What’s the play?

Written By: - Date published: 12:10 pm, October 16th, 2013 - 108 comments
Categories: auckland supercity, len brown, local body elections, Politics, scoundrels - Tags: , , , , ,

No-one’s happy with the revelations about Len Brown’s private life, apart from Slater (himself also an adulterer) who is wallowing in all the details that Chuang seems only too happy to provide. But what’s interesting is that this is clearly a political play. Who’s behind it and what do they have to gain? The players: Slater, Slater snr, Chuang, and Palino.

The timing is a clue. More specifically, why didn’t they drop this during the campaign? Mike’s theory is that it relates to the Banks court case. I respectfully disagree. Sure, it decreased coverage of Dotcom’s appearance yesterday but this is only a pre-trial hearing and if (when) Banks goes down, he’ll go down big.

I reckon, instead, that the timing relates to the election results coming out on Saturday. Chuang herself was standing for election. She wouldn’t have wanted this scandal hurting her own chances, so it couldn’t come out before she knew she had lost.

But isn’t it too late now that Brown’s been re-elected? Not if he resigns.

You’ll note that Chuang – by all accounts a perfectly willing participant in the affair – has been very quick to call for him to resign for the behaviour that she was part of. If she genuinely believed that the affair made him (and her) unfit for office, she would have revealed it ahead of the election.

Let’s draw some links: Chuang was a rightwing candidate, apparently linked to the Palino campaign. Palino’s campaign was run by John Slater, Cameron Slater’s father. Three days after the election results: Chuang’s telling all on Slater’s blog. hmmm.

To what end?

If Brown resigns (he won’t and at this stage I can’t see why he would) Palino doesn’t accede to the mayoralty automatically but he would be far and away the front runner for the new election that would have to be held quickly.

Is that the play? Palino couldn’t beat Brown, so now they’re trying to engineer a new race without Brown and before the Left can find a replacement, and one of the Right’s candidates is only too happy to use her personal life to further that cause.

lprent: Or is it at Rob Emmerson suggests, all just a byproduct of Cameron’s porn fantasies?

Whaleoil inflates Brown


h/t The Irascible Curmudgeon

 

 

108 comments on “What’s the play? ”

  1. Rogue Trooper 1

    Hear from RNZ Midday Report that Quax and some other Blue Ducks are calling for his resignation, followed by concerns being raised amongst Pasifika communities about the appropriateness of his Matai status.

    • ghostwhowalksnz 1.1

      Thats silly, Brown is a cleanskin ( so far ) compared to someone like Boris Johnson

      • Puckish Rogue 1.1.1

        Whats Boris Johnson got to do with this?

        • tamati 1.1.1.1

          Boris “cassanova” Johnson makes Len Brown look as innocent as a choirboy. The difference is Boris never apologies for his conquests, he boasts about them. Then goes up in the polls.

          • Puckish Rogue 1.1.1.1.1

            The difference is Boris johnson has nothing to do with this but keep trying to minimise

    • Unicus 1.2

      No room for an air-head at the top of Council now – Len should appoint Mike Lee his deputy tomorrow

  2. mickysavage 2

    Agreed and finding out when Slater first found out about the relationship is key. My pick is that he has known about this since well before the election but waited until he could cause the most damage.

    • Mickey 2.1

      Oh please, Len Brown is 100% responsible for everything that has happened, no-one else.
      All this talk on blaming the Slaters or Palino or even the right wing in general is just bollocks.
      If Brown thought this wouldn’t come out, then he doesn’t deserve to be mayor, because he’s a bloody idiot.

      • Pascal's bookie 2.1.1

        And once again, as always, the right wing notion of personal responsibility rears its derp filled head.

        Brown is responsible for everything he did. No argument.

        But on what planet is he responsible for what whaleoil does? Please explain to me how Brown is responsible for making whaleoil’s decisions.

  3. King Kong 3

    This is obviously political muckracking by Slater which you are right to oppose. Good job with the aspertions on this birds character and the personal discrediting of her as a whore.

    • BM 3.1

      Yes, Len’s the victim here, people need to remember that.

      • ghostwhowalksnz 3.1.1

        Arent you the type that rails against NZs culture of ‘cutting down tall poppies’

        But you got the headline half right. Browns family is the victim here

        • BM 3.1.1.1

          No, Len was set up.
          I’ve heard from good authority that Bevan Chuang is actually Cameron Slater in drag.

          This is all a very clever and devious plan hatched by crosby textor and implemented by John Key to undermine Len Brown and the left movement in Auckland.

          Big business once again undermining the democratic process, a travesty of the highest order. Shame on you National.

          • ghostwhowalksnz 3.1.1.1.1

            Its no surprise that Banks, a former mayor and Slaters good friend is in court this week, on corruption charges.

            Its likely Slater held back a day due the weather delaying the case.

            And dont you think is strange that a ‘journalist’ is working with Slater o this. A class of people he despises and ridicules whenever possible.

