There is an alternative

Written By: - Date published: 8:53 am, January 29th, 2013 - 48 comments
Categories: Economy, jobs - Tags:

Some people who don’t really understand economics think it’s all about confidence – if business would be more confident, they would then invest more and hire more people. In truth, confidence is merely an indicator that the fundamentals for growth are right. So, when Joyce accuses manufacturing bosses of ‘talking down’ the economy, he’s missing the point. Probably intentionally.

The manufacturing bosses and the EPMU at the first day’s hearing of the Manufacturing Inquiry were unequivocal – the over-valued dollar is killing us. And it’s simple to see why – sell $100 of product overseas in US dollars in 2001 and you got NZ$250. Today, you get $127.

You can innovative your arse off, but against that kind of declining return, you’ll be lucky to tread water.

And, in the last four years, manufacturing stopped treading water. Nearly 1 in 5 manufacturing jobs have been lost during that period.

It’s time to move the debate past ‘is there a problem with manufacturing’ and ‘is the high dollar that problem’? The answer to both is clearly ‘yes’.

Now, the question is ‘what do we do about it?’ The logical option would be to do what all our trade partners are doing to lower their currencies: capital controls, export assistance, quantitative easing, a lower official cash rate are all options.

It’s time to stop saying ‘there’s no alternative’ and, instead, start asking which alternatives we’ll choose.

48 comments on “There is an alternative ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Draco T Bastard 1
    29 January 2013 at 10:32 am

    The logical option would be to do what all our trade partners are doing to lower their currencies: capital controls, export assistance, quantitative easing, a lower official cash rate are all options.

    That would be logical within the current economic paradigm but, considering how our economic system is destroying the environment, is it logical to continue to use the same paradigm?

    • Andre 1.1
      29 January 2013 at 11:01 am

      We need a ‘Reset button’ . and a government intelligent enough to Press it .. The long term outlook for western economics is only bad . New thinking is needed. The only option.

      • SpaceMonkey 1.1.1
        29 January 2013 at 11:58 am

        Following this current economic paradigm, the reset button is war. It’s going to take ballsy leadership to steer NZ in the direction we need to go because the root cause is the economic model itself: the concept of “growth” and consumerism. Until we address that, it’s not going to matter who is in Government, left or right… it’s the economic equivalent of pimping a ride with no engine.

        • bad12 1.1.1.1
          29 January 2013 at 12:06 pm

          Aha, that’s a correct analysis based upon what the European nations have resorted to at various times in history when their Ism is threatened,(mostly by their own greed filled actions),

          How we keep our little country out of what i see as the building pressures for the sort of global scale conflagration our Leaders would happily fall all over themselves to involve us in, (or more to the point our young), is at present beyond me…

        • Rogue Trooper 1.1.1.2
          29 January 2013 at 2:44 pm

          this Monkeys’ going to Heaven Surfer Rosy

      • McFlock 1.1.2
        29 January 2013 at 12:22 pm

        Life doesn’t have a reset button. Why should the economy?

        • Draco T Bastard 1.1.2.1
          29 January 2013 at 12:51 pm

          The “economy”, as its presently constituted, isn’t a natural part of life. The real economy is but the real economy isn’t related in any way, shape or form to the present financial system.

    • geoff 1.2
      29 January 2013 at 1:05 pm

      Excellent point DTB but that is too big a problem for them to think about. That would require a collectivism that, presently, gets laughed at in the mainstream.

  2. VivaciousViper 2
    29 January 2013 at 10:44 am

    Yes there is an alternative, a snap election,another 2yrs of this ramshackle nact govt
    doesn’t bear thinking about.

  3. PlanetOrphan 3
    29 January 2013 at 11:02 am

    Comeas back to DunnoKeyo playing his “Merrill Lynch” handbook.

    He promised all those people he’d borrow not print money, they in turn called him “UnCivilised” and tried to help by keeping our dollar strong so we can pay of the debt.

    Bloody Idiot should’ve listened to the IMF and printed money 4 years ago.

    • Lanthanide 3.1
      29 January 2013 at 11:27 am

      “He promised all those people he’d borrow not print money, they in turn called him “UnCivilised” and tried to help by keeping our dollar strong so we can pay of the debt.”

