AT is to be gutted
Written By:
Date published: 6:35 pm, December 4th, 2024 - 3 comments
Categories: auckland supercity, climate change, public transport, simeon brown, supercity, transport
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The Government announced reform of AT, effectively conceding that the behemouth National created in 2010 was the wrong structure.
Creative accounting
Written By:
Date published: 10:23 am, December 5th, 2024 - 8 comments
It has emerged that Health NZ attempted to include hundreds of millions of dollars in redundancies and holiday pay remediation chargeable this year in last year’s Health accounts and this would have made the current deficit smaller but last year’s deficit larger.
Open mike 05/12/2024
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Date published: 6:00 am, December 5th, 2024 - 22 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Daily review 04/12/2024
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Date published: 5:30 pm, December 4th, 2024 - 16 comments
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other …
Luxon Takes A Beating
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Date published: 10:14 am, December 4th, 2024 - 19 comments
Five recent polls show that Kiwis are tired of the Coalition government, but will the trendline hold?
Open mike 04/12/2024
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Date published: 6:00 am, December 4th, 2024 - 26 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Daily review 03/12/2024
Written By:
Date published: 5:30 pm, December 3rd, 2024 - 5 comments
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other …
Open mike 03/12/2024
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Date published: 6:00 am, December 3rd, 2024 - 62 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Daily review 02/12/2024
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Date published: 5:30 pm, December 2nd, 2024 - 9 comments
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other …
Electric Shock
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Date published: 8:43 am, December 2nd, 2024 - 29 comments
New Zealand is one of the slowest countries in the developed world to transition from combustion to electric vehicles. The shocks we are seeing in Europe to car makers and car buyers herald more trouble ahead.
Open mike 02/12/2024
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Date published: 6:00 am, December 2nd, 2024 - 24 comments
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Hipkins’ Conference speech
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Date published: 4:35 pm, December 1st, 2024 - 31 comments
Text of Chris Hipkins’ speech to the 2024 Labour Party Conference.
Open mike 01/12/2024
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Date published: 6:00 am, December 1st, 2024 - 42 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Curia exited RANZ because Family First are unbalanced
Written By:
Date published: 4:49 pm, November 30th, 2024 - 6 comments
David Farrar’s company Curia abruptly exited the Research Association of New Zealand (RANZ) in August. It was triggered by a complaint about the fairness of the wording of a question in a April poll. This was a really bad poll, and this question a particularly egregious breach of any fairness. The question was paid for by Family Fi(r)st.
Reti secretly wants to privatise Health
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Date published: 8:20 am, November 30th, 2024 - 20 comments
Shane Reti has said publicly that privatising health is not his overt policy. Which suggests strongly that it is his covert policy, especially given that he wants to increase the relationship with and outsourcing to private operators.
Open mike 30/11/2024
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Date published: 6:00 am, November 30th, 2024 - 63 comments
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Caption contest
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Date published: 6:34 pm, November 29th, 2024 - 31 comments
Keep it seemly.
Daily review 29/11/2024
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Date published: 5:30 pm, November 29th, 2024 - 6 comments
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other …
The Australian under 16 social media ban
Written By:
Date published: 9:22 am, November 29th, 2024 - 23 comments
what did the Australians just do?
Open mike 29/11/2024
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Date published: 6:00 am, November 29th, 2024 - 66 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Economy Nose Dives
Written By:
Date published: 6:42 pm, November 28th, 2024 - 24 comments
The economy is tanking and Treasury has downgraded the forecasts again after “the government inherited finances in better shape than expected” in January. So who is Nicola Willis blaming, and Winston Peters too?
Daily review 28/11/2024
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Date published: 5:30 pm, November 28th, 2024 - 29 comments
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other …
It’s almost like we shouldn’t leave the climate crisis to the market
Written By:
Date published: 6:10 am, November 28th, 2024 - 59 comments
The collapse of SolarZero is a massive red flag.
Open mike 28/11/2024
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Date published: 6:00 am, November 28th, 2024 - 33 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Daily review 27/11/2024
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Date published: 5:30 pm, November 27th, 2024 - 2 comments
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other …
National’s dodgy health announcements
Written By:
Date published: 4:09 pm, November 27th, 2024 - 18 comments
National yesterday made great fanfare about an extra $30 million being spent on doctors and nurses. But news today of 1,500 health job cuts in the pipeline clearly shows how the extra funds are to be sourced.
If Seymour succeeds what happens to Ngāpuhi’s Treaty claim?
Written By:
Date published: 1:49 pm, November 27th, 2024 - 3 comments
If David Seymour’s Treaty Principles Bill is passed it may complicate Ngapuhi’s outstanding claim.