            Just an exception in this case ?. Or are there higher political operatives at work, as its well known there is constant feeding of stories for his blog from the Beehive and nationals shady research unit

            • Tigger 3.1.1.1.1.1

              The right have used Chuang and will discard her when done. KK, don’t paint them as pro-women here. They’re the ones using her like a prostitute. I suspect she was even paid for her services.

    • bad12 3.2

      The only evidence of whoring i have seen round here is your own ‘attention whoring’,(i assume you are bored and trying to earn yourself a spanking),

      The Post points out the ‘truth’ that Bevan Chuang was a willing partner in the little dalliance She and Len engaged in,

      Really what’s She moaning about, Len being a cheapskate and buying Her cheap undies???, perhaps poor old Len’s 4 outta 10 in terms of lustfullness and performance has Her whining,

      Besmirch Her reputation, you like Blubber-boy seem to have both been born with brain damage, if this does anything to Len Brown’s reputation then as a willing partner She must share in that equally…

  4. ghostwhowalksnz 4

    Its Slaters close friends Banks and or Williamson.

    They would be the likely contenders at the next mayoral election, and they need Brown in office ( as does Slater) now in order to run against the usual sins of Len Brown .- Rates ,debt, etc

  5. greywarbler 5

    Good points and the required circular and iterative thinking for this type of political foreplay. Dick Quax – I think he lost all his marbles when he was out running and training. I think he should spend the rest of his life hunting and gathering them together again.

    Just a thought abut Quax and his ilk. I think anyone should take care when considering athletes for politicians, they are too often self centred and narrow goal-driven, silo mentalities. Actors also require wariness, like chameleons they can appear in whatever guise is most advantageous, and tend to fall in love with the role in which they got the most acclaim. The real person can be hidden as Peter Sellers was supposed to be or as unrecognisable as a Vorlon in Babylon 5, but not as far-seeing, almost unknowable.

  6. ghostwhowalksnz 6

    “Prominent media commentator Whale Oil blogger Cameron Slater has been outed for an extra-marital affair by a court judgment this week.”

    That was 2012

    But heres the ‘irony’

    “Cameron Slater said he was aware of the judgment and its content but declined to comment.”

  7. amirite 7

    In any way, it stinks of another right wing set up, just like the sacking of the Environment Canterbury, the suspension of democracy in Christchurch, the police raids on the Herald and TV3, the spying on journalists, the setup and blackmail of Dunne, etc etc etc

  8. Murray 8

    Slater’s involvement takes the edge off the whole issue and makes it all slightly humourous. Who wants to take this buffoon seriously

  9. Sam 9

    Oh poor Len, now he wants understanding about his extra martial affair. He should have thought about it before jumping into the sack with the woman concerned. How the story came out is irrelevant, he is just another politician who could not keep his “wiener” in his pants.

  10. tamati 10

    Nah, there’s no VRWC here. All Slater cares about is is his page view count.

  11. gobsmacked 11

    Meanwhile, in Parliament this afternoon David Cunliffe has produced damning proof that Nick Smith has lied – to Parliament, to the public.

    Therefore, Smith must now resign.

    But no willies were involved, only Ministerial responsibility, integrity and the public interest, so who cares, eh?

    What a sorry mess NZ politics and media have become.

    • NickS 11.1

      Huh?

      Too tired to go digging, so chance of a source? And I’m guessing it was over the dam in Hawke’s Bay. Labour and the Greens are doing brilliant work on it so far, but with clear and undeniable proof, Smith is going to commit a major case of foot-in-mouth and dig himself in deeper.

  12. Tracey 12

    Mickey according to slater he has been talking to the naive woman for “weeks”

  13. King Kong 13

    Good to see all the regular feminists on the Standard (with their ability to find offence seemingly anywhere) are coming out all guns blazing to condemn the blatant mysogeny being displayed in a lot of the references to this slutty chick.

    • felix 13.1

      Could you point to some of these “references” please? The only one I can see is yours.

      Oh hang on, is that what you mean? That no-one’s taking any notice of your horrible comments?

      Poor monkey.

  14. Janus 14

    Were I an Aucklander (which I thank the gods I’m not) I likely would have voted for Brown.

    However, IMHO when you stand for public office you by implication at least subscribe to a higher standard of morals and ethics than apply to the rest of us. Sure, what Len did what not illegal. Sure, at the most basic (sic) level what two consenting adults get up to in private is no-one else’s business. Len Brown the private citizen can get up to whatever he wants to in private and as long as he doesn’t break the law it’s purely a matter for those concerned and those directly concerned by it – ie family.

    But if you voluntarily adopt a public persona you voluntarily adopt a necessarily higher standard. If Len’s wife had known about this and OK’d it I’d rest easy but it appears she didn’t and didn’t. And if Len Brown will deceive his own wife in order to indulge his personal desires what possible confidence could I or any other Aucklander have that he hasn’t or wouldn’t deceive me or us – who has far less right to expect honesty and integrity from him than his wife – if it suits his personal agenda.

    That’s why he must go. It has nothing to do with what he did or who he did it with. It’s because as a result of lying about it his integrity, so necessary to to someone holding public office, is now fatally compromised – just as it is with John Banks and his lies over ‘voluntary contributions’.

