TV One Colmar Brunton Poll

Written By: - Date published: 6:10 pm, July 19th, 2015 - 119 comments
Categories: greens, labour, national, nz first, Politics, polls - Tags: , , , ,

The latest One News Colmar Brunton poll is out. National drop one to 47%, Labour gain that point to lift to 32%, the Greens rise to 13% and NZ First are steady on 7%.

The result in June was National 48, Labour 31, Greens 10, NZF 7

The poll was conducted between the 11th and the 15th of July. Labour released its analysis of the Auckland Housing data on the 11th. The poll has a 3.1% error rate from 1000 respondents.

The economic confidence survey continues its steady decline. Only 36% of respondents think the future will be better, down an astonishing 9% from last month.  41 % believe things are going to get worse, up a whopping 10%.

Labour got a decent lift in the last Roy Morgan poll and that rise continues in this One News Colmar Brunton. National appear to be driving on black ice. If there was an election held today, National would need probably need NZ First support to remain the Government. A Labour +NZF+ Greens combo would have a comfortable majority.

 

Edit: One News report:

https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/global-economic-jitters-reflected-in-one-news-poll-6359149

119 comments on “TV One Colmar Brunton Poll ”

  1. BM 1

    If National won again in 2017, do you think the knives would come out for Little?

    Or is Labour thinking a a bit more long term these days.

    • Lanthanide 1.1

      Too early to tell, and it depends what the margin of the loss was.

      And whether GR was deputy.

    • sabine 1.2

      If Nationals support drops again, do you think the knives will come out for Bill English Mr. Surplus, Nick Smith Mr. There is not Housing Crisis, Ms. Bennett All the Benefits are Mine. Mine. Mine?

      Just asking. you know.

      • keyman 1.2.1

        iam hoping the pitch forks will come out they have promised the brighter future a hollow promise deserves a stiff push back

    • Colonial Rawshark 1.3

      If Little scored as low as 25% or 27%, it would be a leadership contest again.

    • BM 1.4

      Right, so you reckon 30 is the cut off point.

      I have a feeling NZ first will do a deal with National at the next election shutting out Labour.

      • Lanthanide 1.4.1

        Quite possibly. I think National have to get to around 40-42% in order for NZFirst to credibly go with Labour / Greens. Or in other words, if National were on 44% and Lab/Greens on 44-46%, I think NZFirst would still go with National.

        The picture is a lot clearer now, with Conservatives having self-destructed. National dodged a bullet with that one.

      • Skinny 1.4.2

        That’s comical Blind Man. Winston won’t want to be going out unpopular, having to prop up a poison chalice. The senior statesman of New Zealand politics knows what common sense means and National have showed little since they took power.

        • BM 1.4.2.1

          Nah, next election will be the last for Key and Peters, they’ll kiss and make up

          Facts are ,NZ first has longevity as Nationals MAIN coalition partner, not as competition with the greens in a Labour led government.

          Just look at Northland, obviously National voting people have no problem with NZ First.

    • Rob 1.5

      If National lose in 2017 will Key be gone by lunchtime?

    • G C 1.6

      National axed Don Brash and Labour do like a good leadership change. I think Andrew Little is suitable as leader going into 2017. The socialist ‘Robertson Ardern’ combo would amount to a ‘dead cat bounce’ in the polls at best.

      If Labour looses in 2017 he’ll be dumped quick smart.

    • Facetious 1.7

      It will happen well before 2017. In 2016 GR will take over Labour leadership.

    • Rozgonz 1.8

      Angry Andy won’t make the next election as Labour Leader let alone the one after it

  2. RedLogix 2

    What does surprise me a little is the continued strength of NZ1.

    Note how ACT, UF and MP have all more or less vanished because they could not maintain relevance. But The Greens and NZ1 are saying things which resonate.

    The Greens are in it for the long haul, but of NZ1? What happens when Winston eventually retires? And where will that constituency go to?

    • Colonial Rawshark 2.1

      NZF has legs.

