The moral low ground

Written By: - Date published: 3:00 pm, August 18th, 2014 - 45 comments
Categories: accountability, corruption, David Farrar, democracy under attack, election 2014, john key, Judith Collins, making shit up, national, you couldn't make this shit up - Tags:

Revulsion. That’s what’s coming out from a range of people who have ploughed through the inner thoughts of the bottom-feeders in Nicky Hager’s book. Slater, Farrar, Ede, Collins, Lusk, Odgers, Jordan Williams – all are repulsive.It’s the strength of that gut feeling, that instinctive and emotional response from people as diverse as Lprent, Andrew Geddes, Danyl McLaughlin, Mike Williams and Matthew Hooton that will sink their plot. To quote Lyn:

After reading the quotes by Jordan Williams and and his disgusting sociopathic fellows, I know I felt like I needed some way to get clean. It appears that Danyl McLaughlin and Andrew Geddis feel the same. I suspect that any decent person would as well.

So much for the monkeys – what about the organ-grinder? Despite all John Key’s efforts to move as quickly as possible to the end of the day, at the end of the day…it’s still not ok.

This isn’t about politics as usual. This is a cancer that has to be cut out. As always, it’s the cover-up that finally does that damage. Key’s attempts to cover up are pathetic, and doomed to be futile. But what they show is that he chosen to be in the moral low ground with the rest of them. TeamKey indeed.

Key-Slater-Farrar

45 comments on “The moral low ground ”

  1. Once Was Tim 1

    Unfortunately this election may be more about whether they’re able to kick the can down the road a bit further or not.
    The more they’re successful at it of course, the uglier it gets. THe harder they rise, the harder they fall and all that.
    Kicking the can down the road though does seem to be their strategy (or rather tactic).
    No doubt the paper shredders are busy, and as individuals they’re each busy working out who best to blame.
    Personally, I don’t think its going to work. Fessing up and minimising the long term effects for their respective families is a far better option. But then, not only are they Masters of the Universe – they’re also muppets with a shitload to lose

  2. yeshe 2

    Including Hooton among the ones who are revulsed and
    shocked ? Surely not ?

    • Anne 2.1

      Hooton might earn his living being a right wing spinner but he has standards. I can’t see him being associated with such abhorrent behaviour.

      • Hami Shearlie 2.1.1

        But isn’t he reported as having given the street name of Nicky Hagar’s house to Cathy Odgers?

        • Tracey 2.1.1.1

          exactly. Anything short of hoots now using his contacts to campaign hard against national is not contrition he is, imo, soilednot just by his connections but his own actions

        • rhinocrates 2.1.1.2

          Exactly. Spin it as he likes, he was there and a part of it and has been neck deep in the filth with them for years. Now he has standards? He’s just scrambling to find a long enough barge pole to push them away now.

        • TheRealist 2.1.1.3

          I was confused as well, but I think it’s someone else, spelled Hooton.

      • tricledrown 2.1.2

        So Matthew Hooton broadcasting Hagers st address on National Radio was very nasty bullying Anne

      • tricledrown 2.1.3

        Yeah right Anne Hooton is deeply embedded as with the exclusive brethren they were in cohorts with Key then and are now !
        Is this the best you can do you are rather naive or just the water tester for a conback that will never happen!
        Mathew Hooton is a Machevelian Henchman of the highest order and to say he is otherwise you would be a fool!

        • Anne 2.1.3.1

          You’re all acting as if I’m a supporter of Hooton. Pull your horns in! Can’t stand the beggar. He’s a super-spinner for the right and can’t be trusted. However is there any proof he supplied the address
          knowing what Odger’/Slater’s intentions were when he did so? Haven’t read the book yet so I don’t know.

          I don’t think he would have been so stupid to have aligned himself too closely with those rotten examples of humanity. Call it ‘standards’ or if you like ‘being astute’. Take your pick.

          • Tracey 2.1.3.1.1

            hager says there is proof. I have read the boom book.

            [lprent: 🙂 ]

          • tricledrown 2.1.3.1.2

            Anne I am talking about last Monday on 9 till noon Matthew Hooton’s intimidatory behaviour telling every body where Nicky Hager lived !

            • Anne 2.1.3.1.2.1

              It would appear we were at cross purposes. I didn’t know he revealed the address yesterday. I do know Hagar used to be in the Welly phone book because I wanted to get in touch with him some years ago.

        • lurgee 2.1.3.2

          Mathew Hooton is a Machevelian Henchman of the highest order and to say he is otherwise you would be a fool!

          In his dreams …

          He’s a self important fool who wishes everyone THOUGHT he was a Machevelian Henchman of the highest order. He’s a bitof a goon, really. Unlike Slater et al, I would give him the benefit of the doubt in most instances – I think he’s just a bit of a feckless idiot who’s having a bit of a laugh and can’t believe that everyone else takes this stuff so seriously and that he’s managed to make a living out of blustering and pretending to be more important than he really is.

          Which makes him a right dick, for laughing and pissing about with things that are actually really serious, but not actively consciously evil.

          IMHO.

  3. Jeeves Ponzi 4

    I don’t really care about dirty politics on the Left. Or the right.
    I don’t really care about our abysmal media.
    I don’t care about that insufferable blog or the ferals who post their peurile bile there.
    I don’t really care if the emails were stolen, leaked ,hacked, created from ectoplasmic hatred or not.
    I don’t care if every dot in Hager’s book is exactly accurate or not.
    Or if Judith moved a prisoner, or John knew about the raid,or Jason actually hacked, or Cameron actually said, or anyone actually did anything.

    I don’t care if they are joined dots or squiggly lines, facts, fantasy or foolishness

    Just look at our Government.

    They stink- badly- in their entirety.
    And I know this for a fact- because I can smell it.

  4. Sable 5

    Its sad what this country has come to when this twerp is preferred choice of PM. Really scraping the paint off the bottom of the barrel….

    • Colonial Viper 5.1

      We need smart, strong, vibrant alternatives. People are waiting. Internet Mana is on 4% now – on a poll which is predominantly landline and right wing. Not saying that they deserve support, but saying that people want something clearly different to support – lots of people know by now that Key and his crew are bad news.

