The link between tax havens, criminals and the amoral rich

Written By: - Date published: 2:23 pm, May 9th, 2016 - 162 comments
Categories: capitalism, john key, tax - Tags: , , , , , , , ,

What the Panama Papers expose, and what John Key and his supporters, fail to grasp, or wilfully

Former RBNZ Governor and Nat and Act Party leader Don Brash

Former RBNZ Governor and Nat and Act Party leader Don Brash

won’t grasp, is that there is no possible justification for tax havens.

Key quibbles about whether New Zealand is a tax haven, but his government set up a regime via a minor rule change in 2011 that opened the floodgates to criminals, oligarchs and the mafia as well as the plain wealthy, using a zero rated tax regime for foreigners.

This regime allows foreigners who register entities here to legally pay no tax on earnings outside New Zealand and disclosure rules are so poorly drafted, possibly deliberately, that they may as well not exist.

It allows companies and trusts to be shrouded in secrecy via nominee companies run by firms such as Antipodes Trust Group, run by Key’s “lawyer”, Ken Whitney, and Bentleys New Zealand, the local arm of Panama law firm Mossack Fonseca, whose leaked files are now the focus of a global scandal.

Key might not accept it, and he can spin all he likes by saying that because Nicky Hager is involved, it is just a Left Wing conspiracy. But in anyone objective person’s books, New Zealand is a tax haven.

“It looks likes one, it smells like one, and it’s been used as one, then to all intents and purposes it is a tax haven,” Green Party Co-leader James Shaw said.

Former Reserve Bank Governor who is also a former National Party and Act Party leader, Don Brash, told The Standard, “if we were setting up a system that allows people to evade tax, that would be wrong.”

“The Panama Papers issue is either illegal, or verging on illegal, it’s tax evasion, rather than tax avoidance,” Brash said.

“It seems to me that people involved in Panama structures are almost certainly trying to evade tax and I think that’s entirely reprehensible.”

Brash said everyone has to pay their fair share of tax. “I myself would never attempt to hide anything in a tax haven. There is an ethical question.”

“If we do have a tax haven here, I’d be very unhappy. What’s going on in Panama seems entirely inappropriate, if not criminal. If that’s what’s happening, and New Zealanders are playing a substantive part in that, then that’s reprehensible. “

Brash, who has previously chaired four national committees of inquiry into tax matters said that if the zero tax regime for foreigners was doing damage to New Zealand’s reputation, “it isn’t worth 25 million bucks. But I don’t know how much damage it is doing.”

That begs the question as to why New Zealand has not just tolerated the establishment of the current tax regime, but actively facilitated it and supported it.

Key claims the $25 million in fees gathered by accountants and lawyers who administer these schemes are the justification. But surely, that is not worth sullying New Zealand’s “100 percent pure’ low corruption/high transparent reputation that is worth megabucks?

A recent story about HSCB bank, one of the world’s largest and murkiest banks, by International Consortium of Investigative Journalist (ICIJ), which has been given full access to the Panama Papers, shines light on the intersection of international crime and legitimate business.

Secret documents obtained by ICIJ via French newspaper Le Monde, reveal that HSBC profited from doing business with arms dealers who channeled mortar bombs to child soldiers in Africa, bag men for Third World dictators, traffickers in blood diamonds and other international outlaws. As well as Hollywood stars, monarchs, political leaders, businessmen and women, every kind of low life imaginable is in the files.

The leaked files, based on the inner workings of HSBC’s Swiss private banking arm, relate to accounts holding more than US$100 billion.

“The documents… show the bank’s dealings with clients engaged in a spectrum of illegal behavior, especially in hiding hundreds of millions of dollars from tax authorities,” ICIJ states.

Switzerland’s notorious secret banking system plays a vital part in the circle of dirty money.

Tax havens such as Niue, the Cook Islands and New Zealand also play a vital role, but it less important, as they can be relatively easily replaced by new havens, such is the simplicity, of setting up havens. Once the cash has been washed and laundered and declared ‘tax paid” via such havens, it can be stashed with more security and legitimacy in Switzerland.

The Mossack Fonseca files reveal what is so great about the New Zealand tax haven is its reputation as a good and clean place to do business.

The great thing about New Zealand, Mossack says in its promotional material , is that New Zealand has a reputation for its transparency and fiscal compliance. It is member of the UN, the OECD, IMF and belongs to the British Commonwealth.

The HSBC documents show celebs of all kinds including soccer and tennis players, cyclists, rock stars, Hollywood actors, royalty, politicians, corporate executives and old-wealth families held accounts in its Swiss private bank and many made special trips to Geneva to withdraw large wads of cash, sometimes in used notes.

The files also document huge sums of money controlled by dealers in diamonds who are known to have operated in war zones and sold gemstones to finance insurgencies that caused untold deaths.

How the offshore banking industry shelters money and hides secrets has enormous implications for societies across the globe.

Academics conservatively estimate that US$7.6 trillion is held in overseas tax havens, costing government treasuries at least US$200 billion a year.

That would pay for an awful lot of taxes that the likes of you and I have to pay.

French economist Thomas Piketty, author of Capital in the Twenty-First Century, told ICIJ: “The offshore industry is a major threat for our democratic institutions and our basic social contract.”

“Financial opacity is one of the key drivers of rising global inequality. It allows a large fraction of top income and top wealth groups to pay negligible tax rates, while the rest of us pay large taxes in order to finance the public goods and services (education, health, infrastructures) that are indispensable for the development process.”

The secret files obtained by ICIJ — covering accounts up to 2007 associated with more than 100,000 individuals and legal entities from more than 200 nations — are a version of the ones the French government obtained and shared with other governments in 2010, leading to prosecutions or settlements with individuals for tax evasion in several countries. Nations whose tax authorities received the French files include the U.S., Spain, Italy, Greece, Germany, Britain, Ireland, India, Belgium and Argentina.

A US senate investigation in 2012 found that HSCB had lax controls that allowed Latin American drug cartels to launder hundreds of millions of ill-gotten dollars through its US operations, rendering the dirty money usable.

Later in 2012, HSBC agreed to pay more than US$1.9 billion to settle U.S. criminal and civil investigations and entered into a five-year deferred-prosecution agreement. The beauty of such settlements from the bank’s perspective, is that its dirt is never aired in public.

As well as high profilers such as Tina Turner and the late David Bowie, the reporters found the names of current and former politicians from Britain, Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, Kenya, Romania, India, Liechtenstein, Mexico, Tunisia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Paraguay, Djibouti, Senegal, the Philippines and Algeria, among others.

None of this will come as any great surprise. Nor is it certain that having such an account, guarantees you are involved in dirty business. But there is certainly a smoking gun as to why you would use such an account.

In many ways, the most instructive comments on tax havens come from Mossack Fonseca principal Jurgen Mossack, who gave the most extraordinarily revealing interview to Pacific journalist Mike Field as far back as 2000, when he was already on the case and reprised recently in The Spinoff.

He told Field his business involved people “trying to avoid paying taxes in their home countries,” and it was all legitimate because it was avoidance, not evasion.

The OECD was using money laundering as a pretence to go after tax, he claimed.

“If OECD countries want to be serious about unfair tax competition they are going to have to close down their own operations first.”

The tiny state of Niue, population 1,100, where Mossack Fonseca set up in 1996 with thousands of clients, was not useful for criminal money laundering, because Niue had no actual banking system, he said.

Mossack correctly noted that money laundering via states like Nauru could only be done with the complicity of the world’s big banks such as HSBC because they have no proper banks for safely holding money.

Field has reported that vast amounts of Mexican drug money was laundered via US-based banks using shell New Zealand company fronts, mostly set up by father and son operation Geoffrey and Michael Taylor, who have registered a huge percentage of companies registered in New Zealand.

“Every operation of that scale needs the intervention of the big international banks,” Mossack told Field.

“When they see an unusual operation they must know it, and if they then continue the business it is because, either they are not interested in the morals of the story, or they see it as good business to continue these operations.”

“If you have figures of that sort… then the international banks know what they are doing.”

But according to Key, it’s all okay.

(Simon Louisson formerly worked for The Wall Street Journal, NZPA, Reuters, The Jerusalem Post and was most recently a political and media adviser to the Green Party)

 

162 comments on “The link between tax havens, criminals and the amoral rich ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Anno1701 1
    9 May 2016 at 2:54 pm

    Jesus wept, If Brash the libertarian thinks it looks dodgy ……..

    well what else can you say really !