    • Rogue Trooper 14.1

      good points, imo, though infidelity would occur across all forms of public office, carried out by a variety of people.

    • karol 14.2

      Thank you for your troolish concern. i am actually an Aucklander and did vote for Brown.

      I do wish that SleazeOil had made Brown’s affairs public before the elcetion ended, so that it could have been factored in to voters decisions.

      You seem to have a skewed view of higher standard morals and ethics. nothing from you about the way Sleaze Oil timed the release of this information so voters wouldn’t learn about it til after the election. Their possible candidates (Palino and Brewer) had little hope of winning the election, even with Brown’s affair in the public domain. So they timed the release of the information to benefit themselves in an un-democratic way.

      It actually would be the worst thing for Auckland, democracy and Aucklanders for Brown to stand down right now. It would create instability. Brown needs to be there to help bed in the new council and boards. An election now would be a farce with out any really credible candidates.

      I prefer Brown to stay, and then see early next year if he is fatally wounded. That would be a better time for another campaign – time for potential candidates to become organised in a full campaign.

      You concern for moral and ethical standards are so skewed to one element in the whole issue, it is hard to take seriously.

    • Pascal's bookie 14.3

      Fair enough. That’s your opinion, and it’s not an uncommon one.

      But is one that baffles me a bit when I think about it, so I’d be genuinely obliged if you could help me out.

      1) What is it that is so special about ‘public office’ that requires this rule? Or does the rule go wider?

      For example, fund managers and executives of listed companies have great responsibilities to the people whose money they manage and to their shareholders, respectively. Are their marriages public property in the same way that you say politicians should be? What of civil servants? Or teachers, police officers, journalists, doctors, the list goes on.

      2) Does this rule only apply to marital infidelity, or is that just an example of the sort of things that politicians should resign for? If the latter, what are some other examples?

      All politicians, for example, use spin on the campaign trail. they actively craft statements in ways to create impressions. To highlight things they think will be positive, and play down the negatives. They refuse to answer questions for example, changing the subject. Why should this sort of thing be accepted as legitimate, which it surely is. This seems to me to go to the trust citizens place in politicians in a much more direct way than marital infidelity does, even though I agree with you that the breach of trust in marital infidelity is great.

      3) Is there any evidence, rough and ready or otherwise, that indicates that politicians who are unfaithful to their spouses are worse as politicians than those who are faithful. The list of politicians who have done appalling things with regard to their family life is long. Ghandi. MLK. Churchill. FDR. I’m sure you get my point. Is there any evidence that this stuff really matters, other than symbolically. Which is not to say that symbols aren’t important. But they can be counterproductive at times.

      thanks.

      • gobsmacked 14.3.1

        Yes, PB. It’s frustrating that we keep asking this basic question (“If it applies to A why does it not apply to B, C, D …”), and never get a reply from those who say he must resign. Gosh, it’s almost as if they don’t care about the principle at all.

        For the 3rd (4th, I’ve lost count?) time I ask – if Brown must resign for infidelity and “lack of integrity”, should all Ministers, mayors and MPs who have done the same in their private lives, also resign?

        If not, explain why not. It’s all “public office”.

    • Adele 14.4

      …As it was, he was queasy and disturbed. He had known the voyage to the Auckland mayoralty would be fatal at worst, an endless rolling trough of white lies and spume that ended on the shattered keyboard of a Council desk, but he had not been prepared for the particular horrors of the journey, of which he was still incapable of speaking, even to himself. Mr Brown was by nature accepting of any deficiencies in his own person—fear and insecurity both turned him exceptionally easy—and it was for this reason that he very uncharacteristically failed to assess the tenor of the extra-marital relationship he had just ended.”

      The above is an extract from ‘Gluminaries’ a non-booker prize winner book about power and stupidity.

      • Rogue Trooper 14.4.1

        MAN!

        • Rogue Trooper 14.4.2.1

          an omnipresence. must talk to vto; this Eleanor Catton has a special mind, reminds me of An Instance of The Finger Post Iain Pears, and Dellilo, Dickens and Fielding (Henry) 😉 just flows, ahhh, The God of Small Things ,a wonderful book. Enjoy (I Will) psss, think of how many hours we read by choice…

  15. Tanz 15

    let’s all throw stones…is Len’s behaviour any better?

    [karol: I have moved this whole thread from the John Banks one. It was taking over and derailing the Banks’ discussion]

    • Te Reo Putake 15.1

      Ha! A tad desperate, Tanz. One had sex with a woman he shouldn’t have sex with, the other fucked with democracy. I think you know who’s gonna come off worse in the long run.

      • chris73 15.1.1

        One is also alleged to have threatened a womens career unless she kept quiet about the affair

        • Te Reo Putake 15.1.1.1

          Yeah, I think we all know you sent those texts, Chris. But nice try anyway.

          • karol 15.1.1.1.1

            Actually, how many texts. Yesterday the story was that she had started receiving threatening texts after Brown broke off the relationship.

            Today it is ONE text.