    • Dumbrse 5.2

      What’s really sad is you having no understanding of democracy. Give me a Labour Party name that is polling bette than Key……..there you go, didn’t think so.

      • The Al1en 5.2.1

        Give me a Labour party name that uses a slime ball attack blogger to do the dirty work, allowing them to cultivate an honest john personna to the populus… There you go, didn’t think so.

      • unsol 5.2.2

        Nah you can’t use the recent polls as they are all before this book came out. Secondly, democracy is grossly undermined when 1) most people do not get polled, 2) most who are polled live in Waikanae or Tauranga – our retired capitals so they only reflect the views of one demographic & 3) voter turnout has been decreasing for years with the last election the lowest turnout ever.

        Yes non voters could vote either way, but most are left wing as we all know that those least likely to vote are the young ones (18-24) & that if they do vote they are usually idealist students who tend to vote left…and the low income……who very rarely vote right if they ever vote at all.

        So I wouldnt be pushing the democracy argument if I were you as you are bound to lose. Sure we have a democracy in terms of numbers with most who are eligible turning out to vote, but we don’t have a democracy in terms of fair representation of ALL demographics, ethnicities & races. Absolutely not.

        But you are right in that Labour et al have yet to offer a viable alternative government & I am not sure that expecting to ride in on the curtails of the Hager vs the Nats/Slater scandal will be enough to secure a win.

  5. unsol 6

    “Slater, Farrar, Ede, Collins, Lusk, Odgers, Jordan Williams – all are repulsive…..this is a cancer that has to be cut out. As always, it’s the cover-up that finally does that damage. Key’s attempts to cover up are pathetic, and doomed to be futile. But what they show is that he chosen to be in the moral low ground with the rest of them”

    Couldn’t agree more. I am incredulous at Key’s inability to come out strong, distance himself from Slater et al & kick Collins out. His easy-going personality makes him out to be a spineless fool like Bolger & we all know how that turned out – Slash & Burn Shipley pushed him out. I’m guessing if the Nats get re-elected Collins would do the same…if she had the numbers…..I can’t imagine she is super popular amongst the party though…or at least amongst the women as women like her don’t tend to have many girlfriends!

    In times like this I miss Helen. She at least had spine…..even if I thought she went so far left she forgot what centre looked liked when she reduced the drinking age (that turned out well….not!) & started handing out all the freebies. 😉

    So this debacle puts us centre right voters in a real bind as despite claims to the contrary, we know there is no one as morally vapid as Slater et al on the left – the likes of Mallard & Bradbury are all bark & little bite. And Hager’s book shows the Nat’s attempts to tame the rabid dog is proof trying to do so just means you are likely to end up with rabies.

    Obviously policies are much bigger than all this garbage, but one has to wonder if Slater continues to get his claws into the Nats will this impact policy too? E.g. will they start to liberalise tobacco, censorship (porn) & gun laws (mind you they are pretty liberal anyone when one considers he still has a license – WTF is up with that!)? I wouldn’t be surprised as while the world is in agreement that Slater is a vile excuse of a man, the Nats don’t seem to have a problem with keeping him in the loop. Nor do the corporates…if the claims against him re tobacco & Fonterra are anything to go by.

    So the question is if Key isn’t going to man up & ditch this lot what will you all do? How does one get rid of a bunch of parasitic wasps? It seems they are immune to all kinds of extermination. Slater especially has received heaps of backlash & yet keeps going despite threats against his wife (who seems just as nuts as he is) & his kids (and no I don’t condone those threats in any shape or form, just trying to demonstrate that he is a jack in the box as it seems he can never be pushed down for long). If anything all this stuff just fuels his narcissism!

    I don’t have the answers, but one thing for sure is that the longer Slater, Lusk, Collins, Ede etc are associated with NZ politics the worse off our democracy is. Everything they stand for undermines the basic principles upon which this country was established & prevents voters from finding a reason to engage.

    • emergency mike 6.1

      Sorry unsol, a fish rots from the head down. This isn’t a gang of nasty sociopaths that have latched themselves on to Key, Key is the leader of the gang.

      Bennett? Bridges? Brownlee? Collins? Perata? Joyce? Findlayson? Ross? I think you left a few nasties off your list. Everyone of them is cold, vindictive, and arrogant. Smack bang in the middle of it all is poor innocent smiley wavey John Key. How did this happen to such a nice man?

      As Mike Smith points out unsol, Key has made it clear who he is sticking with and defending. His sociopathic mates.

      • unsol 6.1.1

        “Sorry unsol, a fish rots from the head down”

        emerg mike I agree. I’ve always considered Johnboy to be a wolf in sheep’s clothing & thought he was an iron fist in a velvet glove kind of guy after he managed to reign English in without a coup. I also liked who he surrounded himself with..that is until I realised how dodge Collins is (first alarm was her meddling in the Bain case.

        The fact that he chooses to side with morally questionable people like Collins, despite the fact that it is actually politically expedient to save face & ditch her, means he is incredibly stupid or she has something over him. I’m guessing the latter.

        And sorry, but nah, I rate Bennett as the best MSD we have ever had as she was the first minister to talk about child abuse the second she got appointed. Being a leftie you won’t agree with her policies, but you have to see that her heart is 100% in the right place. She’s a good lady. For a westie 😉

        Perata & Joyce – I like them but yep, agree with bumbling Brownleee & Findlayson. Not sure about Ross as he is not ‘important’. Don’t like the fact that Slater rates him though. That can’t be a good omen!

        • emergency mike 6.1.1.1

          Fair enough unsol, however:

          “but you have to see that her heart is 100% in the right place”

          Ms “There is no measure for child poverty hahaha”? The one who released benefit details of someone who criticized her policies and maintained she’d done nothing wrong? The minister who seems to think her job finding new ways to kick people off benefits?

          No I don’t, and I won’t.

    • shona 6.2

      Clark did not reduce the drinking age Shipley did. Cafe Society and all that shit.

      • unsol 6.2.1

        Are you sure? Yes the Nats were in govt, but I thought it was lowered under the Dalziel Amendment Act – a PMB brought in by Dalziel & voted in on a conscience vote where the majority of the left voted yes & the majority of the right voted no?

