The circle is complete

Written By: - Date published: 4:16 pm, September 17th, 2014 - 139 comments
Categories: accountability, brand key, internet, john key, Spying - Tags: , , , ,

First:

Greenwald has had access to leaked documents provided by whistleblower Edward Snowden, and he says he will release a report that would show the GCSB has been conducting mass surveillance on New Zealanders — a claim Mr Key strongly denies. “There’s no ambiguity. No middle ground. I’m right. He’s wrong,” Mr Key told reporters today.

then:

Mr Key said Cabinet signed off a proposal for the GCSB to investigate a business case for widespread cyber protection of New Zealand entities, but he personally stopped the work in March last year because he thought it was a step too far. “In the end, that never even got to a business case.”

then:

Mr Key today acknowledged the GCSB had indeed tapped into the cable, but for the purposes of a cybersecurity programme. However, Mr Key said concerns the project would be perceived as mass surveillance led to it being scaled back to a much narrower programme.

then:

”we don’t discuss the specific programmes the GCSB may, or may not use”

and now the circle is complete:

Prime Minister John Key acknowledged today that NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden’s claim that New Zealanders’ data is accessible through the controversial XKeyscore system “may well be right”.


Hey – remember when

Prime Minister John Key says he and the head of GCSB would resign if the spy agency were found to have conducted mass surveillance.

139 comments on “The circle is complete ”

  1. Zorr 1

    Can just imagine the Tui billboard now:
    “XKEYSCORE isn’t mass surveilance. Yeah, right”

    🙂

  2. Bob 2

    “Prime Minister John Key says he and the head of GCSB would resign if the spy agency were found to have conducted mass surveillance” does not correlate to “Prime Minister John Key acknowledged today that NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden’s claim that New Zealanders’ data is accessible through the controversial XKeyscore system “may well be right”.”
    The fact that the US may have NZ data through XKeyscore doesn’t mean the GCSB uses it for NZ data, that is like saying Google holds metadata which it uses for its Android software, I say I don’t use Googles metadata and you say “but you use Google!” That is a long bow to draw.

    • Crunchtime 2.1

      Your reasoning is a much longer bow to draw.

      – The law change last year allows the GCSB to spy on NZers
      – Edward Snowden confirmed that overseas agencies such as the NSA are able to fully access all metadata AND CONTENT of NZer communications via xkeyscore.

      Therefore there IS mass surveillance of NZers, and naturally that will be by the GCSB, even if they don’t actually use it other spy agencies in the 5 eyes network.

      John Key, if he kept his word, would resign.

      • Tracey 2.1.1

        http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10913479

        Good explanation from back when key was reassuring us all, but not releasing his documents to prove it

      • Bob 2.1.2

        “– The law change last year allows the GCSB to spy on NZers”
        If they first obtain a warrant, and not before

        “– Edward Snowden confirmed that overseas agencies such as the NSA are able to fully access all metadata AND CONTENT of NZer communications via xkeyscore.”
        Yes, but John Key does not set or oversee the laws on overseas agencies, only the GCSB. IF the GCSB is collecting metadata and content of NZers, where are the databanks? They wouldn’t hold them offshore as that would be a massive security risk, there is simply no capability for NZ to hold the metadata and content, this is the biggest flaw in the whole arguement that no-one seems to be able to get their head around!!!

        • Tracey 2.1.2.1

          From john key you mean?

          • Bob 2.1.2.1.1

            And the commissioner of security warrants, yes.

            But don’t forget the amendments Dunne pushed through:

            * specific legislation to add any agencies allowed to request assistance from the GCSB. The current proposed bill only required an Order in Council, which is not voted on by Parliament

            * the watchdog overseeing the GCSB, the Inspector General of Intelligence and Security, must be informed when a warrant is put on the register relating to a New Zealander

            * an annual report from the GCSB on the number of times it has assisted other agencies

            * annual public hearing of Parliament’s closed door Intelligence and Security Committee to discuss financial reviews of the performance of the GCSB and the SIS

            * an independent review of the security services in 2015, and then every five to seven years

        • Cleangreen 2.1.2.2

          Bob with rocks in his head,
          You expect NZ citizens to believe/trust any agency who is required to operate with the element of secrecy and surprise to look after our privacy?

          And SIS with their leaks to Slater, and GCSB who spied on 88** NZ citizens causing National Key to change the law so they could?

          You want us to to trust all overseas intelligence operators of spy networks who can access the five eyes network of stall our stored history of communications?

          Or US based NSA storage facilities of all Five eyes global date of all?

          “Yeah right”

          With that logic you probably don’t believe that when I was a telephone technician a used to run intelligence gathering communication connections on citizens when asked by my employer, to do so, and for money I did so in 1990 so please wake up.

          Todays system can monitor by electronic messaging thousands of citizens at once and they get paid for it
          Get a life and grow some balls idiot, try selling somewhere else maybe north pole, don’t send us rather stupid statements such as that rather long bow.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 2.2

      It’s a poor analogy, if only because Key has acknowledged that whatever system is in use (we know it’s Xkeyscore John you can stop being cute) requires a warrant to access it.

      If there’s data to access then data is being collected. Do I have to list the things Xkeyscore provides access to again, Bob?

      The article on it that helped win the Pulitzer Prize is here somewhere. Can you find it yourself or do I have to help you?

      • Bob 2.2.1

        “It’s a poor analogy, if only because Key has acknowledged that whatever system is in use (we know it’s Xkeyscore John you can stop being cute) requires a warrant to access it”
        Only if they are using it to view information held on NZers and as I said yesterday, every time you access a US server your metadata can be held by the US as part of the patriot act. If you don’t like your data being held stick to NZ sites exclusively.
        None of that information can be used by the GCSB against you unless they first apply for a warrant, so if what you are doing is bad enough that the GCSB feels they require a warrant you likely know you are doing something very wrong anyway! Remember, they have only done this 86 times in the past 9 years. Of course you could argue spying on 0.00001% of the population over 9 years is ‘mass surveilence’, but I still wouldn’t agree with you.

        “If there’s data to access then data is being collected. Do I have to list the things Xkeyscore provides access to again, Bob?”
        Agree, but is it being collected by the GCSB or other 5 eyes partners? And is it NZ based data, or data going through offshore servers? Remember, this is why Snowden shot to fame, he showed the US was spying on allies, he still hasn’t shown the GCSB is spying on NZers.