  2. Magisterium 2
    9 May 2016 at 3:01 pm

    [removed]
    [lprent: You were banned here. Added another week. ]

  3. ianmac 3
    9 May 2016 at 3:26 pm

    Their bottom line is that Tax avoidance is legal and that Trusts are legal so why make a fuss Simon? John Key says it is all OK. He has avoided any disclosure improvements so lets just go back to our knitting. Yes?
    No. Thankyou Simon for a fullsome expose. My limited knowledge is steadily improving with your help. Keep it up.

    • aerobubble 3.1
      9 May 2016 at 3:41 pm

      Key wanted to brand upgrade NZ with a change of flag, now he’s clueless to the undermining of our brand, and his lie that its to complex for him to understand how such legal entities can be used by criminals, and well Labour introduced them to that makes it all right, all damned by politician ineptitude.

  4. roy cartland 4
    9 May 2016 at 3:40 pm

    Surprising no one’s come up with the argument on what the US wastes it’s taxes on. Are we up to 50% on Military spending yet? Close if not.

    I imagine if I had m/billions I could deceive myself into thinking I’d done the world a favour by not paying US tax and hiding it; with the intention of giving the other 50% I owe to worthy causes, you know, when I’m good and ready.

  5. john 5
    9 May 2016 at 4:03 pm

    Some maths and perspective for you: (apart from none of this is illegal or immoral and only the ridiculous socialists think they are entitled to other peoples money).

    11.4 million DOCUMENTS.
    NZ mentioned 61000 times…how many times per document?
    Suggested example:
    Blah Blah (NZ) Ltd
    24 whosit street
    sometown
    New Zealand

    PO Box XXX
    Anytown
    New Zealand

    Blahblah@init.co.nz

    http://www.blahblah.co.nz

    Would this be at the top of each page, of each document and therefore in a 2 page document (would suggest this is the minimum) if NZ is mentioned say 5 times per document in the text then NZ was mentioned 15 times per document.

    So out of 61000 mentions…that would be 4067 documents out of 11.4 million

    ie 0.036%.

    approximate size of NZ population….0.06% of the world population, means we are mentioned in the panama papers about half as often as you would expect on the world stage.

    • Richard@Down South 5.1
      9 May 2016 at 4:12 pm

      You realise of course that money is owned by a government, and is only distributed for you to use?

      • john 5.1.1
        9 May 2016 at 4:17 pm

        untrue.
        Governments are, even the ridiculous socialist ones, of the people either by vote or default.
        So the money belongs to those who EARN it. Not those who administer it.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 5.2
      9 May 2016 at 4:16 pm

      It all adds up to the conclusion that NZ is a tax haven. I note that the document drop covers decades, whereas our “industry” has ballooned in just the last five years.

      • john 5.2.1
        9 May 2016 at 4:29 pm

        Must be a VERY small haven then…..0.036% of a haven perhaps.

        • One Anonymous Bloke 5.2.1.1
          9 May 2016 at 4:48 pm

          Was the point about decades a bit esoteric, sweety?

          I shall use your argument in court: “Your honour, my client only beat John about the head with a copy of the tax code for 0.036% of his life…”

        • North 5.2.1.2
          9 May 2016 at 5:05 pm

          John brings into play the discussion between the ‘lady’ and George Bernard Shaw. Quantum is all that matters. To hell with principle.

        • Pat 5.2.1.3
          9 May 2016 at 6:14 pm

          care to establish the dollar percentage to add to this amoral display?

    • Cowboy 5.3
      9 May 2016 at 4:22 pm

      That comment needs to be called on the bullshit that it is.

      I don’t want a single cent of ill gotten gain laundered through this country. No one has yet come up with a good reason why we should provide these services apart from a few lousy mil in lawyers fees. Anyone who thinks it’s acceptable to condone the trashing of New Zealand’s hard won international reputation for such a pulpy amount needs to examine their own values.

      • Cowboy 5.3.1
        9 May 2016 at 4:25 pm

        For clarity my comment was for John.

      • john 5.3.2
        9 May 2016 at 4:27 pm

        and you proof or even evidence that any money administered here is ill gotten???

        • One Anonymous Bloke 5.3.2.1
          9 May 2016 at 4:34 pm

          🙄

          …is invisible to John. Apparently.

        • joe90 5.3.2.2
          9 May 2016 at 4:36 pm

          and you proof or even evidence that any money administered here is ill gotten???

          Not a sausage, yet, because the beauty of the scheme being sold is that there’s no mechanism to deem riches ill gotten or otherwise.

          But should the authorities look at your accounts the onus is on you to show that indeed, your deposits have been gained legitimately.

          See the problem…..

          • Psycho Milt 5.3.2.2.1
            9 May 2016 at 5:14 pm

            The right-wingers have been running this one in their comments since the story broke. The foreign trust rules make it impossible to establish whether said trusts are being used for tax evasion and money laundering; and instead of saying “Holy shit, that needs fixing immediately,” our right-wing commenters say “You can’t prove it!” Classy.

            • McFlock 5.3.2.2.1.1
              9 May 2016 at 5:23 pm

              Indeed.

              I wonder if they expect customs to have the same attitude – only give customs officers the power to examine bags if they know the exact serial number of the bag that needs to be searched. And then claim that although people might have used similar arrangements in other countries to smuggle drugs, there’s no evidence that any of the uninspected boxes were used to smuggle drugs into NZ. So therefore there’s no problem with the system.

              I suppose it only counts when rich people do it, though.

            • International Rescue 5.3.2.2.1.2
              9 May 2016 at 5:38 pm

              For clarification…that’s not the line I’m running. I’m calling people out on claims that are revealing a> a profound ignorance of NZ’s laws and b> a profound and irrational hatred of John Key. If, in amongst the foreign trusts set up n NZ there is a single trust used to evade tax or launder ill gotten gains, we need to fix that. But the fact remains, there is no evidence that that has occurred.

              • wtl …
                9 May 2016 at 6:48 pm

                You said:

                …that’s not the line I’m running…

                Yet,

                …there is no evidence that that has occurred…

                is pretty much equivalent to “You can’t prove it!”.

                Edit: Plus, you also said “because at the moment nothing untoward has been proven.” in comment 8.1

                • McFlock …
                  9 May 2016 at 8:25 pm

                  Doesn’t work – IR has installed logical contradiction filters, so pointing out their hypocrisy doesn’t result in their head frying like a Star Trek robot. They just reset and go on with more bullshit.

                • International Rescue …
                  9 May 2016 at 8:57 pm

                  Yep you can’t prove it. When you can, come back with something.

                  • wtl …
                    9 May 2016 at 9:44 pm

                    If you can’t see any contradiction in those statements, there is absolutely no point engaging with you, since you seem to be either completely clueless or deliberately disingenuine.

            • Jack Ramaka 5.3.2.2.1.3
              9 May 2016 at 8:58 pm

              Typical legal argument deny, deny, deny?

              JK is not showing any leadership on this issue?

        • framu 5.3.2.3
          10 May 2016 at 7:31 am

          the actual question is “Does our regime make it possible?”

          if it does allow money laundering then it is, by design, a bad system that needs to be replaced

          no one has to prove any actual money laundering – all that needs to be proven is that it is possible using NZ law

    • dv 5.4
      9 May 2016 at 4:37 pm

      There is that pinhead again (dancing in cause you get offended john)

    • Tony Veitch (not the partner-bashing 3rd rate broadcaster) 5.5
      9 May 2016 at 4:55 pm

      It seems to me that it’s not the frequency of NZ’s name appearing in the 11 million documents, which apparently date as far back as 1977, but the time we are mentioned.

      Key set this country up as a tax haven in 2011, so I imagine NZ is mentioned much more frequently in more recent documents.

      So, overall, we may have only been mentioned 60,000 times, but those 60,000 times may have all occurred in the last five years – a much more damning fact!

      • International Rescue 5.5.1
        9 May 2016 at 5:01 pm

        The current foreign trust laws pre-date Key.

        • One Anonymous Bloke 5.5.1.1
          9 May 2016 at 5:06 pm

          Apart from the ones that don’t.

          …reduces tax for non-residents…

          Keep twisting, I’m having fun.

          • International Rescue 5.5.1.1.1
            9 May 2016 at 5:19 pm

            The foreign trust laws pre-date Key. The 2011 changes were minor, as excellently outlined here http://thestandard.org.nz/key-changed-the-law-to-turn-nz-into-a-tax-haven/#comment-1159088

            Figured out the difference between inequality and poverty yet?

            • One Anonymous Bloke 5.5.1.1.1.1
              9 May 2016 at 5:39 pm

              Yes, tax avoidance makes both of them worse.

