Open Mike 14/09/2016

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, September 14th, 2016 - 153 comments
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153 comments on “Open Mike 14/09/2016 ”

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  1. Paul 1
    14 September 2016 at 6:24 am

    DOC criticised for allowing cows in river.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Qh0DElgQq0

    • Cinny 2.1
      14 September 2016 at 6:42 am

      After watching the interaction with Winny and Blingish in the house yesterday, I’m feeling even more confident that he won’t go with the nasty nats

    • Enough is Enough 2.2
      14 September 2016 at 11:34 am

      But we don’t Winston Trump with us either.

      Lets be ambitious for the Left and strive for a Labour/Green government with no NZFirst bigots anywhere near the cabinet room

  3. Ffloyd 3
    14 September 2016 at 6:35 am

    I see that Key will be winning the next election, as decreed by the Herald.

    • Paul 3.1
      14 September 2016 at 6:37 am

      The Herald.
      What a rag.

    • Cinny 3.2
      14 September 2016 at 6:38 am

      Lolz I read that propaganda too.

      • Paul 3.2.1
        14 September 2016 at 7:07 am

        I am certain the media has played a major role in sustaining 9 years of extreme neoliberal rule over this country.
        Just imagine how a neutral press would deal with Key and his gang. We got a brief glimpse he would not have coped from the BBC Hard Talk interview a few years ago.
        Then imagine if Key had to face the outright hostility and partisanship of a left wing media. He would not have lasted 6 months.
        Who owns the media is a BIG part of the problem

        • Colonial Viper 3.2.1.1
          14 September 2016 at 8:36 am

          I am certain the media has played a major role in sustaining 30 years of extreme neoliberal rule over this country.

          FIFY

        • Draco T Bastard 3.2.1.2
          14 September 2016 at 8:38 am

          Who owns the media is a BIG part of the problem

          QFT

          Another example of capitalism failing.

  4. Garibaldi 4
    14 September 2016 at 7:24 am

    Don’t read the Herald. It’s that simple. Reading that crap only encourages them and increases their “readership” .

  5. Colonial Viper 5
    14 September 2016 at 7:46 am

    Some useful information on signs, symptoms, treatment and caring of late stage Parkinsons disease.

    It usually takes many years for a case to progress to this stage, and it will be obvious to close friends, family and colleagues.

    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3038575/

    • joe90 5.1
      14 September 2016 at 8:26 am

      Considering his family history, Trump’s memory loss, lies and confabulation raise the possibility that we’re witnessing early-onset dementia and paint a pretty grim picture regarding his mental competence.

      That’s the real health concern in this election.

      http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_stages_of_alzheimers.asp

      (see, two can play)

      • Colonial Viper 5.1.1
        14 September 2016 at 8:32 am

        I didn’t mention anything about the US Presidential elections or candidates.

        Trump is releasing the results of his full medical in a couple of days, and I agree that his data should be fully examined and questioned.

        Meanwhile, you need to consider the mounting evidence in front of your nose.

      • Gabby 5.1.2
        14 September 2016 at 10:21 am

        Those poor poor yanker bastards really have nobody to vote for.

    • TheExtremist 5.2
      14 September 2016 at 9:42 am

      You actually expect us believe you weren’t making a pointed comment about Clinton?

      • Colonial Viper 5.2.1
        14 September 2016 at 10:07 am

        Consider it an exercise in free association.

        • TheExtremist 5.2.1.1
          14 September 2016 at 10:26 am

          Bullshit – it was attempt to again twist the conversation to your agenda

          • McFlock 5.2.1.1.1
            14 September 2016 at 12:10 pm

            while being too cowardly to own the bulshit point he was making.

            My “free association” path went thusly:
            monomaniacal obsessive who’s been inventing and spreading rumours about the health of a candidate he doesn’t like posts random article on a degenerative disease. Sudden cure for his obsession? Unlikely. More likely another smear, this time more cowardly after being ripped into for overtly inventing shit.

          • Colonial Viper 5.2.1.1.2
            14 September 2016 at 12:14 pm

            And what “agenda” is that, TheExtremist? Remember, Bill Clinton’s DNC Chair has come forward publicly and said that the party needs to consider readying a contingency plan covering Hillary withdrawing due to health reasons.

            • Andre 5.2.1.1.2.1
              14 September 2016 at 1:29 pm

              Amanda Marcotte nails it, again: “Clinton’s health is Obama’s birth certificate all over again: A barely disguised way for conservatives to wallow in bigotry”

              http://www.salon.com/2016/09/13/clintons-health-is-obamas-birth-certificate-all-over-again-a-barely-disguised-way-for-conservatives-to-wallow-in-bigotry/

              • One Two …
                14 September 2016 at 1:55 pm

                That the articles premise appeals to your own fears does not mean ‘it was nailed’

                The comparison is a false equivalence

                The only way Clintons health is not a serious problem based on the ‘evidence’ available is if the entire situation is a hoax…

                Sick or a hoax are the only options Andre!

                • Andre …
                  14 September 2016 at 2:01 pm

                  Pneumonia is almost always easily cured by antibiotics and rest.

                  What ails Trump and his supporters, no easy remedy.

                  • McFlock …
                    14 September 2016 at 2:07 pm

                    well – a functioning education system and effective counselling when warning signs are first exhibited, maybe.

                  • One Two …
                    14 September 2016 at 3:52 pm

                    Andre, your responses and perspective are barley at an elementary level using your comments for reference

                    The current POTUS is a war mongering Nobel Peace Prize Laureatte, then the party you appear to favour were exposed for committing a form of electoral fraud to ensure that a physically and mentally ill candidate would ‘prevail’ at ANY cost

                    My opinion is that perspectives such as yours are a primary reason why The USA is the disaster nation it now is. The ‘average american’ has allowed it to eventuate and are 99% responsible for the national and international wrong doings. The same is true in NZ and elsewhere, the ‘average kiwi’ is perpetuating the problems

                    Attachmemt to the system, any system is the problem so why are you seemingly comfortable as an American citizen to enable the farce to continue by taking a side?