        • McFlock 2.2.1.1

          None of that information can be used by the GCSB against you unless they first apply for a warrant,

          Really? Snowden seemed to indicate that it was merely a checkbox the analyst ticks when running a query. Not exactly a robust protection of our rights and freedom.

          so if what you are doing is bad enough that the GCSB feels they require a warrant you likely know you are doing something very wrong anyway! Remember, they have only done this 86 times in the past 9 years.

          “this”? You mean they’ve only illegally operated against NZ residents and citizens 86 times.
          How many of the 86 illegal surveillance operations resulted in any legal action whatsoever?
          KDC was one, so that’s what – 1/86 success rate based on the illegal surveillance ops they ran? Where “success” is defined as “he might be extradited for something that is nopt a criminal act in New zealand”.

          Fuck terrorism – the GCSB seem to think that the biggest threats to NZ are illegal downloaders and nonviolent activists.

    • Tracey 2.3

      IF the GCSB had opened the door to enable mass surveillance would you consider that makes a lie of the PMs statement, or not?

      • Bob 2.3.1

        Not necessarily, if they opened the door to mass surveillance AND had data banks that allowed them to store the details then yes,I would consider it a lie.

        • Tracey 2.3.1.1

          What if having opened thedoor the NSA is storing the data… But GCSB opened the door to them

          • Bob 2.3.1.1.1

            Well that would be stupid, that would give the NSA the ability to spy on our businesses as well, do you really think National would open up their “rich prick mates” to US spying as well?

    • weka 2.4

      The GCSB lets the Americans have the data instead of using it themselves. Oh, that’s alright then, we can all go home now.

      • Bob 2.4.1

        No, the NSA collects NZ data going through their servers, have done since the Patriot Act was passed, nothing new here at all. If you don’t want the NSA spying on you stick to NZ sites only.

  3. Tracey 3

    john key says he canned spearhead in March 2013.

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11324936

    The documents HE released indicate the rescinding of the business case in September 2013.

    • r0b 3.1

      The documents he released relate to CORTEX not Spearhead, it was a complete distraction. Keith Ng covers it best:

      http://publicaddress.net/onpoint/project-speargun-underway/

      • Tracey 3.1.1

        I understand that rOB.

        BUT

        He didnt rescind CORTEX.

        So what was rescinded in September 2013?

        And if Key canned Spearhead in March 2013….

        Key released the rescinding of Option 2 to support his claim he canned mass surveillance or Spearhead. But he canned it in September.

        I KNOW he is lying, I am just trying to walk folks through how I can claim that.

        • r0b 3.1.1.1

          Ahh, apologies, I misunderstood.

          • Tracey 3.1.1.1.1

            I could have just confuddled myself.

            I have been through the docs released by Key which date from early 2012 throught to CORTEX

            And trying to keep Keys statement straight in my head is difficult to.

  4. Outofbed 4

    “The circle is complete”
    dancing on the head of a pin

  5. Colonial Viper 5

    And the NZ media establishment is doing a great job of pointing out all of Key’s flip flops.

  6. sockpuppet 6

    Throw him in the Waitemata if he drowns he’s innocent if he survives burn the witch !

    • One Anonymous Bloke 6.1

      No easy way out for John. The Royal Commission on his involvement in Cameron Slater’s criminal activities, The Parliamentary Inquiry into his misuse of the security services.

      Whatever criminal charges may flow from there. He is a flight risk, though.

  7. Ad 7

    Looks like he’ll be paying for it in the TV3 poll tonight.

    A great evening for a head to head TV leadership debate.

  8. Peter 8

    Nicky Hager defined mass surrvelience this morning, for the benefit of laymen like me, as “…….. the system ……. allows you to intercept …….. not intercepting peoples data all the time ……….. is the colection of millions of peoples data ….. the data is saved up ……… they can look back and get the specific data when required at any time.”

    “http://www.radionz.co.nz/audio/player/20149918

    So if collecting of NZ data on a mass scale is possible through XKeyscore within the 5 Eyes Network can we expect Mr Key to resign ? After all Mr Snowden may well be right.

    I must be missing something? Please help!

    • infused 8.1

      Yes you are.

      It may be caught overseas somewhere. Not in NZ, because we simply don’t have the money to pay for a system to do that.

      Like I’ve said over and over again. Capturing 480gbit of data isn’t exactly and easy task. You then need to analyse that data.

      The US captures this data overseas. So if you are using overseas sites, and someone searches your information using xkeyscore, then they may find something on you.

      • Tracey 8.1.1

        Infused

        Is it possible that we allow them access but they hold the data thereafter, or not?

        That is, we open the door for them but they collect all the stuff?

        • infused 8.1.1.1

          No.

          They are capturing your data on their soil. IE you accessing foreign sites/services. This is why the whole debate about cloud computing rages on.

          So they can capture your data over there and search on it. It’s not captured here. Hence why he said ‘he may be right’ because who knows what they are capturing, or how they are using it.

          Once your data leaves the southern cross cable, it’s anyone to access.

          For example, if you goto http://www.facebook.com you will travel over many ‘hops’. These are other routers, routing your traffic overseas (bit simplified).

          Here’s my trace route

          Tracing route to facebook.com [173.252.110.27]
          over a maximum of 30 hops:

          1 1 ms <1 ms <1 ms 192.168.2.1
          2 * * * Request timed out.
          3 96 ms 63 ms 97 ms lo0.internet.ivpn.pe25.telstraclear.net [218.101.61.124]
          4 44 ms 41 ms 37 ms ie2-g-0-0-0.telstraclear.net [203.98.50.2]
          5 86 ms 36 ms 33 ms ge-0-2-0-1.xcore1.acld.telstraclear.net [203.98.50.251]
          6 35 ms 31 ms 36 ms unknown.telstraglobal.net [134.159.174.37]
          7 191 ms 190 ms 204 ms i-0-6-4-0.tlot-core01.bx.telstraglobal.net [202.84.142.110]
          8 156 ms 167 ms 157 ms i-0-4-0-3.tlot02.bi.telstraglobal.net [202.84.251.242]
          9 160 ms 159 ms 158 ms ae16.pr01.lax1.tfbnw.net [103.4.96.160]

          There we more hops after this. But after hop 7, I was overseas. From there, god knows what's happening to your traffic.

