The Fighting Foreign Corporate Control Bill

Written By: - Date published: 8:16 am, July 22nd, 2015 - 49 comments
Categories: act, democracy under attack, greens, International, labour, maori party, national, national/act government, nz first, peter dunne, same old national, trade - Tags:

Fletcher Tabuteau from New Zealand First should be praised for drafting a private member’s bill in an attempt to stop New Zealand entering into any treaty that includes provision for investor-state dispute settlement.

Labour, the Greens and the Maori Party support the introduction of the bill.  All that is required is one more vote to send the bill to select committee and that vote could be Peter Dunne’s.

You can email him at peter.dunne@parliament.govt.nz to ask him to support the introduction of the Bill.  The video suggests writing to ACT’s David Seymour but I suspect that no good will come of that.

49 comments on “The Fighting Foreign Corporate Control Bill ”

  1. Tautoko Mangō Mata 1

    Is dune correct or should it be dunne?

    [Ta. Fixed – MS]

  2. Charles 2

    I realise it’s a very simple “Bill” ‘n all, but it could do with some polishing. “Fighting…[anything that be baaad]” just doesn’t sound like a good name for an Act, but good for immediately summing up why supporters support it.

    Investor-State Disputes Bill/Act?
    International Settlement Act?
    Dispute Security Act?

    “This bill aims to protect the public interest by prohibiting New Zealand from entering international agreements that include provision for investor-state dispute settlement.”

    They need to lose the “public interest” bit. Doesn’t add anything now, and allows future lawyers/governments room to decide what the public interest is, or not, and undermine, repeal or ignore it.

    I’m sure it could eventually all go horribly wrong, and can think of one scenario where such a law would be a disadvantage (there’s something not quite right with legislating against good faith between parties, even corporate parties). The way things are going, is it possible a future NZ government-only-in-name, would have to team up with a foreign corporate to access a way out of the mess our “democratically elected” fools created? But that’s so far off into an imagined future that it probably doesn’t matter right now. As far as combatting the stupid of TPPA signatorys it’s the only thing we have so far.

    • mickysavage 2.1

      The bill is very simple and obviously there would be a mountain of technical reasons and concerns which is why getting it to select committee is important. Advice can then be received and changes made.

      For one thing I would like to see it have some strength. As an ordinary bill if enacted it can be impliedly repealed by any future act of Parliament.

      • Jackp 2.1.1

        I can’t see Peter Dunne voting for it although I did send him an email of my concerns about the TPPA. His office never returned a reply. Peter Dunne is bought by Key or threatened. I figure the TPPA is the reason why Key was put in the position he is in. The friendly press, no 4th estate, no investigative reporting or be hassled like what happened to Nicky Hagger. Dunne will be under a lot of pressure if he is thinking of voting for it. The reality is he won’t and the media will just pass over the whole thing. Deal done, Key won again not because he is a good prime minister, quite the opposite, but because the media protect him. Here we have a prime minister that is protecting the United States rights over ours. It’s glaring obvious but it will not get through to the voters because the media won’t do its job and INVESTIGATE!

      • Chooky 2.1.2

        +100 ms

    • I don’t think you can read.

      The bill doesn’t enshrine “public interest” for a future government to regulate.
      It states that public interest is the driver behind the bill.

      It does however try to shackle or rather limit the executive in its ability to sign international agreements.
      And while I agree with the content, this part makes me uneasy.

      edit. Hmm, but then again a future govt could simply remove the bill, so it doesnt really limit a govt. Except that overturning a bill of this nature would involve a political fight.

      So, on second thoughts, Yup, looks good to me.

  3. Skinny 3

    The cross party support of this Bill is clearly demonstrating a cohesive opposition. With Ma Fox outshining hapless Flavell in the Tory-Maori Party I fully expect her to take over the leadership within a year. Once this happens the relationship with Labour will flourish, provided the Maori party stay independent of the poison chalice Mana, who’s idiot leader I heard saying it was perfectly fine to eat endangered birds, the guy is just a dead beat who doesn’t warrant taking serious.

    • ” the guy is just a dead beat who doesn’t warrant taking serious.”

      stop being so hard on yourself I’m sure you have some good points lol.

