The TPPA day of shame

Written By: - Date published: 7:00 am, February 4th, 2016 - 224 comments
Categories: capitalism, class war, john key, national, same old national, trade - Tags:

TPPA dont sign protest

Today the Government will sign the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement at Sky City in Auckland. They know the agreement is very unpopular. They could have signed it overseas or down in Queenstown or next week but instead they chose to sign it at Sky City two days before Waitangi day.

The host they chose has received a law change worth $527 million for which it has to build a convention centre. The legislative concessions will increase human misery.

There is a big march planned today in Auckland at 12:00 pm. The Government probably brought forward the signing to 11:30 am so they could put their thumbs in their ears and say “nananana” to the many kiwis who will again express their displeasure.

The Government will reuse its spin lines and say that it is all about opening up trade with 40% of the world’s GDP.  Shame that we already trade with these nations and the extra trade that will result is marginal.

This statement by Alfred de Mayas, the UN Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order provides some real insight into what is wrong here. He said:

Trade is not an end in itself, but must be seen in the context of the international human rights regime, which imposes binding legal obligations on States. Trade agreements are not ‘stand-alone’ legal regimes, but must conform with fundamental principles of international law, including transparency and accountability. They must not delay, circumvent, undermine or make impossible the fulfilment of human rights treaty obligations.

I am concerned that notwithstanding enormous opposition by civil society worldwide, twelve countries are about to sign an agreement, which is the product of secret negotiations without multi-stakeholder democratic consultation. The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is fundamentally flawed and should not be signed or ratified unless provision is made to guarantee the regulatory space of States.

If you want proof of how flawed the process is it took all mention of “climate change” out of the treaty.

The treaty is a farce. The Government is ramming it through even though it knows this. Time for everyone to make their voices heard.

Update (r0b): RNZ live coverage with John Campbell

224 comments on “The TPPA day of shame ”

  1. Puckish Rogue 1

    Some friendly advice though, keep it peaceful or you’ll play right into Nationals hands (no that’s not reverse psychology)

    • weka 1.1

      🙄 a the concern troll.

      • Puckish Rogue 1.1.1

        How is that trolling? I mean seriously, how? National want violent demonstrations so they can portray the protestors as nothing more than violent thugs that don’t care about the country.

        No you’re right I’m trolling so just go hard and cause mayhem instead, that’ll really get the message across

        • One Anonymous Bloke 1.1.1.1

          Ah, I see you’ve started up the lying already.

        • weka 1.1.1.2

          I didn’t saying trolling, I said concern trolling. Look it up.

          • Puckish Rogue 1.1.1.2.1

            Well ok fair enough I concede the point however I’m not concern trolling because:

            “A concern troll is a person who participates in a debate posing as an actual or potential ally who simply has some concerns they need answered before they will ally themselves with a cause. In reality they are a critic.”

            There is no way I’m posing as an ally, no way I want to be an ally and I’m upfront about my thoughts on the left

            • weka 1.1.1.2.1.1

              Try using google with intelligence instead of reading the first thing it spoon feeds you.

            • North 1.1.1.2.1.2

              Who gave that fucked ‘box of chocolates’ defintion of a ‘concern troll” ? Concern trolls are fucks who have this bad buzz about everything but John Key and his excretia…. and purport to tell us they’re ‘us’ and can be trusted. And while loftily over us all they really wanna do is suck John Key’s cock. Cos’ they’re trash white boy cargo cultists. Sorry, graphic but true.

        • North 1.1.1.3

          A rare spare fragment of understanding of your point there PR. We do know that the punk’d be delighted in a shitting pants sort of way if it turned ugly.

          John Key’s a cheap bitch !

      • Anne 1.1.2

        Good advice from Puckish Rogue.

        I’m picking there will be attempts to provoke violence among the protestors. The Nats are not even past planting a few ‘agent provocateurs’ among them to ensure it happens. By all means be loud and demonstrative but leave the violence to the other side – including from the police. Then the victims will have a leg to stand on after the event. That was the lessons learnt from the Springbok tour of 1981.

        • One Anonymous Bloke 1.1.2.1

          It’s weasel words offered in bad faith from PR. In the event of violence he will offer it up as representative of “The Left” or some other garbage, having already set the terms for failure or success of the protest.

          He has as much relevance as a sparrow’s fart, because he’ll call failure no matter the outcome.

          • Puckish Rogue 1.1.2.1.1

            “In the event of violence he will offer it up as representative of “The Left”

            – Yes that’s it, that’s it exactly, you’ve got it.

            ” because he’ll call failure no matter the outcome.”

            – Again correct but its all about the degree of failure, you can’t expect this one protest will change anything (you don’t do you?) but as part of a larger action against the TPP it can help…if its peaceful

            I just don’t understand how you’re getting the details but missing the big picture, Its really simple, keep the protest peaceful and legal and National will have a lot less ammunition to counter the left with

            • One Anonymous Bloke 1.1.2.1.1.1

              Whereas if National sends thugs to disrupt the protest, you will help them manufacture ammunition against New Zealanders, and if the protest is peaceful, you will help National manufacture ammunition against New Zealanders.

              You don’t get to dictate the terms of success or otherwise, because you act from bias and malice.

              • Puckish Rogue

                Cheek of you “manufacture ammunition against New Zealanders”

                You’ve already set your stall out, any violence will of course have been done by plants because its a peaceful protest

                Your hands are clean pfft

                • One Anonymous Bloke

                  …and now, after the peaceful protest, haven’t you got some ammunition to deliver? My hands are dirty 😀

            • Stuart Munro 1.1.2.1.1.2

              You cannot expect to commit a major treason against the people of New Zealand without the probability of violence.

              With this act all pretence of common cause in the pursuit of public interest dies: the Right in New Zea;and are traitors and must expect to be treated as such.

              It won’t all be fluffy bunnies and teddy bears.

              • Puckish Rogue

                “You cannot expect to commit a major treason against the people of New Zealand without the probability of violence.”

                – It is not major treason, you sound like you just want an excuse to commit violence

                “With this act all pretence of common cause in the pursuit of public interest dies: the Right in New Zea;and are traitors and must expect to be treated as such.”

                – Do you mean the lawfully elected government or people that voted them in?

                “It won’t all be fluffy bunnies and teddy bears.”

                – And no doubt a keyboard warrior (or is it social justice warrior?) like yourself will be at the vanguard at whatever it is you think you’re saying?

                • Stuart Munro

                  When you find yourself on the scaffold, remember how you chose to betray the people of New Zealand – for they will not forget.

                  [lprent: curb yourself, or I will do expend some time and do it for you. We don’t like any threats of violence here. ]

        • marty mars 1.1.2.2

          not so sure about the puck but you have given good advice Anne. We learned the lessons from the tour and we learned some of the dirty tricks they use and will use.

          Personally I’m thinking the silent, shaming, back turning protests have huge impact – maybe not for today but as a longer term approach – whew I think it can work.

        • lprent 1.1.2.3

          And carry plenty of cameras to document anything that happens.

      • tinfoilhat 1.1.3

        Maybe so – it is still good advice.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 1.2

      I won’t be at all surprised if there are a few who’d love to have a crack. Whatever they do will be completely unrepresentative of the opposition, and when you try to say otherwise, you’ll be lying.

      • Puckish Rogue 1.2.1

        All I’m saying is National want the protest to turn ugly, they want the protest to turn violent, that way the message is less TPP and more violent thugs

        • One Anonymous Bloke 1.2.1.1

          Yes, we know that. We also know how to deal with thugs. We also know that whatever the outcome of the protest, or any other further action, you will say none of it matters, because you voted bought a table at Cabinet Club.

          So all you’re really saying is that you have a limited understanding of democracy, and you’ve chosen a side.

          • Puckish Rogue 1.2.1.1.1

            Really, the left want to talk about democracy. The left love democracy as long as its the left in power.

            John Key gains unprecedented levels of support (MMP speaking) but apparently he doesn’t have a mandate to do anything because sooo many people didn’t vote for him.