    • Sacha 2.2

      If Labour keep up the right-wing dogwhistling, they’re bound to attract 1 or 2% of Winston’s mob. And lose some to the Greens.

      • Bill 2.2.1

        They won’t attract any NZF vote because NZF can always dog-whistle louder and further on the xenophobic front.

        But I agree that they will bleed to the Greens if they keep up with their shit.

        • Lanthanide 2.2.1.1

          Fine by me. I’d rather both the Greens and Labour have distinct policy platforms, rather than the last election where Labour weren’t all that different from the Greens.

          For the record I voted Greens last year, due to them having a specific policy on Christchurch that was a lot more credible than Labour’s. Otherwise I’m a Labour voter.

          • Brendon Harre 2.2.1.1.1

            Lanthanide which particular Green policies did you like for Christchurch?

            • Lanthanide 2.2.1.1.1.1

              https://www.greens.org.nz/policy/smarter-economy/greener-christchurch

              From the full policy:

              The focus for the Council needs to be on what it can afford and what Cantabrians need, not on projects that are putting it under pressure to sell their well performing assets. Selling strategic assets, such as shares in the airport and port companies, or energy company Orion, to meet the current shortfall facing the Council is short-term thinking. These assets have strategic and regional importance and provide important dividend and revenue streams to the Council.

              More flexibility around the implementation of the $4.8 billion earthquake cost-sharing deal between the Council and the Crown is a much sounder option. The Green Party will commit to working with the Council on the cost-sharing agreement to remove any financial pressure on the Council to sell their strategic assets.

              As a part of a more flexible approach, the Green Party will open up the books on the anchor projects, including proposed costings, business cases, and how the projects stack up when considered against similar facilities in other centres, much of which is being kept secret by the National Government.23

              Postponing construction on some of these projects, particularly the covered stadium, will be a major saving for the Council and help balance the Council’s budget without needing to sell assets.

              I’ve been saying since it was announced that the covered stadium will never be built, and the convention center will never be built according to its current plans. AFAIK Labour didn’t have any specific concrete policy in this area, but the Greens did.

              Since I live in CHCH, this was a pretty self-serving voting choice on my part, but I think these are also the right things to do for our 2nd largest city in the long term.

        • Colonial Rawshark 2.2.1.2

          But I agree that they will bleed to the Greens if they keep up with their shit.

          in other words, the continuation of a long drawn out trend.

      • G C 2.2.2

        “Dogwhistling” – what a tired old expression. Labour have played brilliant political theatre here. The past week has diffidently been a big win for Labour and surely will renew vigour and booth morale within.

        • Colonial Rawshark 2.2.2.1

          apart from splitting the activists and causing dozens of resignations from Young Labour you mean

          • G C 2.2.2.1.1

            The last policy idea I heard coming from Young Labour was to fund more gender reassignment surgeries. That went down like a tone of bricks and was poorly timed.

            Young Labour is fully of ineffective, humanists blinded by individualism AND castrated by Political Correctness… …so forgive me for not shedding a tear over their resignations.

            • Mike S 2.2.2.1.1.1

              +1

              If they’re resigning over this issue then they ain’t real Labour anyway. Good riddance.

              • Precisely who do you think does a lot of the legwork for election campaigns – putting up hoardings, signwaving, leafletting, doorknocking?

                Hint: it rhymes with Young Smabour.

                • Galeandra

                  In my electorate it’s actually grey tops like me who disproportionately have time & inclination.
                  Hint: it rhymes with ‘good-neighbour’, and commitment doesn’t come just from paying union dues.

                • Sabine

                  I saw a lot of Young Nats during the election in Westieland where I work and play.
                  I saw Phil Twyford in his red bus doing street corners, every effn day of the week, rain and shine.
                  I saw the young guy from Mana and the Mana volunteers.
                  I did see a lot of Labour volunteers, however they did not call themselves Young Labour.
                  The ones that i did not see at all where the Greens and Young Labour.

                  And yes I agree with what GV said above. If they – Young Labour – are resigning over this, then maybe they need to find a place that accommodates them better.

