Archive for May, 2009

Melissa Lee concedes in Mt Albert

Written By: - Date published: 1:53 pm, May 22nd, 2009 - 29 comments

A full 3 weeks before the vote, National candidate Melissa Lee has publicly accepted that she is not going win the Mt Albert by-election. In yet another astonishing media gaffe Lee has told Morning Reports’ Sean Plunket (link to audio) that she hopes to come second. The interview started well for Lee as she spoke about the one […]

Less firing, more hiring

Written By: - Date published: 11:58 am, May 22nd, 2009 - 8 comments

The Herald reports today that TVNZ fired 90 employees following a letter from Broadcasting Minister Johnathan Coleman demanding that it raise its profitability. This follows similar cuts at the Ministry of Social development, Ministry for the Environment, Tertiary Education Commission. There look likely to be hundreds or thousands of job losses as a result of […]

National’s “supercity” policy lies

Written By: - Date published: 9:38 am, May 22nd, 2009 - 8 comments

Remember – March against National’s undemocractic supercity Monday 25th, noon, Queen St Interesting to look back at National’s local government and Auckland policy before the election. Their 2005 policy was still up on their web site in early 2008: National will advance local government reorganisation on a case-by-case basis. We do not subscribe to the view that big […]

Power to the people

Written By: - Date published: 5:35 am, May 22nd, 2009 - 53 comments

This just in – the electricity market isn’t working. Well, plenty of people were saying that would happen back in the 1990s when National insisted on giving it a go. They split up the ECNZ into four bite size pieces to compete against each other. They planned to sell them all and create a totally private electricity […]

“Confusing and might be taken the wrong way by some”

Written By: - Date published: 9:34 pm, May 21st, 2009 - 50 comments

Duncan Garner had to do a balance piece against David Shearer because he has been at the forefront of covering the implosion of Melissa Lee’s campaign. Garner says someone “deep within” Lee’s campaign pointed him to an interview where Shearer says keeping employment high, particularly among migrant communities is important because when people don’t have […]

The root of the problem

Written By: - Date published: 1:45 pm, May 21st, 2009 - 58 comments

I reckon New Zealand’s a bit of an economic miracle really. Small country, new country without centuries of infrastructure, middle of nowhere, good only at making dead animals and animal products. Yet we’ve got one of the highest living standards in the world. Not that you would know it from our ‘business leaders’. Always whining […]

Virtual tour of the White House

Written By: - Date published: 12:44 pm, May 21st, 2009 - 3 comments

Floor plans, photos and explanations, even a comparison of the real west wing with the set from the TV show The West Wing. Cool.

Last night’s Super City meeting

Written By: - Date published: 12:00 pm, May 21st, 2009 - 22 comments

I attended the Paula Bennett-John Carter Supercity meeting yesterday evening in Kelston. This was one of the hastily arranged series of meetings arranged in the Auckland area to persuade ordinary jafas and westies that this Government is really listening and living up to its election promise to consult on the Royal Commission on Auckland Governance’s […]

The Pork industry, circa 1860

Written By: - Date published: 10:30 am, May 21st, 2009 - 30 comments

Starting early

Written By: - Date published: 10:00 am, May 21st, 2009 - 68 comments

I’m starting to feel a little sorry for Melissa Lee given the punching bag she’s become. True, she’s brought it on herself, but even I felt a little queasy watching the events at Auckland University yesterday. But for anyone who looked behind the “rising star” brand National was trying to sell us the warning signs […]

NACT: Going backwards for politics

Written By: - Date published: 7:10 pm, May 20th, 2009 - 33 comments

The Fast Forward Fund was axed by the NACT government in Feburary. This was a fund that was to be invested and the proceeds and capital drawn down over 10-15 years to invest in agriculture. The funds would be distributed with equal contributions from agricultural businesses. Farming provides well over a third of our overseas […]

Your Views hits new low

Written By: - Date published: 3:00 pm, May 20th, 2009 - 21 comments

The Herald is currently asking its readers: “Is a conviction appropriate for punching a child?” Seriously, what the hell is wrong at the Herald when they think that’s a question that needs to be asked?