Open mike 27/11/2024
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Date published: 6:00 am, November 27th, 2024 - 39 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Daily review 26/11/2024
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Date published: 5:30 pm, November 26th, 2024 - 8 comments
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other …
Open mike 26/11/2024
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Date published: 6:00 am, November 26th, 2024 - 32 comments
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Daily review 25/11/2024
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Date published: 5:30 pm, November 25th, 2024 - 8 comments
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other …
CommentsOpinions
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- A housing market with bits tacked on doesn’t need many (if any) pure scientists
The humanities and social sciences panels of The Marsden fund will be disbanded and no longer supported, because “real impact on our economy will come from areas such as physics, chemistry, maths, engineering and biomedical sciences,” said Judith Collins. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMorena. Long stories short in Aotearoa’s ...3 hours ago - Cooking the Books
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This post is essentially an update on a very similar one I wrote seven years ago. Hamilton: City of the Future, the intervening years have confirmed those speculations. The case for good passenger rail service between our biggest city and its fast growing neighbour remains compelling. Below I offer a ...5 hours ago - Treasury to Government; cut super or raise taxes
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Subjection!Poor, unloved, disparaged, AT. What a thing to happen.In the Game of Thrones version, smirking Little Lord Simeon orders them to disrobe and commands them to parade along K Road, across the rainbow crossings, down Queen Street to Britomart while being pelted with trash, rotten produce and Big Mac boxes.Here ...20 hours ago - Government’s personal grievance changes will empower bad employers
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Health Minister Shane Reti has even more cuts in his sights. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMorena. Long stories short on Wednesday, December 4, with more detail and analysis in the podcast above:Health Minister Shane Reti says spending cuts will continue for an extra year into 2027 because of a ...1 day ago
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Auckland Transport has long been a easy punching bag for the public, politicians and media, sometimes deservedly so, other times not. That could all be about to change following an announcement yesterday by the Browns – Wayne and Simeon. Greater Auckland is brought to you by a largely volunteer crew ...1 day ago
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The latest polls are in.Mountain Tui is a reader-supported publication. And who could have guessed that a government that destroys the economy (‘economic vandalism on steroids’), tears up our public health system (‘National is BAD for health’), de-stabilises Crown-Māori relations (‘largest protest in modern history’), eviscerates environmental progress and protections ...1 day ago - It’s not easy being green
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- *THOSE* polls! And *NOT* a hung Parliament!
..Thanks for reading Frankly Speaking ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.One bad poll for a government can be dismissed as “rogue”. Two? That’s damaging.A recent Talbot Mills done for the Labour Party - released on 1 December - had startling results that would’ve raised ...2 days ago - Sabin 33 #5 – Is solar energy worse for the climate than burning fossil fuels?
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With the Reserve Bank’s move to cut the Official Cash Rate yesterday all eyes are now on next year’s Budget. And the question will be whether the blowout in health expenditure and the drop in tax revenue means the return to surplus will have to be delayed again until 2028-29. ...1 week ago
- Recorded webinar about climate change misinformation and disinformation
On November 6, 2024 the Consortium for Climate Risks in the Urban Northeast (CCRUN) hosted a webinar within the Green Infrastructure, Climate, and Cities Seminar Series about climate change misinformation and disinformation. CCRUN is a NOAA-funded initiative that has been studying the impact of climate change on the Northeast since 2010. ...1 week ago
- The Fascism of David Seymour: Censorship
Fascism is a strong word. Powerful. Dangerous.Wield it carefully, the right say, as they defend their politicians from nazi-like behaviour and participate in the dismantling of their own constitutional protections. If you throw it around at just anyone, they say, it weakens it. Fascism doesn’t mean anything when you use ...1 week ago - Let me through I’m here to make money
What kind of government is this, really? What moves it? What is its guiding light? Pretty simple, really. It is a dumb waiter delivering what its paymasters have ordered.And what moves these paymasters? What is their guiding light?Also pretty simple:Get out of my way I want to make moneyGet out ...1 week ago - Secrecy destroys trust: the case of the nuclear waste dump
Something I was not expecting to learn this morning: the government has built a secret nuclear waste dump in rural Manawatu: A facility for storing all of New Zealand’s radioactive waste has been secretly built near Palmerston North, in a decision neighbouring farmers have called “horrifying” and “deceptive”. The ...1 week ago
- RBNZ data highlights weak economy and labour market
“Unemployment is forecast to remain elevated until the end of 2025 and isn’t expected to fall back to its pre-recession lows within the forecast period. Without a plan to reduce it, we are choosing a permanently higher unemployment rate in New Zealand. It’s no wonder so many Kiwis are emigrating ...1 week ago
- Government smokescreen to downgrade climate ambition
Today the ACT-National Coalition Agreement pet project’s findings on “no additional warming” were released. ...19 hours ago - Release: Health NZ admits errors led to claimed deficit
Health New Zealand has exaggerated its deficit to justify job cuts. ...21 hours ago - Release: More cuts to research, science and innovation sector
The Government’s latest round of cuts to research and innovation targets the long-established and successful Marsden Fund. ...21 hours ago