                • Ron

                  Certainly not the youth in Labour or the Greens round here.

            • Charles 2.2.2.1.1.2

              That’s because you think people live in a vacuum?

              There is more traditional Labour ideology in gender re-assignment surgery policies than there is in “stopping foreign investment”.

              It’s not a long explanation, but I won’t bother since those that know, know, and those that say stuff like you don’t want to hear.

    • Lanthanide 2.3

      I guess Winston and NZ1 were substantially buoyed by their electorate win?

      If Shane Jones steps into Winston’s shoes, I think he could keep the party going for another election or two. Hard to say really.

      • Colonial Rawshark 2.3.1

        Nah Jones is not getting anywhere near the NZF chair, I reckon that whole thing was a Winston publicity ploy.

    • I don’t think the Māori Party have disappeared or are likely to. Marama Fox is a very good politician imo.

  3. Sacha 3

    It’s one poll that only takes in the first half of the week. I’d hold any major analysis until another couple of periods at least. Trends count – and the economic confidence one is worth watching.

    • mickysavage 3.1

      Agreed although drop in Key’s support as preferred PM unsurprising and must be troubling the nats.

      • Jester 3.1.1

        The elephant in the room is Andrews at 8%.

        Mickey, 75% of Labour just don’t rate him, so if that’s true who in your oppinion is the one to excite Labour and conversely excite NZ swinging voters.

        • Colonial Rawshark 3.1.1.1

          Little is doing fine on 8%, slow and steady is all that is needed at this point. Would be good to be in double digits by the end of the year though.

        • Anne 3.1.1.2

          75% of Labour voters (I presume you mean) still don’t know him Jester. That will change over the next 2 years. Don’t forget Helen Clark dropped to 4-5% then went on to become prime minister.

      • James 3.1.2

        So Key is on 40% and Little on 8% and you think that would have the Nats concerned.

        wow.

        • Lanthanide 3.1.2.1

          Oppositions typically don’t win elections – governments lose them. Especially third term governments.

        • RedLogix 3.1.2.2

          Someone please correct me if I’m wrong, but generally the incumbent PM is always well ahead in the preferred PM poll.

          In other words there is a huge bias in this poll and I’m sure why they even bother measuring it, much less publishing it, without giving some indication how large this built-in bias is.

          • te reo putake 3.1.2.2.1

            Nicely put, RL. The question is both irrelevant and also kinda weird. If I say I’d prefer,say, Winston Peters, am I saying I want NZ First to lead the next Government or am I saying I want him to lead the Government we have today? If I nominate Andrew Little am I saying he should join the National Party?

            I reckon most people just say the name of the current PM, because that’s the first thing that pops into their heads. ‘Prime Minister? Er, it’s John Key isn’t it?’ That sort of thing.

          • Matthew Hooton 3.1.2.2.2

            That was not true of Jim Bolger.

          • Anne 3.1.2.2.3

            Yes, prime ministers are always way ahead of other party leaders. My guess is most people are so distant from the political scene that the only name they can be sure of is the PM’s’s name – whoever it may be.

            I remember back in ‘the good old days’ (yeah it was a long time ago) being asked by a pollster which Labour MP most impressed me. I only knew the name of one and that was Eddie Isbey (he’s been dead for decades) so I said Eddie Isbey.

            • RedBaronCV 3.1.2.2.3.1

              Actually I have a fond memeory of Eddie Isbey -dissing Muldoon

              • Anne

                It must have been around 1970 but that might be why I remember him. Muldoon would have been Finance Minister.

          • Keir 3.1.2.2.4

            Key was ahead in the preferred PM poll from May 07, and Clark was level pegging or ahead in the run-up to ’99. But yes, there’s a tendency to prefer incumbents, but on the other hand NZ voters do tend to re-elect incumbent PMs.

        • Stuart Munro 3.1.2.3

          Leadership popularity is almost completely meaningless – Key himself was basically unknown when he toppled Clark.