            He tells the country about the partial sell down of the power companies before the election, gets in but no apparently its anti-democratic because the left don’t want it

            He tells the country before the election about the TPP but again its anti-democratic because the left don’t want it

            The audacity of the left in NZ to talk of democracy is the height of hypocrisy and its one of the (many) reasons why National is in power and will be until at least 2020

            • One Anonymous Bloke 1.2.1.1.1.1

              Nope, I didn’t say any of that. Nor does it reflect my thoughts on the matter.

              It’s just your sick parrot running its mouth.

            • Lanthanide 1.2.1.1.1.2

              “but apparently he doesn’t have a mandate to do anything”

              No, he doesn’t get a mandate “to do anything”, emphasis on the *any*.

              Passing legislation in government is one thing, because it can be repealed or altered by future governments. Signing up to trade deals that curtail the sovereignty, when the negotiations were conducted in secret (unlike some other trade deals) and then not properly consulting or allowing debate on it is quite another.

              Any democratic government would be aiming for 75%+ votes in parliament in support of such a treaty. This government isn’t, because it isn’t democratic.

              • One Anonymous Bloke

                Yep. Government involves governance.

              • ropata

                Didn’t John Key once state early in his first term that “Parliament is Sovereign”? Obviously that was a lie.

                Today, the cabinet executive (or wtf it’s called) does what it likes without the bother of putting things to a vote in Parliament.

                What is now clearly apparent is that the people of NZ are *not* sovereign

        • Halfcrown 1.2.1.2

          “All I’m saying is National want the protest to turn ugly, they want the protest to turn violent,”

          You can say that again Puckish. Prat Henry was talking up a riot this morning. One got the impression that he was drooling at the mouth at the prospect of a violent protest and more or less praying for one so he could rave and rant tomorrow morning. Not that that prat needs any encouragement to rant shit. he does it all the time
          I thought Tod Mc Clay was an officer and a gentleman, prat Henry was trying to get him cornered into agreeing with him about the protesters, but Tod Mc Clay kept repeating that it was their democratic right to protest. He has gone up in my estimation I also feel Prof Jane Kelsey was also first class and fended off very well the shit prat Henry wanted to shovel her way.

          • lprent 1.2.1.2.1

            Henry is a pandering stupid fuckwit in love with his own voice.

          • Puckish Rogue 1.2.1.2.2

            Well yeah Henry wants a riot but for different reasons, controversy creates cash or if it bleeds it leads

            • Brendon Harre -Left wing Liberal 1.2.1.2.2.1

              Also Paul sets up a bob each way story -if there are TPPA riots then Henry will say TPPA protesters are low life scum. If they don’t riot -then Henry will say the protest was muted, not supported by the public etc.

              Really he is a useless journalist -he can’t be bothered moving from his shock-jock methods to actually gathering some facts and presenting a clear description of what is happening -see Lprent opinion above.

              • greywarshark

                It was interesting to see a photo of Paul Henry in a book recording events in the NZ citizen nuclear protest by the now deceased judge Sir Peter Williams. Henry was I think piloting the protest boat.

                Sailed to Mururoa Atoll with a Greenpeace flotilla to protest against the resumption of French nuclear testing in 1995.

                Apparently Henry is a man for all seasons, likes to float on the surface, with no real anchor to principle.
                edited

        • Tracey 1.2.1.3

          I wonder why though, given how sure they are it is a great deal. Hell they are SO sure it’s a great deal they decided NOT to put it to the test in Parliament, by letting all elected reps vote. THAT is how sure they are.

        • reason 1.2.1.4

          And here was me thinking mike sabin looked like a national thug …. remember him? john key thought he was minister material (police?) and was sad to see him go ………..

          Or remember the glory days when Clint Rickards was Auckland police commander ……. I think he was a national party supporter and certainly made himself into the fist that fitted in John Banks glove when he was Mayor…

          I imagine ex-cop and Nat mp mark Mitchell would quite like to put the police dogs onto protesters who speak out against the TPPA, “bite em till they scream boys, bite till they scream” ………

          The police always seem to go a bit backwards and thuggish when the nats are in power ………….

          You’d have to be off you Tolley to deny that the standards of Banks, Collins, Sabin & bent key have infected the police to some degree ….

    • savenz 1.3

      @Puckish Rogue

      Saw the one news for the first time in years, on the eve of the TPPA signing, the leading story was someone firing at a police car (nobody hurt), then about the TPPA and whether or not John Key would get through for Waitangi. Clearly our MSM our on task here, protecting the government…. Nothing about what a croc the deal is or any talk of risks. No wonder nobody gets their information from or trusts the news anymore! Couldn’t bear to watch Story or Seven Sharp crap. Maybe Morrissey has an analysis. Used to love his verbatim snippets. Come on let us know for those that find it too vomitus to watch what they had on.

      TV3 not much better, I saw a snippet and from what I could see nobody from Cabinet were prepared to say how great TPPA was. Nothing from John Key at all about it. MSM was very focused on the blockade (not the deal itself) and respecting our foreigners coming to sign, Ha ha now the protesters are the news rather than concentrating on any depth on the deal.

      It was clear the Natz and MSM were framing it as a ‘Maori’ / ‘Mana’ Maori issue rather than showing the wide spread support against the signing.

      Clearly did not want audience to know Labour does NOT support it, or the Greens – too many votes to be lost!

      • Puckish Rogue 1.3.1

        Well I’m with you there on the news, I don’t watch it either.

        But when you said “Clearly did not want audience to know Labour does NOT support it” I’m assuming you mean apart from Helen Clark, David Shearer, Phil Goff or Mike Moore and probably any politicians they’ve happened to have mentored over the years

        • Brendon Harre -Left wing Liberal 1.3.1.1

          2 out of 4 of those people are no longer active in the Labour Party. The 3rd is leaving and the 4th is in doubt too, unless he toes the party line.

          • Chooky 1.3.1.1.1

            +100…”Helen Clark, David Shearer, Phil Goff or Mike Moore”…are all yesterday’s men and woman…and David Shearer was parachuted in and was utterly incompetent as a leader…

            the Labour Party under Andrew Little is at last beginning to look more like a Labour Party and an effective Opposition… and leading the next Government ….with its opposition to the TPPA

    • Tracey 1.4

      Please post a link to the last protest in NZ which was NOT peaceful. You have fallen for the govt’s bait, hook, line and sinker

  2. Penny Bright 2

    I will be one of the thousands of New Zealanders who will be marching against the signing of the TPPA in a PEACEFUL ‘family-friendly’ one hour up Queen Street to QE2 Square Britomart – which is NOT going anywhere near Sky City.

    (Assemble at Aotea Square at 12 noon TODAY 4 February 2016 – ends 1pm QE2 Square Britomart).

    This PEACEFUL march has been organised by It’s Our Future – which has organised peaceful protests / rallies / public meetings / educational campaigns against the TPPA over the last five years.

    (I note that those ‘business lobbyists’ who support the TPPA have yet to organise any demonstration / rally where the PUBLIC (ordinary Kiwis) have ‘stood up to be counted’ to show PUBLIC support for the TPPA?

    Why is this?)
    ____________________________________________________

    March against TPPA on Thursday

    On Thursday 4th February, thousands of Kiwis will take action across New Zealand to register their protest against the government signing the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA).

    The march down Queen Street is likely to be huge. People are coming from across New Zealand and many Aucklanders will take a long lunchtime to exercise their democratic rights.

    It’s Our Future spokesperson Barry Coates said: “We invite concerned Kiwi’s to join us in a loud, colourful, non-violent, family-friendly march to make it clear that this government does not have a mandate to sign the TPPA in our names.”

    The march assembles at 12 midday on the Queen St side of Aotea Square, proceeds down Queen St and end with speeches and music at Britomart.

    “After six years of secret negotiations, we have finally seen the details of this agreement, and we now understand why the government was trying to hide the details. Research shows the TPPA will give new rights to litigious foreign corporations, undermining the rights of government to regulate in the public interest and overriding our judiciary”.

    “People are angry and understandably so. Our sovereignty, democracy, our economy, the environment, public health, the rights of workers, public services, local government, small business and the protection of Te Tiriti o Waitangi would all be put at risk by this agreement,” explained Barry Coates.

