: What 10 EV lovers ...
    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
    3 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
    8 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
    10 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
    11 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
    5 days ago
  • Government classifies drought conditions in Top of the South as medium-scale adverse event
    Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has classified the drought conditions in the Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts as a medium-scale adverse event, acknowledging the challenging conditions facing farmers and growers in the district. “Parts of Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts are in the grip of an intense dry spell. I know ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government partnership to tackle $332m facial eczema problem
    The Government is helping farmers eradicate the significant impact of facial eczema (FE) in pastoral animals, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced.  “A $20 million partnership jointly funded by Beef + Lamb NZ, the Government, and the primary sector will save farmers an estimated NZD$332 million per year, and aims to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • NZ, India chart path to enhanced relationship
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has completed a successful visit to India, saying it was an important step in taking the relationship between the two countries to the next level.   “We have laid a strong foundation for the Coalition Government’s priority of enhancing New Zealand-India relations to generate significant future benefit for both countries,” says Mr Peters, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    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 ...
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    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,” ...
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    6 days ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber
    Good evening everyone and thank you for that lovely introduction.   Thank you also to the Honourable Simon Bridges for the invitation to address your members. Since being sworn in, this coalition Government has hit the ground running with our 100-day plan, delivering the changes that New Zealanders expect of us. ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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  • 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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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. ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    1 week ago

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