The second time as farce

Written By: - Date published: 2:24 pm, May 20th, 2009 - 16 comments

History repeats they say. Isn’t it starting to feel like the 1990s all over again? We’ve got a National government facing a grim budget. Paul Holmes on the telly. Media obsessed with the David Bain trial. Christine Rankin making headlines for all the wrong reasons. Roger Douglas issuing press releases from bizzaro world. National itching […]

Join the Super City hikoi

Written By: - Date published: 12:55 pm, May 20th, 2009 - 13 comments

IHI Aotearoa has put out the call for Aucklanders to join their hikoi against the Government’s undemocratic Super City proposal on Monday, May 25th: “We want the Crown to honour its exisiting agreements with Tangata Whenua. To create better and more diverse representation in local government. To protect mana whenua rights. To protect the land, […]

Pork Board engages in doublespeak

Written By: - Date published: 9:00 am, May 20th, 2009 - 60 comments

Chair of the NZ Pork Industry Board Chris Trengrove told Campbell Live last night, “The industry is changing and has been changing since 2005, we’ve been monitoring those changes, um, we have over half of the industry now out of the stalls altogether…” He then went on to say that research shows sows stalls are […]

‘Punch in the face’ dad guilty

Written By: - Date published: 8:25 am, May 20th, 2009 - 90 comments

What’s wrong with The Herald? Their articles Jimmy Mason on the father who punched his child in the face – and pulled him by the ear, and picked him and his brother up on their bikes and slammed them down – has described him as the ‘ear-flick’ father. The headline today is ‘Ear flick father […]

Berating the Herald

Written By: - Date published: 10:53 pm, May 19th, 2009 - 19 comments

from Beck Vass: “With an average jury trial taking at least 12 months, and judge-alone trials taking just six months [that’s actually from charging to end of the case, not the length of time in court], trial times would be halved, reducing the trauma for victims and backlogs in overloaded courts. Mr Power said his […]

Why Lee is banned from interviews

Written By: - Date published: 7:23 pm, May 19th, 2009 - 122 comments

Rumour has it Melissa has been banned from giving formal interviews by National’s leadership but what’s the harm in answering a few questions from a reporter? Let’s see: Garner tries to tempt her into repeating her motorway comments but she doesn’t need the help. She is totally self-centred. Notice how all her stories are about […]

On the back foot

Written By: - Date published: 4:07 pm, May 19th, 2009 - 1 comment

When a Government are having to defend their actions they are not setting the agenda, Given it is a week before National’s first budget the ‘Rankin’ situation is not what they will be wanting. But as the previous Government illustrated, it’s not getting into a mess that matters – it’s how you get out: NZ Herald […]

Carter’s attack on SAFE a diversion

Written By: - Date published: 2:00 pm, May 19th, 2009 - 22 comments

So, Agriculture Minister David Carter finally creaks into action on the brutal and inhumane treatment of factory farmed pigs, then spends most of the press release attacking the animal rights group that brought the issue into the public light. He’s obviously covering for his abysmal performance on Sunday, where he had to admit he didn’t […]

Bye bye democracy

Written By: - Date published: 12:50 pm, May 19th, 2009 - 51 comments

So what is this Transition Board thing that National and Act created by ramming through legislation in a huge rush last week last week and only to get cold feet over appointing its members? Basically, it gives five people (rightwing businessmen) who are appointed by the government the power to veto spending decisions made by the elected […]

Cyclewatch

Written By: - Date published: 11:09 am, May 19th, 2009 - 32 comments

Time: 54 days Jobs created: 0 Built (km): 0 out of 1500 Cost thus far: $50m (Budget 2009) Govt estimated cost (English): ‘Not $50m this year, next year, or the year after’ Country status: In recession Eddie wonders aloud: “Who’s more deluded, John Key for thinking his cycleway spin would make people forget about unemployment, […]

Government for the people?

Written By: - Date published: 10:37 am, May 19th, 2009 - 4 comments

The Herald recently ran an excellent piece by Dr Emma Davies and Elizabeth Rowe (from the Institute of Public Policy at AUT) – Super City’s social well-being in danger: We risk losing sight of the fact that the Royal Commission on Auckland Governance’s recommendation for the number of councils is not the only idea abandoned […]

Simon Power needs to do some research

Written By: - Date published: 9:30 am, May 19th, 2009 - 15 comments

Simon Power talking on Q+A on Sunday showed a abysmal ignorance about how matters operate in his own portfolio. He blamed lawyers and juries for slowing the court system down. My experience in courts says that he is wrong – it is usually the police slowing things down. The lawyers agree here. He is correct […]

The ‘Rankin Effect’

Written By: - Date published: 7:39 am, May 19th, 2009 - 11 comments

Why is the National government delaying its announcement of the Supercity transitional agency? The Rankin Effect. That’s the flinch you get when your rampant arrogance becomes a bit too obvious. But despite the Rankin Effect, it looks like most of Rodney Hide’s picks for the new board will pass Key’s test. Who wants to take […]

