The long wait – dithering, inexperience and wreckers

Written By: - Date published: 8:58 am, December 4th, 2023 - 48 comments
Categories: act, national, nz first, political parties, Politics - Tags:

After 59 days after election day, parliament will finally sit again todaywith a new government. The process has mostly been notable for its incoherent dithering, inexperience, and general stupidity. It is a coalition based on chaos, a lack of usable policy and based on wrecking rather than work. The delay was directly due to the 25 days from final results to the swearing in of the executive council by the governor general due to wishful and muddy thinking by National.

The eventual results were obvious to anyone with a political brain on election night. The day after showed a underwhelming and inconclusive election night result. National + Act didn’t have a working majority.

That was mostly because National managed its worst largest party vote since 1996 when they won 33.84% and formed a chaotic coalition government with NZ First in the first MMP election. Sure there were overhangs and a by-election to come. But the special results were always going to give seats going to parties other than Act and National. Offhand I can’t think of an occasion when National or Act picked up a extra seat in the final count after special votes.

It was obvious that they would need another party to form a working parliamentary majority. It was also pretty obvious that the only viable alternative would be NZ First.

Yet for the three weeks mandated by parliament to audit a clear and final result, National dithered and self-indulged in quite obvious wishful thinking hoping for an improbable result that they would prefer. Instead, while sitting around doing nothing, they seem to have spent most of their time whining about the Electoral Commission, who were doing their job as mandated by parliament.

The final results dropped on the 3rd of November 20 days after the election. That involved the real work of counting and recounting 2.8+ million votes made locally and internationally for the election to get a clear and very very close to accurate result. Remember that this has to be to a very high judicial standard. When challenged and recounted for electorates the changes are a few tens of votes over tens of thousands of votes cast. That is a lot of work.

Clearly National would be incapable of doing that. They are good at being critics. But this current crop are clearly incompetent at doing any detailed work.

The process of coalition forming with NZ First under Winston Peters has had a pattern since 1996. They wait for the final results. They strongly favour legalistic and clearly written coalition agreements. They always try to become the dominant coalition partner of the dominant party in whatever arrangement is formed (ask the Greens 🙂 ). Any coalition formed is sped up if the main party forming the coalition did even a little bit of work prior to possible negotiations. Labour has done this process multiple times with NZ First.

Clearly National’s negotiating team were incompetent at anticipating any of this. How else can you explain the second longest government formation since MMP? National barely managed to actually get negotiators talking to each other during the first week. Primarily because it appeared that they were doing the dick tactic of not actually scheduling formal meetings on Winston Peters calendar and just assuming that he’d turn up in Wellington by osmosis as a supplicant.

We all know how that worked out. Waiting journalists staked out at Wellington airport were ecstatic as Luxon, Seymour and Bishop dragged their tails back up to Auckland to the grey kingmaker.

The coalition arrangements that eventually got signed 21 days after the final results were by comparison a work of incoherent mishmashes of policy. Mostly unfunded spending. Most was just a list of what the legislation and policies that were to be removed.

It was also notable for the massive holes of what would replace those bits of legislation and policies. National and Act have spent the decades damning things like the Resource Management Act, Three Waters (designed to stop people dying from bad water and councils going bankrupt fixing it), the battery backup for the electricity grid during dry years, freshwater policies, and a multitude of other thing things that a government is responsible to dealing with.

Yet coming into government, it is clear that they have no policy that they plan to implement in any of these matters. Instead they can only do what they are competent to do. An orgy of urgency removing legislation and planned work.

We finally have a new government in parliament. It is a government determined to prove that they are incompetent wreckers and useless at doing anything positive as a government.

48 comments on “The long wait – dithering, inexperience and wreckers ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Tony Veitch 1
    4 December 2023 at 9:06 am

    Luxon and his CoC!!!!

    And just incase any readers jump to the wrong conclusion, that stands for Coalition of Chaos!

    • Grey Area 1.1
      4 December 2023 at 10:05 am

      Also equates to Coalition of Cruelty. How about COCC?

      It's oversimplifying things I know, but Labour-led governments (however timidly) try to build things up, but National-led governments default to being wreckers. It's what they do.