            • chris73 15.1.1.1.1.1

              Well as long as its only text then thats all right then

              • karol

                The implication of the difference between one text and many is clear.

                Now, do you have anything to say about the sending of Banks to trial, and the act that he had to stand down?

        • felix 15.1.1.2

          Yeah that’s definitely true. No way it’s just something the serial liar and hypocrite Slater told you.

          • Anne 15.1.1.2.1

            What’s the bet SlimeOil and co. set up the anonymous calls to the ‘little lady’ knowing it would look like Len Brown was responsible. It’s the sort of corrupt and slimy trick one would expect of them.

            • chris73 15.1.1.2.1.1

              and I bet they engineered two minute noodle Lens entire affair as well I mean those dastardly righties probably set the whole honey trap themselves…poor El Cheapo Len didn’t stand a chance

              4/10 Len isn’t responsible with credit cards and isn’t responsible around young women but he slapped himself and cut up the credit card while trying to make amends so what do you think hes going to slap and cut up over this?

              • karol

                And John Banks isn’t responsible for the allegedly anonymous donations because he didn’t look at what he signed – even thought here is some pretty compelling evidence that he manipulated the gifting in order to disguise the fact that it was money for future favours?

                tr000ls too busy diverting from such a major anti-democratic piece of Banksie corruption.

                • tinfoilhat

                  Some of us thing that Banks and Brown should both go, hopelessly flawed people who have no place as an MP or Mayor.

              • BM

                Yeah, I wonder if he’ll cut up his junk on national tv, thus demonstrating to the voter that this sort of behavior won’t happen again.

                To be honest I think it’s about the only thing that will save him.

              • The Al1en

                @c73
                Taking your cues and material from sick note slater is really sad, but not as much as seeing a topic about the shady ‘alleged’ criminal John Banks twisted, distorted and diverted onto Len Brown.

                It’s true I think Len should walk, or at least, because it’s so soon to the election, rerun the poll to legitimately earn the mandate fair and square with all facts known, but JB should go to prison because of the criminal nature of his ‘alleged’ illegal activities and what he’s done.

                That you can’t see the discrepancy of severity by linking the two cases or are wilfully running flak is the saddest of all.

        • Colonial Viper 15.1.1.3

          One is also alleged to have threatened a womens career unless she kept quiet about the affair

          Sadly, the biggest threat to that woman’s career appears to have been herself. And her right wing “friends”.

        • ScottGN 15.1.1.4

          Alleged by whom? I’ve been following this story on NZ media today and not one main news site has made this allegation.

          • chris73 15.1.1.4.1

            In her affidavit she was sent a text threatening her career, she alleges it was probably from the unhygienic Len Brown

            • Colonial Viper 15.1.1.4.1.1

              So she attests that it’s her own opinion? Good to know.

              • felix

                Bit weird that she says “probably”.

                Surely she’d recognise Len’s phone number if it was from him. Shit, you’d think she’d have it saved in her contacts.

                Can’t imagine anyone else who’d send such a message from an anonymous number. Oh, except the Slater child of course.

                • the pigman

                  +1 – he would be one of the few who knew the story was going to be run for the month prior…

    • ScottGN 15.2

      Len remembered to list the donation he received from Sky City so yes his behaviour on this matter has been better.

  16. cricklewood 16

    On mobile so no reply button PB. But in answer I would say that if your organization has dismissed staff lower in the pecking order for what amounts to the same offence. It must be very hard to justify why someone all the way to the top should survive the same offence. Imho the same rules should apply in an organisation from top to bottom… if its good for the goose et al

  17. Jeff 17

    This has Crosby and Textor written all over it! Find a willing “victim”. Dangle “victim” in front of “target”. [Target known to have a pre-dilection for Asian girls / women and to be a little loose in his hormonal balance!] Find a “victim” who has a seriously well developed need to become famous (or notorious!) and Bob’s Your Uncle!

  18. Pascal's bookie 18

    There is fair bit of shit being talked by lefties here on this.

    Any claim that this is a honey trap, are just grade A nonsense. Not quite as stupid as when the same claim was made in the Worth case, but not by much. It’s also an offensive claim that’s completely unnecessary.

    Whale is a fuckwit, and so is the ‘journalist’. Both of their track records speak for themselves. Whale’s claims that he has no political motivations are grade A bullshit. Go after that. A day ago you could of all climbed into his hypocrisy about how he treated the Worth complainant, but you’ve pretty much let that boat sail with the crap people have been spouting about this woman.

    I’d say at the moment that the woman has made some poor decisions in trusting them. But really, truly, there is fuck all that needs to be said beyond that. Be better than that. FFS. Attacking her when you have no actual evidence of her doing anything wrong is not only offensive, but it legitimises those tactics. It’s also stupid because it won’t achieve anything.

    And as for any righties paying attention, you clowns are just sickening. You have absolutely no credibility whatsoever, so ya’ll can just keep your yaps out of it too.

  19. Blue 19

    What’s the play? It’s in the first line of this post. The only person who wins is Slater.

    If he wanted Brown out as mayor he’d have told all during the campaign. Don’t anyone try to make me laugh by suggesting he’d wait until he had a signed affidavit.

