Who leaked Pullar’s name?

Written By: - Date published: 11:45 am, March 23rd, 2012 - 78 comments
Categories: ACC - Tags: , , ,

Nick Smith’s handpicked chair of ACC, John Judge, denies that ACC leaked Bronwyn Pullar’s name to the media after she made public the biggest leak of private data in history from the organisation. So, who did? Given the government’s track-record of using private data to intimidate its critics – Bennett vs the solo mums, Brownlee publicising Dalziel’s redzone offer – I’m beating it was Judith Collins. She wouldn’t have expected it to result in Nick Smith’s resignation. But I doubt she cares.

78 comments on “Who leaked Pullar’s name? ”

  1. toad 1

    Yeah, from what I gather, Smith was far from the most liked Minister among his colleagues, but was tolerated because he got the job done.

  2. Jim Nald 2

    Speaking of which ….. NZ voters today would be spoilt for choice when trying to spot who might be the most outstanding Lady Macbeth of John Key’s party 😕

  3. ianmac 3

    In my opinion Judith Collins exhibits a spiteful arrogance. Would she leak? Mmmmm

  4. Ross 4

    I think you mean you’re “betting” it was Collins. Certainly Collins doesn’t seem to be too impressed with Pullar’s conduct, so it would come as no surprise if she was the leaker.

    • Jilly Bee 4.1

      According to Radio N Z, the Auditor-General Lyn Provost is considering an enquiry. I trust she will stick to her guns and authorise this – I imagine she will be put under considerable pressure not to proceed.

      I agree ianmac – spiteful arrogance sums up Judith Collins’ attitude.

      • burt 4.1.1

        Jilly Bee

        I understand that if the AG takes this track that all National need to do is claimed the ref changed the rules and denigrate her…. That’s apparently the acceptable approach endorsed by many on this blog.

        Apparently parliament know better than anyone what the intent of the law is and if the AG claims they breached it then the government (National…) can simply pass retrospective validations to sort it. Apparently killing of any court cases that might pop up is a bonus in democracy because it gets rid of pesky waste of time cases.

      • burt 4.1.2

        Jilly Bee

        I trust she will stick to her guns and authorise this – I imagine she will be put under considerable pressure not to proceed.

        One would imagine so. But that’s her role and to date she appears to act without fear or favour.

        As much as that’s excellent it’s also unfortunate because it means she may not stay in the role long enough to be really effective. If she alleges laws were breached and is told she made a bad call and to move on, what do you think she will do?

      • Fortran 4.1.3

        Such an enquiry does not fall within the pervue, or responsibilty, of the Auditor General.
        She cannot take this case – others will though.

        Falls more towards the Police, in the first instance, not A-G.

  5. brybry 5

    It’s certainly worth following up. Where did the name first appear?

  6. Surely the Minister of Corrections who expressed satisfaction at the idea that inmates of her prisons might be raped or beaten has far too much integrity, empathy and strength of character to do something like that?

  7. js 7

    I heard it was part of an ongoing battle between Michelle Boag and Cameron Slater (National Party chairperson grievance politics) and he leaked the whole story to the Dominion Post. Phil Kitchin has mentioned before how he gets a lot of information from him.

    • Tom Gould 7.1

      Word around town suggests its much closer to home for Slater and involves settling old scores with Boag. Nasty bunch, these Tories.

    • Ross 7.2

      Hmm that sounds rather dubious. I think Slater despises Kitchin, and according to Slater, Pullar released private files to Kitchin.

    • Whaleoil 7.3

      I have not ever spoken to Phil Kitchin, nor emailed him or corresponded in any manner.

      Kitchin has been running this story from information provided to him directly by Pullar, he has said that and now so has Pullar.

      [lprent: This comment went straight on? I haven’t changed anything. Random.

      Let me know if and when the problem shows up again and what your IP is at the time. For the moment I’ll file this as solved in trac. ]

      • mickysavage 7.3.1

        So Cameron where did you get the information from?
         
        And was Nick Smith caught in friendly fire?

        • Whaleoil 7.3.1.1

          What information are you talking about?

          Some of what I have published was sent direct to me years ago by Bronwyn Pullar…the rest is public domain from media sites.

          It is a valid assumption though that Smith might have got caught in friendly fire.

          • mickysavage 7.3.1.1.1

            Pullar’s identity. It was o

          • Colonial Viper 7.3.1.1.2

            Friendly fire. Is not.

          • mickysavage 7.3.1.1.3

            Pullar’s identity and Boag’s presence at the meeting as well as what was said.  Given Pullar’s continuous complaints about privacy whoever did this had nerves of steel.
             
            There are three possibilities:
             
            1.  A highly placed politico with access to ACC information leaked the information to the Herald.
            2.  An ACC staffer leaked the information.
            3.  A highly placed politico with access to ACC information leaked the information to a right wing blogger with an axe to grind against Boag.  Your name sprang to mind.
             
            If this is correct then Smith was taken out by friendly fire.  I bet no one thought about checking for letters before the leak occurred.
             
            I bet there are a few red faces in the National Party and the brat pack may be considering some utu.
             
            I get the feeling this is going to continue to develop.

            • brybry 7.3.1.1.3.1

              Unless, like Blubber says, it was Pullar herself. Which seems a likely scenario to me.

              • Colonial Viper

                Pullar would have known about Nick Smith’s letters, so if she was the one who did it, she would have needed to have been willing to cause him collateral damage on the way.

                Also, leaking it makes ACC look like shit, but probably also hinders her own case more than anything.

              • It’s entirely possible, Bryby.

                Having had experience with two people who have experienced head injuries, it can result in irrational behaviour; emotional outbursts, including anger at minor things; heightened sense of ego and grievance; and obsessive-compulsive behaviour. When Pullar admitted to sending multiple requests to Smith, who finally caved in to her constant demands, it fits fairly well with head injury ‘syndrome’.