      It's just so painfully obvious with this talent-less, incompetent crew.

      A big reason Labour got thumped was they didn't offer us any hope or a clear vision. But like Lprent says the COCC has nothing to replace everything they are ripping up.

      It's like we’re driving into a tunnel with the headlights off.

      • adam 1.1.1
        4 December 2023 at 7:54 pm

        I wonder if feminists and the queer community would agree?

        But I call them the coalition of corporate cocksuckers

  2. stuff the politicians 2
    4 December 2023 at 9:12 am

    Just two years and ten months until this useless lot are on their bikes.

    Incompetent Baboons they are

  3. Ngungukai 3
    4 December 2023 at 9:16 am

    The COC seem to want to change things for the sake of changing things, God only knows how much it is going to cost to change all the Maaori Signage, like the old saying goes in the Marketing World "There is money in change" ?

    Winston always goes on about common sense, appears to be thrown out the window with the COC.

  4. Patricia Bremner 4
    4 December 2023 at 10:53 am

    To gain power Luxon has given in to the base policies of Act and NZ First. There is no country wide plan except to destroy all policies implemented by Labour.

    Further, National have not budgeted correctly for their tax cuts, as they have had to give up their main plank of foreign buyers.

    Austerity is on its way, caused by a vacuum of replacement plans and even destruction of income streams for Auckland. Where Auckland goes…

    The result will be less for benefits pensions and government health and education coffers in general.
    Those small businesses celebrating vapes and smokes may find there is no coin in the pockets of their buyers.

    Those who run "Charities" for profit, may find austerity pinches them, as everyone including the "comfortable with buyers remorse" retreat to lick unexpected wounds.

    I predict the resulting climate of anxiety and uncertainty will overtake any anger.

    Like a snowball these policies will quickly cause unintended results which this current lot have no experience to face. So they will become dangerous to our societies fabric as they patch blame and scheme.

    Get ready for a really bumpy ride.

    • Patricia Bremner 4.1
      4 December 2023 at 11:17 am

      I meant to add that Landlords may briefly celebrate tax gains until they realise councils are raising rates at a gallop to replace three waters, and gains will go out of government coffers to them and into councils to deal with the failure to be able to borrow… another set of unintended consequences. surprise

      • Sandra Le Cron 4.1.1
        4 December 2023 at 5:49 pm

        Calm down Patricia ! Go for a cup of tea and a few deep breaths! We are worried about your constitution! It is not the end of the world….yet !

      • Pat 4.1.2
        4 December 2023 at 6:23 pm

        As was frequently pointed out 3 Waters does not (didnt) decrease the cost of the required infrastructure….indeed due to its duplicate governance structure it likely increased it.

        We will have to pay (one way or another) for improved water quality and infrastructure….or accept a lower standard….there is no easy way out.

        And I may add that out of control immigration dosnt make the problem any easier.

        • bwaghorn 4.1.2.1
          4 December 2023 at 6:50 pm

          Shouldn't migrants have to contribute to nzs infrastructure an amount equal to what a comparable aged nzer has based on their age at entry,

          • Pat 4.1.2.1.1
            4 December 2023 at 7:07 pm

            And how would that be calculated?

            Would we discount the cost of their education?

            Is the resident contribution to infrastructure equal and measurable?

            How do we measure their life expectancy and projected future costs to public expenditure?

            Assuming we could do that, would it discourage any potential migrant?

            The fact of the matter is, IF we want to improve our water quality/supply we will have to make significant investment AND substantial changes to how our economy functions.

            Frankly, I doubt most are prepared to do what is required and there will be special pleading all over the place.

        • Patricia Bremner 4.1.2.2
          4 December 2023 at 7:33 pm

          Pat, Three Waters would have enabled borrowing to alleviate issues Councils face now, and ratepayers will get increased bills.

          Yes we would still pay, but over a longer period in a more manageable way. Some wealthy well organised areas have managed, many have not.

          • Pat 4.1.2.2.1
            4 December 2023 at 7:57 pm

            No Patricia it would not have enabled any more borrowing….indeed the way to reduce borrowing cost was for the central government to directly fund it….something 3 Waters sought to avoid.