- Govt guts funding for social sciences and humanities
The Government’s decision to axe all Humanities and Social Science research funding through the Marsden Fund is a massive step backwards. ...23 hours ago
- You can’t bank on pine trees in a climate crisis
Today’s Government announcement to limit farm forestry conversions tinkers around the edges, instead of focusing on the real problem and stopping pollution at the source. ...23 hours ago
- Release: Nicola Willis being sneaky with new taxes
Nicola Willis is refusing to rule out putting sneaky new taxes on Kiwi households. ...2 days ago
- Release: Govt benefit target even further out of reach
Christopher Luxon has once again failed to read the room and claimed success while life gets harder for everyday Kiwis. ...2 days ago
- Govt continues to punch down
The Government’s new initiative to get people off the benefit won’t address the core drivers of poverty such as low incomes, lack of access to adequate housing and lack of employment opportunities. ...2 days ago
- Release: Labour urges ACC to pull investments in Israel’s illegal settlements
Labour is urging ACC to divest from companies identified by the United Nations as complicit in the building and maintenance of Israel’s illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. ...3 days ago
- Release: Further evidence to stop school lunch cuts
A new report provides further proof that David Seymour should not be messing with the free school lunch programme. ...3 days ago
- Jamie Arbuckle: Inquiry into Banking Competition
This week was the start of the bank inquiry hearings into banking competition. The inquiry was confirmed in the NZ First/National Coalition agreement. 140 submissions were received on the inquiry, and we will hear from over 60 submitters including all the major banks. ANZ, New Zealand's largest bank, was first ...3 days ago - Casey Costello: What Once Was…
Entering politics is a privilege afforded to very few and, as the saying goes, with great power comes great responsibility. Being an MP is a call to service. Whatever your politics you have a duty to show up. Whatever your party's policy, you have made a promise to those who ...3 days ago
- Casey Costello: International Day of Older Persons
Throughout New Zealand it is difficult to think of a sports club, charity, church group, festival, foundation, or service organisation that does not owe its existence, effectiveness, or success to the contribution of older New Zealanders. October 1st is International Day of Older Persons so please take a moment to consider ...3 days ago
- NZ First Member’s Bill To Disestablish Auckland Transport
Today New Zealand First has introduced a Member’s Bill that will restore democratic control over transport management in Auckland City by disestablishing Auckland Transport (AT) and returning control to Auckland Council. The ‘Local Government (Auckland Council) (Disestablishment of Auckland Transport) Amendment Bill’ intends to restore democratic oversight, control, and accountability ...3 days ago
- Tanya Unkovich: It’s time to start the debate on palliative care as a ‘right’
There is one topic that is the great human leveller, and that is of death and dying. One day, we will all have to face it, and I am of the belief that being able to pass away with grace and dignity is a vital, basic, human right. How we ...3 days ago
- Mark Patterson: Farmers understand we have their backs
Spring is here which means the start of the A&P show season. Those treasured community days where town meets country. There's no rural-urban divide here, just a chance to meet up with family and old friends and celebrate all things that make rural New Zealand so special. I'm embarking on ...3 days ago
- Release: A Labour Government will not join AUKUS
New Zealand will not sign up to the nuclear-powered pillar one, or the pillar two of AUKUS under a Labour Government. ...4 days ago
- Release: Labour will build Dunedin Hospital
Labour will build Dunedin Hospital as it was committed to prior to election 2023. ...4 days ago
- Chris Hipkins: Speech to Labour Party Conference 2024
E ngā mana, e ngā reo, e ngā iwi, e rau rangatira ma Tena koutou tēnā koutou tēnā koutou katoa ...4 days ago
- Luxon Folds on ACT’s Treaty Principles Bill
Te Pāti Māori Co-Leader, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, is calling Luxon’s leadership a joke after it was revealed this morning on Q+A that ACT’s Treaty Principles Bill was not a bottom line. "New Zealand officially has a laughing-stock Prime Minister whose leadership folded as he trades away the rights of tangata whenua ...4 days ago
- Prime Minister shirks responsibility on global climate commitment
In an interview with Q&A this morning, the Prime Minister refused to say whether he would commit to meeting the Paris Agreement, the international climate agreement which commits all countries to act locally to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees. ...4 days ago
- Release: All workers deserve fair treatment
The Government’s latest change to the Employment Relations Act has no justification apart from making it easier to sack employees without having to follow due process. ...6 days ago
- COURT OF APPEAL RULING: SFO METHODS “OVERREACH, UNLAWFUL, OPPRESSIVE”
Today the Court of Appeal has found the Serious Fraud Office has been acting indiscriminately and unlawfully throughout an eight year long investigation. The SFO has shown their incompetence and arrogance and shown to be abusing their authority to conduct its own overreaching and unlawful fishing expeditions. The Court of Appeal said the SFO has relied on its misuse of compulsory interview ...6 days ago
- Covid Inquiry report underlines need to invest in Health
The Green Party says the report from the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Covid-19 Response underlines the need for proper investment in our health system so we are prepared for future pandemics. ...7 days ago
- Waititi Orders Police Withdraw from Matapihi
Te Pāti Māori co-leader and MP for Waiariki is demanding that the Police Minister immediately remove the heavy Police presence in the Matapihi community, as hundreds of officers saturate the Western Bay of Plenty area. “Minister Mitchell must intervene immediately and order the removal of the armed Police presence in ...7 days ago
- Release: Opposition parties unite on way forward to protect ECE
Early childhood education needs to be treated as a public good, say Labour, the Green Party, and Te Pāti Māori in their newly released report of findings from public hearings they held into the Government’s ECE Regulatory Review. ...1 week ago