            • Sacha 5.5.1.1.1.2
              9 May 2016 at 8:29 pm

              From that link:
              “In fact investors in a PIE – even if they are overseas – must meet full anti-money laundering regs which includes verified copies of passports and utility bills and this info is available for both the FMA and the IRD.”

              Where ‘available for’ means ‘only if they ask for it’. And why would they? Overseas jurisdictions also cannot see who the settlors or beneficiaries of any given trust are, just the carefully selected beige NZ names like Roger Thompson that won’t attract interest.

              Nice try.

              • International Rescue …
                9 May 2016 at 8:54 pm

                So? All you’re doing is confirming there are disclosure rules. And confirming the way things ave been for years. Thanks.

              • Andrew …
                9 May 2016 at 11:46 pm

                wrong, that info is needed for investing in PIE’s. the “only if they ask for it” stuff is the other trusts we are talking about, you know, the ones that have been around since the 80’s. the ones that the panama papers are actually taking about.

                • One Anonymous Bloke …
                  10 May 2016 at 11:27 am

                  How do you know what they’re talking about: had time to read them have you? Speed reading champion of the universe.

          • Andrew 5.5.1.1.2
            9 May 2016 at 11:42 pm

            you missed a bit … “investing through New Zealand portfolio investment entities” …

            you were saying?

            • One Anonymous Bloke 5.5.1.1.2.1
              10 May 2016 at 5:54 am

              Yes, I was saying that changes were made by this government in 2011. If you look a little closer, IRD are very helpful:

              The [2011] Act introduces two new categories of PIE: “foreign investment zero-rate PIE” …Zero-rate PIEs are generally only able to invest offshore…

              You were saying?

              • Andrew …
                10 May 2016 at 11:13 am

                I’m still trying to understand what you are getting at.

                We all know that the 2011 law change was to zero rate investment returns in PIE funds for foreign investors where the fund invests in overseas investments. Non-tax resident, you don’t pay NZ tax on income generated off-shore. Simple.

                But the facts are these, you can’t anonymously invest in a PIE and you can’t own more than 20% (ish) of a PIE, therefore they are extremely unlikely to be used to evade tax as the IRD knows exactly who is investing in these entities.

                The panama papers have nothing at all to do with these types of investments. Therefore this whole Key made us a tax haven with the 2011 tax changes to PIE funds, is, in a word, bollocks.

                • One Anonymous Bloke …
                  10 May 2016 at 11:25 am

                  Perhaps you can explain what the changes to “Sections CP 1, CX 56, CX 56B, DB 54B, HM 1, HM 2, HM 6, HM 6B, HM 7, HM 8, HM 11 to 13, HM 19B, HM 19C, HM 31 to 33, HM 35C, HM 41, HM 44, HM 44B, HM 47, HM 51, HM 53, HM 55C to 55H, HM 60, HM 61, HM 64, HM 65, HM 71B, HM 82, IC 3, LS 1, LS 2, YA 1 and schedule 6” mean then.

                  The IRD says:

                  The PIE rules have had time to bed down and the relevant legislation is now relatively settled. At the same time, various reports (most recently, the report of the International Funds Services Development Group) noted there is the potential for New Zealand to become a “financial hub”, providing back-office services to international managed funds. To take advantage of such an opportunity, the over-taxation of non-resident investors in PIEs would need to be resolved. This is the objective of the new foreign investment PIE rules.

                  Key features

                  The Act introduces two new categories of PIE: “foreign investment zero-rate PIE” (referred to as “zero-rate PIEs”) and “foreign investment variable-rate PIE” (referred to as “variable-rate PIEs”). The rules for these PIEs aim to align the tax treatment of non-resident investors in the PIE with the tax treatment of direct non-resident investors. Resident investors in a foreign investment PIE will continue to be taxed as if they were in an ordinary PIE.
                  The new rules are optional. PIEs do not need to elect to become one of the new types of PIE and can continue to apply the existing rules, where PIEs are taxed at 28 percent on the income attributable to non-residents.
                  Zero-rate PIEs are generally only able to invest offshore. De minimis levels of New Zealand-sourced income are allowed, however. This allows such a PIE to finance its day-to-day operations with a New Zealand bank account, for example.
                  Zero-rate PIEs are taxed at zero percent on all PIE income attributable to certain non-residents.
                  Variable-rate PIEs can invest into both New Zealand and offshore assets.
                  Variable-rate PIEs face a variety of different tax rates on income attributable to non-residents, depending on the type and source of the income.

                  Which looks like something that was taxed at 28% became taxed at 0%, and is only available to offshore investors. And forget you ever heard the term ‘financial hub’. Just erase it from memory.

                  • Andrew …
                    10 May 2016 at 11:50 am

                    there is the potential for New Zealand to become a “financial hub”, providing back-office services to international managed funds

                    Financial hub != tax haven. “providing back-office services to international managed funds” != tax haven.

                    There is absolutely nothing wrong with the above. It is all above board, fully legal and compliant with the anti money laundering laws.

                    Once again, PIE managed funds are NOT used to avoid tax … sheesh … Off shore trusts in NZ have ALWAYS been zero rated for overseas income. Nothing has changed there. The change was only related to managed funds that were created in 2007/08 to bring them inline with the existing laws around overseas investments for foreign owned trusts.

                    You are putting 2 and 2 together to make 6.

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      10 May 2016 at 12:02 pm

                      28 ≠ 0

                      I get that you believe what you’re saying, and yet we’ve learned how the “zero-rate” trick can be used to avoid tax – because it still counts as a tax rate.

                    • Andrew …
                      10 May 2016 at 1:30 pm

                      I really don’t think that “trick” applies to managed funds. They would still have to declare income in their home country. To not declare income would be tax evasion.

                      Anyway, will leave it there. Ill go off and see if i can see anything about the “yes i have paid tax in NZ, it was just zero tax” trick that you mention.

                      Would be handy if an actual tax professional could clear this all up as there is a “lot” of reading between the lines going on.

                      Cheers

        • Tony Veitch (not the partner-bashing 3rd rate broadcaster) 5.5.1.2
          9 May 2016 at 6:18 pm

          IR @ 5.5.1

          You’ve missed the point I made – deliberately?

          The fact may be that NZ may be mentioned relatively frequency in papers dating from 2011, when the tax regime was changed by the National Government.

          This makes the 60,000 mentions of much more significance.

        • Pat 5.5.1.3
          9 May 2016 at 6:19 pm

          you really are a broken record …it has already been established (and pointed out again today by tax experts) that the 2011 changes were what supercharged the desirability of FTs in NZ

    • Lanthanide 5.6
      9 May 2016 at 5:17 pm

      How many ‘documents’ are emails which are idle chit-chat or unimportant office administrivia?

      Like – we need to buy a cake for X who is leaving today.

    • Richard@Down South 5.7
      9 May 2016 at 6:45 pm

      Your math fails… if NZ was responsible for 99% of the ‘tax haven business’, im sure NZ wouldnt be mentioned in 99% of the documents… they could just say ‘NZ is responsible for by far and most of the ‘tax haven’ business… the fact we are mentioned so often, should be a badge of shame

      Let me put it this way…

      replace tax haven, and replace with ‘contact killings’… if that were the case, we’d be down right upset

      • International Rescue 5.7.1
        9 May 2016 at 8:55 pm

        NZ is not a tax haven. NZ isn’t responsible for any contract killings.

  6. shorts 6
    9 May 2016 at 4:17 pm

    this is possibly a dumb question, and a bit off topic – but where is the money?

    Is NZ a conduit to these peoples money going elsewhere or does some/most/all of it reside here?

    • Matthew Hooton 6.1
      9 May 2016 at 4:36 pm

      It doesn’t even necessarily come here at all.

      • Anno1701 6.1.1
        9 May 2016 at 4:50 pm

        yes no one is showing up at the airport with suitcases of Yuan/euro/pounds/pesos

        but there will be be (most likely) many many millions of $ worth of “assets” owned by these “structures”

        thats the point of them , say i live somewhere wth ooooh i dont know,how bouit a land tax, if my huge mansion is owned by an offshore company & i simply “rent” it from said company , then i aint liable for the tax…

        of course the double benefit is i can offset my payments (to myself via my offshore structure) as a cost for tax purposes

        i win both ways and my country of residence looses out….

        also a great way around currency controls (like in China ) as you can drip feed your money out of the country as “payments” to your offshore structure

        I would imagine quite a few foreign students here in NZ have there “rent” paid by the parents back home….