    “Proponents of the TPPA are sounding increasingly desperate. They know that Kiwis don’t buy the spin and the slogans. They want the facts, and the facts say that the TPPA is not in our interests.”

    Signing is not the final step. Signing is largely symbolic and the TPPA does not come into force until countries accounting for 85% of combined GNP ratify the agreement. This is likely to take at least two years, if ever. Ratification is looking shaky in the US, Canada and other countries.

    The TPPA will not come into force until it is ratified by Congress and until New Zealand’s legislation has been ‘certified’ by the US administration. New Zealand and Australian governments will come under pressure during discussions on Thursday to give even more concessions over data exclusivity for biologic medicines and to undertake not to use the negotiated exception from investor-state settlement for cases involving tobacco control.

    The TPPA is opposed by opposition political parties – Labour, Greens, NZ First and the Maori Party – and by most New Zealanders, according to a TV3/Reid Research public opinion poll last November. It will be a central issue for the next election.

    There will be marches and actions on Thursday in cities including Waitangi, Whangarei, Auckland, Tauranga, Hastings, Taupo, Christchurch, Dunedin and Invercargill. These build on the huge attendance at the speakers’ tour across the four main centres last week, and protests in Nelson, Blenheim, Palmerston North, New Plymouth, Raglan and other cities and towns across New Zealand last weekend.

    The message from these marches and rallies has been: Don’t Sign the TPPA!

    ENDS

    Notes

    February 4th will see trade ministers from around the Pacific Rim converge on Auckland to sign the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA).

    The Queen St march will not go to Sky City, and will be non-violent, passionate and inclusive of all.

    Barry Coates, It’s Our Future spokesperson …… or itsourfuturenz.org.nz

    For further information, including research papers, visit http://www.itsourfuture.org.nz
    ________________________________________________

    Penny Bright
    2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate.
    (Who opposes New Zealand signing the TPPA).

    • Puckish Rogue 2.1

      Because we’re mostly working and we give our support where it counts, at the voting booths

      • One Anonymous Bloke 2.1.1

        we give our support where it counts, at Cabinet Club.

        FIFY.

        • Puckish Rogue 2.1.1.1

          Yeah of course its always about the money isn’t it, easier to blame it on the money rather then blame the luck lustre candidates that Labour keep putting up, rather then blame the infighting and back stabbing that’s been the hallmark of Labour ever since Helen Clark left, rather then blame the negativity even when every other indicator disagrees with you

          Naah its always the money…

          • One Anonymous Bloke 2.1.1.1.1

            It’s your job to bag Labour. As a Green voter I wish them all the best.

    • Marcus50 2.2

      Penny
      Such a long diatribe and not one explanation of what in the ttppa you actually object to. What specific parts of the tppa are so onerous that they outweigh the long term trade benefit? Like so many protesting today you have simply become a grievance junkey that is looking for a cause without too much of a clue what your protesting about.

      Interestingly the majority of protestor interviewed today could not articulate what it was they were objecting to. It was laughable.

  3. nzsage 3

    I see some in the MSM are calling it a “Day of History”, I prefer a “Day of Treachery”.

    • Sabine 3.1

      t’is a day of historic treachery indeed.

      • Puckish Rogue 3.1.1

        I agree, economic treachery on the part of the protestors

        • One Two 3.1.1.1

          Is it self gratifying to be dominating this thread ?

          Small minds occupy small spaces with man made constructs such as economics

          Smaller minds than that, use antagonism

        • Stuart Munro 3.1.1.2

          No – the traitor is you.

          Democracy requires that you not keep secrets from the people, and that you listen to their instructions, not sign away our wealth and our sovereignty.

          The failed Key government are traitors – and you, their minion, are also a traitor.

          • Puckish Rogue 3.1.1.2.1

            National said before the election this is what they were planning on doing so how exactly were they hiding it

            and as for being a traitor, well that’s a massive joke

            • McFlock 3.1.1.2.1.1

              The released the text before the election? No?
              That’s how they hid it.

            • Stuart Munro 3.1.1.2.1.2

              Laugh it up traitor.

            • Tracey 3.1.1.2.1.3

              By not being transparent on what they might sign up to. Is this really so hard for you to grasp?

              other countries have decided to let their parliament’s vote on it. Why not ours. that is the anti democratic bit. I didnt think it was rocket science.

        • Foreign waka 3.1.1.3

          RP – you need to understand the difference between a democratic country and a shareholding company. The first ought to be governed by the peoples choice (representing) and the latter is run by a hand full of people for the gain of a selected few.
          Oligarchies, dictatorships and corporatocracies do subscribe to a similar approach such as the second model.
          Maybe there are advantages to the trade agreement, but as every deal this one will have its give an take game. With that in mind and the information thus far the give is indeed a high price to pay as the democratic state ceases to exist either way.
          I think this deal should have been better explained by the (arrogant) leaders, people educated and called to vote in a binding referendum.
          PS – the little – not agreed on – flag pin on J K jacket just took the cake. Is he representing a different country? It maybe a naive move (I doubt this) but completely inappropriate when representing a country donning the wrong flag. Imagine if President Obama would wear a fantasy flag instead of the Union Jack.

  4. Citizens Resistance 4

    The rise up of people showing their concerns by being prepared to hit the streets of Cities and Towns is good for democracy. The more people get informed on the perils of signing such trade agreements heavily weighted in favour of multi national corporations the better.

    The symbolic signing of the TPPA maybe today with mass numbers of Kiwi’s hitting the bricks in protest in Auckland City, excellent. The fight will continue with further rallies opposing the ratification. Here is a good rally organised for tomorrow;

    https://www.facebook.com/events/1661619914091993/

  5. Skinny 5

    The rise up of people showing their concerns by being prepared to hit the streets of Cities and Towns is good for democracy. The more people get informed on the perils of signing such trade agreements heavily weighted in favour of multi national corporations the better.

    The symbolic signing of the TPPA maybe today with mass numbers of Kiwi’s hitting the bricks in protest in Auckland City. The fight continues with further rallies opposing the ratification. Here is a good rally organised for tomorrow with Peters, Genter and Clark guest speaking;

    https://www.facebook.com/events/1661619914091993/

    • cogito 5.1

      Hopefully today’s TPPA signing will be the moment that the people of this country finally get the guts to show their collective rear ends to Key and this govt and demand change. If so, it will be historic. Bring it on.

    • alwyn 6.1

      “Open Letter From New Zealand”
      I presume you do live here so the “letter” could be said to come from New Zealand.
      It does sound much more pretentious than that though, as if you really thought you were speaking for everyone rather than just one little unimportant person.

      Alternatively I suppose you could be like a person I once knew who used to sign his name as being “Norman New Zealand”.
      You don’t happen to be the Primate of the Anglican Church in New Zealand by any chance?

      • travellerev 6.1.1

        Alwyn, if you took the time to read the post you would have seen I wrote from 1 person singular.

        • alwyn 6.1.1.1

          But I did read it. That is how I knew what you had written.
          It still seemed to be an incredibly arrogant title though, and an equally conceited viewpoint you were pushing. First person or not.
          “I also want you to know that most people are opposed etc”.
          You mean that you and a few mates don’t want it.

  6. Pasupial 8

    I’ve been following the Waata radio (mostly music so far)/ Bradbury image stream on TDB (autoplays on home page). A bit concerned about these balaclavas (though the Tino Rangatiratanga flag cape is nifty):

    https://twitter.com/CitizenBomber/status/694980688441835520/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc^tfw

    Good to see the international news media presence, they will be less susceptible to ShonKey lies:

    https://twitter.com/CitizenBomber/status/694988771629006848/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc^tfw

    Also this TPPANoWay twitter thread (for those who can’t endure Bradbury – RNZ stream not working for me even with adblock off, imagine too much demand, can still see the thread though):

    https://twitter.com/hashtag/TPPANoWay?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc^tfw

  7. lprent 9

    Pretty damn extensive protest at at sky city.

    A lot of police…

  8. lprent 10

    Peaceful but noisy protest. Nice atmosphere.