    • adriank 6.3

      I think you’ll find that the Sale of Liquor Amendment Act of 1999 was passed 3 months before Helen Clark was elected PM: http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1999/0092/latest/DLM32605.html

      • tricledrown 6.3.1

        Shipley’s last stand she was hoping that lowering the drinking age would save her ass

    • Rosie 6.4

      Hi unsol.

      “In times like this I miss Helen. She at least had spine…..even if I thought she went so far left she forgot what centre looked liked when she reduced the drinking age (that turned out well….not!) & started handing out all the freebies. ;)”

      Just as an aside, it was the National Government under Jenny Shipley that reduced the minimum alcohol purchase age in 1999, not Hel’s Government.

  6. philj 7

    xox
    I’m not incredulous about Keys inability to distance himself from these repulsive people. Why? Cause he’s an integral part of it. Vote Key for a Brighter Future!.? He’s history. Can’t wait for the Ipredict odds.

  7. Travis 8

    Ah unsol. Much like myself you were a casual observer at whaleoil, I know I was for a few years, but got ground down by the abuse, but worse simply the posts that would magically dissappear if you questioned cameron or his two felching sycophants or confessed to an alternative view. I actually thank them, couple of years ago I was a blind nat voter who thought jk was ok by me, funnily enough over the last 12 months simply on the basis of what I read on WO it was enough to get me thinking, then actually be repulsed by them. And that was before the book….good thing is I would never have known the standard existed if it wasnt for Cam, and now I get to cometo a blog, comment whatever I like without being being blocked. I remember you unsol and agreed with most of what you said, but wasnt surprised when you were banished. I suspect you and I are one of many, went to WO for the news, got turned off by the nastiness, and have ended up here….free to say what we like. The thing that makes me laugh the most is the “WO Army” and Cam and the moderators constantly soliciting for donations from them “to run the site” by these followers…and the whole time he is being paid by the tobacco and alcohol industry. Haha! Even Cam is trying to fuck his devoted “army” …and they dont see it. He even has a donate button on his home page. They cant see he is just using them, like he uses everyone (Beven Chuang anyone, she came out smelling like roses didnt she Cam?)

    • emergency mike 8.1

      I’d say about a third of the ‘army’ will be waking up about now to the fact that they are just useful idiots to ‘Cam’ – that he’s been laughing at his manipulation of them as hard as his manipulation of anyone else.

      Another third will still be in cognitive dissonant disbelief. “We’re with you Cam! Stay strong.” They will wake up later. Perhaps quite abruptly if Slater implodes as quickly as he might.

      The other third are Slater sock puppets. I’m sure they will stay fiercely loyal.

    • unsol 8.2

      Travis eh….interesting! I’m guessing you’re not the same Slater 2IC wannabe Travis….I can’t imagine he would step away from the party line! Hmmm I wasn’t just a casual observer, I heartily contributed until the bitter end! 😉 I saw the ‘light’ when Slater wrote a derogatory post about that 10 year old boy early last year. I had seen a lot of content on the site that I found extremely questionable, but like you I chose to ignore it for many years as for the most part I agreed with the politically based sentiments. But after that awful post I found very few posts I agreed with, particularly as the Bain stuff came up & it was soon obvious the parasitic wasps were circling..all good things must come to an end eh! 😉 They are a weird lot tho aren’t they! They don’t seem to realise that real life exists outside their little bubble where their views have more in common with hate speech & nonsensical ramblings than that of well-thought out substantiated arguments. I guess it makes sense as we all know bigots have an IQ barely above that of mental retardation as such views are just not logical.

      The marriage equality stuff (I got attacked by the commentators but not Slater as his posts were obviously ‘pro’…despite the fact he is clearly as bigoted as one can get) was a classic example of logic & rationale being completely foreign concepts to most people. I was simply gobsmacked by not just how many neanderthals still exist, but by their sheer stupidity. Up until that point I thought most commentators on there were reasonably intelligent. I soon found I had given them way to much credit as they couldn’t cope with anything bigger than a sound bite or one sentence max…..especially on issues they disagreed with.

      Most of the old regulars seem to have left now though so looks like there is a few of us that ‘woke up’!

      All bloggers & commentators can get really nasty, but no other blog takes to character assassinations with the same level of venom as them & they certainly don’t tend to denigrate ordinary NZers just because they happened to make the news. This is what I reckon will be Slater’s undoing if KDC & Hager don’t take him down first. Like all narcissists he will probably (&predictably) end up being the author of his own misfortune.

      Re the donations – funny that the WO army is only loyal until it comes time to part with their hard earn cash!!! I doubt those donations are keeping him in the lifestyle to which he is accustomed (i.e. leaning on the wife’s income and/or feeding off the taxpayer’s tit). Like his page views, I doubt the donations amount to much by way of something really tangible! It’s almost as funny as him thinking he was invited & partially put up by the Israeli govt because he is a real journalist “decent, trained & skilled”……he fails to realise that it was most probably because they are so desperate to get a sympathetic ear re their genocide of the Palestinians ( schools vs rockets against a big ole dome is hardly a fair match) that they would have invited anyone!

      Anyhoo it will be interesting to see how this saga ends & how much, if at all, it affects the election result.

  8. dave 9

    for anyone intrested protest at the pullman hotel 21 august at 6.45 pm these vile people deserved bit of there own back

    https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152214811687601&set=gm.714546255278068&type=1&relevant_count=1

  9. Vaughan Little 10

    when the dust settles, after the elections, we’re gonna have to talk about bullying. it’s not ok to be a bully, and it’s not ok for bullies to represent us in parliament.

  10. Travis 11

    Funny you mention the palestinians, that was my final straw. The reaction to a post I made made it clear for some reason if you werent ANTI palestine, you must be anti Israel? It just wasnt possible to be anti neither, or pro the israeli state, but by the same measure pro a palestinian homeland and more importantly being shocked by the innocent casualties -on both sides and pointing out it was neither the children in palestine, nor the israeli reservist who was to blame nor would be able to solve the arab-israeli problem, but they were the ones paying the price. And yes, constantly referring to any dissident on yr site as a “cocksmoker” had me wondering . Its all clear now though, obviously the pro equality lobby was willing to pay more than the anti..hence why they were obviously able to post under Camerons name…that seems to be how he picks his issues. Highest bidder. At least by accident he morally fell the right way.
    travis? Tongue firmly in cheek. He is more of a dick than his hero he wishes would like him more.