                Of the two people I know, one recieved extensive ACC-supported therapy and financial assistance, and is slowly being rehabilitated into the workforce. (This was done under the previous Labour administration, not the current regime.)

                The other person was never diagnosed or assessed, as it occurred well before ACC and well before these things were appropriatly diagnosed. His life was pretty much as described above. He went from owning a million-dollar enterprise – to being an invalid and being cared for by his elderly parents.

                It would be strange, but entirely possible, that Smith was caught up in the extreme mental-yo-yo world of a head-injury case…

  8. brybry 8

    This article from By David Fisher
    5:30 AM Sunday Mar 18, 2012
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10792840

    Is there an article that pre-dates that?
    And did Michelle Boag send a letter, or an email, or a letter in an email, or all of the above?

  9. aerobubble 9

    Hypothetically, lets say you’re a bureaucrat and fed up with one client. You are trying to justify the clients rights to your bosses and inadvertently send not for publishing documents to the client.
    Must happen all the time with lawyers, etc, where tiredness or fed up employees…
    Intentionally or not its a game changer, even a form of entrapment to see if the client would do the right thing allegedly

    Imagine your are angry, frustrated, powerless, and then your handed a gift to level the playing field, how many would be wrong to use that gift, criminally wrong.

    Its the Urs Singer who now finds deportation a possibility. He goes to a training ground, gets involved in illegal acts, and now has to fight off be thrown out of the country. If the government had an agent provoker pushing for illegal uses of weapons, etc….

    Now my understanding of entrapment in NZ, unlike other countries, is its legal????

    Add to that the three strikes, and the pig board placing a camera of your youngest kid (illegally) finding his older brothers (legal) porn mag, and you have a real problem in NZ that the government has too much power and little in the way of limits to make life hell for whom ever it chooses.

    We have no protection when both parliament rushes law into place without any thought to the likelihood that they will be wrong, which inevitably they are. The lack of safeguards for liberty in this country is shocking. Its Fiji now, who would dare stand up to government.

  10. Ross 10

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/6609619/Victim-furious-over-ACC-handling-of-leak

    Strange that ACC knew in December that its files had been disclosed to Pullar but is only now informing some of the victims.

  11. He he I wonder if Key’s office knows about this?  The next Cabinet meeting ought to be very interesting.
     
    And I thought that Collins and Smith were on the same side?

    • Tom Gould 11.1

      The jockeying is already well under way. They know the double talk and lists of lists and dirty dealing and smearing and photo ops are starting to wear thin. Power is now so concentrated, and the baubles so dull, political cannibalism is inevitable. Nasty venal bunch, these Tories.

    • ianmac 11.2

      Or more importantly, did Key know about this matter before this week?
      If he did then he mislead Parliament.
      If he didn’t know (and there was quite a lot of ACC action by December) what competency is that?!!
      Is it possible that Key knew alright and shifted Smith out of ACC to try and avoid fallout?
      Inquiry please.

      • Craig Glen Eden 11.2.1

        Who did the leak?
        Look no further than Collins I reckon. Collins would have known about this situation when she took over ACC, watch her for your selves in Parliament clips when Smith resigned she was wishing she could be any where else but there.

        I also reckon Key knows who did it, he didn’t look sad at Smiths resignation he looked pissed, like he knew this was done by one of his own. Fun and games in the National Party for the next little while I reckon, the real question is as others have said when will the rat pack take their revenge, it will happen but when?

        • Pascal's bookie 11.2.1.1

          God knows eh.

          But Smith isn’t asking for an enquiry into the events leading up to his own resignation because he *doesn’t* know what happened, I tell you what.

          The other thing to bear in mind is the Key is a hands off CEO style PM. His cabinet get pretty much a free hand to run their portfolios, and he only gets involved when someone needs to go.

          The most obvious example of that was with the broadcsts rights to the RWC when you had ministers bidding agin each other.

          n older example from when he was new in the leadership was with the S59 debate. Most of the National party was bleating away and stirring up the fundies on the one hand, and poking sticks at Labour on the other saying labour was being whipped into voting for it and blah blah blah; then in steps the boss, right over all of their toes and cuts his deal and tells them they are going to vote for it.

          He is above most all of what goes down policy wise I reckon. his role is strategic and political. As long as the Ministers are not causing political problems he doesn’t really get involved, and there doesn’t seem to be much evidence that he’s in the loop on what is going on untill there is a problem.

          This works for him, because he becomes a fixer, untouched by the scandal. It pops up, he doesn’t know anything about it, stalls for a day, maybe two, and then lowers the hammer if it’s starting to look dangerous.

          I’d say he knew there was trouble bewixt Collins and Smith, but doubt he wanted to know about the details. He seems like a “You sort this shit out between yourselves, because you don’t want me to have to get involved” type to me.

          So he may well have decided, rightly enough, that it’s better for Smith to go for what’s already out there, than to let it fester and have more stuff come out.

  12. The state services commission knew of the leaks before the december meeting with
    pullar,sooo john key would have been aware of the leak and also of smith’s
    involvement,this is why the new acc minister collins was put in the loop,so she\
    knew as well, so john key must resign,collins must resign,the acc board must resign,
    Parliamentry rules broken by key,collins,they were in the act of a cover-up.
    NZ deserves better from their politicians.

    • toad 12.1

      No, those Ministers would not have necessarily been alerted by the State Services Commission, starlight. But the one who would and should have been is the Minister responsible for the SSC, Tony Ryall.

      And if it can be shown he had knowledge of it, and failed to act on it, he should join Nick Smith in the League of Former Ministers.

  13. The commission confirmed that pullar sent it a copy of the spreadsheet 6mnths ago,
    meaning acc should have been alerted before the pullar meeting in december.
    If those ministers were kept in the dark by ryall,then he is also at fault,you would
    think that smith would have been notified,being the acc minister,obviously there
    has been an attempt to keep everything quiet.
    I feel that pullar herself leaked the spreadsheet,but she didn’t expect that it
    would have affected smith so badly.