      I do agree that Marama Fox is a good MP.

      As for customary eating – I suppose you’d ban Titi too.

      Typical – colonises come and fuck over the land, sea, rivers and forests – the birds don’t have a chance. Māori have lived with these birds for generations – caring for them, harvesting when appropriate, protecting, sustaining. The colonisers ruin the environment for the birds, they become at risk and all of a sudden any customary harvest for very specific and known reasons is considered b a d bad. naughty indigenous people please do what colonisers do instead of living the righteous life you always have.

      • DoublePlusGood 3.1.1

        Ah yes. Never have Maori caused depletion the numbers and the habitat of a species such that a population collapsed into extinction… exemplary was their environmental management…

        • marty mars 3.1.1.1

          that’s not what i said but good to know what you think – illuminating a darkness inside eh

          • DoublePlusGood 3.1.1.1.1

            Not at all. You appear to have missed my point – Maori have not necessary cared for bird populations for centuries, caring for, harvesting, protecting and sustaining populations. Some species became extinct through slash-and-burn agriculture mixed with over-hunting. Other populations were severely depleted – and some of those the Europeans later extirpated. There is a tendency to mythologise Maori history into a narrative of harmony with the environment, when that in reality was only partially the case. To claim then that sustainable management has occurred for centuries and this justifies continued take of a protected species then has consistency issues with history. Now, certain populations of kereru may be stable and healthy enough that a controlled take for traditional purposes may be ecologically sound, and perhaps an exemption to the protection of kereru could be sought in those instances. But, where the population of kereru is not stable and healthy, this population should be restored to such a state before controlled take of kereru should be permitted.

            • marty mars 3.1.1.1.1.1

              “Now, certain populations of kereru may be stable and healthy enough that a controlled take for traditional purposes may be ecologically sound, and perhaps an exemption to the protection of kereru could be sought in those instances. ”

              I agree. I was talking about kereru and i am aware of the tendency to greenMāori the past – I don’t think I was doing that and I appreciate your comment.

              • Gosman

                The following comment of yours

                “Typical – colonises come and fuck over the land, sea, rivers and forests – the birds don’t have a chance. Māori have lived with these birds for generations – caring for them, harvesting when appropriate, protecting, sustaining. The colonisers ruin the environment for the birds, they become at risk and all of a sudden any customary harvest for very specific and known reasons is considered b a d bad. naughty indigenous people please do what colonisers do instead of living the righteous life you always have.”

                is pretty much a textbook example of a ‘greenMāori the past’.

    • leftie 3.2

      @Skinny

      How about the Maori Party stay independent of the poisonous National government? because a vote for the Maori party is a vote for National.

  4. Brigid 4

    Where has he said that?
    He is one of a group who have lodged a claim concerning the Crown’s actions and omissions in its negotiations over the TPPA. So that’s fairly useful.
    http://mananews.co.nz/wp/?p=6175t

    • Skinny 4.1

      The silly prick said it on RNZ this morning. The cry baby is grandstanding and would be better handing over the movement leadership to Annette Sykes a woman with true Mana. It is not like he will beat Kelvin Davis again.

  5. Skinny 5

    One law for all Marty. We enjoy the company of a pair of Kereru who come and join us in our garden. They sit close by in a low hanging tree singing and talking amongst themselves, very amusing seeing them crash about the foliage. Every now and then they look good to eat, but a thought is as far as it goes. I choose not to justify some sort of customary traditional rights, and these beautiful birds live to sing forever more.

  6. Sable 6

    Good luck getting anywhere with Dung…..

    • Macro 6.1

      Yeah! You’ll find him in the dunny when it comes time to vote. 🙁 Useless prick.

  7. rod 7

    I think it will be a Dunne deal.

