Daily Review 08/12/2016

Written By: - Date published: 5:30 pm, December 8th, 2016 - 36 comments
Categories: Daily review - Tags:

Daily review is also your post.

This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day.

The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy).

Don’t forget to be kind to each other …

36 comments on “Daily Review 08/12/2016 ”

  1. Muttonbird 1

    I guess this is the only way Bill English was going to get to be prime minister – someone else handing it to him.

    No way the NZ public would elect him.

    • James 1.1

      Me thinks you will be proven wrong.

      • Muttonbird 1.1.1

        Don’t think so. English has been in the back room for so long, and the only time he’s fronted anything it has been a failure:

        See the SCF payout in the dead of the night.
        See the asset sales return well below the lowest estimate.
        See the NZ flag disaster.

        No, English has been at his level beavering away in the back room but when asked to be the face of something it’s always turned out badly, just as it did in 2002.

    • Tory 1.2

      I agree, a “conservative catholic” is the last thing National needed and it’s hard to see him improving on his one election defeat as leader.

      • WILD KATIPO 1.2.1

        I do wish people would stop referencing his chosen faith and more reserved delivery in his speeches… That in itself is not a reason to berate anyone.

        However , – simply stating the fact that somebody is a complete and utter miserable arsehole has absolute validity and will indeed suffice .

        So there you go . Nailed it for you.

        Neo liberals are complete and utter miserable arseholes.

        And Bill English is a neo liberal.

    • Wayne 1.3

      One of Australia’s more successful Prime Ministers, John Howard, had an early stint as a failed Leader of the Opposition.

      Bill English could well repeat Howard’s success, now that he has had 12 years more experience since 2002 to 2004.

      • Muttonbird 1.3.1

        It’s possible if he has somehow reinvented himself as the blokey, barbecuing, beer-drinker that both Howard and Key were.

      • swordfish 1.3.2

        Would’ve thought “Mad Monk” Abbott was a more suitable comparison.

  2. ropata 2

    Gareth Morgan has followed up that travesty of an interview with a brilliant rejoinder

    http://www.newshub.co.nz/opinion/gareth-morgan-defends-tax-policy-after-paul-henry-interview-2016120814

    At the moment the burden of tax falls unfairly on wage and salary earners. Who cares? Henry doesn’t that’s for sure. Along with the Hard Right such an assessment reflects the view of a “socialist wowser”. He needs to read the reports of a succession of tax reviews that the government here has commissioned. Sorry I forgot, not part of his job spec.

    Let’s be clear. I’m all for rewarding hard work and talent that generates wealth. What I am totally against is maintaining a flawed income tax system that enables people to get rich by doing nothing apart from speculating on housing. What I am totally against is Establishment parties and career politicians who have presided over this debacle because they haven’t the guts to call it out.

    You wonder why it is so hard to get ahead in modern day New Zealand, particularly for young people? Why are decent paying jobs in short supply yet housing costs the earth, even to rent? This tax loophole is right at the centre of this cancer. Far more successful economies than ours have not had a rise in real house prices over the last 50 years. Our leaders have let New Zealanders down badly.

    • Carolyn_nth 2.1

      I didn’t see Morgan’s interview by Paul Henry. But earlier on his website, Morgan says that when people hear the rational reasons for his policy, they will be more accepting of it.

      Except, the likes of Paul Henry don’t appeal to rationality. They go for the emotions.

    • Draco T Bastard 2.2

      Far more successful economies than ours have not had a rise in real house prices over the last 50 years.

      And that’s the big one. A house should never go up in value as it’s value never changes except possibly to decline as it wears out.

    • Hmmmm… this Gareth chap is singing some of the right tunes…so far.

  3. Muttonbird 3

    This is a blast from the past.

    After John Key quit the other day I thought again about the first time I realised he was not like me. It was the first time I realised he was uninterested in nurturing potential of the disenfranchised, the people who struggle to compete in life. He was happy to block them of new opportunities.

    As always is the case with Key there is dispute about what he said, or what he meant when he said it but the lasting phrase, the one that I remember, and the one that is unambiguous, is that affordable housing requirements at Hobsonville are, “absolutely…economic vandalism”.

    It looks like 10 full years later the people occupying the lofty heights in Grenada Village are channelling John Key upon his demise. They too are unaccepting and unaccomadating of people less fortunate than themselves.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/wellington/87207969/residents-fight-unacceptable-plan-for-affordable-housing-in-grenada-village

    To be honest, the place looks like a barren shit-hole to me so a bit of colour and diversity wouldn’t go amiss.