  14. Sarah 14

    Rumour has it Boag tracked the email. It led straight from Judith Collins to Cameron Slater

    • Sarah, there were a lot of discussion and warnings on this thread yesterday about posting unsubstantiated rumours. You’re probably safe from reprimand here though.

      • felix 14.1.1

        “about posting unsubstantiated rumours”

        Really? I haven’t searched the thread, but yesterday all I saw was discussion and warnings for posting opinions and rumours as if they were facts.

        I’m not saying it didn’t happen, but I’m sure you could point me to an example if it did.

        Can you?

        • IrishBill 14.1.1.1

          What felix said.

        • Pete George 14.1.1.2

          So you can say anything here if you preface it with “rumour has it” or “in my opinion”?

          Rumour has it that IB and lprent would have different opinions on that.

          • lprent 14.1.1.2.1

            Not quite. Assertions of fact tend to to get jumped on from a great height if they aren’t backed. Quoting or attributing the opinions of others without linking is just plain stupid and also gets moderator ire.

            If you think it through then what is left is pretty much personal opinion and the usual rumor mills. Stating something as personal opinion, personal experience or straight rumour means that others can treat it as well.. Opinion or rumour. It just has to be clear that is what it is.

            Putting those things up in public means that others can refute them directly in comments. That is a transparency that I find works a hell of a lot better than the same opining and rumour mongering that happens in most broadcast and broadsheet media.

            In the end it is the credibility of their online handle that is at stake, and the ability to leave comments here at all. Assert too often without backing and the perpetrators will get permanent bans. Have ridiculous opinions too often, and you’ll find everyone engages only to mock. Reputation is everything.

            It has been the way of the net for 30 years or so. It was how the net was developed and why it developed. Remarkably effective at disseminating information because it is based entirely on previous mana from a history of offering good opinions. Scares the hell out of a lot of people in their first years on the net because there are limited leverage positions apart from giving good opinions.

      • mickysavage 14.1.2

        Interesting that Slater should comment here for the first time in ages, that he appeared to be running a diversion by talking about Kitchin rather than Fisher from the Herald, and that he then claims that he received all of his information either from Pullar herself or through publicly available information.
         
        Perhaps he could reappear and deny Sarah’s rumour.  Was he leaked Boag’s email by Collins?

        [lprent: whale has had a problem leaving comments here. I think that either akismet didn’t like him or his IP, but his comments were apparently disappearing without a trace. ]

        • Pete George 14.1.2.1

          Why don’t you ask him?

          It might be a step too far to ask unions to deny rumours though. That wouldn’t be a fair approach, would it.

          [lprent: the problem yesterday was people asserting facts. That reminds me, I must have a look at Rob to see if he has managed to find a source. ]

          • mickysavage 14.1.2.1.1

            PG 
             
            The Unions have denied the allegations repeatedly.
             
            No doubt you will continue in different ways continue to making this comment even though you do not have a shred of evidence to back it up.

            • Pete George 14.1.2.1.1.1

              Have they? Good, if they have also denounced anything like that.

              Have you got a link to back that up?

              • Back what up?  Don’t you have any credible sources for information?  If not why do you think that any attention should be paid to your comments?
                 

                • It’s you that made a claim – “The Unions have denied the allegations repeatedly” – with no attempt at sources. Why should any validity be paid to your claim?

                  • Try this one for a start.
                     
                    Poor old Petey sitting in Dunedin with his eyes closed and his fingers in his ears demanding proof of something which is so easy to find.
                     
                    Is your plan to divert away from the rather serious issue concerning the possible breaching of someone’s privacy?

                    • Thanks msavage, now I know that if it’s easy to find then a link isn’t required. Except that a link to audio is not very convenient.

                      No, I’m not trying to divert, and note your participation on this thread.

                      There are a few serious issues surrounding Pullar and ACC, but I think we need to wait for the results of inquiries before jumping to conclusions.

                      But on the surface there does seem to be misuse of political and possibly bureaucratic power. And Pullar doesn’t seem to have acted very well regarding holding and possibly attempting to misuse private information that bizarrely ended up in her possession.

                    • Pascal's bookie

                      Oh pete.

                      The thing about not jumping to conclusions is, if you’re not going to do it, then you shouldn’t go ahead and do it with regard to Pullar.

                      When you do, you look like a nasty political operative with more concern for the politics of the situation than anything else.

                      There are lots of things out there, and lots of questions. Many of those questions won’t be answered by the investigations that are being held (Police and Privacy comm.).

                      If the AG decides to investigate, then maybe some of those other questions will get looked at, but it is not unseemly for people to be talking about it, especially when it isn’t yet clear that the AG will have an investigation, or what that investigation might be into.

                      But seeing you are happy enough to talk about what things look like on the face of it, and what it seems like with regard to Pullar…

                      What, on the face it, does it look like that Smith wants an inquiry into the events leading up to his resignation, and Key and Collins do not? What does that seem like, to you?

                      It seems doubtful to me that Smith doesn’t have some idea of what the investigation he wants would show. Does that not raise serious questions about why Key doesn’t want it?

                      What say you pete?

                    • Pb – it’s a known fact that Pullar received information from ACC she shouldn’t have – someone else’s fault – but it’s also a known fact that she kept that information for months, so it’s not jumping to conclusions being critical of that.

                      Things don’t look flash for Boag either, that’s been widely talked about.

                      And things went pear shaped for Nick Smith through his own indiscretions.

                      I don’t know what ‘political situation’ you are talking about. I’ve certainly got nothing political to gain from any of this – I guess unless you think I could precipitate a snap election and pull off some electoral miracle.

                      Maybe you’re trying a bit hard on the ‘political operative’ thing yourself – especially with your edited addition.