- Government’s First Year a ‘Catastrophe for Māori’
Te Pāti Māori is calling the Government’s first year a catastrophe for Māori, following a year of policies that have done nothing but marginalise tangata-whenua. Today marks one year since the coalition was sworn into power. “This year has been an absolute catastrophe for Māori. This Government has fast-tracked us back ...1 week ago
- Release: 1500 Te Whatu Ora cuts will hurt New Zealanders’ health
Massive cuts across Health New Zealand/Te Whatu Ora demonstrate National’s willingness to risk the health of New Zealanders. ...1 week ago
- Release: Government to make public transport more expensive… again
The Government’s decision to push for significant fare increases on buses and trains over the next few years is a huge blow to communities across the country. ...1 week ago
- Release: National has given up on climate action
Climate action is missing from the list of things National is patting themselves on the back for one year on from becoming government. ...1 week ago
- Public transport fare hikes a disaster
The Government’s directive to councils to increase bus and train fares substantially over the next few years is a bitter pill to swallow for communities across the country. ...1 week ago
- Release: Minister leaves Community Housing Providers out in the cold
Housing Minister Chris Bishop’s speech to Community Housing Providers today should have been titled ‘we want you to build houses, but we refuse to spend money so you’re on your own’. ...1 week ago
- Green Party appalled by woeful Government offer to school support staff
Support staff across Aotearoa have been dealt yet another devastating blow with the release of the latest collective agreement offer from the Government. ...1 week ago
- Release: Chris Hipkins sad to hear about Nikki Kaye
"The news today that Nikki Kaye has passed away after her long battle with cancer is incredibly sad," Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...1 week ago
- Release: Government should be transparent on live exports
Targeted consultation on reinstating live cattle exports by sea won’t allow the New Zealand public to have their say. ...2 weeks ago
- NZ’s global climate rankings plummet as Govt removes agriculture from ETS
The Government has passed legislation to remove agriculture from the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) while Aotearoa’s reputation on climate action plummets. ...2 weeks ago
- Failed boot camp experiment must end
As legislation to set up boot camps passed its first reading, the Green Party urged the Government to abandon this failed policy experiment for the good of our rangatahi. ...2 weeks ago
- Gender-affirming care must centre evidence and health needs, not political posturing
The Ministry of Health has today released an evidence brief regarding the use of puberty blockers in gender-affirming healthcare, amid moves by the government to limit access. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: National doesn’t care about manufacturing
The National Government is walking away from our manufacturing sector with constant reports of closures and job losses. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: David Parker speech – Piketty, Inequality and Climate Change
David Parker's speech from the University of Auckland's forum on Piketty, Inequality and Climate Change in September 2024. ...2 weeks ago
- Survey results to drive change for tourism and hospitality workforce
Tourism and Hospitality Minister Matt Doocey has welcomed the data released today about the hospitality and tourism workforce. “Two of my key priorities include supporting the people who make up the tourism and hospitality workforce and growing the value of international tourism. In order to grow New Zealand’s international tourism ...36 minutes ago - Upgrading substations to improve reliability for Wellington metro rail
Wellington commuters will benefit from a $137.2 million funding boost that will deliver long overdue upgrades to substations on the city’s metro rail network and improve the reliability of services, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“Our Government is committed to delivering infrastructure that reduces congestion, boosts productivity to support economic growth, ...2 hours ago
- Record $434 million in community grants from Lotto NZ
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says Lotto NZ has granted $434 million to the community in the past financial year, an increase of 15 percent from the previous year. “It’s fantastic to see an increase in funding going to important community projects, providing opportunities for New Zealanders to ...2 hours ago
- Major review of competition to lift productivity
The Government has launched an ambitious review of New Zealand’s competition rules to combat monopolies and improve economic productivity, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Improving competition is one of the most important ways to boost productivity and lift living standards,” Mr Bayly says. “When competition is working ...3 hours ago
- NZ-Australia Ministers to discuss foreign policy, defence
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins will host the second Australia and New Zealand Foreign and Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ANZMIN) in Auckland tomorrow. “The ANZMIN is an important trans-Tasman forum for strengthening our alliance relationship and developing shared approaches to foreign policy, security, and ...3 hours ago
- Funding boost to strengthen Maritime’s rescue team
The Government has approved funding to increase staffing at Maritime New Zealand’s Rescue Coordination Centre, ensuring a critical boost in its search and rescue operations, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Associate Transport Minister Matt Doocey say.“Our Government is delivering an annual funding boost to New Zealand’s Rescue Coordination Centre to ...3 hours ago
- Government releases independent scientific review on biogenic methane science and targets
The Government will carefully consider the findings of the independent review on New Zealand’s biogenic methane science and targets, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts, and Associate Ministers of Agriculture Andrew Hoggard, and Mark Patterson have announced today. The panel of highly regarded, New Zealand ...20 hours ago
- New courthouses for Whanganui and Papakura