    • mauī 3.1

      You are right the place is a hellhole (sorry Grenada), it’s basically in an elevated position along the wind funnel following SH1 towards Porirua. Any decent northerly winds and you have to batten down the hatches and your outside areas are more or less unusable.

      Oh and the neighbourhood are worried about new affordable housing costing $450-550,000. Well in Wellington that’s going to attract the upper middleclass, not state housing tenants lol.

      To me any different form of housing there would enhance the character of the area. Unless they would rather stick with what they’ve already got, paddocks of monstrous, grey coloured grazing turtles in tight wooden pens.
      http://www.russellproperties.co.nz/sites/default/files/2012-10-10%2015.18.35_1_0.jpg

  4. Anne 4

    I see Paula Bennett is marketing herself for the Deputy PM position as “the bubbly one who loves people”.

    Yeah? Tell that to the two solo mums who dared to mildly criticise her for scrapping the night classes for people – like themselves – to be able to gain qualifications in preparation for returning to the work-force. Opportunities she took when she was in the same position and which set her on the upward path to political glory. And that was just the start…

    • Carolyn_nth 4.1

      John Campbell a couple of nights ago, critically question someone (maybe Boag) who said Bennett had empathy. Campbell was skeptical with respect to what he’s seen of her.

      here’s the video:

      About 5 minutes into it

      • Anne 4.1.1

        Thanks for that Caroline nth. Been missing Checkpoint lately. Yes, he put Michelle Boag on the spot over that one. Paula has empathy? That’s got to be the joke of the year.

        • Grey Area 4.1.1.1

          He challenged her but he could have done much more. Boag has been allowed to get away with far too much for far too long. I don’t know if you heard Kim Hill take Anne Tolley apart on Morning Report recently – now that was impressive!

          • aom 4.1.1.1.1

            Kim Hill also took Key apart over the same issue as Tolley. He threw in the towel the same day – now that was even more impressive.

        • TootingPopularFront 4.1.1.2

          Don Brash said Judith Collins has integrity…

      • Grey Area 4.1.2

        Boag spinning her usual BS adding to the business as usual pile of lies of the “commentariat” and the media: The Double Dipper “innovative in the policy area”; Pullyah Benefit “empathetic”; a “lot of talent at that second-tier level”…. blah blah blah.

        Key may have (nearly) gone people but don’t forget who still controls the narrative: We have a safe pair of hands on the tiller who has guided us through the GFC …etc etc etc

        The lies and spin continue unabated.

    • Rosemary McDonald 4.2

      Yep…Paula really pinned her colours to the mast with her first major policy change…

      “Social Development Minister Paula Bennett has been accused by Labour of cutting funding for training allowances that she benefited from while a solo mother herself.

      Labour’s associate social development spokeswoman Carmel Sepuloni said Ms Bennett had said she knew how hard life was on the domestic purposes benefit and she wanted those on it to have the ambition to get off the benefit.

      Ms Sepuloni said instead of giving more support the budget had cut $3.6 million from the training incentive allowance for sole parents on benefits next year — an $8.7 million total by 2013.”

      And when righteously taken to task for this outrageous display of ladder kicking,
      Paula ‘Bubbles’ Bennett proudly states (while puffing away the feathers stuck around her mouth)

      ” the Government still wanted to help sole parents with training, but changes were necessary because of the recession.

      “This means that we are making decisions accordingly, $22.5 million will be spent on the training incentive allowance in the next year,” Ms Bennett said.

      “We have not cut the training incentive allowance; we have not cut the training level, we have merely changed the level.”

      Sole parents would still be helped with a “foundation course or other certificate”, but at university level they would be treated as other students, she said.”

      Kick them when they’re down,
      Kick them when they’re down,
      We are National, quite irrational,
      We kick them when they’re down.

      (Please feel free to alter/ add)

      https://www.nbr.co.nz/article/bennett-cutting-a-benefit-helped-her-labour-103907

      • Anne 4.2.1

        Sole parents would still be helped with a “foundation course or other certificate”, but at university level they would be treated as other students, she said.”

        Well, that never happened. As for changing the level? It plummeted to zero and that’s where it still sits.

      • Rosemary McDonald 4.2.2

        And godalmighty just read the comments (from the nbr article)….from 7 years ago.