    Going past the police station there were police vehicles down the whole of the street.

  9. Sabine 11

    what you reckon, is PR paid per comment or per hour? And is he getting a bonus for working today.

    Loving the updates, sadly i am working. But friends of mine are in the melee and I hope that they are having fun today. The twitter feed is awesome.

  10. Sp OliviaRichard Christie 12

    I’m disappointed RNZ is running a partisan question/answer exercise using only pro-TPP economist Robert Scollay. Who are they working for.

  11. Pasupial 13

    Ugh! Just watching Key smirk as he poses to shake the hands of each country’s signer. Up to Peru now. So creepy!!

    On the up side, at least the RNZ stream is working now and I got to see a bit of the Campbell walk and talk.

  12. ropata 14

    Just watched 500 protestors run up Fanshawe St, past Victoria Park and heading for the motorway.
    Wish I was there but I’m stuck in the office and my workmates are showing their nasty side.
    Now the cops have blocked the Fanshawe/Beaumont St. intersection and started moving people on.

    Awful comments from my workmates
    “shoot the protestors”
    “they are a rabble with no jobs”
    “who gives a fuck about it, I need my money”
    “what are they protesting anyway?”
    “these fools have no clue, I saw one interviewed on TV”

    • Expat 14.1

      ropata

      What you describe of your work colleagues is a sad indictment of the influence from this govt, how society has changed so much over the last 6 or 7 years, the result of absolute divisiveness.

      • ropata 14.1.1

        it’s the naked disdain and ignorant prejudice that really offends me.

        and then one of them asked me to lunch. “sorry mate your comments just made me feel sick, so no I can’t go to lunch”

        the comfortable middle class doesn’t give a shit about anything, until their privilege is challenged

        • Expat 14.1.1.1

          “the comfortable middle class doesn’t give a shit about anything, until their privilege is challenged”

          Sounds like OZ under Howard, especially the “comfortable” bit, only problem was, he took the country backwards while the rest of the world was moving forwards, and now their still trying to catch up.

          The only major difference was Howard banked $50b, where as NZ now owes $120b.

  13. Macro 15

    Who would want to block off the Hobson Street motor way off ramps?
    Anti -TPPA protestors?
    Idiots if they were…
    How many anti- TPPA protestors were prevented from joining them by their actions?
    And a very good way to get off-side with the general public – no way to win friends and influence people that stupid action. Auckland traffic is bad enough without creating more trouble for people needing to go about their business.

    • Sp OliviaRichard Christie 15.1

      +100%, a very poor tactic

    • ropata 15.2

      The idea of protest is to disrupt normal life and send a message. Traffic will probably be much worse after the TPPA comes in and we get floods of crappy cars and the corporations sue the NZ Government or Auckland CouncIl for investing in public transport.

      Auckland traffic is bad because of shitty and corrupt leadership fostering a car reliant city. Having people on streets was the historical norm for every city everywhere in history until the advent of the motor car.

  14. lprent 16

    Down at the protest on queen street. Looks like streets blocked.

  15. greywarshark 17

    Looking at the video from RADIONZ. The lineup could just as easily be those of waxwork models. Why bother to attend meetings where everything is already decided, done and dusted. Send the waxwork! And Key with his usual sincere smile. Someone in the audience who carried on the clapping after others had ceased – Michelle Boag? Key groupie without peer (or for the lady so finely educated, perhaps, sans pareil?)

  16. Gosman 18

    Doesn’t look like the Police are smashing protestors heads together. Seems like the cunning plan by National to use this as a law and order issue has failed /sarc

    • greywarshark 18.1

      No protesters hurt Gosman. That’s good news. Keep watching and reporting any violence and damage from either protesters or police please. It would be good to have an observant observer’s report.

  17. lprent 19

    The vanguard of the queen street protest, a haka is just awesome. Well organised despite the police screwing up on clearing the road.

    • Jones 19.1

      From what I saw the Police were pretty much non-existent on the Queen St march (I think I counted about 5…) leaving it mostly to Maori Wardens to control the crowd. The Police were focussed around Sky City. I counted 40+ on the Federal St side of Sky City and a lesser number on Albert St.

      I thought the Maori war party leading the march was a nice touch. Visually powerful.

  18. cogito 20

    From the BBC:

    “Ambitious TPP trade deal signed”
    http://www.bbc.com/news/business-35480600

    “The ambitious Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) has been formally signed in Auckland even as the US struggles to get the pact ratified in Congress.”

    No other mention of NZ. No mention of the protests or of John Key. We are just fodder.

  19. Gosman 21

    From an inclusitivity point of view I would be worried if I was a protest organizer. There seems to be a preponderance of Maori at the march. It would have been more effective to highlight a broader base of groups opposed.

    • lprent 21.1

      There are, Maori are at the forefront. There are just a shortage of idiot dickheads like you here.

      • lprent 21.1.1

        Have say that the wardens are doing a good job of getting the idiots off the roofs of the bus shelters. Police are doing the right thing and letting them handle it.

      • Gosman 21.1.2

        I’m pretty confident there are more than a fair share of those present.

    • Lanthanide 21.2

      Maori have been screwed over by a treaty before (as we will shortly be getting a day off to remember).

      Once bitten, twice shy.

      Although actually Maori have been bitten more like one million times, not just once. But that doesn’t sound as catchy.

    • Macro 21.3

      Maori actually understand what it is this is all about – idiots like you however have still to find out.

    • Tracey 21.4

      It was a diverse crowd, you clearly weren’t there

      • Rosemary McDonald 21.4.1

        “It was a diverse crowd,”

        That, Tracey, would be the understatement of the year!

        What an awesomely eclectic bunch of misinformed politically irrelevant New Zealanders.

        We were somewhere in the middle, and only appreciate the sheer size of the march now we’re home and can see the photos.

        We were nearly stymied in our effort to participate courtesy of the bus drivers strike and the misinformation put out about when the last buses were running. We had to park our large vehicle in the Jellico St car park and the plan was to get the bus up to Aotea Square. Buses were stopping to let off passengers but not to pick any up. I was not looking forward to having to push Himself in his wheelchair all the way from the Wynyard Quarter to Aotea Square. (not without a portable defibrillator any way!)
        We were saved, by a true gentleman who bent the rules just a little bit when he heard we were going to the march. What a truly decent human being.

        And despite the traffic chaos the media were beefing up…we left the march at the Viaduct so we could head back to the motorway south. Took us 20 minutes from Beaumont St to the Drury BP…best run down the Southern Motorway ever!

        Good work today people…

  20. Mosa 22

    When will kiwis come to their senses and demand a GENERAL ELECTION before DONKEY outlaws them!!

    • Lanthanide 22.1

      Can’t tell if trolling or serious; either way you’re an idiot.

      • greywarshark 22.1.1

        Are you calling Mosa an idiot Lanthanide? If so what about staying away from your keys for a while and let other people have an opinion, that mightn’t be one that you would espouse. FGS stop trying to prevent people expressing their views when they aren’t foul or violent, or with OTT language.

      • Mosa 22.1.2

        Hit a nerve there!

        • Lanthanide 22.1.2.1

          Not really, I just think such stupid conspiratorial views as yours should be labelled what they clearly are – stupid.

    • Puckish Rogue 22.2

      Why would John Key outlaw elections?

    • cogito 22.3

      I prefer to see Key go down slowly and painfully bit by bit and take the rest of them down with him.

    • ropata 22.4

      They won’t be outlawed, elections are a useful veneer over our farcical “democracy”.
      They help to reassure the people, while corporations pillage and plunder.

      • Puckish Rogue 22.4.1

        Would you say the same thing if Labour win power at the next election?

        • alwyn 22.4.1.1

          The poor chap doesn’t look as if he will get the chance. Maybe 2020 if they can get themselves sorted out.

        • ropata 22.4.1.2

          absolutely i would make similar comments if Labour pisses me off.

          for the last 4 decades kiwis have been trying to stop neoliberal arsewipes selling off our public assets but we are continually betrayed by both sides of the House

          • Puckish Rogue 22.4.1.2.1

            Yet kiwis keep selecting and electing the politicians…ever get the feeling you’ve lost the battle and the war?