      NZ government debt is in $NZ, so the exchange rate doesn’t change how easy it is for us to pay it back or not.

      In fact, a high exchange rate actually discourages people from lending to us: in the past, for example, if someone wanted to lend the government $200NZ (ie, buy $200NZ worth of government bonds), they would take their $100US and buy $200NZ and then buy the government bonds, who in the future would pay them back $200NZ + interest. But now, if they want to buy $200NZ in government bonds, it will cost them $157US.

      • PlanetOrphan 3.1.1
        29 January 2013 at 2:33 pm

        So why is our Exchange rate so high all of a sudden ?

        • Rogue Trooper 3.1.1.1
          29 January 2013 at 2:46 pm

          maybe we need to pimp the Model T past the Baldwins down into Richmond; Dew Drop Inn?

          • PlanetOrphan 3.1.1.1.1
            29 January 2013 at 3:10 pm

            Nice 2 cu Rogue, Not even a pimped out Model T will fix DunnoKeyos’ bad tuning M8!

        • mikesh 3.1.1.2
          29 January 2013 at 2:55 pm

          The value of the dollar is determined by the relationship between imports, exports, invisibles and overseas borrowing. It is probably excessive borrowing, with the proceeds being pumped into the housing market, that is probably the main culprit. Lowering the exchange rate may be difficult because a change in one of the other variables can be offset by an increase in borrowing.

          • PlanetOrphan 3.1.1.2.1
            29 January 2013 at 3:21 pm

            i.e back to printing more money ?

          • Draco T Bastard 3.1.1.2.2
            29 January 2013 at 5:37 pm

            1.) Lower the OCR down to 0%
            2.) Make government loans available to everyone (business and mortgages) at 0%

            Exchange rate lowered.

        • Lanthanide 3.1.1.3
          29 January 2013 at 4:49 pm

          Because the US and rest of the world have been devaluing their currencies.

    • bad12 3.2
      29 January 2013 at 12:24 pm

      Indeed, the IMF in its interim report to the incoming National Government,(a report i can no longer find online) directly advised the National Government to seriously consider the use of quantitative easing,(printing money), to avoid the worst effects of the World wide financial crisis impacting upon the New Zealand economy,

      IMF interim reports are then referred to the incumbent Government for comment after which the full report is produced by the IMF,

      The full report when produced had had all reference to ‘quantitative easing’ expunged from it, so it was obviously a direct decision of the Slippery lead National Government to ‘borrow’ the Country into a massive Government debt even tho it had at hand,(and still does), the perfect tool to lower the New Zealand dollars international value while shielding the future generation from having to forgo social services in order to re-pay Government debt,

      My take on this is that it is simply playing politics by the National Government with the economy of New Zealand and the lives of future generations of this country,

      To be blunt, an attempt to ‘kneecap’ the economy so as to prohibit the next Government from being able to institute any further social programs and in effect trying to force upon that Government a panic situation where devaluation of the New Zealand dollar is considered via regulation,(a really stupid idea when the pluses of quantitative easing are so blindingly apparent and the tool will also lower the value of that New Zealand dollar)…

      • Rogue Trooper 3.2.1
        29 January 2013 at 2:49 pm

        ahhh, devaluation devaluation devaluation (banks are courting property investors into “fixed terms” meanwhile Hickey forecasts mortgage interest rates rising later this, early next, Yeah Baby! The Carrot, then Stick it too them.

  4. higherstandard 4
    29 January 2013 at 11:08 am

    So we’d be better off if our dollar was at 0.40 to the USD ?

    • Lanthanide 4.1
      29 January 2013 at 11:29 am

      Manufacturers might be better off. The economy as a whole would unlikely be, largely due to the much higher oil prices these days (which IMO are part of the reason the exchange rate is high).

      Certainly manufacturers would be much happier with a dollar that was around 60-65 US cents.

      • higherstandard 4.1.1
        29 January 2013 at 11:39 am

        Indeed I always find it amusing that whatever the exchange rate is someone’ll be moaning.

        Certainly those countries with historically strong currencies too tough and as you say if our dollar devalued significantly consumer prices would increase significantly along with many of the imports utilised throughout our public health system.