  11. Rosie 12

    Revulsion is the perfect word. The Book is fascinating and disturbing in regard to the outrageous political manipulations but above all the sense of revulsion when reading this book is overwhelming, and I’m only three chapters into it!

    It’s necessary to read this book, it can’t be ignored. Normally we have the option of avoiding unpleasantness if we choose to, but reading Dirty Politics you can’t escape it. The characters communications are sickening and disgusting.

    It provokes such a reaction in me that I can’t read this book before bed time – it pollutes the mind and gives a sense of unease, which is not what you want as you drift into sleep.

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • At a glance – Does CO2 always correlate with temperature?
    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 ...
    3 hours ago
  • Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6.06 pm on Tuesday, March 19
    TL;DR: In today’s ‘six-stack’ of substacks at 6.06pm on Tuesday, March 19:Kāinga Ora’s dry rot The Spinoff DailyBill McKibben on ‘Climate Superfunds’ making Big Oil pay for climate damage The Crucial YearsPreston Mui on returning to 1980s-style productivity growth NoahpinionAndy Boenau on NIMBYs needing unusual bedfellows Urbanism SpeakeasyNed Resnikoff's case ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 hours ago
  • Relentlessly negative
    Negative yesterday, negative today. Negative all year, according to one departing reader telling me I’ve grown strident and predictable. Fair enough. If it’s any help, every time I go to write about a certain topic that begins with C and ends with arrrrs, I do brace myself and ask: Again? Are ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 hours ago
  • Scoring 4.6 out of 10, the new Government is struggling in the polls
    Bryce Edwards writes –  It’s been a tumultuous time in politics in recent months, as the new National-led Government has driven through its “First 100 Day programme”. During this period there’s been a handful of opinion polls, which overall just show a minimal amount of flux in public support ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 hours ago
  • Promiscuous Empathy: Chris Trotter Replies To His Critics.
    Inspirational: The Family of Man is a glorious hymn to human equality, but, more than that, it is a clarion call to human freedom. Because equality, unleavened by liberty, is a broken piano, an unstrung harp; upon which the songs of fraternity will never be played. “Somebody must have been telling lies about ...
    6 hours ago
  • Don’t run your business like a criminal enterprise
    The Detail this morning highlights the police's asset forfeiture case against convicted business criminal Ron Salter, who stands to have his business confiscated for systemic violations of health and safety law. Business are crying foul - but not for the reason you'd think. Instead of opposing the post-conviction punishment and ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 hours ago
  • Misremembering Justinian’s Taxes.
    Tax Lawyer Barbara Edmonds vs Emperor Justinian I - Nolo Contendere: False historical explanations of pivotal events are very far from being inconsequential.WHEN BARBARA EDMONDS made reference to the Roman Empire, my ears pricked up. It is, lamentably, very rare to hear a politician admit to any kind of familiarity ...
    7 hours ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Scoring 4.6 out of 10, the new Government is struggling in the polls
    It’s been a tumultuous time in politics in recent months, as the new National-led Government has driven through its “First 100 Day programme”. During this period there’s been a handful of opinion polls, which overall just show a minimal amount of flux in public support for the various parties in ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    7 hours ago
  • Bishop scores headlines with crackdown on unwelcome tenants – but Peters scores, too, as tub-thump...
    Buzz from the Beehive Housing Minister Chris Bishop delivered news – packed with the ingredients to enflame political passions – worthy of supplanting Winston Peters in headline writers’ priorities. He popped up at the post-Cabinet press conference to promise a crackdown on unruly and antisocial state housing tenants. His ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    8 hours ago
  • Will it make the boat go faster?
    Ele Ludemann writes – The Reserve Bank is advertising for a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion advisor. The Bank has one mandate – to keep inflation between one and three percent. It has failed in that and is only slowly getting inflation back down to the upper limit. Will it ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    11 hours ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Is Simon Bridges’ NZTA appointment a conflict of interest?
    Last week former National Party leader Simon Bridges was appointed by the Government as the new chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). You can read about the appointment in Thomas Coughlan’s article, Simon Bridges to become chair of NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi The fact that a ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    11 hours ago
  • Is Simon Bridges’ NZTA appointment a conflict of interest?
    Bryce Edwards writes – Last week former National Party leader Simon Bridges was appointed by the Government as the new chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). You can read about the appointment in Thomas Coughlan’s article, Simon Bridges to become chair of NZ Transport Agency ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    12 hours ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' at 10:10am on Tuesday, March 19
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Gavin Jacobson talks to Thomas Piketty 10 years on from Capital in the 21st Century The SalvoLocal scoop: Green MP’s business being investigated over migrant exploitation claims Stuff Steve KilgallonLocal deep-dive: The commercial contractors making money from School ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    12 hours ago
  • Bernard's six newsy things on Tuesday, March 19
    It’s a home - but Kāinga Ora tenants accused of “abusing the privilege” may lose it. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The Government announced a crackdown on Kāinga Ora tenants who were unruly and/or behind on their rent, with Housing Minister Chris Bishop saying a place in a state ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    13 hours ago
  • New Life for Light Rail
    This is a guest post by Connor Sharp of Surface Light Rail  Light rail in Auckland: A way forward sooner than you think With the coup de grâce of Auckland Light Rail (ALR) earlier this year, and the shift of the government’s priorities to roads, roads, and more roads, it ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    14 hours ago
  • Why Are Bosses Nearly All Buffoons?
    Note: As a paid-up Webworm member, I’ve recorded this Webworm as a mini-podcast for you as well. Some of you said you liked this option - so I aim to provide it when I get a chance to record! Read more ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    16 hours ago
  • Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6.06 pm on March 18
    TL;DR: In my ‘six-stack’ of substacks at 6.06pm on Monday, March 18:IKEA is accused of planting big forests in New Zealand to green-wash; REDD-MonitorA City for People takes a well-deserved victory lap over Wellington’s pro-YIMBY District Plan votes; A City for PeopleSteven Anastasiou takes a close look at the sticky ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Peters holds his ground on co-governance, but Willis wriggles on those tax cuts and SNA suspension l...
    Buzz from the Beehive Here’s hoping for a lively post-cabinet press conference when the PM and – perhaps – some of his ministers tell us what was discussed at their meeting today. Until then, Point of Order has precious little Beehive news to report after its latest monitoring of the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 day ago
  • Labour’s final report card
    David Farrar writes –  We now have almost all 2023 data in, which has allowed me to update my annual table of how  went against its promises. This is basically their final report card. The promise The result Build 100,000 affordable homes over 10 ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago
  • “Drunk Uncle at a Wedding”