                    • Pascal's bookie

                      Baog’s role has been talked about indeed. But what I’m saying is that it seems from your comments that that is a bad thing, that people shouldn’t be leaping to conclusions or what have you.

                      Many of her actions are known facts. The letter she wrote to Collins was leaked, obviously by someone with access to it There’s no reason to think that that would be large circle. Fran in the Herald is confident enough to say that Collins was probably behind the leak, in spite of Collins’ denial. Do you think Fran was out of line there?

                      As to the politics, you are laughable Pete. Possibly the most un self aware commenter in the landscape. And in a landscape that includes redbaiter, that’s quite a feat.

                    • Pascal's bookie

                      I’m just asking questions Pete. From one private citizen to another. What on earth are you complaining about?

                      Why not tell me what you think about those questions, from one citizen to another?

                      It’s called citizenship pete, discussing the politics of the day.

                      Certainly the questions I ask reflect on me. But so what? I don’t resile from the reflection, and the questions are genuine.

                      But by the same token, your answers, or lack of them, and your insinuations that questions are innappropriate or whatever, reflect on you. Surely?

                    • You’ve jumped to a lot of conclusion based on nothing I said. Is that what you call “political awareness”?

                      I didn’t think I’ need to mention absolutely everything about all the associated issues and people to escape criticism. Come to think of it, that probably wouldn’t have made any difference.

                    • Pascal's bookie

                      pete. I wasn’t attacking you. All I did was point out the fact that when you selectively talk about things, while at the same time saying that people shouldn’t be leaping to conculsions or whatever, it looks a bit whiffy.

                      And you seem, again, seem, to be very determined not to talk about amny of the other facts that are out there. that’s ok, but guess what/ People are perfectly entitled to find that strange and talk about that strangeness.

                      Don’t be such a big baby.

                      now seeing you said I’ve made some assumptions, perhaps you could be so kind as to point them out.

                      let’s discuss the issue shall we?

                      or is that above, or beneath, you?

                    • Do you mean come back to the topic? Who leaked Pullar’s name?

                      That’s the sort of conclusion I won’t try to jump to, unlike Zetetic who’s seeming to use the uncertainty as an excuse to propose whatever he/she wants to. Is that the political operative sort of stuff you were referring to?

                    • Pascal's bookie

                      I was thinking about this stuff Pete;

                      ,blockquote>But seeing you are happy enough to talk about what things look like on the face of it, and what it seems like with regard to Pullar…

                      What, on the face it, does it look like that Smith wants an inquiry into the events leading up to his resignation, and Key and Collins do not? What does that seem like, to you?

                      It seems doubtful to me that Smith doesn’t have some idea of what the investigation he wants would show. Does that not raise serious questions about why Key doesn’t want it?

                      What say you pete?

                      No leaping to conculsions necessary. There facts, what do those facts look like, on their face. You were happy enough to talk about how facts relating to Pullar made her seem to you.

                      So I’m just genuinely wondering what these facts make you feel about Key and Collins. What does it look like that they are saying we don’t need an inquiry into the things Smith feels need to be explored?

    • starlight 14.2

      The tories are ‘donkey deep’ lol

  15. Carol 15

    Fran O’Sullivan implies an email from Boag was leaked by Judith Collins in an op ed piece today (is this when Pullar’s name was leaked to the media?):

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10794249

    Any Cabinet minister sitting in “The Crusher’s” shoes – particularly a politician with as strong an instinct for self-preservation as Collins has – would quickly have worked out the impact of Boag’s email was they were also likely to be dragged into the same mud-pool which subsequently swallowed Nick Smith.

    The ACC Minister would quickly have reached the conclusion that all Boag’s email did was to compromise her.

    Hence she sent it to the ACC .

    Collins’ fingerprints will not be directly attached to the copy of the Boag email that was later leaked to the Herald on Sunday.

    But the ACC Minister, who is a former Law Society president, will not be shedding any crocodile tears over Pullar’s predicament. Nor will she be concerned at Boag’s embarrassment after she was hung out to dry.

    But O’Sullivan, always the NAct government cheerleader, uses her column to put the boot into Boag, and give Collins a bit of a positive glow.

    But if Boag is such a clumsy and bad bad-ass, what does it say about her being behind Key’s recruitment to the National Party?

  16. Let’s connect some dots here, about leaks; http://fmacskasy.wordpress.com/2012/03/24/gerry-brownlee-in-the-public-interest/

    Now, are we starting to build a picture?

    • Jim Nald 16.1

      overhead in a cafe … this john key government is a government of strategic deficits and strategic leaks.

  17. Fortran 17

    Getting Boring as to whodunnit !!!
    Move on.
    There are bigger fish to fry.

  18. Sarah 18

    Here’s my opinion about the leaking…..

    Collins found out it was Pullar. She thought f**k that bitch, how could she do this to me. Why didn’t she talk to me.

    Then she heard Boag’s side of the story and thought shit I’m screwed.

    Desperate, Collins went to Slater said what dirt do you have on Pullar.

    Collins says perfect – we can use that angle around threats in the report to cover my arse.

    Slater said we also have this email Pullar forwarded me that she sent to Nick Smith threatening to expose wrongdoing in ACC, copying the media into this email. Slater says there also rumours about her and Smith’s relationship.

    Collins finds out what else is on file in the Ministerial office between Smith and Pullar. She’s like my god, not a reference….you are f**king kidding.. Shit this is brilliant. I can take out Boag, Pullar and Smith all at once.

    Collins manipulates the report to state that Pullar threatened ACC, which suits the ACC managers who are also covering their arse. Serious arse-covering all round.

    ACC release a one sided arse covering report (without any primary factual evidence) that the whistleblower threatened the ACC managers to obtain a 2 year benefit payout…even although such things aren’t possible, to create maximum damage to shift the focus from ACC/the breach back onto the whistleblower

    The media is like shock horror, blackmail, extortion etc.