    • International Rescue 6.2
      9 May 2016 at 4:46 pm

      A foreign trust can open accounts anywhere in the world. It is possible some of the funds will be invested here, but given our relative size, I would suggest a significant amount of the funds will reside offshore.

      • One Anonymous Bloke 6.2.1
        9 May 2016 at 4:51 pm

        Yes, and forget that you ever heard the term “financial hub”…it’s a distant memory, fading away, and…gone, never happened. A bit like your financial expertise.

      • shorts 6.2.2
        9 May 2016 at 4:53 pm

        thanks for that -wasn’t totally sure as its not clear in all the articles I’ve read

        So we’re a clearing house or broker then, one that legitimises other people doing dishonourable things, cool

        • International Rescue 6.2.2.1
          9 May 2016 at 5:14 pm

          We don’t legitimise anything. If you know of people laundering money in or through NZ, tell the authorities.

    • Pat 6.3
      9 May 2016 at 6:38 pm

      of course the odd 10 million or so may find its way here….

      http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/invest/investment/default.htm

  7. International Rescue 7
    9 May 2016 at 4:32 pm

    “but his government set up a regime via a minor rule change in 2011 that opened the floodgates to criminals, oligarchs and the mafia as well as the plain wealthy, using a zero rated tax regime for foreigners.”

    That is nonsense, and you know it. The essence of our foreign trust regime was established under a Labour Gvt, unchanged by a Labour Gvt, and largely unchanged by a national Gvt. Even your header is dishonest, because Brash clearly said “IF”.

    Here’s what Peter Dunne said “I am especially concerned at the revelation that the numbers of foreign trusts established in New Zealand has gone up almost four-fold in the last decade.” The LAST DECADE! Not since 2011.

    That said, please keep going. The over-reach, the eye watering hysteria, the involvement of Nicky hager, the shrill and irrational reaction of Little, is once again ensuring a two point bounce for national.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 7.1
      9 May 2016 at 4:40 pm

      Reality check: RNZ, the ICIJ and TVNZ involved Hager.

      Beyond that, everyone knows you agree with the Prime Minister. I note he has changed his story from “it isn’t happening” to “Labour did it too”.

      Polly wanna cracker?

      • International Rescue 7.1.1
        9 May 2016 at 4:47 pm

        Media and Hager. A really credible combination lol. Oh and no-one’s arguing ‘Labour did it as well’ because there is yet to be proven that there is an ‘it’.

        “The government’s proposed foreign trust policy is another area where we have worked extensively with affected taxpayers to produce good, workable tax policy.
        Under current law, foreign trusts that have New Zealand-resident trustees but receive no New Zealand income are not required to provide information to Inland Revenue on a regular basis, or to keep New Zealand tax records. There is no need for that, since they are not taxed here, and rightly so, because they are outside our tax base. ”

        Who said that OAB? Sir M Cullen. April 2005.
        http://taxpolicy.ird.govt.nz/news/2005-04-29-tax-changes-announced

        • One Anonymous Bloke 7.1.1.1
          9 May 2016 at 4:49 pm

          He said that too! Have another cracker.

        • One Anonymous Bloke 7.1.1.2
          9 May 2016 at 4:53 pm

          Since you’re such a Google expert, explain precisely what changed in 2011 (it’s right there on IRD’s website). Oh damn, I looked it up by accident!

          …reduces tax for non-residents investing through New Zealand portfolio investment entities…look through company rules…

          Paging Dr. Dunning-Kruger.

          • International Rescue 7.1.1.2.1
            9 May 2016 at 4:59 pm

            No much. Foreign Trusts began long before that.

            • One Anonymous Bloke 7.1.1.2.1.1
              9 May 2016 at 5:03 pm

              Apart from reduces tax for non-residents 😆

              Oh look – it turns out your word ain’t worth shit. Who knew!

              • International Rescue …
                9 May 2016 at 5:11 pm

                You really have no idea what you’re talking about, do you?

                • One Anonymous Bloke …
                  9 May 2016 at 5:17 pm

                  There were no tax changes in 2011 that affected foreign trusts. You’ve made clear you believe that.

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      9 May 2016 at 5:36 pm

                      Ah, so “minor” changes that Chapman Tripp described as “foreign investments will now bear no New Zealand tax on their income, whether or not the fund distributes that income” and an “attractive alternative to funds resident in Luxembourg, Ireland or the Caymans.” The IRD described it as lowering the tax rate for non-residents.

                      I’m glad we sorted that out.

                    • International Rescue …
                      9 May 2016 at 5:40 pm

                      Read the IRD material OAB. And the Standard link. It explains it very well. The changes were sensible and minor.

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      9 May 2016 at 5:43 pm

                      Sensible, minor, and reduced the tax rate for foreign investments to make us an attractive alternative to the Cayman Islands. That’s what the links say.

                    • International Rescue …
                      9 May 2016 at 5:45 pm

                      “Sensible, minor, and reduced the tax rate for foreign investments to make us an attractive alternative to the Cayman Islands. ”

                      Not really. We have disclosure rules. We have many other impediments to being considered a tax haven. Educate yourself, OAB.

                      “New Zealand has evolved one of the best and most comprehensive asset protection and offshore tax minimization systems in the world whilst at the same time avoiding any issues of blacklisting as an offshore destination by the OECD countries. This plus a comprehensive bundle of Free Trade agreements and Double Taxation Agreements mean that today a properly structured and planned asset protection strategy involving the use of New Zealand companies and non-resident trust ensures the safest and most efficient structure possible.

                      You must remember that New Zealand is not a tax haven. Nevertheless, it is considered by many international investors and businessmen as the best jurisdiction to form asset protection structures and tax regimes for non-resident shareholders and/or beneficiaries. So the country can provide all the advantages of traditional “offshore” jurisdictions and even more because it is not blacklisted by any jurisdiction or authority in the world and has no connotations as a tax haven. New Zealand is a full member of the OECD, FATF and World Trade Organization.”
                      http://www.trust-nz.com/en-nz-as-offshore.html

                  • adam …
                    9 May 2016 at 6:00 pm

                    One Anonymous Bloke you know that the hundreds of hours of work and research by international group of trusted journalist – is nothing compared to International Rescue, and his what 10 minutes of research, OK maybe 15.

                    OMG I’ve been laughing all day, and then International Rescue turns up, and sets off the fit of giggles again. I have to go cook dinner, this is just fantastic.

                    • Tricledrown …
                      9 May 2016 at 8:48 pm

                      International ridicule.
                      So how come Mexican peddler of influence was rejected by just about every other tax haven but allowed in here.
                      I’ll tell you why the US government is going after those in tax havens.

    • North 7.2
      9 May 2016 at 5:54 pm

      You know they’re worried when they start straw man screeching like International (Needs) Rescue. The straw man being that everyone’s claiming The Fake Man Key is personally financially, Panama-ed Up.

      Whoever said that ? No one actually. Aside from International (Needs) Rescue who in protesting too much actually implies it. You’re obviously worried aren’t you ‘Troll Sans Frontieres’ ?

      Give yourself a break dickhead. Accept that just like the outrageous, lying, tory toff Jeffrey Archer, there’s an exponentially developing theme that Mr Key is, well you know, just a little bit ‘icky’ in yet a further way. And in contrast to Thatcher supplicant, fan boy and jailbird Jeffrey, not even literate.

      • International Rescue 7.2.1
        9 May 2016 at 6:04 pm

        hahaha. You say:

        1> “The straw man being that everyone’s claiming The Fake Man Key is personally, financially, Panama-ed Up. Whoever said that ? No one actually. ”

        then

        2> “Accept that just like the outrageous, lying, tory toff Jeffrey Archer, there’s an exponentially developing theme that Mr Key is, well you know, just a little bit ‘icky’ in yet a further way”

        It takes a special kind of moron to shoot yourself in the foot within the same post.

        • North 7.2.1.1
          9 May 2016 at 6:22 pm

          I know you’re not open to it International (Needs) Rescue but I repeat…….there is a developing theme. Which is in complete contrast to the down home ‘have a beer with this guy’ shit. You know it what’s more.

          “My God……what if there’s no God ?”

          PS: you missed the bit about your protesting too much.

          • International Rescue 7.2.1.1.1
            9 May 2016 at 8:52 pm

            You’re simply demonstrating how out of touch with reality the left have become. NZ’er demand evidence before believing the hype. They also know a winner when they see one. Key is a winner, for NZ and for NZ’ers. And there is nothing tying him or his Gvt to any wrongdoing. His popularity is about to go up though, because of the hash you are all making of this.

            • Colonial Viper 7.2.1.1.1.1
              11 May 2016 at 5:07 pm

              Yep, Key is a real winner. And you are right, Kiwis can see it.