        • tracey 4.1.1.1
          29 January 2013 at 11:45 am

          which is why everyone being tied tot he US dollar was simply a World Bank/USA idea that served only one point five masters

          • Draco T Bastard 4.1.1.1.1
            29 January 2013 at 12:13 pm

            Actually, that was the Bretton Woods Agreement which is the agreement that set up the World Bank, the fixed exchange rates that existed after the end of WWII, and the US$ as the world’s reserve currency. Unfortunately, no one seems to have realised that by going to a free-market system there is no such thing as a reserve currency.

            • CV - Real Labour 4.1.1.1.1.1
              29 January 2013 at 12:16 pm

              What people need to realise is that although the US Gov moved the US Dollar off the Gold Standard…they have effectively moved it to the crude oil standard.

              Which is why the US gets mighty twitchy every time a bourse starts up somewhere which allows the trading of oil in a currency other than USD.

              • SpaceMonkey …
                29 January 2013 at 5:14 pm

                Hence Libya… Gaddafi was courting African countries with a gold-backed dinar. It would’ve stuffed the US dollar and every other fiat currency. It was also one of (then) four nations without a privately owned central bank. Military intervention ensued.

                Iran, looking to get into bed with the BRICS nations, is also one those nations without a privately owned central bank. They are looking to trade oil in anything but the US dollar so you know what the noise is about… the banksters want that bank. The only thing stopping the US and Israel is an unequivocal demand from China – hands off Iran. China gets approx. 80% of its oil from Iran.

                Meanwhile China is amassing gold. No one knows exactly how much but it is estimated to be around 6,000 tonnes. All gold mined in China is going straight into their bank vaults. They may be looking to match the US reserves of 8,000 tonnes at which point China may very well choose write off the shitty US dollars they hold and back their currency with gold. That will send shockwaves through the global economy and it will not go down well with the central banksters. I would expect the response to be military… the US and Europe would have lost the currency war currently being waged at this moment.

                Meanwhile NZ has 0 tonnes of gold. We sold the last of our reserves in 1991 like the good little IMFers we are (to the IMF gold is not money). If the world moves back to a gold standard (and that’s a big IF because the banksters will fight it all the way) NZ is doubly fucked.

    • bad12 4.2
      29 January 2013 at 12:41 pm

      No,we would be better off if the New Zealand dollar had a value of 70 cents against the US dollar, it is not the New Zealand dollar that has risen per se against the US dollar, it is fact the reverse,

      The US dollar as they have diluted their currency by printing money has lowered in value when compared with currencies all over the world,

      The National Government’s failure to follow suit,(even when advised to do so by the IMF),has simply seen our currency become over-valued at the loss of our Manufacturing sectors competitive edge and the loss of employment,

      There would have been very little negative effect had this National Government printed the 300 million dollars a week it currently borrows,

      What should have occurred with the Christchurch rebuild was the declaration of a ‘special economic zone’ which in effect would have removed the false ‘growth’ figures which will occur because of that rebuild in New Zealands total economic figures over the next decade,

      Including the rebuild in such economic figures will in effect force the Reserve Bank to further tighten the money supply to the rest of New Zealand as the ‘false growth figures’ from Christchurch can be contained within the Reserve Banks ‘Inflationary Targets Band’, BUT, growth elsewhere in the New Zealand economy will threaten a breach of that ‘inflationary targets band’…

      • bad12 4.2.1
        29 January 2013 at 10:59 pm

        The ‘false growth’ of the Christchurch rebuild???, it’s simply this, the ‘growth in economic activity that will be recorded from the efforts of the Christchurch rebuild will in fact be the re-recording of ‘growth’ that previously occurred befor the Christchurch earthquakes,

        The Christchurch earthquakes destroyed the previous ‘growth’ and the rebuild will only replace that ‘growth’ as no accounting has been made of the actual loss of ‘growth’ from the destruction caused by those earthquakes recording the rebuild of Christchurch as ‘growth’ is then ‘false’ and such recording of that ‘false growth’ in the sum total of New Zealand’s economic activity at any time will simply give a ‘false’ distorted picture of overall national ‘economic activity’,