        “Like Paula Bennett I have gone places since I was on the DPB and received a training allowance. I went to law school and am now on $120k+ pa. I am happy that the $40+k that I pay in taxes helps others including bankrupt developers and other Act/ National supporters who are now bennies themselves. Watch out for karma, Tom, Paula et al.”

        “I am a solo mum, however I receive the widows bene which in essence is the DPB just a diff name, The TIA being taken away from people in my position that have lost their husbands and been left with children to support and have no qualifications is totally wrong, I and my three children have to survive on 540$ per week I have a 500+ mortgage and now a credit card bill due to not being accepted to receive a TIA, Shona who commented earlier you have no idea what its like to lose your life partner and then have to struggle to feed 3 children, yes some may abuse the system but why should those of us that really really need help get punished.”

        “When I was told by WINZ that I no longer could receive the TIA for Bachelor of Nursing (could get it only if I was doing some lower level course that probably wouldn’t get me off the benefit anyway) I was told to get a student loan to cover the $60+ per week I pay in petrol and childcare when studying (which I already have for course fees – people think govt pays for everything – not true!) . (And I only get $342 per week for 4 kids, Paula Bennet wouldn’t publicize that figure I bet!). So rang studylink to apply for living costs, which is a loan not a handout, and was told that I wasn’t eligible due to being on the DPB!! So not only have the govt removed the TIA, they have prevented beneficiaries from being able to borrow the money they need to study, which any other struggling student is entitled to borrow. ( which they would obviously pay back, so the taxpayers can rest easy on that one). It is blatant discrimination – and so counter-productive, because it prevents people getting off the DPB. Hearing about the MP’s expense claims in the same week as this has me absolutely fuming!!”

        Real people.
        Really, real people.

        Collateral damage in National’s ‘toughen up and be more resilient’ program.

        • Draco T Bastard 4.2.2.1

          It is blatant discrimination – and so counter-productive, because it prevents people getting off the DPB

          If our politicians understood what was necessary to develop our economy there wouldn’t be long term unemployment and people on the DBP would be able to show their kids how to succeed – because everyone not in or between work would be either training people with their skills or learning new skills themselves.

          Innovation doesn’t come from a few special people – it comes from the multitude of ideas that a nation has. All of them need to be heard, all of them need to be tested and then the best are developed.

          • Rosemary McDonald 4.2.2.1.1

            What struck me was that these women (I am presuming) will now be qualified lawyers, teachers, nurses and social workers.

            It comes as no surprise that there is growing unease amoungst ALL these professions at the damage that this government has wrought over the past eight years.

            We have heard members of the legal profession expressing extreme concern at human rights violations this government seems happy to enact.

            We have nurses and doctors expressing extreme concern that government policies are putting people’s lives at risk.

            We have had teachers kicking up a considerable amount of shit at National Standards, crap funding for Inclusive Education and the unfair funding and now dodgy pass rates of Charter Schools.

            We’ve had social workers crying foul that their voices were ignored in the cyfs reforms process, while they are at the frontline copping the flak for systemic failures that cost children their lives.

            A completely cynical person might suggest to Parties on The Left that these people constitute an electoral goldmine.

            They will be demanding to hear policies that will undo some of the damage their professions have suffered.

            These policies MUST be clear, unequivocal and realistic.

            Because the message will be going to those whose education and eventual rise to ‘middle New Zealand’ has been hard won.

  5. Muttonbird 5

    The Vanguard Military charter school on Auckland’s North Shore reported a 100 percent Level 2 NCEA pass rate, but that fell to 60 percent when the school’s results were calculated the same way as state schools report.

    Vanguard has been held up by Farrar and Slater in particular as an example of charter schools’ success. This is the only school which they’ve been able to point to as being ‘successful’.

    But it turns out charter schools are reporting in a way which inflated their results and ‘created an imperfect impression’, lol.

    As for Seymour, he thinks it’s fine to go easy on charter schools because – just because.

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/319865/charter-school-ncea-reporting-to-be-brought-into-line

  6. Muttonbird 6

    Bridges just promised Northland a motorway from Auckland to Whangarei while, with hanger-on John Key, ceremonially starting the 18.5km bit between Puhoi and Warkworth at the cost of $709.5 million.

    Now lets see…162km…divide by…carry the one…equals…yes, here it is, a $6.2 billion motorway is what Simon Bridges just promised.

    I do wonder what Farrar will make of the BCR on that!