                    Doing so lowers your own level

                    • Andre …
                      14 September 2016 at 5:10 pm

                      Ok One Two, here’s a challenge for you. Explain to us why it will be better if Trump gets elected than if Clinton wins. With evidence.

                      Here’s your incentive. If you persuade me, I’ll have a go at persuading my friends and rellies. There’s around 20 votes I might be able to influence, most of them in swing states.

                      Go on, show us the power of those higher frequencies you hear that you keep telling us about.

                    • One Two []
                      14 September 2016 at 6:57 pm

                      Andre you are entirely missing the point…

                      What you the friends and rellies need to be doing is identifying the total disaster that is USA politics, and every system of governance/administration executive branch etc which directly and indirectly hangs from the rotten corpse that’rules the world’

                      It doesn’t matter who you vote for, the deck is stacked on all sides it makes no difference which broken soul becomes POTUS. Look at the core outcomes it’s all the same and then ask yourself WHY the direction isn’t changing

                      Detaching from the ‘drama’ is the best course of action because feeding it with energy is to endorse what the status quo represents

                    • Andre …
                      14 September 2016 at 7:27 pm

                      “Detaching from the drama” certainly seems attractive while sucking on a bong. But even if I (and my friends and rellies) successfully detach, in late January next year either Clinton or Trump will be inaugurated as POTUS.

                      Should we choose to, in the real world, we could have a very small influence on which one of those it will be. And despite what your higher frequencies are telling you, the entire world will have a very different future depending on which one of those two becomes POTUS. Just like the world would now almost certainly be a very different place had Gore become POTUS instead of Bush the lesser.

                      There is literally nothing I or my rellies and friends can realistically do to bring about anything more than incremental reform of the rotten system the real world has delivered us.

                      If you disagree and think there are actual actions we could realistically do that will bring about actual change, please do tell. Because detaching to listen to the higher frequencies just lets the rotten bastards further consolidate their hold.

                    • One Two []
                      14 September 2016 at 9:08 pm

                      Andre I understand your semtiments as well as the desire for influence into the process

                      There are a number of assumptions in your comment which are not at all “reality’ based

                      Reality needs to be created, it should not be created for you, because then you are allowing others to create ‘your reality’. Others who already destroy kill and maim as standard practice

                      Continuing to support the decayed corpse will only serve to prolong its existence to the detriment of all living and life giving systems

                      The status quo will remain if given oxygen. It can’t and won’t be ‘changed’ by feeding it nor is there time to waste on wishful ‘incrimentalist’ fantasy

                      I appreciate it’s not an easy concept to wrap ones consciousness around, but failing to do so ensures a rapid decline in human existence along with the natural world

                      Genuine change will happen outside the systems you belive can be changed from within…staying involved with systems you can’t ever beat ensures that violent outcomes will only increase for ‘all’

                      Make change make plans make a garden and control the outcomes by creating your own reality

                      That is the essence of ‘life’

    • Rosie 6.1
      14 September 2016 at 8:49 am

      That was an excellent article thanks marty mars. All 10 points are situations we’ve all witnessed, or many of us will have observed.

      One thing that jumped out was the “percentage question”. Pakeha just don’t get asked this, as white, we’re seen as just white. Some of us with Celtic roots will talk among one another about our own genealogy , often it turns out our ancestors came from the same areas, and if your family is from the Highlands of Scotland you can almost count on being related. It’s never discussed in a percentage term. Like a piece of maths.

      But Maori are.

      I grew up with this “percentage” faux fixation because the Pakeha side of the family was always intrigued to see how they could break down the Maori side of family into ethnic units. (It was the 70’s!) What blew that outdated old way of looking at things was a visit to a Robyn Kahukiwa exhibition.

      The Maori friend I was with took me over to a female mannequin who had been painted over with lines forming squares and other shapes with numbers and a percentage sign in those marked out areas. My friend said “see, the numbers don’t matter, the woman is still a whole woman”. Visually, the mannequin looked like it was a side of beef about to be carved up. The artist was making a point about how crass and false this speak of percentages is. Good learnings from younger years.

    • Chooky 6.2
      14 September 2016 at 9:37 am

      RNZ and Kathryn Ryan have done some good interviews lately

      ‘What does it mean to be ‘White Māori’?’

      http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/201814861/what-does-it-mean-to-be-'white-maori‘

      “Victoria University students, Kahu Kutia and Kayla Polamalu talk to Kathryn Ryan about growing up with two different identities in New Zealand, and about the term ‘White Māori’.

      They have Māori and Pākehā parentage. Recently Kahu wrote an article for the Victoria University’s magazine, Salient, titled If You’re From Waimana, Why Are You White?…

      ‘Actor’s love affair with the language’ -Jennifer Ward-Lealand started learning Te Reo Māori by attending weekly night classes

      http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/teahikaa/audio/201815199/actor's-love-affair-with-the-language

  7. Tony Veitch (not the partner-bashing 3rd rate broadcaster) 7
    14 September 2016 at 8:01 am

    Latest Polls Show Nominating Hillary Was A Huge Mistake

    “When the people are presented with a Republican, or someone who sounds like a Republican, they choose the Republican every time.”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msiBZwqLhzA

  8. Colonial Viper 8
    14 September 2016 at 8:12 am

    it is almost awe inspiring to recognise how the Deep State working in coordination with the mass media can keep massive secrets from people for years.

    And how willing and easily dozens of people are willing to act together to deceive the public in the pursuit of seeking and maintaining power.

    • Garibaldi 8.1
      14 September 2016 at 8:14 am

      Yes CV .Like Kennedy and 9/11.

      • Chooky 8.1.1
        14 September 2016 at 8:33 am

        +100…and it is amazing how many put their heads in the sand when the official story lines are leaking with inconsistencies, false reports… and lies , lies, lies

        …the stooges are always countering and supporting the official story, even when academics and engineers and insiders and impartial observers disagree with the official story ( the stooges denigrate them as Conspiracy theorists or truthers)

        Deep State has tentacles everywhere

  9. Chooky 9
    14 September 2016 at 8:19 am

    Corporate corruption in politics ( Brexit was a good thing then?)