Government and Industry response to factory farming pathetic

Written By: - Date published: 7:30 am, May 19th, 2009 - 50 comments

When Mike King, comedian, celebrity, and front-man for the pork industry’s advertisements for the past few years found out the truth about the industry he was promoting, he says he was “deeply ashamed”. What worse news could there be for an image-conscious industry who doesn’t want their consumers and the public to know about their […]

All the misinformation fit to print

Written By: - Date published: 10:45 pm, May 18th, 2009 - 3 comments

The Herald are currently running a poll asking ‘[s]hould people facing charges punishable by less than three years imprisonment be able to be tried by a judge alone?’   The only problem with this question is that currently unless the defendant elects otherwise all such charges if possibly punishable by more than three months jail […]

Drinking Liberally Auckland

Written By: - Date published: 9:49 pm, May 18th, 2009 - Comments Off on Drinking Liberally Auckland

Join all your favourite lefty liberal drinkers at Drinking Liberally Auckland When: 7pm, Wednesday 20 May Where: Galatos, 17 Galatos Street, Newton (just off K road) Who: you and like-minded left-wingers. All welcome. NOTE: THE CHANGE OF VENUE WE’VE MOVED TO GALATOS – more room, more time, more parking, free entry, food nearby, etcetera. Click […]

Teflon off: Key gets a mauling at Press Conference

Written By: - Date published: 4:32 pm, May 18th, 2009 - 33 comments

John Key’s performance at this afternoon’s 4pm Press Conference was impressive. I’ve never heard so many, ‘don’t knows’, denials, ‘I can’t tell yous’, prevarications and equivocations in a press conference before. You wonder why he bothered to even turn up, he could’ve just sent along a billboard with ‘No Comment’ on it for all the […]

Transition Agency knocked back

Written By: - Date published: 2:13 pm, May 18th, 2009 - 24 comments

Stuff is reporting that cabinet has failed to approve the make up of the Auckland Supercity transition agency. In case you’re out of the loop, that’s the unlected oligarchy that will now effectively govern Auckland without any democratic accountability, running roughshod over the results of the 2007 local body elections. The prediction had been that […]

Rodneytactics, Rogernomics and dog-whistle DonKey

Written By: - Date published: 12:09 pm, May 18th, 2009 - 26 comments

The tactics used by Rodney Hide to ram through the Auckland SuperCity legislation without reference to a select committee or referendum should not surprise anyone. Rodney’s just a puppet – the master is the man who sits behind him in Parliament and beside him in the ACT caucus – the Honourable Sir Roger Douglas. Douglas […]

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  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
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  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • Fresh produce price drop welcome
    Lower fruit and vegetable prices are welcome news for New Zealanders who have been doing it tough at the supermarket, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Stats NZ reported today the price of fruit and vegetables has dropped 9.3 percent in the 12 months to February 2024.  “Lower fruit and vege ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • Statement to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the sixty-eighth session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
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    2 weeks ago
  • Speech to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68)
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
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    2 weeks ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber
    Good evening everyone and thank you for that lovely introduction.   Thank you also to the Honourable Simon Bridges for the invitation to address your members. Since being sworn in, this coalition Government has hit the ground running with our 100-day plan, delivering the changes that New Zealanders expect of us. ...
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    2 weeks ago
  • Commission’s advice on ETS settings tabled
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  • Government lowering building costs
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  • Trustee tax change welcomed
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  • Minister’s Ramadan message
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  • Minister appoints new NZTA Chair
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    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
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  • Speech to Life Sciences Summit
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    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago
  • Progress continues apace on water storage
    Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says he is looking forward to the day when three key water projects in Northland are up and running, unlocking the full potential of land in the region. Mr Jones attended a community event at the site of the Otawere reservoir near Kerikeri on Friday. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago
  • Government agrees to restore interest deductions
    Associate Finance Minister David Seymour has today announced that the Government has agreed to restore deductibility for mortgage interest on residential investment properties. “Help is on the way for landlords and renters alike. The Government’s restoration of interest deductibility will ease pressure on rents and simplify the tax code,” says ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago
  • Minister to attend World Anti-Doping Agency Symposium
    Sport and Recreation Minister Chris Bishop will travel to Switzerland today to attend an Executive Committee meeting and Symposium of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Mr Bishop will then travel on to London where he will attend a series of meetings in his capacity as Infrastructure Minister. “New Zealanders believe ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago
  • Pacific Language Weeks celebrate regional unity
    This year’s Pacific Language Weeks celebrate regional unity and the contribution of Pacific communities to New Zealand culture, says Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti.  Dr Reti announced dates for the 2024 Pacific Language Weeks during a visit to the Pasifika festival in Auckland today and says there’s so ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago

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