            • ropata 22.4.1.2.1.1

              gotta stick to your values/integrity mate even if it looks unpopular at the moment. because I believe left wing values are morally, socially and economically superior to the neoliberal bullshit that we are spoonfed daily by the MSM

              when you look at what’s happening in the US and UK – – countries further down the right wing track than NZ – – you see popular left wing movements gaining mass appeal and there’s a glimmer of hope.

  21. Gosman 23

    The most effective recent protest against this government’s policies was against the proposal to open up parts of the conservation estate to mining. The reason it was effective was that the protest movement was broad based. The National party realized they were on a vote loser and changed their policy. That is not the case with this anti-TPPA March. It is pretty much the usual suspects but in larger numbers. John Campbell didn’t interview anyone who was inspired by this issue to march against National for the first time.

    • Sacha 23.1

      The national park miniing protest was well-organised by a small group of established eco organisations drawing on experienced protestors with a very simple call to action. TPP is far more complex.

  22. Tarquin 24

    I see the protesters have “taken” at least eight intersections and police are warning people to watch for protesters leaping out in front of them. Sounds like a wonderful way to win friends and influence people.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 24.1

      What would you know about it? I doubt anything they do is going to change a mindless parrot’s lines.

      • Tarquin 24.1.1

        I made a simple observation. I agree with the right to protest but question if this is the best way. You do your your usual trick and reply with a juvenile line that tells us all what a close minded twat you really are. This is the major reason I rarely comment and am sure others think the same. You do this site no favours. Brain dead wankers like yourself belong in an echo chamber.

        • One Anonymous Bloke 24.1.1.1

          You made a sarcastic remark which clearly indicates that you’ve taken a side. All demonstrations involve disruption to daily routines, why would this one be any different?

          Was it OK for “fart tax” protests to slow down traffic?

          • Tarquin 24.1.1.1.1

            The right to demonstrate does not give you the right to deliberately close roads. Another left footed own goal.

  23. Magisterium 25

    Maybe a pakeha kid wearing Asian-manufactured clothes bearing the logos of American sportswear companies and sipping water sold by Coca-Cola, who admits on camera to not really understanding the TPPA, is not the best person to represent the protest movement.

    https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/tpp-protester-admits-to-reporter-he-doesnt-know-the-gist-of-it

    • Puckish Rogue 25.1

      Probably the best representative of the protest

      • greywarshark 25.1.1

        Probably the best protest representative FOR TVONE’S PURPOSE. Which is likely to have a 40degree right wing lean (any more and they’d fall over). The idea always, always, is to present the protesters as a bunch of mindless, know nothings who have been promised a beer if they turn up.

      • Tracey 25.1.2

        I doubt you could do more than spout limited memes on the TPP. People in glass houses.

    • Expat 25.2

      Pretty anecdotal to use one person as an example, lets not forget last years survey that identified NZ as the most ignorant western country in the world, over 54% didn’t know any thing about the situation of their own country, I wonder who they voted for?

      • Magisterium 25.2.1

        lets not forget last years survey that identified NZ as the most ignorant western country in the world, over 54% didn’t know any thing about the situation of their own country

        Let’s not forget that the survey found the thing New Zealanders are ignorant about is how good things are in NZ. The survey’s result was not that New Zealanders “didn’t know anything about the situation of their own country”; rather it found that New Zealanders think things are worse than they actually are.

        http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11557000

    • ropata 25.3

      of course TVNZ doesn’t want to interview Jane Kelsey or the Law Society or Sue Bradford or report on the UN analysis or polling numbers or petitions because that doesn’t fit the approved NatCorp™ PR narrative

    • weka 25.4

      He’s a young NZer who understands that the TPPA is going to ruin this country and his life in it. What makes you think he’s the wrong person to express is opinion?

  24. doug stuart 26

    good way to get support, block roads and piss everyone off.

  25. Jenny Kirk 27

    Radio NZ – sorry RNZ – has been live-streaming John Campbell and his camera-man Alex throughout the major protest going down Queen St. Leading it are warriors from Ngati Whatua – JC asked a woman who seemed to be directing them who they were.
    If I got it right – these were the people who normally do the big powhiri for important guests to Auckland and NZ . They were impressive. And if that is who they were, then this was a big slap in the face to John Key to have them leading the protest rather than welcoming his guests.

    • Sabine 27.1

      is there footage of them leading the march.

      • Jenny Kirk 27.1.1

        Yes. RNZ has up on its page a series of photos – not a video – of the warriors.

        And I see John Key has just now announced he won’t be attending Waitangi. This
        might be a part of his reasoning – or an answer back to them – or an attempt to whip up a bit of a racist backlash. (He’s using the excuse that he doesn’t know if he’s allowed to speak or not). He might also be genuinely surprised at the numbers who protested, and be a bit scared to go to Waitangi.

        What was also interesting watching the RNZ livestream was the huge number of young people who took part. Young – 20s to 30s – is what I mean.

    • Tracey 27.2

      Remember when Clark was upset at not being able to speak on the Marae? I seem to recall the opponents of her government relished that and blah blah blah…. but now the shoe is on the other foot. I wonder if Key didn’t decide over a week ago he wasn’t going to go, the rest has been spin.

  26. Sabine 28

    so many people came to town
    so many people had fun

    so many people,
    so little rioting

    poor Henry, Matthew and consorts
    all waiting for a riot
    but no one came to the party

    poo poo poo

  27. RTM 29

    TRadical history repeats? This week, in the build-up to the signing to the TPPA, strange machines were photographed moving through central Auckland. Are they an echo of the revolutionary year of 1913? http://readingthemaps.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/strange-beasts-on-queen-street.html

    • Jenny Kirk 29.1

      RTM – I read somewhere that they were Singapore armaments returning via Port of Auckland to Singapore after some joint defence exercises. Can’t give you a link – don’t remember where I read this.

  28. The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell 30

    If you don’t like the TPP (and it seems you don’t) why not elect a Labour government and have them give notice of our withdrawal in accordance with the terms of the TPP?

    • Puckish Rogue 30.1

      I guess the main problem with that is you’d have to put together a Labour government worth electing so its probably easier to try to force change through protest then win an election

      • The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell 30.1.1

        That’s why this hysterical sovereignty bullshit is so overblown. We can get out on six months notice at any time.

        • Puckish Rogue 30.1.1.1

          I think this is less about about anti TPP and more about anti John Key

          • The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell 30.1.1.1.1

            You’ll never get the urine smell out of those sheets.

            • greywarshark 30.1.1.1.1.1

              What a duo, with but a single mind. The mud pie twins. As buskers you’d probably go well and give people an enormous amount of pleasure dirtying your faces. Though cream pies would be okay too, but might be a bit greasy. Gormless and Puckish. The names together have a certain macabre ring.

        • Lanthanide 30.1.1.2

          1. That doesn’t help if you’ve already got an ISDS suit against you.
          2. It’s expensive to pull out of treaties; all sorts of companies that have been built up to rely on the provisions of the treaty would be screwed if the country were to pull out.

          So this whole “pull out at any time” thing is the same as the Black Knight claiming he only had a flesh wound.

          Basically election 2017 is the last time we can pull out; any later than that and it’ll cause too much disruption.

          • Tracey 30.1.1.2.1

            Well said.

            This is what happens when people latch onto Hooten or similar without an actual understanding, and repeat. They get hoist on their own petard.

          • The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell 30.1.1.2.2

            Not to mention that all of the companies in other countries will be able to trade with 800 million people we will be excluded from trading with. You’ve convinced me: we’re much better staying in it.

            • Lanthanide 30.1.1.2.2.1

              So which countries in the TPPA do we not already trade with, exactly?

              • The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell

                We may be able to trade but on what terms? I know it’s hard to keep in mind with all the “selling out our grandchildren” bullshit but the main purpose of the TPP is to reduce barriers to trade, like tariffs. So, we may be able to sell our goods in these markets without the TPP but Australia won’t have a tariff and we will. And then, we’ll be fucked.