    Destablising the mayor after he’s been elected is chump change.

    The lady in question doesn’t seem to know what she wants – except possibly attention. Which she is now getting in spades.

    No, the winner of this week’s jackpot is a repulsive right-wing blogger who just broke a massive story that got everyone clicking and restored his ascendancy after his disastrous run as the editor that killed the Truth.

    He wanted to make sure the story was watertight by getting a signed affidavit, his informant wouldn’t provide one or go public until after her own electoral chances were sunk, and he didn’t mind waiting because he couldn’t give a shit about Len Brown – it was really all about him.

    • karol 19.1

      Yep. And now Chuang, not really understanding how she’s been used, has gone to ground, upset at the kind of attention she’s getting, and probably hadn’t anticipated – albeit she’s blaming Team Brown, unwilling to believe how SleazeOil has manipulated her.

  20. Rodel 20

    Slater an adulterer..? C’mon …who’d ever……Oh never mind……
    I just don’t want to think about it…

  21. JLLJames 21

    I’m happy about it, so your post is not accurate.

    Man you guys talk some shit on here.

    /b/

    • Colonial Viper 21.1

      Insightful comment, thanks, you really added to the discussion here.

      • JLLJames 21.1.1

        np. The interesting thing about this saga is how everyone is no longer focusing on how someone who held themselves out to be a religious family man turned out to be quite the opposite. It’s also worth noting that this wasn’t an isolated sexual encounter. That I could understand and, although its morally reprehensible, live with. But there is a definite pattern here of, at a very minimum, misleading those (i.e. his family) who are meant to be the people he cares most about in his life. If that’s how he treats such people, then what else is he getting away with?

        A leopard never changes its spots.

        • Colonial Viper 21.1.1.1

          Hey you want to declare yourself the new Pope and ex-communicate Len Brown, you go right ahead. As tricldown has noted – would you like to sift through all elected officers in the country and fire the ones who have had extra-marital affairs?

        • fender 21.1.1.2

          Are these spots related to the alleged STD ?

          “….what else is he getting away with?”

          I bet he kept his socks on.

          • Rodel 21.1.1.2.1

            JLL James
            ‘A leopard never changes its spots?’ Sorry but that’s a 19th century cliche..
            After Darwin and Dawkins its been proved that they do.. Might take a wee while in Len Brown’s genome and it won’t happen overnight …but it will happen.

            Mine did.

  22. tricldrown 22

    Don Brash and Nick Smith both claimed to be born again christian family men!
    It seems there is some sort of sordid pattern emerging here.

  23. Chris 23

    Not sure why everyone is giving this bit of titillation so much oxygen.

    dnftt

    Mountain/molehill etc

    Now Banks’s funny business on the other hand… that is something worth as much oxygen as possible

  24. the pigman 24

    From Bevan Chuang’s facebook page 2 hours ago:

    “Thank you to my family and friends who have been so supportive of me over the last few days. I don’t intend to make any more public statements in the near future to anybody, as I deeply regret what has happened recently. I have been foolish, but I feel used, abused and manipulated by people I thought were friends who have been taking snippets of what I have said to advance their own political agendas and muck-raking campaigns. And would Cam Slater and Palino’s team PLEASE stop texting and calling me. This is harassment!”

    Would say that the penny has finally dropped…

    (Status is readily shared around FB, in case anyone is worried about privacy issue..)

  25. Tracey 25

    Stop vilifying chuang. Attacks on her suggesting she carries greater responsibility for browns predicament than he does are sexist and hark back to the evil eve nonsense.

    in an interview with michelle hewitson slater said he hates hypocrite s.

    his self loathing speaks volumes.

  26. Tracey 26

    He doesn’t mind being called stupid, or a bully, or vicious. The only things you could call him that would bother him – bothering him sends him into a hissy-fitting cyberspace rage – would be a liar or a hypocrite… hewitson on slater

  27. Sable 27

    Great cartoon. What surprises me most is that revelation that anyone would want to have an affair with Slater in the first place. Reminds me of an old cane toad.