    Collins leaks Boag memo to Whale.

    Whale leaks memo from Boag naming Pullar to the Herald. Perfect, exposed and both linked to blackmail and extortion to destroy their credibility.

    Collins tells Whale about Herald about Smith letter for Pullar. Whale contacts Herald. Herald reports this as a woman/’claimant’ rang the Herald.

    Threats, extortion/blackmail, inappropriate relationship etc. Perfect. Now we’ve got them.

    Pullar denies threats and goes to police to lay a complaint. Crap.

    State Services knew of breach for six months, longer than Pullar, yet never notified ACC of breach, whereas Pullar did. Crap.

    Software tracking emails & attachments and the ISP’s where opened, printed, on forwarded etc Crap.

    One email, one leak. Tracking. Collins, Slater, Herald. Oh dear.

    Question Time should be interesting this week.

  19. Anne 19

    Yes, I too, am intrigued by Sarah’s interpretation of events.

    I have tried, but I don’t have sufficient knowledge to be able to access a video of Question No. 2/March 20th/Kevin Hague to the Minister of ACC.

    If I’ve recalled the right question, a study of Judith Collins’ facial expression immediately prior to her answering the question says it all. That she is guilty of something is written all over it.

    • deuto 19.1

      I am also intrigued by Sarah’ s interpretation. IMO there is a lot more to this than meets the eye, especially with respect to Collins’ involvement. Am just taking some time to think about Sarah’s interpretation before commenting – that is not a negative, as a female myself I have some experience as to how we think, including many of the (female) players in this saga. NO – not trying to make this a gender thing!

      Anyway, here is a link to the recording of Kevin Hague’s question 2 on 20 March. Not sure I can identify the expression you refer to but Collins’ appears IMO to be much less self-assured than she usually is through out this recording. I also found the behaviour of Tau Henare and the other person immediately behind her during this question and answer session interesting.

      http://inthehouse.co.nz/node/11875

      Hope this link works – had some difficulty pasteing it. FYI all Parliamentary recordings can be accessed by going to the www. inthehouse.co.nz site.

      • Anne 19.1.1

        I’ve got the wong question deuto. Now you’ve given an address, I will see if I can find it. It may well have occurred during the course of a supplementary question but not this one. I can assure you it was look to kill…

        • deuto 19.1.1.1

          The correct link is (I think) http://www.inthehouse.co.nz – my comment included an incorrect space between “www” and “inthehouse”. Having watched question time each day this week, I also recall that look but cannot remember which question it related to – or it could also have been in the General Debate session on Wednesday?

          • Anne 19.1.1.1.1

            Thanks for the link. Know where to look in future. As I said if looks could kill… there would have been a lot of dead people – including you and me. 🙂

            I think she spoke during the Urgent Debate that same afternoon. That was probably when it happened. Might try and find it tomorrow.

  20. ACC insider 20

    Four questions Minister Collins needs to be asked:

    Has the Minister run an IT sweep of her office for the email relating to Bronwyn Pullar that was leaked to the Herald on Sunday. If not, why not?
    Is the Minister aware that emails and attachment can be tracked, including when these are opened and the ISP address of where they are opened?
    Did the Minister or her office provide a copy of the memo regarding Bronwyn Pullar to Cameron Slater or any of his ISP’s?
    Did the Minister or her office encourage Cameron Slater to provide the memo regarding Bronwyn Pullar to the media?

  21. Nick K 21

    David Shearer must be loving this. He’s having to do absolutely nothing and watch the government suffer. Incredible.