            Yes we would still pay, and pay for more than was necessary under the 3 waters model.

            The fact is few are prepared to accept the fundamental change required to provide that which they all claim to desire.

        • Drowsy M. Kram 4.1.2.3
          4 December 2023 at 8:42 pm

          As was frequently pointed out 3 Waters does not (didnt) decrease the cost of the required infrastructure….indeed due to its duplicate governance structure it likely increased it.

          More "duplicate governance" was step too far for many, but not for cost, imho.

          The amalgamation aspects of 3Waters might have generated economies of scale, but we'll never know.

          Six year wait for three waters reforms far too long, says Scottish expert [27 June 2022]
          The Water Industry Commission of Scotland had succeeded because it had created economies of scale in areas of high-cost expertise and senior management but had recognised that the delivery of water services remained “intensely local”. He believed this was not well understood or believed by New Zealanders opposed to the reforms. “You need to have a professional responsive staff in place, like professional hydrologists, professional asset planners, professional people for dealing with procurement, professional people for dealing with finances and bond markets. To do that you need real scale. Because if you don't, you can't afford the top specialists because (they) are typically quite well-paid individuals.” Sharing their costs over a community of 50,000 to 100,000 people was very different from sharing their costs over a million people.

          Three waters rebrand insufficient [13 April 2023]
          “The Green Party also remains concerned that the Government continues to leave the door open to future privatisation of water services. Stronger safeguards to guarantee public ownership now and for future generations is essential.

          Hope I'm long gone before Kiwi water infrastructure is privatised in another wretched neoliberal wealth transfer.

          Water Privatisation – Pros and Cons [13 December 2022]
          So we have all the drawbacks of privatisation without any of the benefits. It seems the average householder is getting the worst of high bills, poor service and disregard for the environment. With global warming causing extreme weather, there is likely to be increasing pressure on water infrastructure in the coming years, but the system of private ownership and weak government regulation seems poorly equipped to deal with the challenges of the coming years.

          The wretched state of Thames Water is one of the best arguments for public ownership we have [28 June 2023]
          Water privatisation in England and Wales has achieved just one thing: the enrichment of executives and overseas shareholders

          • Pat 4.1.2.3.1
            4 December 2023 at 8:50 pm

            "More "duplicate governance" was step too far for many, but not for cost, imho."

            The racism claim was overstated imo….the fact there was no advantage, and several potential disadvantages (costs/risks) made many have a second take…and then the flaws were evident.

            As stated, few are prepared to accept what would be required for the stated goal so irrespective of the method instigated or administration driving it we are unlikely to achieve the stated outcome.

            Somewhat like our climate change challenge.

            • Drowsy M. Kram 4.1.2.3.1.1
              4 December 2023 at 9:02 pm

              Somewhat like our climate change challenge.

              yes As years whiz by, long-term planning will become a luxury fewer people can afford – a preserve of the 'winners' of our doomed neoliberal game.

        • Tricledrown 4.1.2.4
          4 December 2023 at 10:41 pm

          Pat most poor potable Water is in rural areas under labour everybody would have paid now it will be low population low rate paying areas will have to find the money themselves making it more expensive for rural residents.Which will make it harder on the farming sector.Then Auckland and Wellington will have to find huge sums of money to fix aging and inadequate infrastructure. User pays . But National will kick the can down the road. You will be able to buy bottled water with your $10 a week tax cut. Then go swimming in the overflows.

          • Pat 4.1.2.4.1
            5 December 2023 at 6:38 am

            "Pat most poor potable Water is in rural areas "

            Thats certainly true of nitrate contamination, however nitrate contamination was not part of the 3 waters proposal…and most water infrastructure is in urban areas, hence the exemption of small rural schemes from the proposal.

            It is difficult to regulate infrastructure that dosnt exist.

            There appears a rush to ignore the (im) practicalities of 3waters in the rush to support 'our' team…all of the same problems exist with or without 3 waters and the (real) solutions will be the same.

            The can will be kicked regardless.