          That's why you use secure sites (https) and encryption.

          • Tracey 8.1.1.1.1

            Thanks

          • Nic the NZer 8.1.1.1.2

            Please explain infused. What is the National party line on this one?

            Anthony Briscoe still says,
            “But he was confident no spy agency had tapped into the Southern Cross Cable or its landing facilities.”
            http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/61280099/southern-cross-boss-still-denies-spytap

            Yet, Mr Key says,
            “Mr Key today acknowledged the GCSB had indeed tapped into the cable, but for the purposes of a cybersecurity programme. However, Mr Key said concerns the project would be perceived as mass surveillance led to it being scaled back to a much narrower programme.”

            It appears Mr Briscoe would not know if somebody tapped into his companies cable, even if that was the GCSB doing it in NZ.

            • phillip ure 8.1.1.1.2.1

              and key has now cited the ceo of the cable company as his authority on:..no..nobody has tapped into the cable..

              ..(this is reaching levels of high-farce..

              ..farce with the most ominous/scary overtones..)

              ..(i think key will soon confess/admit that it was him who killed opo the friendly dolphin..)

      • Kaplan 8.1.2

        Its not difficult at all, it’s just a question of money.
        A farm of around 8000 Quad Core CPU,s with 2-3 terrabytes of storage available per unit would probbaly be enough to do it. The data will not be stored in real time, it’ll be queued raw and processed into a compact analytical dataset. Basically an OLAP system tuned for high speed storage, with a tradeoff on retrieval times.
        Weta Workshops had around half that capacity back in 2008…
        http://www.datacenterknowledge.com/archives/2009/12/22/the-data-crunching-powerhouse-behind-avatar/

        And Niwa. well they have a very interesting, and very very powerful system. I see the chinese had a go at hacking it a while back…. I wonder why they would want to do that?
        http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/60075949/niwa-supercomputer-hacked.html

  9. jaime 9

    From San Francisco I am following how liars and politicians in behalf of corporations and the military security complex, do anything to mislead and connive, Brave people of New Zealand! stand up.

  10. adam 10

    It must be one hell of a rush this spying on the people. Otherwise, it’s just a group of violent self absorbed individuals giving us all the finger.

  11. cogito 11

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/10508710/NSA-spying-can-t-be-ruled-out-PM

    Lost count of how many times Key says Greenwald is “wrong” in this clip…. so still in denial, still covering up, still misleading NZers. Enough.

    • infused 11.1

      Yes, because Greenwald has so much proof.

      • Paul 11.1.1

        spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin spin……

        • infused 11.1.1.1

          There’s nothing to spin.

          • Paul 11.1.1.1.1

            Sure.
            You must be a comedian then.
            Nothing at all, except trying to suggest that Key is more reliable with the truth than Greenwald.
            Probably best you get back to your bosses at Slater’s blog.

            • infused 11.1.1.1.1.1

              Solid post buddy.

              • One Anonymous Bloke

                You just don’t get it do you. Everything the Little Butt Henchman reports checks out and Key has changed his story four times in four days and done a 180° turn in the process.

                Now, I’m going to be gentle. Stop wittering about the cut of his cloth: he’s fucking naked, you dick!

                • infused

                  Dem facts…

                  He hasn’t changed his story four times. You don’t seem to be able to comprehend that he is actually talking about different things.

                  • Tracey

                    Did you read the documents Key released to prove he was right?

                    I ask cos they dont support his statement that he canned mass surveillance in March 2013 insofar as they only refer to a business plan rescinded in September 2013

                  • One Anonymous Bloke

                    1. We don’t do this.
                    2. We considered doing it.
                    3. We narrowed the focus.
                    4. He’s probably right.

                    Please try to see past your #teamloyalty

                    😳 – you’re right that’s only three times.

                  • I’m curious, do you find basic mathematics difficult as much as you appear to find logic difficult?

          • Hanswurst 11.1.1.1.2

            So why did Mr. Key go to the lengths of declassifying documents that *don’t* prove his version? It looks very much like an attempt to divert attention, and a rather desperate one at that. Greenwald and Snowden have what on the face of it seems to be very compelling evidence, and no record of being proven wrong. Key, on the other hand, made some unequivocal statements before retreating into obfuscation and producing phony evidence (at what purportedly should have been a risk to national security, no less). You may not be spinning (although the alternative of your just being a bit dense doesn’t seem much more flattering), but Key certainly is.

            • infused 11.1.1.1.2.1

              So when their evidence is presented that invalidates Keys, I’ll admit i’m wrong.

              • Tracey

                By key’s evidence do you mean the stuff he declassified? If you do, those documents do not show he canned a mass surveillance plan in March 2013 as he claimed yesterday

            • Tracey 11.1.1.1.2.2

              Declassifying documents that the GCSB said would threaten our security… They were not a slam dunk for Key as he claimed.. But you have to read them to know that.

  12. infused 12

    You do realize that he is talking about 3 different things there. The last part was about NSA, not GCSB.

    • Lanthanide 12.1

      Yes, this isn’t really grounds for him to resign because it still doesn’t show the GCSB were carrying out mass surveillance, which is his requirement for resigning.

      His later statements do completely contradict his first statement on GG though:
      “There’s no ambiguity. No middle ground. I’m right. He’s wrong,”

      Subsequent developments show there definitely is a middle ground and it is ambiguous.

      • infused 12.1.1

        See 8.1. It’s pretty clear.

        • Lanthanide 12.1.1.1

          ???

          Did you miss the bit where he said GCSB had tapped into the cable?

          Between:
          1. No mass surveillance or means of doing it at all
          and:
          3. Carrying out mass surveillance 24/7

          Lies the middle-ground:
          2. Tapping into the southern-cross cable in order to surveill it’s content

          If you can’t see how #2 is a middle-ground between #1 and #3, and that Key initially said “there is no middle-ground” and then contradicted himself by saying “#2 did happen” then I’m not sure what to say.

          • Tracey 12.1.1.1.1

            Is number two the analogy of we allowed the door to open and they take it from there?

          • infused 12.1.1.1.2

            They were going to, but never did. Did you miss that part?