  8. Smilin 8

    The only predators NZ fauna and flora had before Euros-pee-in the pool/country was dem Maoris and Moriori and the Maori dealt to them
    Someone remarked recently that Maori never had bows and arrows
    Didnt need im a bloody long spear was all they needed
    Then them Pakeha come along and accelerated the carnage with animals slash and burn and billions of dollars worth of timber to the States Aussie and Angleland
    Instead of protecting our fishery because they couldnt see the resource that they had was going to be worth more than every cow sheep and any other exploitive money making enterprise you could pollute this country with ie AK housing, trucks , roads instead of lookin after the work of some world class railroad genius
    Allan Gibbshit the beginning of the end, Roger Dougfloss and his amazing flying buck ,Railroading the workers Muldoon, Rolla Bowler penny a pitch Bolger Gina Shipley Reinhardt, and SHONKEY lock up HONKEY
    Who’s next in the Rogues gallery ?While we watch our nation’s wheels fall off

  9. Gosman 9

    Does this mean these parties don’t agree with the China New Zealand FTA because it includes an investor – State Dispute process?

    http://www.chinafta.govt.nz/1-The-agreement/2-Text-of-the-agreement/12-Chapt-11-Investment/0-section11-part2.php

    • dukeofurl 9.1

      Thats more to NZs benefit as the rule of law in China can seem arbitrary away from the large cities.
      Chinese companies would use our legal system as specified

      -the state party may require the investor concerned to go through any applicable domestic administrative review procedures specified by the laws and regulations of the state party-

    • The Green Party was pretty explicit in it’s opposition to Investor State Disputes in: Sept. 2004* and again in 2008*.

      *links are to the Greens site. it’ll be on the govt site somewhere, but these copies were easier to find.

  10. Tautoko Mangō Mata 10

    Here are a few facts gleaned from a fact sheet on Investor-State Dispute Settlements published by the European Commission.
    http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2015/january/tradoc_153046.pdf

    “WHO BRINGS ISDS CASES?
    In the OECD survey (rom 2006-2011, it is shown that:
     48 % of the cases were brought by medium and large enterprises, varying in
    size from several hundred employees to tens of thousands of employees.
    o only 8% of these were extremely large Multinationals – i.e. those
    appearing in UNCTAD’s list of top 100 multinational enterprises;
     22% of the claimants in the sample were either individuals or very small
    corporations with limited foreign operations (one or two foreign projects);
     In 30 % of the cases, there was little or no public information on the type of
    claimant.
    . WHAT ARE ISDS CASES ABOUT?
    Most ISDS cases concern administrative acts by the executive branches of
    governments affecting foreign investors, such as the cancellation of licences or
    permits, land zoning or breaches of contract.
    SUCCESS RATE OF ISDS CASES
    According to UNCTAD
    , out of an overall number of concluded cases of 356 by the end
    of 2014:
     37% (132 cases) had been decided in favour of the State, with all claims
    dismissed either on jurisdictional grounds or on the merits;
     28% (101 cases) had been settled;
     25% (87 cases) were found in favour of the investor, with monetary
    compensation awarded;
     8% (29 cases) had been discontinued for reasons other than settlement or
    for unknown reasons;
    MONETARY CLAIMS AND COMPENSATION AWARDED
    A complete overview is difficult because information on the amounts claimed and
    awarded is not always disclosed, even in cases that are public.
    HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO ARBITRATE?
    Research by the OECD indicates that the average legal and arbitration costs for a
    claimant are around $8 million.
     The largest cost component is the expense incurred by each party (investor and
    state) for their own legal counsel and experts (about 82 % of the cost of an
    ISDS case).
     Arbitrator fees average about 16% of costs.
     Institutional costs payable to organisations that administer the arbitration
    and provide secretariat are low, generally amounting to about 2% of the costs. ”

    Peter Dunne: this is your chance to be Hero or Zero.

    A Hero would save NZ from this corporate takeover and theft of sovereignty. A Hero would recognise that any promise to lower agricultural tariffs in 15 to 20 years time would not compensate for our country to be able to make its own health and environment laws, free from the chilling effect of threats of multimillion dollar lawsuits.
    A Hero would recognise that sometimes it is better for our country to favour local service providers. A cheaper contract doesn’t always make economic sense, because the country will have to pay more benefits to NZ workers who will be put out of work.
    A Hero would recognise that the whole process of the TPPA has been shonky

    • Phil 10.1

      . WHAT ARE ISDS CASES ABOUT?
      Most ISDS cases concern administrative acts by the executive branches of
      governments affecting foreign investors, such as the cancellation of licences or
      permits, land zoning or breaches of contract.