  8. Cowboy 8
    9 May 2016 at 4:49 pm

    Yes clearly it’s all Labours fault as usual. I must have been mistaken thinking National are well into their third term.
    Frankly I don’t give a damn who’s fault it is or what the damn polls say I just want it cleaned up and cleaned up properly.Key will of course do something of little consequence to make it all go away.

    • International Rescue 8.1
      9 May 2016 at 4:57 pm

      It isn’t anyone’s ‘fault’, because at the moment nothing untoward has been proven. All we know is that NZ has had foreign trusts for many years. Some non NZ residents administer their funds through these trusts, some of the funds reside in NZ, some don’t. NZ has disclosed details of these trusts on every occasion a request has been made by a country with whom we have a joint agreement. If there is a smoking gun here, it must be very well hidden!

      • Paul 8.1.1
        9 May 2016 at 5:03 pm

        Another troll who thinks tax havens are moral.

        • International Rescue 8.1.1.1
          9 May 2016 at 5:16 pm

          NZ is not a tax haven. I haven’t even commented on the morality or otherwise.

        • indiana 8.1.1.2
          9 May 2016 at 5:40 pm

          Why is morality even a question? In any country, the governments legally allow people to conduct their financial affairs and even assist in creating avenues to do so. When those citizens use these means, they are doing nothing that is considered immoral. Countries don’t live in silos – they negotiate deals with each other to create these financial avenues.

          • International Rescue 8.1.1.2.1
            9 May 2016 at 5:44 pm

            I also find it humorous that the left scream when someone tries to impose morality on them, yet try to define and impose their morality on everyone else!

            • adam 8.1.1.2.1.1
              9 May 2016 at 5:53 pm

              Really, and you are doing what with that comment.

              Man your logic is so flawed, mind you, I get a good giggle from you inane rants.

              • International Rescue …
                9 May 2016 at 6:01 pm

                “…and you are doing what with that comment.”
                Making an observation.

            • adam 8.1.1.2.1.2
              9 May 2016 at 5:53 pm

              Really, and you are doing what with that comment.

              Man your logic is so flawed, mind you, I get a good giggle from you inane rants.

          • North 8.1.1.2.2
            9 May 2016 at 6:13 pm

            So what’s ‘legal’ definitionally passes the morality filter Indiana ? You would’ve been a wonderfully content Frau Indiana/Herr Indiana way back when. History tells you why morality’s a question, fool. But congratulations to you Frau/Herr. Soooo John Key !

            • indiana 8.1.1.2.2.1
              9 May 2016 at 6:55 pm

              I don’t understand the link you are trying to make…last time I looked there was nothing oppressive about these financial agreements between countries that bring morality into question.

              • North …
                9 May 2016 at 8:50 pm

                We’re not talking about agreements between nations. We’re talking about enabling agreements between MF and some of the greediest, most amoral sociopaths on Earth.

          • Colonial Viper 8.1.1.2.3
            9 May 2016 at 7:12 pm

            When those citizens use these means, they are doing nothing that is considered immoral.

            Except when bottom feeding scum suckers claim that there is not enough money left in the public purse to feed hospital patients correctly, to ensure single bunking in prison facilities, to lower student numbers in class rooms, to pay a living wage, or to keep uni fees low.

            Then it becomes a matter of morality, shit head.

            Or amorality, as is the case with you.

            • indiana 8.1.1.2.3.1
              9 May 2016 at 8:20 pm

              So which countries that we have agreements with are claiming that they are tax poor?

            • International Rescue 8.1.1.2.3.2
              9 May 2016 at 9:01 pm

              Whose morality? The left long ago conceded any claim to morality when it taught us morality as subjective. Stop being such a hypocrite.

  9. Colonial Viper 9
    9 May 2016 at 4:56 pm

    HSBC fingered eh…how come the big US banks like GS, JPM and Citi never get fingered? Just their foreign competition.

    I guess HSBC doesn’t donate to US political campaigns like these boys do.

  10. Steve 10
    9 May 2016 at 4:57 pm

    A crucial part of the set-ups we’ve been hearing about are LTCs (look-through companies).

    Why do they exist?

    How were they legislated for?

  11. Magisterium 11
    9 May 2016 at 5:05 pm

    [removed]
    [lprent: You were banned here. Added another week. ]

    • Pasupial 11.1
      9 May 2016 at 6:21 pm

      Magisterium

      Is there some point to that sentence fragment? Do you perhaps think that; the porn industry is entirely innocuous and that all performers are voluntary and paid lucratively?

      The context of the quote is Hager describing those who he is aware of having used tax havens:

      what I found was the full range of things people do in the shadows.

      Arms traders. Billionaires quietly shifting their profits out of impoverished countries. Business people eager to win big contracts in countries with corrupt leaders.

      Hard core pornographers, hiding the identity of those raking in the profits. Pharmaceutical company money invisibly moved around to buy influence. And, more than anything, huge numbers of people who appeared to be cheating their tax departments.

      None of this should greatly surprise readers. Tax havens say they sell “financial services” but what they mostly sell is secrecy.

      • Magisterium 11.1.1
        9 May 2016 at 6:51 pm

        [removed]
        [lprent: You were banned here. Added another week.

        That is an additional 9 weeks plus 4 weeks for wasting my time. Set it until the 4th of July.

        If I see you writing any comments apart from one whine in spam before them, I will start doubling at 13 weeks per comment. ]

  12. Reddelusion 12
    9 May 2016 at 5:09 pm

    Just change disclosure rules problem solved and move on , Albeit watching the left froth and thrash themselves in mock outrage is fun. new topic next week when this becomes fish and chip paper.

    • Paul 12.1
      9 May 2016 at 5:13 pm

      Please find somewhere to spread your lies.

    • Gangnam Style 12.2
      9 May 2016 at 5:38 pm

      “new topic next week when this becomes fish and chip paper.” Same thing was said last week about this topic.

      • Pasupial 12.2.1
        9 May 2016 at 6:40 pm

        The; “fish and chip paper”, line is pretty old – dating from the days when printed newspapers were the news. Online discussions remain searchable and relevant in a way that was rarely the case with printed or broadcast (pre-filesharing) media. For example the ease with which I can reference this 2012 occurrence:

        New Zealand and Russia have been struck off a prestigious European Union banking and corporate “white list” over this country’s weak money laundering and terrorism financing controls.

        http://i.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/6938888/New-Zealand-removed-from-EU-white-list

        Likewise, anything published in the course of the Panama Papers story will remain fully accessible in the future. So I suppose the only viable response for those upset with the revelation of NZ’s tax haven status is to; spew forth as much nonsense as possible in the hope that it is their sound and fury that is remembered.

    • Tricledrown 12.3
      9 May 2016 at 6:59 pm

      If Dotcom is targeted for very similar and in fact less serious than what Mossack Fonseca behaviour.
      Even if what they are doing in this country may not break our lax laws.
      What they are enabling is undermining the likes of sanctions on Putin’s Russia North Korea Drug Cartels etc.
      Very unlikely they are coming for any other reason other than laundering for legitimacy.
      TVNZ showed adds confirming that reason.

    • Tricledrown 12.4
      9 May 2016 at 7:08 pm

      Blue Looney if your going to be John Key fanboy.
      Its fush’n’ships.
      Key speak.
      Running interference.
      Read who Mossack Fonseca does business with terrorists corrupt govt officials North Korea.
      Russia where sanctions have been imposed.
      These MF should be arrested and thrown in jail.

  13. Reddelusion 13
    9 May 2016 at 5:09 pm

    Just change disclosure rules problem solved and move on , Albeit watching the left froth and thrash themselves in mock outrage is fun. new topic of mock outrage next week when this becomes fish and chip paper.

    • adam 13.1
      9 May 2016 at 5:50 pm

      OMG this day just keeps getting funnier, you lot reaching back for every tried meme and trying to make it work for this. I’ve been laughing my head off.

      I think you want us to be upset when none of us are, we over being upset. This is just bizz as usual for this government, we all just enjoying watching them being exposed for the enablers that they are.

      Criminals and tax havens all hand in hand, a government selling our good name for 25 million pieces of silver.

      Lawyers, MP’s, downed PM’s, whistle blowers, more lies from Key, tax avoidance, corporations not paying tax, syndicates, tax not being paid, interconnectedness with the Cooks and other known odd tax countries, banks acting like money sharks, and the list getting longer everyday. Names named and you lot running like chickens with your head cut off.

      Nah mate it’s funny, no need for any of us to froth, will leave that to you and your’s.