    I’m a bit worried that I’ve started a previous newsletter with the words “just when you think they couldn’t get any worse…” Seems lately that I could begin pretty much every issue with that opening. Such is the nature of our coalition government that they seem to be outdoing each ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 day ago
  • Wang Yi’s perfectly-timed, Aukus-themed visit to New Zealand
    Geoffrey Miller writes – Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago
  • Gordon Campbell on Dune 2, and images of Islam
    Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture ...
    1 day ago
  • New Rail Operations Centre Promises Better Train Services
    Last week Transport Minster Simeon Brown and Mayor Wayne Brown opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre. The new train control centre will see teams from KiwiRail, Auckland Transport and Auckland One Rail working more closely together to improve train services across the city. The Auckland Rail Operations Centre in ...
    2 days ago
  • Bernard's six newsy things at 6.36am on Monday, March 18
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson said in an exit interview with Q+A yesterday the Government can and should sustain more debt to invest in infrastructure for future generations. Elsewhere in the news in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 6:36am: Read more ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: Wang Yi’s perfectly-timed, Aukus-themed visit to New Zealand
    Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. It is more than just a happy ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    2 days ago
  • The Kaka’s diary for the week to March 25 and beyond
    TL;DR: The key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to March 18 include:China’s Foreign Minister visiting Wellington today;A post-cabinet news conference this afternoon; the resumption of Parliament on Tuesday for two weeks before Easter;retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson gives his valedictory speech in Parliament; ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Bitter and angry; Winston First
    New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters’s state-of-the-nation speech on Sunday was really a state-of-Winston-First speech. He barely mentioned any of the Government’s key policies and could not even wholly endorse its signature income tax cuts. Instead, he rehearsed all of his complaints about the Ardern Government, including an extraordinary claim ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
    2 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
    2 days ago
  • Out of Touch.
    “I’ve been internalising a really complicated situation in my head.”When they kept telling us we should wait until we get to know him, were they taking the piss? Was it a case of, if you think this is bad, wait till you get to know the real Christopher, after the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • The bewildering world of Chris Luxon – Guns for all, not no lunch for kids
    .“$10 and a target that bleeds” - Bleeding Targets for Under $10!.Thanks for reading Frankly Speaking ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.This government appears hell-bent on either scrapping life-saving legislation or reintroducing things that - frustrated critics insist - will be dangerous and likely ...
    Frankly SpeakingBy Frank Macskasy
    3 days ago
  • Expert Opinion: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.
    It hardly strikes me as fair to criticise a government for doing exactly what it said it was going to do. For actually keeping its promises.”THUNDER WAS PLAYING TAG with lightning flashes amongst the distant peaks. Its rolling cadences interrupted by the here-I-come-here-I-go Doppler effect of the occasional passing car. ...
    3 days ago
  • Manufacturing The Truth.
    Subversive & Disruptive Technologies: Just as happened with that other great regulator of the masses, the Medieval Church, the advent of a new and hard-to-control technology – the Internet –  is weakening the ties that bind. Then, and now, those who enjoy a monopoly on the dissemination of lies, cannot and will ...
    3 days ago
  • A Powerful Sensation of Déjà Vu.
    Been Here Before: To find the precedents for what this Coalition Government is proposing, it is necessary to return to the “glory days” of Muldoonism.THE COALITION GOVERNMENT has celebrated its first 100 days in office by checking-off the last of its listed commitments. It remains, however, an angry government. It ...
    3 days ago
  • Can you guess where world attention is focussed (according to Greenpeace)? It’s focussed on an EPA...
    Bob Edlin writes –  And what is the world watching today…? The email newsletter from Associated Press which landed in our mailbox early this morning advised: In the news today: The father of a school shooter has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter; prosecutors in Trump’s hush-money case ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • Further integrity problems for the Greens in suspending MP Darleen Tana
    Bryce Edwards writes – Is another Green MP on their way out? And are the Greens severely tarnished by another integrity scandal? For the second time in three months, the Green Party has secretly suspended an MP over integrity issues. Mystery is surrounding the party’s decision to ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Jacqui Van Der Kaay: Greens’ transparency missing in action
    For the last few years, the Green Party has been the party that has managed to avoid the plague of multiple scandals that have beleaguered other political parties. It appears that their luck has run out with a second scandal which, unfortunately for them, coincided with Golraz Ghahraman, the focus ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago
  • Bernard’s Dawn Chorus with six newsey things at 6:46am for Saturday, March 16
    TL;DR: The six newsey things that stood out to me as of 6:46am on Saturday, March 16.Andy Foster has accidentally allowed a Labour/Green amendment to cut road user chargers for plug-in hybrid vehicles, which the Government might accept; NZ Herald Thomas Coughlan Simeon Brown has rejected a plea from Westport ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • How Did FTX Crash?
    What seemed a booming success a couple of years ago has collapsed into fraud convictions.I looked at the crash of FTX (short for ‘Futures Exchange’) in November 2022 to see whether it would impact on the financial system as a whole. Fortunately there was barely a ripple, probably because it ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    4 days ago
  • Elections in Russia and Ukraine
    Anybody following the situation in Ukraine and Russia would probably have been amused by a recent Tweet on X NATO seems to be putting in an awful lot of effort to influence what is, at least according to them, a sham election in an autocracy.When do the Ukrainians go to ...
    4 days ago
  • Bernard’s six stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15
    TL;DR: Shaun Baker on Wynyard Quarter's transformation. Magdalene Taylor on the problem with smart phones. How private equity are now all over reinsurance. Dylan Cleaver on rugby and CTE. Emily Atkin on ‘Big Meat’ looking like ‘Big Oil’.Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15Photo by Jeppe Hove Jensen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Buzz from the Beehive Finance Minister Nicola Willis had plenty to say when addressing the Auckland Business Chamber on the economic growth that (she tells us) is flagging more than we thought. But the government intends to put new life into it:  We want our country to be a ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • National’s clean car tax advances
    The Transport and Infrastructure Committee has reported back on the Road User Charges (Light Electric RUC Vehicles) Amendment Bill, basicly rubberstamping it. While there was widespread support among submitters for the principle that EV and PHEV drivers should pay their fair share for the roads, they also overwhelmingly disagreed with ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Government funding bailouts
    Peter Dunne writes – This week’s government bailout – the fifth in the last eighteen months – of the financially troubled Ruapehu Alpine Lifts company would have pleased many in the central North Island ski industry. The government’s stated rationale for the $7 million funding was that it ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Two offenders, different treatments.