    ‘Time to rethink EU as Manuel Barroso heads to Goldman Sachs’

    https://www.rt.com/op-edge/359204-barroso-junker-eu-goldman-sachs/

    “Manuel Barroso will be seen as a lobbyist and is going to have a big problem wielding influence on behalf of the Goldman Sachs, economist and author Keith Boyfield told RT.

    The former EU president is to face an ethics inquiry over taking a lucrative role as adviser at US investment bank Goldman Sachs…

  10. The Lone Haranguer 10
    14 September 2016 at 9:40 am

    Please educate me.

    Most polls seem to have about a 3% wriggle room clause in them when they get reported to the public. The other day a poll came out, again with a 3% margin of error.

    So does that mean the party on 46% could be between 43% and 49% and the party on 2% could be -1% and 5%, or does it mean a 46% party could be between 44.6% and 47.4%

    Thanks

    • Colonial Viper 10.1
      14 September 2016 at 12:20 pm

      Yeah its an absolute +/-3%

      So 2% = a range of 0% to 5%

    • McFlock 10.2
      14 September 2016 at 12:58 pm

      No, it’s not an “absolute”.

      The error bounds indicate how close the observation of the random sample is likely to be to the actual support of the population, based on the arbitrary “confidence” level the pollsters chose. You can’t have “-1” popularity, so the error margin narrows the farther away from the 50% central value you get.

      Roughly speaking, if you have a survey has a confidence leval of 95% and the error margin is +-3%, you would expect the actual support in the country to be 47 to 53% 95% of the time, but there’s a 1 in 20 chance that the actual value is outside that 47:53 range. The farther outside that range, the lower the probability though.

      However, if a party was much farther away from the center in the survey, say on 5% or 95% support (in a normal distribution it’s symmetrical), the 95% confidence margin for error would be only say 1.4%, so the party’s actual support might be 3.6% to 6.4%, 19 out of 20 times.

      check out the bottom of this report from Roy Morgan.

      proviso: the assumption above is based on random samples from throughout the voting population. In reality, there could well be systemic errors that push the observed results farther away from the actual, e.g. phoning lots of people who just want to talk, while the people who are busy tell the pollsters to go away. The might not get representative samples of young people, or minorities, so they give the respondents they do get from those groups greater weight to estimate what would happen if the socioeconomic distribution of their sample actually matched the population. And so on. It’s slightly better than crystal ball gazing, but often not much.

      All of the above is why one survey or datapoint is meaningless – you can’t form an opinion without long term trends over all polls, and by then it’s meaningless because the polls are too far apart and inconsistent. And you sure can’t attribute a single poll result to what happened during the poll period, journalists and pollsters love doing it but it’s fucking stupid. You might be able to look at the trends before and after, and if you’re really lucky you can see a sudden jump/drop in the trend at the same time that the event happened in a vacuum, but those are few and far between and generally only good for academics looking back from a distance.

      ps: CV doesn’t know shit.

      • Colonial Viper 10.2.1
        14 September 2016 at 4:06 pm

        I clarified their understanding of the margin of error in 1/20 of the words you used.

        I stand by my use of “absolute” +/-3% as opposed to 3% (1/34) of whatever the poll result was.

        I admit though yours is the most technically correct answer.

        ps: CV doesn’t know shit.

        Don’t be so childish. Sticks and stones.

        • McFlock 10.2.1.1
          14 September 2016 at 4:36 pm

          No, you gave a completely incorrect response:

          Yeah its an absolute +/-3%

          So 2% = a range of 0% to 5%

          No. The margin for error exponentially reduces as it approaches the fringes.
          A 2% observation might only have an MoE in the ballpark of 0.5% or less, depending on sample size. A 0.5% observation might have an MoE of 0.03%.

          The question was specific, as was your answer. Your answer was specifically incorrect. It clarified nothing, and suggested that Mana might be regarded as having as much as 3.5% popularity when it polls a barely-detectable 0.5%.

          You were utterly misleading and outright wrong. Saying that you don’t know shit was going light on you, given that this is a secondary-school level error.

  11. Draco T Bastard 11
    14 September 2016 at 10:23 am

    3 Ways the Trans Pacific Partnership Will Help Corporations—While Ruining the Climate

    Trade rules should move countries together towards sustainability. Instead, they consistently allow multinational corporations to continue polluting.

    Free trade deals, and in particular the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), have taken a beating this election season. Most of the noise on trade from Presidential candidates Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton has focused on the loss of jobs linked to the offshoring. Much less attention has been paid to the serious impact the TPP and past trade agreements will have on our ability to respond to climate change.

    In a new report on the TPP and climate commitments made by countries as part of the Paris climate agreement, we found that trade rules consistently benefit multinational corporations in high greenhouse gas emitting sectors like agriculture and energy, while creating barriers for governments in setting climate-related policies.

    Our analysis found that the Trans Pacific Partnership expands the scope of past trade agreements to harm the climate in three important ways:

    As I say, much easier and better to set standards that other countries must meet before we trade with them rather than FTAs that force us to trade with those not up to our standards.

    EDIT:

    The official signing of the Paris climate treaty is an important first step toward a global response to climate change. But no climate deal will work if it is not supported by other policies. The TPP and the WTO are outdated trade regimes modeled on 19th century ideas. The 21st century demands something very different—trade rules that move countries together towards sustainability, starting with the urgent need to curb greenhouse gas emissions and support adaptations to climate change.

    This.

  12. Brigid 12
    14 September 2016 at 11:14 am

    I got an email from Greenpeace this morning. It said,
    “Early this morning we travelled to the proposed site of the Ruataniwha irrigation dam in Hawke’s Bay. With a small crane we uplifted the construction site office, put it on the back of a truck and drove it 100kms to Napier. There we left it at the door of the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council (HBRC).”

    • rhinocrates 13.1
      14 September 2016 at 12:09 pm

      A hard-headed assessment of Labour’s performance cannot but conclude that the party lacks talent along with basic political competence. Contrast its current frontbench with those that preceded Labour victories in 1984 or 1999.