The Government has agreed to fund new courthouses for both Whanganui and Papakura to help improve access to justice and court timeliness, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Associate Minister Nicole McKee say. “In both cases the current buildings are not fit for purpose and need to be replaced. Staying put ...21 hours ago
- Positive progress for the NZ ETS
The New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme (NZ ETS) auction today has resulted in a partial clearance, showing work to restore credibility in the market is working, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “Today’s auction result shows the market is moving in the right direction to restore credibility in the NZ ...22 hours ago
- Catalyst Fund updated for global impact
Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology Judith Collins today announced an updated plan for the Catalyst Fund to be laser focused on clear outcomes and priority research areas. “We are taking a more strategic approach to science funding across the board, as we seek to deliver greater economic impact for ...23 hours ago
- Marsden Fund refocused for science with a purpose
Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology Judith Collins today announced the Government has updated the Marsden Fund to focus on core scientific research that helps lift our economic growth and contributes to science with a purpose. “The Government has been clear in its mandate to rebuild our economy. We are ...23 hours ago
- Speech to Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce and members
Removing rewards for poor employee behaviour Good afternoon everyone, and thank you Malcolm for that lovely introduction. It’s wonderful to be here today at MJH Engineering. Thank you to the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce and MJH Engineering for inviting me to speak and share some exciting announcements with you ...23 hours ago
- Govt delivers Māori Education Action Plan
The Government has released its Māori Education Action Plan which sets out its approach to deliver better outcomes in the classroom for Māori students, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “25 per cent of learners within our schooling system are Māori. While many achieve excellent results, on average Māori experience worse ...23 hours ago
- Removing rewards for poor employee behaviour
Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says it is important employees are not rewarded in the personal grievance system for poor behaviour or performance and is introducing changes to personal grievances to strengthen employee accountability. “Simplifying personal grievances is a policy ACT campaigned on, in particular, removing the ...24 hours ago
- Protecting NZ food production and ETS credibility
Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts have today announced clear rules to limit farm to forestry conversions entering the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). “These changes deliver on a key election commitment to protect food production for farmers while providing ETS certainty for foresters,” Mr ...1 day ago
- Fuel companies required to store more jet fuel
New rules will be introduced that require fuel companies to hold at least 10 days of jet fuel near the country’s busiest airport to provide resilience against supply disruptions, Associate Energy Minister Shane Jones says. “For more than seven years fuel companies have held jet fuel supplies at lower than ...1 day ago
- Strong growth in international student enrolments
New Zealand’s international education sector is rebounding strongly, up 24 per cent year-on-year and 6 per cent above 2023 totals, Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds says. “With 73,535 enrolments between January to August 2024, more enrolments have been achieved in just two terms this year than we saw ...1 day ago
- Speech to Early Childhood Education sector– Reducing red tape and barriers to ECE
When I was delegated responsibility for the ECE Sector from the Minister for Education it became immediately clear that my focus had to be on reducing red tape and regulatory obstacles for the early learning sector. While there is huge demand for ECEs from families across New Zealand, numbers show ...2 days ago
- Democracy restored to transport in Auckland
The Government is restoring democratic accountability to transport decision-making in Auckland, ensuring voters can hold their elected representatives responsible for the city's transport policies, Transport and Auckland Minister Simeon Brown, and Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown say."Aucklanders have become increasingly frustrated with how transport decisions are made and how little their ...2 days ago
- Health NZ makes progress on financial recovery
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says Health New Zealand is making encouraging progress recovering from a financial shambles left behind by the previous government. “Health NZ reported today that its revised budget for 2024/25 is a $1.1 billion deficit,” Dr Reti says. “That’s significantly lower than the $1.76 billion deficit they ...2 days ago
- Wait times for veterans improve
Additional funding in Budget 2024 has reduced the waiting list of veterans seeking medical and rehabilitation support, Veterans Minister Chris Penk says. “When we were elected a year ago, the Government made a commitment to improve New Zealand’s public services. As Veterans Minister this means improving access for veterans to ...2 days ago
- 30 per cent growth in international visitor spend
The latest International Visitor Survey shows that New Zealand continues to bounce back and the economy is benefiting from the shifting trends in international visitation, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Matt Doocey says. International Visitor Survey results for the year ending September 2024 released today show a promising increase of 30 ...2 days ago
- New data shows fewer victims of violent crime
New data shows an encouraging reduction in the number of victims of violent crime, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “The latest New Zealand Crime and Victims Survey shows there were 14,000 fewer victims of crime nationwide over the 12 months to August 2024, than there were over the 12 months ...2 days ago
- Government open for business on market-led infrastructure proposals
The Government has released new guidelines for market-led proposals to clarify how market participants can contribute innovative ideas for solving New Zealand’s infrastructure problems, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Parliamentary Under-Secretary Simon Court say. A market-led approach is where a private sector player wishes to deal directly with Government with ...3 days ago