          • Matthew Hooton 3.1.2.3.1

            That’s not true at all. One of the more comical examples of how Key was extraordinarily well known before becoming PM was when the Dom-Post printed the so-called “terrorism files” including transcripts of the so-called Urewera “terrorists” talking about assassinating the prime minister. But they said they weren’t interested in the current one, but the new guy who was about to become PM. Of course, I recognise this was all big talk nonsense from some loonies, but it’s still an example of how Key really did take the political scene by storm after he rolled Brash and particularly after Waiting Day 2007 and the Aroha Ireland thing – and then the compromise with Clark over smacking.

            • Skinny 3.1.2.3.1.1

              Hooton after the mad professor Don Brash and slugger Bill English the 50 million dollar man John Key would have been a welcome change.

              How’s your hamstrings holding up for the big runathon?

            • Stuart Munro 3.1.2.3.1.2

              Must have missed the water cooler gossip – I was in Korea – the papers really told us nothing about the man.

        • G C 3.1.2.4

          Polling showing Labour could comfortably form a Government if elections were held today should be concerning – especially given the General Election was held less than a year ago.

          Is the “mandate” becoming marginal?

          • Colonial Rawshark 3.1.2.4.1

            Labour could comfortably form a government end 2013 as well; too bad there was no election that year – or this one.

            • G C 3.1.2.4.1.1

              Labour is diffidently turning a corner. The economic downturn is a big opportunity for Labour to suggest viable alternative policies. The public aren’t completely naïve – they know National are introducing many policies originally developed by Labour, yet watered-down and made ineffectual by National.

          • Rozgonz 3.1.2.4.2

            The mandate is set every 3 years at election time my friend and not by some opinion poll mid cycle. And I think National would be very happy with 47% support right now. I would consider that a mandate rather than cobbling together some unworkable coalition who at best can only muster 32% support.

  4. Bill 4

    So Labour made no inroads to NZF support in spite of throwing a Winston line. (Quelle surprise!).

    They may or may not have gained whopping 1% on National. (Margin of error blah)

    And they just might have lost 3% of their base to the Greens.

    • Clemgeopin 4.1

      The Greens are the easy riders. Labout does the hard yards.

      • gobsmacked 4.1.1

        Please tell us about all the issues where Labour have led and the Greens have followed. Since 2008, at least.

        CGT? Climate change? Raising benefits? Land sales offshore? Anything, actually?

        Let us know about these “hard yards” where the Greens took an easy ride.

        • Colonial Rawshark 4.1.1.1

          I knew someone would ask haha

          What it actually reveals is the insider Labour mindset vis a vis themselves and the Greens i.e. the Greens don’t have to take any serious positions on anything because they will never be in a position to be responsible in power for following through.

          • Bill 4.1.1.1.1

            I’m absently wondering if a similar mindset prevailed in Scottish Labour vis a vis themselves and the SNP right on up until their spectacular vanishing act.

          • marty mars 4.1.1.1.2

            I’m pretty sure clem voted Mana last time so hardly insider Labour mindset – they would always vote labour come hell or high water

    • cancerman 4.2

      I doubt this poll will have shown the really effect of Labours declarations on foreign house buyers. Will be interesting to see in future polls.

    • G C 4.3

      I’d be interested to know who former Conservative Party voters are now favouring?

  5. gobsmacked 5

    Presumably Labour’s expectation was to lose some to the Greens (“PC Liberal intelligentsia” – here I am!). And to take votes from Nats/Winston, for a net opposition gain.

    Well, they were half right …

    (But I accept it’s too soon really, most voters aren’t politics/media junkies, we’ll need a few weeks of polling for a definitive answer)

  6. Probably should have added this in the post, but well done the Greens. Is it possible that the 1% the Nats dropped was won by James Shaw for them and Labour’s lift came from elsewhere?

    • Colonial Rawshark 6.1

      Shaw has that X factor which will pull in some intelligent blue vote…

      • Yep, that’s what I’m thinking. It’s possible that he can draw votes away from National by appealing to people who are disillusioned, but don’t want to vote labour or NZF. Especially now that the Conservatives are goners.