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    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 hours 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 ...
    6 hours 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 ...
    7 hours 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 ...
    7 hours 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, ...
    7 hours ago
  • How Much to Tint Car Windows A Comprehensive Guide
    Tinting car windows offers numerous benefits, including enhanced privacy, reduced glare, UV protection, and a more stylish look for your vehicle. However, the cost of window tinting can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article provides a comprehensive guide to help you understand how much you can expect to ...
    7 hours ago
  • Why Does My Car Smell Like Gas? A Comprehensive Guide to Diagnosing and Fixing the Issue
    The pungent smell of gasoline in your car can be an alarming and potentially dangerous problem. Not only is the odor unpleasant, but it can also indicate a serious issue with your vehicle’s fuel system. In this article, we will explore the various reasons why your car may smell like ...
    7 hours ago
  • How to Remove Tree Sap from Car A Comprehensive Guide
    Tree sap can be a sticky, unsightly mess on your car’s exterior. It can be difficult to remove, but with the right techniques and products, you can restore your car to its former glory. Understanding Tree Sap Tree sap is a thick, viscous liquid produced by trees to seal wounds ...
    7 hours ago
  • How Much Paint Do You Need to Paint a Car?
    The amount of paint needed to paint a car depends on a number of factors, including the size of the car, the number of coats you plan to apply, and the type of paint you are using. In general, you will need between 1 and 2 gallons of paint for ...
    7 hours ago
  • Can You Jump a Car in the Rain? Safety Precautions and Essential Steps
    Jump-starting a car is a common task that can be performed even in adverse weather conditions like rain. However, safety precautions and proper techniques are crucial to avoid potential hazards. This comprehensive guide will provide detailed instructions on how to safely jump a car in the rain, ensuring both your ...
    7 hours 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
    13 hours 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. ...
    15 hours 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
    16 hours ago
  • The Case for a Universal Family Benefit
    One Could Reduce Child Poverty At No Fiscal CostFollowing the Richardson/Shipley 1990 ‘redesign of the welfare state’ – which eliminated the universal Family Benefit and doubled the rate of child poverty – various income supplements for families have been added, the best known being ‘Working for Families’, introduced in 2005. ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    17 hours 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
    19 hours 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
    20 hours 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
    20 hours 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
    23 hours ago
  • Melissa Lee and the media: ending the quest
    Chris Trotter writes –  MELISSA LEE should be deprived of her ministerial warrant. Her handling – or non-handling – of the crisis engulfing the New Zealand news media has been woeful. The fate of New Zealand’s two linear television networks, a question which the Minister of Broadcasting, Communications ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 day ago
  • The Hoon around the week to April 19
    TL;DR: The podcast above features co-hosts and , along with regular guests Robert Patman on Gaza and AUKUS II, and on climate change.The six things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • The ‘Humpty Dumpty’ end result of dismantling our environmental protections
    Policymakers rarely wish to make plain or visible their desire to dismantle environmental policy, least of all to the young. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s the top five news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above between Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Nicola's Salad Days.
    I like to keep an eye on what’s happening in places like the UK, the US, and over the ditch with our good mates the Aussies. Let’s call them AUKUS, for want of a better collective term. More on that in a bit.It used to be, not long ago, that ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 day ago
  • Study sees climate change baking in 19% lower global income by 2050
    TL;DR: The global economy will be one fifth smaller than it would have otherwise been in 2050 as a result of climate damage, according to a new study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) and published in the journal Nature. (See more detail and analysis below, and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Weekly Roundup 19-April-2024
    It’s Friday again. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week on Greater Auckland On Tuesday Matt covered at the government looking into a long tunnel for Wellington. On Wednesday we ran a post from Oscar Simms on some lessons from Texas. AT’s ...
    1 day ago
  • Jack Vowles: Stop the panic – we’ve been here before
    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’.  The data is from February this ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    1 day ago
  • Clearing up confusion (or trying to)
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters is understood to be planning a major speech within the next fortnight to clear up the confusion over whether or not New Zealand might join the AUKUS submarine project. So far, there have been conflicting signals from the Government. RNZ reported the Prime Minister yesterday in ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 day ago
  • How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log iPhone Without Computer
    How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log on iPhone Without a Computer: A StepbyStep Guide Losing your iPhone call history can be frustrating, especially when you need to find a specific number or recall an important conversation. But before you panic, know that there are ways to retrieve deleted call logs on your iPhone, even without a computer. This guide will explore various methods, ranging from simple checks to utilizing iCloud backups and thirdparty applications. So, lets dive in and recover those lost calls! 1. Check Recently Deleted Folder: Apple understands that accidental deletions happen. Thats why they introduced the Recently Deleted folder for various apps, including the Phone app. This folder acts as a safety net, storing deleted call logs for up to 30 days before permanently erasing them. Heres how to check it: Open the Phone app on your iPhone. Tap on the Recents tab at the bottom. Scroll to the top and tap on Edit. Select Show Recently Deleted. Browse the list to find the call logs you want to recover. Tap on the desired call log and choose Recover to restore it to your call history. 2. Restore from iCloud Backup: If you regularly back up your iPhone to iCloud, you might be able to retrieve your deleted call log from a previous backup. However, keep in mind that this process will restore your entire phone to the state it was in at the time of the backup, potentially erasing any data added since then. Heres how to restore from an iCloud backup: Go to Settings > General > Reset. Choose Erase All Content and Settings. Follow the onscreen instructions. Your iPhone will restart and show the initial setup screen. Choose Restore from iCloud Backup during the setup process. Select the relevant backup that contains your deleted call log. Wait for the restoration process to complete. 3. Explore ThirdParty Apps (with Caution): ...
    1 day ago
  • How to Factory Reset iPhone without Computer: A Comprehensive Guide to Restoring your Device
    Life throws curveballs, and sometimes, those curveballs necessitate wiping your iPhone clean and starting anew. Whether you’re facing persistent software glitches, preparing to sell your device, or simply wanting a fresh start, knowing how to factory reset iPhone without a computer is a valuable skill. While using a computer with ...
    2 days ago
  • How to Call Someone on a Computer: A Guide to Voice and Video Communication in the Digital Age
    Gone are the days when communication was limited to landline phones and physical proximity. Today, computers have become powerful tools for connecting with people across the globe through voice and video calls. But with a plethora of applications and methods available, how to call someone on a computer might seem ...
    2 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #16 2024
    Open access notables Glacial isostatic adjustment reduces past and future Arctic subsea permafrost, Creel et al., Nature Communications: Sea-level rise submerges terrestrial permafrost in the Arctic, turning it into subsea permafrost. Subsea permafrost underlies ~ 1.8 million km2 of Arctic continental shelf, with thicknesses in places exceeding 700 m. Sea-level variations over glacial-interglacial cycles control ...
    2 days ago
  • Where on a Computer is the Operating System Generally Stored? Delving into the Digital Home of your ...
    The operating system (OS) is the heart and soul of a computer, orchestrating every action and interaction between hardware and software. But have you ever wondered where on a computer is the operating system generally stored? The answer lies in the intricate dance between hardware and software components, particularly within ...