      So… most cases are about matters of contract, the exact kind of disputes that an independent body is best suited to arbitrate on. Sounds good so far.

      37% (132 cases) had been decided in favour of the State, with all claims
      dismissed either on jurisdictional grounds or on the merits;
       28% (101 cases) had been settled;
       25% (87 cases) were found in favour of the investor, with monetary
      compensation awarded;
       8% (29 cases) had been discontinued for reasons other than settlement or
      for unknown reasons;

      The plurality of cases find in favour of the State… so there is little evidence of corporate takeover of sovereign policy. Great!

      • Tautoko Mangō Mata 10.1.1

        Phil: “The plurality of cases find in favour of the State… so there is little evidence of corporate takeover of sovereign policy. Great!”

        Phil isn’t short for Phillip Morris is it?

        “Regulatory chill’ as a risk brought about by ISDS, has already been exhibited in this very country in anticipation of a future ISDS claim, should TPPA be signed with an ISDS provision. Plain packaging has been put on hold in NZ for what reason…..?

        Headline NZH

        “Pressure to bring in tobacco plain-packaging”

        Beehive urged to hurry final vote by MPs following success of measure in Australia. The Government is being lobbied to bring the tobacco plain-packaging bill back to Parliament for a final vote, now the policy has been found to work “almost like a vaccine against tobacco” in Australia.

        The health select committee last year supported the bill but the Government has delayed bringing it back to the House pending the outcome of the challenges against the Australian law by the tobacco industry.”
        http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11410127

        and from Australia
        http://www.ag.gov.au/tobaccoplainpackaging

        “Tobacco plain packaging—investor-state arbitration
        On 1 December 2011, the Tobacco Plain Packaging Act 2011 (the Act) received Royal Assent and became law in Australia.

        The Act forms part of a comprehensive range of tobacco control measures to reduce the rate of smoking in Australia and is an investment in the long term health of Australians. Smoking is one of the leading causes of preventable death and disease in Australia.

        Tobacco plain packaging is a legitimate public health measure which is based on a broad range of peer reviewed studies and reports, and supported by leading Australian and international public health experts. Further information regarding the implementation of tobacco plain packaging is available on the Department of Health website.

        Philip Morris Asia is challenging the tobacco plain packaging legislation under the 1993 Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of Hong Kong for the Promotion and Protection of Investments (Hong Kong Agreement). This is the first investor-state dispute that has been brought against Australia.”

        ISDS is a can of worms, Phil. If you research the topic more, you will have your eyes opened.

  11. Tautoko Mangō Mata 11

    Peter Dunne: this is your chance to be Hero or Zero.

    A Hero would save NZ from this corporate takeover and theft of sovereignty. A Hero would recognise that any promise to lower agricultural tariffs in 15 to 20 years time would not compensate for our country to be able to make its own health and environment laws, free from the chilling effect of threats of multimillion dollar lawsuits.
    A Hero would recognise that sometimes it is better for our country to favour local service providers. A cheaper contract doesn’t always make economic sense, because the country will have to pay more benefits to NZ workers who will be put out of work.

    This could be your defining moment, Peter Dunne. Adulation or Vilification?
    Your choice!

    • Les 11.1

      The only choice Dunne makes is ,what colour bow tie to wear.

    • Wayne 11.2

      Well, vilification by you if he does not support the bill, but vilification from the govt which he is a member of if he does.

      Not hard to make the logical choice, particularly given that you would not have voted for him in a hundred years if you lived in his electorate.

      All this mock outrage by the Left is a bit ridiculous. You castigate the man because he does not support your position, even though you all ardently campaigned against him. So he owes you absolutely nothing.

      • Naturesong 11.2.1

        Thats the National party thinking in a nutshell.

        When you win, you govern specifically to advantage your supporters and to disadvantage every other New Zealander*.

        The “fuck you New Zealanders that didn’t vote for me” is strong in this one.

        * or at best wilful disregard.