      • BM 6.1.2

        Only if the greens show they’re willing to go into coalition with National, otherwise no chance.

      • Skinny 6.1.3

        Yes he was a wise choice as Norman’s replacement and equally smart is popping Genter into the finance role. I’ve found Juliet excellent to work with on common issues.
        Labour will need to get someone young along side Andrew Little as his deputy. Probably see Adern put there fairly soon I would imagine, be a smart decision for a few reasons.

        • Colonial Rawshark 6.1.3.1

          Sure, but note that Ardern simply isn’t that politically talented. B/B- material.

          • cancerman 6.1.3.1.1

            I agree have seen her a number of times talking in public and she isn’t quick on her feet when going off script. She is like a rugby player in an after match interview.

          • Skinny 6.1.3.1.2

            Point and wave works a treat, sign of the times. Once in power deputy goes to a partners party 🙂

          • G C 6.1.3.1.3

            yes, yes, keep the ‘Roberson Ardern’ combo on the kiddies menu.

  7. Michael 7

    31% is a bare minimum for Labour to pose as a credible alternative government. It also needs to show it can work with NZF and the Greens. It did work with NZF, between 2005 and 2008, but has always shunned the Greens (probably because it’s “new friends in the Business Community” don’t like them). Labour now needs to make sure it doesn’t lose its latest rating. I’d also like to see it appeal to the politically disengaed (aka it’s former base) by devising progressive policies but I realise that’s just a pipe dream now.

    • Skinny 7.1

      No party will chase the missing voters with policies that turn off sure voters, the last election clearly showed the fuckers prefer to stay under the radar.

    • Colonial Rawshark 7.2

      31% is a bare minimum for Labour to pose as a credible alternative government.

      Even at that level, 2 out of 5 votes in Parliament that a Labour Govt will need to pass legislation will have to come from other parties. A large number of Cabinet Ministers would also need to come from other parties.

      • Well, that’s a good thing, isn’t it? I’m cool with sharing power with the other two parties; they’ve both got things to offer a coalition. The Greens more so than NZF, I reckon, but MMP means taking into account the views of your support parties. Unless they’re franchises like ACT who just put up policies National really want an excuse to do anyway.

    • G C 7.3

      Perhaps the Green Party will dry up like a plant deprived of water. If economic conditions continue to decline the voting public could rally, ‘doubling-down’ on Labour in a effort to change the government.

  8. Eralc 8

    The poll was held in July, not June.

  9. James 9

    “31% is a bare minimum for Labour to pose as a credible alternative government”

    No its not when the other main party is in the high 40’s.

    Labour havn’t been credible for years.

  10. Sadbuttrue 10

    great…6 months on…no policy, leader rooted at 8% , grant Robertson missing in action…this is all tits up….here is some interesting facts…since union got the vote the two biggest programs on labour leadership has been on union people and not one on Labour leaders…what does this tell you.
    Sigh….time to vote strategic now…don’t vote

  11. Atiawa 11

    NZ voters have more interest in scrutinizing the All Black coach’s performance than the Prime Minister’s, especially this far out from the next election.
    Little needs to slowly chip away and continue to establish his credentials with the electorate.
    The economy and the National government will do the rest for him.

  12. Mike the Savage One 12

    Trying to win those votes from National, those “centre” votes, does not seem to be bringing enough support. Who votes National? The very persons that can live with rising house prices in Auckland, as their “wealth” increases. Those that have businesses and are professionals in the urban centres, they may be more pessimistic about the future, but are still safe. They love to keep their cars, few use public transport, and rather wish to keep things as they are, those are the “centrists” voting Nats.

    The first ones feeling the looming slow down, possible recession, will be the ones last hired, the ones in the blue collar and also common “service” jobs, and the ones living in the largely primary industry reliant regions, now facing gloomy times.