  5. bwaghorn 5
    4 December 2023 at 12:49 pm

    , it is clear that they have no policy that they plan to

    key got 9 years doing just that, easiest why to avoid the odd failure is to do nothing.

  6. Darien Fenton 6
    4 December 2023 at 12:54 pm

    The last two sitting weeks of parliament will be repeal, repeal, repeal under urgency, led by removing Fair Pay Agreements – you know those horrific instruments that Business have been whining about, while meantime also grizzling they have to pay workers too much or they can't get anyone to work for them, so they need more migrants. Brooke van Velden hasn't wasted any time. She had a Cabinet paper in early. It says they don't have time to consult with the "social partners" ; in other words, the CTU and Business NZ (of course didn't need to consult with BIZNZ and bugger the workers). The only thing to look forward to this week with the Commission opening of Parliament is the "Sheriff of the Court" – who knew? and whether Gerry Brownlee will be dragged into parliament to show his faux reluctance to being Speaker.

  7. Foreign waka 7
    4 December 2023 at 2:17 pm

    Gobsmacked really, as the coalition talks were lasting about 3 weeks after the last votes were counted. Just to reiterate, the majority of votes called for a change of government as we have seen at the ballot box. To see this decision by said majority being undermined and made difficult by the minority makes me really wonder whether NZ has grown up enough to call their country a democracy. Those who fought and lost their lives in the wars past for a NZ that seems to give way to the American culture of doing politics, must be turning in their graves.

    • observer 7.1
      4 December 2023 at 7:32 pm

      "Those who fought and lost their lives in the wars … must be turning in their graves."

      There are always some weird comments on here, but that one goes beyond hyperbole and off into outer space, leaving Planet Earth far behind.

      • roblogic 7.1.1
        5 December 2023 at 1:14 am

        People died fighting tyranny, so that we can live in a peaceful democracy.

        A flawed narrative no doubt. But democracy is much preferable to what the Nactoids are doing.

        • observer 7.1.1.1
          5 December 2023 at 1:28 am

          I think FW was saying the government = majority, and those who criticise its decisions are "undermining" democracy. Obviously that would be nonsense.

          But it was a bit of a ramble so who knows?

    • Descendant Of Smith 7.2
      4 December 2023 at 9:04 pm

      You confuse democracy with the evils of the rule of the majority.

      In a democracy you elect people to do a specialist role – govern for all of the people. That we use a system of majority voting in some way shape or form to decide who will run parliament is a way of bringing some structure and leadership.

      This doesn't remove the responsibility of the government of the day to gather information and weigh things up in a considered way – particularly when if in opposition you do not have access to all the information.

      It is the role of the opposition to ensure that these things are well researched and debated and that the public have input. It is why we have select committees and so on.

      Doing stuff under urgency by all sides just is annoyingly ideological by all sides and in my view very poor governance. I dislike it when Labour do it and equally so when National do. You might campaign on something but that doesn't give you carte blanche to put it in place without doing due diligence.

      Anyway no one had a majority to do anything. It is why they have to form a coalition so there is no mandate to do anything.

      • Pat 7.2.1
        11 December 2023 at 6:03 pm

        "Anyway no one had a majority to do anything. It is why they have to form a coalition so there is no mandate to do anything."

        A Government disallowed from doing anything?

        Why have a Government at all?

        • roblogic 7.2.1.1
          11 December 2023 at 6:08 pm

          They could try and govern cautiously and by consensus instead of ramming through radical changes that Labour took years to embed, that went through proper processes, and we all paid for. Labour had a far great mandate than NAF can imagine, but took things carefully.

          • Pat 7.2.1.1.1
            11 December 2023 at 6:20 pm

            Some would say Labour took things too carefully.

            We live in a democracy and under our system the Government has the ability to make policy IF it can get the votes in the house.

            We may not agree with all those policies but I for one prefer the ability to vote them in or out (even if they depowered themselves decades ago)….what alternative would you prefer?

            Its flawed but I can see no better alternative.

    • Tricledrown 7.3
      4 December 2023 at 10:45 pm

      The Americans saved us in both Wars! Foreign Waka.