- Speech to Stuff Infrastructure Panel Event
Introduction Good afternoon to you all. I am glad to be here today to discuss changes we are making to the infrastructure system, which will lay the foundations for New Zealand to prosper. Thanks to Infrastructure New Zealand and The Post for organising this event, and Chapman Tripp for hosting ...3 days ago
- Speech to The Post Infrastructure Panel Event
Introduction Good afternoon to you all. I am glad to be here today to discuss changes we are making to the infrastructure system, which will lay the foundations for New Zealand to prosper. Thanks to Infrastructure New Zealand and The Post for organising this event, and Chapman Tripp for hosting ...3 days ago
- Targets data positive but action needed on welfare
The second quarterly update on the nine Government targets shows a range of areas moving in the right direction but underlines the need for robust measures to get people off welfare and into work, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says. “The Government’s ambitious targets put Kiwis first by driving outcomes that ...3 days ago
- More support to help people on benefit into work
Up to 70,000 job seekers are to receive a new, more comprehensive needs assessment of the challenges holding them back from finding work and a personalised job plan to help overcome them. “Individual Job Plans are a significant step forward in the Government’s efforts to provide welfare that works for ...3 days ago
- New Funding and Financing Framework released
Cabinet has agreed to an ambitious new Funding and Financing Framework to help the Crown make smarter and more informed funding and financing decisions, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop says. “Improving the way we fund and finance infrastructure will help drive better value for money from public investment, make public investment ...3 days ago
- Open work rights unlocked for Partners of Skilled Migrants
The Government has today taken steps to ensure New Zealand attracts and retains the workers and skills it needs by returning open work rights to partners of high-skilled migrants. “Starting today, the partners of Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) holders in higher-skilled roles will be eligible for open work rights. ...3 days ago
- ‘Twelve Days of Giving’ to encourage generosity
Growing the amount of philanthropic giving across New Zealand is the aim of the Twelve Days of Giving campaign launched today alongside Philanthropy New Zealand, Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Louise Upston says. “New Zealand is one of the most charitable countries in the world, with an estimated $3.8 billion worth of ...3 days ago
- NZ welcomes Singapore food security delegation
Minister for Trade and Agriculture Todd McClay today welcomes a delegation from Singapore, who are in New Zealand for a food security mission. “The visit will strengthen our trade and investment ties and demonstrate how New Zealand’s world-leading agri-food ecosystem can support Singapore’s long-term food security. “This mission will elevate ...3 days ago
- Mautohe Cathedral Cove reopens to walkers
The Government has delivered on its promise to restore public walking access to the popular Mautohe Cathedral Cove in time for Summer 2024-2025. The walking track to the famous Coromandel beach - renowned for its natural rock arch feature and idyllic waters – was severely damaged by extreme weather events ...4 days ago
- Increased medicines access continues following budget boost
Associate Health Minister with responsibility for Pharmac David Seymour is pleased to see further increased availability of medicines for Kiwis following the Government’s increased investment in Pharmac. “Pharmac operates independently, but it must work within the budget constraints set by the Government,” says Mr Seymour. “When this Government assumed office, ...4 days ago
- New infrastructure agency up and running
From today the Government’s new national infrastructure agency is up and running, acting as the shopfront for investors into public infrastructure and the centre of expertise on funding and financing for infrastructure projects, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop says. “National committed to a national infrastructure agency during the 2023 election campaign, ...4 days ago
- NZ and United Kingdom strengthen partnership
New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters and United Kingdom Foreign Secretary David Lammy held the inaugural annual New Zealand-United Kingdom Foreign Ministers’ Dialogue today in London. “The United Kingdom is our oldest, and one of our closest and most trusted partners,” Mr Peters says. “While we are separated ...5 days ago
- Minister reminds public health officials of priorities
Minister of Health Dr Shane Reti says the National Public Health Service should concentrate its focus on prioritising serious public health issues facing New Zealanders. “Earlier this week I was informed about an 8-page submission by the southern arm of the NPHS regarding a proposed fast food outlet in Wanaka,” ...6 days ago
- World class visitor centre for Punakaiki
Sightseers to the iconic Punakaiki (Pancake Rocks and Blowholes Track) will enjoy a richer experience thanks to a world class visitor experience centre run by local Iwi, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says. This state-of-the-art facility provides visitors to the West Coast with a high-quality experience and helps boost the region’s ...6 days ago
- Healthy Homes Initiative improves health of more than 200,000 people
A five-year evaluation of the Healthy Homes Initiative has demonstrated the positive impact of warm, dry homes on the health and wellbeing of more than 200,000 people. The Healthy Homes Initiative, led by Health New Zealand, helps families living in cold, damp homes, providing support like education, beds and bedding, ...6 days ago
- A year of concrete progress for infrastructure and transport
In a busy year of delivery, the Government has made concrete progress toward improving the foundations of the infrastructure system and addressing New Zealand’s infrastructure deficit, and is streets ahead when it comes to getting transport back on track, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown say. “It ...6 days ago
- National Government Continues To Punish People For Being Poor