        So, what need happen??? an accounting need take place that identifies ‘the loss of growth’ as the damage caused by the Chrischurch earthquakes, this X accounting of loss then need be the basis from which ‘actual growth’ in the Christchurch region can have some ‘actual’ platform from which to be measured from,

        Lets use for example a figure of 30 billion dollars as the amount of loss caused by those earthquakes, for ‘actual growth’ to occur in such a scenario 30 billion dollars must first be spent into the local economy as earthquake damage repair or rebuild befor any ‘actual growth’ can be said to have occurred,

        My view is this, Christchurch until such time as that loss/growth equation has been equalized should be legislated as a special economic zone where the economic activity until such time as that loss/growth equation has become neutral does not figure in the recording of national economic data as to do so will build into the New Zealand economy a level of ‘false growth’ that will then generate a level of ‘false inflation’ and the actions ensuing from this will seriously damage the New Zealand economy…

  5. tracey 5
    29 January 2013 at 11:30 am

    How much have they borrowed since coming to office??

    • David H 5.1
      29 January 2013 at 10:04 pm

      About 42 Billion bucks Not sure if that’S NZ or US currency.

      • CV - Real Labour 5.1.1
        29 January 2013 at 10:57 pm

        NZ I think.

        Averages $250M – $300M pw.

        • bad12 5.1.1.1
          29 January 2013 at 11:30 pm

          The interesting thing about discussions with people over whether that 250-300 million dollars a week should have been borrowed into the New Zealand economy or printed into that economy is the number of people,(including Slippery the Prime Minister), who seem to believe that borrowed dollars have ‘magic qualities’,

          Tell the average head that those dollars borrowed should have been instead printed by the New Zealand Government or more to the point the Reserve Bank of New Zealand and they will mostly begin spluttering about inflation,

          To believe in this inflation fallacy a person must also believe that pigs can fly, steamrollers really do roll steam,choclate fish can swim, the tooth fairy put that dollar under the pillow, and various other myths that i could spend half the night listing,

          Such people,despite all the evidence steadfastly refuse to believe that any of the currently borrowed 250-300 million dollars a week has come hot off of the printing presses from some other economy busily engaged in propping up the collapsed system of capital,and, such people,although they will vehemenently deny such obviously believe that a ‘borrowed dollar’ has magic properties which do not allow that borrowed dollar to create the merest % of inflation,

          Such believers in the ‘magic powers’ possessed by a ‘borrowed dollar’ would seem to include most of the Parliament including most of the Labour Caucus along with the Labour caucus Leader Dave Shearer who when discussing future Labour Government spending seems to be stuck, like a cracked record, at the word Borrowing…

  6. Enough is Enough 6
    29 January 2013 at 11:34 am

    Be careful what you wish for. What would happen to our fuel costs if the dollar was $0.65 US?

    How much more New Zealand cash would be sucked up and sent to the BP’s of this world if we could get our dollar to that point?

    • Lanthanide 6.1
      29 January 2013 at 11:37 am

      I’d guess around $2.30-$2.50 a litre.

      It would help drive effieincy and fuel conservation. Better we start sooner than later on that.

      • higherstandard 6.1.1
        29 January 2013 at 11:39 am

        Lets put a 300% tax on petrol.

        It would help drive effieincy and fuel conservation. Better we start sooner than later on that.

        • Draco T Bastard 6.1.1.1
          29 January 2013 at 12:17 pm

          Why put in something artificial when we could just have properly costed fuel?

          Of course, that would require government regulation ensuring that all costs were properly accounted for that the free-marketeers would then say was artificial.

        • Lanthanide 6.1.1.2
          29 January 2013 at 1:11 pm

          Or, lets be sane and phase in that 300% oil tax in over 10 years, so as not to suddenly jolt the economy with a big blow.

          Luckily Key and crew are already on it, raising petrol taxes by 9c over the next 3 years.

          • CV - Real Labour 6.1.1.2.1
            29 January 2013 at 1:20 pm

            You just have to remember that real incomes will be declining all that time as well, so 300% may effectively be a real 500% increase and hence be too harsh.