    • Tricledrown 13.2
      9 May 2016 at 8:26 pm

      Friends of the National Party who do business with North Korea Russia dodgy corrupt officials grifters and greasers peddlers of Influence.
      Don’t have the GSCB spy on them or have the police armed offenders squad arrest them.

    • whateva next? 13.3
      9 May 2016 at 9:23 pm

      You must be on overtime by now? Make sure you pay your extra tax on the extra payment though eh?.

  14. Lanthanide 14
    9 May 2016 at 5:12 pm

    “Former Reserve Bank Governor who is also a former National Party and Act Party leader, Don Brash, told The Standard,”

    I thought the term “The Standard” refers to the machine that this site is running on, and not a thinking breathing person? Why would Brash talk to a computer server sitting in Lynn’s apartment?

    Or does that definition only apply when moderating comments?

    Also is Simon Louisson now a journalist reporting for The Standard?

    • Simon Louisson 14.1
      9 May 2016 at 5:30 pm

      It is a standard (excuse the pun) convention that when someone talks to a reporter etc the way to report it is to say; told Reuters or told The Standard etc — most people know this

      • linda 14.1.1
        9 May 2016 at 6:27 pm

        https://youtu.be/gi0y4Y1bhIo
        could be john key

      • Lanthanide 14.1.2
        9 May 2016 at 6:28 pm

        Yes, most people do know this. My point is that this site, for many years, has had the convention that “The Standard” is a computer that (now) sits in Lynn’s apartment. It is not a person, it does not have feelings or opinions, and it does not “post” anything. There used to be a username called “The Standard” until I pointed out the above, and so it was renamed to “Notices and Features” instead.

        Many people have been banned over the years for suggesting the “The Standard” holds an opinion on something, or that “The Standard” has posted something.

        So, I am asking if this established use of the term “The Standard” also applies to articles, or only when moderating comments.

        I suspect if we are now going to allow this use of the term “The Standard” in articles, that we can expect an increase of people using that term within comments. It would seem rather unfair to ban people for using that term, when articles on the site itself use it in the same manner.

        • lprent 14.1.2.1
          9 May 2016 at 10:12 pm

          My point is that this site, for many years, has had the convention that “The Standard” is a computer that (now) sits in Lynn’s apartment. It is not a person, it does not have feelings or opinions, and it does not “post” anything. There used to be a username called “The Standard” until I pointed out the above, and so it was renamed to “Notices and Features” instead.

          It is an issue and always has been for the site. Hard to be a cooperative if we operate with a editorial group policy. So even our moderation policy is more a set of limits to prevent moderators (especially new ones) from going overboard and accidentally destroying community with personal in-group rules. We don’t have a hard and fast policy. Individual moderators tend to do their own thing.

          The line that I have always personally drawn and pushed (and got into the about) is that we do things individually. We cooperate despite our differences and what policy we have is there to restrain us. Amongst other reasons that is because I’m probably the most hard arse judgemental bastards on this site, and have the skills to over-express it. I need the restraints.

          On the other hand, Simon comes from a different tradition (journalism). He is a damn good writer coming into a quite different environment. So I haven’t bothered to point out that particular difference between blogs and journalism. I figure a commenter would tell him.

          No surprise who 🙂

    • North 14.2
      9 May 2016 at 7:16 pm

      “The Standard” is a concept Lanthanide. Unrelated to the spectacularly broken promise of higher ones. The Fake Man had his tongue firmly up his arse when he mouthed the Crosby Textor script. We all know that’s true. The man’s as literate as an empty Cody’s can.

  15. Robert Atack 15
    9 May 2016 at 7:24 pm

    When the money comes into NZ isn’t it converted to NZ $ ?
    Like they wouldn’t stash a million bucks worth of Pesos in someone’s bottom draw.
    So they must have to buy NZ$
    Is that why our dollar is so strong?
    And surely someone has a record of who or what is buying NZ$?

    • Robert Atack 15.1
      9 May 2016 at 7:47 pm

      Kind of answered in the above comments. ops

      • Tricledrown 15.1.1
        9 May 2016 at 8:38 pm

        NZ is being used as a half way house to give legitimacy to dirty money then it is transferred to Swiss bank accounts.

        • Colonial Viper 15.1.1.1
          9 May 2016 at 8:42 pm

          Right, so the money looks like it is coming from a “real company” with “real business” activities in NZ.

          • Kiwiri 15.1.1.1.1
            9 May 2016 at 10:07 pm

            So money does come in and the NZ currency gets traded with incoming/outgoing flow of funds?

            Is this one of the reasons (not the only, nor necessarily the main, reason) that the NZ Dollar is so highly traded and quite likely overvalued for such a small economy in the scheme of things in the world?

  16. Jack Ramaka 16
    9 May 2016 at 9:11 pm

    This must be the reason why NZ currency is so heavily traded, like in the top 20 currencies world wide however our foreign exchange receipts imports & exports are 100 + in the world?

    • Kiwiri 16.1
      9 May 2016 at 10:10 pm

      Argh. I’ve just seen your comment, Jack, after typing the above and scrolling down to read some more. Thanks. I’ll keep my comment anyway. Great minds and all that .. you’ve put it in sharper detail (than my comments) with the second part of what you have typed.

  17. whateva next? 17
    9 May 2016 at 9:21 pm

    Thankyou for giving us the facts Simon, so we can actually decide for ourselves. Mr.Key’s version simply confuses me, as indeed it is designed to do. Being patronised does not work well with grown adults (who work hard AND pay our taxes) FYI Mr.Key.

  18. Venezia 18
    9 May 2016 at 9:58 pm

    It doesn’t matter what the right wing trolls are arguing to rationalise the use of foreign trusts and shell companies. John Key enabled the massive increase in these vehicles in the law update 2011. His selling point was a financial hub for NZ – but as a financial whizz kid, he also knew the truth. Such vehicles may be legal but they go beyond evading taxes. They are also used to commit serious crimes.
    Check it out here (and wait for more to come):

    https://panamapapers.icij.org/20160506-john-doe-statement.html

  19. Tricledrown 19
    9 May 2016 at 11:20 pm

    Mossack Fonsecca implicated in Britain’s biggest gold hoist.
    Directly benefiting by keeping £60 million pounds of stolen money from violent murderous bank robbers.
    Because these bank robbers were locked up and lost their ability to access foreign laundered money.
    Mossack Fonsecca pocketed the money.

  20. Chuck 20
    10 May 2016 at 5:05 pm

    Oh deary me…it seems the NZ Green Party has a large donor linked to these “tax havens, criminals and amoral rich”

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/79814716/panama-papers-green-party-donor-listed-in-offshore-leaks

    Looks like the Green Party require some political advice on who’s money to take?

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    14 hours ago

  • How to Factory Reset iPhone without Computer: A Comprehensive Guide to Restoring your Device
    Life throws curveballs, and sometimes, those curveballs necessitate wiping your iPhone clean and starting anew. Whether you’re facing persistent software glitches, preparing to sell your device, or simply wanting a fresh start, knowing how to factory reset iPhone without a computer is a valuable skill. While using a computer with ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    21 hours ago

  • How to Call Someone on a Computer: A Guide to Voice and Video Communication in the Digital Age
    Gone are the days when communication was limited to landline phones and physical proximity. Today, computers have become powerful tools for connecting with people across the globe through voice and video calls. But with a plethora of applications and methods available, how to call someone on a computer might seem ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    21 hours ago

  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #16 2024
    Open access notables Glacial isostatic adjustment reduces past and future Arctic subsea permafrost, Creel et al., Nature Communications: Sea-level rise submerges terrestrial permafrost in the Arctic, turning it into subsea permafrost. Subsea permafrost underlies ~ 1.8 million km2 of Arctic continental shelf, with thicknesses in places exceeding 700 m. Sea-level variations over glacial-interglacial cycles control ...
    Skeptical Science
    22 hours ago

  • Where on a Computer is the Operating System Generally Stored? Delving into the Digital Home of your ...
    The operating system (OS) is the heart and soul of a computer, orchestrating every action and interaction between hardware and software. But have you ever wondered where on a computer is the operating system generally stored? The answer lies in the intricate dance between hardware and software components, particularly within ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    22 hours ago

  • How Many Watts Does a Laptop Use? Understanding Power Consumption and Efficiency
    Laptops have become essential tools for work, entertainment, and communication, offering portability and functionality. However, with rising energy costs and growing environmental concerns, understanding a laptop’s power consumption is more important than ever. So, how many watts does a laptop use? The answer, unfortunately, isn’t straightforward. It depends on several ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    22 hours ago