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11763178

    • Draco T Bastard 6.1

      I do wonder what Farrar will make of the BCR on that!

      The only figure that the Gnats are concerned with is the profit that the roading contractors will get for building it and then the ongoing maintenance of it.

  7. Jenny Kirk 7

    Note the photo of 3 guys turning up the sod – for this event. Obviously, they were well dug out beforehand ……… no muddling around on this one !

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    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago
  • Bernard’s Dawn Chorus with six newsey things at 6:46am for Saturday, March 16
    TL;DR: The six newsey things that stood out to me as of 6:46am on Saturday, March 16.Andy Foster has accidentally allowed a Labour/Green amendment to cut road user chargers for plug-in hybrid vehicles, which the Government might accept; NZ Herald Thomas Coughlan Simeon Brown has rejected a plea from Westport ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • How Did FTX Crash?
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    PunditBy Brian Easton
    4 days ago
  • Elections in Russia and Ukraine
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    4 days ago
  • Bernard’s six stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15
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    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Buzz from the Beehive Finance Minister Nicola Willis had plenty to say when addressing the Auckland Business Chamber on the economic growth that (she tells us) is flagging more than we thought. But the government intends to put new life into it:  We want our country to be a ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • National’s clean car tax advances
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    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Government funding bailouts
    Peter Dunne writes – This week’s government bailout – the fifth in the last eighteen months – of the financially troubled Ruapehu Alpine Lifts company would have pleased many in the central North Island ski industry. The government’s stated rationale for the $7 million funding was that it ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Two offenders, different treatments.
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    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    4 days ago
  • Treaty references omitted
    Ele Ludemann writes  – The government is omitting general Treaty references from legislation : The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last Government in a bid to get greater coherence in the public service on Treaty ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • The Ghahraman Conflict
    What was that judge thinking? Peter Williams writes –  That Golriz Ghahraman and District Court Judge Maria Pecotic were once lawyer colleagues is incontrovertible. There is published evidence that they took at least one case to the Court of Appeal together. There was a report on ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 15
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Climate Scorpion – the sting is in the tail. Introducing planetary solvency. A paper via the University of Exeter’s Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.Local scoop: Kāinga Ora starts pulling out of its Auckland projects and selling land RNZ ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • The day Wellington up-zoned its future
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    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Weekly Roundup 15-March-2024
    It’s Friday and we’re halfway through March Madness. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week in Greater Auckland On Monday Matt asked how we can get better event trains and an option for grade separating Morningside Dr. On Tuesday Matt looked into ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    5 days ago
  • That Word.
    Something you might not know about me is that I’m quite a stubborn person. No, really. I don’t much care for criticism I think’s unfair or that I disagree with. Few of us do I suppose.Back when I was a drinker I’d sometimes respond defensively, even angrily. There are things ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • The Hoon around the week to March 15
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:PM Christopher Luxon said the reversal of interest deductibility for landlords was done to help renters, who ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Labour’s policy gap
    It was not so much the Labour Party but really the Chris Hipkins party yesterday at Labour’s caucus retreat in Martinborough. The former Prime Minister was more or less consistent on wealth tax, which he was at best equivocal about, and social insurance, which he was not willing to revisit. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #11 2024
    Open access notables A Glimpse into the Future: The 2023 Ocean Temperature and Sea Ice Extremes in the Context of Longer-Term Climate Change, Kuhlbrodt et al., Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society: In the year 2023, we have seen extraordinary extrema in high sea surface temperature (SST) in the North Atlantic and in ...
    5 days ago
  • Melissa remains mute on media matters but has something to say (at a sporting event) about economic ...
     Buzz from the Beehive   The text reproduced above appears on a page which records all the media statements and speeches posted on the government’s official website by Melissa Lee as Minister of Media and Communications and/or by Jenny Marcroft, her Parliamentary Under-secretary.  It can be quickly analysed ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago
  • The return of Muldoon
    For forty years, Robert Muldoon has been a dirty word in our politics. His style of government was so repulsive and authoritarian that the backlash to it helped set and entrench our constitutional norms. His pig-headedness over forcing through Think Big eventually gave us the RMA, with its participation and ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Will the rental tax cut improve life for renters or landlords?
    Bryce Edwards writes –  Is the new government reducing tax on rental properties to benefit landlords or to cut the cost of rents? That’s the big question this week, after Associate Finance Minister David Seymour announced on Sunday that the Government would be reversing the Labour Government’s removal ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: What Saudi Arabia’s rapid changes mean for New Zealand