      (Very) Little’s way of dealing with the deadwood of his party has been abject surrender to their demands for status, blocking the promotion of much-needed latent to the front bench. Robertson is the most egregious example, a lazy imbecile with Chronic Backstabbing Disorder, he’s on the front bench because no one in their right mind would let him sit behind them. Now he’s in the spotlight, we can all see just how inadequate he is… when he actually bothers to do anything (which is usually appropriating someone else’s work).

      Maybe that’s Little’s cunning plan, but I doubt it. I wouldn’t credit him with that much imagination.

      Appeasing the likes of Robertson and Hipkins shows that Labour is still paralysed by its internal politics and prioritises those over its duty as an opposition or government in waiting.

      • Colonial Viper 13.1.1
        14 September 2016 at 12:17 pm

        he’s on the front bench because no one in their right mind would let him sit behind them.

        This is also the same place Cunliffe fell over badly.

        But according to the UMR poll LAB+GR is clear ahead of NAT right now so they are doing it right?

        • rhinocrates 13.1.1.1
          14 September 2016 at 12:35 pm

          Never underestimate Labour’s ability to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

          • Colonial Viper 13.1.1.1.1
            14 September 2016 at 12:47 pm

            I think Kevin Hague did similar maths in his head.

            • rhinocrates 13.1.1.1.1.1
              14 September 2016 at 12:54 pm

              He has ability and is in demand, so he has somewhere to go as well.

              That I suppose is the problem Labour has. It’s current frontbenchers are unemployable elsewhere, so they cling to their positions, blocking any rising talent, who become disaffected. Even younger people don’t even see the point in trying for selection if they see that their careers will go nowhere.

              The best Little can do in the short term is shine some light on the less senior MPs – give them a chance to speak on issues if not complete portfolios, or pair them with seniors on specific campaigns such as the housing crisis so they get some attention and experience.

        • Puckish Rogue 13.1.1.2
          14 September 2016 at 12:38 pm

          I know people will call Quinn a traitor but this line:

          “Contrast its current frontbench with those that preceded Labour victories in 1984 or 1999.”

          Really should give cause for concern shouldn’t it?

          • rhinocrates 13.1.1.2.1
            14 September 2016 at 12:44 pm

            I would hope that a Labour-led coalition government could import talent from its partners, but I fear that the deadwood MPs will all demand the plum jobs and LIttle will give in to them, relegating capable members from other parties to roles as Assistant Minister of Tea and Scones and suchlike.

            • Red 13.1.1.2.1.1
              14 September 2016 at 12:57 pm

              Fortunately opposition(s) talent pool is razor thin so this should not be an issue, finding enough people to fill cabinet will be the biggest concern, it’s not going to happen so again not really anything to worry about Rhino

      • Pat 13.1.2
        14 September 2016 at 6:53 pm

        if we are going to fret upon a lack of front bench talent i submit the following….Hon. Gerry Brownlee, Steven Joyce, Paula Bennet,Jonathan Coleman,Simon Bridges,Hekia Parata, Anne Tolley, Nick Smith, Murray McCully, Judith Collins and Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga.

  14. The Chairman 14
    14 September 2016 at 12:36 pm

    Key said “if you act in a violent and controlling way, you can change this behaviour. Own the problem. Nothing will get better until you do. Ask for help. There is no shame in that.”

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11708758

    Very good. However, with the sharing of more information coupled with allowing others to apply for protection orders (and with offenders soon being marked as family violence offenders for life) what are the consequences of someone asking for help?

    Moreover, will it deter people from willingly coming forward?

    Will the sharing of more information result in people becoming less willing to initially share their information?

  16. The Chairman 16
    14 September 2016 at 1:03 pm

    Peters said MPs should not be “considering their own comforts” at a time when 40,000 people were homeless, and young people struggled to find a home.

    He went on to say “claims that Opposition parties backed the plan were “simply not true”.

    NZ First made it “very clear’ when approached that it would not sign up to the project.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/84235148/mps-putting-creature-comforts-ahead-of-struggling-families–peters

    Where do Labour and the Greens stand on this one?

  17. The Chairman 17
    14 September 2016 at 1:22 pm

    Information on peoples credit ratings, debt levels, housing histories and the social services they had been provided with to be shared to save the homeless?

    Renters may have to endure tenancy sustainment courses.

    New policy may force private landlords to provide longer tenure.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/83764609/data-project-expected-to-throw-up-big-ideas-on-tackling-homelessness

  19. Cinny 19
    14 September 2016 at 2:22 pm

    Bravo to The Queen, Q1 in Parliament today is fantastic, Annette King asking the outgoing PM about Louise Upton and the Chiefs.

    Asking if outgoing PM is a good representative for women considering his pony tail pulling. Backed up by the Greens most awesome Jan Logie.

    Want to see a bumbling bullying outgoing PM? Watch question one, kudos to the Ladies and Winston. Love your work. Bravo

  20. Takere 20
    14 September 2016 at 2:26 pm

    Awesome to see the Act party recognise the Treaty of Waitangi & also validating the Settlement process by agreeing with Te Ohu Kaimoana’s beef with the Crown, psycho Nick Smith and the confiscation of property rights over the arbitrary claim of the Kermadec rights to fish by the Crown. Poor ole John Ansell… iwi 1, Rednecks 0?

    • marty mars 20.1
      14 September 2016 at 3:21 pm

      The kermadec issue will distance some Māori from the Greens if they don’t watch out. They being the greens.

    • Macro 20.2
      14 September 2016 at 10:21 pm

      Umm actually it wasn’t anything to do with Act recognising the Treaty… more to do with a few fishing companies 5 to be precise:
      ““This Bill amounts to an uncompensated regulatory taking, likely to cause real harm to the livelihoods of those in the fishing industry,” says ACT Leader David Seymour.”

      • Takere 20.2.1
        14 September 2016 at 11:12 pm

        Arrrh’m Bullshit! Context. Property Rights. You need a legally binding contract. The Treaty is that vehicle.Need I say anymore?