    2 days ago
  • How Many Watts Does a Laptop Use? Understanding Power Consumption and Efficiency
    Laptops have become essential tools for work, entertainment, and communication, offering portability and functionality. However, with rising energy costs and growing environmental concerns, understanding a laptop’s power consumption is more important than ever. So, how many watts does a laptop use? The answer, unfortunately, isn’t straightforward. It depends on several ...
    2 days ago
  • How to Screen Record on a Dell Laptop A Guide to Capturing Your Screen with Ease
    Screen recording has become an essential tool for various purposes, such as creating tutorials, capturing gameplay footage, recording online meetings, or sharing information with others. Fortunately, Dell laptops offer several built-in and external options for screen recording, catering to different needs and preferences. This guide will explore various methods on ...
    2 days ago
  • How Much Does it Cost to Fix a Laptop Screen? Navigating Repair Options and Costs
    A cracked or damaged laptop screen can be a frustrating experience, impacting productivity and enjoyment. Fortunately, laptop screen repair is a common service offered by various repair shops and technicians. However, the cost of fixing a laptop screen can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article delves into the ...
    2 days ago
  • How Long Do Gaming Laptops Last? Demystifying Lifespan and Maximizing Longevity
    Gaming laptops represent a significant investment for passionate gamers, offering portability and powerful performance for immersive gaming experiences. However, a common concern among potential buyers is their lifespan. Unlike desktop PCs, which allow for easier component upgrades, gaming laptops have inherent limitations due to their compact and integrated design. This ...
    2 days ago
  • Climate Change: Turning the tide
    The annual inventory report of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions has been released, showing that gross emissions have dropped for the third year in a row, to 78.4 million tons: All-told gross emissions have decreased by over 6 million tons since the Zero Carbon Act was passed in 2019. ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago
  • How to Unlock Your Computer A Comprehensive Guide to Regaining Access
    Experiencing a locked computer can be frustrating, especially when you need access to your files and applications urgently. The methods to unlock your computer will vary depending on the specific situation and the type of lock you encounter. This guide will explore various scenarios and provide step-by-step instructions on how ...
    2 days ago
  • Faxing from Your Computer A Modern Guide to Sending Documents Digitally
    While the world has largely transitioned to digital communication, faxing still holds relevance in certain industries and situations. Fortunately, gone are the days of bulky fax machines and dedicated phone lines. Today, you can easily send and receive faxes directly from your computer, offering a convenient and efficient way to ...
    2 days ago
  • Protecting Your Home Computer A Guide to Cyber Awareness
    In our increasingly digital world, home computers have become essential tools for work, communication, entertainment, and more. However, this increased reliance on technology also exposes us to various cyber threats. Understanding these threats and taking proactive steps to protect your home computer is crucial for safeguarding your personal information, finances, ...
    2 days ago
  • Server-Based Computing Powering the Modern Digital Landscape
    In the ever-evolving world of technology, server-based computing has emerged as a cornerstone of modern digital infrastructure. This article delves into the concept of server-based computing, exploring its various forms, benefits, challenges, and its impact on the way we work and interact with technology. Understanding Server-Based Computing: At its core, ...
    2 days ago
  • Vroom vroom go the big red trucks
    The absolute brass neck of this guy.We want more medical doctors, not more spin doctors, Luxon was saying a couple of weeks ago, and now we’re told the guy has seven salaried adults on TikTok duty. Sorry, doing social media. The absolute brass neck of it. The irony that the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • Jones finds $410,000 to help the government muscle in on a spat project
    Buzz from the Beehive Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones relishes spatting and eagerly takes issue with environmentalists who criticise his enthusiasm for resource development. He relishes helping the fishing industry too. And so today, while the media are making much of the latest culling in the public service to ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago
  • Again, hate crimes are not necessarily terrorism.
    Having written, taught and worked for the US government on issues involving unconventional warfare and terrorism for 30-odd years, two things irritate me the most when the subject is discussed in public. The first is the Johnny-come-lately academics-turned-media commentators who … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    2 days ago
  • Despair – construction consenting edition
    Eric Crampton writes – Kainga Ora is the government’s house building agency. It’s been building a lot of social housing. Kainga Ora has its own (but independent) consenting authority, Consentium. It’s a neat idea. Rather than have to deal with building consents across each different territorial authority, Kainga Ora ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • Coalition promises – will the Govt keep the commitment to keep Kiwis equal before the law?
    Muriel Newman writes – The Coalition Government says it is moving with speed to deliver campaign promises and reverse the damage done by Labour. One of their key commitments is to “defend the principle that New Zealanders are equal before the law.” To achieve this, they have pledged they “will not advance ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • An impermanent public service is a guarantee of very little else but failure
    Chris Trotter writes –  The absence of anything resembling a fightback from the public servants currently losing their jobs is interesting. State-sector workers’ collective fatalism in the face of Coalition cutbacks indicates a surprisingly broad acceptance of impermanence in the workplace. Fifty years ago, lay-offs in the thousands ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • What happens after the war – Mariupol
    Mariupol, on the Azov Sea coast, was one of the first cities to suffer almost complete destruction after the start of the Ukraine War started in late February 2022. We remember the scenes of absolute destruction of the houses and city structures. The deaths of innocent civilians – many of ...
    2 days ago
  • Babies and benefits – no good news
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – Ten years ago, I wrote the following in a Listener column: Every year around one in five new-born babies will be reliant on their caregivers benefit by Christmas. This pattern has persisted from at least 1993. For Maori the number jumps to over one in three.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • Should the RBNZ be looking through climate inflation?
    Climate change is expected to generate more and more extreme events, delivering a sort of structural shock to inflation that central banks will have to react to as if they were short-term cyclical issues. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours, as of 9:16 am on Thursday, April 18 are:Housing: Tauranga residents living in boats, vans RNZ Checkpoint Louise TernouthHousing: Waikato councillor says wastewater plant issues could hold up Sleepyhead building a massive company town Waikato Times Stephen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the public sector carnage, and misogyny as terrorism
    It’s a simple deal. We pay taxes in order to finance the social services we want and need. The carnage now occurring across the public sector though, is breaking that contract. Over 3,000 jobs have been lost so far. Many are in crucial areas like Education where the impact of ...
    2 days ago
  • Meeting the Master Baiters
    Hi,A friend had their 40th over the weekend and decided to theme it after Curb Your Enthusiasm fashion icon Susie Greene. Captured in my tiny kitchen before I left the house, I ending up evoking a mix of old lesbian and Hillary Clinton — both unintentional.Me vs Hillary ClintonIf you’re ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago
  • How extreme was the Earth's temperature in 2023
    This is a re-post from Andrew Dessler at the Climate Brink blog In 2023, the Earth reached temperature levels unprecedented in modern times. Given that, it’s reasonable to ask: What’s going on? There’s been lots of discussions by scientists about whether this is just the normal progression of global warming or if something ...
    2 days ago
  • Backbone, revisited
    The schools are on holiday and the sun is shining in the seaside village and all day long I have been seeing bunches of bikes; Mums, Dads, teens and toddlers chattering, laughing, happy, having a bloody great time together. Cheers, AT, for the bits of lane you’ve added lately around the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Ministers are not above the law