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    TL;DR: These six news links stood out in the last 24 hours to 6:36am on Tuesday, April 22:Scoop & Deep Dive: How Sir Peter Jackson got to have his billion-dollar exit cake and eat Hollywood too NZ Herald-$$$ Matt NippertFast Track Approval Bill: Watchdogs seek substantial curbs on ministers' powers ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    18 hours ago
  • What is really holding up infrastructure
    The infrastructure industry yesterday issued a “hurry up” message to the Government, telling it to get cracking on developing a pipeline of infrastructure projects.The hiatus around the change of Government has seen some major projects cancelled and others delayed, and there is uncertainty about what will happen with the new ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    19 hours ago
  • “Pure Unadulterated Charge”
    Hi,Over the weekend I revisited a podcast I really adore, Dead Eyes. It’s about a guy who got fired from Band of Brothers over two decades ago because Tom Hanks said he had “dead eyes”.If you don’t recall — 2001’s Band of Brothers was part of the emerging trend of ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    20 hours ago
  • Bernard's six-stack of substacks for Monday, April 22
    Tonight’s six-stack includes: writes via his substack that’s he’s sceptical about the IPSOS poll last week suggesting a slide into authoritarianism here, writing: Kiwis seem to want their cake and eat it too Tal Aster writes for about How Israel turned homeowners into YIMBYs. writes via his ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • The media were given a little list and hastened to pick out Fast Track prospects – but the Treaty ...
     Buzz from the Beehive The 180 or so recipients of letters from the Government telling them how to submit infrastructure projects for “fast track” consideration includes some whose project applications previously have been rejected by the courts. News media were quick to feature these in their reports after RMA Reform Minister Chris ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 day ago
  • Just trying to stay upright
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    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 day ago
  • “Unprecedented”
    Today, former Port of Auckland CEO Tony Gibson went on trial on health and safety charges for the death of one of his workers. The Herald calls the trial "unprecedented". Firstly, it's only "unprecedented" because WorkSafe struck a corrupt and unlawful deal to drop charges against Peter Whittall over Pike ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Time for “Fast-Track Watch”
    Calling all journalists, academics, planners, lawyers, political activists, environmentalists, and other members of the public who believe that the relationships between vested interests and politicians need to be scrutinised. We need to work together to make sure that the new Fast-Track Approvals Bill – currently being pushed through by the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    1 day ago
  • Gordon Campbell on fast track powers, media woes and the Tiktok ban
    Feel worried. Shane Jones and a couple of his Cabinet colleagues are about to be granted the power to override any and all objections to projects like dams, mines, roads etc even if: said projects will harm biodiversity, increase global warming and cause other environmental harms, and even if ...
    1 day ago
  • The Government’s new fast-track invitation to corruption
    Bryce Edwards writes-  The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. ...
    Point of OrderBy gadams1000
    2 days ago
  • Maori push for parallel government structures
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    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • An announcement about an announcement
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    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • All the Green Tech in China.
    Sunday was a lazy day. I started watching Jack Tame on Q&A, the interviews are usually good for something to write about. Saying the things that the politicians won’t, but are quite possibly thinking. Things that are true and need to be extracted from between the lines.As you might know ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Western Express Success
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    2 days ago
  • Bernard’s pick ‘n’ mix of the news links at 7:16am on Monday, April 22
    TL;DR: These six news links stood out in the last 24 hours to 7:16am on Monday, April 22:Labour says Kiwis at greater risk from loan sharks as Govt plans to remove borrowing regulations NZ Herald Jenee TibshraenyHow did the cost of moving two schools blow out to more than $400m?A ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • The Kaka’s diary for the week to April 29 and beyond
    TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to April 29 include:PM Christopher Luxon is scheduled to hold a post-Cabinet news conference at 4 pm today. Stats NZ releases its statutory report on Census 2023 tomorrow.Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivers a pre-Budget speech at ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #16
    A listing of 29 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 14, 2024 thru Sat, April 20, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week hinges on these words from the abstract of a fresh academic ...
    2 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: The Government’s new fast-track invitation to corruption
    The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. The Government says this will ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    2 days ago
  • Thank you
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    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Determining the Engine Type in Your Car
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    3 days ago
  • How to Become a Race Car Driver: A Comprehensive Guide
    Introduction: The allure of racing is undeniable. The thrill of speed, the roar of engines, and the exhilaration of competition all contribute to the allure of this adrenaline-driven sport. For those who yearn to experience the pinnacle of racing, becoming a race car driver is the ultimate dream. However, the ...
    3 days ago
  • How Many Cars Are There in the World in 2023? An Exploration of Global Automotive Statistics
    Introduction Automobiles have become ubiquitous in modern society, serving as a primary mode of transportation and a symbol of economic growth and personal mobility. With countless vehicles traversing roads and highways worldwide, it begs the question: how many cars are there in the world? Determining the precise number is a ...
    3 days ago
  • How Long Does It Take for Car Inspection?
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    3 days ago
  • Who Makes Mazda Cars?
    Mazda Motor Corporation, commonly known as Mazda, is a Japanese multinational automaker headquartered in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The company was founded in 1920 as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd., and began producing vehicles in 1931. Mazda is primarily known for its production of passenger cars, but ...
    3 days ago
  • How Often to Replace Your Car Battery A Comprehensive Guide
    Your car battery is an essential component that provides power to start your engine, operate your electrical systems, and store energy. Over time, batteries can weaken and lose their ability to hold a charge, which can lead to starting problems, power failures, and other issues. Replacing your battery before it ...
    3 days ago
  • Can You Register a Car Without a License?