                You must be getting sick of the hysteria. It’s just so hopelessly detached from reality.

                • ropata

                  Far out you really have been sucked into the Matrix, if you think the TPPA is actually about trade. Here’s that extreme hotbed of left wing radicals, the NZ Herald:

                  Tim Hazledine: Making world safe for big business
                  Raybon Kan: TPP – what could go wrong?
                  Bryan Gould: True origins of TPP lie in protecting profits

                • In Vino

                  Bollocks They are all retaining the tariffs we want gone. Some “Free Trade” agreement. Remember what Free Trade actually means – no tariffs? Australia and NZ will fare much the same either way, Trust me, I know. My first name is John.

                • Lanthanide

                  So actually we trade with all of them, then.

                  So we won’t lose access to 800 million people if we’re excluded from the TPP, like you said right here:

                  “[the] 800 million people we will be excluded from trading with”

                  I give you a D- must try harder.

                  • The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell

                    We can try selling to them. They will not buy because the goods from countries in the TPP will be cheaper.

                    You win the petty pedantry prize but you lose the I can follow basic reasoning prize.

                    [lprent: There was a reason why I downgraded your handle to “Gormless fool”. It was because you have a long held reputation for vagueness, idiotic hyperbole and a gormless lack of precision in your statements. You also have a habit of being a pedant about any imprecision in the comments of other people. I do realize you would prefer to only use that particular PR tactic yourself, but that isn’t going to happen here. Perhaps you could just be a better editor on your comments in the first place rather than wasting the time of others in pointing out the basic flaws in the lack of precision in your deliberately vague language? ]

                    • pat

                      using that logic nobody would buy anything except the least expensive item ever….so we are all driving Chery J3’s and eating 2 minute noodles and living in unfurnished converted containers (i know some may aspire to that)….the fact is even with the (slightly) reduced tariffs many of our exports may still be cheaper….a far larger determining factor will be exchange rate and the case can be made that it will weaken should we remove ourselves from TPPA.
                      The case for niche export markets fits well with our scale and the oft stated goal of higher value items with greater return by small to med enterprises which make up the bulk of NZ businesses….these lend themselves to premium pricing

                    • The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell

                      Pat. You are an idiot. The premium would go to the government charging the tariff. Our competitors inside the TPP would not have to pay this tariff.

                      If you want to compete with the rest of the world on this basis get ready for a drop in the standard of living.

                    • pat

                      I see your bid of idiot, and raise(?) you one moron…….yes the tariff goes to the destination government and they can continue to take said tax, however in case you hadn’t realized we are currently competing in many of these markets WITH the tariffs against other parties not subject to them (think NAFTA) ….and as a little aside there is also the (not) so little matter of quotas….both of which don’t disappear under TPPA but are merely tweeked……it may pay for you to do a little research

                    • The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell

                      Let’s take this in steps. If the tariff is removed are we likely to sell A. more; or B. fewer of our products?

                    • pat

                      step 1) how high is the tariff?
                      step 2) what is the demand for the product?
                      step 3) what is the supply level of the product?
                      step 4) what is the cost of production and transport?
                      step 5) what is the exchange rate?
                      step 6) what is the relative quality/desireability of the product
                      step 7) are you starting to get the picture?

                    • The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell

                      No Pat, you really don’t need to know the answers to you questions to answer mine.

                    • pat

                      ok Gormless i’ll play your simplistic silly bugger game….if the demand is there the expectation is you may sell more (provided you can supply more) but remember the same tariff reductions also apply to 11 other countries who may be more efficient at producing said items ….so effectively a race to the bottom of low return ….gee sounds a bit like milk powder doesn’t it?

                      just one more thing to think about before i go….of the 12 TPPA signatories which country has the least advantage in economy of scale?

                    • The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell

                      So, let’s stay out thereby making ourselves even more uncompetitive? Brilliant plan.

                    • Lanthanide

                      “So, let’s stay out thereby making ourselves even more uncompetitive? Brilliant plan.”

                      You, on the other hand, would apparently happily take any tiny tidbits tariff reductions that are being offered up, and completely ignore the costs that are associated with the deal, such as increased price of medicines, being vulnerable to ISDS lawsuits and changes to copyright and software patenting.

                      There’s a thing about trade deals – you have to balance the pros with the cons.

                      In many people’s thinking, the cons significantly outweigh the small pros we are getting.

                      Some people would NEVER give up certain rights and freedoms in exchange for any amount of benefit in the world you can name. But others (such as myself) are much more pragmatic – if the pros are sufficiently valuable to make up from the cons, then the deal should be considered. That doesn’t appear to be the case with TPPA.

                      This is all pretty basic negotiations 101 sort of stuff, I’m not sure why you’re having such a hard time understanding it.

                    • ropata

                      but the benefits are more likely to accrue to the Nat party base (internationalist upper/middle class) and the costs to everyone else (workers, the poor, uneducated, or unwell)

                      the goal of capitalism is inequality

    • Stuart Munro 30.2

      It’s a public interest matter.

      The betrayal and impoverishment of the people of NZ should be kept to as short a period as possible.

      If this inconveniences the traitors so much the better.

      • Puckish Rogue 30.2.1

        🙂

      • The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell 30.2.2

        Right now, ISIL are pushing gays off high buildings and executing people who are the wrong sort of Muslim.

        Yet you are marching because a future government will be stuck with a trade deal you don’t like for six months.

        Perspective, man.

        • Tracey 30.2.2.1

          What date is your march?

          • One Anonymous Bloke 30.2.2.1.1

            It isn’t a march, it’s a bribe: $6,000 per table. $15,000 for a round of “golf”.

        • ropata 30.2.2.2

          nice dead cat irrelevant distraction PR tactic

          A trade deal affecting a whole generation of Kiwis right here and now
          vs.
          Fearmongering about a few evil scumbags on the other side of the world

          Relevance, man

  29. Tautuhi 31

    John Key assures us maoris there is a clause in the TPPA which protects the TOW and Maoris so we have nothing to worry about?

  30. Pasupial 32

    I guess; “usual suspects”, is the Aussie version of; “rentamob”:

    Robb, who signed the regional trade pact with counterparts from 11 other nations in New Zealand on Thursday, dismissed opponents of the deal as “the usual suspects”

    http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/feb/04/tpp-signing-andrew-robb-rejects-calls-for-cost-benefit-analysis-of-trade-deal

    The Australian trade minister does a good impression of; a corrupt official turning a willfully blind eye to the facts, but he’s no Claude Rains:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXuBnz6vtuI

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRYRLhlsXQ0

  31. Tanz 33

    There was a huge police and security element there at the convention centre. yet the protest was peaceful. John Key just gave the fingers to NZers, once again.

    • Tracey 33.1

      Part of me wondered, as I saw the police presence, if we all shouldn’t have stayed away and let the media film SO many cops guarding… nobody and nothing.

      • Rosemary McDonald 33.1.1

        When we were driving up Fanshawe St about 2.45, we saw about 20 cops jogging down the hill…were they heading to Victoria Park?

        Energetic looking bunch….must have been the new shift…

        • Jenny Kirk 33.1.1.1

          more likely, Rosemary, they would have been trying to stop the Real Choice protesters from blocking another motorway exit/entrance.

  32. Tautoko Mangō Mata 34

    Excellent protest, well run.

    1. Two years ago, the majority of people didn’t even know what TPPA stood for?
    2. Now more people know that the TPPA has been signed. Without today’s protest, the signing could just have slid through under the radar.

    3. Our job is to now make sure that the public know the following:
    Us, the public can now have our say on the TPP in submissions
    BUT
    we can’t change anything about it even if we don’t like it! (Submissions count for nothing!)

    4. The National Cabinet (not the whole Parliament) ratify the deal.

    • Magisterium 34.1

      Now more people know that the TPPA has been signed. Without today’s protest, the signing could just have slid through under the radar.

      Yeah see the thing about protests is they’re supposed to happen BEFORE the thing you don’t want. You know, to try and prevent it from happening.

      • Tautoko Mangō Mata 34.1.1

        Yeah, see the thing about submissions is that they’re supposed to be called for BEFORE the text is finalised so that you can take the content into consideration.