    As for business operators, they are hard to win over by Labour, as they are very profit driven entrepreneurs, who have in their vast majority never felt that attracted to parties with a social conscience and a tendency to regulate and “manage” economic activities.

    I still cannot believe it, that Labour seem to be less motivated, and do not even try to engage with the hundreds of thousands of non voters, who are diverse, but must surely have some concerns about their lives and future.

    We will be in for another repeat of the past elections, unless some profound changes are made. Greens sit firmly between ten to 15 percent, NZ First seems stable at 7 percent, maybe able to win 8 to 10 percent in the next election, but Labour, well, I am still not convinced they can get their act together soon enough.

    As for a Labour, Greens and NZ First alternative, well, who knows which side Winston will choose in the end?

    • G C 12.1

      I totally agree. Appealing to business… …replacing Grant Robertson with a new economics spokes person would be a good start.

  13. upnorth 13

    My gut feeling is there will a confidence vote on Little soon with him surviving but a complete rehash of the front bench.

    All done and dusted by Xmas so 2015 is all about a team working together towards 2017 BUT and it is a big BUT – it will all fall down because there is no one in the pool of Labour MP who can talk economy and finance – that is middle ground – tinkering with tax rates and employment laws is so low level the middle just dont give a dam about that stuff.

    Interest rates will be low for 2016 and 2017 which means provincial NZ will weather the storm – so Labour needs a burning platform – they have none – so sad

  14. ScottGN 14

    If anyone was ever in any doubt that the NZherald’s so-called Deputy Political Editor Claire Trevett was just a National Party hack, there’s ample proof in the absolutely crap piece she posted in the herald online yesterday evening.

  15. Sabine 15

    this is what is important

    Quote: The economic confidence survey continues its steady decline. Only 36% of respondents think the future will be better, down an astonishing 9% from last month. 41 % believe things are going to get worse, up a whopping 10%.

    the rest does not matter.

    if the confidence falls further, if farms start failing left, right and centre, if houses continue to raise 45.000 within not even 6 month, if job losses continue, then this can’t be good for National.

    Can Labour, the Greens, NZ First make hay out of this sorry situation? No idea, looking at this site, supposedly a ‘left’ orientated site, a site for the ‘opposition’ and I would not be surprised if National gets another go, cause clearly Labour does it too and worse, and can’t be trusted and when will they ditch Andrew Little.
    Frankly with Friends like these the Party does not need enemies. 🙂

    Maybe really we have to have bodies dead in ditches, hungry kids begging in Queenstreet. But as on Lady said the other day (pop up on my FB Feed in regards to shops turning on sprinklers on homeless sleeping in their entrance ways), maybe we should just abolish the City Mission and Food Banks and have the homeless work for blankets and a cuppa soup. Now that would teach them dignity and get them in a house pronto.

    • Kevin 15.1

      NZ First go with Labour and the Greens? You have to be kidding me. And so long as Labour keeps dropping the ball and proving that it’s unelectable, National will always be in power.

    • Kevin 15.2

      “maybe we should just abolish the City Mission and Food Banks and have the homeless work for blankets and a cuppa soup. ”

      Considering that most people who go to the City Mission and Food Banks are just there for free grub, too right we should abandon them. Instead have free lessons on how to budget and cook a cheap feed.

      As for the homeless considering it costs more to have someone homeless than what it does to house them then you give them subsidised housing. Not only does it make ethical and moral sense it makes economic sense as well.

      As for making them work I’m not one of those make them work for the dole types so no – too much unnecessary bureaucracy and wouldn’t be worth it anyway. Kind of like those work schemes in the 70s which turned out to be a complete failure. Give people real jobs, not fake ones.

  16. Kevin 16

    Little should have been given the boot after the Chinese fiasco. He is a gorm with all the charm thereof. Labour needs another Lange.

    • Mike the Savage One 16.1

      Labour needs another Norman Kirk, I dare think, one who survives the challenges of power and leads us into the future, one that can easily be planned and charted by a competent Labour leader and his team, if they only had the will to do so.