    See if you can spot the difference. An Iranian born female MP from a progressive party is accused of serial shoplifting. Her name is leaked to the media, which goes into a pack frenzy even before the Police launch an … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    4 days ago
  • Treaty references omitted
    Ele Ludemann writes  – The government is omitting general Treaty references from legislation : The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last Government in a bid to get greater coherence in the public service on Treaty ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • The Ghahraman Conflict
    What was that judge thinking? Peter Williams writes –  That Golriz Ghahraman and District Court Judge Maria Pecotic were once lawyer colleagues is incontrovertible. There is published evidence that they took at least one case to the Court of Appeal together. There was a report on ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 15
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Climate Scorpion – the sting is in the tail. Introducing planetary solvency. A paper via the University of Exeter’s Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.Local scoop: Kāinga Ora starts pulling out of its Auckland projects and selling land RNZ ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The day Wellington up-zoned its future
    Wellington’s massively upzoned District Plan adds the opportunity for tens of thousands of new homes not just in the central city (such as these Webb St new builds) but also close to the CBD and public transport links. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Wellington gave itself the chance of ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Weekly Roundup 15-March-2024
    It’s Friday and we’re halfway through March Madness. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week in Greater Auckland On Monday Matt asked how we can get better event trains and an option for grade separating Morningside Dr. On Tuesday Matt looked into ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    5 days ago
  • That Word.
    Something you might not know about me is that I’m quite a stubborn person. No, really. I don’t much care for criticism I think’s unfair or that I disagree with. Few of us do I suppose.Back when I was a drinker I’d sometimes respond defensively, even angrily. There are things ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • The Hoon around the week to March 15
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:PM Christopher Luxon said the reversal of interest deductibility for landlords was done to help renters, who ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Labour’s policy gap
    It was not so much the Labour Party but really the Chris Hipkins party yesterday at Labour’s caucus retreat in Martinborough. The former Prime Minister was more or less consistent on wealth tax, which he was at best equivocal about, and social insurance, which he was not willing to revisit. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #11 2024
    Open access notables A Glimpse into the Future: The 2023 Ocean Temperature and Sea Ice Extremes in the Context of Longer-Term Climate Change, Kuhlbrodt et al., Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society: In the year 2023, we have seen extraordinary extrema in high sea surface temperature (SST) in the North Atlantic and in ...
    5 days ago
  • Melissa remains mute on media matters but has something to say (at a sporting event) about economic ...
     Buzz from the Beehive   The text reproduced above appears on a page which records all the media statements and speeches posted on the government’s official website by Melissa Lee as Minister of Media and Communications and/or by Jenny Marcroft, her Parliamentary Under-secretary.  It can be quickly analysed ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago
  • The return of Muldoon
    For forty years, Robert Muldoon has been a dirty word in our politics. His style of government was so repulsive and authoritarian that the backlash to it helped set and entrench our constitutional norms. His pig-headedness over forcing through Think Big eventually gave us the RMA, with its participation and ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Will the rental tax cut improve life for renters or landlords?
    Bryce Edwards writes –  Is the new government reducing tax on rental properties to benefit landlords or to cut the cost of rents? That’s the big question this week, after Associate Finance Minister David Seymour announced on Sunday that the Government would be reversing the Labour Government’s removal ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: What Saudi Arabia’s rapid changes mean for New Zealand
    Saudi Arabia is rarely far from the international spotlight. The war in Gaza has brought new scrutiny to Saudi plans to normalise relations with Israel, while the fifth anniversary of the controversial killing of Jamal Khashoggi was marked shortly before the war began on October 7. And as the home ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    5 days ago
  • Racism’s double standards
    Questions need to be asked on both sides of the world Peter Williams writes –   The NRL Judiciary hands down an eight week suspension to Sydney Roosters forward Spencer Leniu , an Auckland-born Samoan, after he calls Ezra Mam, Sydney-orn but of Aboriginal and Torres Strait ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • It’s not a tax break
    Ele Ludemann writes – Contrary to what many headlines and news stories are saying, residential landlords are not getting a tax break. The government is simply restoring to them the tax deductibility of interest they had until the previous government removed it. There is no logical reason ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • The Plastic Pig Collective and Chris' Imaginary Friends.
    I can't remember when it was goodMoments of happiness in bloomMaybe I just misunderstoodAll of the love we left behindWatching our flashbacks intertwineMemories I will never findIn spite of whatever you becomeForget that reckless thing turned onI think our lives have just begunI think our lives have just begunDoes anyone ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • Who is responsible for young offenders?
    Michael Bassett writes – At first reading, a front-page story in the New Zealand Herald on 13 March was bizarre. A group of severely intellectually limited teenagers, with little understanding of the law, have been pleading to the Justice Select Committee not to pass a bill dealing with ram ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on National’s fantasy trip to La La Landlord Land
    How much political capital is Christopher Luxon willing to burn through in order to deliver his $2.9 billion gift to landlords? Evidently, Luxon is: (a) unable to cost the policy accurately. As Anna Burns-Francis pointed out to him on Breakfast TV, the original ”rock solid” $2.1 billion cost he was ...
    5 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 14
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Jonathon Porritt calling bullshit in his own blog post on mainstream climate science as ‘The New Denialism’.Local scoop: The Wellington City Council’s list of proposed changes to the IHP recommendations to be debated later today was leaked this ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • No, Prime Minister, rents don’t rise or fall with landlords’ costs
    TL;DR: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said yesterday tenants should be grateful for the reinstatement of interest deductibility because landlords would pass on their lower tax costs in the form of lower rents. That would be true if landlords were regulated monopolies such as Transpower or Auckland Airport1, but they’re not, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • Cartoons: ‘At least I didn’t make things awkward’
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Tom Toro Tom Toro is a cartoonist and author. He has published over 200 cartoons in The New Yorker since 2010. His cartoons appear in Playboy, the Paris Review, the New York Times, American Bystander, and elsewhere. Related: What 10 EV lovers ...
    6 days ago
  • Solving traffic congestion with Richard Prebble
    The business section of the NZ Herald is full of opinion. Among the more opinionated of all is the ex-Minister of Transport, ex-Minister of Railways, ex MP for Auckland Central (1975-93, Labour), Wellington Central (1996-99, ACT, then list-2005), ex-leader of the ACT Party, uncle to actor Antonia, the veritable granddaddy ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    6 days ago