    In most states, you cannot register a car without a valid driver’s license. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Exceptions to the Rule If you are under 18 years old: In some states, you can register a car in your name even if you do not ...
    3 days ago
  • Mazda: A Comprehensive Evaluation of Reliability, Value, and Performance
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    3 days ago
  • What Are Struts on a Car?
    Struts are an essential part of a car’s suspension system. They are responsible for supporting the weight of the car and damping the oscillations of the springs. Struts are typically made of steel or aluminum and are filled with hydraulic fluid. How Do Struts Work? Struts work by transferring the ...
    3 days ago
  • What Does Car Registration Look Like: A Comprehensive Guide
    Car registration is a mandatory process that all vehicle owners must complete annually. This process involves registering your car with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and paying an associated fee. The registration process ensures that your vehicle is properly licensed and insured, and helps law enforcement and other authorities ...
    3 days ago
  • How to Share Computer Audio on Zoom
    Zoom is a video conferencing service that allows you to share your screen, webcam, and audio with other participants. In addition to sharing your own audio, you can also share the audio from your computer with other participants. This can be useful for playing music, sharing presentations with audio, or ...
    3 days ago
  • How Long Does It Take to Build a Computer?
    Building your own computer can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to get a high-performance machine tailored to your specific needs. However, it also requires careful planning and execution, and one of the most important factors to consider is the time it will take. The exact time it takes to ...
    3 days ago
  • How to Put Your Computer to Sleep
    Sleep mode is a power-saving state that allows your computer to quickly resume operation without having to boot up from scratch. This can be useful if you need to step away from your computer for a short period of time but don’t want to shut it down completely. There are ...
    3 days ago
  • What is Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT)?
    Introduction Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) has revolutionized the field of translation by harnessing the power of technology to assist human translators in their work. This innovative approach combines specialized software with human expertise to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of translations. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the ...
    3 days ago
  • iPad vs. Tablet Computers A Comprehensive Guide to Differences
    In today’s digital age, mobile devices have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Among the vast array of portable computing options available, iPads and tablet computers stand out as two prominent contenders. While both offer similar functionalities, there are subtle yet significant differences between these two devices. This ...
    3 days ago
  • How Are Computers Made?
    A computer is an electronic device that can be programmed to carry out a set of instructions. The basic components of a computer are the processor, memory, storage, input devices, and output devices. The Processor The processor, also known as the central processing unit (CPU), is the brain of the ...
    3 days ago
  • How to Add Voice Memos from iPhone to Computer
    Voice Memos is a convenient app on your iPhone that allows you to quickly record and store audio snippets. These recordings can be useful for a variety of purposes, such as taking notes, capturing ideas, or recording interviews. While you can listen to your voice memos on your iPhone, you ...
    3 days ago
  • Why My Laptop Screen Has Lines on It: A Comprehensive Guide
    Laptop screens are essential for interacting with our devices and accessing information. However, when lines appear on the screen, it can be frustrating and disrupt productivity. Understanding the underlying causes of these lines is crucial for finding effective solutions. Types of Screen Lines Horizontal lines: Also known as scan ...
    3 days ago
  • How to Right-Click on a Laptop
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    3 days ago
  • Where is the Power Button on an ASUS Laptop?
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    3 days ago
  • How to Start a Dell Laptop: A Comprehensive Guide
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    3 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Serious populist discontent is bubbling up in New Zealand
    Two-thirds of the country think that “New Zealand’s economy is rigged to advantage the rich and powerful”. They also believe that “New Zealand needs a strong leader to take the country back from the rich and powerful”. These are just two of a handful of stunning new survey results released ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago
  • How to Take a Screenshot on an Asus Laptop A Comprehensive Guide with Detailed Instructions and Illu...
    In today’s digital world, screenshots have become an indispensable tool for communication and documentation. Whether you need to capture an important email, preserve a website page, or share an error message, screenshots allow you to quickly and easily preserve digital information. If you’re an Asus laptop user, there are several ...
    3 days ago
  • How to Factory Reset Gateway Laptop A Comprehensive Guide
    A factory reset restores your Gateway laptop to its original factory settings, erasing all data, apps, and personalizations. This can be necessary to resolve software issues, remove viruses, or prepare your laptop for sale or transfer. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to factory reset your Gateway laptop: Method 1: ...
    3 days ago
  • The Folly Of Impermanence.
    You talking about me?  The neoliberal denigration of the past was nowhere more unrelenting than in its depiction of the public service. The Post Office and the Railways were held up as being both irremediably inefficient and scandalously over-manned. Playwright Roger Hall’s “Glide Time” caricatures were presented as accurate depictions of ...
    3 days ago
  • A crisis of ambition
    Roger Partridge  writes – When the Coalition Government took office last October, it inherited a country on a precipice. With persistent inflation, decades of insipid productivity growth and crises in healthcare, education, housing and law and order, it is no exaggeration to suggest New Zealand’s first-world status was ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Have 308 people in the Education Ministry’s Curriculum Development Team spent over $100m on a 60-p...
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    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • 'This bill is dangerous for the environment and our democracy'
    Chris Bishop’s bill has stirred up a hornets nest of opposition. Photo: Lynn Grieveson for The KākāTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate from the last day included:A crescendo of opposition to the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill is ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The Bank of our Tamariki and Mokopuna.
    Monday left me brokenTuesday, I was through with hopingWednesday, my empty arms were openThursday, waiting for love, waiting for loveThe end of another week that left many of us asking WTF? What on earth has NZ gotten itself into and how on earth could people have voluntarily signed up for ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • The worth of it all