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Kirk

      “Kirk had a reputation as the most formidable debater of his time and once famously said that people don’t want much, just “Someone to love, somewhere to live, somewhere to work and something to hope for.” “

      • McFlock 16.1.1

        noooooooooooooooooooooooo

        Labour doesn’t need a saviour figure.

        Labour doesn’t need a miracle.

        Labour will stabilise, grow more confident, and learn from its mistakes.
        It’s starting to already – regardlise of the last week, there are no caucus meltdowns, chris carters playing silly buggers, and pundit speculations about the inner workings of caucus seem to be more navel-gazing than reliably-sourced from Labour offices, let alone caucus members.

        • Mike the Savage One 16.1.1.1

          Cheers mate, have another one, while the going is gooood!

          • McFlock 16.1.1.1.1

            Yeah, sorry. The ghost of norman kirk will save us, even if cunliffe didn’t.

            • Ergo Robertina 16.1.1.1.1.1

              You can’t compare Kirk with Cunliffe.
              Cunliffe had a bit of an identity crisis with his faux moves to the left (I’m never sure if he was disingenuous or a lost soul – probably both).
              Kirk’s defining feature was his strong sense of self, and his confidence in New Zealand’s place in the world.

              • McFlock

                Like Lange?

                • Ergo Robertina

                  Lange didn’t have Kirk’s strength. He was ill-suited to the machinations of politics and went into his own shell. Bruce Jesson’s Fragments of Labour has interesting detail of Lange’s discomfort and singularity in certain situations.
                  Kirk had the ruthless streak. In at least one instance he announced the retirement of a long-serving MP who needed to move on.

                  • McFlock

                    lol nice move by kirk.

                    Anyway, I have a cynical bent, as folks might have noticed. I get suspicious of folks clutching on to saviour-figures – the vast majority of the time they’re wrong, and the rest of the time things go to pot when the saviour moves on.

    • Clemgeopin 16.2

      You are lucky that Iprent hasn’t given you the boot yet.

      • te reo putake 16.2.1

        It’s one of those cases where its more fun to let the troll make a fool of themselves for the enjoyment of the readers, Clemgeopin. But I suspect that sooner or later Kevin will come a cropper.