  • I Think I'm Done Flying Boeing
    Hi,Just quickly — I’m blown away by the stories you’ve shared with me over the last week since I put out the ‘Gary’ podcast, where I told you about the time my friend’s flatmate killed the neighbour.And you keep telling me stories — in the comments section, and in my ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • Invoking Aristotle: Of Rings of Power, Stones, and Ships
    The first season of Rings of Power was not awful. It was thoroughly underwhelming, yes, and left a lingering sense of disappointment, but it was more expensive mediocrity than catastrophe. I wrote at length about the series as it came out (see the Review section of the blog, and go ...
    6 days ago
  • Van Velden brings free-market approach to changing labour laws – but her colleagues stick to distr...
    Buzz from the Beehive Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden told Auckland Business Chamber members they were the first audience to hear her priorities as a minister in a government committed to cutting red tape and regulations. She brandished her liberalising credentials, saying Flexible labour markets are the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • Why Newshub failed
    Chris Trotter writes – TO UNDERSTAND WHY NEWSHUB FAILED, it is necessary to understand how TVNZ changed. Up until 1989, the state broadcaster had been funded by a broadcasting licence fee, collected from every citizen in possession of a television set, supplemented by a relatively modest (compared ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Māori Party on the warpath against landlords and seabed miners – let’s see if mystical creature...
    Bob Edlin writes  –  The Māori Party has been busy issuing a mix of warnings and threats as its expresses its opposition to interest deductibility for landlords and the plans of seabed miners. It remains to be seen whether they  follow the example of indigenous litigants in Australia, ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • Government moves to quickly ratify the NZ-EU FTA
    "The Government is moving quickly to realise an additional $46 million in tariff savings in the EU market this season for Kiwi exporters,” Minister for Trade and Agriculture, Todd McClay says. Parliament is set, this week, to complete the final legislative processes required to bring the New Zealand – European ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 hours ago
  • Positive progress for social worker workforce
    New Zealand’s social workers are qualified, experienced, and more representative of the communities they serve, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “I want to acknowledge and applaud New Zealand’s social workers for the hard work they do, providing invaluable support for our most vulnerable. “To coincide with World ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    10 hours ago
  • Minister confirms reduced RUC rate for PHEVs
    Cabinet has agreed to a reduced road user charge (RUC) rate for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. Owners of PHEVs will be eligible for a reduced rate of $38 per 1,000km once all light electric vehicles (EVs) move into the RUC system from 1 April.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    12 hours ago
  • Trade access to overseas markets creates jobs
    Minister of Agriculture and Trade, Todd McClay, says that today’s opening of Riverland Foods manufacturing plant in Christchurch is a great example of how trade access to overseas markets creates jobs in New Zealand.  Speaking at the official opening of this state-of-the-art pet food factory the Minister noted that exports ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    12 hours ago
  • NZ and Chinese Foreign Ministers hold official talks
    Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Wellington today. “It was a pleasure to host Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his first official visit to New Zealand since 2017. Our discussions were wide-ranging and enabled engagement on many facets of New Zealand’s relationship with China, including trade, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Kāinga Ora instructed to end Sustaining Tenancies
    Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities has been instructed to end the Sustaining Tenancies Framework and take stronger measures against persistent antisocial behaviour by tenants, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Earlier today Finance Minister Nicola Willis and I sent an interim Letter of Expectations to the Board of Kāinga Ora. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber: Growth is the answer
    Tēna koutou katoa. Greetings everyone. Thank you to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Honourable Simon Bridges for hosting this address today. I acknowledge the business leaders in this room, the leaders and governors, the employers, the entrepreneurs, the investors, and the wealth creators. The coalition Government shares your ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Singapore rounds out regional trip
    Minister Winston Peters completed the final leg of his visit to South and South East Asia in Singapore today, where he focused on enhancing one of New Zealand’s indispensable strategic partnerships.      “Singapore is our most important defence partner in South East Asia, our fourth-largest trading partner and a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister van Velden represents New Zealand at International Democracy Summit
    Minister of Internal Affairs and Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon. Brooke van Velden, will travel to the Republic of Korea to represent New Zealand at the Third Summit for Democracy on 18 March. The summit, hosted by the Republic of Korea, was first convened by the United States in 2021, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Insurance Council of NZ Speech, 7 March 2024, Auckland
    ICNZ Speech 7 March 2024, Auckland  Acknowledgements and opening  Mōrena, ngā mihi nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho.  Good morning, it’s a privilege to be here to open the ICNZ annual conference, thank you to Mark for the Mihi Whakatau  My thanks to Tim Grafton for inviting me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Five-year anniversary of Christchurch terror attacks
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Lead Coordination Minister Judith Collins have expressed their deepest sympathy on the five-year anniversary of the Christchurch terror attacks. “March 15, 2019, was a day when families, communities and the country came together both in sorrow and solidarity,” Mr Luxon says.  “Today we pay our respects to the 51 shuhada ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024
    Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024  Acknowledgements and opening  Morena, Nga Mihi Nui.  Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Thanks Nate for your Mihi Whakatau  Good morning. It’s a pleasure to formally open your conference this morning. What a lovely day in Wellington, What a great ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Early visit to Indonesia strengthens ties
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters held discussions in Jakarta today about the future of relations between New Zealand and South East Asia’s most populous country.   “We are in Jakarta so early in our new government’s term to reflect the huge importance we place on our relationship with Indonesia and South ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • China Foreign Minister to visit
    Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has announced that the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, will visit New Zealand next week.  “We look forward to re-engaging with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussing the full breadth of the bilateral relationship, which is one of New Zealand’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister opens new Auckland Rail Operations Centre
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has today opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre, which will bring together KiwiRail, Auckland Transport, and Auckland One Rail to improve service reliability for Aucklanders. “The recent train disruptions in Auckland have highlighted how important it is KiwiRail and Auckland’s rail agencies work together to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Celebrating 10 years of Crankworx Rotorua