            • Tracey 12.1.1.1.2.1

              It was a bit confusing cos it appeared that key was saying they put the probes in the cable but then didnt use thwm.

            • McFlock 12.1.1.1.2.2

              lol
              at this rate, if that hasn’t changed already it’ll change this evening.

              • infused

                Well that was actually said a day or two ago. If the cable was actually tampered with, i’m pretty cretin southern cross would know.

                Something needs to be physically attached to do this.

                Google what these cables are made out of and what they look like. You still see it’s virtually impossible to intercept them undersea without someone knowing. It’s done at either end.

                • McFlock

                  yeah, the “probe” they spent money building before deciding to not use it.

                  Basically, in a few days we’ve gone from barely a business case to a “scaled back” active program. I reckon when the government eventually changes, be it this weekend or further away, we might finally discover the truth if the greens/imp put a bit of stick about..

                  • infused

                    He always said the first phase happened. He just never said what the first phase was.

                    I don’t know what the probe is meant to do… but from what I know, you can’t just shove something under the sea to capture data from these cables.

                    They have to be cut, or tampered with. So the ‘probes’ would need to be on the ends of the fiber somewhere.

                    • Tracey

                      Did he? He said they were preparing a business case. That doesnt require probes, let alone ones attached to the cable.

                      Can you show me where he said there was partial implementation of the strategy which was then narrowed back?

                • wtl

                  Well that was actually said a day or two ago. If the cable was actually tampered with, i’m pretty cretin southern cross would know.

                  But “Mr Key [the other day] acknowledged the GCSB had indeed tapped into the cable” so what exactly are you on about?

                  • infused

                    “The first stage, which was tapping into New Zealand’s main submarine data link – the Southern Cross Cable – was implemented at some point in 2012 or early 2013.

                    Mr Key on Monday acknowledged the GCSB had indeed tapped into the cable, but for the purposes of a cybersecurity programme.

                    However, Mr Key said concerns the project would be perceived as mass surveillance led to it being scaled back to a much narrower programme.

                    But Southern Cross’ chief executive Anthony Briscoe told Radio New Zealand he did not believe a test probe was ever put in place.”

                    Well yeah, I don’t know what to make of that. Until someone can clarify what the probe actually was.

                    • Tracey

                      Truly genuine question infused, have you read keys doc drop? Its only about 15 pages in all.

                      Id be interested in which aspect this phase one could be? Possibly what is called Option 1 which got implementation go ahead in April 2012, and which option was never rescinded and included automated investigative capability”.

                      The other problem is Key said he canned the further implementation in March 2013 but his documents dont support that claim.

                    • I find it charming that the Nats would pay someone to post on the Standard.

                      Or is it just Jason Ede posting from his Antarctic hideout?

                      [lprent: It seems unlikely. infused has been around forever (this was his first comment back in Feb 2008 – note the style hasn’t changed much). (S)he/it just seems to like it here. ]

                • Tracey

                  It is possible mr briscoe is telling porkies though isnt it? Maybe they got a payment ot just did it to be patriotic?

            • Lanthanide 12.1.1.1.2.3

              infused, did Key admit they tapped into the southern cross cable, yes or no?

              Is tapping into the southern cross cable, a (practical) necessity in order to do mass surveillance of NZ’s public, yes or no?

              It doesn’t matter *why* or for *what purpose* they did the tapping, the fact is, once the tap is in place, it can be used for mass surveillance.

              Key said there was no middle ground. Clearly, this is the middleground between absolutely no mass surveillance nor means to carry it out, and mass surveillance going on 24/7.

    • Paul 12.2

      Just wondering.
      What does John Key have to do for you to start questioning him?

  13. Outofbed 13

    He can resign on Friday and call an Election 🙂

  14. mickysavage 14

    Radio New Zealand is now reporting that Key admits we are probably under mass surveillance but not by the GCSB. Hear that? Everyone can now relax …

    So we have this tidy arrangement among the 5 eyes groups so that mass surveillance occurs but each organisation can deny breaching the law …

  15. so..we are under mass surveillance..(next question:..for exactly how long have our political-masters known new zealanders were/are being mass-surveiled..?..when did it start..?)

    ..but it’s ok..!

    ..’cos it’s only the americans subjecting us to mass-surveillance..

    ..and it’s the americans who hold all that information on all new zealanders..

    ..mm-kay..?

    ..just relax..!..

    ..be more like your great-leader..!

  16. Paul 16

    Events from New Zealand history and John Key’s response had he been P.M.
    Part 1.

    French nuclear testing in the South Pacific.
    ” I am comfortable that’s not happening”

    • One Anonymous Bloke 16.1

      French conspiracy to murder.

      “I’m relaxed about it: I’m right and he’s wrong.”

    • One Anonymous Bloke 16.2

      “It was fifty thousand shares yes that’s right one hundred thousand shares.”

    • McFlock 16.3

      MYSTERY SOLVED:
      Key must have been “comfortable” that the Springboks were not touring New Zealand in 1981. Hence he didn’t have an opinion on the Tour to recall, because he wasn’t aware it was happening

      • One Anonymous Bloke 16.3.1

        That’s a lie! His office knew about it, not him.

        • McFlock 16.3.1.1

          That’s because his office was in the stands while he was protesting outside – or maybe it was the other way around…

          • One Anonymous Bloke 16.3.1.1.1

            Now you’re implying that his office is an unthinking redneck and possibly a thug, and that’s a breach of national security.

    • tc 16.4

      Look at the end of the day does it really matter, well does it, do you feel lucky punk while I fish around in this drawer marked ‘Top secret – PM and Jason Only’

  17. politikiwi 17

    As much as I hate to admit it, the presence of NZers data in an NSA system doesn’t mean that data is being captured by the GCSB. We don’t know where it was captured. The data could have come from any source which is legitimately able to spy on New Zealanders (that is, any of the other five eyes partners**).

    I’m prepared to believe that the GCSB is spying on New Zealanders. It’s reasonable to conclude that Snowden is credible on the basis that he is public enemy #1 in the world’s most powerful nation, and if there was anything to discredit him they would’ve released it long before now.