This National government continues to gaslight those experiencing poverty and they're so clearly out of touch with what's happening on the frontline, it's disappointing, embarrassing and to be frank quite reckless. ...25 minutes ago - Juliet Gerrard: Funding the whole pie
Humanities and social sciences research is no longer eligible for the Marsden Fund. It’s a tiny portion of our overall research funding, yet makes a massive impact – and without it, the pie starts to crumble, writes a former Marsden Fund chair. The frustrating thing about crazy ideas is that ...36 minutes ago - Government won’t buy overseas carbon credits to meet targets, Todd McClay says
The Government would more than a year's worth of the whole country's greenhouse gases short of meeting its international promises, by latest calculations. ...52 minutes ago - Farmers payout for 2,4,5-T herbicide exposure tip of the iceberg – lawyer says
There may be many more New Zealanders eligible for compensation, the lawyer for a farmer with terminal cancer who has been paid $160,000 says. ...2 hours ago
- From classroom to studio: How Mukpuddy’s Ryan Cooper made it in animation
Mukpuddy co-founder Ryan Cooper has been working in the animation industry for over 20 years. He shares his advice on staying competitive in the industry, what trends to look out for, and what he looks for when hiring people himself. The animation industry today is more diverse, creative, and far-reaching ...2 hours ago
- A ball-by-ball analysis of backyard cricket at the prime minister’s house
Christopher Luxon hosted the Black Caps and visiting English test team at Premier House earlier this week. Joel MacManus took extensive notes of every moment from the 30 reportable minutes. On Tuesday evening, prime minister Christopher Luxon welcomed the New Zealand and England men’s teams to Premier House ahead of ...2 hours ago
- Ministry of Disabled People fronts to MPs about funding challenges
Whaikaha's chief executive told MPs the way its funding problem had been handled "will not happen again". ...3 hours ago
- Help Me Hera: I watched Past Lives and now I can’t stop thinking about an old friend
We’re both in happy relationships with other people now. Is it insane to reminisce about the time we secretly, almost, maybe fell in love? Want Hera’s help? Email your problem to helpme@thespinoff.co.nz Dear Hera, Many years ago, a platonic relationship with a friend came close to becoming a romantic one. The timing was ...3 hours ago
- Government moves to restrict foresty on farmland will hamper climate efforts – Foresty Owners ...
The Forestry Owners Association says they're trying to fix a problem that doesn't exist and are using a blunt tool to do so. ...4 hours ago
- Chatbots won’t help anyone make weapons of mass destruction. But other AI systems just might
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Heslop, Associate Professor of Population Health, UNSW Sydney Cybermagician / Shutterstock Over the past two years, we have seen much written about the “promise and peril” of artificial intelligence (AI). Some have suggested AI systems might aid in the construction ...4 hours ago - Social media platforms are throttling access to news – with far-reaching implications for democrac...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cameron McTernan, Lecturer of Media and Communication, University of South Australia Evgenii Panov/Shutterstock Just days out from the United States presidential election last month, X (formerly Twitter) suddenly crippled the ability of many major media and political organisations to reach audiences ...4 hours ago
- NZ is consulting the public on regulations for puberty blockers – this should be a medical decisio...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rona Carroll, Senior Lecturer, Department of Primary Health Care and General Practice, University of Otago Getty Images The growing politicisation and rise in misinformation about the use of puberty blockers for gender-affirming healthcare has resulted in bans and restrictions internationally. New ...4 hours ago
- The genetic risk of depression is a stronger predictor of heart problems in women than men: new rese...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jiayue-Clara Jiang, Postdoctoral Researcher in Human Genomics, The University of Queensland Bricolage/Shutterstock Heart disease is the leading cause of death globally in both men and women. It accounts for one in three deaths for Australian women, yet women with heart ...4 hours ago
- Australia boasts some of the world’s most stunning beetles. Look out for these 5 beauties this sum...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tanya Latty, Associate Professor, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney Rainbow stag beetle (Phalacrognathus muelleri) Shutterstock Beetles are the most diverse group of animals on Earth, accounting for nearly a quarter of all known animal species. Australia is ...4 hours ago
- The south Auckland township that’s a city in the making
"It's the transition of farmland and 10-acre blocks into high density, urban living," a local councillor says as a town turns into a city. ...5 hours ago
- Fireworks in scrutiny week as Health boss accused of ‘cooking the books’
A Labour MP has been warned her comments could be defamatory, explains Stewart Sowman-Lund for The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. ...5 hours ago
- Anne Salmond: Govt de-funding the mind
Well, its official. The word has come down from on high. According to the Beehive, cabinet ministers don’t need evidence-based insights into the needs and experiences of New Zealanders, or the lives of human beings in general. They already have perfect knowledge of these matters.The sheer improbability of this is breathtaking. It ...5 hours ago - ‘We know what we need to do, now let’s make it happen’
New Zealand’s infrastructure deficit, the long, long list of investments that need to be made to transform communities and the economy, is far from insurmountable.While it can look overwhelming, Beca’s major projects and delivery chief specialist Gerard Lieshout, believes much has been achieved already and many projects can be achieved ...6 hours ago
- What next for the OCR?
Economists expect another 50bp drop in February, so should you float and wait for it? ...6 hours ago
- Universities criticise Marsden Fund cuts, business group backs the move
A senior acadameic says the changes are short-sighted, but a business group says it will boost productivity and economic growth. ...6 hours ago
- Is New Zealand – and the world – doing enough to tackle the plastic problem?