  • How to Screen Record on a Dell Laptop A Guide to Capturing Your Screen with Ease
    Screen recording has become an essential tool for various purposes, such as creating tutorials, capturing gameplay footage, recording online meetings, or sharing information with others. Fortunately, Dell laptops offer several built-in and external options for screen recording, catering to different needs and preferences. This guide will explore various methods on ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    22 hours ago

  • How Much Does it Cost to Fix a Laptop Screen? Navigating Repair Options and Costs
    A cracked or damaged laptop screen can be a frustrating experience, impacting productivity and enjoyment. Fortunately, laptop screen repair is a common service offered by various repair shops and technicians. However, the cost of fixing a laptop screen can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article delves into the ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    22 hours ago

  • How Long Do Gaming Laptops Last? Demystifying Lifespan and Maximizing Longevity
    Gaming laptops represent a significant investment for passionate gamers, offering portability and powerful performance for immersive gaming experiences. However, a common concern among potential buyers is their lifespan. Unlike desktop PCs, which allow for easier component upgrades, gaming laptops have inherent limitations due to their compact and integrated design. This ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    22 hours ago

  • Climate Change: Turning the tide
    The annual inventory report of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions has been released, showing that gross emissions have dropped for the third year in a row, to 78.4 million tons: All-told gross emissions have decreased by over 6 million tons since the Zero Carbon Act was passed in 2019. ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    23 hours ago

  • How to Unlock Your Computer A Comprehensive Guide to Regaining Access
    Experiencing a locked computer can be frustrating, especially when you need access to your files and applications urgently. The methods to unlock your computer will vary depending on the specific situation and the type of lock you encounter. This guide will explore various scenarios and provide step-by-step instructions on how ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • Faxing from Your Computer A Modern Guide to Sending Documents Digitally
    While the world has largely transitioned to digital communication, faxing still holds relevance in certain industries and situations. Fortunately, gone are the days of bulky fax machines and dedicated phone lines. Today, you can easily send and receive faxes directly from your computer, offering a convenient and efficient way to ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • Protecting Your Home Computer A Guide to Cyber Awareness
    In our increasingly digital world, home computers have become essential tools for work, communication, entertainment, and more. However, this increased reliance on technology also exposes us to various cyber threats. Understanding these threats and taking proactive steps to protect your home computer is crucial for safeguarding your personal information, finances, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • Server-Based Computing Powering the Modern Digital Landscape
    In the ever-evolving world of technology, server-based computing has emerged as a cornerstone of modern digital infrastructure. This article delves into the concept of server-based computing, exploring its various forms, benefits, challenges, and its impact on the way we work and interact with technology. Understanding Server-Based Computing: At its core, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • Vroom vroom go the big red trucks
    The absolute brass neck of this guy.We want more medical doctors, not more spin doctors, Luxon was saying a couple of weeks ago, and now we’re told the guy has seven salaried adults on TikTok duty. Sorry, doing social media. The absolute brass neck of it. The irony that the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 day ago

  • Jones finds $410,000 to help the government muscle in on a spat project
    Buzz from the Beehive Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones relishes spatting and eagerly takes issue with environmentalists who criticise his enthusiasm for resource development. He relishes helping the fishing industry too. And so today, while the media are making much of the latest culling in the public service to ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 day ago

  • Again, hate crimes are not necessarily terrorism.
    Having written, taught and worked for the US government on issues involving unconventional warfare and terrorism for 30-odd years, two things irritate me the most when the subject is discussed in public. The first is the Johnny-come-lately academics-turned-media commentators who … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    1 day ago

  • Despair – construction consenting edition
    Eric Crampton writes – Kainga Ora is the government’s house building agency. It’s been building a lot of social housing. Kainga Ora has its own (but independent) consenting authority, Consentium. It’s a neat idea. Rather than have to deal with building consents across each different territorial authority, Kainga Ora ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago

  • Coalition promises – will the Govt keep the commitment to keep Kiwis equal before the law?
    Muriel Newman writes – The Coalition Government says it is moving with speed to deliver campaign promises and reverse the damage done by Labour. One of their key commitments is to “defend the principle that New Zealanders are equal before the law.” To achieve this, they have pledged they “will not advance ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago

  • An impermanent public service is a guarantee of very little else but failure
    Chris Trotter writes –  The absence of anything resembling a fightback from the public servants currently losing their jobs is interesting. State-sector workers’ collective fatalism in the face of Coalition cutbacks indicates a surprisingly broad acceptance of impermanence in the workplace. Fifty years ago, lay-offs in the thousands ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago

  • What happens after the war – Mariupol
    Mariupol, on the Azov Sea coast, was one of the first cities to suffer almost complete destruction after the start of the Ukraine War started in late February 2022. We remember the scenes of absolute destruction of the houses and city structures. The deaths of innocent civilians – many of ...
    Open ParachuteBy Ken
    1 day ago

  • Babies and benefits – no good news
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – Ten years ago, I wrote the following in a Listener column: Every year around one in five new-born babies will be reliant on their caregivers benefit by Christmas. This pattern has persisted from at least 1993. For Maori the number jumps to over one in three.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago

  • Should the RBNZ be looking through climate inflation?
    Climate change is expected to generate more and more extreme events, delivering a sort of structural shock to inflation that central banks will have to react to as if they were short-term cyclical issues. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago

  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours, as of 9:16 am on Thursday, April 18 are:Housing: Tauranga residents living in boats, vans RNZ Checkpoint Louise TernouthHousing: Waikato councillor says wastewater plant issues could hold up Sleepyhead building a massive company town Waikato Times Stephen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago

  • Gordon Campbell on the public sector carnage, and misogyny as terrorism
    It’s a simple deal. We pay taxes in order to finance the social services we want and need. The carnage now occurring across the public sector though, is breaking that contract. Over 3,000 jobs have been lost so far. Many are in crucial areas like Education where the impact of ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    1 day ago

  • Meeting the Master Baiters
    Hi,A friend had their 40th over the weekend and decided to theme it after Curb Your Enthusiasm fashion icon Susie Greene. Captured in my tiny kitchen before I left the house, I ending up evoking a mix of old lesbian and Hillary Clinton — both unintentional.Me vs Hillary ClintonIf you’re ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    1 day ago

  • How extreme was the Earth's temperature in 2023
    This is a re-post from Andrew Dessler at the Climate Brink blog In 2023, the Earth reached temperature levels unprecedented in modern times. Given that, it’s reasonable to ask: What’s going on? There’s been lots of discussions by scientists about whether this is just the normal progression of global warming or if something ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago

  • Backbone, revisited
    The schools are on holiday and the sun is shining in the seaside village and all day long I have been seeing bunches of bikes; Mums, Dads, teens and toddlers chattering, laughing, happy, having a bloody great time together. Cheers, AT, for the bits of lane you’ve added lately around the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago

  • Ministers are not above the law
    Today in our National-led authoritarian nightmare: Shane Jones thinks Ministers should be above the law: New Zealand First MP Shane Jones is accusing the Waitangi Tribunal of over-stepping its mandate by subpoenaing a minister for its urgent hearing on the Oranga Tamariki claim. The tribunal is looking into the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago

  • What’s the outfit you can hear going down the gurgler? Probably it’s David Parker’s Oceans Sec...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point  of Order first heard of the Oceans Secretariat in June 2021, when David Parker (remember him?) announced a multi-agency approach to protecting New Zealand’s marine ecosystems and fisheries. Parker (holding the Environment, and Oceans and Fisheries portfolios) broke the news at the annual Forest & ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago

  • Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Bryce Edwards writes  – Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Matt Doocey doubles down on trans “healthcare”
    Citizen Science writes –  Last week saw two significant developments in the debate over the treatment of trans-identifying children and young people – the release in Britain of the final report of Dr Hilary Cass’s review into gender healthcare, and here in New Zealand, the news that the ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • A TikTok Prime Minister.
    One night while sleeping in my bed I had a beautiful dreamThat all the people of the world got together on the same wavelengthAnd began helping one anotherNow in this dream, universal love was the theme of the dayPeace and understanding and it happened this wayAfter such an eventful day ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago

  • Texas Lessons
    This is a guest post by Oscar Simms who is a housing activist, volunteer for the Coalition for More Homes, and was the Labour Party candidate for Auckland Central at the last election. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    2 days ago