    I think the evidence produced to date shows, at the very least, an intention to conduct mass metadata harvesting by GCSB, either directly or by turning a blind eye to the NSA. There is precedent for leaders to lie about these issues: James Clapper lied to a Congressional hearing. John Key has lied to the NZ public – if not outright, than by omission. But trying to say that the presence of NZers data in an NSA database proves the GCSB intercepted it is way too long of a bow to draw and does no favours, and the more this happens, the more confusing it becomes for the average “punter out in punterland.”

    ** Can the GCSB legally access data obtained on New Zealanders by third parties, or do they need a warrant for that as well?

    • Paul 17.1

      Do you trust a word the PM says?

    • One Anonymous Bloke 17.2

      So the GCSB criminally spies on Kiwis when it accesses the database, and/or is criminally derelict or complicit in its failure of duty by knowingly allowing the NSA to do so in violation of the law and as-yet undocumented “understandings”.

    • infused 17.3

      They need a warrant. Was stated last night.

      • One Anonymous Bloke 17.3.1

        …a warrant to access a database the existence of which is a massive human rights violation and by the way, a crime in law.

        • infused 17.3.1.1

          citation and evidence please.

          • One Anonymous Bloke 17.3.1.1.1

            Please help yourself get up to speed by reading the Pulitzer prize winning material on Xkeyscore. The Little Butt Henchman led the team of journalists that authored it , so you may have to combat bias-induced imbecility.

            Sorry about that.

          • phillip ure 17.3.1.1.2

            @..infused..

            ..now you are just being silly..

            ..follow the loop-de-loops from key over the past 4-5 days..

            ..and the evidence from a man..snowden..

            ..who has a 100% record for being accurate in the whistle-blowing he does..

            ..that’s all ya need..

      • Tracey 17.3.2

        Signed by?????

      • Tracey 17.3.3

        Do you think spy agencies would ever be involved in deceptive practices?

    • Treetop 17.4

      Just after 9 am this morning Key said on Nine to Noon “GCSB need a warrant to get NSA information on New Zealanders.”

      Who or what talks to Key/GCSB from NSA about intercepting?

  18. CRobinson 18

    As far as I can see the circle isn´t fully complete. The PM appears to be saying that, yes, the capability is there, but as the GCSB doesn´t dig into the content without a warrant, there is no mass surveillance taking place. OK, it´s a bit nitpicky, but maybe the PM can claim he is still sticking to the same story. However by acknowledging that Snowden is right, he is admitting (correct me if I am wrong here) that the other 5eyes partners have unrestricted (no NZ warrant required) access to all electronic communications in NZ, both metadata and content. Is that right? And of course if your partners don´t need a warrant, then that might be a backdoor way of getting the data if a NZ warrant is inconvenient. What is the oversight on how this capability is used by GCSB and the partners? (And please don´t tell me it is the PM.)

    • infused 18.1

      See 8.1 about capturing NZ’s data overseas. I’m betting that’s how it’s happening.

      • One Anonymous Bloke 18.1.1

        Then why did the NSA require the GCSB for phase one of SPEARHEAD (with Bruce Willis and Miley Cyrus)?

        • Tracey 18.1.1.1

          Apparently they needed us but john key said “no”

        • Colonial Viper 18.1.1.2

          Then why did the NSA require the GCSB for phase one of SPEARHEAD (with Bruce Willis and Miley Cyrus)?

          To capture local internal NZ internet traffic which doesn’t head out over the Southern Cross Cable.

          As an eg. now The Standard is hosted on shore, metadata surveillance of the Hawaii end of the cable won’t pick up who is commenting on The Standard from within NZ.

          • Bob 18.1.1.2.1

            Thank you CV! Someone who understands how the interwebby thing works!
            Comments here (from within NZ) won’t be collected by ANYONE, GCSB doesn’t have the capability, NSA doesn’t have the capability, the only way anyone might be able to spy on us is if you believe Huawei send data back the China (John Key’s fault personally if the do, Dotcom has an email).

            This is what people don’t seem to understand, if you browse outside of NZ, John Key has no say whatsoever in what gets collected, if you stay in NZ you aren’t being spied on.

          • Puddleglum 18.1.1.2.2

            Well a lot of New Zealanders’ internet traffic apparently spews into the US:

            We know from Snowden’s disclosures that the NSA, with assistance from its Five Eyes spy partners – the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, now intercepts (and in some cases stores) emails, calls and internet activity on a global basis.

            Some 95 per cent of all New Zealand’s internet traffic passes, via the Southern Cross undersea cable, to the US, where it may be lawfully intercepted as “foreign intelligence”.

            In many cases this will include communications between two people in New Zealand.

            The NSA has Network Security Agreements with scores of cable companies worldwide, including Telstra in Australia. These agreements compel the cable companies to grant access to all the data on their cables when they land on US territory. The company previously known as Telecom New Zealand, which half owns the Southern Cross cable, has confirmed that once its cable entered US territory, it is legally obliged to co-operate with US laws.

            It’s an article that is well worth the read.

            • Bob 18.1.1.2.2.1

              “Some 95 per cent of all New Zealand’s internet traffic passes, via the Southern Cross undersea cable, to the US, where it may be lawfully intercepted as “foreign intelligence”.”
              Exactly, this article just backs up what I have been saying, the US can collect data on 95% of our internet traffic as that is where most of us store our data!
              Gmail, Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, Google+, XtraYahoo the list goes on, this from what I understand would all be loaded into XKeyscore and the NSA can use it to spy on you. There is nothing our Government can do about any of this, this is what Snowden’s leaks reveal.
              When it come to the GCSB (which our Government does control) they would need a warrant to view any detail on NZers as set out in section 15a on the GCSB bill: http://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2003/0009/latest/DLM5650721.html?search=ta_act_G_ac%40ainf%40anif_an%40bn%40rn_25_a&p=1

  19. Dont worry. Be happy 19

    TICS anyone? TICS.

    Passed bout the same time as the GCSB Act….

  20. Richard Christie 20

    When you understand that NSA = GCSB, all is explained

    [lprent: Shouting at length is a privilege reserved for the moderate amongst us. The ones with editorial privileges and a volume control 😈 ]

    • Richard Christie 20.1

      My sincere apologies. I thought allcaps was shouting, In the future
      I shall revise my webiquette so as to regard bold as shouting too.