  21. Colonial Viper 21
    14 September 2016 at 2:58 pm

    How do you become US ambassador to NZ like Mark Gilbert did?

    Be the 27th biggest donor to the Democratic Party (US$1.4M) total.

    http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-09-13/how-much-it-costs-get-ambassadorship-guccifer-20-leaks-dnc-pay-play-donor-list

  22. Colonial Viper 22
    14 September 2016 at 3:04 pm

    Analysis of Secret Service and campaign staffer performance at Clinton’s 9/11 health incident.

    My question: if your VIP protectee was diagnosed with pneumonia 2 days ago, and then appears to nearly and unexpectedly collapse, why would you take your protectee to her daughter’s apartment instead of to the ER of a top level hospital?

    http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-09-13/former-hillary-secret-service-agent-explains-why-her-fainting-video-really-scares-me

    • marty mars 22.1
      14 September 2016 at 3:16 pm

      Yeah why?WHY??? What the hell are they trying to achieve? What are they trying to hide? Something is going on here, something is rotten, something smells. I can FEEL the bad vibe here, anyone could if we’re attuned.

      • Colonial Viper 22.1.1
        14 September 2016 at 3:48 pm

        If your VIP protectee had just been diagnosed with pneumonia 2 days before then unexpectedly almost collapses for no known reason, it rates as a potential medical emergency.

        Unless the support team already knows at the time what the cause of the VIP’s near-collapse is.

        • marty mars 22.1.1.1
          14 September 2016 at 3:57 pm

          Yes exactly!!! by the diagnosis 2 DAYS BEFORE!!! The no known reason has a reason.

          • Colonial Viper 22.1.1.1.1
            14 September 2016 at 4:02 pm

            An older person almost collapsing due to pneumonia is a medical emergency.

            Instead of rushing to the nearest top level ER, the Secret Service elects to let their protectee go to her daughters apartment?

            • McFlock 22.1.1.1.1.1
              14 September 2016 at 4:10 pm

              oh, piss off.

              Known issue, known cause, known treatment, no emergency.

            • marty mars 22.1.1.1.1.2
              14 September 2016 at 4:23 pm

              If what you say is true cv why haven’t those secret service people been arrested and charged. Their most public client let down!!!! Oh that’s right it’s not true just a boys own fantasy.

            • mauī 22.1.1.1.1.3
              14 September 2016 at 5:03 pm

              Agree with CV, there is something odd going on here. Such a trustworthy candidate would always come clean on her medical condition.. right…

              • Colonial Viper …
                14 September 2016 at 5:56 pm

                Her campaign team has been deliberately concealing her condition.

                At the VERY least, her pneumonia diagnosis on Fri, claim from her campaign team at the time of the incident that it was just simple “overheating” (when they clearly knew different), photo-op 2 hrs after outside Chelsea’s apartment with declarations of ‘going great again’ (when they clearly knew different), then a few hours after that, final acknowledgement of the supposed actual diagnosis from the Friday.

  23. The Chairman 23
    14 September 2016 at 4:07 pm

    If Labour announced a $40 increase in benefit payments across the board (helping to address poverty and all the problems that come along with that, improve inequality and stimulate the economy) would that help give them traction in the polls?

    It would help business returns (especially in the struggling regions) as beneficiaries tend to spend most of their income.

    It would help encourage those in the lower social economic group that don’t tend to vote partake.

    It could be paid for by taxing the very top end of income earners (improving wealth redistribution) coupled by the increase in the GST take and higher business returns.

    Would it be a vote winner or not?

    • Puckish Rogue 23.1
      14 September 2016 at 4:17 pm

      Depends, those on a benefit would vote for it but those paying the extra tax might think differently

      But then the ones on a benefit are less likely to vote National anyway so I suppose it might convince those on a benefit to get out and vote for a left wing party

      • The Chairman 23.1.1
        14 September 2016 at 4:25 pm

        Yes, no doubt beneficiaries and a number of business owners would support it.

        And no doubt a number at the top end (who are unlikely to vote Labour anyway) would oppose it.

        But beneficiaries coupled with a number of business owners would outnumber them.

        It would certainly create a buzz and get more people taking note of Labour.

        I suppose the next question is, what are you waiting for Labour?

        • Sabine 23.1.1.1
          14 September 2016 at 4:54 pm

          why don’t you ask them?

          • The Chairman 23.1.1.1.1
            14 September 2016 at 4:59 pm

            They sniff around here, therefore I just did.

            By the way, do you support it?

            Perhaps if we can created a large enough consensus on here, they may take heed.

            • Sabine 23.1.1.1.1.1
              14 September 2016 at 6:12 pm

              i supported Labour in the last election when they advocated a Capital Gains Tax, and increase in the min wage to 16.50 (or 16 per hour not so sure anymore) and many many other things. So there is always that.

              • The Chairman …
                14 September 2016 at 6:24 pm

                That’s nice to know, but do you support my suggestion?

                And if not why not?

                • Colonial Viper …
                  14 September 2016 at 6:57 pm

                  UBI $40 pw for every >16 year old would be better IMO but we can start with existing benefits (incl Super I presume).

                  • The Chairman …
                    14 September 2016 at 7:10 pm

                    I largely support a UBI but this will fill the gap in the meantime.

                    Moreover, this will allow Labour to give voters something of substance that they can resonate with, which will help Labour lift their profile and get over the line.

                    Talk of a tax working group didn’t create much hype, whereas this would.

              • Colonial Viper …
                14 September 2016 at 6:55 pm

                $16.25/hr

    • Chuck 23.2
      14 September 2016 at 5:09 pm

      “If Labour announced a $40 increase in benefit payments across the board (helping to address poverty and all the problems that come along with that, improve inequality and stimulate the economy) would that help give them traction in the polls?”

      Problem is Labour has already signaled a number of policies it will introduce if in Government come 2017, which all cost big $$. They will need to find another few billion $ for this idea as well Chairman.

      Yep increasing the tax rate for “rich pricks” is an option, and one that Labour is already factoring in. Having said a “tax working group” will be formed to advise on tax matters etc (once they are in Government).