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.State of humanity, 20242024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?Full story Share ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • What is the Hardest Sport in the World?
    Determining the hardest sport in the world is a subjective matter, as the difficulty level can vary depending on individual abilities, physical attributes, and experience. However, based on various factors including physical demands, technical skills, mental fortitude, and overall accomplishment, here is an exploration of some of the most challenging ...
    4 days ago
  • What is the Most Expensive Sport?
    The allure of sport transcends age, culture, and geographical boundaries. It captivates hearts, ignites passions, and provides unparalleled entertainment. Behind the spectacle, however, lies a fascinating world of financial investment and expenditure. Among the vast array of competitive pursuits, one question looms large: which sport carries the hefty title of ...
    4 days ago
  • Pickleball On the Cusp of Olympic Glory
    Introduction Pickleball, a rapidly growing paddle sport, has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions around the world. Its blend of tennis, badminton, and table tennis elements has made it a favorite among players of all ages and skill levels. As the sport’s popularity continues to surge, the question on ...
    4 days ago
  • The Origin and Evolution of Soccer Unveiling the Genius Behind the World’s Most Popular Sport
    Abstract: Soccer, the global phenomenon captivating millions worldwide, has a rich history that spans centuries. Its origins trace back to ancient civilizations, but the modern version we know and love emerged through a complex interplay of cultural influences and innovations. This article delves into the fascinating journey of soccer’s evolution, ...
    4 days ago
  • How Much to Tint Car Windows A Comprehensive Guide
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    4 days ago
  • Why Does My Car Smell Like Gas? A Comprehensive Guide to Diagnosing and Fixing the Issue
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    4 days ago
  • How to Remove Tree Sap from Car A Comprehensive Guide
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    4 days ago
  • How Much Paint Do You Need to Paint a Car?
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    4 days ago
  • Can You Jump a Car in the Rain? Safety Precautions and Essential Steps
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    4 days ago
  • Can taxpayers be confident PIJF cash was spent wisely?
    Graham Adams writes about the $55m media fund — When Patrick Gower was asked by Mike Hosking last week what he would say to the many Newstalk ZB callers who allege the Labour government bribed media with $55 million of taxpayers’ money via the Public Interest Journalism Fund — and ...
    Point of OrderBy gadams1000
    4 days ago
  • EGU2024 – An intense week of joining sessions virtually
    Note: this blog post has been put together over the course of the week I followed the happenings at the conference virtually. Should recordings of the Great Debates and possibly Union Symposia mentioned below, be released sometime after the conference ends, I'll include links to the ones I participated in. ...
    4 days ago
  • Submission on “Fast Track Approvals Bill”
    The following was my submission made on the “Fast Track Approvals Bill”. This potential law will give three Ministers unchecked powers, un-paralled since the days of Robert Muldoon’s “Think Big” projects.The submission is written a bit tongue-in-cheek. But it’s irreverent because the FTAB is in itself not worthy of respect. ...
    Frankly SpeakingBy Frank Macskasy
    4 days ago
  • The Case for a Universal Family Benefit
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    PunditBy Brian Easton
    4 days ago
  • A who’s who of New Zealand’s dodgiest companies
    Submissions on National's corrupt Muldoonist fast-track law are due today (have you submitted?), and just hours before they close, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop has been forced to release the list of companies he invited to apply. I've spent the last hour going through it in an epic thread of bleats, ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • On Lee’s watch, Economic Development seems to be stuck on scoring points from promoting sporting e...
    Buzz from the Beehive A few days ago, Point of Order suggested the media must be musing “on why Melissa is mute”. Our article reported that people working in the beleaguered media industry have cause to yearn for a minister as busy as Melissa Lee’s ministerial colleagues and we drew ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • New Zealand has never been closed for business
    1. What was The Curse of Jim Bolger?a. Winston Peters b. Soon after shaking his hand, world leaders would mysteriously lose office or shuffle off this mortal coilc. Could never shake off the Mother of All Budgetsd. Dandruff2. True or false? The Chairman of a Kiwi export business has asked the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • Stop the panic – we’ve been here before
    Jack Vowles writes – New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Minister welcomes hydrogen milestone
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 hours ago
  • Urgent changes to system through first RMA Amendment Bill
    The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    14 hours ago
  • Overseas decommissioning models considered
    Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago
  • Release of North Island Severe Weather Event Inquiry
    Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago
  • Justice Minister to attend Human Rights Council
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order.  “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Patterson reopens world’s largest wool scouring facility
    Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Speech to the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective Summit, 18 April 2024
    Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing  At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin    Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho    Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today.    I am delighted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Government to introduce revised Three Strikes law
    The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • New diplomatic appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions.   “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says.    “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Humanitarian support for Ethiopia and Somalia
    New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today.   “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Arts Minister congratulates Mataaho Collective
    Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale.  “It is good ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Supporting better financial outcomes for Kiwis
    The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Trade relationship with China remains strong
    “China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says.   Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 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
    4 days 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
    4 days 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
    4 days 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
    4 days 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
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  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
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