      • Tautoko Mangō Mata 11.2.2

        I’m not concerned that he owes me nothing personally, Wayne, but Peter Dunne should act in the best interests of THIS country and its people who pay him his salary to represent them. It seems that the National Government are acting more in the interests of large corporations and in the political interests of the US which have no interest in the health and the environment of this country, just the profits that they can make and the regulations that they can inflict on us. Has the Government done a cost benefit analysis or NIA to see whether the increased medical charges caused by increasing the patent times is balanced by tariff removals on agriculture? Will any savings in services be enough to pay benefits to those NZers who may lose their jobs? How will NZ cope if there is a conflict between the environmental conservation and a litigious mining company?
        If the TPPA is so wonderful for us, then why is it not being flashed around to convince us?

        The medical profession in NZ? Why are they opposed to TPPA?
        The Librarians-, theTechies….the environmentalists… why are they opposed?

        This is not mock outrage, Wayne. Tell me honestly just who is actually going to benefit from the TPPA. Just how will NZ be better off?

        • Wayne 11.2.2.1

          Nature Song,

          My objection is more that you know Peter Dunne supports National. And as you know he will support TPP (and has previously said so). So it is hardly fair to blame him for supporting the things he said he would support.

          In fact these are the very reasons Labour tried so hard to displace him, but in that quest Labour failed.

          So stop blaming Peter Dunne for doing the things he was elected to do. Your option is to defeat him at the next election.

        • Wayne 11.2.2.2

          Tautoko Mango Mata

          I support TPP because freerer trade in goods and services benefits New Zealand. You already know that is my view.

          The Left (and quite possibly Labour) is opposed to that view point.

          Free markets is a key reason why I am a National Party member.

          • Macro 11.2.2.2.1

            I oppose free trade – because such trade is always at the expense of New Zealand jobs and New Zealand – and there is ample evidence to support my claim.
            New Zealand used to manufacture its own clothes, electrical appliances, wine bottles, yachts, railway engines, car tyres, ….and the list goes on. We used to process our own lumber and export butter and cheese, but now it is almost soley milk powder. The only shops in my town that are making any money are almost all owned by new immigrants selling cheap articles that are used once and head straight for the dump!
            We used to have 3% unemployment in this country, and people were gainfully employed and workers could earn enough to support their families. Today if a young person is lucky enough to find a job there is no guarantee that they will have sufficient employment hours or renumeration to keep themselves let alone a family! Our wages and conditions have been driven down by those off shore with whom our exporters and manufacturers are competing.
            We have one of the most open borders in the world and our economy is slowly but surely sinking to that of the least common denominator and there is nothing NZ can do about it until we stop this senseless rush to be the first to have “free” trade deals with all and sundry.

  12. Fletcher Tabuteau’s Bill will be introduced at 2130 tonight.

    If you cannot get along to hear it from the Public Gallery (assume it will be open), try getting to a T.V. where you can watch the Parliamentary Channel.

  13. Penny Bright 13

    What’s your view Wayne, on John Key being a shareholder in the Bank of America?

    (See pg 29 of the 2015 Register of MPs Financial Interests.)

    Is he working for US or the U$?

    Follow the dollar……..?

    How is this not a CORRUPT ‘conflict of interest’?

    Penny Bright

  14. Penny Bright 14

    Can Fonterra see the text of the TPPA Wayne?

    Yes or no?

    If no – how can they be sure that Minister of Trade Tim Groser, is negotiating the best deal for dairy?

    Isn’t Minister of Trade Tim Groser ‘conflicted’ in his apparently wanting the ‘baubles of office’ (the job of NZ Ambassador to the USA)?

    Wouldn’t it be a big feather in Tim Groser’s cap to have NZ sign up to the TPPA – irrespective of how good this deal is for NZ as a nation, the majority of New Zealanders and NZ businesses?

    How can New Zealanders trust Minister of Trade Tim Groser, when the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security is currently (of her own volition) investigating the use of the NZ spy agency (the GCSB) to spy on Tim Groser’s rivals for the WTO leadership position?

    How could Tim Groser NOT have known about the GCSB spying on his WTO rivals?

    What would have been the point of this spying – if Tim Groser wasn’t told the results?

    DUH?

    And who was the Minister in charge of the GCSB at that time?

    Oh – that’s right.

    Prime Minister John Key (shareholder in the Bank of America)…

    How can we trust these ‘Ministers’, and the assurances they give about how good the GCSB will be for New Zealand?