    The Government is proud to support the 10th edition of Crankworx Rotorua as the Crankworx World Tour returns to Rotorua from 16-24 March 2024, says Minister for Economic Development Melissa Lee.  “Over the past 10 years as Crankworx Rotorua has grown, so too have the economic and social benefits that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government delivering on tax commitments
    Legislation implementing coalition Government tax commitments and addressing long-standing tax anomalies will be progressed in Parliament next week, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The legislation is contained in an Amendment Paper to the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill issued today.  “The Amendment Paper represents ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Significant Natural Areas requirement to be suspended
    Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard has today announced that the Government has agreed to suspend the requirement for councils to comply with the Significant Natural Areas (SNA) provisions of the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity for three years, while it replaces the Resource Management Act (RMA).“As it stands, SNAs ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government classifies drought conditions in Top of the South as medium-scale adverse event
    Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has classified the drought conditions in the Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts as a medium-scale adverse event, acknowledging the challenging conditions facing farmers and growers in the district. “Parts of Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts are in the grip of an intense dry spell. I know ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government partnership to tackle $332m facial eczema problem
    The Government is helping farmers eradicate the significant impact of facial eczema (FE) in pastoral animals, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced.  “A $20 million partnership jointly funded by Beef + Lamb NZ, the Government, and the primary sector will save farmers an estimated NZD$332 million per year, and aims to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • NZ, India chart path to enhanced relationship
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has completed a successful visit to India, saying it was an important step in taking the relationship between the two countries to the next level.   “We have laid a strong foundation for the Coalition Government’s priority of enhancing New Zealand-India relations to generate significant future benefit for both countries,” says Mr Peters, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Ruapehu Alpine Lifts bailout the last, say Ministers
    Cabinet has agreed to provide $7 million to ensure the 2024 ski season can go ahead on the Whakapapa ski field in the central North Island but has told the operator Ruapehu Alpine Lifts it is the last financial support it will receive from taxpayers. Cabinet also agreed to provide ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Fresh produce price drop welcome
    Lower fruit and vegetable prices are welcome news for New Zealanders who have been doing it tough at the supermarket, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Stats NZ reported today the price of fruit and vegetables has dropped 9.3 percent in the 12 months to February 2024.  “Lower fruit and vege ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Statement to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the sixty-eighth session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Speech to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68)
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Government backs rural led catchment projects
    The coalition Government is supporting farmers to enhance land management practices by investing $3.3 million in locally led catchment groups, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced. “Farmers and growers deliver significant prosperity for New Zealand and it’s vital their ongoing efforts to improve land management practices and water quality are supported,” ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber
    Good evening everyone and thank you for that lovely introduction.   Thank you also to the Honourable Simon Bridges for the invitation to address your members. Since being sworn in, this coalition Government has hit the ground running with our 100-day plan, delivering the changes that New Zealanders expect of us. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Commission’s advice on ETS settings tabled
    Recommendations from the Climate Change Commission for New Zealand on the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) auction and unit limit settings for the next five years have been tabled in Parliament, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “The Commission provides advice on the ETS annually. This is the third time the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government lowering building costs
    The coalition Government is beginning its fight to lower building costs and reduce red tape by exempting minor building work from paying the building levy, says Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk. “Currently, any building project worth $20,444 including GST or more is subject to the building levy which is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Trustee tax change welcomed
    Proposed changes to tax legislation to prevent the over-taxation of low-earning trusts are welcome, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The changes have been recommended by Parliament’s Finance and Expenditure Committee following consideration of submissions on the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill. “One of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister’s Ramadan message
    Assalaamu alaikum. السَّلَام عليكم In light of the holy month of Ramadan, I want to extend my warmest wishes to our Muslim community in New Zealand. Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, renewed devotion, perseverance, generosity, and forgiveness.  It’s a time to strengthen our bonds and appreciate the diversity ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister appoints new NZTA Chair
    Former Transport Minister and CEO of the Auckland Business Chamber Hon Simon Bridges has been appointed as the new Board Chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) for a three-year term, Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced today. “Simon brings extensive experience and knowledge in transport policy and governance to the role. He will ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Speech to Life Sciences Summit
    Good morning all, it is a pleasure to be here as Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology.  It is fantastic to see how connected and collaborative the life science and biotechnology industry is here in New Zealand. I would like to thank BioTechNZ and NZTech for the invitation to address ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Progress continues apace on water storage
    Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says he is looking forward to the day when three key water projects in Northland are up and running, unlocking the full potential of land in the region. Mr Jones attended a community event at the site of the Otawere reservoir near Kerikeri on Friday. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government agrees to restore interest deductions
    Associate Finance Minister David Seymour has today announced that the Government has agreed to restore deductibility for mortgage interest on residential investment properties. “Help is on the way for landlords and renters alike. The Government’s restoration of interest deductibility will ease pressure on rents and simplify the tax code,” says ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister to attend World Anti-Doping Agency Symposium
    Sport and Recreation Minister Chris Bishop will travel to Switzerland today to attend an Executive Committee meeting and Symposium of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Mr Bishop will then travel on to London where he will attend a series of meetings in his capacity as Infrastructure Minister. “New Zealanders believe ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-03-19T08:57:14+00:00