      • Andre 6.1.2
        29 January 2013 at 11:52 am

        OR spend 12 billion of future spending on road ,That will help… Exon now biggest company in the world .

      • Enough is Enough 6.1.3
        29 January 2013 at 12:07 pm

        Yep, and at that price what happens to our economy?

        I am curious whether we could cope in the short term with that.

        • Draco T Bastard 6.1.3.1
          29 January 2013 at 12:54 pm

          It shifts to being more local and less dependent upon international trade.

          • blue leopard 6.1.3.1.1
            29 January 2013 at 2:50 pm

            Whats wrong with going local and becoming less dependent upon international trade now?

            • Draco T Bastard 6.1.3.1.1.1
              29 January 2013 at 5:41 pm

              Nothing as far as I can see but the currency traders and banksters will probably start to lose out.

              • CV - Real Labour …
                29 January 2013 at 5:49 pm

                And they will fight back. Hence the provisions in the TPP allowing dubious multinational corporate entities to sue the NZ Government.

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    How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log on iPhone Without a Computer: A Step–by–Step Guide Losing your iPhone call history can be frustrating, especially when you need to find a specific number or recall an important conversation. But before you panic, know that there are ways to retrieve deleted call logs on your iPhone, even without a computer. This guide will explore various methods, ranging from simple checks to utilizing iCloud backups and third–party applications. So, let‘s dive in and recover those lost calls! 1. Check Recently Deleted Folder: Apple understands that accidental deletions happen. That‘s why they introduced the “Recently Deleted“ folder for various apps, including the Phone app. This folder acts as a safety net, storing deleted call logs for up to 30 days before permanently erasing them. Here‘s how to check it: Open the Phone app on your iPhone. Tap on the “Recents“ tab at the bottom. Scroll to the top and tap on “Edit“. Select “Show Recently Deleted“. Browse the list to find the call logs you want to recover. Tap on the desired call log and choose “Recover“ to restore it to your call history. 2. Restore from iCloud Backup: If you regularly back up your iPhone to iCloud, you might be able to retrieve your deleted call log from a previous backup. However, keep in mind that this process will restore your entire phone to the state it was in at the time of the backup, potentially erasing any data added since then. Here‘s how to restore from an iCloud backup: Go to Settings > General > Reset. Choose “Erase All Content and Settings“. Follow the on–screen instructions. Your iPhone will restart and show the initial setup screen. Choose “Restore from iCloud Backup“ during the setup process. Select the relevant backup that contains your deleted call log. Wait for the restoration process to complete. 3. Explore Third–Party Apps (with Caution): ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • PM’s South East Asia mission does the business
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 hours ago

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners.  “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government backing mussel spat project
    The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government focused on getting people into work
    Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
    Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
    Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
    Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector.    "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
    The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
    Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
    Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.   Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ ties
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.  During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Antarctica New Zealand Board appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has made further appointments to the Board of Antarctica New Zealand as part of a continued effort to ensure the Scott Base Redevelopment project is delivered in a cost-effective and efficient manner.  The Minister has appointed Neville Harris as a new member of the Board. Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Finance Minister travels to Washington DC
    Finance Minister Nicola Willis will travel to the United States on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Five Finance Ministers group, with counterparts from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.  “I am looking forward to meeting with our Five Finance partners on how we can work ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Pet bonds a win/win for renters and landlords
    The coalition Government has today announced purrfect and pawsitive changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to give tenants with pets greater choice when looking for a rental property, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Pets are important members of many Kiwi families. It’s estimated that around 64 per cent of New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being considered
    State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the Government has also asked NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to consider and provide advice on a Long Tunnel option, Transport Minister Simeon Brown ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • New Zealand condemns Iranian strikes
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel.    “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says.    "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plans
    Hundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand Chair
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board.   “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti.  “I have asked her to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Roads of National Significance planning underway
    The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Navigating an unstable global environment
    New Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States.    “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • NZ welcomes Australian Governor-General
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Pseudoephedrine back on shelves for Winter
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced that Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Pharmaceutical suppliers have indicated they may be able to supply the first products in June. “This is much earlier than the original expectation of medicines being available by 2025. The Government recognised ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • NZ and the US: an ever closer partnership
    New Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Joint US and NZ declaration
    April 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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