  8. Kat 8
    4 December 2023 at 2:20 pm

    National have the born to rule mentality well ingrained. Somehow they think they have a clear mandate to wreck everything Labour put in place and then do whatever they like…….they are not very good with numbers and eventually are bound to pay the price….. when all the dopey sleepy hobbits (Sir Ian Taylor take note) that didn't like Labour finally wake up.

  9. adam 9
    4 December 2023 at 7:47 pm

    My problem is the attack on three waters by the far right was race based.

    So it could not take apart the problems with three waters, ( I and others had a few, but they could be fixed) or explain why it is necessary to fix water in the first place.

    Effectively the radical right are left with destroying three waters or going back on their word to their base.

    So once again rural/small town NZ gets in the neck.

    • Tricledrown 9.1
      4 December 2023 at 10:52 pm

      Rural NZ largely vote National and that means user pays .Nitrates in water lead to high rates of bowel cancer .Farmers don't want water reform. But are happy to overload the Health system then complain because of no doctors no specialists in rural hospitals now with Cigarettes even more money wasted on preventable diseases.

      • adam 9.1.1
        4 December 2023 at 11:50 pm

        Was thinking Shear croppers and the people who do work for those who own the land will suffer for these policies.

        Not farmers per se.

    • roblogic 9.2
      5 December 2023 at 1:09 am

      It was also based on lies.

      "Labour is going to steal the water and give it to the Māori elite"

      "Co-governance equals apartheid"

      "Co-governance is undemocratic"

      Just brainless stuff. That right-wing blogger/X-er Thomas Cranmer covered up the essential racism on the right with all kinds of legalese and clever arguments. But fundamentally it was a fear campaign against the Left, and it worked.

      The right has fucked the future of Aotearoa for the sake of power.

  10. John 10
    5 December 2023 at 1:23 pm

    After 6 years of complete chaos we can now look to a brighter future with the new coalition government.

  11. John 11
    11 December 2023 at 12:22 pm

    Coalition of Clever.

    • Drowsy M. Kram 11.1
      11 December 2023 at 2:05 pm

      Don't know about clever – time will tell.

      Let's Get Our Country Smoking and Inequality Back on Track.

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    Something odd happened yesterday, and I’d love to know if there’s more to it. If there was something which preempted what happened, or if it was simply a throwaway line in response to a journalist.Yesterday David Seymour was asked at a press conference what the process would be if the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago

  • Webworm LA Pop-Up
    Hi,From time to time, I want to bring Webworm into the real world. We did it last year with the Jurassic Park event in New Zealand — which was a lot of fun!And so on Saturday May 11th, in Los Angeles, I am hosting a lil’ Webworm pop-up! I’ve been ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago

  • “Feel good” school is out
    Education Minister Erica Standford yesterday unveiled a fundamental reform of the way our school pupils are taught. She would not exactly say so, but she is all but dismantling the so-called “inquiry” “feel good” method of teaching, which has ruled in our classrooms since a major review of the New ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago

  • 6 Months in, surely our Report Card is “Ignored all warnings: recommend dismissal ASAP”?
    Exactly where are we seriously going with this government and its policies? That is, apart from following what may as well be a Truss-Lite approach on the purported economic “plan“, and Victorian-era regression when it comes to social policy. Oh it’ll work this time of course, we’re basically assured, “the ...
    exhALANtBy exhalantblog
    2 days ago

  • Bread, and how it gets buttered
    Hey Uncle Dave, When the Poms joined the EEC, I wasn't one of those defeatists who said, Well, that’s it for the dairy job. And I was right, eh? The Chinese can’t get enough of our milk powder and eventually, the Poms came to their senses and backed up the ute ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Why Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating in the country
    Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is higher than for any other mayor ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    2 days ago

  • Justice for Gaza?
    The New York Times reports that the International Criminal Court is about to issue arrest warrants for Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, over their genocide in Gaza: Israeli officials increasingly believe that the International Criminal Court is preparing to issue arrest warrants for senior government officials on ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago

  • If there has been any fiddling with Pharmac’s funding, we can count on Paula to figure out the fis...
    Buzz from the Beehive Pharmac has been given a financial transfusion and a new chair to oversee its spending in the pharmaceutical business. Associate Health Minister David Seymour described the funding for Pharmac as “its largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff”. ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago

  • FastTrackWatch – The case for the Government’s Fast Track Bill
    Bryce Edwards writes – Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Bernard’s pick 'n' mix for Monday, April 29
    TL;DR: Here’s my top 10 ‘pick ‘n’ mix of links to news, analysis and opinion articles as of 10:10am on Monday, April 29:Scoop: The children's ward at Rotorua Hospital will be missing a third of its beds as winter hits because Te Whatu Ora halted an upgrade partway through to ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on Iran killing its rappers, and searching for the invisible Dr. Reti
    span class=”dropcap”>As hideous as David Seymour can be, it is worth keeping in mind occasionally that there are even worse political figures (and regimes) out there. Iran for instance, is about to execute the country’s leading hip hop musician Toomaj Salehi, for writing and performing raps that “corrupt” the nation’s ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    3 days ago

  • Auckland Rail Electrification 10 years old
    Yesterday marked 10 years since the first electric train carried passengers in Auckland so it’s a good time to look back at it and the impact it has had. A brief history The first proposals for rail electrification in Auckland came in the 1920’s alongside the plans for earlier ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    3 days ago

  • Coalition's dirge of austerity and uncertainty is driving the economy into a deeper recession
    Right now, in Aotearoa-NZ, our ‘animal spirits’ are darkening towards a winter of discontent, thanks at least partly to a chorus of negative comments and actions from the Government Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Disability Funding or Tax Cuts.
    You make people evil to punish the paststuck inside a sequel with a rotating castThe following photos haven’t been generated with AI, or modified in any way. They are flesh and blood, human beings. On the left is Galatea Young, a young mum, and her daughter Fiadh who has Angelman ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • Of the Goodness of Tolkien’s Eru
    April has been a quiet month at A Phuulish Fellow. I have had an exceptionally good reading month, and a decently productive writing month – for original fiction, anyway – but not much has caught my eye that suggested a blog article. It has been vaguely frustrating, to be honest. ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    3 days ago

  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #17
    A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 21, 2024 thru Sat, April 27, 2024. Story of the week Anthropogenic climate change may be the ultimate shaggy dog story— but with a twist, because here ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago

  • Pastor Who Abused People, Blames People
    Hi,I spent about a year on Webworm reporting on an abusive megachurch called Arise, and it made me want to stab my eyes out with a fork.I don’t regret that reporting in 2022 and 2023 — I am proud of it — but it made me angry.Over three main stories ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    3 days ago

  • Vic Uni shows how under threat free speech is
    The new Victoria University Vice-Chancellor decided to have a forum at the university about free speech and academic freedom as it is obviously a topical issue, and the Government is looking at legislating some carrots or sticks for universities to uphold their obligations under the Education and Training Act. They ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Winston remembers Gettysburg.
    Do you remember when Melania Trump got caught out using a speech that sounded awfully like one Michelle Obama had given? Uncannily so.Well it turns out that Abraham Lincoln is to Winston Peters as Michelle was to Melania. With the ANZAC speech Uncle Winston gave at Gallipoli having much in ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • 25
    She was born 25 years ago today in North Shore hospital. Her eyes were closed tightly shut, her mouth was silently moving. The whole theatre was all quiet intensity as they marked her a 2 on the APGAR test. A one-minute eternity later, she was an 8.  The universe was ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Fact Brief – Is Antarctica gaining land ice?
    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. Is Antarctica gaining land ice? ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago

  • Policing protests.
    Images of US students (and others) protesting and setting up tent cities on US university campuses have been broadcast world wide and clearly demonstrate the growing rifts in US society caused by US policy toward Israel and Israel’s prosecution of … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    4 days ago

  • Open letter to Hon Paul Goldsmith
    Barrie Saunders writes – Dear Paul As the new Minister of Media and Communications, you will be inundated with heaps of free advice and special pleading, all in the national interest of course. For what it’s worth here is my assessment: Traditional broadcasting free to air content through ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: FastTrackWatch – The Case for the Government’s Fast Track Bill
    Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its arguments for such a bold reform. ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago

  • Luxon gets out his butcher’s knife – briefly
    Peter Dunne writes –  The great nineteenth British Prime Minister, William Gladstone, once observed that “the first essential for a Prime Minister is to be a good butcher.” When a later British Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan, sacked a third of his Cabinet in July 1962, in what became ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • More tax for less
    Ele Ludemann writes – New Zealanders had the OECD’s second highest tax increase last year: New Zealanders faced the second-biggest tax raises in the developed world last year, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) says. The intergovernmental agency said the average change in personal income tax ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Real News vs Fake News.
    We all know something’s not right with our elections. The spread of misinformation, people being targeted with soundbites and emotional triggers that ignore the facts, even the truth, and influence their votes.The use of technology to produce deep fakes. How can you tell if something is real or not? Can ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • Another way to roll
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.Share ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • Simon Clark: The climate lies you'll hear this year
    This video includes conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Simon Clark. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). This year you will be lied to! Simon Clark helps prebunk some misleading statements you'll hear about climate. The video includes ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • Cutting the Public Service
    It is all very well cutting the backrooms of public agencies but it may compromise the frontlines. One of the frustrations of the Productivity Commission’s 2017 review of universities is that while it observed that their non-academic staff were increasing faster than their academic staff, it did not bother to ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    5 days ago

  • Luxon’s demoted ministers might take comfort from the British politician who bounced back after th...
    Buzz from the Beehive Two speeches delivered by Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters at Anzac Day ceremonies in Turkey are the only new posts on the government’s official website since the PM announced his Cabinet shake-up. In one of the speeches, Peters stated the obvious:  we live in a troubled ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago

  • This is how I roll over
    1. Which of these would you not expect to read in The Waikato Invader?a. Luxon is here to do business, don’t you worry about thatb. Mr KPI expects results, and you better believe itc. This decisive man of action is getting me all hot and excitedd. Melissa Lee is how ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • The Waitangi Tribunal is not “a roving Commission”…
    …it has a restricted jurisdiction which must not be abused: it is not an inquisition   NOTE – this article was published before the High Court ruled that Karen Chhour does not have to appear before the Waitangi Tribunal Gary Judd writes –  The High Court ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Is Oranga Tamariki guilty of neglect?
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – One of reasons Oranga Tamariki exists is to prevent child neglect. But could the organisation itself be guilty of the same? Oranga Tamariki’s statistics show a decrease in the number and age of children in care. “There are less children ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • Three Strikes saw lower reoffending
    David Farrar writes: Graeme Edgeler wrote in 2017: In the first five years after three strikes came into effect 5248 offenders received a ‘first strike’ (that is, a “stage-1 conviction” under the three strikes sentencing regime), and 68 offenders received a ‘second strike’. In the five years prior to ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • Luxon’s ruthless show of strength is perfect for our angry era
    Bryce Edwards writes – Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesn’t normally happen in politics. That’s refreshing and will be extremely ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • 'Lacks attention to detail and is creating double-standards.'
    TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the two days to 6:06am on Thursday, April 25:Politics: PM Christopher Luxon has set up a dual standard for ministerial competence by demoting two National Cabinet ministers while leaving also-struggling ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • One Night Only!
    Hi,Today I mainly want to share some of your thoughts about the recent piece I wrote about success and failure, and the forces that seemingly guide our lives. But first, a quick bit of housekeeping: I am doing a Webworm popup in Los Angeles on Saturday May 11 at 2pm. ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago

  • What did Melissa Lee do?
    It is hard to see what Melissa Lee might have done to “save” the media. National went into the election with no public media policy and appears not to have developed one subsequently. Lee claimed that she had prepared a policy paper before the election but it had been decided ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago

  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #17 2024
    Open access notables Ice acceleration and rotation in the Greenland Ice Sheet interior in recent decades, Løkkegaard et al., Communications Earth & Environment: In the past two decades, mass loss from the Greenland ice sheet has accelerated, partly due to the speedup of glaciers. However, uncertainty in speed derived from satellite products ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago

  • Maori Party (with “disgust”) draws attention to Chhour’s race after the High Court rules on Wa...
    Buzz from the Beehive A statement from Children’s Minister Karen Chhour – yet to be posted on the Government’s official website – arrived in Point of Order’s email in-tray last night. It welcomes the High Court ruling on whether the Waitangi Tribunal can demand she appear before it. It does ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • Who’s Going Up The Media Mountain?
    Mr Bombastic: Ironically, the media the academic experts wanted is, in many ways, the media they got. In place of the tyrannical editors of yesteryear, advancing without fear or favour the interests of the ruling class; the New Zealand news media of today boasts a troop of enlightened journalists dedicated to ...
    Bowalley Road
    6 days ago

  • “That's how I roll”
    It's hard times try to make a livingYou wake up every morning in the unforgivingOut there somewhere in the cityThere's people living lives without mercy or pityI feel good, yeah I'm feeling fineI feel better then I have for the longest timeI think these pills have been good for meI ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    7 days ago

  • “Comity” versus the rule of law
    In 1974, the US Supreme Court issued its decision in United States v. Nixon, finding that the President was not a King, but was subject to the law and was required to turn over the evidence of his wrongdoing to the courts. It was a landmark decision for the rule ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    7 days ago

  • Aotearoa: a live lab for failed Right-wing socio-economic zombie experiments once more…
    Every day now just seems to bring in more fresh meat for the grinder. In their relentlessly ideological drive to cut back on the “excessive bloat” (as they see it) of the previous Labour-led government, on the mountains of evidence accumulated in such a short period of time do not ...
    exhALANtBy exhalantblog
    1 week ago

  • Water is at the heart of farmers’ struggle to survive in Benin
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Megan Valére Sosou Market gardening site of the Itchèléré de Itagui agricultural cooperative in Dassa-Zoumè (Image credit: Megan Valère Sossou) For the residents of Dassa-Zoumè, a city in the West African country of Benin, choosing between drinking water and having enough ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago

  • At a time of media turmoil, Melissa had nothing to proclaim as Minister – and now she has been dem...
    Buzz from the Beehive   Melissa Lee – as may be discerned from the screenshot above – has not been demoted for doing something seriously wrong as Minister of ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 week ago

  • Minister acknowledges passing of Sir Robert Martin (KNZM)
    New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 hours ago

  • Speech to New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, Parliament – Annual Lecture: Challenges ...
    Good evening –   Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 hours ago

  • Accelerating airport security lines
    From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    9 hours ago

  • Community hui to talk about kina barrens
    People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    14 hours ago

  • Kiwi exporters win as NZ-EU FTA enters into force
    Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago

  • Mining resurgence a welcome sign
    There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    16 hours ago

  • Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill passes first reading
    The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Government to boost public EV charging network
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure.  The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Residential Property Managers Bill to not progress
    The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Independent review into disability support services
    The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Justice Minister updates UN on law & order plan
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Ending emergency housing motels in Rotorua
    The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Trade Minister travels to Riyadh, OECD, and Dubai
    Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Education priorities focused on lifting achievement
    Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • NZTA App first step towards digital driver licence
    The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say.  “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Supporting whānau out of emergency housing
    Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Tribute to Dave O'Sullivan
    Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Speech – Eid al-Fitr
    Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Government saves access to medicines
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff.    “Access to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwis’ lives. We’ve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Pharmac Chair appointed
    Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Taking action on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
    Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says.  “Every day, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • New sports complex opens in Kaikohe
    Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Diplomacy needed more than ever
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges.    “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address, Buttes New British Cemetery Belgium
    Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service.  It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address – NZ National Service, Chunuk Bair
    Distinguished guests -   It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders.   Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address – Dawn Service, Gallipoli, Türkiye
    Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia.   Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • PM announces changes to portfolios
    Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • New catch limits for unique fishery areas
    Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Minister welcomes hydrogen milestone
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Urgent changes to system through first RMA Amendment Bill
    The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Overseas decommissioning models considered
    Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Release of North Island Severe Weather Event Inquiry
    Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Justice Minister to attend Human Rights Council
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order.  “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
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  • Patterson reopens world’s largest wool scouring facility
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  • Speech to the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective Summit, 18 April 2024
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