    How do we know how good the TPPA will be for NZ exporters, the public and our NZ nation State – IF WE CAN’T SEE THE TPPA TEXT???

    Penny Bright

  15. Penny Bright 15

    I spoke to Fletcher Tabuteau earlier this evening and he confirmed his Fighting Foreign Corporate Control Bill should be getting its first reading at 8.30pm (ish).
    _________________________________________________________________________________
    This was forwarded by ‘It’s Our Future’ – FYI
    _________________________________________________________________________________
    Emergency! Calling all tweeters!

    It’s looking like the Fighting Foreign Corporate Control Bill will be getting its first reading tonight!

    We need you to tweet @PeterDunneMP to ask him to support the bill to its second reading so NZers can have a serious debate about investor-state dispute settlement provisions, their effects on our laws and our democracy.

    Be respectful ………….

    If you don’t have twitter, then email Peter Dunne p.dunne@ministers.govt.nz

    Want to know more about investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) provisions? Check out these excellent videos:

    http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/video/2015/jul/02/the-undercurrent-tpp-icsid-tisa-ttip-video

    https://vimeo.com/133411377

    __________________________________________________________________________________

    SEIZE THE MOMENT!

    Penny Bright

  16. Tautoko Mangō Mata 16

    National showed total arrogance over this important issue of ISDS by leaving a few back benchers in the house to speak against Fletcher Tabuteau’s Bill. While all speakers in support of the Bill had well crafted and reasoned arguments, the shambling, ill prepared efforts of National’s Mark Mitchell and David Bennett in particular, both of whom implied that FTAs were not able to exist without ISDS, were of an appalling standard considering that we are paying their salaries.
    National with the help of Peter Dunne and David Seymour probably think that this is the end of the matter, but in fact, the spectre of ISDS is probably the major point of objection against the TPPA. By allowing a reasoned debate, National would have had a chance to dispel much of the disquiet against this aspect of the TPPA. Instead they have thumbed their noses, by shutting down discussion.

    Sorry but “Trust us, we know best” does not cut it any more.
    The track record of National’s deals- Serco, charter schools, Saudi farms, Sky City, Swamp Kauri, ,,, all show evidence of poor judgement.

  17. Save NZ 17

    Great to see NZ First, Labour, Maori and Greens collaborating!!!

    TPP is not a free trade agreement it is a corporate welfare agreement and will benefit the biggest most greedy and most underhand overseas corporates.

    Look at what is happening to Fonterra under current free trade agreements, hundreds of job losses and milk prices going south. Free trade agreements could work, but clearly the details are very important and I’m not sure NZ is really competent in this area. China seems to be able to create their own dairy supply chain – direct to China – not helping the local industry.

    If any party stand for jobs in this country I do not know why they would support the ideology of unfettered free marketeers who place corporate profit of offshore companies over local jobs.

    I don’t mind overseas investment and foreign companies but only if it creating value, well paid jobs and investment in this country. If it is about taking our raw assets as cheaply as possible and exporting them to be made cheaper else where and then importing them back here so we are paying more for our own raw products in our own country – clearly not going to work out for Kiwis in the long run. Likewise if importing cheap labour to work in this country is the norm, it is just lowering local wages and reducing local jobs.

    Someone told me that we mostly eat Australian beef in this country, all our premium meat is exported offshore. Might explain the exobitant cost of food in this country.

    Under varies TPP scenarios the next ‘offshoring’ opportunity, is to services, health, prisons, courts, social welfare etc. Charter schools and Serco, Social bonds that is just the tip of the iceberg.

    Pleased to see at least some action and collaboration on this issue by the opposition. It is a pity we have to rely on Peter Dunne’s conscience – because it is missing – and David Seymour – now we have further MP welfare waste of taxpayers dollars – what can you say?

  18. Brigid 18

    @PeterDunne will no longer receive tweets from me. Damn.

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 ...
    2 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
    48 mins 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
    2 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
    5 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
    5 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
    5 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
    6 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
    7 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
    21 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
    3 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
    5 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
    6 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
    19 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
    23 hours 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 2024-03-19T02:25:19+00:00