      So, to repeat, in italics, ,

      When you realise that NSA = GCSB then all is understood.

  21. Paul Campbell 21

    The thing is that tapping a cable is not an effective cyber security measure. If you are building a giant Norton antivirus you need to be able to kill packets and shutdown bad connection by injecting packets. That’s not something you do with a fibre tap.

    The only reason you build a fibre tap is to listen in without anyone noticing is mass surveillance

  22. NZJester 22

    The tricky thing about all this is how they might have defined mass surveillance as written down in the secret laws and GCSB legal advice we are not allowed to see. Key is most likely claiming the GCSB are not conducting mass surveillance because as only the computers are collecting the data, but the GCSB are not looking at it until they get a warrant to go searching through it that it is not mass surveillance.
    We claim it is mass surveillance, but under their warped definition it might not legally be classed as that because it was not looked at by human eyes so they are doing nothing wrong. Key as someone who knows what their legal definitions are is saying publicly no mass surveillance is taking place obviously in the knowledge he is legally right due to laws he helped pass.
    It is impossible to prove someone is cheating at a game if they know all the rules to it and you are forbidden from seeing those rules.
    The other thing to is that although our GCSB must get a warrant to look at it, any of the other 5 eyes partners do not have such a roadblock.

  23. Sable 23

    Keys is running interference for himself and his government. Claim the opposite and then make a different statement at a later date when people have either forgotten or are so confused they stop taking notice. This tactic would not work were it not for the collusion of the mainstream media who refuse to catch Keys out when he contradicts himself.

  24. KPC 24

    You might want to check this out. There is another cable, it recently hooked up at a small town on the Oregon Coast and could easily be the one they are using to Fek us with.

    http://www.tillamookcountypioneer.net/new-zealand-cable-company-signs-two-new-internet-service-providers/

    Sorry guys I’m not tech smart so hopefully this link will be usable…

  25. LeaVai 25

    I have learnt loads since I started reading the different blogs on both sides and I have to say there is more sense coming out over the issues that really matter on this side of the divide so, thank you to all the contributors on here. I love the debates because I’m learning all the time. Cheers all.

    [lprent: While this reads like a spambot, it doesn’t appear to be one. ]

    [Malo Leavai – MS]

    • One Anonymous Bloke 25.1

      Thanks LeaVai.

      This is the strength of democracy: many voices are heard.

    • Theodora 25.2

      Same here, this election has politically galvanized me like no other. I feel like I’m studying Politics 101 reading all the blogs. So grateful to long-timers offering examples from the past too, knowing history really helps shape your views.

  26. yeshe 26

    this would be NZ under TPPA … must read in our current dilemma !!

    ‘For an illuminating glimpse of government power in action, it’s hard to beat the fines the US Justice Department threatened to level against Yahoo if it didn’t comply with a secret and sweeping surveillance request in 2008.

    News coverage of the case, for which documents were unsealed last week, reported the proposed fines as $250,000 a day. But there was also a clause that called for a doubling of the amount each week if Yahoo refused to comply. It was more than enough to bankrupt the company after just a few months.

    Yahoo’s longtime outside counsel, Marc Zwillinger, who was lead attorney in the unsuccessful fight against the government’s data demand, calculated the cost of resistance at more than $25 million after the first month and $400 million in the second month.’