  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links at 6:06 am
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours as of 6:06 am on Wednesday, April 17 are:Must read: Secrecy shrouds which projects might be fast-tracked RNZ Farah HancockScoop: Revealed: Luxon has seven staffers working on social media content - partly paid for by taxpayer Newshub ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Fighting poverty on the holiday highway
    Turning what Labour called the “holiday highway” into a four-lane expressway from Auckland to Whangarei could bring at least an economic benefit of nearly two billion a year for Northland each year. And it could help bring an end to poverty in one of New Zealand’s most deprived regions. The ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago

  • Bernard's six-stack of substacks at 6:26 pm
    Tonight’s six-stack includes: launching his substack with a bunch of his previous documentaries, including this 1992 interview with Dame Whina Cooper. and here crew give climate activists plenty to do, including this call to submit against the Fast Track Approvals bill. writes brilliantly here on his substack ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • At a glance – Is the science settled?
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago

  • Apposite Quotations.
    How Long Is Long Enough? Gaza under Israeli bombardment, July 2014. This posting is exclusive to Bowalley Road. ...
    Bowalley Road
    3 days ago

  • What’s a life worth now?
    You're in the mall when you hear it: some kind of popping sound in the distance, kids with fireworks, maybe. But then a moment of eerie stillness is followed by more of the fireworks sound and there’s also screaming and shrieking and now here come people running for their lives.Does ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • Howling at the Moon
    Karl du Fresne writes –  There’s a crisis in the news media and the media are blaming it on everyone except themselves. Culpability is being deflected elsewhere – mainly to the hapless Minister of Communications, Melissa Lee, and the big social media platforms that are accused of hoovering ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Newshub is Dead.
    I don’t normally send out two newsletters in a day but I figured I’d say something about… the news. If two newsletters is a bit much then maybe just skip one, I don’t want to overload people. Alternatively if you’d be interested in sometimes receiving multiple, smaller updates from me, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • Seymour is chuffed about cutting early-learning red tape – but we hear, too, that Jones has loose...
    Buzz from the Beehive David Seymour and Winston Peters today signalled that at least two ministers of the Crown might be in Wellington today. Seymour (as Associate Minister of Education) announced the removal of more red tape, this time to make it easier for new early learning services to be ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. Our political system is suffering from the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago

  • Was Hawkesby entirely wrong?
    David Farrar  writes –  The Broadcasting Standards Authority ruled: Comments by radio host Kate Hawkesby suggesting Māori and Pacific patients were being prioritised for surgery due to their ethnicity were misleading and discriminatory, the Broadcasting Standards Authority has found. It is a fact such patients are prioritised. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • PRC shadow looms as the Solomons head for election
    PRC and its proxies in Solomons have been preparing for these elections for a long time. A lot of money, effort and intelligence have gone into ensuring an outcome that won’t compromise Beijing’s plans. Cleo Paskall writes – On April 17th the Solomon Islands, a country of ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Climate Change: Criminal ecocide
    We are in the middle of a climate crisis. Last year was (again) the hottest year on record. NOAA has just announced another global coral bleaching event. Floods are threatening UK food security. So naturally, Shane Jones wants to make it easier to mine coal: Resources Minister Shane Jones ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • Is saving one minute of a politician's time worth nearly $1 billion?
    Is speeding up the trip to and from Wellington airport by 12 minutes worth spending up more than $10 billion? Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me in the last day to 8:26 am today are:The Lead: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Long Tunnel or Long Con?
    Yesterday it was revealed that Transport Minister had asked Waka Kotahi to look at the options for a long tunnel through Wellington. State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    3 days ago

  • Smoke And Mirrors.
    You're a fraud, and you know itBut it's too good to throw it all awayAnyone would do the sameYou've got 'em goingAnd you're careful not to show itSometimes you even fool yourself a bitIt's like magicBut it's always been a smoke and mirrors gameAnyone would do the sameForty six billion ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • What is Mexico doing about climate change?
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections The June general election in Mexico could mark a turning point in ensuring that the country’s climate policies better reflect the desire of its citizens to address the climate crisis, with both leading presidential candidates expressing support for renewable energy. Mexico is the ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago

  • State of humanity, 2024
    2024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?When I say 2024 I really mean the state of humanity in 2024.Saturday night, we watched Civil War because that is one terrifying cliff we've ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Govt’s Wellington tunnel vision aims to ease the way to the airport (but zealous promoters of cycl...
    Buzz from the Beehive A pet project and governmental tunnel vision jump out from the latest batch of ministerial announcements. The government is keen to assure us of its concern for the wellbeing of our pets. It will be introducing pet bonds in a change to the Residential Tenancies Act ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • The case for cultural connectedness
    A recent report generated from a Growing Up in New Zealand (GUiNZ) survey of 1,224 rangatahi Māori aged 11-12 found: Cultural connectedness was associated with fewer depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms and better quality of life. That sounds cut and dry. But further into the report the following appears: Cultural connectedness is ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Useful context on public sector job cuts
    David Farrar writes –    The Herald reports: From the gory details of job-cuts news, you’d think the public service was being eviscerated.   While the media’s view of the cuts is incomplete, it’s also true that departments have been leaking the particulars faster than a Wellington ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell On When Racism Comes Disguised As Anti-racism
    Remember the good old days, back when New Zealand had a PM who could think and speak calmly and intelligently in whole sentences without blustering? Even while Iran’s drones and missiles were still being launched, Helen Clark was live on TVNZ expertly summing up the latest crisis in the Middle ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    4 days ago

  • Govt ignored economic analysis of smokefree reversal
    Costello did not pass on analysis of the benefits of the smokefree reforms to Cabinet, emphasising instead the extra tax revenues of repealing them. Photo: Hagen Hopkins, Getty Images TL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me at 7:26 am today are:The Lead: Casey Costello never passed on ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • True Blue.
    True loveYou're the one I'm dreaming ofYour heart fits me like a gloveAnd I'm gonna be true blueBaby, I love youI’ve written about the job cuts in our news media last week. The impact on individuals, and the loss to Aotearoa of voices covering our news from different angles.That by ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • Who is running New Zealand’s foreign policy?
    While commentators, including former Prime Minister Helen Clark, are noting a subtle shift in New Zealand’s foreign policy, which now places more emphasis on the United States, many have missed a key element of the shift. What National said before the election is not what the government is doing now. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago

  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #15
    A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 7, 2024 thru Sat, April 13, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week is about adults in the room setting terms and conditions of ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • Feline Friends and Fragile Fauna The Complexities of Cats in New Zealand’s Conservation Efforts

    Cats, with their independent spirit and beguiling purrs, have captured the hearts of humans for millennia. In New Zealand, felines are no exception, boasting the highest national cat ownership rate globally [definition cat nz cat foundation]. An estimated 1.134 million pet cats grace Kiwi households, compared to 683,000 dogs ...

    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    5 days ago

  • Or is that just they want us to think?
    Nice guy, that Peter Williams. Amiable, a calm air of no-nonsense capability, a winning smile. Everything you look for in a TV presenter and newsreader.I used to see him sometimes when I went to TVNZ to be a talking head or a panellist and we would yarn. Nice guy, that ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • Fact Brief – Did global warming stop in 1998?
    Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park in collaboration with members from our Skeptical Science team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Did global warming stop in ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago

  • Arguing over a moot point.
    I have been following recent debates in the corporate and social media about whether it is a good idea for NZ to join what is known as “AUKUS Pillar Two.” AUKUS is the Australian-UK-US nuclear submarine building agreement in which … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    6 days ago

  • $41m to support clean energy in South East Asia
    New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    50 mins ago

  • Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder list
    The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 hours ago

  • Judicial appointments announced
    Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 hours ago

  • Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
    Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa.  The summit is co-hosted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 hours ago

  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
    A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 hours ago

  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.    “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 hours ago

  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
    Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 hours ago

  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    19 hours ago

  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
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  • Government backing mussel spat project
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  • Government focused on getting people into work
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  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
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  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
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  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
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  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
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  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
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  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
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  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
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  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
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  • RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
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  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
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  • Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.   Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
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  • PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ ties
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  • Antarctica New Zealand Board appointments
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  • Pet bonds a win/win for renters and landlords
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  • Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being considered
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  • New Zealand condemns Iranian strikes
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    5 days ago

  • Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plans
    Hundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...
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  • Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand Chair
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board.   “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti.  “I have asked her to ...
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  • Roads of National Significance planning underway
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  • Navigating an unstable global environment
    New Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States.    “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...
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  • NZ welcomes Australian Governor-General
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...
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  • Pseudoephedrine back on shelves for Winter
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  • NZ and the US: an ever closer partnership
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  • Joint US and NZ declaration
    April 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...
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  • NZ and US to undertake further practical Pacific cooperation
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