      National has been the only party to increase benefit payments over and above the rate of inflation for decades.

      Would it be a vote winner for Labour? No, not to any great extent. Labour need to appeal to middle NZ to form the next Government…even if that grates with many on this blog.

      • The Chairman 23.2.1
        14 September 2016 at 5:55 pm

        “Problem is Labour has already signaled a number of policies it will introduce if in Government come 2017…”

        And one would assume they have a way to pay for them.

        “Labour need to appeal to middle NZ”

        Are you implying business owners aren’t? Moreover, Labour has been trying to win over the middle for years now and it hasn’t been working out for them.

        This covers both ends (middle and lower) therefore has far more potential gain.

        National increasing benefits didn’t hurt their support.

        “A “tax working group” will be formed to advise on tax matters etc (once they are in Government)”

        They got to get into government first, this (my suggestion) would help with that.

        • Colonial Viper 23.2.1.1
          14 September 2016 at 6:02 pm

          Labour’s idea of “middle NZ” is the comfortable middle class 20% swing voting household. Stupid really.

          • Sabine 23.2.1.1.1
            14 September 2016 at 6:13 pm

            yes.dear.

            • Colonial Viper 23.2.1.1.1.1
              14 September 2016 at 6:36 pm

              you’re not my grandmother.

              Further, my point is spot on. Like “affordable” $600,000 Auckland houses. Who does that policy target.

              Definitely not blue collar waged workers.

              • b waghorn …
                14 September 2016 at 7:49 pm

                If they could build 10,000 houses a year a lot of older house would become cheaper and people that can afford the $600k ones will probably free up rentals and apartments.

                • Colonial Viper …
                  14 September 2016 at 7:57 pm

                  Auckland house trickle down, never thought of it like that before

                  • b waghorn …
                    14 September 2016 at 8:07 pm

                    If they arseholed the investors out of the game and slowed the immigration numbers right down it would help to.

                    although i think we need to shift to a lease hold system with the gov owning the land .

                  • joe90 …
                    14 September 2016 at 11:38 pm

                    house trickle down

                    Highest new car sales ever means soon enough damn nice five year old motor vehicles will be available at the right price.

                    There’s no second hand car crisis, CV.

              • Sabine …
                14 September 2016 at 8:00 pm

                Auckland is the largest City in NZ, it is the most populated City in NZ and to expect house prices like in Dunedin is simply simple minded.

                IF and when NZ’lers start buying houses not as a thing to flip and make money on, but to buy and to live in and keep in the family like it is done in many old european cities including London, Paris, Rome, Florence and even in US Cities like NY you will see that 600.000$ is very affordable as you can raise several to un-count generations in that very same house.

                But the thing is really with you CV is that you are so full of hate towards anything Labour that you rather see some revolution come along that burns everything and makes everyone homeless then support the ones that are full of flaws but are at least trying. And starting to build houses/apartments/units is the very first step to bring prices down.

                So yes, 600.000$ for land (cause no one is buying a house, stop deluding yourself here) in the middle of million people City is affordable. Maybe not for one generation, but for two or three. And that is precisely how it is done in many place all over this planet. I mean heck, try to buy a house in Berlin, Rome, Paris, NY, London and tell me how ‘affordable’ that is.

                Good morning CV, welcome to the 21 century, let me assure again, the 80’s are long gone, and the only one crying after the good old days are those that remember them.

                • Colonial Viper …
                  14 September 2016 at 8:21 pm

                  Thats everyone over 50, the demographic which actually votes.

                  • Sabine …
                    14 September 2016 at 8:47 pm

                    yes, dear.

                    • Colonial Viper …
                      15 September 2016 at 12:07 am

                      Why do you keep trying to speak to me like you are my grandma?

                      By the way, what is “simple minded” are the fools like you who believe that you should keep stuffing Auckland full of people, while small towns and cities throughout the provinces slowly shut down shop.

                • Pat …
                  14 September 2016 at 8:25 pm

                  actually the eighties were pretty crap

                  • Sabine …
                    14 September 2016 at 8:46 pm

                    i know. i remember them. But then i do not cry after about what happened during them.

                    • Colonial Viper …
                      15 September 2016 at 12:09 am

                      Fuck your condescending infantalising of long time Kiwis who suffered through that time, who lost their homes, who lost their factories, who lost their careers, who lost their families.

                      Labour sowed neoliberalism upon our shores, and Labour has deservedly reaped the electoral whirlwind of their actions.

                    • RedLogix …
                      15 September 2016 at 12:30 am

                      Thank you CV. When the Lange govt was elected almost no-one had the slightest clue what Douglas and his crew of wreckers was about to inflict on us. In the aftermath of Muldoon’s sour and bullying leadership all we wanted was a change. Of course Lange’s charisma, sharp wit and geniality turned out to be a smoke screen.

                      For quite a few years a large chunk on NZ was completely taken in by Douglas. Including the much younger and naive version of myself. (And in another thirty years time I predict some other dude will ruefully be saying the same thing about John Key). This was all before the internet and most of our political information was filtered through the NZ Herald.

                      A lot of credit must go to people like Jim Anderton and those within the NZLP who had a much better understanding of what was going on and fought against it as best they could. That’s a whole other story that doesn’t get much airtime these days.

                    • Pat …
                      15 September 2016 at 8:00 am

                      then it is curious you select them as your example of ‘the good old days”..no?

                • RedLogix …
                  15 September 2016 at 12:37 am

                  Hi grandma.

                  as you can raise several to un-count generations in that very same house.

                  Yes my family still owns a house in Epsom and on paper it makes us quite well off, but we’re of the same basic notion that we never intend to sell it … so all that paper wealth is fairly meaningless.

                  Your basic premise is a good one, but most NZ housing is designed around the needs of a single nuclear family and just aren’t suited to multiple generations living in the same home.

              • Nic the NZer …
                15 September 2016 at 7:29 am

                That policy area is a complete fabrication, its impossible to achieve a significant influence on Auckland house prices (without causing an unwanted market crash). No govt can keep up with the level of supply and shifts in supply needed to control that.