    Today in our National-led authoritarian nightmare: Shane Jones thinks Ministers should be above the law: New Zealand First MP Shane Jones is accusing the Waitangi Tribunal of over-stepping its mandate by subpoenaing a minister for its urgent hearing on the Oranga Tamariki claim. The tribunal is looking into the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • What’s the outfit you can hear going down the gurgler? Probably it’s David Parker’s Oceans Sec...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point  of Order first heard of the Oceans Secretariat in June 2021, when David Parker (remember him?) announced a multi-agency approach to protecting New Zealand’s marine ecosystems and fisheries. Parker (holding the Environment, and Oceans and Fisheries portfolios) broke the news at the annual Forest & ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Bryce Edwards writes  – Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Matt Doocey doubles down on trans “healthcare”
    Citizen Science writes –  Last week saw two significant developments in the debate over the treatment of trans-identifying children and young people – the release in Britain of the final report of Dr Hilary Cass’s review into gender healthcare, and here in New Zealand, the news that the ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • A TikTok Prime Minister.
    One night while sleeping in my bed I had a beautiful dreamThat all the people of the world got together on the same wavelengthAnd began helping one anotherNow in this dream, universal love was the theme of the dayPeace and understanding and it happened this wayAfter such an eventful day ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Texas Lessons
    This is a guest post by Oscar Simms who is a housing activist, volunteer for the Coalition for More Homes, and was the Labour Party candidate for Auckland Central at the last election. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    3 days ago
  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links at 6:06 am
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours as of 6:06 am on Wednesday, April 17 are:Must read: Secrecy shrouds which projects might be fast-tracked RNZ Farah HancockScoop: Revealed: Luxon has seven staffers working on social media content - partly paid for by taxpayer Newshub ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Fighting poverty on the holiday highway
    Turning what Labour called the “holiday highway” into a four-lane expressway from Auckland to Whangarei could bring at least an economic benefit of nearly two billion a year for Northland each year. And it could help bring an end to poverty in one of New Zealand’s most deprived regions. The ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago
  • Bernard's six-stack of substacks at 6:26 pm
    Tonight’s six-stack includes: launching his substack with a bunch of his previous documentaries, including this 1992 interview with Dame Whina Cooper. and here crew give climate activists plenty to do, including this call to submit against the Fast Track Approvals bill. writes brilliantly here on his substack ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • At a glance – Is the science settled?
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    4 days ago
  • Apposite Quotations.
    How Long Is Long Enough? Gaza under Israeli bombardment, July 2014. This posting is exclusive to Bowalley Road. ...
    4 days ago
  • What’s a life worth now?
    You're in the mall when you hear it: some kind of popping sound in the distance, kids with fireworks, maybe. But then a moment of eerie stillness is followed by more of the fireworks sound and there’s also screaming and shrieking and now here come people running for their lives.Does ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • Howling at the Moon
    Karl du Fresne writes –  There’s a crisis in the news media and the media are blaming it on everyone except themselves. Culpability is being deflected elsewhere – mainly to the hapless Minister of Communications, Melissa Lee, and the big social media platforms that are accused of hoovering ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Newshub is Dead.
    I don’t normally send out two newsletters in a day but I figured I’d say something about… the news. If two newsletters is a bit much then maybe just skip one, I don’t want to overload people. Alternatively if you’d be interested in sometimes receiving multiple, smaller updates from me, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Seymour is chuffed about cutting early-learning red tape – but we hear, too, that Jones has loose...
    Buzz from the Beehive David Seymour and Winston Peters today signalled that at least two ministers of the Crown might be in Wellington today. Seymour (as Associate Minister of Education) announced the removal of more red tape, this time to make it easier for new early learning services to be ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. Our political system is suffering from the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago
  • Was Hawkesby entirely wrong?
    David Farrar  writes –  The Broadcasting Standards Authority ruled: Comments by radio host Kate Hawkesby suggesting Māori and Pacific patients were being prioritised for surgery due to their ethnicity were misleading and discriminatory, the Broadcasting Standards Authority has found. It is a fact such patients are prioritised. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • PRC shadow looms as the Solomons head for election
    PRC and its proxies in Solomons have been preparing for these elections for a long time. A lot of money, effort and intelligence have gone into ensuring an outcome that won’t compromise Beijing’s plans. Cleo Paskall writes – On April 17th the Solomon Islands, a country of ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Climate Change: Criminal ecocide
    We are in the middle of a climate crisis. Last year was (again) the hottest year on record. NOAA has just announced another global coral bleaching event. Floods are threatening UK food security. So naturally, Shane Jones wants to make it easier to mine coal: Resources Minister Shane Jones ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Is saving one minute of a politician's time worth nearly $1 billion?
    Is speeding up the trip to and from Wellington airport by 12 minutes worth spending up more than $10 billion? Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me in the last day to 8:26 am today are:The Lead: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • PM’s South East Asia mission does the business
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 hours ago
  • $41m to support clean energy in South East Asia
    New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    19 hours ago
  • Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder list
    The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago
  • Judicial appointments announced
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  • 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 ...
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  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
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  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.    “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
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  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
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  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
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    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
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  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
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  • Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.   Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
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  • Antarctica New Zealand Board appointments
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  • Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being considered
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  • New Zealand condemns Iranian strikes
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel.    “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says.    "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...
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    6 days ago
  • Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plans
    Hundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...
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  • Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand Chair
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board.   “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti.  “I have asked her to ...
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  • Navigating an unstable global environment
    New Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States.    “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...
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  • NZ welcomes Australian Governor-General
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...
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    New Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...
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  • Joint US and NZ declaration
    April 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...
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