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11326405

Links to post

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • Misremembering Justinian’s Taxes.
    Tax Lawyer Barbara Edmonds vs Emperor Justinian I - Nolo Contendere: False historical explanations of pivotal events are very far from being inconsequential.WHEN BARBARA EDMONDS made reference to the Roman Empire, my ears pricked up. It is, lamentably, very rare to hear a politician admit to any kind of familiarity ...
    51 mins ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Scoring 4.6 out of 10, the new Government is struggling in the polls
    It’s been a tumultuous time in politics in recent months, as the new National-led Government has driven through its “First 100 Day programme”. During this period there’s been a handful of opinion polls, which overall just show a minimal amount of flux in public support for the various parties in ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    2 hours ago
  • Bishop scores headlines with crackdown on unwelcome tenants – but Peters scores, too, as tub-thump...
    Buzz from the Beehive Housing Minister Chris Bishop delivered news – packed with the ingredients to enflame political passions – worthy of supplanting Winston Peters in headline writers’ priorities. He popped up at the post-Cabinet press conference to promise a crackdown on unruly and antisocial state housing tenants. His ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 hours ago
  • Will it make the boat go faster?
    Ele Ludemann writes – The Reserve Bank is advertising for a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion advisor. The Bank has one mandate – to keep inflation between one and three percent. It has failed in that and is only slowly getting inflation back down to the upper limit. Will it ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 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
    6 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
    6 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
    6 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
    7 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
    8 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
    10 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
    22 hours ago
  • Peters holds his ground on co-governance, but Willis wriggles on those tax cuts and SNA suspension l...
    Buzz from the Beehive Here’s hoping for a lively post-cabinet press conference when the PM and – perhaps – some of his ministers tell us what was discussed at their meeting today. Until then, Point of Order has precious little Beehive news to report after its latest monitoring of the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 day ago
  • Labour’s final report card
    David Farrar writes –  We now have almost all 2023 data in, which has allowed me to update my annual table of how  went against its promises. This is basically their final report card. The promise The result Build 100,000 affordable homes over 10 ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago
  • “Drunk Uncle at a Wedding”
    I’m a bit worried that I’ve started a previous newsletter with the words “just when you think they couldn’t get any worse…” Seems lately that I could begin pretty much every issue with that opening. Such is the nature of our coalition government that they seem to be outdoing each ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 day ago
  • Wang Yi’s perfectly-timed, Aukus-themed visit to New Zealand
    Geoffrey Miller writes – Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago
  • Gordon Campbell on Dune 2, and images of Islam
    Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture ...
    1 day 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 ...
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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 ...
    1 day 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 ...
    1 day 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
    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
    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
    2 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
    3 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
    3 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 days ago
  • Labour’s policy gap
    It was not so much the Labour Party but really the Chris Hipkins party yesterday at Labour’s caucus retreat in Martinborough. The former Prime Minister was more or less consistent on wealth tax, which he was at best equivocal about, and social insurance, which he was not willing to revisit. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #11 2024
    Open access notables A Glimpse into the Future: The 2023 Ocean Temperature and Sea Ice Extremes in the Context of Longer-Term Climate Change, Kuhlbrodt et al., Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society: In the year 2023, we have seen extraordinary extrema in high sea surface temperature (SST) in the North Atlantic and in ...
    5 days ago
  • Melissa remains mute on media matters but has something to say (at a sporting event) about economic ...
     Buzz from the Beehive   The text reproduced above appears on a page which records all the media statements and speeches posted on the government’s official website by Melissa Lee as Minister of Media and Communications and/or by Jenny Marcroft, her Parliamentary Under-secretary.  It can be quickly analysed ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago
  • The return of Muldoon
    For forty years, Robert Muldoon has been a dirty word in our politics. His style of government was so repulsive and authoritarian that the backlash to it helped set and entrench our constitutional norms. His pig-headedness over forcing through Think Big eventually gave us the RMA, with its participation and ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Will the rental tax cut improve life for renters or landlords?
    Bryce Edwards writes –  Is the new government reducing tax on rental properties to benefit landlords or to cut the cost of rents? That’s the big question this week, after Associate Finance Minister David Seymour announced on Sunday that the Government would be reversing the Labour Government’s removal ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: What Saudi Arabia’s rapid changes mean for New Zealand
    Saudi Arabia is rarely far from the international spotlight. The war in Gaza has brought new scrutiny to Saudi plans to normalise relations with Israel, while the fifth anniversary of the controversial killing of Jamal Khashoggi was marked shortly before the war began on October 7. And as the home ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    5 days ago
  • Racism’s double standards
    Questions need to be asked on both sides of the world Peter Williams writes –   The NRL Judiciary hands down an eight week suspension to Sydney Roosters forward Spencer Leniu , an Auckland-born Samoan, after he calls Ezra Mam, Sydney-orn but of Aboriginal and Torres Strait ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • It’s not a tax break
    Ele Ludemann writes – Contrary to what many headlines and news stories are saying, residential landlords are not getting a tax break. The government is simply restoring to them the tax deductibility of interest they had until the previous government removed it. There is no logical reason ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • The Plastic Pig Collective and Chris' Imaginary Friends.
    I can't remember when it was goodMoments of happiness in bloomMaybe I just misunderstoodAll of the love we left behindWatching our flashbacks intertwineMemories I will never findIn spite of whatever you becomeForget that reckless thing turned onI think our lives have just begunI think our lives have just begunDoes anyone ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • Who is responsible for young offenders?
    Michael Bassett writes – At first reading, a front-page story in the New Zealand Herald on 13 March was bizarre. A group of severely intellectually limited teenagers, with little understanding of the law, have been pleading to the Justice Select Committee not to pass a bill dealing with ram ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on National’s fantasy trip to La La Landlord Land
    How much political capital is Christopher Luxon willing to burn through in order to deliver his $2.9 billion gift to landlords? Evidently, Luxon is: (a) unable to cost the policy accurately. As Anna Burns-Francis pointed out to him on Breakfast TV, the original ”rock solid” $2.1 billion cost he was ...
    5 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 14
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Jonathon Porritt calling bullshit in his own blog post on mainstream climate science as ‘The New Denialism’.Local scoop: The Wellington City Council’s list of proposed changes to the IHP recommendations to be debated later today was leaked this ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • No, Prime Minister, rents don’t rise or fall with landlords’ costs
    TL;DR: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said yesterday tenants should be grateful for the reinstatement of interest deductibility because landlords would pass on their lower tax costs in the form of lower rents. That would be true if landlords were regulated monopolies such as Transpower or Auckland Airport1, but they’re not, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Cartoons: ‘At least I didn’t make things awkward’
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Tom Toro Tom Toro is a cartoonist and author. He has published over 200 cartoons in The New Yorker since 2010. His cartoons appear in Playboy, the Paris Review, the New York Times, American Bystander, and elsewhere. Related: What 10 EV lovers ...
    5 days ago
  • Solving traffic congestion with Richard Prebble
    The business section of the NZ Herald is full of opinion. Among the more opinionated of all is the ex-Minister of Transport, ex-Minister of Railways, ex MP for Auckland Central (1975-93, Labour), Wellington Central (1996-99, ACT, then list-2005), ex-leader of the ACT Party, uncle to actor Antonia, the veritable granddaddy ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    5 days ago
  • I Think I'm Done Flying Boeing
    Hi,Just quickly — I’m blown away by the stories you’ve shared with me over the last week since I put out the ‘Gary’ podcast, where I told you about the time my friend’s flatmate killed the neighbour.And you keep telling me stories — in the comments section, and in my ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    5 days ago
  • Invoking Aristotle: Of Rings of Power, Stones, and Ships
    The first season of Rings of Power was not awful. It was thoroughly underwhelming, yes, and left a lingering sense of disappointment, but it was more expensive mediocrity than catastrophe. I wrote at length about the series as it came out (see the Review section of the blog, and go ...
    6 days ago
  • Van Velden brings free-market approach to changing labour laws – but her colleagues stick to distr...
    Buzz from the Beehive Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden told Auckland Business Chamber members they were the first audience to hear her priorities as a minister in a government committed to cutting red tape and regulations. She brandished her liberalising credentials, saying Flexible labour markets are the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • Why Newshub failed
    Chris Trotter writes – TO UNDERSTAND WHY NEWSHUB FAILED, it is necessary to understand how TVNZ changed. Up until 1989, the state broadcaster had been funded by a broadcasting licence fee, collected from every citizen in possession of a television set, supplemented by a relatively modest (compared ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Māori Party on the warpath against landlords and seabed miners – let’s see if mystical creature...
    Bob Edlin writes  –  The Māori Party has been busy issuing a mix of warnings and threats as its expresses its opposition to interest deductibility for landlords and the plans of seabed miners. It remains to be seen whether they  follow the example of indigenous litigants in Australia, ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • There’s a name for this
    Every year, in the Budget, Parliament forks out money to government agencies to do certain things. And every year, as part of the annual review cycle, those agencies are meant to report on whether they have done the things Parliament gave them that money for. Agencies which consistently fail to ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago
  • Echoes of 1968 in 2024?  Pocock on the repetitive problems of the New Left
    Mike Grimshaw writes – Recent events in American universities point to an underlying crisis of coherent thinking, an issue that increasingly affects the progressive left across the Western world. This of course is nothing new as anyone who can either remember or has read of the late ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Two bar blues
    The thing about life’s little victories is that they can be followed by a defeat.Reader Darryl told me on Monday night:Test again Dave. My “head cold” last week became COVID within 24 hours, and is still with me. I hear the new variants take a bit longer to show up ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 13
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Angus Deaton on rethinking his economics IMFLocal scoop: The people behind Tamarind, the firm that left a $500m cleanup bill for taxpayers at Taranaki’s Tui oil well, are back operating in Taranaki under a different company name. Jonathan ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • AT Need To Lift Their Game
    Normally when we talk about accessing public transport it’s about improving how easy it is to get to, such as how easy is it to cross roads in a station/stop’s walking catchment, is it possible to cycle to safely, do bus connections work, or even if are there new routes/connections ...
    6 days ago
  • Christopher's Whopper.
    Politicians are not renowned for telling the truth. Some tell us things that are verifiably not true. They offer statements that omit critical pieces of information. Gloss over risks, preferring to offer the best case scenario.Some not truths are quite small, others amusing in their transparency. There are those repeated ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago

  • Positive progress for social worker workforce
    New Zealand’s social workers are qualified, experienced, and more representative of the communities they serve, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “I want to acknowledge and applaud New Zealand’s social workers for the hard work they do, providing invaluable support for our most vulnerable. “To coincide with World ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 hours ago
  • Minister confirms reduced RUC rate for PHEVs
    Cabinet has agreed to a reduced road user charge (RUC) rate for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. Owners of PHEVs will be eligible for a reduced rate of $38 per 1,000km once all light electric vehicles (EVs) move into the RUC system from 1 April.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 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
    7 hours ago
  • NZ and Chinese Foreign Ministers hold official talks
    Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Wellington today. “It was a pleasure to host Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his first official visit to New Zealand since 2017. Our discussions were wide-ranging and enabled engagement on many facets of New Zealand’s relationship with China, including trade, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago
  • Kāinga Ora instructed to end Sustaining Tenancies
    Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities has been instructed to end the Sustaining Tenancies Framework and take stronger measures against persistent antisocial behaviour by tenants, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Earlier today Finance Minister Nicola Willis and I sent an interim Letter of Expectations to the Board of Kāinga Ora. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    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
    5 days ago
  • Ruapehu Alpine Lifts bailout the last, say Ministers
    Cabinet has agreed to provide $7 million to ensure the 2024 ski season can go ahead on the Whakapapa ski field in the central North Island but has told the operator Ruapehu Alpine Lifts it is the last financial support it will receive from taxpayers. Cabinet also agreed to provide ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Fresh produce price drop welcome
    Lower fruit and vegetable prices are welcome news for New Zealanders who have been doing it tough at the supermarket, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Stats NZ reported today the price of fruit and vegetables has dropped 9.3 percent in the 12 months to February 2024.  “Lower fruit and vege ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Statement to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the sixty-eighth session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Speech to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68)
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Government backs rural led catchment projects
    The coalition Government is supporting farmers to enhance land management practices by investing $3.3 million in locally led catchment groups, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced. “Farmers and growers deliver significant prosperity for New Zealand and it’s vital their ongoing efforts to improve land management practices and water quality are supported,” ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber
    Good evening everyone and thank you for that lovely introduction.   Thank you also to the Honourable Simon Bridges for the invitation to address your members. Since being sworn in, this coalition Government has hit the ground running with our 100-day plan, delivering the changes that New Zealanders expect of us. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Commission’s advice on ETS settings tabled
    Recommendations from the Climate Change Commission for New Zealand on the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) auction and unit limit settings for the next five years have been tabled in Parliament, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “The Commission provides advice on the ETS annually. This is the third time the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government lowering building costs
    The coalition Government is beginning its fight to lower building costs and reduce red tape by exempting minor building work from paying the building levy, says Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk. “Currently, any building project worth $20,444 including GST or more is subject to the building levy which is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Trustee tax change welcomed
    Proposed changes to tax legislation to prevent the over-taxation of low-earning trusts are welcome, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The changes have been recommended by Parliament’s Finance and Expenditure Committee following consideration of submissions on the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill. “One of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister’s Ramadan message
    Assalaamu alaikum. السَّلَام عليكم In light of the holy month of Ramadan, I want to extend my warmest wishes to our Muslim community in New Zealand. Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, renewed devotion, perseverance, generosity, and forgiveness.  It’s a time to strengthen our bonds and appreciate the diversity ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister appoints new NZTA Chair
    Former Transport Minister and CEO of the Auckland Business Chamber Hon Simon Bridges has been appointed as the new Board Chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) for a three-year term, Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced today. “Simon brings extensive experience and knowledge in transport policy and governance to the role. He will ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Speech to Life Sciences Summit
    Good morning all, it is a pleasure to be here as Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology.  It is fantastic to see how connected and collaborative the life science and biotechnology industry is here in New Zealand. I would like to thank BioTechNZ and NZTech for the invitation to address ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Progress continues apace on water storage
    Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says he is looking forward to the day when three key water projects in Northland are up and running, unlocking the full potential of land in the region. Mr Jones attended a community event at the site of the Otawere reservoir near Kerikeri on Friday. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government agrees to restore interest deductions
    Associate Finance Minister David Seymour has today announced that the Government has agreed to restore deductibility for mortgage interest on residential investment properties. “Help is on the way for landlords and renters alike. The Government’s restoration of interest deductibility will ease pressure on rents and simplify the tax code,” says ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister to attend World Anti-Doping Agency Symposium
    Sport and Recreation Minister Chris Bishop will travel to Switzerland today to attend an Executive Committee meeting and Symposium of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Mr Bishop will then travel on to London where he will attend a series of meetings in his capacity as Infrastructure Minister. “New Zealanders believe ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Pacific Language Weeks celebrate regional unity
    This year’s Pacific Language Weeks celebrate regional unity and the contribution of Pacific communities to New Zealand culture, says Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti.  Dr Reti announced dates for the 2024 Pacific Language Weeks during a visit to the Pasifika festival in Auckland today and says there’s so ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-03-19T03:14:08+00:00