                If we are lucky then Labour goes about achieving a big increase in subsidized social housing in order that people who will not be in a position to own a house can have some assurance that they can have somewhere to live.

                But they are not marketing that policy (unless you actually pay attention to what they are planning to do) they are saying that house prices are too high (as a way of signaling to their voter base) and implying they are going to do something about it! But people who vote hoping to see that will be as disappointed as serious Libertarians are by Key’s government.

                On the other point, Labour may still have some ideas for working class people but in general have no interest in their political concerns or fixing that relationship.

                • Colonial Viper …
                  15 September 2016 at 8:31 am

                  Pretty much, but plenty of people around here still give Labour’s efforts solid passing grades for some reason.

                  None of our political leaders seem to have any concept of physical reality, or even on the optimum role of government in ensuring the interests of the people.

  24. Ad 24
    14 September 2016 at 4:23 pm

    Government and Auckland Council have today signed Heads of Agreement on NZ’s most expensive infrastructure project to date: Cit Rail Link. Between $2.5 and $3.4b.

    It’s a Crown company not a CCO. Therefore OIA and not LGOIMA applies. Makes reporting less constrained but less public.

    Either way, big deal. Very different model to Chch rebuild.

    And more to come tomorrow in broader Ak funding package.

  26. Patrick Cummoskey 26
    14 September 2016 at 6:31 pm

    We are not inbred ferals!!! I know for a fact that my parents were not related!!!

  27. Ad 27
    14 September 2016 at 7:05 pm

    Not sure why the Green Party aren’t supporting the Government to get the Kermadec Marine Reserve Bill through the House. Seems like an easy win.

  28. Robert Atack 28
    14 September 2016 at 7:12 pm

    This could be interesting over the next 24/48 hours,

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/asia/84251435/Super-Typhoon-Meranti-Earths-most-violent-storm-since-Haiyan-takes-aim-on-Taiwan-and-China

    Beipaotai China, looks to be in the path of Maranti ?
    Looking on Google Earth it looks like a nuclear power plant, like meters from the ocean.
    This was a 2009/ 2011 article but it shows several plants being built in the area? http://www.jsm.or.jp/ejam/Vol.1.No.3/GA/6/article.html

  29. Anthony 29
    14 September 2016 at 11:20 pm

    We see a lot on the Auckland mayoralty race, but almost nothing on other races- mayor or otherwise – from round the country.

    Is this due to a lack of info, a lack of interest, or a lack of input by local candidtes?

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    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 days ago

  • Long Tunnel or Long Con?
    Yesterday it was revealed that Transport Minister had asked Waka Kotahi to look at the options for a long tunnel through Wellington. State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    3 days ago

  • Smoke And Mirrors.
    You're a fraud, and you know itBut it's too good to throw it all awayAnyone would do the sameYou've got 'em goingAnd you're careful not to show itSometimes you even fool yourself a bitIt's like magicBut it's always been a smoke and mirrors gameAnyone would do the sameForty six billion ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • What is Mexico doing about climate change?
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections The June general election in Mexico could mark a turning point in ensuring that the country’s climate policies better reflect the desire of its citizens to address the climate crisis, with both leading presidential candidates expressing support for renewable energy. Mexico is the ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago

  • State of humanity, 2024
    2024, 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?When I say 2024 I really mean the state of humanity in 2024.Saturday night, we watched Civil War because that is one terrifying cliff we've ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • Govt’s Wellington tunnel vision aims to ease the way to the airport (but zealous promoters of cycl...
    Buzz from the Beehive A pet project and governmental tunnel vision jump out from the latest batch of ministerial announcements. The government is keen to assure us of its concern for the wellbeing of our pets. It will be introducing pet bonds in a change to the Residential Tenancies Act ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • The case for cultural connectedness
    A recent report generated from a Growing Up in New Zealand (GUiNZ) survey of 1,224 rangatahi Māori aged 11-12 found: Cultural connectedness was associated with fewer depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms and better quality of life. That sounds cut and dry. But further into the report the following appears: Cultural connectedness is ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Useful context on public sector job cuts
    David Farrar writes –    The Herald reports: From the gory details of job-cuts news, you’d think the public service was being eviscerated.   While the media’s view of the cuts is incomplete, it’s also true that departments have been leaking the particulars faster than a Wellington ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell On When Racism Comes Disguised As Anti-racism
    Remember the good old days, back when New Zealand had a PM who could think and speak calmly and intelligently in whole sentences without blustering? Even while Iran’s drones and missiles were still being launched, Helen Clark was live on TVNZ expertly summing up the latest crisis in the Middle ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    4 days ago

  • Govt ignored economic analysis of smokefree reversal
    Costello did not pass on analysis of the benefits of the smokefree reforms to Cabinet, emphasising instead the extra tax revenues of repealing them. Photo: Hagen Hopkins, Getty Images TL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me at 7:26 am today are:The Lead: Casey Costello never passed on ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • True Blue.
    True loveYou're the one I'm dreaming ofYour heart fits me like a gloveAnd I'm gonna be true blueBaby, I love youI’ve written about the job cuts in our news media last week. The impact on individuals, and the loss to Aotearoa of voices covering our news from different angles.That by ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • Who is running New Zealand’s foreign policy?
    While commentators, including former Prime Minister Helen Clark, are noting a subtle shift in New Zealand’s foreign policy, which now places more emphasis on the United States, many have missed a key element of the shift. What National said before the election is not what the government is doing now. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago

  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #15
    A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 7, 2024 thru Sat, April 13, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week is about adults in the room setting terms and conditions of ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago

  • Feline Friends and Fragile Fauna The Complexities of Cats in New Zealand’s Conservation Efforts

    Cats, with their independent spirit and beguiling purrs, have captured the hearts of humans for millennia. In New Zealand, felines are no exception, boasting the highest national cat ownership rate globally [definition cat nz cat foundation]. An estimated 1.134 million pet cats grace Kiwi households, compared to 683,000 dogs ...