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

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

  • Government moves to quickly ratify the NZ-EU FTA
    "The Government is moving quickly to realise an additional $46 million in tariff savings in the EU market this season for Kiwi exporters,” Minister for Trade and Agriculture, Todd McClay says. Parliament is set, this week, to complete the final legislative processes required to bring the New Zealand – European ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 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
    8 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
    10 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
    11 hours ago
  • NZ and Chinese Foreign Ministers hold official talks
    Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Wellington today. “It was a pleasure to host Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his first official visit to New Zealand since 2017. Our discussions were wide-ranging and enabled engagement on many facets of New Zealand’s relationship with China, including trade, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Kāinga Ora instructed to end Sustaining Tenancies
    Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities has been instructed to end the Sustaining Tenancies Framework and take stronger measures against persistent antisocial behaviour by tenants, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Earlier today Finance Minister Nicola Willis and I sent an interim Letter of Expectations to the Board of Kāinga Ora. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber: Growth is the answer
    Tēna koutou katoa. Greetings everyone. Thank you to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Honourable Simon Bridges for hosting this address today. I acknowledge the business leaders in this room, the leaders and governors, the employers, the entrepreneurs, the investors, and the wealth creators. The coalition Government shares your ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Singapore rounds out regional trip
    Minister Winston Peters completed the final leg of his visit to South and South East Asia in Singapore today, where he focused on enhancing one of New Zealand’s indispensable strategic partnerships.      “Singapore is our most important defence partner in South East Asia, our fourth-largest trading partner and a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister van Velden represents New Zealand at International Democracy Summit
    Minister of Internal Affairs and Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon. Brooke van Velden, will travel to the Republic of Korea to represent New Zealand at the Third Summit for Democracy on 18 March. The summit, hosted by the Republic of Korea, was first convened by the United States in 2021, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Insurance Council of NZ Speech, 7 March 2024, Auckland
    ICNZ Speech 7 March 2024, Auckland  Acknowledgements and opening  Mōrena, ngā mihi nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho.  Good morning, it’s a privilege to be here to open the ICNZ annual conference, thank you to Mark for the Mihi Whakatau  My thanks to Tim Grafton for inviting me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Five-year anniversary of Christchurch terror attacks
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Lead Coordination Minister Judith Collins have expressed their deepest sympathy on the five-year anniversary of the Christchurch terror attacks. “March 15, 2019, was a day when families, communities and the country came together both in sorrow and solidarity,” Mr Luxon says.  “Today we pay our respects to the 51 shuhada ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024
    Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024  Acknowledgements and opening  Morena, Nga Mihi Nui.  Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Thanks Nate for your Mihi Whakatau  Good morning. It’s a pleasure to formally open your conference this morning. What a lovely day in Wellington, What a great ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Early visit to Indonesia strengthens ties
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters held discussions in Jakarta today about the future of relations between New Zealand and South East Asia’s most populous country.   “We are in Jakarta so early in our new government’s term to reflect the huge importance we place on our relationship with Indonesia and South ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • China Foreign Minister to visit
    Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has announced that the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, will visit New Zealand next week.  “We look forward to re-engaging with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussing the full breadth of the bilateral relationship, which is one of New Zealand’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister opens new Auckland Rail Operations Centre
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has today opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre, which will bring together KiwiRail, Auckland Transport, and Auckland One Rail to improve service reliability for Aucklanders. “The recent train disruptions in Auckland have highlighted how important it is KiwiRail and Auckland’s rail agencies work together to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Celebrating 10 years of Crankworx Rotorua
    The Government is proud to support the 10th edition of Crankworx Rotorua as the Crankworx World Tour returns to Rotorua from 16-24 March 2024, says Minister for Economic Development Melissa Lee.  “Over the past 10 years as Crankworx Rotorua has grown, so too have the economic and social benefits that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government delivering on tax commitments
    Legislation implementing coalition Government tax commitments and addressing long-standing tax anomalies will be progressed in Parliament next week, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The legislation is contained in an Amendment Paper to the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill issued today.  “The Amendment Paper represents ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Significant Natural Areas requirement to be suspended
    Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard has today announced that the Government has agreed to suspend the requirement for councils to comply with the Significant Natural Areas (SNA) provisions of the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity for three years, while it replaces the Resource Management Act (RMA).“As it stands, SNAs ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government classifies drought conditions in Top of the South as medium-scale adverse event
    Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has classified the drought conditions in the Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts as a medium-scale adverse event, acknowledging the challenging conditions facing farmers and growers in the district. “Parts of Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts are in the grip of an intense dry spell. I know ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government partnership to tackle $332m facial eczema problem
    The Government is helping farmers eradicate the significant impact of facial eczema (FE) in pastoral animals, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced.  “A $20 million partnership jointly funded by Beef + Lamb NZ, the Government, and the primary sector will save farmers an estimated NZD$332 million per year, and aims to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • NZ, India chart path to enhanced relationship
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has completed a successful visit to India, saying it was an important step in taking the relationship between the two countries to the next level.   “We have laid a strong foundation for the Coalition Government’s priority of enhancing New Zealand-India relations to generate significant future benefit for both countries,” says Mr Peters, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Ruapehu Alpine Lifts bailout the last, say Ministers
    Cabinet has agreed to provide $7 million to ensure the 2024 ski season can go ahead on the Whakapapa ski field in the central North Island but has told the operator Ruapehu Alpine Lifts it is the last financial support it will receive from taxpayers. Cabinet also agreed to provide ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Fresh produce price drop welcome
    Lower fruit and vegetable prices are welcome news for New Zealanders who have been doing it tough at the supermarket, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Stats NZ reported today the price of fruit and vegetables has dropped 9.3 percent in the 12 months to February 2024.  “Lower fruit and vege ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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 2024-03-19T07:21:02+00:00