With a rubbish heap of recent plastic headlines, Shanti Mathias explains what progress New Zealand has made – and how much further the international community has to go. Plastic is everywhere, even when you don’t want it to be. It’s definitely in your house, covering the roads you cross thanks ...7 hours ago
- Meta is fighting scam ads in Australia – but has ‘no plans’ to do so in NZ
The tough approach of Australia’s regulators and policymakers towards big tech is paying off for its citizens, who are getting far stronger protections than New Zealanders. Duncan Greive explains. Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has announced it will finally begin verifying those advertising financial services in Australia, ...7 hours ago
- Newsroom daily quiz, Thursday 5 December
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp');Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions.The post Newsroom daily quiz, Thursday 5 December appeared first on Newsroom. ...7 hours ago
- The birth of a city
To most people Drury is just a sign on the side of Auckland’s Southern Motorway.It used to be called Dreary Drury, a rural village surrounded by farms 36km from the city centre.But just two minutes off the motorway is the start of a city in the making where earthmovers are ...7 hours ago
- Book of the Week: ‘Does she really need to be such a bitch?’
Some jobs come with benefits. Teaching never did. I became a TV critic by chance. A lazy newspaper editor knew I could do book and film reviews. In an early review – Top Gear, before Clarkson was rendered acceptable by farming – I mentioned I would like a VW Golf. I ...7 hours ago
- Daily crossword, Thursday 5 December
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- Can you copyright a rowing machine?
Analysis: If you’ve spent any time in night markets in New Zealand or elsewhere, you’ll likely have seen ‘Lucci’ bags, ‘Abidas’ sneakers, and $10 ‘authentic’ football jerseys. Product designers hoping to prevent unauthorised reproductions like this can try their luck under copyright law, although how successful they are will depend ...7 hours ago
- Expanded working rights a boon for migrants, but tough job market awaits
Amidst pandemic-level unemployment, the Government hopes to lure migrants as Kiwi departures plateau at a record high The post Expanded working rights a boon for migrants, but tough job market awaits appeared first on Newsroom. ...7 hours ago
- Labour’s tax time-warp is naive and fanciful
Opinion: Labour should ditch the capital gains tax policy or squander the chance to get back into power The post Labour’s tax time-warp is naive and fanciful appeared first on Newsroom. ...7 hours ago
- Methane review offers nothing new, but it was never meant to
Analysis: The Government’s review of New Zealand’s methane targets has successfully reproduced two earlier pieces of research, offering nothing new to inform what emissions reductions should be expected from farmers.Five scientists were tasked by Climate Minister Simon Watts and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay with calculating what level of cut to ...7 hours ago
- Time for action on the Seriously Flawed Office
Comment: A stinging court judgment on the unlawful behaviour of the Serious Fraud Office needs serious political attention, in the interests of justice The post Time for action on the Seriously Flawed Office appeared first on Newsroom. ...7 hours ago
- NZers hit by $90m in excess card payment surcharges
Consumers are being stung with inflated prices The post NZers hit by $90m in excess card payment surcharges appeared first on Newsroom. ...7 hours ago
- Year 4 students just achieved their best ever result in a major maths and science test
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nicole Wernert, Senior Research Fellow, Australian Council for Educational Research DGLImages/Shutterstock Australian Year 4 students have achieved their best ever result in a major international assessment of maths and science. Year 8 students, who also did the test, held steady. ...14 hours ago
- Donna Nelson’s guilty verdict is not an aberration. Japan has a high criminal conviction rate for ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James C. Fisher, Lecturer, Australian National University Australian grandmother Donna Nelson was convicted today by a panel of three judges and six jurors of illegally transporting nearly two kilograms of drugs into Japan. She was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment. As typically ...15 hours ago
- This year, Arab-American political power came to the fore over Gaza
ANALYSIS: By Rami G Khouri One of the major political developments in the United States that has got little attention in the wake of the Democrats’ astounding loss in the November 5 elections is the success of Arab American political organising. A new generation of political activists has emerged that ...15 hours ago
- What should you do if your child’s school has not done well in NAPLAN this year?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jessica Holloway, Senior Research DECRA Fellow, Institute for Learning Sciences and Teacher Education, Australian Catholic University Lubo Ivanko/Shutterstock NAPLAN 2024 results for individual schools were released on Wednesday. This follows national and individual student results earlier this year. ...15 hours ago
- How Does Te Tiriti o Waitangi Compare To Treaties In Other Colonial Countries?
Aotearoa is unique among settler colonial states in having one treaty with the indigenous people, but how does that compare with treaties made with other first nations in Canada, the US and Australia? ...16 hours ago
- Emissions Trading Scheme ‘will fail’ without radical reform – Rod Carr
ETS is the government's major tool for lowering planet-heating gases that contribute to heating, droughts and extreme floods and storms around the globe. ...16 hours ago
- Australians still feeling pain in the hip-pocket but there are positive signs of growth ahead
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Bartos, Professor of Economics, University of Canberra Pintira18/Shutterstock Australia’s economic growth remains in the slow lane, at only 0.3% for the September quarter, keeping Australia close to recession territory. However, the national accounts data released on Wednesday by the Australian ...17 hours ago
- An Investigation In The Carbon Emissions Of Members Of Parliament (MPs) In NZ
This study was sparked by an interest in examining New Zealand’s carbon emissions, focusing on specific corporations and groups within the country. It reflects a global trend of heightened environmental awareness as individuals and organisations increasingly ...17 hours ago
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