    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    4 days ago

  • Or is that just they want us to think?
    Nice guy, that Peter Williams. Amiable, a calm air of no-nonsense capability, a winning smile. Everything you look for in a TV presenter and newsreader.I used to see him sometimes when I went to TVNZ to be a talking head or a panellist and we would yarn. Nice guy, that ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • Fact Brief – Did global warming stop in 1998?
    Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park in collaboration with members from our Skeptical Science team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Did global warming stop in ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • Arguing over a moot point.
    I have been following recent debates in the corporate and social media about whether it is a good idea for NZ to join what is known as “AUKUS Pillar Two.” AUKUS is the Australian-UK-US nuclear submarine building agreement in which … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    5 days ago

  • No Longer Trusted: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.
    Turning Point: “What has turned me away from the mainstream news media is the very strong message that its been sending out for the last few years.” “And what message might that be?” “That the people who own it, the people who run it, and the people who provide its content, really don’t ...
    Bowalley Road
    5 days ago

  • Mortgage rates at 10% anyone?
    No – nothing about that in PM Luxon’s nine-point plan to improve the lives of New Zealanders. But beyond our shores Jamie Dimon, the long-serving head of global bank J.P. Morgan Chase, reckons that the chances of a goldilocks soft landing for the economy are “a lot lower” than the ...
    Point of OrderBy xtrdnry
    6 days ago

  • Sad tales from the left
    Michael Bassett writes –  Have you noticed the odd way in which the media are handling the government’s crackdown on surplus employees in the Public Service? Very few reporters mention the crazy way in which State Service numbers rocketed ahead by more than 16,000 during Labour’s six years, ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • In Whose Best Interests?
    On The Spot: The question Q+A host, Jack Tame, put to the Workplace & Safety Minister, Act’s Brooke van Velden, was disarmingly simple: “Are income tax cuts right now in the best interests of lowering inflation?”JACK TAME has tested another MP on his Sunday morning current affairs show, Q+A. Minister for Workplace ...
    Bowalley Road
    6 days ago

  • Don’t Question, Don’t Complain.
    It has to start somewhereIt has to start sometimeWhat better place than here?What better time than now?So it turns out that I owe you all an apology.It seems that all of the terrible things this government is doing, impacting the lives of many, aren’t necessarily ‘bad’ per se. Those things ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago

  • Auckland faces 25% water inflation shock
    Three Waters became a focus of anti-Government protests under Labour, but its dumping by the new Government hasn’t solved councils’ funding problems and will eventually hit the back pockets of everyone. Photo: Lynn Grieveson/Getty ImagesTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me at 8:06 am today are:The Government ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • Small accomplishments and large ironies
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.Share Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago

  • The Song of Saqua: Volume VII
    In order to catch up to the actual progress of the D&D campaign, I present you with another couple of sessions. These were actually held back to back, on a Monday and Tuesday evening. Session XV Alas, Goatslayer had another lycanthropic transformation… though this time, he ran off into the ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    6 days ago

  • Accelerating the Growth Rate?
    There is a constant theme from the economic commentariat that New Zealand needs to lift its economic growth rate, coupled with policies which they are certain will attain that objective. Their prescriptions are usually characterised by two features. First, they tend to be in their advocate’s self-interest. Second, they are ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    6 days ago

  • The only thing we have to fear is tenants themselves
    1. Which of these acronyms describes the experience of travelling on a Cook Strait ferry?a. ROROb. FOMOc. RAROd. FMLAramoana, first boat ever boarded by More Than A Feilding, four weeks after the Wahine disaster2. What is the acronym for the experience of watching the government risking a $200 million break ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    7 days ago

  • Peters talks of NZ “renewing its connections with the world” – but who knew we had been discon...
    Buzz from the Beehive The thrust of the country’s foreign affairs policy and its relationship with the United States have been addressed in four statements from the Beehive over the past 24 hours. Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters somewhat curiously spoke of New Zealand “renewing its connections with a world ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    7 days ago

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • NZ and US to undertake further practical Pacific cooperation
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced further New Zealand cooperation with the United States in the Pacific Islands region through $16.4 million in funding for initiatives in digital connectivity and oceans and fisheries research.   “New Zealand can achieve more in the Pacific if we work together more urgently and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Government redress for Te Korowai o Wainuiārua
    The Government is continuing the bipartisan effort to restore its relationship with iwi as the Te Korowai o Wainuiārua Claims Settlement Bill passed its first reading in Parliament today, says Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith. “Historical grievances of Te Korowai o Wainuiārua relate to 19th century warfare, land purchased or taken ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Focus on outstanding minerals permit applications
    New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals is working to resolve almost 150 outstanding minerals permit applications by the end of the financial year, enabling valuable mining activity and signalling to the sector that New Zealand is open for business, Resources Minister Shane Jones says.  “While there are no set timeframes for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Applications open for NZ-Ireland Research Call
    The New Zealand and Irish governments have today announced that applications for the 2024 New Zealand-Ireland Joint Research Call on Agriculture and Climate Change are now open. This is the third research call in the three-year Joint Research Initiative pilot launched in 2022 by the Ministry for Primary Industries and Ireland’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Tenancy rules changes to improve rental market
    The coalition Government has today announced changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to encourage landlords back to the rental property market, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “The previous Government waged a war on landlords. Many landlords told us this caused them to exit the rental market altogether. It caused worse ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Boosting NZ’s trade and agricultural relationship with China
    Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay will visit China next week, to strengthen relationships, support Kiwi exporters and promote New Zealand businesses on the world stage. “China is one of New Zealand’s most significant trade and economic relationships and remains an important destination for New Zealand’s products, accounting for nearly 22 per cent of our good and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Freshwater farm plan systems to be improved
    The coalition Government intends to improve freshwater farm plans so that they are more cost-effective and practical for farmers, Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay have announced. “A fit-for-purpose freshwater farm plan system will enable farmers and growers to find the right solutions for their farm ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • New Fast Track Projects advisory group named
    The coalition Government has today announced the expert advisory group who will provide independent recommendations to Ministers on projects to be included in the Fast Track Approvals Bill, say RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones. “Our Fast Track Approval process will make it easier and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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