    Saudi Arabia is rarely far from the international spotlight. The war in Gaza has brought new scrutiny to Saudi plans to normalise relations with Israel, while the fifth anniversary of the controversial killing of Jamal Khashoggi was marked shortly before the war began on October 7. And as the home ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    5 days ago
  • Racism’s double standards
    Questions need to be asked on both sides of the world Peter Williams writes –   The NRL Judiciary hands down an eight week suspension to Sydney Roosters forward Spencer Leniu , an Auckland-born Samoan, after he calls Ezra Mam, Sydney-orn but of Aboriginal and Torres Strait ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • It’s not a tax break
    Ele Ludemann writes – Contrary to what many headlines and news stories are saying, residential landlords are not getting a tax break. The government is simply restoring to them the tax deductibility of interest they had until the previous government removed it. There is no logical reason ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • The Plastic Pig Collective and Chris' Imaginary Friends.
    I can't remember when it was goodMoments of happiness in bloomMaybe I just misunderstoodAll of the love we left behindWatching our flashbacks intertwineMemories I will never findIn spite of whatever you becomeForget that reckless thing turned onI think our lives have just begunI think our lives have just begunDoes anyone ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • Who is responsible for young offenders?
    Michael Bassett writes – At first reading, a front-page story in the New Zealand Herald on 13 March was bizarre. A group of severely intellectually limited teenagers, with little understanding of the law, have been pleading to the Justice Select Committee not to pass a bill dealing with ram ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on National’s fantasy trip to La La Landlord Land
    How much political capital is Christopher Luxon willing to burn through in order to deliver his $2.9 billion gift to landlords? Evidently, Luxon is: (a) unable to cost the policy accurately. As Anna Burns-Francis pointed out to him on Breakfast TV, the original ”rock solid” $2.1 billion cost he was ...
    6 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 14
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Jonathon Porritt calling bullshit in his own blog post on mainstream climate science as ‘The New Denialism’.Local scoop: The Wellington City Council’s list of proposed changes to the IHP recommendations to be debated later today was leaked this ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • No, Prime Minister, rents don’t rise or fall with landlords’ costs
    TL;DR: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said yesterday tenants should be grateful for the reinstatement of interest deductibility because landlords would pass on their lower tax costs in the form of lower rents. That would be true if landlords were regulated monopolies such as Transpower or Auckland Airport1, but they’re not, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • Cartoons: ‘At least I didn’t make things awkward’
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Tom Toro Tom Toro is a cartoonist and author. He has published over 200 cartoons in The New Yorker since 2010. His cartoons appear in Playboy, the Paris Review, the New York Times, American Bystander, and elsewhere. Related: What 10 EV lovers ...
    6 days ago
  • Solving traffic congestion with Richard Prebble
    The business section of the NZ Herald is full of opinion. Among the more opinionated of all is the ex-Minister of Transport, ex-Minister of Railways, ex MP for Auckland Central (1975-93, Labour), Wellington Central (1996-99, ACT, then list-2005), ex-leader of the ACT Party, uncle to actor Antonia, the veritable granddaddy ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    6 days ago
  • I Think I'm Done Flying Boeing
    Hi,Just quickly — I’m blown away by the stories you’ve shared with me over the last week since I put out the ‘Gary’ podcast, where I told you about the time my friend’s flatmate killed the neighbour.And you keep telling me stories — in the comments section, and in my ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • Invoking Aristotle: Of Rings of Power, Stones, and Ships
    The first season of Rings of Power was not awful. It was thoroughly underwhelming, yes, and left a lingering sense of disappointment, but it was more expensive mediocrity than catastrophe. I wrote at length about the series as it came out (see the Review section of the blog, and go ...
    6 days ago
  • Van Velden brings free-market approach to changing labour laws – but her colleagues stick to distr...
    Buzz from the Beehive Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden told Auckland Business Chamber members they were the first audience to hear her priorities as a minister in a government committed to cutting red tape and regulations. She brandished her liberalising credentials, saying Flexible labour markets are the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • Why Newshub failed
    Chris Trotter writes – TO UNDERSTAND WHY NEWSHUB FAILED, it is necessary to understand how TVNZ changed. Up until 1989, the state broadcaster had been funded by a broadcasting licence fee, collected from every citizen in possession of a television set, supplemented by a relatively modest (compared ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Māori Party on the warpath against landlords and seabed miners – let’s see if mystical creature...
    Bob Edlin writes  –  The Māori Party has been busy issuing a mix of warnings and threats as its expresses its opposition to interest deductibility for landlords and the plans of seabed miners. It remains to be seen whether they  follow the example of indigenous litigants in Australia, ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • Government moves to quickly ratify the NZ-EU FTA
    "The Government is moving quickly to realise an additional $46 million in tariff savings in the EU market this season for Kiwi exporters,” Minister for Trade and Agriculture, Todd McClay says. Parliament is set, this week, to complete the final legislative processes required to bring the New Zealand – European ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 hours ago
  • Positive progress for social worker workforce