      • ropata 34.1.2

        What PR line did you trot out to justify the Iraq War and ignore protestors?

        What f*cken bullshit will you spout when 90% of kiwis are tenants in our own country, water is privatised, and corporations have more power than Parliament?

        Yeah see the thing about democracy is it’s supposed to take place BEFORE passing shitty laws that nobody wants. You know, to try and protect the people of NZ from predatory vested interests.

  33. whateva next? 35

    just returned from work, and was unable to attend, I hear the protest was beautifically orchestrated and maximum disruption and nil ammunition for Key and cronies to call a law and order issue. Far from “rent a protest”, it showed a huge amount of discomfort bout TPPA, and what clever and thoughtful people they are.
    Loud applause to all who took time out and attended, thankyou

  34. Penny Bright 36

    What’s your view of the anti-TPPA protest(s) today Matthew Hooton?

    In my view – there has been significant publicity – which should help increase public understanding about the TPPA?

    When do you think that those business lobbyists supporting the TPPA are going to call a rally or protest for ‘ordinary’ New Zealanders to ‘stand up and be counted’ to show their SUPPORT for the TPPA?

    Penny Bright
    2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate.
    (Who today marched against the TPPA).

  35. papa tuakana 37

    proud of the protesters today

  36. North 38

    The punk we call our PM needs a fucking good talikng to ! Even if it’s talikng to a gargoyle. Which it is !

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11584656

    It’s not all a giggle darling.

  37. maui 39

    I saw a massive turnout from Maori today in Auckland, to me atleast they seemed the biggest ethnic group. Very proud to be a kiwi seeing that and I think I now know who has got the countries best interests at heart.

  38. Doogs 40

    To the moderator of this site –

    I absolutely bloody despair.

    How good would it be to engage in some reasoned and enlightening discussion about the real issues here. Instead, what do we get? People like PR et al with their smotheringly unhelpful and quite illogical sycophancy.

    These people destroy the threads and skew the lines of discourse.

    I know, I know – in the interests of democracy . . . etc

    I love reading the articles in TS, which has a bias, undeniably. However, these red-herring draggers are nothing short of purposeful disruptors. They have nothing but entrenched bias to spout, and that is not only untruthful but couched in seriously abusive terms. It doesn’t make me want to comment. I just want to run away and scream at the back fence.

    We can’t stop them, but I genuinely suggest a concerted campaign to completely ignore the fuckers. How about it?

    • The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell 40.1

      Ignore everyone who disagrees with you. The path to enlightenment.

      • Pasupial 40.1.1

        Spam every comment thread with bullshit. A Gormless Fool’s path to endarkenment.

      • Doogs 40.1.2

        Largely it’s not the matter but the manner.

        And I know from whence my enlightenment comes. I will respect all who disagree with me when they do it with fact, grace and nuance. Shoutey buggers are just bias bulldozers.

        Do I detect more than a little arrogance when you infer there is enlightenment in your posts? I note your reply postdates my words by 2 minutes. Waiting to pounce are you?

        [lprent: The rules of this site are in the policy. Generally the mods will constrain debate within those limits using their judgement as required. But they are jealous superior beings and not tolerant of people trying to carve their own tablets. You’d be better off trying to develop a thick skin rather than trying to define what others should do here. ]

  39. Lorraine 41

    The real issue with the TPPA is that the government took a short turn approach to this deal by signing up to a deal that puts the rights of money hungry corporations over the rights of our nation.
    For example.
    Type 2 diabetes is a growing problem in NZ and is eating up more and more of the healthcare pie. The biggest contributor to type 2 diabetes is the increase in sugars in our food. These sugars are not recognisable to the average person as they are not labeled simply as sugar. Instead they have unrecognisable names, letters, or numeric codes. Portion size also is confusing because it is not a standard unit of measurement.
    Over the past 20 years, these sugars have been replacing other ingredients simply because it makes the product cheap to manufacture and therefore the money hungry no conscience multinational corporations richer and richer. We have rights under the bill of rights in NZ but what our government has agree to puts the rights of rich and powerful corporations above the rights of us as individuals. It is only a matter of time before type 2 diabetes healthcare cripples our healthcare system if our government can no put strategies to limit the use of these sugars in our food. Not only can the money hungry no conscience multinational corporations prevent legislation but they can also prevent education measures too.
    The environment is also an issue. Our beautiful country is open to exploitation by foreign investors with greed for money as their motivation for investing here. Do we want to live in a polluted country where our flora and fora is destroyed by exploitation by money hungry no conscience multinational corporation.
    THE ISSUE FOR NZ IS THOSE COMPANIES HAVE MORE MONEY THAN OUR COUNTRY AND SO HAVE MORE POWER IN A COURT OF LAW – because we have given our power away.
    The TPPA is like a marriage where one partner agrees to allowing the other partner to exploit and abuse them. At the time of the marriage it is perceived that the likelihood of that abuse happening is small but many men and women in marriages experience abuse of some kind. The same could be said for business partnerships etc.
    IF ONE PARTNER GIVES AWAY THEIR RIGHTS OVER TIME THEY WILL BE CRUSHED.
    NZ could end up being sued by many companies.
    DO YOU WANT YOUR TAXPAYERS DOLLARS GOING TO PAY LAWYERS AND PAYING BIG MULTINATION INSTEAD OF EDUCATING OUR KIDS AND CARING FOR US WHEN WE ARE ILL AND KEEPING NZ A BEAUTIFUL PLACE TO LIVE!!!

    • Doogs 41.1

      A really well put example Lorraine. Big ups.

    • Magisterium 41.2

      We have rights under the bill of rights in NZ but what our government has agree to puts the rights of rich and powerful corporations above the rights of us as individuals. It is only a matter of time before type 2 diabetes healthcare cripples our healthcare system if our government can no put strategies to limit the use of these sugars in our food.

      Hell, I’m convinced.