    New Zealand’s social workers are qualified, experienced, and more representative of the communities they serve, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “I want to acknowledge and applaud New Zealand’s social workers for the hard work they do, providing invaluable support for our most vulnerable. “To coincide with World ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    12 hours ago
  • Minister confirms reduced RUC rate for PHEVs
    Cabinet has agreed to a reduced road user charge (RUC) rate for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. Owners of PHEVs will be eligible for a reduced rate of $38 per 1,000km once all light electric vehicles (EVs) move into the RUC system from 1 April.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    14 hours ago
  • Trade access to overseas markets creates jobs
    Minister of Agriculture and Trade, Todd McClay, says that today’s opening of Riverland Foods manufacturing plant in Christchurch is a great example of how trade access to overseas markets creates jobs in New Zealand.  Speaking at the official opening of this state-of-the-art pet food factory the Minister noted that exports ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    14 hours ago
  • NZ and Chinese Foreign Ministers hold official talks
    Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Wellington today. “It was a pleasure to host Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his first official visit to New Zealand since 2017. Our discussions were wide-ranging and enabled engagement on many facets of New Zealand’s relationship with China, including trade, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Kāinga Ora instructed to end Sustaining Tenancies
    Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities has been instructed to end the Sustaining Tenancies Framework and take stronger measures against persistent antisocial behaviour by tenants, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Earlier today Finance Minister Nicola Willis and I sent an interim Letter of Expectations to the Board of Kāinga Ora. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber: Growth is the answer
    Tēna koutou katoa. Greetings everyone. Thank you to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Honourable Simon Bridges for hosting this address today. I acknowledge the business leaders in this room, the leaders and governors, the employers, the entrepreneurs, the investors, and the wealth creators. The coalition Government shares your ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Singapore rounds out regional trip
    Minister Winston Peters completed the final leg of his visit to South and South East Asia in Singapore today, where he focused on enhancing one of New Zealand’s indispensable strategic partnerships.      “Singapore is our most important defence partner in South East Asia, our fourth-largest trading partner and a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister van Velden represents New Zealand at International Democracy Summit
    Minister of Internal Affairs and Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon. Brooke van Velden, will travel to the Republic of Korea to represent New Zealand at the Third Summit for Democracy on 18 March. The summit, hosted by the Republic of Korea, was first convened by the United States in 2021, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Insurance Council of NZ Speech, 7 March 2024, Auckland
    ICNZ Speech 7 March 2024, Auckland  Acknowledgements and opening  Mōrena, ngā mihi nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho.  Good morning, it’s a privilege to be here to open the ICNZ annual conference, thank you to Mark for the Mihi Whakatau  My thanks to Tim Grafton for inviting me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Five-year anniversary of Christchurch terror attacks
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Lead Coordination Minister Judith Collins have expressed their deepest sympathy on the five-year anniversary of the Christchurch terror attacks. “March 15, 2019, was a day when families, communities and the country came together both in sorrow and solidarity,” Mr Luxon says.  “Today we pay our respects to the 51 shuhada ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024
    Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024  Acknowledgements and opening  Morena, Nga Mihi Nui.  Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Thanks Nate for your Mihi Whakatau  Good morning. It’s a pleasure to formally open your conference this morning. What a lovely day in Wellington, What a great ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Early visit to Indonesia strengthens ties
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters held discussions in Jakarta today about the future of relations between New Zealand and South East Asia’s most populous country.   “We are in Jakarta so early in our new government’s term to reflect the huge importance we place on our relationship with Indonesia and South ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • China Foreign Minister to visit
    Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has announced that the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, will visit New Zealand next week.  “We look forward to re-engaging with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussing the full breadth of the bilateral relationship, which is one of New Zealand’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister opens new Auckland Rail Operations Centre
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has today opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre, which will bring together KiwiRail, Auckland Transport, and Auckland One Rail to improve service reliability for Aucklanders. “The recent train disruptions in Auckland have highlighted how important it is KiwiRail and Auckland’s rail agencies work together to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Celebrating 10 years of Crankworx Rotorua
    The Government is proud to support the 10th edition of Crankworx Rotorua as the Crankworx World Tour returns to Rotorua from 16-24 March 2024, says Minister for Economic Development Melissa Lee.  “Over the past 10 years as Crankworx Rotorua has grown, so too have the economic and social benefits that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government delivering on tax commitments
    Legislation implementing coalition Government tax commitments and addressing long-standing tax anomalies will be progressed in Parliament next week, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The legislation is contained in an Amendment Paper to the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill issued today.  “The Amendment Paper represents ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Significant Natural Areas requirement to be suspended
    Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard has today announced that the Government has agreed to suspend the requirement for councils to comply with the Significant Natural Areas (SNA) provisions of the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity for three years, while it replaces the Resource Management Act (RMA).“As it stands, SNAs ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Government classifies drought conditions in Top of the South as medium-scale adverse event
    Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has classified the drought conditions in the Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts as a medium-scale adverse event, acknowledging the challenging conditions facing farmers and growers in the district. “Parts of Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts are in the grip of an intense dry spell. I know ...
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    6 days ago
  • Government partnership to tackle $332m facial eczema problem
    The Government is helping farmers eradicate the significant impact of facial eczema (FE) in pastoral animals, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced.  “A $20 million partnership jointly funded by Beef + Lamb NZ, the Government, and the primary sector will save farmers an estimated NZD$332 million per year, and aims to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • NZ, India chart path to enhanced relationship
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has completed a successful visit to India, saying it was an important step in taking the relationship between the two countries to the next level.   “We have laid a strong foundation for the Coalition Government’s priority of enhancing New Zealand-India relations to generate significant future benefit for both countries,” says Mr Peters, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Ruapehu Alpine Lifts bailout the last, say Ministers
    Cabinet has agreed to provide $7 million to ensure the 2024 ski season can go ahead on the Whakapapa ski field in the central North Island but has told the operator Ruapehu Alpine Lifts it is the last financial support it will receive from taxpayers. Cabinet also agreed to provide ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days 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 ...
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    6 days 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
    6 days 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
    6 days 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
    6 days 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
    6 days 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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    6 days 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
    6 days ago
  • Government backs rural led catchment projects
    The coalition Government is supporting farmers to enhance land management practices by investing $3.3 million in locally led catchment groups, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced. “Farmers and growers deliver significant prosperity for New Zealand and it’s vital their ongoing efforts to improve land management practices and water quality are supported,” ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days 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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    1 week ago
  • Commission’s advice on ETS settings tabled
    Recommendations from the Climate Change Commission for New Zealand on the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) auction and unit limit settings for the next five years have been tabled in Parliament, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “The Commission provides advice on the ETS annually. This is the third time the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government lowering building costs
    The coalition Government is beginning its fight to lower building costs and reduce red tape by exempting minor building work from paying the building levy, says Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk. “Currently, any building project worth $20,444 including GST or more is subject to the building levy which is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Trustee tax change welcomed
    Proposed changes to tax legislation to prevent the over-taxation of low-earning trusts are welcome, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The changes have been recommended by Parliament’s Finance and Expenditure Committee following consideration of submissions on the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill. “One of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister’s Ramadan message
    Assalaamu alaikum. السَّلَام عليكم In light of the holy month of Ramadan, I want to extend my warmest wishes to our Muslim community in New Zealand. Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, renewed devotion, perseverance, generosity, and forgiveness.  It’s a time to strengthen our bonds and appreciate the diversity ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister appoints new NZTA Chair
    Former Transport Minister and CEO of the Auckland Business Chamber Hon Simon Bridges has been appointed as the new Board Chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) for a three-year term, Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced today. “Simon brings extensive experience and knowledge in transport policy and governance to the role. He will ...
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    1 week ago
  • Speech to Life Sciences Summit
    Good morning all, it is a pleasure to be here as Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology.  It is fantastic to see how connected and collaborative the life science and biotechnology industry is here in New Zealand. I would like to thank BioTechNZ and NZTech for the invitation to address ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week 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. ...
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    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week ago

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