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • 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
    58 mins 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
    2 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
    2 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 ...
    3 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
    3 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 ...
    3 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
    4 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
    5 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
    8 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
    8 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
    8 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
    9 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
    10 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
    11 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
    13 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 ...
    1 day ago
  • Bernard's six newsy things at 6.36am on Monday, March 18
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson said in an exit interview with Q+A yesterday the Government can and should sustain more debt to invest in infrastructure for future generations. Elsewhere in the news in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 6:36am: Read more ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    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
    3 days ago
  • Bernard’s Dawn Chorus with six newsey things at 6:46am for Saturday, March 16
    TL;DR: The six newsey things that stood out to me as of 6:46am on Saturday, March 16.Andy Foster has accidentally allowed a Labour/Green amendment to cut road user chargers for plug-in hybrid vehicles, which the Government might accept; NZ Herald Thomas Coughlan Simeon Brown has rejected a plea from Westport ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • How Did FTX Crash?
    What seemed a booming success a couple of years ago has collapsed into fraud convictions.I looked at the crash of FTX (short for ‘Futures Exchange’) in November 2022 to see whether it would impact on the financial system as a whole. Fortunately there was barely a ripple, probably because it ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    4 days ago
  • Elections in Russia and Ukraine
    Anybody following the situation in Ukraine and Russia would probably have been amused by a recent Tweet on X NATO seems to be putting in an awful lot of effort to influence what is, at least according to them, a sham election in an autocracy.When do the Ukrainians go to ...
    4 days ago
  • Bernard’s six stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15
    TL;DR: Shaun Baker on Wynyard Quarter's transformation. Magdalene Taylor on the problem with smart phones. How private equity are now all over reinsurance. Dylan Cleaver on rugby and CTE. Emily Atkin on ‘Big Meat’ looking like ‘Big Oil’.Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15Photo by Jeppe Hove Jensen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Buzz from the Beehive Finance Minister Nicola Willis had plenty to say when addressing the Auckland Business Chamber on the economic growth that (she tells us) is flagging more than we thought. But the government intends to put new life into it:  We want our country to be a ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • National’s clean car tax advances
    The Transport and Infrastructure Committee has reported back on the Road User Charges (Light Electric RUC Vehicles) Amendment Bill, basicly rubberstamping it. While there was widespread support among submitters for the principle that EV and PHEV drivers should pay their fair share for the roads, they also overwhelmingly disagreed with ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Government funding bailouts
    Peter Dunne writes – This week’s government bailout – the fifth in the last eighteen months – of the financially troubled Ruapehu Alpine Lifts company would have pleased many in the central North Island ski industry. The government’s stated rationale for the $7 million funding was that it ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Two offenders, different treatments.
    See if you can spot the difference. An Iranian born female MP from a progressive party is accused of serial shoplifting. Her name is leaked to the media, which goes into a pack frenzy even before the Police launch an … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    4 days ago
  • Treaty references omitted
    Ele Ludemann writes  – The government is omitting general Treaty references from legislation : The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last Government in a bid to get greater coherence in the public service on Treaty ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • The Ghahraman Conflict
    What was that judge thinking? Peter Williams writes –  That Golriz Ghahraman and District Court Judge Maria Pecotic were once lawyer colleagues is incontrovertible. There is published evidence that they took at least one case to the Court of Appeal together. There was a report on ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 15
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Climate Scorpion – the sting is in the tail. Introducing planetary solvency. A paper via the University of Exeter’s Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.Local scoop: Kāinga Ora starts pulling out of its Auckland projects and selling land RNZ ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The day Wellington up-zoned its future
    Wellington’s massively upzoned District Plan adds the opportunity for tens of thousands of new homes not just in the central city (such as these Webb St new builds) but also close to the CBD and public transport links. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Wellington gave itself the chance of ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Weekly Roundup 15-March-2024
    It’s Friday and we’re halfway through March Madness. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week in Greater Auckland On Monday Matt asked how we can get better event trains and an option for grade separating Morningside Dr. On Tuesday Matt looked into ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    4 days ago
  • That Word.
    Something you might not know about me is that I’m quite a stubborn person. No, really. I don’t much care for criticism I think’s unfair or that I disagree with. Few of us do I suppose.Back when I was a drinker I’d sometimes respond defensively, even angrily. There are things ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • The Hoon around the week to March 15
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:PM Christopher Luxon said the reversal of interest deductibility for landlords was done to help renters, who ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    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
    5 days ago
  • Cartoons: ‘At least I didn’t make things awkward’
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Tom Toro Tom Toro is a cartoonist and author. He has published over 200 cartoons in The New Yorker since 2010. His cartoons appear in Playboy, the Paris Review, the New York Times, American Bystander, and elsewhere. Related: What 10 EV lovers ...
    5 days ago
  • Solving traffic congestion with Richard Prebble
    The business section of the NZ Herald is full of opinion. Among the more opinionated of all is the ex-Minister of Transport, ex-Minister of Railways, ex MP for Auckland Central (1975-93, Labour), Wellington Central (1996-99, ACT, then list-2005), ex-leader of the ACT Party, uncle to actor Antonia, the veritable granddaddy ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    5 days ago
  • I Think I'm Done Flying Boeing
    Hi,Just quickly — I’m blown away by the stories you’ve shared with me over the last week since I put out the ‘Gary’ podcast, where I told you about the time my friend’s flatmate killed the neighbour.And you keep telling me stories — in the comments section, and in my ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    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
  • There’s a name for this
    Every year, in the Budget, Parliament forks out money to government agencies to do certain things. And every year, as part of the annual review cycle, those agencies are meant to report on whether they have done the things Parliament gave them that money for. Agencies which consistently fail to ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago

  • 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
    2 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
    7 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
    8 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
    9 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
    23 hours ago
  • Kāinga Ora instructed to end Sustaining Tenancies
    Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities has been instructed to end the Sustaining Tenancies Framework and take stronger measures against persistent antisocial behaviour by tenants, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Earlier today Finance Minister Nicola Willis and I sent an interim Letter of Expectations to the Board of Kāinga Ora. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber: Growth is the answer
    Tēna koutou katoa. Greetings everyone. Thank you to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Honourable Simon Bridges for hosting this address today. I acknowledge the business leaders in this room, the leaders and governors, the employers, the entrepreneurs, the investors, and the wealth creators. The coalition Government shares your ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Singapore rounds out regional trip
    Minister Winston Peters completed the final leg of his visit to South and South East Asia in Singapore today, where he focused on enhancing one of New Zealand’s indispensable strategic partnerships.      “Singapore is our most important defence partner in South East Asia, our fourth-largest trading partner and a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister van Velden represents New Zealand at International Democracy Summit
    Minister of Internal Affairs and Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon. Brooke van Velden, will travel to the Republic of Korea to represent New Zealand at the Third Summit for Democracy on 18 March. The summit, hosted by the Republic of Korea, was first convened by the United States in 2021, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Insurance Council of NZ Speech, 7 March 2024, Auckland
    ICNZ Speech 7 March 2024, Auckland  Acknowledgements and opening  Mōrena, ngā mihi nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho.  Good morning, it’s a privilege to be here to open the ICNZ annual conference, thank you to Mark for the Mihi Whakatau  My thanks to Tim Grafton for inviting me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Five-year anniversary of Christchurch terror attacks
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Lead Coordination Minister Judith Collins have expressed their deepest sympathy on the five-year anniversary of the Christchurch terror attacks. “March 15, 2019, was a day when families, communities and the country came together both in sorrow and solidarity,” Mr Luxon says.  “Today we pay our respects to the 51 shuhada ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024
    Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024  Acknowledgements and opening  Morena, Nga Mihi Nui.  Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Thanks Nate for your Mihi Whakatau  Good morning. It’s a pleasure to formally open your conference this morning. What a lovely day in Wellington, What a great ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Early visit to Indonesia strengthens ties
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters held discussions in Jakarta today about the future of relations between New Zealand and South East Asia’s most populous country.   “We are in Jakarta so early in our new government’s term to reflect the huge importance we place on our relationship with Indonesia and South ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • China Foreign Minister to visit
    Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has announced that the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, will visit New Zealand next week.  “We look forward to re-engaging with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussing the full breadth of the bilateral relationship, which is one of New Zealand’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister opens new Auckland Rail Operations Centre
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has today opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre, which will bring together KiwiRail, Auckland Transport, and Auckland One Rail to improve service reliability for Aucklanders. “The recent train disruptions in Auckland have highlighted how important it is KiwiRail and Auckland’s rail agencies work together to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Celebrating 10 years of Crankworx Rotorua
    The Government is proud to support the 10th edition of Crankworx Rotorua as the Crankworx World Tour returns to Rotorua from 16-24 March 2024, says Minister for Economic Development Melissa Lee.  “Over the past 10 years as Crankworx Rotorua has grown, so too have the economic and social benefits that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government delivering on tax commitments
    Legislation implementing coalition Government tax commitments and addressing long-standing tax anomalies will be progressed in Parliament next week, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The legislation is contained in an Amendment Paper to the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill issued today.  “The Amendment Paper represents ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Significant Natural Areas requirement to be suspended
    Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard has today announced that the Government has agreed to suspend the requirement for councils to comply with the Significant Natural Areas (SNA) provisions of the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity for three years, while it replaces the Resource Management Act (RMA).“As it stands, SNAs ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government classifies drought conditions in Top of the South as medium-scale adverse event
    Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has classified the drought conditions in the Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts as a medium-scale adverse event, acknowledging the challenging conditions facing farmers and growers in the district. “Parts of Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts are in the grip of an intense dry spell. I know ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government partnership to tackle $332m facial eczema problem
    The Government is helping farmers eradicate the significant impact of facial eczema (FE) in pastoral animals, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced.  “A $20 million partnership jointly funded by Beef + Lamb NZ, the Government, and the primary sector will save farmers an estimated NZD$332 million per year, and aims to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • NZ, India chart path to enhanced relationship
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has completed a successful visit to India, saying it was an important step in taking the relationship between the two countries to the next level.   “We have laid a strong foundation for the Coalition Government’s priority of enhancing New Zealand-India relations to generate significant future benefit for both countries,” says Mr Peters, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    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 2024-03-19T05:44:36+00:00